Contents
IntroductionThoughtsonthePresentDiscontentsSpeechontheMiddlesexElection。
SpeechonthePowersofJuriesinProsecutionsforLibels。
SpeechonaBillforShorteningtheDurationofParliamentsSpeechonReformofRepresentationintheHouseofCommonsINTRODUCTION
EdmundBurkewasbornatDublinonthefirstofJanuary，1730。Hisfatherwasanattorney，whohadfifteenchildren，ofwhomallbutfourdiedintheiryouth。Edmund，thesecondson，beingofdelicatehealthinhischildhood，wastaughtathomeandathisgrandfather’shouseinthecountrybeforehewassentwithhistwobrothersGarrettandRichardtoaschoolatBallitore，underAbrahamShackleton，amemberoftheSocietyofFriends。FornearlyfortyyearsafterwardsBurkepaidanannualvisittoBallitore。
In1744，afterleavingschool，BurkeenteredTrinityCollege，Dublin。HegraduatedB。A。in1748;M。A。，1751。In1750hecametoLondon，totheMiddleTemple。In1756Burkebecameknownasawriter，bytwopieces。Onewasapamphletcalled"AVindicationofNaturalSociety。"Thiswasanironicalpiece，reducingtoabsurditythosetheoriesoftheexcellenceofuncivilisedhumanitywhichweregatheringstrengthinFrance，andhadbeenfavouredinthephilosophicalworksofBolingbroke，thenlatelypublished。Burke’sotherworkpublishedin1756，washis"EssayontheSublimeandBeautiful。"
AtthistimeBurke’shealthbrokedown。Hewascaredforinthehouseofakindlyphysician，Dr。Nugent，andtheresultwasthatinthespringof1757hemarriedDr。Nugent’sdaughter。InthefollowingyearBurkemadeSamuelJohnson’sacquaintance，andacquaintanceripenedfastintoclosefriendship。In1758，also，asonwasborn;and，asawayofaddingtohisincome，Burkesuggestedtheplanof"TheAnnualRegister。"
In1761BurkebecameprivatesecretarytoWilliamGerardHamilton，whowasthenappointedChiefSecretarytoIreland。InApril，1763，Burke’sserviceswererecognisedbyapensionof300poundsayear;
buthethrewthisupinApril，1765，whenhefoundthathisserviceswereconsideredtohavebeennotonlyrecognised，butalsobought。
Onthe10thofJulyinthatyear（1765）LordRockinghambecamePremier，andaweeklaterBurke，throughthegoodofficesofanadmiringfriendwhohadcometoknowhiminthenewly—foundedTurk’sHeadClub，becameRockingham’sprivatesecretary。Hewasnowthemainstay，ifnottheinspirer，ofRockingham’spolicyofpacificcompromiseinthevexedquestionsbetweenEnglandandtheAmericancolonies。Burke’selderbrother，whohadlatelysucceededtohisfather’sproperty，diedalsoin1765，andBurkesoldtheestateinCorkfor4，000pounds。
HavingbecomeprivatesecretarytoLordRockingham，BurkeenteredParliamentasmemberforWendover，andpromptlytookhisplaceamongtheleadingspeakersintheHouse。
Onthe30thofJuly，1766，theRockinghamMinistrywentout，andBurkewroteadefenceofitspolicyin"AShortAccountofalateShortAdministration。"In1768Burkeboughtfor23，000poundsanestatecalledGregoriesorButler’sCourt，aboutamilefromBeaconsfield。HecalleditbythemoreterritorialnameofBeaconsfield，andmadeithishome。Burke’sendeavourstostaythepolicythatwasdrivingtheAmericancoloniestorevolution，causedtheStateofNewYork，in1771，tonominatehimasitsagent。AboutMay，1769，EdmundBurkebeganthepamphletheregiven，ThoughtsonthePresentDiscontents。Itwaspublishedin1770，andfoureditionsofitwereissuedbeforetheendoftheyear。ItwasdirectedchieflyagainstCourtinfluence，thathadfirstbeenusedsuccessfullyagainsttheRockinghamMinistry。AllegiancetoRockinghamcausedBurketowritethepamphlet，buthebasedhisargumentuponessentialsofhisownfaithasastatesman。Itwasthebeginningofthelargerutteranceofhispoliticalmind。
Courtinfluencewasstrengthenedinthosedaysbythelargenumberofnewly—richmen，whoboughttheirwayintotheHouseofCommonsforpersonalreasonsandcouldeasilybeattachedtotheKing’sparty。Inapopulationof8，000，000therewerethenbut160，000
electors，mostlynominal。Thegreatland—ownersgenerallyheldthecounties。WhentwogreathousesdisputedthecountyofYork，theelectionlastedfourteendays，andthecosts，chieflyinbribery，weresaidtohavereachedthreehundredthousandpounds。ManyseatsinParliamentwereregardedashereditarypossessions，whichcouldbeletatrental，ortowhichthenominationscouldbesold。Towncorporationsoftenlet，tothehighestbidders，seatsinParliament，forthebenefitofthetownfunds。TheelectionofJohnWilkesforMiddlesex，in1768，wastakenasatriumphofthepeople。TheKingandhisministersthenbroughttheHouseofCommonsintoconflictwiththefreeholdersofWestminster。Discontentbecameactiveandgeneral。"Junius"began，inhisletters，toattackboldlytheKing’sfriends，andintothemidstofthediscontentwasthrownamessagefromtheCrownaskingforhalfamillion，tomakegoodashortcomingintheCivilList。Menaskedinvainwhathadbeendonewiththelostmoney。ConfusionathomewasincreasedbythegreatconflictwiththeAmericancolonies;discontents，everpresent，werecolonialaswellashome。InsuchatimeBurkeendeavouredtoshowbywhatpilotagehewouldhavemenweatherthestorm。
H。M。
THOUGHTSONTHEPRESENTDISCONTENTS
Itisanundertakingofsomedegreeofdelicacytoexamineintothecauseofpublicdisorders。Ifamanhappensnottosucceedinsuchaninquiry，hewillbethoughtweakandvisionary;ifhetouchesthetruegrievance，thereisadangerthathemaycomeneartopersonsofweightandconsequence，whowillratherbeexasperatedatthediscoveryoftheirerrorsthanthankfulfortheoccasionofcorrectingthem。Ifheshouldbeobligedtoblamethefavouritesofthepeople，hewillbeconsideredasthetoolofpower;ifhecensuresthoseinpower，hewillbelookedonasaninstrumentoffaction。Butinallexertionsofdutysomethingistobehazarded。
Incasesoftumultanddisorder，ourlawhasinvestedeveryman，insomesort，withtheauthorityofamagistrate。Whentheaffairsofthenationaredistracted，privatepeopleare，bythespiritofthatlaw，justifiedinsteppingalittleoutoftheirordinarysphere。
