I trust, the ill tendency of any such involuntary error will be effectually counteracted.  In the mean time this deviation of Mr. Burke from the general principles of his connexion, has given occasion to some to impute aristocratical views to the whole party.  The best answer to this, is, that the parliamentary reform was expressly stipulated by lord Rockingham, in his coalition with the earl of Shelburne, as one of the principles, upon which the Administration of March, 1782, was formed.

From what has been said, I consider my first proposition as completely established, that the Rockingham party was the only connexion of men, by which the country could be well served.

I would however just observe one thing by the way.  I forsee that my first proposition lies open to a superficial and childish kind of ridicule.  But in order to its operation, it is not necessary to say, that the friends of lord Rockingham were persuaded, that the country could not be well served, but by themselves.  In reality, this is the proper and philosophical state of it:  that each individual of that connexion was persuaded, that the country could not be well served but by his friends.  And I trust, it has now appeared, that this was a just and rational persuasion.

The next argument adduced in conformation of my thesis, is, that they were not by themselves of sufficient strength, to support the weight of administration.  It is certainly a melancholy consideration, that there should not be virtue enough left in a people to support an administration of honest views and uniform principles, against all the cabals of faction.  This however, is incontrovertibly the case with Britain.  The bulk of her inhabitants are become, in a very high degree, inattentive, and indifferent to the conduct of her political affairs.  This has been, at one time, ascribed to their despair of the commonwealth, and their mortification in perceiving a certain course of mal-administration persisted in, in defiance of the known sense of the country.  At another time, it has been imputed to their experience of the hollowness of all our public pretenders to patriotism.  I am afraid, the cause is to be sought in something, more uniform in it’s operation, and less honourable to the lower ranks of society, than either of these.  In a word, luxury and dissipation have every where loosened the bands of political union.  The interest of the public has been forgotten by all men; and we have been taught to laugh at the principles, by which the patriots of former ages were induced, to sacrifice their fortunes and their lives for the welfare of their citizens.  Provided the cup of enjoyment be not dashed from our own lips, and the pillow of sloth torn away from our own heads, we do not ask, what shall be the fate of our liberties, our posterity, and our country.  Disinterested affection seems to have taken up her last refuge in a few choice spirits, and elevated minds, who appear among us, like the