approbation. From his past conduct, what conclufion will you draw, but that he will act the fame part as Lord Mayor, which he has invariably acted as Alderman and Sheriff? He cannot alter his conduct, without confeffing that he never acted upon principle of any kind.I should be forry to injure the character of a man who perhaps may be honeft in his intentions, by fuppofing it poffible that he can never concur with you in any political measure, or opinion. If, on the other hand, you mean to perfevere in those refolutions for the public good, which, though not always fuccefsful, are always honourable, your choice will naturally incline to thofe men, who (whatever they be in other refpects) are most likely to co-operate with you in the great purposes, which you are determined not to relinquifh-The question is not, of what metal your instruments are made, but whether they are adapted to the work you have in hand? The honours of the city, in thefe times, are improperly, because exclusively, called a reward. You mean not mere ly to pay, but to employ. -Are Mr. Crofoy and Mr. Sawbridge likely to execute the extraordinary, as well as the ordinary duties of lord mayor? Will they grant you common halls when it fhall be be neceffary?Will they go up with remon-: ftrances to the king? Have they firmness enough to meet the fury of a venal House of ComHave they fortitude enough not to Have they fpirit mons? enough to hazard their lives and fortunes in a conteft, if it fhould be neceffary, with a proftituted legiflature?If thefe queftions can fairly be answered in the affirmative, your choice is made. Forgive this paffionate language.- -I am unable to correct it.The fubject comes home to us all.It is the language of my heart. London, Sept. 30, 1771. JUNIUS. LETTER L. SIR, 8th October, 1771. N° O man laments more fincerely than I do the unhappy differences, which have arisen among the friends of the people, and divided them from each other. The caufe undoubtedly fuffers, as well by the diminution of that strength, which union carries with it, as by the feparate lofs -The lofs of perfonal reputation, which every man fuftains, when his character, and conduct are frequently held forth in odious or contemptible colours Thefe differences are only advantagious to the common enemy of the country. The hearty friends of the cause are provoked and difgufted.. The luke-warm advocate avails himself of any pretence to relapfe into that indolant indifference about every thing that ought to intereft an Englishman, fo unjustly dig. nified with the title of moderation.falfe infidious partifan, who creates or foments the diforder, fees the fruit of his dishoneft industry ripen beyond his hopes, and rejoices in the promise of a banquet, only delicious to fuch an appetite as his own-It is time for thofe, who really mean the cause and the people, who have no view to private advantage, and who have virtue enough to prefer the general good of the community to the gratification of perfonal animofities.—it is time for fuch men to interpofe.. Let us try whether these fatal diffentions may not yet be reconciled; or, if that be impracticable, let us guard at least against the worst effects of divifion, and endeavour to perfuade thofe furious partifans, if they will not confent to draw together, to bę feparately feparately useful to that caufe, which they all pretend to be attached to.Honour and honefty must not be renounced, although a thousand modes of right and wrong were to occupy the degrees of of morality between Zeno and Epicurus. The foundamental principles of Chriftianity may still be prefeved, though every zealous fectary adheres to his own exclufive doctrine, and pious ecclefiaftics make it part of their religion to perfecute one another-The civil conftitution too, that legal liberty, that general creed, which every Englishman profeffes, may ftill be fupported though Wilkes, and Horne, and Townsend, and Sawbridge, fhould obftinately refuse to communicate, and even if the fathers of the Church, if Savil, Richmond, Camden, Rockingham, and Chatham, fhould disagree in the ceremonies of their political worship, and even in the interpretation of twenty texts in Magna Charta. -I fpeak to the people, as one of the people.-Let us employ these men in whatever departments their various abilities are beft fuited to, and as much to the advantage of the common caufe, as their different inclinations will permit. They cannot ferve us, without effentially ferving themfelves. If Mr. Nah be elected, he will hardly venture, after fo recent a mark of the perfonal esteem of his his fellow citizens, to declare himself immediately a Courtier. The spirit and activity of the Sheriffs will, I hope, be fufficient to counteract any finifter intentions of the Lord Mayor. In collifion with their virtue, perhaps he may take fire. It is not neceffary to exact from Mr. Wilkes the virtues of a floic. They were inconfiftent with themselves, who, almoft at the fame moment, reprefented him as the bafeft of mankind, yet feemed to expect from him fuch inftances of fortitude and self-denial, as would do honnour to an Apoftle. It is not however flattery to say, that he is obftinate, intrepid, and fertile in expedients. That he has no poffible refource, but in the public favour, is in my judgment, a confiderable recommendation of him. I wifh that every man, who pretended to popularity, were in the same predicament. I wish that a retreat to St. James's were not fo eafy and open, as patriots have found it. To Mr. Wilkes there is no accefs. The favour of his country conftitutes the fhield, which defends him against a thousand daggers.- -Defertion would difarm him. However he may be misled by paffion or imprudence, I think he cannot be guilty of a deliberate treachery to the public. I can |