..^gi. 
 
 
 g
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 THAT 
 
 WJEATHER'JD) THJE STO1RM. 
 
 AN ATTEMPT 
 
 TO RECORD THE 
 
 POLITICAL PRINCIPLES, 
 SENTIMENTS, AND MOTIVES, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 XATUS 1759 OBIIT 1806. 
 
 JVon sibi, sed Patrice rsixit. 
 lonDont 
 
 PRIISTED FOR I. M. RICHARDSON, No. 23, CORNHJLL. 
 
 T. Haney, Printer, 4, Brunswick-street, Black friars-road. 
 
 1812.
 
 . 

 
 W7 
 
 DEDICATED TO THE 
 
 MEMBERS OF THE PITT CLUB, 
 
 AND 
 
 TO EVERY ENGLISHMAN OF CONGENIAL 
 SENTIMENTS, 
 
 IN RESPECT FOR THEIR HONORABLE EFFORTS TO 
 
 PERPETUATE THE PRINCIPLES, NAME, AND 
 
 GLORY, OF THE 
 
 BEST OF PATRIOTS, AND THE GREATEST OF STATESMEN, 
 
 \ 
 BY THEIR OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT, 
 
 1313554
 

 
 ,-i 
 
 . 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ===== 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 THE succeeding Letters aspire neither 
 to the importance of History, nor attempt 
 the detail of Biography ; the utmost stretch 
 of the Author* s vanity, can only antici- 
 pate for them partial approbation ; and, as 
 a literary composition, he will feel flat- 
 tered, should the Reviewers condescend 
 to point out such errors, as may con- 
 duct him to improvement, in any future 
 work, in which his inclination may prompt 
 him to engage. 
 
 Educated in the principles of Mr. 
 PITT, and confirmed in his early prepos-
 
 11 
 
 sessions, by contemplating the resplen- 
 dejnt talents of so great a man, the 
 writer is aware, that the warmth of an 
 enthusiast may occasionally be conspi- 
 cuous, in this imperfect tribute to a me- 
 mory, that must be dear to every ad- 
 mirer of high intellectual attainments ; 
 but although an enthusiast, he has the 
 consolation to reflect, that the senti- 
 ments which his epistles develop, are not 
 the promulgation of a venal pen, but the 
 faithful emanations of the heart. 
 
 
 In the speeches of Mr. PITT, he has 
 been studiously concise, and declined dis- 
 tinguishing the extracts, in consequence 
 of having endeavoured, in most instances, 
 to convey the sentiments of the orator, ra- 
 ther than the language of Parliamentary 
 Reporters, which would have given his 
 Work more the appearance of compilation 
 than originality. 
 
 The zeal of a Partizan he has repressed 
 as much as possible, and refrained, with
 
 Ill 
 
 caution, from personal invective. The 
 devoted admirer of Mr. PITT, and his coj- 
 leagues, cannot, but by the most egre- 
 gious sophistry, even affect to think 
 amicably of the principles of Mr, Fox, 
 and his associates ; and upon this point, 
 the Author will be found consistent, with- 
 out, however, allowing too much rein 
 to prejudice, or arrogating infallibility to 
 his own political doctrines. 
 
 He has assumed " ILLUMINISM" as the 
 excitement to all Mr. PITT'S arrange- 
 ments, connected with the events of the 
 French Revolution ; and in so regarding 
 his motives, he feels satisfied he cannot 
 be accused of hyperbole in denominating 
 him the Champion of Christianity of 
 Freedom and Political independence. 
 
 Those who judge from results only, 
 will condemn the measures of Mr. PITT. 
 Those who are influenced by comparison, 
 will find, in his Memoirs, much cause for 
 exultation. Those who love integrity,
 
 IV 
 
 and disinterestedness, will attach some 
 estimate to this unostentatious volume, 
 as containing a sublime instance of two 
 qualities the most rare in human na- 
 ture.
 
 The Pilot that Weather* d the Storm. 3 
 
 LETTER I. 
 
 From a stem 
 
 So sacred ne'er could worthier Scion spring 
 Than this MILTIADES, whose aid, 'ere long, 
 The Chiefs of Thrace, already on their ways, 
 Sent by the inspir'd fore-knowing Maid, who sits 
 Upon the Delphic Tripod, shall implore 
 To wield the sceptre, and the rural wealth 
 Of fruitful Cheresonesus to protect 
 With arms and laws. 
 
 AKEXSIDE. 
 
 WHEN the Statesman sinks into unoffending dust,, 
 the virulence of party ceases, and, in admiration of 
 transcendent talents, political prejudices and antipa- 
 thies are forgotten. Such, at least, are the generous 
 sentiments bestowed upon the memory of the man, 
 \vhose colossal influence in the Councils of the British 
 Nation had so long astonished the world. 
 
 From all the calamities of the last fifty years ; from 
 convulsions at home, and assaults from abroad, to the 
 great Earl of CHATHAM, and his immortal Son, we 
 can alone attribute, under Divine Providence, our sin- 
 gular exemption. To them, also, we owe the integrity 
 jof our Constitution, the independence of our Country,
 
 the preservation of our Property, and of our Civil, and 
 Religious, Privileges. 
 
 The Sire has long since rested in an honourable 
 grave, and all the glories of the sculptured marble 
 decorate his hallowed sepulchre. The Son, alas! i 
 now stretched lifeless, amidst funereal pomp, awaiting 
 the last sad sendee of his grateful countrymen. 
 
 I saw the Father fall, the exhausted champion of 
 our rights and liberties ; but the successor to his pa- 
 triotic labours, I have traced from youth to manhood, 
 and am destined to witness the insatiable tomb swal- 
 low, prematurely, the last worthy scion of so glorious 
 a stock. 
 
 An abler pen than mine will, doubtless, soon be oc- 
 cupied in recording the history of this extraordinary 
 individual ; but in the mean time, should the memo- 
 randa in my possession tend to illustrate his career to 
 your present satisfaction, it will give me infinite plea- 
 sure. 
 
 WILLIAM PITT was educated under the immediate 
 eye of his Father, whose noble principles he rapidly 
 imbibed, and completed his studies under the succes- 
 sive tutorage of Dr. WILSON, Canon of Windsor, and 
 Dr. PRETTYMAN, Bishop of Lincoln. His abilities 
 assumed a conspicuous character upon whatever 
 branch of learning he entered, and on quitting the 
 University his proficiency remained proverbial. 
 
 His early views were directed to the Bar and the Se- 
 nate; but his first Speech in Parliament, at the age of 
 twenty-two, was attended with such unequivocal eclat, 
 and was succeeded by such overtures from the then 
 contending parties, that his ambition became suddenly 
 inflamed, and he selected the path, of fame in prefer-
 
 ertce to that of emolument, which his first essay on the 
 Western Circuit promised. 
 
 At this period, 1781, the situation of the country 
 was peculiarly gloomy. In Europe an armed neutra- 
 lity had been formed against her naval dominion, by 
 the Northern Powers, and her Southern neighbours 
 coalesced to succour her disobedient Colonies, which 
 were in rebellion in America, and threatened emanci- 
 pation from their parent State. In Asia, a combination 
 of native Princes, had made successful inroads upon her 
 provinces, whilst her domestic tranquillity was inter- 
 rupted by the enthusiasm of a young Nobleman,* who 
 had excited the populace to the most unwarrantable 
 aggressions against the laws and public safety. 
 
 Indeed, such was the accumulation of her misfor- 
 tunes, that it was confidently predicted, and universally 
 believed, she had reached the climax of her glory ; that 
 zenith of grandeur, and importance, from which Greece 
 and Rome, and other nations of antiquity, so precipi- 
 tately fell. Such an aera, however, was the most pro- 
 pitious, to the energies of an ardent mind, and the 
 young Patriot seized on it with avidity. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 " The Pilot that Weather* d the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER II. 
 
 What ! herd with mm my honest soul disdains, 
 Men who with serrile zeal are forging chains 
 For Freedom's ueck, and lend a helping hand 
 To spread destruction o'er my native land. 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 THE commanding eloquence of Mr. PITT never failed 
 to rivet the attention of the House, and carried with it 
 such a preponderance, as had never been previously wit- 
 nessed within the walls of St. Stephen's. Such an auxiliary 
 "became consequently inestimable to either party, and 
 no sooner was a change of Ministry contemplated, than 
 he was solicited to accept an official situation. This 
 flattering overture, however, he respectfully declined, 
 judiciously concluding that, from the irreconcilable 
 principles of the individuals the Marquis of Roc KING- 
 HAM had selected for his colleagues, it was impossible 
 unanimity of sentiment could long prevail ; and of 
 course, that with such associates, he could neither anti- 
 cipate any acquisition of honour to himself, or advan- 
 tage to his country. 
 
 Four short months confirmed this opinion ; and 
 upon the death of the Marquis, new arrangements be- 
 ing indispensable, and every obstacle removed, which
 
 had before induced him (Mr. PITT) to resist the per- 
 suasion of his friends, at the age of less than twenty- 
 four years, he was nominated to the arduous, and re- 
 sponsible, office, of Chancellor of the Exchequer. 
 
 The nation, Europe, the whole world, were asto 
 nished at the elevation of so young a man to a post so 
 awful and dangerous ; but an inherent genius, a vi- 
 gorous conception, an undaunted spirit, and, above 
 all, conscious integrity, animated and protected him 
 amidst every difficulty. The attacks of his opponents 
 he sustained with intrepidity, and retorted with dig- 
 nity. The nervous eloquence of Mr. Fox could not 
 intimidate, nor the sublime rhetoric of BURKE deceive 
 him. He iirst foiled them by arguments fraught with 
 truth, and just reasoning; delivered with mildness, mo- 
 desty, and devoid of presumption ; and then, with be- 
 coming indignation, reprobated that memorable in- 
 stance of apostacy, which united his opponents a 
 coalition which stands on record as the most notorious, 
 for profligacy of principle, ever exhibited. 
 
 But it was not in a solitary instance only that his 
 antagonists betrayed their inconsistency ; even the very- 
 measures recommended by themselves, when adopted 
 by Mr. PITT, were precipitately condemned, with the 
 utmost malice and invective. Peace Peace on any 
 terms, for any period, to save the country from abso- 
 lute despondency, had been the cry for many preced- 
 ing months ; nay, a Resolution had passed the House 
 of Commons, declaring the advisers of protracted war- 
 fare, Enemies to his MAJESTY and the Country.- 
 Yet, when by indefatigable exertions, the young Minis- 
 ter had effected the object of universal solicitude, he 
 found his Administration in a minority, and the Peace 3
 
 so anxiously desired on any terms, severely censured. 
 Thus did the most unnatural combination that ever 
 disgraced political history, drive a zealous and faithful 
 servant from the confidence of his Sovereign ; but not 
 without leaving an impression upon the House, highly 
 gratifying to the sensibility of his upright, honest 
 heart. 
 
 The concluding sentiments of his Speech, delivered 
 in reply to Mr. BURKE, more particularly called forth 
 a burst of general acclamations-High situation and 
 great influence (he observed) were desirable objects to 
 most men, and objects which he was not ashamed to 
 pursue, and which he was ever solicitous to possess, 
 whenever they could be acquired with honour, or 
 retained with dignity. But even these, he could 
 relinquish the moment his duty to his country, his 
 character, and his friends, rendered such a sacrifice ne- 
 cessary. You may take from me, Sir, the privileges 
 and emoluments of place, but you cannot, and you 
 shall not take from me those habitual, and warm rer- 
 gards, for the prosperity of Great Britain, which con- 
 stitute the honor, the happiness, and the pride of my 
 life, 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 " The Pilot that Weather'd the Storm." 
 
 LETTER III. 
 
 Thou'rt so far before, 
 That swiftest wing of recompence ie slow 
 To overtake thee. Would thou'dst less deserv'd 
 That the proportion both of thanks and payment 
 Might have been mine ! only I've left to say, 
 More is thy due, even more than all can pay. 
 
 SlIAKSPEARK. 
 
 THE conduct of Mr. PITT, during the interval be- 
 tween his retirement from office, and re-assumption of 
 Administration, fully confirmed the truth of those sen- 
 timents he so eloquently expressed, upon relinquishing 
 the situation of Chancellor of the Exchequer. 
 
 His first effort was to accomplish a Reform in the 
 elective system : With this view, he proposed the dis- 
 enfranchisement of every borough when a majority of 
 the voters, should be convicted, of flagrant corruption; 
 reserving, however, to the minority, a right of suffrage 
 for the county in which the disenfranchised borough was 
 situated ; and, secondly, that the Knights of the 
 Shires, and Representatives of the Metropolis, should 
 be increased. These questions were all negatived by 
 considerable majorities, a circumstance which he did 
 pot long lament ; and, experience convinced him, eithei
 
 of their insufficiency to the object sought, or the danger 
 attendant upon innovation ; if otherwise, we must at- 
 tribute the silence he preserved upon these topics, when 
 possessed of the most powerful influence, to the great 
 agitation of the times, which rendered infinite caution 
 necessary, in admitting infringements upon ancient esta- 
 blishments. 
 
 But the most important subject that engaged his at- 
 tention, was the discussions which arose from the com- 
 munications, made by the Secret Committee, upon the 
 A hairs of India. This memorable Report reproached 
 the Company at home with every species of imbecility 
 and mismanagement ; and their servants in Hindostan, 
 from the Governor-General to the Subaltern Officers, 
 with wanton abuse of military authority, the most vio 
 lent and inhuman policy towards the Native Princes, 
 and individuals; and the perversion of every institute 
 of Justice, to purposes of personal aggrandisement and 
 malicious gratification. 
 
 These serious accusations, sanctioned by the respec- 
 table authority of a Parliamentary Committee, encou- 
 raged Mr. Fox to bring forward those Acts, which ex- 
 cited so much agitation in the public mind, but more 
 particularly amongst the Corporate and Chartered Conir 
 panics, and which finally caused himself and colleagues 
 to be expelled from the Cabinet. 
 
 These Bills were calculated to subvert in toto the 
 privileges of the India Company, and, by transferring its 
 powers, and patronage, into the hand of the Minister, 
 to erect an influence above the Throne itself, and there- 
 by annihilate, in effect, the monarchial branch of the 
 constitution. Notwithstanding all these objections, the 
 Right Hon. Mover still had the temerity to persist, and
 
 9 
 
 absolutely carried them with graceless exultation 
 through the Lower House. 
 
 But Mr. PITT, indefatigable in his exertions, and 
 unawed by the fearful majorities against which he had 
 to contend, never permitted his antagonist to triumph 
 over his defeats, by betraying the least symptom of 
 despondency, or departing from that cool deliberate 
 rule of action, which was through life, the characte- 
 ristic of his great mind. The splendid talents, intre- 
 pid spirit, and boundless ambition of Mr. Fox (to use 
 the expression of Mr. DUN DAS) only inspired his juve- 
 nile competitor with accumulated vigour, and impart- 
 ed fresh energy to that eloquence which daily electri- 
 fied the Senate with orations, emphatic as il was in 
 the nature of language to produce. But upon a fac- 
 tion obstinately bent on wrong, and outrage, no im- 
 pression was to be made. By a dereliction of princi- 
 ple, they had acquired their power in error they com- 
 menced its operation and in error they persisted, 
 against eveiy remonstrance of their Sovereign and their 
 Country. 
 
 Upon the objectionable Bills being rejected by the 
 Lords, in consequence, as it was conjectured, of indi- 
 vidual interference with the Monarch, the mortified 
 Ministers brought forward and carried a resolution in 
 the Commons, declaring it a high crime and misde- 
 meanour to attempt influencing the proceedings of Par- 
 liament by the report of any private sentiments of his 
 MAJESTY. This motion, which struck at the very 
 root of the KING'S prerogative, Mr. PITT resisted with 
 his accustomed zeal, but still in vain; and having 
 passed, it was immediately followed up by another Act, 
 more obnoxious, deciding it to be imperative oil the
 
 House, to accomplish their object of reforming the 
 abuses in the Indian Government, and declaring every 
 one who should presume to advise his MAJESTY to 
 interrupt the proceedings, an enemy to his Country. 
 
 Notwithstanding these arbitrary steps, Mr. PITT 
 persevered in his opposition, to every unconstitutional 
 measure which they promulgated ; and called upon the 
 House to maintain its dignity, and true allegiance, or 
 soon they would witness the diabolical spirit of Party 
 snatch the Crown from the anointed head of Majesty ; 
 wrest the Imperial sceptre from his hand ; and hurl 
 him from his Throne to the footstool of Democracy. 
 
 But although the House was indifferent to these re- 
 peated inroads upon the Royal prerogative, and coun- 
 tenanced, by their support, the aggressions of a ser- 
 vant, who sought to dictate to his master, the KING 
 did not hesitate to assert his hereditary privilege, by 
 dismissing the most violent, disobedient, and unbend- 
 ing Ministry that ever legislated Great Britain. 
 
 The patriotism of Mr. PITT, on the contrary, ele- 
 vated him in the opinion of his MAJESTY, who em- 
 braced, with avidity, an opportunity of reinstating him 
 in his Government, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and 
 First Lord of the Treasury, which latter dignity con- 
 stituted him, at the age of twenty-five years, Prime 
 Minister of the Nation. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 11 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm." 
 
 LETTER IV. 
 
 Blow ye winds ! 
 
 Ye waves ! ye thunders ! roll your tempests on, 
 Shake ye old pillars of the marble sky ! 
 Till all its orbs and all its worlds of fire 
 Be loosen'd from their seats : yet still serene 
 Th' unconquer'd mind looks down upon the wreck, 
 And ever stronger as the storms advance, 
 Firm thro' the closing ruin holds his way, 
 When nature calls him to the destin'd goal. 
 
 AKENSIDE. 
 
 IT could not but be expected that a House of Com- 
 mons which had proved themselves so inimical to the 
 Royal Prerogative, should exert all their vigour in op- 
 position to an individual, brought into power by the 
 resolute assertion of that authority, which they affected 
 to consider, and attempted to render, illegal and nuga- 
 tory. 
 
 Never, perhaps, had there occurred a crisis so se- 
 rious in political affairs. A Minister, whose talents 
 had prepossessed the Sovereign in his favour, and whose 
 services had attracted the public acclamation, was 
 daily exposed to the arduous task of contending against 
 a majority, to have all his projects indiscriminately 
 thwarted, the important operations of his duty inter-
 
 rupted, and the whole system of Government disorga- 
 nised, by the petulence of party, and the alarming 
 struggles of a disappointed faction, to force the Sove- 
 reign to adopt the alternative of recalling men to his 
 Cabinet, of whose motives he could not but be jealous 
 whose principles were inconsistent with the welfare of 
 his people, and whose ambition threatened the very 
 existence of the Constitution, over which he presided 
 as Chief Magistrate of the Realm. During the dis- 
 graceful contention thus excited, Bills of importance 
 were suspended, the customary and essential routine 
 of Parliamentary proceedings paralized, nothing pre- 
 vailed but schism and distraction, vehement invective 
 and party rancour, which made every good man trem- 
 ble, and every wicked one congratulate himself upon 
 the approach of that state of anarchy, when the relaxed 
 energies of justice afford impunity to crime. 
 
 Amidst this tumult of sentiment terminated the Ses- 
 sions of 1783, when it was fervently hoped the recess 
 would either accomplish a reconciliation between the 
 discordant parties, or procure the Minister such an ac- 
 cession of strength, as to enable him to pursue, with- 
 out interruption, such measures as his wisdom should 
 suggest, for the re-establishment of the dignity and 
 honour of the kingdom ; which, from the conduct of 
 its Parliament, was rapidly sinking in the esteem, and 
 admiration, of its political connections. 
 
 But the influence of contending interests being only 
 more nearly poised, without preponderating on the side 
 of Administration, the discussions assumed a still more 
 melancholy character. Days, weeks, and months 
 were shamefully lavished on the indulgence of the 
 most gross, ungentlemanly, and vindictive personal-
 
 ties in harrassing the Throne with perpetual addresses* 
 as monotonous in substance, as they were selfish in 
 their objects, and in fabricating every species of an- 
 noyance which could irritate the Premier to an act of 
 hasty indignation, that might eventually lead to the 
 ruin of his fame and power. Mr. PITT, however, pre- 
 served the composure of his mind with a constancy un- 
 precedented, defended himself with all the ardour of 
 innocence and conscious virtue, uncontaminated by 
 the calumny, the malice, and the insulting raillery of 
 his enemies. 
 
 Upon the subject of his privileges the Monarch was 
 equally invincible, and the Ministry continuing per- 
 fectly impenetrable, both to secret artifice and open 
 violence, overtures for a compromise were at length 
 proposed; but as Mr. PITT'S instant resignation was 
 demanded as an indispensible preliminary, the oilers 
 were rejected with the contempt they merited. 
 
 Addresses were then once more resorted to; but 
 the Petitioners were again informed, that no remon- 
 strance could be attended to by his MAJESTY, unless 
 some specific charge was brought forward, or some 
 obvious criminality rendered apparent, to justify him 
 in dismissing from his service the Members of an Ad- 
 ministration whose appointment had received the un- 
 equivocal approbation of his subjects. 
 
 Chagrined and frustrated at every point, but infa- 
 tuated with a hopeless pursuit, they had the temerity 
 to refuse the supplies. This, however, instead of ap- 
 palling their antagonist, only operated as the harbinger 
 of victory, and rallied the whole nation to his standard. 
 The House of Peers, awakened to a sense of the dread- 
 ful abyss, towards which the unjustifiable extremities
 
 14 
 
 adopted by the Opposition, had conducted the country, 
 entered into strong resolutions, expressive of their de- 
 termination to support the constitutional prerogative of 
 the Crown : this was the signal for the expression of 
 public feeling that followed, and which ratified the 
 choice of his MAJESTY, by addresses from every class 
 of his people, the most consolatory and grateful to his 
 wounded feelings. 
 
 Thus, the mischief progressively accomplished its 
 own remedy, the supplies were no longer withheld; a 
 prorogation quickly followed ; and dissolution being 
 unanimously called for, the champion of regal right 
 enjoyed the triumph due to that admirable firmness, 
 temperance, and prudence which gave such satisfac- 
 tory promise of those transcendant talents, which conti- 
 nued for so many subsequent years, to irradiate the 
 Legislative Assembly of the Empire, and as they spread 
 his own glory, so they disseminated, into the remotest 
 regions of the earth, the renown of the nation he 
 adored. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 IS 
 
 The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm." 
 
 LETTER V. 
 
 Thus by degrees thy cause superior grew, 
 And the great end appeared at last in view; 
 We heard the people in thy hopes rejoice, 
 We saw the Senate bending to thy voice ; 
 While venal faction, struck with new dismay, 
 Shrunk at thy frown, and, sclf-abaadon'd, lay. 
 
 AKENSIDK. 
 
 THE new Parliament assembled on the 18th of May, 
 1784, when Mr. Pitt had the gratification to find the 
 Address carried by a majority of 168, than which no- 
 thing could be a more convincing proof of the popu- 
 larity of his preceding conduct. Mr. BURKE, how- 
 ever, not satisfied to permit the objects which had 
 created so much bitterness of sentiment, to pass into 
 oblivion, brought forward a remonstrance against the 
 recent dissolution ; but it was received by the House 
 only as the eccentric production of genius, and as a 
 beautiful specimen of the exuberant imagination of the 
 accomplished author. 
 
 Mr. PITT having now obtained complete command 
 of the House, directed his indefatigable abilities to the 
 numerous important objects to which he had from time 
 to time called their attention, and, in the course of the
 
 three following Sessions, succeeded in establishing 
 efficient measures, for the restoration of the sinking 
 credit of the nation, the improvement of the revenue, 
 and the encouragement of commerce. The affairs of 
 India- were brought under permanent regulations, and 
 placed upon such a footing as to give a full assurance 
 of that good management and prosperity which has 
 since attended our Asiatic Provinces. 
 
 This period was also marked with an act of public 
 justice, to the descendants of the proscribed Nobility 
 of Scotland; the restoration of whose estates, and ho- 
 nours, secured the same unabated loyalty, and attach- 
 ment, to the existing Government, as had sacrificed the 
 lives, and properties, of their forefathers, in the hopeless 
 cause of the young Pretender. 
 
 To the finances, and also to the corruption in the dif- 
 ferent departments of Government, Mr. PITT devoted his 
 particular attention. The mode of raising loans hitherto 
 had been a great source of patronage, and influence, to 
 the Minister; this he relinquished for the national be- 
 nefit, by submitting every loan to public competition, 
 the good elfects of which have been long admired and 
 felt. 
 
 A Board of Commissioners was appointed to enquire 
 into the emoluments, and abuses, in the Public Offices, 
 and the result of this investigation also operated to 
 diminish the Ministerial influence; but Mr. PITT'S 
 motives being purely patriotic, he never hesitated to 
 comply with every recommendation, that could pro- 
 mote economy to the State, and virtue in its servants. 
 
 The unhappy state of the Sister Island, next excited 
 his solicitude. The severe restrictions upon her com- 
 merce had created strong expressions of discontent,
 
 17 
 
 which had increased to an alarming degree, and by 
 the insidious arts of disaffected individuals, threatened 
 the dismemberment of Ireland from the British Crown. 
 To avert these dangers, Mr. PITT introduced a Bill into 
 the House of Commons, to sanction certain regulations 
 as to trade and manufactures, which were conceived 
 likely, to facilitate the reciprocal interests of both coun- 
 tries, This Bill, however, was negatived by the Irish 
 House of Commons, and so objectionable had it been 
 made to the people, by misrepresentation, distortion, 
 and false reasoning, that its rejection, was celebrated by 
 public illuminations, and other demonstrations of joy. 
 
 He bore all such disappointments, however, with 
 equal magnanimity; he persevered, as we have since 
 seen, in his efforts to restore tranquillity^ and promote 
 the advantage of Ireland ; but unfortunately even at the 
 present day there are but faint hopes of such desirable 
 objects being accomplished; causes, political, religious, 
 and moral, all appear to combine against her peace and 
 welfare. 
 
 Always consistent, and never acting with hostility to 
 others, from prejudice or personal antipathy, Mr. PITT 
 renewed his attempts at Parliamentary Reform, but with 
 nt> better success, than when seated on the Opposition 
 Bench. There is no doubt, however, but he now 
 became fully convinced of the danger of innovation, 
 and that the transactions which led to such serious con- 
 sequences in France, completely weaned his mind from 
 a subject, which occasioned him more than usual anxiety. 
 
 The project for fortifying the Dock Yards, suggested 
 by the Duke of RICHMOND during the Sessions of 
 Parliament, which commenced its sittings early in 
 1786, engrossed for a considerable time, the public 
 attention, and in the Senate, was productive of the most 
 
 c
 
 18 
 
 animated discussions. Prejudice, however, was strongly 
 against the plan, arid neither the sanction or zeal of 
 Mr. Pitx could carry the Bill through. The strength 
 of each party, however, was precisely balanced, but, 
 as is customary, when the division is numerically equal , 
 the SPEAKER gave his casting vote in the negative. 
 
 As our naval ensigns, have since rode triumphant in 
 every sea, no necessity has hitherto been apparent, to 
 justify a revival of the question; but it is fair to pre- 
 sume, that in consequence of the nation having dis- 
 pensed with this precaution, the Minister felt it a duty 
 incumbent upon him, to make the naval force his pe- 
 culiar care; and consequently to his discrimination in 
 selecting individuals, of indubitable talent, to preside at 
 the Board of Admiralty, and intrepid Commanders, to 
 execute their orders, we owe those splendid achieve- 
 ments, which bestow immortality, on the many gallant 
 heroes who felt it a happy consummation of existence, 
 to fall in defence of their country. 
 
 This was the aera likewise, when Mr. PITT laid the 
 foundation, of his grand system of finance, by the esta- 
 blishment of the Sinking Fund; its operation, the pre-* 
 sent state of the Government securities, and the national 
 debt, demonstrate. This record alone will endear him 
 to posterity. Our children, as they feel their burdens 
 progressively alleviated, Will bless the name of PITT; 
 and the enemies to our peace and happiness, our inde- 
 pendence and glory, will find their combined efforts 
 vain and insignificant, whilst the integrity of those 
 resources is preserved, which he, (who living, was in 
 himself an host,) left as a legacy to his country, fo he 
 protection and renown, when Providence should with- 
 draw him to eternal rest. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 19 
 
 The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm. 3 
 
 LETTER VI. 
 
 'Tis not the babbling of a busy world, 
 Where praise and censure are at random hurl'J^ 
 Winch can the meanest of my thoughts controul, 
 Or shake one settled purpose of my soul j 
 
 As to the public, I dare stand the test ; 
 Dare proudly boast I feel no wish above 
 The good of England, and my Country's love. 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 THE splendour of military achievements is requisite 
 to excite the patriotism of some individuals; with 
 others, all honours are estimated worthless, which are 
 unaccompanied by Ihe plaudits of an indiscriminating 
 multitude. 
 
 But Mr. PITT'S emulation consisted in being good, 
 as well as great ; whilst covetous of the Statesman's 
 glory, he never forgot the amiable qualities which 
 adorn the Christian. Though in war it was his pride 
 to decorate his country's temples, with the trophies of 
 conquered enemies, in peace his happiest labour was 
 to strengthen the bonds of amity, between man and 
 man. 
 
 The only invincible barrier, to that insatiable thirst 
 for dominion, which had actuated the Sovereigns of 
 France, from time immemorial, had been the British 
 
 c 2
 
 20 
 
 navy. This obstacle to their tyranny, and aggrandise- 
 ment, it was conceived, had engendered prejudices, and 
 antipathies^ which no concessions ever could eradicate; 
 and that consequently the closer the two nations be- 
 came united by friendship, and the more they extended 
 their confidence, by the same ratio was the safety and 
 independence of England endangered ; her candour, and 
 integrity, being at all times, likely to expose her to fatal 
 injury, from the fickle, faithless, and intriguing dispo- 
 sition of her rival. 
 
 Under this impression, Mr. Fox, and his adherents, 
 argued, that the policy of circumscribing the enter- 
 prises of the British merchants, in their transactions with 
 France, was imperious ; lest, upon an emergency, the 
 Administration, should be driven to the alternative, of 
 sacrificing the national honour, to private interests. 
 Mr. Fox declared his opinion, that the external rela- 
 tions of the two Powers rendered a rivalship, and, in 
 some degree, an enmity between them inevitable; 
 that it was impracticable to cement them, by any mea- 
 sure, which human speculation could devise; nay, lie 
 would not hesitate to pronounce, that were such an 
 event possible, it would not be wished for, by any lover 
 of his country, 
 
 However honourable such sentiments may be to the 
 heart of an Englishman, and they procured for Mr. 
 Fox his just meed of applause, they certainly incul- 
 cate an inhuman doctrine, and are surely irreconcil- 
 able, with the benignant institutes of the ALMIGHTY. 
 Itwas a narrow, and selfish, policy, by which Mr. PITT, 
 thought the nation not worth preserving ; and to con- 
 tend against it, was natural to that magnanimity, which 
 influenced all his actions.
 
 21 
 
 By war, he observed, nations became terrible to 
 each other, and victory bestows a transient affluence ; 
 but respect, and permanent prosperity, are concomitants 
 of peace alone; and could that be inconsistent with 
 nature, or inimical to a nation's welfare, which tended 
 to promote reciprocal affection and confidence ? Im- 
 possible ! Was the necessity of perpetual enmity with 
 France so earnest and so pressing, that for it we were 
 to sacrifice every commercial advantage, which might 
 be expected to result from a friendly intercourse with 
 that country ; or was a pacific connection between the 
 two kingdoms so highly offensive, that even an exten- 
 sion of commerce could not palliate it ? 
 
 For his part,* he disclaimed the opinon that the re* 
 lation of any two powers, could be such, as to preclude 
 the possibility of an amicable intercourse. He admired 
 the eloquence, enriched with the ardent sentiments of a 
 patriotic mind ; he admired the burst of feeling, which 
 animated the Right Hon. Member (Mr. Fox) to a dis- 
 play of rhetoric, which Athenian eminence, never had 
 surpassed ; but the accomplishments of the scholar, 
 and national attachments, must not allure the Statesman 
 into misconception, or be permitted to cripple the re- 
 sources of an empire. 
 
 Such was the tone of the debate, which occurred 
 upon the discussion of Mr. PITT'S famous Commercial 
 Treaty with France, which, however, he carried by 
 a great majority. 
 
 The next object of consequence attempted by the 
 opposition, during the present session, (Jan. 1787), was 
 a repeal of the Corporation, and Test, Acts. This, Mr. 
 PITT, strenuously opposed, as an assault upon the civil, 
 and ecclesiastical, constitution, of the kingdom, which 
 had been rescued from momentuous danger, by their 
 
 CJJ
 
 22 
 
 adoption. Every consistent indulgence which could 
 be granted the Dissenters, and Papists, would receive 
 his ready acquiescence, but the infringement of a prin- 
 ciple, which had been established as j ust, and equitable, 
 by every state, ancient and modern, was a measure in 
 which he never could concur. Experience had demon- 
 strated the important advantages, connected with the 
 statutes objected to, and for the Legislature to repeal 
 them, immediately that they had secured the tranquillity 
 which it was their object to attain, would be little 
 ghort of an act of national suicide. 
 
 An inauspicious circumstance, at this time very much 
 engaged the attention of parliament. Whether the 
 sudden acquisition of a liberal income-had precipitated 
 the Heir Apparent, into inconsiderate expenditure, or 
 he had fallen a prey to evil counsellors, and designing 
 sycophants, it was not perhaps altogether prudent to 
 (divulge ; but within the space of three years subse- 
 quent to his arrival at the age of maturity, he had 
 embarrassed his pecuniary affairs, by debts amounting 
 to 100,000/. exclusive of the charges, for embellishing 
 Carlton House, which exceeded 50,000/. His MA- 
 JESTY disapproving the means by which such an in- 
 cumbrance had been accumulated, and having peremp- 
 torily declined any interference, his ROYAL HIGH- 
 NESS, more rash than wisse, in order to liquidate the 
 claims of his creditors, instantly reduced his establish- 
 ment to the footing of a private gentleman. This was, 
 unquestionably, a most unjustifiable step ; it was equi- 
 valent to a declaration, that since his father would not 
 alleviate his embarrassments, the country should be 
 compelled to dp so, or witness, in the Heir to its 
 Crown, whenever he appeared in public, a reproach to 
 its generosity, and national, importance ; it was also
 
 23 
 
 prostitution of the revenue which had been allotted, 
 not to the private purposes and personal gratifications 
 of the Prince, but for the support of the state and dig- 
 nity of what he was, and what he was destined to be. 
 
 The Premier studiously avoided a Parliamentary 
 discussion upon a question so peculiarly delicate ; but 
 to restrain the zeal of officious friendship, when se- 
 conded by party rancour, was a phenomenon too great 
 for those days, and he was absolutely dared into an 
 investigation, which must have proved as painful to 
 the ROYAL FATHER, the PRINCE, and the People, as 
 even their most inveterate enemies, could have suggest- 
 ed. What consequences would have resulted from a 
 more silent arrangement, it is useless now to conjec- 
 ture ; but the mode attempted to be enforced upon the 
 Minister, led to a train of argument, to conclusions, and 
 surmises, too serious to be rapidly passed over. I 
 shall, therefore, reserve them, as the subject for ano- 
 ther letter ; and, in the sequel, we shall find the same 
 regard displayed by Mr. PITT for the individual feel- 
 ings of his MAJESTY, the same anxiety to draw a veil 
 over the improprieties of tlje Roy al Blood, when public 
 exposition could promote no advantageous purpose; 
 and the same candid, and rigid, adherence to his duty, 
 as a servant of his Sovereign, and his fellow-subjects, 
 which invariably marked the long and arduous career of 
 ,his brilliant Administration. 
 
 PLUTARH,
 
 24 
 
 The Pilot that Weather'd the Storm." 
 
 LETTER VII. 
 
 Of thce, with awe, the rural hearth resounds j 
 The bowl to thee the spiteful subject crowrw: 
 Rous'd, by their labours, from the blest retreat, 
 Where social ease and public passions meet; 
 The learn'd recluse, who, oft amaz'd, had read 
 Of Grecian Heroes, Roman Patriots, dead, 
 Again ascending treads the civic scene, 
 To act, aud be a man as thou hast been. 
 
 AKE.NSIDE. 
 
 * 
 
 4 
 
 THE humiliating situation to which the Heir Ap- 
 parent had reduced himself, was generally attributed to 
 an unfortunate connection which he had formed with a 
 female, whose fascinations, had acquired such an as- 
 cendancy over him, as to cause the most painful 
 anxiety, to the country. Due allowance was to be 
 made for the malignity, and falsehood, which will min- 
 gle themselves with common reports, but it was highly 
 expedient, before the debts of his Royal Highness were 
 liquidated, to ascertain the precise nature of this alarm- 
 ing infatuation. Every subject in the nation, was dis- 
 posed to palliate and forgive, the thoughtless excesses, 
 of a young Prince, surrounded by all the temptations 
 which art and ingenuity could devise, but they felt in-
 
 25 
 
 dignant at its wealth being lavished upon articles of 
 voluptuousness for an ambitious syren. 
 
 By the Statutes of WILLIAM, and MARY, and his 
 present MAJESTY, it is enacted, that if any Prince or 
 person, entitled by birth-right to the Throne of Great 
 Britain, shall marry a Papist, he shall immediately be 
 disinherited ; and that any marriage contracted by an 
 individual of the Blood Royal, without the consent of 
 his MAJESTY, shall be null and void. 
 
 In contempt of these salutary laws, it was publicly 
 rumoured, that his Royal Highness had not only prov- 
 ed disobedient in the latter instance, but had absolutely 
 married Mrs. FITZIIERBERT, who was a Roman Ca- 
 tholic. When the calamities with wjiich the Romish 
 superstitions have impressed even our annals, are re- 
 membered, the whisper of such a circumstance, could 
 not but convulse, the whole community ; and, for the 
 safety of the Constitution, both in Church and State, 
 an authentic contradiction of the fact was indispensi- 
 ble. Mr. PITT, therefore, intimated to the friends of 
 the PRINCE, that if they persisted in their intemperate 
 zeal, however distressing it might prove to him as an 
 individual, he should discharge his duty to the public, 
 and pursue the subject into all its ramifications ; there- 
 fore, the instigators must alone be responsible for its 
 consequences. 
 
 The Opposition, conceiving this declaration more an 
 act of defiance, than as conciliatory, grew disgustingly 
 confident, and appeared to derive pleasure in provoking 
 the suspended mischief. Mr. SHERIDAN asserted, that 
 he had authority to court the most minute and rigid 
 enquiry ; that neither ambiguity, concealment, or af- 
 fected tenderness, would be practised by the PIIINCE,
 
 20 
 
 who was ready, as a Peer of the Realm, to answer the 
 most pointed interrogatories. Another Member de- 
 clared he had the sanction of his Royal Highness, to 
 pursue the discussion, without being deterred by the 
 base, and false, rumours, which were so industriously 
 circulated by his enemies. 
 
 Mr. Fox, likewise, assured the House, there was no 
 part of the PRINCE'S conduct, which he was either 
 afraid, or unwilling, to have investigated in the fullest 
 manner; nay, he wished for publicity, from a con- 
 sciousness that disclosure would redound to his repu- 
 tation, and honor ; and then, adverting to the marriage, 
 in reply to some remarks from the other side of the 
 House, judiciously directed by the Minister, with an 
 evident view to prevent subterfuge, or equivoque, he 
 observed, " If they allude to certain low and malicious 
 rumours, which have been propagated without doors, 
 he was authorised to declare them false. He had thought 
 that a tale, only fit to impose upon the lowest of the 
 vulgar, could not have gained credit for a moment in 
 that House, or with any one, who possessed the most 
 ordinary portion of common sense, and reflection." 
 The asperity of his language, gave his declaration all 
 the force, that could be desired; and the Minister, and 
 the Country heard, with exultation, his concluding 
 sentences. " He denied the calumny, not only with re- 
 gard to the effect of certain existing laws, but he de- 
 nied it in tot.o in point of fact. The fact not only 
 never could have happened legally, but never did 
 happen at all, in any way whatever, and had, from the 
 beginning, been a base, and malicious, falsehood." 
 
 Through the developement of this mysterious and 
 unhappy affair was to be seen the faithful features of
 
 27 
 
 that frailty, which is the concomitant of our nature. 
 Men, whose wisdom shed a lustre over their country, 
 from motives of personal attachment on one side, and 
 personal enmity on the other, scrupled not deliberately 
 to affirm, that, from the exposition of an aggravated 
 state of concubinage, the most culpable improvidence,, 
 and unwarrantable profusion, nothing could redound 
 inconsistent with the Princely character, and the most 
 exalted virtue. Yet, that heavy pecuniary obligations 
 had been incurred, and that the connexion alluded to 
 was either too familiar to be moral, or too moral to be 
 legal, no one had the temerity to deny ; nor could the 
 approval of the intercourse, by any man, be consider- 
 ed in a better light, than as bordering on the common 
 vice of courtiers, or emanating from those political dis- 
 sentions which pervert, in many instances, both reason 
 and judgment. 
 
