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FITZPATRICK. 189 opposition, in which he continued to shine for many years. Yet though as a politician he continued during the whole of his life firmly attached to the principles with which he had commenced, his noble and elegant manners attracted the intercourse of his political adversaries: his society was cultivated by many persons of the highest rank, who con stantly voted in opposition to him; one of whom, the Duke of Queensberry, acknowledged his deep obligations and gratitude by a noble legacy. His votes were generally what are termed silent; for though his cultivated intellect and constant habits of clear and precise observation, had perfectly qualified him to shine in debate, his elocution was not sufficiently energetic to utter the dictates of his powerful mind. He seldom spoke except in his official capacity: on one occasion, however, he evinced himself capable of much bolder flights. On his celebrated motion respecting the Marquis de la Fayette, he spoke with so much elegance and energy, combined with a precision and perspicuity so seldom united, that the late Lord Melville observed, “that the honourable general's two friends had only impaired the impression made by his speech;” an observation, than which nothing could be more flattering, when we remember that these two friends were Fox and Sheridan. The reputation even of this most celebrated exertion came upon him unlooked for and unregarded. His observation had taught him that the proper world of a rational being is his own circle, and he looked with in difference on the applause which was bestowed on him, at a time when a more ambitious or less philosophic mind would have been stimulated to preserve and increase the fame it had acquired, by continual exertion. During the administration of Lord Grenville, in 1806, General Fitz patrick was again appointed secretary at war, which he quitted when that nobleman retired from office; and he afterwards remained in opposition until his death, which occurred April 25, 1813. His extensive acquirements and powerful judgment en sured him the friendship and esteem of the circle in which -