BURKE AND FOX.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 443, 7 October 1881, Page 11

BURKE AND FOX.

Among the many striking incidents which enliven the page of English Parliamentary history tbe rupture between Burke and F»x occupies a conspicuous place. The two men were bosom friends until the outbreak of the French Revolution, when they took opposite sides— Burke denouncing the revolution, and Fox approving it At leDgth Burke resolved to raise a systematic opposition to Fox and the Government-, taking as his opportunity the discussion of the Quebec Goverment Bill, the aim of which was to give a constitution to Canada The rest of the story is thus told in an article on " Memorable Scenes in the House of Commons, " in the July number of the Leisure Hour : — The affectionate nature of Fox felt that the moment was comine that the opportunity for which Burke had been waiting lon°- would present itself, when every page of the great volume of his genius would be opened, and all his powers of eloquence, learning and invective be brought into play, and the evil genius of the French Revolution be invoked like a spectre to stand at the bar, a witness against tbe bill. Fox was pretty well aware of this, and he called on Burke at Ms house in Queen Anne-street, before the sitting in tbe Commons hoping to divert him from his design. Burke received him cordially' but!all his arguments fell upon insensible ears. Bnrke, indeed, confided to Fox the line of argument he intended to employ against French principles and French devices. Considering the moment and the men, it is not uninteresting to notice them stepping out from the parlour or study into the hall. Takingtheir hats, they walked down together arm-in-arm to the House. Can we not realise how earnest the talk was? It was their last private interview ;it was the last time the arm of Fox was ever placed in that of Burke. The scene in the House was intensely exciting. It must be admitted that Burke spoke beneath most exasperating circumstances. If we read of the lethargy which sometimes seemed to seize the House beneath Burkes long and philosophic orations assuredly there appears to have been no lethargy on this occasion. We are astonished, perhaps, to read of the confederated determination to prevent him from obtaining a hearing. He poured forth his fiery eloquence and fierce invective amidst wild clamour, shoutings, hootings, and cries of " Order 1 " regarding the measure they were attempting to carry as an imitation of French principles, and dangerous toOba. best interests of the country. Fox rose to reply, and his words were no lenitive to the irritated mind of Burke ; he launched forth on a stream of eloquence, vindicating the rights of the people, which, he said, formed the basis of the British constitution. He spoke of them as " inherent rights, which no proscription could supersede, and no accident obliterate or remove. " " Such ," he said, '• were the principles of his righc honourable friend. From his lips he had learned them, although he now ridiculed them. He had been taught by that friend that no revolt of a nation was ever caused without provocation. He could not but rejoice at a revolution which rested upon the same basis as our own — the immutable and inalienable rights of man. " Burke ro«e again to address the House : " A personal attack had been made upon him," he said, "by one of the oldest of his friends. " "Certainly, " he observed, " it is indiscreet at any period, but especially at my time of life, to provoke enemies or give my friends occasion to desert me, but my firm and steady adherence to the British constitution places me in such a dilemma. I am ready to risk all, and with my la6t words to exclaim, , " Fly from Ibe French constitution." Fox here whispered, " There was no loss of friendship. " "Yes, " solemnly exclaimtd Buike, " There is. I know the value, the price of my line of conduct. I have indeed made a »roat sacrifice. I have done my duty, but I have lost my friend. Therj is something in the accuroed French Revolution that envenoms everything it touches" The affectionate heart of Fox was completely overwhelmed. He rose ; hi, feelings prevented his utterance; he even sobbed in tbe House, which was pervaded by an impressive silenco, and it is said that a g cut number of the members o:i dther s>ide were in hais tco. At last Fox 'spoke, the tears still, it was observed, stealing down his cheek«. He spoke of the pride with which he had been wont to repaid himself as the disciple of his friend— of his gratitude, esteem and affection ; all seemed to rush over his susceptible aud geuerons mind. He spoke of their twenty-five years of intimacy, and hoped Mr. Burke would think on pasi times, and whatever expression of his ha 1 caiii-cd offence that he would at least believe that that was not his intention. But Burke lemained haughty and unappeased. They never it is said met in the same apartment again ; they took their separate ways— " They stood aloof, the scars remaining. Like cliff i which had been rent asunder ; A dreary stream now flows between, But neither heat, nor frost, nor thunder, Can raze the marks of what has been, "

There are at this time scattered through the mountains of California two thousand prospectors. Their lives are spent in It oking for signs of gold. They arc poor, and their dress \ roclaims it. Tht-y live on hope and scanty food, and never refuse to" 1 ' take soirietl.ii.g." Pick in hand, their sharp eyes are quick to spy a speck of gulrt in the fragment of quartz turned up. The country is covered with their little trial shafts and with stakc3 maiking their pre-emption claims, always 1200 feet along the supposed outcrop of the vein. Of 1000 so marked, perhaps one or two may amount to something, and one in 1000 of these ad ventuiers, after a life of privations, may succeed in realising a small competency. But they average happier lives than most people. They imagine themselves prospective millionaires. A bit of quartz with three specks of gold seen through a magnifying glass sets them wild. There's millions in it. But their gypsy life and its happy excitement unfit them for quiet enjoyment. In age some give it up, and go back to the wilderness and to tha excitement of prospecting adventure.