iberties of his country, even he is equally concerned to
put an end to this course of indiscriminate support. It is this blind
and undistinguishing support that feeds the spring of those very
disorders, by which he is frighted into the arms of the faction which
contains in itself the source of all disorders, by enfeebling all the
visible and regular authority of the State. The distemper is increased
by his injudicious and preposterous endeavours, or pretences, for the
cure of it.

An exterior Administration, chosen for its impotency, or after it is
chosen purposely rendered impotent, in order to be rendered subservient,
will not be obeyed. The laws themselves will not be respected, when
those who execute them are despised: and they will be despised, when
their power is not immediate from the Crown, or natural in the kingdom.
Never were Ministers better supported in Parliament. Parliamentary
support comes and goes with office, totally regardless of the man, or the
merit. Is Government strengthened? It grows weaker and weaker. The
popular torrent gains upon it every hour. Let us learn from our
experience. It is not support that is wanting to Government, but
reformation. When Ministry rests upon public opinion, it is not indeed
built upon a rock of adamant; it has, however, some stability. But when
it stands upon private humour, its structure is of stubble, and its
foundation is on quicksand. I repeat it again--He that supports every
Administration, subverts all Government. The reason is this. The whole
business in which a Court usually takes an interest goes on at present
equally well, in whatever hands, whether high or low, wise or foolish,
scandalous or reputable; there is nothing, therefore, to hold it firm to
any one body of men, or to any one consistent scheme of politics. Nothing
interposes to prevent the full operation of all the caprices and all the
passions of a Court upon the servants of the public. The system of
Administration is open to continual shocks and changes, upon the
principles of the meanest cabal, and the most contemptible intrigue.
Nothing can be solid and permanent. All good men at length fly with
horror from such a service. Men of rank and ability, with the spirit
which ought to animate such men in a free state, while they decline the
jurisdiction of dark cabal on their actions and their fortunes, will, for
both, cheerfully put themselves upon their country. They will trust an
i