The bill was consequently suffered to drop.

[357] Had it gone up to the Peers it would in all probability have been lost after causing another quarrel between the Houses.

For the Peers were fully determined that no such bill should pass, unless it contained a clause altering the constitution of the Lord High Steward's Court; and a clause altering the constitution of the Lord High Steward's Court would have been less likely than ever to find favour with the Commons.

For in the course of this session an event took place which proved that the great were only too well protected by the law as it stood, and which well deserves to be recorded as a striking illustration of the state of manners and morals in that age.
Of all the actors who were then on the English stage the most graceful was William Mountford.

He had every physical qualification for his calling, a noble figure, a handsome face, a melodious voice.