YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

MEMOIR
OF
JOHN CHAELES
VISCOUNT ALTHORP
THIRD EARL SPENCER

MEMOIR of
JOHN CHARLES
VISCOUNT ALTHORP
THIRD EARL SPENCER

BY THE LATE

Sir DENIS LE MARCHANT, Bart.

LONDON :
RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON,
^uUis\jtti in ©rSinatg to ^ex iUajfstg.
NEW BUKLINGTON STEEET.
1876.

3.H-i

LONDON
BB.^UBURY, AGNEW & CO., PRINTERS WHlTEFRIAR.S.

I 0 ,„¦' i>

PREFACE.

This Memoir of Lord Althorp was undertaken
by my Father, who had been long and intimately
acquainted with him, at the request of (Frederick)
Lord Spencer, whom he assured that it was " a
labour of love to in any way assist in doing honour
to his brother's memory."
My Father's object was to place on record a full
and impartial account of Lord Althorp's life and
character, as they appeared to one who had full
opportunities of judging him, with such notice of
his time and contemporaries as might tend to give
a clearer impression of the circumstances by which
he was surrounded.
Many causes combined to delay the progress of
the Memoir, and the two closing chapters were still
written only in part at the time of my Father's
death, in the month of October, 1874. Feeling, as
I did, most unwilling that his work should pass
into other hands, I took upon myself, with the

vi PEEFACE.
aid of other members of my family, the care oi
arranging and completing that portion which re
mained unfinished. Although I am mainly re
sponsible for the form of those chapters, whatever
merit their substance may possess belongs entirely
to my Father ; my sole qualification for the task of
editor consisting in the fact that during the later
years of his life he conversed much and unre
servedly with me on the subject of the Memoir,
so that I am fully acquainted with the views he
held of the events there related.
In these pages are detailed the circumstances
which led to Lord Grey's retirement from office ; and
as the part which Lord Althorp played in them
has been made a subject of comment, my Father
thought it very desirable that a fair statement of
the facts should be laid before the public, in order
to furnish tliem with the necessary materials for
appreciating his conduct.
Since I undertook the duties of editor, additional
matter of much interest (chiefly letters to and
from Lord Althorp) has been brought to my notice
and it is intended that the present volume should be
followed at no distant period by another, containino- O
selections from his correspondence and papers.
I should add that this biography was orio^inally

PEEFACE. vii
only intended for private circulation among the
members of Lord Althorp's family, in whose eyes
the records of his early years and youthful com
panions, though not perhaps devoid of general
interest, would naturally possess an especial value.
The information supplied by many of the notes
I owe to the recollection of Lord Belper, who sat
in the House of Commons throughout the official
career of Lord Althorp, and warmly supported him
in all his Liberal views.
I am also greatly indebted to Lord Lyttelton,*
in whose hands the Memoir was placed shortly
after my Father's death, for many corrections and
suggestions to which his relationship and close
intimacy with Lord Althorp give the highest
authority. It only remains to state that the notes by my
Father and myself are distinguished by the words
Author and Editor respectively — all others by the
names of the various writers.

HENEY D. LE MAECHANT.
London, Ap-il, 1876.

* I deeply regret that the death of Lord Lyttelton while these
sheets were in the press, has prevented my having an opportunity of
expressing to him my gratitude for his warm, interest in the work,
and constant assistance towards its completion.

CONTENTS.

TAGE
Fragment of Earl Spencer's Life . . . . xv
CHAPTER I.
John, first Earl Spencer — Marries Miss Poyntz — Character of
Lady Spencer. Her death in 1814 — George John, second
Earl Spencer — Educated by Sir William Jones — Joins the
Tory Party — Becomes Lord Privy Seal — Afterwards First
Lord of the Admiralty — Success of his Naval Administration
— Eesigns on the Catholic Question — Secretary to the Home
Department — Pursuits in his E6tirem.ent — Marriage with
Miss Bingham — Her character — Her contemporaries. — (Mr.
Thomas GrenviUe. — The Earl of Essex, moies.) . . . 1
CHAPTER II.
Birth of John Charles, Viscount Althorp — Early education —
Letters from Harrow to his Eather ..... 29

CHAPTER III.
Companions at Harrow — Hon. Frederick Eobinson — Viscount
Duncannon — Lord De Mauley — Hon. Erederick Ponsonby —
Viscount Eoyston — Charles Pepys (afterwards Earl of Cot-
tenham) — Harrow Speeches — Leaves Harrow . . . . " 43

CHAPTER IV.
Lord Althorp goes up to Trinity College, Cambridge — Mr. Allen,
his private Tutor — College examinations — Is placed in the
first class in his first year — Is first man of his year in his
second year ..,.....,.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V.

Love of hunting and racing— Travels in France and Italy— Ee
turned for Okehampton— Candidate for the University of
Cambridge— Is defeated— Commissioner for the Treasury—
Eeturned for St. Albans— Then for Northamptonshire-
Break-up of the Whig Government— Eetirement of Lord
Spencer from politics .....¦••

83

CHAPTER VI.
Proceedings against the Duke of York — Part taken by Colonel
Wardle and Mr. Whitbread— Excitement throughout the
country— Lord Althorp's conviction of the justice of the
accusations — He joins the minority opposed to the Duke of
York — Defeat of Colonel Wardle's motion and of Mr. Bankea'
amendment— Eesignation of the Duke of York- Eesolution
brought forward by Lord Althorp — His maiden speech —
Eesolution carried — Eemarks on the Duke of York — Letters
from Lord Althorp to Lord Spencer during the proceedings
— Eeasons for his joining the WTiig Party .... 92

CHAPTER VIL
Lord Althorp forms Liberal connections — ^Mr. Whitbread — Vis
count Folkestone (Earl of Eadnor) — Lord Archibald Hamil
ton — Sir Francis Burdett — Eadical Party . . . 113

CHAPTER VIII.
Motion for Committee of Inquiry brought forward by Lord
Folkestone — Motion defeated by large majority — The Whig
Party splits into two sections — Eeaction in the country in
favour of the Government — The Duke of York reinstated
at the Horse Guards — Vote of censure brought forward by
Lord Milton — Its defeat — The Leather Duty — Speeches by
Mr. Brougham and Lord Althorp — Peace Preservation Bill
^-Athletic Exercises — The Pytchley Hunt . . .194

CONTENTS. xi
CHAPTER IX. PAGE
Lord Althorp's marriage with Miss Acklom — Character and
description of Lady Althorp — Brothers and sisters of Lord
Althorp — Eesidence at Wiseton Hall  148
CHAPTER X.
Death of Mr. Whitbread— Disturbances throughout the country
— Lord Althorp strongly opposes the Ministerial measures —
Dissolution of Parliament — Confinement and death of Lady
Althorp — Grief of Lord Althorp — Seclusion at Wiseton —
(Mr. Whitbread, iiote)  162
CHAPTER XI.
Lord Althorp re-elected for Northamptonshire — Insolvent
Debtors' Bill — Passes the Commons — Thrown out in the
Lords — Lord Althorp takes chambers in the Albany — His
diligence in attending the House — Brings forward Bill for
recovery of small debts — The Bill withdrawn . . . . 181
CHAPTER XII.
Disturbances at Manchester — Proceedings in Parliament — Ac
cession of George IV. — Death of the Queen — Eevival of
trade — Distress in the agricultural districts — Committee on
tho Corn Laws — The Eeport — Prorogation of Parliament . 196
CHAPTER XIII.
Mr. Canning — His Policy — Distrusted by Lord Althorp — Debates
on Spain and on Ireland — Mr. Huskisson's Policy — Loid
Althorp's position — Lord • Liverpool's illness — The Coalition
— Lord Goderich forms a Government — Lord Althorp named
Chairman of the Finance Committee — Dissolution of Lord
Goderlch's Government — The Duke of Wellington Premier
¦ — Speeches on Economical Eeform — Mr. Poulett Thomson —
Lord Althorp Leader of the Opposition in the House of
Commons — -Accession of WUliam IV. — Dissolution of ParUa^
ment — Lord Althorp returned without opposition — Interest

CONTENTS. PAGE
in County business — Increasing feeling throughout the
country for Eeform — Declaration of the Duke of Wellington
against Eeform — Lord Althorp's speech — Debate onthe Civil
List —Defeat of the Ministry — Lord Grey undertakes to form
a Government— Lord Althorp Chancellor of the Exchequer
and Leader of the House of Commons — Ministerial appoint
ments — Lord Althorp returned for Northamptonshire with
out opposition — Death of Sir Eobert Spencer . . . 207

CHAPTER XIV.
Lord Althorp's plan for the settlement of the Civil List — Dis
satisfaction of the Whigs — The Budget — Abandonment of
the Transfer Duties — State of Ireland — Law Eeform . . 269

CHAPTER XV.
The First Eeform Bill— Details — The BiU brought forward in the
House of Commons by Lord John EusseU — Debate — Enthu
siasm for Eeform in the large towns — Second Eeading of the
BUl carried — General Gascoigne's amendment — Majority for
the Opposition — Dissolution of Parliament .... 290

CHAPTER XVI.
The new elections— Lord Althorp's contest for Northamptonshire
— His retui-n— Success of the Ministry in the elections . . 312

CHAPTER XVII.
Meeting of the new Parliament— Second Eeform BiU brought in
by Lord John EusseU— Letters from Lord Althorp to his
Father-Committal of the Eeform" Bill— Management de
volves ou Lord Althorp-The Chandos Clause-The Eeform
BUl passes the Commons, and is read the first time in the
Lords-Eejoicing in the country-Banquet given by Eeform
Members-Debate ou the BUl in the Lords-Its rejection-
Excitement m the country and in the Commons— Lord Al
thorp's Speech in the House— The Birmingham Political
Union— Bankruptcy Act and Game Act

CONTENTS. xiii
CHAPTER XVIII. PAOE
Political excitement — Differences in the Cabinet on the Peerage
Question — Letter from Lord Althorp to Lord Grey — Letter
from Lord Althorp to Lord Spencer . . ... 305
CHAPTER XIX.
Meeting of Parliament — Negotiations between the Ministers and
Tory Peers — The Third Eeform Bill brought in by Lord J.
EusseU — Sir Eobert Peel's opposition — Second Eeading of
the Bill carried in the Commons — The Eussian Dutch Loan
— The Eeform Bill in Committee — Mr. Shell's motion — The
Eeform BiU passes the Commons ..... 37S
CHAPTER XX.
Letter from Lord Althorp to Lord Grey respecting a creation of
Peers — Lord Grey's reply — The Bill taken up to the Loi ds —
Dialogue between Lord Althorp and Mr. Francis Baring —
The Bill read a second time in the Lords — Ministiy de
feated in Committee — Eesolution to resign — Efforts of the
Tories to form a Government — Lord Ebrington moves an
Address — Mr. Strutt seconds it — The Duke of WeUington
accepts the Premiership — EeoaU of Lord Grey by the King —
Secession of the Tory Peers — Third Eeading of the Bill in
the Lords — Eoyal Assent given to the BiU — Irish and Scotch
Eeform BUls — Irish Compulsory Tithe Composition BUl —
The Eussian Dutch Loan — The Budget — Dissolution of Par
liament  . . 402
CHAPTER XXI.
Lord Althorp re-elected for Northamptonshire — Cabinet meetings
— Difficulties in Ireland — Majority for the Liberals — Mr.
Manners Sutton chosen Speaker — Debates on the State of
Ireland — Irish Church BiU — Lish Coercion BUl — Sinecure
AboUtion Bill — The Budget — Amendments to the Budget
— The Malt Duty — The Assessed Taxes — Eesignation of Sir
Jonn Cam Hobhouse — The Bank aud East India Company
Charters — The Emancipation BiU — The Iiish Coercion Bill
— Differences in the Cabinet . . . . . .442

xiv CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXII. PAGE
Meeting of Parliament — Committee of Enquiry — Mr. Shell aud
Mr. O'ConneU^The Budgef>— The Church Bates BUl— The
Poor Law BiU — General support given by the Tories to the
Poor Law Bill — Mr. Ward's motion against the Irish Church
— Eesignation of Mr. Stanley and Sir James Graham — Ad
journment of Mr. Ward's motion — New appointments in the
Cabinet — Eenewed debates on the Irish Church Bill — The
Appropriation Question — The Irish Coercion BiU — Mr.
Littleton's communication with Lord Wellesley — Lord Wel
lesley writes that the clauses for the prohibition of public
meetings are unnecessary— Lord Althorp's opinion that the
clauses must be given up — Mr. Littleton's conversation with
Mr. O'Connell— Lord Althorp is oveiTuled in the Cabinet-
He decUnes to propose the clauses — He afterwards with-
di'aws his resignation — Irish Coercion Bill read the first time
in the Lords — Debate in the Commons — Tender of resigna
tion by Mr. Littleton — It is not accepted — Speech by Lord
Althorp — Eesignation of Lord Althorp — Eesignation of Lord
Grey— Dissolution of the Govemment —Eemarks on conduct
of Lord Althorp and of Mr. Littleton— Addi-ess to Lord
Althorp — Lord Melbourne becomes Premier — Lord Althorp
and Mr. Littleton return to office— Coercion BUl carried
— Prorogation of ParUament — Lord Brougham's tour in
Scotland— Death of Lord Spencer— The King dismisses the
Government- LordAlthorp'sfinalretirementfromoffice . 477

CHAPTER XXIIL
Eetirement of Lord Althorp from poUtical life— The election of
the Speaker— Lord Spencer urged by his friends to return to
politics— Mr. Abercromby elected— Dissolution of the Tory
Government— Eefusal of Lord Spencer to take office— In
terest in country pursuits at Althorp and Wiseton -The
Eoyal Agricultural Society— Correspondence on agricultural
subjects — PhUosophical studies — Correspondence with
former coUeagues-Eeceives the ofi'er of Lord Lieutenancy
of Heland-Moves the Address at the opening of the new
Pamament in 1841- Proposes the Eepeal of the Corn Laws
—Sensation throughout the country-Farming pursuits-
Lord Spencer's Speech on the Maynooth Bill— Is seized
with illness during the Doncaster Paces — His death-
Character

527

THE LIFE OE EAKL SPENCEE.
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.
(a fkagment.)
[This fragment from Lord Althorp's own pen was
discovered among his papers, without date, and
ending abruptly ; it is given here exactly as it was
found. From internal evidence it must have been com
posed in the winter of 1834-5. The writer survived
that time more than ten years, and it would seem
most unlikely that, with ample leisure, he should
have at once and finally dropped a work which from
his deliberate character he would not hastily have
undertaken ; but the most careful search has failed
to bring any more of it to light.]
I have long known, and often endeavoured to imjaress
upon my roind, that there is only one object which is
worthy of the ambition of a man of sense, and that is, to
obtain the favour of Grod. Political pursuits and political
rivalships are not the means to conduce to this end. I do
not say that politicians may not obtain the favour of God ;
on the contrary, I am confident that many of them have,

xvi LIFE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
and many of them will continue to do so : but the occupa
tions and the compliances which necessarily belong to a
political man must, at least as far as my experience teaches
me, have a tendency to diminish religious feelings. Not
withstanding my conviction of this truth, I know myself
well enough to be aware, that, however thoroughly my
reason is convinced that the only object I ought to have in
view is to secure my eternal happiness, yet if ambition had
been one of the passions which had much influence on my
conduct, my mind is not yet sufficiently imbued with reli
gion, to induce me to sacrifice ambitious pursuits, for the
reason which I have stated : I retire from political life,
from my own inclination only. But it is satisfactory to me
firmly to believe and to be convinced, that by so doing I give
myself greater facilities to become a religious man, than I
should have possessed, had I continued to be in the new
situation in which I was placed, as an active political
partisan. I am told I shall feel the want of political excitement,
and be unable to find employment for my time. I do not
think those who tell me this, know my character ; I believe
that the pursuits which I followed in my country life, before
I came into office, would be sufficient for my happiness
now. But a part of the year was then occupied by my
attendance in the House of Commons, and I think, therefore,
it will be prudent for me to add to my former pursuits,
literary occupation. I am aware that the deficiencies of my
education, and the habits of all my past life, are impedi
ments which I must overcome. In adopting this course,
reading alone will not be sufficient; it will be necessary for
me to write, as well as to read. The difficulty I have to
overcome here, is that there are no subjects on which I can
fancy that I possess more information than other people.
No original composition of mine, therefore, on any literary
political, or historical topic could instruct others, or satisfy

LIFE OF EAEL SPENCEE. xvii
myself; and, secondly, I have no habit of composition, I
have no practice in putting sentences together, and even,
therefore, if I did possess the requisite information, I should
not be able to convey it in a way which would induce the
public to read what I had written. But I have lived, at
least it appears to me, in times which must hereafter be
most important in the history of England. I have been,
more or less actively, engaged in politics more than thirty
years. Even before I was engaged myself, I passed my
boyhood at the Admiralty, during my father's brilliant
administration of the Naval department : I was acquainted
with Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox ; and ever since their deaths I
have been on the most intimate terms with all the leaders
of the Whig party. I therefore think, that in putting
on paper my own recollections of my past life, notwith
standing the defects in my style of writing, and the want of
general information which may frequently appear in this
composition, I am doing that which will be interesting to
posterity. My intention is to write down literally my own recol
lections. I have kept no memoranda to which I could refer ;
and though I shall make use of my father's correspondence
which he preserved, and of the few letters which I have
preserved myself, where I think it desirable to do so, yet
the main part, and almost the whole, of this work will
consist of what I remember myself. I probably, therefore,
shall frequently be inaccurate as to dates ; sometimes even,
but not often, my recollection may deceive me as to facts
themselves ; and it may also sometimes happen, that I may
confound the impression which the event made upon me
at a subsequent period, with that which it made upon me
at the time when it occurred. But in the main, the infor
mation which I shall give will be authentic : it will be the
testimony of an eye-witness, and I am determined it shall
be honest. I intend to state, without any reserve, my

xviii LIFE OF EARL SPENCEE.
opinion of the characters and motives of those whose actions
will be brought under view; and among others I shall most
unreservedly state my opinion of myself, and avow all the
motives, as far as 1 know them, which have operated on
my conduct. In doing this, I shall endeavour to divest
myself of all partiality, and I hope that the temper of my
mind is such, that I am not likely to put a worse construc
tion upon the motives of others, than their apparent conduct
requires. I shall begin with my earliest recollections.
These, of course, will apply to a period of my life which can
be but little interesting ; but even this may be useful, as it
will lead to a better appreciation of my own character, and
may, perhaps, point out why it has been that a man with
out education, and possessed of such very slender natural
abilities, should have risen to such high eminence as I have,
and should have possessed the power, which, up to the
period of my quitting the House of Commons, it was my
fate to enjoy.
Before I begin to state my own recollections, it will be
desirable that I should say something of those from whom I
sprang,- as far as my observation in later times has enabled
me to judge of them.
My grandfather, Lord Spencer, died before I was one year
old. I have, therefore, no recollection of him myself, but I
have necessarily heard him described by others. My father,
however, never said anything to me about his character,
from which I could form any judgment of what his opinion
of him really was ; aud his opinion was the only one on
which I should have been inclined to place any reliance.
Lady Jones, who knew my grandfather very well, told me
once, that he was the noblest man that ever existed. She
was a woman of very strong understanding, inclined un
doubtedly to criticise rather than to praise others • and
therefore her opinion, when expressing such praise as this
would have been of great value, if her temper had not been

LIFE OF EAEL SPENCEE. xix
such, as might have induced her to praise my grandfather,
for the purpose of depreciating my father, if, at the time she
spoke, he had given her any cause of offence.* My mother
has also told me that my grandfather's manners, when he
wished to please, were so fascinating that it was scarcely
possible to resist his influence ; at the same time, she men
tioned many instances which proved that he had no command
of temper whatever. From what indeed is notorious, he
must have been a man who never put any restraint upon
himself. He succeeded to an enormous property in mone}^,
as well as land, before he was of age ; and he died at forty-
nine years old, very much in debt. He spent extravagantly
large sums in contested elections, and endeavoured to obtain
great parliamentary influence, without, as far as I am aware,
ever having been at all eager as a politician ; and he played
very deep. I believe that he was a man of generous and
amiable disposition, spoiled by having been placed, at too
early a period of his life, in the possession of what then
appeared to him inexhaustible wealth ; and irritable in his
temper, partly from the pride which this circumstance had
produced, and partly from almost continued bad health.
Whether he was a religious man or not, I do not know;
but it is clear, from the total absence of all self-command

* Lady Jones, with some peculiarities, had a warm heart ; as those
who knew hor, even in her old age, can testify. Her sense of the
obligations which Sir William Jones had received from Lord Spencer
probably coloured the view she took of his character. Sir WiUiam was
certainly deeply attached to him. He says in one of his letters : "I
rejoice with the truest sincerity that his lordship's health is so likely
to be re-established ; for I cannot name a man of rank in the nation,
in whose health the public and all mankind, as well as his famUy and
friends, are more truly interested." (Lord Teignmouth's "Life of Sir
William Jones," 219.) Granting due aUowance for the fact that this
letter was addressed to Lady Spencer, the expressions are entitled to
great consideration; for Sir WilUam Jones was no flatterer, and his
letters breathe a spirit of independence highly honourable to his
character. — AUTllOE.

LLFE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

which was exhil)ited in his conduct, that the true principles
of Christianity could not have entered fully into his mind.
I knew my grandmother. Lady Spencer, very well, and I
think I can form a true estimate of her character ; but I
am aware that, from the circumstance of my mother never
having liked her, my estimate will probably be more un
favourable than it ought. She was a woman who did not
possess naturally any quickness of understanding, nor do I
think that she possessed sterling good sense ; but she had
taken great pains with herself, had read a great deal, and
though herself far from brilliant in conversation, had lived
in the society of clever people. This gave her a reputation
for ability to which she was not entitled. The vanity which
influences all mankind, even the best, influenced her.

C^TEEA DeSUNT.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

CHAPTEE I.
LORD spencer's ANCESTRY.

Little need be added to what Lord Spencer has Joim, first
said of his grandfather (the first Earl) in the fore- SpLcer.
going Fragment. If that nobleman has been made
the subject of rather indiscriminate eulogy, in the
elegant epitaph prompted by the attachment of his
son-in-law, the fifth Duke of Devonshire, it is only
due to him to observe, that this is confirmed, as
above stated, in many material points by the testi
mony of a much higher authority — the celebrated
Sir William Jones.'"" Many generous actions are
related of him; and he had at least the merit of
being free from the intemperate habits which de
graded his father, and too many of the English
aristocracy, during the middle of the last century.
He was averse to exertion, perhaps from tempera
ment ; and though somewhat reserved in manner, was
true and warm in his friendships, almost to a fault ;
for I suspect it to be owing to this cause, rather than
* " Life of Sir William Jones;" see also "Baker's History of
Northamptonshire."

2 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
to any decided views in politics— which his grandson
justly doubts his having entertained— that he squan
dered such enormous sums in elections. The excite
ment also arising out of these contests, which none
but those who have experienced it can appreciate,
must have strongly operated on one by whom
gambling was unhappily regarded almost as a
necessity.''- His connections in politics were credi
table, for he owed his peerage to the recommendation
of Mr. Pitt (the first Lord Chatham) ; and the only
office he ever held was forced upon him by the
Marquis of Rockingham, to whom he was deeply
attached and adhered closely, during the protracted
exclusion of their party from power. He did not
long survive that nobleman, having died in October,
1783, at the early age of forty-nine.
Manies Horacc Walpole sneers at Lord Spencer "for
Poyntz. having married the daughter of a nobleman's tutor ; "
as if an alliance with the family of Mr. Poyntz,t who
solely by his own merit had risen to be Minister
Plenipotentiary in Sweden, one of the Commissioners
at the Congress of Soissons, and a member of the
Privy Council, could be regarded as any degrada-
tion.J If not nobly born. Lady Spencer, however,
* Althorp, in his time, became almost a gambling-house. The
Christmas party used to sit up at high play, tiU what were called the
Uttle hours, two or three o'clock in the morning. — Attthoe.
t Mr. Poyntz was highly esteemed in his dav as a diplomatist. He
belonged to a respectable family, which after having flourished for
some centuries in Gloucestershire, had latterly settled in Berkshii-e.
He happened in early life, shortly after he left coUege, to travel with
the Duke of Devonshire, and hence the attack of Horace Walpole. He
was afterwards governor of Prince WiUiam. — Authoe
X Mr. Spencer married Miss Poyntz on the 27th Dec, 1755. The

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. J
as I am assured by one of her descendants, who has cuaraeter
a vivid recollection of her, " Avas eminently high-bred Spencef.
in air and manner : a Avinning sweetness, with great
dignity and benevolence of expression, giving her a
peculiar charm." This was in her decline : in youth
she had been the delight of society by her innocent
and graceful sprightliness, and that desire to please,
which seldom fails when as in her case it has its
origin in a pure heart, and a well-regulated mind.
She married early ; and the attachment of her
husband, who Avas reputed the richest commoner of
his day, placed every indulgence at her disposal.
The jewels with which he presented her on their
inarriage was strictly private, and an amusing account is given of it in
a letter written at the time, which I shall transcribe, with some sUght
omissions : " They had been for some time attached to each other ;
and on the day that Mr. Spencer came of age, he told Mr. Poyntz, who
happened to be on a visit to Althorp, that he was determined to make
Miss Poyntz his wife, as soon as he was master of himself ; so he en
treated they might be married the next day. His request was
granted ; and it was managed that, although fifty persons were in the
house, none of them knew anything about the matter, except Lord
and Lady Cowper, Mrs. Poyntz, and her eldest son; and it was not
declared tUl the Saturday after. On the 27th December, after tea, the
parties necessary for the wedding stole by degrees from the company,
into Lady Cowper's dressing-room, where the ceremony was per
formed ; and they returned difierent ways to the company again, and
joined dancing with them. After supjier, everybody retired as usual
to their difierent apartments. Miss Poyntz and her sister lay, from
their first going to Althorp, in the best apartments, and Miss Louisa
resigned her place on this occasion."
"They have been most graciously received at court, and by my Lord
Granville, who declares himself Mr. Spencer's rival, so at present
there is as much happiness in that family as a mortal heart can contain.
AU enquired after you, and will take it very ill if you do not come
in person to wish them joy. The town had married Miss Poyntz to
Lord Fordwick, who, unluckily for a lover, is gone to school this very
day." (MS. letter from Miss Granville, afterwards Mrs. Delany, to her
sister, Ann, begun Mth and ended 17th January, 1756.)— Authoe. B 2

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
marriage, were of a splendour that excited the
admiration, perhaps the envy, of her female friends,
one of Avhom, in a letter written at the time, describes
them Avith an amusing particularity, and then adds,
" all these things I have just seen at Mrs. Spencer's ;
who looked at them with the utmost unconcern, not
as insensible to their merit, as fine of their kind and
pretty things, but as the least part of her happiness.
A begging letter delivered to her at the same time,
which brought tears into her eyes, made her appear
Avith more lustre than all her diamonds."""' Pros
perity, indeed, never seemed a trial to her. She had
no pride, no feelings of exclusiveness, none of the
slavish subservience to etiquette, which then charac
terised the female aristocracy ; and yet her acquain
tance was courted by the most fastidious of the class

' Another extract from thesame letter may be inserted, giving an
account of the bride's toUet, which might be mistaken for an extract
from " Sir Charles Grandison " : — " She was married in a white and
sUver, trimmed. I cannot remember the rest, only a pink satin with
embroidered facings and robings in sUver, done by Mr. Glegg. Her
first suit she went to court in, was wliite and silver, as fine as brocade
and sUver could make it ; the second, blue and silver ; the third, pink,
white, and gold colour, 6Z. a-yard ; the fourth, plain pink-colour satin.
Her diamonds worth 12,000Z. : her earrings, three drops, aU diamonds,
no paltry scrolls of sUver : her necklace, most perfect brilliants, the
middle stone worth 1000?., set at the edge with small brilUants. Her
cap, all briUiants, made in the fashion of a smaU butterfiy skeleton,
has a very good efi'ect, with a pompion ; and behind, where you may
suppose the bottom of the caul, a knot of diamonds, with two little
puffs of diamonds where the lappets are fastened ; and two shaking
spngs of brUliants for her hair, six roses, all brUUants, for stags, set
m the form of a star ; and a seal of a Mercury, cut in very fine tur
quoise stone set as a standing for a spaniel dog, the body of a peail
of the size of the Duchess of Portland's dolphin, the head and neck
made out with gold finely wrought, two little brilliants for its eyes,
and a brUliant collar ; it cost seventy guinea,s."— Authoe

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
to which she had been elevated. Lord March
(afterwards Duke of Queensberry), a cynical courtier
and an acute observer of life, Avriting to George
Sehvyn from Althorp, in 1767, says, " I Avish you
were here  The more I see of the mistress
of the house, the more I admire her ; and our land
lord improves very much upon acquaintance. They
are really the happiest people, I think, I ever saw
in the marriage system. Enfi-n, eest le mcilleur
menage possible. I Avish every hour of the day that
you was Avith us ; they would like you, and I am
sure you would like them."'" Her grandson is pro
bably correct in his estimate of her abilities ; there
is no doubt that they could bear no comparison Avith
his mother's. Her published letters are not re
markable for originality of thought, or power of
observation ; their merit lies in their good sense,
ease, and simplicity, as well as in the amiable spirit
which is said to have pervaded aU she said and did.
These were the characteristics of her conversation.
DaAad Garrick has recorded Avith Avarm admiration
the impression it made on him ; and in her patronage
of rising talent, in the choice of her friends, and in the
education of her son, she unquestionably displayed
no common sagacity and soundness of judgment.
In her old age, having lost her husband, and her
beautiful and accomplished daughter, the Duchess of
Devonshire, chastened, but not subdued, by sorrow.
Lady Spencer withdrew from London, and passed
the remaining years of her life entirely in the
* " George Selwyn and his contemporaries," v. ii. p. 213.

G MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE.
country. Her residence was in the immediate
neighbourhood of the charitable establishment,
founded at St. Alban's by her husband's ancestress,
Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough ; the superintendence
of which, and providing for the v/ants of its inmates,
became her favourite employment ; and her exertions
for their temporal and spiritual benefit were unre
mitting. She was also one of the first in the higher
classes to adopt Sunday-schools ; and her name Avill
be found among the bountiful supporters of many of
the most useful plans originated in her day, for
ameliorating the condition of the poor. She courted
the society of all persons distinguished for their
share in these benevolent undertakings. Mrs.
Trimmer was her frequent guest, and became one
^^i8iT'' °"^ ^^^ most attached friends. Having retained her
cheerfulness and sweetness of temper to the last, she
expired, after a very short illness, on the 18th
March, 1814, in her seventy-sixth year."'
George Gcorgc Joliii, socoud Earl Spencer, K.G., had the
second Earl good fortuiie to roccive an education such as was
bestoAved on none of his contemporaries. His
Edueated mother, when entrusting him to Mr. (afterwards Sir
fo^r William) Jones, under Avhose care he passed five
years, said, "Make him, if you can, like yourself"
Nor was this a mere compliment ; for Sir WiUiam
Jones used to boast, that " Avith the fortune of a
peasant, he had given liimself the education of a
prince." The method he so successfully followed in
* An interesting account of Lady Spencer is given in the life of
Mrs. Trimmer, pp. 130-134.— Authoe. fe ven m the lite oi

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
his own case, was that laid down by Milton '¦- and
Locke, t to which, with some modifications, he now
adhered in the training of his pupil ; and he per
formed a task, proverbially unattractive to men of
genius, with a zeal and attention, scarcely, perhaps,
paralleled but by Fendlon in earlier, and Arnold in
later days. Although he could not remain Avith
Lord Spencer beyond the early part of his education,
for their relation only lasted from 1765 till 1770,
when the latter was but twelve years old, he
succeeded in forming his tastes, and giving a just
direction to his pursuits, to an extent scarcely credi
ble to those who did not Avitness the pains he
bestowed on the accomplishment of his object. Sir
Robert Adair, who Avas of the same age as Lord
Spencer, and resided for more than a year in the
same house with him and Sir William Jones, assured
me, that he seemed to put the whole strength of his
mind into the discharge of his duty, and that some
of his maxims, which he then inculcated on his pupil,
had often recurred to Sir Robert's inemory in later
days as not less original than instructive, and had
indeed been of essential service to himself For
tunately for Lord Spencer, Sir William Jones con
tinued his constant correspondent and counsellor
until he went out to India. The beautiful expres
sion of the younger Pliny, in describing the tutor he
was recommending to a friend, is strictly apphcable
to this great and good man : — " Nihil ex hoc viro
* Letter to Mr. Hartlib.
t Treatise on Education.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
filius tuus audiet nisi profuturum, nihil discet quod
nescisse rectius fuerit."'''
It would have been strange if such advantages
of education had failed to ensure their possessor,
especially in his high station, some degree of
eminence ; and to these Lord Spencer certainly owed
much of the success of his after life ; since, although
gifted with a clear and good understanding, highly
susceptible of cultivation, he could not lay claun to
brilliant abilities. He was neither an early, nor an
eager candidate for pohtical distinction. When a
very young man, he had indeed attended some of the
meetings for Parliamentary Reform ; and finding (to
use his oAvn words) " among the advocates of that
measure, men whose purpose overleaped their pro
fessions,"! he AAdthdrew altogether from what he
considered such dangerous society; and Avithout
absolutely abandoning the Whigs, he gave them,
during some years, no support beyond his occasional
attendance and silent votes in the House of Lords,
where the party presented a feeble and ineffectual
opposition to the measures of Mr. Pitt. As soon as
the excesses of the French Revolution brought the
antagonistic principles of pohtical warfare into action
joiasthe evcn in England, Lord Spencer was one ofthe first
of the great Whigs to pass over into the Tory camp.
He indicated his intentions in a speech on the Ahen
Bill, in December, 1792, when, in supporting that
measure, he entreated his friends not to impute his
* Lib. iu. Ep. 3.
t "Pari. History," v. xxxi., p. 1286.

Tory party

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 9
secession to a derehction of principle, or to a diminu
tion of the respect he entertained for their virtues or
abilities, but to a sense of public duty.'"' At the
opening of next Session, in speaking on the Address,
he gave an almost unqualified adherence to the
Ministry, accompanied however by a warm eulogium
on Mr. Fox, whose probity and accomplishments he
could justly appreciate, Avhilst he disapproved of his
course in politics ; and, from that time, his connexion
Avith the Whigs entirely ceased, till 1806, Avhen he
joined Lord GrenAdlle's administration. A foAV Becomes
¦ 1 ^o'^'i Privy
months after making this speech he was appointed Seal.—
Lord Privy Seal, and in December, First Lord of First lord
the Admiralty, a great promotion for an untried Admiralty.
politician ; and he OAved it, no doubt, to the timely
reinforcement, which his poAverful connexions brought
to Mr. Pitt's assistance at a period of extreme diffi
culty : still it seems that the public had already
formed so high an estimate of his capacity, that his
accession was generally considered to give strength
to the Government ; nor were the public in this
instance mistaken, as his naval administration proved Success of
. , . his naval
the only brilliant part of Mr. Pitt s Avar. He dis- admiuis-
played throughout, an uncommon capacity lor busi
ness, and a highly intelligent and comprehensive
mind. The simple and unpretending manner in
which he performed his duties furnished invidious
critics with pretexts for disparaging his abilities, and
treating them as unequal to high office. Lord Shel
burne, especially, once hearing him warmly com-
* " Pari. History," v. xxx., p. 160.

jQ MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
mended, observed, in his cynical way, " Yes, yes,
he is, I believe, an excellent chairman of Quarter
Sessions." In one quality, of great value to all
statesmen, and especiaUy to the chiefs of a naval
department, he outshone most of his contemporaries,
— Mr. Pitt not excepted — a keen and correct dis
cernment of character: he could read men, and
measure their abilities for the public service, Avith an
almost unerring precision; and his judgment was
never warped by considerations of party, or personal
friendship. The contrast presented by his appoint
ments to those of the Horse Guards, is sufficient to
account, in no small degree, for the inferiority of the
army to the navy at this period. The persons,
indeed, to whom Lord Spencer gave his confidence,
were all of distinguished merit. From his secretary,
Mr. Marsden, the accomplished historian of Sumatra,
up to the Admirals of the Fleet, they served him
and their country admirably.
It was not alone, hoAvever, in the selection of such
men as Howe, Nelson, Hood, Duncan, St. Vincent,
and CoUingwood for naval commands — resulting in
the battles of St. Vincent, CamperdoAvn, the Nile,
and other great naval operations — and in the assis
tance which, as appears from their private and public
letters, they received on all occasions from his advice
and unflinching support, but in suppressing the great
naval mutinies on our coasts, that Lord Spencer
shone as a statesman. It is only necessary to refer
to the Parhamentary debates to see how general, and
hoAv deep, was the consternation that then prevailed.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. H
Lord Spencer's firmness and judgment never deserted
him for a moment. Aided by Lord Howe, and
Lord St. Vincent, and other eminent admirals, whose
services he always gratefully acknowledged, he
visited the fleet, examined himself the complaints of
the seamen, and by a happy union of firmness and
moderation restored loyalty to the service. This
loyalty, hoAvever, Avould probably have been short
lived, but for the reforms he quickly introduced into
the discipline of the navy, providing for the comforts
of the men, and subjecting the authority of the
officers over them to proper control ; a measure
which, by improving the condition of the sailor, raised
the character of the serAdce : scenes, such as had
been described too faithfully by Smollett, could
henceforth no longer occur on board a British ship
of war. The establishment of this enlightened
system, far in advance of the age, and a signal
triumph over the prejudices of the profession, if he
had done nothing else, would have given Lord
Spencer an honourable place in our naval history;
and it is due to his memory to add, that it has
served as the basis on which the present adminis
trative code has been framed by his various suc
cessors at the Admiralty.
Lord Spencer did not aspire to any independent
influence in the Cabinet, being content to follow the
lead of Mr. Pitt, for Avhom he contracted a warm
admiration, and in after days would often dwell on
the various traits he had witnessed, not only of his
great abilities, but of his marvellous self-possession

J 2 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
and intrepidity : one characteristic anecdote, of his
waking Mr. Pitt from sleep to receive some alarming
intelligence, and Mr. Pitt, after discussing it Avith his
usual sagacity, at once falling asleep again, is given
correctly in Lord Holland's Memoirs, to whom he
had no doubt related it. The generous spirit Avith
which Mr. Pitt defended him in the House of
Commons, at a most trying moment, against the
eloquent denunciations of Sheridan, and the whole
array of the Opposition, he never forgot. In return,
he Avas alAA^ays at his post to raise his voice in the
House of Lords, in vindication of the course pursued
by Mr. Pitt. Judging from the reports of his
speeches in the Parliamentary debates, his strength
seems to have lain most in reply, when he met the
arguments of his adversaries with firmness and
resolution, and sometimes Avith more than common
dialectic skill. Sir Robert Inghs, who had often
heard him, told me that he Avas always clear, sensible,
and intelligent, qualities that Avith his extent of
general information, his high personal character, and
a style and manner admirably suited to his audi
ence, must have made his speeches useful; but I
doubt his having ever possessed the flow of words
or force of expression, much less the imagination or
impetuosity of feeling, that rivet the attention of
popular assembhes.
t^hfcX Having resigned Avith Mr. Pitt on the Cathohc
licjues- question Lord Spencer never held office afterwards,
Secretary excopt as Secretary to the Home Department,
HomeDe- duriiig the brief administration of his friend and

partment.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 13
former colleague. Lord GreuAdlle, in 1806. I think
it no exaggerated praise to claim for him the honour
of being one of the few successful statesmen whose
conduct in retirement fuUy maintained the dignity
of his character. He was wholly exempt from the
morbid feelings, which so often distort the judgment,
and exasperate the passions, of disappointed politi
cians. Whatever might be his concem at the course
which public affairs had taken, no one ever ventured
to charge him Avith sacrificing the interests of the
country to those of his party. At the same time he
did not shrink from what he conceived to be his
duty, as he showed by his attacks on the Addington
Ministry, Avhose inadequacy to the fearful exigencies
of the time he often most emphatically proclaimed in
the House of Lords, with a warmth in which he was
hardly surpassed even by Mr. Windham in the House
of Commons ; and I must add, more disinterestedly,
as, unhke that statesman, he never was haunted by
any visions of office. The healthy tone of his mind
was strikingly manifested in his pursuits. HappUy Pui-suits in
for him, he combined with studious habits a great ment.
love of the country and aU out-of-door employments ;
and this was not confined to field-sports. Without
presuming to emulate the example of Lord Town
shend, to whose exclusion from office the county
of Norfolk mainly owes its present improved system
of husbandry. Lord Spencer entered heartily into
the movement made at the beginning of the cen
tury, for the more scientific treatment of agriculture.
The owners of Holkham and Woburn Avere amongst

j4 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
his most intimate friends ; and the example of the
farm at Althorp (no insignificant item in his ex
penditure), Avhere many experiments were made
and new methods adopted, was not Avithout good
effect in Northamptonshire. He by no means
neglected the management of his extensive estates
in Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Middlesex, and
Surrey, the rental of which at one time reached
nearly 60,000?. a year.'" "The wants and wishes
of his tenantry always received his patient and
indulgent consideration," as was appropriately ex
pressed in their Address to him at Althorp in 1816,
upon the occasion of their presenting him Avith a
magnificent vase, in acknowledgment of his un
varying liberahty and kindness. The dehght and
pride he took in his country seat, feelings seemingly
peculiar to English statesmen as distinguished from
foreign ones, and certainly creditable to the national
character, entitle him to be named amongst those
who successfully cultivated the more elegap,t
branches of rural economy. Sir Robert Walpole
created Houghton, and the Avoods of his planting
are still its principal ornament, as the contempla
tion of them formed almost the only solace of his
political disappointments. Lord GrenviUe, in our
times, converted a barren heath into the most
picturesque arboretum in Europe, and nearly forgot
the pressure of age and infirmity in this delightful
* It must not be supposed, that Lord Spencer had a net income to
this amount. His estates were, unfortunately for him, heavily
charged, as is the case with so many of the possessions of our aristo
cracy. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 15
occupation.'"' In the preceding century, another
too well-knoAvn statesman. Lord Sunderland, was
praised by Evelyn for his Plantations at Althorp ;t
but the grounds and gardens, and some of the
finest features of the park, were planned by his
descendant. Lord Spencer. He also made large
additions to the mansion in 1790, under the super
intendence of the late Mr. Holland, the architect.
In the spacious suite of rooms he placed that
splendid collection of books, which alone sufficed
to give him a reputation throughout Europe. It
was estimated to contain forty or fifty thousand
volumes, amongst which Avere the choicest treasures
of Bibliography. He was deeply versed in the
science ; and his cultivation of it, having been
followed by the Duke of Marlborough and other
noblemen, brought the taste into fashion. Some
of these votaries attended more to the outside of

* Lord GrenviUe's letter to Mr. Eepton, on Landscape Gardening,
gives a beautiful picture of the moral effects of the art. — Authoe.
t "I went to see my Lord Sunderland's seat at Althorp, four miles
from the ragged town of Northampton (since burned and well re
buUt). 'Tis placed in a pretty open bottome, very finely watred and
fianqued with stately woods and groves in a parke, with a canaU,
but the water is not running, which is a defect. The house, a kind
of modern buUding, of freestone, within most nobly furnished. The
appartments very commodious, a, gaUerie, and noble hall, but the
kitchen being in the body of the house, and chapell too small, were
defects. There is an old yet honorable gatehouse standing awry and
out-housing mean, but designed to be taken away. It was moated
round after the old manner, but is now dry and turfed with a beauti
fuU carpet. Above all are admirable and magnificent the severall
ample gardens furnished with the choicest fruite and exquisitely kept.
Greate plenty of oranges and other curiosities." " Evelyn's Memoirs
and Correspondence," v. ii. p. 409. — Editoe.

16 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
books, as in the Shippe of Fooles,^^ the book-fool
says — ¦ " Styth am I besy bokes assembUnge
For to have plenty it is a plesaunt thynge
In my concete, and have them aye in hande.
But what they mene, do I not understonde."
Mr. Canning used to say he once found that
great bibliographer, Mr. Dent, Avith a book before
him tumed upside doAvn. It was far otherAvise
with Lord Spencer. Although he would, no doubt,
sometimes " exhaust a moming over his early
editions of Cicero," as it is recorded in Mr. Gibbon's
correspondence he did, in the company, and much
to the satisfaction, of the historian, t he was a great
reader ; and the exquisite reUsh he had contracted
for his favourite authors stood even the test of
official excitement and disquietude. On one occa
sion, when First Lord of the Admiralty, a long
continuation of hard work and anxiety had driven
him to call in Dr. Baillie, who prescribed a day's
cessation from business, and a play of Euripides,
which treatment was entirely successful. J Not
only was he a good scholar, but I am informed
by Lord Brougham, that he had a taste for science,
and upon the death of Sir Joseph Banks would

* " Shippe of Fooles "—Barclay's metrical translation, A.D. 1507,
stanza 2.
T Letter from "Althorp Library." Gibbon's MisceUaneous Works,
V. 1. p. 289.
t I remember his saying that whUe at the Admiralty he had read
many of the classics, including much of .Sischylus, Sophocles, and
Euripides.— Loed Lytteltoh-. .^ > r

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 17
have been proposed as President of the Royal
Society, had he not absolutely refused his consent.
His conversation, I can state on the same high
authority, to have been most interesting and in
structive. " He had lived," says Lord Brougham,
" with the very best society all his life, foreign as
Avell as English. He was full of anecdote accord
ingly, and his mode of relating was excellent,
being both succinct and accurate, and so were all
his political recollections, of which he had the
richest store of almost any man I have knoAvn."
Lord Spencer had been very good-looking in his
youth : '"" indeed. Miss Burney in her Diary describes
him as very handsome ; and " his fine blue eyes "
seemed to have made an impression on her, which
might be traced in the somewhat minute portraits
that crowd the pages of her earlier novels. There Avas
a refinement, both in his mind and manners, not un
worthy of the most polished courtiers of the days of
Louis the XlVth, and yet quite untainted by affecta
tion. A degree of constitutional reserve, which he
inherited from his father, and transmitted to his son,
was often mistaken for pride by mere acquaintances ;
but it soon Avore off in the society of those Avho knew
and loved him. He was seen to great advantage
with literary men, among whom he had many
friends : Peter Elmsley, the learned editor of Sopho
cles, Major Rennell, the geographer, and Dr. Wol
laston, the philosopher, were his constant guests.
These gentlemen were in affluent circumstances ; but
* See his portrait by Eeynolds, at Althorp. — Loed Lyttelton.

18 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
some of the accomplished scholars who frequented
Spencer House had often to struggle with pecuniary
difficulties, and to them his purse was ahvays open;
whUe they likoAvise benefited largely by his interest
in the Church, and other professions. Thus he was
the earliest patron of Bishop Blomfield, who owed
to him his first preferment, the living of Chesterford ;
Avithout which it is not improbable that this able
prelate would have long languished in obscurity,
gaining a poor livelihood from the charge of private
pupUs.''- It Avas remarked that Lord Spencer's re
serve immediately vanished Avhen he had an oppor
tunity of doing an act of kindness.
Marriase Lord Speucor, soou after he came of age, married
¦with Miss .
Bingham. Miss Laviuia Bingham, eldest daughter of Lord
Lucan, an Irish Peer, whose intimacy Avith Johnson,
Goldsmith, Gibbon, Reynolds, and Burke has secured
him frequent and honourable notice by BosweU. It
Avas a marriage of inclination, and a very happy one.
Her cha- Lady Speuccr was in the bloom of youth, and not
racter. . "^ '- J '
* This statement is not quite accurate. The living which Lord
Spencer gave to [the Bishop was Dunton (in Bucks) — the first at
which the Bishop resided. He had previously been curate of Chester
ford, which was in the gift of the Earl of Bristol, who afterwards pre
sented him to the Uving, (in 1817) on which he resigned Dunton. His
first preferment was Quarrington (in Lincolnshire), also in the gift
of the Earl of Bristol. — Eev. A. Blomfield.
I have heard that the Earl of Bristol was on intimate terms with the
Bishop's father (who resided at Bury St. Edmunds), and became god
father to his son, promising to do what he could to provide for him ;
in fulfilment of this promise he afterwards gave him the living of
Chesterford. The Bishop would probably have risen to eminence in
any event, as he was a most distinguished classical scholar, and if he
had remained m the university would no doubt have attained a high
place there. — Editoe.

MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE. 19
less admired for her beauty, than for the bright in
tellectual look, and graceful smile, so conspicuous in
her portraits by Reynolds. Gibbon, Avhom she
visited, Avith Lord Spencer, at Lausanne, in 1795,
says of her and her husband, in a letter to Lord
Sheffield :'" — " He is a valuable man, and Avhen he is
familiar, a pleasant companion. She is a charming
woman, Avho, Avith sense and spirit, has the playful
ness and simplicity of a child. You are not ignorant
of her talents, of which she has left me an agreeable
specimen — a drawing of the Historic Muse, sitting
in a thoughtful posture to compose."
The opinion thus giA^en of Lady Spencer Avas fully
confirmed by the high position she long filled in
London society. In force of character, and bril
liancy of conversation, she was surpassed by foAv
women of her time. If she appeared to aim at a
somewhat exclusive sway in politics and fashion, it
was from no love of power or display. She cared for
neither, except as they entered into her vioAv of the
duties of her station ; since it was chiefly in her zeal
for what she thought right, that her naturally fervid
spirit betrayed itself " Ipsa Agrippina paulo com-
motior, nisi quod castitate et mariti amore quamvis
indomitum animum in bonum vertebat. "t
With men out of the common stamp, she was Her con-
generally a favourite. They admired her sagacity, i-™es.'
frankness, and pungency of expression. The great
Naval Commanders who frequented the Admiralty
• MisceU. Works ; ed. 1814, v. ii. p. 384.
t Taciti Annal. lib. i. 33. 0 2

20 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
during Lord Spencer's Administration felt the m-
fluence of her superior mind ; Nelson and CoUing^
wood particularly. She is often touchingly mentioned.
in their letters, as one Avho was sure to sympathise
Avith them in their difficulties. She had the pene
tration to see and appreciate the genius of Nelson,.
through the cloud of personal vanity and silly con
ceit, which caused him to be so lightly estimated in
London society. She used playfully to call him her
bull-dog. A certain amount of haughtiness pre
vented her being generally popular, but this was
based on a strict, perhaps a stem sense of propriety ;
and although not without great failings of temper,
she had a true and warm heart. " Never,'i Lord
Brougham told me, " was there a more zealous and
steady friend. I should not have advised any one to
whisper a word against a person she was attached to.
In return, the friendships she inspired were deep and
lasting." When Lord Spencer retired from politics,
she gradually contracted her circle of acquaintances,
Spencer House then became the resort of a few dis
tinguished men, some eminent in science and letters,
and others as statesmen and courtiers ; amongst the
latter, none were more constantly seen there, than
two persons of very different characters, but equally
marked by their friendship for Lord and Lady
Spencer : Mr. Thomas GrenvUle,'" the attached and
inseparable companion of Lord Spencer both in pub
Uc life and in retirement, whose rare accomplish
ments as a scholar and a gentleman overshadowed
* See note (a), p. 21.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 21
¦even his merits as a politician ; and George, Earl of
Essex,'"' who with much of the gay pleasant humour
of his grandfather. Sir Charles Hanbury Williams,
had none of his malignity, and Avas perhaps Avithout
a rival in his intimate knoAvledge of French and
English society, in the last quarter of the eighteenth
century. The iUustrious chiefs of the Whig party,
.Earl Grey and Lord GrenviUe, Avere occasional
visitors ; the latter being draAvn Avith difficulty from
his favourite retreat at Dropmore ; Avhilst several
lOf their younger followers, then rising into distinc
tion, such as Mr. Horner, Mr. Brougham, and Lord
.John Russell, assiduously cultivated Lady Spencer's
friendship, attached by her talents, as Avell as justly
esteeming it a privilege to be on terms of famUiar
intercourse Avith the contemporaries and friends of
Burke, Fox, and Pitt, — men who had been eye and
ear Avitnesses of the great Parliamentary contests of
the last century. Even to Mr. Horner Avith his
abstract turn of mind this was no light advantage.
It certainly has proved a frequent source of inspira
tion, both to Lord Brougham and Lord John Rus
sell, whose finest speeches are enriched by traits in
that period of our history not to be found in books,
and having all the freshness and distinctness to be
derived only from contemporary information.

(a) Lord and Lady Spencer had no older or dearer fruend Mr.Thomas
Ihaii Mr. Thomas GrenviUe. Much of his time, when out ^^'''^^^¦
of London, Avas passed at Althorp, which, next to. Drop-
* See note (5), p. 25.

22 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
more, was his favourite country house. Being a bachelor,
he contented himself with a single establishment, his
mansion (at that time in Brook Street*), which with its
splendid library had, for its size, nothing equal to it in ¦
London. He regarded himself as one of the Spencer
family; and, indeed, both the parents and the chUdren,
Avhen they wanted counsel on occasions of difficulty, always
resorted to him. His memory is deserv^edly venerated by
their descendants.
Mr. Grem'ille was some years older than Lord Spencer,
but in character far more enterprising and ambitious. On
leaA'ing Oxford he entered the Foot Guards, with the view
of following the army as a profession. Bat early abandoning
the Toiy creed of his family, he suffered the penalty, usual
at that day, of such an indiscretion, by finding his promo
tion stopped, which made him quit the service in disgust.
Not that he had any just ground of complaint, if (as the late
Lady Holland and Lord Macaulayt used to relate) he had,
with other young men of rank, been in the mob which broke
down the Admiralty gates, on Lord Keppel's acquittal, in
1779. He revenged himself on Lord North, in a maiden
speech of great promise. The Mmistry, already feeble andl
unpopular, lasted just long enough for him to signahse him
self among its opponents ; and so rapidly and effectually did
he rise in favour with the chiefs of his party, especiaUy Mr.
Fox, that on the change of government two years after, he
was despatched, at the age of twenty-seven, to Paris, to-
negotiate the Treaty of American Independence. Although
soon recaUed, when the intrigues of Lord Shelburne ' broke
up the Government, it was only to receive a stiU higher
distinction from the Coalition Ministry, in his nomination
as Governor- General of India — the actual appointment
being delayed until the India BiU had passed.
The India BiU, however, did not pass : and, as au
additional mortification to Mr. GrenviUe, its defeat was
accomplished mainly through his elder brother, the Mar-
* When I knew him it was in Cleveland Eow.— Loed Lytteltois-.
t I heard him myself.— Loed Lytteltow.

MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 23
quis of Buckingham, who, in the sequel, with his youngest
brother, Mr. W. GrenviUe, became a leading member of
the Government, formed by their kinsman, Mr. Pitt, on
the ruin of the Coalition. To the credit of the brothers,
their domestic harmony remained uninterrupted in all their
political differences. Mr. GrenviUe cheerfuUy shared the
proscription of the Whigs, wliich fell with peculiar severity
upon him ; for, besides his Indian appointment, he lost his
seat for Bucks. Virtually, the decided complexion of his
politics, or the friendship he had contracted with Mr. Fox,
kept him out of the Cabinet for the next quarter of a
century, as it was not till 1806 that he came into office,
Avith Mr. Fox and Lord GrenviUe, as President of the
Board of Control; and he was afterwards Fust Lord ol
the Admiralty. Alienated as he had been in tlie interval
from Mr. Fox, on account of the French Revolution, and
3'ielding so far to the necessities of the times as to give his
support to Mr. Pitt, not even the example of his friends
the Duke of Portland, Lord Spencer, and for a while Lord
Fitzwilliam, could overcome his repugnance to identify
himself thoroughly with a Tory Government. His accep
tance of the Embassies to Vienna and BerUn — at critical
periods of the war — were services rendered to the country,
rather than to the Ministry ; and the latter nearly cost him
his hfe, for the Proserpine frigate, in which he sailed, was
wrecked oiF Embden, when some of the crew perished ; and
his courage and foresight essentially contributed to the
preseiwation of the survivors. Justice was done to the
abiUties and address he displayed in these embassies,
fruitlessly as they were employed against the terror of
the French arms ; and he received the sinecure appoint
ment of one of the Chief Justice-ships in Ej^e after his return.
His nice sense of honour and duty, although it may for
a time haA'e clouded his prospects, had its reward in the
esteem and confidence with which he was regarded by the
whole Liberal party. No other man (as was generaUy
believed) could have brought to a successful issue the
negotiations for the reunion of the party in 1806 ; and he

24 MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCER.
might perhaps have succeeded Mr. Fox as Leader of the
House of Commons, but for the natural unwUlingness of
the Whigs to give the GrenvilUtes so decided a preponder
ance in the Government.
Mr. GrenviUe was a graceful, sensible, and occasionaUy
a powerful speaker in ParUament. His nicely poised
periods, and neat, terse, sentences had many admirers;
and few men knew better the right time to cut mto a
debate, and, by a few weighty remarks ^ closely to the
pomt, to give an argument the turn he wished. He had
the stately manner of his grandfather. Sir WiUiam Wynd
ham (Uke whom he was eminently handsome), the same
elegance of diction, and certamly far more extensive know
ledge; but the marvellous natural gifts which, according
to Pope, made Wyndham " master of om- passions and his
own,"* he had not equaUy inherited. He was too fond of
refinements, and too fastidious in his tastes — even if he
had had sufiicient compass of thought and richness of
imagination — to rise to the heights of eloquence. It was
only now and then that he produced a fine speech. Lord
Brougham told me, that he often provoked a smile by the
stress he laid on his "tlie's" and "that's," so that
Sheridan, when once cUscussing his claims to the Leader
ship, observed, that the partj' vyas not to be governed by
particles. He rather maintained an honourable place by
the side of the great Whig leaders, tlian achieved an
independent reputation. He OAved much of the consi
deration he enjoyed with his partj^, to quaUties which
are always more justly appreciated in a statesman out of
office. His attainments were varied, and extensive. He
had studied the Economists, when even Charles Fox only
laughed at them, and was an early and zealous advocate
of free trade. If he could not boast, like his brother Lord
GrenviUe, of knoAving the lUad and Odyssey by heart, he
was not less an admirer of their beauties, as he showed by
* "Or "W^yndham just to freedom and the throne,
The master of our passions and his own."
Epilogue to Satires, Dial. ii. 89 (Pope).

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 25
Ids share in the edition of the GrenvUle Homer ; and his
critical knowledge of Plato Avould have done no discredit
to a German professor. In extreme old age, he would
Tead some of the Dialogues over and over again, with aU
ithe enthusiasm of a youthful student. Lucretius was his
favourite author in Latin. His Ubrary, the noble bequest
he made to the nation, had been coUected by himself
alone ; and he was fond of saying, that when an ensign in
the Guards, he had bid at a sale, against a whole bench
of bishops, for a rare edition of the Bible. The charms
of his conversation seemed equaUy to fascinate scholars
and courtiers; and some of the leading beauties were
believed not insensible to his merit. No man indeed of
his clay had more brilliant success in society; and if not
one of the very ablest members of lus party, he was cer
tainly one of its chief ornaments. Singularly exempt from
the infirmities of age, his form but slightly bent, and his
mind losing little of its power, he bore the pressure of
jrears with cheerfulness, and closed a prosperous and happy
fife with pious resignation on the 17th December, 1846,
at the age of 91. — Authoe.
{h) The Earl of Essex, when very young, had lived at Earl of
the Court of Louis XVL, on the same easy footing that
the Count de Grammont had attained at that of Charles II. :
and could he have found another HamUton, might have
left equaUy amusing memoirs; for he abounded in anec
dotes, and related them very pleasantly. He was often
included in the hunting-parties to Fontainebleau. The
first time he went there (I have heard him say), his friend,
the Grand Chamberlain, told him, under great excitement,
as the guests were assembUng for dinner, that the discovery
had just been made of a fatal objection to his sitting at
the royal table, as he held no office. He of course ex
pressed his ready acquiescence in any other arrangement ;
but the King, overhearing the discussion, was less punc-
tUious than his com-tiers, and laughed heartily, saying
that if there Avas no precedent he' would make one. The

26 lilEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE.
Chamberlain, in conducting Lord Essex to his seat, ob
served, with much solemnity, " Ma foi, vous ferez une
epoque." Such frivolities, with the vicious pursuits from which few
households Avere exempt, engrossed, according to Lord
Essex, the thoughts of the French noblesse. Whatever
contradiction had been officially given to the statements
in the Memoirs of the profligate Due de Lauzun, I have
heard him say, that he knew them to be, Avith few
exceptions, substantially correct, — the Due havmg been
his intimate friend; and he was able, in hke manner, to
authenticate many revolting statements in other autobio
graphical memoirs of the same period. Some of these
Memoirs are known to be apocryphal, such as those of
Louis XVIII., but TaUeju'and assured Lord Essex that
they contained a great deal that was true, as he could
testify. The Duke of Wellington read this book with
interest, and asked Lord Essex whether the picture it gave
of French society could be depended on. Being answered
in the affirmative, the Duke shrewdly said, " then we need
seek no further for the causes of the Eevolution." The
poor King was utterly misplaced in the midst of this brU-
liancy and licentiousness. According to Lord Essex, he
had the most common appearance, and a heavy figm-e —
was generall}^ ill-dressed and very dirty — which, with his
coarseness in eating, made the ceremony of his dinmg in
pubUc materiaUj^ detract from his dignity. These defects,
which clouded many exceUent qualities of head and heart,
enhanced the merit of the Queen, Avhose reputation Lord
Essex always defended as warmly as he eulogised her
grace and affability. He would not even allow that her
conduct had laid her open to just suspicion, except per
haps in her friendship Avith Count Fersen, Avliom he de
scribed as one of the most accomplished and agreeable
men of that day; an opinion in Avhich the Duke of
Dorset fully concurred.
Lord Essex returned from his travels with the repu
tation of great success in foreign society. Georo-e Selwyn

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 27"
and Lord Carlisle admitted him into their set. He wrote
some smart pieces in the " Foiuidling Hospital for Wit."
With refined tastes, and some talent for conversation,
gallant, good-natured, lively, and handsome — for although
rather diminutive, he had a light, well-formed person, and
a face of almost gfilish beauty — he became a favourite of
the women, "a chartered Ubertine;" he was benignantly
received at Court, and soon selected for a high place in
the household of the young Prince of Wales. He long
enjoyed the Prince's confidence — a distmction which in
after-life he dwelt on with smaU satisfaction. He described
the Prince as false, heartless, and profligate. His own life
had been too much given to pleasure, of which he had
reaped the ordinary fruits in much domestic unhappiness ;
but a genuine resjiect for virtue, a kind disposition, and
a deep interest in the arts, particularly painting and
sculjiture, of which he was an exceUent judge and a gene
rous jDatron, shed some brightness on his old age. It was
then that I enjoyed his friendship; and at his hospitable
table I have often met some of the most iUustrious states
men, writers, and artists of the day — Grey, Brougham,
Denman, Melbourne, HoUand, Lansdowne, Sydne}' Smith,
Eogers, Tom Moore, Westmacott, WiUde, Calcott, Leslie,
Chantrey, &c. ; and never did I see these eminent men,
in their private hours, to greater advantage ; for Lord
Essex, without taUiing much himself, had great ingenuity
in promoting conversation, and, whilst eminently well-bred,
was never duU. His recoUections — which he was chary of
imparting, from his dread of a "twice-told tale," — had
great interest, and he carried them back to his great-aunt,
the Duchess of Queensberry,* by whom he had been treated
* Horace Walpole, in a letter to Sir H. Mann, April 26, 1771, sings
her praises in the following lines : —
" To many a Kitty Love his car
Will for a day engage,
But Prior's ICtty, ever fair.
Obtained it for an age." —

¦38 ME-MOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
with great kindness when a boy. Lord Essex died in 1839,
at a very advanced age.- — Author.
Horace Walpole alludes to that well-known ode "The Female
Phaeton," written by Prior in. praise of the Duchess of Queensberry,
then Lady Catherine Hyde, daughter of the Earl of Clarendon; her
sister. Lady Jane Hyde, had lately married the third Earl of Essex.
" Thus Kitty, beautiful and young.
And wild as colt untamed,
Bespoke the fair from whence she sprung
With little rage inflamed.

Must Lady Jenny frisk about,
And visit with her cousins ?
At balls must she make all the rout ,
And bring home hearts bj' dozens ?
Dearest Mamma, for once let me
Unchained mj^ fortune try ;
I'll have an Earl as well as she.
Or know the reason why.

Fondness prevailed. Mamma gave way,
Kitty, at heart's desire.
Obtained the chariot for a day.
And set the ivorld on fire." — Editoe.

CHAPTEE II.
CHILDHOOD.
John Charles, Viscount Althorp, afterwards Earl 1782-98.
7Kt 1—16
Spencer— the subject of this Memoir — the eldest _J  '-
child of Lord and Lady Spencer, Avas born at Spencer jotn "
House, on the 30th May, 1782. VisTount
It must have excited some surprise, that, Avith ^i*<"t?-
such parents. Lord Althorp should dwell, in his cation.
autobiographical sketch, on the " deficiencies of his
education ; " especially as it will be seen that he went
through the usual course of study at a public school,
and at the university, and even had the advantage
(in his time an uncommon one) of a tour through
France and Italy. Perhaps from constant observa
tion of his father's superior attainments, he may
have undervalued his own ; and, like all men who
have closely studied their OAvn minds, he was op
pressed by the reflection that, Avith earlier and im
proved instruction, some of his faculties would have
reached a higher development. In reality, he was
brought up like the majority of young noblemen,'^'"
* Dean Swift's strictures on the education of the higher classes, at
the beginning of the last century, are very remarkable, considering
that this was the Augustan age of our literature. He says : " From

.30 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1782-98. except that the engagements of Lord and Lady
iEt. 1-16.^ Spencer, at a period of unexampled political excite
ment, certainly Avithdrew their attention from their
son, to a degree scarcely compatible with their known
afi'ection for him. Bishop Sherlock has justly re
marked, that " when parents neglect the care of their
children, they are left to pick up notions and opinions
from others, — perhaps from the footman, who, often
times, is a constant companion to the heir of the
family. "'¦¦ This was literally the case Avith Lord
Althorp, Avhose first impressions of duty and know
ledge Avere derived from a Sa^ss footman of Lady
Spencer. This person, though himself imperfectly acquainted
with English, taught him to read, and was his sole
instructor and most intimate associate until he went
to school. Thus the incalculable benefits of sound
early tuition, and the purifjdng influences of parental
intercourse, Avere equally denied him. His portrait,
indeed, was taken by Sir Joshua Reynolds ; and the
fine specimen of that great master in the gallery at
Althorp, representing a blufi", robust boy, about five
years old, with a fresh complexion and flaxen hair,
was one of the very few priAdleges that rank and
Avealth obtained for him in childhood. As might be
frequently reflecting on the course and method of educating youths in
this aud a neighbouring kingdom, with the general success and con
sequence thereof, I am come to this determination, that education is
always the worse in proportion to the wealth and grandeur of the
parents." (Essay on Modern Education; Works, v. ix. p. 365.)—
Author.
* Discoui'ses, v. iii. p. 411.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 31
expected, he groAV up shy and awlcAvard ; and the 1789.
Avant of refinement frequently noticed in him after- ^'^' ''
Avards, so unlike the manners of either his father or
mother, can only be explained by the fact, that his
intercourse Avith domestics had been closer than is
usually permitted to children, even of loAver rank.
This evil was aggravated by the early predilection
he showed for field-sports, — which Lord Spencer, an
eager sportsman himself, like most of the Northamp
tonshire aristocracy, warmly encouraged. The earliest
of his compositions on record is a narrative of a suc
cessful day's sport, in Avhich, though only seven
years old, he had no doubt borne a conspicuous part.
This was indorsed by Lord Spencer, and carefully
kept among his papers ; and, as the first of a series
of letters from a future Chancellor of the Exchequer
and Leader of the House of Commons, it may still
be read with interest.

"Dear Papa,
" I went to Brington HUl this mornrng, and
catched fom- rabbits, and there was a good many people ;
and I did not know who they were aU.
"We threw off at ten o'clock. Tartar and Bowler, and
Punch and Turpin, did very weU; but Jenny's puppy
did not do weU, for she cried at the bushes. Fanny did
very weU, too. I rode upon Castlebar, and Ned Corns was
behmd ; John Townshend and James walked by me, and
I went a gaUop, and had good sport. When you come
back there is to be a race, m which you are to run, and so
shall John Townshend, and Jack Corns, and Peter. I
am to ride upon Ginger, and you shall ride upon Cow
slip : I got these horses at the races at Northampton,

32 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1789-98. and yours is a very good one. You have been a long time
Mt. 7-16. aivay. So no more. " JACK SPENCEE, Viscount Althorp."
Eeceived October 28th, 1789.
It was the practice in the last century to send
boys much younger to public schools than at pre
sent, and accordingly Lord Althorp was placed at
Harrow when scarcely eight years old ; his father
had also gone there at the same age, but accom
panied by Mr. Jones as his private tutor. Lord Al
thorp had no private tutor ; and although the head
master. Dr. Drury, a well-knoAvn and accomplished
scholar, received boys into his house as pupils and
boarders, Lord and Lady Spencer were contented to-
consign their son to the care of Dr. Bromley, one of
the assistant masters, who also kept a boarding-
house ; a gentleman haAdng very moderate preten
sions to scholarship or talent, and Avith no recom
mendations beyond good nature, personal worth,
and a long residence as tutor in the family of the
Earl of Pembroke.
Lord Althorjo's youth necessarily caused him to
be placed very Ioav in the school ; but he had the
good fortune to find an indulgent master in a boy
named Hodges, since Avell knoAvn in the House of
Commons as member for Kent, and one of the best
specimens of the old English country gentleman.
Even after the lapse of so many years, Mr. Hodges
could not speak of him to me Avithout emotion. He
described him as a quiet, bashful boy, with great-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 33
sweetness of temper, and eminently truthful. As 1789-98.
to scholarship, he said he had evidently been ill- J:  L
grounded, and seemed, at first, hard pressed to main
tain his place in his class. This difficulty he pro
bably soon overcame, as he used in his leisure houra
to read books not forming part of his lessons ; and
thus he went through Virgil's Georgics with his
friend and class fellow, Henry Pepys, since Bishop
of Worcester. In time, his exercises, by dint of
industry, became sufficiently correct, but they
CAninced no powers of composition. His school
fellow. Lord de Mauley, indeed, writes to me, " He
had good abilities. It Avas a great catch to get hold
of a copy of his exercises, when the occasion pre
sented itself;" but it must be remembered that
clever exercises are seldom borrowed for this pur
pose, as they would betray the deception : exercises
free from faults are the great desiderata Avith idle-
copyists. The inquiries of Mr. Oxenham, formerly
one of the assistant masters, have confirmed this im
pression. He informed me, that " Lord Althorp
was in no way distinguished at school." In short,
he passed through Harrow without giving any indi
cation of superior capacity, or gaining any distinc
tions, beyond those awarded to industry and good
conduct. Still he was no common boy. Inde
pendently of an excellent temper, he had a mingled
nobleness and gentleness of heart that kept him out
of schoolboy vices, added to a genuineness of
character almost amounting to originality. He was
just the boy whom Dr. Amold would have loved.

34 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1789-98. and encouraged to expect God's blessing in after
^^- ^"^^- life. If not endowed with great abilities, he was
thoughtful, manly, and industrious. He had high
principles, Avith a sturdiness of purpose that could
hardly have been expected in one so modest and
retiring ; indeed, a cool, fearless resolution already
formed a prominent feature in his character. This
appeared on several occasions : once, in particular,
when he was returning from London under the
charge of his tutor's wife, their chaise was abruptly
stopped near Pinner by a highwayman, who present
ing his pistol, demanded their money and watches.
Far from being alarmed, or even disconcerted, Lord
Althorp, to the horror of his companion, burst into
a violent fit of laughter. Fortunately, this had no
consequences beyond, perhaps, hastening the per
petration of the robbery. When questioned as to
the motive of such unseasonable merriment, he re
plied, that he was exceedingly sorry, but the fellow's
voice and manner were so ludicrous, that not to
laugh was impossible.
Many of Lord Althorp's letters from Harrow
have been preserved among the Spencer papers. I
have transcribed a few of them, as evidences of what
he was in childhood, and certainly not as shoAving
talent beyond his age. They also indicate his tastes
and pursuits ; which, I am told, already fore
shadowed those of the man. The interest commonly
taken by boys in animals and birds, was in him
almost a passion, and he watched their habits Anth
an attention, of which the results may be seen in

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 35
the Dialogues on Instinct."" The Bishop of Worces- I'^^o.
ter told me that he seemed born for a country life ;  1^-
and it was his wish to know what this had been in
the time of the Eomans, that led him to study
Virgil's Georgics. AU athletic exercises had charms
for him; especially football and rackets, and this
feeling may afterwards have led him to adopt Mr.
Windham's theory, of the national importance of
¦encouraging all manly sports among the lower
classes ; and although I trust that he did not, like
that statesman, patronise bull-baiting, he must stand
convicted as a lover of the Ring. He not only
often attended the pugilistic displays of Jackson and
Cribb, but . himself handled the gloves Avith more
than ordinary skill. We may smile at the pleasure
he took in sailing his little boats in the muddy
Avaters of Duck-Puddle, but it ripened into an
earnest desire to enter the NaAy, of which he na
turally saw the most favourable specimens in the
distinguished officers who frequented the Admiralty.
Great as was Lord Spencer's attachment to the pro
fession, which he afterwards proved by placing two of
his younger sons in it, t he had other views for his
eldest son ; and, notAvithstanding Lord Althorp's
rather pressing representations, would not listen to
the proposal.
* See Lord Brougham's "Works, v. iii. p. 1 (1833).— Authoe.
t The late Captain the Hon. Sir Eobert Spencer, K.C.H., and
Admiral Frederick Earl Spencer, K.Q-., C.B,

D 2

36

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1"90. u Haeeow, Septemher 25th, 1790.
^^•^- " Dear Papa,
Letters " You caunot think how many eggs my two gi-ubs
roTto his have laid, and I am very glad I did not bring the rest, as
father. j gj^Q^.ji(j ^q^ j^^ve luiown what to do with them. There
are four boys now below me, and one is having a struggle
with me, for he is to be flogged if he does not keep up
Avith me, and I shall not get my lessons iU to save him.
How many brace of parti-idges did you kUl, when you was
out a shooting ?
" I am, dear Papa, yoiu' dutiful son,
" ALTHORP."
" Haeeow, Odoier SUt, 1790.
" Dear Papa,
"How do you like the pictures I sent you?
Could you see any likeness to Wimbledon ? I send you
now a picture of the first fable of Phsedrus, which we
construed last week : I hope to send you a better one
by-and-by : you must teU Mama what it is that Lupus and
Agnus say. Pray give my duty to her and to Nan, and-
love to SaU * and Dick. " I am your dutiful Son,
" ALTHOEP."
"Haeeow, Novernber Mth, 1790.
" Dear Papa,
" I am very much obliged to you for the letter,
and I shall be very glad to have the fox's brush. Who
came in at the death ? and how long did the chace last ?
I am in the ' Selectse,' and the books that I read are
' Selectee e veteri,' and ' PhEedrus;' sometimes I read ancient
history, and sometimes I do geography and ' Exempla.'
" Mr. Mark Drury has put me back in ' Exempla ' to go

* Lady Sarai Spencer— afterwards Lady Lyttelton.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 37
ou with the class, and Mr. Bromlej'' makes me go on where 1791.
I was before, as often as he can. I made some cork boats .St. 9.
yesterday. I beg my duty to Mama,
" and am your dutiful Son,
"ALTHORP."
" Haeeow, Noveiiiher ZOth, 1790.
" Dear Papa,
" I have got another prize sixpence : this is a
George the Second. But I think the grandson looks as
old as the grandfather. We had speeches yesterday, and
the subject was Sjdla, and there were ten that spoke.
It's very cold. There was ice 3'esterday, but no sliding
yet. I shaU see j'ou now in little more than a week,
as the school breaks up the llth of December. Does
John Poll.* go home the same day that I do ? I hope
Mama and Nan are Avell. I beg my duty to them, and
love to Brother and Sister, " and am youi* dutiful Son,
" ALTHORP."
"Haeeow, January 23rd, 1791.
" Dear Papa,
"I shall be very glad to come home at Easter,
and see my garden, and my boat, and everybody, and
overything at Althorp. I have said my task pretty well,
and Mr. Drury said my writing task was very well done.
All the selectse t are not quite come yet, but we have got
into regular business. When I came to Harrow, the wind
had broke my window, and Avetted the paper. Have many
trees fallen down in the park at Althorp, or have any of the
slates been blown off the house ? WiU you take care of
these two little pictures for me till I come back? I hope
you and Mama are quite weU; tell her, I suppose her
* John Ponsonby, afterwards Earl of Bessborough.
¦^ Stcinorig. ; probably "Shell." — ^Editoe.

8 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1791. dauy has been blown doivn, and that some of the chickens
Mr. 9. have broke their legs ; but, if they have, she shall have-
some of mine. " I am, dear Papa, your dutiful Son,
" ALTHOEP.
" P.S. I hope you wUl write to me soon, and teU me
how everything does at Althoi-p."
" Haeeow, January 23rd, 1791. Saturday night.
" My Lord,
" I beg leave to write your Lordship a Une, just
to say that the letter Lord Althorp has written is, as he
caUs it, ' the sort of letter, I think I ought to write,
because, if I write in a pleasant way, it wiU keep Dick
from their thoughts, and on that account I should like to
write as long a letter as possible.' I could not help giving
you this trait of him, which must endear him to every one
that hears it, though the mentioning of it has obUged me
to do the very thing he wished to avoid. He is, in general,
pretty cheerful, and we take care to keep him so ; but
his own sensibiUty, and his consideration what yours and
his Mama's must be on the present occasion, I could not
conceal from you.
" I am, my Lord,
" your obliged
" and faithful humble servant,
" THOS. BROMLEY.
" Mrs. Bromley presents her respectful comphments to
Lord Sjiencer, and if his Lordship thuiks it avUI be any
satisfaction to Ladjr Spencer to hear more frequently of
Lord Althorp's welfare dm'ing the present distrest state of
her Ladyship's mind, Mrs. B. wiU be happy to AViite as
often as her Ladyship wishes." *
* This letter, and the preceding one from Lord Althorp, were writ
ten on the occasion of the death of Lord and Lady Spencer's second

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 39
"Haeeow, June 28th, 1791. 1791-2.
" Dear Papa, ^t. 9-io.
" I have found a place at the butts where I can
get writing sand. I expect my bnds will hatch to-day, but
I do not depend on it, as we should always observe the old
proverb, never reckon your chickens before they are hatched-
There was a fair here on Wednesday. I send you two
verses made from EngUsh, the subject is Soror.*
Chara soror, quis non coGnam miratur opimatn ?
Calceolosque novos gens fere tota crepat.
" My duty to Mama and love to Sister.
" I am your dutiful Son,
" ALTHOEP."
" AlTHOEP, September 1st, 1791.
"Dear Papa,
" I have got a squirrel that will draw a cart.
The castle is finished, and the cannon Avere fired and
colom's hoisted to-day, because it is your bhthdaj^ I
Avish you joy, " I am your dutiful Son,
" ALTHORP."
" Haeeow, March ith; 1792.
" Dear Papa,
" I am sorry to tell you, my birds have wasted
aU their stuff, without building any nest, and now they
sing, because aU their stuff is gone. When do you go to
London? There is a boy going to do twenty nonsense
verses to show up on Monday. I am going to have a
son, Eichard, which took place at Althorp, on the 20th. He was a
child under two years old. This was the first death in the family. A
daughter. Lady Harriet, died an infant, in 1793. — Attthoe.
* These refer to two drawings, still extant, of Lady Sarah Spencer,
by her mother, one intituled " Nice Supper," the other "New Shoes."
— Loed Lyttelton.

40 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1792-3. copy read over on Monday, and it consists of twenty-
a!T.10-ll. eight verses. Mrs. Bromley let me and Mr. Ponsonby
have a good run to-day for two hours, and we both got
dirty up to the knees. There are some boys who say,
they will come and see me at Easter. It only wants a
month to-day to the breaking up of the school. Only
think, J. Pon. can do a nonseiise Averse ; he began by doing
a dactyl and a 'spondee l^first for an ending, and then he
made two feet with a sjdlable over for a beginning, and
then he made the two remaming feet, and then there was
a verse, and then he made a verse altogether, and this boj',
that is to do twenty verses, began at the same time with
Mr. Ponsonb3% " I am yom' dutiful Son,
" ALTHORP."

" Haeeow, September SOth, 1792.
"Dear Papa,
" We dined upon a goose j^esterday as it was
Michaelmas-daj^ I had a letter from Nan, and she wants
me to come there to see the curiosities of Wales. She
says, the porpoises come in, in great flocks against stormy
weather, and it is fine amusement to see them run races iu
the water ; j'ou might have good sport in shooting them.
My duty to Mama, love to Sal, kiss to Bob.*
" I am your dutiful Son,
" ALTHORP."
" Haeeow, November 10th, 1792.
" Dear Papa,
" I can skip a great deal better than I could,
because Tom Hodges has given me a lecture, and is going
to give me one tiU I can skip ; the way is this : first, when
he saw I could not skip at all, he skip'd himself, then he
told me^to jump without a rope ; when I could do that, he
* Afterwards Captain the Hon. Sir Eobert Spencer, KC.H.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 41
told me to do the same with one, but I jumped too late for 1793-4.
the rope. Then he told me to jump when the rope was Mi. 1I-12.
over my head, which, when I did, I jumped over it. My
duty to Mama, love to Sal, and kiss to Bob.
"I am your dutiful Son,
" ALTHOEP."
" Haeeow, March Wth, 1793.
" Dear Papa,
" I am very glad to hear that Bob can speak
a Uttle now, and I hope he AviU be taught to say Bro'
before the hoUdays. I hope you received Mr. Bromley's
letter in tune {i. e. before you came to London), that I
may bring my army to fight the French if they attack
Spencer House in the holidays. My duty to Mama, love to
Sal, kiss to Harriet and Bob.
" I am your dutifiU Son,
" ALTHORP.
"P.S. I should like very much to ride home this time,
if my horse could come." " Haeeow, June SOth, 1793.
"Dear Papa,
" My sUkworms have grown very much smce I
have given them mulberry leaves ; and I have given uj)
blackbirds, because the silkAvorms cost me threepence a
week ; now they eat mulberry leaves ; and cost the boy,
I go shares with, the same. On the second speech day,
I x^lanted some slips off my African myrtle, one of
which has taken root, I believe, because there are some
new leaves come out upon it. It wanted a month to the
holidaj's yesterday. TeU John I hope he has gone on with
the Jackbuilt, because she is quite seasoned enough. My
duty to Mama, love to Sal, and kiss to Bob.
" I am your dutiful Son,
" ALTHORP.

42 MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE.
1794_ " Haeeow, May 26th, 1794.
J-ii. 12. "Dear Papa,
" I have got a nest of three young green
finches, and two old ones, who feed the 3'oung ones,
whenever they want it, and it is very pretty to see them ;
they have learnt how to fly now, and I mean to teach
them to sing by sister's organ ; and I have got two
young sky-larks, who, I expect, will sing well. I beUeve,
you have seen one Mrs. Bromley had at her door, that
she gave a half guinea for. Lord Duncannon has got three
skylarks, two titlarks, and two sparrows ; I Avent after a
bird's nest with him yesterday, the birds were flown,
and we got wet through into the bargain. We have eat
a gooseberry pie out of the garden. I have heard some
thing of the Duke of York being surrounded and cutting
his way out again, and I think of his being wounded.
I shall be obUged to you, if you vriU teU me when any
news comes, because I should hke to hear it. My John
son's Dictionary is of great use to me in reading Blan's
sermons, because there are so many fine words I cannot
understand. " I suppose you are all at Althorp now. My duty to
Mama, love to Sal and Bob. " I am yom dutiful Son,
" ALTHORP."

These letters may be pronounced rather trifling,
but it must be recollected that they were written by
a mere boy, in what Ave are noAV apt to consider the
dark ages of public school education. They give
colour and reality to the picture I have endeavoured
to draw of Lord Althorp's boyhood, and in preserving
them I am confident that I have done no injustice
to his memory.

CHAPTER III.
COMPANIONS AT HARROAV.
Lord Althorp Avas fortunate in the time that he Compa-
went to HarroAv. The school has, perhaps beyond Han¦o^^.
any other, been subject to the Adcissitudes which
attend the progress of our great public places of
education. Had Lord Althorp gone there a few
years earlier, he would have found it labouring
under the disadvantages of a reduced number of
boys, and the absence of the public favour, certain
indications of a defective system of management.
From this state of depression it had been raised by
Dr. Drury, through Avhose efforts a decided revival
of scholarship and emulation had been accomplished
among the boys ; so that, during the last ten years
of the century, which comprised the period of Lord
Althorp's stay there, it may be asserted that HarroAV
produced more young men who afterAvards made a
figure in the world, than at any other decade of her
history ; the most eminent of them. Lord Byron
and Sir Robert Peel, were too much his juniors to
have been intimate with him. It may be interesting
to cast a glance at some of his contemporaries and
friends.

44 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
Hon. In the same form, and only two above him, was
j" rcdGricJi 
Robinson, the Honourable Frederick Robinson (second son of
Lord Grantham, the Secretary of State for the
Home Department, in Lord Shelburne's Ministry).
He Avas an excellent scholar for his age, and shone
particularly in composition, his exercises being not
less remarkable for the ease v/ith which he dispatched
them, than for their brilliancy. The pride and
favourite of the masters, he had hkewise the singular
good fortune to be popular among his school-fellows,
Avith whom his gaiety served as an antidote to the
jealousy which, even at schools, often attaches to
superior merit. Without being at all handsome, his
countenance had an ingenuous and pleasing expres
sion, his blue eyes beaming with intelligence and
good humour. His future attainment of very high
distinction in public life was confidently predicted by
the general voice of the school. He fully maintained
his reputation at Cambridge, Avhere he won, against
severe competition, the Chancellor's Gold Medal for
English verse. In the House of Commons he soon
met with great success. If adverse critics charged
him Avith shallow reasoning and a diffuse diction, his
clear and flowing style, and copiousness of illustra
tion, Avith the art which he certainly possessed of
enlivening even dry subjects of finance Avith classical
allusions and pleasant humour, made his speeches
always acceptable to a large majority of his hearers.
By some he was at one time preferred even to Sir
Robert Peel, Avhoni, it should not be forgotten, he
preceded in the great question of Commercial

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 45
Reform. In an evil hour, at Mr. Canning's urgent
request, he accepted a peerage with the leadership
of the House of Lords, a post at this juncture little
adapted to nerves which had all that delicacy of
texture often found with a fine imagination. Left
alone to combat an Opposition of almost unparalleled
strength, his courage and powers equally deserted
him. Upon an attack from Lord Londonderry, I
recollect his once even bursting into tears. With his
fame thus tarnished by failure, he Avas forced into the
Premiership, after its rejection by Lord Harrowby,
but A^dth colleagues of opposite views and opposite
interests, mutually exasperated by years of party
warfare, the early dissolution of his "tesselated
Cabinet " was inevitable. He met the catastrophe
ungracefully, and the position thus lost Avas never
recovered. When Colonial Secretary under Lord
Grey, he was not able to face the great question of
Negro Emancipation ; and after showing strange
vacillation in Council, he yielded, not however, as he
admits, without reluctance, to Lord Grey's desire
that he should resign the seals in favour of Lord
Stanley.'"' With his usual kindliness of intention,
he subsequently undertook the charge of the Bill in
the House of Lords, but had scarcely proceeded
beyond the few first sentences of his speech, when
he hesitated and sat down, utterly unable to proceed,
much to the dismay of his colleagues, and the
astonishment of the House. The subordinate offices
he more recently filled in Sir Robert Peel's Adminis-
* See Lord Eipon's Letter to the " Times," February, 1855.

Duncan-

46 • MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCEE.
tration were unaccompanied by any influence in the
Cabinet, and on the retirement of that statesman,
he withdrew entirely from politics.
Viscount Another boy of a different stamp. Viscount Dun
cannon (eldest son of the Earl of Bessborough), was
also in the same class, being two beloAV his cousin
and intimate friend. Lord Althorp". Their close
connexion through life, both personal and political,
induces me to dwell at some length on his character.
It then gave little promise, for Avith a phlegmatic
temperament, great taciturmty, and a slowness of
utterance almost amounting to a natural impediment,
he showed no aptitude for instruction, and though
fairly industrious, was regarded as fortunate in being
able to keep in the current which bore liim, with
difficulty, through the various gradations of the
school.'"" He was apparently not more success
ful at Oxford, as I have been unable to trace him,
even in the throng of students whose names only are
recorded in the University Calendars.
With these inauspicious antecedents. Lord Dun
cannon entered into public life ; and it Avill be a
gratifying task to me, who long enjoyed and valued
his friendship, to show how creditably he acquitted
himself in it. The future statesman, however,
narrowly escaped being a " ddtenu " instead. His
father having sent him abroad during the short
peace, the intelligence of approaching hostilities
reached him in a distant part of Italy. Any inter-
* A copy of very fair Latin verses by him has been found at Al
thorp. — Loed Lyttelton.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 47
ference Avith English travellers was then by no
means generally apprehended, and most of them
confided in the assurances of security given by the
local authorities. Not so Lord Duncannon. VieAving
the case in a diflPerent light, and acting on his oAvn
judgment, he hastened to the nearest port, travelling-
night and day, as he could find the means of con-
A'^eyance, for nearly a fortnight, until he reached
Marseilles. There he embarked in the first vessel
that sailed for England, barely four and tAventy
hours before the promulgation of the order for the
detention of his countrymen.
The decision and correctness of judgment dis
played on this occasion by Lord Duncannon were
the prominent features of his character, and to these
he mainly owed his success in life. No sooner had
he entered into politics, than he took his line.
Conscious of the imperfections of his delivery, it was
long before he ventured to make a speech in the
House ; and then it was only one in explanation,
and very brief. Nor did he do more when high in
office, although what he said was always indulgently
received. To atone for his silence, he was inde
fatigable in his attendance and observation of Avhat
was taking place in Parliament, so that, to use the
Avords of Bishop Burnet in describing Sir Edward
Seymour, " he knew the House and every one in it
so well, that by looking about him, he could tell the
fate of any question."'"' This, coupled Avith his high
connexions, led to his selection for the very trouble-
* Burnet's Own Times, v. ii. p. 70.

48 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
some post of naanager, or, as it is familiarly termed,
whipper-in of the Opposition ; and although his
manners were cold, if not forbidding, and he had
little of the address or dexterity which distinguished
the Tory whipper-in, Mr. Holmes, he contrived, by
the exercise of more honest arts, especially a great
readiness to oblige, and strict fidelity to his engage
ments, to be eminently successful. After thus
serving an apprenticeship of nearly a quarter of a
century in the House, Avith scarcely a prospect of
office, his ajDpointment to the Secretaryship of the
Treasury, on the accession of Lord Grey's Ministry,
seemed quite a matter of course ; and the narrowness
of his income, owing to the gross improAddence of
his father, made it of great importance to him : but
he yielded without a murmur to the claims of Mr.
Ellice, and unlike Lord Carnarvon and other Whig
chiefs, whose exclusion from power was followed by
the immediate abandonment of their principles, he
continued to serve the cause with unabated zeal.
Accordingly, his nomination to the chair of the
Woods and Forests in 1832, upon the retirement of
Lord Dover, was generally treated as an act of
justice too long withheld. The public were a httle
startled at his admission into the Cabinet in the
following year, and his promotion to the seals of the
Home Department shortly afterwards ; but the
feeling soon died away in the general recognition
of his usefulness. This appeared not so much in
the higher walks of statesmanship, as in his superin
tendence of the elections, the distribution of

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 49
patronage, and the internal Avorking of various
departments of the Government. His extensive
connexions in the Liberal party, especially among
the middle classes, kept him ahvays intimately
conversant Avith their sentiments, Avhich his col-
leagTies, from their different habits of society, knoAV
very imperfectly ; and the correct estimate he
usually took of the public mind on political
questions was perfectly marvellous. He was the
directing spirit, if not the soul and mainstay, of
Lord Melbourne's Irish policy, the chief title of that
administration to credit from posterity. Residing a
good part of the year on his Irish estates, Avhich he
managed admirably, he was knoAvii and highly
esteemed throughout the country. The leaders of
the Catholic party had for many years regarded him
as their friend and protector : indeed he was the
only Whig politician Avho possessed any real influence
over them. Thus the thread of the negotiations
between them and the Whigs, from 1835 to 1847,
fell entirely into his hands, and he succeeded Avhere
many very clever diplomatists would have failed ;
for it was not discretion and tact alone, but the
rarer qualities of unflinching resolution, a remarkable
command of temper, and the closest adherence to
truth, which made him more than a match for Mr.
O'Connell. That very able and crafty man, who-
made no scruple to betray Lord Hatherton and
other Whig statesmen, ahvays kept faith with Lord
Duncannon. Lord Duncannon had a deliberate and decided

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
manner of expressing himself, which carried great
Aveight, even Avith those least disposed to give up
their opinion. No coldness or discouragement could
silence him ; and often have I known the Whigs,
especially Avhilst in Opposition, saved from very
serious blunders by his firm, and almost pertinacious
remonstrances. It is singular, that Avith this inde
pendent spirit, he Avas a favourite at Court. The
King frequently consulted him, both on public
affairs and his own private concerns, one of which, I
recollect, was the settlement of some very unpleasant
differences with Lord Munster. When the Govern
ment was displaced, Lord Duncannon was the only
Minister on parting with whom the King showed
iinj emotion.
The famine of 1846 has cast a long and dark
shade over his Irish Administration. It was neces
sarily a period of almost unparalleled distress to the
great body of the people. Some political economists
have asserted that the interference of the State, on
the whole, did more harm than good, and I suspect
that Lord Bessborough, if uncontrolled by the
Cabinet, Avould not have shrunk from the bold
experiment of leaving the people to work out their
own preservation. The system of public AVorks,
Avhich he sanctioned and partly originated, was a
crude and ill-digested measure, based on questionable
principles, and a contracted view of the national
interests. When I once urged upon him the
superior advantage of a Avell-organised system of
ndvances for the employment of labour, on the

MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCER. 51
drainage, and general improvement of private
property, his only re})ly was, that this Avould be
benefiting the Irish landlord at the public expen.sc,
Avhich he could never allow — thus entirely overlook
ing the fact, that in guarding against jobbery on the
part of the landlord, he benefited nobody, and that the
aid he gave Avas attended Avith all the demoralising
result of mere charitable contributions. One im
portant fact in his favour, hoAvever, ought not to be
overlooked. The Duke of NeAvcastle had taken
great pains to collect, in a tour through Ireland, all
the objections he could raise to Lord Bessborough's
proceedings, with a vicAV to a hostile motion in the
Lords, but on laying his case before Sir Robert
Peel, the adAdce he received was " to do notlung."
Praise is justly due to the firmness, not less than
the humanity, with AAdiich he administered the
government at this most critical period. When the
Avaggons of corn just landed from England had been
attacked by the populace, some of his advisers
naturally shrank from the idea of shedding the blood
of those famishing and misguided men. Lord Bess
borough, without entering into any discussion, sat
down, calmly wrote an order for the troops imme
diately to put down the disturbance at all risks, and
dispatched it to the officer in command. This
promptness of action had the desired efi'ect, and the
outrage was never repeated. Any vacillation at
that moment, with such people as the Irish, might
have led to an agrarian Avar.
Lord Bessborough died at his post ; his days

52 MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCEE.
having no doubt been shortened by his doA^otedness
to its duties. As soon as he perceived his recovery
to be hopeless, he dictated a letter to Lord John
Russell, earnestly recommending Lord Clarendon
for his successor ; and, ill as he was, the favourable
reply gave him most lively satisfaction. He trans
acted business almost to the last. After having
received the Sacrament, he took leave of his children,
recommending the younger ones urgently to the care-
of their eldest brother, Avhose promise to attend to
their Avelfare left him, he said, " Avithout any further
anxiety ; " and, indeed, his resignation and fortitude
under the suff'erings that marked his illness Aver&
very remarkable.
The foUoAving notice of Lord Bessborough was;
furnished to me by his friend and colleague, th&
Right Hon. Henry Labouchere (afterwards Lord
Taunton) : '"''
" Lord Bessborough exercised, during man}^ years^
an influence with the Whig Party, which was not
due to any pov.^ers of debate, or what is ordinarily
understood by habits of business, but to qualities of
a rarer sort, Avhich impressed all who had oppor
tunities of observing them.
" He was eminently gifted Avith sagacity and
* Mr. Labouchere resigned on Lord Bessborough's death, and suc
ceeded Lord Clarendon at the Board of Trade. His administration
of that depa.rtment was distinguished by important Eeforms, such as-
the Merchant Seaman's Act, the Merchant Seaman's Fund Act, and
above all the Eepeal of the Navigation Act, which he introduced in a
very able speech, and carried in spite of the violent opposition of the
Shipping interest — happily, as it proved, both for themselves and the
nation. — AtrxnoE.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
honour. These qualities endeared him to his friends,
and obtained for him the unbounded confidence of
his party. When events placed him in the station
of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, at a period of great
public difficulty and danger, their effect becanie
more extensively conspicuous and useful. He Avas
thoroughly trusted by all classes of Irishmen.
Whigs, Tories, Catholics, and Orangemen, all coni-
naunicated Avith him frankly and Avithout reserve,
and looked to the Castle Avith a confidence, hitherto
unknown, except by the peculiar party Avhich believed
its OAvn banner to be displayed there. Wliat his
share was in mitigating the horrors of famine, in the
disastrous year of 1846, and in curbing the distur-
hances which, at one time, threatened to aggravate
them, can only be fully known by those who
Avere then oificially connected with him ; but hoAV
well he Avas loved and appreciated by the people of
Ireland, was apparent to all who Avitnessed the
demeanour of the multitudes who lined the quays of
Dublin, as his funeral procession passed through
them." Lord Duncannon had two brothers, much younger ^"^'^ 'i"
' -^ *= Mauley.
than himself, at the same time, at Harrow ; the
younger, William Ponsonby, afterwards Lord de
Mauley, was amiable and Avell-looking, and is
remembered among his contemporaries for the
fluency with which he could speak French. He Avas
jemoved at an early age to go into the navy, in which,
however, he remained but a short time. Having
married the only daughter of Lord Shaftesbury,

54 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCER.
he came into possession of great estates in
Dorsetshire, and represented that county in Par
liament, before he Avas raised to the Peerage.
The Hon. Frederick, the elder, became afterAvards a Knight of
Pon^onLy. f^s Bath, Lieutonant- General, and Governor of
Malta, and, Avhat is still higher, one of the favourite
associates and ofiicers of the Duke of Wellington,
Avhom he folloAved from the beginning of the
Peninsular War to the battle of Waterloo. He also
had the distinction of being one of the general-
officers selected by the Duke to assist him in his
annual inspection of the Flemish fortresses, under the-
Treaty of Paris. His boyhood was far from brilliant.
Indolent and careless, he, perhaps, never gave an
hour to his studies, except from compulsion, and was-
proportionately deficient in knowledge ; but the
sweetness of his disposition, and his prepossessing*
manners, made him a general favourite. He had a
fine person, Avith an oval, Avell-formed face ; but the
mild expression of his large blue eyes, and an almost
feminine cast of features, gave no indication of the
qualities which subsequently made him one of the
most daring and skilful cavalry officers of his day.
It may be observed that his popularity clung to him
through life ; and in all his employments, military
and civil, he was singularly beloved.
Viscount Another boy of more than common abilities, whose
early death alone jirevented his rising to dis
tinction. Viscount Royston, the eldest son of the
Earl of HardAvicke, — was also in the same form.;
He had gone to HarroAV in 1795, being then elcA^en

Royston.

MEMOIE OF EAEL Sl'ENCER.
years old. In scholarship he Avas fully equal to Mr.
Robinson ; indeed, he seems to ha,\e carried more
Greek with him to Cambridge than any of his con
temporaries, for at the age of nineteen he had
composed his translation of the " Cassandra," of
Lycophron, — a Avork Avhich has perhaps no parallel,
except in the precocious performances of Barratier.
It has been commended by Porson, one of the foAv
scholars conversant Avith the obscure original. This
publication sufficiently explains Lord Royston's
sedentary habits, and his associating little Avith his
schoolfelloAvs, or sharing in their amusements, for
which, indeed, ill-health often disqualified him, as
he Avas of a delicate and consumptive habit, and
quite unequal to much muscular exertion. His
extreme shyness prevented his making a figure in
the public examinations, and he passed as more
studious than clever. This injustice was amply
repaired at Cambridge, Avhere he found himself quite
in his element. Modest and amiable, devoted to
classical studies, and delighting in the company of
men of kindred tastes, he Avas Avamily welcomed
among them. If their estimate of his merits is to
be received, he Avas not less remarkable for the
spirit and originality of his conversation, than for
his great attainments in Greek and Latin literature.
It had not been forgotten that his grandfather and
uncle, during their residence at the same college,
had distinguished themselves by Avriting the
"Athenian Letters,"'"" and much higher things
* The Athenian Letters, or the supposed correspondence of an agent

56 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCER.
were expected of him. His first step, however, on
leaving the University, excited some surprise, it
being no less than a tour in Russia ; few Enghsh-
men then caring to trust themselves in a country, of
Avhich only some favoured spots had yet emerged
from a state of barbarism, and where traveUing was
attended Avith numberless inconveniences, and some
risk. In spite of the remonstrances of his friends, who
saw, in his delicate frame and almost valetudinarian
habits, little fitness for such an enterprise, he per
sisted in his plans. He passed the spring of 1806
betAveen St. Petersburg and Moscow, more oppressed
than gratified by the hospitality of the Russian
nobles, whose gates flew ojien at the approach of a
young Enghsh nobleman. As soon as the season
admitted, he sailed down the Volga to Astracan,
and, proceeding across the steppes, he reached, after
a long and dreary route, the skirts' of the Caucasus,
experiencing occasionally the hospitality of the
Lesgee chiefs, and stopping at various places of
of the King of Persia residing at Athens, during the Peloponnesiau
War. ° It is on the same plan as the celebrated Travels of Anacharsis,
wi'itten by Barthelemi, nearly iifty years afterwards. As a juvenile
prod-uction, it is highly creditable to its authors, being interspersed
with agreeable descriptions, and the vehicle of much useful historical
information. It was suggested, I suspect, by the Turkish Spy. Works
of this character were very popular during the last century. The
taste for them has long since gone by. The Athenian Letters were
republished by Lord Hardwicke, in two volumes quarto. This noble
man was also a lover of literature, as well as a statesman. He filled
the post of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, under Mr. Pitt. His three
sons all died before him. The last was a schoolfellow of mine at
Eton, where he showed cleverness and intelligence. He died of a
fever, after a short illness, in ISlO. — Authoe.

MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 57
interest, untd he found himself at Derbend, on the
shores of the Caspian. He also passed some time
in Georgia. Such were the hardships he encountered,
that three out of the four servants Avho accompanied
him from Moscoav, sank under disease or fatigue ;
and he likewise narrowly escaped falling into the
hands of the Tartars. Once he passed the corpses
of a dozen Cossacks, who had been murdered a feAV
days before by the banditti. All this Avhile, he
contrived to cultivate his favourite pursuits, — his
translation of Lycophron was continually before
him, and some Greek anapaests Avhich he wrote in
the album at Trothatta are so elegant that I cannot
doubt his having maintained the habit of frequent
composition. His letters to his friends at this
period are not unworthy of comparison Avith those of
Tweddell and Heber, Avritten from the same countries
a few years before. Their freshness and intelligence
shoAV a fine and highly cultivated mind. It appears
from them that Lord Royston, not dispirited by the
hardships he had undergone, contemplated some
stay in the East, for he writes to his father : —
" My next excursion, before I proceed to the Northem
Provinces of Persia, wUl be for a short distance into the
desert, to the habitation of a Calmuck Prince. I wish to
see the manner of liA'ing of the chiefs of that nation, and
to take the diversion of hawking with the Princess his
daughter ; who, with a pipe in her mouth, hunts on the
unbroken horses ofthe desert."
It proved, however, that he had much over
estimated his strength. A dangerous fever, common

58 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
to the country, overtook him, and he Avas so
reduced that any extension of his tour Avas rendered
impossible. He reluctantly retraced his steps, and
having reached Hamburg in safety, his friends
Avere fondly preparing to Avelcome his return, when
the intelligence arrived, that he had perished in a
storm off" Memel in Prussia, on the night of the
6th of April, 1808.-"
chark-'; The list of Harrovians Avould be incomplete,
i GIWS fell-
tei-wards Avitliout soiiie uotice of a youth in a higher form
Ecirl o£
Gotten- than Lord Althorp, but long his familiar acquain
tance and political associate, Charles Pepys, after
Avards Eail of Cottenham and Lord Chancellor.
His father, Sir William Pepys, Baronet, a Master
in Chancery, Avhose name is often mentioned in
Avorks of Lord Lyttelton, Miss Burney, and other
Avriters of their school, with exaggerated praise
as a poet and a Avit, Avas unquestionably a man
of very polished manners and refined taste, and
* Dr. Clarke, in the Preface to his Travels, says : " Lord Eoyston's
name carries with it a claim to public consideration, although a know
ledge of his great acquirements had scarcely transpired beyond the
circle of his academical acquaintances ; his erudition was regarded,
even by a Porson, with wonder. The loss sustained by his death can
never be rejjaired ; but some consolation is derived from the conscious
ness, that all the fruits of his literary labours have not been anni
hilated. The sublime prophecy of his own Cassandra, ' uttering a
parable of other times,' will yet bo heard in her native language,
showing ' her dark speech,' and thus jiortraying his melancholy end ;
" ' Ye plains where Phorcyn broods upon the deep.
And founds his floating palaces, what sobs
Of dying men shall ye not hear, what groans
Of masts and wrecks all crashing to the wind ;
AVhat mighty waters, whose receding waves,
Bursting, shall rive tho continents of earth.' " — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
made no insignificant figure in the brilliant society
immortalised by BosAvell. He educated his three
sons at home, before sending them to HarroAA-,
instructing them himself, reading Avith them, and
sparing no efforts to give them the accomplish
ments in Avhich it had been the great object of
his life to excel. With the eldest '¦• and youngest, t
he, to some extent, succeeded ; and yet, so fallacious
are human calculations, they owed their position in
life entirely to the brilliant fortunes of their
brother, Avho resembled his father as little, as the
impracticable Mr. Stanhope did the elegant and
versatile Lord Chesterfield. Charles Pepys Avas a
stout, sturdy, thickset boy, of blunt speech and
cold disposition, aiming at no distinction, making
fcAV friends, and exhibiting no traces of the peculiar
discipline to which paternal care had subjected
him. His proficiency in scholarship Avas respect
able, but unaccompanied by a spark of genius. N(j
* Afterwards Sir William Pepys, Bart. Like his father, he was a
good classical scholar, and wrote excellent Latin verses. From del
icacy of constitution, he entered little into society, and was neither in
a profession lior in Parliament. He usually resided at his seat in
the country, near Godstone, in Surrey, highly esteemed by his neigh
bours as an accomplished and amiable gentleman, but somewhat of
a hypochondriac. He, like most men of that temperament in the days
of refoi-m, had no love for the Whigs; but he was proud of his
brother, to whom, on dying unmarried, he left his estate. — Authoe.
t Henry Pepys, Bishop of Worcester, — a prelate of respectable
character, comely presence, and dignified demeanour. He lived in
obscurity as Eector of West Mill, under the shadow of the Hardwicke
family, for many years, well esteemed, though with no prospect of
preferment ; until, aa the brother of Lord Chancellor Cottenham, he
obtained a mitre, and narrowly missed the Archbishopric of York. He
published a biographical account of Lord Eoyston, containing some
interesting letters of that nobleman. — Authoe.

60 MEMOIE OF EARL SPENCER.
one could say that he was clever; some of his
schoolfellows pronounced him dull. His dark,
searching eyes, massive forehead, and expressive
lips, refuted the charge ; and he had an air of
independence and determination which indicated
an inward consciousness of superiority. Lord
Althorp used to relate an anecdote of his intre
pidity, which is Avorth preserving. At the begin
ning of winter, before the ice was considered fit
for skating, most of the boys collected on the
margin of a pond at HarroAV, discussing Avhether it
Avould be safe to venture upon it. Lord Althorp
suddenly called out, that if any boy Avould take
his hand he Avas ready to make the experiment.
No sooner had he spoken, than Charles Pepys,
although the heaviest boy in the school, rushed
forAvard, and without saying a Avord, took his hand.
They at once started, and soon found the under
taking to be attended Avith some peril, the ice
bending and cracking under them as they pro
ceeded ; and it was to the surprise and exultation
of the bystanders, that they reached the opposite
bank in safety. They Avere heartily cheered on the
occasion, and perhaps as highly gratified, as when,
some thirty years afterwards, I saw them, one as
Solicitor-General, and the other as Chancellor of the
Exchequer, greeted by shouts of applause at the
Guildhall, for their share in the Reform Bill.
Mr. Pepys made no figure at the University,
and it Avas only after some years' standing at the
Bar, that he attracted notice as a lawyer of sound,

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. Gl
though not shoAvy parts, and of indefatigable in
dustry. His practice gradually becanie consider
able, and he devoted himself to it so exclusively,
that in accepting a seat in Parliament from the
Whigs, he insisted on being left to his OAvn dis
cretion as to attendance in the House ; a priAulege
which he used Avith such freedom, as to lose in the
eyes of his party all claims to the honours of his
profession. These had, indeed, been already
pledged to other lawyers of at least equal emi
nence, and greater political activity ; so that Avithin
a very fcAV years of his attaining the highest emi
nence in his profession, he was scarcely thought of
as among the jiossible candidates for it. " Fama,
spe, veneratione, potius omnes destinabantur imiierio
quam quem futurum principem Fortuna in occulto
tenebat."'"" His rise, however, Avhen it once began,
was so rapid, and the succession of accidental cir
cumstances to which he OAved it, so remarkable,
that it might have been ascribed solely to the
favour of Fortune, if it had not been eventually
justified by the great poAvers which it unexpectedly
brought to light. The first step in his advance
ment occurred in 1833, when he had been scarcely
three years in Parliament. Sir William Horne,
then Attorney-General, had long been in high
repute as a leader in the Court of Chancery ; but,
having failed in the House of Commons, and for
feited the confidence of the Government by his
indolence in official business, he Avas abruptly
* Tacit. Hist., lib. iii., c. 18.

62 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
displaced at the instigation of Sir J. Campbell,
Avho, being then Solicitor, was impatient to bo
Attorney, General ; and in the dearth which at that
time existed of Whig lawyers, rather than from
any great idea that was entertained of his capacity
for office, Mr. Pepys was appointed to the vacant
place of Solicitor-General. In the following year,
the Mastership of the Rolls becoming vacant, by
the death of Sir J. Leach, it Avas expected to
devolve according to established usage on Sir J.
Campbell, as the first law officer of the Crown ;
but a strong feeling having grown uj) about that
date, of the importance of selecting Equity Judges
from the ranks of the Equity, rather than of the
Common Law Bar, his claims were, in deference to
public opinion, overruled ; and nearly the last act
of Lord Brougham, before he resigned the Great
Seal in 1834, Avas the appointment of Sir Charles
Pepys, as Master of the Rolls.'"' Here, in the
ordinary course of things, his promotion would
have stopped, as had been the case with all his
predecessors except Lord Lyndhurst ; but the
differences unhappily prevailing among the Whig
leaders on their return to office, in 1835, having
caused the Great Seal to be put into commission,t
he was pitched upon as the person Avhose nomina-
* Lord Brougham ha'ving received private intelligence of the vacancy,
filled it up instantly, to stop applications which he had determined to
refuse. — Authoe.
t Was this the fact ? I have been informed that the Great Seal
was put into commission with the view of avoiding (as far as possible)
the giving of offence to Lord Brougham. See also " Lives of the
ChanceUors," by Lord Campbell, v. viii. p. 467. — Editoe.

MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCEE. fi3
tion to the Chief Commissionership Avould be the
least offensive to Lord Brougham; and when at
the expiration of the year the objections to Lord
Brougham's re-appointment had not been removed,
and the office could remain no longer in this state
of partial abeyance, it Avas rather ungraciously
conferred on him,'"' not Avithout some misgivings as
to his qualifications for it.
This wonderful elevation, however, he soon proved
to be not beyond his merits ; Avhile yet at the Rolls
he had given an earnest of those high judicial
qualities, which shone out, still more conspicuously,
after his promotion to the Woolsack. His knoAV-
ledge of English LaAv Avas accurate and profound.
Though his practice had been exclusively in the
Court of Chancery, he Avas Avell versed also in
the Common LaAV and its procedure, having* sjient
several years of his studentship for the Bar in the
chambers of a special pleader. He had an acute
and logical understanding, in Avhich subtilty of
discrimination Avas so nicely balanced by strong
common sense, that it never betrayed him into
over-refinement, or clouded his judgment. Hence
his decision Avas prompt, and when once formed,
was not easily shaken. In that point lay his
superiority as a judge to Lord Eldon, Avhose turn
for speculative disquisition, while it led him to
scatter broad and^viAad lights on all sides of the
* The Attorney- General resigned in anger, on hearing of the ap
pointment ; but Lord Melbourne, with many compliments, offered him
a peerage for his wife, and he relented, andjremained in office. Some
of the Cabinet wished to make Mr. Biokersteth Chancellor. — Authoe.