 Occasionally, however, we are permitted opportuni- 
 ties of contemplating objects more congenial with our 
 self-esteem, and vanity. Neither the pointed importu- 
 nities the irritative taunts nor the malicious illiberal 
 insinuations of his adversaries, could swerve Mr. PITT 
 from the fixed purpose of his heart. Until he had pre- 
 vailed in inducing the House to dispense with the 
 threatened Motion, which was to plant scorpions in the 
 heart of the Royal Parents, he bore himself with such 
 exemplary patience, such a suavity of disposition, and 
 immaculate integrity, that utterly confounded his ene- 
 mies, and more baffled them, than ever could have been 
 accomplished, by ostentatious eloquence, and angry de- 
 clamation. Thus, having obtained for the public, 
 ample satisfaction on a point, involving their most in- 
 estimable privileges, and stifled an enquiry, which pro-
 
 28 
 
 mised only anguish to the SOVEREIGN, he no longer 
 withheld his acquiescence to the measure recommend- 
 ed, although that acquiescence, gratified those who 
 never introduced his name but to accompany it with 
 invective. 
 
 Scarcely was one arduous struggle terminated, and 
 one laborious work fulfilled, than new objects arose, to 
 call forth the energies of this extraordinary man. But 
 his comprehensive mind felt no depression under multi- 
 plied duties; his genius never relaxed, when the ser- 
 vices of the State solicited its active interposition. The 
 solemn enquiry upon the conduct of Mr. HASTINGS, 
 the late Governor General of India, which had been 
 commenced by the usual preliminary proceedings dur- 
 ing the last Sessions, was resumed immediately the 
 question, respecting the PRINCE'S debts, was disposed 
 of, and the necessary forms, antecedent to an impeach- 
 ment being brought to an issue, the charges, twenty- 
 two in number, were all carried in the affirmative ; and 
 it being a maxim with Mr. PITT, that innocence and 
 rectitude are always advantaged by investigation, he 
 Supported the accusation in a speech as luminous and 
 argumentative, as ever flowed from the lips of a Bri- 
 tish orator, proving himself the advocate of that ex- 
 panded philanthropy which extends its commisseration 
 with equal sympathy to the oppressed victims of 
 Oriental tyranny, as to the children of misfortune who 
 endure the calamities of our native clime. 
 
 This subject, with some less important affairs, 
 concluded the Sessions of 1807, when the country 
 assumed an aspect more cheerful and prosperous, 
 both as to its domestic concerns, and foreign relations, 
 than it had experienced tcr a considerable, lapse of
 
 years. But these halcyon days were rendered of short 
 duration, by that revolution, whose desolations still 
 harass the credulous, and degenerate, nations of the 
 Continent, and w r hich, in the autumn of the present 
 year, first displayed those dismal harbingers in the po- 
 litical horizon, that have progressively led to the me- 
 lancholy events which Europe seems destined yet long 
 to deplore, amidst the ruins of dismembered Empires, 
 and the horrors of protracted war. Events, whose con- 
 sequences are too conspicuous, to need recapitulation, 
 and with which the fame of the Son of CHATHAM will 
 be connected with transcendant brightness to remotest 
 posterity. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 30 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm." 
 
 
 
 LETTER VIII. 
 
 
 
 When headstrong riot hath no curb, 
 
 When rage and hot blood are man's counsellors, 
 When means and lavish manners meet together, 
 O, with what wings shall his affections fly, 
 Towards panting peril and oppos'd decay ! 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 THE extraordinary effects, which emanated from the 
 French revolution, displayed a field for the exercise of 
 intellectual talent, unexampled in the history of man- 
 kind. To what causes, that tremendous event, is to be 
 attributed, speculation has been wearied in conjectur- 
 ing. A wicked philosophy, may have accelerated the 
 catastrophe ; but the most rational manner of account- 
 ing for it, appears to arise from the radical defects of a 
 Constitution, which had cherished corruption, and 
 despotism, until the oppressed, became desperate ; and 
 the rapid transition, from a grievous tyranny, to the 
 transports, which freedom imparts, plunged the unre- 
 strained enthusiasts, into that abyss of extravagance 
 and horror, which has emitted all the dire misfortunes 
 that have since harrassed their native provinces ; and 
 disseminated a baneful influence, wherever civilization 
 has established political intercourse.
 
 31 
 
 It was a moral impossibility, that the principles, in- 
 culcated at the commencement of the revolution, could 
 be confined to local operation, as a system which li- 
 censed the free range of passion, and appetite, was too 
 seductive, not to ingratiate itself far and wide ; and the 
 pernicious doctrine of equality, was too compatible 
 with vulgar ideas, not to threaten an extension of the 
 dilemma, into which it had precipitated the inhabitants 
 of the kingdom that had given it birth. To anticipate, 
 therefore, its destructive consequences, was the first 
 duty of a Statesman. Mr. PITT well knew with what 
 rapid strides, anarchy advances, and into what excesses, 
 men, unaccustomed to govern, inevitably fall ; he fore- 
 saw the political schisms, the new opinions would cause, 
 and, judging from results, it is hardly too much to pre- 
 sume, his prescience discovered, through the clouds of 
 democracy , and unshapen embrios of the demagogues of 
 France, the gradual overthrow of that faith, justice, 
 and integrity, which is indispensible, to preserve the in- 
 dependence of nations, and an equitable participation in 
 the blessings, of providence : and we have only to cast 
 our eyes, to the rest of Europe, to be convinced that 
 every sacrifice we have been called upon to make, to 
 resist the torrent of jacobinism, has been productive of 
 a commensurate advantage. 
 
 But the attention of Mr. PITT was diverted, for a 
 time, from distant dangers, by a domestic affliction of 
 the most distressing nature. A severe indisposition, 
 which had visited the SOVEREIGN, terminated in a 
 distempered brain ; and the functions of his high oilier 
 being in consequence suspended, a delicate and respon- 
 sible duty devolved upon the Administration. The 
 combined wisdom of our forefathers had not suggested
 
 32 
 
 the propriety of providing against an occurrence of the 
 present melancholy description ; and the perplexity 
 "was augmented, by the known variance of opinion, ex- 
 isting between the Counsellors of the exalted Person- 
 age, whom Nature pointed out as the most suitable 
 Representative of the Royal Authority, and the confi- 
 dential servants of the afflicted Monarch. 
 
 Exhilarated by an unexpected prospect of elevation, 
 the impatient competitors for power, and patronage, an- 
 nounced, without scruple, the proscription of the 
 KING'S Ministers, and their own accession to the va- 
 cant chairs : but such premature declaration, and the 
 avidity with which they prepared to rush upon the 
 spoils of office, was deprecated by the whole nation ; 
 and this indecorous impetuosity, fabricated the toils 
 which retarded their approach, towards the goal, that 
 was to realize all their dreams of grandeur. 
 
 Mr. Fox exultingly asserted, that the Heir Apparent 
 possessed an hereditary right to the Regency, without 
 any restraint or limitation being placed upon the exer- 
 cise of the Royal Prerogative. Mr. PITT peremptorily 
 denied the existence of any such privilege ; and insist- 
 ed, that, except from comparative talent, the meanest 
 peasant in the land, had as substantial a claim, to the 
 office of Regent, as his^Royal Highness ; and, as such an 
 extraordinary position had been advanced, he felt it 
 incumbent on himself to bring the matter to issue by a 
 specific motion. In reply, the Opposition urged the 
 plea of expediency, and evinced an inclination to con- 
 cede the point, rather than promote delay, by a further 
 agitation of the subject. They advanced argument 
 upon argument, every one more futile and inconsistent 
 than the preceding, to persuade the House not to enter-
 
 33 
 
 tain the promised motion of the Minister; they re- 
 nounced, they retracted, they acquiesced, they alter- 
 nately abused, and flattered; denied, and offered a com- 
 promise, encouraged any overture, and were ready to 
 Subscribe to any recantations, which could induce their 
 adversaries to retire: But Mr. PITT penetrated, in a 
 moment, the flimsy veil, by which they attempted to 
 conceal their disgraceful motives ; he saw the instabi- 
 lity which marked their proceedings, and the appre- 
 hensions which terrified them; but he viewed the 
 question, as important, to the future, as well as present, 
 interests of the state, and its decision, required the 
 solemn confirmation of Parliament, that upon a re- 
 currence of a similar fatality, some fixed rule of con- 
 duct might stand, upon record, as a precedent for pos- 
 terity. A flaw had been discovered, in the funda- 
 mental laws of the Constitution, and it was irrecon- 
 cilable with common prudence, to suffer such a defect 
 to remain. The worst consequences might arise, from 
 such a dereliction of the duty of Parliament, whose 
 province it was, to watch over the public peace, to 
 obviate all causes of dissention, and to render the 
 whole system of Government, simple, andf perspicuous. 
 Therefore, in contradiction to the principle of he* 
 reditary right, broached by Mr. Fox, he moved to the 
 effect, that it was the privilege of the Lords Spiritual, 
 and Temporal, and Commons of Great Britain, law- 
 fully representing the three estates of the realm, to 
 delegate the Royal authority, and to determine the 
 means of giving proper assent and effect to the Acts 
 of Parliament, during any incapacity of the Sovereign ; 
 which being carried, he followed up by such restric* 
 
 D
 
 34 
 
 tions as were deemed suitable, to the temporary assump- 
 tion of Regal power ; and, in observing their progress 
 through the House, we shall have abundant reason to 
 lament the loss of a Minister, as inflexibly attached to 
 the interests of his Royal Master, under the most dis- 
 heartening prospects, as during the meridian splen- 
 dour of his reign, and whose honesty and disinterest- 
 edness will be a criterion for future ages, by which to 
 estimate their honourable men. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 85 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER IX. 
 
 O I will 
 
 Of private passions all my soul divest, 
 And take my dearer country to my breast ; 
 To public good transfer each fond desire, 
 And clasp my Sweden with a lover's fire ; 
 Well pleas'd, the weight of all her burdens bear, 
 Despise all pleasure, but engross all care ; 
 Still quick to find, to feel my country's woes, 
 And wake, that millions may enjoy repose. 
 
 BROOKE. 
 
 IT was, perhaps, impossible to have selected a theme 
 more interesting, or more pregnant with important 
 consequences to the nation, than emanated from the 
 debates, which succeeded the motions of the denounced 
 Minister ; and, upon recurring to the parliamentary 
 reports of this anxious periodj we shall find them 
 abounding with the finest flowers of rhetoric* and 
 those sublime effusions, which bear incontestible evi- 
 dence, of the affinity of the mortal, to the immortal, 
 spirit ; but, unfortunately, the excesses of party min- 
 gled splenetic, and vulgar epithets, so profusely with 
 the better qualities, as to have attached the least pleas- 
 
 D 2
 
 36 
 
 ing characteristics, to this epoch of our Parliamentary 
 history. 
 
 No opportunity escaped the aspiring votaries of the 
 rising Sun, for loading their adversary with obloquy; every 
 avenue that could wound his feelings, was sought out 
 with inconceivable industry ; every paragraph, of their 
 irrelevant declamations, teemed with the most malicious 
 censure, and disclosed the deadly antipathy which 
 rankled in their breasts. The loyal zeal, which pro<- 
 crastinated their Hour of Jubilee, was represented as 
 fastidious, and affected, and persisted in from no other 
 motive, than to gratify a criminal propensity to govern 
 and domineer; his tender cautions, to protect the 
 Throne, were deemed derogatory to the exalted birth, 
 and prejudicial to the political character, of the Heir- 
 Apparent, and designed only to mortify and traduce 
 him: but upon a subject so peculiarly delicate, Mr. 
 PITT would not permit himself to be provoked into 
 unbecoming recriminations, and seldom occupied the 
 House by condescending to refute the puerile slanders 
 of his enemies. Superior to personal abuse, when he 
 defended himself, he did it without vehemence; con- 
 tinued to urge all his measures with the dignity of a 
 Senator, and the confidence of an experienced States- 
 man, and never forgot that the Representatives of the 
 People, assembled to legislate for the common weal, 
 not to be deluded by harangues, involving private in- 
 terests, and resentments. 
 
 He concluded the arduous task he had selected, in 
 the true spirit of patriotism, by reminding the House, 
 that they had an important privilege to maintain, an 
 essential duty to perform, which neither their allegiance,
 
 37 
 
 nor their affection to their Sovereign, would allow them 
 to wave ; and that it was their duty, at this time, un- 
 equivocally to declare, and exercise their right, so that 
 it might remain ascertained, beyond the possibility of 
 a question hereafter. As to his being conscious that 
 he did not deserve the favour of the PRINCE, as had 
 been ungenerously insinuated, he could only say, he 
 knew but one way in which he, or any man, could 
 deserve it, by having uniformly endeavoured, in a 
 public situation, to do his duty to the KING, his father, 
 and to the country at large. The truest respect he 
 could pay to his Royal Highness, was to cultivate the 
 interests of that nation, which the ancestors of his 
 family, were called upon, to govern, and to watch over 
 the safety of that Constitution, which himself would 
 one day be called upon to protect. If, in thus endea- 
 vouring to deserve the confidence of the PRINCE, it 
 -should appear that he had, in fact, lost it, however 
 painful, and mortifying, that circumstance might be 
 to him, and from whatever cause it might proceed, 
 he should, indeed, regret it, but he would boldly say, 
 it was impossible he ever could repent it. 
 
 Amongst the restrictions which the retiring Premier 
 had proposed, it was stipulated that the Royal House- 
 hold should retain all its state and dignity, that, upon 
 returning reason, the Crown might instantly resume its 
 wonted lustre, and his MAJESTY have as few objects as 
 possible to awaken painful retrospect. But by con- 
 trasting the manly sentiments, above recorded, with the 
 language of Mr. BURKE, we shall perceive the adherents 
 of the PRINCE, not only attempted to strip the un- 
 happy Monarch of his regal honours, but reviled him 
 
 D3
 
 38 
 
 as a victim of offended heaven. " What grace," he 
 observed, " could he now give to the dignity of his 
 Crown? What lustre could he now derive from the 
 splendour of his household? Did they recollect that 
 they were talking of a sick King, of a Monarch 
 smitten by the hand of Omnipotence; that the AL- 
 MIGHTY had hurled him from his throne, and plunged 
 him into a condition that drew upon him the pity of 
 the meanest peasant in the kingdom ? Ought they, 
 then, at that hour of sickness, and calamity, to 
 clothe his bed with purple? ought they to make 
 a mockery of him, putting a crown of thorns upon 
 his head, a reed in his hand, and dressing him in a 
 raiment of purple, to cry-*' Hail King of the 
 British" 
 
 Good GOD ! could a British Parliament hear such 
 observations, and not instantly direct all its vengeance 
 against the offender? But the unfeeling orator, who 
 subsequently experienced his proportion of sublunary 
 calamity, is now no more; and since that reviled, and 
 insulted, Sovereign still survives to bless his people 
 buried be our indignation ! 
 
 Ingenious sophistry, may reconcile the absence of 
 human affection, upon the grounds of political expe- 
 diency, but there appeared so much apathy to the 
 sufferings of the Royal Father, such a decided enmity 
 against his confidential servants, such a fixed deter- 
 mination to introduce a system of Government diame- 
 trically opposite, to what himself had designed, attended, 
 at the same time, with so much prodigality, and so 
 little respect to moral ordinations, that, to the distress* 
 ing scenes they were daily compelled to witness, the
 
 39 
 
 rjublic instinctively applied the words of their great 
 dramatist : 
 
 I stay too long by thee, I weary thee. 
 
 Dost thou so hunger for my empty chair, 
 
 That thou wilt needs invest thee with mine honours 
 
 Before thy hour be ripe ? O, foolish youth ! 
 
 Thou seek'st the greatness that will overwhelm thee ; 
 
 **#******###***# 
 
 What ! canst thou not forbear me half an hour ? 
 Then get thee gone, and dig my grave thyself; 
 And bid the merry bells ring to thine ear, 
 That thou art crown'd, not that I am dead. 
 Let all the tears that should bedew my hearse, 
 Be drops of balm to sanctify thy head- 
 Only compound me with forgotten dust ; 
 Give that which gave thee life unto the worms. 
 Pluck down my officers, break my decrees ; 
 For now a time is come to mock at form. 
 HARRY the Fifth is crowned : Up vanity ! 
 Down Royal state ! all you sage Counsellors hence ! 
 And to the English Court assemble now, 
 From every region, apes of idleness." 
 
 Had the administration of affairs, been transferred 
 into the hands, which sought the important trust, with- 
 out specific limitations, there cannot be a doubt upon 
 the mind of any sensible individual, but the restora- 
 tion of the rightful Sovereign, would but have been to a 
 nominal power to a Government totally irreconcil-r 
 able to his own principles, with every post round the 
 Throne so occupied, as to have left him no discretion, 
 nor any influence over the measures, for which he was 
 to be responsible. So that, had a precedent of here- 
 ditary right been established, the prerogative upon a 
 -similar occurrence, might have been prostituted to
 
 40 
 
 any ambitious purpose, and, in point of fact, th 
 Monarch divested of every attribute of Majesty. 
 But, happily for the country, the melancholy dis- 
 pensation, which occasioned such extreme anxiety, 
 was but of Short duration, and his MAJESTY'S conva- 
 lescence, putting an end to these alarming controver- 
 sies, was hailed with those demonstrations of joy, by 
 which a grateful nation, express their obligations to 
 virtuous Princes, added to which, a prospect of the 
 permanent services of their favourite Minister, being 
 secured to them, revived all their hopes, and cherished 
 their most pleasing anticipations. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 41 
 
 - 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather* d the Storm. 1 
 
 LETTER X. 
 
 Thus ambition grasps 
 
 The empire of the soul ; thus pale revenge 
 Unsheaths her murd'rous dagger ; and the bands 
 Of Lust and Rapine, with unholy arts, 
 Watch to o'erturn the barriers of the Laws 
 That keep them from their prey : thus all the plagues 
 The wicked bear ; or o'er the scene 
 The Tragic Muse discloses, under shapes 
 Of honor, safety, pleasure, ease, or pomp, 
 Stole first into the mind. 
 
 AKENSIDE. 
 
 PROM this period, until the dissolution of Parlia- 
 ment, in 1790, Mr. PITT enjoyed a comparative state 
 of repose, a suspension from that active exercise of the 
 intellectual faculties, which appeared providentially 
 interposed, to recruit exhausted genius, previously to 
 encountering that tremendous tempest, which was pre- 
 paring to burst upon the world, in every artificial hor- 
 ror, that man's evil ingenuity had conceived, to de- 
 stroy his species, and disfigure the fair face of nature. 
 He had, however, twice to contend, for the existence 
 of the Corporation, and Test, Acts, the repeal of which, 
 he effectually resisted. The affair of Nootka Sound, 
 likewise engaged much of his attention ; but in bring-
 
 43 
 
 ing it to an amicable adjustment, he neither sacrificed 
 the national honor, to the threatening aspect of the, 
 times, nor averted an appeal to arms, by commuting 
 its commercial privileges ; but, on the contrary, ren- 
 dered that secure, and permanent, which had hitherto 
 been, in some measure, questionable. The annual 
 financial statements afforded him an opportunity, of 
 displaying the auspicious operation, of the system he 
 had introduced, for promoting an econimical disburse- 
 ment of the public treasure, and for protecting the 
 revenue, from fraud, and peculation, which, combined 
 with an inflexible severity against mal-practices of 
 every description, regardless either of the rank, power, 
 or influence, of the offending party, ingratiated him 
 more, and more, in the good opinion, of his fellow sub- 
 jects. 
 
 Whilst England was thus happy, in an amiable Mo- 
 narch, a loyal People, and wise Counsellors, the im- 
 becility, and wavering policy, of the French Ministers, 
 had surrendered their country, a prey to anarchy, and 
 prepared for the Royal House of Bourbon, (which, 
 next to their GOD, had, for centuries, received the 
 admiration of the people) a destiny, that will moisten 
 the page of History, with the tears of compassion, 
 whilst a remnant of virtue is left, to adorn the human 
 character. 
 
 But we are taught to believe, it was not political op- 
 pression, feudal despotism, the pride of aristocracy, 
 or the prodigality of Princes ; neither the vulgar outcry, 
 excited against innovations, they did not understand. 
 Bastiles without inhabitants, and Lettres de Cachet with- 
 out victims, which gave that extraordinary impulse to 
 the French nation, that will live for ever in chronicles
 
 43 
 
 tf blood; but to a deep, and deliberate, system of im- 
 piety, and wickedness, which had been designed, and 
 propagated, by a society of individuals, who were, both 
 by profession, and practice, the enemies of the AL- 
 MIGHTY, and his whole creation ; whose ambition ap- 
 pears to have been of so diabolical a nature, as to be 
 satiable only, by plunging the world, into a second 
 chaos, of error and barbarism. 
 
 At an early period of the French Revolution, observes 
 the Abbe BARRUEL, appeared a sect, calling itself 
 Jacobin, teaching, that all men were equal and free. 
 
 " It was under the auspices of this sect, by their in- 
 trigues, their influence, and their impulse, that France 
 beheld itself a prey to every crime ; that its soil was 
 stained with the blood of its Pontiffs and Priests, of its 
 rich men and Nobles ; with the blood of every class of 
 its citizens, without regard to age, rank, or sex. 
 These w r ere the men who, after having made Louis 
 XVI. his Queen, and sisters, drink to the very dregs, 
 the cup of outrage, and ignominy, during a long con- 
 finement, solemnly murdered them on a scaffold, 
 proudly menacing the Sovereigns of the earth, with a 
 similar fate ! These are the men who have made the 
 French Revolution, a scourge to all Europe a terror 
 to its powers ; who vainly combine to stop the progress 
 of their revolutionary armies, more numerous, and de- 
 structive, than the inundations of the Vandals." 
 
 Although the subject could never fail of interest, it 
 is not my intention to encroach upon the province of 
 the Historian, by entering upon a minute narration of 
 the causes of this Revolu tion ; to trace the course of 
 anarchy, over all her fields of massacre, and immolation; 
 or to follow her sanguinary steps, into the defiled tern-
 
 44 
 
 pies of omnipotence, and the mutilated palaces of 
 earthly potentates, which even at this day mark her 
 dominion. But in justice to the character of the man, 
 who preserved his country, from that promiscuous 
 Spoliation, of which these are the melancholy signs and 
 tokens, left for the instruction, and admonition, of 
 future ages, a concise review of the peculiar circum- 
 stances, which led to the dreadful convulsions, that have 
 shaken the foundations of every human institution, 
 will be found in the progress of my biography, rather 
 indispensible, than irrelevant ; as without first being ac- 
 quainted with the fury of the whirlwind, it is impos- 
 sible to estimate the abilities of the Pilot, who extrir 
 cated his vessel from its attendant disasters. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 45 
 
 The Pilot that Weathered the Storm:' 
 
 LETTER XI, 
 
 Philosophy! a name of much degree, 
 Embraced in token of humility, 
 By the proud Sage, who, whilst he strove to hide 
 In that vain artifice, reveal'd his pride : 
 
 CHURCHILL* 
 
 *' THE Sect of Jacobinism," the Abbe BARRUEL 
 observes, " was itself no other than the Coalition of 
 a Triple Sect, of a triple conspiracy, in which, long 
 before the Revolution, the overthrow of the Altar, 
 the ruin of the Throne, and the dissolution of all 
 Civil Society, had been debated, and resolved on." 
 The projectors were, VOLTAIRE, FREDERIC II. of 
 Prussia, DIDEROT, and D'ALEMBERT, and France 
 was selected as the first theatre of their exploits. 
 Cruelly judicious, they commenced their design against 
 Christianity, and thereby disengaging the allegiance of 
 mankind from their lawful Sovereigns, gradually un- 
 dermined the foundations of their thrones, and the 
 institutions of religion; and government being thus- 
 shaken^ Anarchy found an easy task in perfecting the 
 destruction, which was to abrogate every social tie- 
 necessary to preserve the world in tranquillity, and 
 render existence tolerable.
 
 46 
 
 The proofs corroborative of an Anti-Christian Con- 
 spiracy (to which I shall confine the subject of this 
 Letter), are but ill disguised in the correspondence of 
 the chief adepts, under the fictitious appellations*, 
 enigmatical expressions, figurative language, and mys- 
 rious allusions, by which they attempted to baffle the 
 enquiries likely to lead to a premature discovery of 
 their atrocious plot. 
 
 " Crush the wretch that is, crush CHRIST ; -crush 
 the religion of CHRIST; crush every religion that 
 adores CHRIST," was the watch-word of the party, 
 and the epithet by which our Saviour is clearly proved 
 to have been designated, through the whole course of 
 their impious correspondence. With as little ceremony 
 they speak of the Apostles, and the Holy Fathers, of 
 every age, and nation, who have propounded the truths 
 of Scripture; and there was no sacred subject but had 
 its synonimous term, in their blasphemous vocabulary. 
 By this subterfuge, they communicated their sentiments 
 with impunity, and having at length completely de- 
 ceived themselves, and bew ildered each other, by the 
 most egregious sophistry, they prepared to deceive 
 their fellow-creatures, and convert them from the 
 happy hopes of future felicity, to the miseries of un- 
 certainty, and the horrors of atheism. 
 
 The Encyclopaedia, that grand engine, destined to 
 disseminate the PHILOSOPHY, which was to regenerate, 
 and enlighten, the world, was the offspring of the evil 
 ingenuity of DIDEROT. This was the polluted me- 
 dium, through which they insinuated that dangerous 
 scepticism upon all religious matters " that revolu- 
 tion in all religious ideas that total subjection of 
 the public opinion, which was to annihilate the faith
 
 47 
 
 of all Christian nations, and to attain the destruction 
 of the altars of that GOD, whose worship had been 
 taught by the Apostles." 
 
 This publication was ushered into the world with 
 all the graces of superexcellent composition, and all 
 the advantages of high patronage; excellence, alas! 
 bestowed by many, in ignorance of the criminal design 
 they were promoting. Patronage, alas ! prostituted to 
 the worst of purposes ; excellence, in fact, employed 
 hi pourtraying vice in every seductive feature, and 
 patronage applied to the sanction of infamy. In other 
 words, the Encyclopedia w T as converted into " a vast 
 emporium of all the sophisms, errors, or calumnies, 
 which ever had been invented against religion, from 
 the first schools of impiety, until the day of this en- 
 terprise, and thus were to be so artfully concealed, 
 that the reader should insensibly imbibe the poison 
 without the least suspicion." 
 
 The effect of this compilation was prodigious ; and 
 successful, beyond their most sanguine expectations, 
 in the first attack; they advanced, with increased 
 zeal, and intrepidity, to their second assault. The 
 extinction of the Jesuits ; those great protectors of 
 ecclesiastical rights and dignities, the acknowledged 
 guardians of the Catholic Faith, the rigkl inculcators 
 of Church discipline, and the privileged preceptors of 
 youth a station which of all others rendered them 
 obnoxious to the conspirators. Confidence, however, 
 on the one side, and indefatigable perseverance on the 
 other, soon removed this hostile barrier also, and dis- 
 persed that once potent, and dreaded, society, in po- 
 verty, and wretchedness, over the face of the kingdoms.
 
 48 
 
 which a few short months before had hallowed their 
 footsteps. 
 
 Without permitting the world to recover from their 
 astonishment, they prepared to surprise it with yet 
 bolder measures; and, in a short time, exulted in the 
 dismemberment, and sequestration, of many hundred 
 religious institutions, which were so many obstacles 
 to their infernal purposes. But at this period, unfor- 
 tunately for mankind, the plunder of the Church 
 offered an invincible temptation, and the cloister was 
 profaned to replenish the exhausted treasury of the 
 State. 
 
 Presumption grew upon success, and the banish-* 
 ment of the Jesuits, and the dissolution of convents, 
 was followed by a monopoly of every academical ho- 
 nour, to which the least influence was attached, con- 
 sequently, *' the laurels of literature were consecrated 
 only on the impious writer." Preceptors for youth 
 were selected only from proficients in the new philo- 
 sophy, and thus the rising generation was impregnated 
 with the seeds of that sophistry, which was to plunge 
 their minds in the dismal speculations of Anti-Chris- 
 tianism, and steel their hearts, against every amiable 
 emotion. The acquisition cf the Academic chairs, ne- 
 cessarily brought the Press, under despotic influence; 
 and whilst Europe was inundated through the means 
 of History, Biography, Memoirs, Essays, Tales, Epi- 
 grams, Witticisms, and every form which Literature 
 can assume, with the new doctrines of regeneration, 
 every work which advocated religion, breathed one 
 sentiment of piety, and recommended morality, and 
 obedience, was, without scruple, condemned to obli- 
 Tion*
 
 49 
 
 Besides these resources, each conspirator had a cer- 
 tain mission to fulfil. VOLTAIRE'S prolific pen charmed, 
 whilst it beguiled the world. FREDERICK opened an 
 asylum for the persecuted votaries of the New School, 
 countenanced the publication of the boldest infidel 
 works, and scattered the volumes of abomination indis- 
 criminately through every palace* and cottage, into 
 which his emissaries could penetrate. DIDEROT was 
 the itinerant, who, in clubs, coffee-houses, and convivial 
 meetings, familiarised the public to arguments subver- 
 sive of the being, and attributes, of the GOD, they adored; 
 and D'ALEMBERT was industriously occupied in plant- 
 ing, in the infant mind, the fatal precepts of infidelity. 
 To these might be added innumerable minor channels, 
 through which, however, it would be an endless task 
 to pursue them. 
 
 " Should, then, the historian,'* continues the Abbe 
 BARRUEL, " seek the causes of revolution in its agents, 
 he will meet a NECKER, a BRIENNE, a PHILLIPE 
 D'ORLEANS, MIRABEAU, and ROBESPIERRE, a con- 
 fusion in the finances, factions among the great, in- 
 subordination in the armies, the public agitated and 
 disgusted; in fine, seduced.^ .But will he for that 
 know from whence these NECKERS, MIRABEAUX, 
 and ROBESPIERRES, have arisen 1 whence this con- 
 fusion in finances, this insubordination of the armies, 
 or the seduction of divers classes of the State ; he 
 will have seized but the last thread of the conspiracy; 
 he will have seen empires in their agony, but he will 
 
 have overlooked that slow fever which consumes 
 them, whilst the violence of the fit is reserved to that 
 last crisis, which precedes dissolution. He will de- 
 scribe the calamities which every one has seen, but 
 
 E
 
 50 
 
 will he be nearer the remedy?" No, he must tun* 
 his eyes towards the Potentates and Statesman, Eccle- 
 siastics and Magistrates, the Literary and Scientific 
 Men, who were insensibly deluded into the dangerous 
 conspiracy, or willingly initiated into the holy myste- 
 ries of perdition; and he will not only find enumerated 
 in the Kalendar of Philosophism, or the ANTI-CHRIS- 
 TIAN COALITION, but systematically organized in 
 classes, and industriously engaged in illuminating their 
 subjects, independants, and families, in the science of 
 apostacy : 
 
 First, the Imperial Sovereigns of Austria, and Russia, 
 the Kings of Denmark, Sweden, and Poland. In the 
 second class, the majority of the Dukes, Princes, Land- 
 graves, Electors, Margraves, and the Minor Feudal 
 Chiefs. In the third, the Ministers, and others in 
 official situations. In the fourth, the Men of Letters ; 
 and in the fifth, the Clergy. The whole including a 
 nomenclature, as illustrious for talents, as in future 
 annals they will stand reproached as ignominiously 
 leagued together, for the dreadful purpose of over- 
 throwing the altars of Omnipotence. 
 
 France, unhappily for her, was appointed the focal 
 point, wherein to concentrate the whole strength of the 
 conspirators. A virtuous, and pious, Prince, was the 
 first victim of their diabolical infatuation, and his do-, 
 minions, the first sanguinary stage of their inhuman 
 exhibitions. They had excited a tempest, however, 
 which it was beyond human power to controul, and we 
 have seen it sweep, with irresistible violence, over 
 eveiy land corrupted by the breath of apostacy. Nor 
 can we be surprised at this day, that when Monarchs 
 had the temerity to wage war against that GOD, whom
 
 51 
 
 they were appointed to represent on earth, that he, in 
 their extremity, should forsake them. 
 
 In chains, and wretchedness, under the iron yoke of 
 vassalage, whichLiBERTY ; and EQUALITY have forged, 
 these unhappy subjects now groan beneath the sway of 
 the monstrous conception, which their impious zeal 
 has brought forth. Whilst England, eternally blessed 
 be the man, who saved her from the general wreck, 
 continues the refuge of the unfortunate, and the 
 asylum from sorrow and despair! 
 
 PLUTARCH,
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm" 
 
 LETTER XII. 
 
 Philosophy! whom nature had designed 
 To purge all errors from the human mind, 
 Herself misled by the Philosopher, 
 At once her priest and master, made us err : 
 Pride, pride, like leaven in a mass of flour, 
 Tainted her laws, and made ev'n virtue sour. 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 IT is by no means surprising, that the attempts to 
 subvert every religious office, should be succeeded by a 
 dereliction of duty towards sublunary Sovereigns. As 
 soon, therefore, as CHRIST and his Apostles were suffi- 
 ciently degraded in the eyes of the sophisters, the an- 
 nihilation of monarchy, became an object of their 
 odious ambition. To accomplish this branch of their 
 conspiracy, a greater degree of secrecy was indispen- 
 sable ; the mysteries of Free Masonry, were therefore 
 made the ostensible motives, for seditious associations; 
 and establishments instituted to promote charity, be- 
 nevolence, and good fellowship, were corrupted into 
 dens for the savage incendiaries, who triumphed in the 
 martyrdom of Louis XVL 
 
 The Royal, and Noble, adepts, who had, with so 
 much alacrity > combined to sweep from the face of the
 
 globe, the altars of their GOD, soon discovered that 
 their philosophic brethren, were equally inimical to 
 earthly, as to ethereal thrones; after the proscrip- 
 tion of the Gospel, that of all human authority was ne- 
 cessarily to follow; for when a mind was divested of 
 every religious and moral obligation, to enforce allegi- 
 ance was a task impracticable. 
 
 VOLTAIRE, during his crusade against the altar, was 
 conspicuous foi his attachment to the monarchical 
 form of government : " he loved Kings their favour, 
 and their caresses, were his delight; he was even 
 dazzled with their greatness." But the same argu- 
 ments which denied the existence of a Supreme Judge, 
 and Ruler, in Heaven, were equally substantial against 
 the legality of any similar controul on earth ; and how- 
 ever he might have been disinclined to the levelling 
 system, he found it impossible to retract the senti- 
 ments he had so animatedly expressed against the 
 Altar and the Gospel. That he must apostatize against 
 his own doctrines, and abdicate the sovereignty of his 
 infamous sect, or that he must unite in the plots it 
 had organized, to excite discord, and rebellion, and to 
 establish Liberty, and Equality, by making every man 
 a victim to his own passions, and a despot wherever 
 power could second his inclinations. 
 
 D'ALEMBERT, and the other members of the anti- 
 monarchical league, having, therefore, in some degree 
 forced the great champion of atheism, to become the 
 ringleader, of political revolution, we never h-ear them 
 in future speak of, or allude to Kings, but under the 
 denomination of despots, tyrants, or appellations 
 equally obnoxious, until the Age of Reason reached 
 its meridian, and the people began to look upon every
 
 54 
 
 one as their enemy, who attempted to repress the 
 profane propensity of the times that the crown being 
 the symbol of law and justice, it was necessary to 
 destroy it that they might be free and equal ; that is, 
 profligate without reproach, vicious without restraint, 
 and the free agents of nature's vilest passions. 
 
 That VOLTAIRE was honoured as the grand projector 
 of the revolution, we have only to turn to the pane- 
 gyric of CONDORCET. ".It appears, that it would have 
 been possible to shew, in a clear light, the eternal obliga- 
 tions which human nature has to VOLTAIRE ; he did not 
 foresee all that he has done, but he has done all that ice 
 now see. The enlightened observer, and the able his- 
 torian, will prove to those who are capable of reflec- 
 tion, that the first author of the great revolution, which 
 astonishes all Europe, ichich infuses hope into the hearts 
 of nations, and disgust into Courts, icas, without doult, 
 VOLTAIRE. He was the first who levelled that formid- 
 able rampart of despotism, the religious and sacerdotal 
 power. Had he not broken the yoke of priests, that 
 of tyrante, never could have been shaken off:" a clear 
 proof that the destruction of the altar, was only in- 
 tended as a prelude to the anarchy, which followed ; 
 and yet these men, almost without exception, were 
 dependant upon the favour of Kings, enjoyed situa- 
 tions near their thrones, appointments emanating im- 
 mediately from their patronage, and even pensioners 
 upon their liberality ! 
 
 The first step to promote the anti-monarchical con- 
 spiracy, was the introduction of extensive municipal 
 powers, approximating so near to republicanism, as to 
 lead gradually to the destruction of the Royal Prero- 
 gative. Thus, every Province was to have a partial
 
 55 
 
 Legislation, which was to remonstrate against every 
 general principle adopted by the KING'S Ministers, who 
 were to be accused as the cause of all the people's 
 grievances; and the MONARCH, by sanctioning these 
 measures, stigmatized as a tyrant, and a despot. 
 
 MONTESQUIEU, perhaps, unintentionally, had ad- 
 vocated the principles of the sophists, by asserting, that 
 the Romans owed their eclat, for love of liberty, and 
 reason, to the dethroning of their Kings, by having 
 instituted annual Consuls ; that '* What Sovereigns call 
 establishing order, is another name for rivetting fetters 
 on their subjects." Undoubtedly, his celebrated 
 work, The Spirit of Laws, is couched in a constant 
 strain, tending to degrade, depreciate, and excite dis- 
 like to the monarchical government, and to elevate de- 
 mocracy ; and although VOLTAIRE essentially differed 
 from MONTESQUIEU, as " he would willingly have 
 endured a Monarch, who would have connived at im- 
 piety ;" yet such was his hatred to religion, that he 
 would have sacrificed every King in Christendom, to 
 have gratified his antipathy to the name, and worship, 
 of CHRIST. But to involve MONTESQUIEU, in the 
 tribes of atheism, and sophistry, would be unjust : it 
 is, however, impossible to deny, whatever may have 
 been his intention, that, at the period he wrote, the 
 people of France were most ardently attached to their 
 MONARCH ; but that ever after, schisms arose in their 
 opinions. To believe that he conspired with them, is 
 impossible, from his nature, " but that he forwarded 
 their plans, is too certain ! He did not conspire by 
 setting up his systems, but his systems formed con- 
 spirators. He created a school, and in that school 
 he had taught, that in a free state, every man, who
 
 56 
 
 is supposed a free agent, ought to be his own Covers 
 nor-, and in that school, systems were formed, which, 
 improving on his, rendered the latter more fatal." 
 
 ROUSSEAU followed, but gave a much wider field 
 than his predecessor ; preaching up the Sovereignty of 
 the People. " The Sovereignty," he observes, " being 
 no more than the exercise of the general will, can 
 never alieniate itself. If, therefore, a people promise, 
 unconditionally, to obey, the act of making such pro- 
 mise dissolves their existence, and they lose their qua- 
 lity of people; for at the moment that there is a 
 master, there is no longer a Sovereign, and the body 
 politic is destroyed of course." No language could 
 be more palpably anti-monarchical than this ; it was 
 unequivocally telling all nations, that if they wished to 
 be free, they must cease to be governed by Kings. 
 And then, pursuing all his extraordinary chimeras, thisi 
 insinuating author asserts, that all authority, except 
 such as proceeds from general assemblies of the people, 
 is inconsistent with liberty ; and that, as an assembly 
 of many millions of people is impracticable, therefore, 
 all extensive empires are encroachments upon freedom, 
 and require to be dismembered, or split into federative 
 democracies ; so that the Sovereignty of the People 
 might reign universal. In every instance, and argument, 
 attempting to establish, as a fact, that all individual, 
 find hereditaiy rule, is usurpation, incompatible with 
 the rights of man, and that all people are necessarily 
 slaves, who are governed by Kings. 
 