Theyenjoyaprivilegeofsomewhatmoredignityandeffectthanthatofidlelamentationoverthecalamitiesoftheircountry。Theymaylookintothemnarrowly;theymayreasonuponthemliberally;andiftheyshouldbesofortunateastodiscoverthetruesourceofthemischief，andtosuggestanyprobablemethodofremovingit，thoughtheymaydispleasetherulersfortheday，theyarecertainlyofservicetothecauseofGovernment。Governmentisdeeplyinterestedineverythingwhich，eventhroughthemediumofsometemporaryuneasiness，maytendfinallytocomposethemindsofthesubjects，andtoconciliatetheiraffections。Ihavenothingtodoherewiththeabstractvalueofthevoiceofthepeople。Butaslongasreputation，themostpreciouspossessionofeveryindividual，andaslongasopinion，thegreatsupportoftheState，dependentirelyuponthatvoice，itcanneverbeconsideredasathingoflittleconsequenceeithertoindividualsortoGovernment。Nationsarenotprimarilyruledbylaws;lessbyviolence。Whateveroriginalenergymaybesupposedeitherinforceorregulation，theoperationofbothis，intruth，merelyinstrumental。Nationsaregovernedbythesamemethods，andonthesameprinciples，bywhichanindividualwithoutauthorityisoftenabletogovernthosewhoarehisequalsorhissuperiors，byaknowledgeoftheirtemper，andbyajudiciousmanagementofit;Imean，whenpublicaffairsaresteadilyandquietlyconducted：notwhenGovernmentisnothingbutacontinuedscufflebetweenthemagistrateandthemultitude，inwhichsometimestheoneandsometimestheotherisuppermost——inwhichtheyalternatelyyieldandprevail，inaseriesofcontemptiblevictoriesandscandaloussubmissions。Thetemperofthepeopleamongstwhomhepresidesoughtthereforetobethefirststudyofastatesman。
Andtheknowledgeofthistemperitisbynomeansimpossibleforhimtoattain，ifhehasnotaninterestinbeingignorantofwhatitishisdutytolearn。
Tocomplainoftheagewelivein，tomurmuratthepresentpossessorsofpower，tolamentthepast，toconceiveextravaganthopesofthefuture，arethecommondispositionsofthegreaterpartofmankind——indeed，thenecessaryeffectsoftheignoranceandlevityofthevulgar。Suchcomplaintsandhumourshaveexistedinalltimes;yetasalltimeshaveNOTbeenalike，truepoliticalsagacitymanifestsitself，indistinguishingthatcomplaintwhichonlycharacterisesthegeneralinfirmityofhumannaturefromthosewhicharesymptomsoftheparticulardistemperatureofourownairandseason。
Nobody，Ibelieve，willconsideritmerelyasthelanguageofspleenordisappointment，ifIsaythatthereissomethingparticularlyalarminginthepresentconjuncture。Thereishardlyaman，inoroutofpower，whoholdsanyotherlanguage。ThatGovernmentisatoncedreadedandcontemned;thatthelawsaredespoiledofalltheirrespectedandsalutaryterrors;thattheirinactionisasubjectofridicule，andtheirexertionofabhorrence;thatrank，andoffice，andtitle，andallthesolemnplausibilitiesoftheworld，havelosttheirreverenceandeffect;thatourforeignpoliticsareasmuchderangedasourdomesticeconomy;thatourdependenciesareslackenedintheiraffection，andloosenedfromtheirobedience;
thatweknowneitherhowtoyieldnorhowtoenforce;thathardlyanythingaboveorbelow，abroadorathome，issoundandentire;butthatdisconnectionandconfusion，inoffices，inparties，infamilies，inParliament，inthenation，prevailbeyondthedisordersofanyformertime：thesearefactsuniversallyadmittedandlamented。
Thisstateofthingsisthemoreextraordinary，becausethegreatpartieswhichformerlydividedandagitatedthekingdomareknowntobeinamannerentirelydissolved。Nogreatexternalcalamityhasvisitedthenation;nopestilenceorfamine。Wedonotlabouratpresentunderanyschemeoftaxationneworoppressiveinthequantityorinthemode。Norareweengagedinunsuccessfulwar，inwhichourmisfortunesmighteasilypervertourjudgment，andourminds，sorefromthelossofnationalglory，mightfeeleveryblowoffortuneasacrimeinGovernment。
Itisimpossiblethatthecauseofthisstrangedistempershouldnotsometimesbecomeasubjectofdiscourse。Itisacomplimentdue，andwhichIwillinglypay，tothosewhoadministerouraffairs，totakenoticeinthefirstplaceoftheirspeculation。OurMinistersareofopinionthattheincreaseofourtradeandmanufactures，thatourgrowthbycolonisationandbyconquest，haveconcurredtoaccumulateimmensewealthinthehandsofsomeindividuals;andthisagainbeingdispersedamongstthepeople，hasrenderedthemuniversallyproud，ferocious，andungovernable;thattheinsolenceofsomefromtheirenormouswealth，andtheboldnessofothersfromaguiltypoverty，haverenderedthemcapableofthemostatrociousattempts;sothattheyhavetrampleduponallsubordination，andviolentlybornedowntheunarmedlawsofafreeGovernment——barrierstoofeebleagainstthefuryofapopulacesofierceandlicentiousasours。Theycontendthatnoadequateprovocationhasbeengivenforsospreadingadiscontent，ouraffairshavingbeenconductedthroughoutwithremarkabletemperandconsummatewisdom。Thewickedindustryofsomelibellers，joinedtotheintriguesofafewdisappointedpoliticians，have，intheiropinion，beenabletoproducethisunnaturalfermentinthenation。
Nothingindeedcanbemoreunnaturalthanthepresentconvulsionsofthiscountry，iftheaboveaccountbeatrueone。IconfessIshallassenttoitwithgreatreluctance，andonlyonthecompulsionoftheclearestandfirmestproofs;becausetheiraccountresolvesitselfintothisshortbutdiscouragingproposition，"ThatwehaveaverygoodMinistry，butthatweareaverybadpeople;"thatwesetourselvestobitethehandthatfeedsus;thatwithamalignantinsanityweopposethemeasures，andungratefullyvilifythepersons，ofthosewhosesoleobjectisourownpeaceandprosperity。
Ifafewpunylibellers，actingunderaknotoffactiouspoliticians，withoutvirtue，parts，orcharacter（suchtheyareconstantlyrepresentedbythesegentlemen），aresufficienttoexcitethisdisturbance，veryperversemustbethedispositionofthatpeopleamongstwhomsuchadisturbancecanbeexcitedbysuchmeans。
Itisbesidesnosmallaggravationofthepublicmisfortunethatthedisease，onthishypothesis，appearstobewithoutremedy。Ifthewealthofthenationbethecauseofitsturbulence，Iimagineitisnotproposedtointroducepovertyasaconstabletokeepthepeace。
Ifourdominionsabroadaretherootswhichfeedallthisrankluxurianceofsedition，itisnotintendedtocutthemoffinordertofamishthefruit。Ifourlibertyhasenfeebledtheexecutivepower，thereisnodesign，Ihope，tocallintheaidofdespotismtofillupthedeficienciesoflaw。Whatevermaybeintended，thesethingsarenotyetprofessed。Weseemthereforetobedriventoabsolutedespair，forwehavenoothermaterialstoworkuponbutthoseoutofwhichGodhasbeenpleasedtoformtheinhabitantsofthisisland。Iftheseberadicallyandessentiallyvicious，allthatcanbesaidisthatthosemenareveryunhappytowhosefortuneordutyitfallstoadministertheaffairsofthisuntowardpeople。
