Edmund Burke Essay

Letter to a Noble Lord by Edmund Burke The letter written by Edmund Burke to the Duke of Bedford is one of the most notable letters in terms of its rhetoric. The degree of persuasiveness in the “Letter to a Noble Lord” clearly shows how good of an orator Edmund Burke is. In the letter, Burke tries to correct one very important point that has been mentioned by the duke of Bedford, which is the statement that says that Burke does not deserve his pension. Edmund Burke attempts to prove Bedford wrong by comparing and contrasting his own qualities or merits with Bedford’s. In the list of merits that Burke made, there are two comparisons that really supports his main goal in the letter. The first comparison shows that Burke wants his audience (mostly the people of England) to know that the duke of Bedford is not a man who takes the initiative to help the country’s wealth, but instead the fortune was taken for Bedford himself. For this reason, Burke wrote in his letter and referring to Bedford, “He served his master and made his fortune, to bring poverty, wretchedness, and depopulation on his country. Mine were, under benevolent prince, in promoting the commerce, manufacture, and agriculture of his kingdom (12).” Burke makes sure that the audience on his side, therefore he uses true facts about the duke of Bedford to support his main argument. The second comparison shows Burke trying to proof to the people of England that he is a person who has worked hard for his country, and that everything he stands for is beneficial for his own native country. Burke has defended his country’s liberty, whereas the duke of Bedford has been enjoying the fortune he got from the throne, as Burke’s letter says “The merit of the origin of his Grace’s fortune was in being a favorite and chief advisor to a prince, who left no liberty to their native country (11).” This particular statement that Burke said helped him get the support