Bradshaw's life; and the third, the Memoirs of Lord Barrington.* After this last period, JUNIUS gave up all correspondence, public as well as private, until January 19, 1773, when he sent Mr. Woodfall that final note, which has been already mentioned.

* From May, 1772, the Public Advertiser contains no more attacks on Whateley, Bradshaw, or Chamier; and even Lord Barring very seldom mentioned.

ton is

91

CHAPTER VII.

If we could suppose that the interests of Sir P. FRANCIS were not identified with those of JuNIUS, what motive can be found for the sudden and lasting silence of the latter? Admitting that he was a friend, angry at his protegè's dismissal from the War-office, is that a reason why he should for ever give up the "cause of the public?" Or if he was that staunch friend, that second self, is not Sir PHILIP aware of this kindness, and could he not disclose the name of his benefactor? But perhaps such a disclosure would be a breach of honour! He admits then that he was a party in the affair-that the Letters were written with his privity-in short, that he knows who JUNIUS is, or was, though he cannot divulge the secret--ab animo tuo quicquid agitur, id agitur a te.- Such an admission is all we can expect from Sir PHILIP FRANCIS. But what says JUNIUS? "The personal interests, the personal resentments, betray the author as plainly as if your name were in the title page*.” With this additional voucher, therefore, for the truth of our conjecture, let us proceed in the investigation.

* Letter, July 29, 1769.

The circumstances in which Sir PHILIP was placed, by being dismissed the War-office, sufficiently explain why JUNIUS left off writing. As Mr. FRANCIS, he had two powerful reasons to forbear. His personal interest in the question was entirely at an end-and the source from which he acquired his information was no longer open to him. Yet when I allude to his personal interest, I mean not to affirm of such a man as JUNIUS, that he had throughout no higher views than the destruction of a war-secretary and his deputy. His leading object was of worthier origin. He honestly endeavoured to serve his country, and if in the judgment he had formed, the administration of Mr. George Grenville, or at a subsequent period that of Lord Chatham, was more likely to prove beneficial to the nation than that of the Duke of Grafton, (and who can doubt it?) he forfeits not a particle of his honesty, by attempting to bring in the one party at the expence of the other. That there was with this an under plot--that he might

"Have found the private in the public good,"

is a position I can no more disbelieve, than I can doubt the existence of the Letters.

In his first private Letter to Wilkes, JUNIUS acknowledges these personal views. "Though I do not," says he, "disclaim the idea of some per

sonal views to future honour and advantage, (you would not believe me if I did) yet I can truly affirm, that neither are they little in themselves, nor can they by any possible conjecture be collected from my writings." This last assertion was perfectly true at the time it was made; and it still remains uncontradicted by any thing that has appeared under the name of JUNIUS. But of course the writer could not deny, because it was impossible he could foresee, that at a subsequent opportunity, and under another signature, a conjecture would be formed from his writings, of the nature of these views.

Again, in vindication of himself from the charge of being bought off by the ministry, he says--"It is true, I have refused offers which a more prudent, or a more interested man would have accepted. Whether it be simplicity or virtue in me, I can only affirm that I am in earnest; because I am convinced, as far as my understanding is capable of judging, that the present ministry are driving this country to destruction." This was written in April, 1769. At the meeting of Parliament in the January following, a great struggle was made to effect a change of ministers. On this occasion it is evident how much he was personally interested. A

* JUNIUS, i. p. *264. Private letter to Wilkes.

iii. p. 202, signature JUNIUS.

fortnight before the opening he wrote to Woodfall, "I doubt much whether I shall ever have the pleasure of knowing you; but if things take the turn I expect, you shall know me by my works*."

On the 29th of January the resignation of the Duke of Grafton took place, and Lord North was made prime minister: but this was not the turn that JUNIUS expected. He again persecutes the administration with as much vigour as before, though in consequence of the changes that had occurred, it appears he had greater fears than ever for his own safety. Yet once more his spirits revive, and he conceives it possible that his wishes may be accomplished. On March 17, after desiring Woodfall to do whatever he thinks best, to give publicity to the Letter he should send on the following day, he adds, "NOW IS THE CRISIS.* The Letter he alludes to, was written in vindication of the Remonstrance of the city of London, and was designed to encourage the intended Remonstrance of the city of Westminster. When this Letter was sent to Woodfall, the writer's hopes were at the highest point of elevation. He had heard that Lord Chatham meant to support the Remonstrance, and under that impression having at once laid aside his wonted caution, and all the prejudices he had entertained against that

* JUNIUS, i. *207. Private Letter to Woodfall. ↑ i. *210. Private Letter to Woodfall.