THE TWO DUCHESSES C?'C^aleM. , CZ/zi^de^ ^^ u/y€i/tmm^6r&. ^J^am. a- -^rtrtt. THE TWO DUCHESSES GEORGIANA DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE ELIZABETH DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE OF AND RELATING TO GEORGIANA DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE ELIZABETH DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE EARL OF BRISTOL (Bishop of Derry) THE COUNTESS OF BRISTOL LORD AND LADY BYRON THE EARL OF ABERDEEN SIR AUGUSTUS FOSTER Bart AND OTHERS 1777—1859 EDITED BY VERE FOSTER LONDON BLACK IE & SON Limited GLASGOW AND DUBLIN 1898 0^ PREFACE. I have given to this book the title of The Two Duchesses, because its contents are mainly composed of poetry and correspondence written by, or to, one or other of the two last Duchesses of Devonshire, one of whom, Georgiana, was daughter of John, Earl Spencer, and the other, Elizabeth, was daughter of Frederick Augustus Hervey, fourth Earl of Bristol, and Bishop of Derry. These two ladies were inseparable companions, and lived under the same roof for nearly a quarter of a century. They travelled together in Switzerland and Italy; Georgiana, usually referred to as the beautiful Duchess, writing an account of their travels in verse addressed to her children, and pieces of poetry addressed to her friend, while Eliza- beth illustrated Georgiana's poetical narrative by numerous landscape paintings of her own composition. Georgiana died in 1806, and Elizabeth became the second wife of the fifth Duke of Devonshire in 1S09, ^'^^ <^ied in 1824. In the Dictionary of National Biography, of which valu- able work fifty-two volumes are already published, the fol- lowing description of Georgiana is attributed to Horace Walpole, whom Sir Walter Scott declared to be the best letter-writer in the English language: "She effaces all with- out being a beauty; but her youthful figure, flowing good- nature, sense and lively modesty, and modest familiarity, make her a phenomenon ". And in the same work are the vi THE TWO DUCHESSES. following statements regarding Elizabeth. In early life she married John Thomas Foster, M.P., of Stonehouse, County Louth. They (Georgiana and Elizabeth) tra- velled together at different times on the Continent. On one of these occasions, in 1787, they met Edward Gibbon, the historian, at Lausanne. He had then just finished his History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. He read to Lady Elizabeth Foster some of the concluding pass- ages, "and her admiration was so warmly expressed that Gibbon suddenly surprised her by an offer of his hand. The offer was declined, but Gibbon took the disappoint- ment philosophically, and, while his estimate of her fascina- tions remained as high as ever, his friendly feelings towards her underwent no change. Comparing her with the first Duchess, he writes: 'Bess is much nearer the level of a mortal, but a mortal for whom the wisest man, historic or medical, would throw away two or three worlds if he had them in possession'. He also gave it as his opinion that, ' if she chose to beckon the Lord Chancellor from his wool- sack in full sight of the world, he could not resist obedience'. In 1809 she became the second wife of the fifth Duke of Devonshire, and, after the death of her husband, she took up her residence in Rome, where she enjoyed the friendship of some of the most distinguished Italians and foreign resi- dents, and her house became the great resort of the brilliant society gathered together in Rome from all countries. Ticknor relates that he went to her ' conversaziones as to a great exchange to see who is in Rome, and to meet what is called the world '. . . . She spent large sums in exca- vations at the Forum, and with considerable success, and she was one of the most liberal patrons of the fine arts. PREFACE. vii Canova and Thonvaldsen were her personal friends." "The portrait of the Duchess when Lady EHzabeth Foster was painted by both Sir Joshua Reynolds and Gainsborough. A portrait by the latter was stolen in 1876 from the Bond Street gallery of Messrs. Agnew, who had purchased it shortly before from the Wynn Ellis collection." This is probably a mistake, for I believe it was a portrait, not of Elizabeth, but of the beautiful Duchess, Georgiana. There is also a full-length portrait of Elizabeth by Sir Thomas Lawrence in possession of Sir Vera Foster, Bart, at Glyde Court, County Louth. A representation of the two Duchesses linked together in a medallion appears on page xii of this book, and I have added a multiple likeness of Georgiana represented in the character of Pharaoh's daughter, accompanied by fifteen of her attendants, all engaged in the finding and fondling of the infant Moses. The picture was painted and engraved by J. K. Sherwin in 1789. The letters quoted in the correspondence are mainly written by the following persons: — Frederick Augustus Hervey, Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry, to his daughter, Lady Elizabeth Foster. The Countess of Bristol to her daughter. Lady Elizabeth Foster. Lady Elizabeth Foster, afterwards Duchess of Devonshire, to her son, Augustus Foster. Augustus Foster, afterwards the Right. Hon. Sir Augustus J. Foster, Bart., to his mother. The Earl of Aberdeen to Augustus Foster. Lord Byron to Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Lady Byron to Vere Foster, third son of Sir Augustus Foster, and compiler of this correspondence. Vlll THE TWO DUCHESSES. The Hon. Mrs. George Lamb to Augustus Foster. Frederick Thos. Foster to his younger brother, Augustus Foster. There are also single letters written by Gibbon ; Sheridan ; Fox; the Prince Regent; General Moreau; Alexander, Emperor of Russia, to Madame Moreau; Canova; Thor- vvaldsen ; Baron d'Armfelt; and Count Capo dTstrias, Presi- dent of the Greek Republic. I give in an Appendix some particulars culled from reliable sources about the Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry, Sir Augustus Foster, and Lord Aberdeen, who, next to Lady Elizabeth Foster, afterwards Duchess of Devonshire, are the principal parties in the correspondence here pub- lished. The biography of Lord Byron is so well known that I would think it an impertinence to offer any information on the subject beyond the three letters addressed by himself to my grandmother; and I do not feel at liberty to publish anything about Lady Byron, except as regards the episode connected with my father's attachment to her prior to the advances of Lord Byron, and the few interesting letters addressed by her to myself The attachment here referred to, which met with the full approval of Sir Ralph and Lady Milbanke, as stated in the Duchess Elizabeth's letters to my father, came to my knowledge as a surprise, and will probably be new to all my readers. Gibbon's letter to my grandmother is printed here by kind permission of Mr. John Murray, and I am requested by the Earl of Lovelace, grandson of Lord Byron, to state that the letters of Lord and Lady Byron are here published with the full consent of their representatives. PREFACE. IX In conclusion, I should mention that none of these letters have ever been published before, except a very few which appeared a few months ago in an Irish provincial news- paper, the Belfast Northern WJiig^ and that the present occasion of their publication arises from the fact that I have recently had access to a mass of family correspondence of which I was previously unaware, dated mostly about the end of the last and commencement of the present century. As the Duchesses moved, Georgiana for more than twenty, and Elizabeth for upwards of forty years, in the highest circles of society in London, Paris, and Rome, and were intimate with many eminent persons, and a great number of these letters relate to memorable contemporary events and subjects of public interest, I have copied some entire and made extracts from others, and, with the kind per- mission of my grandnephew. Sir Vere Foster, and encour- aged by the very favourable reception of the letters already referred to, I have at the special request of many friends put them in print, adding notes of my own as to dates, and in explanation, where apparently required, of the text. Owing to illegible writing, to fading of ink, to the torn and fragmentary state of much of the correspondence, and to the absence of dates in hundreds of cases, it has been found very difficult to preserve continuity, and I must claim the indulgence of my readers for such mistakes as they may discover. VERE FOSTER. Belfast, December, 1897. ILLUSTRATIONS. Page The Two Duchesses, xii Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire (from a print), - Frontis. The Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry, and his Daugh- ter, Lady Erne, 2 Elizabeth (Davers), Countess of Bristol, 43 Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (after Gainsborough), - 84 Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (after Romney), - - 96 Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, and Child {after Reynolds), - - 105 Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire (from a painting), - - 132 Louisa (Ilervey), Lady HawkesburYj 150 Sir Augustus Foster, Bart., 154 The Earl of Aberdeen, 185 The Finding of Moses — Duchess Georgiana and other Ladies, 278 Lord Hawkesbury (second Earl of Liverpool), - - - - 317 Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire (after Sir T. Lawrence), - 340 The Hon. Mrs. George Lamb, 373 Lady Albinia Foster, 411 Vere Foster, 466 THE TWO DUCHESSES The Hon. Mrs. Hervey'^ To Mrs. JoJm Thomas Foster."^ Brussels, /k;z^ 6, 1777. Voici d^ja vendredi et je ne fais que prendre mon ecritoire pour la premiere fois depuis que ma chere fille m'a quitte. Mais pourquoi ^^a francais dit Monsieur le saoe^? C'est vrai mais il a coule de ma plume toute- fois comme je n'ai point besoin de vous dire {/es choses. I may in plain English tell you a plain truth, that I love you with all my heart, that I think of you con- tinually, and that your whole conduct since your marriage has given me the most perfect satisfaction. Don't misinterpret this expression: it does not mean the most distant censure on your behaviour before it\ but the i6tJi of December^ is your grand epocka, and may you date from it, dear Bess, every possible happiness. I shall be impatient to hear you did not suffer materially by the heat, fatigue, and distress of 1 The Hon. Airs. Hervey — Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Jermyn Davers, Bart., and wife of the Hon. Frederick Hervey, Bishop of Derry, d. 1800. "^Mrs. J. Th. i^95^e/-— Daughter of the Bishop of Derry and Mrs. Hervey, d. 1824. '^Monsieur le Sage — An allusion to Mrs. Hervey's son-in-law, J. Th. Foster, M.P., d. 1796. * i6ik 0/ December — Date of Mrs. Foster's marriage in 1776. A 2 THE TWO DUCHESSES. the first day. The rain and change of air we flatter ourselves made the second more pleasant, and this very night, perhaps, or to-morrow, you will breathe the pure air of your own dear country. I have been so mauled by the suffocating heat here that I have not been able to stir off the couch these two days; but I hope to get out this morning, and Monday the 9th is fixed on for our going to Antwerp. I find your sister^ writes by this post, so I shall not touch upon the la rue des etoiles, and I could almost forbear to say anything myself (out of economy, that a packet of foreign letters may not add to your continental ex- penses), but that I have a mind to meet you in London and show you that my heart and mind are with you, but I expect you to rely upon this and not to expect frequent repetitions. You will have a thousand new objects, and I the important one of preparing and removing ourselves. Whilst Mary is here, too, I know she will mention us. When we separate I will try to make you amends. Your father continues to complain and do nothing, but I think a journey will soon set him all right. Assure Mr. Foster of my sincere affection. He loves you too well for me not to feel a true regard for him, and I flatter myself that a well-founded esteem and perfect harmony will subsist amongst us all as long as we live. Adieu, Je vous sers sur mon coeur, and I repeat to you to take care of yourself, and above all to be at home in time. Remember what I said of ^ false calculation, and avoid its consequences. Present my compliments '^ your sister — Mary, Countess of Erne, eldest daughter of the Bishop of Derry, d. 1842. SWAH tLtCTRX tSGR&VlN'G C? m//^/. ^/^ Orm-. FROxM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 3 to Doctor Foster,^ and obey as well as love. Your most affectionate mother. Louisa^ sends a thousand loves. The Hon. Mrs. Hervey To Mrs. J. T/i. Foster. Liege, /u?2e 22, 1777. I am afraid my dear Bess will think I have made a long interval between my first and second letter. I feel it so myself, but as I knew Lady Erne wrote as punctually as if she had nothing else to do, I contented myself with doing everything else without writing, and indeed I found the business and the civilities belonging to our departure quite enough for me; however, I thank God, here I am tolerably well, and the journey thus far delightful, having your sister still with me, but we are drawing towards the moment of separation, which must be endured. Miss Creightons were received into the Convent yesterday in form, with all the black things hovering about them, but we are all vastly pleased with their present situation; they are well lodged as to con- veniency, cleanliness and air, have a room and two little beds to themselves, a garden, a view to the country, and the cheerfulness of a great many pensioners, who seem perfectly well attended to. ^Doctor FosUr— Thomas Foster, D.D., Rector of Dunleer, father of J. Th. Foster (1709-1784). " Louisa— L.oulsa. Hervey, youngest daughter of the Bishop of Derry, married afterwards to the second Earl of Liverpool, d. 1821. 4 THE TWO DUCHESSES. The house is five stories high, and they carried us into every part of it, and nothing in Holland was ever cleaner, Monday, the 2j7'd. Your sister and I were up this morning by six o'clock in order to go and make a visit to a Mrs. Bond, a cousin, at about 115 miles distance, but as I sent an express yesterday to give her notice of it, fearing to appear abruptly before an infirm woman of eighty, she just now has sent to decline it on account of her health, which mortifies me extremely, as I had a high opinion of her sense, manners, and excellence of mind. Lord Erne was so good as X.o propose himself that Mary might go with me. I hope we shall keep to- gether to-day notwithstanding our disappointment, but to-morrow, I fear, must be the day of execution, and poor Dodd^ scarce dreads it more, for now I am bereaved of my children, and even little Benjamin cannot make up the loss — a propos, think of Louisa's being ready to stay in the Convent, and being quite at her ease amongst the nuns, and singing both English and French to them. The Lady Abbess is a cousin of Mr, Dennel's, and very like him, less fine, but a more soft, benign angelic countenance. And now, my dear love, let me thank you for your letter from Bethune, and assure you of the pleasure I receive from every mark and expression of your affection to me. We all do you the justice to believe that you or Mr. F. wrote on your arrival at Dover "^ Dodd — The Rev. Wm. Dodd, LL.D., author of "Beauties of Shakespeare" and "Reflections on Death", found guilty of forgery and executed. His case created a great sensation at the time (1729-1777). FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 5 and London, but your letters did not arrive from either place, and the delightful news of your being safe and well in London came accidentally from L. M. Fitz, Since that your father has received one, and you will easily imagine how we have all rejoiced in your welfare, amusement, and good hick in finding so many of your relations together. I must, before I forget it, tell you that your maid's letters to Joseph have been constant, so I suppose she has more care in putting them into the post-office than your other servants. As your stay in London was so pre- carious I will direct this to Bury, as my brother^ can frank it to you if you should have left. I cannot yet give you that to Pyrmont,^ but when I can find it out you shall have it. Pray always mention your health and how you go on, describe your meeting with Doctor F., tell me where you have been and are to go, and in general everything which belongs to you down to your watch. I had intended the foldings^ for Mr. F., but since I have run into them unawares, I beg you will thank him in my name for his little scribble, which was very wel- come to me, but his constant and kind attention to you I shall never forget — assure him of it and of my sincere affection. Adieu. The Padre's* blessing ^ my brother — Sir Charles Davers, Bart. "^ Pyrmont—A noted mineral spring in the north-west of Germany, Principality of Waldeck-Pyrmont. ^ the foldings — Portions of the paper folded in so as to serve as an envelope. Before the inauguration of national penny postage there was a separate postage for every separate piece of paper under a quarter of an ounce weight, and therefore both letter and address were usually written on the same piece of paper, which was so folded as to leave a blank space for the address, but when weight alone regulated the postage, in the year 1840, envelopes came into use. * The Padre — The Bishop of Derry. See Appendix. 6 THE TWO DUCHESSES. and the love of this party attend ye both. Ever your affectionate mother. The Ministers did not quit us to the last, and a petit soupe, with a Harp and arreter sous cet ombrage was our parting. The Hon. Mrs. Hervey To Mrs. y. Th. Foster. Vyruont, July 15, 1777. My dear Elizabeth, though I have been as good as my word in 710^ writing to you, my thoughts have accompanied you through your several journeys, meetings, &c., and I also guarded as well as I could against any anxiety which you might have on my account by desiring my sister^ to inform you of my welfare, which, I thank God, has been uninterrupted by any material accident. I found your letter here on my arrival on the 5th, which gave me great pleasure. Your expedition to London seems to have fully answered in point of amusement, and to have exceeded our expectation in your reception in the family, which is doubly satisfactory. I see, too, with content, that you have not forgot my friends, and I flatter myself that you have made them yours. I entirely approve of your going first to Sh.- with Dr. F., and wish that he remained in England to carry you over with him, for though you seem to intend being in time, I know the young ff's"^ are ^ my sister — Mrs. Greene. "^ Sh. — Sheffield Place or Park in Sussex, country seat of Lord Sheffield. ^ the young ff's — A playful designation of Mr. and Mrs. J. Th. Foster. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. J dreadfully irresolute, and I should depend more upon the old one. I daresay you have had a little notice before this, but if not (for it is very weak in some people), do not be tempted to retard your journey. A propos, I hope you will remember that you have many necessary things to p7'ovide, but don't do it without a person of prudence to advise you, for finery and expense in these matters is very ridiculous for a private station. I am glad to find your health is at all better, but your account of yourself is not altogether satisfactory. I hope you are attentive to take your pills, and to prevent your being over- heated; that you do not exercise too vntcJi, or sit up very late; as to the rest you must arm yourself with fortitude against a time which I hope will be of as little suffering as possible, and that abundantly made amends for by the fruit of it. As to unwieldiness, nobody ever heard or talked of such a thing in the first instance, not even dear poppy; you cannot be pince, to be sure, any longer, but I advise you, when you are a mother, to be one in good earnest. Your second letter from Sheffield is arrived, for which I thank you, and your father commissions me to assure you that his silence does not proceed from want of affection, which is as cordial as ever to you, but from a rambling life first, and then from the inability which these waters give to all reason- able employment. I am now transgressing positive orders, but I hope to come off for a red nose, whereas others pay the heavier tax of a headache. He has drunk these waters nine days, and I think with 8 THE TWO DUCHESSES. great benefit, which would be still greater if the weather was not worse than ever you saw it even in Derry; constant rain, and dirt, and puddle, and yet in spite of all he is well and cheerful, and the gouty pains fly before them. The lounging life agrees with him also, and he finds great amuse- ment from the company's being quite new to him. Our Princess of Brunswick^ is here, and vastly good to us. We dine with her quite en famille. Two of the Queen's brothers, too (one with his Princess), the Prince Augustus of Saxe Gotha, and many people of rank with whom one lives upon the easiest terms; the Prince of Waldeck" (who is Prince of the territory), vastly obliging, too, and all speak a little French. We have regulated our hours to theirs, and breakfast little, dine at half an hour after 12, sup between 8 and 9, and go to bed by ten. I have not yet said a word of myself, but I think you will not be contented without it, and I can with truth say that I feel better and stronger than I did before I came. I now and then pass an agreeable hour with somebody that I discover to my taste, and I have no material complaint. The village is very pretty. There are lovely walks by the well, and the country is very picturesque, but the roads by which we came were so dangerous that we do not care to return the same way. I believe it will be difficult to find any that are good, but many schemes are in agitation. The hereditary Princess wants us to go by Brunswick. She may possibly 1 Our Princess of Brunswick — Augusta, sister of George HI. 2 Waldeck — The sovereign principality of Waldeck-Pyrmont. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 9 be the reigning Princess by that time, as the Duke' is dangerously ill, but what we shall determine on is quite uncertain. I thank you, my dear love, most tenderly for your dear little present by La. M., and am very sorry I did not stay long enough to receive it. I am in hopes of a letter soon from Bury with an account of your having spent your time very happily at Sheffield"^ amongst friends toute faite, and some of them at least to your taste. What a wilderness the world is without them, and how I miss you and your sister every day and every hour. We have no news yet from Canada.^ Louisa sends her kindest love to you. I have been unlucky about a governess, for that Aigle would not come at last. Scott was a little piqued, but behaved vastly well in the end, and has come with us, making the best of all difficulties, and serving as interpreter through Westphalia. Adieu, my dear child, my best affection to Mr. F.,^ and your father's blessing to you both. He says he will write to you, but don't be uneasy if he does not. I hope f.^ con- tinues well, happy, and satisfied. I believe Mr. Gifford has at last a living; he wrote your father a letter of j lines only to notify the vacancy with- out asking for it. Dearest Bess, I am your most affectionate mother. I know nothing yet of Mary, but that she has got a lodging to her mind. 1 the Duke — Duke of Brunswick. - Sheffield — That is Shefiield Place. See note, p. 6. '^from Canada — From Capt. Hervey, R.N., eldest son of the Bishop of Derry, married to Elizabeth Drummond of Quebec, d. 1796. * Mr. F. — Thomas Foster, D.D. (1709-1784). »/-J. Th. Foster, d. 1796. 10 THE TWO DUCHESSES. The Hon, Mrs. Hervey To Airs. y. Th. Foster. Pyrmont, July 30, 1777. My dear child, I received your letter of the 13th from Sheffield Place yesterday, and am extremely concerned to find that you have had so much appre- hension on my account. I had warned you against expecting frequent letters, and the constant change of place on your side as well as ours has been a great hindrance to our correspondence. What can have interrupted your sister's active mind and pen I can't guess, but it ought not to have increased your alarm, because as we were not together it could not arise from the cause you suspected. I fear, my dear Bess, that you have inherited your mother's anxious temper about those you love, but conjure you, by the well-known suffering of it, to struggle hard against it while you have youth and spirits to do so, and to incline as much as you are able to the best side of every object. You have, I hope, long before this received the letter I directed to Bury, either there or elsewhere. I meant it to secure the satis- faction to you, by which I fear I delayed it, but as you will find by it how perfectly free we have been from all accidents fdcheux I hope you will be more backward for the future to suspect them. The posts seem to be very ill regulated, too, and your letter from Dover of the 9th of June came only two days sooner than that of the 13th of July, but when once we are in Italy and you in Ireland we shall have a more regular intercourse. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. II We are to leave this place about the 8th or loth, and go tc Frankfort, and perhaps to Mayence, and so embark on the Rhine, and carry Ma""- to Cologne, to put her en pays de Conoissance on her way to Brussels, This will give us an opportunity of pull- ing down that river for so far, by seeing the finest part of its banks. We shall take our carriages and come back by land, and so proceed to Frankfort again, Darmstadt, Manheim, Spier, Stutgard, Ulm, Augsbourg, Munich, Inspruck, Trent, Verona. This route through Germany will be new to us, and we hope besides to be in time to drink the waters of Val d'Agno^ for three weeks. They are something like those which have agreed most wonderfully with your father and done some good to me also. His gout is drove away, and he is the life of the com- pany: he has had but one drawback, by a slight fever brought on by cold, but which he has thor- oughly recovered. We are now reduced to a very small company here. Our Princess and her train set out for Brunswick to-day, which is a great blow, for there was real satisfaction and comfort in her company — a thing not very common with Princes or Princ- esses. There have been no English except our- selves and Col. Faucit, who is the negotiator for the foreign troops now in our pay. Hot-Jiot's brother is come for a few days, and is grown a quiet, good boy. Lord Bessborough^ is here, too, who can never ' Val d'Agno — A mineral spring in the north of Italy, often mentioned sub- sequently. - Lord Bessborough — Wm. Ponsonby. second Earl of Bessborough iind Viscount Duncannon (1704-1793) 12 THE TWO DUCHESSES. grow better or worse or other than he is. It is in- credible what nonsense he talks. People listen and laugh ; cela lui suffit, he puts it all down to his credit, and stands like a mountebank with a circle round him, which he entertains with marvellous things much in the same style. I am glad to find you have passed your time so pleasantly, my dear love, and that your health is mended, of which I hope you have a proper care, and that you do not only ijitend but deter- mine to be in Ireland by the very beginning of September. Remember, you have to settle yourself and to provide many things. I have not been able to learn whether Nurse Wilkinson stays for you in Dublin, but I hope so, to prevent the hazard of her going back and returning. I hope there will be no objection to her manner of nursing, as you seem to wish it, and I am certain she" is too honest a woman not to tell you if by any weakness in the child a breast should be necessary, which is sometimes the case. N. Byrne, you know, is engaged for yourself, and I advise you to use the hartshorn and oil with hare-skins, as I did, to backen your milk, and remember your promise of guarding your breast from cold on your recovery and first going out, which will be in cold weather. I don't much approve of riding, except you had begun it sooner, but that is now over. I am glad the mfanta is so lively, but I shall chide you if you become a mother so tristement. I had reckoned upon your feeling the full value of it, and I still think that when your fears are over you will think you are FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. I3 well paid for your pains. I have ever thought so, and I hope my dear child's children will not de- generate. At all events, if you find it too early a care I am ready to take it off your hands. When I return next year send the dear little creature to me with its nurse, and I will make it as hardy and active as a Magilligan kid. As to names, il faut plus de menagement: one of ours first, if you please, but don't put in too much of the same ingredient. D. F.'s present was very handsome, and what is better, very kind. I think you judge perfectly well about the trimming, which is proper, handsome, and lasting. Your father bids me assure you of his truest, warmest affection: he received your long letter, but the waters have prevented his writing: he says when we are settled that we must take it by turns, and that you shall hear from us every fortnight. Adieu, my dear child. Louisa sends you a thousand loves, and longs for her nephew. My sincere affec- tion to Mr. F.; pray mention his health. I will direct my next to Dunleer, and will write as we go on, but remember to allow for the failure of letters, which is very frequent. Adieu once more. I am very well, and most truly your affectionate mother. 14 THE TWO DUCHESSES. TJie Hon. the Bishop of Derry To Mrs, J. Th. Foster. Pyrmont, July 30, 1777. Your mother and I, my dearest Elizabeth, have at last agreed to atone for our long silence by writing to you alternately every week, and as she is a little occupied at present and I not at all (unless drinking waters comme un enrage may be so called), I have spontaneously taken upon myself to become the periodical tatler for this time, and to tell you that we are all well and the better for this Helicon of health. Your mother, very fortunately, found upon her arrival Dr. Closius — don't imagine this singular name either an abridgment or a translation of Close: St., whatever affinity there may be between his profession and his title. Such a trouvaille immediately quieted the lady's nerves, and prepared her admirably for the waters, which were deemed specifick for her. The next question was with regard to company, and in that, too, we were fortunate, for there was no canaille, little bourgeoisie, and some persons, not only of great distinction, but of excellent dispositions; and the great parity that is main- tained here among all persons gives this little place a spirit of elegant but easy republicanism that is very pleasing, and I am sure contributes much to the salutariness of the waters, and of course to the recovery of the patients. At the head of this motley society of princes, peers, and citizens stands the FROM THE HON. THE BISHOP OF DERRY. 1 5 amiable, the generous, the spirited, the learned prince of the country, the prince of Waldeck, about a stone's throw from the well. He has a soi-disant castle, but a very comfortable casino, built on a eminence which commands a most beautiful country of wood, water, meadow, and hill to a great extent, but to a much greater variety than ever I saw. Here he entertains dur- ing a month or three weeks every person succes- sively who either can or cannot entertain him, females alone excepted, for as he is not married he claims an exemption — I am sorry to call it so — from that trouble. This is our commander-in-chief, but our principal citizen in this miscellaneous re- publick is our Princess Augusta, hereditary princess of Brunswick, with whom we have lived more than with any other person whatever, and from whom we part with a proportionate regret. Her husband came for a few days, but he is of a different char- acter from his wife, more proud, less liant, ruse, some say false, very debauched, but with a kind of decency, and gave no tokens of it here. Graces aux temperamens delabres et epuises qui s'y trou- vent. Among the crowd are expatriated prime ministers, exhausted ministers of the gospel, Lutherans, Calvinists, Hernhuters, Jews, Greeks, &c., who altogether form a good savoury oglio of society, especially as one can pick out of the dish such pieces as are too luscious or too hard for one's stomach, or even such as do not suit one's palate. As to the Place, it is magical. There are two large and long avenues, flanked on each side with lesser, 1 6 THE TWO DUCHESSES. which are deemed the shilling gallery of Pyrmont, a part for servants. At the end of each of these avenues, which cut each other at right angles, is a decent octagon building which incloses the most salubrious of the most generally efficacious waters perhaps in all Europe. At the back of these avenues a triple range of buildings as singular in their appearance and yet at least as necessary in their use as the octagon itself, and which are cal- culated to receive these salubrious waters after they have filtrated through all the different vessels which have received them. The avenues are flanked on each side with shops, not very brilliant indeed, but by means of bath apartments said to be very con- venient, and in the middle is a long salon where are public breakfasts, dinners, dancings, cards, concerts, and almost all the uses to which the ark of Noe could be put. Such is our situation here, where we shall remain ten days more. From hence into dear Italy once more, to drink the waters of Valdagno and winter at Pisa. Adieu. Be sure not to take the long voyage if you remain late in England; your stomach cannot bear it, and you will fall into the equinoxes. My blessings to your husband. The Hon. the Bishop of Dej'iy To Mrs. J. Th. Foster. Pyrmont, August 7, 1777. I am just run home from the walks, my dear Elizabeth, to tell you that our journey for Italy is FROM THE HON. THE BISHOP OF DERRY. IJ decided, and that we have the additional satisfaction of carrying with us the Prince of Saxe Gotha, one of those few men who unite famiharity with dignity and science, knowledge, &c., with politeness. We have taken violently to each other; he is to meet us at Frankfort, and from thence he says nous irons au Paradis sur les ailes de I'amitie. On Monday we begin this violent operation. You may trace us on the map to Cassel, Frankfort, Mayence, from thence we embark on the Rhine, descend it as far as Cologne by water, and return by land to Mayence, thence to Manheim, hmnortal Stutgard, aussi sur que je m'appelle Charles, and so on to Ulm, Augs- burg, Munich, Inspruck, Trent, and dear Verona. Don't I write like a child upon this subject, yet no wonder, when the very prospect of seeing such a country revives and rajeimit; your mother, too, is greatly reconciled to it, and only dreads the pene- trating too deep into it, but it is absolutely necessary that she should winter where there is no winter. She will, besides, have the advantage of drinking the waters of Valdagno both in going and returning, and nothing can be more decided than that we shall return to these superexcellent waters; none can be composed with more suitable materials for relaxed constitutions, or for slow circulation of juices. Iron, nitre in small quantities, and a large portion of vitriol or fixed air constitute this salubrious spring; 'tis beyond belief efficacious. May you, my dear child, never want to try them, or if you should, may you never miss to do so. Your mother is marvel- lously well, walks for above four hours in the day, B 1 8 THE TWO DUCHESSES. is cheerful, sings, and enjoys the place in spite of its present solitariness. Adieu, my dear child; my head is so dizzy I can write no more; my love to your husband. Send for the mare home, as she risques being hurt by the others, being the weakest. TJie Hon. Mrs. Hervey To Mrs. J. Th. Foster. Manheim, August 25, 1777. My dear Bess, though I wrote to you only a few days ago from Frankfort, yet, as I flatter myself that you are at this moment on the march to Dublin Je me fais un vrai plaisir ma chere d'aller au devant de vous et de nous feliciter de votre arrivee. As it cannot be in person we must be contented with its being by proxy, and I hope you will not let your spirits sink on account of this unavoidable separa- tion. All essential points are settled already, you know, by me for your safety and comfort, and though a mother is not easily replaced, yet I hope you will have such an accession of friends as will make her care and presence unnecessary. We got here last night from Mentz, where I staid two or three days to wait for your father, who took the opportunity of going down the river as far as Coblentz, as the scenery there has been so much admired. He had the finest weather imaginable for it, and returned satisfied, but not enchanted; in fact, I think the banks, wherever I have seen them, too low to be very fine. I had FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 19 intended myself this amusement, but he did not think the boats commodious enough for me, nor the road back by land sufficiently good, so I was obliged to give it up. Take care of your health, my dear Bess, in time; one becomes a sad burthen to oneself from the want of it. The heat, dust, and fatigue of the journey has unravelled great part of the web wove at Pyrmont, and I have been drooping like a new planted cabbage for some days past. However, thanks to some rain, a few grains of I powder, and change of air, I am refreshed, and begin to hold up my head; the weather is fine, the heat moderate, the air seems good, and the town appears a perfect bijou. I am going out to examine it, and will tell you more at my return. Adieu. Manheim is a vrai bijou; its situation, though flat, is beautiful, almost an island by means of the Rhine and Neckar, over which there are yet but convenient bridges, but when the devastations of the French in the Palatinate are better recovered, and that they are converted into ornaments, it will compleat the scene. The ramparts are pleasant walks which command these rivers, beyond which is a small plain bounded with very picturesque mountains. The town is, great part of it, new built, the streets are perfectly regular and broad, some planted in two rows for a walk in the middle, and a place or two very well laid out; the houses are tires au cordon, and though the fronts are not uniform, this regularity of the line, together with a neat plaister they are covered with, some 20 THE TWO DUCHESSES. German ornaments and jalousies, give a general elegance in the appearance which is very pleasing. The Elector's^ Palace is an immense building, but there is no good architecture or ornament, A grandeur and magnificence from the extent, and a fine prospect of the river and country from the back front; these are its merits. In the precincts of the Palace are also an Opera House, Tennis Court, Riding House, Library, and various collec- tions of antiquities and natural curiosities in different cabinets. We are waiting for our Prince, whom we expect every minute. In the meantime we have a very good apartment, with a large room which looks on the Place d'Armes, the prettiest spot in the town. Besides the cheerfulness of its being the parade, you may imagine that your father amuses himself very well here in the midst of these collections, and in sight at least of the mountains to which we are going. The Court are out of town, and we have not been in any society. He has seen and liked the French Minister (who is an Irishman), and last night an Excellence, something hausen, who is the Elector's Minister, sat with us for two hours. He is monstrously partial to the English, laments their present situation, and seems to be a sensible, well-minded man. The conversation turned chiefly on politics, on which, as you may imagine, I took little share; but when he got up to go away, the ceremonial was singular enough, with a permettez 1 The Elector — The Elector of the Rhenish Palatinate in which the town of Pyrmont was situated. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 21 moi, Madame, de vous baiser la main (he repeated the baiser quick, and I believe as frequent as 20), saying jusqu'a cent fois. It was quite new to me, and I was almost ready to laugh, but I can conceive the scene to be sometimes more embarrassing. C'etoit un bon Papa avec un presque Grand77iama, but I am not clear that little slimncss^ would have been easy with such a liberty towards his wife, even from Nestor. We have still very hot weather, but I am much reconciled by rest. What I regret most is that I cannot hear from my children till I get to Verona. I hope to hear there what time you were to be at home, and then to believe you arrived. Adieu, my dear child; my best affection to f.^ Let me know exactly how you are circumstanced, and tell him I don't doubt but he will give me early and frequent news of you when you are confined. Re- member you must not use your eyes. Tell N. W. I love her, and trust in her care, and give her Louisa's love, which she will like better. She is perfectly well, and minds neither heat nor fatigue. My compliments to Doctor F. Ever, my dear child, your most affectionate mother. Your father and Louisa send their best affection to you and Betsy. '^little slimness — Playful reference to Mr. J. Th. Foster. 22 THE TWO DUCHESSES. TJie Bishop of Deny and Mrs. Hervey To Mrs. y. Th. Foster. Augsburg, Sept. 5, 1777. Here we are, my dear child, in great spirits, and in the company, I will not say of the most agreeable Prince, because that is almost a contradiction in terms, but of one of the most agreeable men I almost ever met — I mean the Prince Augustus of Saxe-Gotha, first cousin to His Majesty George the Third, K. of Little Britain. He has better talents, more knowledge, and less pretensions than most people — in short, he is a most excellent com- panion and all the appearance of a most affectionate friend. Your poor dear Mother is as much pleased with him as I am, and as he is perfectly polite and constantly cheerful, he is an equally good companion for both. Would you believe que deja nous avons ete a Stutgard, seen its mad Sovereign,^ and been accueilli by him in the civilest manner.'* He was in the country when we reached his capital. It was necessary to ask his leave in order to see an Academy of his institution, which bears an un- common character in the rest of Europe. An old Rum professor, to whom I was recommended by a little Rum physician, dispatched an express to solicit his Princely permission, aussi sur qu'il s'appelle Charles, He brought it himself, and sent word that ^ mad Sovereign — Charles Eugene, an extravagant ruler, but a patron of educa- tion. The state at this time ranked only as a duchy, but was raised to a kingdom in 1806. FROM THE BISHOP OF DERRY AND MRS. HERVEY. 23 he would have the pleasure of showing it. We met him there with his Comtesse under his arm, and after saluting us with all proper dignity he began exhibiting his lions. A more elegant and orderly- Raree-show I never saw. Imagine, my dear, 300 lads from seven years old up to seven-and-twenty, all ranged in different classes, but in the same uniform, same manner of dressing the hair, same hats, stockings, buckles, &c. &c., marching with as regular a step as a regiment of guards, and present- ing themselves each before his respective plate, standing stock still till the signal is given for grace, and then each joining most reverentially in the benediction. When that is finished they remain as motionless till the word is given for sitting down, which alone is done with some eagerness. They then eat as methodically as they march, and during the meal the Prince and we marched from class to class, and he distinguished, as his caprice, his in- terest, or perhaps their merits led him, the different lads of talents. Their dread of him was shocking, though he seemed to do everything to familiarize them with him. After dinner they returned in the same distribution with which they came, and the Prince explained to us the nature of the Society. Lads of every nation, every religion, every age, and even every rank, are here admitted — from the sons of common soldiers up to Barons and Counts. Each follows his genius. We saw rooms for painting, sculpture, drawing, music, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, &c. &c. This is the true secret of education, and it succeeds accordingly. Different geniuses have 24 THE TWO DUCHESSES. ripened at different ages, and some premature ones have been blighted when least expected. Those who, after every trial, have shown no talent at all become good dunces; this event never fails. The Prince feeds, clothes, and lodges every one. None is allowed to receive money even from his parents, nor on any pretence to transgress the bounds of the College without an Inspector. Each lies in a separate bed, and fifty of them sleep so cleanlily in one room that the air is as pure within as without. I did not think so perfect a system of education existed anywhere. To-morrow we go to Munich, then to Inspruck, then to Verona. Your Mother bears all beyond expectation, and Lou^ in the highest spirits. I have my own horses, so need not say how well I am. Adieu. My love and blessing to your excellent husband ; may he always love you as well as he does now, that is, as well as you deserve. I leave the rest of the paper for your mother; but send us all the Irish news you can, and believe me most affectionately. Added by the Bishop's Wife. I will not let this paper be folded without adding a few lines to my dearest Bess, to confirm your Father's good account of me, and to say that I bear the fatigue of travelling very well, now the heat is over; and though my fat is in great measure melted away, I manage to carry my skeleton through with those who are in better case. Your Father's new ^Z-ow— His daughter Louisa, as previously explained. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 2$ friend is indeed a valuable acquisition, infinitely so to him and very agreeable to me. We shall now, I hope, be at Verona in a few days, and, I hope, find there good account of my dear children. I am persuaded that you are at this moment in Dublin, and may all possible happiness attend you there. Darling Lou is well, and sends her best love to you. Pray assure little f^ of mine; and great F.^ of my perfect esteem and good wishes. I flatter myself that your present to him next month will make him very happy. Mention f.'s head, and be assured that I am interested for you both in every article to ye greatest degree, being ever Your most affectionate Mother. T/ie Hon. Mrs. He?'vey To Mrs. y. Th. Foster. Valdagno, September 28, 1777 I think of you so much, my dear Bess, that I must absolutely write pour me decharger le coeur, especially as I have not had a line from you since you left Bury, which I reckon was on the 2nd, and of course 26 days ago. It is a proof, at least I hope, that you did not return to London, and that you are growing every day nearer to your own home though farther from me. That is now my first wish, yet the fear of any accident which may have befallen you on the road in so long a journey is very dis- quieting; but you have passed all the dangerous '^little/—]. Th. Foster. ^ great F— Thomas Foster, D.D. 26 THE TWO DUCHESSES, epochas for premature births; you have good roads, a good season, a kind, indulgent husband, and, I hope, an attentive servant, all strong guarantees for your good behaviour. I will therefore positively suppose you in Dawson Street,^ and this is, I think, the fourth letter which I send to you there, and happy shall I be if my dear child receives it with her usual spirits, and with as much health as her situation will allow of. The accounts of you from Bury were very flattering, and Je tache de m'en bien farcir la tete en attendant your own which I am sure you will not neglect to send me. You cannot be at a loss for a direction, as Danoot remains receiver- general, so that any letters directed to Verona would be sent after us. I suppose you had des vives entretiens with Mr. Foster upon the beauties of Yorkshire comparatively with those of Brabant, but I flatter myself that he received a total defeat and gave hostages for his good behaviour: in short, I think you went trium- phantly through all that riding; when you came to Westmoreland and Cumberland he took a little sly, malicious revenge, and if my poor dear love was not very sick in the passage she repaid him with interest on the other side of the water. I imagine you slept one night at least at Dunleer,^ where I hope you have many comforts in store, and that you got coolly and quickly to town afterwards. But why do I talk of coolly } Perhaps you poor creatures are already in rain and storm while we are basking in sunshine. ^Dawson Street — In Dublin. ^ Dunleer — A village in Co, Louth, where, as already mentioned. Dr. Foster, her father-in-law, was rector. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 2/ It is a week to-day since we came hither, and we have had the finest weather imaginable, with only some rainy nights that have made the air still more agreeable. Your father continues to ride every morning to the spring, which is four miles from this village, and s'en trouve bien. For my part I readily adopt the Italian manner, and take the waters in bed. I begin about seven, remain in quiet and darkness till near half an hour after nine, and then open my window (behind the curtain), take my chocolate and lie till eleven, and sometimes twelve. This has rested and restored me extremely, and the waters agree perfectly with my constitution in every respect. I cannot posi- tively recollect whether I wrote to you since I left Verona and told you the horrors of our bare walls, black meat, hard bread, &c., but we are all so much in humour with the waters that we scorn to be out of humour with anything else. We have dressed up the ugliness of the house as well as we could, a good appetite makes our peace with the bad food, and health, even in perspective, makes amends for many defects. There are two gentlemen and their wives here, but one family is too good, being al- ways at church, and the other rather too bad: how- ever, we have some communication with this last, though without any hopes of conversion. The lady is handsome, the gentleman very dull indeed, but we let him alone, and she is really agreeable, and having no object of love makes a very good, cheerful com- panion, with a proper retenue, at least when I am present. 28 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Bittio^ arrived two days ago, noir comme un maure, and grinning in a most ghastly manner, both at the fright he had been in about some robbers, and the joy to find himself so near home. He has brought a great many fine drawings, and made good remarks on them. We hope to see Mr. and Mrs. Strange here, and think of going back with them to Venice in about a fortnight. We are not quite resolved whether to remain the winter at Padua or to go to Pisa, but Rome and Naples are exploded, and this keeping nearer to you, my love, almost makes me feel as if I should see you sooner. Louisa sends her love to you; she is going on very well now her hours are regulated in the old way. She reads French and gets by heart with the gover- ness, then writes and reads English with me. She has now begged to resume her drawing with Bittio, and she walks every day after dinner attended by a little dog I have given her, which makes her delight. She is perfectly well, and keeps her plump- ness still. I have a bed, even here, in my room for her, and Mademoiselle in the next, so that I am a spy upon them, and she no fatigue to me, but much pleasure, and her mind opens daily. Adieu, dear Bess. My love to f. Your father's blessing on you and him, and our compliments to the Doctor. La Belle is almost suffocated for want of somebody to scold, but behaves well, and so do L Remember me most kindly to Mr. Rich and Miss Bellew. ... ^ Bittio — A teacher of drawing. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 29 . The Hon. Mrs. Hervey To Mrs. J. Th. Foster. Valdagno, October'^, ly-jy. S'occuper c'est savoir jouir, L'oisivete pese et tourmente; L'ame est un feu qu'il faut nourrir Et qui s'eteint s'il ne s'augmente. You will wonder, my dear, to see my letter begun with poetry, but these four lines of Voltaire were just now repeated to me. I do not recollect to have ever seen them, and if they are as new to you, I think you will not receive less pleasure from them than I have done. The 6th. — I had got thus far in an idle kind of scribble when I was blessed with my dear child's letter from Dunleer. The winds favoured me ex- tremely and brought me the news of your safe arrival in 24 days. I need not, I cannot, say how delighted I am with it, nor how thankful I am for your preservation from all the accidents which threatened you. You was a good dear thing for giving me this satisfaction so immediately and by your own hand, as no other could have conveyed the same degree of content to me. You seem to have performed the journey in a very short time, but I flatter myself that you wrote truly safe and well, and that you have not suffered from it. The scheme of ending your journal at home was an excellent one, but as I received your letter with too great eagerness to see the postmark on the direction, I was much disappointed on finding the date from 30 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Bury, and the happiness at the end was such a sur- prise to me that I was in transports at it. Don't make any apologies to me for the length of your letters, but be assured they are by so much the more welcome, and that there is no circumstance belonging to you so trivial as not to interest me. Thouorh I have mentioned L. B.'s conduct towards Mr. F. and you in former letters, yet I must repeat my satisfaction as well as surprise at it. I think the ;^ioo was well allotted, but would it not buy 3, instead of 2, pins. I have a notion 30 guineas for each would do very well, and that would be some- thing more, and the number better suited to your use for them. I am glad Slwiriess is a favourite and should wish to hear his remarks and opinion, but not by letter. My dear Bess, you outdo my best hopes in matronly care. Comment une petite provision; 'twas an excellent wench, and when I love her not chaos is come again. It had often occurred to me to recommend it (so truly have you guessed my thoughts), but the fear of alarming you with- held me, and I believe I never even hinted it. I thank God that this provision was useless, but I figure to myself that my dear child may be at the time she receives this safely and comfortably in her own bed, with the little — removed to other quarters, and in high content, the Doctor in possession of a little grandson, nurse W. in high fun, little Byrne in a notable fidget, and dear Mrs. R., or my friend Miss B., in social chat in the great chair by you. If all this has not already taken place, I flatter FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 3 1 myself it is a comfort in store for you. I expect from my dutiful son great discretion, and that he talks no more to you than the women allow of (who are here, for once, the best judges), besides which, I must add that if Poupee is dismissed one moment before her time my heavy hatred shall fall on him ; it is a thing of the utmost importance or I would not name it, but who else can do it.'* You have only to keep my letter en cas de besoin, and I have too good an opinion of the youth to doubt his compliance after such a warning. We have compleated a fortnight here with satis- faction, that is, with success; the waters continue their good effect, the weather has favoured us, and one week more, before the rains set in, is all we ask. We are then to go to Venice for a short time, and I believe afterwards to Pisa (in Tuscany), but direct always to Danoot for fear of a change of plan. I have wrote to beg Mrs. Preston's protection for you in Dublin, which I think will please her and make her partial to you, and that you will like her and she you notwithstanding the disparity of age. The poor La. M'D. have played a desperate game. Be sure to let me know your acquaintance and connections; take care of cold on your recovery; cover your petto \ wear a chdle all winter, and let me find you blooming next summer. Adieu. My love to f. Your father and Lou's to both; compli- ments to Dr. F., M. Rich, M. B. Parnello, et tutti quanti, and my blessing on my children and grand- children. Louisa says she is monstrously happy 32 THE TWO DUCHESSES. at your safe arrival, and longs to be an aunt. She sends her love to Nurse. I hope she is stout and well, and little Byrne also. The Bishop of Derry To Airs. J. Th. Foster. "R-OU^, Jamtary 28, 1778. I have been writing till my head is almost giddy, and yet I cannot let the post go out without saying one word to my dear Elizabeth. Your mother and Lou are at the opera, from which I exclude myself per decorum. I have the more leisure for other amusements, among the foremost of which, my dear child, is conversing with you. I must, however, begin with commissions. I have bespoke a full- length statue of my late brother,^ which I mean to have executed by the print we have of him, and beg that you and your husband would visit the work as often as you can. Vanoost, if he is able, is to execute it. The next, my dear, is rather more difficult. I wish you to buy me the handsomest poplin you can find, and of the richest colour, as much as will make the most fashionable gown. This I would have sent to your sister at Paris, which Lady Buckingham can easily contrive for you by one of the many messengers that go to London, or even by the common post to the Secretary of State's office, from whence it can with equal ease be ^ my late brother — Probably George William, second Earl of Bristol, d. 1775. FROM THE BISHOP OF DERRY. 33 directed to your sister at Lady Stormont's/ and your sister will have directions from me to forward it to me at the Cardinal de Bernis' at Rome, where I am on such a footing that he has done this more than once for me. 'Tis incredible how pleasantly I pass my time here, both within the town and without, and how agreeably the first nobility receive strangers. Your mother begins now to mix a little more, and I hope will gain both health and spirits by it, but she dares not attack palaces or antiquities, both on account of the fatigue and the damp. I am im- penetrable to both, and have, besides, painters working in my room all the day. 'Tis really a life of Paradise. The sett of English, too, are pleasant enough, and have their balls, their assemblies, and their conversationes, and instead of riots, gallantries, and drunkenness, are wrapt up in antiquities, busts, and pictures. One day or other, perhaps, we may visit it together, but as yet I think the hazard in every respect too great. " For youth to itself rebels tho' none else near." I am impatient to hear that something is to be done for the R. Catholics. Pray inform yourself well about it, and then me. The young senator's^ opinion would weigh much with many people, and he could easily discover their bent; there seems to be no possibility of escaping a French war. They are working with all their might at Toulon, and ' Lady Sformcni — Wife of the Rritish Ambassador at Paris. ^ The youiii^ senator — John 'Ihoiiias Foster, M.P., d. 1796. C 34 THE TWO DUCHESSES. only getting ready to attack us the better. My intelligence is pretty good, and they are so confident of success they can scarcely veil their faces enough to conceal it. In this case you would see us sooner than we promised, and the Cardinal de Bernis must give us his last favor, a passport. Some of the French are already hurrying home, and a lady of the very first distinction took leave of me to-day, hoping there would be no war, but expecting there would. She is sister of the French ambassador at London. Ireland in this case is undoubtedly their first object, and what a desperate condition is ours if the R. Catholics are not first won over. I tremble to think of it. Why don't you write to us more constantly, and be sure that every trifle that belongs to you or your husband interests us. Adieu. It is an hour later than I thought, but a short letter is better than none, and so I send you this. TJie Hon. Mrs. Hervey and the Bishop of Derry To Mrs. J. Th. Foster. Rome, March 3, 1778. I waited for the end of the Carnival, dear Bess, in hopes of having something to tell you which was extraordinary and amusing that might dissipate your natural gravity for a moment, and lighten the effect of Irish fogs; but, alas, my dullness and indolence, and the most perverse and persevering wet weather imaginable has in great measure disappointed my project. The Saturnalia is almost over, and nothing FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEV. 3I5 memorable has happened that I know of. The public entertainments have been bad operas, masked balls at the theatre at so low a price that you might be in company with your cook, or even your foot- man, and for the last eight days a horse race in the principal street, which was likewise crowded with coache-s and masks. The Roman people are re- markable for an immoderate love of pleasure, yet, though this amusement was limited to a few hours only each day, the part they took in it was so moderate that it seemed to consist only in gazing at each other, and throwing sugar plumbs. This retefiue, however, is, I believe, the effect of guards, constables, and spies, and la Corda^ (which you may remember described by Bittio) set up in the midst ready to punish any offender sur le champ. The race itself is indeed as little worth seeing, as can be imagined, and as little seen. For imagine to your- self five or six horses let loose to run down a street quite full of people, without riders, and without a place set off for them. The people, who are divided among many objects, make no place for them till the moment they come up, and then, falling back just enough for them to pass, close again the moment after; so that as there is only one heat, it is really only a momentary amusement. What is a greater is the variety of figures that are piled up on each side. The windows and balconies tapissds, and full of people. Some fine carriages, and a few open ones; but I have seen nothing so pretty as the procession at Brussels, and there is very little ^ la Corda — Probably for the punishment known as the strappado. 30 THE TWO DUCHESSES. humotir amongst this great variety of people. The most entertaining of them was one who, in the character of a petit maftre abbS, went about bowing to all the ladies, and looking at them with his lorgnette. One of our horses happened to fall, and this pretendu abbe ran, amongst others, to our assis- tance, and after he was got up, he very pompously gave him his benediction to prevent future accidents (knowing, as was supposed, your father for a bishop), on which there was general acclamation. Colonel Dillon (brother to the one who married Miss Phipps) is just come here, and has given us the satisfaction of seeing somebody who has seen your dear sister, which is always more satisfactory even than a letter. I had one at the same time, and she seems going on very pleasantly. Voltaire^ is really at Paris, as the newspapers mentioned, but which I could not believe. He lodges upon some quay or open part of the town where there is a crowd every day to stare at him; but what is more satisfactory, he has had a deputa- tion from the Academie des Belles Lettres with some of the first people at their head. The first geniuses in the suite, and above forty in number to compli- ment him on his arrival and acknowledge those talents by which he has done so much mischief. Imagine his excess of happiness! This man, who has certainly more vanity than almost any other person, has been also proportionably more flattered. His sun sets bright indeed, yet I think that in the midst of his glory his heart smites him. He is 1 Voltaire — Franfois Marie Arouet de Voltaire (1694-1778). FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 37 going to bring a play upon the stage even now, but I have not heard whether it is Hkely to be a proof of his strength or of his weakness. I cannot help feeling something on this occasion for poor Rousseau/ who, I think, will be ready to dye with envy. He is certainly a more amiable man, and I believe more mad than wicked. In proof of this I must tell you that he has lately made his address to God Almighty, which is not to be published till after his death. He tried several times to deposit it under a particular altar in a church at Paris, but was defeated, and at last determined to find out a faithful, generous, pitying E^iglishman, with whom he might entrust it with this injunction. He has done so. I saw the particular friend of the person to whom it is confided, who told me that R. had read it to his friend with the tears pouring down his cheeks, and that it is a recital of all his hardships and misfortunes, and a most sublime and affecting composition. God bless you, my child; perhaps we may meet sooner than was intended, for we are in daily ex- pectation of a declaration of war, which must drive us home. My love to f., and a kiss to dear Fred the third. Your father and Lou join in all kind thoughts towards you. Compliments to Doctor F. No account yet of Mrs. Oliver. I write to you almost every week. I hope you receive my letters. I am, dear Bess, your most affectionate mother. E. Hervey. "^Rousseau — Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). 38 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Louisa sends her love to Nurse, to which I add my blessing. The following supplement is added by the Bishop. Your mother has left me just room enough to give you a commission, dear Bess. Ships are con- tinually going from Dublin to Leghorn. Send me by the first as much poplin as will make two suits of clothes, one of a grey, and the other of a puce colour. Direct them " a monseigneur le Cardinal de Bernis a Rome ". Put them into oilskin, and inclose them " au Consul Francois a Livourne". I wish I knew what would best please you and your husband from hence. Tell me frankly, but after the second week in April direct to us at Paris at Sir John Lambert's. If you like to go and stay at Derry this summer, the house and garden there belong to you and yours. The Hon. Mrs. Hervey To Mrs. J. Th. Foster. Rome, March 15, 1778. From the time of your receiving this letter, dearest Bess, your direction must no longer be to Rome but to Paris, Sir John Lambert. Our route is not absolutely fixed, but the troubles naissant in Germany will prevent our returning the way we came, and I hope we may go the other in time to see your sister before she leaves it. They seem quite uncertain about their summer party, indeed we must all be so whilst war hangs over our heads. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 39 I have just now your letter ended on the third of last month, and am sorry to find that you have had any apprehensions about me, but I cannot account for an interval of six weeks, as I think I have seldom been so long as a fortnigJU without writing to you. I have had no confinement all the winter, and though it has rained almost as constantly as in Ireland, there is generally some part of every day not oxAy practi- cable but pleasa7it, and with a mild, soft air and sun unknown to us poor islanders in our own country. The spring is now remarkably forward, and the scene brightens every day. I hope to see some of the environs, and in the meantime our Lent promises to be more cheerful than the Carnival, from the great number of strangers which are now every day returning from Naples. Vesuvius has been so quiet that your father has not been tempted to go there. I hope it will not take a tantariun at the time we should go northwards for fear we should make a short turn towards it. Mr. Dillon, brother to our nephew and colonel of a regiment in the service of France, is here with some other officers who had all received orders for their immediate departure to join their corps, but it is relaxed a little yet, so that they seem in expecta- tion every post of fresh orders. Many jokes pass between him and your father about the invasion of Ireland. The Colonel promises to be careful of the Palace, your father to be indulgent to the prisoners. What you tell me of f and yourself opens a pros- pect to me much more delightful than the fairest in 40 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Italy. I see very plainly that his conduct towards you has been affectionate and confidential. I know how well you deserve it, and I long to embrace you both ; the rose-lipped cherubim, too, whom I am prepared to see with an eclat of beauty and its first lovely little endeavours to walk. I regret only that it will be old enough to fly from me, but I trust I shall soon win him over. I hope you will all come to us as soon as we get home and that may perhaps be by the middle of summer, but certainly cannot be later than the end of it. Remember me affectionately to Mrs. Richardson. I am very glad she is in town. I have not heard from her, but notwithstanding your caution, if she tells me you are thin I shall be alarmed. I hope you will take the medicine I have recommended to you pour me soulager. I am sorry for your disappointment in Miss M., but dear Lady Ross makes amends, and I had rather your intimacy were with those older than yourself. La. B.'s civility to you n'est pas peu de chose, for I hear she is haughty. You don't mention the Fitz, so I conclude they don't go on to their credit, but I wonder you say nothing of the youngest brother, married to Miss Butler, Dean Bayley's granddaughter. I hope you have visited her. Your good nature to poor Miss Blackall pleases me, and I believe she is sincerely attached to you and to me, besides that she is unhappy, which is always a claim on a generous gentle mind, and therefore operates, I am sure, upon yours. Your iclat on the birthday, and the poptdar acclamation was charming. I flatter myself that little f. quietly FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 4 1 enjoyed both. Adieu, my love. My hours are now much crowded, and I have not leisure for long letters. Your father and Louisa send their love to you both. You know how much you possess the heart of your affectionate mother. Louisa's love and my blessings to Nurse. The Hon. Mrs. Hervey To Mrs. y. Th. Foster. Rome, March 25, 1778. I return you my most affectionate thanks, dear Bess, for all the kind things which you say to me on my birthday. The gift of life to one who feels its true value and tries to attain its ejid is inestimable, whatever may be the rubs which, in the course of it, are allotted to us. But good children are its choicest blessings, and Providence has been bounti- ful to me in this article, not only giving to me the present enjoyment of them, but the most reasonable hope of their being treasures to society, and fur- nished with all that can procure their own most ever- lasting happiness. I can hardly say how much I felt for you on the alarm which your dear little boy gave you. They are a tax (amongst some others) which nature has laid upon us poor mothers, but then the tenderness of our attachment makes us great amends, from the first innocent smiles of our infants down to their grateful and well-directed affections. I hope these pangs, however, have not 42 THE TWO DUCHESSES. been repeated. It is sometimes only the first that are so violent, and as he begins early to cut his teeth I flatter myself they will come the easier. He is, I conclude, before this decorated with a coral. The nurse knows that I conformed to this usage, which I think both ornamental and divertino^. I have more reliance on a crust of bread for efficacy. I figure to myself poor f. in a deplorable state, betwixt his anxiety on your account and the dawn- ing of his fatherly tendei^ness, and am sure it cost him many a sigh and stride about the house. Sir Robert Smyth (the Welshman) is here and his wife, who is a pretty sensible young woman. I talked a good deal to him about f., whom he spoke of with kindness. He said he was sure he would make a good husband, and I don't remember that we cotild find any fault except a little too much reserve and gravity for a young man, but he swore to me that he had seen him at times lively, even to mixing humour very agreeably with his conversation. So have at him, dear Bess, and make him laugh without mercy in spite of Lord Chesterfield.