Burke had returned to the Pay-Office.

His first act there was unfortunate.

He restored to their position two clerks who had been suspended for malversation, and against whom proceedings were then pending.

When attacked for this in the House, he showed an irritation which would have carried him to gross lengths, if Fox and Sheridan had not by main force pulled him down into his seat by the tails of his coat.

The restoration of the clerks was an indefensible error of judgment, and its indiscretion was heightened by the kind of defence which Burke tried to set up.