nting
the public credit, extending navigation and commerce, reforming the
morals of the people, and improving the regulations of civil economy. He
concluded with declaring, that he securely relied upon the loyalty and
good affection of his people, and had no other aim than their permanent
happiness. In a little time after the close of this session they were
dissolved by proclamation, and new writs issued by the lord-chancellor
for convoking a new parliament. The same ceremonies were practised
with respect to the convocations of Canterbury and York, though they no
longer retained their former importance; nor indeed were they suffered
to sit and deliberate upon the subjects which formerly fell under their
cognizance and discussion.

DEATH OF MR. PELHAM. CHANGE IN THE MINISTRY.

In the beginning of March, the ministry of Great Britain had been left
without a head by the death of Mr. Pelham, which was not only sincerely
lamented by his sovereign, but also regretted by the nation in general,
to whose affection he had powerfully recommended himself by the candour
and humanity of his conduct and character, even while he pursued
measures which they did not entirely approve. The loss of such a
minister was the more deeply felt by the government at this juncture,
being the eve of a general election for a new parliament, when every
administration is supposed to exert itself with redoubled vigilance and
circumspection. He had already concerted the measures for securing
a majority, and his plan was faithfully executed by his friends and
adherents, who still engrossed the administration. His brother, the duke
of Newcastle, was appointed first lord commissioner of the treasury,
and succeeded as secretary of state by sir Thomas Robinson, who had long
resided as ambassador at the court of Vienna. The other department
of this office was still retained by the earl of Holdernesse, and the
function of chancellor of the exchequer was performed as usual by the
lord chief-justice of the king's bench, until a proper person could be
found to fill that important office; but in the course of the summer it
was bestowed upon Mr. Legge, who acquitted himself with equal honour and
capacity. Divers other alterations were made of less importance to the
public, sir George Lyttelton was appointed cofferer, and the earl of
Hillsborough comptroller of the household. Mr. George Grenville, brother
to earl Temple, became treasurer of the navy; and Mr. C