Ballyduffe, but the distance. We are too good travellers to be frighted at that. I have made a much longer journey than the land part of it this summer. However, it is not impossible but we may one day have the pleasure of embracing you at your own house. I beg you will salute for us the good houses of Ballydwalter, Ballylegan, and Ballynahaliok, et nati natorum, et qui nascuntur ab illis. Our little boys are very well, but I should think them still better, if they (or the one that is on his legs) were running about the Bawn at Ballyduffe, as his father used to do.-Farewell, my dear uncle, and believe me your affectionate kinsman and humble servant, EDMUND BURKE. I forgot to say any thing of the irregularity which you have found in the papers for some time passed. The summer has made the town thin of members of parliament, so that we were sometimes at a loss; but now we shall be pretty secure on that head, and you shall have your papers more regularly. Edmund Burke to his Uncle, Mr. Nagle. MY DEAR SIR, SINCE I heard from you, our little party at Queen Anne Street has been reinforced by a person who loves you as well as I do, poor Richard of Grenada. He left that island in no very good state of health, and after a great deal of vexation from, but also after a great and perfect triumph over his enemies, and a set of the greatest villains that ever existed. He has a leave of absence for six months; and is, I think, already as completely re-established in health, strength, and spirits, as we could wish. We all join in giving you joy on the occasion of our friend Katty's match; and only wish her that she may be as happy in a husband as her mother was; and much as we regard her, we cannot wish her better. Pray remember our hearty congratulations to the young couple. I am sincerely concerned for the match that Garret Atty was so unfortunate as to make; and did from the beginning expect no better issue of it, in a country circumstanced as ours is; assure my uncle, that there is no one step on earth in my power that I would not gladly take to give ease to his mind, which must be cruelly agitated; I most sincerely pity him; but I believe, when he reflects how newly, and almost as a stranger, I am come about these people, and knows the many industrious endeavours which malice and envy (very unprovoked indeed) have used to ruin me, he will see that so early a request to suspend the operation of the laws, upon my bare word, against the finding of a jury of the greatest county of the kingdom, and that upon the most unpopular point in the world, could have no other effect than to do me infinite prejudice, without the least possibility of succeeding in the object I aimed at. This, I am sure, your own good sense will point out to both of you, and will satisfy my uncle that no vain and timorous delicacy, but the real conviction I have of the inefficacy of the application with regard to him, prevents my taking a warm and active part in this affair. My brother tells me that poor Barret is likely to do well in Grenada; he is industrious and active; he must indeed struggle with some difficulty and much labour at first,but it is the road, and the only road, to an estab. lishment. It is now time for me to make some inquiry about my young friend, your grandson Ned. I have really been so hurried with the many changes which have happened in my affairs, and those of my friends, for some time past, that I have not had leisure to inquire much about him. My brother and I will consult some proper method of having him sent to sea, under honest and goodnatured management; give me some account of him, and whether you still continue in opinion that this way of life will be advisable for him. If your sentiments are the same they formerly were upon this article, I hope you had an eye to the sea in the education he has since had; we may in a short time complete it here. You cannot think how happy you would make us by writing often, and being as particular as you can about any thing that concerns you. Thank my cousin Garret for his kind concern in my affairs: whenever he has any account to make up, he will settle it with you, by this you have my letter of attorney, empowering you to act for me. If you should see counsellor Murphy and the colonel, make my hearty compliments to them. Once more I beg to hear speedily from you.-Jane and Dick are truly yours, so is, my dear uncle, your affectionate friend, E. BURKE. Edmund Burke to his Cousin, Garret Nagle, Esq. MY DEAR GARRET, I RECEIVED your last, from Ballyduffe with the most sincere sorrow. Indeed, on the return of my uncle's complaints, I gave up all hope, considering the nature of his disorder, and the time of his life. I did not neglect to apply to doctor Nugent; but at this distance, and with no full detail of circumstances and symptoms before him, he would not venture to prescribe. I make no doubt that he has skilful assistance in his own neighbourhood; and doctor Nugent would cheerfully have added to it, but from fear of attempting any thing in a case which he cannot fully be master of. I suppose this letter will hardly find my dear friend alive. We shall all lose, I believe, one of the very best men that ever lived,-of the clearest integrity, the most genuine principles of religion and virtue, the most cordial good nature and benevolence that I ever knew, or, I think, ever shall know. However, it is a comfort that he lived a long, healthy, unblemished life, loved and esteemed by all that knew him, and left children behind who will cultivate his memory, and, I trust, follow his example; for of all the men I have seen in any situation, I really think he is the person I should wish myself, or any one I greatly loved, the most to resemble. This I do not say from the impression of my immediate feeling, but from my best judgment,—having seen him at various times of my life, from my infancy to the last year, having known him very well, and knowing a little (by too long habits) of mankind at large. In truth, my dear Garret, I fear I have said this, or something to the same purpose before; but I repeat it again, for my mind is full of it. I wish you would let our friends at Ballylegan know that poor Patrick Nagle is out of all danger, and recovering fast. He had a sharp struggle for it. They will rejoice in his recovery. I take him to be a very worthy and valuable young man in all respects. Here we have nothing new. Politics have taken no turn that is favourable to us, but, just now, I do not feel the more unpleasantly for being, and my friends being, out of all office. You are, I suppose, full of bustle in your new elections; I am convinced all my friends will have the good sense to keep themselves from taking any part in struggles, in the event of which they have no share, and no concern. Adieu, my dear Garret, and believe me to you, and to all with you at Ballyduffe and Bloomfield, a most sincere and affectionate friend and kinsman, EDM. BURKE. It is time now How does Ned Nagle go on? to think of sending him to sea, and we are considering the best means for doing it. I suppose you have got Mr. W. Burke's letter. Edmund Burke to his Cousin, Garret Nagle, Esq. MY DEAR GARRET, Beaconsfield, August 2, 1776. I DO most heartily wish myself with you. I should wish it even if I were not put in mind by this burning weather of the breezy mountains, shady woods, and refreshing waters of Killarney. We have got a summer at last, and it is paying off its arrears of heat with compound interest. Indeed I long sincerely to see you; and if I were not held by various ties, and engaged in various occupations (though neither very pleasant nor important,) and if I were as rich as, I thank God, I am still healthy and active, I should this summer pay you a visit in your woodhouse; that is to say, if you would deign to receive so humble a person after all your great and titled guests. If I see Lord Kenmare, I shall certainly thank him for |