opular; but he was as ready to meet the current of popular opinion,
which was running high in favour of the high lay doctrines now existing,
as he was, in times past, to meet the opposite torrent, when it was said
that he wished to sacrifice the people to the crown. He remarked:--"One
extreme naturally leads to another. Those who dread republicanism fly
for shelter to the crown; those who desire reform, and are calumniated,
are driven by despair to republicanism. And this is the evil I dread.
These are the extremes into which these violent agitations hurry the
people, to the gradual decrease of that middle order of men, who dread
republicanism as much on the one hand, as they do despotism on the
other. That middle order of men, who have hitherto preserved to this
country all that is dear in life, I am sorry to say, is daily lessening;
but while my feeble voice continues, it shall not be totally extinct;
there shall be at least one who will, in this ferment of extremes,
preserve the centre point." In adverting to the affairs of France, Fox
said that he rejoiced in the triumph of men, fighting for liberty, over
the armies of despots. He bitterly condemned the calling out of the
militia, and as bitterly condemned ministers for not sending a new
ambassador to treat with the present executive government of France. As
for England, he did not think that it was in a state to go to war;
nor did he think that we should be justified in taking such a step for
anything which had occurred in France, or in Belgium, or in Savoy, or
anywhere else. In conclusion, Fox praised the English constitution as
the best adapted to England, because the people loved it best; and moved
an amendment, pledging the house that inquiry should be made into the
facts stated in his majesty's speech. Pitt was not in the house on this
occasion; but Fox was effectively answered by one of his own party one
who had figured for many years as one of the leaders and most eloquent
chiefs of the Whig opposition, and who had been linked in close
friendship with the man whom he now opposed. Mr. Windham said that
he felt himself constrained to vote on this occasion with those whose
measures he had uniformly and conscientiously reprobated. The alarm, he
said, which existed in the country, was not, he believed, greater than
the existing danger. It was well known that constant communication was
maintained between persons in Paris and persons in London; and that the
object of