Ihearitindeedsometimesassertedthatasteadyperseveranceinthepresentmeasures，andarigorouspunishmentofthosewhoopposethem，willincourseoftimeinfalliblyputanendtothesedisorders。Butthis，inmyopinion，issaidwithoutmuchobservationofourpresentdisposition，andwithoutanyknowledgeatallofthegeneralnatureofmankind。Ifthematterofwhichthisnationiscomposedbesoveryfermentableasthesegentlemendescribeit，leavenneverwillbewantingtoworkitup，aslongasdiscontent，revenge，andambitionhaveexistenceintheworld。
ParticularpunishmentsarethecureforaccidentaldistempersintheState;theyinflameratherthanallaythoseheatswhicharisefromthesettledmismanagementoftheGovernment，orfromanaturalilldispositioninthepeople。Itisoftheutmostmomentnottomakemistakesintheuseofstrongmeasures，andfirmnessisthenonlyavirtuewhenitaccompaniesthemostperfectwisdom。Intruth，inconstancyisasortofnaturalcorrectiveoffollyandignorance。
Iamnotoneofthosewhothinkthatthepeopleareneverinthewrong。Theyhavebeenso，frequentlyandoutrageously，bothinothercountriesandinthis。ButIdosaythatinalldisputesbetweenthemandtheirrulersthepresumptionisatleastuponaparinfavourofthepeople。Experiencemayperhapsjustifymeingoingfurther。Whenpopulardiscontentshavebeenveryprevalent，itmaywellbeaffirmedandsupportedthattherehasbeengenerallysomethingfoundamissintheconstitutionorintheconductofGovernment。Thepeoplehavenointerestindisorder。Whentheydowrong，itistheirerror，andnottheircrime。ButwiththegoverningpartoftheStateitisfarotherwise。Theycertainlymayactillbydesign，aswellasbymistake。"Lesrevolutionsquiarriventdanslesgrandsetatsnesontpointuneffectduhasard，niducapricedespeuples。Riennerevoltelesgrandsd’unroyaumecommeunGouvernomentfoibleetderange。Pourlapopulace，cen’estjamaisparenvied’attaquerqu’ellesesouleve，maisparimpatiencedesouffrir。"Thesearethewordsofagreatman，ofaMinisterofState，andazealousassertorofMonarchy。TheyareappliedtothesystemoffavouritismwhichwasadoptedbyHenrytheThirdofFrance，andtothedreadfulconsequencesitproduced。Whathesaysofrevolutionsisequallytrueofallgreatdisturbances。Ifthispresumptioninfavourofthesubjectsagainstthetrusteesofpowerbenotthemoreprobable，Iamsureitisthemorecomfortablespeculation，becauseitismoreeasytochangeanAdministrationthantoreformapeople。
Uponasupposition，therefore，that，intheopeningofthecause，thepresumptionsstandequallybalancedbetweentheparties，thereseemssufficientgroundtoentitleanypersontoafairhearingwhoattemptssomeotherschemebesidesthateasyonewhichisfashionableinsomefashionablecompanies，toaccountforthepresentdiscontents。Itisnottobearguedthatweendurenogrievance，becauseourgrievancesarenotofthesamesortwiththoseunderwhichwelabouredformerly——notpreciselythosewhichweborefromtheTudors，orvindicatedontheStuarts。Agreatchangehastakenplaceintheaffairsofthiscountry。Forinthesilentlapseofeventsasmaterialalterationshavebeeninsensiblybroughtaboutinthepolicyandcharacterofgovernmentsandnationsasthosewhichhavebeenmarkedbythetumultofpublicrevolutions。
Itisveryrareindeedformentobewrongintheirfeelingsconcerningpublicmisconduct;asraretoberightintheirspeculationuponthecauseofit。Ihaveconstantlyobservedthatthegeneralityofpeoplearefiftyyears，atleast，behindhandintheirpolitics。Therearebutveryfewwhoarecapableofcomparinganddigestingwhatpassesbeforetheireyesatdifferenttimesandoccasions，soastoformthewholeintoadistinctsystem。Butinbookseverythingissettledforthem，withouttheexertionofanyconsiderablediligenceorsagacity。Forwhichreasonmenarewisewithbutlittlereflection，andgoodwithlittleself—denial，inthebusinessofalltimesexcepttheirown。Weareveryuncorruptandtolerablyenlightenedjudgesofthetransactionsofpastages;wherenopassionsdeceive，andwherethewholetrainofcircumstances，fromthetriflingcausetothetragicalevent，issetinanorderlyseriesbeforeus。Fewarethepartisansofdepartedtyranny;andtobeaWhigonthebusinessofahundredyearsagoisveryconsistentwitheveryadvantageofpresentservility。Thisretrospectivewisdomandhistoricalpatriotismarethingsofwonderfulconvenience，andserveadmirablytoreconciletheoldquarrelbetweenspeculationandpractice。Manyasternrepublican，aftergorginghimselfwithafullfeastofadmirationoftheGreciancommonwealthsandofourtrueSaxonconstitution，anddischargingallthesplendidbileofhisvirtuousindignationonKingJohnandKingJames，sitsdownperfectlysatisfiedtothecoarsestworkandhomeliestjobofthedayhelivesin。IbelievetherewasnoprofessedadmirerofHenrytheEighthamongtheinstrumentsofthelastKingJames;norinthecourtofHenrytheEighthwasthere，I
daresay，tobefoundasingleadvocateforthefavouritesofRichardtheSecond。
NocomplaisancetoourCourt，ortoourage，canmakemebelievenaturetobesochangedbutthatpubliclibertywillbeamongus，asamongourancestors，obnoxioustosomepersonorother，andthatopportunitieswillbefurnishedforattempting，atleast，somealterationtotheprejudiceofourconstitution。Theseattemptswillnaturallyvaryintheirmode，accordingtotimesandcircumstances。Forambition，thoughithaseverthesamegeneralviews，hasnotatalltimesthesamemeans，northesameparticularobjects。Agreatdealofthefurnitureofancienttyrannyisworntorags;therestisentirelyoutoffashion。Besides，therearefewstatesmensoveryclumsyandawkwardintheirbusinessastofallintotheidenticalsnarewhichhasprovedfataltotheirpredecessors。Whenanarbitraryimpositionisattempteduponthesubject，undoubtedlyitwillnotbearonitsforeheadthenameofSHIP—MONEY。ThereisnodangerthatanextensionoftheFORESTLAWS
shouldbethechosenmodeofoppressioninthisage。Andwhenwehearanyinstanceofministerialrapacitytotheprejudiceoftherightsofprivatelife，itwillcertainlynotbetheexactionoftwohundredpullets，fromawomanoffashion，forleavetoliewithherownhusband。
Everyagehasitsownmanners，anditspoliticsdependentuponthem;
andthesameattemptswillnotbemadeagainstaconstitutionfullyformedandmatured，thatwereusedtodestroyitinthecradle，ortoresistitsgrowthduringitsinfancy。
