The eighth and last volume will contain a narrative of the life of Mr. Burke, which will be accompanied with such parts of his familiar correspondence, and other occasional productions, as shall be thought fit for publication.[7] The materials relating to the early years of his life, alluded to in the Advertisement to the fourth volume, have been lately recovered; and the communication of such as may still remain in the possession of any private individuals is again most earnestly requested.

Unequal as I feel myself to the task, I shall, my dear friend, lose no time, nor spare any pains, in discharging the arduous duty that has devolved upon me.  You know the peculiar difficulties I labor under from the failure of my eyesight; and you may congratulate me upon the assistance which I have now procured from my neighbor, the worthy chaplain[8] of Bromley College, who to the useful qualification of a most patient amanuensis adds that of a good scholar and intelligent critic.

And now, adieu, my dear friend,

And believe me ever affectionately yours,

WR.  ROFFEN.

Bromley house, August 1, 1812.

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] Works, Vol.  V., quarto edition, (London, F., C., & J. Rivington, 1812,)—­Vol.  IV. of that edition (London, F. & C. Rivington, 1802) being the first posthumous volume,—­and Vols.  I., II., and III. (London, J. Dodsley, 1792) comprising the collection published during the lifetime of Mr. Burke.

[2] Prefixed to the first volume, in the other editions.  For the account referred to, see, in the present edition, Vol.  I., pp. xiii., xiv.

[3] Page 86 of the present edition.

[4] In this edition, p. 91, near the top.

[5] In the fourth volume of the present edition.

[6] The quarto edition,—­extending as far as Book II. ch. 2, near the middle of the paragraph commencing, “The same regard to the welfare of the people,” &c.

[7] This design the editor did not live to execute.

[8] The Rev. J.J.  Talman.

FOURTH LETTER

ON THE

Proposals for peace with the regicide directory of France.

ADDRESSED TO

The Earl Fitzwilliam.
1795-7.

PRELIMINARY CORRESPONDENCE.

Letter from the Right Honorable the Lord Auckland to the Lord Bishop of Rochester.

Eden farm, Kent, July 18th, 1812.

My dear Lord,—­Mr. Burke’s fourth letter to Lord Fitzwilliam is personally interesting to me:  I have perused it with a respectful attention.

When I communicated to Mr. Burke, in 1795, the printed work which he arraigns and discusses, I was aware that he would differ from me.