Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 2).djvu/421

Rh "If the King wishes to change his Ministry, there are two means of doing it. In proportion as he adopts more or less of each he will do it with more or less reputation, effect, and safety.

Men or Measures.

"First as to men. The most obvious and what has been the uniform practice since the accession of the Hanover family to his Majesty's accession, is to have recourse to the predominant parties at the moment, and for the King to give his confidence blindfold to the most numerous, or to such a combination as the different parties can form amongst themselves, subject to some few reserves. But, it is to be presumed, this of all others is the last means to which he would have recourse, as it has been the object of his reign to break up all party, if not to form one of his own, and he has repeatedly declared, that he would rather retire to Hanover, than submit to such humiliation. On the other hand it is much to be feared that the leading Members of the House of Commons, which is all that is wanting to set a new system forward, are so few in number, and so entangled, and so circumstanced, that they cannot be counted upon, without in the instance of Fox, taking in his party, or in the instance of Pitt, a degree of submission which is the very point in question.

"Everything else must be considered in the nature of experiment, and so far hazardous; for if the present attempt fails, no intrigue to secure an after game will do more than weaken a system, which will require every possible aid to support itself at setting out. If Sheridan could be gained (which is not certain), it could be considered in no other light; and as to taking up anybody else to lead the House of Commons, the subjects which offer are so very young and inexperienced, that public opinion stands a chance of being forfeited in the first instance, and the new system blown down, before there is time for other means to operate.

"It may be alleged that occasions never fail to create Rh