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CORRESPONDENCE

PRINCESS LIEVEN AND EARL GREY

London Richard B.ntlcyfcSo:

CORRESPONDENCE

PRINCESS LIEVEN

EARL GREY

EDITED AND TRANSLATED

GUY LE STRANGE

WITH PORTRAITS

VOL. II.
1830 TO 1834

LONDON
RICHARD P> E N T L E Y AND SON
^ubliehcrs In ©rbinnrj) to gtjtr .ifHajcistj) tlu (|Juuii
1890

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CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

CHAPTER I.

GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV.

PAGE

Princess Lieven's Departure — The King's Illness — Count Matusce-
witz — Critical News from France — -Weakness of the Duk6's
Administration in both Houses — George IV. dying — The Duke
of Wellington and the Opposition — The Duke of Buckingham —
Princess Lieven's Journey to Warsaw — George IV.'s Last Hours
— The Duke of Wellington's Position— The Galway Franchise
Bill— The French at Algiers —Reception of Madame de Lieven
at Warsaw — The Emperor and Empress ; Count Nesselrode —
Prince Lieven named Minister of Foreign Affairs ad Interim —
Death of George IV. — The First Council of William IV. ; the
King's Demeanour-r-The Duke of Wellington's Position — Lord
Grey's Amendment on the Address — Mr. Brougham — Festivities
at Warsaw — The Polish Diet — The Emperor and the Grand-
Duke Constantine — Return of Princess .Lieven —William IV.
closes the Session ; his Appearance — Stories about the King —
Proposals to Lord Melbourne — Charles X. signs the Ordon-
nances ; Beginning of the Revolution — Prince Lieven's Illness —
Progress of the Revolution of July — Elections for the New Par-
liament— The Duke of Orleans Lieutenant of the Kingdom —
Lord Grey's Views of the Revolution and its Results — The Duke
and Prince Polignac — Abdication of Charles X. — The Duke of
Orleans and General Gerard ..... i — 44

CHAPTER II.

THE REVOLUTION OF JULY.

Louis Philippe, King of the French— The New Administration in
France— Charles X.'s Projects— William IV.'s Dislike of Louis
Philippe — His Speech about Austria — Prince Polignac arrested —

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Common Belief as to his Parentage — Marshal Sebastiani — News
from Paris — General Baudrand's Embassy — Charles X. lands at
Weymouth — The Duke of Wellington's View of Recent Events
— The Result of the Elections Unfavourable to his Administra-
tion— Prospects of the Opposition— Prince Metternich's Interview
with Count Nesselrode at Carlsbad — Louis Philippe and Lafayette
— News of the Revolution received at Petersburg — Prince
Polignac's Letter to the Chamber of Peers — The Insurrection in
Brussels — The Congress of Vienna and the Government of the
Netherlands — The King and the Duke of Wellington— Lord
Grey's View of the Netherlands Question — The Result of the
Elections for the New Parliament — The Prince of Orange at
Brussels — The Prospects of Continental Sovereigns — Russia
opens her Ports to the Tricolor Flag — France and the Belgian
Insurrection — Insurrectionary Movements on the Prussian
Frontier — The Duke of Wellington at Liverpool — M. de Talley-
rand Ambassador to England — The Comte de Celles sent to
Brussels — The Congress of Vienna and the Union of Holland
and Belgium — Death of Mr. Huskisson — The Duke of Bruns-
wick—Russia recognises Louis Philippe— The Court at Brighton
— Commotions m Hesse — Prince Frederick of Orange retreats
from before Brussels — The Duke of Wellington and Parliamen-
tary Reform — The Union between Belgium and Holland dis-
solved— The Fortresses on the French Frontier — The Alliance
of 1818 — The Duke's Offer to Lord Palmerston — Charles X. goes
to Holyrood — The Disturbed State of Ireland, and the Sending
of the English Militia ..... 45 — 113

CHAPTER III.

THE POLISH INSURRECTION.

The Duke of Wellington and Reform — The Debate on the Civil List ;
Resignation of the Duke— The King sends for Lord Grey— The
New Administration — The Armistice between Holland and Bel-
gium—The Blockade of the Scheldt— Outbreak of the Polish
Insurrection— Lord Anglesey in Ireland— The Czar's Speech to
the French Charge d' Affaires — Bad News from Poland— Pros-
pects of the Prince of Orange— Marshal Maison's Conversation
with Prince Metternich — Walewski and Wielopolski arrive in
London— The Prince of Orange and the Conference — The Treaty
of Vienna and the Polish Constitution— The King^s Speech at
Dinner — Ireland and Poland- Candidates for the Belgian Throne
—The Duke of Leuchtenberg— The Polish Manifesto— O'Connell
in Ireland— The Aspect of Affairs in Poland— Lord Grey's Plan

CONTENTS.

of Reform laid before the King — Brighton in 1831 — The Due de
Nemours is offered the Belgian Crown ; Refusal by France —
The Attempt at Ghent — The Prince of Naples a Candidate for
Belgium — The Tories and the Government — Lord Londonderry
and the Question of Reform — Sir Henry Hardinge — The Court
at Brighton — The Debates on the Civil List — The Prince of
Naples — Count Miinster — The Duke of Buckingham and the
Opposition— General Paskiewitch — The Tories and the Question
of Reform — Affairs in France ; Weakness of King Louis
Philippe ....... 114 — 172

CHAPTER IV.

THE REFORM BILL,

The Introduction of the First Reform Bill — Attitude of the Tories —
Advance of General Diebitsch on Warsaw — The Debate on the
First Reading of the Reform Bill — Letter from Lord Howick —
News of the Battles near Warsaw — The Articles in the Courier
on Poland — Defeat of the Russians under General Geismar —
Feeling throughout the Country for the Poles — Insult to the
Russian Ambassador in Paris — General Opinion of the Reform
Bill — The New Administration in France — Popularity of the
Reform Bill among the Peers— The Defeat of the Government
on the Timber Duties — The Second Reading of the Reform Bill
— Sir R. Vyvyan — The Threat of a Dissolution — M. Casimir
Perier Premier — The Russians occupy Praga— The Clauses of
the Bill, and the Reduction of the Number of Members— France
and Belgium — The Insurrection at Bologna ; Advance of Austrian
Troops — Defeat of the Poles — The Dinner at the Mansion
House — Marshal Sebastiani — Windsor Castle — The Insurrection
in Samogitia and Lithuania— Defeat of the Russians at Waver—
General Gascoyne's Amendment carried against the Govern-
ment—The Crown of Belgium offered to Prince Leopold — Par-
liament dissolved — The Duke of Cumberland and the Opposition
— The New Elections ; the Duke of Northumberland's Subscrip-
tion— Sir R. Peel ; the Duke of Wellington — Lord Palmerston's
Defeat— News from Poland — The King's Visit to the City — The
Cholera in Poland — The Garter and Lord Grey — Don Miguel's
Illtreatment of British Merchants — Troubled State of Portugal —
The Violence of the Tories — The Dukes of Cumberland and
Gloucester — The Party at Windsor — Lady Ely — The Cholera at
Warsaw — The King and the Reform Bill — Lord and Lady Jersey
— Russian Defeat at Ostrolenka— The Grand-Duchess Hd^ne —
Arrival of Don Pedro — England and Belgium . . 173 — 240

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V.

THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION.

TAGE

The New Parliament — Additions to the Cabinet ; and the New Peers
— France and the Netherlands— The Reference in the King's
Speech to the Affairs of Poland— Death of Marshal Diebitsch ;
Marshal Paskievitch succeeds to the Command — The Introduc-
tion of the Second Reform Bill— The King of Holland and the
Belgians — The Duke of Wellington's Speech— Prince Leopold
elected King of the Belgians— Dinner at Northumberland House
— Don Pedro in England— Count Orloff — Disunion of the Tories
The Grand-Duchess Hel^ne — The Duchesse de Berri's Journey —
The Second Reading of the Reform Bill — William IV.'s Corona-
tion—The House at Sheen — Tactics of the Opposition in the
Commons — The Opinions of the Duke of WeUington — The King
of Holland's Refusal of the Eighteen Articles— King Leopold —
M. Lafitte— The Bishop of London and Reform — The King of
Holland invades Belgium ; French Troops cross the Frontier —
Sir Edward Codrington ordered to the Downs — King Leopold
defeated at Tirlemont— Occupation of Belgium by French Troops
— The Dutch retire — Arrival of M. Niemcewicz ; his Interview
with Lord Grey — The Duke of Wellington's Visit — The Insur-
gents at Witepsk — The Massacres at Warsaw— General Baud-
rand's Mission — Report of the Committee on the Reform Bill —
The French retire from Belgium— Count Capo d'Istria in Greece
—The King's Speech at the Coronation Dinner — The Russians
take Warsaw — The Third Reading of the Reform Bill —The
Paris Mobs — Civil War in Portugal — Death of Lord Durham's
Son — The Reform Bill introduced into the Lords — The Second
Reading rejected — The Grand-Duchess Hdlene— The Vote of
Confidence in the Commons — The Riots at Derby and Notting-
ham— Prorogation of Parliament— The Twenty-four Articles on
the Affairs of Belgium — The Riots at Bristol . . 241—292

CHAPTER VI.

THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL.

'•. "- Prince Adam Czartoryski — The Second Reading of the Bill

CONTENTS.

carried — Delay of Russia in the Ratification of the Twenty-four
Articles — Prince Czartoryski dines with Lord Grey ; Remon-
strances of Princess Lieven — Correspondence on this Subject ;
Case of General Alava cited — Unsettled State of France — ^The
Bill in Committee — The King of Holland refuses to recognise
King Leopold — Mission of Count Orlofif to the Hague and London
— Lord Harro\vby and the ' Waverers ' — Prince Polignac's Pam-
phlet— The Bill read a Third Time ; it is carried to the Lords —
The Second Reading carried in the House of Lords ; the Bill in
Committee — Count Orlofif and the Queen — The Russian Ratifica-
tions arrive — The Council summoned to consider these — Lord
Grey's Brother made Bishop of Hereford— Count OrlofiPs De-
parture— The Settlement of the Belgian Question — Lord Lynd-
hurst's Motion ; Defeat of the Government — Lord Grey resigns
— The Duke of Wellington unable to form an Administration —
Conduct of Sir R. Peel — Death of M. Casimir P^rier — Lord Grey
resumes Office — The Reform Bill passes the Committee in the
House of Lords — Is read a Third Time, and receives the Royal
Assent — The Czar's Opinion of Lord Grey — Lord Grey's Speech
in the House of Lords — Riots in Paris, on the Occasion of
General Lamarque's Funeral .... 293 — 356

CHAPTER VIL

LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY.

Lord Durham's Embassy to St. Petersburg — The Debates in the
House of Commons on Poland — Lord Grey's Speech in the
House of Lords— Obstinacy of the King of Holland — Don Pedro
of Brazil sails for Portugal — Lands, and gains Possession of
Oporto — The Discussion in Parliament on the Anglo-Dutch
Loan — Respective Forces of Don Pedro and Don Miguel — Lord
Howick's Marriage — The Decrees of the German Diet — Recep-
tion of Lord Durham by the Czar — The Russian Court at
Peterhof — Count Nesselrode's Opinion of Lord Durham — The
Czar's Visit to the Ta/avera— Lord Heytesbury — Marriage of
King Leopold — M. Van de Weyer — Lord Howe and Lord Grey's
Letter — The King of Holland must be brought to Reason —
Prince - Talleyrand's View of King Leopold's Conduct — Greek
Affairs ; Prince Otho of Bavaria — Lord Durham to visit Berlin
on his return Journey — Belgium and the Treaty of November
confirming the Twenty-four Articles — Complaints of Admiral
Ricord— Russia's Partiality towards Holland — The Rights of
Belgium — Lord Howe's Answer — Arrival in London of the
Duchesse d'Angouleme — Her View of the Duchesse de Berri's
Proceedings — Accident to Prince George of Cumberland ; his

CONTENTS.

Blindness— Report of the Death of the King of Spain— Letter
from Count Orloff— Lord Palmerston's Proposed Alteration in
the Treaty of November— The Conference on Belgium breaks
up — Arrival of Lord Durham — English Treaty with France for
the Settlement of the Belgian Question— Don Miguel at Oporto
—Request that Lord Heytesbury shall return as Ambassador to
St. Petersburg 357—412

CHAPTER VI IL

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION.

The Siege of Antwerp Citadel — General Chassd — M. Bjoernstjema —
The State of the Belgian Army — Admiral Sartorius and the
Portuguese Fleet — The Queen and Lord Howe — The Effect of
the Blockade of the Dutch Coast — The New French Ministry ;
Marshal Soult — M. Zea and Don Miguel — Russia and Portugal
— The Court at Brighton — Delay in beginning the Siege of the
Antwerp Citadel — Princess Lieven's Accident — The Duchess of
Gloucester — The Elections for the First Reformed Parliament —
News from Antwerp ; Further Delays— The Citadel finally taken :
the French Troops retire from Belgium — Arrival of Count Pozzo
di Borgo in London — ^The Emperor of Russia refuses to receive
Sir S. Canning as Ambassador — The King of Holland and the
Forts on the Scheldt — The Elections — Lord Denbigh appointed
Chamberlain to the Queen — The Article in the Standard — Sir R.
Peel's Opinion on the Union with Ireland and Irish Church
Reform — The Meeting of the First Reformed Parliament — The
King's Speech and the Address— Lord Palmerston and Sir S.
Canning's Nomination to Petersburg — The Division on the Irish
Coercion Bill — ^The Queen's Remarks thereon— The Duke of
Wellington and the Address of the House of Lords to the King
— Failure of the Tory Tactics — Princess Lieven's Journey to
Russia — Position of the Duke of Wellington — The Duchess of
Kent and the Salutes at Cowes — The Russian Court at Peterhof
— The Illumination on the Empress's Birthday — Mehemet Ali —
The Porte and the Treaty of Unkiar Skelessi — Lord Ponsonby
— Fetes at Peterhof; the Review — Return of Princess Lieven
to London ....... 413 — 46

CHAPTER IX.

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE PORTUGUESE QUESTION.

The Czar's Journey — Marriage of Lord Fordwich— Queen Donna
Maria at Windsor— The Meeting of the Sovereigns at Miinchen-
gratz — Princess Lieven's proposed Visit to Howick — Failure of

CONTENTS.

Don Miguel's Attempt on Lisbon — Prince Talleyrand leaves
England — The Duke and Duchess of Cumberland— The Ex-
pected Courier from Count Nesselrode — Lady Jersey — Lord
Stuart de Rothsay — News from Portugal ; M. de Palmella — The
' Memoirs and Correspondence of Mirabeau '—Death of Fer-
dinand VII. of Spain — ^The Queen Regent and Don Carlos —
Don Sebastian — Lady Jersey and Lord Palmerston — Don Pedro
in Portugal — M. Zea Bermudez— The Queen Regent's Manifesto
— Prince Leopold in Paris — Lady Jersey and Lord Grey — New
Year's Day at Brighton — Don Miguel's Answer to Don Pedro —
The Duchess of Bedford — Society at Brighton ; at the Pavilion
— Death of Mr. George Lamb — News of Prince Lieven's Recall
— Despatch from Count Nesselrode — Cause of Prince Lieven's
Recall — Lord Grey's Speech in the House of Lords — The Com-
mission of Inquiry on the Irish Church — The Quadruple Alliance
Treaty — Final Defeat of Don Miguel — The Irish Coercion Act ;
Resignation of Lord Althorp — Lord Grey resigns Office — Lord
Melbourne's Administration — Departure of Prince and Princess
Lieven for Russia .,..,. 461 — 509

CORRESPONDENCE

PRINCESS LIEVEN AND OF EARL GREY.

CHAPTER I.

GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV.

Princess Lieven's Departure — The King's Illness — Count Matuscewitz — Critical
News from France — Weakness of the Duke's Administration in both Houses
— George IV. Dying — The Duke of Wellington and the Opposition — The
Duke of Buckingham — Princess Lieven's Journey to Warsaw — George IV. 's
Last Hours — The Duke of Wellington's Position — The Galway Franchise
Bill — The French at Algiers — Reception of Madame de Lieven at Warsaw —
The Emperor and Empress ; Count Nesselrode — Prince Lieven named
Minister of Foreign Affairs ad Interim — Death of George IV. — The First
Council of William IV. ; the King's Demeanour — The Duke of Wellington's
Position — Lord Grey's Amendment on the Address — Mr. Brougham —
Festivities at Warsaw — The Polish Diet — The Emperor and the Grand-Duke
Constantine — Return of Princess Lieven — William IV, Closes the Session ;
his Appearance — Stories about the King — Proposals to Lord Melbourne —
Charles X. Signs the Ordonnances ; Beginning of the Revolution — Prince
Lieven's Illness — Progress of the Revolution of July — Elections for the New
Parliament — The Duke of Orleans Lieutenant of the Kingdom — Lord Grey's
Views of the Revolution and its Results — The Duke and Prince Polignac —
Abdication of Charles X. — The Duke of Orleans and General Gerard.

[In the month of June, Princess Lieven left England on a visit
to Russia. It seems to have been uncertain at the time of her de-
parture how long this absence from England might last.

May 1 6, Charles X. dissolved the Chamber, and both parties were
now preparing for the decisive struggle.
^.^VOL. n. 31

2 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [june

On May 21, Prince Leopold had definitely declined the sove-
reignty of Greece. During the interregnum Count Capo d'Istria
continued to rule.]

To Earl Grey.

Saturday morning [Ju7te ^th, 1830].

I cannot go away, my dear lord, without once
again saying adieu. I feel very sad, and you, in a
considerable measure, are the cause of my sadness.
Do not forget me ; do not forget to write to me. Your
letters will be my greatest pleasure. . . .

Some news has just reached me. The King was
much worse yesterday. An attack of vomiting came
on after eating some figs. He thought he was dying ;
he saw the Bishop,"' and begged him not to leave him.
The Duke of Cumberland thought him looking rather
better than last Monday. The King, who was very
low, only saw him for ten minutes. Aberdeen was
with him five minutes only. The Duke of Clarence
did not go to Windsor, excusing himself on the plea of
illness ; nevertheless he went with the Duchess and
the Princess Augusta to Richmond to pay a visit to

Lady Downshire, going round by L . This is all

my news.

We start in the course of to-day, and I am going
out to see my children once more before leaving. It
made me so sad yesterday to say good-bye to you,
that I have not courage to go through it again.
Except for this, I should beg you to come once more.
But it is better not, for I want all my strength for my
journey. If I think better of it, I will write you a line.

Meanwhile, once more, adieu.

* The Bishop of Chichester, Clerk of the Closet.

1830.] THE KING'S ILLNESS. 3

To Earl Grey.

Dover,

Monday morning, June ']th\\?>T,o\.

A few more words, my dear lord, before
leaving England that I love so well and quit with such
regret. We found Matuscewitz waiting for us here.
He was all night long talking to my husband ; his
pockets are not so full as I had imagined.

Polignac is obstinate, and has, as yet, yielded
nothing. His reign is drawing to an end. The news
that has recently reached him from the country is very
disquieting both to him and to the King. The
Ministry will have to count on fifty votes the less in
the next Chamber. In six weeks' time Polignac's last
hour as Minister will have sounded ; his successor will
be Villele or the Due de Mortemart.

My husband's interview with the Duke of Well-
ington yesterday was most satisfactory in all that
related to business ; as regards personal matters, there
was no reference made either to my husband's journey,
or his return, or to myself. The Duke of Wellington
assures him that the King will yet disappoint many
calculations ; that he might still get well, and live for
years if only he would follow a more strict regimen ;
and that even in not doing this, he may last a long
time, for his strength of constitution is quite extra-
ordinary. Without believing all this implicitly, I am
delighted that yesterday's bulletin should have been
better, because this gives our departure a less bad
appearance. Ah ! what an ugly word ' departure ' is
to me — and the thing itself is uglier !

Good-bye — do not forget me.

31—2

4 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [JUNE

Write to me every week, and write long letters,
and about everything. Believe that I shall think of
you very often, and that means always.

P.S. — I made several droll discoveries yesterday
evening during a quarter of an hour's conversation
with M[atuscewitz]. He is not my friend ; that is very
evident. He is enchanted at my departure, because
he wishes to be everything with the Ministers. This
is a disagreeable discovery, for I had believed him to
be really attached to me. I think I shall never trust in
anyone again but yourself. Good-bye, dear, dear Lord
Grey. Remember me always, and with affection.

To Princess Lieven.

June iiik, 1830.

I received your letter from Dover on Tuesday
morning. A poor substitute for my daily visit, but it
made me very happy, as a proof of your kindness and
remembrance. How I have missed you, and how I
shall count the months and weeks till you return ! But

am I to expect that happiness } * You

may remember this suspicion rose in my mind long
ago. All your good friends here will be eager to
avail themselves of M[atuscewitz]'s assistance, and I
cannot help fearing their success.

Nothing new has occurred since you left us. On
Monday morning the King was thought to be dying.
Halford told him of his situation, and sent an express

* A line of Lord Grey's letter has here been scratched out by the Princess.

1830.] WEAKNESS OF THE MINISTRY. 5

to the Duke of Wellington, who left London to go to
Windsor at three o'clock. On his arrival, he found
the King asleep — went to dine at Lord Maryborough's
— returned to the Castle between ten and eleven,
and hearing that the King was tranquil, and did not
know that he had been sent for, came back to town
without seeing him. The King has since rallied a
little, and from having believed that he could not live
twenty-four hours, the physicians, I hear, now again
talk of the possibility of his lasting days, or even weeks.
He is said to have borne Halford's communication
with great firmness, has had another leave-taking with
his sisters, and was to see the Duke of Clarence again
yesterday. Further I know not.

In the meantime things go on as usual in Parlia-
ment. In the House of Commons the weakness ot
the Ministers is daily more apparent. In two divisions,
the other day, they had on one only a majority of nine-
teen, the question being on the expenses of the Mis-
sions in South America ; on the other, they were beaten
(the question — the punishment of death for forgery),
and the Bill being introduced by Peel himself renders
this proof of his want of power and influence in the House
the more remarkable. In short, happen what may,
there must be some change to give the Ministry more
strength in the Houses of Parliament. In what manner
this is to be effected, must depend upon the disposition
of the new Sovereign. If, as many believe, and as the
friends of the Ministers confidently report, he shall
determine to leave the Administration as it is for the
present, and they have the choosing of the new Parlia-
ment, the probability, in my opinion, is that the old
mode of picking off individuals will be resorted to in

6 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [JUNE

the summer ; and that, for doing this, great facilities
will be afforded them by the appearance of support and
confidence in the Court. Perhaps my wish is father
to this thought, for when I think of the scene of em-
barrassment, vexation, and intrigue which anybody
who is concerned in such matters must have to go
through, with the certainty that, do what he may, he
will create more enemies than he can make friends, I
cannot help thinking that anybody who, in almost the
last stage of life, embarks on such a sea of troubles,
can expect only the loss of ease and comfort, of health,
and, perhaps, life itself, without much hope, in the
present state of things, of being able to do much
good.

In the House of Lords there has been, as usual,
little or nothing doing. There was one conversation
on the Greek papers, which affords nothing to remark
on, except that Aberdeen appeared to be very fretful.
What he will do, if he comes to a closer conflict, I
don't know. But it does not appear to me that there
is any very good way of bringing on a question on the
Greek negotiations, or any very great advantage in
doing it. The whole business is buried in such a mass
of papers, creates so little interest, and is so little
generally understood, that though many objections may
be made to the conduct of our Government, I do not
think they will make much impression ; the more
especially as they have some plausible topics on
their side, if they know how to use them, besides
the advantage of stating that the matter is in a
fair way of being settled with the concurrence of the
Allies.

Here is a very barren letter, but you desire me to

1830.] GEORGE IV. DYING.

write, and I have too much pleasure in doing so not to
obey your commands. You may depend upon hearing
from me every week, and I count as confidently on
your promise of writing frequently.

God bless you.

Berkeley Square,

/une 17 iA, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I have just received a message from Ashburn-
ham House to say that some person is to set off to-
morrow morning to meet you at Warsaw, and will take
charge of any letter that I may have to send. I there-
fore hasten to avail myself of this opportunity, though I
have little time, and still less to say. There is really
no alteration in the circumstances in which you left us.
Everything is suspended, as the marchande de modes
said to Lady Grey, ' en attendant la decision du Roi!
This has been put off beyond all expectation, and the
improved bulletins of the last five days have encouraged
many to believe that he may really recover. But of
this you will not be surprised to hear that no rational
being entertains the slightest hope. The event may
be retarded by an extraordinary natural strength of
constitution, and by the constant attention of the
physicians. But it is not the less certain. Indeed, if
I can believe what I hear privately, the King's
strength is diminishing, though his sufferings are less.
The relief was obtained, it was said a few days ago, by
puncturing the cavity of the chest to discharge the
water. This is now denied, and the apparent improve-
ment is attributed to the use of elaterium, a most

8 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [june

powerful but most dangerous medicine, of which a
physician of antiquity says : '' ElateriuTU esse in catalogo
dtadoli, quo necat homines! I believe you know enough
Latin to translate this ; if not, it is no matter. The
heir to the Crown continues to reside quietly at Bushey,
and I have heard nothing of him that affords more
grounds for speculating on his future conduct than
when you were here.

