the dignity of the service, by
raising the lowest of mankind to the rank of gentlemen; and to extend
the influence of the minister, by multiplying his dependents. He
therefore moved for a resolution, that the augmenting the army by
raising regiments, as it is the most unnecessary and most expensive
method of augmentation, was also the most dangerous to the liberties of
the nation. This proposal was likewise overruled, after a short though
warm contention. This was the fate of all the other motions made by the
lords in the opposition, though the victory of the courtiers was always
clogged with a nervous and spirited protest. Two days were expended in
the debate produced by lord Carteret's motion for an address, beseeching
his majesty to remove sir Robert Walpole from his presence and councils
for ever. The speech that ushered in this memorable motion would not
have disgraced a Cicero. It contained a retrospect of all the public
measures which had been pursued since the revolution. It explained the
nature of every treaty, whether right or wrong, which had been concluded
under the present administration. It described the political connexions
subsisting between the different powers in Europe. It exposed the
weakness, the misconduct, and the iniquity of the minister, both in
his foreign and domestic transactions. It was embellished with all
the ornaments of rhetoric, and warmed with a noble spirit of patriotic
indignation. The duke of Argyle, lord Bathurst, and his other
colleagues, seemed to be animated with uncommon fervour, and even
inspired by the subject.

{1741}

A man of imagination, in reading their speeches, will think himself
transported into the Roman senate, before the ruin of that republic.
Nevertheless, the minister still triumphed by dint of numbers; though
his victory was dearly purchased. Thirty peers entered a vigorous
protest, and Walpole's character sustained such a rude shock from this
opposition, that his authority seemed to be drawing near a period.
Immediately after this contest was decided, the duke of Marlborough
moved for a resolution, that any attempt to inflict any kind of
punishment on any person, without allowing him an opportunity to make
his defence, or without any proof of any crime or misdemeanor committed
by him, is contrary to natural justice, the fundamental laws of the
realm, and the ancient established usage of parliament; and is a high
infringement of the liberties of the subject. I