^ I am very glad to hear so good an account of his health, and that he is in better hands than his own. I hope you do not forget that I consulted Dr. Smyth for you in that only illness you ever had, and which overturned your constitution and was the foundation of all that is amiss about you to this day. I mention this because it will make him a better judge than anyone else, having the experience added to family attachment, and perhaps you will take his ^ Lord Chesterfield— VYixXx^i Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773). FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 43 opinion about the medicine I sent you, for if I find you thin and coughing I shall chide you as usual or perhaps more — especially as I find you take fright and doii t dance. Your letter is a very pleasant account of yourself, my dear, and I follow you about to all your parties. . . . Had I the face of Mrs. Ferguson at full grin I would sit for my picture, to indulge your affectionate desire of it. The fact is that my face, such as it is, has been very bad, and the medicine of no effect. I had intended it for my brother, and the first sitting is over, but it promises so ill that I believe it will be only fit for nxy pai'tial children, who seem to wish to preserve even the idea of what I am. I hope yours will be well done. Your father's is admirable, and Louisa's, though unfinished, may, I think, be relied on for a pretty picture and strong likeness. Your sister^ has fallen not only into the first set of company, but has made some of the best acquaint- ance, and the most creditable imaginable. She is bien repandue dans le monde et parfaitement bien re9ue, yet I don't think her at all happy, and I fear, though she does not say it, that Lord Erne keeps his usual restlessness and discontent, and though he requires society more than anybody, is constantly running away from it, and yet is without a fund in himself to supply its place. We have now determined on making Paris our way home, but whether we shall be in time to catch them there the war will determine. If it breaks out now we must hurry home and go there en droiture, ^ Your sister — Ladv Erne. 44 THE TWO DUCHESSES. but if not we go to Venice, I write to Mrs. Strange by this post to say that we intend being there by the 1 8th of May. The 27th April is our day fixed for leaving Rome, and we shall make short stops on our way. I hope you will have calculated for a full month's journey for your letter, and not have directed it here too late. At all events when this reaches you let it warn you to direct only to Paris, Sir John Lambert's. All the rest is too uncertain. God bless you, my dear child. I must say a word or two to Slimness} Louisa sends you her unfaded love, her constant kind wishes to her nurse, and a kiss to her nephew. I thank you sincerely, my dear Sir, for your satisfactory account of my daughter, and am not a little pleased that you begin already to huff your son. I flatter myself that I shall examine the truth of these articles before it is very long. We are soon to leave the treasures of Rome for the treasures of Ireland, which are now far greater to me. I con- fess, however, that this is a charming residence, but as to weather, the winter has been much more rainy than that we passed at Brussels. I thank you for your Politicks, though the most interesting of them is the completion of the circular road, of which I hope you and Bess profit, and perhaps the dab} As to f.'s silence in Parliament, it is prudent to begin with it: il se recule pour mieux sauter. Voltaire has been dying at Paris, and has confessed and asked pardon of God and the Church. He is now recover- ^ Slimness — J. Th. Foster, as already explained. 2 the dab — The child Fred. Th. Foster. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 45 ing, and I should think would be puzzled to know whether to act Saint or Devil. The Hon. Mrs, Hervey To Mrs. J. Th. Foster. Rome, Aprils, 1778. My dear child, your father went out yesterday on a little tour, the first that he has made (in the four months which we have been here), and has left me your letter to answer, that is, acknowledge, lest an unusual silence should alarm you. But acceptable as the commission is to me, I fear I must needs be brief, for our departure draws very near, and I have left a mass of things to do in his absence, which I thought would have happened sooner, and which you know is the time I allot for all the Jiddle /addle of preparation so inexplicable to our sovereigns. I have besides to pay my respects to some of the principal rarities here, for I have been obliged to decline the detail of them. I shall only eat what I can digest and I hope be the better for, but the weather has become quite hot, and though I have now the absolute command of my time, it harasses me a little, but I shall make everything bend to it and accept of no engagements: all daylight may be put to profit, and in the evenings our friend the Prince of G.-^ and the Russian general came and sat with me till eleven, which is my hour of repose. I have been more vexed than you can imagine at ' Prince of G. — Prince of Saxe-Gotha. 46 THE TWO DUCHESSES. losing the advantage I had promised myself of the excellent music-master I mentioned to you: great defects and great perfections are almost always con- trasted in the same person ; he is quite a character, but it is not Bittids. In short, an enthusiasm about a treatise he is writing on music, an attachment to his country, and a philosophic contempt of riches robs us of this treasure and perhaps a little love, qui s'en mele. I have this moment a letter from your sister, who gives me the triste nouvelle of Lord Stormont's^ departure from Paris, Monsr. de Noailles'^ arrival there from England, &c., &c., in short, everything but a formal declaration of war, but as that must now follow, I think we have nothing further to do or to hope for, and I imagine your father, who has had this account, will return in a few days, and that we shall soon after take the shortest route to our unhappy country. Adieu! Venice, but would I were already at Paris to counsel poor dear Mary. One good, at least I trust, is to be drawn from this great evil; I mean our being all once more together. The English post is come in, but there is no confirmation of the above news, though I know it to be true. I suppose it was a day or two before the event. Adieu, dearest child: be in no pain for us. There is no doubt of a passport and a safe conveyance home, and the season is now fit for travelling. I look upon America as lost for ever, but I flatter myself 1 Lord Stormont — British Ambassador at Paris. '^ Monsr. de Noailhs — French Ambassador at London. FROM THE BISHOP OF DERRV. 4/ that Lord Chatham^ will be our minister, and that we shall punish the t7'eachery of F^-ance effectually. Ireland is to be invaded, it is said, but I hope we shall give them other employment. The French officers are all gone off this morning. I embrace the father, mother, and son with true affection. Louisa sends her love to all, and to her nurse par dessus. She is well and happy. I told you before to direct to Paris only — Chevalier Lambert. TJie Bishop of Deny To Mrs. J. Th. Foster, Rome, May 29, 1778. My dear child, in the uncertainty whether this will find you in Ireland or not, I shall not write as copiously as I would have done last week had I had leisure. When your mother wrote to you, my dear, the fate of war appeared to be fixed, and in that case we were equally fixed to remain at Rome; but since all the appearances now incline for peace, our project changes with that of higher powers, and if the political weather continues fair we shall leave this delicious abode at latest in the autumn. Your mother has imagined that the waters would be almost necessary to you, and if you suspect it, my ^ Lord Chatham — William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, prime minister from 1757 to 1761, and from 1766 to 1768. Lord Chatham had been against harsh measures towards the American colonies, but he was strongly opposed to the Rockingham party, then in power, and the peace proposed by them as betraying an unworthy fear of France. His last appearance in the House of Lords was on the 7th April— the day after this letter was written — when he protested against the acknowledgment of American independence. He died on May nth (1708-1778). 48 THE TWO DUCHESSES. dear girl, don't delay so pleasant a remedy for a single week, but take up fifty pounds from my banker, Mr. Gleadow, who upon seeing these few lines will be contented with your receipt, and it will at least pay your postage through England. I must confess to you that if a war should take place between France and us, I am in no little pain about Ireland, as I know to a certainty their great stroke will be at us, as the weakest, the most divided, and the least defended. The Irish regiments in their service are already quartered on the coast and ready to be embarked, and the officers belonging to those regiments who had made an excursion to Rome of a few weeks were returned, recalled in a hurry, and had joined their corps. From these I collected enough, not only to assure myself of their destination, but even of more particulars than they would have chosen before dinner to communicate. Their object at Rome at this time was easily guessed. Considering what a number of Irish friars of every denomination abounds here, and how attached our cruel and political laws render them to the Stuart family, nothing could exceed the attention shown by the French Ministers here to these gentlemen. They were lodged in one of their houses, and received daily at their tables, and distinguished con- stantly from all other strangers, and iheir elation at the thought of a war was beyond all description. At the close of their visit they scarce made any secret of their destination, and would frequently rally me on my purchases of statues and busts, which they said must one day belong to them. If so FROM THE BISHOP OF DERRY. 49 perilous a state does not waken our Government to mitigate the penal laws against the Papists, and to win by gentleness whom they cannot subdue by severity, if the most uniform acquiescence under the most impolitic and undeserved oppression that ever disgraced any legislature does not soften our, as yet, inflexible Government, I must confess I shall suspect some treachery, and that there is a latent scheme for driving them out of the island. You write to us very irregularly, my dear child; I hope your health is not the cause of it. Yet at this distance the omission of a post is of some con- sequence, and forms a disappointment not easily repaired. Have you received your little mare? Does she suit you, or are you become too timid. -^ Did you ever receive my letter in which I offered you my house either at Derry or the Down Hill,^ if you wish to change the air.'^ It long preceded our thoughts of staying here, and it is now an age since we have heard. Think that it requires almost two months to return an answer and you will not be so dilatory in sending one. I long to know where you pass your summer, in case you remain in Ireland, what your occupations and what your intentions are. We are fixed in a delightful habitation twelve miles from Rome which we see every day, but have not yet visited since we left it. The environs of this part are the most delightful that can be imagined. Wood, water, hills, plains, rivers, and the sea, while beautiful buildings decorate all the villages, which are chiefly on eminences, and from our house to 1 the Down Hill— ThQ Bishop's country seat in Co. Derry. 50 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Albano the road leads throug^h a bird-cagfe walk of about a mile, shaded by the largest, the oldest, and the most venerable oaks, as well as chestnuts, that I ever saw. Under the branches of these patrician trees one frequently discovers the principal buildings of Rome, and especially the numerous ruins of ancient ones that fill the immense plain between this hill and the city. In short, a more romantic spot cannot be seen. But I am tired of writing my tenth letter and must break off, not without assuring your husband of my sincerest affection, or without renew- ing every protestation of the truest love to you and yours. Your mother and Lou are both well, and both at supper in the next room. The Hon. Mrs. Hervey To Mi's. J. Til. Foster. Castel Gandolfo,^/««^ 28, 1778. As I had flattered myself, dear Bess, so it has turned out, and the last courier from Paris brought me two of your letters, for which I thank you, my love, and for all your punctuality and affection. You say your health is better. Mrs. Richardson writes me word that you seem well, but that your looks are not in favor of that opinion, I hope, however, that the fatigue of the winter and amusements may be the chief cause of the alteration; and I think I may rely on you and Mr. Foster for not retarding any measure that may be thought necessary to 1 Castel Gandolfo — A village near Rome. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEV. 5 1 restore you. Don't you deceive him in your com- plaints, dearest child, and I think he will not deceive me in his attention to them. Great events have happened here since the date of your letters: Lord Chatham's loss in the political world, Voltaire's in the literary, and the great long- wished-for toleration passed so nobly in England and so well begun in Ireland; you may imagine how much your father's mind is occupied with such articles. He was very much affected by the death of our great minister and deliverer ; but, luckily, the warm part he had taken in bringing about this bill, and the unexpected and rapid success of it, has turned his thoughts into a new channel, and restored his spirits: he now talks of nothing but Ireland, and I only pray God that we may wait till the heats are fairly over before we undertake our journey. The Roman Catholics here and everywhere are in high spirits, and we have already some instances of the good \x\^ preparing to spend their y^r/«7/^ and their lives in their own country, so that I do not doubt but there will be a very great revolution in favor of it almost immediately. I conclude that your sister will have told you how infamously Voltaire closed a life which has been a perpetual scandal to mankind; he certainly had very great and agreeable talents, but a corrupt mind, and a mean, unfeeling heart. F!s transport of rage against him was a feast to me, and conveyed such agreeable ideas of his sentiments as I trust he will verify in all his words and deeds. Your account of your matron manners docs not alarm me, for I lost 52 THE TWO DUCHESSES. my wild, youthful spirits as soon as you did ; and I know that you may have more satisfaction, and less danger from a more even and quiet temperature, which I hope, however, will not degenerate into grave, which does not belong to you. Mrs. Berkeley writes me word that Ranizzini^ goes over to Dublin, on which I congratulate you, as also on all the pleasant parties which I flatter myself you have had out of town. I can easily conceive you to be a favourite with dear La. Arabella and all who think well ; and, what is more, I am convinced that you will always be such, for your character has taken its plie and Dieu soit loue for its being a right one. I beg you will reconcile your mind to my passing the summer here, where the air agrees uncommonly well with me, instead of going to Val Dagno, which, being a small town in a small valley, would have suffocated me. I am thinner than ever, and wizened like a winter apple, but I thank God my health is pretty good, my spirits even, and my face better ; and if the frequent variation in the father's feelings and schemes did not affect my nerves, I believe I should even grow fat — he begins now to find this air too gross for him, and is going to make a little tour, which at this season in this coimtry is difficult, but he cannot do without it. Louisa is very well, very amiable, very docile, but without application to any- thing. She sends her sincere love to you; to f., the darling nephew, and his nurse. Adieu! I em- brace you both, my dear children, and am youi affectionate mother. 1 Ranizzini — Cardinal Ranizzini. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 53 F.'s scrap at the end of your letter was cheering, and I thank him for it. CompHments to the Doctor. TJie Hon. Mrs. Het'vey To Mrs. J. T. Foster. RowE, July 15, 1778. Though I think I wrote to you last Wednesday, dearest Bess, yet, as I find myself at my usual em- ployment here, I must try to snatch half an hour to thank you for a long letter of the 14th of May, which I think came after mine was set out. The time will soon come when I shall begin to talk of the arrange- ment of our journey, and the time fixed for it: in succession our adventures on the road, and finally, I hope, a rendezvous given in St. Patrick's blessed island. The heat is increased since I wrote, but is still bearable, and much depends on temperance, patience, and good management. The most disagreeable circumstance is the disappointment. We have the finest sky and sun imaginable, which we dare not enjoy; fruits which are delicious and pernicious; and refreshing evenings which prudence forbids to taste of: my weak frame will not allow me to get up at 4 o'clock in the morning, which is the time of enjoy- ment, and your father's regularity and strictness with regard to good hours at night takes off the amuse- ment which the freshness of the evening invites to after supper (I mean in the house). This leaves a short space in each afternoon only for going out, &c., 54 THE TWO DUCHESSES. but the drives are lovely and invaluable even thus. I have dined at a neighbouring villa; but though it is delightful when once there, it is difficult to get to it without suffering. Thus you see new illusions start up in every path of life; virtue is the only good, and a good conscience the only real, invariable, per- manent satisfaction and enjoyment. Your lamentation and panegyrickon Lord Chatham are very just, dear Bess, yet I confess that, strongly as I feel the publick loss, I think the ruin of his family by a shameful profusion or inattention bears hard on his private virtues as a man.^ To make a perfect character they must go together, and where they do not, I cannot but suspect brilliant qualities to be with- out a solid foundation. A man who loves his country preferably to his children appears to me a monster; but I speak more as a woman than as a patriot, not- withstanding I can conceive the virtue of a Brutus {hard as it was); but there must be delinquency and the austere justice of a magistrate; but why a retired statesman should forget he is a father je I'ignore. Rest, however, be to his soul, for it was a great one, and the greatest have perhaps the most striking defects. I admire your Irish patriotism very much, and hope trade is in a way to have every reasonable advantage, but that sudden qualm has checked the ardor for the Papists, and in the midst of the indul- gence to their interests, has made Mr. Gardiner forget their religion. How much more noble is the '^ Lord Chatham— The House of Commons voted ^20,000 to pay Chatham's debts, and an annuity of ^^4000 was settled on his successors. FROM THE BISHOP OF DERRY. 55 unlimited toleration of them in England! What says hum-hum (Mr. Fortescue)? I know f. is for him, de coeur et d ame. Pray assure him of my best love and thanks for his readiness to take you to England, which I flatter myself is not so necessary as I had imagined. You have an excellent place for the goats when near you, if that should be proper, as it once agreed with you, and are in time for the second season; but I hope your house, and the country air may suffice. Pray when you write to Mrs. Richard- son assure her of my affectionate friendship and gratitude for her kind letter, which I entreat her to forgive my not answering. The heat takes away all strength, and I hope by the end of October to thank her in person. A kiss to your boy, my blessing to his nurse, compliments to Doctor Foster. Finale- ment je vous serre ma tres chere fille sur mon coeur. Your father came home yesterday well. Louisa is perfectly so. The Bishop of Derry To Mrs J. TJi. Fostei'. Rome, Aitgt/s/ 5, 1778. Though I was rejoiced to see your handwriting, my dearest Bess, yet when I found the contents of your letter I was sorry you had employed it so long after any degree of fever: so long an abode in Dublin and at such a time of the year could scarcely produce anything less. This country, too, has had its fevers, 56 THE TWO DUCHESSES. and we have all suffered more or less : mine, as usual, lasted two days — one good struggle and my consti- tution, like a giant, subdued its adversary. Your mother's, according to her system, lasted longer, but I thank God and her physician (this is more modest than Cardinal Wolsey,^ who always wrote "I and my king") she is better recovered than ever I saw her, and contemplates her journey and her return to you with great satisfaction. Louisa is still very weak, though in good spirits; she and her mother write billets doux to each other every hour, and I believe this intercourse does them more service than febri- fuge drafts or decoction of bark. At the end of our Campaign, or when the hottest of our Fire was over, Mr. O'Reilly, a gentleman who has passed the summer in the same house, entered upon action with a most violent fever, and began to batter his enemy in the system of the Episcopal Vmibaji, but, like the Frenchman who attempted to cut his throat and stopped in the middle of the operation, so poor O'Reilly, who is as fat as Dr. Palliser, twice as young, and with a truly Hibernian constitution, when he found himself deluging in sweat and floating in his own grease, whether he regretted losing so much O'Reilly matter, or whether his heart failed him, he changed his system abruptly, called in another engineer, who began immediately to batter in breech, and expended by this means so much of the patient's ammunition that he was near falling a victim to his own imprudence and the ignorance of his engineer; another has since been called in, who ^ Cardinal Wohey — Ego et Rex mens is sufficiently well known (1471-1540). FROM THE BISHOP OF DERRY. 57 has wisely turned the siege into a blockade and means to starve the enemy into surrender. But, to return to business, you will have learned before this both from your sister and from me that we all hope to winter in Ireland, and, if Shanahan will allow us, at the Downhill, but the poverty of the country is so extreme, rents have so entirely failed that the poor tenants are not able to pay even with daily labor, the bankers in Dublin are failing by dozens, famine stares the country in the face, provi- dence itself seems to fight against us, and the crops threaten to be worse than ever. The pitiful con- cessions made to us by England will not compensate for an hundredth part of the losses which their multi- plied blunders have brought upon us. In the mean- time I advise your husband to live very frugally, since if the American war continues, it is almost im- possible that Irish tenants in the north should pay above two-thirds of their rent. As to the invasion of Ireland, if no relief had been given to the R. Catholics, I believe I know much more of the feasi- bility of that scheme than either the Viceroy or his Secretary, the place where it was to be executed, the people with whom it was concerted, others, again, the least suspected, by whom it would have been abetted, and the arrangement intended to take place in case of success. I f the Government are blockheads enough to imagine that the raw, undisciplined troops trans- mitted to them from Great Britain, stationed in a part of the country where the French never meant to approach and surrounded by internal ennemies, would have been able to secure you from a descent 58 THE TWO DUCHESSES. in the most remote parts among crowds of friends who daily expect them and look up to them as de- liverers from the most cruel and unjust bondage that ever oppressed human creatures, it would only con- vince me there was as much treachery as folly in their counsel. But the countenance of the French ministers in this place upon the first intelligence of the R. Catholic bill was the clearest proof how salu- tary that measure was, and that the medicine would go, if the faint-hearted physician permitted it, to the root of the evil — but remember, dear child, " Truths would you teach and save a sinking land, All fear, none aid you, and few understand ". The prejudices of some, the interests of others, the fears of still more, and the indolence, indifference, and supineness of all are barriers which even Lord Chatham found insurmountable. What think you of a button-making king that in the midst of a general conflagration drives about the country drinking tea and coffee with Lords and Ladies at their villas and country houses.'* Does he imagine the K. of Prussia resists the H[ouse] of Austria by such amusements, or that William Pitt supported his G. father against the whole force of Bourbon^ by tripping about in such revels .-^ — fie upon't! Whip me such Roitelets- into good behaviour, and send 'em to school to learn their lesson. Adieu. My love to your husband, who will say amen to this Imprecation. '^Bourbon — The French Royal Family. ^ Roitelets — Petty kings, kinglets. FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 59 TJie Hon. Mrs. Hervey To Mrs. J. TJi. Foster. Castel Gandolfo, August 15, 1778. I find two of your letters in my writing-table, dear Bess. I do not exactly know how long they have been in my possession, but they would not have been totally unanswered if I had not known that your father had wrote to you, and that I was engaged in a little experim27it 7ipon fevers in this hot climate and season. In short, I have paid my ustial tax, and experienced the usual goodness of providence in my recovery, which is going on very well after a very short confinement. The circumstances which at- tended this event made it a little distressful at the time. Your father had one of his short fevers during the worst part of mine, and Louisa was confined to her bed likewise with an intermitting fever, which is in a very fair way of being subdued; her looks improve every day, the fever is quite gone, and she gains appetite and strength as I could wish. There is only a gallery between my room and hers, and our doors were open night and day, which makes me able to attend in some degree to her; and in some of my good intervals I wrote her joking billets, which kept up her spirits, which the absence of father and mother had rendered very necessary. We had a physician in the house, who attended us very care- fully; but I had no confidence in him, though he was from IrelaiicC s ow7i self. At the same time a healthy young man in the apartment over ours took 60 THE TWO DUCHESSES. a violent fever and died in a week: it has proved since that it was the only circumstance which could have saved his wife from ruin, as he was spending all he had. So after comforting her for a week she has left us, and all melancholy incidents are giving way to the pleasure of returning health, and the satisfactory preparation for our return home, which we mean to do as soon as the heat will let us. Your father has taken a little alarm about my ex- posing myself to the blasts of the North of Ireland after being in a state of perspiration for so many months, and has proposed to leave us in England for the worst of the winter months, which I believe may be necessary. I shall quit him with reluctance, and regret much to delay our meeting, dear Bess; but I hope you, Mr. Foster, and the little boy, perhaps also the Doctor, will go to him, and make up for my absence, which I shall make as short as I can. I fancy he will be at Derry first, to creep into the Downhill as he can, and I hope that may be an amusement to you. Mrs. Richardson, too, will be in the country, and I trust often with you. I wish Lady Moira would trust you with one of the Lady Rawdons. I hope our affairs are in a much better position than when you wrote last. I flatter myself that peace is at this moment made with America, and by the French fleet going back into port it is plain the war is not desired with England; and I hope that if Spain can adjust the difference betwixt us that we shall not be so absurd as to run into it, but that we shall have the pleasure to find general peace at our FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 6l return, and poor Ireland emerging from its diffi- culties, God bless you, my sweet child. My tender affec- tion is with you and yours. I imagine your father will be at home the end of October. Lady Bristol,^ who still calls herself D. of K., is just come to Rome, and they say is busy packing up all her effects. The Hon. Mrs. Hervey To Mrs. J. Th. Foster. Castel Gandolfo, Septeinber 14, 1778. My dearest Bess, I flatter myself that you will have imputed my long silence to the accidents at- tending our removal from hence, and our journey towards home, and by this means may have avoided any particular anxiety for us; but here we are still, my love, and just emerging from a scene not a little perplexing; in short, there has been an influe7iza in the air of this country from the heats of the last two months from which scarce any one could secure them- selves. Your father and I, Louisa, Finney, Barwick, the Bn.'s valet de chambre, the child's governess, all have paid the tax; it has been a fever more or less to all ; but no one has been so gently treated by it as myself, so that I became the nurse and apothecary to all. I thank God my labors and prayers have been blest with success; all are returning towards 1 Lady Bristol— YX\z2!ocX\\, daughter of Colonel Thomas Chudleigh, and wife (married privately) of Augustus John Hervey, Earl of Bristol and brother of the Bishop of Derry. She married, secondly, E. Pierrepoint, Duke of Kingston, for which offence she was impeached before the House of Lords, and the marriage was declared illegal (1740-1788). 62 THE TWO DUCHESSES. health, and for my own part, I am both ready and wilHng to set out towards you, but I much fear that your father will be inclined to pass the winter in a milder climate than that of Derry, on account of his dreaded gout, for indeed he is much reduced, and it would take him at a disadvantage; but I do not re- linquish the hopes of his getting strong enough to wish himself to set out, and to have courage to do it. Poor honest Samuel has escaped this scourge, and some of our Italian servants, but most of them have suffered, and even the assistants to the sick have themselves fallen ill of the disorder; it has not been mortal in this part of the country, yet pretty severe: for the particulars of our woful state I reserve them for our meeting, that I may make you cry and laugh at pleasure, for which I pledge myself. I long to hear something of your state and situa- tion, and how little f. settles to a family life in the country. I am glad he is so well entertained in town. I conceive him to be interested in Parliamentary debates, and I was pleased to find him in the chair. The notable provision for the country, my dear child, delights me; and I think I see you in the midst of family occupations, with the Utile, fairy tripping after you and bleating (as ye all used to do) that dear word Mama. I have as yet no account of Lord Erne and your sister having left Paris. I am much distressed at her state of health and at his irresolute conduct about Spa; but most of all at the apprehension of being defeated in my scheme of taking her with me to Bath, where I hoped to have recovered her, but man proposes and God disposes. I dread her going FROM THE BISHOP OF DERRY. 63 to Ireland with her present complaints; the pleasure of seeing you will be a counter-poison, but I am afraid it will be the only one. We have now very pleasant weather, and, notwith- standing my own illness, and that I have suffered on account of other people's, this place certainly has agreed with me, and, some circumstances changed, I should have been very happy in it. It is impossible to say even now whether we shall have war or peace. Poor KeppeF has been severely treated for not doing impossibilities. I am furious when I hear a brave man condemned hastily for want of success, or an honest man for want of good fortune. I think a character once established should be proof against everything but matters of fact. Adieu, dearest child. Why are we to be hundreds of miles asunder? My best affection is with you and yours. Dutchess of Kingston still at Rome. The Bishop of Deny To Mrs. f. Til. Foster. Rome, September 19, 1778. My dear child, — I have but a moment to tell you that we are all making great strides towards health, and that at this instant the critical rains are falling, which usually purge this atmosphere of all its impurity; but, alas! a journey to England is im- 1 AV//f / — Admiral Lord Keppel (1725-1786). He had been in command of an ill-equipped fleet of twenty ships while the French Brest fleet, with which he was supposed to be able to cope, consisted of thirty-two ships of the line. He accord- ingly fell back to Spithead to wait for reinforcements. 64 THE TWO DUCHESSES. possible till next April. In the meantime, comfort your poor sister^ all you can, who is exhausted, worn out, and can no more. He tires her to atoms by his silly difficulties, and his endless irresolution. Great God, how ill she is matched! Tell your hus- band, the antipode of t'other, that I should be much obliged to him for a list of the speakers in our house on the Popish bill, and the sum of the argu- ments against us; that I wish also to know if the bill to tolerate their religion is to take place, without which I do not know how the multitude are benefited; that I beg him to ply his cousin^ close on this subject. He is a man of very superior talents, of great weight. If such a bill should pass, I pledge myself to bring sixty thousand pounds sterling within eighteen months into the kingdom for the purpose of building cathedrals, churches, and chapels. The Pope will give us five thousand, and one single convent in Bohemia, of Irish friars, subscribes one thousand pounds, the seminaries of Valladolid and Salamanca as much. There is a Governor MacEgan, is just returned from his government in Peru, an old bachelor with ^70,000, who will give us ^5000. The Empress of Germany, if this war does not con- tinue, has promised her confessor, Father Kelly, an Irish Recolet, a considerable sum for the benefit of her soul in Purgatory — other lesser subscriptions are numberless, but such a sum would be deeply felt in our exhausted country. Adieu! my dear. You see how much I have this matter at heart. Your hus- 1 your poor sister — -Lady Erne. * his cousin — John Foster, last Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, created m 1821 Lord Oriel (1740-1828). FROM THE BISHOP OF DERRY. 6$ band must never let the prime serjeant rest till he becomes our advocate. I have myself destined one thousand pounds for our chapels in the diocese of Derry, having seen the excellent effects of a recipro- cal toleration through all the great towns of Germany, and the bad effects of intolerance through all the great towns of Italy. T/ie Bishop of Derry To Mrs. J. Th. Foster. Rome, November i8, 177S. Your letter of September 6th, my dear Eliza, did not reach me till the last post, as it was directed to Paris, and of course my silence must have kept you in disagreeable suspense; not that it would have been so rigidly observed, but that every little exer- tion of the brain, during many weeks after this cruel fever, was sure to renew the attack, and even at present writing is occasionally more prejudicial to me than I can well express: however, I cannot forbear giving you some account of the family, unsatisfactory as it may be. Louisa and your mother are already returned to Rome ; but having been rendered sensible to the extreme at every impression of air, she has already had two small relapses which, from the recollection of what she has suffered, have disheartened rather than weakened her. Your mother's attendance you may be certain is as un- interrupted as her anxiety, and as she sleeps, or rather lies, in the next room, both are very uniform. 66 THE TWO DUCHESSES. What this will produce at the end of the winter, God alone knows; but I fear they will be ill prepared to undertake an early journey, which was my purpose. In the meantime they are better lodged than they were, in a higher atmosphere, in separate rooms, and with the convenience of a third that commands the finest prospect in all Rome. To facilitate their airings, and to make them really such, I have bought four horses for them, which carries them into the country and out of the suburbs, their ioxva^x pair o lie. At dinner we have usually two or three friends, and in the evenings, if Louisa keeps well, we shall have small concerts. With these ingredients, I think it no difficulty to make a good dish of happiness, "animus si nos non deficit aequus": your husband will English this Latin for you, but for fear he should not, it runs thus, "if your appetite be as good as your meat" — for if it be not, 'tis in vain to abuse the cook, and would be more to the purpose to call in the physician, who, if he knows his trade, will brace the body in order to pacify the mind. Fortunately, the physicians in this country are entirely for this system infinitely more honest than ours, for they make no scruple to confess that great towns are the churchyards of the human species. I must confess myself a little uneasy at your scheme of lying in at Dublin, and would much rather be at the expense of your coadjutor than have you risk yourself in so prejudicial an atmosphere, both to the child and its mother. Air, my dear Elizabeth, is nothing more than a fluid whose purity and impurity depend almost entirely upon the greater or less FROM THE BISHOP OF DERRY. 6^ degree of its elasticity: in great cities and marshes there can be little elastick air, for reasons too obvious to mention to you. Dublin is both a great city and a great marsh; judge, therefore, what a stagnant air it must always contain. Fear it, my dear Ophelia; fear it. A propos to Dublin, send me word what were the colors of the two poplins you forwarded for Paris, but which never reached it. The lady to whom they were destined doubts our taste a little, but has given strong proofs of her own in two most beautiful gowns she was so good as to procure at Paris for your mother, who now deems herself too old to wear them ; and if Louisa continues as she has begun, your mother, too, will grow younger and fitter for her gowns. The air grows delightfully mild, but so changeable that we have daily three seasons within twenty-four hours; and though I am what is called recovered, I dare not stay abroad in the evening. Lord and Lady Lucan, with a most delightful family, are here, and enjoy Rome as much as we enjoy them. To-morrow they dine with us though there are six in family, but 'twill be a family dinner, and probably a cheerful one. The other English here are not worth naming to you, but Lady Berkeley is expected, and we shall have a scene of it. What if the Dutchess Coimtess^ should return? How impatient will you be for our letter, and what copious materials we should possess; but fate has no such happiness in store. Have you seen Lord Erne? Is he on tip-toes? Isn't Mary a sweet creature to be at last multiplying ' Duchess Countess— 'Y\vi so-called Duchess of Kingston. 6S THE TWO DUCHESSES. herself, and providing comforts for /ler old age and mine? I am in raptures with the thought of seeing you all at the Downhill, and have some thoughts of building barracks for children. Go on, my dear Eliza, and never fear hurting your constitution by honest child-bearing, since for one mother that grows thin with this work, there are five hundred old maids that grow more thin for want of it. My love to your husband, and a thousand thanks to him for the warm part he took in favour of R. Catholicks. Your mother and sister are both asleep, and probably dreaming of you. Send me word frankly what the Primate says of Downhill. The Bishop of Derry To Mfs. J. TJi. Foster. Rome, December 8, 1778. Though I wrote to you so lately, my dear Eliza, yet, as we are making a jaunt to Naples, I just apprize you of our motions. Your mother would have wrote, but having just finished a letter to Lady Erne she is not in a disposition to scribble, and I am grown such a secretary that letters are my pastime. Our weather is growing delicious; our company of English multiplies very much, and some pleasant people among them, especially Mr. Thomas Pitt, nephew to my hero: he resembles him so much both in person and understanding he is quite a treat to me, and having been intimate with him in his last years, becomes twentyfold more interesting. I am FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. 69 purchasing treasures for the Down Hill, which 1 flatter myself will be a Tuscnlanum, especially that my dear Tullia will render its desert Eden. Bid your husband write me constant billets of you whilst you lie in, and be sure you grow a prudent, sober matron, and play no gambols. Adieu, this is a short letter to travel so far, but it is better than none. Louisa and your mother are at the table, and send their love to you and f. You cannot doubt mine. The Hon. Mrs. Hervey To Mrs. J. Th. Foster. Rome, December 12, 1778. My dear Elizabeth, — The last post brought me two letters from you. I had already destined you one by the courier to-night, but imagine, if I could want anything to stimulate me, how much my dear child's affectionate anxiety for me must have con- firmed my intention, and quickened the pleasure arising from this happy invention of communicating one's thoughts and affections. I received your letters, my love, at the harpsichord, in spite of which I read them till the tears poured down my cheeks, and I was forced to cry out, "Oh! love, how pain- ful thou art!" But I hope the pains you have felt from it on our account have been gradually softened down by our repeated good news of the sick, until your mind is settled into a thankful calm for our deliverance. It is true we all suffered much, and myself in the extreme, but God's providence was so 70 THE TWO DUCHESSES. manifested in my favor, that in the midst of my calamity I found comfort. Since we came here this dear child has had two or three very slight relapses, which have determined us to go to Naples for a month for change of air, lest she should otherwise be subject to them all the winter (direct, however, always to Rome). Do not imagine, dear Bess, that she has any consumptive complaints from this, or, indeed, any that I conceal from you. I give you 7ny hono7' that she has none but this disposi- tion to a return of fever, but she is grown strong, has got flesh to cover her bones, and eats and sleeps well, rides on horseback, walks a little, is in good spirits, dies to see you, and desires a thousand loves which she had intended to assure you of with her own hand. Her little horse and little dog are her delights, and she is very happy at the thoughts of going to Naples. As to myself, I continue very well; my red face, indeed, is returned, which I had exchanged for a better hue at Castello, but my health is good. The account of yours, my love, would distress me ex- tremely did I not impute your complaint to your situation, and hope they would go off of course. Your sister has taught me that comfortable lesson, for after thinking her in a very bad state I hear she is growing quite well, and likely to produce a fine child, which I hope you may do too. You both, I find, have an inclination to nurse, but she has taken advice and is confirmed in it. You are uncertain. The p7'i?tciple in you both gives me the truest pleas- ure, but you must follow her steps, and not do it FROM THE HON. MRS. HERVEY. /I without proper authority on your own account; it sometimes weakens and sometimes strengthens the constitution. I cannot judge at this distance which is likely, but beg you will be cautious; do the best for your child, and leave the rest to Providence. Perhaps nurse would stay and superintend Henri- etta, though she might not be equal to the labo7'io2is part, as we shall not be at home till the summer: in short, this will depend upon herself, because, though she remains in our pay we make no claim upon her; should be glad she could be of any service to you, and would have her equally depend on us for her home. As to reward, my dear, it would be difficult for me to name it. Some present, I should think right and best, in money ; but you are to consider yourself as Mr. Foster's wife, and not as my daughter. I have set down your commissions in a memorandum sheet for Paris — Jiere there is nothing. I will add some silk stockings to them, though they are so hard to get over that I believe I must put them on. This will get to you, I suppose, about the time of your confinement, in which I hope you will be very pru- dent. I am heartily glad that you are to be in Dominick Street, which I look upon as in good air; but if you should not recover well, I hope you will meet us next spring in England: your sister stays for us there, and I think it very possible that Jack^ may be returned home by that time. He writes in great spirits, was on a cruise, and delighted with his station, and determined that Captain Hervcy of 1 Jack — Captain Hervey, the writer's son, Augustus John, who had entered tlie navy. ^2 THE TWO DUCHESSES. the present time should not be contented with less fame than his uncle^ had had before him. Adieu, dear Bess, I have neither time nor place for anything but family matters. Your father wrote to you last post, but as perhaps he might not men- tion his health, I must tell you that he is well, and everlastingly employed in buying ornaments for the Down Hill, though we both think the greatest there will be our children — God send us to them. My love to f. I hope he is very good to the poor dear little orphan,^ and will be able to give her in good health to the arms of her affectionate mother. The Bishop of Derry To Mrs. J. Th. Foster. Noveniber 6, i77(). Here we are, my dear Eliza, within a few miles of Preston, in Lancashire, and at every stage more im- patient to see you and your husband. Perhaps you will be able to meet us at Belfast and settle our winter's campaign, that we may not pass more time asunder than is necessary. I have wrote to your sister for the same purpose, and hope you will be able to settle something. In the meantime I dread some violent convulsion in this country. Very credible reports are circulated that Jamaica is taken. The manufactures of Lancashire and Westmoreland "^his uncle — John Augustus Hervey, brother of the Bishop of Derry, who had greatly dtetingnished himself in the naval service of Britain. "^poor dear little orphan — A playful designation of her daughter, Mrs. J. Th. Foster. FROM THE BISHOP OF DEKRY. 73 depend chiefly on the cotton which that island pro- duces, and the price of it is already raised 25 per cent: judge how the manufacturers are alarmed. Sugar, tea, and coffee have risen in proportion, and the alarm is universal. I must own that I expect little less than a general insurrection, for there seems to be a determined resolution in some branches of the ministry to reduce us to some fatal extremities, with what view I can better tell than write. No one in London doubts of an union, nor do I believe there will be much difficulty about the terms. The peerage to be incorporated into the British house is to be hereditary, and the remaining Irish peers are to be admissible, as at present, into the lower house. The proportion of each will be a little more difficult to ascertain, but all agree that we Bishops shall remain in our diocese. God grant this may be true. An- other scheme has been proposed of leaving the Par- liament in Ireland for the internal administration of the kingdom, and assessing it once for all in propor- tion with England, but I cannot imagine the Irish will endure this: it would reduce them to the insig- nificance of a mere corporation of aldermen and common council, and would multiply the number of non-residents beyond endurance, for who would con- descend to become a member of such a legislature. Write to me, my dear, at Portpatrick, and let me know at large how matters go on. Send me no foreign politicks, for on your side the water you know none. Lord Mountstuart is gone to negotiate a peace with France. Think what a system to close igno- miniously a popular war at the expense of maintaining 74 THE TWO DUCHESSES. the most unpopular and most unnatural one possible, and what terms can be expected from the insolence of France, and what will they dare to offer to poor America. Cunning, which they call policy, guides all their steps, yet some there are among them of true parts and real probity, but, alass! how few. What is your husband doing? I never hear from either of you, yet I wrote on my landing at Dover, and once again from London. [The rest of this letter is torn off. — V. F.] The Bishop of Derry To Mrs. J. TJi. Foster. Belfast, Novonber 29, 1779. I am just arrived here, my dear Elizabeth, and was fully determined to set out to-morrow to meet you and your dear sister either at Dundalk or Bar- meath, but the extreme badness of the weather, joined to some alarming symptoms of the gout, which you know operate strongly on me, have determined our immediate course to Derry. It is a little hard to be so near you and not to have the least chance of seeing you, but I shall trust to the chapitre des accidents and endeavour to make it out in some manner. I send you a parcel by a carrier which contains two pair of bracelets, one for your sister and the other for you. I would not let them be sett, that you may do that in Dublin according to your own taste, and when you have done so, without FROM THE BISHOP OF DERRY. 75 Sparing my purse, if you will let me know the amount I will discharge my debt and complete my present. There are also two rings: the Apollo I desire dear Mary will offer in my name to Lord Erne. The Plato I hope our philosophery^'/z/z Thomas will accept, and I must rely on your interest for making it accept- able. All your encomiums on Dublin will hardly prevail on me to go there, but I don't know what effort I may make for the sake of passing a week or ten days with Mary in the S.W. room which she has so comfortably offered me, and which is worth a whole apartment in a palace from the cordiality of the offer. I hear from good authority that Bucking- ham leaves you, and that Lord Hillsborough^ is bold enough to visit us. This prognosticates real free trade, for it is the object of his ambition. You press me strongly, my dear child, to return to Dublin, and not deny any longer my assistance to this sinking country. I have given pretty strong proof to the ministry in England and to many of the leading people here that I have been invariably pur- suing its interests and investigating the causes of its decline for these last three years. Can any country flourish where two-thirds of its inhabitants are still crouching under the lash of the most severe illiberal penalties that one set of citizens ever laid upon the other? All the errors in our Popish laws have pro- ceeded from one fatal and, as yet, insurmountable piece of ignorance. The Protestants here have uni- versally concluded that every R. Catholic is a Papist, ^ Lord Hillsborough — Lord Hillsborough, afterwards Marqtiis of Downshire, was a supporter of Lord North, and held more than one office under him. 76 THE TWO DUCHESSES. that is, that every man who was fool enough to be- lieve in transubstantiation was wicked enough to hold no faith with heretics and to deny allegiance to his Sovereign the moment that Sovereign was excom- municated by the Pope. In order to discriminate one of these Catholics from the other, I got an Act of Parliament passed in 1774 by which every Catholic that had been educated in the French and Flemish seminaries (where the dangerous doctrines of Popery are exploded) had an opportunity of abjuring them and exculpating himself Immediately about one- fourth of the R. clergy availed themselves of the occasion, and took the oath which purged them from this imputation, but a very great number from whom I expected the same conduct, because I knew they had received the same education, declined it: nor did I guess the cause till we were at Brussels. There I learned that the hopes of preferment in their miser- able hierarchy deterred them from abjuring the pre- rogatives of their sovereign master the Pope. On this I resolved to visit the fountain head of such a defection and to trace it to its source. I did it so effectually, bribed so many clerks and under-clerks in the different offices that I obtained the whole course of correspondence between Rome and her clergy in Ireland on this topick. I did more. I de- tected the whole plan of invasion for last year, which could not have been attempted without the assistance of Irish friars conversant in the English, Irish, and French languages, and I have good reason to believe that the whole proceedings in England in favor of the Catholics were grounded on the information I FROM THE BISHOP OF DERRY. yj transmitted to Lord North^ and Lord Hillsborough. Had the French ministry imagined that the Irish Parliament would have done things by halves and omitted the religious indulgence to the people whilst it granted the pecuniary one to the gentry, the inva- sion would still have taken place last year in Ireland, after Mr. Keppel had so scandalously left the French masters of the ocean. Don't imagine, therefore, my dear girl, that I have been inattentive to the welfare of this kingdom. Your mother can tell you how many wearisome days and studious evenings it has cost me whilst the ignorant and unobserving thought me busied in virtu and occupied by the elegant arts. The committee at Rome which governs the religious affairs of Ireland is composed of seven cardinals, who are governed in their consultations as the Commis- sioners of the Customs are in Dublin, by a secretary. They, too, have their Sackville Hamilton. Every member of this committee is as venal as a Board of Aldermen, but in order to bribe them you must buy a picture of one, give a poplin to the niece or the mistress of another, a suit of clothes to the secretary of a third, and so on ; so that with a good purse and a liberal hand one may know every tittle of what these Christian Pharisees have sworn not to reveal. It was by means such as these that I discovered the sentiments, the views, the interests and connexion of almost every Popish bishop in Ireland, and that at this instant I know why some have taken the oath of allegiance and why others have declined it. By Lord A^orM— Frederick North, Lord North, prime minister from 1770 to 1782 (1732-1792). 78 THE TWO DUCHESSES. these means I discovered that the King of France/ through his ambassador, the Cardinal de Bernis, got the nomination of three Irish bishops in the course of one year, as the most effectual means of securing the assistance of the Popish clergy and the Popish populace in case of an invasion; and of all this I transmitted immediate information to such as could best avail themselves of it. Whenever that great topick comes to be discussed, I will endeavour to give such council as I am able, but, alass! mankind are little guided by reason, and unless interest or danger excite their attention they are generally deaf. Adieu, my dear girl. I must say a word to your sister, and as I conclude she may still be at Dunleer I shall direct it there. The Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Deny, To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Downhill, near Coleraine, April 21, 1780. By some untoward accident, my dear Eliza, your letter of the 14th did not reach me till last night, by which means I was deprived of my option of at- tending the dissenters' bill; but, indeed, my spirits are so depressed by the loss of dearest Lady Mul- grave^ that I am totally unfit for anything but the heartless solitude in which " I live and move and have my being". Your mother is every day more urgent with me to go over in order to join with Jack 1 Louis XVI. (1754-1793). 2 Lady Mulgrave — The Bishop's sister, who died in March of this year. FROM THE EARL OF BRISTOL, BISHOP OF DERRY. 79 in liberating the estate^ from the shackles in which it is held, but matters in this country are not sufficiently decided to allow me to quit it. The fever is now coming to a crisis, and whether it will end in a delirium or in the health of the patient and restora- tion of his constitution, neither you nor I are prophets enough to foretell ; but this I can venture to say, that to all appearance the struggle will be great. Is it possible that the Ch. Governor^ or any of his friends can think me capable of distressing an admin- istration both in England and Ireland to which I wish so well, and for the sake of which I have sepa- rated from some of the oldest and most intimate connexions I have in the world? Believe me, I think their cause too good either to desert it or embarrass them. When I judged them to be better informed than myself, as in all foreign politicks I should with- out either scruple or reserve deliver my political conscience into their hands; but with regard to their interests in Ireland, and the intrinsick unalienable rights of Ireland itself (which are the rights of man- kind), in which I deem myself much better informed than them, having not only taken more pains on the subject, but being likewise an ocular observer on the spot, if either through inattention or presumption they will not take the advice I have given them but persist in the same infatuated system of despotism towards Ireland which has almost lost America — what is then the part of an honest man or a true friend.'* What would a faithful physician do upon a ^ the estate — The estate of Ickworth Park, near Bury St. Edmunds. The bishop had succeeded to the title of Earl of Bristol and to the family estate in December, 1779. "^ Ch. Governor — This appears to mean the Lord-Lieutenant. 80 THE TWO DUCHESSES. similar occasion with a struggling patient? Would he, in compliance with the prejudices of the family, concur in administering a medicine which he knows to be improper and suspects to be fatal, and which, if it did not destroy the patient, would at least throw him into strong convulsions, or would he honestly resist the dictates of that family, prohibit the medicine, and encourage the patient to decline it? Would your friends have me act the part in the North which the poor Duke of Leinster^ has been persuaded to take in the South? The Duke of Leinster may perhaps be sincere in his professions of the depen- dency of Ireland, but I, who do not deem that depen- dency legal, nor even that it is either politick in England to assert or useful to exert it, could not either as an honest man or as a real friend to ad- ministration, remain silent in such a conflict, much less espouse the opinion I from my head and heart condemn. But suppose for a moment I should — what would be the unavoidable consequence? I should first find myself bereaved of any little influence I have acquired in this part of the country by professing my real sentiments, and afterwards, when the flame breaks forth — as break forth it will, unless some gold dust shall smother it — what would administration naturally say to me? Why remain in the North to give no information of the storm brewing? or why coincide with sentiments which you knew to be pre- judicial? Why not at least preserve your own influ- ence in the country to prevent violence and guard ^ Duke of Leinster — William Robert Fitzgerald, second duke of Leinster (1749- 1804). FROM THE COUNTESS OF BRISTOL. 8 1 against extremities? I think we are at the eve of a civil war, which bids fair for being one of the most sanguinary and most general that this country has known. Parasites and sycophants may talk another language at the Castle, for all governments love to be soothed into an opinion of their safety, and for real safety heedlessly mistake their own dangerous security (but a real friend will apprize the minister betimes of his danger, and a warm one will do it in warm terms). Their danger at this moment does not arise only from their offensive measures and from the alarm given to the friends of the Irish Consti- tution, but from a more latent and a more cancerous evil, from an inherent dislike to the religious estab- lishment from the scandalous — [The rest of this letter is missing. — V. F.] The Countess of Bristol To the Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry. August 13, 1780. We drank your health yesterday, but I am much concerned to find, upon pressing Elizabeth on that subject, that it is not altogether so good as, in your ardour for the mountains, you represent it to me; and though Mary says that you have no other com- plaint than a sore finger, yet she seems to think your spirits low, and I much fear that you have taken too much fatigue for your strength. We are in hourly expectation of f., who has been more absurd and inconsistent than it is possible to 82 THE TWO DUCHESSES. express; and, after fearing to trust anything to writ- ing, has wrote four or five letters by every post of everything; in short, he is a ship totally without ballast, blown about by every gust of passion, a very tiring companion, and an insufficient and unsatis- factory friend. There has been some thought of dissolving the Parliament, but I flatter myself that it is over for the present. My brother^ was disappointed of his com- panion into Devonshire, so turned about from Lewes races, went back to London, from whence he writes me word that he stays choked with dust, he does not know why, but I suppose he will soon be down. Colonel H. is on the road at last, and will perhaps be here to-day or to-morrow, which I am glad of, for I think f. a , and it may keep him in better order. How could I be so mistaken in him? Yet are not wiser people than myself mistaken every day? Adieu. Lady Hervey still up. Poor Eliza- beth better notwithstanding, and eats a little. T/ie Countess of Bristol To Lady Elizabeth Foster. ICKWORTH Park, May 17, 1781. My dear child, — I was very sure that my brother would not decline his friendly assistance in your present distressful situation; and I am sorry to find that any delay should have occurred in a thing so necessary for your peace and my satisfaction. As ^ My brother— S\v Charles Davers, Bart. FROM THE COUNTESS OF BRISTOL. 8^ to the message which you have delivered to me from Mr. Foster, I should be surprized at it from anybody else; for he cannot but recollect that I have mentioned the very sums for which he engaged to me; and I am sure that when he is cool enough to have his judgment operate, he cannot term a conduct severe which is only the steady performance of a very painful duty. He will recollect, perhaps, that I once consented to your reconciliation, and tried by uniting you under my own eyes to promote your happiness: his return to me has been a conduct which I confess was the last I should have expected from him; but it has opened my eyes. . . . With regard to the children, as they are dojfs, I advise you to make no opposition to his desire of having them. I hope poor little Frederick goes on well. I am, my dear child, your most affectionate mother. T/ie Coimtess of Bristol To Lady Elizabeth Foster. St. James' Square, /;/«/z, o^^tJr-JT: iJere, Jna/iir. L-',%i^ . LINES ON THE BATTLE OF ABOUKIR. 1 55 if he felt a growing passion for his friend's wife he would fly to the further end of the earth to resist the danger. Dear, dear Augustus, I fear I have bored you, but my heart is anxiously watchful over you, and this day encreased the feeling. May Heaven ever guide, bless, and direct you. LINES ON THE BATTLE OF ABOUKIR. By GEORGIANA, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE (1799). "Hush! forbear to tell the Story Full of Horror, Full of Fear. Talk not to a wretch of Glory, Or of Hated Aboukir. Whilst I shrink from every morrow, Whilst kind death alone I claim, Conquest cannot cure my sorrow. Nor Despair be soothed by Fame. I am wretched, past retrieving; He is lost and I'm undone; All my life will pass in grieving For the battle we have won. Cease those cruel exultations. Cease this mockery and boast; What's to me the fate of nations, When to me my Love is lost." Whilst poor Laura's frenzied ditty Mingled with the sounds of glee, Many a heart, subdued to Pity, Altered said, I pity thee. 156 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Gallant was thy Lover's story, Bravely did he Life resign. Cheer thee, maid, he died for glory, But his latest sigh was thine. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, February 2, 1799. . . . Mr. Pitt's admirable speech, though firm, is not so strong an appeal to the good sense of the Irish, and so far from any violence that no violent measures need be apprehended; and it makes me regret the more that a question of such importance to the w^elfare of a w^hole country should have been, by the efforts of party, refused a fair hearing. I think your reasoning upon it very just. I do not find that Lord Hawkesbury acknowledges Lord Castlereagh^ to be in any scrape, so I hope the fears I heard expressed were exaggerated; the violence in the House was very great. . . . Aiigustiis Foster To Lady ElizabetJi Foster. Weimar, March 19, 1799. . . . I introduced myself to Kotzebue^ at our ball, for he was invited with his wife there. I talked a good deal to him since about his plays; he says he likes always the last written of them the best. He ^ Lord Castlereagh — (1769-1822). ^ Kotzebue — August K., well known as a prolific German dramatist (1761-1819). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 1 57 has entered into an engagement with Harris of Covent Garden. Harrison had been desired by Sheridan to treat with him, but Kotzebue told me that he had heard that Sheridan was not remarkably strict in paying his debts, and he thought it better receiving half sure from Harris than double from Sheridan. I promised to send him Pizarro in a day or two, for he has not seen it yet. It is droll that Rolla has had very bad success in Germany. . . . Kotzebue, when he heard that Miss E. Gore was going to get the portrait of him copied in order to give me for you, proposed sitting himself again for another portrait, as he was discontented with the first. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Colchester, August 7, 1799. We left Ickworth yesterday a little after twelve and arrived about six; we travelled rather with heavy hearts, for there had been unpleasant letters from my father, and my dear mother was low and unwell. I cannot tell you at present what they were, but most certainly he is a cruel man. . . . General Hervey and Lady Erne are there, and I hope the Hawkesburys are going next week. My mother has need of all the comfort which her children can give her, and it is the most sacred duty we can fulfill. . . . Dear Lord Howe^ is dead. There ' Lord Howe — (1725-1799). 158 THE TWO DUCHESSES. is a brave man lost to his country: it is at a mo- mentous time too. The combined fleets are out 40 strong and sailing from Cadiz north-west; supposed, therefore, for Ireland. What our Channel fleet is I don't know, but Lord Keith, it is said, was not far behind; the extraordinary thing is how they can have missed them. The secret expedition is near its embarkation. A camp of 18,000 men is now on Barham downs. Thursday, %th. Lord Hawkesbury, whom we met going to town the day we came here, is now returned. He brings us very particular news. It was supposed that the French meant to get into Brest harbour with the Spanish fleet, to be prepared for an attack on Ire- land, but we shall soon have a fleet of full thirty sail of the line in the channel. Lord Keith^ is trying to get up to him. Lord Chatham is going with this expedition, some are already embarked, and the others are to go as soon as possible, but Lord H. swears that nobody knows where it is going except the directors of it; you will soon know of its disem- barkation. . . Sheridan's Pizarro I think you must like; 17,000 copies have been sold. Sheridan is now adapting the Virgin of the Sun for the stage. It seems again doubtful whether the Duke of York goes with this secret expedition. Lady Anne Fitz- roy is to be married this day to Cullen Smith, so they are both of them consoled for their faithless former loves. ... ^ Lord Keith — (1746-1823). FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 1 59 Atigiishis Foster To Lady Elisabeth Foster. Weimar, Nov. 22, 1799. I don't know if I may risk telling you as news that Buonaparte^ has overthrown the whole of the French Constitution. His life was attempted in the Council of 500 at St. Cloud, where he and the Antients have assembled them, by the deputy Arena,^ who threw himself upon Buonaparte with a dagger in his hand, and, if it was not for a grenadier officer, who received the blows in his coat, would have killed him. He, Sieyes, and Roger Ducos^ form the new triumvirate — but it is foolish telling you all this, for you must have it already in your papers. B. is an extraordinary man indeed; he will fill up many pages in history. What if he should act the part of Crom- well or Julius Caesar?* but I'm afraid he wants the talents. Mounier don't know what to think of it. He supposes that there may be perhaps a Constitu- tion like that of America. ■• Buonaparie—{i'y6g-iS2i). "^Ar^na — Barthelemi A., a native of Corsica, was accused with his brother Joseph of conspiracy, and of attempting to stab Napoleon on the i8th Brumaire while dissolving the council of 500 of which B. A. was a member ; but he always denied the charge and died in obscurity, though his brother Joseph was executed. 3 He, Sieyis, and Roger Diicos — Members of the consulate. Napoleon being First Consul. '^Julius Caesar — (100 B.C. -44 B.C.). l60 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Lady Elisabeth Foster To Aiigtistus Foster. Dec. 6, 1799. I envy you having got acquainted with Kotzebue. I should have hked to have told him that if fame came into his calculation that he had better have received half from Sheridan than any sum from Covent Garden. Pray tell me what he says to Sheridan's Pizarro. I suppose you have frequently met at Weimar. I do wonder that Rolla should not have succeeded in Germany. Don't fail to bring his picture. Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Weimar, Dec. 14, 1799. I wonder you have not in any of your letters mentioned anything about Bonaparte's return, and the changes in France. I should have thought you would all have been enthusiastic about him in England, Lady Anne Hatton particularly, who was so dazzled with him. Notwithstanding what you say about the Expedition,^ and the courage of the troops, I can't help thinking that from what we hear on this side, the Expedition was but badly conducted, and that they might have made a better and more ^ the Expedition — The expedition to Holland under the Duke of York, which was a complete failure. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. .l6l creditable retreat. You ask nie Mounier's opinion about the late Revolution. He liked it at first, because it was at least a change, and that Sieyes and Bonaparte seemed more moderate and cleverer men than the others; but, since the violent trans- portation of so many Jacobins, without form or process, into Guiana, he thinks there's as little liberty as ever. ... I sent Pizarro the other day to Kotzebue, for he had not yet read it. It was an odd idea of Sheridan's, but I am told that he got Pizarro translated into German, and sent it as a present to Kotzebue. There are three new tragedies coming out here this winter: Mary Queen of Scots by Kotzebue, Gustavus Vasa by Schiller,^ and a translation of Mahomet by Goethe.^ . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Dec. 27, 1799. I suppose, dearest Augustus, that you are now at Minden. I do not wonder that you went, for the review of such an army must be a fine sight. The eagerness for news increases in proportion to the importance of the crisis, and, particularly, every body here is anxious for news of the fleets. Lord St. Vincent^ has with him probably at this moment » Schiller— { 1759-1805). « Goethe— { 1749-1832). ^ Lord St. Vincent — (1732-1823). 1 62 THE TWO DUCHESSES. 50 sail of the line. How mean and pitiful of the French the sending the unfortunate Pope^ to an hospital in France at 80, not to allow him to end his days in a convent in his own country; but the French do not know the greatness of treating humanely a fallen foe. Mr. Henry Foster and his adopted daughter went with me to the opera. Pizarro the 21st night has been as full nearly as the first. Pray send me any anecdotes you can pick up about Kotzebue. There is no other subject scarcely of conversation, by which you will understand that there are various opinions on the subject. The violent Ministerialists are angry that Sheridan should have such applause; the violent oppositionists are as angry at the loyalty of the Play; and the rigid and censorious are suspicious of such pure morality and mild religion from the pen of a person esteemed profligate. To bring up the rear, authors are jealous of his success, and cry out it is Kotzebue and not Sheridan's merit: so Sheridan says — I am but a translator: but then, such a translation! As soon as it comes out I will send it to you. William Lamb foolishly distrusts it — foolishly, because it is attributed to pique at the failure of the Epilogue; the poetry of this was pretty, but it wanted strength. I dined yesterday at Richmond House with the Melbournes,^ and there it had a grand discussion. . . . A very odd story has just come out. •• the unfortunate Pope — Pope Pius VI. , who was taken prisoner by the French general Berthier, and carried away from Rome to Valence, in France, where he died (1717-1799). * the Melbournes—ViscovinX. and Lady Melbourne, parents of William Lamb, who became afterwards prime minister. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 1 63 Lady Holland^ yesterday restored to Sir G. Webster a child whom she had always told him was dead : it is a little girl, whom she lay in of in Italy, and when she was coming home, conscious that she was to be parted from Sir Godfrey, and being doatingly fond of this child, she contrived to have it pass for dead, and had it brought to England under a feigned name, and has constantly seen it; but at last, con- vinced she was acting in a most unjustifiable manner both to Sir Godfrey and the child, she owned the whole thing, and the child, now six years old, is restored to its father, who received it with transport; but did you ever hear of so odd a thing ? » . . 2lSf. You will be surprized to hear that I, who never go to balls or assemblies, went to the masquerade. Lady Bessborough^ said she would not unless I did, and Lady Anne would not go with her. We let every- body go, and then disguised ourselves very well indeed, and went half an hour after them. I was not found out the whole night. When Lady B. was discovered, they took me for Lady Anne, and it was good fun to hear Lord Morpeth^ say low to Lady Bessborough, "She can't disguise herself; her way of fanning herself betrays her". I assure you I did not know I was so good a mimick, and Cullen Smith said, "There is Lady Anne taking off Lady Elizabeth". ' Lady Holland— EVxzabelh Vassall, daughter of Richard Vassal! of Jamaica, and wife of Sir Godfrey Webster, after her divorce from whom she married secondly Henry Richard Fox, Baron Holland. Holland House was for a very lengthened period a hospitable resort for the distinguished in literature and politics (1770-1845). ^ Lady Bessdoroitj^^h—Hennena Frances, daughter of John, first Earl Spencer, d. 1821. ^ Lord Morpeth — Afterwards Earl of Carlisle (1802-1864). 164 THE TWO DUCHESSES. We attacked the Duchess/ and she did not know us for a long time. The masquerade was a good one, but the house was not quite lighted enough. . Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. [Fragment of a letter.] He^ was dressed in a blue coat faced with white, two gold epaulets, white waistcoat, &c., and English riding boots, no ornament in his hat; he is a very dirty [illegible] and his hair looks as if it never was combed. When the officers had withdrawn, Buonaparte retired to put on his Consular dress, scarlet with rich gold embroidery, and soon after we were all of us, with the different Ambassadors, ushered into the Salle des Ambassadeurs, where we found Buonaparte and his two inferior Consuls.^ I was presented one of the first after Lord Cowper, but it was done in such a hurried manner by Mr. Jackson, who generally answered the questions made by Buonaparte himself, that we had none of us, except Mr. Blayden, an author, the honor of a con- 1 the Duchess — Of Devonshire. * He — Bonaparte. ^his two inferior Consuls — When the consulate of three members was first con- stituted as the supreme power in France, on the i8th Brumaire (November 9th), 1799, it consisted of the Abbd Sieyfes, Bonaparte, and Roger Ducos, with equal authority. Sieyfes resigned within a month, and on Dec. 13th, 1799, Bonaparte, Cambaceres, and Lebrun were elected first, second, and third consuls respectively, each being elected for ten years, and being re-eligible. In May, 1802, Bonaparte was re-elected for ten additional years, and in August of the same year he was made consul for life by 3,568,885 out of a possible total of 3,577,259 votes. Finally, on May i8th, 1804, he was made Emperor. FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 165 versation. To him he spoke a good deal about Sir Joseph Banks/ who, he said, was much esteemed in this country. I ought to give you a description of his person, but I don't know anybody he resembles unless it is to my uncle a little, I think. He is under the middle size, has light gray eyes, brown hair and light-coloured eyebrows, sallow complexion and nearly a straight nose. I think he would be good- looking if he had complexion. He has, in my opinion, the air of a gentleman, and certainly the manners of one. When he came near the American minister, who is deaf and don't speak French, he asked him how he did in French. The American, straining every sinew in his ear in vain, turned for explanation to his interpreter, who shouted out amazing loud, "The First Consul, Sir, asks you how you are". The gravity of the man's manner in delivering this made everybody laugh. The Prince of Orange was there, and seemed considerably chagrined. The Consul spoke more with him than anybody else. None of the Enorlish dined with him but such as had been already presented the last time. Yesterday the Bishops were restored, or at least the treaty with the Pope to that effect published. ^ Sir Joseph Banks — The distinguished naturalist, who had sailed with Captain Cook round the world (1743-1820). l66 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Countess of Erne To Frederick Foster. ICKWORTH Park, Oct. 20th, 1800. I send you a line, my dear Frederick, to acquaint you with the grievous loss we have all sustained in the death of the best beloved Mother. It happened suddenly early yesterday morning from a spasm in her stomack. What my grief and suffering is, no words can say, as no mother could be a greater loss to a daughter than she is to me. I am sure you will share in it, my dear lad, and lament her who was every way so deserving of affection and veneration from every part of her family. — Yours sincerely and affectionately, Mary C. Erne. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Frederick Th. Foster. Devonshire House, Saturday, 1801. I wrote to you yesterday, dearest Frederick, in the greatest hurry and vexation. Your uncle had been with me a great while, and though I admire, as I always have done, his motives, yet I regret to the greatest degree his decision. However, it is done now, and I shall close my lips and comfort myself with the conviction that in any and every situation he will do himself credit. The danger has been owing to Pitt's high sense of honor. He had pledged himself, I hear, to the Catholic emancipa- tion. He could not carry his point in the Cabinet; FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 167 the King had been firm, and Pitt sent in his resigna- tion. His first idea and wish was to go out alone in order to preserve to the country the measures and system he thought essential to it, but a large pro- portion of the Cabinet Ministers resigned with him, and several of his friends; he has, however, urged many to remain, and this occasions much conversa- tion, and has created a kind of third party, as Lord Hawkesbury, Addington,^ &c., say they are Pitt's real friends, and the others are Canning's party. This is hard on those who, as Canning- says, sacrifice their interest to their principles. Canning says Addington ought to fall at the King's knees and ask pardon for his annoyance. It is, indeed, most extra- ordinary. You have no idea of the state of party, and all the variety of conjectures formed. I think Pitt has acted nobly, but almost too much so. He is advising and helping his successor, and opens the budget himself, so that he only goes out Thursday. Lord St. Vincent is first Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Hawkesbury, Secretary of State for the Foreign Department. . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To Aiigtistus Foster. Feb. 19, 1801. My dear Child, ... I think it a shame that Addington has accepted the situation that William Pitt held, because his merits are confined to those '^Addington — Henry A., Viscount Sidnioutb, prime minister from 1801 to 1803 (1757-1843). ' Canning — George C. , prime minister in 1827 (1770-1827). l68 THE TWO DUCHESSES. which were necessary and sufficient as a Speaker, and yet which are very inadequate to being Prime Minister; a mild, well-tempered, candid, upright man forms a good Speaker, but where are the talents, the abilities, the wonderful resources with the genius of Mr. Pitt to be found? Who is there can say that they look up with confidence to Mr. Addington, or indeed to any one of the new administration, except Lord St. Vincent and the law department; besides was not Addington Pitt's creature .-* and though Pitt, with a romantick disinterestedness, has urged all these people to stay in, does not one's heart prefer those who have gone out? Mr. Elliott, Lord Heath- field's son, alas, is desired by his father to stay in. I don't think that all who have remained in have done so from interested motives, but yet I think that had not their hearts leaned that way they would have felt at once that if Pitt resigned because he could not carry this measure which he thought so essential, that they who would certainly have sup- ported him in it should have gone out too, and then perhaps the King would have yielded. The bishops and archbishops got hold of him, and persuaded him that Catholic emancipation would endanger the Pro- testant religion. Pitt felt himself pledged to Ireland, and nobly went out upon it. It is supposed that, sanguine as he is, he did not fully take the king's opinions till it was too late. Some people think the new administration will try for peace; they expect some grood news from the Mediterranean and of the French squadron. I have given you a full dose now. . . . FROM FREDERICK FOSTER. 1 69 Frederick Foster To Aiigustiis Foster. St. PETERSBURGH,/rt;«/!«r)/ lo, 1802. My dear Augustus, . . . The weather has been at times extremely cold, 20 and 23 degrees, and several people have been frozen, and it is not an uncommon thing to have one's cheek or ear or tip of the nose frozen; the remedy is to rub it instantly with snow, for, if neglected, it may mortify. . . The other day I went to see the Palace of St. Michael, which the Emperor PauP built. It is an immense pile, something like the Queen's House in London, but twice as large. The inside is very fine, several of the rooms inlaid with Porphyry, Marble, Lapis Lazuli, and Malakite. It was in this Palace that he was murdered, and by the greatest chance in the World, for his favorite had received a letter with an account of the whole Conspiracy, and the names of all the Conspirators, which he neglected to open; and even when they did come, Paul had concealed himself behind a screen, and the Conspirators were going away in despair when one of them perceived his legs; nay, further, though discovered, yet so accustomed had they been to fear him that he had completely awed them, and was going away, when a Georgian chief flung a club at his head and knocked him down, upon which the others ran in and com- pleted their work. An Hanoverian, of the name 1 the Emperor Paul— The murder of the Emperor Paul I. took place on March 24, 1801. His tyrannical rule had caused much discontent (1754-1801). 170 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Benixin/ was the man who conducted the whole, and most probably if he had not been in the room Paul would have escaped. The present Emperor was immediately proclaimed. John Leslie Foster, afterwards Baron F. To his sister Harriet, afterwards Countess de Salis. Paris, April 6, 1802, My dear Harriet, ... I hope the last long letter I wrote to you found you perfectly recovered, and there is at least one letter from you on its road to me. I send you an account of pomps and vanities, and what you will think my great good fortune. I was yesterday presented to Buonaparte, but, before I give an account of your Protege, you shall endure a chronological history of the means that brought me there. The 15th of every month the first Consul receives in the Court of the Tuilleries the Consular guard, that is a selection of 5000 or 6000 men from all the armies of France accoutred at an expense and with a magnificence that I suppose was never before lavished on an equal number of soldiers. After that he holds a Levee of the French Generals, the Foreign Ambassadors, and such strangers as they present to him. The Etiquette of a Court and Court dress are strictly observed, and every one agrees that the splendour of the Court of the Tuilleries is much greater than ever was the old Court of 1 Benixin — More correctly Bennigsen. FROM JOHN LESLIE FOSTER. 17I France. Having an introduction to our Minister, I was, of course, among the Anglais to be presented. At a previous ceremony we were all introduced to Talleyrand-Perigord, Minister for Foreign Affairs, the day before. I shall not delay you with an account of the Renegade Bishop of Autun. He is not worth it; it is enough to say of him that he was pompous, awkward, and uncivil. The scarlet and silver in which he was dressed only made him appear to greater disadvantage. His person is as crooked as his principles, and his face, unhappily for his beauty, a faithful Picture of his Heart. The next Day, Monday the 5th, Augustus and I went to the Tuilleries at eleven o'clock, and were, luckily for us, by mistake admitted into the Salle des Generaux instead of the Salle des Ambassadeurs, which gave us an additional two hours' contemplation of Buonaparte. At twelve we passed through the Room to the Parade. It lasted but an Hour. Buonaparte, mounted on a noble white Horse, and surrounded by his Aides de Camp and Generals, formed the first Part of it. At one o'clock he returned to the Salle des Generaux. He spoke to almost every one in it, and with a Grace for an account of which you must wait a little longer. I followed him everywhere in the Crowd, and hardly lost an expression of his countenance. At two he retired to change his dress previous to receiving the strangers, who were supposed to be all the time in the Salle des Ambassadeurs. I went down to them to fall into the Ranks, found about 20 Anglais, among them Lord Blayney, Lord Cowper, Lord Arch. Hamilton, Mr. Cust, a Cambridge friend, 172 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Luttrell, &c. The Ambassadors were all there. Among them were three celebrated characters; D'Armfeldt the Swede, Markoff the Russian, and Lucchesini the Prussian. The Prince of Orange was also there. The most brilliant of the company was Demidoff, a Russian nobleman. He had on his breast a single Diamond valued at ^30,000. In half an hour we were shown upstairs, found a large Circle, and were taken by the first Consul in the order that we stood. The Ambassador of each Nation presented his own countrymen; the first Consul said something to almost every one, and not much to any one. Now for his Person, what is he like.'^ I will first tell you what he is unlike. In the first place he is unlike every other Person in the World, and in the second place he is perfectly unlike every Painting, Print, and Bust that has been taken of him. I cannot say why so many artists have so entirely failed, but if we may judge from the past, Posterity will have no idea of the countenance of Buonaparte; if Painting has failed, no words can succeed. However, I am bound to tell you what I think of him. He is about 5 feet 7 inches high, delicately and gracefully made; his hair a dark brown crop, thin and lank; his complexion smooth, pale, and sallow; his eyes grey, but very animated; his Eye Brows light brown, thin and projecting. All his Features, particularly his Mouth and Nose, fine, sharp defined and expressive beyond description; expressive of what? Not of anything perce as the Prints ex- pressed him, still less of anything mechant; nor has he anything of that Eye whose bend doth awe the FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 1 73 World. The true expression of his countenance is a pleasing melancholy, which, whenever he speaks, relaxes into the most agreeable and gracious smile you can conceive. To this you must add the appear- ance of deep and intense thought, but above all the predominating expression a look of calm and tran- quil Resolution and Intrepidity which nothing human could discompose. His address is the finest I have ever seen, and said by those who have travelled to exceed not only every Prince and Potentate now being, but even all those whose memory has come down to us. He has more unaffected dignity than I could conceive in man. His address is the gentlest and most prepossessing you can conceive, which is seconded by the greatest fund of levee conversation that I suppose any Person ever possessed. He speaks deliberately, but very fluently, with particular emphasis, and in a rather low tone of voice. While he speaks his features are still more expressive than his words. . . . Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Paris, April 13, 1802. I thank you a thousand times for your kind letter, and many, many thanks for letting her^ send a few lines enclosed in it. If you knew how happy it made me when I saw her handwriting; but, however, as you think there may be an impropriety in their 1 A^r— Corisande de Gramont, daughter of the Duke de Gramont. She became the wife of the Earl of Tankerville. 174 THE TWO DUCHESSES. being frequent, I yield, only I hope it would not appear wrong my writing a little message now and then just to say that I am alive. I long very much to hear about her mother's answer, which will decide in a great measure whether I am to be happy or not. . . . Lord Cowper I dined with to-day. He is not very well, and talks of not going to Italy till next year. He has quite had his dose of Paris, and now says that he shall probably go back to London in May. How very little one's happiness depends on the quantity of gold or silver dross one has in one's pocket: he, with all his riches, rank, and titles, seems to ennuy in every place he happens to be in. At London he wished to go to Paris and Italy, and at Paris he wants to go back again to London. I am sure any situation is better than that of a discontented rich man, because with all the idea that he ought to be happy he never is so. . . . I have not seen Bonaparte since the presentation, but there is to be a grand ceremony next Sunday that I shall move Heaven and Earth to get at — the cele- bration of the Peace, and of the re-establishment of Religion, together, in the Cathedral of Notre Dame. The Consuls are to attend, the Legates, Cardinals, &c., and the Archbishop of Aix is to preach the sermon. , . The people here seem to think of nothing but how they may amuse themselves most. I wonder if any Englishman ever yet preferred France or any other country for living in to Eng- land? As for me, I only feel the superiority of England everywhere I go, and if I had a large fortune I think I should never stir out of it. FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 1/5 Madame de Stael^ said t'other day that there were only two countries free in the World, I'Angleterre et TAmerique. Menou is expected daily at this Hotel with his Egyptian spouse. ... I dined at Madame de Stael's yesterday. I was the only Englishnian. We had a bad dinner at a little, narrow table, many of the men in boots. I don't admire Madame de Stael much; she may have a vast deal of esprit, but shews a vast deal too much of it, I think; or, in other words, is a great bavard, and in my humble opinion is a very disgusting woman. ... I have taken great pains to find out whether the people here, in passing the Place de la Concorde, where Louis was guillotined, took off their hats, and I can assure you that I never saw any one do so, and have, on inquiry, never heard that any one did. It is surprizing why people will circulate such lies in London. It would, at any rate, be a very equivocal proof of their loyalty, as the Jacobin would equally have reason to doff his hat to the place which gave him liberty. Remember me to all my friends at Devonshire House, and tell Corise that I have read her little note over at least 20 times. '^Madame de Stael — The celebrated French authoress, daughter of Necker, the famous financier and minister of France, and wife of Baron de Stael -Holstein, Swedish minister at Paris (1766-18 17). 176 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. April, ? 1802? [A Fragment.] Paris must be much changed since you have been here, for several buildings have been pulled down, particularly about the Tuileries, and in many parts new streets and fine hotels have been erected. Shocking marks of devastation among the chateaux and churches all along the road from Calais. At St. Denis the Cathedral has been pillaged and every statue or ornamental monument demolished ; the sepulchres torn open, and the bodies of the Kings of France taken and burnt with lime and buried in the churchyard. I saw the ruins of Chantilly, where I stopped one night. That magnificent building, which cost near 4 millions with the gardens, sold to a carpenter and ironmonger for 1 30,000 livres! They employed 2000 men to destroy it in order that they might sell the materials before they were deprived of them by a new revolution. The gardens were ruined by the inhabitants of a village opposite the chateau, and who lived by the Prince's bounty. It is astonishing how the French bear their misfortunes; some of them live in miserable little holes, perhaps near their former magnificent hotels, and yet they are as lively and gay as ever, and even laugh at their . . . Monday, April 5, 1802. I have delayed sending this in order that I might acquaint you of my presentation, which took place FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 1 77 to-day. Yesterday there were about sixteen English in all presented to Talleyrand^ Perigord: he is a shocking ugly fellow, with both his feet turned in- wards. This morning I repaired in full dress at half past II to the Tuileries with J. Leslie Foster.- The troops were fast assembling; we, contrary to custom for foreigners, but much to our own advan- tage, and indeed from ignorance, went up the grand staircase into the Salle des Officiers Generaux instead of going below into a little room, where we should have seen nothing. There were assembled all the great generals and whole Etat major. Moreau was not there, but I saw Massena,^ and many others of note whose names I could not find out. Their uniforms surpassed my ideas far — all in blue, richly embroidered with gold. I did not see the parade very well, but, however, the passing of the regiments before the ist Consul I saw pretty well from the windows. Previous to his mounting he passed through the Salle, where we were, with a quick step, and a little after we saw him on his beautiful dun horse riding among the ranks attended by eight or ten officers and one Mameluc richly dressed; it rained hard, unfortunately, but, however, it was a magnificent sight. As for me, it appeared to me like a dream to find myself in the midst of the conquerors of Italy and Germany, with Buonaparte at their head. The famous regiment which stood 1 Talleyrand— One of the greatest diplomatists of the period, at one time a warm supporter of Bonaparte (1754-1838). '/. Leslie Foster— ^Siron first of the Court of Exchequer in Ireland, and after- wards of the Court of Common Pleas. ^ Masst'rta— One of the most celebrated of Bonaparte's generals, called by him "Enfant de la Victoire" (1758-1817). M 178 THE TWO DUCHESSES. the brunt at the battle of Marengro was amono^ them. There were about 4000 men, Cavalry and Infantry, all very simply but very well dressed. This lasted for an hour, when Buonaparte returned to receive petitions and talk to the generals, and I am sure no King or Emperor ever went through a levee better: he seemed to speak to every one, and not a repetition of the same fulsome stuff to each, but something which appeared adapted to each person, and evidently sent them away pleased with him and themselves. He is like the picture that was in Piccadilly, but that gives him a severer countenance than he has, for I think his face, which don't give me the idea of heroic courage so much as of cool intrepidity and collectiveness, is very expressive of good nature. He has a very unaffected dignity in my opinion, and appears perfectly at his ease, and never at a loss for anything to say. He had several petitions given him, which he read all on the spot. I shall write to you to-morrow about my presentation. At the time of his receiving the petitions he put me in mind of Julius Caesar the day he was assassinated. I am quite enthusiastic about him. Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Paris, April 18, 1802. Vive I'effronterie; sans elle je n'aurais rien vu de la fete. On m'a repousse de porte en porte me disant que mon billet d'entree ne valoit rien a chaque endroit au quel je me presentois, et enfin j'ai mis FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 1 79 rimportant et je leur criois, Messieurs je ne puis pas passer si vous de me faites pas de place, je suis de I'Ambassade Angloise, laissez moi passer s'il vous plaii. Alors me voyant aussi dans un riche uniforme les soldats se sont empresses de me faire de la place. John Leslie^ que j'avois ammene avec moi me suivois en me tenant, et nous sommes arrives heureusement a I'endroit ou se placaient les Ambassadeurs dans le fond de Notre Dame vis a vis de la Chaire. Now, in plain English, I can only write a few lines to tell you that it was a very magnificent and unique sight; but to me it appeared that the idea of Religion was not in the least connected with it. There was a great crowd in the body and galleries of the Church — on both sides of the altar were the Canopies; one on the right, crimson and gold for the legate Caprera; on the left gold and crimson canopy supported by five pillars, and underneath three chairs, the middle for the First Consul, the other two for the secondary Consuls. It is now midnight and a half. P. goes at three. Therefore I shall send you a longer account to-morrow. The Archbishop of Aix, now of Tours, preached an excellent sermon, in the opinion of several not enough thankful to the Government, but attributing all to the powerful effect of Religion and the natural consequence of things. Bonaparte and the other two walked under a crimson canopy sup- ported by four priests — the Archbishop of Paris, Dubelloy, holding the Cross before him — all yielded hommage. '^ John Leslie— John Leslie Foster, cousin of Augustus Foster, and Baron suc- cessively of the Courts of Exchequer and Common Pleas in Ireland. l80 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Paris, April 19, 1802. . . Yesterday, as I wrote you word, was the great ceremony of celebrating the peace and the establishmentof Religion. Mounier, Camillejourdan/ and most of that set consider it as a deathblow to the hopes of Louis 18,^ who is now called le Pre- tendant, as he went till now hand in hand with religion, and as religion was the principal link which connected his interests with those of the Honnetes Gens of France, because Atheism was encouraged and Piety laughed at. Now that the Government proclaims Liberty of Conscience, that the bishops have taken the oath of preserving the Constitution and religion, and that they see that they may pray without the aid of Louis, it will weaken his interest very much in the country. The ceremony was very magnificent and well ordered, but it struck me as resembling anything rather than a religious cere- mony, and the strange medley of military, armed cap a pied, and of priests in petticoats was very ridiculous. Buonaparte ordered beforehand that no Minister or Ambassador should go to Notre Dame without four horses to his carriage — he himself had eight — and besides, six saddle horses, led each by a Mameluc before the carriage, there were only the other two Consuls with him. The people, who would cry Vive ^ Camille Jourdan — a French writer (1771-1821). 2 Louis X r///.— (1755-1824). FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. l8l to a Dog if a Dog were an amusement to them, shouted Vive Buonaparte! Vive laRepublique! When he got to the door of Notre Dame four priests met him, supporting a sort of Canopy under which he went, and behind him Cambaceres^ and Le Brun,^ and thus he marched, preceded by Dubelloy, Arch- bishop of Paris, who held the Cross, through the aisle to the throne, drums beating, arms presented, and organs playing; it was altogether very fine. The Bishops all took the oaths before him, and bowed to him and the Cross; he himself took the oath and kissed the book to preserve the religion. The Archbishop of Aix read the sermon extempore; it was very good, but the noise so great scarce half of it could iDe heard. Many reckoned it too little complimentary to Buonaparte; he seemed to con- sider it as a matter of right and necessity the return of religion into the country. I spoke to him after it was over. Poor old man, he thought nobody heard him. I pleased him by telling him that I heard tolerably well. I saw Massena and M'Donald.^ The last resembles Lord Morpeth, I think; he is fair faced and gentlemanlike-looking. Massena is black- faced and seems a scoundrel. Buonaparte I still admire. His face was perfectly grave during the whole ceremony. After it was over he pleased every- body by his condescension in speaking to them. What was rather mockery, I think — I did not see it myself — but Camille Jourdan told me that he crossed himself several times as well as Cambaceres. That 1 Camdac^rh— Second consul (1753-1824K ' Le Drun — Third consul (1739-1824). »yV/'Z?<7«a/rf— Marshal M'Donald (1765-1810). 1 82 THE TWO DUCHESSES. was trop fort for one once a professed Turc. Madame Buonaparte^ dresses very lightly; seems to have been pretty; she, with Madame Joseph,^ I think her daugh- ter, and Madame Murat,^ her sister-in-law, and Louis Buonaparte* with several ladies, was placed in a gallery a little above the altar on the left; she only came with two horses to her carriage. The Duchess of Cumberland^ is here; the princes of Orange and Weimar. . . . Don't let Corise forget me, and tell her that she is never absent from my thoughts in the middle of all this bustle. . . . Ans:iistus Foster 'i> To Lady Elizabeth Foster. . . . What say you to the Catholic Question? In my opinion no one solid argument has been brought forward against the Emancipation. Grattan*^ was a flower of eloquence, but I fear sadly they will lose Ireland by the refusal, if so 'che sfortunato Re'. Nelson has been displaying his great name in the W^estern World. He has appeared and gone again like a comet without doing mischief, but I sadly fear they will get to Ireland before him. . . . The Americans are sending across the continent to find the source of the great river Missouri, the elder branch of the Mississippi, and their people have written from 1600 miles up its banks. ' Madame Bonaparte — Josephine (1763-1814). ''■Madame Joseph — Wife of Joseph Bonaparte. ^Madame Murat — (1782-1839). ^ Louis Bonaparte — (1778-1806). ^Duchess of Cumberland — Frederica of Mecklenburg Strehtz. * G;-a/'/a«— (1750-1820). FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 1 83 A^tgustus Foster To Lady Elisabeth Foster. BOYUKDERE, /z/!«i? lO, 1803. . . . I should not forget to tell you that I saw the slave market about three days ago: an officer of the Reis Effendi^ took us in there. There were great numbers of blacks enforced to sale in the halls and whites within the rooms; there was no one very handsome, they all, I thought, looked excessively melancholy. I got our Dragoman to question a white lady, not ugly, that was sitting cross-legged in one of the rooms. She told us that she was a Cir- cassian. He said that we came with a commission to see and buy slaves, and she begged that we might take her; however, it is not permitted to a Christian to buy, he may commission his Janizary to purchase for him; it would be rather a bore, however, to depend upon his taste, and beauties are bought up before they land for the pashas and Grand Signers; it is very seldom that any very handsome are to be found in the market. Our Turk had promised that we should see one more lovely than a Sultana, or in other terms, as he expressed himself, one so fair that, as she drank water, one might see it gurgle down her pearly throat; the price of such a one may be about ^1000; the common run of pretty ones is from ^^300 to ^600, and a black may be had for ^50. As we were returning we saw a man who, dis- contented with his slave, was refusing her upon the ' Heis Effendi—ThG. title of the Turkish minister of foreign affairs. 184 THE TWO DUCHESSES. plea that she was sickly, desiring the merchant to feel her pulse and examine her hand; the other vociferated that he ought to stick to his bargain. The girl, by her motions, was explaining what she was fit for — sewing, working, washing, &c. She was a very pretty slender Circassian, I could have beat the man for his bad taste in giving her back; it is quite like a sale of horses, or any other cattle. The Blacks are innumerable, according to the different nations, more in features distinguished from one another than I thought such complexions would admit of The market place has four sides, and a sort of booth or collection of coffee-houses in the middle. We examined and even entered into the halls and rooms on three sides, but on the fourth some Turks rather roughly objected to our going into the rooms as the Firman did not mention that; however, we saw all that was worth seeing. This and the printing office at Scutari are among the most curious things that I have seen. The Turks have learned from us to make Geographical Charts; the first they ever did. CJiarles James Fox^ To Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, 1803. St. Anne's Hill, August 12. My dear Duchess, — I have no intention to abuse you for a neglect which was in itself so unimportant, 1 Charles James Fox — Burke called him the greatest debater the world ever saw ; and Sir James Mackintosh said he was the most Demosthenic speaker since Demosthenes (1749-1806). 5W»«I f lECT«IC ENGRAVINO Z" FROM THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. 1 85 but am very sorry you have such an excuse to make as Lady Georgiana's illness. I should have had no curiosity, much less anxiety, upon the matter if it had not been that I wished to know whether the lan- euapfe, which I knew Sheridan would hold to him, had any effect and what. I think I can see by the newspaper accounts of the debate that Sheridan dis- liked Francis^ pressing him on the subject of the Prince very much, and that if there was any difficulty he got very well out of it. I am very sorry the Duke has so bad a fit of the gout. I do not believe the French will come: if they do, by what I see they will find us as unpre- pared as ever owing to the last foolish manoeuvres of the Doctor.^ Yours ever, C. J. Fox. P.S. — I hear an admirable quotation of yours upon S. and his prepared Uniform. Motley your only wear should be his motto. T/ie Earl of A berdeen ^ To Augustus Foster. Edinburgh, August 14, 1804. Dear Augustus, — You will participate in my grief when I tell you that I arrived last night at Edin- ^ Francis — Sir Philip P., supposed author of the celebrated Letters of Junius (1740-1818). ^the Doctor — Henry Addington, prime minister from 1801 to 1803 (1757-1844). * The Earl of Aberdeen — George Hamilton Gordon, Earl of Aberdeen, prime minister from 1852 to 1855. He was a man of culture, a student of Greek architec- 1 86 THE TWO DUCHESSES. burgh, which is of all places the most horrible. There is a most plentiful crop of grass in the streets, which the painter of the panorama has omitted, much to the injury of the Rurality of the scene. I am going to-morrow into Aberdeenshire. Do not imagine I shall really die, for I shall contrive to vegetate and give you accordingly some signes de Vie. Pray remember me to Lady Elizabeth and to the Duchess when you see them next, and tell them that if any wayward friend is obstinately bent upon visit- ing our northern wilds to send him to me, and I will do my best to entertain him, that is to say, give him good shooting. Bid them think what a state the Belle Nature of that country must be in, when murder is the only amusement. Were I not in possession of a calendar, but was to judge from my sore lips and red nose, I should be tempted to set out instantly for London, thinking Christmas past; reflection, however, informs me that five or six gloomy months must pass. Although I cannot in strict justice say Ye gods, annihilate both time and Space And make two lovers happy, yet I am persuaded that no Lover ever preferred the request with more fervency. Having now poured forth my sorrows, I beg you will write to me, and about your own plans, when you go to your Exile and how. My direction is Haddo House, Aberdeen- ture and antiquities, and had visited Athens by this time ; hence Byron designated hin> as "the travelled thane, Athenian Aberdeen" (1784-1860). FROM THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. 1 8/ shire. I shall also expect to hear from you as soon as you have touched Philadelphia ground. Believe me, ever most truly yours, Aberdeen. P.S. — If I am not lost and benighted in my own deserts, I will write shortly after my arrival, in hopes of its finding you still in England. Adieu. T/ie Earl of A berdeen To Augustus Foster. Cromarre,^ August 20, 1804. Dear Augustus, — I wrote you from Edinburgh a letter which mi^ht be called the Lamentations of Jeremiah, so dismal were the contents; however, I am now rejoiced at the intelligence that you are not to Columbize, for I this evening received your letter after a mountain massacre.^ I do not find this country so horrible as I imagined, or as you seem to think, and there is a sensible pleasure at standing to look around one and being able to see nothing but one's own. What can you be about at Cell's?^ I hope and trust you will come down here: throw yourself into the Mail and you will arrive at Aberdeen in three days and a half. Nothing would give me half so much pleasure as to see you. My Constantinopoli- tan plan is in statu quo, that is to say, nothing 1 Cromarre — A district of Aberdeenshire, on the Dee. "^mountain massacre — Of grouse. 3 GeU — Sir William Cell, a learned classical antiquary {1777-1836). 1 88 THE TWO DUCHESSES. certain, at all events it probably is stopped until next Spring. London must be wretched at present, which makes me hope you will not be so averse to quit it, therefore (Si quis adhuc precibus locus) come. Congratulate Lady Elizabeth from me at your escape from eating entrails, like the Esquimaux, or bedaub- ing your face with Tallow, like the Iroquois. I should think there could not be much difficulty in despatching you eis ten poling and that you will soon be restored to the beauties of the Bosphorus. I am now midst " Mountains vast and Bogs Ser- bonian ", but am going into the low country in a few days. In the meantime, pray write, and tell me all the news. Farewell, and believe me, with the greatest sincerity, Aberdeen. The Earl of A berdeen To Augustus Foster KlNRARA,2 Sept. 22, 1804. Dear Augustus, — I have for the last month been speculating as to your fate, which, when you wrote last, appeared to be as uncertain as one could well desire. I send you this epistle in order to be in- formed both of it and a variety of events. I am here at the Duchess of Gordon's cottage in the Highlands for two or three days: she means to "^ eis fen polin — The Greek words for "to the city". This expression being constantly in people's mouths in ancient times gave origin to the names Istambol, Stamboul, for Constantinople ; hence the use of these words in the letter. ^ Kinrara — In Inverness-shire, near the Spey, now the property of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, one of whose titles is Earl of Kinrara. FROM THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. 1 89 reappear in London next winter if she can procure a house large enough for the magnificent fetes which she proposes to give. From this I go to Blair (the Duke of Athol's) in order to massacre a few red deer, but shall quickly proceed to my own retreat of Vail Ombrosa, near Dunira, than which nothing can be more beautiful. With regard to any external mo- tions, I am very uncertain if I shall again walk the olive groves of Academia,^ or freeze midst hyper- borean snows, or inhale the smoke of London — per- haps the last. Is Gell gone to Zante, as the time which he proposed for departing is arrived? Tell me what is doing in Babylon,^ though I suppose you wall say nothing, but that is not sufficient. Your ancient flame is at last gone, and I can only hope that you have none of the veteris vestigia flammae remaining. Are the French come? for it would appear as if you expected them every day. But perhaps you are already gone, and this mis- sive may find you after an interview with his most Catholic Majesty at the Buen Retiros or L'Escurial. God knows, however, if you may not have crossed the Atlantic and heard the muddy notions of the Americans about Liberty, how unlike our Athens; but wherever you may be, believe me to be, with great friendship, Aberdeen. Should you perchance be still in London, I beg to be remembered to Lady Elizabeth and the Duchess. ^ olive groves of Acadeniia—Thd^X is whether he shall again go to Athens. ' Babylon — London. 190 THE TWO DUCHESSES. TJie Earl of Aberdeen To Ajts^nstJis Foster. 'c> Haddo/ A^ov. 20, 1804. Dear Augustus, — I long very much to know how you are satisfied with the Terra Australis, and how you like your situation; if you are content I shall /ee/ real pleasure. Tell me something about your Society : in what does the haut ton Americain con- sist? You see that I am still buried in these Northern Wilds, but am now meditating a flight to London, where I shall stay five or six months, at the end of which I should hope to be able to undertake the Grecian expedition. Gell is gone with Mercer and Baker. I have always been of opinion that Russia will do nothing, and, though I hope not, yet fear that idea will be confirmed. I understand that the King has not been quite so well of late, but at all events the reconciliation between him and the Prince has done much good. I cannot speak with certainty as to the appointment of Lord Moiraand Tierney^ in Ireland: if Lord Moira wishes it he will get it certainly; but I do not apprehend that he is anxious about it. I belong this winter to the Duchess's boxes at the Play, where, however, I shall but too often miss you; it is really lamentable the great distance at which you are, which so entirely precludes all my exertions to see you. ^ Haddo — The family residence of the Earls of Aberdeen in Aberdeenshire, near the river Ythan. ' Tierney — George T., statesman and political critic (1761-1830). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 191 If there is anything you wish done with dispatch, accuracy, and good-will, pray write to me, and you may depend upon my doing everything to shew you with what sincerity of friendship I am, and shall be, ever yours, « ^ Aberdeen. Lady E Hz abet J i Foster To Augustus Foster. December 5, 1S04. We have been in town now but a few days, and we removed from Chiswick sooner than we expected, in consequence of the melancholy event that hap- pened there. Poor John Brown, the Duke's faithful servant, fell from his horse in an apoplectic fit, and died the fourth day. It was very shocking, and he is sincerely regretted by all the servants. I have been nervous and hurried for some time past owing to an arrangement that is about to be made for the payment of the Duchess's debts. There never was anything so angelic as the Duke of Devonshire's conduct, and the many conversations I had with him on the subject, though it made me so nervous at the time, have made me happier now, and, if possible, increased my admiration and attachment to him. I feel secure now that she will avoid things of this kind for the future, and though the sum is great, yet it will end well I am convinced. I know so well your feelings about them that I have a pleasure in telling you what has passed. As for politicks, though every day an account of 192 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Bonaparte's coronation and Russia's decision is ex- pected, nothing hardly is seen or talked of but this young Roscius.^ I saw him his first night as Achmet or Selim in Barbarossa; I saw him last night as Norval in Douglas. He is but thirteen, and yet I never saw anything to compare to him; his is the inspiration of genius, with the correctness of taste belonging generally to experience and study alone, feeling far beyond his years, and a knowledge of the stage equal to any performer, and far more graceful : in short, he has changed the life of London; people dine at four, and go to the Play, and think of nothing but the play. How I wish you were here! Frederick is just returned from Ickworth, but I have not seen him. I have sent to ask him to the Play. The Hawkesburys stay in town for this boy's acting all next week. Sheridan took him to Carleton House, and the Prince told me that his manner was perfect; it was simple, graceful, and unaffected. As to the applause, the Pit, which is filled with men, not con- tent with applauding, over and over again cry out Bravo! Bravo! I don't suppose such applause could ever be exceeded. , . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, Dec. 18, 1804. . . . I suppose before the day that the Mails are closed for America that the Spanish War will be "^ young Roscius — William Betty, the boy actor. See Appendix. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 1 93 officially declared. . . . Parliament meets the 15th, and the Session is expected to be stormy; some rumours, however, are still afloat of peace, general peace, and that France will make the over- tures. Pitt will have to contend with a strong opposition probably, though probably also he will have enticed over some of those who never could resist the attraction of power, place, or Court favor. I should not be surprised if an Earl nearly connected with Devonshire House should be one. He is under the influence of the love of those three things just named, and also that of a fair lady, whose yearly visits at his Country House have often directed his Politicks, and a little Scotch blood in her veins makes her sensible to the orood thincjs of this world. I beg dear Lord Aberdeen's pardon for this reflec- tion : he has only the good, and none of the bad, of Scotch inheritances. December 19. All politicks have given way to ad- miration and interest and curiosity about yoilng Roscius. The most unbelieving, like General Fitz- patrick,^ have, on seeing him, confessed that he is admirable as an actor, and cease talking of him as a boy. General Fitzpatrick wrote to Charles Fox that he had been astonished and deliorhted. Mr. Fox came to town to see him, but the dear boy was ill and confined to his bed. Every precaution was taken to prevent any tumult from disappointment, and Wroughton read the physician's letter, in which ^General Fitzpatrick— \\'\\ and politician, the most intimate friend of Charles James Fox. N 194 THE TWO DUCHESSES. he said the boy could not act without great risk, and Mr. Jordan acted in both play and farce. How I wish you could see him! It is the inspiration of genius with perfect nature and a grace of action unequalled, never forced in any character. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Decefnber 25, 1804. I must begin by hoping that this may have been a happy Christmas to you, and many may you see. There have been so many rumours of changes here that I waited a little to know what was truth before I wrote again. Two days ago the Prince of Wales sat some time with me in my room, and told me that Addington and Pitt shook hands, and had dined at Lord Hawkesbury's. This seemed so strange that I thought it on-e of those rumours with which people about him amuse his idle hours, but yesterday it was declared, and the papers at least attribute the recon- ciliation to the King. That men who have opposed each other violently should become friends is not a matter of surprise or novelty, but to forgive cold, unpitying scorn and contempt has been hitherto unheard of, and the Moniing Chronicle will not let it be forgot that Pitt applied the most contemptuous terms to Addington and his administration. If the Doctor^ comes into office he will have a majority of the Cabinet, and I should not be surprised if he in ^ the Doctor — A nickname of Addington. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 1 95 a few months turned out Pitt. The report is also that Lord Hawkesbury returns to the foreign depart- ment. All I feel to care for in this is whether it is a favorable change to you. Kind as Lord Harrowby was, I should hope relationship might do still more ■ — at least it is a fair claim for promotion. Poor Lord Harrowby fell down stairs as I told you, but he was sufficiently recovered to be removed yester- day. The Princess Charlotte^ of Wales is at Carleton House, and played, poor little thing, on the Piano- forte to the Prince to-day. She is pretty, I hear, and eleven The King wanted to have her given up to him. The Prince does not consent to that, but appoints as nearly as he can all the persons whom the King would have named about the little Princess. I believe that Miss Trimmer will be sub-preceptress. The Duke of Portland has been in a very bad state of health and retires. What the Kinof's real state is I don't know, but he went to the Play in an admiral's uniform, which he never did before. Sometimes he wears the uniform of the Oxford Blues, and the other day received Sir Charles Poole on some naval business in an old naval uniform of Lord Howe's time. These are facts which tell, yet what is to be done whilst he can talk collectedly on business? Young Roscius is still ill ; that is the worst news, and very ill. . . . 26///. The Morpeths, Lady Bessborough, Lord Cowper, and Mr. Ward supped here. Mr. W^ard told ^ The Princess Charlotte— The only child of the Prince Regent, afterwards George IV. She was married to Leopold, king of the Belgians, but died at the age of twenty-one (1796-1817). 196 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Henry Dillon he was afraid the fame of his pam- phlet would outlive the stability of his principles, and Lord St. Vincent wrote to a friend three days ago, " Addington in opposition is a very different man from what he was in power; he will be firm and steady," e ben trovato. Canning and Lord Granville^ will be miserable at this; it lowers so Pitt's fine, lofty mind. Corisande is still unmarried. Ossulston^ is gone to Cambridge for a week or ten days. I daresay he won't marry till March, because he then expects a little money, but it is sad dawdling. Augustus Foster To Lady ElizabetJi Foster. Washington, Dec. 30, 1804. . . , I have at last reached this soi-disant city, as you perceive, and am settled with Toujours Gat^ but such a place; you can have no imagination of it, it is so unlike every other sort or description of a heap of human abodes calling itself a city. I made a visit yesterday to the only pleasant family in the place, who live five miles off — a Mrs. Barry, an Irish woman, who has got a pretty daughter (that I mean to carry with me as cara sposa all' Inghilterra); the badness of the weather and the roads, and the wretchedness of the carriages, will be the most power- "^ Lord Granville — Granville Leveson Gower, Earl Granville, diplomatist (1773- 1846). 2 Ossul5ton—L.oxA. Ossulston, son of the Earl of Tankerville, to which title he succeeded {1776-1859). ^ Toujours Gai — A punning designation. FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 197 ful obstacles to this intention of mine. I wrote to you from Norfolk last. At Baltimore I got into a round of assemblies for five or six days that I stayed there, and among the rest beheld Madame Jerome^ Buonaparte, who has not a good figure, but a very delicate skin, and, I think, very pretty little features. Jerome^ was confined. They have both been sadly tantalized about getting away. They were ship- wrecked once, and are afraid to go out in a frigate that lies in the Chesapeake. The French Minister did not return his visit, so I suppose that he is in high disgrace with the Emperor. This is a sad distance to be at from all the civilized world, and whenever I think of Europe, I always think I see an immense swell of sea between me and it. This place looks like — what, in fact, it is — an infant colony. Every man has built his house of wood or brick just where his fancy chose, so that there are hardly six buildings together in the whole of this immense space. I was presented to the President,^ who behaved to me very civilly in general. Merry says he has not spoken to others he introduced to him. He is dressed and looks extremely like a very plain farmer, and wears his slippers down at his heels: only think what must have been poor Toujours Gai's embarras when at his first audience he went all bespeckled with the spangles of our gaudish Court 1 Madame Jerome — Daughter of Mr. Patterson, a rich Baltimore merchant. ^Jerome — Youngest brother of Napoleon. He was king of Westphalia from 1807 to 1813. He married a princess of Wiirtemburg while his first wife was still alive, the marriage with Miss Patterson being declared null and void by Napoleon after he had become emperor (1784-1860). ^the President — Thomas Jefferson, president of the United States from i8or to 1809 {1743-1826). 198 THE TWO DUCHESSES. dress: the door opened suddenly too. He thrust out his hand to me as he does to everybody, and desired me to sit down. Luckily for me I have been in Turkey, and am quite at home in this primeval simplicity of manners. However, they ouQrht to establish some rule for foreig^n ministers if they will copy at all the customs of civilized Courts. As to this variegated nation — composed of British of all descriptions, of French, Dutch, Swiss, Africans, &c., I can form not the least idea as yet: all I know is that I have been disappointed in some things, particularly in their want of land eternally, and their thieving, which is carried to such an extent that there is no keeping even standing corn at a distance from your house here. Poor Mr. Merry is in perpetual alarm lest his disorder should return, and Mrs. Merry has had a very violent fever with which she still is confined to her bed. He really is a very good man, though [not?] the most methodical in the world. We live pretty well, but I have only got one room, and unluckily I sent my books and most of my things from Norfolk up the Potomac, so that they are not yet arrived. . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To A tigiisttis Foster. 1 804. The cultivation of the muses would most agreeably occupy your leisure moments, and lead you to a study of all that can form and refine your FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 1 99 taste; it would encourage also the enthusiasm which I think so necessary to your happiness in every situation ... a really true enthusiastic mind will never want an object for its enthusiasm: you may be an enthusiast in friendship, an enthusiast in love, in the forming of one's own character to the practice of every virtue and the fulfilling of every duty; and enthusiasm is, in fact, what, well directed, leads to the attainment of every virtue, and enables the possessor of it to walk out of the common track of common characters who rest satisfied with doing what is required of them, but never are equal to that most generous, most rare of all qualities I'oubli de soi meme (unselfishness) : it also leads to a great indul- gence for others, and a great severity to one's self In short, enthusiasm appears to me (perhaps you will say I am pleading my own cause) the vivifying heat that must bring forth the seed of all that is good in our natures, and lead to the imitation of all we see good in others. The enthusiasm which in- spired you with some of those very beautiful lines on the deserted plains of Thebes would, if cherished, equally fill your mind at home with admiration of the Duke of Devonshire's admirable taste and under- standing, and constant friendship of Mr. Hare, and the various excellencies of Mr. Fox's patriotism and transcendent abilities, Mr. Pitt's wonderful talents, &c., &c., and would also make you determine to distinguish yourself ... I shall perhaps write again and again on this subject, for pray remember, when you say that my enthusiasm has had a fair and well- shaped channel, that I was younger than you when 200 THE TWO DUCHESSES. I was without a guide; a wife and no husband; a mother and no children; travelHng for my health, which was impaired by sorrow, and by myself alone to steer through every peril that surrounds a young woman so situated: — books, the arts, and a wish to be loved and approved; an enthusiastic friendship for these my friends; a proud determination to be my own letter of recommendation; these, with per- haps manners that pleased, realized my projects, and gained me friends wherever I have been — but adieu, I must go. Read Candide as an amusement, but Voltaire will only amuse but never improve except in tragedies — a firm and manly trust in the provi- dence of God will give you happier hours than ever Candide's philosophy can. Heaven bless and direct you. ON THE DEATH OF JAMES HARE. BY GEORGIANA, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE, AND LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. Hark! 'twas the Knell of Death! What spirit fled And burst those shackles man is doomed to bear.? Can it be true, and midst the senseless Dead Must sorrowing Thousands count the Loss of Hare? Shall not his Genius Life's short Date prolong — Pure as the aether of its kindred Sky.-* Shall Wit enchant no longer from his Tongue Or beam in vivid Flashes from his Eye? Oh, no, that mind for every Purpose fit Has met, alas, the universal Doom. Unrivalled Fancy, Judgment, Sense, and Wit Were his, and only left him at the Tomb. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 201 Rest, Spirit, rest, for gentle was thy Course; Thy Rays, like temper'd Suns, no Venom knew; For still Benevolence alloy'd the Force Of the keen Darts thy matchless Satire threw. Yet not alone thy Genius I deplore; Nor o'er thy various Talents drop the Tear; But weep to think I shall behold no more A lov'd Companion and a Friend sincere. [James Hare, 1749-1804, was a friend of the Two Duchesses, of Charles James Fox, and of many others of his eminent contemporaries.] ON THE PEERAGE. EPIGRAM BY GEORGIANA, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. When a Peerage they give to some son of the earth, Yet he still is the same as before; 'Tis an honour if gained as the premium of worth, But exposes a blockhead the more. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Atigiistiis Foster. Februarys, 1805. The ferment continues about Young Roscius, and to-morrow he acts Octavian again. It is the only character I have seen him in in which the beauties of his acting could not surmount the disadvantages of his extreme youth. He spoke, and the tones of his voice went to the heart as a man reduced to madness from unhappy love; but he looked a boy, and they had made Mrs. St. Leger, who acts in Valentine and Orson, do the part of Floranthe with him — she is six feet high. 202 THE TWO DUCHESSES. I ought to talk of politicks to you, but all con- versation beeins and ends with Roscius. There never was anything like the beauty of his acting last night, yet it is a wretched play. Mr. Fitzpatrick went to the boy's room to be acquainted with him. His manners are those of a young man of the first fashion and good breeding. He is an astonishing creature, and you would admire him, I am sure. Think of his feeling, too. When he first rehearsed Hamlet, he had so worked himself up that when, in the closet scene, he says, "On him! on him! look how pale he glares!" he fainted in the arms of his friend. Mr. Hough, the prompter, caressed and soothed him, and said he should rehearse no more that night; and next day he said, "What, my dear boy, moved and affected you so last night. '^" "Why," he said, "I thought I did see my father's ghost." Caroline Wortley tells me that his acting Hamlet is the finest piece of acting she ever saw or can con- ceive. Well, now, as to other things. Pitt is said to have written two letters to the King urging the making Prettyman Archbishop of Canterbury, which he refused doing, and Sutton is appointed. Lord Mel- ville is said to have recommended Admiral Cochrane to go out to the West India Fleet, and this is not done. The rumour for some days was that Pitt must go out, but I do not think it. You will see a contradiction of the statement in Cobbett's^ paper about Canning. I have avoided asking about it out 1 William Cobbett — Political and miscellaneous writer (1762-1835). FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 203 of delicacy to the Hawkesburys, but I believe there were friends of Canning's that would not let it rest so. I believe Wallace has been indiscreet, else I know not how Cobbett could have had possession of the transaction, or, at least, of what was said of it. Next Friday Mr. Grey's^ motion on the Spanish papers comes on. They are rejoicing it is not Thursday, as Roscius acts Romeo! Opposition will divide strong, I should think. . . . All here is as you left it. Corisande still unmarried, and Ossulston without money to marry: how long he thinks he can go on so I know not: it makes her, poor little thing, feel very uncomfortable. Dune, seems a little smitten with your friend Mrs. Payne; but her manner is quite proper. B. North looks in despair; I believe she has cut him quite; and Lord and Lady Villiers look happiness itself. Lady Boringdon very hand- some and happy, and he seems proud and fond of her. H. Dillon has hid himself. Aiigitstiis Foster To Lady ElizabetJi Foster. Washington, February 8, 1805. Though I have not as yet seen much of this country, I have seen enough to be convinced that it will not do to stay a great while in it. This, undoubtedly, is a miserable place, but the elect of all ^ Mr. Grey — Afterwards Earl Grey, prime minister when the great Reform Bill of 1832 was passed (1764-1845). 204 THE TWO DUCHESSES. the States are assembled in it; and really such a p-ano- to have the affairs of an Empire wanting little of the size of Russia entrusted to them makes one shudder. Imagination is dead in this country; wit is neither to be found nor is it understood among them; all the arts seem to shrink from it, and you hear of nothing but calculation and speculation in money or in Politics. When I am introduced to a person here, I am quite at a loss what to converse with him upon. Their depth of reading generally goes no further than Tom Paine's muddy pamphlets, or more generally their own still more muddy political newspapers. If they go as far as books of travels and magazines it is a very great deal. I have frequently attended their Congress. There are about five persons who look like gentlemen; all the rest come in the filthiest dresses, and are well indeed if they look like farmers, but most seem apothecaries and attorneys. There is only one man who can speak well; he is the leader of the Republicans, or, as the Federalists call them, Democrats — Randolph.^ He is, I believe, going to England and to France with a little nephew who is deaf and dumb, but extremely intelligent, to take him to Lizard. I shall give him a letter for you, for, though the strangest- looking Demagogue you ever set eyes on, he is very gentlemanlike, and, for this country, a prodigy. He has a little of the affectation of a self-taught and late- taught politician, but he is certainly clever, and, as a '^Randolph — John Randolph, an American statesman distinguished for his elo- quence, wit, sarcasm, and eccentricity, and for thirty years more talked and written of than any other American politician. He boasted that the Indian Princess Pocahontas was one of his ancestors (1773-1833). (From Chambers Cyclopaedia). FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 205 descendant of the Indian Queen Pocahontas/ you will be interested about him. ... I do not think that this ever will become a great city. The Demon of speculation has already fixed himself here; and, instead of giving premiums for building, the land is very dear. There is no commerce whatever, and all the increase arises from the demand for houses for the members of Congress, and those whom they bring here; but I heard so bad an account of this wretched settlement, that the only thing I was dis- appointed in was the hope of finding great forests of fine trees, instead of which the land is mere waste in the city, and all the trees have been cut for fire. In short, if I don't fall in love very soon the dullness that stares you in the face in this letter will irrevoc- ably get hold of me. I do nothing but read the Tempest and Midsummer Night's Dream and Virgil to try and keep alive the embers of imagination; but really there is in this demi-city demi-wllderness so lovely a damsel of parti-coloured extraction — Irish and Portuguese — that I won't quite be sure of not melting a little; if so, I shall be destined to be always falling in love with Roman Catholics. She is the most determined devotee in existence, almost starves herself on fast days, but certainly is beautiful; how- ever son ancora intatto per sicuro. ^Pocahontas — Daughter of Powhatan, an Indian chief of Virginia, married to John Rolfe in 1613, and baptized by the name of Rebecca (1595-1617). 206 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Aug2csttis Foster To Lady Elisabeth Foster. Washington, Feb. 15, 1805. I saw Jerome Bonaparte last night. You seem to be interested about him in Enoland. Those letters are undoubtedly authentic, though he tries to persuade Madame and his friends that they are forgeries. He has made several attempts to go away, and now says he will go with her in three months. He is in size rather smaller than Napoleon, and very like Lord Bristol^ in figure. He is only like Bonaparte in the lip. The French Minister and his affect to call his wife Miss Patterson in speaking to others of her. They are both, I think, very much to be pitied; and though he has been extravagant here, yet he has in general conducted himself in company modestly and unas- suming; but that and his youth cannot save him from the ill-nature of these most ill-natured rene- gades from all countries under the sun, the American inhabitants of towns. His daughter is wife of an Irish refugee, who came over here in a very low situation, indeed, as some say, hostler; but at present against his character there is not the least imputation: however, truth is hard to be got at here. . . . ^ Lord Bristol — The Bisliop of Deny had died in Italy in 1803, and his son Frederick was now Earl (and afterwards marquis) of Bristol {1769-1859). FROM THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. 20/ Lady Elizabeth Foster To Ang7ist7ts Foster. March 3, 1805. Miss Drummond is in love, they say, with Young Roscius, so that all her lovers must despair. He is truly, as Mr. Pitt says, a prodigy, and I do grieve that you are not here to see and admire him. It has made a change in London life, and the theatre is now the great topic of conversa- tion and the favorite amusement. Even Grassini^ complains that he has spoiled the Opera, and is the great attraction to all people. I assure you that the great politicians consult what day he acts that they may not give their dinners on those days. We saw him the other day at Lady Abercorn's. Lady Hamilton did her attitudes, and the Boy was asked to recite. He refused a great while. At last his father asked him. He said, " I must do whatever my father desires me," and came, not over-pleased, to the room where people were waiting to see him, and then he recited a speech of Hassan's. The Earl of Aberdeen To Atigusius Foster. March 4, 1805. My dear Augustus, — It is but two days since I emerged from obscurity and resumed my place ' Grassini — Josephina Grassini, the finest Italian singer of her time (1775-1850). 208 THE TWO DUCHESSES. amongst the constellations which adorn Babylon. That you wallow in space is most true, but that you embrace the Heavenly Goddess of Liberty I beg leave to doubt; it must be a painted representation, no more like her than a Volunteer is to a Soldier. Your Republic is certainly in her childhood, but she has nothing of infancy but its frowardness, and in- stead of the strength and vigour of youth she has nothing but its insolence and ignorance. The re- semblance of Washington to Rome is a good bur- lesque. As for my Plans they are far from being decided, whether I go to Happy climes or remain here, whether I roam in Liberty amongst the Beauties of the Day or content myself with the possession of one object. The thermometer of my affections is not very far from the freezing point, and, what is worse, I fear the mercury is still sinking. I saw your former flame at Devonshire House looking very well, but no Ossulston. ... It is a great con- solation that your women are pretty. As for their expecting you to be enamoured at the first glance it is no objection, provided they comply equally soon; Whittinofton desires to be remembered. The tooth of a Mammoth would highly gratify him. If you meet with the seeds of plants which are very rare in this country send me a few for a beautiful Dame who has nothing but vulgar roses and lilies in her cheeks. Write me, and believe me your most sin- cere and faithful friend, Aberdeen. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 209 Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, March 25, 1805. Dear Lord Aberdeen really seems quite anxious (about the illness of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire). He had been one of the few infidels about the young Roscius, but he is, I hear, won over, and acknowledges his merit. Mr. Crawford saw him for the first time, and in Hamlet, the other night. He said that he expected to be disappointed, having heard so much and remembering Garrick so per- fectly, but that he was astonished and delighted, and that in many parts he thought him not even inferior to Garrick.^ There never certainly was so extraor- dinary a being, and the more one thinks of it the more extraordinary it appears. Sir Walter^ and Dr. Blane^ have just been here. The Duchess is really better, but yet they think there must be more pain, but not so bad as before — at least I am willing to think not. They had a budget of news. Lord Chatham has the government of Plymouth vacant by the death of Lord Lennox; that the Russians will certainly co-operate with us and send 100,000 men into the field, and that Sir S. Craig is to com- mand the expedition: he is first to take Minorca, and then proceed to Malta to combine where to meet the Russians and their future operations. Of 1 Garrick— Y>2cn& Garrick ; Pope said of him after seeing him act in Richard II., "That young man never had his equal as an actor, and will never have a rival" (1716-1779). •Sir IV'a/Ur—Sir Walter Farquhar, the physician mentioned previously. ^Dr. /?/(/«(•— Afterwards Sir Gilbert Blane, a celebrated physician (1749-1834). 210 THE TWO DUCHESSES. all the Convoy, it is now known that the French took three ships, and allowing to the bravery of the Arrow sloop and Acheron brig. . . . March 28. The publick go on being delighted with young Roscius, Parliament discussing the Militia, the papers are dwelling on the tenth report, and Buonaparte is adding more crowns to his Imperial Diadem. It is a fortnight, I believe, since I have stirred from home, so I can only give you outlines of news. A poem^ has just appeared of Walter Scott's, which is said to be good, but till I hear a little more of it I shall not send it as it is very long. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. April 5, 1805. The fifth representation of Hamlet has filled the house more than I have yet seen it. I never saw him act so well as to-night, and Lord Aberdeen was quite delighted with him, of course, you know that I mean Roscius. ... I am afraid Lord Aberdeen is vexed about Lord Melville.^ I send you the paper with his letter. The tenth report^ is as yet too large, but when the extract or abridgement comes out I will send it you. Lord Suffolk chose to move ^ poem — The Lay of the Last Minstrel. ^Melville — Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville, long prominent in the political world. He was impeached for crimes and misdemeanours committed while acting as treasurer of the navy, but was acquitted. The ' ' tenth report " refers to the pro- ceedings in regard to this trial (1740-1811). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 211 in the House to-night for the authentic letter, the one which has been pubhshed in the papers being, he said, a forgery, as it criminated Lord M. more than he was before it. Some think it clears him at least from having speculated for himself. News is come of the French attack on Dominica. The Toulon fleet was said to have passed the straits of Gibraltar in order to join the Rochefort squadron in the West Indies, but some reports say that it is gone back. The present moment is not a bright one for Ministers. They are in need of some coup d'etat to help them on. One of the rumours of the day is that Lord Wellesley^ has declared himself Sovereign of India; then he and Holkar'- may fight it out. Your friend Lord A.