arrange Burke and his family in a manner equal to Burke's merits,
and to the Duke's own wishes, and at the same time so as to be
exempt from the many difficulties which seem to be in the way. He
sent for Pelham and me, as Burke's friends and his own, to advise
with us about it; and we dined yesterday with him and the Duchess,
that we might have time to talk the thing over at leisure and
without interruption after dinner. We stayed accordingly, engaged
in that subject till almost twelve at night, and our conference
ended most happily and excessively to the satisfaction of us all.
The Duke of Portland has the veneration for Burke that Windham,
Pelham, myself and a few more have, and he thinks it impossible to
do too much for him. He considers the reward to be given to Burke
as a credit and honour to the nation, and he considers the neglect
of him and his embarrassed situation as having been long a
reproach to the country. The unjust prejudice and clamour which
has prevailed against him and his family only determine the Duke
the more to do him justice. The question was how? First, his
brother Richard, who was Secretary to the Treasury before, will
have the same office now; but the Duke intends to give him one of
the first offices which falls vacant, of about L1000 a year for
life in the customs, and he will then resign the Secretary to the
Treasury, which, however, in the meanwhile is worth L3000 a year.
Edmund Burke is to have the Pay-Office, L4000 a year; but as that
is precarious and he can leave no provision for his son, it would,
in fact, be doing little or nothing of any real or substantial
value unless some _permanent_ provision is added to it. In this
view the Duke is to grant him on the Irish establishment a pension
of L2000 a year _clear_ for his own life, and the other half to
Mrs. Burke for her life. This will make Burke completely happy, by
leaving his wife and son safe from want after his death, if they
should survive him. The Duke's affectionate anxiety to accomplish
this object, and his determination to set all clamour at defiance
on this point of justice, was truly affecting, and increases my
attachment for the Duke.... The Duke said the only objection to
this plan was that he thought it was due from this country, and
that he grudged the honour of it to Ireland; but as