The animosity with which the patrician order was regarded was inflamed by the arts and the eloquence of Seymour.

The bill contained a definition of the words, "to hold a Parliament." This definition was scrutinised with extreme jealousy, and was thought by many, with very little reason, to have been framed for the purpose of extending the privileges, already invidiously great, of the nobility.

It appears, from the scanty and obscure fragments of the debates which have come down to us, that bitter reflections were thrown on the general conduct, both political and judicial, of the Peers.

Old Titus, though zealous for triennial parliaments, owned that he was not surprised at the ill humour which many gentlemen showed.

"It is true," he said, "that we ought to be dissolved; but it is rather hard, I must own, that the Lords are to prescribe the time of our dissolution.