poor paper of mine, are in fuch a strain, that, confidering the prefent ftate of affairs, they look like a jeft. They ufually run after the following manner; "What! Shall this in"folent writer prefume to cenfure the late "miniftry, the ableft, the most faithful, and "trueft lovers of their country and its con"ftitution, that ever ferved a prince? Shall "he reflect on the best house of commons, ❝that ever fat within thofe walls? Hath not "the queen changed both for a ministry and "parliament of jacobites and high-fliers, who are felling us to France, and bringing over "the pretender ?" This is the very fum and force of all their reafonings, and this is their method of complaining againft the Examiner. In them it is humble and loyal to reflect upon the QUEEN, and the miniftry and parliament the hath chofen with the univerfal applaufe of her people in us it is infolent to defend her majefty and her choice, or to answer their objections by fhewing the reafons, why those changes were neceflary. : The fame ftyle hath been used in the late cafe concerning fome gentlemen in the army. Such a clamour was raised by a fett of men, who had the boldness to tax the adminiftration with cruelty and injuftice, that I thought it neceflary to interfere a little by fhewing the ill confequences, that might arife from fome proceedings, although without application to particular perfons. And what do they offer in anfwer? Nothing but a few poor common places against calumny and informers; which G might might have been full as juft and feasonable in a plot against the facred perfon of the QUEEN.. But by the way, why are thefe idle people fo indifcreet to name those two words, which afford occafion of laying open to the world fuch an infamous fcene of fubordination and perjury, as well as calumny and informing, as, I believe, is without example; when a whole cabal attempted an action, wherein a condemned criminal [k] refufed to join with them for the reward of his life? Not that I difapprove their fagacity, who could foretel fo long before by what hand they fhould one day fall, and therefore thought any means juftifiable, by which they might prevent it. But waving this at prefent, it must be owned, in juftice to the army, that thofe violences did not proceed fo far among them, as fome have believed; nor ought the madnefs of a few to be laid at their doors. For the reft, I am fo far from denying the due praises to thofe brave troops, who did their part in procuring fo many victories for the allies; that I could with, every officer and private foldier had their full share of honour in proportion to their deferts; being thus far of the Athenians mind, who, when it was propofed that the ftatuc of Miltiades fhould be fet up alone in fome public place of the city, faid, they would agree to it, whenever he conquered alone, but not before. Neither do I at all blame the officers of the army for preferring in their hearts the late miniftry before the prefent; or, if wishing alone could be of any use, for wishing their continuance, because then they might be fecure of the war's continuance too: whereas, fince affairs have been put into their hands, they may perhaps lie under fome apprehenfions of a peace; which no army, especially in the courfe of fuccefs, was ever inclined to; and which all wife ftates have, in such a juncture, chiefly endeavour. ed. This is a point, wherein the civil and military politicks have always difagreed: and for that reason I affirmed it neceffary, in all free governments, that the latter should be abfolutely in subjection to the former; otherwife one of thefe two inconveniencies must arife, either to be perpetually in war, or to turn the civil institution into a military. I am ready to allow all that hath been said of the valour and experience of our troops, who have fully contributed their part to the great fucceffes abroad; nor is it their fault, that thofe important victories had no better confequences at home, though it may be their advantage. War is their trade and bufinefs: to improve and cultivate the advantages of fuccefs, is an affair of the cabinet; and the neglect of this, whether proceeding from weakness or corruption, according to the ufual uncertainty of wars, may be of the most fatal confequence to a nation. For, pray, let me reprefent our condition in fuch a light, as I believe both parties will allow, though per G 2 haps : haps not the confequences I fhall deduce from it. We have been for above nine years bleft with a QUEEN, who, befides all virtues that can enter into the compofition of a private perfon, poffeffeth every regal quality, that can contribute to make a people happy: of great wisdom, yet ready to receive the advice of her counsellors: of much difcernment in chufing proper inftruments, when she follows her own judgment; and only capable of being deceived by that excefs of goodness, which makes her judge of others by herself : frugal in her management, in order to contribute to the publick, which, in proportion, the doth, and that voluntarily, beyond any of her subjects but from her own nature generous and charitable to all, who want or deferve; and, in order to exercife thofe virtues, denying herself all entertainments of expence, which many others enjoy. Then, if we look abroad, at leaft in Flanders, our arms have been crowned with perpetual fuccefs in battles and fieges; not to mention feveral fortunate actions in Spain. These facts being thus stated, which none can deny; it is natural to ask, how we have improved fuch advantages, and to what account they have turned? I fhall ufe no difcouraging terms. When a patient grows daily worfe by the tampering of mountebanks, there is nothing left but to call in the best phyficians, before the cafe grows defperate. But I would afk, whether France, or any other kingdom, would have made fo little ufe of fuch prodigious opportunities? the NUMBER XXIV. Thursday, January 18, 1710-II. Parva momenta in fpem metumque impellunt animos. HOPES are natural to most men, especially to fanguine complexions; and among the various changes, that happen in the course of publick affairs, they are feldom without fome grounds. Even in defperate cafes, where it is impoffible they fhould have any foundation, they are often affected to keep a countenance, and make an enemy think we have fome refource,.which they knew nothing of. This appears to have been for feveral months paft the condition of those people, whom I am forced, for want of other phraf es, to call the ruined party. They have taken up, fince their fall, fome real, and fome pretended hopes. When the earl of Sunderland was discarded, they hoped her majesty would proceed no farther in the change of her miniftry; and had the infolence to mifreprefent her words to foreign ftates. They likewife hoped, that we fhould have fome terrible lofs abroad, which would force us to unravel all, and begin again upon their bottom. But, of all their hopes, whether real or affumed, their is none more extraordinary than |