HISTORY OF EUROPE. 27 
th a way not to he misunderstood, 
and which-it was impossible (though 
no effort was spared for the purpose) 
to explain away or deny. In vain 
did the supporters of the minister 
assert, that this preparation was not 
meant to apply to any circumstan- 
ces now actually existing; but 
rather to those, which might possi- 
bly exist hereafter: that, though 
not meant to disturb France in the 
controul and preponderance she had 
usurped over the rest of the powers 
of Europe, yet it might contribute 
materially to prevent her farther 
encroachments, This reasoning, or 
rather sophistry, met with no credit 
or approbation, save from those who 
are always to be found in the ranks 
of the minister of the hour; or from 
those who thought peace preferable, 
under any circumstances of national 
disgrace and dishonor, to a renewal 
of contest, doubtful and hazardous 
as it must prove in the event. To 
all others, it was evident that the 
ministers themselves had taken 
alarm; that they were roused from 
their supineness; and that they 
were anxious to tread back those 
steps, which a total want of politi- 
cal experience, or the love of place 
and power, had induced them to 
take, perhaps to.the utter destruc- 
tion of the country they had been 
called upon to govern. Yet was 
the magnanimity wanting, fairly to 
come 
their errors. In the face of circum- 
staitces the most notorious, they 
still persisted in defending their past 
‘conduct, and inmaintaining the truth 
and consistency of their pacific pre- 
dictions, at the very moment, when 
they called on the country for a war 
expence, and a war establishment! 
orward with an avowal of 
Opposition to such apparent ime 
becility, began now however to 
appear in a quarter, the most alarm- 
ing to the personal feelings of the 
minister, as well as to his prospects 
of continuance at the helm of 
public affairs. It was well known, 
that for his present power, as in- 
deed for his very political exist- 
ence, he was indebted to the re- 
commendation and protection of 
Mr. Pitt. That great man had 
supported him on the abstract prin- 
ciples of the peace, as exhibited 
in the preliminary articles; nor did 
he desert him in carrying that mea- 
sure through the more distressing 
details of the treaty of Amiens. 
In giving this support, he certainly 
carried his friendship toan extreme. 
Nor could any assistance, short of - 
this powerful aid, have enabled 
Mr. Addington to urge measures, 
which revolted every principle of 
national feeling and national ho- 
nor; and which the short period 
that had elapsed, from its consum- 
mation to the present meeting of 
parliament, had abundantly proved 
to be as hollow and fallacious, as it 
was disgraceful and dishonorable. 
But, however consistent it might 
be with the character of Mr. Ad- 
dington and his colleagues inpower, 
to defend those measures, which ali 
experience and all policy had de-_ 
cided upon, as unwise and unsate; 
yet from the late minister, a very 
different line of conduct was looked 
for, and not looked for in vain.— 
Was it possible for him, however ke 
might havesupported even the treaty 
of Amiens, such as it was, to behold 
with indifference, ‘ ere the ink was 
dry with which it was signed, or 
the wax cold with which it was 
sealed,” 
