minister who ever served the crown for so great a length of time. He gained over very few from the opposition. Without being a genius of the first class, he was an intelligent, prudent, and safe minister. He loved peace; and he helped to communicate the same disposition to nations at least as warlike and restless as that in which he had the chief direction of affairs. Though he served a master who was fond of martial fame, he kept all the establishments very low. The land tax continued at two shillings in the pound for the greater part of his administration. The other impositions were moderate. The profound repose, the equal liberty, the firm protection of just laws during the long period of his power, were the principal causes of that prosperity which afterwards took such rapid strides towards perfection; and which furnished to this nation ability to acquire the military glory which it has since obtained, as well as to bear the burthens, the cause and consequence of that warlike reputation. With many virtues, public and private, he had his faults; but his faults were superficial. A careless, coarse, and over familiar style of discourse, without sufficient regard to persons or occasions, and an almost total want of political decorum, were the errors by which he was most hurt in the public opinion; and those through which his enemies obtained the greatest advantage over him. But justice must be done. The prudence, steadiness, and vigilance of that man, joined to the greatest possible lenity in his character and his politics, preserved the crown to this royal family; and with it, their laws and liberties to this country. **** When I was very young, a general fashion told me I was to admire some of the writings against that minister; a little more maturity taught me as much to despise them. I observed one fault in his general proceeding. He never manfully put forward the entire strength of his cause. He temporised; he managed; and adopting very nearly the sentiments of his adversaries, he opposed their inferences. This, for a political commander, is the choice of a weak post. His adversaries had the better of the argument, as he handled it, not as the reason and justice of his cause enabled him to manage it. INDEX OF REFERENCE TO THE WORKS OF THE RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. THAT the reader may be enabled, without trouble, to turn INDEX TO VOL. II. Page MINISTERS OF STATE.-" Ministers turning their backs, "It is no excuse at all, &c." Letters on a Regicide 324 203 "A minister of this country, &c." Observations on Page 285 94. CHOICE OF MINISTERS." The popular election, &c." 263 "It is a serious affair, &c." Observations on a late 204 "All men who under whatever, &c." Observations 204 290 326 Thoughts on the Cause of "I repeat it again, &c." 397 392 398 191 "The balance between consumption, &c." Thoughts "Among precautions against, &c." Remarks on the NATIONAL REPRESENTATION." Nothing is a due and 170 183 65 Page 336 Letter to Sir 360 .............. "With us the representative, &c." Reflections on NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES." After I had read over, 90 "You do not imagine that, &c." Reflections on the 106 NATIONAL SPIRIT.-" To a people who have, &c." Let- 77 87 "I think we might have found, &c." Letters on a 274 136 NECESSITY." Necessity, as it has no law, &c." Let- 127 "It is not within the rules, &c." Letters on a Regi- 111 Letters on a 112 Letters on 202 "I do not say that a diplomatic, &c." .... NEWSPAPERS.- -"Newspaper circulations infinitely, .............. 109 100 |