376 PROPOSED KXTKXS1OX OF THE 



of February, we find him entering in his note-book that 

 the Duke sent out " 200 leators " to members friends of 

 the measure ; doubtless containing his statement of reasons 

 in favour of the bill. On the 20th Mr. Tomkinson, the 

 Duke's solicitor, was under examination for four hours 

 and a half. Sunday intervened, on which day Briridley 

 records that he was " at Lord Harrington's." On the 

 following day, the 22nd, the evidence for the bill was 

 finished, and the Duke followed this up by sending out 

 250 more letters to members, with an abstract of the 

 evidence given in favour of the measure. On the 2 Oth 

 there was a debate of eight hours on the bill, followed by 

 a division, in Committee of the whole House, thus 

 recorded by Brindley : 



" ad a grate Division of 127 fort Duk 

 98nos 



for te Duk 29 Me Jorete " 



But the bill had still other discussions and divisions 

 to encounter before it was safe. The Duke and his 

 agents worked with great assiduity. On the 3rd of 

 March he caused 250 more letters to be distributed 

 amongst the members ; and on the day after we find the 

 House wholly occupied with the bill. We quote again 

 from Brindley 's record : "4 [March] ade bate at the 

 Hous with grate vigor 3 divisons the Duke carred by 

 Numbers evory time a 4 division moved but Noos y elded." 

 On the next day we read " wont thro the closes ;" from 

 which we learn that the clauses were settled and passed. 

 Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Tomkinson then set out for Lan- 

 cashire : the bill was safe. It passed the third read- 

 ing, Brindley making mention that " Lord Strange " 

 was "sick with geef [grief] on that affair Mr. WellbroD 

 want Rong god," which latter expression we do not 

 clearly understand, unless it was that Mr. Wilbraham 

 wanted to wrong God. The bill was carried to the 

 Lords, Brindley on the 10th March making the entry. 



