n
with such evidence on their side, as never misled any nation before; not
only their reason but their senses must have betrayed them; and those
marks of certainty that have hitherto established truth, must have
combined in the support of falsehood.

They are persuaded, my lords, too firmly persuaded, to yield up their
opinions to rhetorick, or to votes, or any proof but demonstration, that
there is a _first_, or, to speak in the language of the nation, a _sole_
minister, one that has the possession of his sovereign's confidence, and
the power of excluding others from his presence, one that exalts and
degrades at his pleasure, and distributes, for his own purposes, the
revenues of his master, and the treasure of the nation.

Of this, my lords, can it be maintained that they have no proof? Can
this be termed a chimerical suspicion, which nothing can be produced to
support? How can power appear but by the exercise of it? What can prove
any degree of influence or authority, but universal submission and
acknowledgment? And surely, my lords, a very transient survey of the
court and its dependents, must afford sufficient conviction, that this
man is considered by all that are engaged in the administration, as the
only disposer of honours, favours, and employments.

Attend to any man, my lords, who has lately been preferred, rewarded, or
caressed, you will hear no expressions of gratitude but to that _man_;
no other benefactor is ever heard of, the royal bounty itself is
forgotten and unmentioned, nor is any return of loyalty, fidelity, or
adherence professed, but to the minister; the minister! a term which,
however lately introduced, is now in use in every place in the kingdom,
except this house.

Preferments, my lords, whether civil, ecclesiastical, or military, are
either wholly in his hands, or those who make it the business of their
lives to discover the high road to promotion, are universally deceived,
and are daily offering their adorations to an empty phantom that has
nothing to bestow; for, no sooner is any man infected with avarice or
ambition, no sooner is extravagance reduced to beg new supplies from the
publick, or wickedness obliged to seek for shelter, than this man is
applied to, and honour, conscience, and fortune offered at his feet.

Did either those whose studies and station give them a claim to
advancement in the church, or those whose bravery and long service
entitle them to more honourable posts in