merely the impression upon
his mind, for that no distinct avowal of their purposes had been made
in his presence, so as to justify him in charging them with treason.
"Nevertheless, my lord," he added, "I think it highly and absolutely
necessary for you to take the same measures as if you knew that a
general insurrection was contemplated, for I feel perfectly certain
that something of the kind is in agitation."
The Earl smiled. "Now tell me, Wilton," he said, "amongst these
worthy conspirators, did you see any one that was personally known to
you?"
Wilton hesitated.
"Come, come, my young friend," said the Earl--"you must speak out. We
will not make an evidence of you, I promise you; and, indeed, both
the King himself and all his ministers would be very glad that these
persons should get beyond sea, and relieve us of their troublesome
presence, provided--mark me--provided, there does not exist the
clearest and most distinct proof, not alone that they are conspiring
to overthrow the present dynasty--for such conspiracies have been
going on in every corner of the kingdom, and in the heart of every
family, for the last ten years, so that we should only make them
worse by meddling with them--but that these men are conspiring in a
darker, a more dangerous, a more treasonable, or a more dishonourable
manner, than has ever been clone before. I must explain this business
to you, Wilton, and my views upon it. Politicians have adopted as a
maxim that a plot discovered and frustrated always strengthens the
hands of the existing government; but this maxim is far too general,
and consequently often proves false and dangerous in application.
The conditions under which the discovery and frustration of a plot do
really strengthen the hands of government are peculiar. There must be
circumstances attending upon the whole transaction which, when the
plot is exposed, either destroy the means of future conspiracies
formed upon the same basis, remove for ever the objects of the
conspirators, or cause a great change in public feeling, in regard to
their views and motives. If the discovery be so general, the
frustration so complete, and the punishment so severe, as to raise
the power and authority of the government in the eyes of the people,
to awaken a wholesome fear in the disaffected, and to encourage and
elevate the well disposed and the friends of the state, a very great
object is certainly gained; and that which was intended to ruin a
government or overthrow a dynasty, se