prehended by many to have imbibed the same principles himself. The virtual dismission, first, of the greatest and most popular minister of the century, and, afterwards, of the Whig connections, made room for the tutor to be his minister, and added to the apprehension. Courtiers, indeed, asserted that, whereas his two predecessors had devoted themselves to one party, the present King was resolved to be of none. The Whigs replied, that the two former Kings had chosen their ministers from those who maintained the principles to which they owed their throne; but that Bute maintained principles diametrically opposite. these circumstances, it was inferred by the Opposition, that the Sovereign himself must have a predilection for unlimited monarchy. In many subordinate departments North Britons were appointed to serve. According to popular speakers, writers, and their vo. taries, the promotion of Scotchmen portended the downfall of English freedom. National prejudice represented the Scotch, in general, as unfriendly to liberty. The character of

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their patron rendered this charge not improbable, as to the creatures of Lord Bute in particular. Hatred of Bute and his countrymen became so prevalent as to be reckoned a characteristic of an English patriot. Writings in abundance fanned the flame-writings of all descriptions, from the vulgar ribaldry of ballads to the lively wit and plausible declamation of Wilkes, and the keen, poignant satire of Churchill. Lord Bute, wherever he went, was received with the most flagrant marks of contempt and hatred. Finding that court favour was too feeble a shield against the strong attacks of popular detestation, he retired from office.

* Some of the private favourites of Lord Bute were men of genius; for instance, Mr. John Home. Vanity might, no doubt, lead others to boast of an influence which they did not really possess. I remember I once met with a person who was, or is, a minister in Dumfrieshire, who talked much of his intimacy with Lord Bute, and even with his Majesty. The King, according to this man's account, would often ask him to sup with him, and in a very familiar stile. The usual mode of invitation, he said, was, Dick Brown, will you eat an egg with me this evening? A brother clergyman, Mr. Fergusson, of Moulin, very gravely asked him if he had read Beattie's Essay on Truth?

The resignation of Lord Bute did not appease the people. Their favourite orators and writers persuaded them that he was still the acting, though not the ostensible minister. It was generally believed that there was an interior cabinet, from which the responsible officers of state were obliged to receive directions. Popular writers persovered in their invectives against the court. One of the most violent of anti-ministerial publications was the North Briton.

Mr. Wilkes, member for Aylesbury, was more distinguished for pleasantry and colloquial talents, than for vigour of genius, eloquence, or political knowledge; more fitted for entertaining and diverting a company, than for informing and instructing a senate. His dissipation, to which his companionable qualities probably contributed, had greatly involved his circumstances. His profligate disregard of every thing that was sacred, virtuous, or decent, had ruined his character. In this situation, he had applied to Lord Bute for some employment which

might enable him to extricate himself from his difficulties. His character was so notorious, that Bute, who professed a great regard for religion, and especially for the established church, could not with any decency patronize him, though a man who, from his principles and desperate fortunes, might have easily been rendered the willing tool of any designs, however arbitrary. Dis appointed, Wilkes, in revenge, resolved to pour out invectives against ministry, and established the North Briton for that purpose. The observations were so trite, vague, and superficial, that Lord Bute did not appear, for a considerable time, to pay any attention to the work. After his resignation, No. 45 was so audacious as to pour out the most false and scurrilous abuse against the Sovereign himself. Silent contempt would have suffered this paper speedily to pass into merited oblivion; but the imprudent eagerness of ministry to punish its author, raised both the paper and him to a notice which, probably, neither would have otherwise attained. Wilkes had before been little known,

except for his profligacy: the ministers raised him to eminence. His fortune had been entirely ruined by vice and extravagance : the prosecution paved the way to opulence. Discontent was already very great ; the proceedings against him made it spread with astonishing rapidity.

Lord Mansfield, by far the ablest of those members who generally supported Government, was averse to the prosecution of Wilkes: I am,' said he, decidedly against the prosecution: his consequence will die away, if you let him alone; but by public notice of him, you will increase that consequence-the very thing he covets, and has in full view.'

The resentment, however, of the court overcame sound policy. The ministers, by apprehending him on a general warrant, overstepped the boundaries of law. This deviation from legal precision (though frequently precedented, according to Blackstone, in extraordinary cases) was construed,