CIVIL  SERVICE  IN  GREAT  BKITAIN.  .3

government  had  begun,'  Tlie  condition  was  tliat  of  rival  no-
blemen and  unscrupulous  factions  among  tlie  higher  classes
contending  for  the  favor  of  the  King  and  the  control  of  pa-
tronage. Parliament  had  become  stronger  and  more  ambitious
than  ever  before,  but  it  had  then  secured  but  little  patronage,
Tlie  King,  seeking  to  harmonize  contending  factions,  took
oppOBing  elements  into  his  council.  Being  a  sovereign  of
commanding  ability  and  great  experience  in  administration,  he
seems  to  have  thought  that  he  cotdd  bend  rival  factions  to  his
policy  ;  or  at  least  tliat  lie  conld  make  a  strong  administration
by  pursuing  a  middle  course.  He  gave  the  experiment  a  thor-
ough trial  during  five  years.  So  far  as  royal  authority  had,
under  the  Stuarts,  not  been  absolute,  it  had  been  shared  by
the  Privy  Council,  a  large  body,  of  wliich  the  kings  had  really
consulted  only  a  small  number,  and  those  of  course  royal  fa-
vorites. William  seems  to  have  become  convinced,  after  five
years'  experience,  tliat  neither  any  large  body,  nor  any  body
though  not  large,  which  contained  antagonistic  elements,  could
successfully  exercise  executive  power.
*'  It  would  cause  infinite  delay  and  embarrassment  in  govemiDg  the
kingdom."  "Wantof  harmony  caused  want  of  vigor.'"  "Some
of  the  most  serioas  difficulties  of  his  situation  were  caused  by  the
conduct  of  the  ministers  on  whom  he  was  forced  to  rely.  There
was  indeed  no  want  of  ability  among  his  chief  councillors,  but  one
half  of  their  ability  was  employed  in  counteracting  the  other  half.
