^>. .VJ-JO'' ■J J nFTAiiFnp' ^) nT!(jAn\'--. ■\u !'»Jt\Trr ivo-jo-f c > ^_ 2> z: v^, <>„, _,^^ ■:/>,„.., . ..,„ „^v^ .-v^ J0>' yf 3 -r 11 s:- 3= •J'.L'J '.ll .11 . .Jl# r;\DV^.. ..cjiDDnnvAi . -•.■.". :iK(i\;rDr/v . 1•^cu^^!•l^n « V^ _" I I ? ^' J ■> xScOf-^ r> THE LIFE AND TIMES OK JOHN AVILKES, M.P., LORD MAYOR OF LONDON, AND CHAMBERLALN. BY PERCY FITZGERALD, M.A., F.S.A., AUTHOK OK 'TUK LIFE OF GEORGE IV.,' 'LIFE OK CARRK'K,' ETC. With thee Good-hu'ihour tempers lively Wit, Eiithron'd with Judgment, Candour loves to sit ; Aiid Xature gave thtJe, open to distress, A lieart to pity, and a hand to bless.' Churchill. WITH FOUR IllUSTRATIONS. IN TWO VOLTTMKS. VOL. I. LONDON : WARD AND DOWNEY, 12, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C. 1888. [All Rights Rfserved.] *. • » « • • 4 SIX V.I CONTENTS OF VOL. I. PREFACE I'EDIGREE INTRODUCTION I. EDUCATION AND MARRIAGE II. THE MEDMENHAM MONKS HI. JOURNALISM AND LITERARY FRIENDSHIPS IV. PARTNERSHIP WITH CHURCHILL V. ATTACK ON LORD BUTE VI. THE ' GENERAL WARRANT ' . VII. CHARLES CHURCHILL VIII. THE ' ESSAY ON WOMAN ' IX. DUEL WITH IMARTIN . X. WILKES IN PARIS XI. DEATH OF CHURCHILL XII. TRAVELS ABROAD XIII. FRUITLESS APPEALS FOR PARDON XIV. 'WILKES AND LIBERTY' TACP V viii 1 4 25 54 74 95 121 168 190 209 239 268 284 295 318 36818';^ PEEFACE The prominent incidents of Wilkes's career are well known : his struggles with Ministers on the General Warrants, and his desperate contest with the Honse of Commons for his seat. He is familiar also as the noisy, successful demagogue, who was the cause of much turbulence and rioting. Not so well known is his share in the conflict which raged for many years between the King and his Ministers on the one side, and the City Fathers on the other, when the latter displayed an intrepidity and resolution that was worthy of all praise. This curious episode is now for the first time recorded in detail in these volumes, and will vi Preface. be found, I think, an interesting contribution to the 'History of London.' The course of Wilkes, moreover, was so chequered, and his character such a mixture of good and evil, that his adventures, as they may be called, furnish much entertainment. There is something piquant, too, in the contrast between the excellence of his cause and the reckless and unscrupulous means he adopted to support it. Whether full justice has been done in treating this singular character, it rests with the reader to determine. The materials have been abundant, for, curious to say, this attractive subject has not been fully treated before the present attempt, except in a short but comprehensive sketch by Mr. Fruser liac. entitled 'Wilkes, Fox, Sheridan.' His voluminous papers are to be seen in the British Museum, and on these I have drawn largely. The most interesting portion is the correspondence with Churchill, Preface. vii hitherto unpubhshed, which exhibits the friendship, as well as the reckless profanity, of the two rakes. Wilkes figures largely in the contenaporary memoirs, and was found by his contemporaries, as he was by Lord Mans- field, to be the most aofreeable man of his time. It was this attraction, found, in his letters, and even in his violent proceedings, that conciliated the most hostile, and has made the writing the life of the dissipated, unscrupulous, but gay and good-natured, Wilkes an agreeable task. Athen^um Club, January 20, 1888. o [^ o If- C3 r- (—1 s o M c O (D >^ c3 cq ^W o « ^H •^ 1 CScq CO CC "T _ il >i >^ § c6 c3 ^ ^ CD w , 00 '^ t^ «3 _, 1^ • Ih- c3 CC 2-^ CO , 1 XI <1> ce o .M OT • »s hH lO Oi CO 0) ce . o ce ;^ 00 ce . 1^ o O 00 ce o ^ t^ O '-' Xi O xi o p^ ce C/3 0»-5 o c3 a> ce o . > o . Pec THE LIFE OF JOHN WILKES. INTEODUCTION. At Ludgate Circus, where the London traffic is busiest, and getting across the street is a business of anxiety and risk, the foot- passenger is at little liberty to note the two mean and stunted obelisks which stand in the road. One of these is a token of the City's love and gratitude to John Wilkes, sometime Alderman, Lord Mayor, and Ee- membrancer of the City of London. The other is in honour of one Waithman, a noisy, troublesome Alderman, who advertised him- self well by taking up the cause of the unlucky Queen Caroline. Wilkes also adver- tised himself well, but it was his own par- VOL. 1. ' 1 2 The Life of John Wilkes. . ticular interests and cause. Yet though his exertions were not tainted with any sort of corruption, he could hardlj^ be styled a ' pure ' patriot. His services to the State and Con- stitution were of an extraordinary and valuable kind. He ' settled,' or caused to be settled — ' paying with his person ' — points of consti- tutional law affecting the liberty of the subject. He confronted the arrogant pretensions of despotism in a coarse, rough, and violent way, the most effective for the purpose ; and fought the battle with an insolent scurrility and courage that roused the nation. Yet^ notwithstanding these services, we feel that the idea of a statue to John Wilkes somehow shocks the sensibilities, and it would be felt to be the celebration of a victory won by violence in the cause of selfishness. Towards the close of his life, Wilkes began a sort of autobiography, which if it makes us lament that the scheme was not carried out, supplies evidence of one curious note in Wilkes' character, his amiable, good-humoured vanity, for whicli no man ever received more indulgence. Had the performance been carried Introduction. 3 out in this spirit, it would probabl^y have been little more than a continued stream of self-laudation, and we should find that his contemporaries were more satisfactory judges of the career of the patriot than he was himself. He was, in truth, an extraordinary character, full of energy and buoyancy, never checked by the most disastrous repulses. As was said of Foote, he was ' incompres- sible.' No agitator or indeed politician was ever so successful. Whatever he set his heart on, he was certain to reach, sooner or later. He baffled all his enemies — King, Ministers, the two Houses, the Courts, creditors, and private foes ; and this success was continuous, attending him to the last years of his life. 1—2 CHAPTER I. EDUCATION AND MAERIAGE. Wilkes, in this MS. fragment of autobio- graphy to be seen in the British Museum, thus complacently reviews his own adven- turous career : ' In ni}^ time a private person has stood forth, who by the fond voice of his country- men has been equalled to the patriots of former ages. He has likewise experienced the same fate. He was hated, persecuted, and driven out of his country by a Court faction and a despotic Ministry, yet all the while beloved by the nation to a degree of enthusiasm, and honoured with repeated marks of popular favour. This person is Mr. AVilkcs, whose life I now undertake to write, because no other man can have had equal opportunities with myself of knowing Education and Marriage. 5 every part of his conduct, both in public and private, or of being so well acquainted with the real and secret motives of all his actions. I have been intimately connected with, and I even made a part of his family, several months before his birth ; nor have I ever quitted him since.' Wilkes, too, was one of those mixed characters which invariably excite interest. Though he was one of the most debauched beings that ever existed, pursuing pleasure on jmncijjk, yet there was no effeminacy in his nature. He was brilliant, entertaining, clever, and sagacious, and moderate even in his violence ; an admirable, vigorous writer ; liked by all, even by his enemies, save perhaps by his Majesty; a charming com- panion and a cultivated, classical scholar. The career of such a man is likely to be in- teresting, and such, I hope, it will be found in my hands. Wilkes, when commencing his story, of which he never wrote more than a few pages, thus solemnly moralizes over his own career : 6 The Life of John Wilkes. * There is a dignity and mild majesty in the independency of private life, which is not indeed so dazzling, yet affords more pure and unalloyed pleasure than all the glare of title, power and pomp. I am in reality more interested in scenes of this kind than in the cruel and sudden reverse of fortune in kings and princes, because the other is brought home to my o\vn case as a private gentleman, or even one of inferior but in- dependent condition. I know that there is no probability of my being ever a sovereign. The proprietj^, therefore, of conduct in a prince interests me very little ; but all the actions of a private gentleman and every event of his life may be similar to my own. I shall never command my own army, lose an important battle, be taken prisoner, and have to deliberate what sacrifices I am to make for the recovery of my liberty. I may, however, be oppressed by a despotic Minister, thrown into prison by a wicked favourite, and though, by the vigour of the laws and the integrity of the judges, I regain my freedom, I may have to spend the remainder of my life Education and Marriage, 7 in unavailing struggle against a prevailing faction.' After lamenting that historians only thought of recording the showy achievements of con- querors and warriors, while those conspicuous in arts and sciences are ' consigned over to the hiographer,' he urges that, ' next to the satisfaction which the mind feels in conse- quence of a virtuous action,' is the thought of being handed down to posterity. ' I wish my countrymen had a Plutarch. Of Hampden, Lord Russell, and Sydney, for instance, how little do we know !' The Wilkes family came originally from Bedfordshire, where it had been settled in the days of Charles I. At this period we find at Layton Beausert, which few will recognise as Leighton Buzzard, Mr. Edward Wilkes, who had four children, oddly named Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Joan. Luke's son was Israel, a distiller in Clerkenwell, who married a Miss Heaton, and died in 1761. His children were Israel, Heaton (who through his life seems to have shared the pecuniary difficulties of his brother, without his abilities), two 8 The Life of John Wilkes. daughters — Sarah and Mary — and the re- markable subject of this memoir, the well- known John Wilkes, who was born on October 17, 1727. Israel Wilkes, his father, came into pos- session of Hoxton Square through his wife. He lived, we are told, in splendid style, and went to church in his coach-and-six. He kept an elegant and sumptuous table for his friends. No wonder that John, from his infancy, imbibed notions of extravagance. The lady was a rigid Dissenter, and occa- sionally persuaded her husband to attend meeting with her. The other children did not much distinguish themselves. Israel, the eldest, was placed in the business house of Mr. de Ponthieu as partner, and married Miss de Ponthieu ; but the business not prospering, he went to America, and settled in New York. Israel settled in America about the year 1782, and brought letters to the Governor from many important persons in England. To tliis person he looked for place or office. He eventually went into business. Education and Marriage. & and hoped to obtain the ' agency of British Packets ' through his greater brother's interest, but failed. His son Charles became cashier in the United States Bank. From this branch sprang a celebrated Commodore of the United States navy, a dashing officer and man of science. The youngest son seems to have been a ' poorish creature ' enough, never succeeding in anything. In his hands the distillery failed. He then, like Mr. Micawber, turned his attention to coals, but could make nothing of that. His life seemed to be generally spent in striving to persuade his important brother to 'do something for him.' As might be expected, he died ' not in affluent circum- stances.' The two daughters seemed to have had a tinge of oddity, or of something worse. On this was, indeed, suggested a character of Dickens'. The eldest died unmarried. ' She lived secluded from the world for many years, in Hart Street, Bloomsbury. She had apart- ments up two pair of stairs ; with thick blinds before the windows, to keep out the 10 The Life of John Wilkes. day-light : and she burnt either a lamp or a candle continually.' The second daughter married a Mr. Storke : and we find that Sir K. Baker was a cousin of the family. There was in her odd history much that suggested her brother, though with little of his redeeming merits. But in the next generation there was one member who was to do credit to the family. Israel Wilkes, when advanced in life, had a son born, Charles Wilkes, who became a man of science, a commodore in the American Navy, made exploring expeditions of much interest, and was more particularly lamed for having stopped the English steamer Trent on the high seas, and taken out the two Confederate Agents. Young John Wilkes was early found to be a sprightly boy and of great promise. His father was both fond and proud of him, and spared no expense upon his education. An important lady of ^ortuue, Mrs. Mead, and a particular friend of the family, was also partial to the boy. Education and Marriage. 11 Mr. Wilkes, senior, must have possessed some of that lively spirit for which his son was later to be celebrated. Long after, Mr. AVilkes, writing to his ' Polty,' recalls a touch of this paternal humour : ' I had a father, a perfectly good-humoured man, who loved laughing: he said one day to me, "Jack, have you got a purse ?" My answer was, "No, sir." "I am sorry for it. Jack," said my father; "if you had, I should have given you some monej^ to put in it." I soon got a purse, and in two or three days my father asked me again, "Jack, have you got a' purse ?"— " Yes, sir."—" I am glad of it," said my father ; " if you had not had a purse, I would have given you one." This was mere fun in my father, for he was exceedingly generous, and gave me all I could wish.' He was presently — as he tells us in his short MS. sketch of his boyhood — sent with his two brothers to a considerable school in Hertford, ' kept by Mr. John Worsley.' This was a celebrated place of education for Pres- byterians, to which creed his mother belonged. This, however, seems to have had no influence 12 TJie Life of John Wilkes. on his profession, as such formal rehgion as he retained through life was of an orthodox cast ; and he was always fond of attending Church on Sundays with tolerable regularity. After remaining here five j^ears, he next passed under the care of another Presbyterian, Mr. Matthew Leeson, who kept a school at Thame in Oxfordshire, where he stayed but a year. His instructor, he tells us, in his recol- lections, ' was one of those teachers who are fond of every paradox and heresy. He was persecuted even by his own little sect, because he did not hold the received opinion of the ♦ Trinity, original sin, redemption, etc. At last the dissenting congregation created him so much uneasiness that he was obliged to quit the ministry ; and he likewise left the town soon after.' Dr. Carlyle, however, in his pleasant memoir, gives an amusing account of this breach. ' This man,' he says, ' a Mr. Leeson, or Lyson, had been singled out by the father as tlie best tutor in the world for his most promising son, because, at the age of three-score, and after studying controversy for more than thirty years, he told his con- Education and Afarriage. 13 gregation that lie was going to leave them, and would tell them the reason next Sunday ; when, being fully convened, he said that with much anxiety and care he had examined the Ariau controversy, and was now convinced that the creed he had read to them, as his creed, was false, and that he had now adopted that of the iVrians, and was to bid them fare- well. The people were shocked with this creed, and not so sorry as they would have been otherwise to part with him, for he was a good-natured, well-meaning man.'^' His youthful pupil — who early showed signs of precocity — was not likely to have been influenced by such a character. ' He then came to Aylesbury, and the pupil attended him. He lived there,' goes on the account, ' in a house belonging to a widow lady, whose name was Mead. ' The family were new converts to Presby- terianism, and actuated by the Avarmth so frequent after a change. He continued there for two years, and no rent was ever asked. He seemed to be under the protection of so * ' Autobiograp'iy,' p. 168. 14 The Life of John Wilhs. opulent a family, and they were vain of the patronage and of the credit it gave them among the sectarians of the Capital.' ' Mrs. Mead was the widow of a dry-salter who had made money and carried on business on London Bridge. Her maiden name was Sherbrooke, and she was the daughter of a gentleman of considerable property', living at Cheneys, in Bucks. All her brothers and sisters dying, this considerable property be- came hers.' The celebrated Dr. Mead was nearly related to the family ; and his daughter, Mrs. Nicholls, was long after declared by Miss Wilkes to be her mother's ' nearest relative after me.' Mrs. Mead, the widow, was a person likely to be well considered in Aylesbury, being a pillar of the Dissenting interest. One reason for young Wilkes following his preceptor to Aylesbury, was the furthering of a plan which the parents of both families had set their hearts upon. Mrs. Mead had an only daughter, who would be an heiress, inheriting from both sides of her family ; and * it was the warm Education and Marriage. 15 wish/ we are told, ' of Mrs. Mead's that an intimacy might grow up between her daughter and young Mr. Wilkes.' Mrs. Wilkes and Mrs. Mead were ' upon terms of the purest affection.' They were both Dissenters. The young lady was, certainly, ten years older than Mr. Wilkes ; but this was not considered a serious objection. From this early familiarity with a strict sect of Dissenters the young Wilkes no doubt acquired his disgust to religion, and even to decorous behaviour. His father next proposed to send him abroad, to the University of Leyden, which, for some reason, had grown into fashion with the En£>iisli and Scotch. It will be recol- lected that, some twenty years later, Boswell set off to prosecute his studies at the same seat of learning. It happened that the clever and vivacious Dr. Alexander Carlyle was at the University at the same time as young Wilkes, and to him we owe a lively sketch of the young student at Leyden : ' There were at this time about twenty-two British students at Leyden, of whom, besides 16 The Life of John Wilkes. the five at our house ah'eady named, were the Hon. Charles Townshend, afterwards a distin- guished statesman ; Dr. Anthony Askew ; John Campbell, junior, of Stonefield ; his tutor, Mr. Morton, afterwards a professor at St. Andrews; John Wilkes, his companion, Mr. Bland, and their tutor, Mr. Leeson ; Mr. Freeman, from Jamaica ; Mr. Doddeswell, afterwards Chan- cellor of the Exchequer ; Mr. Wetheral, from the West Indies ; Dr. Charles Congalton, to this day physician in Edinburgh ; an Irish gentleman, Keefe, I think, in his house ; Willie Gordon, afterwards K.B., with four or five more, whose names I have forgotten, and who did not associate with my friends. ' On the first Sunday evening I was in Leyden I walked round the Cingle — a fine walk on the outside of the Eliine, which formed the wet ditch of the town — with John Gregory, who introduced me to the British students as we met them, not without giving me a short character of them, which I found in general a very just outline. When he came to John Wilkes, whose ugly countenance in early youth was very striking, I asked Education and Marriage. 17 earnestly who he was. His answer was, that he was the son of a Loudon distiller or brewer, who wanted to be a fine gentleman and man of taste, which he could never be, for God and nature had been against him. I came to ^/^ know Wilkes very well afterwards, and found him to be a sprightly entertaining fellow — too much so for his years, as he was but eighteen; for even then he showed something of daring profligacy, for which he was afterwards noto- rious. Though he was fond of learning, and passionately desirous of being thought some- thing extraordinary, he was unlucky in having an old ignorant pedant of a dissenting parson for his tutor. His chief object seemed to be to make Wilkes an Arian also, and he teased him so much about it that he was obliged to declare that he did not believe the Bible at all, which produced a quarrel between them, and Wilkes, for refuge, went frequently to Utrecht, where he met with Immateriality Baxter, as he was called, who then attended Lord Blantyre and Mr. Hay of Drummellier, as he had formerly done Lord John Gray. VOL. I. 2 18 The Life of John Wilkes, * This gentleman was more to Wilkes's taste than his own tutor ; for though he was a profound philosopher and a hard student, he was at the same time a man of the world, and of such pleasing conversation as attracted the young. Baxter was so much pleased with Wilkes that he dedicated one of his pieces to him. He died in 1750, which fact leads me to correct an error in the account of Baxter's life, in which he is much praised for his keeping well with Wilkes, though he had given so much umbrage to the Scotch. But this is a gross mistake, for the people of that nation were always Wilkes's favourites till 1763, thirteen years after Baxter's death, when he became a violent party-writer, and wished to raise his fame and fortune on the ruin of Lord Bute.' The friendship here alluded to is interesting, as affording evidence that Wilkes had been able to attach to himself at least one virtuous and enlightened friend. Baxter afterwards wrote to him thus : ' We talked much on this, you may remember, in the Capuchins' garden at Education and Marriage. 11) Spa. I have finished the Prima Cura ; it is in the dialogue way, and design to inscribe it to my dear John Wilkes, whom, under a borrowed name, I have made one of the interlocutors. If you are against this whim (which a passionate love for you has made me conceive), I will drop it.' ' Wilkes,' goes on Carlyle, ' was fond of shin- ing in conversation prematurely, for at that time he had but little knowledge except what he derived from Baxter in his frequent visits to Utrecht. In the art of shining, however, he was much outdone by Charles Townshend, who was not above a year older, and had still less furniture in his head ; but then his person and manners were more engaging. He had more wit and humour, and a turn for mimicry; and, above all, had the talent of translating other men's thoughts, which they had produced in the simple style of conversation, into the most charming language, which not only took" the ear but elevated the thoughts. ' At Leyden then he pursued his studies with much ardour, acquiring a good know- 2—2 20 The Life of John Wilkes. ledge of the classics, which late iu life he turned to profit, in editing with success some fine editions of Catullus and other writers. He cultivated those easy manners, and that convivial vivacity which afterwards so dis- tinguished him. When he had completed his course, he set off on a tour through Holland and part of Germany. Returning to England in 1749, he found that an arrangement had been made for him, and it was expected that he should com- mence his suit to the young lady destined for his wife. Being now a young gentleman of elegant manners and of * conversation gay and interesting,' he had, to use the phraseology of his time, no difficulty ' in carrjdng the fortress ' already prepared to surrender. Ho paid many visits to Aylesbury House, and his suit prospered so rapidly that in October, 1743, they were married, as Mr. John Almon, the bridegroom's friend, tells us cautiously, ' to the apparent satisfaction of all parties.' Mrs. Mead gave the newly-married pair her house at Aylesbury, and removed to another Educatwn and Marriage. 21 residence of her own in Red Lion Court, behind St. Sepulchre's Church, where they came occasionally to stay with her. Thus was the married life of the pair to commence, which was to prove a short and ill-omened connection. Unhappily they started, as Sterne would say, with many an ass's load of discordant elements on their backs. The lady was of the ripe age of thirty-two ; the husband about twenty-two. She was a strict dissenter ; Mr. Wilkes, in spite of all his training, was ostentatiously a member of the Church of England. He, however, went with her occasionally to meetings, but ' he always communicated ' in the orthodox church. Still, as his friend tells us, he was not a man likely to quarrel with a lady on the score of religion. But the real cause of dissension was his taste for pleasure and amusement, the lady being of an indifferent and serious temperament. But had she been more in- dulgent, her forbearance would have been strained to the uttermost. There were other numerous reasons for discordance. He dis- 22 The Life of John Wilkes, liked the mansion in Ked Lion Court ; the situation and neighbourhood were dis- agreeable ; he wished to reside in the fashion- able part of the town. He soon removed this cause of contention, by taking one of the handsomest houses in the West End, and launching out into all kinds of expenses. His new house in Great George Street, Westminster, required an expensive establish- ment. ' A variety of company, and splendid dinners almost every day, were indeed such scenes of dissipation as must be distressing to mind that had from early life been habituated CO economy. But, what was infinitely worse, and beyond the power of forbearance, was, his introducing into his house a number of juvenile, gay bacchanalians, of dissolute manners and vulgar language. Mrs. Wilkes remonstrated ; he retorted : she abandoned Jiis table, and left him to treat his guests as he pleased.' Later Mr, Wilkes, rather un- generously, laid the blame on the lady wlieu defending himself from an attack in the paj^ers. ' I have heard some of his friends remark, that she is perhaps the woman in the world the Education and Marriage. 23 most unfit for liim ; and the only one to whom he would not have been an uxorious husband, for he loves a domestic life ; she was certainly a large fortune ; but, unhappil5^ half as old again as Mr. Wilkes, when he married her. I have often dined with them, both in town and country. He was admired as an extremely civil and complaisant husband ; rather cold, but exactly well bred : and set an example of polite and obliging be- haviour in his family, which many of those who find fault with him would do well to imitate. Her reputation is unspotted ; and she still possesses Mr. Wilkes's esteem, though not his tenderness.'* Long after, writing to Mrs. Stafford, on March 4th, 1778, he described his marriage : ' In my nonage, to please an indulgent father, I married a woman half as old again as myself; of a large fortune — my own being also that of a gentleman. It was a sacrifice to Plutus, not to Venus. I never lived with * This, though written in an assumed character, was Wilkes' own sketch of himself. He was fond of thus speaking of himself. 24 Tlie Life of John IVilkes. her. in the strict sense of the word ; nor have I seen her for uearlj^ twenty j^ears. I stnmhled at the very threshold of the temple of Hymen.' CHAPTER II. THE >nE:DMENHA3I MONKS. When a general election, in 1754, was ap- proaching, ^Mlkes was encouraged to look for a seat. He was now twentv-seven years old, and, being assured that there was an opening at Berwick, he determined to try his fortune there. It was curious that he should have selected a Scotch seat, considering his later antipathies. But. as we have seen, at this time he was friendly to that nation. In his address he assured the electors that he came before them because of their ' steady attach- jnent to the cause of hbertv.' which he always had ' nearest his heart." ' Gentlemen,' the address proceeded. ' I come here uncorruptim/y and I promise you I shall eyer be uncorrupted. As I neyer will take a bribe, so I will neyer offer one. ... I haye no priyate yiews : my 26 The Life of John Willies. sole ambition is to serve my country, and to contribute to the preservation of the invaki- able privileges which this nation enjoj^s beyond any other in the world. I shall rest steadily on these principles.' All his family were vehemently against this project, which they knew was unsuited to his means and position. His father, wife, and mother-in-law all joined in the opposition, believing that it would be his ruin, and farther tend to the destruction of all domestic peace. He was positive, went to the poll, and was defeated — obtaining 192 votes. Notwith- standing his heroic utterances as to coming there ' uncorrupting, and uncorrupted,' the contest involved him in a large outlay — reach- ing, it was said, to between three and four thousand pounds ! These vexations and con- sequent embarrassments led to fresh domestic differences, and the disappointed candidate, forsaking his home, sought for sympathy and dissipation among congenial friends. It w^as at this time, indeed, that he seemed to have flung aside all restraints. Yet all that he could find fault with in his much-tried wife The Medmenham Monks. 27 was the neglect of his table and ' of the in- ferior articles of some -domestic duty.' It was characteristic, however, that a man of such tastes, who spent his time with gay boon companions, should excuse his absence from home by the humdrum arrangements he found there. As is often common in such cases, he laid the blame of his own defeat and disappoint- ment on his wife, and complained ' that he had not met that tender reception at home he had a right to expect.' He admitted that her behaviour on the whole had always been ' strictly moral, seriously rational and con- sistent.'* His own life was ' irregular, dis- sipated, and licentious.' He spent his time with loose friends, and abandoned his house. Under such conditions his neglected wife, who had ventured on some ' reproaches,' at last insisted on a formal separation. Mr. Wilkes was not at all indisposed to this step, which would restore him to his liberty ; but Mrs. Mead took the side of her daughter, and * This, again, is Wilkes' own account, given to a confidential friend — Almon's ' Life,' vol. i., 28. 28 The Life of John Wilkes. being of so * serious ' and decent a life, naturally wished to rescue her from so painful a state. The arrangement was accordingly made ; but she had to sacrifice to him a large sum, of her receiving in return a small an- nuity of two hundred a year. Sir C. Wentworth Dilke, in his ' Papers of a Critic,' has warmly taken up the defence of Wilkes in this transaction, pleading that here was a young man married to a woman ten years older, of strict and austere principles, who was uncongenial to him, he, in his turn, being all that was clever and brilliant. To this it may be replied that had his wife been a paragon of seventeen, the same result would have followed. He was a rake on principle, and with such it would be diJSicult for the most accommodating of wives to live, even if we leave out the question of his wasteful extravagance, which would have beggared both. Unfortunately the sequel of this transaction is still less to Wilkes' credit, and supports the case of his unliappy wife. So enslaved was he by his spendthrift tastes — and no one ever The Medmenham Monks. 