Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

He reprobates the principles by the French system inculcated on youthful minds, the precepts taught, and the models exhibited. • Their great problem is to find a substitute for all the principles which hitherto have been employed to regulate the human will and action. They find dispositions in the mind, of such force and quality, as may fit men, far better than the old morality, for the purposes of such a state as theirs, and may go much further in supporting their power, and destroying their enemies.' He illustrates the principles instilled concerning parental affection, marriage, and other principal sentiments and relations of man; and knowing that Rousseau was the chief model held up to the imitation of youth, whom they were enjoined, stimulated, and exhorted to copy, analyses his character, to ascertain the effects likely to result from following such an example. He also characterizes Voltaire, though with much less profound investigation than Rousseau; and Helvetius more generally than Voltaire.

The next publication of Burke on French affairs was the Appeal from the New to the Old Whigs. Before this comes under consideration, it is necessary to recapitulate some parts of parliamentary history. In session 1790, after the discussion between him and Messrs. Fox and Sheridan, he had adhered uniformly to the sentiments he then avowed. He had opposed the repeal of the Test-Act, and a motion for a Reform in Parliament. Mr. Fox and he had still continued on terms of friendship, although they did not so frequently meet. In 1791 a bill was proposed for the formation of a constitution in Canada. In discussing it Burke entered on the general principles of legislation, considered the doctrine of the rights of man, proceeded to its offspring, the constitution of France, and expressed his conviction that there was a design formed in this country against its constitution.

After some members of the party had called Burke to order, Mr. Fox spoke. Mr. Fox conceiving an insinuation of main

1

taining republican principles, as applicable to the British constitution, to have been made against him by Mr. Pitt,* and that part of Burke's speech tending to strengthen that notion, to remove the impression, de-` clared his conviction that the British constitution, though defective in theory, was in practice excellently adapted to this country. He repeated, however, his praises of the French revolution; he thought it, on the whole, one of the most glorious events in the history of mankind; and proceeded to express his dissent from Burke's opinions on the subject, as inconsistent with just views of the inherent rights of mankind. These, besides, were, he said, inconsistent with Burke's former principles. He contended also that the discussion of the French revolution was irrelative to the Quebec bill,

Burke, in reply, said, Mr. Fox has treated me with harshness and malignity:

On this subject, Mr. Pitt, in the course of the discussion, explained his meaning to Mr. Fox's satisfaction. лаз

after having harassed with his light troops in the skirmishes of order, he brought THE HEAVY ARTILLERY of his own great abilities to bear on me. He maintained that the French constitution and general system were replete with anarchy, impiety, vice, and misery; that the discussion of a new polity for a province that had been under the French, and was now under the English government, was a proper opportunity of comparing the French and British constitutions. He denied the charge of inconsistency his opinions on government, he insisted, had been the same during all his political life. He said, Mr. Fox and he had often differed, and that there had been no loss of friendship between them: but there is something in the cursed French constitution, which envenoms every thing. Fox whispered, there is no loss of friendship between us.' Burke answered, there is! I know the price of my conduct; our friendship is at an end.' He concluded with exhorting the two great men that headed the opposite parties- whether they should

move in the political hemisphere, as two blazing stars in opposite orbits, or walk together as brethren, that they would, preserve the British constitution, and guard it against innovation.'

Mr. Fox was very greatly agitated by this renunciation of friendship, and made: many concessions; but in the course of his. speech still maintained that Burke had formerly held very different principles, and that he himself had learned from him those very principles which he now reprobated. He endeavoured to support his allegation by: references to measures which Burke had either proposed or promoted; and also cited ludicrous expressions and observations of his to the same purpose. This repetition of the charge of inconsistency prevented the impression which the affectionate and respectful language and behaviour, and the conciliatory apologies of Fox might have probably made on Burke. It would be, difficult to determine with certainty, whether constitutional irritability or public principle

[ocr errors]
« AnteriorContinuar »