Page:Memoirs of a Trait in the Character of George III.djvu/91

Rh trial at Richmond, supposing the result favourable, would be allowed to be regular; and not thinking he had to deal with people whose wits were in the Moon, in an enlarged sense; had done more mischief than good service to the cause he had at heart.—Inadvertency and precipitation are out of the question; for they had taken no less than four months to make up their minds to this posture of defiance to 'the influence of the crown;' that being the interval between the trial and its rejection: a length of delay, which, as the interest His Majesty took in the subject was no secret, will not be much approved, and augured unfavourably to the sequel. Instead of inculcating by example that moderation which they are professionally expected to enjoin their flocks, they might by their rashness have lied to a most serious breach of the peace; unless indeed, and the circumstance cannot be viewed without suspicion, for its meanness, they relied on the characteristic forbearance of this Prince, to avert such baneful consequences.—What he said, when the report of proceedings, and a copy of the minutes reached him, is not known:—in the absence of evidence we may conclude he improved on the sentiment of Francis I., who thought it became not the King of France to resent affronts that had