Chap. XXVI.} 1766. July. |
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man of the people from his door.
But he was never
afterwards able to resume office, except with the friends of the Minister he now insulted; and his followers never gained continuing power, till, after many vacillations and many coalitions with other branches of the aristocracy, they gave up something of their exclusiveness, and, in an alliance with the people, renounced their worn out policy, to advocate reform.
The Old Whig party which, in 1746, deserted the public service only to force their restoration on their own terms, which eleven years later kept England, in time of war, in a state of anarchy for ten weeks till their demands could be satisfactorily compromised, had, in 1765, owed office to the King's favor, and now fell powerless, when left to themselves.
The Administration of Rockingham brought Cumberland into the Cabinet; took their law from Mansfield; restored Lord George Germain to public life; and would willingly have coalesced with Bedford.
Yet a spirit of humanity ruled their intentions and pervaded their measures; while their most pernicious errors sprung from their attempt at a compromise with the principles of their predecessors.
They confirmed the rights of persons by condemning general warrants, and adhered to those friends of liberty who had run hazards in its cause.
They abstained from some of the worst methods of corruption usual to their party in its earlier days; they sold no employments, and obtained no reversions.
Opposed by placemen and pensioners, they had support in the increasing confidence and good will of the nation.
Still they had entered the Cabinet in violation of their essential doctrine, at the wish of the King, superseding
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