66 self-denial in a public man; for though rank, and honours, and money may be refused by such when alive, there are perhaps few who would decline the monumental brass, or marble, or inscription, which conveys to posterity some intimation that their merits, were at least in part estimated and valued by their contemporaries. His reason for adverting to the subject he expresses to be "because I know the partial kindness to me of some of my friends; but I have had in my life too much of noise and compliment."— The first clause in this testamentary document marks in a manner equally striking, his piety, and attachment to his departed kindred: :- According to the ancient, good, and laudable custom of which my heart and understanding recognize the propriety, I bequeath my soul to God, hoping for his mercy only through the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. My body I desire to be buried in the church at Beaconsfield, near to the bodies of my dearest brother and my dearest son, in all humility praying that as we have lived in perfect unity together, we may together have a part in the resurrection of the just." His brother-in-law, Mr. John Nugent, he bequeaths to the protection of his political friends, in order to provide for his interests; and to his "entirely beloved and incomparable wife, Jane Mary Burke," is given the whole of his property in fee-simple. To his niece, Mrs. Haviland, whose husband was alive at the time the will was drawn up a legacy was left of £1000. On a tablet such as he desired, in the south aisle of Beaconsfield church, is the following inscription: Near this place lies interred all That was mortal of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Who died on the 9th of July, 1797, aged 68 years: In the same grave are deposited the remains of his only son, Richard Burke, Esq., representative in Parliament for the Borough of Malton. Who died the 2d August, 1794, aged 35: Of his brother Richard Burke, Esq., Barrister at Law, Who died on the 4th February, 1794: And of his widow Jane Mary Burke, who died on the 2d April, A friend adds a few further particulars. "On a mural monument in the south aisle of Beaconsfield church-The ms of Burke impaling Nugent, sculptured in bold relief. Mrs. Burke continued to reside at Butler's Court, visited and esteemed by all the friends of her late husband, among whom Mr. and Mrs. Windham were at all times particularly attentive, until her death, April 2, 1812, being previously much crippled in her limbs by rheumatism. It was believed for some time that she was the author of a novel published in 1800, called "Elliott, or Vicissitudes of Early Life," but her friends knew this was not the fact, though the publisher said he had had correspondence on the subject with a lady of that name residing at Beaconsfield, whom he understood to be the widow of Edmund Burke. The "On a cross gules, the first quarter charged with a lion rampant sable -Burke impaling Nugent-Ermine, two bars gules-Nugent. "Crest-On a wreath, a mountain cat sejant guardant proper, gorged with a plain collar and chained or." From the intimate connexion of this family with that of Haviland, it may not be extraneous to introduce, from the authority of my antiquarian correspondent, the mortuary notices upon its members in Penn church; the words of the inscription upon the General, few as they are, but expressive, being the suggestion of Mr. Burke. "Near the vestry door, on a tablet sculptured with military trophies and other appropriate emblems, by Hickey-the arms of Havilandargent three embattled castles sable, impaling-Aston-argent-a fess and in chief three lozenges sable-inscribed-here rest the remains of Gene ral William Haviland, late Colonel of the 45th Regiment of Infantry.An experienced and successful commander without ostentation. A firm friend without profession. A good man without pretence. He died Sept. 16, 1784, aged 67 years. Also of Mary, relict of Wm. Townly Balfour, Esq. of the kingdom of Ireland, who departed this life August 2, 1789, aged 56 years after having, by her exemplary patience, pious resignation under a long and severe illness, impressed a genuine value upon those amiable qualities both of the understanding and of the heart, which made her the delight of all who knew her.-Also of Mary, wife of Samuel Ruxton Fitzherbert, Esq., of the kingdom of Ireland,-in whom simplicity of manners adorned a fine understanding-the love of her duty adorned the practice of it-and her affection was rendered inestimable by the sincerity and truth with which it was accompanied. She died Sept. 13th,1786, aged 29 years. This monument, sacred to the memory of the best of husbands, an affectionate twin sister, and a dutiful daughter, is erected by their disconsolate survivor, Salisbury Haviland. "Mrs. Salisbury Haviland herself was buried at Penn, October 6, 1807, and her unmarried sister, Abigail Aston, who had lived with her, was likewise interred Feb. 11th, 1814, aged 80 years.-And as the more humble friends of Mr. Burke's family must not be forgotten in this list of the departed, it may be mentioned that those old and faithful servants, Webster and his wife, repose near the remains of their master, in the cemetery at Beaconsfield; the former dying in December, 1810, the latter in August, 1818." real author however was a Mrs. Burke who published the "Sorrows of Elith," and other tales. Some time previous to her death, she sold the mansion and estate of Butler's Court to her neighbour, James Du Pré, Esq. of Wilton Park, for £38,500, reserving the use of the house and grounds during her life, and for one year after death. Mrs. Thomas Haviland, the niece of Mr. Burke, lived with her until her decease, under the promise of being made her heir, which however did not take effect. She received however a legacy of £5000, the remainder of the property being bequeathed to Mrs. Burke's own nephew, Mr. Nugent. Mrs. Haviland was a most amiable and deserving woman, not unworthy of relationship to her celebrated uncle, who in his letters, was always lavish in her praises.