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229

The people's right he much befriended,
And for that cause,
He gain'd—much trouble, some applause,
And there the matter ended.
 

The ingenious Mr.Luffman, in his Elements of History and Chronology, observes, “Before we part with Mr. Wilkes, it must be allowed, that whether he acted from principle or resentment, he was a means of strengthening the just liberties of the people, by the noble stand he made against General Warrants, a remnant of the Star Chamber of Charles the First, and for which the British nation ought ever to be grateful.” It is, however, to be observed, that the patriotism of this gentleman terminated in (or was rewarded by) a place for life.