!^y?^' 7- NOTES BY SIR ROBERT HERON, BARONET. SECOND EDITION. GRANTHAM: S, RIDGE, HIGH-STREET. LONDON: GROOMBRIDGE & SONS, PATEENOSTER-ROW. 1851. GRANTHAM : PRINTED BV S. EIDGE, HIGH-STBEET. Should any person take the trouhle to read these Notes, he will find anecdotes which may amuse him, and facts which may he new to him ; hut he will also find opinions with which he may not concur. It should he considered, however, that they are the honest and disin- terested residt of careful reflection. As I have always respected the opinions of others, I think I may claim that mine should he treated with indulgence. Sepleinher, 1851. J ^ ^ M736110 NOTES. Parliament was dissolved on the 30tli Sept. Nov. 18, l«i^t, and I was returned for Grimsbj, ^^^'^' Oct. 6. Lord Yarborougli, who, after immense sums of money thrown away, had lost the borough by bad management, though he possessed an overruling property in it, and even a considerable popularity amongst its inhabitants, had, at length, determined to a- bandon it. At this moment, a common friend proposed that I should offer myself on his in- terest : the proposal suited both : my ignorance of the premises was taken advantage of by Mr. Grant's agent, a cunning and foolish man, to forward his interested objects, but I escaped from his hands better and more speedily than might have been expected. With Mr. Grant himself I should not have had any difficulty. I did not ado])t any one of the usual arts and tricks of canvassing. I told every one who B asked me, the whole truth as to my principles, political or religious, and am confirmed in my opinion, tliat, ultimately, it is the most profita- ble, as it must be allowed to be the only hono- rable, mode. I must do myself the justice to say, that all those who were concerned for me, assured me such conduct would ruin me : it has, however, hitherto appeared, that my simplicity of manner and conversation has been j^erfectly approved at Grimsby. Thus, I have at length attained one of my greatest objects ; it remains to be seen whether it was worth the gaining. The efforts of one indivi- dual must be always disappointed, unless his talents are very considerable. My mode of speaking has been very successful in the coun- try, but there, what opponents, what foils ! In parliament, to be brilliant, to argue with force, to reply with effect, require powers which I do not possess, or experience which it is too late to attain. The utmost, then, I can permit myself to hope, is, that I may occa- sionally deliver my opinions in a plain and manly manner, without becoming ridiculous. I am fully convinced I might have sat for the county, but a contest was certain. I was too ignorant of the strength of the enemy, to calculate its duration or expense ; and I ought not to repent lia\ ing declined it, tliougli, I be- lieve, nothing but the fears and entreaties of my Uncle would have induced me to do so. The parliamentary returns are completed. Nov. 23. Opposition is said rather to have gained than lost in numbers, but the principal success has been obtained by the partisans of Lord Welleslev and Cannino;. The latter will probably soon join the Administration ; the for- mer is said to incline towards opposition ; but what dependence can be placed on men, the profligacy of whose public conduct sets all principle, but that of self interest, at defiance. In the sunnner of 1812, the war was renewed Jan. 23, betwccn France and Russia. The latter power had been driven to the necessity of making peace, by the almost entire conquest of Austria, the subjection of Prussia, and the abandomnent of her interests by this country : for the British Ministers, having most impolitickly sent an army to convert the Span- ish settlements in South America from friends into enemies, were unable to give any effectual assistance to Russia, already defeated in a great battle. But Bonaparte requiring Alexander to join ^vith him, for the ruin of British com- merce, in measures which must also have destroyed the resources of Russia, was met by 6 a reluctant refusal, and he immediately deter- mined on invasion. Having taken possession of Prussia, and increased his immense army by allies from Poland, Switzerland, and Italy, and by un- willing auxiliaries from Austria, Prussia, and Germany, he entered Russia with a host of veteran warriors, probably falling little short of four hundred thousand men, commanded by the ablest Generals in the world, and furnish- ed in the most ample manner with artillery, stores, and ammunition. In his rear, new^ armies ^^•ere daily organising, and new maga- zines continually forming. To meet this over- whelming force, Alexander had only to oppose a beaten army, vacillating counsels. Generals who inspired little confidence, and an empire thinly inhabited and unprepared. What could be rationally expected, but the ruin and sub- jugation of this our last powerful ally. The results of this expedition appear to me, to constitute the most astonishing chain of events, which history, ancient and modern, has to record. The immense empire of Russia rose in one mass, determined to make every sacrifice for independence ; not a traitor any where appear- ed, nor did any province, or even individual. seem to foil sliort of the universal eiitliusiasin. The armies fought av ith desperation, the Gene- rals committed no errors, not a single division was cut off', and the enemy reached Moscow enfeehled hy their victories, and without having heen ahle to make the slightest impression upon the counsels of Russia, or to have diminished the zeal or exertions of its inhahitants. At this moment, a fire, kindled prohahly hy the policy of the Russian Governor, deprived the French of the resources they expected to derive from the possession of Moscow. After losing some precious time in fruitless attempts at negotiation, the reluctant order was given to retreat. And what a retreat ! From Austria they could hope for little aid ; in fact, Schwartzen- hurg, who had most skilfully from the begin- ning, avoided any considerable annoyance to the Russians, had already commenced a sepa- rate retreat. On the Prussians little reliance could be placed. A peace with Turkey had enabled Russia to interpose her southern army in the line of Bonaparte's march, and the French army, ill fed, pursued by its enemies, harrassed by the Cossacks, and even by the peasants, numbed with intense cold, and filled with despair, diminished at every step ; and small indeed was the proportion of this im- 8 mense host which returned across the Rhine, without cannon or ammunition, too ha2)py to have rescued tlieir hves from horrors not to be described, and dangers scarcely to be sur- mounted. In Spain, during the last summer, where every thing wore the most gloomy appearance, Marmont, by a single error, gave Lord Wel- lington an opportunity of gaining the battle of Salamanca ; but, instead of pursuing Marmont till he had entirely destroyed his army, he suf- fered him to repose and collect his forces ; whilst the English army sat down before the strong castle of Burgos, and having sustained great losses by unsuccessful assaults, it was reduced to the necessity of a rapid, disorderly, and disgraceful retreat, by which it was render- ed unable to undertake any further operations. It is said, that the heavy artillery might have reached Burgos in time to have reduced the place, even in a shorter time than was expend- ed before it. The events of Spain have lost something of theii' importance, for on the ulti- mate issue of the great contest in Germany, the fate of Spain must now entirely depend. The Rev. Robert Heron, of Grantham, my .,„„ 04, Uncle, is dead, at the age of 88. Like ^^^^' tliose of his brothers, his life was 9 honorable and virtuous. lie had Uttle personal enjoyment from the expenditure of money, probably from having possessed but a small income until the last nineteen years of his life ; but he was always generous and benevolent. He was a most affectionate brother, and was anxious through life to do that which was just and fitting. He lived at Grantham, in a mixed society, amongst whom were a few not very respectable. Many base and interested at- tempts were made to injure me, and even my wife, in his esteem, but it was never withdrawn from us. He was pleased with my attentions, because he believed them to be disinterested. We lived together on the best terms, though our intercourse, excepting during his last ill- ness, was not very frequent. He has left me the principal part of his property, greatly diminished by lai*ge and numerous legacies to his other relations. His faithful housekeeper, Mrs. Thompson, might, without suspicion, perhaps without even dishonesty, have provided amply for herself; but she is left poor and ill provided for ; and it was not till I had assured her that she should be made independent, that she could bring herself to inform me, that her master had told her he had left her little, because he knew she 10 ^ would fall into honorable hands. This worthy woman is dying of a dropsy, in the middle age of life. General Loft petitioned against my Col- March n. league and myself He had already owned he had nothing to allege against me, but he said he found that to petition against both Members would not be more expensive than against one. Mr, Grant attacked his qualification, and, succeeding, put an end to the petition. It came on to be heard, Feb. 16, lasted five days, and cost me £500. It cost Loft nothing, because he had nothing to pay. My Counsel were Messrs. Horner and Gifford, but they had little or nothing to do. I took my seat Feb. 2, and first spoke on the Catholic question. I was fortunate in speaking immediately after Mr. Pretyman Tomline, who gave me a good opportunity of replying to him. What I said was exceedingly well received. A witticism, " Some with mi- tres on their heads, and some, perhaps, with mitres in their heads," had a very great effect upon the House. I am doubtful, however, whether it was advantageous to me, as it gave considerable offence, and possibly took off the attention of persons from my argument, part of which was new, and, as I thought, strong. 11 I was complimented in tlieir speeches by Bankes, Plunkett, and Wliitbread, and pri- vately, by Canninu-, ^vlio afterwards abused me publicly. I was attacked by W. Fitzge- rald and jManners Sutton ; the latter, after four days consideration, declared that I coidd neyer haye read the Bishop of Lincoln's Charge, as I had grossly mistated it. I was excessiyely alarmed, hut obtaining in the House a copy of the Charge, I read the parts of it in question, and was acquitted by accla- mation. On Friday last, Cochrane Johnstone brought forward a motion respecting the Princess of Wales. He is said to haye considerable talents, and certainly there appeared no deficiency of them upon his trial before a Court Martial ; but on this occasion, they were not shown. He had been a long time the day before in conyersation with Lord Yarmouth ; and, for some hours before he brought forward his mo- tion, he was in deep consultation, in the House, with Sir F. Burdett. It was yery difficult to guess whether he was friendly or adverse to the Princess, and I am strongly in- clined to think, his object was to have been bought off by the Prince. The latter, how- ever, declared himself much pleased with the 12 intended motion, thinking it would effect his object, without his incurring the odium of first agitating the business. The effect of the debate was certainly not favorable to him. Mr. Whitbread, in defence of the Princess, exerted a very powerful eloquence. Lord Castlereagh was very weak and much irritated. Ministers are said to be divided on this, as on the Cath- olic question ; Lord Sidmouth's party being supposed ready to go gi'eat lengths to satisfy the Regent, but the House shows the strong- est disinclination to assist them in it. Mr. C. Johnstone was to have brought forward his motion on the preceding day, but Mr. Lygon, contrary to the general wish, moved to have the gallery cleared. Mr. Bennet then moved to adjourn, which was negatived on a division. The latter threatened to renew his motion, but gave it up after an angry debate, in which C. J. pledged himself to bring forward his motion next day. On the next day, the gallery was cleared on the motion of Mr. Vyse. For what useful 2)urpose '? Half a dozen members im- mediately went into it to take notes, and the debate was given to the public more accurately than usual. There is, certainly, a great deficiency of oratory in the House of Commons, and per- 13 haps, this is the reason there are so many speakers. Phmkett, on the Cathohc ques- tion, exhibited a pccuhar eloquence which astonished me : without manner, without ele- gant language, or even choice of words, with- out ornament of any kind, he poured forth, for nearly four hours, in the most rapid man- ner, a torrent of argument which seemed absolutely irresistible. Grattan is elegant and persuasive ; Whitbread, always shrewd and powerful ; though sometimes coarse, and often deficient in taste and judgment. These in- struct the House, but it is most delighted with Canning ; and that A^ery circumstance gives him boldness, and enables him to delight it more. Brilliant wit, the most cutting personal satire, often mixed with buffoonery, but always delivered in elegant language, and with action particularly suited to it, these are his excellen- cies. His speeches, however, are got up with much labor and study : an immense quantity of hoarded quotations must soon be exhausted by the enormous consumption ; there may not always be sufficient opportunity for the satire, and the public will then find time to observe the almost total want of argument. Manners Sut- ton and Robinson have some talents for speak- ing, and will probably improve. Ponsonby 14 speaks like a gentleman, generally tame ; he sometimes rises above himself. After these, there is nothing at present worth notice. The subject of the Princess of Wales, re- London, peatecUj brought before Parliament, March 24. j^^^ puzzlccl Mluistcrs, exposccl the Royal Family, and completely disgusted the 2:>ublic : possibly the issue may have been ra- ther favorable, than otherwise, to the Princess. Whitbread has made some powerful speeches in her favor, but for want of communicating with well judging friends, he committed the great error of producing Mrs. Lisle's account of her evidence, in a Letter to the Princess of Wales, in which it was evidently softened, to contradict the evidence itself, (at least to invali- date it), given on oath before the Commissioners appointed for the enquiry. Lord Ellenborough, the next day, in the House of Lords, attacked AVliitbread in language worthy only of Billings- gate : this intemperance gave Whitbread a great advantage, and alone enabled him to make good his retreat. I spoke last night on finance. Five or six March 26. pcrsous had obtained the preference. The House was tired. I was not suffi- ciently master of my subject, was alarmed, confused, and failed. 15 The House of Coinnions appears to me more ^j,rii 4. fi^ii' i^iitl candid tliaii for many years ; and Ministers may find tins to tlieir cost, when tliey least expect it. In conse- quence of a general opinion that, from the dangerous state of the King's health, the du- ration of the Parliament was likely to be short, many of the political jobbers did not think it worth while to procure seats ; and a large proportion was, in consequence, returned of those who have no selfish object. Canning, not\^ithstanding, has gained. Ward, Lord Kennington, several East Indians, and others, have joined him ; profligate and false in his politics, he is industrious and cunning, but he must now sink into insignificance. Lord Moi- ra has lost his consequence, must I say, his character ? His abilities were probably rated too high ; his negotiations to form an Adminis- tration w-ere weak and contemptible ; his zeal for the Regent, aided probably by the difficul- ties into which he has been plunged by his un- bounded extravagance, has led him into still greater errors. At the sale of the late Lord Gainsborough's books, I got the original drawings of Patterson, at the Cape of Good Hope, 3 vols., folio, for £23., made for the late King. The next day, 16 the town was more aware of the vahie of tlie articles. On that day, Gramger's Lives, illus- trated by Lord Gainsborough, w^ere bought by White, from Paris, for £157. ; and Lord Bute's Botanical work, of ^vhich only twelve copies were printed, by Mr. Borroughs, at Oxford, for £83. ; but I obtained the miniature of Jesus Christ, on lapis lazuli, by Guido, for sixteen guineas. Two men had come down from Lon- don on purpose to buy it, but they could not discover it in a dhty shagreen case. I had determined to make some additions to my house, for which a plan had been agreed upon, between Mr. Jeffi-ey Wyatt and myself; but, on beginning to put it into execution, everything appertaining to the old house was found in so ruinous a state, that it would have been very imprudent to have suffered it to form a part of the new plan. Jeffrey Wyatt was accordingly again sent for, and after three day's deliberation, and taking many plans into consideration, we have fixed upon one which 2)romises to be both convenient and handsome. The Duke of Cumberland is gone suddenly to the Continent, no one knows why or where, bearing with him universal contempt and de- testation. Wliat an anxious moment ? A desj^erate 17 battle lias been f()uglit at Lutzen, in wliicli, I fear, tlie French have gained the advantage. Yet their brave enemies, obliged to yield to numbers, but protected by a numerous cavahy, have lost neither cannon, ensigns, prisoners, nor honor. The Russians, too, appear to have had few troops in the battle, which affords hope for the future. AVhat will now be the policy of Austria and Sweden ? Can they he- sitate ? On their decision the fate of Europe probably depends. At length, on the 24th., the Catholic Bill May 26. ^^cut iuto a Committce of the whole House. The delay of a fortnight had been consumed by Lord Castlereagh, Grattan, and Canning, in forming a bill, in which each sacrificed something to the opinion of the others. I confess I do not like the fruits of their labours, because the restrictions with which they have loaded the measure, appear to me to be unjust, nugatory, and irritating ; nor can I understand the fairness of interfering with the patronage of their clerical establishment, when we do not contribute to its support ; yet, even this qua- lified measure is far better than none. The delay has given time for our opposers to re- cover from their panic ; and, certainly, they have made good use of their time. The Prince 18 has made every possible exertion to defeat the bill, and the most profligate intrigues have been carried on. Many Members, who before supported, have now voted on the other side ; but, probably, the delay could not liave been avoided. The opposition to the bill was led by the Speaker, in a violent, inflammatory, and in- judicious sj)eech, to wdiich Whitbread replied with due severity. Canning and Lord Castle- reagh spoke w^ell, and contrary to their usual manner the first was argumentative, and the last, animated and decisive. The Court de- termined to try its strength on the first clause, that for admitting Catholics into Parliament. The decisive moment arrived, and Ave w^ere beaten by 251 to 247. Grattan immediately threw up the bill. Lord RanclifFe gave notice of a motion for reform of Parliament, founded on the proof of corruption, which this night had afforded. Satisfied with the opportunitv it gave him of stating his grounds, he probably will not proceed further at a time when there would not be the slightest hope of success to the measure. The India question has been compromised. stubton, "^^ Directors, seeing their opposition was wholly fruitless, and having no June 30. 19 ally but Tierncj, accepted a renewal of tlieir charter, for twenty years, ^vitli the monopoly of the China trade, givhig up their exclusive trade to the Peninsula. The Saints, too, ob- tained a clause favorable to their missionary objects, which Lord Castlereagh, at the same time he granted it, hoped to defeat, by putting it under the control of the Directors. Thus ended this great national question, in half mea- sures, the natural fruits of weak and vacillating counsels. The Allies have concluded an armistice with Bonaparte, to afford time for a Congress to set- tle a general peace. This armistice puts an end to all immediate hopes of insurrection in Germany, and may give the French an op- portunity of taking measures to render it less probable hereafter. The Russians will also find great difficulty in maintaining their German ar- my, unless, indeed, it is to be paid by England. All depends upon the conduct of Austria ; should she lose this opportunity of making common cause with the Allies, she must, in all probability, fight alone against France, in two years, for her independence ; but if, as appears most probable, she think it necessary to pre- serve the appearance of consistency, by a real or pretended effort to bring about a general c 20 peace, the Allies cannot, prudently, refuse to enter into her views. From a conference be- tween the three Emperors, good Lord deliver us. From Spain, we may now^ every day expect important intelligence : it is true, the fate of Spain must he decided in Germany ; yet, a splendid and decisive victory in Spain, might be felt in its effects, far beyond the bounds of the Peninsula. It is now sufficiently evident, that neither j„no 5 France nor the Allies intended peace. i«i3. ^Ylien both sides had recruited their armies, the war was renewed ; Austria and Sweden openly joined the Allies, and Moreau arrived from America to assist in their opera- tions. It is said to have been by his advice, that an attempt was made by the Allies, and principally by Austria, to surprise Dresden. It was attended by the total defeat of the Aus- trian army, with immense loss ; yet, this event, which threatened ruin to the cause, has been more unfavourable in its consequences to the French. Fearing to be surrounded in Dresden, Bonaparte left an army in it, and retired to Leipsic. Here, relying too much upon success, he appears to have made no provision to repair a disaster; at length, after many actions, which 21 lose tlieir importance only when compared to the last, and in all of" wliicli he seems to have heen unsuccessful, he fought the hattle of Leipsic, one of the greatest and most deci- sive recorded in history. It was decided hy the defection of the Bavarians and Saxons, who went over in a hody to the Allies, and after prolonging the comhat to the third day, the French Emperor was under the necessity of adopting the measure of a precipitate flight, with the renniant of his hroken army. I know not whether most to admire the great military talents displayed hy Schwartzenhurg in this hattle, and the maneuvering which led to it, or the modesty and good sense shown by the allied Kings and Princes in serving cordially under his command. Schwartzenhurg has, indeed, heen blamed for ordering Blucher, when pur- suing' the French after the battle, to turn off towards Cologne. We are too apt to judge from events : surely it was a just reasoning to suppose that the French, ruined by a precipi- tate retreat, and finding in its front a Bavarian army which had not been in action, ^vould at- tempt to cross the Rhine where no opposition was to be expected. Had this happened, the measure of Schwartzenhurg w^ould have been thought the masterpiece of a consummate Gen- 22 eral. Bonaparte anticipated tins policy, and therefore resolved, at all events, to cut his way through the army of Bavaria. The English nation, proud, jealous, and un- social towards other nations, always supposes insincerity and treason ; even now, when the Allies have fought with a valour and self ahan- donment heyond all former example ; ^^hen success has heen heyond hope ; this nation is heginning to he dissatisfied with Austria. Much more reason, I fear, have the Allies, and par- ticularly Austria, to he dissatisfied with us. Not to mention that the Government papers are again talking of setting up the Bourhons, and avowing the flagitious principle of" interfe- ring with the internal government of other na- tions ; to whom, hut to the British Court, can Austria ascrihe the late ursupation of a new title, hy the Prince of Orange. If there he any meaning in the title of Sovereign Prince of the Netherlands, it must include the Austrian Low Countries. If the Prince had only wished for an increase of the executive power, he might in the present chcumstances, have easily ob- tained it from the free suffrages of the Dutch, instead of sowing the seeds of future mischief, hy assuming it without authority ; hut if it he, as is supposed, the act of Carlton House, the 23 country (l)otli countries) liad a riglit to expect something more than neutrahty irom tlie Bri- tisli Cabinet. The Alhes are Avithout pecuniary resources, and we must furnisli them all with enormous sums. It is true that such a moment was not to he neglected ; yet, if the war should con- tinue for t^vo or three more campaigns, can the ruin, total ruin, of our finances be avoided ? Perhaps, even this consequence might be bet- ter than to risk the independence of the Con- tinent, and it is for this reason that I am one of many, who rather consent to leave every thing at this period to the discretion of Minis- ters, than to interfere with the vigor for which, on the present occasion, we must at least give them credit. Of peace I have no immediate hope. Will the French Emperor give uj) Italy ? Can or ought the Allies to yield it ? This alone seems decisive against it. For a good many years I have attended to January, ^lic liabits of pcafowl ; and for the last ^^^^' eleven, have written down observa- tions relatinaf to them. 1 iind the individuals to differ in temper and attachment to then* own young ones, as much, almost, as human beings. Some have been willing" to take care of the young ones of others, whilst some have pursued 24 and killed them, whether they had a brood of theh own or not. Some cocks have assisted in the care of young ones, whilst others have attacked them. One cock is amj^ly sufficient for six hens ; nor have I found the having hut one, either to delay the period of the different hatchings, or to lessen the number of the broods. The hens most often j)roduce in June, and if the first brood be destroyed at an early period, still more if the next be destroyed before hatch- ing, another brood is generally produced. The second brood is often equally numerous with the first. An early hen frequently has a brood herself the next year. Age makes no difference in the number of the brood ; I have had six h'om one a year old, and one from an old one. Tlie hens have frequently a great preference to a particular cock. Tliey were all so fond of an old pied cock, that one year, when he was con- fined and in view, they were constantly assem- bled close to the trellis walls of his prison, and would not suffer a japanned cock to touch them. On his being let out late in the Au- tumn, the oldest of the hens instantly courted him, and obtained the proofs of his love in my presence. The next year, he was shut up in a stable, and the hens then all com'ted his ri- val ; for the advances amongst these animals 25 are always made by the female. My peafowl were so irequeiitly carried off by foxes, that I ha\e not yet been able to ascertain tlie natural period of their lives. This evil is now in great measure remedied by the formation of a mena- gerie, in Avhicli they all choose to roost at night. A hen at Lord