Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/465

 ACCOUNT OF BOOKS.

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vvill not ftruggle for a continuance in power, but bravely and peace- ably refign.

Whether fuch a charafter as is here delineated, may ever arife, is acjueftion which it werefuperfluous Tor the writer to determine : if ever fuch a minifter appears, he will bell be feen by his own luftre.

There is another charadler, be- longing 'ndeed to a much lower walk in life, which might be no lefs ftrange than that which is here delineated. I mean the cha- rafter of a political writer, not only intentionally, but \'afaB impar- tial.

This is a charafter which hath never yet exifted ; nor probably, will ever appear, in our own coun- try. However, let us attempt a fketch of this ideal portrait, for the ufe of thofe who may afpire to impartiality; andconfiderby 'what

• charaderillics he would be diftin-


 * guiflied.'

He would chufe an untrodden path of politics, where no party- man ever dared to enter.

He would be diflikcd by party- bigots of every denomination : who, while they applauded one page of his work, would execrate the next.

The undifguifed freedom and boldngfs of his manner, would pleafe the brave, aftonifh the weak, difguft and confound the guilty.

Every rank, party, and profef- fion, would acknowledge he had done tolerablejuftice to every rank, party, and profeflion, their own only excepted.

He would be called arrogant by thofe who call every thing arrogance that is not /er<vilify.

If he Wfit in a |)eriod, when

his country was declining; while he pointed out the means from whence alone honeft hope could arife, he would be charged by fcribbling fycophants with plung- ing a nation in defpair.

While he pointed out the abufes of freedom, and their fatal efFefts^ he would be blackened by defigning whifpers, as the enemy of freedom itfelf.

The worthlefs of every profefEon would be his fworn enemies ; but thoft of all, the worthlefs of his own profeifion.

As he would be reviled and de- famed by the dijjblute great, with- out caufe, fo he would be applaud- ed by an honeji people, beyond his defervings.

Though his abilities were fmalT, yet the integrity of his intention would make amends for the medi- ocrity of his talents.

As fuch a writer could have little pretenfions to literary fame, fo he would not be intoxicated with the fumes of literary vanity; but would think with Sheffield, that

One moral, or a mere weIl-na^Jrei

deed, Doea all defert in fclences exceed.

Yet though he fcorned the gild- ings of faife ambition, and riches acquired by adulation; he might not, poffibIy> be uhcoiifcious of that unfought dignity, that envied fuperiority to wealth and titles which even the love of wifdom and .'irtue give.

Should any of the great, there- fore, affeft to difdain him, on account of his private ftation> he might perhaps reply with Per- dita,

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