The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-02-04 00:00:00

ANECDOTES OF MR. BURKE. '

The following reminiscences of the late Right Hon.
Edmund Burke and his son are extracted from the appen-
dix Ito a very well-written pamphlet, published by /11r.
Therry of Gray s-inn, in the shape of a letter to the Right
Hon. George Canning, on the present state of the Catho-
lic Question. There are also :some original letters from
Mr. Burke to his son, while acting as agent to the Roman
Catholics of Ireland in 1792. In that capacity he visiteti
that country, and during his residence in Ireland he lived
in habits of the closest intimacy with Mr. Therry's father.
The letters were left by Mr. R. Burke with Mr. Therry's
family on his departure from Ireland. They possess con-
siderable interest as memorials of the great man from whose
pen they proceeded, and are in many respects singularly
applicable to the position of the Catholics at the present
period. Mr. 'I berry has done a public service by giving
them at this moment to the oorhl:

The few anecdotes here thrown together are conversational glean-
ings which I hue collected from members of Mr. Burke's family,
and from persons who knew him intimately. With the exception
alone, verbena, they are unimportant, and can only be acceptable
to those who take an interest in every thing connected with the his-
tory of the great man to whom they relate. Of the early part of'
dlr. Burke's life` very little is known ; whatever is interesting and
well-authenticated is contained in the dlemoir of his life and cha-
racter, by Mr. Prior, a work admirable for the useful information
it conveys, and the spirit of fair inquiry and impartial diecuesinh
that pervades it. To the anecdotes which he records of the featire
evenings at the Grecian Coffeehouse, of Mr. Burke, Dr. Johnson,
Dr. Goldsmith, and "other men of mind," I take the liberty of
adding one which Mr. Burke himself was wont to tell. Its circum-
stances are trivial indeed, yet they confirm the charge of excusable
v,.nity muds by his contemporaries on Dr. Goldsmith. Asthetirecian
Cotlee.house was a place of frequent resort with the above-nameei
eminent persons at a time when none of them possessed very ample
means, they entered into an agreement that the (bumf daily given
the waiter for his attendance by each of them, should not exceed
sixpence. Dr. Goldsmith was the only member of the party to
break through this equitable plan of remuneration. It pleased his
vanity to present the coffee-house functionary with a shilling. Hit
friends remonstrated with him upon the unreasonableness of not
conforming to the rule of the party, more particularly as it only
encouraged the waiter to indulge in extravagant expectations from
others. To these remonstrances the Doctor would reply, "It is
very easy for you, gentlemen, to ttik thus. Sixpence may be a
very suitable sum fur you to give, though it may not be for me.
When you come here, you are treated as strangers, but I am looked
upon as a patron of the house; and I never come in, or go out,
but I am saluted by some kind and cordial expression, such as,
* God bless you. Dr. Goldsmith.' rhis pleases me, and imposes
upon me the obligation of acting somewhat differently."
Although the admirers of dlr. Burke arc divided as to their
preference of his eloquence as a speaker, or his masterly comp-
scions as a writer, it is my humble opinion that his chief and su-
perlative merit lies neither in hie oratorical nor literary talents.
'f he great ascendancy which he gained over the councils of the
nation was attributable to that species of acquirement which we
denominate " general knowledge, and in which no man of his
time Could compete with hint. The abstract sciences, mathema-
tics, astronomy; the interests of commerce in all its varieties; the
polite arts, history, poetry, rhetotic—in short, every branch and
department of useful knowledge, seems to have been embraced by
his comprehensive mind. Universality of knowledge might, with-
out exaggeration, be predicated of that
" - lamented sage ! whose prescient scan
Pierced through foul Anarchy's gigantic plan,
Prompt to incredulous hearers to disclose
The guilt of France and Europe's world of woes--.
Thou on whose name each distant age shall gaze
The mighty sea-mark of these troubled days,
0 ! large of soul, of genius unconfined,
Born to delight, instruct, improve mankind."
