Some who will not venture to assert, that the real difference
between Whig and Tory, was lost at the Revolution, seem
inclined to think that the difference is now abolished, and
that affairs are so far returned to their natural state, that
there are at present no other parties amongst us but court and
country; that is, men who, by interest or principle, are
attached either to monarchy or to liberty. It must indeed be
confessed, that the Tory party has of late decayed much in
their numbers, still more in their zeal, and I may venture to
say, still more in their credit and authority. [There is no
man of knowledge or learning, who would not be ashamed to be
thought of that party; and in almost all companies, the name
of _Old Whig_ is mentioned as an incontestible appellation of
honour and dignity. Accordingly, the enemies of the ministry,
as a reproach, call the courtiers the true _Tories_; and, as
an honour, denominate the gentlemen in the _Opposition_ the
true _Whigs_.] The Tories have been so long obliged to talk in
the republican style, that they seem to have made converts of
themselves by their hypocrisy, and to have embraced the
sentiments as well as language of their adversaries. There
are, however, very considerable remains of that party in
England, with all their old prejudices; and a proof that court
and country are not our only parties, is, that almost all our
dissenters side with the court, and the lower clergy, at least
of the Church of England, with the opposition. This may
convince us that some bias still hangs upon our constitution,
some extrinsic weight which turns it from its natural course,
and causes a confusion in our parties.[141:1]