Part 10
It now appears that the King was all along against the Union, foreseeing that this question would be the price of it. It appears incredible that Ministers should esteem themselves so irrevocably bound to the Catholics, when the opinion of the King has uniformly been against complying with that measure, which they must have known at the time they held out the promise to the Irish. The King believes, and the belief so inculcated is sedulously maintained in his mind by the Bishops (especially by ye Archbishop of Canterbury and Dr. Stuart,[158] the Primate of Ireland), that any such relaxation towards the Catholics is incompatible with his Coronation oath. It was owing to these differences that the meeting of Parlt. was delayed on account of the tenor of the Speech. Pitt wanted it to breathe toleration and indulgence in the true spirit of amity; the King absolutely rejected all such promises. During the week in which the Speech was adjusting, there were many rumours of a change of Administration; indeed, one day they were so current that I believed enough to be tempted to send to Lansdown House to ascertain whether its noble owner had been sent for from Bath. Several tradesmen distributed their commodities gratis, so great was the joy; but on the Saturday previous to the meeting of Parlt. all was supposed to be amicably settled owing to the interposition of the Speaker, who was closeted with the King several hours during the Queen’s concert. However this honourable friend was occupied in a different negotiation than that designed for him by his munificent patron and employer--in one no less surprising and despicable than of tripping up his heels and offering his services to replace him. This huge and monstrous act of ingratitude was known publicly last Saturday, and Pitt on Monday, in his place, announced his resignation, and Ld. Grenville last night in the House of Lords spoke to the same effect. Nothing is yet known certainly as to the new Ministry; many of the places cannot be filled, and the opinion is they cannot hold together a month. Ld. Carlisle refused; at least he was sounded. Ld. Macartney refused. Jekyll said an Administration, formed out of the dregs of the old one and leaving Pitt out, was like getting up _The Beggar’s Opera_ without the character of Macheath.
_14th Feb., 1801._--Yesterday was a political fast ordered by Parliament during the continuance of the war. Jekyll wrote _ex tempore_:--
Why on this day the lot d’ye cast To mortify the _British_ nation, When every day’s a general fast And every hour’s humiliation?
(_British_ added by Lewis to make the metre.)
Some person asked Jekyll why he did not put the Administration into verse, upon which he said it was already _inverse_.
_Feb. 26, 1801._--The first laugh over, people begin to think this Administration may last, and if they commence a negotiation they will even become popular. Pitt, however, is regretted, and there are those who think the whole a juggle, that he is, in fact, Minister behind the curtain; but these are refinements. He certainly solicits persons to take office, and his own friends to hold those they have; but this is but a shallow artifice to prevent the odious cry of his deserting the King. The new Ministers like to let it appear that Pitt is cordial to them, and account for the resignations by saying those who resign are chiefly of Canning’s faction, and that Pitt has reprimanded Canning for his intemperate language.
Lady Buckingham[159] (the Marchioness), the first drawing room after these changes, went to give thanks for her peerage (Baroness Nugent, with remainder to her second son); she is a bigoted Catholic, and gave great scandal during her husband’s government in Ireland by attending the R. C. Chapel openly. When she stood in the circle to be spoken to, the King came up to her and began a conversation, in the midst of which she turned upon her heel and said aloud to the person next to her, ‘I think I have treated him coldly enough.’ His Majesty heard her, and in an irritated tone said, ‘I don’t mind women’s politics.’ Those who are for Catholic Emancipation affect to believe that the discontents upon its rejection will break out, and an invasion from France will be successful.
This opinion produced a _bon mot_ from a man who never made one before. A person asked Lord Brome[160] who was to succeed his father (Ld. Cornwallis) in Ireland. ‘Most probably _Bonaparte_,’ replied the youth.
Lady Clare began abusing Ld. Cornwallis furiously before the Duchess of Gordon, who coolly answered that she ‘had never heard him abused but for two things, one was the not putting the town of Seringapatam to the sword, the other, that in Ireland he never whipped nor tortured.’ The retort was keen, as Lord Clare[161] made a speech in favour of the enormities committed by the Orangemen, which is called and known by the name of ‘The torture speech.’
