ADVERTISEMENT. To o rescue from oblivion the memory of superior virtue, to vindicate religion, and to give dignity to human nature, by exhibiting in his native colours one of the most valuable and distinguished characters of the day in which he lived, are a few of the motives which have led to the publication of the following sheets. The letters contained in them have been copied by the Editor from the originals. They are given to the public in their native simplicity, and generally without commentary or remark. It would be no difficult task to dilate upon the subjects of which the Abbé Edgeworth treats. They are matters which have engaged the undivided attention of Europe for the last twenty years, and which have eventually terminated in results that human foresight could not contemplate, nor human policy devise. It has, however, been considered, that commentary in the present instance would be intrusive; and, moreover, the opinions expressed by the Abbé, even in his most confidential correspondence, are such as stand in no need either of vindication or apology. The Abbé Edgeworth was a silent, though not an idle spectator of the great moral drama in which he was destined to act so conspicuous a part. The crimes, the vices, and the mistakes of the politicians who ruled France in the early stages of the revolution were not unknown to him. His mind was too deeply impressed with the notion of an over-ruling Providence to despond, although the catastrophe was equally tragical as mysterious; and hence the reader of his letters cannot feel surprised at the confidence with which he urges his opinion, that the French will, sooner or later, return to their former masters, though it be impossible to say by what means or when. The opinions of such a man, under such circumstances, must naturally be deserving of attention and regard. The only documents in the present collection which have not been transcribed by the Editor immediately from the originals, are, the letter from the Abbé, dated London, 1796, to Mr. Ussher Edgeworth, giving an account of the last scenes of the life of Louis XVI.*; and the letter to the same gentleman, from the present King of France, regarding the death of the Abbé. Of *This paper has already appeared before the public in a short Memoir by Mr. C. S. Edgeworth; but the Editor regrets to say, that the style has, in some instances, under the notion of amendment, been altered. It is now given as originally written by the Abbé himself. these, the latter is given from a copy in the hand-writing of Mr. U. Edgeworth in the Editor's possession, and the other is taken from an authentic copy, transcribed at the desire of the late Roman Catholic Bishop of Cork, Dr. Moylan, from the original. The insertion in the present work of a short account of the life of the last-named prelate was called for, by the circumstance of much the greater number of the letters in the present collection having been addressed to him. Such a notice of such a man will not, therefore, appear misplaced; and every friend to the history and literature of the United Kingdoms, will rejoice at the opportunity thereby afforded for the publication of the letters from the Right Hon. Edmund Burke. The Editor owes it to himself to state, that for the facts of Mr. R. Edgeworth's life, he is indebted to Dr. Moylan, who |