Ic6cHARACrERISTlCALSKETCHES— LORD NORTH. June 25» 



Among the allurements of miniflerial power, the 

 temptation it afFords of accumulating family wealth, 

 is generally cfleemed one of the mod powerful. Yet 

 this, like every other minifterial purfuit, there is good 

 rcafon to believe, is often productive of effefts, very dif- 

 ferent from thofe intended. Domeftic tranquillity is per- 

 hapsthecircumftance which contributes the moll towards 

 fhe happinefs of mankind. But a great and fudden in- 

 flux of wealth, is, perhaps of all others, the circumdance 

 Vv'hich ofteneft difturbs the peace of families. If that 

 wealth be even in the moft permanent manner fecurtd, 

 jt afFords temptations to difiipation and irregularities of 

 fonduift among the younger branches of a family, that 

 can feldom add to the happinefs of the parents, but 

 much the reverfe : But if the wealth be only tempora- 

 ry, arifing from emoluments that may be withdrawn, 

 the confequences are more deplorably diftrefling. A 

 man whofe family has been accuftomed to live in a cer- 

 tain ftile, finds it ncceflary that they fhould continue to 

 live at the fame rate. When his temporary emolu- 

 ments therefore are withdrawn, he finds himfelf fub- 

 jefted to a real diftrel's, which the habits his family 

 have acquired, render it impofTible for him to evade. 

 Had they been accuftomfed to live on his original pa- 

 trimonial eftate, his family would have been contented 

 »nd happy, and he himfelf might have preferved all 

 that independency of mind, which juftly conftituies the 

 pride of a free man. By the fortunate event, as it is 

 ufually deemed, of his temporary elevation to office, he 

 is however effeiSually deprived ot all this comfort : a con- 

 tinuance of emoluments becomes necefl'ary; he mull court 



6'bjc.iS: worth regarding ; but to moderate the power of the rulers of the 

 people, fo as to make them cautioufiy avoid engaging in thofe ruiiiuus 

 it'htmts, which, while they ftrve to augment miniflerial influirnce, Py 

 increafinp; the fphcre of corruption, ciireiSly tend to relax the induilry, 

 and to Ti'caksn the energy ot the ftate, will ever, by him., be viewed as 

 objeils of the very higheft importance, that call for the utmoft exertioi^ 

 ftf his powers, to counteracSt-, 



