and as he was invited every where, his circle of acquaintance was very extensive. This afforded him an opportunity of seeing and studying many of the most eminent characters during the revolution, of which he did not il to avail himself.

At the consular court Mr. Fox was receired with the highest distinction. It was even said that, a few days after his arrival, Mr. Fox having sent his compliments to the first Consul, requesting to know when he might wait upon him, received for answer from Bonaparte, "that he would be happy to see such a man as Mr. Fox at any hour of the day or night he might chuse to appoint."

At the public audience on the 3d of September Mr. Fox was presented by Mr. Merry. Twice did the First Consul accost him, and among the flattering things said, "that there were in the world but two nations, the one inhabiting the east, the other the west. The English, French, Germans, Italians, &c. under the same civil code, having the same manners, the same habits, and almost the same religion, are all members of the same family, and the men who wish to light up again the flame of war among them wish for civil war; these principles, Sir, were developed in your speeches with an energy that does as inuch honour to your heart as your head." Mr. Fox dined the same day with the first Consul, who had a very long conversation with him in the presence of a numerous company.

It is certain that Bonaparte entertained a very high regard for Mr. Fox, and eagerly seized every opportunity of manifesting it. He publicly 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 hap piness. From the intimacy of Mr. Fox with the details of the French administration, his country might probably have derived advantage, had it pleased Providence to prolong his life. In the formation of many of the internal arrangements of the French government he was personally concerned. He explained to their ministry the English law of the liberty of the press, and aided them in the adaptation of the civil code to the circumstances of France at that period.

On the 6th of September Mr. Fox assisted at the extraordinary sitting, which took place at 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 favor. 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 grati

tude. I intreat you to add to it if it be possible, by condescending to accept my weak but sin cere expression of it." Mr. Fox appeared to be much affected by this expression of gratitude. He replied, with a motion indicative of modesty: "O yes, Sir, I recollect."

Το ape Mr. Fox was now the fashion at Par is. His dress, his manner of speaking, nay, his very dinners, were imitated. The beaus of Paris exhibited a singular contrast between what they actually were, and what they endeav, oured to appear. It was the fashion to be a thinking man, to think like Fox; and the cox. combs endeavoured to model their features to that character. At the opera he attracted evcry eye, and was followed as a spectacle thro the streets. His picture was exhibited in ev ery 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 proposed 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.

The period of this his last visit to France, Mr. Fox always recollected with satisfaction. He used to say that he had learned more of the French character during his short tour, than in

his former longer excursions.

He not only

saw more and in different points of view, but a possessing greater maturity of judgment, he probably formed more solid estimates.

On the 9th of March, 1803, when the king's message was brought down to the House, Mr. Fox expressed his alacrity to vote for the address, but he, at the same time, observed. " that there never was a situation in which it would be more imprudent to engage the country in an unnecessary war, than at that moment: and never were any ministers more guilty than they would be, in recommending or supporting a line of policy so destructive to the best interests of the people,"

Notwithstanding this, after the declaration of war, when Col. Patten, on the 3d of June, moved for a vote of censure on ministry, Mr. Fox did not give his support, though he found it impossible to approve of all their conduct, partly because he did not know that their successors might not be more objectionable to him than they.

On the 18th of July, he expressed his concurrence in the Additional Force Bill, on which occasion he observed, that he had absented himself for the last three weeks, because, having already assigned his reasons for not approving of the war, he did not wish to oppose those measures, which must, of course, be necessary for carrying it on with effect.

On the 7th of March, 1804, we find Mr. Fox, vindicating the conduct of his brother, Gen. Fox as commander-in-chief in Ireland, and in

sisting on the propriety of an inquiry into the government of that country, during the recent insurrection there. On the 22d of March, he pressed the minister relative to any communications which might have been received on the subject of the mediation of Russia; and on the 23d of April, he made a motion on the posture of national affairs. After a long and able speech in which he hinted at the impolicy of the war, while he at the same time openly accused the ministers of incapacity, Mr. Fox concluded by moving, "that it be referred to a committee to revise the several bills which have passed the House during the last and present session of parliament, for the defence of the country, and to consider such farther measures as may be neeessary to render the said defence more complete and permanent." On this occasion he was seconded by Mr. Pitt, who professed his cordial and zealous support of the measure. On the division which followed an animated debate, these two rivals found themselves in a formidable minority of 234 against 256.

Mr. Addington being incapable of holding any longer the reigns of administration, they were again placed in the hands of Mr. Pitt. It was now imagined by many, that the critical state of public affairs and the common safety of the empire would have produced a coalition between the minister and his former adversary, who had meanwhile effected an union between his own and the Grenville party. Lord Grenville declared that he was resolved to accept no