CHAP. IV - George II

Summary

The Prince of Wales had quarrelled much with the King his father, and had expressed himself in a slighting and contemptuous manner respecting his ministers. He stood united with the Opposition, the disaffected Whigs and even some of the Tories. It was supposed that he would try to rule with both, would change the system and above all the ministry; the men whom he would select were named.

It is worthy of note that this was prevented mainly by the position of foreign affairs. Cardinal Fleury, then at the helm in France, did not wish to have the line of policy disturbed which had now become effective; he accordingly sent Horace Walpole, brother of the ruling English minister, and at that time acting as ambassador in France, without delay to England, to warn the King against any alteration which might shatter the alliance. The danger which would have existed for England also in the disturbing of important relations, the prevailing opinion in Parliament, the needs of the court itself, which could not dispense with Walpole's support in regard to fixing the Civil List, the influence upon her husband of the new Queen Caroline, who precisely on this ground sought to uphold the order of things just established,–all this resulted in the change of King producing no alteration either in the system or in the persons. The ministers knew how to strengthen their system for further continuance with no less energy than foresight.