^ braves the Duchess of Gordon,* and flirts with Harriet^ more than ever. I admire his spirit, but I am sorry the papers have got hold of it, and amiable and delightful as he is, he would not be a good match for her. Lord Tankerville*^ has not relented, and I have no guess how that will end. Speaking of Jerome "yet he has in general conducted himself in company modestly and unas- suming ", it should be either modestly and tinassiun- ^ Lord lVe//esley—The Marquis Wellesley, the famous governor-general of India, and eldest brother of the Duke of Wellington. He returned from India in 1805, having been about eight years there (1760-1842). ^ //o/-4(2r— Jeswunt Rao Holkar, Maratta ruler of Indore, who gave much trouble to the British, and gained a rather important victory over the Colonel Monson mentioned here. ^ your friend Lord A. — Lord Aberdeen. * The Duchess of Gordon — She probably wished him to marry a daughter of her own. The Duchess— Jane Maxwell — was famous as a successful match-maker, and was in several ways somewhat notorious. ' Harriet— 'Ld.dy Harriet Cavendish, daughter of the fifth Duke of Devonshire. ^ Lord Tankerville — He appears to have been against the marriage of his son Lord Ossulston with the Corisande several times referred to in the correspondence, but the marrriage took place. 212 THE TWO DUCHESSES. ingly, or in company he is 7nodest and unassuming. These are only little inaccuracies and inelegances which you require to avoid, by having the habit of writing correctly at all times, and this would prevent your having even any trouble in avoiding them, and as you seem to have acquired a love and habit of study and application, do, my dearest child, put this time to profit in every way, and the very dullness you naturally complain of will then turn to your advantage — set doggedly to, as Johnson called it, not only to translate Cicero, but to transcribe Lord Chesterfield. Transcribing forms the style as trans- lating does the judgment and taste. If you acquire a habit of correct and elegant writing now it is done for life; your style is natural and agreeable; the construction of your phrases is all that requires attending to; whatever is simplest is best, but then the grammatical part should be pure and correct to the utmost. You must forgive these criticisms, the consequence of maternio affetto which is watching over you most anxiously. Let me know where you are likely to go in the spring that I may follow you on the map. You will hear of the reverses in India, and the shocking fate of Colonel Monson's detach- ment. Lord Cornwallis^ is going to give peace, as I hope, to that desolated country; would the olive branch could be extended over Europe. '^ Lord Cornwallis — He was appointed, in 1804, governor-general of India in succession to the Marquis Wellesley, but died in 1805. FROM THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. 213 TJie Earl of Aberdeen To Augustus Foster. Watier's Club, April 6, 1805. My dear Augustus, — I heard of you lately from Lady Elizabeth, and am sorry that you continue to dislike the Metropolitan residence of Washington, although in one respect it should give me pleasure, as it will lessen the impediments to your return. There is nothing of great consequence. I am not sanguine about Russia, but combined expeditions are talked of, and we have already despatched some thousand men. The most atrocious virulence which ever disgraced a party has been exerted against Lord Melville, but he will ultimately triumph — Magna est Veritas et praevalebit. The Duchess, you will have heard, has been very ill, but is now much recovered. Your old flame^ is still in statu quo, although Lord Tankerville, I understand, now con- sents. I think Grantham is very far gone with Miss Pole, who is certainly the prettiest girl in London. Au reste there have been produced but few beauties this spring. Lady Charlotte Gower will be pretty; there are two Lady Fitzgeralds greatly celebrated, but without much reason. . . . Aberdeen. ^ Corisande de Gramont. 214 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, April lo, 1805. I finished the last letter on Monday the 8th. That eventful day!^ we received in the course of the evening several notes from the House of Commons saying that the opinion of the House seemed to go very much with them (opposition) and that Pitt had spoke without one solitary cheer, a thing, I suppose, unknown to him before. Lord Henry Petty spoke admirably, and Lord John wrote us word that he thought that they would divide 170, a strong division for opposition. Mr. Pitt was keeping his friends together saying that the next question he should have to carry was so and so; whatever it was I forget it now. The question was called for before five; a great and awful silence ensued. The Speaker rose and said that the motion for a secret committee had appeared to him to be a fair and equitable measure, but that the charge which had been brought before him was so strong he must, according to his conscience, give his vote for the question. The ayes have it. They had divided equally, and he gave the casting vote. He was pale as ashes, and you might have heard a pin drop; it is an event that occupies every creature. The House ^ That eventful day — Eventful in the proceedings against Lord Melville. Mr. Whitbread moved certain resolutions censuring the conduct of Lord M. ; Pitt moved the previous question ; and the votes being equal the Speaker (Mr. Abbot, afterwards Lord Colchester) gave his casting vote in favour of Mr. Whitbread's motion. Lord M. at once resigned the post of First Lord of the Admiralty, and his name was erased from the list of members of the Privy Council, but Lord Aberdeen's confidence in his ultimate triumph was not misplaced. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 21$ sat again to-day. I saw my sister in the morning; she was extremely low. I told her what I really feel, that I was nervous and agitated, and that I believed whoever knew Lord Melville felt concern and regard, and I for my own part feel a disbelief that he would have profited by the peculation, how- ever wrong it was to pass it over in another so lightly. She said certainly it was very wrong, but that she hoped nothing more would be done, as the national justice might now be satisfied. I saw her and Mr. Grey to-day, but I don't know what they mean to do. Only think of Lord Melville being obliged to have a great dinner on the next day. How I do feel for them. Lady Hawkesbury said they got through it pretty well. Night. Mr. Whitbread's motion, you will see, he consented to withdraw, and only moved that the resolutions should be carried up to the King to-morrow. This Pitt agreed to. The debate was animated. Mr. Grey, Duncannon, and Lord Ossulston supped with us afterwards. Mr. Grey said that Canning's had been the most intemperate attack upon him and very unexpected, as lately there had been much intercourse between them of a very friendly kind, and certainly what he advanced had nothing to do with the present case. The temper of the House was milder. Wilberforce said that as the national justice was satisfied he wished the question not to be pressed further. Fox's was very brilliant and very severe. How sorry I am for Lord Aberdeen; he 2l6 THE TWO DUCHESSES. will feel this, I am sure, deeply. Lord Melville was so kind to him, and he has so much heart. The impression is beyond the giving you an idea of. Chiswick, April. Lord Aberdeen called on me to-day. On taking my hand, I felt his as cold as marble; he threw himself on a chair and said what miserable sad things have passed since I saw you. It made me so nervous I could hardly speak, but I told him that I could not express to him how much I felt for Lord Melville; that those who, like me, had seen him in his private life must feel a regard and affection for him that nothing could alter; and I owned also that I felt a disbelief that he ever enriched himself, though I own I thought opposition right in doing what they had done. Oh! good God, yes, he said; he was condemned on his own confession of breach of an Act of Parliament and allowing Trotter^ to speculate with the publick money; it was right, it was necessary he should go out and that there should be this censure. I should not have mentioned this, but I cannot, cannot bear that a suspicion should rest on anybody's mind that he could enrich himself. Those who knew him will not believe he did. I said I hoped it might be proved, but thought Pitt's speech had been a weak one. He said he was frightened for the first time in his life; dismay and horror were in his looks, he never raised his eyes from the ground, and next day when he called on Lord Melville he was some time without uttering. 1 Trotter — Paymaster of the navy under Lord Melville. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 21/ I asked him how Lord Melville bore it; he said well; that he reproached them for their melancholy countenances, and said it looked as if they thought him guilty; indiscreet he had been, but he had not been more. I do assure you, dear Augustus, I was nervous and agitated to a great degree. I felt for him as his and as your friend, and I am sorry for Lord Melville; it is the deathblow to his greatness. He falls, as Wolsey did, never to rise again, and like him with too much of former power and with some great and good qualities. The im- pression on the public mind is beyond all belief; it occupies everybody and all day long; it is a fearful example of the vicissitude of human prosperity. He was a man who had a real pleasure in obliging and in doing a kind thing. I hear that he will be re- gretted in the navy, where every thing went on well and with kindness to the officers and men. Adieu, my dearest Augustus. As this is a chance letter, I will say no more now. I asked Lord Aberdeen to find out for me if they would like to receive me as they are going to Wimbledon, and I would drive there from here, though it would be a nervous visit. Adieu, adieu. I never remember a question in which I thought opposition right would give me so much pain. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Chiswick, April 22, 1805. Lord Aberdeen dined here yesterday, and was introduced to the Duke, who I heard liked him very 2l8 THE TWO DUCHESSES. much. I had a wretched sick headache from crying at the play of Zara, in which Roscius in the last Act outdid himself, and I was so undone by it I could not leave my room, but Caro told me it all went off very well: he was shy, to be sure, and during dinner did not, I am told, talk much, but that is no fault, young as he is, and after dinner he was at his ease, and Caro, Harriet, Georgiana, and he had a great deal of conversation, and you know how good his conversation is. Mr. Bennet dined here, and the Duchess wanted Lord A. to sleep here, but he was going on to Wimbledon: his feeling, yet candour, about all that business of Lord Melville, is most amiable. He told me that it was going on rather better, and that Trotter now was willing to make an affidavit that Lord Melville had no share. 2%th. The Duke has been to the Installation. It was a very magnificent sight, and it all went off very well. Nothing extraordinary in the King's behaviour ex- cept wearing the most wonderful wig ever seen, and which attracted every body's notice as soon as he appeared. . . . Next day the Prince and Duke of Clarence^ dined at Chiswick. Pitt is to anticipate the motions which opposition meant to bring forward, and moves for continuing the naval commission and instituting inquiries into the war department. Sir Charles Middleton is to be First Lord of the Ad- miralty, but he is supposed to be a creature of Lord Melville. '^ Duke of Clarence— MlGxyizr As King William IV. (1765-1837). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 219 Lord Aberdeen, Ossulston, Lord H. Petty, W. Lamb, and Lord Brook supped here after the Opera. The news of the day, and this Lord R. Spencer had told me before dinner, is that Addington and Lord Buckinghamshire have resigned. I asked Lord Henry P., and he said he beHeved it was certain, and on the grounds that Pitt required a support of Lord Melville which Addington could not conscien- tiously give. Lord Aberdeen told me that some con- dition for favouring Lord St. Vincent had not been complied with, and that he imagined that they cer- tainly would go out, for their conversation, he says, does not agree with the votes they give, nor were those votes of all their friends. It excites some curiosity, as you may believe. 2W1. All this morning the resignation appeared certain, but Pitt was known to have gone to Richmond (where Addington lives), and conferences of various kinds were held. Four of the Cabinet Ministers were sent for from the Academy dinner yesterday to attend a Cabinet Council, and about six to-day it was known that a reconciliation had been effected. Has Pitt or Addington yielded? Will Sir C. Middleton remain First Lord of the Admiralty.'* Voila ce qu'il faut resoudre et qui sera probablement connu demain. Meanwhile more letters are come from America and none from you, but Lady Hawkesbury tells me such a panegyric of you as gave her the greatest satis- faction. I long to read the letter. 220 THE TWO DUCHESSES. May 2nd. You will see by the papers all the rumours of the French fleet and of ours. Dieu salt ce qui sera de nous, but if the French can get out when they choose why should our blockading system continue which so fatigues ships and men. . . . The Duke and all of us are going to see young Roscius to-night in the character of Richard the Third. It is a bold under- taking, but his Genius justifies his daring. God bless you, my dear child, and may you soon quit those in- hospitable climes you are in, though I hear that even the Americans are delighted with you, and wonder we don't always send our young men of fashion there rather than to France or Italy. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, il/«j 21, 1805. . . . Since my last letter there was another question lost by Ministers, and the motion for taking Lord Melville's name out of the list of Privy Coun- cillors was carried. Indeed Pitt announced that he gave way, and had advised the King to do so. I hope there will be no need of any thing further. He is obliged to sell his house in town, to let Wimbledon, and is going somewhere to the sea side with her. It is a most melancholy vicissitude, and I do feel for him to my heart. Lord Aberdeen comes here to-night. There is a litde dance after the Opera. I know not why, but we have not seen so much of FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 221 him lately, which I regret very much, and am afraid there are plots to keep him away. The day before yesterday Madame Jerome Bonaparte landed at Dover. She had been to Lisbon, and not allowed to land there. I hear she then went to Holland, and orders were sent there not to receive her, and at last the ship put into the Downs, and orders were sent for her landing and every attention to be paid her, though I heard Lord Hawkesbury say he should not allow any of the men to land, but I hope that this is not so, as I see by the papers that her brother and a physician are on board with her. What a strange fate hers seems to be. I should like to see her, but I am afraid they won't let her come to London, which seems to me very extraordinary. I should like to talk to her of you, and I feel inclined to like her from what you said of her and from her unhappy situation. He is supposed to be gone on to Madrid. As to publick affairs, the combined fleets^ are said certainly to be out of Cadiz, and Lord Nelson cer- tainly to have passed the straits and to be coming homewards. Whether this means that the enemy intend a great junction of all their fleets to make an attack on Ireland, or that some are gone to make a great attack on Jamaica, nobody seems able to guess, but there is a look of anxiety amongst Ministers which gives an idea of alarm, and the total want of information of where the combined fleets are gone adds to that apprehension. However, with Lord Nelson near us, I think we need not fear our own shores, but think what a blow Jamaica would be to ■• The combined fleets — French and Spanish. 222 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Charles Ellis, and indeed to hundreds of others — ma speriamo. . . . Of private news already I have told you that Caroline Ponsonby^ is to be married to William Lamb, now an elder brother. It is to be next week, and Lord Cowper's marriage is declared with Emily Lamb, and they are all to be here to- night. These are certainly two as pretty marriages as possible. The Melbournes, as the Queen good- naturedly said, wanted this consolation after their trying misfortunes, and they are very happy with it. 2Zth. Madame Jerome is come to London. I wish I knew how to get acquainted with her. We are all very much occupied at present with the story of an American lady, a Mrs. Randolph, who is daughter to English parents, their birth and fortune considerable. They changed their name on going from England to America. She was daughter to a Duchess and married an Earl's second son, and this third daughter married a Mr. Randolph. The estate in Virginia, I think, was disputed; they lost it, and the lawsuit cost a great sum, and they were ruined. The yellow fever carried all off but this young woman, to whom on dying her mother revealed her family name, but made her promise never to reveal it. She came to England, as she supposed, to a friend of her mother, and on her landing read her death in the papers. She wandered about till, fainting through want, she knocked at the door of Mr. Mansbridge to ask him a permission for the parish infirmary. Her appear- 1 Caroline Ponsonby — See Appendix (d. 1828). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 223 ance and story strongly interested him, and Mr. Trumbull of America was with him. He promised to inquire about her, and has written from America that all she has told is true. I wish you, too, would inquire about her family. They lived chiefly, I think, in Virginia and Philadelphia, and were well known and in great consideration. I never heard a more melancholy story, and Mrs. Randolph is a widow of one and twenty. Ju7ie 2. I have seen Mr. Trumbull's letters, which mention Mrs. Randolph as being known to several persons and very much respected by them, but the mystery is not yet cleared, though, by circulating the paper which gives an account of her, they hope some of her father or mother's family may claim her. Caroline Ponsonby is to be married to-morrow; she looks prettier than ever I saw her. Sometimes she is very nervous, but in general she appears to be very happy. W. Lamb seems quite devoted to her. They supped here last night, and she received her presents and gave some. Lord Morpeth gave her a beautiful acqua marina clasp. I gave her a little pearl cross with a small diamond in the middle. Caroline gives a hair bracelet with amethyst clasp. Lord Melbourne gave her a beautiful set of ame- thysts, and Lady M. a diamond wreath. The Duke of Devonshire gives her her wedding gown, and the Duchess a beautiful veil. Harriet gives a beautifull burnt topaz cross, and then, &c. &c. What a com- fort to have her so near, and yet what a trial to poor Lady Bessborough. 224 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Jiate ^th. The marriage was on the 3d at half after seven or 8 in the evening. We went to Cavendish Square, and besides the Devonshire House party were only the Melbournes, Morpeths, Fitzwilliams, Lord Spen- cer, Lady Sara and Lord Althorpe, Lord Cowper as trustee, and your brother by Caroline's own invitation. They set out about nine ; she was dreadfully nervous, but his manner to her was beautifull, so tender and considerate. There was a great crowd assembled, and the favours looked very gay and pretty. They went to Brocket Hall,^ and will stay there, I believe, about a fortnight. The Melbournes fit up the middle apartment at Whitehall for them. As to poor Corise all goes on the same. She looks thin and ill, I think. He has no money to marry, and his father is obstinate. The family praise her very much. The only news here is that Lord Melville is to appear at the bar of the House of Commons and make a speech in his own defence. Probably this will save him from being impeached. Yesterday dispatches were received from Nelson, and he was pursuing the combined fleet, yet very unlikely is it that he should meet with it; great movements are seen in all the fleets nearer home, but invasion is scarcely now believed in. . . . Lord Aberdeen is, I am afraid, in a grand flirtation with Lady Catherine Hamilton. They make him great advances, and a person here whom I had hoped he liked or seemed inclined to like is too proud to seem to care if not certain of being pre- '^Brocket Hall — The country seat of Lord Melbourne in Hertfordshire. FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 225 ferred, so the others have champ libre, and as it is a connection as to Politicks that his friends would like I dare say it will do, but he is too good for them ; I don't say for her, for she is pretty and, I believe, amiable, but I am very sorry for her. I think him delightful, and I am sure he likes the society here. Ano;ustiis Foster '£3 To Lady ElizabetJi Foster. Washington, ///«^ 2, 1805. . . . Aberdeen's plan of going abroad I was always afraid would be only a bubble, though I think the Russian scheme would have suited him very well. I am sorry for this affair of Lord Melville's. He would have held out a very good ladder for Aber- deen in politics. Now he has only got Mr. Pitt, but he, you will say, is everything. So Roscius, a boy of 13, has changed your hours and manner of living in London, brought you down to plain country five o'clock. Can any of the bishops say as much, I pray? but this is the age of wonders. Lord Hawkes- bury. Lord of the Admiralty, or what you please, sir. Is it strange or not that he should thus be hopping about all the stepping-stones of the Administration.^ The Secretaries here are astonished that he should have such variegated talents, but I tell them that with us every Minister of State must be thoroughly- acquainted with our whole system, and it is very true. Here none of the men in office at all are allowed a seat, and therefore are not obliged to know 226 THE TWO DUCHESSES. everything. . . . It is an absolute sepulchre this hole. I am going next week to the Falls of Potomac at Harper's Ferry, and to Philadelphia the week after. The season has been delightful here, and when these degenerate sons of our ancestors arrive at a little taste this situation will be one of the finest in America. Mrs. Merry is now recovering fast: she suffers more than I can describe from this country. The women here are in general a spying, inquisitive, vulgar, and most ignorant race, and yet as cere- monious as ambassadresses. Even you with all your resources and powers of self-amusement would absolutely be puzzled here. You can bear many things, but you cannot bear vulgarity. Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Washington, /i/«^ 30, 1805. I made a little excursion to Harper's Ferry where the Shenandoagh and Potomack join and rush through the mountains, if mountains they can be called. The country is very woody, but has more cultivated spots than I expected to find. Popu- lation does not increase, however, very rapidly in this part of the United States. The acquisitions which these absorbers of land are perpetually making have thrown open such an extensive field for specu- lation that the farmers absolutely wanton in the excess of it. An Irishman, when he first lands, without speaking a word of English, which few who FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 22/ €ome here can, makes signs with his spade in his hand that he wants work, and obtains a dollar a day, or 4s. 6d. With such high wages he soon is enabled to buy a little land, and when he has got rich upon that he tires of it and removes some miles farther to a better soil, and so goes on gradually to the Missis- sippi. This is the process that the settlers of every nation go through except the Germans, who plant themselves at once, and there they stick, good or bad. They tug away jog trot at the soil till they die, when their sons march off to the towns or to the back country. With such a rambling disposition you will easily conceive that they can't have much attach- ment to home. In fact, you nowhere find the rustic simplicity which pleases so much and is everywhere else found in the world. There are no natural manners, no peculiarities that mark the country. You are always among the inhabitants of towns, though you strike upon a Log House in the most distant woods, and as the houses are of such perish- able materials there is nowhere any building to mark long residence. Anywhere but in America I could bear, I think, seclusion, but I cannot bear to be eternally among knowing people, and what is worse, too, there is no spot so retired among these "regener- ated races ", as they are called, where you don't find drunkenness. I always have Mr. Fox in my mind when I think of the United States. I know that he has a strong prejudice in favor of this country, but I should like to know whether it is not confined merely to the theory of the Constitution which they possess. That I think excellent, but they surely have become 228 THE TWO DUCHESSES. independent too soon for their own happiness. The strongest Party in this country is now making violent efforts to change that Constitution, as I beHeve I told you, by Hmiting the influence of the Senate and making the judges more dependent. The possibiHty of a division is even openly talked of in the public papers, and recriminations are exchanged between the Eastern and the Southern States; in short, they seem ripe for dissension. Of all the members, about 130 Representatives and 34 Senators assembled here last winter, there really was not a single one that we should look up to as a man of great talent in England, nor is it to be expected that there should, as they most of them exercise two or three professions besides, and are almost all speculators; however, there were some very worthy men, and no doubt of great integrity. It is really too great a sacrifice of the best years of life to remain long here. If the Congress met at Philadelphia one might em- ploy one's time, but here there is absolutely nothing, not even books, to be had. I shall forget almost how to be cheerful in this sink of imagination; how- ever, it will certainly be an interesting country to us at no very distant period, and, therefore, well worth the visit. In a week we go to Philadelphia. The French Minister and his wife have been exposing themselves shamefully here by their domestic quarrels. He, it seems, is of the true Jacobin, Godless and licentious cast, and she, it is said, forced herself into where he was assisting at dancing in his own house of not the most reputable ladies, when he beat her most unmercifully and forced her to fly the house. FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 229 She has been abusing him from house to house here, even his valet told her that she was a Canaille; in short, they are in complete disgrace with the Americans, and she is to be shipped off for France, I believe. I don't know whether I have asked of you already to send me over the newest Country Dances and Cotillon music, which is what they dance most here. Angus tus Foster To Frederick Foster, Washington,//^/)/ i, 1805. I don't know whether I have yet transmitted to you an account of the installation of the successor of Montezuma^ in last March. On the 4th he proceeded on horseback from the Palace, which is of white stone, and the largest building here, and, attended by his secretary and groom, rode up the long Avenue of Pennsylvania to the Capitol, which is an unfinished rival in stone of the Roman building of that name, and dressed in black and silk stockings, delivered a speech of some length, which you have, to a mixed assemblage of Senators, Popu- lace, Representatives, and ladies. It was too low spoken to be heard well; he then kissed the book and swore before the Chief Justice to be faithful to the Constitution, then bowed and retired as before, when he received levee at which all who chose attended, and even towards the close blacks and ^ The successor of Montezuma — Meaning Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, who had now entered on his second term of office (1743-1826). 2 30 THE TWO DUCHESSES. dirty boys, who drank his wines and lolled upon his couches before us all ; the jingling of a few pipes and drums finished the day. There was nothing digni- fied in the whole affair. He is about 65 years old, and affects great plainness of dress and manners. Au reste he is a philosopher of the politico specula- tive kind. Unbounded freedom reigns in this un- bounded land, and the shameless abuse and [torn, V.F.] in their papers is not at all creditable to the country. I thank you and Duncannon for your exertions about a curricle. I shall wait its arrival with im- patience, though the roads are so execrable and the streets worse that I dare say I shall not be able to use it much, particularly as I have not served an apprenticeship of driving in England. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. •ib ' Devonshire House, July 13, 1805. I have this moment received your letter, my dear, dear Augustus, of June 2nd, just two days before our hero of the Nile arrived at Barbadoes to liberate the West Indies. . . . Lord Aberdeen was wretched during all the business about Lord Mel- ville. He is in Scotland preparing for his marriage with Lady Catherine Hamilton.^ Never were father and son-in-law so different surely as these two are. Mr. Bennet is miserable at the marriage, and thinks he will be lost to all his friends by it. Lord Ennis- "^ Lady Catherine Hamilton — Daughter of the first Marquis of Abercorn (d. 1812). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 23 1 killen marries Lady Charlotte Paget, and Lord Grantham Lady Harriet Cole. I suppose letters and papers enough will reach you to tell you that the impeachment was carried, and that Lord Melville will be impeached the opening of next Sessions. Lord Sidmouth^ resigned a week ago. Pitt has patched up his present administration amongst his own people; no new person is added. The rumour of the day is that he had again spoke to the King about Fox; that the King's objections were done away; that this was to lead to a grand union as proposed last year, and that either active war would be carried on, with Russia to help us, or a grand Congress at which Fox would be Ambassador in his character of Secretary of State. . . . Georgiana is recovered from her fourth lying in, and is well except a cold. Harriet and Caro have their flirtations, and are in extreme good looks. Corise, to whom I shall tell the interest you take in her happiness, is quite satisfied with his conduct; he seems more attached to her than ever, and only wants to borrow a small sum of money to marry her directly. He says Lord Tankerville continues inflexible, but Lady T. expressed great interest about her. . . . Emily Lamb is to be married next Satur- day to Lord Cowper, Caroline and Corise brides- maids. I don't wonder the Americans were surprised at "^ Lord Sidmouth—¥ormti\y known as Henry Addington, Prime Minister hom 1801 to 1803 (1757-1844). 232 THE TWO DUCHESSES. the projected changes; however, Lord Hawkesbury has remained as he was, and Sir C. Middleton was made Lord Barham. He is eighty, so he brings the weight of experience. We were in great joy at hearing of Nelson's arrival in the West Indies, and now all is despondency again because he has not overtaken and beat the French and Spaniards, but he drove them away. . . . Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Washington, Julv 30, 1805. I cannot fancy Lady Caroline married. I cannot be glad of it. How changed she must be — the delicate Ariel, the little Fairy Queen become a wife and soon perhaps a mother. I had just finished a letter to her as Lady Caroline Ponsonby yester- day in answer to her pretty one of March. I cannot tear it, and so pray do not betray my secret, and let it pass as if I knew nothing in this remote country of her marriage; as it is not a love letter it may go, and if I don't answer so I never can to her now she is under the laws of a Man. It is the first death of a woman. They must die twice, for I am sure all their friends, their male ones at least, receive a pang when they change character so completely. I inclose it under cover to you, as well as one to Caroline, and what you tell me about Aberdeen distresses me. Surely they can't have worked on his feelings about Lord Melville to keep FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 233 him from Devonshire House. I am grieved at his only having received one letter from me. I have written to him so often. He is very young, but he has shewn some character with regard to the Duchess of Gordon. I only hope in you. Keep him to Devon- shire House, where I pride myself on having intro- duced him, and he will do. It is dreadful to be so distant. Aberdeen appears to me to be of that class of persons that are made to be an honor to their country. Who can you mean at Devonshire House that you thought he loved.-* Was it Caro or was it Lady Harriet.'* Only get him to be in love with one of them. I shall write to him by this post, but God knows whether the letter will ever arrive. I am sick of the distance. I shall inquire about ]\Irs. Randolph, though I am sure from what I have read that she is an impostor. Believe me, there are not more consummate rascals anywhere than in the United States. I see it more and more, and novel species of villanies in this country. The scum of every nation on earth is the active population here. August \ih. I have inquired of Colonel Washington, nephew of the General, of one of the oldest families in Vir- ginia, and he knows nothing of such a lady — but however I will inquire further. The hand of God being introduced by Mr. Mansbridge looks rather canting. Now that I have thought upon the matter, perhaps it might be wrong to send the letter to Lady Car, but I send it under flying seal, so that 234 THE TWO DUCHESSES. you may or not, only if you do I am supposed to know nothing of the marriage. She is so amiable that I should like to answer her letter to keep up the acquaintance which would otherwise be quite dead through the distance. Would you choose for me a fur Pelisse to be made up at Schweitzer's.'* The winters here are much colder than those in England, and I want to teach these creatures to wear some- thing like dress of human beings. Is it possible that Aberdeen should be in love at Lady Abercorn's? but you did not, as well as I recollect, think him a good match for Lady Harriet. Who is Caroline inclined to favor,-* As for me, a young girl, a phenomenon for this country, has just died of a consumption whom I certainly should have admired prodigiously. She said on her death bed that she thought the lower part of my face extremely amiable, but in the forehead something rather too stern. I tell you all the nonsense in the world, because I always have and shall always consider you as my sister. She could not bear the society of this place though she had never been to Europe. . . . Madame Jerome was supposed to be likely to add to the race of the Gallic Caesars when she left America, so that I suppose you will not see her soon. Her father came over here from Ireland, as Mr. Pichon, the former French Charge d'Aftaires declared, as a Redemp- tioner, that is a person who sells his services for a certain period to pay for his passage from Europe, and he became an hostler. He is now, however, universally respected as a merchant, and is one of their most honoured dealers in Baltimore. She FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 235 declared three days before Jerome was won that she would have him. It was veni, vidi, vici. These words resemble our dear Italian so much that I won't insult you with a translation. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Auo;i(st7is Foster. '£>' Chiswick, August 5, 1805. We are at present all impatience and expectation and some anxiety about the fleet. Nelson, by the terror of his name, seems to have driven the enemy from the West Indies, and to be pursuing them home. Clifford^ wrote to me the 12th of May from St. Vincent; the 4th of June from Barbadoes; on the 12th, after having visited six islands, they weighed anchor again, and on the 19th he ended his letter saying they were in full pursuit and hope to be at Cape St. Vincent before them, and perhaps even to come up to the enemy before that. What a wonderful man Nelson is! Plow rapid and well combined are his operations. On the 2 1 St the combined fleet was seen off Ferrol, and Sir R. Calder^ attacked them and captured two of the Spanish ships; he kept in sight of them four days and then they disappeared, and he on the 31st resumed his station off Ferrol, so that they are not got into port, and perhaps that Nelson may yet meet with them. Every day, every hour, they expect to ^ Clifford — Augustus C, created a baronet in 1838 (1788-1877). * Calder — Admiral Sir Robert C, created a baronet in 1798 (1745-1818). 236 THE TWO DUCHESSES. hear from him, and the impatience and anxiety is beyond all expression. On the other hand, the public are dissatisfied with Calder for not doing more; yet with 15 ships he attacked the combined fleet of twenty and defeated them. Fog and night came on which prevented his continuing the battle then, and they contrived to escape two days after. It is these two days that the public are dissatisfied with the loss of, and say that a Nelson would not have rested so. They also blame Admiral Corn- wallis for not doing something on his part; yet all this may be accounted for satisfactorily, and it is hard to blame an officer who has defeated the enemy and to condemn him unheard. As to home politicks, the impeachment,^ as I told you, is decided on, and will come on early in the present Sessions. Lord Melville is gone or going to Scotland, and Lord and Lady Aberdeen are now at Wimbledon, which he has, I believe, hired of Lord Melville to put a few hundred pounds into his pocket. Lady Melville is going to the seaside and to Bath. What a melan- choly ending to such a career. The rumours are stronger than ever of a grand junction, and the King has spoke in the handsomest manner of ( ? ), and is said to have taken a dislike to Addington. Mr. Pitt is reported to be again very eager for a union with Fox and the principal people of his party. The Duke of Devonshire said here the other day that he thought it would be the best thing for this country that could happen, and we could not help remarking what a glorious triumph it is to Fox's ^ The imfeachment — of Lord Melville. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 237 talents and character after all the odium so long- endeavoured to be thrown upon him to have his opponent express himself twice in so decided a manner upon the necessity for the publick advantage to have the aid of his councils and that he should be of the Administration. It does Pitt honor also so completely to forget all resentments and to acknow- ledge this, and I think that if they ever joined it would last. Two such minds once brought to act together would not be in danger of quarrelling from any petty jealousies and selfish views. They would act for the good of the country on great and enlarged views, and perhaps bestow on the age the greatest of all blessings, that of a solid and lasting peace. . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To Aus^ustus Foster. '' Aligns t 30, 1805. . . . Several rumours have been and are abroad about a junction of parties, and Pitt has, I believe, certainly again told the King that he thought the ad- mitting of Fox to the Cabinet essential to the welfare of the Country. The King, it is said, spoke highly in praise of Fox, and said the principal objections in his mind were done away. There would be a great difficulty now with several of our friends, for they were so irritated by Pitt's conduct last time that many are totally averse to Fox agreeing to any junction. The King's eyes are rather better, but some say that his health is not so good. The Duke 238 THE TWO DUCHESSES. of Gloucester's death^ will affect him very much, as the illness did. Nelson is, I hear, to have a great command: he is delighted with his reception here, but says with great modesty, " They have received me as if I had done some great feat". And so God knows he has. . . . The Brest fleet came out, but on Cornwallis forming his line of battle and attacking his foremost ships they retreated into their harbour again. Calder is again pursuing the combined squadrons. . , . Aiigtistiis Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Philadelphia, September 2, 1805. General Moreau arrived last week with his family, and they are gone about 30 miles off to Morrisville near Trenton, where he has hired a country seat. I shall not see him probably unless by accident, for in my public situation it would be improper for me to call on him even with your letter. Mr. and Mrs. Merry are bored to death with these United States, but Merry is a man so strictly en regie that I know he conceives it to be his duty to stay here in time of war upon his post at least longer than he should do in peace. You have no idea of how miserable the state of society is throughout and radically so, but yet you are to hear ^ Duke of Gloucester — brother of George III. (1743-1805). FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 239 their pretensions to manners and to national honor and dignity and at the same time of their mean- nesses, perpetual breach of faith, and perpetual lying. Talleyrand, who travelled here, said of the country that he did not like it because there was not a man in it but would sell his favourite dog. ... I am vexed at Aberdeen's marriage. It never will do. He has a fine imagination, and she told me once that she could not conceive how any body could find a pleasure in reading poetry; besides, she does not look wholesome, and is, I fancy, older than he is. How odd of him to marry so young, and the con- nection is not the most agreeable. Au£-ustiis Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Elizabeth Town, New Jersey, Sept. 22, 1805. . . . Long Island is the part of all America that I have seen which would make the most agree- able residence in my opinion, and it is the only part in which the people bow to you and seem to possess simplicity. You see some of the old Dutch dresses there still, and even some of the descendants of the Tuscarora nation of Indians. I dined there with Mr. King, whom I saw for the first time, and who was Minister to England. On my return here. Lord Bolingbroke,^ who lives a mile off under the name of Mr. Bellasyse with the German lady his wife,- now declared so, and married over again to him since the * Lord Bolingbroke (1761-1824). * German lady — Baroness Hompesch. 240 THE TWO DUCHESSES. death of Lady B., sent his carriage for me to a ball which he gave on his departure for Niagara, He has been here near ten years now, and as they say means to return to England this year. She is any- thing but handsome; a little square German with broken teeth, but they say very amiable. Their children are remarkably fine. He flatters himself that he is not known here to be Lord Bolingbroke. As he did not inquire after his friends in England I did not say any thing about them to him, but I dine with him to-day. He is disgusted, I believe, as every man of education must be, with the manners in general of the people of this country, which is so made up of the ragamuffins and adventurers that flock here from all parts of Europe, and particularly the Irish. As no man is thrown out of society here from the badness of his character, you sometimes meet with the meanest and most worthless fellows in free conversation and intimacy with perhaps very respectable men, and I must say this that people sometimes perhaps judge too harshly of the natives from the foreign adventurers that they meet with. I would not come here as Minister to live at Washington with ^10,000 per annum, and if I did I would not take — I was going to say my wife — I would not take my sister for ^20,000. A woman of education and feeling suffers dreadfully. It is a land for poor men, single men, I mean, and when they get rich they should go to Europe to enjoy it. . . . FROM THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. 24I TJie Earl of Aberdeen To Aiigusttts Foster. Priory, Sept. 24, 1805. My dear Augustus, . . . You must without doubt have heard before this that I am married and to Lady C. H.^ Repress your astonishment for the present, and it may perhaps cease when we meet. You may depend on the papers for the truth of the coaHtion, which is now certain. I am glad that Nelson had it in his power to shew your peevish children in America that England, old as she may be, is still pretty active; the spirits of your friends in opposition cannot be very high. Mr. Pitt is as firm as ever, and as the troubles on the continent increase will be more so every day. Lord Melville's impeachment will come on the beginning of next Session, the result after all that we have seen it would be vain to predict. ... By the way, we are to be bored this year by that wretch called the Young Roscius,'^ who is the greatest im- postor since the days of Mohammed. — Yours ever, most affectionately, Aberdeen. I say, Mr. Foster will say, that Aberdeen has not slipped on the noose already, Yours, C. Aberdeen, otherwise the amiable Lady C. H. ^ Lady C. A^.— Lady Catherine Hamilton (d. 1812). * Young Roscius—'^'\\^\2.m. Betty (1791-1874). See Appendix. 242 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Chiswick, Sept. 30, 1805. I think from your letter you will regret Lord Aberdeen's fate being so early decided; how- ever, she is very pretty and amiable, and seemed to be very much in love with him, and I hope he will be very happy. He deserves it. I never meant to say that he would not be (taking him such as he is) a good match for Harriet, but perhaps rather said so the more from nervousness because I wished it, but should have hated her marrying except from affec- tion, or he either. The Abercorns never lost sight of him. At first he certainly seemed to like Harriet, but she will never show or feel a preference for any body who is not decided in their liking for her; and she did not indeed give herself time to know if she would have liked him, for, the odious papers having taken it up, she would scarcely speak to him. We continued, however, seeing a good deal of him, and we all liked him. You may retract all your sorrow about Caro Ponsonby's marriage, for she is the same wild, delicate, odd delightful person, unlike every thing, witness her dating to Lady Maria Lane her first letter of congratulation on her marriage with her brother Duncannon from " Brocket Hall, heavefi knows what day ". Lady Maria is very amiable, and Duncannon seems very happy. . Pray don't marry an American, or, if you must, let her be rich — for really the more I see of poverty the more detestable it appears to me. . . . As to FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 243 politicks, I believe that Pitt is very happy at having roused the continent, but it seems to me the deepest game that ever people played. What Bonaparte can mean by risking everything only to gain more than he can want is inconceivable, and we too play very deep. It is an awful moment, yet certainly the war seems to begin with better prospect of success than usual. Nelson is gone with a great command, and is, I believe, by this time off Cadiz. Clifford says he is happy enough to be with the in-shore squadron, and that they see the enemy's fleet clearer than their own. The combined fleet are 36 strong and we 26, with which he says we are fully equal to them, and with Nelson to the whole navy of France. I wrote you an account of the disappointment occa- sioned by Sir R. Calder. Every thing seems now drawing to a crisis on the continent, and it makes one tremble to think what events may happen before this time twelvemonth. It is supposed Lord Hard- wick will resign and Mr. Foster be reinstated. . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To A2igustus Foster. October, 1805. Every thing is, if possible, worse than was reported. Bonaparte crossed the Rhine on the ist of October, and on the 17th was master of Ulm, and of above thirty thousand men, besides baggage, &c. The Austrian army is destroyed. For Heaven's sake see Moreau. I can't conceive any thing so in- 244 THE TWO DUCHESSES. teresting as his conversation would be at this moment. Do not deny yourself the satisfaction of visiting a great man in disgrace. . . . Lord Nelson is off Cadiz with a great command. Could any thing be done against the combined fleet, it would rouse the spirits of the country, which are quite depressed. I have seen nothing like the present moment. You hear nothing else from the drawing-room to the steward's room, in every street, and road, and lane; as you walk you hear Bonaparte's name in every mouth. Mr. James said he believed it was an event unparalleled in history, and that it roused even him who did not care for politicks. It is shocking, and in the midst of it they intend sending the Duke of York to command the expedition to Hanover. I fear that Mr. Fox's words will prove too true, that a tardy confederacy will enable Bonaparte to beat his enemies one by one. I hope your new world is more progressive than our old one. L'Europe est bien vieille, Giambone used to say. We should except the vigorous limb, France. . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Chiswick, October 2gth, 1805. There is a great consternation to-day amongst all people, I hear, in London. A fishing-boat put off and when Sir Sydney took it it contained news that Ulm-^ was taken and the Austrian army annihilated, 1 Ulm. — In the Duchy of Wirtemberg. After a battle between the French and Austrians, in which the latter under General Mack were defeated with dreadful loss by Marshal Ney, Ulm surrendered with 28,000 men on October 20, 1805. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 245 General Mack^ and his staff made prisoners. It is also said that Bonaparte will not even have the King of Prussia as an enemy, that he will not join the Confederacy. Our expedition is stopped by contrary winds, and all is tardy on the part of the Allies; all rapid like lightning on Bonaparte's. My dearest, my opinion is that a man in disgrace and in adversity is of no country, but entitled to every attention that one can pay them, whether one happens to be in a publick or a private character. Therefore I wish you by all means to call on Moreau. If, however, Mr. Merry has begged of you not, then only send my letter with a civil note of your own expressing your regret at being prevented from profiting of the introduction it would have been to you. Were we at peace with France it might be wrong to visit an exiled general of hers, but how can it be so being at war, and the exiled a man of spotless character and oppressed? My opinion, I own, is entirely for your visiting him unless, as I said before, Mr. Merry wishes you not, and then certainly you owe it to him, and particularly as he has been very civil to you, to avoid any thing that would distress him: but Ministers made no scruple of visiting Pichegru^ here, and any objection there could only arise on the part of Moreau, who might scruple the more from his disgrace the receiving any civility from the enemies of his country, but that surely should be left to him. The subject came 1 General Mack — (1752-1829). * Pichegru—GeneraX P., gained great glory as one of the generals of the French Republic, but afterwards sided with the Bourbons. He was transported to Cayenne, but escaped and lived for some time in England (1761-1804). 246 THE TWO DUCHESSES. naturally into my mind, because I remember when Moreau talked to us of Bonaparte's talents as a general, he said, " C'est la foudre; il frappe avant qu'on puisse voir d'ou part le coup". Nov. 2)^d. I have been interrupted — no news since the taking of Ulm, and even of that no official accounts have arrived; already do some doubt the fact; all believe in some exaggeration ; and it is now asserted that the King of Prussia has sent six regiments into Hanover to join the Russians. Lord Harrowby has sailed on his embassy to Berlin; how I should have liked had you been with him. It is supposed that the two Emperors and the Kings of Norway and Sweden will all meet. Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Nov., 1805. You must all of you in England be almost mad with joy at the glorious victory of poor Lord Nelson. What a drawback, however, is the loss of such a man to us, who with his bare name could chase away our enemies from one hemisphere to another! We can hardly say in the words of Chevy Chase that we have five hundred good as he, but I hope, however, that we shall find several such still if occasions offer for trying them. In this country I think the majority are glad ot the victory, but there are great many of those en- FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 247 gsged (?) in public situations who exaggerate upon our loss, and consider it too dear a purchase. Peace to all such! Those who know them care little for their praise or blame. If you knew the meannesses, the littlenesses of the nation which we are in Europe pleased to call great and virtuous! My dearest Ma, I do believe from my soul that from the Province of Maine to the borders of Florida you would not find 30 men of Truth, Honour, or Integrity. Corruption, Immorality, Irreligion, and, above all, self-interest, have corroded the very pillars on which their Liberty rests. Nothing is wanting but numbers and a Caesar to change this boasting Republick into a despotism of the worst description. They have inherited all our faults without one of our virtues that I know of. They are free more from the nature of their land than from their laws which are not enforced. Were the aristocracy of Venice to be placed in command of America they could not rule otherwise than mildly, for, should they exercise severities, the innumerable rivers which offer navigation for thousands of miles would open easy channels of escape, and of escape to richer countries than they would leave. The plains of Louisiana and of the Ohio will in a few years exceed in population the States on the Atlantic. Believe me, it is better to admire the theory at a distance than to come and see the practice. It never yet was said that the freer a people are the happier they are. It is agreed on all sides that for the good of society it is necessary that bounds should be set to the liberty of individuals. Les Bornes que les Americains y ont mises sont souvent franchies au lieu 248 THE TWO DUCHESSES. que les notres, prises de plus haut, ne le sont im- punement jamais. Les assassins se promenent souvent en plein jour faute de force dans les lois, but I am quite tired with writing about them. I beg you will let me know if there is any chance of escaping from them in any reasonable time, and if you mean to make peace in your hemisphere soon. . . . I have had a letter from Aberdeen announcing his marriage. I hope sincerely he may never repent. Ma temo temo ... As for me, were I in London or any town but this, you would run great risque of becoming belle mere. I am a little hard to please, but should I find une personne a mon gout je ne reponds plus de moi meme je vous I'avoue. Je me rappellerais toujours de la promesse sacree que je vous ai donnee en partant de Londres, mais le peril n'est pas grand ici; hors I'attrait de la jeunesse et quelque fraicheur: il n'y a guere d'autres dans les filles de cette partie de I'Amerique. . . . The Earl of Aberdeen To Aunistiis Foster. 'dj' Wimbledon, November 20, 1805. My dear Augustus, — I have received yours of the end of September from Philadelphia, inclosing a specimen of the Jacobin print, which has amused me much, but what vulgar ignorance the fellow betrays; however, when such extreme license pre- vails, you cannot fail occasionally to have many speculations at least entertaining. I have written FROM THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. 249 you before to say that I am married, and am now the veriest Benedick of the age. I do not think I shall ever have cause to repent this step. . . . You have no idea of the effect which Nelson's death has produced, so great indeed as almost to counteract His Victory, certainly the most glorious ever atchieved. Many people wear silver favours with black in the centre as mourning, and we shall probably have a public mark of this sort when his body arrives, of which, however, there is some danger, for it is strongly believed the Euryalus is lost or taken with it and the French and Spanish Admirals on board. I believe Prussia is really disposed to co-operate, but I doubt much if she will go so far as active war. I am going to commence actor this Christmas at the Priory, where we have got a very good theatre. I am to perform Oroonoko, Falkland in the Rivals, &c., &c. William Lamb also acts. Have you no conception of the period to your exile, or must it still be much prolonged.'* 1 trust not. There will be active work on the continent, which perhaps may procure you employment. Lord Granville is certainly coming home, tho' Lord Cathcart, who was to succeed him, is ill of the gout. I have heard it said, but mind this is sous la Rose, that Jackson is to be recalled owing to some dis- agreement with the court of Berlin. Stratton is still at Constantinople, although dieing to get away. There will be some sharp debates in Parliament at the opening of the Session, but these continental alliances and naval victories have come very oppor- 250 THE TWO DUCHESSES. tunely to Mr. Pitt's assistance. Lord Melville's business will perhaps be prolonged through the Session. How this persecution will end, God knows. I hear nothing of Ossulston interesting. Au reste il y a un bruit sourd which says that he is actually married. The Theatre is in great glory. Kemble^ and Mrs. Siddons^ every night — fancy after being made sick with an automate of a boy all last year, a girl of 7 or 8 years old is coming out this week at Covent Garden. Ohe jam satis! — Yours most affectionately, Aberdeen. Tell me something about Moreau^ and Dessalines.^ What sort of a fellow is Christophe?^ Adieu. If you see Moreau put him in mind that Jackson intro- duced me to him at Paris, and that I told him (Jackson) that he was the man I most admired and wished to see in France. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Novetnber 29, 1 805. It was in vain, my dearest Augustus, to have written to you the first days of the news of the 1 Kemble — John K. was at this time carrying on Covent Garden theatre (1757- 1823). ^ Mrs. Siddons — Sister of John and Charles Kemble (1755-1831). 3 Moreau — The greatest general of the French Republic except Napoleon (1763- 1813). * Dessalines — Jacques D., first Emperor of Hayti. He was an imported negro from the Gold Coast of Africa, and was totally uneducated (1760-1806). * Christophe — Henri C, negro King of Hayti. He began life as cook in a tavern (1767-1820). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 25 1 victory of Trafalgar,^ for nothing that I could have said would have conveyed to you any idea of the impression on the public made by the loss of their favourite hero. Great and wonderful as the victory was, the prevailing sentiment in each mind was sorrow, was grief, for Nelson. If it was the most flattering homage that could be paid to worth, to heroism like his, it was also an honour to the nation to feel it as they did. When we arrived at the Admiralty it was crowded, but every countenance was dejected — nor could one have guessed that it was a victory of twenty ships of the line taken from the enemy, only that defeat would have caused tumult, and this was the silence of sorrow and respect. We were shown into Mr. Marsden's- room. He was oppressed with the contradictory feelings of triumph for the country, and sorrow for the loss of the greatest hero we ever had, and his friend. As we came away there was a vast rush of people, but all silent, or a murmur of respect and sorrow, some of the common people saying, "It is bad news if Nelson is killed ", yet they knew that twenty ships were taken. A man at the turnpike gate said to Charles Ellis, who was going through, " Sir, have you heard the bad news? We have taken twenty ships from the enemy, but Lord Nelson is killed." Illuminations followed, but the first night, as if unable to rejoice, there were none seen but on the public buildings. The two next nights they were general, but chiefly transparencies or mottos relating to the * Victory of Trafalgar — On October 21, 1805. ^ Mr. J/arif/fw— Chief Secretary of the Admiralty. 252 THE TWO DUCHESSES. "dear departed hero". Nelson was the only person I ev^er saw who excited real enthusiasm in the English. Every day makes his victory more precious. ON THE VICTORY OF TRAFALGAR AND DEATH OF NELSON. By GEORGIANA, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE, Nelson, by Valour led to deathless fame, All toils surmounted and all Foes o'ercame, Met every danger calm and undismay'd. Whilst some new conquest mark'd each step he made. Superior Force his ardent soul defied. He conquer'd, knew it, " blessed his God ", and died. Britannia glorying in her Hero's fame, On her Victorious shield inscribes his name, Gratefull proclaims the safety which he gave Yet midst her Triumphs weeps upon his Grave. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. November, 1805. . . . How do you like these lines? written by the Duke of Devonshire on the death of Nelson. Oft had Britannia sought midst dire alarms Divine protection for her sons in arms. Britons received from Heaven a mixed decree To crown their virtues, but to check their pride God gave them victory, but Nelson died. FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 253 Villeneuve^ and two other admirals are landed prisoners in England. Aiigiistiis Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Washington, Dec. i, 1805. On this day the Congress opens. We expect a boisterous session, for they are angry with us about our regulations in regard to their commerce. They and we are now the two rivals in what has always given power wherever it has extended, Com- merce, but I trust that still and for a lone time we shall maintain the immense superiority that we do now. They are next us in the race, but in nothing else are they near us. We drove them into being a Nation when they were no more fit for it than the convicts of Botany Bay, though I must say that their leader Washington^ was a great character, and one or two others whom the tumult of the day drove from their counters, but since that interest and speculation seem to have taken fast hold of the whole country to the exclusion of every generous feeling. Their boasted Constitution is as much a piece of theory as that framed by the French National Assembly, the difference being that here it has had as yet no day of trial; it hangs loosely upon the shoulders of the inhabitants, but we must see it when the reins are drawn close to be sure that nothing is brittle. I 1 yUleneuve—AdmWa] V., French commander at Trafalgar. He was released in 1805, and returned to France, but, learning that his reception by Napoleon would be unfavourable, he committed suicide (1763-1805). " Washington — George W. (1732-1799). 254 THE TWO DUCHESSES. think people mistake where the real advantage of this Nation lies. I believe that under a Monarch they have the means of being free and independent from the nature of the land, the scattered manner in which it is peopled, and the immense difficulty that there would be in enforcing harsh mandates, from the want of easy communication through the marshes and forests. Almost all the sensible Americans whom I have conversed with that were not warped by prejudice have allowed that as Colonies, before our oppressive exactions took place, the Country was much happier, and the Government as mild and less burdensome. Their manners, too, were then much simpler, and the laws were enforced. What do you think of a society of Atheists having been formed not very long ago at Philadelphia for the purpose of enlightening the Country.-* They had undertaken to publish an Atheistical Paper. They were cried down, it is true, but still remember how the simplicity of these good people is cried up and the pure city of Philadelphia. A Mr. Clay,^ a Mem- ber of Congress, lately having occasion to draw on the Bank there, wrote a Draft payable to J — s Ch — t or order. I had myself, as you know, a high opinion of the Constitution and manners of this country before I left England, but I do assure you that disgust, not to use a worse word, is all the feel- ing I have in respect to them now. The character of a gentleman is very rare to be found, but what has surprized me, the character of an honest man of ^ Mr. Clay — Henry C. , Speaker of the American House of Representatives, and afterwards United States Senator. He contested the Presidency three times without success (1771-1852). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 255 principle is to the very full as rare. . . . There is an ambassador from Tunis arrived here with the most splendid dress I ever saw, and the President receives him in yarn stockings and torn slippers, as he does us all. Lady Elizabeth Foster To A lizitstus Foster. ^^^;«(5^r 31, 1805. . You can't conceive anything like the publick anxiety about the event of the battle of the 2nd, and those said to be given subsequent to it. We have been left without certain intelligence for a length of time, and the reports have been strong of a decisive advantage to the Allies, but a boat has come out with the Argus paper, printed at Paris, saying that the Emperors of Austria and France had concluded an armistice. I do not, cannot believe the Emperor Alexander has to do with it. W. Ponsonby speaks of him with enthusiasm, and his bravery has been conspicuous; but war is Bonaparte's element, and we play his cards for him when we give him an opportunity of making it. Where it will end, God knows. Meanwhile magnificent preparations are making at home for our loved Hero's funeral. It is to be a national tribute to the favourite of this great nation which has been blessed with many heroes, but surely none so great, so brilliant as Nelson. They have tried to throw difficulties in the way of the Prince of Wales attending, but he is determined. He admired him, he says, as the greatest character England could 262 THE TWO DUCHESSES. ever boast of, and he loved him as a friend to whom he was bound by every tie that could bind him to another. He was proud that England had produced such a hero. If there is a good life of him I will send it to you. The Bishop of Exeter is to write one, I know, and with original letters. Lady ElizabetJi Foster To Augustus Foster. 1805. Lord Aberdeen looks dreadfully; he has been at Bath, and he frets so about Lord Melville that I really think he will make himself ill; yet the trial must come on, and I fear new things are come out. Both Lord and Lady Melville are at Bath; she is ill, and the complaint at his heart seems to increase. I pity them from my heart. Poor Lord Aberdeen, he is a delightful person. She is very pretty and likes Petrarch; that is something to redeem her with you. He and I have sparring about Roscius, for since Kemble was at the Priory instructing Lord Aberdeen in acting he has won him from the Boy and made him insist that all merit depends on right emphasis, and think that all acting different from Kemble's is wrong, — but the Boy has had a complete triumph : two nights ago acting Rolla, which he did with great success, Charles Kemble\ out of low envy, tried to cast a ridicule on him, and in the prison scene where Rolla gives his '^Charles Kemble — Brother of the more famous John Philip K. and of Mrs. Siddons (1775-1854). INSCRIPTION FOR A BUST OF CHARLES JAMES FOX. 263 disguise to Alonso, Charles Kemble, to mark the difference of their size, threw it round him like a sack, on which the whole House hissed him, crying "off," and hissed him every time he appeared, whilst the applause to the Boy was greater than ever, with shouts of " bravo, excellent ". It is a wonderful piece of acting, and his carrying off the child perfect nature and grace. Grassini sang in Cleopatra Tuesday, and excellently, I hear, but alas we lose her this summer. . . . There is a wax figure of Lord Nelson put up in Westminster Abbey, which is as if he was standing there. Vivra il suo nome mille secoli e mille. Note from Charles J. Fox To Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. 1805. Pray speak to everybody you can to come down or we shall be lost on the Slave Trade. Morpeth, Ossulston, Ld. A. H., Ld. H. Petty all away. Pray, pray send any body you see. Yours, C. J. F. >^-past seven, H. of C. INSCRIPTION FOR A BUST OF CHARLES JAMES FOX, BY THE HONBLE. WILLIAM LAMB, AFTERWARD VISCOUNT MELBOURNE, PRIME MINISTER. Live, Marble, Live, for thine a sacred Trust, The patriot's face that speaks his noble mind ; 264 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Live that our sons may kneel before this Bust, And hail the Benefactor of Mankind. This was the man who midst the Tempest's rage A rock of safety to the nations stood, Warn'd with prophetic voice a servile age. And strove to quench the ruthless thirst for blood. This was the man whose ever deathless name. Recalls his generous life's illustrious scenes; To Bless his fellow Creatures was his aim, And universal Liberty his means. EPITAPH BY THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE ON THE LATE LORD SPENCER. D. 1805. If e'er sincerity inscribed the stone, Giving the dead no merits but their own, Behold it here. This verse with Sculpture's aid, Records the debt by Love and Duty paid, That Strangers and Posterity may know How pure a Spirit warmed the Dust below. But they who felt the Virtues of his Life, Whether the Orphan, Friend, or Child or Wife, Need not Poets or the Sculptor's Art To wake the P'eelings of a Grateful Heart. Their Love, their grief, his honour best proclaim, The Living monuments of Spencer's Fame. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. January 17, 1806. The American dispatches have been retarded, and I have delayed also sending or writing even, for really there is such a gloom over every thing. I FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 265 wanted to have something better to say. Then the procession and the funeral pomp(?) at Greenwich and to town and from the Admiralty to St. Paul's was affecting beyond measure. In short, what with that and seeing people connected with Lord Nelson and collecting a variety of anecdotes about him you can- not conceive how knocked up I feel. We are going — Fred F., Caro, and I — to Brocket^ to-morrow for a couple of days. I think it will do us good. Nothing has done more honor to the country than the manner in which they have felt the loss of Nel- son. In the thousands that were collected on that day it was a stillness which nothing broke through but a sort of murmur of "Hats off!" as the Car passed, and ejaculations of " God bless his soul who died for us to protect us; never shall we see his like again ". This show altogether was magnificent, but the common people, when the Crew of the Victory passed, said: "We had rather see them than all the show". The Prince has shown a feeling that did him honor. Now a new interest arises. Parliament meets on the 2ist, and Pitt is so ill that he can't attend, nor will he, I believe, be able for a long time. The King is so blind he can't open the Session, so you see we are in a happy state. Lord Ossulston has just told me that Lord Henry moves the amend- ment. It is also thought that the Addingtons will vote v/ith opposition. Lord Wellesley- is just arrived from India, and is undecided which way to act. They ^Brocket — Brocket Hall, country seat of Lord Melbourne in Hertfordshire. ^ Lord Wellesley — Marquis Wellesley, Governor-general of India (1760-1842). 266 THE TWO DUCHESSES. say that he owes everything to Lord Grenville, but I suppose he dreads the Lion^ recovering, and that he should have turned too soon against him. What a miserable being is a Politician without a heart! . . I think your letter a very clever one, and I have thoughts of shewing it to Mr. Fox. It is the best picture of America I have had. I hope there will be no war with us. . . . Lady Holland inquired a good deal about you last night, and Lord Holland owned he believed your account was a true one. . