The enmity which he had always borne to France was a scarcely less powerful recommendation.

He had signed the invitation of the thirtieth of June, had excited and directed the northern insurrection, and had, in the Convention, exerted all his influence and eloquence in opposition to the scheme of Regency.

Yet the Whigs regarded him with unconquerable distrust and aversion.

They could not forget that he had, in evil days, been the first minister of the state, the head of the Cavaliers, the champion of prerogative, the persecutor of dissenters.

Even in becoming a rebel, he had not ceased to be a Tory.