mpetition.

These qualifications were eminently conspicuous in the gentleman who
filled the chair in the earlier part of my life, and who is now one of
the ornaments of the other house. Such were his abilities, and such his
conduct, that it would be presumptuous in any man, however endowed by
nature, or accomplished by study, to aspire to surpass him; nor can a
higher encomium be easily conceived, than this house bestowed upon that
person, who was thought worthy to succeed him.

The office which we have now to confer, is not only arduous with regard
to the abilities necessary to the execution of it, but extremely
burdensome and laborious, such as requires continual attendance, and
incessant application; nor can it be expected that any man would engage
in it, who is not ready to devote his time and his health to the service
of the publick, and to struggle with fatigue and restraint for the
advantage of his country.

Such is the gentleman whom I shall propose to your choice; one whose
zeal for the present imperial house, and the prosperity of the nation,
has been always acknowledged, and of whom it cannot be suspected that he
will be deterred by any difficulties from a province which will afford
him so frequent opportunities of promoting the common interest of the
emperour and the people.

What success may be expected from his endeavours, we can only judge from
his present influence; influence produced only by his private virtues;
but so extensive in that part of the nation which lies within the reach
of his beneficence, and the observation of his merit, that it sets him
not only above the danger, but above the fear of opposition, and secures
him a seat in this assembly without contest.

Thus deputed by his country to many successive senates, he has acquired
an unrivalled degree of knowledge in the methods of our proceedings, and
an eminent dexterity in digesting them with that order and perspicuity
by which only the transaction of great affairs can be made expeditious,
and the discussion of difficult questions be disentangled from
perplexity; qualities which are now made particularly necessary by the
importance of the subjects to be considered in this senate: so that I
doubt not but you will unanimously concur with me in desiring that the
chair may be filled by a person eminently distinguished by his
knowledge, his integrity, his diligence, and his reputation; and
therefore I move, without scruple, that the right ho