In Parliament things go on also exactly in the same
way. In the House of Commons the weakness of the
Ministers is daily more apparent. They exist there
only by concessions, and by small majorities when they
venture to divide. This, I know, has created great
anxiety and uneasiness in the Cabinet, and particularly
in Peel ; and well it may, for the whole burden falls
upon him. Whatever may happen, they must do some-
thing to strengthen their ranks there ; which will not
be easy, without more extensive changes than would
be agreeable to the Duke of Wellington. I do not
hear, however, that he shows any disposition to take
measures for this purpose. But, indeed, the time is
hardly come, when it would be possible for him to do
so, as the King is not in a state for any proposition of
this nature to be made to him.

In the House of Lords there has been nothing
done except some more questions from Lord London-
derry, leading to very desultory and unimportant con-
versations, in which I have abstained from taking any
part. I shall have a little battle of my own, on a Bill
relative to Ireland, if the Ministers oppose it ; of which
there was at one time some indication, but of which
they may probably think better. Though a public
Bill, some private interests are affected by it, which

1830.] THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. 9

occasion a good deal of canvassing. What the result
of this may be I cannot calculate ; but otherwise I
should have, I think, a very good chance of carrying
it. The Tories muster every day in great strength on
the cross-benches, where the Duke of Cumberland and
Lord Eldon have resumed their seats. Report says,
and there certainly is a great appearance of it, that
they have formed themselves into a more regular
party, and will not be unwilling to avail themselves of
any question that may arise to show their hostility to
the Duke. On the other hand, the Duke of Bucking-
ham has taken his seat behind the Ministers. Whether
this denotes more than a disposition to support them
(which will not last long, if his expectations, which are
not likely to be very moderate, are not satisfied), I
know not. He is both personally, and from his con-
nections, the most unpopular man, perhaps, in England ;
but I suspect he has more influence than such a man
ought to have with the Duke of Clarence, and this may
make him of some importance.

I am in every respect as I was, except that I am
not well, though not materially otherwise, and tired to
death of this town. I miss my morning visits, and,
what is worse, I have now been near a fortnight with-
out even hearing from you. What is the meaning of
this mission to meet you ? May I hope that it indi-
cates your journey being bounded at Warsaw, and
the probability of a speedy return ? If the weather
has been like ours, you must have had a most dreary
journey. It has been real winter ever since you left
us, with deluges of rain.

I have not seen M[atuscewitz]. I have called on
him, and he called here. Lady Jersey the other day

lo GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [june

desired that I would hear what he has to say about
Greece. I could only answer that I should be willing
to do so. She, of course, must think that I should
hear from him an account more favourable to the
conduct of our Government.

God bless you! How impatient I am for a letter,
and how much more impatient for your return!

To Earl Grey.

Berlin,

Imie \\th, 1830.'

Here I am, my dear lord, after eight days'
travelling, which I have borne fairly well. I thought
I should have died at Calais, where I had a faint-
ing fit, lasting more than an hour. I was, indeed,
very unwell when I left London. The change of air,
however, has done me good. We found awaiting us
here the Emperor's orders to go and join him imme-
diately at Warsaw. We set off to-morrow. I shall
write to you from there. How pleasant it would be
could I tell you that from Warsaw I return to London !
Between ourselves be it said, such is my great desire ;
but it is a wish somewhat wanting in courtliness,
therefore do not speak of it. I am awaiting your
letters with much impatience. I entreat of you write
to me punctually every Friday. I am constantly
thinking of you and of all that may have taken place
since my departure.

Adieu ; I am deadly tired ; do not forget me.

• The letters are here arranged, not according to their dates, but in the order
in which the Princess's letters were received and answered by Lord Grey.

1830.] DEATH OF GEORGE IV. II

lune 2^i/i, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I can only to-day write a very short letter. I
have received yours of the 14th from Berlin. . . .
Here we continue almost precisely in the same state
as when I last wrote — the only difference that the
King, who holds out most miraculously, gets worse,
and the Administration gives daily greater proofs of its
weakness in the House of Commons, and of its inca-
pacity to conduct the business of the country. You
will see that the King's disorder has taken, in some
respects, a new character. Though the original disease
of the heart is not removed, its symptoms have been
much abated; there is now little or no water. His
legs are reduced and healed, but he is reduced, at the
same time, to a frightful state of emaciation and weak-
ness, with a distressing cough and a discharge, by
expectoration, from the lungs, which indicates a rapid
destruction of that organ. He has another most painful
and distressing complaint (and it is this which requires
the constant attendance of a surgeon), which I cannot
describe to you, but which is in itself mortal. Under
all this accumulated misery it is wonderful that he
should still be in existence, and it seems impossible
that it should not end very soon. I have been too
often deceived in my prognostics to hazard any very
positive opinion as to time ; but it seems almost im-
possible that I should write to you again during the
present rei^n.* The Duke of Clarence, as well as the
King's sisters and the Duke of Cumberland, have
been several times at Windsor ; and the former met

* George IV. died at three o'clock on the morning of the following day,
June 26.

12 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [JUNE

the Duke of Wellington there twice, and had two
long conferences with him, which the adherents of
the Ministers assert to have been most satisfactory.

Nothing has happened with respect to myself,
except some further demonstrations of a disposition to
act with me from the different parties who are not
satisfied with the present Government ; to which I
have made a civil return, without entering into any
engagement or any concerted system of operations.
From the Ministers no similar indications have been
made. On the contrary, the Duke of Wellington has,
as I think, very gratuitously taken up the opposition
to a Bill which I had undertaken to support,* and on
which we are to have a battle to-day. There would
be, I think, a chance of a very great division against the
Government, if some of the foolish Tories had not
resolved to stay away on account of their old pre-
judices against the Catholics. The Duke of Richmond
will support me, and so will all Canning's party ; but I
have no one to assist me in taking measures to procure
a good attendance, and this will also be a great dis-
advantage. Here I feel the want of Rosslyn, who
understood perfectly, and was most active and useful
in the arrangement of these matters.

I have seen M[atuscewitz] twice. Once at a
dinner given by Lord Londonderry to Prince Frede-
rick of Prussia, and since one morning at Lady
Jersey's. Neither his ^07t, nor his manners, nor his
appearance pleases me. You tell me he is clever, and
I am bound to believe so good a judge, more especially
as I have had so little opportunity of forming an

* The Duke of Wellington's amendment on the Galway Franchise Bill (which
Lord Grey had introduced) was carried (against Lord Grey) by sixty-two to forty-
seven, June 25, 1830.

1830.] THE FRENCH AT ALGIERS. 13

Opinion for myself. But I must confess the little I
have seen of him does not impress me with that
notion. He is, I believe, very assiduous in his court
to the Ministers and to my neighbour in this square ; ^'
and the world gives him credit for a strong desire to
remain here permanently as Minister — a desire very
natural for him to entertain, but which those who have
had the means of appreciating Prince Lieven's services
to the Russian Government will not think likely to be
realized. I wish, however, that you had not gone
away at this moment.

The landing of the French seems to insure the
success of their expedition against Algiers.t Laval
does not seem so much elated as I should have ex-
pected, or, perhaps, he thinks it better to preserve a
moderate tone whilst even a possibility of failure
remains. He came here the other night, so entirely
overcome by fatigue, or by the fumes of a good, dinner,
that he could not keep his eyes open or finish a
sentence without the most dreadful yawns, and even
at times dropping asleep. Between these interruptions,
and his constant ' £/i- bien ! eh bien /' I was more than
ever puzzled to collect any meaning from what he said.
After all, here is a long, though not a very interesting,
letter ; and I must now take leave of you till next
week, when I hope I shall have from you a long letter
full of news, and more particularly of all that relates
to yourself. I was a little jealous at hearing that
Billow had had a letter from you at Aix-la-Chapelle,
when you did not send me a word.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

* Lady Jersey.

t June 14, the French expedition, under Bourmont, effected a landing on the
Algerine coast.

14 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [JUNE

To Earl Grey.

Warsaw,

Sunday, June 20tk, 1830.

How delightful, my dear lord, to have news of
you ! Count Nesselrode sent me over the first thing
this morning your letter of the i ith. So many thanks.
Every word that you say interests me immensely.
Pray continue to write, for nothing in the world gives
me more pleasure than your letters. We arrived here
on the .twelfth day from our leaving England. A
very rapid journey indeed, and which, with the good
arrangements for sleeping on the road, did not fatigue
me much. The Emperor, attended by my brother,
only came back yesterday to Warsaw, but they set
off again immediately to go and meet the Empress, who
has been paying a visit to the King, her father,* in
Silesia. She arrives in Warsaw to-night, so that I
have not as yet seen any member of the Imperial
family. My husband saw the Emperor yesterday for a
moment, and was greatly flattered by the amiable
reception he met with ; it would have been impossible
for any Sovereign to treat a subject with more con-
sideration and kindness.

I passed the whole day yesterday resting, and
talking with Count Nesselrode. Your name was often
mentioned, and during the short time that my husband
was with the Emperor, you again were the subject
of conversation. I only wish your master did you as
much justice as does mine. For, indeed, he appreciates
you, and this, as you can imagine, is a great pleasure to
me. This week is going to be very fatiguing — recep-

* Frederick William III. of Prussia.

1830.] THE COURT AT WARSAW. 15

tions at Court, and balls, which are most intolerable.
Metternich has a representative here, young Philip of
Homburg, the same your Government wished to make
Sovereign of Greece. He has come to congratulate
the Emperor, and is the only foreign diplomatist in
Warsaw. We passed Metternich's chateau on our road
here ; he would have heard of it only on the following
day.

^UMe 2ist.

The Empress has just sent for me, and at the
same moment Count Nesselrode lets me know that in a
few hours he is going to despatch a courier to London.
I am, therefore, very much hurried in finishing this,
but am anxious to tell you what I know will interest
you much. Count Nesselrode, on account of his
health, is obliged to go and take the waters at Carls-
bad for some months ; my husband, ad interim, will
replace him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conse-
quently he will only be able to return to England in
October. For my part, however, I am in hopes of
getting back before then, but my next letter will give
you more positive news. Meanwhile, continue to write
to me, and I will do the same to you, for I think of
you often.

Knowing how suspicious you are, I had better add
that what I tell you about my husband is strictly and
literally true ; that the absence of Count Nesselrode is
solely on account of his health ; that it was he who asked
my husband to do him this service of friendship in
acting as locum tenens, and that the Emperor has
agreed to this, in proof of the confidence with which he
honours M. de Lieven ; that Nesselrode will return to
Petersburg at the end of September, and my husband

1 6 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [juLY

to London in October. I shall leave, very surely,
before this latter date, but when I do not know.

Adieu, my dear lord. I have this minute come
back from the Empress, who is as charming as she is
beautiful and good. She was most gracious to me. I
shall see the Emperor this evening. I have only time
to add good-bye, and reiterate the assurances of my
sincere and true friendship.

Berkeley Square,

Jtcly 2nd, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

Your letters are short, and long between.
I hope, when all the bustle of your first arrival has
ceased, I shall find you a better correspondent. Your
letter of June 20 reached me a few days ago. It gave
me the greatest pleasure, which I must always feel
upon every new instance of your recollection and
kindness. But I wish it had been a little more com-
municative, both of what relates to yourself and what
is going on in the arena of foreign politics. What you
say of your reception and Prince Eleven's by the
Emperor gave me unqualified pleasure. It was, how-
ever, no more than I expected. The Emperor
Nicholas is too just and too discriminating a Prince not
to feel all the value of the service which has been
rendered to him by his Ambassador in London.

My prediction that I should not have to write to
you again in the same reign was verified that very
night. The poor King sank at last under his accumu-
lated miseries, and died about three in the morning.
The immediate cause of his dissolution was the
rupture of a bloodvessel in his stomach. All the

1830.] THE FIRST COUNCIL. 17

details preceding and accompanying this event are
very fully and, in general, not inaccurately stated in
the newspapers. These, of course, you will see, and I
will not waste either your time or my own in describing
what you will learn equally well from that source, and
also hear from others. The medical people report
very favourably of the kindness and consideration
which he showed for them, but express the most
unqualified disgust, both at the want of feeling and the
interested conduct of those whose situation ought
at least to have produced a semblance of grief, though
they might not feel it. The King also complained
of their being so constantly in his room when he
wanted to be quiet — not less than five hours the very
day before his death — and desired Sir H. Halford
to prevent its happening again. This I have from
Lord Wellesley, to whom Sir H. Halford has stated it
in the strongest terms.

I attended the Council at which the new King
was declared. Nothing could be better than his whole
manner and demeanour — much better, as being much
more unaffected and natural, than that of the late
King. In reading his declaration, which he did very
distinctly and well, he was at times a good deal
affected, but in a way which entirely destroyed the
suspicion that he was acting a part which he did not
feel, and which gave a great grace and effect to what
he was doing. His manner to the members of the
Privy Council upon their kissing his hand, after having
taken the oaths, was civil and equal. To Lord
Spencer, Lord Holland, and one or two others with
whom he had had some previous connection, he spoke
rather more, but in general, as I have said, there was
VOL. II. 32

1 8 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [jULY

little distinction. With his Ministers, however, there
was an appearance of ease and cordiality which pre-
pared me for what I heard immediately afterwards,
that he had not only continued them in office, but
declared that they had his entire confidence and sup-
port. Everything that I had heard, indeed, for the
last week or two led to this expectation — his frequent
communications with the Duke of Wellington, at
Windsor, and his entire reserve and silence with
respect to everybody else. In this instance the Duke
of Wellington's good fortune seems to have attended
him, as in so many others. Had the demise of the
Crown taken place six weeks or two months ago, it is
reasonable to believe, from all that we heard at the
time, that it might have found the King in a very
different disposition. The long suspense, the neces-
sity which during that period brought him and the
Duke of Wellington so much together, the activity of
intermediate agents, and possibly some recommenda-
tion from the late King, all contributed to produce this
result ; and there is the Great Captain established,
according to all outward appearance, with the same
personal influence and power as during the reign
which has just closed. I say, according to outward
appearance, because there are persons living in the
very bosom of the King's family who state that at
the bottom of his heart there is no real affection for
his Minister. But so it was for a time, at least, with
the late King, and yet we have seen how things went
on. There has been no disposition shown on the part
of the Minister to gain any accession of strength from
any quarter. I have little doubt that his view of his
own situation was this : that the declaration of the new

1830.] THE ADDRESS. 19

King's support and confidence must give him strength,
that the power of choosing the new ParHament would
increase it, and thus apparently established, he might,
before the next Session, make his proposals as master,
to any persons whom he might find it convenient to
introduce into the Administration, as adjuncts, but not
as colleagues.

In the meantime he has received one or two hints
in Parliament, which may show him that this game
may not be so easy or so sure as he may have expected.
The debate and the division on the Galway Bill, a
trumpery matter in which it was hardly decent for a
Minister to exert his power, made a considerable
impression, and even his supporters expressed the
weariness which it gave them ; and on the amend-
ment which I moved to the Address * I thought it
right no longer to withhold an open and strong
declaration of my opinion, ' that this Administration
was not capable of conducting the Government with
advantage to the country.' The miserable figure that
the Ministers made in the debate is not to be de-
scribed. In the House of Lords, at least, there are
no battles of Waterloo to be gained, and there the
conqueror in so many battles appears, in truth, a very
little man. I was supported by all the leading members
of all parties, and though the majority against us was
large, t our numbers (considering the nature of the
question, the first in a new reign, and when the
Minister himself, defeated in argument, was reduced
to the necessity of appealing to the House on the
ground of the motion being directed to the overthrow

* In reply to the King's message, June 30.

•j- The amendment was lost by forty-four votes, the numbers being 100 to 56.

-12 2

20 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [july

of his Administration) were perhaps as large as could
reasonably have been expected. In the House of
Commons the numbers were proportionally much
greater,* and I believe there really might have been
a majority against the Ministers, if it had not been for
the strange conduct of Brougham, whom I really do
believe to be mad. But upon this I have not time
for all the details it would require. How I regret not
being able to talk them over with you vtvd voce! It
is really impossible in a letter — either as to persons or
motives of conduct, or their probable consequences —
to state even impartially what is necessary to give an
adequate view of the present state of affairs.

Here, then, I am, declared against the Ministers,
and though without any formal union, supported by
the favourable disposition of all the parties not con-
nected with the Government. To what this may lead
cannot be seen till another Session. The Duke has, at
all events, gained that time, and time in politics, as
well as in military affairs, is, as he well knows, almost
everything. But this is certain, that if the new
elections do not turn out very favourably to him — of
which I do not think there is much probability — and
if he cannot get some more efficient assistance in the
House of Commons, which is now become more diffi-
cult than ever, it is not possible that the present
Administration should continue. I think I see already
some symptoms that this is the conviction, if not of
the Duke, of some of his most zealous and intimate
supporters ; and some things have come to me in the
course of the last twenty-four hours, which induce me

* Lord Althorp's amendment to the Address was lost by forty-six ; the numbers
were 185 to 139.

i83o.] LORD GRETS POSITION. 21

to believe that some attempt may be made to con-
ciliate me during the recess. This, however, is now
more difficult, and to tell you the truth, in what I have
done, I had it in view to put myself in a situation in
which it would be impossible to make me anything less
than a fair offer, and to place myself on good ground
for rejecting anything of a contrary description.

Here is a letter as long as one of Nesselrode's, and
yet I have not said a tenth part of what I should have
to say if I could see you. You see the confidence with
which I write ; if you do not return it, I shall be more
reserved in future.

I hardly know whether to congratulate you on
the very honourable distinction Prince Lieven has
received. I should do so most cordially, if I did not
fear that it may prevent your return.

I have not another moment.

Ever most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Warsaw,

June 2'jth, 1830.

I have a few minutes to spare, and think I
cannot better employ them than by writing to you, and
thus giving you a good example of my remembrance
and friendship.

My life here is so full that I could imagine myself
to have been at Warsaw for fourteen days, whereas I
have only been here four. All Russia is assembled
here ; old friends to see again — long conversations —
my brother and Nesselrode permanently established
in my drawing-room — and then the fatigues of a

22 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [JUNE

Court besides ; such are my occupations for sixteen
hours out of the twenty-four. But, indeed, I am very
happy, and quite satisfied with all that I hear and see,
and do not mind the fatigue I am going through. My
Emperor is all kindness to me, and my pleasure at the
audience was so great that I almost forgot the respect
due to him, in the expression of my delight at seeing
him once more. We spoke a good deal about you
also. You would be surprised at his admirable good
sense and judgment on all points ; his calm moderation
and even diffidence, when one remembers the station
he occupies. In a letter I can say but little of all that
I think, and that very lamely. I therefore reserve
much for our conversations.*

We are waiting with the greatest impatience for news
from London. How is the King getting on ? is he
still alive ?

The Deputies of the Polish Diet gave a great ball to
the Empress yesterday. It was very fine ; but you can
suppose how little it was to my taste to remain standing
for five hours. To-morrow the Emperor gives a grand
ball ; this will be less fatiguing than the other, for it
will be less crowded. The Grand-Duke Constantine
is just what I left him twelve years ago, very witty and
original. He has already made me laugh much.

The business of the Diet is drawing to an end, and
the Session will close on the 28th. The Poles appear
much attached to the Emperor, full of zeal and good
will ; his cordial and simple manners produce on
them the best possible effect. With regard to news,

* Four lines erased by the Princess at a subsequent period.

1830.] FESTIVITIES AT WARSAW. 23

we are here as at the bottom of a well — no courier
from either Paris or London, and I am dying of
curiosity. I will write in a few days as to my future
movements.

Adieu, my dear lord ; do not forget me. I am
writing to no one to-day except yourself. If you meet
Lady Cowper, pray give her news of me.

To Earl Grey.

Warsaw,

June 2%th, 1830.

I begin, my dear lord, by what I know will
interest you most.

I return straight from here to London. I leave
Warsaw on July 4 at the latest, and shall reach
London about the 20th. You can imagine the pleasure
this gives me. I was somewhat troubled and perplexed
by the kind wish expressed by the Emperor to have
me come to Petersburg ; however, all is now well
settled, and I am not going there, but coming back to
you. Meanwhile, I am harassed to death with the
gaieties here. I got home at three o'clock this morn-
ing from a ball at the Palace, and by ten o'clock I was
obliged to be back there in full dress to accompany the
Empress to the closing of the Polish Diet. And now
a messenger is just leaving for London, and I must
hurry to get off these few lines to you. The Emperor
leaves Warsaw the 2nd. My husband follows him
the next day, when Count Nesselrode starts for
Carlsbad.

I have to thank you, my dear lord, for your letter
of the 17th. It gives me such pleasure, even by this

24 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [jULY

means, to continue our conversations. How happy I
shall be to take them up again !

I have just come back from the Chambers. It was
all very imposing ; no one could have looked more
thoroughly imperial than did my master. Still, it was
a curious sight — he on the throne, and the Grand-
Duke Constantine at the other end of the hall among
the deputies."^' The cordial relations existing between
the two brothers are really admirable, and very
touching.

Adieu, my dear lord ; I am deadly tired. Write
to me once again, and I shall get your letter on the
road. I will leave directions to have it forwarded.
What a pleasure it is to be able to say au revoir !

To Earl Grey.

Berlin,

hily t^th, 1830.

I shall probably be in London on the 15th, my
dear lord. On getting here I heard of the death of
King George, and found your letter of June 25. A
thousand thanks for it, which I shall myself be able to
reiterate to you in a few days' time. How happy I
shall then be ! I left Warsaw two days ago, almost at
the same time as the Emperor. He came again, and
had a talk with me at my house for two hours before
his departure. His kindness to me and these marks
of confidence are extraordinary. My husband left
Warsaw shortly after I did. I shall get on as fast as
possible, for I wish to forget my many leave-takings at
Warsaw, and shall dwell in anticipation on the pleasures

* As Governor of the Kingdom of Poland.

1830.] RETURN TO ENGLAND. 25

awaiting me in London, among which, as you well
know, that of seeing you again is one of the first. It
is almost needless writing adieu, my dear lord, for we
shall meet so soon. Excuse this scrawl.

Friday, July 16th, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I received your letter from Berlin, and sent
yesterday evening to inquire about you. I need not
say what pleasure I received from the answer that you
had arrived at Richmond. I called this morning at
Ashburnham House, in the hopes of hearing that you
were coming to town, but the porter gave me no such
expectation. When may I hope to see you ? and how
does it happen that you have given me no sign of life ?
I say nothing on all that has happened since we parted.
That will be better reserved for our conversations, but
my stay in London is drawing near its end. I shall be
obliged to go, I fear, the end of next week.

God bless you.

Ever yours,

P.S. — I wrote a very long letter on the 2nd, which
I hope will not fall into other hands.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Saturday [ /uly 17M, 1830].

Yes, my dear lord, here I am, but still suffering
so much from fatigue that yesterday I could not possibly
hold a pen. I take it up to-day for the first time, and

26 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [JULY

write to you, to say that I shall be in town on Monday
morning. I will send you word as to the hour when
I could see you. I hope it may be early. Your letter
of the 2nd reached me safely, and much do I thank
you for it. How many things shall we not have to say
to one another, and how delighted I shall be to see
you again ! But pray do not set off so soon for
Howick ; come to Richmond till Parliament meets
again. This will keep you in good health, and restore
mine too. No good-bye ; we shall meet on Monday.

[Princess Lieven, presumably during her journey, had met with an
accident, and was much hurt, her carriage having been upset.]

Richmond,

Tuesday, July Q-^th, 1830.

It has just been decided, my dear lord, that I
must be bled again to-day. I let you know, in case
you might be intending to come and see me. I will
let you know to-morrow how I am, and if I shall be
able to come to town on Thursday.
Good-bye, and many kind regards.

Berkeley Square,

Jtdy 2is(, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I have just received your note. I cannot
express to you half my vexation ^.t not seeing you. . . .

On Friday the King closes the Session in person,
and I have promised to take my daughter to the
House of Lords ; but if the prorogation should be put
off, or if I can get anybody else to take care of her, I

1830.] THE NEW KING. 27

certainly will call on you ; if not, on Saturday. It
is really too hard, with only four or five days remaining,
that I should have the prospect of being able to devote
so small a portion of them to you. I have not a word
of news to tell you. Of the new King there are plenty
of stories in circulation ; but with all this incessant
agitation, there really was in his manner at the levee
this morning a degree of composure and propriety
which one could not have expected. I should say of
it exactly what I said of his demeanour at the first
Council, that nothing could be more becoming his
situation. He was extremely civil to me. As to
everything else, I have nothing more to tell you.
Holland, by Lord Melbourne's desire, communicated
to me the account of the overture that had been made
to him, and I took an opportunity this morning of
telling Lord Melbourne how much I was gratified
by this mark of his confidence and good opinion.

