It was fatal to the honour and power of one great minister, and to the peace and prosperity of many private families.

The tracts which the rival bodies put forth against each other were innumerable.

If the drama of that age may be trusted, the feud between the India House and Skinners' Hall was sometimes as serious an impediment to the course of true love in London as the feud of the Capulets and Montagues had been at Verona.
[179] Which of the two contending parties was the stronger it is not easy to say.

The New Company was supported by the Whigs, the Old Company by the Tories.

The New Company was popular; for it promised largely, and could not be accused of having broken its promises; it made no dividends, and therefore was not envied; it had no power to oppress, and had therefore been guilty of no oppression.