At the approach of the Austrian army, the courage of the king of Prussia seemed to have failed him. His pension, therefore, reckoning together the wants which he could supply, and the wants from which he was exempt, may be estimated, in my opinion, at more than one hundred pounds a year; which, added to the income of his fellowship, put him far enough above distress. I have, indeed, heard no reason alleged for work home typing necessity of new levies, which appeared likely to convince even those by whom it was produced. The subject is, indeed, so worthy of regard, that I think, sir, every man ought to contribute to its elucidation, and, therefore, I take the liberty of adding to the honourable gentleman's relation, what I hope will be heard with equal curiosity, the method by which that great commander proposed to put a stop to an invasion with so small a number. In Hanover, my lords, I have seen his majesty's troops remarkable for the elegance of their appearance; and being once asked, by the commander, at what expense one of those gallant troopers and his horse was supported, was told, after confessing my ignorance, that he cost no more than fourteen pounds a year, who could not, in this country, be maintained for less than forty. But there is one accusation yet more malicious, an accusation not only of crimes which this gentleman did not commit, but which have not yet real companies that want people to work at home jobs committed, an accusation formed by prying into futurity, and exaggerating misfortunes which are yet to come, and which may probably be prevented.
It is, sir, too well known to require proof, that interest is the parent of diligence, and that men attend to the performance of their duty, in proportion as they must suffer by the neglect of it; and, therefore, every practice that deprives honesty of its reward is injurious to the publick. An observation which may, with much greater justness, be applied to the seamen, whose art is much more difficult to be attained, and who are equally necessary in war and peace. How has the conduct of his present majesty any resemblance with that of Charles the first?