strances, however, of those friends, for whose judgment he had the greatest deference, ultimately prevailed." Here is a proof, from the authority of

Lord Holland, how reluctant Mr. Fox was to

1

abandon his intention. I know that the basis of his determination was a solid and grand one; that occasionally at his breakfast table we had a little discussion on this point, and that Mrs. Fox and myself uniformly joined in recommending retirement until the people felt properly upon public affairs. I am sorry to be compelled to say, that the friends who" ultimately prevailed," calculated very ill upon political matters, and did not sufficiently estimate the towering and grand character of Mr. Fox.

Lord Holland also says, in his preface, "The circumstances which led him once more to take an active part in public discussions, are foreign to the purposes of this preface."--Yet, either these cir

Stances should have been explained, or not at all touched upon. I know, that the circumstance which Mr. Fox had made indispensable in his original determination, had not occurred. A partial change of ministry had nothing to do with that general sensation of the people which Mr. Fox had looked to as the proper moment for his coming forward with benefit to his Sovereign and his country.

There is an idea which will, perhaps, very much elucidate the point, and make things plainer than the circumlocution of Lord Holland. The party wanted a leader!-It is very obvious to me, that to this very want may be attributed the solicitations which "ultimately prevailed" against Mr. Fox's better and undistorted judgment. I am happy to testify, that Mrs. Fox constantly endeavoured, as far as I had opportunity of observing, to fortify and confirm Mr. Fox in his wise and noble resolution; and persevered, even in

despite of the warmth of party, which sometimes blamed her for detaining him in retirement.

It is, however, with considerable pain I have been led to condemn Lord Holland's forbearance and silence on this very interesting point, (certainly far more so than Mr. Fox's private opinion as to the minutie of style ;) but there is something so august in his character, and my opportunities of knowing its value were such rare ones, that I bend to the necessity of stating historic truth, as far as I can, even though forced to differ with the noble Lord, WHO INHE

RITS HIS NAME AND VIRTUES.

Before I conclude this introductory Preface to the work I have undertaken, I feel it necessary to advert to the concluding pages of the noble Editor just mentioned. I would willingly suppress all private opinion, where I can do so with justice to my subject; but the inverse mode of

reasoning to that adopted by his Lordship, appears Are the present

to me to be the most just.

race to go to the grave without further knowledge of Mr. Fox than that conveyed in the Preface to the Fragment? Lord Holland says,

"Those who admired Mr. Fox in public, and those who loved him in private, must naturally feel desirous that some memorial should be preserved of the great and good qualities of his head and heart."

Ought not this to be conclusive with all that great man's admirers and friends? His Lordship justly complains of false accounts, and that very circumstance points out the necessity of something genuine and authentic: every one will not judge so clearly as Lord Holland; because they do not know so much of Mr. Fox as he and his other intimate friends. The Preface says, "the objections to such an undertaking at present

are obvious, and, after much reflection, they have appeared to those connected with him insuperable."

It never appeared to me that the task could be executed by any of Mr. Fox's own family with propriety; but as ONE OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD'S SINCERE AND DEVOTED FRIENDS, I never entered into any compact to abstain from giving the public any information I could upon the most interesting subject that can occupy the attention. of all liberal and patriotic characters, of every lover of the human race, of science, of virtue, and

of their country. I cannot compromise the

interests of truth, and the venerable fame of him who is now no more! His is truly the

"Clarum et venerabile Nomen,"

which to me shines as with the light of beacon, to guide me through the maze of conflicting and complicated parties. Never shall I think of sparing the delicacy of politicians, when