The Spanish government was become so feeble, that the ministry, rather than be at the expense of defending the Netherlands, offered to deliver the whole country to king William, either as monarch of England, or stadtholder of the United Provinces.

He declined this offer, because he knew the people would never be reconciled to a protestant government; but he proposed that the Spaniards should confer the administration of Flanders upon the elector of Bavaria, who was ambitious of signalizing his courage, and able to defend the country with his own troops and treasure.

This proposal was relished by the court of Spain; the emperor imparted it to the elector, who accepted the office without hesitation; and he was immediately declared governor of the Low Countries by the council of state at Madrid.

King William, after his return from the army, continued some time at the Hague settling the operations of the ensuing campaign.
That affair being discussed, he embarked in the Maese, and landed in England on the nineteenth day of October.
{WILLIAM AND MARY, 1688--1701.} AFFAIRS OF IRELAND.
Before we explain the proceedings in parliament, it will be necessary to give a detail of the late transactions in Ireland.

In the beginning of the season, the French king had sent a large supply of provisions, clothes, and ammunition, for the use of the Irish at Limerick, under the conduct of Monsieur St.Ruth, accompanied by a great number of French officers furnished with commissions from king James, though St.
Kuth issued all his orders in the name of Louis.