The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume IV.Cibber, Theophilus
General
The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume IV.
Cibber, Theophilus
Poets, English -- Biography -- Early works to 1800; Poets, Irish -- Biography -- Early works to 1800
The judicious observations he made on the trial of the bishop, and the
manner in which he summed up and compared a long and perplexed kind
of evidence, with inimitable art and perspicuity, may be seen in the
duke's speech upon that extraordinary occasion, which is a lasting
proof of his amazing abilities in the legislative capacity, as well as
of his general knowledge of public business.
He, however, did not confine this spirit of opposition to the house of
lords, but exerted it both in city and country, promoting in all kinds
of elections such persons as were supposed to be no fautors of the
court. Such was the hatred he now conceived to the ministry, and such
his desire of becoming eminent; that he even pushed himself into
the city of London; was invested with the rights and privileges of a
citizen, and was entered a member of the wax-chandler's company; by
virtue of which he appeared at all meetings, charmed all societies,
and voted in his own right upon all occasions.
Notwithstanding his astonishing activity in opposition to the court,
he was not yet satisfied that he had done enough. He could not be in
all places, and in all companies at once. As much an orator as he was,
he could not talk to the whole nation, and therefore he printed his
thoughts twice a week, in a paper called the True-Briton, several
thousands of which being dispersed weekly, the duke was pleased to
find the whole kingdom giving attention to him, and admiring him as an
author, though they did not at all approve his reasoning.
Those political papers, which were reckoned by some the standard
of good sense, and elegant writing, were collected together in his
life-time, and reprinted by his order, with a preface, in which he
gives his reasons for engaging in an undertaking so uncommon to a
person of his distinction.
Here it will not be improper to remark, that notwithstanding all those
instances of the duke's zeal, his sincerity in opposing the ministry
was yet suspected, as his former behaviour was so very inconsistent
with it; but he never failed to justify himself throughout the
different and contrary courses of his conduct, pretending always to
have acted consistently with the honour and interest of the realm. But
he never was able in this particular to obtain the public judgment in
his favour.
It is impossible to reconcile all the various actions of this
noble-man. He was certainly too much governed by whim and accident.
From this time forward, however, though he might deviate from the
strict rules of a moral life, he cannot be said to have done so with
respect to his politics. The same principles on which he set out,
he carried to his grave, with steadiness through all the events of
fortune, and underwent such necessities, as few of his quality ever
experienced, in a cause, the revival and success of which had long
been desperate, before he engaged in it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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