1805,
certain existing evils rendered it needful and expedient, in the
opinion of the ministry, that the English nation _should fear_ an
invasion from Buonaparte. We will say WHY they deemed it necessary.
Because the burdens of the poor were already immense, and it was
requisite to give an _excuse_ for stripping thousands of families of
their scanty apparel, their few mean and simple articles of furniture,
and their humble home, for the purpose of enabling the "hydra-headed
monster" of corruption to pursue his unlimited course over this insulted
nation! And what could be better to effect this object than alarming the
country with the fear of an invasion? The diabolical scheme too fatally
succeeded!
In order to strengthen the power of the queen at this period, Mr. Pitt
renewed his connexion with Mr. Addington, who was raised to the peerage
by the title of _Viscount Sidmouth_, and succeeded the Duke of Portland
as president of the council.
The minister, Mr. Pitt, cool as he was on many iniquitous subjects,
could not avoid feeling pangs of remorse at the continual impositions he
was _compelled_ by the queen to make (in various shapes) upon the
people. His unbending pride, however, would not permit him to name his
uneasiness to her majesty, as he well knew her inflexible temper and
disposition would not permit her to receive _any opinion_ in preference
to her own. He soon resigned his earthly vexation upon this point, as he
became so indisposed as not to be able to attend his political affairs,
and was obliged to seek for repose in retirement from active life.