'l^i^ so developed the science of spendicg money, without having it, or making others pay for him— that he took the step of trying to snatch from his wife the pittance he had settled upon her. Application was made to the Courts with this view, under the guise of a writ of habeas corpus, but it was refused. As he could not have hoped to have suc- ceeded, it was probably intended to put pressure on her to make further sacrifices, or to cause her annoyance. The reported case shows the view taken by the Court of this discreditable proceeding : ' Bex V. Manj Mead. — Mrs. Mead now brought her into court. The substance of the return was, that her husband {having used her very ill) did, in consideration of a great sum, which she gave him out of her separate estate, consent to her living alone ; executed articles of separation ; and covenanted (under a large penalty) never to disturb her, or any person w4th whom she should live ; — that she lived with her mother, at her own earnest desire ; and that the writ of habeas corpus was taken out with a view of seizing her by '30 TKe Life of John Wilkes. force, or some other bad purpose. The Court held this to be a formal renunciation by the husband of his natural right to seize her or force her back to live with him : and they said that any attempt of the husband to seize her by force and violence would be a breach of the peace. They also declared that any attempt made by the husband to molest her in her present return from West- minster Hall would be a contempt of the Court ; and they told the lady she was at full liberty to go where, and to whom, she pleased/* Thus emancipated, Wilkes had now full scope to plunge into all the enjoyments of the town without restraint. His social gifts had attracted to him a number of men of similar taste, and who, indeed, might be said to be at the head of their profession of pleasure- seeking. They were, indeed, an edifying company. Foremost among them, was Thomas Potter, an extraordinary being, who enjoyed the credit of having efl'ectually ■* poisoned his friends' morals ' ; Lord Sand- * Burrowes's ' Keports.' The Medmenham Monks. . 31 wicli, the most notorious of dcha itches ; Sir Francis Dasliwood, afterwards Lord Le De- spencer ; Paul Whitehead and Mr. John Hall Stevenson. These were rakes of the first water. Wilkes was one of those characters who study pleasure, and live for pleasure, a vile, bestial principle. Potter was the son of the Archbishop of Canterbury, a depraved sen- sualist, and yet, strange to say, an intimate friend of Mr. Pitt's, with whom he lived on affectionate terms. Notwithstanding his epi- curean tastes, he was a skilful politician, an official, and Member of the House of Commons — no doubt from his association with Mr. Pitt. To the same set belonged Sterne (though this was a few years later), and Sterne's friend and neighbour, John Hall Stevenson, of notorious memorj^, whose seat was Crazy Castle, at Skelton, in Yorkshire. There was one singular • note ' in the pro- fessional licentiousness of this period : it was joined with a very high cultivation of mind and wit, and set off with classical adornments. These rakes and gamblers could turn elegant 32 . The Life of John Wilkes. verses to each other, as the occasion sug- gested ; while their letters — such as those of Lord March, ' Gilly ' Williams, Storer, and others — are full of a charming vivacity,, spirit, and even wit. This opens a perplexing speculation ; for indulgence in coarse pleasures is commonly supposed to dull the more refined tastes and instincts. Storer was a highly-cultivated amateur^ delighting in collecting prints and in ' Grain - gerising ' ; Lord Carlisle had elegant tastes ; while Hall Stevenson possessed, at his 'Crazy Castle,' a fine library of rare antique volumes^ chiefly French — ' Bruscambilles,' and others of that class — which his friend, the Curate of Coxwold, made abundant use of to add piquancy to 'Tristram Shandj.' The six volumes of the ' New Foundling Hospital for Wit ' are filled witli pleasant occasional jeux d'esprit, addressed by these lively men of pleasure to each other, showing cultivation and elegance in the ' turn ' of thought and expression. The most hizarrc result of these combine I The Medmenham Monks. 33 tastes was exhibited by an artistic society which still flourishes, viz., The Dilettante. It con- sisted of a number of cultivated amateurs, who wished to encourage the study of artistic antiquities. This was done by grants of money, missions to Greece and .Italy, the jDublication of works on newly-discovered objects of art, and commissions for pictures, portraits, etc. One of their odd rules was, that any member, on his marriage, or pro- motion in official life, should pay the society a ' percentage ' on the additional emolument that thus accrued from the lady's fortune, or salary of the office. This tax might be com- pounded for, in anticipation, by a fixed sum ; and the books show that it was somewhat rigorously enforced, and cheerfully paid. Another regulation was, that each member should contribute his portrait to the gallery of the society ; and the result of the rule was to be seen in the Thatched House Club in St. James's Street. Their home, at the present moment, is at "Willis's Eooms, where are works by Sir Joshua and other good masters.* * Sir Frederick Pollock, a member of the societj^, has VOL. I. 3 34 The Life of John Wilkes. The society included among its leading men most of the ' fast ' men of the day, evidence of which is an extraordinary picture, still in their possession, and associated with the scandalous orgies of the Medmenham Monks. The society, in its earliest days, met at a tavern in Palace Yard, known as The King's Head, and in the large room was hung a picture of Sir Francis Dashwood, head of the order, and which he had presented to the society according to the regulation. He was portrayed in the habit of a ' Franciscan Monk,' kneeling before a nude Venus, and holding a goblet in his hand.* Many are the traditions of this society, to have belonged to whom is one of the worst scandals in Wilkes's course. The mind that could turn a mere convivial association to such uses must have been base and depraved indeed. It only wanted hypocrisy and the Tartufife element to make the whole complete. It seems incredible, but the spectacle actually written a very interesting and agreeable account of the collection. * Tliis picture is still in the possession of the society. Tlie Medmenham Monks. 35 was to be furnished of these debauchees ' roundmg,' as it is called, on one of their associates and upbraiding him with pious horror for his offences against decency. Mr. Wilkes, after he had quarrelled with the ' Abbot ' of the Society, wrote a descrip- tion of Medmenham Abbey, in illustration of his deceased friend Clmrchiirs poems. ' Med- menham,' he says, ' is a very large house on the banks of the Thames, near Marlow in Buckinghamshire. It was formerly a convent of Cistercian Monks. The situation is re- markably fine. Beautiful hanging woods, soft meadows, a crystal stream, and a grove of venerable old elms near the house, with the retiredness of the mansion itself, made it as sweet a retreat as the most poetical imagi- nation could create.' Sir Francis Dashwood, with other gentle- men to the number of twelve, rented the abbey, and often retired thither in the sum- mer.* Among other amusements, they had * There has always been a certain mystery as to the names of the twelve monks of Medmenham. But it has been stated that among them were Churchill the poet, 36 The Life of John Willes. sometimes a mock celebration of the rites of foreign religious orders ; of the Franciscans in particular, for the members had taken that title from their founder, Sir Francis Dashwood. Whitehead was secretary and steward to the order. No profane eye has dared to penetrate into the English Eleusinian mysteries of the chapter-room, where the monks assembled on all solemn occasions. ' Over the grand entrance, was the famous inscription on Eabelais's abbey of Theleme : Fay ce que voudras. At the end of the passage, over the door, was : Aucle, hospcs, contemnere opes ! At one end of the refectory was Harpocrates, the Egyptian god of silence ; at the other end the goddess Angerona, that the same duty might be enjoined to botli sexes.' Wilkes, llobort Lloyd, Sir Francis Dashwood, Bubl> Dodingto)), Lords Melcombe and Orford, Paul White- head, Collins, Dr. Bates; to which might be added John Hall Stevenson, and j^erhaps Potter, wliich would nearly fill up the number. Sir J. Aubray was heard to say, some forty years ago, that he had attended a few meetings as a guest, but was thought too ijoang to be formally admitted. TJie Medmenham Monks. 37 In a lively novel, ' Chrysal ; or the Adven- tures of a Guinea,' which enjoyed extraordinary popularity in the last century, the author, Charles Johnston, gave some curious sketches of the members and proceedings of the scan- dalous society.* Among them, described with particularity, were Sir Francis Dashwood, Lord Orford, and Mr. Wilkes. He imputes a particular and settled design and purpose to these orgies, which was to bring religion into contempt, and with some acuteness, says that the most effectual way of silencing the occasional remonstrances of conscience is the force of ridicule applied to sacred things. In this view an elaborately sacrilegious system of the mocking and parodying all that was sacred was contrived with a horrible ingenuity, and there was set up at every corner some hideous perversion of either the texts of Scripture or the most sacred truths. And as this ribaldry * Disguised under fictitious names ; but the author furnished a written key to Lord Mount-Edgcumbe and others of his friends, which was printed by Davis in his "Olio." 3fil^1 H'P 38 The Life of Jolin Wilkes. is of exactly the same description as that found in the notorious ' Essay on Woman,' it is not unfair to presume that it was the de- bauched wit of our hero who was responsible for it/" No servants were employed to attend on the members ; but there was a sort of second order of Probationers, who waited on the regular monks. The * Abbot ' is described as * a person of flighty imagination who pos- sessed a fortune that enabled him to pursue these flights, cloyed, too, with common plea- sures, and ambitious of distinguishing himself among his companions. He had resolved to try if he could not strike out something new.' All members, on entering, assumed a name. Wilkes's was ' Archbishop John of Aylesbury.' Solemn rites attended the admission of the neophytes, which was carried out with great mystery and secret rites. • John of Aylesbury ' seems to have been the * life and soul,' as it is called, of the com- * A further proof of this is the relish and minute particuhvrity witli which Wilkes, in his notes to his friend ChurchiU's Poems, describes all the mottoes and other objects which were disposed about the abbey. The Medmenham Monks. 39 munity. ' He had,' says Jolinstou, ' such a flow of spirits that it was impossible ever to be a moment dull in his company. His wit gave charms to every subject he spoke upon ; and his humour displayed the foibles of man- kind in such colours as to put folly even out of countenance. But the same vanity which had first made him ambitious of entering this society, only because it was composed of persons superior to his own rank in life, still kept him in it, though upon acquaintance he despised themselves. His spirits were often stretched to extravagance to overpower competition. His humour was debased into buffoonery, and his wit was so prostituted to the lust of applause that he would sacrifice his best friend for a scurvy jest, in which he was also assisted by a peculiar archness of disposition and an expertness in carrying his jests into execution.' One of these practical jokes was in Mr. Wilkes's most obstreperous style. He secretly introduced a large black baboon, and shut him in a huge chest in the room where the brethren assembled for their rites. By an 40 The Life of John Wilkes. ingenious arrangement lie contrived that by pulling a cord the animal should be suddenly released. At a critical moment of ' the in- vocation ' this was done ; and the animal, jumping from its concealment, threw the whole party into convulsions of terror. All roared out, ' The devil ! the devil !' and fled from the room, tumbling over each other in a style that did little credit to such sceptics. The animal then leaped on Lord Orford's shoulders, from whence it could not be dislodged. This exhibition turned the rage of the members on the contriver of the joke, who, according to the novel, was then expelled the society."* * It is often an incident in the demagogue's course to fiad him reviling some brother demagogue with whom ho had formerly been on terms of affectionate intimacy. Wilkes and his Abbot presently fell out, and it is amusing to find the former ' monk ' "iving an account of a visit paid to his former friend's house, and ridiculing him for the profanities with which he had set off his domain. He says, ' I passed a day in viewing the villa of Sir Francis Dash wood, now Lord LeDespencer, and the church he has just built on the top of a very steep hill, for the convenience and devotion of the town at the bottom of it. The Avord mcmr.nio in immense letters on the steeple 8uri)rised and perplexed me, I could not find the won, or perhaps the other word was inerV After surveying The Medmenham Monks. 41 It has been mentioned that one of the most extraordinary incidents in the career of these libertines was their assumption in pubhc of airs of decorum. A working member of the order was Paul Whitehead, a mediocre poet, who left remains, published by a friend of his, Captain Thomson, with an affectionate memoir. The superficial reader musing on these panegyrics, and the ' works ' of the person thus celebrated, would conceive that this was some amiable being, not very pre- tentious in his gifts, and unrecognised by the world, and that his obscurity had been re- deemed by a certain faithfulness and con- scientiousness. His friend, the captain, dedi- cated his ' remains' to Sir F. Dashwood, now Lord Le Despencer, F.E.S., LL.D., in a touch- ing inscription: 'As his virtues,' says his friend, * were better known to your lordship than to the extraordinary statues and other objects set up on the grounds, Mr. Wilkes says, ' I retired to my inn, fall of astonishment that any man should take so much pains, and be at so great an expense, only to show a public contempt of all decency, order, and virtue.' It was said that Whitehead's heart was placed in the ball of the steeple ! Hence the 'memento.'' 42 TJie Life of John Wilkes. any other person, to whom can his composi- tions be addressed with so much propriety ?' This being was the secretary to the infamous society, and Sir Francis's obsequious tool. Churchill, also supposed to be one of the fraternity, took special pleasure in ' gibbeting ' him : ' He, like a thorough, true-bred spaniel, licks The hand which cuffs him, and the foot which kicks, He fetches and he carries, blacks my shoes, Nor thinks it a discredit to his muse,' And again : ' May I (can worse disgrace on manhood fall ?) Be born a Whitehead, and baptized a Paul !' The last incident in his life was of a truly grotesque sort. By his will he left a precious bequest to his patron. After directing his body to be opened, ' that the faculty may, if possible, discover after I am dead, what they seemed totally ignorant of while I was living — the cause of my death,' a sarcastic stroke at the doctors — he ordered his heart to be taken out, adding : * I give the heart aforesaid to the Plight Honourable Lord Le Despencer, together with .i^50, to be laid out in the lite Medmenham Monks. 43 purchase of a marble urn, to be placed, if his lordship pleases, in some corner of his mausoleum, as a memoir of my warm attach- ment.' Lord Le Despencer accepted the legacy, and contrived a queer pageant, half pagan, half rehgious. The urn was carried in procession by a number of grenadiers of the yeomanry regiment. After proceeding through the grounds it was laid on a pillar. An oratorio in the church with a sermon wound up the proceedings. Later it found its way to the steeple. This Sir Francis Dashwood was not with- out his merits. He had travelled a good deal in Italy, and was an almost fanatical dilettante. He was well accomplished, and could paint well. This is shown by the frescoes on the walls of his mansion at West Wycombe, now almost mouldered away, but which were his work. He was credited with plain, good sense, though he lacked applica- tion, as might be expected. Lord March, afterwards the notorious ' Old Q.,' had his regular preacher and chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Kidgell, of whom we 44 The Life of John Wilkes. shall hear more presently. Lord Sandwich plaj^ed in oratorios. Churchill, Home Tooke, Sterne, and Dodd, offered an extraordinary specimen of the dissipated and clever parson, all unfrockM, more or less. Lord Sandwich is chiefly associated with the unfortunate incident in which Miss Ka5^ the actress, lost her life ; who, as is well known, was assassinated at the theatre by a clergyman. This nobleman had undoubted abilities, and sentimental tastes and accom- plishments. His concerts at his house, where the unfortunate Kay was prima and he himself modestlj^ took the kettle-drum, were well attended. He had a certain official ability, and was almost as ugly as Wilkes, yet more common-looking. Churchill has sketched him in some terrible lines : ' From his youth upwards to the present day, Wlieu vices more than years have mark'd liim gray, Wiien riotous excess, witli wasteful hand Shakes life's frail glass, and hastes each ebbing sand, Unmindful from what stock he drew his birth, Untainted with one deed of real worth, The Medmenham Monks. 45 Lothario, holdiog honour at no price, Folly to folly added, vice to vice, Wrought sin with greediness, and sought for shame With greater zeal than good men work for fame.' Wilkes's connection with Aylesbury had found him friends of a more reputable sort, among whom was Lord Temple, who has been drawn by Macaulay in the most virulent and, it must be said, prejudiced colours. ' The head of the Grenvilles,' he writes in his essay on Lord Chatham, ' was Richard, Earl Temple. His talent for administration and debate were of no high order. But his great possessions, his turbulent and unscru- pulous character, his restless activity, and his skill in the most ignoble tactics of faction, made him one of the most formidable enemies that a Ministry could have.' And again in grosser terms, ' Those who knew his habits tracked him as men track a mole. It was his nature to grub underground. Wherever a heap of dirt was flung up, it might be suspected that he was at work in some foul crooked labyrinth below.' We are familiar with Macaulay's anti- 46 The Life of John Wilkes. thetic method, and the exhaustive method of research which enabled him to declare in thousands of instances alike that ' no man was ever more,' etc., and yet 'no man was ever less,' etc. Lord Temple, no doubt, was fond of working the threads of political intrigue, but this went little beyond writing or inspiring anti-Ministerial pamphlets; and he tried to get back to power by the various devices in favour with statesmen out of office. But he was a fond husband, a firm, afi'ectionate, and sincere friend, a man of good abilities, who was treated ill by the various parties. It is, at least, by good natured actions that we can track him in his relations with Wilkes, and not by those ' heaps of dirt ' alluded to by the great historian. This nobleman was Lord - Lieutenant of Bucks, and took an interest in the concerns of his county. Among *other plans he was eager to raise a militia regiment, in which he was supported witli much ardour by Wilkes; There was a good deal of opposi- tion, but the scheme was successfully carried The Medmenham Monks. 47 out, Sir Francis Dashwood being appointed colonel and Wilkes lieutenant-colonel. Here for many years Wilkes found himself at home, taking delight in his military duties, and greatly liked by his men, and popular with the officers and country gentlemen from his social gifts. As Lord Temple said on his dismissal, he had endeared himself to all ; and Gibbon, who was prejudiced against him, bears this remarkable testimony to his gifts and vices. In the month of September, 1762, he tells us : ' Colonel Wilkes dined at our mess. I scarcely ever met with a better companion. He has inexhaustible spirits, infinite wit and humour, and a great deal of knowledge, although profligate in principle as in practice, his life stained with every vice, and his conversation full of blasphemy and in- decency. These morals he glories in : for shame is a weakness he has long since surmounted. He told us himself that at this time of public discussion he was resolved to make his fortune. This proved to be a very debauched day. We drank a good 48 The Life of John Wilkes. deal both after dinner and supper ; and when at last he had retired, Sir Thomas Worsely and some others broke into his room and made him drink a bottle of claret in bed.' When Sir Francis Dashwood resigned the command of the regiment, Wilkes became its colonel. On this double promotion, Dashwood to the peerage and he himself to be colonel, Wilkes wrote his congratulations : * To Sir F. Dashwood. 'June 17, 1762. ' Dear Sir, ' I was three times the last week to pay my respects to you in Hanover Square. . . . Your letter (to the regiment) is highly honourable to us all, but I am sure deserves my most grateful acknowledgments. It shall always be my endeavour to merit the obliging things you was so kind to say of me, and I shall esteem myself peculiarly happy if I can in any way alleviate the loss which the whole corps must sensibly feel. I feast my mind with the joy of promotion, and hope to The Medmenham Monks. 49 iudemnify myself there for the noise and non- sense here."* This intimacy with the Temples, Dash- woods, Sandwiclis' and other men of mark, and his own gradual advance in the social scale — he was "now Colonel of Militia, Fellow of the Eoyal Society, and had served as High Sheriff in 1754 — led him to tm-n his eyes persistently to the chances of the political world. He was eager to seize the first opening of getting into Parliament, which seemed to offer more difficulties in his case than are usually found in that of a young man of such talent and good connections. The election of 1757, which was to bring him into Parliament, also opened for him a chance of patronage and advancement, in a rather fortunate way. His friend Potter was member for Aylesbury, in Buckinghamshire, and, having been appointed Vice Treasurer of Ireland, had to vacate his seat. At the same time. Sir Robert Henly, who had been appointed to another lucrative office, left ■^ MS. Brit. Mus. VOL. I. 4 50 The Life of John Wilkes. a borough — that of Bath — open. It was contrived, with much secrecy and plotting, that Mr. Pitt, who sat for an obscure place called Okehampton, should be returned for Bath, and that Potter should take his place at Okehampton. Thus was Ajdesbury left to Mr. Wilkes. ' The business,' we are told, ' was very adroitly managed. It may be said,' adds Aim on, who had it from Wilkes, ' with the strictest truth, that this affair, from its com- mencement to its conclusion, cost Mr. Wilkes upwards of seven thousand pounds — for he was the person who paid all — to obtain one seat in Parliament, and that for only three years. He might, at that time, have pur- chased a borough for the whole septennial period, for less money.' This foolish and desperate business had no doubt one compensation, for it brought him into a sort of community of interest with Mr. Pitt, as all three were concerned in this cliasse croisscc. But the difficulties that oppressed him in consequence, and the enormous cost of the transaction, drove him TJie Medmenham Monks. 51 to the most serious extremity for money. His friend Potter supplied him with a fatal mode of extrication, by introducing him to Sylva,* and other accommodating Jews, from whom he secured advances on annuities, and by other ruinous modes of raising money. Characteristically, Mr. Wilkes laid the blame of these embarrass- ments on his friend, who, he said later, was ' plunged much deeper than me in annuities, and gave me the worst advice.' Such reproaches are common incidents in boon companionship. Wilkes' characteristic declaration to Gibbon at mess will be recollected : ' he was de- termined to make his fortune ;' a purpose that flowed with strict logic from his fixed determination to secure all the pleasures that life offered. This could not be carried out with- out the possession of money or place, which he lost not a moment in trying to secure. Within a week of his election, Mr. Wilkes * It should be added, however, that Sylva's claims were discharged by public subscription, made some years later. 4—2 52 Tlie Life of John Wilkes. bad ImiTied to St. James's Square, to ofifer his services or devotion to the Minister, and a few days later he, as it were, formally registered his fealty and hopes of future pre- tensions in a singular letter, the meaning of which cannot be mistaken. The underlined passages will be noted : ' Wilhes to Titt, ' Aylesbury, •July 14th, 1757. * The day after my election, I had the honour of paying mj' respects in St. James's Square. I was desirous of so early an opportunity of saying how greatly I wish to be numbered among those who have the high- est esteem and veneration for Mr. , Pitt. I am very happy now to contribute more than my warmest wishes for the support of his wise and excellent measures, and my ambition will ever be to have my Parliamentary conduct ((jiproved hy the ablest Minister, as ivell as the first character of the aye. I live in the hope of doing my country some small service, at least ; and I am sure the only certain way of The Medmenliam Monks. 58 doing any, is hy a steady sitpport of your measures. I beg leave to assure you that / shall never depart from these sentiments, and shall always endeavour to distinguish myself ivith the most entire zeal and attention. Sir, ' Your most devoted, humble servant, 'J. Wilkes.' Nothing could be clearer and more unmis- takable than this fulsome appeal. To this tone of flattery, however, the great minister was well accustomed. This may be con- sidered the patriot's first formal step in politics, which he took with much promp- titude and decision. CHAPTEE III. JOURNALISM AND LITERARY FRIENDSHIPS. One of the most curious surprises in this career is our finding this prime ' rake ' of a sudden transformed into the political litterateur. This taste is unusual in the case of pro- fessed men of pleasure, who can ill spare the time and study necessary to pursue the niceties of composition. The difference between his day and ours must not, however, be forgotten. A vigorous trenchant pen was then what a vigorous trenchant tongue is now. The speech did little work, because reporting was imperfect, or did not exist at all ; but the pamphlet, the article, the ' address,' and the poem — these were read greedily, and were certain of good circulation. Wilkes soon found that he had the gift of carrying on political warfare with his pen. Journalism and Literary Friendships. 55 But what led him more directly to adopt these methods was the acquaintance he made with a few writers — some of mark, others attached to Grub Street. Belonjiino: to the former class were Churchill and Smollett ; to the latter, Churchill's friend, Robert Lloyd, Dr. Arm- strong, Bonnell Thornton, and a few others. Of these Robert Lloyd had been educated at Westminster School, where also Churchill, Bon- nell Thornton, and other promising lads had been scholars. Later, he had become an usher in' the school, while his friend Churchill, who had taken Orders, became a curate in the district. The pair, though having little to live on beyond the pittance furnished by their respective vocations, were addicted to loose pleasures, which they followed with an almost frantic ardour. Lloyd appears to have been the prompter of Churchill's excesses, who soon became bankrupt, and abandoned his wife and his profession. They then both adopted ' literature ' as a profession — much as a spendthrift in the lower classes, when he has spent his last shilling, enlists in a regiment- 56 The Life of John Wilkes. It is curious to find that, as in Wilkes' case, the blame of this cUhach is laid at the door of the wife and his 'ill-considered marriage' — her ' imprudence kept pace with her husband's.' Wilkes became acquainted with this pair of viveurs, and joined in the round of debauch. We are told, on the authority of his friend, that ' Mr. Lloyd was mild and amiable in private life, of gentle manners, and very en- srao-ins in conversation. He was an excellent scholar, and an easy, natural poet. His pecu- liar excellence was the dressing up of an old •thought in a new, neat, and trim manner. He was contented to scamper round the foot of Parnassus on his little Welsh pony, which seems never to have tired.' But it was to Churchill that Wilkos was early drawn, by the most affectionate regard and sympathy. He made his acquaintance in an odd way. One Armstrong, a military doctor, with literaiy tastes, had published a complimentary poem, addressed to Wilkes, whom lie styled ' gay Wilkes,' and in which he attacked Churchill. Journalism and Literary Fiiendsliips. hi Wilkes's attention was thus at once drawn to Churcliill, and lie sought his acquaintance forthwith, disdaining the incense thus offered to him. Smollett was working on the Critical Beview, and accepted Wilkes' overtures to co-operate with him in ' a league, offensive and defen- sive.' ' Nay,' adds the novelist, in a letter to him, ' I consider myself already a contract- ing party, and have recourse to the assistance of my alHes.' The novelist found that his friend was likely to have extraordinary and increasing influence with the ruling powers, and the sworn follower of Mr. Pitt was likely to he a useful ally. When, in 1759, Dr. Johnson's famous black servant was ' pressed ' for the navy, Smollett wrote : ' You know what matter of animosity the said Johnson has against you, and I dare say you will desire no other opportunity of resenting it than that of laying him under an obligation. He was humble enough to desire my assistance on this occasion, though he and I were never cater-cousins ; and I gave him to understand that I would make application to my friend 58 The Life of John Wilkes. Mr. AVilkes, who, perhaps, by his interest with Mr. Hay and Mr. ElHot, might be able to procure the discharge of his lacquey.' What the mysterious ' matter of animosity ' that Johnson had against Wilkes at so early a period was, it is difficult now to determine ; for it could not have been aroused by a trilling pleasantry uttered by the gay Wilkes.* Wilkes, good-naturedly, applied to an in- fluential friend at the Admiralty, and was successful ; and Johnson, as we see, was con- tent to accept the obligation. In consequence Smollett assured Wilkes he was ' his, with the most inviolable esteem and attachment.' Later, when the Bevicw was threatened with a prosecution for an attack on Admiral Brown, Smollett again appealed to his friend to interfere, adding significantly that, ' if the afifair cannot be compromised, we intend to kick up a dust and die hard. In a word, if * On a passage in Johnson's 'Grammar,' prefixed to the ' Dictionary,' ' H seldom, perhaps never, begins any l)ut the first syllable,' Wilkes quoted some instances to prove the falsity of Joliuson's remark. * The author of ill is observation must be a man of quick appre-hension, iiinl of ;i most compre-hensivc genius.' Journalism and Literary Friendships. 59 the foolish admiral has any regard to his own character, he will be quiet.' The Ministry of Lord Bute, now prime favourite, and the consequent odium which attended both the King and his favourite, or rather vizier, furnished the most tempting op- portunity for the talents of the pamphleteer and the lampoonist. This is a well-known and oft-told tale. For Wilkes, it was exactly the opportunity he desired. He was much pressed for money. A dissolution was announced for the spring of the following year, 1761, and the election was again to tax his resources. He had, however, duly ' prepared ' the borough for a contest, ' Every fortnight he invited select parties of his constituents to dinner at his house, whom he entertained with the greatest hospitality ; and he paid the most polite and constant attention to all the inhabitants. Thus his election was tolerably secure ; but not without the usual gratifications to those who were accustomed to expect it.' No wonder he used ' frequently to remark to his friends, that he never would advise any •60 The Life of John Wilkes. « gentleman to represent the town he lived at ; for his constituents would be a heavy and perpetual incumhrance on his table and his cellar.' He was elected without opposition. This idea of a ' favourite ' has always been odious to the nation, and the odium which attended Bute was further intensified by the unmistakable partialit}^ with which all offices and honours were lavished on the favourite's countrymen — the abuse which so excited the ire of Johnson during his later life. It seems likely enough that what more directly inflamed Wilkes was the direct inter- ference with his advancement from the Scotch influence, winch was not only hostile to himself personally, but operated by re- moving his patrons from power. This was the more exasperating, as he might fairly look for some sort of provision, such as his friend Potter had obtained. Pitt's brother-in-law, Temple, was his warmest friend ; and as Gren- ville and Temple were Pitt's colleagues, from the joint interest of the trio he might hope much. It will be interesting now to follow Journalism and Literary Friemhliips. 