St. John's died appa- rently of old age at 23. By the japanned, 1 mean that breed of which the whole body is blue or green, of a dark shade, without a brown or speckled feather in any part of the animal, (this of the cock) : the hen is of a bad pigeon colour, or like a very light coloured turkey ; the young ones are at first white. There is stronaj reason to believe that this verv remark- able variety originated in England. In Lord Brownlow's nnmerous flock of com- mon white and pied, the japanned suddenly appeared within my memory, and without any strangers having ever, for a great length of time, been received ; and it has since increased. Li Sh John Trevellyan's flock of perfectly plain peafowl, the same circumstance occiuTed, and this breed has prevailed over the common. The same consequence has followed in a breed Mrs. Thoroton had from Lady Chatham, and fi'om which mine originated. Notwithstanding their origin, they ap2)ear more tender than the 26 common. I find them more difficult to rear, and several in two of the hroods I have men- tioned, which are near me, as well as in mine, were killed hj the last winter, which did not hap2)en to the others. The peafowl succeed hest where least atten- tion is paid to feeding them, provided there are plantations thick at hottom for them to prowl in ; for feeding them takes them off from their natural food of insects, and hj keeping them ahout the huildings, makes them more liahle to have their young ones destroyed hy dogs and foxes. We have had a most severe frost of some- stnijton, thing more than a month. The wind Jan. 20, lyu. ^^ ^^^^^^ South aud the snow rapidly diminishing. The snow never much exceeded an average of six inches. In most parts of the British Islands it has heen deeper than ever remembered, particularly in the West of Eng- land, where it interrupted all connnunication. Many accidents have occurred, and the London post did not reach us lor three days together. My day and night thermometer was once in the night as low as 24 Fahrenheit. The poor have suileied dreadfully, though my constant connnunication with the poor of this ncighhovu'- hood, as a Magistrate, has given me the satis- 27 faction of 1)elioviiig that tlicy have no wlicre suflercd less : liore tliey have never wanted eniploynient. I employ many lahourers in my farm and gardens ; those in the latter, (excepting two or three in whom skill is necessarv, and several also in the former,) receive no more than the wages of the conntry : on the other hand a con- stant labourer of mine is never discharged, unless for misconduct, and almost all of them have good gardens, and land enough to keej) a cow, at a low rate. My wife employs all the women of decent character in our four tillages, who choose it, in spinning ; the stuff is then wove and bleach- ed in the same district ; what is wanted for our own use is taken, and the remainder gi\'eii amongst the poor. This whole establishment has never exceeded the expense of forty gui- neas, and I am persuaded jn'oduces more be- nefit than might be obtained by five times the expenditure : the practice originated with my father. I have generally found, that to give amongst the labouring class, too often creates idleness ; to lend, or to bestow, as the price of labour or exertion, generally encourages indus- try. I never give to those who go about on pretence of having lost cows, and I suffer no 28 man on my estate to adopt so humiliating a practice. My usual plan with those who have any claim upon me, is, to lend what is wanted without interest ; and neither in that case, or any other of the little similar loans which I wilhngly make amongst the lahouring class, have I ever scarcely met with any otlier prin- ciple, than the honorahle anxiety to repay me as soon as possible. Why do men so frequently complain of the ingratitude of the lahouring class, and of servants ? No doubt sometimes with reason, but I am convinced they much oftener comjjlain, most unjustly, of want of gratitude where no flivour has been granted. Between a good master and good servant the obligation is mutual. How enormous is the expense of building ! In January last, I had expended £7000 ; my house was, indeed, covered in, but that was all. My farm, this year, for the first time, turns out a losing concern. It is tolerably well managed, and with perfect integrity, but our arrange- ments of buying and selling the different sorts of corn were not well timed ; and a terrible malady has, for two years, afflicted the cows, who all produce dead calves. Every possible remedy has been tried in vain, and we must now entirely renew the herd, Avhicli was a re- 29 marlval)ly good one. It is a singular circum- stance, that this disorder should he usually found to he contagious amongst cows. I have not jet attended this Session of Par- Februaiy. h^nient. Thcrc was in fact nothing to do. All agreed that every exertion must now he made to prosecute the war to an honorahle tennination, and none of the measures of Ministers have met with any op- position. They have, however, committed a gTeat error in their scheme for recruiting the army. Tlie Militia was every where ready to volunteer to go to Spain. Ministers hastily offered to accept the men, either individually for the time, or collectively as Militia, to serve in hodies together ahroad, under their own officers: almost all preferred the latter. In the mean time it was recollected, that this mode would hurthen the army with an immense dead weight of useless officers; an attempt was made to check it, the men were offended, and the measure totally failed. France is invaded on all sides. The Allies preceded their invasion hy proclamations dis- owning all selfish ohjects, and offering to leave France gi'eater than under any of her Kings. They seem to have expected, that this offer, vague as it is, would he refused, and are appa- 30 rently a little enibaiTased by the readiness of Bonaparte to accept it ; probably neither party is sincere, and the war must continue, at least, till the flite of Italy is decided ; mean while, scarcely any resistance is offered by the French in the held. Are their armies really annihila- ted, or are they reserved for some great and decisive effort i Again the Bourbons are talk- ed of. Can the French wish their return ? Ought we to wish it ? If imposed u])on the French by force, the example would be dread- ful to Europe. The Austrian Court is now said to be well satisfied with our prompt and vigorous coope- ration, and an Amdassador is at length on his road from Vienna. The loss of the Austrians in the tremendous battle of Dresden, turns out to have been grea- ter than even stated by the French ; not less, I believe, than 40,000. Vandamme being sent in pursuit, with the promise of the "whole of Bonaparte's army to support him, if neces- sary, there was reason to fear the entire de- struction of the Austrian army. Blucher ha- ving at that time defeated the left wing of the French, the King of Prussia saw, at once, that Bonaparte could not move ; he immediately, contrary, it is said, to the advice of his Gene- 31 nils, ordered the wliole of Lis disposable force to attack ^"aiidaiinne. I'lie latter, cut oil, was obliged to surrender with his entire division, and the Austrian army thus saved from destruc- tion, returned and retook the Avhole of their artillerv, which had remained in the bad roads where they were taken. The Regent has been to Belvoir to stand as Sponsor to the Marquess of Granby. After visiting the nobility on the line of his progress, his reception at Belvoir was most royal ; and on the day of the christening he got most royally drunk, but being accustomed to that amuse- ment, went to bed without much exposing himself. How easy is it for a King of England to be popular ! How completely is the mob duped by the splendour, or rather, by the imaginary ideas they attach to royalty. The Regent had, certainly, sunk very low in the general estimation. He has shown himself, and wherever he has been seen he is popular. Something, indeed, may be attributed to the late and unexpected successes of the war ; and I am afraid his profligate apostacy from libera- lity and toleration to the Catholics, is by no means offensive to the nation. The fate of General Moreau, and the appro- bation given to his character and conduct, give 32 rise to reflections. Moreau appears to have possessed a very amiable disposition, and to have been much beloved by those about him ; nor can great mihtarj talents be denied him ; but there is notliing to be found in him of the patriot, and httle of the hero. He figures in the Revolution as a Repubhcan, and resents the assumption of the supreme power by Bo- naparte. Brought to trial for a conspiracy, he is convicted and condemned. He admits the justness of his sentence, implores pardon, and receives it. After this, instead of remaining in his retirement in America, he joins the ranks of the Allied Sovereigns, and dies in arms against his country. He had no party, no hope of establishing a Repubhc, no motive which I can discover, but those of personal re- sentment, or personal interest. Arbuthnot, of the Treasury, was well ac- Peb.G. quainted with Pichegru; the latter was in correspondence with Moreau, and returned to France in consequence of a communication with a person in the confidence of Moreau, and whom the latter had sent over to invite him. The timid conspirator afterwards withdrew his cooperation, and abandoned Pichegru to his fate. On the fii-st invasion of Russia, Alexander 33 sent a conlidciitial ofFiccr to Bonaparte, ollcring to agree to all his demands, exce})t tliat of re- ceiving French Doiianiers in his sea-ports. This he said he could not consent to, as it would rouse the indignation of his suhjects, and prohahly cost him his life ; hut he ofFered to enoaoe, that the Russian Douaniers should con- form to the orders of the French Emperor : the latter replied, that such an offer would have satisfied him a week sooner, hut now he must march forward, and would negotiate as he ad- vanced. The General, who has hrought the Russian order to the Regent, declares that he was the messenger of Alexander on this occa- sion. At the heginning of the war, Alexander visited the head-quarters of several of his armies. Intending to go to those of Witgen- stein, he ohserved to the officer who accompan- ied him, that the postilions were taking the wrong road; he was then informed that his Generals liad thought it essential to his service that he should return to Pctershurgh. He quietly acquiesced, and appeared no more with the armies, until after the ruin of the French invasion. The Archduke Constantino (the Russian Duke of Cumherland) was found far more trouhlesome with the armies. The Com- mander in Chief, Barkly de Tolli, one day 34 presented liim Avitli a paj^er on wliicli was writ- ten, *' I quit tlie Army," and informed him, that His Royal Highness must decide which of them shoukl sign it. The Prince oheyed. The Alhes are said to have guaranteed the okl Constitution of Switzerland. What right have they to guarantee the constitution of any country ? They should guarantee its indepen- dence, and leave its constitution to itself. Those who ruined, massacred, and divided Poland, hrst guaranteed its wretched constitu- tion, to ensure the duration of its weakness and intestine divisions. I had a good deal of conversation with Crahhe, the poet : he does justice to Lord Byron. Tliis man, Lord Byron, astonishes me. Never yet did any man so happily unite the most suhlime poetical fire, with the truth of nature. How far hehind him is Walter Scott, great even as the latter is in many parts of the Lay of the Last Minstrel, and the hattle in Marmion. We must go hack to Dry den for a rival to Lord Byron. Crahhe acknowledged that he had no ear whatever for nmsic. Fox, Burke, Pitt, and Wyndham, were in tlie same predicament. Bishop Watson, amongst a very few hooks he recommended to the particular attention of the last Duke of Rutland, named Bacon as the first. 35 For three months, Bonaparte, with an army oi" less than sixty thousand men, kept at bay the whole of" the Allied forces. He seems to have connnitted a great error in leaving behind him so manv lar^e garrisons in fortresses which could not long be defended ; but he fought with desperate valor, maneuvered with aston- ishing rapidity, and generally has been success- ful since he was th'iven within his own frontiers. In Schwartzenburg, however, he found a skilful prudence which gave no opportunities to the enemy ; and when he had beaten old Blucher, and his Prussians, half a dozen times, their obstinate bravery did not leave him at all the more at rest. All this time, the negotiations continued, and Bonaparte might have obtained a peace which would haAC left him at liberty to recruit his strength, and soon to take the field again : instead of this, he made a desperate effort and got into the rear of his enemies ; but thev, instead of returning, marched directly for Paris. Even this was provided for. The Parisians fought with determined courage, and would certainly have defended the Capital till their Emperor, in another day, had fallen upon the rear of the Allies, had not the contest been yielded by the weakness or cowardice of Joseph Bonaparte, and the treason of Marmont. The D 36 latter, under pretence of saving Paris, deserted his master with the only army he possessed, that had not been almost worn out with fatigue. Bonaj^arte found himself surrounded hy his enemies, and obliged to abandon his throne. The Senate, for some time di\'ided, declares for the Bourbons ; and thus is accomphshed a re- volution as extraordinary as any of those which have 2)receded it. It is the fashion here to suppose that Talleyrand had long planned this change. For my own part, I do not believe that any man foresaw it three days before it arrived, but Talleyrand took care to avail him- self of it, and stands forward as the effective Minister of France. The Allied Sovereigns are extolled for not destroying or plundering Paris, which was not in their power, and of which the attempt would, probably, have been fatal to their cause. They deserve credit for their humanity to the individuals in their power, and it is certainly an extraordinary part of the increased morality and humanity of modern times, that not one of the numerous family of Bonaparte, which has usurped so many crowns, should have suffered the slightest personal injury from the indignation of those whom they have oj^pressed or ruined. Napo- leon may rise again ; no doubt he will preserve 37 in Elba a few troops, and a large sum of money ready ior the auspicious moment. In Paris, in the greater part of France, he is still admired, and will soon be regretted. The whole of the army is with him. The Bourbon Princes are weak in intellect, and Louis XVIII, who had rather more talents than the rest, has changed, during his misfortunes, a cold and cheerless depravity into a degrading superstition, or per- haps, has added the latter to the former. In the mean time, the Crown Prince of Sweden demands to be put in possession of Norway, which, in defiance of their proclama- tions, the Allied Sovereigns had engaged to give him ; and in which, in spite of all politi- cal morality, and natural justice, our Minis- ters had concurred. The brave Norwegians betrayed at home, and deserted abroad, are obliged to yield to unrelenting force. Lord Cochrane, a man who had served with May. brilliant success in the navy, and his Uncle, and Coclnane Johnstone, are convicted in the Court of King's Bench of a most infamous conspiracy to defraud the pub- lic, by propagating a falsehood. They are ex- pelled the House of Commons, where, however, Lord Cochrane makes an able defence, and, unfortunately, gains credit with some of the 38 Opposition. Here, again, the violence of Lord Ellenborougli injures the cause he espouses. The Electors of Westminster take 2)art with, and re-elect their Member ; new j^roofs, how- ever, have since convinced the doubtful, and morality will not be scandalized by the re-ad mission of Lord Coclu'ane into society. This man was not l^rivy to the 2)lot till the morning of its execution, but he then, unfortunately, plunged into guilt. The history of his Uncle is romantic. Elegant, handsome, and accom- plished, he began life by an early marriage with the beautiful daughter of Lord Hopetoun, heir- ess of the house of Annandale. In a short pe- riod, her death Avas followed by that of her only child. He then followed his military profes- sion, and became Governor of Dominica ; here he was probably guilty of an atrocious breacli of faith. He found the Island in in- surrection, and, having obtained the principal fortress by capitulation, he put the ringleaders to death ; which, certainly, was not one of the articles of the treaty. For this he was not called to account, but was tried for employing soldiers in draining the marshes of the Island, and, though it was proved that he had no per- manent advantage from the measure, though he was accpiitted of all moral guilt by the Court, 39 the Judge Ailvociitc thoiiglit proper to asjjerse his character, hy a note in the King's name, and he was passed o\ er in the next j^'omotion. The Judge Advocate, Sir C. Morgan, was hlanied, resigned, and lost a Peerage which liad heen granted liini ; yet Cochrane Johnstone was not rest(n'ed, and it is supposed, the Com- mander in Chief was prejudiced against him, from thinking he had views contrary to the in- terests of his country. Fie had at that time married Mademoiselle de Clugny, a near rela- tion of Madame Bonaparte, a West Indian, beautiful and rich. Cochrane Johnstone had been at Paris, where he wished to obtain the post of Commissioner for English prisoners of war, that he might have an opportunity of pro- secuting the restoration of his wife's fortune, which had been confiscated durinsj the Revo- lution. Obliged to return to England, he left his wife at Paris, where she regained her pro- perty ; but Bonaparte informed her that her husband was disgraced, and she was at length persuaded to consent to a divorce, was declared a Napoleon Princess, and married to some great foreigner. Cochrane Johnstone, always full of resources, made a very successful specu- lation in Merino sheep, from Spain. He went to South America and engaged amongst the 40 mines. The South Americans raised an im- mense sum for the purchase of the liberty of the Pope, and Cochrane Johnstone was entrus- ted with the negotiation. Bonaparte is said to have consented, but, probably, meant to have the money, and keep the Pope. Neither party would trust the other, and thus the negotiation ended. Cochrane Johnstone has fled from England with the insolence of avowed guilt, to seek new adventures in new climates. Upon the peace with France immense quan- tities of corn were instantly poured into this country, at a very low price : and our Farmers, loaded with taxes, could no longer obtain a price for their corn sufficient to reimburse their expenses. The necessity of encouraging agri- culture by checking importation was generally felt, and a measure for that purjjose was brought in by Sir H. Parnell, assisted by our ablest country Gentlemen in the House of Commons, and afterwards amended by Hus- kinson. Delay was, above all things, to be deprecated, but our feeble Chancellor of the Exchequer, Vansittart, immediately yielded to the first wish for delay. G. Rose published a vulgar, lying pamphlet on the subject. The Manufacturers, utterly incapable of under- standing the question, took the alarm. Their 41 Representatives were controlled, many others were iriglitened, and nothing was done ; in the mean time, the evil has rapidly increased and must he remedied. The Lincolnshire Farmers, particularly in the Fens, have not only heeii (Ustressed by the totally inadequate price of corn ; many of them have suffered deeply by the breaking of Sheath's, Barnard's, Bellairs' and other Banks, and the gaols are crowded with them. llie building of my house continues. I Jan. 1815. l^^^ve finislicd the *conservatory, 60 feet by 20, 21 high, adjoining to the house. It is, certainly, a beautiful thing ; nothing of the kind ever gave so much satisfac- tion, and it is planted with a most choice col- lection of plants. A conservatory is of rather late in^'ention, and it is probably because Jef- fery Wyatt and I had seen so few, that we succeeded so well, our imaginations not being restrained by servile imitation. AVliy could not the principal features of the gi'eat Continental aiTangements have been settled at Paris ? It is true, they must have been settled hastily, but they would then have been, probably, conformable to the great prin- ♦ Many have since been built, to which mine cannot even be compared. 42 :.<"- ciples avowed, and we should have heen saved the ruinous expense which has heen continued ever since ; and, perhaps, now they will be settled in no other mode than by every one seizing what he thinks himself strong enough to keep. What are we to think of the magnan- imous Alexander taking possession of Poland, Prussia, of Saxony, and all, like the making over of Norway to Sweden, without consulting the wishes of the people : thus, the great Alli- ance, formed for the defence of the indepen- dence of nations, ends in the most unqualified disregard to those principles to which its success was chiefly due. We must acknowledge there is no political morality in Europe. If we turn to Sj)ain, our miserable disappointment only increases. I had always hoped well of Ferdi- nand. 1 knew, indeed, that he was weak ; but I knew, also, he had been entirely governed by the Duke de L'Infantado, a liberal and virtuous patriot. I did not blame his journey to Bayonne, because I thought he could take no other step. At that time, Bonaparte had privately acknowledged him ; the Prince of Peace, his father's Prime Minister, had plotted against his life, after poisoning his Princess ; the French were in military possession of S])ain ; and Ferdinand, if he refused to repair 43 to Bavonno, had neither a Ibrtress to which he coukl retire, nor an armed force to defend his person : besides, it might he well expected, that the French Emperor might begin to think it well to respect the persons of Princes, and be satisfied with leaving Ferdinand the name of Kino-. It was not till Ferdinand had been basely and treacherously imprisoned, that any resistance appeared in Spain ; then, indeed, it blazed out with a noble fmy, and, as far as the people are concerned, has been maintained with a courage and constancy beyond all ex- ample. At last, when fortunate events have placed the beloved Ferdinand on the throne, he throws himself into the arms of the few whom the French suffered to be about him in his prison, rej^eals every thing that had been done to amend the condition of his country, renews the Inquisition, persecutes every pa- triot, and every man ^^'ho really endeavoured to maintain his authority during his misfor- tunes. By his worthless conduct, he has already lost America, and, for the good of mankind, it is to be hoped will soon lose himself. If we look to Italy, \ve shall see Genoa gar- risoned by an English force, under pretence of preserving its liberties, and then surrendered by our Government to Sardinia, without the 44 pretence of justice. Italy is desirous of form- ing one united State, but it will continue to be j)arcelled out as before : yet, if a patriot and a hero were to arise in that country, it wants not soldiers, and might regulate its own des- tiny. At Rome, the Poj^e, who in his misfor- tunes attracted, by his courage and prudence, the admiration of Europe, is returned to dis- appoint it, by a superstition worthy of the four- teenth Century. There, too, we have the sing- ular spectacle of a brother of Bonaparte, the flatterer of the Pope, rewarded with a Papal principality. His Poem of Charlemagne has, certainly, considerable poetic merit, though I am astonished at the little j^leasure I received in reading it. Some of the descriptions, are fine, but the subject is heavy though well managed ; the hero detestable. One is revolted at finding the two Brutus' amongst the damned, and still more, at the gross suj^erstition which pervades the work, and which one can hardly beheve to be even sincere. The Widow of my excellent and generous Uncle, Sir R. Heron, died in October, at 92 years of age. She had survived herself. By her death, I inherit some property of Sir R's, besides some valuable pictures, glasses, china ware, books, and plate. 45 In the last Spring, England was honored with the presence, lor some time, of the Em- peror Alexander, the King of Prussia, four Prussian Princes, many of the most illustrious Russian and Prussian Generals, and of the Hereditary Prince of Orange. Satisfied with then' renown, the Monarchs despised the pomp which pleases vulgar minds, and delighted, particularly Alexander, in mixing in society, when permitted to do so, as private individuals. He went to halls, sometimes unattended, and always danced with Lady Jersey and Mrs. Ar- buthnot, sometimes, also, with others. His countenance is open and his manners simple and pleasing. He wished to see the Opposi- tion, and Lords Grenville and Grey, Whit- bread, Wilherforce, and some others, were desired to wait upon him. He did not listen, but talked much. He said the Opposition was a glass in which Sovereigns should see them- selves, and that when he returned, he would organise an Opposition in Russia. This Em- peror is certainly not wise. He is, at present entirely governed l)y his sister, the Duchess of Oldenburgh, Avho is said to have married her late husband to avoid the necessity of mar- rying Bonaparte. The King of Prussia is very handsome, as are also the young Princes. He 46 appears sensible but melaiicboly, baving never recovered from tbe loss of bis Queen. Tbe people pusbed tbeir curiosity to tbe impertinence of calling to tbe Emperor to sbew bimself at tbe windows ; wlien, bowever, Blu- cber bad appeared, no one else w as tbougbt of, and tbe Kings and Princes migbt repose. They went to see every tbing. Tbey were entertained witb tbe utmost magnificence. All London was kept in a state of total idleness, and, as if tbis relaxation bad not been sufficient, fetes were continued for a long time, and at an immense expense, by tbe Regent, after tbe departure of tbe Sovereigns. Tbe Hereditary Prince of Orange came to marry tbe young Princess Cbarlotte of Wales. He is a voung man of bidi and amiable cbarac- ter. All England desired a William 4tb, a man, too, wbo bad served witb distinction in our armies ; but wben a message was every day expected by botb Houses, tbe Princess altered bermind, and peremptorily refused bim. It is said, sbe bad fallen in love wdtb one of tbe Prussian Princes. Sbe appears to possess tbe virtues and amiahle qualities of lier family. My Constituents baving invited me to be- come a Vice President of tbeir Auxiliary Britisb and Foreign Bible Society, I refused, 17 and promised to give my reasons wlicncver called upon at GrimsLy. 