possible, by the removal of certain disabilities under which a great
portion of the inhabitants of Ireland laboured. Imagining that this
measure could only be effectual by coming from the executive government,
we felt it our duty to propose it to those who direct his majesty's
councils: it was not deemed eligible, and we were unable to prevail. As
our opinion of its policy remained unaltered, and we still think this
measure alone capable of establishing the tranquillity and prosperity of
the empire on a permanent basis, we consider ourselves bound to retire.
Accordingly we have tendered to his majesty the resignation of our
several employments, and he has been graciously pleased to dispense with
our services." By Pitt's enemies it was said, that his delicacy about
his pledged faith to the Irish, and his sense of the justice and
expediency of granting Catholic emancipation were but pretexts; and that
the real cause of his resignation was the tardy conviction that he had
involved the country in a labyrinth from which he had not the power to
extricate it--being too weak to carry on the war, and too proud to make
peace with the French. These imaginings were not founded in justice.
Pitt, up to the period of the union, had uniformly opposed Catholic
emancipation; but he now thought conscientiously that it ought to be
carried into effect, in order to make the union complete. As for being
dismayed at the hostile array in the north or in any part of Europe, it
does not appear at all probable. Almost the last words of Pitt before he
resigned office were full of hope and confidence: "he was convinced,"
he said, "that the British fleet would, with one blow, shatter the
coalition of the north." There is no reason, in truth, for doubting the
word of Pitt that the question of Catholic emancipation was the real
cause of his resignation. How far he was implicated in the question, and
to what extent he stood pledged, is not fully known; but that was the
rock on which Pitt's ministry foundered their bark.

THE NEW MINISTRY.

The new ministry when formed consisted of Mr. Addington, first lord
of the treasury and chancellor of the exchequer, the Duke of Portland,
president of the council; Lord Eldon, chancellor; Earl St. Vincent,
first lord of the admiralty; the Earl of Chatham, master general of
the ordnance; Lord Pelham, secretary for the home department; Lord
Hawkesbury, secretary for foreign affairs; Lord Hobart, secretary for
t