Page:Poems on Various Subjects - Coleridge (1796).djvu/198

 received a pension of 1200l. a-year charged on the King's Privy Purse! When he had completed his labors, it was then a question what recompence his service deserved. Mr. Burke wanting a present supply of money, it was thought that a pension of 2000l. per annum for forty years certain, would sell for eighteen years purchase, and bring him of course 36,000l. But this pension must, by the very unfortunate act, of which Mr. Burke was himself the author, have come before Parliament. Instead of this Mr. Pitt suggested the idea of a pension of 2000l a-year for three lives, to be charged on the King's Revenue of the West India 4 per cents. This was tried at the market, but it was found that it would not produce the 36,000l. which were wanted. In consequence of this a pension of 2500l. per annum, for three lives on the 4 West India