Of all men he was the least likely to conceal the fact that an important fiscal revolution had been his work.

Nor was the Board of Treasury at that time one which much needed, or was likely much to regard, the counsels of a divine.

At that Board sate Godolphin the most prudent and experienced, and Montague the most daring and inventive of financiers.

Neither of these eminent men could be ignorant that it had long been the practice of the neighbouring states to spread over many years of peace the excessive taxation which was made necessary by one year of war.

In Italy this practice had existed through many generations.