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obſervation[1] The only remaining ſource of influence, except penſions and ſinecure places, which will be ſeparately noticed, is the Church; that cannot have increaſed, and has never been conſiderable: as far as reſpects the dignitaries, it is public, and generally known; the livings in the gift of the firſt Lord of the Treaſury are few; thoſe in the diſpofal of the Great Seal are much more numerous; but, as far as is confident with the knowledge of the author, the Treaſury derives very little aid from the patronage of the latter. This limited ſource of influence is the only one now remaining on which every perſon is not as well informed as the Miniſter.
There have, indeed, been hints thrown out of other means of influence and favour, by quartering
- ↑ We may, perhaps, be told, that Mr. Pitt was a member of this committee; but when it is recollected that Mr, Thomas Pitt (afterwards Lord Camelford), Colonel Barre, Mr. Huffey, the preſent member for Saliſbury, Mr. Baker, the late member for Hertfordſhire, Lord Minto, and the late Mr, Powis, all members of experience, and men of abilities, were alſo upon it, and that Mr, Pitt was then entering ardently into the labours of the profeſſion he had choſen, no imputation will attach on his memory for neglect or careleſſneſs.
