the public; and what was worse than all, every man knew how to cover his disobedience by confounding Reform with Faction, and stating every regulation proposed as an attack upon the Prerogative of the Crown. The course was, first, to try to laugh it down; when that did not do, to call it personal revenge, then Republicanism; and in all events to gain time by retarding as much as possible. 3. The War; the conduct and economy of which, on account of its pressing importance and magnitude, required attention in the first instance. 4. The negotiations of Peace. 5. The terms of the Civil List Act, which had been drawn up by men totally unacquainted with Office, who rather wanted to make believe than to do anything effectual, and who from change of position and a variety of motives, wished nothing so little as to see justice done to the principles which they had professed in Opposition.
"It is not too much to say that the whole of the above rested upon one person, which appears by the little which has been done in that line since. However a considerable beginning was then made notwithstanding all these disadvantages which may be seen by referring to (1) The General Principles established by the Board of Treasury as applicable to all offices of Public Expenditure. (2) The Reform of Particular Offices.
I
General Principles
Abolition of Fees and Simplification of Salaries.
