us no light whatever, no clue, no information, where to find it.

"The honourable gentleman who seconded the motion tells us that the 'insurrections are too notorious to be described.' Such is the information which we receive from the right honourable magistrate, and the honourable gentleman, who have been selected to move and second the address. I will take I will take upon me to say, Sir, that it is not the notoriety of the insurrections which prevents those gentlemen from communicating to us the particulars, but their nonexistence."

His language on this subject hardly differs from the language of Lord Grenville to his brother, which we have already seen.

Mr. Fox, for this great cause, lost popularity, reputation, and friends; but his warm and benevolent heart told him that he had been a martyr for peace, for freedom, and the cause of nations. He had this consolation, and was comforted.

No sooner was the war begun than the great difference which existed among its supporters as to the object to be sought, and the means of seeking it, became quite obvious, and most injurious to its success. Mr. Burke, who blew the trumpet with the greatest vehemence, proclaimed aloud that he considered the war with France as a great civil war of which on our part the restoration of the old Monarchy should be the great end and object. He considered the execution of Louis XVI. a cause of war.* He could not bear to

* See "Letter to Duke of Portland"-Works, vol. vi.

see those who resisted the armies of the Allies treated as prisoners of war, while the royalists were put to death by the French tribunals as rebels. He thought that equal justice and good policy alike required that all prisoners taken by the Allies should be put to death. He considered that the war should be waged against the French Convention and its abettors in the name of Louis XVII. the legitimate heir to the throne, and Monsieur the lawful Regent. He would have made the restoration of the Monarchy, and the punishment of the rulers of France the necessary conditions of peace. He could overlook or forgive the proclamation of the Constitution of 1791, at Toulon, as an adherence to its provisions might be evaded or disavowed, but he rejoiced in the recognition of Louis XVII., as the fit preliminary to any negotiation, and the real standard to be raised in war.* Happily his advice was disregarded. Mr. Pitt took a totally different view of the nature and objects of the war. He was ready to admit that we had nothing to do with the internal government of France, provided its rulers were disposed and able to maintain friendly relations with foreign governments. He sought to confine France within her ancient limits, to oblige her to respect established treaties, and to renounce her conquests. He sought by expeditions to the West Indies an indemnity for the expenses of the war. In short, he treated Robespierre and Carnot as he would have treated any other

See "Burke's Correspondence," vol. iii. and iv., and "Works," vol. vi. and vii.

French rulers, whose ambition was to be resisted, and whose interference in the affairs of other nations was to be checked and prevented. Mr. Fox did not fail to take advantage of the discord which prevailed among his opponents. If they declaimed against the republic, he asked whether they meant to dictate to the French people the nature of their institutions, and the rules of their internal government. If they boasted of successes in the West Indies, he asked whether they meant to deprive their ally Louis XVII. of so fair a portion of his inheritance.

But although the advocates of war could make no logical reply, they could agree to carry on hostilities, leaving it to the chapter of accidents to decide on the objects and ends of the war. If Toulon opened its gates to Louis XVII., our object was the restoration of Monarchy; if we took an island in the West Indies, our object was to cripple the power of France.

Our allies acted in a manner no less inconsistent. The views of Prussia were turned more to the acquisition of Polish territory, than to the restoration of order in France, and she soon deceived the English Ministry, and abandoned the cause of Kings. Austria cared more for acquisitions in Lorraine and Alsace, than for the sacred objects of Mr. Burke's crusade; she thought, foolishly enough, that an opportunity had arisen for weakening France, whether republican or monarchical.* Thus England, Prussia and Austria, with lofty pretensions of fighting for the cause of

* See these views and their consequences developed, in the "Mémoires tirés des Papiers d'un Homme d'Etat," especially the first and second

VOL. III.

D

religion and order, had each separate and selfish objects, while the French, united and enthusiastic, fought for a mock liberty, but a real independence. With the Allies it was a war sometimes of principles, sometimes of provinces; sometimes to restore a Monarchy, sometimes to acquire Martinique. With the French the most horrible tyranny, the most systematic murder and plunder at home were accompanied by the most brilliant courage, the most scientific plans of campaign, and the most entire devotion to the glory of their country.

In the midst of this dreadful war, the course of Mr. Fox was firm and moderate. He always admitted, that we ought to require explanations from France, and that we ought to arm in order to obtain them. When the war was commenced, he moved an address in the House of Commons in these terms: "That we learn, with the utmost concern, that the Assembly, who now exercise the powers of government in France, have directed the commission of acts of hostility against the persons and property of his Majesty's subjects, and that they have actually declared war against his Majesty and the United Provinces that we humbly beg leave to assure his Majesty, that his Majesty's faithful Commons will exert themselves with the utmost zeal in the maintenance of the honour of his Majesty's crown, and the vindication of the rights of his people; and nothing shall be wanting on their

:

volumes, which are founded on materials of the highest authenticity. While Mr. Burke preached the crusade of Peter the Hermit, the Allies were intent on territory and dominion.

part that can contribute to that firm and effectual support, which his Majesty has so much reason to expect from a brave and loyal people, in repelling every hostile attempt against this country, and in such other exertions as may be necessary to induce France to consent to such terms of pacification, as may be consistent with the honour of his Majesty's crown, the security of his allies, and the interests of his people.”

From this time Mr. Fox found himself the leader of a small party, who were defeated in every division; but their masterly abilities, the vigour of their speeches, and their devotion to Mr. Fox gave a splendour to their light which neither power, nor popular frenzy, nor laws against sedition could weaken or extinguish. At no time did the energy, the logic, the fancy of Mr. Fox appear to the world with greater lustre; at no time did the warmth of his heart, the sweetness of his temper, and the refinement of his taste give such tranquillity to his home. At a period when the prospects of office nearly vanished from his sight; when calumny loved to paint him as a man of disordered ambition and criminal designs, he was busy in the study of Homer or lounging carelessly through his garden, and expressing to his beloved nephew the full sense of his happiness and content. The trees and the flowers, the birds, and the fresh breezes gave him an intense enjoyment, which those who knew his former life of politics and of pleasure could hardly have imagined. To the capacious benevolence which longed to strike the chains from the African slave he joined a daily