(54 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
case which he had to decide, yet in the case itself
perplexed his mind AAath doubts, and occasioned a
vacillation of judgment, which was a fruitful source
of delay to the suitors ; so that it may be doubted
Avhether he would not have been better fitted for
a philosophical jurist, than for a practical adminis
trator of the laAV. The genius of Lord Cottenham,
on the other hand, lay rather in action than in
speculation : Avhen he indulged in disquisitions, and
some of his judgments abound in them, it was
always for the purpose of elucidating his view of
the case before him, not of starting incidental or
extraneous questions. Hence, his judgments were
at once business-like and philosophical : sound
determinations of the particular rights at issue,
and, at the same time, treasures of legal know
ledge and instruction to the general practitioner
and the student. The style of them, like the
character of the man, was perfectly free from all
affectation and display ; Avhether Avritten or spoken,
they Avere always simple, terse, and perspicuous ;
clear and condensed in their summary of facts, and
in their exposition of laAV, comprehensive and
vigorous, but at the same time, cautious and pre
cise. Ill those which he pronounced extempore, his
dehvery was too rapid to admit of much attention
either to the choice of his words, or to the structure
of his sentences ; but his Avritten judgments, though
aspiring to none of the graces of composition, pos
sessed all the highest attributes of the judicial style ;
not the least of Avhich was a very sparing use of

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 65
figurative or metaphorical language, which in sub
jects requiring logical precision is so fertile a source
of fallacy and misconception. In all branches of his
jurisdiction he exhibited the qualities of a consum
mate judge, but in none so conspicuously as upon
questions relating to the Reformed Municipal Cor
porations, and to great Railway and other Com
panies, which sprang up in such numbers during the
period of his judicial career. The adjustment of the
rights and obligations of these great bodies opened a
new province of jurisprudence, in which he left a
record of powers, which will bear comparison Avith
those displayed by Lord Mansfield in the larger do
main of commercial law. His demeanour in Court
was not without a certain dignity, but its prominent
feature was an austerity, amounting sometimes to
harshness, which maintained his authority rather
than conciliated esteem. Though he had strong
likings and antipathies for certain members of his
Bar, which he did not take sufficient pains to con
ceal, he had too much self-rehance, and too vigorous
and independent a mind, to be subject to the in
fluence of any particular advocate. Empty declama
tion and useless repetitions of the same topic by
successive counsel found so little favour with him,
that they gradually disappeared from his Court ;
but to all, of whatever age or standing, who had
anything pertinent to offer, he was a patient and
attentive listener, seldom interrupting an argument,
except for the purpose of bringing it to an issue, by
shoAving that he had detected its weak point. If he

6G MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
had a faihng as a judge, it consisted in an impatience
of contradiction, and an undue jealousy of any im
peachment of his opinion. It is true that the labour
Avhich he bestowed on his judgments warranted a
more than ordinary degree of confidence in their
correctness, and that the general accuracy of his
mind, and his habitual caution, made him less hable
than most men to mistakes of inadvertence ; but the
irritation which he often betrayed when errors, even
of the latter kind, were imputed to him, and the
struggles Avhich he made to explain them away, pro
duced an impression of disingenuousness, which
tended to lessen the weight of his authority in those
cases, by far the most numerous, in which the impu
tation was groundless.
It is much to be regretted that the great powers
he showed in administering the law, were not ap
plied to its improvement. His failure in this re
spect is a serious blot on his Chancellorship, as he
certainly retarded for several years, by his repug
nance to the task, reforms in his Court, which
have since been accomplished by less able hands.
Unhke his immediate predecessors. Lords Eldon,
Lyndhurst, and Brougham, Lord Cottenham shone
only as a judge. The maintenance of his judicial
reputation was the grand object of his ambition, and
the one to which his energies were almost exclusively
devoted. Hence, although he felt a hvely interest
in politics, and was what is called a strong party-
man, he took but little part in the dehberations of
the Council, and seldom spoke in the Lords. Still,

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 07
on occasions, Avhen his opinion was desired by his
colleagues, he never shrank from giving it, and, like
his judgments, it was ahvays honest, clear, bold, and
decided. More than once, he Avas foremost to
counsel resignation, although he prized the emolu
ments of office somewhat highly for so great a man.
The coldness of disposition and reserve Avhich had
characterised him at Harrow, clung to him through
life. He concerned himself too little with the sym
pathies of others, to do many generous actions, or to
have many friends. In the intercourse of domestic
life he was simple and unaffected, the same as Lord
Chancellor that he had been as a Junior Barrister ;
but, Avithout being unamiable, he had "not the
power to please," probably because he had not the
desire. He cared little for general society, and less
for that of learned and able men. His conversation
generally turned on the topics of the day, which he
discussed with much shrewdness ; and the doAvnright
Adew he took, both of men and things, was often
enlivened by a vein of dry humour which gave much
zest to his remarks. There Avas not the same vivacity
in his speeches. His life was pure and well-regu
lated, and, if not loved, he Avas highly esteemed in
private, and admired in public.
His hfe was, no doubt, abridged by the labours of
his office. When Solicitor-General, he once told me,
that during twenty years he had been confined only
one day to his room by indisposition. In 1841, the
case was very different. He then described himself
to me, as sinking under hard work, so that nothing F 2

C8 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
could have saved him but the dissolution of the
Government. The foAV hours that he could allow
himself for sleep were not sufficient after the labours
of the day. Indeed, the work of Chancellor, he
observed, Avas such, that the strength of no man
was equal to it for more than tAvo or three years.
When I congratulated him on his leisure, he laughed,
saying, that he should soon be able to dispense Arith
it ; and certainly it lasted longer than he thought
necessary. On his return to office, he resumed his
former habits of application ; but being an older
man, they told heavily on him, and it was generally
remarked by the Bar, that his faculties Avere no
longer Avhat tJiey had been in his first Chancellor
ship. The first serious symptom of decline was the
rupture of one of the vessels in the throat, Avhich
happened during a debate in the House of Lords.
It bled copiously, but he continued to conceal it
until the House was up, when his brother, the
Bishop of Worcester, shocked at seeing his handker
chief clotted with blood, asked him the cause, and
received a careless ansAver ; for neither then, or at
any subsequent stage of his illness, did he betray
any alarm, though perfectly aAvare of his danger.
He struggled many months Avith his disorder before
he could be prevailed upon to resign the seals. It
Avas hoped that a Avarmer climate might restore his
debilitated poAvers ; and he accordingly passed a
winter at Malta, but it was too late, and he died in
Italy on his Avay back to England, in April, 1851.
iiiiiron^ I shall close my account of Lord Althorp's school-
speeches* ¦'¦

MEMOIE OE EAJiL SPENCEE. GO
life with a list of the HarroAV speeches, on the 14th
of June, 1798, which has been kindly communicated
to me by Admiral Lord Radstock, adding a brief
notice of the subsequent career of the difierent
speakers. HAEEOW.
1. Lord Eoyston  (Medea)  Ovid.
2. West  (Catiline, ad sues)  Sallust.
3. Wilmot  (Darius, ad svos)  Quintus Curtius.
4. Mr. Powys, jun.. . (Buckingham)  Shakespeare.
5. Mr. Leslie  (Sinon)  Virgil.
6. Lord Duncannon  (Cassar)  Sallust.
7. Lord Althorp  (Cato)  Sallust.
8. Mr. Powys  (The Bard)  Gray.
9. Hon. F. Eobinson . . (Galgacus)  Tacitus.
10. Ellison, sen  (In Pisonem)  Cicero.
11 -.r -r, ¦ ( Addi ess to Jury ) ( Lord Erskine's
11. Mr. Bouveno, sen. | ^^^.^^^ Williams | " " " " | Speeches.
12. Law  (Ajax)  Sophocles.
13. Wightwick  (The Ghost in "Hamlet,")  Shakespeare.
. 1. Lord Royston (see supra), lost at sea.
2. Mr. West Avas subsequently fellow of University
College, Oxford. A Treatise on Rent, Avhich still
ranks as one of the most A^aluable contributions to
political economy in the present century, introduced
him to public notice ; and Mr. Charles Wynn ap
pointed him Chief Justice of Bombay, in 1822,
when he Avas knighted. He was cut off in middle
life by one of the disorders of the country, in 1828.
3. Sir Eardley Wilmot, Bart., for many years
M.P. for Warwickshire. He was afterwards ap
pointed Governor of Van Diemen's Land, and died
there in 1847.
4. Mr. PoAvys, Jun., a brother of Lord Lilford;
he went into the Church, and died in 1850,

70 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCER.
5. Mr. Leslie, a son of the Countess of Rothes, by
her second husband, Sir Lucas Pepys. He after
Avards Avent into orders, and obtained a small hAdng,
Avhere he passed a retired life, his health being very
delicate. He succeeded to his father's baronetcy
and fortune ; the latter, as he died unmarried,
descended to the children of his sister, the late
Countess of DeA'on.
6. Lord Duncannon, afterwards Earl of Bess
borough, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
7. Lord Althorp ; afterAvards Chancellor of the
Exchequer. 8. Mr. PoAvys, Senior, brother of Lord Lilford ;
he Avent into the Church, and died in 1842.
9. Mr. Robinson : Earl of Ripon, and Premier.
10. Mr. Ellison : elder brother of Cuthbert Elli
son (of Hepburn, county of Durham, late M.P. for
NoAvcastle). He died of an attack of measles, only
tAvo months after this A^ery speech.
11. Mr. BouA-erie, the tliird son of the Earl of
Radnor. He died unmarried, in 1811.
12. Mr. Law, a son of the Archdeacon of
Rochester, and afterAvards rector of Standen, in
Herts. 13. Mr. Wight Avick : AA'ent into no profession.
He established himself early in life, Avith some
maiden sisters, at Sandgates, near Chertsey, in Sur
rey ; a pretty seat, which he greatly embellished,
and seldom quitted. He lived to a good old age,
dividing his attention between his books and his
garden, and administering justice and charity among

MEMOLE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 71
his poorer neighbours. The bulk of his property
went to improve the felloAvships which bear his
name at Pembroke College, Oxford.

Having reached the highest form, and on three 1793-
occasions spoken at the Speeches, Lord Althorp Avas ^^^."^f",,,
considered to have reaped all the benefit to be de- 
T-r 1 Leaves
rived from Harrow ; and accordingly he was re- Harrow.
moved, in the summer of 1798, with the view of
being placed at Cambridge, as soon as he had
received such instruction in mathematics as to enter
on his studies there Avith advantage. A clergyman,
bearing the character of a good mathematician, was
engaged to reside in the house as his private tutor.
The plan, however, totally failed. This gentleman
unfortunately found the society and amusements of
Spencer House and Althorp much more to his taste
than explaining the elements of geometry and alge
bra to his pupil, and neither in precept or example
was of the slightest seiwice to him ; so that this
valuable interval between school and college Avas
entirely wasted.
Lord Spencer had been educated at Trinity Col
lege, Avhere he had gained distinction by his classical
compositions ; and he had an additional motive to
place his son there, from his long intimacy Avith the
Master, Bishop Mansel, who had been his fellow-
collegian, and Avas, besides, a most zealous partisan
of the Administration. Lord Althorp accordingly
Avent up to Trinity for residence, in January, 1800.

CHAPTER IV.
COLLEGE LIFE.
1800-2. Lord Althorp passed upwards of two years at
^'^' •^^""^" the University,'"' a longer period than was necessary
Aithor ^"-"^ ^ nobleman under the academical regulations. I
f^n^coii '^lio^ld have been glad to give some detail of Ms
Cambridge, studics, pursuits, and friendships during that time,
embracing as it does the transition from boyhood to
manhood, when in the majority of instances the
character receives impressions to which a long course
of action in after-life may be traced. Unfortunately
my materials are scanty and slight, being little more
than some notes I happened to make of conversa
tions with Lord Althorp, at a time when I httle
thought of preparing these Memoirs.
At Harrow, Lord Althorp had an excellent
master, and an inefficient tutor ; at Cambridge the
case Avas reversed, as he was more fortunate in his
tutor than in his master. The Bishop, indeed, was
a man of talent and of the world. He owed his pre
ferment mainly to his political influence, which had
secured him the friendship of Mr. Pitt, and been
tested in many a hard-fought election. The dignity
and refinement of his manners were such as are sel-
* From January, 1800, to June, 1802.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 73
dom to be found in College authorities. Yet he I800-2.
failed, through an utter inaptitude for his peculiar mt. I8-20.
duties. He might haA"e made some figure as a
statesman or a courtier, but Avas quite out of his ele
ment at the head of a College. Accordingly he was
content to follow the example of his predecessors, in
regarding the mastership in the light of a sinecure
Avdth large patronage. Even the great Bentley is
only remembered in Trinity for his indecent litiga
tion with the FelloAA^s respecting his privileges and
emoluments. WhatcA^er the Bishop thought it in
cumbent on him to do, Avas always done well. On
all public occasions he AA^as prepared Avith an eloquent
speech. He administered censure or commendation
to the undergraduates, Avhen called on to do so by
the tutors, Avith the most becoming effect ; but as to
directing their studies, or stimulating their industry,
these seemed to be matters out of his proA^ince ; and
even Lord Althorp, in Avhom he had such strong
motives to take an interest, derived no essential
benefit from his countenance and protection.'"'
Mr. Allen, whom Lord Spencer had chosen as his ?i'"- -^-i'™
^ _ _ his private
son's private tutor, at the recommendation of Bishop ti^tor-
Pretyman, had the merit of honesty of purpose, kind
temper, and sound scholarship. He had, at this
* As the Bishop advanced in years, the slight supervision he had
maintained over the College became irksome to him, and he withdrew
into such seclusion, that during the three years I passed at Trinity, I
never once had an opportunity of seeing him, and was only made
aware of his existence by recei-ving an intimation that I had incurred
his displeasure by walking across the College grass-plot, opposite his
Arindows, in loose pantalomis ; an offence which ho visited with — the
privation of ale and pudding for a fortnight. — Authoe.

71 MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE.
1800-2. time, just been elected to a Fellowship, after taking
^'^- ^^'^'^' the high degree of Fourth Wrangler ; distinctions
more creditable to his abilities from having been
Avon Avith far less preparation than is usually re
quired ; for he had entered the College as a FelloAV
Commoner, Avith a large income, being the son of an
opulent manufacturer in the north of England ; and
it Avas only in his second year, upon the unexpected
bankruptcy of his father, that he paid any attention
to study. The spirit with which he accommodated
himself to this reverse of fortune, as he at once ex
changed his silk gOAAm for a stuff one, gave up his
horses, and reduced his expenditure to the lowest
scale of liA^ng at the College, bespoke no common
strength of character, and excited a general interest
in his faA'our throughout the University.
Wealth and rank present great obstacles to the
acquirement of knoAvledge, in aU UniA'-ersities. At
Cambridge, under the vicious system which pre-
A'ailed half a century ago, these obstacles had becoine
almost insurmountable. Students of noble family
Avere exempted from any examination for their De
grees ; and, as if ignorance Avas essential to nobility,
they Avere not even alloAved to enter into the compe
tition for honours. Their attendance at College
Lectures Avas not enforced ; and they enjoyed a
degree of licence that certainly Avould not have been
tolerated in a Avell-regulated home. Most of these
youths frequented NcAvmarket, and indulged in a
lavish expenditure ill-suited to their years ; the ma
jority left the University in debt. So long as they

M'l, 18-20.

MEMOIE OF EiUiL SPENCEE. 75
preserved appearances by abstaining from gross ex- I800-2.
cesses, they escaped all academical censure. Such
Avas the last stage of education, such the introduc
tion into hfe, which the English aristocracy jiroA'ided
for their sons at the beginning of the nineteenth
century.""' The society in which Lord Althorp noAv found
himself consisted of young men of his OAvn rank,
Avho fully availed themselves of their academical
privdeges. Fortunately for him, his shyness prevented his
making rapid friendships. He also had a strong sense
of duty and a docile disposition ; and Avith the habits
of application he had brought from Harrow, he
might, under skilful management, haA'e been easily
induced to employ himself to advantage. But such
inducements Avere not to be expected from Mr. AUen,
Avho, like most Cambridge tutors, haAung been a
student from compulsion rather than inclination, had
little genuine love of knowledge, and Avas utterly
incapable of exciting such a feeling in his pupil. He
Avould have been well pleased to see him eager for
improvement, but did not feel conscious that it was
part of his duty to make him so. Finding his con
duct regular, and his attendance for tuition not often
interrupted, he thought this a great deal to obtain
from a young nobleman, and did not require more.
* Many persons, vrithin my own knowledge, have felt, through
life, considerable inconvenience from debts thus contracted at College.
Their amount, in some instances, was almost incredible. An acquain
tance of mine, the son of a Kentish baronet, actuaUy kept a pack of
hariers. — Authoe.
I think the person referred to was Sir H. Oxenden.— Editoe.

76. MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1800-2. This mistaken forbearance bore its natural fruits in the
^'^- -^^'^°- increasing mediocrity of Lord Althorp's performances
in classics and mathematics, so that it soon could not
be disguised from either tutor, or pupil, that their
interviews were to very little purpose ; indeed. Lord
Althorp told me that he was very idle through the
whole of the first term of his residence.
]f,OQ_ At Easter, Lord Althorp went into Northamp-
Mt, 18. tonshire for his vacation, Avhen Lady Spencer ques-
Ooiiege tioned him rather closely as to liis pursuits at
tions. Cambridge, and to his astonishment, said that she
had set her heart on his being in the first class, at
the next college examination. This idea seemed to
him quite preposterous, and as such he treated it.
On returning to Trinity, he mentioned the conversa
tion to Mr. Alien, who very properly took some
pains to convince him, that the first class was Avithin
the reach of abilities inferior to his OAvn, and that,
backward as he happened to be in the College
course, OAving to his absence in the first, and his
idleness in the second term, it only required steady
application to ensure his success. Impressed by
these arguments, and incited by the desire to gratify
his mother, he from that day entered upon a course
of laborious study, every occupation which interfered
with it being at once resolutely abandoned. In fact,
he became altogether a reading man. The hearti
ness with Avhich he threw himself into his work
astonished his tutor, whose energy was likewise pro
portlonably increased, and certainly no efforts were
spared on his part to direct and forAvard his pupil's

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 77
labours; which, indeed, he fully shared, as he I8OO-2.
always remained in the room while Lord Althoip ^'^' •'^"^"'
worked, to be ready Avith an answer when any diffi
culty arose. Thus they proceeded Avith unabated is placed in
T 1 . ^ 1 -I • • ^^^ ^^'^^
zeal during the next two months ; at the expiration class in iiis
of which Mr. Allen's predictions were fully verified,
as Lord Althorp acquitted himself very creditably
in the examination, and was not only placed in the
first class, but high in it.
This success Avas of great value to him. In some
degree it determined the complexion of his life ; for,
as he once told me, had he failed, his energies would
have been absorbed in hunting and shooting, like a
promising scholar I recollect in my youth, whose
feelings were so Avounded by the bad recej)tion given
by the public to his first Avork, that he pettishly ex
claimed : — " Henceforward, I shall preserve my eyes
for woodcocks ! " And he scarcely opened a book
afterwards, although he lived to a good old age
at the University, in the enjoyment of a rich
Fellowship.'" Lord Althorp had hitherto felt a distrust of his
own powers, to a degree that materially interfered
with their exercise, and his bashful, if not embar
rassed, deportment had led his acquaintances to
* Dr. Shaw, one ofthe Senior FeUows of Magdalen. Not long after
he had taken his degree, he pubUshed an edition of ApoUonius Eho-
dius, in two volumes. Wyttenbach reviewed it in the BibUotheca
Critica, vrith a degree of bitterness and personal invective that might
have served as a model for some of Mr. Croker's performances in the
Quarterly. The work, no doubt, does not exhibit much critical
sagacity ; but considering the youth of the editor, his erudition was
creditable, and he deserved encouragement, rather than censure. —
Authoe.

78 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCER.
1801. beheve this distrust well founded. He was now en-
Mt. 19.
 couraged to do himself more justice, and he received
the same from others. Lady Spencer wisely seized
the occasion to urge his perseverance in his studies
for the first class in the second year, where the ex
amination embraces a Avider sphere of science and
literature, and is indeed regarded as a fair test of
academical proficiency ; so that a liigh place in it
seldom fails to be followed by a creditable DegTee,
and eventually a Fellowship — those great prizes of
University ambition. Many young noblemen con
trived to escape this examination altogether, by
taking an honorary degree in the previous term, as
Lord Althorp certainly would have done, but for his
mother's interposition. At her earnest entreaty,
however, he again sat doAvn to his books, feeling this
time, he told me, such confidence of success, that he
considered himself at liberty to indulge some of his
lavourite tastes, such as an occasional dav with the
hounds in the neighbourhood, and a glimpse at Ncav- .
market. With these slight interruptions, he worked
as hard as before, and Avith such effect that he made
Is first man a distinguished figure at the examination in June,
of his year . .. ini^ pi-
in his 1801, being declared the first man ot his year; a
year. distinction Avhich will be more justly appreciated
when I mention that Mr. Parke (Mr. Baron Parke,
and afterwards Lord Wensleydale) and Mr. Pryme,
the Political Economy Professor at Cambridge, Avere
among his competitors. These gentlemen subse
quently took high Degrees— Mr. Parke being-
Fourth, and Mr. Pryme, Sixth Wrangler ; and, as

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 79
it generally happens that the order in Avhich students 1801-l>.
stand in the College examinations at Trinity is ^'^- ^^¦-°-
maintained in the Senate House, it may be inferred
how high Lord Althorp's name would have been in
the list of honours, had noblemen been adniitted into
the public exainination.
Lord Spencer's official position and liigh rank,
hesides the unusual, if not unprecedented, circum
stance of the first place in the first class at Trinity
being gained by a nobleman, caused Lord Althorp's
success to make considerable sensation in the Uni
versity ; and it was cited Avith exultation by the
seniors in my day, when he had just begun to
attract pubhc notice by his speeches in Parliament.
Lord Althorp modestly ascribed his success to the
excellence of his tutor's instruction ; and certainly
never was instruction better rewarded, as it after
wards procured for Mr. Allen the Livings of Batter
sea and St. Bride, Avith a Prebendal Stall at Roches
ter, and he closed his prosperous life as Bishop of
Ely. That he was an amiable, well-disposed man
cannot be doubted. His talents were not equally
acknowledged, and he certainly seemed to have left
them behind him at Cambridge ; as Bishop Wilber
force once remarked to me, " He must have infused
his whole mind into Lord Althorp."
The benefit resulting to Lord Althorp from this
course of study, however limited, was considerable.
Not only must his mind have been strengthened by
the inteUectual discipline inseparable from mathe
matical investigations, but he had gained a command

80 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1801-2. over figures, which made all calculations easy to him
^'^- •'^"^"" ever afterwards. This materially aided him in his
agricultural pursuits, for he not only kept his ac
counts Avith a minuteness and accuracy* that made
them models of their kind, but simplified and
abridged them by the use of algebraical formulae. It
was, hoAvever, as a member of the House of Com
mons, that Lord Althorp reaped most advantage
from his industry at Cambridge. He was one of
the foAV country members, to Avhom the long tables
of figures in the Blue Books gave no alarm, and
who could sound the depths of a financial proposition
without assistance. Long before he even entertained
an idea of office, he took a prominent part in the
debates on the Currency and the Bank Charter,
boldly combating the arguments of practical men
Avho had made these questions a particular study.
Hence, likcArise, he escaped some of the difficulties
Avhich had beset Chancellors of the Exchequer in
entering upon the very miscellaneous duties of that
department. One of his predecessors. Sir Francis
DashATOod, a clear and ready debater, found, it is
said, a sum of five figures an impenetrable secret.
Charles ToAAmshend never trusted himself with the
preparation of large financial operations. Even Mr.
Pitt used to take a Treasury clerk into his confi-
* His exactness was such, that he once refused to pass the accounts
of the Eoyal Agricultural Society, of which he was President, on de
tecting an error of threepence in the balance-sheet, and actually spent
four hours with Colonel OhaUoner in again going over the accounts.
When he had satisfied himself, he said, " Our threepence -wUl swell
into 100?. next year, if we overlook it." {Ex Bel Col. ChaUoner.) —
Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 81
dence, if either a loan or a noAV tax Avas in conteni- I8OI-2.
plation. Lord Althorp worked out all his calcula- ^''^- ^^'^'^'
tions, however complicated, alone in his closet ; and
Avhen he had to receiA-e deputations from the City,
he never AA-as at a loss in discussing the details of
their propositions. Indeed, it Avas at these inter
views that he appeared to adA'antage. Feehng
thoroughly conversant Avith his subject, and conse
quently free from the embarrassment Avhich at other
times clouded his expressions, his manner then did
justice to his sound and clear understanding.
This degree of knoAAdedge, however, which was
but of an elementary character, fell far short of
what, in the opinion of Lord Althorp, he might haA-e
attained at the UniA'ersity, had his rank not pre
cluded him from taking an ordinary degree. He
had toiled through the dry parts of geometry and
algebra forming the necessary^introduction to New
ton's Principia, and to that wonderful implement of
thought, the Differential and Integral Calculus, and
thus quahfied himself for entering the higher de
partments of science ; but these being the subjects
reserved for the examination in the Senate House,
did not come A\ithin the scope of his labours. The
natural bent of his mind Avas rather towards science
than politics, the latter being foreign to his bashful
and retiring habits, whilst he had a serious and
thoughtful disposition, and an innate love of
abstract speculation, admirably fitted for scientific
pursuits. In after days, when he Avitnessed the
inteUectual accomphshments of some of his contem-

82 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1802. poraries, Avho had unsuccessfully competed Avith him
.  '^' at CoUege, he could not help feeling how much had
been denied to him in the restricted course of his
academical studies ; indeed he never ceased to regard
his removal from the University, which virtually
ended his education when he was hardly twenty
years of age, as a real misfortune. He had made
even less progress in classics than in mathematics.
His attention to Greek and Latin had gone no
further than preparing himself for examination in a
Greek play, and a book of Herodotus or Thucy-
dides, with a book of Livy. These in the cant
language of the University, he had " crammed " so
Avell as to obtain many marks from the Examiners,
but he neither appreciated their beauties, nor ac
quired any taste for classical hterature. Perhaps
from some defect of imagination, even Virgil and
Horace seemed to have no charms for him, and in
all our intercourse I never heard him venture upon
a quotation from either. What he still more re
gretted, was the comparative neglect of the art of
English composition at Trinity. It formed no part
of the College course ; and even in translations from
Greek and Latin, to render the sense literally was
the only desideratum, all paraphrase, hoAvever ele
gant, being strictly interdicted. As to original
composition in Enghsh, this was a task never im
posed on Lord Althorp, and he left the University
with a comparative ignorance of his own language,
which, as I have elsewhere stated, he found a serious
obstacle in every step of his public career.

CHAPTER V.
FOREIGN TRAVEL.  ELECTION CONTESTS.
Lord Althorp continued in residence at Trinity I802-S.
during another year, by no means to the advantage, f^f^^-
I am constrained to confess, either of his mind or ^ove of
' Imntmg
morals. His father, fondly hoping that he Avould and racing.
persevere in his studies, as if he Avere proceeding for
his degree, sent him back in Michaelmas Term, but,
having no examination in prospect, his motive for
exertion was gone : he thought it unnecessary to
re-open his books ; and from that time, until he
quitted the University, his only object was amuse
ment, — this he pursued Avith the same A'igorous
resolution that he had before shown in his reading.
All other pursuits were laid aside for hunting and
racing. He kept a large stud, Avith an utter chsre-
gard of expense, and soon gained the distinction of
being one of the very hardest riders at Cambridge.'
From an occasional Adsitor, he became a constant
attendant at Nev^-market; betted heavily, and lost
in proportion ; although his " Book " was, I have no
doubt, a pattern of neatness and correctness, and his
calculations made Avith a degree of care and attention
uncommon at his age. On making up his accounts G 2

84 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCER.
1802-3. he discovered, to his extreme mortification, that he
^2(m. j^g^^ contrived in a few months to incur debts to the
amount of seA^eral thousand pounds. The taste
Avhich he had thus contracted for the Turf was a
still greater misfortune, and he seemed to be tread
ing in the steps of his grandfather, Avhen fortunately
he Avas removed from the University on taking his
Master's Degree, in June, 1802.
The pain it cost him to break the intelligence of
his folly to his father, Avas increased by the discovery
he then made, that Lord Spencer could only raise
the large sum. required for the payment of his debts,
by borroAving. This seems to have cured him of
racing. He had too good a heart for a gamester.
The impression made by Lord AlthoriD on his in
troduction into London society AA'^as far from favour
able. In person he Avas neither tall nor graceful.
An embarrassed manner, Avith a blunt and almost
rustic mode of expressing himself, Avhich a voice
the reverse of melodious made more remarkable,
ill qualified him for the position he Avas to oc
cupy in the brilliant coteries of Spencer House
and Althorp ; and his inferiority in personal accom
plishments to most young men of his rank was pain-
¦fuUy evident, even to his parents. To complete
their disajopointment, he shoAved no inclination for
the career for Avhich they had destined him. To
cite his OAvn Avords, "he detested the life of a
grandee." Still, as his deficiencies were only on the
surface, and he had good feelings, good sense, and no
inconsiderable stock of knoAvledge, they persuaded

MEMOIR OF EARL SPENCER. 85
themselves that his character Avas yet unformed, and I802-4.
inight easily be moulded to their Avishes by judicious 'f^ — 111
iraining. A tour on the Continent, Avhich the
Peace of Amiens had just rendered practicable, they
eagerly caught at as the most effectual nieans of his
improvement. Accordingly, as soon as he had taken
his degree, he was despatched on his travels, fur
nished AAith the necessary instructions, and abundant
provision for visiting France and Italy to advantage.
He was spared the infliction of a tutor, as it hap
pened that a distant relative of Lady Spencer, an
Irish Baronet of his oavu age, of a lively disposition,
Avith some sprinkling of literature, was prevailed
upon to accomj)any him ; and, as an additional in
ducement, they were to go to Najoles by sea.
The traveUers embarked for Italy in the frigate Travels in
'' " France ana
Thisbe, in the summer of 1802. They passed some itaiy.
' months between Naples, Rome, and Florence. No
particulars of their journey are remembered in the
family, and none v/ere likely to possess much
interest ; for, notAvithstanding the pains taken to
supply them with the best letters of introduction,
they could not be tempted to enter into foreign
society, which Lord Althorp, Avith the true English
feeling of an earlier date, regarded sa superciliously,
ihat he boasted, on his return, of being still unable
to speak French. Even the splendid works of Art
in the Galleries of Rome and Florence failed to
interest liim in sculpture or painting. His com
panion was unfortunately too unstable in character
to exercise any useful influence over him ; and it

86 MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCER.
1S04-6. certainly did not appear that either his mind was:
-^^- ^^'^^- enlarged, or his manners improved, by absence from
home. One benefit, however, he once told me, he
did derive from his tour. When he saw the Catholics
oppressing the Protestants abroad, on the very same
grounds that the Protestants oppressed the Catholics
at home, he felt this oppression to be indefensible,
and became as warm a friend of religious liberty as
he had previously been an opponent.
The sudden resumption of hostilities caused Lord
Althorp's immediate recall, and after a hasty journey
through France, he rejoined his family at Spencer
House, in the spring of 1803.
for'okr^ In April, 1804, he came into Parhament for
hampton. Okehaiiipton, a nomination borough ; which Mr.
Strange, a barrister, resigned in his favour. He
owed his election to Mr. Pitt, whom Lord Spencer,
though not in office, continued to support. Not
that Lord Althorp's support could have been of
much value, for independently of being a silent
member, he was too irregular in his attendance to
be counted upon for any important diAdsion ; more
over, he told me how gratifying a refiection it was
to him never to have given a vote against Mr. Fox.
Candidate The death of Mr. Pitt, in January, 1806, led to
University political chauges in Avhich Lord Althorp found him-
bridge. self unexpectedly involved. At his father's instiga
tion, he consented, on a very short notice, to become a
candidate for the seat for the University of Cambridge,
vacated by the death of Mr. Pitt. The contest was in
the nature of a triangular duel; his friend. Lord Henry

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 87

Petty, a Whig, and his school-felloAV, Lord Palmer- 1806.
ston, a Tory, then a very young man, being his op- __^1Ll.
ponents. As if some presage had been given to
them of their future pohtical alhance, their contest
was remarkable for the absence of aU asperity and
personal feeling. There was, of course, no speak
ing in pubhc, this being wisely interdicted by the
custom of the University; and when the rival
candidates met, as they often did during their can
vass, it only furnished the occasion of some good-
humoured pleasantry, or an amicable discussion of
their respective prospects of success. Lord Althorp
used to say that it Avas the most agreeable fortnight
that he had ever passed at Cambridge. The issue
of the contest neither surprised nor mortified him, is defeated.
though his defeat Avas unequivocally decisive, the
numbers at the close of the poll being — -
Lord Henry Petty  331
Lord Althorp  144
Lord Palmerston  123
One circumstance in this election is too curious to
be passed over in silence. Lord Henry Petty was
at the time Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Lord
Althorp a Lord of the Treasury. The Ministerial
arrangements had not been completed, until the can
vass had proceeded too far for Lord Althorp to
retire with justice to his supporters. The Whig party
was curiously divided on this occasion ; Devonshire
House naturally sided with Lord Althorp, whilst
Holland House and many of the rising Whigs, such

88 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCER.
1806. as Mr. Horner and Mr. Brougham, Avho had been
^^- "^- felloAv-students with Lord Henry Petty at Edin
burgh, Avere his warm partisans. Lord Henry also
had the advantage of his Ministerial position. Lord
Ellenborough, in handing over the seals to him, said
truly enough, " These are a matter of some hundred
votes for you." Their appointments appear in the
same patent, which is dated some days later than the
issue of the Avrit. Lord Spencer had previously
accepted the seals of the Home Department, and as
Commis- ^ common appendage of that hig-h office, his son re-
sioner lor x ± o o
the Trea- ccivcd the complimeut, by no means a gratifying one
in his case, of a seat at the Treasury.
fofst"*^' Having been obliged to retire from Okehampton
when he stood for the University, Lord Althorp had
to seek another seat, and found one very expedi
tiously at St. Albans, a borough Avhich had descended
to the family from the celebrated Sarah, Duchess of
Marlborough. He held it only for a foAV months,
as, at the general election in November, 1806, he
became a candidate for Northamptonshire, in con
junction Avith Sir William Langham, of Cottesbrooke,
in the Whig interest, against Mr. CartAvright, a
popular Tory country gentleman, and had the satis-
Thenfor factioii to be returned at the head of the poll, the
numbers being —

Albans.

Northampton-
shire.

Lord Althorp  2085
Mr. Cartwright  1990
Sir W. Langham  1331
He kept the seat until his accession to the Earl
dom, and, in all the violence of party conflict, never

MEMOIR OF EARL SPENCER. 89
ran the slightest risk of losing it ; nor, indeed, would 18OG-7.
he ever have been opposed, but for the natural desire "-
of his party to obtain the second seat. Since his
retirement, the interest he represented, partly owing
to the effect of the Reform BUl on county elections,
.and partly to the absence of his personal influence
and popularity, has sunk into complete decay.'"'
As soon as he had been duly invested Avith his
new dignity, he hastened to Yorkshire to assist his
friend Lord Milton, in his celebrated contest Avith
Mr. Lascelles. The part he took in it Avas so promi
nent, that in the opinion of Lord Milton he Avas
entitled to share largely in the honour of the
victory. Lord Althorp's tenure of office Avas only thirteen
months, the greater part of AA'hich he passed in the
¦country; and when he attended at the Treasury, Avhich
was very rarely, and only on particular occasions
to make up a Board, he returned home immediately
afterAvards. Indeed he used to haA'e horses posted
on the road from London to Althorp, and often rode
down at night as soon as the House had risen, in
order that he might hunt Arith the Pytchley the
next morning.t One of the old clerks, when I was
* Since this passage was written, the decided success of Viscount
Althorp (the present Earl Spencer), nephew of the subject of this
Memoir, at the general election of IS0I, revived for a time the hopes
of the AVhig party in Northamptonshire, who had long been looking
¦out in vain for a leader. — Authoe.
t On those nights he had no sleep, and often the hacks which he
rode would fall down with him on the road. — Loed Lytteltox.
I have hoard that he caused rough stables to be erected at places
where he thought he ought to change hacks, and where there was no

90 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1806-7. Secretary of the Treasury, liked to dAvell facetiously
"^^l!^ on the flying visits he thus paid to the Department,
and the difficulty Avith Avhich even these were ob
tained from him.
Break up The Whig Government broke up, in the spring of
of the r- 1
Whig 1807, and the Tories returned to power, lor nearly a
Govern- -i i i? j.
ment. quarter of a century ; not that they at first gave any
promise of such extraordinary Adtality, their chief
places being filled in a manner that inspired little
confidence Avith the public. The First Lord of the
Treasury, the Duke of Portland, at no time mu.ch
considered for statesmanship or abilities, Avas nearly
incapacitated by an internal disorder, AA^hich, ere
long, proved fatal ; and the ChanceUor of the Ex
chequer, Mr. Perceval, was only knoAvn as a cleA^er
laAvyer, not in first-rate practice ; popular, indeed, in
the House of Commons, Avhen Solicitor-General, but
AvhoUy untried in the higher walks of official busi
ness. From the information which has transpired,
it is pretty clear that the Aveakness of the Cabinet
would have caused its early downfall, but for the
energy and courage of the Chancellor, Lord Eldon,
whose invariable maxim Avas " No resignation."
The Session of 1808 rather increased than
diminished the difficulties of the Ministry, who Avere
often reminded of their Avaning power by narroAV
majorities; but the position of their adversaries Avas
not proportlonably improved : Avith the King's
strenuous opposition, and the prejudices of the
accommodalion. He placed his horses at intervals of eight to ten
miles along the road. — Eael Spencee.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 91
higher classes against Liberal opinions, any triumph 1807-8.
that the Whigs might obtain in Parliament could ^''' ^'''^"
only be of a temporary character, and such was tlie
opinion of their chiefs. '•• Lord GrenviUe, it is A\ell
known, Avould never have consented to take the
Governinent under these circumstances ; and Lord
Grey, though younger, and more ambitious and
energetic, was too clear-sighted to separate from
him. Lord Spencer retired, apparently in disgust, Retirement
to the elegant pursuits so congenial to his tastes, spencer
from which he had been reluctantly diverted ; and politics.
if Lord Althorp had desired an excuse for preferring
country occujiations and amusements to pohtics, he
probably found it in the clouded prospects of his
party. * Ex rel. Lord HoUand. — Authoe.

CHAPTER VI.
parliament.  DUKE OF YORk's TRIAL.
1809. The first instance that I can find of Lord Al-
^^- '^''- thorjD's shoAving an interest in politics, Avas on the
Proceed- occasioii of the proceedinffs agfainst the Duke of
mgs r to to
.against the Yoi'k, at tlic Opening of the Session of 1809. It is
Tork. not my intention to dAvell upon that memorable trial
any further than may be necessary for illustrating
the opinions and career of Lord Althorp ; and if in
doing so, I seem to go beyond the scope of my nar
rative, a desire to preserve from oblivion facts not
generally known must plead my excuse.
Among the remarkable features of these proceed
ings, not the least was the view at first taken of the
case by the two great parties into which the House
Avas divided. All impeachments or Parliamentary
inquiries respecting public men high in office, had
usually been undertaken either by the Ministers of
the day, or the party seeking to displace them ; as
may be seen in the impeachments of Strafford and
Danby, and the proceedings against Walpole and
Marlborough; and, indeed, it could scarcely be
otherwise, for, as Lord Brougham has often told me,
even in his time, the desire of the House to leave

liIEMOIR OF EARL SPENCER. 93-
all public discussions in the hands of the leaders of 1809.
the two great parties Avas so predominant, that both  ^' " ' .
sides usually contrived to droAvn the voice of any
speaker Avho ventured to express opinions not
stamped by some such recognised authority. The
charges against the Duke of York Avere brought
forward almost in defiance of these conventional ar
rangements ; ''• not only the Ministers, but even the
chiefs of the Liberal party Avere more or less averse
to the inquiry. Mr. Windham and General Fitz
patrick — men of real genius and great Parhamentary
talent — supported the Duke, Arith even indiscreet
Avarmth. Lord Grey, more reserved, though not
less decided, ahvays spoke of him as the object of a
mean and miserable persecution. Sir Arthur Pigott,
the Whig ex-Attorney-General — an eminent au
thority Arith his party on points of constitutional
law, — and Mr. Leach (afterAvards Sir John Leach,
Master of the RoUs), already one of the cleverest
lawyers of the day, and a very efficient debater, held
the same language. The Whig party generaUy fol
lowed in their train, for the Duke had no personal
enemies. He Avas affable and good-humoured, free
from aU pohtical asperities, as inight be seen in his
frequent attendance at Brooks's, and the favours he
conferred on the connexions of the Opposition, at
times much to the annoyance of Ministers. Al
though of an easy, careless temper, he was, except
with respect to money, in the strictest sense a man
of his word ; and he was proverbially firm and con-
* See note at the end of this chapter.

94 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. stant in his friendships. His accuser enlisted no
^''- ^^" such sympathies. Colonel Wardle had neither rank,
fortune, nor Parhamentary connections. He Avas
indeed almost unknoAvn in the House, being a ncAV
member ; and the fact Avhich soon transpired, of his
having been a violent Orangeman, and concerned in
some cruelties during the Irish rebellion, when he
served in command of a Welsh Fencible corps, alone
created a strong impression against him among the
Liberals. Something of vulgar pretension in his
manner, an assumption of superior patriotism in his
conversation^ coupled Avith a meddling and disputa
tious spirit, told likewise to his prejudice ; and his
taking up a case of this magnitude was regarded as
a piece of preposterous assurance. The inquiry had
scarcely commenced in the Committee before it ap
peared that he had ventured on a task far beyond
his capacity. According to the practice of the
House, the examination in chief of the Avitnesses fell
upon him as manager. He perhaps had never ex
amined a witness before, and certainly Avas very im
part taken perfectly acquainted Avith the rules of OA'idence. To
Wardle and supply tliose deficiencies, he had proAuded himself
bread, ^' with a list of questions Avhich he held in his hand,
putting them in succession, with little regard at
tiines to the ansAvers he received. The effect Avas of
course almost ludicrous, greatly to his confusion and
embarrassment, Avhich the majority of his audience
witnessed Avith evident satisfaction. Such Avas the
spectacle he exhibited, that the CroAvn laAvyers who
conducted the defence alloAved him to go on Avith

MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 95
httle interruption, in the behef that he Avould aban- 1809.
don the case in despair. The House Avas becoming. „ ^''' ^^\
impatient. The tide of feeling among members
seemed to be running decidedly against him. A
small section of the Liberal party, Avho took a similar
view of the Duke's conduct, would gladly have come
to his assistance, but being chiefly young men, and
without any plan of action, they Avere powerless from
Avant of a leader. At this critical juncture one
offered himself in Mr. Whitbread, Avho — either from
a sense of justice, or, as was generally supposed, from
a desire to shoAv the Whigs Avhat a mistake they had
committed in not taking him into their ministry- — •
interposed, and, Arithout exercising any ostensible
control (for Colonel Wardle remained the nominal
manager) virtually directed the examination, and
so skilfully, that it soon assumed a very different
character. The disclosures thus elicited from the wit
nesses may be seen in the " Parhamentaiw Historv " E.«itement
. .J J throughout
Ihey produced an excitement throughout the country ^^«
, 1 , -I , T ... country.
that caused the Avar, m Avhich we Avere engaged Avith
every kingdom in Europe, to be apparently forgot
ten. It far surpassed even the burst of popular feel
ing subsequently witnessed on the occasion of the
Queen's trial. Not the loAver orders only, but the
middle, almost universally, including the parochial
clergy of aU denominations, with one voice pronounced
the Duke guilty, and caUed for his punishment.
The evidence Avhichthus agitated the pubhc mind. Lord ai-
made a deep impression on Lord Althorp. He had cSions
listened to it with mixed feelings. He saw the ttfoVthe" accusa tions.

96 MEMOIR OF EARL SPENCER.
1809. Duke supported by almost every statesman whose
^^^^f_ opinion he had been taught to value. He knew
Lord Spencer's esteem for him, and the friendly
intercourse they had long maintained, as the heads-
of kindred departments. There Avas much in his
manly character Avhich he justly appreciated. Still,
as the inquiry Avent on, a conviction of the truth of
the charges gradually fastened on his judgment ; not
that he Avas blind to the difficulties of the case. His
attendance at Quarter Sessions had made him suffi
ciently conversant with the rules of evidence to
knoAv that the testimony was not such as would
procure a verdict against the Duke in a court of laAv.
On the other hand, he saAV a broad distinction be
tween Parliamentary and judicial proceedings ; re
garding the former in the light of what has been
called a domestic tribunal, when the best evidence
that can be procured, if it but satisfy the judgment,
is conclusiA'e. The sale of military appointments by
Mrs. Clarke Avas established, as he thought, too
clearly to be reasonably disputed. A certain con
nivance on the part of the Duke (although not abso
lutely proved) seemed an almost irresistible inference,
considering the infatuation of his attachment for her,
his knoAvledge of her character and reckless extrava
gance. VicAving the question as a whole, Lord Al-
thorji felt it impossible to believe him innocent, or to
alloAV such criminality to escape Avithout censure.
Many laAAyers, and among them Lord Brougham,
have treated any departure from the technical rules
of evidence as fatal to public justice ; but if Lord

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCER. 97
Althorp erred (which I do not admit), it Avas in 1809.
the company, not only of Wilberforce, but even of — !; — :_
Eomilly, who, so far from favouring any lax doc
trine of probabilities, where a question of fact Avas
in issue, required the strictest proof ; and, in opposi
tion to the maxim of Paley, boldly maintained it
Avas better for the general good that nine guilty men
should escape, than that one innocent man should
suffer. The debates which followed the inquiry again
put Lord Althorp's firmness to the test. Not only
Avas a large majority of the House prepared to
defend the Duke at aU hazards, but some of its
most estimable members, who had acted with im-
jiartiality in the Committee, now shrank from in-
fhcting indelible disgrace on the favourite son of
a monarch they revered, and anxiously sought some
mode of averting his condemnation. Colonel War-
die's long and unimpressive harangue, in moving
the address for the Duke's removal, marked by
little ability, and less tact or feeling, rather
strengthened their position. Mr. Perceval's vindi
cation of the Duke — a performance of exquisite
skill, which almost gained over Mr. Wilberforce —
made an opening for the middle course, taken by
Mr. Bankes, exculpating the Duke from the charge
of personal corruption, but making the prevalence
of abuses, of which he could not have been ignorant,
a reason for his retirement from ofiice. If the
terms of this motion had been confined to a simple
declaration of its object, such a signal condemnation

98 MEMOIR OF EARL SPENCEE.
1809. of the abuses in the War Department, Arith th&
^^- security obtained against their repetition, would
have contented Lord Althorp; but Mr. Bankes,
if wilhng to strike, Avas yet afraid to wound, and,
in his anxiety to spare the feelings of the Court,
and to retain the good wiU of the Ministers, he-
introduced into his motion expressions so favourable
to the Duke, as to give the condemnation the air
of an acquittal. When Lord Althorp saw censure
thus blended with compliment, and a gross dere
liction of duty unbecomingly slurred over, her
refused the compromise, and persisted in a stern
opposition. Under this conviction, he broke through
aU ties of friendship and party, and joined the
minority, which at first, almost against hope, had
ventured to confront an unparalleled combination
of Parhamentary strength, talent, and experience.
He joins Hc was 0110 of tlic vcry few members of the
the minor- . . . -._
ity opposed great Whig aristocracy who took this course. Mr,
Duke of Lyttelton (Avho afterwards became his brother-in-
law). Lord John Townshend, Lord William Russell,
Lord Archibald Hamilton, Sir Watkin Wynn, and
his brother Charles, Lord Ossulston, and Sir John
Sebright, Sir Henry Mildmay, Mr. W. Howard,
Mr. Coke, and Mr. CurAven, were the others, being
a mere sprinkling of this powerful joarty. Even
his friend. Lord Milton, although holding equally
Liberal principles, strove to persuade him to vote
for Mr. Bankes. Mr. Ponsonby (the Whig leader)
spoke for Colonel Wardle's motion, though far less
powerfuUy than Mr. Whitbread, Lord Folkestone,

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 99
Sir F. Burdett, or Sir S. Romilly, who on this 1809.
occasion had become the leaders of the Opposition; J^ — 1
none of the Whig ex-Ministers accompanied him
into the lobby.
Colonel Wardle's motion was defeated by a cofonei"^
majority of 243 ; the struggle Avas closer on Mr. l^^^^'^'
Bankes's amendment, the numbers being 199 and ^^^^fj^'-
294, or a majority of 95 for Ministers ; and it ^^^nd-
should be noticed that, besides the defeat which he
had brought upon himself by his vacillation, Mr.
Bankes fully shared with Colonel Wardle the dis
pleasure both of the Tory party, and of the Court.
The brief triumph thus gained by the Ministers
did not extend beyond the AvaUs of the House, for
it served only to swell the torrent of indignation
out of doors to a fearful height. Even Avith an
unreformed Parliament, a ferment among the people
was a serious consideration; and the reflection of
a single day sufficed to break up the great Parlia
mentary force which had raUied round the Ministers.
On the day foUoAring the division, when the ques
tion again came before the House in the form of
a resolution, proposed by Mr. Perceval, for the
Duke's entire exculpation, many independent and
influential country gentlemen announced their de
fection; and then, and not till then, it appeared
that the Whig chiefs had yielded to the importuni
ties of their followers, and were ready to resume
their posts at the head of the popular party. All
the ingenuity of Mr. Tierney, Arith the persuasive
eloquence of Lord Henry Petty, was exerted ta
H 2

100 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. retrieve the mistake that had been committed, but
_^f^ff^ they evidently spoke under constraint, and seemed
more desirous to throw blame on the Ministers
than on the Duke. This tone did not please : the
contest was virtually over. Their tardy accession
to the Adctorious side Avas coldly received. They
were only admitted to serve Avithout distinction in
the ranks where they had previously commanded.
Resigna- Mr. Perccval's Resolution was virtually defeated,
tion of the p ¦ , i -i • i i f ^
Duke of lor it passed only m an amended form, and was
followed by the Duke's immediate resignation.
Even this was not enough for the Opposition. To
satisfy their views of public justice, the resignation
must be shown to be the result of the proceedings
against the Duke, and not be allowed to appear a
voluntary act on his part, and accordingly it was
determined by Mr. Whitbread, that a Resolution to
that effect should be proposed in the House.
Fresh difficulties noAV presented themselves in
the selection of a mover of the proposed Resolution.
The incongruous character of the coalition, and the
general difference of opinion among its members on
political subjects, caused anything like unanimity
on this question to be unattainable. The preten
sions of Lord Folkestone to this honourable but
delicate task were, certainly, the strongest, as be
sides his services in the Committee, the speech he
had made in the debate was of so high an order,
that Sir Samuel Romilly declared it to be one of
the best he had ever heard in the House of
Commons. Unfortunately he had, at times, ex-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 101

pressed himself Avith a warmth that gave offence 1809.
to less ardent pohticians, so that, on this occasion,  ^"'\
they were unArilhng to trust him as their represen
tative. So many and various were the objections raised ^^^°]^^''''
to other members of acknowledged merit, that, as fonvard by
the safest course, Mr. Whitbread was driven to look Althorp.
for some one whose character and position, rather
than ability, were hkely to secure general acquies
cence. The good sense and honest zeal of Lord
Althorp, Avhich he had lately had many oppor
tunities of Aritnessing, pleased him ; these, Arith high
connections and freedom from aU political asperity,
were recommendations likely to unite the greatest
number of suffrages ; and, accordingly, venturing on
the risk of trusting an untried man, he asked Lord
Althorp to undertake the office, and obtained his
consent. This being Lord Althorp's maiden speech, I iiis maiden
have ventured to insert it, vrithout abrido-ment, ^^"^"^ ''
from the Parliamentary Debates.""'
Lord Althorp said :
"That there were one or two positions advanced bj-
the right honourable gentleman who had just sat dovs-n, in
which he could not entirely concur. With regard to the
regret of the right honourable gentleman for the resigna
tion of the Duke of York, he admitted that it was a gi-eat
loss to lose the services of those who had, while ra office,
efficientl}' discharged their dutj' ; but the loss of the ser
vices of the Duke of York was considerably lessened,
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., v. xiii. p. 718.

102 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. when they recoUected in what manner it had been proved
¦i^T- 27. at their bar that the Eoyal Duke discharged his duty.
He differed also from that right honourable gentleman,
as to the great use and importance he thought proper
to attach to the elevated rank of that illustrious person.
He (Lord Althorp) was rather disposed to think, that
such high ranlt and affinity to the throne, were not the
most recommendatory qualifications for the most re
sponsible situations under the Crown — (Hear ! Hear !) ;
and he appealed to those who heard him, if, in the
course of the late proceedings, their debates Avere not,
in some degree, influenced by considerations of delicacy,
inseparable from any discussion involving the character
and honour of one so near His Majesty ; and, therefore,
it did appear to him to be of the greatest importance
that no person should, for the future, be called to such
high situations, but such as could be complete!}' respon
sible. (Hear ! Hear !) Another assertion of the right
honourable gentleman went to the total acquittal of the
Duke of York, as to corruption or connivance. It was
not necessary now, perhaps, to go into this, but as it
was mentioned, he Avould state, that he did think
the Duke of York had been proved guilty of connivance
at the corrupt practices which had taken place ; and if
His Royal Highness had continued in office, he thought
that the House must have gone farther, and passed a
sentence upon him that would have rendered his resig
nation unavoidable. With regard to their subsequent pro
ceedings, he was of opinion that the question stood in a
state in which the House of Commons ought not to suffer
it to remain. He Avished to place it on the journals, that
the Duke of York had resigned. This notification would
give consistency to the entire character of the proceed
ing, and bring it to its j)roper close, at the same time
satisfactorily explaining why it was closed. Not, however,
that he would be understood to say that he considered
removal from office a constitutional punishment; but it
would be, in this case, so far effective as to preclude the

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 103
¦possibility of that Eoyal Duke being ever re-appointed to 1809.
A situation he had proved himself so incompetent to fill. Mt. 27.
No man could, or ought to hold that important situation,
who was not in full possession of the confidence of the
<;ountry. The Duke of York had forfeited that confidence.
He had lost the confidence of the country for ever, aud,
.by consequence, he must abandon all hopes of ever again
returning to that situation. This was a severe lesson, but
it was as salutary, as it was severe ; it would prove to all
who might succeed that Eoyal Duke, that it was not
within the power of any sovereign, however beloved or
confided in, to protect liis most favoured servant from the
just consequences of the maladministration of his public
duty." The noble lord then concluded by moving,
" That His Eoyal Highness the Duke of York having
resigned the command of the army, this House does not
now think it necessary to proceed any farther in the con-
.sideration of the evidence before the Committee, ajDpointed
to inqune into the conduct of His Eoyal Highness, as far
as that evidence related to His Eoyal Highness the Duke
York." From a ncAV member, desiring to pursue politics
as a profession, this speech might have passed
Avithout notice ; but as the first essay of a young
nobleman, who evidently had not made eloquence
his study, it was favourably received. Mr. Whit
bread Avent so far as to describe it, "as being as
free from all affectation, as it was full of ability."
Less partial critics admitted the matter and manner
to be quite in keeping ; and they saAV, in the bold
,and evidently honest vieAv of the case taken by
Lord Althorp, exhibited in his judicious reasoning,
and his homely but perspicuous diction, the promise
<of a valuable pubhc man. Even in the feverish

104 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. excitement of Parliamentary feeling which pre-
^'^- ^^" vailed that night, the strong language he used did
not call forth an expression of disparagement or
rebuke. The debate turned upon the word "now""
in Lord Althorp's Resolution, which was construed
to aim at excluding the Duke permanently from
the public service, and on that ground Mr,
Perceval carried an amendment for its omission.
Besoiution With tliis siuglo exccption, the Resolution Avas-
carried. alloAved to pass unaltered, and Lord Althorp was
thus honourably associated with the triumphant
close of this memorable contest.
Eemarks Attempts havc been made to represent the Duke
Duke°of ^^ ^1^ injured man, and the victim of popular
^°'^^- clamour, though fcAV of his advocates have ven
tured to assert his entire innocence. A distin
guished officer, who lived on terms of intimacy
with him, admitted in my presence, shortly after
the trial, that the case Avas but too clear; and
indeed the judgment passed on it by pubhc opinion
has never been reversed. The Duke's infatuation
for his mistresses Avas almost as blind as that of
Charles II. ; and Mrs. Clarke Avas generally
believed, when she asserted that she could have
brought forward many more instances, had she not-
shrunk from betraying those who treated her
liberally. His errors, hoAvever, sprang rather from
a bad education and the temptations incidental to
his position, than from inherent depravity. He
felt the stings of conscience, and armed himself
against them by the most strenuous support of the

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 105
Church estabhshment, and opposition to Catholic 1809.
emancipation. In the midst of his irregularities, •^'^'
he used to say, and without ostentation, from
which he Avas entirely free, that he never travelled
Avithout taking a Bible in his carriage. He AAas
the least clever of all the King's sons. In no
part of his Dutch campaigns did he display any
talent for war or affairs ; and, as Lord Althorp
justly observed, the merit of his administration at
the Horse Guards was taken upon trust. The
re-organisation of the British army must not be
ascribed to him. It Avas the result of the experi
ence draAvn from the Spanish war by the genius
of WeUington, aided by the scientific instruction
imparted at the Military College. No improve
ment of any importance is knoAvn to haA'o origi
nated Avith the Duke. Praise, hoAvever, is certainly
due to him for the disinterested distribution of his
patronage, during the last years of the Avar, among
the officers recommended by Lord Wellington or
the authorities of the College, as well as for the
interest he evinced — to a degree unknoAvn in his
predecessors — in the condition of the common
soldier. These were redeeming points in his char
acter, but not such as to reflect censure on those
who brought his errors under the consideration
of the public.
The following letters were addressed by Lord
Althorp to Lord Spencer, during the proceedings
against the Duke : —

106

liIEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1809.
Mt. 27.
Letters
from Lord
Althorp to
Xord Spencer during the
proceed
ings.

" Dear Father,
"As I told you yesterday morning that there
was no probability of finishing last night, I did not
think you would be very anxious to hear what happened,
and I, therefore, Avent to bed instead of writing to you.
Bankes's speech was a very good one ; but I Avas quite
siu-prised by Folkestone. I had no idea that he could
have made so able and so impressive a speech : it appeared
to make a very great impression upon everj'body. With
regard to the state of the question, I think it is very
probable that Bankes's amendment wUl in the end be
carried, — at any rate, it wUl be a veiy near run. For
myself, I do not think that it is necessary for a member
of the House of Commons, in order to give a vote of
censure, to be convinced by exact legal evidence, provided
he is positively convinced that the ground of censure
e.Mists. Now, this is my case. I do not think that there
is the proper kind of evidence to convict the Duke of
York in a Court of Law, but in my own mind I am con
vinced that he did know that Mrs. Clarke received pre
sents, in order to use her influence with him, and I shall
therefore vote for Wardle's original motion. Tliere are,
from what I hear, about fifty or sixty Avho take the same
Ime ; this will make some difficulty in bringing all our
forces to bear at once upon the enemJ^ When Wardle's
motion is lost, we shaU have only one objection to voting
for Bankes's, which is, that in it he sa3's there is no
ground whatever for charging the Duke of York with per
sonal corruption or participation. We cannot, of course,
.agree to this, in the usual sense of the words ; but Bankes
says, he only means by ' charging ' to saj^ impeaching,
xising it only in the strict legal sense, and in that sense
I certainly agree with him, for the last thing I wish for is
fin impeachment. He has, hoAvever, so managed the first
question on which we shall divide, that all who wish for
the Duke of York's dismissal Avill vote together, and if we

MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE. 107
nre beaten upon that, the difficulty Avill be done away, for 1809.
Bankes's address will never be put. The debate will pro- ^t. 27.
bably last one or two days longer. A IMr. Henry Smith
is to move for impeachment, I hear, and Sir Thomas
Turton is to move the leaving out of the word ' No ' in
Perceval's Eesolution, which says, there is no proof of
¦corruption, &c., against the Duke of York.
" Yours most sincerely,
" ALTHOEP.
" St. James's Place, March llth, 1809."

" Dear Father,
"When I wi-ote to you last, I did not tell you
all the objections which there are to Bankes's address,
for the fact is, that only hearing it read, the sentence
which contradicted Wardle's made so much impression
upon me, that the other very objectionable parts did not
strike me ; but last night Milton came to Folkestone and
me, to ask us whether we would A'ote for it, provided the
word ' chargiag,' was altered into ' instituting any further
proceeding.' We immediately agreed to it, tiU, on reading
it OA'er with him, we found many other veiy material ob
jections to it : the whole style is complimentarj^ ; and,
indeed, what it says with respect to his regulations is not
founded on any evidence we have before us, and therefore
cannot be proper to be stated. In short, for myself, I
think there is only one sentence in it of which I can
approve, and that is the one whicii says that the corrup
tions could not have existed without the suspicions of the
Duke of York. It will be impossible therefore for me to
vote for it. I wrote this yesterday : since which I have
come into a very new situation, which viill prevent my
sajdng more than a veiy few words to you. If Bankes's
address is to be put from the chair, I am to move an
amendment to it, leaving out the objectionable parts. If
the minority support Wardle against him, in order to throw

108 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. out both, I am to move a new address. The only case in
Mt. 27. which I shall not have to speak, wUl be in case PerceA^al
beats us on the first division. " Yours most sincerely,
" ALTHOEP.
" St. James's Place, March loth, 1809."
" Dear Father,
" Though I escaped a speech on Wednesday I
am not clear yet, for I shaU move an address for the
removal of the Duke of York, immediately after Bathurst's
motion is disposed of We last night had two divisions,
so similar to the two others, that I did not think it at all
necessary to write to 3'ou by the coach. On Turton's
motion of leaving out the word ' no,' in the Eesolution of
acquittal, we divided 135 for it, and 334 against it. On
the Eesolution itself, we divided 278 for it, and 196 against
it. Sir Thomas Tiuton's amencbuent was, in its effects,
of inestimable value, for it prevented any other amend
ment, and forced every one to give a direct vote upon the
original question. Bankes was in such a passion at it,
that he could hardly utter, and Petty, and Windham, and
Tierney made bitter lamentations. Cartwi-ight has so far
voted on the side of Ministers, but last night declared
his intention of voting against them on Bathurst's Eeso
lution, and from Avhat he said, I think he Avill probably
vote for my address. Lord Euston, and the Cavendishes,
and Fitzpatrick, go through with the Duke of York.
Morpeth has so far voted for him, but intends to support
Bathurst; but William Howard has been in the minority
on every division. Sir John Sebright has all along voted
in the minority, and Goddard and Shaw Lefevre. Ossul
ston and the two Wynns voted against Turton's amend
ment, though they had voted for Wardle's address, which,
I confess, I do not understand. Sir Henry Mildmay is
very eager against the Duke, — indeed, from what I hear,
he is a capital politician. Fuller made a gentleman-like
speech yesterday, as you will see in the papers. With

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 109
regard to the Hne which I have taken myself, I hope you i,so9.
approve of it. I at first felt doubtful, when I found I was .Ht. 27.
disagreeing with EUiot, for, as to the rest, I do not care
a farthing about their opinions ; but I am more and more
satisfied with myself every day, as I have continued to see
the extreme difficulties in Avhich our leaders placed them
selves, and the very absurd distinctions Avhich they were
obliged to make, iu order to vote with consistency. By-
the-by, I forgot to tell you that Folkestone desired me
to ask you Avhat your opinion would be on a Bill, which
he thinks of brmging in, to prevent Pruices of the Blood
from holding responsible situations. I confess that I can
see no objection to its passing, but many great advantages
which wiU result from it. " Yours most sincerely,
" ALTHOEP.
" St. James's Place, March 18fh, 1809."
" I shaU be very glad to see you at Althorp to talk
these things over with you ; my political situation is very
much changed within this last fortnight ; my opuiions, as
you know, have long been the same, but till now. I have
never had the nerve to act upon them."
" Dear Father,
" The Duke of York has resigned, and our course
of proceeding is therefore changed. We shall oppose
Bathurst's resolution, as being too complimentary and too
weak in its censure for the House to conclude its pro
ceedings with, and I shall move — after it is disposed of —
that, in consequence of the resignation of the Duke of
Y^ork, the House does not think it necessary to proceed
any further in the investigation, which Avill show the point
whicli we have aimed at, and that, if the investigation
had not taken place, some further proceeding would have
been necessary. " Yours most sincerely,
" ALTHOEP.
" St. James's Place, March 20th, 1809."

110 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. Since Lord Althorp AriU be most known to'
. _!^  ¦_ posterity as a politician, I am glad to be able tO'
foiTir E^^^> 0^ ^^^ 0"^^^ authority, some account of the
whi°^ *^'' groAvth of his opinions on public affairs at this.
party. early period of his life. He had been brought up
a decided Tory, Avith all the prejudices contracted
by that party during the excesses of the French
Revolution, Whiggism being for years held in
utter abomination at Spencer House, as the
symbol of the most dangerous errors in morals:
and politics. When he Avent to Cambridge, Lady
Spencer's parting and earnest admonition was, to
"beware of all Whigs." He accordingly, at first,
viewed with distrust such of his fellow students
as belonged to Whig famihes. He Avas puzzled,.
however, on finding their society much more ta
his taste, than that of the young Tories whom.
he had been recommended to cultivate. Almost
in spite of himself he formed an intimate friendship
with Lord Henry Petty (since Marquis of Lans-
doAvne), and Lord Ebrington (since Earl Fortescue) ;
and to them must, I believe, be ascribed his.
altered feelings toAvards the Liberal party ; for,
Avhen he left the University, nearly all his friend
ships lay among the Whigs, and Avithout being
himself aware of it, he had adopted many of their
opinions. His continental tour, brief as it was,.
served to strengthen that impression. It was na
slight satisfaction to him to find Lord Spencer, on
his return, reconciled to the heads of the Whig
party, owing to their common enmity to the

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. HI
Addington administration. He noAv occasionally iso9.
met Mr. Fox at Spencer House, and to see that ^^- "''•
great statesman in the mild intercourse of private
life, Avas to admire and love him. If Lord Althorp
did not immediately declare himself one of his
foUoAvers, it Avas out of deference to Lord Spencer,
who never separated himself from Mr. Pitt. He
certainly never gave a good Tory vote afterAvards.
He drifted down the current which bore his father
and the friends of Mr. Fox, after their very brief
possession of office, into their very long opposition ;
but his short Parliamentary experience rather
alienated him from the Tories, than attached him
to the Whigs. To a young man, indeed, with
faint party predilections, the latter could not then
appear otherwise than to disadvantage ; as from
their fear of giving irreconcilable offence to the
Xing, and of losing the support of the Grenvillites,
they were driven to a policy which had in it
more of compromise than progress. This frequent
sacrifice of principle to expediency did not suit
Lord Althorp. He regarded it as short-sighted
and jjusillanimous. The bolder course pursued by
Sir Samuel Romilly and Mr. Whitbread, and the
small section of the Liberals usually termed Demo
cratic Whigs, or Patriots, in their unsparing de
nunciations of abuses at home and abroad, and
their eloquent vindication of popular rights, he
long approved, before he ventured to praise. Here
alone he recognised the sentiments of Mr. Fox ;
and finding, as he thought, in Mr. Whitbread,,

112 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. during the proceedings against the Duke, many
^' of the qualities which he admired in Mr. Fox and
could see in no other hving statesman, he deter
mined to adopt him henceforth as his leader.'"'

* It subsequently transpired that the Ministers had acquiesced in
the inquiry, under very erroneous impressions of the nature of the
charges, which could be brought against the Duke. Either fr-om his
habitual carelessness, or from some perversion of judgment, the state
ment he laid before Mr. Perceval, in answer to Colonel Wardle, proved
very inaccurate. Some of the disclosures took Mr. Perceval completely
by surprise, and made him very angry. He complained bitterly in
private of the Duke's folly, and, indeed, Lord Brougham tells me,
obliged him to resign, a step which he was far too obstinate to have
taken, except by compulsion. — Authoe.

CHAPTER VII.
KEW POLITICAL CONNECTIONS.  WHITBREAD.  FOLKE
STONE.  HAMILTON.  BURDETT.
Lord Spencer had now to decide whether Lord i809.
Althorp should declare himself " a Whig and some- ^'^- ^''-
thing more," or retire from Parliament. Either LordAi-
_ _ thorpforms
alternative must have been a severe disappointment i-iberai
connec-
to a veteran statesman who had fondly hoped to tions.
see his son supporting his principles, and succeeding
to his position in pubhc life. He Avas too con
fident, however, of Lord Althorp's rectitude of
principle and soundness of judgment to fear his
falling into any serious errors of conduct, and
accordingly he yielded to his Arishes. Father and
son continued to live on the same terms of mutual
affection, graduaUy approximating in their views,
until at last they cordiaUy concurred on the great
question of Parhamentary Reform, and the various
changes to which that measure gave rise. They
kept up a constant correspondence on the politics
of the day ; and Lord Althorp on some important
occasions derived essential benefit from his father's
counsel. The knot of Liberals to whom Lord Althorp

114 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. had attached himself, were chiefly young men —
. •^'^" ^^- such as Lord Archibald Hamilton, Viscount Folke
stone, and Sir Francis Burdett — ^these being, next
to Mr. Whitbread and Sir Samuel Romilly (when
the latter chose to come among them), the most
influential of their members. Their eagerness and
impatience of control often gave umbrage to the
Whig leaders, and, indeed, almost unfitted them
for party obligations. The strongest bond of union
amongst them was a decided bias towards the
popular, rather than the aristocratical element of
the Constitution. A redistribution of political
power was, in their eyes, essential for the protec
tion of the people against the arbitrary pohcy of
the Government ; and, accordingly, they promoted
Parliamentary Reform, though not on an extensive
scale, or on a very intelligible basis. They could
not agree on the vital question of the franchise,
being at a loss how to solve the difficult problem,
how to leave the social condition of the members
of Parliament unaltered, and yet place them more
under the control of the middle classes, which
they esteemed the only effectual check on the
corruption and mismanagement prevailing through
out the public service. Their hot zeal for adminis
trative reform would have gone far to break up
the system of patronage which Avas supposed to
give vitality to the Government. What they laid
most stress upon, was the urgent necessity of re
dressing the grievances of the working classes,
Avhich they asserted, too truly, to have been

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 115
culpably neglected by Parliament ; and here they 1809.
opened a field for legislation destined in after years ^'^- '^'-
to yield most abundant harvests. But these vicAvs,
however legitimate in the abstract, involved a
eourse of action for Avhich the nation Avas not
prepared. In the midst of an unsuccessful Avar,
with discontent raging in the manufacturing dis
tricts, a strong feeling prevailed among moderate
men, even in the middle classes, that any material
changes in the machinery of Government might
impair its efficiency, and, by unsetthng the public
mind, hazard the safety of the country. As the
fear of invasion subsided, that of a popular insur
rection increased ; and the only security against it
Avas supposed to lie ill maintaining almost a hostUe
attitude towards the masses, and strengthening the
hands of the Government. Indeed, the reactionary
feeling which sprang out of the French Revolution
was still so active, that the Tories found it easy
to revive the old cry against leveUers and demo
crats, which soon succeeded in making the public
regard the persons thus designated, including most
of the ultra-Liberals, in the same light with the
leaders of the revolutionary movement in France :
it being entirely overlooked that no political section
in the House contained a larger proportion of men
so independent in fortune and position, or held in
higher estimation for their intelligence and priA^ate
worth. Mr. Whitbread, the life and soul of the party, Mr. Whit-
is described by Lord Brougham (who was his "^^''
I 2

116 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. intimate friend) as a finished specimen of an
^''- ^'^- English statesman, not of the patrician order. He
had been brought up among the Nonconformists,
and the force of early impressions might be per
ceived, not less in his plain and doAvnright manners,
than in the hardy complexion of his politics. To
find himself shut out of the Liberal Cabinet in
1806, and supplanted by Mr. Ponsonby in the
leadership of the Opposition in 1807, Avere the
penalties he paid for his boisterous protests against
the dictation of great Whig Lords, and his sneers
at the traditional maxims which the party still held
in veneration. This language, often too justly pro
voked, was, however, but " the flash and outbreak
of a fiery mind," for his principles Avere stronger
than his prejudices ; and although he did not call
himself a Whig, he gave a loyal support to Mr.
Fox ; and on some memorable occasions, especially
in the proceedings both against Lord Melville and
the Duke of York, he turned for a while the tide
of feeling throughout the country, almost in spite
of themselves, completely in favour of the Whigs.
This feeling in Lord MelAdlle's case was so strong
as to draw from Mr. Pitt the admission, that the
Ministry inight bear the defeats of Austerlitz and
Ulm, but not the re-appointment of that nobleman.
Mr. Whitbread alone, of the chiefs of the Oppo
sition, had an eminent capacity for business — his
strong, clear, sense being as remarkable as his
industry. It was not uncommon to see liim, Arith
out any apparent effort, dictating to his two secre-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 117
taries, whilst he carried on an animated conversa- 1809.
tion. Lord Grey, his brother-in-law, used to say ^' ''•
that he worked harder than any of his own
dray-horses. The earnestness that carried him
through these incessant labours, constituted the
-charm of his character. It supplied the place of
genius, and gave to his speeches — which bore the
unmistakable stamp of sincerity, both in argument
and force of expression — a power often envied by
his more brilliant rivals. He is, indeed, called by
Lord Byron a vulgar Demosthenes. That men of
high connections were those who most suffered from
the Auolence of his invectives was the fault of an
unsound political system, for which its supporters,
and not its opponents, Avere answerable. His
.efforts to amend that system were all of a legiti
mate character ; and he showed far more eagerness
in assailing administrative abuses than in pressing
^organic reforms. Nor was this seen on political
questions alone. What he effected for jails and
lunatic asylums, at a time that the public attention
^ould with difficulty be drawn to them, is even
more honourable to him than his vindication of
ptopular rights ; and the noble use he made of his
wealth in the pursuit of these objects kept pace
Avith his professions. He could not be brought
to believe that any danger Avas to be apprehended
from the working classes. No public man of his
day did more for the improvement of their condi
tion than himself, or more disinterestedly; but he
neither fiattered their prejuchces, nor courted their

118

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1809.
Mt. 27.

Viscount Folkestone
(Eaii of
iladnor).

support ; he even seemed indifferent to their opinion
of his conduct, and in the very district where his
personal infiuence was of most importance to him,
the strictness of his discipline, in the command of
the Bedfordshire Mihtia, nearly caused a mutiny.
Had the fears of the alarmists been realised, he
Avas one of those men in Avhose courage and
patriotism they would have found the surest pro
tection. Viscount Folkestone (at the time I Avrite the
venerable Earl of Radnor), Avas then scarcely
thirty years old. Already rich by his marriage
with the only daughter and heiress of Lord
Lincoln, handsome and high spirited, Arith refined
tastes and a cultivated mind, his connexions and
accomplishments alone gave him a considerable
position in the House. He had not yet attached
himself to either party. He was, however, the
intimate friend, and had even been considered the
pupil, of Mr. Windham, whom he warmly sup
ported in the Parliamentary conflicts during the
Addington Administration, when a sense of duty
engaged him in strong opposition to the Court,,
although his father was a decided Tory of the old
school,'"' and his mother a personal friend, and at

* Lord Eadnor entertained some fantastic notions on what he
termed the constitutional privileges of the peerage, — little in unison
with the spirit ofthe age, — and these, combined with his other preju
dices, probably tended to alienate Lord Folkestone, who was a much
abler man, from Tory opinions. Lord Eadnor caxried these feelings'
so far as absolutely to refuse the payment of a tax which he regarded
as unjust, and suffered a distress for many years to be levied on his-
goods for the amount. — {Ex rel. Lord Brougham.) — Authoh.

MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE. 119
one time in the household, of Queen Charlotte. 1809.
His speech on the Duke of York's case displayed  !l_^'_
powers, Avhich in the estimation not only of Mr.
Windham, but of Sir Samuel Romilly and Mr.
Canning, entitled him to a briUiant political career.
He Avas of a thoughtful, critical turn of mind,
distrusting the commonly received maxims of
Government, and ahvays disposed to side Avith
the minority. Oppression in any form or place
he could not endure; and Mr. Burke's indignation
against Hastings seemed revived in his attacks on
Lord Wellesley's Indian Administration. With
the same chivalrous warmth he espoused the in
terests of the loAver classes at home. His vicAvs
Avere often more speculative than practical ; and
he made no aUowance for the difiiculties of the
Government, or the feehngs of its supporters ; but
the same honest, conscientious, and fearless spirit
always distinguished him ; and, far from seeking
popular favour, he opposed the peace of 1803, at
the height of its popularity, and advocated the
ncAV Poor LaAV of 1834, at the height of its un
popularity, Arith all the ardour and energy that
he could have shown if the country had been
entirely with him. Such a man might be trouble
some to a Minister — he could hardly be dangerous
to the State.
Lord Archibald Hamilton must have seemed i'°'<i
, , T „ Archibald
misplaced among members unfavourable to the Hamilton.
aristocracy. He had the manly beauty and noble
demeanour that immortalise the portraits of Velas-

120 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. quez and Vandyke. The first Lord Dunfermline"'
^''- ^^- wrote to me of him : " He was too punctihous for
my taste ; but I venerated him as a man of . the
soundest and steadiest pubhc principles, and a
thoroughly high-minded gentleman. In both these
relations he was scrupulously correct, and com
manded as much general respect as any statesman
of his day." Reserve, if not pride, and the infir
mity of increasing deafness, made him too exclu
sive to be popular. He saw Scotland become a
mere borough of Lord Melville's Arith feelings of
indignation, Avhich, sharpened perhaps by the dimi
nished influence of his own family, partly explain
his zeal for Parliamentary Reform. If not suc
cessful at the time, retributive justice has been
done to his memory, in the fact that not a single
Tory, at the time I write these words, is returned
for a Scottish burgh.
Sir Francis Sir Fraucis Burdett, Avhen a very young man
on his travels, had Avitnessed and shared the
enthusiasm excited in France by the first out
break of the Revolution, and it was his pride
and glory to be at the head of what was called
the democratical party in England. For more
than a quarter of a century he pursued a course
of incessant agitation, often in concert Arith obscure
and worthless adventurers, that made him the terror
of a large portion of the community, and the
* The Eight Honourable James Abercromby, a younger son of the
illustrious Sir Ealph ; one of the m.ost honest statesmen I ever knew.
— AUTHOB.

Burdett.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 121

Mt. 27.

scourge of successive Administrations. Nothing 1809
short of electoral districts, and a franchise co-exten
sive with taxation, as adopted in France, could
satisfy his views of Parhamentary Reform— and
yet he was no democrat. He thoroughly appre
ciated his position in society and his great landed
estate ; nor did he forget that one of his ancestors
had been of sufficient importance to be executed
for treason by Edward IV. He reverenced the
monarchy : he Avas assiduous in his attendance at
Court : he discountenanced all attacks on the in
fluence of the Crown, maintaining that the monarch
Avas the natural protector of the lower classes
against the higher Thus he seemed to oscillate
between Democracy and Toryism, and in his old
me subsided into the latter Not that he wanted
either courage or decision ; but he was vain, and
delighted in paradox, as he shoAved both in his
conversation and conduct. He was also the reverse
of prescient, so that success, when unexpected,
proved more embarrassing to him than failure.
His younger brother, who perished at the Falls
of Lauffen, had been reputed mad, and there Avere
suspicions of an hereditary taint. Sir Francis,
indeed, maintained to me that all men were more
or less disordered in mind. His education had
been neglected, and he had no depth of knoAvledge.
He boasted of his ignorance of all authors but
Shakspeare and Horace : these, however, he knew
so Avell that his quotations from them Avere often
the most effective parts of his speeches. Mr.

122 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. Canning, a finished scholar, said it Avas inspiration,
^''" ^''' Vivacity of thought, not strength of intellect,
obtained him reputation as a speaker, and hence
his high favour Avith the masses, on whom his
ready fiow of words, set off by a fine clear voice
and very graceful person, told like enchantment.
He looked what he was, a thoroughly high-bred
gentleman ; and political antipathies rarely betrayed
him into personal resentments. When it is recol
lected that he Avas an agreeable companion, and a
man of unblemished honour, it is easy to under
stand, hoAV, in spite of many Aveaknesses, and some
vices, he found a ready acceptance among men of
sounder vicAvs, and more strict morality.
Such were Lord Althorp's political associates,
during the many years that he subsequently took
part in public affairs, and he never regretted his
connection with them. That they were men of
generous impulses and determined minds, will
hardly be disputed : the French Revolution pre
sented to them strong arguments in favour of
timely reforms ; and they insisted that the excesses
which disgraced it could only have been committed
in a country Avhere the lower classes had long been
systematically oppressed by the higher : — this was
the head and front of their offence. To suppose
that such men as I have described could desire
to impair the just ascendency of the higher classes
over the lower, Avould be perfectly preposterous.
"Appellations of opprobrious origin," says Southey
(in his Life of Wesley), " have often been adopted

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 125
by the parties to which they Avere applied, as well 1809.^
as by the public : convenience legitimates the inven-  "^'
tions of malice." Thus the party to Avliich Lord
Althorp had attached himself obtained, and is stUl
known by, the appellation of Radicals ; nor did he
complain of being so distinguished. But the ^^'^
Radical members of 1809 must not be confounded
Avith those of our own time. Moderate concessions
from the Whigs would have satisfied the former.
If not partisans they were, at least, faithful aUies.
They belonged to the same class, Avere governed
by the same social influences, and Avith their
common political principles, it was plain that, if
true to themselves, they could have no separate
interests. Far from entering into compacts Avith
the Tories, they opposed them Avith a Avarmth con
demned by the Whigs, and regarded their main
tenance in power as a heavy national misfortune.'''
* The dispute between the two sections of the Liberal party would
be an interesting subject for inquiry. The AVhig Leaders, though
they discountenanced, were some of them far from really disapproving
the views of Ultra-Liberals. They were restrained only by the fear
of the entire ruin of the party, already disorganised by repeated-
failures, and little able to withstand any more shocks against the fears
or prejudices of the public. — Author.

CHAPTER VIII.
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES.  BOXING.  FIELD SPORTS.
1809. Lord Althorp had barely time to take his seat
-^^- ^''- below the gangway, before the differences between
Motion for his old and his new friends were brought abruptly
committee , ^ ^
of inquiry to a head, iu a manner that exhibited the latter
brought
forward by UO mcaus to advantage. Elated by their recent
Folkestone, succoss, they jiroposed to follow it up by a grand
stroke in the same direction, calculated to maintain
their influence over the public mind. This was no
less than the establishment of a committee of in
quiry into " the existence of any corrupt practices
in the disposal of ofiices in any department of the
State." Such an inquiry must, in the excited state
of public feeling, have necessarily become an in
quisition, and Avould have brought forward a host
of public informers, so that no official servant could
have been safe ; whilst the universal distrust and
suspicion inseparable from such proceedings were
AvhoUy opposed to the spirit of our national institu
tions. The motion Avas intrusted to Lord Folke
stone, who argued it feebly, and without attempting
to face its obvious objections. The Whigs were
not let into the secret ; and, indeed, only learned

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 125
the object of the motion at the meeting of the iso9.
House. However, they had their revenge. With- ^'^- "''•
out any signs of compunction, they showed, Avith
great force, how an inquiry so vague in its nature
and complexion, and so sweeping in extent, might
become an engine of the greatest oppression towards
individuals, and was at variance with all the prin
ciples of wise legislation.
These sentiments were shared by a very large
majority of the House. Except speeches from Mr.
Perceval and Mr. Canning, no part was taken in
the debate by the Ministeriahsts, who left the
contest entirely to the Liberals; and it must be
admitted that Mr. Tierney, Lord Henry Petty,
and Mr Ponsonby, proved more than a match
for Lord Folkestone, Mr Whitbread, and Lord
Archibald Hamilton. The numbers in the division *'^°''<'° i"'=-
rn . .1 -, . . jected by a
were SUinCiently decisive. large ma

jority.

For the Motion  30
Against  178
Majority  148

A short account is given of the debate by Lord
Althorp in the foUowing letter to Lord Spencer :—
"Dear Father,
" They objected to Folkestone's motion last night,
because it was too general: it certainly would have led
to a very extended inquiry: but I do not see how the
object of finding out abuses, or satisfying people that
tbere were none, in the disposal of patronage, could be

126 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809. effected without givuig very general powers to the com-
Mt. 27. mittee. I accordmgly voted for the motion ; and, as you
wiU see by the papers, was in a very small minority.
Lord Forbes, Sir John St. Aubyn, Lyttelton, Lamb,
Pelham, Dudley North, Western, Ord, and I think Scuda-
more, and Coke, voted in the minority, besides those who
spoke. " Milton is not in town. I think Ossulston voted in
the minority. You wiU see that Ord has given a notice
about the Dutch commissioners. Martin is to make some
motion on the Tliird Report of the Finance Committee,
which relates to pensions and siaecures ; but I do not
know what it is. I have endeavoured to make out a list
of the minority last night. I have made out thirty-one
names, and there was one whose face I did not know, in
the lobb3\ " Yours most sincerely,
" ALTHORP.
"April 19tJi, 1809."
From this night must be dated the independent
action of Mr. Whitbread and his followers, as a
distinct political party. They chose to view the
course pursued by the Whig leaders as practically
repudiating the principles of Reform, and made
it a plea for an open rupture with them. This,
perhaps, could not have been long delayed, for
the more liberal or democratical section of the
Whigs had obtained such an accession of strength
in the country from the Duke of York's trial, and
had so eminently distinguished themselves in debate,
that they naturally bore with impatience the ascen
dency of the Whig leaders, and, being men of
sanguine dispositions, indulged a too confident hope
that they could still command the support of a

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 127
large portion of the majority Avhich had A'otcd 1809.
against the Duke. One object, indeed, of Lord '^'^- ^^"
Folkestone's motion Avas, to test the relative
strength of the Liberal sections. The result shoAved Tiie whig
° _ _ party splits
how completely the aristocratical element predomi- iuto two
-*- "^ _ _ sections.
nated ; but the collision broke up the party, — so
that the great Parliamentary victory, whicii pro
mised such brUliant fruits to the Whigs, only
served to inflict on them the severest blow they
had received since the schism of Fox and Burke,
in 1793.
For the nation this was not an unhappy event.
It averted the downfall of a weak Government,
but the only one that, at the time, was likely to •
obtain the support of the monarch and the people.
The pohcy of the Liberals had virtually disquah-
fied them for the vigorous prosecution of the Avar ;
and their Parliamentary success would have been
alike fatal to themselves, and to the national
interests. Notwithstanding their isolated position and dimi
nished numbers, Mr. Whitbread and his foUowers
stiU formed a poAverful party. OAring to the
sUence and inaction of the Whigs, they became
indeed, for a time, the only organs of Liberal prin
ciples in the House. Whatever question of im
portance was agitated on the Opposition benches
originated with them, and their leaders took the
most prominent part in aU important debates.
Even some of their subalterns obtained a short
lived notoriety by speeches of far greater pretensions

128 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1809-10. than merit. This charge could not be brought
^''^- ^'^•^^- against Lord Althorp, whom neither aU the en
couragement he had received for the creditable
manner in which he had already acquitted himself,
nor his unquestionable zeal in the cause, could
induce to open his hps again during the Session.
Perhaps he listened to the counsels of Mr. Whit
bread, who used to say that the success of a first
speech furnished the very best reason for caution
in making a second, which Avas attended with at
least equal risk of failure. It certainly had not,
at this time, occurred to him that he could ever
make a figure in the House ; and one great incentive
to Parhamentary oratory was, in him, entirely
wanting, — he had no ambition. It was only on
the spur of duty, and at the urgent instance of
Mr. Whitbread, that his speech had been made ;
and having satisfied his conscience by the effort,
he did not feel himself called upon to repeat it.
His name scarcely appears in the debates of the
foUoAving Session (1810) ; but by that time the
state of parties had materially changed.
Indignation at the AArretched expedition to Wal
cheren had caused a truce between the different'
sections of the Liberals, and their union supplied
an abundance of superior speakers. This silenced
the inferior ones. Lord Althorp sat usuaUy by
Mr. Whitbread, and voted steadily with him,
except on one occasion, when they appear to have
taken different views of the case of Gale Jones,
a bankrupt apothecary, whom a talent for decla-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 129
mation had raised to a short-hved importance isio.
among the lower class of Westminster politicians. ^""^ ^^- .
A resolution had been passed by an obscure club
of smaU tradesmen and workmen, caUed the London
Forum, of which this man was president, condem
natory of the House for excluding strangers during
the Walcheren inquiry. It would certainly have
been wiser in the Ministers to have overlooked
the insult, coming as it did from a quarter so
insignificant ; but heated counsels prevailed, and he
was, by an unanimous vote, committed to Newgate
for breach of pririlege, no question having been
raised as to the right of Parliament to inflict
such punishment. Sir Francis Burdett's absence
prevented his joining in the vote ; and, in conjunc
tion Arith Mr. Whitbread, he took an early oppor
tunity of moring the discharge of the prisoner on
the ground that such an imprisonment was contrary
to the law of the land.
On a division there were only 14 votes for the
motion, to 153 against it; and as Lord Althorp's
name is not in the minority, I infer that he either
voted in the majority, of which no list has been
preserved, or did not vote at all. When Sir
Francis Burdett, regarding the case of Gale Jones
in the light of an " experimentum in corpore viii,"
which had not received due attention, provoked a
simUar exercise of the privUege of the House
against himself, he met with no support from Lord
Althorp ; so that the latter seems to have already
formed the opinion, of which he afterAvards showed

aaent.

130 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1S12. himself so tenacious, that Parliamentary privilege
^'^' ^'^' was part of the laAV of the land, and equally
essential to the maintenance of constitutional
liberty.
Reaction in The liots that grcw out of this unfortunate
the country -111 • 1 m • i • i
in favour coiitest aided the reaction towards Toryism, which
Govern- had already begun throughout the country; and^
contrary to general expectation, so far from being
arrested, it received an additional impulse from
the accession of the Prince of Wales to the
Regency. His preference of Whig principles — if
it ever really existed — ^had ceased with the decline
of his connections with the Whig leaders, and he
only kept on the mask until he could Arith decency
trust himself in the hands of their opponents.
Whilst both parties were eagerly expecting his.
decision, he adroitly availed himself of the tem
porary calm in the political horizon to obtain one
of the foAV objects he had really at heart. Indepen
dently of his regard for the Duke of York, which
was beyond what might have been expected from
a man of his selfish nature, he beheved it essential
to the security of the Crown, that the Commander-
in-Chief should be a Prince of the Blood; a poli
tical maxim to which both George II. and George
III. attached the greatest importance. Accordingly,
he lent a willing ear to the assurances of his cour
tiers that the popular resentment against the Duke
had not only subsided, but was even transferred
to Colonel Wardle, whose mean and paltry pro
ceedings had certaiidy excited general disgust ; and

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 131
finding the Ministers ready to take upon them- ^§12^
selves the fuU responsibility of the measure, and _._ !_!
the Whigs not unfavourable to it, he consented,
in May, 1812, to the Duke's reinstatement at the li\^J^°
Horse Guards. Sir Darid Dundas, Avho was AvhoUy -=-f *-'
devoted to the Royal Family, and had accepted h°^°^_
the ofl&ce upon the understanding that he Avas only
to hold it temporarily, gladly retired, more than
adequately rewarded for his services by the grant
of a handsome pension to his Arife.*
It is an instance of the placabihty of the Enghsh
people, that the favour then shoAVii to the Duke
was, on the Avhole, not unfavourably received by
the great body of the nation ; and considering the
state of political parties in the House, it might
have been more Arise in the Opposition to content
themselves Arith a simple protest against it. This,
however, was spurned by Mr. Whitbread and his
followers as a positive derehction of duty; and in

* Sir David Dundas had been from age and infirmity wholly un
equal to the duties of so laborious an office. He felt this himself, and
when my father attended his first levee, franily observed that he was
sorry to be at the Horse Guards, and trusted to be soon able to leave
it. My father had been on his staff during the campaigns of 1794 and
1795, and used to describe him as an intelligent officer, but of cold
and austere manners, and too fond of money to be much Hked. He
had amassed a considerable fortune, which he bequeathed to his
nephew, leaving his widow to be provided for by the country. He
was among the generals who at one time constantly attended the
Court, and was highly esteemed by George III. and Queen Charlotte.
In early life be had passed some years in Germany, and was one of the
last survivors of the Seven years' war, on which he wrote some saga
cious comments. His name is known in the army by his "Code of
Eegulations," a useful work, mainly adapted from the German. 
AUTHOH. K 2

132 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1812. spite of the remonstrances of the Whigs, they
^" determined to take the sense of the House on

the appointment.
The motion was not, this time, intrusted to Lord
Althorp, it being thought that Lord Milton, from
having voted in support of the Duke on Colonel
Wardle's original motion, would be less open to the
imputation of factious or personal motives ; and it
was, perhaps, hoped to identify him more closely
with the cause, — his father. Lord Fitzwilliam, like
Lord Spencer, holding aloof from it. He was,
at this time, a pale, slim young man, little known,
except by his great election contest in Yorkshire.
His health had been so delicate as to jirevent his
going to college, and the deficiencies of home edu
cation were sufliciently visible in his bashful and
constrained demeanour; but he had a high spirit,
and a resolute will, that made him a ready
associate in any undertaking of a bold or decided
character.
Vote of The question was brought forward on the 6th
C 611 SHI'S
brought of June (1812) in the form of a vote of censure
Lord on the Ministers. Lord Milton made a manly
speech, entering at length into the reasons against
the Duke's re-appointment. He boldly challenged
the Ministers to say whether they would have
ventured to have recommended to the office a
person in any way circumstanced as the Duke,
his rank only excepted, adding rather an em
barrassing question, — had the same indulgence been
extended to Lord Melville ? .Mr. Perceval followed,

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 133
making a very clcA'er but disingenuous defence of I812.
the Duke, Avhose resignation he endeavoured, by ^''^- ^'^^
a long train of reasoning, to prove a purely
voluntary act, independent of any vote of the
House, and therefore no bar to a re-appointment.
With aU its fallacies, this speech was replete Avith
persuasive poAver, and highly successful. Instead
of setting up some practised debater to reply to it,
Mr. Whitbread very uuAvisely put forward Lord
Althorp, Avho Avas little qualified for such an
encounter. The meshes of Mr. Perceval's sophistry
Avere too skilfully woven for him to unravel. He
contented himself Avith a modest attempt to shoAV
how the sense of the House, as indicated by their
proceedings, had virtually been declared against the
Duke's re-appointment. Even this he did not make
very clear : the details necessary to be explained
seem to have confused hun, and they required a
distinctness of statement which he could not be
expected to command. He Avas more happy in
treating of Colonel Wardle's connection with the
case, — for, although the mere mention of the name
caused him to be interrupted by loud cries of " Hear,"
he would not be put down, and observed that he
did not see how the Duke's position was improved
by Colonel Wardle's aUeged misconduct,— it not
being the character of the counsel on either side
that made a cause better or worse, — that must
depend on the credit of the witnesses, and not
of the advocate. The speech was a brief and
honest defence of the vote he was about to give,

134 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1812. rather than an appeal to the understanding or
^^fff_ feehngs of his hearers. In point of ability, it
certainly feU short of Lord Milton's. This noble
man was thought so decidedly his superior, that
Lady Spencer shortly afterwards said to him,
"Recollect, when you become Premier, you must
give Althorp a place." Nor did this seem so
improbable .an event, for he had an original if
not a comprehensive mind, as he showed by his
views on the Corn Laws, which were in advance
of the age ; and he was one of the most industrious
and estimable of the young nobility. But the
attractions of a happy home, with the cares of a
princely estate, diverted him from the steady
pursuit of politics, and he Avas besides far too
careless of the opinion of those with whom he
acted, to be the leader of a party in a popular
assembly.
Its defeat. Mr. W. ElUot, Mr. Wliitbread, and Mr. Charles
Wynn followed on the same side as Lord Althorp.
Their speeches may still be read with interest as
expressions of high feeling and poAverful argument ;
but their efforts were Atasted on a House already
pre-determined, and the motion Avas rejected by a
large majority.
This unsatisfactory conclusion of Lord Althorp's
first essay in politics did not raise his opinion of
politicians. The vote he had obtained against the
Duke in 1808 had been solemnly given, with the
general concurrence of the nation, — after a very
long and laborious inquiry, — on grounds avowedly

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 135
judicial. He now saw it virtually reversed, after J^812.
a few hours' discussion,— under the most flimsy lA_
pretences,— for mere party considerations; and, in
the eager competition of the most eminent states
men for Court favour, all sense of the dignity
and consistency of Parhament, as well as of public
morality, appeared to be equally overiooked.
Wilham Wilberforce and Henry Thornton had
the honesty to discountenance these proceedings,
and, withdrawing from their party, to vote with
the smaU minority in the division; but such
instances Avere rare. It was manifest that the
feelings, prevalent in the great body of the House
before the Duke of York's trial, had resumed their
SAvay, and that, from various motives, an over
whelming majority were indisposed to any correc
tion of public abuses, that involved the disturbance
of party ties, or the displeasure of the Court.
It was at this time that the town of North- ^1;^^?'^*''
ampton was thrown into consternation by a pro
posed increase of the leather duty. As the
manufacture of shoes supported a large part of
the population, all parties united against the mea
sure. They placed their case in Lord Althorp's
hands ; and he took great pains to make himself
master of it, not being insensible to the credit of
obtaining a victory over the Ministers on this
occasion. When the day of the discussion drew
near, he Avas no less surprised than mortified at
hearing that a young member, Mr. Brougham, a
barrister, AvhoUy unconnected with Northampton,

136 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1812. intended to bring forward the question. He imme-
^' ^"^ diately sought that gentleman, Avhom he knew

but slightly, and remonstrated with him on the
course he was taking. Mr. Brougham, hoAveveiv
insisted that he was acting under a promise ta
the shoemakers of Stafford, and could not recede.
Lord Althorp, though by no means satisfied, Avas
obliged to yield, and accordingly, on the 26th of
Speechesby June, 1812, Mr. Broug-ham moved the reiection
Mr. Broug- ' ' ° . "^ .
ham and of the tax, and Lord Althorp seconded him : their
Althorp. speeches Avere characteristic of the men. Mr.
Brougham with great cleverness and command
over details, in which he already shone, proved
how severe a pressure Avould result from the tax
on the operations of husbandry, — to the necessary
diminution of the profits of the farmer, and the^
rent of the landlord ; — in short, he made an excel-
lend landlord's speech, in the hope of awakening"
the cupidity of the country gentlemen, and gaining
their support. All he said Avas quite true ; but
in the state of unexampled prosperity of the landed
interest, it certainly had no claim to any relief
from taxation. Lord Althorp, although dependent
for his seat on the landlords, passed over their
grievances without notice, and rested his case on
the hardship of the tax on the agricultural
labourer and the artisan, — whose wages seldom
bear a just proportion to the price of the articles
of their consumption, — and Avhose condition, I may
add, Avas at that time much less attended to by
the legislature than at present. His argument

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 137
Avas clearly stated ; and the only defence lay in I812.
the necessities of the country, Avhich made a sound "^^' ^°'
system of taxation impracticable. The tax Avas
carried by a large majority.
This dispute between Lord Althorp and Mr.
Brougham ended in a warm and lasting friendship.
The first advances Avere (I suspect), made by Mr.
Brougham, AA^ho probably felt, on reflection, that to
have AvaiA^ed his right in favour of a young noble
man in Lord Althorp's position, would have been
better for the cause he advocated, and for the
interests of the Liberal party. They often met
at Mr. Whitbread's house, where, even in the
society of Sheridan, Tierney, and other Avits and
statesmen, Mr. Brougham's superior genius and
accomplishments already obtained general admira
tion ; "'' — and it Avas natural that Lord Althorp,
* Mr. Brougbam had entered ParUament in 1810. His first speech,
which was in support of Mr. AVbitbread's motion on tbe Expedition to
the Scheldt, had satisfied neither his friends nor himself, though parts
of it were very able. The late Mr. Creevey often mentioned, that im
mediately after tbe debate Mr. Brougham had written to bim, an
nouncing his utter failure, and that he "must turn to something
else." On the loth of June following, he made his speech on the
continuance of the Slave Trade — the first in that series of Parlia
mentary triumphs which raised him to the highest rank among
British orators and statesmen. His varied talents perhaps appeared to
equal advantage in the intercourse of domestic life. He was capable
of investing the least attractive subjects with interest. My friend,
the late Viscountess Eversley (Mr. Whitbread's younger daughter),
recollected a group of fashionable ladies listening, at breakfast one
morning at Southill, with breathless attention to his description of the
habits of bees, which he made as charming as a fairy tale. He was
also a first-rate mimic, so that John Kemble, being asked what be
thought of him, answered : — " If I could get him on the boards for a
season, it would make my fortune." Even Mr. Eogers, though not
addicted to praise, observed, as Mr. Brougham was stepping into his

138 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1812-13. Avho was modesty itself, should have been gratified
^'^- ^^'^^' by the attentions of a man so highly gifted, and
Avho thought on politics as he did; for Mr. Brougham,
being left free by the Whig j)eer who had brought
him into Parliament, Avas usually found among the
zealous supporters of Mr. Whitbread.
Peace Pre- Lord Althorp spokc duriiig the Session on the
-servation ...
Bill. Peace Preservation Bill, Avhich had been intro
duced to repress the outrages in the hosiery
districts of Derby, Leicester, and Nottingham.
Considering the destruction of property that had
taken place, and the general alarm throughout
those districts, the measure was not, I think, of
a very severe character. Its main feature Avas an
extension of the jurisdiction of the local magistracy.
The Whigs tacitly acquiesced in it. Not so Mr.
Brougham, who, with Mr. Whitbread and his
followers, ascribed the agitation to temporary
causes which were already removed, and denounced
the Bill as unnecessary, and therefore unjustifiable.
Lord Althorp held the same views, but expressed
them with more moderation. Other speakers near
him had dwelt Avith gross exaggeration on the
faults of the magistracy, a popular argument at
the time ; but, Arith the love of truth that kept
him from propitiating the landlords, he now showed
himself equally independent of the people, — for he
particularly guarded himself against being believed
to approve of this line of argument, and desired
chaise at the door of Southill — "There go Demosthenes, Bacon, and
George Selwyn, all in the same chaise." — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 139
it to be distinctly understood, that his opposition 1813.
did not arise from any apprehensions that the power ^'^- ^'^-
entrusted to the magistrates Avould be abused.
It was by acts like these — by inflexible steadiness
of principle — by sincerity, coupled with too much
kindness to give just cause of offence, — that he early
gained the appellation of " honest Jack Althorp."
Except a single speech, a clear, sensible, and
argumentative one, against the leather tax. Lord
Althorp took no part in the debates of 1813 ; and,
I suspect, very seldom attended them. His zeal for
Catholic emancipation, Avhich never flagged during
his Parliamentary life, alone brought him doAvn to
vote for Mr. Grattan's BiU, which, after a gleam
of success, was defeated on the First Reading. I
can find his name in no other division. He Avas,
in fact, becoming Aveary of politics. The unex
pected turn of events, both in Russia and Spain,
unfavourable to Napoleon, gave almost absolute
poAver to the Ministers. Parliament did scarcely
more than register their edicts ; and as this was
an occupation httle to his taste, he gradually ceased
to attend the House, unless he happened to be
called there by the business of his constituents.
This estrangement from politics left more time Athletic
at his disposal than he was likely to employ to
advantage; for, independently of his not being at
all bookish, his delight in athletic exercises remained
as strong as ever. Indeed, he Avas of a full, robust
habit, that seemed to make them necessary to his
health. When he first settled in London, he gave

140 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1813. many hours to rackets ; and what was still less
 l'_^}l_ refined, he made a real study of boxing, taking
lessons from the best instructors, whilst practising
most assiduously, and as he boasted, with great
success. He had many matches with his school
fellow, Lord Byron, Avith whom it appears to have
been, at this time, a favourite pursuit. Those
who witnessed his exploits with the gloves, and
observed his cool and steady eye, his broad chest
and muscular limbs, and, above aU, felt his hard
bloAvs, Avould have been justified in saying " that
he was born to be a prize-fighter, rather than a
minister of state." Even when a Minister, he
sometimes startled his coUeagues by a display of
knoAvledge on this subject, by way of illustration,
which they could not help thinking rather mis
applied. How deeply rooted were these feelings
could not be more graphically described, than by
the foUoAving extract from a letter, kindly addressed
to me by his friend, Mr. Evelyn Denison,^'" referring
to a visit at Wiseton, long after Lord Althorp had
quitted office :
" "When vre were at Wisetou, something Avas said about
a recent case of stabbing with a knife. Lord Spencer
observed that, in his opinion, cases of stabbing arose from
the manly habit of boxing having been discouraged. The
pros and cons of boxing were discussed — Lord Spencer
became eloquent. He said his conviction of the advan
tages of boxiug was so strong, that he had been seriously
considering whether it was not a duty he owed to the
* The Eight Honourable J. Evelyn Denison, afterwards Speaker of
tho House of Commons, and Alscount Ossington. — Editoe,

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. Ill
public to go and attend every prize-fight which took place, 1813-14.
and so to encourage the noble science to the extent of ^^^^i^
his power. I have said, he became eloquent. It was the
one time in my hfe, in the House of Commons, or out of
it, that I heard him speak with eagerness, and almost with
passion. He gave us an account of prize-fights which he
had attended, how he had seen Mendoza knocked down
for the first five or six rounds by Humphreys, and seeming
almost beat, tiU the Jews got their money on ; when
a hint being given him, he began in earnest and soon
turned the tables.
"He described the fight between Gully and the Chicken.
How he rode down to BrickhiU, — how he was loitering
about the mn door, when a barouche-and-four drove up
Avith Lord Byron and a party, and Jackson the trainer, —
how they all dmed together, and how pleasant it had
been.* Then the fight the next day : the men stripping,
the intense excitement, the sparring ; then the iirst
round, the attitude of the men — it was really Avorthy of
Homer." After all. Lord Althorp's great pleasure and ThePytch-
interest were in the country. He had not yet
* The following addition to this anecdote I owe to an old friend of
Lord Althorp's : — " When the party assembled at the ' George,' they
found that there were not beds enough for them, so they tossed up,
and the winners went to bed first, and were called at a certain hour,
when the losers took their places. Among the company was the
Eector of Blisworth, in Northamptonshire — Parson Ambrose — a man
too well known in sporting circles. He disgraced a profession
which he ought to have adorned, for he was clever, and had a remark
ably fine delivery. Mackbn, the actor, left him 501. to preach his
funeral-sermon. He passed as the natural son of an Irish Peer, whose
loose morals had descended to him. Obliged at last to fly from his
creditors, he died abroad in obscurity and want." One evil of the
boxing mania of that day was the very bad company into which its
votaries were then drawn. Lord Althorp made acquaintances among
the pugilists, but no friends. Mr. Jackson, though a frequent guest
ilt the table of Lord Byron, was certainly never at a party at Spencer
House. — Authoe.

142 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1813-14. taken up agriculture in earnest, as, indeed, foAV
''' ^^'^^' young men of rank do, unless on their OAvn
estates ; but he found a certain amount of busi
ness, and constant amusement, in field sports. His
father and grandfather had kept the Pytchley
hounds in a style that made the hunt the pride
of the squires in the Midland districts. The kennels
had been built in Althorp Park, as well as at
Pytchley ; and the hunting was equaUy divided be
tween the two districts. When the hounds were
at Althorp unbounded hospitality prevailed, both
at Lord Spencer's and the principal seats in the
neighbourhood ; and Avhen they removed to Pytch
ley, ¦''' many country gentlemen actually shut up
their houses, and removed with them, the ladies
accompanying their lords to the old mansion, and
forming a society among themselves. Lord Spencer
attended little to details : his merit was in intro
ducing an excellent system of management, for
which his tact and personal Aveight obtained general
acquiescence. Such Avas the deference shown to
him that it would have been considered a breach
of etiquette for any one, except his huntsman, to
go before him. Perhaps foAV could have done so,
* The Club House at Pytchley was of native yellow stone, and witb
its gables, chimneys, and mullioned windows, was a fine specimen
of the old English manor-house. A print of it is preserved in
Baker's "History of Northamptonshire." Itwas pulled down in 1828.
The estate became afterwards tbe property of Lord Overstone.
"Quarterly Eeview," v. ci. p. 48. — Author.
The old gateway with pinnacles, of Pytchley Manor House, which
figures in a hunting picture at Althorp, now forms the entrance to>
Overstone Park. — Eakl Spencer.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 113'
for he Avas a good rider, and had superb horses. 1813-14.
His retirement, Avhen appointed to the Admiralty, ¦'^^^^^^•;
caused general regret; and the hunt languished
during the tAvelve following years, Avhen Lord
Althorp succeeded to it, to the great delight of
the county. The manner in Avhich he acquitted
himself in the charge gave it additional distinction.
During eight months of the year he made it his
sole employment, — as if he had no other vocation,
and could think of nothing else. In the cub-
hunting season he even quitted Althorp, to reside
for Aveeks at a cottage he had taken Arith his
friend Sir Charles Knightley* at Brigstock, in
order that he might be near one of the kennels.
Many years later, when he had become leader of
the Opposition in the House of Commons, he once
Avent with a party to Deville, the craniologist. On
his return, he said Deville knew nothing about
the matter, for he had entirely missed and passed
over his leading passion. A friend asked Avhat
that passion Avas. Lord Althorp rephed, " To see
sporting dogs hunt " — that was the thing that gave
him the greatest pleasure in the Avorld. He had
then given up hunting ; and he said he dared not
trust himself even to take an occasional look at
the hounds, for if he once began he could not
help going into it desperately.
* Sir Charles Knightley, Bart., of Fawsley, many years one of the
members for the county. Lieutenant Drummond (Lord Althorp's
private secretary) told me, that Lord Althorp would often dwell with
admiration to him on Sir Charles's generous character and manlv
quahties.— Authoe.

144 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1813-14. He fully maintained the reputation he had ob-
^^if^^ tained at the University as a hard rider; but
seldom trusted himself, as he told me, without a
pilot, attaching himself for that purpose to the
man of whose judgment he had the highest opinion.
He had but a loose seat, and met with frequent
falls, some very severe ; having frequently dislocated
his shoulder, this induced him to have one of his
whippers-in instructed at the Northampton Infir
mary how to put it in, an operation Avhich the man
had frequently to practise in the field ; indeed, the
joint became so liable to dislocation, that it once
went out by his merely throwing up his arm in
leaping over a fence. His unaffected good humour,
and the spirit and liberality with which the hunt
was conducted, made him very popular. Some
plain country squires observed, when he took to
politics, that whatever might be his success, he
never could add to his celebrity. He certainly
spared neither time nor money in keeping up the
character of the hunt. The pack Avas of the
highest caste ; and his experiment of haAdng his
hounds lighter and quicker than was at the time
generally approved, completely succeeded. Indeed,
he knew well the proper shape of hounds, and how
to cross them, and thoroughly understood their
temper and genius. " No one (writes Sir Charles
Knightley to me) knew more of hunting than he
did." He usuaUy had about thirty hunters, the
best that money could purchase, and his men were
also selected without regard to expense. The whole

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 145

^T. 31-32.

establishment cost him from 4000Z. to 5000Z. a-year, 1813-14.
a sum that he could ill spare, and Avhich was the
source of much embarrassment to him in after life.
The veteran sportsman'"" above named, Avhose
fame in Northamptonshire stands only next to
Lord Althorp's, descants Avith natural enthusiasm
on the exploits of those days. " It is, perhaps,"
he says, "too much the habit of old sportsmen to
hold up the system of past days as preferable to
those of the present. We are inclined, however,
to believe that, in the records of the Pytchley
Hunt, such splendid sport was never known as
at that period. Lord Althorp kept a hunting
journal ;t and, if it be now among the records of
Althorp, it will teU how they found at Purser's
HiU, ran over old Naseby field to Althorp in fifty
minutes, and hoAV, after a short check, they hunted
him over the finest part of Leicestershire, and kiUed
him at Sir Henry Halford's at Wistow ; how at
another time they found him in Crick osier-bed,
ran over Crick and Yelvertoffc Field, over Hony
HiU into Leicestershire, almost without a check,
and how, after being bothered by sheep, they
dropped to hunting, and kiUed him in vicAV at
Brunlong Thorpe ; how on another day they found
him at Crick Gorse, ran over Clay Coton and.
¦ * ^^J-,^^^"^^^^ Knightley is understood to have written the passage
m " Silk and Scarlet," p. 74.— Authoe.
t From my knowledge of the country a run from Purser's HiU to
Althorp is possible, but as Althorp is in the opposite direction to
Leicestershire, where the run concluded, I cannot think that "Al
thorp ''is the place, but " Holthorpe." I have searched the chase^
book, but without success, for this run.- Eael Spencer.