 CONDORCET, the most rancorous of the conspira- 
 tors againt Monarchy, and every species of sovereign 
 authority, which he deems coercion, clearly demon- 
 strated the views of the Constitutionalists, and it was
 
 57 
 
 no longer the cry, " Destroy the tyrant, or the degpot," 
 but, " Destroy the King." He enquires, " Whether 
 a King is necessary for liberty ?" and, answering his 
 own question, declares, " That Royalty is not only 
 unnecessary, and useless, but even contrary to liberty ; 
 that it is irreconcilable with liberty." 
 
 Exulting in the hopes, which their speculations 
 created, the philosophers then announced to the world, 
 that " the day would come when the sun would shine 
 on none but freemen (Republicans) ; a day, when man 
 would recognize no other master than reason; when 
 tyrants (Kings) and their slaves (subjects of mo- 
 narchy); when priests, together with their hypocri- 
 tical agents (the believers in GOD and CHRIST) would 
 have no further existence, but in History and on the 
 Stage." 
 
 The Encyclopaedia, and other engines of literature, 
 were also resorted to for the purpose of disseminating 
 the poison of sedition and rebellion. These writings 
 were issued from the same manufactory; composed by 
 the same adepts ; commended, and revised, by the 
 same chiefs ; spread with the same profusion, and 
 hawked from town, to village, by the same agents, who 
 proved so efficient in their anti-christian conspiracy ; 
 and their authors inculcated the most absurd, as well 
 as the most iniquitous, doctrines. One observes, " the 
 true monarch is no more than a constitution, invented 
 to corrupt the morals of nations, and enslave man- 
 kind" A second, " That these Kings are wild beasts, 
 who devour nations" A third, " That Kings are the 
 executioners of their subjects ; and power, and stupidity 
 the founders of their thrones." A fourth, " That
 
 58 
 
 it is pusillanimity alone which has created, and still 
 maintains, Kings on their thrones" 
 
 Even the infidel FREDERICK, shrewd, and penetrat- 
 ing as he was, fell a dupe to the artifices of the philo- 
 sophers, who, in enlisting him in the corps of impiety, 
 only admitted him into half their secret, and he dis- 
 covered, too late, that, in promoting the cause of 
 atheists and anti-christians, he had been the patron, 
 protector, and advocate of traitors; therefore, though 
 he still remained indifferent as to the immortality of 
 the soul, for the salvation of a transient throne, he con- 
 descended to become the refuter of their chimeras, and 
 absurdities, with a zeal highly worthy, and judicious ; 
 "but, alas ! he had too fatally sanctioned their trespasses 
 upon religion, and morals, and was still too sincere a 
 proselyte, to impiety, to stop the current, which has 
 l)orne so many diadems into the abyss of anarchy. 
 
 England, fortunately, possessed a Monarch more 
 righteous, and a Statesman more virtuous ; who, 
 placing their reliance on that Power who sees, and 
 governs all, have averted the calamities, which impious 
 philosophism promulgated, to excite mistrust between 
 man and man, enmity between kings and people, and 
 '"warfare between nation and nation. 
 
 PLUTARCH
 
 59 
 
 The Pilot that Weather 1 d the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER XIII. 
 
 Had she, content within her proper sphere, 
 Taught lessons, suited to the human ear, 
 The heart of man, unrivall'd, she had sway'd; 
 Prais'd by the good, and by the bad obey'd : 
 But when, she overturning reason's throne, 
 Strove proudly, in its place, to plant her own ; 
 When she with apathy the breast would steel, 
 And teach us deeply feeling, not to feel ; 
 When she would wildly, all her force employ, 
 Not to correct our passions, but destroy ; 
 When not content, our nature to restore, 
 As made by GOD, she made it all new o'er: 
 When with a strange, and criminal excess, 
 To make us more than men, she made us less. 
 The good her dwindl'd power with pity saw, 
 The bad with joy, and none but fools with awe. 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 HAVING developed, in my two last letters, the con- 
 spiracies, which menaced, with total ruin, " the altar 
 of every GOD, and the throne of every MONARCH," I 
 shall appropriate the present, to as concise a delineation 
 as possible, of that which was directed against " the 
 law of every Society, and the property of every Ci- 
 tizen." 
 
 The year 1776 gave birth to the sect of illuminees, of 
 which ADAM WEISHAUPT inaugurated himself the
 
 60 
 
 Hierophant, and as the first, and most consistent, act of 
 his authority, promulgated the following Creed : 
 
 ** Liberty and equality are the essential rights, that 
 man in his original, and primitive, perfection, received 
 from nature, Property struck the first blow at equa- 
 lity ; political Society, or Governments, were the first 
 oppressors of liberty ; the supporters of Governments, 
 and property are the religious and civil laws; there- 
 fore, to reinstate man in his primitive rights of equa- 
 Jity, and liberty, we must begin by destroying all 
 religion, all civil society, and finish by the destruc- 
 tion of all property." 
 
 Such was the theory he laboured, incessantly, to 
 illustrate, by practical enormities, and by teaching that 
 sacrilege and blasphemy parricide and murder adul- 
 tery and incest perjury and falsehood treason and 
 rebelion, were only prejudices imbibed from ignorance, 
 and superstition, fabricated by Kings and Priests, to 
 monopolize the enjoyments of life, within the recesses 
 of their palaces, and convents. 
 
 The sect was divided into various classes, and de- 
 grees, bearing affinity to Freemasonry, and other in- 
 stitutions, whose machinations were practised with 
 impunity, under mysterious and symbolical cere- 
 monies. 
 
 Their Code of regulations, was an epitome of the 
 most consummate art and villainy, so enveloped in the 
 language of enthusiasm and hyperbole, that every 
 paragraph could bear a double interpretation, and was 
 so expressed, as either to be considered as a condem* 
 nation, or an excitement, to vicious propensities. 
 
 The first section, which treated of the Duties of 
 Brother, Nunciator, or Recruiter," will confirm these
 
 observations pretty forcibly. Their occupation, as the 
 appellation denotes, was to procure proselytes; and 
 according to their success, were promoted to the 
 apostleship, and higher ranks of illuminism. They 
 were scattered over the whole face of Europe, in every 
 Cabinet in every cloister in every college, and semi- 
 nary in every city, town, and hamlet. 
 
 This famous Code was transmitted to every Insi- 
 nuator, preceded by the three great precepts of the 
 Order" Hold thy Tongue."" Be Perfect."" Dis- 
 guise Thyself" That is, they were, without scruple, 
 to infringe the laws of hospitality by -acting the ** Eves- 
 dropper," and betraying the confidence of social 
 intercourse, by assuming every exterior grace, which 
 could fascinate mankind, and by practising dissimula- 
 tion under the garb of pure benevolence and virtue, 
 they were assiduously to penetrate into every object 
 that surrounded them vigilantly to observe every 
 person with whom they became acquainted, and whom 
 they met in company, without the exception of rela- 
 tions, friends, enemies, or strangers ; to discover their 
 strong, and their weak side, their passions, and preju- 
 dices, their intimacies, and, above all, their actions^, 
 interests, and fortunes. 
 
 In the selection of adepts, preference was to be given 
 to young men, whose education was yet incomplete, 
 and more especially to the gay, the fashionable, and 
 the thoughtless. ** Seek me out" observes WEISHAUPT, 
 the dexterous, and daring, youths. We must have 
 adepts who are insinuating, intriguing, full of resource, 
 bold, and enterprising; they must also be flexible, and 
 tractable, obedient, docile, and sociable. Seek out 
 also those who are distinguished by their poicer?
 
 62 
 
 nobility) riches, or learning. Spare no pains sparte- 
 not.hing in the acquisition of such adepts. If Heaven 
 refuse its aidance conjure Hell." 
 
 In anticipation of this horrid alternative, a collateral 
 society of females, was projected, and although but 
 partially acted upon, will disclose the infernal purposes 
 of these civil, and political, incendiaries. They were 
 divided into two classes ; the first composed of virtuous 
 women; the second of the wild, the giddy, and volup- 
 tuous; the former were to be brought over by read- 
 ing good books, that is, works of atheistical and phi- 
 losophical authors, which could be perused with* 
 out offence to modesty, and at the same time surrep-> 
 titiously inculcate the morality of illuminism. The 
 latter were to be "formed to the acts of secretly gra- 
 tifying the passions." The advantages to be derived 
 from the first class, were the funds they would con-i 
 tribute at their initiation, and the tax which w T oul<$ 
 continually be imposed upon their curiosity. 
 
 The second were to ingratiate the novices, by admi- 
 nistering to their several pleasures. 
 
 The adepts were required to renounce obedience to 
 every earthly authority whether emanating from the 
 KING CivilJurisdiction Parents or Masters; to grant 
 to their brethren the power of life and death, in the 
 event of any defalcation from the principles of the 
 Order, and to subject themselves to its decrees, with 
 blind subservience, and without any restraint or reser-* 
 nation whatever. 
 
 They were to consider fraud and robbery as venal 
 crimes in fact, that " every thing useful to their Ordef 
 was an act of virtue."
 
 63 
 
 The Patet exitus every man is free to leave this life 
 at pleasure was one of their fundamental principles; 
 indeed, suicide was deemed an act of magnanimity, 
 when poverty, oppression, or misfortune, rendered life 
 no longer desirable. 
 
 They represented to their pupils, that all political 
 constitutions, all human establishments of every descrip- 
 tion, " were but the crude inventions of crazy brains, 
 or geniusses laboriously subtle;" that, therefore, to 
 destroy them, " by violent revolutions, or any meani 
 that could ensure success," was desirable, in order 
 to restore the " original, and noble, simplicity of their 
 forefathers ;" and that to appreciate liberty properly, 
 to do justice to the primitive virtues of their long 
 buried ancestors, they should be capable of viewing, 
 without painful emotion, Rome, Vienna, Paris, Lon- 
 don, or Constantinople, wrapt in devouring flames, and 
 yielding their proud domes, to dust, and oblivion. 
 
 But the subject having drawn me into unexpected 
 prolixity, I must postpone its conclusion to ano- 
 ther Letter, and whilst thus I suspend my narrative, I 
 leave you to contemplation, and to sigh over the ashes 
 of the man who saved your country from such frantic 
 wickedness. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 64 
 
 The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm." 
 
 LETTER XIV 
 
 'Tis not in man, 'tis not in more than man, 
 To make me find one fault in nature's plan ; 
 flac'd law ourselves, we censure those above, 
 And wanting Judgment think that she wants lore, 
 Blame when we ought, in reason to commend, 
 And think her most a foe, wlien most afraid. 
 
 Such be Philosophers. 
 
 CHBRCHILI/. 
 
 EVERY individual in the offices of State, Eccle- 
 siastical, Civil, or Scholastic Establishments, was 
 eagerly sought for to unite in their abominable sect, 
 and when initiated, was bound, by oath, to prefer the 
 Brethren to every vacant situation. Thus Illuminism 
 engrossed, by degrees, all benefices, employments, 
 and dignities ; thus were secrets of State divulged, 
 treachery encouraged, and the operations of Govern- 
 ments defeated, and exposed ; discontent consequently 
 excited, and the fury of the murmuring multitude 
 directed against all lawful authorities. 
 
 The initiation of adepts was attended with all those 
 terrific preparations, which distinguished Egyptian 
 mysteries. They were threatened, in the event of 
 treachery, with vengeance from every hand of the
 
 65 
 
 Illuminees, from every cup they drank of, and from 
 every morsel of sustenance which entered their lips. A 
 denunciation against the regalia, and symbols, of roy- 
 alty, that were displayed before them as " childish 
 mockeries," also accompanied the ceremony ; which 
 was followed by a discourse, " the most monstrously 
 fertile, in sophism, in impiety, in blasphemy against 
 the Gospel, and the ALMIGHTY in treachery against 
 the Magistracy their country, and its laws against 
 their titles, and their rights their ancestors, and their 
 progeny;" thundered in their ears, by every device 
 which could terrify, amaze, madden, and bewilder. 
 
 The better to conceal their proceedings, the title 
 of the Order was varied incessantly, both in respect to 
 time, and place, their means of communication, either 
 verbally, or by writing, was by signs, cyphers, or mys- 
 terious synonysisms. Each member, had an adopted 
 name, characteristic of his peculiar talent. Geography 
 also underwent similar mutilations, the calendar was 
 metamorphosed, all their writings, records, and docu- 
 ments, were composed in a strain of irony. Thus, 
 when a man was reputed religious, he was a true in- 
 fidel, devoted to the interests of the Order; when 
 magnanimous, a deserter from the superstitions of 
 religion, and the mummeries of the Holy Sacraments. 
 In this manner every thing was involved in endless 
 intricacy; piety and morality progressively subvered, 
 filial affection, and every feeling of nature, sacrificed to 
 the propagation of Illuminism. 
 
 They were required to renounce their own penetra- 
 tion and judgment to promise to serve the cause with 
 " life, honour, and estates," and in default, " to submit 
 to ivhatever punishment, the brotherhood, might please to
 
 66 
 
 inflict ;" they were rendered " spies over each other 
 in particular, and over all in general" " Silence 
 and secrecy" the inseparable companions of guilt, 
 were the very soul of the Order-, distrust, and reserve, 
 its fundamentalfgrinciples" and it was a fixed maxim, 
 that all, whose talents, were obnoxious to Iliuminism, 
 " must be gained over, or ruined in the public opinion" 
 Their tenets, did not contain one sentiment assimilating 
 to pity, or affection. Jealousy was instilled into the 
 breast of every member, even towards his dearest 
 friend each, was deputed a spy upon his neighbour, or 
 immediate associate so that the embraces of friend- 
 ship, or kindred, were rendered suspicious, and danger- 
 ous. At the hour of death, the brethren were watched 
 and fortified, lest the last agonies of life should seek 
 mitigation, by indiscreet confessions ; and remorse of 
 conscience, strive, in the last awful moments of life, 
 to grant the world retribution, by a disclosure of the 
 impious mysteries to which they had been privy. 
 
 But the wily plans, and conceptions, of this infernal 
 propagator (\VEISHAUPT) cannot be better exemplified, 
 than by the following instructions to his missionaries : 
 " Select those in particular, who have met with misfor- 
 tunes, not from accidents, but from some acts of 
 injustice; that is to say, in other words, the discon- 
 tented ; for such are the men, to be called into the bo- 
 som of Illuminism, as into their proper asylum." But 
 to recite all his acts, and nefarious practices, is impos- 
 sible within the compass of a Letter ; they display a 
 talent, the most extraordinarily mischievous a dis- 
 cernment almost miraculous, and a perseverance the 
 most astonishing. The insinuators were furnished with 
 quotations from every authority. Every sentiment and
 
 paragraph every argument and sophism, which could 
 aid their mission, and thus led, step by step, until 
 inveigled too far in the conspiracy to retract, bewil- 
 dered with speculations too deep to penetrate, and 
 having their curiosity too much excited to renounce 
 their associates, and return to virtue the victims of 
 Illuminism became, at length, confirmed infidels, re- 
 bels, and assassins; or were exposed to this dreadful 
 denunciation against indocile candidates. " Unhappy, 
 supremely wretched, is the youth whom the Illuminees 
 have sought, in vain, to entice into their sect. The 
 vengeance of Secret Societies, is not a common vengeance, 
 it is the hidden fire of wrath. It is irreconcilable, and 
 scarcely ever does it cease the pursuit of its victims, until 
 it has seen them immolated" 
 
 By such doctrines, men Were to be allured from the 
 amiable connections of society, to the spoliation of 
 Kings, and Pontiffs, Nobles, and Citizens ; to return 
 again to unprotected, unenlightened nature to woods 
 and deserts to itinerant misery, and uncultivated bar- 
 barism ; promiscuously to mingle, with their rational 
 faculties dormant, and neglected, their bodies exposed 
 to the whirlwind and the storm to relapse into un- 
 civilized and patriarchal times, when no plough-share 
 furrowed the land, no loom administered protection to 
 the limbs when property, yet undefined, admitted 
 of that liberty, and equality, which madmen call the 
 Rights of Man. . 
 
 PLUTARCH. 
 
 F 2
 
 68 
 
 The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm. 
 
 LETTER XV. 
 
 Such be Philosophers their specious art, 
 Tho' friendship pleads, shall never warp my heart, 
 Ne'er make me from this breast one passion tear, 
 Which nature, my best friend, hath planted there. 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 HAVING, to the best of my abilities, disclosed the 
 secret operations, which germinated the French Revo- 
 lution, it will be my future duty, to prove their con- 
 summation, in the events which actually took place in 
 that unfortunate country, and that brought on the 
 havoc of the guillotine, with all the concomitants of 
 anarchy, and anti-religious enthusiasm. 
 
 To this period, the direct progress of my memoir, (to 
 which I shall now return) will speedily conduct us ; 
 and the means applied by Mr. PITT, to circumscribe 
 the effect of the crimes, and excesses, which lacerated 
 France, within the confines of her own dominion, will 
 adduce sufficient evidence, to convince us, that the 
 works of the great Hierarchs of Philosophism VOL- 
 TAIRE, FREDERICK, ROUSSEAU, D'ALEMBERT, and 
 their whole phalanx of impiety, had been the objects of 
 bis deepest research that he had duly appreciated the
 
 69 
 
 influence they were calculated to acquire, and the con- 
 sequences of those relaxations, from moral restrictions, 
 which were to be deemed the harbingers of returning 
 reason. 
 
 I shall also, I trust, render apparent, a perception, by 
 which he rapidly penetrated, into the mischievous de- 
 signs of illuminism, cradled, as it was, in impervious 
 haunts, in deathlike silence, and hypocrisy; or enve- 
 loped, as was its maturity, in the mysteries of Masonry, 
 the Propaganda, the Economists, the Philanthropists, 
 Constitutionalists, Rosicrusians, and other occult se- 
 minaries for the propagation of philosophic chimeras : 
 finally, I hope to prove, that the whole tenor of his 
 subsequent policy, was grounded upon the deductions 
 his mind had formed, from the dark nature of these 
 conspiracies, which, though it may have failed, from 
 inconceivable accidents, in preventing the aggrandize- 
 ment of France, and overturning the usurpation which 
 now oppresses her, has, at all events, raised around this 
 kingdom a rampart, hitherto impregnable against the 
 malevolence of its enemies. 
 
 The new Parliament assembled in November, 1790, 
 when the only debate which occurred upon the Ad- 
 dress, was the customary assault of the Opposition, in 
 order to try the strength of parties. The subject se- 
 lected for this purpose, was the recent accommodation 
 with Spain, which Mr. Fox deemed unsatisfactory, 
 the concessions, on the part of his CATHOLIC MAJESTY, 
 inadequate ; and, upon the whole, that the arrange- 
 ment was rather inimical, than advantageous, to the 
 interests of Great Britain. These arguments, however, 
 Mr. PITT successfully controverted. He then brought 
 forward an estimate of expences, which had been in- 
 
 F 3
 
 70 
 
 curred, in anticipation of hostilities, with Spain, and gra- 
 tified the House, by a further specimen of those finan- 
 cial abilities, which have left behind him one of the 
 proudest monuments of his fame. 
 
 The first important discussion, of the present Ses- 
 sion, opened a field, for a display of his accurate know- 
 ledge, of the laws of Parliament, the constitution of his 
 country, and historical precedent. It had been ad- 
 vanced, by the friends of Mr. HASTINGS, that in case of 
 impeachment, upon a dissolution of Parliament, it was 
 a necessary consequence, that the proceedings should 
 commence de novo, which position was but weakly 
 supported, by attempts to establish an analogy between 
 the judicial powers of Parliament, and the Courts of 
 Law. Mr. BURKE, therefore, 'to bring the point to an 
 issue, moved, " That the Impeachment, notwithstand- 
 ing the recent dissolution of Parliament, was now 
 pending ;" which motion, Mr. PITT supported with the 
 same energy he had exhibited, upon the question of the 
 Regency, and, indeed, upon every occasion which prof- 
 fered an opportunity to record an indisputable prece- 
 dent, for the information, and peace, of posterity ; and 
 shewed himself, in this instance, as much " the Man 
 of the People," as, upon other occasions, he had mani- 
 fested himself the Advocate of the Prerogative ; clearly 
 defining, the limits of privilege on either side, and 
 ascertaining their respective rights, with impartial reso- 
 lution. 
 
 He insisted upon it, as a fundamental principle, that 
 impeachments were not abated by a Dissolution of Par- 
 liament ; and, were it otherwise, it must be evident, 
 that a delinquent would be exposed to the severest in- 
 justice ; acts of political criminality, be continually
 
 731 
 
 practised with impunity ; or, by a sudden exercise of 
 the prerogative, the judicial proceedings of the House 
 might at any moment be invalidated ; the offended laws 
 defrauded of their victim ; or the culprit harassed to 
 the ruin of his peace, and the destruction of his for- 
 tune. The abatement of impeachments, therefore, 
 he observed, by a Dissolution of Parliament, would 
 throw an insurmountable obstacle, in the way of public 
 justice, and would deprive the House of a power, the 
 most formidable, to a corrupt Administration; the 
 exercise of which now served as a shield, and bulwark, 
 for the Constitution, 
 
 The opposition to the motion, protracted the debate 
 to three successive days, but produced more elocution 
 than argument ; opinions more ingenious, than consti- 
 tutional, upon the judicial objections to the existing 
 mode of impeachment ; exhortations, more pathetic 
 than prudent, in favour of delinquency ; and quibbles, 
 more becoming the practice of the inferior Courts, than 
 the solemn deliberations of the Senate. The result, 
 however, established, most unequivocally, the princi- 
 ple persisted in by Mr. BURKE, as incontrovertible, 
 " that impeachments continued in statu quo" unaffect- 
 ed either by prorogation, dissolution, or the changes, 
 or casualties, inseparable from large assemblies. 
 
 In this affair, Mr. PITT also evinced one of the finest 
 traits of his character, as a Minister, and a Patriot ; 
 never to t>e satisfied with triumph only, but to have 
 every motion canvassed, and investigated, to the ut- 
 most of human capacity. That its influence might not 
 only be temporary, but carry benefit to futurity, no 
 trick, or manoeuvre, of party, no superficial discussion, 
 was reconcilable with his conscientious feelings ; but
 
 72 
 
 to render every act, and privilege, of the Legislature, 
 every branch of the Constitution, clear and perspicuous 
 to posterity, was the sole aim of his labours, unalloyed 
 by any sentiment of vanity or interest. It was not the 
 gay, and perishable, feather, of transient applause, but 
 the durable monuments, which permanent good would 
 erect over his grave, that constituted the ambition of 
 his godlike mind. 
 
 Innumerable other difficulties occurred in prosecuting 
 the charges against Mr. HASTINGS, and so many tedious 
 pleadings upon the admissibility, or inadmissibility, of 
 evidence- consistent or irreconcilable with legal pre- 
 cedents -that it was concluded, the Legislature must 
 assume a dangerous discretion, or abandon the proceed- 
 ings it had instituted ; and it was seriously suggested, 
 as the least of the many evils that presented themselves, 
 to adjourn the trial, sine die. This tame submission, 
 however, to untoward circumstances, Mr. PITT resist- 
 ed, with indignation ; nobly asserting, that it ill be- 
 came that House to arraign any individual, without pro- 
 secuting the charges to judgment. With what apo- 
 logy could they meet their Constituents, when they in- 
 formed them, that a single citizen was enabled to set 
 their consolidated power at defiance, and frustrate 
 every effort of justice ? Moreover, it would be an in- 
 delible blemish upon the annals of Parliament, to have 
 it inserted upon their journals, that either space, time, 
 or any human obstacles, should enable a great political 
 criminal, to baffle investigations, which involved the 
 national honour, and humanity. Sooner ought the 
 whole House to trace the Ganges to its source ascend 
 the summit of Caucasus, and penetrate to regions yet 
 unknown, or untrodden, by the foot of man, than that
 
 73 
 
 the fields of Asia should be polluted by European 
 guilt, and rapacity, unavenged ; or that the delegated 
 authority of a mighty nation, should be made the 
 mockery of its offending servants. 
 
 These observations, awakened the House to a proper 
 sense of its duty ; and, after acceding to a proposition 
 from Mr. BURKE, to limit the Impeachment to an ad- 
 ditional charge, which he then submitted, this labo- 
 rious business was urged forward with renovated 
 ardour. 
 
 This Sessions also represented Mr. PITT as the ad- 
 vocate of humanity, in the support, though unavailing, 
 which he gave the motion of Mr. WILBERFORCE, for 
 the Abolition of the Slave Trade. A rash emancipa- 
 tion was certainly to be deprecated, and, upon a first 
 view of the subject, there is no doubt but the bene- 
 volent feelings of the respectable mover, and his sup- 
 porters, were too much implicated, to admit of that de- 
 liberate consideration, the subject merited, which it 
 has since experienced, and that has, consequently, 
 obtained for it, the; success, which the cause of phi- 
 lanthrophy must invariably command. 
 
 This period, was also marked, by a disposition to mi- 
 tigate the hardships of the Catholics, in whose favor 
 many political disqualifications were cancelled, and 
 toleration, respecting religious worship, liberally ex- 
 tended. 
 
 The labours of Parliament, closed, by a proposal 
 from the Minister, for bestowing the advantages of the 
 British Constitution, upon the natives of Canada; a 
 subject, however, which called forth many unpropi- 
 tious opinions upon the changes that had occurred,
 
 74 
 
 and were daily occurring, in a neighbouring kingdom ; 
 opinions which, nevertheless, I am inclined to pass 
 over, with the lenity, due to sentiments, expressed in 
 the vehemence of enthusiasm, and as connected with 
 objects, promising, to sanguine minds, results far vary- 
 ing from the path, into which ambition, and interest, 
 impel them. 
 
 Mr. PITT, more cautious, maintained prudent silence, 
 watching the tempest, amidst whose curling billows, 
 he discovered a presage of calamity, unknown to an- 
 cient or modem history. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 75 
 
 The Pilot* that Weather' d the Storm 
 
 LETTER XVI. 
 
 The love we bear our Country is a root 
 Which never fails to bring forth golden fruit; 
 'Tis in the mind an everlasting spring, 
 Of glorious actions which become a King, 
 Nor less become a Subject ; 'tis a debt 
 Which bad men, tho 1 they pay not, can't forget j 
 A duty which the good delight to pay, 
 And ev'ry man can practise ev'ry day. 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 THE re-committal of the Canada Bill, led to a serious 
 discussion upon the principles of Government in gene- 
 ral, which ultimately caused a schism amongst the 
 Opposition, that procured Mr. PI.TT a great acquisition 
 in the talents of Mr. BURKE. This Gentleman had 
 both thought, and written, more upon the French 
 Revolution, than, perhaps, any other individual in the 
 kingdom ; and in attributing it to its proper cause, he, 
 with the appearance of prophetic inspiration, accu- 
 rately anticipated its consequences. He perceived that 
 France was the theatre only, upon which the grand 
 conspiracy, against the throne, the altar, and social 
 order, was to commence its operations; and that to 
 circumscribe its effects with the limits of the Rhine, 
 the Pyrenees, and the German Ocean, was an under-
 
 76 
 
 taking impracticable. He perceived that " the prin- 
 ciples and actions of the Jacobins, were neither meant 
 to be, nor in their nature could be, limited to the coun- 
 try which gave them birth, but that they were calcu- 
 lated for all nations, and for all ages ; to eradicate every 
 thing that was settled, every thing that was good, every 
 thing that was worthy of preservation, and to substitute 
 in their place every thing that was infamous, impious, 
 and unholy." The lust of anarchy would prove as 
 insatiable, as the ambition of ALEXANDER ; and, when 
 its revolutionary bands, had ravaged the fertile plains of 
 Europe, the sands of Africa would next be contami- 
 nated with their sanguinary march, and the seas of 
 Asia, in their turn, be ploughed by the floating pesti- 
 lence. It was evident the discontented in England, had 
 already become infected by it, and were daily dispatch- 
 ing, from various political clubs and societies, their 
 disgusting congratulations, to the arrogant Reformists, 
 in Paris ; but even these, he observed, may shortly 
 be convinced of the atrocities of which a rebellious 
 soldiery, and an enlightened multitude can be guilty ; 
 and amidst blazing palaces, polluted altars, and the 
 insulted seats of justice, repent the sanction their offi- 
 cious approbation had given to their conflagrations, 
 their butcheries, and their blasphemies; and that indi- 
 vidual, in the sphere of whose brilliant intellectual 
 faculties it had hitherto been his glory to move, might 
 live to lament the day, when he condescended to be 
 installed the Champion of Gallic Liberty and equali- 
 zation. 
 
 The partizans, of Mr. Fox saw the downfall of their 
 hopes in this separation, and endeavoured, by every 
 means, to mollify the warmth of their contending-
 
 77 
 
 Chiefs. But they had clearly developed their respec- 
 tive principles, and nothing but the most flagrant 
 apostacy could ever reconcile them. Even Mr. Fox 
 personally endeavoured, as far as his characteristic 
 candour would allow him, to soften some asperities in 
 his language, and some flights of enthusiasm, which 
 admitted of a more general construction than himself 
 intended. But the gauntlet had been accepted, and 
 Mr. BURKE felt it an insurmountable duty to protect 
 his country, from the effects of the dangerous senti- 
 ments, which had been promulgated. Mr. Fox had 
 declared his admiration of the Republican doctrines of 
 France; he had expressed a desire that they should be 
 applied to the New Government of Canada ; he had, 
 without reservation, affirmed the New Constitution of 
 France to be " the most stupendous and glorious edifice 
 of Liberty, which had been erected on the foundation 
 of human integrity in, any time or country ;" how, then, 
 could he deny, that a secret wish to see Republicanism 
 established in Great Britain, did not exist in his mind ? 
 Is it not natural that we should wish to introduce into 
 our own domestic arrangements, the system we admire 
 in the family of our neighbour? Is there any object 
 that aifords gratification to the senses, but must excite 
 an inward desire to possess it ? 
 
 During the debate, the Premier sat in sage-like 
 dignity, and silence. His eye, illumined with philo- 
 sophic fire, surveyed, with composure, the contending 
 Statesmen, scanned the features of the listening Senate, 
 and drew from the animated rhetoric of enthusiasm, 
 qualified by calm, and deliberate, contemplation, the 
 wisdom which he coveted, to correct, or to confirm, 
 his own opinions, and conjectures, upon the alarming
 
 78 
 
 crisis which was rapidly approaching, amongst a 
 pie the most civilized, and hitherto the most devotedly 
 monarchical in political disposition, of any nation upon 
 earth. In vain the tumult of debate subsided ; in vain 
 did the expectant eyes of friends, and foes, watch the 
 moment which was to enrapture, or confound them, 
 with his nervous eloquence, and commanding declama- 
 tion ; that should sever, for ever, the disunited friends, 
 or reconcile their discordant politics. He had yet but 
 imbibed the rudiments of the knowledge, adapted to 
 the new aera of the world ; his judgment was as yet but 
 in swaddling clothes, and he had yet many sources of 
 mental nourishment to explore, before he could ven- 
 ture to step forth the arbiter of the kingdom ; therefore, 
 with majestic forbearance, he remained, uncommitted, 
 uninfluenced, and unarraigned, rising only to bestow 
 this flattering compliment upon Mr. BURKE : He 
 thought him entitled to the gratitude of his country, 
 for having, on that day, in so noble and eloquent a 
 manner, expressed his sense of the degree of danger 
 which already existed, and assured him that he would 
 himself most cordially co-operate with him, in taking 
 every possible means, to preserve what he esteemd the 
 most perfect Constitution in the world, and to deliver 
 it down to posterity, as the security for the property, 
 freedom, and happiness, of the British people. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER XVII. 
 
 At length 
 
 Those whom he could not fright he strove to cheat, 
 ****##****#### 
 Would those who, by opinion plac'd on high, 
 Stand fair and perfect in their Country's eye, 
 Maintain that honour, let me in their ear 
 Hint this essential doctrine Persevere. 
 Should they (which Heav'n forbid) to win the grace 
 Of some proud Courtier, or to gain a place, 
 Their King and Country sell, with endless shame 
 Th' avenging Muse shall mark each trait'rous name. 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 But it appeared as if an epoch had arrived, when 
 every system was to be deranged, by innovation, and 
 when every privilege of sovereignty, was to be assumed 
 by the subject, or in the language of Philosophy, 
 when the Majesty of the People was to assert its dig- 
 nity, by questioning every authority that preserves 
 society, either political or civil, within the limits of 
 subordination. 
 
 A war, the most inveterate and exterminating, had 
 long deluged the frontiers of Russia and Turkey, with 
 the blood of their best battalions; but the latter being, 
 at length, exhausted, by repeated efforts to maintain 
 the integrity of her empire, against the predominating
 
 fortune of her rival; and the former becoming desirous 
 
 o 
 
 of a suspension of hostilities on the Niester, and the 
 Don, that she might prosecute other objects of aggres- 
 sion, on the more fertile shores of the Dwina, a negocia- 
 tion for peace was opened, but the demands of the Em- 
 press CATHARINE, were so evidently adapted to future 
 projects of ambition, that to prevent a total dismember- 
 ment of the Ottoman Empire, and preserve the balance 
 of pOAver, the interference of England, as an ally of the 
 Sublime Porte, was indispensable ; therefore, in con- 
 junction with the King of PRUSSIA, Mr. PITT prof- 
 fered the assistance of the two Courts, as mediators 
 between the Belligerents ; proposals, however, which 
 the EMPRESS rejected with the haughtiness, and vanity, 
 of a conqueror. In consequence of which Mr. PITT 
 called upon the House, for the provision necessary to 
 increase the Naval Establishment, in order to succour 
 more efficiently the dispirited Turks, and add greater 
 weight, to the remonstrances of the British Ambassador 
 at St. Petersburgh. A motion to this effect being car- 
 ried, though from particular circumstances, with no 
 very powerful majority, instructions were dispatched 
 to his Majesty's Envoy, to communicate the determina- 
 tion of the English Cabinet; when, to his infinite 
 astonishment, at the next Levee, as he prepared to 
 solicit an opportunity, to make known the will of his 
 Sovereign, he beheld, placed in the most honourable 
 seat, at the right hand of the Imperial Autocrat, an 
 accredited agent of Mr. Fox, (Mr. AD AIR), who had 
 been dispatched thither, with all the ceremony, and 
 credentials, of an Ambassador, to frustrate the plans 
 of his own Government, and teach a Power inimical to 
 his native country and legitimate Sovereign, how to
 
 81 
 
 counteract the diplomatic exertions of their represen- 
 tative, which service he so effectually performed, that 
 the Porte was compelled to accede to the severe terms 
 of her adversary, by relinquishing the grand object of 
 contention the fortress of Oczakow, with its depen- 
 dencies, and a considerable extent of territory an 
 acquisition estimated by CATHARINE, in proportion as 
 it facilitated her dormant views, not only upon Constan- 
 tinople, but upon Egypt and Alexandria, by which she 
 anticipated, at no remote period, a controul over the 
 Mediterranean, and thus to establish her Empire, the 
 rival of Great Britain, both as a maritime and com- 
 mercial power. 
 
 This proceeding of Mr. Fox, met with the sharpest 
 rebuke from his colleague, Mr. BURKE; he justly de- 
 scribed it as " unprecedented in the annals of party," 
 as " unjustifiable upon any pretext whatever. He was 
 not prepared to say it amounted to absolute high trea- 
 son, Russia, though on bad terms, not having been 
 then declared at war with this kingdom ; but such a 
 proceeding was, in law, not very remote from that 
 offence, and was, undoubtedly, a most unconstitutional 
 act, and an high treasonable misdemeanor" Indeed, 
 this affair, notwithstanding the respect which the 
 most partial friendship may entertain, for the brilliant 
 acquirements, and more recent conduct, of Mr. Fox, as 
 a Patriot, and a Statesman, must be admitted a most 
 unpardonable act of political finesse, unworthy any 
 subject of Great Britain, either as the projector, or 
 instrument. 
 
 The situation of Mr. PITT, however, was, at this 
 time, so delicate, and peculiar, that he was. obliged 
 to surfer a source of aggravation, so unprecedented, to 
 
 G
 
 82 
 
 pass with impunity; and, with his friends, determined! 
 boldly rather to meet reproach and scorn, than betray 
 the confidence of the Sovereign, the secrets of the 
 Cabinet, and the interests of the country. During 
 this magnanimous silence, Mr. AD AIR returned, laden 
 with trophies from the Czarina, to compliment his 
 master, who, thus recompensed for his affectionate 
 services to Despotism, presented the irreconcileable 
 character of " The Champion of Liberty at Home*'' 
 and " The Advocate for Tyranny Abroad" as ostensi- 
 bly acting to preserve his own country from the horrors 
 of war, whilst he was performing the part of an inde- 
 fatigable auxiliary in the interest of a foreign State, 
 to enable it to enact the most rigid terms of peace , from 
 a prostrate foe. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 89 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm: 
 
 LETTER XVIII, 
 
 What ills from such beginnings needs must spring, 
 What ill to such a land, from such a thing ! 
 What could she hope! What had she not to fear ! 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 THE year 1791 ushered into the world, the ridiculous 
 theories of THOMAS PAINE, which were disseminated 
 with all the activity of political bigotry, and found a 
 most powerful advocate in Dr. PRIESTLEY, a man 
 whose name will remain for ever odious to every indi- 
 vidual, peaceably, and loyally, disposed. The principles 
 of the Illuminees, were glaringly visible in this noto- 
 rious publication, which, notwithstanding its extrava- 
 gance, excited an alarming agitation in the public 
 mind, even in the superior ranks of society; but 
 amongst the lower orders, awakened a very dangerous 
 ambition. The Constitution under which they had so 
 long existed, contentedly, and happily, they began to 
 contemplate as grievously oppressive ; they looked no 
 longer upon the Crown, as the palladium of their liberty, 
 and glory, but as the absorbing focus, of their best pri- 
 vileges ; and they contemned the laws of courtesy and 
 good-breeding, as inimical to the primeval Rights of 
 Man. Rights, alas! which their humble minds could 
 
 G2
 
 84 
 
 not comprehend, and which involved questions, sur- 
 passing the utmost expansion of ideas, unaided by 
 literary acquirements, and practical knowledge. What 
 was it, then, which excited this commotion in their 
 breasts the Light of Reason. Good GOD ! could reason 
 ever desire to open the wide world, to the reign of vice 
 and iniquity; could reason ever desire to see lineal 
 honours, rise in judgment, against the descendants of 
 the great and virtuous ; or the inheritance of the best 
 servants of kingdoms, and commonwealths, confiscated 
 to pamper regicides, and hypocrites? Nof Avarice 
 and lawless inclinations, lured them towards the di- 
 lemma, into which their neighbours had fallen. Could 
 PAINE'S propositions, and PRIESTLEY'S doctrines, 
 have been accomplished, they erroneously imagined 
 the jewels of the Crown, would revert into their 
 pockets; that the private treasures of their masters 
 and patrons, would administer to their unruly appe- 
 tites; that the wife, and the virgin, would be exposed 
 to their ungovernable passions; that, in the arms of 
 indolence, all cares would be forgotten; and that licen- 
 tiousness would neither experience restraint, or prose-* 
 cution. In fine, whilst immersed in these visionary 
 reveries, they vainly fancied that nature, and Provi- 
 dence would yield sustenance, habiliments, and pro- 
 tection, without the efforts of industry; and that the 
 spontaneous productions of the fields, would be ren- 
 dered a common, and efficient, resource, in defiance of 
 the rights of property, the fear of justice, or the denun- 
 ciation of a lord, and master. 
 
 The Rights of Man, was industriously circulated by 
 the same means CONDORCET practised, in introducing 
 the atheistical productions of his own day. Every
 
 85 
 
 village alehouse had its political expounder; every 
 market saw its rustic attendants intoxicated by the 
 mischievous, and incomprehensible, declamations of 
 a republican orator. The kingdom was inundated by 
 revolutionary societies, and over-run by their agents, 
 each of which carried on a regular correspondence 
 with the demagogues in France, adulating their ener- 
 gies, in the cause of freedom, rejoicing with them in 
 the humiliation of Majesty, and the distinctions of 
 society, and promising to emulate their glorious 
 achievements. Every thing tended to confirm the pre- 
 diction of Mr. BURKE, that the French Revolution 
 was intended as a signal to the whole world to rise, 
 and destroy every vestige of religion, and government, 
 and, with Gothic barbarity, to sweep from the face of 
 the earth, all that skill, and genius, had contributed to 
 its embellishment, and civilization. 
 
 The destruction of the Bastile, and other character* 
 istics of the period of anarchy, were celebrated by 
 seditious associations, indifferent parts of the kingdom; 
 and such poison had the works of PAINE infused, by 
 the asssistance of PRIESTLEY, and his colleagues, that 
 the exercise of any species of control over domestics, 
 and dependants, drew forth an impertinent retort a 
 threat alluding to anticipated changes, or other ob 
 noxious jargon of anarchy, and such evident appear- 
 ances of a national ferment, were daily exhibited, that 
 the strongest measures of Government became indis- 
 pensable, to preserve subordination. 
 
