or of whatsoever tendency,
I shall without scruple declare, that popularity is to be despised; it
is to be despised, my lords, because it cannot be preserved without
abandoning much more valuable considerations. The inclinations of the
people have, in all ages, been too variable for regard. But if by
popularity be meant that settled confidence and lasting esteem, which
a good government may justly claim from the subject, I am far from
denying that it is truly desirable; and that no wise man ever
disregarded it. But this popularity, my lords, is very consistent with
contempt of riotous clamours, and of mistaken complaints; and is often
only to be obtained by an opposition, to the reigning opinions, and a
neglect of temporary discontents; opinions which may be inculcated
without difficulty by favourite orators, and discontents which the
eloquence of seditious writers may easily produce on ignorance and
inconstancy.

How easily the opinions of the vulgar may be regulated by those who
have obtained, by whatever methods, their esteem, the debate of this
day, my lords, may inform us; since, if the measures against which
this motion is intended, be really unpopular, as they have been
represented, it is evident that there has been lately a very
remarkable change in the sentiments of the nation; for it is yet a
very little time since the repression of the insolence of France, and
the relief of the queen of Hungary was so generally wished, and so
importunately demanded, that had measures like these been then formed,
it is not improbable that they might have reconciled the publick to
that man whom the united voice of the nation has long laboured to
overbear.

It is, indeed, urged with a degree of confidence, which ought, in my
opinion, to proceed from stronger proof than has yet been produced,
that no hostilities are intended; that our armaments on the continent
are an idle show, an inoffensive ostentation, and that the troops of
Hanover have been hired only to enrich the electorate, under the
appearance of assisting the queen of Hungary, whom in reality they
cannot succour without drawing upon their country the imperial
interdict.

It has been alleged, my lords,-that these measures have been concerted
wholly/or the advantage of Hanover; that this kingdom is to be
sacrificed to the electorate, and that we are in reality intended to
be made tributaries to a petty power.

In confirmation of these suggestions, advantage has bee