CCCX LIFE OF BACOX. 



the point of law, and by divers lords for point of con 

 venience, (a) 



Reform was now the universal cry of the nation. It was 

 one of those periodical outcries, (b) which ever has been 

 and ever will be heard in England, till, by admitting the 

 gradual improvement which the progress of knowledge (c) 

 requires, the current, instead of being opposed, is judi 

 ciously directed, (d) The streams which for centuries roll 

 on, and for centuries are impeded, at last break down or 

 rush over the barriers and carry every thing before them. 

 When in this deluge the ark itself is in danger, the patriot 

 endeavours to confine the torrent within its proper banks 

 and to resist or direct its impetuosity, while the demagogue 

 joins in the popular clamour, visiting on individuals the 

 faults of the times, and sacrificing, as an atonement to in 

 jured feeling, the most virtuous members of the community. 



When the complaints of the people could no longer be 

 resisted, and public inquiry became inevitable, Bucking 

 ham, insensible to all other shame, appeared fully conscious 

 of the infamy of exposure. The honour of a gentleman and 

 the pride of nobility slept at ease upon the money-bags 

 extorted from the sufferers, but he and his noble colleagues 

 endured the utmost alarm at the prospect of discovery. 



Conscious of his peril, disquieted, and robbed of all 

 peace of mind, admonished &quot; that the arrow of vengeance 

 shot against his brother grazed himself,&quot; (e) he consulted 

 one of the ablest men in England, Williams, then Dean of 



(a) 12th March. &quot; The Lord Chancellor, removing from his place to 

 his seat as a peer, reported what passed at the conference of both houses 

 on Saturday last, the inducement of which conference was to clear the 

 King s honour touching grants to Sir Gyles Mompesson, and the passages 

 in procuring the same. 



(6) See ante, p. ciii. (c) See ante, p. xi. See note BB. 



(d) See ante, p. xi. note (6), ante, p. ciii. (e) Hacket. 



