CHARACTERS. 
exerted himself to prevent his coun. 
try from being embroiled in war, 
but commissioned his friend, Mr. 
Robert Adair, to examine facts on 
the scene of action, for the purpose 
of furnishing certain data. 
War was prevented, and it is, 
perhaps, not going too far to say, 
that these steps improved the rela- 
tion between the two countries. 
Catharine the Great gave the most 
sensible proof of her high estima. 
tion of Mr. Fox, in requesting him 
to sit for a bust of white marble, to 
be placed between those of De- 
mosthenes and Cicero, at St. Pe- 
tersburgh. 
Mr. Fox was re-elected at the 
dissolution of parliament, in® the 
ensuing year (1790), with less dif- 
ficulty than he had before experi- 
enced. Mr. Horne Tooke, (former- 
ly the friend of Wilkes, and cor- 
respondent of Junius), suddenly 
became his opponent, and polled 
1679 votes, being more than half 
the number of either of the other 
candidates. He petitioned against 
the return, but his petition was 
declared frivolous and vexatious. 
In 1790, in consequence of their 
discordant opinions on the revolu- 
tion in France, a difference arose 
between Mr. Fox and Mr. Burke, 
which terminated their friendship 
for ever, much to the regret of 
both. In 1792, in consequence of 
some strong measures of govern- 
ment, particularly the calling out 
of the militia, and hastily summon- 
ing parliament, Mr. Fox made se- 
veral motions with regard to our 
connection with France, which did 
not meet with the approbation of the 
house ; a majority of which were of 
opinion, that there existed a danger 
of insurrection in the country.— 
901 
In consequence of which, to ex- 
plain his own views, he wrote his 
celebrated letter to the electors of 
Westminster, in 1793, which is 
strongly marked by his characteris. 
tic simplicity, and vigour of style, 
and points out, most plainly, many 
of the dreadful consequences which 
have since ensued from the mis. 
guided and ineffectual combination 
of Europe against France, 
Of this pamphlet it would be vain 
to attempt an abridgment. It is 
clear, concise, and argumentative, 
and seldom rises into any grandeur 
of style ; but the following passage’ 
will never be forgotten. Speaking 
of the attempt to subdue, and to 
divide France, he says, ‘* The 
conquest of France! ! !—O calum- 
niated crusaders, how rational and 
moderate were your objests!—O 
much-injured Louis XIV. upon 
what slight grounds have you been 
accused of restless and immoderate 
ambition !—O tame and feeble Cer- 
vantes, with what a timid pencil 
and faint colours have you painted 
the portrait of a disordered imagin. 
ation.” ; 
On the ist of June, a meet. 
ing of several noblemen and 
gentlemen took place at _ the 
Crown and Anchor tavern, in 
the Strand, ‘¢ for the purpose,’ as 
they said, ‘* of offering to Mr. 
Fox some effective testimony of 
gratitude for his long and unwearied 
political exertions” in their cause 
and that of the public. ‘This was 
explained by Mr. Francis, who 
added, that every possible precau. 
tion had been taken}to keep the ine 
tention from the knowledge of Mr. 
Fox. 
Mr. Serjeant Adair, as chairman, 
addressed the company nearly in 
3M 3 these 
