xiety
of theirs to appear, except by a mere accident, yet it was evident to
me, by a hundred little circumstances, how it formed a constant subject
of conversation between them.

I am far from implying that their intercourse with me was marked by
anything like distrust or suspicion; on the contrary, they talked freely
in my presence on every subject, and upon politics Mr. Fox especially
spoke with a degree of openness that, had he been less distinguished, I
should have presumed to call indiscreet. He made almost daily visits at
the Tuileries, and never hesitated, on his return, to recount to us what
had passed between the First Consul and himself.

The manly character of the English statesman contributed to give the
interviews many very interesting traits, to which also his imperfect
knowledge of French lent several amusing features. Were I not afraid
of repeating well-known anecdotes, I should avail myself of this
opportunity to recall some instances of these. At all events, I am happy
to have the occasion of saying that the veriest Tory that ever inveighed
against France never had a more thoroughly English heart and spirit than
Charles Fox. I have seen it imputed to him that in his partisanship
he would willingly have accepted a dishonorable peace, and made common
cause with the First Consul on any terms; and I affirm that I am in a
position to refute this foul charge, and prove it a calumny.

Neither, as was asserted at the time, did the unquestionable fascination
of Bonaparte's manner gain a complete ascendancy over the Englishman's
less-cultivated tact. It is true he came back--as who would not?--from
these meetings amazed at the extensive knowledge, the vast acquirements,
and the profound sagacity of that great man; nor did he hesitate to own
that even these were thrown into the shade by the charms of his manner
and the captivation of an address which I believe at that period had
reached its very point of perfection.

An attack of gout confined Mr. Fox for some time to his room, and thus
interfered with the progress of an intimacy that might be fairly called
friendship. Who can say now how far the highest interests of mankind,
the fortunes of the whole world, may not have been influenced by that
casual indisposition! It is certain that Fox had already been able to
disabuse Bonaparte's mind with regard to a variety of things in which
he judged erroneously. He had succeeded in setting him right on several
points