148 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1813-14. Lilbum Field, under Hemplow HiU, over Cold
.5ii^^L32. ^gi^i^y Field, across Naseby open field, by Silver
Croft, through the corner of Marston Wood, and
killed him in the open close to Marston TrusseU, in
an hour and. seventeen minutes, after one of the
most biilliant runs on record; and again hoAV,
twice in the same year, they found at Crick, and
each time killed him in Badby Wood. We could
recount many other runs of the highest order ;
but it might be tedious to readers of the present
time to read the narrations of days so long past.
Pytchley was then at the zenith of its glory."
The sport attracted many strangers from a dis
tance, among whom Avere Sir David Baird, the
great soldier, and Lord Alvanley, the great wit ;
and it might AveU be said, in the words of the
old song, " A pack of such hounds, and a set of such men,
'Tis a shrewd chance if ever you meet with again."
Lord Althorp's hunting journals are stUl pre
served among the treasures of the MSS. Library
at Althorp. They descend to minute detaUs, the
merits or demerits of the hounds, as well as the
extent and quality of each day's sport, being given
at some length.""' The chase-books, of which they
form a part, comprising tAventy-four quarto volumes
bound in green morocco, go as far back as 1773,
and Avill be consulted with interest in a future day
by curious inquirers " de re venatica."
* Three extracts from Lord Althorp's MSS. are given in the
Appendix as a specimen.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 147
Lord Althorp had from a boy been fond of his 1813-14.
gun, the 1st of September being ahvays with him ^i^^f^h
"dies albo notanda lapillo." He spared no pains
to become a good shot, and if only partially suc
cessful, it was not from Avant of practice. He
kept an account of every shot he fired in the
course of the year, Avhether he missed or killed,
and made up the book periodically.

L 2

CHAPTER IX.
MARRIAGE.  LADT ALTHORP.— THE SPENCER FAMILY. 
WISETON HALL.  LORD ALTHORP A COUNTRY GEN
TLEMAN.
1814. With the tastes and pursuits described in the
^'^- ^^- preceding pages. Lord Althorp's character might
I'oid have seriously deteriorated, but for an event which
Althorpa . . "^ _
marriage in his casc, as in that of most other men, formed
"with Miss
Acklom. the turning point in his life. He had reached
the age of thirty-two, and was stiU a bachelor,
yet without having had a disappointment in love;
so he thought his destiny fixed, and observing some
impatience in his parents to see the next generation
of their descendants, he strongly urged his brother
Robert to marry, assuring him that he should never
do so himself Robert, a joyous, light-hearted
sailor, although always falling in love, was too
fond of his profession to close Arith the proposal,
and, as it happened, rather fortunately, for within
a year Lord Althorp's feelings had entirely changed.
In that interval he had made the acquaintance
and gained the affections of the only daughter of
Mr. Acklom, of Wiseton Hall, Nottinghamshire, a
young heiress, about ten years his junior, whom

MEMOLB OP EAEL SPENCEE. 149
he married on the 14th of April, 1814. A singular isi-t.
dispensation from the ordinary laAvs of courtship ^"
alone brought him this piece of good fortune. The
love, I may noAV venture to say Avithout a serious
breach of confidence, was, at first, all on the lady's
side. HaAdng become on a very slight acquaintance
deeply interested in Lord Althorp, she contrived
to let him know it, — a hazardous experiment, only
to be justified by the result, which in this instance
Avas a very satisfactory one, for a more attached
and united couple than Lord and Lady Althorp
perhaps never existed.
A lady""" Avho Avas among the early visitors of the ciiaracter
•^ o .J and de-
ncAvly married pair, has favoured me with the fol- scription of
lowing sketch of them. " Lady Althorp was in Aithoii).
person rather stout, and without pretensions to
regular beauty ; but there was something in her
countenance very prepossessing, and to me she was
extremely attractive. She Avas well read, clever,
and had a quick perception ofthe character of others,
with much self-dependence. Altogether, she Avas
not a common or every-day character. She (I be
lieve) hked me, and we drew towards each other ; so
I teU of her as I found her. Her cheerfulness and
agreeableness made a great impression on me. Mrs.
Acklom,t who was staying in the house at the same
time, seemed rather a disagreeable woman ; and it
* This lady, the daughter of a nobleman who was a friend and con
temporary of Earl Spencer, has modestly declined to let me mention
her name ; which I regret, as it would give authority to her state
ment. — Author.
t She was a sister of Lord Bandon. — Author.

150 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1814. was very pleasing to witness the respect and atten-
'^''- ^^- tion with which Lord and Lady Althorp both treated
her ; and they made others do the same. It was
evidently a very haj)py marriage. I must mention
an instance that came under my observation of the
confidence with which Lord Althorp treated his
Avife. In the morning, when he Avent out hunting,
all his letters were brought to her ; she opened
them, reserving those which he must answer himself,
and setting aside the others which she thought use
less. I remember her laughing, as she said, ' Ladies
must not Avrite him love-letters.' "
This portrait of Lady Althorp admits of some
additional touches, which I shall endeavour, however
imperfectly, to supply. She had travelled abroad a
great deal with her parents, on account of her father's
declining health ; and, with an active mind and con
siderable powers of observation, she had a vein of
humour, which made her a very pleasant companion.
If her manner was a little too decided, it had a
freshness and frankness that won confidence. Lord
Althorp used to say, she was the only woman with
Avhom he had never felt shy. Like him, she had
not less moral courage than active benevolence.
When a girl of fifteen, she happened to be with her
parents among the few English travellers unex
pectedly detained at Vienna, on its capture by
Napoleon after the battle of Wagram. Their only
hope of escaping a foreign prison lay in immediate
departure from the city, and this was only accom
plished by her intervention. With no companion

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 151
but her maid, she almost forced her Avay into the 1814.
presence of Marshal Mortier (the military com- ^'^- ^--
mandant), as he sat in the Hotel de ViUe, sur
rounded by a large staff, listening to the complaints
by the burghers of the oppressions and extortions of
the soldiery. The Marshal had knoAvn the family
in England, and it Avas hoped Avould befriend them
on the occasion. HoAvever, he merely glanced at
her petition, and sternly bade her stand aside until
others had been attended to, Avhose business Avas of
more importance. The maid was frightened, and would
have drawn her away ; but she persisted in aAvaiting
the Marshal's decision. Happily, his sternness""" Avas
only assumed : touched by the young lady's fihal
devotion, he had at once resolved to grant her suit.
As soon as an aide-de-camji of the Emperor who
Avas by his side had withdrawn, he asked Miss
Acklom, in the kindest manner, how many passes
she wanted. She had the presence of mind at once
to perceive the drift of the question, and answered
" Three," with the vieAV of serving tAvo English
families of her father's acquaintance at the same
hotel. The passes Avere immediately handed to her,
and she brought them in triumph to her parents ;
and in a few hours the three carriages Avere at the
gates of Vienna, on the Avay to Berlin.
* The Marshal bore a high character for humanity and probity. A
British officer of my acquaintance, who fell into his hands during the
Peninsular war, met with almost paternal treatment, from his grateful
recollection of kindness shown him by the ofiicer's family in early
years. Unlike most of his brother Marshals, he spurned to enrich
himself by foreign plunder, and died poor. — Author.

152 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1814. Miss Acklom's exertions did not end here. An
^^" ^^' English family, who had failed in obtaining a pass,
determined to follow Mr. Acklom and his friends in
a fourth carriage, on the mere chance of making
the three passes available for their escape, in the
confusion from the crowd entering and quitting the
city. As the party issued from the gates, the fourth
carriage, as might have been expected, was stopped.
The ofiicer on guard Avas deaf to all entreaties and
expostulations, until Miss Acklom, putting her head
out of the window, called out to her countrymen,
"that instead of giving so much trouble, it Avas
surely better for them to return to the hotel for
their pass, and the other carriages Avould wait for
them." Her tone and demeanour subdued all sus
picion. The officer expressed himself perfectly satis
fied, and alloAved the Avhole party to proceed Avithout
further molestation.
Diana Vernon could not have shoAvn more self-
possession and courage in such an emergency : and
indeed there were many traits common to that
heroine and Miss Acklom. The latter made an ex
cellent Avife, and no romance could exaggerate the
affection Avith whicii she inspired her husband.
Leaving for a time Lord Althorp thus happily
settled, let us take a giance at the other children of
Lord and Lady Spencer, consisting of three sons
and two daughters.
Brothers Robert Cavendish, the second son, was a com-
and sisters _ '
of Lord mander in the Navy. He had joined the Tigre

MEMOLB OF EAEL SPENCEE. 153
(Captain HalloAvell) in 1804, being then thirteen isu.
years of age, and from that time had visited his ^^- ^^-
family only at distant intervals, being almost always
on active service. He had served with distinction
in Egypt at the bloody, though unsuccessful, attack
on Rosetta; and, in 1809, was among the first of
the boarders who carried the Lampriere, at the
capture and destruction of the French convoy in the
Bay of Rosas, under Lord CoUingwood.""" Devoted
to a profession with Avhich his father was identified,
of a sunny happy disposition, and as refined as if he
had never shared the rough gambols of the cockpit,
can it be wondered at that he Avas especially endeared
to both parents ? Indeed, he was the favourite of
the family. Lord Althorp, far from feeling any
jealousy, was proud of hun, and almost looked up to
him. They all were confident of his doing honour
to the name they bore. Nor were they disappointed.
As early as in the year after Lord Althorp's mar
riage. Captain Spencer, being employed in the expe
dition to Ncav Orleans, penetrated into the suburbs
of the toAvn, and obtaining such information as
enabled the Admiral to make the necessary arrange
ments for the disembarkation of the troops, surprised
and captured the enemy's picket at the landing-
place : he bore a distinguished part in the assault,
from which, to the surprise of all who Avitnessed his
gallantry, he escaped unhurt. On the conclusion of
hostilities he was charged Avith the settlement of the
* Sir Augustus Cliflford (then a Lieutenant of the Tigre) was in the
same boat. — Author.

154 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1814. claims ofthe Indian tribes in British pay ; and after
^'^" ^^" living with them several Aveeks, he performed the
task most successfully. His various services secured
the warm thanks of Sir Alexander Cochrane, who
appointed him to the command of the frigate Cydnus.
His future career will be noticed in a later portion
of this work.
Frederick, the third son (the late Earl Spencer,
K.G.), Avas a spirited lad, Avishing to be in the Navy,
like his brother Robert. He became an Admiral
and C.B. It was at his suggestion and earnest
request, that this work has been written.
George, the fourth son, Avas at HarroAV, — he Avas
intended for the Church. He Avas an amiable boy,
and an exceUent scholar for his age. Like Lord
Althorp, he afterwards distinguished himself at
Cambridge, Avhere I knew him well, for Ave Avere of
the same standing at Trinity College.
Lady Georgiana, mentioned above, Avas even more
lovely than her mother had been, and her sweet
disposition and engaging manners made her a general
favourite.""" Lady Sarah had, in the preceding year, married
the Honourable William Henry Lyttelton, half-
brother of Lord Lyttelton, Avhoni he afterwards
succeeded in the title. He was a young man of
* Lady Georgiana afterwards mariied Lord George Quin, second
son of the Marquis of Headfort. She died young. A pleasantry of
Lady Spencer's respecting these ladies ought not to be omitted here.
When it was the fashion of the nobility to marry actresses, she said,
" If my daughters don't go off this season, I shall bring them out on
the stage." — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 155
decided ability, as he shoAA^ed by some clever sjieeches isii.
in the House of Commons, where he usually acted _^- f^-
Avith his brother-in-law. Lady Lyttelton survived
him, and Avas highly esteemed by all Avho kncAV her.
A few Aveeks after his marriage. Lord Althorp
proceeded with his bride to Wiseton Hall, intending
to make it their future country residence.
His first impression of his noAV domain could not ^^'^^^'j™''^';,
have been encouraging. A journey of one hundred Haii.
and forty miles from London brought him to the
small town of East Retford, on the borders of Not
tinghamshire, on leaving Avhich he soon caught a
distant view of some rising ground that niarked the
position of Wiseton. The approach to it lay through
an extensive plain, highly cultivated, but Avith
scarcely a tree, or even a hedge, the broad ditches
by which it was intersected serving the double pur
pose of drains and landmarks. It was like a Flemish
landscape, equally unpicturesque and destitute of
interest. After an hour's drive he crossed the
Chesterfield Canal, and just beyond it the horses
stopped at a gate Avhich his servants had to open,
for there Avas no lodge, and a few yards further,
Avithin a paddock of thirty acres, among some scat
tered elms, stood a lonely mansion Avhich barely
deserved the name of the Hall. It had been built
by an ancestor of Lady Althorp's in the early part
of the last century, being originally an oblong square
of four windoAVS, three stories high. As the family
increased in wealth and consideration, a Aving of one
story with three windows had been added on each

156 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1814. side, which gave rather an imposing appearance to
'^' the south front ; but the north, or entrance front,
defied all architectural rales, the windows being of
unequal sizes, and in the lowest tier imperfect, while
the entrance door was so mean that it seemed to
lead only to the servants' offices.
Lord Althorp alighted from his carriage, and Avith
Lady Althorp Avent through the house, which pre
sented as few attractions Avithin as Arithout. The
rooms were small and ill-proportioned, and looked
still worse from the soiled, old-fashioned paper that
barely covered the Avails. The scanty furniture that
remained in them Avas dingy and nearly worn out,
the ceilings Avere discoloured with damp, and traces
of long neglect, owing to the protracted absence of
the family, Avere obvious in every apartment.
Whatever might have been Lord Althorp's dis-
apiJointment, it soon yielded to his desire to please
his wife. Her childhood had been passed at the
Hall, and to return to it Avas one of the dreams of
her youth. It Avas easy for her to persuade him
that the house was capable of great improvement,
and might be made at least very comfortable by a
liberal outlay, Avhich her fortune gave him the means
of providing. One poAverful consideration with him
was, that he would find at Wiseton a degree of
liberty and command of his time, such as he could
never expect at Althorp. Accordingly, arrangements
were made for preparing the house for their recep
tion without delay.
Whilst the works Avere in progress Lord Althorp

MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE. 157
engaged Dalhngton Park, in Northamptonshire, for 1814.
a year, and he also took an excellent house in Pall -^^- ^^-
Mall : his chambers in the Albany he parted with to
Lord Byron.
Before the year had passed, a host of bricklayers,
decorators, and upholsterers, Avith the aid of a London
architect, had effected a thorough transformation
at the Hall. Some rooms had been added, others
enlarged, and all embellished in the best style of
the day. The faults of the original construction,
Avhich baflSed the skill of the architect, were partially
removed or concealed by the ingenuity of the up
holsterer, whose cabinets, curtains, and paper-hang
ings succeeded in imparting to rooms — certaiidy
unworthy of them — an air of cheerfulness and com
fort. When Lord Althorp returned in the following
summer, he vied with Lady Althorp in commenda
tion of all that had been done in his absence, although
the expenses incurred fell little short of 10,000?.
The grounds were claimed by Lady Althorp as
her peculiar province — they had fallen into a sad
condition. She immediately laid out a garden in
the south front, which she stocked with the choicest
flowers. Shrubs gradually arose on the lawn. The
only ornamental trees she found there Avere two
deciduous cypresses — fine specimens of their kind,
but planted so close as to be spoiling each other.
Lord Althorp undertook to remove one of them to a
proper distance, which proved a very expensive and
troublesome work, and the tree did not long surAdve
it. He was more successful in his plantations of

158 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1814. forest trees, with which he clothed the contiguous
— '.  L eminences on the north and west, and these now
form the chief ornaments of the place. He also
completed a circuitous walk of about a mile, em
bracing the lawn and home plantations, and within
this inclosure the slojaes of Gringly HiU ; and even
the banks of the canal produced a pleasing effect, to
which the only drawback Avas the unfortunate proxi
mity of the River Idle to the canal. Here also
Were extensive views over the neighbouring low
lands, which had already acquired such local celebrity
as to be noticed in the county history. '*''¦ In a dis
trict more favoured by nature they Avould have been
passed Avithout observation.
Such was the place in which Lord Althorp now
settled himself, and where he never failed to pass
part of every year during the remainder of his life.
The secret of his partiality for it was the happiness
he enjoyed there in his union Avith Lady Althorp.
This shed over all the objects about him a degree of
interest which gave them a fictitious value. He
could nowhere else obtain so much of her society, or
see her equally to advantage. Her family had been
the possessors of Wiseton for several generations —
indeed, one of her ancestors, a youth of great pro
mise, had "gone out" with Fairfax, and fallen
at the siege of Scarborough.t Their position as
country gentry, in a remote district, seldom going to
* Thoroton's "History of Nottinghamshire,'' v. iii., p. 310.
t Major Acklom, who was much esteemed by General Lambert, feU
in 1645. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 159
London, and attending personally to the manage- I8I4-I0.
ment of their property, necessarily identified them :^!l!^^^
Avith their tenants and dependants more closely than
Avould have been the case had they been of higher
rank, or living among a more refined population.
Lady Althorp was deservedly dear to her humble
neighbours. The riUage lay within half a mile of
the Hall, and she often cheered the cottagers by her
friendly inquiries, as Avell as by her bounty. Her
Avarm and genuine sympathy in their distresses and
enjoyments presented her in a new character to her
husband, and roused him to exertion in the way of
his duty, more approved by his conscience than his
former pursuits as a young nobleman wholly bent on
amusement. Adchson justly observes, " There is no
blessing in life that is in any way comparable to the
enjoyment of a discreet and Adrtuous friend. It
eases and unloads the mind, clears and improves the
understanding, engenders thoughts and knowledge,
animates virtue and good intentions, soothes and
allays the passions, and finds employment for most
of the vacant hours of life."""' He who meets with
such a friend in his wife, may well regard himself as
highly favoured by Providence ; and this Avas the
case with Lord Althorp.
The Wiseton estate consisted of some 2000 acres.
Lord Althorp took the home farm into his own
hands, and gave a degree of attention to its manage
ment, which he afterwards considered not repaid
by its results. He once confessed to me, that ao-ri-
* " Spectator," No. 93.

160 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1814-15. culture had always been a losing concern to him.
-" " " ' It was on a stock farm alone that he prided himself,
and gained his reputation. He greatly improved the
property, and not only built excellent farm-houses,
but labourers' cottages, and he would allow only a
single family to reside in each — a pra,ctice for which
he was at first blamed by some sentimental writers,
and subsequently praised by the public.
The neighbourhood of Wiseton was without any
resident gentry, except clergymen. The incumbent,
the Rev. Thomas Shepherd, was a frequent visitor
at the Hall. He soon gained Lord Althorp's con
fidence, and was through life an intimate associate.
This excellent man, who lived to a very great age,
and, happily, Avithout infirmity either of body or
mind, dwelt warmly to me on Lord Althorp's merits.
He described him as very happy in the retired life
of Wiseton, keeping a large stud, though not hunting,
and an eager sportsman. There were few days on
which he did not accompany Lady Althorp in her
ride or drive. She kept two pair of ponies, and
was a good Avhip. Lord Althorp also read a good
deal ; and he used to send the new publications to
Mr. Shepherd, in order that they might discuss
them together, after the latter had read them.
Some of his old friends, who occasionally visited
him from a distance, could not help smiling at liis
praise of the Hall and the surrounding country. All
strangers were sure to be taken to the summit of
Gringly Hill, to see the view, which embraces large
parts of Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, and Lincoln-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 161
shire, and only wants more marked features to be IS14-15.
really beautiful. Nature, hoAVever, had not gifted -^^^-sa.
him Avith a taste for the picturesque, but Avitli Avhat
is much more desirable, a general disposition to be
pleased and happy ; like Cicero, he thought that a
Avell-cultivated field is a beautiful sight, and the
attention he gave to the detaUs of agriculture Avas
in itself a source of constant delisfht to him.

CHAPTER X.
DEATH OP MR. WHITBREAD  DEATH OF LADY ALTHORP.
1815. The death of Mr. Whitbread in the summer of
-^^- ^^- 1815 deeply distressed Lord Althorp, who lost in
M**wrt "'^^^ ^*^^ o^^y ^ personal friend, but a political
bread. guide, sucli as could not be replaced. The last
year of his life had been embittered by severe
disappointment, both in his private and political
concerns. Nothing seemed to succeed with him.
Lord Althorp was one of the few Liberals Avho-
sujDported him in his efforts to prevent the rencAval
of hostilities Avith France on the return of Napoleon
from Elba, believing, (as I think most erroneously,)
that the mihtary system of the empire was less
prejudicial to the interests of England than the
despotism of the Bourbons, — a sentiment which
met AAdth no sympathy from the nation. All
political differences, however, Avere dropped over
his grave ; and his long Parliamentary serAdces,
his undaunted courage, and unimpeachable integrity,,
received the warm commendations even of his opjio-
nents. He fell a victim to his passion for hard
work ; the addition of the superintendence of Drury
Lane Theatre to his already too numerous employ-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 163
ments being the supposed cause of the fatal aberra- I8i5-is.
tion of mind AAdiich led him to commit suicide.""" Mr^fSfe^
It is no slight homage to the memory of Mr.
Whitbread, that as he Avas the first, so he proved
to be the last leader of his party. Mr. Hume,
Mr. Warburton, and other distinguished patriots,
haA'e had a foUoAAuno' amono' the extreme Liberals,
but their authority Avas only partially recognised.
The place occupied by Mr. Whitbread has never
been filled up since.
The consequences of Mr. Whitbread's death Avere
soon seen in the utter disorganisation of his fol
lowers. Mr. Dudley Ward satirically described
them as a corps of political riflemen recently em
bodied, Avhich was employed in picking off place
after place as opportunities offered, with as little
principle as Avas generally found in irregular troops,
like Avhom they aUoAved no mercy and granted no
quarter. This mode of Avarfare produced little effect
on the weU-disciplined masses of the Ministerialists.
Ea'cu a superfluous Lordship of the Admiralty,
admitted on all sides to be a mere piece of
patronage, successfully withstood their assaults, —
although no more could be urged in its defence
than that it was part of the machinery of
Government. Lord Althorp, however, under these
inauspicious circumstances, moved for a committee
on public affairs, with a view to the retrenchment
of unnecessary offices. He candidly admitted that
* A sketch of Mr. Whitbread's life will be found in a note at the end
ofthe chapter. — Author. M 2

164 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1815-18. no great reduction of taxation could be expected
^^- ^^'^^- from the enquiry, but the moral effect on the
country would, he insisted, be A^aluable. The Chan
cellor of the Exchequer's miserable defence, Avhich
Avas a virtual surrender of the argument, combined
Avith the eloquent speeches of Mr. Lamb and Mr.
Brougham, perhaps contributed to procure for the
motion a respectable minority.
Disturb- The disturbances raging among the operatives,
throughout throughout the manufacturing districts in the north,
tr^. ""'^ during 1817-18, interrupted these petty contests,
and led to stormy debates. The sudden cessation
of the immense war expenditure in the home trade,
and the altered character of the foreign trade, owing
to foreign competition, had produced their natural
results in a general stagnation of commerce, and
extreme distress in the manufacturing interests.
These Avere evils unavoidably attendant on the
sudden transition from Avar to peace, and admitted
of little mitigation from the interference of
Government. Still some sympathy might have
been shoAvn for the sufferings of the people, and
some efforts made, however experimental, to restore
the tone of national industry. The Ministerial
policy was of a very different complexion, as might
be expected from the men who directed it, Lord
Castlereagh, the leader of the House of Commons,
and Lord Sidmouth, the Home Secretary : its main
features being the suspension of the Habeas Corpus
Act, and an extension of the summary jurisdiction
of the magistracy. Lord Grey delivered an elo-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 165
quent protest in the Lords against these unconsti- I8I8.
tutional proceedings : the same language Avas held ^'^- ^^'^^-
by scA^eral of the leading Liberals in the Commons,
but they Avere feebly supported, and ahvays opposed
by large majorities, in Ariiich may be seen the
names of many moderate Whigs, but never Lord
Althorp's. From first to last he gave a most
determined opposition to the course pursued by
the Ministers, saying, as he really thought, that
the only legitimate remedy for agitation and dis
content amono' the loAver classes was to be found
in diminished taxation, the correction of administra
tive abuses, and a large measure of Parliamentary
Reform. He imputed the angry feelings of the
people to the pressure of distress, for Avhich the
Ministers alone Avere accountable, and Avhich they
Avere bound to remove, — instead of asking for arbi
trary powers, and depriving all classes of the com
munity of the only effective safeguard of personal
liberty. On these principles he spoke and voted, in
company Avith Mackintosh, Romilly, and Brougham ;
and so great Avas his eagerness, that no sooner had
the House met in 1818, than he rose, even before
the Royal speech was taken into consideration, and
urged on the Ministers the necessity of repealing
the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act. Of
course no satisfactory answer was returned ; so, as
soon as the Address had been moved and seconded,
he reiterated his complaint, and in strong language
condemned the recent prosecutions of the Press, not
only as unjust, but as wholly defeating their object.

166 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1818. it being clear that the oppression had enriched its
J5-. 36. victims, instead of ruinincc them. He was at the
time seriously censured for holding this language,
and no doubt took too favourable an estimate of
the motives of the Radical leaders, AA^ho Avere
generally low and unscrupulous men.
Making fair allowance for heated feelings, which
betrayed him into a certain degree of credulity,
experience has proved his vioAvs, wild as they
appeared at the time, to be the reverse of unsound.
No concessions, indeed, can prevent disaffection, or
even seditious risings among the labouring classes ;
but they will make such movements comparatiA^ely
harmless. Had his life been jDiolonged a very few
years, he .Avould have Avitnessed this result, in the
events of the year 1848, Avhen, through the great
reforms carried, first by the Whigs, and then by
Sir Robert Peel, an extensiA^e movement of the
labouring classes, at a period of unparalleled excite
ment throughout Europe, signally failed, — because
the absence of aU real grievances not only deprived
them of the sympathy, but called forth the opposi
tion of the middle orders, Avho at once, and as if
Avith one mind, ranged themselves on the side of
the Government.
Lord Exasperation at these proceedings made him
strong once more an eager politician, and Avhat he had
n^nistoiar n^ver bcon before, a man of business. Not content
measure,?, -\yith a diligent attendance, he CA-en became a fre-
c^uent speaker in the House, alloAving no opportunity
to escape him of censuring the measures of the

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 167
Government. Considerinsr that he was both sIoav I8I8.

'¦to

^T. 36.

in forming his opinions and cautious in delivering
them, a mere glance at the character and the diver
sity of the subjects Avith which he grappled during
the Session, Avill shoAv that this was one of the most
laborious tasks he had ever undertaken. The list,
however imperfect, is not Avithout interest, as prov
ing how complicated the science of politics has be-
¦come in this country since the days of Clarendon,
or even of Godolphin, when only a few great party
questions Avere admissible as topics of debate. No
doubt, many speeches made by Lord Althorp were
not rejoorted ; of those Avhich are, these are the titles
of the most important : — The Duty on Leather ;
The Bounty paid under Treaty with Spain for the
suppression of the Slave Trade ; The Grant for the
Army, when he moved a reduction of five thousand
men ; The Indemnity in respect of the suspension of
the Habeas Corpus Act ; The Grant for the Mar
riage of the Duke of Kent ; The renewal of the
Alien Act ; The Bank Charter. In every one of
these instances he disapproved and strongly objected
to the course taken by the Government.
Parliament was proroefued in May Avith a view to Dissolution,
i- ^ J of Parlia-
its early dissolution. Lord Althorp could not regret ment.
being relieved from attendance in the House, as the
state of Lady Althorp's health had latterly begun
to cause him serious anxiety. Their union had not
yet been blessed Avith children, the only circum
stance attending it Avhich clouded their happiness ;
and it seemed doubtful, from the shock which her

168 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1818. constitution had received from some bad miscar-
^'^- ^^- riages, whether she would ever have a family. Her
confinement, hoAvever, was expected in the course of
June, and they awaited the event with very mixed
feelings. NotAvithstanding her strength of mind, to
Avhich I have before alluded, the recent death of the
Princess Charlotte occasioned her some misgivings,
Avhich Lord Althorp, in spite of himself, was only
too prone to share. To escape the noise of PaU
Mall they accepted Lord Fitzwilliam's offer of his
house in Halkin Street, then a very quiet and re-
Confine- tired situation. There, on the llth of June, Lady
death of Althorp was delivered of a still-born son, after
ARiforp. severe and protracted suffering. Two days' delirium
foUowed, at the close of which she expired. Lord
Althorp attended her devotedly to the last, and the
recollection of that death-bed scene never faded from
his mind. When he had deposited her remains in
their last resting-place, he seemed as if left Arithout
Grief of ail objcct Oil earth. Shrinking even from the affec-
Aithorp. tionate attentions of his family, he went at once to
Wiseton, Avhere he passed several months in com-
Seciusionat plete retirement. His chief occupation was in read
ing the Bible. At first he was perplexed with
doubts and difficulties, the natural result of a pre
vious (comparative) neglect of religion, but these
gradually yielded to a humble and earnest search
after truth ; and he Avas able to write to his sister.
Lady Lyttelton, that nothing but Christian faith
and religious feelings could make him endure to live.
The following letter to his old tutor (Mr. Allen)

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 160
gives an ingenuous description of the state of his isis.-
mind at this time. -1_1 — -

"AVisetox, September Oth, 1818.
" My De.^r Allen,
" I am very much obliged to you for your kind
letter of inquny. I do not know exactly how to answer
it, for I am really not able to describe the present state
of my feelings. I cannot say that I am in a state at
all resembling happiness ; yet I cannot either say that
I am miserable. Sometimes I am one, and sometimes
the other. If I was confident that I should be able to
persevere — so as to go to Heaven and again be with
Esther — 1 should feel much happier; but I have no
confidence in myself from my past experience, if my
time of trial here is to be a long one. You see by what
I am saying that I really do not know how to answer
you as to whether my mind is really recoA'ering its tone
or not. If by recovering the tone is meant that it is to
get into the same state in Avhich it was before, I should
be very sorry that it had. Of all my former pursuits,
the only one in which I now take a.i\j interest is farming
— that is, breeding of stock ; it is the only one in Avhich
I can build castles in the air. I have been reading, of
course, a good deal, — my two lines of reading are divinity
and pohtical economy : the first to do myself good : the
other, to enable me to do good to others. I read them
alternately — first, a treatise on one, then a treatise on the
other ; and, if you can recommend me any book on
Divinity, I shall be obhged to you to do so, because the
habits of my life render me ignorant as to what are the
best books to read. I have gone through Watson's tracts-
among others ; this, however, has been the most serious
fag I have taken. With respect to Mrs. Acklom, though
her coming down has not ansAvered all my hopes, j^et I am
glad she did, but I have ne\'er been able to persuade her
to leave the house : — her health, however, has not suffered,

170 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1818. and she is in tolerable spirits generally. I have given up
Mt. 36. my plan of going abroad ; there is no necessity for it,
as I am sufficiently comfortable to do very well in England,
and, without necessity, it would only be running away from
the performance of mj^ duties. If my father intends to
be at the Sessions at Northampton, in October, I will go
there, but I am not equal to take the chair, if he should
not go. I will, in that case, go to Bouverie's, or some-
Avhere in the neighbourhood, for a few daj's; but I have
great objection to i^assing any length of time there this
Avinter. I think there is nothing which would tend so
much to depress me as the very different situation I
should be in — viz., the being there while hunting was
going on, and yet feeling myself unequal to engage in it.
I think I have now answered as weU as I can all your
friendly inquiries. I was going to write to you, but I put
it off from clay to day, to ask you to solve two difficulties
I have met with in reading. Ezekiel is supposed to have
been carried away in the first lot of the Jews in the Baby
lonish Captivity, and to have prophesied in the first twenty
years of it, I think. I cannot, therefore, understand how
it happens that he says, in his threatenings against Jeru
salem, that God would not spare the city, even if three
such righteous men as Noah, Job, and Daniel were found
in it, because Daniel, at that time, was a A^ery j'^oung man,
and had not proved himself a man of so high a cahbre
as he certainly did afterwards. This appears to me as if
Ezekiel Avrote later than he is supposed to have done,
because this mode of expression would have been very
proper after Daniel's death ; or, indeed, after the reign of
Darius the Mede, when he was put into the den of fions ;
but I cannot see how he could have been put upon a par
Avith Noah and Job before he had proved by his conduct
that he deserved it.
" ^Ly other difficulty is, Amos mentioning in his pro
phecies the constellation Orion ; for it appears to me very
improbable that a constellation should have been liuown
by that name so earlj' ; this, however, is much more easily

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 171
explained than the other. But Orion being a name in 1818.
the Grecian mythology, I have doubts whether it was Mt. sr,.
known so soon as Amos wrote, which I think «'as before
Greece had emerged from the grossest barbarit}-, and
before, therefore, the name of Orion had ever been heard
of. I asked Shepherd, the clergyman here, tliese two
questions, but his answers were not satisfactory to me,
so I seud them to you. " Believe me, " Yours most truly,
" ALTHOKP." *
Lord Althorp's grief Avas too deeply seated to be
otherArise than lasting ; and for many years its
poignancy remained unabated. When a young
friend, afterAvards Lord Carington, communicated to
him his engagement with Miss Forester, he kindly
Avished him much happiness and long enjoyment of
it, adding, however, in a faltering tone, " The pain
-* My learned friend the Archbishop of Dublin (Dr. Trench) has
kindly favoured me with the following interesting observations ou
Lord Althorp's letter : — " I do not think there is any real difficulty in
the mention of Daniel by Ezekiel, and that in the same category with
Noah and with Job. Putting the chronological data together, it can.
be shown that Daniel must, at the time when his prophecy was
uttered, have been twelve or fourteen years at Babylon. His zeal for
the law of his fathers showed itself from the first moment that he was
¦there ; and there is nothing wonderful that his reputation as an emi
nent servant of God should have grown to such a height that Ezekiel
should number him with the most illustrious worthies of an elder age.
Itseemsto me his declaration acquires additional strength and solemnity
when he introduces a living servant of God, as well as two that were
dead, and declares that these altogether should be unable b}' their
righteousness more than to deliver their own souls."
"In regard of Orion, which, with the Pleiades, also occurs in Job,
these are not the words which Amos, or the author of Job, employs.
They are the Hebrew name of the constellation, which we have
rendered by the Greek, inasmuch as it is not the Greek original, but
that which we have also adopted as the English." — Authoe.

172 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1818. I haA-e suffered from the loss of my Avife has been
-^^- ^^- such as no happiness could compensate." It Avas for
her sake that Wiseton became his favourite resi
dence. He never alloAved any change to be made in
. her rooms ; and during the first year of his solitude
her garden Avas his only out-door interest. For her
sake, too, he treated Mrs. Acklom with the most
devoted tenderness and respect. She settled at
Leamington, As^here he wrote to her every day, and
frequently visited her. She was the only person,
besides his father, to whom in Avriting he ahvays
subscribed himself, "Yours affectionately," for to
his nearest relations it was only "Yours truly."'"
No one could understand the interest he took in
her ; for she had foAV recommendations of mind or
temper, and had not been kind to him in earlier
days ; but they possessed one feeling in common,
the deepest sorrow for Lady Althorp. After her
daughter's death he was the only person (excepting
her physician) whom she saw; and it is no more
than justice to her to add that she appreciated his
affection, and regarded 1dm ever after as her son.

Me. Whitbread.
Mr. Whit- The father of Mr. Wliitbread was the representative of
bread. Q^g ^f ^}ig fg^y gld Nonconformist families that still lingered
in the rural districts, maintaining on moderate means a
* This is not quite correct, as to his earlier years at least. Even to
his father (see e.g. the letter above, jp. 126) he signed " yours most
sincerely," or " most truly ; " and in his letters from Cambridge it
was even " yours." — Lord Lyttelton.

MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE. 173
degree of gentilitj^, though withheld by religious scruples
from many opportunities of advancement. He inherited a
small patrimony in Hertfordshire, on which his family had
lived for many generations ; but in a happ}- hour he left it
to try his fortunes m London, and in a few years became
the head clerk in a large brewery. So highly was he
esteemed, that having had an opportunity of purchasing
the concern, which he dechned, as beyond his fortune,
some richer friends combined to advance the requisite
monej^ actually without his knowledge, leaving the re
payment entirely to his honour. He justified their expecta
tions by raising the house to the liighest eminence in the
trade, and thus was enabled to buy the Southill estate, in
Bedfordshne, from Lord Torrington (which made him,
next to the Duke, the largest proprietor iu the county)^
and to leave great wealth besides, to his descendants.
Whatever he undertook seemed to prosper ; and not the
least remarkable evidence of this was his winning, Avhen a
Avidower with three children, the affections of the youthful
Lady Mary Cornwallis, who married him with the re
luctant consent of her famL[3^ Some of the brilhant j^oung
Whigs who visited at Southill cited him as an instance,
that success in business did not imply the possession of
superior abilities — his were essentiaUy practical. His son
considered his judgment to be almost infallible. It re
quned no filial partiality to describe him as a iiious and
eminently useful man. His intimate friendship with the
celebrated Howard sprang more from kindred tastes, than
from relationsliip. He was the confidant and munificent
supporter of all Howard's benevolent projects, and, as far as
lay in his own sphere, imitated his example.* There Avere
the same habits of self-denial and indefatigable apphcation,
* His charities were on a very grand scale, not only to hospitals
and asylums, but to private individuals. Though not learned, he had a
great respect for learning ; and to him alone is due the tablet over the
grave of Milton, which a century before had been announced in To-
land's Life of the Poet, as shortly to be erected by the admirers of his
genius. — Authoe.

174 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
with the same probity and simplicity of character, in
both. Mr. Whitbread, also, like Howard, remained always-
a Nonconformist, notwithstanding the general practice of
wealthy Dissenters to join the Church. He adhered strictly
to the religious observances of his sect ; and even after his
second marriage, the anniversary of his fu'st wife's death
was kept in the family as a solemn fast.
Mr. Whitbread (Junior), was born in 1758. As an only
son, he was the object of much parental sohcitude, but of
no indulgence. The strictness of life that usually prevailed
among Dissenters extended to the bringing up of then*
children,* who were systematically guarded against all evil
influences by early religious instruction, enforced by almost
Spartan discipline. Mr. Whitbread had the blessing of an
exceUent mother, who instructed him from infancy, and,
besides giving him his first lessons in the Scriptures, made
his early years, by precept and example, the fruitful source
of religious feeUng to him through Ufe. Much he also
owed to his father's close aud rigid supervision. In spite
of sectarian prejudices, he received the most Uberal educa
tion. A clergyman of acknowledged merit (Mr. afterwards
Dr. Heath) accompanied him to Eton as his private tutor,
an advantage enjoyed by very few of his more aristocratical
schoolfellows. Extraordinary pains were also taken to
secure his attention to study at Oxford, and at the first
sign of his yielding to the temptations of the place, he was
abruptly removed to Cambridge. As soon as he had taken
* Eegarding children as creatures possessed of strong passions and
desires, without reason or experience to control them, Mr. Howard
thought that nature seemed to mark them out as subjects of absolute
authority, and that the first and fundamental principle to be inculcated
upon them was implicit and unlimited obedience. And as this cannot
be effected by any reasoning process, before reason has its commenoe-
m.ent, it must be done by coercion. Implicit obedience in a child he
considered as essential to the groundwork of a good education ; but
the coercion he practised was the most calm and gentle, while at the
same time it was steady and resolute. (" Life of Howard," p. 23.)
This, also, was the opinion of Mr. Whitbread, and he acted up to it ia
the education of his son. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 17^
iis degree he was sent on a foreign tour under the charge
of Mr. Coxe, at that time better known as a travelling
tutor than an historian, with whom he A'isited some of the
German com-ts, as may be seen from Mr. Coxe's subse
quently pubUshed " Travels," of whicli he received the
dedication of the second volume.*
The care thus bestowed upon him met with an adequate
return. He had not only attained a creditable proficiency
in Greek and Latin, but Avas a good English scholar, and
would have been a favourite candidate for any University
prize given to EngUsh prose composition. He also ac
quired a facility in writing English verses, as he showed m
after life, on many occasions, though he was no poet. He
had many natural advantages. With an iron constitution,
he had a taU, well-proportioned figure, perhaps too robust
to be absolutely graceful, but his hands and feet might have
served as models for a sculptor. A clear and ruddy com
plexion, with small Uvely deep blue eyes, and chesnut hair
that Ughtly covered a forehead exj)ressive of strong intel
lectual power, gave him a comeliness Avhich is not exagge
rated in his picture by Hoppner. He looked thoroughly
the young English country gentleman.
On his return home he was placed, not as might be
expected in the House of Commons, but in his father's
brewery — the old man, with a Dissenter's feeUng of inde
pendence, regarding the management of this great concern
as a more useful and honourable pursuit, than any share in
-—what appeared to him — the selfish squabbles of pohticians.
In preparmg himself, however, for his trade, Mr. Whitbread
became in some degree unfitted for the higher walk of life
he afterwards trod, and this sacrifice of some of his most
valuable years alone prevented his becoming a great states
man. So completely did he devote himself to busmess,
that he quite gave up reading, at the very time that it
would have been most useful to him, which explains liis
* Mr. Whitbread complained of Mr. Coxe as obsequious to the great
and inattentive to the duties of a tutor. — Authoe.

176 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
afterwards appearmg iU-informed in some of the branches
of knowledge most necessary to a public man — not that he
yet entertamed any idea of public life. In 1789 he married
Miss Elizabeth Grey, eldest daughter of Sir Charles (after
wards Earl) Grey, a beautiful and accomplished woman,
aud settled on his father's Hertfordshire iiroperty. He
was often seen walking by her side, as she rode her pony
through the leafy lanes in the neighbourhood of BedweU,
much too devoted and happy a husband to be, apparently,
in any danger of jielding to the attractions of politics.
In spite of these appearances, his marriage probably led
to his becommg a politician. It strengthened his friend
ship with his brother-in-law, Mr. Grey ; and when the
latter became the Liberal candidate for Northumberland in
the general election of 1790, Mr. Whitbread Ustened with
complacency to a iiroposal that he should stand on the
same interest for Bedford. A deputation from that borough
found him at Soutliill ou a visit to his father, who at first
strongly objected. A discussion of two hours in the garden
shook the old man's resolution, and his consent was slowly
and reluctantly, though absolute^ given, only, however, to
be withdrawn a few minutes afterwards ; but his son had
in the interval left the house with the deputation, takmg
the precaution of locking the garden door, so that before
any communication from home could reach him, he was
already addressmg the electors at Bedford, and had A'irtualty
secured his return.
The new Parliament opened (in NoA^ember 1790) with a
succession of party-fights on the recent disputes with Spain,
arising out of the miseivable question of Nootka Sound.
The supineness, not unjustly charged against the Foreign
Office on this occasion, which had brought the country to
the very verge of war, and caused the waste of three
millions of money in military preparations, supplied Mr.
Whitbread with materials for his maiden speech ; but with
the danger, the interest of the question had passed away,
and the speech so far failed as to be only remembered from
his subsequent success. Not discouraged, he took a pro-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 177
minent part in the debates shortly afterwards, on the pro
posed appropriation of the unclaimed dividends to the
service of the year, a measure which the city capitalists,
little prescient of the evils in store for them, regarded as
actual spoUation, and vigorously opposed. He endea
voured to show the reasonableness of their fears in a clear
and sensible argument, of Avhich his observations ou the
clanger of tampering with the public credit are the most
entitled to attention. Like the other speakers, he over
looked the awkward fact that it was the Bank as the depo
sitary of the dividend, and not the pubUc creditor, whose
interests were most involved in the question ; but he Avas
sufficiently wise for his generation, as he elicited the warm
commendations of Fox, Sheridan, and Windham, and even
of Burke, not to mention Belsham, a friend and fellow-
townsman, who, more fondly than wisely, thought to give
him a niche in the Temple of Fame by a fiorid description
of his merits. [History of England, v. 4, p. 374.J Cheered
by this success, he made a bolder essay (on the 12th of
April), in some lengthened strictures, apparently unpre
meditated, on a speech of Lord Belgrave's. This noble
man having claimed a generous confidence in Ministers as
essential to the public safety, Mr. Whitbread jumped up,
and denymg the title of the Ministers to such a privilege,
took an indignant survey of their measures with a flow
of language and feUcity of expression which he seldom
afterwards surpassed.
The Whigs saw at once the value of so promising a
recruit, and he descended from the obscurity of the back
benches to the neighbourhood of the Opposition chiefs.
They also speedily entrusted to him one of those mo
tions on the Russian ai-mament, which were at the time
their more formidable weapons against the Government.
The speech he deUvered on this occasion was (Lord
Brougham teUs me) a very good one ; but if it satisfied
his friends it could not have satisfied himself, for it was
almost immediately forgotten in the general admiration
excited by the maiden speech of Mr. Jenkinson on the

178 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
opposite side. He thus had the mortification of seeing a
new member, a younger man, decidedly the hero of the
night. Even Sir Philip Francis, a hot partisan, admitted
the Ministerial triumph, observuig, however, with reference
to the weakness of the case, " Jenkinson has made Valen
ciennes lace out of coarse twist." Not that Mr. Jenkuison
realised the expectations of Ms admirers, it being soon per
ceived that it requned long preparation for him to speak
Avith any effect ; and in the brilliant career he afterwards
ran as Lord Hawkesbury and Lord Liverpool, he never
acquired any reputation as a debater.
Mr. Whitbread's success in the House of Commons can
not be traced to any particular speech, and was of no rapid
growth. Several of his contemporaries spoke better than
he did : none could speak on the same variety of subjects
so weU. He quickly identified himself Arith the great
questions of negro emancipation, education, and the exten
sion of civil and religious rights ; and whatever might be
the superior eloquence of other advocates of the same
principles, it often failed to produce the impression that
almost invariably foUowed his forcible though less refined
appeals. Men of the middle class like Mm, who persevered in
addressing the House, and trying to take a leading part in
it against persons of greater famUy pretensions than them
selves, were pretty sure to be men of more than usual
audacity. Without that quaUty they would never have sm*-
mounted the opposition made to them, and it may well
be beUeved they had it to a displeasing excess.* He thus
gave pubUcity to many painful truths respecting the wants
and wishes of the lower and middle orders, which few
members of the aristocracy knew, and fewer liked to be
known. In a practical acquamtance with common things,
and iu the ready appUcation of it, he had no superior in
the House.
* See Mr. Grote's finely drawn character of Cleon. — History of
Greece, v. i. 337. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 179
At the preliminaiy meeting for the formation ofthe Coali
tion Ministry, Mr. Fox, in his familiar Avay, said to Mr.
Grey, " What ofiice is Sam to have ?" Mr. Grey answered,
" I know that he will accept none. It is out of the ques
tion." Whereupon none was offered ; but on hearing of
the conversation, Mr. WMtbread took great offence at Mr.
Grey speaking thus authoritatively without consulting him.
A peerage was then offered him on condition of his quitting
the brewery. TMs made Mm still more angry, and he
decUned it without hesitation. Some coolness foUowed
betAveen him and Mr. Grey, Avhich Avas I fear not removed
by Mr. Ponsonby (the brother of Mrs. Grey,) bemg chosen
as leader of the Opposition — a post which had great attrac
tions for him. No blame, however, can, I believe, fairly be
imputed to Mr. Grey on either occasion. Mr. Whitbread's
expressions had invariably been such as to lead others to
suppose that office would be odious to him ; and as to the
leadership, it is very doubtful whether even the influence
of Mr. Grey could have secured his election. He was dis
liked and feared by the GrenvilUtes, and by no means a
favourite with the Whigs, who thought his manner arrogant
and imperious. He is the only eminent Liberal whom Lord
HoUand, himself one of the most amiable of men, mentioned
to me Avith harshness.
His passion for business was as remarkable in private as
in pubhc life. When m the country, he might be found at
every pubhc meeting: Bible Societies, Hospitals, Lunatic
Asylums, aU acknowledged hun as one of their most active
and useful supporters. He was the first to introduce into
Parliament a BiU for Agricultural Savings' Banks ; and
with more benevolence than sagacity he tried to establish a
minimmu of wages for agricultural labour ; but he was no
political economist.
His best speeches (Lord Brougham tells me), were after
his separation from the Whigs ; and Ms influence so far
increased, that he was to have been one of the Secretaries
of State, had the Ministry been formed on the accession of
the Prince to the Regency. It was mainly through his-
N 2

180 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
generous and determined opposition, that Saxony was not
annexed to Prussia by the Holy Alliance.
He left two sons and two daughters. Of the latter, one
married Admiral (afterwards Earl) Waldegrave; the younger
daughter was the wife of Viscount Eversley, and I owe to her
friendship some of these particulars. Both inherited much
of their father's ability, and were deservedly respected. —
Author.

CHAPTER XI.
RETURN TO PARLIAJIENTARY DUTIES.  INSOLVENT
debtors' bill.  LOCAL COURTS BILL.
Lord Althorp Avas re-elected for Northampton
shire, in the noAV Parliament, without opposition. 1818-19.
Indeed, besides the strength of his local connections.

he was so generally respected, that any proposal for A°[^oi.p ^e-
disputing his seat at such a moment Avould have iJortamp-
been received Avith indignation by the great body of *™'*'"r'=-
his political opponents.""' Touched by this proof of
sympathy in his constituents, he exerted himself to
do his duty to. them by attending the House at the
opening of the Session. Accordingly he returned to
London early in January, but not to his once happy
home. He had broken up his establishment in Pall
Mall, and ncA'er could be induced to have another.
The entreaties of his mother fixed him for a time at
Spencer House. Lady Lyttelton saAv him on his
arriA'al, and was shocked at his altered looks and
extreme dejection. The command over his feelings,
which he attained when hving alone at Wiseton, gave
way on a rencAval of intercourse -with his family. He
* This was the observation made to me by a member of the leading
family in the opposite interest. — Authoe.

182 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1819. frequently retired to his room to sit in gloomy ab-
J^!:^! straction, and brood over his loss. At times, how
ever, as the object of his coming to London recurred
to him, he would speak with some interest on
politics, which encouraged the hope that this might
be the means of rousing him from the melancholy
condition into which he had fallen.
It soon proved, however, that the tone of his
mind had been brought too low to relish the asperi
ties of party warfare. With an aching heart, and
feelings akin to indifference towards the course of
events, he could no longer share the excitement
which animated his political associates. Even their
conversation wearied him. In comphance with
their Avishes, he brought forward a question of
Privilege,'"" but the effort cost liim too much to be
for some time repeated. Fortunately, he felt less
repugnance to Committee business, and consented
to serve on an inquiry into the Avorking of the
Insolvent Debtors' Act, a subject in itself dry and
unattractive, but involving questions in the relation
of debtor and creditor, which he had long regarded
Avith interest, as bearing essentially on the condition
of the middle and lower classes.
Insolvent The Iiisolveiit Act had been intended as a correc-
Biii. tion of the law of imprisonment for debt ; but from
its imperfect machinery had become a mere cloak
for improvidence and fraud. Out of fourteen mil
lions of debt which had come under its operation in
six years, the average amount of dividend did
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., v. xxxix., p. 1167.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 183
not exceed half a farthing in the pound — a vast 1819-20.
sacrifice of property, considering that the more in- ^t^^7-13.
dustrial classes, such as artisans, tradesmen, and
small manufacturers, and not the great merchants or
capitalists, were generally the sufi'erers. Still the
Act found favour, not only with the classes that
availed themselves of it, but even with philanthro
pists and law-reformers — aU being united against
ihe law of imprisonment for debt — and the Chan
cellor of the Exchequer was so beset by conflicting
deputations, that he frankly confessed himself unable
to deal with the question, saying that next to the
Poor Law, he had found no subject equally em
barrassing.""' The Attorney-General (Sir William Garrow) had
undertaken the charge of the Committee, but after
Si few sittings he relinquished it to Lord Althorp,
who usually took the chair, arranged the course of
proceedings, examined the witnesses, and finally
¦drew up the report, as the groundwork of a Bill.
When the draft was submitted to the Committee
for approval, they* opposed it, as giAdng a penal cha-
xacter to insolvency ; nor did Lord Althorp deny
this to be, in some degree, his intention. Humanity,
not less than justice, he insisted, called for the inflic
tion of punishment in cases where misconduct, and
not misfortune, had originated the debt ; and it
would be found too often that the creditor, and not
the debtor, was the victim really to be pitied. He
proposed to substitute for the existing miserable and
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., v. xl., p. 590.

184 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1819-25. inefficient jurisdiction in insolvency, an efficient
MT^jf4^ Court of three judges, with definite powers over the
person and property of insolvents, Avhich Avould
aAvard punishment or relief, as justice in each case
might require. He had to fight the battle against
a large majority of the Committee, and in the end
his views were but partially adopted, as he after
Avards more than once complained in the House ;.
and he particularly instanced, that the confinement
of a fraudulent debtor Avas not made long enough,,
and that more time should have been given to
the creditors to object to the discharge of the
insolvent. '''¦
Pa.sses the Lord Althorp prepared a Bill in conformity with
Commons. x x s. ^ .j
the report, and found no difficulty, with the sup
port of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in carrying
it through the House. Some carping remarks Avere
made upon it by Mr. Courtenay (afterAvards Earl of
Devon) on behalf of the Commissioners of Bank
ruptcy, who were jealous of any interference with
this branch of the law, and a laAv reformer or twO'
solemnly protested against the injustice of imprison
ment for debt. On the other hand, several members'
of the Committee, especially Mr. Littleton (since
Lord Hatherton), a political opponent, warmly tes
tified to the value of his services in the chair, saying
" that they had been the subject of praise in every
circle where he had heard the question alluded to."^
Moreover, he had the satisfaction of finding the

^fc>

* Hansard's Pari. Deb., S. S., v. viii., p. 610.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 185
House attentive to his speech explanatory of the 1819-25.
Bill, though it was so long as to fill three pages of ^'^' ^'^''^^'
Hansard."' The Bill met with roupii treatment in the Lords. Thro™,
° out m the
The principle was not disapproved ; but a clause i-^^is-
subjecting the real property of insolvents to the pay
ment of their debts was treated as a dangerous inno
vation, taking away one of the few feudal privileges
that remained to the landed aristocracy. Lord Tan
kerville, a Liberal peer, told me that he had opposed
it solely on this ground ; and Lord Eldon (the Lord
Chancellor), in utter violation of a pledge given by
the Government in the House of Commons, coun
tenanced the opposition. The Bill Avas of course
lost ; — but the Government made the only amends in
their power to Lord Althorp, by at once dismissing
the officers of the Insolvent Court, Avhich virtually
suspended the operation of the laAv until the ncAV Act
could be passed.
Early in the foUoAving Session, the Ministers
adopted Lord Althorp's Bill Avith some modifications
of the obnoxious clause, and filled up the ncAV ap
pointments with men highly qualified for their
duties. The new Court would have proved more
efficient had it been armed Avith the poAvers giA^en in
the report ; but in spite of these deficiencies it has
been productive of great public benefit; and the
necessity of such a jurisdiction as was contended for
by Lord Althorp, in opposition both to the preju
dices of the day, and the conviction of many eii-
* Hansard's Pari. Deb. v. xl., p. 587.

186 MEMOIE OF EAUL SPENCEE.
1819-25. lightened laAvyers, is now universally admitted.
' " • Indeed, the only material improvements made m
the Bill by laterjegislation have been in increased
severity towards the insolvent, whilst the proAdsions
framed by Lord Althorp are all virtually embodied
in the existing law. These improvements, however,
are trifling compared with the moral effect resulting
from the estabhshment of the Court, the publicity of
its proceedings having, by an exposure of individual
cases, drawn the public feeling on such subjects into
a right channel, and operated as a powerful preven
tive to the spread of a disgraceful system.'""
It was in the attention required for preparing and
passing the Insolvent Bill, that Lord Althorp first
began to reconcile himself to his altered position.
The labour of the prehminary inquiry, his necessary
intercourse with the witnesses, his discussions Avith
his colleagues, besides the long and frequent sittings
of the Committee, refreshed instead of wearying
him ; and the edge of his grief was in some degree
dulled by the efforts he made in discharge of what
he conceived to be his duty. He thought that if he
could only combine hard work with retirement, he
might succeed in bearing the burden of life with
Lord tolerable cheerfulness. Accordingly, at the end of
takes Cham- the Scssioii, hc quitted Spencer House, and again
Albany. took chambers in the Albany, Avhere for the next
ten years he led a life of uniform seclusion, main
taining a mere bachelor's establishment, and admit-
* The value of the Court has, at the timo I write these words, been
proved by a successful experience of forty years. — Authoe.

MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 187
ting only old friends and near relations. Few of 1819-25.
these, however, could prevail on him to come to ^'^' ^^'^^'
their houses.
Solitude had never been distasteful, — now it was ^^"^ '^'1'"
' gence in
a relief to him. The absence of aU moroseness or attending
the Houae.
selfishness in his sorrow, and the honest unostenta
tious efforts he made to control his emotions, were
at times very touching. A desire of emplojdng
himself usefully to the public became his ruhng
sentiment. He entered heartily into the business of
the House, and except the Speaker and Clerks at
the table, few surpassed him in the regularity of his
attendance. The subjects of debate that interested
him he studied with a sort of feverish industry —
perhaps he attended to httle else — but these in
volved inquiries into pohtical economy, statistics,
and law, as well as, though in a less degree, into
history and science. Pohtical economy, which, like
most pohticians, he had previously neglected, now
became one of his favourite studies, and he attained
considerable proficiency in it. He never complained
of a book as dry. Even statistical tables, when they
involved any question of principle, would fix his
attention for hours. He seemed to find in them all
the charms of a mathematical problem. I am not
aware of the extent of his constitutional knowledge,
but I recollect his descanting on the value of the
"Parliamentary Debates," as a key to a correct
knowledge of English history ; and he was, I believe,
one of the few statesmen who had the patience to
travel through this voluminous collection. He

188 MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1819-25. worked still harder at Wiseton than in London, as
.ffiT^-43. fQj. gQj^g years he rarely had any guests. He Avas
not a quick reader, for he would often lay doAvn his
book to think over it ; and if there was little system
in his studies, there Avas much method in his mind"'' ;
— indeed, he had the faculty of reflection stronger
than that of observation, or the extent of his know
ledge would have been more generally appreciated.
With his time thus regularly occupied, for unem
ployed leisure was no indulgence to him, he unde
signedly qualified himself for the leading part he
afterwards took in the councils of the Liberals.
His thoughts at this time turned much upon law,
with some branches of which he was already Avell
acquainted by his experience at Sessions, Avhere he
occasionally displayed a degree of knoAvledge, that
equally assisted the Bench and puzzled the Bar.
Proper encouragement might have induced him to
undertake the amendment of the Game Laws, on
the impolicy of Avhich he entertained a strong
opinion ; but besides the peculiar difficulty of the
task, he saAV from the neglect that attended the
efforts of such great men as Bomilly and Mackintosh,
that he must expect httle sympathy or support from
his political friends on any question of law reform, it
being a topic of no party interest, and leading to no
political results.
Brings for- So little did he regard such considerations, that,
¦ward Bill .
for recovery as soou as his Insolvciit Act Avas caiTicd, he gave
* I never knew a man who (to use an expression of Lord Brougham)
had less cotton in his head. — Authoe.

of small

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 189
notice of another measure of a similar character, in- I810-25.
volAdng the relation of debtor and creditor ; but -^''^ff^-
from its interference Avith the administration of
justice, likely to encounter a very serious opposition.
This Avas a Bill for the more cheap and speedy re-
coA^ery of small debts by the establishment of Local
Courts. Nothing shows more forcibly the indiffer
ence of the public to laAV reform than that such a
measure should have been so long delayed, — and at
last only taken up by a member unconnected Avith
the legal profession.
It was an undeniable fact that, to recover a debt
of 61. or 71, a man must begin by expending 601. or
701., when, at the very outset, to use a conimon ex
pression, he had to run the risk of throAving so much
good money after bad, and his subsequent expenses
AA'ere often so great as to make him no gainer if he
succeeded.* Then the technicalities of the laAV
could render success fruitless by the difficulties they
interposed between judgment and execution ; and
should all these difficulties be overcome, the creditor
often had the mortification of finding that the law
had suffered an unprincipled adversary to place his
property out of the jurisdiction of the Court.
It had become notorious that no prudent man
Avould think of enforcing a debt under 15/. by
going to law; and the result of this was to
cause the tradesmen to enter into combinations not
to sell on credit to their poorer customers, which
* Lord Brougham's Speeches, v. ii., 490.

100 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1819-25. led to great distress in some of the manufacturing
^" ^^¦''- districts. Lord Althorp proposed to remedy these evils by
adapting the Sheriff's Court (once an important tri
bunal) to the increased exigencies of the times. In
every county the sheriff was to appoint a judge, with
a competent salary to be paid out of the rate, the
proceedings before Avhom were to be conducted at a
very low expense — counsel not being allowed, and
even attorneys being restricted in addressing the
court to questions of law. For aU the compHcated
machinery of pleas, was substituted a simple plaint
of a few lines. The dispatch of business was facili
tated by the judge going four circuits in the year,
and by other provisions especially aiming at the re
moval of the ordinary causes of delay and expense
in the higher tribunals.
A serious error, however, was committed in leav
ing the suits to be tried by a jury, the cost of which
could not be otherwise than heaAry ; but any attempt
to dispense with trial by jury, in a question of fact,
would certainly at this time not have been tolerated.
Lord Althorp satisfied himself in the first in
stance, with an explanation of the leading features of
his Bill, observing that he A^dshed the measure to
come before the country in order to be considered
during the Recess, and discussed in the following
Session. This, however, did not save him from the
animadversions of the Attorney-General, who de
nounced the plan as creating a costly and most
unnecessary jurisdiction.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 191
The disturbed state of the country during the 1819-25.
Recess and the Session, succeeded by the Corn Law ^' ^
agitation, occupied the public mind ; and the question
of local courts met Avith such cliilling neglect, that
Lord Althorp prudently abstained from reviving
it in the Session of 1822, but he tried the pulse
of the House again in 1823, having improved his
measure in the interval by vesting the patronage
of the judges in the Lords Lieutenant of counties,
and alloAving no actions for debts of more than two
years' date. He also fixed the amount of debt re
coverable at lOl. Even these amendments failed to
make any favourable impression, and Lord Althorp
yielded to the wishes of his friends by Avithdrawing
the Bill, only, however, to bring forward an improved
edition in the foUoAving Session. One important
provision of the new BiU was a clause aUoAving the
plaintiffs and defendants in any suit to give evidence.
Out of respect to his personal character, rather than
in acknowledgment of the merits of his Bill, the
latter was referred to a Select Committee. There
the good sense, good humour, and perfect knowledge
of the subject which Lord Althorp could display, had
a free scope, such as his modesty often denied him in
the House. He succeeded on all the points on
which he laid much stress ; and when he brought up
the report, made a sensible speech in support of his
Adews. The discussion was renewed on the Third
Reading, and presented a singular scene. The
Ministers gave no opinion on the measure, and
asked for a large compensation clause ; but the anger

192 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1819-25. of the laAvyers, which had slumbered in the earlier
^'^- ^'''*^- stages of the Bill, exploded in violent denunciations
against it. Two of the most eminent members of
the Bar (I blush to say they were Whigs) described
the practice of examining parties in their own
causes " as most abhorrent to the spirit of English
laAV, and as an actual bounty upon perjury ; " Avhile
Mr. John Williams Avent so far as to say that one-
half of the Bar Avere already supposed to hold
Government appointments, and should this be true,
it Avould be ridiculous AA'ith this fresh bait to look
any longer for independence in the profession. The
latter argument seems to have weighed on the
Whigs, Avith whom the extension of the influence of
the CroAvn had been during the last half century
a constant theme of iiiA^ective. Lord Althorp
treated it as, in this instance, an imaginary evil, and
he so far prevailed as to carry the Third Reading of
his Bill, — clogged, however, Avith a threat of the
Attorney- General, (upon the refusal of a compensa
tion clause), to have his revenge in the Lords.
Lord Redesdale, a judge second onlj'- to Lord
Eldon in experience and knowledge, generously gave
the Bill his sanction, by moving the Second Reading
in the Lords ; and a debate ensued which is Avorth
noticing, if merely to show the advance of enlightened
A'ioAvs on legal reform in later years. What would
iiOAV be thought of a Lord Chief Justice, a Whig,
and a man of such acknowledged attainments as
Lord Ellenborough, saying, " If it Avere attainable
to enable a creditor to recover small debts, at a little

Tlie Bill
\\ LthdiiLv. n.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 193
cost, it AVOuld not be desirable. Such a laAv Avould 1819-25.
only make tradesmen lax in giving credit, and the -'''-''' ¦
poor ready to take it, and thereby occasion a great
deal of mischief to both. To give facility to recover
debts would enable a creditor to make debtoi's pay
more than they owed, and frequently to force others
to pay what they did not owe." His Lordship also
ridiculed the locomotive functions of the judges. He
insisted that these gentlemen Avould be ahvays on
horseback, and no respectable member of the Bar
would accept such an office.
As it appeared that the Ministry were inexorable
as to the necessity of a compensation clause, the
Bill Avas withdraAvn.
Lord Althorp felt this defeat less keenly, because
he inferred from the language of his opponents that,
by yielding on the subject of compensation to the
Tories, and of patronage to the Whigs, the opposi
tion might be overcome. Accordingly, in 1825, he
brought forward a fourth Bill with these amend
ments, vesting the jurisdiction in the Insoh-ent
Court, which was to have four additional judges for
that purpose. To his great mortification, he found
himself in a worse predicament than ever. The
Whig lawyers, though partiaUy silenced, were not
propitiated, whUst the members really interested in
the measure represented that to encumber the Insol
vent Court with functions so far beyond its strength,
could only result in the utter failure of the new
jurisdiction, besides bringing discredit on the Court
itself — ail argument which Lord Althorp felt to be

194 MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1819-25. unanswerable, and he proceeded no further with the
Mt. 37-43. -Q^-n
These abortive efforts to promote a great public
good had not, however, been made in vain. It
is true that he met with little encouragement to
revive his Bill in the ensuing Session ; but, what
Avas far better, he had made a convert of Mr.
Peel, whom he found ready to take up the ques
tion and bring it before Parliament as a Govern
ment measure. This was prevented by the change
of Ministry on the retirement of Lord Liverpool ;.
but, a few weeks after this event, Mr. Peel, in fulfil
ment of his promise, introduced, as a private
member, a Bill for the Recovery of SmaU Debts,
agreeing in principle and in many of its provisions-
with Lord Althorp's, which met with a most favour
able reception— Lord Althorp warmly supporting it.
Thus the connection of the latter Avith this great
measure was soon forgotten, his name not being-
even mentioned in the subsequent debates on the
question of Local Courts ; and it has been reserved
for these pages to put on record the words of Mr.
Peel, " that the subject was originally undertaken
by Lord Althorp. It was at his instance that a
committee was appointed — through his persever
ance that those inquiries were instituted that estab
lished the fact, not very creditable to the law of
England — ^that there exists no remedy of which a
prudent man can avaU himself for the recovery of
small debts. "¦'^ If he failed to break doAvn this
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., Sec. Ser., v. avii., p. 1351,

MEMOLB OF EAEL SPENCEE. 195
monstrous injustice, so did Mr. Peel, Avhose Bill 1819-25.
was eventuaUy dropped. Even Lord Brougham, f^  1_1
Avith his great eloquence and capacity for legal
reform, long struggled in vain in the same course ;
nor Avas it until a quarter of a century had passed
away, that such an Act as Lord Althorp had con- ,
templated became the laAv of the land.''^

Like Bentham, Lord Althorp was in legal reform far in
advance of his age, yet time has proved tbe value of the
measures advocated by him ; being chairman of Quarter
Sessions he was probably well acquainted with the law of
evidence, though as a layman be could have had but little
knowledge of the technical rules of law. It is curious noAv
to reflect, that, with the full concmTence of the more
enlightened portion of the profession. Local Courts with a
very extended jurisdiction have been established, and'parties
to the suit also have long been capable of givuig evidence ;
whilst by the passing of the Judicature Act a simple
statement of the cause of action and the defence has swept
away all the intricate system of pleading. — Editob.
* Not only the attorneys, especially in the provinces, but most of
the leading members of the Bar were decidedly opposed to the intro
duction of Local Courts. I once heard Six Edward Sugden indulge
his satirical vein at the expense of the measure, in a speech before the
Lord Chancellor, when he sneered "at the cheap shops soon to be
opened throughout the country for the administration of bad justice."
Mr. Brougham was a solitary instance of superioi-ity to the prejudices.
of his profession. — Author.

CHAPTER XIL
mSTURBANCES AT MANCHESTER.  PROCEEDINGS IN PAR
LIAMENT.  ^ACCESSION OF GEORGE THE FOURTH.  CORN
LAW DEBATES.
IS 19. Lord Althorp was thus usefuUy occupied when
.irj37^ an event occurred that plunged him again into the
Avhirlpool of politics.
Disturb- Oil the 16th of August, during the Recess, a
Man- great meeting of the working classes was held at
Manchester, by pubhc notice, for the purpose of
choosing a legislatorial Attorney and Representa
tive, as had before been done at Birmingham;
Henry Hunt, afterwards member for Preston, being
the leader of the movement. He was a small
landed proprietor in Somersetshire, of broken for
tune and profligate habits, ill informed, but clever
and resolute, with a fine person, and (Avhen he pleased)
rather prepossessing manners ; so that altogether he
Avas able to gain an ascendency in the disaffected
districts, greater than any man of the day. The
turbulent demeanour of the crowd, their caps of
liberty and banners with democratic inscriptions,
and, above all, their numbers, which seem to have
exceeded 50,000, alarmed the magistrates, and

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 197
before any act ofA'iolence had been committed, the is 19.
yeomanry in attendance receiA^ed orders to charge, f^- ^¦
when nearly 100 persons Avere killed and wounded.
The meeting immediately dispersed ; and the ring
leaders suffered themselves to be apprehended Avith
out making any resistance.
Such a catastrophe naturally caused deep resent
ment among the working classes in all the large
toAvns, as was shown in the usual manner by stormy
meetings and furious Resolutions. What was still
more alarming, a panic at the same time seized the
higher classes, so little justified by the occasion as
almost to cast a stain on the national character.
That distress, and its natural accompaniment, dis
content, prevailed to a serious extent among the
lower orders, Avas unfortunately beyond dispute.
Their secret associations and their nightly drillings,
though the latter do not appear to have been
common, called for increased vigilance in the police.
Such monster meetings as had been held in the
large towns, certainly endangered both life and
property in the neighbourhood ; and the controlling
power ought, in these emergencies, to have been
lodged in more effective hands than the local magis
tracy, whose difficulties were aggravated by ' the
indistinctness and obscurity of the law. But the
existence of a vast conspiracy, embracing the chief
manufacturing toAvns, with armies of Radicals pre
pared to march from different and distant points
upon London to establish a Republic — as if a multi
tude of mere artisans, Avithout military officers, and

198 MEMOLE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1819. gener'ally without arms, having no bond of union
^''' ^'^' beyond the blind impulse of passion, would even

accomplish one day's march, much less face the
first regiment of regular infantry they might meet
on their route — could only be credited by men, who
were governed more by their fears than their reason.
Such, however, was the firm conviction of the large
majority of the higher classes, with little distinction
of politics ; and all looked anxiously to the Govern
ment for protection.
Thus encouraged, the Ministers grasped the reins
of power with a still tighter hand. They imme
diately called Parliament together ; they represented
the country as on the verge of revolution ; and not
content with approving the conduct of the Man
chester magistracy, they introduced, among other
measures of coercion, an Act to put down all
Proceed- political meetings. The House Avas acquiescent,
ings m Par- J. o x '
liament. Avith fow exceptions. Some men of strong nerves
and warm popular attachments made a gallant
though ineffectual stand for constitutional freedom.
None took a more prominent part than Lord Al
thorp. It was to him that the Liberals entrusted
the motion Avhich threw on the Ministers the
responsibility of refusing to produce the evidence
on which their proceedings Avere founded. He
made a manly and temperate speech, which was
loudly cheered. Not that he escaped censure from
many of his friends for expressions Avhich implied a
degree of sympathy Avith the complaints of the
Radical agitators, if not a defence of their excesses.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 199
But the inference was a strained one. In viiidi- I8I9-20.
eating the just rights of the people, he had indeed -"^ff^^-
claimed some indulgence for their errors, as he had
all along opposed the policy of the Government,
iind predicted its fatal results. The prosperity and
happiness of the country depended, in his opinion,
on the solidity of its social system, and the union
•of sentiment as well as interest that hnked the
various branches together. A war of classes was
more to be apprehended than the worst efforts of
any Radical conspirators ; and whUe he was ready
to support Ministers in suppressing outrage and
such practices as nightly drills, unimpeachable evi
dence of absolute necessity could alone induce him
to surrender into their hands the most valuable
priAdleges of the people.
These sentiments AviU be honoured or condemned
according to the political creed of the reader.
Among the suffering classes. Lord Althorp's name
obtained great consideration ; and there is no doubt
that his advocacy of their cause touched the hearts
of many who were really not ill-disposed, and
proportlonably diminished the influence of their
mischievous advisers.
The accession of George IV. was quickly followed Accession
1 Xl -r. T T • ^ of Geo. IV.
by the Parliamentary proceedings against the Queen.
The enthusiasm displayed by the Liberal party in
her favour does not seem to have been shared by
Lord Althorp. His support of the Queen, or rather
his opposition to the King, did not extend beyond
a silent vote. After the failure of the Bill in the

200 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1820-21. Lords he was not backward in the pubhc recognition
^T^^-39^ of the Queen's legitimate rights ; and accordingly he
supported Lord Archibald Hamilton's motion (on
the 26th of January, 1821) for restoring her name
to the Liturgy, in common Avith Mr. Wilberforce,
Sir Charles Wetherell, and other independent mem
bers, observing that united as the country evidently
Avas on the expediency of this step, he thought the
House could not resist so unanimous a declaration.
The House, however, ashamed to reject the motion,
Avhich was almost a matter of course, and yet uii-
Avilling to inflict further mortification on the King,
rather meanly avoided any decision by jiassing the
preAuous question. The indignity was not very
keenly felt by the Queen ; she had by this time
discovered her popularity to be on the wane, and
Avarned by the deserted aspect of her little court.
Death of was already preparing to leave Enarland. She died
the Queen. J r r to &
before the motion could be renewed, lamented by
few even of her partisans. What the King'S'
feelings must have been at her death may be
inferred from an anecdote Avhich Avas often related
by Sir William Knighton. He had received early
tidings of the death of Napoleon, and hurrying t»
the King's bed-side, he exclaimed, " Sire, your
greatest enemy is dead." The King abruptly inter
rupted him Avith the question, " When did she die ? "~
tracie""^ "^ "^^-^^ gradual revival of trade in the years of 1820
and 1821 restored prosperity to the manufacturing
districts ; and then, — as if to test the faith of
political economists in their doctrine of the intimate

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 201
union betAveen the commercial and the agricultural 1S21.
interests, loud cries Avere heard from almost every ^''- "'^- _
county in England of the distress of all classes
depending upon land. The price of corn throughout
Europe seems to have fallen at that time below the
cost of production : in some parts of Germany, it
Avas even beloAV the cost of harvesting. In England
large farms Avere throAvn out of cultivation ; and
Avith almost one voice the members for rural dis
tricts declared in the House of Commons, that
farming had become absolute ruin.
The Ministers, threatened with the defection of ^^f^^^,
their supporters, Avere perplexed in the extreme. *™;^!.''"'
The monopoly of the home market had already
been yielded to the landowners, at the risk of a
revolution, by the Corn LaAV of 1814, and yet they
still cried out " Give, giA-e ! " After some fruitless
discussion it Avas determined to grant them a Com
mittee to make out their case and to find a remedy.
Lord Althorp was named on the Committee.''"
The proceedino-s of this Committee must haA'e Commiuee
... . oil ^he
been full of instruction : Avitness after witness gave corn Laws.
detailed, and often pathetic, testimony to the pres
sure of agricultural distress. The discussion of this
evidence, the cross-examination and searching in
quiry into facts, the constant controversy on all
important points, going on between the representa
tives of the Protectionists, and the moderate party,
* The committee was moved for by Mr. Gooch on March 7th, 1821,
"To consider petitions relating to the distress of the agricultural
interest." (Hansard's Pari. Deb., Sec. Ser., v. iv., p. 1139). — Editoe.

¦202 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1821-22. the latter being led by Mr. Huskisson, Mr. Ricardo,
j^!l_^^- and Mr. Wolryche Whitmore, presented a remark
able display of ability and information, with more
distinct and practical views on political economy
than could then be found in books. No progress,
however, could be made in discovering a remedy,
where even the cause of the distress was to the
last violently disputed. Unable to come to any
resolution, worsted in argument, and yet determined
not to yield, the Protectionists at length angrily
ceased to attend, believing the Committee would thus
be obliged to separate without making a report — a
wretched policy, which only served most effectually
to defeat its object, as it enabled Mr. Huskisson
to obtain the authority of the Committee to a report
of his own composition, containing a masterly refu
tation of the views in which the inquiry had origi
nated,'" and thus clearing the way for a more liberal
system of legislation.
* This report may still be read with interest, and I venture to cite
the foUowing passage as a specimen of Mr. Huskisson's skill in reason-'
ing and composition : — "Tour Committee may entertain a doubt (a-
doubt, however, which they wish to state with that diffidence which a
subject so extensive naturally imposes upon their judgment), whether
the only solid foundation pf the flourishing state of agriculture is not
laid in abstaining as much as possible fi-om interference, either by pro
tection or prohibition, vrith the application of capital in any branch of
industry ? Whether all fears for the decline of agriculture, either from
temporary vicissitudes, to which all speculations are liable, or from
the extension of other pursuits of general industry, are not in a great
degree imaginary P Whether commerce can expand, manufactures
thrive, and great public works be undertaken, without furnishing to
the skill and labour which the capital thus employed puts in motion,
increased means of paying for the productions of the land ? Whether
the principal part of those productions which contribute to the grati
fication of the wants and desires of the different classes of the com-

Ee-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 203
Lord Althorp was the only member representing is^i-22.
. -, 1 ,-, ^ M. *r. 39-40.
a large agricultural constituency, Avhose vote was 
given for this celebrated paper.
The agitation, gathering strength during the Re- ^^^e
cess, was renewed Avith increased violence at the
opening of the Session. The Report of the Com
mittee was disclaimed by the seceding Protectionist
members. They treated it as an absolute imposition,
both on themselves and the country. As the only
mode of appeasing them the Committee was re
vived, with fuU powers to make a fresh report, that
might efface the erroneous impression of which they
complained. As another peace-offering, Mr. Hus
kisson declined to act on the Coinmittee, his place
being taken by Lord Castlereagh. This Committee
took no further evidence ; its time was occupied in
preparing a report — a task which it cost nearly six
weeks to accomphsh. Mr. Whitmore told me that
their proceedings were conducted Avith much warmth
and bad temper. It required all the tact and deci
sion of Lord Castlereagh to maintain order amongst
munity must not necessarily be drawn from our own soil, the demand in
creasing with the population, as the population must increase with the
riches of the country ? Whether a great part of the same capital which
is employed in supporting the industry connected with manufactures,
commerce, and public works, does not, passing by a very rapid course
into the hands of the occupier of the soil, serve also as a capital for the
encouragement of agriculture ? Whether in our own country in
former times, and in other naturally fertile countries up to the pre
sent time, agriculture has not languished from the want of such a
stimulus ? And whether in those countries the proprietors of the land
are not themselves poor, and the people wretched, in proportion as
from want of capital their labour is more exclusively confined to
raising from their own soil the means of their own scanty subsist
ence ? " — AUTHOB.

204 MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE.
1822. them, and to the surprise of Mr. Whitmore, he
Mi^io. manfully stood up for the Liberal principles enun
ciated by Mr. Huskisson, at the risk of offending
some of his most zealous supporters. His exertions,
coupled with his other duties — and, unfortunately,
he was always obstinate in refusing assistance — -
strained his constitution fearfully, as was shown by
his care-worn brow and increasing paleness : indeed,
he seems to have then received his death-blow.
Even his influence only succeeded in promoting a
compromise, of which the most important feature,
besides the grant of a Loan to the distressed
districts, was the prohibition of the import
of corn when under 70s. the quarter, and a
graduated duty of 1 Os. to 1 5s. a quarter till prices
rose to 80s.
Lord Althorp had httle concern in the Second
Report — not that his views of the Corn question
were yet either very sound or distinct. He disap
proved of the Corn Laws on principle : — he admitted
that it was bad economy to groAV corn at home when
it could be procured cheaper from abroad ; — and he
agreed with Mr. Huskisson that it Avas by diminish
ing the cost of producing corn, and not by raising
its price that the agriculturists could be effectually
relicA^ed. On the other hand, he ascribed the dis
tress of the landed interest to the pressure of taxa
tion, and he regarded a moderate duty on the
importation of foreign corn, as a necessary security
against the AvithdraAval of capital from agriculture,
and Avorst of all, a famine in the event of Avar. Mr.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 205
Whitmore warned him in vain of tho danger of is^--
encouraging the farmers to groAV a sufiicient quantity  [ — L
of corn for the whole supply of the country. Ho
persisted in his views, and on the 21st of February,
brought forward a plan for the Relief of the Nation,
in which he explained at length hoAv a reduction to
the amount of Iavo millions might be made in the
Estimates, and that sum applied in diminishing
taxation, as a panacea to the impoverished agricul
turists.^- Mr. Ricardo, Mr. Whitmore, and
¦others of his colleagues in the Coinmittee, reso
lutely opposed it, and the House Avisely agreed
with them.t
It is unnecessary to pursue the subject further
than to state that Lord Londonderry^ reluctantly
acted on the Report of the Committee ; § and the
sliding-scale, for so many years the object of com
plaint and derision, was thus inflicted on the country.
So all that the Ministers could offer in the way of
relief dwindled into a State loan, in which no one
would share, and an additional monopoly, Avhich
proved comparatively valueless.
* Hansard's Pari. Deb. Sec. Ser., v. vi., p. 557.
t There is a very able article (published contemporaneously with the
debate) in the Edinburgh Mevieiv, v. xxxvi., p. 452, probably from
the pen of Mr. McCulloch, strongly advocating freedom of trade in
corn, and equaUy disapproving of any duty on its importation. —
FIditoe. X Lord Castlereagh had succeeded to his father's title during the
summer of the preceding year. — Editoe.
§ This Eeport is a very poor performance, and has little to recom
mend it either in argument or suggestion. One or two passages coun
tenancing parts of Mr. Huskisson's Eeport, are introduced, I suspect,
at the instance of Lord Londonderry. — Author.

206 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1822. With this unsatisfactory settlement of the ques-
^T^. i[qj^^ ^jj^g business of the Session virtually closed,
rf PafiT'"'' liffle else having been accomplished afterwards.
ment. The Government hurried on the Prorogation, which
took place on the 6th of August.
Shortly before that time Lord Londonderry had
committed suicide.

CHAPTER XIII.
MR. CANNING.  HIS POLICY.  DISTRUSTED BY LORD AL
THORP.  DEBATES ON SPAIN AKD ON IRELAND. 
MR. huskisson's TRADE REFORMS.  LORD ALTHORP's
POSITION.  ^LORD LIVERPOOL'S ILLNESS.  CHANGES
OP GOVERNMENT.  LORD ALTHORP IN OFPICE.
The substitution of Mr. Canning for Lord Lon- 1,322.
donderry, much as they had formerly opposed each ^'^- ^o-
other, was not Adewed by the public as altering the Mr. Can-
policy of the Cabinet. With more Liberal impulses
than some of his coUeagues, Mr. Canning had yet
not less zealously supported a succession of Tory
Administrations ; and his previous resignations were
prompted by personal feeling rather than political
principle. Exclusion from ofiice, accompanied by
repeated disappointments, and the dispersion of his
Parliamentary followers, were believed to have sub
dued his tendency to intrigue, whilst the declin
ing health of Lord Liverpool held out to him an
additional motive for maintaining the system, on
Avhich his long-cherished hope of becoming First
Minister seemed mainly to depend.'^'
* These are the gi-ounds on which the Lord Chancellor, Lord
Bathurst, and other members of the Cabinet, consented to Mr.

208 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1823. Parliament met in February (1823), by whicii
^'^' ^^- time the introduction of Mr. Robinson and Mr.
Huskisson into the Cabinet, the one as Chancellor
of the Exchequer, and the other as President of the
Board of Trade, both appointments being ascribed
to Mr. Canning's influence, greatly improved his
position. It soon became evident that, although he
had succeeded to the office, he did not propose to
His policy, tread in the steps, of his predecessor. The adminis
tration both of the finances and the trade of the
country, displayed a bold and enhghtened spirit
more in unison with the progress of the age than
AAuth the principles of the Tory party. The Foreign
Office underwent a still more striking change. What
part Mr. Canning had absolutely taken on the occa
sion of the French invasion of Spain was imperfectly
knoAvn. That he had strongly condemned, and
wished to make it a casus belli, was the general be
lief: — the blame attached to the pohcy of the
Government being thrown on the more Tory section
of the Cabinet. His speeches, and still more his
despatches, from that date, indicate almost a re
sentful feeling towards France, which A^ented itself
nt length in a tone of expostulation, if not of rebuke,
long unknoAvn in the records of the Foreign Ofiice.
When the South American States had throAvn off
the yoke of Spain, and the Continental - Sovereigns

Canning's appointment. Lord Liverpool did not possess sufQcieut
influence over his colleagues to have prevailed on them to make any
concessions to Mr. Canning. This I know from unexceptionable
authority. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 209
looked suUenly on, afraid to sanction any revolt 1S23.
against established authority, he it was Avho took on __!l_L
himself the responsibility of carrying through a
Tory Cabinet' the national recognition of their inde
pendence ; and he gloried in the act, ostentatiously
proclaiming it as his own. Several members of the
Cabinet, and a large body of the Ministerial sup
porters, remonstrated Avith Lord Liverpool on the
latitude thus aUowed him, insisting that he was evi
dently making advances to the Opposition, on whom,
indeed, not only his liberal professions, but his en
gaging manners, produced no slight impression. He
was especially popular with the independent and
younger members. If any of the latter made a
clever speech, he was among the first to offer con
gratulations and encouragement, and even adAdce.
Many would gladly have seized any honourable pre
text for joining him, and were constantly expressing
their belief that, if met with generosity and due
consideration, he Avould throw himself at once into
the arms of the Whigs.
Lord Althorp witnessed this rising opinion among Distmsted
his friends with much concern. Like most Liberals Althorp.
of middle age, he had a strong aversion to Mr.
Canning. Himself a man of scrupulous integrity,
Avith a high standard of personal honour, he put a
very harsh construction on the conduct of the latter,
both towards Lord Sidmouth and Lord London
derry. He knew the distrust entertained of him by
some of the most eminent and estimable of the
Tories ; and he believed him incapable of any per-

210 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1823. sonal sacrifice from patriotic motives. " If Canning,"
 Il  '_ he used to say, " really thinks with us, why does he
not resign ? Catholic Emancipation could then be
no longer resisted, and other great reforms would
incAdtably follow. I suspect that he courts us
merely for our votes, and, as soon as he can do A\dth-
out them, he will fall back again on the Tories, and
leave us only the shame of having been his dupes."
There is reason to believe that Mr. Canning's
feelings toAvards the Whigs were of a mixed cha
racter. When he accepted the post of Governor-
General of India, he told an old friend (Lord
Holland) that he did so because he felt that Catholic
Emancipation and other great Whig measures, even
Parliamentary Reform, must be carried before his
return, though only after a struggle, which might
break up both the Whig and Tory parties, and the
field would then be left open to him under advan
tages such as he had never enjoyed. Should, hoAV-
ever, the settlement of Parliamentary Reform fall
upon him, he would give the Radicals a dose too
strong for their stomachs."" Thus regarding an
escape from these reforms as hopeless, he desired so
to steer his course that they should not drive him
from power. He was prepared to carry them him
self Far from feeling any partiality to the Whigs,
it was only to supply the defection of the Tories that
he availed himself of their support ; indeed he once
ominously observed, " Our banners may be mingled
* This anecdote was related to me by Lord Holland mnny years
ago. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 211
for a time, but soon we must stand on adverse 1823-24.
.J „ Mt. 41-42
sides.  ¦
The Spanish question threatened a sudden rupture Deixite.? on
-««-/-<• • 1 1 Spain and
of the amicable relations of Mr. Canning Avith tlie on irei.ind.
"Whigs, some of whom, especially Lord Folkestone,
Lord Althorp, Lord John Russell, and Mr. James
Macdonald, considered that the Ministers had Avith-
held even a moral support from the Constitutional
party in Spain. Indeed the patriot exiles,"" on their
arrival in England, charged the British Ambassador
at Madrid with countenancing the intrigues of the
extreme party against the Government, to the serious
prejudice of the Liberal cause. Lord John Russell,
in consequence, moved certain Resolutions in the
House, condemnatory of the Government, when
Lord Althorp made a strong, though, as Mr. Can
ning admitted, a temperate speech. Lord Folkestone
and Lord Nugent Avere not so judicious, and the
result Avas to give Mr. Canning scope for a display
of Avit and sarcasm against the latter, Avhich almost
couAuilsed the House AAuth laughter, and obtained a
triumphant division. Fearful of the encouragement
that would be given to the Absolute PoAvers by a
A'ery large majority in his favour, Mr. Canning
actually prevailed on some of his Whig acquaint
ances, whom he saw quitting the House in disgust,
to remain and vote against him.t

* Senhor Arguellas repeatedly assured me of this, and he held the
same language at Holland House. — Author.
t Ex rel. Lord Portman (then M.P. for Dorset) who was present. 
Author. r 2

212 MEMOIE OF ExiEL SPENCEE.
1824. Towards the end of the Session,""' Lord Althorp
^'^' ^"' moved for a Committee on the state of Ireland, in a
speech which Lord Stanley emphaticaUy described
as that "of a statesman;" — one more free from
party-spirit, or more calculated to promote wise
legislation for that unfortunate country, it would be
difficult to find in the long series of Irish debates.
It was but feebly answered by Mr. Canning, who
for once so far lost his temper as to complain of the
appeal made to him personally by Lord Althorp for
his assistance to pass the Cathohc question, treating
it as an attempt to bring him over to the Whigs, a
construction AA'hich Lord Althorp's words, and well
known sentiments, sufficiently repudiated.
Mr. Hus- The confidence Avhich Lord Althorp withheld
policy. from Mr. Canning he gave almost unreservedly to
Mr. Huskisson, whom he esteemed a very able and
honest financier. It had long been a maxim Avith him,
that questions of trade ought not to be made party-
questions ; and he told me that this was the principle
on which he should ahvays act with respect to the Corn
Laws. He thoroughly approved of Mr. Huskisson's
commercial reforms, and, not content with support
ing them in the House, he would canvass for votes
among his political friends to counteract the opposi
tion Avhich he often saw gathering on the Ministerial
benches ; — and occasions were not rare when, with
out his persuasion and example, some sturdy Whigs
of the old school might not have stepped forward,
as they did, to save a Tory Government from defeat.
* Hansard, Pari. Deb., Sec. Ser., v. i'., p. 654.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 213
This assistance Avas more valuable, from the posi- i824-2(;.
tion he had noAv attained in the House. His defi- J^JL '
ciencies in some of the qualities Avhich usually led to lord ai-^^^
distinction in popular assemblies Avere overlooked, in sition.
the respect universally entertained for his character.
The party had been almost Avithout a leader since
the retirement of Mr. Ponsonby. Mr. Brougham
wanted influence, and Mr. Tierney"" consideration, to
fill the post effectively. Each had his admirers, but
the opinion which carried most weight was Lord
Althorp's. Whatever might be the eagerness shoAvn
to hear the speeches of Mr. Brougham and Mr.
Tierney, it might be perceived at critical moments
that many members waited anxiously to learn hoAV
Lord Althorp intended to vote, and were guided at
once by the reply.
Whilst the Tory party was thus torn by intestine LordHver-
divisions, it received an unexpected and most violent ness.
shock by the loss of Lord Liverpool. Whatever
might have been his drawbacks, his cold and imper
turbable temperament,! coupled as it was with great
experience and no mean attainments, admirably
qualified him for presiding over the councils of a.
divided Cabinet. With him expired all hope of
maintaining the existing Government in office.
* Mr. Tierney had been elected Leader, and regularly instaUed as
such at a large meeting of the party ; but with aE his talent and
power of speaking, as well as his pleasant and prepossessing address,
he never succeeded in acquiring the authority due to his position.
Many would not forget his serving under Lord Sidmouth. — Author.
¦]¦ This coldness was carried so far that he had no friends among his
colleagues. They said that it was impossible to love a man so utterly
without sympathy, even with his constant associates. — Author,

tion

211 MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE.
1824-26. Mr. Canning becaine Premier, and his appomt-
Mt. i-i-ii. j-^-^gj^^ rekindled the long dormant ambition of the
Whigs. It was obvious that without their support
his Government Avould speedily be demohshed by
his former friends. A negotiation ensued; and
offers were made on his part of a coalition, on the
understanding that three of the leading Whigs
should be admitted into the Cabinet ; but that the
great questions of Parliamentary Reform, Catholic
Emancipation, and the Repeal of the Test Act, Avere
still to remain in abeyance.
The Coaii- The scliemc originated with Mr. Brougham, and
Avas eagerly taken up by a large section of the
Opposition. It also caught the fancy of the more
sanguine Liberals throughout the country, especially
in the manufacturing towns. If considerations of
personal friendship, or present ease, could have
moved Lord Althorp, he Avould haA^e supported it
likcAvise ; but he regarded his friends as under a
delusion to which he Avould be no party. So strongly
did he feel this, that only a foAV weeks before, Avheii,
immediately on Lord LiA^erpool's illness, the Tories
were discussing among themselves how to recon
struct the Administration, he had proposed to Mr.
Brougham to take an early opportunity of moving
a,n Address to the CroAvn against any Ministry
founded on a system of compromise""' — believing it

* Eoebuck's History of the Whig Ministry of 1830 (hereinafter
referred to as "Eoebuck's History "), v. i. p. 464 [App.] One scheme
was to make Lord Bathurst Premier, not, however, as a King Log,
whatever Mr. Eoebuck may think. Sir Eobert Peel used to say that

MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE. 215
to be absurd in principle, and mischievous in effect. 1826.
In this spirit he determined still to act. Accord- '^'  L
ingly he called a meeting at his rooms in the
Albany, of the leading Whig members, who (Lord
Milton and Lord Tavistock, amongst others, having
attended) declared themselves decidedly of his
opinion. Another meeting held at Burlington
House in the following week, under the presidency
of Lord George Cavendish, had a simUar result,
notwithstanding the adverse influence of the Duke
of Devonshire, who came up to town from Chats-
Avorth to support Mr. Brougham. Lord Althorp,
on these and other occasions, insisted that the Whigs
ought not to enter the Cabinet, unless in sufficient
strength to influence its councils ; and he viewed
their abandonment of Catholic Emancipation, after
having made it their chief ground of opposition to
the late Ministers, as likely both to retard materially
the passing of the measure, and to damage the cha
racter of the party. " What good," he asked, in his
plain, practical way, "can the country derive from
our accession to office, if we give up the measures
Avhich formed our best title to the public support ?
The result of these concessions will be a divided and

be was one of the cleverest men in the party, and only wanted
industry* to make a great statesman. His frankness, generosity,
and high feeling of honour made him a great favourite with his
coUeagues. He was the grandson of Pope's Lord Bathurst, and had
inherited many of the virtues and some of the defects of his ances
tor. — Author.
* This is very questionable. Sir J. Stephen told me he was a very
diligent man ; see also his despatches preserved in the WelUngton
Papers. — ^LoRU LTTTELTorr.

216 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1826. do-nothing Government, followed very soon by, what
^''- ^^' I dread most of all, the dissolution of the party."
He also deprecated the blind confidence claimed for
Mr. Canning ; and, adverting' to some recent de
claration made by the latter of unqualified hostility
to Parliamentary Reform, he declared that this
alone would prevent his crossing over to the Minis
terial side.""'
These views, of Avhich the soundness was proved
by the event, could only be met by an appeal to the
difficulties of Mr. Canning's relations with the King,
and the importance of breaking up the Tory party.
The belief, however, that the Whigs would never
have such a favourable opportunity of governing the
country, presented still stronger arguments to a large
section of politicians. The negotiations accordingly
proceeded, and Lord LansdoAvne, Lord Holland, and
Mr. Tierney agreed to enter the Cabinet, to secure
the working of the new alliance. It afterwards
transpired that Mr. Canning would have preferred
Lord Althorp to Mr. Tierney, but had been over
ruled by the King.
A great meeting was held at Brooks's, at the in
stigation of Mr. Brougham, to ratify the treaty, and
certain Resolutions in that sense Avere passed by
acclamation ; Sir Francis Burdett supporting them
by an eloquent speech, in which he startled his au
dience by an elaborate argument against political
consistency, t
* Ex rel. the Duke of Bedford, and other contemporaries. — Author.
t The history ofthe Coalition is still very imperfectly known, and

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. ' 217
As Mr. Brougham was the author of the Coali- 1826.
tion, so he Avas the person on whom it mainly, in
the first instance, depended for success. He alone,
of the whole Opposition, was held in some degree of
awe by Mr. Canning. The late Rev. WiUiam Can
ning,'"' Canon of Windsor, told me, as far back as
1824, that Mr. Canning often dwelt, Avith (perhaps
unwilling) admiration, on his extraordinary poAvers.
Once, when Mr. Canning was preparing a speech on
some great occasion, he desired his cousin to refer to
a passage in Clarendon's History of the Rebellion,
Avhich he recollected as bearing on the question at
issue. It proved to be strikingly applicable : but a
few lines further there were some observations of an
opposite tendency. Mr. WUliam Canning still urged
his hazarding the quotation. " No," answered Mr.
probably could have been given from authentic sources only by Lord
Brougham. Curious stories were told at the time of Court intrigues
employed to propitiate the King, who did not disguise his aversion to
the Whigs and their principles. He went so far as to state on some
public occasions that it was only from compulsion that he had yielded
to the new arrangements. Most] powerful aid was received by Mr.
Canning from Sir WilUam Knighton, the Keeper of the Privy Purse — a
man of no common ability and ambition, who hoped to make this coaU-
tion instrumental to his further advancement. When in practice as a
physician, he was remarkable for the ascendency he exercised over
the minds of his patients, much to their benefit. The same faculty
followed him to Court. He thoroughly knew the King's weaknesses,
and was loved and feared by his master in an almost incredible degree.
The King sent him on several secret missions abroad, and he had
quaUties that would have made him a first-rate diplomatist. His re
fined tastes and winning manners, combined with great sagacity and
knowledge of the world, rendered him, as I can say from experience,
a very agreeable companion. — Author.
* The Eev. WilUam Canning, elder brother of Lord Stratford de
EedcUfie, an accomplished and exceUent man, at one time chaplain
to the Embassy in Persia. He died in 1860, at an advanced age.—
Author.

218 MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1826. Canning, " I dare not. Brougham Avill find me out.
^'^' ^ • Nothing ever escapes him."
The union, however, could not have been lasting.
They Avere the two master-spirits of the House —
men of rare genius and unbounded ambition — raised
so far above all other members, as to be unavoidable
antagonists. Many debates were prolonged, because
each waited for the other to rise, that he might
have the advantage of the reply. There was, in
deed, occasionally, a fierceness in their rivalry that
betrayed mutual aA^ersion. Even during these ne
gotiations Mr. Canning spoke at times resentfiiUy of
the extent of Mr. Brougham's interference ; and
far from showing any disposition to obtain his assis
tance as a colleague, was known to be planning
his removal from Parliament by raising him to the
Bench."" Once convinced of the general feeling of the party.
Lord Althorp saw that any obstinate resistance on
his part Avould only aggravate the evils which he
had desired to avert. He gave his adhesion to the
new GoA'ernment, and took the earliest opportunity
of stating his reasons for doing so, Avhen he did not
disguise his difficulties with respect to the Catholic
question, or his differences Avith Mr. Canning on
Parliamentary Reform and the Repeal of the Test
Act ; — but these, he said, all yielded to the considera
tion that there Avas no choice betAveen a Govern-

* Mr. Canning showed no such jealousy of Sir Eobert Peel, and did
his utmost to prevent the severance of their political connection. —
(Stapylton's Life of Canning.) — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 219
ment generally actuated by liberal and enlightened
principles, and one of Toryism in its most odious
form. His declaration removed the scruples of
many of the independent Whigs. What was scarcely
of less importance. Lord Spencer came down to the
Lords, which he rarely attended, and made a manly
.speech in favour of the Ministry, which derived
additional value from the angry and hostile speeches
of Lord Ellenborough and Lord Grey on the other
side. One incident in the change of Ministry that gave
Lord Althorp much satisfaction on private grounds,
Avas the appointment of his brother Robert to the
post of private secretary to the Lord High Admiral,
the Duke of Clarence. Captain Spencer more than
deseiwed such a distinction. He had been from his
entrance into the Navy generally on foreign service.
For some years he had been employed as captain
of the " Owen Glendower,"'" in South America,
* Whilst Captain Spencer commanded the " Owen Glendower " (in
1820), his family were much shocked by a communication from
the Admiralty of his death at Buenos Ayres, in a, duel with his first
lieutenant. The intelUgence had been transmitted from Monte Video
by an old friend of Lord Spencer's, the Admiral commanding in the
Pacific, Sir Thomas Hardy ; and there being no reason to doubt its
authenticity, the family beUeved it to be only too true. Biographical
.accounts of Captain Spencer appeared in several of the periodical pub
lications. Nearly two months later, a fresh despatch came from the
Admiral, contradicting the report ; and the circumstances under which
the mistake is stated to have originated are exceedingly curious, as
showing the risk always inseparable from circumstantial evidence.
" The report, it seems, was brought from Buenos Ayres to Monte
Video by a coasting vessel, the captain of which, a respectable man,
weU known on the station, mentioned the death of the captain of the
¦* frigata,' as a fact which he heard publicly talked of on the day of
bis leaving the port ; adding, that he had not only seen the ' Owen

220 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1826-27. during the War of Independence, Avhen the tact and
^''- ^^"^°- determination which he displayed in his relations
with the Spanish Government and the new Re
publics, sometimes acting as a diplomatist, and
sometimes as an officer, in the protection of British
commerce, gained him a high reputation. He after
wards was sent to the Mediterranean, as captain of
the " Naiad,"''' and he fully maintained his character
in a mission to Algiers, Avhen he obtained, by
threats of an immediate attack on the port, the
rescue of a ship improperly detained by the Dey,
Glendower ' in deep mourning, with yards topped, colours half-mast
high, and minute guns repeatedly firing, but also the funeral proces
sion, when the body of the captain of the ' frigata' was landed with
a guard of marines and a number of sailors. Nor could he be charged
with untruth, since the captain of a ' frigata ' had died on the very
day in question, and the ' Owen Glendower ' was put into deep
mourning on account of the death of George III. ; and it happened,
that the ship's boats being sent for provisions, with a guard of marines
for protection against the marauders in the suburbs, had landed
just as the body of the captain was brought on shore. Unfortunately
the Admiral and his ofiicers were very moderate Spanish scholars,
and did not know that 'frigata' means a three-masted vessel,
whether a ship of war, or otherwise ; and the death of the poor captain
of a merchantman was mistaken by the Spanish sailors, not un
naturally, for that of Captain Spencer. The duel was quite imaginary,
and only beUeved because tbe first lieutenant, an angry, ill-conditioned
man, had stated before several witnesses, that he intended to call out
his captain — which, however, he never did. On this occasion. Lady
Spencer prevailed on Lord Althorp to discontinue the mourning which
up to that time he had worn for Lady Althorp, assuring him that
otherwise the report would stiU be believed." — Ex rel. Admiral Evans,
(who was then serving in the "Owen Glendower.") — Author.
There is a full account of this affair in the Althorp Library. Lord
Althorp to the last refused io beUeve it, saying it was simply impos
sible that his brother should have drawn his sword on his oavq first
Ueutenant on his own quarter-deck (which was the story), and he was
hardly moved when tho contradiction came. — Lord Ltttblton.
* Captain Spencer commanded the "Naiad" from April, 1823, till
October, 1826.— Editor.

MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 221
which had been refused to previous ajiphcations. 1826.
It Avas not until the guns of the Naiad were pre- -'^'^- *^-
pared for action that the Dey yielded. Captain
Spencer was esteemed a first-rate sailor. No officer
stood higher for proficiency in naval gunnery. None
more completely commanded the attachment of his
men, for although somcAvhat proud, he was inflexibly
just, and had a warm and generous heart. He Avas
an excellent linguist, and considering his active life,
an accomplished man.
One of the few events that marked the short- Lord Gode-
lived administration of Mr. Canning, was his pro- T Govern-*^
mise of an early appointment of a Finance Com- ™^" '
mittee. This was redeemed by his successor ; and
Mr. Huskisson applied, through Lord Spencer, to
Lord Althorp to be the chairman. The latter LordAi-
accepted the office, but the noAV Chancellor of the named
Exchequer, Mr. Herries, protested against the selec- lulT^"^
tion, partly as having been made Avithout consulting committee.
hun, and partly on the ground of Lord Althorp's
decided opinions. This protest augured ill for the
stability of Lord Goderlch's Government, and even
tually was the cause of its dissolution, as Mr.
Huskisson admitted in his explanatory speech. The
Duke of WelUngton, on coming into office, substi
tuted Sir Henry ParneU for Lord Althorp as chair
man of the Committee, Avith the full consent of the
latter, who was content to be one of its most active
and useful members.
The foUowing letters .from Lord Althorp to Lord
Spencer present a valuable commentary on this brief

222 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1827. episode in our political history, whilst they reflect
JEt. 45
 '. — '— the candid and honest nature of the writer.

"My dear Father,
" I am very much obliged to you for your letter;
but I am sorry that the gout continued, for I hoped when
I saw you that it would not prove a regular fit. I like
your account of what is going on about the Ministry:
surely if Canning has once taken the decided step of in
sisting upon having his own way, he must see, by the
difficulties of his adversaries, that he has the game in his
own hands. I certainly should not feel that a Ministry
formed by him upon Liberal principles, and with a great
majority of them agreeing with him, was a divided Ministry,
because Peel Avas one of them. I should not feel this in
the first instance, unless bj'^ their measures they proved
that they were acting on a compromise of principle. I
should give Peel credit for fair dealing if he once con
sented to submit : but if the Chancellor remains in, one
can j)ut no confidence in any professions that Canning may
make.* I shall come to Althorp on Wednesday.
" Yours most dutifully and affectionate^,
" ALTHOEP.
"Wiseton, April llth, 1827."
"My dear Father,
" The offer which the Didce of Clarence has made
to Bob is a compliment, and a most satisfactory proof
that his merits are duly appreciated. This, although it
wdl not raise his character one jot in the opinion of those
who know him, is still a most agreeable testimony as to
the general estimation in which he is held. It is also
very satisfactory, as it proves that the Duke of Clarence
* At this time Lord Althorp seems to have anticipated a more equal
distribution of power amongst the Whigs and Liberal Tories than was
subsequently proposed by Mr. Canning. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 223
intends at least to select the most proper persons for all 1827.
important stations. But it is a very serious question ^t. 45.
whether the offer ought to be accepted. Bob will not only
be confined in an office, perhaps not very agreeable, cer
tainly very laborious, during the reign of George the
Fourth ; but if his taking the office answers at all, he
must make up his mind to being a courtier dining the
reign of William the Fourth ; and if Bob Avas an ordinary
man, I should undoubtedly advise him to refuse it, because
in that case, in return for this great sacrifice, he would not
be able to do more good than any other person placed in
the same situation. But Bob is not an ordinary man : he
possesses the highest degree of practical knowledge of the
naval service, and first-rate abilities to bring his know
ledge to bear ; and what in the present question is of great
importance, he possesses the power of influencing those
under whom he serves, to a degree greater perhaps than
ever belonged to a man. It is probable, therefore, that
in tliis office he may render the most essential service to
the country, such services as no other man could render
in a similar situation, and as he saj's he is ready to make
the sacrifice, I think he ought to do it.
*****
"Yours most dutifully and affectionately,
" ALTHOEP.
"Wiseton, Juhj 28th, 1827."
" My dear Father,
" I am very much obliged to you for your letters
and the information Avhich they have given me. I also
have heard from Lord Holland, which is all I know,
except from the newspapers. It appears to me that the
death of Canning leaves the Administration, as to prin
ciple, just as it was before, certainly with a great diminu
tion of ability. But as the principle remains the same, I do
not see any reason to take a different course from the one
which we had determined to take, and had taken already.

224 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1827. Our object has been, and still ought to be, to keep out the
Mt. 45. ultra Tories, because the present Administration is a less
evil than a pure Tory one would be, and much less depends
upon their measures. Lord Lansdowne having consented
to allow Lord Goderich to lead in the House of Lords,
I do not see how he could object to his forming the
Ministry ; and certainly I should expect quite as honest
a Premier in Lord Goderich, as in Canning. Peel appears
to be out of the question, and of course Lord Eldon, &c.,
so I do not see how the Ministry can be worse than it
was, and cannot feel more desponding about politics than
I did before.
" We have a terribly rainy week ; Tuesda j^ and Wednes
day Ave could not stir out at all : yesterday and to-day Ve
could not get out till 12, and the moors are a sheet of
water. Yesterday I netted 7 brace, Davenport* one bird,
Ordt and Joy I lOj brace. To-day I netted 5i brace,
Davenport one brace, and Ward and Joy 15 brace. My
dogs are doing very well except the 3'oung one, who is
good for nothing I am afraid. Patch is at the top of the
list, Eothe is not here, having lost a claw, and being con
sequently lame. This last information is intended for
* Edward Davenport of Capethorne, M.P., a hot Whig, with strange
crotchets, however, about the currency. — Author.
f Mr. WiUiam Ord, M.P. for Morpeth, the proprietor of Whitfield,
a very amiable man and sound poUtician — a great favourite with the
Whig aristocracy. He represented one of the Divisions of Northum
berland for some time after the Eeform BUl ; subsequently the town
of Newcastle-on-Tyne. — Attthoe.
X Mr. Hall Joy. He greatly distinguished himself at Eton and
Oxford ; and not in scholarship only, but in riding, dancing, fencing,
swimming, and all manly exercises. He had a natural turn for
speaking in public, and I recollect the vociferous applause given him by
his schoolfellows at the Eton " Speeches " — a compUment paid only to
one other boy in my day, Mr. Matthews, afterwards the author of the
"Diary of an Invalid." Mr. Joy was a Wiltshire squire, and a bar
rister. He was tolerably successful before ParUamentary Committees.
Vanity was his foible, and stood much in his way — otherwise he had
many valuable qualities, and would have risen higher in his profes
sion, but for his death in middle age. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 225
Bob, as 1 do not think you are acquainted with the 1827.
individuals. '
"Yoiu-s most dutifully and affectionately,
ALTHOEP.
"Whitfield, Northumberland, August llth, 1827."
" My dear Father,
"I am sorry to say that the inclosed letter con
firms your views of the present state of things, and proves
that I was Avrong in hoping that any good would come
from Lord Goderlch's Administration : I am afraid no
good can be looked for in the present reign. Let us hope
for better things ui the reign of William the Fourth.
There is a frankness and apparent honesty in his note to
Bob on his arrival in toAvn, that is much more satisfactory
than anything else I see in our prospects. I am very sorry,
however, that it has deprived me of Bob's A'isit.
" Yours, &c.,
" ALTHORP.
"Wiseton, August 2Sth, 1827."
" My dear Father,
" I send j'ou another letter whicii I have re
ceived from Lord Holland : he tries to gild the pill as
much as he can ; but I fear it is evident that the Whig
Ministers have no more influence in the Cabinet, than
Charles Wj'nn had when he joined the Tories. It makes
very little difference whether the King nominated a Tory
Chancellor of the Exchequer, or whether the First Minister
did so without consulting his Colleagues : if they stay in,
they surrender at discretion, in the one case, to the King,
— in the other, to their Tory Colleagues, and henceforward
are mere cj'phers. The thing that appears the most foolish
is, that our three Whig friends having determined to
submit, should absent themselves from the Cabinets at
Avhich the thing was done : that is, that having been
obhged to SAvallow a nasty dose, they take care that the

226 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1827. faces they make should be seen by the whole country..
Mt. 45. This must not only destroy all cordiality and concert in
the Ministry, but by making their want of power notorious,.
diminishes what little they might have hoped for. Nothing,
however, shall at present shake me from the resolution I
have taken, of being in an armed neutralitj'. I have heard
from Poyntz, who takes the same vicAv of politics that I
do ; and I shall be very httle surprised if Lord Lansdowne
finds himself deserted by the great body of our party ; that
is so far deserted, that though they will not actually oppose
him, they will be entirely neutral.
" I have had capital sjioi-t : I told you that I killed
20J brace on the 1st ; on Monday I lolled 15 brace ;
on Tuesday 19 brace ; on Wednesday 8 brace, on Thurs
day 11|^ brace ; and on Friday 11 brace, a cat, and a
weasel. Of these, 2 brace were wounded birds of other
people's which my dogs caught, for I have not yet shot
on preserved gi'ound, so that to my OAvn gun I have
killed 83 brace in six days. I am shooting better than
I did ; but if I could expect to keep up to my work of
Thursday and Fridaj^, I should distinguish myself very-
much this year.

