cates; and
shrewd arguments were advanced on both sides of the question. After very
long, warm, and repeated debates, the bill passed without amendments,
though the whole bench of bishops voted against it; and we cannot help
owning, that it has not been attended with those dismal consequences
which the lords in the opposition foretold. When the question was put
for committing this bill, and the earl of Chesterfield saw the bishops
join in his division, "I am in doubt," said he, "whether I have not
got on the other side of the question; for I have not had the honour to
divide with so many lawn sleeves for several years."

BILL FOR QUIETING CORPORATIONS.

By the report of the secret committee, it appeared that the then minster
had commenced prosecutions against the mayors of boroughs who
opposed his influence in the election of members of parliament. These
prosecutions were founded on ambiguities in charters, or trivial
informalities in the choice of magistrates. An appeal on such a process
was brought into the house of lords; and this evil falling under
consideration, a bill was prepared for securing the independency
of corporations; but as it tended to diminish the influence of the
ministry, they argued against it with their usual eagerness and success;
and it was rejected on a division. The mutiny bill and several others
passed through both houses. The commons granted supplies to the amount
of six millions, raised by the land-tax, the malt-tax, duties on
spirituous liquors and licenses, and a loan from the sinking fund. In
two years the national debt had suffered an increase of two millions
four hundred thousand pounds.

{1743}

On the twenty-first day of April the session was closed in the usual
manner. The king, in his speech to both houses, told them, that, at
the requisition of the queen of Hungary, he had ordered his army, in
conjunction with the Austrians, to pass the Rhine for her support
and assistance; that he continued one squadron of ships in the
Mediterranean, and another in the West Indies. He thanked the commons
for the ample supplies they had granted; and declared it was the fixed
purpose of his heart to promote the true interest and happiness of his
kingdoms. Immediately after the prorogation of parliament he embarked
for Germany, accompanied by the duke of Cumberland, lord Carteret, and
other persons of distinction.

CONVENTION BETWEEN THE EMPEROR AND THE QUEEN OF HUNGARY.

At this