will there find opinions on republicanism which I think you will allow to be incontrovertible: they are the opinions of an excellent man and a sound constitutional lawyer,-Delamere, Earl of Warrington. Although firmly attached to William the Third, he delivered that charge to the grand jury of Wiltshire, not long before the abdication of James the Second."

The gentleman read as follows:-"I am apt to believe that those persons who are not contented with the government of England, have not considered aright what a commonwealth is. A commonwealth makes a sound and shadow of liberty to the people, but in reality is but a monarchy under another name. For, if monarchy be tyranny under a single person, a commonwealth is tyranny under several persons : as many persons that govern, so many tyrants; but, let it be the best that can be, yet the people under any commonwealth enjoy not that liberty which we do.

"Gentlemen, as the excellency of the English government is an argument sufficient to dissuade any of us from the least attempt

at alteration; so, experience has taught us, that no sort of government but that under which we live, will suit or agree with England. Let us but consider the late troubles: how many several kinds of government were then set up, one after another! All ways were tried, but nothing would do, till we were returned to our old and ancient way.”

"Well, Gentlemen," said Mr. Fox, "what think you of that? don't you think that the Earl is in the right; and, that, instead of adopting the political theories of visionary schemers, we had not better stick to the natural and ancient orders of King, Lords, and Commons? Our Constitution is good, although some of the limbs and organs are rather out of repair; we shall, at a fitting time, do all in our power to restore them to health and vigour; but, in the present critical state of the patient, I deem it more than dangerous to attempt a remedy. When the time arrives, however, that we can administer a dose of Reform with safety, I shall be happy to join you-heart and hand. In the mean time, permit me to relate an anec

dote which applies very well to the present business, and to all those who are desirous of pulling down the ancient fabric of our Constitution:

"In the year 1567, when the Scotch fanatics, headed by that arch-barbarian, John Knox, were desolating their country, by pulling down the cathedrals and monasteries, and destroying the other institutions of their forefathers, they were stopped in their progress, or, rather, they were prevented from completing their work of destruction, by the sagacious remark of a simple countryman. This man, who was gardener to a neighbouring abbey or convent, happened to be in Glasgow when the mob were rushing towards the cathedral of that city and bellowing forth their usual war-cry of, Pull down the rooks' nests, and then the foul birds winna' come back; which signified, that when the buildings were destroyed, the priests, who had fled in every direction, would have no temptation to return at a future period.

"The gardener, having contrived to arrest their attention, thus addressed them :- - My

friends, are ye all mad?-Why would ye destroy the cathedral? why pull down that fine building—the ornament of your city? Cannot you make it a house for serving God in your own way? for I am sure it will cost you a great deal of money to build such another.'

"The multitude looked at each other with surprise and shame, for their religious fervor had prevented such an idea from before entering their minds; they desisted, and having thanked the gardener by loud acclamations, returned quietly to their homes. The cathedral in question was the only one in Scotland that remained entire; and divine service is performed in it until the present day.-Go ye, and do likewise."

The deputies, convinced of Mr. Fox's political honesty, thanked him for his plain-dealing, and departed.

IV.

NOCTES FOXIANÆ.-No. II.

ELOQUENCE.

DURING the first years of Buonaparte's career, as General in Chief, and First Consul, it is well known that his proclamations to the army, his addresses to the conquered nations, and his bulletins to the Directory and Senate, excited the admiration of all who heard or read them.

One of his greatest admirers was Mr. Fox, who, one day speaking of him, said, “If we even shut our eyes on the martial deeds of this great man, we must allow that his eloquence alone has elevated the French people to a higher degree of civilization than any other nation in Europe --they have advanced a century during the last five years. Buonaparte combines the declama