 But Mr. PITT, still averse to coercive measures, con- 
 sidered the present agitation of the public mind, as a 
 natural concomitant of the tremendous concussion 
 which had taken place in France ; and trusted, when 
 
 G 3
 
 86 
 
 men permitted their understanding to be convinced, by 
 sober reasoning, and were divested of the enthusiasm 
 which the new doctrines had created, the storm would 
 subside, the misguided, return to obedience, and be 
 rendered sensible of the idle dreams from which had 
 emanated their rebellious tenets; and the whole tenor 
 of his conduct, at this important crisis, evinced a firm 
 determination, neither to interfere in the internal ar- 
 rangements of France, nor to implicate himself in any 
 coalition, that might affect the peace and welfare of 
 his own country. 
 
 During this state of things, the Parliament resumed 
 its deliberations (January 31, 1792), and so distant was 
 any prospect of hostilities with France, that his MA- 
 JESTY expressed the most confidential hopes pf the 
 existing tranquillity becoming permanent; and, anxious 
 to alleviate the burdens of his subjects, suggested a 
 reduction of the Naval and Military establishments. 
 No other reference, indeed, was made to France from 
 the Throne, than what an appropriate eulogium on the 
 British Constitution might be conceived to infer; and 
 surely a more delicate method could not have been 
 selected, to attract the attention of the people of Eng- 
 land, towards the substantial blessings, inherited from 
 their ancestors. 
 
 Notwithstanding, however, the forbearance exem? 
 plified in his MAJESTY'S Speech, Mr. Fox construed 
 its concluding sentiments into an implied censure upon 
 the principles of his party, which he attempted to 
 vindicate by a severe philippic upon that tyranny 
 which had been overthrown, at present, with no other 
 apparent object, than to erect a foundation for the 
 throne of anarchy, and by endeavouring to exculpate 
 Pr. PRIESTLEY, and his seditious colleagues, from the
 
 87 
 
 merited reprobation in which their conduct had been 
 fceld. 
 
 These panegyrics, and apologies, however, were by 
 HO means sanctioned by all his political friends; and 
 certainly precipitated that dissention amongst his hi- 
 therto powerful adherents, which enabled Mr. PITT 
 to retain his situation, and accomplish all his purposes, 
 by majorities more decisive ,than had ever before been 
 witnessed in that Houseman influence which was con- 
 firmed by the very flourishing exposition, he presented 
 to the House, of the finances, and mercantile extensions, 
 of the kingdom^ circumstances from which he laid 
 no claim either to merit, or reward ; but handsomely 
 attributed them, to the laudable enterprize of the British 
 merchants, in opening new channels for trade, and com- 
 merce, by exploring fresh navigations, and establishing 
 markets for traffic, in regions hitherto strangers to 
 the intercourse of civilized society; but he attached 
 these happy results more especially, to that high cha- 
 racter, for probity, and integrity, they possessed in 
 every quarter .of the globe, and which procured tfyem 
 a preference over ajl competitors. 
 
 Having paid the$e just compliments to a class of 
 men, whose labours at once expanded the honour, and 
 the interests of the State, he drew a fine picture of the 
 energies which the excellent system of the British 
 Consitution was calculated to impart which he em- 
 phatically implored tbe Parliament to protect in all 
 its power, and purity; and to let no new policy, no 
 speculative innovations, no untried theories, disarrange, 
 or shake, the glorious fabric, built on the wisdom of 
 ages, and cemented by the best blood of virtuous, and 
 
 patriotic, citizens. 
 
 PLUTARCH,
 
 88 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm: 
 
 LETTER XIX. 
 
 In the bad interest warps the canker'd heart, 
 The good are hoodwink'd by the tricks of art ; 
 And, whilst arch subtle hypocrites contrive 
 To keep the flames of discontent alive ; 
 Whilst they, with arts to honest men unknown, 
 Breed doubts between the people and the throne, 
 Making us fear where reason never yet 
 AHow'd one fear, or could one doubt admit, 
 Themselves pass unsuspected in disguise, 
 And 'gainst our real danger seal our eyes. 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 THE energetic support of Mr. PITT, encouraged Mr. 
 WILBERFORCE, again to appeal to the philanthrophy 
 of the House, early in the present Sessions, upon the 
 subject of the Slave Trade, which grand object of his 
 anxiety he promoted in a considerable degree, in the 
 first place, by effecting great mitigations in the suffer- 
 ings of the unfortunate Africans, during the middle 
 passage ; in the second, by procuring the sanction of 
 Parliament, to a progressive abolition of the unnatural 
 traffic; and in the third, by appointing a period, when 
 all further importations to British settlements should 
 finally cease. In these deliberations, Mr. PITT evinced 
 his abhorrence of contributing to national aggrandize-
 
 89 
 
 ment, at the expence of humanity, and afforded a 
 proof that, amidst the labours of a Statesman, the 
 duties of Christianity, are neither abandoned, nor for- 
 gotten. 
 
 The great extension of the metropolis, and its accu- 
 mulating population, having rendered some improve- 
 ments in the police, expedient ; the establishment, at 
 present existing, was* suggested, and received the sanc- 
 tion of the Legislature, a circumstance which was deem- 
 ed, by the opponents of Ministers, a sufficient precedent 
 for innovation, and was, in consequence, succeeded by 
 a motion from Mr. GREY, for a Reform in Parliament, 
 by abridging the duration of it's sittings, and extending 
 the Elective Franchise; had this been a motion sponta- 
 neous from the heart, and at a period less fruitful in 
 popular frenzy, very probably Mr. PITT would have 
 been satisfied with qualifying the proposition, con- 
 sistent with the sentiments he had expressed at pre- 
 vious opportunities; but, unhappily, Mr. GREY had 
 been instigated by one of those associations which had 
 undone France, and to which it was certainly deroga- 
 tory for any Member of the British Senate, either to 
 become the patron, or abettor. 
 
 Mr. PITT was aware of the danger of this new method 
 of talking to the multitude, of having the acts of Go- 
 vernment canvassed, and censured, in private Forums, 
 and of the Representatives of the Pedple, condescend- 
 ing to become the promulgators of systems of Legisla- 
 tion, engendered amidst prejudice, and malignity, to 
 accomplish private views, and adapted to temporary 
 objects. " The Friends of the People" and other 
 similar denominations, were, no doubt, calculated to 
 infatuate the mob, and obtain for their members vulgar
 
 90 
 
 popularity; but to the better informed, an analogy to 
 the schools of VOLTAIRE, D'ALEMBERT, WEISHAVPT, 
 and other luminaries of the expiring century, was 
 evident, and as such, were deprecated by every think- 
 ing man, every lover of his country, and tranquillity. 
 
 The views of Mr. GREY, and probably of a great 
 majority of his new associates, were, no doubt, limited 
 to certain desiderata, which all men would have rejoiced 
 to have seen perfected ; but there were also individuals 
 acting in the same sphere, whose motives were more 
 than doubtful, and whose subsequent conduct, and fate, 
 have confirmed the suspicions entertained against the 
 purity of their intentions, and the disinterestedness of 
 their patriotism. Mr. PITT acknowledged he had 
 himself been the warm advocate of Parliamentary Re- 
 form ; he had struggled hard to obtain it, and had con- 
 tended for it with a seal not exceeded by that now ex- 
 hibited by the Hon. Mover ; and with hopes as san* 
 guine, probably of the good effects to be deduced from 
 his propositions, as those which filled the minds of his 
 new colleagues " The friends of the People" But 
 the times had changed their features; the kingdom 
 was surrounded by anarchy; was agitated by unquiet 
 spirits; by societies who cheered the aspect of rebel- 
 lion who adulated the unfeeling demagogues who 
 called upon England to emulate their treasons, and 
 their homicides. Such then was rather a time to unite 
 discordant politics, to secure what still remained to us 
 of the constitutional privileges of our fathers, than to 
 attempt improvements by speculative innovations, 
 whose results were doubtful. Nothing could be said, 
 nothing could be whispered on such a subject, at such 
 a time, which did not involve questions of the most
 
 91 
 
 extensive, the most serious, the most lasting import- 
 ance to the people of this country, to the very being of 
 h e State. And he confessed, he was afraid at this 
 moment, that if the motion was agreed on by the 
 House, the security of all the blessings we enjoyed, 
 would be shaken to the foundation. It would be to 
 follow a madness, which had been called Liberty, in 
 another country; a condition, at war with freedom, 
 and good order ; a state to which despotism itself was 
 preferable ; a state in which Liberty could not exist 
 for a day ; if it appeared in the morning, it must perish 
 before sun-set. 
 
 By such wise and moderate proceedings, the Minis- 
 ter succeeded in persuading the House to negative 
 Mr. GREY'S motion; but prudently conceiving, that 
 when persons of dubious reputation and loyalty, 
 saw themselves countenanced, by individuals high in 
 talent, and estimation ; they would, in process of time, 
 become more and more presumptuous, more bold in 
 their practice, and indefatigable in disseminating their 
 theories; and perceiving how rapidly the political 
 quacks in England, were assimilating their associations 
 to the clubs in Paris, that similar connections were 
 daily promoted, the same intercourse daily increasing, 
 the same subtlety of action, governing, and directing all, 
 he considered the interposition of the Government no 
 longer prudent to be delayed. A simple, but at the 
 same time, animated Proclamation, commenting on the 
 blessings, and advantages, so equally participated by all 
 ranks of subjects, under the mild sway of his present 
 Majesty, and his illustrious ancestors, and pointing out 
 the peculiar duty of every good citizen, to discourage, 
 and counteract, every attempt, direct or indirect,
 
 92 
 
 against public order and tranquillity, was accordingly 
 issued. The Opposition viewed this document, as 
 decidedly, and pointedly, hostile to their party ; as pro- 
 hibitory to all attempts to procure a Reform in Parlia- 
 ment; as indiscriminately vilifying every political 
 society; as calculated to provoke, rather than suppress, 
 tumult and disorder, and to convert Magistrates into 
 spies and informers. 
 
 The more judicious part of the community, how- 
 ever, were not be deceived, and hailed the Proclama- 
 tion, rather as the kind admonitions of a watchful 
 parent, than the harsh mandate of power; and this 
 Proclamation, as the basis of the future measures 
 adopted by Mr. PITT'S Administration, may be 
 deemed the salvation of all the happiness and indepen- 
 dence we have retained amidst groaning millions, 
 harassed by despotism, impoverished by ambition, and 
 insulted by usurpation. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 93 
 
 The Pilot that Weather* d the Storm} 
 
 LETTER XX. 
 
 Thou Goo above ! on whom all States depend, 
 Who knowest, from the first, their rise and end, 
 If there's a day maik'd in the book of fate, 
 When ruin must involve our equal state ; 
 When Law, alas ! must be no more, and we, 
 To freedom born, must be no longer free ; 
 Let not a mob of tyrants seize the helm ! 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 IN the mean time, the vortex of revolution was un- 
 folding its multiplied horrors, and convinced every 
 man, of penetration, and reflexion, that, to avoid the 
 fate of France, was to oppose an effectual barrier to the 
 introduction of the dangerous doctrines, which the 
 philosophers, and illuminees, had too successfully im- 
 pressed, upon the minds of that generation, which, un- 
 happily, imbibed the unrighteous, anti-social, and dis- 
 loyal principles, from the corrupted academies esta- 
 blished under their auspices. It was now discovered, 
 that the system of WEISHAUPT, was not a local evil ; 
 that hatred to an individual Deity, did not inspire the
 
 compositions of VOLTAIRE, nor antipathy to the throne 
 of the BOURBONS, alone engender the malevolence of 
 D'ALEMBERT, and his colleagues ; but that the whole 
 universe was to be released from the social tie, and the 
 restraints of humanity. That not only the altars of 
 JESUS were to be subverted, but the cross, the cre- 
 scent, the symbols of every GOD, and the type of every 
 virtue, were to form one promiscuous group, to follow 
 the chariot of blasphemy on the triumphal day of 
 atheism. And, finally, that thrones, sceptres, and 
 diadems, were no longer to designate honour, and 
 command respect, but to point out victims, for the 
 hand of treason, and assassination. With what other 
 motives were emissaries of jacobinism, so profusely 
 scattered over Europe. With what other views were 
 peaceable, and contented, nations, invited to fraternize 
 with regenerated France ? Why was every monarchy 
 indiscriminately deprecated as the seat of despotism, 
 and injustice ? Why was republicanism extolled with 
 such rapturous declamations, if not to excite revolt, and 
 the slaughter of royal dynasties ? Why were armies 
 organized to propagate the new freedom ? Why were 
 the ensigns of war advanced to the frontier, where yet 
 no enemies were visible ? And, why were the sedi- 
 tious deputations, from neighbouring kingdoms, ca- 
 ressed and flattered, whilst all legal power, and Go- 
 vernment, was insulted, nay, denounced, as inimical 
 to the rights of man ? 
 
 Moreover, the deposition of a meek, and too merci- 
 ful KING, was hailed as the climax of republican glory, 
 proclaimed as a bright example for all nations to emu- 
 late, and the preposterous doctrine of the " Right of
 
 95 
 
 Insurrection" so consummated, was inscribed by 
 hands yet reeking with the sanguinary sacrifice, as the 
 sublimest action of enlightened man. The day ap- 
 peared to have dawned, when the grossest perversion 
 was to seduce, and mislead, the world from those 
 sacred establishments, which revolving centuries had 
 matured for individual protection and general good; 
 when Vandalism was again to dye the waters with 
 blood, spread pestilence over the land, and overthrow 
 all the pride of science and refinement. It was a day 
 which seemed to have given birth, to a deluge of dia- 
 bolical opinions, let loose from the caverns of hell to 
 eradicate virtue from earth. 
 
 Was it possible, then, that Mr. PITT could permit 
 the disciples of jacobinism to increase unmolested, 
 and observe the engines of treason fabricated with un- 
 concern? Could he see the clouds of destruction 
 accumulating around the State, and the hosts of 
 sedition threaten with impunity ? Could he tamely 
 read the assurances of Parisian demagogues, to succour 
 the disaffected citizens of every Empire, in the cause 
 of Monarchical emancipation ? Could he see all this in 
 review before him, and remain the supine witness of 
 sedition, whilst every street vibrated with its roar? 
 Or could he preserve the swords of Englishmen in 
 their scabbards, whilst their enemies' standards floated 
 triumphantly over friendly kingdoms, and from the 
 shores of nations in alliance, challenged them to the 
 conflict ? 
 
 No By the laws of his country he discomfited 
 domestic treason, and by the valour of her arms he 
 prepared to defend her against the assaults which were
 
 9(J 
 
 to be made upon her tranquillity and independence; 
 but though war was inevitable, he threw the responsi- 
 bility upon his enemy, and did not advance a single 
 battalion, until the hostile trumpets of France, called 
 them to that contest, to which a lapse of nearly twenty 
 years, appears to promise a yet more protracted and 
 a more fatal duration. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 97 
 
 The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm. 1 
 
 LETTER XXI. 
 
 Not unconscious of this awful age, 
 
 I mark what new conflicting Sophists rage, 
 Sophists, who laugh to scorn th' avenging rod, 
 And hurl defiance to the- throne of GOD ; 
 Shake pestilence abroad with madd'ning sweep, 
 And grant no pause but everlasting sleep ! 
 Blood guiltiness their crime with hell they cope j 
 N flesh, no spirit, now must rest in hope, 
 But under foliage dark, and cypress gloom, 
 The sculptur'd mock'ry marks and seals the tomb. 
 
 PURSUITS OF LITERATURE. 
 
 BEFORE we enter on the sanguinary conflicts, of 
 hostile nations before we trespass on that new, and 
 important, era in the life of Mr. PITT, which, in the 
 judgment of posterity, must tarnish the laurels of his 
 youth, or impart to his maturer years, wreaths more 
 blooming, and a brighter glory, let us examine how 
 far the events of the French Revolution, sanction a 
 conviction of their tremendous birth, being the pre- 
 meditated objects of that phalanx of infatuated mortals, 
 whom we have charged with colleaguing, in triple 
 malevolence, against every altar, every throne, and 
 every institute of social life. 
 
 In vain shall we look for the radical causes of this 
 
 H
 
 98 
 
 /evolution, in a succession of imbecile Ministers 
 Factious Parliaments Financial embarrassments, or 
 the usual combinations antecedent to great political 
 discussions. No! to the manes of VOLTAIRE, ROUS- 
 SEAU, D'ALEMBERT, and their Royal Patron; of 
 WEISHAUPT, and his associated Demons, should be 
 ascribed the exclusive honour of achievements, sur- 
 passing Eastern Slaughter Herodean Cruelty and 
 Barbarian Indifference, to human misery. 
 
 Need we more convincing evidence, of the wide 
 dissemination, of Anti-christian doctrines, than that 
 which the fragments of every altar, within the reign 
 of anarchy exhibit ; need the vestiges of diadems and 
 coronets, and the headless trunks of their once revered 
 possessors, be revived ; need the pontifical insignia 
 the defiled Vessels of the temples of Omnipotence 
 the anointed garments of the consecrated servants of 
 Heaven, mutilated and disfigured by irreverent fanatics, 
 be presented to our imaginations ; need every polluted 
 sanctuary be explored, and every blood-stained ruin 
 speak ; need the last sighs of immolated, and exiled, 
 pillaged, and persecuted Ecclesiastics, again vibrate 
 in our ears ; need the sacrilegious obsequies of VOL- 
 TAIRE, or the blasphemous apotheosis of ROUSSEAU, 
 again blast our sight, ere we are confirmed in the be- 
 lief, that all were the effects of a gradual education, 
 .imbibed in the schools of sophistry, and impiety ; and 
 of instruction, systematically inculcated, to eradicate 
 from earth, the gratitude of man, to his Maker and 
 Redeemer ? 
 
 Is it necessary to descend into the vaults of HECATE, 
 and refresh our memories with the shades of faithless 
 Counsellors ; to repeat the incongruous discussions of
 
 99 
 
 the Tiers Etat ; to be again disgusted, with the frantic 
 declamations, of the Tennis Court, or the pantomimic 
 perambulations, of the self-constituted National Assem* 
 bly ; again to listen to the rhapsodies of MIR ABE AU; 
 to see a second LA FAYETTE a courtier to the mob; 
 another BAILLIE forsworn, to head his citizens in deeds 
 of riot ; the stars of heaven again obscured by illumi- 
 nations for accomplished treasons; another So MBREUIL, 
 and another DE LAUNAY, born to instruct the world 
 in treachery and cowardice ; are all these indispensable, 
 to satisfy us, of the long labouring conspiracy against 
 the thrones, and dignities, of Princes ? 
 
 Must another ORLEANS arise, surrounded by his 
 imps of darkness, and destruction, to organize a second 
 march of poissardes, and banditti; to heap more horrid 
 tumuli over the charnel-houses of ruffians, assassins, 
 and incendiaries ; to repeat new orgies, at the shrine of 
 murder, and render permanent, conflagration, blood* 
 and parricide ; need such exhibitions again affright the 
 world, to tell us that a WEISHAUP? lived, and that 
 misanthropy had left its woods, and the silent haunts, 
 of solitude, to stalk at mid-day, with the dagger, and 
 the chalice ? 
 
 But to follow, step by step, the insatiable fiend; who, 
 in the hideous costume of the new-born Liberty, has left, 
 in every province of the fruitful empire, of the once 
 idolized race of CAPET, indelible emblems of his vin- 
 dictive embassy, would only be recalling, what can 
 never fail to extract the tear of compassion, from every 
 human eye, which shall hereafter search the page of 
 history, destined to be impressed, with the dismal cha- 
 racters, of the times; times which have witnessed a too 
 lenient, too forgiving Monarch, led through multiplied 
 
 H 2
 
 100 
 
 torments, to an untimely end ; and thrown, like a ma- 
 lefactor, in an unhallowed, unrespected grave. No 
 pious requiem, no solemn dirge, no expiatory masses, 
 accompanying the awful ceremonies, of the sepulchre, 
 but descending to eternal rest, greeted only by the in- 
 dignities of rebellion, amidst palaces, resounding with 
 satanic tumult, and cities blazing, like the alembic of 
 hell. 
 
 Were there yet wanting an object to excite emotions 
 of sympathy, for suffering greatness, let us embrace, 
 within our mortal eye, a being that could excite a de- 
 scription so eloquent, so fascinating, so pathetic as this. 
 " It is now," observes Mr. BURKE, in his Reflections 
 on the French Revolution, " sixteen, or seventeen, years 
 since I saw the Queen of FRANCE, then the Dauphiness, 
 at Versailles; and surely never lighted on this orb, 
 wftieh.phe hardly^ seemed to touch, a more delightful 
 visiolw f l saw her just above the horizon, decorating 
 and cheetjng-. the elevated sphere^ she jus^. began to 
 move in, glittetungj^ike the jn^rning star, full of life, 
 and splendour, and jby>^ Oh ! "What a Revolution! 
 and what an heart must I have, ^p contemplate, with- 
 out emotion, that elevation, and that fall ! Little did 
 I dream that, when she added titles of veneration, 
 to those of enthusiastic, distant, respectful love, she 
 should ever be obliged to carry the sharp antidote 
 against disgrace, concealed in that bosom ; little did I 
 dream, that I should have lived, to see such disasters, 
 fallen upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation, 
 of men of honor, and of cavaliers. I thought a thou- 
 sand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to 
 avenge even a look, that threatened her with insult. 
 But the age of chivalry is gone that of Sophisters,
 
 101 
 
 (Economists, and Calculators, has succeeded ; and the 
 glory of Europe is extinguished for ever. Never, never 
 more, shall we behold that generous loyalty, to rank, 
 and sex, that proud submission, that dignified obe- 
 dience, that subordination of the heart, which kept 
 alive, even in servitude itself, the spirit of an exalted 
 freedom. The unbought grace of life, the cheap de- 
 fence of nations, the nurse of manly, sentiment, and he- 
 roic enterprise, is gone ! It is gone that sensibility of 
 principle, that chastity of honour, which felt a stain 
 like a wound, which inspired courage whilst it miti- 
 gated ferocity, which ennobled whatever it touched, 
 and under which vice itself, lost half its evil, by losing 
 all its grossness." 
 
 Let us place this lovely portrait before us, I say, and 
 then, if we close the melancholy narrative, unsubdued 
 by the humid expressions of pity, we may, indeed, 
 congratulate ourselves upon our elevation to Philoso- 
 phism, upon our perfect initiation into those Anti- 
 Christian, Anti-Monarchical, and Anti-Social Myste- 
 ries, which have brought France to the period of re- 
 tribution she is now fulfilling. 
 
 PLUTARCH 
 
 H3
 
 102 
 
 The Pilot that We ather'd the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER XXII. 
 
 Goj then, Britons! forth, 
 
 Your Country's daring Champions ; tell your foes, 
 Tell them in thunders o'er their prostrate land, 
 You wtre not born for slaves ; let all your deeds 
 Shew that the Sons of those immortal men, 
 The Stars of shining glory, are not slow 
 In virtue's path to emulate their Sires, 
 T' assert their country's rights, avenge her Sons, 
 And hurl the bolts of justice o'er her foes. 
 
 AKENSIDE. 
 
 DR. MOORE observes, in his view of society, and 
 manners, in France, that notwithstanding the discon- 
 tent, which at that period existed, the manoeuvre of 
 dismissing a Minister, would, in a moment, restore all 
 the Monarch's popularity, and that the people would 
 desire no other Bill pf Rights, than the Lettre de Cachet, 
 which should incarcerate the obnoxious individual, in 
 the dungeons of thp Bastile. This was the true cha- 
 racter of Frenchmen, they exulted in the power, of 
 their Grand Monarque : they were proud of the tyranny, 
 which oppressed them. The summary vengeance of 
 despotism, was suited to the volatile temperament of 
 their constitutions j to brood over sorrows, was incon-
 
 103 
 
 sistent with their dispositions, and they would suffer 
 any aggression with impunity, provided it did not 
 detain them long from their songs, and dancing. 
 
 How the evil genius, and industry, of a few indivi- 
 duals, succeeded in perverting these inherent qualities, 
 has been already shown. The course of the falling 
 star was not (to public appearance) more rapid, than 
 their transition, from a blind enthusiasm to a deadly 
 antipathy to Thrones and Princes but in silence, and 
 secrecy, the serpent bereft them of all that was amiable, 
 and affectionate. Loyalty, and gratitude, were incom- 
 patible with the doctrines, of regeneration. 
 
 At the commencement of the revolutionary war, 
 France, in a moral point of view, resembled a chaos, 
 and the neighbouring nations stood around her, like 
 spectators upon the verge of an awful precipice, shud- 
 dering at the heterogeneous, unorganized, principles, 
 and embryo theories, that convulsed the horrible ex- 
 pause. 
 
 Her political state was similar to a grand lazaretto, 
 impregnated by a loathsome epidemic, whose fatal 
 virus first froze the heart with apathy, and, ascending 
 to the mind, usurped the seat of reason, making a 
 wreck of honour, piety, and virtue. 
 
 An Empire thus distracted, and with no other Legis- 
 lative Power, than a wild, and mischievous enthusiasm, 
 could not fail to excite alarm, in the breast of every 
 prudent Statesman ; red with the carnage of the guil- 
 lotine, breathless with anathemas against all regular, 
 constituted, authorities, with no creed but the Rights 
 of Man, no object of worship than the bonnet rouge, 
 the puppets of a multitude, emancipated from every 
 religious, and moral obligation, presumed to talk of
 
 104 
 
 good faith, confidence, and national honour. Mr. PITT 
 was averse to war; it was not in martial fields he had 
 traced the foundations of his glory peace was the 
 only state, that could prove auspicious to that public 
 prosperity, which his financial arrangements, were 
 intened to promote; and from their operation, he 
 anticipated a renown, more precious, than the shouts 
 of triumphant legions. But the National Convention, 
 by their Decree of Fraternization, passed in November, 
 1792, had consummated that system of audacity, 
 which had marked their conduct towards every foreign 
 Power; and unlesss he wished the indignities of Ver- 
 sailles, to be repeated at Windsor the sanguinary 
 catastrophe of 'the Thuilleries, to be revived at St. 
 James's and the whole island converted into a fright- 
 ful Golgotha, procrastination, in the means of combat- 
 ing the savage principles of anarchy, was no longer 
 admissible. 
 
 It was not for a few degrees of territory, a breach of 
 diplomatic etiquette, or the paltry privilege of barter- 
 ing the trumpery of Birmingham, and Sheffield, with 
 an uncivilized tribe of America, that we were called 
 upon to arm but it w? in defence of the civil, and 
 political, rights, derived as a Jegacy from the Great 
 ALFRED; and the fruits of that magnanimous patri- 
 -otism, with which the plains of Runnymede reverbe- 
 rated, not with shrieks and groans from human heca- 
 tombs, but with the acclamations of renewed alle- 
 giance, and respectful freedom. 
 
 Whatever, Mr. PITT observed, could raise the feel- 
 ings or animate the exertions of a people, combined 
 to prompt us to the co'ntest, the contempt which the 
 French hacl displayed for a neutrality rigidly observed
 
 105 
 
 on our part, the repeated violations of their plighted 
 faith, their presumptuous attempts to interfere in the 
 Government of this Country, to arm our, subjects 
 against ourselves, to vilify a Monarch the object of our 
 gratitude, our reverence, and our affections; and to 
 separate the Court, from the People, by representing 
 them as influenced by different motives, and acting 
 from different interests ; after provocations so wanton, 
 so often repeated, and so highly aggravated, this be- 
 came on our part a war of honour, a war necessary to 
 assert the spirit of the nation, and the dignity of the 
 British name. We did not enter the lists, for the grati- 
 fication of ambition, or aggrandizement, but to main- 
 tain our independence against an enemy, who sought 
 to destroy the whole fabric of our Constitution. These 
 considerations, afforded him encouragement, and con- 
 solation, and v.'ould support him in the discharge of the 
 painful task his duty had imposed upon him. 
 
 Such arguments, however, far from justified him in 
 the opinion of his opponents, who extenuated all the 
 excesses of the Revolution, attributing its harshest 
 features to a momentary impulse of zeal, which would 
 soon evaporate, and soften, into a judicious, and tem- 
 perate, struggle for liberty. A Noble Peer, in a fervor 
 of eloquence, no doubt, exulted in the friendship of one 
 elevated monster I disdain to name, as a man conspi- 
 cuous for virtues, and talents; even the atrocious RO- 
 BESPIERRE, DANTON, and MARAT, found advocates 
 in the British Senate, to palliate their crimes, and 
 homicides ; and there was no aggression, or tyranny 
 on the part of France, but was deemed by the same 
 individuals excusable, and meriting the forbearance of 
 the British Minister. <( Though," observed Mr. BUKKE,
 
 106 
 
 " by taking possession of Geneva, and Switzerland, 
 though by forcibly occupying Mentz, she had secured 
 to herself the navigation of the Rhine; though by en- 
 tering, and, under the mask of friendship, seizing upon 
 the Low Countries, she had aggrandized herself beyond 
 all bounds ; and though she had, under the same mask, 
 entered Savoy, annexed it to her dominions, and 
 planted the tree of liberty in that sterile soil; and 
 though she had ultimately declared war against Great 
 Britain, still France, in the eyes of these British pa- 
 triots, was invariably most just, and England always 
 wrong!!!" Oh spirit of Opposition, thou inconsistent 
 and incomprehensible bulwark of our Liberties! 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 107 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm 
 
 
 LETTER XXIII. 
 
 Let war, with all his needy ruffian band, 
 
 In pomp of horror stalk thro' Gotham's land 
 
 Knee deep in blood ; let all her stately tow'rs 
 
 Sink in the dust ; that court which now is ours 
 
 Become a den, where beasts may, if they can, 
 
 A lodging find, nor fear rebuke from man ; 
 
 Where yellow harvests rise, be brambles found ; 
 
 Where vines now creep, let thistles curse the ground; 
 
 Dry in her thousand vallies be the rills ; 
 
 Barren the cattle on her thousand hills ; 
 
 Where pow'r is plac'd, let tigers howl for prey ; 
 
 Where Justice lodges, let wild asses bray ; 
 
 Let cormorants in churches make their nest, 
 
 And on the bales of commerce bitterns rest ; 
 
 Be all, tho' Princes on the earth before, 
 
 Her Merchants bankrupts, and her marts no more ; 
 
 Much rather would I, might the will of fate 
 
 Give me to chuse, see Gotham's ruia'd state, 
 
 By ills on ills, thus to the earth weigh'd down, 
 
 Then on her shores this new-born curse be known. 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 AFTER maturing his arrangements, for domestic 
 tranquillity, and placing the military resources of the 
 kingdom, in a state for active exertion, Mr. PITT 
 directed his genius, to excite a general spirit of resist- 
 ance, against the common enemy, amongst the Conti- 
 nental Powers ; and soon succeeded, in forming a con- 
 federacy, the most formidable, that had ever existed
 
 108 
 
 in Europe an alliance which must have become irre- 
 sistible, could unanimity have been preserved, between 
 the respective chiefs. Why it failed in its objects 
 why, it wag dissolved and the consequences of that 
 dissolution, the course of my memoir will, I trust, de- 
 velop satisfactorily, to the honor, talents, and reputa- 
 tation, of its great projector. 
 
 The infidel banners of France, had hitherto been 
 planted victoriously, at -every accessible point, on her 
 extensive frontier. Germany had been violated the 
 Netherlands overrun Holland invaded the Throne 
 of Sardinia overthrown, and the neutrality of Genoa, 
 Geneva, and Switzerland, infringed without any plau- 
 sible apology, without any other justification of so 
 gross an outrage on the laws, and rir^its, of Nations, 
 than was to be found in the rhapsodies, perpetually 
 emanating, from the frantic brains, of the Brissotins 
 the Girondists and the Jacobins compositions which, 
 divested of their sophistry, hypocrisy and hyperbole, 
 breathed the most rancorous libels, upon every system 
 of Government, and were in eveiy other respect, as 
 perfidious, and wicked, as the blackest hearts of the 
 three most inhuman, and impious, factions that ever 
 harassed society, could dictate. 
 
 The political Bulls, of the republican crusaders, pre- 
 ceded the march of their ferocious troops, and formed 
 an auxiliary more powerful, than the science of the 
 veteran, and the yet unconquered phalanx. To the 
 ambitious they said, " here is the axe, glut it in the 
 life-blood of your rulers, and ye shall be exalted" to 
 the avaricious, " here is the poignard plant it in the 
 breasts of your masters, and benefactors, and their 
 treasures shall be strewed before you." To the bias-
 
 109 
 
 phemer, " here are the speculations of VOLTAIRE, 
 and the reveries of ROUSSEAU read them, forget there 
 is an avenging GOD, and gratify your worst appetites 
 with impunity." To the disaffected, and the indolent, 
 " we bring you liberty, and EQUALITY; labour no 
 more in rags and poverty, to deck an individual with 
 ermine, to oppress and enslave you. Lurk no more, 
 ye robbers, in the darkness of night, or in the obscurity 
 of the forest, behold the mansions of your first citi- 
 zens exposed to your pillage; ye are no longer amen- 
 able to the laws ; satiate your rapacity. Despair no 
 more, ye adulterers ; the wives of your neighbours shall 
 not dare refuse their embraces. Hesitate no longer, 
 ye seducers, virgin honour shall not restrain your pas- 
 sions. Ye sacred retirements, where the virtuous pay 
 their pious homage to the GOD of Nature, open your 
 consecrated doors, to lust, and sacrilege. Ye Holy 
 Fanes, impressed with the feet of Saints, and Martyrs, 
 yield up your votive offerings dedicated to the service 
 of Omnipotence, to pay the wages of sin and unrighte- 
 ousness." Such was the essence of their dangerous 
 compilations, and so overwhelming, and destructive, 
 were the principles of the invaders, that friendship lost 
 its confidence ; suspicion corrupted the ties of consan- 
 guinity, and the consolations of religion, were sought 
 with fear, and trembling. 
 
 No selfish views, or national aggrandizement, in- 
 fluenced Mr. PITT, in his endeavours, to frustrate the 
 establishment of universal infidelity, and the further 
 dissemination of those levelling principles, which could 
 only be accomplished by treason the destruction of 
 property and the annihilation of the superior ranks 
 of society. He had no other motive than the restitu-
 
 no 
 
 tion of religion, and justice; the deliverance of the 
 people of France, from a sanguinary tyranny, to afford 
 them the choice of an equitable Consitution, unawed 
 by the dreadful engines by which terror maintained her 
 dominion over them and the unbiassed election of a 
 constitutional King, who should restore that peace, 
 and happiness, which alienated as they had been, from 
 every benevolent feeling, and the mild affections of 
 humanity, seemed lost to them for ever. It was not 
 his intention to enter France, with the career of a 
 despoiler, to aggravate her misfortunes, dismember her 
 provinces, and usurp her throne ; but to exterminate 
 the vultures, and harpies that had been banquetting 
 upon the spoils of innocence to bid her plains and 
 vallies again smile with the blossoms of harvest her 
 palaces, resume their regal glories her altars be again 
 irradiated with holy zeal and her seats of justice 
 adorned with virtuous magistrates. 
 
 Such was the cause, sanctioned by the Senate, and 
 the Nation, in which Mr. PITT embarked the energies 
 of his Country. It is true the result hitherto has not 
 been auspicious to humanity, or the political welfare 
 and independence of Europe; but to the brilliancy of 
 the British name, it has added many rays of splendor, 
 and reflects a lustre on his own, which can never 
 tarnish. 
 
 At this period, much despondency prevailed in the 
 public mind, in consequence of numerous failures, 
 amongst the principal merchants, arising from a spirit 
 of enterprise, inconsistent with the existing state of the 
 Continent; but the prompt genius, and liberal conduct 
 of the Minister, soon dissipated these gloomy forebod- 
 ings, and timely pecuniary assistance, with other ar-
 
 Ill 
 
 rangements suggested by the wisest policy, succeeded 
 in restoring credit, and prosperity. 
 
 This circumstance, however, the Opposition thought 
 proper to attribute to the war alone, and brought for- 
 ward a motion for proposing overtures of pacification 
 to the French Government, although it had not ac- 
 quired stability in any one feature, or department, 
 that could promise permanency, either to its domestic, 
 or foreign politics. The opinion of such a pusillani- 
 mous proposal, was expressed in Parliament by a 
 majority of 282 against 20, and out of it by the undis- 
 guised indignation, of a proportionate majority of the 
 Country. 
 
 Still not discouraged, and bent upon obstructing 
 the operations of Ministers, the subject of Parlia- 
 mentary Reform was revived, and Mr. PITT chal- 
 lenged to redeem the pledge he had so often given 
 when out of power. In reply, the Premier acknow- 
 ledged his former opinions, and boldly declared the 
 same sentiments were still seated in his mind; a 
 change, he admitted, was desirable; but he deprecated 
 the time, and also the plan now proposed; which, he 
 asserted, was as contrary to that suggested by himself, 
 as the system of his opponents, was inimical to the 
 Constitution. Universal suffrage, urged so vehemently 
 by the Hon. Mover (Mr. GREY), he denied ever to 
 have formed part of his arrangements, which went only 
 to regulate the right to return members to Parliament, 
 by adding to it in some few instances, where the increase 
 of population demanded ; at the expense of others, 
 when by a contrary inclination the elective franchise, 
 had sunk into an injurious monopoly. 
 
 With respect to the time, selected for agitating so
 
 112 
 
 important a question, it was equally ill-chosen; be was 
 satisfied that nine hundred out of a thousand of the 
 people of England were so convinced of the blessings of 
 their Constitution as it now stood, and of the lenity they 
 enjoyed under its administration, when compared with 
 the melancholy example in an adjacent kingdom ; that 
 so far from wishing to touch it, with an innovating hand, 
 they were prepared to defend it against every attack. 
 He reminded his audience that there were two hundred 
 and fifty persons, who possessed an equal voice in the 
 Legislature with the House of Commons; that there was 
 a KING, who, to the third of the Legislature, added the 
 whole of the Executive Power ; and that if this prin- 
 ciple, of individual suffrage, were permitted, and car- 
 ried to its legitimate extent, it went to subvert the 
 peerage, to depose the KINQ; in fact, to extinguish 
 every hereditary distinction, and every privileged order, 
 and to establish that system of equalizing anarchy 
 which was announced in the code of French Legis- 
 lation, and attested with the blood of Parisian mas- 
 sacres! 
 
 After these discussions, Parliament was prorogued, 
 leaving the country in astonishment and admiration 
 of the great powers, both of genius and eloquence, 
 which had been displayed by their favourite Minister, 
 and under a firm conviction that the councils of the 
 nation, were still animated by the mighty spirit of their 
 lamented CHATHAM. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 113 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather 1 d the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER XXIV. 
 
 Is law to be perverted from her course? 
 
 Is abject fraud to league with brutal force? 
 
 Is freedom to be crush'd : - 
 
 Are Kings 
 
 To be abus'd, and made to draw their breath 
 
 In darkness thicker than the shades of death ? 
 
 Is GOD'S most holy name to be profan'd, 
 
 His w'ord rejected, His laws arraigned, 
 
 His servants scorn'd, as men who idly dream'd, 
 
 His service laugh'M at, and his Son blasphemed ? 
 
 Are debauchees in morals to preside ? 
 
 Is Faith to take an Atheist for her guide ? 
 
 Is Science by a blockhead to be led ? 
 
 Are States to totter on a drunkard's head ? 
 
 To answer all their purposes, and more, 
 
 More black than ever villain plann'd before. 
 
 Search earth, search hell, the DEVIL cannot find, 
 
 An agent, like LOTHARIO, to his mind. 
 
 CHURCHILL 
 
 LIKE a temporary foundation, the first incursions of 
 the republican armies were unresisted, because unex- 
 pected ; but no sooner were the disciplined troops of 
 the confederacy, brought into the field, than the French 
 Generals found it prudent to evacuate their dishonour- 
 able conquests, and to retrace, with famine and death, 
 for the companions of their inexperienced battalions, 
 the paths which their inconsiderate rapine had deso- 
 lated. 
 
 I
 
 114 
 
 As disasters accumulated on the frontier, the diabo- 
 lical fury of the revolutionary factions, became more 
 and more, sanguinary. The guillotine, was the only 
 arbitrator, between their recriminating leaders ; and the 
 individual, who dared to relent from crime, instantly 
 augmented the labour of the executioner. The faint 
 omen of returning sympathy, for the miseries of 
 their fellow-citizens, exhibited by BRISSOT, and his 
 colleagues, was the signal for that merciless proscrip- 
 tion, which confirmed the power of ROBESPIERRE, 
 emphatically denominated the reign of terror, that 
 gave to the soldiers of the Republic no alternative, but 
 the despair of facing the bayonet, like madmen, or 
 their native homes, like criminals ; and which consti- 
 tuted the retreating drum, as the certain knell of every 
 officer, who ventured to pronounce the orders for a re- 
 trograde movement. 
 
