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. * 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." * Dryden's Absalom and Achitophel, 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. CHOICE OF A SPEAKER LORD ROYSTON TO MR. YORKE. WANT OF UNION AT COURT. SUMMONING A NEW PARLIAMENT. -RIVAL LISTS.-CHARACTERS OF LORD TEMPLE AND GEORGE GRENVILLE. THE KING'S VISIT TO THE CITY.—PITT'S TREATMENT ON THAT OCCASION.- MR. MILBANKE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. CHARACTER OF BARRÉ.—MR. MILBANKE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. EFFECTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE. 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. The first act of the favourite was to bestow the vacant Seals on Charles Wyndham, Earl of Egremont, son of Sir William Wyndham, the celebrated Tory leader in the two preceding reigns. Walpole, who speaks disparagingly of him, admits that he had "a great deal of humour." He was a thoroughly well-bred man, but of a haughty, overbearing disposition. Junius says "that, notwithstanding his pride and Tory principles, he had some English stuff about him." The principal act of his short ministry, was his answer to the Spanish memorial, which did him much credit. Like his father, he died suddenly at the age of fifty-two. "If," says Bishop Newton, "he had entered earlier into business, he might have made as considerable a figure as his father. He had seldom occasion to speak in parliament, but whenever he did speak, it was with great clearness, force, and energy, and he was thought very much to resemble his father in manner as well as good matter, having a little catch and impediment in his voice as Sir William Wyndham."* It is difficult to form a correct opinion of the first official act of the new secretary; for although he declared that act to be his own, yet it is not quite clear from the letter that follows whether the document to which he was directed to put his name, expressed his own opinions, or whether, in the spirit of the new régime, he was the mere registrar of a royal edict. Bishop Newton's Life and Anecdotes, folio edition, p. 69-70. 56 duke of NEWCASTLE TO LORD HARDWICKE. [1761. THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE. "October 20th, 1761. "LORD BUTE said, the King has given orders to my Lord Egremont to prepare a letter for my Lord Bristol,* expressing his Majesty's desire to correspond with their (the Spaniards) assurance to heal and soften all the. depending disputes amicably with each other, 'provided they made it appear to the King that there was nothing offensive contained in the last treaty with Paris. My Lord Bute said, this has been agreed at St. * George William, second Earl of Bristol, eldest of the three sons of the celebrated Lord Hervey, and of the equally celebrated “Mary Lepel," a lady whose wit, beauty, and vivacity, inspired the pens of Pope, Chesterfield, Pulteney, and Voltaire, of whom, the last-named addressed her in English verse. Lord Bristol was at this time ambassador at the Court of Spain. Throughout his difficult mission he appears to have conducted himself with singular ability and temper. Walpole says he was "a very Spaniard in formality and pride." From other accounts he appears to have inherited that degree of effeminacy in person, manners, and dress, that led Pope to dub his father "Lord Fanny." But this exterior by no means indicated Lord Bristol's real character. He was a man of great personal bravery. Sailing once in his brother Augustus Hervey's ship during the Seven Years' war, the vessel was menaced with an attack from a French ship of greatly superior force. In spite of the entreaties of his brother, Bristol insisted upon remaining on deck, sword in hand, saying that as he had the honour to represent a Sovereign distinguished for personal courage, he ought to behave as his master would have done on a like occasion. When Bristol was ordered to quit Spain, in every Spanish village that he passed, he was pursued with huzzas and acclamations deprecating the war.-(European Magazine, xxix. 239.) Lord Bristol died in 1775. Both his brothers succeeded in turn to the earldom. |