It seemed still more extraordinary that Howe, whose whole eloquence consisted in cutting personalities, named nobody on this occasion, and contented himself with declaiming in general terms against corruption and profusion.

It was plain that the enemies of Somers were at once urged forward by hatred and kept back by fear.

They knew that they could not carry a resolution directly condemning him.

They, therefore, cunningly brought forward a mere speculative proposition which many members might be willing to affirm without scrutinising it severely.

But, as soon as the major premise had been admitted, the minor would be without difficulty established; and it would be impossible to avoid coming to the conclusion that Somers had violated his trust.