[Sidenote: THE KING’S ILLNESS]
_8th March, 1801._--The King is recovering as fast as he can, say the courtiers; Pitt’s people cautiously say he may amend, but it must be slowly; Opposition declare he is as mad as the winds. Upon the first signal of madness the Prince notified to Ld. Fitzwilliam that circumstances were similar to those in ’88–’89 and that it was his intention to consult those who had been his friends at that period, and he wished Ld. F. to discuss it over with those with whom he had acted at that period. Ld. F., rather precipitately, sent off an express to St. Anne’s to fetch up Fox, who came early the next morning. Ld. Moira saw Grey and the D. of Bedford (separately) and proposed to each the formation of an Administration in case of a Regency, without either Fox or Pitt. This they declined, and unequivocally declared they would never take office unless Fox was the efficient man in the Cabinet. Ld. Moira had a private interview afterwards with Fox, in which nothing very material passed. The Chancellor begged to see Fox that they might refer back to their joint proceedings in ’88: Fox was astonished at the C.’s want of memory. He did not think his forgetfulness was wilful. In the course of their meeting, Loughborough gave him to understand that he was authorised to express Pitt’s wishes for an accommodation in private, and his disposition to adjust their differences of opinion upon the question of right, but Fox declined the interview on hearing the arguments, adding that the House of Commons was the proper place for political opponents to debate in.
Pitt is still Minister. The King’s illness occurred on Saturday, and the patent to admit Addington was to have been signed on Thursday: thus Addington has given up an immense place of £7000 pr. ann., and undergone the expense of his election, for the bare honour of having been thought worthy of His Majesty’s confidence.[162] Windham says he is one of the gentlemen who are _shut in_. Those only who are fairly out are Lord Spencer and Ld. Grenville.
The first act of Ld. St. Vincent’s Administration[163] was a pretty hard rap at Ld. Spencer’s; he gave the command of the Channel fleet to Ad. Cornwallis,[164] a man whom Ld. S. had brought to a Court martial and in a manner laid aside and disgraced.
Ly. Spencer[165] cannot reconcile herself to the insignificance of being out of power; she is carrying on an intrigue with Mrs. Fitzherbert thro’ Jack Payne to reinstate Mr. Pitt, by making him acceptable to the Prince. Ly. S. is the greatest prude alive, and yet because it is her interest she passes many hours daily with Mrs. F.[166] The latter is rancorous against Fox; she has never pardoned his compliance with the Prince’s orders in the last Regency, when he declared that no marriage had taken place between them.
_9th March._--A person said to the Duchess of Gordon that Pitt, now he was out of office, would have leisure to amuse himself and indulge in his favourite recreations. Among the latter _Pope Joan_ was named. ‘Aye,’ said the Dss., ‘I wish he would think more of _Joan_ and less of the Pope’--more of the ladies and less of the Catholics.
[Sidenote: MR. GEORGE PONSONBY]
George Ponsonby, distinguished in Ireland as a pleader and orator, has carried the election for the County of Wicklow. During the poll a man upon the hustings assigned for reason of his voting against him that _common report_ said he had been connected with the United Irishmen. ‘_Common report_ is known to be a liar,’ said Ponsonby, ‘and so, I think, are its trumpeters.’ More is expected from him in the Imperial Parlt., than from all the Irish put together; his talents are supposed to be well adapted to the English style of debate, and his language good without being too florid, the common defect of Irish eloquence. He is cautious, and will not hastily risk impairing the reputation he has already acquired. Mr. Fox has not the highest opinion of his political honesty, but Grey, who loves with fervour every person connected with him, is jealous at the suspicion.[167] We must wait to see how opportunity may tempt and time mature his propensities.
Horne Tooke has at length got into Parlt. for the rotten borough of Old Sarum, through the patronage of Lord Camelford. Ld. Temple has given notice of a motion to investigate into his eligibility; the question is whether he can sit in Parlt. after having taken priest’s orders. He has already spoken frequently, but his wit suits the mob at the hustings better than the genteel mob of Parlt. He is too fond of talking of himself, and his jokes are trite. He made formerly a very satirical good joke in a toast, and it was so well disguised that what is very Jacobinical appears extremely loyal--‘_The brave followers of the Duke of York_,’ meaning the _French_, who pursued him when his army was put to flight in Holland. It will be a good expulsion for ye Opposition, as he is very mischievous, and would overset any little popularity they might acquire if they could conduct themselves with tolerable prudence.
_11th March._--Lord Morpeth is to be married in a few days to Lady Georgina Cavendish, a suitable match in every respect. Without possessing great beauty she has many charms, and is so well disposed that _il a beau jeu_ before him, if he will renounce _le gros jeu_, but it unfortunately happens that love only suspends that passion when it has taken deep root. However, he has so good an understanding and such right feelings, that what a man can do to conquer a vicious habit he will do.
