subject which did not altogether please me; for experience has taught me that it is a wiser and better pleasure to taste the beauties of good writers than to find out their faults, especially since it is great odds that, when we are playing the critic, we commit more real mistakes than we pretend to find. doubt not, is my case: however, jacta est alea!

That, I

I say nothing to you about rhyme, because it is a subject on which I have so much to say. Why should you forego an advantage which you enjoy in perfection, and own that way of writing not to be the best in which you write better than any man? I am not so unreasonable as to expect it. But I know I have the testimony of your poetical conscience on my side, though you are wise enough not to own so unpopular and unprofitable a truth.

When I see you here, as you seem to promise, more of these matters. In the mean time, I am, &c.*

CHAPTER VIII.

POLITICIANS.

Harley and the Tory Government of Queen Anne-Walpole goes into Opposition-Expelled the House of Commons for Corruption; and committed to the Tower-The Examiner and the Medley-Addison and Steele attack the Administration-Garth v. Prior-Addison's Compliment to Atterbury's Poetical Talent-Panegyrists and Satirists-Dedications-The Medley-Dr. William King-Lord Lansdowne -His Eulogium on James II.-Steele and Walpole-Mainwaring-Robert Molesworth-Archdeacon Coxe's Suppressions of the Influence of Atterbury, and Misrepresentation of his Conduct-Lord Halifax impeached.

HARLEY, when at the head of the Queen's government, strove to strengthen his forces by means of recruits from the ranks of his defeated adversaries. He made a proposal to Walpole, but that shrewd calculator had no faith in the duration of Toryism. The constitution of the country might last for ages, but that of the Queen could not be relied upon for more than a brief interval. With a Tory government, high church and high state principles were matters of course; and these could not in the present state of things be reconciled with the popular idea of the Protestant succession and "No Popery." He was content to bide his time, watching his opportunity to aid in the restoration of his own party and his own political

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WALPOLE IN OPPOSITION.

principles. He therefore went into opposition with a zeal that made him defend his late colleagues whenever attacked, and attack those statesmen who had superseded them whenever a chance presented itself of doing so with effect.

This conduct of course made him obnoxious to the existing Government. They saw that their tenure of office must be short if such tactics were permitted. The game played by the Whigs to displace Harley was now played by the Tories to get rid of Walpole. Very few public men of that age could come out of the ordeal of an inquiry unscathed. Walpole's administration, as Secretary at War, was looked into, and, as usual, enormous corruption discovered. The ministerial majority of the House of Commons were indignant, and in the session of 1711 went to the extreme course of expulsion, and then committed him close prisoner to the Tower.

It was the making of his political fortune. With the plea of injured innocence he raised the shout of party persecution, and presently became more popular in the prison than ever he had been in the Senate. He held levées, which were attended by the most distinguished Whigs: even the dreadfully indignant Duchess of Marlborough, the more plainly to show her defiant spirit, condescended to pay a visit to the captive. He became the object not only of pamphlet but of ballad popularity. Estcourt came forward on the occasion with verses on "The Jewel in the Tower."

As an interesting victim, Walpole had changed places with Sacheverell; not so quickly with the

result that had attended the Doctor's prosecution, but to expedite it the dismissed Secretary employed all his energies and all his resources. The press was his chief reliance, and he lavished his gains of office in recompensing writers capable of doing justice to his case. Richard Steele was so employed, but the most energetic of his pamphleteers was himself.

Neither Addison's "Campaign," nor John Philips's Blenheim," realized the grand suggestiveness of the subject. They were good enough as specimens of the pompous panegyric then in vogue. They were executed by their authors as a sort of poetical duel-in which Godolphin and Halifax were the seconds of one, and Harley and St. John those of the other. Marlborough was the hero both parties were desirous of elevating on the highest possible pedestal, but neither the Whig nor the Tory poet was able to raise his production much above the level of mediocrity. There is, however, a passage in "The Campaign" which Philips could not have equalled; indeed, his merit did not lie in this direction :—

'Twas then great Marlborough's mighty soul was proved,
That in the shock of charging hosts unmoved,
Amidst confusion, horror, and despair,

Examined all the dreadful scenes of war;

In peaceful thought the scenes of death survey'd,

To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid,
Inspired repulsed battalions to engage,
And taught the doubtful battle where to rage:
So when an angel, by Divine command,
With rising tempest shakes a guilty land,
Such as of late o'er pale Britannia pass'd,
Calm and serene he drives the furious blast,
And, pleased the Almighty's orders to perform,
Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm.

Steele, eager to do justice to his friend, quoted this

passage as an example of the true sublime; but the English commander, in full wig, cocked hat, and wideskirted uniform, presiding over a field of carnage, can scarcely be described as fulfilling the commands of the Deity in angelic guise.

Some of the early literary friends of Dr. Atterbury were not disposed to sit still and see their patrons abused. Steele and Addison, in particular, proved restless under the provocation given to them in the new journal.

Dr. Garth was still more impatient of the discomfiture of his patrons, and sung their praises with increased zeal. One example attracted considerable attention, and created a remarkable controversy. It represents the current coin of compliment which contemporary poets put out to interest:

TO THE EARL OF GODOLPHIN.

Whilst weeping Europe bends beneath her ills,
And where the sword destroys, not famine kills,
Our Isle enjoys, by your successful care,
The pomp of peace amidst the woes of war.
So much the public to your prudence owes,
You think no labours long for our repose;
Such conduct, such integrity are shown,
There are no coffers empty but your own!
From mean dependence, merit you retrieve,
Unask'd you offer, and unseen you give.
Your favours, like the Nile, increase bestows,
And yet conceals the source from whence it flows.

So poised your passions are, we find no frown,

If Funds oppress'd not, and if Commerce run,
Taxes diminish'd, Liberty entire,

These are the grants your services require.
Thus far the State machine wants no repair,
But moves in matchless order by your care,
Free from confusion, settled and serene,
And, like the Universe, by springs unseen.