61 his steps in the direction of that ' taking care of himself ' which was the first object of Mr. John Wilkes, pursued steadily and without flagging through his whole lite. He seemed to hold that as real war was bound to sup- port war, so patriotism must support the patriot, and complete success was destined to crown his efforts. That he had obtained a promise of advancement from Mr. Pitt seems likely, as we find him in a letter written three or four years later reminding him that ' it was his pride to have Mr. Pitt his patron and friend.' His exertions at this time were directed to this one aim. So diligently did he apply himself to the cultivation of this interest, that in the year of the death of the King, in 17 GO, we find him applying for place on no less than three openings ! Little objection could be made on the score of character, as three of this Medmenham fraternity, Lord Sandwich, Sir Francis Dashwood, and Mr. Potter, were to be heaped with honours, and occupied high ofi&ces of state. In 17G0 the Embassy at Constantinople 62 The Life of John Wilkes. had just fallen vacant, owing to the resigna- tion of Sir J. Porter, and Wilkes boldly applied for it. It was ' a situation perfectly- suited to his wishes, as it would put him ojit of the reach of disagreeable applications of all kinds.' He found reason to suppose, however, that his success in this matter was prevented by Scotch interference. Lord Bute being pro- bably displeased at the channel through which Mr.Wilkes's request came — which was, through Mr. Legge, to the Duke of Newcastle. Mr. Wilkes also thought that Mr. Pitt, who was at this time the Secretary of State, showed him some neglect in the matter ; but this suspicion does not seem so well founded as the former. As their brother, Mr. Henry Grenville, who had already been in the diplo- matic service, was a candidate, Lord Temple and Mr. Pitt naturally secured the place for him. Nothing daunted, Wilkes in the following year tried his fortune again. * It was thought that Canada would be restored to England during the negotiations for peace, and the Government of that great province immediately caught the attention of Mr. Journalism and Literary Friendships. 63 Wilkes, who mentioned it to his friend, Lord Temple ;* and it is certain that, had the negotiation taken a favourable tm-n, and peace been the consequence, he would have been appointed to this honourable situation, for both Lord Temple and Mr. Pitt gave him the most flattering assurances/ This idea of a foreign governorship was before him for many years, even after his great struggle with Ministers had set in. He no doubt fancied that by making him- self ' a thorn in their side ' they would be glad •to get him out of the country. When the Eockingham Ministiy were in power, he renewed his solicitations, but fruitlessly, f * Hume was appointed secretary at the English Em- bassy in Paris. Dr. Douglas was eagerly expecting pro- motion. Macpherson was another protege. Ramsay, a Scotch painter, received all the Court patronage. t In a letter to Home, he wrote : 'As to the Rocking- ham Administration, I do not owe a pardon to them,'* although I warmly solicited it during the whole time of their power. Soon after they came into employment, I wished to have gone in a public character to Constantin- ople.' And in a letter from Paris to Mr. Cotes in 1764, ' If they ' (the Ministry) ' would send me ambassador to Con- stantinople, it is all I should wish.' And again in 1765, 64 The Life of John Wilkes. all wliicli seems incomprehensible, for it is unlikely that Wilkes would have aimed at such high offices, without some serious encourage- ment ; and jQt the idea of sending out an un- tried, inexperienced, and debauched j'oung man as ambassador or governor seems preposterous. But however this may have been, the change in the political situation that came with the ac- cession of the new King in 1760 showed him that his hopes of embassies and governor- ships were all the idlest of dreams. No Ministry dared now to venture on such an appointment. That Mr. Pitt's encouragement had been of a substantial kind, is shown by yet another attempt of Wilkes to secure place, made in the same year. He wrote to his patron limiting his desires modestly to what an Irish patriot once styled '■ an emolumentary situation ' at home. He would be satisfied #vith the Board of Trade, and he thus appealed ' II' I am to give my opinion, Constantinople is by far tile most cli^abk'.' In a letter from Paris, dated October I'l, 17G5, he says: 'I am .still in the same idea as to Constantinople.' And in one from Paris, dated July •JO, 17GG, 'I wished to have gone to Constantinople. I uunld go to Quebec, and jjcrhaps I might be found iu uo mean way useful there.' Journalism, and Literary Friendships. 65 to his patron : ' May I for a few moments draw your attention from the interests of yonr country to the concerns of an individual whose pride it is to have Mr. Pitt his patron and friend ? I do not mean to be importunate, or to cause the least embarrassment ; but to submit to you every wish I have, and every desire I feel, entirely acquiescing in your ideas of the propriety of what I am going to mention. * I am very desirous of a scene of business in which I might usefully, I hope, to the public, employ my time and attention. . . . I wish the Board of Trade could better state a place in which I could be of any service. . . . among all the chances and changes of the political world, I ivill never have any obli- gation in a imrlianientary way hut to Mr. Fitt and his friends. May I take the liberty of hinting that if the thing he proposed be thought fit and proper, it might take place in the interval between the two Parliaments ?' There is here again the tone of obsequious devotion, and also of confidence, which shows that the writer might reasonably hope to be VOL. I. 5 66 TJie Life of Jolin Wilkes. gratified by wliat he calls ' some scene of business ' which would provide for him. However, this application brought nothing. It is scarcely a surprise to find that he began to think that Mr. Pitt was rather cold in pressing his interest ; but it is likely enough that it was considered that Mr. Wilkes had done little or no service to entitle him to reward. Had he now been suitably provided for, it is likelj^ enough that the turbulent Wilkes might never have given trouble, and ' Wilkes and Liberty ' never have been joined in one cry. On the other hand, such turbulent, intrepid spirits rarely accommodate themselves to the dull current of official life, and he might likely enough, at this early period of his life, have fallen out with his colleagues. But in aid of the former supposition is the fact that, when late in life he found a chance opening, no one showed himself more eager to be a placeman, or, when in office, behaved witli more order and decorum. These various unsuccessful attempts are mentioned in anticipation. For many years AV^ilkes fondly clung to the idea that ' some- Journalism and Literary Frienchliips. 67 thing would be done for him.' Nay, it will be seen that long after, even when au prises with the Ministry, he was still open to such propitiation. This is somewhat disheartening for ad- mirers of what is called 'pure patriotism.' But where the patriot lives for pleasure, it is diffi- cult to join a stoical self-denial with unruly Capuan indulgence. One of the first Ministers to be discarded by Lord Bute was Mr. Legge, who was a warm friend of Wilkes, and who the latter insisted was supported in but a lukewarm way by Pitt and the Duke of Newcastle. In October these two Ministers had to follow him into retirement. They had urged that the war with Spain should be prosecuted, but being opposed by Lord Bute, gave in their resignation. Wilkes seized on the occa- sion to publish a pamphlet, which had extraordinary success, and which lie entitled, ' Observations en the Papers relative to the Kupture with Spain.' It was a vindication of his friends — Mr. Pitt and Lord Temple ; and exposed the foil}', cowardice, and imbecility 5—2 68 The Life of John Wilkes. of the Ministry, in losing the opportunity of reducing the power of Spain so far as never to become formidable. A good and telling pamphlet was a regular element in political warfare, and often did excellent service. Now the political pamphlet is extinct, and falls as flat as does the prologue before an old comedy. This appeared in January, 1762, and it is said that he was assisted in its composi- tion by Lord Temple. It was attributed to many writers.* * A pleasant instance of Wilkes' humour, not untinc- tured, hoAvever, with some malice, is associated with this jiublication. A report was circulated that it was the work of the worthy Dr. Douglas, later Bishop of Salis- bury. This ecclesiastic, being one of the Scotch ' division,' was much annoyed at the rumour, because, as he frankly confessed, 'it would bo prejudicial to bis interests.' Wilkes, meeting a friend in the Park, said he heard that Dr. Douglas had written it. He was now implored to give up his authurity, so as ' eftectually to stop the progress of a report which, if at first propag;it(d only wantonly, will, I fear, if not traced to its source, in the end have the same bad effects as if it had come from the most determined malice.' Wilkes must have been much tickled at this, and wrote back gravely in this strain : 'I am entirely satisfied with your authentic a.^surances on this subject, and on every occasion will contradict so groundless a report. There is not a man Journalism and Literary Friend shijrs. 69 AVilkes, liavini? thus lost all his friends in the Cabinet, found himself without the slightest prospect of advancement. He had made an attempt to put himself in communi- cation with the favourite, having attended his levee ' with an intention of speaking to him;' but after being kept waiting two hours, went away. It was not unnatural that he should have found himself graduallv forced into an attitude of hostility to the favourite. Apart from his behaviour to his friends and patrons, he was disgusted with the partiality now introduced, which bestowed all patronage on the lucky countrymen of the Minister. The Homes, Mallochs, Smolletts, Adamses, and others, were all taken into pay and service. It is not uncharitable to suppose that Wilkes was inflamed by the largesse bestowed on this tribe, and who, it must be said, provoked the war, by turning on their former friends. in this country who more honours your superior literary abilities than I do ; or more warmly wishes, for the dignity of our Church, to see them rewarded in an eminent and distinguished manner.' There is a pleasant sarcasm in all this, as he takes care to show clearly that he understood the reason of the clergyman's nervousness. 70 The Life of John Wilkes. It was thus that the author of ' Peregrine Pickle' had been his most eager ally. We have seen how he had taken his side against Johnson ; and this feeling found vent in the following effusion : ' My warmest regard, affection, and attach- ment, you have long ago secured ; my secrecy 3^ou may depend upon. When I presume to differ from you in any point of opinion, I shall always do it with diffidence and defer- ence. Meanwhile I must beg leave to trouble Mr. Wilkes with another packet, which he will be so good as to consecrate at his leisure. That he may continue to enjoy his happy flow of spirits, and proceed through life with a full sail of prosperity and reputation, is the wish, the hope, and the confident expectation, of his much obliged, humble servant.' The homage which ingratitude usually pays to decency, follows the stages of a gradual and progressive change ; and the person who from motives of interest or dislike wishes to shake off the sense of obligation usually takes the trouble to proceed by steps, shading off his behaviour, as it were, allowing indifference to Journalism and Literary Friendships. 71 ripen into offence. Few changes of this kind, however, have been made so coarsely as this of Smollett's. The effusive protest, just quoted, had been uttered in March, 1762, and within nine months we find Smollett writing of his friend in this strain : ' I would ask if common honesty can reside in the breast which is devoted to falsehood and dissimulation ; if one virtue of humanity can warm the breast which swells with perfidy, with hatred, and unprovoked revenge ? Or if the duties of a good citizen can ever be performed by the hired voluntary instrument of sedition ? No ! Such should not escape unpunished; he does not deserve to breathe the free air of heaven, but ought to be exiled from every civilized society.' Smollett had by this time disposed of his pen to the Minister ; but though the attack should not have come from a friend, it was directed against a paper quite as scurrilous from the hand of Wilkes, who had begun to contribute to a paper called The Monitor.* * He seems to have written eight papers in all : Nos. 340, 358, 373, 376, 378, 379, and 380. See North Briton, vol. iil, p. 53, note. 72 The Life of John Willes. The two numbers, those of May 22 and June 12, are conceived in the most offensive strain, and deal with but one subject, ' King's Favourites/ In the first, a degrading picture is given of the ' King of Saxony's subjection to Count Bruhl ' ; in the second, that of ' Louis XV. to the Pompadour.' It might indeed be said that these are more objection- able than the famous 'No. 45,' but it shows that Wilkes had been deeply engaged in this sort of controversy before he had undertaken The North Briton. Not so well known is it that for these two numbers written by him the printers were, later, taken up and cast into prison. To this conspicuous instance of ingratitude '\^'ilkes was indebted for all the exciting incidents which brought him his reputation. The scurrilous, venomous attack on him had appeared in a paper called The Briton^ si)ocially founded to support the Court and Bute party. It bore the Royal Arms con- Rl)icuously on its front, and Smollett had been entrusted with its direction. The first number appeared on May 29, 1702. Wilkes, Journalism and Literary Friendships. 73 we are told, was ' incensed ' at the attacks of this mercenary print upon himself and his friends, and determined to found a paper to oppose it. Accordinf^ly, on June 5, The North Briton, more celebrated for its single number, 'No. 45,' made its appearance. CHAPTEK IV. PARTNERSHIP WITH CHURCHILL. The paper was originally written in the as- sumed character of a Scot, whose praises of Lord Bute, and arguments for the advance of his countrj'men, were intended to have an ironical cast. This was soon found too cumbrous a piece of literary mechanism, and after a few numbers it was abandoned for a more trenchant mode of attack. It has been often repeated that The North Briton was scarcely of sufficient importance to have excited the commotion it did, and that it would have been more prudent to have treated it with contempt. But the truth is, as we read it now, it is found to be a very stirring, vigorous and dangerous opponent, written with much pungencj^, wit, and even vivacity. This may be imagined, when it is stated that Partnership with Churchill. 75 Wilkes had foiiud so valuable a coadjutor as Charles Churchill, who contributed not only his prose but also his verse. Wilkes was often absent, and eventually the whole burden of the paper fell upon Churchill. He must at least have written half of the numbers, and, as Mr. Forster says, ' wherever it shows the coarse, broad mark of sincerity, there seems to us the trace of his hand.' The corre- spondence between them during the progress of the paper shows Wilkes to be full of an unbounded admiration for his friend's powers, and his gratitude for his assistance corre- sponds with his generous appreciation, which certainly was beyond the merits of the work.* He is perpetually calling him ' not to forget Saturday,' and the next number ; and every- thing Churchill (who seems to require these constant stimulants) sends is received with an affectionate delight and unbounded grati- tude. Thus, on June 15, he wrote from Winchester : * These letters between Churchill and Wilkes, lately added to the stores of the British Museum, were of course unseen by my late friend, jVIr. John Forster, when he wrote his essay on Churchill. 76 The Life of John Wilkes. ' As the devil would have it, no contrivance of time would answer till now to send you The North Briton. Pray keep your excellent complaints to the archbishop, etc., for an entire paper, with all the pomp of quotations, etc., from the prayers.' He then asks him to consult some lawyers, ' for fear I have got too near the pillory. As to this number, add, subtract, multiply and divide it as you like.' It is shown by these letters that Churchill had been recently initiated into the Med- menham fraternity. In this month he was expected on a visit at the Abbey. ' Next Monday,' writes his friend, ' we meet at Medmenham.' On this occasion he was not able to attend, but he shows in a letter full of coarse and even shameless allusions that he was more than qualified to join in the orgies. As to the paper, he said he ' had not wrote a letter of it, according to my usual maxims of putting everything off till tlic last. But you may be certain,' he adds, ' of its being done in time. I have the cause too much at licart to let it be out of my head.' Partnership with Churchill. 11 He then explained that he was reformed in his disorderly conduct, having settled down with a new connection. In reply, his hiend banters him, saying that he was not at all pleased with the news. ' Now you are so re- formed, how I should have relished you ! Perhaps it might have caught, and I might have been converted by you — the first-fruits of your ministry. How you would have exulted ! We have never yet had a St. Charles. Already I honour you more than St. Andrew, St. David, or St. Denis, or any saint but St. George, whom I honour beyond all the rabble that people call the third heaven ' — allusions to the Medmenham hagiology, where saints' names were pro- fanely adopted by the members. We find Wilkes ardently prompting him to ridicule the bishops. ' I could hear your hints in the post-chaise about the thanksgiving of my Lords Bishops. How droll it would appear to the regiment when I open your letter and show them a form of prayer, etc' No. 8 of The North Briton was an attack on Lord Bute, on the text of Mortimer, a favourite 78 The Life of John IVilkes. form with Wilkes, and often handled by him, and reiterated in rather wearisome fashion. A redeeming feature in Wilkes's nature was his devotion to this friend, and all through their interesting interchange of letters this was shown with most affectionate par- tiahty. Everything Churchill did or wrote seemed to be of the best. The coming of Churchill to dine or to stay was looked forward to as to some gala day. But when Churchill proposed dedicating his new eclogue to his friend, the latter, in a tumult of grati- tude, w^rote to him : ' I am beyond imagina- tion proud that the eclogue is to be inscribed to me. I desire all mankind to know that I am honoured by your friendship. I live to merit it.' Still, the other, absorbed in his pleasures, showed some neglect. ' You and Tiloyd are the most faithless of men,' wrote AVilkes in amiable reproach, ' and more fickle than any woman. You have managed The North Briton incomparably. You ride that fierce steed with tlie truest spirit and judgment.' Which again shows that the real inspiration and direction of the paper, Wilkes Partnersh'q:) with Churchill. 79 being so much away from town, was that of Churchill. An extraordinary incident now showed that the Government could venture to intimidate this dauntless journalist. 'Oct. 25. ' Lieutenant-Colonel Barrie, the scalper, is coming here to-day. You guess for what purpose Barrie is sent. All eyes will be on me. I will not give up an inch of the pass to him. I am impatient to see our names together in print, and w^ould have the world know I have the happiness of being loved by Mr. Churchill.' By December the attacks of the paper had grown so daring that the printer grew alarmed . ' I wish/ wrote Wilkes, ' you would learn to write a good hand. Nature's chief master- piece is writing well, and you are micro- scopical. Mr. Bindley only should print you. I have seen Leach, whose printer, Peter Cock, had the terrors of the Lord of the Dale so strong before him that he has fallen ill to avoid printing the paper. Kearsly, however, has got it done. I passed three hours to-day 80 The Life of John Wilkes. in Pitt's bedcliamber at Hayes. He talks as you write, as no other man ever did or could.' * Why will you not let me see you or hear from you ? I had rather you would come and abuse me for hobbling prose, than stay away and give me immortality in the poem I long to see. I dine alone to-day, and wish much for j^ou.' ' I wish you would breakfast here to-morrow to correct Saturday's North Briton ; there is combustibility enough in it.' ' As I find The North Briton has deviated into the primrose paths of downright poetry, I shall leave him to pursue that sweet track till Saturday se'nnight, when I shall bring him back to the dull hobbling road of insipid prose. The conducting Tlie Nortli Briton through this sweet poetical country belongs to you, the sovereign of it. I have read your verses over fifty times with rapture.' It seems evident that the partners were all along trying to provoke the Ministers into taking some such violent action as was attempted later, and Wilkes was preparing in advance, even to the possibility of having to witbdraw from the kingdom. In view of a Partnership with Churchill. 81 like contingency he thus generously provided for his friend. On March 8th he wrote : — ' I am im- patient to see you, and to submit to you my feeble productions. I have left you, and am got over by Bute, who has converted me. and I have accordingly dedicated to him in the highest strains of love.' And a few days later : — ' I have ordered in all the straggling parties of General Churchill, which had Flexney at their tail. The contributions they have levied on the public will amount to .^120. Let me beg you not to draw on Flexney, but draw on me for any sum what- ever to what extent you will, and give it a few days after date ; I will pay it. You have me in everything warmly yours. I am settling my affairs that we may neither of us want money in the other kingdom — of France, not of Heaven. Again, my dear Churchill, draw for any sum you will ; you may have it at a few days' notice, as you choose. I am more than I can express.' These impending dangers did not, however, affect his spirits. ' You will receive by to- VOL. I. 6 82 The Life of John Wilkes. morrow's coach, directed to you (but save some for Saturday), three dozen of Khenish, of which you are unworthy. First — lie, because j^ou said I should certainly lie at Walsh's last night ; whereas I lay here. Second — lie, because you said I should be drunk with him that very night ; whereas I was sober here alone — thou duplicate, com- plicate of I have only time to tell you and to ascertain of the Post-office what kind of man you arc to my sartin nolidge.' The attack on the Scotch, ' A Prophecy of Famine,' which so enchanted Wilkes, ap- peared in January, 1763, and had the effect of enormously increasing the antagonism to the intrepid pair. This bitterness inflamed all the Scotch against them. But, as if unsatis- fied with such dangerous enemies, they were to rouse another — Hogarth, who, one of the jovial coterie, had even been on a visit at Medmenham. Early in the year Wilkes was witli ]iis regiment at Winchester, guarding French prisoners, when he received notice from a friend that tlie painter was on the eve of publishing a caricature in which he, with Partnership ivith Churchill. 83 Pitt, Lord Temple, and Churchill, were to be ridiculed. The meaning of this Wilkes later expounded in bitter terms.""' 'In 17C2 the Scottish Minister took a variety of hirelings into his pay, some of whom were gratified with pensions, others with places and reversions. Mr. Hogarth was only made serjeant-painter to his Majesty, as if it was meant to insinuate to him that he was not allowed to paint anything but the wainscot of the royal apartments. The term means no more than house-painter, and the nature of the post confined him to that business.' This was, of course, but an outburst of spleen. Wilkes sent to remonstrate with Hogarth, and was assured that he only intended attacking the two Ministers. A reply was sent, warning the painter that if Wilkes's friends were attacked, he would, on the following Saturday, revenge this blow by sending a paper to The Nortli, Briton ; ' that is,' he adds, ' if he thought the proprietors would insert what he sent.' Hogarth dis- dained this appeal. The Times, as the print * 'Letters to and from Mr. Wilkes,' 17G9. G—'2 84 The Life of John Wilkes. was called, appeared on Sept. 9, with figures of Churchill and Wilkes introduced. ' Hogaiih has begun the attack,' wrote Wilkes to his friend on that day. ' I shall attack him in hobbling prose. You will, I hope, in mostly verse.' In a fortnight, on September 21, appeared Wilkes' onslaught, which spared nothing, and ranged over the artist's life, who, he said, had failed in every art but low grotesque. Here are some choice specimens of this bludgeon- like style : ' After " Marriage a-la-mode " the public wished for a series of prints of a " Happy Marriage." Hogarth made the attempt, but the rancour and malevolence of his mind made him very soon turn with envy and dis- gust from objects of so pleasing contempla- tion, to dwell and feast a bad heart on others of a hateful cast, which he pursued, for he found them congenial, with the most unbating zeal, and unrelenting gall.' * Gain and vanity have steered his little light bark quite through life. What a despic- able part has he acted with regard to the ^ Partnership wiili Churcliill. 85 society of arts and sciences ! How shuffling has his conduct been to the whole body of artists ! There is at this hour scarcely a single man of any degree of merit in his own profession, with whom he does not hold a professed enmity. His insufferable vanity will never allow the least merit in another, and no man of a liberal turn of mind will ever condescend to feed his pride with the gross and fulsome praise he expects. To this he joins no small share of jealousy.' He then shows how the painter had ridiculed the Guards in their ' March to Finchley,' dedicating it to the King of ' Prusia,' that ' it might be as offensive as possible to his sovereign.' We shall see what was Hogarth's retort. In No. 12, Johnson was attacked in gross terms, on the score of his pension ; definitions being extracted from his ' Dictionary ' in a very scurrilous but amusing style. Among these was the definition of a favourite as ' a mean wretch, whose whole business is by any means to please.' That of a pension, on the same authority, was ' an allowance made to 86 The Life of John Wilkes. anyone "without an equivalent/ and ' paid to the state hirehng for treason to his country ;' a ' slave of a state, hired to obey his master.' No wonder the lexicographer always spoke of ' Jack Wilkes ' with horror and dislike. The attacks on the favourite, however, never relaxed for a moment. Nor was the King spared, nor his Majesty's mother. It was not surprising, therefore, that by December, 1762, the town began to expect that some step would be taken to crush the 'libeller.' In No. 27, he wrote : ' Almost every man I meet looks strangely on me — some industriously avoid me — others pass me silent — stare — and shake their heads. Those few, those very few, who are not afraid to take a iQver of his country by the hand, congratulate me on my being alive and at liberty. They advise circumspection — for, they do not know — they cannot tell — but — the times — Liberty is precious — Fines — Im- prisonment — Pillory — not indeed that they themselves — but — then — in truth — God only knows ' But the editors did not find their course Partnership with Churchill. 87 quite smooth, and the course of the paper was to be marked by some curious incidents. The Government had not the courage to grapple with Wilkes and Churchill, but they ventured to deal with smaller prey. The two papers on Historical Favourites, which had appeared in The Monitor of May and June, seem comparatively inoffensive. Some pres- sure had indeed been attempted on The North Briton ; for on November 2Gth the writer speaks of ' an unexpected disappointment, arising from the fears of a printer, who trembled at the thoughts of imprisonment, and had smarted under a severe private repri- mand. The North Briton will never tamely give up the glorious cause in which it is engaged ; it will never be drawn away by the arts of a subtle man, nor intimidated by the menaces of a wicked Minister ; it will always be ready to stand forth for its king and country.'* But in November Lord Halifax issued a warrant against Arthur * These manful words seem to have been Churchill's. As a substitute for the expected prose he supplies some verses in ridicule of Oxford. 88 The Life of John Wilkes. Beardmore, an attorney, described as ' the author or one concerned in the writings of several seditious papers,' which contained gross and scandalous reflections and inven- tions upon his Majesty's Government and upon both Houses of Parliament. Several other persons — printers — were arrested. But the proceedings were carried out in a half- hearted way. Wilkes scornfully proclaimed that there was no intention of carrying the thing further, that bail was given merely for a colour, and that * some private conditions were settled.' A shallow and imprudent pre- tence he called it. And it so fell out, and the matter was allowed to drop. So anxious was he to bring the matter to an issue, that lie used every exertion to induce the attorney tt) bring actions against the Ministry, offering a sum of money as a guarantee against the costs. The other, however, prudently shrank from the conflict. Within a few months he was doing battle from his cell in the Tower with Ministers in the courts, had fought two duels, was eager to arrange for a third, and was in actual conflict with Partnersliip with Churchill. 89 both Houses of Parliament ! Unlike many a demagogue, therefore, he showed no intention to shrink from ' paying with his person.'* While carrying on these attacks he was encouraged by Lord Temple, from Stowe^ who, while encouraging, moderated his ardour by judicious advice and warnings that were prophetic. Wilkes, in an excited strain, informed him of all his plans — sending him doggerel verses, such as a song on Lord Bute receiving the Garter — ' The King gave but one : but like t'other Scot, Charters, All England to hang him, would give him hoth Garters, And, good Lord ! how the rabble would laugh and would hoot. Could they once set a swinging this John, Earl of ' — which his lordship did not approve, declaring ' it was a d d song, and he wished it burnt.' * Lord Temple seems to have been concerned in this plot. Beardmore was the attorney. The under-sheriff, having exempted Shebbeare from standing in the pillory, was fined and imprisoned, and Wilkes paid him from Lord Temple £150. 