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 BURKE 257 stitutional rights of this country. As a minister, there- fore, tie reprobated his conduct; but the American contest being over, and others measures about to be pursued, which, in his opinion, might heal the bruises of this war, he coalesced with him as a man, who (benefiting himself by his former mistakes) might still render important services to his country." bs Such a defence as this may very well be admitted in favour of Mr. Burke and others but Mr. Fox stood pledged upon different grounds. He not only inveighed against the minister in the grossest terms of abuse, but against the manj whom, he said, " he would not trust himself in a room with, and from the moment that he ever acted with him, he would rest satisfied to be termed the most infamous of men. After such a particular decla- ration as this, emphatically and deliberately announced in a full house of commons, scarce nine months had elapsed when Mr. Fox cordially united with Lord Nortb, and brought a suspicioa on his character, with regard to consistency, which all the exertions of his future life were not able to remove.d In the mean time, however, the new administration bade fair for permaueace. It was strong in talents, in rank, and in the weight of landed interest. It seemed nearly such a combination of great families as Mr. Burke had wished in bis " Thoughts on the Causes of the present Disconteuts;" but it wanted what was neces- sary to complete his plan,--" the approbation and con- dence of the people." Suspicion attached to all their measures, and seemed, in the opinion of the people, to be confirmed when they introduced the famous East India bill. This is not the place for discussing the merits of this important bill; it may suffice, as matter of fact, to state that it was considered as trenching too much on the prerogative, as creating a mass of ministerial influence which would be irresistible; and that the vast powers which it gave the house of commons might render the administration too strong for the crown. Had these Ji VOL. I.