1 am, in principle, hostile to these Societies, hecause they are engines in the hands of the Methodists, and in aid of the Missionary system, a system which has caused half the miseries and half the crimes of the human race. These Constituents of mine, certainly do not give me much troidjle ; they are satisfied with my never going near them hut at elections, and they are totally in- different to politics. Once, indeed, they most anxiously charged me with the negotiations relatinof to their ha^en hill. My Colleague was ahsent in Scotland, and the whole rested on me. I took infinite pains, offered good terms to the Haven Company, and these heing refused, and finding the whole a joh oftheTe- nysons, for their 2)rivate interests, I threw out the hill, and had the good fortune to please all parties ; it must he owned, however, that good fortune is the only word I am justified in using on the occasion. There appears to he a strong feeling of jea- lousy, and even hostility, in France against the English, and their King seems not to want his full share of these sentiments. It is not surprising that he should feel some resentment against the Regent, and his Government, who. 48 indeed, gave him a subsistence, but showed him httle attention during his misfortunes, and only oppressed him with a pompous reception, when he w^as ah'eady become King of France, without then* aid or participation : but his marked incivihty to Lord Buckingham, and other individuals, whose generous hospitahty had diminished the ii'ksomeness of his banish- ment, is not so easily to be either accounted for, or excused. Lord and Lady Jersey were at Paris during February, tlic Summcr, aud intended proceeding ^^^^' into Italy, but they were prevented by the earnest advice of the Minister, Talley- rand, who told Lord Jersey that Italy was on the point of being the scene of much bloodshed, and repeatedly said to him, " n' y allez pas." The Winter, this year, set in with the pro- mise of gTcat severity. Last year, my river was visited by a flock of about thu'ty-four wild swans, a number of very large dark and swan-like geese, and many other uncommon wild fowl, wdiich remained with us all the Winter. These returned in November last, and have remained with us, but the Winter is notwithstanding, dissolved without any great severity, and though the frost has been long, the thermometer has never been lower than 14 Fahrenheit, and, in general, about the freezing 49 point. Can any one doubt the progi'cssivo but great change wliicli lias taken place in our cli- mate '( What are its causes ? Probahlj, the principal cause, (or should we rather call it the consequence ?) is the ^ast accunnilation of ice about the Polar Region, which has totally cut off the comnnmication with Greenland, and has rendered Iceland scarcely habitable. I have, sometimes, been inchned to attribute the increased coldness of our Summers, in some measure, to this country being now universally intersected with hedges of the white thorn, which cannot but evaporate an immense quan- tity of moisture ; a much greater quantity, probably, than large masses of wood ; because, in hedges, almost every leaf is exposed to the full action of the air. As to the effects, they are chiefly felt in the want of heat in our Sum- mers. Many plants that formerly adorned our soil, will not now bear om* climate, as the Pla- tanus and Arbutus. Vines, which formerly fruited in many parts of England, now requu'e the protection of glass ; apricots will not ripen without walls ; and the peach and nectarine do not, in every Summer, arrive at perfection in the open air.* Note, 1848. — *This was a very exaggerated opinion. The Platanus wag ouly destroyed in one year. The Arbutus, with me, thrives well, and is rarely injured ; aud, in my garden, Peaches and Nectarines are produced in perfec- tion, on the uuheated walls. 1 suppose the year 1810 was an exception. 5i) I returned from London a week before the Easter recess, a good deal indisposed, from a continuation of late hours, together with re- peated colds acquired from the bad weather. We had carried on a good deal of political hos- tility with little success. The most important measure was the corn bill, in which I agreed with Ministers, and a great majority of the House. The mob was raised against us by the inflammatory speeches of Baring, and the false statements of the Mayor of London. 1 was myself attacked by the mob, and for five minutes in their hands, but I escaped from them, with no other injury than the loss of a part of my coat. The riots and destruction of houses were most disgraceful ; for a single Magistrate, with tw^enty Constables, determi- ned to do their duty, might easily, in my opinion, have suppressed the riot, at its com- mencement. Sir F. Burdett was favourable to the corn bill, but was not honest enough to avow it. He made a speech equally violent, absurd, and unjustifiable, in the House. In my opinion, the effect of the corn bill will be beneficial, as tending to encourage the growth of corn, by suppressing the importation, and, at the same time, saving to the country the enormous prices which were unnecessarily paid 51 to foreign countries for the article of subsis- tence. I do not think it will be found to raise tlie price of corn to an unfair lieiglit, l)ut that it will tend to maintain it at a reasonable and more steady price, -f The night before I came away, I delivered my sentiments (on the Report of the ways and means) against the proposed war establishment during peace for four years ; incidentally against the proceedings of the Congi^ess ; and above all, against the extravagance of Ministers and of the Regent ; to little purpose, indeed, but with the satisfactory reflection in my own mind of having discharged my duty. Before I left London, wx had received the disagreeable news that Bonaparte had landed near Frejus, with about twelve hundred men. Our naval Commander appears to have been lulled into security ; no precautions had been taken by sea or land. He seems to have been every where well received, and no part of the army could be brought to act against him. The Marshals, indeed, appear in general to have been well disposed to the established order of things, but how many of them may have joined him since he has recovered the throne, we do not yet know. The Royalists are + My opinions on this subject have since undergone a change. E rv7 said to be attempting to form an army, and, no doubt, tbe Allies will immediately march against him. Tliey have, indeed, a vast force, and as he must be unprepared, one knows not what may be accomplished by a rapid inva- sion, in conjunction with a powerful party in France ; but it seems to me to be the interest, and, I fear, will prove the inclination of the French, to unite under the Emperor : in that case, we have only the prospect of a long, un- successful, and ruinous war, commenced at a moment when it was very doubtful whether we were even able to meet the burthen of a low peace establishment, together with the expense of the interest of our debt, with some exertion for its discharge. The payments stipulated for the maintenance of Napoleon, in Elba, had never been made good by France, but the pos- session of these sums would, certainly, have made the Emperor neither less able nor less inclined for the attempt to regain the throne. The moderation of the Allies in leaving bun at liberty to make it, appeared to me insanity. From the moment of" the treaty of Paris, I ne- ver myself doubted that he would land in France, and from the accounts I had received of the dis2)osition of the French, 1 ^vas led greatly to fear the result ; so much so, that 53 1 bad betted rive guineas witb Mrs. Arbutbnot, tbat be reco^•ered tbe tlirone before tbe year, 1816. How mucb may we now repent our faitbless- ness to Murat, unless it can be immediately repaired by an effective treaty. On tbe wbole, tbougli I fear mucb, I do not absolutely des- ])air ; abstractedly, indeed, we lia^ e no rigbt to interfere in France, but in tbe particular cir- cumstances of tbe case, we ougbt to make an effort to save ourselves from tbe ruin wliicb tbe secure re-establisbment of Napoleon may, and I fear must, bring upon us. It is, cer- tainly, a most extraordinary circumstance, tbat two sucb Revolutions sliould bave been accom- pUsbed witbout a drop of blood being yet spilled in civil commotion. It must be acknowledged, tbat tbe conduct of Louis XVI 1 1. , or bis advi- sers, bas been bumane, moderate, and, witb one exception, wise ; tbat exception is, bis causing tbe dissatisfaction of tbe most powerful men in tbe nation, by refusing tbem tbe bereditary peerage. On tbe most mature consideration, I voted June 17, against tbe war. I incline to tbink it ^^^^' will be sbort and successful, but I believe it to be impolitick, if not unjust. I conceive tbe project of seating Louis XVIII. 54 upon the throne, to be a most dangerous prece- dent hkely to be followed by any future con- spiracy of Kings. Sixteen millions are already voted under various titles, as subsidies, and the expense of this campaign is estimated at eighty. I do not think the choice of all the Sovereigns on earth is, to us, worth one hundredth part of this sum in our present circumstances. On this subject, the Grcnvilles, Grattan, Plunhett, Lord Milton, and a few others, voted with Ministers. I voted myself with Ministers on the pro- perty tax, not to enable them to carry on the war, but, because I infinitely prefer it to the multitude of oppressive taxes, of doubtful pro- duce, by which it must have been replaced. The property tax has, at least, the merit of being productive, it being economical in the collection ; of obliging those who live abroad to contribute their share ; and of obtaining some- thing, though flu* from wdiat is due, from the mercantile and monied interests. Mu rat's political j)Ower is annihilated. Cer- tainly he has not shewn much of political whatever he may possess of military talent. It appears extraordinary that Bonaparte should have made no effort to save him ; it seems equally so, that the Allies should have given 55 Napoleon time to put an end to the intestine commotions in France, which might have made so powerful a diversion in their favor ; each side, however, fears the dangers of oflensive operations, without an overwlielming force. In my opinion, peace might have heen preser- ved, I no longer see very great dangers from the return of Napoleon. It is not, merely, that the state of France is altered, hut that of Europe ; the neighbouring States do not now afford to his ambition the same opportunities they formerly offered. The Congi'ess has done much to estrange them, but the fear of French subjugation must prevail over all other consi- derations. I have bred many gold fish for six years, in the aquarium, and have now about eleven hundred of all ages, in a paved pond in the flower garden, which seems to suit them re- markably well, and where they have bred in considerable numbers. Of my original stock, six came from Burleigh, and six from Ken- drick's, in Piccadilly. I have since had a few which Kendrick calls Brazil fish, but which do not differ from the others. I had heard of a breed, a variety of the gold fish, entirely black, found in the lakes on some volcano, in China. With some difficultv, I obtained a 56 pair, male and female, from Stocten, more than a year and a half ago ; they were of a jet black and aj^peared old fish, bnt in about a year, they totally changed colour, till they be- came entirely red. It is singular they should have remained black so many years, for the female bears the marks of extreme age. Was it the heat of the aquarium which produced the change ? They certainly constitute a consi- derable variety from the ordinary sort, for this pan' have produced a very numerous progeny, which are all l)lack, (now, many of them more than four years old) and, like the parents, have most of them very prominent eyes, both cir- cumstances entirely new in my shoal. Of gold iish in general, the following observations have occurred : they change their colour at very uncertain and capricious periods, some at less than an inch in length, and three months in age ; others, though of the same breed, and in the same situation, when more than six inches in length, and more than two, or, I beheve, three years in age : those exj^osed to the heat of the aquarium change at an earlier average. Linnceus and Gronovius seem to have obser- ved, each of them, only one of these fish, as each has fallen into the error of considering a different variety, a monstrosity of formation, 57 as one of the constituent marks ot the species. Linnieiis having supposed them all to have the anal fin clouhle, Gronovius, the tail triple, acci- dents which with me occur, perhaps, to ahout three in one hundred. Of the age to which these fish live, I know only one well authen- ticated fact. Sir C. Kent has a very remark- ahle gold fish, at Little Ponton, which I have measured, and found to he twelve inches in length, and ten in circumference. I have ascertained, that it w^as alive at Ponton, in the year 1792, and those who then rememher it, think it was at that time as large as now. It is become pale. When there are only two or tlu'ee pahs in my aquarium, a great quantity of young ones are bred there ; in one year, more than one thousand ; hut, when crowded, no young ones are produced. I conclude from this, that when crowded they devour the spawn. Lime is a deadly poison to these fish; paint does not, in the least, affect them. In the beginning of June, a (ew days after stiibton, I ^^^^ left London, Whitbread put an ^^''' ^' end to his life. Pie expired almost instantly. This man appears to have enjoyed every possible source of haj^piness, yet, he Mas miserable. In his mother's family, there were frequent instances of mental insanity, from / 58 which, that of liis father does not seem to be enthely exempt. There appears to have been some fauUin the organisation of the head, which occasioned a temporary pressure on the brain, when the veins were too full of blood ; more than sufficient cause for the terrible oppression of spirits to which it now seems he had, of late, been frequently subject, but wliich had been carefully concealed. He enjoyed gi^eat wealth, lived in the most perfect domestic fehcity, pos- sessed splendid talents. Though his harsh and overbearing manners had, for a long time, been obnoxious to many of all ranks, and particu- larly to the poor, even whilst they received benefits from him ; yet, the experience of his honesty, his enlightened benevolence, and his indefatigable exertions in almost every depart- ment of town and country business, had, at length, procured for him universal respect, and, out of Parliament, almost universal acquies- cence in his measures ; and, probably, few men have been so extensively useful to the countrj^ His place, in Bedfordshire, will never be sup- plied. In Parliament, his bad taste and, "what is perhaps the same thing, want of judgment; above all, his impracticable disj^osition, and total want of" cooperation, diminished gi'eatly the advantages which might otherwise have 59 been derived from his great ability as an orator, his experience, and his incorruptible firmness. Whitbread had a great desire for ofiice, pro- bably ironi an opinion that he might be useful to his country. He shewed this in a very ex- traordinary manner, by listening a\ illingly to the ridiculous attempt of the Regent, to form an Administration of Lord Moira, Lord EgTe- mont, Whitbread, and Sheridan. Admitting, no doubt, the weak and servile Addingtonians, but excluding the principal parts both of the present 02)position, and those now in power. I have well known Whitbread ever since I attained the age of eighteen. When I left him in London, I thought it very probable I might not see him again, but I was far from suspecting the true cause of the evident alteration which had taken place in him : I expected apoplexy, which had caused the death of his father. I was engaged during the Session in two different matters respecting individuals, in both of which I was on the successful side. Croker, of the Admiralty, one of the most determined jobbers, whether fi'om caprice, personal feeling, or some strange fancy, to obtain credit with the public for an economy which he never serious- ly sought after, took it into his head to oppress 60 the four Marine Barrack Masters, most ancient and deserving servants of the puhhc, hj de- priving them of the fair and allowed advanta- ges of their situations, without any adequate remuneration. The Treasury were easily brought to decide in their favor, but the Ad- miralty, who had already given an opinion favorable to them, was induced to supj^ort the measure of Croker. At last, the subject came before the house of Commons in a select committee, which, at length, decided in favor of the Barrack Masters. The great difficulty was to get a sufficient number of the committee to attend, to prevent the matter being smug- gled through by Croker, and the few who had lent themselves to this job. General Ainslie, accused of various offences in his government of the Islands of Grenada and Dominica, and recalled to answer the accusations, applied to me to repel the charges against him. My per- sonal connection with bun arises from his having married the near relation of my wife. This man, without judgment, his temper na- turally too irritable, rendered more so by the habit of drinking continued in a hot climate, had, certainly, been guilty of many great in- discretions : that, however, which a2)peared to me the least capable of justification, was con- Gl cealed from lue till two days before tlie business came on, when it ^vas too late to retract the promise I had given to defend hhn. Fortu- nately, this mihtary oflence having been refer- red to the Commander in Chief, I was at liberty to refuse to enter upon it : fortunately, too, those who attacked hhn had little infor- mation on the subject, and as they d\velt, principally, on the Maroon War which he had conducted with great merit, T was able to make an honorable retreat for him, and to induce INIr. Gordon, sup2)orted as he was by Romilly and W. Smith, to withdraw the mo- tion of enquiry. The battle of Waterloo has decided the fate of Europe, and put an end to the dynasty of the Napoleons. During the tremendous con- flict, Brussells was filled with soldiers, and even officers, who ought to have shared its dangers : of the Netherlanders many, as might be expected, from disaffection ; but, even of the British no small number, certainly, from different motives. The Duke of Wellington appears to have been surprised. On the IGthand 17th, scarce- ly a horse, and not a cannon, appeared in our lines ; yet, on those days, the British batta- lions yielded only to the ch'eadful havock that 62 was made of them ; tliey were mowed down in heaps, but no where conquered. In the memorable battle of the 18th, the obstinacy of Lord Uxbridge had nearly proved fatal to our army. He persisted in charging the French Cuirassiers with his light cavahy, who were unable to make the slightest impression upon them ; and it was not till they were al- most destroyed, that he reluctantly brought forward his heavy brigade. But the people respect his courage, and the Regent has white- washed him with a Marquisate. Bonaparte seems to have committed a great error, in not making use of an innnense reserve, and though every thing was conmiitted to the hazard of this battle, yet, he does not appear to have made any great personal exertion to prevent its loss. The Duke of Wellington braved every danger ; exposed himself wherever the battle languished ; and, if he required from his men the most perfect contempt of death, the abandonment of every idea of j^ersonal safety, he, at least, shared with every soldier the sac- rifice he demanded. All would still have been insufficient, valour beyond examjjle would not have availed, had not the Prussians, beaten on the ICth, ready to figlit again on the 18th, attacked the French in the rear, after a long 63 and niti<>uing march, and decided the daj. Had the hattlc heenlost, Brussells ^vouhl have hailed the victor, and the defence even of Hol- land nnist have heen hopeless. The Emperor Alexander wonld have hastened to make peace, at the expense of his Allies, Prussia must have been annihilated, Austria humbled, and Eng- land ! AVhat would have been her fate ? She might have been saved by a disgraceful peace. Bonaparte might still, after the battle, have maintained himself, at least, for some time, at the head of the remnant of his army, but he threw himself amongst his enemies, at Paris, and was probably betrayed by Fouclie to the last step of surrendering his person, his ambition, and every future hope. In the mean time, the combined Sovereigns, in the hour of prosperity, forget every promise, every engagement, and every principle, they had put forth, when they thought the public 02:)inion necessary to their success. But on the English Government falls the greatest load of guilt. It is they who principally insist on im- posing upon the French, the wretched and des- potic government of the Bourbons. It is the blood and treasure of this free country, which cements their tyranny and bigotry, and enables them to enforce their perjured authority upon 64 tlieir miserable subjects. Under our presiding influence, the Monarchs are leagued against every exertion of popular energy, and every attempt to mitigate the abuses of arbitrary power. The restoration of the Jesuits, of the Inqui- sition, the persecution of the Protestants, are amongst the benefits we have been instrumen- tal in conferring upon the world ; and nations have been parcelled out, like land upon an inclosure, and in many instances, as in the case of Warsaw and Genoa, delivered up to then' bitterest enemies. We have not even been very strict in observing the treaties we ourselves have dictated. The friends of Ney, and many others, have in vain reclaimed the caj^itulation of Paris. They who interfere in every other instance, refuse to interest them- selves in favor of clemency, or, even to stop the persecution of the southern Protestants. The Bourbons are incapable of profiting by experience. They, and their violent counsel- lors, must soon create a new Revolution, and the new policy we have adopted of interfering in the internal government of other nations, must involve us in new wars, and render our bankruptcy more certain and more speedv ; unless the j^eople (for tlieir Representati\cs will (j5 not do it) put an end, at once, to tliis most impoliticlv, unjust, and ruinous system. The Duke of Wellington, a i)arty to the treaty of Paris, eould lia^e saved N ey : not to have done so was cold, heartless, and unjust. It has fixed an eternal blot upon his great name. I believe the marriage of the Princess Char- lotte with the Prince of Orange, was put an end to, by the artful intrigues of the Duchess of Oldenbin-gh, who wanted him for her sister. Even before the conclusion of the war, the sttxbton. country had begun to be involved in Apru 22. ^i^g greatest distress. The immense fictitious credit maintained by the prodigious issue of paper money, had enabled Ministers to increase the public burthens, far beyond any reasonable calculations of our financial powers, by postponing the terrible effects of the pres- sure which at last, however, can only become more dreadful. At length, the bubble burst. The Merchants failed ; the greater part of the country Banks broke ; the multitude of Far- mers, who had purchased or cultivated land, without capital, are thrown into goal, the shops have little custom, the laborers, in crowds, thrown out of work ; and so immense a quan- tity of paper money being at once withdrawn, G6 the price of money is gi*eatly iacreased, and that of every other commodity, or nearly every other, decreased in proportion. In this state of things, Ministers act hke a man ruined hy deht, they calculate for the moment and dare not look our affans fairly in tlie face. It is evident, that one remedy only remains for us, if even that be sufficient — re- trenchment ; every other is childish : without retrenchment, carried to the utmost practicable degi'ee, the interest of the debt, together with necessary expenses, cannot be paid, much less that debt gradually diminished. In these cir- cumstances, a peace is concluded, big with the promise of new wars, and creating the necessity of continuing enormous establishments. To meet these expenses, it is proposed to continue every w^ar tax, excepting only one half of the income tax, that is, to relieve us of six out of eighty millions. Against this preposterous plan, the Opposition have been successful in rousing the indignation of the country : petitions from every part have been presented, and the House of Commons has obliged Ministers to aban- don the property and malt taxes. Much, how^ever, yet remains to be done, and I fear neither the House nor the people will have perseverance enough to drive Ministers from 07 the priiicipli' of exlnivagancc, the desire of creaiing patronage, and the iiiean suhservience to the prolligate expenditure of the Regent. At one moment, there was a very near prospect of a change of Administration, wliich must liave led to a radical change of measiu*es ; l)ut an mdiscreet and violent speech of Brougham's terrified those country Gentlemen, usually at- tached to the existing Government, who had joined us, and threw away the opportunity. Since that time. Western, with the hest inten- tions, has occupied the time of the House, and diverted the attention of the people to the state of agriculture : a suhject on which it is irnpos- sihle for any good to he achieved hy the Legis- lature ; and, in the mean time, I much fear the zeal of the people, and their determination to ohtain retrenchment, will have heen found to hecome suhsided. 