text:  The South Sea scheme the invasion of Scotland the disgraceful expeditions on the coast of France; the conduct of Lord George Sackville at Minden the miserable attempt on Carthagena the loss of Minorca the convention of Closterseven the insecurity of the high-roads nay of the public streets in the metropolis itself all serve to show the deplorable condition into which the nation was fast sinking abroad and at home when the "Great Commoner" once more aroused its energies concentrated its strength and carried it to a higher pinnacle of glory than it has ever been the lot even of Great Britain to attain