atter
place, as Swift puts it, "he carried away more Greek, Latin, and
philosophy than properly became a person of his rank." In the House
of Lords Carteret was known as a strong adherent of the Protestant
succession, and joined the Sunderland party on the split of the
Whigs in 1717. As ambassador extraordinary to the Court of Sweden
he was eminently successful, being the instrument by which, in
1720, peace was established between Sweden, Prussia, and Hanover.
Later, he served in a similar capacity with Earl Stanhope and Sir
Robert Sutton at the Congress of Cambray.

In 1721 he was appointed Secretary of State of the southern
province, but although a member of the Walpole administration, he
intrigued with the King against Walpole, and attempted to form a
party in opposition to that minister. He ingratiated himself in the
King's favour by means of his knowledge of the German language (for
George knew no English), and obtained the support of Carleton,
Roxburghe, Cadogan, and the Countess of Darlington. Walpole,
however, was too strong for him. He managed to get Carteret to
Ireland as Lord Lieutenant, and the Duke of Newcastle took up the
office held by him in England. The condition of Ireland at this
time was such as to cause grave anxiety to the English government.
Carteret was sent ostensibly to a post of great importance, though,
in reality, to be out of Walpole's way. For an account of
Carteret's government during the agitation against Wood's
halfpence, the reader is referred to the sixth volume of the
present edition.

During the King's absence from England in 1723, Carteret had been
one of the lords justices of the country, and in 1725, when George
was again away, he was again appointed to this office. George,
however, died on his way to Hanover; but, on the accession of
George II., Carteret continued to hold high office. He was
re-appointed to the Irish Lord Lieutenancy in 1727, and it was
during this second term that he was criticised for the conduct
Swift vindicates in the following tract.

The Dean had a great admiration both for the scholarship and temper
of Carteret. The admiration was mutual, for Carteret often
consulted with Swift on important matters, and, though he dared not
appoint the Drapier to any position of importan