now soon to be
convinced that France is not irresistible, nor irresistible to
Britain. We are now to see the embroilers of the universe entangled in
their own schemes, and the depopulators of kingdoms destroyed in those
fields which they have so wantonly laid waste. We shall see justice
triumphant over oppression, and insolence trampled by those whom she
has despised. We shall see the powers of Europe once more equally
balanced, and the balance placed again in the hands of Britain.

If it be required upon what events these expectations are founded; and
if it be alleged, that we have no such resolutions to hope from the
measures that have been hitherto pursued; it has been affirmed by a
noble lord, that our armies in Flanders are useless, and that our
motions have given neither courage nor strength to any other powers;
that the queen of Hungary is yet equally distressed, and that the
French still pursue their schemes without any interruption from us or
our allies, I shall hope by an impartial account of the present state
of the continent to show, that his assertions are groundless, and his
opinion erroneous.

The inactivity of our army in Flanders has, indeed, furnished a
popular topick of declamation and ridicule. It is well known how
little the bulk of mankind are acquainted, either with arts of policy,
or of war; how imperfectly they must always understand the conduct of
ministers or generals, and with what partiality they always determine
in favour of their own nation. Ignorance, my lords, conjoined with
partiality, must always produce expectations which no address nor
courage can gratify; and it is scarcely, therefore, to be hoped, that
the people will be satisfied with any account of the conduct of our
generals, which does not inform them of sieges and battles, slaughter
and devastation. They expect that a British army should overrun the
continent in a summer, that towns should surrender at their summons,
and legions retire at their shout; that they should drive nations
before them, and conquer empires by marching over them.

Such, my lords, are the effects which the people of Britain expect;
and as they have hitherto been disappointed, their disappointment
inclines them to complain. They think an army useless which gains no
victories, and ask to what purpose the sword is drawn, if the blood of
their enemies is not to be shed? But these are not the sentiments of
your lordships, whose acquaintance with publick af