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representations of his motives, rather than by refutations of his arguments.

In private conversation, I think, he was rather averse to political discussion, generally preferring subjects connected with natural history, in any of its branches; but, above all, dwelling with delight on classical and poetical subjects. It is not to be supposed, however, that, where the interests and happiness of millions were concerned, he preserved a cold silence. He rather abstained from hopeless and useless complaining, than withheld his mite of compassion and sympathy for those who suffered under a pernicious system. As my acquaintance commenced with Mr. Fox towards the evening of his days, and at the period when a rebellion in Ireland was followed, by what has been fallaciously styled a Union, I had the opportunity of observing his great humanity, and his freedom from prejudice, in regard to that country. In this respect he ever seemed to me to stand alone, among English politicians, many of whom are liberal enough in their own way, but all of whom agree in a : love of dominion, and in a certain degree of contempt respecting the Irish, which, one day or other, will, I fear, generate events fatal to the repose of both islands.

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MR. FOX'S VISIT TO M. DE LA

FAYETTE. From tho same

On the morning of the 24th of September we left Paris for the country. There was nothing striking in that part through which we passed, formerly called the isle of France. As we approached La

Grange, it became evidently a corn district. The towers and wood of the Chateau appeared in peaceful repose as we drove near, and when we gained a full view of the building, I felt great emotion. It was the residence of a great and good man-a patriot and friend to mankind, whose life had been consecrated to virtue and liberty. Such truly was M. de la Fayette. The chateau was of a very singular construction, quadrangular, and ornamented by Moorish towers at each angle, which had no unpleasing effect. A ruined chapel was near the mansion: the fosse was filled up through neglect and a long lapse of time. We drove into the court-yard. The family came to the hall to meet us. That good and amiable family, happy in themselves, and rejoicing to see the illustrious friend of La Fayette! Can I forget that moment! No silly affectation-no airs of idle ceremony, were seen at the residence of him who gloriously and successfully had struggled for America, and had done all he could for France!

M. de la Fayette and Madame received Mr. and Mrs. Fox with the heartiest welcome. The family consisted of two daughters, a son, and his wife-all young and elegant-all living with M. de la Fayette, as their brother and friend. As his figure was youthful and graceful, (his age at this time being about forty-nine or fifty), he appeared quite a young man. His benevolent countenance

his frank and warm manners, which made him quite adored in his family-and his placid contentedness, amounting to cheerfulness, altogether had an irresistiD d 2

ble

ble effect in gaining the affections and esteem of those admitted to bis more intimate society.

Madame de la Fayette, of the ancient family of Noailles, was a superior and admirable woman, possessing the high polish of the ancient nobility, eloquent and animated. Fondly attached to M. de la Fayette and her family, she regretted nothing of past splendour; she possessed a cherished husband, and was happy in retirement. M. de la Fayette's son was a pleasing young man; his wife very engaging and interesting; bis daughters were charming young women, quite free from the insipid languor, or wretched affectation, which, in young women of fashion, so much destroys originality of character, and makes one find in a fashionable young lady, the prototype and pattern of ten thousand. In a word, this amiable and most interesting family seemed united by one bond of affection, and to desire nothing beyond the circle of their tranquil mansion.

It is necessary to recur to some past events in M. de la Fayette's life, to do full justice to such a family. It is well known that M. de la Fayette had been arrested on leaving France, and thrown into the dungeons of Olmutz. He had continued imprisoned a considerable time, when Madame de la Fayette, unable to bear her separation from him, determined to make an effort for his liberty, or to share his fate, and set out for Germany, with her young and lovely children. At the feet of the emperor she implored his majesty to release her husband, or to allow her to participate in his confinement. Her first request was

coldly refused;-she was, however, permitted to visit her hus-. band. From that time, for several years, she never left him, herself and daughters sharing with him every inconvenience and misery! The damps of his prison hurt the health of Madame, and she had never entirely recovered from their baneful effects: Buonaparte, to his honour it must be recorded, interposed as soon as he had power effectually to do so, and insisted on the liberation of M. de la Fayette. Accordingly, at the period of which I write, (1802) he had not long arrived in France, having come by way of Holland, with his virtuous and excellent family, the partners of his captivity, and soothers of his sorrows.

