OF

CARDINAL ALBERONI,

THE DUKE OF RIPPERDA,

AND

MARQUIS OF POMBAL,

THREE DISTINGUISHED POLITICAL ADVENTURERS

Of the last Century.

EXHIBITING

A VIEW OF THE KINGDOMS

OF

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

DURING

A considerable Portion of that Period.

BY GEORGE MOORE, Esq.

THIRD EDITION.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR J. RODWELL, NEW BOND STREET.

PREFACE.

I

HERE present the Public with the Lives of two extraordinary men ;-extraordinary they certainly were, though not useful, nor even great. The first particularly, from the most obscure origin, rose to the command of a monarchy where uncontrolled power and unlimited magnificence reside upon the throne, and where the opinion that favours noble birth prevails with the greatest rankness. Such indeed is one of the marks of a despotic government. There is no security for the fruits of fair, honourable industry; no protection for the rights of any part of the community; but nowhere does the ferment of bold intrigue and presumptuous ambition extend wider, or work with more violent agitation.