I have the honor, &c.,

EDMUND BURKE.

BEACONSFIELD, January 19th, 1791.

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] It is said in the last quackish address of the National Assembly to the people of France, that they have not formed their arrangements upon vulgar practice, but on a theory which cannot fail,—­or something to that effect.

[2] See Burnet’s Life of Hale.

[3] The pillory (carcan) in England is generally made very high like that raised to exposing the king of France.

[4] “Filiola tua te delectari laetor, et prohari tibi [Greek:  Phusiken] esse [Greek:  ten pros ta tekna]:  etenim, si haec non est, nulla potest homini esse ad hominem naturae adjunctio:  qua sublata, vitae societas tollitur.  Valete Patron [Rousseau] et tui condiscipuli [L’Assemblee Nationale]”—­Cic.  Ep. ad Atticum.

[5] Mirabeau’s speech concerning universal peace.

AN

APPEAL

FROM

THE NEW TO THE OLD WHIGS,

IN CONSEQUENCE OF SOME LATE

DISCUSSIONS IN PARLIAMENT

RELATIVE TO THE

REFLECTIONS ON THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.

1791.

ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

There are some corrections in this edition, which tend to render the sense less obscure in one or two places.  The order of the two last members is also changed, and I believe for the better.  This change was made on the suggestion of a very learned person, to the partiality of whose friendship I owe much; to the severity of whose judgment I owe more.

AN APPEAL

FROM

THE NEW TO THE OLD WHIGS.

At Mr. Burke’s time of life, and in his dispositions, petere honestam missionem was all he had to do with his political associates.  This boon they have not chosen to grant him.  With many expressions of good-will, in effect they tell him he has loaded the stage too long.  They conceive it, though an harsh, yet a necessary office, in full Parliament to declare to the present age, and to as late a posterity as shall take any concern in the proceedings of our day, that by one book he has disgraced the whole tenor of his life.—­Thus they dismiss their old partner of the war.  He is advised to retire, whilst they continue to serve the public upon wiser principles and under better auspices.