BURKE. 233 for college exercises, because the natural and unavoidable distinction between man and man, will always tend to pro- duce variety of object. Artificial motives will alone produce exact conformity of moveinent; and where these have not only faded from the view, but are supplied with others which have a contrary effect, it must cease to be matter of surprise, that men, whose originality in after-life instructs and delights future ages, should be so often outstripped in youth by competitors, whose names will only be known to posterity from their association with those whom they conquered. How far our theory is correct we shall leave to the decision of our readers; the facts on which it is built are numerous and incontrovertible; and, if Burke be still thought to deserve censure for coolness with regard to university honours, let it be at least remembered that, among the companions of his disgrace, must be counted Johnson, Swift, Gibbon, Dryden, and even Milton hi self. At an early period of his life, Burke is said to have planned a confutation of the metaphysical theories of Berkeley and Hume-a task which he never executed. Indeed, according to some of his biographers, his ideas flowed with too great a rapidity to enable him to give that patient attention to minute distinction, without whiclh it is in vain to attempt a confutation of these astute and subtle reasoners. We find it sufficiently difficult to de- cide upon the merits of what he has done; and, therefore, feel no inclination to institute an inquiry into the possi- bility of his genius. In the year 1749 we find young Burke employed upon a subject more analogous to his futore pursuits. At that period, Mr. Lucas, a political apothecary, wrote papers against government, and acquired by them as much popularity in Dublin as Mr. Wilkes afterwards obtained by his North Briton in London. Burke employed against Lucas the Reductio ad absurdum; he imitated his style
