of the law; these are the men to whom, arrayed in all the terrors of government, I would say, ‘You shall not degrade us into brutes.’ ...  The most horrid and cruel blow that can be offered to civil society is through atheism....  The infidels are outlaws of the constitution, not of this country, but of the human race.  They are never, never to be supported, never to be tolerated.  Under the systematic attacks of these people, I see some of the props of good government already begin to fail; I see propagated principles which will not leave to religion even a toleration.  I see myself sinking every day under the attacks of these wretched people."[1] To this pitch he had been excited by the vehement band of men, who had inscribed on their standard, Ecraser l’Infame.

[Footnote 1:  “Speech on Relief of Protestant Dissenters, 1773.”]

* * * * *

The second Parliament in which Burke had a seat was dissolved suddenly and without warning (October 1774).  The attitude of America was threatening, and it was believed the Ministers were anxious to have the elections over before the state of things became worse.  The whole kingdom was instantly in a ferment.  Couriers, chaises, post-horses, hurried in every direction over the island, and it was noted, as a measure of the agitation, that no fewer than sixty messengers passed through a single turnpike on one day.  Sensible observers were glad to think that, in consequence of the rapidity of the elections, less wine and money would be wasted than at any election for sixty years past.  Burke had a houseful of company at Beaconsfield when the news arrived.  Johnson was among them, and as the party was hastily breaking up, the old Tory took his Whig friend kindly by the hand:  “Farewell, my dear sir,” he said, “and remember that I wish you all the success that ought to be wished to you, and can possibly be wished to you, by an honest man.”

The words were of good omen.  Burke was now rewarded by the discovery that his labours had earned for him recognition and gratitude beyond the narrow limits of a rather exclusive party.  He had before this attracted the attention of the mercantile public.  The Company of Merchants trading to Africa voted him their thanks for his share in supporting their establishments.  The Committee of Trade at Manchester formally returned him their grateful acknowledgments for the active part that he had taken in the business of the Jamaica free ports.  But then Manchester returned no representative to Parliament.  In two Parliaments Burke had been elected for Wendover free of expense.  Lord Verney’s circumstances were now so embarrassed, that he was obliged to part with the four seats at his disposal to men who could pay for them.  There had been some talk of proposing Burke for Westminster, and Wilkes, who was then omnipotent, promised him the support of the popular party.  But the patriot’s memory was treacherous, and he speedily forgot, for