BURKE'S REGARD FOR HIS FAMILY.

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divines Dr. Heath and Dr. Moss. As to livings in general, he said, Horace described a good manor

"Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines ;"

which he translated, "There are a modus in the tithes and fixed fines."

Burke's punning alteration of Horace's line, to make it describe the mob chairing Wilkes, is well known: "Fertur humeris lege solutis."

In November 1769, Dr. Johnson, Garrick, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Mr. Fitz Herbert, and Edmund Burke-a grand array, appeared together at the Old Bailey, to give evidence to the character of a gentleman on trial for his life. Joseph Baretti, the well-known author, traveller, and editor of Macchiavel's works, had been attacked by a woman of the town, near the Haymarket, at night. In endeavouring to get away, he was surrounded by three fellows, who supported the woman and struck Baretti. On their continuing to molest him, he, apprehensive of his life, drew a knife, and warned them to keep off; a scuffle ensued, and Baretti stabbed two of them, of whom one named Evan Morgan died. Baretti was charged with murdering the man. Baretti's distinguished witnesses bore testimony to the goodness of his general character and the peaceableness of his disposition. The jury considered the homicide as in self-defence, and he was accordingly acquitted. Baretti was very intimate with the members of the Literary Club, and especially with Burke and Johnson, who highly valued him. He died in 1789.

Burke loved deeply and regarded with watchful solicitude all the members of his own family. He procured for his brother Richard, who had engaged in mercantile affairs, the collectorship of Grenada, during the first administration of Lord Rockingham, and had him appointed secretary to the Treasury when his lordship was minister again. Burke's influence, no doubt, secured the Recordership of Bristol for Richard, who succeeded, in the dignity,

the eminent lawyer John Dunning, Lord Ashburton. These benefits were obtained for no undeserving object. Richard Burke was a man of very considerable ability: he was engaged in several publications, and had even by some persons been deemed one of the authors of Junius. Letters that appeared in the Public Advertiser, signed Valens, during the American war, were supposed to be written by Richard, with the assistance of Mr. William Burke, who afterwards went to India.

Richard Burke was called to the bar in 1778-the year of Erskine's acquiring practice and reputation in his profession, —and was highly thought of by Lord Mansfield. Richard went the Western circuit; and some amusing letters of his, penned during his forensic journeys, occur in Lord Fitzwilliam and Sir Richard Bourke's Collection. In one letter, dated from Launceston, March 1783, he writes that he had got no brief, but had heard an assize sermon wherein it was certified, "that the judges of England were above not only conviction but corruption, owing to their having very large salaries." Handsome in person, fascinating in manners, and abounding in humour, wit, and fun, Richard Burke' was a very popular member of the fashionable society of London. He was warmly attached to Edmund and his family, and whenever he could, he resided with them. He used frequently to indulge in practical jokes, and would not even refrain from now and then playing them off on his more dignified brother, which the statesman took in perfect good-humour, as part of the necessary mirth of his home. Richard Burke, probably in some of his venturesome escapades, had at different times slightly fractured an arm and a leg. It is in allusion to this and to his eccentric ways that Goldsmith wrote on him the well-known lines in "Retaliation :"

९

"Here lies honest Richard, whose fate I must sigh at.

Alas, that such frolic should now be so quiet!

What spirits were his! what wit and what whim!

Now breaking a jest, and now breaking a limb;

LETTER OF BURKE'S MOTHER.

Now wrangling and grumbling, to keep up the ball;
Now teasing and vexing, yet laughing at all.

In short, so provoking a devil was Dick,

That we wish'd him full ten times a day at old Nick;

But missing his mirth and agreeable vein,

As often we wish'd to have Dick back again."

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Another object of Edmund Burke's tender affection was his sister Juliana. This lady was married at the commencement of January 1766 to William French, Esq., of Loughrea, in the county of Galway, Ireland, and had in the October of the same year an only child, Mary.

