allies.

The health of Mr. Pitt was at this time declining, and the force of his disease was probably augmented by disappointment and chagrin at the immediate failure of a scheme, from which he had formed considerable expectations. He died on the 23rd January 1806; and, like Aristides, who had been treasurer of confederated Greece during the lavishment of a long and expensive war, did not leave money sufficient to pay his debts, or the expenses of his funeral. Immediately after this event, Mr. Fox and lord Grenville, with their respective friends, were called into office, the former again holding the seals of foreign secretary, and much was expected by their friends from an administration supported by such a weight of senatorial talents, and family influence. As Mr. Fox had strongly and uniformly recommended peace, it was natural that he should lose no time in accomplishing his favorite object. He accordingly seized a singular occasion, suspected by some to have been thrown in his way by the subtlety and shrewdness of Talleyrand, to engage in a private correspondence with that minister, which gradually terminated in a public negociation. The abolition of the slave trade was another object for which he had strenuously contended, and to this he enjoyed the pleasure of obtaining the full and final consent of parliament. So far was he, however, from succeeding in his pacific measures, that, within a few weeks after his accession to office, he found himself constrained to extend hostilities to Prussia, who had taken forcible possession of Hanover; and, in the course of the negociation at Paris, he had the mortification to discover that France was not actuated by that desire of peace, and that readiness to treat on fair and equal terms, for which he had always given her credit. But, though he saw the negociation assume a hopeless aspect, he was not destined to outlive its actual rupture.

In the middle of June he made his last appearance in parliament, being immediately after confined by a dropsical complaint, the progress of which was too rapid for medical aid to resist. Towards the end of August he was with difficulty removed to the villa of the duke of Devonshire, at Chiswick, where, undergoing repeated operations, he breathed his last on the 13th September, having lived exactly fifty-seven years and eight months. His last words, addressed to his nephew and others, who were around him, are reported to have been, I die happy, but I pity you.' He was buried on the 10th October, with a magnificent attendance of illustrious mourners, in a vault of Westminster Abbey, adjoining to that, where the ashes of his celebrated rival repose. We conclude our memoir, with a character of its subject, from the able and elegant pen of Sir James Mackintosh. Mr. Fox united, in a most remarkable degree, the seemingly repugnant characters of the mildest of men, and the most vehement of orators. In private life he was gentle, modest, placable, kind, of simple manners, and so averse from parade and dogmatism, as to be not only unostentatious, but even somewhat inactive, in conversation. His superiority was never felt but in the instruction which he imparted, or in the attention which his

generous preference usually directed to the more obscure members of the company. The simpli city of his manners was far from excluding that perfect urbanity and amenity which flowed still more from the mildness of his nature than from similar intercourse with the most polished society in Europe. His conversation, where it was not repressed by modesty or indolence, was delightful. The pleasantry perhaps of no man of wit had so unlabored an appearance. It seemed rather to escape from his mind than to be produced by it. He had lived in the most intimate terms with all his contemporaries, distinguished by wit, politeness, or philosophy, or learning, or the talents of public life. In the course of thirty years he had known almost every man in Europe whose intercourse could strengthen or enlighten or polish the mind. His own literature was various and elegant. In classical erudition, which by the custom of England is more particularly called learning, he was inferior to few professed scholars. Like all men of genius, he delighted to take refuge in poetry, from the vulgarity and irritation of business. His own verses were easy and pleasing, and might have claimed no low place among those which the French call vers de societé. The poetical character of his mind was displayed in his extraordinary partiality for the poetry of the two most poetical nations, or at least languages, of the West, those of the Greeks and of the Italians. He disliked political conversation, and never willingly took any part in it. To speak of him justly, as an orator, would require a long essay. Every where natural, he carried into public something of that simple and negligent exterior which belonged to him in private.-When he began to speak, a common observer would have thought him awkward: and even a consummate judge could only have been struck with the exquisite justness of his ideas, and the transparent simplicity of his manners. But no sooner had he spoken for some time, than he was changed into another being. He forgot himself and every thing around him. He thought only of his subject. His genius warmed and kindled, as he went on. He darted fire to his audience. Torrents of impetuous and irresistible eloquence swept along their feelings and conviction. He certainly possessed above all moderns that union of reason, simplicity, and vehemence, which formed the Prince of Orators. He was the most Demosthenean speaker since Demosthenes. I knew him,' says Mr. Burke, in a pamphlet written after their unhappy difference, when he was nineteen; since which time he has risen by slow degrees to be the most brilliant and accomplished debater that the world ever saw.' The quiet dignity of a mind roused only by great objects, the absence of petty bustle, the contempt of show, the abhorrence of intrigue, the plainness and downrightness, and the thorough good na ture which distinguished Mr. Fox, seem to render him no very unfit representative of that old English national character, which, if it ever changed, we should be sanguine indeed to expect to see succeeded by a better. The simpli city of his character inspired confidence, the ardor of his eloquence roused enthusiasm, and