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Thursday^ January 23, 1806. The papers will tell you of Mr. Pitt's death,^ but none of them can do justice to the generous regret that is felt by opposition. On the Tuesday we were stopped at Devonshire House and told that at the moment the amendment was to be made Pitt's death would probably be announced. This, however, was not so, but now it is over; it is past; that name that filled so vast a space in the world is gone! He was calm and resigned, and his fortitude unshaken! It is an awful moment, and I will write more another time. Saturday. Nothing can paint better the feelings of a generous mind than the conversation which passed 1 The Z/o«— William Pitt (1759-1806). "^ Mr. Pitt's death — He died on Jan. 23, the day on which this letter was written. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 26/ between Fox and the Duke. The Duke was saying that he thought it impossible not to be shocked at the death of a man of such superior abihties, even though one differed from him in political opinion. "Shocked," answered Mr. Fox; "yes, certainly it feels as if something was missing in the world!" I can't tell you the effect these few words had upon me — so simple, so sublime in their simplicity. It is reported that the King has sent to Lord Grenville; if so, I am sure he will not come in without Fox. Monday, 2j(/i. Lord Grenville has been with the King. The King said to him, " I wish you, my Lord, to help me to make a new administration". " I must first, Sire, consult with Mr. Fox." "Yes, certainly," said the King, " I supposed so." So the conference ended, and now is indeed an anxious moment. I was sure, from a conversation I had with Lady Hawkesbury, that this was likely. The whole tenor of her con- versation went to extol the King's purity of intention and devotion to whatever he thought the good of the country. We shall see. The King only added, " Let me have it by Wednesday or Thursday". To- day was Mr. Lascelles' motion^ of publick honor to Pitt. The motion is to be framed, they say, on the one made for Lord Chatham. Fox wished it might have been so worded as that he may agree, and even said before in the House that if it was not so 1 Mr. Lcscelles motion — The motion was for a public funeral and nionunicnt to the memory of Pitt. Fox declined to assent to the motion, and Wyndham spoke against it. Among those who supported it were Wilberforce and Lord Castle- reagh. On a division the motion was carried by 258 to 89. Pitt's debts, amounting to ;^40,ooo, were paid by the nation. He was buried in Westminster Abbey on Feb. 22. 268 THE TWO DUCHESSES. worded as to be a gross violation of all his principles to support it that it would meet with no opposition from that side of the House, but I hear Mr. Las- celles was obstinate. It, however, gave rise to the most beautiful speech Fox ever made. The Morning Chronicle gave it very ill; instead of his saying " perhaps it was an honor," Fox said, " people had done him the honor to call him that Right Honour- able Gentleman's Rival " (and a great honor it was), but you will have seen it in the papers. Mr. Wynd- ham's no body liked; however, all Pitt's relations and friends were pleased with Mr. Fox's. How happy shall I be if I can promote your advantage and happiness. 30//%. Lord Grenville has asked for another day. The King came to town and has seen Lord Hawkesbury, but I don't suspect any trick. Fox won't tell us any arrangements, and says they ought not to be known till the King has seen them. General Fitzpatrick was resisting our invitations to Devonshire House, saying we should be trying to get secrets from him. " That's a good one," said Fox laughing, " he has none to tell." You may conceive the busy look of St. James's Street. Mr. Fox asked me in the kindest manner about you, and whether you liked America. La risposta era facile. I long for to- morrow. Friday. The King said he should make no observations, but should send to Lord Grenville when he wanted him: different comments are made on this. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 269 Saturday. The King saw Lord Grenville this evening; he seemed surprized at the article about the Duke of York. "Is it", he said, "meant as a slur on the Duke of York.'*" " Nothing, Sire, further from our intentions." The King then said he must reconsider of it. He asked if it had not always been as now since the Duke of Cumberland. Lord Grenville assured His Majesty that if he inquired he would find it had not, and the article at bottom of the list was in the most respectful terms, saying that, as the revision of the measures for the defence of the Country must be the first that would come into con- sideration, it was humbly hoped that the Commander in Chief would submit to concert his measures with the Council at a time when the state of the Country required so much that they should act in concert. As nearly as I can ascertain, it was expressed these people had been prepared to think it had been intended to remove the Duke of York, or that some- thing harsh had been said, but it was not so; and when this was understood there seemed to be but one voice that the King ought to be advised to consent to it. Monday, Feb. 3. It is said that the King wrote to Lord Grenville yesterday, and that he is to see him to-day. Before the ship goes I hope I shall have some decided intelligence to send you. Yesterday London was in a fever, for it was soon circulated at the Opera that it was off Fox was there in his usual good spirits, at which, I suppose, people were surprised, but he is 270 THE TWO DUCHESSES. unlike any thing and superior to every body. I have heard that some people were for letting the subject of the Army rest for the present, but he, with his noble sincerity and integrity, said that it was more fair and much handsomer to state all their intentions now; to take no advantage. It has risked the whole thing being off, but it is with honor if it is so, and if the King has a heart to appreciate Fox, what honor this must do him with the Kine. I sha'n't dare send this letter by the merchant ship, but I will write a line by it to tell you of this. Wednesday, ^th. . . . To-day they were to kiss hands. I left off Monday. That was a day of fever. About one we knew Lord Grenville was with the King; about three or four that all was doing well; and about six a note from Arlington Street told us that all was settled. Lord Grenville was to see the Kine aeain in the evening for the final arrangements, and that the new Ministers were to kiss hands, and to-day I believe there is some delay about Lord Grenville on account of some plan he has which may delay it till to-morrow, but on Friday this packet goes, and with it I will send you the correct list. What a change! You will hear, I suppose, and so do we here, some abuse of letting in some of the Adding- tons. Yesterday all was discontent amongst some of our minor friends on this account, but it is very different from the manner in which Mr. Pitt came in, leaving all the Addingtonians whom he had abused and tacking himself on to them, or coming in a great FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 2/1 body, as Fox and Lord Grenville do, and then ad- mitting Lord Sidmouth and one other to the Cabinet, and a few to other places — to form, in short, a broad bottomed administration, placing people there where their talents can be of use — thus Lord Auckland is at the Board of Trade — he, and almost he only, understands trade. Wednesday night. Fox says the order of the day is content, and the Duchess incloses you a list of the new administration as far as it goes, I mean as is finally settled. Several kissed hands to-day, and the King was very gracious, but so blind, poor man, that it was painfull to see him. The report is Sir R. Strachan is in sight of a squadron of the Brest fleet, and pray God we may have a victory, though that of Trafalgar might suffice for a century. Augjist2(s Foster To Lady Elisabeth Foster. Washington, Feb. i, 1806. Our disputes and concerns with this country are becoming greater and greater every day, and our business becomes consequently greater likewise. The two greatest commercial nations on the globe cannot move in the same sphere without jostling one another a little while we are aiminof blows at the French Marine. We want elbow room and these good neutrals won't give it to us, and therefore they get a few side pushes which makes them grumble. 2/2 THE TWO DUCHESSES. However, I hope they will see their interests better than to seriously quarrel with us for the benefit of the foreign adventurers who carry on an unlawful trade from their ports with the West Indies. . . . Lady Elisabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, Feb. 3, 1806. . . . I send you this merely to say that all our friends are coming in, and I believe are to kiss hands the day after to-morrow. You will see by the papers the loss the Country has again sustained in the death of Mr. Pitt! that name, so great, so known, which occupied so vast a space, is gone! . . . On Thursday Mr. Pitt died; on Saturday the King sent for Lord Grenville and told him he wished his assistance to form a new Administration. Lord Grenville said the first thing he must do must be to consult Mr. Fox. " I supposed so," answered the King, " let me have the list by Wednesday or Thursday." "By Thursday, Sir," — so it ended. They asked a day more, and gave it on Friday. An article at the end about the Commander in Chief made a difficulty, and the king said he must reconsider of it. I mistake — the King took it Friday and said he should send for Lord G., and on Saturday evening it was that the article about the Army made a hitch: it was reported at the opera to be off: most of Sunday passed without any thing; Sunday evening another message to Lord Grenville, and on Monday FROM GEORGIANA, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 2^% (yesterday) the King saw and settled every thing with Lord G., and we were told about five that Wednesday (to-morrow) they were to kiss hands. What a change! and what hopes, my Augustus, does it give me for you! but of this another time. Lord Hawkesbury has the Cinque Ports. Some blame him, and certainly Mr. Fox had wished it for Lord Chatham, to whom he would have given it. Fox made a beautiful speech yesterday on the motion to pay Mr. Pitt's debts, I send you a paper. The most beautiful was that on the motion for public honors. Mrs. Fox is happy, but has the most per- fect good sense as well as good nature in her new situation. One of her first ideas was to ask me about you. I sha'n't forget that. The Duchess' friendship you know too well to doubt it — so a little patience, dearest child, go on improving yourself in French and Italian. I have seen no faults lately in French, and Italian I am afraid you now know better than me. Georgiaiia, Duchess of Devonshire To Atcgiistus Foster. March, (?) 1806. Dear Augustus, — Mr. Pitt's death was felt by his opponents in a manner that did equal honor to him and them. They regretted his loss and his talents, and I may venture to say Mr. Fox would be well pleased indeed could he recall him to life and place him in his Cabinet. At any other time I should 274 THE TWO DUCHESSES. rejoice and exult in the assemblage of talent and integrity which we now can boast of, but alas, in these times what is to be done; it is uphill labour, and it must be the regret of every one that the pro- posed junction was not suffered to take place when it might have saved Europe. ... I have sent you a remembrance — a memorial of Lord Nelson, but I trust, as you do, that he will have left us some of his eleves and comrades who will emulate his glory. . . . Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Washington, March lo, 1806. Our news is not later than the 19th of December from London, and we only know up to the reports of the battle of the 5th, and the heroism of the Emperor Alexander. You may have had peace long ago for ought we know here. I wish sincerely you may if it be a good one, for I long very much to return. Nevertheless, I must own that this Mission is very interesting during war time. Our disputes about Neutral rights have been under discussion in the Congress, and I have heard their best speakers. One of them, Mr. J. Randolph, the uncle of the deaf and dumb boy whom I recommended to you, who is with Mr. Munroe, took up the argu- ment favorable to England, and managed it with a great deal of brilliancy and success, though hitherto considered as the leader of the Democratic party in opposition to the Federalists. He has now taken FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 2/5 his Stand as head of the landed interest as opposed to the carrying part of the Commercial interest. He is a very singular character, and has the extraordinary merit of having taught himself. He lost his father when a boy, and was indulged in idleness by his mother till he was i6 or 17, when he was sent to a college, where he learned very little. He is now 33, has the voice of a boy, and the appearance. He is extremely thin, and from bodily infirmities scarce can know an hour's ease. He is a good deal at times at Mr. Merry's, and as he is very gentleman- like and full of imagination I like him very much. As he is certainly the first in point of brilliancy in either house, I have given you this account of him. He has, besides, as who has not who has heard of her, a most sincere veneration for your Duchess and for your mutual friendship. Being a direct descend- ant from Pocahontas, he values nobility of birth very highly, and is intimately acquainted with all our great families, even to their estates, and their dis- tances from London and each other: he has taken me en amitie, and we often ride together. For about a fortnight during the winter Washing- ton was as gay as it can be, that is, we met parties crowded in little rooms in the different houses here, by going 3 or 4 miles, sometimes 6 miles, every evening. There were several strangers, and some very pretty girls. There was one with as handsome a face as any I have ever seen. Mrs. Merry gave a little dance, which was pronounced y"^z'«^r and more chamnin than any thing of the sort ever seen. I wore the Prince's uniform, which is very popular 2/6 THE TWO DUCHESSES. here, though I was obliged to shew a little resent- ment at a reason which was insinuated for its being so. ... I congratulate you on the defeat of the French fleet in the West Indies. We seem to sweep the Ocean. General Moreau^ I have not seen. I must obey Mr. Merry about him, unless I should meet him in private society. He is very communi- cative, I understand, at Philadelphia, where he now is. He gives as his opinion that Bonaparte has got into a Cul de sac, and must be destroyed if the Austrian generals manage the matter skilfully. Madame Moreau is enchanting the Americans. Her dancing is said to be superior to any thing ever seen of the sort in the United States. Moreau wears plain clothes and a round hat: he won't come down here, as he says, for fear of embarrassing the Ad- ministration. General Miranda^ has gone on an ex- pedition to South America, as is supposed, and has carried ammunition and men in four ships to revolu- tionize the Caraccas. He has provided printers and printing presses among other things. General Turreau burst into tears, as is said, on hearing of the battle of Trafalgar. . . . Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Washington, March 25, 1806. Still no packet arrives, and five months are fast going by since the date of your last letter to me. I 1 General Moreau — See p. 250. "^ General Miranda — Founder of the Independence of Spanish America (1750- 1816). FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 2/7 almost dread its arrival now, and wait for the Post every evening with nearly more fear than hope. Our public news has been so bad that I scarce dare to think what our letters may bring. When such a man as Pitt dies in the full vigour of life, and such campaigns are fought as the one of last winter, one cannot guess what may next happen. However, if I only had letters from you of February in my pocket, I should not grrieve much about our National Affairs. We are pretty safe, I think, from French fleets and French invasion. Such men as Lord Grenville and Mr. Fox, I dare say, will not sacrifice our rights, and Alexander may yet find the Usurper a good deal to do in the Levant. Pitt has haunted me ever since his death. I think I see his figure every hour thundering over poor little Addington. At such a distance as this, when one hears of the death of so great a man as he, one really cannot conceive it; it only serves to call him more forcibly to one's mind, and to place him in the strongest point of view in which one has ever seen him. He and Nelson have been indeed great losses to us, and Lord Cornwallis, as Viceroy of India, was surely a loss to us, but to compare small things with great, they say that no man should long be under the same valet de chambre, and perhaps it was necessary we should know by proof that our whole dependence was not upon one person, however pre-eminent. . . . If they make peace, we shall, we must be ruined. Give him a year, 'tis all he wants to fill his dockyards with materials, and our only safeguard will be in jeopardy. We have only now to look to our wooden walls, and 2^8 THE TWO DUCHESSES. I trust they won't be sacrificed. The moment our right arm is bent we are gone. . . . LINES WRITTEN BY THE EARL OF CARLISLE ON THE DEATH OF GEORGIANA, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE, MARCH 30, 1806. Bright eminence and worth have seemed of late, For cold extinction to be marked by fate: Soaring with higher flight, Death wings his way, And, like the eagle, strikes the noblest prey. Valour's first-born, lamented Nelson, dies: Next o'er Pitt's corse we hang with weeping eyes. Now, at the insatiate Tyrant's savage call, The most attractive of her Sex must fall. O! tenderest Parent! O! sincerest Friend! Can it be Thee, o'er whose pale form we bend ; Thee, whom so late on Health's elastic bound, vVe saw diffusing pleasure all around. Is that the forehead, where each Grace and Muse Twined their joint garland of a thousand hues? Are those the eyes which beam'd with vivid sense, And spoke the soul of pure benevolence.-* That the warm breast, where mild Affection chose To graft on Meekness stern Compassion's rose.-* Peace to thy fleeting soul! Tho' here below Malice at all direct the assassin's blow. Nor even Thee the accursed fiend should spare, Yet where All's justice thou hast least to fear, For leagued with mercy at the Almighty's throne. Shall Charity unbend the accusing frown. Sustain thy trembling head, and claim thee for her own. FROM THE HON. MRS. LAMB. 279 George Prince of Wales'^ (afterwards King George the Fourth) To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Dear Lady Elizabeth, — I am really quite asham'd of intruding upon you and upon the Duke under any circumstances at the present moment, but particularly so when it is respecting a trifle. To take up as little as possible of your time, I will immediately come to the point, and will beg of you to borrow from the Duke for a few days his Collar of the Order of the Garter. By some misfortune my Brother Augustus cannot find his, and if you will have the goodness to send it to me to Carlton House this evening, I will take care of it and return it when the Trial- is over. Forgive me all the trouble I am giving you, and believe me ever, Dearest Lady Elizabeth, most affectionately yours, George. Carlton House, April 2%th, 1806. The Hon. Mrs. Lamb To Atignstus Foster. 1806. You must feel so very anxious to know how your dear Mother's health and spirits have borne the dreadful misfortune we all deplore, that I will write to you a line to tell you that she is better than I could have expected, and than her misery seemed to give any hope for, but as to spirits, what, my dear ^ George, Prince of Wales, afterwards King George IV. (1762-1830). 2 The /r/rt/— Probably in view of his being present as a peer at the trial of Lord Melville, which began in Westminster Hall on April 26. 280 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Augustus, can ever restore them since time that soothes and heals common aftlictions seems but to add to this? Each new day brings some new proofs of its extent, and how very very irreparable it is. All who knew her loved her, but it was adoration that she inspired to her nearest friends, and thus to have her torn from them, to watch her through a suffering illness and in the awful moments of death, is a lesson so striking, yet so heartbreaking, that we must have sunk under it had not God Almighty supported us through it, and in the height of misery given us strength and resignation to bear it; but I need not and cannot describe to you all that we have gone through, scenes of misery and horror rendered more dreadful by the contrast to a life of happiness, to the thoughtless security of a few weeks past. . . . Lady Elisabeth Foster To Ano-icstus Foster. ' ■ Devonshire House, /z^/y 9, 1806. Thank you, my dearest child, for your anxiety about me. No wonder that you thought I could not support myself under such a blow, but God is merci- ful and gives a strength we know not we possess. How I went through it, as my angel friend herself said, or how I am alive to tell it, I know not — such a loss! Oh, Dearest Augustus, She was the charm of my existence, my constant support in all my sorrows, the doubler and sharer of every joy. There is no giving you any idea of the three weeks we passed, or rather the fortnight, for the first week she recovered so much I thought not of danger, though Farquhar from the first was uneasy. I scarcely left her room or her bed, yet she was almost in a con- tinual lethargy; still almost to the last she knew her sister and me, and her last words were to tell me she did not mind it. Oh, heavens! my dear Augustus, how is it that one goes through certain trials that but to think of at a distance seems impossible to 288 THE TWO DUCHESSES. bear. We felt stunned and unable to conceive what had passed. I am told it is the case always in great and deep afflictions. The Duke and I were saying one day it appeared to us like a dream. On saying this to Farquhar he told us it was always so. We have as yet seen scarcely any body; we have lived with each other; travelling was impossible on the Duke's account, who was not quite well, and wished to remain in London; it was equally so to me to whom she had left all her papers and affairs, and this trust, so sad and sacred, still occupies almost all my mornings. It is, I feel it, a comfort as you say, to have been with her, to have watched her looks, her words, to have been there, as I was, hanging over her in breathless anxiety, for in each interval of stupor there she saw me; but it was heart-rending, it was agony, and it seems to have shut my heart to all joy. Yet the interest of my dear children, their happiness and welfare, must still give me pleasure and all the happiness I can know. I feel by your letter all that you are to me. Dearest Caro has been to me what you wished her. Fred really overcame himself with sorrow. Dear Clifford has come to support and cheer us all a little; poor Hartington^ said it could alone give him a feel- ing of pleasure at being again in Devonshire House, and he has been much better since; poor Lady Bess- borough is, as you may suppose, wretched; Georgiana and Harriet are indeed deserving of all one's com- passion. Georgiana is just recovered from her lying ^ Hartington—Ma.xqu\s of H., afterwards sixth Duke of Devonshire. He was at this time sixteen years old. He died unmarried, and was succeeded by his cousin, the father of the present duke (1790-1853). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 289 in, and looks well. The kindness and feeling of Lord Morpeth I can never forget. You never saw such a scene as Devonshire House. The anxiety of people was extreme; the crowds that inquired im- mense, and the silence and solitude of the succeeding one horrid. Hartington I had sent for; he shewed a manliness beyond his age, and saw his adored mother every day, even afterwards; so did I! and I am alive to tell it vou. I do indeed trust that I shall meet her again in " another and a better world " as the Stranger says. Never, I believe, were two hearts and minds so united; never did two people think and feel so alike. She is so present to me, and I am so constantly occupied for her that I feel as if she was absent on a journey, and I catch myself saying "I'll tell her this", nor feel all my loss till some person speaking or some circumstance makes the whole rush upon me with fatal conviction of the truth. We are all in sad anxiety about Mr. Fox. He has a tendency to dropsy, which is alarming at his age and with his size; he has been better, but was worse yesterday. The Duke dines often with him, and is very uneasy, I think, about him. It would be too shocking to have him wrested from us just as his wonderful abilities were best calculated to do good. He has been too ill for me to speak to him latterly about you, and indeed I had so firm a reliance on what he said to me that I have felt convinced he only waited for an opportunity of doing what was for your advantage. If we lose him we have nothing left but secondary characters. Except D. D. I know 290 THE TWO DUCHESSES. not one very pre-eminent one. However, there is no cause for despair, and I will try to hope for the best. ... I am not ill, I do assure you. I go on occupying myself with her affairs, and in all I can doing what I hope would please her dear Spirit if it can look down upon us, and may we meet never to part. . . . Augustus Foster To Lady ElizabetJi Foster. Washington, /a/j' 20, 1806. Your affecting letter I have just received, and shall ever preserve it as a last memento of the truest friendship that ever existed. . . . Who has a claim to the attention of every body if you have not, who are so considerate about every body? She was indeed to you what she was to nobody else she has left behind her, and by none is the cruel loss so fully estimated as by you; of this I am sure. Thank Heaven you had so many about you who could feel with you, and that you were able to support one another. Frederick Foster To A itgnstjis Foster. London, /«/)/ 30, 1806. I am sorry to tell you that Fox is still very ill, and I fear that his recovery is very doubtful. It is dropsy, and I am afraid not alone, but he has great strength of constitution and his lungs appear FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 29I to be sound, so that we can't help entertaining hopes of his recovery. I must think that it would be a most amazing loss, and it's really frightful to see almost all the talent, genius, and worth of the country dying before one's eyes — Nelson, Pitt, Cornwallis, and our beloved, amiable Duchess. Heavens! what a change since this time last year; you will scarcely know the country at your return. . . . August is/. Fox still continues very ill, but Lady Holland told me to-day that he was better, and that the doctors had entered upon a new system. In short, they have hopes and no more. Fox is really better. . . . Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Lancaster, Pennsylvania, /«/y (?), 1806. . . . I thank you sincerely for your details about that Heavenly Woman, and the more so as I know what it must have cost you to write them. I should be sorry indeed if Mr. Fox was to be wrested from us, and particularly now that he is engaged in negotiations for Peace. His great and enlarged mind is necessary to enable us to find out our real interests at this gloomy period. I don't, however, quite agree in our having none but second- ary characters to take his place. Lord Grenville, our English Cato, and Lord Howick, I think we might with confidence rely on. 292 THE TWO DUCHESSES. LINES BY GEORGIANA, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE ON THE BUST OF CHARLES FOX, AT WOOBURN.i Here 'midst the friends he loves the Man behold In Truth unshaken and in Virtue bold, Whose ardent Zeal and uncorrupted mind, Dares to assert the Freedom of Mankind. For whilst contending factions raged afar, And fell Ambition spread the flames of War, Fearless of blame and eloquent to save, 'Twas He, 'twas Fox, the warning council gave, Oppos'd, but ah, hoiv Vain! the Tide of blood, And to the Nations as a Sea Mark stood! Yet still propitious might his voice avail. And happy Realms returning freedom hail. His Wisdom still might bid fierce discord cease, And give the world humanity and Peace. But should he fail, our gratefuU sons will here Their tribute pay, regret, admire, revere, Uphold his worth, bear witness to his fame. And in their annals proudly boast his name. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. ^i>' Devonshire House, September, 1806. I have scarcely courage to write to you, and to announce the great, the irreparable loss which the World has sustained — the sad, sad loss to friends more attached than almost ever man was blessed with. Good God! what a change in England since you left it. It is frightful to think of, and makes me 1 G. died March 30, 1806; Fox, Sept. 13, 1806. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 293 tremble for those precious lives which still must attach me to life. The probability, however, is that I shall not have that misfortune added to the rest; the uncertainty of my own health may secure me from that. Do not, however, take any alarm, my dear child, from this expression, for I really am pretty well, but these events make one low. Nothing can give an idea of the anxiety about Mr. Fox, for though his health was seriously affected, he had recovered so much strength at Chiswick, and was so happy here, that it was impossible not to flatter oneself that he might yet recover a considerable degree of health. The change was sudden and dreadfull; he had slept pretty well, was cheerfull, went to look at his favourite pictures in the drawing-room, and returned to his room to dress and go out; his secretary was reading to him; he suddenly fell back; an extreme weakness came on which, with the interval of one day, when hopes were revived, continued from Monday till Saturday, when he died.^ He had his senses to the last, knew his situation. Mrs. Fox asked him if he would have prayers read, and he said, " Yes, my love". Whilst they were reading he joined his hands. He gave ample directions to poor Lord Holland; to Mrs. Fox he turned with unceasing tenderness in his countenance, and an hour before his death said to her, " I die happy, but I pity you". Most of his intimate friends were at Chiswick. It was a touchincr scene to see all those men unable to suppress their grief, and careless to conceal their 1 ll7u/i he died—Yo-x. died on Sept. 13. He was buried on October 10 in West- minster Abbey beside Pitt. 294 THE TWO DUCHESSES. tears. How they can attend the funeral I know not; it is to be the tenth of October, and I own I dread it for the Duke. October \st. The Paris papers say that Jerome is made a Prince, and divorced that he may marry a Princess of Wirtemberg. Poor Madame Jerome! Can it be true also that Moreau is returned to Lisbon; it would seem very imprudent. The capture of Buenos Ayres has made a great sensation here, and the treasure has been lodged at the Bank with great show and pomp. I hope we shall not lightly give up that settlement or Miranda. . . . Town will be full for a few days on account of the funeral of our loved Patriot. Heavens, that the same year should have witnessed four of such persons! all, all pre-eminent, for my loved friend was pre-eminent in beauty, goodness, and all that can attach or attract. May God pre- serve those we love, and are still so necessary to our happiness. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster, Devonshire House, October I'i, 1806. I have much such accounts to give you as I sent last year. Scarcely had Lord Morpeth reached Erfurt when he found that the Queen and the Ministers were obliged to fly for safety; of course he did the same, and with great difficulty got back FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 295 to Weimar and Brunswick. The beaten army^ were flying in all directions, and he was obliged to walk 14 miles, and then to get a sort of cart for the rest of the journey. At Brunswick they confirmed the terrible tidings, and the Dutch papers are since come with horrid details, such as 200 pieces of cannon, five or six of their best orenerals wounded and made prisoners, and, in short, unless it is true that Hohenlohe^ defeated the right wing of the French, I don't see what is to enable them to make a stand; it is too shocking, really. There was an account that the Prussians fought from three in the morning till five in the evening, and yet retreated in good order; now the loss of the French must have been very great also, and if the Duke of Brunsw'ick^ is not too much wounded to direct the retreat, perhaps they may still make some resistance. Lord Morpeth is, I believe, to proceed to head quarters, wherever they are. This is not pleasant to dear Georgiana, who is, of course, very anxious. At home the elections are going on all over the country. Sir Francis Burdett* has put in an advertisement that has offended all parties but a few Home Tookists, and I believe he will lose his election. 1 The beaten army — The Prussian army utterly routed by Napoleon in the battle of Jena, October 14, 1806. On the same day another Prussian army was defeated at Auerstadt (about 14 miles distant) by the French under Davoust, and on the 27th Napoleon entered Berlin. - Hohenlohe — Prince Hohenlohe, the Prussian commander in the battle of Jena, October 14, 1806 (1746-1818). * Duke of Brunswick — The Prussian commander at Auerstadt. * Sir Francis Burdett — Prominent as a politician of advanced views, and for thirty years (from 1807) Member of Parliament for Westminster. The election here referred to was for Middlesex, and Sir Francis was defeated (1770-1844). 296 THE TWO DUCHESSES. T. Sheridan^ will lose his at Stafford. Sheridan- is opposed by Paul, but I do not suppose he can succeed. Fred Ponsonby stands for Kilkenny. Duncannon refused, and the Duke bringrs in Lord Ossulston for Knaresborous:h. There is a Mr. Faukes who stands for Yorkshire, who Lord FitzwilHam is anxious should succeed. He is a man of large property, and of un- common eloquence. . . Nov. 3. Lord Morpeth is returned, and I am afraid Bona- parte is master of Berlin and Potsdam, and of Sans Souci. What times! Lord Morpeth went to Erfurt and Weimar, but was forced to return after the battle of the 14th had proved so disastrous. He over took Haugnitz and Luchesini, who were flying also. The King is gone to Custrin, and the Queen has joined him there. Where will all this end.'* Angiistus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Washington, Nov. 27, 1806. Madame J. Bonaparte is in great distress at Jerome's divorce. She goes no longer out, though just before he had sent her a great many presents and desired her to go to all amusements. She lives at Baltimore, 45 miles from here. The ill- natured Americans don't pity her. They say she deserved it for her vanity, and yet not one but had ^ T. Sheridan — Son of R. B. Sheridan. Stafford had been at one time represented by his father. 2 Sheridan — Richard Brinsley S. The election here referred to was for West minster, and Sheridan was successful. FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 297 done the same. The French Minister speaks of her as Mile. Patterson. When Jerome first landed she declared she would have him, and that she had rather be Madame Jer. B. one year, though she was to be nothing afterwards, than marry anyone else. She did not know she was so near the real event. Moreau is in New York, and is said to be about going westward. Miranda is an old woman, A new character is busy in the Western World — Mr. Burr,^ the late Vice President of the United States, of whom you probably will hear more. The public papers are full of him. No less than a separation of the Union is said to be his object. Thus for the last thirty years Revolution will seem to have been brought on by Revolution, till there remains nothing to revolutionize. The hope of Peace, I suppose, is buried with Mr. Fox. To have been present at his last hours, to have almost caught the last breath of so great a man expiring in the very house where you were, must have been very affecting to you. It is melancholy to see our greatest men cut off in such numbers just when we have most occasion for them. However, the spirit of the nation is still high, and I am convinced that we have more men of integrity and talent in prominent situations to boast of than there are in all the world besides. Here we are feared and respected more than the rabble Republicans choose to believe or allow of; but in fact a mere face of ancrer is all we need shew to these Democrats, for a long time to come. 1 Mr. Burr — Aaron Burr, of whom more will be heard in subsequent letters (1756-1838). 298 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, December 2, 1806. Frederick tells me that he has written all the great events to you, and I have been doubly glad of it, as, from an unavoidable association of ideas, I have felt lower than usual; the beginning of winter, so different to every other; the thousand, thousand circumstances that recall the daily occurrences of so many years past; the blank, the sad blank, now left to me; all this presses upon me, and has made me unfit for writing my dispatch to you. But you, of all people, almost understand me, and know how to feel for me. This year's events have surpassed the last. No person even knows where the poor King of Prussia and his beautiful Queen now are. If you had been told when you was there that Bonaparte would have been in the Palace at Berlin, possessed of that and all that country, how little you would have believed it. He is said to be beyond the Vistula, I mean the King of Prussia, and that an army of Russians is hastily approaching; but meanwhile Bonaparte will give a King to Poland, and perhaps march on to Petersburgh. He is said to have asked for ships of the line of the Danes, and that the Sound should be shut against us. This, I believe, our Lord Nelson has proved they can't do ; but indeed the state of things is terrible. However, I hope that we shall extend our conquests in the new world, and so keep a balance. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 299 Parliament meets the 15th, and they are to have no holidays at Christmas. Lord JMorpeth is come in for Cumberland and W. Howard for Morpeth. William Lamb moves the address. I should think that he would do it well, but Caroline will be very nervous. Fred Ponsonby is come in for Kilkenny. Duncannon idly refused. . . . The clamour of the hustings is all against Sheridan, and for Paull; he came here to-day, and was very low. I have the promise of several votes for him. The Duke makes his steward exert himself Even Sir S. Hood is unpopular. Duncannon was to have been proposed for Middlesex, but it was thought of too late, and Mr. Mellish stands. 4^, Midnight. Sheridan gives up, and Tierney. Sheridan was struck at and wounded yesterday evening. Mr. Rhodes' son defended him, and knocked the man down. He can't stand this unpopularity, and means to give up. They wanted Duncannon in for it, but it is too expensive. A messenger and a Dr. Brown are come from the King of Prussia, and they report that the King is in a strong position behind the Oder. The King sent word he was as well as under his misfortunes he could be. The army, about 20,000 strong, are there also. It is said Luchesini went to solicit peace, and that Bonaparte would not hear of it; that the Duke of Brunswick sent to ask the neutrality of his country, and that Bonaparte answered that he did not recognize such a person as the Duke of Bruns- wick, and had ordered him to be seized wherever he 300 THE TWO DUCHESSES. was found. This ferocious answer has oblieed the poor Duke of Brunswick to fly, and he was going from Hamburgh to Denmark. I wish he was coming to England, that every attention and respect might be shown him. Lord Morpeth offered to go again, and was the person they would have sent again, but they think it best to send a military person, and Lord Hutchinson goes. It is truly anxious and interesting. Lady Elisabeth Foster To A?ig7ist7is Foster. December, 1806. One line only. They talked here yester- day, some company who dined at Devonshire House, of a plan of sequestration of foreign property in retaliation for the British seized at Hamburgh. I hope it won't be. I would not have a stain on the public faith for worlds of gold. Let us conquer Spanish America with all my heart, but all good faith in publick as in private actions. Say nothing of it unless you hear it elsewhere, and I hope it won't be so. The Duchess of Brunswick is, it is said, out of her senses. No wonder; his death, poor man, was fortunate for himself, for his life must have been misery. The Duke goes with me to Chiswick to-day which hurries me so. Poor Chiswick, Chis- wick, where my angel friend delighted to live, and where that great man Charles Fox breathed his last! How has this world been impoverished! FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 3OI AiigusUis Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Washington, Dec. 29, 1806. Buenos Ayres^ I fear, is retaken. What will Sir H. Popham be thought of now that the Spaniards have felt their strength. What 5000 men might have done a few months back with ease will, I am afraid, be very problematical. He had good information as to the state of the place, as his suc- cess proved, but to retain a town of 70,000 inhabi- tants required more than 1500 men. Miranda, whom you seem to be anxious about, is and was to all appearance when here a mere old woman of a man, as I believe I wrote long ago to you. A man of superior abilities is plotting Revolution in the western part of these States, and occupies very much the public mind here. Colonel Burr is a notoriously profligate man, but of very great address. He has chosen a singularly situated coun- try as the scene of his ambitious projects, and I suppose we shall soon see their development or confusion. The public rumours are that he is en- gaged in a plot to sever the whole country west of the Alleghany mountains, in extent near 3000 miles, from Lake Michigan to New Orleans, from the rest of the Union, and to form an expedition for the plunder of Mexico, which is a City of 130,000 in- habitants, defenceless, and in one of the finest coun- tries in the world. The Western Country contains ' Buenos Ay res — It was retaken by the Spaniards in August. The news was long in travelling. 302 THE TWO DUCHESSES. not above a few hundred thousand inhabitants, and those scattered in swamps and villages. New Or- leans, the largest town, has about 8000 inhabitants, but it has the singular advantage of being, as it were the key to all the countries connected with the Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri, &c., the only outlet for the commerce of those immense territories, and bids fair to be one of the very finest Capitals in the Uni- verse. Immense emigration annually takes place to those Countries from the Atlantic States. A Senator of the United States, who travelled last year in Ohio, told me that in two days he had* counted 105 waggons, each containing a family, on their way to settle in the woods of the State of Ohio. They were chiefly families from beyond the Hudson river. The Americans give me the idea of Locusts. They ruin the land as they pass on, and are eternally changing their soil. The mode of cultivation among them exhausts the earth, and they must shift their crops every now and then into timber land in order to have them good. Mr. Burr was Vice-President of the United States or President of the Senate when I arrived. It was he who killed Mr. Hamilton in a duel which was detailed in all the English papers a little time before I left England. It will be a sad thing if he succeeds, for the whole Country will then fall in pieces. I have written thus much, as you will very likely be interested about him from the accounts you will probably see in the papers. The Government are taking measures, and will probably prevent his con- spiracy from going on, and save these States from FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 303 the horrors of a revolution. Nothing has yet been done openly by Mr. Burr. Lady Elizabeth Foster To A us^ustus F. Devonshire House, /a«. 6, 1807. We had yesterday our great debate on the negotiation.^ It was a curious one, from two circumstances. Lord Yarmouth and Lord Howick spoke in direct contradiction to one another, and Mr. Whitbread thought fit to express his opinion that peace might have been made. Lord Howick opened his speech admirably, and his reply, I hear, was excellent. It was to a malicious, odious speech of Mr. Perceval,^ and I dare say his Hotspur blood was boiling in his veins. I long to have you acquainted with Lord Howick, and to be employed by him; he is a true Foxite. The debate lasted till near five in the morning. We supped at Caroline Lamb's at Whitehall, and about half after one Lord Morpeth, Lord Granville, Lord Ossulston, and William Lamb came from the House, the debate then going on, Fred Ponsonby took the oaths, and when the Speaker asked him the name of the estate which was to qualify him^ he could not tell it, which occasioned a laugh. I have been twice to the Opera. Catalani* ' The negoiiatton—Rega.Tding peace with France. ^ Mr. Perceval— Spencer P., afterwards Prime Minister from 1809 to 1812 (1762- 1812). ^ To qualify him — At this time the ciuahfication for a county member was an estate of ;^6oo a year, and for a borough member one of £yx). * Catalani — (1780-1849). 304 THE TWO DUCHESSES. is as near perfection as any thing can be, not quite so touching or so handsome as Grassini,^ but suffi- ciently so to please, and she is as wonderful and more so than Mrs. Billington.^ ... I know how you will feel it, coming to this dear house, where she, my angel friend, used ever to receive you as if you were her son. I believe sometimes the greatness of the blow prevents our having the power of dwelling upon it. . . . I send you the French publication of the State papers. It differs from ours in several things. They omit the extract from the Emperor's speech, and they put in a great deal of Talleyrand's answer to Mr. Fox. I suppose you have the negotiation as pub- lished here. A rumour prevails that Buenos Ayres is retaken, and though an expedition is gone which may take it again, yet it would cause dreadful loss to the merchants here; it would be bad, too, for poor Sir Home Popham. Night. Fred Ponsonby has given us a very good account of the debate; he is in raptures with Lord Howick, and I never heard anything so liberal as his conduct. Perceval in the last debate had remarked upon some private letter of Fox's which could not, Ministers said, be shewn; well, Lord Howick, as soon as he went home, sent Perceval that letter, which he owned could not be shewn to the House. Could anything be more liberal ? Yet Perceval last night began again as though he had not seen that letter, and ^ Grassini — (1773-1850). ''■Mrs. Billington — (1789-1818). FROM THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. 305 with base insinuations. Lord Howick, almost trembling with rage, vindicated his lost friend, and reminded Perceval that he had sent him the papers, which he had refused the House. The House quite murmured at Perceval's conduct, and Canning was most liberal in his praise of Lord Howick's conduct and nobleness of mind. The papers have given the debate wretchedly. . . . TJie Earl of Aberdeen To Augustus Foster. The Priory, /«;/. 13, 1807. Dear Augustus, — Although I am quite persuaded that there is no chance of my silence, however long, being interpreted by you to signify in the slightest de- gree intentional neglect, yet I will honestly mention a few facts, although they tend very little to a justifica- tion. Mr. Pitt's death quite rendered me incapable at the usual time; the poor Duchess soon followed, and then came the anxieties of Lord Melville's trial. On his acquittal I should indeed have written. The summer passed I do not know how in Scotland, and the dissolution of Parliament gave me full employ- ment. You may have heard of my success,^ which was somewhat remarkable, being the only candidate who came in against the exertions of Government. Very little has as yet been done in Parliament, but we shall shortly be very active; there will be ' My success — Lord Aberdeen was elected a Scotch representative peer on Dec. 4, 1806. U 306 THE TWO DUCHESSES. motions of Inquiry on several subjects, and from all we hear it is very probable the late treaty between this country and America will furnish matter, for, although the particulars are still unknown, it is by no means popular, the general opinion being that we shall be found to have made too great concessions; indeed, what has transpired tends to confirm this. The final discussions respecting the slave trade will come on in about a fortnight; no doubt is enter- tained of the abolition being carried, which, I should think, would materially affect the Americans one way or other. I give you joy of a new Emperor in your neigh- bourhood; do on your return take a view of Chris- tophe and his capital. Your old friend Jerome is acting a considerable part in Poland, where matters are very near a crisis. Bonaparte is in a most perilous situation. If the Russians continue wise he cannot hold out till spring, and there is a fair chance of his destruction. Reports of sickness in his army, though probably much exaggerated, are believed. Some faint hopes are entertained of Austria. No one apprehends much from the de- claration of a blockade. You cannot easily imagine how great my pleasure was on your brother's telling me the other day that you were coming home. My desire of seeing you again has been now so much increased by the time of your absence, in addition to the great distance which separated you from us. When you return I will not say that you are to find me with a son and heir, but in two or three weeks something will certainly be produced, but of what FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 307 gender it would not be so easy to determine. Pray let me hear from you about the reaHty of your motions, and believe me, most affectionately, Aberdeen. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, /a«. 21, 1807. . . . The papers are filled merely with rumours, first of a Russian victory, and then of Buenos Ayres being taken and not being taken, so that bets are nearly even on the subject. Ministers have been abused for sending the telegraphic account of its recapture, but how could they do otherwise. How- ever, it has caused great alarm in the city and pro- vincial towns. The reports are various, too, about the disposition of America towards England. . . . Caroline Lamb is with child, but her uncertain health prevents one's knowing what is her state, or almost what to hope. Ladj Elizabeth Foster To Ajigustus Foster. Devonshire House, March 3, 1807. Corisande is already very big — come ti sta il cuore.-* placido e sicuro io spero. We have nearly finished the grand work of abolition of the Slave Trade; it was carried 283 to 16. The remaining discussions are merely for compensation and such things. Yesterday an uncommon degree of anxiety 308 THE TWO DUCHESSES. and curiosity was excited by Paull's Petition against Sheridan/ which went to accusing him of tampering with the witness, but such a set as Paull brought in, so low, so vulgar, so contradictory in their accounts, that it turned the whole thing in Sheridan's favor, and if nothing unforeseen happens, two days hence he will be triumphant. There is a report of the French having beat the Russians. This is a sad disappointment, but it is also said that the Turks have made peace again with the Russians, so there is bad and good. We have a squadron opposite the Seraglio. , . . Augustus Foster To Lady Elizabeth Foster. Washington, March 31, 1807. The President means to retire after the next year. He is wonderfully popular at present, and may do nearly what he likes. Burr, the con- spirator, is arrested, and to be tried at Richmond, in Virginia. His grand plot ended in the seizure of his nine boats and fifty men and boys. He was betrayed, as is said, by some of his accomplices, and as he had assembled them from amongst the ruined and the unprincipled, it was what he might expect. The opposition in England seem miserably weak in their attacks. Lord Castlereagh's argument that if France included America in her Decree, England should 1 Paull's Petition against Sheridan — In connection with the result of the recent Westminster election, at which Sheridan was returned. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 309 punish her, and if America was not included in the Decree, that she should be equally punished for connivance, was not lost here. To advance such nonsense can proceed from nothing but impatience at being out of office; it cannot be surely from any sound principles of opposition. Were I an opposi- tionist before, the shallowness visible in such paltry attacks would induce me to cling to the Government. Lord Hawkesbury seems more manly. Canning is all froth and smoke and noise. I cannot see the statesman in his speeches. His wit and stories and pleasantry seem to me misplaced in debating gravely upon great National questions. Lord Howick's speech is indeed very manly and dignified, just what the organ of a great Nation, such as, I trust, we still consider ourselves to be, should be. . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augjistus Foster. Devonshire House, May (i, 1807. We are in the midst of elections again, and London scarcely possesses a Beau worth speak- ing to. What is worse, the Ministers have raised a cry about Popery, which has taken possession of the lower class, and blinded them to their best interests. I think it an unworthy measure of the Ministers, and one they will some day repent of In Derbyshire they told Lord George C. they would vote for him, but they would worship no golden images; in Liver- pool Roscoe has given up the contest. A friend of 310 THE TWO DUCHESSES. his was on horseback, and a man from the opposite crowd rushed out and stabbed the horse of the other to the heart: the man was hurt, and another wounded. At St. Albans, where Duncannon is candidate, they say it is a pity so good a lady as Lady Spencer should wish to bring the Pope to England; it is really shock- ing to see Religion made such a tool of, and the King's speech an electioneering cry. Your brother is at St. Albans canvassing for Duncannon; so is George Lamb. . . . You will see by the papers Sir F. Burdett's duel with Mr. Paull. It has hurt Paull's interest, and I believe he has no chance of succeeding for Westminster, but that Sir F. Burdett will come in with acclamation. Sheridan has played his cards ill. He can't attempt Westminster,^ and having forsaken Stafford before, he now only comes in for a borouofh in the Prince's interest. His over- weening vanity has been his ruin. Pray read Lord Grenville's letter to the Society for propagating the Christian Religion ; it is reckoned a very fair one. . . . We have failed at Constantinople, and the negotiation seems to have been sadly mismanaged. There should be no threatening or bullying, but when anchored, like Nelson, close to the walls of the Enemy's Capital, you can destroy it, but to menace and not do it is sad business. Lady Aberdeen is recovered in great beauty from her lying in. Lord Grenville goes to Russia as soon as his election is over. I am afraid Duncannon will lose his. 1 He can't attempt Westminster — Sheridan was a candidate at this new election, but failed, being behind Sir F. Burdett and Lord Cochrane (afterwards Earl of Dundonald). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 311 Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, Oct. 18, 1807. Your friend Merry is gone, as I told you, to Copenhagen, but I believe we must make up our minds to have the Danes our enemies, nor should I much regret it. The quantity of stores seem to indicate most forcibly for what reason they were collected, and their own conduct to Hamburgh in 1 80 1 takes from them the title of an innocent and unoftend- ing people, since with far less pretext they did by H amburgh what we have done by them. I hope Russia is favourable to us. The Country certainly is, but Alexander has been duped by Bonaparte, and given up his conquests just as he had nearly destroyed the Turks. The fate of Portugal is at present the pro- minent interest. Suza told Mr. Motteux that he believed that his Government meant to go to South America, and that six sail of the line were to sail from Plymouth to escort them ; but people still think that they will make their peace. How extraordinary it would be if they should migrate to the Brazils! At home party is likely to be violent and Ministers secure, since the success of the Baltic expedition. The Prince has given up politicks, is good friends with the King, and lives but for Lady Hertford. C'est vrai je t'assure; a 50 ans pres elle a captive le Prince. II ne vit, ne respire que pour elle et par elle; la ci-devant amie est inquiete et triste. Je la plains, car c'est une bonne personne qui n'a jamais abuse de son pouvoir; as to the Duchess of Bruns- 312 THE TWO DUCHESSES. wick, you hear no more of her than if she was in Holstein. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Chiswick, /«:«. I, 1808. . . . Nothing but Spain hardly is talked or thought of. The moment is to us interesting beyond all former periods, as besides the great interest which every body feels about the Spaniards, the having an English Army now actually joined, and with, and ready to co-operate with them, brings the war home to every body's feelings. I had letters from Penn to-night, which state that Opadaca had accounts of Madrid having resisted for three days. The French were repulsed over and over, and lost a great many men. Ch. and Morla retreated with the regulars, who with Castanos,^ it is hoped, will make a strong army. From Galicia you will see accounts are every day expected of an action. In the English army, of persons whom we all know, are two Cavendishes, three Bentincks, Fred Howard, and though last not least in interest, Corise's brother. The Duke of Rutland's two brothers also are there, and, in short, many of our English nobility. Lord Morpeth is in a state of great nervousness about his brother, and, indeed, the moment is a most anxious one. 1 Casiaiios—Tht. most distinguished of the Spanish generals in the Peninsular War (1756-1852). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 313 Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster'. Chiswick, Nov. 9, 1808. . . . We are all struck with the style of Bona- parte's speech to the Legislative Body and of their reply. They express a kind of foreboding of ill which, if not dictated by himself as a loophole to him, would have made him angry. \oth. I have just seen two very interesting letters of Mr. Cell's, and he confirms all my hopes. The report of to-niofht is that Austria has declared war, and that Bonaparte is returned to Paris, but this I can scarcely believe. Blake is said to have had a sharp engage- ment with Ney,^ and that the latter retreated eight leagues. How I long- to hear of Vittoria or Pam- pluna being taken or some of the strong passes of the Pyrenees, Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. 'c> ' Chiswick, A'ov. 28, 1808. I have had little heart or pleasure in writing latterly, as our dear Spaniards have met with sad reverses. I hope, however, that all may be retrieved, and since our troops are gone, that we may turn again the tide of affairs. We have now been a terrible length of time without hearing, and that is ' A'«7— Marshal N. (1769-1815). 314 THE TWO DUCHESSES. always, I think, a bad sign. Oh, dear, it is too hard really, and when one sees the nook into which they were driven, I could sit down and cry to see the strides that they have made towards Madrid again. Still, however, if the Spaniards bear being beat they will ultimately conquer, I think they must. You have, I hope, arrived to hear of some advantages gained by the Swedes, who certainly are the next most interesting people. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. *£>' Chiswick, December'], 1808. I had hoped to have something favourable to send you, my dearest Augustus, regarding Spain, but all is anxiety, and to a great degree doubt in that quarter; yet I hope still, so does Lady Melbourne, so does, which is better worth attending to. General Ferguson. Blake, it is certain, has shewed great skill, and his army great courage and steadiness, and if this spirit continues I have no doubt of the result. Bonaparte has made some of his rapid movements, but I do not think that he has gone on with a pas de geant as he used to do. Never, however, was there greater anxiety felt than now, for it is supposed that he means to push forward in order to prevent the junction of our armies, and this may expose both to be attacked by a very superior force. Lord Morpeth is very anxious about his brother, who is with Baird. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 315 Zth. I had better send this off, for bad news comes so quick now that the sooner it goes the better. Our dear Spaniards fight bravely, but I fear that skill and numbers are on the side of the French. The detested Bonaparte has advanced, and meanwhile has directed a blow against Castanos, which, I fear, has been successful. They still hold firm at Madrid, and it is said that General Hope's Brigade has reached the Escurial, and has joined the army of defence for Madrid, but will they be able to stop Bonaparte's career? Oh, dear Augustus, what a sad reverse, and what reason one had to dread the arrival in Spain of that Tyrant. . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To Aiigiistus Foster. Chiswick, Dec. 10, 1808. . . . I trust that there are good hopes about Finland; that the brave Swedes may resist the bar- barous Russians. If Turkey makes peace with us perhaps they may make a powerful diversion and occupy the Russian troops. How you will grieve over the dear Spaniards. God knows what will be done if yet they can make a stand, but next to the misery which they are exposed to, one feels for the National disgrace to us of boasting for three months of the great armed force we send to their assistance, and then these armies retreating without firing a gun in their defence. I can't bear to think of it. The only 3l6 THE TWO DUCHESSES. accounts received have been from General Baird.^ He mentions Sir J. Moore^ sending him word: his account from Madrid was that Castanos had been entirely defeated and his army dispersed. In this dilemma it was supposed that the Central Govern- ment would move to Toledo. General Hope was said to be at the Escurial, and that Moore, who had separated himself from his artillery, had ordered Baird to fall back on Vigo. Think of leaving Romana and his army to the mercy of Bonaparte; this cannot surely be. No, though we are tardy and fools in the art of war compared with Bonaparte, I am sure we shall not do a dishonourable thing. I understand from G. Lamb, who came this evening, that more troops are going out to Portugal. There we are to make a stand, and to act again in spring it possible, and, I hope, preserve even now the south of Spain. Lady ElisabetJi Foster To Augustus Foster. Chiswick, Dec. 20, 1808. I see that Liberty is not more befriended in your part of the world by fortune than she has been in the South. Why despotism and oppression are thus everywhere to succeed I know not, but I trust that we may yet see Liberty triumph again in Finland and in Spain. ... I hear that there are hopes of some stand being still to be made, and that Moore ^ General Baird — Sir David B., specially famous for his services in India (1757- 1829). ^ Sir J. Moore — The hero of Corunna (1761-1809). SWAH iLLCTS.r, tH CRAVING "".a FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 317 is concentrating his forces. God only knows what will be the result; we must hope for the best; and I suppose that Bonaparte does not think himself quite secure by his ordering so many more troops. 2yd. More troops are going, and if we send at all we should certainly send largely. We fight and dispute: I mean Lady Bessborough and me. Some accuse generals, others ministers. Some say Spanish enthusiasm is less, but if it is it is our fault, who have not yet fired one gun in their defence except at Rosas, and even that we have allowed to be taken. However, I am not so much in suspicion of ministers' want of activity as Moore. He seems to be over cautious, a bad quality with Bonaparte for an enemy. I hope there is no danger for Sweden itself. 7'hey are a fine race of people, and their King deserves to have his fortunes favored with success. Lord Liverpool is dead, and, I suppose, died very rich. ... I hear that he has left this Lord L.^ at least ^10,000 a year. Lady Elizabeth Fosto' To Aiigustiis Foster. Chiswick, January 29, 1809. . . . Great and brilliant as was the victory which we gained at Corunna, yet the having been obliged to retreat, and the North of Spain being in this manner almost entirely conquered by the French, we 1 This Lord L. — The second Earl of Liverpool, husband of the writer's sister. 3l8 THE TWO DUCHESSES. must consider the Campaign as a most unfortunate one. To you, who will know the result of the different operations, and have not passed the interval of dreadfull anxiety which we all did during the retreat of our army, every thing will, I suppose, seem as bad as possible, except that there is this fact, put out of all doubt, that when we do meet the French we always beat them, even with an inferior force, and even Bonaparte can't deny our having obtained the victory; and all military men say no retreating army can embark if it is not victorious at the point of embarkation. Sir John Moore is a great loss, and is sincerely and generally regretted; but, unwilling as one feels to say any thing against an officer who died so bravely, yet people seem to think that his plan was a bad one, and that to the decision of marching 400 miles to the army he was to co-operate with instead of landing close to them has been the cause of all the reverses. The troops have returned exhausted with fatigue, but their spirit and bravery at the battle of Corunna exceeds all belief. The Cavalry distinguished themselves in the retreat, always attacking and defeating the enemy. The infantry hung their heads and murmured whilst retreating and not allowed to fight. At Corunna they had their revenge, and literally drove the French before them, who for 14 hours never ap- peared, and they embarked without leaving a man or a piece of artillery behind them. I am told that troops are to go to Cadiz and Minorca and Gibraltar to assist the South. When Moore in his dying moments asked who the command fell on, he was FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 319 told General Hope. He said, " I am satisfied; there does not exist an abler officer ". I am afraid, poor man, that he knew that the people of England had been dissatisfied at the army not having ever joined the Spaniards or encountered the French, but he shewed, as all say, the utmost skill in his retreat and in the order of battle. Lord Paget . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To Auzustus Foster. '' Devonshire House, ^/rz7 23, 1809. We ofo on from one reform to another, till I suppose that we shall be the purest of governments and Parliaments. To-day Lord Archibald^ makes his motion about Lord Castlereagh,^ and it is sup- posed, poor man, that he must resign; had he quitted his situation before, it would have been a good thing, as his dilatoriness caused sad delay in the expedi- tions. He is a good-natured man, and I wish he had been removed for any other reason than that he goes out upon. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, May i, 1809. . In these eventful times I write oftener to you, as you must wish to know all that is passing. The 1 Lord Archibald— 'Lord A. Hamilton brought forward unsuccessfully a motion of censure upon Lord Castlereagh for his abuse of Indian patronage. * Lord Castlereagh — See Appendix. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 325 surprise caused by the appointment of Lord Wellesley^ was very great. I had known it, but dared not say any thing; but from the Opera every body came so full of it, and all expressing great surprise. Last night Lord Ossulston said it was the deepest intrigue possible; never was there such a thing; and as to Lord Grey having been sent for, what could that be for? what good could he do? he had better stay in Northumberland. Mr. Tierney and Lord Robert were with me in the morning. Mr. Tierney thinks that Lord Castlereagh will go out Wednesday. Lord Morpeth saw him in the House to-day, and looking, as he thought, very dismayed. I am sorry for him; he is a good-natured man, and will feel the want of place more than most people; but yet I am afraid he was a corrupt politician, and in this reform- ing age corruption can't escape. Lord Auckland brings on his famous motion, or rather infamous, not to receive any bill of divorce unless it is clogged with a clause that the parties can't marry. What can this do but encourage men to seduce a woman, and was ever any woman debarred from sacrificing herself from motives of self-interest? They say that the Commons are (in case it is passed) determined to bring in a Bill not to pass any Bill where such a clause is introduced, so that there can be no divorce. That something should be done all agree, but not what that should be. As to news there was a firing heard, which it is feared was for a victory over the Austrians. This would be sad indeed. In Spain ' The appointment of Lord Welleslcy—Ks ambassador to Spain. 326 THE TWO DUCHESSES. things go better, and some people are sanguine enough to look to Soult's^ being taken. 277 d. Here is Daniel come with an account from Brooks that the division was 78 to 98, but he don't know which way; how provoking, and the papers are not out. If Lord Castlereagh should go out, I dare say there will be some further changes still to surprise Lord Ossulston, and it is acknowledged that the Administration was too weak for it to go on. After all, the debate on Lord Auckland's motion, or rather Lord A.'s motion, was not that day. It was carried by twelve only, I think. Lord Castle- reagh is not out yet, but as Lord Temple's motion about Spain was put off, it is supposed to be owing to that. Lady Castlereagh gives a party to-morrow, and invites all ker foes. Nothing further from Ger- many. In Sweden we hear that you mean to try the King. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Brocket Hall, May 22, 1809. To-day the Tower guns fired for the taking of Oporto and defeating Soult. Lord Arthur^ is said to be pursuing him. The passage of the river was, I hear, one of the most brilliant things ever done; as usual, however, opposition, I am sorry 1 Soult — Marshal (1769-1851). The occupation of Oporto, the passage of the Douro, and the retreat of Soult, were the first incidents of Wellington's brilliant career in the Peninsula. "^ Lord Arthur — Lord Arthur Wellesley, afterwards Duke of Wellington (1769- 1852). FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER, 327 to say, are depreciating it. What a pity it is always to do this! Ministers have been in a minority two nights running, one on Lord Burgersh's promotion,^ the other on a further grant to Palmer. I am quite a Wellesleyite. I must say that I am grieving for the poor King of Sweden, whom, if he must be confined, why disinherit his poor children.-* What times we live in! Lady Elizabeth Foster To Ansrustiis Foster. '' May 31, 1809. Still no accounts; the anxiety is very great; should Soult attack Beresford- again before Lord Wellesley's reinforcements reach him, the worst may be appre- hended. How shocking it is that we are always obliged to fight with inferiority of numbers. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Aiinistus Foster. *<:>' Devonshire House, /«/«^ i, 1809. Bonaparte is again at Vienna. However, I do not think this time that the Emperor will make peace without the Archduke's leave, and the last French bulletin holds out no certainty of being able to destroy the Archduke. In Spain there has been ^ Lord Burger sh—Ahervidir As, eleventh Earl of Westmoreland (1784-1859). * Beresford — Viscount B. His chief service in the Peninsular War was the re- organization of the Portuguese army (1768-1854). 