The united force of reason and interest had doubtless convinced him that his passions and prejudices had led him into a great error.

That error he determined to recant; and it cost him less to say that his opinion had been changed by newly discovered evidence, than that he had formed a wrong judgment with all the materials for the forming of a right judgment before him.

The popular belief was that his retractation was the effect of the tears, expostulations and reproaches of his wife.

The lady's spirit was high; her authority in the family was great; and she cared much more about her house and her carriage, the plenty of her table and the prospects of her children, than about the patriarchal origin of government or the meaning of the word Abdication.

She had, it was asserted, given her husband no peace by day or by night till he had got over his scruples.