service to us. However, I am desired by him to acquaint the Committee, that if, out of the many years friendship, and free conversation he had with the said Earl, he can remember the least word that can be wrested into a crime, he will, the instant he can recollect it, voluntarily come to us and make an affidavit of it with the greatest pleasure. I hope we shall through the whole course of our proceedings have it constantly in our minds, that what we are about is for the satisfaction of the people. For them is it possible to do too much? are we then to insist upon nicety of proof, or regard the exact difference between right and wrong? Such distinctions may be thought of in cases of lesser criminals, such as robbers, murderers, &c. but higher offenders should have different measure. Let us all remember that the people of England are our dernier resort, from whom there is no appeal: they, therefore, can do no wrong; and, consequently, when we act as they would have us, we must do right. I hope at our next

us,

meeting we shall make a beginning, though our chief view ought to be our end; and the report which we must one day make. For think what a scandal and eternal reproach it would be to if after all that we have for so many years said, written, and printed, against Lord Orford, we should at last be able to prove nothing; and what a fatal blow it would be to ourselves and our party, if by these means Englishmen should grow calm and be undeceived.

Thus have I spoke my mind freely; though I know all that hear me do not agree in my way of thinking, yet I have the solid comfort of being certain, that the majority does. I shall now conclude with adding one thing more, which is, that I hope the behaviour of this Committee will be such as will teach all future ministers to know, that, let their private lives be ever so innocent, their public behaviour ever so meritorious, they must not pretend to keep power (nor I hope life and fortune neither), one moment longer than the mob of this country,

and the Common Council of this City shall think fit. Here the Chairman sat down, upon which Edmund Evidence,* esq. rose up and moved, that the thanks of the Committee be given to the Chairman, for his excellent, humane, moral, and popular speech; and that he be desired to print the same. To this there were objections made, particularly to the words humane and moral; but, upon a division, it was carried that they should stand part of the question.-Pro, 14; Con, 6.

And then the Committee adjourned to Monday morning, nine of the clock.

ADVERTISEMENT.

By their Majesties' command, at the New Theatre Royal in Privy Garden, on Sunday next, being a holyday, will be presented a Play called

*Edmund Waller.

THE COMMITTEE,

OR THE

FAITHFUL IRISHMAN.

The part of Teague, by particular desire, to be performed by a real Irishman, with a variety of entertainments.

At the end of Act I-A Song. Now comes on the glorious year.

At the end of Act II-A Song. We have cheated the people, we 'll cheat 'em again.

At the end of Act III.-The Irish Howl.
At the end of Act IV.-A Fury Dance.
At the end of the Play.-The Devil to Pay.
No persons, whoever, to be admitted behind

the scenes.

VIVANT REGES.

VOL. II.

LINES

OCCASIONED BY A LATE MOTION.

“ "TAXES run high,"-the Britons loud complain'd.

"Twas moved that luxury should be restrain❜d; To lace our breeches was a mortal sin,

And wear all gold without, and none within.
This meant the ministry, would they confess,
"The more we have ourselves, the king has
less;"

For who could fear that luxury would last?
Excises, taxes, sinking funds, are spent,

And sure seven millions are a high rack-rent.
"The lace you may allow us," quoth Sir John,*
"We soon shall have no coats to put it on."

*Sir John Hinde Cotton.

1752, January 4th, died Sir John Cotton, the last Jacobite of any sensible activity.-W.