THE "VOX POPULI."

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friends." It was held responsible, and not without reason, for the disasters in America. Petitions demanding, oftentimes in very strong language, parliamentary reform and retrenchment of expenditure, poured in upon the table of the House, representing the opinions, it was said, of one hundred thousand electors. Never before had so large a proportion of the constituency united to recommend any measure to the consideration of Parliament. The 6th of April was fixed for the debate upon the prayer of these petitions. A call of the House was ordered. A great meeting of the Westminster reformers was convened by the Whig chiefs, and attended by the Duke of Portland, the Cavendishes, the Grenvilles, Lord Temple, the Townshends, and Fitzpatrick. Charles Fox was placed in the chair. On the momentous 6th, Mr. Dunning,* a lawyer of high

that he had long observed the plan of government pursued in every department. "It was not the mere rumour of the streets that the king was his own minister; the fatal truth was evident, and had made itself evident, in every circumstance of the war carried on against America and the West Indies."-Parl. Hist. xx. 420.

* John Dunning, born at Ashburton in 1731; died, 1783. Was called to the bar in 1756, and rose into repute through his able management of an action in which the East India Company was concerned. Afterwards he was employed to defend Wilkes. Was made Solicitor-General in 1767. In the Rockingham administration he held the chancellorship of the duchy of Lancaster and was created Baron Ashburton. When asked how he contrived to accomplish the immense amount of legal business that fell to his share, he replied, "Some did itself; some he did; some was left undone." Lord Shelburne said of him, that as a speaker he never seemed to take up a subject con amore unless wrong was on his side. But he was often energetic enough in the defence of right; and he did much to secure the personal liberty of the subject by his great speech in the Wilkes case against the validity of general warrants.

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370

DUNNING'S RESOLUTIONS.

ability, and a politician of no mean calibre, moved his memorable resolution, "that the influence of the Crown had increased, was increasing, and ought to be diminished." He introduced it, as Mr. Massey remarks, with a moderation of language which became the authority of his position in the House. He said that it was in accordance with the general tenour of the petitions on the table, though not in accordance with their exact terms; and vindicated its accuracy, by referring to common notoriety, as well as to particular cases, which he quoted with the precision and aptitude of a skilful advocate. He was supported by Fox with his usual vigour; and the motion was carried† by 233 to 215. Another resolution, affirming the right of the House to examine into and correct abuses in the Civil List expenditure, was affirmed without opposition; as well as a third motion, declaratory of the duty of the House to provide immediate and effectual redress for the grievances stated by the petitioners.

That Fox was always more advanced in his opinions than Burke, that his Whiggism had in effect much of what we should now-a-days call a Radical colouring, may be inferred from his speech and vote in favour of triennial parliaments on the 8th of May, when Burke's speech. and vote were given against them. It is possible, however, that Fox would now be found their opponent, if he could revisit the stage on which he once made so splendid and conspicuous a figure. The causes no

* ' Parliamentary History,' xxi. 339.

+ With the addition, suggested by Dundas, of the prefatory words, "It is necessary to declare."

FOX ELECTED FOR WESTMINSTER.

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longer exist which then, we may presume, influenced his action; such as the corruption of Parliament, the imperfect representation of public opinion, and the excessive power of the Crown.

The Gordon "No Popery" Riots in June, 1780, seem to have inclined the Government to seek the support of the Rockingham party, and negotiations were opened between Lord North and its principal members. As they proved abortive, no special reference to them is necessary, further than to indicate the King's continued prejudice against Fox. He absolutely refused to admit him to any ministerial office, but suggested that he would be content with one of a lucrative character, though not in the administration. "He never had any principle," writes the generous monarch, "and can therefore act as his interest may guide him." The negotiations also show that Lord North, at heart, deeply regretted the King's obstinate perseverance in the American War, and his aversion to the admission into his councils of the advocates of peace, reform, and economy.

At the general election of 1780, Fox stood for Westminster, and was returned by a large majority over his competitor, Lord Lincoln. He was afterwards carried in triumph through the borough. In February, he supported Burke's bill for the reduction of the enormous Civil List. (This was on the 26th). "The young men in Opposition," says Walpole, "made a considerable figure, particularly John Townshend [second son to the Viscount], Sheridan [then manager of Drury Lane Theatre], both intimate friends of Charles Fox, and William Pitt, who Lord North declared made the best

first speech he ever heard." Said a member to Fox, after hearing this oration, "He will be one of the first men in Parliament." "He is so already," was Fox's reply. The future rivals were thus for a time thrown side by side, and there can be little doubt but that their political views and inclinations were not very dissimilar. But Pitt necessarily attached himself to the Chatham section of the Whigs, against whose recognised leader, Lord Shelburne, Fox entertained a strong prejudice. Moreover, two suns cannot shine in one hemisphere; and the harmonious cooperation of two men so nearly equal in intellectual power but so different in character, even though holding the same principles, could hardly extend over any considerable period.

Fox's devotion to his parliamentary duties was at no time incompatible with his pursuit of excitement in other

* Lord Holland relates that Fox hastened to compliment and congratulate the young member. As he was doing so, a General Grant passed by them and said, " Aye, Mr. Fox, you are praising young Pitt for his speech. You may well do so; for, excepting yourself, there's no man in the House can make such another; and, old as I am, I expect and hope to hear you both battling it within those walls, as I have done your fathers before you." Mr. Fox, disconcerted at the awkward turn of the compliment, was silent and looked foolish; but young Pitt, with great delicacy, readiness, and felicity of expression, answered, "I have no doubt, General, you would like to attain the age of Methusaleh." He had not, however, to attain to such longevity to see his prediction fulfilled. Sir Samuel Romilly, 'Memoirs,' i. 192, says :-" William Pitt, the late Lord Chatham's son, has made a great figure this session in Parliament; he has spoken only twice, but both his speeches have gained him uncommon approbation. Applause was echoed from one side of the House to the other; and Fox, in an exaggerated strain of panegyric, said he could no longer lament the loss of Lord Chatham, for he was again living in his son, with all his virtues and all his talents,"

SOCIAL EXCESSES.

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and less commendable forms. In May, 1781, we find Walpole writing to Horace Mann :

Gaming is yet general, though money, the principal ingredient, does not abound. My old favourite game, 'faro,' is lately revived. . . . Mr. Fox is the first figure in all the places I have mentioned, the hero in Parliament, at the gaming-table, at Newmarket. Last week he passed twenty-four hours without interruption at all three, or on the road from the one to the other." It is a proof of our advance in social morality that such excesses nowadays would infallibly prevent their author from attaining a Parliamentary position, and burden him with popular odium. On the 2nd of June, Fox's library, which some remorseless creditor had seized, was sold by auction. "Amongst the books," says Walpole, "was Mr. Gibbon's first volume of Roman History, which appeared by the title-page to have been given by the author to Mr. Fox, who had written in it the following anecdote: The author, at Burke's, said there was no salvation for this country till six heads of the principal persons in the administration were laid on the table; eleven days after, this same gentleman accepted the place of Lord of Trade, under those very Ministers, and has acted with them ever since!'" Such was the avidity of bidders for the smallest production of so conspicuous a politician, that owing to the addition of this little record the book sold for three guineas.

In March, 1782, the North Administration, probably the worst that ever controlled the affairs of this country, was driven from office. On Lord North himself, however, our judgment need not be too severe. While we