CHAPTER 33.

1705.

Effects of the bill against occasional conformity-Unpopularity of the tories-State of parties-Characters of the whig junta-Political system of Marlborough and Godolphin-Views of the whigs to gain the ascendancy-Disgrace of Buckingham—Admission of several whigs into the offices of government—Cabals to obtain the promotion of Sunderland-His appointment as ambassador to Vienna-Embarrassments of Marlborough, derived from these political feuds.

THE factious conduct of the high tories in general, and particularly their recent attempt to extort the acquiescence of the peers in the bill against occasional conformity, by means of the tack, produced an essential change in the sentiments and political system of Marlborough and 'Godolphin.

Notwithstanding repeated insults and mortifications, they had hitherto adhered to the party with whom they had been long identified; and even when compelled to break with the more violent, they still preserved their connection with the moderate, and laboured to retain, in the offices of government, a majority of those who professed congenial sentiments. But they now felt from experience, that nothing would conciliate the spirit of faction; and they saw in the example of Buckingham and his adherents, the impossibility of continuing to act on the same independent system. The unpopularity of the violent tories, who became notorious under the name of tackers, gave an additional bias to their sentiments, and furnished new motives for a change of domestic policy.

During the winter, Marlborough and Godolphin had seriously deliberated on their future conduct towards the two contending parties, and on the measures to be pursued in the elections

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for the new parliament, which, according to the triennial act, was to meet in the ensuing April. They concurred in a resolution to conciliate the confidence of the moderate and liberal on both sides. Hence Marlborough had introduced Harley and St. John into the ministry, tolerated secretary Hedges, and though he contributed to the exclusion of Rochester, Nottingham, Sir E. Seymour, and Jersey, yet he was unwilling to reduce the strength of his own party by admitting the whigs to a greater share of power. But even his discerning mind was deceived in his opinion on party politics; or rather he miscalculated, when he supposed that the leaders of the whigs would continue to support the government while they were held in a state of proscription, and excluded from all offices of trust; and he as little estimated their strength and resources. For while the tories were divided, the great body of the whigs formed a complete phalanx, impelled by the same spirit, and directed to the same end. As the constant supporters of the war, and increasing in consequence from its success, they looked forward to an increase of their numbers in the approaching election, and a gradual introduction of their chiefs into power. The leaders of this body were five peers, who are distinguished in the histories of the times by the name of the junta, and who were all men of superior talents, and had performed essential services to the nation, by their exertions in promoting the protestant succession, and their public services during the reign of William. These five peers were Somers, Wharton, Halifax, Orford, and Sunderland.

In his public capacity, lord Somers was a true patriot, if a true patriot ever existed. Hitherto he had not swerved a tittle from the principles of that revolution of which he was one of the great movers, and to which he sacrificed his private interests, and that honourable ambition of which no one is devoid. Of the real whigs, he was the only one who possessed the favour and affection of king William, as was proved by the extreme reluctance with which that monarch consented to his removal. He highly deserved this confidence by an attachment to the king's

person, peculiarly disinterested, an unshaken probity, and a devotion to the true principles of the constitution. In the great

struggle which agitated the last year of William's reign, he proved his firmness and patriotism by assisting the king with his zealous advice and support; though he refused to accept an ostensible office, because he would not associate himself with the tories, who were retained in the administration. On the accession of Anne the mortification of being excluded from the privy council, and the unmerited slights which would have driven a man of less firmness and integrity into petulant opposition, produced no effect on his magnanimous mind; and he gave his zealous support to the measures which he deemed necessary for the welfare and independence of England, and for the consolidation of the revolution. Though constitutionally impetuous and irritable, he had so far conquered the frailties of nature, as to master the movements of his ardent. spirit at the time that his mind was agitated with contending passions. But while he repressed the ebullitions of his natural temper, he retained all its warmth in his attachments to his friends and country; and he commanded the respect and esteem even of those who were most hostile to his principles. His elocution was flowing, perspicuous, and manly; his reasoning close and powerful. As a lawyer, he attentively studied the principles of the constitution; not with the confined views of professional research, but with the extensive comprehension and accurate discernment of a statesman. Nor were his acquirements confined to internal regulations; he was a master of foreign affairs, and profoundly versed in diplomatic business, as well as in the political interests of Europe. The respectable traits, of his character were blended and softened down with those amiable propensities and pursuits which are calculated to adorn life, and illustrate high station. He possessed an exquisite taste for polițe literature and the fine arts and for his attachment to science he was chosen president of the royal society. He carried his modesty and reserve almost to an extreme; for he was easy and flexible, and too often suffered his own better judgment to be biassed by