AgainstthebeingofParliament，Iamsatisfied，nodesignshaveeverbeenentertainedsincetheRevolution。EveryonemustperceivethatitisstronglytheinterestoftheCourttohavesomesecondcauseinterposedbetweentheMinistersandthepeople。ThegentlemenoftheHouseofCommonshaveaninterestequallystronginsustainingthepartofthatintermediatecause。Howevertheymayhireouttheusufructoftheirvoices，theyneverwillpartwiththeFEEANDINHERITANCE。AccordinglythosewhohavebeenofthemostknowndevotiontothewillandpleasureofaCourt，haveatthesametimebeenmostforwardinassertingahighauthorityintheHouseofCommons。Whentheyknewwhoweretousethatauthority，andhowitwastobeemployed，theythoughtitnevercouldbecarriedtoofar。
Itmustbealwaysthewishofanunconstitutionalstatesman，thataHouseofCommonswhoareentirelydependentuponhim，shouldhaveeveryrightofthepeopleentirelydependentupontheirpleasure。
Itwassoondiscoveredthattheformsofafree，andtheendsofanarbitraryGovernment，werethingsnotaltogetherincompatible。
ThepoweroftheCrown，almostdeadandrottenasPrerogative，hasgrownupanew，withmuchmorestrength，andfarlessodium，underthenameofInfluence。Aninfluencewhichoperatedwithoutnoiseandwithoutviolence;aninfluencewhichconvertedtheveryantagonistintotheinstrumentofpower;whichcontainedinitselfaperpetualprincipleofgrowthandrenovation;andwhichthedistressesandtheprosperityofthecountryequallytendedtoaugment，wasanadmirablesubstituteforaprerogativethat，beingonlytheoffspringofantiquatedprejudices，hadmouldedinitsoriginalstaminairresistibleprinciplesofdecayanddissolution。
Theignoranceofthepeopleisabottombutforatemporarysystem;
theinterestofactivemenintheStateisafoundationperpetualandinfallible。However，somecircumstances，arising，itmustbeconfessed，inagreatdegreefromaccident，preventedtheeffectsofthisinfluenceforalongtimefrombreakingoutinamannercapableofexcitinganyseriousapprehensions。AlthoughGovernmentwasstrongandflourishedexceedingly，theCOURThaddrawnfarlessadvantagethanonewouldimaginefromthisgreatsourceofpower。
AttheRevolution，theCrown，deprived，fortheendsoftheRevolutionitself，ofmanyprerogatives，wasfoundtooweaktostruggleagainstallthedifficultieswhichpressedsonewandunsettledaGovernment。TheCourtwasobligedthereforetodelegateapartofitspowerstomenofsuchinterestascouldsupport，andofsuchfidelityaswouldadhereto，itsestablishment。Suchmenwereabletodrawinagreaternumbertoaconcurrenceinthecommondefence。Thisconnection，necessaryatfirst，continuedlongafterconvenient;andproperlyconductedmightindeed，inallsituations，beausefulinstrumentofGovernment。Atthesametime，throughtheinterventionofmenofpopularweightandcharacter，thepeoplepossessedasecurityfortheirjustproportionofimportanceintheState。ButasthetitletotheCrowngrewstrongerbylongpossession，andbytheconstantincreaseofitsinfluence，thesehelpshaveoflateseemedtocertainpersonsnobetterthanincumbrances。ThepowerfulmanagersforGovernmentwerenotsufficientlysubmissivetothepleasureofthepossessorsofimmediateandpersonalfavour，sometimesfromaconfidenceintheirownstrength，naturalandacquired;sometimesfromafearofoffendingtheirfriends，andweakeningthatleadinthecountry，whichgavethemaconsiderationindependentoftheCourt。MenactedasiftheCourtcouldreceive，aswellasconfer，anobligation。
TheinfluenceofGovernment，thusdividedinappearancebetweentheCourtandtheleadersofparties，becameinmanycasesanaccessionrathertothepopularthantotheroyalscale;andsomepartofthatinfluence，whichwouldotherwisehavebeenpossessedasinasortofmortmainandunalienabledomain，returnedagaintothegreatoceanfromwhenceitarose，andcirculatedamongthepeople。Thismethodthereforeofgoverningbymenofgreatnaturalinterestorgreatacquiredconsideration，wasviewedinaveryinvidiouslightbythetrueloversofabsolutemonarchy。Itisthenatureofdespotismtoabhorpowerheldbyanymeansbutitsownmomentarypleasure;andtoannihilateallintermediatesituationsbetweenboundlessstrengthonitsownpart，andtotaldebilityonthepartofthepeople。
Togetridofallthisintermediateandindependentimportance，andTOSECURETOTHECOURTTHEUNLIMITEDANDUNCONTROLLEDUSEOFITSOWN
VASTINFLUENCE，UNDERTHESOLEDIRECTIONOFITSOWNPRIVATEFAVOUR，hasforsomeyearspastbeenthegreatobjectofpolicy。Ifthiswerecompassed，theinfluenceoftheCrownmustofcourseproducealltheeffectswhichthemostsanguinepartisansoftheCourtcouldpossiblydesire。Governmentmightthenbecarriedonwithoutanyconcurrenceonthepartofthepeople;withoutanyattentiontothedignityofthegreater，ortotheaffectionsofthelowersorts。A
newprojectwasthereforedevisedbyacertainsetofintriguingmen，totallydifferentfromthesystemofAdministrationwhichhadprevailedsincetheaccessionoftheHouseofBrunswick。Thisproject，Ihaveheard，wasfirstconceivedbysomepersonsintheCourtofFrederick，PrinceofWales。
TheearliestattemptintheexecutionofthisdesignwastosetupforMinisteraperson，inrankindeedrespectable，andveryampleinfortune;butwho，tothemomentofthisvastandsuddenelevation，waslittleknownorconsideredinthekingdom。Tohimthewholenationwastoyieldanimmediateandimplicitsubmission。Butwhetheritwasfromwantoffirmnesstobearupagainstthefirstopposition，orthatthingswerenotyetfullyripened，orthatthismethodwasnotfoundthemosteligible，thatideawassoonabandoned。Theinstrumentalpartoftheprojectwasalittlealtered，toaccommodateittothetime，andtobringthingsmoregraduallyandmoresurelytotheonegreatendproposed。
ThefirstpartofthereformedplanwastodrawALINEWHICHSHOULD
SEPARATETHECOURTFROMTHEMINISTRY。Hithertothesenameshadbeenlookeduponassynonymous;but，forthefuture，CourtandAdministrationweretobeconsideredasthingstotallydistinct。Bythisoperation，twosystemsofAdministrationweretobeformed：
onewhichshouldbeintherealsecretandconfidence;theothermerelyostensible，toperformtheofficialandexecutorydutiesofGovernment。Thelatterwerealonetoberesponsible;whilsttherealadvisers，whoenjoyedallthepower，wereeffectuallyremovedfromallthedanger。
Secondly，APARTYUNDERTHESELEADERSWASTOBEFORMEDINFAVOUROF
THECOURTAGAINSTTHEMINISTRY：thispartywastohavealargeshareintheemolumentsofGovernment，andtoholdittotallyseparatefrom，andindependentof，ostensibleAdministration。
Thethirdpoint，andthatonwhichthesuccessofthewholeschemeultimatelydepended，wasTOBRINGPARLIAMENTTOANACQUIESCENCEIN
