He went once about this time with Windham and Elliot to inform Pitt as to the uneasiness of the public about the slackness of our naval and military preparation.

"Burke," says one of the party, "gave Pitt a little political instruction in a very respectful and cordial way, but with the authority of an old and most informed statesman; and although nobody ever takes the whole of Burke's advice, yet he often, or always rather, furnishes very important and useful matter, some part of which sticks and does good.

Pitt took it all very patiently and cordially." It was in the December of 1792 that Burke had enacted that famous bit of melodrama out of place known as the Dagger Scene.

The Government had brought in an Alien Bill, imposing certain pains and restrictions on foreigners coming to this country.

Fox denounced it as a concession to foolish alarms, and was followed by Burke, who began to storm as usual against murderous atheists.