he press, by the
act subjecting all dramatic writings to the inspection of a licenser.
The great machine of corruption, contrived to secure a constant majority
in parliament, was overturned, and the inventor of it obliged to quit
the reins of government. Professed patriots resigned the principles they
had long endeavoured to establish, and listed themselves for the defence
of that fortress against which their zeal and talents had been levelled.
The management of a mighty kingdom was consigned into the hands of a
motley administration--ministers without knowledge, and men without
integrity, whose councils were timid, weak, and wavering; whose folly
and extravagance exposed the nation to ridicule and contempt; by whose
ignorance and presumption it was reduced to the verge of ruin. The
kingdom was engaged in a quarrel truly national, and commenced a
necessary war on national principles: but that war was starved; and the
chief strength of the nation transferred to the continent of Europe, in
order to maintain an unnecessary war, in favour of a family whose
pride and ambition can be equalled by nothing but its insolence and
ingratitude. While the strength of the nation was thus exerted abroad
for the support of worthless allies, and a dangerous rebellion raged in
the bowels of the kingdom, the sovereign was insulted by his ministers,
who deserted his service at this critical juncture, and refused to
resume their functions, until he had truckled to their petulant humour,
and dismissed a favourite servant, of whose superior talents they were
meanly jealous. Such an unprecedented secession at any time would
have merited the imputation of insolence; but at that period, when the
sovereign was perplexed and embarrassed by a variety of dangers and
difficulties; when his crown, and even his life, were at stake; to
throw up their places, abandon his councils, and, as far as in them lay,
detach themselves from his fortune, was a step so likely to aggravate
the disorder of the nation, so big with cruelty, ingratitude, and
sedition, that it seems to deserve an appellation which, however, we
do not think proper to bestow. An inglorious war was succeeded by an
ignominious peace, which proved of short duration; yet in this interval
the English nation exhibited such a proof of commercial opulence as
astonished all Europe. At the close of a war which had drained it of so
much treasure, and increased the public debt to an enormous burden, it
a