William, however, had, as he owned to Heinsius, some difficulty in making up his mind.

He had no doubt that a general election would give him a better House of Commons; but a general election would cause delay; and delay might cause much mischief.

After balancing these considerations, during some hours, he determined to dissolve.
The writs were sent out with all expedition; and in three days the whole kingdom was up.

Never--such was the intelligence sent from the Dutch Embassy to the Hague--had there been more intriguing, more canvassing, more virulence of party feeling.

It was in the capital that the first great contests took place.