But this was not one of those occasions on which the House of Lords can act effectually as a check on the popular branch of the legislature.

No good would have been done by rejecting the bill for disbanding the troops, unless the King could have been furnished with the means of maintaining them; and with such means he could be furnished only by the House of Commons.

Somers, in a speech of which both the eloquence and the wisdom were greatly admired, placed the question in the true light.

He set forth strongly the dangers to which the jealousy and parsimony of the representatives of the people exposed the country.
But any thing, he said, was better than that the King and the Peers should engage, without hope of success, in an acrimonious conflict with the Commons.

Tankerville spoke with his usual ability on the same side.
Nottingham and the other Tories remained silent; and the bill passed without a division.
By this time the King's strong understanding had mastered, as it seldom failed, after a struggle, to master, his rebellious temper.