Christmas Chat: or, Observations on the late change at court, on the different characters of the ins and outs; and on the present state of publick affairs. — John Shaqi
Christmas Chat: or, Observations on the late change at court, on the different characters of the ins and outs; and on the present state of publick affairs.Anonymous
History
Christmas Chat: or, Observations on the late change at court, on the different characters of the ins and outs; and on the present state of publick affairs.
Anonymous
Dialogues; Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 18th century
The War for the Sake of _H——_, has been carried on after a Manner so
dishonourable, not to say infamous, and so expensive, that the old
_Standards_, for a Reason easily pointed out, look upon a _Peace_ to be
absolutely necessary. The Conduct of the War will not suffer them to
hope that equitable Terms will be allow’d them; on the other hand, they
must be sensible, that the People have a greater Regard to the Honour of
the Nation than to private Interest, and will be against sheathing the
Sword, till the Blood of our foreign Enemies has wash’d off the Stain
fix’d on the Glory of the Nation by her domestic Foes. In this Dilemma
they may think it the best, indeed the only Expedient to cast the Burden
on the _Favourites_ of the People. If they accept of Peace on
dishonourable Terms, the late M—rs are acquitted; if they reject it, any
Misfortunes that may attend the War will be intirely cast upon them. In
a Word, the Ministers have entangled the Skein, and call upon the
Patriots to disentangle it, or share the Odium of their Folly and
Wickedness. They have woven the _Gordian Knot_, and the Friends of the
People are to loose it.
_Over_. We shall soon see who are the Peoples Friends.
_Broad_. Can you have any Doubt concerning them?
_Blunt_. Were not those _Deserters_ lately thrust from the _Barn_, the
Peoples Friends too before they were _ingrafted_ on the Ministry? All
are the Peoples Friends while they are rising on the Shoulders of the
People; but when once they are up, away goes the Scaffolding. Mr.
_Broadbottom_, I believe you are a Friend to the People, or I would not
support your last Election, or your present Re-election; but if you
would convince us you are truly so, let us see you heartily endeavouring
to obtain something for those willing People that have drain’d their
Vitals to comply with a C—t and Ministry, and bore the Heat of the Day.
Restore us our _Triennial_ Parliaments.
Sir _John_. Or rather our Annual Parliaments, which was the ancient
Constitution. But, Mr. _Broadbottom_, let us have them without
_Purchase_. I understand the C—l L—st is greatly incumber’d. I hope ’tis
not intended to clear it at the People’s Expence, before the annual
Produce of it be fairly stated and known.
_Blunt_. Can you expect to know any thing the Court has a mind you
should not, while _Seven’s_ the Main?
_Over_. No more _Septs_ say I; I believe I shall never love the Number
_Seven_ again, as long as live.
Sir _John_. _Seven_ or _Seventy_ would be of little Significancy in a
Country and Age less corrupt than ours. But considering the present
Depravity, I must confess that _septennial_ Parliaments afford Ministers
more Opportunity than I would willingly allow them, to put in Practice
the Arts of the Cabinet.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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