The chateau and estate of La Grange, which Madame, who was an heiress, had brought him, was all that remained of his fortunes; he had lost every thing besides, in the madness of revolutionary confiscation, and had not yet been able to procure restitution or conpensation. To add to the interest. of the scene, General Fitzpatrick, who had known M. de la Fayette in America, and had vainly at-. tempted in the English House of Commons to rouse the Pitt ministry to a sense of humanity and commiseration for M. de la Fayette, joined the party at La Grange. That accomplished man was an addition to it of the most pleasing nature, and he was received most affectionately by the family. I have often contemplated with pleasure, General Fitzpatrick and M. de la Fayette walking in a long shady grove near the chateau, speaking of past times, the war in America, and the revoluti n in Fance.

France. The rare sight of three such men as Fox, Fayette, and Fitzpatrick, was grateful to any one who felt rightly, and valued men for their services to humanity, rather than for successful ambition. Lally Tollendal, also, whose father had, under the old regime, suffered so severe a fate, was at La Grange, an open, honest, and agreeable man,-telling a great number of anecdotes, relating to the revolution, with point and energy, and resembling the Irish in his good-humoured and unstudied manners; anxious to contribute to the pleasure of M. de la Fayette's guests, and pointing out every thing agreeable to English customs and habits. In the evenings, he read extracts from Shakespeare, translated by himself into French, with an almost stentorian voice, and much effect. A few of M. de la Fayette's country neighbours were also occasionally invited; his table was plentiful, and our evenings diversified by conversation, chess, or some other game, as was most agreeable. Madame was extremely pleasing in conversation, and narrated her adventures and sufferings in Germany, with great vivacity and

ease.

The chateau itself was ancient, and simply furnished; the library, at the top of one of the towers, a circular room, with a commanding view from its windows, was adorned with the busts of Washington, Franklin, and other distinguished American patriots, as well as by those of Frenchmen of genius in modern times. The wood, which adjoined the chateau, was a beautiful one, divided in the old style by long green alleys, in

tersecting one another, admirably adapted for a studious walk, or for reading remote from noise. Here was a place to enjoy the sublime and eloquent writings of Rousseau; and here I was happy, to lose all thought of Paris and the world, filled with the grateful sensation, that I was the guest of a man so excellent as La Fayette." I often, too, had the satisfaction of conversing with him, as he was so unaffected and mild, that I had no difficulty in addressing him: he talked of Ireland, and Sir Edward Haversham, and inquired very much concerning the ancient wolf dog, one of which race (extinct I believe in France) he desired much to procure. All his sentiments were noble, and his mind was animated with a true feeling of liberty. He spoke a good deal of America, and told me, that so great was the jealousy of the Americans against foreign troops, that he was obliged to consent to reduce the number stipulated for," though he afterwards negociated for more at home, to make the aid effectual! Worthy and respectable man! If I have seen you for the last time, my wishes for your repose, and my gratitude, shall ever be alive. I shall ever dwell on your name with reverence and affection; and those delightful days I spent at La Grange, shall) remain consecrated in my memory, as among the most fortunate and pleasing of my life.

The political career of M. de la Fayette had not, it is true, the same happy result in France as in America but it is to be considered, that his situation in the) former was arduous beyond measure. A friend to a limited monarchy,

narchy, and to the legitimate rights of the people, at a time when the support of one was deemed hostility to the other, he found it impossible, consistent with his principles, to fall into the mania of the nation. A king of integrity and firmness, with La Fayette as his counsellor, might have been safe, even in the tumultuous times preceding the seizure of the common-wealth by sanguinary demagogues; but Louis, it is to be feared, wanted both these qualities, certainly the latter! La Fayette failed, therefore, in his patriotic views, not as the first Consul is said to have insinuated, because he attempted what was impracticable; but because those whose interest it was to second his views, and whose happiness would have been insured by them, did not support him. A ruined throne, and desolated country, subsequently attested the purity of his principles, and the soundness of his judgment.

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length, on the moderate estate of La Grange-having all his family around him, and conscientiously satisfied that he had done every thing for his country that his powers and opportunities had allowed.

