but a German genius would make it instrumental in learning him to speak. The insolence of this confidant is great: the Duke of Grafton thought it insupportable; but your lordship has less pride than his Grace, perhaps less commendable pride.

"From him and his colleagues flow, through the channel of your office, every measure which meets with deserved opposition.

"You are only the porter in these matters: it is not for your humble hopes to aspire to the assertion of your right.

"Conscious of the influence of the personage, who took you from a dependant, menial service of the Duke of Bedford, and raised you to the empty dignity of state, you let that personage preside, and, conscious of what you was, learn to obey. Humility is a capital Christian virtue, but not a political one: a little constitutional pride, would do your country more service than all the virtues your irreverend hireling can daub you with.

"You may be a good husband—a good father—I cannot deny it, I know nothing of your concerns; but private virtues, or private vices, in a minister, are of no public account: I look not to the man, but to the tool of state, the slave of an infamous association, composed of creatures exalted out of obscurity, only by their villainy; and headed by a person an Englishman must blush to name. But, my lord, as you are the instru

ment of conveyance, through you I lay before the junto the following queries, written by an Englishman, who dares to assert in person whatever he has advanced here.

"Is there among the infamous association at Carlton house, one member, daring enough to acknowledge himself a limb of that infernal body?

"Has any one measure of consequence been taken since the accession of his present majesty, but what was planned, or approved of, by the Earl of Bute, and the Princess Dowager of Wales?

"Was Mr. Wilkes's offence the North Briton, the Essay on Woman, or only a private quarrel with the Princess Dowager-he, as an Englishman, having dared to assert what he knew?

Has the Carlton-house gang one man of repute among them? Or can the talents of any individual, or the whole string of rogues, be thought capable of directing the state?

Is there one honest man now in the administration of public affairs? If there is one, let him be pointed out, for the author cannot find him?

"These queries are submitted to the consciences of the ministerial troop, though the writer fears that conscience has lost her force in the breast of that statesman, who could plunge his country into such a ruin, as now seems to hang over it. You, my lord, how mean and servile soever your department is, may be of some use

in averting the impending storm. Fly to the council, with your face whitened with fear; tell them, that justice is at the door, and the axe will do its office: tell them, whilst the spirit of English freedom exists, vengeance has also an existence; and when Britons are denied justice from the powers who have the trust of their rights, the constitution hath given them a power to do themselves justice.

66

May 15, 1770."

"DECIMUS.

LETTER VI.

“For the Middlesex Journal, 26th May, 1770.

"As we live to see the polite arts possess the place which liberty and the good of the constitution should be honoured with, in his majesty's favour and protection, I flatter myself that the following criticisms on an exhibition of sign paintings, may not be beneath the notice of the virtû.

"DECIMUS.

66

May 17, 1770.

"FIRST DAY'S EXHIBITION.

"1. The whore of Babylon, by the Whisperer. This is an old piece, new touched, and, by several masterly

features, appears to have been once the P

D

same.

of W

"2. A North Prospect of Carlton-House, by the With what propriety can this be called a prospect? It represents three rogues in a gin shop, sharing their last acquired booty: one, in the dress of a Highlander, is taking some innocent familiarities with the bawd, who sits above on an empty hogshead.

"3. The Union, by the North Briton. An Englishman sleeping, and a Scotchman picking his pocket. "4. The K- -A sign for a button maker. The painter, who has not fixed his name to this performance, is certainly a very loyal subject. His mhas that innocent vacancy of countenance which distinguishes the representation of angels and cherubims; without guilt, without meaning; without every thing but an undesigning simplicity.

“5. A Conversation-piece, by the Whisperer. This is a daring performance: it represents the member of a certain council-board. The principal figures are, the president receiving instructions from an old woman; and the k chewing thistles.

"6. A great personage, and a greater personage, receiving orders from the Earl of Bute.

"7. The Marquis of Granby; a sign for a turner. This is an old janus, modernized by the addition of a regimental coat.

"8. The modern Demosthenes. An alderman read

ing a speech from the crown of his hat: the gravity of this orator's countenance is finely touched; and none but those who have seen Sir Richard Glynn, can form an idea of it.

Re

"9. We three Loggerheads, by Germanicus. presents the czarina and the grand signor boxing. The former appears to have the advantage, and has a label coming out of her mouth, with these words, I have learnt to drub. The latter is frighted at the appearance of a candle in the tail of a kite, which he mistakes for a comet. The third figure is the King of Prussia, who is stripping for the combat, and seems eager to engage. There is great humour preserved throughout the whole piece.

"10. Sir Robert Ladbroke; a sign for a gin-shop. The revolutions of fortune are worthy the meditations of a Hervey. The father of the city, after having directed the affairs of the metropolis, can now only direct an old woman where to get drunk.

"11. The genius of Bristol, by Bonner. Represents a fish-woman sleeping on a cask: her shield a cheese, with her arms blazoned; three hogs couchant in the mire; her lance a spit, with a goose on it. There are several smaller figures in the groupe; a turn-spit dog, a sleeping alderman, and a Welch rabbit.

"SECOND DAY'S EXHIBITION.

12. A Piece of Modern Antiquity, by Horace