while the Tories were divided, the great body of the Whigs
formed a complete phalanx, impelled by the same spirit, and
directed to the same end. As the constant supporters of
the war, and increasing, in consequence from its success, they
looked forward to an augmentation of their numbers in the
approaching election, and a gradual introduction of their
chiefs into power. The leaders of this body were five peers,
who are distinguished in the histories of the times by the
name of the Junta, and who were all men of superior talents,
and had performed essential services to the nation, by their
exertions in promoting the Protestant succession, and their
public services during the reign of William. These five
peers were Somers, Wharton, Halifax, Orford, and Sunder-
land.

In his public capacity, Lord Somers was a true patriot, if
a true patriot ever existed. Hitherto he had not swerved a
tittle from the principles of that revolution of which he was
one of the great movers, and to which he sacrificed his
private interests and that honourable ambition of which no
one is devoid. Of the real Whigs, he was the only one who
possessed the favour and affection of William, as was proved
by the extreme reluctance with which the king consented to
his removal. He highly deserved this confidence by an at-
tachment to the royal person peculiarly disinterested, an
unshaken probity, and a devotion to the true principles of
the constitution. In the great struggle which agitated the
last year of William's reign, he proved his firmness and
patriotism by assisting the king with his zealous advice and
support; though he refused to accept an ostensible office,
because he would not associate himself with the Tories who
were retained in the administration. On the accession of
Anne, the mortification of being excluded from the privy
council, and the unmerited alights which would have driven
a man of less firmness and integrity into petulant opposition,
produced no effect on his magnanimous mind; and he gave
his zealous support to the measures which he deemed neces-
sary for the welfare and independence of England. Though
constitutionally impetuous and irritable, he had so far con-
quered the frailties of nature, as to master the movements of
his ardent spirit at the time that his mind was agitated with
contending passions. But while he repressed the ebullitions

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