occasion, and with the tories on another; and still retain their place in the favourable opinion of their country *.

For any man who is capable of sustaining such a character to enlist in a party, would certainly be degrading to himself, and might prove injurious to his country; which it is probable he could never serve so effectually, as when, by extending his care to all parties, he moderated the violence of one, softened the prejudices of another, excited and directed the efforts of a third,

Perhaps, in our own times, no man has approached nearer to this character than that eminent and disinterested patriot, the late Sir George Savile, Bart. to whom the writer of these lines is indebted for the leisure he enjoys; and to whose public and private virtues he gladly embraces this opportunity of offering his small. tribute.

The following anecdote may show in how high estimation this distinguished senator was held for his political integrity. When the Marquis of Rockingham was placed at the head of administration; upon being congratulated on the support he might expect from such a friend as Sir George in the house of commons, he replied, "Sir, I doubt not of his support so long as I continue to act for the good of my country; should I do otherwise, he would be the first man to impeach me."

allayed their mutual animosities, and caused a variety of jarring passions and interests to conspire to the good of the whole. Even at the head of a ruling party, he might be less able to promote the common welfare, than by his acting more at a distance in the mild and conciliating character of a general moderator.

II. To a citizen of the second description, (which comprehends a class much more numerous) who is disposed to take a part in public affairs, but is only qualified to act in concert with others; I would suggest a few obvious rules, which may be of use to direct him in his public conduct.

1. Let him be wary in his choice of a party. Let it be one which, among its other good properties, is disinterested in its views, modest in its professions, and temperate in its measures.

(1.) Disinterested in its views; that is, as much so as can be expected from such imperfect beings as men; from whom, if on the whole they prefer the general interest to their own, it is vain to look for more.

This is true of every man separately, and holds yet more strongly when they are united in a body, where the selfish passions act with less restraint, either from duty, fear, or shame. Should our well-meaning citizen mistake in this first point, instead of a party he would embrace a faction; and, under a notion of public good, might be made an instrument of mischief or of ruin to his country.

When a

(2.) Modest in its professions. party holds out large and magnificent promises, it is commonly a sure proof, either of its weakness, or of its bad designs; either that it is the dupe of its own vain presumption, or means to practise on the credulous simplicity of the vulgar. Should it say, advance us into power, and every evil shall find a remedy, poverty and toil, misery and oppression shall soon vanish out of the land, every virtue and talent shall meet with their honourable reward, and every vice with its merited punishment; it might as well tell us, that our oaks shall distil with honey, and the rocks pour out rivers of oil. Or should it pretend to a purity of princi

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ple that admitted of no taint, that was incapable of any bias or perversion from private interests or affections; we must still be compelled to draw the same inference. Such promises and pretensions have been often employed to amuse and delude the populace in past times, and perhaps never more successfully or mischievously than in our own; which should put every good citizen upon his guard against them, and dispose him to listen or unite himself only to such modest and unassuming men, who invite his confidence more by their performances than their professions.

(3.) Temperate in its measures.

As there

are individuals in private life, so there are parties in the state, that are fair-spoken, yet violent in their conduct. Like Simeon and Levi in their carriage towards the Shechemites, they will speak peace, and meditate war *; or like a famous body of men in our own land, under the reign of the first Charles; they will respectfully use the king's name, in opposition to his person and

* Gen. ch. xxxiv.

government. Whether this last was a warrantable measure, or whether such extreme measures are in all cases to be condemned, is not here the question: certainly, in the first instance, they constitute a most legitimate prejudice against any party; and of such violent confederacies every prudent citizen will be disposed to say with good old Jacob respecting his two sons abovementioned, My soul come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united. A firm and enlightened moderation is an essential character of true patriotism and it is around this standard that every man should rally, who wishes to conduct himself as a true friend to his country.

2. Another rule I would suggest is, Not lightly to desert or to change a party after it has been once chosen.

(1.) When a well-meaning man joins himself to any party in the state, it implies his favourable opinion of its tendency to promote the public good. Should he afterwards withdraw his support, it would seem