A curious and striking instance of the variety of acquirements
possessed by this extraordinary man, occurred on the occasion of a
friendly party sojourning at his hospitable house at Beaconsfield.
It was told me by my father, who, at that time, had the good for-
tune to be one of the visitors, One morning, the party walked out
after breakfast, and, in the adjoining village, they happened to
enter into conversation with a farrier, or, in the more flattering par-
lance of the present day, a veterinary surgeon. Mr. Burke entered
earnestly into the subject of the Profresor's duties and rotation,
and after half an hour's conversation, convinced him that he knew
infinitely less of the nature of his calling than the stranger with
whom he had fallen into accidental discourse. After Mr. Burke's
departure, some gentlemen of the party continued in conversation
with the farrier, who observed, in a tone of mortified pride, " I
judge that is a knowing one from town." Such was the diversified
nature of the mind of this wonderful man, that after having, on
the previous night, in the senate-house of his country, `. in its
prophetic fury admonished nations," it could unbend and adapt
itself in the morning to a discussion with an humble mechanic. and
convince him that he surpassed him in a theoretic and practical ac-
quaintance with the business of his trade and occupation. On
another occasion, an inquiry having been introduced as to the mode
in which the London market was supplied with meat, Mr. Burke
took up the subject—entered into a detail of the manner in which
the supply was made--in which the oxen were driven up to town—
the stages of rest at which they stopped during the night—the
causes of variation of price at different seasons of the year—the na-
ture of the credit subsisting between the salesmaster. the farmer,
anti the butcher ; and a full account of the whole process of busi-
ness at Smithfield, which usually engrosses the attention of ordinary
men for their lives. .

He delighted in conversation with young persons, whom it was
his favourite occupation to instruct anti amuse, and so successful
was he in rivetting their attention and affections, that many boys
who were in the habit of spending their vacations with him, now
grown to the estate of manhood, have assured me, they look back
to the period of these occasional sojourns with him, as the happiest
and most interesting of their lifetime, and that they derived more
pleasure from the amusing stories which Mr. Burke told in his
rural walks than from anything they have since read. This anxiety
to please and delight those by whom he was surrounded was an
amiable trait of character, in which no motive but one of true kind.
heartedness and the purest benevolence could have a share.
The memorable cltercation between Mr. Fox and Mr. Burke,
which, after a close and intimate attachment of twenty-two years
and upwards, terminated for ever their public and private friend.
ship. My father resided with Mr. Burke in London at this period;
he accompanied him to the !louse of Commons, on the evening of
this debate, the fah of May, and it was agreed that lie should wait
for him in the part of the House allotted to visitors, until the close
of the discussion. The question before the House was the second
reading of the Canada Bill. For several days previously Mr.
Burke had been actively engaged in taking extracts, and making
those " notes of preparation" which usually precede the surpassing
displays of eloquence that from time to time illumine the dull dis.
courses of St. :Stephen's. Canada had at this time been recently
ceded to England ; and the propriety of engrafting as touch of the
English constitution upon the French form of government which
prevailed there, as was suitable to the condition of that inte-
resting colony, was the immediate topic of discussion, and one on
which it required a statesmanlike and nice discrimination to decide.
[Mr. Therry then introduces the narrative of Mr. Prior as to
what occurred in the House of Communs on that memorable
evening.]
al hen the debate concluded, my father accompanied Mr.
Burke home. In the carriage Mr. Burke observed stern and in.
flexible silence; and after their arrival, he only replied to questions
in harsh and abrupt monosyllables. Gradually a strong fit of pas-
sion came over hint ; he threw up the windows of the apartment;
flung open his coat and waistcoat, and in a paroxysm of passion.
paced up and down the racial, until nearly four o'clock in the
morning. So vehement was the excitement under which he la-
boured, that my father deemed it but consistent with his duty not
to leave hi:u until he became so composed, that he was disposed to
retire to rest. From !that hour to the hour of his death, lie never
held " communion, friendship, or intercourse," with either Fox or
Sheridan. Towards Fox, however, he had subsequently dropped
rattily expressions of friendly, and even affectionate regard, in pri-
vate, although his pride would not allow him to make a public
avowal of them. Of Sheridan. I have been assured, lie seldom
spoke, and never evinced the slightest wish to resume an acquaint.
