Burke, disapproving of Hamilton's party, would not join it, and, from a high spirit of equity, resigned the pension which Mr. Hamilton had procured for him, when he could not support the man by whom it had been obtained. This was a sacrifice to delicate integrity, which not many in his circumstances would have made, the support of whatever measures Mr. Hamilton's party might adopt not being an express condition of the grant, though, in Burke's refined sense of right, implied. This authentic and important fact is a striking illustration of the honourable principles by which he was actuated.

During the Rockingham Administration he was chosen member of parliament for Wendover, in Buckinghamshire. This borough was dependent on Lord Verney, between whom and Burke a close intimacy subsisted, an intimacy concerning the pecuniary consequences of which the friends of the one and of the other gave very different

accounts. These I shall notice in their proper place.

Burke, on his entrance into the House of Commons, employed himself in laying up stores of knowledge. He was of the same opinion with Cicero, that an orator ought to be acquainted with every great and important subject of art and nature. Ac mea quidem sententia, nemo poterit esse omni laude cumulatus orator, nisi erit omnium rerum magnarum atque artium, scientiam conseculus.*

He prepared himself, not by devoting his principal attention to balancing periods, but by studying history, poetry, and philosophy; by storing his mind with facts, images, reasonings, and sentiments. He even applied himself to subjects which do not very often occupy men of taste and science. He be

* A puny pedant endeavoured to prove to me that I had here misquoted Cicero; according to the wiseacre in question it should be consecutus sit. Without entering into a grammatical discussion on so trivial a subject, it is sufficient to say, that in various editions of Cicero it is erit,

came intimately conversant with the writings of the fathers, and with the subtleties of school divines: with the principles and details of orthodoxy: the rise, progress, and effects of the manifold heresies: with the various means either of reason, or of force, employed for their disproof or extirpation. However frivolous so great a mind must have thought such distinctions and disputes in themselves, he deemed them of great importance in their operations, by illustrating the force, acuteness, and invention which the human mind can employ upon even frivolities or absurdities: and of great consequence in their effects; since, during the prevalence of prejudice and ignorance, they had a most powerful influence on the happiness of society. Indeed such subjects often called forth powers of understanding equal to those which have been applied to the investigation of useful philosophy. In pitching a bar equal strength may be displayed as in carrying corn: in unproductive amusement, as in productive labour.

He attended especially to political knowledge and parliamentary usage. His industry was also exercised in making himself acquainted with old records, patents, and precedents; so as to render himself complete master of office business, deeming no research too laborious, no attainment too minute, which was to fit him for the discharge of his duty. His diligence was also employed in preparatory public speaking. For that purpose he frequented the Robinhood society, to which many men of parts and information then resorted. He practised there the replies and contentions of eloquence; neglecting no means which he could devise for filling his mind, or facilitating his powers of communication. There was at that time in the society a baker of very considerable argumentative powers: with him Burke contended; and, by his own confession, derived from the contest very great advantage in readiness of reasoning and expression. He bestowed great pains on the composition of his writings and speeches. Those intended for the public he, notwithstanding his co

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piousness of thought, imagery, sentiment, and fluency of appropriate language, revised, and sometimes re-wrote. While he was devoting his mind to the intellectual part of eloquence, he did not neglect the mechanical. He paid considerable attention to the management of his voice and action, and to the whole of elocution: aware, that though delivery does not constitute eloquence, it, with many hearers, increases its effects. He often attended at the theatre, and acknowledged that he derived very great improvement in the art of speaking from Mr. Garrick. He retained, during life, however, in a great degree the Irish accent; although it was more obvious in familiar conversation than in his parliamentary speeches. His manner was less graceful and dignified than interesting, impressive, and persuasive. He procured his seat in 1765. His first speech was at the opening of the ensuing session, and on the usual motion for an address. The principal subject was the stamp-act, and the consequent disturbances in America. His maiden speech afforded such a display of