A VIEW OF THE PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT OF ENGLAND, ACCESSION OF HIS MAJESTY. INSKEEP & BRADFORD, NEW YORK, & WILLIAM MILHENNEY, BOSTON. THOMAS L. PLOWMAN, PRINTER. 1811. HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF GEORGE III. CHAP. XXXII. General election. Meeting of parliament—and commencement of Mr. Pitt's administration.-The king's speech. State of the empire when Mr. Pitt's ministry commenced. -Objects which he proposes to pursue. First efforts directed to finance.-Bill for the prevention of smuggling. -Commutation act.-Arguments against and for it.Regulation on duties for British spirits.—Preliminary motions for the relief of the East India company.—Bill for the regulation of India. Arguments against it.— Arguments for it.-Comparison of the two bills as resulting from the characters of their authors.-Debate on the Westminster election.--Mr. Dundas proposes the restoration of the forfeited estates.-A law passed for that purpose.-Labours of Mr. Pitt in investigating the public accounts.-Supplies.-Loan and Taxes.-Session closes. XXXII. 1784. alection. BY dissolving the parliament, his majesty virtu- CHAP. ally asked the question, Did your late representatives speak your sense, or not? If they did, you will reelect them; if not, you will choose others. Thus interrogated, General the greater part of the people answered, No; and a very considerable majority of members friendly to Mr. Pitt was returned. As far as popular opinion can be a test of either merit or demerit, it was decidedly favourable to the minister, and inimical to his opponents. The general conduct of Mr. Fox often has been erroneously estimated XXXII. 1784. CHAP by those who considered defects, without comprehending the excellencies of his plans, acts, and character; but never was he less popular than after his India bill and contest Contest for with the sovereign. Still, however, he retained great Westmin- favour in some parts of the kingdom, especially in Westinfluence of minster, and his election was the most noted of any that a beautiful occurred for the new parliament. The candidates were, ster, and lady. lord Hood, who had so eminently distinguished himself with Rodney, Mr. Fox, and sir Cecil Wray; of whom the two last were the late members. Wray had been originally chosen through the interest of Mr. Fox, but now abandoned that gentleman and joined lord Hood. For several days, Mr. Fox was superior to either of his competitors; but his majority afterwards rapidly decreased, and he became inferior to sir Cecil Wray, who was far surpassed by the naval candidate. On the 11th day of the poll he was three hundred and eighteen behind Wray: but an interference now took place that changed the face of affairs. A lady of very high rank, still more eminent for beauty than for condition, one of our lovely countrywomen, who demonstrate that, in celebrating a Venus or a Helen, poets do not exceed nature and experience, warmly interested herself in the election of Mr. Fox, with a success far beyond the hopes of the favoured candidate. Animated by personal friendship, and inspired with an ardent zeal for what she conceived to be a public benefit, this exalted woman undertook a personal canvass in favour of the losing candidate, and was not to be deterred by any inconveniences of the pursuit, or by the strictures of the opposite party upon active efforts which were so efficacious towards the attainment of the object. Many voters indeed, though far from approving of Mr. Fox's political principles and conduct, could not withstand the fascinating eloquence of so impressive an advocate; they might have resisted the utmost efforts of the brilliant genius of an Erskine or a Sheridan, but could not withstand the brilliant eyes of the dutchess: these two great masters of the pathetic might have in vain attempted to canvass for their brother orator; persuasion sat on the lips and dimpled in the smiles of the beautiful Devonshire, pleading for her brother whig. Persons too callous to yield to the applica |