CHAP. merit or demerit, it was decidedly favourable to
the minister, and inimical to his opponents. The 1784.
general conduct of Mr. Fox often has been erroneously estimated by those who considered defects, without comprehending the excellencies of his plans, acts, and character ; but never was he less popular than after his India bill and contest with the sovereign. Still, however, he retained great favour in some parts of the kingdom, especially in Westminster, and his election was the
most noted of any that occurred for the new parContest for liament. The candidates were, lord Hood, who ter, and in had so eminently distinguished himself with Rodney, fluence of a Mr. Fox, and fir Cecil Wray; of whom the two
last were the late members. Wray had been originally chosen through the interest of Mr. Fox, but now abandoned that gentleman and joined lord Hood. For several days, Mr. Fox was supetior to either of his competitors; but his majority afterwards rapidly decreased, and he became inferior to fir Cecil Wray, who was far surpassed by the naval candidate:
On the 11th day of the poll he was three hundred and eighteen behind Wray ; but an interference now took place that changed the face of affairs. A lady of very high rank, still more eminent for. beauty than for condition, one of our lovely countrywomen, who demonstrate that, in celebrating a Venus or a Helen, poets do not exceed nature and experience, warmly interelted herself in the election of Mr. Fox, with a fuccess far beyond the hopes of the favoured candidate. Animated by personal friendship, and in{pired with an ardent zeal for what she conceived