blishments, many of which have endured for three centuries. Such is the power of a man who is governed by a single purpose; who pursues one only end, from which he suffers himself to be diverted neither by fear, nor by seduction! The frivolous pleasures and pleasures and amusements of the world occupied no place in the life of Zwingle; his only passion was to propagate truth, his only interest to promote its triumph; this was the secret of his means, and his success.

If Zwingle disdained those pleasures which can neither enlarge the faculties of the mind, nor procure real enjoyment, he at least knew how to appreciate the enjoyments of intimate society. It was in the midst of his friends that he sought relaxation from labour. His serenity and cheerfulness gave a great charm to his conversation; his temper was naturally hasty, and he sometimes gave way too much to his first feelings; but he knew how to efface the painful impression that he had produced, by a prompt and sincere return of kindness. Incap able of retaining the smallest degree of rancour from the recollection of his own faults, or those of others, he was equally inaccessible to the sentiments of hatred, jealousy, and envy. The amiable qualities of his disposition gained him the attachment of his colleagues, who united around him as a common centre; and it is worthy of remark, that at this period, when all the passions were in motion, nothing ever troubled the harmony that prevailed among them yet they were neither united by family connections, nor by early acquaintance; they were

strangers attracted to Zurich by the protection afforded to the reformed, or sent for by Zwingle to take part in the labour of public instruction. They came with habits already formed, with ideas already fixed, and of an age when the ardour of youth, so favourable to the formation of friendships, was past; but a stronger tie than any other united them-their common interest in the new light that began to dawn over Europe. These learned men communicated to each other all their ideas without reserve: they consulted upon the works that they meditated, and sometimes united their talents and their knowledge in undertakings which would have exceeded the powers of any one singly. The dangers that they had to fear for themselves, the persecutions to which they saw their partizans exposed in the neighbouring countries, served to draw the bonds of their friendship still closer. In our days each individual seems to be connected by a thousand threads with all the members of a society; but these apparent ties have no real strength, and are broken by the first shock. The men of the 16th century had something more masculine and more profound in their affections ; they were capable of a forgetfulness of self which we find it difficult to conceive. The friends with whom Zwingle had encircled himself, loved him with that entire devotedness which only belongs to strong minds, without base adulation or servile deference, they did homage to the superiority of his genius, while the reformer was far from abusing his ascendancy over them, so as to

make it the means of erecting á new spiritual dictatorship on the ruins of the old one.

There is nothing exaggerated in the morality of Zwingle. It announces a man who is a zealous friend of virtue, but who knows the world and its temptations; who requires from no one a chimerical perfection, and who, notwithstanding the severity of his own morals, preserves his indulgence for the weakness of others. The more we examine the writings of Zwingle, and reflect on the whole tenor of his life, the more shall we be persuaded that the love of virtue and the desire of rendering himself useful, were the sole springs of his actions. "A generous mind," would he often say, "does not consider itself as belonging to itself alone, but to the whole human race. We

are born to serve our fellow crea

tures, and by labouring for their happiness, even at the hazard of our repose or our life, we approach most nearly to the Deity." His whole conduct proves that these words were the genuine expression of his sentiments. If interest had swayed him, he would not have been contented with a small income, when it would have been easy for him to dispose of all the property of the church. If he had been ambitious of rule, he would have exacted a blind submission from his disciples, and would have preserved to the clergy their former power; if the love of fame had moved him, he would have attached his name to his institutions; but he had nothing in view but the public good.

A stranger to all personal considerations, he was wholly occupied VOL. LIII.

in establishing the reformation, and appeared indifferent to his own glory.

DOMESTIC LIFE OF MR. Fox.

From Mr. Trotter's Memoirs of the latter Years of the Right Honourable Charles James Fox.

The domestic life of Mr. Fox was equally regular and agreeable. In summer he rose between six and seven; in winter before eight. The assiduous care, and excellent management of Mrs. Fox, rendered his rural mansion the abode of peace, elegance, and order, and had long procured her the gratitude and esteem of those private friends, whose visits to Mr. Fox, in his retirement at St. Anne's Hill, made them witnesses of this amiable woman's exemplary and endearing conduct. I confess I carried with me some of the vulgar prejudices respecting this great man! How completely was I undeceived! After breakfast, which took place between eight and nine in summer, and at a little after nine in winter, he usually read some Italian author with Mrs. Fox, and then spent the time preceding dinner at his literary studies, in which the Greek poets bore a principal part.