" ALTHOEP.
" Leamington, September Oth, 1827."

" My dear Father,
" I am quite clear that if it should be offered t»
me to take the chair of the Finance Committee, I ought
to accept it ; but I do not think it would be right for me to
give so decided an ansAver without preA'iously communi
cating with Tavistock and Milton. I Avill, therefore, write
to them immediately, telling them my opinion and the
reasons for it, and I have no doubt they avlII agree Avith me.
In the meantime you had better, I think, tell Tierney that
I am inclining to accept the offer ; but before I give a
po sitive answer I should like to have a few da^'S for con-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 227
sideration. To say the truth, I do not think the offer Avill 1827.
be made to me. I was given to understand that the King Mt. 15.
would have objected to my being in the Cabinet, had I not
put a stop at once to any discussion on the subject : the
reason for this, I conclude, was the part I have taken in
matters in which he felt the Eoyal family particularly in
terested, — my motion, for instance, about the 10,000L given
liim as an outfit at the Eegency, my taking the lead about
the grant to the Duke of Clarence, and my general conduct
upon questions of this sort. Now, if I am right in this,
he must still more object to my being placed in a situation
which Avill give me the best possible opportunity of en
forcing my opinions on these matters ; and I conclude the
Ministers must consult him as to the person who is to be
put into the chair of that Committee, — I therefore do not
think the offer will be made to me. " Yoin-s, &c.,
" ALTHOEP.
" Wiseton, November 2ith, 1827."

The miserable close of Lord Goderlch's Ministry, Dis.soiution
followed by the accession of some of its most able Goderich's
members to a Tory Government, destroyed the meir"
credit of the Coalition. It was admitted to have
been a failure — even well-informed politicians as
serted that the Whigs had been first decoyed and
then betrayed.* Indeed, it seemed as if by a pre-
* Lord Macaulay, in his clever Political Georgics, pubUshed in 1828,
writes : — How Cabinets are formed and how destroyed.
How Tories are confirmed and Whigs decoyed.
How in new times a prudent man should vote,
In what conjuncture he should tui-n his coat ;
The truths faUacious and the candid lies.
And all the lore of stock majorities,
I sing, great Fremiei.— Miscellanies.— Avtho-r. Q 2

228 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1827. cipitate eagerness for office they had given the
^' ^^' Tories a complete triumph, and sacrificed all the
advantages of their position. Fallen from power,
and deserted by their new allies, they took the
field at the opening of the Session in diminished
numbers, evidently unprovided Avith any plan of
action, and unequal to any hostile party movement.
Lord Althorp, when he resumed his seat, felt like
a soldier in a routed army.""" He frankly acknow
ledged in one of his early speeches that he knew
of no party to which he belonged, and saw no
immediate prospect of again becoming a party man.
Neither " had he any confidence in the neAV Minis
ters ; but before he ojiposed them he should AA^ait to
see their measures."
The Duke It was soon discovered that the Liberal element,
ton Pre- " iiifusod iuto tlic Tory Ministry of Lord LiA^erpool by
Mr. Canning, had revived in that of the Duke of
Wellington, who became the unconscious and un-
Avilling instrument of its progress, t Lord John
* Lord Althorp, unUke Mr. Brougham, Sir Francis Burdett, and
the majority of the Whigs, had not crossed over to the Ministerial
side of the House at tbe time of the CoaUtion, as was before intimated.
—Author. ¦\ If the Duke had contemplated the liberal policy which distin
guished his administration, it was very unlike his usual sagacity to
tako so early an opportunity of ridding himself of the friends of Mr.
Canning, who could have been of such material assistance to him. He
took this steiD at the recommendation of Lord Bathurst, who happened
to oaU on bim as he was reading Mr. Huskisson's letter, and urged his
immediately acting on it. Many persons at the time, however, con
sidered that he thus strengthened himself bj^ propitiating the Tories ;
and they were not an insignificant number, who resented the exclu
sion of Lord Eldon and other persons holding extreme opinions from
the Cabinet. — Author.

mier.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 229
RusseU Avas, in the first Session, aUoAved to pass the 1830.
Repeal of the Test and Corporation Act, to the fl^L^
delight, and with the assistance of Lord Althorp,
Avho had ahvays thought Mr. Canning Avrong in
supposing that by thus relieving the Dissenters any
obstacles Avould be raised to the emancipation of
the Catholics — an opinion fully borne out by the
result. When the Emancipation Bill Avas brought
forward by Sir Robert Peel, it also received a Avariu
and generous support from Lord Althorp, Avho
Avelcomed it as cordially as if it had come from his
OAvn side, and had never been opposed by the Tory
side of the House. When the Ministers Avere
taunted by the High Tory seceders with incon
sistency and deception, he yielded a ready assent
to the plea they set up of public necessity, and he
gave the same liberal construction to all their pro
ceedings. An apparently blundering arrangement
made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the
funding of Exchequer Bills, Avas by his advice
passed over Avith gentle animadversion; and Avhen
the new Secretary of the Colonies, Sir George
Murray, privately intimated a desire to meet the
vicAvs of the Whigs"" in redressing the grievances
* Mr. Stanley, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Evelyn Denison, and Mr.
Stuart Wortley (since better known as the Earl of Derby, Lord Taun
ton, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and Lord Wharncliflfe),
were among the few Englishmen of rank who had travelled in North
America. During their tour they passed some months in Canada,
where they witnessed the abuses in the government of the colony,
and the discontent of a large section of the colonists. On their return
home, they endeavoured to draw the attention of Parliament to the
subject ; but their success did not correspond to the justice of theii

230 MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE.
1829. of the North American Colonies, if time and oppor-
¦^^- ^''- tunity were alloAved him, the overture gave Lord
Althorp the most lively satisfaction. SimUar com
munications passed (I believe) between the new
Secretary at War and Lord Althorp : indeed the
speeches of Murray and Hardinge on the CathoUc
Question had captivated the Whigs — for those
enlightened soldiers were httle swayed by party
prejudices. Hardinge lived on the most friendly
footing at Spencer House, so that when the Wel
lington Ministry broke up. Lady Spencer actuaUy
proposed to him to join Lord Grey's Cabinet, and
his refusal Avas grounded more on his attachment
to the Duke than on any difference of principles.'""
These indications, now that the Ministers Avere
almost at open war Avith the High Tories, and
that the Catholic Emancipation Act had removed
the great barrier to any union in principle between
the Whigs and Moderate Tories, made Lord Althorp
regard a coalition as no longer impracticable ; and
cause. Sir George Murray has the merit of being the first Colonial
Secretary who viewed such questions with any degree of fairness, un
biassed by ofiicial prejudices ; and this is more to his credit, as he had
formerly been the Commander of the Forces in Canada, when he must
have necessarily been placed in intimate relations with the party to
which the proposed reforms were highly objectionable. — Author.
* Another instance of Hardinge's liberal predilections is, that
during the progress of the Eeform BUl, when rumours were rife of a
difference between Lord Brougham and Lord Grey, he sounded me as
to the possibiUty of the former being induced to join the Duke of
WeUington's party, assuring me that they all regarded him with the
warmest admiration, and would receive him with open arms. Of
course I gave no encouragement to the proposal; but Hardinge knew
well tbat Lord Brougham valued famo too highly to be the ChanceUor
of a Tory Cabinet. — Author.

MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE 231

he even expected to see the Duke, under the influ
ence of coming events, both accept the foreign policy
of Mr. Canning,'"'' and adapt his views of constitu
tional questions generally to the altered temper 'of
the times.
The foUoAving letter is written in the spirit whicii
Lord Althorp shared with many of his Whig
friends : —YISCOUNT ALTHOEP TO EAEL SPENCEE.
" My dear Father,
" The plan for funding the Exchequer Bills ap
pears to be a veiy great blunder. We had a quiet and
good debate upon it last night ; and I think the result was,
that a great mistake had been made. In fact, it certainly
appears to me that it is nothmg different from borrowing
money to pay debt : in the first instance, it is only a trans
fer of securities, but the end will be that we shall have
created three millions of four per cents., and have applied
-three millions to the purchase of tlnee per cents., speak
ing in round numbers ; but at the same time we shall have
got rid of three millions of unfunded debt. Now, if the
three millions of surplus had been applied at once to
the reduction of the unfunded debt, the jmblic would have
performed a much simpler operation, and have saved a
good deal of money, t
" There have been reports of the Duke of Wellington
* The chief blots on the Duke's foreign poUcy, in the eyes of the
Wbigs, were his tacit countenance shown to Don Miguel in Portugal,
and his relations with the absolutist Ministers of Charles the Tenth.
No doubt both were unintentionaUy exaggerated. The Duke beUeved
Don Miguel to be reaUy the choice of the Portuguese people : and as
soonas Louis PhUippe was known to be that of the French, the Duke
advised his immediate recognition by England. — Author.
t The debate as reported in Hansard's Pari. Deb., Sec. Ser., v. xxi.
p. 1256, is unintelUgible ; at least, it was pronounced so by an ex-

1829.
Mt. 47.

232 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1829-30. being out, but of course Avithout any foundation. I hear
Mt. 47-48. that Sir George Murray is giving great satisfaction in his
Colonial management : he has put himself into communi
cation with Stanley and Labouchere, and told them fairly
what he Avishes to do is what they wish, and that he Avill do
as much of it immediately, as he can. They ar§ miserably
weak iu the House of Commons ; but the general opinion
among our people is that they are conducting the Govern
ment Avell, and on good juinciples. Our situation is noAV
a very agreeable one. As the Duke has not thought proper
to ask for any assistance from our ranks, we are under no
obligations to him, Ave may take our own line as we please,
not violently certainly ; but we may criticise whenever we
may think criticism required, and no one has a right to
complain, so that there is no restraint upon us whatever,.
and Ave possess a perfect freedom of action. " Yours, &c.
" ALTHOEP.
"Albany, May 12th, 1829."
Chancellor of the Exchequer, of whom I asked its meaning. On in
quiring at the Treasury, I found that Mr. Goulburn had a motive
for the obscureness of his speech. It was the practice of tho time tO'
keep up a mystification on questions of finance, and this transaction
was a preUminary step towards the conversion of the 4 J per cents.,.
for which he wished the pubUc to remain unprepared. At the time of
Mr. Goulburn's operation, the unfunded debt (which is now a little
more than 12,000,000?.) amounted to more than 28,000,000?., and tho
annual interest to 845,000?. The funding of which Lord Althorp
complained was, no doubt, with the object that so large an amount of
unfunded debt might be kept afloat at a moderate rate of interest,
and this was greatly facUitated by Avithdrawing 3,000,000?. from
the market. If it had been necessary to raise the interest only
one farthing a day, the increased annual charge would have been
more than 100,000?. The surplus estimated on the Budget at
3,000,000?., proved at the end of the financial year to be only
1,711,000?., so that Mr. Goulburn, if wrong in one calculation, was-
right in another. A prudent minister is bound to provide against
such contingencies as these, in deciding upon prospective measures
of finance ; and it would be very unfair, in passing judgment on these
measures after the event, not to keep in view the possible occurrence-
of dangers which his foresight has averted.— Author.

]\EEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 233.

With these impressions. Lord Althorp attended
the meeting of Parliament on the 4th of Februar}', _
1830. The first night's debate placed him in a
position of some difficulty. A passage had been,
injudiciously, admitted into the Royal Speech, notic
ing the distress (Avhich Avas the subject of general
complaint throughout the country) as confined to
particular districts. This gave the High Tory
seceders a pretext for an amendment, the object of
Avhich Avas to overthroAV the Government. Mr.
Canning's friends heartUy united Avith them for that
purpose. Lord Althorp desired the Ministers to
remain in office ; and yet he felt that, in voting for
the Address, he should identify himself Avith them
more closely than his sentiments Avarranted, besides
sharing the unpopularity Avhich in England may be
observed always to attend the absence of sympathy
Avith the grievances of the people. Moreover he
discovered that Mr. Brougham and so many of the
leading Whigs had committed themselves the other
Avay, that he would appear to be sacrificing his
friends to the Ministry. Accordingly, he supported
the amendment, simply on the ground of its un
deniable truth, while he virtually repudiated any
concurrence in the motives of those in Avhom it
originated, by his Avarm and certainly honest praise
of the Government ; for he raised no objection to the
course taken by Lord Howick, who, perceiving the
amendment likely to be carried, induced many of
the independent members to join him in voting

1830.
Mt. 48.

:234 MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. against it, which alone saved the Government from
^"' ^^- a signal defeat. -"
Speeches oa Tliis was the oulv O-reat party fisfht during the
Economical ^ . , . '^ ° r J fci &
Eeform. Scssioii, and its rcsults proved the Government to
be in no immediate danger from the superior
numbers of the Opposition. Whilst the latter were
agreed as to the pressure and extent of the distress,
they entirely differed as to the plans for its miti
gation or relief. In this conflict of opinion the
Ministers found safety ; but their weakness provoked
a swarm of motions on the state of the country and
the public expenditure, which, however unsuccess-
* Eoebuck's History, v. i. p. 138. — The majority was not, as
the author insinuates, " the result of an intrigue," nor was
Lord Howick moved by any feeUng against Mr. Brougham.
He acted independently on his own judgment ; and his example,
be writes to me, " influenced some others — as one sheep going
through a gap encourages others to foUow— who were in great
doubt as to their votes. I was led to vote in this manner
from my beUeving that it was not desirable at that moment to
turn out the Duke of AVeUington. I had no confidence in the
Canningites (as they were called) ; and the Duke's Government
having recently carried CathoUc Emancipation, there had yet been
nothing to show whether, after the schism thus produced among the
Tories, he would endeavour to strengthen bis Government by a
Uberal policy, or regain them by one of an opposite character. Until
he had a fair trial, I thought he ought not to be turned out, and,
least of all, by supporting an amendment proposed, in the pure spirit
of faction, by an old Tory in revenge for CathoUc Emancipation ; and
joined no less factiously by those who had left the Duke's Government
in 1828. What ultimately decided my vote, about which I had been
in very painful doubt all the evening, was 'a very bitter speech of
Huskisson against the Government. I remember, after the division.
Sir George Warrender took me home in bis carriage, and attacked me
violently for the mischief, he said, I had done by saving the Govem
ment." If this note had appeared before the publication of Mr. Eoe
buck's History, I am sure that his sneering remarks on tbe Whigs
would not havo been written.— Authoe.

MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 235
ful, added to the credit and popularity of the Whigs. 1830.
Some of the latter undoubtedly were disposed to ^'^' '^^'
force the Duke into a coalition, at the risk of
throwing out his Government, and Sir James
Graham particularly subjected himself to this impu
tation, in making his very clever speech (on the
12th of February) for the reduction of the salaries
in the Public Departments, a brilhant performance
for an inexperienced member ; but Lord Althorp,
content Avith the explanation offered by the Govern
ment, gave no support to the Resolution, or praise
to the speech. A few days later, when Mr. Hume
moved a Resolution for the reduction of the Public
Establishments, in a speech of some hours (the best
by far, I recoUect Lord Sefton saying, that he had
ever made), Lord Althorp both spoke and voted for
it, not, as he candidly observed, that he approved
of a reduction to the extent proposed, but because
a case was in his opinion made out for more imme
diate and decided action than the Ministers would
agree to take. Lord Althorp had been scarcely
behind Mr. Hume in attention to Economical
Reform. He had long fruitlessly stood out against
useless offices and extravagant estimates, and if
these latterly seemed rather to escape his censure,
it was only because he could obtain no support in
opposing them. It is questionable whether Mr.
Hume's almost numberiess and endless speeches,
addressed either to empty benches or an impatient
audience, and foUowed by signal defeats, really
promoted any useful object. He certainly contri-

236 MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. buted to make the subject so distasteful and uuAvel-
^'^' ^^' come to the generality of members, as to render

the leading Whigs less zealous in pursuing it. In
1827 he contested Mr. Canning's estimates with an
obstinacy that could only serve the purposes of the
Tories, and thus brought upon himself the merited
reproaches of Mr. Brougham. It Avas Avhen acting
in concert with the Whigs that he first made an
impression on the Plouse, nor had he any reason to
complain of their backAvardness Avhen the enfeebled
condition of the Ministers held out a prospect of
success. This night presents one of the earliest
instances of their cordial co-operation. A want of
discernment, great obstinacy, and some coarseness
of feeling, Avere unfortunately not less his charac
teristics than good-humour, honesty, and thorough
independence. He ahvays seemed out of his ele
ment in an unreformed House of Commons. Lord
Althorp liked the man, and valued his services to
the country, and, in return, received many testi
monies, both in public and private, of his esteem
and regard; one of them being the good under
standing he maintained Avith the Whigs during the
remainder of the Session.
Mr. Poulett The Ministry endeavoured to stem the current of
Thomson. ... ...
opinion Avhich ran strongly against them, by large and
judicious reductions, both in the j)ublic expenditure
and taxation ; but some of the Whigs insisted that
the latter, if conducted on sound principles, "might
be carried to an infinitely greater extent," without
any loss to the revenue. Under the sanction of Mr.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 237

Mt. 48.

Huskisson, the question Avas brought before tliu 1830
House, on a motion for a Committee, on the 2 oth
,of March, by Mr. Poulett Thomsoiv^^ho member
for Dover, who, though only in his first Parliament,
had already distinguished himself in the debate on
the Silk Duties. He Avas a Russia merchant,
clever, and thoroughly conversant Avith business ;
¦A.S he proved on this occasion, by the comprehensive
view he took of the fiscal policy of the country, and
his exposure of the vicious character of many of the
existing duties, among Avhich he specified and ably
commented on the Paper Duty. He wanted the
fulness and depth, and, it must be admitted, the
modesty of Mr. Huskisson, for he had a dogmatism
of tone and manner ill-suited to his youthful appear
ance*; — 'but in a ready floAV of Avords, an animated

* He was then little more than thirty, and a tall, slender figure
and light complexion made him look still younger. He had formed
bis views of trade and taxation in the school of MiU and Eicardo,
whom he regarded as great statesmen, and there was often an ostenta
tion of doctrine in his reasoning, which the practical and of&cial ex
perience of Mr. Huskisson successfully avoided. Hence his speeches
€xoited distrust, if not alarm, in the uninitiated in the science, and
but tardy justice was done to their merits in the House of Commons.
He had been neither at a pubUc school nor at the university, which, in
the opinion of his biographer, gave him decision and self-confidence,
but it also denied bim the advantage of early social intercourse
with young men of the class and position amongst which he now
found himself, and he rated them too low. He says in 1828, in a
letter to a friend : " Why, God bless you, the majority of the House
of Commons, aye, 600 out of 650 senators, are opposed on principle
to any change, be it what it may, and a whole session could be spent
by them in considering whether they had better consider." (Memoir
of Lord Sydenham, p. 36.) Mr. Thomson had two elder brothers, the
eldest, Mr. Andrew Thomson, at one time Governor of the Bank of
England, a person of great inteUigence and probity, was accidentaUy
drowned many years before by the upsetting of a boat on the Thames

238 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. diction, and the advantage of voice and delivery, he
-ffir^s. ^^ incomparably the superior. Without attempting
to answer his arguments, the Ministers sheltered
themselves under the obvious objections to a Com
mittee that would interfere with the functions of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer; but they cau
tiously abstained from any expression of opinion
that might prevent their eventually adopting the
suggestions of the Whigs ; and this was the only
consolation Avhich the 'latter obtained for a poor
minority, the numbers being 78 to 167. "The^
motion, indeed, was designed to test the sentiments-
of the Ministry on the application of a great pria-
ciple, and might be regarded as the sketch of a
Whig Budget; not, as has been stated elsewhere,'^'
"a. mere bidding for popularity Avithout fear of
annoyance at a future period," but a foreshadowing
of reforms subsequently carried by the Whigs, at
the risk of their popularity, AA^hen they came into-
office. Lord Althorp, to whom Mr. Poulett Thom
son had particularly attached himself, supported the
motion with marked earnestness, in common with
Mr. Huskisson, and, in doing so, boldly recom
mended the substitution of an Income Tax for some
of the duties that pressed most heavily on the
industry of the country ;t a proposal censured at
near Marlow. The next is Mr. Poulett Scrope, of Coombe Abbey,
Wilts, who has loug represented Stroud, and is the author of some
valuable works— not the least being the life of his distinguished rela
tion.— Authoe.
* Eoebuck's History, v. i. p. 165.
t "Lord Althorp observed much had been said as to property tax,.
and he believed that ho difiered considerably from his friends around.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 239'
the tune as rash and unsound, but remembered Avith 1930.
different feehngs Avhen carried, some tAvelve years ^-r- ^S-
later, by Sir Robert Peel. The motion had origi
nated at a meeting of Opposition members,^- held
in Lord Althoi-p's rooms ; and he there stated the
AdcAvs Avhich he afterAvards expressed in the House,
much to the alarm of Mr. Spring Rice, Avho, Avaiting
till the meeting Avas over, told him plainly that
if he broached such doctrines in public, he Avould
become the most unpopular man in England — a
prediction happily not destined to be fulfilled. Mr.
Spring Rice, hoAvever, was not singular in his
opinion. Mr. Brougham, notwithstanding his Avon-
derful sagacity, considered that the Income Tax
would be fatal to any ministry that imposed it, as
he said to me some years afterwards.
Lord Althorp Avas more successful in his resist
ance to the attempts made by the extreme sections
of the Opposition to obtain a depreciation of the
currency — one ofthe few objects which High Tories
and Radicals could have in common. He had
always condemned the standard of value fixed by
Mr. Peel's Bill as unjust and oppressive, especiaUy
to the landed interest ; but he thought its alteration
would so disturb all monetary transactions as to
bim. StiU he had no hesitation in saying, that to grant reUef to the
productive population, by a reduction of taxes, and to propose a pro
perty tax to meet the deficiency thus occasioned, would be a very good
measure." (Hansard's ParL Deb., Sec. Ser., v. xxiu. p. 907.)
* Mr. Morrison, Mr. Alexander Baring, Sir Henry ParneU, and Mr.
Spring Eice, were among the members present on the occasion. Mr.
Baring disapproved altogether of the changes contemplated by
Mr. Poulett Thomson and Lord Althorp. — Author.

¦240 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. amount to a national calamity. The question was
^^' ^^' debated, through four long nights, on a motion'"' for
a Committee to inquire into the public distress,
when it was not so much the force of conviction as
of authority, the firm and honourable adhesion of
the leading Whigs to the Ministers, and the palpable
impossibility of making a Government, if the motion
were carried, that rallied so many members round
the Ministers, and gave them an overAvhelming
majority. That the debate failed in shaking the
deeply-seated impressions of many independent
members in favour of a paper currency, is known
to all who lived in their society — but their jDatriotism
Avas stronger than their prejudices. Lord Althorp
had a large share in this moral triumph. He rose,
as Mr. Huskisson amidst loud cheers concluded a
very able and argumentative speech. At first, from
general exhaustion, the clamour for adjournment
made it difficult for him to obtain attention, but he
soon gained the ear of the House, and his speech
virtually decided the question — for, like himself, it
Avas plain, honest, sensible, and resolute, and many
members Avho had hesitated as to their A'otes, felt
themselves safe in foUoAving a course Avhich his
conscience, not less than his superior knoAvledge of
the subject, eA'idently dictated. Tho other leading
Whigs Avere content to giA'e silent A'otes, none
perhaps feeling eager to be conspicuous in opposing
a motion highly popular among the larger towns
and country constituencies, Avhere the strength of
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., Sec. Ser., v. xxiu. p. 391.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 241
their party Avas the greatest. Indeed, the Whigs, 1830,
Avith Avhom (as the minority) the preparation of the ^"'-
division lists chiefly rested, did not care to publish the
names of the members who voted on this occasion.
Lord Althorp thus maintained, consistently Avith
his principles, the anomalous and at times difiicult
character of a member of a friendly opposition. It
was not so much on the measures proposed, as on
those resisted by the Ministers, that he often
differed from them. He made just allowances for
the diflSculties of their position. Although the
Estimates were above the standard which he had
long conscientiously advocated, he expressed his
readiness to accept them, as a great improvement on
those of any former government. Other members
of the party, from various motives, not always the
highest, found fault with many of the items (some
times Avithout Lord Althorp's concurrence), and
made the Committee of Supply a field for violent
attacks on the Ministry. Sir James Graham,* and
* Sir James Graham's forwardness was censured at the time by
many of the leading Whigs. He owed no aUegiance to them, and
took his own Une, without much consideration of party ties. His
father was a decided Tory, and ho had himself in early life been re
garded by the Lowther famUy, who Uved in the neighbourhood of his
country seat, as one of their most promising partisans. He announced
himself as a Liberal, on returning from his travels, during which he
passed some time iu Spam, then the great theatre of war. The Cortes
had taken refuge in Cadiz, and he often attended their debates, which
he described to me as most interesting, saying that no speeches had
ever deUghted him more than those of the celebrated Augustia
ArgueUas. His own first essay in pubUc speaking was, I beUeve, on
the hustings at HuU, and gained him great applause. He had much
advantage in these Committee fights, from his command of figures.
Lord Middleton, who had been with him at a private tutor's, told me

242 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. Mr. Robert Gordon, the member for Cricklade, took
^'^- ^^- the lead of Mr. Hume on these occasions, and
infused unusual animation into the proceedings of
the Committee. Then it was that Sir James dis
played the talents for business and debate which
secured him a seat in the Cabinet in the following
December ; and Mr. Gordon's success was such that
Lord Macaulay, then a young member, speaking
to me some years afterwards on the fleeting char
acter of Parliamentary distinction, observed that he
used to listen with admiration to his speeches,
thinking them eminently clever and persuasive, and
hardly venturing to hope that he might one day
speak as well. Mr. Gordon was a contemporary of
Sir Robert Peel, like whom he had obtained the
highest honours at Oxford, and he had equaUy the
advantage of a large fortune, and an early seat in
the House of Commons ; but a love of ease and
social pleasure, Avith an indifference to the higher
branches of politics, always kept him in a position
below both his pretensions and his abilities.
These aggressive proceedings were not attended
Avith proportionate results. It was only on the
insignificant question of the retiring alloAvances to
Mr. Dundas and Mr. Bathurst, that the Ministers
could be placed in a minority, and then only by the
support of the High Tories, whose A'otes might,
Avithout a serious breach of charity, be ascribed less
that he delighted in the study of arithmetic, and was particularly quick
in aU calculations. His young companions, however, rated his per
severance higher than his abilities. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 243
to a love of economy than to hatred of their former 1830.
"^ .T.T. 48.
.chiefs. 

Three months of the Session had thus passed Loni^Ai-
away, when the Whigs, smarting under repeated Jj^^-^^'' °J^;_
defeats, began to open their eyes to the real condi- ^10°'° '^'^
tion of their party. It Avas difficult to say Avhat commons.
could be their policy, when on one day, many of
them were ready to join, and, on the next, to oppose
the Government ; but of the absence of all system
and concert in their proceedings there could be no
doubt. Except at occasional meetings in Lord
Althorp's rooms at the Albany, they never con
sulted in any numbers as to the course Avhich they
should take as a body ; and although many members
were ready to act on his judgment, it often, from
his unAvillingness to put himself forward, could not
be known in time to be of much service. The
appointment of a leader Avas loudly called for, but
hoAV to make a selection that would meet Avith
general acquiescence seemed a hopeless task. At
this critical moment, Mr. Portman, the member for
Dorset, happened one morning to meet Mr. George
Dawson, the Secretary of the Treasury, on his way
to attend a Parliamentary Committee ; their con
versation turned on some recent defeat of the
Whigs, when, Mr. Portman attempting to explain
it, Mr. Dawson laughingly said, " Oh, you are a
mere loose bundle of sticks, and Avill be always
beaten." This taunt rather excited Mr. Portman,
while at the same time he felt its truth, and he
reported Mr. Dawson's words to his friends, Mr.
II 2

244 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. Pendarves^' and Sir Francis Lawley,t country gentle-
-^^- ^^- men like himself, of high standing and consideration
in the House, when they met in the Committee over
which Lord Althorp was presiding ; and the result
was an agreement to propose to him to undertake
the Leadership. As soon as the business was con
cluded, and the room had been cleared, they drew
his attention to the slights of late put on the Whigs
by the Government, their differences among them
selves, and the little influence they now exercised on
public affairs, and assured hmi they spoke the sense
of a very large majority, m saying that these CAdls
could only be remedied by his becoming their leader.
The off'er had already been repeatedly made to him,.
and an adverse critic is correct in observing " that
he was not only Aelling, but eager, to place the
burden and confer the honour on any one in prefer
ence to himself Mr. Brougham he evidently con
sidered as the only fit person for the task ; "J but he
now could no longer disguise from himself, that from
various causes the great body of the Whigs Avere
* Mr. Pendarves, of Pendarves,in Cornwall, and during many years-
one of the members for the county. He was an accompUshed and high-
spu'ited country gentleman, and always an unflinching Liberal. His
original name had been Stackhouse, and he was then a tutor at Ox
ford, but on succeeding to the name and estates of Mr. Pendarves, he
took at once an elevated position in the county, and possessed great-
local influence tUl his death. He was a good speaker, and his re
markably frank and prepossessing manners, and an elegant person,
all contributed to make him a general favourite, — Authoe.
t Sir Francis Lawley, Bart., the elder brother of Mr. BeUby Thomp
son, afterwards Lord Wenlock, — a man of talents as well as of fashion,
of large estate and powerful connections, strongly attached to the
"Whigs. — Authoe,
X Eoebuck's History, v. i., p. 465.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 245

Mt. 48.

averse to Mr. Brougham, and would follow no one ^i83a
hut himself, and he answered, that if forty-five
members should come to him on the foUoAving
Saturday with the same request he would make no
further objection, only he desired that neither of his
three friends Avould mention the subject, because
he wished to speak to Mr. Brougham, Sir James
¦Graham, and Lord John RusseU, before they could
hear of it from any one else.
More than the required attendance was easUy ob
tained for the Saturday, and the meeting passed off"
most satisfactorUy. Mutual confidence made any
long speeches unnecessary : Lord Althorp was ac
cepted as leader, with loud cheers and Avarm
•expressions of gratitude. Thanks having been
voted to him, he briefly intimated that it Avas
«iily on questions of trade and finance that he
<30uld pretend to be of much use to them, but his
advice should be always at their service, and their
future meetings would, of course, take place in his
rooms.'"' He thought it desirable that there should be
nothing like conceahnent in their proceedings. Ac
cordingly a fcAV nights afterAvards, he availed himself
of a casual opportunity in the House, to say, Avith
reference to a statement of Sir Robert Peel's, " I
give notice that toe . intend to take the sense of the
House on this question." Lord Portman tells me
* I owe this information to the kindness of Lord Portman and
ihe late Lord Northbrook, who attended the meeting, but unfortunately
could recollect Uttle ofthe speeches, — Authoe.

246 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. that he cannot forffet Sir Robert Peel's start Avherr

Mt. 48.

¦¦to

Lord Althorp uttered the word " ive."
It had been feared that some of the Whigs mighi;
take ofli'ence at the meeting in the Albany not haAdng-
been a public one, and Avould call for another at
Brooks's, but all seemed content, and none more
than Mr. Brougham and Sir James Graham ; the
latter, indeed, became so devoted to Lord Althorp,
that hc afterwards called on him every morning to
talk over their political prospects. Even Mr. Hume
forgot his suspicion of the Whigs in his esteem for
Lord Althorp, and his example was foUoAved by the
feAV members Avho generally voted Avith him.
The meetings in the Albany being now resumed
Avith greatly increased numbers, and held once at
least in each Aveek, Lord Althorp succeeded both in
stopj)ing the factious attacks preparing against the
Government, and in obtaining for it an honest, dis
criminating support. He undertook, Avith four other
members, to maintain a vigilant supervision of the
Ministerial measures, upon the understanding that
aU" independent action was to be suspended until the
sense of the party could be taken upon his reports.
Thus he and his colleagues came to be called the
" Watchmen."
Accession The Kiuff's (Gcorgo IV. 's) death foUoAved close on
of William '^ ^ ° ^ ,
IV. these arrangements. A noAV reign raised new hopes
— perhaps intrigues. King William, moved by his
partiality for Lord Holland, rather than by any
political principles, of which he Avas scarcely suscep
tible, is believed to have proposed to the Duke of

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 247
WeUington the admission of some of the leading 1830.
Whigs into the Cabinet, and to have been refused,  !^  1^
the Duke probably fearing to break up his party, of
whom the most influential thought the system of con
cession had already gone far enough. Encouraged by Dissolution
the assurances of his admirers that his policy Avas ment.
approved by moderate men of all parties, he deter
mined to make no changes in his Ministry, and to
proceed to an almost immediate dissolution. This
bold proceeding took the Opposition by surprise.
UnAvilling that Ministers should have the advantage
of a ncAv Parhament, as Avell as of a ncAV reign, they
united in a vigorous resistance. Warm debates
ensued on the Royal Message, Avhen Lord Althorp,
apprehensive of some reactionary proceedings on the
part of Government, pleaded strongly, though in
effectually, for delay. Supported both by the High
Tories and the Radicals, he ventured on two divi
sions, and, although no circulars had been issued,
Avas in a minority of only 46 in one, and of 47 in the
other. A fcAV nights later, another trial of strength
was taken on the postponement of the Regency BiU,
of which the Whigs not unreasonably disapproved,
but the fortune ofthe Ministers had returned, and the
minority was swelled to 154, owing to the prejudices
against Mr. Brougham,''- with whom the motion
originated. Lord Althorp, in a letter to his father,
in Avhich he laments Mr. Brougham's unpopularity,
* Mr. Grant had undertaken the motion at the request of Mr
Brougham, and Lord Althorp had reluctantly acquiesced, foreseeing
too clearly its unsuccessful resiUts. — Authoe.

248 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. finds comfort for the defeat in the expectation that
^•^- ^^- he should not be put to any difficulty about refusing
office ; but in this he was mistaken, as these debates
revealed unmistakably the decided inferiority of
the Ministers to the Opposition in Parliamentary
talent. Mr. Brougham especially put forth all his
powers, with brilliant success. In ansAvering a
learned argument of the Solicitor-General (Sugden),
on the Regency Question, he made the latter appear
so ridiculous, that the whole Treasury Bench seemed
convulsed with laughter. I observed Sir Robert
Peel, after a vain struggle, yield like the rest, though
the Solicitor-General sat by his side more than
usually austere. Wit, eloquence, and reasoning
seemed always at Mr. Brougham's command in his
attacks on the Government, and if his violence Avas
blamed, it was at least equally feared. The late
Mr. Bonliam Carter, AA'^ho represented Portsmouth,
an old and very intelligent member, obserA'ed to me,
that no Government could maintain for any length
of time this unequal contest. It must fall, either
from complaints and recriminations among its sup
porters, or from the pressure of public opinion.
Members now rushed into the country for the
elections, so that it Avas often difficult to collect a
sufficient number to make a House, and on the 24th
of July Parliament Avas dissolved.
Lord Al- The dissolution brought Lord Althorp before his
turMci constituents only to receive additional proofs of their
opposition, confidence by his return Avithout opposition. He
then gave himself up to rural duties, and rural

MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 249

pleasures. Amongst the former Avas his steady at- isao.
tendance at the summer Northamptonshire Sessions, __ 
to the chah of which he had been elected by an
unanimous vote, as successor to his father — and it was
in his eyes a most gratifying distinction. He made interest ia
an admirable chairman — not only in presiding over busines...
the Criminal Court, for which he took great pains
to quahfy himself, but in conducting the County
business. His papers prove the attention he gave
to the affairs of the Northampton Infirmary, and
other local charitable institutions ; and the example
he set in this respect had a most Avholesome influence
on his brother magistrates, to the great advantage
both of the poor and of the finances of the county.
With such occasional interruptions, he passed the
Recess at Wiseton, which of late had become addi
tionally attractive to him from the success of his
stock farm. Having given up hunting after Lady
Althorp's death, his interest in horses and dogs had
been transferred to cattle. He collected the finest
specimens he could find, of various breeds, Avithout
regard to expense, and, by repeated and careful ex
periments in breeding and feeding, his herd was now
pronounced one of the very finest in England :
strangers came from distant counties to see it, and
*the animals fetched very high prices. His experi
ments were often of a scientific character, and it
Avas a great pleasure to him when these gave scope
for any algebraic calculations, his taste for figures
entering into all his pursuits ; but he was thoroughly
practical : he could at a glance tell the good points

250 MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. of an animal Avith the skill of an experienced grazier.
'^' ^^' It gave him no offence to be told that he would have

made a fortune if this had been his trade. He- had
collected much information from practical men, and
Avarmly encouraged all associations that brought
them into contact with the aristocracy. Thus he
had some years before become a member of the
Smithfield Club, an association founded in 1788, by
Francis, Duke of Bedford, Lord Somerville, Mr.
Bennett (of Wilts), Sir Joseph Banks, and Mr,
Arthur Young, for the improvement of live stock ;
and when, in 1825, it appeared almost bankrupt and
on the point of dissolution from the retirement of its
most poAverful members, he not only consented (after
others had refused) to become the President, but
administered its concerns so ably, that in five years
he had brought it out of all its difficulties, and given
it a national importance. A splendid candelabrum,,
costing 200 guineas, Avas presented to him, as the
minutes of the club record, in testimony " of his
valuable services in raising the Association to its
j)resent eminence." These, and other acts in the same
spirit, procured for him the appellation, so often un-
Avorthily assumed, of the " Farmer's Friend,"
Increasing To rcvcrt to poUtics. It is au old saying that any
tiiroughout Ministry can govern the country during the Recess/
forRefora^ but this was uot truo of the Duke of Wellington's
Ministry. Between the dissolution of one Parha
ment, and the meeting of another, the authority of
the GoA^ernment seemed almost to have passed
aAvay. An angry feeling pervaded the lower classes.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 251
showing itself, in the rural districts, by incendiary isso.
fires, Avhich the peasantry either caused, or refused j^^s.
to extinguish, and in the large toAvns, by societies
threatening still more extensive destruction. The
Birmingham Political Union, the prolific parent of
these societies, had originated in a league among
some of the leading people of that toAvn to obtain a
repeal of Mr. Peel's Currency Bill, and their first
public meeting in January (1830), AA'as professedly
Avith this object. The principal parties in the move
ment happened to be Tories. Their organization of
local committees, under the control of a central body,
was admirably executed, and they saw it with great
concern soon diverted to mere political purposes by
the excitement resulting from the French and Bel
gian Revolutions. Parliamentary Reform then be
came the watchword of an immense body of men,
increasing in number, and therefore in poAver, Avith
fearful rapidity ; whose pretensions to a share in the
administration of public affairs were incompatible
with the existing state of society. From one end of
the country to the other, a vague expectation of
approaching evils inspired general alarm.'''
-^ An inteUigent lady, the daughter of a French -writer of note,
who bad figured in the Eevolution, was present at one of the meet
ings of the Birmingham Union; she observed to my friend, Mr,
Joseph Parkes : " I have this day been reminded of the first French
Eevolution. Your countiy is on the eve of great political changes.
I noticed almost tbe entire company to be men under forty years of
age. So it was in Paris. You are a young man. Take your part.
PUots -wiU soon be wanted." No person could have been so well
quahfied to give a history of the PoUtical Unions as Mr. Parkes, and
it would bave been a valuable contribution to the literature of the
country, — Authoe.

:252 MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. The election returns added to the difficulties of the
^^" ^^" country and the Government. Ministers suffered
the penalty of their want of candour, if not of
honesty, on the Catholic question, by the distrust or
opposition of many of their former supporters. Lord
Eldon allowed his tenants to vote for Lord Howick
in Northumberland. A cry for Parliamentary Re
form Avas raised even among the Tory constituencies,
and the triumphant return of Mr. Brougham for
Yorkshire, and Mr. Hume for Middlesex, proved
that in the very centres of national wealth and intelli
gence the boldest views of politics were entertained.
Not that the Whigs had proportlonably gained;
many new men were elected, unpledged to either
party, and the future was dark and uncertain.
As the meeting of Parliament drcAV near, some
correspondence took place between Lord Althorp
and his friends as to the course they should pursue
on the opening of the Session. He Avrote the fol
lowing letter to Mr. Brougham whilst the result of
the elections was stUl imperfectly known : —
" October oth, 1830.
" I shall be in town on the 26th (October), Avhere I
conclude I shall find you ; Ave can then discuss the course
Avhicli ought to be taken. I am inclined to ground our
opposition to the Government mamly, if iiot entirely, on
their total inefficiency. I think the greatest danger whicii
Ave rmi, and the thing most to be avoided, is the giving
people an opportunity of saying that we Avere very mode
rate and mealy-mouthed as loug as tliere was a chance of
the Duke of "Wellington taking us in, — but that now we

MEMOER OF EAEL SPENCEE.

253-

despair of tbis we are become violent. We who know the isso.
accusation not to be true Avill not be beheved, and it is of ^^- ^s.
importance, therefore, if possible, so to conduct our mode
of procedure as not to give a coloiu' to it. I think, with
this view, we ought to be cautious how we urge au3'thing
against the Mmisters which might have been equally well
brought forward last Session. I should also be for giving
them more credit for the quickness Avith wliich they ac
ceded to the Abashes of the people in acknowledging Louis
Philippe. I think they deserve credit also, it being better
to do a thing late than never, for having at last removed
Lord O'Neill from the office of Postmaster- General. With
respect to the Eegency question, I conclude the Dulte
Avill propose the Queen as Regent, either Avith or Avith
out a Council. I should prefer the Duchess of Kent,
but they are both very well litted for the office, and,
provided they are not either of them to be saddled Avith
a Council, I should not be inclined to run into the trap
whieh in this case Avill be set, and to give him the
popularity Avith the Queen which his fighting the battle
of the Queen against the Duchess of Kent would un
doubtedly give him. These are my present views, but I
shall be glad to talk them over Avith you, and to hear what
you think about them, being by no means wedded to my
OAvn opmion."*
The Session opened on the 2nd of November. It Declaration
. . . oiiha
had been previously determined by the Whisf leaders Duke of
. p ,. T-, . Wellington
to raise the question of Parliamentary Reform in against Ee-
each House on the first night's debate. Lord Grey
did so with great judgment and the most important
results ; for he drew forth the Duke of Wellington's
celebrated declaration, that he would oppose any
change in the present system of Parliamentary re
presentation. In the House of Commons, Lord
* Eoebuck's Hist. v. i. p. 468.

'254 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1830. Althorp held the same language as Lord Grey, but
^''- ^^- with comparatively small effect, for Mr. Brougham
had anticipated it earlier in the evening by a speech
giving notice of bringing in a Reform Bill on that
day fortnight — an announcement which took the
party by surprise, and was coldly received. Very
different was the feeling shown Avhen Lord Althorp
pronounced the Whig declaration of war against the
Ministers,
•Lord Al- " I feel," said he, " that the country is in a most serious
,s^°^c'h^ situation, requiring great skill on the part of those to whom
its prosperity is entrusted; and because I do feel that
great skill is necessary to guide us in our present serious
situation, I also feel myself bound to say tbat His Majesty's
present Ministers are not, in my mind, fit and equal to it,
I say, individually, that I have not confidence in them ;
stUI, if the measures which they shall bring forward be
such as I can conscientiously approve of, they shall have
my best support without regard to the quarter originating
them. I make this declaration for myself, and I beheve
I may add on the part of those who usually act with me ;
but, feeling as I do towards the present Ministers, I wUl
add that I should feel strongly disposed to support any
measure the tendency of Avhich would be to dispossess them
from their places."
The shouts of applause that followed the delivery
of these significant words were, however, of no long
continuance ; and a debate of an ordinary character
gave abundant signs of the unwillingness of the
majority of the Opposition to identify themselves
with the movement party out of doors. The inde
pendent members, who were believed to represent

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 255
ihe opinions of large constituencies (except Mi-. 1830.
Brougham and Mr. Hume), sat provokingly silent. ^'^- ^^'
It was said, I recollect, that Mr. Brougham's inter
position with his notice had disgusted them ; as if
men in earnest would not have made allowance for
the impetuosity of a kindred spirit. Altogether the
impression made on Lord Althorp by the night's
proceedings was one of deep disappointment.
Whilst the course of events in the House Avas in
this state of uncertainty, the Ministers committed
the fatal mistake of postponing the .King's visit to
the City. In this instance the Duke had been mis
led by Sir Robert Peel, who gave a too ready belief
to information from very doubtful authority,'" Sir
Robert Peel, indeed, believed the country ripe for
revolution. He told his tutor. Bishop Lloyd, some
months before, that he believed the Monarchy could
oiUy last five or six years longer.t Almost every
day he found at the Home-Office letters either
threatening his life, or putting him on his guard
against some dreadful conspiracy ; and I Avas assured
when, in 1847, I was Under-Secretary of that De
partment, that at last he had hardly resolution
to open any letters of which the address Avas at all
suspiqjous. His nature made him liable to panic,
though he had abundance of personal courage.
¦* A City Eadical was his informant, whose name was told to mo
at the time by Lord Granville Somerset, who was then in the Trea
sury . —Authoe.
-j- This was related to me at the time by the late Mr. John MUler
of Lincoln's Inn (the able author of a work on the Statute Law), who
beard it from the Bishop himself.^AuTHOB.

256 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. Lord Althorp mentioned to me, as one proof of
-^^- ^^- the effect of the Duke's declaration against Reform,.
that a few days before the opening of Parliament,
not more than twenty members came to the meeting
at his rooms in the Albany, whilst more than twO'
hundred attended the following week. The rooms,
he^said, were crowded almost to suffocation.
The agitation spread rapidly, and the accounts-
from the large toAvas and some of the rural districts,
of the progress of an insurrectionary spirit beyond
the power of tke Government to quell, cast a general
gloom over London society. It became a common
topic of conversation, and gradually drew together
men of different politics, Avho in a common danger
were disposed to sink minor differences in forming
an administration competent to the charge of the
Debate on couutry. The Opportunity offered sooner than had
List. been expected, during the discussion of the Civil List
tlie Minis- on the 1 5th of November, when Sir Henry ParneU
was put forward by Lord Althorp to move an
amendment referring the list to a select Committee,
and with the assistance of the High Tories, obtained
a majority of 29 — the numbers being 233 to 204.
The Whigs would have been wiser to have treated a
vote, necessarily so distasteful to the King, as ^being
less on the merits of the question, than of want
of confidence in the Ministers, Avhich was the justifi
cation pleaded by the High Tories for taking a^
course at variance with their general principles, and
this appears to have been the dominant feeling
of the House ; for, although the measure of the

try.

MEIilOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 257
Government Avas cast in a liberal spirit, and mio-ht is3().
have been expected to escape any violent o^Dposition, ^'^- ^^•
a veiy large proportion of the independent members
voted against it.'"
As Lord Althorp Avalked home Avith Lord Tavi
stock after the division, the latter expressed a strong
conviction that the next day Avould see him in office
and leader of the House of Commons. Scarcely
any idea could haA^e been more unwelcome to him,
nor Avas he ready to believe that whilst so many
were eager for the possession of poAver, it would
be pressed on one Avhose earnest desire was to avoid
it. Indeed, apart from other considerations, to re
side nearly the Avhole year in London, subject to the
many restraints of office, Avas a sacrifice Avhich he
* The result of the division took both the Ministry and the Opposi
tion by surprise. There was a large party at Apsley House that night,
and Lord Worcester, who was one of the guests, left the table rather
abruptly that he might be in time for the di-vision. On his way to the
House, he overheard some one saying the division had already taken
place, and there was a majority of twenty-nine, which he presumed
to be in favour of the ministers. He returned at once -with the in
teUigence, which created no surpi-ise. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Holmes
arrived, with the true version, which he comm-unicated to the Duke
privately, and nothing was at first mentioned to the guests, so that a
lady present went away believing the accuracy of Lord Worcester's
report, and on reaching the Princess Lieven's, she soundly rated somo
inoflfensive WThig member for presuming to say that the majority
was against the m-inistry instead of for them. Not that the Duke was
-unaware of the weakness of his Govemment, or felt easy at the pros
pect of a Eeform Debate on Mr. Brougham's Notice for the 16th, but
be must have known the Notice to have been given without the pre
vious concurrence of the party, so that the arrangements for prose
cuting it were stUl incomplete. He resigned, I suspect, from the
conviction that, as the Tories had in large numbers voted against
him on such a question as tho Civil List, he could no longer calculate
on their support. The vote was an unmistakable notice to quit. —
Author.

258 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

^T. 48.

1830. thought could not reasonably be expected from him.
Lord Tavistock, however, urged that in accepting
the leadership of the Ojiposition he had contracted
obligations both to his party and his country, of
Avhich he could not diA^est himself without a positive
breach of duty, and that to quit his post at the very
moment when his services might be most valuable,
Avas out of the question. The discussion lasted to a
late hour, as the two friends Avalked up and down
the streets in a cold November night, unable to
satisfy each other, and yet unwilling to separate ;
though Lord Althorp so far felt the weight of Lord
Tavistock's'"' argtiments, as to go to rest Avith very
gloomy forebodings.

* No friend stood higher in Lord Althorp's estimation than Lord
Tavistock. They had played together in childhood, and when they
grew up they lived together as ^brothers. With many of the samo
tastes and pursuits, they also entertained the same views of poUtics,
Lord Tavistock told me that he made Lord Althorp a convert to Par
liamentary Eeform ; but theu* mutual confidence was such as to make
it very difiicult to say who most influenced the other. Lord Ta-vis-
tock, however, was one of the oldest Eeformers among the Whigs,
with whom he bad, at one time, the character of going too fast, for he
had connected himself with Mi. Whitbread, when the latter broke
loose from party ties, and he was often found supporting SU Francis
Burdett. Not that Lord Ta-vistock acted from any hot impulses, for
he was of a thoughtful turn of mind, and remarkable for the soundness
and coolness of his judgment. This made him. a valuable counseUor,
and there could not be a more honest or disinterested one. He entered
much into society, and had friends among men of difi'erent poUtics,
and so thoroughly did they trust him that, notwithstanding his ultra
Whiggism, be had been consulted, at critical periods, both by the Duke
of Wellington and Earl Derby. The late lamented Prince Consort
was on the most confidential terms with him. He invariably decUned
office, although Whigs and Tories united in pressing upon him the Lord
Lieutenancy of Ireland, at the death of Lord Bessborough, He had
a noble estate, which he managed very ably. It had descended to
him frightfully encumbered, with most of the farm-houses dilapidated,

to form a
<i,3vcrn- lacnt.

MEMOIE OF EAEL «rE\UEli. 259
These Avere soon realized, for early the next morn- i,s;3().
ing the Duke resigned, and Earl Grey having under- j^^- ¦^^¦
taken to form a Government, agreed Avith Lord Loni Grey
Lansdowne and Lord Holland, Avhom he had called
into council, that nothing could be done A\ithoiit
Lord Althorp. He Avas, therefore, immediately
summoned, and had a long inter\ieAv Avith Lord
Grey alone, the particulars of Avhicli might furnish
.a Avholesome lesson to young aspirants for office.
Lord Grey was deeply dejected. He had gained the
great object of his life, hut the prize had been too
long deferred, and at his advanced age, and Avith his
disgust at the altered condition of the Whig party
since their league Avith Mr. Canning, he found strong
reasons against quitting his retirement at HoAvick,
which of late years he had come thoroughly to
enjoy. He said that he should much prefer Lord
Althorp being at the head of the Ministry, but the
latter replied that on no consideration would he ever
accept the place of Prime Minister, for Avhich he
felf his utter incapacity. It Avas Avith the greatest
reluctance that he would entertain the idea of office at

and an impoverished peasantry. At first he thought of shutting up
"Woburn and Uving in retirement ; but, on reflection, he met his diffi
culties boldly, and overcame them. His name will long be mentioned
with veneration and gratitude in Bedfordshire and Devon, as a just
and Uberal landlord ; and not only farmhouses, but whole viUages,
all erected by him, attest his wise administration of rural affairs, and
especially bis attention to the comforts of the i^oorer classes. No
landed proprietor of his day buUt so many cottages ; or had taken
greater pains for their improved construction. He married, soon after
he came of age, the beautiful Lady Anna Maria Stanhope, a daughter
of Lord Harrington, whose death cast a gloom over his latter years.
He died in 1861.— Author.

260

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1830.
Mt. 43.
Lord AI-
thorij Chancellor
of the E.^-
cheqiier
aud Leader of
the House
of Com
mons.

all ; but when Lord Grey positively assured him
that unless he became Chancellor of the Exchequer"
and leader of the House of Commons, it would be
useless to attempt a Whig Government, and the
negotiation must be at once abandoned, he could not
resist such an appeal, coming as it did from this
noble old man, Avhom he had so long knoAvn and
admired. He yielded, however, only Avith the dis
tinct understanidng that, in the event of Lord Grey's
retirement, he should not be asked to succeed him.
That Lord Grey was perfectly sincere in his repre
sentations to Lord Althorp, is proved by the fact
that four years afterwards he broke up his Govern
ment on finding that Lord Althorji declined to re
main in it, although he was then on a most satisfac
tory footing Avith the Canningites; whereas in 1830
he not only distrusted and disliked them, but
regarded them as aiming at an undue ascendency in
the Government. Lord Palmerston the same after
noon actually proposed himself to Lord Grey for
the leadership ; but on the mere intimation that fhe
post was reserved for Lord Althorp, he expressed
himself perfectly satisfied. In the exhausted state
of the party, no other Whig could be named for
Avhom Lord Palmerston could have been expected
to waive his pretensions.'"'
Lord Grey told Lord Althorp that the Govern-
-* Lord Palmerston told this on the same day to Lord Hatherton, by
whom it was related to me. Lord Melbourne afterwards told me that
without the Canningites it would have been impossible for the Whigs
to form a Govemment ; and the value of such an accession of strength,
without any sacrifice of principle on either side, ought to be borne in
mind. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 2G1
ment, to be strong, must be a comprehensive one, 1*^30.
or, in other words, a coalition, with Parliamentary ''^' ^^"
Reform as its basis. On this principle he invited Ministerial
appoint-
the Duke of Richmond and Sir Edward KnatchbuU, ments.
tAvo of the most eminent among the High Tories,
into his Cabinet ; their approval of Parliamentary
Reform, and their recent intercourse with the Whigs
in opposition, being considered sufficient to justify
their entering the Government without any derelic
tion of honour. A far more questionable proceed
ing Avas his attempt to retain the Tory Lord
¦Chancellor. To what extent his negotiation Avent
with Lord Lyndhurst is not authentically known,
but the Great Seal remained several days in abey
ance, during Avhich interval the offer of the Attorney-
Generalship Avas made to Mr. Brougham, Avho
indignantly rejected it, not choosing to hold any
subordinate place in the Government. Lord Grey
then thought of making him Master of the Rolls,
and asked Lord Althorp's opinion on the subject,
when Lord Althorp simply answered : " If
Brougham is left in Parliament A^^.th an irremovable
office, the Ministry Avill not last three months, and
I certainly A\dU not belong to it." This seems to
have been conclusive, for an immediate offer of the
Great Seal Avas made to Mr. Brougham ; and in the
choice between him and Lord Lyndhurst for the
office of Lord Chancellor, in a Whig Government,
it is extraordinary that there should have been any
hesitation."'' * Like Burke, Mr. Brougham was not justly appreciated by his

262 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. The Irish appointments Avere, by a great mistake,,
^''- ^^- left entirely to Lord Anglesey, as the Lord Lieu
tenant, and being, as I was told by those who knew
him best, then very little of a politician, he consulted
only his personal likings and dislikings, which caused
his preference to be given exclusively to the Tories-
of the Peel school, able and enlightened men cer-

party. There is much truth in Mr. Eoebuck's remarks on this sub
ject (History, v. i., p. 460). Defects of temper and manner, if not of
judgment (very provoking no doubt), might be fairly urged against
him, which sometimes turned to the advantage of the Tories ; but on
the great questions which constituted the strength of the party, such
as Law Eeform, Negro Emancipation, and general Education, he
really had no competitors on either side of the House. Hence, -with
the public, who knew him best by his advocacy of these measures and).
bis eloquence in Parliament and at the bar, he enjoyed a degree of
popularity which in poUtical circles was scarcely understood. This he
maintained by an immense correspondence with persons of all classes'
who were in pursuit of the same objects. The letters he received
daily, at the time of his accepting the Great Seal, averaged about two
hundred; and, notwithstanding the pressure of his manifold engage
ments, he seldom failed to give a full answer to every one. He once
observed, when in opposition, that he had lived to see power no longer-
united with place ; and it was feared by many of his friends that he
would himself be an instance of the truth of the observation. Mr.
John AUen, amongst others, strongly recommended him to refuse the
Great Seal, and his venerable mother, one of the most excellent
women I have ever known, was of the same opinion. She said to
bim (he -wrote to Lord Althoi-p), "You have no rank, no fortune, no
family influence ; you are feared for your weight in the House of
Commons and in the country, and you are secure as long as you re
main there. But those of whom you think yourself sure as followers-
now, will soon show a different face when you are a Lord." "She-
was of all women," Lord Brougham observed, " the most gentle and
most charitable, and never suspicious or thinking ill of any one ; but
her extreme affection for me inspired her witb fears and with a pro
phetic knowledge ! Her prediction was verified from Nov. 1834 to-
April 1835." Mr. Allen told me tbat Lord Brougham, in this
instance, acted on tbe advice of his friend Lord Denman. It must be
admitted, however, that Lord Brougham proved often not less trying-
to his political associates than Mr. Brougham had been. — Authoe.

ALEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 263
tainly, but naturally odious to the Catholic ]>arty, 1S30.
Avith Avhoni they had been, except for the last year, -^ff^
ahvays at A-ariance. It Avas not even a question
a,moiig the Whig leaders to giA'c office to Mr.
O'Connell or liis friends, so imperfectly had the
Emancipation Act been practically acted upon.
Perhaps, Avith the strong anti-Catholic feeling
throughout England, this Avould haA'e been im
possible ; but he ought at least to have been con
sulted, and the slight thus cast on him extinguished
in a single hour his gratitude for all that the Whigs
had done and suffered for his countrymen.
The minor offices Avere, for the most part, filled
up by Lord Grey, Avith an occasional reference to
his colleagues — the persons he most consulted Avere
Lord Lansdowne and Lord HoUand, both too good-
natured to form impartial estimates of the qualifica
tions of the various candidates. The only instance
in which Lord Althorp actually interfered on these
occasions, was to press the nomination of Mr.
Poulett Thomson'"' to the Board of Trade ; an
* The Tories were much wiser when, some years after, they made
Mr. Alexander Baring the President, with a Peerage, as the Whigs
ought to have done, Mr. Baring being then in the very highest repute
as a merchant, a good speaker, and a warm friend of the party. The
distrust he occasionally showed of Free Trade would soon have yielded
to the influences which of late years have imperceptibly brought all
holders of office in that Board to support Free Trade. In point of
talent, as well as information, he was immeasurably superior to Lord
Auckland. The latter, however, had good sense, honesty, and assiduity,
and was highly esteemed, but the real business of 'the department he
judiciously left to Mr. Poulett Thomson. His appointment was, at the
time, severely criticised. Subsequently, Mr. P. Thomson (according
to bis own account to me) threatened to resign, if not placed at the head
of the Board, and this helped Lord Auckland to the Admiralty, where

261 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. appointment Avhich, owing to Lord Grey's slight
^'^- ^^' knowledge of Mr. Poulett Thomson, might other
wise not have taken place, and it was of more
importance, as Lord Auckland, Avhom the friendship
of Lord Lansdowne had made President, knew
nothing of trade. Lord Althorp also departed from
his usual reserve to express his warm approval of
the nomination of Mr. Francis Baring to a seat at
the Treasury, which had been recommended by Lord
Lansdowne. It was not merely to please Lord
Spencer, or Lord Althorp, but from a just sense of
professional merit, that Sir Robert Spencer was
placed at the Ordnance as Surveyor General.
Several of the nominations Avere condemned as of
too aristocratic a character, and the Whigs were
charged with repeating the fault often ascribed to
them before, of distributing their patronage exclu
sively among a few great families. This complaint
was raised even to the construction of the Cabinet.
Lord Althorp's appointment alone seemed to give
universal satisfaction. His qualifications as a
Finance Minister were regarded as not inferior to
those of his immediate predecessors, whilst the
authority he had acquired over his party in opposi
tion gave an earnest of his success as a Leader of
the House. One person, however, entertained a very
different ^opinion, and this was Lord Althorp him
self He felt, not without reason, that .to enter on
his administration gained him considerable credit. He had a diffi
culty in speaking in public, which made him almost useless in the
Lords, but in society ho could be very agreeable. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 265
the duties of such a post as Chancellor of the Ex- i,s;5o.
¦chequer in middle life and without official training, _ '^ '^ ^'''¦
Avas a most hazardous experiment, and required
abUities far beyond the estimate he formed of his
•OAvn. Painfully conscious of his Avant of eloquence,
he had also to contend Avith an almost invincible
shjnaess, which he said Avould be equally to his dis
advantage as a Ministerial leader ; besides, he had
TLO ambition, and no pleasure even in the excitement
-of office ; and yet he was destined to obtain an
almost unparalleled influence in the House, and to be
¦one of the chief instruments of Providence in carry
ing the country safely through what may truly be
called a social Revolution.
Lord Althorp was again returned for North- lordAi-
, T . . ^ . . T ¦ ¦ -11- tliorp re-
amptonshire without opposition, and it is recorded m turned for
TT n"i ^ • n ¦ ¦ i-i- Northamp-
Hansard'"' that on his first rising to speak m his tonsMre
new character the most profound silence prevailed, opposition.
and after he had given notice of a Select Committee
to consider the reductions that would be made in
the salaries of the members of the Government,
he "sat down amidst vehement and reiterated
cheers, Avhich for a long time resounded through
the House." These were intended more for the
man than for the measure he announced. Such
marks of respect and favour, be it observed, are not
mentioned by Hansard as having been shown to
any of Lord Althorp's predecessors on any simUar
occasion. Whilst these congratulatory shouts were stUl Death of
Sir Eoherfc
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., Thkd Ser., v. i. p. 797. Spencer.

266 MEAIOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. almost ringing in his ears, he received a communica-
^T. 4S^ .j.-Qj^ from the Admiralty which threw him into deep
affliction. His brother. Sir Robert Spencer, then
captain of the Magicienne, had died of an internal
complaint off Alexandria, on the 4th of November,
after only a foAV hours' illness.'" Sir Robert's
powerful frame and vigorous health had promised a
long life, and his death at the very time that Lord
Althorp Avas looking forward to having him by his
side as a companion and counsellor, was a misfortune
that admitted of no human consolation. It pressed
on him the more heavily from the fact, that his
younger brother, the Rev. George Spencer, had a
short time before become a Roman Catholic, and
they Avere naturally much estranged from each other
in consequence, so that Lord Althorp felt as if he
had lost two brothers. I recollect his telling me
Avith great emotion, that George had passed through
London Avithout making any attempt to see him. t

Since the preceding sheet was printed I have,
through the kindness of the present Earl Grey,
seen a statement, under Lord Althorp's OAvn hand,
of the conditions on which the party that met at his
-* Sir, Eobert Spencer bad been for some time subject to inflamma
tory attacks. It appears, from the surgeon's report, now before me,
that he was taken ill at seven o'clock, on the evening of the 3rd,
and, notwithstanding every effort that could be made to save him, h©
sank on the foUowing morning at half-past nine. — Authoe.
t I have pleasure in adding, that in time the coldness which existed
between Lord Spencer and his brother gradually yielded to their
natural feelings of affection, and that Father Ignatius, in retiring
from the world, did not cease to maintain a deep interest in his famUy.
— Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 267
rooms agreed to act together in Parliament. It is is3o.
in a letter from Lord Althorp to Earl Grey, and ^''- *^-
would alone be strong CAudence of the patriotic
feeling of them both.
" My dear Loed,
" I think it right to tell j'ou that a certain
number of members of the House of Commons, much the
largest part of Avhom Avere members of the old Opposition,
have agreed to act together for the purpose of enforcing
retrenchment and a reduction of taxes upon the Ministers,
but without intending thereby to act in hostility to them,
with a view to their removal from office ; and thej' have
decided to put me forward as their organ. The number at
present amounts just to 40. The principle of our junction
is that it is to extend only to measures of retrenchment
and reduction of taxes. On all other points we are to
continue as much disunited as ever. We have determined
not on any pretence to hold any intercourse Avith the Tory
or Canning party previous to measures bemg brought
forward, but to support anything brought forward by either
of those parties with perfect cordiality, if it comes within
the principle of our union. I am to take occasion to
state this determination on our part as earlj^ as may be,
and before Goulburn brings forward his budget, in the
hope — a vain one I fear — that it may have some influence
on the proposals which he is to make. I dare say Howick
has already given j^ou this information. I could not do so
tiU to-day, because there Avas so much variety of opinion
in our meeting on Wednesdaj^ that I almost expected that
the result of to-day Avould be to dissolve it ; but to-day
there was less difference of opinion, and I now hope that
some good may be effected.
" Believe me, my dear Lord,
" Yours most sincerely,
" ALTHORP.
" ALBAlfT, March Gth, 1830."

t268 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1830. Note. — One of the first acts of Lord Brougham, on his
Mt. 48. appomtment, was to nominate me as Principal Secretary
to the Lord Chancellor. This I oAved to the recommenda
tion of his youngest brother, Mr. 'Wilham Brougham, an
old friend at the University — for I was almost a stranger
to Lord Brougham, having only met him once before in
consultation when I was his junior counsel. I must add
that he then made a most favourable impression on me,
for besides his superior abilities, he was, unlike many of
the leading counsel, always most land and considerate
towards his juniors. Nor was he changed in this respect
by his elevation to office, although he must have been tried
by the homage at first paid to him. On the day he took
his seat on the Woolsack at Westminster, Prince Leopold,
the Dukes of Sussex, Gloucester, and DeA'onshire, and
many noblemen and foreign ambassadors, attended to do
him honour. The gallery and court were crowded with
spectators, and the oldest lawyers admitted that there was
no instance on record of such an assemblage on a similar
occasion. — Author.

CHAPTER XIV.
PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.  THE CIVIL LIST. 
THE BUDGET.— =-STATE OF IRELAND.
The House of Commons had adjourned, on the 1830-31.-
20th of December, tiU the 3rd of February, and ^"- ^^'^"-
thousfh the Tories grumbled at the length of the Lord ai-
* ° ^ thoi-p's
Recess, Lord Althorp found the term short for plan of tie-
. .... settlement.
preparing the financial measures Avith Avhich the ofthe
Session was to be opened. The public, besides
remembering the constant cry of the Whigs, AA'^hen
in opposition, for loAver estimates, had laid great
stress on some expressions in Lord Grey's impres
sive speech on taking office, in which retrenchment
was coupled Avith peace and Parliamentary Reform
as one of the main objects of the new Government,
and Lord Althorp saw with dismay the groAving
popularity of himself and his colleagues from anti
cipated reductions in the public expenditure and
taxation Avhich he had never contemplated, and felt
that no Minister could carry into effect. It Avas
not as if the Whigs had succeeded an improvident
Ministry. Economy, as Lord Althorp repeatedly
acknowledged, was one of the chief merits of the
Duke's administration, and had been carried so far

270 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. as to give some plausibility to a complaint his
Mr^^id^ Grace once made, that the real cause of his down
faU was not Catholic Emancipation, but the sacrifice
of patronage,'"' and the Whigs had come into office
just as the mine from which their predecessors
had drawn such rich materials was completely
Avorked out.
At the opening of Parliament, Lord Althorp
excited general interest by giAdng notice of the
promised Reform Bill for the 1st ofMarch.
On the fourth day of the Session he brought for
Avard his plan of the settlement of the Civil List.
It could not be otherAvise than an unsatisfactory
measure, bearing as it did the stamp of concession,
and it was wrung from Lord Althorp by the neces
sity of propitiating the King at that important
crisis in the pubhc affairs. His Majesty Avas neither
an enlightened nor a strong-minded man ; and he
yielded easily to the importunities of the Court.
He made the maintenance of the pensions a .«nfi
qud non Avith the Ministers, and expressed great
alarm lest the projiosed reform should interfere
Avith his comforts and dignity. A liberal Civil
List Avas the only expedient for allaying his preju
dices and removing his fears. Accordingly, the
Estimates proposed by the Tories were not materi
ally reduced, but provision was made for the future
-* This, indeed, had lost him many mercenary partisans, who, how
ever, never could have supported him against the immense combina
tion of persons throughout the country caUing for organic changes in
the constitution, such as the Tories had always deprecated, and could
not propose without an utter loss of chai'acter. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 271
limiting of the pension list ; and Avhat is far more is3i.
important, the dijilomatic salaries and allowances, '^^- ^'-^^
a, fertile source of corruption,'"' Avere thrown on the
Consolidated Fund, so that it became less difficult
to prevent their afterwards coming under the super
vision of Parliament. Such very moderate amend
ments of the Tory measure, after the language held
by the Whigs in the former debate, fairly called
forth the taunts of the Opposition. Murmurs Avere
heard in the Ministerial ranks, but the only censures
of which the Government could complain were made
by Sir Henry Parnellt and Mr. Robert Gordon,
two disappointed candidates for office, whose motives
were too open to suspicion for their speeches to have
any very injurious eff'ect.
After the debate, hoAvever, the mortification of Dissatisfac
tion of tile
the Whigs showed itself still more strongly both wiigs.
in expostulations AAdth members of the Government
* Many instances might be cited of young members of noble fami
lies being employed on foreign missions merely with a view to obtain
the retiring pension. — Authoe.
t It is due to Lord Giey to state that Sir Henry ParneU was not
overlooked in the formation of the Government : an appointment was
offered to him, but he refused it as beneath his pretensions. These
seemed to many of the party rather extravagant. Though a perspi
cuous and effective writer, be was a tedious speaker, and, except on
questions of finance, could seldom make any impression on the House.
His voice was unfortunately thin and weak : defects not redeemed by
any vivacity of expression, for he had little of the Irishman about
him. His knowledge was not considered practical ; and I recollect
that, after all his elaborate criticism on the Army Estimates, he did
nothing whUst he was Secretary at War besides dra-wing up sketches
of reforms which were too superficial and imperfect to be of any service.
This was told me by his successor. Sir John Hobhouse. Financial
knowledge was his principal recommendation. His integrity, personal
and political, was beyond question, and so was his industry, but he
had not the quaUfications for a leader. — Author.

272 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. and in the public journals, so that the Lord Chan-
^ *f-_ cellor wrote to Lord Althorp, recommending the
pensions to be given up, but without eff'ect. Lord.
Althorp replied that he had made up his mind on
the subject, and Avas perfectly ready to resign ; but.
Avhilst he held office, he would act as he thought-
right. This firmness, Avhich some called obstinacy,
served to show his weight in the House. Francis
Jeff'rey, then a ncAV member, says of him, in a letter-
Avritten during the discussion,'"' " There is some
thing to me quite delightful in his calm, clumsy,
courageous, immutable probity and well-meaning,.
and it seems to have a charm with everybody.""
No one, observes Lord Cockburn, seems to have
struck Jeff'rey Avith so much admiration as Lord
Althorp.
The -A- general impression prevailed among the friends
of the Government that the Budget Avould redeem
the defects of the Civil List, and vague rumours of
most important financial reforms having been pre
pared by Lord Althorp met Avith ready belief
Congratulations Avere off"ered beforehand to Lady
Spencer on her son's approaching success ; and she
accepted them, saying, in her Avay, " Jack was
always skilful in figures, and his Avork is so much
to his taste, that I am sure he Avill do himself
credit." These hopes rested on a very sandy foundation,.
for as the Estimates, owing to the warlike aspect
of the Continent, could not be materially reduced,.
* Cockburn's Memoirs of Jeffrey, v. i. p. 322.

Budget.

MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE. 073
the sum required for the public service Avould neces- 1831.
sarily be in amount the same as before, and the ^^- ^^-
only possible saving or relief that could be afforded
by the Government, was by altering the mode in
which the revenue Avas to be raised, a step Avhich
had been strongly discountenanced by a large
majority of the House only a year before ; and it
remained to be seen whether the scheme then de
feated could be so far revised as to propitiate the
various interests Avhich had been successfully arrayed
against it.
Lord Althorp proposed to loAver or repeal the
heavy duties on tobacco, glass, printed calicoes,
candles, coals, timber. Sec, and to make up the
deficiency in the revenue consequent on these large
reductions chiefly by direct taxation, his object
being to shift the public burdens more on the
wealthier classes, to give Avider scope to commercial
enterprise, and to promote the increased employ
ment of the people. Huskisson had long enter
tained the same idea, but wanted courage or
opportunity to act on it.'" Peel, after an interval
of ten years, was able in more favourable times
to give it eff'ect. Like Peel, Lord Althorp pre
ferred an Income Tax to all other direct taxes, but
* This was the opinion of many of the Free-Traders, and is in some
degree confirmed by Mr. Huskisson's speech on Mr. Poulett Thom
son's motion, in March, 1830. He was at the time in such declining
health, as made him fearful of proceeding with reforms Ukely to be
warmly opposed. He looked feeble and sickly. Indeed his constitu
tion was broken down by years of unintermitting exertions in the
public service. The catastrophe which caused his death probably did
not materiaUy shorten his Ufe. — Authoe.

274 MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. he stood alone in the Cabinet in this opinion, and
/^^if^L ^s ^^^ best alternative, he resorted to a tax on the
transfer of real and funded property, Avith the view
of bringing the funds within the list of contributories
to the public revenue. He had satisfied himself,
from a careful examination of the Loan Acts, that
this would not be a breach of any public engage
ment, and he honestly regarded ^ it as a more
equitable distribution of taxation, for he shared the
opinion generally entertained that the fundholders
not only enjoyed an unfair immunity in this respect,
but that their interests had been highly favoured
in the adjustment of the currency. Many persons
of great consideration openly maintained that the
dividends could not be paid for any length of time
at the existing rate of interest, and such iiiAddious
comparisons were made between fundholders and
other capitalists ¦'^ that the imposition of a Hght
tax, the eff'ect of Avliich would be to place them
all on the same footing, seemed likely, in the
removal of a just ground of cpmplaint, to impart
additional strength to the public credit. Sir James
Graham and Mr. Poulett Thomson, although often
differing on financial questions, agreed that this
would be the case. Even Mr. Horsley Palmer, a
Tory, the deputy-governor of the Bank of England,
and a great authority on such points in the City,
* " The merchant and manufacturer as weU as the landowner are
the producers, the mortgagee and the fundholder the sluggards.
Every tax on the former is a tax on industry and capital accumulated,
every tax on the latter is a tax on indolence and capital hoarded."—
Sir James Graham's " Corn and Currency," p. 106.

MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE. 275
when made acquainted Avith Lord Althorp's inten- 1831.
tion, only observed, " It Avill not be relished, but it '^'^- ^^-
will be borne." The measure rhet Avith the warm
approval of the Cabinet,"* and was looked on as
eminently calculated to restore the Availing popularity
ofthe Government.
On Friday (the llth of February) Lord Althorp
brought his Budget before the House.t To say
nothing of the reduction of tAvo hundred and sixty
offices, — many highly paid and all unnecessary,
which he noticed only as evidence that the nation
would not henceforward be governed by patronage,
— ^it unquestionably contained some most valuable
proAdsions. In the proposed repeal of the duties on
coals, glass, talloAV-candles, and printed cottons, not
only were the industrial classes essentially relieved,
but a large waste of revenue was stopped. The
duty on printed cottons, for instance, drcAv nearly
2,000,000Z. from the public, and yet yielded but
50 0,00 OZ. to the Exchequer. As many as one
hundred and sixty-three petty duties, of Avhich the
return bore no proportion to their mischievous
interference with trade, were likeAvdse repealed.
The high duties on tobacco and on newspapers and
advertisements, which had gone beyond the point
Avhen revenue keeps pace with taxation, Avere re
duced one half, under the belief that the revenue
would eventually be a gainer by the change, which,
* I recoUect Lord Brougham some time afterwards saying, that ho
and Lord Lansdowne had opposed the tax in the Cabinet, but were
overruled. — Authoe.
t Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third Ser., v. ii., p. 403. T 2

276

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1831.
^T. id.

although it might not bear so directly on the Avants
of the people, Avas still materially conducive to their
enjoyments and interests. Although the amount of
taxation reduced Avas estimated at about 4,000,000?.^
yet the sum for which it was necessary to provide,
allowing for the saving in the expense of coUection
and the expected increase from the reduced duties,
did not exceed 3,000,000Z.
Thus far all Avas bright in Lord Althorp's arrange
ments. That in this selection of duties to bc
repealed he had fixed on those most incompatible
Avith the progress of national prosperity, few states
men would noAV venture to dispute. In taking his
next step — the imposition of additional duties — he
had satisfied liimself that the objections attached
to the duties he proposed to- take off could not be
raised against those he proposed to lay on ; anci
it will be seen from the list below'"' that he Avaf->
* Duties Eepeaied.
Tobacco (one-half) . . . £1,400,000

Newspaper Stamps (one-half)

. 190,000

Coals and Slates .

. 830,000

Candles ....

. 420,000

Printed Cottons .

500,000

Glass ....

. 600,000

Auction Duty on Land .

60,000

Miscellaneous .

80,000

£4,080,000

Duties Imposed.

Equalization of Wine Duties .

£240,000

Eegulation of Timber Duties .

600,000

On Eaw Cotton . . . .

500,000

Export of Coals

100,000

Passengers in Steam "Vessels .

100,000

Tax on Transfers . . . .

1,200,000

£2,740,000

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 277
governed by the same sound principles of political issi.
economy in the latter case as in the former. The ^'^- ^^•
only exception is the duty on law cotton, which he
reluctantly adopted as an equivalent for the duty
on printed cottons,'"' and it Avas so successful in its
results as almost to justify the error, for such it
cannot be denied to have been, especiaUy in a
Budget of this character.
Ill the tAvo principal articles of his noAV tariff, the
modification of the wine and timber duties, the
revenue Avould not be clraAvn from the consumer,
but from great protected interests, Avhich Avere pro
fiting at the expense of the community ; and, as
he here followed the example set by Mr. Huskisson,
he counted (rather hastily) on the acquiescence of
the leading members of the late Ministry. It may
be observed of his remaining duties, that the export
duty on coals Avas sanctioned by the recommen
dations of Mr. Burke and Mr. Ricardo, and he
considered the duty on transfers to have the still
higher authority of Mr. Pitt in the precedent sup
plied by the income-tax. Moreover, from his know
ledge of the opinions of country gentlemen in the
House, he had reason to believe that the transfer
duty would be so popular with them as to carry
all the other duties.
His estimate of the revenue for the year amounted
to about 500,000Z. beyond the expenditure. More
* The duty on raw cotton was Uttle felt in the increased prosperity
-of the trade. Sir Eobert Peel did not include it in his Ust of repealed
duties in 1841. It remained tiU the following year.— Author.

278 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. he did not require; for it was another innovation
-^''- ^^- in his plan of finance that any large surplus of
revenue should be applied to reduce taxation, instead
of going, according to the recommendation of finance
committees and the opinion but not the practice of
the preceding Government, in liquidation of the
national debt. The doctrine has more of boldness
than prudence in it, but has since been sanctioned
by great names.
It was a great effort to Lord Althorp to deal
with a plan so complicated and comprehensive,
involving disputed principles, and the necessity of
making long details. His speech was certainly not
an artistic performance. No one who knew him
expected it to be so. Mr. Roebuck (whose work
is a record of every defect that can be imputed to
Whig statesmen) describes it, not altogether untruly,,
as " confused, evincing a want of practice in the
business and routine of office," '"' as well as a poverty
of diction. But with these faults there must have
been some countervailing merits, for I Avas in the
House during nearly the Avhole of the debate, AAuth-
out hearing a word of condemnation of the manner
in which Lord Althorp had acquitted himself It
is admitted even by Mr. Roebuck that he laid down
the just principles of taxation with clearness and
precision, and for every change he seldom faUed
to give an excellent reason. His statement, though
devoid of elegance, AA^as perfectly inteUigible. He
went through his calculations Avithout committing
* Eoebuck's History, v. U., p. 49.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 279
any blunders, and his explanations left no doubt issi.
of Avhat he' intended : a merit which the persons ^'^- ^^¦
most affected by the Budget so often miss in
financial speeches of much higher pretensions. His
main object in the commutation of duties being the
relief of the loAver classes, he plainly asked the
House Avhether this end could have been gained
by any other plan. " Is it possible," he said, " to
take off the taxes which are supposed to press
directly and particularly upon them 1 I maintain
that it is not, because they consume foAV taxable
commodities. The best mode of relieving them
is by giving them employment ; and this only can
be secured by reducing the taxes which most inter
fere with manufacturing industry." He might haA^e
added the happy iUustration, from a Avork by one
of his colleagues : " Cut the cords, the balloon rises
of itself; lighten the taxes which oppress trade and
navigation, they will thrive at once and enrich the
people."'" The House listened Avith complacency to the
enumeration and defence of several of his neAV
duties, in the general eagerness to leam how the
great vacuum still left in the revenue was to be
fiUed up. This Lord Althorp kept back till the
last. When he announced the tax on the transfer
of funded property, the bursts of applause from
both Whig and Tory benches seemed conclusive
as to its reception. He cited the income-tax as the
precedent on which he acted, and his reasomng
* Sir James Graham's " Corn and Currency."

tD

280 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. apparently met with general acquiescence. There
•^^" ^^" was not even a whisper of dissent, and he sat
down amidst loud and long-continued cheers. Sir
James Graham, Avho had Avaited for the close of
his speech, then left the House, considering his
success to be complete. '" t
A pause followed, shorter than usually happens
at the close of the financial statement ; and then,
before any of the country gentlemen could vent
their feelings in favour of the transfer duty, a few
sentences from Mr. Goulburn gave the unexpected
and unwelcome notice of the hostile tactics of the
ex-Ministers. It had been already determined
amongst them to give the Budget no quarter.
Partly from a conviction of its unsoundness, and
partly, it may be not uncharitably presumed, from
a natural wish to inflict a signal disaster on the
Government, they Avere prepared to assail the
measure in all its parts Avith the whole strength
of their staff. Their first and hardest bloAV was
aimed at the transfer duty. They argued — and
* Sir James, happening to meet a friend as he quitted the House,
called out, " Make baste, and hear the cheers of tbe country gentle
men for Althorp's speech." — Author.
-j- I was present and took much interest in the debate on the
Budget, and my recoUection of the manner in which the proposal to
tax tbe transfer of funded property was received, is that it was by no
means favourable. I remember tbat Mr. John Smith (the banker)
rose early in the debate from behind the Treasury Bench aad de
nounced the tax in strong terms as a violation of principle. I also re
member that he was loudly cheered by some steady supporters of the
Government, amongst whom was myself. Strongly disapproving of
tho tax on principle, and feeling certain at that time it could not be
carried, we were anxious to take the first opportunity of warning the
Government they would have to withdraw it. — Loed Belpee.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 281
very ably too — that, by an express provision in 1S31.
all the Loan Acts, funded property Avas exempted ^''^- ^^-
from any tax whatever, and that to Auolate the
condition on which the public creditor had advanced
his money would be both contrary to every principle
¦of justice and fair dealing, and utterly subA^ersive
of the public credit. They denied the income-tax
to be a precedent in point, for it comprised all the
property in the country, and AA^as not levelled at
the Funds alone. They also endeavoured to shoAv
that the tax Avould not be less oppressive than
unjust, from its effect on the conimon loan trans
actions on the Exchange, and that it Avould interfere
not only Avith the value of funded securities, but
of every species of mercantile security in the coun
try. " But the question," said Sir Robert Peel,
" is not one of policy or prudence — it is a question
of morality." "A more flagrant breach of public
faith," added Sir Edward Sugden, " had not been
committed in France during the Revolution." No
part of the Budget Avas alloAved to pass unblamed.
Even the intended remission of duties only provoked
Sir Robert Peel to depreciate the principles of free-
trade ; he went so far as to say that he kncAV, from
experience, that with respect to several articles on
which duties had been reduced, the benefit of the
reduction Avas enjoyed by the dealers, and that the
price of the commodities did not decrease in pro
portion to the remission of the duty. Mr. Goul
burn, in still stronger language, sneered at the
repeal of the duty on printed cottons as affecting

282 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. "only one garment of the poor," and presenting
^^^- ^^- paltry compensation for the duty on raw cotton.
The alteration of the wine and timber duties came
in for still more severe condemnation. Protection
was upheld as indispensable to the maintenance of
the Cape Avine trade and to the supply of Canada
timber, an interruption of Avhich Sir Robert Peel
earnestly deprecated as a serious check to the pro
ductive interests of the country.
These arguments derived additional weight from
an unfortunate blunder of the Ministers. Instead
of rising at once to remove the impression made by
Mr. Goulburn's charges of breach of faith and in
capacity, they actually allowed five speeches, includ
ing Sir Robert Peel's, which exhausted the case
against them, to tear the Budget to pieces, before
they entered on its defence. Mr. Poulett Thomson,
Lord Howick, and others, were ready to speak, but
Lord Althorp repressed them, in the expectation of
aid from below the gangway. None hoAvever came
for the country gentlemen interpreted the silence of
the Ministers into an admission of weakness, and
Avere positively frightened into the belief that the
transfer duty must be given up. They maintained
a cold neutrality, evidently much disappointed at the
turn the debate had taken, and shrinking from any
share in it. Even the Whigs lost heart and hope.
At length, after some hours of fruitless delay. Lord
Althorp rose in reply, and his defence was so clear
and straightforward, that if delivered earlier in the
evening, it might have been eff'ective. He was soon

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

28S

foUowed by Mr. Charles Grant,'"' Avho spoke very i83i.
Avell, but Avithout the earnestness or authority which ^'^- ''^¦
at the moment AA^as so much Avanted. They argried ~
that the Avords of the Loan Acts Avere as strona'
against an income-tax as against a transfer duty, and
they cited the defence of that measure by Mr. Pitt,t
when he confirmed the exemption enjoyed by the
fundholders from taxes expressly levelled at them as
annuitants of the public. No such pretence could,
they observed, be set up in this instance by tho
fundholders, since CA^ery description of property was
subject to a similar duty. " When funded property
received the same protection from the State," said
Lord Althorp, " as any other description of property,
it is no more than just that it should equaUy contri
bute to the defence of the State." There had been
a general acquiescence in the right of the GoA^ern-
ment to impose the income-tax, and no stain had
attached to Mr. Pitt's memory in consequence.
It was too late ; men's minds had been made up,
and no argument could move them. They hardly
Ustened to some of the Whig county members, Avho
late in the evening were prevailed upon to speak for
the Government, and the triumph of the Opposition
was complete.
The next morning there was a perfect uproar .in
the City. The spirit of Protection, then so strong
among the commercial classes, had been thoroughly
* Sir James Graham remained silent, and his backwardness on such
an occasion was very discouraging.— Authoe.
t Hansard's Pari. Hist., v. xxiv. p. 14.

5t. 19.

^84 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. roused,and what was still more alarming, the moneyed
interests, especiaUy the bankers and brokers, took
fright at the transfer duty, and without distinction
of party united to oppose it. Mr. Andrew Thomson,
a decided Liberal, the Governor of the Bank, was
reported to have said of Mr. Poulett Thomson,
" brother or no brother, Ave are enemies in future."
There seemed an amazing unanimity of feeling on
the subject, and strong representations were ad
dressed to the Ministers accordingly. The Cabinet
met, and after long consultation they yielded to the
cry ; not, however, Avithout a strenuous opposition
from Lord Althorp, who maintained that if time
were given for the Budget to be understood through
the country, there would be a reaction in its favour,
¦ — and he may have been right, for notwithstanding
the predictions of the alarmists, the funds did not
fall, and both among the manufacturing and the
agricultural interests it afterAvards proved that the
measure would have had many supporters.'"' At
length Lord Althorp said that if he could not pre-

* This was especiaUy the case in the manufacturing districts, where
the Budget, altered as it was, proved most useful. I copy from an
able contemporary writer the foUo-wing testimony to the value of one
of its jDrovisions : — " The repeal of the duty has been highly beneficial,
having given a stimulus both to production and improvement. To
the consumer it is a great relief, especially to the poor, as a woman
may now buy a useful, respectable printed dress for haU-a-crown,
which before tho repeal would have cost four shiUings; indeed a
printed dress, of good materials and neat pattern, with fast colours,
may now be bought for two shUlings. The tax was virtually one of
70 or 80 Tper cent." — Baines's History of the Cotton Manufacture,
p. 285. — Authoe.
The repeal of tho duty on candles gave less satisfaction than was

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 285^^
pare a Budg-et, he Avas not fit for his place, and it issi.
Avas with very great difficulty that he Avas prevailed ^'^- ^^-
upon to remain in office.
On brinafinsf up the Report on the Bude'et, Lord Abandon-
^ >^ I- ^ if ' meutoftlK?
Althorp announced that the transfer duties Avould transfer
be abandoned. He Avas not unreasonably taunted
by the Opposition for having proposed them. He
was obliged in consequence to give up his remission
of the duties on glass and tobacco ; but he persisted
in pressing his regulation of the Avine and timber
duties. The former he carried, notwithstanding a
violent opposition ; the fate of the latter Avas for
some time doubtful. The colonial and agricultural
interests made a formidable combination against it.
They urged that a rise in the price of Canadian
timber would more than outAveigh the benefit to be
expected from the admission of Norwegian timber,
and Lord Althorp, rather than give up what he kncAV
to be a national benefit, abandoned the Canadian
duty, and limited his measure to a partial reduc
tion of the prohibitory duty on NorAvegian timber.
This concession, however, failed to satisfy the Pro
tectionists, and Sir Robert Peel joined them,
CAddently Avith great reluctance, in defeating the
measure. Mr. Courtenay, the former Vice-Presi
dent of the Board of Trade, was the only Tory Avho,
expected. The dealers in candles naturally protested against it, as an
absolute loss to them, for it appeared that they derived a profit on the
duty— of course to the loss of the pubUc. This led Mr. Alexander
Baring to observe, that Ministers ought to be especially cautious
how they imposed duties, when it became a grievance to take them
off. — Authoe.

286 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. to his great honour, voted with Ministers in the
^^- ^^- minority. I was assured by Mr. Poulett Thomson
that he had ascertained from information in the
department that a similar remission of duty had
been contemplated by the late Government.
These curtailments of the Budget, as they
damaged the credit of the Ministers, proportionately
raised the hopes of the Opposition. The latter now
talked of an early return to power, some of them,
however, regretting that they should be so soon
wanted, as they would prefer being out long enough
to be more seriously missed. Comparisons were
made between Mr. Goulburn's last Budget (of 1830)
and Lord Althorp's, and the great reduction of taxes
made by the former was iuAddiously pointed out ;
but it Avas carefully kept out of view that if Mr.
Goulburn had remained in office, his Budget for
1831 would have presented a painful contrast to that
of 1830, for in none of the public departments were
any traces to be found of intended reduction of
establishments by the late Government, nor Avere
any mentioned in subsequent debates as having been
intended, and it follows that there could have been
no reduction of taxation. The day at length
arrived when Sir Robert Peel and Mr. Goulburn
submitted to Parliament a Budget agreeing closely
in principle Avith the Budget of 1831, and they
had then to answer some of the very objections
A\'hich they noAv pertinaciously urged. Lord Althorp
has the merit of being the first statesman whose
Budget reduced to practice the theory both of Free

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 287
Trade and of the commutation of duties — his error 1S31.
lay in supposing that a measure of Avhich no essen- •^^' ^^"
tial part could escape violent opposition from one
section or other of the House, and must depend on
the support of his political adversaries, Avould be
carried by a Government commanding at best a very
narrow majority. In the hands of Mr. Pitt the
Budget, with some emendations, might have suc
ceeded, and brought credit on its promoters ; but
it was a most rash undertaking for the Whigs, and
they nearly sank under the failure."^'"
Another serious disappointment at this time to state of
the Ministers was the state of Ireland. The sister
country had become one of the difficulties of the
Whigs, as it had been previously of the Tories,
and Mr. O'Connell employed all his skill in agita
tion to rekindle the flames which had apparently
been extinguished by the Emancipation Act. With
the lower classes he had his usual success ; but the
courage of Lord Anglesey and Mr. Stanley, Avhich
Avas greater than his OAvn, soon arrested his pro
gress ; and he received no countenance from the
Catholic gentry. The Ministers indicted him for
having held public meetings in violation of the
Lord- Lieutenant's proclamation ; and after various
ingenious devices he pleaded guilty. The sincerity
of the Ministers in these proceedings was questioned
at the time, but, as Avill appear from the foUoAving
* My account of this Budget is taken principally from my diary,
drawn up at the time, the correctness of which was confirmed to me by
Lord Althorp some years afterwards. — Authoe.

288 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. passages in Lord Althorp's letters to Lord Spencer,.
Mr. 4P. -without the slightest foundation : —
"Jan. 14th, 1831. The state of Ireland is getting as
bad as possible. I am afraid Ave shall be forced to adopt
some very violent measures when Parhament meets. But
O'ConneU must be put down, whatever may be the means
necessary to put him down."
" Jan. 22nd. The conferences about Belgium are very
troublesome ; they work Palmerston hard, but he is show
ing great ability in the negotiation, and I hope the matter
will end advantageously for England. I cannot say that
I am as well satisfied Avith what is doing in Ireland. Not
withstanding the unanimous oj)inion of our law authorities
there, I entertain some doubts ofthe legahty of O'ConneU's
arrest. If it should prove iUegal I suppose we must strike
our colours, which, to me at least, will be a most agreeable
result ; for, although we might fahly throw the blame where .
it is due, yet as our law appointments are already cen-
siued by many, and perhaps approved by none very much,
we shaU be considered responsible for any blunders they
may have made. It Avill be a very favourable point to be
turned out upon : 1st, because in real truth we are not to be
blamed, though legaUy and constitutionaUy we may be ; and,
2nd, because the people of England can hardly be angry
with us for having gone, perhaps, a little too far in resist
ing him. If I am once turned out, they will have some
difficulty in catchuig me again."
law Re- The Lord Chancellor alone escaped the censure
which, deservedly or undeservedly, was cast on his
colleagues. His administration of the Court of
Chancery, and his advocacy of law reforms, not only
realised the expectations founded on his previous

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 289
character, but Avere of essential service to the issi.
Government.'''' ^'^- ^^¦

* Extract from my MS. Diary.— 23rd Feb., 1831.—" The Lord
ChanceUor brought forward his long-promised motion on the Court of
Chancery. Notwithstanding the dryness of the subject and his own
imperfect knowledge of it, he contrived to make a most interesting and
impressive speech, and to lead all who heard him to believe that the
Augean stable, which had bafded the knowledge of Eldon and the
abUities of Lyndhurst, was at last to be cleansed, and the pubUc were
to be blessed with good law, cheaply and expeditiously administered.
None of the peers cheered the ChanceUor more cordiaUy than the Duke
of WelUngton, who had come from Deal purposely to hear the speech,
and who had told my friend. General Alava, that he had done aU he
could to prevail on Lyndhurst to undertake Chancery Eeform, but
Lyndhurst had not the energy for it. His Grace added : "I think it
¦wiU be done now, or never, for what Brougham takes in hand wiU be
carried through." There were no more than eight Opposition peers
besides the Duke, and perhaps twice the number of Ministerial, present
during the debate. The throne and the space behiud the bar were
crowded, and great admiration was expressed by the audience. I was
amused by the remark of a county member, who said : " This is pro
digiously fine indeed. Why Brougham puts one in mind of Demos
thenes, or some of those feUows one reads of at school." The speech
was not less successful out of the House. Nothing else was talked
of on 'Change the next day. Even amongst the lower classes it spread
a wonderful notion of tbe Chancellor's merit. General L'Estrange,
who was at tbis time returning from the Isle of France, asked his
pilot, off the Lizard, what were the news. " Oh," said the saUor,
" Brougham is doing wonders in the Court of Chancery. He has
decided more causes in the last three months than Eldon did in as
many years. There never was such a man." — Authoe.

CHAPTER XV.
THE FIRST REFORM BILL.  DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.
1831. Lord Althorp now almost despaired of the coun-
^'^- ^^- try deriving any benefit from a Whig Government,
The fii-st and, except as a point of honour, his only induce-
liii!. ment to remain in office was the question of Parlia
mentary Reform. This, he used to say, had been
the great aim and object of his public life. Indeed,
it was one of the few subjects on which he might be
regarded as an enthusiast. Hitherto, however, he
had done little for the cause even in debate,'" partly
because he considered it useless to raise the question
in the House of Commons whilst such utter indiffer
ence prevailed towards it in the country, and partly
because he feared that the partial removal of abuses
raight fritter away the strength of the case against
the existing system, and thus obstruct what he had
most at heart — a large and comprehensive measure,
based on popular principles, and in the true spirit of
progress. He entered, therefore, into Lord Grey's
plans A^dth a zeal and singleness of purpose which
that great statesman was not accustomed to find in
political alliances.
* See note (a) at the end of this chapter, p. 308.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 291
Lord Grey sorely needed such assistance. He i83i.
was preparing to launch his vessel on a boisterous ^''^ *3-
ocean, Avith a crcAV to many of whom the navigation
was both unknown and unwelcome. The Whio-s
already felt how feeble Avas their hold on the nation.
If Reform had brought them into office, it seemed
not likely to keep them there. Their party was
comparatively smaU in number, and they could count
neither on the support of the Radicals nor the for
bearance of the Tories : a false step on the Reform
question would incAdtably be a fatal one. Then the
Administration, though strong in ability, had the
Aveakness that usuaUy attaches to a coalition in deal
ing with measures on which its leading members
had previously been at variance. Some had
adopted Reform from necessity, and others from
choice, and that they should act cordially together
in the accomplishment of their task was not to be
expected. The responsibility thus throAvn on Lord
Grey was immense, and had he been like Lord
Rockingham or Lord Ripon, the Ministry would not
have lasted many Aveeks.
Lord Althorp enjoyed Lord Grey's entire confi
dence, and they AVorked in unison on the Reform
Bill from the beginning. Each had valuable
qualities which the other Avanted. There were
many occasions in the ensuing transactions when
the master-mind and experienced statesmanship of
Lord Grey might have failed, but for the strong
sense, freedom from all prejudice, and imperturbable
good temper of Lord Althorp. The personal
tr 2

292 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. influence of the latter over his colleagues in the
^^- ^^- Cabinet, especiaUy those Avho had no previous
connection Avith Lord Grey, was almost as valuable
as his advice. This was shown very early in the
proceedings of the important committee of four'"'
out of which the Bill virtually originated. The
success of the committee depended on the hearty
co-operation of its members ; but it happened that
one of the most able of them (Sir James Graham)
neither approved the bold views of Lord Durham
and Lord John Russell, nor had any deference for
their opinions. It is very doubtful what course he
would have taken but for Lord Althorp, without
consulting whom he never ventured on any im
portant step in the inquiry ; they were in constant
communication, and the Report signed by Sir James
breathed far more of Lord Althorp's spirit than his
own. It is Avell knownt that he gave his vote for
the Ballot at Lord Althorp's recommendation, not,
I suspect, with the idea that it could be carried in
the Cabinet, but that the less Liberal members of
the Government should acquiesce in a low rate of
* These were. Lord Durham, Sir James Graham, Lords Dun
cannon and John EusseU. The two latter were not in the Cabinet. —
Authoe. •j- No man was more bold in debate than Sir James Graham. He
was by nature both timid and irresolute. A curious but just picture
of his mind is given in Mr. McCullagh Torrens's interesting Life of
him (v. i.,p. 168). He could argue admirably; but to decide when
he incurred- serious responsibiUty drove him to seek the counsel of
some one to whom he looked up ; and in Lord Grey's government the
only person he so regarded was Lord Althorp. Sir James Graham
entertained a great dread of the violence of the working-classes : he
often expressed this to me. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 293
franchise by AA-ay of compromise. Lord Althorp 1831.
correctly observed, that without an irresistible ^"^^ ^^-
amount of popular support no Reform Bill of any
value could pass into a law.
It is mentioned in the Life of Sir James Graham
" that with him the counsel of Lord Althorp went
for more than that of any other man."'"
As any new fact that casts light on the origin
of the Reform Bill is of some historical interest, 1
may mention that Lord Grey did not Avait for the
final Report of the Committee to discuss their
recommendations in the Cabinet, but desired them,
as soon as they had dispatched any of the important
questions under their consideration, to make a
special report on it at once to him. This he
proceeded to consider with Lord Althorp, and out
of it they together framed a corresponding resolution,
embodying their own views, which Lord Grey then
submitted to the Cabinet as part of the ground- work
of the proposed Bill. The discussions that followed
Avould form an interesting chapter of our constitu
tional history, and here I must express my regret at
the premature close of Lord Althorp's autobiography,
for with the information which his honesty and
candour would have warranted as true, aided by the
reflected Ught of a quarter of a -century, we should
have been enabled to estimate more correctly the
views of the authors of the Reform Bill, and to
judge how far the expectations of some and the
* Life of SU James Graham, v. i., p. 339.

294 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. apprehensions of others had been reaUsed by the
. ''^'^- ^^- event. We should also have obtained a clearer
insight into the characters ofthe statesmen by whom
this mighty work Avas accomplished.
Details. Among the points that most engaged the attention
of the Cabinet were, I believe, the disfranchisement
of the nomination boroughs and the amount of the
electoral franchise. On the first, CA'cn the Lord
Chancellor had his doubts. In his OAvn scheme of
Reform, prepared when he Avas in opposition, the
retention of some seats in the condemned boroughs
Avas an essential feature, and he is known to haA'e
said the same subsequently in private. Lord Althorp,
on the other hand, was opposed to any compromise
on the subject. Unlike Mr. Pitt, his conviction of
the pernicious effects of these boroughs had been
strengthened by even his short tenuie of office ; for
I recollect his obseiwing that he had scarcely been
seated at the Treasury before the pressure put upon
him by some of the great borough proprietors, to
make Avhat he considered most improper appoint
ments, became absolutely intolerable. Lord Grey
agreed with him.
The amount of the franchise was, perhaps, the most
debateable point of all, and remained open almost
to the last. For the moment, some of the members
of the Cabinet seemed to have changed sides ; Lord
Melbourne, a very recent and reluctant conA'ert to
Reform, said in his lively Avay, " I am for a low
figure. Unless Ave have a large basis to work upon,-
Ave shall do nothing." Lord Althorp and Lord

MEMOIE' OF EAEL SPENCEE. 295
Durham, on the other hand, would have consented i83i.
to a £15 or £20 franchise, if accompanied by the ^''- ^^-
Ballot — which brought on them the shrev/d remark
of the Lord ChanceUor, that the Bill Avould then
create many more nomination boroughs than it
destroyed. Lord Grey here differed from Lord
Althorp and Lord Durham. He abhorred the
BaUot, and on no terms could he be prevailed upon
to accept it. It Avas believed that he would rather
have abandoned the BUl. Neither did he think
that the country would be satisfied with a small
constituency, hoAvcA^er elected. I was once in his
room, soon after his accession to office, when the
Lord ChanceUor dAvelt on a recent dispatch from
Lord Granville (then Ambassador in Paris), an
nouncing great ministerial successes in the Chamber
of Deputies, as proving the strength of the Orleans
dynasty. Lord Grey immediately replied that he
could feel no such confidence, as long as the number
of electors in France continued so insignificant in
proportion to the population. " What trust," he
observed, "can be placed in majorities in the
Chamber, when the electoral body is under the
direct control of the Go Adornment ? " * a remark of
which the truth Avas afterAvards seen in the dethrone
ment of Louis Philippe by the people in defiance of
a majority in the Chamber.
Great precautions were taken to prevent the
disclosure of the Ministerial plan. The Lord Chan-
* An exactly simUar opinion respecting French poUtics was many
years later expressed in my presence by Mr. Gladstone. — Editoe.

296 MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. ceUor told me that the copies of the BUl were made
^^- ^^- by Lord Durham's eldest daughter, a young lady
hardly out of the school-room.'" It was not till the
last week in February that the BUl was referred
to Mr. Wm. Adam,t an eminent Parliamentary
laAvyer, and Mr. Stephenson, a Chancery barrister,
intimately connected Avith Lord Durham, for cor
rection. By this time the excitement in the country
had greatly increased, as appeared in the extension
of the Political Unions and the violence of their
proceedings ; but among the higher classes this
feeling showed itself so faintly that the Ministers
were suspected of doubting its existence, and fears
Avere entertained that their Bill would not be
strong enough to satisfy the country. Even on the
very day that it Avas to be brought forward, these
apprehensions prevailed at Brooks's, where the
general despondency was alarmingly ominous of an
approaching failure. The secret was so weU kept

* To make copies of the BiU would have been a very heavy task
for a young lady to perform. I think it most likely that the author
referred to the Eeport of the Committee of the Cabinet who prepared
the scheme of the BiU ; during the preparation of which (as I am
informed by members of Lord Grey's family) Lord Durham was
much assisted in the necessary copying by his wife and eldest daughter.
— Editoe.
f Mr. W. Adam, K.C., a younger son of Lord Commissioner Adam,
was a la-wyer of extensive practice on the Western Circmts, and before
Parliamentary Committees. His accomplishments and amiable disposi
tion made him a general favourite. He had long been auditor to the
Duke of Bedford, and was a Scotch cousin of the Lord Chancellor.
His coadjutor, Mr. Stephenson, was auditor of the Duke of Sussex as
well as of Lord Durham, and lived very much among the leading
Whigs. He eventuaUy became a Commissioner of Excise, and died.
in 1858. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 297
that although Lord Lowther, a very adroit intriguer, i83i.
had contrived almost at the last hour to learn some ^^- ^^-
of the leading provisions of the Bill, when he
mentioned them no one believed him.
This memorable debate, unexampled in modern The Bin
times both for its length and importance, began at a forwfrd in
few minutes before five o'clock. There Avas a large of"^Com-^^
concourse of people both in Palace Yard and the limf Jo^ia
approaches to the House, and they respectfully fell ¦^"^^^"¦
hack to make a passage for Lord Althorp, Avho had
walked from Downing Street Avith Lord John
Russell. As far as I could judge (being in the
crowd), the general interest was in Lord Althorp,
Lord John being then so little knoAvn that few
persons noticed him. I followed them into the
House, Avhere they at once took their seats next to
each other in the middle of the Ministerial Bench.
Lord John looked very pale and subdued. He cast
occasional glances at the immense array of the
Opposition in front of him, and then spoke to Lord
Althorp, as if commenting on the disagreeable
contrast it presented to its appearance when the
Whigs sat there. He had indeed abundant reason
to feel that he was about to address an audience
of which a large majority were, either from principle
or prejudice, his decided opponents. Lord Althorp
was calm and thoughtful as usual.
Lord John Russell spoke for rather more than two
hours. His speech, though highly praised by the
country at the time, has been censured by Radical
writers as not equal to the occasion. It appeared

298 MEMOLE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. to me admirably fitted to obtain what he aimed at —
^'^- ^^- the success of his measure. His constitutional
argument, on Avhich he perhaps dwelt too long,
called forth a slight degree of languor and im
patience, and yet it served to increase the effect of
his announcement of Schedule A. This came with
an absolutely electrifying shock. Loud cheers burst
at once from the Ministerial Benches, but these
Avere answered by equally loud shouts of derision
from the Opposition, and this conflict lasted through
the Avhole enumeration of the boroughs in the two
Schedules. It was difficult to say on which side
the A'oices predominated.
It Avas for the peroration of the speech that Lord
John RusseU had reserved his best powers, and a
more noble and convincing plea for Reform had not
been heard for many years within the Avails of the
House. It stamped him as a statesman, an orator,
and a patriot, but it fell on ears deafened by the
effect of the Schedules, and he sat down in a
profound silence.
Debate. If "^vas the Opinion of Lord Brougham that if Sir
Robert Peel had now risen and said that he would
not discuss so revolutionary and so mad a proposal,
and had insisted on immediately dividing the House,
the Bill would have been rejected : and in the general
confusion at the moment this might certainly have
happened ; but then a far more revolutionary Bill
Avould have been the incAdtable result. '^'' But Sir
Robert was in no frame of mind to risk so hazardous
* See noto (i) at the end of this chapter, p. 309.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 299
an experiment. Lord Althorp, Avho AA'atched him i83i.
as he sat opposite, told me that during- the introduc- -''^^- *^-
tory part of Lord John's speech his features ex
pressed only astonishment and contempt, but as the
plan Avas unfolded he looked more and more cast
down, and at last he held his hands before his face as
if unable to control his emotions.""' He foresaAv the
imminent danger of his party. Not so his foUoAvers,
who were clamorous and confident. Sir Henry
Hardinge Avent so far as to say to those around him,
that as soon as the plan had been ventilated, public
indignation Avould driA^e the Ministers from office.
After a fcAV remarks from Sir John Sebright, to
second Lord John's motion. Sir Robert Inglis rose
in reply, and this was a signal for a general rush of
members into the lobby, where they collected in
groups to discuss the Bill. In my attempts to learn
the opinions of the Liberal members, I found none
of mark unreseiwedly in its favour. There seemed
to be a general impression, extending to those Avho
had called for increased energy on the part of the
Ministers, that they had now gone too far. Some
of those most advanced in their vicAvs confessed that
they were quite bewildered, and must have time to
make up their minds. Mr. Hudson Gurney, a very
clever and original thinker, who could not be counted
* " He tumed black in the face," I heard Lord Althorp say, when
he and Lord Sydenham were staying at Althorp. He said also
that Sir E. Peel could undoubtedly have thrown out the BUl had he
risen at once, and made one of his great speeches. The same is more
than once repeated in the GreviUe Memoirs, v. ii., pp. 126-7 ; v. iii.,
p. 23. See also Lord DalUng's Memoir of Sir E. Peel, 88. — Loed
Lyttelton.

300 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. on beforehand by either party, surprised me by
.^^^1 saying, that he had no doubt. " I consider it," he
observed, "an honour to the age for any Adminis
tration to have proposed this Bill, not that there is a
chance of these men carrying it. Only Oliver
CroniAvell could do that. But if the Bill should
pass, I ask where are the men to govern the
country ? "
The interest of the night was certainly transferred
from the House to the lobby, and the latter Avas in
proportion far the most crowded. Neither Sir
Robert Inglis, who consumed a couple of hours in
delivering an elaborate pamphlet against all Reform,
nor Mr. Horace Twiss, who declaimed in the same
spirit against the principles of the Bill, Avere men to
obtain attention in such a crisis. A partial restora
tion of order took place, when Lord Althorp, seeing
the general desire for an adjournment, rose to close
the debate. His speech Avas not of a character to
find a place in history, for independently of his de
fects as a speaker, he had ceded to Lord John all the
opportunity of distinction to be gained that night by
a member of the Government. He spoke only be
cause his position as Leader, and his personal
weight both in the House and the country, made an
early expression of opinion from him on this
momentous question absolutely necessary. He said
Avhat he really felt with his usual plainness, and at
the same time so earnestly, and so resolutely, as to
fix the minds of many timid, honest reformers who
generally sought his pilotage on the political waters.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 301
Much that fell from him was repeated in more elo- 1831.
quent language by some of the speakers later in the ^^- ^^"
debate, with great effect. It Avas at a crisis like this
that his intervention Avas of importance, and some
of the ablest members of the House, such as Mr.
Brougham at one time and Sir Francis Baring
at another, have told me that his decision and the
correctness of his judgment alone fully entitled him
to the authority which he exercised over his followers,
so that he was in fact one of the safest of leaders.
The House adjourned before midnight.
Undecided as the reception of the Ministerial
measure was in appearance, I believe the Ministers
Avere satisfied. They had gained a commanding
position. They had struck the members of the
Opposition Avith terror, and this was pretty sure to
be followed by the support of their own party.
They might fail in the first onset, but they saw
victory before them at a distance. Reform indeed
Avas virtuaUy carried.
It cannot be said that public opinion in London
the next day was decided in favour of the Govern
ment measure. Much doubt prevailed both as to
its merit and its fate. The meeting held at the
Guildhall to support it, which by the way had been
got up owing to a suggestion of the Lord Chan
cellor's,'"^ passed some flaming Resolutions, but it
was very thinly attended, and Alderman Thompson,
Avho came there as member for the City, spoke of
* I went by his desire to the Lord Mayor to press him to call tho
meeting, which he was quite ready to do. — Authoe.