'He wants £250 more,' wrote Wilkes. In the October of this year, 1762, Temple 90 ' The Life of John Wilkes. was conjuring him to restrain his poHtical sentiments for the sake of the regiment he commanded. ' Forgive the hberty, and be assm'ed it proceeds from the best intentions. You have lately sent me several scraps of verses. I would beg you send no more. Anything of the least delicacy ought never to be conveyed by the post ' — a caution warranted by the proceedings of Ministers. Those who would hire spies to record Wilkes's movements would not scruple using the Cabinet noir. ' The contents of your letter do not please me. I beg you to weigh your own conduct very maturely," he wrote in the month following. ' We have to deal with a very strange world.' And again, ' My dear Marcus Cato, I cannot sufficiently admire Marcus Cato this week. All Stowe salutes you with the highest applause, affection, and esteem.' The Colonel was as eflfusive on his side, and well he might be, for this liberal friend was one of those whom Wilkes taxed abundantly for ]iis necessities. This was one of the invariable incidents in Wilkes's friendships. Partnership ivith Churchill. 01 He began with small sums, but after a time became bolder. ' If I do not put your lordship to inconvenience, I would beg a last sum of .£400 or i^500/ for which he would settle at Michaelmas. ' I make no apology to Lord Temple. I am proud to have an obligation to Lord Temple, and I have none to any other man.' Even then thus early there seems to have been a subscription spoken of for him, for he complained that little money was paid in. ' I am worse off than the Duke of Newcastle or anybody, for I cannot be in anybody's debt without reading a history of it in the newspapers.' He sends him a lively sketch of himself and his friend Churchill. ' I have most successfully got through the long list of patriotic toasts, and the nasty tvine of this borough (Aylesbury). I have only a little headache, but Churchill is half dead. He was so violent against my Lord Mayor at Missenden that I was forced to drop that part of my toast. ... I had the honour of being escorted into the town by every man who had or could hire a horse.' 92 The Life of John Wilkes. But alas ! all this patriotic manfulness seems to have been controlled by the one wish of his life, viz., to secure office or emolument. A strange incident is recorded by Mr. Malone, which shows what Wilkes's position was at this time, and how open he was to an advantageous treaty. When The North Briton was beginning to attract atten- tion, ' he w^as dining one day wath Mr. Rigby, and after dinner honestly confessed that he was a ruined man, not worth a shilling ; that his principal object in writing was to procure himself some place, and that he should be particularly pleased with one that should remove him from the clamour and importunity of his creditors. He men- tioned the office of Governor of Canada, and requested Mr. Rigby's good offices with the Duke of Bedford, so as to prevail on that nobleman to apply to Lord Bute for that place. Mr. Eigby said the Duke had not much intercourse with Lord Bute ; neither could it be supposed that his lordship would purchase Mr. Wilkes's silence by giving him a good employment. Besides, he could have Partnership with Churchill. 93 no security that the same hostile attacks would not be still made against him by Mr. Wilkes's coadjutors, Lloyd and Churchill, after he had left England. Wilkes solemnly assured him there need not be the least apprehension of that ; for that he would make Churchill his chaplain, and Lloyd his secretary, and take them both with him to Canada. ' The Duke, at Kigby's request, made the application. Lord Bute would not listen to it, and even treated the affiiir with contempt. When this was told to Mr. Wilkes, he observed to Mr. Eigby that Lord B. had acted very foolishly, and that he might live to lament that he and his colleagues had not quitted England, as much as King Charles did that Hampden and Cromwell had not gone to America.' Some sort of treaty had been attempted with him as to office or place, and he now actually proposed revealing to the public this latter treaty with Mr. Eigby, and consulted his friend Cotes, who dissuaded him from his purpose. ' I have weighed what you mention about 94 The Life of John Wilkes. Mr. Eigby : and would give it to the public ; but my friend seemed to think there was so much of private conversation mixed with it, the world would saj^, there was a betraying of that, in an unjustifiable manner. Many of the phrases are too remarkable to be forgot — " anything now, to any amount, not ostensible " — and a promise of Canada — when that government is settled, he shall be the first Governor of Canada — another fallacy, for Murray is made Governor of Canada : mde Gazette.''' This shows that this rather unscrupulous official must have made him some offers. It may seem a bit of political gossip, but it has an air of probability. Some corroboration, however, is found in the fact that in No. 31 of The North Briton there is a violent attack on Eigby, who is assailed in the bitterest terms. * ' ^Maloniana,' p. 3G2. CHAPTEK V. ATTACK ON LORD BUTE. This reckless bludgeoning was, however, not to pass with impunity. At this time the Lord Steward at the Court was Lord Talbot, a violent, passionate, and indiscreet nobleman — who, in some riot at the Palace gate, went out and fought the mob in person. Devoted to the King and the Court faction, he was infuriated at the attacks made by Wilkes on the Court. A scurrilous onslaught on himself gave him an opportunity. In the twelfth number, pubhshed in August, 17G2, appeared some offensive ridicule of the Earl's display of horsemanship at the coronation.* * ' A politeness equal to that of Lord Talbot's — horse ought not to pass unnoticed. At the coronation he paid a new, and, for .a horse, singular respect to his sovereign. Caligula's horse had not half the merit. We remember 96 The Life of John Wilkes. The haughty nobleman, after a few weeks' delay, sent Wilkes a cartel, demanding if he avowed or disclaimed the authorship of the paper ? Wilkes, later, made merry over this composition, which was signed like an official document, ' Talbot,' without the usual form of ^ your humble servant, etc' A sort of contro- versial argument followed. The one contended, ' I must first insist on knowing your lordship's how nobly he was provided for. What the exact propor- tion of merit was between his lordship and his horse, and how far the pension should be divided between them, I will not take upon mo to determine. The impartial and inimitable pen of Cervantes has made Rosinante im- mortal as well as Don Quixote. Lord Talbot's horse, like the great planet in Milton, danced about in various rounds his wandering course. At different times, he was progressive, retrograde, or standing still. The pro- gressive motion I should rather incline to think the merit of the horse, the retrograde motion, the merit of the lord. Some of the regulations of the courtiers themselves for tliat day had been long settled by former lord stewards. It was reserved for Lord Talbot to settle an etiquette for their horses. I much admire many of his lordship's new regulations, especially those for the royal kitchen. I approve the discharging of so many turnspits and cooks, who were grown of very little use. I do not, however, (piitc like tiie precedent of giving them pensions for doing nothing.' Attack on Lord Bute. 97 right to catechise me about an anonymous paper. If your lordship is not satisfied with this, I shall ever be ready to give your lord- ship any other satisfaction becoming me as a gentleman/ The other, in reply, urged with some propriety, that he knew that ' every gentle- man who contributes to support periodical papers by his pen is not answerable for all the papers that appear under the title of that which he assists, but I cannot conceive that any man should refuse to assure a person who hath been the object of the wit of any paper, that he was not the author of a paper he did not write.' With an air of banter the other answered that he still had ' the misfortune of not yet seeing your lordship's right of putting the question to me about the paper of the 21st of August, and till I do, I will never resolve your lordship on that head, though I would any friend I have in the world, who had the curiosity of asking me, if it was in a civil manner. Your lordship says, that if I do not deny the paper, you must and will conclude I VOL. I. 7 98 The Life of John Wilkes. wrote it. Your lordship has my free consent to make any conclusions you think proper, whether they are well or ill grounded ; and I feel the most perfect indiflference about what they are, or the consequences of them.' After this it only remained to settle time and place of meeting. Bagshot Heath and the evening of October 5th were fixed. The incidents of the rencontre were truly characteristic, and even grotesque. Mr. Wilkes employed the whole of the night pre- vious at Medmenham — it is to be presumed celebrating the orgies of that place — fit pre- paration for the issue he was about to face ! He had suggested that the whole party, the two principals, with Colonel Berkeley, and the adjutant of the Bucks Militia, should sup together at ' Tilbury's Inn,' then retire to bod, and fight on the following day. He was much disappointed at finding his adversarj' was not inclined to deal with the matter in this truly Medmenham spirit. ' T found Lord Talbot in an agony of passion. He said that I had injured, that I had insulted him, that he was not used to be Attack on Lord Bute. 99 injured, or insulted : what did I mean ? Did I, or did I not, write The North Briton ? He would know ; he insisted on a direct answer : here were his pistols. I replied, that he would soon use them, that I desired to know by what right his lordship catechised me about a paper which did not bear my name ? That I should never resolve him that question till he made out the right of putting it, and that if I could have entertained any other idea I was too well bred to have given his lordship and Colonel Berkeley the trouble of coming to Bagshot. I observed that I was a private English gentleman, perfectly free and inde- pendent, which I held to be a character of the highest dignity ; that I obeyed with pleasure a gracious sovereign, but would never submit to the arbitrary dictates of a fellow subject, a lord steward of his household, my superior indeed in rank, fortune, aud abilities, but my equal only in honour, courage, and liberty. His lordship insisted on finishing the affair immediately. I told him that I should very soon be ready, that I did not mean to quit him, but w^ould absolutely first settle some 7—2 100 Tlie Life of John Wilkes. important business relative to the education of an only daughter, whom I tenderly loved, that it would take up a very little time, and I would immediately after decide the afifair in any way he chose, for I had brought both swords and pistols. I rung the bell for pen, ink, and paper, desiring his lordship to conceal his pistols, that they might not be seen by the waiter. He soon after became half frantic, and made use of a thousand indecent expres- sions, that I should be hanged, damned, etc. I said : " That I was not to be frightened, nor in the least affected by such violence ; that God had given me a firmness and spirit equal to his lordship's, or any man's ; that cool courage should always mark me, and that it would be seen how well bottomed I was." * After the waiter had brought pen, ink, and paper, I proposed that the cioor of the room might bo locked, and not opened until our business was decided. Lord Talbot, on this proposition, became quite outrageous, dccLired that this was mere butchery, and that I was a wretch, who sought his life. I reminded him that I came there on a point of honour, to Attack on Lord Bute. 101 j^ive his lorclsliip satisfaction, that I mentioned the circumstance of locking the door only to prevent all possibihty of interruption. Lord Talbot then asked me if I would deny the paper? I answered, that I neither would own, nor deny it ; if I survived, I would afterwards declare, not before. Soon after he grew a little cooler, and in a soothing tone of voice said : " I have never, I believe, offended Mr. Wilkes : why has he attacked me ? He must be sorry to see me unhappy." I asked upon what grounds his lordship imputed the paper to me ? that Mr. Wilkes would justify any paper to which he had put his name, and would equally assert the privilege of not giving any answer whatever about a paper to which he had not ; that this was my un- doubted right, which I was ready to seal with my blood. He then said he admired me exceedingly, really loved me, but I was an unaccountable animal — such parts ! But would I kill him, who had never offended me ? etc. ' We had, after this, a good deal of conver- sation about the Buckinghamshire Mihtia, 102 The Life of John Wilkes. and the day his lordship came to see us on Wj^comhe Heath, before I was colonel. He soon after flamed out again, and said to me : " You are a murderer, you want to kill me, but I am sure that I shall kill you, I know I shall, by God. If you will fight, if you kill me, I hope you will be hanged. I know you will." Berkeley and Harris were shocked. I asked if I was first to be killed, and after- wards hanged ; that I knew his lordship fought me with the King's pardon in his pocket, and I fought him with a halter about my neck ; that I would fight him for all that, and if he fell, I should not tarry here a moment for the tender mercies of such a Ministry, but would directly proceed to the next stage, where my valet de ehamhre waited for me, and from thence I would make the best of my way to France, for men of honour were sure of protection in that kingdom. He seemed much affected by this. He then told mc that I was an unbeliever, and wished to be killed. I could not help smiling at this, and observed that we did not meet at Bagshot to settle articles of faith, but points of Attack on Lord Bute. 10 o honour ; that, indeed, I had no fear of dying, but I enjoyed life as much as any man in it ; that I was as little subject to be gloomy, or even peevish, as any Englishman whatever ; that I valued life, and the fair enjoyments of it so much, I would never quit it by my own consent, except on a call of honour. ' I then wrote a letter to your lordship, respecting the education of Miss Wilkes, and gave you my poor thanks for the steaily friendship with which you have so many years honoured me. Colonel Berkeley took the care of the letter, and I have since desired him to send it to Stowe, for the sentiments of the heart at such a moment are beyond all politics, and indeed everything else, but such virtue as Lord Temple's. ' When I had sealed my letter, I told Lord Talbot that I was entirely at his service, and I again desired that we might decide the aflair in the room, because there could not be a pos- sibility of interruption ; but he was quite inexorable. He then asked me how many times we should fire ? • I said that I left it to his choice ; I had brought a flask of powder, 104 The Life, of John Wilkes. and a bag of bullets. Our seconds then .charged the pistols which my lord had brought. We then left the inn, and walked to a garden at some distance from the house. It was near sevens and the moon shone very bright. We stood about eight yards distant, and agreed not to turn round before we fired, but to continue facing each other. Harris gave the word. Both our fires were in very exact time, but neither took efi'ect. I walked up immediately to Lord Talbot, and told him that now I avowed the paper. His lordship paid me the highest encomiums on my courage, and said he loould declare everywhere that I rras the noblest felloiv God had ever made. He then desired that we might now be good friends, and retire to the inn to drink a bottle of claret together, which we did with great good humour and much laughter.' This dramatic account is given in a letter to Lord Temple. Wilkes had ever a rather senti- mental and ajffectiouatc turn in his nature. Tlie letter he entrusted to Colonel Berkeley was for his dear friend, Lord Temple, * to be delivered in case he fell.' Attack on Lord Bute. 105 ' October 5, seven at evening. ' My Lord, ' I am here just going to decide a point of honour with Lord Talbot. I have only to thank your lordship for all your favours to me, and to entreat you to desire Lord Temple to superintend the education of a daughter whom I love beyond the world. I am, my lord, your obliged and affectionate humble servant.' After the ajQfair had terminated so blood- lessly, the Colonel offered it back to Wilkes ; * but was desired to enclose it to Lord Temple, as a proof of regard and affection he bore him, at a moment which might have been very nearly his last.' All this was rather melo- dramatic, and in reserving so important a disposition to the very last moment, and then leaving it in uncertainty, he showed his usual reckless spirit. Lord Temple acknowledged his friend's regard. ' My Dear Colonel, ' How eagerly do I long to embrace you ! What words can express the satisfac- 106 The Life of John Wilkes. tion your last letter gave me in every par- ticular. Firmness, coolness, and a manly polities make up the whole of this transaction in great part.' He then asks him to come to Stowe. * We will talk over the whole at large. The little woman is full of delight, as she interests herself so warmty in your honour and 3''our welfare.' Wilkes received great praise and gained much celebrity for his behaviour in the en- counter. He had met in the field the champion of the court, in defence of his paper. He was now before the kingdom. Nothing was talked of but his conduct in the affair. As he wrote to Churchill, ' Berkeley has told so much that I am surfeited with caresses. A sweet girl whom I have sighed for unsuccessfully these four months, now tells me she will trust her honour to a man who takes so much care of his own.' His regiment acclaimed him. The camp, lie wrote to Lord Temple, approved of his conduct. ' The whole camp,' he wrote to Attach on Lord Bute. 107 his friend, ' censured Lord Talbot for firing- one pistol only. Both seconds declared that Lord Talbot, having asked me how mciny rounds we should fire, my answer was, " Just as many as your lordship pleases !" I am caressed more than I can tell.' This seems rather to verge on ' vapouring.''" By a curious accident, Wilkes was now drawn into a controversy with a schoolboy. Lord [Bute's son ! There was something un- dignified in such a discussion, but faction and party spirit were raging. He met the lad in a shop at Winchester, and it was reported addressed him in this style : * Yet Mr. Wilkes seems scarcely to deserve these rapturous encomiums. Lord Talbot could not well have asked for another shot, as his opponent, after the first discharge, walked up to him and avowed the paper. Lord Talbot, who seems to have been an impulsive man, would not, (iw reflection, have considered him one of the ' noblest of God's creatures,' as Wilkes had acknow- ledged the paper only after having tried to kill his lordship. As it happened, he was much disgusted and angered at finding a minute account of the transaction — given in Wilkes' letter to Lord Temple — published in the papers. He thought of bringing Lord Temple to account ; but it was the act of Wilkes himself, who was determined that the whole kingdom should ring with his exploits. 108 The Life of John Wilkes. ' Young gentleman, your father will have his head cut off' — ' Sir T — ' He will lose his head in less than six months ' — ' For what, sir ? ■ — I never heard that he has done any tiling amiss; he has a great many friends — such as . . . — . . . and . . . — and . . . — and the right honour- able George . . .' — ' Ay I He is your father's great puppy dog — but depend upon it your father will lose his head, or the mob shall tear him to pieces.' The youth upon this burst into tears with indignation, and turning short as he rushed out of the shop, ' You are a squinting scoundrel,' says he, ' for offering to talk to me in this manner.' Much indignation was expressed at this conduct, and Wilkes indiscreetly tried to justify himself b}' appealing to the public, and to Dr. Burton, the schoolmaster. In an article in his own journal, probably written by Churchill, he stated that the whole story was a fabrication. At the same time he took the undignified course of assailing the schoolboy. ' The youth has very frequently in the book- sellor's shop abused me in the grossest terms. He knew so little of me, as to be afraid, if I Attack on Lord Bute. 109 heard of his behaviour, that I should com- plain to you ; and he dreaded the punishment he thought must follow. To save himself he has invented this curious tale, the falsity of which in every particular he knows better than anybody.' In literary scufflings of this kind, most of the ' brawlers,' from their obscurity, pass into oblivion after the occasion. But it was the fate of some of these persons, after being soundly. belaboured by Wilkes and Churchill in their journal, to receive immortality from the stinging lines of Churchill. Such was Arthur Murphy, a needy adventurer from Ireland, who seems to have been the chief writer in The Auditor, a task to which he brought little but the hireling's zeal. It is amusing to read the never-flagging spirit with which his absurdities were exposed : how he was scoffed at and jibed. Churchill had already gibbeted him in a line declaring that ' Dulness had marked him for a Mayor !' But harder still was the fate of Hogartli, whose satirical caricatures of various politi- cians of the day, as we have seen, exposed him 110 The Life of John Wilkes. to retaliation, and subjected him to a cruel attack in The North Briton. But the painter took a proper mode of revenging himself on both. When Wilkes was brought up for trial, Hogarth concealed himself behind a pillar in the court, and there made a sketch of his former friend — the well-known ' counterfeit presentment ' — a leering, impudent face, with the expression of a satyr, a stick upon his shoulder, upon which was stuck a cap of Liberty.* In the following year Churchill had ready his 'bloody' retaliation — his ' epistle ' to Hogarth — in which he assailed the painter with gross and cruel severity, ridiculing his infirmities and age. The painter retaliated with his portrait of Churchill as a Paissian Bear, arrayed in torn clerical bands and ruffles, ' with a pot of porter that has just visited his jaws luK'-o-ed in his ri'^'ht, with a knotted club of " Lies " and Nortli Britons clutched in his left ;' to which, in a later edition, he added * This caricature must have been as profitable to the .•irtist as it was satisfactory to liis hostile feelings. Some fdiir tlioiisand copies were sold. Attach on Lord Bute. Ill a scoffing caricature of Pitt, Temple and Wilkes. The inscription described him as ' regaling himself after having killed the monster caricatm'e that so galled Im virtuous friend, the Heaven-horn Wilkes.' This was a melancholy and discreditable squabble ; but there was something unique in the contest, each carrjang it on with the weapons he was most skilled in — the journalist with his news- sheet, the poet with his verses, the artist with his pencil. This, too, was the opening fight of Wilkes's long series of battles and scuffles contra mmidiim, against both friends and foes. How the favourite could have endured the unceasing tide of libellous abuse seems extra- ordinarJ^ There was one paper in the series so bitter, so ironical, and even witty, that it is not possible to read it without admiration for the gifts of the writer. This was a ' Dedication ' to a supposed republication of the ' Tragedy of Mortimer,' and which filled the fifth number, published on July 3rd. There was much truth in the note which Wilkes added with his usual cynicism : ' No. 45 had 112 The Life of John Wilhes. indeed wonderful luck ; but the elder one deserved still more to have been taken notice of, and perhaps laid the foundation of the younger brother's fortune.' There was justice, too, in the complaint here implied that Ministers tolerated worse things than what they afterwards prosecuted, being thus afients 'provocateurs.^ * The reader will be glad to find here the most efi'ec- tive portions of this striking piece : 'My Lord, ' Many and various motives have concurred to give a peculiar propriety to the fond wish I had formed of making this humble offering at the shrine of Bute. I have felt an honest indignation at all the invidious, unjust, and odious applications of the stor}-- of Eoger Mortimer. I absolutely disclaim the most distant allu- sion, and I purposely dedicate this play to your lordship, because history does not furnish a more striking contrast, than there is between the two Ministers, in the reigns of Edward III. and of George III. ' Edward III. was held in the most absolute slavery by his mother and her Minister. The first nobles of England were excluded from the King's councils, and the minion disposed of all places of profit and trust. The King's uncles did not retain the shadow of power and authurity. They were treated with insult, and the whole royal family became not only de})ressed, but forced to depend ui)on the caprice of an insolent Attack on Lord Bute. 113 favourite. Tlie young King had been victorious over the Scots, then a fierce, savage, and perfidious people, in that reign our cruel enemies, happily in this our dearest friends. On every favourable opportunity, either by the distractions in the public councils of this kingdom during a minority, or by the absence of the national troops, they had ravaged England with fire and sword. Edward might have compelled them to accept of any terms, so glorious and decisive Avas the success of his arms, but Koger Mortimer, from personal motives of power and ambition, hastily concluded an ignominious peace, by which he sacrificed the triumphs of a prosperous war, and the justest claims of conquest. ' It is with the highest rapture, my lord, I now look back to that disgraceful era, because I feel the striking contrast it makes with the halcyon days of George III. This excellent prince is held in no kind of captivity. All his nobles have free access to him. The throne is not now besieged. Court favour, not confined to one partial stream, flows in a variety of diff'erent channels, enriching this whole country. There is now the most perfect union among all the branches of the royal family. No Court minion now finds it necessary, for the preservation of his own omnipotence, by the vilest insinuations to divide either the royal, or any noble families. The Kind's uncle is now treated with that marked distinction which his singular merit is entitled to, both from the nation and the throne, established by his valour in ex- tinguishing a foul rebellion, which burst upon us from its native North, and almost overspread the land. No favourite now has trampled upon the most respectable of the English nobility, and driven them from their sovereign's councils. VOL. I. 8 114 The Life of John Wilkes. • The present internal policy of this kingdom, my lord, is equally to be admired.. Our gracious sovereign maturely examines all matters of national importance, and no unfair or partial representation of any business, or of any of his subjects, is suffered to be made to hitn, nor can any character be assassinated in the dark by an unconstitutional Prime Minister. The important pro- mise you made us, that we should frequently see our sovereign, like his great predecessor, William III., pre- siding in person at the British Treasurj^, has been ful- filled to the advantage and glory of these times, and to the perfecting of that scheme of economy so earnestly recommended from the Throne, and so ably carried into execution by yourself and your Chancellor of the Ex- chequer,* as well as so minutely by the Lord Steward of the Household.! Your whole Council of State too is composed of men of the first abilities — the Duke of Bedford ; the Earls of Halifax, Egremont, and Cower ; the Lords Henley, INLansfield, and Ligonicr ; Mr. George Grenvilje, and Mr. Fox. The business of this great empire is not, however, trusted to them ; the most arduous and complicated parts are not only digested and prepared, but finally revised and settled, by Gilbert Elliot, Alex- * ' Sir Francis Dashwood, now Lord Le Despcnser, who, from puzzling all his life at tavern bills, was called by Lord Bute to administer tlu; finances of a kingdom aT)0ve a hundred millions in debt, and styled l)y him, in the royal manner, my Chancellor.' t ' Earl Talbot, who thought a civil li.-^t of £800,000 n year insufficient to keep up the hospitality of a private jiublemen's kitchen, in the King of England's palace.' Attack on Lord Bute. 115 ander Wedderburn, Esqrs., Sir Henry Erskine, Bart., and the Home. jf ' Another reason why I choose your lordship for tlie subject of this dedication is, that you are said by former dedicators to cultivate with success the polite arts. How sparing and penurious is this praise ! Such literary economy is really odious. They ought to have gone further, and to have shown how liberally you are pleased to reward all men of genius. Malloch and the Home have been nobly provided for. Let Churchill, or Arm- strong, write like them ; your lordship's classical taste will relish their works, and patronise the authors. You, my lord, are said to be not only a patron but a 'judge, and Malloch adds that he wishes, for the honour of our country, that this praise were not almost exclusively your own. ' Almost all the sciences, my lord, have at length made so great a progress in England, that we are become the objects of jealousy to the rest of Europe ; but under your auspices Botany and Tragedy liave now reached the utmost height of perfection. Not only the System of Power, but the Vegetable System likewise has been completed by the joint labours of your lordship and the great Dr. Hill. Tragedy, under Malloch and the Home, has with us rivalled the Greek mod#l, and united the different merits of the great moderns. The fire of Shakespeare, and the correctness of Eacine, have met in your two countrymen. One other exotic, too, I must not forget : Arthur Murphy, gent. He has the additional merit of acting, no less than of writing, so as to touch, in the most exquisite manner, all the fine feelings of the human frame. I have scarcely ever felt myself more forcibly affected, than by this excellent but 8—2 116 The Life of John Wilkes. poor, neglected player, except a few years ago at the Duchess of Queensbury's, where your lordship so fre- quently exhibited. In one part, which was remarkably humane and amiable, you were so great that the general exclamation was, here you did not act. In another part you were no less perfect. I mean in the famous scene of Hamlet, where you pour fatal poison into the ear of a good, unsuspecting king. If the great names of ]\Iurphy and Bute, as players, ])ensantur eadem trutinii, it is no flattery to say that you, my lord, were not only superior, but even unrivalled by him, as well as by all, who have ever appeared on the great stage of the world. I should have added, my lord, that the play, of which I now make the humble offering, is a tragedy, the most grave and moral of all poems. With a happy propriety, there- fore, it comes inscribed to your lordship, the most grave, the most moral of all men. A witty comedy I would never have offered to your lordship, nor indeed to any of your countrymen. Wit is an ignis fatuus, which be- wilders and leads astray. It is the primrose path which conducts to folly, ^'our lordship has never deviated into it. You have marched on with a solemn dignity, keeping ever the true tragic step, and on the greatest occasion.s, give us a complete play. It is the warmest wi^h of my heart that the Earl of Bute may speedily complete the story of " Roger Mortimer." I hope that your lordship will graciously condescend to undertake thi.s arduous task, to which parts like yours are peculiarly adapted. To you everytliiiig will be ea.sy. The fifth act of this play will find those great talents still in full vigour, even after you have run so wonderful a career. If more important concerns, either of business or amuse- ment, engage you too much, I beg, my lord, that you Attach on Lord Bute. 117 will please royally to command Mr. Murphy, as Mr. IMacpherson says you comnvmded him, to publish the prose-poems of Fingal and Temora. ' I will no longer intrude on your lordship. The Cocoa-tree and your countrymen may be impatient to settle with you, the army, and the finances of this king- dom. I have only to add my congratulations on the peculiar fame you have acquired, so adequate to the wonderful acts of your Administration. You are in full possession of that f:ime at the head of Tories and Scots- men; but alas ! my lord, the history of mankind shows how fantastic as well as transitory is fame. Although ]\Ir. Pitt is still adored at the head of Whi*TS and O Englishmen, he, too, Avill experience that ' "The greatest can but blaze and pass away." ' I am, my lord, * With a zeal and respect equal to your virtues, ' Your lordship's very humble Servant. 