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resolution directly condemning him. They, therefore,cunningly brought forward a mere speculative proposi-tion which many members might he willing to affirmwithout scrutinising it severely. But, as soon as themajor premise had been admitted, the minor would bewithout difficulty established; and it would be impossibleto avoid coming to the conclusion that Somers had violatedhis trust. Such tactics, however, have very seldom suc-ceeded in English parliaments; for a little good sense anda little straightforwardness are quite sufficient to con-found them. A sturdy Whig member, Sir HowlandG-wyn, disconcerted the whole scheme of operations.“Why this reserve?” he said, “Everybody knows yourmeaning. Everybody sees that you have not the courageto name the great man whom you are trying to destroy.”“ That is false,” cried Brydges: and a stormy altercationfollowed. It soon appeared that innocence would againtriumph. The two parties seemed to have exchangedcharacters for one day. The friends of the govern-ment, who in the Parliament were generally humble andtimorous, took a high tone, and spoke as it becomesmen to speak who are defending persecuted genius andvirtue. The malecontents, generally so insolent andturbulent, seemed to be completely cowed. They abasedthemselves so low as to protest, what no human beingcould believe, that they had no intention of attackingthe Chancellor, and had framed their resolution withoutany view to him. Howe, from whose lips scarcely any-

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