Pitt's income tax far more oppressive, that place we may learn, that the exthan it ever had been under the tension of a similar privilege to the plea of the necessities of the state; householders of the whole kingdom, and at the same time increasing the would not be so improper a measure, incomes of the princes; these, with as by men of great power and promany other measures, so strongly in- perty is apprehended. On the death dicated the disposition of this new of Mr. Fox a vacancy was made, not whig ministry, that whilst one party easily to be filled up; and Lord Percy were on the catch to avail them- was placed in it ad interim. Mr. selves of any opportunity to hurl Sheridan most anxiously desired the them from their seats, the great body situation; at the next election a new of the people were perfectly indiffe- candidate appeared upon the stage, rent as to their continuance in power, a gentleman who had applied to Sir or rather, were hoping, that men, Francis; and on his declining to stand, who had so falsified all the favourable came forward himself. This gentleimpressions once entertained of them, man, Mr. Paull, had made his forshould be sent back to their former tune in the East Indies, and had dissituation. An opportunity occurred, tinguished himself in the House of arising from their own mismanage- Commons, by his endeavours to bring ment. They lost their places. A Marquis Wellesley to the bar of the new parliament was soon after called: House of Lords for his conduct in the ex-ministers went back to their India. The reflections thrown on this constituents; and they who had repre- gentleman for his supposed situation sented large counties or universities, were obliged to their friends for some paltry borough, to give them an opportunity of re-echoing their complaint in parliament on their fallen

state.

in early life, and the little support he received, do no credit to the whigs. The contest at this election lay between Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Paull, and in spite of every art that was used, every effort of the whig club,· Mr. Paull was for the greater part of the election above Mr. Sheridan; and he would have been the sitting member, if Mr. Sheridan had not been taken in tow by the court candidate. This conduct evidently proved, that

In this situation of affairs Sir F. Burdett was naturally looked up to, but his determination was fixed. He could see no good arising from the battling of two parties in a House of Commons for places and pensions; and could not expect, that either the whig club approached nearer to would cooperate with him in the the ministerial, than the popular effectual measures which he required party: for otherwise a proper june-the exclusion of placemen and pen- tion of Sheridan and Paull would have sioners from the house: the shorten- secured the election of both. In coning of the duration of parliament; sequence of Mr. Paull's conduct in and the giving to the people its true the House of Commons, and his exshare of the representation. He ad- ertions in Westminster, an acquaintdressed the freeholders of Middle- ance took place between him and Sir sex, stating plainly his reasons for de- Francis Burdett, and he was introclining to be a candidate for the duced to many of the friends of the county. He saw with indifference latter, and among them, to Mr. the preparations making for contested Horne Tooke. This gentleman has elections: he had not the least idea for many years resided at Wimblethat he should have a seat in parlia- don, where he entertains very hospiment, and he was determined not to tably a number of friends on the Sunexpend a single farthing to obtain days, and at these parties Mr. Paull, after his first introduction, was a The city of Westminster is a great pretty constant visitor. Nothing can and interesting scene on every elec- surpiss the encomiums paid on Mr. tion. In that city the elective franchise H. Tooke by Mr. Paull during this is as extensive as can be desired: every intimacy, which lasted about six householder who has paid his parish months: but the encomiums ceased rates, is entitled to a vote, and from with the intimacy, which was broken

one.

by a curious circumstance, that for a conduct of the seconds, that the usual considerable time occupied the attention of the public.

precautions had not been taken for medical assistance, and the wounded combatants were brought back in the same carriage to town.

