Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/266

BURKE 255 and favourite plan of retrenchment in the expenditure of the civil list, by which the annual savings (and which would, be yearly increasing) would amount to 72,868. It was, objected by some members, that the bill was not so extensive as it had been originally framed; but Mr. Burke entered into the grounds of those omissions, which had been made either from a compliance with the opinions of others, or from a fuller consideration of the particular cases; at the same time he pledged himself, that he should at all times be ready to obey, their call, whenever it appeared to be the general opinion of the house and of the people, to prosecute a more complete system of reform. A bill was also passed, disqualifying revenue officers from voting in the elections for members of par- liament; and several other popular propositions were made and adopted. The death of the Marquis of Rockingham, which took place on July 1, 178e, speedily dissolved the ministry, of which he alone formed the connecting link. It had been understood by Fox and Burke, that the Duke of Portland would have been nominated his successor. Great indeed was their disappointiment when the Earl of Shelburne found means to procure the appointment for himself, when they considered him as having agreed that the Duke of Portland should be invested with the office, and that the plans of the Rockingham administration should be pur- sued.. Fox and Burke immediaiely resigned. They not only differed with Shelburne in their opinion that the independence of America should be acknowledged; but, superior to the petty artifices of court intrigue, they viewed with contempt the mode by wbich their colleague had ascended to power. Once again in opposition, Fox and Burke joined their forces in the ensuing session to those of Lord North, and attacked the general peace which had been concluded during the recess, with great force of talent and eminent success. The combined parties procured a majority in