[Sidenote: A MOTHER’S SORROWS]
The loss of my child sits heavily upon me, my heart is oftentimes overflowing, and my health very much impaired. The system that Sr. Walter Farquhar[168] has put me upon is calculated to rouse my constitution, but grief and a certain natural morbid tendency may baffle all his endeavours. My Charles is delicate, and has frequent and severe attacks: anxiety for him and regrets for my poor Ste. make the hours of reflection and solitude pass sorrowfully over. There is a sensation in a mother’s breast at the loss of an infant that partakes of the feeling of instinct. It is a species of savage despair. Alas! to lose my pretty infant, just beginning to prattle his little innocent wishes, and imagination so busily aids my grief by tracing what he might have been. In those dreary nights whilst I sat watching his disturbed sleep, I knelt down and poured out to God a fervent prayer for his recovery, and swore that if he were spared me the remainder of my life should be devoted to the exercise of religious duties; that I should believe in the mercy of a God who could listen to and alleviate my woe. Had he lived I should have been a pious enthusiast. I have no superstition in my nature, but from what I then felt it is obvious how the mind may be worked upon when weakened and perplexed by contending passions of fear, hope, and terror.
Ah! my child, perhaps if I had not left you in the summer, but stayed and watched with maternal care all your little ailments, I might have had you still; but the disease was inveterate. He was opened, and his fatal malady ascertained--two tubercles upon his lung, and a pint of water upon his chest. The surgeon and medical men who attended thought the disease was inherent, and that nothing could have saved him, but even in the most inveterate hereditary diseases life is prolonged to a very advanced period by care. But it is over, and regret is now superfluous.
An interesting play, taken from the French, is now acting with success at Drury Lane.[169] The story is of a deaf and dumb boy found in the streets of Paris, who became from his infirmities a pupil of the celebrated Abbé d’Epée, who discovers great intelligence in the boy, and from various circumstances suspects he is of high origin, but abandoned from motives of interest by his family. This he infers from his distress at the meanness of his clothes, his expressions of delight at seeing a Chief Magistrate, whom he gives his patron to understand resembles in dress one who used to caress him. From a variety of incidents the Abbé at length traces that he is the orphan of a great magistrate, defrauded of his rights by a false guardian. I only mention the piece to show the spirit of the times.
The first night it was played, Theodore, the orphan, to show his talents, is asked to give his opinion who is the greatest genius France has produced. He replied, in writing, ‘For science, D’Alembert, wit, Voltaire, sentiment, Rousseau.’ This was deemed Jacobinical, and it is now strangely transposed, ‘For science, Pascal, wit, Boileau, and _sentiment_, _Montesquieu_.’ This is absurd, but, much as it is so, the fury of the times is very much abated within these few years, or rather year.
[Sidenote: LADY OXFORD]
Lady Oxford passed a few days here with her daughter and sisters, and by a harmless _supercherie_ she contrived that Sir Francis Burdett should be invited, a scheme I disliked, as she is so gentle and good that it pains me to see her a prey to him. Knight was here also. To use a vulgar phrase, he has corrupted her mind by filling her head with innumerable vain conceits, and teaching her to exclaim against institutions, especially that of marriage, to which she says she has been a helpless victim. If I were to see much of her she might perhaps be benefited, for as nobody can do more mischief to a woman than a woman, so perhaps might one reverse the maxim and say nobody can do more good. A little mild reproof and disapprobation of some of her doctrines might possibly rescue her from the gulf.
Soon after Fox’s arrival in March (as mentioned already somewhere in these scrawls) a negotiation was set on foot to bring together all the opposers of Governt. to procure a degree of concert in their proceedings. Tierney was instrumental in getting Ld. Moira and Ld. Lansdown together. Soon after, a numerous meeting at the house of the former was held, where Fox, D. of Bedford, Grey, and others all came to an agreement as to their mode of acting in case of a Regency. The King recovered unexpectedly and rapidly, and the zealous _Patriots_ dispersed.
Ld. Moira is offended, and thinks himself ill-used by the desertion of his new allies, who, immediately upon the chance of getting into power becoming more distant, each fled and followed his own devices. Tierney also is discontented, and declares himself no longer a party man, wishing it universally to be understood that he will not consider Fox as his leader.
Previous to the King’s illness I was witness to rather an unpleasant scene at my own house between him and Grey, where the D. of Bedford was the moderator. The immediate cause of the dispute was that Sheridan most unjustifiably repeated and _added unto_ a conversation held over a table when most of the hearers and talkers were drunk. The origin of the quarrel, however, was more remote. Tierney came into Parlt. entirely by his own talents, neither owed his election or his success in the Committee to the interference of any of his political friends. Shortly after his becoming permanently seated, secession began to be rumoured; he had spoken several times, but had not then much distinguished himself. Fox still attending of course made him diffident of putting himself too forward, nor probably had he acquired the facility of speaking or weight enough to claim the notice of the House. At a meeting held in Mr. Fox’s house upon the measure of seceding, he offered to resign his seat, adding that he felt it incompatible with his duty as a member of the H. of Commons to represent a body of people without fulfilling _actively_ his engagements towards them; and submitted to the will of Fox what he should do. (Ye D. of Bedford, who was afterwards displeased with Tierney for his attendance, saying it spoilt the effect of secession, affects ignorance of this proposal of Tierney, but Fox himself, Fitzpatrick, and others, but especially the first, say that Tierney behaved well, because he behaved frankly.) Fox could not, and did not exact his renunciation of his seat, and he remained near three sessions alone, unassisted, and unsupported, Sheridan alone of the Foxites ever attending, and his attendance was as much directed against Tierney as it was against Pitt.
