erved the good cause abandoned to the enemy.

Tour Imperial Majesty's just influence, which is still greater than your
extensive power, will animate and expedite the efforts of other
sovereigns. From your wisdom other states will learn that they who wait
until all the powers of Europe are at once in motion can never move at
all. It would add to the unexampled calamities of our time, if the
uncommon union of sentiment in so many powers should prove the very
cause of defeating the benefit which ought to flow from their general
good disposition. No sovereign can run any risk from the designs of
other powers, whilst engaged in tins glorious and necessary work. If any
attempt could be feared, your Imperial Majesty's power and justice would
secure your allies against all danger. Madam, your glory will be
complete, if, after having given peace to Europe by your moderation, you
shall bestow stability on all its governments by your vigor and
decision. The debt which your Imperial Majesty's august predecessors
have contracted to the ancient manners of Europe, by means of which they
civilized a vast empire, will be nobly repaid by preserving those
manners from the hideous change with which they are now menaced. By the
intervention of Russia the world will be preserved from barbarism and
ruin.

A private individual, of a remote country, in himself wholly without
importance, unauthorized and unconnected, not as an English subject,
but as a citizen of the world, presumes to submit his thoughts to one of
the greatest and wisest sovereigns that Europe has seen. He does it
without fear, because he does not involve in his weakness (if such it
is) his king, his country, or his friends. He is not' afraid that he
shall offend your Imperial Majesty,--because, secure in itself, true
greatness is always accessible, and because respectfully to speak what
we conceive to be truth is the best homage which can be paid to true
dignity.

I am, Madam, with the utmost possible respect and veneration,

Your Imperial Majesty's

Most obedient and most humble servant,

EDM. BURKE.

BEACONSFIELD, November 1st, 1791.

A

LETTER

TO

SIR CHARLES BINGHAM, BART.,

ON THE

IRISH ABSENTEE TAX.

OCTOBER 30, 1773.

NOTE.

From authentic documents found with the copy of this Letter
among Mr. Burke's papers, it appears that in the year 1773 a
project of imposing a tax upon all proprietors of landed
estates in Ireland