that promotion, appease the Duke's choler. it was immediately signified to all the foreign ministers, that his Majesty had placed his government in the hands of Mr. Grenville, Lord Halifax, and Lord Egremont, and as soon as the other arrangements were made (the particulars of which the reader will see in the list of administrations at the end of the work), the session was closed on the nineteenth of April.

It was upon the speech delivered at the close of this session, that The North Briton made those observations which drew upon the supposed author an illegal and vindictive exertion of all the power and malice of government. The particulars of this interesting affair have been amply stated in several books. In Junius's address to the King, originally published on the 12th of December 1769, are these words, "The destruc"tion of one man has been for many years the "sole object of your government."

CHAPTER XXV.

Interview between Mr. Pitt and Lord Bute.-Conferences between the King and Mr. Pitt.-Treaty of connivance.—Mr. Pitt at Court.-His Remark. -Lord Hardwicke's conduct.

EARLY in the month of August 1763, a circumstance happened which threw the ministry into some disorder and perplexity.-This was the sudden death of the Earl of Egremont. The ministers had rendered themselves odious to the nation by supporting the measures of the late administration, and the measures of the court, in the persecution of Mr. Wilkes. Notwithstanding Lord Bute had recommended them to their situations, as the bargain of his own escape, yet he grew impatient under the proscription he had imposed on himself, and apprehending that their removal would be received with satisfaction by the public, he seized this opportunity, which the death of the secretary of state afforded, and the vacancy of the president's chair, which had not been filled since the death of Lord Granville, to form a new administration; not so much with a view of manifesting his influence, as of effecting his emancipation. He fixed his attention

on Mr. Pitt. His wish was to form an administration under the auspices of that gentleman. For this purpose he sent Sir Harry Erskine to Mr. Alderman Beckford, soliciting the Alderman's interest with Mr. Pitt, to procure an interview for Lord Bute. The proposal was accepted, and Lord Bute waited on Mr. Pitt at his house in Jermyn-Street, on Thursday the 25th of August 1763. Lord Hardwicke, in a letter which he wrote to his son, Lord Royston, gives the following account of this interview, and of Mr. Pitt's two conferences with the King, which took place in consequence of it.

"Wimpole, Sept. 4*, 1763.

"I have heard the whole from the Duke of Newcastle, and on Friday morning de source from Mr. Pitt. It is as strange as it is long, for I believe it is the most extraordinary transaction that ever happened in any court in Europe, even in times as extraordinary as the present.

"It began as to the substance, by a message from my Lord B-e to Mr. Pitt at Hayes, through my Lord Mayor, to give him the meeting privately at some third place. This his Lordship (Lord B.) afterwards altered by a note from himself, saying, that as he loved to do

* Sunday.

things openly, he would come to Mr. Pitt's house in Jermyn-street in broad daylight. They met accordingly, and Lord B-e, after the first compliments, frankly acknowledged that his ministry could not go on, and that the **** was convinced of it, and therefore he (Lord B.) desired that Mr. Pitt would open himself frankly and at large, and tell him his ideas of things and persons with the utmost freedom. After much excuse and hanging back, Mr. Pitt did so with the utmost freedom indeed, though with civility. Lord B-e heard with great attention and patience, entered into no defence, but at last said, "If these are your opinions, why should you not tell them to the **** himself, who will not be unwilling to hear you?" How can I, my Lord, presume to go to the ****, who am not of his council, nor in his service, and have no pretence to ask an audience? The presumption would be too great. "But suppose his M-y should order you to attend him, I presume, Sir, you would not refuse it." The ****'s command would make it my duty, and I should certainly obey it.

"This was on last Thursday se'nnight*. On the next day (Friday) Mr. Pitt received from the **** an open note unsealed, requiring him to attend his My on Saturday noon, at the * August 25;

Q's palace in the Park. In obedience here. to, Mr. Pitt went on Saturday at noon-day through the Mall in his gouty chair, the boot of which (as he said himself) makes it as much known as if his name was writ upon it, to the Q's palace. He was immediately carried into the closet, received very graciously, and his My began in like manner as his quondam favourite had done, by ordering him to tell him his opinion of things and persons at large, and with the utmost freedom; and I think did in substance make the like confession, that he thought his present ministers could not go on. The audience lasted three hours, and Mr. Pitt went through the whole, upon both heads, more fully than he had done to Lord B-e, but with great complaisance and douceur to the **** and his My gave him a very gracious accueil, and heard with great patience and attention. And Mr. Pitt affirms that, in general, and upon the most material points, he appeared by his manner, and many of his expressions, to be convinced. Mr. Pitt went through the infirmities of the peace, the things necessary and hitherto neglected to improve and preserve it; the present state of the nation, both foreign and domestic; the great Whig families and persons who had been driven from his Majesty's council and service, which it would be for his interest to