A frugal, but plentiful dinner, took place at three or half past two, in summer, and at four in winter; and a few glasses of wine were followed by coffee. The evening was dedicated to walking and conversation, till tea-time, when reading aloud, in history, commenced, and continued till near ten. A light supper of fruit, pastry, or something very trifling, finished the day; and at half-past

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ten the family were gone to rest; and the next and succeeding dawn ushered in the same order and elegance, and found the same content, the same happiness, and the same virtuous and useful life.

At the period to which I allude, he was beginning to turn his attention to an historical work, and our readings after tea were directed to the furtherance of this grand and useful object. Happy were those evenings, when the instruc tion of the historian-the pointed remarks of the statesman-and all the ease and happiness of domestic society were united. The occasional visits of men of talents and high character sometimes pleasingly interrupted the evening's employment; but I have never seen Mr. Fox more perfectly happy than when we were quite alone. He was so utterly divested of a wish to shine, or of any appetite for flattery, that he in no manner required what is called company, to enliven or animate him. A lover of nature, and consequently an enemy to art, he held, I think, above every quality, sincerity and unaffectedness; and, being also of a character singularly domestic and amiable, he found in his little circle all he wished and wanted. To his other attainments he had added a very considerable knowledge of Botany; and, without making it a primary object, enjoyed every pursuit connected with agriculture, in a high degree.

in Mr. Fox, that made his society always new, and always preferable to that of most other men. Professional cant, and party ideas in general, give a monotony to the minds of distinguished members of society. Accustomed to view things constantly in one way, and not seeking for new ideas, but rather occupied in advancing or defending their old ones, their conversation does not create new sensations, and frequently wearies rather than delights. Mr. Fox himself was so little obtrusive in this respect, that I recollect feeling a good deal of embarrassment at first, on observing how frequently he was inclined to silence, waiting for others to begin a conversation. I soon discovered, however, that he was pleased at its originating with another; and, so great was his benevolence, as well as unbounded his capacity, that whatever was started in the smallest degree interesting, useful, or natural, received illustration and indulgent investigation from him. How well do I recollect the mornings when he came down to breakfast-how benignant and cheer. ful-how pleased with every thing

how free from worldly passions, and worldly views he was! Nor were Mrs. Fox's captivating manners conducive in a faint manner to the harmonizing of every thing around; the watchful and refined attention she paid to her guests, anticipated every thing they could desire, and charmed away every feeling of embarrassment, which diffidence, in the presence of so exalted a character, might be apt to occasion.

well as the letters which had arrived; for such was the noble confidence of his mind, that he concealed nothing from his domestic circle, unless it were the faults or the secrets of his friends. At such times, when the political topics of the day were naturally introduced by the paper, I never could observe the least acrimony or anger against that party which so sedulously, and indeed successfully had laboured to exclude him from the management of affairs, by misrepresentations of his motives, rather than by refutation of his arguments.

In private conversation, I think, he was rather averse to political discussion, generally preferring subjects connected with natural history, in any of its branches; but, above all, dwelling with delight on classical and poetical subjects. It is not to be supposed, however, that, where the interests and happiness of millions were concerned, he preserved a cold silence. Herather abstained from hopeless and useless complaining, than withheld his mite of compassion and sympathy for those who suffered under a pernicious system. As my acquaintance commenced with Mr. Fox towards the evening of his days, and at the period when a rebellion in Ireland was followed, by what has been fallaciously styled a Union, I had the opportunity of observing his great humanity, and his freedom from prejudice, in regard to that country. In this respect he ever seemed to me to stand alone among English politicians, many of whom are liberal enough in their own way, but all of whom agree in a love of dominion, and

in a certain degree of contempt respecting the Irish, which, one day or other, will, I fear, generate events fatal to the repose of both islands.

MR. Fox's VISIT to M. de la FAYETTE. From the same.

On the morning of the 24th of September we left Paris for the country. There was nothing striking in that part through which we passed, formerly called the isle of France. As we approached La Grange, it became evidently a corn district. The towers and wood of the chateau appeared in peaceful repose as we drove near, and when we gained a full view of the building, I felt great emotion. It was the residence of a great and good man-a patriot and friend to mankind, whose life had been consecrated to virtue and liberty. Such truly was M. de la Fayette. The chateau was of a very singular construction, quadrangular, and ornamented by Moorish towers at each angle, which had no unpleasing effect. A ruined chapel was near the mansion; the fosse was filled up through neglect and a long lapse. of time. We drove into the courtyard. The family came to the hall to meet us. That good and amiable family, happy in themselves, and rejoicing to see the illustrious friend of La Fayette! Can I forget that moment! No silly affectation-no airs of idle ceremony were seen at the residence of him who gloriously and successfully had struggled for America, and had done all he could for France!

M. de la Fayette and Madame