Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-10-14
HE GAZETTE.
THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER IA, 1858.
EDMUND BURKE AND His HORSE.

EDMUND BU RkE AND HIS HOhSE.
MIR. Everett, 10 a speech, made recently
on various sui jects, has exhibited remaIks-
bic versatility of talent. At one moment he
prov0K-s the neartiest merriment by bis q ash
es Of racy hunor, an d IN the next, he calls firth
tears by bis touching pathOs. lie seems to be
thoroughly at home on every subject he hand
les, and be instTucts while be delights his au-
dience. We copy the following interesting
and graphic passage from his speech at the
Springfield Horse Fair:
However this may be, sir, if there is any
one who doubts that the horse--tne animal
that most concerns US 90 this occasion--!s
susceptible CT the kipdest feelings Of our ma
lure, think be would be convinced OF his
error by most Interesting anecdnte OF Ed
mupd Burke. In the decline of MI. Burke's
lie, when be was living in retirement on his
farm at Beacons6eld, the rumur went up 10
London that he had gone mad; aud the TACT
that was stated in support OF this rumor was,
that he went round his park kissing his COWS
and horses. A friend, a man OF rank and IN
fuence, hearing this story, and deeming 1t oil
too much importance to be left uncorrected,
hastened dowo to Beaconsfeld, aod sought
an Interview, with the view OF ascertain'hg
the truth Of the rumor. Entering into con
versation with him, Mr.. Burke read to him
some chapters from his Letters on the Rsgi-
eide" HIS friend Immediately saw that
though the earthly tenement was verg'ng
back to its native dust, the lamp of reason
and genius shone within with undiminished
lustre. lie was accordingly more than sat-
isfed as to the object of bis coming down, and
in private interview with Mrs. Burke be
told her what be had come for, and received
from her this pathetic explaDatiob: Mr..
Burke's only child, beloved son, bad net
long before died, leaving behind him iaVnr-
lite horse, the companion Of his excursions, Of
business and pleasure, when both were young
and vigorous. Tois favorite animal was Of
course turned out by Mr. Buke the father,
into the park, with directions to ell OF bis
servants that be should in every respect be
treated as a privileged favorite. Mr.. Burke
himself, of course, 10 his morning walks
would often stop to caress the faVorite AMI
NAL. 90 one occasion, as he vas taking bis
morning walk through the park, he perceived
the poor old animal at distance, and nc
ticed that be was recognized by him.
The horse drew nearer and nearer to Mr..
Burke, stopped, eyed him with the most
pleading look Of rec gnitiOn, which said as
plainly as words could have said-"l have
lost HIM too:" and then the poor dumb teas.
deliberately laid his head upon MIR. BuIke's
bosom! Struck by the slngularity OF the &C.
curreuce, struck by the recol ection OF his son
whom he had never ceased to mourn with a
grieithat would not be comforted, overw helm
ell by the tenderness of the animal, express.
ed 10 uute el,queDce of holy Natures uni
versal language, the illustrous statesman for
M ment lost his self possession, and, clasp
ing his arms around the neck OF bis sons ia
vori,e animal, lifted up that voice, which had
caused tho arches Of Westminster Hall to
echo the nobiest strains that ever sounded
within them, aud wept aloud! Sir, this was
seen, this was heard by the passers By, and
the enemies of Burke, unappeascd by his DO
nestle sorrows, made it u ground OF charge
OF insanity. Burke is gone; but, sir, so help
Inc Heaven, il Iwere called upon to designate
the event or the period in Blrke's life that
would best sustain charge OF insanity, 1t
would not be when, in a gush of the hottest
and purest feeling that ever stirred the hu.
man heart, he wept aloud on tie neck Of
dead sons fdvorlte horse. But, sir, it should
rather be when, at the meridian Of bis fine,
when the orb of bis imperial genius rode high
est IN the beavens, amidst the Sc Is Of criug-
ing cour,iers, and the sneers Of breling pat
riots, he debased his glorious powers TO the
scram blings and squabbings oflbe day ard,
"Born for the universe, narrowed his mind,
And TO party gave up what was meant for mankind"
loud and prolonged cheer,ng.")