ulous slave. For with his rare mental endowments were joined lax
principles and an unfeeling heart. When the Tory reaction was in full
progress, he had consented to be made Sheriff for the express purpose
of assisting the vengeance of the court. His juries had never failed
to find verdicts of Guilty; and, on a day of judicial butchery, carts,
loaded with the legs and arms of quartered Whigs, were, to the great
discomposure of his lady, driven to his fine house in Basinghall
Street for orders. His services had been rewarded with the honour of
knighthood, with an Alderman's gown, and with the office of Commissioner
of the Customs. He had been brought into Parliament for Banbury, and
though a new member, was the person on whom the Lord Treasurer chiefly
relied for the conduct of financial business in the Lower House. [314]

Though the Commons were unanimous in their resolution to grant a further
supply to the crown, they were by no means agreed as to the sources from
which that supply should be drawn. It was speedily determined that part
of the sum which was required should be raised by laying an additional
impost, for a term of eight years, on wine and vinegar: but something
more than this was needed. Several absurd schemes were suggested. Many
country gentlemen were disposed to put a heavy tax on all new buildings
in the capital. Such a tax, it was hoped, would check the growth of
a city which had long been regarded with jealousy and aversion by the
rural aristocracy. Dudley North's plan was that additional duties should
be imposed, for a term of eight years, on sugar and tobacco. A great
clamour was raised Colonial merchants, grocers, sugar bakers and
tobacconists, petitioned the House and besieged the public offices. The
people of Bristol, who were deeply interested in the trade with Virginia
and Jamaica, sent up a deputation which was heard at the bar of the
Commons. Rochester was for a moment staggered; but North's ready wit and
perfect knowledge of trade prevailed, both in the Treasury and in the
Parliament, against all opposition. The old members were amazed at
seeing a man who had not been a fortnight in the House, and whose life
had been chiefly passed in foreign countries, assume with confidence,
and discharge with ability, all the functions of a Chancellor of the
Exchequer. [315]

His plan was adopted; and thus the Crown was in possession of a clear
income of about nineteen hundred thousand pounds, derived from