er the charge should not be exhibited for the political ruin of the culprit.

Mr. Fox objected to the idea with scorn and contempt"I am at war, said he, only with political principles, and the public measures to which the gentleman gives countenance. I have nothing to do with his pleasures or his tastes."

About this period a number of independent country gentlemen, who were in parliament, animated with a sincere desire to promote the interest of their country, conceived that this could not be done more effectually than by bringing about a reconciliation between the rival parties, headed by Mr. Pitt andMr. Fox, who was supported by the Duke of Portland. They actordingly met at the St. Alban's Tavern, and appointed a committee, composed of the Hon. Mr. Grosvenor, the Hon. Charles Marsham, Sir William Lemon, and Powys, to confer with the leaders of the great political bodies by which the nation was agitated; and, if possible, to effect an union between them. Their exertions were continued for some time; but as Mr. Fox and the Duke of Portland, insisted that Mr. Pitt should divest himself of his office, that, as they alledged, they might treat with him on equal terms, and as the minister absolutely refused to comply with this requisition, their endeavours proved unsuccessful.

In the early part of the year 1785, Mr. Fox had a private interview with his majesty, which gave rise to a variety of rumours and conjectures; nor was it till some time afterwards that

The

the occasion of it became publicly known. Prince of Wales had often expressed a very ardent desire to visit the continent. The court were perplexed, and every expedient was employed to prevail on him not to think of quitting the kingdom, but without effect. Mr. Fox, however, had sufficient influence with his royal highness to induce him to relinquish his intention, by representing to him the impres sions it would give the public mind of his imbibing notions incompatible with the constitution of the empire he would one day be called upon to govern. The king being informed of the success of Mr. Fox's efforts, expressed himself in terms of warm approbation, and directed Lord Southampton to inform that gentleman, how much his majesty considered himself obliged to him; on which Mr. Fox attended on the king to pay his respects in return.

During the summer of 1785, Mr. Fox, who had acquired great popularity by his opposition to the new taxes laid on by Mr. Pitt, and par ticularly to the obnoxious shop-tax, paid a visit to Lord Derby at his seat near Prescot, in Lancashire. A petition from Manchester against the shop-tax, signed by 120,000 persons, had been presented to the house of Lords by the Earl of Derby, who was obliged to request the assistance of two other peers to lay it upon the table. The gentlemen of that town and vicinity hearing of his arrival in their neighbourhood, sent Mr. Fox and his lordship an invitation, and they accordingly proceeded to Manchester from

H

Knowsley, accompanied by several other persons of distinction. They were met above a mile from the town by great numbers of respectable inhabitants on horseback, and the different trades with their bands of music in grand procession. The horses were immediately taken from the carriages in which were Lord Derby and Mr. Fox, and was drawn amidst the acclamations of the surrounding multitudes to the town, where an elegant entertainment was provided. As soon as the circumstance was known at Liverpool, the merchants of that place copied the example of their neighbours, and invited Mr. Fox and his friends to a public dinner. This invitation was likewise accepted, and the two days were spent in both towns with great glee and satisfaction.

When the minister had resolved to endeavour to negociate a commercial treaty with France, Mr. Eden (now Lord Auckland) was selected as the person best qualified from his talents and pursuits to conduct the business. The appointment was accepted by Mr. Eden, though he had before acted in conjunction with the opposition. On his secession from their party, he was sharply attacked at the opening of the session in Jan. 1786, by Lord Surry (now Duke of Norfolk) and Mr. Fox likewise rose to give him a rebuke. No sooner had he begun, than Mr. Eden hung his head, and his misery and dejection were so apparent, that the generous bosum of Mr. Fox revolted at the continuance of his torture, Turning to his friend, he said, in a whisper, "I can

hot go any farther; tis like kicking aman when he is down" on which he immediately changed the subject.

Mr. Fox was now fast recovering that popularity which he had lost by his coalition with lord North, by the strenuous opposition he made to the measures of the minister, who became disliked in the same proportion, on account of the new imposts which it was found necessary to lay upon the nation. The freedom of Hereford was decreed him; and on the 1st of June, 1786, it was presented to him in a box made of apple-tree wood, by Mr. Walwyn, one of the members for that eity.

The summer of 1786 was spent by Mr. Fox at St. Ann's Hill, though it was currently reported that he had undertaken a second journey to Ireland. The following singular anecdote relative to his visit to that country in 1777, having been accidentally omited in its proper place shall be introduced here:-While in Dublin, he obtained permission to sit among the members of the House of Commons, that he might the better hear their debates. In a short time, however, the power of habit obliterated the remembrance of this circumstance from his mind, and in the middle of the debate he was so animated with the subject, that he rose to speak; nor was it till the gentleman next to him reminded him of his situation, that he recollected he was not a member of the Irish House of Commons.

Mr. Pitt, with the assistance of Mr. Dundas,

In this business Mr.

had formed a new system for the government of India, which was loudly reprobated by Mr. Fox and his adherents. To avenge themselves of the East-India interest, and to embroil Mr. Pitt with those by whom he had been supported, they now instituted an impeachment of Mr. Hastings, the governor-general of the British possessions in the East. Fox acted a principal part, being appointed one of the managers for conducting the impeachment. This measure, at first, seemed likely to fulfil their hopes, but though a combination of their talents rarely paralleled, were indefa tigably exerted to convict the accused, his innocence was finally crowned with a glorious triumph.

Mr. Fox still continued to retain his predilection for the turf. At the New-market meeting in April, 1788, he and the Duke of Bedford were the principal winners, they both betted on the same side, and shared eight thousand guineas. In the course of these races, Mr. Fox and Lord Barrymore had a match, when the horses came in so equally that the judges not being able to determine the winner, the bets were withdrawn.

On one of the days of the same meeting, (probably in the early part of it) Mr. Fox, being on the ground, missed his pocket-book containing notes to the amount of several thousand pounds, on which he gave the alarm, and a suspicious character being observed riding off at full speed, Mr. Wyndham and Sir T. Stepney galloped after him, and brought him back.