'ante, or a regret that it had been interrupted. In mud', all that I
believe he respected in Sheridan, was all that the world feel most
disposed to respect, yet what the world must respect—his talents.
I close these few anecdotes of Mr. Burke, which, as I have stated,
I have merely gleaned from conversation, with the assurance made
to me, that of the many political friends with whom he associated,
none of them enjoyed so much of his confidence and esteem, in pri.
vale, as Dr. Lawrence, the brother of the present respected Arch.
bishop of Cashel.
Front the conversations I have had with many persons who had
good opportunities of forming a correct estimate of alr. R. Burke,
I am tit opinion that his fattier greatly overrated his abilities.
His affection for his son was truly paternal, and this impressed his
mind with a partiality which naturally led him to form an exag.
gt rated estimate of his talents. His character strikes me to have
been that of an amiable and accomplished gentleman. No pates or
expense were spared in his education ; and his knowledge of his-
tory, of classics, and of polite literature generally, was accurate
and extensive. For politics, whether he had sufficient talents or
not, he certainly had not a taste, or a disposition. His diffidence
in himself and his own powers was so great as to amount to an
intellectual deficiency ; and this natural timidity was in no small
degree increased by his great inferiority to his fattier, of which no
man was more conscious than himself', and respecting whom he
was wont to say, " that as lie was the son of such a man,
the world expected something from him; and that it was neces-
sary for hint to make redoubled exertions in order that he might
not altogether disgrace the descent of which he might be well
proud." Indeed it is certain that he sparest no pains to realize
this praiseworthy and excellent feeling; and so sensitive was
lie on this point, that it is supposed h:s very close attention to
study impaired his health, and greatly accelerated his premature
dissolution. On his visit to Ireland, he made no impression
beyond being esteemed an agreeable and elegant companion in
private intercourse. Oast very striking opportunity pretiented
itself for a public display, but he did not avail himself of it. It
was on the occasion of his sojourn in Cork. The high reputation

• Mr. Prior, by far the best of Mr. But-ice's biographers, has
not observed his accostotred accuracy in noticing the spot of Spen.
ser's iospirstion. Ilia family resitlin2cewas not, as he states, the
old castle or Kilmarleny,. bot that of Kilcoletnoa : at present, pan
at the property of R. S. Keating, 1,5(t.

of his father's talents had preceded the arrival of the son: Mr.
Burke's deltas in favour of the remilail of the commercial ie.
strktloas ithich affected Ireland were hat forgotten by the mer-
cantile bed) t and the Boman Catholics. to a devotion to whose
interests ha had lost his seat in Parliament for Bristol, had ample
reason and inducement to receive Mr. R. Berke amongst them,
with a grateful and an ardent welcome. Such,. indeed, have
been assuted, was his reception. A public (Helier (d favourite spe-
cie', of entertainment in Ireland) was given to him. All parties
melted in paying a tribute of respect to a man of Whose talents Ire-
land was not only proud, but to the exercise of whin she was in.
debted for important services. A brilliant assembly this collated.
The early part of the evening puma off very heavily. At length
the hour of toast.givlng arrived : anti as speech-making is a pro-
pensity in which Irishmen love to indulge, the speech of the young
wisher was awaited with anxious solicitude. His health was touted
with " all the honourS"—three times three ; waving of hsndker.
chiefs, and other demonstrations of warm welcome, marked its an.
nouncement. Mr. It. Burlce rose, and as soon as the enthtiatasm
of the meeting subsided, sinipl) said, " On the part of my father
and myself, I respectfully thank you." The effect of this very
laconic address cannot be easily described. Those only who arc
acquainted with the enthusiastic feelings which pervade an Irish
assembly on such an occasion, and under such circumstances, can
appreciate it.
however, may he said with repect to the failure of 11r.
