fomething more has been drawn in the shape of notes, to which are fubfcribed his initials. Of this number is the explanation of that celebrated phrafe, "the fwinish multitude:" an explanation which was uniformly given by him to his friends, in converfation on the subject. But another note will probably intereft the reader ftill more, as being strongly expreffive of that parental affection which formed so amiable a feature in the character of Mr. Burke. It is in page 208 of Vol. V. where he points out a considerable paffage as having been fupplied by his "loft fon." Several other parts, poffibly amounting all together to a page or thereabout, were indicated in the fame manner; but, as they in general confift of fingle fentences, and as the meaning of the mark by which they were distinguished was not actually expreffed, it has not been thought neceffary to notice them particularly. PREFACE. EFORE the philofophical works of Lord Bo LINGBROKE had appeared, great things were expected from the leifure of a man, who from the fplendid fcene of action, in which his talents had enabled him to make fo confpicuous à figure, had retired to employ thofe talents in the investigation of truth. Philofophy began to congratulate herself upon fuch a profelyte from the world of business, and hoped to have extended her power under the auspices of fuch a leader. In the midst of these pleasing expectations, the works themselves at last appeared in full body, and with great pomp. Those who fearched in them for new discoveries in the mysteries of nature; those who expected something which might explain or direct the operations of the mind; those who hoped to see morality illustrated and enforced; those who looked for new helps to fociety and government; those who defired to fee the characters and paffions of mankind delineated; in fhort, all who confider fuch things as philofophy, and require fome of them at least, in every philosophical work, all these were certainly disappointed; they found the landmarks of science precifely in their former places: B 2 and |