BY WILLIAM GODWIN

1783

    [A Defense of the Rockingham Party, in Their Late Coalition with
    the Right Honorable Frederic Lord North]

    [Instructions to a Statesman]

    [An Account of the Seminary]

    [The Herald of Literature]

A

DEFENCE

OF THE

Rockingham party,

IN THEIR LATE

COALITION

WITH

The right honourable Frederic lord North.

London:  Printed for J. Stockdale, opposite Burlington House, Piccadilly. 1783. [Price One Shilling and Sixpence.] Entered at Stationers Hall.

A

DEFENCE

OF THE

ROCKINGHAM PARTY,

&C. &C. &C.

* * * * *

The present reign will certainly appear to our posterity full of the noblest materials for history.  Many circumstances seem to have pointed it out as a very critical period.  The general diffusion of science has, in some degree, enlightened the minds of all men; and has cleared such, as have any influence upon the progress of manners and society, from a thousand unworthy pre-possessions.  The dissipation and luxury that reign uncontrouled have spread effiminacy and irresolution every where.—­The grand defection of the United States of America from the mother country, is one of the most interesting events, that has engaged the attention of Europe for centuries.  And the number of extraordinary geniuses that have distinguished themselves in the political world, gives a dignity to the scene.  They pour a lustre over the darkest parts of the story, and bestow a beauty upon the tragedy, that it could not otherwise have possessed.

At a time like this, when the attention of mankind has been kept alive by a series of the most important events, we cease to admire at things which would otherwise appear uncommon, and wonders almost lose their name.  Even now, however, when men were almost grown callous to novelty, and the youngest of us had, like Cato in the play, lived long enough to be “surprised at nothing,” a matter has occurred which few expected, and to which, for that reason, men of no great strength of mind, of no nerve of political feeling, scarcely know how to reconcile themselves.  I refer to the coalition between the friends of the late marquis of Rockingham and the noble commoner in the blue ribbon.