r Essays 13 
embarass “a virtuous and able ministry,” and ren- 
der the negotiation for peace a work of infinite diffi- 
culty,” * there is no less danger that expectations too 
low, through want of proper information, may have 
a contrary effect; may make even a virtuous and 
able ministry less anxious and less attentive to the 
obtaining points, in which the honor and interest of 
the nation are essentially concerned; and the people 
less hearty in supporting such a ministry and its 
measures. 
The people of this nation are indeed respectable, 
not for their numbers only, but for their under- 
standing and their public spirit. They manifest the 
first by their universal approbation of the late pru- 
dent and vigorous measures, and the confidence they 
so justly repose in a wise and good prince, and an 
honest and able administration; the latter they have 
demonstrated by the immense supplies granted in 
Parliament unanimously, and paid through the whole 
kingdom with cheerfulness. And since to this spirit 
and these supplies our “victories and successes’ ? 
have, in great measure, been owing, is it quite right, 
is it generous, to say, with the Remarker, that the 
people “ had no share in acquiring them’? The 
mere mob he cannot mean, even where he speaks of 
the madness of the people; for the madness of the 
mob must be too feeble and impotent, armed as the 
government of this country at present is, to “over- 
rule,” 3 even in the slightest instances, the virtue 
“and moderation’ of a firm and steady ministry. 
While the war continues, its final event is quite 
* Remarks, p. 6. 2 1bid., D. 7. 31bid., p. 7. 
.760] TE