God bless you, dearest Princess ; why should you
not come to Howick to re-establish your health ? You
have no idea what a good nurse I am.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Thursday evening, July 22nd, 1830.

A thousand thanks, my dear lord, for your note
of yesterday. I quite understand all your difficulties.
It vexes me, the idea of our being so near, and yet
so much separated from each other. Come when
you like, or when you can. You are sure to find
me. However, if it were impossible for you to come

28 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [jULY

at all, I would go to town on purpose to see you,
though I am forbidden to do so. All that I am able to
do just at present is to take a drive towards evening
for half an hour.

The Duchess of Cumberland came to see me to-
day ; she dined with the King yesterday. Esterhazy
dined there also — the only diplomatist present. The
King drank to the health of the Emperor of Austria
with very flattering assurances of his friendship. The
Duke of Wellington has not yet been invited to dine
with the King.

The King of Wiirtemberg arrives to-night ; they
are going to give him a grand reception at Court. He
will stay four days. The King and Queen are to
establish themselves at Windsor on August 5.

I have now given you all my news, and it is, after
all, very commonplace.

Adieu, my dear lord. If you should not come to-
morrow, pray write to me, for I must either see you or
hear from you. I had already heard from those present
at the levee how very graciously the King received
you. What is to follow ?

Berkeley Square,

/zi/y 2ird, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I received your very kind note, with all the
pleasure which everything from you must always give
me.

I am at this moment returned from the House of
Lords, after all the fatigue of sitting between two or
three hours in my robes, in the heat of a tropical
climate. The King did his part very well, but looked,

1830.1 THE FIVE ORDONNANCES. 29

I thought, frightfully full and bloated. His face and
hands were literally purple, and made me think that
apoplexy was not one of the least of the dangers to
which he is exposed.

Leopold's dinner is put off on account of the arrival
of the King of Wurtemberg. But the Duke of Sussex
has a party on Wednesday, to which he has invited me,
and I shall stay till Monday. I hope this may give me
one more chance of seeing you after to-morrow. . . .

God bless you, dearest, dearest Princess.

Ever your most devoted

P.S. — Not a word of news.

[On July 25 Charles X. signed at St. Cloud the five celebrated
Ordonnances, which altered and abrogated some of the most essential
provisions of the Constitutional Charter of 18 14, granted by
Louis XVIII. The iirst of these Ordonnances suspended the liberty
of the press ; the second decreed the dissolution of the newly-elected
Chamber of Deputies ; the third introduced organic changes into
the system of election ; the fourth convoked the two Chambers for
September 28 ensuing; and the fifth added some ultra-Royalists to
the Council of State.]

To Earl Grey,

Richmond,

July 2^th, 1830.

What ill-luck, my dear lord, not even to have
caught sight of you yesterday !

I had intended coming to town this morning quite
early, in the hopes of seeing you for a moment before
you left for the north (and I ought to have come in
any case, having had a time appointed for me for wait-
ing on the Princesses) ; but my doctor has just come
in, and finds me very feverish and exhausted after the

30 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [JULY

terrible evening of yesterday,* and positively forbids
my moving from home to-day.

So I must wish you good-bye by letter, and deeply
am I grieved at being obliged to do so in this manner.
We have seen so little of each other. I entreat you to
write to me, and I will do so to you.

What amazing news from France ! What is to
follow ? I can assure you that Russia will never lend
her countenance to conduct so extravagant. I hope
other countries may adopt the same course. But what
inconceivable madness it all is !

Many times adieu, until the month of October. It
is a long way off, but do not forget me.

Berkeley Square,

/ttly 2g^/i, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I have just got your note, and have only a
moment to answer it, before I set out. I am quite in
despair at going away without seeing you once more,
and I am mortified at thinking that if you had had the
same wish, we might have had at least one more com-
fortable talk. And I have so much to say to you.
We stay at Hatfield till Saturday, perhaps till Monday.
Afterwards two days at Milton. The correspondence
must now be chiefly maintained on your side, for I can
have nothing to write but la pluie et le beau temps.

This is indeed a most important and decisive
measure that has been taken by the French Govern-
ment. I am not at all sure it will not succeed — at least,
for a time. What you say is the determination of
Russia, ought to be that of all the Governments of

* K dinner at the palace.

1830.] THE CRISIS IN FRANCE. 31

Europe. But ' I fear the Duke of Wellington as a
Minister in such a crisis. His wishes cannot be
doubtful, and it is hardly possible to believe that
Polignac would have ventured so entirely to throw
away the scabbard without some encouragement, or
what he believed to be such, from him and Metternich.
It is at all events a new revolution. If it succeeds,
in favour of despotism ; if it fails, at least it must
produce a change of the Monarch, and probably the
destruction of the monarchy.

But I have not time for such matters, so adieu.

Direct to me to-morrow to Lord Salisbury's at
Hatfield ; if I stay longer I will let you know, and also
how to direct to me afterwards. I have not another
moment.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

Your devoted,

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Friday \Jtdy 2,0th, 1830].

Your letter has this moment been brought to
me, my dear lord, and I answer it at once. The
accounts in the papers of this morning are alarming,
and God only knows what may be happening now
in France, and the King, a religious man, im-
perils the lives of his subjects merely to please
his favourite. Truly, Charles X. must be mad.
However, I have a consolation in believing that your
Ministers take a right view of all this ; and in justice
to the Duke of Wellington I am bound to say that his
tone to me was most satisfactory when speaking on

32 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [jULY

the subject. I certainly do not think that Polignac has
been countenanced by him, but I would not answer for
M. de Metternich. Or, rather, I affirm that all that
has taken place is much to his taste, even if it has not
actually emanated from him. I will send you any
news that I may learn from reliable sources. What
a pity to have to write instead of speaking ! You are
not quite just with regard to me. I would have come
to town yesterday if I possibly could ; but I am still
suffering much, and there is now a question of a con-
sultation. Meanwhile absolute quiet is essential. Just
imagine, at the very time when I was so near being
killed my husband was lying at the point of death in a
wretched village in Poland. He had the most violent
inflammation of the bowels, and was in great danger
for three days. He is now convalescent, and has
reached Petersburg. I think this is enough ill-luck for
one family.

Adieu, my dear lord ; I am interrupted by a

visit.

A thousand kind wishes.

D. LlEVEN.

[On July 27 Marshal Marmont was appointed commander of
the military force in Paris. Riots ensued, and barricades were
raised. On the 28th, Paris was declared in a state of siege. During
the fighting, the troops were worsted by the mob, and some regiments
fraternized with the people. On the 29th, the Palace of the Tuileries
was sacked by the populace. The King, at St. Cloud, now too late,
consented to recall the Ordonnances.'\

Hatfield,

August 1st, 1830.

I was in hopes, dearest Princess, that I should
have had a line from you last night ; but I conclude
that your being at Richmond prevented your being

1830.] THE NEWS FROM PARIS. 33.

able to send the news from Paris by yesterday's post.
I heard the whole account from Rosslyn, from whom I
did not expect it, and from Holland. It has raised
my spirits exceedingly. I lament every act of violence
attended with the loss of life. But as the unjustifiable
and atrocious attempt of Charles X. and his ministers,
to extinguish at a blow the liberty of France, could
only be resisted by force, I must rejoice that the
resistance has, so far, been successful. That it will be
eventually so I think can now hardly be doubted.
The defection of a part of the army, and the state of
public feeling, as proved by the late elections, seem to
render this nearly certain. We leave this place to-
morrow ....

The elections seem to be going very much against
the Ministers. I begin to think that they will gain
very little if at all in numbers, and that they are
evidently losing in consideration.

God bless you, dearest Princess,

Ever most entirely yours,

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Monday, August 2nd, 1830.

I have been suffering very much, my dear
lord, and am so still ; I have sent to London for a
surgeon, and shall see what he can do for me. But it
was not my health that prevented my writing to you
on Saturday. By a mistake your letter was only
forwarded to me very late, and I did not know
whether you were still at Hatfield. To-day I address
to you at Milton, not having the slightest idea where

VOL. II. ZZ

34 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [aug.

Milton is. What dreadful news from France ! The
character of the situation is entirely changed by all we
now hear. A legal resistance to the Decrees of the
King was what might have been expected ; but acts
of violence such as have taken place make the case
very different. If a Republican form of Government is
to be the end of all this, one cannot but fear lest it
should become once again a Republic with aggressive
tendencies. What power in Europe may then not be
forced anew to take up arms ? I have but one opinion
on this subject : everything that leads to an apprehen-
sion of encroachment on neighbouring States calls for
measures of precaution ; and if any such encroachment
take place — then war. In the case, however, of no
such aggression happening, and, above all, if the
Government, whatever it may be, which is established
in France, begins by satisfying Europe through a
positive declaration on this point, then no one will
have the right to interfere with her. But how can one
hope for wisdom in the midst of the convulsions now
agitating France ? And all this for a man like Polignac !
I send you no details, for I imagine that to-day's
papers, which I have not yet read, contain all that was
in the despatches received by Aberdeen on Saturday
night. The Ambassadors are prisoners in their own
houses. Messengers are detained, but the one who
brought these despatches managed to escape and get
past the barricades. Pozzo gives no sign of life what-
soever. I am quite anxious about him. He might
really die of fright. He is not the man for a great
crisis. Come what may, it appears certain to me that
-Charles X. has now ceased to reign. Nobody foresaw
what has just taken place. On Tuesday, the 27th,

1830.] THE DUKE OF ORLEANS. 35

Pozzo wrote me : ' There is nothing to be feared with
reference to the tranquillity of Paris ; they will have
recourse to no violent measures.' It is incomprehen-
sible.

At this very moment I have got news. The
Duke of Orleans* is Lieutenant of the Kingdom, and
probably King. Private letters speak with enthusiasm
of the conduct of the populace of Paris. The Court
alone is made to bear the whole onus of the crime and
its consequences. I cannot yet set my ideas in order
about these mighty events. Certainly these have not
been provoked by any interference on the part of your
Government. At least, so I believe. But such events
may have a fatal influence upon its fortunes. God only
knows what may be ahead. How annoying to be
ill at such a time, and you absent ! It is really most
unfortunate.

Now I must say good-bye, my dear lord, for I am
expecting visitors, and otherwise might be prevented
getting off this letter to-day. I shall wait impatiently
to know your opinion on all that is taking place, and
what you think ought to be done. Write soon to me.
I promise to tell you anything I may hear, not to be
found in the papers. To-day I can add nothing to
what is read in print.

A thousand kind regards.

D. LlEVEN.

Milton,

August 3^/, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

This morning's post brought me your letter ; I
need not say how acceptable it was to me .... I

* Louis Philippe.

33—2

36 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [AUG.

am sorry to see in what you say of the late events in
France a tendency to a very different view of them to
that which I take. What could be done by legal
resistance to a power which had overturned all law ?
Force was the only resource, and, thank God, it has
triumphed. The people of Paris seem to me to have
shown no less moderation than courage, and are
entitled to the thanks and admiration of everyone who
feels that they have not only preserved the liberty
of France, but have prevented the destruction of that
of every country in Europe. The death of George IV.
is now a most fortunate event. His disposition in the
present crisis would have been the worst possible ;
and the present Ministers would have been too likely
to acquiesce in the measures which he would have
desired. It will now be their own fault entirely if they
do not find the means of obtaining, out of this revolu-
tion, the most satisfactory securities for the peace and
independence of the world. But to do this there must
be no hesitation, no grudging, no appearance of
indecision and ill-will in their measures.

The Government of the Duke of Orleans should
be at once cordially and frankly acknowledged ; i.e., as
soon as it appears to be sanctioned and supported by
the general will of France. I should certainly have
thought it right to acknowledge any other form of
Government — even a Republic — if established by the
same authority. Measures of precaution which you
think in such a case might become necessary — if by
measures of precaution is meant renewal of a league
amongst the other Powers — accompanied by a display
of force, could not have failed to excite jealousy, dis-
trust, and ultimately war. Do not suppose from this

1830.] CONDUCT OF THE GOVERNMENT. 37

that I would have advised indifference, much less sub-
mission to any attempt to invade the rights of others,
or to extend the dominions of France. But to mark
a suspicion of such an intention would have been to
suggest and excite it ; apparent goodwill would have
afforded the best means of inspiring a similar dis-
position. A policy dictated by such views would have
impaired in no degree the real means of defence, if an
occasion calling for them should arise ; and they would
have been the more effectual in proportion as they
appeared to all the nations of Europe, and to France
itself, to have been called into action by motives the
most legitimate and the most just.

Such a course cannot, I think, now be disap-
proved by anyone who takes a right view of the late
events, and of the causes which have produced them.
We at least, looking at our own history, cannot deny
that Charles X. has justly forfeited his throne. In
appointing the Duke of Orleans, the French have not
deviated more from the established line of succession
than was absolutely necessary to their own security ;
and our acknowledgment of his power ought, as I
have already said, to be a matter of course. But I am
far from feeling any confidence that so simple and
direct a manner of proceeding will be adopted by our
Government. The distrust with which you have
inspired me has increased by an observation of all
their measures. I hope and I believe that they have
nothing to answer for as advisers and encouragers of
the last act of infatuation and violence. I am equally
disposed to credit their assurances that the appointment
of Polignac was not caused by any direct recommenda-
tion from hence. But I cannot forget the language

38 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [aug.

that was held at that time by them and their retainers ;
the praises of the Administration of the 8th of August,*
and the violent abuse of the Liberals, which were daily
poured forth by all the foolish persons who had no
opinions but such as they took from them ; and though
not the original and active promoters of the appoint-
ment of the Polignac Administration, I cannot acquit
them of not having contributed, by the means which I
have described, to that measure, to which all that has
now happened may be attributed.

Upon the whole, the present aspect of affairs gives
me the greatest satisfaction. I never expected to live
to see anything half so good. The composition of the
Ministry, or the provisional Government, gives me
additional confidence in this view. It seems to offer
something to satisfy every description of party in
France. Lafayette and the National Guards, the
Duke of Orleans a Bourbon Prince, the tricolor flag
with the appointment of Clausel,f etc., gives Repub-
licans, Liberals, Constitutionalists, Bourbons, and even
Bonapartists, something to boast of, and will, I trust,
insure the humanity and moderation, as well as the in-
telligence and vigour which are necessary for the estab-
lishment of a free and salutary Government in France.
You desired my opinions, and I have given them
without reserve, though very hastily, and perhaps
without sufficient caution, on measures of such extreme
delicacy and importance. But I consider them as
sacred from every eye but your own. I leave this
place early to-morrow. . . .

Ever most entirely yours,

* When Prince Polignac was named Premier.
+ The celebrated Bonapartist General.

1830.] ABDICATION OF CHARLES X. 39

[August 2, Charles X. abdicated the throne in favour of his
grandson, the Due de Bordeaux ; he then set out with his guards for
Normandy, with a view of embarking for England.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Tuesday, August yd, 1830.

This, my dear lord, is what I know over and
above what we learn from the newspapers. However,
I have not yet seen those of this morning.

The regiments of the line, and even the Guards,
abandon the King ; the Swiss alone remain faithful.
The King is supposed to have fled. Madame de
Polignac has been arrested in the neighbourhood of
Versailles. It is said that, failing the Duke of Orleans,
they would have proclaimed Napoleon II.* or the
Republic. The King had abandoned his Ministers,
and offered to revoke the Ordonnances. It is neither
more nor less than cowardice to have done this so late
in the day. I do not think the Duke of Wellington
will be over-pleased at the good fortune of the Duke
of Orleans. The latter told me in confidence last year
how very little he cared for the Field-Marshal, and
that he in no wise admired his policy.

I am in bed and very unwell, and am really
beginning to be anxious about myself.

Adieu, my dear lord ; I have neither anything
further to add nor the strength to write more.

Yours ever,

* The Due de Reichstadt.

40 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [AUG.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

August e,ih, 1830.

A thousand thanks, my dear lord, for your
good and long letter of the 3rd.

My poor back must have driven me into my dotage
for you to have been able to find in my letter any
change of opinion as to what it would be necessary
now to do. Heaven preserve us from a league !
This would be to court the very danger we are striving
to avoid. And although there may be Cabinets idiotic
enough even for this, still, there are many (and particu-
larly the more important of the Powers) who are equit-
able and high-minded enough to appreciate the state
of the case sufficiently, to abstain from ever}^thing that
might compromise the repose of Europe, even for the
distant future. But much wisdom is needed on all sides.
France must give some guarantee for the tranquillity
of the country, and make some profession of faith with
reference to the principles of her Government ; must
dismiss all question of conquests, and have no meddling
with the affairs of other nations. In one word, she
must not seek to revolutionize foreign Governments.
These points being conceded, the late events in France
will have been productive of all that is good and
salutary.

They say to-day that Charles X. will take refuge
in England. I regret this for your Government's sake,
because it will be an extra embarrassment to them, and
I do not think the news will be agreeable.

I know nothing whatever of Pozzo. I think he
must be dead ; And all my ideas are derived from Lord

1830.] M. DE FLAHAULT. 41

Stuart's"' despatches — that is to say, from as much of
them as reaches me. According to him, the Duke of
Orleans is in secret communication with Charles X.,
whom he has promised to reserve the throne for the
Bourbons. But he himself is a Bourbon, if I know my
history of France. However, the meeting of both
Chambers, on the 3rd, will have decided this question.
When we last heard, the King had still 4,000 men at
Versailles and the Constitutionalists 12,000 at Vau-
girard ; but bear in mind that I am behindhand with
news, and more recent despatches may have reached
London by this time.

I saw Flahault yesterday, who was leaving that
evening for Paris. He thinks himself in a position to
be able to offer advice to the Duke of Orleans. I told
him what I judged to be prudent and in the interest of
this Prince if he is to govern France. And this was
very nearly what I have written to you above, for I
consider it of the last necessity and importance that a.
good understanding should be come to, immediately,
with the rest of Europe. If I am talking rubbish, on
myself alone be the blame, for what reaches me at
second-hand is not weighty enough to inspire me with
political ideas of any high order. In truth, very few
wise heads are to be found at such a crisis, and it
seems to me as though everyone now had lost his wits.

I see nothing of Matuscewitz. I think he must be
dead, like Pozzo.

As to myself, my dear lord, I am really ill. I
cannot walk at all, and am anxious about myself. God
knows how this will end !

At this moment I hear that the King and the

* English Ambassador.

42 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [aug.

Dauphin have abdicated, that Charles X. has asked
leave to come to England, and that your Ministers are
very much embarrassed as to what answer to give.

I have not another moment. Pray continue to write
to me. I have just received news of Pozzo. He writes
hopefully.

Good-bye, my dear lord ; I am quite exhausted.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Friday, August 6th, 1830.

I have at last something authentic for you,
my dear lord. Charles X. published on August i, at
Rambouillet, a declaration, by which he names the
Duke of Orleans Lieutenant-General of the kingdom,
withdraws the Ordonnances of July 25, and convokes
the Chambers for the 3rd. The declaration adds that if
any attempt were to be made on the liberty of the King
or his family, he will defend himself to the death. On
August 2, also from Rambouillet, the King addressed
a letter to the Duke of Orleans, by which he and the
Dauphin both abdicate the crown in favour of the
Due de Bordeaux ; and he commands that the latter
be proclaimed King, under the name of Henri V. He
enjoins upon the Duke of Orleans to communicate his
intentions to the Corps Diplomatique, and ends by
asking him to consult with the Vicomte de Froissac
(bearer of the letter) for the arrangements necessary to
be made for him, and those of his suite who accompany
him. Meanwhile, they had learnt in Paris, on the 3rd,
that the King had still with him 4,000 men, and that
he was not moving from Rambouillet. The populace

1830.] FLIGHT OF CHARLES X. 43

of Paris was preparing to march against him. Stuart
and Pozzo, fearing that some horrible catastrophe
would result from this, went to the Duke of Orleans,
and communicated their apprehensions. The Duke of
Orleans reassured them by saying that, in order to
prevent this movement on the part of the populace,
he had despatched General Gerard to the King, at
the head of 10,000 men, begging him to leave, and
exhorting him by all possible arguments to do so. He
had sent him at the same time money, and made all
the necessary arrangements to facilitate and secure his
departure. Should the King persistently refuse, Gerard
has orders to fight ; the issue cannot be doubtful — the
King will be taken prisoner. But the Duke of Orleans
trusts that things will not be pushed to extremities.
Two steam-packets are in readiness for the King at
Cherbourg, to carry him wherever he wishes, saving
to French and Belgian ports. All this news is trust-
worthy, but very secret, and I entreat of you to
consider it as such.

Now I have given you all my budget of news, and
can tell you nothing more. I am very unwell. Adieu,
my dear lord. Write to me soon.

Lambton Castle,

^u£. ith, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I have received your letters, at Milton,
Grantham and here, at each place just as I was
getting into my carriage to continue my journey. It
is now at the door to take me to Howick, where I
hope to be by five o'clock, and not to move again till

44 GEORGE IV. AND WILLIAM IV. [AUG.

the meeting of Parliament takes me to town. I am
distressed at hearing that you still continue to suffer so
much. . . .

Your news is most interesting, but I have not now
time for any comments ; indeed, I could offer none that
would not have been anticipated by you. Everything
seems to be going on as one would wish, for I cannot
believe that Charles X., after having given up every-
thing else, will persist in holding out for the Duke of
Bordeaux. If he desires to come here, it will no
doubt create some embarrassment. Without an abso-
lute refusal, I think a representation might be made to
him of the inconvenience which would arise from his
being so near France, and the difficulties which it
might create. This, I think, would have its effect, and
the natural place for him would be in some part of
the Austrian dominions, and Metternich his natural
protector.

I will write again from Howick ; but continue your
letters, which are the greatest pleasure I have, and,
above all, tell me that your health improves. God
bless you, dearest Princess. Toui( a vous.

[ 45 ]

CHAPTER II.

THE REVOLUTION OF JULY.

Louis Philippe, King of the French — The New Administration in France —
Charles X.'s Projects — William IV.'s Dislike of Louis Philippe —Mis Speech
about Austria — Prince Polignac Arrested — Common Belief as to his Parentage
— Marshal Sebastiani — News from Paris — General Baudrand's Embassy —
Charles X. lands at Weymouth — The Duke of Wellington's View of Recent
Events — The Result of the Elections Unfavourable to his Administration —
Prospects of the Opposition — Prince Metternich's Interview with Count
Nesselrode at Carlsbad — Louis Philippe and Lafayette — News of the Revolu-
tion received at Petersburg — Prince Polignac's letter to the Chamber of Peers
— The Insurrection in Brussels — The Congress of Vienna and the Government
of the Netherlands — The King and the Duke of Wellington — Lord Grey's
View of the Netherlands Question — -The Result of the Elections for the New
Parliament — The Prince of Orange at Brussels — The Prospects of Continental
Sovereigns — Russia Opens her Ports to the Tricolor Flag — France and the
Belgian Insurrection — Insurrectionary Movements on the Prussian Frontier —
The Duke of Wellington at Liverpool — M. de Talleyrand Ambassador to
England — The Comte de Celles sent to Brussels — The Congress of Vienna
and the Union of Holland and Belgium — Death of Mr. Huskisson — The Duke
of Brunswick — Russia Recognises Louis Philippe — The Court at Brighton —
Commotions in Hesse — Prince Frederick of Orange retreats from before
Brussels — The Duke of Wellington and Parliamentary Reform — The Union
between Belgium and Holland dissolved— The Fortresses on the French
Frontier — The Alliance of 1818 — The Duke's Offer to Lord Palmerston —
Charles X. goes to Holyrood — The Disturbed State of Ireland, and the
Sending of the English Militia.

Howick,

Aug. ^th, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I write in performance of my promise, but
after having told you that we arrived here yesterday all
well, I really have nothing to say. This morning's

46 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [aug.

papers brought me all the details of the account you
sent me, with the addition, as I had anticipated, that
the King had submitted without conditions. Nothing
can be more satisfactory than all the present ap-
pearances. But I have two fears. One, that after the
common enemy is removed, the different parties
which united in their opposition to him may differ
amongst themselves, and that violent measures may
ensue. The other, that, indisposed as our Ministers
must necessarily be to the new Government, their
conduct may excite jealousies, the result of which
would be difficult to calculate. I hear that the Duke
of Wellington expresses great commiseration for
Charles X. ! Says that he was forced to take the step
which has ended in his ruin; that an attempt at a
revolution had evidently been long resolved upon ; that
this is proved by the state of preparation in which the
opponents of the Government were found ; and that
though the King was driven to strike the first blow,
which has given an appearance of justice to the cause
of his adversaries, it was a necessity which he could
not avoid. If this is the language of the Minister and
his friends, of which I cannot doubt, you will not
wonder at my feeling great distrust at the measures
which may be taken under circumstances requiring the
greatest caution and prudence.

