nk, however elevated, could shelter abuses from
detection, or screen those concerned in them from the effects of public
displeasure. The king's second and favourite son, a prince so near the
throne himself, had been driven from office by a member of the house of
commons, who was unheard of before this transaction, and who possessed
neither the influence of character nor the influence of talent. It had
been proved to the conviction of the country that the Duke of York was
so far culpable as to render his resignation proper; that resignation
had taken place in consequence, and public opinion had thus obtained
a most signal triumph. When the duke had thus incurred punishment and
disgrace, individuals of less rank and influence could not expect that
their official delinquencies or irregularities should escape: the
fate of the prince was an example and an admonition not easily to be
forgotten. Until the time when there will be no more war, and when men
will no more want commissions in armies, or profitable places under
government, it will be in vain to expect perfection in anything, vain to
hope that the distributors of patronage will not occasionally yield
to favouritism and other influences, besides that great parliamentary
influence over appointments, which--fatal as it often is--can hardly be
destroyed without destroying the constitution. But notwithstanding the
occasional interference of friends, wives, sisters, cousins, and other
connexions, which may possibly be as mischievous though less indecorous
than that of a mistress, we believe it is admitted by all candid
and properly informed persons, that since the investigation in 1809,
patronage at the Horse-guards, as well as in the other offices of
government, has been distributed with more attention to the public
service than any time preceding that inquiry."

It had been hoped, on the resignation of the Duke of York, that the
office of commander-in-chief would be put in commission; but General Sir
David Dundas was appointed successor to his royal highness. One of
the early consequences of this investigation to the country, was the
enactment of a law declaring the brokerage of offices in the army,
church, or state to be a crime highly penal. This bill was brought in by
the chancellor of the exchequer, who observed that the practices lately
disclosed consisted not in the sale of offices by those who had the
power to give them, but in the arts of those who had pretended to