CHAP. encounter obftacles which partly arofe from particular incidents and characters, but were chiefly owing to general caufes.
The long fupremacy of the whig combination had conferred on its members, in the public opinion, a prescriptive right to govern. When Pitt adopted the project of Bolingbroke, or more probably followed the natural courfe of tranfcendent talents, he was aware of the authority which the junto had acquired he well knew that political changes ought to be gradual, and accommodated to the opinions and fentiments of the times. He therefore did not propose entirely to exclude the phalanx; but, without admitting their command, to enjoy their affiftance. Even this partial invasion they bore with impatience, and only from the overpowering force of genius did they bear it at all: Pitt's administration afforded ftrong proofs, that a change of political fyftem must be gradual, and that the projected alteration would be arduous, unless pre-eminent ability guided and invigorated the execution. The earl of Bute attempted a more extensive and rapid change, than befits the progreffive variations of human affairs in feeking a reform agreeable to reafon and juftice, he failed, by precipitation and the want of fuperior talents. His perfonal unpopularity was prejudicial to any scheme which he could undertake, and his fucceffors (long conceived to be his tools) partook of the prevalent hatred, which was farther increased by their internal and colonial meafures. The administration of Rockingham courted popularity, but in its weakness and inefficiency de