spiracy, and arrayed Ireland, far more powerfully than in 1782, in favour of Great Britain; but the same narrowness of mind, and poverty of genius, which coerced at home, under the joint ministry of Lord Grenville and Mr. Pitt, tyrannized in Ireland, under the direction of unprincipled men, in whose eyes a nation's happiness was trifling compared with the gratification of their inordinate ambition. Having at this period formed no very decided opinions on politics, and in particular upon Irish affairs, I approached the great statesman, (who in retirement mourned over those miseries which he clearly foresaw, but could not prevent,) with sentiments of admiration and respect, which progressively increased, till that melancholy hour when, several years afterwards, I saw him breathe his last.

When I first visited St. Anne's Hill, the summer was yet young, and all the freshness of nature was upon that beautiful spot: its sloping glades were unparched by autumnal suns-the flowers and shrubs were redolent with sweets, and the full choir of birds,

which burst from every tree and shady recess, filled the heart with gladness, and with that reviving sentiment of pleasure which at that period is felt by minds of sensibility. The rich expanse of cultivated country; the meadows, corn, woods, and villages, till the sight caught the far distant smoke of London; the graceful Thames, winding below that hill, which was the interesting residence of England's greatest character, gave a magical, but not delusive, effect to all I saw.

This

picture of serenity and rural happiness, when the rash and imperious councils of the English Cabinet were every where producing discord, and laying the foundation of French aggrandizement, was sufficiently striking to impress the imagination in a most powerful manner; and the long series of calamities which followed-blood, devastation, and torture, in Ireland ;-suspension of constitution in England;-overthrow of ancient continental kingdoms,-and the unchecked and fearfully augmenting power of regene rated France, subsequently gave to the feelings of that moment a prophetic stamp, which has been confirmed to a degree

that is astonishing, even to those who, in the commencement of his crusade, dreaded the effects, and foretold many of the consequences, of Mr. Pitt's measures.

This period of retirement, abstracting the anguish he must have felt for the miseries of the world, was, I am satisfied, the happiest period of Mr. Fox's life. Assuredly the only proper part for a truly great man, if he can— not advantageously influence the councils of his country, is, in complete retirement to devote himself to the cultivation of his mental powers, and to wait for that sentiment of conviction arising in the people, which ultimately, under a free constitution, becomes irresistible. It was upon this principle Mr. Fox acted, and would, I am persuaded, have continued to act, had not the powerful ties of friendship, which bound his susceptible heart, drawn him again into the fatal vortex of politics. In what degree it is to be regretted, that this inestimable man should ultimately, by his return to parliamentary warfare, and final accession to power, along with Lord Grenville, have injured his health, and some

what diminished the lustre of his reputation, the future historian will mark with care-his friends with deep but fruitless sorrow,and the public, through a long course of calamity opening before them,-will hereafter unavailingly acknowledge!

CHAPTER II.

THE domestic life of Mr. Fox was equally regular and agreeable. In summer he rose between six and seven; in winter before eight. The assiduous care, and excellent management, of Mrs. Fox, rendered his rural mansion the abode of peace, elegance, and order, and had long procured her the gratitude and esteem of those private friends, whose visits to Mr. Fox, in his retirement at St. Anne's Hill, made them witnesses of this amiable woman's exemplary and endearing conduct. I confess I carried with me some of the vulgar prejudices respecting this great man! How completely was I undeceived! After breakfast, which took place between eight and nine in summer, and at a little after nine in winter, he usually read some Italian author with Mrs. Fox, and then spent the time