However, though he may possibly have convinced himself
of his infallibility, still it remains that we should be equally
convinced before we can resign our understandings to his direction,
or join with him in the measure he proposes."[869]
[Footnote 869: _Annual Register, 1761_, p. 44. Adolphus, _George III._,
I. 40. Thackeray, _Life of Chatham_, I. 592.]
Pitt resigned, and his colleagues rejoiced.[870] Power fell to
Bute and the Tories; and great was the fall. The mass of the
nation was with the defeated Minister. On Lord Mayor's Day
Bute and Barrington were passing St. Paul's in a coach, which
the crowd mistook for that of Pitt, and cheered lustily; till
one man, looking in at the window, shouted to the rest: "This
isn't Pitt; it's Bute, and be damned to him!" The cheers
turned forthwith to hisses, mixed with cries of "No Bute!"
"No Newcastle salmon!" "Pitt forever!" Handfuls of mud were showered
against the coach, and Barrington's ruffles were besmirched with
it.[871]
[Footnote 870: Walpole, _George III._, I. 80, and note by Sir Denis Le
Marchant, 80-82.]
[Footnote 871: _Nuthall to Lady Chatham, 12 Nov. 1761_, in _Chatham
Correspondence_, II. 166.]
The fall of Pitt was like the knell of doom to Frederic of
Prussia. It meant abandonment by his only ally, and the loss
of the subsidy which was his chief resource. The darkness
around him grew darker yet, and not a hope seemed left;
when as by miracle the clouds broke, and light streamed out
of the blackness.
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