1 can reflect with some satisfaction, that I have, during the whole Session, never omitted any exertions in my power, to promote the great ohjcct of puhlic economy. I have, on e\ cry occasion, spoke holdly Avhat appeared to me the truth, and have never spared either Ministers or the Court. Contrary to the opin- ion of almost all my friends, who, though they heartilv supported me, yet thought the measure F 68 impolitick, I called a county meeting, and jus- tified my determination by the most complete success, after obtaining a most numerous and respectable assembly. My petition against the property and malt tax, and for economy and retrenchment, was j^resented at the same time with those from Yorkshire, London, and many others, and on the very day on which the fate of the property tax was decided ; and to that decision it cannot fairly be denied to have con- tributed its share. Brougham is desirous of taking Whitbread's place in the House of Commons, but he is inferior to him in talents, in character, and in consequence ; and he is possessed of no sound judgment. He speaks, sometimes, very ably, but he is not ready, and never succeeds when suddenly called upon. Like Whitbread, he re- fuses to submit himself to the leading of Pon- sonby, and aims to be himself at the head of a party ; but his indiscretion has already dimi- nished, if not annihilated that hope, too hastily adopted. His speech against the Prince con- sisted of violent and unqualified invective, unconstitutionally applied to the person of the Regent, instead of his advisers. It was univer- sally disapproved. I was the first ^vho spoke the truth on this subject. I was nearly as 69 strong as Brougham, yet it gave almost general satisfaction, merely because it was done with- out \'iolating accustomed forms, and appeared to arise naturally from the suhject in debate. Early in the Session, in consequence of information I had received, I asked a question of Ministers, which produced the curious fact, that in the very week that succeeded the open- ing of the Session, with the word economy in the royal speech, they had been employed in augmenting the salaries of the customs and excise officers in England and Scotland, Ministers were so much annoyed at the im- pression created by this discovery, that they declared they would answer no more questions, and the next day answered them as usual. Nothing can have exceeded the contemptible sort of cunning tricks and duplicity they have displayed throughout the Session. Can such j)olicy ever be successful ? Even when the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold are to be j)rovided for, they take the opportunity of endeavouring to clieat the public out of £30,000 per annum for the Prince. She had expended of late years, £7000 per annum only, but the Regent had thought j)i'oper to place £37,000 to her account, and Ministers, instead of mo- ving for an increase for her of £23,000 to make 70 up llic £(30,000, liave obUiinetl a vote of £00,000, including only the £7000, which was drawn from the Consolidated Fund, and leaving the remaining £30,000 as an addition for the general expenditure of the Civil List. Whitbread left debts to the amount of about £350,000. His income was very large, his landed property being stated, by those who were best acquainted with his circumstances, at £20,000 per annum, and his share of the brewery, at £15,000. His style of living, though very handsome, did not account for so large an expenditure : lie was never addicted to play, led a domestic life, and his nearest friends cannot imagine in what manner the money could have been disposed of. I have heard it said, that purchases were made with borrowed money, both by himself and his fa- ther ; his estates, too, were thought to be very high let, and the rents were, probably, ill paid. The last Winter was very severe. The frosts were not of very long duration, but the intervals between them were short, and they wxre so intense, that on one particular night the tliermometer in many places, and amongst others, here, was at 4 degrees below Zero of" Fahrenheit. In other places, v\ithin three miles, it was at i above Zero ; and this remarkable 71 (lillbrenco, williiii a short distance, was obser- ved ill many irdiis o(" the kingdom. In July last, a pair of kangaroos, half gi'own, were given me by Lord Bath. The male was kil- led by the severe night in P'ebruary ; the fe- male does not appear to have suffered. I have now a larger male irom Sir Jose]:)h Banks. The remarkable large gold fish at Ponton July. died a few da}s ago. I had long witnessed the evils occasioned to the lower orders, Avithin twenty miles of Lin- coln, by a local poor bill, passed in 1790, and which has been smuggled, in some extraor- dinary manner, through both Houses ; as it contained clauses oppressive and tyrannical to a great degree, and contrary to the principles of common law, as well as of justice. The workhouse was managed well as to food, clean- liness, and order, but it was ruled with an iron rod, and chains and dungeons were in constant use for trivial faults, and at the will of the go- vernor ; it was, also, totally without the means of complaint for the unfortunate inhabitants. The last of these inconveniences must, I fear, remain ; the rest I had determined to remedy. AYith the assistance of Sir Samuel Romilly, I framed a bill for that purpose, which has also the advantage of repealing all similar clauses 72 in other local Acts. Ellison, who has always been condemned as the author of the Lincoln poor bill, attended in the House, apparently to support it ; but having raised uj) Mr. George Rose, and Lockhart, who made feeble at- tempts to resist the impression my plain state- ment of facts had made upon the House, he sneaked away. Tlie persons interested, at Lincoln, were extremely angry, and sent a deputation to London to oppose my measure. The deputies, however, found they could do nothing but through me, and the principal of them being, fortunately, a candid and liberal man, came and consulted with me upon the occasion ; in the mean time, a more formidable opposition had arisen from the Members for Coventry, whom, at last, I satisfied by inserting a new clause. It is curious, that this new clause for which the bill was expressly recom- mitted, which was regularly moved, reported, and agreed to, was afterwards left out by some error of the clerk's : an error not discovered till the bill had passed into a law. The Act is far better without it. Ellison expressed to me his perfect satisfaction of the bill as amend- ed, and told me he had always disapproved of the Lincoln Bill ; but as soon as I had left Town, he threatened to oppose my bill, and 73 told Sir Samuel Romillv that there was neither sense nor legislation in it : he did not venture to oppose the third reading. Not imagining any danger would he in- curred in the House of Lords, I had merely desired Lord Lilford to attend to its progress. The Chancellor shewed an inclination to oppose it : it was supported hy Lords Lauderdale, Holland, and Stanhope; and Lord Ellenho- rougli approving it, it passed into a law. The Session, which opened with a promise of economy in the Regent's speech, continued and concluded with the systematic refusal of Ministers to practice it. A few clerks, indeed, were diminished, hut a higher peace estahlish- ment w as made than ever hefore know^n ; and an immense addition to the Civil List revenue. In the mean time, every source of revenue begins to diminish in its produce, and the pub- lic debt, instead of being lessened, is actually, in fact, increasing. What will be the issue of such insane conduct ? Either national bank- ruptcy, a revolution, or both. To diminish the interest of the funds, (an act of bankruptcy which may soon become absolutely necessary) would produce great individual distress ; though, perhaps, less than that which it would relieve : and the public Ijenefit arising from that, or a 74 still more decisive measure, would be, in my opinion, immense : but tlie act, if not j ustified by imperious necessity, would be most dishon- est. It would probably put an end, for some time at least, to tlie funding system, (the art of cheating posterity) and to public credit, which enables us to carry on unjust wars. Ministers, however, will do nothing : they have neither talents, decision, nor virtue, to qualify them to act in such a crisis. Charles Chaplin, of Blankney, Member for November, tlic couuty, dicd iu the last days of August. He was one of my earliest friends, and, however politically hostile to each other, we had always lived in the strictest friendship in private life ; we had even had very considerable pecuniary transactions, with- out intervention or security, with mutual ad- vantage and satisfaction. He was an lionorable, virtuous, and benevolent man, but he had no head, and his ignorance on all poHtical subjects was wonderful : his subserviency to Ministers made him popular with those, who call them- selves the loyal party in this county ; and his private character was deservedly respected by all. What was to be done I knew not. I consulted my friends ; they all advised peace. Another vacancy was shortly ex})ected, and 75 this was not tliouglit the proj^er one ; great part of tlie county might resent the attempt of carrying two men of independent principles. Lord Brownlow had set up liis brother, a con- test was certain, and thouLih my success was deemed sure, yet, it might be i)urcliased by enormous expense, and the enemy might reco- ver at the next election. The increasing in- dignation at W. Cust being proposed, appeared to possess all parties. The partial SherilF, obliged by a requisition (not from my friends) to call a day of nomination, had taken care to fix it the yery day before the election, probably for the precise purpose of not giving me time to vacate my seat, if I should be called upon by the freeholders : this call, in fact, took place, and seemed almost unanimous with those who attended. The next day, (the day of election) 1 went to Lincoln, and explained to the assem- bly the impossibility of my then acquiescing in their wishes. They applied to the Sheriff to postpone the election, to give me time to vacate. C. Chaplin was then put in nomination, but haying already promised his support to Cust, which he had since repented, the latter was elected with every possible mark of public dis- ap])robation. 76 After breakfast, I was in formed that Belvoir opt„^ej. Castle was on fire. I w^ent to the top ^'^* of my house, with a good telescope. I saw a vast body of smoke, but seeing the build- ing a2)parently entire ; no flames, no bustle, and no appearance of engines, I concluded that some workshop had been on fire and w^as extin- guished. At half-past one, a messenger arrived with the lamentable intelligence that the inte- rior of the Castle was consumed, and that the assistance of my Cavahy w^as requested for the preservation of the property. I immediately gave the necessary orders, and repaired myself to Belvoir. The walls yet remained, and some of the new apartments had been spared by tlie fire ; the rest was a tremendous heaj) of ruins, in many parts of which the flames still threatened to break out again. The fire had probably broke out soon after twelve at night, though not discovered before three. As there was no Engine at Belvoir, and those from Grantham, Belton, and Melton, could not ar- rive before eight or nine, the flames long raged without control. Multitudes attended of all ranks, and from all parts, anxious to give their utmost assistance ; but their zeal ill directed was often mischievous, and immense destruction was effected by rashly tearing do^vn pictures. // glasses, and furniture of all kinds, without necessity, and even, after the fire had heen suhdued ; yet, all had acted with the hest inten- tions. Soon after four, the greater part of my Cavalry, who had anticipated my order, arri- ^ed, and we immediately took possession of the Castle, which we found full of strangers ; and placing sentries at all the avenues, guarded the property for two days, when the moh had entirely dispersed. The loss is enormous. Tlie work of the life, and fortune of the Duke of Rutland has almost disappeared. The jilate was saved and the greater part of the pictures ; hut a few hy the first masters are destroyed, particularly the Sea Monster, by Salvator Rosa, and the Maid of Orleans, by Rubens. Almost all those by Su' Joshua Reynolds are also gone. There does not a23pear the slightest grounds to suppose the fire to have originated from design, but the gi'eatest negligence is every where apparent. The *Duke of Rutland's conduct evinced firm- ness, gratitude, and all the most amiable feel- ings. He was perfectly alive to the consoling circumstance, that all his family was safe ; and ♦ He was absent at Cheveley, but arrived in the moruii g; lie was refuseJ admittance by my sentry, who did not know the Duke, wlio i.fterwards acknow- ledged tlic propriety of his strict obedience to orders. 78 the concern and anxiety of all descriptions of persons, marked the nniversal estimation in wliicli liis character is held. This Session of Parliament hegun nnder stiibton, circumstances rather favorahle to Ma.ch,i8i7. Opposition. Ministcrs had most impudently despised the puhlic desire for re- trenchment ; thus they neglected the opportu- nity of gaining credit to themselves for those reductions, which they very soon found them- selves under the necessity of adopting ; insuf- ficient as they are, either to satisfy the country, or to rescue its finances from the hankruptcy which appears to me inevitably to await it. Every thing they have yielded to economy, has been, evidently, unwillingly done. First, to avoid a committee of finance, named by Op- position, they formed one of their own ; hinting that the report might not be made for two or three years : they have already found it expe- dient to announce, that this committee has recommended the abolition, on the death of the present possessors, of ten sinecui'e ofifices ; an abolition which, if future events give them courage, they may still intercept in the House of Lords. They next recommended the Regent to alibrd to the public necessities £50,(K)() from his allo\vance for private expen- 79 (liture. This miserable i^iit, liowcxer, farcical as it is, they had some di/riculty to jn'opose to tlic Regent, and, at last, persuaded Leach to do it ; who is said to ha\'e thereby incurred the high displeasure of" the Prince. The navy they have since very much reduced ; and the armv, thousih still more than t\^'ice the amount of any former peace establishment, is still diminished considerably, both at home and abroad, setting aside that in France, which is also reduced. With all this, the country was not satisfied. It is become sensible, that the trade cannot struoole against the enormous weight of taxation. That our former prosperity cannot, in any degree, be restored to us, with- out a very great diminution of our burtliens ; which nuist daily increase the distress of the country, ^\hilst they daily become less equal to the discharge of even the interest of our debt. Ministers, utterly incapable of measures calculated to meet the danger, have recourse only to such as are calculated to afford to them- selves a temporary respite. AVithout necessity and with scarce a colorable pretext, they have suspended habeas corpus, and re-enacted the seditious and gagging bills. To do this, they ha\e realarmed the alarmists, and imjiosed upon Ponsonby and Pigot. Opposition, conti- 80 iiually told by the two latter members of the se- cret committee, that we should find there w^as some ground for alarm, knew not how to act and assisted the sliam j^lot by not treating it as it deserved. It appears to me, that the coun- try has not been much duped by this scheme, and even the alarmists in the two Houses, those exce2:>ted who are desirous of availing themselves of this oj^portunity of joining Ad- ministration, are fast recovering from their momentary fears. Of late, the gi'eat question of the reform of par- liament has made many converts. Tlie people are become more anxious to obtain it than they have ever before appeared to be : but the little hope, if any hope there were, that any measure of reform could be canied through the House of Commons, has now vanished for the present. The violence of Hunt, the London riot, con- nected with the meeting for reform in Spafields, and the insult upon the Regent, when going to open the Session of Parliament, have cer- tainly diminished the very httle inclination there was in the Legislature, to give any plan of reform a favorable reception. The slender talents for eloquence in the Le- Aprii u. gishiture are still more diminished. Canning is returned ; but his powers 81 iippoar to have sunk willi liis cluiractcT. Soiiic- tinics, indeed, lie is delivered of poetical prose, liigblj wrought, with great labour ; not ah\ays new, very beautifully expressed, and forming the conclusion of a loncj harangue, little to the ])urpose and without any strength of argument. Burdett is much improved, but neither he nor Brougham have learned discretion. Horner is no more. Great acquirements, intense appli- cation, a great command of words, taste, judg- ment, force, honour, aiul patriotism — an ami- ableness of disposition and manners which engaged and captivated all men, led us to look to Horner as one of the first hoj^es of the nation ; and his youth afforded the prospect of long and substantial improvement, from expe- rience in every thing connected with political exertions. His exertions in the House of Commons, and those which he made in his profession, the law% were too much for a con- stitution apparently delicate. He died in Italy of a consumption, and carried with him the sincere regi'ets of a more than ordinary propor- tion of his countrymen, and the professed lamentations of the rest. After Horner, there are few men on the libe- ral side of the House of Commons on whom our present reliance is placed with fonder anxiety 82 tlian Tierney ; but lie, too, is struggling against impaired health, and the event of" the struggle is yet doubtful. Grattan is wearing out, and Ponsonbj is no longer what he was. Brough- am, with all his brilliant talents for speaking, all his fund of parliamentary knowledge, and skill in debate, possesses the confidence neither of the House, nor of the people. Lord Coch- rane is a wretched speaker ; yet, in a debate on reform, founded on some petition. Brough- am, was thought to be much hurt in reputation. Lord Cochrane accused him of abandoning his former opinions, and Brougham failed in an angry attempt at justification. Should the contest for Westminster be between these two, Brougham will probably be beaten. Sir G. Heathcote was extremely anxious for a county meeting, to petition for economy and reform. I was against bringing forward the second ques- tion, though ready to support it ; because I was sure that many of my personal friends would be highly displeased at my placing them (those iQifriendly to reform) in a very awkward situa- tion. At length, the httle fermentation created in men's minds by the new plot, made the meeting, in the opinion of all, inexpedient ; and by a sort of tacit consent, the Tories gave up all idea of petitioning on the escape. 83 Craycroft, indeed, proposed to tlie grand jury after Chaplin and I had left it, to adckess the Regent on the escape ; and as he 2)ersevered in sjnte of the wishes of all but Elndiirst and Massingberd, it was most unwillingly, at length, acquiesced in, and some bad English is to be presented by Pelham, the foreman. The susj^ension of habeas corpus was to stubtou, expire on the lirst of this montli. '^"'■'" Government appear to have been in some perplexity ; they determined, however, to revive the old secret committee, and rcnew^ the suspension. Ponsonby, Pigot, and Lord Milton, were no longer then dupes ; and the scandalous manner in which a few discontented had been urged on by those in the j)(^y (^tid em- jAoy of Ministers, became notorious to the pub- lic. The suspension was carried, as every thing is carried, by a great majority. The nation is indifferent : What will be the conse- quence? Nothing. The job of appointing Can- ning Minister to Lisbon, where there was no Court, on which and some other conditions his union with Administration ^vas secured, had disgusted the country. Canning had sunk in reputation, rarely spoke, and never with effect. Brougham, wishing to imj^rove up- on this advantage, lost it. He persuaded G 84 Lambton to bring forward a question upon it, and L. opened the subject with great modera- tion, propriety, and judgment. Burdett then, at Brougham's desire, totally ignorant of the subject, which till that morning he had never considered, made a most violent, indiscreet, and offensive speech, for the purpose of pro- voking Canning to defend himself, as if this could ever have been a matter of doubt. He did defend himself with great ability, and suc- ceeded in fixing the question on the false ground on which Burdett had rested it. Brougham then spoke, well or ill we know not, for the House refused to listen. Canning's defence imposed on me, and I was near leaving the House with Lord Folkestone and Brand, but not thinking it prudent to prefer the im- pression of the moment to my former conside- rate opinion, 1 determined to wait for Tierney, whose argument brought me back to reason, and convinced me in what manner I had, for a moment, been imposed upon. I spoke, at some length, against the bill for giving the power to the Crown of granting pensions in lieu of the sinecure places abolished. This speech had not much effect in the House, nor did any of the Members express afterwards to me any approbation of it ; yet, it seems to 86 have been more approved in tlie country, than any former effort of mine. On the poor laws, as I expected, nothing has been done. A l)ill has passed the Com- mons to diminish the expense of elections, ^particularly county elections, from which I hope for great advantage. Two days after I left London, Ponsonby had a paralytic or apoplectic stroke in the House of Commons. He may live, but his public life has closed. Who is to succeed him ? Ponsonby lingered only about a week, with- out hope. No man has possessed or deserved a higher private character. As a statesman he was deficient in energy, and even in decision. He was too often the dupe of the compliments Ministers paid to his candour ; his principles were not sufficiently fixed ; and honorable and virtuous as he was, he had not a sufficient detestation of corruption. His oratory was, in general, tame and weak ; but he sometimes rose above himself. Tierney must be his suc- cessor if he have sufficient health ; if not, the post must remain vacant. Should Brougham attempt to occupy it, the mischief will be very gi'eat. The dreadful and increasing effects of the bad system of our poor laws, determined me 86 to erect a house of industry at Claypole, for seven, perhaps uUmiatelj, nine contiguous parishes. My ohjects are, to employ the whole of the poor, hy attaching a farm and large gar- den to the estahlishment : thus, at the same time, to make the poor less miserable, and oblige them to provide by their labor for a part, at least, of the expense of their maintenance ; and to afford a suitable education for the chil- dren. The establishment is founded on the Act, 22 Geo. Ill, c. 83. The committee for lending exchequer bills for the employment of the poor, were much delighted with my plan ; and, finding they could not advance me the money I wanted, under their act, procured a clause to be inserted in the amendment act to enable them to do so. The general opinion in the country seems to be, that the establishment will prosper during my life, and then fall into abuse : should this happen, I shall have done more harm than good ; but I really think if once well started, it may continue for ages to be well managed. In the mean time, Owen has developed his plan for forming, not the poor, but all the lower orders, into communities of fifteen hundred to ^yq thousand, assembled in a single building, occupying a farm in com- mon, under a sort of monastick government. 87 Fortunately, lie is utterly unable to obtain any sort of coneurrence in this plan ; for a more admirable sclieme lor the destruction of all public spirit, or personal exertion, never was contrived. Owen is, I l)elieve, an honest en- thusiast, admirably calculated for the manage- ment of a large manufacturing establishment, and for brinoinu; it to a state of order and moral conduct. I am in correspondence with him, to obtain a master for my house of industry. Owen ajDpeared to ha\ e many and some power- ful supporters until one of his publications con- tained an expression reflecting upon religion : from that moment he ^vas totally deserted. In the last Summer, I received a very unex- 1818. pected affront. Sk T. Whichcote had, of late, rarely attended the assizes, and the office of chairman, whether he was pre- sent or absent, had been virtually exercised by me. Notice was given of a motion for a perma- nent chairman, and it was publicly avowed by the Chaplins, as well as the other Magistrates, that I was to be the person chosen ; Sir T. Whichcote having declined, on account of his health, the com])liment intended to be paid him, and of which I had given notice. When the day arri^ cd, I was somewhat surprised at the unusual and ominous presence of Reeve, 88 and of others not in the habit of attending ; still more was T surprised when I found Mr. Chap- lin was elected chairman, and had, afterwards, to qualify as a Magistrate. The reason avowed for Chaplin's being a candidate was, that it would assist him as candidate for the county ; thus sanctioning the disgraceful practice of bringing politics into a Court of Justice. Yet, I nnist acknowledge that he made a good chairman. In the mean time, Chaplin began openly to declare his intention of opposing Cust at the next election, and actively, though quietly, to solicit votes. Sir W. Welby, on behalf of Lord Brownlow, asked Chaplin if he were really determined ; and on being told he was, infonxied him Lord Brownlow would give him no further trouble. Soon after. Lord Brown- low, finding himself supported by Sir J. Banks, and by Ministers, (though they rather wished him to dechne,) induced Sir Wihiam Welby to explain away his communication. Just at this period, Mr. Chaplin's name appeared first on the list for Sheriff, and he hastily published a hand bill, accusing Lord Brownlow of having effected this, to exclude him from being a can- didate. With these aggi'avations, I httle ex- pected cither to give way, and immediately 89 published my address to tlie county. No sooner had it appeared, than Cust withdrew, recommending Chaphn. They did not see Cha])hn's hand bill till the day after. My friends now thought my prospect very bad. I had scarcely any considerable friend but Sir John Thorold, Sir Gilbert Heathcote would not come forward, and I was even myself inclined to withdraw. This, however, was thought disgraceful, and it was determined to persevere. Pelham and Chaplin are at an immense expense. I have no paid agents.* In parliament this year, Opposition seem March 20. fcduced lowcr than ever ; nor can we obtain a decent attendance. We have been unlucky on some questions. Brougham, indeed, has been as able and more discreet than usual ; but it has been otherwise with Lamb ton and Lord Folkestone. Even on the indemnity bill, which involved the great ques- tions of the secret committee and suspension bills, though the argument was all with us, our divisions were most scanty : thus inspirited. Ministers refuse all economy ; but I think they are growing more and more unpopular in the country. I am sure it is so in my county. * The greater my foUj*, for it is absurd to attempt to carry a county election without paid ageuts. My experiment fully proved this. 90 The Session, probably the Parliament, is stubton, nearly concluded ; and, after remain- May, 1818. ^^^^ niucli longcr in London than I had intended, I am returned, much reduced by a protracted affection of the lungs. The imbecility of Ministers in Parliament has been extraordinary. They first made a feeble at- tempt to gain popularity, by hurrying through the repeal of the habeas corpus suspension bill, in a single day, and this when the royal speech had just informed us, that the vigilance of Magistrates would be necessary to preserve the tranquillity of the country. Throughout the Session, they have frequently been beaten on a division, and have often given up important measures without risking one. Lately, they thought proper to bring forward an increase of the allowances to all the royal Dukes, from £18,000 per annum to £40,000. The House however, gave the Dukes of Kent and Cam- bridge £6,000 each additional; (offered the same to Clarence, which he foolishly refused as insufficient ;) and refused all that exceeded this, as w^ell as the sums intended as outfit. I spoke against even these additions, on ac- count of the great emoluments derived by those individuals from Hanover and Gibraltar. Brougham displayed very great eloquence 91 in moving for a commission to examine into the abuse of charities, — abuses the most exten- sive and shocking. The two persons against whom tlie lieaviest charges are brought, are Lord Lonsdale and the Bishop of Tincoln ; but the measure appears to meet w ith the most barefliced opposition from the Chancellor and Lord Redesdale : ah'eady it is encumbered with exemptions, and 1 nmch fear the delin- quents will be, in a great measure, screened from punishment. My last act this Session was to bring forward a motion for the repeal of the septennial act, the most moderate project of reform which can be entertained. I was heard with great attention for forty minutes, and did my best. The ministerial side of the House did not vouchsafe a word in reply. I was supported by Romilly and W. Smith. Brougham thought proper to defend the right of Parliament to prolong their own duration. This warm, and I thought, unnecessary attack rather than de- fence was directed against W. Smitli. Brough- am, contrary to the principles he himself laid down, had, a few days before, supported the addition to the Duke of Kent's allowance : he gained no credit by it with either side of the House. 