tion between these two extraordinary persons, are said to have been the concordat, for the provisions of which, with regard to the celibacy of the clergy, Bonaparte was at great pains to justify himself to Mr. Fox; and the trial by jury, which Mr. Fox vindicated against the attacks of Bonaparte, saying, in answer to the complaint of the first consul, that juries were often extremely inconvenient to the go. vernment; that he liked them for it so much the better.

On every occasion the first consul testified the high consideration in which he held him; aud constantly declared that, if the then English ministers had been such men as Mr. Fox, England and France might remain at eternal peace, and mutually concur in each other's happiness."

The following agrecable incident, is repeated here, as it accords with the character of Mr. Fox :

On the 16th of September, he assisted at an extraorinary sitting of the tribunate. A few minutes before the opening of the sitting, M. Boyer, captain of the guard of the tribunate, advanced to Mr. Fox, and addressed him in these words: "I am one, sir, of two hundred French prisoners, who, in the year 3, (1795) were prisoners at Portchester. We applied to you, and you had the generosity to exert your eloquence in our favour. On a sudden our chains were broken, and we were almost free. This benefit will never be forgotten by my companions in misfortune: but I am at present happier than they are, because I am able to declare to you publicly my gratitude. I entreat you to add to it, if it be possible, by coudescending to accept my

weak, but sincere, expression of it." He replied to this emanation of gratitude, with his wonted modesty : "Yes, sir, I believe I have the pleasure to recollect you."

The following account of the circumstances of his residence was also circulated with so much confidence in various ways, that it is inserted without other authority. It is believed to have come originally from a writer to whom the public is at the same time indebted for much science.

"To ape Mr. Fox was now the fashion at Paris. His dress, his manner of speaking, nay, his very dinners, were imitated. The beaux of Paris exhibited a singular contrast between what they actually were and what they endeavoured to appear. It was the fashion to be a thinking man-to think like Fox; and the coxcombs endeavoured to model their features to that character! At the opera he attracted every eye, and was followed as a spectacle through the streets. His picture was exhibited in every window, and no medallions had such a ready sale as those which bore the head of Mr. Fox. The artists alone felt some dissatisfaction, as he refused to sit for his portrait. It is said that a celebrated statuary sent his respects to Mr. Fox, and informed him that, being desirous to partake of his immortality, he purposed to execute a statue of him, and would call the following day, when he flattered himself that Mr. Fox would have no objection to sit half an hour in his shirt, while he took the exact contour of his body!

"Among the fashionables of Paris, (continues this account) who were particularly attentive to Mr. Fox, was Madame Recamier. She

called

called for him one day in her carriage, but Mr. Fox hesitated to accompany her. 'Come,' said the Jady, I must keep my promise, and shew you on the promenade. The good people of Paris must always have a spectacle. Before you came, I was the fashion; it is a point of honour, therefore, that I should not appear jealous of you. You must attend me, sir.' A few days afterwards appeared an ode, in which Mr. Fox and Madame Recamier were transformed into Jupiter and Venus. The author, with all the modesty of a Frenchman, put a copy of this ode into the hand of Mr. Fox, and another into that of Madame Recamier, whom he was attending to the opera. On reading the subject, Mr. Fox appeared confused, but his fair companion smiled- Let them say what they please,' said she, as long as Mons. Recamier preserves his senses, and laughs at them as I do.' Of this lady Mr. Fox entertained the highest opinion; and observed, that she was the only woman who united the attractions of pleasure to those of modesty.

Nor was this attention from the French people changed during the stay of Mr. and Mrs. Fox at Paris. Every pleasure that could be afforded them was studiously offered, and it is only necessary to recognise the disposition of the parties upon whom the distinction was conferred, to conceive the pleasing interchange they established. With the first consul Mr. Fox continued on the most liberal terms: he examined his character, his motives, and his powers; and the result was a declaration, that "he was a man as magnificent in his means as in his ends that he possessed a most decided

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character that he would pursue his purpose with more constancy, and for a longer period, than was ima. gined; that his views were not directed against Great Britain, but that he looked only to the conti nent.

