The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-27
Death-bed OF Charles James Fox.

Lord Holland tells the story OF this great. and in many
respects emneny good mans last hours in language OF
beautiful simplicity and pabos:
Such last conversation He
spoke indeed frequently IN The OF the next thirty
ELK hours, and be evidently retained bis faculties unim
paired but he was too restless al time, and too eh
argc at others TO keep up any conversation after that
evening, which, MINK was the I'm OF September
strong sense OF religion, consulted some of us on the
means OF persuadng Mr. Fox hear prayers read by his
bedside.
own that had some apprehensions lest any clergy
man called in might think good opportunity for dis
playing his religious zeal and acquiring celebrity by some
exhibition to which Mr. Foxs principles and taste would
yerie, young man Of excellent character without pre-
tension or hypocrisy, was in the house. seconded her
request 10 the full persuasion that BY SO doing pro-
NOTED what would have been the wishes OF Mr. Fox
himself His chief object throughout was to soohe and
satisfy her. Yet repugnance was felt and to some degree
urged. even 70 this by Mr IrotisI M BouysIie stood
voice read the service. Mr. Fox remained unusually
quiet
his hands, which ne seemed family TO close with smile
OF ineliable goodness such be forgotten by
those who Witnessed it, Whatever II beokened was
smile Of serenity and goodness. such could have pro-
ceeded at that moment only from disinerested and a
benevolent hean-from being loving and beloved by
all that surrounded and by all that approached him. From
that PERIOD and not till that period. Mrs Fox bore her
situation and apprehensions with fortitude; and
have doubt that her confidence in religion alone
bed her TO bear the scene which she was doomed SO
soon to undergo.
During the whole Of the 18th September hopes could
be entertained For the last two hours OF his existence
his articulation painful and indistinct that
could only occasionally catch his words, and then very
few at time. The small room in which he lay has two
doors-one leading into large saloon, the other into
equally small adjoining In the latter Mrs. Fox.
during the last ten days, constantly sat lay down with
out undressing. Her bed was within hearing and in
deed within very few feet of that Of Mr. Fox. The
doors were always open for the weather extremely
hot.
OF those who had access him during the last melan
choy days, 1t was al any moment accident
who were in the bedchamber with him, who were pacing
the adjoining rooms, giving vent TO their grief in the
distant corners Of the apartments Each actually by
his bedside during part Of the dayal, at least
eight persons, constantly within call OF the
room in which he lay or in attendance upon him. The
last words which he uttered with any dstnctness were,
= die happy" and :. LIZ. the aheconate abbrevia
ton in which he usually addressed his wife.
He attempted, indeed, 10 artculate something more.
but of could accurately distinguish the sounds.
In very few minutes after this fuess endeavor speak,
in the evening Of the 18th Of September 1906 he expired
without groan, and with serene and placid coune.
nance, which seemed. after DEATH present the
benevolent spirit which had animated it,