-carefully keeping out of view, as if they were wholly unknown, those higher and more profound qualities of mind which form his chief claims to distinction. Sometimes again, he is what they call a philosophical politician, meaning something different from a statesman: sometimes he is even admitted to be the greatest writer of the age, though with an utter oblivion of that parliamentary elo-. quence which made his name, as an orator, more celebrated on the continent of Europe than those of either of his two great rivals; which enabled him to take the lead for many years in the House of Commons; and which drew the then unusual honour of an invitation to represent one of the chief cities in the kingdom. At other times, hints are dropped of how much better his genius would have been exerted otherwise than in politics. This opinion, at best is but mere trifling. We have no right to speculate on what he might have been, but what he was. Added to an early bias towards the pursuit, there is perhaps little doubt but that more of the strength of his mind was put forth by the contentions of politics, than by any other species of discussion. But independent of this, if he has left behind in the track of life which he chose, more for fame than either of his contemporaries; namely, the finest orations in our language, the ablest and most eloquent political disquisitions, the introduction or support of a series of important constitutional measures for nearly 30 years to gether, and a reputation perhaps above any other for practical wisdom, not resting on mere opinion, but on record in his speeches and writings-surely it savours of impertinence to say he would have succeeded better in any thing else. It is time that this ungenerous warfare against his fame should cease. No man intimately acquainted with public affairs has indeed been misled by it, as the debates in Parliament almost every night of every session testify; but it has served its turn pretty effectually among that multitude of persons, who, suspecting no artifice, take for granted what is told them, without undergoing the labour of inquiring for themselves. Should the present attempt enable any of these to appreciate more justly the powers of one to whom his country is under very important obligations, the writer will not deem his labour misapplied. His testimony at least is impartial. He has no party purpose to answer; no influence to court; no interest to push; except it be that common interest felt by every generous mind, of rendering to a distinguished and virtuous character those honours which are its due. b List of the chief Writings of the Right Hon. EDMUND BURKE, arranged, as nearly as possible, in Chronological Order, with Reference to the Volumes of his Works in which they are contained; several, however, though of undoubted Authenticity, are not yet published among his Works. It may be necessary to observe, that the speeches, or notes of speeches, enumerated in the following list, are such only as have a place in his Works. Four volumes of them (not in his Works) have been collected and published by a different Editor, which, though necessarily imperfect, as being taken from casual and unauthorised reports, are probably the best that can now be procured. The letters specified in this list are all upon public affairs, some of them published soon after being written, some not; and the greater number forming pamphlets of very considerable size. POETRY. Translation of an Idyllium of Theocri tus Several Scenes of a Play, on the Subject of Alfred the Great about 1744. And several shorter pieces still known to be in existence. Hints for an Essay on the Drama....about 1754. X 1756. 1 In what Vol. contained. c Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of our in America, 2 vols. 8vo. 1757.1.5 lish History, from the Invasion of Julius d Cæsar to the End of the Reign of King o John *Annual Register at first the whole Work, 1757? afterwards only the Historical Article.. 1758, &c Fragments of a Tract (75 8vo. Pages) on of sal the Popery Laws in Ireland.. Short Account of a late Short Adminis tration.. .....1766. Humorous Reply to the preceding, signed Whittington, a Tallow-chandler, of Cat-eaton-street; and Ship News for 1765;1 both believed to be Mr. Burke's.......1766.1 Observations on a late Publication, inti tuled the Present State of the Nation... 1769. Ir Thoughts on the Cause of the present on a Bill to Quiet the Possessions of the Subject against Dor mant Claims of the Church...... Feb. 1772. X * Doubts being still expressed of his participation in this publication, fac-similes of his hand-writing of the receipts for the copy-money of 1761, alluded to at page 61, is appended to this list, |