[663] And now the time arrived for the free conference between the Houses.

The managers for the Lords, in their robes, took their seats along one side of the table in the Painted Chamber: but the crowd of members of the House of Commons on the other side was so great that the gentlemen who were to argue the question in vain tried to get through.

It was not without much difficulty and long delay that the Serjeant at Arms was able to clear a passage.

[664] At length the discussion began.

A full report of the speeches on both sides has come down to us.