92 During this Session, S. Douglas, son of Lord Glenburnie, has greatly improved in speaking. Sir J. Mackintosh has also distinguished himself, and, on the alien bill, delivered a speech worthy of the days of Fox. Canning, in that debate, avowed that anv movement in France would draw us into a Continental war. Will not the public t ike the alarm ? Gifford, the new Solicitor General, having totally failed in parliament, it became necessary to call in the assistance of Copley, who had to change the whole of his public principles, to qualify himself for the task : his voice and manner are excellent, but, hitherto, it is " vox et preeterea nihil." Towards the end of the Session, the hfe of Lord Milton was suddenly endangered by a pleurisy, and the fracture of his collar bone in hunting. The deep anxiety which prevailed in London, proved the high value in which his safety is so deservedly held. I fear he is even yet in a precarious state. His incorrup- tible honesty would render him a severe public loss : in private life no man would be more lamented. The death of Lord Ossory left the Lieutenancy of Bedfordshire vacant. The petty malice of the Court induced them to give it to Lord Grantham. The reason hinted to the public was, the Duke of Bedford having 93 subscribed to IToiic. I am inforinetl, Lord Ossory had two years before wished to resign it to the Duke of Bedford, but was told he would not be his successor. The Duke of Bed- ford gave me his unsolicited support, and on mv "v\Titin2f to thank him, I received a letter most highly approving my political character and conduct. The dissolution will, 1 believe, take place stubton, this day, certainly, this Aveek. My June 1], 1818. gjt^^tiQn \^ uuccrtaiu. Tlie voice of the county is decidedly with me, but I never was, from various circumstances, so little pre- pared, in a pecuniary point of view, for the struG:2;le. The nomination for our county came on Stubton, ^^^011 the 24th of June. Chaplin had July 1- mustered all the persons he could per- suade or hire, few of them freeholders, and he obtained the show of hands. The next day, w^e proceeded to the election. On the first day, I had a majority over Chaplin of 28 ; on the next came a reverse, and I was 147 below him. On Saturday he had gained still more, and was 416 above me. THURSDAY. SATURDAY. P. 1187. P. 3693. H 880. C. 3069. C. 858. H. 2653. 94 We had polled two thirds of the freeholders. To continue the contest, it would he neces- sary to hring in the outvoters, at an enormous expense and uncertain result. A general opinion prevailed amongst my friends, that we should have more voters in Lincoln on Friday, than we could either poll or provide for, (both unfounded,) and many were actually and most fatally stopped from coming. It is now prohahle, that had I not persuaded (prohahly) 750 of my pluni])ers to vote unwil- lingly for Pelham, I might have been at the head, he, possibly, at the bottom of the poll. Had I, however, adopted the plan of polling all my votes single, Pelham's friends, who are now many of them disgusted with his sel- fish conduct, would have supposed it had naturally followed from my first hostile measure. With regard to the resignation, on the informa- tion we possessed, no other step was prudent. That our returns were so bad, was partly owing to the bad measures my inexperience led me to pursue, partly to the difficulty of bringing volun- teers to act with concert and regularity until they have been once beaten. I find that I have been every where blamed for giving away a sure victory ; but, even in their vexation, the freeholders have shown a determination to ad- 95 here to my cause. Measures are already com- meiiccd to prepare i'or a more successful battle. At a large meeting, at Gainsborough, of friends of that neighbourhood and the Isle of Axholme, I have already reconciled the opinions of all, and increased the nundjcrs of my partisans ; and I have little doubt of producing the same result at Boston, when an opportunity may ofler, but the attempt yet would be premature. In the mean time, I am informed that Chap- lin's expenses have been enormous, certainly not less than two or three times my own. Had I proceeded, the expense of the three last days must have been exceedingly inconvenient to me. On a peach tree, in my peach house, bearing August c. ^ goot^ crop of peaches, of which a small part is already gathered, is one very fine and perfect nectarine, produced with- out any art or trick. I had heard of this singular circumstance having occurred else- where, but never before had an oj)portunity of seeing it. After di'awing my barouche from Lincoln stubton, Assizes, on a day uncommonly hot, Aug. 7, ]8i8. ^^^g q£ ^^^y coach horses, six years old, the finest I ever possessed, was taken ex- ceedingly ill ; he was in a high fever, and had 96 not discharged any urine since he left Lincohi. They liad akeady obtained from him a large quantity of blood, and I ordered him to be fomented, which was done. I w^ould also have administered a clyster, but no pipe was within reach ; unfortunately, the farrier arrived on other business : knowing him to be a man who l^ractised only because, having broke as a farmer, he had nothing else to do, I had even less confidence in Hoole than in the ordinary race. He approved, however, of what had been done, and promised to give no medicine. I ordered the horse, naturally shy in staling, to be left alone, and the door locked, and went away : no sooner was I gone, (to dinner) than Hoole, to excite the horse to stale, thrust an onion up the passage of the urethra, which it comj^letely stopped. The excess of his igno- rant folly, however, was not beheved, till the horse having died in agony, the onion was found : on its removal, the urine followed. This reminds me of another farrier, who was giving drinks to a cow, and assured his ad- miring audience, that one drop of water would j)roduce instant death. To then* astonishment, I ordered them to let her go ; she filled herself with water, at a pond, and never ailed more. The two farriers, it is to be hoped, will be ruin- 97 ed as to their trade. The horse was recovering when the farrier arrived, and I had Httle doubt of his stahiig when left alone. At the last election, I lost a very gi'eat num- ber of votes from tlie long and unaccountable supineness of Sir G. Heathcote. lie was zealous at last, when it was too late ; and when his inactivity had afforded an excuse for persons connected with him, to espouse the opposite interest ; amongst them, Smith, of Horbling, an attorney, probably carried against me more votes than any other individual in the county. Lord Fitzwilliam and his son, notwithstanding their near relation to the Pel- hams, afforded me the strongest proofs of their friendship. Lord Milton, by canvassing with me, went far to contradict the worthless false- hoods which had been industriously propagated against me. My journey to Boston has not had all the success I expected from it : this may, in gi'eat measure, be attributed to the measures of a very zealous friend and near neighbour, whose bad judgment has created considerable mischief to the cause. The re- publicans at Boston seem, in general, well inclined. Numbers in that neighbourhood are dissenters, who are almost all with me, parti- cularly the Quakers, who nearly all give me plumpers. 98 The speaking at Lincoln was better far than I had ever known it. Pelham, indeed, was very bad, and Sir C. Anderson did not sj^eak so well as once before ; but Su- R. Sheffield, for Pelham, spoke in a very manly and con- stitutional style. Allix, in seconding my nom- ination, acquitted himself remarkably well ; and Chaplin himself, though without learning or information, spoke with good humour, and in a manner far superior to all our expectations ; and which, though somewhat vulgar, was not ill adapted to his audience. The elections, on the whole, have not turned out favorable to those in power ; the numbers they have lost are not very considerable, but several are chosen from amongst the avowed friends of reform ; some of them, too, men of activity and talents, whose exertions in par- liament will probably create a great effect. The Capital, including Westminster andSouth- wark, has chosen none but members of the Opposition. It is remarkable, too, that the Ministers have not even been able to nominate the whole of the Scotch Peers. Lords Belliaven and Roscberry having been returned in oppo- sition to them. From Brooks', one hundred and thirty members have sent a written request to Tierney, that he would act as leader of the Opi:)Osition, with which he has complied. 99 Since the general election, Koniilly, who siubtoti, liJitl recently lost liis wife, snfTeriiig ec. 1SJ8. ^^jjj^j. ^]jg severest mentul affliction, pnt an end to his life with a razor. He appears to have anticipated the possihilitj of insanity. He had led a life in which his unremitting at- tention to husiness was, probahly, greater than could be supported even by his great and vigo- rous intellect. No man could ha\'e been less spared by the country. His indefatigable devo- tion to his public duties, his incorruptible integ- rity, sound patriotic principles, and powerful mode of lashing the worthless and corrupt, have left no one to succeed him. Horner, alone lit to be his political heii*, was gone before him. Romilly devoted the little time his business in l^arliament, and in the Court of Chancery, left him, to the enjoyment of his domestic comforts, and was rarely seen in society. I never knew him but in the House of Commons ; but, I re- flect with pride, that he supported me in every motion I have brought forward of public impor- tance, and even had the goodness to dra^v up for me several bills which I have introduced into the House. Romilly always entertained the highest pos- sible respect for the characters of Lords Ellen- borongh and Eldon, and never liked to hear H 100 any unfavorable reflections made upon them. When informed that Lord Ellenborough was become childish, he said no man's mind was safe. No proper candidate could be found to suc- ceed Romilly in the representation of West- minster. Lord John Russell was physically unfit, from the badness of his health, and the extreme feebleness of his voice. Sir F. Burdett had better have avoided interfering, but he exerted himself for his friend Hobhouse, who refused to give a sufficiently explicit declaration of his political principles, and inspired no party ^vith confidence. G. Lamb, probably in his heart an enemy to reform, excited no gi'eat zeal in his supporters ; but is chosen by the efforts of the old whigs and the preference of the tories. Whitbread, the father of the last, possessed Maicb 12. *^ great deal of industry, much sin- gularity of character, possibly some talent. Early in life, he expended somewhat more than the whole of his very small fortune, in a sort of summer house, near Bedford, yet known by the name of Whitbread's folly. His creditor dunned him for the debt he had con- tracted, and that in a manner so little agreeable to liim, that he determined to exert himself 101 to pay him. To this accident he attrihiited his success in life. He was indefatigable in his business ; and there was no hour, day or night, when those whom he em2)l()yed could rely upon his absence. His manners and ideas were vulgar, and he had a great deal of unin- telligible superstition ; but he was generous and charitable. He was the intimate friend of another remarkable character, Howard, the ^ visitor of prisons and hospitals, and almost the first corrector of their abuses. Howard was a tyrant at home, but his tyranny appear- ed more the effect of a mind partially diseased, than of a disposition naturally bad. His harsh treatment was thought to have hastened the death of his wife, before whose picture he frequently performed a sort of penance. He had an only son, whom, for the slightest offen- ces, he obliged to remain for hours in a pre- scribed attitude, in a grotto in his garden. The son became a lunatic, and the father a wanderer ; but he nobly paid to mankind at large, the voluntary forfeitme of his domestic offences. Whitbread and Howard were both natives of Carrington, near Bedford. The new Parliament acquired some esteem jQjje fi'om the people. Ministers had more than once been defeated. A large 102 floating party alarmed those in power, and ap- peared undecided both as to measures and men. In an evil hour, Tierney brought for- ward a motion on the state of the nation . The question might have rested firmly on its own grounds, but he, unfortunately, argued it on the grounds of party feeling, and a desire to obtain possession of ofhce. Nothing ever appeared to me so imprudent, nothing ever was less successful. The floating party were, in fact, men unconnected with, and unknown to, each other ; who had few of them any other inten- tion than that of espousing the strongest side. Being driven to a premature decision, they joined the government, and, contrary to the ex- pectations of both sides, gave them a triumph- ant majority. The joy of Ministers was not concealed : they instantly took advantage of their victory, no longer attempted to diminish the odium of their measures, and added taxes to the amount of three millions to the burdens of an oppressed people. The folly of this last measure must soon appear ; it may assist in ruining our trade and manufactures, but must be absolutely unproductive. Cuvier sur les Fossiles. I never was so astonished as by this book ; it gives room for the most extraordinary reflections. He gives 103 facts oulv, and misleads iioitlicr you nor liini- self, hy attempting the ibrmation of any theory. He appears to me to prove that no hmnan bones have yet been found in a fossil state, and that the skeletons and hones so found, belong to animals scarcely any of them now existing. In the regions furthest North, have even been discovered, by the sudden melting of almost aboriginal snows, bodies of animals approaching to the elejjhant, with the flesh and hair upon them ; animals which could only exist where there was a vegetation luxuriant as that near the tropics. How ignorant are we of the world we inhabit ! Black swans, from Ne^v Holland, have bred October, freely at AVentworth. The soil there appears peculiarly salutary both to animal and vegetable life. The plantations near the house have rhododendrons growing in the highest perfection, as underwood. The Portugal laurels grow in the giTatest luxuri- ance ; one which I measured was fifty-seven yards in circumference. About the 4th of June, I received from Kendrick, three Brazil tortoises, 2J inches in the greatest length of the shell ; the flesh green and yellow striped, the shell of a dingy green, brown, and red. They delight in the warm ^vater of the aqua- 104 riiim, but ^vhen tlie sun sliines, sit basking on a pot, a stone, or gravel. Thej will eat insects, small fish, and almost any animal food ; they are very active and tame ; and in three months have gi'own three quarters of an inch. In the course of the Summer, the great body of the people have taken more than usual inte- rest in the question of refonn. Unfortunately, by the apathy of the whigs, having fallen into the hands of the most violent and profligate demagogues, it was no longer possible for the best friends of liberty to unite with them. Hunt and Co. pushed them on with a revolu- tionary (French revolutionary) violence, which revolted and alarmed the timid. Little, indeed, was the occasion for alarm ; for the people of England never have acted, and never will act, with permanent vigor or resolution, unless under the guidance of men of rank or conse- quence. Ministers seem to have resolved to drive them into some act of violence, to justify their use of the military ; and, at last, somewhat prematurely, the event occurred at Manchester. Ministers have totally failed in all their financial speculations. I might say, in all their political speculations. They had pre- dicted increasing prosperity, and we find only increasing misery and ruin ; it appears, there- 105 fore, to tlieiii absolutely necessary to throw the blame upon the people ; and this idea is, pro- bably, the more welcome to them, as it will, at the same time, give them the opportunity of diminishing their rights and liberties, particu- larly those which relate to the consideration of grievances, whether by the use of the press, or in public assemblies. Of the meeting at Manchester, and the events which followed upon it, the accounts are, in some respects, so contradictory, that it is time alone which can enable us to form an accurate judgment upon them. Why then refuse all enquiry ? It appears that an immense mass of people assembled from various places, part of them marching under flags w ith some degree of re- gularity, but all unarmed ; that the Magistracy pretended or felt great alarm for the tranquillity of the place ; and proceeded in the most violent and offensive manner to arrest Hunt, wdio had before offered to surrender himself to them, and w hom they could have had no difficulty at any time in securing. Whether the riot act was read in some place where no one heard it, or w^as not read at all — w^hether the constables were or were not first employed and driven back — are facts yet unproved ; but the legal mode of a posse comi- lOG tatus was not resorted to, and the military were ordered to charge an unresisting people. The regular troops are said to have behaved with a due desire to avoid the shedding of blood, but the yeomanry of the vicinity appear to have been the too w^illing agents of a violent and sanguinary Magistracy. Hunt and Co. ^vere seized ; then followed disgraceful scenes of prisoners ill treated, justice denied, and Coroners adjoining then courts to screen de- linquents. In the mean time, the most violent mea- sures are resolved upon in the Cabinet. The Magistrates and yeomanry are thanked by the Secretary of State, in the name of the Regent, and the fountain of niercy is thus polluted with civil blood. Lord Fitzwilliam, univer- sally respected for his benevolence, his domes- tic virtues, his moderation, and his attachment to the constitution and religion of his country, is dismissed from his office of Lieutenant of a part of Yorkshire, because he attended a public meeting which only called for enquiry into these important subjects. Lord Sidmouth has issued circular letters, for the purpose of crea- ting, as far as his folly and imbecility can effect it, a false alarm. Orders to secure cannon, and to take every other precaution against a 107 powerful enemy — and ^vllat is this enemy ? — a few men driven to desperation by famine ; perhaps a few others with bad designs ; the whole totalhf without arms, ammunition, lea- ders, or money. It is melancholy to reflect, how many are the dupes of all this system of hypocrisy and falsehood. In my own county and Northamptonsliire we dare not call a meet- ing ; such are the fears of some, and the apathy of others, that even defeat might be incurred from the want of a full attendance : and by the advice of all my friends, with re- luctance and vexation I give it up. What can be done for the people, if they will do nothing for themselves ? Mountague Matthew, brother of the Earl of Landaff, who died this Siunmer, was accus- tomed to deliver his violent and vulgar speeches in the House of Commons, with stentorian lungs. Once, w hen in vain called to order by the Speaker, the whole House exerted itself to drown his voice, but he was plainly heard above them all. Some one, mistaking him for Matthew Mountague, he said, they were no more alike than a chesnut horse to a horse chesnut. Brand, having succeeded to a peerage, and November, Lauib, liaviug uiadc a successful can- ^^^^" vass for Hertfordshire, Lord Fitz- 108 williain wrote to offer me the vacant seat for Peterborough. His letter was most friendly and liberal ; yet, an allusion to his opinion, hostile to reform, made me very doubtful of the issue. I stated my opinions very fully to him, and he was perfectly satisfied. I inchne to think Lord Milton well disposed to reform, but restrained by his great respect and affection for his flither. On going to Milton, for the purpose of canvassing Peterborough, I found the high church terribly hostile, both to the family at Milton, and to myself These good courtiers can see no virtues in a man at vari- ance with the court. The Bishop, Marsh, is at the head of this hostility ; he was once, I am informed, a friend to liberal principles and toleration, but, finding this was not the road to preferment, he turned round, wrote a book, and became a bishop. One clergyman went the length of informing his neighbours, that I was a rascal, a jacobin, and an atlieist : the last of these accusations w^as alarming. For- tunately, when I w^ent to canvass the place with Lord Milton, the mob drew the carriage and gave us an opportunity of addressing them. Lord Milton spoke with great emotion, and even shed tears ; he defended me most honor- ably, and with fiir more effect than I could 100 have defended myself. It luul not been usual for the inhabitants to take much interest in the elections, but their little respect for the clergy, the great and merited popidarity of the house of Milton, and, perhaps, some favorable im- pressions received of me, made me the most acceptable candidate thej have long or ever had. My election came on the last of November. December An immcusc coucoursc, many per- ^^' sons from the country, gave great eclat to the scene. The dinner was very numerously attended. Late in the evening, T left them and proceeded to London to take my seat. The clergy affected to fear a riot ; the most resj^ectable amongst them, however, Dr. Strong, had relented. 1 inculcated oblivion, and I hope all animosity will cease. A prin- cipal layman, deceived by calumny, had gone into Norfolk to avoid me : he there heard so good a character of me, that he returned to support my election. 1 am exceecUngly pleased with this return to parliament, and it aj)pears to give gTcat satisfaction to all my friends, pub- lic and private. I could owe a seat to no man more honorably or more agi'eeably than to Lord Fitzwilliam ; besides, my friends were disappointed, and my political enemies delight- ed, with my not having a seat in this House. no This appears to me the most corrupt and stubton, ii^c)st vulgar Parhament that ever Dec. 20, 1619. ^^^^ . ^|^^^ hhiicllj support thc Mi- nister in every proposition. Then, they are all orators, half of them want to speak on every important question. It is true there is an in- creased numher, hostile to Administration ; hut then, there is no third hody, of any weight or numhers, to turn the scale on any occasion. The hills, founded on the late events, have heen well fought. The sechtion hill, hy heing made temporary, hy not affecting meetings in rooms, and other alterations, is disarmed. The worst of these measures, are those which affect the liherty of the press ; and Ministers, on this suhject, were so determined, that nothing could he gained. It was wonderful to hear the exaggerations of danger in the country repea- tedly hrought forward, repeatedly contradicted, and always heheved. In these circumstances, Lord J. Russell hrings forward a proposition to disfranchise Grampound, and give the re- presentation to Leeds. We all expected it to he treated with derision. Sir H. Ward ^vas supposed to he ready, and Canning, evidently so. Suddenly, Lord Castlereagh yields this question (as far as it goes) of radical reform. It does httle, hut it promises much ! Lord Castlereagh, Sir V. Burdett, and al)()^•e all, Ill li(.ml IMilloii, are uiucli improved in spcaldrig. Caniiiiig appears to me gone oil'. How odious is this exercise of privilege. The sending Hobhouse to Newgate is supposed to have arisen from the desire ol" provoking Burdett to violence, that he might lose the very great credit he had gained hj his last ahle and moderate speeches. In the House, he was sufficiently on his guard ; hut at the Crown and Anchor, he signed, as chairman, an address to Hobhouse, as violent as his enemies could wish. C. ^\^ynne had certainly determined to move that he should be sent to Newgate ; on Thursday, he thought the House too thin, and whilst he waited, either he altered his mind or was persuaded to abandon his intention. I am afraid hydropho])ia is become more jaiinarv. prevalciit tluiu formerly in this coun- ^^'°- try. Of its causes, we are at present utterly ignorant. Experience, I think, proves that it does not arise from heat, from cold, or from want of water. I believe, hitherto, it has never been cured. It is conmiunicated by the saliva entering into the circulation of the blood ; and, therefore, the person bitten is frequently saved by the saliva being wi])ed a^vay from the teeth, by the clothing of the part bitten. Phy- sicians doubt whether caustics or even excision can be applied sufficiently speedily to save the 112 patient. I have conversed with a physician, who attended a girl at Leicester, fatally afflic- ted with this dreadful malady. Sir H. Halford related to me the particulars of the case of another girl, ^diom he constantly attended. A horse, at Beckingham, died last week frantic from the bite of a mad dog. Some years ago, in my own stable yard, I caressed a strange dog wliich looked very miserable ; it was a very large and powerful dog; I afterwards heard that it was under the influence of tlie disorder, and had bitten several dogs that morning. Shortly after I left it, it bit a horse, in Stub- ton, which I attended, and which died furious. Both these horses drank freely, and the follow- ing very extraordinary facts result from all the information I have yet obtained : that horses and dogs, afflicted with the disorder, are furious and deprived of whatever supphes the place of reason, but have no fear of water, though oc- casionally unable to swallow it, from a sweUing of the tlu'oat ; but human beings, thus afflic- ted, in general perfectly retain their reason, but are thrown into convulsions, more or less violent, by the sight of hquids. Ten days before the death of the King, I stubton, liad informed my friends of this ex- uicL, i«io. pg(.