The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-09-27
The Horse.

Gov. Everett made an eloquent speech at
the dinner at the great horse show in Spring
field, Mass, last week. In the course of it
he related the following anecdote of Edmund
Burke:
Sir,.if there is any one that doubts that
the horse-the animal that most concerns
us ON this occasion-iS susceptible OF the
kindest feelings Of our nature, | think he
would DC convinced of his error by a most
amusing anecdote of Edmund Burke In the
decline OF Mr. Bunk life, when he was liy-
ing in retirement on his farm at Beacon
fields, the rumor went up 10 London that
he had gone mad; and the fact that was
stated in support Of this rumOr was that he
went round his park kissing his COWS and
horses. y friend a man OF rank and intiu-
ence. hearing this story, and deeming it of
too much importance 10 be left uncorrected
FASTENED down to BelcOnield, and sought
an interview, with the view OF ascertaimng
the truth of the ramOr. Entering into con-
yerSation with him, Mr. Burke read 10 him
some chapters from his Letters on the
Hegicide His friend saw that though the
earthly tenement was verging back to its
native dust, the lamp of reason and genius
shOuc with undiminished iustre. lie was
accordingly more than satisfied rs to the OBJ
ject of his coming down, anu III u private
interview with AIRS. Burke told her what
he had come for, and received from her this
pathetic information. Mr.. Bukes only
Child, beloved son, had not long before
died, leaving behind him a favorite old
L, L., Of his -
business and leisure, when both were young
and vigorous. This favorite animal was, OF
course, turned cut by Mr.. Burke, the father,
into the park, with directions to all his SER
wants that he should in every respect be
treated rs privileged favOrite. Mr.. Burke
himself of course in his morning walks.
would often stop 10 careSS the tIyOrite ami
nal. On one occasion, Us he was taking
his morning walk through the park, he per-
ceived the poor old animal at a distance, and
noticed that he was recognized by him.
The horse drew nearer ana nearer to Mr..
Burke, STOPPED, eyed him with the most
pleading look of recognition, which said,
as plainly as words could have said,
Il have lost him too" and then the poor
dumb beast deliberately laid his head on Mr..
Bufkes bosom Struck by the singuarIty
OF the occurrence struck by the recollection
of his son, whom he had never ceased To
mourn with grief that would not be COM
torted, overwhelmed by the tenderness OF
the animal, expressed in the mute elUquence
OF holy nature 5 universal language, the IL
lustrious statesman for a moment lost his
seIt-posSesSion, and claSping his arms around
the neck of his favOrlte animal, lifted up
that voice which had caused the arches OF
Westminster Hall to echo TO the noblest
strains that ever sounded within them, and
wept aloud! Sir, this was seen, this was
heard by the passers by, and by the enemies
of Burke, unappeased by his advancing
years, by his falling health, by his domestic
sorrows, made it the ground Of charge OF
insanity. Burke is gone but sir, so help
me Heaven, if | were called upon to desig.
nate the event or period in BurkeS Life
that would best sustain a charge Of insan-
itv, it would not be when in a guSh of the
/ Eo.ies and purest feeling that ever stirred
the human heart, he wept aloud on the
neck of dead son 5 favorite horse. But
sir. il should rath er be when at the merid
/ ian of his fame, when the orb of his I'M
perial genius rode highest in the heavens
amid the SCOTS of cringing courties, and thu
Sneers of hireling patriots, he debaSed hi
glorious powers in the scramblings ant
squabblings of the day, and
Born for the universe, narrowed his mind,
And TO party gave up what was meant for man
kind.
loud and prolonged cheering)
With a renewal of his thanks TO hi
audience for their kind reception, Mr.. Ever
ett resumed his seat amid tumults of ap
plause