and the formation of factions now transpired in England. An
exhausted sensualist on the throne, who only demanded from his
ministers repose, a voluptuous aristocracy, and a listless
people, were content, in the absence of all public conviction
and national passion, to consign the government of the country
to a great man, whose decision relieved the sovereign, whose
prejudices pleased the nobles, and whose achievements dazzled
the multitude.

The DUKE OF WELLINGTON brought to the post of first minister
immortal fame; a quality of success which would almost seem to
include all others. His public knowledge was such as might be
expected from one whose conduct already formed an important
portion of the history of his country. He had a personal and
intimate acquaintance with the sovereigns and chief statesmen
of Europe, a kind of information in which English ministers
have generally been deficient, but without which the
management of our external affairs must at the best be
haphazard. He possessed administrative talents of the highest
order.

The tone of the age, the temper of the country, the great
qualities and the high character of the minister, indicated a
long and prosperous administration. The only individual in
his cabinet who, from a combination of circumstances rather
than from any intellectual supremacy over his colleagues, was
competent to be his rival, was content to be his successor.
In his most aspiring moments, Mr Peel in all probability aimed
at no higher reach; and with youth and the leadership of the
House of Commons, one has no reason to be surprised at his