There is no post to-morrow, and I cannot hear
from you till Wednesday. In the meantime, I am in
continual anxiety as to the state of your health, of
which I hope your next accounts will be better. Pray
mention Prince Lieven also when you write, who, I
hope, experiences no bad consequences from his very
severe attack. Has anything been heard of Laval ?

1830] LOUIS PHILIPPE KING OF THE FRENCH. 47

Suppose Flahault should come back as Ambassador ?
What would Lady Jersey say to the Ambassadress ?
Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

[The Session of the French Chambers commenced on August 3,
and the crown was offered to Louis PhiHppe, with the title of King
of the French. On August 9, at a royal sitting, the new Monarch
declared his acceptance of the crown, and swore faithfully to observe
the Charter as emended by the Chambers.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Aug. loth, 1830.

I have been too ill, my dear lord, the last few-
days to write to you ; always lying down, leeched
every day, and no better. It is most vexatious. But
I must send you news, and not complaints. I have
heard nothing decisive to-day. I trust there may
be no obstacle to the proclamation of the Duke of
Orleans as King of the French. It is the only way to
finish the affair quickly and well. He has named
Marshal Jourdan Minister of Foreign Affairs, who,
in announcing the fact to the Ambassadors, begged
them to resume diplomatic relations. I believe that
they will await instructions from their respective
Courts, since, being accredited to Charles X., they
will require fresh credentials. They all, however,
remain in Paris,

Your Ministers are now dispersing in all directions.
The Duke of Wellington goes to-day to Walmer.
Peel is gone to the country, and the others have
followed suit. Possibly it is this dispersion of the
Cabinet which delays the recognition of the French

48 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [AUG.

Government. Prudence, certainly, would suggest the
advisability of allowing ten days at least to go by, in
order to get some confidence that what is established
to-day will not be upset to-morrow. Esterhazy is en-
deavouring to drive Aberdeen into a Congress. The
' Apostolic ' Aberdeen is much disposed thereto, but
I believe the Duke of Wellington to be much too
prudent to fall into so dangerous a trap. He is most
anxious that Charles X. should not come to England.
He says as much openly, and I believe him to be
sincere in this, because such an event could not fail of
being very embarrassing to the Government. The
King is settled at Windsor. He has invited the
Cumberlands to spend some days with him there, as
also Prince Leopold. To-day they expect the Duke of
Cambridge and the Princess Elizabeth.*

Such, my dear lord, is my budget of news. Poor
though it be, I am in a hurry to despatch it to you, for
i am ill, and writing hurts me. I will send you another
letter to-morrow. Meanwhile, adieu, and a thousand
kind wishes.

I am sorry to hear that your King speaks of the
Duke of Orleans in no very kind manner. This is a pity.

Howick,

Aug. izth, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I yesterday received your letter of the loth.
It again makes me very unhappy by the account you
give of yourself. . . .

The proceedings of the French give me unqualified
satisfaction, as I think they must to everybody who is

* Brother and sister of William IV.

1830.] THE RECOGNITION OF LOUIS PHILIPPE. 49

not bigoted to legitimacy and absolute power. The
Republican party, which appears to me to be much
the strongest, are entitled to the greatest praise for
their moderation and prudence, in giving their support
to a constitutional King. Philippe I. being now pro-
claimed, I trust there will be no delay in acknowledg-
ing him by foreign Powers. I see nothing to be
gained by putting it off, and the good disposition
which now prevails in France, whilst it removes all
difficulty on this point, holds out the greatest induce-
ment to a frank and cordial proceeding, which may
conciliate and confirm it. I cannot conceive how our
Ministers can be separating at such a moment, except
they leave the decision to be taken at once by the
Great Captain. I distrust his inclination, but I think
he will find himself compelled to do what is right,
whether he likes it or not. I am very sorry to hear
what you say of the King's language respecting the
Duke of Orleans. It is very unfortunate, and still
more improper. Kings ought not to allow themselves
to talk publicly on such subjects. But I am afraid
discretion is not the most prominent amongst the good
qualities of William IV. This language alarms me
the more, as I am afraid it may proceed from the
discussion of these matters with his Ministers.

I have no political correspondent at present, except
Holland occasionally, so that I know nothing of what
is going on at home. I conclude that little is to be
known. Your letters are my greatest pleasure, and
till I can hear better accounts of your health, I shall
be doubly anxious to receive them.

Most entirely yours,
G.

VOL. II. 34

so THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [aug.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Aug. 14//1, 1830.

My silence, my dear lord, arises from my
wretched health. I have been suffering so much
lately that I have not been able to write even to my
husband. I feel rather better to-day, and write to you
before I get ill again. First, many thanks for your
letter from Howick of the 9th. Events in France
have really progressed so rapidly that I no longer
know where I had got to in my last letter. To-day,
information which reaches me from private sources,
and which may be depended upon, assures me that
for the moment order and tranquillity are established in
Paris, Nevertheless, there are very many hot-headed
Republicans who, if not otherwise able to do harm,
will do their best to thwart the prudent intentions
of the new King. He has in view the preservation
of the best understanding with foreign Powers, and
desires to give them no cause for suspicion or dissatis-
faction. We hear of no project whatever for extend-
ing the frontiers, nor for revolutionizing neighbouring
States. After all, these are the two capital points. If
these be strictly observed by France, no one will
meddle with her. Headstrong individuals in France
may, however, force her Government into committing
blunders which would bring on war, and then a general
war would become inevitable. God preserve us from
any such misfortune.

According to the news I heard last night, Charles X.
has decided to go to Saxony. (The Dauphin, father
of Louis XVI., and of the two last Kings of France,
married a Saxon Princess, so that the house of Saxony

1830.] THE NEW FRENCH MINISTRY. 51

is, of all the royal houses in Europe, the one most
nearly related to the Bourbons.) /^ is said that Stuart
has verbally given amicable assurances on the part of
England to the Duke of Orleans. M. Mole is to be
made Minister of Foreign Affairs — an excellent choice.
M. de Barante will be sent over here to notify the
change of dynasty. He is a peer of France, has
written the * History of the Dukes of Burgundy,' and
is a very clever man. His wife is extremely handsome ;
the Duke of Wellington paid her great attention in
1 818. Such is the news I can give you this morning,
I believe your Ministers are determined not to hurry
themselves about acknowledging the new King. And
this for two reasons : to see whether the change will
be permanent, and to wait and first see what the other
Powers will do. But I beg you to keep this entirely
to yourself

Count Haugwitz, the special Ambassador from
Austria,* dined three days ago with the King at
Windsor. The King drank to the health of the
Emperor of Austria. He spoke at some length, and
in the most flattering terms, of the Emperor Francis,
and insisted on the necessity, especially under present
circumstances, for maintaining the closest relations
between the two countries. The Queen's birthday
yesterday was celebrated quite in private at Bushy.
That of the King will be kept at Windsor. They
talk of a dinner, with covers for a hundred guests, in
St. George's Hall. Lady Jersey will have a week at
Windsor Castle. Imagine her delight! Lady Keith
paid me a visit yesterday. The news she receives
from her husbandt is good ; the new King appears to

* At William IV.'s coronation. t The Comte de Flahault.

34—2

THE REVOLUTION OF JULY.

[AUG.

suit everyone's taste. My husband has quite recovered ;
many thanks for your kind inquiries about him. He
is well pleased with all that the Emperor is doing.
Up to the present time they will have been in a state
of the most blissful ignorance. It was the loth when
they received the first news from France, and only on
the 22nd will they learn the sequel ; consequently we
cannot expect to hear from Petersburg on the subject
before the loth or 1 2th of September. It is a long time
to wait, but I am not uneasy. I have no doubts as to
the judgment of the Emperor, and it is sure to be well
weighed. The other Cabinets are in great agitation
about it all, as you may imagine. Polignac has not
been arrested. The following is, as I am assured, the
list of the new Administration :

Mole .
Guizot .
Gerard .
Louis
Sebastiani
Dupont de I'Eure
Due de Broglie *

Adieu, my dear lord, for I am again feeling ill.
Many kind regards.

Foreign Affairs.

Interior.

War.

Finance.

Marine.

Justice.

Fonts et Chaussdes.

Howick,

Aug. i-jih, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

Having told me that you would write again
the day after the date of your last letter, your silence
made me very unhappy. ... I think I perceive a

* He ultimately became Minister of Public Instruction and President of
Ihe Council of State.

1830.] WILLIAM IV:S SPEECHES. 53

little too much jealousy in what you say of France.
You admit that everything has, so far, been well con-
ducted, and that the new King is anxious to remove
all cause for suspicion. Why not act, then, at once, in
the same spirit, to confirm this good disposition, and
take away from the mischievous spirits, who may be at
work, the means of exciting the national jealousy as to
the intentions of foreign Powers ? For this purpose
nothing could be so effectual as a frank and cordial
acknowledgment of the new Government. Though
not disappointed, therefore, at the course taken by our
Government, for it is too much in the character of
their policy, I must deeply regret the hesitation and
delay which appear to mark their councils. The
King's speech, at the dinner given to the Austrian
Minister, is still less according to my notions of what
would be expedient. In the first place, I must repeat
my regret at this habit of making speeches, which must
sooner or later lower him in the general estimation,
and probably involve him in considerable embarrass-
ments. But the policy indicated by his statement of
the necessity, considering the circumstances of the
moment, of a more intimate connection with Austria, is
still more to be lamented. It is not on one side only
that all cause of suspicion or offence is to be avoided ;
and if a suspicion should go forth that our Government
is disposed to adopt the views of Metternich, my fear
of a war, which you apprehend from any imprudence
on the part of the French Government, would indeed
be greatly increased.

I picture to myself all Lady Jersey's delight at
being invited to Windsor. My correspondence with
her has ceased, so that I have no means of knowing

54 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [aug.

what she now thinks of the 'foolish' Liberals in France,
as she used to call them. I have heard, however, that
she says Charles X. was driven to the necessity of
taking the measures which have deprived him of his
crown, that a revolution was inevitable, and all the
means to effect it long prepared. Another bad sign,
as I am told the Duke holds a similar language. My
only hope is in the strong and general opinion ex-
pressed by the public here. Without this I should
fear, from the character and opinions of the present
Ministers, a renewal of all the false measures which
were really the cause of the evils of the first Revolu-
tion, and of all the miseries that have resulted from it.
I did not know, till within these two days, that there
was a belief in France that Polignac is the son of
Charles X. Lady Grey's maid, a Frenchwoman, told
her that it was the universal belief of all the lower
classes. And I found this morning, in reading the
last volume of the ' Memoirs of Madame du Barry,''"'
something like a confirmation of it. Speaking of the
birth of Polignac, and the Queen's attendance on his
mother in her confinement, she says : ' Quant a P enfant
nd sous de si heureux auspices, on petit lui prddire une
destinde brillante surtout apres que I' on eut entendu
Monseigneur le Comte d Artois dire quit voulait
servir de pere au nouveau ne' Her prediction of a
brilliant destiny has not been accomplished, but this
may in some degree account for the infatuated attach-
ment of Charles X. to this rash and incapable Minister.
God bless you, dearest Princess ; pray tell me that
you are better, and believe me ever

Most devotedly yours,

Grey.

* See vol. i., p. 313.

1830.] AFFAIRS IN FRANCE. 55

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Aug. lyth [1830].

I was prevented writing yesterday to you, my
dear lord . . . and I begin by thanking you for your
letter of the 13th. All that reaches me from Paris
gives me hope that things will remain as they are at
present. Order and tranquillity are established, and
there is a determination to give no cause of alarm or
suspicion to foreign Powers. The Ministry is well
constituted, with the exception of Sebastiani, who has
always held to the doctrine of extending the frontiers of
France. But his colleagues are wiser. Mol^, in
particular, is an excellent man, and so we may trust
that they will continue to act with prudence.

The Comte de Chabot is expected here ; he brings
the notification of the new reign. Your Ministers are
to take it all into consideration on Monday the 23rd,
which is the day when the Cabinet meets. The
Chancellor came to see me yesterday. I found him
very little up in the affairs of France, but his general
views were very sound, for he admitted the necessity
for recognising the new state of affairs, and thus en-
deavouring to strengthen the French Government,
since in their hands lay the only possible guarantee for
the tranquillity of France. I hope that all the other
Courts may take this same view of the question. Your
ultra-Tories here do not take his view. They would
wish to support the legitimist Due de Bordeaux.
There are people for whom the lessons of experience
are as unavailing as they are for a four-year-old child.
I have not seen Aberdeen ; they say his face is more

56 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [aug.

like a tragic mask than ever — very black and lugu-
brious. I do not yet know what they have said at
Berlin and Vienna of the late events in France. I
think in Berlin they would like, first of all, to know
what we think about it. Now the opinion of the
Emperor on this subject will reach us here on
September 15, and not before. But I am quite at
rest as to what will be his opinion.

There is always company at Windsor. Lord and
Lady Darnley spent several days there. The Seftons
dined there Sunday. They say the King expresses
himself still with much bitterness about the new King
of the French. The Court will move, at the end of this
month, to Brighton. Charles X. is not hurrying him-
self.* I am surprised that the new Government in
France allows him so much delay. It is still believed
that he will take ship for Hamburg, going from thence
to Saxony.

Adieu, my dear lord — I am about the same, obliged
always to be lying down, and far from well. Still, I
believe in an imperceptible shade of improvement.
A thousand kind wishes.

D. LlEVEN.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Aiig. igth, 1830.

I thank you much, my dear lord, for your
letter of the 1 7th, just received. When you tell me
that the preservation of tranquillity and order in France
depends mainly on their present Government being
acknowledged by the foreign Powers, I entirely agree

* On his journey to Cherbourg.

i83o.] THE RECOGNITION OF LOUIS PHILIPPE. S7

with you. I believe also that your Government [i.e.,
the Duke of Wellington) is too large-minded not to
recognise the truth of this ; and if he does not act at
once, one must suppose that he judges it more prudent
to allow a certain time to elapse first, in order to feel sure
that what exists in France to-day will be found there
to-morrow ; and this would seem well judged, for the
public mind there is as yet far from calm. If at the
end of a fortnight things should still appear as stable
as they do at the present time, it will be difficult
for England to delay longer acknowledging Louis
Philippe's Government, since I cannot imagine that your
Ministers would wish to risk by their procrastination
another chance of disorders in France. In a word,
civil war in France must be equally contrary to both
the desires and the interests of England. We shall
have to wait a much longer time before making our
voice heard on the matter, for it is physically impos-
sible to know before the middle of September what
the Emperor thinks of the recent events.

It appears to me that Prussia is anxious to gain
time in order to know first the opinion of Russia,
About Austria there can be very little doubt, but with-
out the support of England or Russia it will be impos-
sible for her alone to throw herself into the arena. The
new King of the French has sent General Baudrand
here to announce his accession (he was, I think,
director of his education when Due de Chartres).
General Athalin, another intimate friend of the French
King's, is sent to Petersburg.

The Marquis de Choiseuil - Gouffier arrived yes-
terday in London, sent by Charles X. with two
letters, one to the King, the other to the Duke of

58 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [AUG.

Wellington. I have no idea what reception he met
with.

Charles X. wishes to go and live in Austria ; the
rest of his people would prefer England. I saw Prince
Leopold yesterday, who had escaped for a single day
from Windsor. He tells me that the King is in good
health and spirits. To-day the King is going to show
Lord Sefton the offices at Windsor, and the day after
to-morrow, his birthday, the whole Sefton family dine
there. Covers will be laid for a hundred persons.
For diplomacy, Austria and Prussia. Esterhazy is in
high favour, always being noticed and brought forward ;
but I quite agree with you that this is not prudent at
such a time. The only official intercourse which has
taken place up to the present moment between France
and England has been when the change of flag was
announced, the which was recognised. What you say
as to the existence of strong and unanimous feeling in
England in favour of the changes in France was quite
true in the beginning, but is no longer so now. The
Court and the ultra-Tories are both inimical, and any
manifestation of interest is now confined to the lower
classes. The public remains in ignorance of the
interest taken in the matter by one individual of the
English aristocracy, for not a syllable comes from that
quarter. In short, the interest is all supposed to lie
with the Radicals, and so must it present itself to
Europe. I do not know if I am mistaken, but it
appears to me that recent events will profit the Duke
of Wellington. The views of the Whigs and the Tories
on what has taken place in France are diametrically
opposed ; and it will suit the Duke perfectly to find his
adversaries fighting amongst themselves over this ques-

1830.] CHARLES X. IN ENGLAND. 59

tion, when it comes to be discussed, as I fancy will
be the case as soon as Parliament meets.

Here is a long letter for my poor strength. I am
a little better, but always lying down, and I cannot
walk twenty steps in the course of the day.

Adieu, my dear lord.

A thousand kind regards.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Aug. 20th [1830].

I hear, my dear lord, that the Duke of Well-
ington sent the Marquis de Choiseul back yesterday
to Charles X. with the invitation to land at Weymouth,
representing to him that public opinion was so strong
in the larger towns that he could answer for nothing if
the King were to disembark at one of the great ports.
As Charles X. only wishes to remain in England until
he receives the answer from Austria to his request for
permission to settle there, they have assigned him as
a residence (until the arrival of the answer) Lulworth
Castle, which belongs to a Catholic — it is the same
which the Duke of Gloucester had for some years.

General Baudrand was not to arrive until last
night. I think the recognition by England will not be
delayed. . . .

There is a bad feeling abroad in Paris, and the
new King betrays weakness. The populace crowd
into the palace, and he gives his time to everybody who
asks for an audience. It is much to be feared that the
Republican faction may force on new elections, which,
if universal suffrage were adopted, must necessarily

6o THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [AUG.

bring about the overthrow of the poor remnant of
monarchy which still exists. It is much to be hoped
that the present Chamber may be left unchanged for
some years ; with it things may possibly take a turn
and consolidate themselves ; but a dissolution would,
without doubt, bring on the Republic. The King's
desires are excellent, but he lacks the energy for carry-
ing them into effect. I have the best authority for
these observations.

Adieu.

Howick,

Aug. 22nd, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I have to thank you for those letters, of the
17th, 19th, and 20th, which I have received since I
last wrote to you. I should feel it a reproach to have
suffered myself to be so largely in your debt if I had
anything better to offer you than my acknowledgments
for your kindness in affording me these proofs of your
remembrance. . . .

Your letter of the 20th has in some degree quieted
the alarm which I could not help feeling from those
which had preceded it. I thought there was in them
too great a disposition to look with more distrust than
I think is justified by the occasion at what is passing
in France. You had made me fear, too, that the
Duke of Wellington, forming a false estimate of the
state of public opinion here, might delay the acknow-
ledgment of the new order of things in France, at the
risk of some occurrence which might endanger the
general peace, and of which in his heart, perhaps, he

1830.] THE PUBLIC MEETINGS. 61

might not be sorry for a pretence to avail himself, with
the farther hope of dividing his opponents. This
apprehension is now greatly relieved by what you
communicate of his answer to Charles X., and of your
expectation of an early recognition on the part of this
Government of the new King of the French. The
Duke is quite right. It is more than probable that
Charles X. might be exposed to some insult. He has
judged well, therefore, in placing him so as to be as
much out of the reach of this as possible. Be assured
that the public sentiment with respect to the late
Revolution is as nearly universal as possible. Nothing
could be so mistaken as to infer anything from the
absence of persons of rank from the late meetings.
They were, in my opinion, most injudicious and
mischievous. I, therefore, for one could give them no
countenance, though feeling as strongly as anybody
can do on the events which have occasioned them.
How, indeed, could I, with any pretence of consistency,
deprecating all interference, give myself an example of
interference of the most objectionable character and
the most uncalled for ? This, I have no doubt, was
the cause of a similar abstinence in others ; but if you
wish for proofs of the state of the public opinion, look
at all the speeches at the late elections, and at the
comments of all the newspapers, beginning with the
Times. These are always most conveniently collected
in the Sun, and afford one of the best indications of the
general feeling. It is this conviction that I trust to
to influence the Duke of Wellington's policy. If he
believes (as, from what you say, he appears to do) that
there is a strong and general sentiment in favour of
the late Revolution, he will yield to it, whatever his

62 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [AUG.

secret inclination may be. Indeed, he can do nothing
else, for his Administration must more than ever be
maintained by concessions. He has lost not less than
fifty in the late elections, and his loss in public opinion
is even greater than in numbers. His difficulties,
therefore, will be much increased in the next session,
and his only way of getting over them will be to adopt
the measures of his opponents. It is possible that
some of the old Tories might be disposed to join him
if he took a part directly hostile to the new Govern-
ment in France; but will he, or can he, do this? In
no other way can that question become one of adverse
discussion, and even in that case I believe the in-
veteracy of our Ultras against him to be so great that
I should not be surprised to see them turning Repub-
licans, or even Jacobins, like the Ultras in France.

What you say of the new King is too much in
accordance with what I have heard of his character ;
but you must make allowances for the difficulties of
his situation. Till he is sure of the friendly disposition
of foreign Powers, he must of necessity court popular
opinion in France. The only way to obviate the mis-
chiefs that may come from this cause is an early and
cordial acknowledgment.

I wish you could tell me that your health was more
improved. If the weather at Richmond is as cold as
it is here, it is much against you.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

1830.] ARRIVAL OF GENERAL BAUDRAND. 63

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Aug. 23r(/[i83o].

I have nothing new to send to you, my dear lord.
You were told of the arrival of General Baudrand ; he
has seen the Ministers ; a Cabinet Council is to be held
to-day, and most probably the answer to France will be
despatched in the course of a few days. I have not
the slightest doubt as to its being a formal recognition
of the new Government. Meanwhile, if I am well-
informed, the ' apostolic ' Metternich himself yields to
necessity. He acknowledges the cause of Charles X.
and his heirs as lost, and he will end, sooner or later, by
recognising Louis Philippe. Europe can adopt no other
course. God grant only that France may not mar her
own fortunes. If they dissolve the present Chamber
of Deputies, all is lost, for there is not the slightest
doubt that France will then become a Republic — and
an aggressive Republic. Let us hope that such a
misfortune may not take place. Charles X. must have
already left the anchorage of Portsmouth for' Wey-
mouth. The arrest of M. de Polignac is certain.*

The King is suffering just now from gout in the
hands, and the doctors consider this inconvenience as
not unfavourable to the health of his Majesty — I am
talking of your King, of course. Windsor is full of
people ; never was there a King of England so
hospitable. Austria is domiciled there. Lord and
Lady Holland come to-day to Richmond for a short
stay.

I doubt their sending Flahault over here as

* At Granville, August 15.

64 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [AUG.

Ambassador. For myself, I should be enchanted if
it were so.

The long sojourn of the Cumberlands at Windsor
was yesterday brought to a close. The King, again,
made a great speech on his birthday, in honour of
the Duke of Wellington, and after drinking his health.
It would be impossible to bestow more honour on a
subject, or to support a Minister more openly and
speciously than he does.

Adieu, my dear lord. As you will see, I am very
poor as far as news goes to-day. I say nothing of my
health ; the subject is too monotonous, for I remain
always at the same point. I have had no letter from
you this morning. A thousand kind regards,

D. LlEVEN.

P.S. — The Chancellor came to see me again the
day before yesterday. He declares that the Govern-
ment must strengthen itself in the Lower House. I
have heard vague reports as to a negotiation with
the Barings, but would that be sufficient }

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Aug. 2Sth, 1830.

What has become of you, my dear lord ? how
is it that you do not write to me ? I have been wait-
ing anxiously, ever since the 1 7th. As far as I myself
am concerned, I have nothing new to tell you. I still
suffer much from pain in my back, and consequently
am able to move about no more than I did two weeks
since. However, my general health is better. To-
day the King will receive General Baudrand, and this

1830.] THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 65

is tantamount to a formal recognition. It seems the
recognition could not have been made before the arrival
of the Envoy with the notification from France, conse-
quently there has been no needless delay on the part
of your Government. The Duke of Wellington paid
me a visit yesterday. He talks with great good sense
about affairs in France, and as I have no reason for
doubting his candour on this subject, I believe that
he will strive to do whatever may be possible to
avoid occasions or pretexts for misunderstandings. It
seems to me that this policy would equally be in the
interest of all the other Powers. Let us hope, then,
that France, on her side, may afford them no reason
for acting otherwise. The Duke of Wellington is per-
suaded that Polignac will be condemned to death. 1
must own that, in the present instance, the poor man
has all my pity, because indeed I believe him to be
more fool than knave. I have had no direct news
from Paris for some days past. There is always the
same fear of the Republican party getting the upper
hand ; and this would be a great misfortune.

