February 7, 1782, Mr. Fox began his attack on the Ministry, by moving accusations against Lord Sandwich, under five several heads, which he summed up as the ground of a resolution declaratory of mismanagement in naval affairs. Burke supported the motion; and though it was negatived, the majority was so small as to render it probable that Ministers could not much longer stand their ground. February 22, General Conway made a motion for addressing his Majesty to put an end to the American War. Burke supported this motion by all his powers of humour and of serious reasoning. It was lost by a majority of only one. February 27th, General Conway put the motion in a different form, and carried it by a majority of nineteen. The country gentlemen now joined Opposition. Lord John Cavendish made a motion, declaring that the house could no longer repose confidence in the Ministry, which was at first rejected by a small majority; but a few days after, a similar motion was made, on which Lord North rose, and declar. ed that he was no longer Minister. A new Administration was formed, of which the Marquis of Rockingham was the nominal head and Mr. Fox the real. Burke was appointed Paymaster-general.

Thus have we seen Burke steadily and vigo-, rously endeavouring, first, to prevent the contest with America; then to end the war, and to

have its supporters deprived of those offices in which they appear to him to follow counsels pernicious to his country. We have seen him display knowledge and wisdom equal to any which a statesman or senator ever exerted. We see the great philosopher, thoroughly ac quainted with every particular and general truth, applying the most profound knowledge of the human mind and extensive views of particular and general history to the conduct of affairs. On every general question we see the sage, but on questions respecting particular men we frequently see the partizan. Burke, in whatever he engaged, engaged warmly. It is indeed difficult, if not impossible, for any man to associate with a set of men, whom he esteems and respects, without often adopting views and opinions merely as theirs. The longer one is connected with a party, the more implicitly does he embrace their notions, unless they should go to a length, on either the one side or the other, to awaken his reflection, and RECALL THE IMPARTIAL EXERCISE OF HIS JUDGMENT. Burke, in the progress of the opposition to the American war, became almost a thorough partyman. We find him frequently supporting whatever motions any of the Opposition members made, with all the zeal that could have in. spired him from conviction and mature reflection. He cherished the children of his adop tion with as warm affection as if they had been

begotten by himself. Besides the general in fluence of party sympathy operating on a mind of the most lively susceptibility, there were special circumstances in that party which ren. dered the influence of the sympathy still more. powerful. No man can be more completely adapted for captivating the minds of those with whom he has frequent intercourse, than Mr. Fox. His dispositions are so amiable; his manners so open, frank, and engaging; his deportment so unassuming; he bears his great qualities so meekly about him; he appears so little conscious of his immense superiority over ordi. nary men; he is so attentive to the gratification of his friends, and indeed to the diffusion of happiness, that he never fails to win the love of all with whom he converses. I do not

mention this as a praise to Mr. Fox. A power of commanding affection, and so influencing action, may be certainly advantageous to the possessor himself, and to those within the sphere of his influence: but it is advantageous to others, and its exertion meritorious to himself, according to its objects. The influence which Fox has obtained over many is or is not useful, according to its direction to their real welfare and happiness, or the contrary. However that may be, it is a certain fact, that those with whom he has been embarked have regarded him with an affection much beyond mere party politics. Those are, of all, the most at

tached to him, who, possessing great abilities themselves, can form the most adequate idea of his powers. Burke admired and loved Fox; and though possessing powers of discernment which even Fox himself did not exceed, became, as the American war advanced, as he grew more and more connected with Fox, a more and more implicit supporter of the meaşures which that statesman proposed, either for himself or as the mouth of a party.

A careful examiner of the parliamentary conduct of Burke will observe a very considerable difference between the speeches he made in supporting his own motions and those of others, between the children of his adoption and of his generation. Those of his adoption resembled the party; those of his generation RESEMBLED HIMSELF. His speeches, in attacking Sandwich, Palliser, Germaine, and North, were strongly tinctured with the partizanship of Opposition. His speeches on American taxation, on reconciliation with America, on public œconomy, and such great questions as drew his powers out, were the speeches not of the party but of Edmund Burke; not of the advocate for a side in a judicial question, but of a wise and enlightened senator on momentous subjects of deliberation. Although Fox, in the vehemence of his invectives against Lord North, had repeatedly de lared that he wished he might be reckoned the most infamous of mankind if ever he acted

in an administration with him, and even said he would be afraid to be left in the same room with him, (expressions which every liberal man will consider as the temporary ebullition of psssion, not as a deliberate pledge of conduct) there was a great resemblance between these two leaders in several circumstances. Lord North was a man of most pleasing, amiable manners, and very desirous of serving his friends. Perhaps, indeed, few did more to promote the interest of those whom he considered as attached to him. From many, after his loss of power, he experienced ingratitude; yet not from all. Several men of great respectability continued to adhere to his cause when their interest would have directed them to the opposite course. As he had a heart himself disposed for kindness, he felt the kindness or unkindness, gratitude or ingratitude of others with keen sensibility. One day he happened to be dining with a gentleman of the law, who had been a very able supporter of his administration, and had been patronized by him, and had ever afterwards manifested the warmest gratitude and attachment. After dinner, a little boy, named William, came up to his Lordship, got strawberries from him, and shewed great fondness for him. Afterwards, at tea, his Lordship proposing to renew their acquaintance, William turned his back upon him. "Ah! William, (said Lord North) you are