[40] Pitt, on March 31, resigned the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer. On April 2 the new administration was formed; the principal members were—

The Duke of PortlandFirst Lord of the Treasury.
Lord North}Secretaries of State.
Mr. Fox }
Lord J. CavendishChancellor of the Exchequer.
Lord KeppelFirst Commissioner of the Admiralty.
Lord StormontPresident of the Council.
Lord CarlisleLord Privy Seal.
Lord TownshendMaster of the Ordnance.
Mr. BurkePaymaster-General.
Lord NorthingtonLord Lieutenant of Ireland.

The Great Seal was put in commission. The first seven formed the Cabinet.

Lord Townshend said "he had always foreseen the Coalition Ministry could not last, for he was at Court when Mr. Fox kissed hands, and he observed George III. turn back his eyes and ears just like the horse at Astley's, when the tailor he had determined to throw was getting on him" (Correspondence of C. J. Fox, vol. ii. p. 28).

[41] The session closed July 16, 1783.

[42] "Gibbon and I," writes Lord Sheffield to William Eden (Lord Auckland's Journal and Correspondence, vol. i. p. 53), "have been walking about the room and cannot find any employment we should like in the intended establishment. He agrees with me that the place of dancing-master might be one of the most eligible for him, but he rather inclines to be painter, in hopes of succeeding Ramsay."

[43] Part of the grounds of M. Deyverdun's house at Lausanne, in which Gibbon lived from 1783 to 1793, is now occupied by the Hôtel Gibbon. Henry Mathews (Diary of an Invalid, p. 317) speaks of a visit to the house paid in June, 1818. "Paid a visit to the house in which Gibbon resided. Paced his terrace, and explored the summer-house, of which he speaks in relating, with so much interesting detail, the conclusion of his historical labours."

[44] Poésies Helvétiennes. Par M. B * * * * * (i.e. J. P. L. Bridel). Lausanne. 1782. 8o. Épître au Jardinier de la Grotte, pp. 66-72.

"Que j'ai passé de charmantes veillées,

Dessous ce chaume au fond de ton verger!