'March 15, 17G3.' We find a striking touch here of Wilkes' reckless indifference to decent consistency. When the paper was written, no terms of panegyric could be too high for IMr. Pitt, then his friend and patron ; yet, after he had quarrelled with liim, he did not scruple to add this grossly offensive note, expressive of his dislike and hostility. 'Of all political adventurers Mr. Pitt has been the most successful, according to the venal ideas of modern statesmen. Pulteney sold the people only for a barren title. The mercenary Pitt disposed of his popularity like an exchange-broker. Besides the same title with 118 The Life of John Wilkes. the other apostate, Pitt secured from the Crown a large family pension, and the lucrative sinecure of the Privy Seal, which he held for a few years. His retreat into the House of Lords was a political demise. He passed away, but is not yet quite forgotton. His treachery to the cause of the people, still loads his memory with curses. ' He raised himself to the greatest offices of the state by the rare talent of command in a popular assembly. He was, indeed, born an orator, and from nature possessed every outward requisite to bespeak respect and even awe. A manly figure, with the eagle-face of the famous Conde, fixed your attention, and almost com- manded rcA'^erence, the moment ho appeared, and the keen lightnings of his eye spoke the haughty, fierj' soul, before his lips had pronounced a syllable. His tongue dropped venom. There was a kind of fascination in his look, when he eyed anyone askance. Xothing could withstand the force of that contagion. The fluent Murray has faltered, and even Fox shrunk back appalled from an adversary fraught with fire unquenchable, if I may borrow the expression of our great j\Iilton. He always cultivated the art of sjieaking with the most in- tense care and application. He has passed his life in the culling of Avords, the arrangement of phrases, and choice of metaphors, yet his theatrical manner did more than all, for his speeches could not be read. There was neither sound reasoning, nor accuracy of expression, in them. He had not the power of argument, nor the correctness of language, so striking in the great Poman orator, but he had the rcrha ardenlia, the bold, glowing words. This merit was confinecl to his speeches ; for his writings were always cold, lifeless, and incorrect, totally void of elegance and energy, sometimes even offending Attaclc on Lord Bute. 110 against the pliiinest rules of construction. In the pursuit of eloquence he was indefatigable. lie dedicated all his powers and faculties, and he sacrificed every pleasure of social life, even in youth, to the single point of talk- in 2; well. 'o ' " Multa tulit fecitque puer ; sudavit et alget ; Ab^tinuit venere et vino," to a greater degree than almost any man of this age. ' He acknowledged, that when he was young, he always came late into company, and left it early. He affected at first a sovereign contempt of money, and, when he was Paymaster, made a parade of two or three very public acts of disinterestedness. When he had effectually duped his credulous friends, as well as a timid Ministry, and ob- tained enormous legacies, pensions, and sinecure places, the mask dropped off. Private interest afterwards ap- peared to be the only idol to which he sacrificed. The old Duke of Newcastle used to say, " That Mr. Pitt's talents would not have got him forty pounds a year in any country but this." 'At his entrance into Parliament, he attacked Sir Robert Walpole with indecent acrimony, and continued the persecution to the last moment of that Minister's life. He afterwards paid servile and fulsome compliments to his memory, not from conviction, as appeared from many other particulars, but to get over a few Walpolians. He had no fixed principle, but that of his own advance- ment. He declared for and against continental connec- tions, for and against German wars, for and against Hanoverian subsidies, etc., etc., still preserving an un- blushing, unembarrassed countenance, and was the most 120 The Life of John Wilkes. perfect contradiction of a man to himself which the world ever saw. If his speeches in Parliament had been faithfully published to the English, soon after they were delivered, as those of Demosthenes and Cicero were to the Greeks and Eomans, he would have been very early detected, and utterly cast off by his countrymen. ' He is said to be still living at Hayes, in Kent.' CHAPTER VI. THE 'general warrant.' By the end of March the position of the Ministry seemed to grow desperate, and The North Briton more daring. Yet it is difficult to say, as we look through the last few numbers, that the bounds of legitimate political criticism had been passed. Sir Francis Dashwood and his odious Cyder Bill were attacked, and his peculiar ex- pressions ridiculed in such style as, ' He was not for an extension of the Excise Laws, but for an enlargement of them;' and what caused still more amusement, his declaration that ' all the irhole total was, anything for peace and quietness ;' also the odd reference to previous Chancellors of the Exchequer, who, he said, ' icere not ashamed to liioiv sorne- thiwj of tlieir husijwss.' Public attention has 1^22 The Life of John IVilkes. always naturally settled on 'No. 45 ' of the paper, but No. 44, with date of April 2, was remarkable in its waj^ It contained one more venomous onslaught on the unlucky Premier — a final ' kick,' and a short and brutal summary of his career. ' The mean arts,' he said, ' by which the present Minister acquired his power, the long and dark scenes of dissimulation which he ran through for the sake of greatness, with the open and insolent outrages he hath committed against men much better than himself, the little capacity which he has shown for business ; the inglorious peace which he hath infamously patched up ; his gross partiality to his own beggarly countrymen ; his virulence against all who will not slavishly comply with his destructive measures ; his associating with a man justly odious to every party, and who, liaving been false to all, ought to be trusted by none; these things laid together have rendered the Minister justly suspected by the people, and have, if possible, made the name of Stuart more odious and contemptible than it was before.' The 'General Warrant: 123 He sounded the note of his approaching- fall, holding up to him the fate of Strafford — ' How soon this desired change may be brought to bear we cannot pretend to ascer- tain, but it cannot be far distant.' He then utters a curious prophecy, and mentions a sign by which all shall know the fall of Ministers is at hand. This was : — ' Mr. Fox, whose steadiness to his own interest, wdth his re- markable talents of penetration, will induce him to quit his post when he can keep it no longer, and to leave his friends in the lurch. When y/e see him, therefore, flying from the storm, accepting of a peerage, or relying on the Government of an ally, we may safely conclude that a change is at hand.' Within ten days Mr. Fox resigned, became Lord Holland, and went abroad. But more remarkable still, the editor was able in the republished edition of his North Briton to add this triumphant note in capitals to this number : ' John, Earl of Bute, resigned on the Friday following.'"'" * A little clironological summary made it perfectly 124 The Life of John Wilkes. We are now come to the eve of that great struggle for English libert3% fought out in a most spirited and intrepid way by our hero. It cannot be contended that there w^re any ' pure ' or holy motives at work, or that there was not some vanity and much self-interest involved. All the turmoil and talk The North Ih-iton occasioned only excited him the more, and made him long for the moment when issue could be directly joined with the hated Government. No one was more fortunate and more favoured in this respect, for it fell out that after letting opportunities go by when they could have had him on the hip, and perhaps crushed him with ease, they selected the most unfavourable one, and dealt tlieir blow in a fashion that was as ineffective clear liow large a share 'The North Briton had in driving him out, and extinguishing the hireling journals. ' John, Earl of Bute, was made First Commissioner of the Treasury, May 29, 1762, On the same day the first number of the Ilriton was published. Tlie first number of the Aiidifor was published June 10, 17G2. Tile last number of tlic .///(^//(^r was published February S, 17r)3, The last number of the Briton \va& published February 12, 17G3. Lord Bute resigned April 8, 17G3.' Tlie ' General Warrant.^ 125 as it was illegal. It will be seen, that from the beginning to the end of his political course the same good fortune attended his efforts, and that he had the art or sagacity to bring- about the combination of circumstances which was most favourable to his plans, and of which he took the best advantage. When the new Government was formed, Mr. GrenVille, who was appointed Prime Minister, was not able immediately to secure his re-election, owing to the fact that he had quarrelled with his brother. Lord Temple, to whom the borough which he represented belonged. He was obliged to submit to the mortification of asking for his sanction ; and his secretary, who brought the application, carried also a copy of the King's Speech, which was to be delivered on the following day, viz., on the 18th. Mr. Pitt was at the moment closeted with Lord Temple, and both were much disgusted with the tone of the document, Mr. Pitt being particularly indignant at the passage relating to the King of Prussia. It chanced that Wilkes, who had just 12G The Life of John Wilhs. arrivetl from Paris, ciime to call on Lortl Temple, and joined in the general reproba- tion of the speech. Being thus stiaiulated, he Avent home and set down a sketch of the conTcrsation he had just listened to, from which he wrote the famous article ' No. 45.' Churchill, who had seen the proof of 'No. -J 5,' was strongly opposed to its pub- lication. But it was a special feature in "Wilkes' character never to jdeld to a friend's advice, but stubbornly to take his own course. Friends to whom he was under the most serious obligation naturally expected some deference to their wishes, when tliev pressed a point, and were disgusted and cooled at such obstinac3^ Ii^ this way he lost Lord Temple and many others, A few days later, on April 23rd, ' No. 45 ' appeared. In this, the passages relating to the Peace were severely dealt with, but we shall quote the portions which were selected by the Ministers for prosecution : I. ' The King's Speech has always been considered by the Legislature, and by the The ' General Warrant' 127 public at lari4'e, as the speech of the Minister. It has reguhirly, at the beginning of every session of ParHament, been referred by both Houses to the consideration of a committee, and has been generally canvassed with the utmost freedom, when the Minister of the Crown has been obnoxious to the nation. The Ministers of this free country, conscious of the undoubted privileges of so spirited a people, and with the terrors of Parliament before their eyes, have ever been cautious, no less with regard to the matter, than to the expression, of speeches, which they have advised the sovereign to make from the throne^ at the opening of each session. They well knew that an honest House of Parliament, true to their trust, could not fail to detect the fallacious arts, or to remonstrate against the daring acts of violence, com- mitted by any Minister. The speech at the close of the session has ever been considered as the most secure method of promulgating the favourite court creed among the vulgar ; because the Parliament, which is the consti- tutional guardian of the liberties of the 128 llie Life of John Wilkes. people, lias in this case no opportunity of remonstrating, or of impeaching any wicked servant of the Crown. This week has given the public the most abandoned instance of Ministerial effrontery ever attempted to be imposed on mankind. The Minister's speech of last Tuesday is not to be paralleled in the annals of this country. I am in doubt whether the imposition is greater on_ the sovereign or on the nation. Every friend of his countr}^ must lament that a prince of so many great and amiable qualities, whom England truly reveres, can be brought to give the sanction of his sacred name to the most odious measures, and to the most unjusti- fiable public declarations, from a throne ever renowned for truth, honour, and unsullied virtue.' II. * The Minister cannot forbear, even iu the King's Speech, insulting us with a dull repetition of the word cconomii. I did not expect so soon to have seen that word again, after it had been so lately exploded, and more tlian once, by a most numerous audience, hissed off the stage of our English theatres. The 'General Warrant.' l2'9 It is held in derision by the voice of the j^eople, and every tongue loudly proclaims the uni- versal contempt in which these empty profes- sions are held by this nation. Let the public be informed of a single instance of econonnj, except indeed in the household.' III. ' In vain will such a minister, or the foul dregs of his power, the tools of corrup- tion and despotism, preach up in the speech that spirit of concord, and that obedience to the laws, which is essential to good order. They have sent the spirit of discord through the land, and I will prophesy that it will never be extinguished but by the extinction of their power. Is the spirit of concord to go hand in hand with the peace and excise through this nation ? Is it to be expected between an insolent exciseman, and a peer, gentleman, freeholder, or farmer, whose private houses are now made liable to be entered and searched at pleasure ? Gloucestershire, Here- fordshire, and in general all the cider counties, are not surely the several counties which are alluded to in the speech. The spirit of con- cord hath not gone forth among them ; but VOL. I. 9 130 The Life of John Wilkes. the spirit of liberty lias, and a noble opposi- tion has been given to the wicked instrument of oppression. A nation as sensible as the English will see that a spirit of concord, when they are oppressed, means a tame sub- mission to injur}-, and that a spirit of liberty ought then to arise ; and I am sure ever will, in proportion to the weight of the grievance they feel. Every legal attempt of a contrary tendency to the spirit of concord will be deemed a justifiable resistance, warranted by the spirit of the English constitution. ' A despotic minister will always endeavour to dazzle his prince with high-flown ideas of the prerogative and honour of the crown, which the minister will make a parade of firmly maintaining. I wish as much as any man in the kingdom to see the honour of the crown maintained in a manner truly becoming royalty. I lament to see it sunk even to l»rostitutiou. What a shame was it to see the security of this country, in point of military force, complimented away, contrary to the opinion of royalty itself, and sacrificed to the prejudices and to the ignorance of a set of TJie ' General Warrant' 131 people, the most unfit from every considera- tion to be consulted on a matter relative to the security of the House of Hanover !' The ground for the action in reference to this paper was that it was an attack on the King- personally ; though the speech was always- known to be the work of his Ministers. We might nowadays smile at so forced a construc- tion, as ministers are made responsible, and treated very unceremoniously in debates on such compositions. Wilkes, in some notes later added to this famous paper, quoted statements from the journals of the House, in which it was laid down that the so-called ' King's Speech ' might be held to be the composition of his Ministry. But in fairness, it must be said that Wilkes' attack passed beyond these limits. It represented the King as hoodwinked and enslaved to his advisers ; as too feeble to resist, their opinions being violently imposed upon him. To hold him up as such a cipher was offensive in the highest degree. The attack was no doubt taken in connection with the gross and scurrilous libels that had gone before, where he was repre- 9—2 132 The Life of John Wilhes. sented under the image of King Edward subject to the degraded domination of .a Mortimer. Mr. Grenville, the new Premier, was made of different stuff from his predecessor. He lelt that these assaults would only increase in virulence, and he determined to strike without a moment's delay. The two Secretaries of State were Lords Egremont and Halifax. The article appeared on the 23rd : on the 25th the law officers, Sir Fletcher Norton and Mr. Charles Yorke, were applied to for their opinion ; and on the following day, before it was received, the warrant was made out and dated. On the 27th the law officer declared his opinion that the paper was ' a most infamous and seditious libel, tending to inflame the minds and alienate the affections of the people from his Majesty, and to incite them to traitorous insurrections against his Government.' And on this it was determined to proceed to action, which proved to be of the most violent and high-handed character. As in all such instances of over- zeal, it was to involve them in a most un- lucky and annoying contest, which, however, The ' General Warrant^ 133 was to have the most important constitutional consequences. .On the 29th the warranf^^ was placed in the hands of four of his Majesty's messengers in oi-dinary. The moving spirit seemed to have been Mr. Philip Carteret Webb, * The document was in these terms : ' George Montagu Dunk, Earl of Halifax, Vis- count Sunbury, and Baron Halifax, one of tlie L. S. lords of his Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Lieutenant-General of his Majesty's Forces, and Principal Secretary of State. These are in his Majesty's name to authorise and require you {taking a constable to your assistance) to make strict and diligent search for the authors, printers, and publishers of a seditious and treason- able paper entitled The North Briton, Number XLV., Satur- day, April 23, 1763, printed by G. Kearsly in Ludgate- .street, and them or any of them having found, to ap- prehend and seize, together v^^ith their papers, and to bring in safe custody before me, to be examined con- cerning the premises, and further dealt with according to law. And in due execution thereof all mayors, shei^iffs, justices of the peace, constables, and all other his Majesty's officers civil and military, and loving sub- jects whom it may concern, are to be aiding and assisting to you as there shall be occasion. And for so doing tliis shall be your warrant. Given at St. James's the twenty- sixth day of April, in tlie third year of his Majesty's reign. ' DuNK Halifax.' ' To Nathan Carrington, John Money, James Watson, and liobert Blackmorc, four of his Majesty's messengers in ordinary.' 134 The Life of John Wilkes. Solicitor to the Treasuiy, to whom Wilkes was destined to hring many a mauvais quart d'heure.* It was little suspected that this contempti- ble little bit of paper or parchment was to engender such confusion and strife as the country had not known for a century. And yet it became known later that one of the secretaries had opposed this irregular pro- ceeding, and pressed that Wilkes' name should be inserted in the warrant. But he was overruled by the ' permanent clerks ' in the office and by the lawyers, who insisted that there were precedents. They were right, but these exceptional acts had been applied in time of war, and to aliens — a serious differ- ence. It will be seen that no person is * This opponent of Wilkes' justified his behavioui" in a pamphlet : ' Some Observations on the Late Deter- mination for Discharging Mr. Wilkes from his Commit- ment to the Tower of London. 17G3. By P. Carteret Webb.' A copy was in Wilkes' catalogue, and a note says it was priiiteil by P. C. Webb, but never published. This gentleman Avas a distinguished antiquary ; born 1700 ; M. 1'. for liaslemere in 1754, and again in 176L He liad l)een Secretary of Bankrupts. He lived till 1770. TJie ' General Warrant.' 135 named in this warrant, except the printer. Neither was there any information on oath from which knowledge of ' author, publisher, or printer,' could be furnished. It amounted, in fact, to a direction to the messenger to seize on anyone whom he believed or fancied to be the author, printer, etc. So arbitrary a proceeding was quite in the style of a Icttre de cachet, and was carried out in the true spirit, as Lord Camden said, of the Spanish Inquisition. The proceedings that followed were all in keeping. The messengers first broke into the house of David Leach, a well-known printer, after midnight. He was dragged out of bed, his papers were seized, his servants, journey- men, etc., apprehended, and all were carried to prison, where they were detained several days. The messenger said he had heard that Wilkes was seen going into the house. It was at once found that the unfortunate printer had nothing to do with The North Briton, and he was released. Yet this outrage was only the direct consequence of so ' general ' a warrant, where nobody was named. 136 The Life of John Wilkes, On the same morning they seized on Kearsly, the real printer and publisher, together with all his servants, printers, books, accounts, etc. He was taken before the two secretaries and interrogated : another un-English proceeding. Kearsly told all he knew — that one Balfe was the printer, that Wilkes had given orders for the printing, and that Churchill received the profits. He was pressed as to the author, but on this ' he could say nothing,' or would not, for he was familiar with Wilkes's handwriting. Having obtained this information, the printer, Balfe, and his men were next seized on — the whole number of persons arrested already amounting to forty-eight ! He also was put to the question by the secretaries in presence of Mr. Philip Carteret Webb, Solicitor to the Treasury, who managed all these arbitrary proceedings. Another legal functionary, Lovell Stanhope, ' law clerk to the Secretary of State,' assisted. Nothing about the author could be extracted from him,* on which * Tiawycrs lield that the warrant, such as it was, was L'xhaiistcd by its first exercise, anil that then a fresh The ' General Warrant' 137 these two officials announced authoritatively that Kearsly's statement as to Wilkes giving orders for the printing, was sufficient to criminate him. It v/as determined, therefore, to arrest him, also, under the warrant, now made to do duty for the fourth time. It was said that there were some scruples as to the legality of this too abundant use of a single document, but Mr. Webb declared that another document w^as unnecessary ; and as to naming W^ilkes, he added, with an emphasis, ' it ivas better not.' In this he was certainly right, for Wilkes could not be described as either publisher, printer, or author of the paper, as yet at least. one should have been issued. On the other hand, Sir George Yonge says that the holders of it were sent to Carriiigton to learn from him ' whom they were to suspect and what persons they should, talce up. He gave them his opinion that Leach was the printer, and that he had been told that Wilkes had been seen to go in there.' Sir G. Yon2;e adds that a second warrant was issued to take Balfe and Kearsly, upon the information of the latter, by a verbal information given to the messengers, so that Wilkes was actually arrested without any order at all ! 138 The Life of John }yil'kes. More violence was now cletermined on. The messengers were directed to go to Wilkes' house at midnight,, arrest him, and seize all his papers. As to this, how- ever, tliej^ prudently hesitated, and hung about the house till the morning. Wilkes himself tells us all that followed in his own spirited style ; and it will be noted what n pleasant mixture of humour, insolence, and vivacity is displayed through the whole account. * On my return to the city earh^ in the morning, I met at the end of Great George Street one of the kins^'s messemrers. He told me that he had a warrant to apprehend me, which he must execute immediately, and that I must attend him to Lord Halifax's. I desired to see the warrant. He said it was against the authors, printers, and pub- lishers of TJic, NorfJi Pyritoii, No. 45, and that his verbal orders were to arrest Mr. Wilkes. I told liim the warrant did not respect me. I advised liim to be very civil, and to use 110 violence in tlio street, for if he attempted force I would put him to death in the instant. Tlic ' General Warrant' 139 but if he would come quietly to my house I would convince him of the illegality of the warrant, and the injustice of the orders he had received. He chose to accompany me home, and then produced the general warrant. I declared that such a warrant was absolutely illegal and void in itself, that it was a ridi- culous warrant against the whole English nation, and I asked why he would serve it on me, rather than on the Lord Chancellor, on either of the secretaries, on Lord Bute, or Lord Cork, my next door neighbour. The answer was, I am to arrest Mr. Wilkes. About an hour afterwards two other messen- gers arrived, and several of their assistants. They all endeavoured in vain to persuade me to accompany them to Lord Halifax's. I had likewise manj^ civil messages from his lordship to desire my attendance. My only answer was that I had not the honour of visiting his lordship, and this first application was rather rude and ungentlemanlike. ' While some of the messengers and their assistants were with me, Mr. Churchill came into the room. I had heard that their verbal 1 JrO The Life of John Wilkes. orders were likewise to apprehend liim, but I suspected tliey did not know his person, and by presence of mind I had the happiness of saving my friend. As soon as Mr. Churchill entered the room, I accosted him : '■'■ Good morrow, Mr. Thomson. How does Mrs. Thomson do to-day ? Does she dine in the countrji- ?" Mr. Churchill thanked me, said she then waited for him, that he only came for a moment to ask me how I did, and almost directly took his leave. He went home immediately, secured all his papers, and retired into the countr}^ The messengers could never get intelligence where he was. The following week he came to town, and was present both the days of hear- ing at the Court of Common Pleas. * A constable came afterwards with several assistants to the messengers. I repeatedly insisted on their all leaving me, and declared I would not suffer any one of them to continue in the room against my consent, for I knew and would support the rights of an English- man in the sanctuary of his own house. I was then threatened with immediate violence, Tlie ' General Warrant' 141 and a regiment of the guards, if necessary. I soon found all resistance would be vain. The constable demanded my sword, and in- sisted on my immediately attending the messengers to Lord Halifax's. I replied that if they were not assassins they should first give me their names in writing. The}^ complied with this, and thirteen set their hands to the paper. I then got into my own chair, and proceeded to Lord Halifax's, guarded by the messengers and their assis- tants.' Not less amusing is the account of the scene with the two secretaries : ' I was conducted into a great apartment fronting the park, where Lord Halifax and Lord Egremont, the two Secretaries of State, were sitting at a table covered with paper, pens, and ink. Lord Egremont received me with a supercilious, insolent air ; Lord Halifax with great politeness. I was. de- sired to take the chair near their lordships, which I did. Lord Halifax then began that he was really concerned that he had been necessitated to proceed in that manner against 142 Tlie Life of John Wilkes. me, that it was exceedingly to be regretted that a gentleman of my rank and abilities could engage against the King and his Majesty's Government. I replied that his lordship could not be more mistaken, for the King had not a subject more zealously at- tached to his person and Government than myself ; that I had all my life been a warm friend of the House of Brunswick and the Protestant Succession ; that while I made the truest professions of duty to the King, I was equally free to declare in the same moment that I believed no prince had ever the misfortune . of being served by such ignorant, insolent, and despotic Ministers, of which my being there was a fresh, glaring proof, for I was brought before their lord- ships by force, under a general warrant, which named nobody, in violation of the laws of my country, and of the privileges of Parliament ; that I begged both their lordships to remember my present declara- tion , that on the very first day of the ensuing session of Parliament I would stand up in my place and impeach them for the outrage llie ' General Warrant.^ 143 they had committeil in my person against the liberties of the people. Lord Halifax answered that nothing had been done but by the advice of the best lawj^ers, and that it was now his duty to examine me. He had in his hand a long list of questions, regularly numbered. He began, " Mr. Wilkes, do you know Mr. Kearsly ? when did you see him ?" etc., etc. I replied* that I suspected there was a vain hope my answer would tend rather to what his lordship wished to know, that he seemed to be lost in a dark and intricate path, and really wanted much light to guide him through it, but that I could assure his lordship not a single ray should come from me. Lord Halifax returned to the charge, " Mr. Wilkes, do you know Mr. Kearsly ?" etc., etc. I said that this was a curiosity on his lordship's part which, however laudable in the secretary, I did not find myself dis- posed to gratify, and that at the end of my examination all the quires of paper on their lordships' table should be as milk-white as at the beginning. Lord Halifax then desired to remind me of my being their prisoner, and ] 14 The Life of John Wilkes. of tlieir right to examine me. I answered that I shoukl imagine their lordships' time was too precious to be trifled away in that manner ; that they might have seen before I would never say one w^ord they desired to know; and I added, "Indeed, my lords, I am not made of such slight, flims}' stuff;" then, turning to Lord Egremout, I said, " Could you emjjloy tortures, I would never utter a word unbecoming my honour, or affecting the sacred confidence of any friend. God has given me firmness and fidelit}^ You trifle away your time most egregiously, my lords." Lord Halifax then advised me to weigh well the consequences of m.y conduct and the advantages to myself of a generous, frank confession. I lamented the prostitution of the word (icncroiis, to what I should con- sider as an act of the utmost treachery, cowardice, and wickedness. His lordship then asked me if I chose to be a prisoner in my own house, at the Tower, or in Newgate, for he was disposed to oblige me. I gave his lordship my thanks, but I desired to remark that I never received an obligation but from The 'General Warrant.' 