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ſtances for many years after they retired from them, from whence they derived immenſe profit, at a conſiderable riſk, as well as certain loſs to the public; which practice was checked by Lord Shelburn and Mr. Pitt, and finally put an end to by a law [1], introduced by the preſent Speaker of the Houſe of Commons, whoſe uſeful exertions as chairman of the Committee of Finance in 1797, have very greatly contributed to important and ufeſul regulations,
A further protection againſt abuſes is afforded by the ſimplification and publicity of accounts, firſt afforded to the public by Mr. Pitt. What malpractices were ſcreened by the intricacy and ſecrecy of them formerly cannot now be known; but that the ſyſtem was highly objectionable, cannot be doubted. One inſtance of concealment, and another of confuſion, will ſerve to ſhew the correctneſs of this aſſertion.
Upon the application to parliament in 1769 to pay the Civil Liſt debt, of more than half a million, a pro-
- ↑ 39 & 40 Geo. III. c. 54.; for inforcing the payment of balances by Public Accountants; and compelling them to pay intereſt for money in their hands in the mean time.
