ABSTRACT
The power of prerogative was succeeded by the influence of patronage. The efficiency of the latter has passed away. What talent can now attain itself in this country is so much beyond anything in the gift of a Minister to bestow, that those despise the gift who are most capable of rendering him service. He must now look to the sound opinion of the thinking part of the Community. … It will equally avail him against the writings of the old Whigs; the defections and bickerings of the ultra Tories; the arts of demagogues; the ravings of dinner and other meetings; the combinations and the violence of portions of the people. 1