145 a frienfl ; that I demanded justice and my immediate liberty as an Englishman who had not offended the laws of his country ; that, as to the rest, it was beneath my attention — the odious idea of restraint was the same odious idea everywhere ; that I would go where I pleased, and if I was restrained by a superior force, I must yield to the violence, but would never give colour to it by a shameful compromise ; that everything was indifferent to me in comparison of my honour and my liberty ; that I made my appeal to the laws, and had already by my friends applied to the Court of Common Pleas for the Habeas Corpus, wdiich the Chief Justice had actually ordered to be issued, and that 1 hoped to owe my discharge solely to my innocence, and to the vigour of the law in a free country. Lord Halifax then told me that I should be sent to the Tower, where I should be treated in a manner suitable to my rank, and that he hoped the messengers had behaved well to me. I acknowledged that they had behaved with humanity and even civility to me, notwithstanding the ruffian VOL. I. 10 146 The Life of John Wilkes. orders given them b}^ his lordship's colleague. I then again turned to Lord Egremont, and said, '' Your lordship's verbal orders were to drag me out of my bed at midnight. The first man who had entered my bedchamber by force, I should have laid dead on the spot. Probably I should have fallen in the skirmish with the others. I thank God, not your lord- ship, that such a scene of blood has been avoided. Your lordship is very ready to issue orders, which you have neither the courage to sign nor, I beheve, to justify." No reply was made to this. The conver- sation dropped. Lord Haliftix retired into another apartment. Lord Egremont con- tinued sullen and silent about a quarter of an hour. I then made a few remarks on some capital pictures which were in the room, and his lordship left me alone. ' I was afterwards conducted into another apartment. I found there several of my friends in argument with the most infamous of all the tools of that Administration, Mr. Philip Carteret Webb. He confirmed to me tluit I was to be carried to the Tower, and The 'General Wmranf.' 147 wished to know if I had any favours to ask. I rephed that I was used to confer, not to receive favours ; that I was superior to the receiving any even from his masters ; that all I would say to him was if my valet de chamhre was allowed to attend me in the Tower, I should be shaved and have a clean shirt ; if he was not, I should have a long beard and dirty linen. Mr. Webb said that orders would be given for his admission at the Tower.' Such was this amazing proceeding, which seems as if directed by the Star Chamber. After the interview the Ministers must have had some misgiving as to the step they had so rashly taken, and as to the spirit of the man that was encountered. Wilkes instantly determined to obtain a writ of liaheas corpus to frustrate these unlawful proceedings. His friend Almon, the Radical publisher and writer, shall now take up the narrative. He arrived just after the irruption of the messengers. Mr. Wilkes took him to the other end of the room, and there informed him, in a low tone of voice, that the men 10—2 148 The Life of John Wilkes. were the King's messengers, who had arrested him by a warrant in which he was not named ; and begged of him to step immediately to Lord Temple, and acquaint his lordship of the affair. The messengers, not knowing that the editor was one of Mr. Wilkes' intimate friends, permitted him quietly to leave the house ; for which they were after- wards severely reprimanded. Lord Temple desired the editor to go, with ail possible despatch, to Mr. Arthur Beardmore, his lord- ship's attorney in the City, and request him to apply immediately to the Court of Common Pleas for a writ of habeas corpus to bring Mr. Wilkes before the court. ' This information was treated with the ut- most contempt ; but the Secretaries of State, after some consultation, perhaps to evade the writ of habeas corpus, shifted the custody of Mr. Wilkes from the messengers who had taken him, into the hands of other messen- gers ; and in this manner was tlie custody of Mr. Wilkes changed no less than four times ill half a day.'* '■'■ First he \vtvs in the haiuls of Kohert Blackniore and The * General Warrant.^ 149 Every moment the complications and em- barrassments of the original illegal act seemed to increase. In consequence, the answer of the two messengers, Blackmore and Watson, to the writ, was ' that they had him not in their custody.' ' When the messengers had taken Mr. Wilkes to Lord Halifax's, they returned to his dwelling, and seized all his papers of every kind whatever. They broke open every closet, bureau, and drawer in the house ; Wood and Webb looking on. At this time Earl Temple, Mr. Townsend (afterwards Lord Sydney), Mr. Welsh, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Cotes, and other gentlemen, arrived. Mr. Wood asked Earl Temple if he would see Mr. Wilkes' papers sealed up ; but his lordship replied "that it was too barbarous an act for any human eye to witness ;" and James Watson, who had apprehended him under the general warrant ; he was carried by them to the Secretary of State's ofBce, where he was in the custody of the Earls of Halifax and Egremont ; they transferred him to George Collins and Thomas Ardran ; and finally, these last delivered him to the Deputy-Lieutenant of the Tower, to be kept a close prisoner. 150 The Life of John Wilkes. all the other gentlemen present likewise refused. The papers were thrown promis- cuously on the floor, and when collected from ever}^ part of the house, they were thrust into a sack, with his will (which was sealed and endorsed) and his private pocket- book, which was then carried to Lord Halifax's.' The town now learned with astonishment that a member of Parliament had been seized on violently, and was at that moment in the Tower of London. The prisoner did not lose his gaiety, begging to be placed in the room in which Sir W. Wyndham, Lord Egremout's father, had been confined for treason. If that were refused, let them not put him in a room which a Scot had lately occupied, ' as he did not wish to catch the national disorder.' Lord Temple and the Duke of Grafton came to call on him, but were not admitted. On which, the next step of the Ministers was to have Lord Temple dismissed from the Lord- Lieutenancy of the county, and struck out of the Privy Council — a truly tyrannic proceeding. Ho was consoled by some The. ' Gcjieral Wanxint.' 151 pretty lines addressed to him by his Coun- tess. These proceedings seem to have alarmed the Duke of Grafton, to whom he had written after his release. It was clearly an attempt to join the Duke in his interests. The latter asked Lord Temple to put the matter on its proper footing. He had no intention to commit himself to Wilkes' principles. Both offered to join in bail to any amount — it was said for so large a smii as J6100,000. No one was allowed to see him.* Next morning, magistrates of the Court ordered a return to be made to their writ, and finding the return made not sufficient, viz., that he was not in custody, directed another order to the Constable of the Tower. In consequence, he was brought up next day before the Court of Common Pleas, when he thus addressed the judges : * The order issued by the Governor, Major Rainford, to liis warders, was of incredilile harshness. They were to keep Wilkes a close prisoner ; not to leave him alone for a single moment night or day ; no one was to be admitted to see him, and a list was to be kept of tihe names of all the persons who applied to see him. 152 The Life of John Wilkes. * I feel myself liappj^ to be at last brought before a Court, and before judges, whose characteristic is the love of liberty. I have many humble thanks to return for the im- mediate order you were pleased to issue, to give me an opportunity of laying my grievances before you. They are of a kind hitherto un- paralleled in this free country, and I trust the consequences will teach Ministers of Scottish and arbitrary principles that the liberty of an English subject is not to be sported away with impunity, in this cruel and despotic manner. ' I am accused of being the author of The North Briton, No. 45. I shall only remark upon that paper that it takes all load of accusation from the sacred name of a prince, whose family I love and honour as the glorious defenders of the cause of liberty, and whose personal qualities are so amiable, great, and respectable, that he is deservedly the idol of his people. It is the peculiar fashiofi and crime of tliese times, and of those who hold higli ministerial ofllcos in Government, to tJii-()\v (!V(;r\' odious charge from themselves The 'General Warrant.'' 153 upon majesty. The author of this paper, whoever he may be, has, upon constitutional principles, done directly the reverse, and is therefore in me, the supposed author, meant to be persecuted accordingly. The particular cruelties of my treatment, worse than if I had been a Scottish rebel, this Court will hear, and I dare say, from your justice, in due time redress. ' I may perhaps still have the means left me to show that I have been superior to every temptation or corruption. They may indeed have flattered themselves, that when they found corruption could not prevail, persecution might intimidate. I will show myself superior to both. My papers have been seized, per- haps with a hope the better to deprive me of that proof of their meanness, and corrupt pro- digality, which it may possibly, in a proper place, be yet in my power to give.' It will be noted how studiously he dwelt on his loyalty and devotion to the Crown. All the Bar declined the rhh of taking up his case, but he found an intrepid advocate and friend in Serjeant Glynn, who also spoke, 154 The Life of John Wilkes. dealing ^Yitll the legal points of the case, and arguing that the warrant was illegal. The Court reserved judgment, and Wilkes was conducted back to his prison, attended by a crowd of distinguished persons, and saluted with sliouts from the mob. These were the first sounds of that particular form of music in which he was now to take such delight. By-and-by he was to^ be saluted witli the more welcome note of ' Wilkes and Liberty !' He demanded a copy of the warrant on which he had been committed, and it was found that it now took the shape of ' being an author and publisher of a most infamous and seditious libel.' It was noted that the word ' treasonable ' of the original warrant had been dropped, * infamous ' being sub- stituted. Indeed, from this time, he was to be for half-a-dozen years one of the most celelirated persons, not in England alone, but in Europe. His name was on everyone's lips, for good or for evil. Mr. Walpole thus sketched him at this moment. The ' General Warrant.^ 155 ' This hero is as had a fellow as ever hero was, abominahle in private life, dull in Parlia- ment ; but, they say, very entertaining in a room, certainly no bad writer, besides having had the honour of contributing a great deal to Lord Bute's fall.' He was now permitted to see his friends. Twice he was allowed to write a letter, but a warder stood over him, and then carried what he wrote to the Governor. He wrote a characteristic one to his daughter, his favourite ' Polly,' which, however, was not forwarded. ' I am only accused of writing the last North Briton ; yet my sword has been taken from me, all my papers have been stolen by ruffians, and I have been forcibly brought here. I have not yet seen my accusers, nor have I heard who they are. My friends are refused admittance to me ; Lord Temple and my brother could not be allowed to see me yesterday. As an Englishman, I must lament that my liberty is thus wickedly taken away : yet I am not unhappy ; for my honour is clear, my health good, and my spirit un- shaken — I believe, indeed, invincible. The 156 The Life of John Wilkes. most 2)leasing tlioiights I have, are of you ; the most agreeable news I can hear, will be of the continuance of your health. I beg you not to write a word of public business, or of my public situation. Can you get me made memhre da parlement de Paris ? for that of Westminster is losing all its privileges. Con- tinue to love me ; and believe me.' Lord Temple, meanwhile, had received orders to dismiss him from the militia, his Majesty ' deeming it improper that he should continue to be colonel.' Lord Temple did as he was directed, very delicately conveying to him ' that he was to please to observe that he no longer continued colonel of the militia. I cannot,' he added, ' at the same time help expressing the concern I feel in the loss of an officer,, by his deportment in command, endeared to the whole corps.' On the following day, May Gth, he was again brought to the Court, when he indulged himself in another speech of spirit and good efiV'ct. After complaining of the harsh treat- ment he had received, he went on to say : ' 1 will no longer delay your justice. The nation The ' General Warrant.'' 157 is impatient to hear, nor can be safe or happy till that is obtained. If the same persecution is after all to carry me before another Court, I hope I shall find that the genuine spirit of Magna Charta, that glorious inheritance, that distinguishing characteristic of Englishmen, is as religiously revered there, as I know it is here, by the great personages before whom I have now the happiness to stand ; and (as in the ever-memorable case of the imprisoned bishops) an independent jury of free-born Englishmen that will persist to determine my fate, as in conscience bound, upon con- stitutional principles, by a verdict of guilty or not guilty. I ask no more at the hands of my countrymen.' The Chief Justice, Pratt, afterwards Lord Camden, then gave judgment, first dealing with the warrant, which he justified. And, indeed, on the general merits of the case, he justified the action of the Crown. A Secretary of State's warrant he should consider through the whole business as nothing more than the warrant of a common justice of the peace ; and thought no magistrate had a right ex 158 The Life of John Wilkes. officio to apprehend any person without stating the particular crime of which he was accused : still there were many precedents where a nice comhination of circumstances gave so strong a suspicion of facts, that though the magistrate could not be justified ex officio, he was nevertheless supported in the commit- ment even without receiving any particular information for the foundation of his charge. The word 'charge ' was in general greatly mis- understood ; and did not mean the accusation brought against any person taken up, but his commitment by the magistrate before whom he might be brought. Upon the whole of this point he was of opinion that Mr. Wilkes's commitment was not illegal. ' With respect to the second head — requir- ing a specification of the particular passages in the paper which were deemed a libel — he licld that the insertion of these passages, so far as they related to the point in question, was not at all necessary : for even supposing the whole of the forty- fifth luimber to have been inserted in the body of the warrant, yet it l)y no means came under his lordship's cognizance at that time ; for the matter in The 'General Warrant' J 59 consideration then was, not the nature of the offence, but the legahty of tlie commitment — the nature of the offence not resting in the bosom of a judge, without the assistance of a jury, and not being a proper subject of inquiry until regularly brought on to be tried in the customary way of proceeding. ' Then, as to the last point — that of privi- lege as a member of Parliament — that there were but three cases which could possibly affect the privilege of a member of Parliament, and these were treason, felony, and the peace. " The peace," as it is written in the institutes of the law, signifies a breach of the peace. When the seven bishops were sent to the Tower, the plea that was used when the spiritual lords contended for their privilege, was, that they had endeavoured to disturb the peace.* Then, turning to his brethren on each side (the other judges were Bathurst and Gould), said : " that the privilege of Parlia- ment must be held inviolable and sacred : there were but three cases in which that * This point, it will be sepii, Avas raised in a more important way on the later argument of the case, and was a criminal one. 160 The Life of John Wilkes. privilege was forfeited, and it only remained to examine how far Mr. Wilkes' privilege was endanirered. Mr. Wilkes was accused of writing a libel ; a libel, in the sense of the law, was a high misdemeanour, but did not come within the description of treason, felony, or breach of the peace ; at most it had but a tendency to disturb the peace, and conse- quently could not be sufficient to destroy the privilege of Parliament." ' The Court unanimously held, therefore, that, on this point, he must be discharged. It is clear that this judgment was not law, and that a sort of generous construction was extended to the acts of Government. In a matter concerning tlie liberty of the subject it is usual to construe everything strictly, and it will be seen later that this tolerant view was held to be wrong. Wilkes had now an oppor- tunity for yet another harangue. ' Great as my joy must naturally be,' he said, ' at a decision which this Court, with a true spirit of liberty, has been pleased to make conreruing tlic unwarrantable seizure of my person, and all the other consequential griev- ances, allow nie to assure you, that I feel far The * General Warrant.'' 161 less sensibly on my account, than I do for the public. The sufferings of an individual are a trifling object, when comj^ared with the whole ; and I should blush to feel for myself in com- parison with considerations of a nature so transceudently superior. ' I will not trouble you with my poor thanks ; thanks are due to you from the whole English nation, and from all the sub- jects of the English crown. They will be paid you ; together with every testimony of zeal and affection to the learned Serjeant (Glynn) who has so ably and so constitution- ally pleaded my cause, and in mine (with pleasure I say it) the cause of liberty. E very testimony of my gratitude is justly due to you ; and I take leave of this court with a venera- tion and respect which no time can obliterate, nor can the most grateful heart sufficiently express.' The result of this Ministerial violence was disastrous enough, and, as it will be seen, Wilkes later recovered .^4,000 damages from the Secretary of State. This was the greatest of his many successful struggles, for every low VOL. I. 11 1 62 The Life of John Wilkes. pettifogging art was employed to protract the proceedings. The reader will see, from the following, what legal ingenuity was exerted : The original writ was issued on June 1st, and was returnable on June 19th, 1763. The Earl then ' cast an essoign ' (whatever that means), which was adjourned to November 18th. Thus, having availed himself of his privilege, a ' distringas ' was taken out for May 9th, 1764, returnable on May 27th. To this the Earl did not appear. Another ' distringas ' was then taken out on May 30th, returnable June 18th. Issues were made up, hut the Earl still did not appear. A * pluries distrinfTfas ' was taken out on 22nd June, returnable July 8th. In November Wilkes was outlawed, and then the Earl appeared without any delay, when he was, of course, discharged from the suit, as Wilkes had no standing in the court. This monstrous and oppressive use of the law in favour of a Government officer seems incredible. When he had finished this address, the audience broke out into shouts of applause. He waited for some time in a room adjoining The ' General Warrant.' 1C3 the court, in the hope that the crowd would disperse ; at last, finding that it only in- creased, he left the place by a private door, but was recognised by an enormous crowd who were waiting for him, and who attended him home. That night there were bonfires and illuminations. Such was this victory, which completely altered the tone of his life. Such shouts, attending him home, are inexpressibly sweet to the demagogue, who is certain to confuse the crowd with the nation. He was formally started on his course as a ' Demagogue.' He had been persecuted, imprisoned, and had triumphed, all within a few days. His hopes had been realized ; what he contrived had come about. The blunders of his opponents had given him the victory and encouraged him to try and tempt them into committing yet more blunders, which would bring him fresh profit and fame. A few days after his release, he was served with a subptTona to answer an information in the King's Bench, so persevering were his opponents ; but of this, he took no notice. 11—2 164 The Life of John Wilkes. There was something of the scapin in Wilkes, as will be seen from his next step. So soon as he reached home, he sat down and wrote the following amusing letter to the Secretaries of State. * My Lords, ' On my return here from Westminster Hall, where I have been discharged from my commitment to the Tower under your lord- ships' warrant, I find that my house has been robbed, and am informed that the stolen goods are in the possession of one or both of j^our lordships. I therefore insist that you do forthwith return them to your humble servant, * John Wilkes.' This statement was strictly true, and it was afterwards proved to a jury, that these noblemen had broken into his house and robbed him of his property. Not content with this, he resolutely repaired next morning to the Police Court in Bow Street, and demanded a warrant ' to search the houses of Lords Egremont and Halifax, for goods stolen out of his house, whicli, as he had received iuformatiou, were Tlie ' General Warrant.^ 165 detained at the said houses, or one of them.' There was a happy insolence in this pushing home the logical consequences of their act. But the magistrates dechned to take his view. With a curious lack of dignity or of humour, the two lords answered him, quite aiL serieiix : ' Sir, — In answer to your letter of yester- day, in which you take upon you to make use of the indecent and scurrilous expressions of your having "found your house had been robbed, and that the stolen goods are in our possession ;" we acquaint you that your papers were seized in consequence of the heavy charge brought against you, for being the author of an infamous and seditious libel, tending to inflame the minds, and alienate the affections of the people from his Majesty, and excite them to traitorous insurrections against the Government : for which libel, not- withstanding your discharge from your com- mitment to the Tower, his Majesty has ordered you to be prosecuted by his Attorney- General. 166 The Life of John Wilkes. ' We are at a loss to guess what you mean by stolen goods : but such of your papers as do not lead to a proof of your guilt, shall be restored to you ; such as are necessary for that purpose, it was our duty to deliver over to those whose business it is to collect the evidence, and manage the prosecution against you. ' We are, your humble servants, ' Egremont. * Dunk Halifax.' The indiscretion, not to say stupiditj'', of this argument is extraordinary. On a mere suspicion that he had published a libel, his papers are plundered in the hope of collecting some evidence to help to make out the charge. He returned this crushing repl}' : * Little did I expect, when I was requiring from your lordships what an Englishman has a right to, his property taken from him, and said to be in your lordships' possession, that I should have received in answer, from persons in \()ur liigh station, the expressions of iiidcctul and scurrilous applied to my legal The ' Geneixd Warrant' 107 demand. The respect I bear to his Majesty, whose servants it seems you still are, pre- vents my returning you an answer in the same Billingsgate language. If I considered you only in your private capacities, I should treat you both according to your deserts : but where is the wonder that men who have attacked the sacred liberty of the subject, and have issued an illegal warrant to seize his property, should proceed to such libellous expressions ? You say, " that such of my papers shall be restored to me, as do not lead to a proof of my guilt." I owe this to your apprehension of an action, not to your love of justice ; and in that light, if I can believe your lordships' assurances, the whole will be returned to me. I fear neither your prosecu- tion, nor your persecution ; and I will assert the security of my own house, the liberty of my person, and every right of the people, not so much for my own sake, as for the sake of every one of my English fellow-subjects.' In compositions of this kind Wilkes had a style of his own, full of impudence or in- solence combined with wit. CHAPTER VII. CHARLES CHURCHILL. Notwithstanding all this euthusiasm, there were admirers of Wilkes who began to feel alarm at certain signs of almost revolutionary violence which were now displayed by the popular hero. Thus the Duke of Grafton, who had shown his sympathy by a personal visit to the Tower, now shrank from further (committing himself. He wrote to Lord Temple that a letter from Wilkes had come to him that morning while he was out riding. * As it was now too late to send him my answer in time, I flatter myself you will add tliis to many other obligations, and tell him liow I stand circumstanced the first time you see or meet him. In short, my lord, I went — as I think every acquaintance is almost l)0und to do — to see Mr. Wilkes in his con- Charles Churchill. 169 finement, to hear from himself his own story and defence, and to show that no influence ought to stop the means of a man's justifying himself from an accusation, though it should be of a most heinous nature. But when I look upon myself as called on to bail, though it had been from a person in the world who had the most right to have asked that sort of favour from me, I must have trod very warily on ground that seemed to come in any way under the denomination of an insult to the Crown.' — It was a rule laid down by him, and which he would most religiously observe, that while opposing the Minister, nothing should even be carried on by him with the shadow of offence against his Majesty's person or family. — ' This consistency of my character will, I hope, therefore, be my excuse to him.' The same motive operated also on Lord Villiers, who accoijipanied the Duke on his visit. This was significant enough, and Wilkes, had he seen this letter, might have antici- pated the treatment he was later to receive from the Duke. 170 The Life 'of John Wilkes. In October, 1763, we find him grumblint^ at his treatment by his admirers. ' Lord Temple will see how httle that same public which bore me so triumphantly can be trusted to.' This trust he meant should be of a pecuniary kind. ' I am proud ' — and he repeats an old form of complaint — ' to be under obligations to Lord Temple, yet they are so great that I am uneasy under them.' Notwithstanding, he proposed to trespass further on his friend's generosity. He wished to raise .:£3,000 by selHng his estate, or a portion of it, and ' it was no reflection on the patriot Wilkes, in the cause of friendship and the public, to have i'200 a year less, but it will hurt him to owe even to a tailor. To speak my sentiments freely, I wish to part with other lands to Lord Temple. I regret nothing that is past ; I exult when I look back to the testimony your lordship has borne me ; it is the glory of my life. 1'400 I was bond for to Mr. Stow, and I must pay it in a very few days.' L'here is something disagreeable, it nnist be confessed, in this melange of flattery, Charles Churchill. 171 gicatitucle, and loaning. Ijord Temple at once sent him a note for ^£500. With these serious anxieties pressing on him, the mercurial Wilkes went over to Paris to enjoy himself, and to see his daughter. But here fresh annoyances awaited him, from adventurers in as sorry a plight as he was himself. 'On the morning of August 15, 1763, he was walking to Notre Dame, in company with Lord Palmerstou, to see the fondion of the day, when he was stopped by a person, who asked if his name was Wilkes, after which he said, " Mr. Wilkes wrote The North Briton, and must fight him." Mr. Wilkes desired to know what evidence the gentleman had for so round an assertion ; that a squabble in the streets was unbecoming a srentleman, and an indecent affront to the laws of the country; that he lived at the Hotel de Saxe, and wished him a good day. This person, in the afternoon, called at the Hotel de Saxe, and left a card. The next morning he returned about six. He said his name was Forbes, a captain in the French 172 The Life of John WUkes. regiment of Ogilbj', whidi had been broken, or, as it is there called, reformed. Mr. Wilkes regretted that he had not left on his card where he lived, to have prevented him that second trouble of coming to the Hotel de Saxe, and desired to know his commands. He said that Mr. Wilkes must fight him, because he had written ai^ainst Scotland. Mr. Wilkes asked what he had written, and wished to see the papers objected to, or to know what they were. Mr. Forbes replied, " You have written against my country. Your name is Wilkes ; do you not write ?" Mr. Wilkes said that he did now and then write receipts for tenants, and sometimes on post nights ; but would give no account to Mr. Forbes, nor to any man. Mr. Forbes then asked him if he would fight him that daj^ Mr. Wilkes told him that he would fight him upon his honour ; but he believed he could not indulge him that day, for he had a previous account to settle with Lord Egremont, and went into the circumstances of that affair. Mr. Wilkes added tliat it was very unfit Captain Forbes and he sliould talk over so critical a business Charles Chai'cltdL 173 alone ; therefore desired him to return the same day at noon, and to bring one gentle- man for a second along with him ; and Mr. Wilkes' friend and second would likewise attend. Mr. Wilkes declared he would leave every particular of time, place, etc., to their two friends, and would abide by their deter- mination. Captain Forbes promised that he would biing his second ; but came alone at twelve at noon, and found Monsieur Goy and Wilkes. Captain Forbes insisted on Mr. Wilkes fighting him that day, and directly. Mr. Wilkes reminded him of his promise in the morning to return with a second. Mr. Forbes said that Mr. Wilkes knew enough ; that his friend was near, and that he would fetch him. He accordingly went away ; in a quarter of an hour he returned again alone, and said he would bring no friend ; but Mr. Wilkes should soon hear from him. Mr. Wilkes asked how he could know that the person he was conversing with was a gentle- man, or was Captain Forbes, having never seen him till the day before ; and observed that his coming in such a manner, and re- !74 The Life of John Wilkes. fusing to bring a second, had more tlie air of an assassin than of a gentleman. Mr. Forbes said that he was well known to the Prince of Sonbize, and then went away.' There was but one opinion as to Wilkes* behaviour — that he had behaved with folly in treating this swashbuckler au scrieux. If he accepted such provocation, he was for the future at the mercy of any swaggering adventurer who might hope to recommend himself to the favour of the Government by fixstening a quarrel on their opponent, and possibly disposing of him. After this, Forbes unaccountably disap- peared from the scene, and Wilkes discovered that he was concealed at a house of a country- man, the Hon. Mr. Murray, who, it was as- sumed, was his adviser and second. The .'id venture presently attracted the attention of the Court of Marshals, who put both Murray and Wilkes under guard. They were then summoned before Marshal Noaillcs, the i'resident, and, on giving their parole — Mr. ^Furray engaging for Forbes — that they v.ould not offend against the law, were Charles Churchill. 