which I have now procured from my neighbour, the worthy Chaplain* of Bromley College, who to the useful qualification of a most patient amanuensis adds that of a good scholar and intelligent critick. LETTER from the Right Honourable the Lord AUCKLAND, to the Lord Bishop of ROCHESTER. Eden Farm, Kent, July 18th, 1812. My dear Lord, Mr. Burke's fourth Letter to Lord Fitzwilliam is personally interesting to me: I have perused it with a respectful attention. When I communicated to Mr. Burke in 1795 the printed work, which he arraigns and discusses, I was aware, that he would differ from me. Some light is thrown on the transaction by my note, which gave rise to it, and by his answer, which exhibits the admirable powers of his great and good mind, deeply suffering at the time under a domestick calamity. I have selected these two papers from my manuscript collection, and now transmit them to your Lordship with a wish, that they may be annexed to the publication in question. I have the honour to be, My dear Lord, To the Rt. Rev. The L BP of Rochester. AUCKLAND. LETTER from Lord AUCKLAND to the Right Honourable EDMUND BURKE. Eden Farm, Kent, Oct. 28th, 1795. My dear Sir, Though in the stormy ocean of the last twentythree years we have seldom sailed on the same tack, there has been nothing hostile in our signals or manœuvres; and, on my part at least, there has been a cordial disposition towards friendly and respectful sentiments. Under that influence, I now send to you a small work, which exhibits my fair and full opinions on the arduous circumstances of the moment, "as far as the cautions necessary to be observed will permit me to go beyond << general ideas." Three or four of those friends, with whom I am most connected in publick and private life, are pleased to think, that the statement in question (which at first made part of a confidential paper) may do good and accordingly a very large impression will be published to-day. I neither seek to avow the publication, nor do I wish to disavow it. I have no anxiety in that respect, but to contribute my mite to do service, at a moment when service is much wanted. I am, my dear Sir, most sincerely your's, R' Hble Edm Burke. AUCKLAND. LETTER from the Right Honourable EDMUND BURKE to Lord AUCKLAND. My dear Lord, I AM perfectly sensible of the very flattering honour you have done me in turning any part of your attention towards a dejected old man, buried in the anticipated grave of a feeble old age, forgetting, and forgotten, in an obscure and melancholy retreat. In this retreat, I have nothing relative to this world to do, but to study all the tranquillity, that in the state of my mind I am capable of. To that end I find it but too necessary to call to my aid an oblivion of most of the circumstances, pleasant and unpleasant, of my life; to think as little, and indeed to know as little, as I can, of every thing, that is doing about me; and above all, to divert my mind from all presagings and prognostications of what I must (if I let my speculations loose) consider as of absolute necessity to happen after my death, and possibly even before it. Your address to the Publick, which you have been so good as to send to me, obliges me to break in upon that plan, and to look a little on what is behind, and very much on what is before, me. It creates in my mind a variety of thoughts, and all of them unpleasant. It is true, my Lord, what you say, that, through VOL. IX. C Our our publick life, we have generally sailed on somewhat different tacks. We have so, undoubtedly, and we should do so still, if I had continued longer to keep the sea. In that difference, you rightly observe, that I have always done justice to your skill and ability as a navigator, and to your good intentions towards the safety of the cargo, and of the ship's company. I cannot say now, that we are on different tacks. There would be no propriety in the metaphor. I can sail no longer. My vessel cannot be said to be even in port. She is wholly condemned and broken up. To have an idea of that vessel, you must call to mind what you have often scen on the Kentish road. Those planks of tough and hardy oak, that used for years to brave the buffets of the Bay of Biscay, are now turned, with their warped grain, and empty trunnionholes, into very wretched pales for the enclosure of a wretched farm-yard. The style of your pamphlet, and the eloquence and power of composition you display in it, are such as do great honour to your talents; and in conveying any other sentiments would give me very great pleasure. Perhaps I do not very perfectly comprehend your purpose, and the drift of your arguments. If I do not-pray do not attribute my mistake to want of candour, but to want of sagacity. I confess your address to the Publick, together with other accompanying circumstances, has filled |