96 ANNUAL RE 
in the moment of their country’s 
danger, at the complete fulfilment 
of their predictions; this would 
have been the period—the proudest 
that perhaps ever fell to the lot of 
statesmen to enjoy: but as, in the 
hour when confidence took the lead 
of experience, they had not been 
awed or depressed by numbers in- 
to silence, so were they now, not 
betrayed intoimmoderate exultation 
Acting upon immutable and firm 
principles, they were found in their 
ranks, at this moment of consterna- 
tion, cheering and encouraging their 
‘country to exertion :—congratulat- 
‘ing the ministers on the appearance 
“of vigour which they had shewn :-— 
and proffering their assistance and 
“co-operation in every meritorious ef- 
fort, that they might make for the 
restoration of the honor of the na- 
‘tion. It must however, have been 
‘matter of satisfaction to them, to 
“see, the government, though tar- 
dily, ‘complete converts to that 
system they had so long abused, 
and vilified; the approximation, 
GISTER, 1803. 
with some few shades of difference, 
of the remaining two great leading 
parties of the country to their opi- 
nions; and above all, that by a 
steady adherence to their principles, 
they should at last have the satisfae- 
tion of establishing, such an union of 
talents, political experience, and 
property, as might prove the best, 
perhaps the only defence, against 
the despotic machinations of the 
powerful and inveterate enemy to 
the British name. 
But, howéver praiseworthy the 
moderation of the ‘‘ new opposi- 
tion,” certain it is, from hencefor- 
ward, in proportion as their popu- 
larity and their credit with the peo- 
ple imcreased, in that proportion 
did Mr. Addington and his col- 
leagues decline in public opinion ; 
_ and it was evident to all, that the mo- 
ment when a junction should be 
formed between the three great par- 
ties, who seemed, though in different 
dearees adverse from their measures, 
that, that moment would witness 
their dismission or retreat from office, 
CHAP, 
