CHAPTER IV.

Appointed Private Secretary to the Marquis of Rockingham-Anecdote of the Duke of Newcastle-Mr. Burke's account of the state of Parties and PoliticsSuccess in Parliament-Dismission of the Ministry-Short Account of a short Administration-Visit to Ireland-Anecdotes-His Memory-Gregories-Pamphlet in Reply to Mr. Grenville-Junius-Letters to Barry.

THE moment at length arrived when Mr. Burke gained that opening into public life, which nature and the train of his studies had so eminently qualified him to fill.

Mr. George Grenville's Administration had become unpopular by the proceedings against Mr. Wilkes, by the means resorted to for increasing the revenue, and the supposed secret influence of Lord Bute, when the omission of the Princess Dowager of Wales's name in the Regency Bill then framed on the first paroxysm of that malady which subsequently so much afflicted the king, threw it out, as Mr. Burke, in the letter already quoted, had clearly predicted two months before. Mr. Pitt was then applied to in vain; that imperious, though able minister, scarcely permitting his Majesty to have a voice in the formation of his own councils. The Duke of Cumberland, much esteemed for his good sense and popular deportment, now undertook the formation of a ministry; and, by his express command, and through him, by the direct desire of the King, a division of the Whigs entered into office under the Marquis of Rockingham.

The body, among whom this nobleman now took the lead, though comprising the chief of the aristocracy of the country, presented at this moment, and for several years afterwards, an unstable and heterogeneous compound of repelling particles. It was split into as many sections as a marching regiment on the parade; but having no other principle of a military body, exhibited only the irregular energy, when it showed any energy at all, of an undisciplined mob; a mass of moral quicksilver without any fixed point of adhesion; the cuttings and parings of all opinions, jumbled into a crude, vacillating, unintelligible whiggism; most of the members being, in fact, a kind of neutral-ground men, so wavering, so undecided, so uncertain in their support, as almost to justify the wish of Mr. Burke, that "he hoped to God the race was extinct."

The Marquis, the Duke of Newcastle, and their friends forming the main division of the party, deemed themselves sound Whigs; the Duke of Bedford professed to be a Whig; the Duke of Grafton called himself a Whig; Mr. George Grenville thought himself a Whig; and Mr. Pitt, if he hung aloof from the name of Whig, was so near to it in substance, that none but

himself could distinguish the difference. Each of these had various shades of opinion, and some of their followers, as it proved, no opinions at all; while several, with Charles Townshend, seemed so eager for place, or unsteady in principle, as to be ready, upon the summons, to adopt or surrender any opinions whatever. Statesmen out of office are often in the unlucky predicament of being unable to explain to the satisfaction of the people, their hair's-breadth differences of sentiment with those who are in; and when they happen to succeed, do not always get as much credit as they expect for utility, novelty, or sincerity in their views.

Lord Rockingham, doomed to be a leader of short-lived administrations, commanded general respect for the qualities of his heart and manners. He was not a great man, only perhaps because he already enjoyed the chief of the fruits of political greatness--almost the highest rank and the amplest fortune. But were there an order of statesmen set apart from the general class, distinguished for clear views, unwavering integrity, for a sound understanding and an upright mind, who aimed at no brilliancy, and were superior to all duplicity or trick, even to promote a favourite purpose, he would have stood at the head of the list. His knowledge and acquirements were all substantial. He had much for use, though but little for display. His rank in life enabling him to take an enlarged view of the political horizon, he observed keenly, and expressed himself in public, on most occasions, wisely and temperately. Never touching on the extremes of timidity or rashness, he possessed the useful art of knowing exactly how far to go, on party occasions, and where to stop. Whoever had him for an opponent had an honourable one, whom, if he could not convince, he could scarcely disesteem; and as a minister, none could have more unequivocally at heart the good of his country.

Through the recommendation of several friends, particularly Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Burke received the appointment of private secretary to this nobleman, July 17, 1765, just a week after the latter had been nominated to the head of the Treasury. "The British dominions," says a writer who knew most of the political characters of the time, "did not furnish a more able and fit person for that important and confidential situation; the only man since the days of Cicero who has united the talents of speaking and writing with irresistible force and elegance."

His own account of this event given nine years afterwards, was stated with much modesty. "In the year sixty-five, being in a very private station, far enough from any line of business, and not having the honour of a seat in this house, it was my fortune, unknowing and unknown to the then ministry, by the intervention of a common friend, to become connected with a very noble person, and at the head of the Treasury department.

It was indeed in a situation of little rank and no consequence, suitable to the mediocrity of my talents and pretensions. But a situation near enough to enable me to see, as well as others, what was going on; and I did see in that noble person such sound principles, such an enlargement of mind, such clear and sagacious sense, and such unshaken fortitude, as have bound me, as well as others much better than me, by an inviolable attachment to him from that time forward."

By those who knew him intimately he was undoubtedly deemed a great acquisition to the ministry; he, however, had not the same high opinion of his situation, having afterwards said, that of all the members of the party at that time, he had the least sanguine hopes of it as a road to power.

The appointment had been scarcely gained, when misconception or enmity threatened to fling him back once more to a private station. No sooner was it known to the Duke of Newcastle, who had accepted the seals, than he waited upon the Marquis over whom he had some influence, and told him that he had unwarily taken into his service a man of dangerous principles, a Papist, and a Jacobite. The statement was immediately communicated in some alarm to the accused. The latter at once admitted that several of his connexions were Roman Catholics, but disclaimed that persuasion for himself and all the members of his own family, as well as every other part of the charge; and further, that his education and conduct while at Trinity College, and the tenor of his life after quitting it, were known to several mutual acquaintance, who were at hand, and might be referred to, to disprove the calumny.

