THE most singular, of all the political attachments of JUNIUS, is that which he entertained for the late Lord Holland. In one of his private Letters to Woodfall he says, "I wish Lord Holland may acquit himself with honour*" And when he suspected the late Mr. Fox of having anonymously attacked him in the newspapers, he not only forbears to retaliate as he might have done, but unequivocally states, " that he designedly spared Lord Holland and his family. Whether Lord Holland be invulnerable, or whether JUNIUS should be wantonly provoked, are questions worthy the Black Boy's consideration."

This partiality for Lord Holland and his family, is in itself a very peculiar feature in the character of JUNIUS; but it becomes much more remarkable, when conjoined with an admiration of his Lordship's antagonist, Lord Chatham. JUNIUS was not that inconsistent being, to form two attachments, so decidedly dissimilar, without a cause;

* JUNIUS, i. *174.

+, iii. 410, signature, ANTI-Fox.

and in these instances he must have had very different grounds for his regard. Of Lord Chatham he declares his approbation for his public conduct. To Lord Holland then we must ascribe some private obligation, from the sense of which the integrity of the writer would not suffer him to feel free, even under provocations and excitements of the strongest kind.

Impossible as it would seem to reconcile these contradictions, there is one circumstance in the life of Sir PHILIP FRANCIS which fully solves the difficulty. "In 1756, Mr. Henry Fox, afterwards Lord Holland, gave him a little place in the Secretary of State's office:" So that his first step into public life was made under the auspices of that very Lord Holland whom JUNIUS designedly spared. With such a reason, I will not doubt for a moment that Sir PHILIP FRANCIS would most religiously abstain from offering any injury to his lordship. But additional motives were not wanting. His father, Dr. FRANCIS, lived in great intimacy with Lord Holland: to him, as his patron, he dedicated his Demosthenes. He was his domestic chaplain, and the tutor of the late Mr. Fox. To the friendship of the noble lord he was also indebted for the preferment he held in the church; having received the living of Barrow, in Suffolk, and the chaplaincy of Chelsea Hospital, through the interest of that nobleman. A series of obli

gations so strong as these would, no doubt, operate most forcibly on the son, even without his personal experience of any favours from the same hand; but in this instance it is difficult to say whether Sir PHILIP on his own account, or for his father's sake, was the more indebted to his friend and patron Lord Holland.

The solution here given of one of the most difficult paradoxes in the character of JUNIUS, affords nearly as strong support to our argument as any of the proofs before advanced.-One reason assigned by Lord Orford, for his suspecting Hamilton to have been the author of JUNIUS, is that" Hamilton was brought forward by Lord Holland; and it is remarkable, that Lord Holland, though very open to censure, is not once mentioned." If this warranted the impression it made on Lord Orford's mind, we may judge of the effect which the knowledge of obligations so much greater and more numerous ought to produce. No doubt the son of Dr. FRANCIS would be possessed with feelings of habitual respect and regard for Lord Holland and his family, and that he would privately express his wishes in their favour, in the way that JUNIUS did to Woodfall: whether, with such inclinations towards that nobleman, it was possible or likely that JUNIUS in his public capacity could have acted otherwise than he did, let the reader determine. As the declared enemy of whatever bore the coun

tenance of corruption, he felt himself constantly tempted, nay, he was called on, to attack the late Paymaster-general; he was further provoked by the interference and opposition, as he thought, of Mr. Fox, in a question wholly indifferent to the latter; and he had ample means of retaliation in his power he well knew, when he inquires "whether JUNIUS should be wantonly provoked:" but what course could he pursue under a sense of the obligations before mentioned? His public spirit would be neutralized by his private feelings, and only by silence could both be kept inviolate. Other reasons of a secret and personal nature might also have some influence: but of this we may be sure, that from the censure of a concealed author, supporting the character of JUNIUS, the severe and inflexible patriot, no common or light considerations could have preserved Lord Holland.

The next instance to be adduced of the connections of JUNIUS, is not less striking than the pre ceding; nor less fortunately met by the evidence of the Memoirs of Sir PHILIP FRANCIS.

Every one acquainted with the last edition of JUNIUS, must have noticed the very friendly tone which pervades his private correspondence with Woodfall." The spirit of your letter convinces me that you are a much better writer than most of those whose works you publish. Whether you

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have guessed well or ill, must be left to our future acquaintance. For the matter of money be assured, that if a question should arise upon any writings of mine, you shall not want it. *** My own works you shall constantly have, and in point of money be assured you shall never suffer*" These assurances of friendship and assistance are repeated at intervals throughout the whole correspondence.-" I doubt much whether I shall ever have the pleasure of knowing you; but if things take the turn I expect, you shall know me by my works." "You must not write to me again, but be assured I will never desert you." "If your affair should come. to a trial, and you should be found guilty, you will then let me know what expense falls particularly on yourself; for I understand you are engaged with other proprietors. Some way or other you shall be reimbursed§." "For my own part, I can very truly assure you that nothing would afflict me more than to have drawn you into a personal danger, because it admits of no recompense." "You cannot offend or afflict me but by hazarding your own safety ¶." "I have the greatest reason to be

* JUNIUS, i. *196. Private Letter to Woodfall.

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i. *207. Ditto.

i. 208. Ditto.

i. *208. Ditto.

i. *221. Ditto. ,i. 235. Ditto.