Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/40

 and was designed to succeed the Duke of Bedford as soon as he could be removed with safety. This young nobleman was of a disposition congenial with his Sovereign's: he had improved his mind by reading the most celebrated authors, and possessed that penetrating genius, which easily comprehends, and fully attains, the objects of its study. He had travelled through the principal courts of Europe, and understood their different interests and connections, with abundance of ease and perspicuity. He possessed the confidence and friendship of the king, who loved him; but his promotion gave offence to many, and caused great envy, as he was originally of a mean family, and, besides, was sometimes apt to behave rather haughtily to his superiors.

The ceremony of the late King's burial was no sooner over, and the ministry settled for the present, than writs were issued for the meeting of a new parlia-