The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 04 (of 12)Burke, Edmund
Philosophy
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 04 (of 12)
Burke, Edmund
Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1760-1820; Political science -- Early works to 1800
Mr. Burke cannot answer for the truth nor prove the falsehood of the
story given by the friends of the party in this paper. He only knows
that an opinion of its being well or ill authenticated had no influence
on his conduct. He meant only, to the best of his power, to guard the
public against the ill designs of factions out of doors. What Mr. Burke
did in Parliament could hardly have been intended to draw Mr. Fox into
any declarations unfavorable to his principles, since (by the account of
those who are his friends) he had long before effectually prevented the
success of any such scandalous designs. Mr. Fox's friends have
themselves done away that imputation on Mr. Burke.
[9] See his speech on American Taxation, the 19th of April, 1774.
[10] Lord Lansdowne.
[11] Mr. Windham.
[12] July 17th, 1765.
[13] Works, Vol. III. pp. 251-276, present edition.
[14] State Trials, Vol. V. p. 651.
[15] Page 676.
[16] The words necessary to the completion of the sentence are wanting
in the printed trial--but the construction of the sentence, as well as
the foregoing part of the speech, justify the insertion of some such
supplemental words as the above.
[17] "What we did was, in truth and substance, and in a constitutional
light, a revolution, not made, but prevented. We took solid securities;
we settled doubtful questions; we corrected anomalies in our law. In the
stable, fundamental parts of our Constitution we made no
revolution,--no, nor any alteration at all. We did not impair the
monarchy. Perhaps it might be shown that we strengthened it very
considerably. The nation kept the same ranks, the same orders, the same
privileges, the same franchises, the same rules for property, the same
subordinations, the same order in the law, in the revenue, and in the
magistracy,--the same lords, the same commons, the same corporations,
the same electors."--_Mr. Burke's Speech in the House of Commons, 9th
February, 1790._--It appears how exactly he coincides in everything with
Sir Joseph Jekyl.
[18] See Reflections, pp. 42, 43.--Works, Vol. III. p. 270, present
edition.
[19] Declaration of Right.
[20] Vindication of the Rights of Man, recommended by the several
societies.
[21] "Omnes omnium charitates patria una complectitur."--Cic.
[22] A few lines in Persius contain a good summary of all the objects of
moral investigation, and hint the result of our inquiry: There human
will has no place.
Quid _sumus_? et quidnam _victuri gignimur_? ordo
Quis _datus_? et _metæ_ quis mollis flexus, et unde?
Quis modus argento? Quid _fas optare_? Quid asper
Utile nummus habet? _Patriæ charisque propinquis_
Quantum elargiri _debet_? Quem te Deus esse
_Jussit_? et humana qua parte _locatus es_ in re?
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