studiously avoided. He described the desolation of the western
counties. The people, he said, were weary of the oppression of
the troops, weary of free quarters, of depredations, of still
fouler crimes which the law called felonies, but for which, when
perpetrated by this class of felons, no redress could be
obtained. The King's servants had indeed told the House that
excellent rules had been laid down for the government of the
army; but none could venture to say that these rules had been
observed. What, then, was the inevitable inference? Did not the
contrast between the paternal injunctions issued from the throne
and the insupportable tyranny of the soldiers prove that the army
was even now too strong for the prince as well as for the people?
The Commons might surely, with perfect consistency, while they
reposed entire confidence in the intentions of His Majesty,
refuse to make any addition to a force which it was clear that
His Majesty could not manage.

The motion that the sum to be granted should not exceed four
hundred thousand pounds, was lost by twelve votes. This victory
of the ministers was little better than a defeat. The leaders of
the country party, nothing disheartened, retreated a little, made
another stand, and proposed the sum of seven hundred thousand
pounds. The committee divided again, and the courtiers were
beaten by two hundred and twelve votes to one hundred and
seventy.24

On the following day the Commons went in procession to Whitehall
with their address on the subject of the test. The King received
them on his throne. The address was drawn up in respectful and
affectionate language; for the great majority of those who had