re not so implicitly attached
to the first minister as to acquiesce in all his plans, and dedicate
their time and talents to the support of every court measure
indiscriminately. This was one material point in which Mr. Pelham
deviated from the maxims of his predecessor, who admitted of no
contradiction from any of his adherents or fellow-servants, but insisted
on sacrificing their whole perception and faculties to his conduct and
disposal. That sordid deference to a minister no longer characterized
the subordinate instruments of the administration. It was not unusual
to see the great officers of the government divided in a parliamentary
debate, and to hear the secretary at war opposing with great vehemence
a clause suggested by the chancellor of the exchequer. After all, if
we coolly consider those arguments which have been bandied about, and
retorted with such eagerness and acrimony in the house of commons, and
divest them of those passionate tropes and declamatory metaphors which
the spirit of opposition alone had produced, we shall find very little
left for the subject of dispute, and sometimes be puzzled to discover
any material source of disagreement.

SESSION OPENED.

In the month of November his majesty opened the session of parliament
with a speech, acquainting them, that the definitive treaty of peace was
at length signed by all the parties concerned; that he had made the most
effectual provision for securing the rights and interests of his own
subjects; and procured for his allies the best conditions, which, in the
present situation of affairs, could be obtained. He said, he had found
a general good disposition in all parties to bring the negotiation to a
happy conclusion; and observed, that we might promise ourselves a long
enjoyment of the blessings of peace. Finally, after having remarked that
times of tranquillity were the proper seasons for lessening the
national debt, and strengthening the kingdom against future events, he
recommended to the commons the improvement of the public revenue, the
maintenance of a considerable naval force, the advancement of commerce,
and the cultivation of the arts of peace. This speech, as usual, was
echoed back by an address to the throne from both houses, containing
general expressions of the warmest loyalty and gratitude to his majesty,
and implying the most perfect satisfaction and acquiescence in the
articles of the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.

The members in th