22

HISTORY OP ENGLAND.

CHAP.

XXI.

1695 .

Company, and seemed to think that this was a service whichany man in power might be reasonably expected to render to afriend. Too many persons, indeed, in that age made a mostabsurd and pernicious distinction between a minister who usedhis influence to obtain presents for himself and a minister whoused his influence to obtain presents for his dependents. Theformer was corrupt: the latter was merely goodnatured. Leedsproceeded to tell with great complacency a story about himself,which would, in our days, drive a public man, not only out ofoffice, but out of the society of gentlemen. “When I wasTreasurer, in King Charles’s time, my Lords, the excise wasto be farmed. There were several bidders. Harry Savile, forwhom I had a great value, informed me that they had asked forhis interest with me, and begged me to tell them that he haddone his best for them. ‘ What! ’ said I: ‘ tell them all so, whenonly one can have the farm?’ ‘No matter;’ said Harry: ‘tellthem all so; and the one who gets the farm will think that heowes it to me.’ The gentlemen came. I said to ever)’ one ofthem separately, ‘Sir, you are much obliged to Mr. Savile:’‘ Sir, Mr. Savile has been much your friend.’ In the end Harrygot a handsome present; and I wished him good luck with it.I was his shadow then. I am Mr. Bates’s shadow now.”

The Duke had hardly related this anecdote, so strikinglyillustrative of the state of political morality in that generation,when it was whispered to him that a motion to impeach him hadbeen made in the House of Commons. He hastened thither:hut, before he arrived, the question had been put and carried.Nevertheless he pressed for admittance; and he was admitted.A chair, according to ancient usage, was placed for him withinthe bar; and he was informed that the House was ready tohear him.

He spoke, but with less tact and judgment than usual. Hemagnified his own public services. But for him, he said, there