THISPROJECT。Parliamentwasthereforetobetaughtbydegreesatotalindifferencetothepersons，rank，influence，abilities，connections，andcharacteroftheMinistersoftheCrown。Bymeansofadiscipline，onwhichIshallsaymorehereafter，thatbodywastobehabituatedtothemostoppositeinterests，andthemostdiscordantpolitics。Allconnectionsanddependenciesamongsubjectsweretobeentirelydissolved。AshithertobusinesshadgonethroughthehandsofleadersofWhigsorTories，menoftalentstoconciliatethepeople，andtoengagetheirconfidence，nowthemethodwastobealtered;andtheleadwastobegiventomenofnosortofconsiderationorcreditinthecountry。Thiswantofnaturalimportancewastobetheirverytitletodelegatedpower。
Membersofparliamentweretobehardenedintoaninsensibilitytoprideaswellastoduty。Thosehighandhaughtysentiments，whicharethegreatsupportofindependence，weretobeletdowngradually。PointofhonourandprecedencewerenomoretoberegardedinParliamentarydecorumthaninaTurkisharmy。Itwastobeavowed，asaconstitutionalmaxim，thattheKingmightappointoneofhisfootmen，oroneofyourfootmen，forMinister;andthatheoughttobe，andthathewouldbe，aswellfollowedasthefirstnameforrankorwisdominthenation。ThusParliamentwastolookon，asifperfectlyunconcernedwhileacabaloftheclosetandback—stairswassubstitutedintheplaceofanationalAdministration。
Withsuchadegreeofacquiescence，anymeasureofanyCourtmightwellbedeemedthoroughlysecure。Thecapitalobjects，andbymuchthemostflatteringcharacteristicsofarbitrarypower，wouldbeobtained。EverythingwouldbedrawnfromitsholdingsinthecountrytothepersonalfavourandinclinationofthePrince。Thisfavourwouldbethesoleintroductiontopower，andtheonlytenurebywhichitwastobeheld：sothatnopersonlookingtowardsanother，andalllookingtowardstheCourt，itwasimpossiblebutthatthemotivewhichsolelyinfluencedeveryman’shopesmustcomeintimetogoverneveryman’sconduct;tillatlasttheservilitybecameuniversal，inspiteofthedeadletterofanylawsorinstitutionswhatsoever。
HowitshouldhappenthatanymancouldbetemptedtoventureuponsuchaprojectofGovernment，mayatfirstviewappearsurprising。
Butthefactisthatopportunitiesveryinvitingtosuchanattempthaveoffered;andtheschemeitselfwasnotdestituteofsomearguments，notwhollyunplausible，torecommendit。Theseopportunitiesandthesearguments，theusethathasbeenmadeofboth，theplanforcarryingthisnewschemeofgovernmentintoexecution，andtheeffectswhichithasproduced，areinmyopinionworthyofourseriousconsideration。
HisMajestycametothethroneofthesekingdomswithmoreadvantagesthananyofhispredecessorssincetheRevolution。
Fourthindescent，andthirdinsuccessionofhisRoyalfamily，eventhezealotsofhereditaryright，inhim，sawsomethingtoflattertheirfavouriteprejudices;andtojustifyatransferoftheirattachments，withoutachangeintheirprinciples。ThepersonandcauseofthePretenderwerebecomecontemptible;histitledisownedthroughoutEurope，hispartydisbandedinEngland。HisMajestycameindeedtotheinheritanceofamightywar;but，victoriousineverypartoftheglobe，peacewasalwaysinhispower，nottonegotiate，buttodictate。Noforeignhabitudesorattachmentswithdrewhimfromthecultivationofhispowerathome。HisrevenuefortheCivilestablishment，fixed（asitwasthenthought）atalarge，butdefinitesum，wasample，withoutbeinginvidious;hisinfluence，byadditionsfromconquest，byanaugmentationofdebt，byanincreaseofmilitaryandnavalestablishment，muchstrengthenedandextended。
Andcomingtothethroneintheprimeandfullvigourofyouth，asfromaffectiontherewasastrongdislike，sofromdreadthereseemedtobeageneralaversenessfromgivinganythinglikeoffencetoamonarchagainstwhoseresentmentoppositioncouldnotlookforarefugeinanysortofreversionaryhope。
ThesesingularadvantagesinspiredhisMajestyonlywithamoreardentdesiretopreserveunimpairedthespiritofthatnationalfreedomtowhichheowedasituationsofullofglory。Buttoothersitsuggestedsentimentsofaverydifferentnature。Theythoughttheynowbeheldanopportunity（byacertainsortofstatesmanneverlongundiscoveredorunemployed）ofdrawingtothemselves，bytheaggrandisementofaCourtfaction，adegreeofpowerwhichtheycouldneverhopetoderivefromnaturalinfluenceorfromhonourableservice;andwhichitwasimpossibletheycouldholdwiththeleastsecurity，whilstthesystemofAdministrationresteduponitsformerbottom。Inordertofacilitatetheexecutionoftheirdesign，itwasnecessarytomakemanyalterationsinpoliticalarrangement，andasignalchangeintheopinions，habits，andconnectionsofthegreaterpartofthosewhoatthattimeactedinpublic。
Inthefirstplace，theyproceededgradually，butnotslowly，todestroyeverythingofstrengthwhichdidnotderiveitsprincipalnourishmentfromtheimmediatepleasureoftheCourt。ThegreatestweightofpopularopinionandpartyconnectionwerethenwiththeDukeofNewcastleandMr。Pitt。NeitheroftheseheldhisimportancebytheNEWTENUREoftheCourt;theywerenot，therefore，thoughttobesoproperasothersfortheserviceswhichwererequiredbythattenure。Ithappenedveryfavourablyforthenewsystem，thatunderaforcedcoalitionthererankledanincurablealienationanddisgustbetweenthepartieswhichcomposedtheAdministration。Mr。Pittwasfirstattacked。Notsatisfiedwithremovinghimfrompower，theyendeavouredbyvariousartificestoruinhischaracter。Theotherpartyseemedratherpleasedtogetridofsooppressiveasupport;notperceivingthattheirownfallwaspreparedbyhis，andinvolvedinit。Manyotherreasonspreventedthemfromdaringtolooktheirtruesituationintheface。
TothegreatWhigfamiliesitwasextremelydisagreeable，andseemedalmostunnatural，toopposetheAdministrationofaPrinceoftheHouseofBrunswick。Dayafterdaytheyhesitated，anddoubted，andlingered，expectingthatothercounselswouldtakeplace;andwereslowtobepersuadedthatallwhichhadbeendonebytheCabalwastheeffect，notofhumour，butofsystem。ItwasmorestronglyandevidentlytheinterestofthenewCourtfactiontogetridofthegreatWhigconnectionsthantodestroyMr。Pitt。Thepowerofthatgentlemanwasvastindeed，andmerited;butitwasinagreatdegreepersonal，andthereforetransient。Theirswasrootedinthecountry。For，withagooddeallessofpopularity，theypossessedafarmorenaturalandfixedinfluence。LongpossessionofGovernment;vastproperty;obligationsoffavoursgivenandreceived;connectionofoffice;tiesofblood，ofalliance，offriendship（thingsatthattimesupposedofsomeforce）;thenameofWhig，deartothemajorityofthepeople;thezealearlybegunandsteadilycontinuedtotheRoyalFamily;allthesetogetherformedabodyofpowerinthenation，whichwascriminalanddevoted。ThegreatrulingprincipleoftheCabal，andthatwhichanimatedandharmonisedalltheirproceedings，howvarioussoevertheymayhavebeen，wastosignifytotheworldthattheCourtwouldproceeduponitsownproperforcesonly;andthatthepretenceofbringinganyotherintoitsservicewasanaffronttoit，andnotasupport。