 These dreadful measures, this heavy responsibility, 
 shook the constancy of their most popular soldier, Du- 
 MOURIER, who, finding the gratification of his ambi- 
 tion, must depend upon the precarious chance of bat- 
 tles, his vacillating mind made a merit of necessity ; 
 and, after seizing the Deputies of the Convention dis- 
 patched to arrest him, he proposed turning his army 
 against the demagogues, he. now professed to despise, 
 but under whose polluted banners, whilst victory sat 
 upon his crest, he had gloried in fighting. Thus only 
 loyal to the Monarchy, or the Republic, as the sun- 
 shine of fortune favoured his schemes, he prostituted 
 himself with equal celerity, to the cause of either, suf- 
 ficiently happy in retaining rank and power, though 
 totally divested of their chief embellishments, honour 
 and integrity.
 
 115 
 
 The denounced, and beaten General, however, soon 
 discovered, that his authority, faded with his laurels ; 
 and that the disorganized state of the kingdom, to which 
 himself had so greatly contributed, was too congenial 
 with the dispositions of the banditti he sought to make 
 the instruments of his new infatuation, to induce them 
 to forego the hopes of licentious freedom, which the 
 absence of all civil, and religious, restrictions, per- 
 mitted them to indulge ; and, with the exception of a 
 few hundred men, his army dispersed at discretion 
 those, in expectation of future conquests, repairing to 
 the adjacent garrisons ; others, anxious to dissipate the 
 plunder already acquired, hastened to the theatre of* 
 iniquity, and moral turpitude, which the metropolis at 
 that time presented. 
 
 Mr. PITT beheld, with indignation, this moment, so 
 propitious to the cause of the allies, wasted in the 
 supine operations of sieges, instead of inspiring that 
 vigorous precision, and intrepidity, necessary to turn 
 the consternation which evidently prevailed amongst 
 the wretches still domineering in Paris, to the advant- 
 age of those objects for which hostilities had been com- 
 menced. Valenciennes, Conde, and Quesnoy, it is 
 true, were the fruits of these manoeuvres, and, upon 
 the whole, the campaign might have been considered 
 brilliant, had the common display of military tactics 
 only been practicable ; but against a promiscuous mul- 
 titude, unaccustomed to arms, and ignorant even of 
 the mechanical duties of the parade, some decisive 
 blow was, with reason, anticipated; in vain, however, 
 were such expectations cherished. The time sacrificed 
 in entrenching, and bombardments, afforded an oppor- 
 tunity for the enthusiasm of the people to revive ; and
 
 116 
 
 while pouring down self-devoted, upon the disunited 
 corps of the confederates, the walls of Dunkirk witnessed 
 the discomfiture of the flower of the British army: and 
 a similar mortification to one of the ablest Generals of 
 Austria ; but, what w a a still more fatal harbinger of 
 approaching misfortune, and a more poignant source 
 of chagrin to Mr. PITT, was, a contemplated selfish 
 appropriation of their respective conquests, by the Con- 
 tinental Powers, who, instead of continuing the advo- 
 cates, and avengers, of the House of BOURBON, sud- 
 denly forfeited their noble pledges of service to a falling 
 dynasty, by becoming ambitious of territorial aggran- 
 dizement, and seemed resolved in future to direct their 
 arms against France, instead of her traitors, and regi- 
 cides; in whose minds danger, when become familiar, 
 appeared to excite every despotic principle, which 
 could operate to the destruction of their enemies. 
 
 And surely nevef existed a despotism more bloody, 
 and imperious, than that of ROBES-PIERRE, To main- 
 tain his usurpation, he placed the whole population of 
 the kingdom, under proscription ; led the Rich, indis- 
 criminately to the scaffold, to replenish the public trea- 
 sury, by their confiscated property ; pillaged, and mu- 
 tilated, every public edifice, whether dedicated to the 
 purpose of Go i>, or man, to fabricate artillery for his 
 new-raised legions ; and had there been hidden in the 
 bowels of the earth, a talisman that could have ren- 
 dered those legions invulnerable, and invincible, and the 
 stipulated purchase of that charm, the tortured heart 
 of every captive their swords should gain, he would 
 have deemed it a reasonable one, and have smiled with 
 ghastly exultation on the slaughtered world. 
 
 Atrocious, however, as were the principles by which
 
 117 
 
 this man governed the modern aspirers to political free- 
 dom, no Asiatic despot was more promptly obeyed, 
 whether his orders were for the application of the na- 
 tional razor, to one innocent victim, or for the indiscri- 
 minate massacre of a thousand. His recruiting system, 
 accompanied by every attribute of tyranny, was mo- 
 delled from those expeditions of the barbarians of 
 Africa, undertaken against their weaker neighbours, 
 for the purpose of promoting that unnatural traffic, of 
 which Europe is at length ashamed ; and resolving to 
 find an equivalent in numbers, for whatever was de- 
 fective in the discipline, of his conscripts, or the science 
 of their Commanders, in a few weeks half a million of 
 deluded, oppressed, and intoxicated wretches, shook 
 their weapons in defiance, to the coalesced Potentates 
 of Europe ; and, though unattended by the " pomp, 
 pride, and circumstance of war," unskilled in the evo- 
 lutions of its most destructive engines, were neverthe- 
 less inspired with that degree of frantic enthusiasm, 
 which, in particular instances, compensates for the ab- 
 sence of art, and the deliberate valour indispensable to 
 form the hero. 
 
 PLUTARCH. 
 
 i3
 
 118 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather* d the Storm." 
 
 LETTER XXV. 
 
 And thou, w hose sable pinions, wide out spread 
 O'er all the west Cimmerian darkness shed, 
 Known by the phrenzy'd eye, the blood stain'd vest, 
 The Gorg<>u horrors gleaming on thy crest. 
 Democrat \ ! (han whom no direr fiend 
 Did e'er frouj hel:'s deep gloom to earth ascend; 
 Oh ! gendei'd when primeval darkness reign'd, 
 And lawless anarchy her throne maintain' d ; 
 That lov'st to mount the rapid whirlwind's wiug, 
 And hear the savage midnight tempests sing j 
 Or, basking in the lightning's fearful blaze, 
 On the wreck'd globe to dart thy raptur'd gaze; 
 On burning towns and palaces o'erthrown, 
 And hear'st, unmov'd, expiring nature groan ; 
 Dragg'd to thine altars, what a countless throng, 
 Slaughter'd like beasts, the shriek of death prolong! 
 Nor these of vulgar fame, or humble birth, 
 But, of the noblest line, the proudest worth ; 
 All that in virtue, talents, genius shine, 
 Swell the dire carnage round thy gory shrine. 
 
 MAURICE. 
 
 THE Minister of a free country ought to be endowed 
 with nerves of iron, the patience of philosophy, and 
 the confidence of a martyr. To be convinced of this 
 truth, we need but refer to our Parliamentary Reports 
 (to say nothing of the Diurnal Prints), and were a 
 selection to be made from thence of the speeches of the 
 Opposition, it would appear, that every Prime Minister,
 
 119 
 
 that ever presided at the helm of the British Govern- 
 ment, had been inimical to the Constitution, and a 
 decided enemy of his country. 
 
 Had not patriotism, predominated over ambition, in 
 the breast of Mr. PITT, it is absolutely impossible to 
 conceive that any man could have consented to remain 
 liable, to the torrent of invective, personal insult, and 
 unjustifiable implications, to which he was exposed, 
 during the Sessions of 1794. Never, perhaps, was 
 more determined antipathy to an individual exhibited 
 never was the rancour of party, and the spleen of 
 disappointment, more shamefully conspicuous, more 
 rudely, or more vehemently promulgated. 
 
 To promote the purpose of faction, domestic traitors 
 heard their convicted infamy, palliated in the most 
 brilliant strains of eloquence. Regicides, received po- 
 litical absolution, from British Senators, whilst the 
 uncanonized victims of their treason, still infected the 
 air. All consistency of principle, all regard to future 
 fame, and present honour, were sacrificed to the im- 
 pulses of an hypocritical enthusiasm ; wisdom, and 
 experience, perverted their characteristics, to render 
 the young, and ignorant, instruments of private pas- 
 sions ; the excesses of anarchy, were softened into vir- 
 tuous bursts of national indignation, and all the cala- 
 mities of rebellion, represented as an ordeal, indispen- 
 sably necessary, to purify the errors of antiquity, and 
 eradicate modern corruption. The checks of lawful 
 authority the mildest exercise of prerogative were 
 defined to the people as synonimous with despotism, 
 and the symbols of magistracy, as the rod of oppres- 
 sion, and the chains of slavery. 
 
 Thus excited, popular discontent and public com-
 
 120 
 
 motions present nothing mysterious in their nature; 
 alas ! will the credulity of mankind eternally deceive 
 them will no examples instruct them? Whether 
 CAESAR sway the sceptre of the Empire, with his 
 brows irradiated with gems, or BRUTUS surrounded 
 with cynical simplicity that it is the inward man 
 who is the tyrant still; and that democracy that bane 
 of public peace, is a mere phantom, by which the 
 aspirants to power, in all ages, and in all countries, 
 have deluded their constituents; a time-serving doctrine, 
 impregnating the vulgar mind, with the mischievous 
 conception, that all restraints, moral or political, un- 
 sanctioned by the unthinking multitude, are but the 
 impositions of aristocratical usurpation. 
 
 Vest the sovereign authority, nominally in one or 
 many, the talent of the profoundest Statesman, or the 
 intrepidity of the boldest soldier, will always controul 
 or apply it. An ALEXANDER will reach his zenith, in 
 contempt of the harangues of a DEMOSTHENES ; a 
 SOLON will accomplish his exaltation, and preserve 
 his influence, in defiance of cabal, and prejudice and 
 the individual genius of an ALFRED, will do more for 
 public welfare, in a day, than the deliberations of as- 
 sembled millions in an age. 
 
 What regard was ever paid to that prostitute of 
 faction, the " vox populi," beyond the porter quaffed at 
 an election, or the gold, which purchased the indepen- 
 dant suffrage ? Did the puritanical CROMWELL appeal 
 to it, when he became Protector? Did he submit his 
 ambitious projects, tp the scrutiny of " The Majesty of 
 the People?" Did ROBESPIERRE consult the dignity 
 of " The Sovereign of t}ie People," when he instituted 
 the laws of the conscription? Or did BUONAPARTE
 
 do homage to the principles of democracy, when he 
 bade the Roman Pontiff proclaim him ** the Lord's 
 anointed." How long then will the people consent to 
 be cajoled, by the rant of demagogues, and the chi- 
 meras of theoretic politicians? 
 
 The mob, devoid of intellect, appreciate those only, 
 who Will condescend to level all distinctions, who will 
 tell them uproar is their privilege, idleness their birth- 
 right, and licentiousness their proper pastime. To this 
 inconstant hydra, which self-ordained patriots worship, 
 whilst they bawl for liberty and pine for power, Mr. 
 PITT was held forth for execration. Every act of his 
 Government, was brought precipitately, under discus- 
 sion, and censured with a spirit of malevolence, unex- 
 ampled he was pointed at, as the abridger of public 
 privilege the author of every burden, the precarious 
 times rendered inevitable the advocate of implacable 
 warfare, and the determined enemy of freedom. He 
 was reprobated as a political quack, as an officious 
 meddler in the internal arrangements of States an arbi- 
 trary intruder, into the counsels of an oppressed people, 
 struggling for independence. Vexatious interrogato- 
 ries, and procrastinated debates, appeared also a part 
 of the extraordinary combination of incidents, selected 
 for the purpose of embarrassing his Administration, 
 wounding his private feelings, and occasioning him 
 personal mortification, and inconvenience. 
 
 If he augmented the army, it was to strenthen des- 
 potism: If he granted a subsidy, it was unavailing 
 prodigality, depriving his countrymen of necessaries, to 
 pamper the luxuries of Aliens : If he employed an auxi- 
 liary force, that he might be more frugal of native blood, 
 save our wives from widowhood, our children from
 
 being fatherless, it was an abrogation of the Bill of 
 Rights impeachable and unpardonable : If he hoisted 
 the standard of loyalty, to remind the misguided of 
 their allegiance, it was promoting civil discord : If he 
 accepted voluntary personal service, or pecuniary con- 
 tributions, his policy was stigmatized as dangerous. 
 
 Such indiscriminate condemnation, such unwarrant- 
 able perversion, rather excited Mr. PITT'S contempt, 
 than the humiliating gratification, which was perhaps 
 anticipated. He was sensible, he possessed the favour- 
 able sentiments of the loyal, the reasonable, and the 
 disinterested; he was sensible also, of conscientious 
 rectitude; he was only vulnerable consistent with 
 human frailty, and experienced no anxiety but from 
 the possible failure of projeccs, undertaken for the 
 welfare of his country. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 123 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm. 1 
 
 LETTER XXVI. 
 
 JAFFIER. Then honesty is but a notion ? 
 PIERRE. Nothing else: 
 
 Like wit, much talk'd of, not to be defin'd; 
 
 He that pretends to most, too, has least share in't. 
 
 'Tis a ragged virtue. Honesty ! no more on't. 
 
 OTWAY. 
 
 BUT although the inflammatory rhetoric of the Op- 
 position phalanx, failed to intimidate Mr. PITT, or 
 swerve him from his fixed determination, to oppose 
 the modern revolutionary principles, the impression it 
 made amongst the converts to Gallic Republicanism, 
 very speedily became evident the conviction of SKIR- 
 VING, MARGAKOT, and GERALD, at Edinburgh, at the 
 commencement of the present year, gave rise to an ex- 
 pression of sentiment, from all classes of the commu- 
 nity, the most flattering to the Minister, and consola- 
 tory to the Sovereign. Notwithstanding, however, 
 these discouraging circumstances, to the disaffected 
 cause, the zeal with which it was advocated, by indi- 
 viduals of talent, influence, and consequence, in the 
 Legislature, increased the temerity of the seditious, 
 and emboldened them to persevere in a system, so 
 immediately imitative of Parisian anarchy, that no
 
 124 
 
 -.,,; 
 
 possible doubt could be entertained of the secret ob- 
 jects of their association. 
 
 Mr. PITT perceived, from the earliest emanations of 
 the French Revolution, that by elevating those, who 
 had courage to render themselves conspicuous in its 
 tremendous eruption, it would dazzle the understand- 
 ings of the multitude, and excite the ambition of tur- 
 bulent, discontented, and obscure, individuals of other 
 States. These conjectures were soon confirmed, by 
 the innumerable clubs of Jacobins, and Reformists, 
 which the propagation of PAINE'S chimeras, indus- 
 triously established in every part of the kingdom. In 
 these Societies, the blessings of unconstrained inclina- 
 tions, as accomplished by the intrepid virtues of the 
 French citizens, were loudly extolled, and oblique 
 suggestions of the means, by which such bright exam- 
 ples, were to be repeated, were profusely intermingled 
 with their invidious harangues. They cruelly taught 
 their disciples, that the wealth of the nation would 
 form but one common purse that happiness would be 
 derived from one common source that independence 
 would be the lot of all devoid of labour devoid of 
 care devoid of any thought beyond the passing mo- 
 ment and that all earthly pleasures would remain, for 
 indiscriminate participation, like the sunshine and the 
 rain. They adopted, in the most servile manner, the 
 proceedings, ceremonies, and nomenclature, of the 
 clubs in Paris; and as ROBESPIERRE was at that pe- 
 riod in " meridian horror" we must presume he was 
 the high divinity, to whom they paid their vows, and 
 invoked to be propitious to their godlike undertakings. 
 
 Such dangerous principles, could not fail to render 
 obedience irksome, and to induce a senseless rabble, to
 
 125 
 
 regard the laws as unnatural shackles, and the admi- 
 nistrators of them, as obdurate tyrants. 
 
 The public antipathy, to Magisterial Authority, 
 being thus fermented, and assurances given, that the 
 day of retribution against their oppressors was at hand, 
 they were instructed to employ the intermediate time 
 between slavery, and emancipation, in contemplating 
 the glorious achievements of their brethren, in France, 
 to whom Delegates were continually dispatched, to 
 report the progress of conspiracy, and to solicit counsel 
 from their experience, in the sanguinary acts of re- 
 bellion. 
 
 The reception of these deputations in Paris, was 
 such as rendered the designs of that Government, 
 no longer equivocal; it exhorted the revolutionary 
 novices, to persevere, in cultivating the divine spirit of 
 insurrection, and promised support, or protection, as 
 circumstances should require ; this, too, whilst the 
 nations were at peace; whilst their Ambassador was 
 solemnly proclaiming the disposition of his Govern- 
 ment to be .amicable, and sincerely desirous to pre- 
 serve the good understanding which existed during the 
 ancient regime. Is there then one amongst us, who, 
 professing attachment to the Constitution -and the Mo- 
 narchy, will yield implicit a&sent to the doctrine which 
 prohibits interference in the internal governments of 
 neighbouring kingdoms? For what are alliances formed? 
 for what is the balance of power supported? merely 
 to assist the weak, and arm the defenceless in cases of 
 military hostility. Are Kings to see Anti-Monarchical 
 Powers coalescing around them, and [pusillanimously 
 contribute to their own proscription? Shall they- 
 endure to see their subjects weaned from allegiance,.
 
 126 
 
 and not remonstrate with the arrogant seducer ? Shall 
 they have their names coupled with infamy, and not 
 obliterate the audacious record? Shall every Magna 
 Charta be cancelled ; the labours of ancestry cast into 
 oblivion; the statutes of wise Legislators, honest Coun- 
 sellors, and learned Lawgivers, be annihilated, for the 
 fabrications of SIEYES and a TALLEYRAND, or the 
 absurd Senatus Consultum, and intemperate decrees, of 
 an infuriated Usurper? Shall blasphemy be tolerate'd 
 upon our borders ; an indiscriminate intercourse 
 established, between our wives, and daughters, and 
 every vile miscreant, whose dissipations have left him 
 a lust to gratify? Shall every germ of virtue be eradi- 
 cated from the mind of our youth, and the whole 
 kingdom be delivered a prey to lawless appetite? 
 Shall Europe discover such an atrocious monster in 
 her bosom, and so far forget her chivalry as not to 
 struggle to the last extremity, to divest herself of the 
 preposterous intruder? Shall nothing but the edge of 
 the sword arouse her noble dynasties, to emulate the 
 glorious emprise of their progenitors? Or shall colo- 
 nies of Atheists, King-killers, and Constitution-mon- 
 gers, impregnate all her States with perjury, conflagra- 
 tion, and murder ; and revel amidst the varied beauties 
 of her realms, whilst her degenerate sons, remain 
 passive spectators, of their destructive progress ? 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 127 
 
 The Pilot that Weather'd the Storm." 
 LETTER XXVII. 
 
 - Here we embrace, and I'll unlock my heart. 
 A Councils' held hard by, where the destruction 
 Of this great Empire's hatching : there I'll lead thee. 
 But be a man ! for thou'rt to mix with men 
 Fit to disturb the peace of all the world, 
 And rule it when 'tis wildest. 
 
 OTWAY. 
 
 De Mortuis nil nisi bonum, is a benevolent motto, ap- 
 plied to the frailties of domestic life ; but in treating 
 of individuals, who presume to interfere in the go- 
 vernment of mankind, the tomb must not obstruct in- 
 vestigation ; truth must not claim sanctuary from the 
 grave. 
 
 The propensities of the great, lead the world, to 
 good, or evil: the personal motives of politicians, have 
 a general influence, upon public feeling, and sentiment, 
 and however conscientiously Mr. Fox might have 
 acted, how genuine soever his patriotism might have 
 been, it required no great share of vanity in him, to be 
 convinced, that he was the oracle of a certain class of 
 men, who sought for the people a power they were sen- 
 sible they would abuse, and who, themselves felt no 
 responsibility, but life embittered by necessity, disap-
 
 128 
 
 pointment, or envy an existence which they were 
 willing to venture in any political storm, that could 
 flatter the most distant hopes of better fortune. Such 
 men found very plausible apologies for the grossest de- 
 relictions, in the strenuous arguments of their cham- 
 pion ; and though he cannot be considered implicated 
 in the diabolical designs, of the desperate beings, who 
 volunteered in the mission of regeneration, his ardour 
 carried him so far beyond the limits of virtuous policy, 
 that Parliamentary Privilege alone, could have protect- 
 ed him, from charges he would have lamented, to see 
 connected with his name, in the page of history. 
 
 That his eloquence cherished the enthusiasm of the 
 factious, volumes of proofs, are still extant ; and it can- 
 not be questioned, but his bold, and imprudent, asser- 
 tions, in favour of that visionary freedom, and illiberal 
 prejudice, which endangered every Crown in Europe, 
 induced Mr. PITT to have recourse to those strong mea- 
 sures, which mark this period of his administration ; 
 nay, which preserved another martyr from our calen- 
 dar a crisis, however, to British jacobinism, was ra- 
 pidly approaching. The treasonable combinations, 
 which Mr. Fox, Mr. GREY, and Mr. SHERIDAN, le- 
 niently denominated fabulous plots, and forged conspi- 
 racies, no longer confined their illegal clamours, to the 
 private places of rendezvous, but summoned assemblies 
 in the open fields, and there amused the shouting rab- 
 ble with harangues, that fled indeed upon the intruding 
 winds, except at certain auspicious moments, when ant 
 insidious echo vibrated the charm of " Liberty and 
 Equality" But though language was incomprehensi- 
 ble, the crowds which covered the hills, and enclosures, 
 that formed the theatre of these assemblies, conveyed
 
 129 
 
 intimations, that were not misconceived, and awakened 
 a spirit, that it became imperiously the duty of the arm 
 of power to suppress. There is but little stability in 
 the affections of men coalesced for evil purposes the 
 first panic, or the first bribe, produces an impeachment. 
 These circumstances, connected with certain cautions, 
 which had been timely adopted, warranted the arrest 
 of many of the most active Members, of the leading 
 Revolutionary Society, who were immediately com- 
 mitted to prison, until bills of indictment, could be pre- 
 ferred against them ; and temporizing measures, being 
 Very properly conceived, only calculated to procrasti- 
 nate, not to counteract mischief, a Bill for suspending 
 the Habeas Corpus Act, was instantly brought into 
 Parliament, passed without an hour's avoidable delay, 
 and such further steps pursued, as gave full confidence 
 to the loyal, and peaceable, part of the community. 
 
 The extravagant lectures at those forcing houses of 
 French politics, the Forums, and Debating Societies, 
 the seditious harangues in Copenhagen Fields, the fra- 
 ternal connexions, daily consummating, with the heroes 
 of the Bastile, and Thuilleries, were, in the estimation 
 of the Opposition, but jocular occurrences, and inno- 
 cent singularities. But when Mr. PITT, finding that 
 civil commotion, was spreading far and wide, adopted 
 that reasonable vigour beyond the law, which had been 
 sanctioned by precedent, and the deliberative wisdom 
 of our forefathers, the patriotic sensibility of Mr. Fox, 
 and his colleagues, became violently agitated. What! 
 exclaimed they, whilst the Seine runs crimson, in the 
 cause of freedom, shall the Thames roll through a land 
 of oppression ! The suspension of the Habeas Corpus, 
 brings the wrists of every Englishman, within the ma- 
 
 K
 
 130 
 
 nacles of an arbitrary Minister, and deprives the venera- 
 ble fabric of the Constitution, of its soundest bulwarks 
 remove it and Magna Charta the Bill of Rights, 
 the great palladium of our liberty may as well be 
 given to the rising generation for kites and drums, as 
 the last tokens from free-born Britons, to the newly con- 
 stituted heirs of slavery. 
 
 But Mr. Fox essayed to soar his quarry with too 
 venturesome a wing; and whilst his bold flight, caught 
 the adulation, of the wondering crowd, Mr. PITT had 
 the gratification to observe, the distrust, and suspicion, 
 which had insinuated themselves into the breasts of the 
 most able friends of his antagonists which terminated 
 in a complete dismemberment of his party, and formed 
 the coalition that saved the Kingdom astonished Eu- 
 rope and disappointed the hopes of France of 
 Anarchy, and Revolution. Upon this subject, the 
 chagrin of Mr. Fox, and his few remaining adherents, 
 are too poignant for description; the gratification of 
 Mr. PITT, too dignified, to be expressed in any lan- 
 guage but his own. 
 
 As they, he observed of the new Administration, 
 tendered their allegiance, as they tendered their safety, 
 as they cherished the remembrance of their ances- 
 tors, who had defended the Constitution ; as they 
 regarded the interests of their posterity, they were 
 bound to lay aside every distinction, to remove every 
 obstacle, and to unite the talents, the characters, the 
 integrity, and the honor of all honest men, who were 
 able to serve their country ; upon which union, de- 
 pended most essentially, the present, and future, safety, 
 not only of Great Britain, but of Europe. On these 
 principles have they united ; on these principles would
 
 131 
 
 they act ; and if their exertions should unfortunately 
 fail to receive the desired success, they would at least 
 have the consolation, of being conscious, that every 
 effort had been made which human wisdom could sug- 
 gest ; and that nothing had been wanting on their parts, 
 towards the attainment of an object, to which there 
 was not one among them, who would not devote all 
 his faculties, and* if necessary, his life. 
 
 Such sentiments, were not the verbal vapourings, of 
 & vain orator, but the genuine effusions of a patriotic 
 mind, devoted to honor, and his country's welfare. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 132 
 
 The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm: 
 
 LETTER XXVIII. 
 
 While there is, hope, do not distrust the Godej 
 
 But wait at least 'till CESAR'S near approach 
 
 Force us to yield. 'Twill never be too late 
 
 To sue for chains, and own a conqueror. 
 
 Why should Rome fall a moment 'ere her time } 
 
 No, let us draw her term of freedom out 
 
 In its full length, and spin it to the last, 
 
 So shall we gain still one day's liberty : 
 
 And let me perish, but in CATO'S judgment, 
 
 A day, an hour, of virtuous liberty, 
 
 Is worth a-whole eternity in bondage. 
 
 ADDISOS. 
 
 ALTHOUGH Mr. PITT, had reason to be elated, by that 
 schism amongst the Whigs, from which he gained an 
 accession of talent, never surpassed in the Councils of 
 Great Britain, by the glorious achievement of Lord 
 HOWE, which established England the arbiter of the 
 ocean, and by various colonial conquests, he had yet 
 serious mortification to endure, occasioned by dissen- 
 tions between the Commanders of the Confederate 
 Armies, as to the views, and principles, of the respec- 
 tive Cabinets, and upon points of etiquette, which were 
 permitted to injure the public service. The Royal 
 Armies were driven back, and obliged to re-cross the 
 Rhine ; Valenciennes, and Conde, were treacherously
 
 133 
 
 surrendered to the enemy; and cowardice, disaffection, 
 and corruption, appeared rapidly disseminating amongst 
 the Allies. These circumstances, added to the decapi- 
 tation of ROBESPIERRE, and the acquittal of HARDY, 
 TOOKE, THELWALL, and their associates, again ex- 
 cited the clamour of the Opposition for peace, on the 
 grotmds, that the objects of Coalition, having degene- 
 rated into national aggrandizement, the war was no 
 longer justifiable ; that the decease of ROBESPIERRE, 
 had destroyed the tyranny which had been so much 
 dreaded; and the acquittal of the individuals, who had 
 been arraigned at the Old Bailey, for High Treason, 
 proved clearly the non-existence of sedition, or any 
 conspiracies, inimical to the Government, or tranquillity 
 of the Kingdom. Extraordinary arguments ! As well 
 then might the surgeon, from the first inauspicious 
 symptom, leave the gangrene to its course; Monarchs, 
 acknowledge without scruple, every sanguinaiy upstart, 
 as their compeer; and society re-admit into its bosom, 
 every notorious felon, who escapes from justice, by 
 those peculiar casualties, which the pure system of 
 English jurisprudence, acknowledges a fair appeal to 
 mercy. 
 
 In amicable negotiations, it is an indispensable pre- 
 liminary, to ascertain two facts ; whether the disposi- 
 tion for Peace, in the contracting parties be sincerely 
 reciprocal and whether it be equally their interests to 
 maintain it. 
 
 The Rulers of France were sensible, whilst they 
 were surrounded by a desperate populace, whom they 
 had emancipated from all lawful restrictions, that per- 
 manent elevation, was hopeless. They knew, that 
 every aspirant to their seats, who had courage to
 
 134 
 
 mount a rostrum, in the Palais Royal, could create a 
 faction-s-that every new competitor, was the favourite 
 of the multitude, and therefore, every hour rendered 
 their situations more precarious, The idol of yester- 
 day, they saw to day, breathless on the Guillotine; and 
 they reflected, that although they awed the Senate at 
 noon, 'ere the Sun had set, the executioner might be 
 called upon to " render them harmless." Peace, there- 
 fore, was indisputably the bane of all their projects, 
 whilst an hostile frontier, offered honourable exile, 
 for every dubious, or suspected, character, and the 
 wreathed hero, exciting military emulation, obliterated, 
 for a while, domestic calamities. 
 
 Moreover, it has been the invariable policy of all 
 usurpations, to excite objects of attention, for the 
 public mind, from home; that the chicanery of ambi- 
 tion, may operate, free from scrutiny, and the relax- 
 ation of authority be restored, whilst the people forget 
 their promised boons, amidst the lustre of military 
 exploits, Victory, has beguiled the affections of man- 
 kind, towards the most relentless oppressors, and 
 amidst the shouts of conquest, they have suffered 
 themselves to be bereft of every privilege; for it is 
 the nature of man, to be despotic, and all nations, feel 
 gratification, in being considered the dictators of the 
 world ; in accomplishing which, they forget they are 
 the instruments of tyranny, and the fabricators of their 
 own bands. 
 
 But the embryo Republicans, had other motives, for 
 hostility; in their wild enthusiasm, they had destroyed 
 the system of pecuniary assessment, and had no re- 
 sources, but in the Exchequer of their neighbours; 
 and np guerdon for their troops, but the sack of towns,
 
 135 
 
 and the violation of virgins. Wherever they carried 
 their arms, they set up the phantom Equality 
 preached destruction to privilege, annihilation to all 
 distinctions, and the prejudicial influence of riches, 
 whilst they belied their pernicious doctrines, by the 
 most rapacious monopoly, that ever plundered the 
 world. 'Tis true, they proffered peace, to their ene- 
 mies, but upon what terms? You shall banish your 
 chief citizens; you shall surrender your strong for- 
 tresses; be subject to conscription, and military con- 
 tribution. This, observed Mr. PITT, is the reciprocity 
 they offer, and the obvious motives for such insulting 
 propositions, that their emissaries may penetrate be- 
 yond the next frontier sow discontent amongst the 
 inhabitants corrupt the official servants of Govern- 
 ment and fabricate apologies, for new invasions, and 
 more destructive wars: and, as hungry tigers, only 
 leave the flock at rest, until they have devoured the 
 secure prey, so the nations, contiguous to their ex- 
 panding empire, will enjoy peace no longer, than the 
 resources of the last conquest, are found equivalent, to 
 their necessities, and the people so consolidated with 
 their conquerors, as to render ineffectual, all national 
 resentment. 
 
 He neither had, nor ever intended, to pledge him- 
 self, never to make peace, with a republican government 
 in France ; but maintained, that with such a govern- 
 ment as now existed (if it were worthy the appellation) 
 it was impossible to treat, on any terms, that could 
 promise security. He admitted that it might become 
 necessary, to open a negotiation, with the Republic, but 
 at the same time, gave it as his candid opinion, that no 
 peace could be secure, unless France returned to a
 
 136 
 
 monarchical system. He was astonished that those, 
 who had admitted the justice of the war, and the ne- 
 cessity of opposing the abominable tenets of the revo- 
 lution, should be disposed to abandon the contest, after 
 one year's ineffectual struggle. It never surely could 
 have been supposed, that the subversion of the revolu- 
 tionary system, or the destruction of the revolutionary 
 power, could be accomplished in a single campaign. 
 It had pleased Providence, whose ways are inscrutable, 
 that the power of France, should triumph over all 
 opposition; but should we, therefore, fall prostrate 
 before it, without adequate resistance; should we yield 
 pusillanimously, without first measuring its strength? 
 The consciousness of inability to pursue it, would 
 alone make him agree to retire from the contest. He 
 would at least have nothing to'reproach himself with 
 the retrospect. He would not submit until he could 
 exclaim 
 
 Potuit quse plurima virtus 
 
 Esee fuit, toto certamen est corpora regni. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 137 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER XXIX. 
 
 To nurse with tender care the thriving arts, 
 
 Watch ev'ry beam philosophy imparts j 
 
 To give religion her unbridled scope, 
 
 Nor judge by statute a believer's hope; 
 
 With close fidelity and love unfeign'd, 
 
 To keep the matrimonial band unstain'd; 
 
 Covetous only of a virtuous praise, 
 
 His life a lesson to the land he sways ; 
 
 To touch the sword with conscientious awe, 
 
 Nor draw it but when duty bids him draw ; 
 
 To sheath it in the peace-restoring close 
 
 With joy beyond what victory bestows j 
 
 Blest country, where these kingly glories shine j "* 
 
 Blest England, if this happiness be thine. 
 
 COWPER. 
 
 AN affair, more than ordinarily embarrassing, at this 
 period, aggravated the fatigues of Mr. PITT'S official 
 duties. The Heir Apparent, had again unfortunately 
 involved himself in pecuniary obligations, far exceed- 
 ing that munificent allowance, which Parliament had 
 appropriated, to support an establishment, suitable, it 
 was conceived, in every respect, to his future expecta- 
 tions, and present dignity. A solemn pledge, had been 
 given, that a second appeal to Legislative assistance 
 upon this subject, should never be made. Of this 
 promise, Mr. PITT had rendered himself the medium^
 
 138 
 
 between the PRINCE, and his country; and his repug- 
 nance to abrogate it, was very properly invincible, 
 against every argument, that was advanced, to induce 
 him to relax from his rigid principles of consistency, 
 integrity, and truth. 
 
 On the other hand, his Royal Highness, was under- 
 stood to be equally peremptory in his refusal to accede 
 to a matrimonial alliance, which was considered na- 
 tionally advantageous, unless some measures were pre- 
 viously adopted, to relieve him from the urgent appeals 
 of his numerous creditors. Thus situated, an arduous 
 task remained for the Minister ; to prostitute his trans- 
 cendent eloquence to palliate a breach of honour, he 
 could not condescend ; and to lose any opportunity, of 
 promoting the welfare of his country, would be equally 
 departing from that system of patriotic enthusiasm, 
 which had invariably marked his conduct. Neither 
 would he lend his talents, to mitigate reproach, where 
 due, no matter howsoever elevated in rank the individual 
 might stand, or become the advocate of improvidence 
 and profusion, however powerful the prodigal might 
 be. His office was to guard the country's purse, from 
 domestic peculation, as well as its shores from hostile 
 pollution ; and he studied to perform those duties with 
 firmness, but with delicacy ; with proper consideration 
 for the parties implicated, but with justice to the 
 nation. 
 
 The utmost stretch of the imagination, and every 
 inventive faculty, were exerted to fabricate apologies, 
 that might avert the censure, which this unseasonable 
 repetition of indiscreet expenditure, appeared likely to 
 bring upon the Illustrious Personage, whose accom- 
 plished manners, and highly cultivated understanding,
 
 139 
 
 had ingratiated him in the admiration of the Court, and 
 the esteem of the People. 
 
 That a PRINCE, peculiarly endowed in mind and 
 person, to attach his own sex, and fascinate the fair, 
 should experience that dangerous war of the passions, 
 which the emulous glances of a drawing-room, bril- 
 liant with all the grace, and beauty, of his native country, 
 are calculated to excite, cannot be a matter of astonish- 
 ment.! That the Arts should supplicate his patronage, 
 Genius be cherished by his liberality, Taste submit 
 to his dictates, and Fashion be guided by his discretion, 
 have long been considered the Birth-right, and Prero- 
 gatives, of the Heir Apparent. That at the age of 
 maturity, he should be at liberty to enjoy the same pri- 
 vileges as his humbler fellow-subjects to think, to 
 feel, to act for himself, adopt his own political prepos- 
 sessions, and indulge nature's common predilections, no 
 reasonable being could ever question. That he should 
 turn from temptation with the indifference of an An- 
 choriteexist in the regions of Venus, and practice 
 platonic abstinence move amidst hereditary splen- 
 dour, and assume the eccentricities of a cynic, are 
 ideas only becoming the brain of a fanatic. But he 
 should reflect, that, beset by harpies, no resources are 
 inexhaustible allured by beauty, man enters a magic 
 circle, whose incantations beguile him of his noblest 
 faculties, and that whilst adulated by sycophants, he 
 lives in the regions of deception. 
 
 He should bear in mind, that although Nature dis- 
 plays no partiality, is " no respecter of persons," still, 
 when her works are cultivated, and polished, by the 
 various succedaneums of human art, to adapt them, 
 to superior destinies, mankind are warranted in de-
 
 140 
 
 manding greater elevation of mental power, a higher 
 Sense of moral obligation. If Princes are to yield to 
 every fickle passion, adopt the new fangled suggestions 
 of every officious minion, build palaces to indulge the 
 whims of the morning, and destroy them for an even- 
 ing frolic; if they voluntarily enter the web which 
 Any ambitious female weaves, to ensnare their affec- 
 tions empty the caskets of every lapidary to decorate 
 insidious harlots consume the riches of the indus- 
 trious, only to augment the banquets of sensual gratifi- 
 cation -if, when they walk abroad, we must seclude 
 our wives and daughters, and withdraw from society, 
 influenced by their presence if they listen only to 
 obsequious knaves, and bestow their hospitalities, on 
 none, but the vermin, who supinely vegetate in the 
 sun-beams of Royalty; then, in vain are a nation's 
 anxieties, for the honour of its throne ; plundered are 
 her treasuries^ wasted the labours of her wise precep- 
 tors; obscured the glories of her regal line; blemished 
 the chronicle of her noblest deeds ; and useless the 
 examples of those proud days, which memory retains, 
 to instigate succeeding generations to the pursuit of 
 whatever is great, heroic, and virtuous. 
 
 Mr. PITT saw with infinite regret, the havodky 
 which luxury and dissipation, were making on a noble 
 mind; he saw with indignation, the herd of selfish flat- 
 terers, who were fattening on a nation's bounty, and 
 corrupting its future Monarch ; and, therefore, wisely 
 resolved, to enforce such a system of economy in his 
 Royal Highness's Household as should progressively 
 liquidate his debts, and operate as a lenient lesson to 
 evince the value, and necessity, of provident disburse-
 
 1411 
 
 ment, without occasioning needless mortification, or 
 divesting his palace of consistent splendour. 
 
 To effect this, Commissioners were appointed to in- 
 vestigate the nature of the enormous claims, made 
 upon the PRINCE'S finances; and a certain proportion 
 of the provision to be made upon his marriage, with 
 the revenues arising from the Duchy of Cornwall, were 
 set apart for the advantage of his creditors. 
 
 That an outcry should be raised at the idea of plac- 
 ing the Heir of the Kingdom, on a parallel with a 
 Bankrupt, is not a matter of astonishment ; but it is 
 gratifying to a nation to reflect that she possessed a 
 Minister, who dared be just, and compel a Prince, to 
 feel the impolicy of those indiscretions, for which his 
 subjects suffer. 
 
 PLUTARCH,
 
 142 
 
 The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER XXX. 
 
 When lawless mobs insult the Court, 
 That man shall be my toast, 
 
 If breaking windows be the sport, 
 Who bravely br aks the most. 
 
 Bt oh ! for him my fancy culls 
 The choicest flow'rs she bears, 
 
 Who Constitutionally pulls 
 Your house about your cars. 
 
 THE appointment of Earl IMTZWILLIAM, to the 
 Vice-Royalty, of the Sister Island, revived the hopes 
 of the Opposition, who still clamoured for Place, and 
 Power. 
 
