BOOK render him incapable of affording the least aid in XIV. ✓ settling any future arrangement; acknowledg 1767. ing, nevertheless, the necessity of strengthening the hands of government, by a coalition either with the Rockingham or Grenville party, the latter being at this time closely united with the duke of Bedford and his adherents. Advances were in consequence made by the duke of Grafton to the marquis of Rockingham, with the knowledge and by the command of the king, desiring his lordship to specify the plan on which he and his friends would propose to come in, in order to extend and strengthen the administration. To this overture lord Rockingham, in somewhat haughty terms, answered, "that the principle on which he would proceed should be to consider the present administration as at an end, notwithstanding the great regard and esteem he had for some of those who composed it." Not discouraged by this check, and indifferent to a continuance in his own elevated but uneasy station, the duke of Grafton, by order of the king, replied, "that his majesty's sentiments concurred with his lordship's in order ta the forming a comprehensive plan of administra tion, and that his majesty, desirous of uniting the hearts of all his subjects, is most ready and willing to appoint such a one as shall exclude no denomination of men attached to his person and government." A change of ministry being XIV. now confidently expected, the duke of New- BOOK castle, long experienced in the arts of political intrigue, exerted his utmost efforts to unite the 1767. houses of Russel and Wentworth, conscious that a firm and cordial coalescence could alone render their opposition formidable, or their administration permanent. This, however, was extremely difficult to effect, not merely on account of the reluctance of each party to act in a subordinate capacity, but from the real difference of opinion that subsisted relative to the affairs of America. At length, various mutual sacrifices being made to facilitate the formation of a new administration on a comprehensive basis, at a meeting of the leaders of the different political parties convened at Newcastle-house, July 20, lord Rockingham was, by universal consent, fixed upon as the most proper person to preside at the board of treasury. The marquis then proposed general Conway for secretary of state, and minister of the house of commons, to which the duke of Bedford positively objecting, the conference was dissolved; and at a subsequent meeting, the marquis persisting in this nomination, all ideas of a union vanished, it being fully understood that the two parties would not recede in any degree from their opposite systems respecting America: and the ministers actually in office finding numerous and unexpected obstacles to a BOOK coalition, one party requiring too great a sacrifice XIV. 1767. Mr.Charles of power, and the other of profit, and perceiving no prospect whatever of a general comprehension, determined to maintain their ground in defiance of all opposition. Thus an opportunity never to be regained was again lost, of effecting a reconciliation of all true lovers of their country, and of establishing the government on a firm and solid basis, honorable to the sovereign, beneficial to the people: but it was otherwise decreed, and most disastrous chances only have governed the destiny of the present reign. Lord Chatham, who had exhibited some flattering symptoms of recovery, relapsing into his former state of illness and imbecility, Mr. Charles Townshend renewed his intrigues with redoubled assiduity; and, highly resenting that his name was wholly omitted in the late projected arrangements, resolved to devote himself entirely to the court; by whom his advances were so favorably, or rather eagerly received, that the ultimate consequences of his plotting and perverse politics might have proved very perplexing and perni Death of cious, had not his death prematurely and unexTown- pectedly intervened in the month of September, chancellor 1767*. The term of this minister's public life shend, of the ex chequer. * During the short sunshine of court favor which Mr. Townshend enjoyed, his lady was created a peeress in her own XIV. ~ 1767, was too short, and his situation too subordinate, BOOK to allow that full and free scope of action which is necessary to the perfect development of a character. From what appears, his ambition, increasing with his increase of honors, was much right, by the title of baroness Greenwich. In allusion to the extraordinary degree of influence and authority possessed by Mr. Townshend at this period, when lord Chatham advanced rapidly to the close of his ministerial career, a celebrated ora tor, Mr. Burke, in a speech some years afterwards made in the house of commons, thus expresses himself: "Even then, Şir, before this splendid orb was entirely set, and while the western horizon was in a blaze with his descending glory, on the opposite quarter of the heavens arose another luminary, and for his hour became lord of the ascendant." The following lines, addressed to this brilliant but capricious genius, sufficiently indicate the opinion formed of him by the wits his rivals and cotemporaries : STANZAS TO THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES TOWNSHEND, BY A FRIEND. Behold that ship in all her pride, Each curious eye delighting; Alas, dear Charles! she cheats the sight, For sea so trim and ready ; Till ballast makes her steady, ، BOOK better sustained by political ability, destitute as XIV. that ability was of a clear and correct judgment, 1767. than his ability by political rectitude. He was Succeeded succeeded in his office of chancellor of the exby lord North, chequer by Frederic lord North, eldest son of the earl of Guildford-a man as yet but little known to the public, but who soon rose to great eminence in the state. Although his notions of government evidently appeared of the high tory cast, his temper was mild, equable, and pleasant. His abilities, though by no means of the first class, were far removed from contempt; his knowledge of business was extensive, his integrity unimpeached; and, though indolent and unenterprising by constitution, he was occasionally capable of resolute and persevering exertion. It must however be remarked, that a certain indistinctness and confusion of ideas unfortunately pervaded his general system of thinking; and though he seemed habitually to aim at the thing which was right, and often made a considerable approach towards it, he almost invariably stopped short of the true and genuine standard of political propriety. With the reputation of meaning well, therefore, he acquired the imputation of indecision and instability; and the general tenor of his administration must certainly be allowed to exhibit very few indications of energy, wisdom, or force of penetration. But the character |