Vernon was a zealous Whig, and not personally unacceptable to the chiefs of his party.

But the Lord Chancellor, the First Lord of the Treasury, and the First Lord of the Admiralty, might not unnaturally think it strange that a post of the highest importance should have been filled up in opposition to their known wishes, and with a haste and a secresy which plainly showed that the King did not wish to be annoyed by their remonstrances.

The Lord Chamberlain pretended that he had done all in his power to serve Wharton.

But the Whig chiefs were not men to be duped by the professions of so notorious a liar.

Montague bitterly described him as a fireship, dangerous at best, but on the whole most dangerous as a consort, and least dangerous when showing hostile colours.