ment which is not moft explicitly known, from repeated converfations, and from much correspondence, to have been decidedly entertained by that illustrious man. One paffage of nearly three pages, containing a censure of our defenfive system, is borrowed from a private letter, which he began to dictate, with an intention of comprizing in it the short result of his opinions, but which he afterwards abandoned, when, a little time before his death, his health appeared in fome degree to amend, and he hoped that Providence might have fpared him at least to complete the larger publick letter, which he then proposed to refume.

In the preface to the former edition of this letter, a fourth was mentioned as being in poffeffion of Mr. Burke's friends. It was in fact announced by the Author himself, in the conclufion of the second, which it was then defigned to follow. He intended, he faid, “to "proceed

VOL. I.

b

'proceed next on the question of the facilities poffeffed by the French Republick, from the "internal fate of other nations, and particularly

of this, for obtaining her ends; and, as his "notions were controverted, to take notice of "what, in that way, had been recommended "to him." The vehicle which he had chofen for this part of his plan was an answer to a pamphlet which was fuppofed to come from high authority, and was circulated by Minifters with great induftry, at the time of its appearance in October 1795, immediately previous to that Seffion of Parliament when his Majefty for the first time declared, that the appearance of any difpofition in the enemy to negotiate for general peace, fhould not fail to be met with an earnest defire to give it the fullest and speedieft effect. In truth, the anfwer, which is full of fpirit and vivacity, was written the latter end of the fame year, but was laid afide when the question assumed a more ferious afpect, from the commencement

of

of an actual negotiation, which gave rife to the feries of printed letters. Afterwards, he began to re-write it, with a view of accommodating it to his new purpose. The greater part, however, still remained in its original state; and feveral heroes of the Revolution, who are there celebrated, having in the interval paffed off the publick stage, a greater liberty of insertion and alteration than his friends on confideration have thought allowable, would be necessary to adapt it to that place in the feries for which it was ultimately defigned by the Author. This piece, therefore, addreffed, as the title originally stood, to his noble friend, Earl Fitzwilliam, will be given the first in the supplemental volumes, which will be hereafter added to complete this edition of the Author's works.

The tracts, moft of them in manuscript, which have been already selected as fit for this purpose, will probably furnish four or five volumes

b 2

lumes more, to be printed uniformly with this edition. The principal piece is entitled "An Effay towards an Abridgement of the English Hiftory;" and reaches from the earliest period down to the conclufion of the reign of King John. It is written with much depth of antiquarian research, directed by the mind of an intelligent ftatefman. This alone, as far as can be conjectured, will form more than one volume. Another entire volume also, at least, will be filled with his letters to publick men on publick affairs, especially thofe of France. This fupplement will be sent to the prefs without delay.

Mr. Burke's more familiar correfpondence will be referved, as authorities to accompany a narrative of his life, which will conclude the whole. The period during which he flourished was one of the most memorable of our annals. It comprehended the acquifition of one empire `in the eaft, the lofs of another in the weft, and

the

the total fubverfion of the ancient system of Europe by the French Revolution; with all which events the hiftory of his life is neceffarily and intimately connected; as indeed it alfo is, much more than is generally known, with the state of literature and the elegant arts. Such a fubject of biography cannot be difmiffed with a flight and rapid touch; nor can it be treated in a manner worthy of it, from the information, however authentick and extenfive, which the industry of any one man may have accumulated. Many important communications have been received, but fome materials, which relate to the pursuits of his early years, and which are known to be in existence, have been hitherto kept back, notwithstanding repeated inquiries and applications. It is, therefore, once more earnestly requested, that all perfons who call themselves the friends or admirers of the late Edmund Burke, will have the goodness to tranfmit, without delay, any notices of that, or of any b 3 other