Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 1).djvu/66

40 The Duke of Newcastle had sacrificed a part of one of the best estates in the kingdom to this object, and was ready to sacrifice the rest. You will find his character perfectly painted in a letter of his own: great ambition—great activity—no talent. Such characters never fail to attract a group of intriguers, common toadies and professional men, who have not the means of opening the door for themselves, and who have not property or influence to support themselves. The one supplies what the other wants; besides the chapter of accidents always does a great deal. The group which surrounded the Duke of Newcastle was Murray, Stone, Drummond and Markham. All these men happened to be bred at Westminster together and kept through life an intimate correspondence, each seeking to make their separate fortunes by whatever means offered, and giving each other a lift when occasion offered. The Duke of Newcastle continuing in power for such a number of years was of course the standard about which they continued to rally. Lord Mansfield was the best and only really good head among them. Mr. Pelham had still more plausible manners than his brother, who rather cajoled than imposed on mankind, passing for a man of less understanding than he was. Mr. Pelham stood first of any description in the House of Commons now Mr. Pulteney was gone, both in point of rank, family, age, office, and above all, for a character of moderation which procured him many friends, and kept off many enemies, who are mostly created by high pretensions and superiority of manner.

"It is difficult enough to conceive how the was blundered through or how the nation submitted to hiring and paying such numbers of foreign troops, and subsidizing so many German Princes, with such an occurrence as the rebellion of 1745. The whole terminated by a Peace, which paid no regard whatever to the commercial grievances which were the subject of so much clamour as to occasion the war and the downfall of Sir