SHERIDAN. 537 rose in his place in the House of Commons, and supported ministers with energy and eloquence; and when the king dom was threatened with an invasion, he publicly avowed, “ that the time had now arrived, when His Majesty pos sessed an undoubted right to call on his subjects, of a l l ranks and descriptions, for their zealous co-operation, i n supporting the due execution o f the laws; and i n giving every possible efficiency t o the measures o f government.” I n 1799 the patriotic drama o f “Pizarro” was produced, the success o f which was beyond a l l calculation—twenty nine editions o f a thousand each, were sold off instantly. The unparalleled success o f the above, may b e fairly at tributed t o the peculiar situation i n which this country stood i n regard t o France, and t o the first-rate talents o f Kemble, Mrs. Siddons, and Mrs. Jordan, who were a l l three i n the zenith o f their powers. On the demise o f Mr. Pitt, a coalition was formed be tween Mr. Fox and Lord Grenville; and they and their friends, constituting what was then termed “all the talents o f the country,” immediately occupied the great offices o f state. On this occasion, Mr. Sheridan was nominated a privy councillor; and obtained the office o f treasurer o f the navy, estimated a t 4000l. per annum. I t would have been happy both for himself and his family, i f h e had accepted a patent place for life o f 2000l. a year, a s was suggested b y Mr. Fox: but h e declined this proposition; and o n a new writ being issued for Stafford, h e was re-chosen, for the last time, o n February 10th, 1806. As his influence had obviously declined i n that borough, a t the general election which occurred i n the course o f the same year, h e offered himself, and was returned for the city o f Westminster, o n which occasion h e stood second o n the poll, having 4642 votes, t o 4365, o n the part o f his opponent, Mr. Paul. Notwithstanding h e was a t that moment a very unpopular candidate; yet, s o great was the dread lest the feeling o f the people should conquer, that Mr. Sheridan not only obtained the sup port o f a l l the public offices, but, indeed, o f the whole
