men, and that the experiment has been tried with success in the present reign in the instances of the late George Grenville, Lord North, and the present Pitt; when the King in each instance risked his Government in the face of men who possessed the confidence of the public in a high degree, and of the same party which exists at present, when they were more formidable in some respects than they are now, though not in others. But it must be considered, that they have above twenty years' experience and habit of the public, that they have been joined by all the King's sons, whose union and activity is well known, that America has been lost, the Court made captive in 1783, and felt to be fettered very unwillingly during the present Administration; while the pretensions of men have been excited to the most unreasonable pitch. There are still other circumstances, which might be stated to show that it is not a moment for trying any light experiment.
"On the other hand it may be asserted with truth, that the public opinion goes more in favour of the King than of any party whatever, that the present Opposition are collectively and individually odious, that there are many revolting circumstances about the highest personages who avow their support of Opposition, that the popularity of the present Ministers is of a flimsy texture, founded upon no real services, and may be easily cut up, and that the new principles as well as the letter of the Constitution go to keep the Executive independent of the Legislative, much more of any cabal or party, which can be formed in either or both Houses of Parliament, and that there is no risk in appealing to the people against any such, was sufficiently evinced in 1784. All this is true, and may be acted upon in time; but at setting out it requires to resist the cry of the moment the most unequivocal proofs of the laws being incorrect, and the fullest and most unreserved power to gain over as many individuals and knots of men as possible, in order to be secure at least as to numbers in the House of Commons, till the public can be got to hear without prejudice who
