Montague spoke with even more than his wonted ability and energy, but in vain.

So far was he from being able to rally round him such a majority as that which had supported him in the preceding Parliament, that he could not count on the support even of the placemen who sate at the same executive board with him.

Thomas Pelham, who had, only a few months before, been made a Lord of the Treasury, tried to answer him.

"I own," said Pelham, "that last year I thought a large land force necessary; this year I think such a force unnecessary; but I deny that I have been guilty of any inconsistency.

Last year the great question of the Spanish succession was unsettled, and there was serious danger of a general war.