On the dissolution of the last parliament, Mr. Paull determined to be again a candidate for Westminster. It is easy to imagine what passed in In the preceding contest he had re- the minds of the wounded pair. Sir ceived great assistance from Sir F. F. contemplated it as an unfortunate Burdett, and he naturally looked for affair, in which he had been compelsupport to the same quarter on the led to act. He did not entertain the approaching occasion. It was his least animosity against Mr. Paull: he wish also, that Sir F. Burdett should complied in this instance with the be a joint candidate with him; but laws of custom, and those falsely the declaration of Sir F. made that called of honour; and whatever we impossible, as Sir F. had determined may think of those laws, there is no not to be a candidate for any place doubt that Sir F.'s character was whatever. He had, however, pro- raised in the apprehension of numbers, mised his support to Mr. Paull, as a by the mode in which he conducted man whom he thought useful to the himself in this affair. We are under public, in bringing to light various the necessity of using the term raised, circumstances in Indian affairs, which for it arises from the following fact. required investigation. This promise In the preceding Middlesex elecof support Mr. Paul! interpreted to a tion, Sir F. had spoken very freely much greater length than was intend- his sentiments on public men and ed, and could consistently with the public measures; and he was called declaration of Sir F. be maintained. to do this by a letter addressed to By some unfortunate want of deci. him by Mr. Whitbread, and circusive arrangement also in Mr. Paull, lated as much as possible in the public Sir F. Burdett's name was put at the papers. In consequence of the ani head of an advertisement, to be in the madversions on this letter, Mr. Whitchair at an electioneering dinner. bread thought it right to use the vulThe impropriety of this conduct Sir gar appeal to a pistol. He sent his F. pointed out in a very proper letter, second to Sir Francis, who was to and his absence was accounted for by question him, whether he meant any his brother at that dinner, and no- thing personal to Mr. Whitbread. thing passed at the dinner, which The answer was easily made: Sir could lead to any conjecture of the F. had no animosity to Mr. Whitconsequences. Mr Paul apologized bread: he did not mean the least inas well as he could to his company, sinuation to his private character: he for the insertion of the name of Sir spoke of him as a public man, and Francis in the advertisement: but his on a public measure. He was asked, manner of doing it was so unsatis- whether he would avow this publicly. factory, that most of his own com- Sir F. instantly replied, that it was mittee determined to act no longer perfectly indifferent to him how pubin that character for him. After the lic his sentiments were, for he spoke dinner was over, Mr. Paul went truly what he felt. A letter to this down to Wimbledon with another import was accordingly signed, and gentleman. Sir F. was awaked out the public papers were made the ve of his sleep, messages passed between hicles of informing the public, that Mr. Paul and him, which termi- Mr. Whitbread, a legislator, a father nated in a challenge from Mr. Paull, of a family, a very worthy man, gave who went off to a neighbouring town, his countenance to the stupid and and left Sir F. to make the usual pre- foolish mode of deciding an opinion parations for such a meeting. The by firing a pistol.

parties met the next morning, when The enemies of Sir F. Burdett were a brace of pistols was fired without glad to see the letter. They seized it effect: on the second discharge both as an opportunity of inveighing against fell; Mr. Paul being shot through his personal courage; and they among the leg, and Sir Francis through the his friends, who were advocates for thigh, and so injudicious had been the duelling, were put to a nonplus Low

to defend him. We do not approve Sir F. Burdett was a very great part of public men acting in this manner. of the time ignorant of what was going Force may be the ultima ratio regum, forward. The curing of his wound but public men owe themselves to the created at the same time anxiety: but public, and to use the same method the calmness of his temper and his of settling a dispute, as an unfledged equanimity made him an easy patient, ensign of the guards may think neces- at the time that his adversary was sary to give himself a character, in racked. not only with pains of body, the eyes of silly women and Bond but all the mental afflictions that Street loungers, is unworthy of those could at the same moment afflict a who, by a dignified conduct, ought to man: remorse at having attempted set a better example to the people. the life of his friend; disappointment But our sentiments are not those of a in his election concerns; and vexaconsiderable class of society. Sir F. tion at having been the means of his Burdett was considered as having re- own fall. Various publications enfused to fight, and this was an un- sued, written with much personal pardonable offence. They were mis- animosity. Mr. Paull made a long taken however, in attributing this three shilling pamphlet, in which he conduct to cowardice. Mr. Paull has endeavoured to vindicate himself, fought several duels, but he never and to lay the whole blame of every met with, or saw a man, who took thing upon Mr. Tooke; upon whom his ground with more composure; he bestowed a profusion of such who stood with more firmness; who epithets, as were the exact contrast received a ball with more coolness. of all that he had uttered for the preHe looked upon the affair as one of ceding six months. If Mr. Tooke was those unfortunate circumstances, treated as possessed of powers of the which befall sometimes the best of head, but totally devoid of those of men, and he was resigned to the the heart, except what was maligchances of the day, with that good nant; Sir F. Burdett was allowed to temper and equanimity, which form have the amiable qualities of the a very conspicuous part of his charac- heart, but to be very weak in his in

ter.

tellects. The pamphlet dropped abortive from the press: few persons gave themselves the trouble of wading through such a quantity of abuse, bad language, and bad argument.