I think your Government is anxious that anyone
rather than M. de Flahault should be sent here as
resident Ambassador ; and, since they will probably
consult the wishes of the Duke of Wellington, I doubt
Flahault being named. I myself should have liked it
much. The Duke is looking thin and ill ; he is going
to pay visits in the country, and does not intend to
return to London before September 20. I have seen
the Chancellor again ; he still insists on the necessity
for strengthening the Government in the House of
Commons. But whom can they get if they will not take
up with one or other of the two parties ? Town is full of
VOL. II. 35

66 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [AUG.

gossip about proposals made or to be made to you or
to the Canningites. I really believe in nothing of the
sort. The Duke has hitherto been able to get on
alone, and he will try to do it again. After all, on
what point could he possibly now be attacked, with
any chance of success ?

At last, my dear lord, your letter of the 22nd has
arrived. A thousand thanks for the same. . . . On
Monday the Court moves to Brighton for the next
few weeks. The King has gout in the hands. The
Duchess of Wellington is dying. I have been inter-
rupted twenty times over since I began this letter, and
must close it now to avoid being late for the post.
Good-bye, then, my dear lord. I hear there was the
greatest possible enthusiasm at Vienna on hearing of
the revolution in France. Something quite new, the
Viennese extolling Liberalism ! Metternich met Nes-
selrode at Carlsbad ; he tried, but without success, to
bring him round to his way of thinking. But as he
could not gain his point, he made volte face with regard
to his principles, and adopted those of Count Nessel-
rode. These, at least, are wise and good.

Once more adieu.

Howick,

Aug. 26///, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

A thousand thanks for your letter of the 23rd,
which I received yesterday. But still no better
accounts of your health ! If my wishes could cure
you, how well you would be ! Everything you tell
me is most satisfactory, and I hope to hear that the
new Government of France is recognised without

1830.] PRINCE POLIGNAC. 67

further delay. Why will you anticipate new difficul-
ties and dangers ? If I am rightly informed, Lafayette
and the Republican party have joined cordially in sup-
porting the new regime, as necessary to the preserva-
tion both of internal and external peace. But if the
result should be ultimately the establishment of a
Republic, why should it be an invading Republic .-* or
what right have foreign Powers to object to any form
of government the French may choose to adopt for
themselves }

I shall be very glad to hear that Charles X. is
gone. I thought from the beginning some part of the
Austrian dominions the best residence. He will be in
no danger of hearing there any clamours of his bigotry
or despotism, nor any of the reproaches which issue
from a free press. As to Polignac, no fate that awaits
him can be worse than he deserves. But I wish he
had escaped. The contempt and reprobation of all
mankind in a hopeless exile would have been punish-
ment enough ; and I should have wished to see this
glorious revolution consummated without a drop of
blood, except what was shed by a brave people in
defence of their liberty against a most violent and
unjustifiable attack. But I am afraid it will not be in
the power of the new Government to protect this
wretched man against the universal indignation of the
people. And I am not quite sure that, being in their
power, to save him would not be carrying moderation
and lenity too far.

The Chancellor has always talked the same language
about the necessity of gaining more strength in the
House of Commons, and the necessity is obvious
enough. But I do not see how any negotiation with

35—2

68 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [aug.

the Barings is to effect this. By themselves they can
do nothing ; and I do not think either the Huskissons
or Lord Lansdowne are to be gained in this way. My
behef is that after some farther attempts to pick off
individuals, the Duke of Wellington will meet the
new Parliament under pretty much the same circum-
stances that closed the last, and that he will endeavour
to maintain himself, as I told you in my last, by
concessions upon all material points on which a for-
midable opposition might be expected to show itself.
Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Aug, 2%th, 1830.

I am writing to you, my dear lord, without
having anything new to tell you ; and so much the
better, because we must desire, for the sake of general
repose, that France should give us nothing new to
talk about. In spite of the rumours that some of the
papers give of mobs in Paris, these really amount to
nothing, Pozzo, who understands the situation, has
been of late much less anxious in regard to the state
of the capital. I have seen General Baudrand. He
expressed a wish to have a talk with me. It was very
interesting to hear what he had to say, and he told
me much that was quite new. Among other things,
that the Duke of Orleans and Lafayette were not
personally acquainted with each other before these late
events, and that it had taken a great deal to persuade
Lafayette to support the nomination of the Duke, so

1830.] GENERAL LAFAYETTE. 69

much SO that at one moment they considered the
cause to be lost. Even at the present time, he says,
Lafayette is far more powerful than the King.
General Baudrand talked to me also about his recep-
tion here. On the whole he is well satisfied. Here
are some details. The Duke of Wellington icy cold.
Aberdeen liberal. The King very urbane. The
recognition by England being achieved, the Nether-
lands will now acknowledge the new King. Prussia,
after some hesitation provoked by the intrigues of
Metternich, has also decided on recognition, and the
official notification will shortly take place. I think I
told you how Metternich tried to humbug Nesselrode ;
and did not succeed. I know indirectly that the news
of the events in Paris which reached Petersburg on
August 10 created an immense sensation there. The
Emperor had arranged to go that very day with my
husband to inspect the fleet at Sveaborg, but he
immediately changed his plans and remamed in
Petersburg to await further intelligence.

The Chancellor paid me a visit yesterday. He
declares that the Government has gained twenty-three
votes at the last elections. He leaves to-day with
Lady Lyndhurst for Walmer Castle, where they remain
for a week. The Duke of Wellington is ordered sea-
bathing ; he is suffering from rheumatism. There will
be no meeting of Ministers before the 20th of Sep-
tember. The Hollands are here ; I see them every
day. Why are you not here also ? The Court leaves
on Monday for Brighton.

Adieu, my dear lord. This is a stupid letter, but
I have told you everything I know.

A thousand sincere good wishes,

D. LlEVEN.

70 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [aug.

P.S. — Thanks, very hurriedly, for your letter of
the 26th, this moment received. News from Paris
states that Lafayette is not at heart loyal to the King.
They are endeavouring to find a more Royalist general
to command the National Guard of Paris, but are as yet
by no means confident of success. Pray say nothing
to anyone of this. Louis Philippe reviews the National
Guard to-morrow, and it is by no means an insignifi-
cant event.

Howick,

Aug, 29M, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

After thanking you for your letter of the 25th,
I really have very little to say ; this place can furnish
nothing, and I have no new observations to make on
what is passing in France. I really cannot feel much
personal compassion for Polignac. Folly may excuse
a great deal ; but folly alone could not urge a man to
measures inevitably attended with such an effusion of
blood. There must have been at least as much
violence and malignity of disposition. Lady Keith
tells me that there is a desire to spare his life, but that
it will be very difficult, as in addition to his guilt that
produced the revolution, there have been found amongst
his secret papers the most unequivocal proofs of his
having been concerned as chef de la congregation in
the incendies of Normandy.

The reception of Baudrand by the King has given me
the greatest pleasure. I hope this acknowledgment of
the new Government will hot be followed by any indi-
cations of a disposition which might weaken or destroy
its effect. You may see in it a proof of the impression
that the strong indications of public opinion here have

1830.] PRINCE POLIGN ACS LETTER. 71

made upon the Duke of Wellington, for whom, by the
way, I think I perceive in you a proof of returning
tenderness. I have no doubt that the appointment of
Flahault as Ambassador here would be very disagree-
able to him, though it ought not to be so if he con-
sidered the matter rightly. But even great men are
not always exempt from little and ungenerous feelings,
the influence of which often proves equally prejudicial
to their own reputation, and to the interests with which
they are charged. I have before expressed my regret
at the King's speeches as unbecoming his situation,
and likely to prove embarrassing hereafter. But all
these violent demonstrations prove nothing, in my
opinion, as to the security of the present Ministers.
Indeed, in all my experience I have generally found
the most vehement professions the least to be depended
on, particularly when made out of place and season ;
and I know how soon kings and princes can forget
what they have said, and speak and act in a sense
directly contrary.

The papers put your name in the list of those who
were at a great dinner given by Biilow.* I wish I
could hope that you were so much better as to have
made this possible. God bless you, dearest Princess,

Ever most entirely yours,

P.S. — I must add, with respect to Polignac, that
whatever compassion I might feel for him, has been
entirely destroyed by his letter. Do you know any-
thing of his unfortunate wife ?

Prussian Minister in London.

72 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [AUG.

[The Congress of Vienna, in 1815, had united Holland and
Belgium into a single Kingdom under William I., previously Stadt-
holder of Holland. In August of the present year, three weeks after
the news had arrived in Belgium of the Revolution in Paris, a popular
movement began in Brussels ; the residences of the Ministers were
sacked, and the mob repulsed the troops who were at last called out
to restore order.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Aug. list, 1830.

Your letter of the 29th, my dear lord, has
this instant arrived, and I answer it at once, begin-
ning with your first subject. Polignac's letter to the
President* of the Chamber of Peers is, without
exception, the most miserable and despicable composi-
tion that ever was seen. In France, as at Howick, it
has stifled every feeling of pity for the individual. I
have not been able to learn anything further about his
wife ; I only know that the poor woman is expecting
to be confined in a month. If you imagine that I am
now more amiably disposed towards the Duke of
Wellington than of late years, you must attribute this
to there being now no cause in politics for irritation
between us. The Turkish and Greek questions are
settled — upon other matters I think we are agreed ;
and, if cordial relations can be established between us,
this seems to me the better part under all possible
circumstances. But you give to this slight rapproche-
Tnent an importance which it really has not. We see
each other from time to time — that does not constitute
intimacy. I will further add, I do not believe that the
Duke of Wellington is able to forget injuries ; and he

* M. Mole. Prince Polignac's letter was dated Saint Lo, August 17.

1830.] INSURRECTION IN BRUSSELS. 73

has credited me with such. But, for my part, I am
quite ready to forget his hatred of Russia, and possibly,
too, of myself individually.

I was not present at the dinner given by Biilow,
and it will be some time yet before I can be in a state
to dine out. However, during the last few days I
have been a little better. The insurrectionary move-
ments at Brussels alarmed me much at first. Since
yesterday Falck* has better news. It amounted only
to disorder and pillage, nothing political, and not
directed by a single person of note. It seems to me,
then, impossible that it should not all be easily put
down by a little energy. They were expecting the
arrival of the King and the Royal Princes in Brussels.
If this attempt at revolution should meet with any
success, we shall have then to weep for Europe ; for
a general war must be the immediate consequence,
and a war of which no one can foresee the end. As
you know, the Treaty still exists, by which England,
Austria, Prussia, and Russia, have guaranteed the
union of Belgium to Holland under the House of
Orange. Consequently, if the Belgians dreamt of
declaring their independence, or of uniting themselves
to France — in one case, as in the other, the four Powers
would have to intervene by force of arms. Whatever
may happen in the Netherlands, I greatly fear that the
revolutionary mania may extend yet further elsewhere ;
and it appears to me that the fifteen years of peace
that we have enjoyed will be our last period of tran-
quillity for some time to come. All this must cause
your Ministers much annoyance. The Duke of
Wellington will be in town to-morrow.

* Dutch Minister in England.

74 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [AUG.

There is no news as yet from Petersburg. I shall
begin to be very curious in a week's time.

Adieu, my dear lord. According to reliable in-
formation, the King of late has privately expressed
himself with little cordiality anent his Premier ; but
then what means this superabundant affection and con-
fidence displayed in his public speeches ? And why
speeches at all }

Once more good-bye,

A thousand kind regards.

Howick,

Sept. yd, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I have again to thank you at the same time
for two letters of August 28 and 31. They have
proved, as your letters always are, most interesting to
me. I only wish I could make a better return for
them, and sometimes fear you may become tired of
so unprofitable a correspondent. The movement in
Brussels came upon me by surprise, and caused some
fear for the consequences it might produce. I hope it
may now be at an end, and that the Government will
provide against the recurrence of a similar danger by
removing all just causes of complaint on the part of
the people. The manie des revolMtions would not be
to be feared if Governments were wise and moderate,
I have never yet known a popular revolution that
might not be ascribed to provocation on the part of
the Government, more or less remote. ' Ce nest
jamais par envie d' attaquer, mais par impatience de
souffrir, que le peuple se souleve,' is an observation as
old as Sully, which all history will verify.

1830.] THE EXAMPLE SET BY FRANCE. 75

That the example of France will give encourage-
ment to the people in different countries, who suffer
from the same oppression, to wish for similar relief
cannot be doubted. But the security against this is
not to be found in armies and Holy Alliances. The
experience of the fatal policy pursued in what is called
the settlement of Europe at the general peace, if
Governments ever could be taught wisdom, would,
one might hope, afford a salutary lesson ; and, instead
of prompting them to measures for putting down
public opinion by force, show them the necessity of
setting to work to put their houses in order in time.
If a general war should take place, the characteristic
of which would be monarchical opposed to popular
principles, the misery and desolation which it would
spread over Europe would, indeed, be incalculable ;
but my serious belief is that not one of the old
Governments which engaged in it would survive it.
The appearance of something like public spirit even
at Vienna speaks volumes, and ought to convince
Metternich himself how false his policy has been. At
all events, I hope we shall not engage in any new
combination ; indeed, I think it nearly certain that, let
what will happen, not a shilling or a man will be
furnished from hence. You speak of a guarantee of
the Netherlands ; I cannot find in any of my books of
reference here the treaty which contains it. Much
will depend upon the manner in which it is framed ;
but I cannot conceive that it could bind us to interfere
in any interior changes which might take place in the
Government, which, indeed, would be an engagement
to support the King against any consequences that
might result from his own misgovernment. The

76 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [sept.

prospect, upon the whole, contains too much to excite
our fears ; and mine are the more sensibly alive to all
that may happen, as it appears too likely, in the event
of war, that our political interests and opinions might
be at variance. Promise me that you will never suffer
any such misfortune, if it should happen, to have any
influence on our personal affection.

I should like to know how the Chancellor makes
out his calculation of gain in the elections. Mine,
and, what is more important, that of persons who
know much more than I do on this subject, is directly
the other way ; and I think that you must have
observed that in almost all the contests the Ministers,
with very few exceptions, have sustained defeats. It
is possible that the Chancellor may know of persons
joining them, whom we still reckon in the ranks of
opposition. But this I do not think likely ; and if
there are modifications, I have little doubt that you
will find the result of the elections as I have stated.
However, allowing them a gain of twenty-three, what
will that do for them with the miserable bench which
they have to show in the House of Commons ?

They have, indeed, one hope in the indiscretion
and divisions which may weaken their opponents, and
this chance the Duke's ... *

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Sept. 6tk, 1830.

At last, my dear lord, I have some news of
you. Your letters had become very scarce ; but the

* The last paragraphs of this letter, probably written on the cover, are missing.

1830.] ACTION OF THE PRINCE OF ORANGE. 77

one of the 3rd just arrived gives me great pleasure,
as does everything that you send me. There is not a
word in your letter of which I do not approve, not a
single opinion that I do not reciprocate. Perhaps the
time may come when I shall not dare to tell you this,
so to-day I will take advantage of my liberty.

I have no letters from my husband, but I indirectly
hear that the late events in Paris made a deep impres-
sion on the mind of the Emperor. I know nothing
positively, and I even think that subsequent events,
and perhaps the various opinions received through his
agents abroad, will have moderated the first unfavour-
able impression. Perhaps I am wrong in allowing
myself to be alarmed, above all I am wrong in letting
you know it ; still, I cannot help confiding to you what
is passing in my mind, but in this case, more than
ever do I count on your absolute discretion. I promise
you that, if ever our official interests should be at
variance, my affection lor you shall never suffer from
it. Still, my dear lord, you also must not forget that
in my position the statesman who in Parliament should
not show consideration towards my country, could with
difficulty continue on the same intimate footing with
me. But my fears carry me too far, and I trust events
producing such a misfortune may never arise.

Affairs in the Netherlands are deplorable. The
Prince of Orange has behaved with a total want of
dignity and good sense.'" He has much damaged his
future prospects, and it is truly pitiable. What will be
the result of all this ? War, I much fear, and of your

* Prince William, who was sent by his father to quiet the rebels with promises,
had allowed himself to be carried so far as to suggest the legislative and admini-
strative independence of Belgium under the Dutch crown.

78 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [sept.

doing ; for, whether the Belgians intend to assert their
independence, or whether they throw in their lot with
France, in the one case as in the other, I repeat, you
will be forced to make war. At any rate, such is said
to be the language held by the people about the
Ministers, and they add, that this will be the best
means of rallying the old Tory party round the
Government.

The French Government is in despair at the present
state of things in the Netherlands ; it has had nothing
whatever to do with it, and desires to remain entirely
neutral. But will this be possible ? Each day sees
King Louis Philippe less master of the situation.
Lafayette really governs France.

Now, my dear lord, put yourself for one moment in
the place of any one of the sovereigns of the older
monarchies of Europe — and I would instance the King
of Prussia as the one who governs most paternally, and
is the best loved. Do you think it possible that he
can regard with indifference all that is now taking
place ? that he can look on and see insurrections such
as are beginning at Aix la Chapelle, and in other
Rhenish towns, without repressing them, and that
by force ? The whole of that frontier is in a bad
state ; all the towns have leanings towards France ;
but can he allow a single village to be taken from him }
Assuredly not. Just think what that would lead to.
And supposing the Poles took it into their head to
declare their independence, could we allow them to do
so? Assuredly not. And the Hungarians — are they
to be allowed to separate from Austria ? Very certainly
again, No !

What a state Europe is in! Do you really think it

i83c.] DANGER OF A GENERAL WAR. 79

will be possible to avoid a general war ? I, for my
part, am more than discouraged. Whatever conces-
sions might now be made, and from whatever quarter,
they would be taken as prompted only by fear. No
one would be satisfied, and no end gained, but the
bringing of discredit on the several Governments. Tell
me, what is to be done in such a case ? But I entreat
you once more to bear in mind the individual situation
of each sovereign, and you will allow that each must
naturally desire to retain his rights. To secure these,
what line of conduct should they adopt ?

Nesselrode has returned in all haste to Petersburg,
and I imagine that my husband also will hurry back to
England — at least, this is what appears to me likely.
The Duke of Wellington has started on a round of
visits. Matuscewitz is now shooting in the country,
and is going on afterwards to Manchester. There is
no one in town. I am really better, and I can walk
now pretty well. Lord and Lady Holland are coming
back to Richmond.

Adieu, my dear lord, for writing tires me much.
Let me hear from you soon, and do not forget me.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Sept. Wi, 1830.

One word, my dear lord, to tell you that we
have opened our ports to the tricolor flag. A mes-
senger from my husband, who arrived last night and
brought despatches of August 25, was bearer of this
news. I know these few lines will please you, but
literally it is all that I have time to write.

8o THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [sept.

Howick,

Sepl. ^th, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

Your letter of the 6th, which I received yester-
day, gave me more than usual pleasure, from its kind-
ness, but not unmixed with melancholy from your
anticipation of the possible results of the present alarm-
ing appearances on the Continent. I will still hope
for better things, and even if events should lead to my
taking a part in the politics of this country which might
be at variance with those of your Court, I will not
despair of being able to conduct myself in such a
manner as to prevent your being under the necessity
of renouncing the intimacy which forms so great a part
of the happiness of my life.

I have learnt with great regret that the first news
of the French Revolution had produced so strong and
so unfavourable an impression on the mind of your
Emperor, and still more that it had been followed,
without waiting for further information, by measures
of so hostile a character (if the account be true) as the
order for all Russians to quit France, and for the
exclusion of the tricolor flag from your ports. I
anxiously wait for further accounts, in the sincere and
earnest hope that the intelligence which was to follow,
both from France and the other countries, may have
led to a more favourable and, as I think, a more just
view of what has happened. If war takes place, I
repeat it, I do not believe that any of the old Govern-
ments which may embark in it for the purpose of
putting an end by force to a state of things which may
alarm them for their own power, will continue to sub-
sist.

1830.] DANGEROUS CONDITION OF EUROPE. 8r

You appear to believe, and I am quite convinced,
that the Government of Philippe I. regrets this move-
ment in the Netherlands, and is sincerely anxious to
avoid giving just cause of offence to any of its neigh-
bours. With this impression, can it be doubted that
the policy of all other Governments ought to be to
avoid doing anything on their part which might excite
a spirit in France too strong to be resisted by its
present rulers, who can only exist by popular opinion ?
And consider what means they have in their power, if
they should be driven to the necessity of using them.
Is there a country in Europe in which, if the Govern-
ment should become avowedly hostile to them, they
might not hope to find allies amongst the people. You
enumerate all the cases in which the great powers
might be called upon to act in the event of any com-
motion in their own dominions. Every one of these
cases furnishes a danger which war would immediately
produce. In Poland, in Saxony, in the provinces of
the Rhine, in Hungary, in Italy, to excite insurrections,
if forced into war, would be the obvious, and in some
degree the defensive, policy of the French. Think
well, therefore, before you go to war to prevent a
danger which war would certainly produce. But what
is to be done ? Can Prussia, you say, be expected to
see a spirit of insurrection manifesting itself in her
Rhenish provinces without feeling herself called upon
to put it down ? And so of the rest. Certainly not ;
but I sincerely hope that with a determination to main-
tain its own authority will be found a disposition to
attend to the spirit of the age, and to the just claims of
the people. But these are internal matters, and as
such will, I hope, be regarded both by this country

VOL. II. 36

82 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [sept.

and by France (notwithstanding the example of
Greece) as not justifying any interference. What I
dread is that a further step may be taken, and to check
what they may think of dangerous example to them-
selves, some of these Powers may interfere in disputes
in which they are not immediately concerned. In
saying this, I have, of course, the Netherlands par-
ticularly in my view. In the questions between the
King and the people in that country I do hope no
other Power will interfere. For God's sake, urge this
with all your power ; for if Prussia sends a single man
across the frontier, or threatens interference from an
advanced position, it will be impossible for the French
Government to remain neutral. And then adieu to
the peace of the world. But in the first instance, if a
war should arise under such circumstances, be assured,
as I before told you, that not a man, or a ship, or a
guinea will be sent in support of it from hence.

But where am I going } This is too large a subject
for a letter. But I will only add once more my earnest
wish to preserve peace, and if you feel the same dis-
position, as I am sure you do, let me entreat of you
not to censure too openly or too harshly the conces-
sions of the Prince of Orange. He may have shown
a want of talent and character ; but concession, I am
persuaded, is the best policy both for himself and for
the world. That it would have come more gracefully
and more beneficially before an attempt to extort it, is
true ; but this is the misfortune of clinging too long to
an erroneous system, which would not be cured by an
endeavour to maintain it under circumstances of in-
creasing difficulty and danger.

How can the Duke of Wellington venture to absent

1830.] THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 83

himself at such a moment, when days and even hours
may be of the greatest importance? In these pro-
gresses, too, to receive the huzzas and the toasts of
pubHc dinners I see neither dignity nor wisdom. I
thought this an error in Canning ; but Canning had a
showy eloquence, which assisted him on such occasions.
The Duke, on the contrary, will not be raised in the
opinion of those who are admitted to a nearer view of
him in these festivities ; and, at Liverpool, a scene
awaits him for which I do not believe him to be pre-
pared. I know that Brougham has declared his inten-
tion of giving him battle there, and forcing him either
to hear in silence principles and opinions which will
not be very pleasant, or of forcing him into a debate.
This will not be a very agreeable alternative. Pray
do not mention this ; and after all, with so irregular a
mind as Brougham's, I should not be surprised to hear
that this denunciation of hostility ended in a speech of
compliment.

We have had Lord Tankerville, Lord Fitzharris,
and Lord Villiers here for three days ; but they are all
gone, and we are now again reduced to our domestic
party, with the addition only of General and Mrs.
Ellice. . . .

Ever most devoted yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Saturday , Sept. ilt/i, 1830.

I never realized so much as at the present
moment, my dear lord, how poor a resource one has
in writing. Though I have a thousand things to say,

36 — 2

84 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [SEPT.

a thousand reflections to communicate to you, I am
stopped by the impossibility of explaining them to you
in writing as I would wish. I am very much dis-
couraged by the appearance of affairs. To me it
seems that nothing short of a miracle can keep us out
of war. And when I say us, I include you. What a
prospect ! And I do not foresee what may be the end
of it. I have no news from Petersburg since writing
my note to you of the other day, and I tremble when I
think of the impression that the events in the Nether-
lands must produce. The state of things in France
will have been accepted, as of necessity ; but hardly
will they have had time to accustom themselves to this
regimen (which is somewhat difficult of digestion for
Continental sovereigns), before news of another revolu-
tion bursts upon them of a far more positive kind. In
short, my dear lord, as I have already told you, from
the moment that I heard of the events in Brussels, I
felt that we should perforce be obliged to intervene in
the affairs of the Netherlands, by reason of our treaty
obligations. And at this point, necessarily, will begin
complications with France. A strong Government in
that country would know how to get the better of
these complications. The Duke of Orleans, however,
has but little power, for Lafayette and the Republican
party govern France ; and so there is everything to
fear.

