In 1742, £1,384,000 6_s._ 3_d._ was under the sole direction of the Earl of Orford for secret-service money, of which £50,077 18_s._ went to the newspapers; and the amount of this supply expended in the six weeks preceding the resignation of the Earl of Orford was more than during the three previous years. In 1766, the House of Commons compelled the East India Company to rescind a vote which the excitement of the time had induced them to pass. The success of Lord Clive, the important commercial consequences to which it led, and the plunder which rewarded the victories of the soldier, had fired the brains of the East India proprietary. The most extravagant reports were promulgated, and half-yearly dividends of fifty per cent. were confidently promised. The value of the stock rose enormously; and the directors divided at the rate of thirteen per cent. per annum. When it was found that the corporation were enabled to divide thus liberally, Parliament, under the pretence that it might lead to a dangerous panic, interposed with a strong hand, directed that the annual dividend of the Company should be limited to ten per cent., and that all accumulations beyond should accrue to the state. Great opposition was evinced. The corporation, having paid liberally for their charter, would not quietly submit to an interference which so materially decreased its value; and, having formerly bribed with success, tried the same process, but without the same result. The changes in the opinion of the “independent” members, as they were bribed by the Company or awed by the minister, were somewhat curious; and the cause of Charles Townshend’s tergiversations was probably only a type of many. Having dealt largely in India Stock, he cried up the Company’s claims to serve himself. He then sold out at a profit, and cried them down to serve his friends. It was a complete South-Sea year. A third of the House of Commons was deeply engaged in the traffic; and jobbing was the thermometer by which patriots were made or marred. “From the Alley to the House,” said Walpole, “is like a path of ants.” Most of the members were in Mr. Townshend’s position, and the East India Company were, therefore, restricted in their dividends. The result was, that this corporation is worthy the study of others in the liberality with which it rewards the labors of its clerks. Acting on the fine Mosaic principle, that the ox shall not be muzzled which treadeth out the corn, the Company have made their servants’ interests their own; they have made them understand that their old age shall be liberally protected if they faithfully serve; they have made them know that their widows and orphans shall not be forsaken; and they have, therefore, made them feel that the service of such a company is a pleasure, and not a pain; a love, and not a labor.