where ambition continued, it would be perderted. Not useful, but servile talents would be applauded; and the ruling pride would be, not that of freemen,but of slaves." The above remarks were made long before American Independence was established, the French revolution thought of, or the discussions on the subject of parliamentary reform became general. The author wrote the pure result of impartial observation; and what he wrote deserves the serious attention of all HONEST men, all good members of the community. I will make no comments upon it, but leave it to operate on the mind with its own force.

SECTION XX.

On several Subjects suggested by Lord Mel. combe's " Diary," particularly the Practice of bartering the Cure of Souls for the Corruption of Parliament. *

It is very desirable, that country gen

T tlemen, who are often inclined to shew a blind attachment to ministers, as if LOYALTY were due to the servants of a court as well as to the master, would peruse with attention, the Diary of Lord Malcombe..... There they are admitted behind the curtain,

and even under the stage, to see the machinery. There they behold filthy workmen, dirty wheels within wheels, every thing offensive to the eye, and all busy for hire to produce a specious outside shew on the stage, for the amusement of the spectators, while the shew-men pocket the pence. It would have been worth the while of courtiers to have paid the price of a campaign in Flanders, and the subsidy of a German prince, to have suppressed the publication of Lord Melcombe's Diary. The secrets of the ministerial conclave are there laid open; and the sight and stench are no less disgustful than those which strike the senses on the opening of a jakes or a common sewer. Nothing but the most selfish covetousness, the weakest vanity, the meanest, dirtiest, most villainous of the passions! No regard for the happiness of the nation, much less for the happiness of mankind; one general struggle, by artifice and intrigue, not by honorable and useful exertions, for power, profit, and titles! It might be supposed, that the parties concerned were banditti, contending in a cave about the division of plunder. How are the words lord and duke disgraced and prostituted, when prefixed to miscreants warmly engaged in such transactions! Such men are truly levellers, the enemies of the peerage, the involuntary promoters of equality! In agree ૨૩

dy rapaciousness for themselves, they for get not only the good of their country and mankind, but the interest of their own privileged order.

When little and base minds, like the heroes of Bubb Doddington's Diary, be a rule, every thing, even religion itself, becomes an instrument of corruption. It is well understood by every body, that church preferments, even with cure of souls, have long been used to secure the interest of courts in venal boroughs; but the following pas sage contains a curious proof of it, under the hand of Lord Melcombe, and under the authority of the then prime minister, the Duke of Newcastle.

"December the 11th, 1755," says Lord Melcombe, "I saw the Duke of Newcastle. I told him, that in the election matters (of Bridgewater and Weymouth) those who would take money I would pay, and not bring him a bill; those that would not take, he must pay; and I recommended my two parsons of Bridgewater and Weymouth, Burroughs and Franklin :...he entered inta it very cordially, and assured me they should have the first crown livings that should be vacant in those parts, if we would look out and send him the first intelligence. ....I said, 1 must think, that so much offer. ed, and so little asked, in such hands as theirs, and at a time when boroughs were

particularly marketable, could not fail of removing, at least, resentments, and of obtain ing pardon.....His Grace was very hearty and cordial.

29th. Went to the Duke of Newcastle, aud got the living of Broadworthy for Mr. Burroughs.

"March 21. Went to the Duke of Newcastle...told him I was come to assure him of my most dutiful affection and sincere attachment to him, having no engagements to make me look to the right or the left....I engaged to choose two members for Weymouth, which he desired might be a son of the Duke of Devonshire, and Mr. Ellis of the admiralty. I supposed he would confirm that nomination....but that was nothing to me. He might name whom he pleased.....Mr. Pelham told me the KING asked him if I seriously designed to endeavor to keep Lord Egmont out of Bridgewater. Mr. Pelham told his Majesty that he thought I would; that I desired him to lay me at the king's feet, and tell him, that as I found it would be agreeable to his majes ty, I would spare neither pains nor expence to exclude him. The Duke of Newcastle said he had seen how handsome my proceedings had been; that this was the most noble that could be imagined!....I said, What if Tuus, O dux magne, quid optes Explorare labor; miнi jussa capessere fas est.

VIRE.

I came into the place Sir Thomas Robin. son left? He considered a little, and said, Very well, pray go on. I said I would particularly support him in the house where he would chiefly want it. He said he knew I would. I said, there is my old place... Treasurer of the Navy; I should like that better than any thing. But I added, Why should I enter into these things; I leave it wholly to your grace. He said the direction of the bouse of commons was fallen upon him.... therefore he could not choose by affection; but must comply with those who could support him there. I said I understood so; and that I thought I might pretend to some abilities that way; that in the opposition, I was thought of some use there; that in court, indeed, I never undertook much, because he knew I never was supported: but now, when I should be supported, I hoped I might pretend to be as useful there as my neighbors. He said it was incontestably so. ....I said, that considering that I chose six members for them at my own great expence, I thought the world in general, and even the gentlemen themselves, could not expect that their pretensions should give me the exclu sion. He said, that what I did was very great! that he often thought with surprise at the ease and cheapness of the election at Weymouth! that they had nothing like it! I said, I believed there were few who could