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Having said so much, we must with equal truth and frankness observe, that his lordship wants that vigour of character which men of conduct less correct often possess. He is too anxious to avoid error, to venture to do good, when that good is in any way doubtful; and by that means he is not of the service to his country that, with his talents and intentions, he might, and probably would otherwise be. Bold to excess when he risks his own person, his anxiety for his friends borders on pusilanimity: heedless of personal danger, he is scrupulously careful with regard to propriety: with regard to his honour, and that of his friends, he acts on a principle approaching to cowardice, afraid even of suspicion with regard to physical danger he is above all fear; but though this arises from the most praise-worthy feeling, and must command admiration, if carried to excess is a defect. It is

understand the compliment paid by Allan Ramsey, to one of her fair country women:

"To form a Venus, auld Apelles

"Wall'd a' the bonny maids of Greece;
"Ye need nae maer but paint yoursell lass,

"To spoil the limmer and his piece."

a defect in his Lordship's character; for true manliness and honour require no more than to mean well, and act for the best, taking the consequences whether they are good or bad. This his lordship does not do; and with the highest respect for him, we say, with regret, that it is a serious evil to his country.

The Prince Regent, from an early period of life, has granted his confidence to Lord Moira, and certainly never did a prince make choice of a more honourable friend. The connection has been honourable to both, for the goodness of the heart of the prince is perhaps not inferior to that of his friend; but something more than barren friendship is now expected of his lordship.

In the portrait of the prince we have said that Carlton-house was baricadoed against advice, against memorial, against complaint, and against statement of grievances, such as belong to a sovereign personally to hear. To such a friend as Lord Moira it belonged to batter down the barrier, and serve his prince, his friend, and his country. We say to Lord Moira, because, though the prince may have friends equally sincere, yet he has none of a character equally disinterested; and it is from independence VOL. 2.

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of character alone that advice can come without any alloy or suspicion; without danger of giving of fence, or fear of not being listened to.

What a glorious opportunity his lordship has already lost. What contemptible intrigues he has been compelled to witness, not without personal inconvenience to himself; for the late transaction about the forming an administration would have brought suspicion on almost any other man in the kingdom but Lord Moira.

Where men act from little, selfish, and ill-judged motives, as Lords Grey and Grenville then did; and when court intrigue, and a little mystery and concealment are added, it becomes impossible to comprehend the business; and consequently it is impossible to form any decided opinion*, further than we

*This is the second intrigue within these six years, in which Lords Grey and Grenville have been engaged, and in which they contrived so to involve circumstances in intricacy and doubt, that there is no forming an opinion but from the characters of those engaged. These two noble lords ventured to accuse his majesty of something like deceit, and they would have us believe that Earl Moira was not quite free from duplicity. It is rather, indeed, unfortunate, that those noble lords hazarded their veracity against the

are guided by the general character of the business, and of those concerned.

If Lord Moira had some trouble on this occasion, it was but what he deserved. He knows how the Prince Regent might have risen superior to all such intrigues, by depending on the love of his people, and imitating the immortal Elizabeth, whose character grows brighter with time, and will continue

two characters in the kingdom the least liable to suspicion; for notwithstanding the premature, the rash, and harsh assertion of Junius, there is not, on earth, a man less to be suspected of uttering a falsity than his present majesty. Let not the admirers of the unknown hero of the pen be offended-a small pebble thrown into a smooth pool troubles the water; as a rose leaf, doubled on his couch broke the sleep of the effeminate Sybarite; and the well-turned forcible periods of Junius, in the times of tranquillity, made the gazing politicians stare. Dans le royaume des avangles le borgnes sont roi; and thus Junius. The revolution of Corsica, the petty affair of Minorca, and the large twelfth cake sent to John Wilkes, divided public attention at the time; but let him write now, when Buonaparte strides over kingdoms like another dragon of Wantly, and we should see whether his bitter Phillippics would be attended to. Junius was a writer who would at any time have been admired, but his letters in the present times would have been only the talk of a day, or perhaps of an hour.

to shine, so long as remembrance borrows Banquo's glass.

This is no time to speak of household troops, and of lords with white staves, standing between a kingdom and its fate; and even the most ignorant mechanic looks with contempt on such proceedings, from which it belonged to the Earl of Moira to have protected an indignant nation.

Neither the praise bestowed on Lord Moira, nor the blame imputed to him are voluntary: truth extorts the blame, and the praise is a duty: but we are sorry to see that a man who so much resembles, in his course, the panache blanc of the immortal Henry of France, is about to be removed to a distance from the prince, at this time; for we are not without hope that even these observations might produce an effect. If they occasion his lordship to reflect on what it is in his power, and what it is his duty to do, that is all that is necessary. His head and his heart will direct him what is proper to be done.

The appointment of the Earl of Moira to a high situation in India gave as much pleasure in Leadenhall-street, as the rumour of Lord Lauderdale's nomination inspired terror some years ago;

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