his answer to those thanks he has given up the people without gaining the friendship or cordial afsistance of the Rockingham faction, whofe little politics are confined to the making of matches, and extending their family connexions, and who think they gain more by procuring one additional vote to their party in the House of Commons, than by adding their languid property and feeble character to the abilities of a Chatham, or the confidence of a Public.

Whatever may be the event of the present wretched ftate of politics in this country, the principles of Junius will fuit no form of government. They are not to be tolerated under any conftitution. Perfonal enmity is a motive fit only for the devil. Whoever or whatever is Sovereign, demands the refpect and fupport of the people. The union is formed for their happinefs, which cannot be had without mutual refpect; and he counfels maliciously who would perfuade either to a wanton breach of it. When it is banished by either party, and when every method has been tried in vain to reftore it, there is no remedy but a divorce: But even then he must have a hard and wicked heart indeed who punishes the greatest criminal merely for the fake

of

of the punishment, and who does not let fall a tear for every drop of blood that is shed in a public ftruggle, however juft the quarrel.

JOHN HORNE.

3

LET

LETTER IX.

ADDRESSED TO THE PRINTER OF THE
PUBLIC ADVERTISER.

SIR,

Aug. 15, 1771.

I OUGHT to make an apology to the Duke of

Grafton, for fuffering any part of my attention. to be diverted from his Grace to Mr. Horne. I am not juftified by the fimilarity of their difpofitions. Private vices, however deteftable, have not dignity fufficient to attract the cenfure of the prefs, unless they are united with the power of doing fome fignal mifchief to the community.Mr. Horne's fituation does not correfpond with his intentions. In my own opinion, (which I know, will be attributed to my ufual vanity and prefumption) his letter to me does not deserve an anfwer. But I understand that the public are not fatisfied with my filence; that an anfwer is expected from me; and that if I perfift in refufing to plead, it will be taken for conviction. I should be inconfiftent with the principles I proVOL. II N

fefs,

fefs, if I declined an appeal to the good fenfe of the people, or did not willingly submit myself to the judgment of my peers.

If any ccarfe expreffions have escaped me, I ain ready to agree that they are unfit for Junius to make use of, but I fee no reason to admit that that they have been improperly applied.

Mr. Horne, it feems, is unable to comprehend how an extreme want of conduct and indifcretion can confit with the abilities I have allowed him; nor can he conceive that a very honest man, with a very good understanding, may be deceived by a knave. His knowledge of human nature must be limited indeed. Had he never mixed with the world, one would think that even his books might have taught him better. Did he hear lord Mansfield, when he defended his doctrine concerning libels?-Or when he ftated the law in profecutions for criminal converfation? Or when he delivered his reafons for calling the House of Lords together to receive a copy of his charge to the jury in Woodfall's trial-Had he been present upon any of thefe occafions, he would have seen how poffible it is for a man of the firft talents, to confound himself in abfurdities, which would difgrace the lips of an ideot. Perhaps the example might

have taught him not to value his own underftanding fo highly.-Lord Littleton's integrity and judgment are unqueftionable yet he is known to admire that cunning Scotchman, and verily believes him an honeft man.-I speak to facts, with which all of us are converfant-I speak to men and to their experience, and will not defcend to anfwer the little fneering fophiftries of a collegian.-Diftinguished talents are not neceffarily connected with difcretion. there be any thing remarkable in the character of Mr. Horne, it is that extreme want of judgment should be united with his very moderate capacity. Yet I have not forgotten the acknowledgment I made him. He owes it to my bounty; and though his letter has lowered him in my opinion, I fcorn to retract the charitable donation.

If

I faid it would be very difficult for Mr. Horne to write directly in defence of a minifterial meafure, and not to be detected; and even that difficulty, I confined to his particular fituation. He changes the terms of the propofition, and fupposes me to affert, that it would be impoffible for any man to write for the news-papers and not be discovered.

He repeatedly affirms, or intimates at least,