savoir s’il le voudroit aussi lui.” The company of that rival sister was sufficient to embitter all the happiness of living for ever with her beloved husband.[145] The Duc de Praslin was banished to his country-house. Obscure officers were placed in their departments; but months passed before the principal conspirators assumed any authoritative posts. Paris swarmed with libels and execrations on them, the mistress, and the King; and Choiseul became adored, because his enemies were detestable or contemptible.[146] CHAPTER VII. Lord Sandwich appointed to the Admiralty.--Haughty Tone assumed towards Spain.--Death of the Duke of Bedford.--Its Effect on Parties.--Law Preferments.--Declaration of Spain respecting the Falkland Islands.--Panegyric of Choiseul by Lord Chatham.--He moves that the Spanish Declaration be referred to the Judges.--Quarrel between Wilkes and Maclean.--Motion in the Lords to remit Pressing.--Artful Speech of Lord Chatham.--Close Struggle on the Nullum Tempus Bill.--Discussions on the Spanish Declaration in both Houses.--Explanation of Lord Weymouth.--Wilkes lays a plan for drawing the House of Commons into a Contest with the City.--His Success.--The Queen of Denmark throws herself into the French Faction.--Bill to allow the East India Company to keep a Regiment of Foot in England.--Meeting and Prorogation of the Irish Parliament.--Motion to ascertain the Duty of Juries.--Appeal of the Earl of Pomfret.--Resistance to the Commitment of Printers in the House of Commons and in the City.--Discussion on Privilege.--The Lord Mayor appears at the Bar.--Revelation respecting Barré’s Attack on Mr. Pitt.--Protracted Conflict with the City.--Spain becomes impatient for the Restitution of the Falkland Isles.--Character of Dr. Johnson.--Famine in Bengal. 1771. The deplorable state of the navy, set forth in the most melancholy colours by the Opposition, had raised so much discontent, that on the 9th of January, Sir Edward Hawke, almost fallen into a state of imbecility, found it necessary to resign his command of the Admiralty, which was immediately conferred on Lord Sandwich, lately appointed Secretary of State, in the room of Lord Weymouth. The Admiralty, in which he had formerly presided with credit, was the favourite object of Lord Sandwich’s ambition; and his passion for maritime affairs, his activity, industry, and flowing complaisance, endeared him to the profession, re-established the marine, and effaced great part of his unpopularity. No man in the Administration was so much master of business, so quick or so shrewd, and no man had so many public enemies who had so few private; for though void of principles, he was void of rancour, and bore with equal good humour the freedom with which his friends attacked him, and the satire of his opponents.[147]