the King takes notice in his speech at the open

ing of the session, and says, That the King of Spain had assured him he would observe a strict neutrality.'

In the month of December 1755, it was deliberated in the French cabinet whether they should attack Gibraltar or Minorca. The for-` mer was determined upon, and that when it was conquered it should be given to Spain, if Spain would join France in the war against Great Britain. The proposal was made to the Spanish cabinet, who rejected it; on account of the pacific assurance (abovementioned) which they had so recently given to Great Britain. When the French ministry received the negative of Spain, they changed their plan. But they might have taken Gibraltar at that time, for it was almost defenceless. It is not probable that it would have held out so long as Fort St. Philip did. However, some months before the French landed upon Minorca, the British ministry received repeated information of the preparations making at Toulon for equipping a fleet, and embarking an army with all the implements necessary for a siege, and the most positive assurances that Minorca was the object of attack; but they were so thoroughly frightened by the French menaces. of an invasion of Great Baitain, that they gave

neither credit nor attention to the information concerning Minorca, although it came in streams from all parts of Italy, the south of France, and other places. In March they believed the intelligence, and not before. The fate of Minorca, and all the circumstances attending it, are very well known. Lord Anson was the person most in fault upon that occasion.

Mr. Pitt, upon his legs, in the House of Commons, charged the loss of Minorca upon Lord Anson and the Duke of Newcastle, and added, with respect to Lord Anson particularly, that he was not fit to command a cock-boat on the river Thames. [But in his speech on the 22d of January 1770, which see in the second volume of this work, he said the loss of Minorca was owing to the want of four battalions.]

Mr. For said the loss of Minorca was owing to the Dutch refusing the six thousand men he demanded, according to the treaty of 1674; for, had they been granted, he could have relieved Minorca. There may be something in this; but the Dutch were justifiable in their refusal; for if they had complied, the French would have treated them as principals in the war. The great error was in the admiralty not sending a larger fleet, and not sending it sooner. Mr.

Byng's only fault was acting with too much prudence, owing to the smallness of his force. He was sacrificed through the management of Lord Hardwicke, to screen Lord Anson; and so determined were this party upon the measure, that when the court-martial upon Admiral Byng was ordered, in the month of February 1757, they contrived to have a certain Admiral at Portsmouth, upon whom they could rely, for President of the court-martial; had not Lord Temple who was first lord of the Admiralty, prevented it, by placing Admiral Smith there, a senior officer. It is an unfavourable feature in the character of George the Second, that he yielded to this manœuvre against the unfortunate Admiral; and he was highly offended with Lord Temple for defeating it. Mr. Pitt said afterwards in the House of Commons, that more honour would have accrued to the King and nation from a pardon to the unhappy admiral, than from his execution.

In order the more effectually to provide for the security of Hanover, early in the month of January 1756, a convention was made with the King of Prussia, the main object of which was, to keep all foreign troops out of Germany; and Parliament voted 20,000l. to make good this treaty. Thus the treaty with Russia was virtually renounced.

CHAPTER XIII.

Further Account of Leicester-House.-The two, Princesses of Brunswick in England.-Observations.-Ministers resolve to resign.-Duke of Devonshire offers a Carte-blanche to Mr. Pitt.Ministers resign.-New Ministers appointed.-Prince's Household.

THE nation was highly incensed by the losses of Minorca, of the fort of Oswego in America, and some other defeats and miscarriages. The appearance of the Hessians and Hanoverians in England served but to increase the public indignation. A spirit of resentment, and of detestation of the ministers, pervaded every part of the kingdom.

Besides the frowning aspect of public affairs, there was another of a private, but not less alarming nature to the ministry. This was the party at Leicester-house. The Prince's levees were crowded. Mr. Pitt, Lord Temple, and the Grenvilles, and many others, were frequently seen there. This gave the Lord Chancellor

(Hardwicke) and the Duke of Newcastle much concern. Their wish now was to get possession of the Prince. Accordingly, they advised the King to send a message to his Royal Highness, offering him a suite of apartments at St. James's and Kensington palaces. Had this step been taken in the year 1752, it might have been productive of the happiest emancipation. It might have prevented those errors of education, which the nation had afterwards so much cause to lament, There would have been wisdom in the measure at that time; and it must have succeeded. in 1756 it was too late. The effects of Lord Bute's intimacy, confidence, and influence at Leicester-house were now become fixed: The blossom was off, and the fruit was set. Upon the receipt of this message Leicester-house was' thrown into the deepest consternation. The two Princesses of Brunswick, whom the King had invited to Hanover, were now in Eng

last land.

year

But

We are yet too near the time to relate with safety all the circumstance of this extraordinary affair.

There is such a delicacy prevails in England, greater than in some arbitrary monarchies, concerning the conduct of the Royal Family, that