The eighth and last volume will contain a narrative of the life of Mr. Burke, which will be accompanied with such parts of his familiar correspondence, and other occasional productions, as shall be thought fit for publication.[7] The materials relating to the early years of his life, alluded to in the Advertisement to the fourth volume, have been lately recovered; and the communication of such as may still remain in the possession of any private individuals is again most earnestly requested. Unequal as I feel myself to the task, I shall, my dear friend, lose no time, nor spare any pains, in discharging the arduous duty that has devolved upon me. You know the peculiar difficulties I labor under from the failure of my eyesight; and you may congratulate me upon the assistance which I have now procured from my neighbor, the worthy chaplain[8] of Bromley College, who to the useful qualification of a most patient amanuensis adds that of a good scholar and intelligent critic. And now, adieu, my dear friend, And believe me ever affectionately yours, WR. ROFFEN. BROMLEY HOUSE, August 1, 1812. FOOTNOTES: [1] Works, Vol. V., quarto edition, (London, F., C., & J. Rivington, 1812,)--Vol. IV. of that edition (London, F. & C. Rivington, 1802) being the first posthumous volume,--and Vols. I., II., and III. (London, J. Dodsley, 1792) comprising the collection published during the lifetime of Mr. Burke. [2] Prefixed to the first volume, in the other editions. For the account referred to, see, in the present edition, Vol. I., pp. xiii., xiv. [3] Page 86 of the present edition. [4] In this edition, p. 91, near the top. [5] In the fourth volume of the present edition. [6] The quarto edition,--extending as far as Book II. ch. 2, near the middle of the paragraph commencing, "The same regard to the welfare of the people," &c. [7] This design the editor did not live to execute. [8] The Rev. J.J. Talman. FOURTH LETTER ON THE PROPOSALS FOR PEACE WITH THE REGICIDE DIRECTORY OF FRANCE. ADDRESSED TO THE EARL FITZWILLIAM. 1795-7. PRELIMINARY CORRESPONDENCE. _Letter from the Right Honorable the Lord Auckland to the Lord Bishop of Rochester_. EDEN FARM, KENT, July 18th, 1812. My dear Lord,--Mr. Burke's fourth letter to Lord Fitzwilliam is personally interesting to me: I have perused it with a respectful attention. When I communicated to Mr. Burke, in 1795, the printed work which he arraigns and discusses, I was aware that he would differ from me. Some light is thrown on the transaction by my note which gave rise to it, and by his answer, which exhibits the admirable powers of his great and good mind, deeply suffering at the time under a domestic calamity. I have selected these two papers from my manuscript collection, and now transmit them to your Lordship with a wish that they may be annexed to the publication in question. I have the honor to be, my dear Lord, Yours most sincerely, AUCKLAND. TO THE RIGHT REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF ROCHESTER.