^g^| QyQ^i^ j^i^j ^\^^^ Parliament 113 would certainly be dissolved about the 25tli February. I had no personal wish for a con- test in the county, and I was resolved it should not be at my own expense. I was determined, too, not to be again a burthen on my private and personal friends only ; but I felt that it was due to those who had before su2)ported me in the county, that they should have an oppor- tunity of determining for themselves. The leaders delayed assembling to consult, until it was too late ; and tliough my friends had in- creased in number, they shewed little inclina- tion to contribute their money. Some proposed that I should offer myself to those who would poll without creating expense ; but this I posi- tively refused, seeing no advantage or credit from a plan which insured failure. At the county election, few (scarcely any) of my friends attended, as they knew nothing was to be done, and did not like witnessing the success of others. The Sherifij under various preten- ces, refused to adjourn into the yard, and even there I should not have found a very favorable audience ; but that in the county court was most ferociously hostile, and none amongst them more so than Mr. Sheriff Corbett. He sufl'ered every vulgar interruption to be given me; and at last, repeatedly silenced me himself, 114 yielding alternately to his fears oi" the conse- quences, and begging me to proceed. Fred. Robinson, in a manly manner asserted my rights ; but both the candidates, by their indis- position or want of judgment, lost a fine opportunity of gaining credit with the county. To me, the scene was advantageous, for the attempt to speak in an assembly so constituted, must have been most irksome. I withdrew from the meeting, protesting, Avith the friends who had accompanied me, against the indignity with which I had been treated ; and have since published an address, in -vvhich the Sheriff is in no respect spared. I find he is not sup- 2)orted by any, the most violent. A few days before the dissolution of Parlia- ment, Thistlewood, and twenty or thirty others, were found armed in a hay -loft, ready to sally forth to massacre, as it is said, all the Ministers whilst at dinner. There can be no doubt these miscreants, urged by fannne and profligacy, had resolved upon some atrocious crime. There can be as little doubt that men, so well known as Thistlewood and some others amongst them, were watched night and day ; and probably some sjiy amongst them fixed the day on which the ciime should be connnitted. Could any day ])c more con\cnient tlian one innne- 115 diately before the dissolution ? When the King gave his consent, by commission, to the last bills Ministers had the audacity to put into his mouth, a libel on half his subjects, by endea- vouring to connect this conspiracy with the Manchester and Yorkshire meetings, and make it a continuation of the necessity of the late restricti\'e acts. The violence of the minis- terial party is beyond measme increased. No calumnies are spared ; every crime — the late conspiracy — the death of the Duke de Berry — all are openly charged upon the principles of those who support the whig principles. It does not seem, however, that they make much impression on the country. In the mean time, a noble revolution has taken place in Spain. Disgusted with the tyranny of the beloved Fer- dinand, his troops have remembered they were citizens, and calmly declared for a free consti- tution, which they have at length obtained Avithout bloodshed. The example of this gallant nation cannot be lost. It appears, however, that Ferdinand has only yielded to necessity ; that he has acted ^vith his usual cowardice and perfidy ; and he probably only now watches the first opportunity to overthrow the new constitution. An opportunity I hope he will never find. I 116 On Tuesday, the 28th March, a chameleon April 6, ^^'^s sent me, about eleven inches in ^^'^^- length, tail included. It came in a wicker basket, covered with flannel; it was then entirely of a hght yellow. I had it put into the pine stove. The next morning, I found it on the stem of a vine ; it was then entirely of a bright green, like the leaves of the vine. These colours, however, are not from reflection, as they do not change immediately on removal. I have since always found it green, but, some- times, with many broad perpendicular stripes of a dark brown. Once, being repeatedly molested, I saw the bag of the under jaw swell to an enormous size, and become yellow, whilst the rest of the body was covered with multi- tudes of spots, yellow and brown, completely circular. The house adjoining its abode being paint- ing, I moved it into a house for forcing cher- ries, but in the night it suffered so much from cold, that the next morning it appeared to be expiring. On being restored to its former resi- dence, it soon recovered ; it was, however, three days without recovering its appetite. It now eats freely, and even voraciously, all flies, bees, &c. put within its reach : when apparently dying, it did not change colour. 1 know not the countrv from whence it came. 117 The crown ol" the cliameleon does not differ from Buffon's description : the only points in which the animal differs are, that the openings of the memhrane wliicli covers the eye are per- fectly circular, and that I have never found any gi'ey colour upon it. The ch:imeleon continued in perfect health June 2-3, ^^iitil this morning, when a stupid ^^^^' under gardener destroyed him hy has- tily closing one of the lights on which he had climbed. He was brought from Brazil. Du- ring a journey of six months no food was given him, and it was a month longer before he recovered his appetite. His brother who tra- velled with him is at Exeter Change. On the dissolution, the people every where showed a desire to elect men of independent principles, but under the present corrupt sys- tem, their power in that respect is small. Something, however, was gained, and more might have been gained, particularly in the Capital, where the exertions of the whigs were diverted by the anxiety to elect Lamb for Westminster, an anxiety in which I did not partake. There is also in the House of Com- mons a large floating party which, though it generally supports ^linisters, is by no means under their control, and gives them much un- 118 easiness ; yet, this party has never interfered in favor of economy, or of liberty, or to dimi- nish the enormous standing army. At the beginning of the Session, there seemed to me far too great a complaisance in the Opposition towards the new reign. Both Brougham and Tierney were strongly infected with it, and nothing could be done against the measures of Ministers. Tired with the rej^eated postpone- ment of all important business, weakened by a most severe dysentry of two days, longing for the country, and anxious to attend the annual dinner of my cavalry who were much displeased with the second in command and dissatisfied with my absence, I came down for a week's enjoyment. About ten days ago, the eloquent and ami- able Grattan expired in London. In a dying state, he had the anxious wish of finishing his days, like Chatham, in a last parliamentary eflbrt for his country. His friends justly op- posed an imitation which would not have had the effect of the original, and it did not take place. Death has reconciled his enemies, and the gentleness of" his disposition, as well as the unrivalled brilliancy of his oratory, are univer- sally acknowledged. His patriotism had some- what suffered in my estimation, by his having 119 latterly inclined with Plunkett to the Gren- ^'illes. We liave also lost Sir Joseph Banks, a man violent and vindictive, yet generous and capahle of sincere iriendship. Disliking learning, he left school to travel round the world. He was illiterate, acquainted with no language hut his own, and that not in perfection. He possessed no science : for natural history he had only consulted Pennant, and in botany depended solely on his povverihl memory ; yet, ])ossessed of great wealth, with spirit and inclination to expend it in the pro- motion of science, and the encouragement of young artists, he made himself eminently useful in his line, and became honored and respected at home and abroad. So little is London the proj^er seat of an academy of sci- ences, that it will be found very difficult to fill the chair of the Royal Society with a proper president. I had almost all my Hfe been on friendly terms with him. The Session is on the point of closing, (not stubton, properly, indeed, the Session, as we "^ ■ are to have an adjournment and not a prorogation,) and a worse Session for the country we never yet had. The subservient feeling towards the new King, and in some the hope of succeeding to a tottering Administra- 120 tion, which had offended the King, made all attempts hopeless to oppose the extravagance of Ministers in almost every department ; and the arrival of the Queen totally put an end to all interest in, or attention to, any other suhject. The Queen had arrived near the coast, when she was met hy Lord Hutchinson to treat with her on the part of the King and Brougham, who appears to have advised her to accept the terms proj)osed ; and ahove all, not to come to England. Had she taken this advice, she was lost. Alderman Wood went to hring her over. It w^as, however, her own decisive character, and the fear of heing stopped hy a messenger from Paris, which led her to resolve immedi- ately to land in England, without even inform- ing Brougham of her journey. Ministers never helieved she would have taken this step, and were utterly unprepared for it. They treated her with every indignity ; money, indeed, they offered, hut neither respect nor residence, and messages were next day sent to hoth Houses, to appoint secret committees to prejudge her case. The Commons ohliged Ministers to negotiate, hut they offered no terms hut those already refused, and which nothing hut ac- knowledged guilt could have acce2)ted. Wil- 121 ])eiTorce carried a motion advising her to acce])t tlieni ; but, supported l)y the universal indig- nation of the people against the injustice shown her, she indignantly refused them, and the Commons showed no disposition to give her further support. Without accepting the terms, she might, by her answer, have left the mat- ter to the House of Commons ; and unless she has a very good case, this, I am persuaded, would have been her best course. On this occasion, Lord Lauderdale, the Hutchinsons, and others, have joined the Court, and even Lord Grey has opposed them less directly than I should have hoped. Had he shown the indignation I expected from him, at a course which appears to me to be a violation of every principle of justice, his powerful eloquence, backed by the influence of his high character, must have overturned all their measures. As it is, on the second reading of a bill of pains and penalties, we are to have a sort of trial before the Lords, who have ah'eady avowed by then* votes a shameful partiality. I was nominee for Colonel Hughes, but could not prevent his being unseated for the most imprudent system of treating. I brought down Pringle to till the vacant seat, but Ostler, Hughes' agent had been before me, and taking 122 advantage of my absence, bad pledged Tborold to neutrality, and brougbt forward Sir M. Cbolmeley : tbus have we been outwitted by a fool, and Grantbam will be represented by the most intolerant bigot, unless he should be beat by Sir W. Manners, from whom we shall have but little better to expect. Sir W. Man- ners having refused to obey the Speaker's war- rant, to give evidence before the committee, I w^as obliged to move for measures of rigour against him, which ended in Iris being lodged in Newgate. The base subserviency of Ministers in lend- ing themselves apparently against then* opin- ions, to the illegal persecution of the Queen, and the total failure of their measures, have rendered them detested by the greater part of the nation. We shall soon see what will be then' further conduct, and what their fate. In the beginning of this montli, 1 passed some time at Milton, to meet the Duke of Gloucester. This weak man (abating the anx- iety for all the ceremonious attention he can obtain) is inoffensive and good humoured. The Bisliop was much puzzled by Lord Fitz- william's good natured attention in asking him to dinner ; he said, rather publicly, that he could not dine at Milton, and then accepted 123 the invitation. He came in the morning, and violated all forms hv seatinoj himself; after pointing out to the royal guest as well as to the host and hostess, the chairs he allotted them. Tlie next day he sent an excuse from the dinner, on account of an illness, of which his Physician told me there was no other evidence. The Duke was exceedingly eager on the poli- tics of the day, and somewhat tedious in his long repeated dissertations upon them, gene- rally taken from the newspapers. There is something extraordinary and even new in the almost frantic \dolence with which the greater part of the clergy, and of the muni- cipal officers, have opposed all the rejoicings of the people on the loss of the bill of pains and penalties against the Queen. It seems really as if they had wished to provoke riots to justify vengeance ; and wherever their insults upon the people have created the slightest irregula- rity, they have no where, that I have heard of, foregone the pleasure of visiting it with their utmost resentment. At Sleaford Quarter Sessions, where I presi- january, ^Icd, a loycil declaration was put into ^^^1- my hands by order of the Lord Lieu- tenant, signed already by several Magistrates at Falkingham. I read it to the other Magis- 124 t rates, and then declared that I ohjected, at all tmies, to the introduction of politics into a court of justice ; and that I particularly ohjec- ted to this, as a most atrocious and unfounded lihel on the greater j)art of the community. Of live other Magistrates, one refused with indignation to sign it, two approved, and two more, after expressing their entire disapproba- tion of its appearance, signed it ; four more, who came after we had gone into the court, also signed it. A very long trial took place of three persons charged with assaulting constables. Tlie Magistrates had permitted an illumination on the termination of the bill of pains and penalties, but had prohibited the band of music ; the band, however, entered the town, preceded by rows of men armed with sticks, and attend- ed by a gi'eat crowd. The constables attacked them and got beat. Tallents exerted great ah'dity against, and Mr. Bromhead, one of the Magistrates, great violence. In summing up the evidence, and charging the jury, (a very fair one) I blamed the attack of the constables as the sole cause of the riot : but refrained Irom calling it, as perhaps I ought to have done, illegal ; because this was so different from the evident opinions of at least eight of the other Magistrates, that I thought it would take 125 UAvaj all wciglit from my 02)iiiion, and increase the rigour of the sentence. IMr. Broniliead vented a violent pliilippick against my charge, in which he accused me of misdirecting the jury, and iinuecessarilf/ introducinfj poUlics into a court of justice. He was not supported hy one Magistrate. Edward Chaplin declared his opinion, that I had not, in any resj)ect, merited the attack, and Mr. Brondiead begged my par- don. Handley, the Magistrate who had di- rected the constables, sat on the bench, and even called for a severer punishment ; it was only when he found his vote would be useless, lie thought proper to decline giving it. One of the men was acquitted, the other two sen- tenced to one month's imprisonment. The King told Lady Fitzwilliam, he knew ^ Lord Castlereagh had formerly drank to the rope that should hang the last King. I take his Lordship to be as little sincere as the late Mr. Pitt in any political princij^le. At the famous congress, the Kings were ready to do anything demanded by this coun- try. Much was then thrown away by Lord Castlereagh's total want of information, and the want of any person about him to prompt him ; this ignorance was so shameful, that even Lord Stewart was considered by the con- 120 tinental Ministers, as evincing the greater share of knowledge of the two hrothers. We cannot be surprised that Austria dreads the progress of freedom in Italy : her govern- ment is deservedly detested in every part of it ; not the slightest attention is shewn to the in- terests or the feelings of the natives ; their re- sources are carried out of the country, and no Italian ever promoted. The Duke of Glou- cester says, that at Venice, a house become a heap of ruins, is of more value than one in good repair ; the pulling down of houses being j)rohibited. During the last Session, a committee of siubton, about six Members sat constantly to ^^^^' obtain all the financial information they could. Hume, one of them, used the fruits of their labours in opposing the extrava- gance of Ministers. He was enthusiastically supported by the nation ; and though nothing was carried in the House, it has forced upon Ministers a very considerable reduction in many departments since the prorogation, though very far below^ the necessities of the country. When a prosecution was threatened against Hunt, for his conduct at Manchester, Scarlett told his noble friends at Milton, and myself. 127 that it would be very curious if Hunt should be punished for the only time he ever was right. Soon afterwards he was called upon as king's counsel, to take the lead in the prose- cution, and successfully performed his task. Scarlett brought forward his poor bill, but it remains for decision next Session. It goes too far, or not far enough ; for it is in vain to com- bat the mischievous principle of compulsory relief, unless you annihilate it : whilst it re- mains in action, the salutary principle of vo- luntary relief can never be expected to operate. Reform was brought forward by Lamb ton, with the prospect of a very respectable division ; unfortunately, it came on prematurely in an empty House, when no one expected it. This debate, which lasted two days, was remarkable for a most severe and jjersonal attack by Hob- house on Canning, in resentment for a former allusion to him by Canning. Canning is sup- posed to have intended to reply to him at the time when the debate abruptly closed, and to have been prevented by Hobhouse's momen- tary absence ; it happened, however, that he went abroad, without having taken any notice of this rude blow. Canning appears to me to be lost, and Ministers have, perhaps, found out the truth, that they derive no advantage from his support. 128 I find mj Mends in this county much dis- appointed hy my silence during this Session. I was several times unfortunate in heing un- able to find an opportunity, often very difficult. I gave notice of bringing forward the question for restoring the Queen's name to the Liturgy, but it was done without Tierney's concurrence. T. Smith came down the same day with the petition from the City, and I was obliged to give it wp to him. During this Session, Tier- ney, from ill health, gave up the management of the 02)position, and had no successor. The question relating to the Queen took up much time. The death of Bonaparte created scarcely any sensation, either in this country or even in France. Far greater was the impression made by the sudden death of the Queen. Tlie court, indeed, treated her memoiy with contempt ; and she was hurried with indecent haste to her grave. The citizens of London, determined that the funeral procession should pass through the Capital, and were opposed by the military. An Officer was seen taking a deliberate and successful aim at an individual, unprovoked by immediate danger, and remains unpunished. A Magistrate is obliged to resign, apparently for too much disposition to prevent the effiision 129 of blood ; and Sir Robert Wilson's briUiant and acknowledged services, are not snflicient to save bim from beincf casbiered for a similar crime. In tbe meantime, tbe King bas not even tbe decency to wait for tbe interment of tbe Queen, before be exbibits bimself in ban- quets and processions in Ireland ; a measure wbicli at any otlier season would bave been just and politic. My bouse of industry prospers beyond my stubton, most sanguine expectations. Seven- teen parisbes partake of its advanta- ges ; it is governed witli bumanity and firnmess. Its population is from fifty to eiglity only ; all are employed, tbe cbildren taken care of and educated, and tbe poor rates reduced about fifty per cent. Yet I am no friend to tbe principle, baving adopted tbe measure almost from necessity. I am aware, tbat unless well managed and actively superintended, it must become like many otbers, a source of tyranny ; and it is, tberefore, w itb some concern, I per- ceive tbe example likely to be imitated. ^Vitb us, tbe seventeen guardians always attend tbe montbly meetings, committees cbosen from tbem superintend eacb department, and wben in tbe country, I never fail to exercise my autbority as visitor. 130 Some black game have been sent me from Scotland : every direction given us has been followed, but the want of their native berries was fatal. The kangaroos are remarkably exact in their time of bringing forth. They had been a year without a male, and the one I procured, at length, from Exeter Change, had been a long time alone ; yet, though he arrived in June, his presence w as useless till February, and the three females all produced at their usual time. These animals give suck in an unusual man- ner. I have seen one two years old sucking its mother, each of them having a young one in the pouch. A milk white starling, bred in the nest of a common one at Brandon, and a dun crow similarly hatched at Denton, have been sent me this year, and are doing well, A black Poland cock belonging to Mr. Kendal, of Bar- row^by, w^as seized last Winter by a fox, but rescued from him desperately wounded, and stripped of half his feathers. He has now become perfectly white. Sheridan, a year or two before his death, was found by the police drunk in the street. On being asked his name, he told them under injunctions of secrecy, " W. Wilberforce." 131 The deaths of Sheridan and Courtenay tooli: place about the same time. They were both anxiously attended in their last moments hy Sir J. INIackintosh. He told me the former had never read, and trusted entirely to his knowledge of the world, his wit, and prodigious memory. Courtenay was a man of deep eru- dition : both died in great poverty. The Re- gent left his companion Sheridan to pass his time in a spunging house, but was shamed into sending him a paltry sum of money when it was too late. The money was returned. An attempt to establish free constitutions in ig22. Italy, and ultimately, probably, to unite that unfortunate country, which began nnder promising circumstances, has, at length, totally foiled. The weak King of Naples ac- ceded to the revolution, and swore to maintain it ; but was foolishly permitted to attend the congi'ess of the Holy Alliance, and returned a traitor. His eldest son may be well excused in the difficult situation in which he was placed ; he has not, indeed, shewn himself a hero, but, without support amongst his coun- sellors or courage in his army, he would only ha^'e sacrificed all future hope of benefiting ^ his country, by an obstinate and vain perseve- rance. Wlien the Prince de Corignan, and K 132 the force of Piedmont, gave up the cause, no resource remained ; for alas, England, hound hy every consideration of interest and of ho- nour to support them, is now the most cruel enemy to liherty. Another opportunity has offered for the Holy Alliance to display its principles, and it has worthily availed itself of it. The Greeks, driven to despair hy the op- pression of the Turks, and no douht encouraged secretly hy Russia, are making nohle efforts to assert their rights. Yet these magnanimous Sovereigns, in effect at least, espouse the cause of the Turks, proclaim the injustice of chris- tian slaves revolting against their masters, or even defending their lives against them ; and our own Government, so far from giving to the Greeks that succour which is called for hy every virtuous feehng, does not even preserve a strict neutrality. Lord Londonderry has the efh'ontery to justify the harharity of the Turks, and calumniate the Greeks, in the House of Commons ; and such is the wretched situation to which the country is reduced, that the peo- ple acquiesce rather than incur a war. Li this Session, I was nominee on the Bos- ton committee. On the question of unseating Ellis, there could he no difference of opinion ; hut Johnson, not having made the declaration 133 required by tlic act, I had so little hope of his being declared the sitting member, that I would have gi^Tn up the petition and moved a new writ, had I been able to do so. \n the mean time, INIinisters, not dreaming of the event, employed no counsel, the principal wit- ness against us lost his head ; the nominee chosen by the connnittee had neither zeal nor knowledge ; and a hundred circumstances combined to favour Johnson. On the ques- tion being put, the votes given were in his favour ; and the op2)osing nominee declined dividing the committee. I believe, had he done otherwise, he would have carried his question, and declared the seat vacant. Three had been silent who would all, I think, have voted with him ; I, who was one, must have done so ; it was my duty to advocate Johnson's cause, but to vote conscientiously. Hume, in the former Session, had done j„iy some good, but in this, his eternal in- terference on every question, and the many tedious hours he occupied in attempting trifling savings, only disgusted many from attending, and prevented more important ques- tions from being brought forward. The climax of his vulgar assurance was, the bringing for- ward the Irish tithe question. 134 In our coiintj we had two county meetings : the first for retrenchment and diminution of taxes, — thinly attended ; the second, somewhat more fully, for reform ; hut at this we should have heen called a mere rahhle had not Chap- lin and his friends, amongst whom were squires and clergy, rather unwisely attended. The meetings, howe\'er, were useful to the cause ; and I hope we gather strength, and shall he more numerous, and offer a more general re- presentation of the county at our next as- sembly. The distress of the country has increased to a degree unparalleled, and 1 am only asto- nished at the patience with which it is borne ; especially as it falls principally on those who haye, in fact, the whole strength in their own hands, if they knew how to wield it. For the commercial interests, though far from prospe- rous, are said to be improving ; and the manu- facturers are in general employed, though at low wages, and affording small profit to their employers. It seems to me evident, that the main cause of our distress arises from our being taxed far beyond our means ; but it is aggravated by the effects of Peel's bill. It was certainly necessary to return to the just stan- dard of exchange ; but as neither Peel nor any 13; D other person in the House of Commons foresaAV the eiFects of the measure, and were, besides, misled by the delusive theories of Ricardo, the measure was enacted, without being accom- panied by those regulations which would have diminished the severity of its consequences. And what should those regulations have been ? I see none effective, but a reduction of the interest of the national debt. Wliere would be the injustice of this ? I doubt myself the justice of contracting it, and of robbing pos- terity of their income and consequent prospe- rity. But the best justification is the ahsohde necessiiij. That such a measure would create great individual misery I allow, but 1 am con- vinced the delay in having recourse to it, creates far greater misery every day, and at last it must be resorted to. All the reductions in expense made by Mi- nisters, added to those made by Hume, always too late, are too trifling to afford any relief; they do not even prevent the taxes, which remain operating with increasing pressure. Probably these evils will only increase till we have a thorough reform of the system, but this is perhaps not very distant ; it is called for by the great majority, and distress is constantly increasing our numbers. Parliament must 136 grant it, or it will be reformed with a ven- geance. In all probability. Parliament will give way by degrees ; and every point gained will assist ns in gaining more. The disfran- chisement of Grampound, and giving the rep- resentation to Yorkshire, is, in itself, nothing ; yet it shews the conviction of Ministers them- selves, that something must necessarily be conceded to the popular voice, and it establishes a strong argument for more extensive reform. Death of Lord Londonderry. This man, o,toi,gj., lil^6 Pitt, had the most perfect con- ^^'^''^' tempt for all public principle ; like him he was arrogant and ignorant of public affairs, and determined to make everything subservient to his personal ambition. Though he had not the eloquence of Pitt, yet he had acquired the perfect knowledge of the House of Commons ; was daring or temperate, accor- ding to the occasion ; knew when to be firm, and when to yield what he had before declared he could never be brought to relinquish. Pitt was disinterested with regard to the acquisition of money for himself, though he connived at the most shocking plunder of the country by his friends. Here the comparison fails, at least it is somewhat difficult to account for the im- mense property said to ha^ e been acquired by 137 liorcl LoiuIoikIoii'n 's iktlier, diiiiiiu" the aduii- nistration of his son. Lord Londonderry was tlie constant sup- porter of Ibreign tyranny, and the bitter enemy of every liberal principle, at home or abroad. No man ever brought more calamities upon his country, unless Pitt himself ; and whoever be his successor, the nation cannot but profit by his death. Tliat successor is Canning. The present Lord Hertford betted in the spring, that Canning would not go to India ; j^et he could not foresee the only event which could have prevented it. Canning is become of late more cautious and moderate ; yet, hated by the King and by many of his colleagues, — with- out much influence in the House of Commons, except that of Minister, — without any character in the country, — I see not how his elaborate and artificial eloquence, now perhaps almost exhausted, is to carry him through his under- taking, most arduous as, I trust, he will find it. This spring, died Lady Fitzwilliam : a wo- man of a superior understanding, virtuous, benevolent, active in domestic life, and tho- roughly understanding the real interests of her country. It was delightful to see the perfect harmony in which she, her husband, and Lord and Lady Milton, constantly dwelt together. 