ry
of the greatest warriors and rulers. Among the crowd of silent members
appeared the majestic forehead and pensive face of Isaac Newton. The
renowned University on which his genius had already begun to impress
a peculiar character, still plainly discernible after the lapse of a
hundred and sixty years, had sent him to the Convention; and he sate
there, in his modest greatness, the unobtrusive but unflinching friend
of civil and religious freedom.

The first act of the Commons was to choose a Speaker; and the choice
which they made indicated in a manner not to be mistaken their opinion
touching the great questions which they were about to decide. Down to
the very eve of the meeting, it had been understood that Seymour would
be placed in the chair. He had formerly sate there during several years.
He had great and various titles to consideration; descent, fortune,
knowledge, experience, eloquence. He had long been at the head of a
powerful band of members from the Western counties. Though a Tory, he
had in the last Parliament headed, with conspicuous ability and courage,
the opposition to Popery and arbitrary power. He had been among the
first gentlemen who had repaired to the Dutch head quarters at Exeter,
and had been the author of that association by which the Prince's
adherents had bound themselves to stand or fall together. But, a few
hours before the Houses met, a rumour was spread that Seymour was
against declaring the throne vacant. As soon, therefore, as the benches
had filled, the Earl of Wiltshire, who represented Hampshire, stood up,
and proposed that Powle should be Speaker. Sir Vere Fane, member for
Kent, seconded the motion. A plausible objection might have been raised;
for it was known that a petition was about to be presented against
Powle's return: but the general cry of the House called him to the
chair; and the Tories thought it prudent to acquiesce. [641] The mace
was then laid on the table; the list of members was called over; and the
names of the defaulters were noted.

Meanwhile the Peers, about a hundred in number, had met, had chosen
Halifax to be their Speaker, and had appointed several eminent lawyers
to perform the functions which, in regular Parliaments, belong to the
judges. There was, in the course of that day, frequent communication
between the Houses. They joined in requesting that the Prince would
continue to administer the government till he should hear further from
them, in expressi