410

niSTORT OP ENGLAND.

chap, beyond the Ganges and the Mississippi with reverence ex-

~7 68a ' . '~ ceeding that which is paid to the memory of the greatestwarriors and rulers. Among the crowd of silent membersappeared the majectic forehead and pensive face of IsaacNewton. The renowned University on which his genius hadalready begun to impress a peculiar character, still plainlydiscernible after the lapse of a hundred and sixty years, hadsent him to the Convention; and he sate there, in his modestgreatness, the unobtrusive but unflinching friend of civil andreligious freedom.

Choice of The first act of the Commons was to choose a Speaker;

,Speakcr 'and the choice which they made indicated in a manner not tobe mistaken their opinion touching the great questions whichthey were about to decide. Down to the very eve of themeeting, it had been understood that Seymour would beplaced in the chair. He had formerly sate there during severalyears. He had great and various titles to consideration;descent, fortune, knowledge, experience, eloquence. Hehad long been at the head of a powerful band of membersfrom the Western counties. Though a Tory, he had in thelast Parliament headed, with conspicuous ability and courage,the opposition to Popery and arbitrary power. He had beenamong the first gentlemen who had repaired to the Dutchhead quarters at Exeter, and had been the author of thatassociation by which the Prince’s adherents had bound them-selves to stand or fall together. But, a few hours before theHouses met, a rumour was spread that Seymour was againstdeclaring the throne vacant. As soon, therefore, as thebenches had filled, the Earl of Wiltshire, who representedHampshire, stood up, and proposed that Powle should beSpeaker. Sir Vere Fane, member for Kent, seconded themotion. A plausible objection might have been raised; forit was known that a petition was about to be presented againstPowle’s return: but the general cry of the House called himto the chair; and the Tories thought it prudent to acquiesce.*The mace was then laid on the table; the list of members

* Ciltcrs, 1G89; Grey’s Debates.