R. Burke to produce an impression, hn the festive occasion to
which I allude, that it was owing to his extreme sensitiveness and
diffidence. A man with a tithe of his talent and inhumation,
bat with his " modesty of merit," might have made a very
respectable speech, in a similar situation. Indeed, from the
little experience 1 have had of exhibitions of this kind, I have
learned to regard them as specimens of manufactured &clause-
hon or preconcerted artifice; of as any thing rather than a proof
at teal talent and sound information. Mr. It. Burke had one
remarkable quality of an Englishman, which distinguishes a native
of this from one of the sister country ; namely, a great slowness
and reluctance, at first, in forming acquaintances and entering
Into friendships. To so great an extent did this habit of mind
prevail, that my father, who was afterwards more intimate with
him than, I believe, almost any other person, Was an inmate Of the
house at Beaconsfield for a month before he had advanced further
open his acquaintance than the ordinary terms of formal civility.
That this formality existed only in outward manner, has been well
attested by manner letters of his, which I have seen, and which
contain as warm and affectionate sentiments as it is possible for
friendship to conceive. The temper of his mind must have been
truly minable, as he was an universal favourite, not only in nis
family, but also in the wide-extended circle of his father's friends
and acquaintances. Ilia father wished to diversify his studies us
much as possible, with a view of imparting to bin a varied know-
ledge ands general information, of the advantages of which his
own example furnishes a most Useful and astonishing illustration.
It was a source of great regret to Mr. Burke and to his family,
that Mr. R. Burke had not martini. That he was disposed to a
single life appears from his resistance to the frequent temptations
of beauty and of riches which were alternately presented to him
with a view of alluring him into the matrimunial state. On one
occasion, however, leas und,a the influence of the arch deity than
of his father's wishes, he made what may be termed a that of
obedience to the counts .seat of a wealthy gentleman, whose
daughter, besides personal attractions, had the additional recom-
mendation of a very large fortune. The gentleman (whose name
it would not, I think, be quite fair to mention) who was a great
admirer of Mr. Burke's talents and principles, and was equally
, solicitous as he was in the promotion of the tnarriage, apprised
I his daughter of the object of Mr. R. Burke's visit. His reception.
all may be supposed, was very warm and hospitable. It would
have been well, however, if the worthy host had not anticipated
the duty which should have devolved upon his guest by a pre-
mature disclosure of what might be his intentions. The young
lady thought it only right dutiful in her to act in conformity
to her papa's intentions; and as love, like ambition, "sometimes
o'erleaps itself," from an over-anxiety to please, she failed in
pleasing at all. To speak plainly she made quite a set at hint.
Phis formidable assault to carry his heart, as it were, by a coup
tic main, was not very successful with a man of Mr. R.-Burke's
retiring habits and cold temperament. If she had designed to re.
pulse him, she could not have taken a more certain way to get rid
of hint. The consequence was, that he hastened back to Beacons.
field ; and instead of a blooming bride, brought back the intelli-
gence of his not having even made proposals. It would seem that
tile 'dyke given by Lord Bytoo in love-affairs is not very suitable
for the adopatin of ladies
•
" Brisk confidence best with lover copes."
It may be, perhaps, better for ladies under simile circumstances,
to attend to the admonition contained in the line that completes the
couplet :
Pique )tint and sooth by turn, soon passion crowns your hopes."
The lady, with such recommendations as I have mentioned, did
not long remain unmarried. Very shortly afterwards she gave her
hand and fortune to a nobleman high in the peerage. Her short
acquaintance with Mr. It. Burke had tile effect of confirming the
distaste for marriage he had previously entertained.