14 NOVEMBER 1908, Page 15

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR. "' SIR,—Is not your view

of the character of Burke corroborated by the following lines, written by the junior• counsel for•

the defence of Warren Hastings, afterwards Lord Chief Justice Dallas ? From the latter's poems I, his grand- daughter, copy :—" The following epigram, which has perhaps bad more claimants than any other• in the English language, was written during the impeachment of Mr. Hastings :- ' Oft have I wondered why on Irish ground No poisonous reptile ever yet was found: Reveal'd the secret stands of nature's work, She saved her venom to create a Burke.'" 4 Beauchamp Avenue, Leamington.