* She retired to live at Brompton for the benefit of her health, and died there in March, 1816, at the age of forty-six.-Her son, the late Thomas Haviland Burke, of Lincoln's Inn, in consequence of Mr. Burke's brothers dying unmarried, became the only representative of the family, and as such assumed the name and arms of his uncle, no other person standing in the same, or indeed any near relationship to that distinguished man. His son Mr. Edmund Burke, now at Eton, and two daughters survive. The library, and all the tokens of regard and admiration which he had received from the good and great of the world, devolved with the bulk of the property to Mr. Nugent. The pieces of sculpture which ornamented the house were sold by auction by Christie, and some of them grace the British Museum. An old and costly carved chair of particular workmanship, which had been for many years used in the House of Commons, was, upon some alteration there, displaced and presented to Mr. Burke. It was sold among his other remains, and purchased by Mr. Peregrine Dealtry, of Bradenham House, and after his decease in 1814 was presented by his sisters to Dr. Parr, who preserved it as one of the great ornaments and curiosities of Hatton. On his death in March 1825, it was transferred by bequest to Dr. John Johnstone, · Having occasion to consult an eminent surgeon in London (Sir C. B.), after being a widow, he fell in love with her, and being extremely rich, made an offer of a splendid settlement along with his hand, which however, from some scruples as to the propriety of second marriages, she thought proper to decline. of Birmingham, in whose possession it now is.-Such is the regard felt for even trifling memorials of the great, and the desire to be the possessors. Butler's Court was burnt down on the morning of the 23rd of April, 1813, having been let to a clergyman named Jones, for the purpose of a school, in whose occupation the accident took place. It is remarkable that Cliefden, the seat of his intimate friend Lord Inchiquin, only five miles distant, shared the same fate a few years before, being burnt down in May 1795. Cliefden, to the loss of which Burke adverts in one of his letters is celebrated by Pope; and there George IV. passed some of his younger days. This house, as well as Butler's Court, was built upon the plan of Buckingham House, with a grand centre connected to wings by corridors. CHAPTER XVI. His Person-Manners-Habits-Conversational Powers and Sallies-Private Character-Ardour of Temper and imputed Irritability-Contemporary Opinions formed of him. IN adverting to the public and private characteristics of this celebrated man, there will be found so much to commend, that simple justice may run the risk of being deemed indiscriminate panegyric. Against this I am solicitous to guard by giving in addition to any estimate of my own of those merits the opinions of others more competent perhaps to convey a correct judgment. Several of these were well acquainted with him, as well as with the facts they respectively state, and some being opposed to him on political topics will not be suspected of bestowing undeserved praise. To give a just representation of a great political character, whose life has been spent in the constant contention inseparable at least, from the calling he pursues, is a laborious indeed, but not an impracticable undertaking. To give such a representation as shall be universally acceptable, is from the spirit of party, not always easy. A statesman is usually to the mass of the world an object of suspicion during, or near to, the time in which he lives. If there be two ways of construing his conduct, the unfavourable side is commonly taken; yet the contrary impression would be nearer to truth, for of all public men he is the most interested in doing, or in aiming to do right, whether he looks to the continuance of present power, or to the possession of that which every man would have if he could, namely, posthumous reputation. It is the duty therefore, of the biographer or historian diligently to attend to this; to give even to questionable characters an attentive and impartial, if not favourable consideration. This is the business not merely of common charity but of strict justice; for notwithstanding so many exclamations against poor human nature, much more of good is found among mankind than we are willing to acknowledge. Many statesmen, however unpopular or imprudent in their politics, have not been without high public as well as private virtues. But on the other hand, where no crimes are charged, where no suspicion attaches, and where even adversaries have been compelled to render praise, the task of the narrator is necessarily more agreeable. Such is the case with Mr. Burke. Judged therefore by this standard, he will be acknowledged to be not merely a great but an eminently good man, in whose character or conduct there will be found little which the most devoted admirer need be afraid to probe, little of human infirmity over which an enemy can triumph; for his errors whatever they were, chiefly arose from pushing the passions of virtue to excess. In person he was about five feet ten inches high, erect, well-formed, never very robust; when young, expert in the sports of his country and time, active in habits suited to his years until his last illness, and always it need scarcely be added, particularly active in mind, having nothing of what he called "that master-vice, sloth," in his composition. His countenance in early life possessed considerable sweetness, and by his female friends was esteemed handsome. At a later period, it did not appear to be marked, particularly when unexcited, by expression, which from the wellknown qualities of his mind many persons expected to see. But the lines of thought were evident, and when animated by discussion, there was an occasional working of the brow, occasioned partly by being near-sighted, which let the attentive observer into the secret of the powerful workings within. From this defective state of vision, he frequently, from about the year 1780, wore spectacles. An Irish |