The light in which the Coalition deserved to
be regarded was clear by that time. Yet he speaks of it, not only
without blame or regret, but contrives to cast suspicion on the
motives of those who were disgusted by it, and bestowed their
allegiance elsewhere.
"It is not the purpose of this narrative to expatiate on the
public or secret history of the times: the schism which
followed the death of the Marquis of Rockingham, the
appointment of the Earl of Shelbourne, the resignation of
Mr. Fox and his famous coalition with Lord North. But I may
assert with some degree of assurance that in their political
conflict those great antagonists had never felt any personal
animosity to each other, that their reconciliation was easy
and sincere, and that their friendship has never been
clouded by the shadow of suspicion or jealousy. The _most
violent_ or _venal_ of their respective followers embraced
this fair occasion of revolt, but their alliance still
commanded a majority of the House of Commons, the peace was
censured, Lord Shelbourne resigned, and the two friends
knelt on the same cushion to take the oath of secretary of
state.
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