this dispersion of their persons does not loosen their regards, it every now and then gives such unexpected opportunities of meeting as almost compensate the pain of separation, and furnishes means of kind offices and mutual services which make even absence and distance the causes of new endearment and continued remembrance. These thoughts occur to me too naturally, as my only comforts in parting with a friend, whom I have tenderly loved, highly valued, and continually lived with, in an union not to be expressed, quite since our boyish years. Indemnify me, my dear Sir, as well as you can, for such a loss, by contributing to the fortune of my friend. Bring him home with you an obliged person and at his ease, under the protection of your opulence. You know what his situation has been, and what things he might have surely kept, and infinitely increased, if he had not those feelings which make a man worthy of fortune, but do not put him in the way of securing it. Remember that he asks those favours which nothing but his sense of honour pre

vented his having it in his power to bestow. This will be a powerful recommendation to a heart like yours. Let Bengal protect a spirit and rectitude, which are no longer tolerated in England.

I do not know, indeed, that he will visit your kingdom, but if he should, I trust he will find a friend there whose manner of serving him will not be in the style of those who acquit themselves of a burthen. Mr. Bourke's first views, indeed, are at Madras; but all India is now closely connected, and your influence and power are such, that you may serve him very materially even there. I will not wrong your friendship by pressing this matter any farther, but it is indeed near to my heart.

I say nothing of your Eastern politics. The affairs of America, which are as important, and more distracted, have almost entirely engrossed the attention which I am able to give to any thing. "I' wished, and

laboured to keep war at a distance; never having been able to discover any advantage which could be derived from the greatest success ; I never approved of our engaging in it, and I am sure it might have been avoided." The Ministers this year hold out to us the strongest hopes of what they call a victorious campaign. "I am, indeed, ready enough to believe that we shall obtain those delusive advantages, which will encourage us to proceed, but will not bring matters nearer to an happy termination." France gives all the assistance to the colonies which is consistent with the appearance of neutrality. Time is to shew whether she will proceed farther, or whether America can maintain herself in the present struggle, without a more open declaration. and more decided effort from that power. At present, the Ministers seem confident that France is resolved to be quiet. If the Court of Versailles be so pacific, I assure you it is in defiance of the wishes and opinions of that whole nation.

Adieu, my dear Sir. Be assured that no person rejoices more sincerely than I do in hearing every circumstance of fortune and honour that attends you. I am, with the most sincere esteem and affection, ever your most faithful and obedient humble servant,

EDMUND BURKE.'

I need not say with what affection John Bourke* salutes you.'

* Of London, a mercantile gentleman and relation of Edmund. Genius appears to belong to the family of the Burkes. Mr. John Bourke's nephew, Mr. Charles Palmer, of Jamaica, having studied law, by his genius and application is, though only twenty-seven years of age, at the head of his profession; and his younger brother, John, promised to be equally eminent in medicine, but was prematurely cut off soon after his education was finished. Their intellectual powers were formed and directed under the care of Dr. Robert Thomson, of Kensington.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME,