30 MARCH 1918, Page 13

BURKE AND CLIVE.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Sia,—The very interesting article .on "The Kaiser's Napoleonic System" in your issue of the 23rd inst. ascribes to Burke a self- complacent remark which was really uttered by Clive. The great proconsul, at what was virtually his trial before the House of Commons, gave a summary of the temptations to which he had been exposed. The following extract from his Apologia occurs in Macaulay's essay :- " A great prince dependent on his pleasure; an opulent city afraid of being given up to plunder; wealthy bankers bidding against each other for his smiles; vaults piled with gold and jewels thrown open to him alone. ' By God, Mr. Chairman,' he ex- claimed, at this moment I stand astonished at my own modera- tion.' "