The Lives of Francis North (Volume 2); Baron Guilford Sir Dudley North and REV. Dr. John North (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1826. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... but force? He used often to inveigh against those who perpetually projected to weaken the monarchy, as a sort of men, either corrupt and falsehearted, or else short-sighted and ignorant. The yet living history of the late times concurred; for what did the people get by robbing the crown of the power to dissolve the parliament, and of the militia? There cannot be a more false illusion than it is to suppose that what power the crown lost, was so much liberty gained to the people. And yet, in these times, a broad-spread party went about with such syren songs to engage the community to join in their project of divesting the king of his commissions of the peace and lieutenancy, &c. All which his lordship saw plainly, and detested. I have heard him say, that if the people knew what miseries would be the consequence of these men's having their wills, they would stone them, as they would mad dogs in the street. It may be esteemed one of his lordship's chief felicities, that his real principles of honour and probity exactly squared with his engagements and services at court. He never had the remorse to have, in the least, dis-served his country, by serving the crown; and the discerning court, and the much more discerning king, saw plainly that he acted from the bottom of his heart, and did nothing servile, or for flattery, that any way contradicted the series of his conduct and advice; which is more than can be truly said of any of the preferment-hunters of that, or almost any time. His lord- I shall enlarge no more upon character here, whole la- having designed places apart for those matters, tobriug'tiie DEGREESut Proceed. And, in the first place, I enter this comt Mi- general protest, that, to my own certain know tirely into . . the policy ledge, his lordship's great study ...