the bill against
occasional conformity, which was revived and brought into the house in
a new model by Mr. William Bromley, who moved that it might be tacked to
the land-tax bill, and sent up to the lords for their concurrence.
The court no longer espoused this measure, and the violent party was
weakened by defection. After a warm and tedious debate, the tack was
rejected by a great majority. The bill, however, passed the house of
commons, and was sent up to the lords on the fourteenth day of December,
when it would hardly have excited a debate had not the queen been
present, and desirous of hearing what could be said on both sides of
the question. For the information and satisfaction of her majesty the
subject was again discussed, and all the arguments being repeated,
the bill was rejected by a majority of one-and-twenty voices. The next
subject on which the house of lords employed their attention, was the
late conduct of the Scottish parliament. The lord Haversham, in a set
speech, observed, that the settlement of the succession in Scotland had
been postponed, partly because the ministry for that kingdom were weak
and divided; partly from a received opinion that the succession was
never sincerely and cordially intended by those who managed the
affairs of Scotland in the cabinet-council. He expatiated on the bad
consequences that might attend the act of security, which he styled a
bill of exclusion, and particularly mentioned that clause by which the
heritors and boroughs were ordained to exercise their fencible men every
month. He said the nobility and gentry of Scotland were as learned and
brave as any nation in Europe, and generally discontented: that the
common people were very numerous, very stout, and very poor; and he
asked who was the man that could tell what such a multitude, so armed,
and so disciplined, might do under such leaders could opportunities suit
their intention. He recommended these circumstances to the consideration
of the house, and concluded with these words of Lord Bacon, "Let men
beware how they neglect or suffer matter of troubles to be prepared,
for no man can forbid the sparks that may set all on fire." The lords
resolved to consider these subjects on the twenty-ninth day of November,
when the queen repaired to the house of peers to hear the debates,
and by her presence moderate the heat of both parties. The earl of
Nottingham reflected so severely on the memory of king William, that he
wou