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title until then unknown. He called her " Mere des

armées et des camps." Her favourites, far from experiencing the effect of his anger, were raised by him to the most important stations. It may be said, that to dishonour him was to create a title to his protection.

Faustina having followed him in a journey into Asia, died in a village of Cappadocia, called Halala, of a sudden and unexpected disorder, which immediately carried her off. After her death the stoicism of Marcus Aurelius again displayed itself, by the honours that he rendered to the memory of his empress. He gave her name to a village where she had formerly resided, and established there a Roman colony. In short, what surpasses all wonder and credibility, he compelled the senate to raise to the rank of the gods, a woman who had been the opprobrium of the world.

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FOX.

CHARLES JAMES FOX, who died in 1806, one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state, may justly be considered as one of our greatest contemporaries. For more than twenty years he headed the opposition in the House of Commons, and was the constant political adversary of Mr. Pitt. This struggle between two such eminent men gave the greatest interest to all the debates during that period, and fixed the attention of all parties.

In truth, the war of which the independence of America was the object; the long-pending trial of Hastings, the governor of India; the French revolution, and the great struggle to which it gave rise; the abolition of the slave trade; the emancipation of the catholics of Ireland; and the important question of of the regency, were discussions highly susceptible of interest. In slightly reviewing these great events, we shall merely observe, that Fox strenuously opposed the declaration and continuance of the war against America, and foretold its disgraceful issue; and that he contended with equal energy against the rash and ineffectual attempts to crush the spirit of freedom in France. Upon these occasions he fearlessly risked the loss of his popularity. And when, as minister, he had it in his power to act upon the principles which he had always professed, he was on the point of realizing the high expectations raised by his spiendid notions in favour of peace, when death closed his mortal career.

This is a short sketch of Fox's career as a statesman, upon which it must be left to posterity to decide.

His private character will subject him to different opinions. While living he had many warm admirers and friends, as well as many who censured his excesses and regretted his dissipation.

He was sprung from a family distinguished for prosperity and talents. Sir Stephen Fox was the first who distinguished himself. He had served the Stuarts in their exile, and largely partook of their bounty upon their restoration. His descendant, Henry Fox, afterwards Lord Holland, was early remarkable as a strong and energetic speaker in the house, became at last secretary of state under George II.; but the untoward circumstances which accompanied the commencement of the seven years' war, having compelled the king to change his ministry, Mr. Pitt succeeded to the seals in the room of Lord Holland, who was made paymaster of the forces, and in that station acquired an immense fortune.

Then arose the spirit of rivalry between the two families, which the fathers transmitted to their children. Charles James Fox was the third son of Lord Holland, by whom he was almost idolized on account of the great qualities he displayed, and particularly his talent for public speaking. He encouraged this free disposition to eloquence, as if to gratify in anticipation his jealousy of Pitt. 'The latter was at the same time cultivating with equal zeal and assiduity the great talents which his second son promised to display.

The fondness of the father admitted of no restraint

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