felt himself surpassed by Mr. Sheridan in all the favourite walks of his own genius; that the canker-worm of envy had gnawed its way into his bosom; and that he strove to conceal its sharp corrosion under the shew of the most zealous and liberal applause.'

There is nothing easier than to assign bad motives, but their existence is to be proved. by something more convincing than mere assertion. Is there any evidence that Sheridan was the object of envy to Burke? Mr. McCormick adduces none. There is, therefore, only his affirmation, to which a negative is an equivalent. But, as a matter of verisimilitude, what is there in the relative talents, character, and situation of both, that could render it probable? Sheridan is, no doubt, a man of great genius and great eloquence; but is there any thing in his genius or eloquence, the superiority of which could gnaw the mind of Burke? Let an impartial reader peruse the speeches and consider the efforts of both, and answer this question: let him read the most admired

productions of that very admirable orator, and let him compare them with the speeches of Burke on American taxation, on reconcilement, on œconomy, on the India-bill, on the opening of the charges against Hastings, and let him shew in Burke that inferiority which only can be the cause of envy. From the manner in which Mr. McCormick expresses himself, it would appear, that it was parliamentary eloquence in which Sheridan displayed such powers as to mortify Burke. But could he be supposed to be so ignorant of his own extraordinary talents, as to be mortified by the exhibition of very great talents in any one? If the perception of very great parliamentary abilities in another was to fill the breast Burke with jealousy and rage, that cause must have existed respecting another person of his own party certainly as much as concerning Sheridan. No man can admire the force and versatility of Sheridan's genius more than I; but certain I am that I do not under-rate it, when I think, that a man could not envy his senatorial powers, who

would not envy those of Fox; and there is neither proof nor any allegation that Burke did so. If literary talents were to excite the envy of Burke, was there any man he knew in that species of excellence superior to the Litchfield sage? And there was never the smallest evidence, nor, indeed, insinuation, that Burke envied Johnson. Was there any thing in the situation of Sheridan that could corrode the breast of Burke ? Were situation to be always proportionate to abilities, both were in a condition much less exalted than their elevated genius-but Sheridan was not higher than Burke. In the esteem of those whose opinion they would both think the most valuable, was Sheridan above Burke? Was he more highly praised by the Duke of Portland, Earl Fitzwilliam, and others of the highest rank of their friends; or by Mr. Windham, Mr. Fox, and others of the highest talents? In the opinion of the world Sheridan did not stand higher. Thus, there existed no cause which could render it probable that Burke was actuated by such a passion. Mr.

McCormick brings no proof from Burke's words or actions, that he was envious of Sheridan. Unsupported by proof, and contrary to probability, this injurious charge against the character of a most extraordinary personage falls to the ground :—it is a charge that the liberal and great mind of Sheridan himself could not believe to be well founded. Since I wrote the first edition, I have been informed that Mr. Burke by no means liked Mr. Sheridan so much as he esteemed his genius. He thought, during the last years of his connection with him and Mr. Fox, that Mr. Sheridan had too much influence over his admired friend; this dislike, however, had, or could have in it nothing of envy.

The commercial treaty with France first occupied Parliament during the succeeding session. This treaty, believed to be the result of the extensive information of Hawkesbury, the acuteness and diplomatic knowledge of Eden, ministering to the compre-* hensive genius of Pitt, was considered in

two relations,-commercial and political.. As to its mercantile arrangements, it was the triumph of commercial philosophy over usage, and of a general over partial interest. It was a practical application of the principles and demonstrations of Smith concerning the reciprocal advantages, to skilful and industrious nations, of a free trade. The discussions of the treaty, both in the House of Peers and Commons, called forward the most important, subjects of œconomical science. Its political object was liberal and great, it was to terminate the animosities between Britain and France, that had been productive of so great evils to both. Whether it was or was not attainable, it is now impossible to ascertain, as the circumstances are so totally changed. It was to its political tendency that the principal opposition was made. Fox endeavoured to shew, that France still continued her plans of ambition, although she varied her modes of execution. While amusing us, he said, with commercial connections, she was, by the increase of her marine, and her intrigues with foreign states,