The Letter-Bag of Lady Elizabeth Spencer-Stanhope Part 17

But I have since heard that the old Boy is going to reside at Castle Douglas, and going to give his present place immediately to William.

Douglas is no doubt disappointed, as he has lost above 150,000 exclusive of what he will get, for actually the old Curmudgeon died worth, 4,000,000!

From such an event as the disposal of a fortune of four hundred thousand, the thoughts of Mrs Stanhope were again distracted by the news in the political world. A letter from Archibald Macdonald, dated July 23rd, 1809, echoes the current gossip respecting Lord Wellesley, afterwards Viceroy of Ireland, of whose movements with regard to the Continental campaign no one could speak with certainty. "Is he gone to Spain or not?" questioned Mr Macdonald. "I have heard it very confidently a.s.serted that he is not going, and that all his _gout_, etc., is merely affected to prevent his being sent. In short, that he has changed all his plans and did not venture to stir one step. On the other hand, it is said, that he is become nearly quite imbecile." Meanwhile, although Sir Arthur Wellesley had obtained victories at Oporto and at Talavera, having been unsupported by the Spaniards he was obliged to retreat; and following on this, an expedition sent out by the British Government to Walcheren under Lord Chatham proved a terrible failure. The mutual recriminations of Canning and Castlereagh led to their resignation and resulted in a duel which took place between them on September 9th, and of which Archibald Macdonald writes:--

When we were at Glasgow Circuit the Lord Advocate shewed me Lord Castlereagh's _own_ account of the duel, and really from it I think there is no doubt he behaved most infamously. Canning was certainly not in the least to blame. I hope the King will still take Lord Wellesley and him into the Cabinet.

Lord Melville intended to have gone to England in the beginning of the month; he has now, however, determined not to stir till everything is fixed, lest it should be said that he has gone a-place hunting.

In October Perceval succeeded the Duke of Portland as Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer, while Lord Wellesley became Minister for Foreign Affairs. A rumour meanwhile reached the Stanhopes with regard to their young friend Mr Pemberton Milnes which roused their curiosity.

What say you in the South to the Administration? Will it be possible for them to go on? 'Tis strongly reported here that Milnes refused being Chancellor of the Exchequer. True it is that a King's Messenger was sent to him, and I believe that something which he declined was offered to him, but surely not that great office. I live in dread of the United _Talents_ being called in! Lord Wellesley and Lord Melville might enable them to go on, but without them they will never do. I am still willing to hope that Peace is not signed and that Bonaparte may be ill.

The true story of the offer which was made to Pemberton Milnes was afterwards thus recorded by John Stanhope:--

Soon after he left Cambridge, Milnes made a bet of 300 to 500 with Kit Wilson, then a great character on the Turf--indeed for a long time Father of the Turf--that before seven years were over he should be Chancellor of the Exchequer. I do not mention this from mere rumour, for I heard Mr Wilson himself tell the story at dinner at Wentworth House, adding that the bet was drawn before the seven years were over.

As will be seen by his letter to me, he was actually offered the Chancellors.h.i.+p of the Exchequer at five-and-twenty,--not perhaps exactly in the view in which he originally intended, as that place has now for years been considered as attached to the position of the Prime Minister, but still with a place in the Cabinet.

_Robert Pemberton Milnes to Walter Spencer-Stanhope._ _October 23rd, 1809._

My Dear Sir,

As I feel as strongly as I can the kind expressions of friends.h.i.+p that we have interchanged, and as I flatter myself on this occasion you may find an interest in what perhaps may be thought a leading event in my life, I sit down to send you a line informing you of my having reached London, having received a letter from Perceval which would have made it personally disrespectful to him had I declined coming. On my arrival here, and after he had submitted in great detail the history of the Cabinet discussions, he closed by no less an offer than saying he had the King's orders to propose to me the situation either of Chancellor of the Exchequer or Secretary of War,--the latter without a seat in the Cabinet, if I wished to lessen the responsibility.

This was on Sat.u.r.day, and I have employed the interval, not in reviewing the grounds upon which he stands as Prime Minister, which really on the first statement satisfied me there was no alternative, but in duly weighing my own situation and taking my measure (as it were) for my fitness for the Office. The result of my reflections has been to decline both offers. In so doing, you may imagine I had no ordinary feelings of personal vanity to contend with, nor a common self-satisfaction in thinking that the proposal had been made me. At the same time, dazzling as the place of a high Cabinet situation might have been, I do conscientiously a.s.sure you that I looked to my country more than to myself, and differing from Perceval in thinking that its interests would well be entrusted in my hands, I have answered decisively that I thought there were others who would conduct them better.

