403 Parliameniary Proceedings^ Nov. i. 



The matter was put an end to by calling for the order of the 

 day. 



To foreigners who are little acquainted with the nature of 

 the Britifli Conftitutron, this bufinefs will appear remarkable 

 under two points of view. The firft is, the indifference with 

 which the liiprcme council of the nation permitted themfelves 

 to be infulted by an individual in his private capacity ; for al- 

 though a few members fpoke with fome warmth, the great 

 majority of the aflembly confidered thefe injurious reflexions 

 in much the fame I'ght with Timoleon, who, after having re- 

 ftored freedom to Corinth, on being reviled by a citizen in very 

 abufive language, made anfwer, that he rejoiced to fee the 

 time vhen a private citizen of Athens might with impunity 

 revile the higheft perfon in the Rate ; not that they approved of 

 fiich conduft, but that they were confcious the laws had pro- 

 vided a fufficknt punifhmentforit, without any irregular inter- 

 ference on their partf. Men are here too cool, unlefs when 

 hurried on by a fnirit of fadtion, ever to be led/ into a violent 

 mode of coudu<5t from fudden provocation. 

 • The r^xt circnmftancc that will excite aftonifhment, will he 

 the corduft of Mr Home Tooke. Some would fufpecft that he 

 ■was infp.ne, when he fo affiduoufly tried to provoke the aflem- 

 bly by his fiilgularly jnterrperate condudl- This aftonifhment 

 will fubfide, h&wever, when they are informed, that in England, 

 one of the moft effedual modes of obtaining popularity, with 

 the emoluments that ufually follow it, is to provoke punifh- 

 ment from perfons in power. To pbtain the name of a fer~ 

 ftcuted per/on is a great point gained, and by contriving to draw 

 down puniftim.ent upon themfelves, feveral perfons have rifen 

 to wealth and fame. Mr Tooke, however, if this was his ob- 

 jeft, misjudged the matter very much ; for like an unfkilful po- • 

 litician, he contrived to unite both the parties of adminiftratiort" 

 and oppofition againft bimfelf; none therefore, but a fmall 

 rurrber of the populace, who had no other leader but Ml* 

 Tooke himfelf, 'were interefted in his caufe. Thus all the 

 parties looked on with indifference, reafon was allowed to re- 

 fume hcrti'.rone, and Mr Home Tooke had the mortification 

 to feel himfelf amerced in a- heavy fine, without obtaining, a 

 iingle perfon to commiferate his cafe. To have talents to a 

 certain degree, without judgment enough to direft how thefe 

 talent's may be applied with, efFedt, is one of the greateft mis- 

 fortunes that can fall to the lot of man. 