328 THE TWO DUCHESSES. some disaster in the Asturias. I hope our friend Materosa has behaved well, but the Junta, they say, have not. We are very anxious to hear more of Sir A. Wellesley. At home you will see that they have been obliged to rescind Burghersh's promotion, and Col. Shipley in consequence gave up his resolutions. He paid some compliments to Lord Burghersh. Corruptions have been proved that perfectly disgust one, and I hope they will steadily, but with modera- tion, persevere. Baron (T Arm felt To Augustus Foster. St. Petersbourg, ce i^juin, 1809. On m'a dit ici, mon aimable ami, que vous etes parti de Stockholm le 7 — j'en suis au desespoir, car dans 8 jours /^ suis sur d'avoir eu des choses impor- tantes a vous communiquer. Mais je n'ai que le terns de vous dire, que nous sommes dans une crise violente ici. L'Empereur est a Tver, chez sa soeur la Duchesse d'Oldenbourg, cette Soeur revient ici aussi que I'Empereur dans la semaine prochaine. ... La Duchesse est charmante, une bonne tete, detestee de Bonaparte et le detestant de meme, elle a tout L'esprit de la grande Catharine mais helas! pas son experience — On est diablement mal ici pour les finances, mais cette operation-ci rame- neroit le Credit public, et ceux qui cachent aujourd'hui leurs Roubles, les sortiroient alors de leurs coffres forts. Dans 2 ou 10 jours ceci sera decide ou manque. Mon affair d'argent Test, on me recevoit (?) a Berlin, FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 329 et si je n'etois pas victime de — tous les Diables, j'irois la et je verrois L'Allemagne — partout je suis mieux qu'en Suede jusqu'a ce que les choses ont pris la forme qu'il faut. Gisman est parti sans que j'ai pu I'atteindre, la ville est deserte et j'ecris des me- moires — il n'y a que I'ennui qui en profite — Mettez moi aux pieds de Madame votre mere et ne m'oubliez pas. Vava. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Aunts tus Foster. Devonshire House,/z^/k 3, 1809. I hope the Russians are not advancing upon you. Fortune seems to coquet it a little just now with our allies, and one more good, decided victory of the Archduke Charles, and much may in- deed be hoped for. All in the North of Germany are rising, and the Tyrolese have emulated the Spaniards. The accounts from Spain to-day are good. The French are driven out of Ferrol and Corunna. Sir Arthur keeps Victor^ at Bay, and he will soon, I dare say, proceed to Spain, and I hope they will finally be driven out: now is the time, whilst Bonaparte is in Germany and sending for all the troops that he can from France. July $//!. To-day the account is confirmed about Ferrol and Corunna, and the defeat of the French under Ney by the Spaniards under General Curera. Two of our officers were in the action, and speak highly of » FiV/or— Marshal V. (1766-1841). 330 THE TWO DUCHESSES. the Spanish bravery and zeal. Souk's army seems to have been nearly destroyed by Sir Arthur Wellesley. The Duke of Brunswick has an increas- ing army, and the Duke of Dantzig was defeated by the Tyrolese. At home Col. Wardle has been ac- cused by Mrs. Clarke of bribing her by a promise of fine furniture to accuse the Duke of York and then to have left it unpaid. He lost his suit, and there- fore declares that she is perjured and ought not to be believed. This is curious enough. etk. Mrs. Clarke is indicted for perjury, but the jury have not decided upon it. If she is perjured it weakens her evidence against the Duke of York; if she is not it more totally is the ruin of Col. Wardle's character and popularity; it is a strange business altogether. 7th. One more day, but not much of news. All that there is seems good, and the French are, I believe, returning to their former position on the Ebro, but I trust that they will not be allowed to stay there. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Ajigustiis Foster. Devonshire House, //^/y 14, 1809. . . . We are in anxious expectation of more news from the Continent, and conjecture is at work about our own expedition.^ Heaven knows where it 1 Our own expedition — The unfortunate Walcheren expedition. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 33 1 is going. It takes away all the remaining society of London, and is an immense armament. Lord Paget^ goes with it, which is the best thing that could happen for him after all that has passed. I am in hopes that all goes well for our dear Spaniards, and if the pre- sent moment can be profited of, they will, I hope, be free. I have the greatest faith in Sir Arthur Wellesley. At home the only changes perceptible to the vulgar eye are Lord Granville Leveson in the Cabinet and Secretary at War, Lord Harrowby (your friend) an Earl and of the Cabinet, and of the Board of Con- troul. Lord Wellesley goes to Spain as soon as he is well enough, and at his return is, as is rumoured, to be Minister of War. . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To A uziistns Foster. ' ' Devonshire House, /«/y 20, 1809. We are waiting with the greatest anxiety for more news from the Danube, and the report to-night of a firing on the Dutch and French coast adds very much to our anxiety and apprehensions. It would be too shocking now for the Archduke Charles to be defeated, and yet it is more probable that he should than that Bonaparte should. Our expedition is ex- pected to sail to-morrow or next day, but where is the question. ^ Lord Paget — Afterwards first Marquis of Anglesey and Field Marshal. He commanded an infantry division in the expedition (1768-1854). 2S2 THE TWO DUCHESSES. 2isf. Still the report of a firing continues, and I am terrified. I wish that we could have sent a powerful diversion sooner, and why now to stop to take Capri and Ischia instead of sending succour to Catalonia; however, I hope and suppose that they know better than I do. Mr. Wardle is a wreck of popularity; his is all gone, and I rejoice at it. I always thought that his conduct was odious, and it has now been proved so. . . . Lady Elizabeth Foster To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, July 29. You augured too well, dearest Augustus, from the silence and absence of couriers from the Danube. We may consider every thing now as over,^ I am afraid, and it is difficult to understand even by the French accounts how it could be necessary for the Archduke to solicit an Armistice. You cannot con- ceive any thing like the gloom which it spread here, and even the success which is expected from our expedition don't seem to afford ground of hope for any good to the Continent. Bonaparte's army did not fight better than the Archduke Charles', but he outwitted him. Your letter was a delightful one, and every expression of your affection to me is a source of comfort and happiness to me. I have great pride in your present situation, as I am sure 1 This evidently refers to the battle of Wagram. FROM LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 333 you are doing yourself credit; it is a difficult one, too, and therefore the more is it to your credit. Much as I admire the Swedes, I can't reconcile myself to their excluding the young Prince, so fine a boy too! Is it true that the King has asked permis- sion to go to Switzerland.^ Mo7tday, 31J/. I am assured to-ni^ht that accounts are come of Flushing having surrendered and all the Island of Walcheren, and some say that they willingly sur- rendered, but that the French fleet were gone up the Scheldt. I suppose we shall follow, and Fort (?) Lillo and Antwerp will, I fear, be tougher work. However, our force is a strong one; would that it had gone a month, or even a fortnight sooner. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Aiincstus Foster. 't*G C* FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 34I ville's answers. If, as I heard yesterday, Perceval has written to offer to share the Cabinet between them, I don't think they can possibly accept of it, because they think so point blank differently on such principal topics. However, there is so marvellous a facility in men to reconcile things that will secure power, that there is no saying what may happen. If, as I think, opposition don't agree to this, then probably the Doctor will come in for a short reign, and the best result would be the union of opposition and Canning. . . . The Norwegians seem in- clined to be friendly to us, and the Swedes are heroes. Their march to Umea does them honor, and I wish that they could drive every Russian away. Spain is reviving a little, and Lord Wellington is secure in his position, and meditates, I hope, offensive measures. He will do all that can be done. William Ponsonby has been with his brother at head quarters. When he arrived. Col. Seymour, S. T. Colonel, called out to his servant. Look out for two spare trees for Mr. Ponsonby to lodge in. They say Lord Grenville don't accept, and that Lord Grey won't come to town. This is very odd indeed. Elizabeth, Duchess 0/ Devonshire, To Augustus Foster. Chiswick, October 5, 1809. I think Canning has been ill used by Lord Camden and the Duke of Portland. He entrusted to them the telling Lord Castlereagh, which they never did, 342 THE TWO DUCHESSES. and now Canning appears as a false person to many, because he continued transacting business with him while he declared him incompetent to that place: perhaps it would have been still better had he told him himself, but still he must have thought himself certain of the communication being made through Lord Castlereagh's uncle and the first Lord of the Treasury. Lady Elizabeth Foster To Angiistus Foster. Chiswick, Nov. 9, 1809. . . . As to Politicks, they sicken me, for though Bonaparte has failed, for he announced the total de- struction of Austria, yet how is a country fallen that can give up such a people as the Tyrolese. . . Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster. Chiswick, iVf?7. 13, 1809. . . . As to politicks, Canning''s statement, which is in the form of a letter to Lord Camden, is to be out very soon. He has shewn it to Lord Tichfield and Lord W. Bentinck. The first made scarcely any alteration. The second begged Canning to efface what was really a beautiful character of his father, attributing his conduct to the mildness of his nature and his unwillingness to give pain, and to substitute what he said he knew to be his father's FROM FREDERICK FOSTER. 343 real motive, the wish to keep the Administration together. Strange that Lord W. should prefer his father's conduct being attributed to real downright deception than to the weakness of good nature, in- creased by illness and age; but this between our- selves alone; but it Is certain that they worked upon Canning's good nature, who perhaps has not yet taken the tone his talents entitle him to do. If Lord Wellesley accept under the present Ministers, I think it will lower him much. . . . Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster. Chtswick, Dec. 5, 1809. Canning said to me that he had left a written memento in the office to mark his approbation of your conduct, and that you had every thing that would be most likely to make you rise in that line, good sense, good temper, conciliatory manners, V-X. Vb-* • • • Frederick Foster To Augustus Foster. London, Feb. 29, iSio. My dear Augustus, — What do you think of our Conspiracy? Were you not very much surprized .-^ Palle came running in to tell me of the horrid massacre that was to have taken place, and I went immediately to Miss H., where I found her and 344 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Lady Erne still very nervous. Ministers had in- formation all along. It was to have taken place at Lord Westmoreland's dinner some weeks ago, but was deferred; several of them, however, were seen watching about the door. At last they fixed on Lord Harrowby's Cabinet Dinner for the massacre. They were to have broken into the house, first giving a knock, and on the Porter's opening it to have rushed in, killed every thing that opposed them, flung hand grenades into the Rooms, and, in short, to have murdered them all; then to have endeavoured to raise the lowest mob, and so made a Jacobin Revolu- tion of it. A man, one of the Party who repented, stopped Lord Harrowby in the Park and gave him full information of their designs. He agreed with his brother ministers to say nothing to the servants about putting off the Dinner, so it was ordered as usual. He himself slipped out and dined with Lord Liverpool and Lady Erne. He got Lady Harrowby and the children out of the house, telling her the reason — that she was to be quite secret — the con- stables and soldiers, as you will see, surrounded the house, and after a desperate resistance took nine of them. Owing to some blunder the soldiers did not arrive quite in time, and several of them escaped. It has caused a sfreat sensation in London. Thistle- wood is a Lincolnshire man, half gentleman and half yeoman, had about ^800 a year, which, I hear, he lost at the gaming table. Poor Lady Liverpool was very much affected, fainted, and was very ill, and so was Lady Erne. The mob, I am told, hissed them as they were taken along the streets. I have not FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 345 heard when they are to be tried. We are all in a bustle also about the Election. G. Lamb has a good chance for Westminster, and, as a whole, Government will o-ain, I hear. F. Th. F. Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster. March i, 18 10. Mr. Cavendish, the philosopher, has died worth ^1,075,000, and though it is a week ago we are still ignorant how he has left his property. The Duke and I, however, are quite convinced that he has left him nothing, so the question is how much he has left to Lord George, and what to men of science, and for Charities. You will see strange things — Lord Chat- ham's narrative, Joseph Napoleon's advance to Seville and Cadiz; and Lord Wellington's prepara- tions for quitting Portugal; it is melancholy to see the end of this contest for liberty and independence. Elisabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster. Chiswick, March 26, 18 10. To-dav is the great discussion of the Scheldt expedition. Lord Wellesley is clear of it certainly, and so is Canning and Lord Castlereagh of the delay in recalling the troops, but no country can see 346 THE TWO DUCHESSES. the failure of such an armament, and mourn the loss of so many thousands by sickness and disease and not insist on knowinof the cause of such a mis- fortune. It is supposed that the discussion will last two or three days, but nobody knows how it will end — probably only a near run thing. What a stroke of policy Bonaparte's marriage^ seems to be. We hear of nothing but his magnificent pre- parations for it. He seems to be quarrelling in earnest with America, but they bear with any insult from him. . . . Baron d' Ens'ehtrbjn'^ d>' To Augustus Foster. May 31, 1810. Monsieur, — Vous avez voulu une lettre de moi pour justifier votre depart. La voici. Vous connaissez votre position. Je me trouve dans le cas de vous prier de partir jeudi au soir. J'espere I'avantage de vous voir avant que vous quittez Stockholm pour vous renouveller les assurances de la consideration distinguee et de I'attachement sincere aux lesquels j'ai I'honneur d'etre. — Monsieur, votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, d'Engelstrom. A M. Foster. Note of Mr. Foster on the above — Ordered out of Sweden by Napoleon's directions. '^Bonaparte's marriage — With Marie Louise, daughter of Francis I., Emperor of Austria (1791-1847). * Baron d Engelstrbm — Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs. FROM THE PRINCE REGENT. 347 Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Aiigitstns Foster. Devonshire House, /rt«. 10, 181 1. I came to town a few days ago, as the Duke of D. was obliged to attend Parliament on the question of restrictions. ... I afterwards found that we had beat the ministers on most of the questions, but, lo and behold, the vicissitude of things: the King is now said to be recovering, and that there is an end of the Regency. So be it. I am sure nothing would be so bad for my friends as a three months' adminis- tration. I am told that the ist of Feb. is the time fixed for the Regency if it does take place. The King, however, is so emaciated and reduced that I should not suppose he ever can be equal to business again; and after what has come out of Lord Sid- mouth having been appointed with two mad doctors in the room, it will make people slow to believe in H.M.'s perfect recovery. . . . The Prince Regent To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. February 14, 181 1. I have the pleasure to announce to you, my dearest Duchess, that I have this day assented to the nomi- nation of Mr. Auo^ustus F'oster as Minister to the United States of America. I hope this will meet with your approbation, as nothing can ever afford me more pleasure than whatever I know can convey 348 THE TWO DUCHESSES. satisfaction both to yourself as well as the dear Duke. — I remain, ever most truly and sincerely, your af- fectionate Friend and humble Servant, George, P.R. Carlton House, February 14, 181 1. Elisabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augnshis Foster. Devonshire House, Feb. 15, 181 1. I inclose you the Prince Regent's letter, which I received at the Play last night. You will believe that I never said one word about you to him or any body else. I was obliged to answer the Prince, but this I did merely by expressing my thanks to him for his unvarying kindness to me, and by saying that you was in Ireland. The Prince announcing this nomination to me himself makes me suppose that in the present situation in which we stand with America it is considered as an important and advantageous mission, and it is one in which you are first, and therefore all the credit will be yours, and distinc- tions would probably follow. I know, however, your dislike to that country so well that I shall not say any thing to influence you more than it is abso- lutely my duty to do, and this, that if your dislike to accept of this mission arises from any hope of succeeding with^ , you ought, I think, to bring that to a point by making your situation known. If she has any liking for you, the idea of your going ^ Succeeding with — Miss Milbanke. FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 349 would make her decide in your favor, and you would either then not want to go anywhere or might per- haps get it exchanged for some other Country she would like. If you only relinquish this line for Parliament, pray pause and consider how few people rise to any eminence in it; how very few obtain from Parliamentary merit alone either fame or emolument. You are appointed now Minister to the United States at a period of great consequence to this country. If it all terminates well, considering our connections and friendships, you are likely to receive flattering marks of approbation, and every thing that is pleasantest hereafter in the profession is open to you. Having said what I felt it my duty to do, I can only leave the ultimate decision to you. Your happiness and advantage is all I wish for, but I should be sorry to see you throw away the means of doing yourself credit from an unfounded pursuit of other objects. At all events, I think you ought to return directly. . . Elisabeth, DucJiess of DevonsJdre, To Augustus Foster. August 3, 181 1. This is black Monday, so that I have no letters, and rumours prevail. Lord Burgersh told me that it was strongly reported that M' Donald^ had been defeated at Riga, and my brother read a sixth Bulletin dated still from Wilna, in which Bonaparte complains 1 M' Donald — Marshal Macdonald (1765-1840). 350 THE TWO DUCHESSES. SO much of bad roads that it is suspected he has no victories to boast of. What a blessing a real check to his arms would be! General Graham is come home in good health, but in danger of losing his eyes; he has had Weare's advice, however, who has given him much comfort about them. He has given his horses and wine to Lord Wellington, of whom he is an enthusiastic admirer, I am told — well he may. Several negotiations have been going on for Lord Wellesley and Canning to come in, but it has gone off, and, I believe, because they could not settle about the lead in the House of Commons, and something, it is said, in a letter of Lord Castlereagh's to Lord Liverpool^ about Canning which Canning could not put up with. It is a pity it is gone off; their names would have done good just now. Elizabeth^ Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster, 'i> ' Chiswick, August 30, 181 1. Knowing your anxiety for me, I have written two or three times since my dreadful misfortune.^ I hope others have too, for at first I could write but a line or two; calmer now, but as wretched; less stunned, and therefore more competent to feel the full extent of my loss. I can only wonder that my life and intellect have lasted. What is it that enables one to survive such a shock, so sudden, so unexpected, so 1 Lord Liverpool — Prime Minister from 1812 to 1827 (1770-1828). * My dreadful misfortune — The death of her husband. FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 35 I overwhelming? God has supported me, and given me dear children and kind friends, and I ought to be, and am, grateful for these blessings, but indeed, my dearest Augustus, the husband whom I have lost was the creature of my adoration, and long had been so. He was so eminent in all that is good, amiable, noble, and praiseworthy. I almost wondered at my own happiness in being united to him, and when you was with us here, scarce more than three short months ago, there was not a day, scarcely an hour, I did not thank Heaven for the happiness of belonging to such a man. Oh God, it is too, too much. This place, too, so full of him; his dear, his gracious form in every part of these gardens so present, so fully impressed on my mind, that all appears at times a fearful dream. I will not distress you further, I know how you will feel for me, how you will regret him. Thankful I am, though that moment of misery never can be effaced from my heart, that I had strength to be with him to the last, and that it was in my arms that he expired; yes, expired, and I live to write it. . . . Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Atigiistus Foster. Chiswick, Nov. 3, 181 1. You must be content for a while to get shabby letters from me, for though I do all I can to bear up in return for all the kindness shewn me, yet it is a hard task, and I feel that no time can give me 352 THE TWO DUCHESSES. a happy feel again. I shall be happy at moments when I see you, and the moment of return of those who are dear to me must be one of enjoyment to me, but life has lost that which gave it its great value, that which made me for a short time the happiest of human beings, for such a being as him surely never existed. What a wreck in these last few years! All that is pre-eminent is gone. To me it is as a desert, and but for my children what an exile should I feel in this world. . . . The King is worse and worse. The Duke of Clarence^ has proposed to Miss Long, and has been rejected, but they say that he don't despair. Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Frederick Foster. November 4, 1 8 1 1 . Every thing is now so melancholy that nothing that can be said upon it can be too much, or even increase my misery, but I am happy in you, Augus- tus, Caro, and Clifford; but life has lost its charm, and the world the noblest creature that ever adorned it. To have been his; to bear his name is still my pride and comfort. . . . Lord Byron^ is come back, Mr. Rogers told me, and very much improved, and regretting his satirical poem, which he wrote, he says, writhing with anger at the Edinburgh Re- view. 1 The Duke of Clarence— Ahtr^-^rds King William IV (1765-1837). * Lord Byron— {1788-1824). FROM THE HONBLE. MRS. GEORGE LAMB. 353 The Honble. Mrs. George Lamb To Augustus Foster. London, November ^^ 181 1. My dear Augustus, — I have delayed answering your letter till half an hour before the time, and in- excusable as it is, with a month between each post day, to plead the want of time, I must make use of it to-day. I am now writing at a very melancholy moment. The Duchess is come to town to pack up all her things and to leave this house for ever. It is a moment I have always dreaded for her. I think a widow's situation at all times a most dread- ful one; at the time that she wants most comfort and care she is obliged to leave her home and the com- forts she has been used to all her life. There are a thousand little things, too, which have annoyed and worried her. It grieves me to the heart to see her unhappy. We are going to the seaside for a little while. The Liverpools have, I believe, lent her Walmer, and we shall gro there till she has eot a house in town, and she will then settle in London. I think it is the best place for her, for she is not very fond of the country, and, so used to Society as she has been all her life, I am sure that great retirement would be the worst thincr for her. I have seen nothing of your friends in the north, "^ but I have heard nothing that need alarm you; great coldness to all the admirers. 1 hope you received a letter I sent you from Lady Milbanke. She has persuaded, or rather forced, ^ Your friends in the north — The Milbankes. 354 THE TWO DUCHESSES. poor Sir Ralph to stand again for Durham, and I am afraid it will be absolute ruin, besides which, I hear he has no chance of carrying it. His opponents are Lord Barnard and Sir Harry Vane. I am just come from Brocket Hall. They are all going on very jollily there, and Caro^ is a little less mad than usual. C. J. Lamb. Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster. January, 1812. The restrictions end the 17th, and the King is worse than ever. You will see that the Catholick question has been brought on; dear Hartington seconded. Lord Fitzwilliam was very much fright- ened, but did it well, and ended with a true Cavendish sentiment, that, thinking this measure right, he sup- ported it, and always would. Lord Morpeth spoke uncommonly well yesterday, but the question will go on for three days together. In Spain, Valencia has fallen, but so, I believe, has Ciudad Rodrigo to Lord Wellington. There never was surely so unfortunate a general as Blake. Lord Wellington has raised our military fame high, yet, I fear, if opposition came in they would cramp his means. God bless you, my dearest Augustus. I as yet see no body but the friends, the immediate friends, of him I know not how to live without, nor do I feel as if I ever could. Dear Georgiana is lying in. Harriet is ab- ^ Caro — Caroline, wife of the Hon. William Lamb. FROM THE EARL OF LIVERPOOL. 355 sorbed in Lord G. L. Hartington is affectionate and kind, but very young and surrounded. Your brother and Caroline seldom leave me, but to-day I made them dine at Lord Cowper's. How shocked you will be to hear of poor William Cavendish's death. I never heard of so dreadfull and awfull an accident, three minutes before they were all together the happiest family possible — poor wretched Mrs. Caven- dish adored him; she is with child, which, I believe, alone supports her. Your correspondence is moved for, and, when produced, ministers say will do you the greatest credit. Oh! the comfort of that. I thank God for the children he has given me. TJie Earl of Liverpool To January, 18 12. Thursday, January. — My dear Lord, — I send you the correspondence with Sir James Craig on the subject of the Indians. The inclosures which con- tain the reasons and inducements to the Indians not to engage in hostilities with the United States it would not be desirable should be published, and need not perhaps be forwarded to Mr. Foster. The following facts appear clear, however, from Sir J. Craig's letter, that as soon as he knew of any inten- tions on the part of the Indians to commence hostilities he informed Mr. Morier of the circumstance in order that he might make a communication thereupon to the American Government, that he at the same time 356 THE TWO DUCHESSES. and subsequently used every endeavour to dissuade the Indians from their projects of hostilities, and that his conduct was approved from home in the month of July last, and Sir George Prevost directed to pursue the same course of procedure, — Ever yours sincerely, Liverpool. TJie Earl of A berdeen To Aiignstus Foster. Argyll House, Feb. 5, 1812. My dear Augustus, — I wish it was in my power to give you some positive information concerning that which must interest you very much, as well as it does us. I mean the formation of the Ministry after the expiration of the restrictions. Until very lately no one doubted that every thing would remain as it is. It is certain, however, that Lord Wellesley has given in his resignation, and only holds the seals pro tempore. The cause is assigned to some radical difference of opinion between him and Perceval ori several subjects, but principally on the conduct of the war. It is thought that this step will shake the foundations of the present Government, and indeed destroy its existence altogether. This is also my belief. We have a report of a Government being formed, of which Wellesley and Canning are to be the principal members, but this is highly improbable. If any change takes place it will be for the purpose of bringing in the opposition. I read with great satisfaction your correspondence FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 357 with Mr. Monroe, and, although it is possible that I might view it with partial eyes, I find the general impression is just that which I could desire. We are at least come to believe in the possibility of a war; perhaps even now it is not intended, but the language recently adopted certainly threatens it, I received your barrels of apples, which are said to be excellent. Thinking that all apples are turnips growing on trees, I am not an apple-eater. You will probably hear many reports about the Prince's health: in order that you may not be de- ceived, I can tell you that he is in reality well. There is a strange numbness in his hands, but even if it gets worse there is no sort of danger, for I understand it is a very common thing. Believe me, very affectly. yours, Aberdeen. Elizabeth, Duchess of Dei'onshire, To All oust lis Foster. 'i> ' Piccadilly Terrace, Fed. 29, 1S12. I begin before the regularday,my dearest Augustus, because I want to tell you without delay how much I feel the kindness of your letters, and of how great a comfort they are to me. They are the greatest possible comfort, first, because they prove you feel my misfortune, as it soothes me that it should be felt, great and terrible even to think of; then that you shew me how you know how he deserved, and saw how I adored him I have lost, my dear, dear husband, and yet that you try to turn my thouglits 3SS THE TWO DUCHESSES. to that which I should be and am grateful! for, the affection of you all, my dear children, and of his children, and that, since grief did not kill me at first, that I must try to live in health for them to whom I am yet a source of comfort. To your affection, to your conduct, publick and private, dearest Augustus, I look for much of what I can yet experience of pleasure and comfort. . . . Caro means to see la bella Anabella before she writes to you. I don't like the last letter which you received, and I shall almost hate her if she is blind to the merits of one who would make her so happy, . . . As to politicks, they are in a state as novel as distressing. Dear Lord Wellesley has resigned. Lord Castle- reagh succeeds. The Prince Regent quarrels with his old friends, and abuses his new ones. Sheridan and Lord Lauderdale declare in his name to G. Ponsonby that the Catholick question shall not be made a Cabinet one, and Perceval contradicts this in his speech in Parliament the next day. It is all inconceivable. March yd. To-night on Orders in Council it is expected to divide so strong as to leave Ministers a majority only of 40. This in common times would have been reckoned a defeat, and Lord North would have resigned on it, but Perceval, I believe, would stay in at all risks. I shall add a few lines to-morrow. It is since I began this letter, I believe, that the Ministers were beat on Banks' motion for not granting Col. M'Mahon the place which the Prince Regent had FROM LORD PALMERSTON. 359 given him. People say it is the first instance of Parliament refusingr to confirm the first act of favour of a new reign. To me, who really love the Prince, this is melancholy; but he sits all evening in Man- chester Square, and loses sight of all but the politicks of that little circle. Now, though I do believe that there is no cry for the opposition in the country, yet the people dislike his having forsaken his friends of 25 years in that way, and I could have wished that he had sent to them, and fairly said that, being deter- mined to go on with the war in Spain, that he would not now call them to his Councils, but having the same friendship and esteem for them, that he should still look to them when circumstances allowed him to do so. No half measure or trickery ever did credit to the person or service to their cause. Lord Palmerstoii To Sir AiKTUstiis Foster. 'e> ' War Office, March 25, 1812. Dear Foster, — Mr. Lawrence, the bearer of this, is connected with my brother in law, Mr. Sulivan, and, being bound to America, is desirous of having the advantage of being made known to you. I know too well the extent of business which you must have upon your hands at the present moment to do more than write two lines to say that if you should have it in your power officially to be of any use to him with- out much inconvenience to yourself, I should be very 360 THE TWO DUCHESSES. much obliged to you for any attention which you may shew him. I hope Buonaparte's last communications with his Conservative Senate may be of use to you as to the question of the existence of the French Decrees. If you make musick of the Americans you will accom- plish what appears next to impossible, and yet you seem to be making progress. I suppose the Suaviter in Modo fortiter in Re tells with them as it does with others. — Yours very truly, Palmerston. Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Washington, April 18, 181 2. I am afraid my chance is small with Miss Milbanke. Indeed, staying as long as I do here, it is scarce just to think I can keep an interest with her sufficient to balance in any degree against the daily assiduities she must listen to. I wish, however, very much that I could go home, for I cannot consent to add to the number of diplomatic old bachelors. . . . Here they talk more loudly than before of war. The French Minister, on being told that France was threatened as well as England, said he must in that case solicit an interview with the British Minister, in order for us to concert together measures of defence against so alarming a power. A great many people are afraid of being laughed at if they don't fight. It is really a curious state of things. They even refer to me occasionally to ask what we should think of FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 36 1 them. I am on good terms with almost all. Good living, you are very right in saying, has its effect here. Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Aitgiistiis Foster. London, May 4, 1812. I have sent you a very beautiful poem by Lord Byron, who continues to be made the greatest fuss with. The Edinburgh Review is just come out with their critique on it. They praise it because they cannot help doing so; but whilst they accuse him of bitterness in resenting their former illiberal review of his " Minor Poems", they, I think, betray how much they smarted, and still smart, under the keenness of his lash in the " English Bards and Scotch Reviewers": Your brother read it to me, which is a favor most rare, I assure you; but it was very pleasant, and I wish he did it oftener. The Character is really all written by Adair, but I own to you I thought with you that it was superior to his usual powers; but it is his and his alone; he did it at my request, and in two days' time. I will send you two or three that if there is anybody you think worthy to possess one that you may give it to them — to Randolph, for instance. . . . As to that particular object, you will have had letters from Caro- line and me, which will have, to our great regret, put an end to all our hopes on that subject. The only comfort is that it was, on her part, though not 362 THE TWO DUCHESSES. on her mother's, over before you went. She persists in saying that she never suspected your attachment to her, but she is so odd a girl that though she has for some time rather hked another, she has decidedly refused them, because she thinks she ought to marry a person with a good fortune, and this is partly, I believe from generosity to her parents, and partly owning that fortune is an object to herself for happi- ness. In short, she is good, amiable, and sensible, but cold, prudent, and reflecting. What I have told you is a great secret; you must not breathe it, and I will let you know if there is any change. She is at present with Lady Gosford, but expects her parents this week: we must look out for something better. o Lord Byron makes up to her a little, but she don't seem to admire him except as a poet, nor he her, except for a wife. Your little friend, Caro William,^ as usual, is doing all sorts of imprudent things for him and with him; he admires her very much, but is supposed by some to admire our Caroline more; he says she is like Thyrsa, and her singing is enchant- ment to him. Dearest life! don't fret about Anna- bella. I don't think you will, as Lady Selina made a little episode — only guard against American beauties, and we must seek for something more glowing than Annabella; and when you return, who knows what we may meet with. You will have heard of the fall of Badajoz, and the hope of liberating the South West of Spain from Ballesteros being, as it is said, at Seville. Lord Wellington is indeed an eminent Man, and all parties agree in their praise of him. 1 Caro W'illiam — Caroline, wife of the Hon. William Lamb. FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 363 Marmont^ is said to have invested Ciudad Rodrigo, which must cripple Lord Wehington's movements to the South, but it must be hoped not more than this; and he is said to have taken Badajoz four days sooner than he said, and to have sent divisions oft to Ciudad Rodrigo two days after its fall. I hope there may be some news to send you before the letter goes. 5///. Ministers were beat last night on Mr. Banks' motion on sinecure places. To-night is Lord Hol- land's motion about America, Mr. Henry's business, and I understand that Lord Liverpool will deny it, though they won't give up the correspondence. Pray Heaven that they may be able to do so, and that dear England may remain with unblemished honor. The accounts from Spain seem good (the French retired from Almeida and C. Rodrigo), and doubly good, in that the Portuguese troops have learnt to fight well, even when not in the presence of the hero Wellington. The accounts of riots in France are confirmed, I am told, and " Bread, Peace, or the head of the Tyrant" was stuck upon the Tuilleries. . . . Things are in an uncom- fortable state, for though the riots are amoncrst tlie manufacturers, there is no doubt but that there are ill-intentioned people stirring them up, and that there is a good deal of alarm, all which would be increased by the sort of unpopularity attending the Royal family from the want of state and show which all ^ Marmont — Napoleon's marshal (1774-1852). 364 THE TWO DUCHESSES. communities like, and which the people think their due. I trust, however, that the good sense of the English, and the example of the French will keep all things quiet. ... I told Adair how much you liked his character, and how much Randolph liked it, and he came to me this morning to thank me, and he expressed how flattered he was. Elizabeth^ Duchess of Devonshire, To Aug7istus Foster. London, May 10, 18 13. . . . You will see with pleasure that F. Pon- sonby has distinguished himself, and I think you must be proud of your Country's Victories, and heroick valour. What say the Americans to it. . . . With all this I fear we have a weak administration at home, and a systematized spirit of riot difficult to subdue. Every body regrets Lord Wellesley. I sent you by the last messenger Lord Byron's beauti- full poem. The parts about Greece will be doubly interesting to you: he continues to be the great attraction at all parties and suppers. The ladies, I hear, spoil him, and the gentlemen are jealous of him. He is going back to Naxos, and then the husbands may sleep in peace. I should not be sur- prized if Caro William were to go with him, she is so wild and imprudent. May II. I am sorry to have to add to my parcel the horrid news that PercevaP was just now shot dead in the ^Perceval — The Prime Minister. FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 365 lobby of the House of Commons. I never felt more horror at any thing. A murder of that kind has not happened in England since Queen Anne's time, and in the midst of the horror and concern for the par- ticular event, one can't help dreading its opening a new epoch in the English character. I trust not, and it really is most horrid. Think of his poor wife and children. If I hear more I will add it to this. Your brother told me when I came home from a quiet, melancholy walk. He had been walking with Colonel Foster, They saw several people riding full speed towards the House, and soon after, this, w^iich they thought idle rumour, was confirmed. Augustus Foster To Elisabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Washington, May 26, 1812. I see you don't like Annabella^ much. She is cer- tainly rather too cold in her manners, and gives to reason too much empire over her mind, but she has good eyes, is fair, has right ideas, and sense, and mildness. I don't think she will ever be able to love very warmly; but yet I believe she thinks she ought to wait till the spirit moves her, and the spirit per- haps may never come, as I fancy happens to many of her temperament. I long most anxiously to get back to settle that point, good or bad. No IMinister ever had such temptations to break up a negotiation. I would give the world to go back for six months, ^ Annabella — Miss Milbanke. 366 THE TWO DUCHESSES. and am miserable that I can't do so, but I can't leave these members to themselves two days to- gether. From General Moreau To Augustus Foster, Esq., then at Mentone. New York, 26/>^ Mai, 1812. Monsieur, — J'ai re9u la lettre que vous m'avez fait I'honneur de m'ecrire & les passeports que vous avez eu la Complaisance de m'envoyer. Mad^- Moreau vous prie de vouloir bien agreer tous ses Remercimens. Messres le Roy & Rayard Croyent que le navire le powhatan allant sur son Lest & muni de votre recommendation n'est pas susceptible d'etre pris: si cependant ces Mess se ravisent & desirent que le navire y soit mentionne J'aurai I'honneur de vous en faire part. Je suis tres reconnoisant des Reproches que vous me faites d'avoir Reste si peu de tems a Washington, mais que pouvait y faire un ministere entre les decres de Milan & de Berlin, les ordres en Conseil, L'acte de non importation, L'ambargo & productions bizarres, dont tout le monde parle, que peu de personne comprennent & sur lesquelles on ne s'entendra jamais, & puis j'etais presse de jouir de I'importance que donne le Retour de la Capitale, Aurons nous la guerre me demandoit on de toute part? Je repondois que n'ayant vu que des gens tres tranquilles, tres pacifiques, & tres eloignes les uns des autres (vous savez que les maisons ne se touchent pas) on devoit presumer qu'on ne se FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 367 battroit pas: que Cependant, ayant entendu tout le monde Se plaindre de I'ennui, ce qui a la longue donne de rhumeur, it etoit possible qu'on finit par se facher tout de bon. Avec cette maniere de repondre on se trompe rarement, on note L'esperance a personne, & on acquiere des droits a devenir prophete. Je prie v, ex. d'agreer I'assurance des sentimens de la consideration la plus distingues avec lesquels je suis. Monsieur, Votre tres humble and tres obeissant serviteur, V. Moreau. Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster. May 28, 1 8 12. The Prince Regent was there, and in pretty good spirits, the crowd and heat enormous; — but now your eyes have wandered over this for a name more interesting. Well, Annabella was there; Annabella looked well; Annabella and I got more acquainted than I have done yet. Caroline called her to sit by her. I made room, and we all three sat on a couch. I liked her countenance and man- ners. Old twaddle Ralph^ and I are all cordiality, and Lady Milbanke called her daughter to speak to me, who said, " I had the honor of talking to the Duchess " — which we had in the further room. She did noi ask me about you, which I was glad of; in- difference would have made her inquire out of civility; the father did. ^Nalph—Sn Ralph Milbanke, Bart., d. 1825, 368 THE TWO DUCHESSES. June I. The accounts have confirmed the Jersey telegraph account. Soult^ is defeated with immense loss. . . . Lady Milbanke came up to me last night at Mrs. Siddons', and inquired most kindly about you — said she should hear from you as soon as you arrived, and said that if you could adjust things in America you would come home to honor and distinction, and how delightful that would be. The girl still never names you to me — tant mieux. Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Auziistus Foster. T^. June 2, 1812. I wrote to you about a fortnight ago, just after poor Mr. Perceval's horrid assassination, and we have continued since that without an administration. Lord Liverpool was named first Lord of the Treasury, but not kissed hands, and Mr. Wortley's motion obliged them to resign. The Regent then sent to Lord Wellesley to form or propose a plan for a new administration, and Lord Wellesley brought about a reconciliation between the Regent and Lord Moira. Both these Peers have tried to make arrangements for opposition to come in, but the Prince could not be prevailed on to admit them. Down to the 30th nothing was done. The Prince saw all parties, ex- cept Grey and Grenville, but nothing could be fixed on. The ex-Ministers, except Lord Melville, de- i5i)«/if— (1765-1851). FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 369 clare that they won't serve with Lord Wellesley, At last, yesterday, Canning announced in the House that Lord Wellesley had the Prince's authority to proceed to the forming of a new administration, and he did submit a paper to them. The Prince ex- pressed a wish to have Moira, Erskine, and Ellen- borough in the Cabinet; they were (Grey and Gren- ville) to name the others of their party, making five opposition Cabinet Ministers if the number was 12, and six if it was 13 — Lord Wellesley, of course, to name the others. Well, all appeared smooth and promising when, behold! opposition find out that it is unconstitutional for the Sovereign to name any of the Ministers except the first Lord who is to form it; and so they refuse. My brother says that the talk of the streets was to blame the opposition; to say that the Sovereiofn has a rio-ht to name his Ministers, and that the opposition have refused on grounds of personal ambition. This is a most provoking de- nouement. I will hope that something may yet be done, but it is a faint hope; however, I will add to-morrow what I hear; it must, I think, be decided one way or another. The Liverpools have been very much hurt with Wortley, but he went to him first, and did it in a feeling and gentlemanlike manner. The truth is, the administration have been weak to a criminal deg'ree. Lady Erne was so fretted and vexed that she went back to Hampton Court. Lady Hervey is with me, cheerful and good-humoured as she always is. Caro- line W. Lamb is quietly, thank heaven! at Brocket with William and all of them. My Caroline is more 2A 370 THE TWO DUCHESSES. than ever liked and admired — pur non e felice. Your Annabella is a mystery; liking, not liking; generous minded, yet afraid of poverty; there is no making her out. I hope you don't make yourself unhappy about her; she is really an icicle. Lady Milbanke will make Sir Ralph stand the next election, which, as it will be a contested one, will ruin him, and he is with one foot in the grave; so it is doubly ill-judged. The rest of your friends are well, and I am better, and only wondering that I live. General Moreau To Augustus Foster. %ij ' New York, le 7 juin, 1812. Monsieur, — J'ai re9u la lettre que vous m'avez fait I'honneur de m'ecrire le 2 de ce mois celle du 3 m'avoit soulage d'un fardeau. Bien pesant puisque comme vous I'observez vous meme ma femme se trouvoit hors de grans ambaras et eviter un detour et des retards d'au moins 40 jours. Votre derniere m'a replonge dans des inquietudes d'autant plus grandes que la sante de Madame Moreau epuisee par une fatigue consecutive de six jours — Employes a faire en hatte paquets la met presque dans I'impossibilite de profiter du paquebot qui sure- ment fera voile cette semaine — au moins ses medecins le pensent ainsi, Jugez comme elle se trouvoit soulagee par I'espoir d'aller sur le powhatan, J'ai vu Messres le Roy and Rayard; ils n'ont jamais pense a porter une Cargaison sous la pro- FROM GENERAL MOREAU. 37 1 tection de votre recommendation, et m'ont assure que quelque soit la Speculation du retour du navire ils n'avoient jamais pense a en profiter — il me semble au reste que pour L'empecher vous pouvez specifier que le navire doit etre sur son Lest et n'avoir que des passagers, marchandise dont la Capture ne I'em- barassent guerres. Au reste si le vaisseau etoit conduit en Angleterre elle n'auroit pour se rendre en france que la meme peine qu'elle auroit en y allant par le paquebot. Une circonstance dont je n'ai pu vous faire part dans ma lettre de Samedi, C'est que quelque personnes de New York avoient Re9u des lettres de Washington ou on leur Mentionnoit Le depart du powhatan avec des depeches du gouvernement americain, un passe- port de vous et que vous m'en aviez donne avis. Je desirerois Bien que Mr. Monroe persistat dans cette opinion, mais s'il y a guerre tous les Beaux Reves peuvent etre detruites, hier on n'y Croyoit pas, aujourd'hui on la craint; C'est comme la fievre intermittente, au reste on pourrait dire a ces Mess, il y a justement 20 ans que quelques Scerveles de L'assemblee de france (1792) declarerent la guerre a I'autriche et a la prusse, elle dure encore! J'attens avec Bien de I'impatience une reponse a la lettre que j'eus I'honneur de vous ecrire le 6, elle decidera de nos esperances, Je presume que Mr. Monroe me repondra aussi. Dans le cas ou ma femme ne pourroit partir ni par le powhatan ni par le paquebot, croyez vous qu'il en viendra un autre, ou Supposez vous qu'il y aura quelqu'autre occasion pour I'Angleterre au com- 372 THE TWO DUCHESSES. mencement du mois prochain; la guerre pourroit elle y apporter quelqu' obstacle. — Monsieur, votre tres humble and tres obeissant Serviteur, V. MOREAU. Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster. July 4, 1812. On the 8th I go to Portland Place. We are very- good friends, and la madre^ is anxious about you. Annabella is silent still. I hear of no one likely to be favoured by her, so I shall still live in hope for you. Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, August 10, 1812. . . . Never was Minister's arrival so grateful to a people as mine here. The Queen said such things to me as proved how delighted they are. For- tunately I had to use my own discretion in a great measure, and had to use all the grace of conferring the greatest obligation on a Country that it can receive. I was first in recognizing the state of peace here, and the Queen said to-day my coming was the first moment of happiness they have known for a long time. . . . 1 La madre — Lady Milbanke, d. 1822. •;*v*N CUCTRC tN FROM THE HON. MRS. GEORGE LAMB. 373 The Honble. Mrs. George Lamb To Augustus Foster. Chiswick, August 31. My dear Augustus, — I wrote to you last at a most melancholy moment, and you will feel anxious, I am sure, to hear from us again, and particularly to know how your dear mother is. We have now been at Chiswick near a month, and I think the fresh air and quiet of this place has done her good, and though, of course, after all she has gone through, her re- covery must be slow, yet it is a great deal to have been free from fever and regaining- strength. Her spirits are very bad, and here there are a thousand recollections which, though they endear the place to us all, yet keep up the dreadful recollection that what made us once so happy is gone for ever. It gave us the greatest pleasure to hear that ministers are very much pleased with your dispatches: the only comfort she can now receive is from the affec- tion of those that are left to her, and we must exert ourselves to the utmost for her. I am glad to hear that you have written to Lady Milbanke. I think it ought to keep up the interest which she certainly feels for you. I saw a good deal of Annabella this year, and liked her very much indeed. At first she constantly enquired after you, but one day I talked of you as knowing of your attachment to her, and she was much embarrassed, and has never mentioned you since. Another thing which speaks very well for you is that Sir Ralph, 374 THE TWO DUCHESSES. whose judgment is, I believe, entirely formed upon that of the female part of his family, praises you, I hear, beyond any thing. I should think it wrong, my dear Augustus, to make you too sanguine by telling you these things, but that I think that at such distance and parted for such a length of time it would be cruel not to give you all the comfort I can. Besides, I feel great horror at the possibility of an American Mrs. Foster. God bless you, dear Augustus. I hope we shall soon have you amongst us again. Yours very aff., C. J. Lamb. VERSES ADDRESSED BY LORD BYRON IN THE YEAR 1812 TO THE HONBLE. MRS. GEORGE LAMB. The sacred song that on my ear Yet vibrates from that voice of thine, I heard before from one so dear, 'Tis strange it still appears divine. But oh! so sweet that look and tone To her and thee alike is given; It seemed as if for me alone That botJi had been recalled from Heaven. And though I never can redeem The vision thus endeared to me, I scarcely can regret my dream When realized again by thee. FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 375 . Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster. 1812. (?) I always say that you don't tell me what is going on, but I make it a rule not to ask you. I am most anxious for it if it is possible without a sacrifice of national honor. It does seem as if it were more for the interest of America to be friends with us, who are masters of the sea, than with France, who has no fleet. Sweden seems deter- mined to be independent. It is said Russia is going to war, and Armfeldt to have a command, but Bona- parte means, they say, to command in person, and if so, the odds are in his favor. Meanwhile dear Spain maintains the conflict, and perhaps may profit of the war between Russia and France. The subject of conversation, of curiosity, of en- thusiasm almost, one might say, of the moment is not Spain or Portugal, Warriors or Patriots, but Lord Byron! You probably read the Edinburgh Review's criticism of his "Minor Poems", published in 1808, not merely severe, but flippant. They prophesied and entreated never to hear more as a Poet of this young Lord. On this, stung to the quick, he published, without a name, his " English Bards and Scotch Reviewers ". The prodigious success of this made him publish a second edition with his name and additional lines and notes, and, going abroad, said that on his return he would answer to any who called on him. He returned sorry for the severity of some of his lines, and with a new poem, " Childe 376 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Harohr\ which he pubHshed. This poem is on every table, and himself courted, visited, flattered, and praised whenever he appears. He has a pale, sickly, but handsome countenance, a bad figure, animated and amusing conversation, and, in short, he is really the only topic almost of every conversa- tion — the men jealous of him, the women of each other. I have my accounts from Caroline, Caro William, and Lady Bessborough — all agree in their accounts. The misery is that his severest lines were on Lord Carlisle, and therefore Lord Morpeth has not yet and can't bear to meet him. But Lord Byron has bought up all the third edition, which is a great sacrifice to have made, and ought to conciliate everybody. General Moreau To his Wife. Laun, 30 aouf, 18 1 3. Ma chere amie, — A la bataille de Dresde il y a trois jours j'ai eu les deux jambes emportes d'un boulet de canon. Ce coquin de Bonaparte est toujours heureux. On m'a fait I'emputation aussi bien que possible quoique I'arm^e ait foit un mouvement retrograde ce n'est nullement par revers mais par decousu, et pour se rapprocher du Gal Blucher excuse mon griffonage je t'aime et t'embrasse de tout mon coeur je charge Rapatel de finir. V. M. FROM ALEXANDER I., EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. 377 This copy of Gen. Moreau's letter to his wife was given to me by her. E. Devonshire. Richmond, 1813. Madam Moreau gave me this copy of General Moreau's letter to his wife. I saw the original at her house. E. D. Alexander /., Emperor of Russia, To Madame Moreau. Madame, — Lorsque I'affreux malheur qui atteignit a mes cotes le general Moreau me priva des lu- mieres et de I'experience de ce grand homme je nourissois I'espoir qu'a force de soins on parviendroit a le conserver a sa famille et a mon amitie — la provi- dence en a dispose autrement — il est mort comme il a vdcu dans la pleine energie d'un ame fort et constant — il n'est qu'un remede aux grandes peines de la vie celui de les voir partager — en Russie Madame vous trouverez partout ce sentiment et s'il vous convient je rechercherai tous les moyens d'embellir I'existence d'une personne dont je me fais un devoir sacre d'etre le consolateur et I'appui. Je vous prie d'y compter irrevocablement de ne me laisser ignorer aucune circonstance ou je pourrai vous etre de quelqu' utilite et de m ecrire toujours directement — prevenir vos desirs sera une jouis- sance pour moi — I'amiti^ que j'avois voue a votre epoux va au dela du tombeau et je n'ai pas d'autre moyen de m'acquitter du moins en partie envers lui que parceque je serai en meme de faire pour assurer 378 THE TWO DUCHESSES. le blen etre de sa famille — recevez Madame dans ces tristes et cruelles circonstances les temoignages et I'assurance de mes sentiments, Alexandre. toplitz CC, jbre, 1813. Copy of the Emperor of Russia's letter to Mad. Moreau. She orave it to me. E. D. o Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. December 13, 18 13. . . . I dined at the Hollands' yesterday, where were the Cowpers, Ossulstons, Abercrombies, Courte- nays, &c. Lord Byron came in the evening. Madame de Stael was attacked at dinner for taking up so much of Sir James M'Intosh's time, and impeding the progress of the history. Allen, in the evening, maintained that she did not understand many of the systems of the Germans she undertook to explain, that she was very confused, and he could get no further than Fichte. ... I went from there rather late to Madame de Stael's, where a few remained till past 12 discussing Pitt and Fox's comparative merits with Tacitus and Demosthenes. Madame de Stael strenuously argued Tacitus to be superior to all the rest, and Ward as strenuously put Pitt and Fox above Tacitus and Demosthenes. Madame de Stael said Burke shot above the heads of his auditors, which was agreed to, while Pitt was FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 379 said to have fired point blank. Madame de Stael was indignant at an orator being put above the historian, and it must be owned to have been dis- interestedness in Sir James not to have agreed with her. Aitgustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devo7ishire. March 31, 1814. Mr. Dicot is come from Paris. . . . He has much to relate of the public spirit in Paris. He came away on the 14th; he says the National Guard of Paris refused, both collectively and individually, to join Bonaparte's army; that it was proposed to eight hundred of the officers in a body one by one. He says they are resolved to capitulate if any corps of the Allies approach the gates. He laughs at the attempt to fortify the town. It seems part of the Bois de Vincennes and Boulogne was cut for chevaux de frise to protect the town against the Cossacks. Bonaparte has been tres grossier in his language: he told the Council of State that Robespierre was the only great man produced by the Revolution; that he knows not why himself is detested so much, as he has not been as yet assez malheureux pour etre cruel, and abuses them for their cry of Peace, Peace. 380 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Align st2is Foster To Elizabeth, DiicJiess of DevonsJiire. March 31, 1814. I hear there is a Royalist Committee at Paris, and that Talleyrand communicates with them through a relation. D'Ellioto sounds Augereau, who professed to hate Bonaparte, but to be for a Regency. Monni goes to Nanci, and Louis 18 waits the certain account of the rupture of negotiations to set off for Bordeaux. At Paris they shot people in the Bois de Vincennes and filled the prisons, but now the police dare not act, for the agents are known and would be put to death immediately. This is very like insur- rection. Letter from the Countess of Liverpool. Friday, April 18, 1814. Moniteurs are just arrived with most excellent news. A provisional Government has been formed at Paris, and their first act has been to set aside Bonaparte and his family. Les Dames de la Halle had waited on the Emperor Alexander, and had called out, "Vive les Bourbons". God bless you. — Yrs., Louisa Liverpool. Frederick Foster To Augustus Foster, Paris, May i, 18 14. My dearest Augustus, — I miss you sadly. The noise drove me away from the Hotel de Bruxelles, FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 381 and I am now at the Hotel des Ministres de I'Uni- versite, still more noisy, but in a different way. Madame de Stael is arrived. I called on her yester- day, and found her in high spirits, surrounded by a crowd of admirers, and all talking, of course, of Bonaparte. They say he took opium, but, the dose having failed, he considers himself as preserved by Destiny for great things yet; says he was formed to rule the World, and as that failed, it little signifies between France and Elba; that France with the old limits could never have done, the army would not have borne it. On the 24th March the inhabitants of St. Dizier, I think, came to some of the Marshals to know if they were to obey Bonaparte's order of rising en masse. They replied, Oh, non; cette farce est finie. F. Th. F. Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Paris, May 3, 18 14. . . . To-day there was a great review of all the foreign troops, from 25,000 to 30,000, composing the garrison. The Russian Guards are really magnificent. Louis XVIII. was at a window to see them pass. The Emperor of Austria in the centre, with Alex- ander on his left and Frederick on his right, passed by me and joined the King to-night to go to Sir Charles Stuart's^ ball given to Alexander. . . . The old Guards certainly looked very brisk, and it is not to be disguised that Bonaparte is much re- ' Sir Charles Stuart — British Ambassador at Paris. 382 THE TWO DUCHESSES. gretted by the troops of the Hne. Count Meister, who used to be so sanguine, now occupies himself with the King, is in transports of joy, and thinks the Bourbons not so extremely severe; nevertheless so many general officers are committed, and so strong is the feeling against Napoleon in the middle orders, that I cannot think there is cause for apprehension. What has surprised everybody is the conduct of the Milanese, for Eugene (Beauharnais)^ was really be- lieved to have been a favourite with them. Stk. The ball was highly interesting. . . . The Emperor Alexander was there in an English uniform for compliment; he was in stockings and shoes, a thing rare for him, and yet he did not wear the Garter, which we were surprised at; he puts the Garter round his own Star zig-zao-, which makes us English a little angry with him, as considering it is too great a liberty thus to alter an order: he was observed to pay great Court to La Marechale Ney; he danced with her and spoke a great deal to Ney; it is surmized that he wants to get as many Marshals as he can into his Service; there is not half so much fuss made with him at an assembly as with our Prince (the Prince Regent); he had scarcely room to pass, and backs were very often seen by him. The Emperor of Austria and King of Prussia have no fancy for balls it seems, but we had the two sons of the King and hosts of German Princes, besides Schwartzenberg, un gros de tres bonne physionomie; * Eugene (Beauharnais) — Son of the Empress Josephine by her first husband. FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 383 he has great frankness of countenance: there was also old Blucher/ with eight orders, looking like an old Satyr: he frequents a gambling-house every night and wins money : he is by no means so much esteemed for his military talents here as he is in London — indeed none of them are. An Eno-Hsh officer who was with the army of Blucher says if he was to write his memoirs they would contain a succession of their blunders. I saw my old Weimar schoolfellow, Mounier's son, yesterday. He was made private secretary to Napoleon, and was em- ployed by him to translate the English and German papers, of which the Cotirie7', Times, and Morning Chronicle were constantly received. He said the Emperor treated him " quelquefois de Philosophe, d' Anglomane ", and was proceeding to give Sir Charles Stuart, with whom I went to see him, some interesting details when Berthier^ entered en frac. . . . Augereau^ himself gives the account I wrote to you in my last: it was at Porte I'lsere he met Napoleon, and M. De Fitzjames tells me an officer who was with Augereau saw Bonaparte take out of his pocket a copy of Augereau's proclamation to his soldiers, and heard him ask, " Ah comment avez vous pu dire ceci de moi ", but he heard nothing more. Augereau took Bonaparte apart; they walked together some time, and on parting embraced. The soldiers of the Old Guard are very loud in their discontent, and make no secret of their reproaches J Z//;/' Richmond, /««^ 30, 1815. What wonderful events,^ my dear Augustus, since I last wrote to you; how glorious to England, but how dearly bought. Poor Frederick Howard! his death, as you may imagine, has affected his family very much. Mrs, Howard is miserable, and has ^ Constant — Benjamin C. (1767-1830). "^ Sismondi — John S., historian (1773-1842). ' Wonderful events — The battle of Waterloo, &c. FROM THE HONBLE. MRS. GEORGE LAMB. 405 scarcely spoken since. Frederick Ponsonby happily is doing well, and is out of danger, but his wounds very bad ones : both arms were shot, and three stabs in the body. In this dreadful state he lay all night, and was, besides, rode over by the Prussian Cavalry, and, of course, is bruised all over; it is wonderful, I think, that he survived it ; but he is, thank God, recovering rapidly. The consequences, too, of the victory are so great that it heightens the glory of it. Bonaparte's abdication, it must be hoped, will stop all further bloodshed. What is to be done with him is the puzzling question now, and who is to succeed? The forcing the Bourbons back upon them seems a violent measure, and one they are strongly against, but yet one dreads their electing young Napoleon unless Bonaparte was out of the way. All sorts of reports are afloat to-day. It was said he had put himself under Lord Wellington's protection. He had better. I dare say he would have more honour towards him than those treacherous Frenchmen, who make it a system to give up one Sovereign after the other the moment they are in adversity. As to pri- vate affairs, I suppose you have heard of your friend Lord Aberdeen's marriage to Lady Hamilton^ — two miserable creatures. He says, What else have we to dof The truth is, she is beautiful and he is very much in love with her. ' Lady //afnil/on—'Widovf of Viscount Hamilton. Lord Aberdeen's first wife had been dead more than three years. 406 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, DucJiess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, /z^/y ii, 1815. Gordon is said to have lost his life in screening Lord Wellington. Having in vain urged the Duke to quit the place where he was, he rode up to put himself before him, and so received the ball. Other letters say he was pulling the bridle of the horse to get him out of the way. What a tremen- dous contest, but what a decisive overthrow! Boney's own account does us justice as much almost as one could wish. How curious if he really has gone from Havre to England. I hope we shall give refuge to none of his dastardly generals who have so often perjured themselves. . . . The King of Denmark sends the Elephant^ to Wellington and Blucher and to our Prince Regent. It is a right thing to do, and it is, I suppose, the order Hamlet wore. A propos to the latter, there is an old chronicle about him by the Danish historian, Saxo Grammaticus, who flourished in the thirteenth century, and it is probably from this that Shakespeare took his story; but I am sorry to say the Danish Ophelia was an improper lady employed to betray Hamlet, though she deserves to be called proper, for notwithstanding she consented to his wishes she kept his secret. The Danish Hamlet feigns madness, and manages the death of Rosencranz and Guilder- stern, as Shakespeare says, but he marries both an 1 Elephant — The Danish order of the ' ' Elephant ". FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 407 English and a Scotch Princess, and, returning to Denmark, feigns madness again, then sets fire to the palace, stabs the King, and gets possession of the throne, when he reigns gloriously for several years, and at last is killed in a duel with the King of Jut- land. The Danish historian makes him out a fine character, and, particularly, says he never told an untruth during his madness. His speech to his mother is real, and so is the killing of Polonius, though the latter is killed under a heap of straw instead of behind tapestry. The story of the Ghost seems to be Shakespeare's, as also the manner ot the murder. The whole is a long story, and there are several eloquent speeches of Hamlet to the Troops. Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, /zc/)/ 23, 1815. . . . I hope you received my account of Ham- let. I have to add that the story of Hamlet belongs to about the year 550, and I was mistaken about the history, which was written in the beginning of the thirteenth century, but only printed in the sixteenth. I must add the remark of Saxo-Grammaticus, the historian, on Amleth's death, which was caused by his fighting with inferior forces against Vigletus, chief of the Scandians and Zeelanders. He says such was the end of Amlcth, who, if he had experi- enced an equal kindness from fortune as from nature, would have equalled the Gods in brilliancy of deeds. 408 THE TWO DUCHESSES. and surpassed Hercules in the acts of virtue. He adds that his burial was magnificent, and that there exists a field in Jutland called after him. The Hon Mrs Lamb To Augiishis Foster. Holland House, Sept., 1815. . . . One day Captain Maitland of the Bellero- phon dined here, and you may believe we questioned him very much about Napoleon. He has been very much hurt at being accused of being too civil to him, as he merely treated him with the usual forms of civility, which surely it would have been very wrong to refuse to any great man in adversity. He was delighted at the crowds who came to see him, and always shewed himself whenever he might be about. Madame Bertrand attempted to drown herself upon finding they were to go to St. Helena, saying she was the cause of his coming on board that ship. Frederick Ponsonby has been here too, who is quite well again, and grown very fat. He has not re- covered the use of his arms, but is in hopes that he shall in time. His quiet and simple account of all he suffered is very interesting. He never lost his recol- lection, and says it was not pleasant to see the Prussian cavalry advancing, and that it hirt a good deal. Lord and Lady Byron have also been here. She is to lie in in November. He appears very happy, and is very much improved by his marriage. FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 409 George^ and he are two of the new managers of Drury Lane, very eager about it, and, as it has hitherto gone on very well, it is only a great amuse- ment to them. ElizahctJi, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster. Florence, October 21, 1815. Some 01 my letters, I think, must have missed, or you would have seen my indignation at Massena's conduct before I left Marseilles, and I told dear Riviera so at Toulon. You will soon hear of Murat 's^ fate. Mr. Sneyd brought the news from Rome to- day that he had been shot. It was so reported last night at Mme. Apponis', and people thought it was very unfeeling of Lady Oxford to be there, and as merry as if he was still on the throne of Naples. She asked me if I was going to Naples, adding that she thought it quite a paradise, and that she lived in friendship with the former Government. I said that I should not go to Naples, but that my friendship was with the present King, to whom my brother had been much attached and most kindly treated. She is a strange woman. I suppose it will make some sen- sation. He must have been mad. He sailed from Corsica, telling them to steer for Tunis : arrived at a certain point he told them to steer for Calabria: a storm dispersed two of his feluccas; with the third he arrived on the coast of Calabria: he called to the ^ George — The Hon. George Lamb, brother of William Lamb who succeeded to the title of Viscount Melbourne. 