Meanwhile, the Duke of Wellington amuses himself
shooting, and is going to put his popularity to the test.
It will be an interesting and curious experiment, truly,
at Manchester and Liverpool, considering the people
who will be there. They say that Huskisson and
Brougham are to meet him.

1830.] PROSPECTS OF WAR. 85

I have this moment received your letter of the 9th,
which, like everything else that comes from you, is
benevolent, prudent, and well-considered. But, my
dear lord, how impossible it is to make one's self under-
stood at such a distance ! Probably I do not express
myself clearly. No two countries by themselves will
go to war. There will be no guerre d opinion, at least,
to begin with. But it is absolutely necessary there
should be a general understanding as to the obligations
imposed on us by our treaties with reference to the
kingdom of the Netherlands ; and it is from the dis-
cussion of these, and from the effect that it may produce
on France, that war will probably arise — a war in
which England must take her part with the rest.
This is what I foresee, and in the very near future ;
and which you would also foresee were you at the
head of affairs. No one desires war, and all have their
private interests for wishing to avoid it, but neverthe-
less war there will be. Such is my profound convic-
tion. I need hardly repeat, for the hundredth time,
how all that I say is for yourself a;lone. Italy is
beginning to stir, and probably the first movement
will take place in Piedmont. The King of Sardinia
has recently placed at the head of his army an indi-
vidual who has been dismissed from the Russian service
as a quarrelsome, insolent fellow, and a mauvaise tite.
The little Piedmontese army will be so exasperated by
his domineering ways that I have no doubt an insur-
rection will be the result. The nomination of M. de
Talleyrand as Ambassador to London is somewhat of
an event. It does not please everyone in France.
The Duke of Wellington will, I think, get on well
enough with him. For society it is a piece of good

86 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [sept.

fortune. We have no superabundance of cleverness in
the Diplomatic Corps in London. The last confidential
news that I have received about the Low Countries is
that probably the Comte de Celles is to form a Pro-
visional Government in Brussels. Now this Comte de
Celles is brother-in-law of Mar^chal Gerard,* and has
lately returned from Paris ; all of which would make
one greatly question the sincerity of France.

Have you no reference at hand to the treaty con-
cluded by England, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, with
regard to the union of the Netherlands to Holland ?
The separation now demanded by the Belgians would
almost dissolve this union, so solemnly guaranteed by
the Powers ; and this is why the King of Holland is
powerless without the consent of his allies, and above
all of England, since it was precisely to form a barrier
against France that you established this order of things
and spent so many millions in the erection of the
fortresses. But I am involving myself in details, and
as you yourself observed, these are not subjects for a
letter.

I am thinking of going, on the 14th, for a week to
Panshanger, and on the 21st to Brighton, to try salt-
water douches. If they suit me, I shall stay there a
fortnight, if not, only four or five days. But address
your letters always to London. The Hollands have
returned to Kensington, and their son, Mr. Charles
Fox, has arrived.

Adieu. My dear lord, when shall you be in
London ? I suppose about the 20th of October. A
thousand very sincere regards.

* War Minister in France.

1830.] PROSPECTS OF PEACE. 87

P.S. — I already knew, before receiving your letter,
of Brougham's project for drawing the Duke of Wel-
lington into a debate ; but like you, I hold Brougham's
projects very cheap.

Howick,

Sept. llth, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

You judge rightly. Nothing could give me
greater pleasure than the account of the admission of
the tricolour flag into your ports. I trust it will be
followed by the immediate recognition of the new King
of the French, and that one of the clouds, at least,
which hang over our prospects of peace in Europe,
will be dispersed. Every day's intelligence convinces
me more and more that nothing short of the most
unjustifiable aggression should provoke a hostile
movement on the part of any of the great Powers.
I anxiously trust, therefore, whatever may be the
opinions of the new arrangement which seems likely
to take place in the Netherlands, or of its future effects,
that whilst it is conducted as a matter of internal
policy, no other power will interfere. Events con-
stantly turn out very differently from our anticipations,
however apparently well-founded, and it would be a
presumptuous confidence in human foresight, so frail
and so frequently in error, to sacrifice the chances
which time affords, from fears of the future which may
never be realized.

I have lately heard some very strange things.
Amongst others one, which I immediately refuted as
devoid of all probability and truth — that you had said
to a person in high authority that you thought it better

88 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [sept.

that the present Government should continue as it is.
It came to me in an odd way, and from a person who
ought to know, and who asserted it most confidently ;
but, as I have already said, I at once declared it to be
impossible.

God bless you, dearest Princess,

Ever yours,

Howick,

Sept. i<,lh, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I have received your letter of the nth with
all the pleasure which hearing from you invariably
gives me. ... I think a case for interference, under
the conditions of the treaty^^ might be made out, if it
was our interest to interfere. But I see nothing to
make such interference, as you seem to think, a matter
of necessity. Rights would often prove very burden-
some things, if the possession of them always inferred
an obligation to exert them. The separation of the
States of Holland and of Flanders may be contrary to
our views of policy, and dangerous, in our opinion, to
the peace of Europe, in its probable consequences.
But if this arrangement can be made internally, the
union of the two under the same King seems, in my
opinion, to satisfy the letter of the treaty, and in that
case I should certainly be opposed to any interference.
If being in possession of all the facts of the case, which
can be sufficiently known only to the Ministers of the
different Powers, I should find myself confirmed in
that opinion, I should declare and act upon it at once :
foreseeing all the dangers that must immediately result

* The treaty concluded after the Congress of Vienna, in 1815.

1830.] THE QUESTION OF THE NETHERLANDS. 89

from negotiations formally opened between the three
Powers, for the purpose of regulating, by their inter-
vention, the future government of the kingdom of the
Netherlands. I hear the Duke's gentlemen and ladies
speak with delight of the appointment of Talleyrand.
But I suspect they will not find him exactly the same
Talleyrand who assisted Metternich, Castlereagh, and
the Duke of Wellington in their notable settlement of
Europe,* of which we are now reaping the fruits. This,
and the invasion of Spain,t may betaken as the two
great causes of all the evils which we have now to fear,
I am very anxious about the result of the dinner at
Manchester. As to popularity as a Minister, be
assured that the Duke has none, though he may be
followed by a great mob, as he would be equally if he
were led next week to execution. But I shall not be
surprised if his good fortune again serves him in pro-
ducing some violent extravagance from Brougham,
who, from all I hear — for I have had no direct com-
munication with him — seems to have been in a state of
complete intoxication ever since his election for York-
shire.! Do not quote me for this.

This, I expect, will find you at Panshanger. How
I wish it was in my power to meet you there ! This
reminds me of the proposal to Lord Melbourne, which
I hear has been repeated. Do you know anything of
it.-* I had almost forgotten to say that I have heard in
a way which, however improbable the thing may appear,
forbids my disregarding it entirely, that the Duke of
Wellington is not unlikely to appear in the new

* At the Congress of Verona, in 1822.

t By the French, in 1823, to reimpose the anthority of Ferdinand VII.
t In the elections for the new Parliament, Mr. Brougham, who did not own an
acre in the county, was elected M.P. for Yorkshire.

90 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY, [sept.

character of a Parliamentary Reformer in the next
session. This really would be, as Sefton would say,
* Good fun.' And after all, is it a more sudden or a
more extraordinary change than that on the Catholic
Question ? If you go to Brighton I shall expect full
details of the Court ; but, above all, let me hear that
the douche has afforded you all the benefit which could
be hoped from it. God bless you, dearest Princess.
Ever most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Panshanger,

Sept. i()th, 1830.

I arrived here, my dear lord, so tired out by
my journey, that I have been in bed ever since, and
unable to write a single word. And now comes the
news from Manchester of the horrible catastrophe there,
and this has distressed me greatly. "* The circumstances
which brought about the death of Husklsson are so
startling that one's imagination is struck with horror.
Here, again, fate is on the side of the Duke of Wel-
lington. His enemies, be they private or public, even
in their deaths, become more or less profitable to him.
I have news from Pozzo of the i6th. The future
of France is all in shadow to him. The King has no
power whatever, and things are going from bad to
worse. In another quarter, Germany, insurrection
also is spreading. What is going to be the end for
Europe of this alarming series of events ? I have
received your letter of the 15th ; many thanks for the

* Mr. Huskisson was run over and killed by the locomotive at the opening of
the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

1830.] DEATH OF MR. HU SKIS SON. 91

same. Lord Melbourne is here. Palmerston comes
to-morrow. I can answer for it that, up to the time
when I am writing to you, there has been no renewal
of proposals. But, according to my idea, the death of
Huskisson will probably bring on negotiations, though
I still doubt their being crowned with success. The
Duke of Brunswick went the other day to Brighton to
pay his respects to the King, but was not received.
The King sent him word that he must first announce
himself to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs ;
so he was obliged to come back to London without
having seen his Majesty. I am going to Brighton on
the 22nd. They say that M. de Talleyrand arrives
there the 25th, straight from Dieppe, and that he will
remain for the present at Brighton. I am sorry, my
dear lord, to have to stop, but writing tires me too
much.

To Princess Lieven.

Ho wick,

Sept. 20th, 1830.

What has become of you, or what has
happened to you } Here is the eighth day, that I
am still expecting, in vain, to receive a letter. . . . For
God's sake, give me some sign of life the moment you
receive this, if you have not done so before ! Till you
do, I find it impossible to write. I will, therefore,
advert only in a single word to the death of poor
Huskisson. What a fatality! and how dreadful the
manner of his death ! I never was more shocked than
when I read the first account of it, as, I am sure, you
must have been also. I had no great confidence in

92 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [sEPT.

his political integrity ; but at this moment he might
have been most useful, even if, as by some of the
Ministerial papers one might be led to suppose, that
things were tending to a junction between him and the
Duke of Wellington, and I regret him as a great
public loss.

Once more let me hear from you without delay.
Ever most entirely yours,

Howick,

Sept. 2lst, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

Your letter from Panshanger, which I have
just received, has removed the fears that I seriously
began to feel to a certain degree. But I am grieved
to see that you still suffer so much. ... I had
anticipated all the feelings you express on the
miserable fate of poor Huskisson. Whether it will
prove a fortunate event for the Duke of Wellington
remains to be seen. That it is a great loss to the
country, in any view that can be taken of it, is certain;
but I am not so sure that it will in its consequences
prove in the same degree advantageous to the Ad-
ministration.

The prospects on all sides are, indeed, threatening.
But I hope the great Powers of Europe will not give
in to the policy which fear is too prone to suggest,
and sovereigns equally ready to adopt, of endeavouring
to check the spirit which alarms them, by force. But
I have already said enough upon this chapter. It is
natural that the state of things in France, and par-
ticularly the want of power in the King, should not
accord with the feelings and opinions of those who

1830.] THE STATE OF FRANCE. 93

look to the regulated course of affairs under a strong
and established Government. But what you complain
of there is the inevitable, and, I hope, only the
temporary consequence of a revolution. It was so
here after the revolution of 1688, and I have no doubt
that the want of power in King William was as dis-
agreeable to himself, and was contemplated with equal
disapprobation by the other sovereigns of Europe at
that time. Yet from these beginnings see what a
state of power has been obtained by our King! In
truth, the power of the Executive Government is
necessarily progressive, and these restraints, which at
the commencement of a new dynasty may appear in-
convenient, are necessary for the establishment and
preservation of public liberty. I am very sanguine in
believing that these views will be confirmed by the
progress of things in France. But peace is necessary
to this hope. With the experience of the first Revolu-
tion, and with the evidence of the present state of
Europe before you, let me again and again entreat
you to use all your influence in dissuading from any
measures which may excite in the French people a
spirit uncontrollable by the Government, which I
believe to be studiously and sincerely pacific.
God bless you, dearest Princess,

Ever most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Ryegate,

Sept. 2yd, 1830.

I have received your letter of the 20th, my
dear lord, and am much touched by your solicitude on

94 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [sept.

my behalf. You will have seen by my letter from
Panshanger that I am in life, but not in health. I
have been obliged to halt at Ryegate, and slept here
last night. The doctors have every confidence in the
douches which I am going to take ; we shall see how
they will affect my poor back. A letter from Peters-
burg informs me that the Emperor was about to recog-
nise King Louis Philippe; so I consider the affair as
settled by this time. My letter is dated the 8th, when
they still knew nothing whatever of the events in
Brussels. The King of Prussia is massing a hundred
thousand men in his Rhenish provinces ; but this is
only a precautionary measure of internal policy, of
which F" ranee has no reason to complain. The Nether-
lands appear to me disposed to repent of their be-
haviour, and I believe that all will be arranged peace-
ably and without any intervention. So much the
better. I left Lord Palmerston at Panshanger. There
was no indication whatever of proposals from the
Duke of Wellington. If he were to make any, I
think they would be received as were the first. But
I own to you, in spite of all that is said, I do not
for a moment believe the Duke feels any need of
strengthening his Government ; he will endeavour to
go on as he has done up to the present time. I have
nothing further now to tell yon. I only wished to
send you a few lines to say how much I appreciated the
kindness of your last letter. Good-bye, my dear lord,
I will write to you as soon as I get to Brighton.
A thousand kind regards.

i839] MASSING OF TROOPS. 95

Howick,

Sepi. 2SiA, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I have received your letter of the 23rd from
Ryegate. It is short, as all your letters have lately
been, and gives me nothing to answer except on the
subject of your health. ... I read with great satisfac-
tion the expression of your opinion that the disturbance
in the Netherlands might end without any foreign
interference of any kind. It is only in this way that
the general peace can be preserved. No other Power
could, undoubtedly, take just ground of offence at any
force that might be sent by the King of Prussia, for
the purpose of maintaining his Government in the
Rhenish provinces. But can so large an army as a
hundred thousand men be required for this purpose,
and if carried to that amount, would it not naturally
excite the suspicion of an ulterior object, and become
a cause of jealousy, more particularly in France ? I
believe with you, that the Duke of Wellington means
to meet Parliament as he is. We shall see. In the
meantime I do not think he has much cause to be
satisfied with his provincial tour. Have you read the
Ministerial pamphlet ? I was not a little amused at
finding that it was my pride, and intolerance of any
rival in power, that had made a junction between me
and the Duke impracticable. Have you seen, also, the
pamphlet on the other side — which I think must be
Brougham's ? — powerfully and bitterly written, but not
very prudent in some particulars. His calculations on
the result of the election I believe to be g'^nerally
right ; but there are some evident mistakes, and it is,
after all, not very wise to stake too much on results

96 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [sept.

which may disappoint you from a thousand causes, of
which nobody can well estimate the effects till Parlia-
ment has met. When do you expect the Prince, and
what have you done about a house ? I think it is
about this time that your lease of Ashburnham House
is to expire.

God bless you, dearest Princess,

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Tuesday, Sept. 2%th, 1830.

Thanks, my dear lord, for your last letter.
Pray do not scold me when I tell you that I quoted
something out of it to the Duke of Gloucester. He
had some doubts as to what vou might have felt about
the death of Huskisson. What you say on this sub-
ject is so honourable alike to yourself and to his
memory, that I could not help letting the Duke know
of it. In confessing my indiscretion, I prove to you that
I did it for good reasons. I can tell you nothing about
the Court as yet. The two first days after my arrival
I could accept no invitation, I was too unwell. Since
then the King did me the honour of inviting me to
dinner, but this dinner was put off by his being ill.
He has gout in the foot, and cannot leave his room.
The Queen also has been ill, and the Landgravine* is
confined to her bed. It is a hospital rather than a
court ; and as I am on the subject of bodily infirmities
I must tell you that the douches are doing something
for me, so I really begin to hope that I may get cured

• The Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg, ihe King's sister.

,1830.] COMMOTIONS IN HESSE. 97

■

here. 1 only wish that it had been some other place,
for I detest Brighton, with its crowd and its tiresome
cliffs. I have seen the Chancellor here. He agrees
with you and with everyone as to the necessity of a
modification in the Government. He represented this
to the Duke of Wellington, but it does not appear that
his advice will be followed. After all, I am not very
sure that the Duke is not right. Experience, at least,
is in his favour. He has got on hitherto alone, and
may continue to do so. The news from the Continent
is not good. Up to the present time, at least, we
know nothing of the result of the advance on Brussels.
And this delay in getting news is not a good sign. In
the Electorate of Hesse there is also some stir. They
have demanded of the Elector that he should send
away his mistress, and convoke the Estates. He has
consented to everything. So much the better for
morality ; but the custom of obeying the dictation of
the people is certainly a new method of procedure, and
one which places the sovereign in a sorry condition. I
have been told of a witty saying of my Emperor's,
' JVotis sommes trop ckers, si notis ne sommes pas ndces-
saires! In France they are far from keeping quiet.
The clubs are making mischief, and if they continue in
the way they are now going on, the monarchy will not
exist for long. The King does not wish to receive
M. de Talleyrand at Brighton. He had intended
going up to town for the audience. If his gout, how-
ever, continues, he must receive him down here. They
tell me that the King is somewhat nettled by the Duke
of Wellington having been able to find time to go
everywhere except to the Pavilion. It is believed,
however, that he is coming this week. They have

VOL. II. 2il

^ THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [oCT.

just sent to invite me to dine to-day at the Pavilion —
a proof that the King is better.

Good-bye, my dear lord ; the time for your coming
to London is drawing near, and you can understand
how glad I feel. By the way, address your letters to
me to Hanover Square. Alas ! I am there now.

Many kind regards.

P.S. — The King has sent for the Duke of Welling-
ton. He answered that he would come for * a quarter
of an hour! He has just arrived.

[On September 19, fresh disturbances broke out in Brussels, and
the civic guards were overpowered. Prince Frederick of Orange,
concluding that action was inevitable, at last made up his mind to
attack the town. After four days' fighting, on September 27, the
Dutch troops, unable to advance, were withdrawn from the positions
they had won. On the following day, the Lower Chamber of the
States-General decided in favour of a dissolution of the union be-
tween Belgium and Holland.]

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Oct. \st, 1830.

My dear lord, the very day I wrote my last
letter to you we received here the vexatious news from
Brussels. The Duke of Wellington was dining at
Court. After dinner they handed him the despatches
with the account. He is much worried by it, for he
had considered the affairs of the Netherlands as
settled, and never for a moment imagined Brussels
would hold out. He would not believe a single word
of the news I told him my son had written me from
London. My son had received a letter from a friend in

1830.] NEWS FROM BRUSSELS. 99

Brussels, telling him that Prince Frederick was beaten,
and had fallen back. I talked it all over for a long
time with the Duke at the Pavilion, and also with the
King, and yesterday again with his Grace at my own
house. He is very uneasy, and his fears are great on
this subject. The reports he receives state that several
French soldiers and officers, and, it is said, a French
general, are superintending the defence of Brussels.
Things are becoming so complicated that he considers
it next to an impossibility to avoid a general war. To
me, also, it seems almost unavoidable ; and, further, I
do not see when or how it will terminate. Europe is
sick indeed. I think the English Government never
had a more difficult matter on hand. Whatever way
you turn, everything is complicated and most serious.
Will the Duke of Wellington be strong enough to go
through with it all .-*

The King and the Queen have been most kind to
me ; the King very chatty and lively, but prudent.
He suffers much from gout in the hands. It went to
his feet, but did not stop there. On Wednesday he
will go to town to receive M. de Talleyrand. The
Duke of Wellington talked much to me in his favour ;
he looks upon him as a very straightforward man.
That reminds me of how he used to consider M. de
Polignac as a very clever man.

Adieu, my dear lord. I am getting better, so I
decide to prolong my stay at Brighton till the middle
of October. The King spoke to me of Huskisson's
death with deep regret, considering him a great loss
for England.

Always yours,

37—2

,ioo THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [OCT.

P.S. — I open my letter again to thank you for
yours of the 28th, this moment come in. The post is
going, and I have no time to answer it.

To Earl Grey,

Brighton,

Oct. i,th, 1830.

Events, my dear lord, are hurrying on rapidly,
and becoming more complicated than ever, and I think
a crisis is at hand. The King of the Netherlands is
turning to his Allies for help (but keep this fact to
yourself). What may not this lead to, and that very
shortly ? Do you suppose that the Allies can permit
the Belgian Netherlands either to declare their in-
dependence, or to unite themselves to France ?
Whose will be the troops sent to occupy the fortresses
erected as barriers against France, and built with
English gold ? However good may be the intentions
of France, look at the weakness of her Government ;
look at the spirit of insurrection which is showing
itself everywhere ; look at the gravity of the political
situation on all sides ; the danger threatening all
nations ; and the paucity of wise heads to extricate us
from our dangers ! I feel deeply anxious, and I
cannot perceive one single ray of light to brighten the
prospect.

I expect my husband at the end of this month —
such, at least, were the plans we made at the time I left
Warsaw, and I see no reason for their being changed,
neither does my husband write of any alteration.
According to the gossip of the Court, the Duke of
Wellington is meditating some Parliamentary reform.

1830.] THE DUKE AND REFORM. loi

If true, it will just be a repetition of what took place
on the Catholic Question — the Whigs for him ; the
Ultra- Tories against him — and the Session will be
like that of the year '28. I have not been invited to
the Pavilion since Wednesday. Sir Robert Wilson,*
they say, dined there the day before yesterday. The
King is still suffering from gout ; nevertheless, he is
going to town to-morrow to give audience to M. de
Talleyrand. The Duchesse de Dinot has arrived in
London. Matuscewitz is running all over the country,
and shooting — staying with the Wiltons for ten days,
when, with such important events pending, he ought
to have been staying quietly in London. . . .

I am interrupted, and must hurriedly say good-
bye.

Howick,

oa. 6th, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

A thousand thanks for your two letters of
September 28 and October i. . . . I have made up
my mind to take my family at once to town. There,
then, I shall be fixed, for good or for bad, till the end
of the Session. It is a great sacrifice, and not likely
to be productive of any good, either to myself or
others ; but I have no choice, and regrets are unavail-
ing.

It seems quite clear that the Great Captain will
not seek for additional strength in the camps either of
the Whigs or of the party which I know not how to

* General Sir R. Wilson was reinstated in the army after George IV.'s death.
See note to p. 39, vol. i,

t Prince Talleyrand's niece, who did the honours of the Embassyt '

I02 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [oCT.

designate, except as the remains of Canning. The
course things are taking makes a junction with the
Old Tories more probable. Their feelings with respect
to all these revolutionary movements are naturally the
same as the Duke's. Like the old French emigrants,
they have learnt nothing, and forgot nothing ; and,
like them, would involve this country in ruin if they
had their own way. This, at least, is the opinion I
am inclined to form of the Duke of Newcastle and
such -like politicians. Of the Duke of Richmond,
whom I by no means class with them, and of others, I
have better hopes ; and if there should be such an
approximation as I have supposed, there are others
amongst these who have joined the Government who
cannot, I think, continue to support it. In the matter
even of numbers, therefore, it is doubtful whether by
a measure of this nature they would gain much — in
any other way, absolutely nothing, or worse than
nothing. I had heard before that the Chancellor was
convinced of the necessity of gaining additional
strength, and had pressed it upon the Duke, who, in
his usual peremptory way, had at once silenced the
proposal. If the Chancellor was aware of his own
power, he would not suffer his opinions to be set aside
in this manner. You say that, after all, the Duke,
perhaps, may be in the right in admitting nobody of
real weight to a participation of his power. Do you,
then, think that in the present state of the world, with
so many dangers and difficulties accumulating upon us
on all sides, it can be either creditable to himself, or
safe for the country, to continue under a Government
which, if it has wisdom to conceive, has not power to
enforce any policy of its own, and can only hope to

1830.] SEPARATION OF BELGIUM AND HOLLAND. 103

exist by divisions amongst its opponents, and by
anticipating them in the proposal of popular measures ?

The question in Belgium as to the separation of the
two Governments seems to be decided both by the
events at Brussels, etc., and by the vote of the States-
General. I still believe in the possibility of preserving
peace if we take a decided course against interference
either on our own part or that of any other Power.
There is, in my opinion, no casus foederis that can be
justly claimed against this, and I am sure both justice
and policy equally require it. Your Emperor's remark
on Sovereigns is well said, but I think it is not new.

I pity you for having been obliged to evacuate
Ashburnham House, and, still more, for being driven
for refuge to Hanover Square. I never was in a
house that I disliked so much. The only pleasure I
look to in going to town is that of seeing you. I shall
be there by the 26th at latest.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

Howick,

Oct. Tth, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I have a moment to thank you for your letter
of the 4th, which I have just received. The news
which it announces I have been expecting for some
days. In my letter yesterday, I told you that I did
not think that we could be called upon to act in the
affairs of the Netherlands, by virtue of any casus
foederis. To that opinion I adhere, and shall certainly
be opposed to any interference beyond good advice
and mediation. In this way only can the danger be
obviated. Think of a war, with insurrections in the

304 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [ocT.

rear of every one of the allied armies, and with the
chance of disaffection in the armies themselves. All
this is the result of the famous settlement of Europe
at the peace by Metternich, Castlereagh, and the Duke
of Wellington, one of the most absurd provisions of
which always appeared to me to be the barrier of
fortresses established at our expense, more especially
after the experience of the late war, when it was
proved how little strong places can prevent the advance
of a superior army. But this was a child of Welling-
ton's, and may too probably induce him to throw good
money after bad.