175 allowed to go free. ' The Marshal asked Wilkes what was his quarrel with Captain Forbes, and the other answered, ''Momevjneur, je n'ai ni VUonncur ni Venvie de connoitre Monsieur Forbes." Mr. Wilkes then, before several French gentlemen, after Marshal Noailles was retired, begged Mr. Macdonald, who was an intimate friend of Mr. Forbes, to assure him, that as soon as the affair with Lord Egremont was settled, if he was alive, he would indulge Captain Forbes, should he choose to fight him ; and that it would be Captain Forbes's own fault if he did not ; for Mr. Wilkes would meet him for that purpose anywhere in Europe, Asia, Africa, or America, except the dominions of France.' Meanwhile, by a strange coincidence, the obstacles which had prevented Wilkes giving the Scot satisfaction were suddenly removed by the death of Lord Egremont, whom he was thus prevented from calling to account. He felt bound, then, to satisfy his new opponent, who still kept in retirement. After some three weeks' vain search for the Scotch captain, the pugnacious Wilkes 176 The Life of John Wilkes. addressed the following curious letter to Murray : ' Sir, * I have waited with no small im- patience, and I believe you will agree with me, that, before this. Captain Forbes ought to have sent for me. You know everything which has passed between us, and the wild, extravagant wish he formed of fighting me, on no pretence, nor provocation. I am no prize-fighter ; yet I told him that I would indulge him, and as soon as I could. ' I stated the circumstances of the insolence and inhumanity of Lord Egremont, and my resolution of calling his lordship to account. I had likewise then fixed the hour of his losing the seals as the period I should call his lordship to that account ; and I am sure that I would have left Paris, or any other place, immediately on receiving news so in- teresting to myself, so welcome to the nation. * Lord Egremont, to my great regret — greater, T believe, tluui that of any other person — has prevented my proceeding farther, Charles Cliurchill. \77 and, as a Frenchman would say, il majoiU un vilain tour. 'I am now, therefore, most entirely at Captain Forbes's service, and shall wait his commands. I do not know where he is, for he has not appeared at Paris since Tuesday, the 16th of August. As your house has been his asylum, I am necessitated to beg you, sir, to acquaint Captain Forbes that I will be at Menin, the lirst town in Austrian Flanders, on the con- fines of France, the 21st of this month, and that Mr. Goy will do me the honour of accompanying me ; but he only. I shall request my letters to be sent there, and the moment of my arrival I shall go to the post- house. ' No person, but Monsieur Goy, is ac- quainted with any part of this transaction ; he is so obliging as to take charge of this letter. ' Give me leave to acknowledge the per- sonal civilities you have been pleased to confer on me at Paris, and to assure you, etc' During the progress of this incident he kept VOL. I. 12 178 The Life of John Wilkes. his friend Churchill au courant with his pro- ceedings. He wrote, in reference to the unexpected death of Lord Egremont : ' What a scoundrel trick has he played me ! I had formed a fond wish to send him to the devil ; but he is gone without my passport.' He then repeated his rather vaunting de- claration that he had long determined to challenge Lord Egremont, so soon as he had ceased to be Secretary of State ; and he appealed to his declaration made in the Tower, to Major Kamsden, to that effect. ' I desire you to blot out of your book of maxims, " Dc mortuis," etc.: it is a vile, levelling principle, which makes Cato and Catiline the same men. You and I will be as distinguished when we have put off this mortal coil. ' Do not think I hold myself obliged to fight every dirty Scot ; but I choose to show what I can do with such a fellow as Forbes. If I live to return to England, I will, under your auspices, be the first, at least the boldest, political writer England has produced. diaries Churchill. 179 ' My time here has not been lost. I am Hke a river — the farther it runs from its source, the greater, the richer, it becomes. I shall hail the fogs of November ; for no man can be more impatient than I am for the winter, which will be infinitely interesting to us all, and to me above all entertaining, if, indeed, you keep your word, and give us the poems you promise. CuUoden is an excellent idea, and soothes our natural pride. I have a rod steeping for Hogarth. You are read and admired here. My intimate friend Goy has almost got you by heart. I have promised the beaux esprits of Paris that you will keep Christmas among them. I wish you could come over now, and strengthen in the true Protestant faith that great pillar Wilkes, who is assailed on every hand. But I am de- termined to import into England all the religion I exported."* In this we see a tone of elation, and even hope. He was, in truth, of a mercurial temper, always at its highest when engrossed by some present action. * AVilkes MSS., C. Miis. 12 '2 180 The Life of John Wilkes. His friend, however, took a more serious view of his position. He totally disapproved of the Forbes business, and even more of the vaunt as to Lord Egremont, which was in bad taste, considering the recent death of that personage. He set out his view in a long and weighty letter : * In the first place, I think that your repu- tation stands upon a fairer ground — by repu- tation I mean, not the character coming from one virtue, but from the assemblage of many — in the reports now received than in your own account.' He doubted if his behaviour did much honour to his discretion, and here, he said, he had the world on his side. When it was rumoured that he had been killed, not a man he met but condemned him for having accepted such a challenge. His account now sent exculpated him in point of courage, ' where even your foes did not doubt you, but condemns you in point of prudence, where even your friends suspected you. If valour was all you desired a reputation of, my Lord Tulbot would have granted you a certificate. Charles ChurchiU. 181 But we required something more — some in- stance of judgment ; and I own, for my own part, it would have given me the greatest pleasure to have found that the life which I valued almost equally with my own was not to be sacrificed to false principles of honour.' After some admirable remarks on duty, he goes on : ' The first part of your conduct is most noble ; but I think that, in mentioning your design with relation to Lord Egremont, your engaging to fight Forbes, and your renewing that engagement with Macdonald, are points on which you were infinitely to blame ; and you seem in those parts to live in romance, rather than under the direction of that well -tempered, cool, distinguishing reason in which no man is more happy than your- self. Why reveal your designs with relation to Lord Egremont, and make it plain to the world what you ought to have kept to your- self — a resolution of calling him to such an account as must stamp the act premeditated and planned long before ? . . . The cause of 182 The Life of John Wilkes. liberty is in your hands. Your county de- mands that Hfe ... It is with me a question whether there may ever be another Wilkes. You have pledged yourself, and cannot in honour recede ; and your name will go down to posterity with tenfold honour if you adhere to that sacred engagement. ' Another thing I cannot help mentioning, which gives all honourable Englishmen un- easiness — I mean your stay in Paris. The very going to France is to the public eye an unpopular measure, and your staying there beyond the appointed time gives me great pain. Changes are much talked of, and must soon take place ; nor can I think but that George Street will be infinitely more elegible than Paris. Lord Temple wishes much to see you, nor is he by any means singular in this respect.' To encourage him to come he tells him various items of political news — Pitt had been with the King ; Lord Bute with Pitt, etc. This letter of wholesome counsel was entrusted to a friend, but it did not reach Charles Churchill. 183 Wilkes's hands till long after. There was some mystery about the affair.* Churchill must have been hurt to find his advice so disregarded ; for the impetuous Wilkes had set off for an obscure town on the frontier, giving his opponent a rendezvous, but without waiting to hear whether he was willing to repair to the meeting. The next news that Churchill had of his friend was from Menin, an Austrian tow^n. It will be noted in what a reckless strain it is couched : ' This is not the affair of the Horatii and Curatii ; but, however, I think Forbes a pitiful fellow, except indeed it should be Murray's fault.' (He found no letter there from either.) ' I shall stay here to-night, and to-morrow, if I hear nothing from Forbes, shall return to Lille. I have seen one of the most charming of our countrywomen at Lille, who has made me amends for leaving Paris. I hasten back to her ; if honour * It was found thus endorsed: 'This letter Mr. Wilkes never received, but it was given to him after his return b}^ Mr. Cotes, who could not recollect the reason why it was not sent,' 184 The Life of John Wilkes. permits me, love calls. Those stars have been for lis two polar ones through life, and I am sure will continue so. ' I saw Garrick by chance on the road to Paris. He was travelling on, as I thought, in the stupid matrimonial wa}^, not the least superior to the humdrum blockheads you meet through life at every stage — to speak as a traveller. I talked with him only half an hour, but his plans seemed to me very absurd.' This sketch, though not intended as com- plimentary, is what the great actor would have thought the highest praise, and the con- temptuous opinion of the two debauchees would have been to him a matter of supreme indifference. He waited one day, and, as was to be ex- pected, no one arrived ; then set off ' to Dunkerque, to Calais, to London, and to Churchill." Within a few weeks he was engaged in another affair of honour, which liad disagreeable results. Thus within a year the fire-eating Colonel had ' on hand ' no less tliiin four of these rencounters, and cer- Charles Churchill. 185 tainly ' graduated with honour ' in that mode of argument. Churchill, who could gravely advise and reprove his friend in weighty words for failing to govern his conduct by prudence, himself sadly lacked such guidance. In one of his letters, when writing to his friend of the chastisement watli which he intended to punish HogartJi, he says : ' I intended an elegy on him, supposing him dead ; but (Betsy) tells me he will be really dead before it comes out that I have already killed him, etc. How sweet is flattery from the woman we love ; and how weak is our boasted strength when opposed to beauty and good sense with good-nature ! Those who value themselves on the dignity of man may form such a supposition ; but I would rather bear that slavery (and it is the only slavery I would tamely bear) than enjoy the empire of mankind.' It would be difficult to suppose that this placid and philosophical language, and almost pastoral tone, was used in reference to one of the most discreditable scandals of the time, 186 The Life of John Wilkes. and which was being talked of over the town.""' The story was this : He had become acquainted with the daughter of a stone- cutter in Westminster, and persuaded her to leave her father's house and live with him. The family vowed vengeance, and all voices were raised against the depraved parson, who was, besides, a husband. Indifferent to this howl, he withdrew to Aylesbury, to Wilkes's house, a little, it would appear, to the dis- quiet of his friend, t * The compound of tumultuous passions and placid purpose which characterized this extraordinary being is better shown by an appeal made by him at this very time to Garrick for pecuniary aid : ' My dear Mr. Garrick, ' Half drunk — half mad — and quite stripped of all my money, I should be much obliged if you would enclose and send by the bearer five pieces, by way of adding to favours already received by ' Yours sincerely ' Charles Churchill.' t Mr. Forster quotes a passage from Southey's ' Life of Cowper,' in which it is stated that after a fortnight both felt compunction, and on the entreaty of friends the girl was taken back by her famil3\ It was said, however, that her sister's continued taunts and reproaches goaded her into quitting the house, when she finally re- mained with Churchill. Charles Churchill 187 Wilkes had other reasons for anxiety, even as to the safety of his friend's person, and thus wrote to warn him, on Nov. 3rd : ' Great George Street, ' Nov. 3. ' Written in great anxiety, for it presents to me a scene I own I dread of what is likely to happen. I fear much a w^arrant, signed by the pale Mansfield, beginning the " tliimj against Charles Churcliill, clerk." Then a picture of the said Charles handing into court his Betsy, who wdll be ordered back to an angry papa, locked up, etc. ; and this you can't prevent. The family are in the greatest distress ; and you are universally condemned for having made a worthy family unhappy. I except Cotes, your brother, and myself. It is known that you are at Aylesbury; therefore I submit to your PRUDENCE, if you choose to continue there. You may command me, my house, servants, etc. I wish you would love yourself half as well as I love you ! I dread Mansfield's warrant. Think of the great card we all have to play ! 188 The Life of John Wilhes. When yoii can so nobly assist us in our great parts, ought you to run away to sport in dalhance ? I fear not for your person, though I hear many schemes against your hfe, if you persevere. The father, brother, and a servant went with pistols charged to Kingston Garden, in consequence of an anonymous letter, to have assassinated you. Are you not more private in my place near London than in any country town ? Do not give to dull Bishops and others such advantages against you.' It is almost amusing, if it were not melan- choly, to find the two rakes thus lecturing one another. The answer is almost appalling from its settled desperate purpose, aud the horrible confession of faith in the underlined passage : ' I am infinitely obliged to you for your letter, and those offers of service which were no more than I expected, from my knowledge of you. Your advice, and the illness of Mrs. Carr, more than the fears of assassination, brought me to town. Assassination! a pretty word, fit for boys and men to laugh at. I never yet played for so deep a stake. But if Charles Churchill. 189 called on, I think I dare set my life on a cast, as the rash young man her brother shall find, if he puts me to the proof. My life I hold for purposes of pleasure ; those forbid, it is not ivortli my care. Mansfield I laugh at and despise. I long to see you and assure you that I deserve the name of friend, which you honour me with. I will ratlier seek danger than shun it.' Nothing so serious as Wilkes anticipated came of this adventure. Churchill was left to reap the usual fruits of such escapades, and to find himself burdened for life with one who probably proved to be less of a divinity than his disturbed fancy had pictured her. CHAPTEK VIII. THE 'essay on woman.'- Thus baffled and discredited, we might have expected that the Ministers would have been inclined to leave Wilkes, as it is called, severel}'' alone. The lesson had been a painful one. Lord Egremont, indeed, died within a few weeks, which led to a general reconstruction, and, to the astonishment of most people, the debauched Lord Sandwich was appointed to fill his place. He had been, as we have seen, the partner of Wilkes's pleasures, who might hope for toleration, if not for indulgence, from such an ally. But this was ' the worst Ministry England ever had,' and the head of this worst Ministry went nigh to shipwrecking the country, being accountable for both the disastrous American war, and foi' the no less imlucky contest witli Wilkes. The ^ Essay on Wommi! 191 One would think that their recent defeat would have warned them not to molest Wilkes further ; but dull, stupid Ministers, like the Bourbon race, learn nothing, and forget nothing. In the raid on Wilkes's property, there had been carried off all his private papers; and in looking through them, the officials came on a few printed leaves that astonished and shocked, and at the same time pleased, them. The discovery was reported to the highest authorities, who now tliought they had Wilkes on the hip ; but it was pointed out by legal advisers that as the evidence had been ill-gotten, unlawfully too, no use could be made of it. This was the famous ' Essay on Woman,' of which it may be said that it was the most scandalous of such productions, horrible and monstrous in its language; while its author, whoever he was, better deserved whipping at the cart's tail than many of lower infamy. Explanatory notes in the same vein were added, purporting to be written by the Bishop of Gloucester. Here now was a piece de con- viction to support a prosecution for indecency 192 The Life of John Wilkes. and blasphemj^ ; for at the end there were some fearfiill}^ profane parodies on the Church Hymns. But in this view a copy must be secured in a legal way. A printer named Farmer, being in company with one of Wilkes's men, was given by him some butter, which was wrapped up in a sheet of the production in question. He showed it to some of his fellows at Faden's, the office where he worked, when the foreman, hearing of it, bade him secure the rest if he could, giving him money for the purpose. He found great difficulty, and made several at- tempts to tamper with the printers, notably one Curry, who worked in Wilkes's house, for the Patriot indulged in that most costly of literary luxuries — a private press. This faithless work- man, who had a grudge against Wilkes, en- gaged to secure the other sheets ; for the first ]iortion had been only a stray trial sheet picked up off the floor. The treacherous printer at last contrived to put together a copy, which was then placed in the hands of Kidgcll, ' a dirty dog of a parson,' a dis- reputable fellow who was chaplain to Lord The ^ Essay on Woman.' 193 March. The world wondered when it learnt that so prime a roue kept a chaplain. This cleric at first thought of puhlishiug his prize for his own profit ; as obviously no printer would venture on this, he took counsel with his pious patron. ' My Lord March,' the chaplain tells us in his account of the transaction, ' was ex- tremely offended ' at what was shown to him, and promised his assistance in discountenancing so shameful an undertaking. In a few days he informed his chaplain that ' proper means would be taken for the discovery and punish- ment of so avowed an enemy to society.' A precious trio then sat in committee to settle measures for bringing the guilty writer to justice. One was the Bishop of Gloucester, a violent prelate, long supposed to be unortho- dox or unsound in his doctrine ; Lord Sand- wich, an abandoned, scandalous liver, and Lord March — ' Old Q.' later — whose iniquities it would be idle even to hint at. The next step in the plot was to call in Mr. Carteret Webb, one of the Secretaries to the Treasury, who took charge of Curry, the printer, kept him at his house with a weekly allowance, VOL. I. 1;^ 194 The Life of John Wilkes. and, as it was later urged, a promise of a place worth X'lOO a year. Curry later claimed the fulfilment of these promises, but was put off with general assur- ances that ' he had done a good act,' and ' that they hoped merit would be rewarded.'* Having thus secured what they wanted, the Government now proceeded to fortify their case by all those meaner arts which are in favour with oppressive rulers abroad. The Secretary did not disdain to issue instructions to his witnesses to make up a consistent tale among themselves, f * The printer seems to have been intimidated into surrendering the papers ; for threats of a prosecution for felony were used, either by Wilkes' friends or by the Government. We have a ghmpse of Churchill in this business, to whom the printer applied for advice, and who gave him * a short answer,' antl chaiacteristicall}'^ assured him that 'as to what the people in power could do, they might be damned.' This short answer showed that his treachery was suspected ; and when he was re- fused admission to Wilkes, from whom he no doubt wanted a price for secrecy, he went in a passion to Fadcn, and for five guineas gave up the papers. t Tiuis he wrote : 'Before Mr. Curry goes, desire him to put down in writing what passed between Mr. Fadcn and you, and between Churchill and Carnegie ; and what The ''Essay on Woman.'' 195 We find Lord Sandwich writing to Grenville, in November, 17G3, 'You know we have had Wilkes regidarly watched ever since his return from France,' and he encloses a report from the spies, who day after day hung about his door, and tracked him from place to place.* Indefensible as this was, it must be further Churchill said of Murphy previous to his giving up the papers ; and to state the particular slights, ill-usage, and affronts he received from Wilkes before and after his going to France, and what passed on " the d d :" I mean hi/ way of justification of Mr. Curry, that you may all concur in one story.'' — ' English Liberty,' p. 255. * A regular report of the detectives was enclosed : ^ Oct. 31. — Mr. Wilkes went out at half-past ten. Mr. Leach, the printer, came, and staid an hour and a half Nov. 2.— Mr. Churchill came, and staid an hour and a half. Nov. 5. — Mr. Wilkes went out this morning at half-past ten to Mr. Karr's at Vauxliall, where was Mr. Churclull. One of my Lord Temple's post-boys came and delivered a parcel to Mr. Wilkes' footman. N.B. — The printers are very busy composing in the two-pair-of-stairs room all this evening.' — 'Grenville Diaries.' It is amusing to find from these reports that the writer of the ' Essay on Woman ' was, after all, as pharisaical as his enemies, for on the Sunday morning ]\Ir. Wilkes is reported to have gone to St. Margaret's Church at half-past ten, 'and stayed till the service was over ' ! 13—2 196 The Life of John Wilhes. remembered that these inquisitorial acts were directed against what was as private a matter as though it were a manuscript. The scanda- lous essay was not published, nor intended to be published. About a dozen copies were printed, presents, no doubt, for the twelve Monks of Medmenham. Up to a few years ago there was much curiosity as to this mj'sterious book. No one had ever seen or described a copy. In one of Wilkes' publications a line or two is given. It seems that Kearsley, the printer, just before the seizure, had made up a selection of pages, which were printed as a sort of specimen, and of this fragment a single copy is all that is in existence.* The late Mr. * The title of the tract runs : 'AN ESSAY ON WOMAN, By Pego Borewell, Esq, ; With Notes by Kogerus C . And a Commentary by the Kev. Dr. Warburton. Inscribed to Miss Fanny Murk ay.' A quotation from Homer follows, and at the bottom an allusion to Dr. Stone, the Primate, and Lord G. Sackville. The whole consists of D4 lini-s. There is a space left on the title for a copper-plate vignette of an indecent description, and wanting in Mr. Dyce's copy. In The ''Essay on Womam 197 Dyce, by some wonderful chance, succeeded in securing this copy — no doubt the one per- loined by Parson Kidgell. Something, though not much, turns on the question of authorship ; for it was contended, to show with what harshness Wilkes was treated, that he was not the actual writer. Sir C. Wentworth Dilke, Wilkes' advocate in omnibus, relies on the indictment, in which he was charged with merely printing and publishing. One of Wilkes' printers, Jennings, how- ever, found on the floor a proof in which were four words of his writing. It would be difficult to prove the act of composition ; but there is a passage in one of Wilkes' favour of Wilkes it should be mentioned that the fragment is made up of a few disjointed pages selected from diflferent portions of the original, which it seems likely was never printed in its entirety, as he tells the Aylesbury electors : ' Not quite a fourth part of the volume had been printed at my own private press. The work had been discontinued for several months. Of that fourth part only twelve copies were worked off, and I never gave one of those copies to my friends.' — Letter, Oct. 22, 1764. 198 The Life of John Wilkes. addresses to his Aylesbury electors (the letter of October, 1764) which might favour the theory of his being the author : ' The most ^ile blasphemies were forged, and published as part of a work which in reality contained nothing but fair ridicule on some doctrines I could not believe, mock panegyric, flowing from mere envy, which sickened at the superior parts and abilities, as well as wondrous deeds of a man I could not love, a few portraits drawn from warm life, ivith the too high colouring of a youthful fancg, and two or three descriptions.' This, though not quite free from ambiguity, seems to imply that he was the waiter. It has been always stated that he was assisted by Thomas Potter, and Wilkes probabl}' wrote the notes. But we cannot find that he formally repudiated the authorship. Further, Mr. Curry, the printer, deposed that Wilkes had told him that ' it had taken him a great deal of pains and trouble to compose.' On the otlior hand, it was stated that — ' It is a circum- stance of almost universal notoriety tliat the ** Essay on Woman " is a parodj^ on Mr. TJie ^ Essay on Woman' 109 Pope's " Essay on Man," wrote about fifteen years ago by Mr. Potter, son of the late great Archbishop of Canterbury, and that it has been pubhcly and often read many years ago at the Beefsteak Ckib, by the very Lord who moved against it in the House of Peers.'* This curious statement, it will be seen, was merely suggested as a topic for counsel to cross-examine upon, and does not go beyond the assertion of 'notoriety.' If it be true that Lord Sandwich behaved as stated, a more flagrant instance of impudent, shame- less hypocrisy has never been chronicled. In Mr. Dyce's copy he has written the follow- ing inscription : ' My late venerable friend, William Maltby, was intimately acquainted with Wilkes, and assured me Wilkes said to him, "I am not the author of the 'Essay on Woman ;' it was written by Potter." ' Wilkes' share, therefore, would have been simply the adoption and printing, f * From the ' case ' for counsel ; MS. Brit. Mus. t Kidgell issued an account of the essay : ' A genuine aijd succinct narrative of a scandalous, obscene, and exceedingly profane libel, entitled AX ESSAY ON WOMAN, 200 The Life of John Wilkes. Unluckil}^ for Wilkes, there is some direct evidence against him. On the seizure of papers at Kearsley the printer's, under the general warrant, some letters of Wilkes' were found, one of which ran : ' I am impatient for my " Essay on Woman." Let it be on very good j)aper ; two proofs.' And again : ' You are to send by the bearer the MS. of the essay.' Dr. Birch, who writes an account of the investigation to Lord Koyston, accepting this as a convincing proof, saj^s : ' His letters, which discovered the piece, had been seized at Kearsley, the bookseller's.' It was stated, too, ' that when he delivered the copy to be printed, he enjoined the men in the most solemn manner not to rob him of a sheet of it, for he had not the least inten- tion of publishing it.' It was stated also And also of otlier poetical pieces containing The most atrocious blas])liomics submitted to the candour of the public, By the Rev. ]\Ir. Kidgdl, A.M., Ivector of Home in Surrey, Preacher of Berkeley Chapel, and Chaplain to the lit. Hon. the p:arl of March and Kuglen, 1763. To " the violated laws, the abused liberty, and the in- sulted religion of our country," this authentic narrative is inscribed.' The ' Esmy on Woman: 201 that the whole of the MS. was in Wilkes' handwriting. Unhappily, too, the presump- tion is that it was Wilkes' own, from the character of the work, which was but too congenial to his nature and ideas. When thus enjoying the sweets of popularity, already, as we have seen, considering the public under heavy obligations to ' the Patriot Wilkes,' he little dreamed what a plot was being hatched against him, nor the quarter from which it was to come. He had supped at a tavern with Lord Sandwich, where they had enjoyed much loose talking together. Yet at the moment it was Sandwich who had actually arranged the second plot which Ministers had contrived against him ! On July 26th he quitted London for Paris, where his daughter was, and with whom he always affectionately longed to be His grati- tude to Lord Temple at this moment knew no bounds. ' As to my own little concerns, I shall sacrifice all revenge, all interest, all plans of cUdommagcmcnt against Lords Egre- mont and Hahfax, the moment your lordship 202 The Life of John Wilkes. wishes, wliom I leave the most absolute and entire master of my conduct. I will serve imder your lordship, and no other man. My obligations to your lordship are indelibly engraven on a grateful heart.' At Dover he was well received by the sailors, ' no enemies to " Wilkes' and Liberty." ' He met the Duke of Rutland coming from Paris, who told him that the King of France had asked many questions about him. He returned on September 27th, when he learned that his friend disapproved of his behaviour, at ' which he was truly unhappy ; for Lord Temple had given him the noblest proofs of his partiality.' The truth, no doubt, was that Wilkes, while professing loudly that he would be guided by his friend, insisted on taking his own course. Parliament was to meet on November 1 5th , and during his absence the plot was con- cocted. Wilkes styled Carteret Webb, the Treasury Secretary, ' a mean, dirty fellow,' but he might have applied the term to all concerned in the business.* Notliing indeed * Tliis will b(! evident from Cany the printer's de- position, made when repentant, some five years Later : The ' Essay on Woman.' 203 could match the zeal *ancl imscrupuloiisness shown by all the parties who joined in the shameful confederation. Affidavit. 