Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 1).djvu/149

Rh not agree with me in what I presume once again just to mention before you take your final determination.

"You are called upon to carry a point of the greatest moment that can be to the nation and to the King; what it is thought cannot be done, but in a way that would be a disgrace to His Majesty, unless you avowedly undertake it.

"To induce you to do it, Lord Shelburne, Mr. Rigby, Calcraft, and others of your friends say that you have only to set up the standard and lead the way, the troops will follow; that the general good opinion of men is with you, that they will then believe there is something solid and to be relied on, and that the Administration will be steady and permanent. In all which I most perfectly agree with them, but I fear I differ from them and you too, as to the best mode of your operations.

"The effect expected from your appearance in this matter is to be the consequence of, or founded upon, the general opinion and the idea men have form'd of your character. It may then be worth while for a moment to examine that idea, and discover distinctly the parts of which it is composed, that when you stand forth you may be seen, if possible, in that light, that precise point of view, these minds have placed you in, that the original may be as like the picture as may be.

Mr. Fox then,' say they, 'is tried and experienced in Administration; he knows well what to do, and we know he has abilities to do it, he is open, plain, and honest—we can trust him, he is decisive and steady, and will put an end to the wretched fluctuation of Men and Measures, that has so long distracted all things.'

"Here Lord Shelburne, &c., end. But if I mistake not much, the idea the world have of you is not here complete; something more is wanting to come up to that Picture of Mr. Fox men have in their mind's eye when they hold this language of him. The place (from whence they suppose him to be able to exert to the utmost his known and approved qualities) is ever connected with it.

"The irresolution and weakness of these times,