[163] Private correspondence.
[164] Preliminaries of peace with America and France were signed at Versailles, Jan. 20th, 1783.
[165] France, Spain, and Holland, all of whom united with America against England.
[166] This passage alludes to the formation of what was called "the Eclectic Society," consisting of several pious ministers, who statedly met for the purpose of mutual edification. It consisted of Newton, Scott, Cecil, Foster, &c. It is still in existence.
[167] Private correspondence.
[168] Lord Shelburne, who made this peace, was taunted in the House of Commons by Mr. Fox with having been previously averse to it, and even of having said that, when the independence of America should be granted, the sun of Britain would have set; and that the recognition of its independence deserved to be stained with the blood of the minister who should sign it. It was in allusion to this circumstance that Mr. Fox applied to him the following ludicrous distich:
You've done a noble deed, in Nature's spite,
Tho' you think you are wrong, yet I'm sure you are right.
Lord Shelburne's defence was, that he was compelled to the measure, and not so much the author as the instrument of it. See Parliamentary Debates of that time.
[169] A beautiful village near Paris, on the road to Versailles.
[170] This expression, as well as the allusion to Nebuchadnezzar's image, refers to the famous coalition ministry, under Lord North and Mr. Fox.