The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1858-10-05


Tho following bsouei5al extract Il from the
speech Of Hon. EAwar1 Everett Gethe National
Horse Exhibition ct Springfield. Mass
However tins may ~, SIR, II tbese u any One
Who coubts thai the horse--the animal that
most co0cesus'uS on sthis occasion--is su.cept-
bic n The Nh lcstfeelings or our nature think
he would III convinced or his error ~ . most
nterssting nnsodots Of Edmund Burke. In the
decline Of DR.. Buske's life, when be vas living
ia retirement on bic farm as Beaconfeld, the
rufnor weat mp to London tha; he had gone mad;
and the jsct that was stated in support 81 This
rurnor was that he went round his park kissing
his cows and horses. A friend, man Of rank
and influence, hearing this story, and desmiDg
il of too much importancs 20 be left incorrect
ed, fastened down TO Beacop6eId and souRht
an interview with the view Of nscertainiDg the
truth OF tho lumor. He entered into converse
ton with him. Mr.. Burke read some chapters
from his "Letters on a Regicide Peace" His
friend Immediately saw that, though the early
tenement was vergipg back TO its native dust,
the lamp of genius and reason shone with undi-
minished lus.re within. He was accordingly
moro than satisfied Is to the object Of his com
ing down, and, in . private interview with Ars.
Burke, told her what be had come for, and re-
ceived from her this pathetic explanation;
"Mr. Burke's only child, beloved son, had
not long before died, leaving him favorts old
horse, the companion Of his excursions OF busi-
| ness and pleasure, when both we're young and
| vigorous. This favorte animal was turned ont
by Mr.. Burke, the father, into the park. with
directions to all bis servants that he should In
every respect be treated - privileged favorits.
Mr.. Burke himself, OF course, in his morning
walks, would often stop to caress the favorits
animal. On one occasion, as he was taking his
morning walk through the park. he perceived
the poor animal At . distance, and noticed in
turn that he was recognized by him. The horse
drew nearer and nearer to Mr.. Burke, stopped
eyed him with most pleading look Of recogni
ton, which said, as plainly as words could have
said-"I have lost him too" and then the poor
dumb beast deliberately laid his head upon Mr.
Burke's bosom! Struck by tho singuiarity o.
the occurrence, moved by the recollection OF bi,
son, whom he had never ceased to mourn with
! grief that would not be comorted. overwhelm
ed by the tenderness OF the animal, expires
sed in the mute eloquence Of holy natures uni
versal language, the illustrious statesman for I
moment lost his self possession, and claspinl
| his arms around the neck of his sons favorte
animal, lifted up that voice which had filed the
arches OF Westminster Hail with the mobiles,
strains that ever echoed within them, and wepi
aloud!
This was seen, and was heard BY the passeri
| by, and the enemies Of Burke. unnppeased by
| his advancing years, by his failing health, by
his domestic soirows, made it the ground Of .
charge OF insanity. Burke had gone mad :
but, sir. SO help me Heaven, If were calico
upon to designate the event or the period in
| Burkes lie that would best sustain charge of
| insanity, it would not be when, in gush OF no.
hest and purest feeling that stirred the hu.
man heart, he wept aloud on the neck Of Lis
sons fayorite horse but it would rather be
when, at the meridian OF his fame, when the orb
| Of his imperial genius rode highest in the hesv
ems, amidst the SCOTS Of cringing eourtiers, and
the sneers of trading patriots, he abased his
| glorious powers to the scramblings and SQUAD
| blinss of the day, and
s'Born for the universe, narrowed his mind,
And 10 party gave up what was meant FIR MANKIND.
| Loud and prolonged cheering.