138 Lady Fitzwilliam's domestic character and affections, made her httle fond of strange so- ciety. To know her and esteem her as she deserved, it was necessary to see her in private life. I certainly tremhled for the effect such a loss might have on a hushand, who had enjoyed uninterrujDted happiness with her for half a century ; but his own excellent disposition, and the many consolations he finds in the de- voted affection of his children, enables him to support the blow. Sitting at the quarter sessions at Sleaford, this year, with many other Magistrates, we were interrupted by a most tremendous crash, accompanied by a fiery light, and a strong smell like that of gunpowder. It was caused by a ball of fire which struck a small house in sight of our audience, though rather behind our backs. The house was much shattered, and the chimnies thrown down into the street. Part of the meteor passed, down a chimney into a little room in which eight persons were at dinner ; it broke the windows, went through them or the door into the street, and appeared to be extinguished in a puddle of water, from which a great column of smoke arose. None of the persons were hurt ; no substance seems to have fallen with the ball. 139 A cliamcleon, 1 brouglit down with nie from October. London, in March, died this month. It had appeared very healthy till late- ly, when its appetite fell off, and it appeared restless and generally on the ground. It was perhaps looking for a place in which it could repose itself for the winter ; but it must always be very difficult in this country to provide it a hibernacle sufficiently cool for its pin'pose, and yet warm enough to preserve its life. I received this day a pair of black swans, Nov. 13. bred at Wentworth, probably in 1820. We have sent Lord St. John to Harrow school. I was inclined to prefer Eton, but his father had signified a strong dislike to that school ; and probably Eton, with a tutor to himself, might have encouraged ideas of con- sequence and expense, which the moderate income he is likely to enjoy would render dangerous. The great quantity of pocket money boys now carry with them to public schools, certainly leads to many evils, and yet none would wish his son should be in a worse situation than others in this respect ; and by this feehiig, the misfortune is gi'adually in- creased. Yet, with all its inconveniences, a British public school affords, in my opinion, an education far superior to any other I have ever 140 heard of. My first entry into the world was at the University of Camhridge, hut I was first taught to think for myself hy visiting foreign countries ; and it has always appeared to me, that no species of instruction is so well calcu- lated to expand the mind, as that ohtained hy travelling ahroad ; particularly if that mind has heen narrowed hy a confined education. My uncle. Sir Richard Heron, was horn in the year 1724; he was the youngest of four sons who arrived at maturity. My grandfather possessed a strong and vigorous mind, the highest honour and integrity, a sufficient por- tion of pride, and a temper somewhat soured hy the reflection, that he was fallen from the situation which liis family had formerly occu- pied. Their fortunes had suffered greatly in the civil wars, and he had himself retired to Newark with what remained. His eldest and favorite son, John, had received an excellent education, and is reported to have heen an accomplished scholar, a circumstance which rendered the conduct of a vulgar and profligate spouse less tolerahle to him : he carried her ahroad and died hroken hearted. My grandfather grew tired of giving exj^en- sive educations to his very numerous family, and that advantage was denied to his vounsjer Ill sons. The losses his family had sustained in the royal cause, had not diminished his attach- ment to it; and on his death hed, he enjoined his sons never to dessert it under any circum- stances. To the impression which this solemn injunction made on their minds, I attrihute much of their courtly politics, so greatly at variance with their liheral opinions, and in many respects, patriotic disj^ositions. My gTandfather, however, was not a jacohite ; for when the Pretender had reached Derhy, he sent the females of his family to London ; and with his four sons, took the most active share in preparing to defend Newark. His own four horses drew the ladies to London ; hy great exertions they reached Bennington the first day, the carriage heing overturned in the course of the journey. A pistol went off close to the ear of his daughter Ann, who re- mained ever afterwards almost totally deaf Sir Richard followed the profession of the law and his opinion was in great repute ; his line was not a hrilliant one, heing that of a cham- her counsel, or special pleader. Early in life a strong mutual attachment was formed bet- ween him and a Miss Hall, but as they neither of them had a farthing, prudence required the sacrifice of their inclinations. She then mar- 142 ried an old man, Stephen Tompson, of York- shire. When Stephen died, Sir Richard had acquired a competency ; he then married her, and they lived happily till his death. Her portrait is faithfully drawn in the Bath guide, under the name of the Widow Quicklocket. Bishop Warburton conceived so high an opinion of Sir Richard's natural abilities, and so great a friendshij^ for him, that he offered to shut himself up with him, and to do his utmost to assist him in the attainment of classical learning. I know not why it was dechned. In the progi'ess of time. Sir Richard acquired from his profession an income sufficient to enable him to live in respect and comfort, in Grosvenor Square; when, in 1778, his friend, John, Earl of Buckinghamshire, being appoint- ed Lieutenant of Ireland, desired him to go with him as his secretary. Sir Richard took upon liimself the office with some reluctance, because he w^as totally unused to public speak- ing ; he filled it, however, with honour to himself and advantage to Ireland, in times the most difficult and turbulent. His heredi- tary attachment to royal power yielded to liis benevolence and integrity ; he was remarkable for his disinterestedness, and returned to Eng- land after a four years' Administration, much 143 more liiglilv esteemed by tlie people whom he had governed, than by the court which had employed him. He was hut scantily reim- hiu-sed for the profession he had abandoned, by the jdace of collector of customs, at Cork, from which he never received more than five hundred pounds per annum, though, at his death, it was found to have been ^vorth two thousands pounds per annum ; he had terrible quarrels with the Lord Lieutenant, and it is wonderful how they could ever have agreed for a moment. Sir Richard was warm and sin- cere ; Lord Buckinghamshire cold, haughty, and insolent to the utmost degree. Their ladies, who lived in great friendship, once, at least, interfered and prevented the worst con- sequences. As Sir Richard's character became more known, it became more respected. The pre- sent King treated him with gi'eat personal attention, and frequently consulted him. On one occasion, his Majesty asked him for some information on our revolution ; he was probably somewhat tedious as well as honest in his ac- count of it, for the King, who had been absent in mind, suddenly turned upon him and said, not very royally, ''Damn you, Sir, do you take me for a jacobin ?" An explanation followed. 144 and tlie ])upil was sufficiently shocked at liis error. He lived in constant friendship with the Irish Foster, and, T helieve, was the cause of his undertaking to lead the Prince's party in the House of Commons ; hut either from the impracticahility , or the versatility of Foster, this arrangement lasted only one week, and Foster joined Pitt. During that week, hav- ing spent a morning with Foster and Sir Richard, in Lee's garden, the latter was almost frightened hy our free opinions on political subjects, in which Foster had his full share ; but in a few days all was changed, and I never more had any opportunity of private inter- course with him. My uncle had strong feel- ings ; his resentments were bitter, but rare, and he could see few faults in his friends. He at one time shewed some dislike of my political tenets ; and some anger, for I know not what supposed offence, at the time of my marriage. Matters were in time explained, and I ever after lived with him on the most affectionate terms ; experiencing from him all the active services of a friend, the counsels and solicitude of a parent. He died in his 80th year, and will for ever be regretted by me. Sir R. Wilson is gallant and generous, but stubton, weak and vain. Flis best act "was, M.wei,i8o.. ^1^^ ^.^^,.^^g ^1^^ |.^^, ^^ L^^ Valette, 115 wliicli was entirely Lis own plan ; but then, it was necessary for him to send a circumstantial account of it to Lord Grey, from Paris, by the post. The letter was intercepted, and hence followed the trials and punishment of Bruce, Hutchinson, and himself; but for this foolish letter, there would have been no trace of the transaction. Sir R. Wilson is gone to assist Spanish August, independence. Can success fail in so holy a cause ? Who is to be looked upon as the greatest General produced by ancient or modern times ? In considering this question, the character must include the Statesman. I should cer- tainly fix on Hannibal as the first. He is charged with two errors, I think, unjustly; first, that he did not march to Rome after the battle of Cannee ; but he probably would by that measure have excited an enthusiastic re- sistance, which might have defeated him ; and secondly, he might reasonably have supposed, that his brother Asdrubal could not have been so negligent in an enemy's country, as to suffer himself to be surprised and destroyed from want of ordinary caution. Next to Han- nibal, I am inclined to consider Napoleon as the most able General and Statesman known 146 in history. He committed an error by inva- ding Russia too late in the season ; yet, but for the burning of Moscow, he might have suceeded. Had he done justice to Poland, his retreat would have even then been safe ; but his patriotism and love of freedom had no other foundation or guide than his own ambi- tion. The Duke of Wellington is a very great General, though, I think, inferior to those I have named ; and, besides, he is in no resj)ects a Statesman. This Session of Parliament began under favorable circumstances for Ministers. Can- ning had got rid of Sidmouth and Vansittart, who were a disgrace even to such a cabinet ; and he had also relieved himself of the un- popularity of Bragge Bathurst, in the House of Commons. Robinson, who became Chan- cellor of the Exchequer, made a fair and intelligible exjDosition ; and gave some satisfac- tion to the country by a diminution of the taxes. Canning assumed the appearance of liberal ideas with regard to Spain, and though he was belied by the papers presented to the House, and evidently had never intended to act up to his profession ; yet, this was sufficient to disarm opposition for a time, and to satisfy a people, unfortunately as little in earnest as 147 himself, and without any just conception of the immense importance to all nations of the cause of Spain. If any fm-ther proof were wanting of the insincerity of Ministers on this suhject, we need only look to Portugal, Avhere a counter revolution has taken place, which the slightest exertion of influence on their part might have prevented ; and, indeed, such "was the oscillation of the French counsels, that it seems pretty evident, any exhihition of firmness on our part Avould have prevented this calamitous reaction. But surely, in this enlightened age, so profligate a conspiracy of Sovereigns, against all people and against all honest political principles, can never ultimately succeed. By treachery at home, and hy the astonishing apathy of all ranks in England, it appears lil^ely to ohtain a temporary success ; hut I will never despair of the cause of free- dom. In the spring, Yorkshire took the lead in an effort to ohtain parliamentary reform. Lin- colnshire and many other counties followed, hut we were few and ill supported. The at- tempt failed, and it must he owned, the people of England take but little interest in (questions regarding their own rights. The House of Commons was principally occupied with an L 148 enquiry into the official conduct of Plunkett, and of an orange Sheriff of Duhlin. Minis- ters were on the point of determining to sup- port Plunkett, when the Chancellor, jealous of his talents and rising ascendency, decided them to move the previous question ; thus leaving his conduct and character unvindicated. In the House of Commons, however, the cause of reform is gaining ground ; and when- ever the people of England exert themselves manfully, and with some unanimity for it, I shall feel pretty sanguine in my expectation of success. But the fear of radicahsm on one side, and the equivocal aid of Hunt and Cob- bet on the other, at present paralyze our exer- tions. At Lincoln, old Cartwright attended and divided us by a radical amendment, in which I had the mortification to see him se- conded by my friend Johnson. Cartwright was treated as he ought, with all the attention and respect due to his age and character. Johnson expected success, but they had not the support of one in fifty. In September, died Lord Yarborough ; and December, occasioucd a vacaucy in the represen- tation of the county of Lincoln. I felt in some measure bound to offer myself, but was not in a situation to incur the heavy 149 expense of a contest. For some time it was tliouglit I should meet with no ojiposi- tion, hut hatred rankled in the heart of" Pel- ham : "without political principle, he reniein- hcred only that his pride had heen offended, and his purse exhausted hy iny former effort. A stranger. Sir W. Inglehy, offered himself, and Pelham's support was his only hope. In Parliament, Sir W. Inglehy had heen a tory ; and his principles in other respects were now douhtful, hut he was a radical reformer. Pel- ham is an unwilling conv^ert to moderate reform, and professes to he a whig. He adopted Inglehy with a zeal, and supported him with an arro- gance, which disgusted many. To please his patron, Sir William hegan with insulting me in his address ; a tone for which he constantly apologised, hut which he never ahandoned. Had I persevered, I might have heen successful ; hut the expenditure might have destroyed our future comfort. I resigned hefore the puhlica- tion of Sir William's first address, and then, concluding him to he a whig, I determined to support him against any man of opposite prin- ciples ; and, in fact, I was fearful that Sir R. Sheffield, a man deservedly poj)ular, hut a tory, might he chosen : this intention of mine pro- cured Sir William hasty promises of support 150 from Lord IVIilton and Sir John Tliorold. The conduct and addresses of Sir W. Inglehy, and a further enquiry into his former pohtical con- duct, together with the offensive dictation of his patron, created a strong desire to oppose him ; hut no candidate was to he found. S. Wells, of Huntingdon, declared his determi- nation to nominate Sir J. Thorold ; and, not- ^vithstanding the reluctance of the latter, he was, at length, nominated hj Colonel Johnson, and sujiported hj all my political friends in the county. It ^ras impossible to succeed without either a candidate or money, yet we polled above fifteen hundred votes ; and such was the disinclination of the county to chose the stranger, that, with a profuse expenditure, a host of lawyers, and the great body of the clergy, a less number of freeholders was polled in ten days than had voted in three at the contest of 1818. Inglehy, having conducted himself towards me in a manner equally unjustifiable, nngentlemanlihe, and unprovoked, was treated by me with the most unqualified severity and contempt as he deserved. I incline to believe, that Canning was not unwilling to have taken proper measures with regard to the invasion of Spain, had he been supported by the country, against the zeal for 151 despolisiii, so evident in the court and amongst his colleagues. The least vigour on our part must have heen successful, lor it is evident, that the French long hesitated and feared to strike, until they saw our Parliament inclined to a most disgraceful neutrality. It is true, the constitutionalists in Spain made a poor de- fence ; hut what could they do when deserted hy all mankind ? The afl'aus of Greece aflford some consolation : alone and unassisted, Greece has fought out her own emancipation, and if she has now any danger to fear, it is from Russia and not from Turkey. / With regard to Spanish America, the speech / of the President of the United States has put an end to all serious cause for fear ; the roya- lists, unaided, cannot long offer essential oj^po- sition to their independence, and Europe will not now dare to interfere against them. Canning's internal policy is certainly far superior to anything the tories have ever given us hefore ; let him go on in this course, and opposition will dwindle into nothing. Peace, and the present prosperity of the country, are also greatly against us. It is true, that great inroads have heen made upon our liber- ties, the people are still virtually unrepresented, and the Catholics are yet denied the enjoyment 152 of their rights ; hut gradually the latter grie- vance will, I think, he, at no distant period, remedied, though the people of England care little either ah out the rights of the Catholics or their own. Within the last two or three years, died the last male direct descendant of Oliver Cromwell. He was well known to my father and to Sir Ahraliam Hume, who lived near him ; they represented him as a worthy man of mild man- ners, much resemhling in character his imme- diate ancestor Henry, Lieutenant of Ireland. Early in life his pecuniary circumstances were narrowed, hut latterly he possessed a comfor- table income. He was desirous of leaving his name to his son in law, a jNIr. Russell, and applied for his Majesty's permission that Russell should assume it ; but the old King positively refused it, always saying, " No, no, no more Cromwells." It certainly affords a strong proof of the mildness of our laws, or rather, perhaps, of the execution of them, that the descendants of Oliver Cromwell should have enjoyed their protection ; and those of the Duke of Monmouth should live under them in affluence and power. It must he nearly forty years since I met at January, ^^^G liousc of tlic Couitc dc Durfort, ^^'^''' near 'I'ours, the famous Pahlos 011a- 1;33 vides, who had then recently escaj^ed iiom the Inquisition, in Spain. He was a man of a most connnanding figure, and gentle, plea- sing, and unassuming manners. He play- ed at cards, talked much, but seemed to avoid all serious subjects. It appeared to me, that he was combating a disposition to melancholy, very natural in his situation : it was whispered that he had been tortured in the Inquisition, and I imagined I saw traces of it in his coun- tenance, but certainly none in his person. He was so wretched at being separated from his fa- mily, that he wrote a bigoted book on religion, by which he obtained a recall from banishment. One cannot avoid lamenting such a weakness, or participating in the amiable feelings to which he yielded. He died at an advanced age, shortlv before tlie first French invasion of Spain. The late Lord Powerscourt kept hounds near Dublin ; he persuaded the Young Duke of Dorset to go out with them, and encouraged him to take a lea^), assuring him, the horse he had lent him would carry him safely over the wall : the Duke was thrown and killed. Lord Powerscourt was so dreadfully shocked at this accident, that it created an aberration of mind, ^vhich uraduallv increased. He was chosen one of the Irish representative Peers, made a very insane speech, and afterwards died ahout eight years after the death of the Duke. In the Autumn of last year. Canning moved stubton, the exchision of Lord Sidmouth from ^^''^^' the Cabinet, on the consitutional ground, that he occupied no responsible office ; being outvoted, he yielded, but said, that if the objection he had urged did not apply to Lord Sidmouth, it ought not to exclude another in- dividual whose services, he thought, might be very beneficial to the country. The Chancel- lor, alarmed at this, withdrew his opposition ; and Lord Sidmouth was dismissed from the Cabinet. In Parliament, the more liberal commercial system introduced by Ministers, and the ac- knowledgment, by Canning, of the new South American States, weakened the Opposition, and even diminished the inclination to oppose ; and the only remaining contest of unportance seemed to be between Canning on one side, and the old Chancellor on the other : the hoary enemy of every liberal principle. Lord Liver- pool, vacillating between the two. The most interesting question was that of Catholic eman- cipation, in which the Duke of York distin- guished himself by his violence and folly. 1 :).5 Burdett, to wlioni tlie question was eiitnistecl, brought it forward with ahihty and judg- ment. He accepted, however, a compromise of very doubtful poHcy ; in consequence of which, the bill for emancipation was to be ac- com2)anied by two others, one for the making a provision for the Catholic clergy, the other to disfranchise the small freeholders, who were stated to have been fraudulently created. There were many favorable circumstances, such as the change of opinion amongst the most zealous opponents ; yet, after having jms- sed the Commons, the bill was thrown out in the Lords by a large majority : this unfortu- nate result, was chiefly to be ascribed to the virulent opposition of Lord Liverpool. My black swans have hatched four young ones, and brought them np w4th care and suc- cess. I believe they are the first black swans, bred in England, that have rei)roduced. Since the last contest for this county, the September, self-appoiutcd committec, wdiich con- ^^^^' ducted the unsuccessful Ojiposition, has occasionally met at Sleaford ; but it w^as evident, that the spirit of the yeomanry could not be roused when in a state of agiicultural prosperity, and amongst the gentry little spirit ever existed. I had acceded, not, I believe. 15G very wisely, to a negotiation with Lord Hervey who immediately declined being a candidate. I thought at least it might prevent or postpone the fatal step which I saw ready to he adopted ; accordingly, at the last meeting, the least nu- merous of all, my old and worthy friend. Col. Johnson, was proposed as a candidate by a few obscure individuals ; 02:>posed by the few gentlemen who belonged to the committee, and by none more strenuously than myself He has most unfortunately acce2:)ted the little en- viable post, on grounds wholly radical ; and the contemptible cry of aristocratical combina- tion thus dividing and ruining the party, and putting an end, for many years to come, to all hope of "the independence of the county," for the promotion of which, the committee was first professed to be formed. At the time this resolution was taken, the dissolution of Par- liament was generally believed to be at hand. The cabinet council has since met and post- poned it for the present year : a ckcumstance very unfavourable to Johnson's situation. I was consulted in November or December on a proposed association of the agxicultural interests. I did not much approve this, but advised a county meeting, which I will never do again in Winter. We had one, miserably 1 M 1*^ 10/ iittendcd, at ^vliicli I carried a moderate peti- tion ; but the J have also estabHshed their as- sociation, which I shall not attend, as I neither agree with them in aj)]n*OYing the present corn laws, nor approve their applying the terms of gross misrepresentation to their antagonists, on a fair subject of difference of opinion ; and on which those terms might, with equal jus- tice, be retaliated. Last Autumn, I sent my large male emu Marcii, to Cross, of Exctcr Change, and re- ^^^^' ceiled from him a young pair, two years old, and a pair of Poland cranes. I had before received from him a pair of Balearic cranes, and I have sent him, within two years, two pairs of kangaroos, four pairs of gold phea- sants, and a pair of black swans ; having be- sides given of the three last to my friends. Mrs. Chamberlain brought me, from Brazil, September, ^ V'*^^^' ^f wliistling ducks, Small and ^^'*^' very beautiful. They are different from any T have seen described. She also had for me, a pair of very large black birds, appa- rently of the genus crax ; but of these, one escaped from her on board the ship, and the other pined away. I received only the head : it does not agree with any description in Buf- fon, Linnpeus, or Cuvier. The most satisfac- 158 toiy circumstance in the menagerie is, to see so many animals find their proper relative situation, without any dangerous quarrelHng ; excepting hetween some of the male pheasants of the same kind. Chamherlain once sent me, what in Brazil is called the royal falcon, a bird between the eagle and the vulture, but diffe- rent from eitlier. It arrived safe at Liverpool, but the person to wdiom it was consigned sold it to Lord Stanley. With him, I had no diffi- culty after I had traced it, but before he could send it me, it died in a fit. It is described as of great size ; and is supposed to be the same bird of a different sex, with that called the sabine eagle, at the horticultural gardens, but much larger. In March or Ajnil, the committee, at Slea- ford, again assembled ; when, in concert ^vith Thorold, and a few other friends, I proposed to rescind the resolution by which Johnson had been declared a candidate. Being out- voted, we withdrew our names from the committee, which met only once more ; and then gave up their unavailing opposition, unsupported as it was by the people, or by any 2)arty in the county, excepting those calling themselves radicals, who are, probably, fewer in this than in any other part of England. 