2. l/wriz/— Marshal M., King of Naples (1767-1815). 4IO THE TWO DUCHESSES. people to shout Viva Giacchino, that he was come to re-enter his kingdom. The peasants fought him; he defended himself stoutly, but was overpowered, bound, and carried to a Sicilian general, who had him shot; and so, I think, that dynasty is at an end. He was such a false, shabby fellow, except in personal courage, that I can hardly pity him. Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Deiwnshire. Dublin, Decetnber 31, 181 5. I hope Massena will get well that you may see him. I hear the Duke de Richlieu is likely all in favor at the Tuilleries, and that the Duke de Choiseul Gouffier is also in grreat favor. You don't mention to whom Napoleon spoke about the Sim- plon, &c. Caro says it only prejudices her in favor of Napoleon to hear of the calm with which he bears his misfortunes. One cannot certainly help pitying a fallen man, but he seems to have more of apathy than calm, and he surely ought to be repentant or shew some remorse for the evils he has done. I fear he despises men too much to think them worth caring about. He told Vernon the opposition was very low, and Vernon answered it was because they had predicted the conquest of Spain by him. You don't say any thing of Mme. de Stael's reported ? with Rocca,^ so I conclude it is a report you despise, though some will have it your silence argues ■* Rocca — She had been secretly married to this young man for several years. FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 4I I that there is something in it. She told a friend of mine in speaking of Ward "quel dommage qu'avec un si beau talent il soit si egoiste et si incapable d'une veritable amitie ". Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, /a// 6, 18 16. Albinia has made me a Papa. The event hap- pened at I P.M. on the 3rd. . . . Elisabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster. Rome, /ciH. 26, 1816. . . . I see Canova^ often. He is delightful, and gives the idea of v/hat the great artists were in 1500. He says he believes his statue of Bonaparte which is at Paris is to be ceded to the Prince Regent, and that he means to place it in the house to be built for Wellington. His own favourite statue, a nymph which is here, he wants to give to the Prince, for Canova is the most liberal person ever known. ... I hope the powers mean in earnest to do something to protect their coasts from the Barbaresques. It is dreadfull to have whole families carried off and sold in Africa; besides, as we have taken Malta, we are called upon to supply ' Canova — (1757-1822). 412 THE TWO DUCHESSES. the place of the Knights who used to protect them. How happy Sir Sidney must have been — knighted by the Duke of WelHngton. ElizabetJi, Duchess of Devonshire, To Augustus Foster, Rome, February 9, 18 16. Rome is too, too beautiful. Gonsalvi^ and I are such friends that when we are at the same place the crowd gives way for him to come up to me. He is doing much here, and it is delightfull to see the encouragement given to improvements of all kinds, and the publick walks are finishing. An interesting scavato is to take place next month at Preneste. . . . Bonaparte used to say of his sisters^ that Madame Murat was I'ambitieuse; Madame Bajocchi, la spirituelle; and the Princess Borghese, la jolie; but they said, " apres son mariage avec I'Autrichienne il paroissoit avoir honte de nous ". . . . Augustus Foster To ElizabetJi, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, Feb. 27, 1816. ... I hear a report that Lord and Lady Byron have separated from incompatibility. I should not be surprised, but hope it is not so. . . . ^ Gonsalvi — Cardinal G., Roman Prime Minister. 2 His sisters — Carlotta (afterwards named Marie Pauline), married to Prince C. Borghese; Maria Anna (afterwards named Elise), married to Felix Baciocchi, a Corsican soldier ; she was created by her brother Princess of Piombino, and is said to have been more respected perhaps than any other member of the Bonaparte family ; and Annunziata (afterwards named Caroline), wife of Joachim Murat, whom Napoleon created King of Naples. FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 413 Elizabeth, Duchess of Devoitshire, To Mrs. Foster. Rome, March 8, 18 16. . . . We have a squadron, I hear, arrived at Leghorn, which, I hope, is to protect these coasts against the barbaresques. It is very shocking that there should be a vessel left them to carry off whole families from these countries, and whilst we are forc- ing all countries to abolish the slave trade, we allow, for the sake of gain, of this worst of all slavery of Christians to the Algerines. If Augustus was in Parliament, and in England, I should like him to take up this cause. What a fair one for a young and ardent mind! We are all astonished here at the separation of Lord and Lady Byron. You will have heard of it from England. Nobody knew the cause when my last letters were written, but every body seemed to pity her. So do I too; but yet I think that, had I married a profligate man, knowing that he was so, and that I had a child, and was not ill used by him, I would not part from him. Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Angus tits Foster. March 22, 1816. Lady Byron's fate is the most melancholy I ever heard, and he must be mad or a Caligula. Caro will have told you some of the stories. It is too shocking, and her life seems to have been endangered whilst 414 THE TWO DUCHESSES. with him from his cruelty, and now by her sufferings. I pity her from my heart: she might have been a happy person. ... I am sure I have mentioned Thorwaldsen,^ whom I admire very much, but when they attempt to place him above, or equal to, Canova, I think it is like comparing cinque cento to the antique; but he is very good, and full of genius, but idle. , . . England seems in an odd state : opposi- tion strong, and making shabby obstacles to publick monuments; foolish remonstrances against guards at the Prince Regent's levee; and an odd marriage decided on for the future Queen of England; yet every body speaks well of Prince Leopold of Saxe Cobourg, and he is very handsome. Some say that Lord Liverpool is out of favor. Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. March 23, 18 16. Caroline seems quite shocked at Lord Byron's conduct to poor Annabel, but don't give me the particulars. They were certainly two very opposite people to come together, but she would marry a poet and reform a rake. As to him, he has at length proved himself the true Childe Harold. 1 Thorwaldsen {1770-1844). FROM THE COUNTESS OF LIVERPOOL. 415 Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Aiigustiis Foster. April 6, 1 8 16. Thorwaldsen is very clever, but terribly lazy, . . . Poor Lady Byron's fate is enough to alarm all parents. She is wretched, ill, and persecuted by him, who now refuses to sign the deeds of separation. Elisabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Aug7istus Foster. Rome, April 6, 18 16. . . . Canova is delightful, and has the en- thusiasm so necessary to make a good artist. . . . The Countess of Liverpool To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Fife House, May 3d, 18 16. I must write one line to you, dearest sister, to tell you that I was at the Royal marriage^ yesterday, and not the worse for the exertion, though I had a return of ? , and had been bled two days before. Lord Liverpool did not venture, though nearly well. Dr. Pemberton was afraid the heat and the standing might have brought on a relapse of his complaint. Nothing could go off better than the whole ceremony 1 J^oyal Marriage— Marriaige of the Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Prince of Wales, to Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg (afterwards King of the Belgians). 4l6 THE TWO DUCHESSES. did in all its parts. The Bride and Bridegroom looked very handsome, and every body was very struck and pleased with the very uncommon manner in which they both followed through the service in their prayer books and distinctly and earnestly pro- nounced their mutual vows. May they be happy? I wish it from my very heart! They are gone to Oatlands for about a week. When the ceremony was over the Princess knelt to her father for his blessing, which he gave her, and then raised and gave her a good hearty, paternal hug that delighted me, and took her up to the Queen, who kissed her, as did her Aunts. The Prince Reo-ent then embraced his son-in-law, and afterwards took him up to the Oueen, who embraced him, as did the Princesses. They all like him extremely, and, indeed, it is im- possible not to like him. His manners are perfect, particularly quiet, and mildly dignified without any affectation, but great self-possession. They say he is as truly amiable as he is pleasing, and very re- ligious, which gives the greatest satisfaction here. . . . Anglistics Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, May i8, 1816. Caroline relieved me much about poor Lady Caroline Lamb. I was afraid it had been madness, but, though bad enough, it seems to have been a passionate fit against her page, and will prob- ably be a good lesson to her. It is impossible not FROM THE COUNTESS OF LIVERPOOL. 417 to feel some regard for her from old times, and it is really painful to see so delightful a person as she once was in absolute danger of committing: so horrid a crime, and so entirely unmanageable. I must say I think her husband is a great deal to blame, for, had he studied a little more Shakespeare's taming of the shrew, he might have checked her, at least so as to prevent such dreadful and shameful excesses in a disposition not naturally wicked. I cannot conceive what it was Lord Byron did to his wife. You thought her wrong at first, but now you find her grossly injured. Countess of Liverpool To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. CooMBE Wood,/?/// 17, 18 16. . . I saw the Bishop of London two days ago, and he gave me some comfort about poor Sheridan.' The Bishop assured me that during his last visit Mr. Sheridan, though too weak to speak, most decidedly joined in prayer, and by very ex- pressive gestures applied to himself every word which particularly mentioned the mercy of God, the mediation of our Saviour, the great sinfulness of his own life, and the blessed hope of pardon founded on repentance through the merits of our Redeemer. Poor man! his terror of death had been dreadful, but that his last feelings were those of himible hope. The good dear Bishop has taken Mrs. Sheridan 1 Poor Sheridan— Ric\\z.rd Brinsley S. (1751-1816). 2D 4l8 THE TWO DUCHESSES. home to his own house. She has scarce left her bed since her husband's death. She has some hope- less inward complaint — it was he7' who first sent for the Bishop. Augustus Foster To Elizabeth^ Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, August 13, 1816. I have read Glenarvon/ and only just read it. . . . As for the story, I had not patience to get through it, it is so disordered and confused, but the traits of character, the sentiments, and the uncommon impudence that runs through it is to me astonishing; yet, if Lord Avondale reads it, he must be a little conscience struck at his character of a free thinker, for I am convinced that, with all his good and noble qualities, he was used to scout at all fixed principles, and taught her, or helped her, to do the same. Glenarvon seems almost too bad for nature, yet agrees very much with the being it is meant for,^ and squares in with his own portrait in the Corsair, Childe Harold, &c. She don't give me the idea of being at all cured, notwithstanding her confessions. I had a letter from Adair the other day, who says he has made it a matter of conscience not to read the book, and talks of her as going on the same as ever. 1 sadly fear some bad end for her; she certainly is past all advice. ... 1 Glenarvon — A novel written by Lady Caroline Lamb. * The being it is meant for — Lord Byron. FROM ANTONIO CANOVA. 4I9 Antonio Canova To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Roma, 23 Settembre^ 1816. Excellenza, — Dall Emi. Card. Gonsalvi ho ri- cevuto la gentilissima Letterina di S. E. per la quale vengo nuovamente confermato nella speranza, anzi nella certezza, di ritenere qualche parte nella sua memoria, cosa che sommamente desidero e che riconosco quale prezioso ornamento del viver mio. Ho seguito il di lei aviso di scrivere al Principe Reggente sul proposito dei Gessi dei marmi Elgini- ani e ne ho consegnata la lettera alia lodata Eminenza sua. Spero che avremo il bene di rivederla fra noi nel prossimo inverno come odo che da molti viene asseverato. Se altri cio desidera di cuore io sono uno di questi, e credo che non mi bisognino gran parole a rendernela persuaso. Ella conosce abba- stanza la sincerita e il carattere candido di miei senti- menti onde far justizia alle mie asserzioni, ma non potrebbe mai formarsi idea adequata del sentimento di stima e di affezionata considerazione ed ossequio con cui mi onero essere. — di V. E., Antonio Canova. Translatio7i of the above. Rome, Septemha- 23, 1816. Your Excellencv, — I have received from his Eminence, Cardinal Gonsalvi, your Excellency's most esteemed note, which confirms anew the hope, and indeed the certainty, of my retaining some place 420 THE TWO DUCHESSES. in your memory, which I greatly desire and prize as a precious ornament of my existence. I have fol- lowed your advice by writing to the Prince Regent on the subject of the plaster casts of the Elgin marbles, and have consigned my letter to the care of his Eminence. I hope we shall have the happi- ness of seeing you again among us next winter, a wish which I hear uttered by many. If any persons heartily desire your return I am of the number, and I think I do not need to use many words to persuade you of this. You are sufficiently aware of the sincerity and candid character of my senti- ments to do justice to my assertions, but you could never form an adequate idea of the sentiments of esteem and affectionate consideration with which I have the honor to be your Excellency's, &c., &c. Antonio Canova. Antonio Canova To Elizabeth, DiicJiess of Devojishire. Roma, 12 Ottobre, 18 16. Preclarissima Signora Duchessa, — Le sono infinita- mento obbligato della graziosa lettera di cui le piacque onorarmi. L'espressioni di amorevolezza che fa uso a mio riguardo mi adornano ^ lusingano troppo perche io non abbia a sentirne tutto il valore e la riconos- senza che meritano. Duolmi che la sua brama di far collocare nel Panteon il ritratto del Cavaliere di Reynolds non possa adempirsi; io pure dentro di me stesso sentiva il dubbio h il peso di quella con- siderazione ch'ella mi dichiaro. Sono lietissimo della FROM ANTONIO CANOVA. 42 1 dolce novella da lei datami del suo vicino ritorno a Roma. Ne aspetto il momento colla piu viva im- pazienza conforme ed equale al sentimento dell' alta forma che le professo. lo non ho mai fatto nulla che abbia rapporto al poeta Virgilio, ne statua ne ritratto. Mi conservi la preziosa sua benevolenza e credami cogli offizii del fratello pieno di venerazione e di osservanza. — Di Lei aff. Antonio Canova. Translation of the above. Rome, October 12, 18 16. Most Illustrious Lady Duchess, — I am infinitely- obliged to you for the gracious letter with which you have been pleased to honor me. The kind expres- sions which you m.ake use of towards me are too complimentary and flattering for me not to feel the full force of the acknowledoment which is their due. I am sorry that it is not in my power to carry out your wish that the portrait of the cavaliere Reynolds should be placed in the collection of the Pantheon. I had indeed my own doubts on the subject, and felt the weight of the considerations which you laid before me. I am very glad of the good news which you an- nounce to me of your proposed early return to Rome. I look forward to that moment with the most lively impatience proportioned to the high regard which I entertain for you. I have never done any thing having any reference to the poet Virgil — neither statue nor portrait. 422 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Pray continue your precious friendship to me, and believe my brother and myself to be full of veneration and respect. — Yours, &c., Antonio Canova. G. Thoj-waldsen To Frederick Foster. Copenhagen, October i^^^ i8i6. My dear Sir, — Yesterday at length the proprietor of the Rosenborgen Pluto appointed the hour to- morrow I afternoon. At the same time I was un- fortunately decoyed into company of Highnesses, Excellencies, Ribbands, stars and keys. I thought myself in holy place; but alas! two villains, infamous by their very names. Cold and fever — these wretches seized me and carried me off, though I made strong protestations. They told me that precedents pub- lished by one of the greatest nations upon earth warranted this proceeding. Not entirely free from violence, yet impelled by knavery, my enemies have stretched me on my bed, where I am alternately tor- tured by heat and cold. My state is that of a vol- cano. However, I hope soon to outwit my enemies, to throw them out of doors, and banish them for ever. To-morrow my son Frederick will pay mine and his owne homage to you, and request the honour to be in your guide to Pluto's metropolis, one of the great Inigo Jones' works. Pray give my best respects to your brother, the ambassador, whom I will ever love and admire. Conceal my sufferings from the ladies; their generous feelings can not bear incident mis- FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 423 fortunes to their fellow creatures. Above all, bid God to have mercy on me; so doing I shall be benefited without your loss. I am for ever, my dear Sir, your faithfull and very humble servant, G. Thorwaldsen. Monsieur Frederick de Foster, Senateur de I'Angleterre. Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Mrs. Foster. Rome, Nov. 16, 18 16. Before I foro-et it, I must tell Augustus that the Danish sculptor Thorwaldsen is grown excellent. Some of his works are really admirable, and he is so modest and so excellent a man that he is liked and esteemed by all. He hopes to go to Denmark this next year, and they have good reason to be proud of him. Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Ajigiistns Foster. Rome, Dec. 10, 18 16. . . . Mr. Playfair, Mr. Elmsley, Mr. Sotheby are among the clever men of science and literature at Rome, and Mr. Brougham^ and Vernon — Lord Henry, the clever men of the set now here, and all almost alike flock to the Princess Borghese, and the grave Lord Lansdowne, the silent Lord Jersey, the '^ Mr. Brougham — Henry B., afterwards Lord B. (1778- 1868). 424 THE TWO DUCHESSES. politician Mr. Brougham, all go and play aux petits jeux with Pauline. Forfeits condemned Lord Jersey to recite; he got off by promising to waltz. Lord Cowper was to soupirer pour une dame and so on. She shows her fine plate with the eagle, &c., and gets dozens of fine dresses from Paris. I admire the Pope's firmness in letting them all of that family remain at Rome, but I think that the English should put a little reason in their eagerness to go to her. Were it Josephine, who did thousands of benevolent generous acts; Maria Louisa, who was twice a sacrifice to politicks; Madame Lucien,^ who is an excellent mother and wife, I think the attentions would be natural and commendable, but this person has only been cited for extreme arrogance in prosperity, ex- treme gallantry, and a good deal of beauty. Louis Buonaparte^ inspires great esteem, I think, but he is sickly and, I believe, scarcely goes to his sisters. . . . Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Atioustus Foster. *0>' Rome, Dec. i6, 1816. ... I hear from England that Lord Byron's third canto of Childe Harold is beautiful, but Lord ^ Aladame Lucien —She was widow of Monsieur Jouberthon, a stockbroker, and was second wife of Lucien Bonaparte, to whom she bore nine children, the eldest of whom, Letitia, married Thomas Wyse, Esq., an Irish gentleman, one of whose descendants, Bonaparte Wyse, is a Government Inspector of Irish National Schools. * Louis Bonaparte — Third brother of Napoleon, who made him King of Holland. He married in 1802 Hortense Eugenie Beauharnais, daughter of Viscount B. and of Josephine, who was daughter of Count Tascher de la Pagerie, and was the first wife of Napoleon. His son, Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, was elected in 1848 President of the French Republic by 5,562,834 votes out of a total of 7,500,000, and again by more than 7,000,000 votes in 1851, and in the following year he assumed the title of Emperor. FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 425 Cowper don't like it so much, and Lady Bessborough is sending it to me, and I long for it, as, however odious his character, he is a great Poet. M. Lewis^ told me that he believed he was gone to Venice in order to embark for Dalmatia. M. Lewis till last night has never appeared. Here, as at Florence, he shuts himself up to hold converse only with the departed. I have begun a little excavation in the Foro Romano, and they found a little cup or calice. In digging close to the single Pillar, they found it to be a column to Phocas.^ I am having the Cup cleaned a little and put together. At the great excavation they found a part of the Plan of Rome, which joins on to that which is preserved in the Capitol Museum. Nothing can be greater than the interest which this excites. I have employed poor labourers instead of forcats, which is a charity. I saw it particularly pleased my friend Cardinal Gon- salvi, and therefore I was doubly pleased to do it. . . . Elisabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Ausrustiis Foster. ^.^ ' Rome, December 29, 1816. . . . I have told you, 1 think, what a pro- digious improvement Thorwaldsen has made in his works. Fie really is excellent, and a very interest- ing person in himself He has had a great deal to do, and Mr. Hope, his great patron, has desired that "^ M. Lewis — M. G. L. , novelist, author of The Monk [x-j-j^-y^iZ). ' Phocas — Emperor of Constantinople, d. 6io. 426 THE TWO DUCHESSES. he will finish his Jason for him; but Canova's group for the Prince, Mars and Venus, is the most beautiful thing I ever saw, and the best of his works, I do think. This is done by order, and he is finishing for the Prince his Nymph and Amorino, which he means as an offering. He has works ordered that will take up twelve years, I would give any thing for a small work of his, but it is hopeless, and a group or figure I can't afford. Lord Byron To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Venice, November 3, 1817. I was yesterday honoured by your Grace's letter of the 19th ult. The newspapers have, I fear, de- ceived your Grace, in common with many others, for, up to my last letters from England, Newstead Abbey has not been sold, and, should it be so at this moment, I shall be agreeably surprized. Amongst the many unpleasant consequences of my residence in Piccadilly, or rather the cause of that residence, I can assure your Grace that I by no means look upon it as the least painful that my inconvenience should have contributed to yours. Whatever measures Mr. Denen might find it proper to take were probably what he deemed his duty, and, though I regret that they were necessary, . . , I am still more sorry to find that they seem to have been inefficacious. Indeed, till very lately, I was not aware that your Grace was so unlucky as to have FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 427 me still among the number of your debtors. I shall write to the person who has the management of my affairs in England, and although I have but little controul over either at present, I will do the best I can to have the remaining balance liquidated. — I have the honour to be, with great respect. Your Grace's most obedient, Very humble servant, Byron. AttgusUis Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, Augitsi 25, 1818. . . . I find M. la ferronays a great resource here. I do not know if you are acquainted with him. He has been nearly caught and hung by Bonaparte's creatures; often on the coast of France disguised as a smuggler, and for six years a common soldier in the Austrian army, frequently without enough to eat. His brother was killed as a common soldier at the battle of Lutzen, being then in the French ser- vice as a conscript. He was with Korsakow at the tremendous battle of Zurich, and saw the ditches of Waterloo strewed with French and English soldiers. Freddy and Cavendish are flourishing, the latter as fat as ever. Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, Sepi. \, 1818. . . . Albinia has something more than a sus- picion that a third little being is on its way up to the 428 THE TWO DUCHESSES. regions of light. This, I know, will be looked on as a misfortune by you, and I think so too, unless it should be of the female sex this time, which would be some consolation. We shall not know this, how- ever, till about April, so there may be time to make an Italian of the little creature. . . . Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, /««. 9, 1819. . . . Cavendish is all fat as yet, but speaks at an earlier age than his brother did. . . . Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, Ap?-il 27, 18 19. I am happy to tell you that Albinia has at last been safely delivered, but it is of a son instead of the wished for daughter; however, as I assisted this time and witnessed her sufferings, the little delivered was made welcome. The event happened yesterday, early in the morning. . . . You never mentioned the affair of poor Mr. Colycar: he was a descendant of the Dukes of Ancaster, and, as such, one out of the way of Freddy's succession to the situation of Great Chamberlain (?) of England, formerly belonging to the Veres. As younger sons should have good names, we mean to give the newcomer that of Vere to shew that he is a link in that chain of descent. FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 429 Atigitstus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess oj Devonshire. Krokkedahl,/««^7, 1819. . . . What you say of A' Court I think very just. Why, with a good estate and right if necessary to a pension, dawdle out his days in foreign missions. It is well enough for us younger brothers who have nor house nor home, but the Lords of the Soil might stay in their castles, particularly when, like him, they have boroughs at their disposition. Peel^ has certainly now come very forward on the Bullion question, and will no doubt soon verify his father's prediction of him. It is really interesting to see the success that has attended old Sir Robert Peel's plan of education. He was himself a common mill boy, made a fortune by some invention in the manufactory, I believe, of cotton, and determined to bring up his son to the imitation of Pitt, and behold that very son now at 3 or 4 and 20, putting his foot into the stirrup, and this in his father's lifetime, and in spite of his father's opposition on the Bullion question. Methinks I see Freddy at a distance on the selfsame road, and Cavendish, and Vere Henry Louis follow- ing at full gallop: what a prospective for John Bull. . . . Matters go on better at Paris, thanks to De Serre. It was necessary to stop somewhere, and shew that Louis 18 was not as weak as poor Louis 16, and the Ministers may now have a little more confidence since they have learned that Benjamin ^ Peel — Sir Robert Peel, second baronet (1788-1850). The statement that the first baronet was once " a common mill boy" is not quite correct. 430 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Constant, Lafayette,^ & Co., are really only Jaseurs, and that their friends the Regicides are not popular. I like your saying that the difficulties were not so great at Naples when poor Lady Shaftesbury, with all her money, could not get lodged there, but was obliged to invade the Duke's apartments. . . . Lady Liverpool seems better; she has consented to be Godmother to the child, so, besides the names of Vere Henry, we have called him, from her, Louis. The Hon. Mrs. Lamb To Augustus Foster. TUNBRIDGE V^-E.\A.?,,JttIy 3I, 1819. . . . I like this place very much. The walks and drives are beautiful, and I drive in the little gigs of the place with quiet, steady ponies who know every turn. The Noels^ and Lady Byron are my only acquaintances here, but as I am very fond of the latter, it satisfies me. She has been very much abused in Lord Byron's new poem of Don Juan under the name of Donna Inez. It is very bad in him, and the whole poem is in a very bad style, improper, and flippant, and very odious, but it is reckoned clever. I never saw so clever and entertaining a child as little Ada,^ Lord Byron's child. She is full of fun, but very good-tempered and good, and I I Lafayette— Mzxqms de la Fayette (1757-1834). * The Noels — The Milbankes had assumed the surname of Noel. 3 Little Ada — Only child of Lord Byron, afterwards married to the Earl of Love- lace (1816-1852). FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 43 1 hope she will inherit none of his faults. Poor little thing! she is early celebrated in verse, and I have no doubt he will be always trying to work on her mind by his writings. . . . Angus tjis Foster . To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, Aitgust 14, 18 19. Vere is like Freddy, and is a very fine child. Cavy shews much character, but is too fat still. Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, October 12, 1819. Thorwaldsen at last arrived here ten days ago, but only called here yesterday. He has been so dis- coursed to and drank to, praised and panegyrized, that the poor man seems quite bothered; but he was at Albinia's conversazione last night and appeared delighted to find an old Roman acquaintance to talk to in Italian. . . . Thorwaldsen says he must have occupation and means to model through the winter; he left them a model in Alto Rilievo for the public walk at Lucerne to be cut out of the rock. I dare say it will be very fine, but he leaves it to the Swiss to execute his design; so the Mercury which you admire so much is not yet in marble. He talks of the work in marble as mere mechanical. It 432 THE TWO DUCHESSES. certainly is the chief thing, however, else we might be satisfied with what the ancients have left us. AiigiisUts Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, Nov. 6, 1819. Lord Strangford^ was necessarily em- ployed to treat with Sweden because it was only at Stockholm that the Convention could be negotiated. To answer your question as to what share I had in it, I have only to send you the extract from Lord Castlereagh's Despatch, which follows: — "There remains for me only the gratifying task of signifying to you His Royal Highness' full approbation of your conduct in the share which you have taken in the discussions which have produced the settlement ". This I look upon as a proof of bienveillance in Lord Castlereagh, for the business was, of course, mainly carried on at Stockholm. Let me add from Planta's private letter of October 7, in stating that Lord Castlereagh acquiesced in my request to remain here, he says, " and that he is very well pleased that you should, for the present, remain where you have done so very well and are so deservedly esteemed. In conveying to you this intelligence I use Lord Castlereagh's own words." . . . Freddy is much admired here, Cavy less so, though he improves. Vere is like Freddy, but has not cut teeth yet. ^ Lord Strangford — A distinguished diplomatist (1780-1855). FROM BARON D'ENGESTROM. 433 Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, Duchess of DcvonsJiire. Copenhagen, Ja/iuary 29, 1820. Cavendish is very well on his legs, fat and stout, but no beauty — he has, however, got a dimple or two and a pleasing smile. The little Vere is a beautiful child. Baron d'Eugestrow To Augustus Foster. le $ ptin, 1820. Monsieur, — Vous saves Monsieur que le refus constant de Sa Majeste Britannique de reconnaitre le Roi Charles XIII a depuis longtems fait prevoir la necessity de faire cesser les relations Diplomatiques entre les deux Monarques, sans faire naitre un etat de guerre entre les deux Nations. Le Roi a par consequent, sans manquer au Roi d'Angleterre, pu promettre a la France, la cessation de relations qui deja touchaient a leur fin. Le Trait6 de paix conclu a Paris le 6 Janvier dernier, a et^ dans le terns communiqu'6 au Ministere de Sa Majeste, et la Mission de Suede a quitt6 Londres. Votre presence quelqu' agreable qu'elle nous soit, pourrait donner lieu a des doutes sur I'intention du Roi, de remplir ses engagemens. Vous savds com- bien II y est fidele, et vous ne ser^s pas ^tonn^ que le zele dont Je suis animd pour Son auguste personne, m'impose le devoir de vous prierde ne pas accrediter 2E 434 THE TWO DUCHESSES. en restant plus longtems ici, des soup^ons que le caractere loyal de Sa Majestd ne merite nullement. Je crois etre assds connu de Vous Monsieur, pour que Vous soyez persuade de la parfaite consideration et de I'attachement sincere avec lesquels j'ai I'honneur d'etre, Monsieur, Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur, Le Baron d'Engestrom. The Hon. Mrs. Lamb To Augustus Foster. Whitehall, November i6, 1820. . . . Isn't it extraordinary that the Queen has suddenly dismissed Bergamo and all the family upon finding, she says, in the Evidence that they had cheated her in some old money matters. Now that the trial is over, people are wondering what is to be done with her next. I suppose there will be some battling about it in the House of Commons now it is over. It would be handsomer to treat her at once as Queen, and the moment she is no longer persecuted her popularity will cease. Every body here seems to rejoice that the business is at an end without coming to the other house, as it would have been a horrid scene. She burst into tears, I hear, when the news was brought her. It is true that in signing her last protest she said, " Regina still in spite of them ". Many of her bon mots are told. I suppose you have heard of her saying she never committed adultery but once, and that was with Mrs. Fitzherbert's hus- band, and she has repented of it ever since. FROM AUGUSTUS FOSTER. 435 Augustus Foster To ElizabetJi^ Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, Nov. 25, 1820. . . . We are in the greatest anxiety about poor little Vere, whose teething has, I fear, brought on water on the brain. The little fellow is very strong, and struggles hard with his malady, or rather maladies, for he has several on him, which come on in suc- cession. His nurse has now been up with him for six successive nights. Last night I watched till 7 this morning, and could with difficulty force his Mamma away to take an hour's rest. Augustus Foster To ElizabctJi, Duchess of DevojisJiire. Copenhagen, Nov. 28, 1820. I must write a line to say that your little grandson Vere has overcome his malady. When we had given him over, I warmed his feet with my hands until the perspiration came, and his nurse put him in a hot bath, which slowly brought back the life into his body. Albinia has had nothing but fatigue and watching, and yet bore it with more strength than I thought she possessed. I believe I wrote by last mail to say the child could not recover, as all the doctors thought. 436 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Lord Byron To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. RAWEiiNA,/u/y 15, 1821. Madame, — I am about to request a favor of Your Grace without the smallest personal pretensions to obtain it. It is not, however, for myself, and yet I err, for surely what we solicit for our friends is, or ought to be, nearest to ourselves. If I fail in this application, my intrusion will be its own reward — if I succeed, Your Grace's reward will consist in having done a good action, and mine in your pardon for my presumption. My reason for applying to you is this: Your Grace has been long at Rome, and could not be long any where without the influence and the inclination to do good. Amongst the list of exiles on account of the late suspicions, and the intrigues of the Austrian Govern- ment (the most infamous in history), there are many of my acquaintances in Romagna, and some of my friends : of these more particularly are the two Counts Gamba,^ of a noble and respected family in this city. In common with thirty or more of all ranks they have been hurried from their home without process, without hearing, without accusation: the father is universally respected and liked; his family is numerous and mostly young, and these are now left without pro- tection; the son is a very fine young man, with very little of the vices of his age or climate; he has, I believe, the honor of an acquaintance with Your 1 Counts Gamba — Father and brother of the Countess Guiccioli, whose connection with Byron is sufficiently well known. FROM LORD BYRON. 437 Grace, having been presented by Madame Martinetti. He is but one and twenty, and lately returned from his studies at Rome. Could Your Grace, or would you, ask the repeal of both, or at least of one of these from those in power in the holy city. They are not aware of my solicitation in their behalfs, but I will take it upon me to say that they shall neither dis- honour your goodness nor my request. If only one can be obtained, let it be the father, on account of his family. I can assure Your Grace and the very pious Government in question that there can be no danger in this act of — clemency, shall I call it? It would be but justice with us — but here\ Let them call it what they will. ... I cannot express the obligation which I should/^^/. I say /^^/ only because I do not see how I could repay it to Your Grace. I have not the slightest claim upon you, unless, perhaps, through the memory of our late friend. Lady Mel- bourne.^ I sdiY fiHend only, for my relationship with her family has not been fortunate for them, nor for me. If, therefore, you should be disposed to grant my request, I shall set it down to your tenderness for her who is gone, and who was to me the best and kindest of friends. The persons for whom I solicit will (in case of success) neither be in ignorance of their protectress nor indisposed to acknowledge their sense of her kindness by a strict observance of such conduct as may justify her interference. If my ac- quaintance with Your Grace's character was even slighter than it is through the medium of some of our ^ Lady Afeiioume— Sister of Sir Ralph Milbanke, and aunt of Lady Byron (1785-1828). 438 THE TWO DUCHESSES. English friends, I had only to turn to the letters of Gibbon (now on my table) for a full testimony to its high and amiable qualities. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Your Grace's most obedient, very humble servant, Byron. P.S. — Pray excuse my scrawl, which perhaps you may be enabled to decypher from a long acquaintance with the handwriting of Lady Bessborough. I omitted to mention that the measures taken here have been as blind as impolitic — this I happen to know. Out of the list in Ravenna there are at least ten not only innocent but even opposite in principle to the liberals. It has been the work of some blundering Austrian spy, or angry priest, to gratify his private hatred. Once more your pardon. Augustus Foster To Elisabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Copenhagen, /«/j/ 20, 1821. I hear Lord Byron is at Ravenna, deeply in love with the fairest and wealthiest sposa^ in the place. Is it so.-* An Italian here tells me he was making love to a Venetian lady when the other came into the room, and instantly he asked to be introduced, followed her to Ravenna, and there fixed himself Of all the cities in Romanian lands, The chief and most renowned Ravenna stands may therefore again be trumpeted forth by another Dryden. 1 Sposa — The Countess Guiccioli. FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 439 Lo7'd Byron To Elizabeth^ Duchess of Deiwnshire. Raweijn A, /u/y 30, 1 82 1. Madam, — The inclosed letter, which I had the honor of addressing to Your Grace, unfortunately for the subject of it, and for the writer, arrived after Your Grace's departure. I venture to forward it to Spa, in the hope that you may be perhaps tempted to interest yourself in favour of the persons to whom it refers, by writing a few lines to any of your Roman acquaintances in power. Two words from Your Grace, I cannot help thinking, would be sufficient, even if the request were still more presumptuous. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, your most obedient very humble servant, Byron. To Her Grace The Duchess of Devonshire, &c. &c. &c. Spa. In Allemagne presso Li^ge, Ibi vel ubi. ElizabetJi, Duchess of Devonshire, To Lord Byron. Spa, August 17, 182 1. I regret very much that the letter which your Lordship directed to Rome did not arrive before I left, for it is always easier to explain the subject which one is anxious about in conversation than by writing, unless indeed the pen is held by the author of Childe Harold. I will, however, certainly write to Rome about the persons who interest you so much, and shall be happy if I can be of any use to 440 THE TWO DUCHESSES. them. I recollect Madame Martinetti's introducing- to me a gentleman of the name of Gamba, but it is the warm interest which you express, my Lord, that will make me particularly anxious to succeed for them. Lady Melbourne had, I know, the greatest regard and friendship for you, and I had ever the sincerest affection for her. Whatever regfrets subse- quent occurrences might have occasioned her, I believe her friendship for you was unvaried. I have found no difficulty in decyphering your letter without ever being indebted to Lady Bessborough for that advantage, and I have only to wish that I may be successful in my application, and may be able to realize the hopes you have formed from any influence I may possess at Rome. I always wish to do any good I can, and in that poor Gibbon and my other friends have but done me justice, but believe me also that there is a character of justice, goodness, and benevolence in the present Government of Rome which, if they are convinced of the just claim of the Comtes de Gamba, will make them grant their request. Of Cardinal Gonsalvi it is truly said, " II a etabli une nouvelle politique formee sur la verite et la franchise. L'estime de toute T Europe le paye de ses fatigues." Pray do not judge of the holy City from the reports of others, and, as no one has ever described its monuments with such beauty of poetry as yourself, so no one, I am sure, would do more justice to the merits of its inhabitants if you staid long enough to know them. I beg of you, my Lord, once more to be assured of the pleasure with which I shall undertake, and the satisfaction which I shall FROM ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 44I feel, if I obtain the recall of your friends to their mother country. E. Devonshire. I give up the Austrian Government to all you choose to say of them. The Duke of Wellington To Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. London, Nov. 25, 1821. My dear Duchess, — I received your note in Staffordshire, and on my arrival in London your beautiful present. Be assured that I prize the latter much, and that I will have the addition made to it of your own Picture, and keep it in my own Library as a memorial of your kindness to me. I hear that you go on Tuesday, and I call with this note in hopes of seeing you once more before you go, as I am going out of town to stay this evening. Ever yours most sincerely, Wellington. Elizabeth, Duchess of DevonsJiire, To Augustus Foster. 'Pa'S^.is, December g, 1821. Our affairs seem settled at home, except as to Canning. Never surely did so clever a man so mar his own fortunes; he now declines India, It is only strange that they should ever think of send- ing him. It is his eloquence which they want and not his ofovernment of India. 442 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Augustus Foster To Elizabeth, DiicJiess of Devonshire. Richmond, December i6, 1821. . . . I am sorry for Canning, but I certainly think he was right to refuse India; had he accepted it would have been put to the score of necessity. As it is, I think even the Mogul himself must think better of him, and things may turn up better for him hereafter; besides, what would have become of his daughter and other children. Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, To Angiistus Foster. Mav 27, 1823. There is illness and influenza^ all over London. August 20, 1823. Lord Byron has put into Naples; he is carrying out arms, provisions, and medicines. February 24, 1824. Grecian affairs also promise well, and Byron has given them ^10,000, besides arms, medi- cine, and surgeons. The Earl of Aberdeen To Aiignstiis Foster. '^IC'E, fajiuary 19, 1826, It is a great disappointment to me to be so near without being able to see you. This indeed at ^ Influenza — This remark shows that the term influenza is not of recent origin. FROM THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. 443 present would not be easy from the state of the roads and the quantity of snow, but I fear I shall be obliged to leave Nice in a short time, and before the communication is opened for carriages with Turin. Lady Aberdeen was unwell when I left England, and has been worse since, so that the physicians have forbidden her to think of coming to join me here, and although she is now rather better, she is impatient for my return. I have not quite deter- mined whether to leave my daughter here or take her back with me to England. For myself, I like this place extremely, the climate delightful, and the country very beautiful. I could pass three or four months here every winter with great pleasure. I am very glad that you like your residence; indeed you must be difficult, with two such towns as Turin and Genoa, not to be well pleased. I had never seen Turin until last year, and was quite surprised to find so beautiful a town. It has the reputation of being rather dull, but, compared with this place it must be all liveliness and gaiety, for, notwithstand- ing the natural charms of Nice, I never knew a place with fewer intellectual resources. It is very full at present; many English, but not such as I know. There are some very good French families and other foreigners. Madame Narischkin arrived here on the very day on which we received the news of the death of the Emperor Alexander. This death has thrown his country into great confusion, for, although matters may be settled for the present, it is to be presumed that at some future period a catastrophe is by no means improbable. Whatever happens, I 444 THE TWO DUCHESSES. have only one wish, which is that we may preserve peace; if we succeed in this, it ought to be a matter of indifference to us who is Emperor. . . . Miss Vere Hobart^ To Mrs Foster. Whitehall, April 27, 1827, Since I wrote to you last Tuesday, I believe what I then told you as positive news has been undone, and (?) twenty times. Lord James Stuart has just been here in great joy saying that Lord Lans- down has agreed with Mr. Canning, but what his place will be is not yet declared. It is a grand jumble altogether. We were last night at the Robinsons. After Sarah^ desiiHiig to see us she was too unwell to do so when we arrived; she is to be kept so exceedingly quiet, but I believe her matters are going on perfectly well. Mr. R.^ gave us all the history of his Peerage and his Majesty's gracious- ness, and shewed us the arms and supporters of his new dignity. He is to be gazetted to-night, conse- quently from this day we must call him Viscount Goderich. Lady de Grey* declared she will spell him Goodrich, because elle s'est mise en tete that it should be so, but he says not. ^ Miss Vere Hobart — Half-sister of Mrs. Foster, and afterwards married to Donald Cameron of Lochiel. ^ Sarah — Lady Sarah Robinson. ^ Mr. R. — Frederick Robinson, created in 1827 Viscount Goderich. He was Prime Minister for a few months in 1827-8 in succession to Canning, and was created Earl of Ripon in 1833(1782-1859). ^ Lady De Grey — Countess De Grey, sister-in-law of Lord Goderich (1782-1859). COUNT JOHN ANTHONY CAPO D'ISTRIAS. 445 Count Johi A nthony Capo d'htrias} President of the Greek Republic^ on his embarkation for Greece, to Augustus Foster. A ^T^^^T . 20 November , ^_ ANCONA, =; r , 1827. 3 Decemoer Je ne saurais assez exprimer a Votre- Excellence combien je suis touche de I'interet quelle se plait de me temoigner, et dont sa lettre du 26 Novembre m'apporte une nouvelle preuve. Monsieur le Vice-Consul d'Angleterre, en se con- formant a ses ordres, me fit trouver a Bologne une lettre de sa part dans laquelle il me donnait tous les renseignments qui etoit a sa connaissance. La saison orageuse dans ces m.ers cette annee plus que de coutume ne laisse cependant aborder dans le port d'Ancona depuis le 20 novembre aucun batiment ni grand ni petit, et ce fait explique assez le retard qu'eprouve celui que j'attends. Je prends patience, et je tache de me consoler en m'occupant d'avance des affaires tres difificiles, et assurement peu agreables, qui me sont reservees; celle de la piraterie, dont Votre Excellence me parle, en est une, et elle reclame sans doute de promptes et fortes mesures ; — mais comment s'y atteindre tant que la misere la plus effrayante maitrisera absolument en Grece tous les hommes et toutes leurs situations. Lorsqu'il en sera autrement, et je I'espere de la justice et de la munificence des cinq cours alli^es, je vais repondre qu'une simple proclamation donnde avec pleine con- naissance de cause, et soutenue par des forces mari- times sold^s fera disparaitre le desordre et devoilera ^ Count Capo ct Istrias—SQe Appendix. 44^ THE TWO DUCHESSES. a I'Europe les veritable pirates. Jusque la je ne puis que faire des veux, et V.E. ne doute pas de ceux que je forme pour etre une heure plutot sur les lieux. Qu'elle veuille me continuer son amitie, et croire aux sentimens avec les quelles j'ai I'honneur d'etre de Votre Excellence le tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur. J. Capo d'Istrias. A Son Excellence, Mons. de Foster, a Turin. Translation. Copy of a letter from Count fohn Anthojiy Capo d'Istrias, President of the Greek Republic, to A tignstus Foster on his embarkation for Greece. ANCONA, ^o November ^g 3 Decetnoer I know not how sufficiently to express to your Excellency how much I am affected by the interest which you are pleased to testify towards me, and of which your letter of November 26 brings me fresh proof The English Vice-Consul, in accordance with the instructions received from your Excellency, addressed to me at Bologna a letter, in which he gave me all the information in his possession. The more than usually stormy season, however, of this year in these seas has, ever since November 20, rendered it im- possible for any vessel whatever, large or small, to enter the port of Ancona, and this fact sufficiently explains the delay in arrival of the one which I am expecting. I try to be as patient as possible, and endeavour to console myself by occupation in ad- vance with the many difficult and by no means FROM CHRISTIAN VIII., KING OF DENMARK. 447 agreeable affairs which await my attention. One of these is the question of piracy, which is referred to in your Excellency's letter, and it no doubt requires prompt and strong measures. But how deal with it so long as the most frightful misery shall continue to dominate absolutely in Greece all the people and all their belongings. Whenever different circumstances shall arise, as I hope will be the case through the justice and munificence of the five allied Courts, I will reply that a simple proclamation, couched in plain language, and backed by a display of armed maritime forces, will cause the disappearance of dis- order, and will unveil to Europe the real pirates. Until then I can only form resolutions, and your Excellency cannot doubt my desire to be as early as possible on the ground. I beg you will continue your friendship and rest assured of the sentiments with which I have the honor to be your Excellency's very humble and very obedient servant, J, Capo d'Istrias. To His Excellency, Mr. de Foster, &c., Turin. Christian 8, King of Daunark, To Augitstus Foster. Copenhagen, le 10 Avrit, 1840. Monsieur, vous m'avez sensiblement rejoui en m'adressant vos voeux a I'occasion de mon avene- ment au trone de mes ancetres. Des antdcedants qui sont graves dans ma memoire 448 THE TWO DUCHESSES. et qui vous reservent une place bien honorable dans mon souvenir ne me laissaient aucune doute sur la part sincere que vous voudriez bien prendre a un evenement aussi important pour moi et pour le Dannemarc, que vous avez appris a cherir durant un long sejour pres de nous. Mais il ne m'a pas 6te moins agreable d'en recevoir I'assurance par la lettre que vous m'avez adressee. ^ J'aurai d'abord voulu vous repondre, afin de vous porter mes sinceres remercimens, mais des occupa- tions assidues m'ont empeche de m'acquitter d'un devoir cher a mon coeur, aussi savais-je que vous ^tiez occupe a quitter Turin a cet epoque. Je saisis avec empressement la perspective que vous me donnez d'une visite en Dannemarc; je n'ai pas besoin de vous assurer que vous serez toujours le bienvenu pres de moi et que nommement durant cet ete la fete du sacre(?) au Chateaux de Frederiks- borg, fixe au 28 Juin, presenterait peutetre un double interet pour vous. Celui que vous voudrez bien me porter en qualite d'ancien ami, me sera toujours le plus cher, et c'est en vous assurant de I'inviolabilite de mes sentimens pour vous que j'ai le plaisir de [A line torn out]. — Votre, tout affectionn6, Christian R. Madame Foster trouve iqi mes complimens et ceux de la Reine, mon epouse. FROM THE HON. MRS. LAMB. 449 The Hon. Mrs. Lamb To Augustus Foster. D. House, Wednesday, 1845. You will have heard of poor Lady Holland's^ death. She will be a great loss to society, and one thinks now only of her kind feelings and steady friendship, and forgets her little whims and failings, and all one disliked before. Her will is much talked of; it is said she has left Lord John Russell ^^1500 a year, the Kensington estate for his life, and to go at his death to Lady Lilford; to Charles Fox ^2000. He was provided for before when Ampt- hill was sold, and is well off; innumerable little legacies to friends; to Lady Palmerston ^300, a picture of Lord Melbourne by Landseer, and all her fans; to Charles Howard her dictionaries and ^200; to her doctor ^1500 and ^50 a year; to Harold, her page, ^150 a year; to all her servants some- thing; a picture to the Queen if she would con- descend to accept it; her Napoleon box to the National Museum; ^300 for a neat monument of herself How much she seems to have thought of what every body supposed she dreaded the idea, but she met death calmly and with fortitude. Lady Lilford and her younger sons were with her. ^ Lady HoUand — See Appendix. 2F 450 THE TWO DUCHESSES. The Hon. Mrs. Lamb To Augustus Foster. Devonshire House, Monday, July 20, 1846. My dear Augustus, — Here I am indeed in the tourbillon, such as I never thought to have mixed in again; a great ball to-night — a dinner first to Royalties — this, however, I am not to be at, the tables were full. I don't go to any parties out of the house, and the heat is so overcoming that I shall be happy to find myself at Melbourne again, where I return with Lord Melbourne: he is, of course, not able to come to these parties, though pretty well. Lord Beauvale has suffered much from gout, and wants to go to Buxton. Lady Carlisle goes back Tuesday, and all the world seems on the wing. I am very glad Frederick enjoys himself, and can be driven about. Lady Palmerston says they have nothing to give, and are tormented with applications. It is reported Lord Minto is to go to Vienna; he did not wish it originally. Tuesday. I hear things are not quite settled. Ministers were beat on the question of the Bishopricks of Bangor and St. Asaph in the Lords, and will be, very likely, on the sugar duties in the Commons; if so, they mean to dissolve, so, what will come of it all? Nothing, it seems, is ever to be fixed again. The fete last night was most brilliant. The new fashion of dinners is to have several little round tables instead of one large one, and it seems to answer and to be thought pleasant. Every body's FROM LADY BYRON. 45 I place was settled beforehand, and the lady's name on her plate. Lady Pollington rebelled and tried not to sit in her allotted place; she ran away, but was brought back. Lord Salisbury^ has been a second time refused by Lady Mary West; there are many jokes about it; he was overheard telling her he should not live above five years, and then she would be a rich widow; she asked him for 24 hours to consider, and was heard to say, " I'll tell you at Lady Shelley's ", but, however, it ended in a refusal, and he looks very sheepish. She said there were some things she liked in him, his caring for the poor, and living in the country, and that she could like him better than the idle dandies about town. Lady Byron To Vere Foster. Brighton, February 14, 1854. Wishing to contribute anonymously I will trouble you with the inclosed 480 quarts of soup and the use of the tickets. The entrance of a third person prevented me from expressing all the sympathy I felt in your earnest desire for Truth, and my wish that your Life may be the means of promoting it — for "the Life is the Light" in no mystical sense, but as matter of fact open to the observation of every one, — Believe me, with sincere esteem, yours, A. J. Noel Byron. "^ Lord Salisbury— ]Am^s B. W. G. Cecil, eighth Earl and second Marquis of S. (1791-1868), father of the present Prime Minister. He married first in 1821 Frances Gascoyne, by whom he had seven children, including the present Marquis, and secondly, in 1847 Lady Mary West (whose second refusal was not final), daughter of the Earl of Delawarr, by whom he had five children. 452 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Lady Byron To Vere Foster. October 6, 1855. I have not as much time to write to you by this post as I could wish. But as your stay at Kirkby,^ for which I heartily thank you, will be drawing to a close, I will touch on one or two points. Your observations are all of a very useful character. As to the differeiice, I believe that which is gener- ally recognized as to man and wife is true of most intimate associations — that if the parties cannot settle their own quarrel, nobody can do it for them. Regulations made by authority, even if it were possible to secure their justice, are likely to irritate one side at least. However, I will consider the matter. Congeniality seems to me essential between the two heads of the school. Have you heard Miss F.? I quite agree about the Crochet, and have more than once urged the bread-making occupations in preference to the Lady-like. Brick floor shall be attended to. . . . Lady Byron To Vere Foster. Brighton, October'], 1855. On reading your letter again I saw that you had heard both plaintiffs. If the wife of the future In- cumbent should prove, as I hope, a kind and sensible ^ Kirkby — Kirkby-Mallory in Leicestershire, where Lady Byron owned an estate. FROM LADY BYRON. 453 person, she may have a good influence on such matters, and pi^eseiU legislation is so much better than absent — or Colonial — that I should willingly waive my rights. Mr. Noel does much more than could be expected from any regular Land Agent with respect to Schools and plans for the Poor, but it is not the province in which he is specially qualified to judge, and his opinions are not always coincident with my own, though his aims are. The Pastoral Institution, were it properly carried out, would complete the economy of a rural district better than any other means. What is your opinion of the course which might be most effectual in lessening the temptation to drunkenness in such a Villao-e.'^ Games.-* Good Readers reading amusing stories to small groups? Little Exhibitions.'* I dare not propose what I should think best — Dramatic Representations. Lady Byron To Vere Foster. February 5, 1856. Much might be said in answer to Mr. Barnard's^ enquiry about Preventive Institutions. I wish I know who could say it. Ill as I have been and still am, I can neither attempt to give detailed accounts nor to methodize facts. I will merely express such views as arise without effort in my mind, and you or Mr. Barnard may pick out something from them. 1 Mr. Barnard — The Hon. Henry Barnaid, a distinguished American educa- tionist. 454 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Thirty years ago all the Educational Institutions in Engrland miorht be called " Preventive " in the sense of obstructing Nature. istly. The physical demands in the first instance — Fresh Air, Exercise, Relief of Muscles, &c. 2ly. The mental demands — Instruction appro- priate to the age, to the powers and aptitude of the Subject. 3ly. The moral demands — Means of exercising the best dispositions and acquiring the best habits, and of putting precepts into practice in mutual relations. Education was then really, as it is in a great measure still, a plan for preventing health of body and mind. Good Education might perhaps be more justly called Promotive than Preventive according to these views. But, accepting the word "Preventive" in its now popular signification as opposed to the development of Evil, I will put down what I have had reason from an experience with several hundreds of boys since 1834 to believe the great, and if administered before bad habits have become inveterate, the un- failing Prevention of Moral Evil and of Intellectual Perversion. I St. At least as many hours of the day spent in the open air and in active pursuits as indoors and in sedentary tasks. 2ly. A practical object intelligible and attractive to the young mind connected with the active em- ployment. (This is especially the case when Garden Allotments are rented by boys, and more or less in trade work.) FROM LADY BYRON. 455 3ly. Order, for the exercise of Obedience and Self Controul, never passing into severe discipline — viola- tion of Order being a cause of the loss of social or other privilege of the Offender. 4ly. Liberty. Herein De Fellenberg^ said that the Schoolmaster should imitate Providence, not with- drawing Temptations entirely (were it possible), but ever watching over those exposed to them, often unconsciously to the objects of his care. They will thus learn to know themselves, and be stronger for having failed. The man who acts this Guardian part in the spirit of cheerfulness and hope always attaches boys. 5ly. Variety of Stimuli applied occasionally to discover and test various kinds of ability latent in different Individuals — for Music, Drawing, Building, Moulding, &c., with promise of cultivation to this special talent, directly or indirectly. Every faculty rightly trained is preventive of its misuse, and I might have added under each of the former heads how they prevented some form of practical or ima- ginative error. 6ly. Affectionate reference to Parents (where of a character to meet it) by little acts of kindness. Family feelings in some way to be brought out. ^\\€\x pre- ventive power was well known to Shakespeare when he made Lady Macbeth say, "Had he not resembled my Father as he slept / had done it ". Among the lower humanizing influences Kindness to Animals is to be made part of the Education. The care of them contributes to this. 1 De FellenbergSec Appendix. 456 THE TWO DUCHESSES. 7. As Nature is presented to the young Gardener, who has to make a profit of his Httle Allotment (generally one sixteenth of an Acre) in the Utilitarian point of view only, it should be an object to awaken his sense of Natural Beauty by Holiday excursions to scenes which are likely to make such impressions through contrast with the monotony of his common Locale. Coleridge speaks of the ministering influ- ence of Nature even on hardened Criminals, and their Preventive influences on the unhardened are too little appreciated. Ruskin says, "The whole force of Education until very lately has been directed in every possible way to the destruction of the love of Nature ", and afterwards, " The next character we have to note in the Landscape Instinct (and on this much stress is to be laid) is its total inconsistency with evil passion; its absolute contrariety — whether in the contest it were crushed or not — to all care, hatred, envy, anxiety, and moroseness ". He does not say that in certain characters the love of Nature may not a/ternate with evil passion, but they cannot co-exist. To refer, however, from theory to fact, De Fellenberg told me that the Mountain excursions of his boys in Switzerland were as conducive to their moral as to their physical improvement. To some of those English boys, now men engaged in active life, the remembrance of those rambles always brings back a purifying and elevating influence. In my own village schools I have traced similar effects, though my means of affording such enjoyments were comparatively very limited. Ought not the Sabbath to be devoted at least occasionally to the opening of FROM LADY BYRON. 457 the blind eye to "all the glories of the Light". How many of those who sing the Evening Hymn have ever raised their eyes to a Sunset with grateful ad- miration? Might not such associations be formed with the silvery moon and countless stars as could not "co-exist" with the purposes of the nocturnal plunderer.-* If I have dwelt long on this Preventive Culture it is because it is usually thought one of the weakest, and is in my opinion one of the most effectual means. But there must be an Esthetic touch in the School- master to elicit any thing beyond Self-interest in connexion with "this goodly Universe" from the minds of his pupils. Sly. As preventive of extravagance Savings Banks for the boys' pence — habits of care and forethought also called forth with respect to the Garden Produce, either for its preservation from weather and other injury or from decay after being gathered in, I have said enough to show my principle, which has been most successfully tested in practice, of leaving no neglected soil for weeds to occupy. There is a fault which may be called an exaggeration of this principle — the over cultivation of the human mind, and of which there have been sad examples both in private and public Education. But then Nature was utterly disregarded in the kind of culture, and in nothing more palpably and mischievously, as is now recognized, than in the substitution of words for things. You will learn something of what has been the result of viy, or rather De Fellenberg's principles 458 THE TWO DUCHESSES. during an eighteen years' trial, if you will make searching inquiries of Mr. Atlee, to whom the in- closed is addressed. If there had ever been a "Village Historian" the plan would doubtless have been more generally tried. I was obliged to be content with doing, in trust that all is not lost which is not published. — Yours very truly, A. J. Noel Byron. Lady Byron To Vere Foster. Brighton, February i8, 1856. Dear Mr. Foster, — I expressed in my letter on education the use which I wished to have made of it, merely to afford suggestions or fragments from which a more complete system might be formed. I did not revise it with a view to its publication in any other way. Never having aimed at Authorship, I got out my ideas just sufficiently for them to be taken up if worth any thing by those better able to give them a popular form. , . . You will be glad to hear that I am promoted to the Drawing room for a few hours daily. On Sunday last — I don't know whether it was so throughout England — all the preachers in Brighton took the Sabbath for their subject, and abridgments of their discourses are in the Brighton Examiner. Such a heap of Rubbish; but it is, I hope, in the act of being "shot" to form a foundation for something better — not that I am for obliterating Sunday, but I would no longer have FROM LADY BYRON. 459 it, as Ross called it, the ''vicarious day", atoning for all the sins of the Week! Griffiths, though very liberal in most things, could not assent to the Re- creative or renewing principle of a seventh day, both to health of mind and body. You will see how little disposed the County of Leicester is, compared with the other Counties of England, to give pecuniary support to a Reforma- tory. They ought to be stirred up by some eloquent Appeal from a Lawyer, Clergyman, or Layman. ;^200 per annum more is wanted. Mr. Young undertakes the responsibility of superintending 25 boys — not more, on account of other duties, and, I am sorry to say, delicate health. But with a power- ful Master, an Ex-Director would be less needed. Yours very truly, A. J. Noel Byron. Mrs. Pollen declares that the Southern States are not serious in the threat of War, because they know it would raise the Slave population. Lady Byron To Vere Foster. February 28, 1856. I see that the next Reformatory meeting is to be on the I St. Shall you attend? I want to find out what course the R. Catholics are taking. Patrick Murray, Catholic Publisher, has just published a pamphlet, which I like, in their favour. As regards Ireland, if there should be a R. Catholic Association in Leicester, I should be inclined to subscribe a 460 THE TWO DUCHESSES. trifle to it as a Testimony. I did not consider it a Theological question. Lady Byron To Vere Fostei\ March 18, 1856. Your letter received to-day contains much which is not only very interesting to me, but which can be turned to good account. ... Mr Young is to preach the Visitation Sermon at Leicester, and he means to include the subject of Reformatories. The Rev. Charles Rattcliffe of that County has sent me a pamphlet advocating that object, and addressed to Lord Calthorpe — not very clever. I have no confi- dence in Reformatories for Adults in the heart of a Town. Have you heard of the attempt made by Mr. C. Buxton in Spitalfields to withdraw the people from the Public House on Sunday evenings by opening a room where they will find amusing occupation? I have been talking to some of those best acquainted with the condition of the working class only just above pauperism about the means of affording them some relief on Sunday without leaving them more money to spend at the Public House after receiving their wages on Saturday. This is what I would do, if it could be made practicable. On condition of their paying into a deposit Fund, the accumulation of which should belonsf to them at a certain period — so many pence or farthings, on FROM LADY BYRON. \6l Saturday they should find ready-dressed for them a Sunday's dinner, to be taken from the Kitchen (wherever appointed) to their homes by Family Men or Women, and perhaps eaten on the spot by the aged or infirm Single. I see these advantages in the plan : 1. Relieving the Poor from preparations for the meal and by the service of the Rich — a bond of Union. 2. Obviating the Sunday's dealings with Bakers, &c., which many, and I also, think better avoided. 3. Giving to the day an association with Charity, which it has not either in the R. Catholic Church or ours. Perhaps you would accept an invitation from me, as I should have a room to spare next week, before you go to Ireland. I am much gratified by Mr. Ross's engagement to a daughter of the well known Sterling, whose life was written by Carlisle — a very superior young woman, and calculated to be a real Help-mate. I have borne the severe weather tolerably. P.S. — I must communicate to you an idea sug- gested to me by Mr. Ross, that in order to obviate the reasonable objection to having places of amuse- ment and instruction open on the Sabbath, namely, the hardship upon the door-keepers, &c., there should be Sunday Volunteers for that office. . . . 462 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Lady Byron To Vere Foster. March 28, 1856. The " Five Points" which I send is chiefly an Appeal for pecuniary aid, and ought to be met. I should like to entrust to you when you go to New York any larger contribution in order to be sure of its proper application, but I will remit a Subscription through Mrs. Follen 7iow. I must also trouble you with money for the postage and purchase in the United States of any printed reports, &c., which might serve my objects here. I shall have copied for you a sad report of the Peckleton Reformatory, adding another proof of the folly of attempting reformation by the stern retribu- tive course such as the Leicester Magistrates require of the Schoolmaster. Amongst the indirect mischief of Executions is to be reckoned their charm for Law-breakers, to whom what "some deem danger is delight ". I doubt whether the Reformatory can succeed under the direction of such Magistrates. Mr. Young himself is too timid and despondent. . . . Lady Byron To Vere Foster. Ham, May 5, 1856. I sent to ask you to stay to see Lady Annabella, who was expected. Ockham can't go to the United States, but I have FROM LADY BYRON. 