CHAP. merit or demerit, it was decidedly favourable to the minifter, and inimical to his opponents. The general conduct of Mr. Fox often has been erroneously estimated by those who confidered defects, without comprehending the excellencies of his plans, acts, and character; but never was he less popular than after his India bill and conteft with the fovereign. Still, however, he retained great favour in fome parts of the kingdom, efpecially 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 fter, and in- had fo eminently distinguished himself with Rodney, fluence of a Mr. Fox, and fir Cecil Wray; of whom the two laft were the late members. Wray had been originally chofen through the intereft of Mr. Fox, but now abandoned that gentleman and joined lord Hood. For feveral days, Mr. Fox was fuperior to either of his competitors; but his majority afterwards rapidly decreased, and he became inferior to fir Cecil Wray, who was far furpaffed by the naval candidate. On the 11th day of the poll he was three bundred 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 demonftrate that, in celebrating a Venus or a Helen, poets do not exceed nature and experience, warmly interefted herself in the election of Mr. Fox, with a fuccefs far beyond the hopes of the favoured candidate. Animated by personal friendship, and inspired with an ardent zeal for what she conceived