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EDMUND BURKE TO THE EARL OF

MY DEAR LORD,

CHARLEMONT.

Beaconsfield, May 25th, 1790.

A MAN makes but a bad figure in apology, even when he has an indulgent friend to whom he may offer it. I think I may as well cast myself at once on your goodness; for, if you are not of yourself disposed to make excuses for my silence, or to pardon it without any excuse, I really do not know how I can offer any thing which may induce you to forgive me. I am, unfortunately, very irregular and immethodical. To tell you I have been at once much occupied and much agitated with my employment, might make it appear as if I thought myself and my occupations of more consequence than I hope I do. So I leave it with you; entirely persuaded that you do not think that either neglect of you, or indifference to the matter of your commission, are among the things for which I ought to give no account. I did not receive the drawing quite so early as might be expected. As soon as I could see Lady Rockingham, I gave her the drawing and the inscription: she felt much affected with the tender and melancholy consolation she received from your lordship's genius and friendship. The memorial of Lord Rockingham ought to be in the house of the man whom he resembled the most, and loved the best; it is a place fit for a temple to his memory. The inscription was such as we both approved of most entirely. I will endeavour to procure for your lordship a drawing

of the monument at Wentworth; it is really a fine thing, and the situation wonderfully well chosen. You know what my opinion is about the importance of Ireland, to the safety of the succession, and the tranquillity of this kingdom. With that opinion, as well as from my cordial good wishes to your lordship, and your friends, I rejoice to find, that on the whole, the elections have been favourable. This is more than I dare to promise myself for this side of the water. You will permit me to convey, through your lordship, my most thankful acknowledgments to the Royal Academy of Ireland, for the great honour they have done me. Believe me ever, my dear lord, your faithful and most obliged, humble servant,

EDM. BURKE.

EDMUND BURKE TO THE EARL OF
CHARLEMONT.

MY DEAR LORD,

Beaconsfield, December 29th, 1791.

I HAVE seldom been more vexed than when I found that a visit of mere formality had deprived me of the substantial satisfaction which Mrs. Burke and my brother had, in seeing you as well as they had ever remembered you.-Many things, at that time, had contributed to make that loss very great to me. Your lordship is very good, in lamenting the difference which politics had made between, Mr. Fox and me. Your condolence was truly kind; for my loss has been truly

great, in the cessation of the partiality of a man of his wonderful abilities and amiable disposition. Your lordship is a little angry at politics that can dissolve friendships. If it should please God to lend me a little longer life, they will not, I hope, cause me to lose the few friends I have left; for I have left all politics, I think, for ever. Every thing that remains of my relation to the public will be only in my wishes, which are warm and sincere, that this constitution should be thoroughly understood; for then I am sure it will be sincerely loved; that its benefits may be widely extended, and lastingly continued; and that no man may have an excuse to wish it to haye another fortune, than I pray it may long flourish in. I am sure that your country, in whose prosperity I include the most valuable interest of this, will have reason to look back on what you have done for it with gratitude, and will have reason to think the continuance of your health, for her further service, amongst the greatest advantages she is likely to expect.- Here is my son, who will deliver this to you. He will be indemnified for what I have lost: I think I may speak for this my other and better self, that he loves you almost as much as I do. Pray tell Lady Charlemont, and the ladies, how much Mrs. Burke, my brother, and myself, are their humble servants. Believe me, my dear lord, with the most sincere respect and affection, your lordship's most faithful, obliged, and obedient humble servant,

EDM. BURKE,

EDMUND BURKE TO CAPTAIN MERCER.

DEAR SIR, London, February 26th, 1790. THE speedy answer I return to your letter, I hope will convince you of the high value I set upon the regard you are so good to express for me, and the obliging trouble which you take to inform my judgment upon matters upon which we are all very deeply concerned. I think perfectly well of your heart and your principles, and of the strength of your natural understanding, which, according to your opportunities, you have not been wanting in pains to improve. If you are mistaken, it is perhaps owing to the im pression almost inevitably made by the various careless conversations which we are engaged in through life; conversations in which those who propagate their doctrines have not been called upon for much reflection concerning their end and tendency; and in which those who imperceptibly imbibe the doctrines taught, are not required, by a particular duty, very closely to examine them, or to act from the impressions they receive. I am obliged to act, and am therefore bound to call my principles and sentiments to a strict account. As far as my share of a public trust goes, I am in trust religiously to maintain the rights and properties of all descriptions of people in the possession which they legally hold; and in the rule by which alone they can be secure in any possession. I do not find myself at liberty, either as a man, or as a trustee for men, to take a vested property from one man and to give it to another,

because I think that the portion of one is too great, and that of another too small. From my first juvenile rudiments of speculative study to the gray hairs of my present experience, I have never learned any thing else. I cannot be taught any thing else by reason; and when force comes, I shall consider whether I am to submit to it, or how I am to resist it. This I am sure of, that an early guard against the manifest tendency of a contrary doctrine is the only way by which those who love order can be prepared to resist such force.

The calling men by the names of "pampered and luxurious prelates," &c. is in you no more than a mark of your dislike to intemperate and idle expense; but in others it is used for other purposes. It is often used to extinguish the sense of justice in our minds, and the natural feelings of humanity in our bosoms. Such language does not mitigate the cruel effects of reducing men of opulent condition, and their innumerable dependants to the last distress. If I were to adopt the plan of a spoliatory reformation, I should probably employ such language; but it would aggravate instead of extenuating my guilt in overturning the sacred principles of property.

Sir, I say that church and state, and human society too, for which church and state are made, are subverted by such doctrines, joined to such practices, as leave no foundation for property in long possession. My dear Captain Mercer, it is not my calling the use you make of your plate in your house, either of dwelling or of prayer,

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