he be ignorant of it?) should, maugre this surmise, have given occasion for the above account of an application to him, by direction from that quarter, for his countenance in the matter, is enough to "confound the wisdom of the wise, and to bring to nought the understanding of the prudent."—If by "all the rest" was meant, as seems, those who took the lead on the side of Administration in either House, who were solicited for their support, it favours the notion that, in this country, the consequence of the Prime Minister, for the time being, outweighs that of the regal office.[1] Whether it be that "the loaves and fishes," as they are called, are more immediately under his distribution, "and where the carcass is, there will the vultures be," is an enquiry we waive.
In the present case the political centurions, manipuli and cornets, whose standard was the purse of the state, (borne by certain valiant men) lay in their arms, but on the look out, for the nod of command, not from St. James's, but from Downing-street. Not so, the gentlemen of the opposition, who, when the day of battle came (as is usual on
- ↑ In this view, the analogy between our own free institutions and some of the despotic sovereignties in the East is remarkable. In these the office of Prime Minister, or Grand Vizier, becomes hereditary; the nominal Monarch being kept a prisoner in his palace, is shewn to the people from time to time, on days of ceremony. If we mistake not, Hycler Ali and his Son Tippoo Saib were usurpers of this class. After the death of the latter, the lawful heir was restored by the conquerors.
