Wharton, who had at first spoken powerfully for the amendments,
left town for Newmarket. On the other hand, some Lords who had
not yet taken their part came down to give a healing vote. Among
them were the two persons to whom the education of the young heir
apparent had been entrusted, Marlborough and Burnet. Marlborough
showed his usual prudence. He had remained neutral while by
taking a part he must have offended either the House of Commons
or the King. He took a part as soon as he saw that it was
possible to please both. Burnet, alarmed for the public peace,
was in a state of great excitement, and, as was usual with him
when in such a state, forgot dignity and decorum, called out
"stuff" in a very audible voice while a noble Lord was haranguing
in favour of the amendments, and was in great danger of being
reprimanded at the bar or delivered over to Black Rod. The motion
on which the division took place was that the House do adhere to
the amendments. There were forty contents and thirty-seven not
contents. Proxies were called; and the numbers were found to be
exactly even. In the House of Lords there is no casting vote.
When the numbers are even, the non contents have it. The motion
to adhere had therefore been negatived. But this was not enough.
It was necessary that an affirmative resolution should be moved
to the effect that the House agreed to the bill without
amendments; and, if the numbers should again be equal, this
motion would also be lost. It was an anxious moment. Fortunately
the Primate's heart failed him. He had obstinately fought the
battle down to the last stage. But he probably felt that it was
no light thing to take on himself, and to bring on his order, the
responsibility of throwing the whole kingdom into confusion. He
started up and hurried out of the House, beckoning to some of his
brethren. His brethren followed him with a prompt obedience,