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of a new language, or the recollection of one in some degree obliterated. His method of learning a language was singular. After labouring a week at his grammar, in getting by heart the declinable parts, the substantives, adjectives and verbs, he immediately began, with the assistance of his dictionary, to read some classic author, learning the syntax by rcference as the examples occurred.

After breakfast Mr. Fox usually employed himself in reading till two o'clock, and in this he also followed a certain method. In reading Gibbon's history, for example, he compared that author with the writers whose authority he has quoted. Of Gibbon and Hume, he observed, that the one so loved a king, and the other so hated a priest, that neither of them could be depended upon where either a priest or a king was concerned. He discovered that the former had quoted many books as authority of which he had only read the preface. Of this he produced a singular instance, where the historian has quoted a passage of a writer as being in the third book, though the whole work consists only of two. Into this error Gibbon was led by a mistake in the preface of the book quoted. Mr. Fox disliked the florid stile and verbosity of Gibbon as much as he approved his historic concentration. "He thinks," said he, "like Tacitus, and writes like Curtius."? It was a frequent practice with him in his reading to erase unnecessary words with his pen this method he likewise followed with his copy

of Gibbon's works, which could not fail to be interesting to the public.

Smith's "Wealth of Nations" was a favourite elementary book with Mr. Fox, who, however, used to observe, that he was tedious, formed beyond the necessity of his work, and too fond of deduction where there is nothing to deduce. "He proves," said Mr. Fox, "where no one can doubt, and enters upon a chain of reasoning to produce a most unmeaning result. However closely and drily he has written, one half of his book may be omitted with great benefit to the subject." Of the works of Turgot he spoke with contempt, and said, "that the French had not liberty enough to understand finance and political economy." Henry's History of England he treated with respect'; but often expressed his surprise at Belsham's George III. and would exclaim, "How can a man with his eyes open write in this manner !"

Mr. Fox regularly took every paper, morning and evening. The Morning Chronicle, which might justly be denominated the mouthpiece of his party, was of course his favorite. Though we cannot affirm that he ever wrote for that paper, yet his friends have, on various occasions, imagined that they recognized not only the style, but the very ideas and words which he expressed in conversation.

Having passed the morning in this manner, Mr. Fox, when the weather permitted, would walk to Chertsey, and thence to Lalham, and

return to dinner. He seldom had any company; the Duke of Bedford was occasionally his guest; but most frequently he was alone with Mrs. Armstead. His mode of living was simple and unexpensive; his wine indeed cost him nothing; for at the earnest request of one of his ardent admirers, who was a wine-merchant, he permitted him to supply his table, and could never prevail upon him to produce his bill.

The union with Ireland was productive of circumstances which rendered it necessary for Mr. Pitt to retire from office. Mr. Fox and his associates were held forth by the opposition as the only public men fit to succeed the ministers who had resigned. The king, however, could not reconcile such an appointment with his feelings, and the arrangement of a new administration was confided to Mr. Addington. Under his auspices the peace of Amiens was negociated. Mr. Fox, who had always been inimical to war, assented to the measure, not perhaps on the ground of its being the best possit le peace, but merely because it was. in every point of view preferable to the state of warfare in which the country had been for so many years involved.

At the general election in 1802, Mr. Fox and Lord Gardner again appeared as candidates for Westminster, but an extraordinary opposition took place on the part of Mr. John Graham, a Sheriff's broker. Notwithstanding the small number that at first polled for the latter, he L

persevered till the ninth day, by which time he became such a favourite with the populace as to abtain many more votes than could have been imagined. The friends of Mr. Fox then began to exert all their influence on his behalf, and even resolved on a personal canvass of the electors, which induced Mr. Graham to relinquish his pretensions. At the close of the Poll, the numbers were:

For Mr. Fox

For Lord Gardner
For Mr. Graham

2673

2434

1691

Mr. Fox, after taking an active part in promoting the election of his friend, Sir Francis Burdet, for Middlesex, set out for the Continent about the beginning of August. It was generally reported that the object of this visit was to make historical researches at the Scotch College at Paris, for materials towards his intended history of the Stuarts. That Mr. Fox did actually engage in some researches of that nature is certain; but whether he ever entertained the design ascribed to him may, as has been already observed, very justly he questioned.

Previous to his departure, resolving to spare himself the mortifications he had experienced in his tour in 1788, he procured a licence, and was married to Mrs. Armstead. The ceremony was private, and was performed by the Hon. and Rev. Mr. St. John.

On the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Fox at Cal

his, they were waited on by the municipality in their scarfs, and treated with the most flattering marks of respect. In a handsome speech to Mrs. Fox, the mayor expressed "the high gratification which he and his fellow citizens felt in seeing in their municipality the great and disinterested statesnian, whose counsels, had they been seasonably adopted, would have prevented the calamities that have distracted the world." They desired to know if they would order any particular play for the evening. This they declined to do; and the next day proceeded on their way to Amsterdam, whence they went to Paris by the way of Spa.

At Lisle Mr. Fox was recognized, though he travelled incognito. He immediately received congratulations in the name of the citizens and of the garrison, and was invited to an entertainment given in honour of him the next day at the Circus. At the Theatre, which was very full, his reception was extremely flattering; fire-works announced his return to the Circus, which was illuminated with much taste, and thronged. The band of the 61st demi-brig. ade waited for him at his lodgings to give him a serenade.

On his arrival at Paris, every one hastened to hail the English patriot and the benefactor of the human race.” This homage was not only paid him by private individuals, but he received addresses from all the public and learned bodies, complimenting him with the same term. He visited all by whom he was invited :

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