the gentleness of his manners invited friendship. I admire,' says Mr. Gibbon, the powers of a superior man, as they are blended, his attractive character, with all the softness and simplicity of a child: no human being was ever more free from any taint of malignity, vanity, or falsehood.'

'Perhaps nothing can more strongly prove the deep impression made by this part of Mr. Fox's character, than the words of Mr. Burke, who, in January, 1797, six years after all intercourse between them had ceased, speaking to a person honored with some degree of Mr. Fox's friendship, said, To be sure he is a man made to be loved!' and these emphatical words were uttered with a fervour of manner which left no doubt of their sincerity.'

Mr. Fox is said to have written a few numbers of a paper entitled The Englishman, but published nothing separate during his life-time except a Letter to the Electors of Westminster 1793. Lord Holland gave to the world his posthumous publication entitled, The History of the early part of the Reign of James II. with an introductory chapter, which was intended to form a commencement of the History of the Revolution of 1688. There have also been published since his death some elegant and able letters of this statesman, on Greek Literature, addressed to the late Gilbert Wakefield.

Fox (George), the founder of the society of Friends or Quakers, was a native of Leicestershire, and born at Drayton some time in 1624. His father was a weaver, and apprenticed him to a grazier, by whom he was much employed in the keeping of sheep. At the age of nineteen he affirmed that he had received a divine command to forsake every thing else, and devote himself to a religious mission. He accordingly forsook his relations, equipped himself in a leathern_doublet, and wandered from place to place. Being discovered in the metropolis, his friends for a time induced him to return home; but he quickly resumed a life of itinerancy, in which he fasted much, walked abroad in retired places, studying the Bible, and sometimes sat in a tree for a day together. He began in 1648 to propagate his opinions publicly at Manchester, and in the neighbouring counties, where he preached to the people in the market-places. At Derby the followers of Fox were first denominated quakers, in consequence of their trembling mode of delivery, and calls on the magistracy to tremble before the Lord. See FRIENDS. In 1635 he was sent a prisoner to Cromwell, who, however, set him at liberty, and from time to time protected him from the country magistracy. He would often interrupt the church services; and on occasion of a fast appointed on account of the persecution of the protestants abroad, he addressed a paper to the heads of the nation, in which he forcibly describes the inconsistency of similar practices at home. In 1666 he was liberated from prison by Charles II. and immediately set about forming the people who had followed his doctrines into a society. In 1669 he married the widow of judge Fell, and soon after went to America, where he remained two years. On his return he was thrown for a

short time into Worcester gaol, after which he went to Holland. In 1684 he again visited the continent, where he did not long remain; and, his health becoming impaired, he lived more retired until his death in 1690. The writings of Fox are collected into 3 vols. folio; the first of which contains his Journal; the second his Epistles; and the third his Doctrinal Pieces. Penn speaks in high terms of his humility, meekness, and temperance.