159 Joliiisou Lad become particularly unpopular, by lollowing llic opinions of Cobbct. He was and is my bigbly valued friend ; but T never sufl'er private feelings to interfere witli, wliat I believe to be, my public duties. Before tlie meeting of Parliament, in Feb- ruary last, a tremendous mercantile alarm had arisen in the country, attended with great distress in all parts; and most particularly amongst the manufacturing population. Many of the country banks failed ; and Government attempted, very unjustly, to tln*ow ujion them the odium of having greatly encouraged (which they certainly had not done) the absurd specu- lations of joint stock companies. It was not very easy to ascertain the causes of such gene- ral distress : a distress not confined to this country, or even to Europe, and still more difficult to apply a remedy. Of the first, Ministers appear entirely ignorant ; and the second, they scarcely attempted ; and this, perhaps, was the best course they could pursue. They seem not unwilling to let it be thought aggravated by the corn laws ; yet, corn has never of late borne a high price. To some temporary admission of foreign corn they have already had recourse, and menace us with importation on a permanent system after the IGO next Session; and they have already taken measures for diminishing the amount of our paper currency. Are they then convinced of the necessity of resorting to the ''equitahle ad- justment" ? or in other words, the forcible diminution of the national debt. If this be not a part of the intended system, it is insane ; for it is utterly impossible, that the interest of our debt, and the expenses of our overgrown establishments, can be defrayed with a reduced currency and reduced jnices. The Duke of York, and the Chancellor, had determined to oppose the measures relating to corn ; but, on the day appointed, the Duke of York, who, ill as he was, had gone to the House of Lords for that purpose, there received a let- ter from the King, desiring him to desist from his opposition, as it would embarrass his ad- ministration. The Duke complied, and left the House ; the Chancellor saw his danger, but took care not to provoke it. On the sub- ject of the corn laws. Lord Milton and I were completely divided ; and we spoke frequently on the subject with great warmth. I thought it for them, and not for me, to determine whether such a disagreement was sufficient to dissolve our political union ; yet, I thought if T put forward this consideration, my resigna- 161 tioii iniglit be merely considered as intended to be refused. I determined, tlierefore, to put it on private and personal grounds, wliicli were not without some weight with me. The real cause, however, was guessed ; and after a long and most friendly conversation with Lord Milton, I was pressed in the kindest and hand- somest manner, to continue to sit for Peter- borough. Lord Milton also told me, of which I was not before aware, that his father agreed with me on the corn laws. It was supposed, that the want of money and the precarious state of the King's health, would diminish the anxiety for seats in Par- liament. It turned out otherwise, and I believe there were never so many contests, or so many changes. The most important questions are, whether Canning and the Catho- lic question are gainers by the dissolution. The Catholic question has certainly lost a few in England, but I hope has gained rather more in Ireland. Canning must, I think, be con- siderably stronger by the change ; but the approaching change of the Heir Ap^iarent will, probably, contribute more to strengthen both. My colleague, Scarlett, who has in general the worst information of any man I know, told us that Cobbet, Waller, Hunt, and Wilkes, 162 would certainly be in the new Parliament. The last is returned, but so disgraced that he can do nothing ; the three former are excluded. Sir F. Burdett too hastily engaged to sub- scribe to bring in Cobbet ; and as his subscrip- tion was likely to produce many more, it is surprising that, with this assistance, he did not succeed ; but his conduct, as a candidate, was violent and odious ; he did not even show in that situation any marks of talent. Burdett, with whom I remonstrated for subscribing, told me he wished to see him in Parliament because he thought it w^ould expose him in his true colours ; and I cannot but think he was a little seduced by the magnanimity of forgetting his personal treachery to him. I, in some measure, shared the first of these reasons for wishing to see Cobbet returned to Parhament ; but this is no longer a motive with me, he is sufficiently exposed by his conduct as a candidate. During three months of the Summer, the November, ^^^^at was cxccssivc, and the drought so great as to burn up all the grass fields ; of hay, scarcely any was made in this part of England. Much alarm was felt for the corn, and there was reason to fear a famine. / Wheat, however, and potatoes have recovered ; the eddishes arc good, and should we have a 103 mild Winter, we may not suflbr nuicli from the effects of the Summer. Amongst the peculiarities of the season, were the precose ripening of all the Winter fruits, of which none will remain after Christ- mas. The enormous quantity of wasps, with the singular impossihility of finding many of their nests ; and the extraordinary production of hedgehogs, which was so great, that in occa- sional walks round my green walk plantation, of eleven acres, after sunset, in three months, I caught fifty-two, and their numerous ap- pearance, was every where ohserved. In the last Summer, a pair of vultures, not 1837. of the most common species, were ohserved near BridgcAvater ; they were very wild, hut one of them, having fed voraciously, hecame heavy and was shot : it will he figured in a new supplement to Be- wick's English Bu'ds, and in the next numher of Selhy. Mr. Reid, near York, has two water tortoises, brought over from the Siege of Belleisle, which commenced in 1761. One of them having wandered, was missing for sixteen years, and was then found on cleaning out another pond ; they are both alive, and very tame. The Catholic question has been lost by a M 164 small majority in tlie House of Commons. It is said, we were unfortunate, and tliat many were ill or accidentally absent on our side ; but sucb assertions are always suspicious, the real cause of our defeat, I believe to be, the zealous interference of Lushington, Secretary to the Treasury, in the elections. Tliis ex- perienced jobber spared no exertions to expel from the treasury boroughs, or any others where Government had influence, every man who would not declare himself against the measure. In the debate, Copley made a violent, and, as I thouglit, a weak speech against the Catholics, which entitled him to a most severe reply from Canning, under whose sarcasms he seemed to writhe ; he could not even decently suppress his feelings, but soon afterwards, in the lobby, in the presence of many strangers, he declared his astonishment at the treatment he had re- ceived. " Canning," he said, " ought to have seen, that through the whole of his speech he had left a loop liole, which might make him still capable of being his Chancellor to carry the measure." So much for consistency and political probity ! T. Abercrombie, who was present, to put an end to such a scene, asked him when he meant to bring forward his chan- cery l)ilL " Perhaps never," said Copley, *' let 165 them do their own work, I am iiitlepcndeiit of tliem, and will have no connection with such men ; " jet this man was made Master of the Rolls hj them a few months ago, and is now, it seems, to he made Chancellor hj Canning. Lord Liverpool, without talents or integi'ity, political at least, had hy higotry or hypocrisy, acquired a considerahle reputation and in- fluence in the country. The adoption of a more liheral system of Government j)i'oved that his power had not been very efficient for the last two years ; and the disputes in the Cabinet, which could no longer be concealed, promised an important change even before matters were brought to a crisis by the apo- pletic attack of Lord Liverpool. The negotia- tions and intrigues which followed were long ; when Peel, declaring to the King that materials were wanting to form an anti-catholic Admi- nistration, his Majesty appointed Canning Prime Minister. It is evident that he has made to the King promises which are not in unison with the real interests of the country ; and which he relies on time and occasion to get rid of. For some time, his situation was not enviable ; ahnost all the former Ministers having resigned, and the portion of Opposition which afterwards united itself to him, having 166 long delayed to do so : the ^vliole of us, how- ever, are anxious to support hhn, less from per- sonal reliance on his character, than from an earnest desire to exclude those who are opposed to him. Brougham outstepped us far, and instantly threw himself into the arms of Canning : the latter, in the mean time, prosecuted his plans with a good deal of cunning, and, at length, succeeded in forming a strong Administration ; strong in the support of the whigs, and satis- factory from his enthe dependence on that support. Many think that hetter terms might have heen made for the country, had Brough- am and those who acted with him, or on the same plan, heen less eager ; on the other hand, keeping aloof at that moment from Canning might have driven him into a union with Peel, which would have put an end to all im- mediate ho2)es of more liberal principles, or even of the maintenance of the improvement in them which had abeady taken place. A- mongst the many incidents reported connected with these changes, the following, T believe, are authentic. Leach was offered the seals of Ireland, as a man neutral on the Catholic question : he refused them on this condition, declaring himself a zealous friend to cmancipa- 167 tion. Scarlett was recommciided by Canning as Chancellor to tlie King, who rejected him, and insisted on Copley. On this, Cainiing expressed a donht whether Copley would acce]:)t the seals from him ; the King then summoned Copley, who could not arrive before half-past twelve at night, being out of town : he saw the King, and went away Chancellor. Canning, in his difficulties, wrote to Wetheral, offering him the Rolls. Wetheral had at the same time been persuaded to send in his resignation as Solicitor General. On receiving Canning's letter, he hastened to recall his own ; it was too late, both places were disposed of; he had offended his former friends, and is consigned to eternal exclusion and insignificance. Sir W. Knighton, Receiver General of the Duchy of Lancaster, being supposed to have some reasons for fearing the consequences of having an active Chancellor of the Duchy on Lord Bexley's resignation, went to the King and obtained that high office for himself. Can- ning saw the disgrace such an appointiiient must bring upon him ; and immediately im- jilored Lord Bexley to take back his oflice, in which he succeeded, probably without much difficulty ; under other circumstances, this feeble man would have been amongst the first 168 to be dismissed. The only dangers of tlie ])i'e- sent Administration, seem to be from Canning's bad health, and from some return of the King's inclination to his old servants. From the lat- ter, at present, we are secured by his indigna- tion at their desertion ; and let us hope, that the country will soon find reasons for not being inclined to submit to such a retrogade step. The former, I fear, is a subject of concern and alarm. Burdett, on the first day of the House of Commons meeting after Easter, had great difficulty in determining where he should sit ; at last he took his seat behind Canning. For my own part I determined to take my seat on the left hand of the Speaker, with the Russells, Ponsonbys, old Cook, Lords Milton, Althorpe, Ebrington, and many more staunch whigs, ready to support Ministers when we can, but unwilling to pledge ourselves to them. Birch, Member for Nottingham, begged M. A. Tay- lor to keep for him the seat next his own, directly opposite to the treasury bench : he did so, but, on entering the House, Birch went to the opposite side. His son had that morning been appointed Lamb's private secre- tary for Ireland. Brougham has obtained his silk gown, which was refused to Denman, and his brother is devil to Scarlett, said to be a valuable appointment. 169 On the deatli of Canning, the first dKhcnlty was to find a Chancellor of the Exchequer. The feehle Goodrich had named Herries to the King, hut when he proposed him to the Cahinet, such a tory a})pointment created so great a fermentation, that he voted against his own motion : even Sturoes Bourne ^vas en- treated to accept it, and when at last the King decided for Herries, Lord Lansdowne tendered his resignation. The King, however, hegged him to retain the seals, hecause, he told him, if he resigned, Huskisson as well as Tiernej, Carlisle, and others, would retire, and he should he chiven to take hack Peel and Co. which he was anxious to avoid. Lord Lans- downe yielded, hut, notwithstanding all this, I much fear that on the first serious division, in this heterogenous Cahinet, Goodrich and Peel may unite, and renew the holy alliance Administration ; in the meantime the weak- ness of the present head has shewn the King, the greatness of his personal power, which he seems disj)osed to retain and to exert. When Parliament meets, a severe struggle will take place, and if, as is reported. Lord Grey throw his great weight into opposition, Ministers will not find the House of Lords very easily to be managed ; hut Lord Grey is no the only man of talent there against them ; and the folly and violence of Lord Londonderry may operate much in their favour. Few men, I thhik, now hesitate to helieve March, that the King, completely recovered from all patriotic follies, sent Herries amongst his Ministers on purpose to ruin them. With so feehle a head, this could not he a mat- ter of difficulty ; and one is only surprised at their conducting their intrigues so clumsily. The new Administration is the Duke of Wel- Hngton, and Wellington alone. Peel disap- points his friends, and shews himself unequal to his situation, and Huskisson's character is gone ; hut, hitherto, Wellington appears to he no longer the holy alliance tory ; like Canning, one may hope he has seen the necessity of acting on hetter principles : they are pledged to make the finance committee effective, which, with their support, cannot he otherwise. The violent johhers, such as Bathurst, Herries, El- don, Westmoreland, Melville, &c., are either out of office, or in places where they are in a great measure harmless ; and the King, who under Lord Goodrich was every thing, will now, we may hope, possess hut little power. The aspect of Foreign affairs is not flivorahle. In Portugal we have done no good ; and our 171 troops, most rightfully and indeed necessarily sent, are leaving the country in possession of a perjured villahi. In Greece, it is pretty evi- dent that none of our Ministers, unless Can- ning, meant to do anything. The treaty of July last, would have left half the Greeks in slavery ; the rest in dependence. What was intended hy sending the comhined fleets into the Mediterranean ? To hully and vapour ; for when they interfered to save the remnant of the Greeks from Ihrahim's fury, our Admi- ral is all hut disavowed. The Russians, how- ever, and French have begun to act as they ought ; and we shall he driven to do our duty, late as it will be performed. The Greeks will, I trust, be saved ; what may follow, I know not : if anything unfortunate, it will be the consequence of our not adopting a steady and vigorous policy. Those who rejoice in the overthrow of des- potism and bigotry, may dwell with unabated pleasure on the late events in France ; and that pleasure is to me the greater, as the state of things appeared hopeless. The elections there are in the hands of fe^v, the influence of Government is immense, no public meetings excited popular enthusiasm, and the ballots by which the deputies were chosen, were so 172 regulated as to give every oj^portunity for the exertion of power, corruption, and trick. In tins state of things, their Parliament was dis- solved and nearly eighty Peers created. A servile Legislature was relied upon. All at once, the strong and universal expres- sion of public feeling obliged the powders to re- sort to a fair mode of balloting ; nothing more was necessary, a free house of deputies has been returned. The Court, the Ministers, and the Jesuits, have been obhged to yield. 1 confess I am obliged to acknowledge my error, and to become a suj^porter of election by ballot. It is perfectly true, that Lady Halford w^as on the point of being created a British Peeress ; this was the wish of Sir W. Knighton, who probably thought, with the additional precedent of his predecessor Bloomheld having obtained an Irish Peerage, he might himself hereafter aspire to one or the other : it was stopped by Lord Liverj^ool. John Foster, Lord Oriel has died, I think September, "1 l^is 90th ycar, as he sat in the last Irish Parliament of George II. He had afterwards the singular fortune to l)e crea- ted a Peer by George IV. He was a man of strong mental powers, great resolution, and great political profligacy ; yet he was not with- 173 out sincere attachment to liis country. After many changes in his parhamentary career, he became the deadhest opposer of the Union : lie was very angry at Pitt sending for him to en- deavour to change his opinion, and said it was impossible for the Speaker of the House of Commons to consent to its annihilation. His fiiend Su'R. Heron told me, that now the Union was decided he would not continue a factious opposition. I perfectly understood this, and accordingly his silence in the last Session was followed by a gi'ant for life of the emoluments of the Speakership, which I think amounted to between £6000. or £7000. per annum. Such was his immediate distress and want of judg- ment in his own affairs, that he sold this annuity for less than £20,000. All the ultra- protestant party considered Mr. Pitt as pledged by the Union to give complete emancij^ation to the Catholics ; and Lord Farnham says, that a meeting was at that time held at Foster's house, consisting of about eight persons, at which he and Saurin were present, at which it Avas unanimously resolved to opj^ose the Union by force ; but that Foster procured the delay of a fortnight, which put an end to the scheme. It is difficult to give credit to this story, and the relater has always apj^eared to me half mad. 174 Foster's son having married the heiress of the Mahareens, has restored the fortunes of the family ; the father continued to the last his violent j^i'ejudices against the Catholics, hut the son will no^v support their cause. Not so Lord Downes, who whilst Sir H. Burdi and Memher for Carlow constantly voted for them, and has since as constantly voted against them. In foreign policy, the Duke of Wel- lington has made a w^retched figure ; he has done nothing effective to relieve our finances, hut he has shown some disposition to settle the Catholic question, which indeed he must he mad to oppose any longer. No one knows the Duke of Welhngton's December 1, intcutious witli regard to the Catholic ^^'^* question ; yet the alarm amongst the intolerants gives hope, and there are other circumstances which encourage it, yet Welling- ton is in no resjiect committed. Does he meet with difficulties in the closet ? He is the man to conquer them. It is clear that no oj^position to their j ust claims can long he successful ; the opinion of the country is raj^idly hecoming favorahle to them ; the experiment of a county meeting in Kent, though the decision was favorahle to their fanaticism, has not encou- raged a repetition. In this county, the zeal of 175 tlie Lord Lieutenant lias been checked by the consideration, that success was by no means sure ; and after a dehberate consultation, the idea is abandoned. A few months nuist de- cide whether another year is to pass in dange- rous delay. In the mean time, the King is in a very precarious state of health. His heir is sup- posed to be favourable to the Catholics, though he has constantly voted against them. I should be sorry if this were their best depen- dence ; for we have had too much experience how little reliance ought to be j^laced even on the promises of the successor to the crown ; but the Duke of Clarence's life is hardly more secure than that of his brother. Then comes an infancy ; and what if we have a Cumber- land for Regent ! ! ! Heaven forbid. It is now evident that the Catholic question juiy^ could not have been carried during ^^^^' this reign, at any rate not in the late Session of Parliament, without the fortunate union of all the favorable chcumstances that occurred. The Duke of Wellington's myste- rious silence was continued till the very day the Session commenced ; and the orange faction was completely surprised. Peel I always thought really favorable to the question, and 176 lliat his opposition arose merely from the selfish views and narrow calculations of a feehle mind ; but the opponents relied upon him, and his happily timed desertion contrilnited much to weaken their defence. Then, excepting Lord Eldon, they were utterly devoid of talents, and brought the cause into more contempt in every debate. The King, at first, yielded re- luctantly ; and afterwards frequently relapsed into his former state of fear and hostihty. The people appeared in general to have no strong feeling on the question, they seemed willing to leave it to the Legislature, but when assembled they almost always decided against the Catho- lics ; yet, as they became more enlightened by repeated discussion, it proved more impossi- ble every day to excite them to any violent agitation. In the midst of this state of the public mind, arrived the Duke of Cumberland. This most worthless human being is rendered capable of mischief by the only good quality he possesses, — a daring courage ; he had dis- cernment enough to see the opportunity given him of atoning for his crimes in the eyes of a powerful party, by placing himself at their liead. What is the cause of his influence with the King, is it affection or fear ? Be it what it will, that influence is great ; he was and is in 177 constant comniuniciition with liini. The Mi- nisters were frequently in disgrace ; once or twice they tendered their resignations, and would certainly have been discarded had it l)een found possible to ha\'e formed an into- lerant Administration ; even as it was, tliey were obliged to compromise with the King, and with those of the tories who joined them ; but the points abandoned by them are of a nature to produce little if any permanent mis- chief. It was irksome, indeed, to be obliged to consent to exclude one individual, by wording the acts in such a manner as to vitiate O Con- nel's election ; and it was ungracious to con- sent to the immediate disqualification of the forty shillings freeholders. But O Conn el will be re-elected, and the forty shilhngs freeholders being, in fact, almost all of them voters frau- dulently created, and never to be emancipated from the slavery in which their landlords hold them, except by a question of strong religious feeling, the measure no doubt will be ulti- mately beneficial to Ireland. After all, it was probably to the just fears of Ministers that we owe this great and salutary measure. The Catholic Association was become too power- ful to be resisted : had justice been much lon- ger refused, it would have wielded the whole 178 power of Ireland ; and the Government is said to have discovered, that had they attempted to control Ireland hy force, the army was not to be trusted. In the House of Lords hut little talent was exhibited. Lord Eldon showed less ability and less energy than might have been expect- ed ; the rest, except the Duke of Richmond, were noisy and feeble. On the other side, the Duke of Wellington was manly and decisive, the Chancellor able and unprincipled, Plunket irresistible in argument. In the House of Commons, the opposition to this measure was miserably weak in debate. On the other side were many powerful speech- es, but that which most excited mv admiration was from Lord Palmerston ; not only on ac- count of the many new points it contained, and the very masterly and eloquent mariner in which he treated the subject ; but because nothing in his whole life had led us to suppose him capable of so distinguished an exertion. During all this Session, Parliament was almost exclusively occupied, as it might well be, with this great and difficult measure ; and so much was the mind of every man excited by hopes and fears, so much were all associa- tions formed, all politics calculated on this 179 subject, all other party feelings, as it were, suspended by it, that it seemed impossible for the Legislature to return inmiediately into a state sufficiently calm, to enable it to enter upon any other business of importance. In the next Session they will have enough to do. And now let us consider what are the vast ad^ antages to be obtained from this measure of justice. A virtual union with Ireland, — her friendship instead of her enmity in the hour of need, — a great saving in the army hitherto em- ployed to control her, — a vast improvement in the condition of Ireland by the great capitals which the cheapness of labour will invite into that country, and which will no longer be w ith- held from fear of the discontented state of its population . Ireland, says the virulent faction which op- posed emancipation, is still dissatisfied and disturbed ; and why ? Because the leaders of the Cumberland party have roused their hot- headed friends in Ireland, from their first submission, by persuading them, that the ques tion is not finally settled ; and they have, in consequence, done every thing in their power to goad the Catholics into hostile resistance ; but this forced state of discontent nmst soon subside for want of fuel. 180 111 the Winter, my emus had laid some eggs : we then confined them to their house, with a small temporary yard. The cock soon formed a nest, and arranging the eleven eggs wdrich were left him, hegan sitting so perse veringly, that he was never seen off the nest, and was ohliged to he fed upon it hy hand. He never suffered the female to interfere in the day-time, yet, in the first week, the eggs were increased to fifteen ; in sixty-seven days five were suc- cessfully hatched towards the end of March, and are now all gi'own and healthy. T helieve the primula elatior to be a variety produced between the p. vulgaris and the p. veris. A good many years ago, I planted a p. elatior in the green walk plantation, near some cowslips and primroses ; there are now on that spot two varieties of the primula elatior, one with the ordinary flowers like the primrose in colour, the other with the flowers exactly like those of the cowslip, but much larger. There is also a plant which sends up many single flowers like the primrose, and several umbells of flowers like the primula elatior. I saw at Mr. Waterton's, in Yorkshire, a small mock ruin, in which some common 2>igeons and some owls (strix flammea) lived inter- mixed, in contiguous cells, and without