302 MEMOIE OF EAEL • SPENCEE.
1831. it to me as a decided failure.''- In the large towns,
-^^- ^^- on the other hand, all was rapture and admiration of
Enthu- the Ministers, and the resolutions immediately
siasm for , ... .
Reform in passcd to that effect both at public meetings and
the large _ .
towns. by municipal bodies were of great service to the
cause. London quickly sympathised with them, and
was proud to have set them the example.
I must noAV however recollect that I am not
Avriting a history of the Bill, but a life of Lord
Althorp ; and having launched the measure, in a
later stage of which he bore an eminent part, I shall
confine myself more strictly to my subject.
The debate lasted for seven nights, during which
I heard some very fine and some very poor speeches.
The former much predominated, and they displayed
a degree of eloquence and argument which certainly
has not been surpassed in the debates of the Re
formed House of Commons on the same question.
Mr. Macaulay and Sir Robert Peel, each in his
turn, was magnificent ; but when the latter admitted
the necessity of some Reform, I perceived an imme
diate change in the countenance of Sir Charles
WethereU. He became very grave and ceased to
cheer. The ultra Tories followed his examj)le, and in
private their abuse of Sir Robert Avas so unqualified,
that they were expected to withdraw out of mere
spite towards him.
* The Alderman acted under this impression, and so far com
mitted himself against the Bill to the Tories that he eventuaUy lost
his seat. He was moderate in opinions, and personaUy popular. He
aftei-wards became member for W^estmoreland, where he had bought
large estates. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

803

By the seventh and last night of the debate, it i83i.
became CAddent that the Whigs had caught the •'''''"- ^''¦
enthusiasm of the country in favour of the Bill,
while the Tory members Avere determined to throAv
it out, and would be able to do so. The mass of
Petitions for the Bill that Avere presented in the
fortnight's interval between the first and second
Reading, had somewhat dispirited its opponents, and
combined with the exertions of the Whig Avhippers-
in. Lord Duncannon and Mr. EUice, kept several
of them away from the House. At the last
moment it was announced that Mr. Calcraft,'"' who
had made a clever speech against the Bill, had been
prevailed on to vote for it, and this gave the
Ministers their majority of one. t
* Mr. Calcraft had been a staunch "Whig until 1828, when he joined
the Duke of WeUington's Ministry, with the Knight of Blerry, and Lord
Eosslyn, with the consent or acquiescence of their leaders, who then
confidently looked forward to a coaUtion with the Duke on a liberal
basis. When these expectations faUed, it was believed that these
Whig statesmen would at once retum to their friends in Opposition.
Their faUure to do so was (I humbly think) much too severely
punished by the total oblivion of their former ser-vices. Mr. Calcraft
had a very prepossessing person and manner, and was very agreeable
in society. He . had succeeded to a large estate from his father, the
weU-known army agent, who was also the friend and confidant of
•Lord Chatham. The nomination borough of Wareham formed part
of the property. — Authoe.
t During the division, a member frightened the Speaker exceed
ingly by telUng him that he would have to give his casting vote in
favour of the Bill, the numbers being equal ; this created great amuse
ment among the Liberals, as the Speaker was, perhaps, of all the
members the most opposed to it. He had a narrow escape. I am
told by Lord HaUfax (than whom there can be no better authority)
that Mr. Calcraft's determination to vote for the Bill was known by
Mr. ElUce earUer than I have stated, and that it was Sir Andrew
Agnew who, contrary to the general expectation, at the last moment
joined the Eeformers and gave them the victory. Mr. Calcraft's
change of opinion was, for ob-yious reasons, kept a secret. — Authoe.

304 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. This vote, though not unexpected, was the cause
^' of additional excitement and exasperation throughout
reading of ^^0 COUU try. Moderate pohticians on both sides
carriMi.' bccamc alarmed, and it was reported that many of
the Tories having satisfied their honour by voting
against the Bill, would abstain from any factious
opposition in the Committee. Several of the Whigs
were ready to make large concessions in return for
such forbearance. The members however who held
these sentiments only talked. They had neither the
energy nor the influence to act with effect, and their
voices were droA\Tied by the approach of the next
stage of the Bill.
General The Committal of the Bill was then moved by
(xascoigne s *^
amend- Lord Johu RussoU in a very spirited and able
speech. This was met by General Gascoigne's
amendment, that the number of members in Eng
land and Wales should not be diminished. The
debate turned almost entirely on the merits of the
Bill, which were disputed with renewed acrimony
by the Tories, Avho absolutely asserted the Schedules
to be a Ministerial job. Lord Althorp justly treated
the amendment as the first of a series of motions
which it was intended to bring forward against
the Bill, and as such, he said, he should give it
a decided negative ; but he could not be content
without noticing the charges made against the
honour of the Ministers. " Thinking as I do," he
observed, " this measure of such vast importance,
and so highly beneficial to the country that upon
it we might rest our hopes both of present repu-

ment.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 305
tation and of fame Avith posterity, is it to be i83i.
supposed that any priA'ate motives of personal in- j^ir^^s-
terest should make us swerve from the just line of
impartiality ? The Honourable Member has, I
think, said so in the heat of debate. I cannot
conceive that he really intended to impute such
motives to us. If he does, I do not envy him his
mind." This homely rebuke was administered with a sim
phcity and earnestness that carried conviction into
the minds of most of those who heard it, CA-'en
among the Tories, and it was received Avith loud
cheers. The Opposition had a majority of nine. Majority
The only resource now left to the Ministers was opposition.
an early Dissolution. They had no time to lose, for
the King hesitated, and the Opposition were pre
pared to give him a pretext for withholding his con
sent, by obtaining an address from the Lords against
the Dissolution. Only one day intervened before
matters Avere brought to a crisis, as the Opposition,
haAdng fruitlessly, on the night of the 21st of April,
tried to obtain from Lord Althorp an admission of
the approaching Dissolution, determined, in spite of
his earnest request, to adjourn the House at once,
and to make their movement in the Lords the next
day. This involved a delay in passing the Ordnance
Estimates, which were among the Orders of the
Day, and as the Tories believed, necessary to be
passed before the Dissolution could take place.
There could be nothing irregular or unconstitutional

306 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. in such a proceeding, for although the Dissolution
^^- ^^- Avas believed to be imminent, Lord Althorp said his
mouth must be closed on the subject, and the Order
of the Day for the Committee on the Estimates was
not yet before the House, and might not come on.
It was, however, an undeniable proof of the deter
mination of the Tories to stop the Bill at all hazards;
nor were they Avithout hopes of success, for it was
confidently asserted in my hearing among the Tories
in the House that the King had pledged himself to
the Duke of Cumberland not to dissolve, and that
Sir Charles Wetherell had been authorised by the
Duke to say so. The Duke was under the gallery
during the Debate, and in constant communication
Avith members of his party. The adjournment was
carried by a majority of twelve, and as Lord Althorp
afterwards stated, if it did not actually cause, it
justified the Dissolution.
Dissolution The ucxt day, the King came down to the House
ment!'^ "'' of Lords, and prorogued Parliament, Avith a view to
its instant Dissolution. Until the guns were heard
announcing his departure from the Palace, the
Opposition did not abandon all hope, and the
desperate efforts at resistance they made in both
Houses were hardly consistent AAdth the loyal char
acter of their party. In the Lords, the Peers nearly
came to blows, and the fury of the Opposition was
increased by the Chancellor's charge against the
House of Commons of having stopped the supplies.
The remark was, I think, unpremeditated, and pro
voked by the taunts and angry observations on the

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 307
other side. At the moment he Avas scarcely under- issi.
stood, but he was not the less cheered, and his Avords ^¦'- ^^¦
became a favourite cry at the elections. In the
Commons the scene Avas not less violent. An over
sight of Lord Althorp's in not continuing to speak
Avhen he had got possession of the House, gave Sir
Robert Peel an opportunity of being heard, and of
exposing himself, Avhich he A-ery seldom did, for he
completely lost his temper, and only added to the
tumult and disorder of the scene. Amidst the cheers
and groans it Avas difficult to catch his words, but I
was told that he said the time was approaching when
no man of honour could serve the CroAvn.'"' He was
angry enough to say anything, and it was quite as
well for him that the arrival of the Usher of the
Black Rod interrupted his speech by summoning the
House to the Lords to receive the sentence which
¦* I was present during the whole of this scene, which I dis
tinctly remember. After Sir Eichard Vy vyan had been heard at great
length against the Government, Sir Francis .Burdett and Sir Eobert
Peel both rose at the same time, and the Speaker called on Sir Eobert
Peel. This was thought most unfair by our side of the House, as it
deprived them of any hearing whatever. Lord Althorp immediately
rose amidst great clamour, interposing before Sir E. Peel, and as soon
as he succeeded in obtaining a hearing, he said that he beUeved he
was in order in now moving "That Sir F. Burdett be now heard."
The Speaker replied that Lord Althorp was in order, and put the ques
tion, but immediately after called upon Sir E. Peel to speak to it,
allowing him to make a general speech againstthe Government, which
was no doubt a most irregular proceeding. But it is quite certain
that in moving for Sir F. Burdett being heard. Lord Althorp was
never " in possession of the House " in such a manner as would have
justified him after Sir E. Peel had been called on in making a general
speech himself, and there can be no doubt that he would have been
stopped by the Speaker if he had attempted to do so, though it is true
that the Speaker afterwards himself suggested and aUowed a similar
irregularity. — Loed Bblpeb. X 2

808 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. SO much pains had been taken to avert. Lord
'^'^' ^^' Althorp headed the throng of triumphant Liberals.
(«) It may appear strange, but it is not less true, that till
almost the eve of bringing in the Eeform Bill, the "Whigs
had not ventured to make Eeform a party question. Far
from there being any call for it m the countrj', the public
meetings occasionally held to forward it were absolutely
subjects of derision from the insignificance both of tbe
attendance and the speakers. The Eadicals may fairly con
tend that they were the onlj^ active Eeformers ; but their
plans Avere so jejune and extraA'agant, and their characters
as individuals generally so low, that they prejudiced rather
than benefited the cause. The Tories had no difficulty iu
persuading the higher and middle classes that Eeform was
synonjanous with revolution; and in the hands of those
who were then advocating it, this was really the case.
Neither Lord John EusseU nor Lord Althorp had any con
nection with the Eadical leaders ; though Lord Althorp
had for many years favoured some of their tenets, for while
he disclaimed Annual Parliaments, Electoral Districts, and
Universal Suffrage, he supported Triennial Parliaments,
Ballot, an altered distribution of Seats, and a great Ee-
duction of the Suffrage. The merit of the 'Whigs is that
they countenanced the principle of Parliamentarjr Eeform
when it was rancorously opposed and depreciated by the
Tories, and that their constant resistance to the arbitrary
proceedings of the party in power, their efforts for the
diffusion of education, and the improvement of the con
dition of the lower classes generally, made Eeform, even
by the admission of the Eadicals, a certain, though it might
be a too distant, result.
No part of Lord John Eussell's brilliant career is more
deserving of admiration than his adherence to Eeform in
those bad times ; but Avearied b}^ the absence of sympathy
in the country and the House of Commons, even he, with
his proverbial tenacitj- of purjiose, exclaimed so late as the

MEMOIE OF ExlEL SPENCEE. 309
year 1830, that if he could onlj^ obtain members for the i831.
principal unrepresented towns, he would await a change in Mt. id.
the public mind for larger concessions.
The change came, with the suddenness aud rapidity of
a whirlwind. The democratic spirit then raging on the
Continent Avas found to haA'e reached our shores, aud
showed itself in the cry for Parliamentary Eeform. The
Whigs did nothing to uiflame the passions of the people.
They were almost as much taken hy surprise as the Tories;
but when they saw a general movement among the lower
and middle classes, in a direction which they had long
approved, they boldly and wisely made it their own, and
the preference given to them by the people over the Eadical
agitators, is a trait both honourable to the national cha
racter, and most encouragiug to the advocates of progress.
It would have been impossible for the Duke of W^ellington,
or Sir Eobert Peel, after their recent conduct on the
Cathohc question, to ask the confidence of the country to
carry a Eeform BUl. — Author.
(5) I extract the following note from Mr. Eoebuck's
History, V. IL, p. 87 :—
" I have often heard Lord Brougham relate a circum
stance connected with this celebrated motion, Avhich vividly
illustrates the ignorance of the administration, even at the
eleventh hour, as to the real feelings of the people. The
members of the Cabinet, Avho were not in the House of
Commons, dined that day with the Lord ChanceUor, whose
secretary, Mr., now Sir Denis Le Marchant, sat under the
gallery of tbe Commons, and sent half-hour buUetins to the
noble Lord, describing the progress of the debate. They
ran thus : — ' Lord John has been up ten minutes : House
very full : great interest and anxiety shoAvn.' Another came
describing the extraordinary sensation produced by the plan
on both sides of the House. At last came one saying :
' Lord John is near the end of his speech — my next will
tell you Avho foUows him.' — ' Now,' said the noble host and
narrator of the story, ' Ave had often talked over and guessed

310 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. at the probable course of the Opposition, and I always
Mt. 49. said, were I in Peel's place, I would not condescend to
"^ argue the point, but would, as soon as Johu EusseU sat
down, get up and declare that I would not debate so
revolutionary, so mad a proposal, and would insist on
dividing upon it at once. If he does that, I used to say,
we are dead beat ; but if he aUows himself to be drawn into
a discussion, we shall succeed.' 'SVhen Le Marchant's
buUetin at length came, which was to tell us the course
adopted by the Opposition, I held the note unopened in my
hand, and laughing, said : — ' Now this decides our fate,
therefore, let us take a glass of wine all round, in order
that we may with proper nerve read the fatal missive.'
Having done so, I opened the note, and seeing the first
line, which was : — ' Peel has been up twenty minutes,' I
flourished the note round my head, and shouted : — ¦
' Hurrah ! hurrah ! "Victory ! victory ! Peel has been
speaking twenty minutes ;' and so we took another glass to
congratulate ourselves upon our good fortune ! ' — Such is
the anecdote, Avhicli j^roves, among other things, how un
certain as guides are such anecdotes for history. The
events, doubtless, occurred, much as Lord Brougham is
accustomed to relate them ; but Sir Eobert Peel did not
speak on that night's debate. Sir John Sebright seconded
Lord John EusseU's motion, and Sh Eobert Inghs was the
next succeeding speaker, in A^ehement, nay fierce reply to
Lord John."
Lord Brougham was perfectly correct — the error was
mine — I had gone out of the House at the end of Lord
John's speech, to finish some notes of it, which I Avas pre
paring for the Lord ChanceUor, and on my return I asked
a stranger near the door, whether Sir Eobert Peel was
speaking. He probably misunderstood me, and answered
in the affirmative, and I wrote to the Lord Chancellor
accordingly. I agree with Mr. Eoebuck that the anecdote " shows how
little the Ministry were aAvare of the state of popular feel
ing, when they believed that Sir Eobert could so have

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 311
disposed of the proposed measure. So daring and insolent igai.
a disregard of popular ojiinion would have risked every- Mt. 49.
thing which Sir Eobert Peel and every wise man holds
dear." See also Quarterly Eeview, v. xlvii. p. 464, to the
same efi'ect. — Author.

CHAPTER XVI.
THE NEW ELECTIONS.  LORD ALTHORP's CONTEST FOR
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.  HIS RETURN.
1S31. The Dissolution, with the circumstances attend-
mt^^9^ ing it, had a prodigious effect, and high as it raised
the hopes of the Ministers, these were more than
realised.
The ne-w The widts for the new Parliament Avere issued
only a few days, when one borough after another in
rapid succession was announced to have returned
Reform Candidates — even boroughs the reputed
strongholds of Toryism rebelled, in some instances,
Avith partial success against the dictation of their
patrons, and the Reformers prevailed in several of
the corporate toAviis, where the voters Avould be
reduced to insignificance by the Bill.
The last hope of the Tories rested on the counties ;
but here they met Avith the most signal defeats.
The princely wealth and poAver of Lord Lonsdale
could not prevent his losing seats both in Westmore
land and Cumberland, nor were the Dukes of Buck
ingham and Rutland, or the Earl of Egremont more
fortunate in Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, and
Sussex. In the West, so long under the sway of

MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE. 313
the great Tory squirearchy, the reaction Avas un- 1S31.
equiA'Ocal. Sir Thomas Acland, beloved as he Avas ^'^- ^^'
by his constituents in Devon, gave way to Lord
John Russell. Mr. Bankes, the Nestor of his party,
was beaten by Mr. Calcraft in Dorset, and Mr.
Pendarves and Sir Charles Lemon easily carried
Cornwall. The political aspect of the country
seemed at once entirely changed. There was no
constituency in which many of the Tories Avere not
found to support the Reformers, and the Radicals,
throAving aside all jealousy, were most eager in the
cause ; their voices, however, being more valuable
than their votes, of Avhich latter the amount was in
significant. The Whigs were absolutely astonished
at their OAvn success, for although they had so long-
advocated popular principles, it Avas only in parti
cular districts they could ever obtain the general
support of the people. They sullied their victory
by the extravagant use they made of the King's
name, which was the more to be regretted as without
this illegitimate aid they were sure of a large ma
jority ; " the BiU, the whole Bill, and nothing but
the Bill," being- the almost universal cry from one
end of the country to another.
Lord Althorp had his share of the triumph, Avhich
came upon him quite by surprise. Northampton
shire was one of the counties on which Parliamen
tary Reform appeared to make the least impression;
ewing- to the character of its constituency, which
consisted chiefly of substantial and prosperous
tenants, Avho were proud of their landlords, and

314 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. identified Avith them both in interest and politics.
^'^- ^^- Toryism Avas the predominant creed of the landlords,
modified by a traditional deference to the noble
families that had long lived amongst them, and Lord
Althorp had many Tory supporters who voted for
him as the son of Earl Spencer, no less than from
personal esteem. His companions in the hunting
field had, without distinction of politics, agreed that
he was the very person to represent the county ; but
on such a vital question as Reform, the Tories inti
mated that they must go against him, and in
common with the Whigs for his sake they earnestly
deprecated a contest. He knoAV so well the
insecurity of his position that he rejoiced to find on
the eve of the nomination that he was likely to
Avalk over the field with his old acquaintance Mr.
Cartwright. There was a great attendance at the nomination,
and the excitement amono'st the crowd indicated
some dissatisfaction at the quiet prospects of the
day. Murmurs against the pusillanimity of the
Whigs reached Lord Althorp's ears. He was for
the first time coldly received. In the morning
he had been entreated to join in an opposition to
Mr. Cartwright; but he positively refused, and
hoped the idea had been given up, as it came from
persons of no influence, and Avas not in his opinion
the general Avish of the party.
lord Al- To his astonishment, as soon as he had been pro-
oontestfor posod and seconded, a Northampton shoemaker
tonshiie"!^' jumped up and proposed Lord Milton, Avho, at the

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 315
time, Avas in deep distress at the recent loss of his i83i.
Avife, and ignorant of Avhat Avas going on. Moreover, ^^ ^¦'•
Lord Milton, though the son of a large proprietor,
did not reside in the county. A dreadful uproar
foUoAved. The Tories Avith cAudent indignation then
proposed Sir Charles Knightley as the colleague of
Mr. Cartwright ; but none of the candidates could
obtain a hearing, and the proceedings closed by the
announcement that the show of hands Avas in favour
of Lord Althorp and Lord Milton. It soon appeared
that Mr. CartAvright and Sir Charles Knightley had
coalesced, without any communication having been
previously made to Lord Althorp to ascertain whether
he gave his sanction to the Opposition ; but they
Avere too angry to weigh probabilities, and suspected
that he had been carried aAvay by the heat of the
moment to commit something like a breach of faith.
This distressed him the more, because Sir Charles
Knightley Avas an old and intimate friend. But he
felt he had only one course to take ; he made a de
claration from the windoAV of the George Inn, that
although the contest had been entered into Avithout
liis concurrence, yet as his opponents had coalesced,
the case was now changed, and he should consider
himself a traitor to his cause, if he did not exert him
self to the utmost to defend it.
Neither party had made any preparations for a
contest, but it was not the less severe. Lord Althorp,
as he expected, instead of being accompanied to the
hustings by a long train of friendly squires, found
himself almost deserted by his aristocratical sup-

316 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. porters ; Mr. Bouverie, of Delapre Abbey, and
¦3ST- 49- some of the Fitzroys, being amongst the very few
of that class who represented the Whig interest in
the county. With their assistance, in utter uncer
tainty as to the probable number of his voters, but
too Avell aware of the strength of his opponents,
he organised, as well as time would allow, the
collection and conveyance of his supporters to the
poll. There was a frightful void in his ranks, but
this Avas made up by the influx of voters from
the toAvns, and of the smaller freeholders. Many
came up of themselves, a regular canvass being im-
jiossible, and every day proved by their increasing
numbers how warm was their zeal for Reform. To
compare small things Avith great, as Inkermann has
been called the soldiers' battle, so this Avas the
peojole's contest. It originated Avith them, and they
bore the brunt of it, though it is very doubtful
Avhether, with any other candidate than Lord
Althorp, they could have won. He seemed more in
his element amongst them than in the House of
Commons. His speeches gave general satisfaction,
though he never descended to personal or unfair
attacks on his opponents, and neither boasted of the
King's support, nor complained of the stoppage of
the SuppUes. He had always been a favourite with
the freeholders, but they thought they had never
knoAvn before the truth and geniality of his nature.
So complete had been the surprise both to "Whigs
and Tories, that on the first day of polling there
were actually no booths in readiness for the A^oters

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 317
till late in the morning-, and the voters polled is3i.
Avere in consequence comparatively fcAv; the jdoU ^^- ^^-
being, — LordAltborp  139
Lord Milton . . . .136
Mr. Cart-wrigbt . . . . 79
Sir Cbarles Knightley . . 7 J
Lord Althorp's interest being strongest at North
ampton, this majority gave no discouragement to his
opponents, who confidently boasted that it would be
turned the next day into a minority by the arrival
of the farmers from a distance. They declared that
they Avould keep the poll open to the last moment,
and would spare neither money nor trouble to win.
The next day, hoAvever, only revealed their weak
ness. The country voters came in, but many of
them polled in spite of their landlords for the Re
form candidates.
The voting continued during the Aveek Avith great
spirit, and on Saturday the numbers were —

Lord Altborp

. . 246S

Lord Milton

. 2128

Mr. Cartwrigbt .

. . 2009

Sir C. Enigbtley

. 1418

On Sunday it became generally knoAvn the Tories
could carry on the struggle no longer. On Monday
the poll opened on\j p7^o foi-ind ; at the expiration of
an hour it closed, and the Under-Sheriff announced
the result —

Lord Altborp

. . 2476

Lord Milton

. 2135

Mr. Cart-svrigbt .

. . 2019

Sir C. Knigbtlcy

. 1423

318

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1831.
Mt. 49.

The declaration that the two Reform candidates
had been elected was received Avith tremendous

Success of
the Minis
try in the
elections.

His return, cheering. Lord Althorp returned thanks in a modest
and manly speech, ascribing his success to the zeal
of the freeholders for Reform, and dwelling on the
importance of the example they had given to other
Constituencies. The Tories Avere deeply mortified at the return of
tAVO Whig members for a county where their party
Avas believed to be so strong ; and they accounted
for it by a fact that must have been almost equally
unpalatable to them — ^the popularity of Lord Althorp
— AA^hich they asserted had carried the election in
spite of the BiU."'
The success of the Ministers in the elections
would have been less complete if the political organi
sation of the Tories had remained as it was before
Catholic Emancipation ; that measure broke up the
feeling of blind devotedness to their leaders, and to
their traditional tenets, for which the party was
distinguished. Lord Granville Somerset sorrowfully
observed to me in the last month of the Duke's
Government, that in this respect public opinion was
quite changed, so that in the country clubs the old
toast of Church and King Avas given Avith no enthu
siasm, and indeed often omitted. The management
of the elections by the Tory party had been admir-
* Mr. Ci-oker observed " tbat Lord Altborp would not have run the
slightest risk of his return but for the Eeform Bill. He had been
elected on account of the esteem whicb the freeholders, in common
with all who knew bim, even his warmest political opponents, always
felt for him." — Aijthob.

MEMOIE^OF EAEL SPENCEE. 319
able. They employed the most skilful attorneys 1831.
throughout the country as agents, and besides, they  ^L^;
were pretty sure of the best agents in the j^arochial
clergy, for the Church had long been Avarmly on
their side. The Whigs, except in times of great
popular excitement, found themseh^es much over
matched by them. At this Dissolution, hoAvever,
the tables were quite turned. Mr. EUice,""' the
Secretary for the Treasury, a very clever man, beat
the enemy Avith their oavu weapons. He collected
large sums from the leading Whigs, Avith Avhich he
purchased several of the nomination boroughs, pre
viously represented by Tories, and he aided many of
the party in expensive contests which, so soon after
a general election, they could not have undertaken
Avithout a liberal subscription.
* Mr. Edward EUice, M.P. for Coventry, a brother-in-law of Earl
Grey. He bad been an eminent merchant in the North American
trade, and his connection -with the North West Company bad brought
him a large fortune. He wiU be mentioned repeatedly in the course
of tbis work. — A-dthoe.

1831.
Mt. 49.

CHAPTER XVII.
MEETING OE THE NEW PARLIAMENT.  THE SECOND RE
FORM BILL.  THE OOMJIITTEE.  BILL PASSED IN
TIIE COMMONS.  REJECTED ON THE SECOND READING
IN THE LORDS.
It seemed probable on the oj)ening- of the new
Parliament that Lord Althorji Avould find his duties
thrn °f °* ^^^ -^^^^ onerous than in the preceding Session. AU
Parlia- political questious were absorbed in that of Parlia-
mentary Reform ; and the Reform BiU, being under
the special charge of Lord John Russell, virtually
gave that nobleman a large share in the leadership
of the House ; and it is to the credit of both, that
this divided authority neither led to any ill feehng
betAveen them, nor was productive of any misman
agement of the pubhc business. Though each had
a certain character for obstinacy, and Lord Althorp
carried his views of Reform much further than Lord
John, they continued, as they began, intimate
friends. The Session opened on the 21st of June. Sir
Robert Peel had previously, at a great party dinner
at Lord Londonderry's, earnestly recommended
moderation to his foUoAvers, and the Address was

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 321
carefully Avorded to guard against an amendment; i83i.
so the angry feelings of the Opposition Avere Audited ^''- ^^¦
in complaints against the recent Dissolution, Avhich
I notice because they rather disagreeably involved
Lord Althorj), whom it Avas desired to make a
witness against his colleagues and his party. It
appeared that, after the diAdsion on General Gas
coigne's motion, he had written a letter to one of his
constituents to prepare for an immediate Dissolu
tion. This letter was brought forward to disprove
the Lord Chancellor's assertion, that the Dissolution
had been caused by the conduct of the House of
Commons in stopping the supplies ; and it was
alleged with more foundation, that the use made of
the Chancellor's statement by Sir James Graham
and others of the Ministers and their friends, had
told very unfairly on the elections. Sir James made
an elaborate and able defence ; but Lord Althorp,
in fewer Avords, satisfied the House and the country,
when he showed, that on the night of General Gas
coigne's motion the late House of Commons knew
perfectly well after his declaration that he would not
go on with the Bill ; though he decUned to say what
was the intention of the Government with regard to
a Dissolution. " He was not then going to assert that
the adjournment was the cause of the Dissolution ;
but he Avould say, that the way in which that ad
journment was referred to in connection with the
Dissolution, was this — that the success of the
motion proved, Avith the late House of Commons
the Ministers could not go on. If that motion

322 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. was not the cause of the Dissolution, it was its
^¦^- ^9- justification."-" None of the Opposition leaders ventured to touch
on the subject afterAvards. A direct and violent
attack was made on the Chancellor in the Lords,
Avhich he, of course, met with equal warmth and
a plausible explanation, asserting that his AVords
had been misunderstood, and that he " should have
been a dolt to mean Avhat Avas imputed to him."
He Avas so far successful that Lord Althorp was
able to Avrite to Lord Spencer " that the debate
in both Houses went off very well."
When the Ministry Avent up with the Address,
the attendance of members was the greatest that
Lord Althorp had ever known, the string of car
riages extending the whole length of Pall Mall,
and, Avhat Avas a favourable omen for the Reform
Bill, when Lord John Russell moved on the 24th
Second Ke- for Icavo to bring in the Bill, the Ministerial side
brought in of the Housc could iiot coiitaiii the members who
jotn""^ flocked in to support the Government. Lord John
"^^^ ¦ was no longer under the prudential restraints im
posed by the presence of an adverse majority. He
spoke admirably, and all that Avas wanting in his
former speech he now abundantly supplied. The
Bill was read the first time Avithout debate or
opposition. It Avas only on the Second Reading
that Lord Althorp was called upon to speak, which
he did very sensibly and effectively. I observed
* Hansard's Parb Deb., Third ser., v. iv., p. 191.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 322
that his knoAvn predilection for popular institutions issi.
did not blind him to the risk of their indiscriminate ^'^- ^'^-
and hasty application to countries unprepared for
the change — a truth Avhich all the reasoning of
Bentham Avas employed to dispute, but which has
since been too often exemplified in Spain and her
South American colonies.
The Second Reading- passed by a majority of 106, letters
and the Committee Avas fixed for the 12th of July; Althorp io
his father^
and as this is a time when Lord Althorp's letters
to his father give more information, both as to his
public and private life, than I can collect from any
other quarter, I hope that I may be excused if
I make him for a brief period his oavu biographer.
June 25th. " All went off A^ery well in the House of
Commons last night. John EusseU's speech was capital,*
and he did not, I think, lay himself open on more than
two pomts at the utmost. Milton has done au imprudent
thing by talking about the Corn Laws without any com
munication to me. His notice on the subject will be laid
hold of, and most probably be injurious to me in the only
place where I can be injured, and that is in the House of
Lords. So far our work has been very easy, and by ac
tivity next Aveek we may get our money votes very forward.
I have heard no other news. The physicians are behaving
as shabbily as possible about the cholera. Halford gives
us his opinion frankly, but the others to whom we un
fortunately referred will give no opinion at all, and are
determined to throw every possible difficulty and respon
sibihty upon us. We dare not use the ships of war as
Lazarettos, because of the great risk of fire, with hemp
-* On the motion for leave to bring in the Eefoi-m Bill. T 2

324 MEMOIR OP EAEL SPENCEE.
1S31. loose about the decks; and if one caught fire under such
Mt. 49. chcums-tances, none could be saved. I believe the notice
for taking up transports, which has been observed upon at
the Stock Exchange, is for the pui-pose of using them as
Lazarettos, but perhaps this had better not be mentioned.
You of course know that Lord Eobert Spencer died last
night." June 26th. " I only heard late last night that the
Belgian business is concluded, and Leopold is therefore
King. I do not exactly know the terms, nor do I much
care, provided the business is settled. Up to yesterday
morning I thought it hopeless to j)revent war on the
Continent, and that would have brought us into a very
dangerous position. Nothing per contra can be worse
than the House of Lords. All the calculations agree that,
putting the Bishops out of the question (and they are not
likely to be very favourable), we are ia a minority of 22
or 23 of the Peers avIio have now taken their seats,
and you may expect to hear of our being beaten in the
House of Lords on Tuesday, on the Bill for appointino-
Lords Lieutenant of counties in Ireland."
June 30th. " The Duke of Sussex and Stephenson, his
deputy, have brought a nest of hornets about them. They
have given directions to shoot all dogs found in Hyde
Park.* This order has been carried into effect activety,
and from thirty to forty dogs have been killed. The reason
given for it is, that the dogs disturb the deer, and injure
* There was a debate on. the subject on the 18th of July, when Mr.
G. Dawson observed tbat on the day before two dogs had been shot
in the Park by the keepers. He said tbat, besides the inhumanity of
the proceeding, great danger was caused to children, who were con
stantly playing in the part of the Park where the keepers were stationed
to shoot the dogs, and that dogs had been shot indiscriminately,
from tbe ladies' lapdogs to Newfoundland dogs. Lord Althorp under
took to inquire into the matter and communicate with the Duke of
Sussex (the Eanger). Mr. O'Connell stated that the keepers bad no
more right to shoot the dogs in the Park than in the highway, unless
they were chasing deer. — Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third ser., v. iv.
p. 1406.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 325
the does and fawns. A much more serious affair is the 1831.
scrape we have got into about the Eeform BiU, by putting -^t. i'X
in that the rents should be paid half-yearly. We none of
us were aware that the difference between making them to
be paid half-yearly instead of quarterly was material, and
I gave way too easily to those of my colleagues '(\-hose
inclination is to restrict the right of voting rather than to
extend it. The thing must be rectified instantly, but the
blunder will not do us credit.* The Eevenue is going on
capitally, but I afraid the quarantine will injure it for the
remainder of the year. We expect a majority of about 150
011 the Eeform Bill. I Avent last night to a concert at
St. James's, and heard Paganini ; and this having been
done, I never wish to hear him again. He certainly made
every noise that could be made Avith a fiddle, and a great
many more than I ever heard before, but there Avas no
pretence at a tune."
July 2nd. " Our division on Tlmrsday was a very satis
factory one, for it shoAved that our men were very steady.
The motion of Alderman Wood,t being one of retrench-

^b

* It seems that it was a general custom in leases to insert a clauso
for tho quarterly payment of tho rent ; and this unfortunately had not
been explained to the Cabinet by Mr. Gregson, one of the Under
Secretaries for the Home Department. He had contented himself by
showing that there were difficulties in wording the clause, but did not
state their extent or nature, so that Lord Althorp only partially
understood him. The object of the alteration was to secure the bond
fi.de lessee. Mr. Gregson, whom I knew long and well, was a very
honest and able man, and, after distinguishing himself at Oxford, had
been promoted by Sir Eobert Peel to tbe office he then held. His
modesty, or rather his shyness, no doubt was the cause of his not
prestiug the point in question -more forcibly on the Cabinet. He was
unjustly charged with intentionally drawing tbe Government into the
blunder. No man was loss Ukely to do so — as Lord Althorp stated
when the matter was brought before the House by Mr. Gregson's
friends. — AuTHOE.
t The Alderman's motion was fcr a reduction of all official salaries
to their amount in 1797, his object being, I suspect, to satisfy some
piomise made to his Eadical constituents, whom ho cultivated more
anxiously than was quite consistent with the just discharge of his.

326 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEEi
1831. ment, would have tempted a great many of our former
^T- 49. supporters to fly off, and the steadiness of our present
supporters proves them to have confidence in us. Last
night Ave did a great deal of business in my hne, and I got
my taxes through very easily — much better than was the
case before the Dissolution. We did not however get
through without one scrape.* Stanley moved the renewal
of the Irish Arms Bill. This I knew he was going to do,
but I did not know that he had altered it and made it,
I must admit, one of the most tyrannical measures I ever
heard proposed. I Avas quite astonished, and so was Gra
ham, for not one of us had ever heard that those altera
tions were to be made in it. This latter part of my letter
must, of course be quite secret. We must stand by Stanley,
but we must soften down his measm-e. It is at any rate a
great scrape, for O'Connell will have the credit of forcing
upon us any modification which is embodied in the Bill.
I saw Lord Grey this morning ; he had not been con
sulted more than me. It was imprudent and youthful in
Stanley to take such a step, but we must now make the
best of it." t
July 4, 1831. " Our accounts from Brussels are less
favourable than we expected, and I begin to be appre-
Parliamentary duties. Lord Althorp answered him so conclusively as
to obtain the approbation even of Mr. Hume, and the previous ques
tion was carried against him by a majority of 203 — not, as was
generally believed, to the disappointment of the worthy Alderman,
whom the Whigs often found a fast friend, and subsequently raised
to a Baronetcy, in 1837. — Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third ser., v. iv.,
p. 511. — Author.
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., Thu'd ser., v. i\'., p. CIS.
t Mr. Stanley bad been carried away too far by his indignation at
the proceedings of Mr. O'Connell, and believed Ireland could be
governed only by coercion. It was difficult to live amongst tho more
intelligent and estimable members of society in DubUn at that time
without holding this opinion ; which however hardly did justice to
the Catholics, or made fair allowance for feeUngs excited by ages of
oppression. It was unreasonable to expect them to have the same
respect for the law as that prevailing in England. The Bill was sub
sequently withdra-wn. — AuTnOE.

MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 327
hensive they may refuse Leopold at last. This will be a i831.
very dangerous crisis, especially as there is reason to appre- Mt, 49.
hend some serious movements at Paris on the anniversary
of last year's EeA^olutioUi We commence our Eeform de
bate to-night. It AviU probably conclude on Wednesday,
because it is our wish to get it over as soon as we can, and
it must be the interest of the anti-Eeformers to get the Bill
up into the House of Lords, where they have a chance, as
soon, as possible. My opinion is, that they will beat us
there. Lord Cowper, I hear, has gone over to them, and
some others are wavering. I rather also expect that we shall
be beaten in the House of Lords to-night on the second
reading of the Bill for appoiating Lords Lieutenant to the
Irish counties. What may be the consequence of this I do
not know. It is on the cards, I thmk, that the Kmg may
tell us that we cannot go on, for he is very fearful of a
colhsion between the two Houses, and may think this the
best way to avoid it, which it is not. If he does not take
this step, I think we must persevere ; resignation might be
the best course for oiu'selves, and would certainly have
been before the two blunders we have made, one in the
Eeform Bill, and the other about Stanley's proposition;
but it would be so dangerous for the country, that I do not
think we should be justified in taking it. The time to do
this will be Avhen we are beaten on the Eeform Bill. If,
however, my colleagues should think otherwise, I shall
throw no obstacle in the way of resigning now, or at any
time. I hate my situation more and more every day, and
really go down to the House of Commons as if I was going
to execution." *
July 6, 1831. " My alarm about the Lords Lieutenant
Bill in the House of Lords was unfounded, and every
thing went off very smoothly. Our debate did the same,
but I hojie it wiU end to-night. Macaulay's was, ]perhaps,
* He told me, when his carriage came to fetch him to the House,
it was all he could do not to drive right away ; but that when once
in the m^lee in the House be recovered his spirits. — Loed Lyttelton.

328 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. the best speech I ever heard delivered.* We had on
Mt. 49. Monday 600 members hi the House, of Avhom 240 are
against the Bill."
July 8, 1831. "We have just heard that the jury in
Cobbett's case is discharged, as they could not agree upon
a verdict. This is a great triumph for him, but it is an ill
wind that blows nobody good, and we cannot now be any
more attacked for not prosecuting. I have just read an
account of Cartwright's dinner at Oundle ; he made a
furious speech against the Bill, and attacked Milton vio
lently, but I see that neither he nor Knightley honoured
me with any notice. I hear the goodness of our division
has influenced several Peers. Lord Wemyss entered his
proxy yesterday, and I think three or four others. I was
amused by Fritz having to speak so early. He said all
that was i-ight. I was very sorry my siJeech Avas gone,
for Wetherell ought to haA'e been exposed for his mis-
rep re sentations . ' '
July 12, 1831. " I am happy to see that our Belgian
negotiation is successfully concluded, and I suppose His
Majesty King Leopold will immediately set off for liis new
dominions. We had a terribly hot dinner at the Mansion
House on Saturday. Two or three very absurd things took
place. First, Auckland had taken Mrs. Fox Lane there
in his carriage, or he Avent with her in hers, I do not
-* What Lord Althorp says of this speech is no more than what was
felt by almost every person that heard it — at least, I can answer for
myself. It was answered on the next night of the debate skilfully
and eloquently by Sir Eobert Peel, but time bas since refuted many
of his arguments, and proved how vain were his fears that the re
formed Parliament would bo incompatible with a Umited monarchy,
and an hereditary peerage. He bestowed generous praise on the
speech (to my surprise unnoticed by Lord Althorp) of Sir James
Mackintosh, in the first nigbt of the debate — one' of the last efforts
of a philosophical and highly cultivated mind, and not unworthy of
bis brilliant reputation. It will be read when many speeches, at the
time more admired, are forgotten. Poor Sir James looked very ill,
and his voice was too weak to be heard with effect. Tho speech was
warmly commended by the best judges. — AUTHOE.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 323
know which, and Avhen they came in they were announced 1531.
through all the crowd as Lord and Lady Auckland. I Mt. 49.
never saw anj'body show more coolness than she did under
those very awkward circumstances. Then Brougham was
affronted because Lord Grey was called upon to return
thanks for His Majesty's Ministers instead of the Lord
Chancellor; and Avhen the Lord Mayor gave the Lord
Chancellor's health with a flowing panegyric, he would not
make any speech at all, and only returned thanks in quite
the ordinary way. He was so angry, that the Duke of
Eichmond had great difficulty in persuading him not to
propose the health of Paganini. Denman introduced me
to Lady Denman, and I sat next her. Her father, Mr.
Vevers, is one of my most eager clerical supporters iu
Northamptonshu-e (the clergyman of Kettering and Stoke-
Albany), so I made the agreeable as much as I could,
Avhen, to my dismay, she said to me, ' Pray will you show
me Lord Althorp, as he used very often to dine Avith us.'
This last is a mistake, for I never dined Avith Denman
in my life.
" I am to have a great meeting to-day at the Foreign
Office, haAdng no room large enough, and in the evening
we expect a severe battle on the Avine duties. I conclude
Fritz will be here, and hope so, as it will be a trial of
strength. " I have forgot to tell you that I am sittuig for my bust,
or rather for a statue which is to be erected by my consti
tuents at Northampton. A native artist has been selected
of the name of Butler, a young man who Avas a pupil of
Bailey's. I do not know Avhat the statue will turn out to
be, and I am not much of a judge of the bust, but I should
say it will turn out — the bust I mean — something extra
ordinary. I am sure it is more like than anj' bust I ever
saw, and it appears to me to be very sphited and good as a
work of art ; the only two persons who have seen it are
Poulett Thomson and Wickham,* who read to me the
• The late Mr. Henry Lewis Wickbam— the private secretary of

330 ]\LEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE,.
1831. papers I want to hear while I am sitting, by which I lose
Mt. 49. no time. Thej' are both travelled men, and I suppose have
some knowledge of these things, and they both think as
highly of the performance as I do. Butler speaks very
confidently of liis power of working the marble ; I speak,
of course, only of the model in clay. If he really can use
his chisel as he appears to be able to use the instruments
for modelling, he wih make his fortune by this fancy of my
constituents." *
Committal Tho Bill had noAV arrived at the stage toAvards
form iiiu. Avhich its opponciits looked forward with hope and
its supporters with alarm ; for both had felt through
out that the greatest struggle would be in Com
mittee, Avhere in a case Uke this the advantage was
decidedly Avith the Opiiosition. On the 4th of July
Lord John RusseU moved for the Committee, and
then at once were revealed some ofthe obstacles which
the Government had to encounter ; a Adgorous attempt
being made on plausible grounds for counsel to be
heard against the disfranchigement of Appleby, one
of the boroughs in Schedule A. The real object
Avas delay ; and if the motion had succeeded, each
Lord Althorp, and afterwards chairman of tbe Board of Stamps — a
pleasing and accomplished gentleman, author of an "Enquiry into
Hannibal's Eoute across the Alps," and only son of the Eight
Honourable William Wickham, M.P., our Mimster with the Allied
Armies in Germany and Italy, and subsequently Chief Secretary in
Ireland. Mr.AViokham died in 1864. — Authoe.
* Owing to some quarrels between tbe subscribers on the spot, and
perhaps some difiiculties as to the site, the plan was never carried
into efieot. Mr. Butler, however, completed the bust, which is an ex
cellent likeness, and it was, I beUeve, presented to Lord Althorp. It
is now in the possession of Earl Spencer, who also has a bust of his
uncle, by Francis, a sculptor at one time well known from his busts
of Whig statesmen. — AuTHOE.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 331
of the boroughs in the tAA'^o Schedules Avould have issi.
claimed the same privilege, and the Committee "^^- ^^-
must have bfoken doA^ui under the infliction. The
argument urged in support of the motion, on which
most stress seemed to be laid, was, that the Bill
Avas one of pains- and penalties. Lord Althorp
replied, " that no Bill could be so called Avith any
slioAV of justice Avhich had but one end — the public
benefit. It had been asked, hoAV can you attemjit
to decide on the case of this borough if you refuse
to hear the petitioners through their counsel 1 The
ansAver is simple : You have the evidence furnished
by the Population Returns ; and if witnesses are
examined at the Bar, they must necessarily, if not
engaged in taking a census of the population, be
unable to furnish as much evidence as we have
already. We have all the facts of the case before
us on the Table, and I therefore contend that the
members of this House are more competent to
argue and decide the question, and it is more their
duty to do so, than to call in counsel to argue it for
them." Mr. Roebuck observes, that " the answer
thus given to the arguments of the Opposition Avas
accurate and sufficient, and stated by Lord Althorp
Avith simplicity and effect." In this opinion he
observes, " the House agreed in spite of a confident
speech of Mr. Croker in reply ; the motion was
negatived by a majority of ninety-seven. "*
* Eoebuck's History, v. ii., pp. 185-6. The author has introduced
Xord Althorp's speech into his text, which has encouraged me to
transfer it to mine. — Authoe.

332 iLEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. It Avas noAV hoped that the House Avould at once
•^^- ^^- go into Committee. Sir Robert Peel had agreed
Avith Lord Althorp to raise no further opposition ;
but his followers Avere irritated by their defeat, and
oh the frivolous pretext of some noisy interruption
to the speech of Mr. Gordon,'" they insisted on an
adjournment. It Avas hardly eleven o'clock, and
Lord Althorp, after a fruitless attempt to induce
Mr. Gordon to resume his speech, refused to yield
to such an unreasonable proposal. A scene then
took place to which it would be difficult to find
a parallel. The Opposition members continued for
nearly eight hours to make motions for adjournment,
hoping ahvays, although defeated by immense majo
rities and abandoned by Sir Robert Peel, that they
should force the Ministry to give way. Lord
Althorp felt that on his firmness that night the
future of the BiU might depend. He persisted in
pressing for the Committee, but promised that it
should be merelj^ pro formd. The Opposition would
accept no compromise. They taunted him Avith
having made similar motions Avhen out of office,
Avhich gave him the advantage of saying, amidst
loud cheers, that he had never once moved an
adjournment for a party purpose, and very seldom
supported one — and he Avould resist the course now
pursued to the utmost. Several divisions followed
¦*- Mr. Gordon, M.P. for Dundalk — a borough under the influence
of Lord Eoden. He was a Lieutenant in the Na-vy, and of some note
as an orator at religious meetings in the Metropolis. He succeeded
better there than in the House. He afterwards married a daughter
of Mr. iS. Smith, the great city banker. — AurnoE.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 333
in broad daylight. It Avas near half-past seven in 1831.
the morning when Sir John Brydges, an old Tory, '^'^' ^^'
threw ridicule on his party by proposing to draw
lots Avhether or not to adjourn, and this proposal
being refused, the last division took place, being
Ayes . . . . . . 24
Noes  187
Majority . . . 163
Sir Charles Wetherell then interposed with an
assurance (which no one could believe) of his desire
to facilitate and not impede the great question of
Reform, and the offer made by Lord Althorp and
rejected early in the evening was now accepted.""'
The Speaker left the Chair amidst such deafening
cries of the Ministerialists as seemed to compensate
their leaders for the loss of a night's rest.
The next day there was a general feeling of
humiliation among the Tories at the disgrace into
Avhich they had been driven by the hot-headed
zealots of their party. Lord Althorp, in a letter
to his father, said of their conduct, ''the enemy
have injured themselves very much; they will
-* I was in the House the whole night, and voted in every Division.
According to my recoUection, it was beUeved that what caused the
Opposition at last to give way was the knowledge that the Ministerial
Whips were about to send out for a fresh relay of Liberal members
who had had the advantage of a night's rest. Possibly this was sug
gested by the appearance of Cutler Ferguson in the House, who,
after enjoying a good night's rest, came do-wn after seven o'clock for
the purpose of putting down his name on the List for presenting
Petitions (as it was necessary then to do very early), and whose
astonishment on seeing the Speaker in the chair caused much amuse
ment. — Loed Belpeb.

334 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. certainly quarrel one with another, for Peel acted
Mt. 49. very shabbily by them. He cannot lead an Opposi
tion, partly because he has not decision enough, and
now he has lost all hold on them. The consequence
Avill be that their opposition will be vexatious, but
unskilful and inefficient. There never was such a
blunder as their fighting- last night's battle. They
had no case for it, and the proceeding itself, however
good the case may be, is always unpopular."'^
Early in the evening, after a speech from Mr.
Gordon, not of a degree of merit to redeem the
hours wasted on the preceding night, the House
went into Committee.
This was a decided step in advance, as in bringing
the differences between the two great parties more
distinctly to an issue, it gradually foreshadowed the
fate of the Bill ; but the contest was protracted to
an almost unexampled length, and marked by all the
offensive characteristics of Parliamentary Avarfare ;
every clause, nay, almost every letter of the Bill
being (as Mr. Roebuck says) " strenuously cavilled
at, criticised and abused, so that for the historian
to foUoAV this continued opposition through its count
less repetitions Avould be impossible, and if possible,
useless." Could Mr. Roebuck have seen any merit
in the Whigs, he would have added, that proportion-
ably great was the praise due to those Avho baffled
and overcame such opposition. The labour, indeed,
of the Ministers who carried the Bill through the
* Letter to Earl Spencer, 13 July, 1831, M.S.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 33c
Committee can only be justly appreciated by those iS3l.
who witnessed it. At first Lord John Russell had ^^- '^^-
the assistance of Lord Althorp, but after some Aveeks ^^^^^^fj.
he could bear up no longer against the constant ™'™'^'5"
fatigue, and the management devolved entirely on thoqx
the latter, who indeed had previously Avorked A\dth
him in such perfect harmony that, but from my
knowledge of the fact, I should not have discovered
that Lord Althorp had ever parted Avith any portion
of his Leadership.
The Disfranchisement Clauses (A and B) received
the first shock of the Tory attack, and Avere a fort
night under consideration. No part of the Bill was
so hotly contested, or so troublesome to defend, for
the case of each borough being taken in succession
involved many questions of local statistics, Avhich if
Lord John had not himself prepared the Schedules,
he must often have been at a loss to ansAver. He
was on all occasions supported by Lord Althorp,
and night after night were they for eight hours at
least questioned and cross-questioned to meet objec
tions raised not only by the members specially in
terested in the unfortunate boroughs, but by Sir
Charles Wetherell and Sir Edward Sugden, who
seemed to be counsel in every case ; and, as if this
was not enough, all the ingenuity and malignity of
Mr. Croker were employed to mystify the calcula
tions on which the Schedules rested, or to shoAV that
other boroughs under the influence of the Whig-
Patrons had been unfairly passed over. He referred
openly to Lord LansdoAvne, observing, that " Calne

336 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. Avas the key-stone of the arch," and this became a
"^^- ^^- favourite saying- among his party.
The Ministerial members heard these taunts with
indignation ; and it was not without difficulty that
Lord Althorp could at times obtain a fair hearing
for some of his opponents, who expressed their
feelings at the loss of what had long been regarded
amongst them as private property in violent and
unmeasured terms. Lord Althorp's sense of justice
made him give way in two instances, much to the
dissatisfaction of his supporters. The latter shared
the popular excitement too much to deal with these
points impartially. In a letter of the 28th July,
during the debates on Schedule B, Lord Althorp,
after observing that he stood his work weU, as the
hot weather did better for the House of Commons
than the cold, because the Avindows were kept open,
and gave a good supply of fresh air, says, " the
progress of the Committee is terribly sIoav, and the
people are, I hear, becoming very impatient ; their
fury A^dll be directed against the Opposition ; but
they are also beginning to blame me for not doing
that which is impossible — for it is absolutely impos
sible to expedite the Bill. Practically, the clause
containing Schedule A is fifty-seven clauses ; and if
one looks at it in this way, ten days is not a great
deal to take for fifty-seven disputed clauses, and
certainly the case of each borough is equivalent to
a clause in an ordinary Bill. It is not quite agree
able to be found fault with by one's friends ; but
there is this advantage in the impatience of the

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 337
people, that it will prove to the House of Lords that 1331.
the feeling in favour of the Bill is not diminished, -^^- ^^-
and will prevent them from delivering themselves
about this as they are constantly doing."
The enfranchisement clauses, C, D, and E, being
necessarily favourable to the large towns, rather than
to the landed interest, did not restore the temper
of the Opposition, and were in many instances
violently opposed. Lord John Russell in vain urged
that population was not the only principle of the
enfranchisement, wealth and property being the pre-
A^ailing requisites. Sir Robert Peel, untaught by
the consequences of his former opposition to the
enfranchisement of Birmingham and Leeds, con
tinued his hostile course, and said that he should
prefer perpetual exclusion from office to the respon
sibility of the Bill.
It was not untU the 1 Oth of August (the twen
tieth day of the sitting of the Committee), that the
last of these clauses was agreed to, amidst angry
altercations which pressed more sorely on the Minis
try from the critical state of foreign politics at the
time, as appears from the following letter of Lord
Althorp : —
August Sth. " I have not had a moment's time to write
to you for some days. Our foreign affairs are ia a very
critical state, and the Opposition do not appear inclined
to let us alone to manage them. I must try again to per
suade Sir Eichard Vyvyan not to bring on his motion to
morrow, but I fear I shall not succeed. I fully beheve
the French Government are acting in good faith, but the

338 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. danger is that when once their troops are in Belgium they
.T.T. 49. will not be strong enough to recall them. Leopold writes
from his army in good spirits, and says that, if he can get
a few daj's for preparation, he can beat the Dutch without
assistance. Be this as it may, he wrote to France for
assistance, and assistance he will have ; and there can be
no doubt that the Dutch will be driA'-en back. Hitherto we
have had no reason whatever to complain of the French,
and I do not thuik much reason now. I Avas afraid that
the King of Holland was engaged in some intrigue, for it
appeared hardly possible that he should have broken the
armistice without retying upon some external support ; it
appears now, however, as if he had, and I feel pretty con
fident that peace wiU be preserved. The King of Holland
has behaved so ill on this occasion, that he has set us free
from all difficulties as far as he is concerned, and the whole
business may tend to a more rapid and satisfactory settle
ment than could have been made if these events had not
occurred."

In justice to Sir Richard Vyvyan, I am glad to
state that he yielded to Lord Althoi-p's request, and
postponed his notice.
It appears that tAvo days later (on the 10th), the
order of the day for the Committee was moved by
Lord Althorp ; and from that time he seems to have
taken the Bill, to use his oavu language, into his own
hands, with Lord John RusseU's full concurrence, and
probably at his request. One thing is certain, that
Lord Althorp shoAved the same readiness to take up
the Bill when Lord John could not go on Avith it,
that he did to give it up to him in the first instance ;
he continued to bear the Avhole burden and respon
sibility of the management for nearly a month ; and

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCER. 339
although the debates had less of personal bitterness, i83i.
they called for the same intimate acquaintance Avith -®''- *^-
the measure as had been required before, and even
more frequent explanation. They embraced also a
Avider range of subjects. Moreover the machinery
of the BiU especiaUy involved considerations of law
that gave an excuse to Sir EdAvard Sugden and Sir
Charles Wetherell to raise innumerable objections,
with a pertinacity seldom allowed but in Courts of
Justice ; indeed Lord Althorp was thus forced on
one occasion to make as many as twenty speeches
on the same night.
A feAV days after Lord Althorp's resumption of The chan-
the leadership he had the mortification of a defeat,
the only one that the Ministers suffered during- the
proceedings on the Bill. It Avas no surprise to him,
for he had learnt, soon after the Second Reading,
that an attempt would be made to introduce a clause
giAdng the county franchise to tenants-at-Avill paying
501. per annum for their holdings. An amendment
to this effect was moved by Lord Chandos on the
18th of August, and the Whig Squires united Avith
the Tories to support it. They received also the
aid of Mr. Hume and the Radicals. The latter,
independently of their partiality for the largest
extension of the franchise, looked forward to the
time when changes in agriculture would alter the
existing relations between landlord and tenant, and
not only relieve the latter from any dependence on
the former, but often give them opposite interests.
This time hoAvever, after an interval of more than
z 2

310 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. a quarter of a century, has not arrived, nor can be
^'^' ^^' expected so long as land yields a higher relative
profit to the tenant than to the landlord. An
excellent speech Avas made by Lord Althorp in
reply ; and his predictions of the consequences of
the measure proposed have since been fully verified.
He was the only member of the Government who
took part in the debate.
Lord Althorp's letters to his father Avere sus
pended for more than a fortnight. On the 26th of
August he again takes up his pen.
" I have lately been a yevy bad correspondent ; but,
since I have taken the management of the Eeform Bill
into my own hands, I have been so overwhelmed with
Avork that I have not had a moment to spare. We are
going on slowly, but well, in the House of Commons. I
fear, however, we have but little chance in the House of
Lords, making allowance even for any number of Corona
tion Peers which is consistent with decency. The danger
from the rejection of the Bill, and consequent dissolution
of the Ministry, is great; but the relief to me will be so
enormous, that my patriotism is not sufiicient to induce
me to look forward to it with any other feeling but that
of hope. I do not indeed consider the danger to be so
great as some other people do. It wiU imdoubtedly be
very difficult to govern ; but the people are so accustomed
to obedience to the law, that I do not apprehend any actual
tumult. I keep quite well. I Avas knocked up a good deal
last night, for I had to speak so very often, and in con
sequence I think I may have been in bed a quarter of
an hour or so before I went to sleep ; except in this
instance, I fall asleep the instant I am in bed, and do
not wake till I am called. I hope Ave have weathered
the danger of war.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 341
" The French Govermnent have ordered their troops i83l.
from Belgium, but I believe the whole of them will uot be Mt. 49.
withdrawn, as Leopold has begged some of them raay be
retained for his protection. I suspect he pretends to be
more alarmed than he is, and Avishes to curry favour with
France by making this application, with a view of promoting
his marriage with the French Princess."
The " hard Avork " on the 24th to which Lord
Althorp here refers, AA^as the discussion of the 10?.
franchise, which lasted three nights, without throAV-
ing much light on the great difficulties involved in
it. Neither the Ministry nor the Opposition seem
to have been adequately informed as to the character
and extent of the new constituency thus called into
existence, and the technical objections raised by the
Tory laAvyers, though not without ingenuity, haA'e
long lost all interest. Lord Althorp spoke at least
eleven times in one debate, chiefly in reply ; and his.
spirit and readiness in what might haA^e been con
sidered an unequal contest, greatly pleased the Whig-
country gentlemen. It must be confessed, hoAvever,,
that he had also to complain of some well-meaning
but not judicious Reformers, who, as the Bill ad
vanced, endeavoured to force their ov,m peculiar
AdcAvs on the Government, by amendments which
Avere ahvays defeated, though not Avithout a serious,
consumption of time. Lord Milton erred the most,
in this respect ; and, as he sometimes chose to make
these motions from the Ministerial Bench, sittinof
very near Lord Althorp, it gave as much annoyance
to the Ministers as encouragement to the Opposition^

342 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. I recollect the Lord Chancellor addressing to him a

Mt, 49.

to

letter of remonstrance, which sent him for a time
into the country, for he said that he could not listen
tongue-tied to proceedings of Avhich he disapproved.
This frequent interru|)tion of the business irritated
the Reformers out of doors, and the displeasure
they exjDressed against the Government on this
account was mistaken by some of the more Adolent
Tories for an angry feeling towards the Bill. Sir
Charles Wetherell said that "he had watched the
sig as of the times. He saAV the opinion of the
co.mtry Avas changed, and the current running in
a contrary direction to that in which it had for
some time run, and he could no longer be called
' factious or refractory in his opposition.' " '"" ScA-eral
attempts had already been made to accelerate the
jirogress of the Bill by more frequent sittings,
Avithout eifect. Mr. Hume, at the instigation of
some of his Middlesex constituents, brought the
subject again before the House in a very long
siDeech, asking the House to allow five days in the
Aveek, from twelve o'clock, exclusively to the Com
mittee. He met A^dth considerable support, but not
from Lord Althorp, whose explanation, candidly
pointing out the causes of the delay and its conse
quences, met with almost universal acquiescence.
The Tories, not less than the Whigs, seemed panic-
struck at the risk of his Avithdrawal from the charge
of the Bill, and the two parties vied with each other
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third ser., v. vi., p. 718.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 343
in praising him. Sir Robert Peel observed, that issi.
he had never seen business conducted in a manner ¦^'- ^^¦__
more entitling the Minister conducting it to every
deference. " Let the noble Lord only persevere in
the course he is noAV taking — let him appeal to the
House in the way he now appealed to it — and he
(Sir Robert Peel) would venture to say that not a
single member would be found to oppose him." Mr.
Charles Wynn added, "that the moderation and
temper A\dth which Lord Althorp had endeavoured
to expedite the passing of the Bill was the only
efficient way in which it could be expedited ; any
other mode of expediting it would generate a factious
sjoirit, and only increase the delay." Similar and
Avarmer testimonies to the merit of Lord Althorp
Avere given from his OAvn supporters. The motion
was of course Avithdrawn.
The feeling thus expressed towards Lord Althorp
Avas no more than what was generally entertained
throughout the country. In a MS. Diary kept by an
inteUigent observer of public events at that day I
find a similar account of the debate, with this addi
tion ; — "Lord Althorp, although Avithout any con
siderable poAvers, has taken nearly the Avhole respon
sibility and labour of the detailed discussion of the
Bill, and he has done it in such a way as to win the
esteem and conciliate the feelings of the whole
House. Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Wynn, Lord Ebring
ton, and Labouchere, all spoke the same language.
Lord Althorp is a perfectly English character — an
admirable specimen of that calm, unpretending good

344 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. sense, excellent temper, and gentlemanlike feehngs
^'^- ^^- by which it is often distinguished." '"
After this debate the business of the Committee
proceeded without any unreasonable interruption,
the Tory leaders, such as Sir Robert Peel and his
immediate friends, being really desirous Lord Al
thorp should have no further ground of complaint.
It was fortunate they were so, as even his iron frame
was yielding to the unintermitting pressure put upon
it, for when not at work in the Committee, his spare
nights were usually employed with some legal friends
in adapting the Bill to the alterations made by the
amendments. He Avas absent from indisposition on
the SOth, when the Freeman's Abolition Clause —
one of the most important parts of the BiU — occu
pied the House to a late hour, and was most ably
argued by Lord John Russell, who took his place
for that night. It appears from the foUoAving letter
that he resumed his post on the 1st of September —
a day which he would have much preferred to pass
at Althorp or Wiseton, rather than in the House.

Sept. 2nd. " To-day's paper will show you that I am
in a state of activity again. Last nightt was rather too
hard work for a convalescent to begin with, and I vvas
completely tired at its close, but I am not the worse for
it to-da_y. I still keep at the top of the ladder ; when
I last saAV you Ave agreed there was great danger that I

* MS. Diary of the late Mr. MaUet, a son of tbe celebrated Mallet
de Pan. Mr. Mallet was not favourable to the Eeform Bill.
t On clauses 23 and 24, for the appointment of Commissioners to
divide the country and settle the boundaries of Boroughs. — Authob.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 345
should have a great fall. I am surprised I have not had is:Jl.
one yet ; but I now begm to think I shall hold my popu- -Er. 49.
larity till Ave are all turned out together, and that is all,
as far as I am concerned, that I can wish. The immense
practice in speaking that I have had has of course in
creased my facility both as to remembering the arguments
of my opponents and as to expressing my own answers,
very much ; and I have, as you see, taken the whole de
bate on our side into my own hands. John EusseU has
shown great temper and good feeling ; so far from ob
jecting to my taking the business from him, he urges me
to do so. Few people in his circumstances would have felt
so properly."
This dreary warfare Avas happily now drawing
to a close ; and on the 7th of September, after
thirty-nine days' sitting, the Committee finished
their labours.
Three days Avere given to the Report, and as many The Ue-
to the last stage of the Bill, during Avhich the whole passes the
T • r- J 1 11-1 -I ¦ Commons
measure Avas re-argued, as if there had been no dis- —and is
cussion on the Second Reading, and on the 21st of fet time
September the Bill finally passed. The sickly Lords!
countenances of the members present showed how
thoroughly both parties were exhausted by the
contest. The next day nearly two hundred members, Avith
Lord Althorp and Lord John Russell at their head,
the latter bearing the Reform Bill in his hand, '
appeared at the bar of the House of Lords. A
large attendance of Peers, besides an absolute throng
of strangers, showed that they were expected. It
Avas difficult to say whether Lord John delivered his

346 MEMOLE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. message, or the Lord Chancellor communicated it,
-^^- ^^- to the House with the greater solemnity of tone and
manner. Hansard truly observes " that these words
of mere form and ceremony, which no one perhaps
ever thought of listening to before, were on tliis
occasion heard with breathless attention." The
evident impression made by the scene on the Tory
Peers present, encouraged Ministers to think more
favourably of their prospects. The Second Reading
Avas fixed for the 22nd instant.
Eejoicing Out of the Housc, the cause of Reform now stood on
an the
country. the highest pinnacle ofthe public favour; the people
regarded the Bill as safe ; a general illumination to
celebrate the passing of it in the Commons took
place in London with the sanction of the Lord
Mayor, and no public event in my day, since the
battle of Waterloo, has called forth such warm and
general expressions of delight. Unfortunately, in
these rejoicings the populace forgot the respect due
to the hero of Waterloo. His windows, and those
of some of his political friends, were broken, much
to the regret of the Ministers. Among the higher
classes, both in London and the Provinces, there
was of course no lack of dinners and after-dinner
Banquet specches. The banquet given by the Reform mem-
UBtoim bers, at the Thatched House, on the 26th, to Lord
mem eis. ^}^|-^Qj.p g^j^^j Lord John Russell, probably far ex
celled all the other entertainments of a similar char
acter. It was attended by almost every supporter
of the Bill in the House, Sir Francis Burdett
officiating as Chaii-man, in which capacity he was

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 347
almost unrivalled.* When Lord Althorp entered 1831.
the room, he was almost oppressed by the congratu- ^^" ^^" ^
lations and thanks of the company, as if all of them
were under personal obligations to him ; and the
praise he afterwards received from the Chair seemed
to find an echo in every heart. He Avrote to his
father that even at Northampton he had never met
Avith such a welcome. His short speech in reply
Avas so A^ehemently cheered that I am tempted to
insert it here : —
" I have never been ambitious of power, or of high degree,
but I have been, and am still, ambitious of that popularity
whicli is the true result of an honest and consistent dis
charge of j)ubhc duty. With tliis ambition, you will judge
what my feehngs are on the present occasion, when I am
honoured by such a mark of distinction from gentlemen
who have been selected from the body of my fellow-countrj'-
men as the known and avowed supporters of those measures
upon which — it is vain to conceal the fact — the happiness,
the prosperity, and the future welfare of the country de
pend. I hope I am not vain when I say, that I do feel
proud, in the highest degree, of such a proof of your appro
bation. I hope and trust I have done my best. I am sure
. i have endeavoured to do so Avith regard to the great mea
sure of Eeform ; but if that measure has at least to a great
extent succeeded, how has that happy result been attained ?
It has been attained by your assistance and by the support
* Su- Francis Burdett's popular manners and vivacity of expression
gave him eminent success at all political meetings, and not the least,
when of a social and convivial character. It was very difficult not to
sympathise with his genial and happy remarks. He particularly shone
on this occasion, for he both loved and respected Lord Althorp, who in
return entertained a very friendly feeling towards him, and only re
gretted that the good qualities he really possessed should often be
grievously misapplied. — Authoe.

348 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. of the people of England; and I should be Avanting in jus-
Mt. 49. tice if I did not say, that such a result could not have been
attained except by the ipost extraordinary and unparalleled
exertion on your part, by the steady attendance of the gen
tlemen I have now the honour of addressing, dm-ing a long
and tedious sitting, throughout the whole of which we were
compelled to present to our enemies such a front as proved
to them, that, though they might protract the struggle, they
never could hope to gain the slightest advantage in the
contest." *
The evening passed off" with great spirit. " God
save the King" was of course enthusiastically
receiA^ed, and the whole of the company joined in
the chorus — Confound their politics.
Frustrate their knavish tricks.
The King, I have no doubt, was highly pleased with
the account ; and it may here be mentioned that pains
Avere taken that he should be made fully acquainted
Avith any circumstances likely to strengthen his in^
terest in Reform.
These manifestations of the feelings of the coun^
try were misunderstood by the Peers. A large ma?
jority of them, whilst admitting the general excite
ment, attributed it to the inflammatory arts of the
Ministry, assisted by the commercial distress at
home and political disturbances abroad, with the
removal of Avhich they confidently expected popular
* The honours paid to Lord John EusseU on the same evening -will
no doubt be recorded when to praise him as he deserves can be done
without the imputation of flattery. May that time be far distant ! —
Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 349
opinion Avould return to its former channels. Par- i83l.
liamentary Reform had foAV cordial supporters even "^^' ^^-
among the Whig Peers. Lord Carnarvon, a vio
lent Whig, had always been opposed to it, and so
AA^as Lord GrenviUe. Independently of party spirit,
which in the Lords had more of personal feeling
than in the Commons, the whole body of the Tory
Peers had an inherent and honest aversion to any
great constitutional changes. Unlike the Anti-Re
formers in the House of Commons, they Avere in
a very decided majority ; and, conscious of their
strength, to yield against their own convictions to
what they deemed the revolutionary policy of the
Commons, appeared to them a mean betrayal of their
legislative functions.
Unfortunately the Duke of Wellington, so Avise
in most respects, was slow in discovering the signs
of the times ; and it is not surprising that, under
such a leader, still possessing almost unbounded in
fluence, the largest section of the Peerage Avas pre
determined to reject the Bill.
Under these circumstances the Second Reading Debate on
Avas debated during five nights, and it must be theLird"
admitted that, whatever weaknesses or prejudices
may be pointed out in the speeches of some of the
Tory Peers, there was a grand display of A?it,
rhetoric, and constitutional knowledge on both sides.
As a debate, it presented more uniform excellence
than that in the Commons, but the latter was more
bright and varied in character, so that whilst one
was most praised by the critics, the other most

350 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. interested the country. Lord Grey's opening- speech
^^- ^^- was very good, but did not quite satisfy his admirers.
It appeared to me less spirited and forcible than
might have been expected from his long-tried zeal
for Reform ; but, alas ! some thirty years had passed
since, in the prime of manhood, he had made the
question his own, forcing it on an adverse and im
patient House of Commons, Avith the cold and
divided support of his party ; but all his wonted
fires gloAved in his reply, which was generally ad
mitted to be magnificent. The group of young
members of the House of Commons collected be
hind the throne Avere, in the warmth of their
admiration, with difficulty restrained from cheering.
The most elaborate and highly finished speeches,
however, were those of the Lord Chancellor and of
Lord Lyndhurst. Each was beautifully artistic, the
latter being a model of persuasive oratory, and set
off by every advantage of voice and manner. As I
listened to him, I forgot the imputations against his
sincerity, and might have believed him Avhen he
indignantly repudiated Lord Grey's charge of his
formerly holding opinions favourable to Reform,
adding, emphaticaUy, Avith a loud voice, " I never
Avas a Whig ; " but the Attorney-General (Denman),
Avho stood next to me, pressed my arm tightly,
saying, " Villain ! No, he Avas a Democrat. When
I was a young man, he took me to a dinner of the
friends of the people. The violence of the speeches
startled me, and I could not help observing that
I thought his friends went too far, for there must

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 351
be some honest Tories. ' No,' he (Lord Lyndhurst) 1831.
answered, ' it is impossible ; an honest Tory is a con- ^^^^j^
tradiction in terms.' " '"
What Avas thought of the Lord Chancellor's
speech appears from the foUoAving extract from
one of Lord Althorp's letters, Avritten a fcAv hours
after the debate, when the impression produced by
the wand of the mag-ician Avas still fresh : — " All

* Lord Grey had expected that, in appointing Lord Lyndhurst
Chief Baron, he had withdrawn bim from poUtics ; and, indeed, the
latter intimated to Lord Essex at the time that his position was quite
changed, and he could no longer act against Earl Grey. He was, I
suspect, " in utrumque paratus." I must admit that, whatever may
be said against his political morality, there is no doubt of his wonder
ful abiUties, and of his accomplishments as a speaker. He argued the
case of the Tories against the BiU much better than Sir Eobert
Peel did. He was, indeed, always a complete master of his argument,
his premises being so skilfully laid that his conclusions were almost
irresistible : nothing could be more clear, distinct, and logical, than
his handling of a subject, — at least, according to his own view of it ;
but he grappled with no difficulties that he was not sure to overcome.
Hence his decisions (as I am assured by the most eminent advocate ofthe
Chancery Bar) are of Uttle use as precedents, and certainly inferior to
Lord Brougham's, who boldly, and often successfully, unravelled the
web of sophistry and technicality that surrounds so many questions
of law. Lord Brougham once told me that he considered Lord Lj'nd-
hurst a much overrated man, which was certainly true, when the
latter was estimated higher than himself; for, neither as a law re
former, nor as a statesman in au enlarged sense of the word, could
there be any comparison between them. Lord Lyndhurst's attention,
indeed, was confined to mere party questions, which he viewed only
through the medium of party ; so that his speeches against Catholic
Emancipation in 1827, and for it in 1830, were equally eloquent and
effective. His advocacy in this respect, combined -with his great
abilities, made him a most agreeable aud useful colleague. His bold
ness and sagacity were undeniable ; and those quaUties might be
traced in his countenance, which was highly inteUectual and almost
handsome, though it bore a remarkable resemblance to that of Me-
phistopheles in "Eetsch's OutUnes of Faust." Among his many
natural gifts, the rich, melodious tone of his voice was not the least. —
Author.

852 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. agree that it was the best he ever made. Grey and
.fe^. Holland both say it was superhuman — that it united
all the excellences of the ancient with those of
modern oratory, and that the action and delivery
Avere as much applauded as the speech itself" Lord
Holland expressed himself quite as warmly to me to
the same effect. He observed that he had not heard
so fine a speech even from his uncle Charles (Fox),
and this was his idea of the perfection of public
speaking. The only fault that I perceived in it at
the time, was his insinuating that he Avas not per
fectly satisfied with the measure ; a short-sighted
device to which he resorted, Avith the Adew of per
suading some of the Tories to vote for the Second
Reading, in the hope that they would have his
assistance to amend the BiU in the Committee. Not
a single vote, however, Avas thus gained, and he
most undeservedly became suspected of coldness in
the cause of Reform ; indeed, overtures were in con-
its rejec- sequence made to him to join the Tories. There
*''""¦ Avere some faint cheers at the announcement of
the majority (41) against the Bill, but the general
aspect along the Tory benches was rather of anxiety
than exultation.
In a few hours a feeling of anger and indignation
shoAved itself among the public, that must have
shaken the resolution of the Tory Peers. An imme
diate contest with the House of Commons, if not
with the people, became ineAutable ; for the Liberal
members assembled at once at the Thatched House,
and, after some violent speeches, determined that

MEMOLE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 353
Lord Ebrington,'^-' the member for Devonshire, a i83i.
nobleman of great Aveight in the House for his judg- ¦^'^- ^^-
ment, disinterestedness, and spirit, as well as for the
decided part he had long taken in support of Liberal
measures, should move a vote of confidence in the
Ministers on the following Monday.
The Cabinet met the same afternoon, and agreed E.xcitement
in the
to come to no formal decision until the result of the country
motion was known. They were unfortunately dis- Commons.
turbed at their sitting- by a noise in the street from
a large concourse of people who had foUoAved the
Lord Chancellor, and afterwards waited to escort
him to his home in Berkeley Square, much to the
discomposure of one section of the Government, to
which it appeared the sign of coming troubles, t
They apprehended that a general rising among the
middle and loAver classes would be the inevitable
result of a quarrel between the two Houses, and
Jiesitated as to how far any Government was justified
in exposing the country to the risk of such a cala
mity. The Cabinet, in fact, was in imminent danger
* Viscount Ebrington was one of Lord Althorp's earliest and most
intimate friends. His advanced views in poUtios had long kept him
out of the representation of bis native county (Devon), where his
family possessed great estates, and were deservedly popular. I recol
lect once seeing him an unsuccessful candidate on the hustings at
Exeter, and was much impressed by his fine person and noble- de
meanour, whicb gave his spirited addresses additional effect on an
admiring auditory. He looked quite the model of a young English
nobleman. His enthusiasm for Uberty was not confined to words, as,
in the beginning of tho Peninsular war, he joined the Spanish Patriots
as a Volunteer, and served some time in their ranks. I had the honour
of being admitted to his friendship, and can conscientiously say that
be bad one ofthe purest minds I have ever known.— Author,
t Letter from Viscount Althorp to Earl Spencer, MS.

354 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. of dissolution, as may be inferred from the following
^¦'•^^- letters:—

VISCOUNT ALTHOEP TO EAEL SPENCEE. " October 8th.
" I begin my note not able to give you any information
beyond what is contained in the papers, as I have not yet
seen any of my colleagues. We are to have a Cabinet at
three, and if I have time afterwards, I will Avrite to you
again. It however appears to me, that a majority of 41 is
not to be coped Avith. I think the reasonable part of the
country would not support us in making fifty peers. I am
sm-e neither Grey nor myself can stay in unless Ave have a
reasonable prospect of carrying a measure as large as the
one we have lost ; and I do not see how we can say that
we have a reasonable prospect of doing this in the face
of such a majority. The great difHculty of the case is,
that the ordinary rule of going straight forward appears to
me not to be quite certainly apphcable to it, though I
think it probably is. According to this ordinary rule, we
ought to resign. I am inchned to think, indeed, that this
is the only mode of carrying Eeform. I think Eeform will
never pass the House of Lords unless it is brought forward
by its enemies, as the Catholic Question Avas. There is a
great meeting of Eeforming Members of the House of
Commons at the Thatched House to-day, Ebrington is at
the head of it, and much Avill depend on their decision — at
least, much may depend upon it. I am sure our Cabinet
will break to pieces ; but if I saw my own course clearly,
Avhich at present I do not, I should, without considering
this, take mj^ own line and form a Government, if the
means Avere placed at my disposal, whichever of my col
leagues resigned ; or, if the means were not placed at my
disposal, state that this was the reason why I did not do so.
An additional difficulty in my way is, that there is no
human being on whose judgment I feel sufficient rehance

MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE. 355
to take his guidance in the present crisis. I will send this 1831.
letter, and write you another if I have time." Mt. 49.

" October 10th.
" We are in a state of high excitement ; liitherto all has
been quiet here, but the great meeting in Marylebone has
adjourned to Hyde Park, and they are there so near the
Duke of Wellington's house, that I think there is con
siderable danger. The only riot we have heard of is the
one at Derby, and I hope that is put down. All accounts
concur in saj'ing that our quitting office will be the signal
for general confusion. The Tories are now very much
frightened by what they have done ; and the leaders of
the pohtical unions are equally frightened, as they find
they have set a machine in motion which they cannot
control. The Tories wanted to move some Eeform resolu
tions in the House of Lords, but they cannot agree among
themselves, and it avlU probably come to nothing. The
speech I have to make to-night is terrific ; one word in its
Avrong place may produce the most disastrous gonsequences.
If we can weather the next fortnight without a convulsion,
everything will then do. But just now the crisis is rather
awful. There Avill, I have no doubt, be a great mob m
Palace Yard to-day. It is quite wonderful, but I believe
the people never had an idea that the BUl Avas in the
slightest danger."
Lord Althorp's anxiety about his speech Avas pro
bably shared by his coUeagues, for it had been
agreed that he should be the only Minister to take
part in the debate, a precaution fully warranted by
the conflicting opinions in the Cabinet, but throwing
on him a painful degree of responsibility. The
King had already announced to Earl Grey his
A A 2

356 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. desire that the Ministers should remain in office,
•^^- ^^- so that, the principal object of the motion having
been attained, the Ministers were little less
anxious than the King that the debate should
give no excuse for an increase of the prevaihng
agitation. This, however, they scarcely ventured to hope.
Lord Althorp found the House in a state of excite
ment, hardly surpassed on the day of the first
reading- of the Reform BiU ; the Ministerialists
being most angry and indignant. It was in vain
that Lord Ebrington, with whom he had been in
constant communication, made a most temperate,
firm, and judicious speech ; and that Mr. Goulburn's
reply betrayed the dread of the Tory leaders of any
lengthened discussion. Mr. Macaulay and Sir Charles
Wetherell led the way for a fierce contest, which
Lord Al- lasted sevei^l hours ; and Lord Althorp found him-
speechin Self at its closo obUgcd uot only to answer the
various attacks which had been made on the Govern
ment, but to respond to the zeal so generously dis
played by his party, and yet without giAdng any
just cause of offence to the House of Lords. His
triumph was complete in the estimation of his
friends at the time ; and even after the lapse of so
many years, his speech will, I hope, be read with
interest. " I feel," he said, " all the difficulties of my situation. I
feel that this motion involves the conduct and character of
the Government; and I therefore waited tiU the other
members had dehvered their opinions, wishing to learn the

the House.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 357
feehngs and opinions of the House before I stated my own 1831.
views, or before I undertook the defence of any of our mea- ^t. 49.
sures. I have now heard the opinions of gentlemen, and
Avill take the opportunity of saying a few words. From the
opinions I have heard, it is stated that the conduct of the
Government has not been such as to deserve the confidence
of the House. The right hon. Baronet* has adverted to
the financial measures, and to the foreign pohcy, and to that
still more important subject, the present state of the public
feehng, for which he holds His Majesty's Government
responsible. As to our financial measures, I will not noAV
enter into any detail respecting them. Certainly, what I
proposed on that subject did not meet with the approbation
of the House ; but I have the satisfaction, nevertheless, to
know, that several of my propositions were attended with
beneficial consequences. It has been said, that the remis
sion of the tax on coals has not been productive of any good
effect. In the immediate neighbourhood of town, I allow
that it has not; but in the remoter districts prices have fallen.
Then, Avith respect to the remission of the tax on printed;
cottons. I have the satisfaction of knowing that in the
manufacturing districts it has had a great and beneficial
effect. So that, admitting that the larger portion of the
measiu-es Avhich I proposed did not experience the concur-^
rence of the House, yet others have given much relief. On
our foreign policy I Avill also abstain from entering into.
details. But we have the satisfaction to say, that we have.
preserved peace. One of the first pledges that we gave on.
entering upon office was, that we would endeavour to do sc
We have redeemed that pledge, and there is no dauger
whatever that the present peace Avill be broken. As.
to the other most important point to which the right
hon. Baronet alluded, namely, the present state of public
feeling, I maintain that for that state, the present Govern
ment are not accountable. When we came into oifice, we
found a strong and universal desire existing for Parlia-
•» Sir Eobert Peel.

358 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. mentary Eeform. That desire had been increasing for
Mt, 49. many years. The right hon. Baronet and his friends were
obhged to acknowledge its existence ; and so strongly had
it operated on the right hon. Baronet's mind, that he allowed
it had induced him on one occasion (before the introduction
of the late Bill) to abstain from voting in that House on the
question of Eeform. Such was the state of feeling when
he came into office, and when my noble friend at the head
of the Administration gave that pledge on the subject of
Eeform whicii was consistent Avith aU the principles of his
pubhc life. It has been insinuated by a right hon. and
gallant officer, that His Majesty's Government increased
the extent of their measure of Eeform, because thej^ found
that they had lost the confidence of the late House of Com
mons. Now, I will ask, who that -knew the composition
and character of the late House of Commons would, in his
senses, haA'e proposed to them an extended measure of
Eeform in consequence of our haA'ing lost their confidence ?
Does the right hon. and gaUant member recollect the sort
of impression which the measure made on its introduction
into the late House ? An impression so strong, that I am
convinced if the House had divided on tbe first night, the
Bill would have been thrown out by an immense majoritj-.
It Avas onlj'' after consideration, and after the sense of the
country had declared itself in favour of the Bill, that we
obtained the small majority that we did obtain. It was not
we who excited the feeling in favour of Eeform ; but, that
feeling existing, it would have been very dangerous to have
brought in a delusive measure wliich would have disap
pointed the people. Undoubtedly, having passed the mea
sure for the Eeform of the Eepresentation, by a great
majority in this House, and haA'ing fsent it to the other
House of Parliament, we did expect that at least it would
have been taken into consideration. In that expectation
we have been disappointed.
" The right hon. Baronet says, that this motion is un
necessary. I do not mean to say that my noble friend did
not previously tell me of his intention to propose such a

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 359
motion; but the step was taken entirely without our sug- 1831.
gestion. The object of the motion — whether right or wrong, Mt, 49.
it is not for me to say — is, that if the House thinks that the
remoA'al of the present Ministers from His Majesty's Coun
cils would have a disastrous effect on j)ublic affairs, it was
desirable that the House should express a strong confidence
in those Ministers. It may be necessarj' that I should
speak frankly and freely on the subject. For myself, I
declare that unless I felt a reasonable hope that a measure
as efficient as that recently passed in this House might be
secured by our continuance in office, I would not continue
in office an hour. Whenever that hope ceases, I will cease
to hold office. Both my colleagues and myself owe too
much to our Sovereign — we are too deeply indebted for the
kindness, the candour, the frank sinceritj' which we have
uniformly experienced from him — to desert the service of
the King while His Majesty thinks our services A^aluable,
and we ourselves think we can advantageously serve His
Majesty. But Ave can no longer serve His Majestj' advan
tageously if we sacrifice our character. Whatever may be
the consequences of our retirement, it is our duty not to
sacrifice our character. We owe also a great deal to the
people. We have been supported by the people in the most
handsome manner. The people have a right to demand
that we should not desert them while our stay in office can
conduce to their benefit. Sir, I will further state, that I
Avill not be a party to the proposal of any measure less
efficient than that lately passed in this House. I do not
raean to say that, after the discussion and consideration
Avhich the measure underwent, some modification may not
be made in it, which, Avithout diminishing its efficiency,
may render it more complete. But what I mean to say is,
that I will be no party to any measure which I do not con
scientiously believe will give the people a full, free, and fair
representation in Parliament, and secure all the objects
which we hoped to effect for them by the late Bill. It is
impossible that His Majesty's present Government can
make any other proposition to the House. I admit that

360 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. the opponents of the Bill haye had a great triumph ; al-
Mt. 49. though, in the present Debate, with the exception of one
~^ hon. gentleman, no great triumph has been expressed. But
I am confident that the measure is only postponed. I am
satisfied that if the people of England wiU be firm and
determined, but at the same time peaceable and quiet, there
can be no doubt of their ultimate, and even speedy, success.
There is one, and only one, chance of failure and disap
pointment ; I mean any occurrence that may lead the people
to break out into acts of violence, or into any unconstitu
tional conduct. If I have any influence with the people, if
they put any trust in my sincerity — I implore them — for the
sake of the great cause in which we are engaged, to be
patient and jpeaceable, and to do nothing illegal or uncon
stitutional. I would say to them. Be as firm, be as deter
mined, be as persevering as you please ; but never break
through legal and constitutional restraints; never place
yourselves in a situation in which the law must be put in
operation against you, whoever are Ministers. By temper
ance, steadiness, and perseverance, the cause of Parlia
mentary Eeform must ultimately triumph. Whether ray
colleagues and myself are destined to have the honour of
success upon that question as Ministers, or whether, as in
the Catholic question, after having fought the battle others
are to enjoy the glory of victory, I know not ; but as long
as I have any voice in the direction of public affairs, I will
use my utmost exertions in the cause of Parliamentary
Eeform." * (Loud cheers.)
This speech is, I think, one of Lord Althorp's
best. A majority of 131 in favour of the Resolution
assured the Ministers of the fidelity of their sup
porters, and brightened their hopes of the future.
Whilst this victory gave an immense accession of
strength to the Government, it also revealed to
¦* Hansard's Pari. Deb., Tbird ser., v. viii., p. 458.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 361
them fresh difficulties in their position. The two 1831.
Houses could not be thus openly at A'ariance on '^''- ^^i
such a vital question as Reform, Avithout imparting
a degree of sanction to movements made by the
more violent Radical party for the subversion of the
House of Lords to which the Whigs were altogether
opposed. At the same time, the enthusiasm in some of the
large towns took a democratic character, leading to
popular excesses, that both injured the cause and
seriously embarrassed the Government.
Already the Political Unions, not satisfied Avith xheBir-
denouncing the Peerage, had assumed an authority i'diticai
Avliich neither branch of the Legislature pretended
to possess ; and, in one instance, they nearly impli
cated the Ministers in their proceedings, for the
Birmingham Union at a monster meeting, reported
to consist of above 150,000 men, came to a resolution
that they would pay no taxes in the CA'ent of the
Reform BUl being rejected by the Lords;'"" and
then, almost Avith the same breath, passed a vote
of thanks to Lord Althorp and Lord John Russell
for their services in carrying the Bill through the
Commons. It may fairly be doubted whether a Minister of
the Crown was justified in noticing, except to cen
sure, a meeting which had passed so illegal, if not
-* There is no precedent in our bistory (witbin my knowledge) of
a refusal to pay taxes since tbe time of tbe Sbip-money, and this
rested solely on the alleged illegality of the tax. The Unionists had
no such excuse ; and in setting the law at defiance they would have
plunged tbe country into fhe deepest confasion.— Autiiok.

302 MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. revolutionary, a resolution ; but the rejection of the
^-''^' ^'^' Bill by the Lords having taken place before Lord
Althorp could acknowledge the vote of thanks, it
ajipeared to him in the general burst of resentment
which followed, that the Government alone stood
between the people and revolution ; so that for the
sake of public security, if not of Reform, it was
incumbent on him to maintain at that critical
moment, at almost any cost, its popularity Avith the
masses. Accordingly, he addressed the following letter to
Mr. Attwood, the chairman of the meeting : —
" Sir, " I beg to acknowledge the receiiJt of your letter
containing a vote of thanks to me from the great meeting
over which j-ou presided. The unanimous approbation of
150,000 of my fellow countrymen is no trifling honour. I
feel sincerely thankful for it ; and I beg to assure you that
it gave me the highest gratification. The large majority
by which the Bill has been lost in the House of Lords,
is, I fear, a very serious calamity. It can, however, only
postpone the success of our cause ; but I beseech you to
use all your influence, not merely to prevent anj' acts of
open violence, but any such resistance to the law as is
threatened by the refusal to pny taxes ; such a course as
this is the least likely to promote our success.
"Yours,
" ALTHOEP."
" This letter," observes the " Annual Register,"
" Avas caution itself compared with Lord John
RusseU's, in which the vote of the House of Lords
is described as ' the AA^hisper of a faction.' " Lan-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 363
guage which in candour I am obliged to confess did 1831.
not meet with the approval of Lord Grey.""' He ^^
found no fault Avith Lord Althorp's letter,— -ob
serving that "it Avould do no harm."
Both letters Avere subsequently discussed in an
animated debate in the House of Commons, from
the tenor of Avhich it may be inferred, that but for
the irritation produced by Lord John's warmth of
expression. Lord Althorp's letter Avould have escaped
AAuth the very gentlest censure. As it Avas, great
forbearance Avas shoAvn to him by the Opposition,
and the sUence of Sir Robert Peel on the occasion
makes it probable that he considered Lord Althorp
to haA-^e taken a course which, under the circum
stances, it would at the time be hazardous policy to
condemn. In this heated state of the public mind, all parties
agreed in the necessity of having a Reform Bill
before the country Avith the least possible delay;
and to give Ministers time for preparing it, as Avell
as in the hope of calming the general excitement in
the interval, the Session was hastily brought to a
close on the 20th of October. The House had never
sat so long Avith such barren results.
The only Acts passed of any importance were the Cank-
A 11 1 ^ r ruptcy Act
Bankruptcy Act, Avell knoAvn as Lord Brougham's, and Game
and the Game Act, originating Avith Lord Althorp,
a measure which cost the latter infinite trouble, and
is still considered the leading statute on the subject.
-*- See Eoebuck's History, v. ii., p. 219; and Hansard's Pari. Deb.,
¦Third ser., v. viii., p. 611.

364 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. It contains many valuable provisions, especially
''• ^^' those regulating the sale of dead game, which at
the time were violently opposed by many of the
leading members of the sjiorting community, though
now universally admitted to have removed one of
the greatest temptations to poaching.

CHAPTER XVIII.
POLITICAL EXCITEMENT  DIFFERENCES IN THE CABINET
ON THE PEERAGE QUESTION.
The prospect of even a short exemption from his 1331 .
Avork in Parliament quite raised the spirits of Lord -asi- 49.
Althorp, and he hurried oflf to his favourite Wiseton Political
. . excitement.
for a Aveek, ho^Ding to recover his strength, Avhich
had been seriously reduced by his devotedness to
the Refonn Bill. I saw him just before he left
London, and could not help being shocked by his
altered appearance. He looked much thinner, and
his complexion had lost the fresh healthy tint Avhich
prcAdously distinguished him from most of his col
leagues. He had no companions, nor did he want any ; they
would have interfered with his enjoyment of his
farm, and Avhen he was amongst his flocks and herds
he never kneAv Avhat it was to be dull.
These pleasures, hoAvever, were too soon ended.
On Monday, 31st October, he returned to London,
"having," he says, in a letter to his father, "made
a long day of it." He had expected to be seventeen
hours on the road, and was only sixteen hours and

366 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. fifty minutes. At jiresent, the journey (by rail),
_^'': *^- takes, without an effort, less than four hours.
He found the Cabinet in a gloomy mood. The
riots that had taken place at Nottingham and Derby,
were as nothing compared with those which he now
heard were actually raging at Bristol. The last
accounts represented the town as actually " in the
possession of the mob."
On the following day (2nd November), his letter
is such as might have been written in the beginning
of the troubles of Charles I.
" Bristol is at last got under. There was a great escape
at the Post Office there. The money in the ofSce ou Sun
day night was 300,0001. ; but the man was clever enough to
slip away with it in a hack chaise, without being perceived,
and it was put into the Post Office at Bath. We are under
some apprehension as to a meeting that is to take place on
Monday ; the language of the Committee of ]\Ianagement
is reported to be very bad, and the people are all to be
armed with staves like those of the policemen ; but I cannot
help thinking that our alarms about it are groundless ; we
must, however, be prepared Avith as strong a force as we
can, and I have no doubt it will end in smoke. Burdett's
I meeting was a complete failure ; and I hope he will fail
\ utterly in organizing his Union, for these associations are
really revolutionary.
" Eevolutions do not originate as riots like those at
Bristol, but they maj' arise from such Unions as this of
which Burdett* has put himself at the head, more especially
under a leader who, though Avith the best intentions, is so
Aveak that he never has any opinions of his own."
-* Sir Francis Burdett bad been a party to the efforts make by some
of tbe extreme Eadicals to form a Political Union in London. He
was soon overborne by his more violent associates, and withdrew from
tbem in disgust. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 307
The meeting to Avhich Lord Althorp refers in his issi.
letter proved of no importance ; the most eminent of -^^t. pj.
the Metropolitan Reformers having, at the request
of the Government, declined to attend it. The
agitation, however, continued to spread, the Political
Unions constantly administering to it. Later in
the month, the Birmingham Union came to such
a pitch of boldness, as to call a meeting to organize
the non-payment of taxes, at Avhich their members
were required to appear armed.
The Duke of Wellington, at the same time, wrote
to the King,""' that he had it from authority, which
he could not doubt, that the Union had made a
contract with an eminent gun-maker in London, for
a large supply of arms. The King sent the letter
to Lord Grey ; and although it proved, on a careful
inquiry, in which the Duke aided, that the report
was false, as far as the gun-maker named Avas con
cerned, the violent language of the Unionists made
it not improbable that there might be a contract in
another quarter. At the earnest desire of the Kino<-
a Royal Proclamation was issued, warning the people
against the impohcy and iUegality of the proceedings
of the Unions ; and the Ministers, to their extreme
embarrassment, saw that they inight be obliged to
put it into effect at Birmingham. Lord Grey was
quite prepared at once to do so, thinking, as he did,
that there was less danger to the Reform Bill from
a quarrel with the Unions, than from a seemmg,
connivance at their proceedings; which, in his'
* Letter from Viscount Althorp to Earl Spencer, Oct. 1831 Jjg

568 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. opinion, was likely to lead to a reactionary niove-
j^^li*^^ ment among the Middle Classes, and the consequent
alienation of the most enlightened and influential
portion of the community from the cause of Reform;
nor could he repress a natural indignation at the
dictatorial tone of the Union Manifestoes, which to
a statesman of his temperament were often most
oflfensive. It is, however, very improbable that
either Lord Durham, or Sir James Graham, would
have supported this policy, and in this predicament
Lord Althorp, (who agreed Avith Lord Grey that
the Meeting at Birmingham could not be tolerated,
but on the other hand, believed that any forcible
interference to prevent it would be fatal to the popu
larity of the Government, and consequently to the
prospects of the Bill), ventured upon what he justly
termed a very hazardous step. He sent for a young-
Birmingham solicitor, named Parkes, of whose eha-
racter for honesty, and weight with the chiefs of the
Union he had been assured, and asked him to repre
sent to Mr. Attwood, as j^om himself, the difficulties
of the Government, and the certain ruin to the
cause of Reform, unless the Meeting should be put
off. Mr. Parkes executed the commission success
fully. He found Mr. Attwood anxious to keep the
Ministers in office, especially Lord Althorp, whose
public services he prized very highly ; and it was, I
suspect, mainly from the strength of this sentiment
at Birmingham that the threatened meeting did not
¦^ take place. ^-^
* This transaction was the commencement of Mr. Parkes's good

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 369
During these audacious acts of the Unions, the isai.
Cabinet seems to have been in the most uncomfort- ^^- ^^-
able state. No disposition could be found in the
Tory Peers to give way, and yet the public agitation
Avas rapidly increasing.
The Ministers sat hour after hour in fruitless Differences
1 TI ¦ 1 n 1 * • 1 * ^° ^^®
deliberation on the means of bringmg this un- Cabinet
natural contest to a satisfactory issue. The Lord Peerage
ChanceUor and Lord Durham proposed to cut the "^"^^ '™'
Gordian knot by asking the King to create sixty
Peers — that being the lowest number likely to secure
a majority. At first, the proposal met with the
unanimous dissent of their colleagues. It Avas felt
that such a step would utterly destroy the authority
of the House of Lords as a branch ofthe Legislature,
and virtuaUy amounted to a Revolution. Neither
Lord Grey nor Lord Althorp entered fully into the
fears, entertained by their friends; they moreover
agreed on the necessity of maintaining the constitu
tional rights of the Peerage intact to the last
extremity ; not that Lord Althorp was so attached
to the order as his chief He regretted that he
should eventually have to enter the House of Peers
fortune. He became professionally concerned for the Wbio-s in elec
tion matters, and was much trusted by them. I knew bim woIL, and
invariably found him zealous, honest, and able in his vocation.
Eventually he was rewarded by the appointment of Taxing Master to
the Court of Chancery, which he held for many years up to his
decease in 1865. He was no mean scholar, and could write with
clearness and spbit. He has left behind him some Memoii-s of Sir
Philip Francis, whose merits as an author and a statesman be esti
mated much higher than most people did. He told me tho work
might extend to three volumes ; and if this was the case, it is very
improbable that they would bave found many readers.— Atjthoe

870

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

iggj and he held few opinions in common with the great
Mt. 49. majority of its members ; but he dreaded the estab
lishment of a single Legislature ; believing as he did,
that the action and reaction of each House on the
other constituted one of the greatest safeguards of
the community.
Letter The following letter presents a faithful picture of
Althorp to ^^^ workings of a truly conscientious mind in this
Lora Grey, unprecedented emergency. The indecision it ex
hibits sprang entirely from a sense of duty, and aU
who knew the writer could testify that, although he
was sometimes slow in forming his opinion, his firm
ness in adhering to it, even under the most appalling
trials, amounted to obstinacy, as was seen on more
than one occasion of his official life.
VISCOUNT ALTHOEP TO EAEL GEET.
" DoAVNiNa Steeet, November 23rd, 1831.
" My dear Loed Gbey,
" I Avish to prepare you for a conversation which
you will have to-morrow. After the Cabmet, Graham came
to me, and said he felt himself very much embarrassed by
being convinced that if the Bill was rejected a second time
hy the House of Lords, the most disastrous consequences
would follow ; he therefore thinks we are not justified in
runnmg any hazard of such an event. He has no hopes
that the Peers who formed the majority will be converted in
such numbers as to give anything like a certainty of success.
His idea therefore is that we should immediately secure to
ourselves the consent of the King to make the requisite
number of Peers, Avhatever that number may be, pledging
ourselves that we will uot act upon such consent with
out an estabhshed necessity, or beyond the extent of that
necessity. If the King refuses liis consent, that we

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 371
ought immediately to resign. I told him that I felt a 1831.
very decided objection to making any great number, and that Mt. 49.
I was convinced the Cabinet would not agree to make this
application to the King. His answer was that if this Avas
the case he had made up his mind to resign. I advised
him to speak to you about this to-morrow. I confess I have
had my misgivings upon this subject, and that was the
reason I mentioned it to you this moming. I feel what I
belicA^e to be au insurmountable objection to overwhelming
the House of Lords by a large creation of Peers ; but still I
must admit that if it was clearly proved to me that a revolu
tion would be the consequence of not taking this step, and
that not only the House of Lords, but every other thing of
value in the countrj'- would be overturned, it Avould be a very
strong thing to say that it ought not to be taken. I should
prefer making use of the Privileges of the Commons for the
purpose of forcing the House of Lords, to using this Pre
rogative of the Crown.
" As I told you this morning, both, however, are des
perate expedients. You have, of course, made up your
mind as to the line of conduct we ought to follow ; but I
thought it best that you should know beforehand what
G-raham intends to say to you, and what he at present in
tends to do, and I told him accordingly that I should write
to you upon this subject. If he perseveres in bringmg the
matter forward, and with the intention of resignmg in case
of failure, our days are numbered. For any one Minister
going out on this ground, in the present state of feeling of
the country, must be fatal to us ; and the only way this
could be avoided would be, that the Cabinet should be
unanimous in giving this advice to the King, and that the
King should accept it. The reasons for making up om-
minds to take some decisive steps to secure our success are
undoubtedly very strong. We are supposed by the Ee
formers to have the full support of the King to the utmost
extent of his prerogative ; and the example set by Casimir
Perrier in France, though in reahty by no means analogous,
tends to make them expect this from us. I should not, I
B B 2

372 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. think, be able to make up my mind to follow it ; but I do
Mt. 49. not feel so much objection to requiring of the King that he
should put this power in our hands, — the possession of it
would render the use of it unnecessary. If the King re-.
fused to give it to us, and we resigned now, our measure ia
carried ; for no other Ministry could be formed, and we
should come back Avith such an overwhelming strength that
the House of Lords must give way at once. These are my
views at present ; you perceive they are not very steady or
fixed, and I shall be very glad to be guided by you.
" Yours most truly,
" ALTHOEP."
It has been stated""' that Lord Grey saw aU the
dangers and difficulties of his position and trembled
under them, so that he could hardly be kept at his
post by the more resolute and calm words of the
Lord ChanceUor. For this I can find no evidence,
and it is incompatible with the knoAvn courage of
Lord Grey. He may indeed have expressed a
belief that the Tory Peers might, under pressure
from the country, accept a Reform Bill at the hands
of their own party, which, from hatred of the Whigs,
they would reject from the Ministry ; in which case
he would gladly resign, his determination to pass the
Bill, either in office or out of office, being fixed,
unalterable, and paramount to all personal consider
ations. A pusillanimous flight would have belied
the whole tenor of his past life.
At times there Avas reason to hope that, with
some moderate concessions to the fears and preju
dices of the Peers, the Bill would be allowed to
* Eoebuck's History, v. ii., p. 225.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 373

Mt. 49.

pass. Amongst other persons. Dr. Blomfield, the im
Bishop of London, and Mr. Horsley Palmer, the _
Governor of the Bank— the one possessing great
influence with the Bishops, and the other Avith the
trading community in London — gave confident as
surance to Lord Althorp to this eff'ect. Under this
impression. Lord Grey and Lord Althorp again took
counsel together and amended the BiU in a conser
vative spirit, by modifying the clauses for the dis
franchisement of the freemen, and taking the
amount of taxes, instead of the population, in every
borouo-h, as the chief element in the basis of its
enfranchisement. The latter involved a re-examina
tion of the Schedules and additional inquiries into
the population and property in the boroughs, all
which it was proposed to subject to the control of
Parliament, instead as before of leaving it to the
Privy Council. These jirovisions might give um
brage to the Radicals, but Lord Grey looked to the
country at large for support in what he considered
a reasonable compromise.
In the meaiiAvhile a feeling sprung up throughout
the Liberal party for the early meeting of Parlia
ment to consider the third edition of the Reform
BiU. The question was brought before the Cabinet,
and the time fixed for the 6th of December. Lord
Althorp, in this instance, is said to have divided the
Cabinet against Lord Grey, who, far from yielding,
as has been stated, to the pressure from without,
desired a further prolongation of the Recess, to
prove to the country the determination of the

374

MEMOLE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1831.
Mt. 49.

Government to put down all illegal proceedings on
the part of the Unions. He wrote to Lord Althorp
that he felt the Government to have been so remiss
on this point as to expose themselves to serious
animadversion in ParUament. Lord Althorp, on
the other hand, treated this exposure as a trifle
compared with the immediate and vigorous prose
cution of the great object before them.
The following letter from Lord Althorp, on the
first day of the Session, to his father, throws some
light on these transactions : — -

Letter
from Lord
Althorp to
Lord Spencer.

VISCOUNT ALTHOEP TO EAEL SPENCEE.
"December 20th, 1831.
" My deae Fathee,
"Lord Grey is quite decided against making the
number of Peers necessary to carry the Bill. It is a diffi
cult question, but on the ivhole I agree with him. I read
him your letter to-day, as it is right that he should know
the opinion a man hke you has upon the subject. Whether
he changes his opinion or not, the proposing this to the
King would undoubtedly break up the Government. 1
think also as certainly that the refusing to iiropose it will
have the same eifect. If the number requisite could be re
duced to a moderate amount, such as twelve, or perhaps
twenty, I should concur, and so I think would Lord Grey ;
but to make forty, fifty, or sixty, would be to eifect a certain
revolution with the view of preventing a contingent one. I
think, as matters stood at the time of the division in the
House of Lords, less than sixty would not have done ; be
cause Ave must calculate that such a measure would disgust
a good many of our present supporters, whom we should
lose. We had a dreadful scene at my Cabinet dinner
yesterday, which will probably lead to very detrimental
consequences for the moment. Durham made the most

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 875
brutal attack on Lord Grey I ever heai-d in my life, and I 1831.
conclude will certainly resign.* He will ]iut this upon -^t. 49.
alterations in the Bill — most unfairh^ — because there is no
alteration of any consequence in the main principle ; and I
doubt whether he knows anything about the alterations,
as he will not allow anybody to teU him what they are.
But if he resigns on this ground it will break up the
GoA'ernment. " Yours most sincerely,
" ALTHOEP."
* See the Greville Memoirs, Sec. edit., v. ii., p. 226. — Loed
Lyttelton.

CHAPTER XIX.
MEETING OP PARLIAMENT.  NEGOTIATIONS BETAA^EEN THE
MINISTERS AND LORD HARROAVBY.  THIRD REFORM
BILL.  RUSSIAN DUTCH LOAN.  COJIMITTEE ON RE
FORM BILL.  THIRD READING OF THE BILL.
1831. The Session opened auspiciously for the Ministers
^^1^49^ — ^l-^Q King's Speech, though long and comprehen-
Meeting of give, being generally approved. ""' The passages in it
ment. Condemnatory of the Unions are said to have been
suggested by the King; but they were quite as
much prompted by the feelings of Lord Grey, and
served to break the force of the attack which Sir
Robert Peel (as Lord Grey had foretold) Avas pre
pared to make on the Government. His object was
to alarm the country, and the Bristol riots and the
Birmingham proclamation supplied him Avith two
appropriate topics for declamation. He was loudly
cheered Avhen he observed, "that long before the
-*- I happened to be near the King when he put on bis crown in
the robing-room of tbe House of Lords. He seemed in excellent
spirits. Lord Grey observed to him that tbe Speech was one of the
longest ever delivered from the throne. The King replied that he did
not mind a long speech — that when he was a boy his tutor used to say
that no lesson could be too long for him to learn by heart. He like
wise remarked to the Lord Chancellor, that be usually learnt his
speeches by heart, and was not afraid of being put out by any acci
dental interruption. — AuxnoE.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 377
bloody days of Marat and Danton, there Avere some issi.
pages in the history of the French Revolution that ¦^^- ^^-
were too faithful types of the history of our own
times." He did not go so far as many of his party
desired in support of Sir Charles WethereU, whom
he Avas too sensible to regard as a martyr. Indeed,
Avhen a judge, as in this instance, sinks into a
violent political partisan, he virtually divests himself
of the ermine, and loses his title to its privileges.
The debate altogether Avas unimportant. Lord
Althorp seems to have considered it as a mere
overture fo the drama. In his OAvn speech he care
fully avoided all irritating topics, and Avas content
Avith carrying the Address quietly AAdthout an
amendment. The notice of bring-ing- in the Reform Bill Avas Negotia-
° ° . tions be-
given for the 12th of December. In the interval, tween the
. . Ministers
some encouraging signs of A-aciUation ajipeared and Tory
among the Tory Peers. Lord HarroAvby and Lord
Wharncliffe intimated their Avish to confer with
Lord Grey on the possibility of a compromise,"'' and
a meeting took place in DoAvning Street on the
llth between them and some of the leading
members of the Government, Avhich, although it
* This negotiation originated, I believe, very much with Mr. Cbarles
Greville (the Clerk of the Council), a moderate politician, always
favourable to progress, and singularly free from x^rejudice. His views
were generally sound, and he could express them witb clearness, in
genuity, and force. He was one of the most agreeable men of his
day, and his love for society and pleasure alone prevented his rising
to eminence. His MS. Diarj' I am told contains a full account of
these negotiations, which ho was eminently fitted to conduct from
bis friendship witb the great' party-leaders on both sides. — Autiioe.

378 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. came to nothing at the time, Avas important, as
•^^' ^^" proving the existence of a party in the Lords alive

to the. danger of rejecting the Bill.''-
SfoSu -^^^ ^®^* ^*y (*^® 1^*^) ^ "^^^T f"ll House was in
brought in attendance to hear the Ministerial Statement of the
by Lord J .
EusseU. new Bill. At five o'clock the Speaker looked at
the Cabinet Bench for Lord John Russell to begin
the debate ; but he was absent, and half an hour
passed aAvay before he made his appearance, looking
very pale, and, as I was informed, feeling very ill.
All business had necessarily been suspended in the
interval, and the members having become rather
impatient, gave him a cold reception. This, how
ever, in no way disconcerted him, and he began his
speech at once, Avith his usual coolness and self-
possession, as if nothing had happened.
He was of course listened to with far less interest
than when he had brought forAvard either -the first
or the second Reform Bill. There could be little
novelty in his speech beyond the alterations he had
to propose in the Bill, and these were of a character
to call forth approval rather than enthusiasm. He
stated them with clearness, and in a conciliatory
tone that shoAved the disposition of the Ministers
to meet all objections raised to their measure, when
these did not involve its principles. He spoke for
¦* The Tory papers falsely represented the meeting to bave taken
place at the request of Earl Grey, who was much blamed in conse
quence by ardent Eeformers. He was most strongly urged by at
least one of his colleagues to make tbe whole truth pubUo ; but his
high sense of honour caused him at once to reject the proposal. — •
AUTHOK.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 379
an hour and ten minutes, and sat down amidst 1831.
general, but not loud cheers. Mi^id^
It was believed at the time, that if the Tories had
at once accepted, with a good grace, the concessions
thus proposed by the Governinent, they would have
obtained still better terms in the further stages of
the Bill. The Radicals were in dreadful alarm lest
this should happen ;'"' but such a course Avould have
been little in accordance Avith the usual policy of
the great Tory leader. Sir Robert Peel had been
charged AAdth shoAving no generosity to his oppo
nents : it is more certain that he expected none from
them ; and his distrust or reserve thus deprived him
of the support AAdiich the genial warmth of Mr.
Canning often drew from the ranks of the Whigs.
On this occasion he shoAved himself the hard and
wary politician.t His only feeling was that of fear
lest some of his own party might, on the impulse of
the moment, commit themselves in favour of the
Government ; and he rose immediately after Lord
John to declare, in a very bitter party speech, his
unabated hostihty to the new Bill. Far from
giving the Ministers any credit for the improve
ments which he admitted to have been made in it,
* See Eoebuck's History, v. ii., pp. 245-6. There cannot be a better
authority on this point. — Attthoe.
t It was a saying of Lord Bolingbroke, that the heart was as
necessary to a great statesman as tbe head. He certainly did not
act on this- principle ; nor did Sir Eobert Peel, when be showed such
disregard to the feelings of his supporters in the manner of bringinn-
forward the CathoHc Emancipation Bill. With respect to Eeform, he
probably thought that such a declaration as noticed in the text would
break up his party, the Lords not being ripe for it. — Atjthoe.

