As often as it was necessary to vote an extraordinary supply to the Crown, the Committee of Ways and Means would have looked about for some unpopular capitalist to plunder.

Appetite would have grown with indulgence.

Accusations would have been eagerly welcomed.

Rumours and suspicions would have been received as proofs.

The wealth of the great goldsmiths of the Royal Exchange would have become as insecure as that of a Jew under the Plantagenets, as that of a Christian under a Turkish Pasha.