Macclesfield, irritated by the charge of inconsistency, retorted with terrible severity: "The noble Earl," he said, "exaggerates the share which I had in the deliverance of our country.

I was ready, indeed, and always shall be ready, to venture my life in defence of her laws and liberties.

But there are lengths to which, even for the sake of her laws and liberties, I could never go.

I only rebelled against a bad King; there were those who did much more." Marlborough, though not easily discomposed, could not but feel the edge of this sarcasm; William looked displeased; and the aspect of the whole House was troubled and gloomy.

It was resolved by fifty-one votes to forty that the bill should be committed; and it was committed, but never reported.