Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-11-25

NJ. Fox was the Sccord son OF IIEraY,
the first Lord HOLLAND, and was born Jan.
/ 10, y. D. l149. EJon was the place of his
education, and while he was there he gave
promise of those talents which has since
been so amply fulfilled. From thence he
proceeded to Oxford, where nc resigned
ms classic pursuits 10 dramatic literatuie -
1t has been said, that during his residence
at Oxford he read every play in the Eng
fish language. He finished his education
by the usual tour through Europe and on
his return to England, was elected into
Parliament for Midhurst, a considerable
time before he was of age when he be-
came the champion Of Ministers, voted a.
gainst the Middle ex election, and the first
speech nc made in Parliament was against
Mr.. Wilkes.
He was appointed Lord of the ADMIRAL
ty, resigned in disgust, was a second time
appointed, and afterwards removed to the
Treasury Board, from whence he was dis
missed; and all these political vicissitu,lcs
beiel him before he had completed his 18th
yer. 1t may also be added rs an uncxampled
circumstance in the career OF politics, that.
before nc had attlned the age Of % years,
he was the ablesr supporter Of the Min S.
ter throughout whole session and, II the
course OF the succeeding year, one of his
most powerful and dangerous opponents
lis sudden removai from the Treasury
Board was announced 10 him in the follow
ing iaconic epist e:
"i1is Majesty has thenght proper to order
new Commission OF IRE sur TO be made
out in which do not see your name
NORTH"
Mr.. Fox now entered the lists Of oppositi-
on, and throughout the whole Of the Ame-
rrcan war, proved most powerful antago-
mist to the Ministers OF that period On
the downfall Of Lorn North, he was appoint
ed one of the Secretaries of State, which ST.
tuation he res gneG On the death Of the Mar
qus Of Rockingham, when the Earl OF
Shelburn, since created Marquis of Lans-
down, was appointed to succeed him. ON
the dissolution If that Short lived adminis-
tration, he formed the coalition with Lord
North, and resumed his former Office He
now brought in his India bill, which, after
having passed the House of commons. was
unexpectedly thrown out by the House OF
Lords, and occasioned the resignation Of the
Ministry, of which he formed q part.
MIR. Fox accordingly resumed his power
full station on the bench of oppostion,-,
The Regency, tho trial of Mr. Hastings,
and above al! the French Revolution, and
It's relative effects to this country gave him
ample opportunity TO display mis- talents
8; clcquence, both Of which he continued to
display against the administration of Mr..
Pitt With the Intervention Of the period,
when he thought proper to secede from
his Parliamentary dutv. The death of that
Minister accustomed his REGAL to power.
Of his oquenCe and debating powers,
1t is not easy 70 speak IN terms that can
convey an adequate idea Of them. His
speeches may be considered as among the
finest examples of augmentation. abound
ing IN pointed observations and Just concur
sions, clothed with forcible expression and
delivered with manly boldness. The lead
ing characteristic of his oratory was rea-.
dy, and as IL were intuitive power Of ana
lysis, which he possessed beyond any man
now living.
AS to his political conduct, we shall not
attempt to enlarge upon the subject OF such
wide extent, ofsuch complicated parts and
and abounding in concerns of so much
weight and importance A large volume
would scarcely be sufficient to contain it B;
and to attempt to reduce it into q column,
would be to disgrace the subject, and dis
gust the reader. Tothe historian We shall
leave that difficult and laborious task To
that department, alas ! Mr. Fox himself is
now consigned and the writer's, whose o.
ny ~ - W CritItl kiiG laiiiiUCTS ilFllE as
they rise" mus cult a subject which Death
has Delivered over to a superior jurisdicti-
on.
In all situations and circumstances, he
was dear to his friends; these who have
known him longest appear to have loved
him best and it is a remarkable circum-
stance, but the fact is so, that those who
attended and wepr round his death bed, had
been, among many others, the companions
Of his youth, and the friends of his whole
life.
In short Mr.. Fox was among the distin-
guished characters which nature seems to
have prepared and ripened to become the
ornaments Of the present reign.
We lament that the country is deprived
Of such a man. He had done much towards
laying the first stone of the Temple Of
Peace and much de- we wish, that Inc had
lived to see itrise into strength, under his
auspices.
He possessed in an high degree the talent
which distinguishes man, and the genius
that ocvates him; nor was he without a
portion of that virtue which is superior 70
them both. AS RIr. Burke has observed,
and when he was in intimate friendsh p
with him, his faults, though they might tar
nish The iustre, and sometimes impede the
march Of his abilities, were not formed to
eXtinguish the fire of great virtues. Ia his
faults there was no mixture Cf deceit, Of
honor rf t,t.iSte sc f~rC.;t, ~.