The Dawn of the XIXth Century in England: A social sketch of the times — John Shaqi
The Dawn of the XIXth Century in England: A social sketch of the timesAshton, John
History
The Dawn of the XIXth Century in England: A social sketch of the times
Ashton, John
England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
Among the other Englishmen who took advantage of the peace to go over
to France, was Charles James Fox, who, immediately after his election
for Westminster, on July 15, 1802, started off for Paris, professedly
to search the archives there, for material for his introductory
chapter to “A History of the Early Part of the Reign of James the
Second.” A history of this trip was afterwards written by his private
secretary, Mr. Trotter.[15] He and Mrs. Fox, who was now first publicly
acknowledged as his wife, were introduced to Napoleon; a subject most
humorously treated by Gillray, in his “Introduction of Citizen Volpone
and his Suite at Paris.” Napoleon, in full Court costume, and wearing
an enormous cocked hat and feathers, is seated on a chair, which is
emblematical of his sovereignty of the world, and is surrounded by a
Mameluke guard. Fox and his wife, both enormously fat, yet bowing and
curtseying respectively, with infinite grace, are being introduced by
O’Connor, who had, aforetime, been in treaty with the French Government
for the invasion of Ireland. Erskine, in full forensic costume,
bows, with his hand on his heart; and Lord and Lady Holland help to
fill the picture. But the real account of his reception was very
different (_teste_ Mr. Trotter). “We reached the interior apartment,
where Bonaparte, First Consul, surrounded by his generals, ministers,
senators, and officers, stood between the second and third Consuls,
Le Brun and Cambacérès, in the centre of a semicircle, at the head of
the room! The numerous assemblage from the _Salle des Ambassadeurs_,
formed into another semicircle, joined themselves to that, at the head
of which stood the First Consul.... The moment the circle was formed,
Bonaparte began with the Spanish Ambassador, then went to the American,
with whom he spoke some time, and so on, performing his part with ease,
and very agreeably, until he came to the English Ambassador, who,
after the presentation of some English noblemen, announced to him Mr.
Fox. He was a great deal flurried, and, after indicating considerable
emotion, very rapidly said, ‘Ah, Mr. Fox! I have heard with pleasure of
your arrival, I have desired much to see you; I have long admired in
you the orator and friend of his country, who, in constantly raising
his voice for peace, consulted that country’s best interests, those of
Europe, and of the human race. The two great nations of Europe require
peace; they have nothing to fear; they ought to understand and value
one another. In you, Mr. Fox, I see, with much satisfaction, that great
statesman who recommended peace, because there was no just object of
war; who saw Europe desolated to no purpose, and who struggled for
its relief.’ Mr. Fox said little, or rather nothing, in reply—to a
complimentary address to himself, he always found invincible repugnance
to answer—nor did he bestow one word of admiration or applause upon
the extraordinary and elevated character who addressed him. A few
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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