eciding
upon several other controverted elections; and sir Robert Walpole
tottered on the brink of ruin. He knew that the majority of a single
vote would at any time commit him prisoner to the Tower, should ever
the motion be made; and he saw that his safety could be effected by
no other expedient but that of dividing the opposition. Towards the
accomplishment of this purpose he employed all his credit and dexterity.
His emissaries did not fail to tamper with those members of the opposite
party who were the most likely to be converted by their arguments.
A message was sent by the bishop of Oxford to the prince of Wales,
importing, That if his royal highness would write a letter of
condescension to the king, he and all his counsellors should be taken
into favour; that fifty thousand pounds should be added to his revenue;
four times that sum be disbursed immediately for the payment of his
debts; and suitable provision be made in due time for all his followers.
The prince declined this proposal. He declared that he would accept no
such conditions while sir Robert Walpole continued to direct the public
affairs; that he looked upon him as a bar between his majesty and the
affections of his people; as the author of the national grievances both
at home and abroad; and as the sole cause of that contempt which Great
Britain had incurred in all the courts of Europe. His royal highness was
now chief of this formidable party, revered by the whole nation--a party
which had gained the ascendancy in the house of commons; which professed
to act upon the principles of public virtue; which demanded the fall
of an odious minister, as a sacrifice due to an injured people; and
declared that no temptation could shake their virtue; that no art could
dissolve the cement by which they were united. Sir Robert Walpole,
though repulsed in his attempt upon the prince of Wales, was more
successful in his other endeavours. He resolved to try his strength once
more in the house of commons, in another disputed election; and had
the mortification to see the majority augmented to sixteen voices. He
declared he would never more sit in that house; and next day, which was
the third of February, the king adjourned both houses of parliament to
the eighteenth day of the same month. In this interim sir Robert Walpole
was created earl of Orford, and resigned all his employments.

CHANGE IN THE MINISTRY.

At no time of his life did he acquit himself with s