The placeman alone throve amidst the general distress.

"Look," cried the incensed squires, "at the Comptroller of the Customs.

Ten years ago, he walked, and we rode.

Our incomes have been curtailed; his salary has been doubled; we have sold our horses; he has bought them; and now we go on foot, and are splashed by his coach and six." Lowther vainly endeavoured to stand up against the storm.

He was heard with little favour by the country gentlemen who had not long before looked up to him as one of their leaders.