The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-10-24
JUNIUS.

This great unknown, we perceive, continues &c
offer fruitful topic TO those who love to make OF
| investigate mysteries. Some half a dozen new
works are now in course of publication respecting
the author of the famous letters They have late.
ly been ascribed TO Lord Temple, Lord George
Sackvllle, and Colonel Barre, either of whom can
show about as much evidence in his favor as n
thousand others of his contemporaries and no
more. We arc surprised that at the present day
there should exist any reasonable doubt as TO the
authorship OF JuniuS, after the convincing proofs
that have brought 1t home to Sir Philip Francis
There is no evidence TO support the claim of nny
other individual that can stand for moment in
comparison with that pointing to Francis, and it
has been truly observed by an able LAWYER that
the proof would be sufficient to establish case of
personal identity before a Judge and Jury in
common suit at law. Since this opinion was pro-
nounced, it has been corroborated by very i'm
portant and unexpected piece of evidence,-that
OF the WIDOW of Sir Philip Francis, who testified
that her husband did every thing to confirm her
belief that he was the author of Junus, except a.
vowing the fact in so many words; That he was
restricted from doing by his own declaration-I
am the sole depository of my own secret and il
shall die with me- Lady Francis wrote letter
to Lord Campbell upon this subject, from which
we make the following extracts. This document
may be found in the Lives of the Chancellors,
chapter ls5-
Sometimes have doubted whether 1 had
right to betray what Sir Philip never would have
confessed, and which l could have obtained the
conviction of, from his confidence in my discrc-
ton, which made him lay aside with me that
guard over himself and that strict watch over ev-
cry word which he felt necessary, but which was
often irksome to him dufreS du monde believe
that was the secret of his attachment and mar
rage so late in life like the wife of Midas he
wanted some one TO whisper the secret to- and /
was his reed, all dutiful consorts ought to be TO
their lords. Yet, though his manner and CONVEX
sation on that mysterious subject was such as to
leave me not a shadow of doubt on the fact of his
being the author,-telling me circumstances that
none but Junius could know, he never avowed
himself more than saying he knew what my o.
pinon was, and never contradicting it. Indeed
made no secret Of it to him, though not in a way
that called for any declaration either way; but l
am certain that he would not have allowed me tc
continue in error, if had been one knowing nv
convictions. His first gift after our marriage was
an edition of Junius, which he bid me take to nv
room, and not lei il be seem or speak on the sub
ject; and his posthumous present which his son
found in his bureau was ;Junius Identified scaled
up and directed TO me. Sir Philip never did any,
thing unadvisedlv. Hew very anxious to avoid
either assent or denial, lest he might implicqte
trust or honor, both of which he was very Jealous
of committing. Had Sir Philip ever said TO me-
am not the writer of Junius' Letters / should
have given up the belief Immediately. Hewould
no more have volunteered falseho0d 10 me than
he would have had the meanness of ever leaving
ne in doubt He went once so far as to tell me
hat the truth will be known some time. "-Bosion
Courier.