the laws, it is the unnatural temper which beneficence éan fret and sour, that is to be lamented. It is this temper which, by all rational means, ought to be sweetened and corrected. If froward men should refuse this cure, can they vitiate any thing but themselves? Does evil so react upon good, as not only to retard its motion, but to change its nature? If it can so operate, then good men will always be in the power of the bad; and virtue, by a dreadful reverse of order, must lie under perpetual subjection and bondage to vide.

As to the opinion of the people, which some think, in such cases, is to be implicitly obeyed; nearly two years' tranquillity, which followed the act, and its instant imitation in Ireland, proved abundantly, that the late horrible spirit was, in a great measure, the effect of insidious art, and perverse industry, and gross misrepresentation. But sup pose that the dislike had been much more deliberate, and much more general than I am persuaded it was When we know, that the opinions of even the greatest multitudes are the standard of rectitude, I shall think myself obliged to make those opinions the masters of my conscience. But if it may be doubted whether Omnipotence itself is competent to alter the essential constitution of right and wrong, sure I am, that such things, as they and I, are possessed of no such power. No man carries further than I do the policy of making government,

pleasing

pleasing to the people. But the widest range of this politick complaisance is confined within the limits of justice. I would not only consult the interest of the people, but I would cheerfully gratify their humours. We are all a sort of children that must be soothed and managed. I think I am not austere or formal in my nature. I would bear, I would even myself play my part in, any innocent buffooneries, to divert them. But I never will act the tyrant for their amusement. If they will mix malice in their sports, I shall never consent to throw them any living, sentient, creature whatsoever, no not so much as a kitling, to torment.

"But if I profess all this impolitick stubbornness, I may chance never to be elected into Par"liament." It is certainly not pleasing to be put out of the publick service. But I wish to be a member of Parliament, to have my share of doing good and resisting evil. It would therefore be absurd to renounce my objects, in order to obtain my seat. I deceive myself indeed most grossly, if I had not much rather pass the remainder of my life hidden in the recesses of the deepest obscurity, feeding my mind even with the visions and imaginations of such things, than to be placed on the most splendid throne of the universe, tantalized with a denial of the practice of all which can make the greatest situation any other than the greatest curse. Gentlemen, I have had my day. I can

never sufficiently express my gratitude to you for
having set me in a place, wherein I could lend the
slightest help to great and laudable designs. If I
have had my share, in any measure giving quiet to
private property, and private conscience; if by my
vote I have aided in securing to families the best
possession, peace; if I have joined in reconciling
kings to their subjects, and subjects to their prince;
if I have assisted to loosen the foreign holdings of
the citizen, and taught him to look for his protec-
tion to the laws of his country, and for his comfort
to the goodwill of his countrymen ;—if I have
thus taken my part with the best of men in the best
of their actions, I can shut the book;-I might
wish to read a page or two more-but this is
enough for my measure.-I have not lived in vain.

And now, Gentlemen, on this serious day, when
I come, as it were, to make up my account with
you, let me take to myself some degree of honest
pride on the nature of the charges that are against
me. I do not here stand before you accused of
venality, or of neglect of duty. It is not said, that,
in the long period of my service, I have in a single
instance, sacrificed the slightest of your interests to
my ambition, or to my fortune. It is not alleged,
that to gratify any anger, or revenge of my own,
or of my party, I have had a share in wronging
or oppressing any description of men, or any one

man in any description. No! the charges against

me, are all of one kind, that I have pushed the principles of general justice and benevolence too far; further than a cautious policy would warrant; and further than the opinions of many would go along with me.-In every accident which may happen through life, in pain, in sorrow, in depression, and distress-I will call to mind this accusation; and be comforted.

ment.

Gentlemen, I submit the whole to your judgMr. Mayor, I thank you for the trouble you have taken on this occasion: In your state of health, it is particularly obliging. If this company should think it advisable for me to withdraw, I shall respectfully retire; if you think otherwise, I shall go directly to the Council-house and to the Change, and, without a moment's delay, begin my

canvass.

AT a great and respectable meeting of the friends of EDMUND BURKE, Esq. held at the Guildhall this day;

The Right Worshipful the Mayor in the Chair:

Resolved, That Mr, Burke, as a representative for this city, has done all possible honour to himself as a senator and a man, and that we do heartily and honestly approve of his conduct, as the result of an enlightened loyalty to his sovereign; a warm and zealous love to his country, through its widely-extended empire; a jealous and watchful care of the liberties of his fellow-subjects; an enlarged and liberal understanding of our commercial interest; a humane attention to the circumstances of even the lowest ranks of the community; and a truly wise, politick, and tolerant spirit, in supporting the national church, with a reasonable indulgence to all who dissent from it; and we wish to express the most marked abhorrence of the base arts which have been employed, without regard to truth and reason, to misrepresent his eminent services to his country.

Resolved, That this resolution be copied out, and signed by the chairman, and be by him presented to Mr. Burke, as the fullest expression of the respectful and grateful sense we entertain of his merits and services, publick and private, to the citizens of Bristol, as a man and a representative.

Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be given to the right worshipful the Mayor, who so ably and worthily presided in this meeting.

Resolved,