were unfavourable to the minister, and to increase the dissatisfaction
which any check in the success of our armies naturally produces. The tide
of popularity, which had hitherto supported the minister, suddenly ebbed;
and he fell, in public opinion, with astonishing rapidity. For the moment
all was forgotten, but that he was the person who had promoted John
Falconer to be a colonel, against whom the cry of the populace was raised
with all the clamour of national indignation. The Greenwich faction
knew how to take advantage of this disposition. It happened to be some
festival, some holiday, when the common people, having nothing to do,
are more disposed than at any other time to intoxication and disorder.
The emissaries of designing partisans mixed with the populace, and a mob
gathered round the minister's carriage, as he was returning home late one
day--the same carriage, and the same man, whom, but a few short weeks
before, this populace had drawn with loud huzzas, and almost with tears of
affection. Unmoved of mind, as he had been when he heard their huzzas, Lord
Oldborough now listened to their execrations, till from abuse they began to
proceed to outrage. Stones were thrown at his carriage. One of his servants
narrowly escaped being struck. Lord Oldborough was alone--he threw open his
carriage-door, and sprang out on the step.

"Whose life is it you seek?" cried he, in a voice which obtained instant
silence. "Lord Oldborough's? Lord Oldborough stands before you. Take his
life who dares--a life spent in your service. Strike! but strike openly.
You are Englishmen, not assassins."

Then, turning to his servants, he added, in a calm voice, "Home--slowly.
Not a man here will touch you. Keep your master in sight. If I fall, mark
by what hand."

Then stepping down into the midst of the people, he crossed the street