These  were  some  of  the  many  artifices  used  to  rec-
oncile the  people  to  the  great  change  which  was  made
in  the  persons  who  composed  the  ministry,  and  the
still  greater  which  was  made  and  avowed  in  its  con-
stitution. As  to  individuals,  other  methods  were
employed  with  them ;  in  order  so  thoroughly  to  disu-
nite every  party,  and  even  every  family,  that  no  con-
cert, order,  or  effect,  might  appear  in  any  future  opposi-
tion. And  in  this  manner  an  administration  without
connection  with  the  people,  or  with  one  another,  was
first  put  in  possession  of  government.  What  good
consequences  followed  from  it,  we  have  all  seen ;
whether  with  regard  to  virtue,  public  or  private ;  to
the  ease  and  happiness  of  the  sovereign ;  or  to  the
real  strength  of  government.  But  as  so  much  stress
was  then  laid  on  the  necessity  of  this  new  project,  it
will  not  be  amiss  to  take  a  view  of  the  effects  of  this
royal  servitude  and  vite  durance,  which  was  so  de-


456  THOUGHTS   ON   THE  CAUSE

plored  in  the  reign  of  the  late  monarch,  and  was  so
carefully  to  be  avoided  in  the  reign  of  his  successor.
The  effects  were  these.
