itish dominions. (1857.)]

[Footnote 19: The most sensible thing said in the House of Commons, on
this subject, came from Sir William Coventry: "Our ancestors never did
draw a line to circumscribe prerogative and liberty."]

[Footnote 20: Halifax was undoubtedly the real author of the Character
of a Trimmer, which, for a time, went under the name of his kinsman, Sir
William Coventry.]

[Footnote 21: North's Examen, 231, 574.]

[Footnote 22: A peer who was present has described the effect of
Halifax's oratory in words which I will quote, because, though they
have been long in print, they are probably known to few even of the
most curious and diligent readers of history. "Of powerful eloquence and
great parts were the Duke's enemies who did assert the Bill; but a noble
Lord appeared against it who, that day, in all the force of speech, in
reason, in arguments of what could concern the public or the private
interests of men, in honour, in conscience, in estate, did outdo himself
and every other man; and in fine his conduct and his parts were
both victorious, and by him all the wit and malice of that party was
overthrown." This passage is taken from a memoir of Henry Earl of
Peterborough, in a volume entitled "Succinct Genealogies, by Robert
Halstead," fol. 1685. The name of Halstead is fictitious. The real
authors were the Earl of Peterborough himself and his chaplain. The book
is extremely rare. Only twenty-four copies were printed, two of which
are now in the British Museum. Of these two one belonged to George the
Fourth, and the other to Mr. Grenville.]

[Footnote 23: This is mentioned in the curious work entitled "Ragguaglio
della solenne Comparsa fatta in Roma gli otto di Gennaio, 1687, dall'
illustrissimo et eccellentissimo signor Conte di Castlemaine."]

[Footnote 24: North's Examen, 69.]

[Footnote 25: Lord Preston, who was envoy at Paris, wrote thence to
Halifax as follows: "I find that your Lordship lies still under the same
misfortune of being no favourite to this court; and Monsieur Barillon
dare not do you the honor to shine upon you, since his master frowneth.
They know very well your lordship's qualifications which make them
fear and consequently hate you; and be assured, my lord, if all their
strength can send you to Rufford, it shall be employed for that end. Two
things, I hear, they particularly object against you, your secrecy, and
your being incapable of being corrupted. Against these two things