22

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

CTTAP.

X.XM1,

J697.

Sumlcr-Iind at-tacked.

armies was of too long growth and too deep root to be atonce removed; and .those means by which the Court might,at another time, have secured the help of venal politicianswere, at that moment, of less avail than usual. The Trien-nial Act was beginning to produce its effects. A generalelection was at hand. Every member who had constituentswas desirous to please them; and it was certain that nomember would please his constituents by voting for a stand-ing army: and the resolution moved by Harley was stronglysupported by Ilowe, was carried, was reported to tliellouseon the following day, and, after a debate in which severalorators made a great display of their knowledge of ancientand modern history, was confirmed by one hundred andeighty five votes to one hundred and forty eight.*

In this debate the fear and hatred with which many ofthe best friends of the Government regarded Sunderlandwere unequivocally manifested. “ It is easy,” such was thelanguage of several members, “ it is easy to guess by whomthat unhappy sentence was inserted in the speech from theThrone. No person well acquainted with the disastrousand disgraceful history of the last two reigns can doubtwho the minister is, who is now whispering evil counsel inthe ear of a third master.” The Chamberlain, thus fiercelyattacked, was very feebly defended. There was indeed inthe House of Commons a small knot of his creatures; andthey were men not destitute of a certain kind of ability;

* L’llemitage, Dec. 1!)., Dec. IJ., Journals.