embraced the offers of the court, without the consent
or privity of any other leaders in the opposition, except that of Mr.
Pulteney; but they declared to their friends, they would still proceed
upon patriot principles; that they would concur in promoting an inquiry
into past measures; and in enacting necessary laws to secure the
constitution from the practices of corruption. These professions were
believed, not only by their old coadjutors in the house of commons, but
also by the nation in general. The reconciliation between the king and
the prince of Wales, together with the change in the ministry, were
celebrated with public rejoicings all over the kingdom; and immediately
after the adjournment nothing but concord appeared in the house of
commons.

INQUIRY INTO THE ADMINISTRATION OF SIR ROBERT WALPOLE.

But this harmony was of short duration. It soon appeared, that those who
had declaimed the loudest for the liberties of their country, had been
actuated solely by the most sordid and even the most ridiculous motives
of self-interest. Jealousy and mutual distrust ensued between them and
their former confederates. The nation complained, that, instead of a
total change of men and measures, they saw the old ministry strengthened
by this coalition; and the same interest in parliament predominating
with redoubled influence. They branded the new converts as apostates and
betrayers of their country; and in the transports of their indignation,
they entirely overlooked the old object of their resentment. That a
nobleman of pliant principles, narrow fortune, and unbounded ambition,
should forsake his party for the blandishments of affluence, power, and
authority, will not appear strange to any person acquainted with the
human heart; but the sensible part of mankind will always reflect with
amazement upon the conduct of a man, who seeing himself idolized by his
fellow-citizens, as the first and firmest patriot in the kingdom, as
one of the most shining ornaments of his country, could give up all his
popularity, and incur the contempt or detestation of mankind, for the
wretched consideration of an empty title, without office, influence,
or the least substantial appendage. One cannot, without an emotion
of grief, contemplate such an instance of infatuation--one cannot but
lament that such glory should have been so weakly forfeited; that
such talents should have been lost to the cause of liberty and virtue.
Doubtless he flatt