Finding himself in imminent danger of being expelled and sent to prison, he apologized, and disclaimed all knowledge of the paper which purported to be a report of what he had said.

He escaped with impunity; but his speech was voted false, scandalous and seditious, and was burned by the hangman in Palace Yard.

The bill which had caused all this ferment was prudently suffered to drop.

[505] Meanwhile the Commons were busied with financial questions of grave importance.

The estimates for the year 1694 were enormous.