There never was a season more favourable for any man who chose to enter into the career of public life; and I think I am not guilty of ostentation in supposing my own moral character and my industry, my friends and connections, when Mr.
Hamilton first sought my acquaintance, were not at all inferior to those of several whose fortune is at this day upon a very different footing from mine." It was not long before a more important opening offered itself, which speedily brought Burke into the main stream of public life.

In the summer of 1765 a change of ministry took place.

It was the third since the king's accession five years ago.

First, Pitt had been disgraced, and the old Duke of Newcastle dismissed.

Then Bute came into power, but Bute quailed before the storm of calumny and hate which his Scotch nationality, and the supposed source of his power over the king, had raised in every town in England.