ence he has exerted with so much
applause in the parliament of Ireland, and his turn and application,
even in early youth to the serious and weighty affairs of the public,
we willingly decree him honours which are neither superior to his
merits, nor earlier than the expectation of our good subjects.'

As soon as the duke of Wharton came of age, he was introduced to the
house of lords in England, with the like blaze of reputation, and
raised jealousies in the breasts of the most consummately artful, and
best qualified in the house of peers. A little before the death of
lord Stanhope, his grace, who was constant in nothing but inconstancy,
again changed sides, opposed the court, and endeavoured to defeat all
the schemes of the ministry.

He appeared one of the most forward and vigorous in the defence of the
bishop of Rochester, and in opposing the bill for inflicting pains and
penalties on that prelate.

The judicious observations he made on the trial of the bishop, and the
manner in which he summed up and compared a long and perplexed kind
of evidence, with inimitable art and perspicuity, may be seen in the
duke's speech upon that extraordinary occasion, which is a lasting
proof of his amazing abilities in the legislative capacity, as well as
of his general knowledge of public business.

He, however, did not confine this spirit of opposition to the house of
lords, but exerted it both in city and country, promoting in all kinds
of elections such persons as were supposed to be no fautors of the
court. Such was the hatred he now conceived to the ministry, and such
his desire of becoming eminent; that he even pushed himself into
the city of London; was invested with the rights and privileges of a
citizen, and was entered a member of the wax-chandler's company; by
virtue of which he appeared at all meetings, charmed all societies,
and voted in his own right upon all occasions.

Notwithstanding his astonishing activity in opposition to the court,
he was not yet satisfied that he had done enough. He could not be in
all places, and in all companies at once. As much an orator as he was,
he could not talk to the whole nation, and therefore he printed his
thoughts twice a week, in a paper called the True-Briton, several
thousands of which being dispersed weekly, the duke was pleased to
find the whole kingdom giving attention to him, and admiring him as an
author, though they did not at all approve his reasoning.

Those polit