in hearing the same debates, and quoting the same, speeches, even at the time they were unpublished,—in writing anonymously,–and in employing, throughout all his works, similar phrases, metaphors, sentiments, illustrations, maxims, quotations, and trains of thought, the identity is still further apparent. But in his connection with the War-office, in that excessive zeal and evidently personal feeling with which his own interests are maintained and his name is mentioned, in the critical period of his retiring from the public service,—in the duration of his absence from England,-and in the time of his return, with his consequent departure for India, we meet with proofs which inevitably shew that he is Junius."
It should also be observed, that in a supplement to this work, specimens of the hand-writing, both of Junius and Sir Philip Francis are exhibited, in the general character, and even the minute peculiarities of which, the agreement is too prominent, too definite to be overlooked or resisted.
In person, Sir P. Francis was thin, well formed, and above the ordinary stature; his features regular, and his eye keen, quick, and intelligent. His appearance altogether prepossessing, gentlemanly, and dignified. Til within a few years of his decease, he possessed a remarkable degree of activity of body, and his spirits were so mercurial as almost to "o'er inform his tenement of clay." It was a favourite saying of his own, that "the sword wears out the scabbard," and it is surprising, that in him it did not wear it out sooner. The garrulity of old age was not his portion. Too irritable and impetuous to listen to long narratives, he had to the last the good sense and taste never to inflict them on others. It is said, that nothing is necessary to please but the inclination; and when it was his inclination, no man was ever more irresistible and triumphant. To the labour of speaking in the House of Commons, he came rather late in life, and unpractised in the art. Fluency, the copia verborum and torrens dicendi were not his—his speeches were studied,