463 an idea that I can get him, though only on condition of working, on board the Atlantic Cable vessel. Ask him if he would like it. You want a Tour without an object, if possible; but I suppose it must be to the Moon. Lord P.^ won't be allowed to resign by the People. Lady Byron To Vere Foster. Brighton, May 13, 1856. . . . I shall be glad to hear what success you have met with in the Girls' Emigration scheme. The value of that article will, I hope, rise in the market in consequence. Believe me, always truly yours. Lady Byron To Vere Foster. Brighton, /«/?^ 14, 1856. Dear Mr. Foster, — I am just going to London, No. 4 Cavendish Square, till the 25th inst., and then No. I Cambridge Terrace, Regent's Park, a house which I have taken for the summer, thinking it a happy medium between town and country; and when I am tired of my fellow creatures I can find society almost as rational in the Zoological Gardens. I may well say this after reading what you have to endure from the folly of those who prove their knowledge ^ Lord P. — Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister from 1855 to 1858, and again from 1859 till his death in 1865 (1784-1865). 464 THE TWO DUCHESSES. of God by their ignorance of Man! At the same time I am hearing how Mr. Young is reviled in Leicestershire, and excluded from the Reformatory as a Papist in disguise. A man's religion seems every- where to be his neighbour's business, not his own. Do not for want of ^5, which I shall be happy to give for such a purpose, allow any Emigrant in real need to lose the passage. " The Philanthropist " paper must be given up for want of funds. Believe me, yours very truly, A. J. Noel Byron. Lady Byron To Vere Foster. Ham Common, March 18, 1857. The wish expressed by Mr. West that I should see the printed paper containing his views makes it less presumptuous than it would otherwise be on my part to offer some remarks. I do not know whether you are aware that, notwithstanding my personal intimacy with some of the Abolitionists, I have scrupulously avoided any appearance of concurring in their mode of action. It has appeared to me too vehemently antagonistic ; but I own that since I have known the cruel course pursued by Slave Owners towards Opponents who had not provoked them by any kind of hostility beyond the simple expression of Dissent, I have doubted whether that opinion of mine were not a mistake. It is of little moment whether it be so or not. As to Mr. West's plan, the chief feature of which, the Emancipation of the Unborn, presumes their FROM LADY BYRON. 465 Parents to remain in Slavery. We, in England, should think it rather strange if the Owners of Cotton Mills or Collieries, so ill-managed as to shorten the Jives or injure the powers of the men employed in them, were merely to give security to those workmen that such evils should not descend to their Children. I sympathize with the living more than with the future generation. The social condition under which the Children of the next twenty years may be born will in all probability be so changed as to frustrate our plans for them, but our Cotemporaries belong to us, as part of the World's Common Weal. Ameliora- tions long talked of are less likely than ever to be carried into effect under the mutual exasperation of Masters and Slaves, and also with the new views promulgated as to the Servile position. What is to be hoped for? What can be done for the redress or mitigation of actual wrongs? Provi- dence must show the way, either through the agency of some unforeseen political convulsion, or through the influence of some Master-mind. In the mean time let Right Thought spread as widely as possible, supported by Right Action only when a conflict with Wrong Action is inevitable. Oppression has, I fear, never yet been remedied peacefully. The Host must perish in the Red Sea. It was their own doing, however, rather than that of Moses. I quite entei into the horror of civil discord felt by Mr. West. Some American Authorities have contended that more decision on the part of the North would pre- vent it. Believe me, yours very truly, A. J. Noel Byron. 2a 466 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Lady Byron To Vere Foster. March 25, 1857. Next month I hope to say something better of myself than I can at present. Happily I can enter into distant interests as well when I am bed-ridden as at any other time, and feel great pleasure in the continued success of your endeavours^ for the good of those who would otherwise, it appears, have no helper. I will send you some American papers. Is not Buchanan's^ " Laissez aller" about the Slave Ques- tion very favourable to the free cause. Lady Byron To Vere Foster. Full text of a letter from Lady Byron, inclosing the gift of two ;^20 shares in the Original Atlantic Telegraph. February i, 1859. A bit of Waste paper. I hope Lady Albinia is well; I am not. 1 Your endeavours — This refers to two special schemes carried out by Mr. Foster from 1849 to 1897, in aiding the building, flooring with boards in lieu of damp clay, or equipment of upwards of 2000 National Schoolhouses situated in every County in Ireland ; and in assisting the emigration of honest poor girls between 18 and 30 years of age from the congested districts of the West of Ireland, with the hearty co-operation of all the R. Catholic parish priests and curates without a single exception, in addition to nearly all the Protestant clergy. More than twelve hundred clergymen co-operated with Mr. F. , and upwards of 25,000 girls were so assisted, about one-tenth of the expense being met by subscriptions, and the rest supplied by Mr. F. Owing to want of funds both these schemes are now in abeyance. ' Buchanan — ^James Buchanan, President of the United States from 1857 to 1S61 (1791-1868). FROM LADY BYRON. 467 Lady Byron To Vere Foster. February 28, 1859. I wish for your opinion on a question concerning my eldest Grandson, and if you should agree with me, I may ask some assistance from your kindness in promoting the object by kindly communicating it to him, as your representations would be likely to have influence. It is to bringr him into Parliament for some Con- stituency to which an Advocate of the Working Classes would be welcome. On consulting with some of Ockham's best friends, I find that this is thought the only chance for changing his present habits of inertness and self-neglect, not, however, connected, as far as known, with any bad propensities, and he has ceased to be intemperate. If, therefore, at such a moment, a mental stimulus could be given him, it might work probably; and should he not have power to speak in Public, his lineage and pro- spects would give a certain weight to his Vote You will see in to-day's Times, what I had known from a private source, that there will be an Election for Greenwich in April. The proximity to Millwall miofht be somethino- in his sicfht, and the Voters are very radical. Admiral Dundas, who was once the Member, is said to have most interest there, and I could obtain help from other (Metropolitan) Mem- bers, but the difficulty will be to make Ockham enter into the scheme. 468 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Trusting to your kindness, I send this long story, which could not be shortened. The Father will take no part. I would supply a few hundreds. The following copy of a letter, which purports to have been written by Napoleon Bonaparte, has been found among the papers of my father, the late Sir Augustus J. Foster, Bart. It appears to have been addressed in the year 1 797 to Citizen Barras,^ a member of the French Republican Directorate. I have not been able to authenticate it, and insert it here merely in the hope that it may fall under the notice of some one who may inform me of its being a true copy of an original really written by Napoleon, There are evidently some faults of tran- scription, and one word in the copy I have is un- decipherable. Vere Foster. Belfast, /««««/-_)/ i, 1897. 4 Vendemiaire. Citoyen, — Je suis malade, et j'ai besoin de repos. Je demande ma demission. Donnez la si tu es mon ami. 2 ans dans une campagne pres de Paris re- tablira ma sante, et redonnera a mon caractere la popularite que la continuity du pouvoir . Je suis esclusif dans ma maniere de sentir et d'agir, et j'estime le coeur bien plus que la tete. Bonaparte. Je suis au desespoir. Ma femme ne vint pas; elle a quelques amans que la retienne a Paris. Je maudis toutes les femmes mais J'embrase de coeur mes bons amis. Bonaparte. ^ Barras — See Appendix. APPENDIX. (P. 5.) The Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry. — The following obituary of Lord Bristol is taken from the Gentle?tian''s Magazine for 1803, p. 769: — August 8. At Albano, near Rome, of a severe attack of the gout, Frederick Hervey, Earl of Bristol, grandson of the first earl, m which title he succeeded his brother, Augustus John, 1779, and Bishop of Cloyne 1767, of Derry 1768, and a privy-councillor of Ireland. He was born in 1730; educated at Mr. Newcome's school at Hackney; admitted of Corpus Christi College, Cam- bridge, 1747, where he took no degree; but the honorary one of D.D. was conferred on him by mandamus. He was appointed chaplain -in -ordinary to the king, and a principal clerk of the privy-seal, both which he resigned when appointed a bishop. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Germayn Davers, who died at Ickworth, Suffolk, Dec. 19, 1800, by whom he had two sons, George, late captain of the Zealous man-of-war, and Augustus John, and two [three, V.F.] daughters, Mary, married to John, Lord Erne, of Ireland, and Elizabeth, married to John Thomas Foster [and Louisa, married to Lord Hawkesbury, afterwards Earl of Liverpool, prime minister from 18 12 to 1827, V.F.]. He was among the leaders of the Irish patriots during the American war, and a member of the famous Convention of Volunteer Delegates held in DubUn in 1782 [1783, V.F.], on which occasion he was escorted from Derry to Dublin by a regiment of volunteer cavalry, and received military honours in every town through which he passed on that long journey. His lordship was building at his family seat at Ickworth a villa on the Italian model by Italian architects and artists of every class, to which he had appropriated ;^i 2,000 annually, and the ornaments of which are so tender and sharp as to require covering to preserve them from injury by the external air. As an amateur, connoisseur, and indefatigable l)rotector of the fine arts he died at his post surrounded by artists, whose talents his judgment had directed and whose wants his 470 THE TWO DUCHESSES. liberality had relieved. His love of the sciences was only sur- passed by his love of his country and his generosity to the unfor- tunate of every country; neither rank nor power escaped his resentment when any illiberal opinion was thrown out against England. In 1798 he was arrested by the French in Italy, and confined in the castle of Milan; was plundered by the republicans of a valuable and well-chosen collection of antiquities, which he had purchased with a view of transmitting to his native country, and was betrayed and cheated by many Italians whose benefactor he had been. But neither the injustice nor the ingratitude of mankind changed his liberal disposition; he no sooner recovered his liberty than new benefactions forced even the ungrateful to repent, and the unjust to acknowledge his elevated mind. The Earl of Bristol was one of the greatest English travellers (a capacity in which his merits have been duly appreciated by the celebrated Martin Sherlock), and there is not a country in Europe where the distressed have not obtained his succour and the oppressed his protection. He may truly be said to have clothed the naked and fed the hungry, and, as ostentation never constituted real charity, his left hand did not know what his right hand distri- buted. The tears and lamentations of widows and orphans have discovered his philanthropy when he is no more; and letters from Swiss patriots and French emigrants, from Italian Catholics and German Protestants, prove the noble use his lordship made of his fortune indiscriminately to the poor, destitute, and unprotected of all countries, of all parties, and of all religions. But, as no man is without his enemies, and envy is most busy about the most deserv- ing, some of his lordship's singularities have been the object of calumny, and his pecularities ridiculed as affected; when the former were only the effect of pure conduct, unrestrained by ceremony, because it meant no harm, and the latter the consequence of an entire independence, long enjoyed, serviceable to many, baneful to none. Do., p. 836. The late Earl of Bristol, when in Italy, distinguished himself by a peculiarity of dress. He wore a ivhite hat edged with purple, a coat of crimson silk or velvet (according to the season), a black sash spangled with silver, and purple stockings. It need hardly be added, what was the fact, that the good inhabitants of Naples and other places looked upon this fanciful suit as the cos- tume of an Irish bishop. APPENDIX. 471 The following is copied from Memoirs of James Caulfield, Earl of Charkmont, by Francis Hardy, 18 10: — " If this work should chance to survive the present day, those who come after may not be incurious to learn something, however slight, of that singular man. He was the son of Lord Hervey, so generally but so imperfectly known by the malign antithesis and epigrammatic lines of Pope. His mother. Lady Hervey, was also the subject of that poet's muse, but his muse when playful and in good humour. Two noblemen of very distinguished talents, the Earls of Chesterfield and Bath, have also celebrated her in a most witty and popular ballad (see verses on Molly Lepel — Lady Hervey was the daughter of General Lepel). Lord Bristol was a man of considerable parts, but far more brilliant than solid. His family was indeed famous for talents; equally so for eccentricity, and the eccentricity of the whole race shone out and seemed to be concen- trated in him. In one respect he was not unlike Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. 'Everything by starts and nothing long'; generous but uncertain; splendid but fantastical; an admirer of the fine arts, without any just selection; engaging, often licentious in conversa- tion; extremely polite, extremely violent; — it is incontestably true that amidst all his erratic course his bounty was not seldom directed to the most proper and deserving objects. His distribution of church livings, as I have been informed, among the older and respectable clergy in his own diocese, must always be mentioned with that warm approbation which it is justly entitled to. It is said (how truly, I know not) that he had applied for the bishopric of Dublin, afterwards for the lieutenancy of Ireland; was refused both, and hinc illae lacryj?iae, hence his opposition. But the inequality, the irregular flow of his mind at every period of his life, sufficiently illustrate his conduct at this peculiar and momentous period. Such, however, was this illustrious prelate, who, notwith- standing he scarcely ever attended Parliament, and spent most of his time in Italy, was now called upon to correct the abuses of Parliament, and direct the vessel of state in that course where statesmen of the most experience and persons of the calmest judg- ment have had the misfortune totally to fail. His progress from his diocese to the metropolis, and his entrance into it, were perfectly correspondent to the rest of his conduct. Through every town on the road he seemed to court, and was received with, all warlike honours, and I remember seeing him pass by the Parliament House 472 THE TWO DUCHESSES. in Dublin (Lords and Commons were then both sitting) escorted by a body of dragoons, full of spirits and talk, apparently enjoying the eager gaze of the surrounding multitude, and displaying alto- gether the self-complacency of a favourite marshal of France on his way to Versailles, rather than the grave deportment of a prelate of the Church of England." (P. III.) Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the eminent Irish dramatist, was educated first in Dubhn and afterwards at Harrow. He gave no promise as a boy of the brilliancy which he after- wards displayed as a man, being pronounced a hopeless dunce by all his teachers. He does not seem to have been brought up to any regular employment, and after his elopement and marriage in 1773 with a Miss Linley, a public singer of great beauty and accomplishments, his prospects did not seem bright, more espe- cially as he insisted on a point of pride that his wife should give up her profession. As the readiest resource he betook himself to literature, and in January, 1775, his first comedy. The Rivals, was produced. Damned on its first appearance through certain de- ficiencies in the acting, this piece on its repetition found gradually the favour with the public which its wit and vivacity deserved, and made the reputation of the writer. In the course of the year following Sheridan followed up his success by a farce of no very great merit, and a second comedy. The Duenna, among the sparkling dialogue of which are interspersed some songs of exquisite merit. He now became partner of the Drury Lane Theatre, and in 1777 The School for Scatidal was produced there. This, which is by much his greatest effort, instantly leaped into the popularity it has ever since continued to retain. His other works for the stage were the inimitably clever farce, The Critic, in 1779, and, after a long interval. The Stranger and Pizarro, in 1798, both adapted from the German of Kotzebue. Leigh Hunt observes of The School for Scandal that, with the exception of too great a length of dialogue without action in its earher scenes, it is a very con- centration and crystallization of all that is sparkling, clear, and compact in the materials of pure comedy. Through the influence of Fox he was enabled to enter the House of Commons in 1780. He gave a warm and consistent support to the Whig party, and during the Marquis of Rockingham's administration held the office APPENDIX. 473 of Under Secretary of State, but he possessed none of the high quahties of a statesman, and as a debater he gradually degenerated into a useless, though amusing speaker, familiarly joked at by the public, admired but disesteemed by his friends. He never failed to amuse the House, and when stirred by the trumpet-call of a great occasion he was capable of rising to heights of noble eloquence. In particular, his famous speech urging the impeachment of Warren Hastings is still traditionally remembered as perhaps the very grandest triumph of oratory in a time prolific of such triumphs. {From Chambers s Encyclopedia and Beeton^s Dictionary of Universal Biography.) (P. 123.) La Comtesse de la Marche was daughter of Frederick William H., King of Prussia, and Wilhelmina, Countess of Lichtenau, of whom the following account appears in Meyer's EficyclopcBdia, Berlin, 1896: — " Lichtenau (Wilhelmina, Countess of), mistress of Frederick William H. of Prussia, was born December 29, 1752, in Potsdam, She died June 9, 1820, in Berlin. She was the daughter of the musician Enke of Hildburghausen. " The then Prince of Prussia, afterwards King Frederick William n., made her acquaintance when she was 13 years old at her sister's house, who was a dancer at the Italian Opera in Berlin. The Prince had her educated in Paris and in Potsdam, where intimate intercourse followed. Five children were born, who received the title of Counts and Countesses of the Mark. "In 1782 she was married to Rietz (Ritz), Groom of the Chamber. When Frederick was crowned King of Prussia Rietz was made Groom of the Privy Chamber. Although Rietz's wife was superseded in the King's favour by the Countess of Voss and the Donhoff, she succeeded in retaining his friendship till 1796, when she received the title of Countess of Lichtenau, which admitted her to Court. The King gave her also the sum of 500,000 thalers, several estates, and a dowry of 200,000 thalers to her daughter. Countess Marianne of the Mark (a son. Count of the Mark, died when nine years old) on the occasion of her marriage with Count Stolberg. She retained the King's affection and confidence, which she never misused, till his death in 1797. " King Frederick William III. then arrested and opened pro- ceedings against her, but nothing could be laid to her charge. 474 THE TWO DUCHESSES. Nevertheless she was kept prisoner at Glogau, only regaining her liberty by surrendering all her property, in return for which she received a pension of 4000 thalers a year. A marriage which she contracted with the dramatic poet Holbein in 1802 was dissolved in 1806. In 181 1 a portion of her estates were returned to her. " See the Apologie of Countess L., edited by Schummel, Breslau, 1808, two volumes; the Memoirs put out under her name {1808) are not genuine." (P. 153.) Sir Augustus Foster. — Sir Augustus John Foster, Bart., P.C., and G.C.H., of Stonehouse, County Louth, was born in 1780. He was the second son of John Thomas Foster, M.P., and Elizabeth, second daughter of Frederick Hervey, third Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry. He was educated at Drogheda and Christ College, Oxford. He entered the army as cornet in the Royal Horse Guards (blue) in 1799, and studied at Weimar under Mons. Mounier, who afterwards became private secretary to Napoleon. In 1803 he visited Greece in company with his cousin John Leslie Foster and the Earl of Aberdeen. He entered the Diplomatic Service in 1804, being appointed Secretary of Legation at Washington. On his return to Europe in 1808 he was appointed Charge d'Affaires at Stockholm, whence he was expelled by order of Napoleon in 1810. In February, 181 1, he was appointed Minister to the United States, and on the breaking out of war between England and the United States in 18 12 he returned to England, and in 18 14 received the appointment of Minister to Denmark. He remained at Copenhagen ten years, and in 1824 was appointed in the same capacity at the court of the King of Sardinia. He was created a baronet in 1831, and after a residence of sixteen years at Turin retired from the public service in 1840. Sir A. married in 181 5 Albinia Jane Hobart, daughter of the Hon. George Vere Hobart, second son of George, third Earl of Buckinghamshire, and by her had issue three sons, namely, Frederick John, the Rev. Cavendish Hervey, and Vere Henry Louis. Sir Augustus died in 1848, and his wife Lady Albinia Foster in 1867. (P. 156.) Lord Castlereagh (Robert Stewart, Viscount APPENDIX. 475 Castlereagh, a celebrated diplomatist and minister), eldest son of the first Marquis of Londonderry. He entered the Irish Parlia- ment in 1789, although then under age. He was made Chief Secretary for Ireland in 1798. It was the year of the Insurrection and of the French Invasion, and therefore some allowance must be made for the terrible severities employed by the Irish Govern- ment; yet the cruel part he acted or tolerated in Ireland in suppressing the rebellion and effecting the union always weighed upon his reputation. He afterwards held the positions of Presi- dent of the Board of Control in theAddington administration, and secretary successively of the War and Colonial Departments under Mr. Pitt, until the death of the latter in 1806, wlien he resigned. He resumed the office of Minister of War in the following year, and in 181 2, after the assassination of Mr. Perceval, the Prime Minister, he became Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the ministry of Lord Liverpool, which post he held during the period illustrated by the military achievements of the Duke of Wellington. " By this time the general direction of British policy had become unalterably fixed by circumstances, and Lord Castlereagh has at least the merit of having pursued this fixed course with a steadi- ness, and even obstinacy, which nothing could abate. He was the soul of the coalition against Bonaparte, and it was only by his untiring exertions and through his personal influence that it was kept together." He represented England at the Congress of Vienna in 1814, and at the Treaty of Paris in 181 5. By the death of his father in 182 1, he became Marquis of Londonderry, but his mind became deranged, and he died by his own hand in 1822. "This statesman, looked upon by one party as a paragon of perfection, has been characterised by the other party 'as the most intolerable mischief that ever was cast by an angry Providence on a helpless people'." — Chambers's Eficyc/ojxedia. 1769-182 2. (P. 185.) Thk Earl of Aberdeen. — The following particulars are taken from Blackie & Son's Popular Encydopcedia : — George Hamilton Gordon, Earl of Aberdeen, was born at Edinburgh, 28th January, 1784. He was educated at Harrow, and afterwards at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1804. He had previously, in 1801, accompanied as attache Lord Cornwallis's embassy to France, which resulted in 476 THE TWO DUCHESSES. the signing of the treaty of Amiens in the following year. Before returning home he proceeded south to Greece; and, after travers- ing that ancient land with all the enthusiasm of an ardent classical scholar, retraced his steps to England through Turkey and Russia. Shortly after his return he estabUshed the Athenian Society, one indispensable qualification for being a member of which was to have visited Greece, and from this circumstance the epithet of " Athenian Aberdeen " was affixed to Lord Aberdeen by Lord Byron. As the result of his classical studies and investigations he contributed an article to the Edinburgh Review on the topography of Troy, in which he somewhat severely handled Sir William Gell, and also wrote an introduction to Wilkins's translation of Vitru- vius, giving an account of the progress of architecture in Greece, an essay subsequently published in a separate form in 1822. In 1806 Lord Aberdeen entered Parliament as a Scottish repre- sentative peer, and in 181 3 was intrusted by the British govern- ment with a mission to Austria, for the purpose of inducing the emperor to withdraw from the alliance of his son-in-law, and join the coalition of sovereigns against Bonaparte. In this responsible duty, which was mainly effected through negotiation with Prince Metternich, the young diplomatist acquitted himself with great judgment, and entirely to the satisfaction of the government. At most of the bloody engagements in Northern Germany he was present; and from the experience thus acquired of the horrors of war he appears to have imbibed that aversion to it which at a later period exposed him, in his political administration, to the charges of pusillanimity and want of spirit. On the termination of the war he returned to England, and from this period till 1828 lived in strict retirement. In 18 14 he had been created a British peer, in recognition of the services rendered by him in his diplomatic negotiations with Austria. In 1828 he became Foreign Secretary under the Duke of Wellington. He was a warm sup- porter of the bill repealing the Test and Corporation Acts, a measure effected by the ministry under which he served, and he also advocated the bill for the emancipation of the Roman Catholics. During the short premiership of Sir Robert Peel in 1834-35 he acted as Colonial Secretary, and on the subsequent accession of Sir Robert to the premiership in 1841, again took office as Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Quitting office with his chief in 1846, with whose views on the question of free-trade he APPENDIX. 477 thoroughly coincided, he came, on the death of Sir Robert Peel in 1850, to be regarded as the leader of the Conservative free- trade party. On the inability of the Derby ministry to maintain its place, Lord Aberdeen was instructed to form a cabinet, and accordingly returned to office in 1853 as head of a coalition ministry. The principal event which marks his administration is the Russian war; but the tardiness which he displayed, and unwiUingness to enter into hostilities, the result of his constitu- tional aversion to warlike measures, irritated the country. In 1855, a majority of the House of Commons having decided for the appointment of a committee of inquiry into the conduct of the war, a motion which the Aberdeen ministry had uniformly resisted, the resignation of the cabinet ensued, and Lord Palmer- ston took the post of premier. This event marks the close of Lord Aberdeen's public career; he died on the 14th December, i860. (P. 192.) Young Roscius (William Henry West Betty). His grandfather and father were bleachers of linen at Lisburn, in County Antrim. His mother was the only child of James Stanton, Esq., of Hopton Court, Shropshire. She was a lady of good education and high accomplishments. In the year 1802 the celebrated actress, Mrs. Siddons, visited Belfast. Betty had never before been to a theatre. He was so inspired wath enthusiasm by her acting that, on his return home from the theatre, he told his father that he should certainly die if he was not to be a player. He was then eleven years old. All his ordinary amusements became wearisome and trivial, and henceforth the theatre became the subject of his morning thoughts and midnight dreams. Mr. Aikin, manager of the Belfast theatre, now engaged the boy through his father for a nightly performance commencing August 19, 1803. During the next year, 1804, he acted in the theatres of nearly all the provincial towns of the United Kindgom, cul- minating in December, 1804, in simultaneous engagements at the two great theatres of Covent Garden and Drury Lane, the receipts of these two houses during the first four months of his performance amounting to nearly _3{^40,ooo. On one occasion, on the motion of William Pitt, the House of Commons adjourned to witness his performance of Hamlet. He was usually called Roscius in memory of a celebrated ancient Roman actor of that name. 478 THE TWO DUCHESSES. During 1806 and 1807 Master Betty revisited all the chief towns of the kingdom. At last, after three or four years of hard work, during which the public interest was gradually languishing, and it was recognized that a youth of sixteen or seventeen could no longer be considered a juvenile phenomenon, it was announced at Bath in March, 1808, that he was about to retire from the stage, and in July of that year he withdrew altogether, and entered Cambridge University. It is noteworthy that Mrs. Siddons never condescended to act with him, saying that he was a very clever, pretty boy, but nothing more. On his father's death in 181 1, young Betty, then nearly twenty years of age, returned to the stage, and was able to retain his position as a clever and interesting actor for some years longer, but in August, 1824, he made his positively last appearance. (The above information is chiefly derived from a lecture delivered at Holywood, County Down, by my friend, Mr. W. H. Malcolm, of that town, in the year 1882. — V. F.) 1791-1874. (P. 222.) Caroline Ponsonbv, daughter of Frederick Pon- sonby, Earl of Bessborough, was married June 3, 1805, to the Honourable William Lamb, afterwards Viscount Melbourne, Her Majesty Queen Victoria's first Prime Minister. She became in March, 181 2, passionately infatuated with Lord Byron, of whom she wrote in her diary immediately on her return home after her introduction to him that he was mad, bad, and dangerous to know. He subsequently wrote of her that she was the kindest and ablest female he ever met. After Byron's rupture with her in 1813 her temper became so ungovernable that her husband reluctantly determined upon a separation. While the legal instruments were being prepared, she wrote and sent her first novel, Glenarvon, to the press. However, on the day fixed for the execution of the deed of separation a sudden reconciliation took place, and Lady Caroline was found seated beside her husband feeding him with tiny scraps of trans- parent bread and butter, while the solicitor was waiting below to attest the signatures (see Torrens' Memoirs of Viscount Melbourne^ vol. i. p. 112). "In July, 1824, she accidentally met Byron's funeral procession on its way to Newstead. Though she partially recovered from this sudden shock, her mind became more affected, and in the following year she was separated from her APPENDIX. 479 husband." She died at Melbourne House, Whitehall, on January 26, 1828, aged 42, in the presence of her husband, who had hastened over from Ireland. {Diet, of National Biography.) Mr. Jeaffreson, in his Real Lord Byrott, says of Lady Caroline Lamb that *' it is perhaps no extenuation of her most considerable faults and follies that, in her fantastic and flighty way, she really loved the poet whom she injured so greatly, possibly loved him even when in her jealous wrath she was striking at him with the vicious energy of an enraged tigress". 1 786-1828. (P. 292.) Lines on Charles James Fox. — On inquiry of His Grace, the Duke of Bedford, I find that the lines written by Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, for inscription on the bust of C. J. Fox, now in the Sculpture Gallery of Woburn Abbey, were ultimately slightly altered, and therefore, by His Grace's kind permission, I append the more correct version — Here midst the Friends he loved the man behold In truth unshaken and in virtue bold. Whose Patriot zeal and uncorrupted mind Dared to assert the freedom of mankind: And whilst, extending desolation far. Ambition spread the baneful flames of war. Fearless of blame, and eloquent to save, 'Twas he — 'twas Fox the warning counsel gave: Midst jarring conflicts stemmed the tide of blood. And to the menaced world a sea-mark stood. Oh ! had his voice in mercy's cause prevailed, What grateful millions had the Statesman hailed ! Whose wisdom bade the broils of nations cease, And taught the world humanity and peace! But though he failed successive ages here. The vain, yet pious, effort shall revere, Boast in their annals his illustrious name, Uphold his greatness, and confirm his fame ! — Georgiana Duchess ok Devonshire. (P. 445.) Count Capo d'Istri.^s. — Count John Anthony Capo d'Istrias — a patriot, philanthropist, and able diplomatist — was born at Corfu, Feb. 11, 1776. His family originally came from the 48o THE TWO DUCHESSES. lUyrian town of Capo d'Istria, near Trieste, but had been settled in Corfu for upwards of four hundred years. He began life as a medical student, devoted himself to political life, and after having held a high position in the Ionian Islands, entered the diplomatic service of Russia. In 1813 he became the minister-plenipotentiary of Russia to Switzerland, and gained the favour of the Swiss by advocating the restoration of all the territory which the French had taken from them, and the re-establishment of Helvetian independence. In 1814 he attended the Congress of Vienna, and in the following year was the plenipotentiary of Russia in the arrangement of the final treaty of peace with France. In 1822 he retired from the public service of Russia and retired to Geneva, whence he plotted the undermining of Turkey; and on the separation of Greece from that power, after the battle of Navarino, in which the Turkish and Egyptian fleets were annihilated by the combined British, French, and Russian fleets, under the command of Sir Edward Codrington, on October 20, 1827, he was elected, in January, 1828, President of the Greek Republic for seven years, but was by no means equal to the task which he had undertaken. Everything was in disorder; the people had been long enslaved and knew not how to use their freedom, and the President had been so much imbued with the centralizing principles prevalent at the Courts which he had frequented that some of his measures, especially that restricting the liberty of the press, gave offence to even the most temperate of the enlightened lovers of civil liberty, and his career was cut short by assassination in a church at Nauplia on October 9, 1831, the assassins being George, the son, and Constantine, the brother, of Peter Mauromichali, against whom he was urging on a prosecution for alleged offences against the state. (The above information is culled from the following sources : Encydopcedia Britannica^ Chambers's E^icyclopxdia, Blackie's Popular Encyclopcedia, and Beeton's Dictionary of Universal Bio- graphy) (P. 449.) Elizabeth Vassall Fox, Lady Holland, daughter and heir of Richard Vassall of Jamaica, was first married in 1786 to Sir Godfrey Webster. The marriage was dissolved in June, 1797, by Act of Parliament, on the ground of adultery committed by her with Henry Richard, Lord Holland, whom she married on the 9th of the following month. APPENDIX. 481 The following notice of Lady Holland is copied from the Annual Register of 1845, Appendix to Chronicle, page 314: — " The deceased lady played a very conspicuous part in society, political and literary. Her great attainments, lively wit, her grace and dignity, decidedly placed her at the head of Whig fashion. The charms of the celebrated hospitalities of Holland House in the time of its late revered owners have been made known wherever Hberal thought, literary merit, or eminence in the arts are to be found. For the remarkable position occupied by her ladyship during many years of those daily festivals in which genius, wit, and patriotic hope were triumphant, she was eminently gifted. While her own remarks were full of fire, practical sense, and nice observations, her influence was chiefly felt in the discourse of those whom she directed and inspired, and which, as she impelled it, startled by the most animated contrast, or blended in the most graceful harmonies. Beyond any other hostess, and very far beyond any host, she possessed the tact of perceiving, and the power of evoking the various capacities which lurked in every part of the brilliant circles she drew around her. To enkindle the enthusiasm of an artist on the theme over which he had achieved the most facile mastery; to set loose the heart of the rustic poet, and imbue his speech with the freedom of his native hills; to draw from the adventurous traveller a breathing picture of his most imminent danger; or to embolden the bashful soldier to disclose his own share in the perils and glories of some famous battlefield; to encourage the generous praise of friendship when the speaker and the subject reflected interest on each other, or win the secret history of some effort which had astonished the world, or shed new lights on science; to conduct those brilliant developments to the height of satisfaction, and then to shift the scene by the magic of a word, were among her daily successes. Habituated to a generous partisanship by strong sympathy with a great political cause, she carried the fidelity of her devotion to that cause into her social relations, and was ever the truest and fastest of friends. The tendency, often more idle than malicious, to soften down the intellectual claims of the absent, which so insidiously besets literary conversation, and teaches a superficial insincerity even to substantial esteem and regard, found no favour in her presence. Under her auspices not only all critical, but all personal talk was tinged with kindness; the strong interest which 2H 482 THE TWO DUCHESSES. she took in the happiness of her friends shed a peculiar sunniness over the aspects of Hfe presented by the common topics of alli- ances, and marriages, and promotions; and not a promising engagement, or a wedding, or a promotion of a friend's son, or a new intellectual triumph of any youth with whose name and history she was familiar, but became an event on which she expected and required congratulation, as on a part of her own fortune. If to hail and welcome genius, or even talent, which revered and imitated genius, was one of the greatest pleasures of Lord Holland's life, to search it out, and bring it within the sphere of his noble sympathy, was the delightful study of hers. How often, during the last half century, has the steep ascent of fame been brightened by the genial appreciation she bestowed, and the festal light she cast on its solitude. How often has the assurance of success received its crowning delight amid the genial luxury of her circle, where renown itself has been realized for the first time in all its sweetness." The remains of Lady Holland were interred at Ampthill, Bedfordshire. (P. 455.) De Fellenberg. Emanuel de F., a philanthropic Swiss nobleman, who, after taking part in the public affairs of his country during the occupation of the French, whom he did all in his power to resist, retired entirely from politics, and devoted his whole life to the cause of literary and agricultural education. In 1799 he purchased an estate near Berne, where he organized a system of tuition, which was designed to show what education could do for humanity. His life from this time is a continual record of benevolent enterprises, labours for the diffusion of know- ledge and improvement of the people. He possessed singular tact in disarming the opposition of interested or jealous opponents, and ultimately accomplished a large measure of success for his favourite projects. (Beeton's Dictionary of Universal Biography) 1771-1844. (P. 468.) Paul Count de Barras was a most prominent member of the French Revolutionary Convention, in which he voted for the execution of the King, Louis XVI., without delay or appeal. He was appointed by the Convention Commander-in- Chief in 1794, and was mainly instrumental in overthrowing APPENDIX. 483 Robespierre and the rest of the terrorists. Being again appointed Commander-in-Chief in the following year, he commissioned his young friend, Napoleon Bonaparte, whose military talents he had learned to admire at Toulon, to crush the Paris sections with merciless discharges of artillery. He next became a member of the Directory, consisting of five members, and appointed Napoleon Commander-in-Chief of the army in Italy, and a few days after- wards arranged the marriage of Napoleon with the widow Beau- harnais. On the overthrow of the Directory by Napoleon, on the i8th Brumaire (Nov. 9), 1799, Barras retired into private life. . . . 1755-1829. INDEX. Abbot, Mr., Speaker of the House of Commons, 214. Abercorn, Lady, 207, 234. Abercromie, Colonel, 284. Aberdeen, Earl of, 193, 209, 210, 211, 215, 216, 217, 219, 220, 224, 225, 230, 232, 236, 248, 257, 262, 284, 390, 405; Appendix, 475; letter to Augustus Foster, 185, 187, 188, 190, 207, 213, 241, 24S, 305, 356, 442. — Lady, 236, 310, 443. A'Court, 429. Ada, Lord Byron's daughter (after- wards Lady Lovelace), 430. Adair, 418. Addington, Henry A., 167, 194 ("the Doctor"), 196, 219, 341. Aix, Archbishop of, 179, 181. Alexander, Emperor of Russia, 109, 261, 274, 311, 328, 382, 384, 390, 402, 443. Allecetas, Marquis d', 398. Alten Kirchen, 129. Americans and American affairs, let- ters from Augustus Foster, 203, 206, 226, 229, 239, 246, &c. Arena, attempts life of Bonaparte, 159. Armfelt, Baron d', 172, 323, 375; letter to Augustus Foster, 32S. Ashburner, Mrs., 88, 106. Atholl, Duke of, 189. Atlee, Mr., 458. Auckland, Lord, 271, 325, 326. Augereau, Field -Marshal, 3S0, 383, 403- Augusta, sister of George HI., 8. Augustenbourg, Prince of, 335. Augustus, Prince, of Saxe-Coburg, 8, 22. Austria, Emperor of, 261, 381, 382. Avondale, Lord, 418. Bagot, Charles, 339. Baird, General, 314, 316. Bajocchi, Madame, 412. Banks, Mr., 358, 363. Banks, Sir Joseph, 165. Barham, Lord, 232. Barmeath, 104. Barnard, Hon. Henry, 453. — Lord, 354. Barras, letter from Napoleon Bona- parte, 468. — Paul Count de. Appendix, 482. Barry, i\Irs., 196. Batoni, Pompeo, no, 118. Bay ley. Dean, 40. Beauharnais, Eugene, 382. Beauvale, Lord, 450. Bellasyse, Mr. (Lord Bolingbroke), 239- Bellew, Miss, 28, 109. — Mrs., 113. Bcnixin (Bennigsen), 1 70. Bennet, Mr., 218, 230. Bentinck, Lord W., 333, 342. Beresford, Viscount, 327. Bergamo, 434. Berkeley, Lady, 67. Bernadotte, 388, 389, 390, 391. Bernis, Cardinal de, 33, 34, 38, 78, 107, 108. Berri, Duke of, 385. Bcrlhier, General (Marshal), 153, 383. 486 INDEX. Berlin, Mademoiselle, 88. Bertrand, General, 384, 396. — Madame, 408. Bessborough, Earl of, 11. — Lady, 163, 195, 223, 285, 288, 317, 334> 376, 393. 438, 440. Betty, William Henry West (Young Roscius), Appendix, 477. See Roscius. Billington, Mrs., 304. Birbeck, Madame, 102. Bishop of Derry. See Bristol, Earl of. Bishopswerder, Hans Rodolph, 137. Bittio, 28, 35, 46. Blackall, Miss, 40. Blake, General, 313, 314, 354. Blane, Sir Gilbert, 209. Blayden, Mr., 164. Blayney, Lord, 171. Blucher, Marshal, 383, 406. Bolingbroke, Lord, 239, 24O. Bonaparte (Napoleon L), 159, 160, 164, 171, 172, 173, 179, 180, 192, 210, 243, 244, 255, 298, 306, 313, 315, 316, 318, 321, 327, 329, 331, 342, 346, 349, 360, 375, 376, 379, 381, 383, 386, 391, 392, 393, 395, 396, 398, 400, 401, 402, 404, 405, 408, 410, 411, 412. — Jerome, 206, 211. — Joseph, 334, 345. — Louis, 182, 424. — Madame, 182. — Madame Jerome (Miss Patterson), 197, 221, 222, 234, 294, 296, 297. — Madame Lucien, 424. Bond, Mrs., 4. Borghese, Princess, 412, 423. Boringdon, Lady, 203. Bourke, Mr., 395. Bourne, Sturges, 339. Brand, Mrs., 109. Brandenburg, House of, 141. Bristol, Countess of, letter to the Bishop, 81 ; letter to Lady Eliza- beth Foster, 82, 83, 85, 88, 90, 94, 99, 103, 105, 108, 113, 142; letter to Frederick Foster, 148; death of, 166. Bristol, Earl of, Bishop of Derry, 2, 5, 7, II, 18, 20, 24, 38, 43, 95, 106; Appendix, 469 ; letter from the Countess of Bristol, 81 ; letter to Lady Elizabeth Foster, 78, 116, 119, 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 128, 129, 137, 139. 143. 150. 152; letter to Mrs. J. Th. Foster, 14, 16, 22, 32, 34, 47, 55, 63, 65, 68, 72, 74. — George William, Earl of, 32. — Lady, Duchess of Kingston, 61. — Lord, 206. Brook, Lord, 219. Brougham, Henry, 423, 424. Brown, Dr., 299. — John, 191. Bruce, Rev. Sir Henry Hervey Aston, 126. — Theo., 126. Brunswick, Duchess of, 300, 311. — Duke of, 9, 29s, 299, 300, 330. — Prince of, 9, 15, 20. — Princess of, 8. Buchanan, President, 466. Buckingham, Lady, 32. — Lord, 75, Buckinghamshire, Lord, 219. Buenos Ayres, 294, 301, 304. Buonaparte. See Bonaparte. Burdett, Sir Francis, 295, 310. Burgersh, Lord, 327, 349, 385. Burke, Edmund, 378. Burnet, Bishop, 140. Burr, Aaron, 297, 301, 302, 308. Bute, Lord, 142. Butler, Miss, 40. Buxton, Mr. C, 460. Byres, Mr., 107. Byrne, N., 12, 30. Byron, Lady, 412, 413, 415, 430; let- ter to Vere Foster, 451, 452, 453, 458, 459, 460, 462, 463, 464, 466, 467. — Lord, 352, 361, 362, 364, 375, 376, 378, 401, 412, 424, 438, 442; verses addressed to Hon. Mrs. G. INDEX. 487 Lamb, 374; letter to Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, 426, 436, 439; letter from Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, 439. Byron, Lord and Lady, 408, 413, 414, 417. Calder, Sir Robert, 235, 236, 238, 243- Calthorpe, Lord, 460. Cambaceres, 181. Camden, Lord, 341, 342. Campbell, Colonel, 385, 396. Canning, George, 167, 196, 202, 203, 305. 309> 319. 341, 342, 343> 345> 350> 356, 369. 441, 444- Canning and Castlereagh, 339, 340. Canova, Antonio, 411, 415; letter to Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, 419, 420. Carlisle, Earl of, his lines on the death of the Duchess of Devonshire (Georgiana), 278. — Lady, 450. — Lord, 376. Carnival, description of the, 34, 35. Caro, 218. Castanos, General, 312, Castlereagh, Lady, 326. — Lord, 156, 308, 324, 325, 326, 34S> 350, 358, 388, 390, 432; Ap- pendix, 474. Castlereagh and Canning, 339, 340. Catalani, 303. Cathcart, Lord, 249, 390. Catholic question brought on, 354. Catholic Relief Bill, 58. Cattaro, the, to be yielded to France, 284. Cavendish, Lord George, 309. — H., 333, 345. — Lady Harriet, 211. — Mrs., 355. — William, 355. Charles, Archduke, 128, 255, 329, 331 > 332, 336. Charles XIIL, 433. Chatham, Lord (First Earl), 47, 54, 58, 143, 148; (Second Earl), 158, 209, 337, 338, 339. 345- Cherokees and Creeks, 258. Chesterfield, Lord, 42, 212. Chief Governor of Ireland, 79. Choiseul Gouffier, Duke de, 410. Christian, King of Denmark, letter to Augustus Foster, 447. Christophe, Henri, 250. Cimabue, Giovanni, 118. Ciudad Rodrigo taken, 354. Civil war imminent in Ireland, 80. Clarence, Duke of, 218, 352. Clarke, Mrs., 320, 322, 330. Clay, Mr., 254. Clifford, Augustus C, 235, 256. Closius, Dr., 14. Cobbett, William, 202. Cochrane, Admiral (Lord), 202, 310. Coigny, Madame de, 388. Cole, Lady Harriet, 231. Congress, opening of, 253. Constant, B., 404, 430. Corda, la, 35. Corisande ("Corise"), 173, 175, 182, 196, 203, 208, 213, 224, 231, 286, 307. Cornwallis, Admiral, 236, 238. — Lord, 212, 277, 291. Corunna, victory of, 317. Cosway, Mrs., 103. Countess de Salis, Harriet, letter from John Leslie Foster, 170. Cowper, Lady, 106. — Lord, 164, 171, 174, 195, 222, 224, 231, 355, 424. Craig, Sir James, 355. — Sir S., 209. Craven, Lady, 97. Crawford, Mr., his opinion of Roscius, 209. Creeks, 258. Creightons, Miss, 3. Cromwell, Oliver, 143. Cuesta, 335, 336, 337. Cumberland, Duchess of, 182. — Duke of, 269. 488 INDEX. Curera, General, 329. Gust, Mr., 171. Danby, INIiss, 94, 97. Danoot, 31. Dante, 118. Dantzig, Duke of, 330. D'Aumont, 403. Davers, Sir Charles, Bart., 5, 82, 98. D'Ellioto, 380. Demidoff", 172. Denen, Mr., 426. Denmark, King of, 404, 406. — Queen of, 372. Dennel, Mr., 4. Derry, Bishop of. See Bristol, Earl of. Dessalines, Jacques, 250. Devonshire, Elizabeth, Duchess of (previously Lady Elizabeth Foster — see Foster), letter from Lord By- ron, 426, 436, 439; letter from Antonio Ganova, 419, 420; letter from Augustus Foster, 360, 365, 372, 378, 379, 380, 381, 385, 387, 388, 389, 394. 395. 401, 403, 406, 407, 410, 411, 412, 414, 416, 418, 427, 428, 429, 431, 432, 433, 435, 438, 442; letter from W. H. Hill, 401 ; letter from the Prince Regent, 347; letter from the Gountess of Liver- pool, 415,417 ; letter from the Duke of Wellington, 441 ; letter to Lord Byron, 439; letter to Augustus Fos- ter, 341, 342, 343, 345, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 354, 357, 361, 364, 367, 368, 372, 375, 386, 393, 397, 404, 409, 411, 412, 413, 415, 423, 424, 425, 441, 442; letter to Frede- rick Foster, 352; letter to Mrs. Foster, 423; memorandum inclosing copy of letter of General Moreau to his wife, 377 ; memorandum inclos- ing copy of the Emperor Alexander's letter, 378. — Georgiana, Duchess of, 84, 85, 94, 96, loi, 103, 115, 191, 223, 256, 291; letter to Frederick Foster, 130; poetry addressed to Lady Elizabeth Foster, 131, 132; poetry on Lady Elizabeth Foster (in French), 132; poetry addressed to her children — The Passage of the Mountain of Saint Gothard, 133; poetry on the Battle of Aboukir, 155; letter from Charles James Fox, 184; poetrj' on the death of James Hare, 200; Epi- gram on the peerage, 201 ; lines on the Victory of Trafalgar and the death of Nelson, 252 ; letter to Augustus Foster, 273 ; lines on the death of, by the Earl of Carlisle, 278; lines on the bust of Fox, 292; letter from Rl B. Sheridan, iii. Devonshire, Duke of, 84, loi, 191, 199, 218, 223, 236, 256, 285, 286, 288; lines on death of Nelson, 252; epitaph on Lord Spencer, 264. Dicot, Mr., 379. Dillon, Colonel, 36, 39. — Henry, 196, 203. Dillons — poor little Dillons, 87. Dissenters' Bill, 78. Dodd, Rev. Wm., LL.D., 4. Douglas, Sir I. and Lady, 285. Dresden, battle of, 376. Drouet, General, 384, 387. Drummond, Miss, in love with Young Roscius, 207. Dubelloy, Archbishop of Paris, 179, 181. Duchess Countess, Lady Bristol, 67. Duchess of York, 120. Ducos, Roger, 159. Dumas, Comte de, 400. Duncannon, Lord, 203, 215, 230, 256, 296, 299, 310. Dundas, Henry, Viscount Melville. See Melville (Lord). Durer, Albert, 118. Elector of the Rhenish Palatinate, 20; Elector's minister, singular ceremo- nials, 20, 21. Elgin, Lord, 138, 284. Eliott, Lady, 97. INDEX. 489 Ellenborough, Lord, 285. Elliot, Mr., 137, 138, 168. Ellis, Charles, 222, 251. Elmsley, Mr., 423. Engelstrom, Baron d', letter to Au- gustus Foster — order to quit Swe- den, 346, 433. Enniskillen, Lord, 230. Erne, Countess of, 2, 3, 4, 43, 68, 83, i5o> 157, 344, 369; letter to Frede- rick Foster, 166. — Earl of, 4, 43. — Lord and Lady, 62, 64, 67. Erskine, Mr., 286. Eugene, Charles, 22. Excavations at Rome, 425. Exeter, Bishop of, 262. Falkland, Lord, killed in a duel, 322. Farquhar, Sir Walter, 121, 209. Faucit, Col., II. Faukes, Mr., 296. Fellenberg, Emanuel de, 455; Appen- dix, 482. Ferguson, General, 314. — Mrs., 43. Ferronayes, M. La, 427. Finch, Captain, 87. Fitz, L. M., 5. — The, 40. Fitzgeralds, Ladies, 213. Fitzjames, M. de, 383. Fitzpatrick, General, 193, 268. — Mr., 202. Fitzroy, Lady Anne, 1 58. Fitzwilliam, I^rd, 296. Flahault, Monsieur de, 397. Flushing, 333. Follen, Mrs., 459, 462. Foster, Augustus, 150, 171, 348; Sir Augustus, Appendix, 474; Augus- tus (afterwards Sir Augustus F., Bart. ), letter from the Earl of Aber- deen, 185, 187, 188, 190, 207, 213, 241, 248, 305, 356, 442; letter from Christian VIIL, king of Denmark, 447; letter from Baron d'Armfelt, 328; letter from Baron d'Engel- strom, 346, 433; letter from Count John Anthony Capo d'Istrias, 445!; letter from Lady Elizabeth Foster (afterwards Duchess of Devonshire), 153, 156, 157, 160, 161, 167, 191, 192, 194, 198, 201, 207, 209, 210, 214, 217, 220, 230, 235, 237, 242, 243, 244, 250, 252, 255, 260, 261, 262, 264, 266, 272, 280, 283, 285, 286, 287, 292, 294, 298, 300, 303, 307, 309, 311, 312, 313, 314, 3i5> 316, 317, 319, 321, 322, 324, 326, 327> 329. 330, 33 1 > 332, 333, 334, 335» 336, 337, 338, 339, 34o; letter from Elizabeth, Duchess of Devon- shire, 341, 342, 343, 345, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 354, 357, 361, 364, 367, 368, 372, 375, 386, 393, 397, 404, 409, 411, 412, 413, 415, 423, 424, 425, 441, 442; letter from Frede- rick Foster, 169, 290, 343, 380, 391, 395, 398,400; letter from Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, 273; letter from the Hon. Mrs. Lamb, 279, 353, 373, 404, 408, 430, 434, 449, 450; letter to Lady Elizabeth Fos- ter, 156, 159, 160, 164, 173, 176, 178, 180, 182, 183, 196, 203, 206, 225, 226, 232, 238, 239, 246, 253, 257, 271, 274, 276, 281, 290, 291, 296, 301, 308; letter to Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, 360, 365, 372, 378, 379, 380, 381, 385, 387, 388, 389, 394, 395, 401, 403, 406, 407, 410, 411, 412, 414, 416, 418, 427, 428, 429, 431, 432, 433, 435, 438, 442; letter to Frederick Fos- ter, 229. Foster, Colonel, 365. — DocUir Thomas, 3, 13, 25, 104, 109. — Lady Elizabeth (afterwards Duchess of Devonshire), iii; poeti-y ad- dressed by Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, to, 131 ; poetry by Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, on, 132; letter from Augustus Fos- ter, 156, 159, 160, 164, 173, 176, 490 INDEX. 178, 180, 182, 183, 196, 203, 206, 225, 226, 232, 238, 239, 246, 253, 257, 271, 274, 276, 281, 290, 291, 296, 301, 308; letter from the Bishop of Derry, 78, 116; letter from the Countess of Bristol, 82, 8^, 85, 88, 90, 94, 99, 103, 105, 108, 113; letter from the Earl of Bristol (Bishop of Derry), 116, 119, 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 128, 129, 137, I39> I43> I50> 152; letter from Edward Gibbon, 1 15; letter from George, Prince of Wales, 279; letter to Augustus Foster, 153, 156, 157, 160, 161, 167, 191, 192, 194, 198, 201, 207, 209, 210, 214, 217, 220, 230, 235, 237, 242, 243, 244, 250, 252, 255, 260, 261, 262, 264, 266, 272, 280, 283, 285, 286, 287, 292, 294, 298, 300, 303, 307, 309, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 321, 322, 324, 326, 327, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333. 334, 335. 336, 337, 338, 339, 340; letter to Frederick Th. Foster, 166. Foster, Frederick, letter from Lady Elizabeth Foster, 166; letter from Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, 352 ; letter from G. Thorwaldsen, 422; letter to Augustus Foster, 169, 290, 343, 380, 391, 398, 395, 400. — Fred. Th., 44. — Henry, 162. — John, Speaker of Irish House of Commons, 64. — John Leslie, 177; letter to Harriet, Countess de Salis, 170. — J. Th., 5, 24, 26, 31, 33, 39, 62, 75. 83, 86, 93, 109. — Mr., 243. — Mrs. J. Th. (afterwards Lady Eliza- beth Foster — see above), letter from Bishop of Derry and the Hon. Mrs. Hervey, 22; letter from the Bishop of Derry, 14, 16, 32, 47, 55, 63, 65, 68, 72, 74; letter from the Hon. Mrs. Ilervey (afterwards Countess of Bristol), I, 3, 6, 10, 18, 25, 29, 38, 41, 45, 50, 53, 59, 61, 69; letter from the Hon. Mrs. Hervey and the Bishop of Derry, 34. Foster, Vere, birth of, 428, 432; letter from Lady Byron, 451, 452, 453, 458, 459, 460, 462, 463. 464, 466, 467. Fox, Charles James, 199, 215, 227, 231, 236, 237, 266, 267, 268, 271, 273, 285, 286, 289, 293, 297, 300, 304, 449 ; Appendix, 479 ; letter to Duchess of Devonshire (Georgiana), 1 84, 263 ; inscription for a bust of, 263; lines by Duchess of Devon- shire on bust, 292. — Elizabeth Vassal!, Lady Holland, Appendix, 480. — Mrs., 273. France, King of, Louis XVI., 78. Francis, Sir Philip, 185. Freddy, 432. Fred the third, 37. Frederick, Prince of Orange, 128, 129. French Minister at Washington, 228. Gamba, two Counts, 436, 440. Gambler, Lord, 323. Gardiner, Mr., 54. Garrick, 209. Garth, Sir Samuel, 118. Gay, John, 118. Cell, Mr., 313. — Sir William, 187, 189, 190. George III., 167, 168, 195, 218,267, 269, 347, 352, 354- Gerard, 384, 387. Germany, Emperor of, 64, 261. — Empress of, 64. Gibbon, Edward, letter to Lady Eliza- beth Foster, 115. Gilford, Mr., 9. Gleadow, Mr., 48. "Glenarvon", 418. Gloucester, Duke of, 237-238. Goderich, Viscount, 444. Goethe, 161. Gonsalvi, Cardinal, 412, 419, 425, 440. INDEX. 491 Goodwood, 116. Gordon, 406. Gordon, Duchess of, 188, 21 1, 233. — Mrs., 83. Gore, Miss E., 157. Gosford, Lady, 362. Gosling, Messrs., 124. Gotha, Prince of, 45. Gower, Lady Charlotte, 213. Graham, General, 350. Grantham, Lord, 231. — Lord, and Miss Pole, 213. Granville, Lady, 334. — Lord, 196, 249, 303. Grassini, Josephina, 207, 263, 304, 393- Grattan, 182. Greene, Mrs., 6, 87, 94, 98. Grenville, Lord, 141, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 272, 285, 291, 310, 340, 341- Grenville and Fox, 267. — Mr. T., 286. Grenvilles, the king hates the thought of them, 339. Greville, Charles, 112. — Mrs. C, 112. Grey, I-ady de, 444. — Lord, 203, 215, 322, 325, 340, 341. Hamilton, Lady Catherine, 224, 230, 241. — Lord Archibald, 171, 324. — Viscountess, 207. Hamlet, 406, 407. Hammond, Mr., 137. Hanover, Chancellor of, 141. Hardwick, Lord, 243. Hare, James, 112, 199, 200. Harrowby, Lady, 344. — Lord, 195, 246, 331, 344. Hartington, Marquis of, 288, 289, 354, 355- Harvey, Admiral, 323. Hatton, Lady Anne, 160, 163. Haugnitz, 296. Hawkesbury, Lady (formerly Lady Louisa Hervey and afterwards Coun- tess of Liverpool — which see), 150, 215, 219. Hawkesbury, Lord (afterwards Earl of Liverpool — which see), 131, 150, 156, 158, 167, 194, 195, 221, 225, 232, 268, 273, 309. Hawkesburys, 157, 192. Hawkins, Colonel, 258. Henrietta, 71. Henry, Mr., 363. Hertford, Lady, 311. Hervey, Fred., 93. See Hervey (Lord). — Captain Jack, 71, 78, 102. — General, 90, 94, 157. — John Augustus, 72. — Lady, no, 150, 369. — Lady Louisa (afterwards Lady Hawkesbury and Countess of Liver- pool — which see), 3, 13, 24, 25, 28, 43. 56, 65, 69, 87, 92. — Lord, 119, 122, 123, 125, 126, 166. — Hon. Miss, letter to Mrs. J. Th. Foster, 41. — Hon. Mrs. (afterwards Countess of Bristol), letter to Mrs. Foster, i, 3, 6, 10, 18, 22, 25, 29, 34, 38, 41, 45. 50. 53, 59, 61, 69. — William, no. Hill, W. H., letter to Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, 401. Hillsborough, Lord, free trader, 75. Hobart, Miss Vere, letter to Mrs. Foster, 444. Holland, 140. Holland, Lady, 163, 266, 291, 449; Appendix, 480. — Lord, 266, 286, 363. Hood, Sir S., 299. — SirT., 323. Hope, General, 315. 3 16, 319. — Mr., 425. Hough, Mr., 202. Howard, Charles, 449 — Fred., 312, 404. — W. , 299. Howe, Lord, 157. Ho wick, Lord, 291, 303, 304, 305, 309. 492 INDEX. Hunter, Mr., 87, 88, 94. Huntly, Lord, 333. Huskisson, 339. Hutchinson, Lord, 300. Ickworth House, 1 16. Indian Nations, 257. Influenza, 61. Invasion of Ireland intended, 57, 76. Irish regiment in the French service, 48. Istrias, Count Capo d'. Appendix, 479; letter to Augustus Foster, 445. Jackson, Mr., 164. Jefferson, Thomas, President, 197, 229, 308. Jenkins, Mr., 107. Jerome, Madame, 294. Jersey, Lord, 423, 424. Jordan, Mr., 194. Joseph Napoleon, 345. Josephine, 424; death of, 3S8. Jourdan, Camille, 180. Kauffman, Angelica, 218. Keith, Lord, 158. Kelly, Father, 64. Kemble, Charles, 262, 263. — John, 250. Kemble and Mrs. Siddons, 250. Keppel, Admiral Lord, 63, 77. Ker, Lady Emily, 87. King, Mr., 239. Kingston, Duchess of, 63. Korsakow, 427. Kotzebue, 156, 160, i5i, 162. Lafayette, 430. Lamb, Lady Caroline (Ponsonby), 222, 223, 232, 233, 242, 257, 303, 307, 354, 362, 364, 369, 376, 416, 418; Appendix, 478. — Emily, 222, 231. — George, 310, 316, 345, 409. — Hon. Mrs. George, letter to Augus- tus Foster, 279, 373, 404, 408, 430, 434, 449, 450; verses addressed by Lord Byron to, 374. Lamb, William (afterwards I^ord Mel- bourne), 154, 162, 219, 222, 223, 249, 257, 299, 303; inscription for a bust of C. J. Fox, 263. Lambert, Chevalier, 47. — Lady Maria, 242. — Sir John, 38. Lansdowne, Lord, 423, 444. Lascelles' motion of public honour to Pitt, 267, 268. Lauderdale, Lord, 358. Lawrence, Mr., 359. Le Brun, 181. Lecourbe, 399. Leinster, Duke of, 80. Lennox, Lord, 209. Le Sage, Monsr., J. Th. Foster, i. Leveson, Lord Granville, 331. Lewis, " Monk ", 425. Lichtenstein, Prince John of, 336. Lilford, Lady, 449. Liverpool, Countess of (formerly Lady Hawkesbury — which see), 344, 380; letter to Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, 415, 417. — Earl of (previously I^ord Hawkes- bury— which see), 3, 317, 344, 350, 355> 363> 368, 389- London, Bishop of, 417. Louchee, 87, 94. Louis XVI., 78. — XVIIL, 140, 380, 381, 400, 403, 429; deathblow to his hopes, 180. Lovel, Mr., 139. Lucan, Lord and Lady, 67. Lucchesini, Prussian Ambassador, 1 72, 296, 299. Lucien, Madame, 424. Lucullus, 139. Luttrell, 172. Macartney, Lord, 117. M 'Donald, Marshal, like Lord Mor- peth, 181; report of his defeat, 349. MacEgan, Governor, 64. M'Intosh, Sir James, 378. Mack, General, 244; taken prisoner, 245- INDEX. 493 M'Mahon, Colonel, 358. Maitland, Captain, 408. Malmesbury, Lord, 139. Mannheim, description of, 19, 20. Mansbridge, Mr., 222, 233. Marche, Comtesse de la, 123, 129; Appendix, 473. Maria Louisa, 388, 424. Markoff, Russian ambassador, 172. Marmont, Marshal, 363, 396. Marsden, Mr., 251. Marshalls, 109. Martinetti, Madame, 437, 440. Mary, Lady, 83. Massena, Marshal, 181, 391, 392, 393, 395, 400, 401, 409. Materosa, 328. Meister, Count, 382. Melbourne, Lady, 223, 224, 314, 335, 437> 440- — Lord, 223, 450 (2nd Viscount). Melbournes, The, 162, 222. Mellish, Mr., 299. Melville, Lady, 236, 262. — Lord, 202. 210, 211, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 224, 225, 230, 232, 236, 241, 262, 305, 368; party virulence against him, 213; expelled from the Privy Council, 220; to appear at the bar of the House of Commons, 224; to be impeached, 231; pro- longation of impeachment, 250; his trial about soon to end, 284. — Lord and Lady, 262. Menou, 175. Mercer, 190. Merry, Mr., 196, 245, 275, 311. — Mrs., 226, 238, 275. Michael Angelo, 118. Middleton, Sir Charles, 218, 219, 232. Milbanke, Lady, 353, 368, 372, 373. — Miss (afterwards Lady Byron), 348, 358, 360, 361, 365- 367, 370, 372, 373- — Sir Ralph, 354, 373. — Sir Ralph and Lady, 367, 370, 430. Minden, 127. Ministry, change of, 270. Minto, Lord, 286, 450. Miranda, General, 276, 2S4, 294, 297, 301. Moellendorf, Count de, 137. Moira, Lady, 60, 190, 368. Monaco, Prince of, 397. Monni, 380. Monroe, Mr., 357. Monson, Colonel, 212. Montoro, General, 389. Moore, Sir John, 316, 317, 318, 319, 321, 335- Moreau, General, 128, 238, 243, 245, 246, 250, 276, 294, 297; letter to Augustus Foster, 366; letter to his wife, 376. — Madame, 276; letter from Emperor Alexander L, 377. Morice, Mr., 87, 94. Morier, Mr., 355. Morpeth, Lord (afterwards Earl of Carlisle), 163, 223, 289, 294, 295, 296, 299, 300, 303, 312, 325, 354, 376. Morpeths, 195. Motteux, Mr., 31 1. Mounier, le, 159, 161, 389. Mounier's son, 383. Mountstuart, Lord, 73. Mulgrave, Lady, 78. — Lord, 106. Munroe, Mr., 259, 274. Murat, Madame, 182, 412. — Marshal, 401, 404, 409. Napoleon, 243, 385 ; description of, 164; letter to Barras (?), 468. See Bonaparte. — Joseph, 345. Narischkin, Madame, 443. Nelson, Lord, 182, 221, 224, 232, 235, 238, 241, 243, 244, 246, 249, 251, 256, 261, 265, 274, 277, 291, 298; death of, lines by Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, on, 252. Ney, Marshal, 244, 313, 329, 3S2, 400. Noailles, M. de, 46. 494 INDEX. Noel, Mr., 453. Noels, the, 430. North, B., 203. — Lord, 77, 358. Norway, King of, 246. Ockham, Viscount, 462, 467. Oldenbourg, Duchesse d', 328. Orange, Prince of, 165. — Prince Frederick of, 128, 129. O'Reilly, Mr., 56. Oriel, Lord, 64. Ossulston, Lord (afterwards Earl of Tankerville), 196, 203, 208, 215, 219, 250, 265, 286, 296, 303, 325, 326. Oxford, Lady, 409. Padre, the (Bishop of Derry), 5. Paget, Lady Charlotte, 231. — Lord, 90, 92, 331. Pa-hu-la, 258. Paine, Thomas, 139, 204. Painters, 118. Palafox, General, 319, 321. Palladio's stucco, 117. Palliser, Dr., 56. Palmerston, Lady, 449, 450. — Lord, 463 ; letter to Sir Augustus Foster, 359. Panisse, Comte de, 398. Paris, Archbishop of, 179, 1 8 1. Parkison, Mr., 91. Parnello, M. B., 31. Patterson, Miss, wife of Jerome Bona- parte, 206, 297. Paul, Emperor, 169. Pauline, 387, 399. Paull, Mr., 296, 299, 308, 310. Payne, Mrs., 203. Peel, Sir Robert, 429. Pemberton, Dr., 415. Perceval, Mrs., 365. Percival, Mr., 303, 304, 305, 356, 358, 364- Petty, Lord Henry, 214, 219. Phipps, Augustus, 87. — Miss, 36. Pichegru, General, 245, Pichon, Mr., 234. Pitt, William, 106, 125, 152, 156, 166, 167, 193. 194, I95> I99> 202, 214, 216, 219, 220, 225, 241, 250, 261, 272, 273, 277, 291, 305; reflections by Lady Elizabeth Foster on death of, 266; the Duchess of Devonshire (Georgiana), remarks about Pitt and Fox, 273, 274. Pitt and Addington, their reconcilia- tion, 219. Pitt and Fox, 231, 236, 237, Pitt, Nelson, and Lord Cornwallis, 277. Pitt, Thomas, 68. Planta, 432. Playfair, Mr., 423. Pocahontas, the Indian Queen, 205, 275. Pole, Miss, 213. Polignacs, 97. Pollington, Lady, 451. Ponsonby, Lady Caroline. See Lamb, Lady Caroline. — Fred., 296, 299, 303, 304, 334, 364, 405, 408. — G., 358. — William, 341. Poole, Sir Charles, 195. Pope, The, sent to a hospital in France, 162. Popery, cry about Popery raised by the ministers, 309. Popham, Sir H., 301, 304. Portland, Duke of, 91, loi, 195, 341. Portugal, the government about to emigrate to the Brazils, 311. Powel, Mr., 322. Precy, 399. Preston, Mrs., 31. Prettyman, 202. Prevost, Sir George, 356. Prime Serjeant, 65. Prince Augustenbourg, 335. — Augustus of Saxe-Coburg, 8, 22. — Frederick of Orange, 128, 129. — John of Lichtenstein, 336. INDEX. 495 Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, 414, 415- — of Brunswick, 9, 15, 20. — of Gotha, 45. — of Monaco, 397. — of Orange, 1 65. — of Saxe-Gotha, 17. — ofWaldeck, 8, 15. — of Wales, 192, 194, 261, 311; letter to Lady Elizabeth Foster, 279; (Regent), 358, 368, 406. — Regent, letter to Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, Mr. Foster nomi- nated Minister to the United States, 347, 348. Princess, our, 11. Princess Augusta, hereditary Princess of Brunswick, 15. — Charlotte, 415. of Wales, 195. — Mary, 355. — of Brunswick, 8. — of Wales, 120, 285, 286. Prussia, King of, 58, 120, 122, 137, 246, 298, 299, 381, 382, 385. — Queen of, 298. Pyrmont, 5, description of, and of a good savoury oglio of society at, 15, 16. Queen Caroline, 434. Queen of Denmark, 372. Randolph, John, 204, 259, 260, 274, 275. — Mrs., 222, 223, 233, 260, Raphael, 118, 122. Rattcliffe, Rev. Charles, 460. Reis Effendi, 183. Rembrandt, 118. Review of troops by Bonaparte, 170. Reynolds, Sir Joshua, 420. Rhodes, Mr., 299. Rich, Mr., 28, 31. Richardson, Mrs., 40, 55, 60. Richelieu, Duke de, 410. Richmond, Duke of, 116, 153. Rivers, Lady, 94, 97. Riviera, 398. Robertson, Mr., 104. Robespierre, the only great man pro- duced by the Revolution, 379. Robinson, Lady Sarah, 444. — Mr. (Viscount Goderich), 444. Rodney, Lord, I02. Rogers, S., 352. Rolfe, John, 205. Rolla, Baron de, 337. Romana, General, 316, 321, 323. Roman Catholic Emancipation, 168. question, 182, 358. relief, 57. Roman Catholics, 33, 34, 68, 75, 76. Rome, King of, 388. Rosbach, 127. Roscius, Young (William Henry West Betty), 192, 195, 201, 202, 207, 210, 218, 220, 225, 241, 250; Appendix, 477. Roscius and Charles Kemble, 262. Roscoe, 309. Ross, Lady, 40. — Mr., 461. Rousseau, Jean Jacques, 37. Royal marriage, account of, 415. Rubens, Peter Paul, 118. Ruggerdorff, 323. Russell, Lord John, 449. Russia, Emperor of, 260; letter to Madame Moreau, 377. — Paul, Emperor of, story of his murder, 169. Rutland, Duke of, 312, St. Leger, Mrs., 201. St. Vincent, Lord, 161, 167, 168, 196, 219, 287, 323, 324. Salis, Countess de, letter from John Leslie Foster, 170. Salisbury, Lord, 451. Salvatore, 93, loi, 104, 107. Sans Souci, 123, 129, 150. Sardinia, King of, 399. Saxe-Coburg, Prince Leopold of, 414, 415. 496 INDEX. Saxe-Gotha, Prince Augustus of, 8, 17, 22. Saxo-Grammaticus, 406, 407. Scheldt expedition, 345. Schiller, 161. Scott, Sir Walter, The Lay of the Last Minstrel, 210. Sebastiani, Marshal, 334. Selkirk, Lord, 286. Seymour, Colonel, 341. Shaftesbury, Lady, 430. Shakespeare, 1 1 8. Shanahan, 57. Sheffield, Lady, 115. Sheffield Park, 6. Sheridan, Richard, 157, 158, 162, 185, 192, 296, 299, 308, 310, 358, 417; Appendix, 472; letter to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, ill. — Mrs. R. B., 417. — T., 296. Shipley, Colonel, 328. Shuldam, Lord, 86. Sicard, Abbe, 260. Siddons, Mrs., 250. Sidi men ne melli. Ambassador from Tunis to United States, 259. Sidmouth, Lord, 231, 271, 347. Sieyes, 159. Sismondi, John S., 404. Slave Market, Constantinople, 183. — Trade, 263, 306, 307. Shmness (J. Th. Foster), 30, 44. Smith, Cullen, 158, 163. Smyth, Dr., 42. Smyth, Sir Robert, 42, 109. Sneyd, Mr., 409. Somerset, Lord Fitzroy, 401. Sotheby, Mr., 423. Soult, Marshal, 326, 330, 336, 368. Souza, Madame de, 397. Speaker, The, gave the casting vote, 214. Spencer, Countess, 105, 310. — Lord, 127, 153, 285; epitaph by Duke of Devonshire on, 264. — Lord Robert, 219, 337. Stael, Madame de, 175, 378, 381, 390, 404, 410. Stewart, General, 320. Stormont, Lady, 33. — Lord, 46. Strahan, Sir R., 256, 271. Strange, Mr. and Mrs., 28. — Mrs., 44. Strangford, Lord, 432. Stratton, 249. Stuart, Sir Charles, 381. — Lord James, 444. — Mrs., 97. Sutton, Archbishop of Canterbury, 302. Suza, 311. Sweden, King of, 109, 246, 327, Talavera, victory of, 334, 335. Talleyrand-Perigord, 171, 177, 239 304, 380, 397. Tankerville, Lady, 231. — Lord, 211, 213, 231. Temple, Lord, 326. Thistlewood's conspiracy, 344. Thornton, Major, 333. Thorwaldsen, G., 414, 415. 423> 425. 431; letter to Frederick Foster, 422. Tichfield, Lord, 342. Tierney and Sheridan, 299. Tierney, George T., 190, 325, 337. Titian, 122. Toleration Bill, 64. Totijours Gai, 196. Townsend, Audrey, 394. , Trimmer, Miss, 195. Trotter, Mr., 216, 218. Trumbull, Mr., 223. Tunis, ambassador from, 255. Turreau, General, in tears about battle of Trafalgar, 276. Ulm taken and Austrian army anni- hilated, 244. United States Constitution, remarks on, 227, 228. Usher, Captain, 389. INDEX. 497 Valdagno, II, l6, 17, 25, 29. Valencia, has fallen, 354. Valentine, 1 10. Vane, Sir Harry, 354. Vanoost, 32. Varegas, 335. Vaughan, Mr., 337. Vernon, Lord Henry, 423. — Mr., 334. Victor, Marshal, 329. Villeneuve, Admiral, and two other French admirals landed prisoners in England, 253. Villiers, Lord and Lady, 203. Voltaire, 36, 44, 200; four lines of poetry, 29. Walcheren expedition, 158, 160, 330, 331. 333- Waldeck, Prince of, 8, 15. Wales, Prince of (afterwards George IV.), 192, 194, 261, 311, 358, 368, 406 ; letter to Lady Elizabeth Fos- ter, 279. — Princess of, 120, 285, 286. Wallace, 203. Wa-Pawni-ha, 258. Ward, Mr., 195. Wardle, Colonel, 330. — Mr., 322, 332. Warren, Sir George and Lady, III. Washington, Colonel, 233. -— George, 253. Way, Abigail, Countess of Sheffield, "5- Webster, Sir Godfrey, 163. Weissenberg, 388. Wellesley, Marquis of, 211, 265, 325, 331. 350. 354, 358, 364. 368, 369- Wellington, Duke of, 326, 328, 329, 331, 336, 337, 338, 341, 345, 354, 362, 363. 384, 385, 392, 405, 406, 411; letter to Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, 441. West, Lady Mary, 451. — Mr., 464. Whitbread, Mr., 214, 215, 303, 319. Whittington, 208. Wilberforce, Mr., said the national justice was satisfied, 215. Wilkinson, Nurse, 12, 21, 30. Wirtemberg, Duke of, 23. Wollaston, Mr., 98. Wolsey, Cardinal, 56. Wortley, Caroline, 202. — Mr., 368. Wroughton, 193. Wyndham, Mr., 284. Yarmouth, Lord, 284, 303. York, Duchess of, 120. — Duke of, 158, 244, 269, 320, 322, 330. Young, Rev. Mr., 459, 460, 462, 464, Zaragossa, 319. 21 PRINTED BY BLACKIE AND SON, LIMITED, GLASGOW. 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