the violent counsels of his colleagues, who were far his inferiors in patriotism, disinterestedness, and information.

Somers entertained the highest respect for the great talents and services of Marlborough, whose military plans he supported with all his eloquence and interest. He rendered justice also to the. financial talents and tried integrity of Godolphin; but regarded his want of firmness and decision with a feeling almost bordering on contempt. He was disgusted also with the domineering and captious spirit of the duchess, and while he approved her zeal in the whig cause, he lamented her imprudent and intemperate conduct towards her royal mistress, of which he foresaw the fatal effects.

Charles Montagu, lord Halifax, being descended in a direct line from the earl of Manchester, the distinction of his family brought him first into notice, and he increased this distinction by his literary talents, amiable manners, social qualities, and taste for literature. With these he united an accurate knowledge of finance, to which he directed his studies as a source of advancement, after he had obtained a seat in the house of commons. To his labours the country was indebted for the stability of paper credit, and the improvement of the coin.

Having raised himself to the office of first commissioner of the treasury, he was exposed to the incessant hostilities of the tories, and persecuted by them in the house of commons with unrelenting severity; but he was the Samson of his party, and repelled with unabated vigour the multiplied attacks of his political adversaries. Though firm and manly in debate, he was interested, timid, and versatile as a politician; and was not without reason accused of occasionally sacrificing his political tenets to his interest or fear. From this motive, he exchanged his place at the treasury board for the lucrative and permanent office of auditor of the exchequer, and he accepted a peerage to escape from the perpetual warfare of the house of commons. But in this hope he was disappointed, for he was impeached as a peer, and though he parried the attack, he was still exposed to incessant

warfare. In the upper house he found a more congenial situation, and a fitter theatre for the brilliance and elegance of his oratory. After relinquishing a responsable office for the sake of tranquillity or interest, his restless spirit was not satisfied. He was incessantly caballing with those who possessed the private favour of the queen; he was always craving for some situation, which he could hold with his post in the exchequer, and particularly anxious to obtain a diplomatic mission abroad. He carried his importunities to such a degree as to disgust Marlborough, who in his private letters complains of his restless and captious temper. This occasioned frequent bickerings, and indeed laid the foundation of a secret dislike in the mind of Halifax against Marlborough, which afterwards instigated the versatile peer to injure him by insidious accusations at the court of Hanover. He courted with unceasing assiduity the duchess of Marlborough, and regaled her with concerts and entertainments; but although his attentions were grateful to her vanity, and although he at first was admitted to her confidence, he soon irritated her jealous temper, and lost her esteem.

Lord Wharton has shared the fate of the most illustrious characters who have identified themselves with a particular party. He is eulogised by the whigs as one of the principal instruments of the revolution, and the paragon of political perfection. By the tories he is decried as a turbulent and restless demagogue, imbued with republicanism and infidelity; as hostile to the true principles of the monarchy, and no less hostile to the established church. Descended from an illustrious family in the north, he was eldest son and heir to Philip, lord Wharton. He was born and bred a dissenter, but conformed to the national worship, although he was still friendly to his former sect, and partial to its principles. His wife continued a rigid presbyterian, and a disciple of the celebrated Mr. Howe, a dissenting minister, who was distinguished for his eloquence, enthusiasm, and piety.

In his early career Wharton was a companion of Charles the second, and was led by the royal example and influence to share in the orgies of a licentious court. Still, however, his political principles remained uncontaminated, and amidst all the blandish