d claimed their veneration. A great
number of addresses, dutifully and loyally expressed, solicited the
king, ever ready to meet half-way the wishes of his faithful people, to
restore Mr. Pitt and Mr. Legge to their former employments. Upon this
they rested the security and honour of the nation, as well as the
public expectation of the speedy and successful issue of a war, hitherto
attended with disgraces and misfortunes. Accordingly, his majesty was
graciously pleased to redeliver the seals to Mr. Pitt, appointing him
secretary of state for the southern department, on the twenty-ninth day
of June; and, five days after, the office of chancellor of the
exchequer was restored to Mr. Legge; promotions that afforded universal
satisfaction.

COALITION OF PARTIES.

It would not, perhaps, be possible to exclude, from a share in the
administration, all who were not perfectly agreeable to the people:
however unpopular the late ministry might appear, still they possessed
sufficient influence in the privy-council, and credit in the house
of commons, to thwart every measure in which they did not themselves
partake. This consideration, and very recent experience, probably
dictated the necessity I of a coalition, salutary in itself, and
prudent, because it was the only means of assuaging the rage of faction,
and healing those divisions, more pernicious to the public than the most
mistaken and blundering councils. Sir Robert Henley was made lord-keeper
of the great seal, and sworn of his majesty's privy-council, on the
thirteenth day of June; the custody of the privy-seal was committed to
earl Temple; his grace the duke of Newcastle, Mr. Legge, Mr.
Nugent, lord viscount Dun-cannon, and Mr. Grenville, were appointed
commissioners for executing the office of treasurer to his majesty's
exchequer. Lord Anson, admirals Boscawen and Forbes, Dr. Hay, Mr. West,
Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Elliot, to preside at the board of admiralty; Mr.
Fox was gratified with the office of receiver and paymaster-general of
all his majesty's guards, garrisons, and land-forces; and the earl of
Thomond was made treasurer of the king's household, and sworn of his
majesty's privy-council. Other promotions likewise took place, with a
design to gratify the adherents of either party; and so equally was
the royal favour distributed, that the utmost harmony for a long time
subsisted. Ingredients, seemingly heterogeneous, consolidated into one
uniform mass, so as to pr