:380 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. .
1831. he insisted that these were due entirely to the efforts
• ^^" of the Opposition, and presented the strongest en
couragement to their insisting on further and larger
concessions. He charged the Ministers, as before,
with having raised the question of Reform, not from
any conviction of its necessity, but to excite the
country in their favour, as was proved (he said) by
an admission of Lord Althorp at the end of the
Session, that when the BiU Avas first brought for
Avard he (Lord Althorp) did not expect that it Avould
pass the House of Commons. These taunts and
insinuations received hearty cheers from the extreme
section of the Tories and the ex-Ministerial Benches;
but were met by cold looks and silence from the in-
dejiendent members, Avho readily accepted the strong
and absolute disavowal at once given by Lord Al
thorp to the sentiments thus ascribed to him. He
-said that it Avas only at the end of the first night's
¦debate, and not antecedently to it, that he had
feared the Bill would not pass the House of
Commons ; and in referring to the other charges
against the Government, he repeated that the Bill
had been the result, and not the cause of agita
tion ; he then proceeded to comment on the main
jioints of Sir Robert's speech Avith a spirit and
power AAdiich for the moment seemed to raise him
above his opponent, if the Avarmth of the cheering
given to each could be taken as any test of their
relative merit. He was unusually inoved by this
mark of sympathy. What must have pleased him
still more was the favourable turn of the debate

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 381
after his speech. Lord Clive, a Tory member of 183L
high consideration, from his good sense, probity, and •'^^^^"
Parliamentary influence,'"' Avent so far as to j^raise
the Ministers warmly, both for the alterations made
in the BiU and the conciUatory tone in Avhich these
had been announced. Other Tory members spoke
to the same effect ; and Sir Robert Peel, in alarm at
their probable defection, again rose and declared
that Avhatever other members might do, he should
oppose the Second Reading of the BiU. After this
caution, Avhich he delivered Avith his usual solemnity,
there Avere no more liberal speeches from the Tory
benches ; but enough transpired in conversation
among the members in the lobby to prove the
desire of a large section of his followers to pursue
a moderate course. Mr. (afterAvards Lord Chan
cellor) Campbell told me that he had been talking
to many of the Tories, who declared the Bill to be
theirs, and not ours, so they could see no harm in
their supporting it. This made Mr. George Dawson
observe, in reply to a question from Mr. Spring
Rice, how he liked the new Bill, " Egad, I think
it a d — d deal the Avorst of aU of them."
The Bill Avas read a first time Avith general accla-
* Lord Clive and his brother Eobert were strong Tories — Churcb
and State men— holding iu contempt the new-fangled Liberalism of
some of their party. When Le-wis Knight (subsequently Lord Justice
Knight Bruce) had been declaiming for an hour in Committee on the
independence of Bishop's Castle (for which the Earl of Powis, father of
Lord Clive, had returned him), Lord Clive, so far from being pleased
by tbis absurd tirade, quietly observed tbat the choice which the bur
gesses bad made of Knight was not theirs but his ; and it was not
the independence of the electors, but the absence of it, which ought
to have been defended. — Authoe,

882 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831. mation. As Lord Althorp left the House he turned
^'^- ^^- to me with a smile, saying, "You may make a
favourable report to-night."'"'
These encouraging appearances were so far reaUzed,
that the motion for the Second Reading occupied
only tAVO nights, and met with no factious or unrea
sonable opposition. The debate, too, was one of
which a Whig leader might be justly proud. The
party throughout it maintained an ascendency be
yond dispute. On the first night was the brilUant
speech of Mr. Macaulay, up to that time certainly
his greatest, in which his noble vindication of the
policy of the Whigs during their exclusion from
oflSce, and his crushing attack on Sir Robert Peel,
were received with the most tremendous cheers.t
* I attended the House during the progress of the Bill, and trans
mitted reports of the debate, and of the temper of the House, for tho
information of the Cabinet. — Attthoe.
These reports are praised by Mr. C. Greville in his Memoirs, v. iii.,
p. 22, in the following words : " He (Mr. Le Marchant) has particu
larly distinguished himself by his reports of tbe debates in tbe House
of Commons. He goes there every night, and forwards to tbe Chancel
lor from time to time an account of the debate, and the manner of
it — very well executed indeed." The Gre-viUe Memoirs appeared a
very few days before tbe death of the author of this work — had they
been published earlier I have no doubt be would have quoted largely
from them. — Editoe.
t Hansard's Pari. Deb., Tbird ser., v. ix., p. 378. Mr. Shell praised
this speech warmly to me at the time. He observed, "Macaulay is
to my mind the most extraordinary person in either House, except one
to whom he is not sufficiently Uke to be compared : I mean the
Chancellor. Unfortunately, -with all bis talent, and spirit, and force,
there is nothing of the debater in bis speeches, nothing betokening
readiness ; but he has the power of coming forward on great occasions
with a speech that commands the House, and this would make him
an invaluable accession to any Ministry. I hope we shall soon see
bim iu office." — Authoe.
" Captain Spencer retm-ned from London; said Mr. Stanley's

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 383
The attempt at a reply by Mr. Croker, in a speech issi.
of two hours and a half, utterly faded, and only Mt^^49^
added disgrace to defeat, for on the foUoAving night
Mr. Stanley convicted him of gross misrepresenta
tion of facts, in the version he gave of the differ
ences between Charles the First and the Parlia
ment, the House all the time evidently enjoying his
exposure.* The cheers, indeed, obtained by Mr.
Stanley almost surpassed those given to Mr.
Macaulay, and it is extraordinary that a speech so
eminently successful should have been overlooked in
the history of the BUl. t
Even Sir Robert Peel could not turn the tide that sir Robert
set so strongly against the Tories. His very able sition.
and eloquent speech was, indeed, rather a defence of
himself than of his party. They were so dis
heartened as to be unwiUing to hazard a division ;
and although they yielded to liis authority and in-
speech was the best that had been delivered for a long time, and bad
quite extinguished Croker." (Diary of Wm. Hy. Lord Lyttelton.
Althorp, Deo. 18th, 1831). — Loed Lyttelton-.
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third ser., v. ix., p. 514.
t Many of the older members I recollect saying that, if not the best,
itwas one of the most effective speeches they had ever heard, Mr.
Stanley had previously not been thought equal to a speech of this
high order. Mr. Croker, whose assurance was proverbial, at first
listened to bim -with apparent indifference; but as he proceeded in his
attack, supported by immense cheering from a very large majority of
the House, Mr. Croker's courage gave way — he became very pale, and
pulled his bat over his brows. Lord Althorp thought that be was
going to faint, and he did not recover himself tbe whole night. I am
bound in candour to confess that Lord Althorp, who followed Mr.
Croker in the debate on the preceding night, missed the credit of this
victory from his imperfect historical recollections, as did many of the
other Whigs; and it was Sir John Hobhouse (afterwards Lord
Broughton) to whom Mr. Stanley owed the information which he
turned to such good account. — Authoe.

mens.

384 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1831, fluence, some of them, I think, must have declined
^'^' ^^' to follow him into the lobby, for when the numbers.
were announced, they appeared thus —
Ayes  324
Noes  162
Majority for the Second Eeading 162
Second Tliis majority, being an increase of thirty above
the Bill the highest that had yet been obtained in favour of
the Com- Reform, became the subject of much angry recrimi
nation among the Opposition. Mr. Sturges Bourne,
an old Pittite of great Parliamentary experience,
observed to one of the Tory leaders : " 1 suppose
you divided merely to satisfy the country that the
Lords had no alternative except to pass the Bill ; " '¦
and this indeed it was generally expected would be
the result of the division. Lord Althorp received
as warm congratulations as if the Bill were abso
lutely passed. The Lord Chancellor told me the
next morning, that for the first time he now believed
the Peers Avordd let the Bill go into Committee,
and he left London for the North under that im
pression. These prospects Avere soon clouded. It had heen
overlooked in the first blush of the victory, that
although some of the Tories had not voted against
the Bill, none had voted for it. In fact there
were no converts to the measure. The opposition
in the Lords continued as hostile as before. The
-* This was mentioned to me by Mr. Sturges Bourne. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 385
question therefore of a large creation of Peers again 1831.
forced itself on the Ministry, and this time it very J^'_^_'
nearly broke up the GoA^ernment. Lord Althorp
Avas one of the fcAV members of the Cabinet Avho
considered the step as one of immediate necessity.
How far he influenced Earl Grey in coming to the
same decision, I am not able to say ; that he Avarmly
supported his chief in this, as on almost every other
critical occasion, is certain, and that Avithout this
support the Bill must have been lost, can hardly
be questioned. There never had been such differences
before in the Cabinet. Even Lord LansdoAvne —
one of Earl Grey's oldest personal and political
friends — Avas noAv against him, and came up from
Bowood expressly to oppose his views. Unfortu
nately, the Lord ChanceUor, on whom Lord Grey
relied for assistance, lay seriously iU at Brougham.''-
It was only after inuch controversy, and with some
concessions, that Lord Grey succeeded in obtaining
the authority of the Cabinet to submit to the King
the difficulties of the Government, and to propose
the creation of at least ten Peers.
His interview A^dth the King was very satisfactory,
and in announcing the result to Lord Althorp, there
* The Lord Chancellor's illness was not believed to be real in the
Tory circles, and he was charged with intriguing against Lord Grey.
Tbis was a positive calumny. His family were, I can state from my
OAvn knowledge, seriously alarmed about him ; and so far from in
triguing against Lord Grey, he often told me in confidence that
nothing should induce him to separate from that nobleman — indeed
there -were times he acknowledged to me, during these discussions
that be felt Lord Grey's objections to the creation of Peers to be weU
founded. —Authoe.

386 . MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. are passages in his letters which show how great
^''- ^"^ must have been his struggles, both Adth his own
feeUngs and with his colleagues, during the Avhole of
these discussions.

EAEL GEEY TO VISCOUNT ALTHOEP. " January 10th, 1S32.
" I Avill confess to you that I have not so forgotten
my objection to a large creation of Peers, as not to feel
some anxiousness in approaching tbat measure, and I wish
to God it could be avoided. Have you considered what
might be the effect of some resignations — Palmerston, Mel
bourne, Eichmond — and if those took that step, probably
Lansdowne, if not Stanley, also ? It seems to me that with
such a defection it would be impossible for us to form a
new Administration, to say nothing of the extreme and
almost insuperable embarrassment which would be the
result of a change in the Foreign Office at this time. It is
in vain to look back ; but I sometimes think we should
have done better to resign on our defeat in the House of
Lords, and that things would have been more lUiely to be
brought to a right conclusion by that measure.
" Ever 3'ours,
"GREY."
The House met again on the 19th of January,
when the Irish and Scotch Reform Bills were
brought in, and after some angry and unreasonable
criticisms, even by the Ministerial members,
especially the Scotch, who were regarded as amongst
the most troublesome of opponents, they were read
the first time.
On the following day (the 20th) the motion was

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 387
made for going into Committee on the (Englisli) 1832.
BiU, and then Lord Althorp's troubles recommenced. ^^- •'"•
He had thought, during the Committee on the
former BUl, that no inducement should make him go
through the same work again, but he had now be
come so identified Avith the measure, and Avas so
intent upon its passing, that the idea of shrinking
from his official post probably did not even occur
to him, and he certainly set an example of cheer
fulness and energy which had a most faA'Ourable
eff'ect on his wearied supporters.
There was no sign, at first, of a less hostile policy
in the Opposition leaders, for although Mr. Croker
rather ostentatiously declared that he had given both
public and private assurances to the Ministers of his
having taken great pains to prevent the necessity of
delay, he noAV, in conjunction Avith Sir Charles
Wetherell and Sir Robert Peel, opposed thf
Speaker's leaving the chair, on the ground of
further information respecting- the alteration made
in the Schedules being indispensable. It was in
vain that Lord Althorp showed that the alterations
did not relate to the clauses about to be proposed.
The triumvirate continued to press their objection
for some hours, and at last divided, when they
had the mortification of finding themselves deserted
by some of their most respectable supporters ; as,
with the exception of those personally interested in
the boroughs to be disfranchised, scarcely an inde
pendent member voted with them, and they were
left in a minority of 53. 0 0 2

388 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. The House being noAv in Coinmittee, Lord Al-
'^^" ^°" thorp proceeded with unexpected rapidity, and aided
as he Avas by the postponement of some items in the
Schedules, he succeeded in carrying the first tweh'e
clauses in three nights.
Then it was that, when no longer AAutliin the magic
circle of Reform, the night (of the 26th of January)
not being a Government night, the Ministers nar-
roAvly escaped a defeat, which must have been
foUoAved by their immediate retirement from office.
The account given by Lord Althorp of these pro
ceedings in a letter to the King, is so candid and
so like himself, as to be entitled to insertion here —
only premising that the first part of the letter relates
to the extraordinary conduct of Mr. Spencer Per
ceval (the eldest son of the Minister), a gentleman
highly esteemed in private life, and of abilities that
might have raised him to distinction, but for his
religious fanaticism. "Downing Street, Jan. 27rt, 1832.
" Viscount Althorp presents his humble duty to your
Majesty, and has the honour to inform your Majesty, that
the Debates in the House^ of Commons began last night
\)y a Motion of Mr. Perceval's for an Address to your
Majesty to appoint a General Fast. Mr. Perceval excluded
strangers on this occasion, there is not, therefore any ac
count of the Debate, or rather of his speech, in the news
papers. Viscount A. had endeavoured to prevent him from
making the Motion, by informing him previously that it
was the intention of your Majesty's servants to advise j'our
Majesty to issue a proclamation for this purpose. Mr.
Perceval was not, however, satisfied by this, and persevered

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 389
in making the Motion, stating that he thought the sugges- 1S32.
tion ought to originate in the House of Commons. Mr. Mt. .50.
Perceval spoke under the highest state of excitement, Avith
a Bible in his haud, from which he made quotations for an
hour and three-quarters, but was at last persuaded to allow
the motion to be negatived Avithout a Division. Mr. Goul
burn, Sir Thomas Baring, and Mr. Briscoe expressed their
Avish that a Fast should take place, but joined Avith Viscount
Althorp in deprecating the discussion of the subject.
" After this was disposed of, Mr. Herries made his pro
mised motion of censure upon your Majesty's Ministers on
account of the payment of the Piussian Dutch Loan, con-
trarj', as he asserts, to the provision of the treatj^ of 1814,*
and without the authority of Law.
" Your Majesty's Ministers were placed in a very small
majority, and Viscount Althorp is afraid that he must admit
to your Majesty, that if the question had been decided upon
its own merits, without reference to other considerations, it
Avould have been decided against them. This was his im
pression during the greater part of the Debate, until at last
it becanie evident to the House that such a vote must have
the effect of chanoing the Administration, and Viscount Al-
thorp believes that it was on this ground alone that the
small majority was obtained. Lord Palmerston concluded
the Debate Avith a first-rate speech, which had a very
powerful effect, and converted several votes. There did not
appear to be many gentlemen Avho did not think this country
Avas in equity bound to make and continue the payments,
but they thought that as the Law at present stood, your
¦* This treatj"-, to which England, Holland, France, and Eussia
were parties, was made for the maintenance of the new Kingdom of
the Netherlands, and it contained a guarantee by Holland and Eng
land of a loan of five millions to Eussia, with a proviso, that in the
event of the separation of Holland and Belgium, the guarantee should
cease. The Treaty had, in the usual manner, been affirmed by
Parliament. Lord Althorp regarded tho separation contemplated by
the Treaty as a forced one, such as France was believed to threaten,
and not as a voluntary one, such as happened in 1831. — AuTHOE.

390 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. Majesty's Ministers Avere not authorised to issue the money
3;t.jo.^ from the Exchequer. The Motion consisted of three resolu
tions ; the two first, resolutions of fact, and the thhd, the
resolution of censure. Viscount Althorp moved the pre
vious question with the two first, and negatived the thii-d.
The Division on the previous question was 239 for your
Majesty's Mimsters, and 219 against them. That on the
third resolution was, 238 for them, and 214 against them."

Tlie
ILassiau Dutch Loan.

Without going into the details of an obsolete con
troversy, I cannot refrain from observing that Lord
Althorp hardly does justice to himself or his cause
in the foregoing letter. The great question in the
debate Avas not so much the technical legality of the
payment of the dividends, as the continuance of the
guarantee given by England to Russia under the
Treaty. This was most strenuously and ingeniously
disputed by the Tory leaders, and was at one time
doubted by Lord Althorp himself, but his doubts
had been removed by the arguments and authority
of Sir Herbert Jenner and Dr. Lushington, the
most eminent international laAvyers of that day, and
by the evidence brought before him of the intentions
of the parties to the Treaty, especially Russia ; for
the Emperor, upon this understanding alone, had
joined in the second coalition against Napoleon,
and thus prcA'cnted the French bringing an over
whelming- force against the Duke of WeUington
at Waterloo. So little distrust had been enter
tained at the time of the security of the Loan, that
Mr. Alexander Baring, when consulted by Lord
Althorp through a common friend, expressed sur-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 391
prise at the question being asked. " What," he 1832.
replied, "not pay the dividends on the Russian- _^^i^'„
Dutch loan ! Do you mean to pay the three j^er
cents. ? " Indeed, to repudiate the guarantee Avould
liaA^e seriously shaken the credit of the country
abroad. The Tories probably had no such object,
or, if they could have turned out the Ministry,
they Avould haA'e passed an Act to legalize the
guarantee. Lord Althorp, though warned by Mr. EUice, could
not believe the Tories to be in earnest, and it was
only on entering the House on the night of Mr.
Herries' motion, AA'hen he saAv their benches full, and
his OAvn comparatively empty, that he discovered his
mistake. He made, however, a clear and sensible
speech, AA'hich might have satisfied an impartial
audience, as did the candid manner in Avhich he
stated the grounds on which he had acted, and took
on himself the Av^hole responsibihty of the proceed
ing. UnluckUy for him, the debate did not end
here, and the Tories, strong especially in lawyers,
iinj)ressed the House Avith the idea that there had
been an absolute Avaste of the public money, as well
as a breach of the law, in recognising the loan.
They certainly had the best of the argument. Mr.
Pepys (afterwards Lord Chancellor Cottenham) said
to me, " This is an aAvkward business. The Ministers
make their men feel the collar too much." Lord
Duncannon, in the same spirit, added, " If we divide
noAV, we shall be in a minority, or something like it;
our friends think us in the Avrong, and are shirking

392 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

Mt, 50,

1832. off, Avhilst Althorp has given ElUce peremptory
orders not to canvass anybody."
It was past midnight before Dr. Lusliington could
rise. Sir James Graham tried to stop him, saying,.
"It is all over with us ; don't throAV yourself into
the breach ; it can be of no use." But fortunately
he proceeded and spoke with great efliect. Lord
Palmerston, at tAvo o'clock, Avas admirable. Still
appearances were so gloomy that an independent
Liberal member proposed an adjournment. Peel
opposed it, and so, to the general surprise, did Lord
Althorp. The House afterwards diAuded, and the Ministers
had a majority of only 24, the small number stated
in Lord Althorp's letter to the King.
Sir Henry Hardinge insisted to me that this
Avas entirely owing to the admirable Avhipping-in
of Lord Duncannon and Mr. Ellice, Avho took on
themselves to disobey Lord Althorp's injunctions.
Lord Grey was deeply mortified at this narrow
escape.'"' He said to Lord Althorp the next morn
ing that the division was a proof that the members
cared only for Reform, and not for the Adminis-
. tration. The Tories Avere so highly elated that they
determined to raise the question of law in the case
in the Lords, which they did through Lord Wyn-
* The case of the Government was very imperfectly stated and
feebly supported, so much so that independent members were much
puzzled as to what line to take. I was completely satisfied by the
speeches of Dr. Lushington and Lord Palmerston, that the Govern
ment would have acted most unfairly if they had taken any other
course. — Lord Belpek.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 393
ford, when the Lord Chancellor, in an admirable 1S32.
speech, vindicated the course taken by the GoA-ern- j^^^^o^
ment with such success as to satisfy even the Duke
of Wellington. Lord Wynford, deserted by his
party, in a rage Avithdrew his motion. This debate
is more remarkable, as the Lord Chancellor Avas at
the time labouring under severe indisposition. He
took scarcely any nourishment that day, and I Avas
afraid that he might fail from mere Aveakness.
There Avas considerable difference of opinion anion g
the Tories as to the expediency of Lord Wynford's
motion. Mr. (better known as Billy) Holmes told
me that he Avas strongly against it, and asked Avhe
ther anything could have been more egregiously
silly than, after the success they had obtained in the
Commons, to court a battle in the very place Avhere
they certainly had not the superiority in debate.
Lord Lyndhurst said much the same to Mr. Bonham
Carter. The sittings of the Committee Avere resumed on Tiie lic-
the following day (the 29th), and continued Avith inCom-
slight interruptions until the 16th March, Lord
Althorp not being absent a single night. During
that time the same duties and responsibilities again
devolved upon him in passing the clauses through
the ordeal of the Committee, and it is stated by
Mr. Roebuck that every word of the Bill was can
vassed as pertinaciously and with as much asperity
as before. This must not be taken literally, for
the Schedules, which could hardly be carried in
tAventy days in the former Committee, Avere now

mittco.

.i.Oi MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. despatched in seven ; but many of the other clauses
Mt.50^ certainly took more time, and were more violently
opposed, owing to the activity of the Tory lawyers,
which was observed to increase, as the zeal of the
independent members diminished. Lord Althorp
thus found himself, night after night, arguing ques
tions on technical points in the machinery of the
BiU against Sir James Scarlett, Sir Charles
Wetherell, Sir EdAvard Sugden, and Mr. PoUock, —
the flower of the Bar ; '"'¦ and it is no more than
justice to him to say that he fully maintained the re
putation he had acquired in going over the same
ground in the former Committee. He had indeed
spared no pains to qualify himself for the task.
Besides his experience in originally framing and
Avording the clauses, he was constantly engaged
during the progress ofthe Committee in making them
as perfect as possible, with the aid of some ofthe ablest
Whig lawyers, Wednesdays and Saturdays being
generally devoted to this purpose. Some of his felloAV
labourers told me that he showed during those con
sultations an extraordinary aptitude for handling
points of law, or, as Mr. Bonham Carter expressed
it, "a thoroughly legal head." Among many in
stances in which he weU justified this commenda
tion, I may cite the debate on the 36th clause, for
the establishment of a system of Registration, in
Avhich his speech seems to me by far the best on the
subject; and it so completely carried the House,
* Lord Althorp, of course, had the invaluable assistance of Lord
John EusseU, but the conduct of the debate fell upon him.— AuTHOK.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. ogf
that the Tory laAvyers tried to escape a division, but. i,s;s2.
they Avere not permitted to do so, and they could ^''- 5";_
only muster 65 votes against 188. Among the
questions of more general interest discussed in the
Committee was that of the Borough or 10/. franchise
(27th clause), termed by Lord John Russell one of
the pillars of the Bill. It Avas contested with less
Avarmth than in the former Committee, but OAving
to Mr. Hunt's amendment in favour of a house
hold franchise it occupied tAvo nights. Notwith
standing its general popularity, it had never been
liked by the more ardent Reformers. They had
expected a franchise of a more A'aried and compre
hensive character, descending beloAV the middle
classes, so as ¦ to connect the poorer householders
Avith the representative system, and were greatly
disappointed at the total exclusion of that element
from the BiU. Sir Robert Peel and Mr. Baring-
commented on this defect with such abiUty and
vigour, that many Liberals could not help thinking
that had those statesmen been in office they would
have devised a better franchise. It ought, hoAv-
ever, to be remembered, that the only original sug
gestion which Sir Robert Peel ventured to make,
Avas to fix the number of voters in the iicav boroughs,
and then to take that number of the inhabitants
paying the highest rates for a constituency. Mr.
Baring- adopted the same principle for the creation
of a county constituency. With respect to the
existing- boroughs. Sir Robert Peel would have left
the scot-and-lot voters and the freemen untouched.

396 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. In coiiiinoii Avith the rest of his party, he considered
_-^'^- ^"- 10/. too Ioav a franchise, and preferred Rate to Rent
as a criterion of value.
Household franchise could find no advocate,
except Mr. Hunt, and was almost unanimously re
jected, 11 members voting for it and 290 against it.
It has been often remarked '"" that among the many
difficulties with AA^hich the Ministers had to contend
in the Committee, not the least were the questions
raised by their own supporters, under the shelter
of the Opposition ; the latter, I may add, being
not at all scrupulous so long as they could give
Mr. Sbeii's troublc Or Create embarrassment. Thus the mis
chievous proposal of adding to the number of dis
franchised places by placing the Tory Borough of
Petersfield in Schedule A,t Avas made by Mr. SheU
Avith full consciousness of the increased irritation
that Avould result in the Lords from such a motion
being carried ; nor Avere the Tories ashamed to vie
Avith the Radicals in vehemently cheering his
speech, opposed as it Avas to their principles and
convictions. The perplexity and hesitation among
the Ministerialists when Mr. SheU sat doAAui were
alarmingly evident. Lord Althorp rose at once,
and in a few words, which at the time Avere much
praised, and have been cited Avith commendation
* Eoebuck's History, v. ii., p. 255.
t On the 21st February, being tho i5tb night of the Committee.
Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third ser., v. -i., p. (326.
Mr. Shell's object was to add to the number of Irish members, with
out adding to the members of tho House. Accordingly, if his motion
had succeeded, he -would have proposed to give the franchise to an
Irish borough. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 897
even by Mr. Roebuck,* aA'erted the threatening i,s;)2.
storm. ^:_^''-_^
"As a Keformer" (he said), "I am unable to answer
your arguments — they are unanswerable as matters of
reasoning. ]My only reply is, that your proposal is im
pohtic. I state now as I have stated before, that it will be
more prudent not to create unnecessary opposition to the
great measure of Eeform by carrying the principle of dis
franchisement further than the Lords have carried it. I
shall therefore oppose your motion."
This virtually settled the question. Sir Robert
Peel, in a clever insidious harangue, addressed
mainly to the Liberals, tried in turns to cajole and
taunt them into a support of Mr. Shell, in vain ; he
only brought on himself a well-deserved rebuke from
Mr. Stanley, who charged him " with again putting
himself between the two sides of the House to pre
vent the Avorking of the spirit of reconciliation."
Mr. SheU saw that if he persisted he would not be
supported, and, to the great mortification of the
Tories, A^dthdrew his motion.
Lord Althorp's success on this occasion is more
remarkable, from the fact that the Irish members,
Avho formed no inconsiderable section of the Liberals
in the House, Avere at the time very unfavourably
disposed towards the Government. At the begin
ning of the Session they had taken mortal off'ence
at a speech delivered by Earl Grey in the Lords,
.strongly condemning the agitation against the
* Eoebuck's History, v. ii., p. 256.

398 ]\CEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. payment of tithe in Ireland, and undertaking to
^'^- ^''- enforce the law for its recovery, if necessary, by
further legislation. They said that they should be
absolutely disowned by their constituents if they
continued to support a Government holding these
sentiments ; and it was feared, from their violent
language, that in their resentment they would throw
themselves precipitately into Opposition. The.
Reform Bill was considered in danger. The inter
position of Lord Althorp, and especially his speech
in the Commons, in explanation of Lord Grey's de
claration, calmed them for the moment, but it was
clear that whilst the agitation lasted, no confidence
could be placed in their promised support. The
Tithe question, indeed, now became, next to Re
form, the great difficulty of the Government. This
was seen a fortnight afterwards, in the debate on
going into Committee on Mr. Stanley's Resolutions,
when Mr. BrowiUow, in a speech of more than two
hours, took the extraordinary course of resisting
the proposal ; ""' and Mr. SheU, in supporting him,
again shot his poisoned arrows into the Liberal
camp, for all his eloquence was employed to show
¦* The House received Mr. Brovmlow's speech rather coldly.
Macaulay told me he thought it was very clever. It was the first
instance, witbin my knowledge, of the disestablishment and disen-
do-wment of the Irish Church being recommended by a member of
moderate pobtical principles, high connections, and large landed pro
perty in Ireland. Mr. Brownlow belonged to an Orange family, and
had been returned to Parliament by that party. He was a gentleman
of high honour and much respected both in Ireland and in the House
of Commons. His speeches on this occasion lost him his seat, but he
was subsequently created Lord Lurgan. — AuTnoR.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 399
that the Reform Bill Avould be the nieans 1S32.
of promoting and strengthening the agitation _-^_'^i^'__
aofainst the Church Establishment in Ireland.
He was again encountered by Lord Althorp,
whose reply, Mr. Leader observed, if delivered
earlier in the night, before Mr. Stanley had spoken,
would have prevented a division. It secured the
votes of the Irish members, with A^ery few excep
tions ; and the Resolutions were carried by large
majorities. As Lord Althorp was leaving the
House, Mr. Pendarves stopped him to say what
a brilliant night it had been. " Fa,r otherwise, I
fear," he replied ; " Sheil's speech has done us more
harm than the division good." '"' Nor was he mis
taken ; for in the debate on the Third Reading of
the Bill, Sir Robert Peel referred to the speech
with considerable effect.
It was an immense relief to Lord Althorp when
two nights afterwards, the Committee, after twenty-
two sittings, arrived at the end of the Bill. Two
additional and equally laborious sittings were given
* I could not help ironically congratulating Mr. Sheil in the course
of the evening, on the valuable support be had given to the Tories :
— " What would you have me do ? " he replied. " We shall get
nothing by Eeform. The CathoUcs and Liberals -will return no addi
tional members by it. The people insist on tbe abolition of tithe, and
unless we speak to tbat effect we shall have very little chance of being
here in the next Parliament. Besides, the Ministry bave no claim
upon us. We are quite different from Lord Killeen, Sir Patrick
Bellew, and others who have received favour."
There was some foundation for Mr. Shell's complaint. The inde
pendent CathoUc members were certainly much overlooked in the
distribution of Ministerial patronage. He felt this acutely, being, I
really beUeve, personaUy attached to the Whigs, whose society be
sought and enjoyed. — Attthoe.

400 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
jg32_ to the Report. Lord Althorp's happened to be the
jbt. 50. last voice heard on it on the Ministerial side.
The Third Reading was moved on the 19th of
March, and after a debate of three nights, in which
the leading statesmen of both sides eminently dis
tinguished themselves, the House divided, and the
motion was carried by a majority of 116.'"'
The Re- Lord Althorp's capacity as a leader had been
passes the sevcrcly tested throughout this tremendous struggle,
and it extorted the praise even of his political oppo
nents. I recollect Sir Henry Hardinge saying : t
"It was Althorp carried the Bill. His fine temper
did it. Once, in answer to a most able and argu
mentative speech of Croker, he rose and merely
observed, 'that he had made some calculations
Avhich he considered as entirely conclusive in re
futation of the Right Honourable gentleman's
arguments, but unfortunately he had mislaid them,
so that he could only say that if the House Avould
be guided by his advice they would reject the
amendment '¦ — which they did accordingly. There
Avas no standing against such infiuence as this."
The Whigs ascribed Lord Althorp's influence not to
his temper alone, but to the confidence felt by the
House in his integrity and sound judgment — an
* The numbers were : —
For the Third Eeading . . . . 355
Against  239
Majority . . . 116
The Bill finally passed without a division. — Author.
\ I made a note of this at the time. Lord John EusseU has noticed
this fact in his remarks on the Eeform BiU. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 401
opinion so universal, that Lord Grey Avas induced 1832.
by it to press upon him a Peerage, that he might '^' ^^'
take charge of the Bill in the Committee of the
Lords — and the design was abandoned not from any
hesitation or unwdUingness on the part of Lord Al
thorp, but from the difficulty of finding a successor
to him in the Commons.

CHAPTER XX.

1832.
JEt. 50.
Letter
from Lord
Althorp to
Lord Grey
respecting
a creation
of Peers.

PROCEEDINGS IN THE LORDS AND COMMONS— RESIGNATION
OF MINISTERS  BILL PASSED.
While congratulations poured in upon him on
the increased majority Avith which the BiU had
been carried in the Commons, Lord Althorp was-
looking with deep anxiety to the probabUities of its
fate in the Lords. He had for some weeks enter
tained very faint expectations of any change in the
policy of the majority of the Peers. He knew
too well that the only hope of the Ministry lay
in the waverers, whose influence he believed to
have been greatly exaggerated. Nothing could be
more loose than their engagements with Lord Grey;''""
and considering the dreadful consequences likely to
follow the rejection of the Bill, in the excited
state of the public mind, he thought the time was

¦*- Lord Dover told me tbat he had gone over the Ust of waverers
-with Lord Grey. It comprised many Peers up to that time unsus
pected of Eeform tendencies. Lord Dover expressed bis doubts of
them. Lord Grey repUed : " This one has written — Harrowby un
dertakes for this one, Wharncliflfe for the other, and so on." The Ust
gave the Ministry altogether a majority of 20. Lord Eosslyn, once a
Whig, and always an honest man, on the other hand said to the Lord
Chancellor (a very old friend), " We shaU beat the Ministry this time,
as we did the last. The changes are confined to a very small section."
— Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 403
now come when a large creation of Peers was 1832.
strictly justifiable. He accordingly supported the ^'^' ^"'
proposals of the Lord ChanceUor and Lord Durham
to that eff'ect in the Cabinet ; and finding Lord
Grey and Lord LansdoAvne, and the Conservative
section of the Ministry, not prepared for a course
so bold, he had availed himself of his first moment
of comparative leisure, on the very day that the
Coinmittee on the BiU had closed, to address the
foUoAving letter to Lord Grey : —
VISCOUNT ALTHOEP TO EAEL GEEY.
"DoAViuKG Street, March 10th, 1832.
" My dear Lord Ghet,
" I told you I would write you a letter. I do so be
cause when I feel a decided opinion different from j-ours,
I find it impossible in conversation with you to express
it as strongly as I feel it. It is alwaj's the same with re
gard to my father. I sometimes, but seldom, differ in
opinion with him, and when I do I cannot bring myself to
express the difference to him in conversation. You wiU
recollect a conversation I had Avith you in the summer of
1830, when I told you I would say to you what I would.
not say to any other man, because I was sure you
would not take advantage of what I said, viz., that nothing
on earth shoidd induce me to take office but your saying
that you would not take it, unless I did. I knew you
comparatively very httle then, and certainly the intimate
acquaintance there has been between us since, has not.
diminished in any degree the feeling which made me say
this to you. I have acted up to my word, and have sacri
ficed my happiness in so doing. I have made this preface
to show you that there is no human being more attached
to you than myself, and in order to excuse myself and to.
D D 2

404 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. account for my asking you rather an extraordinary question,
^Mt^^so. but one which I could not ask of any one on whose friend
ship I did not rely as entirely as I do on yours. The ques
tion is, whether you would create Peers for the purpose of
carrymg the Bill rather than that I should resign.
" I feel my honour and character so completely involved,
both from what I have said in pubhc and from my sense of
what is right, in the duty of not aUowing the Eeform Bill to
be lost without taking every practicable measure to prevent
this calamity from happening, that I perhaps requhe more
satisfactory evidence than I ought, of the certainty of carry
ing it. I know I do not agree with you in opuiion when I
say, that if the Bill be lost after a large creation of Peers,
our characters are safe ; but if it be lost without a creation
of Peers, every one of us in whom the country at present
places confidence, will be utterly and entirely ruined in
character. I feel, therefore, that if a creation of Peers takes
place, my character is safe ; but that if it does not take
place, then my character is placed upon the hazard of the
success of the BUl. I feel, also, that if you refuse at all
rates to make the Peers, and that I, m consequence of
differing from you, resign, I avoid this hazard, running into
perhaps another but a less danger. I say this, assuming
that things remain as they are, and that Lords Harrowby
and Wharncliffe neither come forward with their friends to
make such a declaration as would fully justify us to the pubhc
for running the risk, or rather such a one as would take
away from us all justification for the creation of Peers.
This may also be done, but not so effectually, by private
Avritten assurances. Assuming things then as they are, viz.,
that we have a probabihty of carrying the Second Eeading
of the BiU, but no just grounds of certaiaty whatever, even
for ourselves, and not a pretence of any for the pubhc, I
think that if I consulted my own character only, I ought to
say that, unless some overt act is done by Lord Harrowby
and his friends to give the assurance which ui my opinion is
now wanting, I would resign unless Peers were made. The
next doctrine is, that the fu'st duty of a pubhc man is to

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 405
preserve his character. I admit it, and feel it to be a high 1832.
duty, but it partakes too much of a selfish character to be Mt. 50.
really his first duty. Cases may arise when it maj' be fit
that he should even sacrifice, certainh' that he should
hazard his character, to do real service ; I do not therefore
say that I ought to resign because my character is in
hazard ; but I think it right to tell you frankly, that I do
not feel that this is the course which would be best for my
character if, things remaining the same. Peers are not
made ; and of course I mean it would be best for your
character too, because, what ^is good for one, is good also
for the other, under the iiresent circumstances. I cannot,
hoAvever, disguise from myself that my taking such a coiu'se
would affect other things and other men besides myself, and
that therefore I have no right to consider myself only. My
resignation on such a ground, if it did not entirely destroy
the Administration, ivould certainly so damage it that it
would be hopeless to expect to carry the BiU. My choice
therefore is between saving myself and destroying the Bill,
and hazarding myself for a chance of carrying the BiU.
The chance, however, of carrying the Bill without a large
creation of Peers, appears to me to be very small indeed.
We may have a probability, as I thmk we have, of carrying
the Second Eeading, but the chances are very much indeed
agaiast our getting through without the creation. Then
for what is it that we hazard ourselves ? Merely for the
difference of Avhether the Peers shall be made subsequent,
instead of previous to the Second Eeading. I cannot say I
think it is an advantage worth the hazard to be run for its
attainment. " The difficulty, indeed, of creating Peers subsequent to
the Second Eeading appears to me quite as great as the
creating them now. We may know better, a little better
only, how many will be requu-ed, but against this is to be
set the great doubt which wiU certainly arise, whether the
occasion will justify the creation of any.
" I will not trouble you with any more writing, though I
could write a great deal more ; but I have done enough to

406 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. show you how decided my opinion is, and it has not been
Mt. 50. adopted without a good deal of previous doubt and vacUla-
tion ; not much, indeed, as to the policy of creating the
Peers, but great as to whether I ought to allow the BiU to
go to a Second Eeading, unless they were created; and
though my opinion is quite decided now, that the Peers
ought to be created, I still have great doubts about the
course which I individually ought to pursue.
" I have not aUuded to my own private feehngs, but thej'-
certamly have great weight in infiuencing me. I feel that
my resignmg on this ground would be most injurious to
you, and that therefore having joined your Administration
on the terms and for the reason to which I have referred
in the beginning of this paper, I should be the last
man who would do you irreparable mischief. Nothing
would induce me to do this but being convinced that you
were going to place yourself in a situation in which, though
I might be ruined with you, I could not do you any
service. " Yours very sincerely,
" ALTHOEP.
" Do not take the trouble of writing an answer to this."
Lord Grey's Lord Grcy's letter in reply is worthy of his high
^^^ ^' character, and may be regarded as the best defence
that has appeared of his conduct at this critical
moment. It is worthy of comparison with the most
masterly papers of Clarendon. At the recom
mendation of some valued political friends who, like
myself, hold Lord Grey's memory in deep veneration,
both as a statesman and a patriot, I have been in
duced to print the entire letter, although it is con
tained in his correspondence Anth the King.'^-
• V. ii., p. 262.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 407

EAEL GEEY TO VISCOUNT ALTHOEP.
"DoAVMNG Steeet, March llth, 1832.
" My deak Althorp,
" Before entering into the very important subject
of your letter, I cannot deny myself the satisfaction of ex
pressing my suicere and grateful feeling of the Idndness and
affection which mark it throughout. It is most true that
you accepted of&ce at my earnest desire, as an indispensable
condition of my doing so ; that it was attended with a very
great sacrifice of your .personal comforts ; not greater, how
ever, than that which I made of my o-svn ; that every thing
that has passed since has confirmed and increased the confi
dence and good opinion with which you had before inspired
me, into an affectionate friendship, which it is gratifying
to me to think is equally felt by you, and which nothuig, I
trust, wUl ever diminish or impah.
" When we took office we thought that a Eeform of
Parliament could no longer be postponed. I had declared
that opruion recently in the House of Lords. Acting upon
it I proposed it as a condition on whieh the Administration
was to be formed to the ICing, and he was graciously
pleased to assent to it.
" The next step was to consider vAat the nature and ex
tent of the proposed Eeform should be ; and after carefully
weighing the whole matter, Ave were unanimously of opinion
that if it Avas not a real and efficient Eeform, it would fail
hi effecting the object we had in view, viz., the satisfaction
and tranquiUity of the pubhc. The plan which has since
been proposed in the two BUls was the result, and to this
also His Majesty gave his assent.
"I forbear to follow it from its introduction into the
House of Commons through all the difficulties which it
has had to encounter, the contention to which it gave
birth, the triumphant result of the appeal which was made
iipon it to pubhc opinion by the Dissolution of Parhament,

1832.
Mt. 50.

408 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. and the unfortunate rejection of the first BiU on the motion
Mt. 50. for its being read a second tune in the House of Lords ;
these things must be sufficiently impressed on our minds to
make it unnecessary to do more than thus summarily to
recapitulate them with a view to their bearing on our pre
sent situation.
" From the beginning we were pledged to use our best
efforts, and to exert all our power for the success of a mea
sure which we deemed of vital importance to the best
interests of the country — that obhgation has been in
creased by the circumstances to which I have aUuded, and
by the almost unanimous support of a generous and con
fiding people. To the King we owe aU that men can owe
for the firm and unequivocal and uncompromising support
which he has given us throughout.
"We are bound then, equally, by a loyal regard for the
King, by the duty which we owe to him and to the country,
and by the consideration of our own honour, not to shrink
from any measure which all these interests prescribe under
a firm conviction of its wisdom and necessity.
" This then is the question which we have to decide. We
are bound to carry the measure of Eeform if possible — but
this does not bind us to the adoption of any means that
may be proposed for this pui-pose. We must, I repeat it, be
ffrst satisfied that these means are consistent with the pubhc
welfare, and if, in some degree, doubtful and hazardous, im
posed upon us by the necessity of the case. Is a large
creation of Peers, in the present chcumstances, justifiable
upon these j)rinciples ?
" I am sm-e it cannot be necessary for me to remind you
how little such a measure was m our contemplation at the
beginning of our proceedings on the measure of Eeform.
Even after the rejection of the first BiU by the House of
Lords, you cannot have forgotten that when the King in
graciously expressing his desire that we should not resign,
stated his conviction that no Ministers could be found to pro
pose to any Sovereign to consent to a very large creation of
Peers for the purpose of carrying a new BUl, we unanimously

MEMOLB OF EAEL SPENCEE. 409'
acquiesced in that opinion. Things in then- progress since i832.
have forced [upon our consideration what was originally Mt. 50.
thought impossible; we have been brought graduaUy to
contemplate what once appeared to be an unqualified evil,
as an absolute necessity ; and the King, as these discussions
proceeded, was brought at last, though most reluctantty, as
was natiual, to confide to us the poAver which we claimed to
have reserved to us, to be exercised however, only in the
last extremity and on certain conditions.
" The BUl has now passed the House of Commons, or
may be considered as haviug passed, and as we must look
to its being brought again to be decided by the House of
Lords within three weeks, it is necessary for us, without
further loss of time, to look to what that decision is likely
to be and to take our measures accordingly.
" The questions then to be considered in this view are
these : What expectation have we of a favom-able division
in the House of Lords ? If the Second Eeading should be
carried, what seciuity have we that the BiU will not be
mortally uijured in the Committee 7 Whether, if such
should be the result, we can exercise the power which
we now have for the purpose of remedying the e\'il ? or
whether it Avould be better, lookmg to such a result as would
be fatal to the Bill m the Committee as most probable, we
should be justified in having recoiuse to a large creation of
Peers, at once to anticipate the mischief? There is also a
further and most important question, whether a large crea
tion of Peers under such cu'cumstances would not be itself
exposed to the greatest danger of faUing ?
"1. To the first of these questions my 'answer is, that
according to the best information I can obtain, the majority
on the Second Eeading in the House of Lords appears to me
to be nearly certam. So certain that, as far as that stage
of the proceeding is concerned, I do not think that Ave could
justly state that the necessity, which we all admit to be
the only justification of the measure we are discussing, now
exists. You require some evidence of this in the public
declaration of Peers who have privately assured us of their

410 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. support on this occasion. Such declarations they are pre-
Mt, 50. pared and wish to make ; they even left the time to my
choice ; and for the reason of which you are aware, I thought
the best opportunity would be on the introduction of the
Bill into the House of Lords. This justification of our
abstaining from a measure which the pubhc expect, wUl not
therefore be wanting.
" 2. To the second question I cannot give so satisfactory
an answer. Those who have promised to support the second
reading do so avowedly with the intention of proposing in
the Committee alterations which would lessen then* general
objections to the Bill. But convinced that a large measure
of Eeform is necessary, they declare that they do not wish
to defeat it by a subversion of its mam principles. They
are ready to acquiesce in Schedule A, in the enfranchise
ment of the large towns, and in the 101. quaUfication,
only passing such regulations as might secure it against
abuse, and might be consistent with the intention of its pro
posers in making it a bond fide qualification. I am quite
aware that, under coloiu of such a regulation, the qualifica
tion itself might be injuriously affected. But surely this is
a fair subject for consideration ; and we should hardly be
justified in proceeding to a measure of extreme force,
merely from the apprehensions that such an effect might be
produced. It might, however, be produced, and even minor
alterations might be made, which, though it might be pos
sible to submit to them separately, would in the aggregate
amount to such a change in the general effect and character
of the BUl, that it would no longer be the measm-e of
efficiency to which we are pledged. There is also the
further danger attending this part of the question, of re
peated defeats in the Committee, at once increasing the
impatience and discontent of the pubhc, and in the same
proportion injuring the character of the Government, and
Avithdrawing the confidence by which it is now supported. I
admit this to be a consideration of extreme doubt and diffi
culty. It is imdoubtedly possible that we may find our
selves so embarrassed that it may not be in our power to

MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE. 411
retrieve the mischief which may have been done. But 1832.
reserving the right of making Peers for that stage of the Mt. 50.
proceeding, if it should become necessarj^ we shall at least
have proved our determination not to resort to it while any
other chance remained ; and the evidence of the necessitj^ of
the act would be so clear that it would carrj^ Avith it its own
justification. This would not be the case at present ; we
should now certainly be charged with haA'ing Avantonly had
recourse to a measure, which the assurances of support we
had received showed that Ave might have dispensed with.
Besides, though there are dangers in the Committee, there
are also chances in our favour. The strength of the
Government, we have every reason to expect, wiU be com
pact and entire ; that of our opponents, it is not impossible,
wUl be di-^dded ; and upon a fair balance of aU these con
siderations my oxiinion is that we ought to stand as we are,
at least for the Second Eeading. The third and fourth
questions are anticipated in the answer which I have thus
given to the second, aud it is imnecessary to dweU further
upon them.
" If on considering these questions my opinion is decided
for abstaining at present from exercising the power which
the King has so generously confided to us, that opinion is
confirmed by the last, and in my mind, the most important
consideration of what would be the certainty of success in
creating fifty or even sixty Peers at the present moment.
" Here I confess my extreme repugnance to the mea
sure makes me distrust my own judgment. I apply my
reason to it with all the care I can, but I am conscious
that my feehng is stronger than my reason. It is a measm-e
of extreme violence; there is no iirecedent for it in our
history, the case of Queen Anne's Peers not being in point ;
it is a certain evil, dangerous itself as a precedent ; and
Avith all these objections, in my opinion very uncertain of
success. " The majority against us was 41 ; the conversions, from
which we now look forward to a more favourable result on
the Second Eeading, would turn against us almost to a

412 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. nmn ; many of those on whom we iioav depend would, I be-
Mt. 50. licA^e, certainly leave us ; and there is no saying how far a
defection, to which the natural feeling of the House of
Lords would tend, might be carried. We should be exposed
then to a great risk of failure even on the second reading.
Would our difficulties be much diminished even in the Com
mittee, where the whole body of Opposition would be brought
together, their mutual discontents composed, and their
hostiUty to the Government increased and inflamed with
additional rancour and acrimony ? I really believe, there
fore, that we should fail. But in such a faihire you
may say our characters would be safe. I doubt it. We
should be exposed to attacks of another land, in which that
part of the commiuiity which must be regarded as the
soundest and the best would probablyjoin. Even the most
violent, who have no affection for us, and whose object it is
to vUify all public men, and to Avean pubhc opinion from
the settled institutions of the Government, would cry out
against us, as they do now, for want of vigour and energy in
not having made enough. But our personal characters are
not the only consideration. This is too clear to have
escaped the attention of a person actuated by yom- just and
honourable motives ; and indeed, it is admitted by you.
What then would be the effect in the country ? Would the
indignation directed against the House of Lords be less
after the creation of Peers, in the event of another faUm-e,
than before it ? Would not all the dangers Avhich we now
apprehend be equally incurred ? and can you beheve that
our characters would save us m ^the general wreck that
would ensue ? My behef is the danger of a general com
bination against the Government Avould not be less, and
that its consequences Avould be worse ; and after all, suppose
we should succeed for a time, would the Government have
strength to go on without a further creation of Peers?
What has happened in France, aUowing for aU the dissimi
larity of the two countries, may afford an example of what
we might expect. The House of Lords would probably
become unmanageable in our hands ; and if we should be

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 41g
-displaced, the succeeding Government would be under the i832.
necessity of making a further addition to it ; and then what Mt. 50.
would become of the constitutional character and efficiency ~~
of this branch of the Legislature ?
" The result then is, that all these considerations press
on my mind with so irresistible a weight, that I reaUy
oannot bring myself to the adoption of a measure to which,
as we now stand, there appear to me to be such insur
mountable objections. I never had, I believe, at any time
an overweening confidence in my own opinions. I am
accused indeed sometimes of giving way too much to those
of others. I do not wish to defend myself agamst this
charge. I am not ashamed of abandoning an opinion when
I am satisfied that it is -wi-ong. In the present case, what
can be a stronger proof of the sincerity of my conviction,
than that it holds out against the opinions of the Chancellor,
yourself, HoUand, and many persons whom I not only
esteem and love for then- personal quahties, but who, I am
convinced, have the strongest feelings of regard and attach
ment to me individuaUy ? It is painful to differ from such
persons, but our conviction is not dependent on om- wiU.
" With regard to the question which you put to me, I
wUl take example from your frankness in answering it. As
at present ad-vised, I do not think any thing would induce
me to be a consenting party to a large creation of Peers.
The consequence then of your resignation Avould be, the
immediate breaking up of the Government ; for if I refused
to come in, I should now find it still more impossible to go
on, -without you.
"I have written this as fast as I could, after reading your
letter. More time would have enabled me to state better aU
I feel on this subject, and even to brmg forward much that
I am sensible I have omitted ; but I was anxious, as soon
as possible, to convey to you the impression which your
letter has made on me, for the kindness of which I must
once more offer you my heartfelt thanks.
" Beheve me, &c.,
" GEEY.

Lords.

414 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. "I should like to have this letter back again at your
Mt. 50. leisure, that I may have a copy taken of it.
' " A sad account from Kilkenny ; the first trial has
ended in an acquittal against the clearest and most positive
evidence."
The Bill The Bill Avas duly taken up to the Lords on the
taken up
tothe 26th of March, by Lord Althorp and Lord John
RusseU. It was observed that the train of their
supporters had lessened since they last presented
themselves with the same Message, but this arose
only from many of them haAdng posted themselves
about the Throne in expectation of the debate. The
motion for the Pirst Reading being put, there was
at first a dead silence. Lord Harrowby then rose,
and in a sjieech of more eloquence than force,
announced his intention of voting for the Second
Reading. Lord "Wharncliffe followed in the same
strain. He was so nervous that his voice failed
him, and but for the extreme stillness of the House,
he would not have been audible. Neither received
any encouragement from the other Peers, except
from their friend Lord Haddington. It certainly
did not look as if they were in a majority. Lord
Grey made a dignified and judicious reply.
The Second Reading was fixed for the 9th of
April. In this interval the canvassing for votes
on both sides was unprecedented. Lord Coventry,
a nobleman who from various causes had mixed
but little in society, gave an amusing account of
the solicitations that had been made to him. "I
never before," he said, " was fully aware of the

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 415-
usefulness of indecision. It has raised me quite to i832.
importance. I have received more iuAdtations to -^^- ^'^-
dinner this week than I had for years, and my hand
has been squeezed by men who had long scarcely con
descended to notice me."
On the morning of the debate, Mr. Francis Dialogue
between
Baring, * one of the Lords of the Treasury, an mti- Lord ai-
mate friend of Lord Althorp's, went to him about Mr. Francis
some official business that required immediate atten
tion ; and after they had dispatched it, Mr. F.
Baring observed that until the Reform BUl Avas
settled, he would of course be very busy. The
following dialogue then took place between them : — ¦
A. On the contrary ; I have very Uttle to do now,
comparatively. B. Yes, probably you have no particular business
pressing, but you must naturally feel anxious as to
fhe result, and it might be troublesome.
A. 'No, I don't feel at all anxious. (He then shut
the door.) I feel confident that Ave shall carry it. (I
said something, and he repeated they were sure, but
the majority would be small.)
B. I don't think it signifies much what your ma
jority is, for you can never carry it through the
Committee Avithout Peers.
* Afterwards Lord Nortbbrook. Lord Altborp regarded Mr.
Baring as a man of great ability, and still greater integrity. " I call
him," Lord Altborp said to me, " miy conscience." He looked on bim,
I bebeve, as bis future successor. Tbere was no opinion on Treasui-y
matters he valued so bigbly as Mr. Baring's. Many traits of resem
blance migbt be noticed between tbem : eaob having tbe same simpli
city of manner, the same do-wnrigbt honesty, and tbe same desire for
the public good. I shall have occasion to dwell more on his character
in a later page. — ^Authoe.

416 MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE:
1832. A, You were against making Peers.
•^'^- ^"- -B. So I was, and am still of the same opinion. I
consider it as a greater change than your BiU.
A. It completes the revolution.
B. But it is a different case after the Lords have
read it a second time.
A. I don't think so. On the contrary, it wUl be
Averse making them to carry particular points.
B. The course you have taken will be judged by
the result. If you succeed you will be considered
as great men ; if not, you stand a fair chance of
being hung. There is a very strong feeling, I
believe, in the country against making Peers, but
those who now object to it will be the first to abuse
you if you fail.
A. 1 don't find that feeling anjnvhere except in
the House. There is undoubtedly there an unAviUing-
ness to make Peers.
B. You must judge from that what the opinion of
the country will be on the subject some time hence.
I think you will have chosen the proper course, but
it is attended with some risk.
A. We shall carry our Second Reading, but I
doubt whether by such a majority as will satisfy the
country that we ought to have run the risk.
B. If you don't carry your BUl, it wiU be aU up
with you.
A. We are dished for ever — we are gone. For
my part, as I have been telUng Graham, my case is
very easy. At one blow I shall expiate the great
fault of my life, having ever entered into Politics.

Mt. 50

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 417
I ought never to have meddled Avith them. I 1832.
shall break it off at once, go doAvn into the coun
try and have nothing more to do Avith them. To
be sure, one must not look at the papers for some
time. Mr. F. Baring- says : " Some desultory conversa
tion then ensued. My impression was that his Avish
had been for the making of Peers, but I am not sure
of this, and it was contrary to his former conversa
tions. He said nothing under sixty could at any
time have secured the Bill. As I went, he said,
that if Ave carried the Second Reading, he thought
Ave could get fairly through the Committee." ''''
The debate began on the 9th, and lasted four
nights. Lord Grey opened it with a very fine
speech, admirably adapted to the occasion, being
clear, dignified, and eminently prudent and persua
sive. Lord Harewood observed to a friend just
before he rose, " AU depends on Lord Grey ; if he
is moderate, his majority will be considerable."
When he sat doAA'ii, it seemed from the countenances
of the Peers as if the prediction Avould be realized.
Without entering into the details of the debate, I
may mention that Lord Harrowby redeemed his
deficiencies on the First Reading- of the Bill, and fully
justified the high opinion of him entertained by
Mr. Pitt, whilst the Duke of Wellington lost his
temper, and so far forgot himself as to say, that
the King and the Administration were in a league
* This is transcribed from a paper in Mr. F. Baring's hand- writing,.
wbich I owe to the kindness of Lord Northbrook. — Authoe.

418 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
, 1832. with men who would go to any extremity of violence
'^'^' ^°' to attain their ends. His comments on the AA'^averers
so irritated Lord Wharncliffe, that the latter came
breathing fury to the Chancellor (Avho had intended
to speak next), entreating that he might be aUowed
to ansAver him. This he did with a heartiness and
vigour which, if he had not spoken for nearly three
hours, would have been very effective.
Lord Grey's reply was magnificent. " Taking
into consideration," said Mr. Macaulay to me, "the
time of the night, or rather of the day, the exhaus
tion of the subject, the length of the debate, and
Lord Grey's age, it was almost unparalleled."
The Bill The majority of 9 '"" was much below what had
second time been expectcd by the party ; and the difficulties of
Lor*ds! carrying the Bill through Committee seemed almost
insurmountable. After an adjournment of three weeks, the Com
mittee met, and one sitting virtually decided the
fate of the Bill — and at the same time brought the
country to the brink of Revolution. That Lord
Lyndhurst, in moving his memorable amendment
for the postponement of the Disfranchising Clauses,
had the intention of precipitating a Ministerial
crisis, Avas fully believed by those who kncAV, as
Lord Brougham once said to me of him, that he
was fond of mischief to such a degree, as not to be
restrained by considerations of prudence or pat-
* A few days before the division, Mr. Wood (now Viscount Habfax)
had .calculated on this very number Mr. Holmes, probably with the
view of misleading his opponents, said it would be 18.— Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 419
riotism. He certainly laid himself open to the 1832.
hostile construction put on his conduct by Lord •^^' ^"'
Grey, Avhose boldness in at once staking the
existence of the Bill, and of the Ministry, on the
issue of the division, proved in the end the safe
guard of both. At the time, a large section on
each side of the House Avas confused by the sudden
turn of aflfairs, and could not understand it. Indeed,
many of the Peers had only just come up from the
country, and stepped from their carriages into the
House to enquire what Avas going on. Some of the
Tories treated Lord Grey's declaration as a threat,
Avhilst some of the Whigs (in my hearing) regretted
it as rash and uncalled for. The Peers, Avith fcAv
exceptions — as usually happens when a question is
imperfectly understood and the House is taken
by surprise — voted according to party, and the
Ministers Avere of course completely defeated, being
left in a minority of thirty -five.
Lord Althorp Avas present during most of the Ministry
debate, for the House of Commons having been committee'!
counted out at an early hour, he joined the crowd
of members below the Bar Avho were eagerly watch
ing to see how this unexpected contest would end.
Lord Grey was observed to consult him frequently
as the debate proceeded, and there can be no doubt,
obtained his hearty concurrence. After the House
had risen Lord Althorp accompanied Lord Grey
into the Chancellor's private room, Avhere the
leading members of the Cabinet soon collected and
came to an unanimous resolution to resign, unless
E E 2

420 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. the King would create a sufficient number of Peers
^i. 50. ^Q g[^Q ^-^Q^^ ^ working majority in favour of the

Eesolution Bill
to resign.

The first impressions made by this division on
some of the men eminent for ability and character
among the Reformers materiaUy differed. Early
on the following morning, some of the leading
Radicals, headed by Mr. James MiU,''^ waited on
the Lord Chancellor in great alarm, and represented
to him the risk of serious disturbances throughout
the country in the event of a change of Ministry;
they also urged in strong terms the expediency of
supporting any ncAV Government, even of Tories,
on the condition of carrying the BiU. The thoughts
of the deputation seemed absorbed in their fears of
a popular outbreak. Speaking of the lower classes
Mr. Mill observed, "We must recollect, after all,
they are our masters," an expression quite new to
me at that time.
Whilst this scene took place at the Lord Chan-
* Mr. James Mill, the historian of India, the author of a weU-
known Essay on Government, and of other pobtical Tracts. His
views of ParUamentary Eeform went far beyond those of the Whigs,
wbo ranked in his estimation as a timid, narrow-minded party. He
was, I believe, a Eepublican. His independence and honesty were
above suspicion. His son, Mr. John Stuart Mill, has walked in his
steps, and added lustre to the name. — Authoe.
I was well acquainted -with Mr. James Mill, and was in the habit
of seeing him about this time. A few days before the introduction
of the Eeform Bill, he told me that he had just met Lord Brougham,
who had said to him, " The Eeform Bill will even satisfy you," To
which he had replied, ' ' I shall be satisfied if you give the franchise
to every man having an income of 100?. a-year." I mention this to
show that he was not a man of very impracticable views— he -was
always a strong supjiorter of the Ballot. — ^Loed Belpee.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 421
cellor's, Mr. Jeffrey, the oracle ofthe Scotch Wliigs, 1S32.
might have been seen in Downing Street pressing j^'^; ''"•
dark apprehensions upon Lord Althorp. His object
in coming thus early was to ask what course should
be taken Avith the Scotch Reform Bill, AAdiich it had
been intended that he should bring forward that
evenino-. With him the advent of the Tories to
power was a matter of certainty; and considering
the Reform BUl as abandoned, he looked forward,
almost in despair, to the repression of all public
spirit by military force, and the establishment of an
organised system of mis-government and oppression.
He gives in a letter to a friend an amusing account
of this interview. "I had," he says, "a charac
teristic scene with that most frank, true, and stout
hearted of God's creatures (Lord Althorp). He
had not come downstairs, and I Avas led up to his
dressing-room, where I found him sitting on a stool
in a dark duffle dressing-goAvn, Avith his arms bare
above the elbows, and his beard half-shaved, with a
desperate razor in one hand and a great soap-brush
in the other. He gave me the loose finger of his
brush hand, and with the usual tAvinkle of his bright
eye and a radiant smile, he said, ' You need not be
anxious about your Scotch BiUs to-night, as I have
the pleasure to tell you, Ave are no longer His
Majesty's Ministers.' "*
Lord Althorp's apparent ease of mind arose from
his conviction, that the Tories Avere prepared to take
up the Reform Bill, and that they would carry it,
* Cockburn's Memoirs of Lord Jeffrey, v. i., p. 330.

422 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. which he iioav despaired of the Whigs being able to
_^^°; do.'"' His delight at the prospect of quitting office
also influenced him, I fear, to the prejudice of his
judgment. He entertained no doubt of the King's
readiness to accept the resignation of the Ministry.
For some time, he had perceived an unusual degree
of coldness and embarrassment in the King's
manner toAvards the Ministers generally, which,
coupled Avith the querulous remarks known to have
escaped him on the democratic spirit of the
Liberals, convinced him that His Majesty's con
fidence in the Ministry had been Avithdrawn.
The King's refusal of the terms proposed by the
Ministers quickly transpired ; and a meeting of the
leading Whigs took place the same day at Brooks's,
when it was arranged that Lord Ebrington should
immediately give a notice in the House, for the
foUoAving day, of an address to the Crown on the
present state of public affairs. Great pains were
taken to keep this intention from Lord Althorp, lest
his scrupulous sense of duty might lead him to
prevent such an interference Avith the fonnation of
the new Government.
In the afternoon the King held a levee, Avhich
Lord Althorp attended, and was most graciously
received. It Avas much noticed that the King
hardly spoke to the Duke of WelUngton, whilst he
paid particular attention to the ex-Ministers. He
Aveiit so far indeed as to press the Lord Chancellor
* It si^pms not to bave occurred to him tbat the Tories must first
obtain the concurrence of the pubUo. — Atjthoe.

MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 423
to remain in office with the neAV Government.''' No 1832.
such compliment was offered to Lord Althorp, but
a higher one, and far more to his taste, Avas in store
for him. Repairing, after a hasty dinner, to the
House of Commons to perform the not unwelcome
task of announcing the resignation of the Ministry,
no sooner did he enter the House, than he Avas
greeted by the most tremendous cheers.t So loud
and so general was the acclamation, that he seemed
almost bewildered, and took his seat in some

* The Lord Chancellor had a private audience of more than half an
hour, in which the King pressed him most urgently not to give up
the Great Seal. The King also reminded bim of what had passed
when he came into office; "I told you then," be said, "that you
were my Chancellor — besides, after all, the office is a civil and not a
political one." The Chancellor replied that the Constitution hadmade
it the latter, as he thought unwisely, so that he had no alternative.
The King wept, but tho ChanceUor was firm and withdrew. The day
after he wrote to the King, thanking him for his kindness, and re
gretting his inability to avail himself of it. The King repeated bis
previous protestations of regard, and there the matter ended.
This was stated to me by Lord Brougbam at tbe time. — A-ctthoe.

The Lord Chancellor showed throughout these transactions the
most firm allegiance to Lord Grey. When he returned from his mis
sion with Lord Grey to Windsor, he found a note waiting for him
from Lord Devon, in these terms, "Iam in the greatest suspense;
tell me, I entreat, is all right ? " He at once replied, "To be sure it
is aU right, you blockhead. How can it be otherwise, when we have
done what is right ? "
I was -with him at half-past eleven, when a note was brought to
him which he read out ; it was very short : —
' ' Our resignations are accepted.
"Geet."
He observed that this was only what he expected, and he seemed
in no way disturbed. — Atjthoe.
t The Times states that the House was crowded on the occasion, and
that "Lord Althorp, on his entrance, was instantly hailed with en
thusiastic cheers and cries, accompanied by plaudits both of hands and
feet, in which some of the strangers joined most cordially." — Authoe.

424 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. confusion. It Avas remembered, that when Sir
^^- ^°- Robert Peel first appeared in the House after his
resignation, there Avas no cheering whatever. After
silence could be obtained. Lord Althorp rose, and,
with unusual distinctness, announced the resignation
of the Ministers, simply adding, that they took this
step because the recent proceedings in the Lords
made it impossible for them to carry the Reform
Bill in the state Avhich their duty and their promises
alike required. He added, that they only held
office until their successors were appointed. This
announcement Avas foUowed by a renewal of the
cheering, almost equally loud and long continued as
before. Encouraged by this demonstration of
feeling, Lord Ebrington then gave his notice of a
motion for the next day of an Address to the
Crown on the state of public affairs ; and. Lord
Althorp, as had been anticipated, raised objections
to it as premature. It has been insinuated that
this was a little scene of theatrical artifice ; '"' and
Lord Althorp is compared, by the Radical historian,
to Mark Antony protesting- against any violence, in
his address to the people at Caesar's funeral, a
course that would have been entirely inconsistent
Avith the candour and straightforwardness of Lord
Althorp. All Avho Avitnessed his demeanour on this
occasion, even if strangers to the man, Avould have
pronounced him to be no actor. The loud protests
of the friends of Reform against any delay of the
motion overruled his appeal. His delicacy, hoAV-
* Eoebuck's History, v. ii., p. 29?.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 425
ever, was not appreciated by the Tories, Avho made i832.
various unsuccessful efforts to draAV from him a '^''- ^"-
statement of the advice given by the Ministers to
the King, and the grounds on Avhich it was offered
and rejected ; not that they Avere ignorant of either,
or could haA'e forgotten that, Avithout the King's
consent, no such statement could be made public.
The House adjourned at an early hour.
NotAvithstanding the support thus given to Lord
Ebrington, he expressed himself the next morning
to the Chancellor as by no means sanguine Avith
regard to the result of his motion. The nominal
friends of the ex-Ministers he believed to be far
more numerous than the real ones, and he Avas
apprehensive of a considerable falling off in the
hour of trial. Lord Duncannon and Mr. EUice
were of the same opinion.
In the course of the day much was heard of the Effoi-ts of
activity of Lord Lyndhurst in forming the neAV to form a
Administration, and his confidence of success. He
assured one of his former dependents''' that there
Avas no truth in the report of the Great Seal being
intended for Sir John Leach. He should take it
himself, and he appeared to have no doubts of his
immediate return to oifice, and desired preparations
to be made for it accordingly. The ex-Ministers
put no obstructions in his Avay. Lord Althorp spent
part of the day in a nursery-garden, choosing and
* Mr. Haines, the Gentleman of tbe Chamber, a person of great
probity and inteUigence, to whom Lord Lyndhurst was much at
tached. — Authoe.

Government.

426 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. buying floAvers, brought home five large packages in
•^^- ^°- his carriage, and devoted a long time to considering
where they should be planted in the garden at
Althorp, writing directions and drawing plans for
that arrangement.'"' Office had been the reverse
of Paradise to him, and he cast no longing, linger
ing look behind on quitting it.
Lord There Avas that night again a croAvded House,
Ebrington . .
moves an and increased excitement. The Address, moA^ed by
Address. .
Lord Ebrington, had been framed in a cautious
and temperate strain, simply deprecating the
appointinent of any Ministry not prepared to carry
into eff'ect, unimpaired, all the essential provisions
of the Reform Bill ; his speech Avas rather in
defence of the course taken by the Ministers, than
Mr. Strutt in attack of their opponents. His seconder, Mr.
seconds it. ^ i /^ -r-v i i
feti-utt,t member lor Derby, a young man, whose
family shared with the Arkwrights pre-eminence in
the manufacturing interests of the midland counties
of England, Avent much farther. He boldly de
nounced the Tory chiefs as unfit to be trusted with
the charge of the Reform Bill. " If, indeed," he
said, " the time shall ever come when we are Avilling
to submit our victorious armies to the command of
the officers of the enemy ; if we shall ever call the

* Cockburn's Memoirs of Lord Jeffrey, v. i., p. 332. — Authoe.
t Now Lord Belper and Lord Lieutenant of Notts. Some years
after this memorable night, he entered the Ministry as Chairman of
the Eail-way Department of the Board of Trade, and subsequently he
became ChanceUor of the Duchy of Lancaster. His conduct, both in
pubHc and private life, has attached deserved credit to his name. —
Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 427
culprits from the bar to the judgment seats, — then, i832.
and not tiU then, Avill I. consent to intrust the ^'^- ^"^^
construction and management of tliis Bill to those
Avho have shown themselves its avowed enemies or
its reluctant and Avavering supporters."'"' It A\'as in
vain that Mr. Baring tried, in a long and elaborate
reply, to weaken the force of these observations,
and as a last resource he again called on Loi'd
Althorp for an explanation of the grounds of the
Ministerial differences Avith the King; but this
proved an utter failure. Lord Althorp met the
interrogations Avith a candour and ingenuousness
AA'-faich presented a singular contrast to the elaborate
speech of his opponent, for whose " better satis
faction," he stated, "the advice Ave thought it our
duty to offer to his Majesty was, that he should
create a number of Peers, sufficient to enable us to
carry the Reform BUl in an efficient form." The
sensation that followed tliis avowal elicited such a
tempest of cheers as I never heard before. Lord
Dover, Avith whom I was sitting under the GaUery,
turned round to me and observed, that he questioned
whether the members imprisoned by Charles I. were
more loudly cheered on their return to the House
after their release from imprisonment. The answer
Lord Althorp gave to the charge against the
Ministers of attempting to bully the King, was
equally successful, especially his appeal to the
House, whether the language used by Mr. Baring in
saying, "that we fly in the face of our master," was
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third ser,, v. vii., p. 787.

428 MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE.
1S32. the language fit to address to a Minister of the
iET. 50. Crown in the House of Commons, or the Avay in
which Mr. Baring Avould advise the Ministers to
discharge their duty under a great responsibility.
His explanation had the merit of satisfying- the
House, Avithout giving displeasure to the King.
He referred to the proceedings in the Lords to
show that it was possible to form an Administration
out of the ranks of the Tories to carry the BUl
Avithout vital alterations. A magnificent speech by
Mr. Macaulay rather startled the moderate Whigs,
Avhilst Sir Robert Peel, though very eloquent,
betrayed his distrust of the policy of his party.
The division was —
Ayes  2.S
Noes  208
Majoritjr . . . . 80
The Whig leaders insisted that there was still
an under-current in the feeling of the Parliament
against opposition to the King, and the fate of the
Ministry remained in doubt.
The proceedings in the House on Friday Avere
confined to angry discussions arising out of Peti
tions for Reform, in Avhich no Whig of eminence
took a part except Lord Althorp, Avho tried, ap
parently Avith some success, to keep within legiti
mate bounds the impetuosity of his Liberal
supporters.
The Duke On Saturday the acceptance of the Premiership
ton accepts ^J ^^^ Dukc of Wellington was understood to be

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 429
settled, and other names Avere confidently mentioned i832.
for offices in his Governinent. ^"

The Sunday was no day of rest among politicians, ^e Pre-
Such goings to and fro, such busy faces, such ques
tions and answers throughout the Tory circles, as
seemed to indicate the eve of a ncAV administration !-
Neither were the Whigs quite idle ; a great meeting
of the party was held ab Brooks's that night, at
which Lord Ebrington, Mr. Hume, and other
leaders, noAV strongly urged the rejection of any
Reform Bill which the noAV Ministers might pre
pare, be it what it might, whilst Lord Althorp,
on the other hand, Avas for accepting it, but on the
understanding that the acceptance Avas to be no bar
to future demands. Mr. Stanley on this occasion
particularly distinguished himself He jumped on
the table, and in a most stirring and eloquent
speech attacked the new Ministers and the Tory
aristocracy most unsparingly. It Avould be hardly
fair to record some of the expressions he used in
the warmth of the moment, especially as he ended
by supporting the course recommended by Lord
Altborp. This was adopted by the meeting with
some reluctance, as the feelings of the majority
were in favour of violent measures.
The next morning (Monday) Lord Ebrington
complained to the Chancellor of the result of
the meeting, and persisted in his intention of
combining Avith Mr. Hume to propose a very
strong resolution condemnatory of the Duke of
Wellington. Several eminent Whigs amono- the

430 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. Peers approved of this course — whilst Mr. Pen-
'^^- ^°- darves, and many of the other Whig county mem
bers in the Commons, preferred letting the new
Ministry come in without opposition ; leaving it to
the country to decide who were to hold the Govern
ment. The country had, I believe, already decided ;
for the accounts received from large towns were of
a character that might have extinguished the hopes
of the neAV aspirants to oflfice, a Tory governrnent
being universally deprecated, although coupled with
the promise of a Reform Bill. I was assured that
Sir Robert Peel, Avho had up to this time not
declared himself, now took the alarm, and positively
refused to enter the Ministry. At a great dinner,
however, at the Carlton Club, he commended the
Duke's conduct in no qualified terms, and urged the
party to foUoAV him, wherever he might lead, as the
saviour of his country.
The House filled early on Monday. Such of the
new Ministers (expectant) as Avere present appeared
in excellent spirits. Sir Henry Hardinge stepped
over to Lord Althorp before the debate began, and
told him that the real difficulties of forming the
Administration Avere at an end, and he hoped that
Lord Althorp did not disapprove of the Duke's
conduct. He seemed too elated to listen to Lord
Althorp's cold and unsatisfactory ansAver, and soon
rose to ansAver Lord Ebrington's question as to the
Duke of Wellington's having accepted office on the
condition of bringing in a Reform Bill. Lord
Ebrington's language was very strong, but not too

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 431
strong for the temper of the House, for he was is32.
loudly cheered, when he described such conduct as ^^^^^-
an act of gross public immorality ; nor did Har
dinge's explanation, which implied a denial of the
imputed conduct, improve the aspect of the case.
A most animated debate followed ; Mr. Baring's
ingenuity and casuistry Avere again employed to
represent the Duke as having come to the King's
assistance Avhen abandoned by his Ministers, taking
the only course Avhich, under the circumstances, Avas
left open to him. Mr. Baring's comments on the
language of the Whigs with respect to the Duke's
conduct drew from Lord Althorp a more emphatic
censure than he had yet expressed of the Tory
leaders. He Aveiit, indeed, so far as to say that this
charge of public immorality had been aimed at
those individuals, who, having opposed the Reform
Bill in its principle and details, were ncA'crtheless
ready to accept office, with the vicAV of carrying the
very measure they had so strenuously resisted.
This Avas the immorality which had been referred
to, and he could not think the expressions stronger
than were merited on the occasion. He felt that as
the leader of the Liberal party some such declara
tion might fairly be expected from him, nor was it
complained of by his opponents. It Avas moderate,
indeed, compared with the speeches of Mr. ]\Ia-
caulay and Lord John Russell. They carried the
House so completely with them, that little attention
was paid to the speeches of Sir EdAvard Suo-den
and Sir George Murray on the other side. What

432 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. damaged the Tories most, hoAVOA^er, was the dis-
"^^- ^"- avowal of their proceedings by Sir Robert Inglis ;
and, when he denounced the proposed adoption of
Reform by the new Government as one of the most
fatal violations of public confidence that could be
inflicted, it Avas felt that no hope remained for the
advocates of such a policy. One after another, the
Tory members urged the return of the Whig
Ministers to office, and as soon as the House was
up, the Speaker assured the Duke of the hopeless
ness of the task he had undertaken.
The foUoAving extract from a Journal that I kept
at the time will give some notion of the agitation
that prcA'ailed.
" Tuesday Avas an exciting daj^ Tbe oiDinion was raj^idly
gathering that a new Administration Avas impracticable.
Peel Avas understood still to withhold his support. The
Chancellor thought he would yield at last, and there is no
doubt it Avould have been the boldest and wisest course if
he Avished to preserve his party. It is reported and believed
that he differed with the Duke on the expediency of an
immediate dissolution. The Duke thought it the only
mode of estabhshing the new Government ; Peel dreaded
civil war. Both, perhaps, were in the right. The latter
certainly Avould have had an uneasy berth at Tamworth.
Hill* told me that the Union would have sent such a body of
their members to that place dm-ing the election, that Peel's
return would have been impracticable. The accounts from
the country now poured in, and Avere of the most alarming
* M. D. Hill, Eecorder of Birmingham, afterwards M.P. for Hull,
and an intimate friend of Lord Brougbam; a man of a vigorous,
rather than of a refined mind. His brother Eowland is the author of
tbe penny postage. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 43
description. Parkes came on a deputation from Birming- i832.
ham. He told me, that it was with extreme difficulty that Mt, 50.
tbe people could be kept from coming to extremities. Hill
described the state of public feeling there very forcibly.
' The people,' he said, ' are so excited, that anything at aU
unusual throws them into confusion. A man blowuig a
hom is immediately taken for an express, and the arrival of
a coach from London at an unusual hour emptied the work
shops in an instant. Very httle work is done. The work
men walk about, talking of nothing but the Bill.' The
account of the vote of the Lords was received as a pubhc
calamity. The churches and dissenting chapels tolled their
bells the whole night. WeU might the General in com
mand be alarmed. He Avi'ote to Lord HiU that he was
wholly incapable of resistance in case of an insurrection.
His whole force consisted of two troops of the Greys Avitliin
the town, and two companies of mfantry at Dudley. Lord
Hill, however, spoke very hghtly to Lord Althorp of the
danger. At the United Service Club little else was tallied
of Strickland * showed me a letter from some of his
leading constituents at Saddleworth. They told him that
people were thed of signing petitions and addresses. They
¦wished to fight it out at once, and the sooner the better.
The fight was beheved so near at hand, that a manufacturer
offered to supply the Birmingham Union with 10,000
muskets at 15s. a-piece. The Unions received an immense
increase to then- numbers during the week. Bob Smitht
told me that in his part of Bucks, the respectable classes
came to the resolution of not acting as special constables.
In Birmingham the magistrates represented to the General
in command, that there was not a man in the town who
would act."
The attempt of the Tories to obtain possession ol
* Sir George Strickland, Bart., of Boynton, Yorkshire, and M.P
for the county. — Authoe.
t Mr. Smith, M.P. for Bucks, afterwards Lord Carington.—
Authoe.

434 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. the Government having failed. Lord Grey Avas
•^^- ^^- necessarily recalled ; but the events of the week
Lord^Gre ^^^^' ^^^^^ added to the difficulties of his position ;
by the foj. -whilst the Reformers Avere now heated almost
Kmg. beyond his control, the Tory Peers, exasperated by
defeat, seemed determined to prolong at any risk a
contest that threatened the destruction of their
order. Fresh terms, it is understood, were accord
ingly submitted to the King, and for three days his
decision upon them remained in doubt. During
this interval the hopes of the Tories revived ; and
the Queen, Avho had Avarmly espoused their cause,
wrote, even after the King had seen Lord Grey, to
an intimate friend, " I do not despair yet." Lord
Dover told me that he had seen the letter.
It is said that Sir Herbert Taylor suggested the
bold step of the King's letter to the Tory Peers to
secure their non-attendance, and this is more to his
honour, as he Avas a Tory of the old school, and
had always kept up some comiection with the party.
He said to me at the time, " I should have opposed
the Bill in every stage had I remained in the
House of Commons — but I see that it is for the
King's interest that it should be carried, and I have
done my best to assist the Ministers accordingly."'"'
* Sir Herbert Taylor was the younger son of Mr. Taylor of Bifrons,
in Kent — a country gentleman of good property. I have heard that
he owed his rise in life to the circumstance of two of bis brothers
being accidentally drowned in a manner tbat excited general com
passion, and especiaUy witb the Eoyal family. He was presented with
a commission in the Guards, and soon attached to the staff of the Duke
of York, whom he accompanied in the campaigns of 1794-5, and sub
sequently he became private secretary to the King (Greorge the

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 435
It was only after the country had been kept in 1832.
suspense from the Tuesday, that at half-past four on ^''- ^"-
the Friday the King summoned Earl Grey and the
Lord Chancellor to acquaint them Avith the
promised secession of the Tory Peers.
After an audience of half an hour they drove Secession oE
'' the Tory
straight to the House of Lords Avith this joyful Peers.
intelligence, Avhich Lord Grey at once conveyed to
Lord Althorp through Mr. Stanley, Avhom he met
on the stairs. It spread through the House of
Commons like an electric shock, and the majority of
the Tories seemed hardly less pleased than the
Whigs, such had been the general alarm at the
state of public feeling. Even Lord Althorp had
latterly thought very ill of the position of the
country, and when many of the members, on his
coming down to the House, accosted him with
anxious inquiries, little of any cheerful import could
be drawn from his answers. He now rose, with
radiant looks, to announce the continuance of the
Ministers in office, Avhile he also held out expecta
tions of passing the Bill, Avhich, coming as they did
from him, seemed to dispel previous forebodings.
Third), during the blindness of tbe latter, and obtained great credit
for his intelligence and integrity. He was deservedly a favourite in
the Eoyal family, for he united most pleasing manners with genuine
kindness of heart. The narrative he wrote ofthe last illness ofthe Duke
of Tork had a large circulation, and certainly made the most of the
Duke's good qualities. Sir Herbert retired from pubUc life on the
death of the King, whom he did not long survive. His health had
suffered from the confinement and hard work inseparable from his
office, and bis latter days were embittered by the death of his children.
I can conscientiously pay this humble tribute to the memory of a
man for whom I entertained a sincere regard. — Authoe. p F 2

436 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. It has been observed that the immediate effect of
'^''- ^'^- his simple assurance, in that crowded and excited
assembly, showed how strong Avas the confidence
reposed in him.
Third Read- The BUl was now virtually passed. The Com-
Biiiinthe iiiittee in the Lords, in a few days, resumed its
sittings, when the Opposition Peers, in their anger,
carried out their promises of secession to an extent
that necessarily detracted from the dignity of the
House. Nor could they be satisfied without pro
claiming their own surrender and humiliation.
There was hardly a show of a division on the Third
Reading. A few amendments were made, in which
the Commons acquiesced in one sitting, after some
rather angry speeches from the Tory members ; and
the Bill having been returned to the House of
Lords, received the Royal Assent on the 7th of
June.
Royal There were very few Peers in the House during
given to the ceremony of giving the Royal Assent. The
Ministers, in their anxiety to avoid any apjDcarance
of triumph, had kept the hour of the Commission a
secret. The Duke of Sussex did not enter the body
of the House, but remained behind the Curtain.
When the Assent was giA^en, he said, loud enough
to be heard at some distance, " Thank God, the
deed is done at last. I care for nothing now. This
is the happiest day of my life."
Mr. Courtenay had hardly given the Royal
Assent in the usual words, " Le Roi le veult," Avhen
a paper Avas handed up to him with these words :

MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 437
" Surely it Avould have been more apjiropriate to 1832.
have said 'La Canaille le veult.' " This Avas indeed ^'^- ^°'
the feeling of the majority of the Peers, and of the
aristocracy also. Little could the Tories anticipate
the day Avhen a Avarm eulogy of the Statesmen Avho
had passed this very Act should be pronounced by
the leader of the Conservative party in the House
of Commons, in bringing forAvard a Reform BiU of
a far more democratical character.'""
There were stiU the Irish and Scotch Reform Bills, 1"^}J'''J-
Scotch Ke-
and the Boundary Bill to be passed ; and although ^°^ i>i"^-
these were respectively under the charge of Mr.
Stanley, Mr. Jeffrey, and Lord John Russell, the
responsibUity of Lord Althorp, as leader, required
his constant attention to them ; and the Scotch Bill,
as in the preceding Session, was so pertinaciously
contested in its details, as almost to exhaust even
his patience. It excited, however, little general
interest, and on the 27th of June it was read a third
time, and the debates on Reform were brought to a
conclusion. The relations of the King with his Ministers in
the last days of the Reform BiU had been em
bittered by the coarse and violent attacks made on
him and the Queen in the newspapers supporting
the Government. He complained warmly to Lord
Althorp of the revolutionary spirit of the day,
" which," to use his own words, " had the eff'ect of
* On March 18th, 1867, Mr. Disraeli introduced the Eepresentation
of the People BiU into the House of Commons. — Hansard's Pari.
Deb., Third ser., v. clsxxvi., p. 6. — Editoe.

438 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. confining the notices of most violent and treasonable
•^'^' ^^' attacks levelled at the Sovereign to general expres
sions of reprobation and of screening from legal
punishment those who daily indulged in them " —
and he rather sneeringly desired that the Attorney-
General should be called upon for an explanation of
his grounds for not prosecuting the offenders. This
produced the following reply from Lord Althorp : —

VISCOUNT ALTHOEP TO THE KING.
" DowNixG Steeet, May 23rd, 1832.
" Viscount Althorji presents his humble duty to your
Majesty, and has the honour to acknovpledge the receipt
of Your Majesty's most gracious letter of this day's date.
"Viscount Althorp begs to assure your Majesty, that no
one can feel deeper regret or greater indignation than he
does, at the libellous attacks upon your Majestj^ and upon
Her Majesty the Queen which ha\'e ajipeared in the public
papers ; but he is convinced that j'our Majesty's servants
would ill discharge the duty which they owe to your Ma
jesty, if they aUowed these feelings to get the better of
their judgment, and Avere to advise prosecutions, which,
while they very probably would not be successful in bring
ing the offenders to punishment, would inevitably bring
your Majesty's name, and that of Her Majesty the Queen,
into public discussion before the Courts of Law, in a way
which Avould be most painful to all j'our Majesty's loyal
subjects, and which would be detrimental to the interests of
the Monarchy.
" Viscount Althorp has written to the Attorney- General
to communicate to him j-our Majesty's commands ; and he
hopes and trusts that the explanation which your Majesty
requires, will satisfy 3our Majesty that there is no one
more attached to your Majesty's person, or more deter-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 439
mined to uphold the authority of the law, according to the 1832.
duties of his office, than the Attorney- General. Viscount Mt. 50.
Althorp's long and intimate acquaintance with this gentle-
man convinces him that such is the case.
" ALTHORP."
The areat object of the Parliament being now ac- Lish Com-
o •) '-' _ pnlsory
compUshed, the Ministers determined to finish the Tithe Com-
X ' T n position
Session as soon as possible. It was only from a Bill.
paramount sense of duty that they brought forward
and passed the Irish Compulsory Tithe Composition
Bill, a measure which arrested the fall of the Irish
Church, but alienated from the Government a large
body of their Irish supporters. The angry feeling
that this caused among the Liberals, and the
factious spirit which seems almost invariably to
prevail at the end of a moribund Parliament, en
couraged the Opposition to try their fortunes again
on the Russian Dutch Loan. Lord Althorp writes The Rus-
to Lord Spencer on the 7th of July, " the enemy Lo^n.
intend to make a great attack on Thursday, upon
the Treaty with Russia ; I think it not impossible
-they may beat us ; if they do, there is only one
course for us to take, for if Parliament refuse to do its
part in a Treaty"'' which we have advised the King to
ratify, and which the King has so ratified, I think
we must resign, and now that the Reform Bill has
become law there is no great objection to doing so."
The motion against the payment of the Loan was
accordingly made by Mr. Herries on the 12th, and
-*- This Treaty of 16th November, 1S31, greatly strengthened the case
of tbe Ministers. — Authoe.

440 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. ably resisted by Lord Althorp, and the Ministers
"^^- ^^- had the satisfaction of obtaining a majority of 46.
Not daunted however by the defeat, Mr. Baring,
who I suspect Avas the author of the movement, re
turned to the charge four days afterwards on a
motion for Papers, when the Ministerial majority
was reduced to 36. Lord Althorp on the 17th
wrote to Lord Spencer, that he expected a third
attack on the foUoAving Thursday, AAdien he adds,
" I think they AviU fail, but we are in a very tot
tering state, and it is very possible that they will
still run into us before the end of the Session. As
for me, I do not much care, or rather I shall be
very well pleased if they do, nor do I think our con
tinuance in office, now we have passed the Reforiu
Bill, is of much importance to anybody." This
time, hoAvever, the Ministers had a signal triumph,
their majority being raised to 79.
The King communicated to Lord Althorp his
strong disapprobation of these proceedings of the
Tories.
The This was the last party fight of the Session.
Lord Althorp in the following week made his finan
cial statement, the lateness of which could only be
excused by the pressure of the Reform Bill and the
unimportant character of the proposed Budget, for
it was in fact merely in the nature of a continuance
BiU, no alteration being made in the existing duties.
The statement Avas favourably received, and in
clearness and candour was not open to objection.
The public, however, could hardly have been pre-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 441
pared for his announcement that the surplus of 1832.
three milUons left by the Tory Ministers in the Ex- -^^- ^'^-
chequer had been already exhausted, Avhilst a deficit
of more than 300,000Z. appeared in its place. But
no imputation could be raised against Lord Althorp
of extravagance or mismanagement, and the House,
including even Sir Robert Peel, acquiesced in his
cheerful vicAvs of the financial prospects of the
country. The Budget accordingly Avas accepted,
and the supplies voted ahnost Avithout opposition.
On the 14th df August ParUament was pro- Dissolution
1 M 1 T ¦, , -r-v- -, ¦ of ParUa-
rogued, on the understanding that the Dissolution ment.
would not take place tUl late in the year.

CHAPTER XXI.
THE aENERAL ELECTION.  MEETINO OE PARLIAMENT.—
RADICAL OPPOSITION. — MINISTERIAL MEASURES.
1832. The Parliamentary Recess gave less relief to the
•^'^- ^"- Ministers than usual, owing to the necessary pre-
lordAi- parations for the General Election. Lord Althorp
thorp re- 01 i • i -1 •
elected for was ouo of thosc, Avho, notAVithstandmg popu-
tonshire. larity and public services, had reason to expect a
severe contest. He writes to Lord Spencer from
Northampton on the 4th Sept., " I think that my
seat may be secured, Avhether (Lord) Euston per
severes or not, but it A\dll cost more than it is worth,
and I have decided that if it is probable that the
expense will exceed 1,000Z. I will take to the Tower
Hamlets. That is to say, if it appears that it will
be necessary to pay for bringing up the voters to
the poll, I will not undertake it. I consider that if
I do resign I can never show my face here again,
but that is an evil which must be submitted to —
one is not compelled to go to an absurd expense,
because some wrong-headed people choose it and
insist upon dragging me into it against all reason
and common sense."
A few days afterwards. Lord Euston, finding that
his continuance in the field would endanger Lord

MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 443
Althorp's return, generously retired ; and it was i832.
then understood that Lord Althorp and Sir Charles -^^- ^°-
Knightley would be returned Avithout opposition.
It was during the most gloomy state of Lord
Althorp's prospects in Northamptonshire that he
had received an invitation to stand for the ToAver
Hamlets, free of all expense. Success was certain,
and no canvass required. He sent at once to Dr.
Lushington, whom he asked to be his colleague.
That eminent lawyer at first observed that he had
received an iuAdtation from Bath, signed by the
leading electors of all shades of politics ; but, not
Avithstanding this, on jierceiving that Lord Althorp
Arished it, he yielded ; indeed, he said to me, " I
could not refuse — there Avas something about Lord
Althorp that absolutely bcAvitched me."
I rejoice to add that Dr. Lushington Avas triumph
antly returned for the ToAver Hamlets, and re
tained the seat after his elevation to the Bench
until disqualified many years later by an Act of
Parliament introduced for the purpose of regulating
his office. ¦'"
Lord Althorp could obtain only a brief respite
from the cares of oflice, for he was less than three
weeks at Wiseton, hardly long enough, as he
observed, to become acquainted with his cattle.
He had the pleasure, hoAvever, during this time, of
¦* I am afraid tbat this disqualification, which was the work of Sir
James Graham, must be ascribed to mere party motives. Dr. Lusb-
ington's great knowledge of international law, besides his other merits,
enabled him to be a most useful member, and bis loss bas never been
supplied in my day. — Authoe.

iU MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. a visit from the Duke of Richmond and Sir James
^^' ^"- Graham, tAvo of his most intimate friends in the
Cabinet, and, like himself, much addicted to agri
cultural pursuits. The Duke did not pretend to
any superior knowledge of stock, but he Avas cele
brated for the breed of sheep Avhich he had made
the pride of the. Sussex doAvns. Sir James Gra
ham was more eminent for his knoAvledge of rural
economy ; and in the management of his large
estate, forming part of Sohvay Moss, only of late
years brought into cultivation, he had been emi
nently successful, as was seen in his prosperous
tenantry and their Avell cultivated farms.
With these companions, and I can say from
experience that fcAV could have been found more
agreeable. Lord Althorp appears to have thoroughly
enjoyed himself They accompanied him, he writes
to Lord Spencer, to Doncaster Races, and he adds,
"We have been very lucky in our weather. I have
had a good week's exercise, which has done me
good. I rode to Doncaster and back four days,
which makes 100 miles, and Avent out shooting the
intervening day of the five. I never remember so
bad a year for partridges here. I shot tolerably
well, but have walked very badly and have not been
able to go out two days together. My constituents
at Peterborough have sent me a snuflF-box as a
parting gift. It was bought by a shilUng subscrip
tion. It is in very good taste, but it is too smaU
for me. We have very good accounts of the elec
tions everywhere, and I think everything seems to

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 445
be AVorking Avell except the Belgian business, and 1832.
that Avill soon end, I think. The finance Avorks ^'^- ^"'
brilliantly, and I now feel confident that I shall
make a good balance sheet at the end ofthe year."
On the 1st of October the Cabinet meetings Cabinet
, iT 1*11-1 meetings.
began. " From what I see, wrote Lord Althorp,
"we have been all of us absent from toAvn too long
a time together, but I hope no great harm has been
done, though some things may haA^e been delayed,
which ought not." This probably alludes to Ireland,
the state of Avhich seems to have engaged the imme
diate attention of the Ministers, and Avell it might ;
a more difficult or more disheartening subject per
haps scarcely ever called for the action of a
Ministry. The necessity for early legislation was
unanimously admitted, and Mr. Stanley propounded
the heads of a Peace Preservation Act and a Church
Temporalities Act, the former as a measure of
coercion, and the latter as one of relief; but in
neither could Lord Althorp acquiesce, for he consi
dered one Avent too far, and the other not far enough
— an opinion which was shared by some of his pifftcuities
coUeagues, and led to discussions so hot as to fore
shadow the breaking up of the Government, an
event that took place less than two years after
wards. It appears from the foUoAring letter that
Lord Althorp Avas only kept from resigning by the
earnest entreaties of Lord Grey.

446 MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE.

1832.
Mt. 50.

EAEL GEEY TO VISCOUNT ALTHOEP.
" East Sheen, October 21st, 1832.
" My dear Althorp,
" I received your letter yesterday evenmg. To
say that it gave me great pain would be little : and after a
sleepless night my mind is overpoAvered with the thought
of all the evils to ourselves, to the country, and to the
peace of Europe, which the breaking up at this moment,
and upon such a question, of the present administration
would occasion. To myself individually, retirement from
office would be, as I haA'e no doubt it would be to you,
a rehef, and not a misfortune ; Avith respect to me the time
is fast apjiroaching when I must retire, whatever may be
the situation of affairs. But I feel bound not to do so,
when the consequence ivould be to destroy the Whig Party
for ever, to giA^e power, in the first instance, to those whose
lirinciples we have alwaj's opjjosed, and eventuaUy, per
haps, for such a Government could not last, to produce a
subversion of the Government itself. With such a pros
pect before me, I will bear much, 1 wiU suffer much whilst
a choice is left me. But that choice I shaU no longer
have, if you resign. There is nothing for me then, but
to abandon the Government to those who may be willing to
take it.
" Having said this much, I really feel it difficult to enter
into a discussion by letter on the subject which has given
birth to these difficulties. When there exists, as there
does between us, mutual confidence and affection, and a
general, if not an entire agreement of views and principles,
undisturbed by any personal interests, such matters are
always best treated of in personal communications ; I shall
therefore reserve the greater part of what I have to say till
to-morrow, when I will be in town about twelve, and shall
hope to see you, &c., &c.
" GREY."

MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 447

The objections raised by Lord Althorp Avere
partly removed by some modifications in both Bills.
He yielded most reluctantly to the stringent clauses
in the Peace Preservation Act, and only on satis
factory evidence that Ireland had fallen into a state
which had no parallel in any European country.
Parhament Avas dissolved on the 3rd of December.
The Ministers had been led to expect from the
reports of their friends that the returns Avould give
them a very large majority.
That there were reasonable grounds for this ex
pectation may be collected from the foUoAving letter
of Lord Morpeth's, Avhich made a great impression
upon Lord Grey : —
VISCOUNT MOEPETH TO VISCOUNT ALTHOEP. "26 Dec, 1832.
" As I have just finished an extensive canvass of the
largest constituent body in the empire,* and in the pro
gress of it have undergone several coiu'ses of interrogation,
as weU as heard much expression of opinion, it has struck
me that it might not be altogether useless if I were to put
down upon paper my general impression of the present
state of public feeling, as it has come under my notice.
" Of Toryism I saw and heard nothing, and in large
manufacturing districts it is entirely powerless. Of Eadi-
calism I found mfinitely less than I had expected. I am
aware that this is in part to be attributed to employment
being now tolerably plentiful, and trade healthy, though not
brilliant ; distress would soon call into play a large floating
mass of discontent. Still, I beheve the great bulk of the
population to be sound and reasonable. Several pohtical
unions attempted a demonstration against me, exclusively
* The West Eiding of Yorkshire.

1832.
Mt. 50.

448 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1832. of my colleague Mr. Strickland, on the grounds of my
Mt, 50. birth and my not being supposed to carry some liberal
opuiions so far, but they only proved that they could do
absolutely nothing ; they embrace but an inconsiderable
number of persons, and I think are viewed with jealousy
by those who do not belong to them.
" The general feehng is very keen in favour of a fall
measure of Church Reform, but I do not thinlc there is any
prevalent wish to destroy the Estabhshment. I feel sure
that it is most essential to the welfare of the Church to
take advantage of these dispositions by a large and decided
measure of Conservative Reform. Church Rates are the
great rock of offence, I should say, more than tithes ; but
then I speak of a manufacturmg district community. The
power of the Bishops is not viewed with favour; cheap
bread, more corn, a fixed duty of very moderate amount —
but these are battles which we manufacturers must fight
for ourselves.
" We shall win m time. Economy and reduction of
taxation speak for themselves. Malt and soap are men-
tionfed most often. I need not say how deep the feeling
is respecting Slavery.* I think the Radicals care about it
least. It strikes me that the non-electors have begmi to
find that the BaUot would be fatal to their influence over
electors, and are consequently cooled about it. The elec
tors in the Cloth-haU, at Leeds, have observed that the
suffrage at present descends low enough.
" MORPETH."
It may be observed that nothing is said in this
letter of the state of Ireland. In fact, the English
constituencies generally showed little sympathy Avith
Irish grievances, and they detested the CathoUcs.
Mr. Macaulay told me that even such a small boon
-* Lord Halifax told me that Mr. Brougbam owed bis return for
Yorkshire entirely to his services against Slq,very. — AuTHOE.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. ¦ 449
as providing glebe-houses for the priests in Ireland 1882.
could not have been advocated at Leeds, Avithout -^'^- ^"-
losing him his seat.
The election returns gave a very large majority to Majority
the Liberals ; but in the Metropolitan constituencies. Liberals.
such as Finsbury, Marylebone and Lambeth,, the
Eadicals were preferred to the Whigs, OAving, it
Avas believed, to the superior organisation of the
former, under the management of the Political
Unions. In the counties the Tories recovered
many of their seats. Lord Althorp thought him
self very fortunate in remaining member for North
amptonshire."" The Irish returns Avere far more favourable to
O'Connell than to the Ministers. The Whig interest
which had long prevailed in the Liberal constituen
cies was reported to be almost extinguished, and it
cannot be said to have since revived.
The House met on the 29th of January for the
election of a Speaker. The Ministers felt some
anxiety about the debut of the new members, who
Avere estimated at above three hundred in number.
No serious opposition had been expected to the Mr. Man-
choice of Mr. Manners Sutton, whose acknowledged chosen'**°"
popularity and tact, as weU as his long experience, ^p^^'^'^'"-
pointed him out as the ""member best qualified to
preside over a House elected under a ncAV constitu-
-*- The election was watched -with the deepest interest by foreign
poHticians ; Mr. Haldimand— one of the leading merchants in London
— told me that his Paris correspondents had desired him to send them
the earliest intelligence of the Eeturn : for they considered the peace
of Europe to depend on the Election. — Authoe.

450 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1833. tion.""' Mr. Hume, under the pretence that the
j^^i^l _ Speaker ought to represent the political opinions of
the majority, but chiefly I suspect to test the
strength of the Radical party, proposed Mr. Little
ton, and in a tone and manner that showed his
determination to be a great party leader. Instead
of allowing the Ministerialists, according to custom,
the precedence in proposing their candidate, he rose
immediately on the return of the members from
the House of Lords, and in a very dull speech
jDroposed Mr. Littleton, much against the will oi
the latter.
Lord Morpeth and Sir Francis Burdett moved
and seconded the nomination of Mr. Manners Sutton.
Cobbett's speech in opposition Avas an utter failure.
It did not obtain a single cheer. Lord Althorp
spoke very well in support of Mr. M. Sutton, who was
elected by a large majority, the numbers being —
Ayes  241
Noes  31
Majority . . . 210
The House presented a singular appearance on
this occasion. Cobbett placed himself on the Trea-
-*- The preference given to Mr. Manners Sutton was a great disap
pointment to Mr. Abercromby, with whom the Speakership had long
been an object of ambition. His claims could hardly have been re
sisted, if he had remained in Parliament untU the vacancy of the
Chair. But Lord Grey and Lord Althorp both doubted whether he
had the temper and tact to deal Anth a House so unlike what he had
been accustomed to ; and this was the general impression. In abibty,
constitutional knowledge, and even the practice of Parliament, he was
undoubtedly very superior to Mr. Manners Sutton. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 451
sury Bench, next to Sir James Graham ; a few 1833.
days afterwards he took his seat among the Oppo- ^^- '''^-
sition next to Sir Robert Peel, much to the annoy
ance of the latter, and this he persisted in doing for
several nights.
An old pohtician being asked by one of the
Ministers Avhat he thought of the noAV Parliament,
replied, " It is full tAventy years older than any that
has preceded it. The members will vote less from
party motives. They wUl require to be convinced
before they vote. They AAdll also be very severe
upon ail abuses, and be more angry Avith a sinecure
than with a grave financial error. " ""
The first month of the Session Avas almost entirely Debates on
Tl • r»iii il II n the state ot'
occupied by a succession ot debates on the state ot Ireland.
Ireland, which alone were sufiicient, in Lord Al
thorp's opinion, to disgust anyone with politics.
Whilst his conviction of the reality of the grievances
of the Irish remained unchanged, the prospect of
any redress, by the adoption of a liberal and en
lightened policy, became more remote than ever.
The Ministerial measures for the relief of the
Catholics were, under various pretexts, depreciated
and frustrated by the new leaders of the Catholic
party in the House, who threw off the former con
nection of their party Avith the Whigs, and looked
to agitation, in its most odious forms, as the surest
means of obtaining ascendency in the Government

* This is a transcript from my Journal ; the entry was made at the
time. — Author. G e 2

452 ISCEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1833. of the country."" They were, with few exceptions,
"^^' ^^ men of small means and humble connections, who
seemed quite misplaced in such an assembly as the
House of Commons.
The amendments were defeated by overwhelming
majorities. Mr. Stanley, the Chief Secretary for Ireland,
being also a member of the Cabinet, was the great
authority with Earl Grey on Irish affairs, and Avith
reason, for besides his brUUant abilities, he had the
best means of information, and was thoroughly
honest and straightforward. It is said that he
never understood the Irish character, and he cer
tainly looked most at the Avorst side of it. Perhaps
he did not make sufiicient allowance for the effects
of long misgovernment on the people. This, at
least, might be inferred from the Irish Church Bill,t
and the Peace Preservation or Coercion Bill, which
originated with him, and were prepared in his
Department. Neither, as has been previously
stated, entirely satisfied Lord Althorp, though, in
-* It is well known that tbe landed proprietors and gentry among
the Catholics did not generally bold these opinions. Unfortunately
the narrow policy of the English Government since tbe Eevolution of
1688 had reduced tbem to comparative insignificance. Excluded from
tbe learned professions, from military service, from Parbament, and
even from the magistracy, they lost nearly all incentives to intel
lectual exertion, and gradually ceased to be much regarded by the
humbler classes of their own persuasion. The political power
properly belonging to their station thus fell into the hands of the
priests, who were too ready to combine -with Mr. O'Connell in dra-wing
their flocks into an attempt to overthrow a system of which they had
a just right to complain. — Author.
t It was only after much controversy that his consent could be ob
tained to some of the liberal clauses of the BiU. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 453
compliance Avith the Avishes of Earl Grey, he con- i833.
sented to bring them before Parliament. _^^1^
The first question Avith which he had to deal Avas Lish
'- . Church
the Irish Church — " Fons et origo mail. There BiU.
Avas a general belief that the attempt would be a
failure. The Catholics Avere sure, it Avas said, to be
hostile. O'Connell had just made a violent speech
of two hours for the repeal of the Union. Even the
Whigs could not be depended on. So alarmed had
they become at the condition of Ireland, that an
intimation was given to Lord Althorp, that, unless
the proposed reform Avas a very liberal measure,
they could not bring themselves to support a Coer
cion BUl.
HoAV far the Reform came up to this description
must not be judged by the final result. After the
lapse of forty years, it may noAV be forgotten that
the first reception of the Irish Church Bill was in
the highest degree satisfactory to the Ministers.
Lord Althorp was heard throughout his speech with
frequent marks of approval, and he sat down amidst
loud cheers, amongst which he distinguished the
voice of Mr. O'ConneU. This so delighted him, that
he could not refrain from saying, looking at the
same time at Mr. O'ConneU, " I confess this cheer
gives me great pleasure." Indeed, Mr. O'ConneU
praised the BiU warmly, both in public and in
private, as I can vouch for, having, in the course of
the night, heard him in the lobby express himself
unequivocally to that effect. He spoke with confi
dence of the happy change that inight be expected

454 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1833. from it in Ireland ; and there was a heartiness in his
^^- ^^- praise that made it very difficult to distrust him.
The only explanation I can offer is, that he regarded
the Bill as the first step towards the disestablish
ment of the Protestant Church in Ireland.
The Irish Protestants and the High Tories were
the only persons who raised their voices against the
BiU. The success of the Bill out of the House Avas
equal to that it obtained within. A Westminster
meeting, Avhich had been organised by the Radicals
for the purpose of annoying the Government, proved
a total failure. Mr. Hume, and some of his friends
representing popular places, found their influence
over their constituents on the Avaiie.'"'
It has been said by some over-sanguine poli
ticians, that if the Government had followed up
the Irish Church Bill by measures of the same or
a bolder character, involving an entire change of
policy, there would have been no necessity for a
Coercion Bill. The experiment, however, could be
tried only in an absolute monarchy, as it was in
utter defiance of the opinions of the people, both in
England and Scotland. Nor was the result of the
concessions already made to the Catholics very

-* Mr. John Wood, then M.P. for Preston, passed through Wake
field during this week, on bis way to London, and found, Eadicals as
were the majority of the electors, tbat tbey were so dissatisfied -with
Mr. GaskeU (their member), for the support he had given to Hume
and O'Connell, that Mr. Wood was informed that his interest there
was entirely destroyed. He certainly lost his seat at the next elec
tion. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 455
encouraging. Some time of preparation must at 1S33.
best have been allowed for any important change, ^'^' '
and, in the meanAvhile, the interference of legislation
for the securing of human life and of property Avas
no less a duty than a necessity.
A catalogue of the atrocities committed in the Irish Coer-
. „ cion Bill.
year 1832, in the Province of Leinster,"" would alone
be an ample justification of the Peace Preservation
(or Coercion) Act. The restrictions imposed by it
on the right of petitioning, and of holding public
meetings, still more the substitution of courts mar
tial for the ordinary tribunals, were felt by Lord
Althorp to be absolutely necessary mider the cir
cumstances, yet so repugnant to his notions of
constitutional governinent, that he adopted them
with extreme reluctance. This feeling he betrayed
in his speech on the First Reading of the Bill, which
it must be confessed satisfied neither himself nor the
House.t Sir James Graham, in great alarm lest
the case of the Ministers should go before the public
next morning on this speech, sent me to Lord Grey
to suggest Mr. Stanley's speaking before the debate
closed, which he did about midnight,^ with an elo
quence and eff'ect that excited universal admiration. §
* Murders aud attempts to murder, 163 ; robberies, 387 ; bur
glaries, 182; burnings, 191; houghing of cattle, 70; other maUcious
and wilful injuries to property, 407; serious assaults, 744; iUegal
notices, 913. — Authoe.
t Ml-. Abercromby observed to me, tbat it required a practised
lawyer to handle such a case. Mr. Sheil agreed, saying, "I think
Lord Plunket would have done it best." This was before Mr. Stanley's
speech. — Authoe.
X Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third ser., v. xv., p. 186.
§ Mr. Abercromby said to me, " had it been tbe old House, I should

456 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1833. The new members, many of whom had never heard
^T. 51. public speaking of a high order before, were in
raptures, and, as was observed to me, Avould have
come to any resolution against Mr. O'Connell that
might have been proposed to them. Mr. Bonham
Carter told me that he had never seen the House in
such a state of excitement. Mr. O'Connell looked
like a convicted felon. His speech at the conclusion
of the debate made no impression. The Duke of
Cumberland, however, sitting under the gallery lis
tened to it, I observed, with great attention, saying
8.t last, " It was a capital speech : he gaA^e it the
Ministers soundly."
The Ministers had an immense majority, and Mr.
Stanley's speech continued the theme of general
admiration, though it was said -to be too much the
speech of a partisan, and would not contribute to the
liacification of Ireland.
Lord Althorp always looked back to this period
of his official career with pain, and I gladly turn to
view him in his position of Chancellor of the Exche
quer, the duties of which engrossed his time to such
a degree, as to make Irish politics absolutely odious
to him. It Avas, indeed, a period of unusual labour
for the Minister of Finance — an amount of business
had sprung up during the progress of the Reform
Bill, such as the Bank and East India Charters,

have quietly walked home and put on my nightcap, under the con
viction that Stanley would in a few weeks be Prime Minister, and
remain so as long as he pleased, governing us on Tory principles, for
the whole speech was in that spirit. — AuTHOE.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 457
Avliich admitted of no delay ; and many other ques- 1833.
tions, some of a financial character, in the hands '"'J,
of private members, Avere not less perplexing, nor
did they throAV less responsibUity on him.""'
Of the latter, one of the most troublesome Avas sinecure
' Abolition
Mr. Hume's proposal, on the 14th of February, tor BiU.
the Abolition of Naval and Military Sinecure ap
pointments : the obvious precursor of an attack on
aU sinecures, and, therefore, most unpalatable to the
King, as Avell as to a large proportion of both Whigs
and Tories.t The Whigs had connived at the cry
being raised during the Reform BiU, but Avere not
yet prepared to act upon it. The Radicals, eager to
outstrip them in popularity, noAV took the question
out of their hands. Lord Althorp Avould have con
sented to some restriction being put on a privilege
which had been grossly abused, and, in an unre
formed Parliament, this compromise Avould have
been readily accepted. He pointed out, with jus
tice, the objection to thus interfering Avith the Royal
Prerogative in the distribution of patronage, Avhen
this could be legitimately done in the Committee of
Supply ; the distinction, hov/ever, had no Aveight
Avith the new members. They sided Avith the
* It will be seen in Hansard that the Eadical members brought
forward many questions, such as the BaUot, Flogging in tbe Army
and Navy, which Lord Althorp was obliged to oppose. — Authoe.
t The feeling of the House against sinecures seems to have been of
modern date. Earl Waldegrave, in the days of George II. , would not
deign to accept a pension, but was grateful for a sinecure. ("Earl
Waldegrave's Autobiography.") I may add, tbat Mr. Pitt's appobit-
ment to the sinecure Wardenship of the Cinque Ports was a most
popular measure. — Authoe.

458 MEMOLE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1833. Radicals, and Lord Althorp, after an animated
-^T. 51. debate, Avas obliged to take refuge in the previous
question, and even this he only carried by a narrow
majority, several of his friends voting against him.
The Tories, generally, left the House without
voting, which the Whigs thought very unhandsome,
as it was solely OAving to the names they had placed
on the list that public censure had attached to it.
The triumph of the Radicals was complete, for Lord
Althorp not only found himself obliged to adopt
Mr. Hume's Resolution, but was unable to resist a
motion of Mr. Whittle Harvey's for a return of all
persons on the Pension Lists, and, what Avas still
Avorse, of the grounds on which their pensions had
been granted. A private assurance that nothing
Avould foUoAv to cause pain to the existing Pen
sioners, gave them little comfort.
The next movement from the Radical Benches
was a repetition of the attempt made in 1829, to
obtain a depreciation of the Currency. It had then,
after a severe contest of four nights, been defeated
by Sir Robert Peel, Avith the assistance of Lord
Althorp, Avho noAv found himself obUged to fight the
same battle under far less favourable circumstances.
The various political Unions, flushed Avith success
in the Reform agitation, exerted all their strength
to carry their point against the Ministry. Great
meetings Avere held at Birmingham, Manchester,
and other manufacturing towns, in concert with an
Association in London, called the Currency Club,
Avhich issued pamphlets and manifestoes in pro-

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 459
fusion, and so far succeeded as to create consider- 1833.

