impeachment. But Musgrave, an abler and more experienced
politician, saw that, if the imputations which the opposition had
been in the habit of throwing on the Chancellor were exhibited
with the precision of a legal charge, their futility would excite
universal derision, and thought it more expedient to move that
the House should, without assigning any reason, request the King
to remove Lord Somers from His Majesty's counsels and presence
for ever. Cowper defended his persecuted friend with great
eloquence and effect; and he was warmly supported by many members
who had been zealous for the resumption of the Irish grants. Only
a hundred and six members went into the lobby with Musgrave; a
hundred and sixty-seven voted against him. Such a division, in
such a House of Commons, and on such a day, is sufficient
evidence of the respect which the great qualities of Somers had
extorted even from his political enemies.

The clerk then went on with the list. The Lord President and the
Lord Privy Seal, who were well known to have stood up strongly
for the privileges of the Lords, were reviled by some angry
members; but no motion was made against either. And soon the
Tories became uneasy in their turn; for the name of the Duke of
Leeds was read. He was one of themselves. They were very
unwilling to put a stigma on him. Yet how could they, just after
declaiming against the Chancellor for accepting a very moderate
and well earned provision, undertake the defence of a statesman
who had, out of grants, pardons and bribes, accumulated a
princely fortune? There was actually on the table evidence that
His Grace was receiving from the bounty of the Crown more than
thrice as much as had been bestowed on Somers; and nobody could
doubt that His Grace's secret gains had very far exceeded those