e of such a man was peculiarly formidable. Weight of moral
character was indeed wanting to Edward Seymour. He was licentious,
profane, corrupt, too proud to behave with common politeness, yet not
too proud to pocket illicit gain. But he was so useful an ally, and so
mischievous an enemy that he was frequently courted even by those who
most detested him. [307]

He was now in bad humour with the government. His interest had been
weakened in some places by the remodelling of the western boroughs: his
pride had been wounded by the elevation of Trevor to the chair; and he
took an early opportunity of revenging himself.

On the twenty-second of May the Commons were summoned to the bar of the
Lords; and the King, seated on his throne, made a speech to both Houses.
He declared himself resolved to maintain the established government
in Church and State. But he weakened the effect of this declaration
by addressing an extraordinary admonition to the Commons. He was
apprehensive, he said, that they might be inclined to dole out money to
him from time to time, in the hope that they should thus force him to
call them frequently together. But he must warn them that he was not to
be so dealt with, and that, if they wished him to meet them often they
must use him well. As it was evident that without money the government
could not be carried on, these expressions plainly implied that, if they
did not give him as much money as he wished, he would take it. Strange
to say, this harangue was received with loud cheers by the Tory
gentlemen at the bar. Such acclamations were then usual. It has now
been, during many years, the grave and decorous usage of Parliaments
to hear, in respectful silence, all expressions, acceptable or
unacceptable, which are uttered from the throne. [308]

It was then the custom that, after the King had concisely explained his
reasons for calling Parliament together, the minister who held the Great
Seal should, at more length, explain to the Houses the state of public
affairs. Guildford, in imitation of his predecessors, Clarendon,
Bridgeman, Shaftesbury, and Nottingham, had prepared an elaborate
oration, but found, to his great mortification, that his services were
not wanted. [309]

As soon as the Commons had returned to their own chamber, it was
proposed that they should resolve themselves into a Committee, for the
purpose of settling a revenue on the King.

Then Seymour stood up. How he stood, looking like wh