Thereforewhenthechiefswereremoved，inordertogototheroot，thewholepartywasputunderaproscription，sogeneralandsevereastotaketheirhard—earnedbreadfromthelowestofficers，inamannerwhichhadneverbeenknownbefore，eveningeneralrevolutions。Butitwasthoughtnecessaryeffectuallytodestroyalldependenciesbutone，andtoshowanexampleofthefirmnessandrigourwithwhichthenewsystemwastobesupported。
Thusforthetimewerepulleddown，inthepersonsoftheWhigleadersandofMr。Pitt（inspiteoftheservicesoftheoneattheaccessionoftheRoyalFamily，andtherecentservicesoftheotherinthewar），theTWOONLYSECURITIESFORTHEIMPORTANCEOFTHE
PEOPLE：POWERARISINGFROMPOPULARITY，ANDPOWERARISINGFROM
CONNECTION。Hereandthereindeedafewindividualswereleftstanding，whogavesecurityfortheirtotalestrangementfromtheodiousprinciplesofpartyconnectionandpersonalattachment;anditmustbeconfessedthatmostofthemhavereligiouslykepttheirfaith。Suchachangecouldnot，however，bemadewithoutamightyshocktoGovernment。
Toreconcilethemindsofthepeopletoallthesemovements，principlescorrespondenttothemhadbeenpreachedupwithgreatzeal。EveryonemustrememberthattheCabalsetoutwiththemostastonishingprudery，bothmoralandpolitical。Thosewhoinafewmonthsaftersousedoverheadandearsintothedeepestanddirtiestpitsofcorruption，criedoutviolentlyagainsttheindirectpracticesintheelectingandmanagingofParliaments，whichhadformerlyprevailed。ThismarvellousabhorrencewhichtheCourthadsuddenlytakentoallinfluence，wasnotonlycirculatedinconversationthroughthekingdom，butpompouslyannouncedtothepublic，withmanyotherextraordinarythings，inapamphletwhichhadalltheappearanceofamanifestopreparatorytosomeconsiderableenterprise。Throughout，itwasasatire，thoughintermsmanagedanddecentenough，onthepoliticsoftheformerreign。Itwasindeedwrittenwithnosmallartandaddress。
Inthispieceappearedthefirstdawningofthenewsystem;therefirstappearedtheidea（thenonlyinspeculation）ofSEPARATINGTHE
COURTFROMTHEADMINISTRATION;ofcarryingeverythingfromnationalconnectiontopersonalregards;andofformingaregularpartyforthatpurpose，underthenameofKING’SMEN。
Torecommendthissystemtothepeople，aperspectiveviewoftheCourt，gorgeouslypainted，andfinelyilluminatedfromwithin，wasexhibitedtothegapingmultitude。Partywastobetotallydoneaway，withallitsevilworks。CorruptionwastobecastdownfromCourt，asAtewasfromheaven。Powerwasthenceforwardtobethechosenresidenceofpublicspirit;andnoonewastobesupposedunderanysinisterinfluence，exceptthosewhohadthemisfortunetobeindisgraceatCourt，whichwastostandinlieuofallvicesandallcorruptions。AschemeofperfectiontoberealisedinaMonarchy，farbeyondthevisionaryRepublicofPlato。Thewholescenerywasexactlydisposedtocaptivatethosegoodsouls，whosecredulousmoralityissoinvaluableatreasuretocraftypoliticians。Indeed，therewaswherewithaltocharmeverybody，exceptthosefewwhoarenotmuchpleasedwithprofessionsofsupernaturalvirtue，whoknowofwhatstuffsuchprofessionsaremade，forwhatpurposestheyaredesigned，andinwhattheyaresureconstantlytoend。Manyinnocentgentlemen，whohadbeentalkingprosealltheirliveswithoutknowinganythingofthematter，beganatlasttoopentheireyesupontheirownmerits，andtoattributetheirnothavingbeenLordsoftheTreasuryandLordsofTrademanyyearsbeforemerelytotheprevalenceofparty，andtotheMinisterialpower，whichhadfrustratedthegoodintentionsoftheCourtinfavouroftheirabilities。NowwasthetimetounlockthesealedfountainofRoyalbounty，whichhadbeeninfamouslymonopolisedandhuckstered，andtoletitflowatlargeuponthewholepeople。ThetimewascometorestoreRoyaltytoitsoriginalsplendour。MettreleRoyhorsdepage，becameasortofwatchword。
AnditwasconstantlyinthemouthsofalltherunnersoftheCourt，thatnothingcouldpreservethebalanceoftheconstitutionfrombeingoverturnedbytherabble，orbyafactionofthenobility，buttofreetheSovereigneffectuallyfromthatMinisterialtyrannyunderwhichtheRoyaldignityhadbeenoppressedinthepersonofhisMajesty’sgrandfather。
TheseweresomeofthemanyartificesusedtoreconcilethepeopletothegreatchangewhichwasmadeinthepersonswhocomposedtheMinistry，andthestillgreaterwhichwasmadeandavowedinitsconstitution。Astoindividuals，othermethodswereemployedwiththem，inordersothoroughlytodisuniteeveryparty，andeveneveryfamily，thatNOCONCERT，ORDER，OREFFECT，MIGHTAPPEARINANY
FUTUREOPPOSITION。AndinthismanneranAdministrationwithoutconnectionwiththepeople，orwithoneanother，wasfirstputinpossessionofGovernment。Whatgoodconsequencesfollowedfromit，wehaveallseen;whetherwithregardtovirtue，publicorprivate;
totheeaseandhappinessoftheSovereign;ortotherealstrengthofGovernment。Butassomuchstresswasthenlaidonthenecessityofthisnewproject，itwillnotbeamisstotakeaviewoftheeffectsofthisRoyalservitudeandviledurance，whichwassodeploredinthereignofthelateMonarch，andwassocarefullytobeavoidedinthereignofhissuccessor。Theeffectswerethese。
Intimesfullofdoubtanddangertohispersonandfamily，GeorgetheSecondmaintainedthedignityofhisCrownconnectedwiththelibertyofhispeople，notonlyunimpaired，butimproved，forthespaceofthirty—threeyears。Heovercameadangerousrebellion，abettedbyforeignforce，andragingintheheartofhiskingdoms;
andtherebydestroyedtheseedsofallfuturerebellionthatcouldariseuponthesameprinciple。Hecarriedtheglory，thepower，thecommerceofEngland，toaheightunknowneventothisrenownednationinthetimesofitsgreatestprosperity：andhelefthissuccessionrestingonthetrueandonlytruefoundationofallnationalandallregalgreatness;affectionathome，reputationabroad，trustinallies，terrorinrivalnations。ThemostardentloverofhiscountrycannotwishforGreatBritainahappierfatethantocontinueasshewasthenleft。ApeopleemulousasweareinaffectiontoourpresentSovereign，knownothowtoformaprayertoHeavenforagreaterblessinguponhisvirtues，orahigherstateoffelicityandglory，thanthatheshouldlive，andshouldreign，and，whenProvidenceordainsit，shoulddie，exactlylikehisillustriouspredecessor。
