es 
7811.] 
influence of the eatl of Bute, usually de- 
hotminated “the Nortliern Thane,” and 
the ** favourite ;” another to support the 
constitution in all its integrity. On the dis-’ 
missioi, o rather the voluntary retreat, of 
the nobleman just alluded to, his Grace’ 
accepted of the seals, uidet the patronage 
of the duke of Cumberland. Gn this occas 
sion he hoped for the support of the earl 
of Chatham; but finding that this great 
patriot was aversé to tle measures of the 
court, ahd was accustoined to observe 
énigmiatically “that there was some- 
thing behind the throne, greater than the 
throne itself,” he soon after resigned, 
The arrangements for the next adininis= 
tration were all made by that eloquent 
nobleman; and it is no'small proof of 
the high opinion io which he held the 
duke of Grafton, that to the latter was 
assigned the post of first commissioner of 
the treasury, which, im consequence of 
the increasing infirmities of the earl, be- 
~eame, in fact, that of prime minister. 
During this period, Mr. Wilkes began 
to make a noise, and was the first pri- 
vate individual who, by seciiring popu. 
larity with the nation, was enabled to 
cope, first with the ministers, and, finally, 
in soine measure, with the throne itself. 
Phinking himself slighted by the duke 
of Grafton, with whoin he had formerly 
lived in some degree of intimacy, he 
boldly attacked both him and the noble 
éarl his colleague, as “ tools of lord 
te.” This circumstance, ridiculots as 
it may appear, proved unfavourable to 
this administration, and hurt their in- 
fluence not a little; for the author of the 
North Briton was now in the zenith of 
his popularity, and succeeded in all the 
objects of his ambition, becoming, in 
turn, knight of the’ shire for the county 
of Middlesex, sheriff, alderman, and lord- 
mayor; of the city of London; and, finally, 
he obtained the lucrative office of cham< 
berlain. 1 
But a writer of still greater talents and 
feputation now appeared, and directed 
his keen, powerful, and envenomed, shafts 
agiinst the minister. This was the still 
celebrated, although still anknown, au- 
thor of the Letters of * Junius,” who gom- 
minced his Jabours in the Public Adver- 
tiser, Jaiiuary 21, 1769, by a pointed 
attack on the rbinisters of that day. 
© Withont much political sagacity, or any 
extraordinary depth of observation,” says 
he, “ we need only mark how the prin- 
opal depattinents of the state are be- 
stowed, and look no furcher fur the true 
cause of every mischief that befals us. 
Phe fisiances of a nation, sinking under 
4 a 
Memoirs of the late Duke of Grafton. 
‘the human face. 
ey 
its debts and expenses, aré committed 
to a young nobleman, already: ruined 
by play. Introduced to act under the 
auspices of lord Chatham, and left at 
the head of affairs: by that nobleman’s, 
retreat, he became minister by accident z 
bat, deserting the principles and. profes- 
sions which gave him a moment’s.popu- 
larity, we see him, from every honour- 
able engagement to the public, an apos~ 
tate by design. As for business, the 
world yet knows nothing of his talents 
er resolution; unless a wayward wa- 
vering inconsistency be a-mark of genius, 
and caprice a demonstration of spirit.” 
After Junius had tried the temper of 
his maiden sword on sir William Drapet, 
and found it proof, he addressed himself” - 
directly co the duke of Grafton, relative 
to the * pardon granted by His Majesty, 
March 11, 1769, to M‘Quirk, for the 
murder of George Clarke, at Brentford. 
In letter 12 he reproaches.His Grace, 
during the time of mobs and tumults, for 
iidulging himself, “ while prime minister 
of Great Britaib, in rural retirement, 
and in the arms of faded beauty, losing 
all memory of his sovereign, his country, 
and himself.” In letter 12 he bitterly 
remarks as follows: ‘ You have better 
ptoofs of yout. descent, my lord, than 
the register of a mafriage, or any trouble= 
some tnheritance of reputation, There 
are some hereditary strokes of character: 
by which a family may be as clearly dig» 
tinguished as by the blackest features of 
Cliatles the First lived: 
and died a hypocrite, Charles the Se- 
cond was a hypocrite of another sorty 
and should have. died upon the same 
scaffold. At the distance of a century, 
we see their different characters happily 
revived and blended. in ¥our- Grace. 
Sullen and severe without religion, pro= 
fligaté without gaiety, you live like 
Cliarles the Second, without being an 
diniable companion; and, for aught E£ 
know, may die as.-his father did, withe: 
out the reputation of a martyr. 
** You liad already taken your degrées. 
with credit, in those schools in which the 
English nebility ate formed to virtue;. 
when you were introduced to lord Cha» 
tham’s protection, From Newmarket, 
White’s, and the Opposition, he gave 
you to the world with-an air of popue 
larity which young men wusually set out 
_ with, and seldom preserve; grave ard, 
plausible enough to be thought fit for 
* The earl of Rochford was secretary of 
state forthe home department, and was theres 
fore the xesponsible oflicer. 
business; 
