This was the last parliamentary effort of the session on the Middlesex election; very inadequate to the flame with which it had commenced. Not only the violence of the attack had prejudiced the cause, but so divided were the factions in Opposition, that their numbers were now diminished to one half, while the Court party, conducted coolly and rationally by Lord North, acted with some firmness and some system. Yet, outrageous as the assault had been on the House of Commons, and arbitrarily and shamefully as the House had acted, much good sprung indirectly out of the contention. The scandal deservedly thrown on the members for their corruption and servility, and their dread of losing their future elections from their unpopularity, made such impression on most of them, that, to compensate for their infamy, they concurred in two most wholesome acts, which, perhaps, no other moment could have wrung from them; those were, Mr. Grenville’s law for trying contested elections by select committees, and Mr. Onslow’s for the restraint of privilege. The blow to the peerage was permanent, who never lose their seats, and indiscriminately useful to creditors against members of Parliament. The less secure were the extravagant, the fewer would be exposed to corruption from necessity. It ought to be a standing rule with the public to take all advantages of forcing concessions and capitulations from the great, when the complaisance of the latter is reduced by interest or shame to court the people; and the equivalent may often be preferable to the point contended for, as well as more easily obtained. CHAPTER V. Bold Address of Beckford to the King.--His Death and Character.--Prosecutions of Almon and Woodfall.--Voyage of the Princess Dowager of Wales to Germany.--Eccentric Conduct of the Queen of Denmark.--Suit of Lord Grosvenor against the Duke of Cumberland.--Trial of the Kennedys for Murder.--Conduct of Mr. Horne.--Licence of the Press.--Instances.--Libel on the King of Spain.--Dispute with Spain concerning the Falkland Islands.--Building of the Adelphi.--Its Political Consequences.--Promotion of Lutterell.--Death of Lord Granby.--His Character.--Vacant Regiment bestowed on Conway.--Meeting of the Inhabitants of Westminster.--Imminence of a War.--Diplomacy of Lord Weymouth.--Lord Mansfield meditates Resigning the Speakership of the House of Lords.--Death of Mr. George Grenville.--His Character. 1770.