Fox (John), the martyrologist, was born at Boston, in Lincolnshire, in 1517. At sixteen he was entered a student of Brazen-nose College, Oxford; and in 1543 he proceeded M. A., and was chosen fellow of Magdalen College. He discovered an early genius for poetry, and wrote several Latin comedies, on scriptural subjects. He now applied himself with uncommon assiduity to theology and church history; and, discovering a preference for the doctrines of the Reformation, was expelled the college as a heretic. His distress on this occasion was very great; but he soon found an asylum in the house of Sir Thomas Lucy, of Warwickshire, who employed him as a tutor to his children. Here he married the daughter of a citizen of Coventry. He next came to London, where, finding no immediate means of subsistence, he was reduced to the utmost degree of want; but was at length taken into the family of the duchess of Richmond, as tutor to the earl of Surrey's children. In this family he lived, at Ryegate in Surrey, during the latter part of the reign of Henry VIII. the entire reign of Edward VI. and part of that of queen Mary I.: but at length, persecuted by bishop Gardiner, he was obliged to seek refuge abroad. Basil, in Switzerland, was the place of his retreat, where he subsisted by correcting the press. On the death of Mary he returned to England; where he was graciously received by his former pupil, the duke of Norfolk, who retained him in his family as long as he lived, and bequeathed him a pension at his death. Cecil also obtained for him the rectory of Shipton near Salisbury; and he might have had considerable preferment, had he been willing to subscribe to the canons. He died in 1587, aged seventy; and was buried in the chancel of St. Giles's, Cripplegate. He was a man of great industry and considerable learning; a zealous, but not a violent nonconformist. He left two sons; one of whom was bred a divine, the other a physician. He wrote many pieces: but his principal work is, the Acts and Monuments of the Church, &c., commonly called Fox's Book of Martyrs.

Fox (Richard), an English prelate, born about the end of the reign of Henry VI. at Grantham, was a student at Magdalen College, Oxford, whence he removed on account of the plague to Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. He afterwards travelled about, and we find him at Paris with Dr. Morton, bishop of Ely, who introduced him to Henry VII., then earl of Richmond. Dr. Fox soon acquired the favor of the latter, and was admitted into his most secret councils. In 1485, when, by the victory of Bosworth field, Henry became king of England, he appointed him a privy counsellor, and in 1486 and 1487 he was created bishop of Exeter, keeper of the

privy-seal, and principal secretary of state. He was subsequently employed on various embassies, and translated in 1492 to the bishopric of Bath and Wells, whence in 1494 he was again removed to that of Durham. In 1508 he was finally removed to the see of Winchester, where he passed the rest of his life. In the reign of Henry VIII. his influence greatly declined. Howard, earl of Surrey, by accomnio dating himself to the passions of his master, became the favorite; and Wolsey, whom Fox introduced to counteract his influence, grew more powerful than either. He was the founder of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and of the free-schools of Taunton and Grantham: and is said to have been a generous patron of literature, though he never published any thing himself. He died in 1528.

Fox (Stephen), a distinguished statesman, was born at Farley in Wiltshire in 1627, and entered first into the service of the earl of Northumberland, who was abroad with Charles II. At the Restoration he was made clerk of the green cloth, paymaster of the forces, &c. In the next reign he was dismissed, but was restored after the Revolution. By opposing the bill for a standing army, he lost the favor of William III., but on the reign of Anne was replaced. He built a new church at Farley, founded several almshouses, and first projected Chelsea College. He died at Farley in 1716. Sir Stephen Fox married twice; the second time when near eighty, and had issue by both wives, being father, by his first wife to the first earl of Ilchester, and by his second, to the first lord Holland.

FO'XCASE, n. s. Fox and case. A fox's

skin.

FO'XCHASE, n. s. Fox and chase. The pursuit of the fox with hounds.

See the same man, in vigour, in the gout; Alone, in company; in place or out; Early at business, and at hazard late; Mad at a foxchase, wise at a debate. FOXEVIL, n. s. Fox and evil. A kind of

Pope.

disease in which the hair sheds.
FO'XFISH, n. s. Vulpecula piscis. A fish.
FOXGLOVE, n. s. Digitalis. A plant. See
DIGITALIS.

