THE RIGHT HON. HENRY RICHARD VASSALL FOX, BARON HOLLAND, CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER, LORD OF TRADE AND PLANTATIONS, RECORDER OF NOTTINGHAM, F. R. S. F. S. A. &c. &c. &c. THE Romans inscribed marbles, and erected statues, to the honor of living excellence. They did not suffer the beauty of praise vainly to waste its fragrance upon the tomb; and, re-assuming somewhat of this happy spirit of ancient times, we attempt to portray, in this at best but imperfect sketch, the qualities of one who yet remains among us, still increasing the rich harvest of private regard by playful amiableness of disposition; still obtaining the esteem of the judicious by a refined taste and classical acquirements; and still elevating himself in the respect of his countrymen, by the unvarying consistency of his conduct as a public man. The name of Fox is so advantageously posed in the national history of the last half century, that the biographer feels absolved from the usual task of ascending the genealogical tree, to bring down the dusty weight of hereditary honors, to enhance his tale. HENRY RICHARD FOX, LORD HOLLAND, was born at Winterslow House, in Wiltshire, on the 21st of January, 1773. The following year was one of extraordinary calamity to his family. On the morning of the 9th of January, 1774, the noble seat of his birthplace was destroyed by fire, and he incurred a second debt for infant life to his mother, who, when all were regardless but of personal safety, thought only of her child, flew to the nursery, and by her maternal heroism became the providential instrument, not alone of his, but of her own preservation; for it afterwards appeared, that had she sought any other way of escape, she must have perished. On the 1st of July of the same year, died |