ΤΟ HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY, CHARLES XTH, SIRE, KING OF FRANCE AND NAVARRE. YOUR majesty's most gracious acceptance of a copy of the Works of Mr. Burke, and your condescension in permitting this last volume of those works to be inscribed with your majesty's name, would alone amply remunerate the editor for all his pains and labors in preparing them for the press; but he is confident, that your majesty will concede to him, that the greatest gratification he can derive from his labors is to be found in the reflection, that mankind will be benefited by the publication of sentiments, religious, moral, and political, which will tend to enlighten both princes and subjects upon their respective duties. In presenting to your majesty this work, may I presume to point out, in a few words, its six principal * Vol. VIII. 4to Edition. features.-1st, American Taxation-2d, A system of Economy in the Public Expenditure, combined with additional security for the Independence of Parliament -3d, East Indian Delinquency-4th, French Revolution-5th, Emancipation of Roman Catholic Subjects of this Kingdom-6th, Abolition of Negro Slavery. Whilst your majesty admires the efforts of Mr. Burke's genius both in resisting lawless power, and in correcting popular errors, you will recognise and adore the goodness of that divine Providence, which is, perhaps, in no respect more conspicuous than in giving existence, as occasion may require, to human talents, and to other instruments adequate to the purposes of its mysterious dispensations. Of these instruments the virtues of princes are among the most noble. May those of your majesty and of your family be the blessing of your people. When, after the close of a reign which I pray God may be long and prosperous, your majesty's subjects shall have reaped the fruits of your majesty's experience, and inflexible adherence to the principles so clearly developed and so ably enforced by this great writer, the merits of the sage and of the prince will be justly appreciated. Deign, Sire, to accept the homage of my most per |