'Michael Curry, printer, maketh oath and saith, that in May, 1763, he was hired by John Wilkes, Esq., at the rate of twenty-five shillings per week ; that he lived in the house of the said Mr. Wilkes, and was boarded and regularly lodged there ; that he was employed by the said Mr. Wilkes in several things about his private press ; that the said Mr. Wilkes employed this deponent to compose and print part of a poem entitled " An Essay on Woman ; " that the said Mr. Wilkes gave this deponent the strictest charge to keep it secret, and to suflFer no person whatever to see the said poem ; that the said Mr. Wilkes ordered this deponent to Avork off only twelve copies — which were all to be delivered, and were actually given, to the said Mr. Wilkes himself; but that without the knowledge of the said Mr. Wilkes this deponent worked off another copy for himself. That from the carelessness of this deponent four pages (only) of the said poem came into the hands of one Jennincs, who likewise worked at the said INIr. Wilkes's; that by the means of this Jennings it was shown to Mr. Farmer, Mr. Faden, and the reverend Mr. Kidgell ; that the next day this deponent waited on Mr. Churchill; that this deponent asked him if any harm could come to Mr. Wilkes or this deponent for the " Essay on Woman ; " that Mr. Churchill said there could not, but for anything the people in power could do, they might be damned ; that, however, he would write to Mr. Wilke-s, who was 204 The Life of John Wilkes. Having once set their hand to the business of destroying their enemy, having carried him then in France.' After relating the various laborious attempts to tamper with him, he goes on : ' Several other meetings were had between the said Faden and this deponent ; that the same offers were repeated — and ten, twenty, a hundred guineas, or any sum, would be given as a security that the copy should be returned ; that there Avas a strong report that Mr. Wilkes intended to prosecute this deponent for felony, in having stolen a copy of the " Essay on Woman ; " that this deponent applied to see Mr. Wilkes on his return from France, and was refused by his servant ; that soon after the applications to this deponent were renewed by the said Faden and the said Hassell ; that he was desired to name any sum ; that he might depend on being sup- ported from any injury he aiight apprehend, and tirndy rely on being protected by those in power; that other- wise he might be prosecuted for having printed the copy ; that afterwards the reports of this deponent's being to be prosecuted by Mr. Wilkes for felony gaining ground, this deponent in a passion went to the said Globe tavern, sent for tlie said Faden, and gave iiim the copy, saying he hoped that he shouKl be taken care of, as he found he was not safe either in keeping or de- stroying the copy ; that the said Faden then gave him five guineas as a security to return him the copy, and j)romise(l liiin protection. That tliis deponent went witli tlie said Faden on the same evening to the house of I'liilip Carteret Webb, Ksq., Solicitor to the Treasury, ill (Ireat C^ucen Street, where was the Reverend Mr. The ' Essay on Woman. ^ 205 to gaol under a Jcttve de cachet, liimted him through the kingdom, set spies on him, not Kidgell ; that the said AVebb bid this deponent be easy, for that he should be provided for ; that this deponent afterwards for several vreeks lodged and boarded in the said Webb's house ; that this deponent was often told by the said Webb that Government would take care of him if he would give evidence on the trials against Mr. Wilkes — that he must remain staunch, and directions as to Avhat this deponent should say on the trials were given him by the said Webb ; that a few days before the meeting of the Parliament, the said Webb bid the .said Faden take this deponent out of town; that ac- cordingly the said Faden and this deponent Avent first to Hounslow, then to Hampton Court, and afterwards to Knightsbridge, till the morning the House sat, when they went to the Horn tavern in Westminster, where were the said Webb and the said Kidgell, and from thence to give evidence before the House of Lords. That the said Webb a few days afterwards carried this deponent to the Earl of Sandwich, who was then Secretary of State ; that his lordship said to this deponent, " You have saved the nation, and you may depend on anything that is in my power ;" that this deponent said he was without, money, to which his lordship replied he must not hear that ; that the said Webb added, " You had no occasion to mention that ; " that at the bottom of his lordship's stairs the said Webb ordered this deponent to go to Mr. Carrington, one of the King's messengers ; that this de- ponent accordingly went to the said Carrington's, who gave him a guinea and a half, for which this deponent 206 The Life of John Wilkes. daring now to break into his house, as they had done before in search of papers, they had chosen the safer course of corrupting his own servants to steal them. Having got their evidence, they were now in a difficulty as to how to use it Some of the Ministers, notably the Chancellor, had scruples as to such 'dirty work.'* But on November 5th, gave a receipt in these words, " For subsistence, for which I shall be accountable," or to that effect; that the same paj^ment of a guinea and a half was continued for about twenty-five weeks by the said Carriugton.' * The crop of actions, legal punishments, and penalties tliat grew out of Wilkes' original act was astonishing. Fifteen journeymen printers took action against the Secretary's messengers, and recovered from £120 to £150 a-piece; two booksellers. Fell and Wilson, ob- tained £C00 damages ; Beardmore, who, it will be recol- lected, was arrested for his connection with the Monitor, was encouraged by Wilkes to proceed at law, and re- covered £1,000 damages ; the Rev. Dr. Entick, who wrote in the same paper, received £300 ; Kearsley, pub- lisher of No. 45, became bankrupt. Foote, who was one of the creditors, put the claimants in good-humour by saying the usual practice was that authors were in debt to the jiublishcrs, but this was an instance of the reverse case. Wood, the under-secretary, the cause of all this confusion, )ia-> 111 this state of affairs, Wilkes, chiefly Dud with Martin. 229 prompted by his friend, Mr. George Onslow, swore an information ' that he went in peril of his life.' This matter was brought before the House of Commons, and it was found that the man was insane. Nor did this close his adventures during this crisis. . He was near being drawn into another difficulty, which only the restraint and in- difference of his opponent prevented taking the shape of a new duel. When it was thought he was likely to be deprived of his seat, it was mentioned in a local paper that a Sir William Lee, of his own county, had been looking after the borough in tlie«interest of a friend, on which an Aylesbury paper commented with severity, saying it was ' un- generous and ungentlemanlike ' to dispose of a member's seat, before it was known that he would be expelled. The Baronet wrote to the paper that ' he was ready to vindicate his conduct to anyone that shall require it.' The pugnacious Wilkes at once came for- ward, and wrote him a scoffing letter in his own inimitable style : 230 The Life of John Wilkes. 'Sir, ' Give me leave to congratulate you on your having commenced author, and the London Evening Post on the great acquisition made of such talents as yours for that paper. I doubt not of your soon distancing all the other Ministerial writers ; and though you may not regularly on Saturday nights have your pay counted out to you, yet some little snug sinecure, or a Ministerial mandate to a county, for what you were very lately so awkwardly gaping after (though, thank heaven, you were disappointed), may, in the end, recompense your labours. ' I must, however, recommend to you rather more temper ; you start too furiously. As a young man, you are entitled to portion, but you should have laughed at an idle paragraph in a newspaper, in which your great name is not at length. Did the conscientiousness of having merited that little satire sting you ? I have a right to ask you ; for in your curious letter you say L have clomi nothiw] therein, or ■upon anij occasion whatever (bravo ! W. Lee de seipso) that L am not readij to vindicate as a Duel 'with Martin. 231 gentleman to anijone that (not who) shall require it. Now I will only remark that, that that worthy baronet urges is the very pink of chivalry, and is that that is very brave. But do you mean to vindicate it by your j9e;i or your sivord ? ' But perhaps I mistake you, and you meant to justify it by your sivord. You have just begun by inkinfj your maiden pen, and you might possibly mean at the same time to con- trive to flesli your maiden sword. Pray be explicit, and let me know if you meant to send a challenge to all the world by the London Evening Post. Was ever anything so truly noble and great ? ' But I tire you and myself: I shall there- fore conclude, with only begging of you, that, instead of beginning any disturbance at Aylesbury, you would keep your own little parish of Hartwell quiet, and be reconciled to a worthy clergyman who never offended you, and whom your good father cherished and honoured.' Three days after the burning, another 232 The Life of John Wilkes. triumph waited the kicky Wilkes. He had lost no time in commencing actions against those who were concerned in breaking into his house. The first of the series, that against the Under Secretary Wood, came on before Lord Camden at the Guildhall, when a verdict was found for Wilkes, with .^1,000 damages and full costs.* Nothing could be more resolute or more truly judicial than the language of this judge, which won him the admiration of the kingdom : ' This warrant is unconstitutional, illegal, and absolutely void ; it is a general warrant, directed to four messengers, to take up any persons without naming or describing them with any certainty, and to apprehend them, together with their papers. If it be good, a Secretary of State can delegate and depute any of the messengers, or any even from the lowest of the people, to take examinations, to * It will be seen how many victims were brought in conni'ctioii with this business; but in the case of Carteret \Vel)l) and Lord Egrcmont, the 'fell sergeant,' Death, ballled his purpose. Duel with Martin. 233 commit, or to release, and do every act which the highest judicial officers the law knows can do or order. There is no order in our law-books that mentions these kinds of warrants, but several that in express words condemn them. Upon the maturest con- sideration, I am bold to say that this warrant is illegal ; but I am far from wish- ing a matter of this consequence to rest solely on my opinion. I am only one of twelve whose opinions I am desirous should be taken in this matter, and I am very will- ing to allow myself to be the meanest of the twelve. If these higher jurisdictions should declare my opinion erroneous, I submit, as will become me, and kiss the rod ; but I must say I shall always consider it as a rod of iron for the chastisement of the people of Great Britain.'* * He also pointed out a curious mistake in the action Solicitor to tlie Treasury, and he added : ' I pledge ray honour as a gentleman that on the very first day of term I will then make my personal appearance.' It should be men- tioned that some of the most interesting documents con- nected with Wilkes are to be found in the handsome folio published by Baldwin, without a date, and in no other of the numerous Wilkes collections. 332 The Life of John Wilkes. on the part of the authorities that the ' out- law ' was not at once arrested and brought up for sentence. He must have been particularly gratified by- receiving from one of the most distinguished of his French friends the following letter of congratulation : ' Paris, April 2, 1768. ' Sir, ' I received, with the greatest pleasure, the news of your election. I happened to be with the President when your letter was de- livered to me. It was immediately read, and the whole company, which was very numer- ous, was overjoyed at your success. Your social virtues will, at all times and in all places, render your memory dear and precious to your friends ; and the justice which has been done you in so'public and distinguished a manner indemnifies you sufficiently for the hardships of your exile. How pleasing it is to reign in the hearts of men ! You reign in those of your fellow-citizens — you deserve to reign in them ; you liave support(^d their rights ; and, ^Wilkes and Liberty' 333 genuine sons of freedom, as tliey are, they have crowned with applause the champion of their hberties. * The uncommon unanimity witli which the electors voted in your favour is an incontestable proof of their impartiality. The bribery, cor- ruption and clandestine practices, which are so common in elections, had no place in yours. The love^of liberty fired every breast, and pro- cured the suffrage of the independent electors. And I doubt not but you might have been chosen for London itself, where the different interests arising from trade set so many secret springs in motion, had the electors been as free at Guildhall as they are interested in commerce ; but interest, you know, governs the world. ' Your quiet and peaceable demeanour does you infinite honour ; and your generous and patriotic principles will render your name im- mortal. You quitted Paris, that- agreeable retreat, where your amiable and gentleman- like behaviour hath gained you so many friends ; and notwithstanding all the amuse- ments which we endeavoured to procure for you, in order to render your stay the more 334 The Life of John Wilkes. agreeable, you overlooked all dangers, and flew to support the rights of jowy country. Coriolanus meditated the ruin of his ; and, under pretext of securing her liberties, pro- posed she should receive the galling yoke of slavery, after having demolished her walls. Actuated by a motive infinitely more noble, you go to j^ours in the character of a peace- maker ; and, as a reward of all ^^hat you have suffered for her sake, you ask nothing but the power of being further serviceable to her. ' In the same instant London opens to you her gates, and the citizens their hearts ; but the greater part of the electors, restrained or intimidated bj^ the powerful influence of the other candidates, durst not venture to give you their votes. The independent and famous county of Middlesex, however, has indemni- fied you for the secret macliinations of the one, and the base pusillanimity of the other. Europe will be surprised at your patriotism and your success ; or, rather, Europe will admire the one, and rejoice at the otiier. T am tiie first to felicitate you on the occasion, 'Wilkes and Uhertij: 335 and to join my congratulations to those of all the friends of the human race, which was cer- tainly never intended to wear fetters. ' The august senate of Great Britain will still count a Wilkes among its most illustrious members ; and the liberty of your country will still find in you a generous defender of its rights and privileges. ' I have the honour to be, ' With the greatest sincerity, 'Diderot.' * As in all contusion of the kind, some firm- ness and resolution at the opening wouki have prevented all the mischief. The toleration extended to the agitator seemed inexplicable. When we look behind the scenes — that is, into the council room — we find the explanation in the uncertainty of Ministers, and chiefly in the ignorance of their legal advisers. About the middle of April, Mr. Whately, an acute ob- server, and one of the smaller otficial poli- ticians, learned that one reason was that Ministers were eagerly pressing the King to pardon the agitator. And it has been always 336 The Life of John Wilkes. agreed that this would have been the most prudent course. As another shrewd observer said, had Wilkes been allowed peaceably to take his seat, the House of Commons would have been the place where he would do the least damage. The onl}^ opponent of Wilkes who was consistent throughout, and who all through was for dealing with the arch-agitator in the most summary fashion, was the King. In fact, the whole seemed to be really fought out between two men, his Majesty and Mr. Wilkes. The former identified him with the lowest scum of the population, and seemed to believe that he was ready to burn, sack and ravish. He held him accountable for the excesses of the mob. In alarm for the safety of the palace, he had sat up during the whole night, when the town was illumi- nated. He was even heard to express the wish that the mob would come, ' so that he might give them a warm reception with his Guards.' But he was infinitely disgusted at the unaccountable inaction of the Ministers in not arresting the outlaw on his arrival. ' Wilkes and Liberty.' 337 As he wrote to Lord Weymouth, his secretary, on April 25 : ' The Attorney-General's letter makes me imagine that Mr. Wilkes will not surrender himself; therefore, your having afresh insisted on the utmost being done to seize him, seems absolutely necessary. I cannot conclude with- out expressing my sorrow that so mean a set of men as the sheriff's officers can, either from timidity or interestedness, frustrate a due execution of the law. If he is not soon secured, I wish you would inquire whether there is no legal method of quickening the zeal of the sheriffs themselves.'" These were the words of an undaunted spirit, of a man who knew his own mind. But he was in error in laying the whole blame of this supineness on the sheriffs and their men, others of higher degree being accountable. The lawyers were so ignorant, and so timorous, that they could not make up their minds as to the proper course to be pursued, and, as Mr. Whately learned, had to call in Sir Fletcher Norton to advise with * Jesse, ' George III.,' i. 427. VOL. I. 22 338 The Life of John Wilkes. them. To his astonishment, the latter found that their idea of procedure was, that when Wilkes chose to appear in the Court, they were to appear, and that the Court, being thus ' seized of the case,' would dispose of it. Sir Fletcher asked them had they ever been in the King's Bench, or they must know that the judges never moved in a case without formal application made to them. After mentioning a number of ' points ' which showed the same ignorance, they at last begged of him as a friend to say whether they ought ' to take out a capias ' to bring Wilkes before the Court ? Sir Fletcher an- swered them by putting a question : ' Why hadn't they taken out a capias already ?' Then they said they had no directions. Sir Fletcher said it was no matter of directions at all, but of execution. They finally re- turned to their first idea, which was to wait the direction of the Court, and thus publicly display their ignorance. Wilkes, thus unmolested, carried out his purpose of presenting himself, at his con- venience, before the tribunal. On the day ' Wilke,'^ and Liberty! 839 he had fixed, he accordingly proceeded from liis lodging in Prince's Eow, Westminster, to a coffee-house, accompanied by friends, who enjoined order and quiet to the crowd. There was an immense concourse gathered round the house, and it was orderly enough. On his appearance in Court, Wilkes made a speech to the judges, offering to submit him- self in everything to the laws. He added a short defence on the two charges, of publish- ing The North Briton and the ' Essay.' He complained also of the records being altered by Lord Mansfield. The points were shortly- but forcibly urged, and he thus concluded : ' I have stood forth, my lords, in support of the laws against the arbitrary acts of Ministers. This court of justice, in a solemn appeal re- specting General Warrants, showed this sense of my conduct. I shall continue to reverence the nice and mild system of English laws, and this excellent constitution. I have been much misrepresented, but under every species of persecution I ivill remain firm and friendly -to the monarch, dutifid and affectionate to the illustrious prince who ivears the crown, and to 22—2 340 The Life of John Wilkes. the ivhole Brunsicich succession.' These were becoming sentiments, if unexpected. According to his favourite method, Wilkes thus contrived to turn his text to the usual self laudation, and draw attention to his own merits and services. The case was then duly argued by counsel, and at the close a ludicrous position was reached, it being held by Lord Mansfield that he was ' not before the Court.' The only way in which they could be enabled to notice him was after action of legal process, that is, by being brought up formally ' before the Court," under writ or warrant. The law officers having thus displayed their ignorance, in spite of warning, Wilkes was suffered to depart, and thus added a fresh triumph to his score. As it was anticipated that he might not be committed on that day, no less than seven sheriff's officers were drawn up outside the Court ready to seize him. When he left, they were brought round him, but could not be induced to do anything. Two of the men positively refused to be concerned in anything ' Wilkes and Liberty: 341 afifecting Mr. Wilkes. They felt that it was too dangerous a service, after all the actions and mulctiugs their tribe had endured.* The King, now more and more exas- perated, began to press on Lord North ' that the expulsion of Mr. Wilkes appears to be very essential, and must he effected.' He quoted the case of Ward in the reign of his great-grandfather, which seemed ' to point out the proper course of proceeding,' and Wilkes's speech in the Court ' would surely be reason enough for not forgetting his criminal writ- ings ;' for had he not declared ' No. 45 ' to be a paper that the author might glory in, and a blasphemous poem a mere ludicrous pro- duction ? This is scarcely a fair account of Wilkes's speech. But the fact remains, as may be seen by the King's letters, that it was * After this the legal confusion became worse and worse confounded. Mr. Shebbeare, K.C, wrote an amusing account to a friend of the legal imbroglio or mess. The Attorney-General was refusing to grant Wilkes a writ of error, because, ' if granted, it would secure him from arrest in whatever situation he happened to be.' It was rumoured that he had gone into Surrey, so process had to be taken out for that county. 342 The Life of John Wilkes. liis Majesty who from the beginniDg sternly opposed granting a pardon, who had urged on to legal process, and was now the first to suggest his expulsion. Lord Weymouth, who was very acceptable to the King, did not need any stimulating. He had already assumed that ' affairs were in a most critical condition,' and addressed a letter to the Lords-Lieutenant of the counties, enjoining on them measures of vigorous re- pression. In this extraordinary and sugges- tive document, after urging general steps of preparation, he says ' that after the recent alarming instances of riot and confusion, I cannot help apprising you that much will depend upon the preventive measures which you shall take, and much is expected from the vigilance and activity with which such measures will be carried into execution. When I inform }ou that every possible pre- caution is taken to support the dignity of your office ; that, upon application from the civil magistrate, at the Tower, the Savoy, or the War Office, lie will fijid a military force ready to march to his assistance, and to act accord- ' Wilkes and Liberty: 343 ing as he shall find it expedient and necessary ; I need not add that, if the public peace is not preserved, and if any riotous proceedings which may happen are not suppressed, the blame will, most probably, be imputed to a want of prudent and spirited conduct in the civil magistrates. As I have no reason to doubt your caution and discretion in not call- ing for troops till they are wanted ; so, on the other hand, I hope you will not delay a moment calling for their aid, and making use of them, effectually, where there is occasion ; that occasion always presents itself when the civil power is trifled with and insulted ; nor can a military force ever be employed to a more constitutional purpose than in the sup- port of the authority and dignity of magis- tracy.' This was certainly, in plain terms, im- pressing on the magistrate that soldiers were supplied to him for actual use and not for mere show. It was little anticipated that this monition was to add seriously to the complications of the case. Wilkes, whose good-humour was always 344 The Life of John Wilkes. irrepressible, was now to infuse a little of the spirit of comedy into the situation, and con- tribute to the harmless gaiety of the town by one of his happiest sallies. A peculiar object of his dislike had been the Speaker, Sir John Cust, who had taken official share in his expulsion. This personage he had already stigmatised in coarse and unbecoming lan- guage in his letter to the Duke of Grafton. The Speaker, it will be recollected, merely pointed out that the certificate of the French doctors as to Wilkes's incapacity to make the journej'- to London was informal. In return, Wilkes had described him as ' a person of the meanest natural parts, and infinitely beneath all regard, except from the office he bears, with the utmost discredit to himself, with equal disgrace and insufficiency to the public' But only a week or two after his arrival in town he found an occasion to ridicule him in the happiest manner. To receive a rebuke from a parent or guardian, head -master. Bishop, or chief partner in the firm, are terrible things of tlieir kind. But tliere is something specially ' Wilkes and Liberty' 345 uncomfortable in being ordered to the bar of tiie House to be reprimanded by ' Mr. Speaker ' in person, arraj^ed in his full or fullest bottomed wig. Wilkes, who, like the ' sapper ' in Teresa's song, acknowledged 'nothing sacred,' now turned the august ceremonial into fun. It seems that the Mayor and Corporation of Oxford, being much in debt and at their wits' end to extri- cate themselves, proposed to re-elect the sitting members on condition of their paying down a sum of X'7,500. The sitting mem- bers returned an ironical answer, thanking them for ' the preference you are generously pleased to give us,' but declining the offer as ' not being able to afford the purchase.' At the same time they brought the matter before the House, who directed the Speaker to ' reprimand ' the offenders. He accordingly summoned ' Philip Ward, John Treacher, Sir Thomas Munday, Thomas Wise, Richard Tawney, etc., etc.'; and the Speaker, in im- pressive language, administered a reprimand ordered by the House, upon which they were allowed to depart. It was on the Speaker 346 Tlte Life of John Wilkes. that Wilkes exercised his hnmoiir. The agitator caused much hiughter by simply quoting the Speaker's grotesquely severe language, and adding some humorous comments of his own. ' I shall lirst (he says) consider the oration itself, as branched out under the four general heads of Exordium, ; Constitutio Causcc ; In- sect atio ; Per or alio. And then I shall examine the four other accessory circumstances of the Personam ; Tempus ; Locus ; Eventus. * I begin with the exordium. It is plain and simple, according to all the rules laid down by the ancients. It contains only these words, ' Philip Ward, John Treacher, Sir Thomas Munday, Thomas Wise, John Nicholls, John Philips, Isaac Lawrence, Richard Tawney, Thomas Robinson, -John Brown.' No ex- ordium was ever built on so firm a foundation. It stands on the legal base of the baptismal register itself. I do not believe anything happier could have been conceived. I must confess, with all my partialities about me, that the constitutio cdusev is not so clear and full as ] could wish. In the oration it is merely ' Wilkes and Liberty/: 347 said, ' The offence of which you have been *>'uilty has justly brought you under the severe displeasure of this House;' while the title is only, ' The speech of the Speaker of the House of Commons, when he reprimanded Philip Ward, etc., upon their knees,' etc., without saying for what crime. We are thus left to guess what it could be ; and I own that when I read at the beginning that ' a more enormous crime they could not well commit,' I did not directly think of bribery and cor- ruption. Although I was a little doubtful what enormous crime a man might icell commit, yet when I heard that a more enormous crime they could not well commit, I own I was afraid that they had been guilty of murder, perjury, rape, etc., or some other crimes whose guilt I should imagine to be of a shade darker and deeper than even this of bribery and corruption. I was a little re- lieved, therefore, when I found that this was not the case, and that there was even some- what of honesty in their proceedings ; that they were endeavouring to pay oft' old debts, by trying to get beforehand a part of the 348 The Life of John Wilkes. money which such coimtrn-pu^s falsely imagine their representatives afterwards make of them. ' The peroratio is, alas ! too short ; but full of dignity, suited to the majesty of the Commons of Great Britain. ' I do reprimand ijou r The little word do is very emphatical here. As Pope says, ' feeble expletives their aid do join.' How weak would be the sense, and how poor the expression, without it ! The last words, ' you are discharged, paying your fees,' I fear, will to many suggest an idea beneath the dignity of Parliament ; and may make the world imagine that the fees were an illegal claim, not recoverable by action, and that therefore Mr. Speaker took the short way of keeping the parties in custody till his own and the clerk's fees were paid. But for my part I believe that, as an orator, he talked of the fees to add to the terror of the sentence and the weight of the punishment.'"'' During the interval, while waiting sentence, * Lord lliougliiini consitleib tliis piec(^ our of the best of Wilkes' literary efforts. ' Wilkes and Liberty.^ 349 he repaired to Bath, whence it was written to Mr. Grenville that ' he had met with a very mortifying reception, being universally avoided by all degrees of men.' Mr. Grenville wrote that it might possibly account for the firmer tone of Ministers, and might have given them courage. An amusing incident occurred. The Chancellor, it w^as said, encountered Wilkes suddenly in the Pump-room : * Neither of them bowed or spoke to the other, but both stopped and stared, so as to set the whole room in a titter.' But now the law officers had at last dis- covered the proper mode of bringing Wilkes before the Court, w^hich, it seems, was by a writ of ' Capias Utla(iatu)ii/ On April 27 he was actually arrested, and we find the King writing his great satisfaction, on the same day. Inquiry had been made of the Attorney- General as to what were the next steps to be taken. Wilkes's counsel had applied for a writ of error ; and, in the meantime, applica- tion was made that he be admitted to bail. This was refused, on the ground that no con- victed person could be allowed out on bail. 350 The Life of John Wilkes. Lord Mansfield accordingly committed him to the King's Bench Prison, to wait the argument on the errors submitted. This decision was of ill omen for the good order of the City ; and the King, who was anxiously following the proceedings, sent many missives to the Secretary advising the ' keeping a care- ful eye upon the King's Bench Prison ' ; that he was persuaded from the aversion of Wilkes to being imprisoned, ' added to his not possess- ing one grain of prudence,' that he would encourage the mob not to let him be taken to pris^on. As it is proved, Wilkes did all he could to reach his place of confinement peace- fully. He waited till 7 o'clock in the evening, when with Parson Hornc he set out in a carriage. But on Westminster Bridge the mob overtook him, took away the horses, and drew the carriage in the opposite direction. Enormous crowds followed, gathering as they went. Tlu! procession passed through the Strand, and up Fleet Street to Cornhill, when it halted, and the mob opening the doors turned out tlie two bailiffs. Tlusy then asked Wilkes where he wished to be taken to. ' To ' Wilkes and Liberty.^ 351 the King's Bench Prison,' he replied firmly, ' to which the laws of my country have sent me!' His admirers, however, refused to comply with this request, and drew him away till they reached the Three Tuns Tavern in Spitalfields, where he entered ' amid the re- peated hurrahs and acclamations of a trium- phant people.' The King, putting the worst construction on these proceedings, ' was sur- prised that Mr. Wilkes should be so ill-advised as to let violence be used to prevent the officers of justice performing the duties of their office.' The truth being that Wilkes, so soon as he got rid of his admirers, put on a disguise, and set off to surrender himself at the Bench Prison, to the great joy of the Marshal. Such was this eventful day, when this strange London revolution had made an enormous advance. To understand Wilkes's behaviour, it must be borne in mind what has already been pointed out, that Wilkes was the most prudent of demagogues, and seemed only anxious to secure all free means of conciliation. He wished 3o2 The Life of John Wilkes. to show what forces were at his command, and that he was anxious to do his best to keep them under control. In short, that, Wilkes as he was, ' lie never was a Wilkite.' END OF VOL. I. • ULING « SONS. PniNTms, OuaOr^ilD ~P o UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DL E on the last date stamped below. DEC 1 7 1980 RtCD UWJRt ' APR 1 6 1984 ?.tc" ;0 ^0->3^' )38^ U. j^nT?S*^ 24139 «EC'0 LO-URB fi 3 1158 0065 0308 rjM-:iUr ;.0f- > UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 390 004 ik(i\'rnf .. 'C.Avirn r, ■'JUJ/MiTIl JP' /\»J V VJVJl 1 ;nri ,( r)\ j- mm ^mmMmm i-^v,. '•-'■r^vv S'^