The honorable James Charles Fox rose to prominence in the House of Commons as a forceful and eloquent speaker with a notorious and colourful private life, though at that time with rather conservative and conventional opinions. However, with the coming of the American War of Independence and the influence of the Whig Edmund Burke, Fox's opinions evolved into some of the most radical to be aired in the British Parliament of his era.
Fox became a prominent and staunch opponent of King George III, whom he regarded as an aspiring tyrant. He supported the American Patriots and even dressed in the colours of George Washington's army. Briefly serving as Britain's first Foreign Secretary during the ministry of the Marquess of Rockingham in 1782, he returned to the post in a coalition government with his old enemy, Lord North, in 1783. However, the King forced Fox and North out of government before the end of the year and replaced them with the 24-year-old Pitt the Younger. Fox spent the following 22 years facing Pitt and the government from the opposition benches of the House of Commons.
Though Fox had little interest in the actual exercise of power and spent almost the entirety of his political career in opposition, he became noted as an anti-slavery campaigner, a supporter of the French Revolution and a leading parliamentary advocate of religious tolerance and individual liberty. His friendship with his mentor, Burke, and his parliamentary credibility were both casualties of Fox's support for France during the French Revolutionary Wars, but Fox went on to attack Pitt's wartime legislation and to defend the liberty of religious minorities and political radicals. After Pitt's death in January 1806, Fox served briefly as Foreign Secretary in the 'Ministry of All the Talents' of William Grenville before he died on 13 September 1806, aged...
Read moreI recently visited Bloomsbury Square Garden and had a truly delightful experience. Located in the heart of the Bloomsbury district, this charming little park is a peaceful oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of central London.The garden is beautifully maintained, with well-kept lawns, mature trees, and vibrant flower beds that add a splash of color. The atmosphere is calm and serene, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing stroll or a quiet moment away from the city's fast pace. I particularly enjoyed sitting on one of the benches and watching people go by—it’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a little tranquility.One of the highlights of the park is the central fountain, which adds a lovely touch of elegance to the space. There’s also a statue of [mention any notable statues or monuments, if applicable], adding an interesting historical element to the garden. The surrounding area is filled with beautiful Georgian architecture, which only enhances the charm of the square.The garden is also a great spot for reading or people-watching, and I noticed several locals enjoying their lunch breaks there. Despite being in a central location, it feels like a hidden gem that isn’t too crowded, which makes it all the more special.Overall, my visit to Bloomsbury Square Garden was a wonderful and refreshing experience. If you’re ever in the area and need a peaceful escape, I highly recommend stopping by. It’s a lovely green space with a lot of character and a great spot to relax...
Read moreThe desert is clean, like a blank page ready to take the lines of Euclid and Pythagoras. These were the lines that separated spatial planes. And those planes demarcated the end of whistling air and the start of solid mass. And that mass, extracted from the ground, was unified to form a building. A building that was devised in a mind. Though that mind would succumb to time, at its zenith - it touched the infinite. The constancies of geometry. It is therefore right to play this harmony of art and science in the desert. A place most free of visual noise, where the eye is not to be drawn off by secondary elements. Although, after the mind has vanished, and much later the building, only the geometrical principle will remain, the desert swallows all else. And thus the...
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