rence, Dr. Blagden, Dr. Burney, Sir Abraham Hume, Sir William Scott. I sat next to young Burke at dinner, who said you had paid his father a fine compliment. I mentioned Johnson, to sound if there was any objection.[1] He made none. In the evening, Burke told me he had read your Henry VI. with all its accompaniments, and it was “exceedingly well done.” He left us for some time; I suppose on some of his cursed politics; but he returned. I at him again, and heard from his lips what, believe me, I delighted to hear, and took care to write down soon after:—“I have read his History of the Stage, which is a very capital piece of criticism and anti-agrarianism. I shall now read all Shakspeare through, in a very different manner from what I have yet done, when I have got such a commentator.” Will not this do for you, my friend? Burke was admirable company all that day. He never once, I think, mentioned the French Revolution, and was easy with me, as in days of old.
In January he is in great straits for money, but tells Malone it is no hint, as he is aware he cannot assist him. Of another obligation, he says, “Your absence is a woeful want in all respects. You will, I dare say, perceive a difference in the part which is revised only by myself, and in which many insertions will appear.”
Toward the end of the month, he writes again in a melancholy tone, and apologizes for it. “But your vigour of mind and warmth of heart make your friendship of such consequence, that it is drawn upon like a bank.” He adds the history of a purchase of old family property, and is quite destitute of money to pay for it—is at his wit’s end—asks whether he would
- ↑ The meaning of this is not very clear. What objection could Burke have, excepting, perhaps, some coolness towards Boswell, who had talked and exhibited some attachment to Hastings on his trial?
