with the fpirit of revenge to sharpen his invention: nothing else is required befides obfequioufnefs and affiduity; which, as they are often the talents of those who have no better, so they are apt to make impreffions upon the best and greatest minds.

It was no small advantage to the defigning party, that fince the adventure at Windfor the perfon on whom we fo much depend was long absent by fickness; which hindered him from purfuing those meafures, that ministers are in prudence forced to take to defend their country and themselves against an irritated faction. The negotiators on the other fide improved this favourable conjuncture to the utmost; and by an unparallelled boldness, accompanied with many falfhoods, perfuaded certain lords (who were already in the fame principle, but were afraid of making a wrong step, left it fhould lead them out of their coaches into the dirt) that voting in appearance against the court would be the fafeft courfe to avoid the danger they moft apprehended, which was that of lofing their penfions; and their opinions, when produced, would by feemingly con

tradicting

tradicting their intereft have an appearance of virtue into the bargain. This with fome arguments of more immediate power went far in producing that ftrange unexpected turn we have fo lately feen, and from which our adverfaries reckoned upon fuch wonderful effects; and fome of them, particularly my lord chief juftice, began to act as if all were already in their power. But although the more immediate caufes of this desertion were what I have above related, yet I am apt to think, it would hardly have been attempted, or at least not have fucceeded, but for a prevailing opinion, that the church party and the minifters had different views, or at least were not fo firmly united as they ought to have been. It was commonly faid, and I suppose not without fome ground of truth, that many gentlemen of your club were discontented to find fo little done; that they thought it looked as if people were not in earnest; that they expected to fee a thorough change with refpect to employments; and although every man could not be provided for, yet when all places were filled with perfons of good principles,

there

there would be fewer complaints and less danger from the other party; that this change was hoped for all last fummer, and even to the opening of the feffion, yet nothing done. On the other hand, it was urged by fome in favour of the ministry, that it was impoffible to find employments for one pretender in twenty; and therefore in gratifying one nineteen would be difobliged; but while all had leave to hope, they would all endeavour to deferve: but this again was esteemed a very fhallow policy, which was too easily seen through, must foon come to an end, and would cause a general discontent; with twenty other objections to which it was liable: and indeed, confidering the short life of ministers in our climate, it was with some reason thought a little hard, that those for whom any employment was intended, fhould by fuch a delay be probably deprived of half their benefit; not to mention, that a miniftry is beft confirmed, when all inferior officers are in its intereft.

I have set this cause of complaint in the strongest light, although my design is to endeavour that it should have no manner

of

of weight with you, as I am confident our adversaries counted upon, and do still expect to find mighty advantages by it.

But it is neceffary to fay fomething to this objection, which in all appearance lieth fo hard upon the present ministry. What fhall I offer upon fo tender a point? How fhall I convey an answer that none will apprehend, except those for whom I intend it? I have often pitied the condition of great ministers ministers upon several accounts; but never fo much upon any, as when their duty obliges them to bear the blame and envy of actions, for which they will not be anfwerable in the next world, although they dare not convince the prefent, until it is too late. This letter is fent you, gentlemen, from no mean hand, nor from a perfon uninformed, although for the rest as little concerned in point of interest for any change of ministry, as most others of his fellow-fubjects. I may therefore affume so much to myself, as to defire you will depend upon it, that a fhort time will make manifeft, how little the defect you complain of ought to lie at that door, where your enemies would be glad to see

you

you place it. The wifeft man, who is not very near the spring of affairs, but views them only in their iffues and events, will be apt to fix applauses and reproaches in the wrong place; which is the true cause of a weakness, that I never yet knew great minifters without; I mean their being deaf to all advice: for if a person of the best understanding offers his opinion in a point, where he is not mafter of all the circumftances, (which perhaps are not to be told) it is a hundred to one but he runs into an abfurdity: from whence it is, that minifters falfly conclude themselves to be equally wifer than others in general things, where the common reason of mankind ought to be the judge, and is probably lefs byaffed than theirs. I have known a a great man of excellent parts blindly pursue a point of no importance, against the advice of every friend he had, until it ended in his ruin. I have feen great abilities rendered utterly useless by unaccountable and unneceffary delay, and by difficulty of access, by which a thousand opportunities are fuffered to escape. I have obferved the strongest fhoulders to fink un

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