Mr. Burke himself.  From the same source something more has been drawn in the shape of notes, to which are subscribed his initials.  Of this number is the explanation of that celebrated phrase, “the swinish multitude”:  an explanation which was uniformly given by him to his friends, in conversation on the subject.  But another note will probably interest the reader still more, as being strongly expressive of that parental affection which formed so amiable a feature in the character of Mr. Burke.  It is in page 203 of Vol.  V., where he points out a considerable passage as having been supplied by his “lost son".[7] Several other parts, possibly amounting altogether to a page or thereabout, were indicated in the same manner; but, as they in general consist of single sentences, and as the meaning of the mark by which they were distinguished was not actually expressed, it has not been thought necessary to notice them particularly.

FOOTNOTES: 

[6] London, F. and C. Rivington, 1803. 8 vols.

[7] In “Reflections on the Revolution in France,”—­indicated by foot-note in loco.

A

Vindication of natural society: 

Or,

A view of the miseries and evils arising to mankind
from every species of artificial society.

In A letter to lord ****,

By A late noble writer.

1756.

PREFACE.

Before the philosophical works of Lord Bolingbroke had appeared, great things were expected from the leisure of a man, who, from the splendid scene of action in which his talents had enabled him to make so conspicuous a figure, had retired to employ those talents in the investigation of truth.  Philosophy began to congratulate herself upon such a proselyte from the world of business, and hoped to have extended her power under the auspices of such a leader.  In the midst of these pleasing expectations, the works themselves at last appeared in full body, and with great pomp.  Those who searched in them for new discoveries in the mysteries of nature; those who expected something which might explain or direct the operations of the mind; those who hoped to see morality illustrated and enforced; those who looked for new helps to society and government; those who desired to see the characters and passions of mankind delineated; in short, all who consider such things as philosophy, and require some of them at least in every philosophical work, all these were certainly disappointed; they found the landmarks of science precisely in their former places:  and they thought they received but a poor recompense for this disappointment,