[Erskine was noted for his intense vanity, which procured him the nickname of _Ego_. Sir John Bowring, who knew him well, gives in his _Autobiography_ several instances of this peculiarity, one of which is here inserted. “The master-string of his mind was vanity; its vibrations trembling to the very end of his existence. He said, ‘When the Emperor Alexander came to England, Lord Granville told me that the Emperor wished to see me. I went. He received me with particular attention, and said he was very anxious to make my acquaintance. He spoke English as well as you do. “You are a friend and correspondent,” he said, “of my most valued friend La Harpe?” “Yes, sire.” “Is he a regular correspondent?” “Yes, a very kind one.” “Has he been so of late?” “Well, if your Majesty will cross-examine me, I must own he owes me a letter.” He put his hand into his pocket, and drew forth a letter addressed to me. “Yes, there is his answer. I intercepted it that I might have the pleasure of knowing Lord Erskine.” I gave Alexander all my writings and speeches, which he received with many expressions of satisfaction.’”—ED.] Footnote 155: [On April 3, 1797, an open-air meeting of the inhabitants of Westminster was held in Palace Yard, during very inclement weather (Westminster Hall having been shut against them by order of the keeper), to consider of an address to his Majesty to dismiss PITT’S ministry. FOX and the Duke of Bedford took part in the proceedings. Meetings were held about the same time all over the country for the same object.—ED.] Footnote 156: [After Lord Shelburne’s resignation of the office of Prime Minister, consequent on the coalition of Fox and Lord North, he was created Marquis of Lansdowne, and withdrew almost entirely from public life, passing his time principally at his magnificent seat, Bowood, near Calne, Wiltshire.—ED.] Footnote 157: NOTES TO THE “NEW COALITION”. [The Secret History of FOX’S coalition with LORD NORTH, his former adversary,—a proceeding which entailed on him much odium,—was first brought to light by the publication of the “Memorials and Correspondence of Charles James Fox,” begun by the late Lord Holland, and edited by Earl Russell. It was occasioned by his disgust at the conduct of the Earl of Shelburne, for while FOX as one of the Secretaries of State under the Rockingham Administration was treating with Dr. Franklin for peace with the United States through the agent of the Cabinet (Thomas Grenville) Lord Shelburne, the other Secretary of State, was, through _his_ agent Oswald, privately thwarting his measures, and that with the concurrence of the King! The consequence of the Coalition was the fall of Lord Shelburne’s ministry, and Fox and Lord North’s “taking the Treasury by storm”.—ED.] Footnote 158: