peared in print, gave it a full examination, and much praise for the ingenuity shown in the execution.

The imitation indeed was so perfect as to constitute identity rather than resemblance. It was not merely the language, style, and general eloquence of the original which had been caught; but the whole mind of the peer, his train of thought, the power to enter into his conceptions, seemed to be transfused into the pen of his imitator with a fidelity and grace beyond the reach of art.' Several able critics of the present day have expressed their admiration of it in strong terms; one of them, in a celebrated periodical work, alluding to this power of copying an author in all his peculiarities, says

"In Burke's imitation of Bolingbroke (the most perfect specimen perhaps that ever will exist of the art in question) we have all the qualities which distinguish the style, or we may indeed say the genius of that noble writer, concentrated and brought before us; so that an ordinary reader, who, in perusing his genuine works merely felt himself dazzled and disappointed-delighted and wearied he could not tell why, is now enabled to form a definite and precise conception of the causes of those opposite sensations-and to trace to the nobleness of the diction and the inaccuracy of the reasoning-the boldness of the propositions and the rashness of the inductions-the magnificence of the pretensions and the feebleness of the performance, those contradictory judgments with the con

fused result of which he had been perplexed in his study of the original."

This tract, which was reprinted in 1765, is perhaps equally remarkable for having anticipated many of the wild notions, under the name of philosophy, broached a few years ago in the general rage to overturn old opinions as well as old institutions. It was amusing to see what were first introduced to the world as specimens of ingenious absurdity, retailed to the ignorant of our own day as the legitimate inductions of philosophy. For in this piece may be found (advanced of course ironically) something of the same cant about the evils of governments, the misdeeds of statesmen, the injustice of aristocratic distinctions, the troubles engendered by religion, the tyranny and uncertainty of laws, the virtues of the poor over the rich, with much more of what the author, when speaking seriously, justly termed abuse of reason. Though gifted with no common degree of foresight, he could have no idea that these phantoms of philosophy, conjured up for his amusement in 1756, should be opposed to him 40 years afterwards as substantial realities; that his whole strength should be required to put down his own shadows.

A few months afterwards, in the same year, appeared" A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful," published for Dodsley, at the price of 13s. Of this celebrated work, so long before the public, which now forms a text-book in liberal education, and one of reference in our universities, little more

need be said than that it is perfectly original in the execution and design. Longinus indeed had written on the sublime, and Addison partially on grandeur and beauty, but neither of them profoundly nor distinctly; they exemplify and illustrate rather than analyze or dive to the sources of those impressions on the mind; and they even confound the sublime with the beautiful on many occasions. But Mr. Burke's book marks the line between them so distinctly, as that they cannot be mistaken; he investigates the constituents and appearances of each scientifically, and illustrates his views with great happiness. Johnson considered it a model of true philosophical criticism. Blair, who praises its originality and ingenuity, has profited much by it in his remarks on sublimity and beauty, and in the theory of that often-discussed quality, taste, which in this work is justly observed to prevail in our minds "either from a greater degree of natural sensibility, or from a closer and longer attention to the object."

As indicative of character, of extensive and various observation, and accurate deduction, both these productions are remarkable, particularly the latter, considering the time of life at which it was written. From the nature of the subject it could not be a work of haste, but of much inquiry, of keen penetration, and of diligent remark, continued for some period of time; and, in fact, is said to have been planned when he was 22 years old, and finished before he was 25; an age at which indifferent rhymes or loose love-stories form the common

exercises of young templers, and when scarcely any man, whatever be his attainments, thinks of starting for the highest degree in philosophy, much less is enabled to make good his claim to the distinction. Both works are evidences of a mind early and deeply reflective, investigating for itself, and coming out of the inquiry, not with a desire to shine in paradox, or to astonish the world by propounding something very new or adverse to all received opinions, but with the conviction that the general belief of mankind in the main questions that interest them, religion, politics, and philosophy, are right. The simple, unornamented style of the Inquiry, is in good taste as applied to a philosophical subject; but forms a contrast to some of his subsequent oratorical efforts.

Continued application to these pursuits produced a fit of illness-too often the lot of the labourer in literature, whose existence, though gratifying to the pride of the human mind, from a real or fancied superiority over others, is in practice one of the most irksome. For it admits of little relaxation. It must be pursued chiefly in solitude. Society, which cheers and animates most other men in their calling, becomes an impediment to the more brilliant conceptions of the author. His business is with books; his chosen companions the mute, yet vivacious offspring of the brain. Bound to his desk, either by over-ruling necessity, or scarcely less forcible inclination, the lighter enjoyments of life cannot be often tasted without interfering with the continuity of his pursuits. Before him lies the

stated task-the page not of nature but of the printer-to which he must sometimes unwillingly turn when more attractive objects invite him elsewhere; for the sun may shine, the fields look green, the flowers bloom in vain for him, who in sallying forth to refresh his jaded intellect or exhausted frame, must neglect the occupation which possibly gives him subsistence. Such also is the case now and then with the too diligent student. Cumberland has given a recital of bodily suffering endured in the acquisition of learning; and Burke, had he written his own life, might have told a story still more distressing.

For the re-establishment of his health, Bath and Bristol were again resorted to with success. In the former city resided his countryman Dr. Christopher Nugent, a very amiable man, and an esteemed and able physician, who having some previous acquaintance with Mr. Burke, kindly invited him to his house as better adapted to the wants and situation of an invalid. An attachment to his daughter Miss Jane Mary Nugent was the result; the guest offered her nearly all he had at this time to offer except what his father supplied, his heart and hand, which were accepted; she was born in the south of Ireland, though educated chiefly in England; her father was a Roman catholic, her mother a rigid presbyterian, who not only stipulated for the enjoyment of her own religion but the privilege of educating her daughters in the same tenets, which were therefore adopted by Mrs. Burke. It has been asserted, however,

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