mate orator, when even your very silence is thus eloquent.
Before I take my leave, I cannot but congratulate your lordship upon that distinguishing mark of honour which the house of commons has done your preface, by ordering it to be burnt[1]. This will add a never failing lustre to your character, when future ages shall read, how a few pages of your lordship's could alarm the representative body of the nation. I know your lordship had rather live in a blaze, than lie buried in obscurity; and would at any rate purchase immortality, though it be in flames. Fire, being a mounting element, is a proper emblem of your lordship's aspiring genius.
I shall detain your lordship no longer; but, according to your example, conclude with a short prayer (though praying, I confess, is not my talent) — May you never want opportunities of thus signalizing yourself; but be "transmitted to posterity," under the character of one who dares sacrifice every thing that is most dear to you (even your own darling labours) to promote the interest of our party; and stand sainted in the whig calendar, as a martyr for the cause! This is the sincere wish of the greatest (next yourself) of your lordship's admirers,
- ↑ This was performed May 12, 1712. See an admirable letter on that occasion to bishop Burnet, June 17, 1712, in the preface to bishop Fleetwood's works. — The vote was carried in the house by a majority of 119, against 54; among the dissenting voices, were sir Peter King, sir Joseph Jekyll, Mr. Lechmere, and others of the long robe. "The complaint" (says the bishop) "was made by Hungerford, and seconded by Manley (people that indeed should have been ordered to have burnt it), and thirded by what we call the court; and carried by numbers, without a wise word said against it." — The dean's "Remarks on the Bishop's Preface," formerly printed at the end of this tract, will be found in vol. XVI. p. 339.