The Marquis saw so much frankness in the explanation, that he readily declared himself satisfied, but not so his independent secretary. He said it was impossible they could longer continue in confidential communication; for that the impression his lordship had received would imperceptibly produce reserve and suspicion, embarrassing to public business, and so unpleasant to the subject of them, that nothing on earth should induce him to remain in such a situation.

Struck with this further instance of openness and spirit, the Marquis instantly assured him, that so far from any bad impression remaining on his mind, his manly conduct had obliterated every scruple, and that if for nothing but what had occurred on that occasion, he should ever esteem and place in him the fullest confidence,-a promise which he faithfully performed. "Neither," adds Lord Charlemont, the relator of the anecdote, and who personally knew the circumstances, "had he at any time, or his friends after his death, the least reason to repent of that confidence; Burke having ever acted toward him with the most inviolate faith and affection, and towards his surviving friends with a constant and disinterested fidelity, which was

proof against his own indigent circumstances and the magnificent offers of those in power.'

To this, as well as some other attempts to prejudice him in the opinion of his patron, he alludes in the following letter to his uncle, who, in a serious difficulty in which some of his relations were accidentally involved, had applied to him to use his influence, from being so near to the fountain of power, to extricate them. His reasons for declining to interfere show his judgment and good sense. But in Ireland, in those days, there was an unhappy opinion not even now eradicated, that interest could always overpower law. The postscript affords another illustration of his considerate benevolence even in the most trifling matters.

"My dear Sir,

"Since I heard from you, our little party in Queen Anne Street has been reinforced by a person who loves you as well as I do, poor Richard of Grenada.* He left that island in no very good state of health, and after a great deal of vexation from, but also after a great and perfect triumph over, his enemies; a set of the greatest villains that ever existed. He has leave of absence for six months; and is, I think, already as completely re-established in health, strength, and spirits, as we could wish. We all join in giving you joy on the occasion of our friend Katty's (q. Kitty's?) match; and only wish her that she may as happy in a husband as her mother was; and, much as we regard her, we cannot wish her better. Pray remember our hearty congratulations to the young couple.

"I am sincerely concerned for the match that Garret Atty. was so unfortunate as to make; and did from the beginning expect no better issue of it, in a county circumstanced as ours is; assure my uncle that there is no one step on earth in my power that I would not gladly take to give ease to his mind, which must be cruelly agitated; I most sincerely pity him; but I believe, when he reflects how newly and almost as a stranger I am come about (among?) these people, and knows the many industrious endeavours which malice and envy (very unprovoked indeed) have used to ruin me, he will see that so early a request to suspend the operation of the laws, upon my bare word, against the finding of a jury of the greatest county of the kingdom, and that upon the most unpopular point in the world, could have no other effect than to do me infinite prejudice, without the least possibility of succeeding in the object I aimed at. This I am sure your own good sense will point out to both of you, and will satisfy my uncle that no vain and timorous delicacy, but

His brother. A copy of this letter (lately published in a well-conducted periodical work) taken a long time ago, lies among the papers of a gentleman, a relative of Mr. Burke, to whom the writer of this volume is under obligations for much other valuable information.

the real conviction I have of the inefficacy of the application with regard to him, prevents my taking a warm and active part in this affair **

"It is now time for me to make some inquiry about my young friend, your grandson Ned.* I have really been so hurried with the many changes which have happened in my affairs, and those of my friends for some time past, that I have not had leisure to inquire much about him. My brother and I will consult some proper method of having him sent to sea under honest and goodnatured management; give me some account of him, and whether you still continue of opinion that this way of life will be advisable for him. If your sentiments are the same they formerly were upon this article, I hope you had an eye to the sea in the education he has since had; we may in a short time complete it here.

"You cannot think how happy you would make us by writing often, and being as particular as you can about any thing that concerns you. Thank my cousin Garret for his kind concern in my affairs; whenever he has any account to make up, he will settle it with you; by this you have my letter of attorney empowering you to act for me. If you should see Counsellor Murphy and the colonel, make my hearty compliments to them. Once more I beg to hear speedily from you. Jane and Dick are truly yours; so is, my dear uncle, your affectionate friend,

"Oct. 14, 1765.

"E. BURKE.

"I saw Dick Hennessy here some time ago; his family is well; his wife ready to fall to pieces. I recollect that Garrett + in his life-time used to allow to a poor neighbour of yours some malt, or some such small present at Christmas; let it be continued to him, and charge it to my account. Jenny intended as much more. Let him have it either in that way or any other which he may like better; and if poor Philpot be alive, you will direct that he should have a dozen of port or some good strong wine at Christmas, and now and then a bottle or two before that time. You will advance the money to cousin Garrett, and place it to my account. Until they can be had to Dublin, be so good to be very careful of the papers in your hands."

By an arrangement with Lord Verney he came immediately into parliament as member for Wendover in Buckinghamshire, his Lordship, in return being gazetted a privy-councillor; and it may be remarked, that though the principal appointments under the ministry, and among others that of the private secretaries, are mentioned in the Annual Register of the year, his own name seems studiously omitted. William Burke soon after

*The present Admiral Sir Edmund Nagle.

+ His elder brother.

G