of words. on the mob chairing Wilkes. This being mentioned at the club, Burke made a small change in the words in which Horace describes Pindar's numbers:-Fertur numeris lege solutis. He (Pindar) is carried (by the force and rapidity of his genius) in numbers uncontrouled by law, (the rules of versification). Burke, instead of numeris made bumeris. He (Wilkes) is carried on shoulders uncontrouled by law. Even here, besides the play of words, we see that he, though a a friend to liberty, satirizes the licentiousness of a mob.* Burke, from the exuberance of his mind, took a considerable share in the conversation; but was always unassuming and polite, listening with attention to the observations of others, and endeavouring to descend to an equality with every member. His manners and colloquial talents rendered him the delight and admiration of the company, but most of all of Johnson, who was the most

One recorded by Boswell was

* One of the reviewers censures the interpretation of the pun; probably thinking it treason against the Majesty of the People.

He

capable of appreciating his excellence. remarked, that whenever he was in company with Burke he went away more knowing and wiser than he came, and that every time they conversed, his mind was kept on the full stretch. The members of the club, and other friends of both, observed that Johnson never discoursed with greater animation and energy than when his powers were excited by Burke.

Soon after the institution of the club, Mr. Garrick, who had been on his travels, returned to England, and being well acquainted with most of the members, gave some intimation that he would be one of their number, supposing that the least hint of such a desire would be eagerly embraced. Johnson, who, though he loved Garrick, undervalued his profession, was offended at what he esteemed the presumption of an offer where he ought to have made a request.

He will be one of us!-how does he know we will let him?' Burke, who equally regarded Garrick, and thought much more

highly of theatrical talents, wished he might be introduced; but Johnson exclaimed, ' He will disturb us with his buffconery.' Neither Burke nor others, who were disposed to admit him, insisted on his admission; so that he did not become a member immediately, but was afterwards received into the club. Sir John Hawkins, therefore, is inaccurate in his assertion, that Garrick was never elected. It is a matter of notoriety that he was chosen a member, and that he continued so to his death. Sir John states himself to have left it, because the hours were later than agreeable to him, and convenient to his family. Most men endued with taste, and who could comprehend intellectual excellence, would have, for such company, continued an hour or two longer, even though not altogether conformable to their usual practice, and the regulations of their family. To men of talents such company as Johnson and Burke would be a much higher treat than an opera or a ball to the frivolous wotaries of fashionable amusements. According to Boswell, who very faithfully recorded what

ever related to the club, Sir John one evening attacked Burke so rudely, that all the company testified their displeasure. * At their next meeting they received Hawkins so coolly as to prevent his future visits.

Burke made considerable progress in a confutation of the visionary theories of Berkley and Hume concerning the existence of matter. Had not other objects withdrawn his attention from metaphysical discussions, it is probable he might have controverted more of Hume's positions, and followed him to ethics and religion. He was a rational Christian; and no man better understood the foundation of his faith, or could more ably defend it against attacks. His pen, if employed on the subject, must have produced an answer which even Hume could not have had the hardihood to disregard. But it be

* One subject of dispute was the merit of Fielding's Novels, which Hawkins attacked and Burke defended. What Hawkins wanted in argument he endeavoured to supply by abuse, of which he poured out a great quantity.

longs not to the biographer to launch into the regions of possibility, his province is to narrate facts. Politics soon occupied Burke's attention, so much as to leave little time for publications with which they had no immediate connection.

While studying the philosophy of Hume, he was not inattentive to a subject which occupied that illustrious man, to the much greater benefit of mankind. He became more intimately conversant with history in general, and the history of these realms in particular; carrying his attention to more recent periods than those which our philosophical historian has described. He made himself master of our history, external and internal, from the revolution, in all its branches; its great and increasing complications and varieties. In 1758, he proposed to Mr. Dodsley a plan of an ANNUAL REGISTER of the civil, political, and literary transactions of the times. Mr. Dodsley acceded, and the work was carried on for several years, either by Burke, or under his