Page:Defence of Shelburne.djvu/88

 the strongest presumptions that you have deserted that system of politics which was traceable in your former publications; and in the second, the strongest proofs that you are inconsistent with yourself, and palpably unjust to others. I have but a few hours to shew that you have done this, and I thank you for rendering the talk perfectly early. A review of your former professed and present implied principles is all that is requisite. Argument is unnecessary. My Lord, is it fair to make no distinctions between the misconduct of the Earl of Shelburne, and the open disinterestoddisinterested [sic] acts of those who united with him in the month of March and quitted him in the month of July? You could not treat of the administration of this country for the last nine months, without adverting to his bad deeds. Such a partiality would be too palpable, and the friend were fatal who should say he was guiltless. You talk of a division of spoils after the capture of St. James'. Pray, my Lord, need you be told, that except 'a lean baronetage' (to adopt youyour [sic] own words) a star or a string, no friend of Mr. Fox's has any thing to boast from his administration. The Earl of Shelburne knew that honours without emoluments were of little real value, and enriched his own friends. Malice, until this moment, Rh