AgreatPrincemaybeobliged（thoughsuchathingcannothappenveryoften）tosacrificehisprivateinclinationtohispublicinterest。AwisePrincewillnotthinkthatsucharestraintimpliesaconditionofservility;andtruly，ifsuchwastheconditionofthelastreign，andtheeffectswerealsosuchaswehavedescribed，weought，nolessforthesakeoftheSovereignwhomwelove，thanforourown，tohearargumentsconvincingindeed，beforewedepartfromthemaximsofthatreign，orflyinthefaceofthisgreatbodyofstrongandrecentexperience。
Oneoftheprincipaltopicswhichwasthen，andhasbeensince，muchemployedbythatpoliticalschool，isaneffectualterrorofthegrowthofanaristocraticpower，prejudicialtotherightsoftheCrown，andthebalanceoftheconstitution。AnynewpowersexercisedintheHouseofLords，orintheHouseofCommons，orbytheCrown，oughtcertainlytoexcitethevigilantandanxiousjealousyofafreepeople。EvenanewandunprecedentedcourseofactioninthewholeLegislature，withoutgreatandevidentreason，maybeasubjectofjustuneasiness。Iwillnotaffirm，thattheremaynothavelatelyappearedintheHouseofLordsadispositiontosomeattemptsderogatorytothelegalrightsofthesubject。Ifanysuchhavereallyappeared，theyhavearisen，notfromapowerproperlyaristocratic，butfromthesameinfluencewhichischargedwithhavingexcitedattemptsofasimilarnatureintheHouseofCommons;whichHouse，ifitshouldhavebeenbetrayedintoanunfortunatequarrelwithitsconstituents，andinvolvedinachargeoftheverysamenature，couldhaveneitherpowernorinclinationtorepelsuchattemptsinothers。ThoseattemptsintheHouseofLordscannomorebecalledaristocraticproceedings，thantheproceedingswithregardtothecountyofMiddlesexintheHouseofCommonscanwithanysensebecalleddemocratical。
Itistrue，thatthePeershaveagreatinfluenceinthekingdom，andineverypartofthepublicconcerns。Whiletheyaremenofproperty，itisimpossibletopreventit，exceptbysuchmeansasmustpreventallpropertyfromitsnaturaloperation：aneventnoteasilytobecompassed，whilepropertyispower;norbyanymeanstobewished，whiletheleastnotionexistsofthemethodbywhichthespiritoflibertyacts，andofthemeansbywhichitispreserved。
IfanyparticularPeers，bytheiruniform，upright，constitutionalconduct，bytheirpublicandtheirprivatevirtues，haveacquiredaninfluenceinthecountry;thepeopleonwhosefavourthatinfluencedepends，andfromwhomitarose，willneverbedupedintoanopinion，thatsuchgreatnessinaPeeristhedespotismofanaristocracy，whentheyknowandfeelittobetheeffectandpledgeoftheirownimportance。
Iamnofriendtoaristocracy，inthesenseatleastinwhichthatwordisusuallyunderstood。Ifitwerenotabadhabittomootcasesonthesupposedruinoftheconstitution，Ishouldbefreetodeclare，thatifitmustperish，Iwouldratherbyfarseeitresolvedintoanyotherform，thanlostinthataustereandinsolentdomination。But，whatevermydislikesmaybe，myfearsarenotuponthatquarter。Thequestion，ontheinfluenceofaCourt，andofaPeerage，isnot，whichofthetwodangersisthemosteligible，butwhichisthemostimminent。Heisbutapoorobserver，whohasnotseen，thatthegeneralityofPeers，farfromsupportingthemselvesinastateofindependentgreatness，arebuttooapttofallintoanoblivionoftheirproperdignity，andtorunheadlongintoanabjectservitude。WouldtoGoditweretrue，thatthefaultofourPeersweretoomuchspirit！Itisworthyofsomeobservation，thatthesegentlemen，sojealousofaristocracy，makenocomplaintsofthepowerofthosepeers（neitherfewnorinconsiderable）whoarealwaysinthetrainofaCourt，andwhosewholeweightmustbeconsideredasaportionofthesettledinfluenceoftheCrown。Thisisallsafeandright;butifsomePeers（Iamverysorrytheyarenotasmanyastheyoughttobe）setthemselves，inthegreatconcernofPeersandCommons，againstaback—stairsinfluenceandclandestinegovernment，thenthealarmbegins;thentheconstitutionisindangerofbeingforcedintoanaristocracy。
IrestalittlethelongeronthisCourttopic，becauseitwasmuchinsisteduponatthetimeofthegreatchange，andhasbeensincefrequentlyrevivedbymanyoftheagentsofthatparty：for，whilsttheyareterrifyingthegreatandopulentwiththehorrorsofmob—
government，theyarebyothermanagersattempting（thoughhithertowithlittlesuccess）toalarmthepeoplewithaphantomoftyrannyintheNobles。Allthisisdoneupontheirfavouriteprincipleofdisunion，ofsowingjealousiesamongstthedifferentordersoftheState，andofdisjointingthenaturalstrengthofthekingdom;thatitmayberenderedincapableofresistingthesinisterdesignsofwickedmen，whohaveengrossedtheRoyalpower。
Thusmuchofthetopicschosenbythecourtierstorecommendtheirsystem;itwillbenecessarytoopenalittlemoreatlargethenatureofthatpartywhichwasformedforitssupport。Withoutthis，thewholewouldhavebeennobetterthanavisionaryamusement，liketheschemeofHarrington’spoliticalclub，andnotabusinessinwhichthenationhadarealconcern。Asapowerfulparty，andapartyconstructedonanewprinciple，itisaveryinvitingobjectofcuriosity。
Itmustberemembered，thatsincetheRevolution，untiltheperiodwearespeakingof，theinfluenceoftheCrownhadbeenalwaysemployedinsupportingtheMinistersofState，andincarryingonthepublicbusinessaccordingtotheiropinions。Butthepartynowinquestionisformeduponaverydifferentidea。Itistointerceptthefavour，protection，andconfidenceoftheCrowninthepassagetoitsMinisters;itistocomebetweenthemandtheirimportanceinParliament;itistoseparatethemfromalltheirnaturalandacquireddependencies;itisintendedasthecontrol，notthesupport，ofAdministration。Themachineryofthissystemisperplexedinitsmovements，andfalseinitsprinciple。ItisformedonasuppositionthattheKingissomethingexternaltohisgovernment;andthathemaybehonouredandaggrandised，evenbyitsdebilityanddisgrace。Theplanproceedsexpresslyontheideaofenfeeblingtheregularexecutorypower。ItproceedsontheideaofweakeningtheStateinordertostrengthentheCourt。Theschemedependingentirelyondistrust，ondisconnection，onmutabilitybyprinciple，onsystematicweaknessineveryparticularmember;itisimpossiblethatthetotalresultshouldbesubstantialstrengthofanykind。
