Sir John. And shou’d Mr. Broadbottom rise at Court, as I doubt not he will if he continues there longer than the present Session of Parliament; why might not my reverend Neighbour here, rise from the Deanery to a Mitre?
Broad. Sir John, you have been always my Friend; so have you Mr. Blunt. Gentlemen, you are all of you my Friends, and as such—have a Right to examine my late Conduct. I have accepted of a Place, ’tis true, without consulting you; but hope in so doing, not to have forfeited the good Opinion which I flatter myself you always entertain’d of me.
Sir John. Since we are, and you think us your Friends, ’tis fit we should deal with you like Friends. To be plain with you, Mr. Broadbottom, we here in the Country, who wish well to our King and the Nation, think ourselves justify’d in conceiving a Jealousy of the Nature, Time and Manner of the late or rather the present Change in the Ministry. I will explain myself.—— ’tis not so properly a Change of, as an Ingraftment upon the Ministry. Supposing the few of your Party that are brought in, were to continue as honest and sincere, as those Deserters, who made room for them, were disingenuous and self-interested; what can you do against Numbers? What Success can poor England expect from the Endeavours of so few?
Broad. But, Sir John, you forget that the Opposition grew.
Sir John. No, Sir, I don’t forget that Opposition founded on virtuous Principles will always grow. But what Opposition can you expect to grow in a Court? You late Comers there are but the Tail of the Administration. Can you direct the Head and Body? Must it not move as they direct, or be lopt off? What will Opposition in Council avail, where the Majority will be so great against you? And as for Opposition in P——t, there will be none, there can be none. The late Deserters, who are now flung out, should they grumble and oppose, no Creature living will adhere to them that has a Drachm of either Sense or Virtue. And by the present Scheme, you who were late Leaders of Opposition, are taken off, and consequently all Opposition ceases. I wish I may be mistaken; but, methinks, I see a Scheme, and the artfullest and deepest that ever was laid in this Nation, now put in Execution.
Over. How, Sir John! a Scheme deeper than the Excise?
Blunt. Or last Year’s Invasion, which produced such Chearfulness in granting more Millions than ever were granted in any one Session before?
Rose. Or the late Sir R——t’s Scheme for securing his own Retreat?
Blunt. Retreat! Do you think it a Retreat for a Man to quit the Stage to go behind the Curtain, where he sets all the Puppets in Motion?
Sir John. He does so; and this is not the least Adroit of his Motions. All the present Ministry, the late small Engraftment excepted, are his known Creatures. They were most of them of his own bringing up, and of course act by his Directions.