CHAPTER VI.

HOW ΤΟ

ATTAIN

TO THE CONSEQUENCE

OF A LEADER IN THE HOUSE.

Ir is a consideration of great delicacy; whether the rising orator and statesman should throw himself, at once, into the arms of any one of the several subordinate parties in the house or whether he should not rather stand aloof, and expect a small knot of adherents to gather round himself, such as he may enlarge till it shall involve the whole opposition?

Were I to give advice, the best that occurs to me, independent of examples; I should wish him, neither to stand too whimsically aloof, nor yet to enlist himself all at once among the mere grex following any party leader. He may join opposition, in their general aim, upon most great questions. But, let him support his views, if he can, by arguments peculiar to himself. Let him evince, that he votes with them, merely because they happen to be of his opinion. Let him shew that he is not to be entirely gained without considerable sacrifices and concessions on their part. Let him even make, as if he were not absolutely inaccessible to advances from the other side; though if he be wise, he will shun negotiation with ministry, till he shall have risen to higher personal importance. When, at length, the opposition leaders shall, with an air ask his sentiments upon any great measure in which they are about to engage their party; he may appear as if he were willing to unbosom himself to them, and to throw himself into

the arms of the party. But, even now, let him be upon his guard. Let him abandon himself to them-but seemingly-not absolutely and implicitly. Let him watch, whether they be disposed to treat him as a mere follower, or to grant him the consequence attached to the rank of a leader. If he deign to act in an inferior part; he will be condemned to it for life. Never will he be raised to the first rank by others, who does not boldly grasp at it for himself.When he, again, shall have conceived any design of his own for a motion to harrass ministry, or mend the constitution and the government; let him communicate to the allies who have so begun to coquet with him. Do they encourage his design? Do they demonstrate great eagerness to co-operate in it? Do they betray no invidious disposition to snatch its merits out of his hands? Then he may first regard himself as beginning to be adopted for one of the leaders; and he may, with less and less hesitation, procced to make common cause with them.

But, among other methods by which this consequence is to be obtained, there is that of insinuating one's self into the friendship of those who happen to be its present leaders. If they be men of minds open to conviviality, to praise, to friendly affection; the attempt to win them, may not be difficult. Get distinguished as the favourite companion of their easy hours. Entice them into an inclination to embrace you as the auxiliary of their public efforts. Profess yourself their humble disciple. Seem to take, like a cameleon, the colour of your mind always from theirs. Refuse not, for a time, to be their drudge in business, and the very Zany of their pleasures. It shall be surprising, if you do not thus quickly rise to divide his influence with any party-leader, however high, or even, perhaps, to swindle him out of it. entirely.

Political Clubs.

You must, at the same time, take care to shew yourself to advantage, at the great po

litical clubs of the party at the head of which you wish to place yourself. There have been times when some of these clubs claimed to be little less important than the whole legislature of their country. Court, then, admission into them. Be industrious to promote frequent and full meetings. Shew yourself bold to distinguish those meetings by violent party toasts. Harangue with spirit; and make yourself eminent in that knot of members who mutually compliment one another with the praise of being the flower, the pride of the statesmen and orators of the earth, men to whom it is inexpressibly unfortunate for their country, that all her grand public interests are not confided.-To be one of the chiefs of the w-g club, is the next step to being at the head of the parliamentary party out of which that club is formed.

Early education has given to my young orator, one other means of putting himself at the head of a party. He is a skilful GAMBLER. Let him, then, get introduced