of sterling genius, incapable of the littlenesses and meannesses, incident to the vulgar courtier.  What are the principal characteristics of genius?  Are they not large views, infinite conceptions, a certain manliness and intrepidity of thinking?  But all real and serious vice originates in selfish views, narrow conceptions, and intellectual cowardice.  A man of genius may possibly be thoughtless, dissipated and unstudied; but he cannot avoid being constant, generous, and sincere.  The union of first rate abilities with malignity, avarice, and envy, seems to me very nearly as incredible a phenomenon, as a mermaid, a unicorn, or a phoenix.

I cannot overcome the propensity I feel to add Mr. Burke to this illustrious catalogue, though the name of this gentleman leads me out of the circle of the cabinet.  Mr. Burke raised himself from an obscure situation, by the greatness of his abilities, and his unrivalled genius.  Never was distinction more nobly earned.  Of every species of literary composition he is equally a master.  He excels alike in the most abstruse metaphysical disquisition, and in the warmest and most spirited painting.  His rhetoric is at once ornamented and sublime.  His satire is polished and severe.  His wit is truly Attic.  Luxuriant in the extreme, his allusions are always striking, and always happy.  But to enumerate his talents, is to tell but half his praise.  The application he has made of them is infinitely more to his honour.  He has devoted himself for his country.  The driest and most laborious investigations have not deterred him.  Among a thousand other articles, that might be mentioned, his system of oeconomical reform must for ever stand forth, alike the monument of his abilities, and his patriotism.  His personal character is of the most amiable kind.  Humanity and benevolence are strongly painted in his countenance.  His transactions with lord Rockingham were in the highest degree honourable to him.  And the more they are investigated, and the better they are understood, the more disinterestedness of virtue, and generous singularity of thinking, will be found to have been exhibited on both sides.

It is necessary perhaps, that I should say a word respecting the aristocratical principles of this gentleman, by which he is distinguished from the rest of his party.  To these principles I profess myself an enemy.  I am sorry they should be entertained by a person, for whom, in every other respect, I feel the highest veneration.  But the views of that man must be truly narrow, who will give up the character of another, the moment he differs from him in any of his principles.  I am sure Mr. Burke is perfectly sincere in his persuasion.  And I hope I have long since learned not to question the integrity of any man, upon account of his tenets, whether in religion or politics, be they what they may.  I rejoice however, that this gentleman has connected himself with a set of men, by the rectitude of whose views,