Page:Defence of Shelburne.djvu/53

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

[47]

the Earl of Shelburne admitted the greater part of Lord Stormont's amendments, and recognized all his principles of government.—Perhaps Sir Charles Turner would cry out, Alius et idem.

This necessarily leads me into a short consideration of another part of this noble Lord's character. It may seem strange to say, that the man who is destitute of political consistency, should be endued with political courage. Yet I think the noble Lord in his own person absolutely reconciles this apparent paradox. I do believe he has some share of boldness. It is to this Mr. Burke alluded, when he affirmed in the House of Commons, that he thought it twenty times more dangerous to trust the Earl of Shelburne with power, than the old ministry; whilst Lord Mahon kept writhing at Mr. Burke, like a gladiator. 'Will you lift this Marius, said Mr. Burke, over the Metelli, over all the good and honest men of England? Will you put power into the hands of Sylla? Yes certainly, I would say (were I a member of that house) I would trust power into the hands of Lord Shelburne, who does i must confess resemble Sylla. Ad simulanda negotia altitudo ingenii incredibilis, multarum rerum et

maxime