Though the public in general were filled with indignation at the bare idea of Mr. Fox's being intrusted with the finances of the nation; still it was observed that his greatest enemies were obliged to allow that he possessed one very admirable requisite for a Chancellor of the exchequer, namely, as perfect a knowledge of the "ways and means to raise a supply" as any man in the three kingdoms.

The act for deciding contested elections was about this time expiring. Lord North expressed his wish to render it perpetual, but Mr. Fox publicly declared that he would oppose it to the utmost of his power. Being asked whether he thought this method a likely one to ingratiate himself with the people, he carelessly replied, "Poh! damn the people, they can neither put me in nor keep me out; and if my ground is only good at St. James's, I'll soon convince them that I am neither to be moved by their complaints, nor intimidated by their execrations."

Sometime previous to this event he had begun to associate with several members of the opposition, and had been, by the sympathy of genius attracted to the celebrated Edmund Burke. The minister had repeatedly represented the suspicions to which his association with the opposers of government had given rise, and inforced them with this argument : "If (said he) we see a woman frequently coming out of a bagnio, we cannot swear she is not virtuous; yet we should judge of her from her company."

These remonstrances had, however, very little

weight with Fox, who was now freed from all parental restraint in his political career, by the death of his father, Lord Holland. He began to think for himself, and opportunities were not wanting when he endeavoured to shake off the trammels of dependence, and allowed his manly mind to take its full scope. Not the least memorable of these occurred during the debate on the bill brought into the House of Commons by Sir William Meredith, for the purpose of relieving persons from subscription to the thirty-nine articles of the church of England; and in the liberal sentiments delivered on that occasion Mr. Fox ever afterwards steadily persevered.

As a proof of the great abilities of the "young cub," as he was then generally denominated, and that he was perfectly versed in all matters, though ever so opposite in their nature, the following fact may be mentioned :-The whole night before the question of the thirty-nine articles were agitated, he spent at the gaming-table where he actually lost two thousand pounds, after which he went home, washed his face, and immediately proceeded to the House of Commons, where he made a speech on this important religious subject.

The opposition he now began to make to the views of administration could not pass unnoticed, and in Feb. 1774, the following laconic letter was delivered to him while sitting on the Treasury bench, in the House of Commons, by the side of the minister:

"His Majesty has thought proper to order a

C

new commission of the Treasury to be made out in which I do not perceive your name."

"NORTH.".

When this billet was presented to Mr. Fox, his reply was, that minister had not behaved like a man of spirit.

The circumstances immediately preceding this abrupt dismissal are understood to have been these: Mr. Fox, who had always given it as his opinion at the council-board, that lenient measures were not the proper pursuits of government, took occasion, on the business with Woodfall and the Rev. Mr. Horne, to urge Lord North to what he termed a proper spirit of resentment. The latter answered, That as he was flattered he had acted himself into the good opinion of the public, he would take care how he was printed out of it." This cool reply irritated Mr. Fox the more; and, in the warmth of his temper, he dropped expressions which obliged Lord North to leave the council. Next morning the minister had a conference with his Majesty, and the same day Mr. Fox had notice of his dismission.

In 1773, an offer of marriage with an heiress to one of the first fortunes in the kingdom, was said to have been made him, on condition of his engaging never to lose more than one hundred pounds at one bet or at one sitting; and report added, that his father had agreed once more to pay off all his annuities and other debts on the same conditions. After his rupture with the minister, it was believed that nothing but the hope of an advantageous matrimonial alliance kept him in

England. Had it not been for this hope, it was his intention to have fixed his residence in France for two or three years, if peace should have continued so long.

In 1774, Mr. Fcx visited Oxford, on occasion at the Encænia held in that city. In a conversation which took place there between him and some other sprigs of nobility, it was mentioned as a matter of wonder that Mr. Fox did not receive the honorary degree of doctor of civil laws, as well as the other noblemen and gentlemen who had been that morning admitted. Charles replied, he had been, in the proper form, and at the prescribed period of time, admitted a master of arts; and for a man so circumstanced to accept the honorary degree of doctor of civil laws, would be like a regular's suffering himself to be dubbed a quack.

Few young men were so remarkable as Mr. Fox for readiness at repartee and shrewdness of observation. Of this the following instances may be cited: Meeting one day the Hon. J. Dyson, who was uncommonly thin and meagre, the latter in the course of some ordinary conversation broke off rather abruptly, by recollecting that he had some business at the Navy Office; on which Charles very coldly replied: "I should rather imagine, Mr. Dyson, that your business lay at the Victualling Office."

Being asked what measures government would take to prevent emigrations, Mr. Fox replied that he knew not positively, but whatever might be attempted, he knew but one effectual way, and

that was, to make it worth the subject's while stay at home.

Lord Suffolk, a few days before his marriage, was descanting, in the presence of Mr. Fox, in his usual pompous style, on what an invaluable treasure a virtuous woman was." Very true, my lord," replied Charles: "but me thinks the possession is very precarious, because it is a treasure I will allow, locked up, to which every man has a key."

Charles one day received a severe reprehension from his father, who asked him how it was possible for him to sleep, or enjoy any of the comforts of life, when he reflected on the immense sums he stood indebted. "Your lordship need not be in the least surprised," answered Charles; your astonishment ought to be how my creditors can sleep."

Mr. Fox supped one evening with Edmund Burke, at the Thatched House, where they were served with dishes more elegant than substantial. Charles's appetite being rather keen, he was far from relishing the kick-shaws that were set before him; and addressing his companion :" These dishes, Burke," said he "are admirable calculated for your pallate: they are both sublime and beautiful."

In his house at St. James's-place, Mr. Fox had a back parlour, which he fecetiously denominated the Jerusalem Chamber, because it was the theatre of his negociations with the children of Israel relative to the raising of occasional supplies. When his sister, Lady Mary Fox, was