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language, the same unvaried arrangement of phrase, were equally and ostentatiously exhibited on the most trivial, as well as the important topics.

His harangues never displayed a great or comprehensive knowledge of the state of Europe, as connected with the true interest of his country; and never gave the slightest sketch of a wise, enlarged, political system, calculated to repress inordinate ambition, preserve the balance of power, and maintain the independence of states. Hence his flattering imposing prognostics on the event of the French Revolution have been fulfilled, by the subjugation of Europe, and the elevation of France.

No Minister ever saw with a quicker eye the advantages that might be derived from catching at the momentary prejudices of the people, or inflamed them with more skill and mischievous dexterity:

"" Irritat, mulcet, falsis terroribus implet !"

Superficial, though plausible, he dressed up the spectre of Jacobinism in such frightful colours, that he completely effected his purpose, by deceiving and terrifying the British nation. Credulity, and confidence in the Minister of the Crown, became the test of loyalty. The idle and seditious talk of a few contemptible infatuated demagogues was magnified into a Catilinarian conspiracy; and the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act, the glorious and inestimable protection of personal liberty, was received with exultation by a majority of the nation.

Mr Pitt singularly excelled in adorning and embellishing commonplace ideas, by the alluring graces of a pleasing and splendid elocution; but the ether of his oratory evaporated in an instant, and the greatest of his admirers cannot extract many sentences from the bulky volumes which he spoke, distinguished by originality of thought, or elevation of sentiment; nor can they easily point out one solitary period, illumined by fancy, or marked by a trait of true and genuine wit. His jests were low and puerile: he excelled, however, in low and personal sarcasm, neither enlivened by pleasantry, nor brightened by imagination.

On the Oratory of Mr Fox.

Mr Fox began to take the lead in the House of Commons soon after the commencement of the American war. His elocution was striking and peculiar; rapid, copious, and impressive. The logic of rhetoric was never displayed with such energy, simplicity, and precision. Conscious of his own superior powers, he scorned the little arts of debate, and stated the arguments on both sides of the question,

concisely and perspicuously; and often strengthened his opponent's logic, as if he had proudly lent it force and efficacy, before he condescended to answer it.

The vigour of his mind was progressively displayed, and he always rose in proportion to the abilities of his antagonist. He could only be silenced by the babbling of folly.

The most profound and just opinions on government, freedom, and the rights of the people; the most liberal sentiments on religion, toleration, and ethics, fell from his lips, in the pure strain of truth, simplicity and candour, for he spoke from his heart.

man.

His speeches evinced the mind of a great and comprehensive statesHe foresaw the event of a rash and calamitous war, with prescient sagacity; his intellectual predictions are verified; and the present state of Europe is at once a proof and eulogium of his unrivalled talents.

Mr Fox might justly be entitled the ORATOR OF REASON. His wit was singular, and sometimes lent a splendour and pleasing relief to his style; it was happily blended with the acuteness of his understanding, and set off his argument, without deviating from the point in debate, or diverting the attention of the House.

His intellectual resources were inexhaustible; his knowledge various and extensive; his discussions on the law and constitution always just and discriminative, though not obvious. The Attorney-General of the day, and lawyers of the first rank and eminence, shrunk from his grasp, and unwillingly confessed his superiority, by the most unequivocal and unprofessional test,-shame and silence.

He frequently excited a laugh by detecting sophistry, and stripping a fallacious proposition of its verbiage; and by exhibiting it naked and unadorned, rendered it at once intelligible and contemptible, to the meanest capacity.

Luminous common sense was his characteristic. Every man who heard him adopted his sentiments, which were so true and natural, that they appeared the suggestions of his own mind, and carried conviction to every understanding.

He never ambitiously searched for epithets and phrases to varnish and embellish his periods. He always spoke in the true and genuine idiom of the English language. The commonest words assumed an impressive dignity from his ideas, and bore the stamp of his genius.

Mr Fox was sometimes too prolix. He did not study the art of compressing, so little understood or practised by modern orators. A speech of three hours, even from men of transcendent parts, must be loaded with repetitions, and exhaust the patience of the House. Mr Burke's and Mr Pitt's harangues were also too diffuse and tedious.

Very inferior speakers caught the infection, and empty loquacity and yawning prolixity became the epidemic malady of the House of Com

mons.

The above contrast, though drawn up with much ability, evidently betrays a considerable degree of prejudice against the former, and much partiality in favour of the latter, of these distinguished statesmen.

VI.

THE LORD VISCOUNT MELVILLE.

Of all the Ministers who shared in the government of his country during the last fifty years, there is none to whom the nation is more indebted for the important services he performed, than to Henry Dundas.

I never met with any individual who could go through more business in a shorter time, or on whose judgment more confidence might be placed in any critical emergency. He had also a stretch of thought, which enabled him to adopt measures, the completion of which could not be looked for, until a considerable period had elapsed *. But his great preeminence over other statesmen was this, that he not only proposed useful measures himself, but he took a pleasure in supporting those brought forward by others, if he thought them entitled to attention. Of this I had the strongest reasons to be convinced. Indeed, all the various plans brought forward by me from time to time, with a view of promoting the happiness and improvement of the country, ever found, in Lord Melville, a warm friend, and a zealous supporter.

It was by his means that I was enabled to complete that great undertaking, "The Statistical Account of Scotland," to which nearly a thousand intelligent clergymen contributed.

• Of this a very striking instance shall afterwards be given.

Vol. I.

"Autographs"

Of several distinguished characters, whose communications are contained in that collection, with the page of the work where

their letters are mentioned.__

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