The wounded men were separated on their arrival in town. Sir Francis was carried to his own house, and soon received the assistance of his friend Mr. Cline, whose eminence in his art is unrivalled; and who to that Sir Francis was too ill to be chaired eminence unites those qualities, which at the close of the election; but every make him the pride and joy of a very one knows in what a splendid man extensive circle. The duel was her the ceremony took place a short fought on a Saturday, It was neces- time afterwards. It was done too sary from the nature of the wound, soon; for at that time he could only that Sir Francis should be kept per- walk upon crutches: but the usual fectly quiet; and his friends on the serenity of his mind enabled him to Monday determined, that, as there go through the day with great ease; could be no communication with him and what few people would have venon the subject of the Westminster tured in such a situation, retarded election, so no encouragement should very little his recovery. It was imbe held out by them, that he would po-sible for him, however, to attend take any part in it. The whole was his duty in parliament. During the new left entirely in the hands of the session he was the greater part of the committees, and they came to an time at Wimbledon; but he could not early determination. They resolved lay aside his crutches for sticks till to put up Sir Francis Burdett; and the end of the summer. The apthe public knows with what prudence proaching session will find him able and ease, and small expense, they to be at his post; but we canuct vencarried on the arduous contest, and ture to presage, that either the ius or finally succeeded in placing him at the outs will be ready to embrace his the head of the poll. views. So far it may be said, that his

UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL, VIII.

2 G

absence from parliament was fortu- sequence of these opinions, he would nate; as both parties attacked each sweep from the house those swarms other with the utmost fury, and dis- of placemen and pensioners with covered to the country, in the conflict, which it is infested, many important truths. Had Sir In these sentiments he is said to be Francis been in the house, both sides encouraged by Mr. Horne Tooke; might have turned from their private nay, he is represented to be merely animosities to combat him, who his puppet, and to be incapable of wished, that the real good of the conceiving and uttering any thing country, and the restoration of its from himself. Whatever indulgence old constitution, might have a greater is then given to Sir Francis, so much share in their deliberations. greater indignation is expressed The political character of Sir F. against his supposed instructor. But Burdett, (for on his private charac- let us suppose, that an intimacy has ter all agree) will be viewed in very taken place between a young man of different lights by the advocates of fortune and an old man, confessed by the different parties now in this coun- all to be one of the first scholars in try. We, who conceive that the this country: such an intimacy conconstitution of this country consists fers honour on both parties, for all in its being governed by a king, lords, who know Mr. Tooke know as and commons; and that the use of the suredly this, that he would not last branch has been much injured, by waste his time with a blockhead. the inroads made on the constitution, It may be, that a young man will by lengthening the duration of parlia- defer much to the political sentiment, and that the decay of boroughs ments of an aged politician, who has has altered in great measure the re- seen much of public life, who has by presentation: we, who conceive that travel, by books, and by mixing with the public has not its share in the all the great characters of his time, House of Commons, being not more gained a fund of knowledge scarcely than thirty out of one hundred and to be equalled, certainly not to be eighty parts, whilst the individuals, surpassed in this country. If we who have indirect influence in it, have should allow this, it cannot be a disa vast majority over both king and credit, nor could it be disadvantageous people: we, who wish to see the com- to a young man, unless the sentiments mons of the United Kingdom fairly of his friend were such as are injurepresented, at the same time that rious to his country.

