Q2 Mr. Burke. 



observations enabled me to form a judgment, 

 the cultivation of its soil seemed to surpass 

 that of the neighbouring states. This informa- 

 tion, as I had so recently passed through the 

 country, I thought might be acceptable, and 

 have some weight in our discussions but I was 

 mistaken ; Mr. Burke burst out into a paroxysm 

 of rage, and, in the most unqualified language, 

 positively denied the facts I had stated. I was 

 not less astonished than hurt at this departure 

 from good breeding ; but there was no alter- 

 native, between a silent suppression of the 

 indignity I received, and a positive quarrel. 



I continued on friendly terms with Mr. Burke 

 until after his unprovoked and cold-blooded 

 attack on Mr. Fox, the cruelty of which ad- 

 mits of no extenuation : had it occurred in 

 the heat of debate, some excuse might have 

 been pleaded. It was known that he differed 

 from Mr. Fox on the topic of the revolution 

 in France, and it had been intimated for some 

 days that Mr. Burke intended to pronounce a 

 bitter invective against the party : there was 

 no question before the house, nor did he pre- 

 mise that he had any to propose ; but, contrary 

 to order, he entered on the subject of the 

 French revolution. The matter and the manner 

 of Mr. Fox's reply interested the feelings of 



3 



