One rude spectator, indeed, was heard to remark that Hans made a much better figure, now that he had been living ten years on the fat of the land, than when he first came.

"A pretty figure you would have made," said a Dutch soldier, "if we had not come." And the retort was generally applauded.

It would not, however, be reasonable to infer from the signs of public sympathy and good will with which the foreigners were dismissed that the nation wished them to remain.

It was probably because they were going that they were regarded with favour by many who would never have seen them relieve guard at St.James's without black looks and muttered curses.
Side by side with the discussion about the land force had been proceeding a discussion, scarcely less animated, about the naval administration.

The chief minister of marine was a man whom it had once been useless and even perilous to attack in the Commons.