; NONE but a Person of a finished Character, can be the proper Patron of a Work, which endeavours to cultivate and polish Human Life, by promoting Virtue and Knowledge, and by commending whatsoever may be ding whatfo either Ufeful or Ornamental to Society. re I know that the Homage I now pay you, is offering a kind of Violence to one who is as folicitous to shun Applause, as he is affiduous to deserve it. But, my Lord, this is perhaps the only Particular in which your Prudence will be always disappointed. ILE Juftice, Candor, Equanimity, a Zeal for the H Good of your Country, and the most perfuafive Eloquence in bringbringing over others to it, are valuable Distinctions, you are not to expect that the Publick will fo far comply with your Inclinations, as to forbear celebrating such extraordinary Qualities. It is in vain that you have endeavoured to conceal your Share of Merit, in the many National Services which you have effected. Do what you will, the present Age will be talking of your Virtues, tho' Posterity alone will do them Justice. OTHER Men pass through Oppofitions and contending Interests in the Ways of Ambition; but your Great Abilities have been invited to Power, and importuned to accept of Advancement. Nor is it strange that this should happen to your Lordship, who could bring into the Service of your Sovereign the Arts and Policies of Ancient Greece and Rome; as well as the most exact Knowledge of our own Constitution in particular, and of the Interests of Europe in general; to which I must also add, a certain Dignity in your felf, that (to say the least of it) has been always equal to thofe great Honours which have been conferred upon you. It is very well known how much the Church owed to you in the most dangerous Day it ever saw, that of the Arraignment of its Prelates; and how far the Civil Power, in the Late and Present Reign, has been indebted debted to your Counsels and Wifdom. BUT to enumerate the great Advantages which the Publick has received from your Administration, would be a more proper Work for an History, than for an Address of this Nature. Your Lordship appears as great in your Private Life, as in the most Important Offices which you have borne. I would therefore rather chuse to speak of the Pleasure you afford all who are admitted into your Conversation, of your Elegant Taste in all the Polite Parts of Learning, of your great Humanity and Complacency of Manners, and of the furprising Influence which is peculiar to you in making every one who Con |