You know how little my disposition inclines me toward public life, and that these are not pursuits in which I ever should have engaged willingly. But woe to him who remains inactive when it becomes his duty to exert himself! The part which I have taken has obtained for me, and in large measure, the esteem and good will of those by whom it is a comfort as well as an honour to be approved; and, on the other hand, the obloquy of men whose declared enmity is sufficient proof that the approbation which I desired has been deserved, maximum namque est bonitatis argumentum malis ignavisque hominibus displicere.'

6

Most of these papers were written in times of public excitement, and in such a time they are now republished; for in this sense of the word I am truly a time-server. Never within our memory have the aspects appeared so threatening as at present. No foresight can avail against fatuity, and the desperate councils of demented men: but even the sceptical Bayle has remarked that in such emergencies there is a surer hope than any that rests upon

human wisdom: j'entens, he says, que malgré tout ce que les hommes font de très-propre à ruiner une chose, il y a neanmoins une Providence superieure qui la fait durer. If he could thus express himself, with how much greater reason may we trust that the British Constitution, however it may be threatened and betrayed, will yet be preserved to us in mercy! We who know in WHOм we believe, and on what our principles are established, shall neither lose heart nor hope. In those principles too we have an assurance that for the part which we have taken, you in the front of the contest, and I in my retirement, we can never justly be reproached by others, nor have cause to reproach ourselves, be the issue what it may.

Accept then as a token and a memorial of friendship these Essays, wherein, during the course of two and twenty years I have pleaded against the growing errors of the times; not more earnestly opposing evil designs, and perilous experiments upon our social system,

than urging the necessity of those efficient measures, and those only real and radical reforms, by which alone it can be supported.

Yours affectionately,

ROBERT SOUTHEY.

Keswick, 15 Sept. 1831.

ESSAY I.

ON SIR FRANCIS BURDETT'S MOTION FOR PARLIAMENTARY REFORM;

ON THE CONDUCT OF THE WAR;

AND ON

THE CRY OF THE WHIGS FOR PEACE.

1810.

B