Preface to Shakspeare and of the Lives of

the Poets. Philosophy, natural and moral, abstract and practical, was diffused over the nation; and had numbers of skilful and successful votaries. Physics rose, through gradations of most vigorous efforts, to the researches of a Watson and a Black, and the discoveries of a Priestley and a Franklin. To pneumatology Reid and Fergusson applied the sure mode of experiment and investigation, laying aside hypothetical theories: the acute and profound understandings of both pursuing the right track, carried that abstruse science to a perfection and certainty before unknown. In practical philosophy, among many exertions of great utility and note, there were the commercial lessons of Smith and the moral inculcations of Johnson. While other authors were distinguishing themselves in the several branches of literature and science, Burke manifested his acquaintance with almost all. In his speeches in Parliament, he shewed himself capable of producing history, poetry, and philosophy, of the highest excellence. Gg

VOL. I.

In the knowledge of man he was and could be surpassed by none: yet, from the theatre which he chose, his powers and attainments produced much less effect than those of many greatly his inferiors. He narrated, he described, he reasoned, he reflected; his narrations, his descriptions, his reasonings, his reflections, were overpowered by ministerial majorities. Had Socrates devoted those exertions, and that time, to unavailing contests in public assemblies, which he employed in communicating the purest and sublimest morals; had Johnson betowed on parliamentary contention that force and labour which gave to the world the Rambler, the Idler, the Lives of Addison, of Pope, of Savage, Dryden, Milton, and the Preface to Shakespeare; had Hume spent in the House of Commons, and in political factions, those hours which produced the History of England, which unfolded the progress of man from barbarism to civilization, which raised an illustrious monument, shewing what was right and wrong, wise and unwise, the loss to society might

have been somewhat equivalent to that which it has sustained from the direction to party of a mind fitted to grasp the uni

verse.

The executors of Mr. Burke having announced their intention of publishing his letters in a continuous series, I found that an application for such documents would be generally unavailing, as, before my first edition was published it was anticipated. Gentlemen, whose character I highly value, had done me the honour to say, that the perusal of the former edition inspired them with a wish respecting epistolary communications that it was now too late to gratify. I myself rejoice that his letters are in such hands, and ardently long for a publication which will doubtless exhibit the confidential and familiar effusions of a mind, whose literary, philosophical, oratorical, and political efforts, I have made a feeble attempt to sketch and characterize. The few letters which I have had an opportunity of contemplating render me the more eagerly de

sirous of contemplating more.

Whatever

he spoke or wrote is, to use a phrase I have quoted in another part of the work, Burke-all-over.

A very intimate friendship had subsisted from their early youth between Mr. Burke and Mr. Francis. When the abilities and knowledge of the latter gentleman sent him to India, and raised him to so confidential and important a situation, Mr. Burke, knowing his friendly and benevolent dispositions, recommended to his notice gentlemen of merit about to seek their fortune in India. Among these was Mr. John Bourke, who, by very honourable conduct, had at home forgone pecuniary advantages, which more avarice than honour would have secured to him, and had been obliged to try in India to be more successful than he had been in Europe. Introduced to Mr. Francis, he met with the kindest reception; and in the course of their conversation Mr. Mr. Francis had spoken with the warmest affection and highest admiration of their

absent friend, Edmund. Informed of these things by a letter from Mr. Bourke, the subject of my biography wrote a letter to Mr Francis, of which that gentleman has politely and kindly favoured me with a copy.

The letter is dated at that period of his life and exertions which I am now considering; refers to measures and events of that time; and presents to us both the head and the heart of the writer. It also shews us how justly he appreciated and highly he valued the gentleman to whom it is addressed.

COPY OF A LETTER FROM EDMUND BURKE, ESQ. TO MR. FRANCIS, AT CALCUTTA.

MY DEAR SIR,

Westminster, 9th June, 1777.

OUR common friend, John Bourke, informs me that you still retain that kindness which you were so good to express towards me before you left London. This wide disconnected empire will frequently disperse those who are dear to one another; but, if