However this conduct may ſerve the purpoſes of an ambitious Stateſman, who is declining in the eſteem of that Party, upon which he firſt ſet out, and by whoſe intereſt he aggrandiz'd himſelf; yet it never did, nor ever will conduce to the good of any Nation, or the glory of any Prince.
I ſhall not inſiſt upon the baſeneſs or ingratitude of ſuch proceedings, becauſe as publick Honeſly has, long ago, been laugh'd at as a chimæra, it would be ridiculous to argue upon publick Gratitude. But, ſpeaking politically, what can any Government be ſaid to gain by ſuch conduct? if it engages an Enemy, does it not alſo endanger the loſs of a Friend? Or, can an old inveterate Adverſary, brought over by venal motives, be ore rely'd upon than ſtaunch Friend, actuated by the natural principles and dictates of his heart?—It is, at beſt, nothing elſe but giving away with one hand, what they gain with the other; not to mention the hazard, which they run, of being betray'd or undermin'd by their new converts and adherents.
To ſuppoſe that our friends will always be our friends, however deſerted, diſregarded, or ill-uſed, is equally ridiculous with believing that mercenary Proſelytes can be ſafely confided in, when there is real danger. Zeal and Affection to a cauſe may go a great way in reſtraining ſome perſons from defec-