Nothing would surprise me in the way of measures
directly opposed to former opinions ; but his declara^
tions and Peel's against Parliamentary Reform, having
been as strong as possible on the part of both, even in
the last session, are rather too recent. However, as I
have said, nothing would surprise me, and I hear from
others what you say on this subject. But can the
character or authority of a Government be assisted
even by good measures, indicating such a total want
of all consistent views, and steadiness of principle and
opinion ? You are greatly mistaken if you think this
will assist the Government, as the Catholic Question
did. I certainly shall support a proposal for Parlia-
mentary Reform, but the Ministers will not find in me
in this, as in the former instance, a personal defender.
If moves of this kind are in contemplation, be assured
that those who make them feel that they are nearly
reduced to checkmate, which is inevitable without a-
false move on the part of their adversaries.

I have not another moment. God bless you,

G. '

i83o.] PROPOSALS TO LORD PALMERSTON. 105

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Oct. %th, 1830.

I have been a long time without hearing from
you, my dear lord. The Chancellor boasts of having
received a letter, in which you tell him that you are to
arrive in London some days before the meeting of
Parliament. This, at any rate, is good news, and I
am really so little accustomed to good news just now.

It is said — but I beg of you not to quote me — that
proposals have been made to Lord Palmerston, and
that they have led to nothing."^'' If the Duke of Wel-
lington really feels it necessary to strengthen his
Government, I do not understand his only making
these isolated offers, because it is self-evident that they
could not be accepted, or supposing they were, they
could not be productive of efficient help.

Affairs in Belgium assume each day a more serious
aspect. Up to the present time the French Govern-
ment is behaving with wonderful prudence ; but I
doubt if it will be possible for them to keep strictly to
the line that the Treaties impose. For it is matter of
fact that one of the principal articles was purposely
directed against France. On the other hand, however,
France, having acceded generally to the terms of the
Alliance of 18 18, has made herself party to all the
engagements therein agreed to. If now she should
refuse her concurrence in the clause relating to Belgium,
she must cease to be a member of the Alliance. It all
appears to me a labyrinth of confusion, very difficult
to see any way out of. The only thing certain is, that

* See Bulwer's 'Life of Palmerston,' i., p. 382.

io6 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [ocT.

the four Powers, England, Prussia, Austria, and Russia,
cannot contemplate the possibility of the fortresses
falling into the hands of France. Just at present,
diplomacy alone is at work, I think.

The King has given audience to M. de Talleyrand,
who, to the great surprise of the King, drew out of his
pocket a long written speech. The Duke of Welling-
ton has already given two dinners to the French Am-
bassador. At the last were present the Duchesse de
Dino, Lady Burghersh, and Madame St. Antonio,
Esterhazy, Billow, and Matuscewitz. The last I am
expecting at Brighton for a few days. . . .

The Court just now is more occupied with the
affairs of Brunswick than with those of Belgium.
They are trying to get the Duke to abdicate of his
own free will, because his subjects decidedly do not
wish to have him any longer. The King is resolved
not to uphold him. The poor young man resists, but
the Great Captain is taking part in the matter, and will
probably carry it his own way.

Good-bye, my dear lord. Pray write to me.

News from France is better. The Government
seems to be getting stronger, thank God ! and this
gives hope that things may continue quiet.

A thousand good wishes.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Oct. \-xfh, 1830.

I am enchanted, my dear lord, to hear of your
determination to come up to London, bag and baggage.
Your plan has, at least, an appearance of permanency,

1830.] FRANCE AND BELGIUM. 107

which pleases me much. I, also, expect to be in town
at the date of your arrival — at least for a few days,
having much to arrange in my new house. If my
husband should still delay coming to England, I shall
settle my children at Richmond, and this would oblige
me to pass a good deal of time in the country, I am
very much better, but not quite free from pain yet.
I have my son still with me.

Matuscewitz is gone away. I dined at Court the
day before yesterday ; the King appears to be better.
He has become very active, and pays great attention to
business, very affable and pleasant tempered, and is
particularly kind and amiable to me personally. He
intends to stay only three weeks in London, and then
to return and remain here till February 21. The
Queen's birthday is to be kept on February 24.

News from Germany is better. The troops in Hesse
behaved very well, and the sedition was put down.
France has received very graciously all your proposals
for intervention in Belgium (most confidentially do I
tell you this), and the fact astonishes me so much, that
I cannot help imagining something very deep behind
it all. France's interest is to gain time, and to con-
tinue to negotiate until she finds it convenient to act.
See if this will not be the result of the present negotia-
tions. In a very few months, by a ^our de main, she
will take possession of the fortresses. Pray, my dear
lord, keep entirely to yourself all the news and con-
jectures I write to you. Lord Palmerston has gone to
Paris, therefore there is no question just now of any
arrangement with him. M. de Talleyrand and the
Duke of Wellington are at Middleton.

Adieu, my dear lord. I am so very happy in

io8 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [oCT.

thinking that I shall soon have to put another address
on my letters to you. What a pleasure to look
forward to meeting so soon !

A thousand kind regards.

Howick,

Oct. i^f/i, 1830.

Many thanks, dearest Princess, for your letter
of the 8th. In the meantime you will have received
two from me, which will have proved to you that there
is no disposition to let the correspondence languish on
my side.

I have had a positive confirmation of the offer to
Palmerston — a single insulated offer of a place in the
Cabinet to him individually, which was immediately
refused. The Great Captain must have a singular
notion of his power to call anybody, as it may suit him,
into his service, to think that such an offer could have
any other result. Did he then make it to satisfy
others, expecting and intending that it should be
refused ? This seems to be the only rational way of
accounting for it, and yet such offers indicate a sense
of weakness which I should have thought he would not
be willing to proclaim. I am glad to find, however,
that opposition to his Government is not in all cases
an unpardonable ofTence, and I should like to know
what the Duke of Bedford and Lady Jersey — who
justified his making no advance to me by my speech
at the end of the Session — will say to this second pro-
posal to persons who had been ever since their removal
from office in the bitterest opposition to the present
Administration.

1830.] THE BELGIAN FORTRESSES. 109

From all I hear, as well from others as from you,
my hopes are increased that the affair of Belgium
may be settled without a war. The question of the
fortresses is more difficult for those who made that
foolish arrangement than it would be for others ; but
as the Duke is in the course of making a Palinodia
of all his former principles and opinions, I hope this
difficulty also may be surmounted. Lord Melville has
given my son a ship, and he will have to leave us
immediately. I take this as a personal kindness, but
it has not, and I am sure was not intended to have,
anything to do with politics. I have been living for
some time in a very patriarchal way, my sons, sons-in-
law, daughters, and grandchildren, who have been with
me, numbering no less than twenty-three. We break
up next week, and I shall set out myself on the 22 nd
or 23rd, as I announced to you in my last. If I do
not find you in town I shall take it very ill. You
must establish yourself there for the winter, as I shall
otherwise have little hope of seeing you. I hear
Matuscewitz afforded great amusement to the party at
Heaton by his initiation as a jockey.

God bless you, dearest Princess ; our correspond-
ence is drawing to a close, but let this be an induce-
ment to you to write more frequently during the
interval that remains before I shall have the pleasure
of seeing you.

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Oct. \(jth, 1830.

Many and grateful thanks, my dear lord, for
your letter of the 14th. I hope that my acknowledg-

no THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [ocT.

ment of the same will still reach you at Howick.
Excuse a short letter, for I am tired out by a day
divided between- Court duties and nursing my little
George, who is ill.

A messenger from Petersburg yesterday brought
the news that Russia has recognised King Louis
Philippe, and at the same time my husband sends me
word that he will be here sooner than he had at first said,
so that I now expect him in the beginning of November.

Your Government appears uneasy with regard to
Ireland. They say there is a question of sending over
the English militia. Do you think there is really any
ilanger in that quarter ? The Chancellor is much dis-
satisfied. He had wished the Government to strengthen
itself by taking in outsiders, and he has returned to
London in a very ill humour.

Things are going very badly indeed in the Nether-
lands. The Prince of Orange will probably be drawn
into doing something foolish. He is a weak man, and
they say that two of the Ministers are traitors. Prince
Frederick throws up the command of the army ; he is
quite discouraged, and the Hague is full of lamenta-
tions. This is all very deplorable. In France it
seems to me that the King is gaining in stability. As
you doubtless know, the ex- King is gone to Scotland,
and will take up his residence at Holyrood. Up to the
last moment the journey was kept a profound secret.

The King and Queen are most gracious to me ; I
have the honour of seeing them frequently. The
Queen is a far cleverer woman than they generally
give her credit for ; above all, she shows much deter-
mination of character. The King is still suffering
from gout in the hands.

1830.] THE STATE OF IRELAND. in

If my little boy is well enough, I intend going to
London on the 28th, but I cannot manage to do so
earlier. Good-bye, my dear lord ; I will write to
you again on your journey, if you will send me the
addresses.

Meanwhile, adieu, and a thousand kind regards.

Howick,

Oct. 22nd, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I have just received your letter of the 19th,
having also to acknowledge that of the 13th, received
since my last. . . .

I must confess that I do not feel at my ease about
Ireland, though Lansdowne, who has been travelling
all over that country, gives, upon the whole, a satis-
factory account of it. But the Catholic Question was,
unhappily, delayed too long, and principally by the
opposition of the very persons who carried it. They
^ave way at last to their fear of the effect of the agita-
tion which O'Connell had so successfully promoted,
but not till he had acquired, by means of it, a degree
of popularity and influence which now, assisted by the
events that have followed the French Revolution, he
is evidently disposed to exert for the worst purposes.
I see there is a great alarm in the City on this subject,
and I hear that Government have received some un-
pleasant accounts respecting the disposition of some of
the troops. I hope this will prove a false alarm ; but
if it is to obviate such a danger that it is in contempla-
tion to send a part of the English militia, I doubt very
much the prudence of that measure.

112 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. [ocT.

What you say of the Chancellor does not surprise
me. The Great Captain certainly treats his colleagues
in a way that would not be patiently submitted to by
a man who felt his own importance. But if the Chan-
cellor shows any symptoms of ill-humour, they do not
more certainly indicate the feeling of resentment, that
would be natural under such circumstances, than a
secret distrust of the solidity of the Administration. It
really seems almost impossible that it should stand. But
what a prospect for the Government that may succeed it !

I think I can explain both the measure of sending
the ex- King to Holyrood House, and the secrecy
which has attended it. I know that some time ago a
case was laid before the Attorney-General requiring
his opinion whether Charles X. was liable to an arrest
for debt. He mentioned this to a friend of mine,
stating at the same time that he saw no ground on
which the law could give him protection, being in-
vested with no public character of any kind, but with
a reserve of his final opinion till he had given the
matter a fuller consideration. It seems probable that
his first impression may have been confirmed, and that,
in consequence of this opinion, Charles X. may have
sought refuge in Holyrood House, within the precincts
of which, as a royal palace, all debtors are protected
from arrest. What a catastrophe for a man who, three
little months ago, was the Sovereign of cette belle
■France I This I give you only as my conjecture,
founded on the information which I have stated.

I was very sorry to hear of the illness of Prince
George, but hope that all your anxiety about him is
removed, and that you are now occupied, as I am, in
preparations for settling yourself in London.

1830.] ARRIVAL IN TOWN. 113

We leave this place to-morrow, sleep at Lambton,
and proceed on our journey from thence on Sunday
without further interruption. We hope to arrive in
town early on Wednesday the 27th.

I am afraid it is now too late to give you directions
for my journey, but if you can write on Monday or
Tuesday, directing to me at Mrs. Walker's, the Cock
Inn, Eaton, near St. Neots, where we shall sleep on
Tuesday night, I shall get your letter in passing.

How eagerly I look forward to the happiness of
seeing you, and how severe will be my disappointment
if you are not in London !

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

oa. 26tk, 1830.
I have but this moment, my dear lord, re-
ceived your letter from Howick, so you see it is
impossible for me to write to you at your last stage
before town. I send this to London. My poor George
has been so ill that I cannot move him from Brighton
before to-morrow, and I am not sure of being able to
take him all the way up to London without a rest.
At any rate, I shall be there Thursday. . . . My back
has benefited by my stay here, and I am especially
glad to have had the opportunity of finding myself on
such a pleasant footing with the Court. . . .

Good-bye, my dear lord, we shall meet in two days
at the latest. A thousand kind regards.

VOL, II. 2>^

[ 114]

CHAPTER III.

THE POLISH INSURRECTION.

The Duke of Wellington and Reforni — The Debate on the Civil List ; Resigna-
tion of the Duke — The King sends for Lord Grey — The New Administration
— The Armistice between Holland and Belgium — The Blockade of the Scheldt
—Outbreak of the Polish Insurrection — Lord Anglesey in Ireland — The Czar's
Speech to the French Charge d' Affaires— Bad News from Poland — Prospects
of the Prince of Orange — Marshal Maison's Conversation with Prince Metter-
nich — Walewski and Wielopolski arrive in London — The Prince of Orange
and the Conference^The Treaty of Vienna and the Polish Constitution —
The King's Speech at Dinner — Ireland and Poland — Candidates for the
Belgian Throne — The Duke of Leuchtenberg — The Polish Manifesto —
O'Connell in Ireland — The Aspect of Affairs in Poland — Lord Grey's Plan of
Reform laid before the King — Brighton in 1831 — The Due de Nemours is
Offered the Belgian Crown ; Refusal by France — The Attempt at Ghent —
The Prince of Naples a Candidate for Belgium — The Tories and the (Govern-
ment— Lord Londonderry and the Question of Reform — Sir Henry Hardinge
— The Court at Brighton — The Debates on the Civil List— The Prince of
Naples — Count Miinster — The Duke of Buckingham and the Opposition —
General Paskiewitch — The Tories and the Question of Reform — Affairs in
France ; Weakness of King Louis Philippe.

[On Oetober 26 Parliament met, and on November 2 the Session
was formally opened by the King in person. The King, who spoke
of the Belgians as revolted subjects, had to deplore revolution abroad
and disturbance at home. In the debate on the Address, Lord
Grey, after adverting to the storm in the horizon and the approaching
hurricane, urged the Government to take measures of precaution in
time ; and continued : ' The mode in which this must be done, my
lords, is by securing the affections of your fellow-subjects, and — I
will pronounce the word — by Parliamentary Reform.' The Duke of
Wellington, in reply, uttered his celebrated declaration against Reform
in Parliament, which almost immediately led to the overthrow of his
Administration.]

1830.] THE QUESTION OF REFORM. 115

To Earl Grey.

INov. ^th, 1830.]*

The King last night showed his Ministers
more cordiality and confidence than ever. Further,
the Duke of Wellington has told me that all would go
off well ; that he was sure of his position ; that he
would carry out all his intentions ; that Reform could
no more be carried through without him than the
Catholic Question ; that he would have nothing to do
with it, and consequently that nothing would be done.
In a word, he feels perfectly sure of his position.

Come and see me at one o'clock if you can. Tear
up this note, but let me know that you have re-
ceived it.

Tuesday, 10 o'clock.

\Nov. <^th, l830.]t

Dearest Princess,

I have received your note, and obeyed your
orders respecting it. If anything could astonish me
after what I have seen and heard within the last week,
I should indeed be surprised at the blind presumption
of this man ; but we shall see. He may be right, but
I suspect there is not another man, even amongst his
colleagues, of the same opinion. Leopold has sent for
me, and I am to be with him at half-past eleven. But
I hope the conference will not be so long as to prevent
my being with you at one.

Yours ever,
G.

* Docketed by Lord Grey. Evidently written in London,
f Added in pencil by Princess Lieven.

38—2

n6 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [nov.

Berkeley Square,

JVov. I2th, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I was confined to the house all yesterday by
a very severe cold, which prevented my calling on
you, or going to the House of Lords, or to the Queen's
party. I am better this morning, but still unable to
go out. I must, therefore, submit to be another day
without the pleasure of seeing you. I hear that the
Ministers either feel or assume the appearance of
greater confidence. They talk of a majority of 76 on
the Reform Question ; and I am told that some of the
Tories and others are holding a language which looks
like an inclination to vote with them. Nothing will
surprise me less than such a result, particularly if the
Court interferes actively ; and in that case the division
may be as they say. Personally, nothing would suit
me better than this ; but in as far as it leaves us with
an Administration too weak to conduct the public
business with advantage and effect, it is a bad thing
both for this country and for Europe.

Yours most entirely.

Grey.

[In his speech from the throne William IV. had declared that he
placed his interest in the hereditary revenues of the Crown un-
reservedly at the disposal of the House of Commons. In the debate
on the Civil List, Sir H. Parnell expressed much dissatisfaction at the
proposals of the Government, and suggested that all details of the
new Civil List should be referred to a Select Committee. The dis-
cussion was adjourned till Monday, November 15. On that evening
Ministers were defeated by twenty-nine votes. The next day the
Duke resigned, and the King sent for Lord Grey.]

i830.]

POSITION OF THE DUKE.

117

To Earl Grey,

Saturday [Nov. 13M, 1830].

My dear Lord,

How are you to-day ? Unless you have
entirely got rid of your cold, I entreat you not to go
out, although I should be the first sufferer from this.
But write me a line as to your speculations on coming
events. If, however, you may leave the house, tell
me at what hour you would visit me, so that I
may remain at home. I talked much with the Duke
of Wellington last night at dinner. He is perfectly
confident of his position, and reckons on a majority of
over a hundred. On this subject, however, from
another quarter, other and somewhat contradictory
information has reached me. I will tell you about
this when we meet.

Good-day, my dear lord ; you have my earnest
good wishes for success.

Berkeley Square,

Nov. 13/A, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

A thousand thanks for your kind note. I am
very much better this morning, but I am afraid I shall
not be permitted to go out. ... I have learnt nothing
that can make any alteration in my speculations on the
present state of affairs. I hear, what you confirm, that
the Ministers talk in a tone of greater confidence.
The ground of it I cannot comprehend. Nobody can
know anything certain as to the state of the House of
Commons, except as to the numbers of the old and
decided parties that are in opposition to each other.
Our strength in this respect is not diminished, and

ii8 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [NOV.

there seems to be, at least, as good a chance on our
side as on that of the Ministers, of gaining a fair pro-
portion of those who have not yet been pledged by any
vote. Much will depend upon the debate, and a mis-
take on either side may have very decisive conse-
quences. Upon the whole, I see no more reason to
think that the Administration can go on than I did ten
days ago. As to a majority of a hundred, it seems to
me quite absurd to expect it.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

Ever most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Sunday \_Nov. i^th, 1830].

Tell me how you are, my dear lord ; I hope
you are better. I am going to see my children this
morning early, and shall be back in town at four
o'clock. If you are allowed to go out I shall expect
you then. ... I dined again yesterday with the
Ministers. I do not know what has diminished their
hopes in the last twenty-four hours, but they were not
so confident as the evening before. Not the Duke,
but the others, I mean. Aberdeen already sees him-
self out of office. Lady Jersey says that she is packing
up her clothes.

Good-morning and good-bye, my dear lord.

Swiday [Nov. 14M, 1830].*

Dearest Princess,

I look upon myself as /lors (V affaire, though I
feel very weak and low. I am afraid it will not be in

* Added in pencil by the Princess.

1830.] DIVISION ON THE CIVIL LIST. iig

my power to call so late as four, but to-morrow at two
I hope certainly to have that pleasure. ... I see, as
I told you yesterday, no reason for these fluctuations
of opinion. To-morrow the Ministers would have had
a severe trial on the motion for a Committee on the
Civil List, which they declared their intention of
opposing on Friday, but to which it now seems that
they think of yielding. So here begins already the old
game of avoiding defeats by concessions. With respect
to the other question, all I know for certain is that we
have 200 sure votes in town. This does not include
any that may be expected from the Tories or from
other doubtful quarters. So how a great majority (or
almost any majority) is to be found on the side of the
Government I know not. The subalterns have all
along held a language of despair.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

Ever yours,

To Princess Lieven.

{^Monday night, Nov. 15M, 1830.]*

Division in the House of Commons :

For the Ministers - - 204
Against ------ 233

Majority against - 29

You desired me to send you anything piquant.
What do you think of this ?

Ever most entirely yours,

* In pencil by the Princess.

120 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [nov.

To Earl Grey.

Tuesday \_Nffv. l6th, 1830].

Thank you so much, my dear lord, for your
note. What you say is much to the purpose ; and,
further, it would certainly be desirable, as also in good
taste, to prevent victory being prematurely proclaimed.
I only wish that everyone possessed your calm judgment
and good sense, for this is what ensures success. I am
very unwell this morning, and doubt that I can leave for
Richmond before three o'clock. Could you possibly
come to see me } I should be so glad. But pray do
not attempt it if too difficult ; and, above all, do not
expose yourself to this downpour.

A thousand regards,

Nov. 161/1, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

Your advice is very good ; and, as far as I am
concerned, will be followed. Indeed, I see in the
present state of things, for myself personally, cause
rather for doubt and apprehension than for triumph.
I know nothing more, but I think the Ministers must
resign in the course of the day. I have had a bad
night, and am not so well this morning ; but if the day
improves, I will call on you, if possible, between two
and three. Do not expect me after three.

Ever yours,

1830.] lord grey takes office. 121

(Private.)

Tuesday evening \Nov. l6iA, 1830].

Dearest Princess,

I received a letter from the King between
three and four, requiring my attendance at St. James's.
I went immediately, and have come away commis-
sioned to form a new Administration. Nothing could
be more gracious than the King's manner, or more
satisfactory than everything he said to me. But even
with this I feel appalled at the difficulties with which I
am surrounded. This is only for yourself.

Yours most entirely,

To Earl Grey.

Ttiesday evening [Nov. 16th, 1830].

You can imagine how delighted I am, my
dear lord. Honour paid to you is as dear to me as
If it were paid to myself, and you have the most
sincere good wishes of my affectionate friendship.
The impression left on my mind by conversations with
various persons, to-day, is that there is much to perplex
you ahead. Write me word if I can hope to see you
for a moment to-morrow, and at what hour, and I will
arrange my departure for Richmond accordingly. If
you should not be able to come, I should start about
four o'clock. I will send to-morrow morning for your
answer. Good-night, my dear lord ; sleep well; husband
your health and strength, and all will go well.

Sincerely yours.

122 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [nov.

To Earl Grey.

Wednesday, \^th [Nov., 1830].

My dear Lord,

As you cannot fix anything positively for to-
day, and as I have not seen my children for some time, I
have decided to go to Richmond, sleep there, and return
to-morrow morning early, when I shall call at your
door to know if, and when, you can come to see me.
So please let me find a line with your porter to-morrow.
I am truly sorry not to see you to-day, for I have a
thousand things to tell you. As an old friend, I
venture to communicate the opinions I hear very
generally expressed on two important points. First,
that it is of positive necessity, in order to give the
proper tone to your Administration, that you should
yourself occupy the post of First Lord of the Treasury,
it being a place always considered to belong to the
Premier. I do not give you the many reasons which
would prove the necessity for such a measure, because
I feel sure you already know them well enough, but
confine myself to telling you how much those interested
in the future success of your Government hold this
point to be essential.

The second point is the necessity of conciliating
the Tories by concessions more or less important.
There are some forty of them, who (as Piron once
said of the Acaddmie), have among them but the wit
of four. Still, in making sure of these, you prevent
them giving themselves to your adversaries, and this
is worth taking into account. Once more, pray excuse
my zeal, but I really could not help communicating to
you what is so strong a conviction with me. I am

1830.] THE NEW ADMINISTRATION. 123

certain, were I your wife, I could not possibly feel
more anxious and interested in all that may add to
your renown. Heaven prosper your efforts, my dear
lord. I can think of nothing else at present, but do
try to let me see you to-morrow, and send me word in
time that I may arrange my day accordingly.

Adieu. A thousand kind regards.

[Nov. 17 t/t, 1830.]*

Dearest Princess,

Your note was a real comfort to me amidst

difficulties which are enough to drive one mad. But

I am getting through them, and by the end of the

week I hope we shall have a good Government fairly

launched. I have been obliged to make up my mind

to be at the head of the Treasury. On the other

point there is much to be said, but of this when we

meet. I will be with you at half-past two, or at latest

at three.

Ever yours,

Nov. 20^/1, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

That you may not be kept at home unneces-
sarily, I write, in despair, to say that it is absolutely
impossible for me to escape from my plagues, and to
see you to-day. Not one minute of repose have I had
since nine o'clock this morning, or can have till I go
to the King at half-past five. All the principal offices
are nearly settled, and we probably shall be installed
on Monday. I think, in this case, nobody will have a

* In pencil by the Princess.

124

THE POLISH INSURRECTION.

