372 DEATH OF FOX. [1806. 



your general views. This being the case, I can have 

 no doubt that the mission, whatever may be its final 

 result, will terminate with honour and advantage to 

 yourself. Not having seen Lord Holland or Allen, 

 and knowing nothing of the plans which are suggested 

 by your despatches, I can only wish well to your 

 diplomatic exertions, and sincerely hope that your 

 achievements may be successful and short. Since I 

 last wrote, the event which I then anticipated has 

 taken place poor Fox is no more. His death was 

 perfectly resigned, tranquil, and happy. He had 

 been in expectation of the event from Tuesday. He 

 died on the evening of Saturday, and retained his 

 senses, though not his speech, to the very last. He 

 was only able to look in Lord Fitzwilliam's face, and 

 grasp him by the hand. Lord F. was so much affected 

 when he heard of his death that he fell down in a 

 nervous fit, from which he was recovered with some 

 difficulty. Windham is in a state of extreme dejec- 

 tion. They are in great trouble and consternation 

 at Holland House ; and Lord Holland, as you may 

 readily suppose, is deeply afflicted. 



"It was proposed by Lord Grenville that Fox's 

 funeral should be at the public expense, and with the 

 same honours as that of Pitt, and he undertook to 

 obtain the king's consent to the measure. This offer 

 was very properly declined by Fox's friends. But 

 the ceremony is to take place with all circumstances 

 of solemnity and public attendance, at the expense of 

 Lord Fitzwilliam and the Duke of Devonshire. The 



