his sinecure had been exchanged for a pension—he did not for a long time deem beyond his grasp; and had Richard, Earl Temple, constructed a ministry he would have probably become his Chancellor of the Exchequer.[1]
The chief incident of his life was in becoming the first official patron of Edmund Burke. From volunteer studies at the Board of Trade—for Burke had no appointment—he carried him to Dublin; profited by his large capacity; procured him a pension “after six years of laborious attendance” in both countries; exacted its resignation when he refused to become permanently subservient; and the quarrel ceased in what Burke, writing to Flood at the moment, said should be an “eternal separation.” The demand made upon him was unprecedented—in fact, to sell himself for life—for three hundred a year. He, however, felt confident in his own powers to ensure distinction whenever an appropriate stage should open for their exhibition. The “patron” may have thought the same; but presuming on the adhesive power of the pension to keep its holder in his train, carried his demand farther than a man of spirit could brook. Hamilton thus lost the services and friendship of the most accomplished intellect in Europe. “With such an ally and counsellor, added to his own
- ↑ Mr. Thomas Grenville in reply to Malone’s inquiries writes (March, 1807):—“Long as I have known Stowe, and much as I have been accustomed to see Gerard Hamilton there from my earliest days, yet have I no recollection whatever of any picture or drawing of him at that place. I have, however, written to Lord Buckingham to inquire.” The result was the engraving prefixed to the posthumous work by Malone.
