Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/252

 241 BURKE a new course of study. For the purpose of storing his mind with facts, reasonings, imagery, and sentiments, he applied himself with unwearied diligence to the study of history, poetry, and philosophy. His biographer also assures us, that he at the same time dived deep into a study, of which it would be difficult for any but himself to perceive the utility, that of the Fathers, and the scholastic disputations of the middle ages. A study more evidently useful, but which to the elegant mind of Burke must have been almost equally unpleasing, was that of parliamentary usages, precedents, &e. in which he employed a great portion of his time, aware in how great a degree they were essential to the man of eminence in parliamentary business. He soon, however, felt that all acquirements would be of little service, unless accompanied by an easy and unem- barrassed manner of communicating them to others. To obviate this difficulty, and accustom himself to hear his own opinions combated and to oppose those of others, he for some time frequented the Robin Hood Society; a debating club at that time in high reputation, and which has produced many men of distinguished oratorical powers By this course of studies and exertions, continued for some months, he qualified himself for delivering at the opening of the ensuing session, a maiden speech, which excited the admiration of the bouse, and elicited the warmest praises from the great Mr. Pitt. The influence which introduced Burke into the house of commons, had no doubt considerable weight in deter- mining his parliamentary condugt. This will probably not be regarded as a harsh assertion, when we consider the comprehensiveness of his mind and the soundness of his judgment, and reflect on the measures which he advocated in his first parliamentary essay. The object of primary importance, when the Rockingham administration suc- ceeded to power, was America; and Burke, with the rest of that party, advised and strongly contended for measures which certainly, in whatever light we consider them, give YOL.