 To be ignorant of the policy, which had ever in- 
 fluenced Mr. PITT, was totally impossible j it is, 
 therefore, inconceivable, that an individual, so elevated 
 in rank, so deservedly high in political estimation, so 
 respected as an accomplished Statesman, should col- 
 league with an Administration, whose system had ever 
 been decidedly hostile, to the levelling doctrines of the 
 day, but the instant he is seated in his official chair, 
 act diametrically inconsistent with their arrangements, 
 associate with persons known to be rancorously ini- 
 mical, to their Government, call to his familiar councils
 
 143 
 
 men, whose sentiments had been promulgated, with 
 as much effrontery, as they were pregnant with repub- 
 licanism disaffection and mischief to the common 
 weal whilst insult was offered to the Sovereign, by 
 the instantaneous, and indiscriminate dismissal, of the 
 old and faithful servants of the Crown, and by the pre- 
 cipitate agitation of a measure in which the Royal 
 conscience was seriously implicated, and upon every 
 recurrence of the subject, was known to be peculiarly 
 susceptible of affliction. Fortunately these early in- 
 stances of political depravity, unveiled that disposition 
 to reform, leading directly into the vortex of revolu- 
 tion, which Mr. PITT had so long struggled to sup- 
 press, and which he now strangled, 'ere the untimely 
 conception could mature itself into the anarchical 
 monster, which has impregnated with misery, adjacent 
 Empires. 
 
 The torrent of abuse which succeeded the sudden 
 eclipse of the newly risen star of factious adoration, 
 would have been permitted to pass unheeded by Mr. 
 PITT, had it not been rendered a vehicle of the most 
 indecent anti-monarchical invective, and of a direct 
 attempt to deprive Majesty of its most estimable prero- 
 gative by dictating rules and regulations, for filling 
 the Executive offices of Government, and insisting 
 upon specific reasons being assigned, in every instance, 
 where the Royal confidence was withdrawn. The 
 object of these encroachments, was evidently to render 
 the Crown, in point of fact, that useless bauble which 
 they had frequently represented to the multitude, their 
 labour, and their earnings, were appropriated to de- 
 corate, as an extravagant symbol of despotism to make 
 slavery fascinating ; as an apology to pamper an osten-
 
 144 
 
 tatious crowd of luxurious courtiers, and a cavalcade 
 of sinecure retainers. 
 
 Such perversions, becoming only the demagogues of 
 Paris, Mr. PITT refuted, with his usual felicity of argu- 
 ment, and instructed his adversaries, that the more he 
 was assaulted, the more determined he grew; the 
 greater the danger, the more conspicuous his intre- 
 pidity; and the more his Sovereign was defamed, the 
 more zealous became his attachment. 
 From such triumphs at home, Mr. PITT viewed with 
 satisfaction, the British Flag, victorious on every sea, 
 where her enemies dared to meet it; but with less 
 cause of congratulation, he turned his eyes towards the 
 Continent, and beheld Holland already prostrate at the 
 feet of a Conqueror ; Prussia and Spain basely with- 
 drawn from the noble cause they had vowed to sup- 
 port; the last spark of loyal enthusiasm, extinguished 
 with the blood of SOMBREUIL, in the fields of La 
 Vendee, and Austria, in consequence, hard pressed by 
 the concentrated energies of her vindictive enemy. 
 
 Still despair never obtained admittance to his breast! 
 The Patriot sighed to find a cause so glorious, aban- 
 doned with so much indifference, and anticipated with 
 prophetic sorrow, the lamentable effects, which the 
 recent derelictions, delineated in the prospects of, 
 futurity; but although he perceived a possibility of 
 the accumulated thunder of the conquered, and the 
 conquerors, being one day charged against his country, 
 when deserted by every friend and ally, he deemed 
 that evil the least which presented its enemies in the 
 ranks of avoided war, rather than amidst the insidious 
 subterfuges of insincere amity ; and therefore continued 
 to animate the nation in the godlike struggle, and to
 
 145 
 
 teach the yielding world a lesson of that magnanimity, 
 which freemen only could appreciate, and which, at 
 this period, Britons only practised. 
 
 The release of the Princess ELIZABETH, the only 
 Surviving branch of the unfortunate CAPETS, in the 
 power of their infuriated assassins, had indeed induced 
 him at this juncture of affairs, to augur auspiciously 
 for humanity; but the alternate predominance of the 
 various factions, and the rapid transitions from one 
 Jacobinical System to another, cherished that dreadful 
 spirit of retribution, which neither tlie innocent or 
 inoffensive, the infant or the superannuated, could 
 assuage and this insatiate thirst for blood, appeared 
 to derive a renovated impluse from a being, who, 
 though now clad in ermine encircled with the diadems 
 of conquered Princes-*-and inflated by the vassalage of 
 degenerated nations, must in every future age be con- 
 sidered the perfect prototype of that tremendous ven- 
 geance, by which the wrath of Heaven is occasionally 
 visited on mankind. 
 
 The political inauguration, of this extraordinary 
 man, opened a new aera in the life of Mr. PITT, and 
 the history of the world an aera, alas! characterized 
 by an aggravation of the sacrilege, and slaughter, his 
 predecessors had begun, and by subverting, with re- 
 morseless cruelty, every institute that could mitigate 
 the miseries which human interests unfortunately 
 create. 
 
 PLUTARCH, 
 
 L
 
 146 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER XXXI. 
 
 What would you havcj you curs, 
 
 That like nor peace, nor war? the one affrights you, 
 
 The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you, 
 
 When he should find you lions, finds you hares j 
 
 Where foxes, geese : You are no snrer, no, 
 
 Than is the coal of fire upon the ice, 
 
 Or hailstone in the Sun. Your virtue is, 
 
 To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him, 
 
 And curse that justice did it. Who deserves greatness, 
 
 Deserves your hate ; and your affections are 
 
 A sick man's appetite, who desires most that 
 
 Which would increase his evil. He that depends 
 
 Upon your favors, swims with fins of lead, - 
 
 And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye! 
 
 With every minute you do change a mind ; 
 
 And call him noble that was now your hate, 
 
 Him vile, that was your garland. 
 
 SHAKSPEARK. 
 
 l-l " 
 
 IF the public character of this great man, had an 
 imperfection, it was the proud contempt he entertained 
 for the " people," and a reprehensible indifference, 
 for the virulent emanations, which daily issued from the 
 press, or the mouths of violent political declaimers, 
 who constituted it their trade, and the source of their 
 existence, to traduce every administration, and libel 
 the principles, of every man in office.
 
 147 
 
 The first, -he viewed, as those wretched outcasts 
 from their fellow-creatures, who, in every State, cor- 
 rupt the peaceahly disposed, and spoil on the property 
 of honest citizens; who, without intellect, without 
 franchise, without any rule of moral conduct, assemble 
 with similar alacrity, and, in anticipation of the same 
 reward, to pilfer at a conflagration, shout, and bully, 
 at an election, demolish a prison, fire a palace, and 
 greet with io-paeans, any factious miscreant, who will 
 lead them to insult the Magistracy, and overthrow the 
 barriers of society ; but whose exertions he considered 
 impotent, whilst a single military battalion, or an effi- 
 cient police, could be found to make a proper applica- 
 tion of their authority. 
 
 As to the press, conscious of individual integrity, and 
 disinterested patriotism, he defied its licentiousness, 
 and slander ; and deemed it an utter impossibility, that 
 the sensible part of a nation, could be duped by the 
 mercenary pamphleteers, and theorists, who intrude 
 their literary imposition, upon the community, with 
 no other motive, than to inculcate disaffection, destroy 
 social happiness, and indulge that wretched ambition, 
 which seeks to gratify its envious propensities, amidst 
 the havoc of rebellion. 
 
 This contumely, however just in point of reasoning, 
 was by no means either prudent, or politic, at a crisis 
 of mental intoxication; and was certainly, the means 
 of imparting fresh confidence, to the Jacobinical hydra, 
 which reared once more its multiplied head, charged 
 with augmented pestilence, not only in the Metropolis, 
 but wherever its emissaries could collect a few victims 
 of disappointment, and indolence, to listen to their 
 alluring falsehoods. 
 
 L2
 
 148 
 
 War! bellowed forth the votaries of regeneration,'^ 
 only a pretext to enrich the titled tyrants of the land, 
 to monopolize the patronage of the kingdom, and, 
 under a nominal Monarchy, introduce an aristocratic 
 despotism, whose existence, depends \ipon directing 
 the strength of the nation, to projects of foreign ag- 
 grandizement, and reducing the " people" to poverty, 
 ignorance, aad African subjection. 
 
 To destroy this imaginary monster, they unequivo- 
 cally alluded to the annihilation of that dignity, which 
 sanctioned the system they were reprobating; and so 
 imposed upon the popular credulity, as to excite the 
 multitude to that sanguinary attempt, which, at the 
 opening of Parliament in October, 1795, filled the city 
 with consternation, and every loyal subject with indig- 
 nant horror. 
 
 It was now, that Mr. PITT became 'convinced, his sen- 
 timents were too elevated for the generality of men; and 
 that to .preserve the constancy of human preposses- 
 sions, some animating object of attraction was indispen- 
 sable for, the nature of mortality inclining to active 
 wrong, rather than to supine and monotous virtue, 
 flattery is only necessary to call into being the seeds 
 of ambition, which, though sometimes dormant, are, 
 in a greater or less degree, inherent in the breast of 
 each of us, and require only the aid of our own vanity, 
 to give them quick maturity. He scarcely, therefore, 
 permitted his eyes to close, until he had placed a 
 bulwark round the throne, which should protect its 
 loved, and venerable, incumbent, from a repetition of 
 the indignities, his sacred character had recently ex- 
 perienced indignities which proved how perfectly the 
 actors in that diabolical plot, had become affiliated with
 
 149 
 
 the communities of Versailles, and the Thuilleries, and 
 how well they merited the fraternal embraces, pro- 
 mised for their august labours, in the glorious cause of 
 insurrection. Doubtless an apotheosis, and the divine 
 honours of the Pantheon, awaited the hero, who should 
 have given to the Drama of Assassination, another 
 scene for Regicides, wherewith to glut the thirsty 
 passion of democratic vengeance. 
 
 In urging the Bills through the House, which were 
 to accomplish the future protection of the Sovereign, 
 the patience, and feelings, of his faithful servant, were 
 exposed to a trial yet more severe, than any which 
 had occurred during his eventful administration. That 
 the proposed statutes should be contemned, the mo- 
 tives which suggested them perverted, their objects 
 questioned, and their authors loaded with invective, 
 were circumstances perfectly in course, and decidedly 
 anticipated. But, that such men as Messrs. Fox, SHE- 
 RIDAN, and GREY, should reproach Mr. PITT, as the 
 foul designer of the assault upon the Royal Person, 
 for the purpose of promoting a series of unconstitu- 
 tional laws, and fabricating chains for his countrymen, 
 are sentiments so palpably the offspring of faction, and 
 personal antipathy, as must leave a blemish in the 
 annals of British Statesmen, which the world would 
 have been slow to credit, except derived from such 
 authority; and surely the individuals themselves, if 
 any latent emotions of justice, remained within their 
 bosoms, must frequently have cursed the prostituted 
 lips, that dared to stigmatise a rival so noble, by impli- 
 cations so unbecoming their characters as senators, 
 their reputations as men, and their natures as Eng- 
 lishmen.
 
 150 
 
 But, still undaunted, as the thunders of this ma- 
 levolent eloquence died amidst expressions of dis- 
 approbation, which spontaneously burst forth on every 
 side, Mr. PITT arose, and in the calm, majestic, language 
 of innocence, drew an animated picture of his own 
 purity, whilst from the harsh insinuations, gloomy 
 presages, and inveterate hatred of his defamers, he 
 exposed the convulsive writhings of their distempered 
 souls ; and retired, after the consummation of his loyal 
 exertions, more revered, and more triumphant. 
 
 PLUTARCH
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER XXXII. 
 
 To feign a red-liol zeal for freedom's cause ; 
 To mouth aloud for liberty and laws ; 
 For public good to bellow all abroad, 
 Serves well the purposes of private fraud. 
 What e'er we talk of wisdom to the wise, 
 Of goodness to the good of public ties, 
 Which to our country link ; of private bands, 
 Which claim most dear attention at our hands, 
 For parent and for child, for wife and friend, 
 Our first great mover, and our last great end, 
 Is one, and by whatever name we call 
 The ruling tyrant, self is all in all. 
 This, tin) 1 unwilling, faction must admit. 
 
 Cnun.cn i LI,. 
 
 THE numerous specimens of incongruity, whose 
 ephemeral existence, had invariably terminated in 
 blood, and long retained unhappy France in Chaotic 
 commotion, having at length subsided into some re- 
 semblance of political consistency, and excited hopes 
 of a disposition more amiable, and humane, than had 
 hitherto been conspicuous in her general policy, Mr. 
 PITT no longer made a mystery of his inclination to 
 pacific overtures, candidly acknowledged such to be 
 his wishes, in the Speech from the Throne, and in- 
 structed the British Minister in Switzerland, to ascer- 
 tain the sentiments of the French Government, upon a 
 subject of such universal interest.
 
 162 
 
 This channel, however, which he had selected from 
 the most prudent motives, was deemed by the Opposi- 
 tion, an artful circumlocution, a mere political intrigue, 
 forgotten in all probability 'ere the wax was cold, which 
 enclosed the insincere credentials. They, therefore, 
 with that officious zeal, which is unmindful of conse- 
 quences, and indifferent to the public welfare, urged a 
 motion in the House of Commons, which had for its 
 object, a condescension no better, than rendering the 
 SOVEREIGN a suppliant at the footstool of the French 
 Directory. The success of such a proposition, could 
 not for an instant be dubious. Of this, its authors 
 were perfectly sensible success, they were aware, was 
 as hopeless, as it was foreign, to their purpose; but the 
 agitation of the question, served to convey to the enemy, 
 through the mouths of the friends, and advocates, of 
 the People, an impression, that the multitude were cla- 
 mourous for peace, and that an acquiescence in the 
 most rigid, and dishonourable, terms, might be antici- 
 pated, if the Republican Plenipotentiaries, exerted due 
 skill in the negociation. The rhetoric which was ex- 
 hibited upon this occasion, carried its influence where, 
 no doubt, it was intended to operate ; for it was soon 
 made evident, that no peace would be confirmed by 
 France, which did not enrich herself, and impoverish 
 her enemies- that did not, augment her own territory, 
 and abridge her neighbours which did not cherish the 
 yet unsatisfied spirit of illuminism, and promote its 
 implacable enmity, to every people, who would not 
 bow the kiiee, to the regenerating powers, of the dag- 
 ger, and the guillotine. 
 
 Notwithstanding, however, this glaring injustice of 
 the French Rulers notwithstanding the incompatabi- 
 lity of their avowed principles, with the permanent
 
 153 
 
 tranquillity of Europe, and the destruction of National 
 Independence, which must inevitably result from an 
 admission of their newly assumed rights, to fabricate 
 charters, for other people, and renovate ancient consti- 
 tutions, by the standard of their own untried, and 
 vacillating, system ; the Parliamentary labours of the 
 British Patriots, appeared solely dedicated, to exalt the 
 reputation of the common disturbers of the world, and 
 to draw a degrading parallel, between the Legislators 
 of their native country, and the beings who had aban- 
 doned every principle which was amiable in men 
 either as Christians or moralists protectors, or pro- 
 mulgators, of the ordinances which govern society, and 
 preserve, under wholesome restraint, the natural exu- 
 berance of vice. 
 
 If such conduct be inseparable from party, then are 
 all such associations the curse of kingdoms if it be 
 Whiggism, then is IT the bane of loyalty, and social 
 order; but the genuine essence of the latter designa- 
 tion, is now lost or perverted, and we only recognize, 
 by such an epithet, the indiscriminate opposers of the 
 Executive Government. It is no longer the Constitu- 
 tional Privileges of the People, which it asserts, and 
 laudably endeavours to maintain, pure and undimi- 
 nished ; but more powerful competitors, it is sedulous 
 of supplanting in the confidence of the Monarch ; and 
 the lucrative offices of the State, it pines to see en- 
 grossed by its own disciples. What is it then, but the 
 Political Wilderness , leading to that Land of Promise 
 that goal of a Statesman's ambition the sunshine of Ma- 
 jesty a climate, alas ! which instantaneously impreg- 
 nates the mind, with new conceptions, throws every 
 object under a different light, carries conviction to the 
 Ministerial novice, of the solecisms in popular princi-
 
 154 
 
 pies, and displays, in the genial rays of royal munifi- 
 cence, less corruption than a more, distant prospect 
 represents whilst the inflexibility of Toryism, is con- 
 templated, as the indispensable prerogative of the 
 Crown, and the philanthropy of Whiggism, as incorri- 
 gible innovation. 
 
 The country, however, were not to be duped 
 by the rhapsodies of a cabal. Their existence as an 
 independent nation, had been preserved through all 
 the storms of revolution, by the talents of Mr. 
 PITT, and on the faith of his judgment, they were 
 still perfectly disposed to rest their destiny. The 
 events of the campaign, had also been consolatory to 
 his feelings; for although the fields of Lodi, and Arcole, 
 had initiated the minion of BARRAS, in the sanguinary 
 career, which he has since, unhappily for Europe, so 
 victoriously pursued ; yet, the integrity of Germany, 
 had in a great measure, been regained by a hero, who, 
 but for the respect he paid to those laws, which ame- 
 liorate the harsh features of human hostilities, would 
 have proved a soldier, as invincible, as massacre, and 
 poison, breach of faith, and espionage, ever contri- 
 buted to accomplish. 
 
 For wise purposes, however, victory sometimes sits 
 upon the banners of oppression, and the most inhuman 
 of rational creatures occasionally acquire supreme as- 
 cendancy but the period of retribution is with equal 
 certainty ordained and when the instrument of divine 
 wrath, has duly chastised man's criminality, it is bro- 
 ken, and hurled, unpitied, from the emancipated 
 world. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 155 
 
 
 
 The Pilot that Weather* d the Storm" 
 
 LETTER XXXIII. 
 
 If I am traduc'd by tongues, which neither know 
 My faculties, nor person, yet will be 
 The chronicles of ray doing, let me say, 
 'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake 
 That virtue mujt go through. 
 
 , jf we shall stand still, 
 
 In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at, 
 We should take root here where we sit, or sit 
 State statues only. 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 THE British Constitution, the most limited form of 
 Monarchy perhaps on earth, has been considered by 
 many enlightened writers, inimical to great military 
 exertions, and the rapid revolutions of war ; in conse- 
 quence of the Legislature possessing such astonishing 
 power over the finances, that a liberal application of 
 them in a moment favourable to enterprize, is attended 
 with greater responsibility, than every individual has 
 intrepidity enough to contend with. The man, how- 
 ever, who hesitates to hazard personal safety, when a 
 great political advantage is lo be accomplished, and 
 can see without some magnanimous emotion, the glory 
 of his country fading an ally overthrown, or its 
 enemies exulting, while he, with cowardly supineness,
 
 156 
 
 refuses to advance, beyond the technical letter of the 
 Constitution, may merit the cold appellation of an 
 honest conscientious man, but is lamentably carica- 
 tured in the habiliments of a Statesman. 
 
 Mr. PITT well knew, and sincerely respected, the 
 restrictive laws, which were to govern his conduct, but 
 he was not ignorant that the spirit of those statutes, 
 gave a discretionary power, where an obvious emer- 
 gency existed ; although sanctioning no hopes of im- 
 punity, in the event of failure, and holding the abro- 
 gator of them, criminally answerable to his country, for 
 the calamities, which his erroneous judgment, or rash 
 impetuosity, might occasion. 
 
 Mr. PITT'S ambition, it is true, was great, but un- 
 sullied by any interested imperfections ; he sought not 
 for gorgeous honours, or largesses, to satiate luxurious 
 appetites, but the grateful distinction of his Sovereign's 
 partiality, and the unbought greetings of his country- 
 men; for these objects he existed for these objects 
 he was ever willing to sacrifice existence. The Amor 
 Patria was his guiding star, and the sentiments of the 
 Poet, are clearly perceptible, in every action of his 
 ministerial life : 
 
 ' On this foundation will I build my fame, 
 
 And emulate the Greek and Roman name ; 
 
 Think England's peace bought cheaply with my blood, 
 
 And die with transport, for my country's good. 
 
 To a bold infraction of his specific duty, was to be 
 attributed the rescue of the German Empire in the 
 campaign of 179(>, as well as the auspicious prospects, 
 by which the political horizon was irradiated, at the 
 conclusion of that memorable struggle ; and the Ad- 
 dress at the opening of the new Parliament, having
 
 15T 
 
 been carried without any allusion to this instance of 
 laudable temerity, it was conceived the Opposition in- 
 tended to imply a tacit acquiescence, in a measure, to 
 which such important results had been attached. 
 
 Whether, however, they repented of this solitary 
 act of forbearance ; or, in the fury of that periodical 
 malevolence, which recurs at the commencement of 
 every Sessions, they had overlooked so essential^ a 
 point for animadversion, and controversy, remains 
 amongst the unknown records of their extraordinary 
 proceedings, for the Premier was permitted a very 
 short time for exultation, 'ere he found himself as- 
 saulted with the epithet of traitor, and the threats of 
 impeachment 
 
 To give true stage effect to their reviving drama, 
 the envious conspirators accounted for their recent 
 silence, by the astonishment in which their faculties 
 were involved by the daring inroad the Minister had 
 committed upon the great charter of the land the 
 heinous contempt he had shown towards the Represen- 
 tatives of the People the graceless profusion with 
 which he had lavished their wealth, to ensanguine 
 Europe with the blood of a Nation toiling in the cause 
 of Freedom, and by the despotic attribute he wae 
 thus attempting to attach to the Monarchy. If, ob- 
 served one individual, the Nation submit to this in* 
 fringement of its privileges, then will it soon be under 
 the absolute dominion of the Regalia. If, remarked 
 a second, the people can tamely witness the palla- 
 dium of their Constitution, thus torn piece-meal, and 
 dilapidated, then do they merit to be bound in chains 
 to its ruins, and bend unpitied, before the tyranny, 
 which shall mock their sufferings. If, rejoined a
 
 158 
 
 third, they can mildly contemplate this climax of op" 
 pression, then do they indeed deserve the fate of bond- 
 men, and to feel the iron sceptre which their fathers 
 broke; but, continued the same rhapsodist, the spi- 
 rit of Englishmen cannot be already so depressed, and 
 I think I now behold them seize the avenging sword, 
 and swear upon the altars of Omnipotence, rather to 
 leave their bones to bleach upon their native cliff's, 
 those bulwarks placed by Providence, as the safeguard 
 of the Land destined for the eternal asylum of Free- 
 dom, than crouch before the usurper of their inhe- 
 ritance. To resist such encroachments, in despite of 
 all consequences, is a duty, posterity is entitled to de- 
 mand of them ; the aggressor has legalized a forcible 
 assertion of their birthright, and let the bolt fall where 
 the mischief has been engendered. 
 
 This effort, combining the denunciation of the Pre- 
 mier, and an absolute excitement to revolt, being 
 deliberate, was urged with the matured arguments of 
 every member of the Patriotic Phalanx ; yet seldom 
 had their attempts been more completely abortive, but, 
 on the reverse, appeared to have answered no other 
 purpose, than to have opened a channel for their great 
 antagonist to ingratiate himself, more and more, in the 
 good opinion of his fellow-subjects to display, in a 
 more sublime point of view, his devotedness to their 
 welfare and renown to evince his profound know- 
 ledge, constitutional, parliamentary, and historical 
 his expansive and irresistible eloquence. 
 
 He convinced them, that the mouldy archives of 
 ancestry, in days when every principle of legislation 
 had been perverted, were but inefficient theories, 
 leading directly to the vortex of destruction con-
 
 159 
 
 ductors which the enemy knew where to follow, how- 
 to meet, and how to render subservient to their own 
 designs. Unusual circumstances, continued Mr. PITT, 
 demand, as well as justify, extraordinary measures. 
 We must sometimes lacerate, to save ; trespass at the 
 present moment, to establish security, for the future; 
 and after an oration, which spread rapture through 
 every admiring auditor, he completed the confusion 
 of his enemies, by this keen rebuke : 
 
 While I claim a fair construction of the princi- 
 ples, and intentions, which have actuated my con- 
 duct, if it shall appear, that in the smallest instance. 
 I have deviated from any constitutional principle, I 
 must submit to the consequence, whatever be the cen- 
 sure or the punishment. But while I bow with the 
 most perfect submission, to the determination of the 
 House, I cannot but remark on the extraordinary lan- 
 guage, which has been used on the question Minis- 
 ters have been accused of a wanton, and malignant 
 desire, to violate the Constitution. It has been stated, 
 that no other motive could possibly have influenced 
 their conduct. If a charge of such malignant inten- 
 tion, had been brought against men, who had gloried 
 in the victories, of the foes of civil liberty, the hos- 
 tile disturbers of the peace of Europe, men who 
 blasphemously denied the existence of a Deity, and 
 who have rejected, and trampled on every law, moral 
 or divine ; those who were anxious to expose, and 
 to aggravate, every defect of the Constitution ; to re- 
 probate every measure adopted for its preservation ; I 
 say, if such a charge of deliberate, and deep-rooted 
 malignity, were brought against persons of this des- 
 cription, I should conceive that even then the rules of
 
 160 
 
 candid, and charitable interpretation, would induce us 
 to hesitate, in admitting its justice, much more when 
 it is brought against individuals, whose conduct, I 
 trust, has exhibited the reverse of the picture which 
 I have now drawn. I appeal to the justice of the 
 House, I rely on their candour ; but, to Gentlemen, 
 who can suppose Ministers, capable, of those motives, 
 which have been imputed to them on this occasion, it 
 must be evident that I can desire to make no such 
 appeal. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 161 
 
 The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER XXXIV. 
 
 ; things now, 
 
 That hear a mighty and a serious brow, 
 Sad, high, and working, full of state and woe, 
 Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow, 
 We now present. 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 How erroneous are the anticipations of man ; how 
 deceitful the promises of futurity ; and how absolutely 
 precarious every event, save such as the Immortal or- 
 dains! The past year had closed with better hopes, 
 than had for a long period cheered the nation. Victory 
 had at least dispensed her favors with impartiality, and 
 the pretensions of the respective Powers, engaged in 
 hostility, were so poised, that a system of mutual con- 
 cession, upon the principle of just equivalent, was only 
 necessary to recall peace, and restore Europe, to her 
 anti-revolutionary situation. But to invoke the spirit 
 of national discord, appeared an inseparable concomi- 
 tant of the Gallic phrenzy it was not enough to have 
 deluged her own provinces, by homicide, and military 
 coercion ; the seats of the once potent Caesars, though 
 now but the tottering throne of an enfeebled Pontiff, 
 had become an object of her covetuousness ; nor did 
 her ambition seem to acknowledge any limits, until, in 
 
 M
 
 162 * 
 
 the hypodfomeof CONSTANTINE, she had repeated the 
 impieties of the Champ de Mars until, from the Alps, 
 and the Caucasus, she had beheld the effects of her 
 oppression ; and from the Tiber, the Danube, the 
 Volga, and the Nile, received the tribute of unnum- 
 bered vassals. 
 
 With a competitor, then, who had imbibed the mar- 
 tial lust of ALEXANDER, combined with the extermi- 
 nating sword of ATTILLA, and the mercenary passions 
 of a SATRAP, it was idle to deliberate; and what 
 pledge, could be expected permanently, to bind a 
 people, who considered moral profligacy, the best boon 
 of nature, and acknowledged no retribution beyond the 
 grave ? With such a foe, negociation, could be fruit- 
 ful only of chicanery, arrogance, and suspense : con- 
 ciliation, remain for ever hopeless. Mr. PITT, there- 
 fore, after every expedient which could awaken the 
 Rulers of France, to a due sense of temperance, and 
 justice, had at length terminated, as was consistent 
 with the honor of his country, a discussion which had 
 never displayed one pleasing feature. 
 
 Notwithstanding, however, the disposition of the 
 enemy, towards an amicable arrangement was so pal- 
 pably insincere, the failure of the negociation, occa- 
 sioned a heavy despondency in the public mind ; and 
 a presentiment of the untoward events which unhap- 
 pily characterized this year, seemed to operate univer- 
 sally. 
 
 A procrastinated war, was now, to all appearances, 
 inevitable, and a presage of the heavy burdens, neces- 
 sarily attendant upon it, depressed the public confi- 
 dence to such a degree, that the demands upon the 
 Bank for specie, threatened the most alarming conse-
 
 163 
 
 quences. Fortunately, however, the helm of Govern- 
 ment, was in the hands of a Pilot, who was calm 
 amidst the whirlwind' undaunted in the storm and 
 who imparted energy to all around him. The hesita- 
 tion of a moment, would have brought on calamities 
 irrecoverable for ages ; and o'er the venerable fabric of 
 our Liberties and Glory, malice was already prepared 
 to inscribe " Delenda est Carthago." But danger 
 causes no perturbation in the mind of self-possession : 
 the genius of WILLIAM PITT was yet unsubdued, his 
 fortitude yet unshaken, and by its wonted promptitude, 
 an omen so auspicious to the cause of revolution, re- 
 coiled upon its votaries, charged with redoubled morti- 
 fication, and disappointment, as being averted by the 
 object of their deadliest antipathy. 
 
 Far be it from me, to indulge in indiscriminate ac- 
 cusations, or to implicate every opponent of the Exe- 
 cutive Government, with the seditious ; but if the peo- 
 ple be everlastingly told from the Senate, that they 
 are governed by cruelty and oppression; that every 
 motive of Administration, is founded upon pretext and 
 subterfuge ; that every man in power, is the unfeeling 
 enemy of the lower orders of society pampering on a 
 pension or providing sinecures for his family ; that 
 the unavoidable expedients of finance, originate in 
 avarice, and the wholesome institutes of Government, 
 are but yokes of bondage, disowned by nature, and igno- 
 minious to mankind ; our surprise should cease at tne 
 prevalence of discontent, and our anathemas be direct- 
 ed against the authors, of such wilful perversion, rather 
 than t',e deluded victims, of their pernicious doctrines. 
 
 The mind disdains to admit a thought so injurious, 
 to the honor and humanity, of any Member of a British
 
 164 
 
 Parliament, as to accuse him of a serious desire to 
 excite civil commotion ; but unquestionably, the viru- 
 lent declamations, which, from the first dawn of the 
 French Revolution, had apologized for all the crimes 
 and excesses, of that melancholy catastrophe, cherished 
 a spirit of criminal emulation, which, under a less vi- 
 gorous Government, might have led to a consummation 
 equally awful. Many advocates of the Parisian popu- 
 lace, were, no doubt, good men, and actuated by the 
 purest principles; but when the multitude once become 
 the arbiters, of their own cause, they no longer listen, 
 but dictate ; no longer judge, but execute : they pause 
 not to discriminate. Virtue possesses no charm against 
 their despoiling hands benevolence excites no com- 
 miseration in their hardened breasts, but conflagration 
 to the palace and the mansion, daggers to the rich and 
 the powerful, are impulses they cannot controul. 
 
 These reflections, lead me to that hour, when the Sun 
 of British Glory, appeared to have shed its last beams, 
 and was about to be obscured from a quarter whence it 
 erst had borrowed its most resplendent lustre ; but the 
 recital is abhorrent to my nature, and whatever may 
 be the duty of the historian, mine shall not be the vo- 
 luntary task, to record a blemish in the naval escutcheon 
 of my country, which the waters of the Nile, and of 
 Trafalgar, ought to obliterate for ever ; neither retain- 
 ing the remembrance of it, as a theme for obloquy 
 against its miserable fomenters, or for extolling the 
 wisdom, and the intrepidity, which crushed it, armed, 
 as it was, in its most appalling attitude. 
 
 To these domestic misfortunes, were to be added, the 
 treachery and cowardice, which rendered the efforts of
 
 ,165 
 
 Austria but unavailing sacrifices, and compelled her, at 
 length, to sign at once her own degradation, to sanction 
 the indefensible spoliations of unoffending States, to 
 participate in the iniquitous machinations of the French 
 Directory, and to accept compensation from the plunder 
 of the innocent 
 
 Thus forsaken by every auxiliary,- Mr. PITT again 
 felt it his duty, to endeavour to assuage the malevolence 
 of the enemy, by renewing overtures Lfor peace; and 
 as we had now no ally for whose interest to barter our 
 conquests, as we had gained much, and not lost a 
 single inch of territory, and the Minister being more- 
 over, liberally disposed, to wave the Colonial aggran- 
 dizement we had acquired, for such objects of com- 
 mercial security, as the extension of the enemy's Con- 
 tinental influence rendered indispensable, sanguine 
 hopes were entertained of a more favourable issue to 
 the conferences which ensued; but the same inordinate 
 pride, and presumption, still predominated in the French 
 Councils the same insults were repeated to the Bri- 
 tish Plenipotentiary and the visions of tranquillity 
 again passed away. But upon this occasion they were 
 succeeded rather by a burst of indignation, than the 
 murmurs of despondency ; for the victories off St. 
 Vincent, and Camperdown, had proved the unimpair- 
 ed attachment, and the invincibility, of our seamen, 
 and that the integrity of our happy island, was still 
 sacred and irreproachable. 
 
 PLUTARCH. 
 
 M3
 
 166 
 
 : 
 I 
 
 The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm:' 
 
 LETTER XXXV. 
 
 -, whene'er our country calls, 
 
 Friends, Son's, and Sires, should yield their treasures up, 
 Nor own a snise beyond the public safety. 
 
 BROOKE. 
 
 AFTER a period of so much disaster, and with future 
 prospects so little consolatory, a repetition of the re- 
 vilings, and abuse, Mr. PITT had endured for so many 
 years, was, upon the present occasion, suspended, in 
 consequence of the extraordinary secession, of the 
 Opposition from their senatorial duties a method of 
 resentment strangely inconsistent, and unjustifiable. 
 When an individual feels himself disposed to relinquish 
 a trust reposed in him, from a conviction that his 
 powers are inadequate to the responsibility, or from 
 any motive of conscience, his immediate conduct, as an 
 honest and an honourable man, should be, to resign his 
 post, to some other person, more confident, or zealous ; 
 and not by relaxation, to weaken the cause, he has been 
 appointed to advocate, and protect. It is a precedent, 
 fatal to the liberties of the people, and destructive to
 
 167 
 
 the Constitution, that so soon as it is found impractica- 
 ble, to dislodge an administration from the heights of 
 office, the duties of a representative, should be pre- 
 sumed accomplished, and an unimpeded career left to 
 the Ministry it is surely laying the foundation of the 
 very despotism it is professed to contend against, and 
 retreating before an enemy, whose means of assault we 
 have augmented. 
 
 Mr. PITT, however, never required to be goaded on 
 to an explicit communication of circumstances, that 
 had influenced great public measures. Such a deve- 
 lopment, he considered politically judicious, and a 
 respect which the country was entitled to demand. 
 He therefore voluntarily entered upon a full explana- 
 tion of the rise, and progress, of the occurrences, which 
 had caused so much regret evincing the indefatigable 
 zeal the liberal sentiments and the candid demeanour 
 which had been assumed for the attainment of the 
 objects, that were to put an end to the prejudices of 
 Party, and the animosities of nations all which he 
 satisfactorily proved had been unavailing, and that the 
 condescensions which had been made, appeared but to 
 incense our enemies the more. If, therefore, said he, 
 we value property if we value liberty if we value 
 law if we value national power if we value any 
 thing that either has contributed, or can contribute to 
 our- happiness, or even to our safety, we should resist 
 with indignation the demands of our enemy ; it aftects 
 us all, from the highest to the lowest. There is not a 
 man, let his enjoyments be ever so great, or his poverty 
 ever so desperate, who ought not to sacrifice any portion 
 of his possessions, to oppose the violence of the enemy.
 
 168 
 
 We owe it as a debt to posterity, as well as to our- 
 selves, to preserve our character in the page of history. 
 We owe it in gratitude to Providence, whose good- 
 ness has placed us so high in the scale of nations, and 
 caused us to be the admiration of Europe ; with most 
 of the Governments of which, our own forms a happy 
 contrast!! 
 
 Mr. PITT, though sensible, and proud, of the 
 prowess of his countrymen, whenever opportunities 
 worthy of its exertion occurred, never permitted the 
 national vanity to outstrip the bounds of discretion. 
 Contempt of enemies had subdued many mighty Em- 
 pires, and the insidious character of regenerated French- 
 men required infinite precaution. Their maritime 
 frontier, from recent acquisitions, embraced a line of 
 coast, with little intermission, from the Texel to the 
 Adriatic, and together with a chain of Naval Arsenals, 
 their swollen Empire possessed localities for their 
 fleets, peculiarly calculated to annoy Great Britain, 
 whose preponderance hitherto upon the ocean, could 
 scarcely warrant confident hopes of success, against so 
 powerful a combination. 
 
 More certain, and expeditious, means of manning 
 the Navy, were therefore adopted; the Militia, and 
 Volunteer Corps, augmented the discipline of the 
 regular army, carried to the best state of perfection, 
 and a rigid system relative to aliens, and domestic 
 traitors, established. The nation thus assumed an 
 aspect truly martial, and, though favoured by the 
 elements or by fortune, hostile legions might pollute 
 our shores, the result of their temerity was never for a 
 moment conceived precarious.
 
 .* 
 
 A* 
 
 -These extraordinary efforts gave rise to several of 
 those important measures of finance, for which Mr. 
 PJTT was so celebrated. The most unexceptionable, 
 was the redemption of the land-tax, which was univer- 
 sally admitted pregnant with pecuniary advantage to 
 the State,- equitable to the landed proprietor, and 
 highly beneficial to the stock-holder. The most er- 
 ceptionable, and one indeed which created a violent sen- 
 sation even amongst the most ardent admirers, and 
 strenuous supporters of the Administration, was the 
 Income Tax : it was a species of inquisition unknown 
 to the British Constitution- a transgression against the 
 chartered rights of the subject, and, therefore, an 
 example truly alarming. But in how many instances 
 " hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this 
 world," and how incompatible is the idea of immuta- 
 bility in reference to sublunary institutions. Supersti- 
 tion, prejudice, and obstinate adherence to theories 
 adapted to obsolete dangers, have done more than " the 
 spear, the sword, and the battle." The vices, and re- 
 finements of society, nay, its very fopperies and toys, 
 have frequently serious influence upon its political 
 affairs. Moreover, a Constitution adapted to our own 
 propensities, may be fatal to our independence, when 
 literally opposed to that moral depravity, which, in 
 a period of warfare, is sanctioned as the admissible 
 science of Statesmen, and the privilege of diplomacy. 
 
 Mr. Fox's predilection for the ad captandum vulgus 
 would not suffer so plausible an opportunity for re- 
 suming his public functions, to pass ungratified. The 
 Income Tax, therefore, was the signal, by which the 
 re-invigorated champion rallied his disconsolate recluses,
 
 L 
 
 170 
 
 and every strain of rhetoric was exhausted, in repro- 
 bating the odious assessment. Ah! could the worship- 
 pers of this popular oracle, at that moment, have pene- 
 trated but a few short steps into the dark bosom of 
 futurity, and there have heard from his abandoned 
 tripod the awful recantation of their idol, their spell- 
 bound faculties would instantly have awakened to an 
 instructive precept for all political enthusiasts. 
 
 PUJTARCH.
 
 171 
 
 " The Pilot that Weathered the Storm." 
 
 LETTER XXXVI. 
 
 Tell, Oh ! tell me, whence arise 
 These disorders in our skies? 
 Rome's great genius mildly gaz'd, 
 And the Gods were all amaz'd. 
 
 Know, in sight of this day's Sun, 
 Such a deed is to be done, 
 Black enough to shroud the light 
 Of all this world in dismal night. 
 
 What is this deed ? 
 
 To kill a man, 
 
 The greatest since the world began. 
 Learned, eloquent, and wise, 
 Gen'rons, merciful, and brave ! 
 
 THE discussions, which took place, upon the Bill for 
 Manning the Navy, gave rise to an incident in the life of 
 Mr. PITT, which has been alluded to by his panegyrists, 
 as shedding fresh lustre, on his character ; reprobated 
 by his friends, as inconsistent, with the dignity of his 
 situation; and regretted by his enemies, as unfortunate, 
 in not accomplishing a catastrophe, to which it formed, 
 consistent with their ideas, a most flattering prelude. 
 It frequently happens, however, that the most repre- 
 hensible action, in the life of an individual, calls forth 
 those brilliant traits of constitutional energy, that chi-
 
 272 
 
 valrous contemplation of death, that dignity of heart, 
 and grandeur of soul, which mark an unshaken con- 
 fidence, in the principles, that have influenced worldly 
 transactions, and display in man, the strongest essence 
 of the Godhead. 
 
