The interval between the death of Mr. Pitt and the appointment of the new administration, was to Mr. Fox a period of great vexation and anxiety. His health suffered most severely, his appetite sensibly decreased, and his legs alternately swelled, and became reduced. While in action he seemed perfectly well, but scarcely was he seated, when he was seized with a sickishness of the stomach, from which no medicine could relieve him. He refused medical advice, imputing these alarming symptons to temporary anxiety, that would subside with the cause from which they originated.

This state of health continued through the month of March, when his friends were convinced, that 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 redoubled violence, and a physician being called in, he was pronounced at the latter end of June, in a rapid state of decay.

It was the beginning of July before his disease was completely ascertained. The symptoms were no longer doubtful, the lethargy became alarming, and the tumors daily increased. All efforts to discharge the water by the natural process failing, a consultation was held on the 29th of July, when it was agreed to try the operation of another powerful medicine, and if it failed of an immediate diuretic effect, that he should be tapped as the only remaining resource. The med

icine failed; Mr. Fox swelled in a most alarming manner, and, convinced of the necessity of tap ping, he requested that it might no longer be delayed.

The operation 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 specchless, and that at the moment when the publis 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 breakfasted with one or two of his more intimate friends by his bed-side, and conversed with them as long as his physicians permitted,

During one of these morning conversations, Mr. Fox first expressed his conviction that his disease would terminate fatally. A nobleman who was present, had been saying, that he had made a party for Christmas in the country and had taken the liberty to include Mr. Fox in it without his knowledge. "But it will be a new scene, Sir," added he," and I think you will approve of it."

I shall indeed be in a new scene by Christ mas next," replied Mr. Fox. "My lord," continued he, "what do you think of the state of the soul after death "Apparently confounded by the unexpected turn which Mr. Fox had given to the conversation, his lordship made no reply. Mr. Fox proceeded-" That it is immortal, I am convinced. The existence of the Deity is a proof that spirit exists; why,

not therefore the soul of man? And if such an essence as the soul exists, by its nature it may exist for ever. I should have believed in the immortality of the soul, though Christianity had never existed; but how it acts as separated from the body, is beyond my capacity of judg ment. This, however, I shall know by next Christmas." Mrs. Fox took his hand and wept. "I am happy," said he, with great emotion, "full of confidence-I may say of certainty.'

On the 25th, the physicians unable to check the accumulation of water, or to procure any evacuation for it, annaunced to Mr. Fox that it would be necessary to tap him again. "I know" said he, "that I cannot survive this general dissolution of my constitution. Tell me how long you think I may live; I do not ask you if my recovery is even possible." He was told that some instances had occurred. "Never," replied Mr. Fox, "at my period of life, and with my constitution. I intreat you to inform me how long you think I can remain in my present state." The physicians consulted together, but were still silent. "I will consent to be tapped," continued Mr. Fox, "but on the express condition that I shall be previously removed to St. Ann's Hill. It is nearest to my heart to breathe my last there." Such, however was his weakness, that the physicians unanimously declared his removal impossible. At a subsequent consultation on the same day, they agreed to comply with his wish so far, that he should be removed to the Duke of Devonshire's house, at Chiswick, as part of

the way to St. Ann's Hill, in the hope, that, when the water was again discharged, the change of air might operate favourably on his stomach.

His friends, sanguine to the last, indulged hopes which however qucikly vanished. On the evening of the 7th of Sept. his physicians perceived the symtoms of approaching dissolution, which they notified to Lord Holland, but Mrs. Fox was not made acquainted with it till the following day. The symptoms had increased so much in violence, that it was decided to inform Mr. Fox that he would probably not survive twenty-four hours, and that his recovery, or the continuance of his life for fourteen days, was not within the possibility of things. "God's will be done," replied Mr. Fox-"I have lived long enough, and shall die happy." Lord Holland now entered, Mr. Fox opened his hand, which his nephew grasped unable to repress his tears. My dear, my beloved nephew," exclaimed he, with great emotion. Mrs. Fox, supported by Lady Holland, and Lady Elizabeth Foster, now entered, and the scene of distress which ensued was past description.

Early in the morning of the 12th, the former fatal symptoms returned, and it was a third time announced to Mr. Fox that he could not live many hours, his friends again took leave of him. They were about to retire, but Mr. Fox waved them back again, and manifested signs of impatience, when the physicians advised them to withdraw. He was able to speak at intervals; and when lord Henry Petty approached his bed

he said, "This is all the course of nature. I am happy. Your labour is difficult-do not despair." Mr. Fox would have proceeded, but his lordship, unable to repress his emotions, retired, by the desire of the physicians, to another part of the room. Mrs. Fox was fixed motionless with grief; when a sudden burst of tears defeated all her precaution. Mr. Fox, who had hold of her hand, though his back was turned towards her, raised his head.-"Do not, do not," said he with a piteous look. He was now much exhausted, and fell into a kind of stupor. In the evening his friends were again admitted. Lord Holland and Mrs. Fox seemed to engage almost all his attention: he spoke to them at intervals, but finding himself exhausted, he put the hand of Mrs. Fox, into the hand of Lord Holland and seemed solemnly to impose a silent blessing, by raising his own and suffering it to descend gently on the united hands of his wife and nephew.

It was evident on the morning of the 13th that he was approaching nearer his end. By signs and half words he again desired the presence of his friends. About noon they approached his bed, when he made a sign for the hands of Mrs. Fox and Lord Holland, which he again united, silently blessing them, with the same slow descent of his hand as the preceding day. This he repeated three times, and then endeavoured to turn himself, his back being towards them', and only his head raised. Ber ing too weak for the effort, Mrs. Fox and Lord