ical papers, which were reckoned by some the standard
of good sense, and elegant writing, were collected together in his
life-time, and reprinted by his order, with a preface, in which he
gives his reasons for engaging in an undertaking so uncommon to a
person of his distinction.

Here it will not be improper to remark, that notwithstanding all those
instances of the duke's zeal, his sincerity in opposing the ministry
was yet suspected, as his former behaviour was so very inconsistent
with it; but he never failed to justify himself throughout the
different and contrary courses of his conduct, pretending always to
have acted consistently with the honour and interest of the realm. But
he never was able in this particular to obtain the public judgment in
his favour.

It is impossible to reconcile all the various actions of this
noble-man. He was certainly too much governed by whim and accident.
From this time forward, however, though he might deviate from the
strict rules of a moral life, he cannot be said to have done so with
respect to his politics. The same principles on which he set out,
he carried to his grave, with steadiness through all the events of
fortune, and underwent such necessities, as few of his quality ever
experienced, in a cause, the revival and success of which had long
been desperate, before he engaged in it.

The duke's boundless profusion had by this time so burthened his
estate, that a decree of chancery took hold on it, and vested it in
the hands of trustees for the payment of his debts, but not without
making a provision of 1200 l. per annum for his subsistence. This
allowance not being sufficient to support his title with suitable
dignity at home, he proposed to go abroad for some years, 'till his
estate should clear itself of incumbrances. His friends, for his own
sake, were pleased with this resolution, and every body considered
this course as the most prudent, that in such circumstances could be
taken. But in this the world was deceived, for he went abroad from no
such prudent motive, oeconomy being a virtue of which he never had the
least notion in any part of his life. His business at Vienna was to
execute a private commission, not in favour of the English ministry,
nor did he ever shine to greater advantage, as to his personal
character, than at the Imperial court.

From Vienna his grace made a tour to the court of Spain, where his
arrival alarmed the English minister so much, that two