Asafoundationoftheirscheme，theCabalhaveestablishedasortofRotaintheCourt。Allsortsofparties，bythismeans，havebeenbroughtintoAdministration，fromwhencefewhavehadthegoodfortunetoescapewithoutdisgrace;noneatallwithoutconsiderablelosses。Inthebeginningofeacharrangementnoprofessionsofconfidenceandsupportarewanting，toinducetheleadingmentoengage。ButwhiletheMinistersofthedayappearinallthepompandprideofpower，whiletheyhavealltheircanvasspreadouttothewind，andeverysailfilledwiththefairandprosperousgaleofRoyalfavour，inashorttimetheyfind，theyknownothow，acurrent，whichsetsdirectlyagainstthem;whichpreventsallprogress，andevendrivesthembackwards。Theygrowashamedandmortifiedinasituation，which，byitsvicinitytopower，onlyservestoremindthemthemorestronglyoftheirinsignificance。
Theyareobligedeithertoexecutetheordersoftheirinferiors，ortoseethemselvesopposedbythenaturalinstrumentsoftheiroffice。Withthelossoftheirdignity，theylosetheirtemper。IntheirturntheygrowtroublesometothatCabal，which，whetheritsupportsoropposes，equallydisgracesandequallybetraysthem。ItissoonfoundnecessarytogetridoftheheadsofAdministration;
butitisoftheheadsonly。Astherealwaysaremanyrottenmembersbelongingtothebestconnections，itisnothardtopersuadeseveraltocontinueinofficewithouttheirleaders。Bythismeansthepartygoesoutmuchthinnerthanitcamein;andisonlyreducedinstrengthbyitstemporarypossessionofpower。
Besides，ifbyaccident，orincourseofchanges，thatpowershouldberecovered，theJuntohavethrownuparetrenchmentofthesecarcases，whichmayservetocoverthemselvesinadayofdanger。
Theyconclude，notunwisely，thatsuchrottenmemberswillbecomethefirstobjectsofdisgustandresentmenttotheirancientconnections。
TheycontrivetoformintheoutwardAdministrationtwopartiesattheleast;which，whilsttheyaretearingoneanothertopieces，arebothcompetitorsforthefavourandprotectionoftheCabal;and，bytheiremulation，contributetothroweverythingmoreandmoreintothehandsoftheinteriormanagers。
AMinisterofStatewillsometimeskeephimselftotallyestrangedfromallhiscolleagues;willdifferfromthemintheircounsels，willprivatelytraverse，andpubliclyoppose，theirmeasures。Hewill，however，continueinhisemployment。Insteadofsufferinganymarkofdispleasure，hewillbedistinguishedbyanunboundedprofusionofCourtrewardsandcaresses;becausehedoeswhatisexpected，andallthatisexpected，frommeninoffice。HehelpstokeepsomeformofAdministrationinbeing，andkeepsitatthesametimeasweakanddividedaspossible。
However，wemusttakecarenottobemistaken，ortoimaginethatsuchpersonshaveanyweightintheiropposition。When，bythem，Administrationisconvincedofitsinsignificancy，theyaresoontobeconvincedoftheirown。Theyneveraresufferedtosucceedintheiropposition。Theyandtheworldaretobesatisfied，thatneitheroffice，norauthority，norproperty，norability，eloquence，counsel，skill，orunion，areoftheleastimportance;butthatthemereinfluenceoftheCourt，nakedofallsupport，anddestituteofallmanagement，isabundantlysufficientforallitsownpurposes。
Whenanyadverseconnectionistobedestroyed，theCabalseldomappearintheworkthemselves。Theyfindoutsomepersonofwhomthepartyentertainsahighopinion。Suchapersontheyendeavourtodeludewithvariouspretences。Theyteachhimfirsttodistrust，andthentoquarrelwithhisfriends;amongwhom，bythesamearts，theyexciteasimilardiffidenceofhim;sothatinthismutualfearanddistrust，hemaysufferhimselftobeemployedastheinstrumentinthechangewhichisbroughtabout。Afterwardstheyaresuretodestroyhiminhisturn;bysettingupinhisplacesomepersoninwhomhehadhimselfreposedthegreatestconfidence，andwhoservestocarryonaconsiderablepartofhisadherents。
Whensuchapersonhasbrokeinthismannerwithhisconnections，heissooncompelledtocommitsomeflagrantactofiniquitouspersonalhostilityagainstsomeofthem（suchasanattempttostripaparticularfriendofhisfamilyestate），bywhichtheCabalhopetorenderthepartiesutterlyirreconcilable。Intruth，theyhavesocontrivedmatters，thatpeoplehaveagreaterhatredtothesubordinateinstrumentsthantotheprincipalmovers。
Asindestroyingtheirenemiestheymakeuseofinstrumentsnotimmediatelybelongingtotheircorps，soinadvancingtheirownfriendstheypursueexactlythesamemethod。Topromoteanyofthemtoconsiderablerankoremolument，theycommonlytakecarethattherecommendationshallpassthroughthehandsoftheostensibleMinistry：sucharecommendationmight，however，appeartotheworldassomeproofofthecreditofMinisters，andsomemeansofincreasingtheirstrength。Topreventthis，thepersonssoadvancedaredirectedinallcompanies，industriouslytodeclare，thattheyareundernoobligationswhatsoevertoAdministration;thattheyhavereceivedtheirofficefromanotherquarter;thattheyaretotallyfreeandindependent。
WhentheFactionhasanyjoboflucretoobtain，orofvengeancetoperpetrate，theirwayis，toselect，fortheexecution，thoseverypersonstowhosehabits，friendships，principles，anddeclarations，suchproceedingsarepubliclyknowntobethemostadverse;atoncetorendertheinstrumentsthemoreodious，andthereforethemoredependent，andtopreventthepeoplefromeverreposingaconfidenceinanyappearanceofprivatefriendship，orpublicprinciple。
IftheAdministrationseemnowandthen，fromremissness，orfromfearofmakingthemselvesdisagreeable，tosufferanypopularexcessestogounpunished，theCabalimmediatelysetsupsomecreatureoftheirstoraiseaclamouragainsttheMinisters，ashavingshamefullybetrayedthedignityofGovernment。ThentheycompeltheMinistrytobecomeactiveinconferringrewardsandhonoursonthepersonswhohavebeentheinstrumentsoftheirdisgrace;and，afterhavingfirstvilifiedthemwiththehigherordersforsufferingthelawstosleepoverthelicentiousnessofthepopulace，theydrivethem（inordertomakeamendsfortheirformerinactivity）tosomeactofatrociousviolence，whichrendersthemcompletelyabhorredbythepeople。TheywhoremembertheriotswhichattendedtheMiddlesexElection;theopeningofthepresentParliament;andthetransactionsrelativetoSaintGeorge’sFields，willnotbeatalossforanapplicationoftheseremarks。