Last public service: Temple brought forward his plan for a reform of the privy council. His plans however came to nothing, as the conduct of affairs fell at once into the hands of a junta of four, of whom Temple was at first one,; when the king violated his promise by dissolving parliament without asking the advice of the council, Temple retired in disgust to his villa at Sheen, and appeared only occasionally at the council, where he soon ceased to exercise any influence. His name was struck off from the list of the council and henceforward he disappeared from public life.