FOXHUNTER, n.s. Fox and hunter. A man whose chief ambition is to show his bravery in hunting foxes. A term of reproach used of country gentlemen.

The foxhunters went their way, and then out steals the fox. L'Estrange.

John Wildfire, forhunter, broke his neck over a sixbar gate. Spectator.

The world may be divided into people that read, people that write, people that think, and for hunters. Shenstone.

Fox ISLANDS. See ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. Fox ISLANDS, a cluster of small islands on the south side of the gulf of St. Laurence. Long. 59° 10′ W., lat. 51° N.

Fox RIVER, a river of Canada, which runs into the gulf of S.. Laurence, nine miles N.N.W.

of Cape Rosieres. 2. A river of North Ame rica, which runs through lake Winnebago, and falls into Green Bay in lake Michigan. Long. of the mouth 87° 53′ W., lat. 43° 48′ N. 3. A river of the western territory of America, which runs into the Theakiki. Long. 87° 58′ W., lat. 41° 28' N. 4. A river of the western territory of America, which runs into the Wabash. Long. 88° 31′ W., lat. 38° N.

FO'XSHIP, n. s. From fox. The character or qualities of a fox; cunning; mischievous Had'st thou forship

art.

To banish him that struck more blows for Rome, Than thou hast spoken words.

FO'XTAIL, n. s.
FOXTRAP, n. s.

snare to catch foxes.

Shakspeare. Coriolanus. Alopecurus. A plant. Fox and trap. A gin or

Answer a question, at what hour of the night to set a foxtrap?

Tatler.

FOY, n. s. Fr. foi. Faith; allegiance. An obsolete word.

He Easterland subdued, and Denmark won, And of them both did foy and tribute raise. Faerie Queene.

FOYLE, LOUGH, a large bay of Ireland, at the mouth of a river of the same name, four miles below Londonderry. It is twelve miles long and seven broad, and is well sheltered by land on all sides; the entrance not exceeding half a mile wide, having only one deep channel in the middle between sands and shallows.

FRACASTOR (Jerome), an eminent Italian poet and physician, boin at Verona in 1482. He was eminently skilled in the belles lettres, and in the arts and scie.ices. Pope Paul III. made use of his authority to remove the council of Trent to Boulogne, under the pretext of a contagious distemper, which, as Fracastor deposed, made it no longer safe to continue at Trent. He was intimately acquainted with cardinal Bembo, Julius Scaliger, and others of the great men of his time. He died of an apoplexy at Casi near Verona, in 1553, and in 1559 the town of Verona erected a statue in honor of him. All that remains of his works are three books of Siphilis, or of the French disease; a book of Miscellaneous Poems; and two books of a poem, entitled, Joseph, which he began towards the end of his life, but did not live to finish. His medical pieces are, De Sympathiâ et Antipathiâ; De Contagione et Contagiosis Morbis; De Causis Criticorum Dierum; De Vini Temperaturâ, &c. His works, which are all in Latin, have been printed separately, and collectively. The best edition is that of Padua, 1735, in 2 vols. 4to.

FRACHES, in the glass trade, are the flat iron pans into which the glass vessels already formed are put when in the tower over the working furnace, but by means of which they are drawn out through the leers, that they may be taken gradually from the fire, and cool by degrees.

FRACT, v. a. FRACTION, n. s. FRACTIONAL, adj.

Latin frango, to break, applied to the breaking of hard sub

FRACTURE, N. s. & v. a. stances, or the fracture of a bone. Fractional is applied to numbers that are imperfect or broken. A fraction is a

The surface of the earth hath been broke, and the parts of it dislocated; several parcels of nature retain still the evident marks of fraction and ruin.

Burnet's Theory of the Earth. Fractures of the scull are dangerous, not in consequence of the injury done to the cranium itself, but as the brain becomes affected.

Sharp's Surgery.

The leg was dressed, and the fractured bones united together. Wiseman's Surgery.

