The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-11-03
Anecdote of a Great Statesman
and q Horse.

Anecdote of a Great Statesman
and a Horse.
The Hon. Edward Everett recently
made a speech at a Horse Fair in Mass
achusstts. We extract the follo wing
very interesting passages:
However this may he, sir, if there is
any one who doubts that the horse
the animal that most concerns US on this
occasions susceptible of the kindest
feelings of u nature, | think he would
be convinced of bis error by mos. inter
estipe anecdote of Edmund Burke. In
the decline OF Mr.. Burke's life, when he
was living in retirement on his farm at
Reaconfeld, the rumor went up to Lon
dou that he had goue mad, and the fact
that was stated IN support of this rumor
was that he went around bis park kissing
his cows and horses. A friend, q nan
Of rank and influence, hearing this story,
and deeming it of too much Importance
to be left uncorrected, hastened down to
Beaconield, and sought an interview,
with the view of as~ertaining the truth
of the rumor. He entered into eonver-
sation with him. Mr.. Burke read to
hiu1 some chapters from his letters on
a Regicide Peace His friend immedi-
ately saw that though the earthly tene.
ment was verging back to dust, the
lamp of reason and genius shown with
undiminished luster within. He vas &C.
cordingly more than satisfied as to the
object of his coming down, and in q
private interview with Mrs. Burke, told
her what he had come for, and received
from her lips this pathetic explanation.
Mr.. Burke's only child, q beloved
son, had not long before died, leaving
behind him a favurite old horse, the
companion Of his excursions of business
and pleasure, when both we're young and
vigorous. This favorite animal was
turned out by Mr.. Burke, the father,
into the park, with directions to all his
servants that he should in every respect
be treated as a privileged favorite -
Mr.. Burke, himself, of course, in his
morning walks, would often stop to ca
ress the fayorite animal. On one occa-
sion, as he was taking his morning walk
through the park, be perceived the poor
old animal at a distance, and noticed in
turn that he was recognized by him
The horse drew nearer and nearer to Mr..
Burke, stopped, eyed him with a most
pleading look of recognition, which said
as plainly as words could have said
Il have lost him too" and her the
poor beast deliberately laid his head
upon Mr.. Burke's bosom.
Struck by the singalarity of the oc-
currence, moved by the recollection OF
his SOB, whom he had never ceased to
mourn with q grief that would not be
comforted, overwhelmed by the tender
ness of the animal, expressed in the
mute eIoquence of holy natures univer-
sal language, the illustrious statesman,
for a moment, lost his self possession,
and clasping his arms around the neck OF
his sons favorite animal, lifted up that
voice which had filled the arches of West
minister Hall with the noblest strains
that ever echoed within them, and wept
aloud.
This was seen aud heard by the pass.
ers by, and the enemies of Mr.. Burke,
unappeased BY his advancing years, by
his falling health, By his domestic sor-
rows, made it the ground of a charge Of
insanity. Burke had gone mad
But, sir, SO help me Heaven, if l were
called upon to designate the event OF
| period in Burke's life that would best
sustain a charge of insanity, it would
not be when, in q gush of the hottest and
purest feeling that yer stirred the hu.
man heart, he wept aloud on the mech
of his dead sons favorite horse, cat i,
would rather be when, at the meridian
of his fame-when the orb Of his imperi
al genius rode highest in the heavens
amidst the SCOTS of cringing courtiers,
and the sneers Of trading patriots, he
abased his glorious powers to the scramb.
lings and squabblings of the day, and,
Born for the universe, narrowed his mind,
And to party gave up what was meant for ma n
! kiad.r