"As to instructions from constituents to their representatives in parliament with respect to matters of state, the house of commons is certainly the great inquest of the nation in one whole body; and when any member is chosen for a county or borough, he is a representative concerned for the whole nation, and not only for the county or borough for which he is chosen; and all enquiries into grievances must be made upon that general footing, without any regard to particular instructions from any one place. When he is elected by his constituents, they by that election repose an entire confidence in him to act according to his own judgment or discretion, for the good of the whole, as long as he is a member: but the opinion of his behaviour will determine them to choose him or not at a new election. The constituents may indeed desire their respective members to prefer a petition to the house, or to promote or oppose an affair depending in parliament, or what may be for or against the interest of the county or borough they represent; and it will and ought to have its due weight: but this, surely, has nothing to do with matters of state, which must take their rise from the king and his council, upon motives that cannot possibly be within the cognizance of the nation in general; and therefore cannot properly fall under the consideration of the economical parts of government. When, in the administration of public affairs, events happen of dangerous consequence to the nation, the representative body of the people ought to make an enquiry into them, in order to have the misfortunes redressed, and the cri minal authors of them punished; but warm instructions from constituents to their representatives, without any light into the true causes of things, which they cannot possibly have from public rumour or clamour, are improper, because they may be founded in ignorance or in ill design." Lord Walpole is said to have been intimately acquainted with the history of ancient and modern times, while his political knowledge was accurate and comprehensive. From the time of his brother's resignation till his own death, he neither desired nor courted any official employment. During this period he acted a part which every man of moderation and integrity will admire and imitate. Instead of going into petulant opposition or combating the measures of government, he thought it his duty openly to support them whenever they deserved approbation. When he differed from the king and ministers in essential points, he always privately delivered his opinion either in person or by letter. Whenever he was convinced that government was pursuing weak or improper measures, he gave his sentiments with respect and firmness, and was not discouraged by observing that his advice was not acceptable 9.] • Coxe's Memoirs, ut sup. p. 467. HENRY, LORD HYDE, AND CORNBURY. THIS amiable and disinterested lord was author of a few pamphlets, published without his name; of some tragedies still in manuscript, and of a comedy called "The Mistakes; or, the Happy Resentment." 1758. Given to Mrs. Porter for her benefit, and printed by subscription, with a little preface by the author of this work. [The preface here noticed as the production of lord Orford was printed at Strawberry Hill, and contains an eulogium on the noble dramatist, which it is gratifying to transcribe. "He had," says his lordship, "one of the best hearts that ever warmed a human breast. He was upright, calm, and steady. His virtues were of the gentlest complexion, yet of the firmest texture. Vice could not bend him, nor party warp him; even his own talents could not mislead him. Though a master of eloquence, he preferred justice and the love of his country to all the applause which the violence of the times in which he lived was so prodigal of bestowing on orators who distinguish themselves in any faction: but the tinsel of popularity, and the intrinsic of corruption, were equally his contempt. He spoke, nor wrote, nor acted for fame. Goodness was the object and end of all his actions." The ingenious and accurate editor of Biographia Dramatica has given a particular statement of the circumstances attendant on the publication of lord Cornbury's comedy, and concludes with saying, that although he cannot pay any great compliment to his lordship's genius from the execution of his drama, yet there breathe through the whole such sentiments of honour and virtue as reflect the brightest lustre on a much more valuable quality, viz. goodness of heart"," This distinguished nobleman was eldest son of the last earl of Clarendon, and had the misfortune to be killed in France by a fall from his horse, May 2, 17583. Pope has neatly complimented the virtuous taste of this lord, by making it a criterion of merit to disdain whatever Cornbury disdain'd." Lady M. W. Montagu has pointed out the following occasional lines as the production of lord Corn • Biog. Dram. vol. ii. p. 238. So says Mr. Reed, on whose statement I rely; though lord Orford and Bolton's Peerage place his death in 1753- bury. They occur before Lintot's edition of Pope's works, printed in 1736. "TO THE AUTHOR OF THE ESSAY ON MAN "When love's great goddess, anxious for her son, "Thus vainly, Pope, unseen you would dispense From whence such truths could spring, such lines could flow; Applause, which justly so much worth pursues, You only can deserve, or could refuse. "C." "Common Sense, or the Englishman's Journal, of Feb. 12, 1737," has been ascribed to the same noble writer. "Lord Cornbury's Letter to the Vice-chancellor of Oxford, with a Letter to his Lordship thereupon," appeared in 1751o. His lordship's "Letter to David Mallet, on the intended Publica tion of Lord Bolingbroke's Manuscripts," • First published anonymously in separate books. $ Æneid I. 6 Vid. Bibl. West. No. 1243 |