in physic, &c. such a quantity of flowers, seeds, or the like, as may be taken up between the thumb and two fore-fingers. It is reckoned the eighth part of the manipulus or handful.

PULTENEY (William), the famous opponent of Sir Robert Walpole in parliament, and afterward earl of Bath, was descended from one of the most ancient families in the kingdom, and was born in 1682. Being well qualified in fortune, he early procured a seat in the house of commons, and distinguished himself as a warm partisan against queen Anne's ministry; whose errors he had sagacity to detect, and spirited eloquence to expose. When king George I. came to the throne, Mr Pulteney was made secretary at war, and soon after cofferer to the king's household; but the good understanding between this gentleman and Sir Robert Walpole, who then acted as prime minister, was interrupted in 1725, on a suspicion that Walpole was desirous of extending the limits of prerogative, and of promoting the interests of Hanover to the prejudice of those of Britain. His opposition to Sir Robert was indeed carried to such indiscriminate lengths, that some have been of opinion he often acted against measures beneficial to the public merely from personal motives. It would be impracticable here to trace his parliamentary conduct: so it must suffice to observe in general, that he became so obnoxious to the crown, that in 1731 the king called for the council-book, and with his own hand struck out his name from the list of privy-counsellors; a proceeding that only served to inflame his resentment and increase his popularity. Thus he still continued to attack the minister with a severity of eloquence and sarcasm that worsted every antagonist; so that Sir Robert was heard to declare, he dreaded that man's tongue, more than another man's sword. At length when Walpole found the place of prime minister no longer tenible, and resigned in 1741, among other promotions Mr Pulteney resumed his place in the privy-council, and was created earl of Bath; a title purchased at the expense of that popularity which afterward he naturally enough affected to contemn. In 1760, toward the close of the last war, he published 'A Letter to two great men,' recommending proper articles to be inserted in a treaty of peace; which, though the writer was then unknown, was greatly applauded, and went through several impressions. He died in 1761; and as his only son died before him, the title became extinct.