Edmund Burke and his family visited Ireland in 1766, and saw Mrs. French and his other relatives and friends, just prior to the birth of this daughter. In the Burke correspondence of Lord Fitzwilliam and Sir Richard Bourke, there occurs a very pleasant letter, recording the event, written by Edmund Burke's widowed mother, in the fulness of her heart, to her niece, Mrs. Ellen Henpessy, wife first of James Hennessy, and after his death, of Richard Hennessy of Cognac, France, who were both junior members of the ancient and honourable house of Hennessy of Ballymacmoy, in the county of Cork. In this letter, dated Loughrea, October 25, 1766, Mrs. Burke, after announcing the birth of her granddaughter, proceeds thus on the subject of her children's visit:

"I believe I need not tell you that my pleasure in having them here, where I kept them in view during the time of their stay, was heartily dashed at parting. They had all the gentlemen and ladies of this town and neighbourhood to visit them, and had as many invitations to dinner, had they accepted of them, as would take up a great many days. Mr. French of Rasan was in Cork when they came to this country; the next morning after his coming home, he, Miss Nagle, Mrs. O'Flaherty, and Miss Driscoll, came here, and in two days after we were all engaged to Rasan, where we dined, and could not get from thence that night, and it was with much ado Jane and I could get away. Mr. French of Rasan, Ned and Dick (her sons Edmund and Richard), went to look at Galway.

and a great lake that was near. As soon as they got into Galway, the bell rang for them. The Monday following the corporation met, and voted the freedom of that city to be sent to Ned in a silver box.

My dear Nelly, I believe you will think me very vain; but as you are a mother, I hope you will excuse it. I assure you that it's no honour that is done him (Edmund) that makes me vain of him, but the goodness of his heart, which I believe no man living has a better; and sure there can't be a better son, nor can there be a better daughter-in-law than his wife. I will say nothing of Dick (her son Richard), because you would have no longer patience with me. I am much obliged to you for your desire in seeing me in your country, which I believe will never be. You and your father were the only friends that ever inquired for me since I left it last, and I really do not blame them in the least; for I am now very sensible how exceeding troublesome I was, for the very long time that I was in a very poor way amongst you all, which makes me shudder as often as I think of it, and I believe it has been worse with me than I can recollect. My consolation is, that the great God afflicted me in this world for my good. I am very sorry to hear that your mother Hennessy is in a bad state of health; when you see her, thank her most heartily for her kind inquiries for me. I have at all times received a great deal of friendship from her, and I wish her better health with all my heart. Pat French could not meet with sheeting he liked, but has bespoke a piece to be made on purpose for you, which he is promised will be very good, and will be sent to you as soon as it is wove. It is to be made of white yarn. This is a very agreeable town to live in; and I believe there is not a little town in Ireland that has so many families of fortune as there are here. I hope to be in Dublin about the middle of next month, where I will find a great change, from a very good table here, -two courses; a broad coach and six to take the air; to return to a leg of mutton, and good strong boxes to walk in. However, I

will be as content with the latter as the former; and will think myself very happy, if it pleases God to preserve me the few children I have alive and well. Your friend Julia and I could wish you had said something of your little ones. She and Mrs. French desire to be most affectionately remembered to you, Mr. Hennessy, and your father; and pray assure them of my best regards. They say that it would give them great pleasure to see you and James here. They were in hopes that your father would be at Ballinasloe fair, and that he would come from thence here. I was sorry to hear of the death of poor Mrs. Burke of Daran. In her situation it must be shocking; she scarcely deserved pity for changing her condition at her time of life. I have filled my paper, and have only room left to wish you all happiness; and believe me to be your mast affectionate aunt, MARY BURKE.

"I forgot to tell you that you are a great favourite of Mrs. Burke's; and that you appeared more amiable in her eyes in your crape gown than the finest-dressed lady she saw in your country."

Edmund Burke's sister, Mrs. French, died in 1790; and after her demise her only and orphan child, Miss Mary French, came to reside permanently with Mr. and Mrs. Burke at Beaconsfield, and was, in fact, adopted by them. She wedded, in 1792, Major Thomas Haviland, only son of Edmund Burke's neighbour and friend, General William Haviland, of Penn in Buckinghamshire, a gallant and distinguished veteran, who was celebrated not only for his many and valuable military services, but for his rare mathematical and mechanical abilities, which had enabled him to construct a useful kind of bridge for the passage of troops over rivers in time of war. The general died in 1784. The younger Haviland, who served in his father's regiment, and who became a lieutenant-colonel in it, was also an officer of much talent and promise. To the great grief of all who knew him, he died prematurely at Martinique, whither he had gone with his regiment, His demise occurred in 1795, within three years of his marriage..