“measures which must be taken after 
‘it was entered into. At this time, 
notwithstanding this favourable in- 
clination shewn to Mr. Addington, 
an apparent cordiality seemed to 
exist in Mr. Pitt towards Mr. Fox, 
‘and lord Grenville evinced a grow- 
‘ing approbation. Mr. Fox how- 
ever, continued to indulge chiefly in 
‘his favourite retirement, and the 
‘domestic enjoyments it contained. 
From these. pleasing employ- 
ments, Mr. Fox was called in the 
“following month to vindicate, in par- 
diament, the conduct of his brother 
’ “(general Fox) as commander-in- 
_ chief in Ireland, and to instigate an 
enquiry into the government of that 
country, during the insurrection. 
Several other motions of minor im- 
sportance followed, and on one for 
“the revision of the bills respecting 
' the defence of the country, he was 
_ seconded by Mr. Pitt! This first 
_ caused a minority of 234 against 
256; which decided Mr, Adding- 
__ton’s administration. 
The world now leoked with ex- 
__pectation for the succession of Mr. 
_ Fox to the ministry, but not so with 
_ that gentleman ; a thousand opinions 
floated upon the public mind, but 
all in vain. Mr, Pitt ELE his 
office, though at the expence of 
_ lord Grenville, who insisted on Mr, 
_ Fox being joined in the government. 
Mr. Pitt turned the obstruction 
nk _ from himself, 
War with Spain was immediately 
f renewed ; ; of the duplicity of which, 
_ Mr. Fox "strongly complained. The 
a opposition vengeance, however, 
soon fell upon lord Melville (for- 
merly Mr. Dundas) who had com- 
mitted himself under an economical 
arrangement of the late administra- 
tion. The subject was discussed on 
: 
, 
CHARACTERS. 
91t 
the 8th of April, 1805, when he 
again appeared with all his energy. 
The next exertion of Mr. Fox 
was on the petition of the catholics 
of Ireland, which had before been 
presented by him. It was thrown 
out by a large majority, but a por- 
tion of the empire was conciliated 
by the protection it had received. 
On the 23d of January, 1806, 
Mr, Pitt died, and a junction taking 
place between the friends of lord 
Grenville and Mr. Fox, a new ad- 
ministration was formed, in which 
Mr. Fox and all his friends were 
comprised ; and after twenty-two 
years’ absence from the offices of 
government, he returned to power as 
secretary of state for foreign affairs. 
Mr. Fox, having appropriated to 
himself the elegant mansion of the 
duke of Bedford, at St. James’s, 
(who was now appointed lord lieu- 
tenant of Ireland,) returned to 
business with vigour, and, as may 
be expected, fully prepared in all 
its details, notwithstanding his long 
absence. 
Immediately upon his entering 
into office, communications took 
place between him and the minister 
for foreign relations in France ; 
which led to resolutions for peace, 
which was conducted with his usual 
openness of character. © 
The labour of the session in par- 
liament was considerable; and the 
duties of his office were extraordi- 
narily fatiguing, and overpowered 
his constitution; and, whatever 
his spirit, his health had been 
gradually weakening: the first 
acknowledgment he made of it, 
however, was in a letter to a 
friend who had desired his concur- 
rence in an affair of some impor- 
tance. ‘* My life has been active 
beyond 
