He tried, however, to do his best with the materials which remained to him, and finally selected nine privy councillors, by whose advice he enjoined Mary to be guided.

Four of these, Devonshire, Dorset, Monmouth, and Edward Russell, were Whigs.

The other five, Caermarthen, Pembroke, Nottingham, Marlborough, and Lowther, were Tories, [651] William ordered the Nine to attend him at the office of the Secretary of State.

When they were assembled, he came leading in the Queen, desired them to be seated, and addressed to them a few earnest and weighty words.

"She wants experience," he said; "but I hope that, by choosing you to be her counsellors, I have supplied that defect.