The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. VI | Page 4

before he had attained the age of
twenty-seven years, as it appears from an entry in the books of the late
Mr. Dodsley, that eight sheets of it, which contain the first seventy-four
pages of the present edition,[6] were printed in the year 1757. This is
the only part that has received the finishing stroke of the author. In
those who are acquainted with the manner in which Mr. Burke usually
composed his graver literary works, and of which some account is
given in the Advertisement prefixed to the fourth volume, this
circumstance will excite a deep regret; and whilst the public partakes
with us in this feeling, it will doubtless be led to judge with candor and
indulgence of a work left in this imperfect and unfinished state by its
author.
Before I conclude, it may not be improper to take this opportunity of
acquainting the public with the progress that has been made towards
the completion of this undertaking. The sixth and seventh volumes,
which will consist entirely of papers that have a relation to the affairs of
the East India Company, and to the impeachment of Mr. Hastings, are
now in the press. The suspension of the consideration of the affairs of
the East India Company in Parliament till its nest session has made me
very desirous to get the sixth volume out as early as possible in the next
winter. The Ninth and Eleventh Reports of the Select Committee,
appointed to take into consideration certain affairs of the East India
Company in the year 1783, were written by Mr. Burke, and will be
given in that volume. They contain a full and comprehensive view of
the commerce, revenues, civil establishment, and general policy of the
Company, and will therefore be peculiarly interesting at this time to the
public.
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.
Some light is thrown on the transaction by my note which gave rise to
it, and by his answer, which exhibits the admirable powers of his great
and good mind, deeply suffering at the time under a domestic calamity.
I have selected these two papers from my manuscript collection, and
now transmit them to your Lordship with a wish that they may be
annexed to the publication in question.
I have the honor to be, my dear Lord,
Yours most sincerely,
AUCKLAND.
TO THE RIGHT