.Et. 51.

able alarm in the City. They also appear to have
made some converts among the new members ; but
the Resolution moved by Mr. AttAvood, ''' the Chair
man of the Birmingham Union, Avas signally de
feated in the House, and the Avhole tone of the
debate, in which Lord Althorp took a prominent
part, was considered to have given a degree of confi
dence to the industrious and productive classes of
the community which no other event could have
inspired. The financial statement of the Session made by T^^e^^^
Lord Althorp, on the 19th of AprU, evinced his in
creased proficiency in the duties of his office. As
he had never before had an opportunity of stating
Avhat progress had been made in redeeming the pledge
of economy on which the Administration had taken
office, he showed that the number of places they
had abohshed was 1,387 ; the salaries done aAvay
with being above 230,000?. ; Avhilst the reduction
of expenditure in 1831, 1832, and 1833, was alto
gether about three miUions. The Estimates for the
year he placed at nearly three millions less than the
average of the three years of the preceding Govern
ment — a fact more deserving of consideration from
the creditable economy practised by that Govern-

* Mr. Attwood's speech was a failure, nor did he afterwards make
any figure in the House. Hib forte lay in outdoor agitation. After a
manner be had much natural eloquence. His success at Bu-mingham
almost turned his brain, for he aotuaUy beUeved that in six months
he should be ChanceUor of the Exchequer and revolutionise the cur
rency. — Authoe.

460 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1833. ment, one of AAdiose members had frankly observed,
^'^' ^•^' " We have reaped the harvest of reduction, and left
only the gleanings to our successors." Lord Althorp
Avas thus able to announce that after the liquidation
of the deficit in the preceding- year, a surplus of
more than 1,500,000/. remained applicable to the
diminution of taxation. The taxes he proposed to
reduce Avere those Avhich he considered as pressing
most injuriously on the industry of the country ;
such as the tax on Soap, 592,000Z. ; the duties on
Marine Insurances, and Advertisements, and several
Assessed Taxes, making altogether a reduction of
above 1,349,000/.
There still remained a surplus of 500,000/., Avhich
he proposed to leave in the Exchequer. Neither
Lord Althorp's statement nor his proposals met with
any hostile criticism. Mr. Hume, indeed, treated
the reduction as still below Avhat he deemed neces
sary, and, at the same time, protested against the
high amount of the surplus. Sir Robert Peel, on
the other hand, said that the reductions had been
carried too far, and contended for a larger surplus ;
but to the general principles of Finance laid down
by Lord Althorp, he gave his ready assent. His
authority seemed to carry the concurrence of his
party, so that in the general estimation of the House,
Lord Althorp might Avell be considered to have
retrieved the defeat of 1831.'"

* It is due to Lord Althorp to notice the improvement made by
him in keeping tbe public accounts. " I give the Ministers," said
Mr. Hume, " every credit for laying open to inquiry every branch of

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 461
One feature of the Budget, Avhich, in the opinion i833.
of moderate men, did honour to Lord Althorp, ^"'- ^^-
was its impartiality. Great pressure had been put Amend-
on him by members in the landed interest for a the Budget
repeal of the Malt duty, and not less, by the repre
sentatives of large toAvns for the repeal of the House
and WindoAv duties. He was too sagacious to doubt
that his preference for the Avelfare of the community
at large to the favour of these poAverful interests
would cost him dear. Indeed within a few days ^'Jj^^'"'^*
hostUe notices, one against the Malt duty, and the
other aa:ainst the Assessed Taxes, were given from The As-
o '-' _ sessed
opposite quarters. The first, for a reduction of the taxes.
Malt duty from tAventy shiUings to ten shillings a
quarter, was treated by the Ministers as of little
importance, originating as it did in a coalition be
tween members of different politics, and unsanctioned
by Sir Robert Peel. It was inoved on the 26th of
April, by Sir William Ingilby, a Whig Baronet of
considerable property in Lincolnshire, but of no other
distinction. Lord Althorp opposed him in a stout
and sensible speech. A languid debate followed,
some of the Cabinet Ministers being absent, under
the impression that the motion would not come
on; and many of the Ministerialists having from
time to time dropped away, owing to the negli
gence of the Treasury Whip. Thus the division
came on unexpectedly, and, to the general surprise,
expenditure ; and tbere is now no department into which members of
the House cannot inquire, and no accounts connected -with the Finance
of the country have been refused by the noble Lord." — Authoe.

462 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
2^833 the motion Avas carried by a majority of 10, the
iE'T. 51. Radicals having joined the Agriculturists, on the
principle of being always for a reduction of taxa
tion. Lord Grey Avas exceedingly angry at this
humiliating- defeat. He said, that if his friends
Avould not take the trouble of waiting a fcAV hours
in the House to carry his measures, they had no
right to expect him to sacrifice all his comforts by
remaining- in office. He expressed himself so
strongly to this effect, that the King took fright, and
urged him strongly not to act in a manner so in
jurious to the public interest. It Avould indeed have
been very difficult to replace him at this time, espe
cially as Lord Althorp Avould have gladly availed
himself of an excuse for following his example. ""'
If fortune frowned on the Ministers by subject
ing them to an undeserved defeat, it assisted them
in turning the event to their advantage. Instead of
obtaining a simple Resolution to rescind this un
fortunate vote, a course always humiliating to the
House, Lord Althorp availed himself of the Rules
of Parliament to bring the question indirectly again
under consideration, on the motion of Sir John Key
against the Assessed Taxes. He argued, that the
repeal of either impost alone, Avould be a most partial
-*- It added to the mortification of Lord Grey and Lord Althorp, to
find many of theu' personal friends gi-ving them cold support on this
occasion. Su- John Wrottesley especially urged the necessity of
abandoning the Malt duty, after the vote thus given against it. The
Treasury Whips reported to Lord Altborp the readiness of the agri
cultural members to escape before the Division. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 463
preference of the interests thus favoured, and that 1833.
the repeal of hoth would be incompatible Avith the •^^' ^^'
maintenance of the public credit. He thus con
trived to couple the two hostile proposals in the
same amendment, Avhich Avas to the effect that the
deficiency in the Revenue occasioned by the reduc
tion of the tax on Malt to ten shillings a quarter,
and by the repeal of the tax on Houses and Windows,
could only be s-applied by the substitution of a gene
ral tax on Property and Income, and an extensive
change in our Avhole financial system, Avhich, at pre
sent, would be inexpedient.
Lord Althorp Avas Avell received generaUy, and he
at once saAv from the croAvded state of the House,
that he had no reason to fear a repetition of the
accident on the preceding- Friday. Many of his
Radical aUies hoAvever at first talked in their usual
style of their indifference to party, and of the little
distinction there was between Whigs and Tories, so
that Mr. Warburton "'' said to me, " I wonder aaIic-
ther those gentlemen intend to support a Govern
ment at all ? If the people avUI not submit to be
ruled by the Whigs, is it to be supposed that they
Avill be obedient to the Tories ? " This feeling
gradually strengthened, even among the Radicals
themselves, during the debate. None of the
Ministeis would speak except Lord Althorp. He
seemed to take all on himself Sir James Graham
had prepared a speech, but when the time came he
* One of the most eminent members of the Eadical party. -
Authoe.

464 ICEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1833. had not the courage to make it. Mr. Spring Rice
^^' ^^' in some measure supplied his place, and gave such
general satisfaction as to be marked for Lord Al
thorp's successor.
The Ministers prevailed by a majority of 355
against 157.
The following letter addressed by the King to
Lord Althorp on the occasion, does His Majesty
credit, and Avas, I believe, perfectly sincere.
" St. James's Paiace, May 1st, 1833.
" The King has received Viscount Althorp's Eeport of
the divisions hi the House of Commons last night, and
His Majestjr congratulates him and the other members of
his Government upon this satisfactory manifestation of a
return to its senses of the better parts of the House.
This has, however, been a very serious slip, and His
Majesty earnestly entreats his confidential servants not to
suffer theu- reliance on a Reformed House of Commons
to exclude the vigilance which appears so indispensable
towards obviating the occurrence of the greatest embarrass
ment and difficulty from its occasional inconsistency, and
from the deference of some of its members to popular
clamour, and the manner in which some even of those who
have accepted office have pledged themselves upon questions
necessarily affecting the leading interests of the country,
and the stability of any government. "AVILLIAM E."
Their success was far from giving the Ministers
unmixed pleasure. They were too much indebted
for it to their enemies ; and it only increased the
discontent of their friends out of doors. Meetings
were at once announced in London and the large

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 465
toAvns for devising means of repealing the Assessed 1833.
Taxes, in which the Liberals took the leading _^!ii_^_: _
part, violent Resolutions of censure being also
passed against the Ministers. Lord Althorp Avas
condemned to receive deputation after deputation of
angry tradesmen, entreating him to retrace his steps;
and every member of the Government was more or
less harassed by similar solicitations. The excite
ment rose to such a pitch, that one of the poUce was
actuaUy murdered in the attempt to prevent a large
open-air public meeting, and the jury returned a ver
dict of justifiable homicide ! !
In the midst of this agitation. Sir John Cam Kesigna-
Hobhouse, the new Secretary for Ireland, resigned johnCam.
his office and his seat for Westminster. He had, it
seems, himself repeatedly declared that the House
and Window taxes ought to be repealed ; but other
members, who had made the same declaration, did
not foUow his example ; nor did he, at first, con
sider himself bound to take such a step. Indeed,
on the preceding Sunday, in a long conversation we
had together, he treated aU resignations on account
of the vote as most unnecessary and inexpedient.
His retirement added greatly to the difficulties of
the Ministry, which he increased by standing again
on the vacancy he had made, and being defeated by
Colonel De Lacy. Evans.""' t
* Afterwards General Sir De Lacy Evans, G-.C.B. He served -with
credit in Spain as Commander-in-Chief of the British Legion durin"
the Oarlist war ; he subsequently commanded a di-vision in the Crimea.
— ^Editoe. t Sir John Hobhouse was perhaps more to be pitied than blamed

466 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1833. Lord Althorp was more alive to these demonstra-
^'''- ^^- tions of popular feeling from the fact of their pro
ceeding in many instances from persons who had
previously regarded him A\dth the warmest admi
ration ; such as the leading Liberals in the new
Borough of the Tower Hamlets, whose generous and
disinterested offers to retum him, when in danger of
rejection in Northamptonshire, he always remem
bered with gratitude and pride. He was, however,
too weU satisfied of the grounds on which he acted
to depart from his determination. His firmness was
appreciated by the public generally, so that the
opposition to his proposals gradually languished ;
and the last hostile motion against him fell into the

in this affair. He had determined, on the acceptance of his resigna
tion, to withdraw for a time from public Ufe. The following day he
went down to his brother Edward's, in the country, and he was con
gratulating himself on being again a free man, and able to resume
bis Uterary pursuits, when a deputation arrived from Westminster,
wbo represented to him that the Liberal interest in the Borough must
faU unless he consented to be re-elected. They treated his return as
a matter of course. He reluctantly yielded, but declared himself
determined neither to spend money nor to canvass. Had the Tories
not started a candidate he would have had no trouble, but they could
not resist the temptation of embarrassing the Ministers, and put for
ward Mr. B. Escott, wbo took off the votes of many moderate men, and
thus gave the victory to Colonel Evans. Sir John owed his influence
at Westminster mainly to Sir Francis Burdett. His manners were
not popular, nor was he a ready speaker, and still less a demagogue.
His merit lay in being an honest and resolute Liberal — with tbe ac
complishments of a scholar and a gentleman. He was a favourite
with the Tories. The Duke of WeUington had offered him, through
Sir Henry Hardinge, a high pos^ near the Cabinet, wbich he -wisely
declined. Lord Eosslyn and Mr. Calcraft, both stout Liberals, were
less scrupulous, and had reasoa to regret their compliance. Sir John
Hobhouse was now talked of as ambassador to Madrid, but it went
off. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 467
hands of an obscure Radical, and Avas defeated by i833.
an overwhelming majority. ^''- ^^-
The renewal of the Charters to the East India The Bank
Company and to the Bank of England had been indiaCom-
noticed in the King's Speech, and were the questions teTsf "''^
that excited most interest in the commercial classes,
I shall not dwell on the former, as Lord Althorp left
the charge of it in the hands of Mr. Charles Grant,
the President of the Board of Control, by whom the
negotiations with the Court of Directors were con
ducted and brought to a successful issue. It is how
ever only justice to add, that the Committees on
Indian affairs in the preceding Session, whose
labours formed the basis of subsequent legislation,
and will long remain as most valuable materials of
information to all inquirers into the state of India,
were organised by Mr. Hyde VilUers,^'' with the
assistance of Lord Althorp. He was a young man
of great promise, and his indefatigable industry and
clear understanding, set off, as they were, by a most
pleasing address, and considerable powers of speaking,
* Mr. Hyde VilUers was a younger brother of the late Lord
Clarendon, with whom he had been brought up at Cambridge. I
recollect them as two of the best-looking young men in the University.
He early took up Liberal opinions, especially on aU social subjects.
Thus he warmly advocated a Eeform of the Poor Laws, and assisted
the_ prelimmary inquiries made by the Government with a view to
legislation on the subject. Political Economy was one of his favourite
studies, as he showed in his motion on the renewal of the Methuen
Treaty with Portugal— the mistaken poUcy of wbich he most ably
exposed. The borough he represented having been disfranchised. by
the Eeform BiU, he went down to CornwaU, in the hope of being re
turned for one of the new Constituencies ; and whUe thus engaged he
was seized by a fever during his canvass, and carried oflf after a short
iUness, at the house of his friend. Sir Charles Lemon.— Authoe. H H 2

468

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

had already marked him for political eminence, when
^T. 51. he was carried off" by a fever at the close of the
Session. Mr. Grant made a very fine speech in pro
posing the Resolutions for the Charter ; and the
measure was carried, with only slight modifications,
to the general satisfaction of the country.
The Bank Charter had taken up much of Lord
Althorp's attention during the preceding Session.
He had prudently obtained a Committee of the
House to report on the expediency of renewing the
exclusive privileges of the Bank, and although the
Committee continued its labours from the end of
May till the end of the Session, Avithout being able
to agree in making a Report, the evidence yielded
much valuable information. It assisted him in
arriving at the conclusion, that the renewal of the
Charter was essential as a necessary protection to the
public against fluctuations in the amount of Paper
Currency. ¦'¦
The terms on which the Charter should be renewed
formed the subject of a long negotiation between
Lord Althorp and Mr. Horsley Palmer, the
Governor of the Bank, in which Mr. Palmer was
not less impressed by his knowledge of banking
matters than by his frankness and honesty. In
deed he continued ever afterwards personally attached
to him, though of an opposite creed in politics.

* Section on the Bank Charter ia the pamphlet, " The Eeform
Ministry and the Eeformed Parliament," p. 36. This section was
written by Lord Althorp, who also had the kindness to revise other
parts of the book. — Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 469
On the 1st of June, Lord Althorp moved his Reso- 1833.
lutions for the Bill, in a very clear and able speech, in ^''- ^^-
which he entered into many details illustrative of the
principles of his measure, — most were sanctioned by
the highest authorities, and are now admitted as
truths. On one of the provisions of the Bill, the establish
ment of Bank-notes as a legal tender, he Avas
opposed by Sir Robert Peel, from the fear with
which he Avas inspired of this producing a depre
ciation of the currency ; and very plausible grounds
were adduced in support of the opposition. Ex
perience however has proved them to be groundless ;
and Lord Althorp's views Avere adopted. The bar
gain proposed with the Bank met with some censure
as too favourable to that establishment, but was
carried Arithout a division. Certain restrictions
sought to be imposed on Joint Stock Banks Avere
opposed so strenuously by the country bankers, that
Lord Althorp, rather than delay the passing of the
BiU, consented to postpone the further consideration
of that part of the measure to another Session. In
the meanwhile, it was a matter of rejoicing amono-
men of business that the differences between the
Bank and the Government should be brought to a
successful termination, and that the principles on
which a sound and safe system of paper circulation
might be conducted, had been distinctly recognised
and confirmed by Parliament.
It has been repeatedly stated, that great discon- TheEman-
tent Avas produced through the country by the m''"'

470 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1833. omission of the subject of Slavery in the King's
^'^- ^^- Speech on the opening of the Session. Lord
Althorp had previously urged Earl Grey to include
an Emancipation Bill among those necessary to be
submitted to Parliament. Lord Grey replied, that
more already had been undertaken than any Govern
ment was likely to carry ; and also that the King
Avas weU known to be disinclined to any proposal
of the kind, and would probably object to it. The
warm expostulations of Mr. FoAvell Buxton and
other philanthropists soon opened Lord Grey's eyes,
and he laid his difficulties before the King, who
behaved much better than was expected. His Ma
jesty yielded to necessity ; but Mr. Ellice told me
that he Avas influenced, partly by the belief incul
cated on him by Mr. E., that the difficulties of such
legislation as the Ministry could propose were in
superable. This probably was true, so long as Lord
Goderich, a statesman of an easy and irresolute
temperament, remained at the Colonial Office ; but
the appointment <jf Mr. Stanley in his place soon
altered the aspect of affairs. He took the whole
question into his own hands, broke up the party in
the office who had ruled Lord Goderich, and without
their intervention prepared a measure to be laid
before the Cabinet. It satisfied neither his colleagues,
nor a meeting of the friends of the Government, to
which it was submitted. Lord Althorp was one of
the dissentients, I believe, on the ground that the
compensation proposed to be given to the planters
far exceeded any reasonable estimate of their claims.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 471
Such was the difference of opinion, that the Ministry 1833.
Avas on the very point of dissolution. However at j^^ll
last the measure, with various modifications, was
adopted, and Mr. Stanley had the honour of laying
it before Parliament, Avhich he did Avith his usual
abUity. The following letter, from the King to Lord
Althorp, is a pleasing testimony of the justice
Avhich the latter was always ready to show to a
political opponent : — " Windsoe Castle, June ^th, 1833.
" The King has received Viscount Althorp's letter of
yesterday, from which His Majesty has learnt, with much
satisfaction, that Mr. Stanley's first Eesolution on the
West India question has been carried unanimously. He
rejoices that a young member has come forward in so pro
mising a manner, as Viscount Althorp states Mr. W. E.
Oladstone* to have done."
The progress of Ministerial measures in the
Commons was constantly impeded by threats of
opposition in the Lords. Thus the Irish Church
Bill was almost strangled in Committee, by striking
out the Appropriation Clause. It was understood
that, at this price, the Bill would be allowed to pass
the Lords. Lord Grey made the proposal to the
Chancellor, who assented in haste, Avithout much
consideration. Lord HoUand, unwilling to displease
Lord Grey, and Sir James Graham, knowing that
it would please Mr. Stanley, concurred. Lord
Althorp, unfortunately confined to his room by a
-* The future Premier. — Authoe.

472 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
183'3. violent attack of gout, was consulted, and raised no
_^^^;_ difficulties. The clause therefore was negatived
upon a division, in which the Ministers had a large
majority ; but so many of the Whigs voted in the
minority, that Mr. Charles Wynn said to Mr„
William Brougham,'"' " This is no triumph, — Look
at the men in the minority. It is a melancholy day
for the Church of England." The Irish were
furious, and talked of breach of faith and the
necessity of the Repeal of the Union. No person
was more distressed than Lord Althorp, but he
complained, with some justice, that when he dwelt
on the Appropriation Clause in bringing forward
the Bill, it Avas not treated as of any importance,
nor did the Irish seem to regard it as such, in
discussing the measure. I strongly suspect that
O'Connell, in common Avith his Irish supporters,.
Avas very glad to have an additional pretence for
opposition to English rule. It Avas afterAvards
known that the whole proceeding caused much
discontent and disunion in the Cabinet. Lord
Holland said to me, " It Avas a sad mistake. As
Grey says, if we were all of one mind our course
would be plain enough; but, with Stanley's vieAvs
of the nature of Church property, we are obliged
to resort to fallacies to obtain his support to liberal
measures. The worst of it is, how is all this to-
end ? Everything is in confusion. We dare not
make public our measures before they are brought
* A brother of the Lord Chancellor, and M.P. for South wark. —
Authoe.

MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE. 473
forward, lest we should alter them afterwards. 1833.
There is no certainty in our councils, and I fear that ^¦'¦^ ¦
there will be no public confidence in them."
Even after the abandonment of the Appro
priation Clause the fate of the Irish Church Bill
in the Lords was left most uncertain. The
following letter shows how deeply Lord Althorp
felt the position of the Government : —

VISCOUNT ALTHOEP TO EAEL SPENCEE.
" My Dear Father,
" I take the opportunity of the Committee on the
East India Bill sittings in the morning, for which I am
attending the House without taking any part in the dis
cussion, to let you know tbe state of things. I agree very
much with what you say in your last letter to me, for I do
not think it probable we can go on as we are, without
losing our characters. The attempt to carrj^ on the Go
vernment of this country with a dead majority against us
in tbe House of Lords must lead to disgrace to us and
detriment to the country. I proposed therefore yesterday
that we should resign ; but my colleagues thought that it
would not do till we had been in action on the Second
Eeading of the. Irish Church Bill. If I was sure that we
should be beaten then I should think they were right, and
Avhat took place last night in the House of Lords makes.
me think this pretty certain. Lord Grey with this vicAV
pinned the Duke of WeUington to opposing the Second
Eeading, and he accepted the chaUenge, so I hope now
there is no doubt of the result. Holmes told Charles
Grey that they would beat us by two-and-twenty more than
they did on the Local Courts, and I think it probable he
wiU turn out to be about right. The King appears to have
made up his mind, and the Tories are, I believe, prepared

-474 MEMOIE OE EAEL SPENCEE.
1833. to attempt to take the Government. I hear there is to be
Mt, 51. a great Conservative dinner to-morrow, with the Speaker
in the chan-. This indicates that he is to be the Minister.
Now the first eifect of this will be a good deal of con
fusion, but I do not at all despair of the country. I have
no doubt we shall weather the storm without revolution.
And, moreover, things are got into such a state that I
think the storm is necessary to put the country pro
perly on its legs. If the Tories had acted with common
honesty it would not have been necessary. The course of
€ve'nts that I foresee is first a dissolution of Parhament,
then a failure in the new House of Commons on the part
of the Tory Administration. The King must then again
apply to the Whigs, and no Whig in his senses can at
tempt to form a Government unless the King wih secure
to him a majority in the House of Lords. This done, and
the two Houses being thus brought to an agreement, every
thing will go on much more prosjierously than it ever
has done yet. Some things, however, Avill be materiaUy
¦changed. The Irish Church Establishment will fall to
the ground, and by so doing will save the Church Estab
lishment here. As far as I am personaUy concerned I
shall vote myself emeritus. I think I have done my share,
and I shall not offer myself again for Northamptonshire,
but retire enthely from pohtical life. I feel of course a
good deal excited just now, and in better spirits than I
have been in for a long time.
" I hear you have some doubts whether your sojourn at
Eyde answers this year. I have felt the same doubts
myself, and I am very much inclined to think that you
will be more comfortable and better in health at Althorp
than anywhere else. At all rates I should not advise your
staying very long at Eyde.
" Yours most dutifully and affectionately,
" ALTHOEP.
"House of Commons,
July 12th, 1833."

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 47£
The Second Reading of the Irish Church Bill i833.
was carried, contrary to Lord Althorp's expectation, _^^- ^•
after a violent opposition, although with some
amendments, to which the Commons agreed, not
without disparaging, if not insulting, comments on
the measure from Mr. O'ConneU. His imperturb
able assurance, not less than his abilities, and the
air of authority with which he expressed his opinion
on all Irish matters, gradually gave him an influence
on the ncAV members most prejudicial to the Govern
ment. He spared no efforts to improve his position,
being ahvays ready to afford information to other
members, and most bland and courteous in his
intercourse with them. Notwithstanding his violent
abuse of the Mimsters in debate, he always pro
fessed in private to prefer them to the Tories, and
Arith reason, for it was more difficult to agitate
under a Tory than under a Whig Government.
He went so far as to assure Lord Duncannon of
his support, at the time when the hostile vote in the
Lords on Portugal threatened another Ministerial
crisis. He said at the same time, that overtures
had been made to him by the Tories.
The Irish Coercion BiU also passed with the The Irish
modification of some of the most offensive clauses. Bur'""
Unfortunately the Ministers yielded to the pressure
for the amendments, only after having divided
against them ; and some of their supporters who
did not approve of the clauses, but were unAvilling
ho abandon the Ministers, naturally complained of

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1S-J3. being so unnecessarily exposed to public animad-

.51.

version.

pircrcnccs The differences in the Cabinet continued to the
ciiinet. end of the Session. They were no doubt aggra
vated by the indifference to office too often shown
by Earl Grey and Lord Althoi-p. The latter,
however, " pursued the even tenor of his way "
amidst many difficulties ; and encountered, as he
constantly Avas, by tAvo hostile factions, the Tories
and the Radicals,^ — Avho appeared to agree in no
political principle, and to have no common object
but the embarrassment of the Ministry, — his temper
and patience Avere subjected to severe trials. He
had, hoAvever, the consolation of being instrumental
in carrying a succession of measures'"' which have
secured for the Session no mean name in history,
whilst his reputation as the leader of the House
continued unimjiaired.
* These measures are stated in a note to p. 288 of " Eeform Ministry
and Eeform Parliament," 9tb edition, 1834. This pamphlet had an
almost unprecedented circulation, many thousand copies being soldi
witbin a few weeks. I had the honour of being the editor, but the
real merit of the book was in the contributions of Lord Althorp, Lord
Stanley, Lord Palmerston, and Sir James Graham, witb reference to
tbe proceedings of their respective departments. The late Mr. BeUen-
den Ker, a barrister of great eminence as a chamber Counsel, and the
late Captain Drummond, E.E. , then private secretary to Lord Althorp,,
were almost equally useful in assisting me. Such was the interest
taken on the Continent in English politics that nearly the whole of tho
book at once appeared in the leading French papers, and a German
translation was eagerly brought up by tbe Jews at the Leipsic fair. —
Author.

CHAPTER XXII.
king's speech.  BUDGET.  POOR LAAY BILL.^CHANGES IN
THE MINISTRY.  DIFFICULTIES OF THE GOVERNMENT
ABOUT THE COERCION BILL.  RESIGNATION OF EARL
GREY.  LORD MELBOURNE, PREMIER.  DEATH OF
LORD SPENCER.  RETIREMENT OF LORD ALTHORP.
The general aspect of public affairs at the close of is;;!.
the Recess must be considered as favourable to the ^'""^J "
Ministry. If the enthusiasm for the authors of the Jieetir--
Reform Bill had passed away, it had been succeeded
by a general impression that the Whigs alone could
for the present govern the country. The Ministerial
measures of the preceding Session had in almost
every instance been attended with success ; agitation
in Ireland had been put doAvii, and a decided
revival of trade was admitted to have taken place
throughout the manufacturing districts. Many of
the members on the first meeting of Parliament
gave most satisfactory assurances to Lord Althorp
of the favourable disposition of their constituents,
describing them as in excellent humour. Distress
stiU prevailed in the agricultural districts, but not
Averse than before ; and there was altogether a fair

478 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. prospect of some susjDcnsion of political rancour,.
Mt. 52. and the unusual comfort of a quiet Session.
Lord Althorp hoped under these circumstances to
obtain a patient consideration of the topics which, in
the violent conflict of parties, had hitherto received
too little attention, such as the Poor Laws, Tithes,
and Church Rates. These had been his chief study
during the Recess, and were afterwards specially
committed to his charge by Earl Grey in the
programme of business for the Session.
Committee The Kiug's Spccch, whicli had little to redeem it
of enquiry. from the censure often passed on this class of
Ministerial performances, was not ill received. On
the next day, hoAvever, there Avas a scene in the
House not unworthy of an Irish theatre, Mr.
O'Connell and his followers being the principal
performers. Lord Althorp, I am obliged to admit,
supplied them with a fruitful source of declamation
by imprudently saying, in reply to a question
from Mr. O'Connell, that "he should not act a
manly part if he did not declare that he had good
reason to believe that some Irish members, certainly
more than one, who had spoken and voted with
considerable violence against the Coercion BUl,
did, in private conversation, hold very different
language." A report to that effect had met with
general belief at the time, and Mr. O'Connell
probably wished to punish "the traitors," as he
designated the persons Avhom he suspected of thus
disputing his supremacy. At his instigation the
Irish members took up the inquiry, each rising to

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 479
ask Lord Althorp whether he was the person 1834.
referred to. At length Lord Althorp named Mr. _^J^
SheU as one of the individuals to whom he alluded.
Mr. SheU indignantly denied the charge. A Com- Mr. SheiJ
mittee of Inquiry was appointed, and it ended in oconneii.
his acquittal. He pubhcly repeated his denial in
the House, and thereupon Lord Althorp retracted
the charge and asked his pardon. In justice to
Lord Althorp I ought to add that a young member,
of high character and position, had volunteered to
substantiate the charge before the Committee, but
at the last moment threw himself on Lord Althorp's
forbearance, entreating to be released from his
engagement. He frankly owned that he acted by
the advice of Mr. Abercromby, who had satisfied
him that the betrayal of private conversation on any
grounds was unjustifiable among gentlemen. Lord
Althorp at once yielded to his request.
The whole transaction bore such evident marks of
Mr. O'ConneU's contrivance that it was scarcely a
nine days' Avonder, and prejudiced neither Lord
Althorp nor Mr. SheU. It pained most their
common friends. Mr. Sheil was known to hold
Lord Althorp in high estimation, and to be an
unwilhng advocate of the extreme views of Mr.
O'Connell, into whose train he had beendrawn by
the exigencies of his position. There were times
when the tactics of Mr. O'Connell could not be
otherwise than repugnant to a man of his honour
able feelings, and being of an impulsive character he
had probably expressed himself to that effect among

480 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. friends, without much reflection, and not recoUected
^'^- ^^- it after several months' interval. He subsequently
accepted oflfice under Lord Melbourne, on the adop
tion of a more liberal policy in Ireland, Avhen he
seemed heartily glad to find himself among more
congenial spirits.""'
Lord Althorp made his financial statement so
early as on the 14th of February, and he supple
mented it on the 25th of July.
The This was his last Budget, and also his most
Budget. T , . ^ ,
popular one ; not that it gave complete satisfaction,
for of the surplus (l,900,000Z.) Avhich his economical
estimates and liberal commercial system had placed
at his disposal, only an insignificant portion was
awarded to the interest of all others the most de
pressed, viz., the agricultural interest, whilst the
trading interests were relieved to the extent of at
least 1,200,000^., by the reduction of the House
and Window duties. This, no doubt, was the fruit
of the agitation of the preceding year, which the
Ministry dreaded to see renewed, and the only valid
excuse for it Avas the difficulty of meeting the
demands of the agriculturists, for they would Usten
* Mr. Sheil had been brought into Parliament by Lord Anglesey
for a nomination borough. He made his first speech in the great Ee
form debate. After a few sentences, he nearly broke down; but
recovering himself by a great effort, he recovered the attention of the
House, and from that time migbt be considered as one of its most
eloquent members. He never bad much weight in the House, being
too ready to speak on subjects with which he was imperfectly conver
sant, and more as an advocate than a statesman. Indeed, to the latter
character he had no pretensions ; but he was a gentleman and a
scholar, so that he seemed quite out of bis place among Mr. O'ConneU's
nominees. — Authok.

MEMOIR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 481
to nothing except a repeal or modification of the 1834.
Malt duty, a measure Avhich no ChanceUor of the ^'^" ^^'
Exchequer, Whig or Tory, has yet had the courage
to propose.
The most important feature in Lord Althorp's
financial scheme, was the reduction of the 4 per
cent, stock to a 3^ per cent, stock — a great saving
to the pubhc, which he was able to effect Avith the
assistance of the Bank, by the application of the
Savings Bank deposits to aid in paying dissentient
holders of stock, a resource Avhich, it must be OAvned,
had not been in the poAver of the Tories when they
failed in attempting a similar measure. The Avhole
proceeding implied a degree of trust in the integrity
of Ministers that reflects credit on our system of
Government. The measure Avas perfectly suc
cessful. The popularity of the Budget seems to have dis
heartened the Opposition. They brought forward
no counter-proposition in favour of land. All they
did, after a Aveek's delay, was to move a Resolution
that in any reduction of taxes, due regard should be
paid to the necessity of relieving the distress of the
agricultural interest, which had been alluded to in
the King's speech, and on a division they were
Avithin only four of obtaining a majority.''- This
narrow escape put Lord Althorp on his guard
* The Eng did not disguise his satisfaction at the apparent strength
of the agricultural interest on this occasion. He observes, in a letter
to Lord Althorp, that their power was an additional security to the
Constitution. — Authoe.

482 MEMOIE OF EARL SPENCEE.
1834. against some surprise, as in the year before, but
-^^- ^^- none was attempted, because the Tory leaders gave
no encouragement to these movements of their Pro
tectionist supporters.
The It will be unnecessary to dAvell at any length
Rate Bill, on the Tithe Bill, or the Church Rates BiU, as
neither of them became laAV. It had been agreed
in the Cabinet, that unless they should meet with
very general support, they must give way to the
Poor LaAV Bill, Avhich was regarded as more
urgent and more ripe for discussion ; an arrange
ment that proved a severe trial to Lord Althorp,
as his statement of the plan of the Tithe Bill had
succeeded beyond his expectations. No iDrevious
settlement of this most difficult question had found
the same favour from the House, and the faint
expression of doubt or dissent from a few mem
bers was not, in the opinion of the majority,
a valid excuse for dropping the Bill.'"" The same
may be said of his Church Rate Bill, which suf
fered a similar fate, being praised and withdraAvn.
I shall only notice that it provided for the abolition
of church rates, and appropriated the sum of
250,OOOZ. out of the Land Tax for the support of
the fabrics of the Church throughout the kingdom.
Dr. Lushington, and other leaders of the Liberal
party had been consulted, and had approved of it ;
so did some of the most respectable Dissenters ; but
"^ Lord Althorp's laborious calculations, on whicb the BUl was
founded, are preserved among bis papers, and show how deeply hehad
studied the subject. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 488
the Radicals, and members connected AAuth the 1834,
violent section of the dissenting body, spurned any ^^' ''*'•
compromise ; they insisted on their right to be
exempted from this badge of inferiority to the
Church Establishment, and their opposition threat
ened a long delay in the prosecution of the Poor
Law Bill. So it was alloAved to prevail, and the
public scandal of squabbles in parish vestries lasted
some thirty years longei'.
The Poor LaAv BiU, for which these sacrifices had The Poov-
La^Y Bill.
been made, Avas the great measure of the Session,
and may still be cited (next to the Reform Bill) as
the most valuable, if not the most brilliant achieve
ment of the Whig Ministry. It originated mainly
with the Lord Chancellor and Lord Althorp. They
had long felt the necessity of reconstructing the
parochial system on sound principles, adapted to the
altered state of society, and the correction of ad
ministrative abuses. With this view they organised
the Commission from which issued the admirable
Eeports of the Sub-Commissioners on the condition
of the poor throughout England, which alone
brought the current of public opinion into a whole
some channel on the subject. These Reports,
mdeed, may be said to have carried the BiU.'"' The
* Mr. Senior among the Commissioners, and Mr. Cbadwick as sub-
Commissioner and afterwards Commissioner, and subsequently Secre
tary to the first Poor-Law Commission, performed invaluable services in
preparing the measure. The former was weU known as an able lawyer
and elegant writer. The latter was a man of letters, not pre-viously
employed in public affairs ; but from that time he bore a distinguished
part in various important Commissions. — Authob.

484 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. scheme that rested on them, embracing the estab-
^^''' ^^' lishment of a Government Board of Management,
a new Law of Bastardy, and the abolition of the
allowance system, at first startled the Cabinet, and
many were the meetings held to deliberate upon it.
The Lord Chancellor or Lord Althorp always at
tended to explain and remove difficulties — a task
Avhich seriously interfered Avith their official duties.
Some of the advanced Liberals, who were con
sulted, gave no encouragement to the measure,
nor Avas it of a character to please political zealots.
Mr. Barnes, the editor of the " Times," a person of
acknoAvledged sagacity, pronounced it chimerical
and unpractical. Lord Althorp moved for leave to
bring in the Bill on the 17th of April, in a speech
of considerable length. He made no attempt to
disguise the stringent character of some of its pro
visions, and yet there was a touch of pathos in his
remarks. In announcing the discontinuance of the
aUowance system, he observed, — " We shall be
charged, perhaps, with treating poverty as a crime ;
this is not our intention, but Ave cannot help its
being a misfortune." He was altogether very well
received. Mr. Grote had generously consented to second
the motion, and his aid was invaluable on such an
occasion. No one could suspect him of any leanings
to the aristocracy, or indifference to the rights of
the humblest of the people. He treated the subject
Avith his usual judgment and candour. If his
manner were somewhat formal, the closeness of his

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 485
reasoning, and the elegance of his diction, ahvays 1834.
commanded the attention of the House. The ap- __^J'''l_
proval of the measure Avas almost unanimous, but
many members expressed in private among them
selves their misgivino^s as to the future. Mr.
Hodges, one of the members for Kent,'"' said to
me, " There will be an agrarian Avar in my county
if this Bill becomes laAv."
It Avas only in Committee that the Bill met with
real opposition. There the Radicals and the Con
servatives, sometimes united and sometimes apart,
raised frequent obstructions to the progress of the
measure. The Bastardy Clauses were generally
treated as being unjustly severe on the women. The
public feeling was decidedly against them, as being
quite monstrous, and unworthy of a humane legis
lation. Considerable modification Avas made in
them. The Tory leaders acted throughout with
perfect fairness, and the Bill was read for the third
time on the 1st of July. Lord Althorp, Avhen General
subsequently asked, in consequence of some amend- given by
ment made in the Lords, to AvithdraAV the Bill and to the
bring it forward in the next Session, at once de- biu.
clined, and ansAvered, that it must be a bold man to
undertake such a Bill again. The Lord Chancellor
carried the Bill through the Lords Avith great
ability^ — supported by the Duke of Wellington,
whose conduct throughout was both straightforward
and patriotic.
-* Mr. Hodges was also Chairman of Quarter Sessions, and a country
gentleman of great local influence. — Author,

486 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. It was generally admitted that none but a Liberal
''^'^' ^^' . Government Avould have ventured to brave the pre
judices of the people a,gainst this SAveeping reform.
The Tories never attempted it in their long lease of
power, and it must be confessed that they might
have fairly distrusted the forbearance of the Whigs
in the contest Avhich such a proposal would probably
have provoked. The measure, indeed, was so con
servative in its complexion that the Whigs were
aAvare that in undertaking it they must not look for
mere party support, and niight have to depend on
the Tories, whose connection generally with the
landed interest made them the chief gainers by the
new laAV.
A fcAV days after the successful introduction of
the Poor Law BUl, I happened to be at HoUand
House, Avheii I expressed to Lady HoUand (cer
tainly one of the cleverest women of her day) my
satisfaction at the improved prospects of the
Ministry.'" She shook her head, and observed
in a melancholy tone, " There is no improvement !
these young men are breaking up the Government.
I am very angry Avith John RusseU." There were
no outward signs at this time of the catastrophe
Air. Ward's apprehended by Lady HoUand. Indeed, when Mr.
UlOtiGU * I wish that I had the abiUty to do justice to Lady HoUand. Great
as were Lord HoUand's accomplishments, I believe that she fully
shared with him the attractions tbat gave to their home an almost
European celebrity. She reminded me at times of Madame Geoffroi,
like whom she enjoyed the homage of the most eminent men of her
day. TaUeyrand and Sydney Smith were amongst her most frequent
guests and appeared to great advantage in ber society. I can add,
from experience, that she was a warm and genuine friend.— Authoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 487
Ward gave notice of his motion against the Irish 1834.
Church, it seemed to excite little of interest or ^''- ^^-
alarm in the House. He had neither personal against
influence nor connection with Ireland, and hardly chm-ch.
the parliamentary experience to justify his bringing
forAvard a motion of such importance. Lord Mul
grave, Avho was his cousin, expostulated with him,
urging him to drop it, if only for his oavu interests ;
but he declined, saying that if he did not make the
motion some one else Avould, and as he had no
hostUe feeling toAvards the Ministry, nothing should
be heard from him to their prejudice or incon
venience. The eff'ect of the Notice was the immediate re
vival of the dissensions in the Cabinet. When,
during the debate on the motion, Mr. Stanley wrote
"Johnny has upset the coach," he forgot that this
imputation rested more justly on himself, for his
resistance (however conscientious) to the Avishes of
Lord Grey and the majority of his colleagues, proved
more injurious to the Government than all the
attacks of Mr. O'Connell. The appointment of a
Commission to inquire into the revenues of the
Irish Church, Avas one of the expedients devised,
I suspect, by the Lord Chancellor'"' for removing Resignation
the scruples of Mr. Stanley, and it might have Stanley and
.succeeded but for the interference of Sir James Graham.
* The ChanceUor told me, in high spirits, on returning from the
Cabinet, that he had hit upon a plan which he thought had satisfied
Mr. Stanley, and would restore harmony to the Administration.
If Mr. Stanley bad yielded, the others would have done the same. — ¦
Author.

488 METMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. Graham, Avho had gained immense influence over
_^!l^ him, and foresaAV the failure of the proposal. At

length they both resigned. The King at first
Avould not accept their resignations, hoping, no
doubt, that they might yet carry their vicAvs in the
Cabinet, and it Avas only on the very day of Mr.
Ward's motion, during the progress of the debate,
that their secession was finally settled. Lord
Althorp felt that the loss of such coUeagues could
not be supplied, and proposed to break up the
Government. This was prevented mainly by the
active exertions of the Lord ChanceUor, who kept
the sinking ship afloat for the short and rather
inglorious voyage that finished her course.
Adjora-n- Mr. Ward's motion was adjourned (after he had
ment of _ . .
Mr. Ward's made a long-, tedious, and unimpressive speech)
motion. --i i i r.
until the 3rd of June.'"'
Ke-ivap- In the meanwhile the vacancies in the Cabinet
pointments pi-ii i r>f-iT«'
in the Avcro filled up, at the cost of fresh differences among
the Ministers. Lord Auckland's aiDpointment to the
Admiralty met Avith decided opposition from the
Chancellor, t and no favour from the public. Lord
LansdoAvne took umbrage at some of the arrange
ments, and resigned in consequence, nor was he

-* Mr, Ward spoke with great fluency, but with Uttle force of expres
sion. He seemed to have learnt his speeches by heart. He succeeded
best as a Colonial administrator, and made an admirable Govemor of
Ceylon, where his memory is still held in veneration, for his improve
ment of the resources of the island, and his enlightened management
of its public affairs. — Author.
t Lord Auckland, besides being a very poor speaker, was not con
sidered in other respects equal to the post which had been so ably
filled by Sir James Graham. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 489-
easily prevailed upon to alter his determination. It 1834.
is to the credit of Mr. Stanley that he wrote to ^'^_^^^'_
him, urging in strong terms the necessity of pre
serving the Liberal interest, by making no more
changes, and recommended him earnestly to remain
in office.
With this exception, the Ministers brought into
the Cabinet by Lord Grey were generally approved.
Mr. Spring Rice had been an excellent Secretary of
the Treasury, Avas a ready speaker, and thoroughly
conversant with Irish affairs. Mr. Abercromby 's.
independence, his devotion to the Liberal cause,
tried by many years of service in Opposition,,
with his weight as a speaker and a laAvyer, carried
the respect of the party. Mr. Ellice Avas a general
favourite in the House, his readiness to oblige being-
as remarkable as the extent of his influence and
connections. Never, perhaps, had there been a
more efficient and popular (political) Secretary of
the Treasury. He was always a firm and consistent
Liberal of the Radical school, having been much
allied with Mr. Whitbread, who Avas his early friend
and near connection by inarriage. His knowledge
Avas not derived from books, for he Avas too fond of
society to be a deep reader, but he had picked up
much useful information on the questions of the
day that most engaged public attention, and he
could speak readily, fluently, and plausibly on them.
Courage and dexterity supplied his deficiencies. A
pleasant address, and an exemption from the social
prejudices of the Whigs, told also in his favour.

490 MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. Altogether he was a most valuable member of

Mt. 52.

-^&

the party. Careless of his own personal interests,
his sagacity and independence gave him deserved
Aveight, especially when out of office, with men in
power. He suggested most of Lord Melbourne's
appointments, and Avas concerned in many of Lord
John RusseU's.
Mr. Baring, the new Secretary of the Treasury,
succeeded Mr. Spring Rice, to the great satisfaction
of Lord Althorp, who describes him in a letter to
Lord Spencer as a person of first-rate abUities, and
the strictest integrity and truthfulness. There was
no one in the party to whom Lord Althorp looked
in all emergencies with more confidence, and this
feeUng was mutual. His manner was cold, and his
disposition reserved, so that he had few friends, or
even poUtical followers, but no man was more
resjiected or trusted by those who had to deal with
him, as Avas shown when he came into high office.
He had a clear head, and a considerable poAver of
reasoning,'" and was a sound and well-informed
financier. In a diligent performance of his ofificial
duties he had no superior.
The feAV weeks of Lord Grey's reconstructed
Ministry brought only fresh disappointment and
mortification to Lord Althorp. The first meeting
¦*¦ His speech in 1831, in defence of himself and his brother magis
trates in Hampshire, against the attack of Colonel De Lacy Evans,
was of a high order and most effective. The Lord Advocate of Scot
land said to me at the time that it was perfectly admirable and con
clusive. It at once put down the clamour raised by the Eadicals and
the press on tbe case. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 491
of their supporters in DoAvning Street (on the Srd 1834.
of June) with reference to Mr. Ward's (adjourned) ^^^- ^^-
motion on that day Avas an entire failure. Lord
Althorp's announcement of the issue of the Irish
Church Commission as virtually ansAvering the
object of the motion Avas very coldly received,
larger concessions being evidently expected, al
though a strong feeling had noAV risen through the
country in the opposite direction, and the King had
only a fcAV days before made a sympathising reply
to an Address of the Irish Bishops.
The adjourned debate was of the same unsatis- Renewed
debates on
factory character. Notwithstanding the accession theirist
f> T -1 -1 • f> Church
•of strength to the more Liberal section of the Bin.
Cabinet, a marked distrust of the sincerity of the
Government appeared among the Radicals and the
Irish. They deprecated Lord Althorp's proposed
amendment (the Previous Question). They treated
the Church Commission almost as a subterfuge,
Avhilst Mr. O'Connell and his foUoAvers ridiculed and
abused it. The Tories gave it no quarter. The
AA^onder of the night, however, was the contrast
betAveen the speeches of Mr. Stanley and Sir
Robert Peel. The former was worthy of a royalist
divine in the days of the Stuarts, Avhilst the latter
Avas in sodiberal a tone that Mr. ElUce observed to
me, that he (Sir Robert) ought to have been Mr.
Stanley's successor. He certainly took care not to
be identified with Mr. Stanley's Irish policy. The
result at one time looked extremely doubtful, as
many of the Tories talked of going aAvay with-

492 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. out voting, but Avere stopped by Sir Robert Peel,
,  ' and that alone gave the Ministers a majority,
which, hoAvever large, could not be regarded as a
true expression of the opinion of the House on the
proceedings of the Government. The tone of the
debate was decidedly unfavourable to the Ministers,
and their hold on their party seemed seriously
shaken.
The Appro- Lord Althorp himself aiiiiears to have ao'reed to
priation . ^^ . .
question, the Comixiission as a half measure, Avhich might
prepare the minds of the public for some compromise
on the Appropriation question. His father, although
in most respects a decided Liberal, seems to have
entertained no such hopes, as may be inferred from
the following letter to his son : —

"Althorp, June IGi/i, 1S34.
" Deae Jack,
" Thanks to yo-a. for taking so much trouble in
letting me know, more correctly than I did before, the
exact nature of tbe present views of the Administration on
the subject in question.
" It may be true that the subject of Appropriation is
dropt \)y the vote of the House on the previous question,.
but the appointment of the Commission of Enquiry in
volves the principle, and if the Commissioners should be
found callable of acting, ivhich I much doubt, it appears to
me that no property can thereafter be considered safe.
"Under this view of the ^subject, in consenting to my
proxj^ being re-entered, I must so far limit the powers
delegated by it, as to declare that I do not mean to in
clude in them every Idnd of appropriation Avhich may here
after be proposed, and, ou this understanding, I authorize

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 493
my proxy being re-entered whenever and in whatever peer's 1834.
name you choose. Mt, 52.
"Yours ever affectionatel}',
" SPENCER."
In this state of parties the difficulty attending all The irisU
legislation on Irish questions was greatly increased, eui.
Well miofht the Ministers be troubled at the neces-
sity of passing the Tithe and Coercion Bills in the
face of an opposition Avhich comprised, besides Mr.
O'Connell and the Irish, many of the old Parlia
mentary Reformers, as Avell as several of the young-
independent members, such as INIr. Charles Buller
and Mr. EdAvard Lytton Bulwer (since Lord
Lytton), Avho eagerly sought distinction Avithout,
perhaps, much regard for the difficulties of their
political chiefs, whose poAver of administration they
had indeed severely criticised in private. The
Tithe Bill had already undergone many alterations
to propitiate Mr. O'Connell and his friends Avithout
any effect beyond lowering the character of the
Ministers, and noAV it Avas threatened with Adolent
opposition in Committee. The Coercion Bill rested
on different grounds, and although it might be said
to command the support of a majority, was equally
sure to provoke the most furious assaults of a formi
dable minority. Lord Althorp was not daunted by
these appearances. He felt that he had a Whig
force supporting him Avhich, when it was absolutely
necessary, could beat the Tories and Radicals
united,''' and he awaited the conflict Avith his usual
* Letter to Lord Brougham, MS.

494

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1834.
Mt. 52.
Mr. Little
ton's com
munication-with Lord
Wellesley.

Lord Wel
lesley writes that
the clauses
for the pro
Mbition of
publicmeetings
are un
necessary.

coolness. The position of affairs, however, especially
the charge of these tAvo Bills, weighed heavily on the
mind of Mr. Littleton (the Secretary for Ireland),
a man of talent and intelligence, but of a nature par
taking rather of the Avillov/ than the oak,'^ and at
the instigation of the Lord ChanceUor he adopted a
very questionable course to promote Avhat he con
sidered a great public good. Believing, as he did,
that the clauses in the Coercion Bill for the prohi
bition of public meetings would be an insurmountable
obstacle to any understanding Avith Mr. O'Connell
and the Irish members both on that measure and
the Tithe Bill, he had written on the 19 th of June
to the Lord Lieutenant (Avith Avhom he was con
nected by marriage), and j^i-evailed on him to write
to Lord Grey that the re-enactment of those clauses
Avas no longer necessary for the peace of the country.
This latter, dated the 21st of June, caused Lord
Grey the utmost surprise and concern, as he remem
bered that Lord Wellesley's correspondence, even as
recently as the lltht of that month, had expressed
an exactly opposite opinion.
So firm was his conviction that this chano'e of
view must have been owing to home infiuence, that
he wrote to the Lord Lieutenant a strong remon
strance J on this marked and sudden inconsistency.
Lord Wellesley, however, in his reply, still main-
¦* There was far more danger to the Government, in his estimation,
from the violent hostiUty of O'Connell in the House than from the
risk of public meetings in Ireland. — Author.
t See Lord Grey's letter, p. 498.
Xlb.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 495
tained the position taken in his last letter, and i834.
although on the 2nd of July he did Avrite to Lord ^'^- ^-¦
Melbourne,'"' " It would be highly dangerous to the
public peace to alloAV the Act for ' the more effectual
suppression of local disturbances and dangerous as
sociations in Ireland' to expire," this recantation
was too late to be of service to the Ministr}^
In the meantime Lord Althorp, on hearing from Lord Ai-
Mr. Littleton that Lord Wellesley pronounced so opinion
strongly against the renewal of the clauses, agreed clauses
that they must be given up, as no Government could ^"en np.
ask Parliament for an unconstitutional power in
Ireland, the necessity of which had been disclaimed
by the Lord Lieutenant, t At the same time he
feared Lord Grey Avould refuse any concession, and
might retire if it were pressed ; Lord Althorp even
went so far as to say that he would himself resign
rather than aUow the clauses to be rencAved. Mr.
Littleton thereupon asked him, whether, as Mr.
O'Connell was about to enter upon a new course of
agitation in Ireland, it would not be prudent to see
him and apprise him that the precise form and
extent of the measure were not decided upon. Lord
Althorp " saw no harm in this, if it went no farther ;
but he begged Mr. Littleton to be extremely cau
tious, and not to commit himself "J If Mr. Little- Mr. Little
ton had kept Arithin these instructions, probably no versltTon
harm would have been done ; but he most indis- o'conneii.
¦* Lord Hatherton's Memoir, p. 49.
t lb., p. 13.
X Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third ser., v. xxiv., p. 1336.

496 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. erectly alloAved himself to be drawn by Mr. O'Con-
-^'^- ^^- nell into an admission that the renewal of the clauses
Avas desired neither by the Lord Lieutenant nor by
himself; and on Mr. O'Connell expressing a doubt
Avhether the opinion of the Irish Government might
not be overruled by the Cabinet, he said that his
own opinion was so decided that he did not think it
possible for him to vote for the measure unless it
Avere stripped of the obnoxious clauses, admitting- at
the same time that Lord Althorp's sentiments coin
cided with his OAvn ; ""' but he added that as soon as
the question was decided Mr. O'ConneU should be
informed. To make the indiscretion complete, Mr.
Littleton left Lord Althorp in ignorance of Avhat he
had done, being satisfied with receiving a pledge of
secrecy from Mr. O'Connell.
On the meeting of the Cabinet at Holland House,
a few days after, upon the evening of Sunday, the
29th of June, to deliberate on the Lord Lieutenant's
suggestion. Lord Grey, as had been foreseen, Avas
most emphatic and decided in his refusal to make
the least concession. Lord Melbourne sided with
him. For this Lord Althorp had been prepared ;
but great were his surprise and disappointment on
finding that the Lord Chancellor now took the same
line.t Yet even this defection of his intimate friend
and principal supporter was less mortifying than the

* Lord Hatherton's Memoir, pp. 14, 20, 57.
t The Chancellor had probably been in communication with Lord
Grey before the Cabinet, and was convinced of the certainty of Lord
Grey's resigning if overruled on the question. — Author.

MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 497
intelligence that Lord Grey had — as he noAV men- is;',4.
tioned for the first time — received a private letter f^_-^^_
from the Lord Lieutenant of a very different tenor'"
to that written at the instigation of Mr. Littleton.
This letter urged the renewal of the Coercion Bill
without expressing any desire that the clauses under
discussion should be modified. Lord Althorp was
placed by this inconsistency in great difficulty. He
felt the ground to be cut from under him, and that
the Lord Lieutenant's opinion was no longer en
titled to the consideration Avhich he had before
attached to it. StiU it was the declared opinion of
the great officer responsible for the peace of Treland,
and as such could not be passed over. He divided Loid ai-
the Cabinet against the clauses, and Avas left in a oTenuied
minority ; none of the others, hoAvever, Avere dis- Cabinet.
posed to carry their opposition further, much less to
resign. All concurred in opinion that the question
was not one of vital importance, and that Lord Grey
under the circumstances was so far justified in his
Adew of the transaction as to leave them Avithout a
case for resisting the decision of the majority.
Lord Althorp could not, however, abandon his He declines
position without a further struggle ; and as soon as the'^daCel
he returned home, before he went to bed, he ad-

* All Lord Wellesley's letters to Lord Grey, previous to the 21st of
June, had expressed in the strongest terms his opinion that the entire
Bill except the " Court Martial Clauses," (wbich authorized twelve
officers, who were nicknamed "The Twelve Apostles," witb the help
of a barrister, to try certain crimes) should be renewed. (See also
Lord Hatherton's Memou-, p. 63). — ^Author.

498 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

Mt, 52,

1834. dressed a letter to Lord Grey reiterating his objec
tions to the clauses, and declaring that he could not
propose them in the House of Commons. He pro
bably hoped that such a remonstrance being tanta
mount to a tender of his resignation, would have
more weight than if it had been made in a Cabinet
Council; but he was mistaken. Lord Grey was
immovable. In a long and argumentative reply,
written evidently in great agitation, he defended the
clauses, as AriU be seen from the foUowing letter : —

" DoAVNiNG Street, {Monday) June 30th, 1834.
" My dear Althorp,
" Your letter, as j'ou anticijiated, has certainly
distressed me to the greatest degree ; T at present see no
Avay out of our diificulties but that of resigning the govern
ment. That I was induced to go on after the division that
took place in the former Cabinet is now to me an object
of increased regret ; I could then have retu-ed on grounds
which nobody could have disapproved — I am now brought
into a situation in which Avhatever care I take, I must
be exposed to censure and reproach. ... I fully
admit that necessity is the only ground on which measures
of that description can be justified ; the necessity for re-
enacting the Coercion Bill, Avith the omission only of the
Court Martial clauses, was felt by us all up to the 23rd
instant ; on that day I received the first letter from Wel
lesley, which, in direct opposition to his own strongly
declared opinion on the llth, expressed his acquiescence
in suggestions which he had received from home of the
expediency of leaving out of the Bill the clauses respecting
meetings, not on account of anj^ change whicli had taken
I)lace in the state of affairs in Ireland, but for the sake of

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 499
facilities which this omission might afford us here. His 1834.
second letter, in answer to the strong representation which Mt. 52.
I made to him in answer to his letter of the 21st, does
not materially vary this ground. I must, therefore, look
at circumstances as they are and as they relate to his two
very opposite communications, and, considering the state
of Ireland, I cannot divest myseh of the opinion that
the abandonment of the provisions of the Bhl which
relate to meethigs would be attended with the utmost
danger. ... I feel that I have great reason to com
plain that, after a measure had been agreed upon, and no
doubt existed with respect to it, private communications
are made to the Lord Lieutenant without my knoAvledge,
which induce him to express an opinion inconsistent with
that which his own views of the state of Ireland have sug
gested, and chiefly maintained on grounds from which I
entirely dissent. . . . The Bill as it has been agreed
upon must be maintained stoutly, or I must say to the
King that I can no longer conduct the Grovernment. . . .
A difference with you is that which affects me most, but I
cannot ask you to violate a conscientious opimon, and
you, I am sm-e, will feel that it is equally impossible for
me to acquiesce in a course from which my judgment
entnely dissents. " Ever yours,
" GEEY."

This letter and the interviews which followed iie after-
worked so powerfully on the feelings of Lord diws Ms '
Althorp, if not on his judgment, that he yielded to Xio^^'
Lord Grey's persuasions, convinced that otherwise
the Ministry must be at once broken up. The
tender of his resignation was therefore suspended,
and not mentioned beyond the Cabinet. He simply
told Mr. Littleton that the Bill was to be renewed
K K 2

600 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. without alteration, as Lord Grey would concede
^'^- ^^' nothing. No reference was made by either to their

previous conversation. There may have been some
scruples on the part of Lord Althorp about dis
closing the doubts entertained by himself and his
colleagues of the value in this instance of the Lord
Lieutenant's judgment ; there certainly was a want
of candour, if not of moral courage, in Mr. Littleton
still withholding the extent to which he had com
mitted the Government with Mr. O'ConneU. If he
had spoken out before the Cabinet met, it is most
probable that the intervention of some common
political friends would have been obtained to shame
Mr. O'Connell into keejjing his promise of secrecy.
Several of them were shocked at his subsequent
conduct, and did not scruple to reproach him for it.
If this had failed. Lord Althorp Avould at all hazards
have persisted in his opposition to , the clauses, and
the Ministry would have retired under circum
stances far less painful than those which afterwards
took place.
lyishCoer- There being no longer any cause for delay, the
read the Cocrcion Bill was (on the 1st of July) read for the first
first time ,
in the time in the House of Lords on Lord Grey s assurance
of its haAdng been required and approved by the Irish
Government. Mr. O'ConneU, who was present at
the time, waited over the next day, and then, in a
Debate in burst of pretended indignation rose in the House of
Commons and disclosed the communication made to
him by Mr. Littleton, amounting to an absolute con
tradiction of the assurance given by Lord Grey, and

Lords.

the Com
mons.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 501
implicating to a certain degree Lord Althorp as i834.
adopting a measure of AA'hich he disapproA^ed. He ^^- ''^-
added that the object of the Government had been
to gain time for carrying the Wexford election.
Lord Althorp then heard for the first time imputa
tions of unfairness and misrepresentation urged
against the Government, utterly unfounded, and yet
not to be refuted Avithout explanations which the
ties of friendship and of party made him most
anxious to withhold, and he saAV in the dismayed
looks of the Ministerialists the advantage thus per
fidiously gained by Mr. O'Connell. He made no
remark, probably Avaiting to consult Lord Grey.
Mr. Littleton at once admitted that he had been
guilty of a gross indiscretion in his communication
to Mr. O'Connell, and commented with spirit both
on the betrayal of private confidence and on the
miserable pretext with Avhich it was cloaked. No
business Avas attended to afterwards, and the House
broke up in confusion.
The scene in the Lords the next day Avas hardly
less extraordinary. Lord Grey, in a warm dis
avowal of any knowledge of the communication
Avith Mr. O'Connell, allowed it to be understood
that the question was completely settled at the
time that Mr. Littleton had represented it to be
unsettled. This was a mere misunderstanding, and
easy to be set right ; but the consequences were
disastrous to the Government. Mr. Littleton felt Tender of
most deeply the imprudence of which he had been by Mr.
guilty in trusting Mr. O'Connell, and thought that"

502 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. the only way to atone for what had passed was to
^^T^_52^ resign. At that period he does not seem to have
entertained the slightest idea that Lord Althorp
was implicated in company Avith himself in the
diflficulties Arith Mr. O'Connell, as wiU be seen from
the following letter,'" written by him on Mr.
O'ConneU's statement in the House of Commons : —
" Grosvenor Place, Jidy 3rd, 1834.
" Dear Lord Althorp,
" I am so deeply impressed Avith all the em
barrassments in which my indiscretion in having trusted
O'Connell has placed the Government, that I must entreat
that Lord Grey will not hesitate one moment to tell me if
my retirement can in any way diminish the difficulties in
which I have placed you. It is only because I cannot
myself see in what way my resignation can assist you, that
I do not at once take that step. My clear duty is to take
that course, whatever it may be, which the Government
desires. I wish you may be more fortunate than I am in
discovering any satisfactory path by which to extricate
yourselves from this dilemma. " Yours faithfully,
" E. J. LITTLETON."
This letter Lord Althorp answered in a friendly
strain, and without the slightest suggestion in it
that he considered himself, or thought others con-
* Of this important letter Lord Hatherton could not have kept
a copy, as it does not appear in his Memoir ; but it is referred to as
"a note in which I expressed my willingness to retire if my doing
so could at all relieve the embarrassment in which my imprudence
and O'ConneU's perfidy had placed them." (Lord Hatherton's Memou-,
p. 56.) — ^Editor.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 503
sidered him, in any way a particeps criminis with 1834.
Mr. Littleton. . f!_^l:._
"Downing Street, July -ith, 1834.
"My dear Littleton,
" The scrape we are in I admit to be a great one,
but I do not see how j^our resignation will do us anj' good
now. If you had resigned when I told you first of the
decision of the Cabmet, it would have been better for
yourself; but it must have broken up the Government.
If you resign now you avUI injure yourself and do us no
good. I will show your letter to Lord Grey. I think you
were quite right in maldng the offer, and it is possible, but
I do not think probable, that he maj^ differ from me as to
the course to be pursued. I confess I do not see my way
very clearly. What I should hke best is, that we should be
beaten on the three clauses in the House of Commons — a
thing I think extremely probable — and then of course
Lord Grey, and indeed ah of us, must resign, and so get
out of all difficultj^ I wish only you had told me at fii-st
the whole of the conversation you had Avith O'Connell,
and I then would haA^e taken a course which Avould have
saved j'ou from this scrape. Because had I known what
you had done I would have stood firm, and smashed the
Government at once. I have not seen Lord Grej^ j'et since
the scene in the House of Commons ; he Avas out all yester
day evening. I am very doubtful whether he may not think
the scrape irremediable. I think it nearly so.
" Yours most trulj^,
" ALTHORP."
Lord Grey's reply'" to this oflfer was what Lord
Althorp anticipated, and the foUoAring letter from
* It was written on the Sth of July, and is given at length in Lord
Hatherton's Memoir, p. 63. — Editor.

504 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. ,
1834. the Lord Chancellor shows how strongly he also
-^'^- ^^- deprecated this act on the part of Mr. Littleton.
" My dear Althorp,
" This move of Littleton's is of all the things I
ever yet heard the most utterly inconceivable. He does
it, he says, to relieve us from embarrassment, but it is no
relief to any one, and Avill only gratify the Orangemen,
whom none of us wish much to jilease — as I should think.
But it is ruinous to himself, and as his friend and well-
wisher, I really think I cannot let him commit such an
act of self-destruction. . . . One thing is certain, that
if we let it in any way influence our o-wn conduct, we place
ourselves in the most absurd light we ever stood in. How
ever, as I see nothing clearly, exeept the foUy of Littleton's
conduct, I certainly shall do all I can to turn him from
this act of insanity. " Yours ever,
" H. B."
It is notae- Mr. Littleton's resignation not having been ac-
"^^^^ ' cepted. Lord Althorp, at his urgent request, came
Speech by forward on the 7th of July'"' to relieve him from
tho^^^' the imputation of having practised any deception
on Mr. O'ConneU, affirming that Mr. Littleton had
good grounds for saying that the clauses were still
under the consideration of the Cabinet, and for
expressing a hope that they would not be inserted
in the BUl. With respect to the communication
itself. Lord Althorp added that he saw no indis
cretion on the part of Mr. Littleton in informing
Mr. O'Connell that the question was not yet
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third ser., v. xxiv., p. 1222.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 505
decided."" This appears to have satisfied Mr. i834.
Littleton; but the Opposition had further aims. ^'^- ^^-
In their eagerness to increase the embarrassments
of the Ministry by an exposure of the differences
in the Cabinet, they clamoured for more infor
mation, and even Sir Robert Peel aided the cry by
his support. A motion Avas threatened for the pro
duction of the private correspondence of members
of the Irish Government with members of the
Government in England. This completed the
disgust of Lord Althorp. He could not brook the
humiliation of being put on his defence against
charges Avhich he did not regard as legitimate objects
of inquiry by the House. He also kncAV too Avell
the morbid curiosity of members to push such
inquiry to an improper extent. He therefore EesignK-
determined to resign, and the same mght addressed Lord Ai-
the following letter to Lord Grey : —
"Downing Street, July Ith, 1834.
" Mr DEAR Lord Grey,
" Upon my moAdng that the papers be printed,
O'Connell moved an amendment that they should be re
ferred to a Select Committee. We beat him on the division
by 157 to 73, but the debate which preceded the division

* Mr. Littleton writes to Lord WeUesley (on the 8tb) : " Lord Al
thorp's statement respecting myself yesterday was nothing more than
what I had expected from him. I did not require him and Brougham
to expose themselves to save me. But I am not surprised that Lord
Althorp, reflecting on the part tbat be had in the whole affair, judged
it due to himself as well as to me to say what he did. Except on the
score of having gone too far vdth O'Connell, it puts me quite clear
with the public." — (Lord Hatherton's Memoir, p. 81.) — Author.

506 MEMOLE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. placed us in so disgraceful a position that I cannot expose
¦^^- ^^- myself to being in the same position again.
" I felt from the first moment I heard what Littleton
had told O'Connell that, had I known it at the time we dis
cussed these three clauses in the Cabinet, the only course
I could have pursued was to have persevered in the views
Avhich I submitted to you in my letter written on Sunday
evening,* because I feU that O'ConneU havmg been ac
quainted with the real state of the case, it Avould be utterly
impossible for us to defend the Bill in the House of
Commons. I however, as you know, gave way to your
wishes, as it has always been my most anxious desire to
do. When I found from Littleton's speech, on Thursday,
that he had committed himself so far as he had, I foresaw
the greatest difficulty in going on ; but I was determined
to try. The debate of to-night proves to me that it is
impossible to persevere in the course which we have en
gaged in, without total ruin to our characters. I am in a
worse position now than I should have been if I had
resigned on Sunday se'nnight; but every day that this
question is debated I shall sink from bad to worse, and I
do not think that, after allowing myself to be dragged
through the du-t, night after night, there is a chance of my
being able to carry these clauses. I am sure there is no
chance of my preserving anj^ remains of character. Peel
attacked us on one side, and O'Connell on the other. I did
not know Avhat to say, and I could only make a shuffling
speech, half admitting and half denying that Lord Wel
lesley had said that these clauses were unnecessary. We
shall be pressed on the subject night after night, Peel and
O'Connell will act together against us in calliag for more
information, and I do not know how to resist them. I
made up my mind, ivithout communicating to any one ;
when I told Abercromby and Ellice, they, I formd, were
entirely of my opinion, and Charles Grant is so too. I
think Spruig Eice is also. * See p. 498.

MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE. 507
" This being the state of the case, I have only to request 1834.
you to accept my resignation. I regret the consequences Mt. 52.
which must result from this ; but it is some comfort to
me, as far as you are concerned, that j-our conduct will
stand the test of entire publicity ; that j^ou will requhe no
explanation, and that j'ou will retire from no fault of your
own, but with your character standuig as high as any man's,
even yours, ever did. " Yours most truly,
" ALTHOKP."
No reply appears to have been written to this
letter. It very soon transpired that Lord Grey
was deeply distressed by it, and that he sought in
vain the next day by earnest expostulations, in a
long interriew, to prevaU on Lord Althorp to with
draw it. In the meanwhile Mr. Littleton, to whom
Lord Althorp had preAuously communicated his
intentions, also fruitlessly interposed, and the fol-
loAring correspondence ensued : —
" Grosvexor Place, July 8th, 1834.
" Dear Lord Althorp,
" I cannot refrain from writing one line to ex
press my conviction that there is not a man in the country
who would not hear with the most extreme surprise of
your resignation on the grounds on Avhich you appear to
think it necessary. I did not hear last night the slightest
surmise of the possibility of any such occurrence in any
quarter. " The private correspondence, of course, cannot be given.
One discussion and division will settle that business. Thus
much is quite clear to me, that that discussion and division
ought to be taken before resignation is thought of.
" I do hope j'ou will consent to reconsider this step,

608 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. ivhich I deem most iU-advised and quite unnecessary, and
Mt. 52. Avhich, I repeat, will be a surprise beyond measure to the
whole countr3^ " Yours faithfully,
" E. J. LITTLETON."

THE EIGHT HON. E. J. LITTLETON TO EAEL GEEY.
" Grosvenor Place, July 8th, 1834.
" My dear Lord,
" I cannot express to you my affliction at the
position to which I find by a note from Lord Althorp
this morning, I have been unintentionally the cause of
reducing the Government. Had I believed it possible
that his mind could haA'e received such an impression
respecting his own situation from the explanation he
made in my favour yesterday evening, I never would have
allowed a word to be said.
" His resignation would fill the whole country with
surprise. I was in the House till two this morning, and
never heard the most distant surmise from any one member
of the possibility of such a thuig. The common observa
tion of our friends was, ' We must make a good muster
to resist any motion respecting private correspondence.'
They were all prepared to resist it, and nothing is wanting
but a declaration from Lord Althorp to our friends that
he means to do so  I am most sensible of
your Lordship's kind and considerate conduct towards me
throughout this painful afl'air, an aifair however which, as
far as Lord Althorp is concerned, ought only to be felt to
be embarrassing on public grounds. " Yours faithfully,
"E.J.LITTLETON."

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 509
1834.
"Downing Street, July 8th, 1834. .^t. 52.
" My dear Littleton,
" Althorp's determination is final and irrevocable, j
The Government is consequentlj' at an end. /
" I will say nothing more of the circumstances which
have led to this. They are much too painful for me to \^
reflect upon. " Ever yours,
" GREY."
These were not mere Avords. Lord Grey at once Resigna-
, ., , tion of
resigned, and on the following day he announced his Lord Grey.
resignation to the House of Lords, in a speech of
which the dignity and honourable feeling were
equaUy conspicuous. He carefully abstained from
any complaint, and gave his colleagues credit for the
best intentions in the transactions that led to his
retirement. Lord Althorp at the same time made a corre
sponding statement in the House of Commons.
His modest tone, and perfect candour, Avere quite
in keeping with his usual bearing, and he left
nothing unsaid that he considered due to his OAvn
character or that of - his associates. He expressed
indeed his continued disapprobation of the meeting
clauses in the Coercion Bill, and he admitted the
sanction he had given to Mr. Littleton to com
municate with Mr. O'Connell with the reserve
before mentioned. Finally he confirmed Lord
Grey's announcement that the Government was at
an end. The House was evidently not prepared for

610 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. such a crisis, nor did any expression of feeling
'^''- ^^- follow that could be said to throw light on the view
taken by the members of these transactions.
That the course adopted by Lord Althorp in
concert with his colleagues was especially distasteful
to the Lord Chancellor the foUoAring letter suffi
ciently proves :

THE LOED CHANCELLOE TO VISCODNT ALTHOEP.
" July Oth, 1834.
" My dear Althorp,
" I inclose a copy of my letter to the Kmg. I
stated the same thing in my place. Your step of resigning
has I fear sealed the fate of this country. Eather than be
plagued by two or three speeches addressed to a House of
Commons which has more confidence in you than ever,
you have done yoiu best to dissolve the only Government
the country will bear, and I hear that Abercromby and Eice
are afraid to remain.
"I regard them, next to you, as the cause of all the mis
chief Avhich may ensue ; they too are resolved to fly from
their posts and deliver us over to the Tories and the mob,
in succession, because they don't like being badgered.
" I shah do ah I can to Avard off the calamity ; but how
can I if every one in the House of Commons is afraid to
keep his ground ? At least I am resolved that the country
shah see who it has to thank for whatever is to happen.
" I really must say, I look upon all of you as ansAverable,
and most deeply answerable, for the event.
" One thing of course you must make up your mmds to.
As you and your companions in desertion will most pro
bably prevent a Liberal Government from being made, you
are of course prepared to give your cordial support to a

MEMOLR OE EAEL SPENCEE. 511
Tory one. Surely j'ou don't mean we should have no 1834.
Government. ^t- ^2.
"Yours ever, "H. B."
This letter gave Lord Althorp an opportunity of
expressing his sentiments to the Lord Chancellor,
which he did in a dignified remonstrance, reviewing
all the circumstances without the reserve necessary
to an official explanation in Parliament.
" Downing Street, July 10th, 1834.
" My dear Broughaji,
" I admit that I am answerable as the proximate
cause of the dissolution of the Admmistration, but the
situation in which I was placed was not by any act of my
own. I wish you would look a httle at the share you have
taken in the business. Without communication with one of
your colleagues, with the view I know of facilitating busi
ness in Parhament, you deshed Littleton to write to Lord
Wellesley, and you wrote to him yoiu-self, to press him to
express an opinion that the three first clauses of the BiU
might be omitted. He did express that opinion, and I
thought, and still think, that when the Lord-Lieutenant of
Ireland said that any circumstance of expediency would
induce him to carry on the Government of that country by
the ordinary law, to whatever extent he made that admis
sion it was the duty of the Government here to agree Avith
him. He had said, he did not want the Court-Martial
Clauses ; we properly omitted them. He then said, he
could go on without these three clauses, and I think we
ought to have omitted them also : but you, having originaUy
produced the difficulty by writing to Lord Wellesley, gave
your decision directly against what you had advised Lord

S12 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. Wellesley to do. The consequence of aU this was that I
^^- ^2- got placed in a position which rendered it impossible for me
to go on. This impossibility was mainly produced by Little
ton's communication to O'ConneU, but even without this the
difficult}^ was hkely to be enormous.
"Iam aware that the man who by his resignation pro
duces the dissolution of an Administration takes a great
load upon his shoulders, and more especiaUy when there is
so much difficulty in forming another ; this load is in
creased greatly when he caunot explain the causes which
compelled him to take such a step without involving others,
whom for every reason he is determined not to involve.
That load I must bear ; but it never can compel me to sup
port measures of which I disapprove, though, if no other than
a Tory Government can be formed, it may render it incum
bent upon me not to give them a factious oiiposition.
" Yours most truly,
" ALTHOEP."
Dissolution Thus abruptly ended, and from no adequate cause.
Govern- the Administration that carried the Eeform BiU,

ment.

and laid the foundation of the Liberal policy which
has ever since, Arith short intervals, ruled the
affairs of the country. The catastrophe was at the
time attributed whoUy to the indiscretion of Mr.
Littleton, and it is only after a sUence of forty
years that an attempt has been made to shift the
blame upon Lord Althorp, chiefly on the authority of
a Memoir left behind him by Mr. Littleton.* Had
* It may at once be admitted that at the time of Mr. Littleton's
communication with Mr. O'Connell he was justified in his '^J^ J^^f
in tbe belief tbat the BiU would be restricted to the extent he stated;
but be is wholly unwarranted in asserting that for his communication
with O'Connell he had the express authority of Lord Althorp. ihe

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 513
this appeared in Lord Althorp's lifetime it AVOuld 1331.
have been easily ansAvered by him, and is indeed _f^-_
hardly compatible with the feelings of admiration
for Lord Althorp Avhich the AA^riter repeatedly
expressed to me, or with his desire that justice
should be done to the character of that nobleman.
Mr. Littleton some years after the event, Avhen Remarks
„ . ,.. . on conduct
taking a retrospective view of the political occur- of Lord
rences of this period'"' states, " I retain the strong ^nd of'^'Mr.
opinion I felt at the time, that Lord Althorp ^™'*°"-
should, consistently Arith his declared determination
— which was the occasion of my communication to
O'Connell — have compelled the omission of the
clauses, or should then have tendered his resignation,
and not when he did, wliich then had the effect, not
of changing Earl Grey's mind, but of breaking up
his Government."
In making this charge of inconsistency, Mr.
Littleton must have been ignorant of the fact

" authority " gave hi-m Hberty to mention the fact tbat the clauses
were still under consideration, but it went no further. Indeed he had
been particularly warned against committing himself to Mr. O'Connell.
He insists that Lord Althorp ought to have compeEed the omission of
the clauses ou their rejection by Lord Grey, or to have at once tendered
bis resignation ; so I presume tbat he was ignorant of the fact that this
was in effect what Lord Althorp had done, and that it failed in chang
ing Lord Grey's mind, and if persisted in the only effect would have been
to break up the Government, which unquestionably was not the object
of Mr. Littleton, and stiU less of his friend Lord Wellesley. I must
add that when all the circumstances were fresh in his recollection, he
¦writes to Lord WeUesley : " The pabUc understanding of what passed
in July, 1834, requires no correction. Whatever imprudence was com
mitted was mine and Brougham's " (9tb Feb., 1836).— (Lord Hather
ton's Memoir, p. 114). — Author.
¦* Lord Hatherton's Memoir, p, 20.

514 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. already mentioned'"' viz., that Lord Althorp did
 '. — 1 Avrite to Lord Grey on the evening of the 29th of
June, declining to move the clauses in the House of
Commons, and eventually yielded only to Lord
Grey's urgent representations.
This concession was the only course open to Lord
Althorp ; he would not have been justified in
persisting in his intention to resign against the
remonstrances of the Premier when the main
reason for that resolution. Lord Wellesley's letter,
Avas deprived of its force by comparison with all his
previous despatches.
It cannot be maintained that Lord Althorp Avas
bound on public grounds to retire from the Govern
ment, except on the assumption that Mr. Littleton
had his authority for the statement Avhich he made
to Mr. 0 'ConneU. t That Lord Althorp fully
acquiesced in a communication being made is denied
by no one, and if that communication and no other
had been made, the mischief Avould never have
ensued. But unhappily Mr. Littleton did not
simply go further J than was intended, but stated
what he had no authority whatever to state, viz. :
Lord Althorp's intentions as to his OAvn course if
the clauses were retained. §
* See p. 498.
t "Edinburgh Eeview," v. cxxxiii., p. 313.— Editor.
X See p. 505, iiote.
§ Tbe same misconception and the same anxiety to shield Mr. Little
ton occur in a note to the GreviUe Memoirs, v. iii., p- 103, where
the editor accuses Lord Althorp of being a party to the communica
tion made by Mr. Littleton to Mi-. O'ConneU, a belief not concurred
in by the author of the Memoirs himself, who seems to have grasped the

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 515
When Lord Althorp no longer felt himself free 1334.
to persist in his opposition to the clauses, it can ^t- 52.
never be contended that he was bound to sacrifice
the Ministry from a sense of personal obligation to
Mr. Littleton. To maintain the existence of such
an obligation, Avould be to maintain the doctrine
that a Minister who so far relies on the discretion
of a subordinate as to acquaint him with his
intentions regarding a question which the sub
ordinate knoAvs is yet to be decided by the Cabinet,
is bound to carry out those intentions, although
subsequent information or altered circumstances
dictate a different policy.
There is noAvhere a shadoAV of a suggestion, either
then or at any later time, that Lord Althorp would
have clung to office for a single day, had a sense of
honour — and no man was more susceptible of such
an influence — pointed to resignation ; the whole of
his poUtical career is an answer to such a sup
position. His contemporary. Lord J. RusseU, Avrites,'''
" One of the Ministers Avho had seceded on the
question of the Irish Church said to me, that if he
had been told that Lord Althorp had engaged in an
intrigue in order to get out of ofiice, he might have
believed it; but an assertion that Lord Althorp
had intrigued in order to remain in office was utterly
incredible;" and this is, I believe, an expression
circumstances of the case very clearly, though as regards some of the
actual dates of the occurrences incorrectly.- — Editor.
* "Earl EusseU's EecoUections and Suggestions, 1813-1873"
p. 129. I. L 2

616 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. of the opinion entertained by all, irrespective of
^"- ^^- party. ^-
These events, hoAvever, are rapidly becoming a
matter of history, as the men Avho took an active
part in those struggles one by one pass away ; Avhat
their opinion was has been already stated, and I do
not think that future writers will set aside their
verdict.
Address to The impression on Lord Althorp's mind (as shown
thorp. in his letter to Lord Grey), that he had fallen in
the estimation of the House, soon proved to be
unfounded. Before the expiration of the AA'eek, an
Address was presented to him signed by two
hundred and six members of all shades of the
Liberal party, t conveying in unequivocal terms
their deep regret at his retirement, and the assur
ance of their best support in the event of his
returning to ofl&ce. Many members, who only
heard of the Address after it had been presented,
expressed their entire concurrence in it. Such a
testimony of public approval would have been less
regarded by Lord Althorp had it been given during
the excitement of the Reform Bill ; but a large
number of the signatures were those of members
¦* At the time when the fate of tbe Government was uncertain, I
was going with a friend to the House of Commons, and seeing Lord
Althorp walking in front witb a very depressed expression, said to my
companion, " I see the Govervment are still in," and, on being asked
the reason for my assertion, I replied, " Because Lord Althorp looks
so unhappy, — the Government cannot be going out," a prophecy which
was afterwards verified. — -Lord Belper.
t The address and signatures are given in Appendix II. to this
work.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 517
who had not been in the former Parliament, and, as 1834.
has been already mentioned, prided themselves on  ^ — '—
their freedom from party ties and their thorough
independence. Some passages from the letters of Lord Essex,
who was in constant communication Avith Lord
Spencer, vividly express the opinion generally
prevailing at the moment :
July llth. " You Avill of coiuse hear fuU particulars of
aU that has passed since Grey's touching speech, and
Althorp's honest and simple straightforward narrative.
Surely he might take the Premiership, if only for the end
of the Session ? it seems to be every one's wish, yet I fear
he -will not consent. What a speech of the Duke of WeUing
ton ! the Chancellor's excellent  I do trust
that TUthorp may be persuaded to remain ; everyone is
crying out for his doing so, and aU wUl be right if he wUl. .
My 18th. " I did not write yesterday, because nothing
was known, but I take for granted ypu Avere apprised of all
that had occm-red. What an angel is j'our son ! He has
saved his King and his country, by sacrificing aU his OAvn
feelings for the public good, and he must reap the reward
such conduct deserves from a generous people ! Lady Grey
said to me yesterday morning, ' Of aU the persons now to
be admired hi this world, is Lord Althorp ; never was any
thing like it ! ' This is the general feeling. The Tories
are frantic.
July 'Mth. "I have not written, for alas ! what can I say?
the whole of the late proceedings have been of a nature so
hurtful to my feelings, that I caunot view them with any
degree of satisfaction, beyond the full conviction that there
is but one opinion as to the rectitude, propriety, and perfect
conduct of Althorp. This is deeply felt, I know, and by
none more than by Grey and Lady Grey."

518 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. The retirement of Lord Grey was naturally
.  -  '- expected to be followed by the dissolution of the
bournf "'' W^ig party, of which he had been so long the head,
becomes and, I must add, the chief ornament. This was
rremier. -'
prevented mainly by the exertions and energy of
the Lord Chancellor, who worked on the fears of
the King by representing the risk that would attend
the accession of the Tories to office, in the face of a
large majority of Whigs, and he prevailed on His
Majesty to send for Lord Melbourne ; but Lord
Melbourne made a condition which at first seemed
fatal — the return of Lord Althorp. The King
acquiesced, and, urged by his iiersonal appUcation,
Lord Grey himself added his influence and en
treaties. It was the appeal from so many quarters,
added to his own sense of duty, that made Lord
Althorp at last refer the question to three of his
intimate friends. Lord Ebrington, Lord Tavistock,
and Mr. Bonham Carter. Their ansAver was that,
if the clauses in the Coercion Bill to which Lord
Althorp had objected were abandoned by the new
Government, he had no alternative that would
justify him before the public in refusing- to accede to
Lord Melbourne's proposal.
Lord Al- He most reluctantly yielded to these arguments,
M^'iiittie- insisting, hoAvever, that Lord Grey's full appro-
to^office!™ bation Avas indispensable before he gave an answer
of acceptance. Lord Grey at once expressed his
approbation in the most unqualified terms. Lord
Althorp accordingly gave way, only requiring that
Mr. Littleton should return to office, which Mr.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 519
Littleton describes as a noble act, dictated by a i834.
fine sense of honour, and wholly unexpected by ^^- ^^-
him.* Lord Althorp having thus resumed his office, to Coercion
the general satisfaction of the Liberal Party, had no ned.
difficulty in carrying the Coercion BiU in the form
for which he had contended originally in the
Cabinet. No bad effects followed in Ireland from the con
cession thus made to Mr. O'Connell, neither, I am
bound to add, Avere his party propitiated by it.
Their relations with the Government remained most
unsatisfactory. The leadership of the House con
tinued at least as difficult as before ; thouofh the
confidence of the Whigs in Lord Althorp secured
the Ministry against any attempts at removing
them from power. On the 12th of August the Proroga-
Prorogation gave no unwelcome interruption to their Pariia-
^ 1 ment.
labours. During the last month of the Session, Lord
Althorp's troubles had been seriously increased by
the Ulness of his father, which began to assume a
most alarming character. Lord Spencer had now
reached the venerable age of seventy-six. His in
firmities required the dUigent attention of an able
physician, t whom Lord Althorp attached to his
establishment, and by Avhose skill and timely inter
position his life was certainly prolonged. He often
resided at his marine villa near Ryde, in the Isle
* Lord Hatherton's Memoir, p. 25.
t Dr. Calvert.— Lord Lyttelton.

520 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. of Wight, for the benefit of the sea air, and he
^*- ^^" there exercised a generous hospitality to his nume
rous naval connections, for attachment to the pro
fession and pride in its achievements Avere among
the main features of his character. Though fre
quently disqualified, by gout, from active exertions,
his mind was still equal to the enjoyment of his
literary tastes, and to a deep interest in politics.
Lord Althorp kept him constantly informed of
all that was going on, and the foUoAving letter from
the father to the son that I find among the family
papers, shows the happy terms on which they lived
to the last.

" Althorp, July 18th, 1834.
" Deak Jack,
" I cannot let the post go without expressing some
parts of my feelings on the arrival of a pause (not to be
sure a resting-place) in your late labours, and above aU, in
returning you my most sincere and cordial thanks for the
truly kind, candid, and frank picture of your own progress
through difiiculties and embarrassments such as I should
suppose no statesman who wished to act a truly honest
and simple part ever encountered. That many have arisen
who were skilful in steering through the rocks and shaUows
of political intrigues and manoeuvres, our history of the last
two centuries evidently proves ; but so steady (aye, steady)
and honest a course as you have steered, I suspect, was
never exhibited before. Stick to it without fear, but with
immovable confidence on your own genuine judgment, and
as it has hitherto preserved for you the applause of those
who pretend to be friends, and the praise, however reluc
tant, of your adversaries, your discretion will, I trust, be

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 521
equal to resist any more open attacks, which will require a 1834.
stouter armour. ^t. 52.
" God Almighty protect and guide you !
" Yours ever affectionately,
" SPENCEE."
Lord Althorp Avas able to carry on the Govern- Lord
1 . Brough-
ment through the autumn without any new compii- am's tour
..... T . in Scot-
cations arising, though amidst some vexations, as land.
the Lord Chancellor devoted a portion of his vaca
tion to a tour in Scotland, where his unquiet spirit
found vent in a series of addresses to the inhabi
tants, which on more than one occasion caused
embarrassment to his colleagues and annoyance to
the King,"' who, though personally much attached
to Lord Althorp, had formed a very unfavourable
impression of the power of the Ministry to carry on
the Government of the country ; and the difficulties
of the last Session had naturally not contributed to
place them in a better light.
Whether the Cabmet would long have survived Death of
Lord
another meeting of Parliament it is impossible to Spencer.
say ; but, during the recess, an event occurred by
which the position of parties was materially
changed. As the winter approached. Lord Spencer,
whose health had continued to decline, was attacked
by illness of a still more serious character ; and,
after lingering a short time, expired at Althorp on
the 10th of November.
Great hopes were entertained that the event
* See " Lives of tbe ChanceUors by Lord CampbeU," v. viii., p. 4 53.
—Editor.

S22 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. Avhich removed Lord Althorp from the House of
 1 — '~ Commons would not also lead to his Avithdrawal
from the Government, stUl less from poUtical Ufe.
Lord Melbourne wrote to him in the most affec
tionate terms, and a letter from Mr. Charles Wood'"
shortly afterwards showed how unanimous was the
feeling of the Liberal party on this point.
" DoWNIXG Street, November llth, 1834.
" My dear Althorp,
" I would not intrude upon you, whilst you must be
under the impression of the recent melancholy event, of
Avhich I know that frequent anticipation and expectation
does not diminish the force, if I did not fear that you might
perhaps omit to Avrite to the King upon the subject. I
have kept him day by day informed of your father's state,
and he has continuaUy expressed the most lively uiterest
and concern. I am anxious, therefore, that he should
hear from j'-ourself without delaj', and if, as is most probable,
you have already done this, I am sure you will forgive my
interference. " I have not forgotten your letter to me, when the recent
Government was formed, Avith respect to your conduct in
case of that event occm-ring which has now taken place. I
say nothing at present except that I trust that you wiU not
come to any hasty, unalterable determmation ; particularly
in the frame of mind which is produced by such scenes as
those which you have been recently contemplating. I hope
also that you wUl not suffer yourself to be influenced by
any indiscreet communications which you may receive from
any other quarter. I do not know of any such, but I think
them not improbable. " Beheve me,
" My dear Althorp,
" Yours faithfully,
" MELBOUENE."
* Now Viscount Habfax.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 623
" Treasury, November Mth, 1834.

"Dear Lord Spencer,
"I do not know that I ought to write to you at aU,
and still less that what I say will have any weight ; but
that I may not omit to do anj-thing I can to contribute to
what seems to me an important end, I cannot refrain from
pressing upon j^ou that you should continue to form part of
the Liberal Government which is to go on. I need not say
what a different position it will occupy with or without you
amongst its leaders ; but I must beg j'ou to consider in how
different a position all those will feel themselves who look
up to yourself as their natural leader. We aU feel safe and |
light as long as j'ou are a member of the Government; but
so chief a stone being left out of the Avail Avould shake the
whole fabric.
" I will not say more, because I am sure you will have
all that can be said urged upon you more strongly than I
can do it ; but every expression of what is a general feeling
adds weight to it, and I speak most feehngly in urging
you, for the sake of your friends and followers, not to leave
them headless. " Yours very truly,
" C. WOOD."
Owing to Lord Althorp's accession to the Earl
dom, the post of leader of the House of Commons
had to be filled at once — not an easy task when the
discordant elements of Avhich that body was com
posed are considered — and Lord Melbourne lost no
time in going to Brighton to Avait upon the King to
receive his commands. It is believed that Lord
Melbourne suggested three very able statesmen, one
of whom the King might choose as leader of the
House of Commons, it being generally supposed

1834.
Et. 52.

524 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. that Lord John Russell was the most acceptable to
1_ the Cabinet. The King however had other Adews,

ment.

dhmfsi"! ^^^ eagerly seized the opportunity to break up the
^^fjjo'^em- Government ; in fact, he made Lord Melbourne the
bearer to London of a communication sending for
the Duke of Wellington.
That this sudden collapse of the fabric which had
with such difficulty been repaired in the summer
astounded all the party, is so Avell knoAvn, that I
need hardly dwell on the surprise which the deter
mination of the King excited. The Ministry had
finished the Session without new difficulties, and
during the Recess they had not been guilty of any
mal-administration which could account for such an
immediate doAvnfall following so closely on the
death of Lord Spencer. How little this blow had
been anticipated by the leading- Whig statesmen, is
manifest from their correspondence on the occasion.
" Pavilios-, Brightoh-, November lith, 1834.
" My dear Althorp,
" I came down here yester daj-, in order to converse
with the King upon the present state of affairs, and after
two very full and unreserved communications, he has deter
mined that the present Government is so weak in the House
of Lords, and now so much weakened in the House of
Commons, that it cannot go on advantageously : that there
fore he Avill not direct me to make the announcement
rendered necessary by the recent event, but wUl send for
the Duke of Wellington. The various reasons for this de
termination will present themselves to your mind, and I
apprehend you will not much lament it, as it both reheves
you from &ny further annoyance, and also falls in Avith that

ILEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 525
which was your opinion, viz., that it would be better that 1834.
the Tories should make one more effort to form a Govern- Mt. 52.
ment. Whether the King's decision be wise or not, I ani
convinced that it has been come to conscientiously, and
upon his own conviction, and not in consequence of any
other advice or influence whatsoever. " Yours faithfuUjr,
"MELBOURNE."
" WniTEUALL, November 15th, 1834.
" My DEAR Althorp,
" It turns out after all that the King's reliance upon
you was his only reason for supporting the Ministry. In
point of fact, I imagine that he has been told that now
you have left the House of Commons the Tories can form
a Government. A truer adviser would have told him that
you had immense influence in checking the House of Com
mons, but that your influence was never required to spur
them on. I suppose everything is for the best iu this
world, otherwise the only good I should see in this event
would be that it saves me from being sadly pummelled by
Peel and Stanley, to say nothing of O'Connell.
"We leave ofiice quite united in principle and opinion.
" Ever yours affectionately,
"J. EUSSELL."
THE LOED CHANCELLOE TO yiSCOUNT ALTHOEP. " Saturday.
" My dear Althorp,
" What you and I thought, and aU men of sound
minds thought, quite impossible, is come to pass, and be
cause — and only because — you are removed from the House
of Commons, the King turns us all out! — a thing never

526

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1834.
Mt. 52.

before done — and without waiting for the House of Com
mons to express its distrust in John Kussell or in us. So
that WeUington has not now to come in because ive have
broken up and left the country without a Government, but
he comes in because he expects the House of Commons
and the country prefer the Tories to us ! It seems in
credible, but he will be goaded on by his hungry creatures
to try this desperate experiment, which means two dissolu
tions if it fails, and a Radical Government.
" Yo2ir case is now clear, but you will violate every duty
to your friends and the country if you think of anything
like withdrawing from politics. Your duty is to stand by the
country, and yoiu retuing would enable the Tories to mis
govern us again, much more than all else.
" I have written to the King to throw aU the consequences
on him and relieve myself. "Yours ever,
"H. B."

Lord Al
thorp'sfinal re
tirement
from office.

The feeling of vexation expressed in this letter
was not confined to the Lord Chancellor, and Lord
Althorp had additional cause for annoyance in the
conviction that the King had used his elevation to
the Peerage as a reason for dismissing the Ministry.
That it Avas merely a pretext many circumstances
combined to prove, nor was this ever doubted by
Lord Althorp, who felt some indignation at the use
made by the King of his name to cover an attack
on his colleagues and supporters.
If he ever subsequently attended the Court, it
could only have been to give up his seals of ofiice.
He considered his official career as ended, and could
never be prevailed upon to take part in any Ad
ministration afterwards.

CHAPTER XXIII.
EETIREMENT OP LOED ALTHORP FROM POLITICAL LIFE 
THE ELECTION OF THE SPEAKER  ENTREATIES TO
TAKE OFFICE  THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETT  COR
RESPONDENCE AVITH LORD BROUGHAM  OFFER OF
THE LORD LIEUTENANCA' OF IRELAND  SPEECHES IN
THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND AT NORTHAilPTON 
ILLNESS AND DEATH  CHARACTER.
Lord Althorp returned to private life with un- issi.
mixed satisfaction.'"' It had loiiff been his earnest ¦^¦^- ^^¦

Arish and desire. " You must be aware," he said Retirement
once before in a letter to Lord Brougham, "that lithorp
my being in office is nothing more or less than caUife!
misery to me. I am perfectly sure that no man
ever disliked it to such a degree as I do ; and,
indeed, the first thing that usually comes into my
head when I wake is hoAv I am to get out of it."
On his Avay into the House of Commons, to make
his statement preparatory to his resignation (on the
breaking up of Lord Grey's Ministi-y), his coun-
tenace suddenly brightened. He Avas overheard to
exclaim "Well, there is heaven beyond." It has
been already seen Arith Avhat unAvillingness he
* He told my fatber it was tbe cessation of acute pain to bim. —
Lord Lytteltox.

.528 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1834. yielded to the solicitations of his colleagues and the
^^- ^^- rest of his party to accept office under Lord
Melbourne. Having paid the last solemn duties to his father,
whose remains were deposited in the family bury
ing-place at Brington, the parish church near
Althorp, Lord Spencer sat doAvn to look into the
state of his affairs. He was prepared to find them
in some disorder, as he knew his father, although a
very large landed proprietor, had, during- many
years, lived far beyond his income. Indeed, he
had once talked to his son of the necessity of re
trenchment in expenditure, and went so far as to
propose large reductions in their establishment.
Lord Althorp replied that this would make his
mother miserable. " Continue to live," he added,
as you have been accustomed. Let the task of re
trenchment fall upon me. I have no desire to keep
np the state of a great nobleman, and shall be pre
pared to live very economically until the mortgages
you have contracted can be discharged."
It noAV appeared, even on a brief inquiry, that
his father had acted so literally on this assurance by
burthening the estate with a succession of heavy
charges, that the interest on them, added to the ex
penses of keeping up the great establishments at
Althorp and Wimbledon together Avith Spencer
House, nearly absorbed the rental ; and Lord Spencer,
to use his OAvn words, ''could only regard hunself as
the nominal OAvner of his patrimony." Great as
was his surprise at this discovery, it never elicited

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 5-29
from him a Avord of complaint. He continued to is35.
regard his father's lueniory A\dth the most devoted ^t. 53^
veneration and attachment, Avhilst all objects be
came secondary in his eyes to the restoration of the
fortunes of the family. This, hoAvever, Avas a task
that met Avith many troublesome and serious inter
ruptions, even at the outset.

The dissolution AA'hich had quickly followed the ^.'^"^ <^'°'::
-¦• '' tion of the
change of Ministry had brought with it a severe Speaker.
conflict in Northamptonshire, and he Avas unavoid
ably draAvn into an active support of the Liberal
candidates, and had the mortification of witnessing
their defeat. Next came the question of the
Speakership, on which his opinion Avas sought not
only by several of his former colleagues, but by
other members of the party. Mr. Hume, Avho,
though considering himself an independent sup
porter of the Grey Ministry, had frequently and
harshly commented on their policy and measures,
addressed him a letter asking his advice and as
sistance in favour of the nomination of Mr. Aber
cromby for the Chair, and urged his taking an
active part in the proceedings of the Liberals at
the opening of the Session. This letter is here
given on account of the reply, which is the first
announcement that I can find of Lord Spencer's
intention of withdrawing from politics.'"'

* This letter is tbe m.ore remarkable from Mr. Hume's not having
previously communicated witb Lord Spencer, wbo, I may observe, bad
been sounded by one of tbe late Government on tbe subject, and had
discouraged tbe measure. Mr. Hume bad not forgotten tbe preference u 11

530 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
183o.
Mt. 5S. me. JOSEPH HUME TO EAEL SPENCEE.
"Bryanston Square, January 28th, 1835.
" My Loed,
" I am well aware of your love of country life, and
the desire to avoid political contest. But there are times,
and the present seems to me to be the time, when j'our
wishes must in some measure yield to necessity, and you
must come forward to aid the cause of Reform, with wliich
your name and character are identified.
" The state of the Tory Administration, by the great sup
port they have received from the rotten Corporations (which
were allowed to remam in all their strength, and with in
creased vigour to put off the day of their reform), renders
the utmost energy, and the best concert, of the friends of
popular government, necessary to secure to the people the
benefit expected from the Reform Bill.
" Not a day should be lost in showing to the King and to
the Tory Administration their inferiority of numbers, and
that the people have, on the appeal, decided against them ;
and measures should be adopted to elect a Speaker, selected
and nominated by the Reformers, mstead of allowing Sir
C. Manners Sutton, one of the most determined Tories in
the kingdom, to take the Chair of the Second Reform Par
liament. " I therefore have to entreat you to come up to London
as quickly as possible, and with Lord Melbourne, and the
new Members of Parliament, and all interested in a change
of the present Government, to concert the best measures
for choosing the proper candidate, and then for securing
his election. If no efficient opposition should be made
against Su- C. M. Sutton, it will be taken as a tacit avowal
of the weakness and want of union of the Reformers, and
Avill have the worst effect in all future acts of theirs.
given by Lord Grey's Ministry to Mr. Manners Sutton, of whicb he
spoke to me at tbe time witb some bitterness. — Author.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 531
"1 consider that Mr. Abercromby is the man for the 1835.
Speaker, and bj^ jiroper arrangements he Avill accept the -^t- 53.
ofiice, and may be elected to it ; but it requires the cordial
and the speedy co-operation of every Member of the late
GoA^ernment and of every Reformer to do so.
" If in July last I deemed your continuance in ofiice
essential to the progress of Reform and of good govern
ment, and therefore made that request to you Avith so
large a proportion of the members of the late House,
with which you complied, as I think so usefuUj' to the
service of the public, I consider the present crisis of much
more hnportance, and therefore frankly and freety make
the appeal I now do to your public feeling for the cause of
Reform. " I think I speak the sentiments of a large portion of
your old and new political friends, and I entreat j'ou,
with as little delay as possible, to concede the request I
now make.
" I shall be j^leased to hear from your Lordship, and
remain, " Your obedient servant,
"JOSEPH HUME."

EAEL SPENCEE TO JOSEPH HUME, ESQ.
"Wiseton, January 3\st, 1835.
" My deae Sir,
" The receiving such a letter from you as I have this
day received cannot but be very flattering to me. Because,
although I hope and am sure nothing ever occm-red which at
all diminished our mutual feelings of private good avUI, yet
certainly I could not presume that during the time I was in
office, I possessed generally your political confidence. With
respect to the request contained in your letter that I should
immediately come up to town, I do not think my duty im-

M M 2

532

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1835.
Mt. 53.

lieratively calls upon me to do so, and nothing short of
what I believe to be an imperative duty will induce me agaui
to engage in political life.
" The question of Avhether Su- Charles Sutton is to be
elected Speaker without opposition or not appears to me to
be one of policy. If the Liberal party in the House of
Commons are confident that their opposition to his election
Avill be successful, I should say certainly that it will be a very
beneficial measure to oppose it. If on the contrarj^ they are
not confident they can succeed, as theu- failure would pro
mote the cause of the Anti-Reformers, and as no question
of prmciple is involved in the choice of the mdividual who
is to fill the Chair, I think the attempt would be imprudent.
I agree, however, with you in thmking that a very early
opportunity should be taken to ascertain what the opinion
of the new House of Commons is with respect to the Ad
ministration, and more particularly what their opinion is of
the mode in which Lord Melbourne was dismissed. This
Avill occur naturally when the Address is moved, and I should
say an amendment ought then to be tried, whatever is the
prospect of success. " Believe me, my dear Sir,
"Yours most sincerely,
" SPENCER."

Lord Spencerurged by
his friends
to retum
to politics.

Lord Spencer must have had more difficulty in
answering another letter of the same tenor which he
received a fcAV days later from one of his late col
leagues, a nobleman whose sweetness of disposition,
consistency of principle, and acknowledged ability
gave him deserved weight among the Whigs. I
shall only observe, that in refusing Lord Holland's
appeal. Lord Spencer showed how improbable it

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 533
was that the resolution he had formed could be 1835.
shaken. ^^' ^^'

LOED HOLLAND TO EAEL SPENCEE.
" Deae Althoep,
" Is it jjossible 3'ou do not mean to come up to the
meeting ? I own I feel strongly that you ought ; so
strongly, indeed, that I cannot reconcile all silence upon it
with friendly feelmgs to you. As to any determmation you
have adopted, or maj' adopt, of quitting politics altogether,
however on public grounds I might lament it, it would be
quite ridiculous in me, who ara quitting them perforce very
rajiidly, to obtrude any opinion upon you — that is, in truth,
a question on which a man must be at libertj^' to consult
his own inclination, one ou which he has not only a right,
but is right in acting according to his own judgment in pre
ference to any advice given by others ; but I own the
absenting yourself from such discussions as maj-, and pro
bably will, arise on transactions in which you have recently
borne so large a part in the ministerial changes of the last
six or seven months, ajipears to me (exclusive of the con
structions to which it is hable) to offer such an advantage
to all who are disposed, or exposed, to misrepresent the
views and conduct of your coUeagues, that you are hardly
justified in depriving them of the opportunity of appealing
to your recollection and testimony. I feel it equaUy strongly
on your own account, though I do not urge it so much, be
cause I know, that even if just, it AviU not weigh Avith you
so much as that of your friends. But if there be any dis
position (and there Avas some last year in the Lords) to
calumniate and arraign j'our motives and conduct on Grey's
retirement, Avould it be to your advantage or to your honour
to be absent Avithout any one assignable reason, and to leave
the task of repelling insinuations to those who cannot give
to yoiu- vindication that effect wliich plain exposition of a

534 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1835. man's honest feelings, and especiaUy your frank and rough
Mt, 53. -(vay of expressing them, never fails to produce ? I really
think you owe, at least, this extremum laborem* to your
party, yom- colleagues, and more emphaticaUy stiU to Grey,
Melbourne, and yourself — Brougham, I believe, will be
there. He will, if so, be the subject of much animadversion.
I do not like to dweU on aU the considerations that that
ch-cumstance suggests. It is, I feel, very painful, but it is,
nevertheless, quite impossible not to acknowledge that his
unscrupulous vehemence in repeUing may require to the full
as much check and chastisement from your presence as the
unmeasured acrimony of his antagonists ; and, recollect this,
j'Our presence alone, without a word, may prevent things
bemg said which, if said in your absence, would render
future attendance, explanation, and even controversy, un
avoidable. Excuse me for saying so much ; I really do so
from anxiety to dissuade you from doing what I think wUl
give j'ou more pain than two or three days in the country
can give you pleasure. " Yours, &c.
" HOLLAND."
" WiSETOX, February Oth, 1835.
" My deae Loed Holland,
" If the question was merely as you state it whether
I should remain a few days in the countrj',. or pass those
few days in town, there could be no doubt that if any one
or two of my friends wished me to pass them in town, I
ought to comply with their wishes. But it appears to me
that there are more things involved in my attending or not
attending in the House of Lords on the first day of the
Session, than merely whether I shaU be at that time in
London or in the cou-ntrjr. I have determined, for reasons
which it is not necessary for me [to state, to retire from
pubhc life, I say it is unnecessary for me to state those
* Yu-g. Eel. X. 1.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 535
reasons, because you admit what many people denj' — that I 1835.
have a right to decide whether I will continue in public life Mt. 53.
or not for mj^self. This is known to some few of mj' friends
with whom I have hajipened to communicate, and, perhaps,
to some one or two others, but the public generallj- are not
at aU aware of it, and, on the contrarj', unless people de
ceive me for the purposes of flattering very much, a great
many of the Liberal party are looking to me not only as
their leader out of ofiice, but expecting me to take ofiice
when it shall be offered me on Liberal principles; this being
the case, I think it my duty to take every step in my power
to undeceive the public, certainly to take none Avhich
would have a tendencj' to confirm them in their mistake.
It may be possible that my non-attendance at the commence
ment of the Sessions is a stronger indication of my inten
tions than it is necessary for me to make, but this is an
error on the right side. It is also possible that I am de
ceived as to the hght in which I am looked upon by the
public, and that those who have come about me have
exaggerated very much mj' importance in order to flatter
my vanity, and to give me pleasiu-e ; but again supposing
this should be so, theu mj' attendance or non-attendance
will be a matter of indifference just in the proportion in
which my importance ought to be lessened. If, again, mj'
absence could bj' possibilitj' injure any individual, it might
be questionable whether I ought not to attend and take some
other means of showing it to be mj' intention to retire from
politics, but I really cannot see how anybody can be injured
by my absence. The onlj' change of Administration which
can come much under discussion is Melbourne's dismissal ;
now I was veiy little concerned in that, and could answer
no appeal upon it, but one whicli it would be better I should
not answer, and that is, if I was appealed to to know
whether I would have accepted ofiice again had the Ministry
continued. I must answer that I had told Melbourne I
would not, I quite admit, however, that he had a fair right
to say that he did not consider this answer final. I do not
deny that mj' absence may expose me at first to miscon-

536 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1835. struction. I have vei-y little doubt it will expose me to
^T. 53. severe attack, because the Liberal party, for whom I slaved
for the last sixteen years, will be very angry with me for
declining to go on slaving for them any longer ; this would,.
hoAvever, be only postponed for a verj' short time by my
ajipearance the first daj^ If a change of Administration-
is produced by the first movements of the House of Com
mons, as I think it probably will, and I refuse to take
ofiice, or if, having been present at first, I went away, the
attack upon me Avould be just the same. To this attack I
must make up my mind unless I am ready to sacrifice the
happiness of the rest of my life, and to involve myself in
inextricable pecuniary difficulties. I am very much obliged
to j'ou for writing to me openly and frankly your opinion,,
and I have now told j^ou in answer the reason which has.
decided me not to go up to the meeting of Parliament. It
appears to be one which ought to guide my conduct,,
assuming that I act upon mj' determination of retiring front
public life. "Believe me,
" Yours most truly,
" SPENCER."

Mr. Aber- Mr. Abcrcomby was elected, but not by so large
elected a majority as to encourage a hostile amendment to
Speaker. ^^^^ Addrcss, in the terms that Lord Spencer had.
suggested. It was considered prudent to confine it
to an assertion of the Reform principles of the late
Ministry. This however answered its object, for it
drcAV forth a discussion of the grounds of Lord
Melbourne's dismissal, which Sir Robert Peel skil
fully defended on the authority and express acknow
ledgement of Lord Grey that he could not carry on

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 537"
the Government Avithout Lord Althorp, an argu- 1835.
ment Avhich told poAverfuUy on the House, supported _*r^.
as it Avas by the difficulty of disputing the exercise
of the Royal Prerogative. With the same tact and
judgment Sir Robert Peel managed to dispose of
other questions Avhich the Whigs had expected to
be fatal to his Government, and in all these debates
he gained so decidedly on the favour of the House,
that one of the most distinguished members of the
Opposition told me that, but for the Appropriation
Clause, he would ha\'e kept his ground. He is
supposed not to have been sorry to be beaten on
Lord HoAvick's amendment, and he perhaps be
lieved the triumph of the Whigs on his retirement
would be short lived.
The important intellisrence of the Ministerial de- Dissolution
-I • -1 T n o, oftheTory
feat Avas thus communicated to Lord Spencer by Govern-
Lord Tavistock. " Brooks's, 6 o'clock.
" Well ! — They are aU out ! I suppose our friends will
send for you. Whether you will be able to resist I knoAv
not ; but you must recollect that if j'ou were again to take
office, the work would be easy compared Avith that which
gave you so much misery before. I am sure that j'our
coming up would be of great advantage to j'our party, but,
on the other hand, j^our health and happiness must be put
into the scale. " Yours ever.

" Thanks for your liberality to the Steventon people.

•538 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1835. This letter Avas quickly followed by one from
^'¦^^- Lord Melbourne.