 In the animation of debate, Mr. PITT had replied 
 to the arguments of Mr. Ti ERNE Y, with an inadver- 
 tency to Parliamentary decorum, which the SPEAKER 
 unhappily did not correct in the decisive manner, 
 that must have averted the subsequent consequences. 
 Mr. PITT, had imputed to Mr. TIERNEY, " a desire 
 to obstruct the defence of the country;" and upon 
 explanation being demanded, it must be allowed, he 
 evinced the most cutting contempt, for the personage 
 reflected upon; and a degree of indifference to the 
 customs of the Senate, which would certainly have 
 merited severe censure, did we not recollect, how fre- 
 quently, that Assembly had suffered their brightest 
 ornament, to be addressed in language, which must 
 have exhausted patience in her own temple, and 
 awakened indignation, even in the breast of ZENO. 
 
 Was there greater aewmen, in the expressions of 
 Mr. PITT, than can be found in every oration, which 
 issued from the mouths of his antagonists? How often 
 had he been denominated the Destroyer, the Oppressor, 
 the Enemy of his Country; one, who delighted in the 
 conflicts of contending nations; in an incorrigible 
 spoliation of constitutional privileges ; who was a 
 prodigal of his Country's resources, and an annihilator 
 of its liberties 1! 
 
 But whilst he, with characteristic magnanimity, per- 
 mitted such epithets to pass as idle angry verbiage, he 
 was insultingly required to answer, at the peril of his
 
 173 
 
 life, the first unguarded expression which fell from his 
 lips, amidst a tempest of defamation, that had been 
 showered upon him. I say insultingly, for is it to be 
 endured, that the first Minister of this, or any other 
 country, from an inadvertency which, in all probability, 
 he has been designedly irritated to commit, is to be 
 summoned to a personal renconter? and that an indi- 
 vidual, with all the cares, and heavy responsibilities of 
 the State upon him, is to be placed upon a footing, 
 with the drunkard and the libertine, and hurried to his 
 grave, with no greater ceremony, than attends the in- 
 temperate coxcombs of the tavern, and the brothel ? 
 But even this alternative, he adopted, and without a. 
 moment's scruple, rather than retract sentiments, which 
 expressed a truth, he conceived proper should go forth 
 to the nation, and to the world, unenfeebled by 
 apology. 
 
 Mr. PITT, however, has been reproached for de- 
 scending from " his high estate" to sanction the vulgar 
 prejudice, of duelling; but, he was conscious that the 
 " virtues of the bones and nerves" make a greater 
 impression on the vulgar mind, than the sublime range 
 of intellectual talents. He was conscious, that a buf- 
 foon, was more in unison with vulgar conceptions of 
 superiority, than the solemnity of a philosopher; that 
 a ballad-singer, would collect a greater audience than 
 the lyre of HOMER; and that the rant of GALE JONES, 
 would command louder plaudits than the rhetoric of 
 DEMOSTHENES. Therefore, although vulgar adulation, 
 was nauseous to him, he perceived, upon this occasion, 
 the expediency of humouring it, accomplishing hie 
 purpose by the noble deportment he evinced in satis- 
 fying the point of honour; and had subsequently to
 
 r :\ 
 
 174 
 
 thank his adversary, for affording a subject of carica- 
 ture, so fraught with charms to allure the vulgar 
 curiosity, as totally to detach the. public mind, from 
 the important measures, which, in the interim, were 
 operating in the most efficient manner. 
 
 But if in this affair, a stigma is to be attached to the 
 acceptor, what denunciation shall we find sufficiently 
 opprobrious, for the challenger, for the presumptuous 
 being, who dared to call the first servant of the State, 
 from the helm of Government, to answer a private 
 aggravation ? Were we but for a moment to indulge 
 in conjecture, we might infer more than, we feel justified 
 in expressing probably more than Mr. Tierney would 
 conceive the Liberty of the Press would justify, not- 
 withstanding his devotion to its unlimited toleration. 
 But the thinking part of the community, when they 
 contemplate this proceeding, will surmise, and, abhor- 
 rence must ensue. 
 
 PLUTARCH. 
 
 , ;
 
 
 The Pilot that Weather" d the Storm. 1 
 
 LETTER XXXVII. 
 
 1 
 
 
 Hence learning struck a deeper root, 
 
 And Science brought forth riper fruit ; 
 
 Hence loyalty receiv'd support, 
 
 Even when banish' d from the Court ; 
 
 Hence Government join'd strength, and hence 
 
 Religion sought and found defence^ 
 
 Hence England's fairest fame arose, 
 
 And liberty subdu'd her foes. 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 ' JT 
 THE blessings, and advantages, of a free press, the 
 
 present state of British literature, most ably attests; 
 and we had rather, tolerate its excesses, than close a 
 single avenue to wisdom, from the irradiating influence 
 of liberal discussion. The more the human mind is 
 enlightened, the more it is rendered susceptible of vir- 
 tuous principles; with a lively sense of honour, and noble 
 emulation, joined to the cultivation of intellect, the most 
 amiable propensities of the heart,. are insensibly im- 
 bibed : the soul feels its divine essence, its desires are 
 no longer confined to passion, and appetite; but soar- 
 ing to investigate the sublime creations of Omnipotence, 
 it becomes convinced of its immortality, and prepares 
 to approach its ethereal destination, undismayed by th< 
 sting of death, or the victory of the grave.
 
 176 ^ 
 
 As attaching greater permanency to good, or evil re- 
 port, than oral tradition, the press is the best safeguard 
 of society, against the iniquity of mankind. Memory is 
 treacherous, and incapable of retaining the accumula- 
 tions of history; our most notorious transgressions, 
 therefore, in such custody, have some chance of passing 
 into oblivion; but the ramifications of the press, so 
 multiply the existence of human worthiness, or depra- 
 vity, that we live branded with ignominy, or enshrined 
 in honour, as examples to posterity. 
 
 Over this palladium of liberty, the tyrant may exert 
 a partial influence, and bid the strains of adulation, 
 echo around his Court; or, during his hateful existence, 
 venal authors may deceive the world, by themes of 
 eulogy; but with his funeral obsequies, the deception 
 vanishes, and truth, hastens to controvert the fawnings, 
 of mercenary sycophants. Despotism, therefore, con- 
 templates with awe, the indelible annals of its oppres- 
 sion, that will arise, when its power to deface r& longer 
 remains; and under the apprehended execration of 
 futurity, occasionally yields birth to the latent affec- 
 tions of humanity. 
 
 The purest parian marble, decorated by the sculptor's 
 nicest skill, and loaded with hyberbole, cannot obli- 
 terate from the roll of time, one arbitrary act of the 
 Statesman; neither can the plumed hero, if, in the 
 ardent pursuit of conquest, he have wantonly incarna- 
 dined his laurels, with the blood of innocence, escape 
 the imputation, by which the historian, will belie his 
 epitaph. The retentive pages of literature, appal the 
 domestic, as wdl as the political, tyrant, and he who 
 " covets his neighbour's house, or his wife, or his 
 inaid, or his ox, or his ass," and seeks to gratify
 
 177 
 
 avarice, and licentious inclinations, at the expense of 
 integrity, and good faith, hesitates at the threshold of 
 injustice, dreading the record, which shall establish his 
 name, " a reproach amongst his own people/' Thus, 
 by holding up to vice, the terrors of eternal ignominy, 
 and to virtue, the allurement of imperishable glory, we 
 discover the inestimable benefits, this desideratum, is 
 calculated to bestow upon society and learning. 
 
 But, alas! like every blessing, with which mankind 
 is endowed, it is capable of being perverted to the 
 most despicable purposes. What its licentiousness 
 effected in the hands of VOLTAIRE, his royal convert, 
 and their band of atheists, no pyramids need rise to 
 instruct the world ; the ruin of thrones, of altars, and 
 of justice the blood of kings, of pontiffs, and of ma- 
 gistrates, proclaim too evidently, their wicked infatu- 
 ation, and too successful conspiracy. Yet, has the 
 example failed, to inculcate the precepts of wisdom, 
 for still we find advocates for those destructive re- 
 formations, which no precedent exists in history for 
 accomplishing, without involving with the impurities 
 of the superstructure, foundations, which the pro- 
 gress of human knowledge, expansive as it hourly 
 becomes, cannot improve; and which, if disturbed, 
 the labour of ages cannot cement, in their primitive 
 correctness, and stability. 
 
 "We have already witnessed the sanguinary result of 
 doctrines, which denominated all religion bigotry ; all 
 faith superstition; all moral restraint vulgar preju- 
 dice. What a crisis in England may produce, is yet to 
 be developed ; but from the period of which I am now 
 treating (1798), when the Editors of certain diurnal 
 
 N
 
 178 
 
 Publications, and Mr. GILBERT WAKEFIELD, com- 
 menced that series of libellous composition, which has 
 since been rendered a prolific source of pecuniary emo- 
 lument; all the energies of the political vipers, who 
 infest our country, have been directed, to persuade their 
 dull fellow-subjects, that the only honest people in the 
 empire, are to be found performing virtuous penance, 
 under the ban of the law ; that the prisons of Lincoln, 
 and Dorchester, have more worthy martyrs, incarcerated 
 within them, than ever the walls of Canterbury, or St. 
 Edmunds, could boast of; that every inhabitant of 
 Newgate, is a victim entitled to share our sympathy; 
 and every officious demagogue destined to the Pacific 
 Ocean, a pilgrim claiming our commiseration. That 
 vile, and corruptible frame, also, which their philo- 
 sophic predecessors, doomed eternally to the worms, is 
 now found to possess such ineffable sanctity, that the 
 scourge, is an instrument, hideously obnoxious, where^ 
 with to eradicate its obstreperous propensities; andso 
 much divinity is now attached to the Sovereign, or rather 
 say the Monster the People, that to immolate Princes, 
 overthrow hereditary rights, and abrogate the law of 
 God and Man, is their indispensable privilege, whilst 
 for the winds of Heaven to visit a hair of their heads 
 too roughly, is sacrilege against the dignity of human 
 nature. 
 
 To rail, at Ministers and Cabinets Ennine and 
 Courtiers Placemen and Pensioners forms the rudi- 
 ments of that school of Statesmen, who legislate in 
 garrets, and perform military miracles, by the evolu- 
 tions of their angry quills. The State Coach, and' the 
 Diadem, already share in their anathemas rank, and.
 
 179 
 
 riches awaken their enmity, and 'ere long, no doubt, a 
 Privy Counsellor, will become the bug-bear, of the 
 democratic nursery. 
 
 If, indeed, aristocratic distinctions, be inimical to 
 freedom, and inconsistent with public virtue, it cannot 
 be denied, but many Members of the Executive Go- 
 vernment have been disqualified, by the merit of their 
 ancestors, and a grateful Sovereign;- but though the 
 lowly-minded, unostentatious, republican, affects to scorn 
 patrician rank, and splendour, it is but too obvious, 
 that the brilliant pageantry, which the sphere of Thrones 
 displays, and opulence gratifies, is the Philosopher's 
 Stone, democracy is ever sighing to possess. Yet it is 
 nevertheless true, that the majority of our Patriots, 
 with means in their power, forego the acquisition of 
 nobility, and wealth for the turf, and the gaming- 
 table, are insatiable, and the orgies of Anacreon and the 
 Bacchanalian, level all distinctions. Some individuals, 
 after neglecting every opportunity, which bountiful 
 Nature, has placed before them, whereby to rise to 
 celebrity, inconsistently upbraid Fortune, and pre- 
 sumptuously endeavour to pull her favourites down. 
 To this purpose, therefore, Mr. PITT foresaw the la- 
 bours of the discontented, were at this time about to be 
 dedicated ; and has left us, as an additional instance of 
 his anxious solicitude, for public welfare, and tran- 
 quillity, that controuling power, over the press, which 
 
 maintains the barrier between its freedom, arid licen- 
 
 ' 
 tiousness. 
 
 - 
 
 PLUTARCH. 
 

 
 180 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm." 
 
 LETTER XXXVIII, 
 
 Hence flourish'd Greece, and hence a race of men 
 As Gods by conscious future times ador'd, 
 In whom each virtue wore a smiling air, 
 Each science shed o'er life a friendly light, 
 Each art was nature. Spartan valour hence 
 At the fam'd pass firm as an isthmus stood, 
 And the whole Eastern Ocean, waving far 
 As eye cou'd dart its vision, nobly check'd j 
 While in extended battle at the field 
 Of.Marathcn, the keen Athenians drove 
 Before their ardent band, an host of slaves. 
 
 THOMSON. 
 
 m 
 
 IRELAND, the most inestimable jewel, in the British 
 cliadem, had long been violently agitated by various 
 contending interests, ostensibly for tlie acquisition of 
 Catholic Emancipation. But beneath this flimsy, pros- 
 tituted, veil, common sagacity plainly discerned those 
 sinister exertions, to accomplish political independence, 
 which, in maturity, spread the flames of rebellion over 
 the whole island ; for, under whatever denomination 
 faction marshalled its power, whether White Boys, 
 Orange Men, Defenders, or United Irish, dangerous 
 spirits hovered over the array ; declaiming for the par- 
 ticipation, in executive privileges, but silently endea-
 
 181 
 
 vouring to effect a 'Consummation, of the same species 
 of democracy, which had so long closed the Temple 
 of Janus, on the Continent ; converting her peaceful 
 husbandmen into armed hosts, and her fields, that 
 should have crowned the labour of the ploughshare, 
 with golden produce, into stormy theatres, for martial 
 lust, to parade in sanguinary laurels. 
 
 Emancipate ! exclaimed the political wolves, who, 
 under the banner of the Catholic Faith, had disciplined 
 an hundred thousand daggers, to sacrifice to Liberty 
 and Equality ; and the Rose, the Shamrock, and the 
 Thistle, will bloom for ever in indissoluble friendship, 
 emulous only in loyalty, and honour. But, whilst an 
 exclusion from civil, and political confidence, that 
 defines certain insurmountable boundaries to talent and 
 desert, be tenaciously maintained; when the prescriptive 
 policy, from which they originated, no longer exists, 
 and the consequences to be apprehended, from pious 
 prejudice, and bigotry, are divested of their terrors, the 
 Catholics of Ireland will continue to feel, and to act, as 
 an expatriated community. 
 
 I by no means wish to confound the lower ranks of 
 the Irish population, as some zealots have done, with 
 the beasts that graze upon their mountains, or the rep- 
 tiles that grovel in their bogs; nor to insinuate that they 
 are impervious to the lights of wisdom, or indifferent 
 to the obvious rights of man, that they are devoid of 
 national pride, or hopeless of that individual achieve- 
 ment, which fortune sometimes beckons from the 
 lowliest cabin, to trace before mankind, the splendid 
 capacities of spontaneous intellect, and the potency of 
 indefatigable genius; but I will assert that they are 
 ingulphed in ignorance have been stationary for ages, 
 
 N 3
 
 182 
 
 in a situation very little removed from barbarism- that 
 they are still under the influence of Romish supersti- 
 tions, and whilst an enthusiast, of the school of LA. 
 FAYETTE, or ROBESPIERRE, can be found to stimulate 
 the mischievous concomitants of indolence, by reciting, 
 with affected sympathy, afflictions, the people are 
 insensible of enduring, grievances which cause them 
 no privations, and privileges which, for them,, possess 
 no intrinsic value, and impart no comforts they will 
 rally with alacrity, at any signal that will proffer manu- 
 mission from criminal responsibility. 
 
 With such pliant materials, villainy performs its 
 operations with facility. We have seen it lead its 
 deluded victims, in crowds, to slaughter, and to the 
 committal <of excesses, which presented no possible 
 results that could enlighten their understandings, or 
 ameliorate their miseries. We have seen it convert 
 them, without a scruple of conscience, and without a 
 moral doubt, from sworn allegiance, to perjury and 
 treason. We have heard it summon them to combat, 
 for their religion, but lead them to fight in the cause of 
 usurpation, without an enquiry after their GOD, or a 
 thought for their KING. 
 
 Although it was hardly possible the hypocrisy as- 
 sumed by NAPPER TANDY, the O'CONNOR'S, the 
 EMMETT'S, &c. &c. could impose upon individuals 
 inclined to exert common penetration, the friends of 
 these Irish malecontents, witnessed their progress in 
 popularity, with avowed satisfaction, could not be per- 
 suaded to consider them in a severer light than too 
 energetic Patriots, and would scarcely acknowledge 
 their objects seditious, until the channels of the chief 
 cities of the kingdom, were crimsoned by civil discord.
 
 183 
 
 Then, but not till then, their advocates in England, 
 saw Mr. PITT'S prophetic judgment confirmed, and 
 became convinced, by every ramification of this diabo- 
 lical conspiracy, that they had taken serpents to their 
 bosoms, whose stings, indeed, they had escaped, but 
 whose poison, under the high testimony of such patrons, 
 had been widely, and successfully, disseminated. 
 
 Let, then, the guilty confessions- the base recanta- 
 tions the detestable impeachments the cowardly re- 
 criminations the treachery adopted by the principal 
 leaders of the rebellion, to preserve the remnants of 
 their infamous existence ; operate as a caution to all 
 political partizans, how they vouch for the loyalty of 
 any insidious, plausible SEMPRONIUS, 
 
 " That speaks a language foreign to his heart. 
 
 ************ 
 
 " Bellows out for Rome, and for his country 
 Cloathes his feign'd zeal, in rage, in fire, in fury f 
 '* And mouths at CJESAR, till he shakes the Senate." 
 Every reflecting mind must admit that the condition 
 of the sister kingdom has been too long neglected, and 
 the source of the malady which has occasioned all her 
 misfortunes/grievously misconceived that it is neither 
 Catholic proscription, nor Gallic prepossession, that have 
 entailejl the heavy calamities her generations have in- 
 herited; but ignorance, the dark, the pitiable degrada- 
 tion of the rational faculties, which, to this day, cha- 
 racterizes the Irish multitude. 
 
 In a state of barbarism, domestic ties scarcely exist; 
 families forsake their " hearths, and their altars," 
 through the inability of parents to cherish, and keep 
 around them, their offspring: they consequently be- 
 came wandering colonists, or solitary itinerants, pos-
 
 3184 
 
 messing neither " a local habitation, nor a name ;" have 
 no attachments no hopes no heritage no promise - 
 but worship the wind, that wafts their precarious sus- 
 tenance, blow from whence it nvil), and kiss the hand 
 that administers raiment, be it alien, or kindred. The 
 ignorance of thjeir community, and the wretchedness of 
 their fortunes, render them the ready converts to any 
 cause the immediate dupes of any adventurer and 
 volunteers in any service, unscrupulous whether the 
 ensigns they support, are those of justice, or infidelity. 
 Such is yet the state of Ireland. 
 
 In England, a peasant, is lord of his straw-thatched 
 castle ; education has opened to him, the edifying pre- 
 cepts of the gospel the blessings of social life the 
 duties of a good citizen the obligations of Christianity 
 the curse of ambition and the horrors of anarchy. 
 Within the confines of his. humble dominion, he 
 views the rustic excitements to personal exertion ; his 
 children, as they advance to manhood, plough the 
 neighbouring furrows, or attend the bleating burdens 
 of the adjacent farms ; and when qld age blanches the 
 locks of the rural Patriarch, he beguiles the hours 
 which relaxed nature prolongs, amidst scenes of con- 
 nubial happiness, in the surrounding hamlets ; peopled 
 by living miniatures of his former self, when arrayed in 
 manly beauty, and the pride of English yeomanry. 
 Such has long been the enviable state of England. 
 
 Why, then, are these blessings withheld from her 
 inestimable neighbour? Why has she so long been 
 suffered to remain under the dismal influence of error, 
 and superstition, and a stranger to the common know- 
 ledge, which would enable her to discriminate be- 
 tween vice and virtue ? Why are her more enlightened
 
 185 
 
 sns, when they sojourn amongst us, considered rather 
 in pursuit of our riches, than desirous of enjoying our 
 climate, or penetrating our stores of science, and 
 literature? We are, it is true, pleased with their 
 brogue entertained by their peculiar inconsistencies, 
 and in raptures with their famed hospitality ; but the 
 moment they enter our society, we double lock our 
 treasuries, seclude our daughters, and prepare for a 
 debauch. Nothing beyond inebriation is attempted 
 to cement national regard, ahd friendship to render 
 esteem, and brotherly kindness, reciprocal ; but we are 
 annoyed, and disgusted with the recapitulation of Irish 
 privileges, and English privileges of concessions, and 
 boons and relinquishments between subjects bowing 
 to the same sceptre, and contributing protection and 
 splendour to the same throne. . 
 
 Mr. PITT, had imbibed from his enlightened coad- 
 jutor, Mr. BUHKE, a clear conviction, that emancipation, 
 as a preliminary step, would be attended with important 
 advantages, to the Sister Kingdom ; he is also known 
 to have combated the conscientious scruples of his 
 Sovereign upon this delicate point, in the fervent hope 
 of extending that beneficence, which has marked the 
 progress of his protracted reign. And it will finally be 
 seen, his inability to fulfil a pledge given, not with 
 political sophistry, but in unreserved faith and honor, 
 induced him to relinquish the attributes of power. 
 
 He was convinced this measure would deprive the 
 disaffected, of the most infallible weapon in their pos- 
 session. He was sensible they trembled at the idea 
 of being divested of a theme, so well calculated to in- 
 spire revolt, and treason; and which, by establishing 
 social intercourse, and by opening the channels of
 
 1861 
 
 wisdom, would open the channels of virtuous emula- 
 tion also; destroy every hope of iniquity, and thus 
 ultimately render the two nations united under one 
 Monarch by one interest by reciprocal affection, and 
 mutual glory. 
 
 He lived, however, but to be mortified by the re- 
 proach, which the temporary inconveniences of his 
 embryo conception, engendered amongst the preci- 
 pitate Hibernians; and thus prejudged, he forfeited 
 much of their esteem, and confidence ; he has, however, 
 prepared the way for his successors, and though th& 
 moment will be lamentable, which shall brighten the 
 hopes of Ireland, it does not appear a far distant 
 prospect, when superiority, of privilege shall no longer 
 dissever two kingdoms, which muat continue insepar^ 
 able, or cease to be free.
 
 .. , ..'ij - . . : . 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm." 
 
 ===== 
 
 ~~ 
 
 LETTER XXXIX. 
 
 Let eternal infamy pursue 
 
 The wretch, to nought but his ambition true, 
 AVho, for the sake of filling, with one blast, 
 The post horns of all Europe, lays her waste. 
 Think yourself station'd ou a tow'ring rock, 
 To see a people scattered like a flock. 
 Some royal mastiff panting at their heels, 
 With all the savage thirst a tiger feels ; 
 Then view him, self-proclaimed in a G azctte, 
 Chief monster that has plagu'd a nation yet. 
 
 COWPE*. 
 
 FROM scenes of military coercion, dispensing only 
 sensations of horror, I turn without apology ; for al- 
 though the omission of tragic calamities, accompanied 
 by every excess of misguided enthusiasm, on the one 
 hand, and defensive retaliation, on the other, may divest 
 my memoir, of features interesting to the Reader, par- 
 tial to the extraordinary, and romantic incidents, of 
 life ; it will also draw a momentary veil, over the nu- 
 merous sad mementos, which must harrow up the 
 feelings, of a more minute, and circumstantial his- 
 torian. 
 
 But whither can we turn for consolation ? Shall we 
 meditate on the philosophy of WEISS, which betrayed
 
 188 
 
 his country the sepulchre of STEINGER, who was im- 
 molated, in its defence or the abject infatuation of their 
 humbler countrymen, which cancelled constitutions, 
 that had long crowned the mountains of Switzerland, 
 with freedom, and happiness, in exchange for the specu- 
 lative democracy, of the political mechanics of France ? 
 Or shall we follow the tide of revolution, through the 
 classic fields of Italy ? Witness its usurpation, accom- 
 plished over Belgia, the cradle of commercial enter- 
 prise, and once an ally, faithful and valuable to Eng- 
 land ; or view with chagrin, the destiny of Imperial 
 Austria, suspended at the will of an unprincipled con- 
 queror, and a yet unorganized government, whose sys- 
 tem of finance, was plunder, and its only justification, 
 the sword ? 
 
 If these can yield us no satisfactory objects of con- 
 templation, shall we seek them with better success, 
 amidst the remnants of chivalry at Malta, or on the 
 sacred plains of Palestine contaminated by a host of 
 infidels, equipped from the shores of Christendom, 
 and consecrated at the altars of St. John of Jerusalem ? 
 
 Alas \ wherever we direct our observation, we dis- 
 cover the subversion of moral, religious, and political 
 principle, inculcated by the writings of the royal sceptic 
 of Prussia, the impious libeller of VERNEY, and the 
 mysterious treason of the monstrous hierophant of il- 
 luminism WEISHAUPT. The indefatigable zeal, of 
 their secret converts, had disseminated the epidemic of 
 regeneration, into every cabinet, conclave, citadel, and 
 camp; polluted every domestic circle, and disturbed 
 the peace and union of every holy refuge. An mviiv- 
 cible influence, predominated in every human society. 
 The Continent appeared sinking into a chaos of bar-
 
 189 
 
 barism, whilst the shrine of every Martyr, and the altar 
 of every Christian Community, trembled before the 
 presence of atheism. Monarchs, sac in Council with 
 their assassins, and pressed those to their bosoms, com- 
 missioned to destroy them ; Chiefs, reposed their con- 
 fidence, in bribed associates ; and their whispers escap- 
 ed through a thousand channels, to the ears of their 
 enemies. At the approach of the republican standards, 
 Kings beheld their palaces assailed, and their persons 
 abandoned. At the first flourish of their trumpets, 
 legions vanished in ignoble flight ; hesitating only for 
 the ceremony of parley, fortresses, and bulwarks, vied 
 in the infamy of capitulation. Irresistible corruption, 
 appeared the precursor of their march ; a voluntary 
 preference for vassalage, to await their despotic or- 
 dinances. 
 
 For a moment, indeed, the vital power of this 
 overwhelming pestilence, seemed destined to termi- 
 nate its course, and its enormities, in the sands 
 of Egypt. The legions of BUONAPARTE, already 
 become obnoxious to their new brethren, by the 
 sanguinary massacres and pillage, which, in every 
 direction, distinguished their domiciliation ; and, pe- 
 rishing daily from the inclemency of climate, and the 
 predatory excursions of their Parthian-like adversaries, 
 found the last faint hopes of return to their more genial, 
 though scarcely less precarious homes, unexpectedly 
 interdicted, by the achievement of a British Mariner, 
 whose resplendent fame will adorn the chronicle of 
 great and noble individuals, until the jealous and pro- 
 lific Nile, shall yield up, at the hour of general retri- 
 bution, the aggressor and the aggrieved the victor
 
 190 
 
 and the vanquishedwho, in that tremendous contest, 
 found a promiscuous grave, in its watery element, at 
 Aboukir. 
 
 The Executive Departments in Paris, were also vio- 
 lently agitated, and the approach of another convulsion, 
 was not in vain anticipated 1 ; but, it terminated, alas ! in 
 the permanent establishment of a tyranny, as irrelevant 
 to the objects for which so much blood has been shed, 
 and misery created ; as it was pregnant with ruin, and 
 disgrace, to every contiguous State, and every ancient 
 continental Government. The prevalence of the various 
 factions, which then composed the anomaly, constituted 
 into a Legislative Body, Was become sti nicely poised, 
 that the attachment of the military, was indispensable 
 to a decided triumph ; therefore, with an alacrity 
 adapted to the urgency of the occasion, LUCIEN 
 BUONAPARTE, it is conjectured, conveyed a pressing 
 invitation, to his brother NAPOLEON, to trust his for- 
 tunes, to the favour of the winds, and seas, in order 
 to rescue the Republic, by such means, as his popula- 
 rity with the troops, placed at his disposal. Mortified 
 by recent disasters, under the dilapidated walls of 
 the insignificant fortress of Acre, the discomfited chief, 
 was ruminating in gloomy solitude, on his fading 
 laurels, and some desperate vengeance, to supply the 
 sanguinary current, by which they had been reared 
 and cherished, when the fraternal message arrived. In 
 a moment Persia, and the whole Oriential hemisphere 
 the gems which were to reward his miserable pilgri- 
 mage in the desert lost their resplendent lustre ; 
 brighter prospects, presented themselves, through the 
 important annunciation of his watchful relative, and
 
 191 
 
 waiting neither for a repetition of importunities, fbe 
 forms of resignation, or recall ; without a single 
 consideration, for the associates of his victories, and 
 dangers, he embarked, with fatal precipitation, (fatal 
 to peace and humanity), in the silence and obscurity 
 of night, with a mind devoted to mighty mischief, 
 and a heart buoyant under new projects of ambition. 
 From that hour wretchedness, and oppression, became 
 the confirmed destiny of Europe. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 192 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather* d the Storm,' 
 
 ' 
 
 LETTER XL. 
 
 He ! like the secret eye 
 
 That never closes on a guarded world, 
 
 So sought, so mark'd, so seized, the public good, 
 
 That, self-supported, without one ally, 
 
 He aw'd his country's foes. 
 
 THOMSON. 
 
 WHILST Jacobinism, was struggling in its last 
 agonies, in Paris, its armies were spreading its con- 
 taminating embrace, over the fairest part of Europe, 
 with irresistible success; in defiance of the most extra- 
 ordinary coalitions, the consolidated energies, of several 
 mighty Empires, and the skilfully organized arrange- 
 ments, of enlightened Politicians, and experienced 
 Commanders; arrangements, which human reason, 
 could not but deem infallible; but treason, had be- 
 come the inmate of every Minister, and ever} 7 Chief; 
 an illuminati, sat at every Council an ISCARIOT, was 
 domesticated in every household. Thus, the genius of 
 France, notwithstanding a Revolution, destructive to 
 her population, by the executioner, assassination, and 
 the sword to her finances, by the abrogation of the 
 principles of taxation to her military power, by the 
 relaxation of discipline, and the suspension of its con- 
 comitant arts, manufactures, and commerce, acquired 
 the ascendant, wherever she presented her bayonets :
 
 103 
 
 replenishing her coffers, her magazines, and every mar- 
 tial equipment, by the exorbitant contributions, and 
 cruel conscriptions, for which she imparted her frater- 
 nityher shout of onset was, the Republic; the osten- 
 sible object of victory the liberty of man. . Whilst 
 every sword was wielded by a tyrant,' every conquest 
 reduced new kingdoms, under bondage, and incontro- 
 vertibly demonstrated " what an effectual instrument 
 of despotism, was to be found in that grand arsenal of 
 offensive weapons, The Rights of Man"* 
 
 The return of BUONAPARTE, at this peritfd, was 
 peculiarly auspicious to his ambition j the seat of Go- 
 vernment, distracted by faction ; the armies arrogant 
 with conquest ; and himself, their most popular leader* 
 Time, has unfolded the consequences, which were at 
 this moment, perceptible, to the discernment of Mn 
 PITT; therefore, wearied with efforts, to rescue the 
 abject Continent, from its fallen sphere of glory, with 
 the sensibility of genuine patriotism, he regretted the 
 burdens, which had devolved upon his country, with- 
 out any equivalent, except in the integrity of its own 
 shores; and it now only remains for the nation to 
 determine, after viewing the degradation, and misery, 
 of Europe, whether he has estimated too highly, the 
 freedom, and independence, of Britons. 
 
 The treasonable propensities, which the rebellion in 
 Ireland had developed, callecj his attention to an effec- 
 tual identification, of its interests, with those of Great 
 Britain, and the adoption of such a system, of national 
 reprocity, as should progressively establish impartial 
 privilege, obliterate long rooted prejudices, and, in th 
 
 * BljRKt.
 
 194 
 
 oblivion of political jealousies, bury -the antipathies of 
 
 tteligion, also* 
 
 -; Convinced, that the security of the two kingdoms, 
 
 was only to be effected, by drawing closer, the ties of 
 affection, and by rendering them, a people, allied by 
 mutual service, and advantage; with a magnanimity, 
 surpassing all his former acts, he suggested the Union, 
 which in an instant, threatened, with all the terrors of 
 a volcano, to disperse, and destroy, rather than to con- 
 nect, arid cement. Suffering, tiowever, the first ebulli- 
 tions of party enthusiasm, to be meliorated by a tem- 
 porary victory; persuasion, and perseverance, ultimately 
 assigned the triumph, to reason and humanity; both 
 which principles, were conspicuous to every impartial 
 mind, who reflected upon the judicious conception, of 
 removing from a distracted kingdom, a Legislature, 
 which lost all its independence, and could no longer be 
 brought to a division, without entailing insult, to one 
 party or another without inspiring commotion, in the 
 metropolis, and disseminating tumult, murder, and 
 conflagration, round the domain of every Member, 
 whose vote was announced inimical to the " Rights 
 of Revolution," and the " Impunity of the Pike." 
 
 Impelled, therefore, by conscience, to a measure he 
 felt was fraught with inestimable benefit to Ireland, he 
 persisted to urge the Union, witli all his weight and 
 influence; but at the same time, with a pure regard to 
 its local interests, with clue respect to its Parliament, 
 and People, and with suitable tenderness for every 
 praise-worthy predilection; but, the rebellion had 
 effected a breach in the grand citadel of the Fmpire, 
 and although he was sensible the project was, of neces-
 
 fcity, liable to manifold objections, and encumbered 
 with difficulties, yet ere the now cradled generation of 
 Erin, had reached maturity, they would turn to the 
 short retrospect with amazement, and wonder at their 
 happiness. 
 
 Thus impressed, Mr. PITT, in concluding his intro- 
 ductory oration, upon this important subject, pledged 
 himself, to carry the measure upon his own responsi- 
 bility ; I see, said he, the case so plainly, and I feel it 
 so strongly^ that there is no circumstance of apparent, 
 or probable difficulty, no apprehension of unpopularity, 
 no fear of toil or labour, which will prevent me from 
 using every exertion, that remains in my power, to ac- 
 complish this great work, on which, I am persuaded, 
 depends the internal tranquillity of Ireland, the interests 
 of the British empire at large, and I hope I may add, 
 the happiness of a great part, of the habitable world. 
 
 Ireland, Mr. PITT observed, is subject to great, and 
 deplorable evils, which have a deep root, for they lie 
 in the situation of the country itself, in the present 
 character, manners, and habits, of the people, in their 
 want of intelligence, or in plain language their igno- 
 rance; in the unavoidable separation between certain 
 classes, in the state of property, in its religious distinc- 
 tions, in the rancour, which bigotry engenders, and 
 which superstition rears, and cherishes. 
 
 A. party in England, he continued, with eloquence 
 carrying conviction in every sentence, might give the 
 Throne one kind of advice; a party in Ireland, might 
 counsel directly opposite, upon the most essential 
 points of public welfare, upon a foreign alliance, upon 
 the Army, upon the Navy, upon every branch of the
 
 196 
 
 public service, upon trade, upon commerce, or upon 
 any point, that might affect the prosperity of the em- 
 pire at large. 
 
 Such motives, expressed with the true dignity of a 
 Statesman, could not but operate to the fulfilment of 
 his wishes; and the posterity of Ireland, will bless 
 the day, which saw them accomplished. 
 
 PLUTARCH. 
 
 . . 
 

 
 197 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather* d the Storm." 
 
 LETTER XLI 
 
 To be suspected, thwarted, and withstood, 
 
 Ev'n wheii he labours for his country's good; 
 
 To see a band, called Patriot, for no cause, 
 
 But that they catch at popular applause, 
 
 Careless of all lh' anxiety he feels, 
 
 Hook disappointment on the public wheels j 
 
 With all their flippant fluency of tongue, 
 
 Most confident, when palpably uiont wrong; 
 
 To win no praise when well-wrought plans preruil, ^ 
 
 But to be rudely censur'd when they fail; 
 
 If these attendants, and if such as these, t 
 
 Must follow place and pow*r, then welcome ease : 
 
 However humble and confin'd the sphere, 
 
 Happy the state that has not these to fear. 
 
 COWFER. 
 
 IT had been an invariable policy, with the Revolu- 
 tionary Governors of France, upon ascending to their 
 precarious power, to announce, an anxious desire for 
 the restoration of amity; and BUONAPAKTE, upon his 
 elevation to the Consulate, did not fail, to adopt, the 
 popular hypocrisy of his predecessors; therefore, after 
 organizing the fasces, and mimic symbols, of Imperial 
 Rome, with other judicious novelties to amuse the 
 Parisians, he addressed a letter to his BRITANNIC MA- 
 JESTY, burdened with fulsome professions, and amusing 
 familiarities, affecting commiseration for human suffer- 
 
 o3
 
 198 
 
 ings he never admitted into his bosom, and reprobating 
 those National contentions, which had borne him into 
 that " Tide in the affairs of men," from which he had 
 gained much, and hoped every thing. 
 
 TP such artful, and eccentric overtures, the SOVE- 
 REIGN, had been recommended to repty, as became 
 his individual dignity, and consistent with that faith, 
 which, previous to the reign of anarchy, spread a 
 sublime radiance over the transactions of enlightened 
 States; operating as a sacred bulwark, to the neutral, 
 and the innocent; and softening all the asperities of 
 war. 
 
 This circumstance, rendered the next assembly of 
 the British Legislature, the usual scene of political 
 inveteracy and ministerial imprecation. The accents 
 pf concord were so bewitching, that had they issued 
 from the impious Author of the Rights of Man, the 
 pupils of his regicidal school, or the long chronicle of 
 wretches, who preserved their transient power, by 
 human sacrifice-*-they would have charmed away every 
 enormity, and in the estimation of patriotism, have 
 blanched them white as snow ; the unblemished, and 
 immaculate pacificators, of the world, their iniquity 
 had embroiled in warfare, not of arms alone, but of 
 principles and passions, inimical to morality, religion, 
 and every social virtue. 
 
 The vehement declamation pf the Opposition, tq 
 impress, the propriety, of entertaining, for serious dis- 
 cussion, the artful allurements of BUONAPARTE, and 
 his familiar, daemon, TALLEYRAND, called forth more 
 than Ciceronian eloquence from Mr. PITT; who in a 
 speech more luminous, and argumentative, more sub- 
 lime in pathos, and more incontrovertible in facts
 
 more elegant as a panegyric on the British Nation, for 
 its disinterested succour, afforded to a sinking dynasty ; 
 and more severe as a philippic on those " Friends of 
 the People" who could palliate every revolutionary 
 excess, but in the acts of a Ministry, individually, or 
 collectively, could only discover objects for censure, 
 motives of tyranny and ambition, principles of wanton 
 injustice and oppression paralized his enemies, and 
 established himself the conscientious and incorruptible 
 guardian of his country. 
 
 His portrait of the jacobinism, and democracy, 
 which had agitated Europe to its centre, is too radiant 
 in truth, beauty, and manly sentiment, to be passed 
 over by apology, or mutilated by compression. 
 
 The first fundamental principle of the Revolution, 
 he observed, was, to bribe the poor against the rich, 
 by proposing to transfer into new hands, on the delu- 
 sive notion of equality, and in breach of every principle 
 of justice, the whole property of the country. The 
 practical application, of this principle, was to devote 
 the whole of that property, to indiscriminate plunder, 
 and to make it the foundation of a revolutionary 
 system of finance, productive in proportion, to the 
 misery, and desolation, which it created. It had been 
 accompanied by an unwearied spirit of proselytism, 
 diffusing itself OVCF all the nations of the earth; a spirit, 
 which could apply itself, to all circumstances, and all 
 situations; which could furnish a list of grievances, and 
 hold out a promise of redress, equally to all nations ; 
 which inspired the teachers of French liberty, with a 
 hope of alike recommending themselves, to those, who 
 lived under the feudal code of the German Empire; to 
 the various states of Italy, under a.ll their different
 
 200 
 
 Institutions; to the Old Republicans of Holland, and 
 to the New Republicans of America ; to the Catholics 
 of Ireland, whom it was to release from Protestant 
 usurpation; to the Protestants of Switzerland, whom it 
 was to release from Popish superstition, and to the 
 Musselmen of Egypt, whom it was to emancipate from 
 Christian persecution; to the remote Indian, blindly 
 bigotted to his ancient rites; and to the natives of 
 Great Britain, enjoying the perfection of practical free- 
 dom, and justly attached to the Constitution, from the 
 joint result of habit, of reason, and of experience. The 
 last distinguishing feature, was a perfidy, which no- 
 thing could bind, which no tie of treaty, no sense of 
 the principles generally received among nations, no 
 obligation, human or divine, could restrain. Thus 
 qualified, thus armed for destruction, the genius of the 
 French Revolution, marched forth, the terror and dis- 
 may of the world. Every nation had, in its turn, 
 been the witness, many had been the victims, of its 
 principles; and it was left for Britons, to decide, whe- 
 ther they would compromise with such a danger, while 
 they had yet resources to supply the sinews of war, 
 while the heart and spirit of the country; were yet un- 
 broken; and while they had the means, of calling 
 forth, and supporting, a powerful co-operation in 
 Europe. 
 
