Nottingham, always upright and honourable, but a bigot and a formalist, was on this subject singularly obstinate and unreasonable.

In one debate he lost his temper, forgot the decorum which in general he strictly observed, and narrowly escaped being committed to the custody of the Black Rod, [607] After much wrangling, the Whigs carried their point by a majority of seven, [608] Many peers signed a strong protest written by Nottingham.

In this protest the bill, which was indeed open to verbal criticism, was impolitely described as being neither good English nor good sense.

The majority passed a resolution that the protest should be expunged; and against this resolution Nottingham and his followers again protested, [609] The King was displeased by the pertinacity of his Secretary of State; so much displeased indeed that Nottingham declared his intention of resigning the Seals; but the dispute was soon accommodated.

William was too wise not to know the value of an honest man in a dishonest age.
The very scrupulosity which made Nottingham a mutineer was a security that he would never be a traitor, [610] The bill went down to the Lower House; and it was full expected that the contest there would be long and fierce; but a single speech settled the question.