" My deae Spenceh,
"I am told that after the course which we have taken
it is impossible that Ave should refuse ofiice, notwithstanding
the great and almost insurmountable difficulties Avhich op
pose themselves to the formation of an efficient or satis
factory Administration, but in compliance with the general
¦opinion and demand made upon me I have in obedience to
the King's commands undertaken to attempt to lay before
him the scheme of a Government. I have hitherto abstained
from troubling you on public affairs, but in this moment of
embarrassment and crisis I think it mj^ duty to ask you for
yoiu- assistance. You must feel that everything is at stake,
that we have fearful odds to bear up against, the inclination
¦of the King, the House of Lords, three-fourths at least of
the gentlemen of the country, and such a preponderant
number of the clergy as may be fairly caUed the Avhole of
them, and if this attemjDt on the part of the AVhig and Liberal
j)arty should fail, that partj' will most probablj^ sink into
insignificance, or be only able to aspire to a share of power
in conjunction with, or probably in subordination to, its op
ponents. You know how much you are looked up to by that
party, and what courage you would infuse into them, if they
could see you again in then- ranks and making common
cause with them. I would not ask or Avish, if you dislUce
it, to impose upon you an ofiice of heavy labour, but your
countenance and authority in any situation would be of in
estimable value. It is unnecessary for me to expatiate upoh
the strong motives, which, as it appears to me, ought to
actuate you on such an occasion. They must already have
ju-esented themselves to your mind, and if they are insuffi
cient nothing I can saj^ can add to their force. I only say
again that I consider it my duty to attempt to obtain your

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 639
assistance ; whether it is yours to give it is for yourself to i835.
determine. .^t. 53.
" Beheve me, mj' dear Spencer,
" Yours faithfuUj^,
"MELBOURNE."
Lord Spencer's answer Avas, it is believed, quite Refusal of
as decided a negative as that Avhich he had ad- Spencerto
dressed to Lord Holland.
No persuasion could avail to bring him back
to face the troubles of official life,""' yet he still
maintained much interest in the formation of the
neAV Government,, though absolutely refusing to in
terfere in the distribution of any of the important
posts in it. Thus he Avrites to Mr. Spring Rice : —

EAEL SPENCEE TO THE ET. HON. T. SEEING EICE.
" AXTHORP.
" My deae Rice,
" I send you a letter I have received from  . You
know the history of his removal, and were just as much
concerned in it as I was. I shall write to him to tell him
what I have done, but saying that as I have declined to ask
any favours even for my nearest friends and relations, I
must dechne asking a favour for him. If I was to ask for
anything it would indeed be an outrage. I refused when
asked by j^ou, and therefore I will never torment any of you.
I made an exception, as I told you before, in the case of
* I have beard tbat Lieut. Drummond was sent down to Altborp to
try to induce Lord Spencer to return to oflice. He fonnd bim sitting
at the open window, looking out at tbe sbeep and young lam.bs, and
he protested nothing should induce bim to leave tbem. — Editor.

540 MEMOIE .OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1835. Drummond,* and I am dehghted to see his appointment.
Mt, 53. I am delighted for his own sake, but also because I think it
impossible for you to have selected so good a man for the
place ; he has in addition to the first class of abiUties a per
fect temper (I have known this from having lived in the
same house for three j'ears), and one of the most honour
able and conscientious minds I ever met with. Both these
last are inestimable in Ireland.
"I am very glad to see you going on so Avell ; Stanley
and you will and must be two ; it was clearly unavoidable,
but it will not do you much harm. I Avas always sure you
would do quite as well without me as with me, and it is a
great satisfaction to me to see that I was right, and that I
niaj^ enjoy happiness without anyone being injured by it.
" Yours most truly,
" SPENCER."
The decision of the ncAV Premier to vrithhold
the Great Seal from Lord Brougham gave Lord
Spencer much pain, and in a letter commenting on
the Ministerial appointments he aUudes somcAvhat
sorroAvfuUy to the circumstance.
EAEL SPENCEE TO THE ET. HON. T. SEEING EICE.
" Althorp.
" My dear Rice,
"Many thanks for your letter. I was beginning to
fear that there was some greater hitch in your proceedings
than I had anticipated there could be ; if there was I am very
glad it is so Avell got over. I like the Ministry and the cast
¦* Lieutenant Drummond, E.E., some time private secretary to Lord
Spencer, afterwards under-secretary in Ireland, a man of much ability ;
be died early, universally beloved and esteemed — by no one more than
by the author of this work. — Editor.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 541
of the party very much, I most particularly like the Irish is3,5.
arrangement. .iir, 5:j.
" I suppose, I must saj', I believe you right, but I cannot ^
but be grievously sorry for poor Brougham. I see, of course,
his glaring defects. I know the mischief those defects are
calculated to do to himself and to everj^oue with whom he is
acting, but stiU I have worked with him for so manj^ j'ears,*
and have at different times hved on such intimate terms
with him that I must lament though I by no means censure,
his being thrown overboard, Avheii I fear there is no whale
ready to receive him, and after a limited time to replace him
on dry land.
" Dimcannon has tliree proxies of mine — they may be
entered in anybody's name Melbourne likes best.
" Yours most trulj%
" SPENCER."
During the interval which had elapsed since his
father's death. Lord Sjiencer had become still more
and more convinced of the necessity for the course
which he had taken. He noAv began to make ar
rangements for disposing of such parts of his pro
perty as could be sold to most advantage, especially
those in the neighbourhood of London, not even
retaining the beautiful park of Wimbledon. He
also submitted to a stUl greater sacrifice, by the ex
ercise of strict frugality in his expenditure. Thus
he broke up the establishment at Althorp, not only
hy dismissing a large number of useless dependents,
* In the very interesting sketch by Mr. Eoebuck, which wiU be
found in the Appendix to tbe first volume of bis " History of tbe
Whig Ministry of 1830," it will be seen bow cordial and tmited bad
been the co-operation of Lord Spencer witb Lord Brougbam, when in,
•Opposition during former times. — Editor.

542 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1835. but by utilising the park Avhich had long been a
•^'^- ^^- heavy expense. The deer Avere distributed among
his friends, and the garden Avas handed over^' to the
gardener, Avho had no difficulty in maintaining it by
the sale of the produce in the London market. Lord
Spencer being his customer whilst residing- at the
Hall, a luxury which he said he could afford for but
a few weeks in the year. Some rooms only were
reserved for his uso and that of his near relatives
at this time. Spencer House, so long the scene of
a refined and generous hospitality, Avas virtually
closed. Lord Spencer passed very little of his time
in London, and then gave no dinners. In these
necessary arrangements he derived great benefit
from the assistance of Mr. (now Sir John) Shaw
LefcA^re, Avho in early life had been Auditor to his
father, the late Lord Spencer, and who was deeply
impressed by the cheerfulness with which he made
these sacrifices. Indeed, Sir John has often ob
served to me, that he considered self-denial the
most remarkable feature in his character. He lived
principally at Wiseton, the one place to Avhich his
economy did not extend, for no expense was spared
in keeping up the farm and especially all that re
lated to the cattle, as he prided himself on main
taining the excellence of his shorthorns, and in
keeping pace with all the most important agricuh
tural improvements of the day. At no time, even
when ChanceUor of the Exchequer, did his interest
-* It was let to bim by Lord Spencer.— Lord Lyttelton.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 543:
in this part of his establishment materially languish. 1835-45.
One day Avhen Ave Avere talking together of the in- ^''- ^^-^^-
fluence of early acquired tastes on the mind AAdien
it seemed engrossed by objects of a more exciting
character, I mentioned the old story that the first
letter Sir Robert Walpole, at the time he Avas
Prime Minister, used to open on receiving the
morning's post Avas always the one from his Norfolk
gamekeeper. Lord Althorp smiled, and said that
he paid the letters from his baUiff at Wiseton the
same compliment. I recollect one Easter vacation
when he Avas utterly exhausted by fatigue in the
debates on the Reform Bill, and his physician had
prescribed his immediate departure to Nottingham
shire, I saw him just before he left town looking so
Avretchedly iU and depressed, that I called a fcAV
days after, anxious to learn what accounts had been
received of him ; his secretary. Lieutenant Drum
mond, Arith a smile, put into my hands the foUoAAdng
letter :
" Dear Drummond,
" I bore the journey weU, and aU-eadj- feel much
better. I am just returned from seeing the finest yearling
ox I ever saw in my life. "Yours trulj',
"ALTHORP."

He derived both pleasure and instruction from interest in
talking with the most intelligent of his farm people, pursuits at
An old shepherd at Althorp spoke of him to a andAVise-ton.

.544

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1835-45.
^.T. 53-fi3.

The Koysl
Agricul
tural Society.

friend of mine Avith enthusiasm. " Fcav persons,"
he said, "coidd compete with my Lord in knowledge
of sheep." He described him as often sitting on
the grass Avhile the Avhole flock passed along by
him, and he kncAV every sheep as well as "if he had
lived Avith them." I beUeve, however, that he ad
mitted the superiority of the fiock of his friend the
Duke of Richmond at GoodAvood, but the Duke, on
the other hand, yielded the palm to the bulls of
Wiseton.'"" He took an actiA^e part in conjunction Avith the
-*¦ Tbe interest wbich Lord Altborp took in farming, even at times
when his attention might be supposed to be wboUy engrossed by
pohtics, may be illustrated by an anecdote belonging to tbe time of
tbe Eefoi-m Bill. It must be premised tbat the disfranchisement of
boroughs was in the first Eeform Bill made to depend upon their
faUing short of a certain population. A suggestion having been made
that tho wealth of tbe boroughs ought also to be taken into account,
it was determined, in preparing the second Eeform Bill, tbat the ques
tion of disfranchisement should depend upon a joint ratio of the popu
lation of the borough and tbe amount of taxation paid by its inhabi
tants. The mode in wbich a list of boroughs should be arranged
with reference to this joint ratio, was referred to Lieutenant
Drummond, E.E., who was at the time Lord Althorp's private secre
tary, and was known as a man of high scientific attainment ; and the
system which he proposed and wbich was adopted by the Government,
was afterwards known as " Lieutenant Drummond's Scale."
It happened tbat, about the time of the hottest contests on tbe
Eeform Bill, Lord Altborp bad occasion to receive at his office in
Downing Street a deputation of Scotch members and others, amongst
whom was Mr. T. F. Kennedy, then M.P. for Ayr (now tbe Eight
Hon. T. F. Kennedy), wbo was an intimate friend of Lord Althorp,
and like bim much interested in agricultural pursuits. When the
•deputation was leaving the room on the conclusion of their business.
Lord Altborp called Mr. Kennedy back and said, " I want to teU you
what I bave been doing. I have been applying Drummond's Scale
to my sbeep ; " and he then produced a list of sheep carefully arranged
in order according to a calculation founded on tbe joint ratio of some
two quaUties of the animal which he considered of primary impor
tance. {Ex rel. Ml-. T. P. Kennedy.)— Lord Belter.

MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 545
Duke in originating the Royal Agricultural Society, 1835-45.
to whose Transactions he contributed several papers.

chiefly on his favourite subject of the breeding and The Royal.
care of cattle ; but he also sent one of a more mis- turai
. . T . . Society.
ceUaneous character, giving a descrijition of Holk
ham, and the improvement effected there during a
long series of years by his friend Lord Leicester,
which is both interesting and instructive.
The following letter was addressed to me by an
accomplished lady, Mrs. Geo. Butler, whose father,
Mr. Grey of Dilston, a A'ery well-known agricul
turist, was an old friend of Lord Spencer, and
shared his passion for the improvement of cattle,
and indeed for all matters connected Arith agricul
tural progress.
" SlE, " The letters I possess Avritten by Lord Spencer Con-espon-
to my father from 1820 to his death are almost entirely agricuitu-
agricultural, and wiU, I fear, be of httle use to you. They ^.^^ ^^^'
are characteristic as far as they go. I think I have about
forty or fifty which were put in a packet, and labeUed by
my father ' BuUs.' They contain minute accounts of the
merits of Hector, Duke, Rhadamanthus, Berwick, Flodden,
regrets that a son of Duke should have been born with a
spot on the left side of his nose, and that Flodden's pro
geny are not quite so straight in the back as their sire.
Another large packet is marked ' Sheep.' Other letters are
about agricultural implements, &c. A very few have post
scripts, short and pithy, about the gi-eat affairs- of the
nation. In 1832 he wrote to my father, ' If once I get out
of office they won't catch me again.' My father had a warm
affection for Lord Spencer, and I think it was reciprocated,
for it was scarcely possible not to love my father. They

546 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1835-45. used to laugh very much when they were together, and
Mt. 53-63. were like two boys in their eagerness about their pet buUs
and rams. But they had also a very much graver founda
tion of friendship. My father was a great agriculturist,
and from the beginning of this century he set himself to
the consideration of political economy, and especially of all
such subjects as bear upon land and agriculture, the Corn
Laws, the change in the Poor Laws, the Commutation of
Tithes, the payment of labour, and last, not least, the
general Reform of Parliament. My father Avas a free
trader from his earliest youth, and fought a long and
tedious battle with his brother fai-mers on tliis head. He
found in Lord Spencer's enlightened views on these sub
jects much ground for sjrmjDathy. It was not uninteresting
to me to see these two country gentlemen so steadUy going
in advance of the great body of country gentlemen gene
rally, and so heartily welcoming a better state of things
when it came, though the change to a better system might
be brought about by a statesman who, tUl the last, had
been adverse to the right iirinciple. I shall never forget
myfather's joy over Su- Robert Peel's conversion to free trade,
and the generous view he at all times held of his character.
" Lord Spencer's intercourse with Papa was chiefly vivd
voce at Wiseton or Milfield HaU (my father's place on the
border). They had a great correspondence about the
beginning of the Royal Agricultural Society, which I am
sorry to say is destroyed."
Phiiosopiji- In the beautiful dedication of his discourse on
Natural Theology to Lord Spencer, Lord Brougham
stated that Lord Spencer had not only devoted much
of his time to such inquiries, and was beyond most
men sensible of their importance, but had even
formed the design of giving to the world his
thoughts on the subject. I doubt whether Lord
Spencer had actually entertained the intention of

MEMOLR OF EAEL SPENCEE. 547
adding to the list of noble authors, but it is per- 1835-45.
fectly true that he did employ many of his leisure ^'^- ^^'^^-
hours in phUosophical inquiries. His correspon
dence Arith Lord Brougham on the subject Avould
fill a volume, and although in the present advanced
state of science it contains no novelties, it may be
regarded as an interesting proof of a cultivated and
weU-regulated mind. Yet his private character re
quires no evidence to show his belief in Revelation ; '"'
indeed among his letters are tAvo of great length,
and showing considerable reflection, Avhich, if space
allowed, I would gladly quote. Their subjects are
the Immateriality of the Soul, and the Inspiration
of the Bible. Lord Glenelg told me that he had
been much impressed by a prayer Avhich Lord
Spencer read in the famUy service at Althorj). It
was particularly appropriate to domestic servants, a
class which Lord Glenelg observed formed the lar
gest portion of the attendants at family prayer, and
yet were most overlooked in the composition of the
prayers. Lord Spencer admitted the prayer to liaA-e
been Avritten by himself under that impression.
Lord Spencer still kept up his correspondence Correspon-
• ,i f 1 • n -11 -1 1 • dence -with
Witn some ot his lormer colleagues, and among nis former coi-
papers are many letters from members of the late '^^^'^^'''
Cabinet. They mostly contain urgent entreaties to
return to political life, and are unanimous in ex
pressing how invaluable Avould be his assistance.
His letterst too from Lord Brougham are very
* See p. 1 of Fragment at commencement of tbis work. — Editoe.
t I have made the foUowing extracts from some of tbe many letters
N N 2

548 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1835-15. numerous ; many being on scientific subjects, and
^^- ^^"^^- others containing complamts of the treatment which
he had received on all sides. What his feeUngs
were may best be judged from some of the extracts
which will be found beloAv. In one of the earlier
ones the ex-Lord Chancellor writes :
"As for ofhce, I have done with it. To be Avorried for
years by the enemy, betrayed by the King, and then tried
like a culprit on absurd charges out of newspapers by the
pai-ty and coUeagues I have ruined my fortunes for, and
made myself a beggar for, is not suited to my book, I can
assure you."
" NoAv what I Avish to observe is this : If their plot to
destroy me had by accident failed, and onty ruined me, it is
no reason why such tricks and such spite may not ruin
another man — may ruin me another time. Ought I not to
expose them in justice ? Is it not my duty ? I Avait tUl
this Session is over, and the work done ; I also wait until
I show that I have in no one tittle let my private quarrel
interfere with my public dutj% ReaUy after all I have done
these seven months, no one can complain of me on that
score. I go on day after day defending them — their only
speaker. I never even have had one civil word from one
of them — not only not one acknowledgment in speeches,
while they loudly praise any man who makes even a decent
speech on the enemy's side. But I don't value their praise.
written at tbat period. No one could have regretted more than the
author of this Memoir tbe temporary estrangement whicb arose be
tween Lord Brougham and bis old colleagues ; in some cases, I fear,
never entirely removed ; but I am glad to say that tbe intimacy be
tween Lord Brougbam and my fatber was in later years renewed and
continued unimpaired tiU tbe very last. He has often expressed to me
bis sorrow, remembering tbe splendid services rendered to the party by
Lord Brougham, tbat such briUiant abibties and powerful eloquence
sho-uld, after so short a tenure of office, bave been lost to them for
ever. — Editob.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 549
Not only not one cheer (there they sit dumb, whUe I 1836-45.
am doing then- work, which they can't do themselves) ex- Mt. 53-63.
cept from HoUand, who cheers everybody, but what reaUy "
is inconvenient, and hurts them as much as me, they never
beforehand have even given me one hmt of what they meant
to do, though every clerk in the office knew it, and though
they could only do it through me and my friends."
In another letter Lord Brougham wrote :
" You ought to recollect (and indeed I think you do
generally, though every now and then 5'ou forget it) that
in your situation there is as much pubhc virtue and self-
denial, and as high a duty in preventing whatever may put
an end to the Government, as there is ui most other men
Ul sacrificing office and power.
" RecoUect that seats in the House of Commons or peer
ages and seats in the odious House Ave are both doomed
to, were not bestowed on us in order to write ' M.P.' after,
or 'Lord' before our names. They import and impose
duties. Lord Grey, to be sure, seems to think that aU
pohtics are only made to be an amusement or pastime
for 'grown-up gentlemen. AU old Whigs had a httle of
this; but, then, he is seventy-two, aud you are httle
above fifty.
"You say you are not suited to the House of Lords —
that they won't like you, &c., &c. Am I ? Ten thousand
times less. AU of them abhor me — I don't know which
side would give most to hear I Avas dead. I know the
Whigs have repaid thirty years' devotion, and the loss (for
the cause) of my seat, where I had power, by not only
throwiag me overboard the moment my back Avas turned,
but by consphing to assassinate my character in every foul
way men could dcAdse, when ')iot one of them had the manli
ness to tell me up to this hour what I had done to displease
them. All this I know — I know that I have been treated
as no one man since the Athenian Republic ever yet was

550 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1835-45. iised; and that the poor creatures I allude to not having
Mt. 53-63. courage to mm-der me outright, have been trying (weakly,
and in vain, I admit) to destroy mj;- force and influence in
the country — which has groAvn under these bitter attacks.
Now all this would have given me a good ground of de
claring off, and remaining at peace among mj^ books, where
I could have been happy, and also done service to mankind
in my favourite pursuits. Yet I did uot think I ivas at
liberty to do so."
Receives The quietudo of the retirement of Wiseton was
the Lord again disturbed when the offer of the Lord Lieu
tenancy of tenancy of Ireland, or the Governorship of Canada,
Ireland. ^^^ made to Lord Spencer in November, 1838, in
the letter which, with its ansAver, is here given. It
is difficult to imagine an office Avhere the duties
would have been more repugnant to a man of his
simple tastes, and no one could have felt this more
deeply than he did himself In Canada, on the
other hand, he believed, and very properly, that he
might be. of use ; and could he have been prevailed
upon to undertake the government of that Colony,
few can doubt that the experience he had acquired
during his leadership of the House of Commons,
in reconciling the conflicting elements which com
posed his own party in the first Reformed ParUa
ment, coupled with his genial manners and sincerity,
would have made his presence of extreme value.
But he considered that the duties he was dis
charging at honie, though not of course so ostenta
tious, were of some real use to himself and others.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 551
YISCOUNT MELBOUENE TO EAEL SPENCEE. 1835-45.
"South Steeet, November 2ith, 1838. •^^' ^^'^^-
" My dear Spencer,
" By my own sense of dut}', and the unanimous
mstance of my coUeagues, I am compelled, you will believe
most reluctantly, to make another representation to you
upon the state of pubhc affixirs, and the necessity of your
lending the country some assistance in some shape or
another. Great questions are going on both within aud
without, but they are going on weU and favourably, and I
do not beheve that ou the part of the bulk of the people
there is any disposition to distrust or be dissatisfied with
the Government. But we are put to the greatest difficulty
for want of men of sufficient talent and character to fiU the
high and arduous situations which are becoming vacant,
and to discharge their duties. It appears to be more pru
dent to leave the government of Canada for the iiresent, at
least, to Sir John Colborne, especially as there is appre
hension of renewed rebellion : but this is a state of things
which cannot last long. We must without much delay
determine upon a Civil GoA'ernor, to be sent out with the
same, or larger, powers than were given to Durham, and
with the same view, namely, that of estabhshing in those
provinces some form of government which will be satis
factory to the inhabitants, and likely to retain them in their
connection with Great Britain. AVhen I talked to you
upon this matter at Windsor you did not seem to be so
entirely averse from the undertaking as I had expected. I
admitted the justice of the grounds upon which you made
yoiu' decision ; but if you should be inclined to reconsider
it, I can only say that there is no appointment which, iu my
opinion, would afford so good a chance of extrication from
the embarrassments which surround us in that quarter of
the world. But if you still persevere in your determination,
I have some reason to think that Normanby would not be
unwilling to undertake it, and, in that case, should you be
inclined to think of Ireland ? Your doing so would relieve

552 MEMOIE OP EAEL SPENCEE.
1838. us from much perplexity, and it does not appear to me to
^^- ^^- lie liable to so many objections. It is not so distant. It
need not be so long. Your nomination would by its
authority put an end to claims which would otherwise be
both troublesome and mjurious. I do not press you upon
the score of duty, because I know that you put that motive
higher than I do. "BelicA^e me,
" My dear Spencer,
" Yours faithfuUy,
" MELBOURNE."

"Althoep, November 2'th, 1838.
"My dear Melbourne,
"With respect to the Lord Lieutenancy of Ire
land, my decision is very easy, for if I know anything of
my own character, either of its failings or of its merits,
and if I am at all rightly informed as to the feelmgs of
different parties respecting me, I am perfectly satisfied
that there is no man professing Liberal principles whose
position is such that he could be thought of for Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland, so unfit for that situation as myself.
In this case, therefore, I have no duties to balance against
one another, nor my private feehngs to balance against my
duties ; for if it Avas possible for me to be tempted to
undertake this office, I should be guilty of a gross breach
of public duty. But most undoubtedly I am not so tempted,
because there is no employment under the Crown which I
should dislike so much as having anything to do with the
Government of Ireland.
" With respect to Canada the case is difi'erent, for there,
I think, there is a balance of duty, and, as I told you at
Windsor, I very seriouslj'- considered what it was my duty
to do. I told you the result of that consideration, and
after-thoughts have not induced me to change my opinion.
To go without hoping to be successful, Avould of course be

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 553
absurd, and success Avould, as I told j^ou, involve the 1838-41.
necessity of my residence in Canada for so long a time, Mt. 56-59.
that at my age I must consider it banishment for life. I
should, therefore, by going, abandon every private duty
which I am now endeavouring to perform ; I should sacrifice
the probable hope of being able to do a less good, for the
very distant possibUity of doing a greater. I am quite
aware that we are aU of us inclined to overrate the im
portance of the pursuits in which we are engaged, and I
daresay, therefore, that I overrate the good I may be able
to do in my present pursuits ; but stUl I think I am doing
some good. Whatever this is, I must sacrifice it ; but
much beyond this, I must sacrifice every private duty as a
relation, as a neighbour, and as a country gentleman, which
I am now able to perform.
" I must, therefore, now decline to accept this more
foi-mal offer, as I did before the less formal one whicli
you made me before we met at Wmdsor. You appear
to thiuk what I said then was not quite decided, but it
was intended to be so, though, as I always should with
you, I told you partly the process by which I came to
the decision.
" My personal feelings to most, or, indeed, aU the mem
bers of your Ministry, make me regret very much refusing
to do anything you wish me to do, and I must admit that
if you are very angry with me, I ^shall have no right to
complam. I arrived here to-day, but I had got your letter
at Woodford last night, too late for me to answer.
" Y'^ours most trulj^, " SPENCER."
Although Lord Spencer refused to share the Moves the
honours of the Ministry, yet he proved himself a the opening
friend in their adversity. When the verdict of the tt^!"'""
country had been given against them in the general ^8«*.™
election of 1841, and they met Parliament in

554 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1841-43. August to find a powerful majority in opposition,
^'^- ^^'^^- confirming their loss in the public estimation. Lord
Spencer quitted his retirement to come forward as
their advocate, and move the address in answer to
the Queen's Speech at the opening of the Session.
After referring to the relations of Great Britaiii
with foreign powers. Lord Spencer passed on to the
financial policy of the Ministry.
" It was true," he said, " that the debt had mcreased,
but wealth had increased in greater proportion ; to aug
ment this stiU further was the aim of the Government,
who proposed not to increase, but to revise taxation, by
loAvering restrictive duties, and giving a freer course to the
extension of commerce."
" The principles of free trade were," he asserted, " uni
versaUy admitted in theory. Still it was objected that indi
vidual interests and pecuhar circumstances demanded iiro-
tection ; but the main pecuharity in the circumstances was
severe taxation, and the most effectual way of meeting the
taxation was to develop the national Avealth, leaving the
burden of the debt to fall more lightly on the extended
resources ofthe country."
Arguing, then, in detaU, that these principles
applied to the cases specially before them, to the
duties on timber, on sugar, and, above all, on corn,
he declared his conviction that opening the trade
Avould be of great advantage to every interest in the
nation. He confessed, however, his deep appre
hension of the delay likely to take place, " delay
Avill increase the agitation already at work on the
subject ; delay may drive capital abroad, and when
capital diminished in a country, the diminution went

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 555
rapidly on," but " the measures jiroposed by the 1843.
Grovernment," he felt " confident Avould ultimately j^^i.
prevail."* His speech may still be read Avith interest as
foreshadowing the course pursued a fcAV years after
wards by the leading statesmen on both sides. But
Lord Spencer took no further part in the struggle
in the House of Lords, contenting himself merely
Avith one or tAvo speeches at Northampton on the
same subject. In December, 1843, at a dinner Proposes
1 Hit . . p . ^^^ repeal
given to the Mayor on the expiration of his year of of the Com
office. Lord Spencer, towards the close of his
speech, after a slight sketch of the borough politics,
stated his conviction that the repeal of the Corn
Laws would not materially loAver the price of corn,
and also stated (vA^hat time has proved to be entirely
correct) that the doctrine of reciprocity was a fal
lacy, t Avell knoAving that it is no advantage for a
nation, by imposing large import duties, to shut out
its neighbours from the benefits of a cheap market
for their produce, merely because those countries
decline to reduce their import duties in return.
And although this speech, of which I give a few Sensation
-I • n • 1 r> • through-
paragraplis, is now Avell-nigh forgotten, it created out the
at the time a sensation almost without paraUel
throughout the whole country ; it was copied into
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third ser., v. bx., p. 16.
t I do not deny tbat Eooiprocity Treaties are sometimes useful, but
only for this reason — tbat tbe threat used towards another oounti-y
that we shall impose Protective Duties unless they lower their Import
Duties, has sometimes caused them to do so, when other arguments
would not have prevailed. — Editoe.

556 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1835-45. every newspaper, and was unquestionably the death-
^''- ^^'^^- note of the Corn LaAvs, being foUowed by an Ad
dress to his constituents in the form of a letter from
Lord J. RusseU strongly advocating the same line,
and ultimately by the measures taken in ParUament
by Sir R. Peel.
" I can only say generally with respect to free trade, that
neither of your worthy members are stronger advocates of
it than I am. The only time I addressed the House of
Lords on the subject, what I said was to the same effect.
I am anxious not to be misunderstood on this point. I am
a landed proprietor and an occupier of land ; and I have
no other means of subsistence. If I were to say that I
desired a repeal of the Corn Laws, believing at the same
time that it would destroy the landed interest, you might
say that I was a very honest man, but you would certainly
not say I Avas a wise one. But I beheve no such thing.
I quite agree with what Mr. Currie* has said. I beheve
that this is a question of the most essential importance
to the welfare of the empire at large. But I do not be
lieve that the repeal of the Corn Laws would tend mate
rially to lower the price of corn. I beUeve it would
raise wages and increase the employment of the people.
Thus, although it Avould not lower the price of corn, it
would bring increased means of buying it. I believe, too,
that it would be foUowed by a great mcrease in the price of
corn on the Continent, and the effect of this would be that
our manufacturers Avould be enabled better to compete with
the manufacturers of the Continent, t With respect to the
objection that foreigners will not take our manufactures in
exchange, if we have their corn they must be paid for it,
* Mr. Eaikes Currie, then member for Northampton, and many
years bead of tbe banking firm which bore his name. — ^Author.
t He told me "be thought it would smash foreign manufactures."
— Loud Lyttelton.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 557
and if they are to be paid for it, I only know of one way of 1835-45.
paying them, du-ectly or indirectly, and that is by the Mt. 53-63.
industry of the people. I set httle value on Reciprocity
Treaties. If we take from the foreigner corn, we must
pay for it with our manufactures, if not directl}', indhectty,
and the effect of such a trade must be to raise the con
tinental price of corn to om- level, not to reduce ours to
theirs."

He concluded by saying that they Avould Avell
understand why in declaring himself an advocate
for a total repeal of the Corn Laws he was anxious
not to be misunderstood. He should be sorry,
indeed, if such a change should involve the ruin of
those with Avhom he was now associated (the agri
culturists), but he had no such belief He believed,
on the contrary, that it Avould be for their benefit as
well as for the benefit of the country at large.
The moments during which Lord Spencer was Farming
persuaded to emerge from his retirement were, how
ever, very brief, and the real pursuit of these latter
years of his life, as has been already pointed out,
was the improvement of agriculture, where his ac
curacy of mind found full scope for its exercise in
keeping the pedigrees of his oxen and sheep in the
most minute way, working out the degrees of par
ticular crosses to the smaUest fraction.
The Wiseton farm, Avhere the high-bred short
horns were kept, was an annual loss on an average
of about S,000l. Indeed, he told a friend one
morning, when he had his bailiff's book in his hand,
that the year was the best he had ever known. He

558 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
1835-45. was asked what was the profit on the account. He
''^'- ^^-^^- said, " Profit ! ! Oh, I have only lost AOOl." The
Northamptonshire farm was often, and nearly al-
Avays latterly, a gain. The reason he used to con
sider was this, that at Wiseton it was necessary to
keep coAvs of high pedigree, though not profitable,
for breeding purposes. Whereas in Northampton
shire the grazing was managed chiefly with a viev/
to making it pay.
He also accepted the challenge of a celebrated
Sussex breeder, given at the Oxford Agricultural
Show, and carried off the judge's award for the best
hundred beasts ; and what he effected as President
of the Royal Agricultural Society may be studied
in many treatises bearing on this subject. It is,
however, curious to note, that notwithstanding his
great personal popularity, the feeling against Free
Trade Avas so bitter among the agricultural interest,
that a minority made efforts, happily inefiectual, to
select another president. Fortunately the good
sense of the majority triumphed over the opposition.
The experience of later days has shown how correct
Avere the prognostications about Free Trade formed
by Lord Spencer, and it may fairly be considered
one of the most signal instances of his abilities that,
although a farmer, and mainly dependent on his
rents, he threw himself heart and soul into the
movement Avhich, few in these days can be found to
deny, has conferred the most striking benefits upon
the community.
Only a year before his death. Lord Spencer gave

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 559
a proof of his chivalrous regard for old felloAV- 1835-45.
-workers amid the stirring scenes of earUer years. *r^^^53-63^
He was told in 1844 (when the Peel Ministry
seemed in some difficulties) by the Duke of Bed
ford, acting, as Avas supposed, by the advice of some
hio-h authority, to hold himself prepared to be sent
for by the Queen.* Her Majesty and the Prince
Consort had ahvays appreciated much of the good
in Lord Spencer's character, and he seems to have
been uo less impressed by the abilities of the Prince,
as, in 1842, in a letter to Lord Brougham, he
wrote —
"I do not believe Stockmar is going, and I hope he
is not. I am quite confident that the more influence
Albert has the better it will be. His judgment, temper,
and excellent principles render him invaluable about the
Queen. You are aware I have pretty good means of
information." i
Lord Spencer talked the matter over AAdth his
brother Frederick, saying, that of course it Avoukl
be his duty to attend the summons and submit his
advice to the Queen; but, he added, that his pro
position for a new Minisri-y could not be carried into
effect, as he felt that he was bound in honour to offer
the Chancellorship to Lord Brougham, if he chose to
accept it.
* My authority for this statement is a memorandum found among
the papers of his nephew (by marriage), thelate Hon. Eichard V/atson,
of Eookingham Castle, and communioated to myfather by theHon.
Mrs. Watson.— Editoe.
t This refers to his sister. Lady Lyttelton, at that time Governess
to the Eoyal children.— Loan Lyttelton.

560

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.

1845.
Mt. 63.
Lord Spencer's
speech on
the May
nooth Bill.

The last occasion on which Lord Spencer spoke
in the House of Lords Avas in June, 1845, when the
Maynooth CoUege (Ireland) BiU Avas read a second
time. He gave the BUl his strong support, and
although any account of those bygone struggles
must now be of Uttle interest, I cannot resist
quoting a fcAV sentences which might have been
applied, almost word for word, to the far greater
measure which four and twenty years later removed
an alien Church from the Irish people.

" This being the case, j'ou need not look to text writers,
or to the theses of Maynooth, to account for the dissatis
faction of the Roman Catholics. I hope this is not an
isolated measure. I hope and trust that you are prepared
to pm-sue a different pohcy towards Ireland ; and if you do
so, I trust you wiU not only confirm the union with Ire
land, but render that country, by a proper and steady system
of conciliation and hberahtj'^, the strength, instead of the
weakness of the Empire. The noble Earl who moved the
amendment, stated that the Protestant Church in Ireland
had not had fair play. I was surprised to hear that state
ment from the noble Earl ; but I entirely agree with him,
and think that Protestantism has not had fair play. You
have placed the Roman Catholics in an inferior position —
you have irritated and degraded them — they have a recol
lection of your severe penal code and persecution ; and when
you have done all this, you present them with Protestantism.
If anything is more hlcely than another to prevent the
adoption of a rehgious system, it is such a course as this.
My lords, I as a Protestant see that it would be hopeless to
attempt to convert the Roman Catholics of Ireland.
"I see a very large proportion of the population discon
tented and dissatisfied in consequence of rehgious distinctions,
which must necessarily tend to create anarchy and confusion

MEMOLB OF EAEL SPENCEE. 561
in Ireland. My lords, Presbyterian Scotland was in a 1845.
state of anarchy and confusion. You gave them a form of *t. g:?.
church government, and prosperity and tranquillity foUowed.
My lords, Cathohc Ireland is in the same state of confu
sion. You must do something at least for the Roman
Catholic religion if you want to produce similar results.
TaMng this measure as a first step in that direction, I shall
give it my cordial support." *
Lord Spencer's fondness for intricate calculations
of all kinds has been previously mentioned, and at
one time it very nearly made him go upon the turf,
as he thought he might, in the fluctuation of the
odds, have had much exercise in calculation, and he
attended accordingly a few meetings at Newmarket ;
but this was not a pursuit to occupy him for any
length of time, and his interest in racing soon
became confined to entertaining an annual party
at Wiseton for the Doncaster week. It Avas whilst
receiving some friends on one of these occasions,
in the autumn of 1845, that he Avas seized Arith
the iUness which so shortly afterwards had a fatal
termination. In the summer of 1843, two years before his Seized witii
death. Lord Spencer had observed to Mr. Spencer during the
Lyttelton,t " I shall do so and so next year, and R^^e^*^''
the foUoAring year something else " — adding quite
calmly, and without any appearance of alarm,
"And the next year I shall die." On questioning
him on that remarkable prediction, he only answered
* Hansard's Pari. Deb., Third ser., v. IxjkxI, p. 31.
t His nephew, tbe brother of Lord Lyttelton.

.562 MEMOLE OP EAEL SPENCEE.
1845. that he should not survive that year, and so it
-^^- ^^' proved. He had been out of health in 1843, but
though he recovered, he looked upon it as a " notice
to quit," as he said to his sister. Lady Lyttelton.
In the autumn of 1845 he Avas for the first time a
stcAvard of the Doncaster Races with Lord George
Bentinck, and in order to be at hand, if any
difficulty connected with this office should arise, he
took a lodging in the toAvn, instead of staying at
W^iseton. On the first day of the race meeting he
appeared in his usual good health, but on the second
(Wednesday) was seized with sudden indisposition ;
at the moment this did not cause decided appre
hension, nor did it prevent him from joining his
guests at dinner in the evening. Gradually, how
ever, the attack assumed a much more serious
aspect, and though he afterwards rallied sufficiently
to bear being moved to Wiseton, a rapid change for
the worse soon rendered his condition so alarming
that he gave up all hope of recovery. He directly
sent for his brother Frederick, who was out shooting
at the time, and prepared himself in the calmest
manner for death; he arranged with his brother
many important matters coimected with the latter's
succession, and asked him to read out his Arill to
him, which was done. When this was finished,
he insisted on his brother going to bed. During
the night Lord Spencer sent for his servant,
and said to him, "Give me that locket (one
containing his wife's hair), I promised her to die
with it on." He had previously desired to be buried

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 563
by her side with the utmost privacy. AAvare that is45.
the end was approaching, he said, " Dr. Hall, my ^•^- '^'^-
thoughts are noAV in another Avorld, but go and com
fort my poor brother. I haA'e passed a hap2iy life ;
I Avas sensible of my faults, I prayed for grace and
received it." Later he added, " Don't feel for me, I
am perfectly happy ; and the happiness I have en
joyed in this life makes me think that it aauU be
^ranted to me in the next."
His brother, AA'ho had again been sent for, re- His death.
mained with him until he breathed his last, towards
five o'clock in the morning of the 1st of October.'"'
I have permission to publish the foUoAving ver}^
interesting extract of a letter from Lord Spencer's
sister Lady Lyttelton, to her daughter, the Hon.
Caroline Lyttelton : — " Wiseton, October 3rd, 1845.
"  — AU is, however, well. My dearest brother
died as he had lived — in earnest piety and simplicity, and
with more than resignation. His Avas joy ! His simple
manhness of mind never left him. He read over his will
with Fritz, talking over every point, and explaining his
wishes, as ifit had been another's ; and Avhen all was done,
and he had conversed beautifuUj'^ with him, his countenance
took an expression of perfect peace, and with a smile on
his lips, he remained entirely placid, and death came like
a gentle sleep upon him, like that of a child. He said,
wliich makes the state of his feelings the more nice and
right, that he deeply felt his had besn '' indeed a happy hfe,'

* I am indebted to tbe Hon. Mrs. Watson and the Hon. Spelicer
byttelton for these details of Lord Spencer's last moments.— Editok,
0 0 2

564 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
and that he was now most happy : but that this did not
diminish the joy with which he obeyed the awful summons,
and accepted the call to heavenly peace. There is every
proof of his deep faith and humility which can be given ;
and what a consolation !  The poor servants look
most deeply grieved ; the house, with its many peculiarities
and characteristics, is most affecting ! Last Sunday, by my
brother's detaUed orders, Mr. Shepherd read in church
these words, ' Lord Spencer, having been delivered from
the danger of immediate death, requests his feUow
parishioners to join him in returning humble thanks to
Almighty God.' "
His death seemed to be caused by a total collapse
of physical power, as the symptoms of his illness
had not appeared to the doctors sufficiently severe
to account for such a sudden end. But it may,
perhaps, be explained by the fact that for many
years Lord Spencer, OAving to his great fear of gout
(an hereditary disease in his family), had practised
the severest abstinence as to food, which occasioned
very great depression both of mind and body. He
used to weigh his breakfast, and then, having eaten
the very small portion he allowed himself, rush half
famished from the room to escape further tempta
tion. Nothing but his great power of self-denial
could have enabled him to persevere in a mode
of life so trying, and in all probability really in
jurious. The opinion entertained of him by two of the
coUeagues who knew and valued him, is shown by a
few sentences they have written, in which every
line proves thorough appreciation of his qualities.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 565
and I cannot think these will fail to be of interest
to the reader if I insert them here before closing
the biography. The first was written to Lord
Spencer by Mr. Poulett Thomson, Avhen he had
expressed misgivings as to his capacity for dis
charging the duties of his office ; the other Avas
received by the author from Mr. EdAvard Ellice
some time after Lord Spencer's death.

HE ET. HON. C. POULETT THOMSON TO "VnSCT. ALTHOEP.
" You told me that you felt that you did not do the busi
ness of ChanceUor of the Exchequer satisfactorUy, and that
your work was done for j'ou by others to a degree that you
felt ought not to be the case.
" If the opinion of those for whom, and before whom you
work, the people in the House of Commons, be of any avail
to make you better satisfied, I can assm-e you that you
ought to be so, for I declare to you that in any conversa
tions that I have heard upon the subj,ect, the complaint has
always been that your coUeagues and youi- subordinates left
you a larger portion of work than ought to faU to your
share, instead of the reverse. This I most unhesitatingly
declare to be the opinion of every man in the House of
Commons whose sentiments I have ever had the oppor
tunity of knowing, and they are not a few  The
organization of the whole machine, the calculation of all its
probable results, the defence to the public of its working,
the decision of aU points of principle and their justification,
are, it seems to me, your duties, and aU this you do, and do
admirably, to the satisfaction of your friends, in spite of the
bitterest opposition, and of the immense labour which cir
cumstances have imposed upon you as leader of the House
of Commons, and as charged with the Reform BiU 
I can rely, not on my own opinion only, but on that of

566 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
all, whether in the House or in the counti-y, upon the
subject." THE ET. HON. EDWAED ELLICE TO THE AUTHOE.
" He was an exceUent illustration of the type of an Eng
lish country gentleman, gifted with strong common sense,
equal courage, firmness, and independence; incapable of
thinking or doing anythinginconsistent with the nicest sense
of truth and honour, with a most humble sense of his own
abUity, a large and philanthropic heart, and a total absence
of those aristocratic prejudices and habits and feelings which
create so much heart-burning in this country, and deprive
many other men of ' his order,' of the popularity which he
so largely enjoyed  He would himself have pre-
feiTed to be an independent member of Parhament. And
we all know the resistance he made to his nomination as
leader of the party, as weU as to Lord Grey, to undertake
office. He was only induced to become ChanceUor of the
Exchequer and leader of the Government in the House of
Commons, by Lord Grey's insisting upon it as a sine qud
non condition of his undertaking the Govemment. In office
he displayed eminently all the quaUties I have given him
credit for. He gained so completely the confidence of the
House and of the country by the display of them, that he
had no occasion for the showy talents and art of eloquence
and management by which other men have been enabled to
act thQ same .part, without the same success. Sir Robert
Peel in vain attempted to remove the impression made on
the House by his simple and unadorned, and always sensible
and forcible, matter-of-fact speeches and statements,* and
always complained that Lord Althorp had only to get up,
take off his hat, and shake his head, to satisfy the House
* One great source of tbe influence b6 exercised over bis hearers,
was tbe scrupulous fairness -with wbicb be stated bis opponent's case
heioie be attempted to answer it. I bave heard Sir Eobert Peel remark
on this. — Loan Beiieb.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 567
that the replies to them, however plausible they might ap
pear, were founded in a faUacy."

Lord Spencer's character has, I hope, been suffi- character.
ciently portrayed in the course of this Memoir to
make any lengthened comment unnecessary, but I
cannot close my task without for a moment calling
attention to some fcAv of the salient points by AA^hich
it was distinguished, even when viewed by the side
of the many gifted intellects with which he was
alhed in public life. His foresight and courage,
so tempered by sagacity that it is difficult to say
which quality predominated, shone out most brightly
by the force of circumstances, impelled as he was by
them into the leading position that he filled far
more than by his own ambition. He no doubt
owed something to the advantage of hereditary
rank; but on the other hand, it must in fairness
be remembered that the very fact of this distin
guished position laid him open to many temptations
in his earlier career, from which he would otherwise
have been exempt ; and it was no small token of
self-denial and tenacity of purpose that the desire
to gratify his parents made him the first in a
distinguished year at Trinity, when, owing to his
pririlege as a nobleman, he was deprived of the
additional incentive of a high place in the list of
honours. That he entered on his official duties with re
luctance, and resigned them with the keenest
satisfaction, is notorious. That Lord Grey declined

568 MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE.
to take office unless Lord Althorp led the House of
Commons, and that the King four years later dis
missed the Ministry when Lord Althorp left the
House of Commons, are matters of history,'"' and a
far stronger testimony than any remarks of mine
could be, to the skill, firmness, and command of
temper with which, throughout a period of violent
excitement and reckless agitation he there main
tained an undisputed sway.
During those years the flood of popular feeling
not only swept away many ancient abuses, but
carried measures, the principles of which have
become axioms of later statesmanship. With these
the name of Lord Althorp must for ever remain
identified ; and if history, while it records the extent
of his influence and force of character, owe aught of
the truth and fulness of its estimate to what has
been here written, this Memoir, the fruit of personal
and political intimacy, \rill have well attained its
end. He was appreciated alike amidst the busy
turmoil of Parliamentary conflicts, and in the quiet
retirement of country life ; whilst men of all parties.

¦* The intimate terms on which Lord Spencer lived witb the King
may be inferred from the following extract of a letter from Sir H.
Taylor :— " St. James's Palace, April 23rd, 1834.
" Tbe King bas receivedYiscount Althorp's report of Mr. O'ConneU's
introduction of bis motion for the repeal of the Union, and as His Ma
jesty does not take any interest in its success or that of any of his
undertakings, be rejoices to learn that his speech upon this occasion
was so bad and tiresome, although be may pity the sane portion of
bis audience."— Editoe.

MEMOIE OF EAEL SPENCEE. 569
however widely differing on other points, have
united in allowing to his Avortli a tribute of candid
admiration : Avhether in these pages too much has
been said, let any who have studied the annals of
those times determine.

APPENDIX

I.
EXTEACTS EEOM THB ALTHOEP CHASE BOOK.

IL
ADDEESS TO YISCOUNT ALTHOEP.

APPENDIX I.

EXTEACTS FEOM THE ALTHOEP CHASE BOOK.
SELECTED BT THE PEESENT EAEL SPENCEE FEOM THE VOLU.-VIES
PKESEEVED IN THE LIBEAEY AT ALTHOEP. November 30th, 1809.
We found a fox in Crick Ozier bed, and Avent away at the
best pace ; left Crick on the right, Yelvertoft on the left,
Yelvertoft field side close on the right, Elkington ou
the right, pointed to Stanford, turned to the right over
Hemploe HUls, left Stanford on the left, crossed the Avon
at North Kilworth mill, left the two Kilworths on the left,
Watton on the left, ran from scent to view, and kiUed him
near Bruntingthorpe, in one hour and twenty mmutes.
The first thirty-eight minutes of whicii was quite at the best
pace; it was afterwards very hard running, but not quite so
fast. On the whole, this was cei-tainly, by far, the best run
I ever sav/. Crazy, Prattle, Wonder, Artless, Coaster,
Crael, Outlaw, Bruiser, Boxer, Caroline, Cherish, Dealer,
Darling, Mawkish, Actor, Clincher, Candour, Flasher,
Flamer, Frantic, Mischief, Roguish, Benedick, Cottager,
Emperor, Roderick, and Troilus distinguished themselves.

March 16th, 1810.
Found several foxes in Stow Wood, and after running
these some time, the fox they were engaged Avith scratched
into the main earth. Found several foxes in Great Preston
Wood, after runmng twenty-five minutes in covert, we

574 APPENDIX.
came away through Preston viUage, through the Church
Wood, over Fawsley grounds to Fawsley House, where the
fox waited for us in the Spinnej"-, before the house ; went
away in view across the park, left Badbj' Wood on the left,
nearly to Newnham viUage, crossed the broolt at Newnham
mill, turned to the left over Badby field, crossed the Ban
bury road near the turnpike, left Staverton Wood on the
right to the plantation beyond the wood, almost without a
check ; we viewed him away from thence, he pointed first
towards Bragborough, turned to the left under Staverton,
crossed the Warwick road, over Newbold grounds, over
Shuckborough hUl, through the plantations, over Knapton
field, leaving Knapton on the right, crossed the navigation,
and killed him in Southam field; — one hour and fifty-eight
minutes from Preston Wood — one 'of the finest runs ever
seen. Hounds weU together. Lucifer, Lalage, Dealer,
Chider, Mawkish, Bruiser, Candour, Cataract, Donovan,
Demh-ep, Harmony, Hyale, HUlisberj^, Malaprop, Ragman,
distinguished themselves. Prattle was very forward the
latter part of it. A good holding scent from Staverton,
but not so fast as before, and till the last two miles, when
they set a running for him.

January 20th, 1812.
¦ We drew Clipstone Quantary without finding, but found
a fox in Hothorp HUls, and went away at the bottom over
-Marston field, up the hill, through Marston Wood, pointed
to Netherooat's Gorse, but tm-ned a httle to the left and
checked, and were brought to hunting, went on, left CUp-
stone on the left and hunted up to him in Tallyho, took a
turn there and went away again at the best pace, left Hasel-
beech on the left, over a corner of Naseby field, left TaUyho
on the right, over Kelmarsh Grounds, left Haselbeech close
on the right, Blueberries on the right, Berrydales on the
left, to Cottesbrook ; there we had a long check, but hit
him away again at slow hunting by Sk W. Langham's new

APPENDIX.
lodge, over the road between GuUsborough and HoUowell,
left Ravensthorpe on the right and began to run hard, left
East Haddon on the right, over Brington Hills, left Brock-
hall on the right and run the best pace over Flower field to
Flower, where we were again brought to a long check by
the fox shpping us among the buildings ; we hunted him on,
however, over the river and the canal and back again, but
lost him between Hejd'ord and Bugbrook, after running for
four hours and a quarter. As far as TaUyho was fifty
minutes ; as far as Cottesbrook one hom* and forty, and as
far as Flower, three hours and thirty-four. I neA^er saw
more distress among the horses. Outlaw, Caroline, Mawk
ish, Roguish, Reuben, AbigaU, Aniseed, Cataract, Cottager,
Leopold, Lalage, Legacy, Demirep, Hyale, Lydia, Promise,
Ragman, Senator, Warrener, Basihsk, Barbara, Corsican,
Capulet, Lazarus, Saladin, Coelia, Eleanor, Prophetess,
distinguished themselves.

575

APPENDIX II.

ADDEESS SIGNED BY TWO HUNDEED AND SIX MEMBEES
OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
London, llth July, 1834.
My Lord,
Convinced that at the present crisis the peace and
prosperity of the Empire would be promoted by j^our Lord
ship holding a distinguished place in His Majesty's
Councils, we beg to express our deep regret at yom- re
tirement. If His Majesty should be graciously pleased to desire a
continuation of yom- services, we beg to assure you that we
shaU be prepared to afford to your Lordship our best sup
port in carrying into eifect the reforms and improvements
so anxiously desired by the country, in accordance with
that liberal and enhghtened policy which secured to the
people the great and salutary measure of Parliamentary
Reform. We believe we shall fulfil our duty to our constituents,
and best promote the general interests and welfare of the
realm, by thus evincuig our confidence that your Lordship,
and those with whom you might aUy yourself, would act
upon constitutional and liberal principles in the administra
tion of public affairs.
We have the honour to remain,
Your Lordship's faithful servants,
To YiSCOUNT Althoep, M.P.

APPENDIX.

677

SIGNATUEES.

G. Byng.
P. Burdett.
G. Philips.
E. Grosvenor.
Beilby Thompson.
John Fenton.
J". Parrott.
Eobert Biddulph.
Henry Lytton Bulwer.
Ed. Lytton Bulwer.
Pryse Pryse.
Thos. S. Dunoombe.
Ed. Pendarves.
0. S. Lefe-n'e.
H. Lambton.
J. J. Guest.
Charles Fitzroy.
James Fitzroy.
Christ. Fitzsimon.
H. Davies.
G, J. Vernon.
Acheson.John Byng.
Molyneux.
E. Ayshford Sanford.
E. C. Ferguson.
Hanbury Tracy.
Charles Cavendish.
E. J. Stanley.
A. Bannerman.
W. Peter.
A. W. Beauolerk.
Charles Tennyson.
WiUiam Clay.
George Keppel.
Daniel O'Connell.
Maurice O'Connell.
Morgan O'Connell.
John O'Connell.
H. D. Goring.
James Oswald.
A. Marcus HiU.
J. H. Seale.
Lumley.Eobt. Ferguson.
John Storey Penleaze.
W. James.
H. Winston Barron.

James Grattan.
Francis A''incent.
B. L. Lester.
Cbarles Palmer.
Ed. Eomilly
W. Tayleur.
Paul Methuen.
D. Browne.
W. H. Ord.
John Ashley W^arre.
G. Evans.
C. T. Tower.
Jas. Stuart.
W. A. Ingilby.
E. Steuart.
J. H. Vivian.
Standish O'Gradj'.
F. M'Namara.
G. Standish Barry.
Frederic Paget.
WiUiam M'Namara.
Thos. Beaumont.
Morpeth.
WUliam Brougham.
Wm. Pitt Lennox.
Thomas Sheppard.
Bolton King.
Henry J. AVinnington.
E. M, Eolfe.
Waterpark. H. W. Tancred.
E. EtwaU.
Henry G. Moreton.
Augustus Moreton.
J. Maxwell.
Eicbd. Walker.
C. O'Callaghan.
H. V. Stalibrd Jerningbam.
A. Carew O'Dwyer.
George Anson.
E. T. Bainbridge.
J. Dunlop.
Montague Chapman.
G. F. Heneage.
E. Macleod.
W. W. Whitmore.
Thos. Eeid Kemp.
Eobert Heron.

578

APPENDIX.

Ed. Bolton Clive.
D. G. Hallyburton.
Chs. PbUlipps.
William Molesworth.
John EomiUy.
E. Watson.
G. Wm. Wood.
Charles O'Connell.
Wm. Pinney.
Kedgwin Hoskins.
Ebenezer Jacob.
Da-vid Eoche.
C. Fleming.
John Smith.
John Abel Smith.
C. J. Kemys Tynte.
Charles S. Barnett.
E. N. Shawe.
Dudley Coutts Stuart.
Charles J. F. EusseU.
G. TraiU.
J. Wedgwood.
C. Pelham.
Thos. Bewes.
E. Barnard.
Chas. Adam.
D. PleydeU Bouverie.
Edward Petre.
E. H. Gronow.
Geo. Grote.
C. K. K. Tynte.
Edward BuUei-.
0. F. Palmer.
W. H. Windham.
Ebrington.
W. F. Ponsonby.
T. F. Buxton.
EusseU. Henry Cavendish.
W. H. Whitbread.
John Parker-.
Ar. Atherley.
John Bonham Carter.
Mark Philips.
Joseph Brotherton.
Eobert Torrens.
Eawdon Briggs, jun.
E. Thicknesse.
John Wilks.
Edward Baines.
Eobert Wallace.
W. Gillon.
Charles Langdale.
J. S. Buckingham.

W. Salusbury Trelawny.
E. S. Cayley.
Geo. Cayley.
H. G. Ward.
Wm. Ewart.
Charles A. Walker.
J. H. Talbot.
Thomas Wallace.
J. H. Callender.
Thomas Martin.
J. EuddeU Todd.
J. S. Sebright.
Edw. WilUam?.
Charles Paget.
S. Majoribanks.
H. Warburton.
Craven Berkeley.
Grantley F. Berkeley.
Wynn EUis.
J. Brocklehurst.
Eobt. C. Dundas.
O'Conor Don.
A. W. Eobarts.
W. J. Denison.
Thomas Bewes.
John ColUer.
A. H. Lynch.
M. Charles Blunt.
T. Gisborne.
F. W. Mullins.
G. Poulett Sorope.
Edward Strutt.
J. Talbot.
Charles Buller, jun.
B. Hawes, jun.
PhUip H. Howard.
WiU. Hutt.
Eigby Wason.
T. Dundas.
John Gully.
Joseph Hume.
H. A. Aglionby.
J. H. Lloyd.
T. B. Lennard.
W. Crawford.
John Humpbery.
Clements. T. K. Staveley.
W^m. Blamire.
E. C. Lister.
CorneUus O'Callaghan.
T. E. Winnington.
George Pryme^.
George Sinclair.

INDEX.

Aeeeceomby, Eight Hon. James,
(after-wards Lord Dunfermline) bis
character of Lord Archibald Hamil
ton, 120 ; candidate for tbe Speaker
ship, 529 ; correspondence respect
ing, between Mi". Hume and Lord
Spencer, 530—532; elected Speaker,
536; aUuded to, 450 n., 455 n., 479.
Acklom, Mr., 148, 152.
 , Mrs., 149, 150, 169, 172.
Acland, Sir Thomas, 313.
Adam, Mr. WilHam, 296.
Adelaide, Queen, 434, 438.
Alien, Dr., Bishop of Ely, Private
Tutor at Cambridge to Lord Al
thorp, 73—77, 79 ; Lord Althorp's
letter to, 169.
Althorp, Viscount (afterwards (third)
Earl Spencer), bis birth, 29; goes
to Harrow, 32 ; companions at Har
row, 43—71 ; goes to Trinity College
Cambridge, 71 ; in the first class in
the CoUege examination, 77 ; is first
man of his year, 78 ; quits. Cam
bridge, 84 ; foreign travel, 85, 86 ;
member for Okehampton, 86; stands
for University of Cambridge and
is defeated, 86, 87 ; commissioner
for the Treasury, 88 ; returned for
St. Albans, 88; for Northampton
shire, 88; takes part in proceed
ings against tbe Duke of Tork, 98 ;
maiden speech, 101 — 103 ; joins tbe

Eadical section of tbe Whig partj"-,
110—112; political friends, 114—
123 ; speech against re-instatemont
of tbe Duke of Tork, 133 ; speech
against tbe leather duty, 136 ;
friendship -fldtb Mr. Brougbam, 137 ;
speech on Peace Preservation Bill,
138; athletic exercises, 139, 140;
love of hunting, 143 — 146; marriage
witb Miss Acklom, 149 ; residence
at Wiseton HaU, 155 — 161 ; moves
for committee on public affairs, 163 ;
opposes Ministerial measures, 1 65 ;
dUigence in attending tbe House,
166 ; grief for Lady Althorp's death,
168 ; seclusion at Wiseton, 168,
172; re-elected for Northampton
shire, 181; returns to ParUamen
tary duties, 182 ; Insolvent Debtors'
BiU, 182—186; removes to tho
Albany, 186; study of political
economy, 187 ; BUl for recovery of
smaU debts, 189—192; withdraws
Bill, 193 ; speech against Coercion
BiU, 198; committee on the Corn
Laws, 201; plan for Belief of tbe
Nation, 205; moves for committee
on the state of Heland, 212 ; ap
proves Mr. Huskisson's poUcy,
212; supports CoaUtion Ministry,
218 ; chairman of finance committee,
221 ; supports Cathohc Emancipa
tion BiU, 229 ; supports motion for
p p 2

580

INDEX.

reduction of taxation, 238 ; resists
attempts to depreciate the currency,
239, 240; becomes leader of the
Opposition, 245; returned for Nortb-
amptonsbire without a contest, 248 ;
County business, 249 ; chairman of
Quarter Sessions, 249 ; speech at the
meeting of Parbament in 1830,
254 ; takes office under Lord Grey
as Chancellor of tbe Exchequer aud
Leader of tbe House of Commons,
260 ; again returned for Northamp
tonshire without opposition, 265 ;
warmly received in tbe House, 265 ;
plan for settlement of Civil List,
270; the Budget, 272—284; aban
dons tbe transfer duties, 285 ; eager
ness for Parliamentary Eeform, 290 ;
prepares Eeform BiU, 291 — 294 ; in
fa-vour of the Ballot, 295 ; speaks on
the BUl, 300, 304; Dissolution of
ParUament on rejection of the Bill,
305 ; re-elected for Northampton
shire with Lord Milton, 318 ; speaks
on Second Eeform BiU, 322, 331;
takes management of it in tbe
Commons, 335 — 345 ; BiU passes,
345 ; speech at Eeform dinner at
Thatched House Tavern, 347 ;
speech iu Parliament on vote of
confidence in tbe Ministry, 356 —
360 ; letterto chairman of Birming
ham Political Union, 362 ; tbe Game
Act, 363 ; letter to Lord Grey re
specting a creation of peers, 370 ;
speaks on Third Eeform BiU, 380 ;
committal of the Bill, 387, 388 ; bis
labours in committee, 387, 388, 393
— 399 ; second letter to Lord Grey
urging a creation of peers, 403 — 406 ;
resigns with Lord Grey, 421,423;
returns to ofBoe, 435 ; Bill passed,
430 ; successfully resists motion
against payment of interest on
Eussian Dutch Loan, 440 ; the

Budget, 441 ; intimacy witb Sir
James Graham and tbe Duke of
Eichmond, 444; view of Irish
afi'airs, 447 ; supports election of
Mr. Manners Sutton to tbe Speaker
ship, 450; speech on Irish Church
BiU, 453 ; speech on BiU for aboU
tion of naval and military sinecui'es,
457 ; speech against depreciation of
tbe currency, 459 ; the Budget,
459—464 ; tbe Bank Charter, 468,
469 ; in favour of Negro Emanci
pation, 470 ; bis last Budget, 480,
481 ; introduces Poor Law Bill,
484 ; changes in the Cabinet, 487,
489, 490; Tithe BiU, 493; con
versation respecting Coercion Bill
witb Mr. Littleton, 495 ; is against
clauses prohibiting public meetings,
495—498 ; letter respecting them
to Lord Grey, 498 ; letter to Mr.
Littleton, 503 ; statements in Par
liament, 504, 509 ; resignation, 507 ;
letter to, from tbe Lord Chancellor,
510; reply, 511; receives address
from Liberal members, 516 ; re
sumes office under Lord Mel
bourne, 518 ; carries Coercion Bill,
519; succeeds to tbe Earldom, 522,
523 ; letters from Whig statesmen,
522—526. (See Spencer, third Earl.)
Althorp, Viscountess, marriage, 148 ;
character of 149 — 152 ; ber life at
Wiseton, 155 — 160 ; ber confine
ment and death, 168.
Althorp, 14 ; description of, 15 n. ;
Ubrary at, 15 ; hospitaUty at, 142.
Anglesey, Marquis of, his Irish ap
pointments, 262 ; opposition to Mr.
O'ConneU, 287.
Attwood, Mr., cbahman of Bhming-
ham Union, 362 ; receives communi
cation from Lord Althorp, 368 ; mo
tion for depreciation of the currency
defeated, 459.

INDEX

581

Auckland, Lord (afterwards Earl of
Auckland), President of tbe Board
of Trade, 263 n., 264 ; at tbe Man
sion House, 328 ; First Lord of the
Admiralty, 488.
Bankes, 'Mi., motion of, during the
Duke of York's trial, 97—99, 106—
108 ; defeated in Dorset, 313.
Baring, Eight Hon. Alexander (after-
¦ffards Lord Ashburton), President of
the Board of Trade, 263 n. ; consulted
respecting payment of interest on
Eussian Dutch Loan by Lord Al
thorp, 391 ; speech on the franchise,
395; speech on Lord Ebrington's
Address, 427, 428 ; opposes payment
of interest on Loan, 440 ; aUuded to,
239 «., 431.
Bariug, Eight Hon. Sh Francis
(afterwards Lord Nortbbrook), nomi
nated to a seat at the Treasury, 264 ;
hia opinion of Lord Altborp, 301 ;
conversation on Eeform BUl with
Lord Althorp, 415 — 417; Secretary
of the Treasury, 490.
Barnes, Mr., 484.
Bathiust, Earl, 207 «., 214 9!., 228 «.
Bathurst, Eight Hon. Cbarles, 108,
109.
Bessborough, Earl of. (See Dun
cannon).
Birmingham Political Union, 251 ;
pass vote of thanks to Lord Althorp
aud Lord John EusseU, 361 ; dic
tatorial tone of, 361 ; meeting of,
367 ; respect for Lord Altborp, 368.
Blomfield, Dr., Bishop of London,
receives preferment from Lord
Spencer, 18 ; expectations regarding
Eeform BiU, 373.
Bolingbroke, Viscount, 379 n.
Bonme, Eight Hon. Sturges, 384.
Bromley, Dr., 32.
Brooks's Club, meetmgs at, 422, 429.

Brougbam, Mr. Henry (afterwards
Lord Brougham), bis opinion of
Lord Spencer, 17 ; of Lady Spencer,
20; at Spencer House, 21; -with •
Lord Essex, 27; appoints Sir Charles
Pepys Master of the EoUs, 62 ;
adherence to technical rules of
evidence, 96 ; bis opinion of Mr.
Whitbread, 115; moves rejection of
leather duty, 135, 136 ; friendship
with LordAltborp, 137, 138; speech
in favour of committee on public
afiau's, 164 ; originates plan of Coali
tion Ministry, 214—218 ; Mr. Can
ning's jealousy of, 218 ; admhed
by the Tories, 230 n. ; reproaches
Mr. Hume, 236 ; is against Income
Tax, 239 ; aversion of Whigs to,
245, 247 ; accepts Lord Altborp
- as Whig Leader,j^246 ; speech against
Su- Edward Sugden", 248 ; returned
for Yorkshire, 252 ; gives notice of
a Eeform Bill, 254, 255, 257 n. ; re
jects ofier of Attorney-Generalship,
261 ; receives the Great Seal, 261 ;
popularity -with tbe public, 262 n.,
353, 448 n. ; his principal Secretary,
268 n. ; bis view on pensions, 272 ;
against transfer duty, 21 on.; Chan
cery Eeform, 288, 289 ji. ; his views
on the franchise, 295 ; fears regard
ing Eeform BiU, 298 ; praise of Lord
Althorp, 301 ; irritates tbe Tories,
306 ; Cabinet dinner, 309, 310 ji. ;
attacked in the Lords, 322 ; affronted
at tbe Mansion House, 329 ; remon
strates witb Lord Milton, 342 ; able
speech on Eeform, 350—352 ; bis
opinion of Lord Lyndhurst, 351 n. ;
Bankruptcy Act, 363 ; sanguine
about Eeform, 384; illness of, 385,
393 ; in favour of a creation of peers, •
369, 403 ; interview witb leading
Eadicals, 420 ; vainly pressed by tbe
King to remain in office -with tbe

58-2

INDEX.

Tories, 423 ; Appropriation clause,
471 ; originates Poor Law Bill,
483; able management of BiU,
484, 485 ; Irish Church Commission,
487; opposes Lord Auckland's ap
pointment, 488; dififers from Lord
Althorp on Coercion Bill, 496;
letter to Lord Althorp respecting
Mr. Littleton, 504 ; expresses vexa
tion at Lord Althorp's resignation,
510; replied to, 511; persuades the
King to make Lord Melbourne Pre
mier, 518 ; speeches in Scotland, 521 ;
letter to Lord Altborp on dismissal
of Ministry, 525 ; annoyance of,
526 ; correspondence witb Lord
Althorp, 548 — 550; allusions to, 88,
92, 112 n., 165, 195 m., 228 n., 233,
234 Jl,, 346, 369, 435, 534, 540, 559.
Brougbam, Mr. William (afterwards
(second) Lord Brougham), 472.
Brownlow, Eight Hon. Charles (after
wards Lord Lurgan), 398.
Brydges, Sir John, 333.
Buller, Mr. Charles, 493.
Bulwer, Eight Hon. Sir Edward Lytton
(afterwards Lord Lytton), 398.
Burdett, Sir Francis, political views
of, 99 ; democratic opinions of, 114,
120—122 ; case of Gale Jones, 129 ;
speech of, at Brooks's, 216; presides
at the Eeform dinner, 346, 347 n. ;
bead of iDoUtical union in London,
366; seconds nomination of Mi-.
Manners Sutton to the Speakership,
450; alluded to, 307)7.
Burke, Eight Hon. Edmund, 21, 119,
177, 277.
Byron, Lord, 43, 117, 140, 157.

Calceaft, Mr., 303, 313.
CampbeU, Et. Hon. Sir John (after
wards Lord Campbell), 62, 384.
Canning, Eight Hon. George, 119;

bis poUcy, 207, 208 ; Lord Althorp's
aversion to, 209, 222 ; Premier, 214 ;
joined by the Whigs, 216, 259 ; his
opinion of Mr. Brougham, 217, 218;
promises finance committee, 221 ;
death of, 223 ; liberal views of, 228 ;
allusions to, 16, 45, 122, 125, 210,
211, 212, 229, 231, 236, 379.
Canning, Eev. WiUiam, 217.
Carington, Lord, 433.
Carnarvon, Earl of, 48, 349.
Caroline, Queen, 199, 200.
Carter, Mr. John Bonham, 248 ; re
mark on Lord Althorp, 39J ; con
sulted by Lord Althorp, 518 ; allu
sions to, 393, 456.
Cartwrigbt, Mr., defeated by Lord Al
thorp in Northamptonshire, 317;
bostUe to Eeform BiU, 328.
Castlereagh, Viscount (afterwards
Marquis of Londonderry), bis policy,
1 64 ; member of committee on Corn
Laws, 203—205; death of, .206;
allusions to, 207, 209.
Catholic Emancipation, Lord Al
thorp's zeal for, 139; Mr. Canning's
policy respecting, 210, 214; agreed
to be left in abeyance by CoaUtion
Ministry, 214 ; brought forward by
Sir Eobert Peel, 229, 354; conse
quent distrust of tho Tory leaders
by their party, 252, 318, 379 n.
Cavendish, Lord George, 215.
Cbadwick, Mr., 483 n.
Chancery Eeform, undertaken by Lord
Brougham, 288, 289 j!.
Chandos clause, the, 339.
Civil List, tbe, motion of Sir Henry
ParneU on, 256 ; Lord Althoi-p's
plan for settlement of, 270.
Clarke, Mrs., 96, 104, 106.
CUve, Viscount (afterwards Earl of
Powis), 381 n.
Clive, Hon. Eobert, 381 ii.
Coalition Ministry, 210; originated hy

INDEX.

583

Mr. Brougbam, i214, 217; under
Mr. Canning, 214 ; under Lord
Goderich, 221,224; close of, 227;
allusion to, 179. (See Canning).
Cobbett, Mr. WiUiam, 328, 450.
Cochrane, Sir Alexander, 154.
Cockburn, Lord (of Session), 272.
Corn Laws, tbe, committee on, 201 —
204; Lord Altborp in favour of
their repeal, 554 — 557.
Courtenay, Mr. (afterwai-ds Earl of
Devon), 184, 285, 436.
Coventry, Earl of, 414.
Co-wper, Earl, 327.
Croker, Eight Hon. John Wilson, op
poses the Eeform BUl, 335, 383,
387 ; speech answered by Lord Al
thorp, 400.
Cumberland, H.E.H. the Duke of,
456.
Currie, Mr. Eaikes, 556.

Dashwood, Eight Hon. Sir Francis,
80.
Davenport, Mr. Edward, 224.
Da-ffson, Eight Hon. George Eobert,
243, 324 J2., 381.
De Mauley, Lord, 53.
Denison, Eight Hon. John Evelyn
(afterwards Viscount Ossington),
140, 229)?.
Denman, Et. Hon. Sh Thomas (after
wards Lord Denman), 27, 329, 350.
Dover, Lord, 48, 427, 434.
Drummond, Lieutenant, E.E., 539 n,
540 n, 543, 514 ».
Drury, Dr., 32, 43.
Duncannon, Viscount (afterwards
Bai-1 of Bessborough), at Harrow
with Lord Althorp, 46; official Ufe
of, 47 — 53 ; member of Eeform
Committee, 292 n. ; aUuded to, 303,
391, 392, 425, 475.
Dundas, Sir David, 131.

Dunfermbne, Lord. (See Abercromby.)
Durham, Earl of, one of Eeform Com
mittee, 292 ; in favour of a creation
of peers, 369, 403; attack on Lord
Grey, 374; alluded to, 295, 368,
551.
Ebeington, Viscount (afterwards Earl
Fortescue), friendship witb Lord Al
tborp, 110 ; praise of Lord Althorp,
313 ; moves vote of confidence in
Whig Ministry, 353 ; moves address
to tbe Crown on tbe state of public
affairs, 426 ; question respecting
Duke of WelUngton, 430; consulted
by Lord Althorp, 518.
Eldon, Earl of, energy of, 90 ; opposes
Insolvent Debtors' BUl, 185 ; not
bostUe to Eeform, 252 ; alluded to,
63, 66, 224, 289 n.
Ellenborough, Earl of, 88 ; opposes
Local Courts BiU, 192 ; hostile to
CoaUtion Jilinistry, 219.
EUice, Eight Hon. Edward, 48 ; exer
tions in tbe Whig interest, 303, 319 ;
the Whig whipper-in, 392 ; Secre
tary of tbe Treasury, 489 ; referred
to by LordAltborp, 506; panegyric
on Lord Althorp, 566; alluded) to,
48, 391, 425, 470, 491.
EUiott, Mr. ^Y., 109, 134.
EUison, Mr., 70.
Essex, Earl of, friendship -with Lord
Spencer, 21 ; at the French Court,
25, 26 ; writes to Lord Spencer on
tbe retirement of Lord Grey, 517.
Euston, Earl of (afterwards Duke of
Grafton), 442.
Evans, Colonel De Lacy^ (afterwards
General Sir De Lacy Evans), 465.
FiTZPATEiCK, General, supports Duke
of York, 108.
Folkestone, Viscount (afterwards Earl
of Eadnor), joins in proceedings

584

INDEX.

against the Duke of York, 98, 100,
106, 107, 109 ; friendship witb Lord
Althorp, 114 ; character of, 118, 119 ;
brings forward motion for committee
of inquiry, 124, 125, 127 ; speaks on
the Spanish question, 211.
Fox, Eight Hon. Charles James, xvii,
21, 23, 24, 111, 112, 116, 127, 177,
179, 352,

Gaeeow, Et. Hon. ShW., 183, 190, 192.
Gascoigne, General, 304, 321.
George IV., 130; accession of, 199;
pohtical opimons of, 217 m.; death,
246 ; alluded to, 27, 200, 227.
Gibbon, Mr. Edward, 18, 19.
Gladstone, Eight Hon. W. E., 295?}.,
471.
Goderich, Viscount (afterwards Earl of
Eipon), 221,224,225,227,470. (See
Eobinson.)
Gordon, Mr. Eobert, success of, in
House of Commons, 242; dissatis
faction of, 271.
Gordon, Hon. Wm., 332, 334.
Goulburn, Eight Hon.- Henry, 229 ;
opposition to Lord Althorp's Budget,
280, 281, 282; financial views of,
286 ; reply to Lord Ebrington, 356 ;
aUuded to, 232 n., 389.
Graham, Eight Hon. Sir James,
speaks on reduction of salaries, 235 ;
opposes the Tories, 241, 242; at
tachment to LordAltborp, 246, 293 ;
financial -views of, 274 ; joins in pre
paring Eeform BUl, 292 ; in favour
of a creation of peers, 370, 371 ; suc
cess in agriculture, 444 ; consents to
abandon Appropriation clause, 471 ;
secedes from Lord Grey's Ministry,
488 ; allusions to, 245, 280, 321, 369,
392, 416, 443 n., 451, 455, 463.
Grant, Eight Hon. Charles (afterwards
Lord Glenelg), defends Lord Al

thorp's Budget, 283; East India
Company's Charter, 467, 468 ; con
sulted by Lord Altborp, 506; aUuded
to, 247 m., 547.
Gregson, Mr., 325 n.
GrenviUe, Lord, 14, 24, 91, 349.
GrenvUle, Eight Hon. Thomas, friend
ship -vrith Lord Spencer, 20 ; sketch
of his life, 21-25.
GreviUe, Mr. Charles, 377 ii.
Grey, Earl, adheres to Lord Gren-
¦rille, 91 ; not hostile to Duke of
York, 93; remark on Mr. Whit
bread, 117; [opposes suspension of
Habeas CorpusJAct, 164; attacks
Coalition Ministry, 219 ; speech on
Eeform, 253 ; Premier, 259 ; bis
appointments, 260—264,271 j?. ;
Lord Althorp's letter to, 267 ; speech
on taking office, 269; Lord Al
thorp's co-operation with in Ee
form BiU, 290—294 ; disUke of the
Ballot, 295; speeches on Eeform
Bill, 350; admiration of Lord
Brougham's speech on Eeform, 352 ;
indignation at language of poUtical
unions, 368, 376; Lord Althorp's
letter to, respecting a creation of
peers, 370, 371; bent on passing
Eeform Bill, 372; modifies dis
franchisement clauses, 373 ; at
tacked by Lord Durham, 375 ; in
terview witb Lords Harrowby and
Wharncliffe, 377 ; view regarding
new peers, 374, 385, 386 ; mortified
by division on Eussian Dutch Loan,
392 ; speaks on the Tithe question,
397 ; offers Lord Althorp a peerage,
401 ; urged by Lord Althorp to
create peers, 403—406; reply, 407 —
413 ; speeches on Eeform, 414, 417,
418 ; detei-mines to resign, 419 ; note
to Lord Brougham, 423n.; is recaUed,
434, 435 ; entreats Lord Altborp
not to relinquish office, 445, 446;

LNDEX.

585

Mr. Stanley's infiuence witb, 452;
annoyance at Ministerial defeat on
the Malt duty, 462 ; agrees to Negro
Emancipation, 470 ; gives ujj Appro
priation clause, 471 ; indifference to
ofBce, 476 ; reconstructs tbe Minis
try, 489, 490; letters from Lord
Wellesley to, on Coercion BUl, 494
refuses to make any concession, 496
letter to Lord Althorp from, 498
carries his point in the Cabinet,
499; disavows knowledge of com
munication -with Mr. O'Connell, 501;
refuses Mr. Littleton's resignation,
504 ; receives Lord Althorp's resig
nation, 505 ; vainly urges Lord Al
thorp to remain, 507 ; letter to Mr.
Littleton, 509 ; resigns, 509 ; refer
ence to, by Lord Essex, 517 ; urges
Lord Althorp to return to office,
518; mention of, by Lord Brougham,
549 ; aUusions to, 27, 326, 329, 354,
377, 378 Jl., 473, 5.34, 567.
Grey, Mr. (of Dilston), 545.
Grote, Ml-. George, 484.
Gurney, Mr. Hudson, 299.

Habeas Coepus Act, suspension of,
opposed by Lord Althorp, 165.
Halford, Sir Henry, 145, 323.
Hamilton, Lord Archibald, joins in
proceedings against the Duke of
York, 98 ; intercourse witb Lord Al
thorp, 114; character of, 119, 120;
supports Lord Folkestone's motion of
enquiry, 125 ; moves for restoration
of Queen's name in tho Liturgy,
200.
Hardinge, Eight Hon. Sir Henry
(afterwards Lord Hardinge), liberal
predilections of, 230; opinion against
Eeform BUI, 299; praise of Lord
Althorp, 400 ; remark to Lord Al
thorp, 430 ; aUuded to, 431.

Harewood, Earl of, 417.
Harrow, Lord Althorp at, 32 —35 ; his
letters from, 36 — 42 ; his com
panions at, 43 — 70.
Harrowby, Earl of, 45, 377, 404, 414,
417.
Harvey, Mr. Whittle, 458.
Herries, Eight Hon. John Charles,
221, 439.
HiU, Mr. M. D., 432.
Hobhouse, Eight Hon. Sir John Cam
(afterwards Lord Broughton), 271ji.,
465, 466 Ji.
Hodges, Mr., 32, 485.
Holland, Lord, in Mr. Canning's
Cabinet, 216 ; consulted by Lord
Grey, 259, 263 ; admires Lord
Brougham's speech, 352 ; consents
to give up Appropriation clause,
471; urges Lord Altboi-p to return
to political life, 533 ; replied to, 534 ;
alluded to, 27, 210, 472, 549.
Holland, Lady, 22, 486.
Holmes, Mr., 48, 393, 473.
Horne, Sir WUliam, 61.
Horner, Mr., 21, 88.
Howard, Hon. WilUam, 98, 108.
Howick, Viscount (afterwards Earl
Grey), 233, 234 n., 252, 282, 537.
Hume, Mr. Joseph, moves Eesolution
for reduction of public establish
ments, 235 ; esteem for Lord Al
tborp, 240 ; returned for Middlesex,
252 ; supports the Chandos clause,
339 ; long speech of, 342 ; protests
against a Tory Eeform BiU, 429;
proposes Mr. Littleton as Speaker,
450 ; diminished influence of, 454 ;
motion for aboUtion of naval and
military sinecures, 457, 458 ; dis
satisfied witb the Budget, 460 ; urges
Lord Spencer (Viscount Althorp) to
return to politics, 530 ; replied to,
531 ; allusions to, 242, 255.
Hunt, Mr. Henry, 196, 396.

586

INDEX,

Huskisson, Eight Hon. William,
Liberal views of, 202—204; in the
Cabinet, 208 ; supported by Lord
Althorp, 212; makes Lord Altborp
chairman of finance committee,
221; speech on depreciation of tbe
currency, 240; ill-health of, 273 n. ;
allusions to, 228 n,, 234 n., 237, 277.

IxcoME Tax, Lord Althorp in favour
of, 238, 273 ; Mr. Brougbam against,
239 ; bad been imposed by Mr.
Pitt, 277, 283.
Ingilby, Sir WiUiam, 461.
IngUs, Eight Hon. Sir Eobert, 299,
300, 310 Ji., 432.
Insolvent Debtors' Bill, brought for
ward by Lord Althorp, 182, 186;
carried, 184 ; thrown out in House
of Lords, 185 ; adopted, 185.
Ireland, discontent in, 287, 288, 445,
451.
Irish Church, motion against, 487 ;
adjourned debate on, 488 ; commis
sion on, 491 ; Appropriation ques
tion fatal to Sir Eobert Peel's Go
vernment, 537.
Iiisb Church Bill, brought forward by
Lord Althorp, 453; success of tbe
Bill, 454 ; Appropriation clause
struck out in committee, 471 ;
second reading carried in House of
Lords, 475.
Irish Coercion BiU, first reading of,
455 ; passed witb modifications,
475 ; difference of opinion in the
Cabinet respecting, 497 ; is read the
first time in House of Lords, 500 ;
carried, 519.
(See Littleton and Althorp.)

Jefpeey, Eight Hon. Francis (after
wards Lord (of Session) Jeffrey), ad-

mu-ation for Lord Althorp, 272 ;
interview with Lord Althorp, 421 ;
takes charge of Scotch Eeform BiU,
437.
Jenkinson, Hon. Eobert Banks (after
wards Earl of Liverpool), maiden
speech of, 177,178. (See Liverpool.)
Jenner, Sir Herbert, 390.
Jones, Mr. Gale, 128, 129.
 , Sir William, xix. n., 1, 6, 7.
 , Lady, xvui., xix.ji.
Joy, Mr. HaU, 224.

Kennedy, Eight Hon. T. F., 544 ji.
Kent, H.E.H. the Duchess of, 253.
Key, Sir John, 462.
KnatchbuU, Eight Hon. Su- Edward,
261.
Knightley, Sir Charles, 143, 144, 328,
443.
Knighton, Sir WiUiam, 200, 217 ;!.

Laboucheee, Eight Hon. Henry
(afterwards Lord Taunton), bis opi
nion of Lord Bessborough, 52 ; in
communication with Sir George
Murray, 229 ¦n., 232 ; bis praise of
Lord Althorp, 343.
Langham, Sir William, 88.
Lansdo-wne, Marquis of, enters Mr.
Canning's Cabinet, 216; consulted
by Lord Grey, 259, 263, 264;
differs from Lord Grey respecting a
creation of peers, 385, 403 ; from
Lord Altborp, 403 ; disapproves of
Ministerial appointments, 488 ; allu
sions to, 27, 99, 108, 224, 226, 275 n.,
335, 386. (See Petty.)
Lascelles, Hon. E., 89.
Lawley, Sir Francis, 244.
Leach, Eight Hon. Sir John, Ij2, 93,
425.
Lefevre, Mr. Shaw, 108.

INDEX.

587

Lefevre, Sir John Shaw, 542.
Leicester, Earl of, 545.
Le Marchant, Sir Denis, principal
Secretary to the Lord Chancellor,
268; notes of, 309 n,, 310 ji. ;
alluded to, 382 «., 476 n., 548 n.
Leslie, Hon. Henry (afterwards Sh-
Henry LesUe), 70.
Letters from Lord Altborp to Lord
Spencer, from Harrow, 36 — 42 ; on
the Duke of York's trial, 106—109 ;
on Lord Folkestone's motion, 125;
respecting Coalition Ministry, 222
—227 ; on the state of pubhc affairs,
231, 288,323—330; dm-ing progress
cf Eeform BiU, 337,340, 344, 354,
335, 374; respecting Hisb Church
BiU, 473.
Littleton, Eight Hon. Edward (after-
wai'ds Lord Hatherton), commends
Lord Althorp's management of Insol
vent Debtors' BUl, 184 ; proposed as
Speaker by Mr. Hume, 450 ; writes
to Lord Wellesley respecting Irish
Coercion BiU, 494; interview witb
Mr. O'ConneU, 496 ; speech of, 501 ;
tenders his resignation, 502; resigna
tion not accepted, 504 ; defended by
Lord Althorp, 504; bis speech al
luded to by Lord Altborp, 506 ; pro
tests against Lord Althorp's resigna
tion, 507, 508; statement in Parlia
ment respecting bim by Lord
Althorp, 509; returns to office
under Lord Melbourne, 518. (See
Iiish Coercion Bill.)
Liverpool, Earl of, declining health
of, 207; death of, 213; aUuded to,
194, 208 n., 209, 228. (See Jenkin
son).
Local Courts Bill, brought forward by
Lord Althorp, 189 ; features of, 190
—192 ; withdrawn, 193 ; vainly
advocated by Mr. Peel, 194; by
Lord Brougham, 195.

Lowther, Viscount (afterwards Earl of
Lonsdale), 297.
Lushington, Eight Hon. Stephen, 390,
392, 443, 482.
Lyndhurst, Lord, speech against Ee
form, 350, 351 ii. ; remark to Mr.
Bonham Carter, 393; moves amend
ment for postponement of disfran
chising clauses, 418 ; expects to
return to office, 425 ; alluded to, 62,
66, 261, 289 n.
Lyttelton, Lady, marriage, 154;
governess to the Eoyal children,
559 Ji.; letter on Lord Althorp's
death, 562; aUuded to, 561.
Lyttelton, Hon. Spencer, 561.
Macaulay, Eight Hon. T. B. (after
wards Lord Macaulay), admiration
of Mr. Gordon's speeches, 242 ;
speeches on Eeform Bill, 302, 327 ;
speech on vote of confidence, 356 ;
vindicates Whig policy, 382 ; remark
on Lord Grey's speech, 418 ; speech
on Lord Ebrington's address, 428 ;
speech of, 431 ; remark on English
antipathy to Eoman Catholics, 448 ;
alluded to, 227 Ji., 398 n.
Macdonald, Mr. James, 211.
Mackintosh, Eight Hon. Sir James,
165, 188, 328 n.
Mallet, Mr., 344 n.
Manners Sutton, Eight Hon. Sir
Charles (afterwards Viscount Can
terbury), 449, 530, 532.
Mansel, Dr., Bishop of Bristol, 71, 72,
73.
March, Earl of (afterwards Duke of
Queensberry), 5.
Marlborough, Dncbess of, 88.
Marsden, Mr., 10.
Majmootb CoUege Bill, supported by
Lord Spencer, 560.
Melbourne, Viscount, remark on the
franchise, 294 ; agrees with Lord

588

INDEX.

Grey respecting Irish Coercion Bill,
496 ; Premier, 518, 538, 551 ; letters
to Lord Althorp, 522, 524 ; inter
view witb the King, 523 ; urges
Lord Spencer to return to office,
538, 552 ; alluded to, 27, 63 n., 260 n.,
386, 480, 528, 530, 532, 535.
Melville, Viscount, 116, 120, 132.
Mildmay, Sir Henry, 98, 108.
MUl, Ml-. James, 420.
Milton, Viscount (afterwards Earl
Fitzwilliam), brings forward vote
of censure, 132 —134 ; returned for
Northamptonshire, 317 ; speech on
the Corn Laws, 323 ; moves amend
ments to Eeform Bill, 341 ; aUuded
to, 89, 107, 215, 226, 328.
Morpeth, Viscount (afterwards Earl of
Carlisle), letter to Lord Althorp
on the state of public feeling,
447 ; moves nomination of Mr.
Manners Sutton to tbe Speakership,
450 ; alluded to, 108.
Mortier, Marshal, 151.
Mulgrave, Earl of (afterwards Mar
quis of Normanby), 487.
Murray, Eight Hon. Sir George, Secre
tary of State for the Colonial De-
, partment, 229, 232 ; speech on
Catholic question, 230; on Lord
Ebrington's question, 431.
Negro Emancipation, feehng in the
country for, 448 ; brought forward
in Parliament, 470, 471.
Nelson, Earl, 20.
Newcastle, Duke of, 51.
Nugent, Lord, 211.
O'Connell, Me. Daniel, agitates in
Ireland, 287 ; is arrested, 288 ;
praises Irish Cburch Bill, 453;
speech on Irish Coercion Bill, 456 ;
comments on Irish Churcb Bill,

475 ; opposes Irish Churcb Com
mission, 491 ; conversation with
Mr. Littleton, 495 ; line of conduct
respecting Coercion Bill, 495 — 514;
aUuded to, 326, 472, 478, 487, 493,
568 11.
(See Irish Coercion BUl.)
Ord, Mr. William, 126, 224.
Ossulston, Lord (afterwards Earl of
TankervUle), 108, 126. (See Tan
kerville.)

Paganini, Signor, 325, 329.
Palmer, Mr. Horsley, remark on
transfer duty, 274 ; sanguine respect
ing Eeform Bill, 373 ; attachment to
Lord Althorp, 468.
Palmerston, Viscount, defeated for
University of Cambridge, 87 ; yields
the leadership of tbe House to
Lord Althorp, 260 ; able speech of,
392 ; aUuded to, 386.
Parke, Eight Hon. Sir James (after-
¦n'ards Lord Wensleydale), 78.
Parkes, Mr. J. G., 251 n., 368, 369 ji.
Parnell, Eight Hon. Sir H., chairman
of finance committee, 221 ; moves
amendment, 256 ; dissatisfaction of,
271; alluded to, 239 ji.
Peel, Liight Hon. Sir Eobert, intro
duces Bill for recovery of small
debts, 194, 195 ; his opinion of Lord
Bathurst, 215 )i. ; Catholic Emanci
pation Bill, 229 ; income tax car
ried by, 239 ; fear of a revolution,
255 ; in favour of du-ect taxation,
273 ; speeches on tbe Budget, 281,
282, 285 ; financial views of, 286 ;
opposes Eeform BUl, 328 )!., 337,
357, 358, 379, 381, 383, 387; admits
necessity of Eeform, 302 ; indignant
speech of, 307 ; recommends modera
tion, 320 ; tribute to Lord Althorp,
343; replied to by Lord Althorp,

INDEX.

589

357; attacks Whig Ministry, 376;
attacked by Mi-. Macaulay, 382;
speeches on the franchise, 395,
397; cold reception in tbe House,
424 ; speech on Lord Ebrington's .
motion, 428 ; refuses to tako office
under Duke of WeUington, 430;
approves of Lord Althorp's Budgets,
441, 460 ; defeats motion for depre
ciation of the currency, 458 ; op
poses estabhshment of bank notes
as legal tender, 469 ; liberal speech
of, 491 ; defends tbe King's dis
missal of Lord Melbourne, 536 ; de
feated on Lord Ho-srick's amend
ment, 537 ; aboUsbes tbe Corn Laws,
556 ; remark respecting Lord
Althorp, 566; aUusions to, 166,
218 II., 222, 224, 242, 245, 248, 251,
277 li., 298, 299 J!., 309—311 ji., 332,
376, 399, 492, 505.
Peers, creation of, proposed, 369, 385 ;
Lord Althorp's letter to Lord Grey
respecting, 370 ; to Lord Spencer,
374; Lord Grey's letter to Lord
Althorp concerning, 386 ; thought
needful by Lord Althorp, 403 ;
urged by Lord Althorp on Lord
Grey, 403—406; objected to by Lord
Grey, 407 — 413 ; discussed by Lord
Althorp and Mr. Francis Baring,
415—417; Cabinet unanimous for,
419 ; refused by the King, 422.
Pendarves, Mr., 244, 313, 399, 430.
Pepys, Eight Hon. Sir Cbarles
Christopher (afterwards Earl of
Cottenham), at Harrow witb Lord
Althorp, 58—60 ; in ParUament,
61 ; Lord Chancellor, 63 ; character
of, 63—68 ; aUuded to, 391.
Pepys, Dr., Bishop of Worcester, 33,
35, 59 n.
Pepys, Su- William, 59 n.
Perceval, Eight Hon. Spencer, Chan
cellor of the Exchequer, 90 ; defends

tbe Duke of York, 97, 99, 100, 104,
112 n., 132, 133 ; speech on Lord
Folkestone's motion, 125.
Perceval, Mr., 388.
Petty, Lord Henry (afterwards Mar
quis of Lansdowne), member for
Cambridge University, 87, 88 ;
friendship witb LordAltborp, 110;
speech on Lord Folkestone's motion,
125. (See Lansdo-wne.)
Pigott, Sir Arthur, 93.
Pitt, Eight Hon. WiUiam, supported
by Lord Spencer, 86, 111 ; imposed
income tax, 277, 283 ; aUuded to,
xvii., 21, 23, 80, 116, 294, 417.
PoUock, Mr. (afterwards Sir Frederick
PoUock), 394.
Ponsonby, Hon. Frederick, 54.
Ponsonby, Hon. George, leader of the
Opposition, 179 n. ; aUuded to, 213.
Ponsonby, Hon. WUUam (afterwards
Lord de MaiUey), 53. (See de Mau-
ley.)
Poor Law BiU, prepared by Lord
Brougham and Lord Althorp, 483,
484; carried, 485.
Portland, Duke of, 90.
Portman, Mr. E. B. (afterwards Lord
Portman), 243.
Powys, Hon. and Eev. Frederick, 69.
Powys, Hon. and Eev. Littleton, 70.
Poyntz, Mr., 2.
Prince Consort, H.E.H. the, 559.
Pryme, Mr., 78.
Pytchley Hunt, the, 142—146.

QuEENSBEEEY, Duobess of, 27, 28 n.

Eadical Party, the, rise of. 111, 114,
115, 123 ; members of, 115—122 ; led
by Mr. Whitbread, 126, 127.
Eedesdale, Lord, 192.
Eeform in ParUament, desh-ed both by

590

INDEX.

Lord Spencer and Lord Althorp,
113 ; by Eadical Party in the House
of Commons, 114, 165; causes a
rupture between Mr. Whitbread and
the Whig leaders, 126; foreseen by
Mr. Canning, 210 ; agreed to be left
in abeyance by Coalition Minisfry,
214; prevents Lord Althorp from
joining CoaUtion, 216 ; taken up by
Birmingham Political Union, 251 ;
general feeling for, throughout the
country, 252 ; question of, raised in
Parliament by Lords Grey and Al
tborp, 253, 254; declaration of the
Duke of Wellington against, 253,
256; suggested as basis of a new
Coalition, 261 ; Lord Althorp's only
inducement to remain in office, 290 ;
doubtful feeling in favour of, among
the higher classes, 296 ; enthusiasm
for, in the large towns, 302 ; not a
party question -with the Whigs at
first, 308 n. ; zeal for, in Northamp
tonshire, 316 ; most popular with
the public, 346 ; bas few supporters
among tbe Peers, 349 ; resolution in
favour of, 360; address in favour of,
426; discussions on, in House of
Commons, 428; carried, 436 ; alluded
to, 218, 269. (See Grey and Althorp.)
Eeform BUl (First) agreed on by a Com
mittee of the Cabinet, 292 ; details
of, 294 ; discussion" of, by tbe Cabi
net, 294; settled by Mr. Adam
and Mr. Stephenson, 296 ; brought
forward by Lord John EusseU, 297 ;
debate on, 298, 302, 303; second
reading carried, 301 ; General Gas
coigne's amendment, 304; majority
for the Opposition and rejection of
the BiU, 305.
Eeform BUl (Second) brought forward
by Lord John EusseU, 322 ; second
reading passed, 323; committal of,
330 ; debate on, 330 ; successive mo

tions for adjournment, 332 ; debate
on Schedules A. and B., 335; man
aged entirely by Lord Althorp, 335 ;
debate on Schedules C, D. and E,,
337 ; the Chandos clause, 339 ; free
man's abolition clause, 344; read a
thu-d time, 345 ; debate on second
reading in House of Lords, 349 ; its
rejection, 352.
Eeform Bill (Third) brought forward
by Lord John EusseU, 378 ; opposed
by Sir Eobert Peel, 379; read a
second time, 384 ; committal of, 387,
393—396; household franchise, 396;
Mr. SheU's motion, 396 ; read a third
time, 400 ; taken up to House of
Lords, 414 ; read a second time, 418 ;
Lord Lyndhurst's amendment, 418 ;
amendment carried, 419; secession
of Tory Peers, 435 ; third reading
carried, 436 ; Eoyal assent ' given,
436. (See Grey and Althorp.)
Eeform BUl, Irish, 437.
Eeform BUl, Scotch, 437.
Eicardo, Mr., 202, 205, 277.
Eichmond, Duke of, asked to join Lord
Grey's Government, 261 ; at Wise-
ton, 444 ; interest in farming, 544.
Eobinson, Hon. Frederick John (after
wards Viscount Goderich, and Earl
of Eipon), 44, 70, 208. (See Gode
rich. )
Eoebuck, Mr., 278, 331, 334, 393, 397.
EomUly, Su- Samuel, supports Colonel
Wardle's motion, 99 ; praise of Lord
Folkestone's speech, 100, 119 ; rela
tions witb Mr. Whitbread, 111, 114;
allusions to, 97, 165, 188.
Eoyston, Viscount, at Harrow -with
Lord Altborp, 54 ; travels in Eussia,
56, 57; death of, 58 ; Uterary attain
ments of, 58 ¦n.
EusseU, Lord John (afterwards Earl
EusseU), friendship witb Lady
Spencer, 21 ; carries Eepeal of Test

INDEX.

591

and Corporation Act, 229; con
sulted by Lord Althorp, 245 ; pre
pares Eeform Bill, 292 ; introduces
Bill, 297—300, 309 -ii., 310 ji. ; moves
committal of Bill, 304 ; returned for
Devonshire, 313; intimacy with
Lord Althorp, 320 ; brings forward
second Eeform BiU, 322, 323 ; moves
committal of BiU, 330; Lord Al
thoi-p's co-operation witb, 335
speaks on enfranchisement clauses
337 ; on freeman's abolition clause
314 ; takes Eeform Bill to House of
Lords, 345 ; at Eeform dinner, 346
receives thanks of Bhmingbam
Political Union, 361 ; reply, 362
brings forward third Eeform Bill,
378; takes up Bill to House of
Lords, 414 ; speaks on Lord Ebring
ton's question, 431 ; bas charge of
Boundary Bill, 437 ; bis speech in
debate on Mr. Ward's adjoumed
motion, 487 ; mention of Lord Al
thorp in his EecoUections, 515; sug
gested to the King as Leader of tbe
House of Commons, 524 ; letter to
Lord Althorp on dismissal of Whig
Ministry, 525 ; letter against Pro
tection, 556 ; aUusions to, 52, 308 n.
(See Eeform BiU.)
EusseU, Lord WiUiam, 98.

Scarlett, Bight Hon. Su- James
(afterwards Lord Abinger), 394.
Sebright, Sir John, 98, 108, 299.
Sefton, Earl of, 235.
Senior, Mr., 483 ji.
Shaw, Dr., 77.
Sheil, Eight Hon. Eichard, bis opinion
of Mr. Macaulay, 382 n. ; speeches on
Eeform BUl, 396 — 399 ; taxed with
dissimulation by Lord Altborp, 479;
eloquence of, 480 «.

Shelburne, Earl of (afterwards Mar
quis of Lansdowne), 22, 44.
Shepherd, Eev. Thomas, 160.
Sheridan, Eight Hon. Eichard Brins-
ley, 12, 24, 177.
Sidmouth, Viscount, 164, 209, £13 ji.
Speaker of the House of Commons,
election of, 449, 529.
Spencer, John, (first) Earl, xviii., xix.,
1—5.
Spencer, Margaret Georgiana, Coun
tess, XX., 2 — 6.
Spencer, George John, (second) Earl,
his birth and education, 6, 7 ;
poUtical career of, 8, 12; naval ad
ministration of, 9 — 11 ; resigns on
CathoUc question, 12 ; interest in
agriculture, 13, 14 ; in Uterature, 15
— 17 ; Uterary friends of, 17 ; mar
riage, 18 ; guests at Spencer House,
19 — 21 ; Home Secretary, 88 ; retire
ment from poUtics, 91 ; friendship
with Mr. Fox, 111; views on Ee
form, 113; hospitality of, 142; sup
ports Coalition Ministry, 219 ; letter
to Lord Altborp on Appropriation
question, 492, declining health of,
519 ; death, 520 ; allusions to, xvii.,
29, 30—32, 35, 71, 86, 96.
Spencer, Lavinia, Countess, ber cha
racter and attainments, 18 — 21 ; in
cites ber son to study, 76, 78 ; remark
to Lord Milton, 134 ; asks Sir Henry
Hardinge to join Lord Grey's Go-
vern-me,nt, 230; alluded to, xvui.,
272.
Spencer, John Cbarles, (third) Earl,
withdraws from politics, 529 ; letters
respecting Mr. Abercromby's elec
tion to the Speakership, 530 — 532 ;
residence at Wiseton Hall, 542 —
544 ; Eoyal Agricultural Society,
545 ; interest in farming, 546, 558 ;
philosophical studies, 547 ; corres
pondence with Lord Brougbam, 548

592

LNTDEX.

— 550 ; refuses Lord Lieutenancy of
Ireland and Government of Canada,
550, 552 ; speaks on Free Trade, 554
— 557 ; on Maynooth CoUege Bill,
560 ; iUness, 562 ; death, 563 ; char
acter, 567, 568. (See Altborp, Visct.)
Spencer, Captain the Hon. Sir Eobert
Cavendish, 35 n., 148; distinguished
naval career of, 152—154, 220, 221 ;
false report of his death, 219 ; pri
vate secretary to Duke of Clarence,
219; named Surveyor-General of
the Ordnance, 264 ; sudden Ulness
and death, 266.
Spencer, Admiral tbe Hon. Frederick
(afterwards (fourth) Earl Spencer),
559, 562.
Spencer, Hon. and Eev. George, 154,
266.
Spencer, Lady Georgiana, 154.
Spring Eice, Eight Hon. Thomas
(afterwards Lord Monteagle), differs
from Lord Althorp respecting in
come-tax, 239 ; speech on the Bud
get, 464; in Lord Grey's Cabinet,
489 ; letter to, from Lord Althorp,
539 ; alluded to, 381.
Stanley, Eight Hon. Edward (after
wards Earl of Derby), moves re
newal of Irish Ai-ms Bill, 326 ;
refutes Mr. Croker, 383; rebukes
Sir Eobert Peel, 397 ; speech at
Brooks's, 429 ; bas charge of Irish
Eeform BiU, 437 ; prepares Coercion
Bill and Church Temporalities BUl,
445 ; influence witb Lord (j-rey, 452 ;
speech on Coercion BiU, 455, 456 ;
brings forward Negro Emancipation
Bill, 471 ; resigns, 488 ; writes to
Lord Lansdo-wne, 489 ; conservative
speech of, 491 ; allusions to, 212,
229 Jl., 287, 399, 471, 472, 487.
Stephenson, Mr., 296.
Strickland, Sir George, 433, 448.
Strutt, Eight Hon. Edward (after

wards Lord Belper), seconds Lord
Ebrington's Address, 426.
Sagden, Eight Hon. Sir Edward (after
wards Lord St. Leonards), 195 ji.,
248 ; remark on Whig Budget, 281 ;
oijposes Eeform BiU, 335, 338, 394 ;
speech on Lord Ebrington's ques
tion, 431.
Sunderland, Earl of, 15.
Sussex, H.E.H. the Duke of, 324 n.,
436.

Tankerville, Earl of, 185.
Tavistock, Marquis of (afterwards
Duke of Bedford), 215 ; friendship
with Lord Altborp, 226, 257, 258,
259 n. ; letter to Lord Althorp on
defeat of Tory Ministry, 537; alluded
to, 518.
Taylor, Sir Herbert, 434, 435 ji., 568 n.
Test and Corporation Act, repeal of,
left in abej'ance by Coalition Minis
try, 214; carried by Lord John
EusseU, 229.
Thompson, Alderman, 301, 302 n.
Thomson, Eight Hon. Charles Poulett
(afterwards Lord Sydenham) brings
forward motion for reduction in
public expenditure, 237; Vice-
President of tbe Board of Trade, 263 ;
¦news on taxation, 274; letter to
Lord Althorp, 565; allusions to,
239ji.,273ji., 282, 284, 286.
Thomson, Mr. Andrew, 237 ji.
Thornton, Mr. Henry, 135.
Tierney, Eight Hon. George, speech
on Colonel Wardle's motion, 99;
speech on Lord Folkestone's mo
tion, 125 ; chosen leader of Whig
party, 213 ji. ; enters Mr. Can
ning's Cabinet, 216; aUuded to,
108, 137.
Trimmer, Mrs., 6.
Turton, Sir Thomas, 107, 108.

INDEX.

593

VniiiEES, Mr. Hyde, 467.
Yyvyan, Su- Eichard, 307 n., 337,
338.

Walpole, Eight Hon. Sir Eobert
(afterwards Earl of Orford), 543.
Ward, Mr. (afterwards Sir Henry
Ward), 487, 488.
Wardle, Colonel, motion of, againstthe
Duke of Tork, 94, 95, 97—99, 106—
108; his proceedings disapproved,
130, 133; alluded to, 112 »., 132.
Wellesley, Marquis of, correspondence
-with Lord Grey on L-isb Coercion
BiU, 494, 497, 498; communicated
with by Mr. Littleton, 494, 505 ji. ;
by Lord Brougham, 511 ; aUuded
to, 513 Jl.
Wellington, Duke of, makes Sir Henry
ParneU chairman of finance commit
tee, 221 ; declaration against Eeform,
253 ; resigns office, 259 ; economical
measures of, 269 ; determined op
position to Eeform, 349; letter re
specting Bu-mingham Union, 367 ;
angry remarks, 417 ; attempts to
form a Government, 428, 432; cen
sured by Lord Ebrington, 430;
supports Poor Law BUl, 485 ; Pre
mier, 524 ; aUusions to, 26, 473, 517.
West, Mr., 69.
Wetherell, Sir Charles, opposes Ee
form BiU, 302, 328, 335, 339, 342,
387, 394 ; speaks on Lord Ebring
ton's motion, 356 ; alluded to, 200,
306, 333, 377.
Wharncliffe, Lord, 229 n, ; proposes
compromise on Eeform question,
377 ; speech in favour of Eeform
BUl, 414 ; speech in answer to Duke
of WeUington, 418; aUuded to, 404.
Whitbread, Mr. William, takes pro
minent part in proceedings against
the Duke of York, 95, 98—101 ;

praise of Lord Althorp's speech, 103 ;
democratic views of, 111,114; char
acter of, 115 — 118 ; speech on Lord
Folkestone's motion, 125 ; leads
Eadical party, 126 — 128 ; friendship
with Lord Althorp, 128, 129 ; indig
nant at the Duke of Tork's re
appointment, 131 ; speech on Lord
Milton's motion, 134; death, 162,
163 ; sketch of his life, 172—180.
Whitmore, Mr. Wolryche, 202—205.
Wickham, Mr. Henry, 329.
Wilberforce, Mr. WiUiam, 97, 200.
WUliam IV. , favourable to tbe Whigs,
246 ; dissolves ParUament on rejec
tion of Eeform BUl, 305, 306 ; view
on Eeform question, 407 ; dismisses
Whig Ministry, 422 ; letter to Tory
Peers, 434 ; attacked in tbe news
papers, 437 ; opposed to the Tories,
440 ; his letters to Lord Altborp, 464>
471, 568 n. ; yields to Negro Emanci
pation BUl, 470 ; dismisses Lord
Melbourne's Ministry, 524, 526 ;
allusions to, 219, 223, 225, 227, 270,
376, 385, 425, 481m.
Wilmot, Sir Eardley, 69.
Windham, Eight Hon. WilUam, 93,
108, 118, 119, 177.
Wiseton HaU, Lord Althorp's resi
dence at, 155—161, 249, 443, 542 ;
farm at, 557.
Wood, Eight Hon. Sir Charles (after
wards Viscount Halifax), 523.
Wood, Alderman (afterwards Sir
Matthew Wood), 325.
Wrottesley, Sir John (afterwards Lord
Wrottesley), 462 n.
Wyndham, Sir WUUam, 24.
Wynford, Lord, 393.
Wynn, Eight Hon. Cbarles, joins in
proceedings against the Duke of
Tork, 98, 108, 134 ; esteem for Lord
Altborp, 343 ; remark to Mr. Wil
Uam Brougbam,|472; alluded to, 225,
Q Q

594

INDEX.

Wynn, Sir Watkin, 98, 108.

YoEK, H.E.H. the Duke of, trial of,
92—104; character of, 104, 105;

Lord Althorp's letters concerning,
106 — 109 ; reinstated at the Horse
Guards, 130, 131 ; Lord MUton's
motion of censure, 132 — 135 ; al
luded to, 112 n., 116, 119, 126.

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From the French of Henri Havard, by Annie Wood. In Svo, with 10 Illus
trations, 14s. The Second Edition of this Work is now in the Press.
" A fresh and charming work. M. Havard has discovered a true ^e?Ta incognita in the centre of
Europe, and has caught, just as it was disappearing, a phase of life highly picturesque, and pleasant
for the artist's eye. M. Havard has goue among the sleepy cities of the Zuyder Zee with a loving
eye. He is a keen and thoughtful observer, and it is apparent on every page of his bright, sparkling
narrative, that he really likes the people and their ancient ways, and(,the consequence is, that he
inspires his reaJers with the same iesimg."— Observir.
'*M. Havard's interesting account of these towns which, once prosperous, have now fallen into
decay, seems to have beeu published at the very nick of'time. Not much cared for by the Butch,
thoy are, as M. Havard points out, absolutely unknown to the other nations of Europe : while atten
tion is now being directed to them by the project just formed for draining the Zuyder Zee, on whose
shores they stand." — PaU Mall Gazette.
^'MANN" AND MANNEES at the COURT OF
FLORENCE ; 1740-1786. Founded on the Letters of Sir Horace Mann to Horace
Walpole. By Dr. Doran, F.S.A., Author of the " Lives of the Queens of England
of the House of Hanover," "Table Traits and Something on Them," &c. In
2 vols. 8vo, 305.
" Those who have already some knowledge ofthe eighteenth century, and are desirous of adding
fresh links to previous facts, and following up old acquaintances in new climates, will find here no
mean entertainment, and will not fail to thank Dr. Doran for his successful labour." — Athenceum.
" It is almost superfluous to do more than announce that a book is by Dr. Doran in order to ensure
its eager welcome in every reading household. Assuredly expectation will not be diminished when
he treats of so stirring a time and so interesting a city. "~Mor-ning Post.
*' Sir Horace Mann's letters are delightful reading. They sparkle with anecdote and entertaining
court gossip, contain numerous life-like portraits nf celebrated persons, and from beginning to eud of
the 900 pages to which they extend, have hardly a single dull or uninteresting one." — Sta-ndard.
" We are to thank Dr. Dorau for having, in these two handsome volumes, left us all that is choice
in the way of anecdote, or valuable in the way of information."— World.
TERESINA IN AMERICA. By Thermse Yelverton,
Viscountess Avonmore, Author of " TeresinaPeregrina." In 2 vols, crown Svo, 21s.
"Readers of Teresina's books will not need to be told that these volumes are throughout lively and
entertaining. Teresina has travelled twenty thousand miles through the most important districts of
America, and a glance at her table of contents is alone sufficient to show that she has done the
country pretty thoroughly. Some people appear destined to meet with romantic adventures, and in
these Teresiira/s tovir was rich to abundance." — PaU Mall Gazette.
" The vices, follies, good qualities, peculiarities, and habits of brother Jonathan, are all freely dashed
in by a lady who seems to have seen all that was worth seeing in America — north, south, and west."
— Evening Standard.
THE INGOLDSBY LEGENDS. An entirely New
Edition, printed in large clear Type. In 3 vols. fcap. Svo, known as " The
BUKLINGTON EDITION." lOs. M.
"Yet another Edition of Barlaam's immortal work, beautifully printed and chastely bound." —
World.
DOCTORS AND PATIENTS. By the late John
TiMBS, F.S.A. An entirely New and Revised Edition, in 1 vol. crown Svo, Qs.
" One of Mr Timbs'a most delightful works of gossip, ana and research." — World.
LORD DALLING and BULWER'S HISTORICAL
characters : Talleyrand, Macintosh, Cobbett, Canning, Peel. A New Edition,
being the Fifth, in Roxburghe binding, 6s.
THE BENTLEY BALLADS. Edited by John
Sheehan. A New Edition in crown Svo, Roxburghe binding, 6s.
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