ing, his heartless rapacity
laid bare to her; that all should not do, and she must still keep the
best place in her heart for this accursed fellow, is a thing to make a
plain man rage. I had never much natural sympathy for the passion of
love; but this unreason in my patron's wife disgusted me outright with
the whole matter. I remember checking a maid because she sang some
bairnly kickshaw while my mind was thus engaged; and my asperity
brought about my ears the enmity of all the petticoats about the house;
of which I recked very little, but it amused Mr. Henry, who rallied me
much upon our joint unpopularity. It is strange enough (for my own
mother was certainly one of the salt of the earth, and my Aunt Dickson,
who paid my fees at the University, a very notable woman), but I have
never had much toleration for the female sex, possibly not much
understanding; and being far from a bold man, I have ever shunned their
company. Not only do I see no cause to regret this diffidence in myself,
but have invariably remarked the most unhappy consequences follow those
who were less wise. So much I thought proper to set down, lest I show
myself unjust to Mrs. Henry. And, besides, the remark arose naturally,
on a re-perusal of the letter which was the next step in these affairs,
and reached me, to my sincere astonishment, by a private hand, some week
or so after the departure of the last messenger.

_Letter from Colonel_ BURKE _(afterwards Chevalier) to_ MR. MACKELLAR.

TROYES IN CHAMPAGNE,
_July 12, 1756._

MY DEAR SIR,--You will doubtless be surprised to receive a
communication from one so little known to you; but on the occasion I
had the good fortune to rencounter you at Durrisdeer, I remarked you
for a young man of a solid gravity of character: a qualification
which I profess I admire and revere next to natural genius or the
bold chivalrous spirit of the soldier. I was, besides, interested in
the noble family which you have the honour to serve, or (to speak
more by the book) to be the humble and respected friend of; and a
conversation I had the pleasure to have with you very early in the
morning has remained much upon my mind.

Being the other day in Paris, on a visit from this famous city, where
I am in garrison, I took occasion to inquire your name (which I
profess I had forgot) at my friend, the Master of B.; and, a fair
opportunity occurring, I write to inform you