I believe that he proposes offering the Chancellors.h.i.+p of the Exchequer to Rose, and the Secretarys.h.i.+p of War to Palmerston.

In all this business, however well or ill determined on my part, you will be glad to hear that I think Perceval's case quite a triumphant one, and such as, when well stated to Parliament, will meet with sure support.

I write in the greatest hurry.

I am, dear Sir, Yours most faithfully,

ROB. P. MILNES.

The tradition of this famous bet has long been related and disputed. The incident was one of national importance, for it was the refusal of Mr Milnes to accept this brilliant offer pressed upon him by Perceval which gave Lord Palmerston admission into the Ministry, and started him on a career which finally led him to the Premiers.h.i.+p. Lord Palmerston's Maiden Speech in the House was made in reply to one by Mr Milnes.

In Mrs Milnes's Diary, there is given the following account of the reception of the offer by her husband:--

One morning when we were at breakfast a King's Messenger drove up in a post-chaise-and-four with a despatch from Mr Perceval, offering Mr Milnes the choice of a seat in the Cabinet, either as Chancellor of the Exchequer or Secretary of War. Mr Milnes immediately said "Oh no!

I will not accept either. With my temperament I should be dead in a year." I knelt and entreated that he should, and represented that it might be an advantage to our little boy, please G.o.d he lived, but all was to no purpose, and he went up to London to decline the most flattering and distinguished compliment ever known to have been paid to so young a man. [21]

Immediately after Christmas, as was their custom, the Stanhopes returned to London, and 1810 found them once more resuming their life in Grosvenor Square.

_Mrs Spencer-Stanhope._ _February 27th, 1810._

London is not yet gay. Of Politicks, whether the present Ministers can stand seems doubtful. Lord Chatham in his examination throws blame on the Navy; his having presented a paper to the King without any communication with the other Ministers, has made sad work. The business in the House is every day, and all day, and all night.

I have not seen any of your friends yet. Miss Acklom is not yet come.

The body of Mr Eden [22] is found, & though he had been so long in the water, some Bank Notes were found perfect in his pocket.

Sir T. Gascoigne [23] and Sir C. Turner [24] both dead, the former has left his fortune to the Olivers, and failing them and their issue to Lord Fitzwilliam--very distant, if any relation.

Sir C. Turner, his house, stud, and plate at Newmarket to his groom there; everything else, for ever, to Lady Turner.

Honoria Blake has married Captain Cadogan--amiable and poor. Lord and Lady Barnard to live at the d.u.c.h.ess of Bolton's old house--the two Lords of that name so near will make a confusion.

_March 20th, 1810._

There are more girls of high fas.h.i.+on just come out than has been known for many years.

London, I never knew so dull.... I hear of no matches, the flirtations have not yet begun.

_March 27th, 1810._

Ministers have much to do this week. The Walcheren Debate came on yesterday and is to last Tuesday; Wednesday they repose from their labours, and Thursday and some say Friday the Debate is to last.

We have sent to Mr Knox for the numbers, he came home at one, and he thought there would be no division. I suppose this question will decide the fate of the Ministers.

There was a very interesting debate the other day on a statute, precluding all men who have written on hire for newspapers from becoming Members of Lincoln's Inn. A lawyer present described a case in which a young man of the highest expectations, most distinguished education, might be driven by necessity to accept of such an offer for existence. After enlarging with great feeling on such a case, he concluded by saying he had not described an imaginary situation, but his own, thirty years before. The applause of the House was excessive.

I wish you may meet with the speech for it was very interesting.

Sir F. Burdett has published a letter to say that the House of Commons have no right to imprison Gale Jones. [25] There is to be a debate upon it. I fear his conduct will do much mischief. His letter is addressed to his Const.i.tuents.

Pole Carew got drunk at Oxford and made such a riot he was sent to the Castle. Think of Wentworth (Beaumont) coming from Cambridge to have a tooth out without leave!

[Ill.u.s.tration: SIR FRANCIS BURDETT, BT., M P.

_From an engraving by Wm. Sharp, after a picture by J. Northcote, R.A.

Painted while Sir Francis was a prisoner in the Tower._]

_April, 1810._

Yesterday early I went into the Park to see between 4,000 & 5,000 Cavalry pa.s.s in Review before the Commander-in-Chief. The sight was highly gratifying, the morning beautiful, & as they entered from the Kensington Barracks & went down the Ride, all the carriages went up the drive, several open carriages and a large concourse of people both on foot & horseback. It was well-timed, as this morning there is to be a Meeting of the Electors of Westminster in Westminster Hall to address, I believe, the Commons for having deprived them of one of their Members, but the sight of the army yesterday will, I doubt not, keep all quiet.