New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-10
CHARLES FOX And CHARLES III.

f. g. Street, in BlacKwood's.
Let us pass to the likenesses The most OBJ
viously important and fortunate for either man
was their extraordinary power, constitutional
and enduring, of shutting the door of their
minds on what was unpleasant. No two men
were ever less haunted by their troubles OF diff
fculties. The power which enabled the King
after Worcester field to take his hardships with
a light heart and enjoy whatever was to be en-
joyed in his hidings. though 1t were only a din
of bread and cheese, or later. in the midst
of troubles from Court and Parliament and an
empty exchequer, to write amusing letters to his
sister. the Duchess of Orleans full Of chatter
and testing and affection. and to leave off with
and so good night for am fast sleepe"-
that power enabled Fox (for so runs the ex-
raordinary talel after an afternoon of hot de-
bate in the House and an evening of incessant
ana prodlglous losses at cards and dice to Law
his head on the gaming table and literally fall
fast asleep like his royal ancestor. The stolid-
ity of stupid men may sometimes initiate the
effects of this power, but l doubt If men OF
brains and temperament often enjoy its indul-
gences. fOrtiori, both men could turn from
one engrossing pursuit to another with com
plete detachment. On the Kings politics hung
his own position, almost his existence and the
existence of, monarchy in England; on Fox's
hung genuine principles and leaping and keen
ambition. Each, we know, a sensualist
But both could turn from pleaSure to politics
with ready attention and brains undulled from
politics 10 pleasures with Zest and good humor
unimpaired. Charles ii played with his SPAN
iels, studied his favorite physics and chemistry
or showed his friends his curiosities of art
though the Dutch had declared Parlia-
ment had refused money. Charles Fox was deep
IN his beloved classics before the towns inter-
est in his defeat at politics or play had had time
to begin The Kings letters prove his warmth
and eagerness, at least in the early years OF his
reign, in public affairs and Fox proved the
reality Of his feelings-in the of play, by
having the strength to give ii up when his folly
was brought home to him; in the case OF poll
tics, by the devotion of his life. But both had
that great quality of abstraction.
That was the most important, though not (as
j hope will be seem the most curious likeness
To come to more common attributes, both were
men of great family affection. Both had a per-
sonal fascination which universally ac-
/ knOwledged. Both were sportsmen, perhaps a
I thing of course, but both more curiOusly. were
famous for their love of walking for walking 8
sake, rare taste in Englishmen who have the
opportunity of sport walkers who seek for
comrades know; the King tired out his courtiers
up and down St James's Park, and Fox tested
by walking the exact distance Of the villages
within wide circuit of his house at st. Anne 8
Hill. Both were spendthrifts and comically i'm
pecunous. Stern, harsh featured forbid
ding, swarthy, black browed, such were the
faces OF Charles Fox and Charles II; gentle,
kindly, bic. good humored, easy to others
and their own tastes and passions, such were
both their characters in eminent degree.
You will grant it is curious. No one, Of course
explain how such q contradiction repeated
itself after four generations