of the House of Commons.  I might say this of men who seemed, from their fortunes, their weight in their country, and their talents, to be persons of figure there,—­and persons, too, not in opposition to the prevailing party in government.  But be they what they will, on a fair canvass of the several prevalent Parliamentary interests in Ireland, I cannot, out of the three hundred members of whom the Irish Parliament is composed, discover that above three, or at the utmost four, Catholics would be returned to the House of Commons.  But suppose they should amount to thirty, that is, to a tenth part, (a thing I hold impossible for a long series of years, and never very likely to happen,) what is this to those who are to balance them in the one House, and the clear and settled majority in the other?  For I think it absolutely impossible, that, in the course of many years, above four or five peers should be created of that communion.  In fact, the exclusion of them seems to me only to mark jealousy and suspicion, and not to provide security in any way.—­But I return to the old ground.  The danger is not there:  these are things long since done away.  The grand controversy is no longer between you and them.

Forgive this length.  My pen has insensibly run on.  You are yourself to blame, if you are much fatigued.  I congratulate you on the auspicious opening of your session.  Surely Great Britain and Ireland ought to join in wreathing a never-fading garland for the head of Grattan.  Adieu, my dear Sir.  Good nights to you!—­I never can have any.

Yours always most sincerely,

EDMUND BURKE.

Jan. 29th, 1795.  Twelve at night.

FOOTNOTES: 

[23] William Smith, Esq., to whom this Letter is addressed, was then a member of the Irish Parliament:  he is now (1812) one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer in Ireland.

SECOND LETTER

TO

SIR HERCULES LANGRISHE

ON THE

CATHOLIC QUESTION.

MAY 26, 1795.

My Dear Sir,—­If I am not as early as I ought to be in my acknowledgments for your very kind letter, pray do me the justice to attribute my failure to its natural and but too real cause, a want of the most ordinary power of exertion, owing to the impressions made upon an old and infirm constitution by private misfortune and by public calamity.  It is true, I make occasional efforts to rouse myself to something better,—­but I soon relapse into that state of languor which must be the habit of my body and understanding to the end of my short and cheerless existence in this world.

I am sincerely grateful for your kindness in connecting the interest you take in the sentiments of an old friend with the able part you take in the service of your country.  It is an instance, among many, of that happy temper which has always given a character of amenity to your virtues and a good-natured direction to your talents.