chosen by the people for three years, chose themselves for seven.
But, whatever might be the disposition of the Lords, the people had
no wish to increase their power. The tendency of the Bill, as
Steele observed in a letter to the Earl of Oxford, was to introduce
an aristocracy: for a majority in the House of Lords, so limited,
would have been despotic and irresistible.

To prevent this subversion of the ancient establishment, Steele,
whose pen readily seconded his political passions, endeavoured to
alarm the nation by a pamphlet called "The Plebeian." To this an
answer was published by Addison, under the title of "The Old Whig,"
in which it is not discovered that Steele was then known to be the
advocate for the Commons. Steele replied by a second "Plebeian;"
and, whether by ignorance or by courtesy, confined himself to his
question, without any personal notice of his opponent. Nothing
hitherto was committed against the laws of friendship or proprieties
of decency; but controvertists cannot long retain their kindness for
each other. The "Old Whig" answered "The Plebeian," and could not
forbear some contempt of "little DICKY, whose trade it was to write
pamphlets." Dicky, however, did not lose his settled veneration for
his friend, but contented himself with quoting some lines of Cato,
which were at once detection and reproof. The Bill was laid aside
during that session, and Addison died before the next, in which its
commitment was rejected by two hundred and sixty-five to one hundred
and seventy-seven.

Every reader surely must regret that these two illustrious friends,
after so many years passed in confidence and endearment, in unity of
interest, conformity of opinion, and fellowship of study, should
finally part in acrimonious opposition. Such a controversy was