His commercial enmity was only a temporary measure; and was never intended to be acted on as a permanent policy. That he had a proud candour, which, in the confidence of success in whatever he resolved, scorned to conceal his intentions."-" I never saw,” said he, "so little indirectness in any statesman as in the first consul. He makes no secret of his designs." There are those who will not think, even in this instance, Mr. For belied his just knowledge of human nature.

Notwithstanding these various occupations, Mr. Fox found leisure to make great acquisitions for his history, from documents in the various offices which had yet survived the storm of the revolution. those which were the principal objects of his enquiry, however, he was disappointed.

la

The documents alluded to, were the original Memoirs of King James 11. written by that monarch himself, and deposited by him in the Scots college, in the rue Fossé St. Victor, at Paris, but which were afterwards lost in the tumult of the revolution.

In the middle of November, Mr. and Mrs. Fox returned to England. Mr. Fox immediately recommenced his parliamentary duty, with every advantage of information on the topic of French affairs.

Mr. Fox now again ceased to attend the house of commons; he did not approve of the war, and he did not wish to embarrass the

measures

measures which must be taken after it was entered into. At this time, notwithstanding this favourable inclination shewn to Mr. Addington, an apparent cordiality seemed to exist in Mr. Pitt towards Mr. Fox, and lord Grenville evinced a grow ing approbation. Mr. Fox however, continued to indulge chiefly in his favourite retirement, and the domestic enjoyments it contained.

From these pleasing employments, Mr. Fox was called in the following month to vindicate, in parliament, the conduct of his brother (general Fox) as commander-inchief in Ireland, and to instigate an enquiry into the government of that country, during the insurrection. Several other motions of minor importance followed, and on one for the revision of the bills respecting the defence of the country, he was seconded by Mr. Pitt! This first caused a minority of 234 against 256; which decided Mr. Addington's administration.

• The world now looked with expectation for the succession of Mr. Fox to the ministry, but not so with that gentleman; a thousand opinions floated upon the public mind, but all in vain. Mr. Pitt resumed his office, though at the expence of lord Grenville, who insisted on Mr. Fox being joined in the government. Mr. Pitt turned the obstruction from himself.

War with Spain was immediately renewed; of the duplicity of which, Mr. Fox strongly complained. The opposition vengeance, however, soon fell upon lord Melville (formerly Mr. Dundas) who had committed himself under an economical arrangement of the late administration. The subject was discussed on

the 8th of April, 1805, when he agam appeared with all his energy.

The next exertion of Mr. Fox was on the petition of the catholics of Ireland, which had before been presented by him. It was thrown out by a large majority, but a portion of the empire was conciliated by the protection it had received.

On the 23d of January, 1806, Mr. Pitt died, and a junction taking place between the friends of lord Grenville and Mr. Fox, a new administration was formed, in which Mr. Fox and all his friends were comprised; and after twenty-two years' absence from the offices of government, he returned to power as secretary of state for foreign affairs.

Mr. Fox, having appropriated to himself the elegant mansion of the duke of Bedford, at St. James's, (who was now appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland,) returned to business with vigour, and, as may be expected, fully prepared in all its details, notwithstanding his long absence.

Immediately upon his entering into office, communications took place between him and the minister for foreign relations in France; which led to resolutions for peace, which was conducted with his usual openness of character.

The labour of the session in parliament was considerable; and the duties of his office were extraordinarily fatiguing, and overpowered his constitution; and, whatever his spirit, his health had been gradually weakening: the first acknowledgment he made of it, however, was in a letter to a friend who had desired his concurrence in an affair of some impor tance. "My life has been active

beyond

beyond my strength," said he, "I had almost said, my duty. If I have not acted much, you will allow I have spoken much; and I have felt more than I have either acted or spoken. My constitution as sunk under it. I find myself unequal to the business on which you have written; it must be left to younger men."

Once he employed this remarkable expression.—“ Pitt has died in January-perhaps I may go off before June." A gentleman who was in company with him, having made some observation in reply-" Nay," said Mr. Fox, "I begin to think my complaint not unlike Pitt's; my stomach has been long discomposed; I feel my constitution dissolving."

