WILLIAM THE THIRD.

21

the opposition cared little. • Bellamont was far removedfrom the political scene. Romney could not, and Shrews-bury would not, play a first part. Orford had resigned hisemployments. But Somers still held the Great Seal, stillpresided in the House of Lords, still had constant access tothe closet. The retreat of his friends had left him the soleand undisputed head of that party which had, in the lateParliament, been a majority, and which was, in the presentParliament, outnumbered indeed, disorganised and dis-heartened , but still numerous and respectable. His placidcourage rose higher and higher to meet the dangers whichthreatened him. He provided for himself no refuge. Hemade no move towards flight; and, without uttering oneboastful word, gave his enemies to understand, by the mildfirmness of his demeanour, that he dared them to do theirworst.

In their eagerness to displace and destroy him theyoverreached themselves. Had they been content to accusehim of lending his countenance, with a rashness unbe-coming his high place, to an ill-concerted scheme, thatlarge part of mankind which judges of a plan simply by theevent would probably have thought the accusation wellfounded. But the malice which they bore to him was notto be so satisfied. They affected to believe that he hadfrom the first been aware of Kidd’s character and designs.The Great Seal had been employed to sanction a piraticalexpedition. The head of the law had laid down a thou-sand pounds in the hope of receiving tens of thousands

ciiap.

xxv.

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