His garden, which was large, but had been neglected, also occupied a good deal of the attention of M. de la Fayette. He was in the mornings engaged in his farms, and enjoyed, with much relish, the avocations of agriculture! We remained a week at La Grange. I left it with great regret. The same kind and hospitable family bade us adieu; they lingered on the stair-case. We took leave of Madame. It was for the last time! That amiable woman, never having recovered her health, is since dead; and the lovely chateau of La Grange stands deprived of its hospitable mistress.. M. de la Fayette, in the year 1803, sustained a dreadful frac ture of his thigh-bone, but recovered, and continues to reside in his retirement at La Grange.

and Mr. FooTE.

From the Life of Arthur Murphy,

Esq. by Jesse Foot, Esq.

M. de la Fayette had begun to devote himself much to agricultural pursuits, (the happiest cccupation of man!) and had entirely withdrawn himself from political Mr. DUNNING (Lord Ashburton) affairs. His house and family were excellently well regulated; each had their own employment; till dinner, every guest was left quite free to follow his studies, walk and explore the country, to write, to act as he pleased, dinner re-assembled every one; and the hours flew swiftly past. Mr. Fox was very happy at La Grange; every thing suited his taste there, and he had, besides, the gratification of seeing his friend, after a life of dangers, and years of captivity, sheltered, at

Mr. Dunning and Mr. Foote ap pear to have been bis most confidential friends; with them he could safely speak of others, unbend his social hours, and receive a gratification highly pleasing to. him. In his apartments, there was a portrait of Dunning, a very strik. ing likeness, painted in crayons, by Ozias Humphrey. Mr. Dun-. ning and he sometimes retired to Wimbledon,

Wimbledon, wliere the former had a house, a fine garden, and a hot house, which he saw so seldom that, upon both their calculations, it was found that it cost a hundred pounds a visit. Having less to do than Mr. Dunning, he used to go to his chambers in the hours of business, where he has seen Mr. Lloyd Kenyon returning and receiving opinions. One time Mr. Kenyon asked Mr. Dunning for a frank to a relation in North Wales. Mr. Dunning gravely wrote him one, directed to his relation in North Wales, near Chestér. Mr. Kenyon threw down the paper, and said, "Take your franks, Mr. Dunning: I will accept no more from you." Dunning got between him and the door, and pacified him.

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Mr.

Mr. Murphy used to say, that if there was a natural logician, it was Mr. Dunning. When he was in the happiest mood, a speech of his, that took only half an hour, would embrace all the arguments contained in his opponent's of two hours. But yet he agreed, that it required the utmost attention to follow him. His mind laboured. He had, all the while, a movement of his head, a grinding of his lower jaw, and a certain singular. cast of countenance. There was, besides, a huskiness in his throat, which constantly moved him to make use of an endeavour to clear it: this was first produced as a mental excitement, but afterwards became a habit, whenever his subject demanded any extraordinary exertion.

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Mr. Dunning, having business A short time after Mr. Dunin the west of England, gave Mr. ning was created Lord Ashburton, Murphy a cast in his carriage, and when he awoke one morning and in his way called on Lord Chat- heard the servant maid in the next ham at Burton Pynsent. Mr. chamber, he ordered her to unMurphy wished to be taken up at draw the curtains. He asked her the next stage, and to leave Mr. what it was o'clock ? she told him, Dunning to call alone on his lord-"it was late.” Why then, un ship, as he had formerly con- draw the curtains." 66 They are ducted a political contest against undrawn," she said. He still. him but Mr. Dunning would thought otherwise, and desired his not part with him: they drove up valet to be called. The valet. to the house whilst it poured tor- confirmed the maid's report, and rents of rain, and there were large it was not till then, that his lordsheets of water round the house. ship found, that, by a paralytie. Mr. Dunning left Mr. Murphy in stroke he had been deprived of his the chaise. But Lord Chatham eye-sight, without the least sensa❤ soon came to Mr. Murphy, and tion of pain. without the least ceremony, told him that he should not remain as an enemy at his gate," and on the chaise door being opened, he added, "This is kind of you! You see, sir, I am confined here by inundations, like Noah in his ark."

Soon after this calamitous visitation, Mr. Murphy was with him. at his house in Lincoln's-InnFields, when the name of Colonel, Barré was announced; and he was led in, by a guide, as blind as the noble person to whom his visit was directed. These two eminent

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