 Such principles, which display the very essence of 
 illuminism, had initiated BUONAPARTE, into the career 
 of infamy, and ambition, he had so successfully pur- 
 sued; and had elevated him, to the supremacy, which 
 had given sway, to the arrogance of a conqueror, and 
 the presumption of an usurper. Every political meta- 
 morphosis, which had occurred in Paris, and too
 
 201 
 
 numerous, and sanguinary they have shewn themselves, 
 to be hastily obliterated, was announced to Europe as 
 the dawn of moderation, the return of reason, and the 
 birth of virtue; but, as frequently, had hope sickened 
 by its short-lived prospers; as frequently, had the 
 whirlwind of desolation, accumulated fresh calamity 
 from its momentary restraint. Should we not, then, 
 when the " King of Terrors" had seized the sceptre of 
 control, anticipate yet more monstrous doctrines, more 
 vindictive measures? I do now declare, said Mr. PITT, 
 that I never will negotiate with such a being; but I 
 intreat, I supplicate my countrymen, as they value 
 
 ^ " the laws, the rights, 
 
 The glorious plan of power, delivtr'd down 
 From their renowned forefathers" 
 
 to view this offspring of diabolical incubation, as the 
 inveterate, and implacable enemy, of that precious, 
 and enviable inheritance, i; * ... 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 202 
 
 " The Pilot that Weathered the Storm. 
 
 LETTER XLIT. 
 
 Stedfast and true to Vi; tne's sacred-laws, 
 Fnmov'd by vulgar censure or applause ; 
 Let the world talk, my fi-iend f. that world we know, 
 Which calls us guilty, cannot make us so. 
 Unaw'd by numbers, follow Nature's plan ; 
 Assert the rights, or quit the name of man. 
 Consider well, weigh steictly right or wrong ; 
 Resolve not quick, butt once resolv'd, be strung. 
 Tho' scandal would thy Patriot name impeaeh, 
 And rails at virtues which it cannot reach, 
 What honest man but would, with joy, submit, 
 To bleed, wirf* CATO, or retire with PITT * 
 
 CHURCHILL. 
 
 THE disastrous retreat of SUWARROW, concluded 
 the calamities of the year 1799. The battle of Marengo, 
 the awful preliminary to those of the succeeding year, 
 encircled the FIRST CONSUL, with more sycophants, 
 and inflated him with greater arrogance ; whilst the 
 plains of Hohenlinden, witnessed the humbled crest of 
 Austrian chivalry, which unhappy event, anticipating 
 a few weeks only, the mortifying treaty of Luneville, 
 exposed England, at the commencement of the nine- 
 teenth century, to the consolidated powers of France, 
 her confederates, and her vassals.
 
 203 
 
 A revival of the armed neutrality 'of 1780, was like- 
 wise contemplated, by the Northern Powers, and al- 
 though it was an effort short-lived, ineffectual, and 
 productive only of fresh radiance, to the naval glory of 
 Great Britain, still it imparted an additional shade, to 
 that despondency, which now visibly impressed the 
 public mind ; and when, amidst these untoward cir- 
 cumstances, rumour too truly announced the resigna- 
 tion of Mr. PITT, from the helm of Government, 
 the most sanguine friends, O my country, express- 
 ed an involuntary foreboding, that the day was at 
 length arrived, " when thine enemies should cast a 
 trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep 
 thee in on every side, and lay thee even with the 
 ground, and thy children within thee, and that they 
 should not leave in thee one stone upon another." 
 
 The cause of Mr. PITT'S retirement, had, unques- 
 tionably, an intimate connexion with the Catholic 
 claims ; but, whether his wish, extended to unqualified 
 emancipation, or, only to a partial and progressive 
 amelioration, of their prescriptive grievances, neither 
 his confidential friends, nor himself, have thought it 
 necessary, or prudent, to divulge. That his own ge- 
 nerous mind, was divested of all political, and reli- 
 gious prejudices, cannot be doubted, and that he was 
 a warm friend to rational equality, is well attested, by 
 his exertions to preserve the Constitution of our an- 
 cestors, uncontaminated by the vicious novelties of 
 illuminism. At a period, therefore, so pregnant with 
 public calamity, when his professed object was to ce- 
 ment the grand societies of the State, by the institution 
 of impartial privilege, and to combine all its energies,
 
 for the mighty struggle, which to all mortal percep- 
 tion, was to terminate the freedom, or maintain the in- 
 dependence, of the nation, it is difficult to persuade 
 ourselves, that Mr. PITT would tamper with the feel- 
 ings, of a numerous, respectable, and powerful class of 
 the community, by parsimoniously retailing the long 
 solicited concessions, and thus render valueless the 
 beneficence of their Sovereign. 
 
 Whatever observations are offered upon this subject, 
 must, of course, be received simply as conjecture ; it 
 may, however, be fairly presumed, from the charac- 
 teristic foresight of this extraordinary Statesman, that 
 he early anticipated the overthrow of the Papal throne, 
 or such a dismemberment of its component powers, as 
 to render its influence no longer to be feared in political 
 affairs. Its interdicts had long since stood as a dead 
 letter, in Ecclesiastical nomenclature. Monastic asso- 
 ciations, once the inexhaustible auxiliaries, and active 
 promoters, of its superstitions, aggrandizement, and ty- 
 ranny, were rapidly yielding their shrines to destruc- 
 tion, their relics to the winds, their Saints to oblivion, 
 and their miracles to ridicule. The revenues, which 
 erst had purchased kingdoms, and subsidized the mili- 
 tary array of half the globe, were fast escaping from the 
 mercenary grasp, of mitred warriors, and ambitious 
 conclaves ; whilst learning, and science, were daily dis- 
 pelling, the oppressive veil, which had for centuries 
 overshadowed human intellect. Forsaken, therefore, 
 by its devotees, shorn of its imposing pageantry, impo- 
 verished in its exchequers, and limited in its supremacy, 
 worldly-minded apostles, no longer paralysed Christen- 
 dom, by thundering in the Vatican, neither were na*
 
 205 
 
 tions any more to be instigated to rebellion, by Ponti- 
 fical briefs, nor seduced into disallegiance, by the 
 mockeries of the confessional. The sway of Priestcraft, 
 like every sublunary empire, has a temporal destiny to 
 accomplish ; enfeebled by corruption, it trembles be- 
 neath the fiat of Omnipotence ; and ere another gene- 
 ration shall unite, with their fathers, in the mansions of 
 death, the intruding ivy, shall predominate over every 
 monument of Monkish glory, ttj,e owl and the bat, pol- 
 lute alike, the penitential cell, and voluptuous con- 
 servatory, and all the " vain pomp and grandeur" of 
 secular dictators, live but in records of poetic fiction, 
 or the just delineations of history. 
 
 What, then, had a resolute Statesman to dread from 
 an enemy that rather claimed his pity, than awakened 
 resentment ? The conscientious scruples, however, of 
 his Sovereign proved invincible, and being thereby dis- 
 qualified from fulfilling, what he considered a solemn 
 pledge of service to the Catholic Body, he voluntarily 
 ceased to govern, when he felt himself unable to re- 
 deem a promise (whether positive, or only implied, we 
 have no means of ascertaining) by which a most im- 
 portant measure of his administration had been ef- 
 fected. 
 
 He, therefore, withdrew from the responsibility of 
 office, satisfied with having performed his duty ; and 
 upon reviewing the events which mark his arduous 
 government, the British name, her integrity, her mili- 
 tary annals, and, more especially, her naval superiority, 
 will not be found to have receded, from the brilliant 
 meridian, they had previously attained, but to have 
 been augmented by the splendour of victory, increased 
 confidence, and expanded influence.
 
 200 
 
 With these results before him, observed Mr. DUN- 
 DAS, the Minister, who for so many years has guided 
 the councils of his country, and superintended the con- 
 duct, and operations, of a war, unexampled in its 
 fluctuations, and perverse circumstances, need not be 
 afraid to transmit his name to posterity, as a compa- 
 nion to that of his illustrious father. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 207 
 
 JM" ifrwiflj 
 
 " The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm. 1 ' 
 
 LETTER XLIIL 
 
 i 
 
 , 
 
 Where is the heartfelt worth and weight of soul, 
 Which labor Could not stop, nor fear control ? 
 Where the known dignity, the stamp of awe, 
 Which, halfabash'd, the proud and venal saw ? 
 Where the calm triumphs of an honest cause ? 
 Where the delightful task of just applause , 
 Where the strong reason, the commanding tongue, 
 On which the Senate fir'd, or trembling hung? 
 All vanwh'd 
 
 AKBVUDE. 
 
 THE Administration Which succeeded Mr. PITT, 
 adopted his principles, aud pursued his .measures ; but 
 the fire, the spirit, the conception, of theif great ori- 
 ginal, was gone, and all was vapidness and imbecility. 
 
 The memorable russe de guerre, of the intrepid NEL 
 aoN at Copenhagen, and the invincible valour, of the 
 British army, in Egypt, having, in a great degree, ob- 
 literated the gloomy presages which characterized the 
 close of Mr. PITT'S labours, so should they have ani* 
 mated the new Cabinet, to a tone of confidence, and 
 superiority ; a contrary disposition, however, bordering 
 upon servility, marked all their proceedings, and 
 either yielding to panic, or ambitious of popularity,
 
 208 
 
 they entered into a negotiation, eminent only for the 
 reproach it had entailed upon English diplomacy, and 
 on the 25th of March, 1802, concluded a definitive 
 Treaty of Peace, very deserving of the bold epithets, 
 applied to it by Mr. WYJTIJIIAM " It was merely an 
 armed truce, entered upon, without necessity, nego- 
 tiated without wisdom, and concluded without ho- 
 nour." 
 
 Mr. PITT, however, as warm iri friendly feeling, as 
 energetic in his political attitude, although he consi- 
 dered the terms less creditable than might have been 
 obtained, approved the peace, and advocated the 
 cause, of the impotent men who had effected it, ia 
 consideration, no doubt, of the difficulties, their slender 
 talents, had to encounter the proud conqueror with 
 whom they had to contend and from a perfect per- 
 suasion of their upright,, and honest, intentions. The 
 desire of peace, he had lortg observed, had become a 
 prominent sentiment, in the public mind the idea of 
 their hopes being realized, he foresaw, would be too 
 gratifying to excite much cavil upon the nice points of 
 equity a conjecture, of which the subsequent words, 
 of Mr. SHERIDAN, authenticate the correctness: " It 
 is a peace" exclaimed that lively orator, " of which 
 the people are all fond, but none of them proud." 
 
 It was, in truth, a peace, by which, France, accom- 
 plished every protestation, she had made in the rhap- 
 sody of revolutionary zeal. The Rhine, the Alps, and 
 the Pyrenees, had become the boundaries, for which, 
 in that awful period, she had stipulated as in puerile 
 bravado ; and beyond them, the nations bowed in ho- 
 mage to their irresistible and insatiable neighbour. The 
 expatriated BOURBONS, were erased from the regal
 
 209 
 
 dynasties of Europe, and compelled to fly from asylum, 
 to asylum, at the dictum of a child of fortune, whose 
 youth their munificence had cherished, and irradiated 
 with science, and knowledge. 
 
 England, in the mean time, had seen her blood, and 
 treasure, dissipated in vain; her allies deprived of their 
 political preponderance $ and her independence endan- 
 gered, by a line of hostile coast, anxious to emulate 
 her naval greatness, destroy her commerce, and ex- 
 punge her name, from the list of nations* 
 
 Mr. PITT had certainly been convinced, in his own 
 mind, that the pacific professions of France, were en- 
 tirely hypocritical ; war, in her existing situation, was 
 the predilection, as well as the interest, of her Rulers. 
 It was only by military coercion, her recent usurpa- 
 tions could be preserved ; and it was only by the pillage 
 of her neighbours, that her armies could be remune- 
 rated, for their services. Perhaps, therefore, the most 
 advantageous peace. for France, was the most politic 
 method of proving to the English nation, her hostile 
 disposition ; for if honourable, and advantageous terms, 
 could hold no influence, over her wayward Councils, 
 how could a system of rigid equivalent, retain her 
 faithful to her stipulations? The experiment, however, 
 if so regarded by Mr. PITT, had nearly sacrificed the 
 country' from the precipitate economy the sweeping 
 retrenchments and the inconsiderate reformations, of 
 the new Administration. Her navy was instantly dis- 
 mantled, to the lowest ordinary establishment, her 
 arsenals emptied, by public sales, of her maritime stores, 
 the supplies of every article necessary for ship-build- 
 ing, curtailed or wholly suspended, her army disbanded, 
 her warlike institutions of every denomination, reduced,
 
 whilst, in every official department, parsimony crept 
 in, and prudence was abandoned. 
 
 The reverse system was adopted, and ardently pur- 
 sued by the FIRST CONSUL, who was extending his 
 power, increasing his vassals, rewarding his syco- 
 phants with crafty munificence, recruiting the ca- 
 sualties in his armies, and replenishing his treasures ; 
 thus, having succeeded in abrogating every contract of 
 the peace himself, with true republican effrontery, and 
 designed offence, he demanded an explicit compliance 
 from England, wantonly insulting her Ambassador, 
 and renewed the war, with an imperious declaration, 
 that he would reduce Great Britain to a province of the 
 Republic, or render it 
 
 " .. ... i a wilderness again, 
 
 Peopled with wolves, its old inhabitants." 
 
 It was the declaration of a demon, prompted by the 
 presumption of a tyrant, and tke vanity of a conqueror. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 Pilot that Weather' d the Storm. 1 
 
 LETTER XLIV. 
 
 & What nature wants, commodious gold bestows ; 
 'Tis thus we eat the bread another sows. 
 
 P. But how unequal it bestows, observe ; 
 
 'Tis thus we riot, while who sow it starve ; 
 What nature wants, (a phrase I much distrust, s 
 Extends to luxury, extends to lust ; 
 Useful I grant, it serves what life requires j 
 But, dreadful, too the dark assassin hires. 
 
 jB. Trade it may help, society extend ; 
 
 P. But lures the pirate, and corrupts the friend. 
 
 B. It raises armies in a nation's aid ; 
 
 P. But bribes a Senate, and the land's betray'd. 
 In vain may heroes fight, and patriots rare, 
 If secret gold sap on from knave to knave. 
 
 No sooner had the transitory delusion of Peace, 
 vanished, than the talents of Mr. Pixf, were solicited, 
 by the lately inaugurated Premier, and his Colleagues, 
 to repel the gathering storm ; but, it being apparent, 
 that it was the club of ALCIDES, they wished to pos- 
 sess, without exalting its potent owner, to his merited 
 sphere, of political influence, and legislative conse- 
 quence, he declined the invitation, with becoming 
 dignity, and the regret, of a loyal patriot. Conscious, 
 however, of the accumulating dangers* Mr. ADDING- 
 
 p 2
 
 212 
 
 TON and his friends, wisely retreated from a responsi- 
 bility, to which their experience was inadequate ; and, 
 on the 12th of May, 1804, Mr. PITT, was reinstated, 
 in that elevated situation, which he was peculiarly 
 formed by nature to adorn. 
 
 Desirous, at so important an epocha, of combining 
 the strength, and energies, of the Empire, he became 
 anxious to embrace in his New Administration, every 
 contemporary, conspicuous for ability, or possessing the 
 partial affections of the People. There, existed, how- 
 ever, to this generous arrangement, insurmountable 
 obstacles ; time, had not yet erased from the mind of 
 his MAJESTY, the vehement exultations, which polluted 
 the lips, of the advocates of Liberty, at the sanguinary 
 triumphs, of republicanism, and anarchy ; exultations 
 which, as a Sovereign, he could not but deem, a pro- 
 hibition, to a seat at Monarchical Councils, whilst the 
 genius and wisdom, of the country, admitted of a 
 selection. 
 
 Thus, though Mr. PITT was disposed to cultivate 
 their friendship, and admit his rivals, to an equal 
 participation, in official honours, the voice, which 
 denounced the coalition, increased the enmity, of his 
 antagonists, who he sincerely wished, might be in- 
 dulged, with an opportunity, of contributing their aid, 
 to the salvation of the State. The reasonable pre- 
 judice, and penetration, of the Monarch, however, 
 subsequent examples have convinced us, providentially 
 checked the philanthropy of the Minister. 
 
 The exertions of Mr. PITT, were, in every respect, 
 commensurate with the Herculean objects, of BUONA- 
 PARTE, who had now consummated every Republican
 
 213 
 
 absurdity, by placing on his brow, that " polished 
 perturbation" which had been so often pronounced the 
 bane of freedom, the symbol of despotism, and the 
 antipathy of every virtuous citizen. Alas! scarce 
 were the execrations silenced, which accompanied 
 the ashes of a lenient, and innocent Prince, to the 
 ignominious grave, that was to bury for ever the 
 remembrance of Regal Power ; than, with barbarous, 
 unjust, and detestable volatility, we find the actors of 
 that melancholy tragedy, pouring forth their perjured 
 adulations, at the footstool of a Tyrant. 
 
 But, notwithstanding one half of Europe, thought it 
 no degradation, to share the sunshine, with the modern 
 Bajazet, the genius of Mr. PITT, still thwarted the 
 boundless views, of his ambition, by a confederacy, 
 which would have broken his aspiring pinions, had not 
 the sordid principles of Austrian Cabinets, Austrian 
 Officers, and Austrian Courtezans, sold him victory at 
 Ulm and Austerlitz, and demonstrated, at Presburg, 
 
 " How quickly nature falls into revolt, 
 When gold becomes her object 1" 
 
 It is truly mortifying to trace, from the earliest dawn 
 of the French Revolution, the extreme depravity, 
 that has frustrated every attempt, to check the 
 progress of those destructive maxims, which were pro- 
 mulgated, as the basis of its heterogeneous superstruc- 
 ture, and that have unhappily consummated every mis- 
 chief which the worst passions, of man, could suggest. 
 Yet must the breast of the individual, whose life was 
 so long devoted, and ultimately sacrificed, for the glory 
 of his countiy, have received infinite consolation, from 
 the recollection, that the Monarch of that Empire, 
 
 p 3
 
 I* 
 
 which he had presided, was the only Potentate 
 in Europe, who had not been compelled, either by 
 foreign tyranny, or domestic rebellion, to become a 
 fugitive a captive a vassal' or a victim, to that 
 system of extermination, which has been practised 
 against the lineal heirs of Royalty. 
 
 That the era of WILLIAM PITT has been portentous, 
 Jet prostrate Europe witness ; and so enveloped in 
 jnystery, so unexampled in insidious policy, have been 
 the machinations of our implacable antagonist, that the 
 sagacity of Ulyssess, must have been baffled in any 
 attempt to penetrate, or seduce, that inquisitorial con- 
 fidence, amidst whose Cimmerian shades, the most 
 extraordinary projects have been conceived, that ever, 
 burst upon the world. 
 
 Aspiring to the summit of human vanity, we have 
 seen an individual, by one intrepid action, give organi- 
 zation to the mishapen embryos, and distorted systems, 
 which had emanated from the chaos of anarchy, and 
 republican phrenzy ; and subsequently, by a train of 
 bold enterprizes, progressively mature a despotism 
 more oppressive in its nature, and more subversive of 
 the rights of man, than that Government, bloated with 
 corruption as it undoubtedly was, which the enthusiasm 
 of evil passions had so recently cpnsigned to indiscri- 
 minate annihilation. 
 
 These passions, however, he by no means eradicated, 
 or wished to eradicate, but only disciplined and brought 
 them into subordination, under a rigidmilitary oligarchy, 
 which by gigantic strides, ultimately endowed its idol, 
 with imperial sway, and placed at his absolute dis- 
 cretion, the resources, and destinies, of the kingdom ;
 
 215 
 
 whilst the same people, who had awakened the atten- 
 tion of the world, by their irresistible fervour in the 
 cause of freedom, stood idly by, and saw, with unac- 
 countable apathy, the chains fabricated, which were to 
 bind them to the service of a foreign usurper. 
 
 Previous to this period, faint beams of returning 
 repose, to the harrassed nations of the Continent, 
 occasionally brightened the dismal prospective, and 
 the harassed exiles of the stock of Bourbon, antici- 
 pated at intervals, a restoration to their polluted palaces ; 
 but these beams of hope speedily vanished, before that 
 awful luminary, who has so severely taught mankind, 
 what a mortal dare attempt against the laws of Heaven, 
 and what he can achieve over the best energies of man. 
 Thus France, after professing to be inspired by the 
 sacred flame of liberty, and denouncing the pomp and 
 pageantry, of thrones, submits, with strange inconsist- 
 ency, and contemptible irresolution, to the dominion 
 of an alien, whose pastime is war, whose cruel propen- 
 sities are insatiable, and who appears gifted with every 
 terrific attribute, that can bind mankind to his inexora- 
 ble mandates. No earthly being, was surely ever created 
 with faculties, or surrounded with Councils, so pecu- 
 liarly calculated, to dictate laws to the universe. His 
 dreams give birth to visionary grandeur, which his 
 fertile ambition readily produces instruments to accom- 
 plish; his slumber is the relaxation of a colossus, whose 
 waking breath is thunder. 
 
 I conceive then, before conclusions are drawn unfa- 
 vourable to the administration of Mr. PITT, an equitable 
 estimate should be formed, of the excitements, he had 
 to take up arms, of the powers against which he had to
 
 216 
 
 contend, and of the consequences, which have resulted 
 from an opposite line of duty, to that which he se- 
 lected. 
 
 What had been, observed a great Statesman now no 
 more, is unknown, what is, appears; and I will beg 
 leave, to ask the harsh deprecators, of the political con- 
 duct, which has been adopted, since the first eruption 
 of the revolutionary volcano, whether any treaty of 
 amity, the strictest principles of neutrality, nay, whe- 
 ther the most abject obedience to the will of France, 
 and the most rigid adherence tp her prescriptive de- 
 crees, has been able to preserve to the continental 
 States, even the shadow of independence? Let me ask 
 them, whether the finances of those States have not 
 been put in requisition, to supply the exigencies ot 
 their conquerors; their population exhausted, to com- 
 ply with his military conscriptions ; and their public, 
 and private, edifices, pillaged, to decorate the Gal 
 leries, and Museums of Paris? 
 
 Can Prussia, who was the first to fraternize with re 
 publican France, controvert these facts? Has Holland 
 experience^ any commiseration for all her sacrifices? 
 f!an unoffending Switzerland any longer exult in her 
 characteristic innocence and tranquillity? Are the 
 exiles of Portugal any instance of Gallic moderation? 
 Will Spain acknowledge the faith of her ally? Or 
 will the Automaton Potentates, who perform periodical 
 homage at the Thuilleries, for their golden rigols of 
 dishonour, bear testimony to the mild ordinances, the 
 justice, and the integrity of their Imperial, and Royal 
 Master? 
 
 It is true, England, by professing open hostility, has 
 accumulated heavy incumbrances has buried the
 
 217 
 
 flower of her armies and perceives, notwithstanding, 
 every shore in hostile array against her. But could 
 her wealth have been more advantageously dispensed? 
 Had it not been so devoted, might not BUONAPARTE 
 have now possessed the keys of her Exchequer ? Could 
 her soldiers, fall more gloriously, than round the 
 standard of patriotism ? And surely it were better 
 that the whole earth should declare eternal enmity 
 against her, than that a scion from the Dynasty of 
 NAPOLEON, should contaminate the British Diadem. 
 
 PLUTARCH.
 
 218 
 
 The Pilot that Weather' d the Storm.' 
 
 LETTER XLV. 
 
 Great Deity ! who in thy hands doth bear 
 That iron sceptre which poor mortals fear ; 
 Who, wanting eyes thyself, respectest none, 
 And neither spar'st the laurel or the crown ! 
 O Thou ! who ev'ry eye that sees the light, 
 Closest for ever in the shades of night ! 
 Goddess ! attend, and hearken to that grief, 
 To which thy pow'r alone can give relief. 
 
 BUCKINGHAM. 
 
 WHATEVER could aggravate the unhappy com-, 
 plexion of the times, seemed coalesced, to disturb the 
 latter days, of the preserver of his country. The as-< 
 sembling of Parliament, in 1805, displayed his care- 
 worn mind, his wasted form, and his declining constii 
 tution ; but the more, the physical energies of the man 
 were enervated, the more poignant against the minister, 
 became the " stings and arrows" dipped in the venom 
 of opposition. 
 
 The last seeds of rebellion, had but just been crushed 
 in Ireland, by the execution of the homicides, who 
 had immolated the Chief Justice, to their sanguinary 
 vengeance, than, as if to show the world an instance 
 of monstrous inconsistency, the Catholic Question, was 
 precipitated for discussion, in the Imperial Parliament. 
 Success, its movers were sensible, was not even preca-
 
 219 
 
 rious ; but, to harrass the Premier, to implicate him in 
 some pledge, or compromise, or to lure that secret 
 from his bosom, which had admitted his return to 
 office, to their discomfiture, their mortification, and 
 despair, was an end,' that, in their estimation, would 
 justify any means. Foiled, however, in every assault, 
 they deemed it not unworthy, to advocate the cause 
 of traitors, and assassins, and thus preserved alive 
 the embers of rebellion, the horrors of civil war, and 
 he miseries of commotion ; but neither insinuation, 
 nor surmise, could effect a purpose, which Mr. PITT, 
 felt it his duty to oppose ; or extract from him, senti- 
 ments, which the times warranted, he should preserve 
 dormant, until days more auspicious, to political re- 
 formations : his disposition was already well under- 
 stood; but judgment and inclination, are frequently at 
 variance, and policy rejects what humanity dictates. 
 
 To these vexatious incidents, succeeded attempts, 
 equally futile, to censure his admirable system of Fi- 
 nance, the subsidiary arrangements, which had so long 
 kept the calamities of war, remote from our shores ; 
 and that discretion, which he had assumed occasion- 
 ally, but wisely, to preserve public confidence, and 
 avert commercial embarrassment. 
 
 The ingratitude of the objects of his patronage, 
 his bounty, and his friendship, followed ; and, lastly, 
 the impeachment of his firm adherent, the colleague 
 of all his arduous trials, his counsellor in difficulty, 
 his sheet anchor in the storm. His case he knew was 
 that of innocence ; his intentions required neither elo- 
 quence, ingenuity, or quibble to exculpate ; but, as a 
 friend, he endeavoured to protect him from premature
 
 220 
 
 condemnation, and to secure for him, the privilege of 
 being heard, before conviction. 
 
 This, was a blow to the sensibility of Mr. PITT, 
 that he did not long survive the cold influence of death, 
 already chilled the fountain, of his Godlike spirit, and 
 cast a gloom over his declining hours, that hurried the 
 catastrophe, which opened the doors of promise, at 
 once to every foreign and domestic enemy ; to a cabal, 
 impoverished by the dice-box, and dissipation ; to a 
 race of Statesmen, distracted, amidst the duties of 
 office, by the importunities of ruined creditors ; and the 
 incessant appeals of turbulent adherents, who sought 
 admittance, into that elysium, which, in their infuri- 
 ated harangues, had been denominated the polluted 
 region, in which Kings, imbibe the maxims of tyranny, 
 Ministers the principles of oppression, where Justice 
 suspends a partial balance, and Nature abandons all 
 her affections. 
 
 Thus terminated the public labours, of the most 
 honest Statesman, that ever guided the helm of the 
 British Government. 
 
 IT is not probable, that any revelation will disclose 
 to us, what might have been the result of a contrary 
 system of politics, to that, which he necessarily adopr- 
 ted ; but, if, as his advocates firmly believe, his pre- 
 science discovered, amidst the violent ebullitions of 
 public feeling, which subverted the throne of CAPET, 
 a harbinger, of all the disasters, which have followed, 
 then there surely requires no other justification of his 
 measures ; no other claim is necessary, to pronounce 
 him worthy of an apotheosis, and the everlasting vene- 
 ration of Britons.
 
 2-21 
 
 If, on the contrary, we contemplate him as the evil 
 genius of his country, as a being destined to conduct us, 
 from the summit of worldly greatness, to the depths 
 of human misery as the bane of our prosperity, peace, 
 and glory upon what individual, can we, with any 
 semblance of justice, bestow our maledictions, for 
 his elevation to that dangerous power, he so long di- 
 rected. 
 
 The prepossession of the public, in favour of the 
 descendant of their lamented Chatham, called him al- 
 most from his cradle to the helm of State ; and whilst 
 he retained his extraordinary, and unprecedented in- 
 fluence, over an irresistible majority, of the nation, 
 the Monarch, with commendable prudence, avoided the 
 responsibility of his dismissal. Let not the ascen- 
 dancy of Mr. PITT, therefore, be ascribed to the per- 
 tinacious predilection of the SOVEREIGN, but to those 
 favourable sentiments, in the enlightened classes of so- 
 ciety, to which, as " The Father of his People," he 
 has ever shewn an anxious disposition to concede. For 
 no sooner, be it remembered, was an inclination expressed 
 for pacific accommodation, than the Executive Govern- 
 ment was confided to Legislators, with the reputation of 
 more moderate and pliant tempers, who hastily concluded 
 a truce, the result of which, confirmed the policy of 
 their predecessor, and their own inefficiency. A second 
 change becoming, in consequence, indispensible, still 
 attentive to the public sentiment, his MAJESTY did 
 not hesitate to admit into his Councils, the decided op- 
 ponents of his long-tried servant; but the efforts of 
 these individuals were equally fruitless they retired 
 from office, without showing any inclination, to deviate 
 from that course of politics, which they had so severely
 
 222 
 
 reprehended in their great antagonist, and without 
 evincing any satisfactory proof of that combination of 
 talents, which, we were ostentatiously informed, was 
 to retrieve our sinking fortunes. 
 
 Since this period, our Administrations, have been 
 composed of the most heterogeneous coalitions ; their 
 measures, consequently, have in many instances, been 
 attended with disaster and heavy sacrifices, to the 
 country; although at present, thanks be to Almighty 
 Providence, their exertions are illumined by the rays 
 of victory, and display altogether a brighter aspect ; 
 yet, where shall we now seek for the resplendent con- 
 stellations, which', in the days of Mr. PITT, shone forth 
 in our political horizon ? Where find that magnanimity, 
 and disinterested patriotism, which then shed so much 
 lustre on the British name? Where-* 
 
 . " but bear with me ; 
 My heart is in the coffin thure with Csesar^ 
 And I must pause till It come back to me.'* 
 
 PLUTARCH,
 
 223 
 
 Tlie Pilot that Weather' d the Stenn. 1 
 
 LETTER XLVI. 
 
 Yes, honored shade ; whilst near thy grave 
 The letter'd Sage, and Chieftain brave, 
 
 The votire marble claim, 
 O'er thy cold corse the public tear 
 CongealM, a chrystal shrine shall rear, 
 
 UnsultiM as thy fame! ! ! 
 
 ELIJAH'S MANTLE. 
 
 SUCH was Mr. PITT ; such have been the effects of 
 that illuminism he appeared born to contend against, 
 which, on his death-bed, was his only source of dis- 
 quietude ; the only terror which intruded between his 
 departing spirit, and the grave. I will not lead you to 
 his tomb, for I would not have that dust trodden on, 
 which claims the tribute of a world in tears ; I will not 
 fabricate dying sentiments for the man whose whole 
 existence displays the Champion of Christianity ; I 
 will not attempt to eulogize the individual, whose every 
 act is a memento of glory every oration a brilliant 
 justification of his principles ; But a brief retrospect of 
 what is recorded in these Letters, demands another 
 effort from my pen, and then my humble labours will 
 reluctantly terminate.
 
 224 
 
 It is amelancholy fact, which cannot be too frequent- 
 ly impressed upon our memories, and to which it is im- 
 possible to revert, without the most painful emotion, 
 that during the period of Mr. PITT'S successive Ad- 
 ministrations, there is not a .Royal Dynasty, in Europe, 
 (with the exception of that branch of the House of 
 BRUNSWICK, which occupies the Throne of Britain), 
 that will not have to inscribe, in the annals of their illus- 
 trious relatives, some awful instance of this precarious 
 period. Every instrument of ignominy, oppression, 
 and death, has been satiated with the noblest victims ; 
 every dangerous propensity, and vicious inclination, 
 have brought forth their monstrous conceptions ; every 
 principle which can promote confidence between man 
 and man ; every bond of social harmony, lias been 
 abrogated, to contribute to a desolation which will 
 bury in oblivion, the fabled horrors of antiquity. Alas ! 
 would that it were possible to discharge the memory 
 jj* of the mournful incidents which daily arise to renovate 
 each fading object, and render the impression more 
 indelible. 
 
 An enthusiast in the cause of loyalty and justice, I 
 revere the sacred establishments which have protected 
 my civil, religious, and political privileges. I am 
 jealous for the reputation of the noble characters which 
 adorn the history of my native land ; and I respect 
 the dust of the heroes who have manfully defended it 
 from the aggressions of its enemies : but, more than all, 
 I hold that man in esteem, who, in an age of irreligion, 
 licentiousness, and immorality, or, in the concise 
 blasphemy of the times, " ILLUMINISM," has preserv- 
 ed his nation from crimes that must eventually have 
 kindled the wrath of Heaven ; and pronounce him more
 
 225 
 
 worthy of the Hosannahs of his countrymen, than he 
 who annexes splendid conquests to their dominions, 
 enslaves millions of his fellow-creatures, and renounces 
 his GOD. 
 
 But where, it has been enquired, in this boasted era, 
 is the subject of congratulation to be found ? In Bo- 
 rough factions, and Parliamentary corruption ; in expen- 
 sive and unnecessary wars ? In the accumulation of 
 taxes, and the most painful privations ? In the ap- 
 pointment of ill-judged, and ill-selected, Commanders? 
 In the increase of Placemen, and Pensioners ? In the 
 sale of Patronage ? In the suspension of the Habeas 
 Corpus Act ? In illegal Imprisonments, and Transpor- 
 tations ? In ex-parte charges from the seat of Justice ? 
 In restrictions upon the Press, and public Discussions ? 
 Amidst the wreck of so many empires, it would be 
 extravagant temerity to contemplate, with. affected un- 
 concern, the perils which accumulate around us: I 
 perceive them ; and I anticipate the future, with 
 awful emotions; but though not blindly confident, 
 I will not despond, sensible that what Pjovidence has 
 already done for us, is a conviction to every virtuous 
 mind, that we still have only to pursue that which 
 is right and just, in order to secure a continuance of 
 the Divine protection. 
 
 Parliamentary Reform, and the inefficiency of the Exe- 
 cutive Government, has been the hobby-horse of every 
 oppositionist, and the initiatory theme of every novitiate 
 in politics. That our Legislators have been infallible, 
 and our Representative Body perfectly pure, it would 
 be absurd to contend : but when I take a view of the 
 Biography of the British Senate, and the various depart- 
 ments of our Constitution, I find abundant cause for
 
 226 
 
 exultation. The days of NEWCASTLE, CHATHAM, 
 ROCKINGHAM, and LANSDOWNE, are yet in my re- 
 membrance. While I live, 1 will bear testimony to the 
 virtues of a SAVILLE, the integrity of a PITT, the elo- 
 quence of a BURKE, and the indefatigable humanity of 
 
 a WlLBERFORCE. 
 
 Can the preservation of our independence be too 
 dearly purchased ? Shall we withhold our taxes, and 
 admit a tyrant? Shall we gratify our appetite, and 
 sacrifice our liberty ? 
 
 Can that warfare have traduced the national honor, 
 which records the Achievements of an ABERCROM- 
 BIE, a MOORE, a STUART, and a WELLESLEY ? or 
 shall we disdain the trophies of Camperdown, St. Vin- 
 cent, and Trafalgar. 
 
 Shall an indiscriminate economy be permitted to 
 withhold the munificence of the country from her 
 veteran servants ? 
 
 Shall the culprit, after judgment, be exposed for 
 jever to individual persecution ? Is Malice to become 
 the national characteristic. 
 
 Has the suspension of any Statute, oppressed inno- 
 cence? or are O'CONNOR, DESF-ARD, NAPPER TANDY, 
 and FITZGERALD, the victims we are called upon to 
 commiserate ? 
 
 Are HASTINGS, MELVILLE, and a late Illustrious 
 Delinquent, instances of partial jurisprudence, and Par- 
 liamentary obsequiousness ? Are a MANSFIELD, a 
 CAMDEN, and a THURLOW, no longer worthy of re- 
 collection. 
 
 Shall the restriction of the Press be exemplified, by 
 the indiscriminate calumniators of Juries, or the coarse 
 and savage personalities of COBBET ? Are the decla-
 
 227 
 
 mations of Mr. WAITHMAN, to illustrate the harsh con* 
 troul exercised over public discussions ? 
 
 Have our privileges derived no security from the 
 independence of our Judges, the suppression of general 
 warrants, and religious tolerance ? Have Englishmen 
 received no elevation of character by the Abolition of 
 the Slave Trade > 
 
 Were our Fields of Science, and of Literature, ever 
 more exuberant ? Were Charity, Benevolence, and 
 Philanthropy, ever more conspicuous ? Has not our 
 Island been constituted a refuge from despotism, a 
 home for the exile, an asylum for the wretched ? It is 
 true we feel the expences, but we are strangers to the 
 horrors of war ; and I will not affright my countrymen 
 by depicting them. We have heard the whirlwind, 
 which has desolated half the globe, but have avoided its 
 dreadful influence. 
 
 The mighty conceptions of Mr. PITT'S mind, un- 
 questionably involved his country in many enterprises, 
 apparently incompatible with its physical, and political, 
 powers ; and if experience have established the fact of 
 their being so, then he may, with reason, be reproach- 
 ed with an unjustifiable lavishment of the public 
 treasures. 
 
 But whilst disbursing the national wealth with 
 such apparent indifference, all his arrangements prove 
 him a man of conscious integrity, independent spirit, 
 and disinterested principles. He was not ashamed to 
 institute the most scrupulous examination of the ex- 
 pences he had incurred ; but, on the contrary, courted 
 investigation; and, whilst his extravagance was but 
 temporary, or intended so to be, he studied to render 
 economy and retrenchment perpetual, so simplifying 
 Q 2
 
 228 
 
 official accounts, as to subdue the baneful system of 
 procrastination, which had so long prevailed, and to 
 which simplification we are indebted foi the exposure 
 of that delinquency, which has recently been brought 
 to light. His individual interest, as Prime Minister, he 
 never hesitated to abolish, or transfer, for the public 
 service; and his antipathy to sinecures, and corrupt 
 sources of influence, has been rendered perfectly con- 
 spicuous. That which with former Ministers, was to- 
 tally imperceptible, he has made obvious, by the an- 
 nual statements, produced for the check and animadver- 
 sion of Parliament; a regulation peculiarly estimable, as 
 no description of patronage can remain concealed, no 
 emolument be extracted privily from the public purse. 
 He was, upon every occasion, the warm advocate of 
 the most candid proceedings, always acquiescing in the 
 right of the People, and of their Representatives, to 
 discuss the conduct of their rulers; deeming the exercise 
 of such privilege, one of the most salutary guards of 
 that freedom which is our pride, our glory, and the 
 great source of our prosperity. 
 
 I am inclined to think, therefore, the severe alterna- 
 tives he occasionally adopted, must be attributed more 
 to the turbulence of the times, and the veiy precarious 
 tone of public sentiment, than to any despotic inclina- 
 tion ; and I am drawn to this conclusion, not more 
 from the disinterestedness of his conduct, than from 
 that wise foresight, which he displayed in his system 
 of finance, and the prudent provisions he adopted to 
 counteract the fatal operations of a profuse expen- 
 diture. 
 
 But Mr. PITT held the vulgar popularity too much 
 in contempt to become the candidate for Charitable
 
 229 
 
 Donations and Corporation Boxes, circumstances, I fear, 
 that will ever deprive him of the shouts of the multi- 
 tude, or the acclamations of the hustings. But it is for 
 the nation to judge, whether the silent labours of such 
 a man, or the clamours of noisy enthusiasts, be the 
 most efficacious. 
 
 " In the machine of State," Mr. ROSE has observed, 
 " are many movements, with which the people are not 
 acquainted ; and the Statesman who guides them, must 
 often serve the people faithfully, and effectually, by 
 acting contrary to the opinions of what they conceive to 
 be best suited to their service. A virtuous Statesman, 
 must act from higher motives than either his own im- 
 mediate interest, or his own immediate reputation : his 
 interest, a patriot Statesman must remember, is that 
 of his country -"his reputation must often be left to the 
 justice of posterity." 
 
 Let us, then, in closing this subject, invoke the 
 shade of our great departed Senator, to inspire those 
 who now rule over us, with sentiments congenial with 
 his own; we shall then, at all events, terminate our 
 struggles with magnanimity, and leave tyranny no 
 cause for exultation. 
 
 PLUTARCH. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 T. HARVEY, Printer, Brunswick-street, Blackfriars-road.
 
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