ition with Lord North. But
I may assert, with some degree of assurance, that in their political
conflict those great antagonists had never felt any personal animosity
to each other, that their reconciliation was easy and sincere, and that
their friendship has never been clouded by the shadow of suspicion
or jealousy. The most violent or venal of their respective followers
embraced this fair occasion of revolt, but their alliance still
commanded a majority in the House of Commons; the peace was censured,
Lord Shelburne resigned, and the two friends knelt on the same cushion
to take the oath of secretary of state. From a principle of gratitude I
adhered to the coalition: my vote was counted in the day of battle, but
I was overlooked in the division of the spoil. There were many claimants
more deserving and importunate than myself: the board of trade could not
be restored; and, while the list of places was curtailed, the number of
candidates was doubled. An easy dismission to a secure seat at the board
of customs or excise was promised on the first vacancy: but the chance
was distant and doubtful; nor could I solicit with much ardour an
ignoble servitude, which would have robbed me of the most valuable of
my studious hours: at the same time the tumult of London, and the
attendance on parliament, were grown more irksome; and, without some
additional income, I could not long or prudently maintain the style of
expence to which I was accustomed.

From my early acquaintance with Lausanne I had always cherished a
secret wish, that the school of my youth might become the retreat of my
declining age. A moderate fortune would secure the blessings of ease,
leisure, and independence: the country, the people, the manners, the
language, were congenial to my taste; and I might indulge the hope of
passing some years in the domestic society of a friend. After travelling
with several English, Mr. Deyverdun was now settled at home, in a
pleasant habitation, the gift of his deceased aunt: we had long been
separated, we had long been silent; yet in my first letter I exposed,
with the most perfect confidence, my situation, my sentiments, and my
designs. His immediate answer was a warm and joyful acceptance: the
picture of our future life provoked my impatience; and the terms of
arrangement were short and simple, as he possessed the property, and
I undertook the expence of our common house. Before I could break my
English chain, it was incumben