About: Four Early Pamphlets by William Godwin

FOUR EARLY PAMPHLETS

Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Amy Overmyer and PG Distributed Proofreaders

FOUR EARLY PAMPHLETS

BY WILLIAM GODWIN

1783

[A Defense of the Rockingham Party, in Their Late Coalition with the Right Honorable Frederic Lord North]

[Instructions to a Statesman]

[An Account of the Seminary]

[The Herald of Literature]

A

DEFENCE

OF THE

ROCKINGHAM PARTY,

IN THEIR LATE

COALITION

WITH

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FREDERIC LORD NORTH.

LONDON: Printed forJ. STOCKDALE,opposite Burlington House, Piccadilly.1783. [Price One Shilling and Sixpence.] _Entered at Stationers Hall._

A

DEFENCE

OF THE

ROCKINGHAM PARTY,

&C. &C. &C.

* * * * *

The present reign will certainly appear to our posterity full of thenoblest materials for history. Many circumstances seem to have pointedit out as a very critical period. The general diffusion of science has,in some degree, enlightened the minds of all men; and has cleared such,as have any influence upon the progress of manners and society, from athousand unworthy pre possessions. The dissipation and luxury that reignuncontrouled have spread effiminacy and irresolution every where. Thegrand defection of the United States of America from the mother country,is one of the most interesting events, that has engaged the attention ofEurope for centuries. And the number of extraordinary geniuses that havedistinguished themselves in the political world, gives a dignity to thescene. They pour a lustre over the darkest parts of the story, andbestow a beauty upon the tragedy, that it could not otherwise havepossessed.

At a time like this, when the attention of mankind has been kept aliveby a series of the most important events, we cease to admire at thingswhich would otherwise appear uncommon, and wonders almost lose theirname. Even now, however, when men were almost grown callous to novelty,and the youngest of us had, like Cato in the play, lived long enough tobe "surprised at nothing," a matter has occurred which few expected, andto which, for that reason, men of no great strength of mind, of no nerveof political feeling, scarcely know how to reconcile themselves. I referto the coalition between the friends of the late marquis of Rockinghamand the noble commoner in the blue ribbon.

The manner of blaming this action is palpable and easy. The censure ischiefly directed against that wonderful man, whom, at least in theirhearts, his countrymen, I believe, have agreed to regard as the personof brightest genius, and most extensive capacity, that now adorns theBritish senate. Has not this person, we are asked, for years attackedthe noble lord in the most unqualified manner? Is there any aspersion,any insinuation, that he has not thrown out upon his character? Has henot represented him as the weakest man, and the worst minister, to whomthe direction of affairs was ever committed? Has he not imputed to hisprerogative principles, and his palpable misconduct, the whole catalogueof our misfortunes? If such men as these are to unite for the detestedpurposes of ambition, what security can we have for any thing valuable,that yet remains to us? Is not this the very utmost reach of frontlessprofligacy? What dependence after this is to be placed in the man, whohas thus given the lie to all his professions, and impudently flown inthe face of that honest and unsuspecting virtue, which had hithertogiven him credit for the rectitude of his intentions?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71