28

HISTORY OP ENGLAND.

chap, on dividing, and were confounded by finding that, with all

"' mu. the advantage of a surprise, they were only one hundredand thirty three to one hundred and seventy three. Theirdefeat would probably have been less complete, had notall those members who were especially attached to thePrincess of Denmark voted in the majority or absentedthemselves. Marlborough used all his influence againstthe motion; and he had strong reasons for doing so. Hewas by no means well pleased to see the Commons en-gaged in discussing the characters and past lives of thepersons who were placed about the Duke of Gloucester.If the High Churchmen, by reviving old stories, succeededin carrying a vote against the Preceptor, it was by nomeans unlikely that some malicious Whig might retaliateon the Governor. The Governor must have been consciousthat he was not invulnerable; nor could he absolutely relyon the support of the whole body of Tories: for it wasbelieved that their favourite leader, Rochester, thoughthimself the fittest person to superintend the education ofhis grand nephew.

iienewed From Burnet the opposition went back to Somers.

attack oq

Somers. Some Crown property near Reigate had been granted toSomers by the King. In this transaction there was no-thing that deserved blame. The Great Seal ought alwaysto be held by a lawyer of the highest distinction; nor cansuch a lawyer discharge his duties in a perfectly efficientmanner unless, with the Great Seal, he accepts a peerage.But he may not have accumulated a fortune such as will