the privileges of the king and the Mr, H. Tooke has for many years the rights of the nobles remain un- been an object of attack; and what impaired; we cannot but view with is more singular, each party in its approbation the conduct of Sir Francis, turn, as soon as it came in possession who with his fortune and connec- of power, has declared against him. tions, can maintain the cause of the Whatever we may think of this sinpeople; can spurn at corruption; and gularity, one thing cannot be doubtlift his voice against those jobs, which ed, that he has preferred his own must in the present state of things oc- mode of thinking to private views, cupy so much the attention of the and without that obstinacy of mind, minister. He has plainly told the as some will call it, he might have public what his sentiments are; and rivalled Mr. Rose, or Lord Melville, they may be reduced simply to this, or a long list of friends of ministers, that the representative of every place in the enjoyment of wealth, obtained, should feel his relation to his consti- whether honestly or dishonestly, from tuents, and should not have any bye the country. He was the friend of motive, by dependance on a power- Lord Shelburne and Mr. Pitt; he ac ful lord or on a minister, to divert his cepted nothing from either; and, in judgment from the consideration of return for his friendship with the lat any question brought before the ter, he was threatened with a halter. house. He would consider the mi- The fact is curious; that a gentleman nisters of the crown, as persons re- now alive, k leave of Mr. Pitt and sponsible for their conduct, and not Mr. Tooke, then very intimate as masters of parliament: and in con- friends, to make a tour on the contie

nent, and on his return to England over Sir F. Burdett. Their acquaintthe first news he heard was, that his ance commenced somewhat more friend Mr. Pitt had sent his friend than twelve years ago; it ripened into Mr. Tooke to the Tower. The friends friendship. Such a friendship has of Mr. Tooke out of power, have not been, without doubt, advantageous to been his friends when in power: Sir Francis. To have constant access who are to blame? Has Mr. Tooke to the stores of so capacious à mind, changed his sentiments, or have they is a benefit which few young men of changed theirs? Let them, who know fashion and fortune know how to apthe history of this reign, answer this preciate, still fewer how to avail themquestion. From the beginning to selves of such an advantage. Sir F. the present day, Mr. H. Tooke will Burdett does both; and in consebe found to have uniformly supported quence is better acquainted with our the principles of the constitution, as national history and our national litesettled at the revolution; to have op- rature, than any of his competitors posed only what is in opposition to for the public favour. He may say those principles; to have been an with Cicero, that the time which advocate for the true rights of the others employ in various amusements, three branches of the constitution, he has devoted to the improvement but to have opposed each only, when of his mind: he has made the conthey overstepped the limits of their stitution of his country his study; respective jurisdictions. and we wish him the utmost success But we cannot allow that Mr. H. in the attempt to cleanse the Augean Tooke has the influence supposed, stable.

CRITICISM.

"Nulli negabimus, nulli differemus justitiam."

Hours of Idleness, a Series of Poems, present indulgence, shall I be tempted original and translated. By George to commit a future trespass of the Gordon, Lord Byron, a minor. same nature." This is decisive; yet, Newark. 1807. pp. 187. might experience venture to whisper HIS work offers itself to our no- into the ears of youth, it would say, THIS tice with many claims to indul- that genius is restless, that praise kingence and lenity. It is the production dles a slumbering fire into flame, and of a youth, who has but just attained that he who feels he can write is rarehis nineteenth year; it is the produc- ly phlegmatic enough to remain silent. tion of a nobleman; and it is preceded We know not, indeed, what may be by a singularly modest and ingenuous the views, or what the destination of preface. We call it a modest preface, Lord Byron: perhaps he is justly ambecause it seems to express the real bitious of serving his country in a sentiments of the author's mind, not manner more immediately beneficial, affectedly diffident or crawling with and more exalted than in the flowery servile humility. However, we may paths of poesy: if so, we shall be well venture to assure Lord Byron, that content to see him rigidly adhering to these effusions of his muse do no dis- his resolution. Yet, poetry may occredit to his youth; many of them are cupy the elegant retirement of a gifted elegant and interesting, and almost all mind, whose nobler energies are dipossess a neat and harmonious versifi- rected to nobler purposes. Let us cation. We are authorised, in some hope, then, that Lord Byron may be measure, to consider this as a posthu- casuist enough to reason away his mous publication, for we are told, pledge, and give, as the trifles of leiwith emphatic earnestness, that it is sure, what he may be unwilling to a" first and last attempt," Pref.; and have considered as the primary occuhe adds, it is highly improbable, pation of his time. from my situation and pursuits here- The prevailing cast of the poems after, that I should ever obtrude my- before us is amatory, and in these his self a second time on the public; nor lordship seems to have taken Mr, even in the very doubtful event of Moore for his model. They have not