FRACTION, in arithmetic and algebra, a part or division of a unit or integer; or a number which stands to a unit in the relation of a part to its whole. The word literally imports a broken number. Fractions are usually divided into decimals, sexagesimal, and vulgar. See ALGEBRA and ARITHMETIC.

FRACTURES. See SURGERY.

FRÆNUM, or FRENUM, Bridle, in anatomy, a name given to divers ligaments, from their of fice in retaining and curbing the motions of the parts they are fitted to; as,

FRÆNUM LINGUÆ, or Bridle of the Tongue, a membranous ligament, which ties the tongue to the os hyoides, larynx, fauces, and lower parts of the mouth. In some subjects, the frænum runs the whole length of the tongue to the very tip; in which cases, if it were not cut, it would take away all possibility of speech. See SUR

GERY.

FRAGA, a strong town of Spain, in the kingdom of Arragon. It is situated among the mountains, having the river Cinca before it, whose high banks are difficult of access; and at its back a hill which cannot easily be approached with large cannon. Alphonso VII. king of Arragon, and I. of Castile, was killed by the Moors in 1134, in besieging this town. It is fifty-three miles E. S. E. of Saragossa, and thirty south of Balbastio. Long. 0° 23′ E., lat. 41° 27' N.

FRAGARIA, the strawberry. A genus of the polygynia order, and icosandria class of plants: natural order thirty-fifth, senticosæ : CAL. decemfid; the petals five; the receptacle of the seeds ovate, in the form of a berry, and deciduous. There are seven species-The principal is F. vesca, the common strawberry, of which the F. vesca moschata, the hautboy, is the finest.

All

these varieties are hardy, low perennials, durable in root, but the leaves and fruit-stalks are renewed annually in spring. They flower in May and June, and their fruit comes to perfection in June, July, and August; the Alpine kind continuing till the beginning of winter. They all prosper in any common garden soil, producing abundant crops annually without much trouble. They increase exceedingly every summer, both by off-sets or suckers from the sides of the plants, and by runners or strings, all of these rooting and forming plants at every joint, each of which separately planted bears a few fruit the following year, and bears in great perfection the succeeding summer. Those of the Alpine kind will even bear fruit the same year that they are formed. All the sorts are commonly cultivated in kitchen gardens, in beds or borders of common earth, in rows lengthwise fifteen or eighteen inches distance; the plants the same distance from one another in each row. Patches of the different sorts, disposed here and there in the fronts of the different compartments of the pleasure ground, will appear ornamental both in their flowers and fruit, and make an agreeable variety. Strawberries, eaten either alone, or with sugar and cream, are universally esteemed a most delicious fruit. They are grateful, cooling, subacid, and juicy. Though taken in large quantities, they seldom disagree. They promote perspiration, impart a violet smell to the urine, and dissolve the tartareous incrustations on the teeth. People afflicted with the stone have found relief by using them very largely; and Hoffman says, he has known consumptive people cured by them. The bark of the root is astringent. Sheep and goats ea the plant; cows are not fond of it; horses and

swine refuse it.

FRAGILE, adj.? Fr. fragile; Lat. fragilis. FRAGILITY, n. s. 5 Brittle; easily snapped or broken; frail; uncertain; easily destroyed.

Fear the uncertainty of man's fragility, the common chance of war, the violence of fortune. Knolles.

To ease them of their griefs, Their paugs of love, and other incident throes, That nature's fragile vessel doth sustain In life's uncertain voyage. Shakspeare. Timon. The stalk of ivy is tough, and not fragile. Bacon. To make an induration with toughness, and less fragility, decoct bodies in water for two or three days. Bacon's Natural History.

All could not be right, in such a state, in this lower Wotton. When subtle wits have spun their threads too fine,

age of fragility.

"Tis weak and fragile, like Arachne's line. Denham.

Much ostentation, vain of fleshly arms, And fragile arms, much instrument of war, Long in preparing, soon to nothing brought, Before mine eyes thou'st set.

Milton's Paradise Regained.

FRAGMENT, n. s. ? Lat. fragmentum. A FRAG MENTARY, adj. S part broken from the whole; an imperfect piece. The adjective not in