cquiesced under such a reduction of interest as one would hardly think
the ministry durst have proposed, even before one-half of the national
debt was contracted. A much more unpopular step was a law that passed
for natural-izing the Jews--a law so odious to the people in general,
that it was soon repealed, at the request of that minister by whom it
had been chiefly patronized. An ill-concerted peace was in a little
time productive of fresh hostilities, and another war with France, which
Britain began to prosecute under favourable auspices. Then the whole
political system of Germany was inverted. The king of England abandoned
the interest of that house which he had in the former war so warmly
espoused, and took into his bosom a prince whom he had formerly
considered as his inveterate enemy. The unpropitious beginning of
this war against France being imputed to the misconduct of the
administration, excited such a ferment among the people, as seemed to
threaten a dangerous insurrection. Every part of the kingdom resounded
with the voice of dissatisfaction, which did not even respect the
throne. The king found himself obliged to accept of a minister presented
by the people; and this measure was attended with consequences as
favourable as his wish could form. From that instant all clamour was
hushed--all opposition ceased. The enterprising spirit of the new
minister seemed to diffuse itself through all the operations of the war,
and conquest everywhere attended the efforts of the British arms.
Now appeared the fallacy of those maxims, and the falsehood of those
assertions, by which former ministers had established, and endeavoured
to excuse, the practices of corruption. The supposed disaffection, which
had been insisted on as the source of parliamentary opposition, now
entirely vanished; nor was it found necessary to use any sinister
means for securing a majority, in order to answer the purposes of the
administration. England for the first time saw a minister of state in
full possession of popularity. Under the auspices of this minister,
it saw a national militia formed, and trained to discipline by the
invincible spirit of a few patriots, who pursued this salutary measure
in the face of unwearied opposition, discouraged by the jealousy of
a court, and ridiculed by all the venal retainers to a standing army.
Under his ministry it saw the military genius of Great Britain revive,
and shine with redoubled lustre; it saw her inte