50 DR. BIRCH [1761. Mr. Pitt's letter to some eminent citizen, which appeared this morning in the Public Ledger, and occasioned so great a demand for that paper, that above three thousand were sold before noon; before which time the Gazetteer was reprinted with that letter, which came out early in the morning, wanting that very remarkable piece. Bristow, the publisher of the Ledger, acknowledged to me that he had seen the original, and that his copy was given to the public with the writer's consent, but would not inform me to whom it was addressed, whether Sir James Hodges or Alderman Beckford, though he intimated that my Lord Mayor had a copy of it, or another pride himself on his riding. In 1766 he was killed by a fall from his horse. Hudibras has spoken of "An ancient sage philosopher Who had read Alexander Ross over." A reference to "Watts' Bibliotheca Britannica" will show that Birch's works are nearly as voluminous as those of Ross. His first great work was a General Dictionary, historical and critical, including a translation of Bayle, with several thousand new lives. He was the author of twelve other publications, chiefly historical or biographical; and was an extensive contributor to many other works. Dr. Heathcote, a brother author, and fellow member of a club of literati, who met once a week to talk learnedly for three or four hours, says "Birch was an honest, humane man, warm and zealous in his attachments to persons and principles, but of universal benevolence; that he was cheerful, lively, and spirited, an early riser, and a man of great general knowledge. He afforded much literary information to Johnson, who made him the subject of a Greek epigram." "Tom Birch," said the great lexicographer, "is as brisk as a bee in conversation, but no sooner does he take a pen in his hand, than it becomes like a torpedo to him, and benumbs all his faculties.". * William Beckford, M.P. for London, of whom more hereafter. letter to the same purpose sent to him. Your Lordship needs no criticism upon the inaccuracy of the composition,* nor shall I animadvert upon his avowal that his inducement to quit his post was because he was no longer allowed to guide the public measures. His owning the acceptance of the public marks of his Majesty's favour will overset the representation made by Mr. Beckford, who employed his agents to circulate on Thursday, that though Mr. Pitt had received such offers from Lord Bute, he had not yet accepted them. Mr. Dingley,+ the Russian merchant, was in particular authorised by Mr. Beckford to declare this; and an attempt was made under the colour of such an assertion, to form a cabal in the city in his favour. On Thursday it was asserted that Mr. Pitt had written to his friend, Sir James * Wilkes used to say that Chatham was the best orator, and the worst letter-writer of the age. + Charles Dingley, the projector and proprietor of some saw-mills at Limehouse, was a man of much eccentricity. He obtained considerable notoriety in 1769, by standing in opposition to Wilkes and not obtaining a single vote. "The hero of the meeting," writes Lord Temple, "Master Dingley, struck Wilkes's attorney, who knocked him down in return." His own version of the encounter is contained in a letter to Lady Chatham :-"In 1745 I entered myself a common soldier in the foot-guards, and the same spirit of loyalty, and the desire to do some noble act, induced me to offer my services to snatch and destroy the danger and confusion, by representing the County of Middlesex. I got into a scuffle. By a blow I gave Wilkes's attorney, Reynolds, I got such a hurt from his teeth, as to make my hand very lame and worthless." Junius says that "the miserable Dingley was induced to oppose Wilkes by the Duke of Grafton, and that he died of a broken heart in consequence of having been so contemptuously treated." 52 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [1761. Hodges, to contradict the Gazette account from Madrid, of Saturday last, with regard to the pacific disposition of Spain; and yesterday there were alarming appearances of a new popular ferment, tending to restore him once more to power.' The "meeting of the Common Council," to which the Duke of Newcastle alludes,* agreed upon a representation to the four representatives of the City, urging them "to oppose all attempts for giving up such places as may tend to lessen our present security, or by restoring the naval power of France, render us subject to fresh hostilities from that natural enemy;" and in another part alludes to the nation's ability still to carry on, and vigorously prosecute the present just and necessary war.t THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE. "Claremont, Oct. 18, 1761. "MR. PITT's almost avowed opposition opens a new scene, and his directing that opposition to the application of the supplies, shows what I always foresaw, that all his malice would be directed against the old Administration, notwithstanding his compliments at Council. He will think by that to be less offensive to the King by sparing his Minister and favourite, and may be glad not to be desperate with either. He will also * See ante, page 49, line 4. lay the enormous expenses occasioned singly by his own measures, on the corrupt, ignorant, or loose administration of the Treasury, which ought to have prevented it. I just touched yesterday upon Mr. Pitt's most astonishing letter; nothing can be more offensive to a King, more insolent in itself, more mischievous to Council, or show more marks of a hurt disappointed heart. But it carries with it also, certain proofs of hatred, revenge, and opposition. Against whom? the principal object ought to be the principal actor in it. But, in fact, he was the sole author of it. * Resolved to ruin or to rule the state." • Pryden's Arsum and Achicagbel, Part I. v. 174. 54 EARL OF EGREMONT [1761. CHAPTER III. EARL OF EGREMONT APPOINTED PITT'S SUCCESSOR. - DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO LORD HARDWICKE.-THREATENED RUPTURE WITH SPAIN. -LORD ROYSTON TO MR. YORKE. WANT OF UNION AT COURT. SUMMONING A NEW PARLIAMENT. LORD TEMPLE AND GEORGE GRENVILLE-CHOICE OF A SPEAKER.THE KING'S VISIT TO THE CITY.-PITT'S TREATMENT ON THAT OCCAMR. MILBANKE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. - CHARACTER OF BARRÉ. -MR. MILBANKE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. -EFFECTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE. SION.. NEWCASTLE had hoped that the retirement of his great rival and colleague would lead to the restoration of his own political pre-eminence. "I never," says Sir George Colebrooke, "saw the Duke in higher spirits than after Mr. Pitt, thwarted by the Cabinet in his proposal of declaring war against Spain, had given notice of resignation;" but Lord Talbot, who as "a King's friend," probably knew what was likely to happen, advised his Grace "not to die for joy on the Monday, nor for fear on the Tuesday."† The poor Duke was not left long in doubt, for immediately upon the resignation, Lord Bute assumed the entire management of public affairs. * Manuscript Memoir, quoted by Sir Denis Le Marchant in Walpole's Memoirs of George the Third. + Walpole. |