FOX.

The honourable CHARLES JAMES Fox, one of the most popular orators and statesmen of modern times, was second son of the first lord Holland, and born, January 13, 1749. His natural genius, and strong powers of mind, were early perceived, and judiciously encouraged, by his able and indulgent father; who carefully instructed him to think freely, and to speak with promptness and energy. From Westminster school, he went to Eton; where he distinguished himself by the elegance of his Latin verses, preserved in the Musæ Etonenses. After studying at Oxford, he made the tour of Europe; and returned a fashionable youth, as remarkable for foppish gaiety of dress and manners, as he soon became, and continued through life, for the direct contrary.

In 1768, though not of age, he was placed in parliament for Midhurst; and his first speech was against Wilkes and the Middlesex election. At this period, our future champion of the people delivered his opinion, "that the voice of the people was only to be heard in the house of commons." Two years afterwards, he was made a lord of the admiralty: but, in May 1772, resigned; and, in January 1773, became a lord of the treasury, from which situation he very unexpectedly received his dismission, February 19, 1774. Throughout the American contest, he now took a distinguished lead among the opposition speakers, though then including such orators as Burke, Barré, and Dunning. At the general election in 1780, he was, as the favourite man of the people, returned for Westminster; and in 1782, when lord North was succeeded by the marquis of Rockingham, became secretary of state. The sudden death of the marquis proved the dissolution of the new ministry: but Fox, after some time opposing the measures of lord Shelburne, returned to power, by his famous coalition with lord North; with whom, he had often declared, "that he would not trust himself in the same room, but would employ all his powers to bring him to the scaffold for the flagitiousness of his public life!" Such a conjunction was likely to be closely watched; and Fox's memorable India bill afforded Pitt an opportunity of overthrowing the coalition government. On the new election, however, notwithstanding Pitt obtained a decided majority, Fox appeared at the head of an opposition of more brilliant talents than had ever been known in the house. In 1788, accompanied by a lady afterwards acknowledged as his wife, he visited the continent, chiefly with a view to his intended history of England; but was suddenly called home, in consequence of the king's illness. On this occasion, he had the misfortune to combat constitutional principles, by hastily insisting on the right of the heir apparent to become regent, without any restrictions. In 1790, still as the friend of liberty, he rendered juries, by his celebrated libel bill, judges of law as well as fact.

The French revolution Fox regarded as pregnant with universal freedom; but, finding his systematic opposition considered as disloyal, formed the resolution of seceding from senatorial attendance. His addresses at public meetings were now judged so unwarrantable, that his name was struck off from the list of privy counsellors.

In 1803, he returned to his parliamentary duty; and, on the death of Pitt, in 1806, was appointed, by the advice of lord Grenville, secretary of state for foreign affairs. Having now an opportunity of experiencing the perfidy of the French government, he felt forcibly the error of his former opinions. In the mean time, his health rapidly declined; the dropsy overwhelmed him; and, after thrice undergoing the painful operation of tapping within five weeks, he died at Chiswick-house, September 13, 1806.

His remains were honoured by a public funeral in Westminster Abbey; and deposited close to those of Pitt, his great political rival.

THIS distinguished character, whom the truly-respectable Society of Friends have agreed, by mutual courtesy, to denominate their "honourable elder," was born in the year 1624, at Drayton, in Leicestershire. His parents, who were reputable, upright people, placed him as an apprentice to a person who dealt in leather and wool, under whom he was frequently employed in tending sheep, an occupation which proved very congenial to the retired, contemplative turn of mind which he early displayed, and afforded leisure for digesting a mission to which he at length conceived himself called. In the year 1647, he made his first public appearance as a religious teacher, clothed in a leathern dress, plain, mortified, and durable, for his travels. The adjoining counties of Derby and Nottingham were the first scene of his mission, and the leading topic of his preaching was to inculcate on his hearers the necessity of receiving, as the rule of their conduct, "the inward teachings of the Holy Spirit."

Fox, under what he conceived to be an impulse of duty, went into the parish-church of Nottingham, on the Lord's day; and, being dissatisfied with the sermon which he for a while listened to, he is said to have interrupted the preacher, and disturbed the congregation, for which he was committed to prison in 1649; and this proved the commencement of a series of privations and hardships, which, from this period, characterise the life of the first apostle of Quakerism. The principles and conduct of George Fox, in many respects so novel, and so abhorrent to all the ideas that then prevailed, often provoked the intolerance of the leading men of the day; but persecution has always been found favourable to the increase of the persecuted party. The blood of the martyrs has hitherto ever been the seed of the church; and it must be confessed that the patience, the perseverance, and the disinterestedness, of the early friends, were without any precedent, at least in this kingdom. Hence, the multitudes, in various parts of the country, particularly in Bristol, adopted the principles of Fox; and such was the rapid increase of this new sect, that Oliver Cromwell, whose eyes were every where, deemed it prudent to guard against any danger from this quarter, by extorting a promise from George Fox that he would not disturb his government! After that promise had been given, the Protector admitted Fox to an interview, when the preacher delivered some wholesome truths, which were received in a manner that reflects great honour on the conduct of the ruler of the country. The man who held the sceptre of Britain and the balance of Europe, with true magnanimity, allowed an obscure individual to remain covered in his presence. In 1681 George Fox and his wife were tried and convicted, upon their refusal of the payment of tithes. In the years 1667 and 1684, Fox paid a visit to Holland and other parts of the continent, and in the last instance passed several weeks in some of the United Provinces. While Fox himself drank to the dregs of the bitter cup which the intolerance of the times had mingled for his new Society, he still laboured for its welfare with the courage of a lion, and the patience of a martyr, until death closed the scene of his labours and of his sufferings in 1690, in the 67th year of his age, not having been entirely incapacitated for public preaching till within a few days before his death. His writings, exclusive of some separate pieces not published a second time, make three volumes in folio. The first contains his Journal, printed in 1694; the second, a collection of his Epistles; and the third, his doctrinal Pieces.