ster; which independent conduct Mr. Pitt pitifully re

sented.

On leaving the university, Mr. Burdon, having improved his reason and taste by a patient and extensive acquaintance with books, published various works on literature, politics, and philosophy. They are as follows: Three Letters addressed to the Bishop of Llandaff: Cambridge 1795.-A Few Words of Plain Truth on the Subject of the present Negociation for Peace: Cambridge 1797.-An Examination of the Merits and Tendency of The Pursuits of Literature; in 2 parts: Newcastle 1799 first part, and 1800 the second part. -A Vindication of Pope and Grattan from the Attack of an Anonymous Defamer: Newcastle 1799.Thoughts on Politics, Morality, and Literature: Newcastle 1800.-Materials for Thinking: 1803.-Unanimity in the present Contest recommended: Newcastle 1803.-Advice addressed to the Lower Ranks: 1803. -Life and Character of Bonaparte: 1804.-Poetry for Children: 1805.-Letters on the Affairs of Spain: 1809. -A Constitution for the Spanish Nation (from the Spanish of Estrada): 1810.-Introduction to the History of the Revolution in Spain (from the Spanish of Estrada): 1810.-Treatise on the Privileges of the House of Commons: 1810.-An Impartial Examination of the Dispute between Spain and her American Colonies (from the Spanish of Estrada): 1811.-Letters to the Editor of the Tyne Mercury, on the Annual Subscription to the Sons of the Clergy: London 1811. -Cobbett and the Reformers Impartially Examined: 1813.-Letters to the Editor of the Tyne Mercury.—

Besides these works Mr. Burdon contributed to the periodical and diurnal press.-This is a long list of writings by one man who did not begin the office of author very early in life and died prematurely.

Yet it is not the extent and variety of his compositions that attract the attention; but the liberality, the benevolence, and the love of truth, which pervade them. Justice was so peculiarly his character, that self-love-the predominant love of an author for his opinions—had no hold on him. He had originally conceived extravagant notions of the "unlimited improveability of our nature," which he renounced. He had repeatedly eulogized Bonaparte; yet in the Preface to the second edition, 1804, of his Life of that extraordinary person, he acknowledged himself " to have been blinded by the splendid blaze of his success, his exploits, and his promises. But now, that time and the possession of power have unmasked him, and reflection has taken place of sudden surprise, I am no longer an enthusiast in his praise, but view him as he deserves to be viewed by every lover of liberty and of human nature," &c. This freedom to retract declarations which he considered erroneous has been reputed by some as vacillating:-this was not his temper; he was sufficiently decisive: but some regard Bonaparte as a first love, whom they have taken for better for worse, without considering that even this conjugal contract has its limits. Mr. Burdon's fault was not, that he abandoned Bonaparte, but that he was too long beguiled by his artifices.

The author of this memoir has also heard of a small

pamphlet circulated in the North offensive to the purity of Mr. Burdon's principles. This is a pure lie, as it wants the semblance of truth. Mr. Burdon had written some severe strictures on the meanness of annually begging for the Clergy of Durham, a body of men who share among themselves nearly two hundred thousand pounds a year of the public bounty. The justness of this reproach was manifest; and as he could not be answered, even sophistically, he was abused. His motives for exposing their indecorous solicitations also were above all insinuation; for had he consented to receive orders, he would long before that time have obtained a College living of a thousand pounds annual

revenue.

Mr. Burdon's justice is obvious in all his works. He states either side of a question, (even when he is most decidedly in favour of one of them,) with the utmost fairness. In his pamphlet on the Privileges of the House of Commons, (in which he shows he would have succeeded as a lawyer if he were not as averse to the bar as the church,) this equity is remarked by a writer in the Monthly Review, for "though an ardent opponent of the privilege lately exercised by the House of Commons," "his plain dealing will indeed by some be deemed excessive; for he accuses Mr. Hatsell and Sir Francis Burdett of misstating and misrepresenting the precedent established in Thorp's case," &c. vol. lxiii. page 216.

Next to justice, Mr. Burdon was distinguished for his love of liberty. Nor was this confined to any particular pursuit, nor to his country, nor to Europe-it

was universal. He was anxious for Old Spain and for her American colonies. His house also was a refuge for many Spanish patriots: the writer has heard him mention his intimacy with twenty-three individuals of that nation, all of whom without exception he spoke of as men of considerable talents and superior probity.

His benevolence and generosity were not confined to persons suffering in a great cause. To want, was to him a sufficient recommendation; and if in the person distressed he discovered abilities, he patronized him beyond his merits. The circumstances attending two individuals, who ill-requited his affection and generosity, might be omitted in regard to his discernment and the credit of human nature. But the good of all is the relation of truth. I may observe that in one of the instances alluded to, the young man was introduced to him by a work called "The Saunterer." He was friendless, and in distress. Mr. Burdon superintended his final education, entered him at Cambridge, and maintained him at the University. With his good fortune, he disgusted by his vanity all to whom he was introduced--became prodigal-incurred considerable debts -sunk into the vilest debauchery-and frequently reviled his benefactor in the Satirist. Of Mr. Burdon's other failure of a similar kind, it is so hideous, that it is unique for romantic attachment on one side and ingratitude on the other.

In giving an account of an author it is usual to scan his style, and afford an estimate of his learning and capacity. As a writer, the reader may decide for him

XV

self. The basis of Mr. Burdon's philosophy, and that to which he directed all his thoughts, was utility. In what degree he succeeded in this respect must also be submitted to the sagacity of the reader. But it may be observed that THE MATERIALS FOR THINKING, from 1803 to 1819 passed through five editions-a succession, considering the nature of the work, seldom exceeded in rapidity; and particularly as it was not cherished by any friendly reviewer, nor announced with the usual titular appendages, but simply by William Burdon.

Mr. Burdon's habits were retired. He was averse to general intercourse and worldly matters;—perhaps his unaptness for business was increased by the unkind efforts of his father to force his disposition; as there can be no doubt but his literary propensities were improved by the Rev. Hugh Moises, master of the grammar-school at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, of whom he always spoke with affection and respect.

He was middle-sized, slender, yet well-knit and agile. His health was precarious, probably in consequence of a too sedentary life; yet his complaint did not materially obstruct his studies. He composed the Life of Bonaparte during a severe jaundice, yet it betrays no symptoms of the lassitude which attends that disease.

For many years a small swelling affected his thigh; it was only perceivable when pressed, and produced no inconvenience. In July 1817 it became troublesome and increased in size; in a short time the pain was unremitting and intense. Mr. Burdon was confined