Page:Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America.djvu/161

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NOTES
115

Notice the alteration. Already old enough to study the deeds of his father and to know what virtue is.

18, 20. before you taste of death. Compare 17, 10.

20, 25. Roman charity. This suggests the more famous "Ancient Roman honor" (Merchant of Venice, III., ii, 291). The incident referred to by Burke is told by several writers. A father condemned to death by starvation is visited in prison by his daughter, who secretly nourishes him with milk from her breasts.

23, 7. complexions. "Mislike me not for my complexion."—M. V. Is the word used in the same sense by Burke?

23, 10. the thunder of the state. What is the classical allusion?

23, 21. a nation is not governed.

"Who overcomes
By force hath overcome but half his foe"
Paradise Lost, I., 648, 649.

24, 23. Our ancient indulgence. "The wise and salutary neglect," which Burke has just mentioned, was the result of (a) the struggle of Charles I. with Parliament, (b) the confusion and readjustment at the Restoration, (c) the Revolution of 1688, (d) the attitude of France in favoring the cause of the Stuarts, (e) the ascendency of the Whigs. England had her hands full in attending to affairs at home. As a result of this the colonies were practically their own masters in matters of government. Also the political party known as the Whigs had its origin shortly before William and Mary ascended the throne. This