what appears to one lord the general voice
of common fame, may, by another, be thought only the murmur of a petty
faction, despicable, with regard to their numbers, and detestable, if we
consider their principles.

So difficult is it, my lords, to form any solid judgment concerning the
extent and prevalence of any particular report, and the degree of credit
to be given to it. The industry of a party may supply the defect of
numbers, and some concurrent circumstances may contribute to give credit
to a false report.

But, my lords, we are ourselves appealed to as witnesses of the truth of
facts, which prove him to be sole minister, of the number of his
dependents, the advancement of his friends, the disappointments of his
opponents, and the declarations made by his followers of adherence and
fidelity.

If it should be granted, my lords, that there is nothing in these
representations exaggerated beyond the truth, and that nothing is
represented in an improper light, what consequence can we draw, but that
the followers of this gentleman, make use of those arts which have
always been practised by the candidates of preferment, that they
endeavour to gain their patron's smile by flattery and panegyrick, and
to keep it by assiduity and an appearance of gratitude. And if such
applications exalted any man to the authority and title of first
minister, the nation has never, in my memory, been without some man in
that station, for there is always some one to whom ambition and avarice
have paid their court, and whose regards have been purchased at the
expense of truth.

Nor is it to be wondered at, my lords, that posts of honour and profit
have been bestowed upon the friends of the administration; for who
enriches or exalts his enemies? who will increase the influence that is
to be exerted against him, or add strength to the blow that is levelled
at himself?

That the right honourable gentleman is the only disposer of honours, has
never yet appeared; it is not pretended, my lords, that he distributes
them without the consent of his majesty, nor even that his
recommendation is absolutely necessary to the success of any man's
applications. If he has gained more of his majesty's confidence and
esteem than any other of his servants, he has done only what every man
endeavours, and what, therefore, is not to be imputed to him as a crime.

It is impossible, my lords, that kings, like other men, should not have
particular motions of