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LETTERS OF
threatens the very being of this country, has been wilfully prepared and forwarded by our own ministry. How far the people may be animated to resistance, under the present administration, I know not; but this I know, with certainty, that, under the present administration, or if any thing like it should continue, it is of very little moment whether we are a conquered nation or not[1].
Having travelled thus far in the high road of matter of fact, I may now be permitted to wander a little into the field of imagination. Let us banish from our minds the
- ↑ The King's acceptance of the Spanish ambassador's declaration is drawn up in barbarous French, and signed by the Earl of Rochford. This diplomatic Lord has spent his life in the study and practice of Etiquettes, and is supposed to be a profound master of the ceremonies. I will not insult him by any reference to grammar or common sense, if he were even acquainted with the common forms of his office, I should think him as well qualified for it, as any man in his Majesty's service.—The reader is requested to observe Lord Rochford's method of authenticating a public instrument. —"En foi de quoi, moi soussigné, un des principaux Secretaires d'Etat S. M. B. ai signé la presente de ma signature ordinaire, et icelle fait apposer le cachet de nos Armes." In three lines there are no less than seven false concords. But the man does not even know the stile of his office;—If he had known it, he would have said, " nous, soussigné Secretaire d'Etat de S. M. B. avons signé &c.
