religion prescribed.
Nothing was so certain to command his fervid sympathy as strict
adherence to the rules and ceremonies of an ancient and sacred
ordering.

If he never failed to perform the offices to which we are bound by
the common sympathy of men, it is satisfactory to think that Burke in
return received a measure of these friendly services. Among those who
loved him best was Dr. Brocklesby, the tender physician who watched
and soothed the last hours of Johnson. When we remember how Burke's
soul was harassed by private cares, chagrined by the untoward course
of public events, and mortified by neglect from friends no less than
by virulent reproach from foes, it makes us feel very kindly towards
Brocklesby, to read what he wrote to Burke in 1788:--

MY VERY DEAR FRIEND--My veneration of your public conduct for many
years past, and my real affection for your private virtues and
transcendent worth, made me yesterday take a liberty with you in a
moment's conversation at my house, to make you an instant present
of L1000, which for years past I had by will destined as a
testimony of my regard on my decease. This you modestly desired me
not to think of; but I told you what I now repeat, that unfavoured
as I have lived for a long life, unnoticed professionally by any
party of men, and though unknown at court, I am rich enough to
spare to virtue (what others waste in vice) the above sum, and
still reserve an annual income greater than I spend. I shall
receive at the India House a bill I have discounted for L1000
on the 4th of next month, and then shall be happy that you will
accept this proof of my sincere love and esteem, and let me add,
_Si res ampla domi similisque affectibus esset_, I should be happy
to repeat the like every year.

The mere transcription of the friendly man's good letter has something
of the effect of an exercise of religion. And it was only one of a
series of kind acts on the part of the same generous giver.

It is always interesting in the case of a great man to know how he
affected the women of his acquaintance. Women do not usually judge
character either so kindly or so soundly as men do, for they lack that
knowledge of the ordeals of practical life, which gives both justice
and charity to such verdicts. But they are more susceptible than most
men are to devotion and nobility in character. The little group of the
blue-stockings of