This state of health continued through the month of March, when his friends were convinced he was breaking fast. Still he insisted that his disease was only a temporary habit, and as he happened in May to recover an interval of strength, that circumstance tended to confirm him in his error. The symptoms, however, soon returned with redou bled violence, and he was pronounced, at the latter end of June, to have decided symptoms of dropsy.

It was the beginning of July before his disease was completely ascertained. The symptoms were no longer doubtful, and the swelling daily increased. All efforts to discharge the water by diuretic medicine failing, the operation of tapping was performed on the 7th of August; the quantity taken from him was about five gallons. The weakness which succeeded, was such as to excite a general alarm that he would not

survive it; he was long speechless, and that at the moment when the public prints represented him all gaiety and spirits. His state continued very doubtful, till the night of the 10th, when he again began to recover strength. He now dined with one or two of his most intimate friends, and conversed with them as long as his physicians per. mitted.

Mr. Fox had occasionally fa vourable symptoms after his first operation, and his medical attend. ants entertained hopes almost to the last, of his recovery. But, in the mean time, the accumulation of water returned, and as another operation was obviously soon to be necessary, he was removed, in the first instance, to Chiswick, that he might enjoy there the benefits of air and residence in the country. This change of residence took place on the 28th of August, and on the 1st of September following the opera tion of tapping was again per. formed. He suffered less than he had done the first time, from the immediate effects of the operation; and the symptoms of his case were, in the opinion of his physicians, more favourable than they had been at any time during his illness, when he suddenly fell into a state of great lowness and exhaustion, on Monday, the 8th of September, from which he never completely recovered, He continued to languish till the 13th instant, when he expired, having retained his senses and recollection to the last. His body being examined after death, it was found that the cause of his illness was a schirrus, or induration of the liver.

Thus died the right honourable Charles James Fox, on the 13th day of September, 1806, in the 58th

year

year of his age, a period the most satisfactory of any in the whole course of his life-a period at which be, accustomed to adversity, had at length arrived at the attainment of every wish, and at that age of a life, when death is attended with fewer terrors than in one more advanced. If the peace of his country, for which he had always struggled, were not indeed attained, he had the happiness to see it in fair prospect; and he was spared the pain of seeing the intricate policy of modern times triumph over his favourite object. The partner of his heart was easy. His private friends, and the old associates of his public carcer, were in the employment of the state, and receiving the honours that reward persevering virtue. He had, through his short administrations, been an enlightened and benevolent minister, and nothing had detracted from his fame. Let those who wish he had lived longer, and attained higher honours, rejoice that he lived so long, and died regretted by the Bri. tish people.

The day fixed for the funeral was the tenth of October, the anniversary of Mr. Fox's first election for Westminster. *

Thus far we have endeavoured to abridge, from the narratives at present published, the facts generally known concerning the political and private life of Mr. Fox, we shall add a summary of the character of that great man, chiefly from our own observation.

Mr. Fox was of the middle stature, and for many years had been much encumbered with corpulence and obesity. His complexion was very dark, his nose well formed, and VOL. XLVIII.

his mouth, according to Lavater's system, expressive of good nature and a love of pleasure. His eyebrows were not only remarkably thick and black, but were peculiarly shaped; not being arched but rising upward at a considerable angle from the temples towards the middle of the forehead. The whole expression of his face and person has been said, by one of his panegyrists, to have formed a perfect specimen of the English character; but his dark. beard and sallow complexion were by others thought to give him much the appearance of a native of a more southern climate. His countenance was manly, bold, and open: and the bust of him by Nollekins is grand and impressive. His temper was kind, and in private equable; his manners were the most affable and engaging; no man had more personal friends, and there never was a man whose friendships were more lasting, or whose enmities were less rooted.

Having visited the courts of Europe early, he wanted nothing of the polished address which distinguishes the man of high breed ing; and having been drawn into the vortex of pleasure which led to many embarrassments, in his youth; having approached the lowest classes of his fellow citizens with familiarity, in the tumult of many a popular election, he, had, like our fifth Harry, "sounded the very base string of humility;" he had seen mankind in all the gradations of rank, and varieties of character, and knew human nature thoroughly. Of his scholastic acquirements we have spoken already, and have only to add, that they were chiefly confined to the

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belles