New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-17
ENGLAND IN 17IS.

-
GEORGE THE THIRD AND GHA AR ~,
FOX: THE CONCLUDING PAkT 0f
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. by
The Right Hon. Sir George Quo Ire
reIvan. Bart. Q. NJ. Author OF ne
Life and Letters OF LORD MacaulaH ai1 On.
THE Early History OF Cnaries Jam ~, ;
Fox" In two volumes. vol J. SNo' Pr
vi 81 With map. Longmans' Ireeh Z"
Co
Sir George Trevelyan's four volumes
on The American Revolution" brought
the narrative down TO a date following
Saratoga and Brandywine, Naiiey
Forge and the beginning of The war
between France and England Inc
two concluding volumes of the SERIES
of which the work in hand is the hrs''
bear the title of George the Third ana
Charles Fox" which is not inappro-
pirate. seeing that they deal more WIN
English than with American affairs
II is not a novel proposition, but II Is
one which deserves TO be kept well III
mind. that the constitutional, pohlicai
and social effects of the Revolution
were no less marked and profound
upon Great Britain than upon the
American colonies. 1t is largely TO
graphic and convincing elueidation Of
that fact that Sir George Trevelyan
devotes these volumes.
Not since the days of the Stuarts
had British affairs been at so low an
ebb as they were in the spring of lIIS.
Burgoyne had been captured, the Brit
Ash had been compelled to evacuate
Philadelphia, and war with France had
begun George the Third admitted
that It had been joke to think of re-
tanning the British hold upon Pennsyl-
wanna, and he doubtless realized that
IL was more and worse than joke TO
contemplate the forcible recovery or
New England. But he was still stub
born IN his determination. encouraged
by the fatuous counsel of North and
Germaine. to continue the war indeh-
niteIy. His desperate policy was TO re
tain q few strongly fortified garrisons
on the coast. at New York. at Rhode
Island, in Florida and in Canada, 20
keep the entire coast ravaged and des-
olated by his naval forces, and TO rouse
the Indians TO a similar work on the
Western frontier. Thus by barbarous
attrition he hoped in time TO wear out
the endurance Of the colonists. NeveT
was there a more foolish and cruel
plan Of campaign. To crown its mad
astounded Parliament that the govern
ment had decided TO abandon every
one Of the acts, claims. demands and
what not which had provoked the Rev
olution. Thus it confessed itself IL
have blundered in legislation and sd-
ministration as signally as il had been
bafied an6 beaten on the field Of bat
tie. No wonder that that Tory Of the
Tories. Samuel johnson. himself &C.
scribed the government as "a bundle
OF imbecility" No wonder. too, that
even the little knowledge of these af-
fairs which was permitted TO become
public in England began TO arouse
popular sentiment against the fatal
policy Of the purblind government,
and that the conflict was largely trans
ferred from the American littoral to
the chambers and purlieus OF West
minister and. indeed. to the hastings
throughout the United Kingdom.
From this scene. at once tragic and
iudicrous. the trGnscendent figure vi
Chatham had forever departed. His
place was not filled. 1t could not bC
filled until his son reached manhood
But in a considerable measure. anC
with gratifying efficiency. his worl
was taken up by the young dandy anc
gamester. now grown serious OF pur-
pose, Charles James Fox. He hat
already become. through his socia
popularity and his commanding tai
ents, a conspicuous figure in the House
He was a reverent disciple Of Chat
ham. He had as his allies some 0
the ablest statesmen Of that time
which means of all time in the history
OF England. If he did not make him
self the first man in all England. a
least there was not one, from the kin1
himself downward, who did not either
fear or follow him.
An interesting picture is given OF
both the social and political conditions
amid which Fox steadily rose 10 CON
manding power: Of Fox's leadership
in the fight for publicity for the pro-
ceedings Of Parliament, and Of Burke's
masterful protest against the employ
ment Of savages in the American war
and his labors as a financial reforner
and a Protestant champion Of Catholic