In January, 1758, was born his son, Richard, that child of many hopes and many sorrows, to be through life beloved with excessive fondness, and to be mourned in death with even more than parental agony and affliction. This was Burke's only offspring, with the exception of another son, who, born about two years afterwards, died in infancy.

The prospects of a family rousing the energies of Burke's mind to still greater exertion, he, about this time, commenced the "Annual Register," and continued, for some years after its establishment, to be connected with that excellent and deservedly popular political and literary history of the times.

The day of Burke's political fame now approached. The amiable, accomplished, and patriotic Lord Charlemont, whose name carries Ireland's greatness in its echo, was the man who first introduced him to the attention of those in power. This nobleman recommended Burke to the Right Hon. William Gerard Hamilton, well known as "SingleSpeech Hamilton," who, in 1761, had been appointed Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant. Hamilton engaged Burke to assist him in Ireland; and the latter actively, and, no doubt, usefully, employed himself in the service of the government, though without any ostensible office or any salary. In 1763, Burke received a pension, on the Irish establishment, of £300 per annum, for which he was indebted principally to Mr. Hamilton. He enjoyed it, however, only for two years; it appears its payment inferred implicit political obedience. Burke was not the man for this: his lofty spirit did no such fealty to Mammon. The instant he became fully aware of the intentions of his employers, he

spurned the ignominy and relinquished the pension. Mr. Hamilton, who managed the matter in the true spirit of a political huckster, had the meanness to take the pension back. The whole transaction, the entire particulars of which have only recently transpired, redounds to Mr. Burke's high and unbending honour.

In 1765 a section of the Whigs—the aristocratic portion of that party-entered office under the auspices of the Marquis of Rockingham. One week after that nobleman became First Lord of the Treasury, he appointed Burke his Private Secretary, and the latter, through the interest of Lord Verney, entered parliament as Member for Wendover. The Rockingham administration, it is well known, came into power under very critical circumstances. In America, discontent had spread to an alarming degree in consequence of the Stamp Act: at home, the manufacturers and merchants were incensed at restrictions which threatened to destroy their trade. At this momentous period, the parliamentary session opened, January the 14th, 1766, and on a very early day, Burke delivered his first speech, with America for the theme. Though little of this effort now remains, it is evident from the commendations of Mr. Pitt, who followed him in the debate, that it must have exhibited no ordinary excellence. After this Burke spoke frequently, and each time with increasing effect. His parliamentary reputation had indeed no slow dawning, no lengthened rise; it burst at once into full and lasting splendour. Johnson himself has left it on record, "that probably no man at his first appearance ever obtained so much reputation before."

The most important measure on which the Rockingham party resolved was that which respected

America, one well known to every reader of English history. They repealed the Stamp Act on the ground of expediency, but asserted the legislative power of Great Britain to enforce it, if she thought proper. This was a middle course between the two extreme parties, one of which denied the right of England to tax the colonies at all, while the other not only maintained that right, but insisted on its being exercised. The government measure bears conclusive internal evidence of having chiefly been the work of Mr. Burke. It carries the very stamp of his policy. His principle was always to apply a practical remedy to a practical grievance, and never to discuss abstract principles, or, at all events, not before the most imperious necessity compelled such course. The measure answered its purpose; and had the plan it recognised been adhered to, North America might long have remained to Britain. Several other ministerial proposals passed this session, the most popular of which was the resolution against general warrants. Under the provisions of this act, Mr. Wilkes returned from banishment.

Parliament was prorogued in June, and in July the ministry were dismissed. Mr. Burke soon after drew up that masterly sketch, entitled, "A Short Account of a late Short Administration;" in which he simply stated, in a few paragraphs, what the government had done during its year of office. On the dissolution of the Rockingham Administration, Mr. Pitt, afterwards Lord Chatham, attempted to combine a new one out of the elements of all political parties, and he produced in consequence that memorable "piece of joinery,"* some years afterwards

* See p. 266.

so happily described by Mr. Burke. This ministry subsequently received an accession of strength from the Bedford party, terminating in what is usually called the Grafton Administration, whose proceedings respecting Wilkes gave rise to the Letters of Junius. Among the many persons to whom the public has attributed the authorship of that famous epistolary work, Burke has been frequently mentioned; but, laying aside the little proof brought forward to maintain the supposition, the question is, as regards him, completely set at rest by his own statement; for, be it remembered, Burke was a man of unalterable truth: one might safely hazard even life upon his faith. In a letter addressed to Charles Townshend, bearing date the 24th Nov., 1771, to be found in the recently published correspondence before alluded to, Burke writes thus: "I have, I dare say, to nine-tenths of my acquaintance, denied my being the author of 'Junius,' or having any knowledge of the author, as often as the thing was mentioned, whether in jest or earnest, in style of disapprobation or of compliment. Perhaps I may have omitted to do so to you, in any formal manner, as not supposing you to have any suspicion of me. I now give you my word and honour that I am not the author of 'Junius,' and that I know not the author of that paper, and I do authorise you to say so."

In the year 1768 Mr. Burke purchased an estate in Buckinghamshire, called Gregories, or Butler's Court, situated about a mile from the market town of Beaconsfield, and latterly itself better known by the name of " Beaconsfield" only.

The funds necessary for this acquisition he derived partially from money left him by his father and elder

brother, then dead; and partially through the aid of his patron, the Marquis of Rockingham, who considered it little more than a just return for the faithful and indefatigable services of his secretary. At Beaconsfield, Burke cultivated his lands with great care and attention: he took infinite pleasure in agriculture, and he proved himself to be one of the most successful farmers in the county. Here too used he to entertain with cordial and frequent hospitality his friends and admirers. Butler's Court was the continual resort of beauty, wit, or talent, led thither by the fascinating society of the owner and his family. In private company Burke was a delightful associate: he had extraordinary powers of conversation on all matters, grave or gay, important or trivial; he abounded in humour and pleasantry; he took an interest in every one, and every thing; and there was scarce a subject of which he did not evince a perfect knowledge. He felt much enjoyment in female society, and with ladies his manners were graceful, amusing, and playful. At home, and among his associates, politics were readily laid aside; and various anecdotes represent the statesman entering with zest into the sports and pranks of the witty crowd that surrounded him; sharing earnestly in the games of schoolboys; and even listening in the company of children, with serious attention, to fairy adventures and infantine histories. Add to this the pure mind, and unimpeachable moral character of the man, and no wonder that Beaconsfield formed a centre of attraction. But the place is rendered sacred by even nobler recollections: it was on all occasions, the refuge of misery and distress. To the assistance Edmund Burke afforded in hours of poverty and