expensive an army, if they had been sure it was to be at their cost. But hopes of another kind were held out to them; and in particular I well remember, that Mr. Townshend, in a brilliant harangue on this subject, daźźled them by playing before their eyes the image of a revenue from America. Here began to dawn the first glimmerings of the new colony system."

He pursues this new plan through Grenville's administration, in the preceding regulations, and the famous Stamp Act. This second period he calls that of begun revenue and begun disturbance. This brings him to the means for allaying the disorders during the Rockingham Administrationthe third period, which he calls the period of repeal, of the restoration of the ancient system, and of the ancient tranquillity and concord. From the third period he goes on to the Revenue Act of the Grafton Administration, which he terms the fourth period; that in which the conciliating policy of the

third was abandoned, and the irritating policy of the second was revived.

In viewing the proceedings respecting the colonies during this reign, he was led into an examination of the characters of the several ministers who conducted affairs since America engrossed the attention of Government; to shew the influence of those characters in producing their several measures. Perhaps it will be difficult to find in any history more of particular truth and general philosophy, more accurate statement of fact, more profound assignation of cause, than in the chief characters which he draws. There is no sacrifice of truth to rhetoric, by subtile opposition of qualities, no mosaic contrasts, no introduction of pairs, no studied choice of phrase, or measurement of period; but, in clear, strong, though simple language, developement of intellectual and moral qualities, as modified by existing situation, proceeding from known causes, and displayed in counsels and actions.

Although his characters are generally known and celebrated, I cannot refrain from inserting those parts of them which led to the measures that he either censures or approves.

FROM THE CHARACTER OF GEORGE GRENVILLE, ESQ.

With no small study of the detail, he did not seem to have his view at least equally carried to the whole circuit of affairs. He generally considered his objects in lights that were too detached. With a masculine understanding, a stout resolute heart, he had constant application, undissipated and unwearied. He took public business not as a duty which he was to pleasure he was to enjoy. If he was ambitious, it was an ambition of a noble and generous strain. It was to raise himself to a well-earned rank in parliament: not by the low pimping politics of a court, but to way to power through the laborious gradations of public service, and to secure to himself a well-earned rank in parliament,

win his

fulfill, but as a

by a thorough knowledge of its constitution, and a perfect practice in all its business. If such a man fell into errors, it must be from defects not intrinsical: they must be rather sought in the particular habits of his life, which, though they do not alter the groundwork of a character, tinge it with their own hue. He was bred in a profession :-he was bred to the law, which is, in my opinion, one of the first and noblest of human

sciences; a science, that does more

more to

quicken and invigorate the understanding than all the other kinds of learning put together but it is not apt (except in persons' very happily born) to open and liberalize the mind exactly in the same proportion. Passing from that study, he did not go very largely into the world, but plunged into business-I mean the business of office, and the limited and fixed methods and forms established there. Much knowledge, no doubt, is to be had in that line; and there is no knowledge which is not valuable. But it may be truly said, that men, too much. conversant in office, are rarely minds of re

markable enlargement. Their habits of office are apt to give them a turn to think the substance of business not to be much more important than the forms by which it is to be conducted. These forms are adapted to ordinary occasions; and therefore persons, who are nurtured in office, do admirably well as long as things continue in the common order; but when the high roads are broken up, and the waters out; when a new and troubled scene is opened, and ther file affords no precedent: then it is that a greater knowledge of mankind and a far more extensive comprehension of things is required, than ever office gave, or office can ever give.'

The ingenious and profound Stewart, in his Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind,' quotes the latter part of this extract, to illustrate the insufficiency of mere experience, without theory, to qualify a man for new and untried situations in goThe observations,' he remarks, Mr. Burke makes on this subject are ex

vernment.