e used for agriculture, on stamp duties, and on the
postage of letters. He also urged that not less than L200,000 (the
normal amount) should be set apart for the reduction of the British
National Debt. Over against these depressing proposals he set the
notable fact that British commerce prospered more than ever, and that
the revenue showed remarkable buoyancy. From these extraordinary
symptoms he augured that the strength and spirit of the people were
equal to all the demands of the crisis; and he declared that the
attachment of the nation to its revered monarch and beloved constitution
furnished a moving spectacle to Europe. The House accepted these
crushing imposts without demur.

He found it more difficult to reconcile his followers to the sway of
Addington. As we have seen, Dundas had already expressed to Pitt his
scorn of him and his desire for a Portland Ministry. Rose also refused
to serve under a man whom he accused (unjustly, as we now know) of
worming his way to office; and the high-spirited Canning declined to
give to Pitt any pledge except that he would not laugh at the new Prime
Minister. It is clear that Canning, like his chief, disliked
resignation. As the gifted young Irishman wrote, it was not at all good
fun to move out of the best house in London (Downing Street) and hunt
about for a little dwelling.[604] Ryder and Steele kept their posts.

Singular to relate, the Mr. Pliable of so many Ministries was soon to be
turned out. Loughborough, on whose back Addington climbed to power,
forthwith received a direct intimation to withdraw. The Lord Chancellor
therefore closed his career, the King bestowing on him for his services
to religion the title Earl of Rosslyn. To finish with him, we may note
that his settlement near Windsor and his assiduous courting of the royal
favour finally secured an epitaph quite as piquant as any which George
bestowed. On hearing of Rosslyn's sudden death early in 1805, the King
earnestly asked the messenger whether the news was trustworthy; and, on
receiving a reassuring reply, he said: "Then, he has not left a greater
knave behind him in my dominions." The comment of Thurlow on this
gracious remark is equally notable: "Then I presume that His Majesty is
quite sane at present."

One of Pitt's friendships was severed by the crisis. As we have seen, he
deeply resented the part played by Auckland. To his letter of
remonstrance he replied very briefly that, widely as they differed