< Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 1).djvu
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1768-1770

THE UNITED OPPOSITION

407

part of the Constitution, and the necessity of Parliamentary Reform.[1] Grafton said his head turned, and tendered his resignation. The King accused his minister of deserting him, but accepted his resignation.[2] The public thought Chatham must be sent for, but it was not Chatham who was now announced to the world as First Lord of the Treasury. North was his successful rival, and from his accession to office the prospering fortunes of the Opposition began to wane.[3] George III. had found the long-wished-for minister; but it was not to the skill of the latter alone that the King owed his escape from the difficulties which surrounded him.

  1. ↑ January 22nd, 1770.
  2. ↑ Conversation of George III. with Lord Ashburton. See Vol. II. p. 318.
  3. ↑ See the Remarks of Walpole, Memoirs of the Reign of George III., iv. 40, 75.
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