[Sidenote: TIERNEY AND GREY]
This solitary opposition was of infinite use to T. as an orator and as a public man; the daily use of his tongue taught him readily to debate, and his diligence, ability, and plainness acquired him the respect and confidence of the country. Successful as he was, he wanted aid; he knew the aristocratical temper of the House was such that the obscurity of his family would retard his progress, but that assisted by Grey he could be high and well propped. Grey was a fit subject to work upon; of an active, restless, unsatisfied temper, of boundless ambition, he found himself a prey to melancholy in calm retirement. Chance threw them together in the neighbourhood of Ham. Tierney did not fail of encouraging his disposition to return, and strove to combat his feelings of remorse about Fox, who had merely in compliance to Grey and ye Duke of Bedford, adopted the measure of secession, a measure notoriously against his own judgment.[170] In short, Grey resumed his post in Parlt. Things went on smoothly, Grey made some capital speeches, the divisions of Ministers fell off, but Opposition gained nothing. Some of Fox’s old friends, the _staunch_ ones (such as Coke, Ld. J. Townshend, and a few others), were offended at being written to to attend, replying that no good could be done if Fox abstained from coming, and that without his presence they would not attend. Grey, always fickle, and generally desponding, grew soured; he saw Fox, and at length persuaded him to come up upon his motion upon the State of the Nation. Tierney, when he knew Fox was coming, expressed himself strongly upon the absurdity of Grey’s going down to St. Anne’s to get sense, and imprudently enough at the Friday Club declared his intention of keeping away on the day of the debate, unless Fox gave a pledge of his future attendance.
This was the conversation reported by Sheridan to Grey, and brought forth a burst of rage and indignation from Grey against Tierney. The expressions used on both sides were alarmingly strong. Upon T. saying he should withdraw himself, if Fox was to come down occasionally and Grey was not generally understood to be the leader, G. accused T. of deceiving him by betraying him into attending by promises of support. In short, the explanations and accusations were sharp and bitter on both sides.
The King’s illness put a stop to the question; the motion was put off from day to day, and Fox came, grew eager, and coalesced with Moira, as has been mentioned elsewhere. The King’s recovery, like magic, drove the whole set back to their hiding-places. Some fancied that Fox would have continued in town but for Mrs. A. and the expense of a house; upon which it was suggested to Ld. Hd. to hire one for him. This with his usual alacrity to serve his uncle, he did without hesitation, announced it to him by letter, and received the following reply.[171]
_April 28, 1801._--When Tierney heard of his determination against coming, except to Tooke’s business, he told Grey peremptorily that he should adhere to Ld. Moira and the neutrals. The assurance of attending Horne Tooke’s question has not added to his popularity. In short, all are offended with him.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: A FOOLISH PROTEST]
_Holland House: April 30th, 1801._
Dissentient.
We deprecate and protest against this Measure because, as far as it may be carried into execution, it tends to dissolve the allegiance of the subject. A country over which Martial Law is exercised may be crushed or subdued, but it is not governed, much less is it practical. Allegiance is not more a duty on one side than protection on ye other; the character of subjects and of enemies cannot exist together. A military force can exercise nothing but the dominion of the sword. With respect to the people there is no government. We, therefore, conceive it to be our bounden duty, in our endeavours to preserve the Governt. of the United Kingdom, not to lose sight of those advantages which alone render it worth preserving.
THANET ALBEMARLE HOLLAND KING.
This protest was entered against the Martial Law Bill for Ireland. The composition is Francis’s, whose brevity and terseness make the performance nonsense.[172] Mr. Pitt remarked that the sentence which asserts the incompatibility of the character of subject and enemy is the precise definition of a traitor.
This foolish Protest made a great deal of noise; Ld. Clare moved the expunging it on account of its treasonable and seditious tendency, which was opposed by 17 peers, some of very respectable characters. I quarrelled with Francis, and would not make peace with him. His explanation was worse than the original offence; he declared that he disapproved of the sentiments, and feared the making them public would get the protesters into a scrape. Then _why_ abet and assist what you think mischievous and of bad consequence to your friends?
Ld. Wycombe returned about a fortnight since from Paris, and tho’ he will not see _me_, he has entrusted his journal for my inspection.