Near a hundred lords were present.
Somers, whose serene wisdom and persuasive eloquence had seldom been more needed, was confined to his room by illness; and his place on the woolsack was supplied by the Earl of Bridgewater.

Several orators, both Whig and Tory, objected to proceeding farther.

But the chiefs of both parties thought it better to try the almost hopeless experiment of committing the bill and sending it back amended to the Commons.

The second reading was carried by seventy votes to twenty-three.

It was remarked that both Portland and Albemarle voted in the majority.
In the Committee and on the third reading several amendments were proposed and carried.