[NOV.

right to complain of delay, when it is considered what
was to be done, and what has been done, within a
week. If you are to be in town to-morrow, I hope
certainly to be able to call.

God bless you.

Ever yours,

[Lord Grey's Administration, as ultimately constituted, was as
follows :

Earl Grey ....

Lord Brougham .

Viscount Althorp .

Viscount Melbourne

Viscount Palmerston

Marquis of Lansdowne

Lord Durham

Sir J. Graham

Lord Holland

Lord J. Russell

The Duke of Richmond (origin-
ally a Tory) .

Lord Wellesley (brother of the
Duke of Wellington) .

First Lord of the Treasury.

Lord Chancellor.

Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Home Secretary.

Foreign Secretary.

President of the Council.

Privy Seal.

Admiralty.

Chancellor of the Duchy of

Lancaster.
Paymaster of the Forces.

Post Office.

Lord Steward.]

Sunday y [Nov.] 2is(, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I think I may say certainly that I will be with
you at four, or as soon after as possible. I am indeed
already sick of my Tudtier of Premier Ministre, and
should be too happy to be able to renew my comfort-
able visits, which were my greatest pleasure.

Ever yours,

i83o.] CONFERENCE ON BELGIUM. 125

[On November 4 a Conference of the five Great Powers assembled
in London, at the invitation of the King of Holland, and declared
an armistice should immediately be concluded between Belgium and
Holland, and that the Dutch troops should be withdrawn from
Belgium. On November 10 the National Congress opened at
Brussels, and on the i8th the independence of Belgium was formally
proclaimed by its authority.]

Berkeley Square,

JVov. 28M, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I am obliged to go to the Foreign Office, and
am more vexed than I can express at not having it in
my power to call on you this morning.

Yours ever,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Sunday, 3 o'clock \Nov. 2'&th, 1830].

I am still more disappointed than you, my
dear lord, at not seeing you to-day. The more so
because you give me no hope for to-morrow. I leave
this at your door on my way to Richmond ; I was
only waiting on in town to see you. I am very glad
to learn that you are going to do business at the
Foreign Office, because I think that some good will
result of this for Europe. Indeed, as I told you
yesterday, you hold peace or war in your hands. But
I am not uneasy ; you will keep us at peace. By the by,
I have been making inquiries about the Conferences.
The Duke of Wellington was personally present at
those only where new or important points were to be
discussed. Now, since at the present Conference the
only business, I hope, will be to confirm the armistice,
it will probably not be necessary for you to attend.
Far better not to waste your strength without good

126 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [df.c.

reason ; rather reserve it for important occasions. If
the time that you had thought of devoting to that can
be given to me, it would, I think, be well employed.
Should this egotistical scheme appear to you feasible,
you will perhaps propose an hour, otherwise I shall
consider the arrangement for Tuesday to hold good,
and shall expect you as it was agreed.

Adieu, and a thousand kind regards.

Downing Street,

Dec. yt/i, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

Here I am at half-past six, not having been
able to get away for a moment. I am in absolute
despair at not seeing you. I will try, however, to-
morrow after the levee ; but do not wait for me. I
shall, however, have the pleasure of meeting you at
Claremont, where I hear you are to be on Saturday
and Sunday. I, unfortunately, cannot go till Sunday.
I hope Prince Lieven will write strongly to Holland
about this blockade.* The conduct of the Dutch
Government in this instance is really quite unjustifi-
able.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Thursday, Dec. ^tk [i830].t

I do not complain, my dear lord, though I may
feel vexed. I only sent you a few lines yesterday,

* Of the Scheldt.

f Docketed by Lord Grey, in error, '_/?</y 9M, 1831.'

1830.] THE BLOCKADE OF THE SCHELDT. 127

thinking I should see you. As I do not know now
■when that may be, I must answer in writing what you
said in your note of the day before yesterday. My
husband wrote a letter to our Minister at the Hague,
expressing reprobation of the conduct of the King
of the Netherlands, and exhorting him to act in
conformity with the decision of the Conference.
He showed this despatch to Lord Palmerston, who, I
hope, will have communicated the matter to you. I
have a thousand things to say to you ; but one cannot
write to a person in the next street as if that person
were at Ho wick. Besides, you would not answer
quite in the same way. I do not regret what the
Duke of Wellington said in the House of Lords
yesterday, though, in his own interest, it was very ill-
advised. Have you written your name with the Duke
of Cumberland? Can you dine with us on the i8th ?
Answer me this soon, for I want to send out my
invitations.

Good-bye, my dear lord. What a bad habit we
are getting into — never meeting !

Always yours,

Thursday [Dec. ()t/i, 1830].*

Dearest Princess,

I cannot express all the pleasure I feel from
the kindness of your note, but it is a poor substitute
for that of seeing you. Lord Palmerston told me he
had seen Prince Lieven's letter, and that it was just
what he wished. I need not say how much I rejoiced

* This letter is docketed in pencil by the Princess, * Feb. yh, 1831.' This is
a mistake, as it is evidently in answer to one from her dated Thursday, Dec. 9,
[1830].

128 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [dec.

at hearing^ this ; and if we can only go on together as
we do at present, the peace of Europe will be pre-
served.

The Duke of Wellington was guilty yesterday of
the folly of showing his teeth when he could not bite.
Peel did the same thing the day before in the House of
Commons; but the Duke's was the greater imprudence
of the two, as it will increase his unpopularity. I have
not yet written my name with the Duke of Cumber-
land, but will to-day if possible, or to-morrow.

I shall be very happy to dine with you on the
1 8th.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

[The Polish insurrection broke out November 29, 1830, when
the residence of the Grand-Duke Constantine was attacked and
several of his officers killed. The Viceroy made no attempt to put
down the rebellion, the citizens of Warsaw rose, and the Grand-Duke
retired over the frontier. The Provisional Government which was
then formed despatched envoys to the Czar to make terms. These
were refused. The Emperor Nicholas demanded immediate sub-
mission, and ordered General Diebitsch to advance with an army
into Poland.]

To Earl Grey.

Tuesday, 7.W1 [Dec, 1830].

I am just starting, my dear lord, and must
write you one line, as Friday seems so far off. My
Emperor has decided as I supposed he would, and
has sent troops into Poland. Indeed, he could not
do otherwise. However, there seems to me so little
real enthusiasm in this insurrection, that I still think
it possible that the Poles will submit, and order be

1830.] OUTBREAK OF THE INSURRECTION. 129

re-established without recourse to arms. I am sure I
desire it with all my heart, both for the Poles and for
us, for a civil war is a horrible alternative. We have
heard nothing from Petersburg about all this.

Are you not half-dead with the cold ? I hear that
the Duke of Wellington has been ill at Winchester,
and is not going to Woburn. Is this true ? It seems
so stupid writing to you with only a street's length
between us, that I leave off here. I have really
nothing to say, though if we were talking together
there would be no such excuse made. I shall expect
you with much impatience on Friday.

Good-bye ; a thousand kind wishes.

Downing Street,

Dec. 29M, 1830.

Dearest Princess,

I received your note on my return yesterday
from Brighton. My excursion there was as pleasant
as great kindness both from the King and Queen
could make it. I am quite fallen in love with the
latter. We are going on very well as to all domestic
concerns, and the vigour and resolution shown by Lord
Anglesey* will, I hope, soon teach, if they have not
already taught, Mr. O'Connell, that he has to deal
with a Government which will not shrink from its duty.

Of foreign news I have little to add to what you
will read in the papers and hear from other sources.
Flahault writes me word that everything is going on
well ; but I shall not feel satisfied till I see what
happens upon a change of the Ministry — some change
being thought inevitable. Talleyrand says Lafayette

* The new Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.
VOL. II. 39

13© THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [dec.

will resume his command of the National Guard. One
expression in your letter gave me great pleasure, but
it would have been greater if you had added, to your
expectation of the submission of the Poles, a hope that
the Emperor might accept it. I do not pretend to say
that there can be any doubt that the power of Russia
is equal to the entire and absolute subjugation of
Poland. But think of the horrors of a war of exter-
mination, for such it will be, of the sympathy which a
people fighting for liberty and independence will not
fail to meet with in every country in Europe, and of
the possible advantage which may be taken of it to
strike a blow at your power. These, believe me, are
not imaginary dangers, and I earnestly hope that some
means may be found of appeasing the storm which
appears to me to be so threatening. I am sorry to
hear that your Emperor used some very offensive
language, on hearing the first news of the insurrection,
to the French Minister.

I hope to see you on Friday ; if anything should
happen to detain me in town, (and I promise you it
will not be a little thing that will do so), you shall hear
from me again to-morrow. What a happiness it will
be to spend two or three days comfortably with you
in the country !

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Panshanger,

Dec. ^oth, 1830.

A thousand thanks, my dear lord, for your
letter of yesterday. I think as you do about the

1830.] RECOURSE TO ARMS. 131

Emperor's remark to the French Charge d' Affaires,
and I regret It. You see by this that I am impartial,
but it is just for this reason, that, differing from you, I
can see no solution for the Polish difficulty, except a
recourse to arms. Should the Poles at once submic, with-
out doubt the Emperor would accept their submission.
He would then not have recourse to martial law, but the
guilty must be punished, and in all countries the civil
law takes cognisance of murder and pillage. If, however,
the Poles persist in their rebellion, if the nation takes
up arms against Russia, you must admit that the only
course open to the Emperor in that case is armed
force. I am sure your sense of justice must agree to
the truth of this. We will talk it all over to-morrow.
I am delighted with Lord Anglesey's proclamation.
Courage and promptitude are what are required in
Ireland as well as in Poland ; and force to back them,
too, if necessary.

I am looking forward with immense pleasure to
to-morrow, the day after, and Sunday ; but how short
the time will be I Lady Cowper is delighted at the
prospect of having you in her house.

Good-bye and a thousand regards.

D. LlEVEN.

Downing Street,

fati. 5M, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

It will not be in my power to call on you
to-day, and I write that you may not wait for me.
I have been very much vexed by receiving a letter
stating that a letter from you had been quoted at
Berlin, in which you said that I ' wished for the

39—2

132 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [dec.

immediate suppression of the Polish insurrection.' I
certainly expressed my regret at its having taken place
at a moment when the peace of Europe was already
threatened by so many dangers, and I acknowledged
that it was to be expected that the Emperor should
exert all his power to suppress it. But whatever I said
I did it in the confidence that my name should not be
cited, and you may easily conceive the inconvenience
to which such occurrences may expose me. Really, if
I have not a complete assurance that my name is not
to be mentioned, my mouth must be completely shut
as to everything but the mere gossip of the day. I
remember your telling me that you had written to
Nesselrode, and I did not object to what I understood
you to have said ; but even to him I should wish you
to say nothing that you hear from me in our private
communications ; in short, that nothing should be
added to what the Prince may hear from me or Lord
Palmerston, It was to somebody at Berlin your letter
was said to be written. I am not well to-day, and
doubt whether I shall be able to go to Madame de
Dino's to-night. But 1 will if I can.
Ever, dearest Princess,

Yours most affectionately,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Hanover Square,

Jan. 6th, 1831.

Indeed, my dear lord, nothing could have
grieved me more than to find that I could possibly
have given you annoyance ; and, above all, to think
that you could suppose me capable of betraying any

1830.] LORD GRETS VIEW. 133

confidence you had placed in me. But I venture to
observe that you have taken up much too warmly an
incident very simple in itself, and really, as far as it
concerns you, harmless. I well remember, when
forwarding to our Minister in Berlin a despatch for
the Empress, in my letter to him (which was in answer
to one I had lately received describing^ the events at
Warsaw), I stated that the English Government re-
gretted this insurrection, and most loyally desired that
we should be able speedily to put it down. If this was
imprudent on my part, at least my intention was of the
best. I cannot conceive that one of two Governments
on friendly terms of alliance should wish well of what
endangers the tranquillity of the other. (The Citizen
King even, in his answer to the Corps Diplomatique,
on New Year's Day, expressed his earnest desire for
the continuance of peace throughout the States of
Europe.) Now for making a confidant of our Minister,
by repeating some of your observations to me, when,
at the same time, I never mentioned your name —
I cannot, indeed, consider myself to have been guilty
of indiscretion. What I communicated would cer-
tainly ne.ver have gone beyond the diplomatic circle,
and would there have served to increase rather than
diminish confidence in you ; for you are supposed to
be the apostle of revolution, and would you not wish
to negative such an idea ? Do you consider it so little
essential to your interests that goodwill and good
faith should be felt towards you and your Government,
rather than the mistrust and hatred which antagonistic
doctrines must necessarily inspire ? What you said to
me you would probably not have said in the House,
and on this head I thoroughly understand the caution

134 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [jan.

which your position demands. But remember, it was
not to any English person that I repeated your words.
In any case, why regret that the Cabinets of Europe
should have faith in your goodwill rather than in the
contrary ? In truth I am treating this incident more
seriously than it really merits. But you must forgive
me, my dear lord. First, I wished to prove to you
that it was not worth being so much annoyed about ;
now I would wish to convince you that I accept re-
pentantly and with resignation your censure. Be
assured, on my word of honour, that never again will
I repeat or write, except with your consent, the
smallest thing you may say to me. Therefore pray
continue to believe in my discretion as well as in my
friendship.

Do come to Madame de Dino's, for I am really
only going there to meet you. Adieu.

To Earl Grey.

Friday [Jan. l^th, 1831].

Thanks, my dear lord, for your little note, but
I regret a thousand times you cannot come to see me.
I am somewhat better to-day. My husband, however,
is less well, and we are a ridiculous household. To
divert myself, I am going to dine with Ludolf,* where
I shall probably catch cold. What a pity you refused to
go there ! You see I always regret your absence. I
look forward to see you to-morrow. If before then
any news comes that is interesting, pray send it me.

Ever yours,

Neapolitan Minister in London.

1831.] THE PRINCE OF ORANGE. 135

Sunday [/an. xdth, 1831].

Dearest Princess,

I called soon after five, and was in despair at
hearing that you continued so ill. . . . There are
despatches to-day from Brussels. I do not think the
accounts so favourable to the Prince of Orange as they
were."^ Talleyrand, whom I saw at Holland's, says
that Brisson thinks very ill of his chance. At all
events, the thing seems likely to go into length, which
is almost equivalent to failure. Of course you have
accounts from Petersburg. From what I have seen,
I am led to conclude that you will not begin to act
before the beginning of March.

Our accounts from Ireland are more satisfactory.
Lord Anglesey had a complete triumph at the theatre.

God bless you, and get well as soon as you can ;
and if you are well enough, pray let me have a line
to-morrow morning.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Monday, I'jth \_/an., 1831].

Things are much the same with me, my dear
lord : I am still confined to my bed, and suffering con-
siderably. . . .

I was vexed at the news you sent me yesterday,
but I feel so little respect for the Congress at Brussels,
that opinions there expressed with regard to the Prince

* The question under discussion was whether he should be elected King of
the Belgians. It was uUimately declared by the National Congress that the House
of Orange had forfeited all claim to Belgium.

136 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [jan.

of Orange do not in the least discourage me. We
have no despatches from Petersburg, but the news-
papers from there of January i tell us that Diebitsch
had left to join the army, which would lead one to
suppose that operations were about to commence.

I congratulate you on the man you have in Lord
Anglesey; he knows how to command and how to
make himself obeyed. This is the only way things
can be well done. Courage and a lofty bearing are
the sources of all strength. . . .

I am still very weak. Adieu. A thousand kind
regards. Is there any news to-day ?

Downing Street,

Jan. x^th, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I cannot bear the continuance of this vexatious
illness, and am inclined to abuse your physicians. . . .

I had a long visit from Talleyrand, who read me a
despatch from Sebastiani,* in a very altered, and not a
very pleasant, tone. It seems that measures taken in
favour of the Prince of Orange have created great
dissatisfaction. He says that they can only tend to a
civil war, and this cannot be permitted by France
'a ses portes.^ He quotes an account of an interview
between Marshal Maisonf and Metternich, in which
the latter stated that it was impossible to re-establish the
Prince of Orange. Lord Granville's despatches of the
14th give an account, corresponding with the tone of
the despatch, of two conversations with Sebastiani.
He repeats the conversation with Metternich, with

* Minister of Foreign AflFairs in France,
f French Ambassador at Vienna.

183:.] THE EMPEROR'S DECLARATION. 137

this difference, that Lord Granville had understood
Sebastiani to say that Metternich had protested
against all attempts in favour of the Prince of Orange.
This 1 think is impossible, if anything is so, for your
old friend, ' r/wmme le plus franc et le plus loyal!

The Emperor declared that he gave the Poles till
the end of February, and if they did not then submit,
he would march on Warsaw. Cest sur.

Get well then, for I am in despair at not seeing
you.

In extreme haste,

Yours,

To Earl Grey.

Tuesday morning \^an. i2>th, 1831].

My dear Lord,

I am really better, and shall not die this time,
1 think. However, I feel too weak to see you to-day.
If you have a moment to-morrow to give me, I shall
be delighted, and could you come before five o'clock ?
What you wrote to me yesterday confirms all my old
suspicions with regard to France. She would not
wish to see the affairs of Belgium settled. She would
like matters to drag on until she finds herself in a
position to take Belgium as her prey. And all the
apparent innocence of M. de Talleyrand has no other
end in view but to obtain Belgium as a bequest to
France. This will be his last political will and testa-
ment. He will restore what he caused her once to lose,
and will thus end his career at peace with his com-
patriots, and, to the eyes of Europe, in the odour of
sanctity. For we all believe him to be un tres honnete

138 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [jan.

homme. As to I'homme le plus fra?ic et le plus loyal, I
quite agree with you. I believe him capable of any-
thing. Meanwhile the confusion is considerable. How-
ever, you know you have two honest men on your
side — my Emperor, and the King of Prussia. Only
be strong in will and purpose, and all will be well.
What rascals these Belgians are !

Adieu, my dear lord. How tiresome to have to
write instead of talking ! and my poor head is so weak
that even these few lines have exhausted me. How
delighted I shall be to see you again ! I had quite
made up my mind to have sent once more to see you,
had I felt myself really going to die.

Adieu.

Jan. \%th, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

Thank God you are something better ! but
why not well } If you have any regard for me, you
will not delay your recovery. Don't talk about dying,
even in joke ; but let me consider what you said on
that subject, not as arising from any real apprehension,
but only as a proof of your desire to see me. I wish
you knew the pleasure I experience in my belief that
this desire is sincere.

The conduct of Talleyrand and his employers may
be forced upon them by their fear of the Republican
party ; or it may be dictated by the views which you
suspect. Either motive would produce a similar
result. If you and Prussia and Austria were not all at
this moment les mains lUes^ we might soon settle the
business. Heytesbury says that Diebitsch is gone to

i83i.] MARSHAL DIEBITSCH TAKES COMMAND. 139

take the command of the army, but that he cannot
have more than 80,000 men disposable before the end
of February or the beginning of March.

If the Poles, therefore, are in force, it will be neces-
sary to wait for a forward movement till that time.
Walewski* was at Talleyrand's last night, but I was
not introduced to him.

I will call to-morrow before five, if possible ; if not,
you shall hear trom me.

God bless you.

Jan. 2ist, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

All my hopes of getting away from hence in
time to return for the Cabinet are at an end ; but, at
least, let me know that you continue to improve. This
must be my comfort for not seeing you. I am afraid
we have been too sanguine in our hopes from the
strength of the party of the Prince of Orange. If its
power is not immediately and decisively shown, it will
be impossible to continue to support a cause which in
that case will only keep alive suspicions and discontent,
excite the jealousy of France, and afford to Lafayette's
party the means of exciting the public against the
Government. Such a state of things must be hourly
exposed to the danger of a civil war, and if the matter
cannot be promptly settled by what we all agree in
thinking the best arrangement, we must look about for
some other which may afford a hope of bringing these
discussions to an end.

* Count Walewski (afterwards, under Napoleon III., French Ambassador in
London) and Marquis Wielopolski had come to England as Envoys from Prince
Czartoryski and the Polish Provisional Government.

I40 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [jan.

I think a very useful and important step with this
view was taken yesterday, and I hope it may have the
additional advantage of facilitating the choice of a new
Sovereign. But whether it be the Prince of Orange or
another, an early choice is what we must all anxiously
desire.

I write this amidst constant interruptions, and am
afraid what I have written may not be very intelligible.
Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Friday \2i st Jan. 1831].

Many grateful thanks, my dear lord, for your
note. I am getting on, but slowly ; still, I hope to be
able to dine with you to-morrow.

I am sorry to see you take so unfavourable a view
of the Prince of Orange's chances of success. I cannot
agree with you, and I suspect that France is interfering,
and exerting influence in this matter. In the name
of wonder, why should all the other Powers submit to
her pleasure ?

What took place yesterday was well enough in its
way, and if carried out would settle the question in
regard to the Prince of Orange. Indeed, if only such
were your good pleasure, I have little doubt of the
business being concluded in this way. Apropos of
this, I must tell you how happy the amiable little note
you wrote this morning to the poor Prince has made
him,"'" He came and showed it me in confidence,

* The Prince of Orange had come over to London to attend the Conference
there sitting to settle the Belgian Question.

1 83 1.] ARREST OF O'CONNELL. 141

knowing how it would please me. He was both
delighted and flattered by it. From this time forth all
his hope and confidence is centred in you ; and he
candidly owned to me that he was certain the Duke of
Wellington would never have done for him the half of
what you have already achieved. You have his most
earnest prayers for your continuance at the head of
affairs.

I am delighted to hear of O'Connell's arrest.* You
know how I adore vigorous measures. I am quite
proud of the honour that will accrue to you from this.

Good-bye, m.y dear lord, till to-morrow ; I shall see
you at all events at the dinner-hour. I shall take care
to come in good time, as you desire.

I see that the Times thinks that by the Treaty of
Vienna you are bound to show a paternal solicitude for
the Polish Constitution. Fortunately, the Treaty of
Vienna says not a word on this subject. This treaty
gave Poland to the Emperor, and the Emperor gave
the Constitution to Poland. Such is an exact state-
ment of the case ; but you know it all as well as I do.

Good-bye, again. I never know when to end in
writing to you.

Always faithfully yours,

Saturday [Jan. 22, 1831].+

Dearest Princess,

A Cabinet at four deprives me of all hope of
seeing you to-day. How much preferable the life of a
dog is to that of a Minister !

* He had been arrested in Ireland, on a charge of conspiracy to defeat the
Lord-Lieutenant's proclamation.

+ Added in pencil by the Princess, who puts the ' 20th ' by mistake, doubtless,
for the 22nd,

142 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [JAN.

I have seen the Prince of Orange this morning,
who showed me two letters from the Netherlands,
both (and they were of opposite parties) confirming
Lord Ponsonby's* accounts, and demanding the very
thing that has been done by the Prince.

I hear privately, but indirectly, that the Belgic
deputies intend to returnf on the 20th, with an expec-
tation that hostilities will be renewed immediately after
their arrival at Brussels.

We have no news — at least, I have heard of none.

Ever yours.

Grey.

Downing Street,

/an. 2yd, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I am most anxious to hear that you have not
suffered by coming here yesterday, or, what was much
more dangerous, and an act of absolute insanity, by
going out in an open carriage. I have told you that
you mismanage yourself dreadfully, though I never
met with such a proof of it before.

I intended to have written sooner, but I was pre-
vented before two, and the Cabinet has lasted till this
moment — as long, almost, as a Conference, and on a
subject not less difficult — and, I have the satisfaction of
adding, with a most harmonious and satisfactory result.
We have despatches to day of the 20th, from Brussels,
adding little to what we before knew, except that on
the 20th no measures whatever had been taken by the
King for opening the Scheldt.

* Lord Ponsonby had been sent (December, 1830) on a special mission to the
Provisional Government at Brussels,
f To the National Congress.

1831.] WILLIAM IV:S SPEECH AT DINNER. 143

I cannot believe that you would q-o to Richmond in
such weather, and shall, therefore, hope for an imme-
diate answer that will relieve my anxiety. God bless
you.

Ever yours,
G'.

To Earl Grey.

London,

Monday \z^th Jan., 1831].

I have come to town for some hours only, my
dear lord, and I send you these few lines in con-
sequence.

The King made a speech in honour of the Duke of
Wellington at dinner. His Majesty began by sayino^
that as he had never been a party man, no one could
interpret the toast he was about to give as having a
political signification, but only as a tribute justly due
to a man, the most celebrated and the most powerful
of his time — or of his country, I forget which. Per-
haps you have already heard all this, but in any case
I think it worth while to write it to you, for my version
comes straight from the Duke. . . .

I hear that Flahault has arrived. I esteem the
man, but I much distrust the intentions of the Govern-
ment he represents. Pray do not forget that every
Frenchman of the present day is a born lover of revo-
lutions, and that Flahault, particularly, has a very
tender corner in his heart for Poland. Think of what
I say when he speaks to you on this subject, and pray,
my dear lord, keep to the course which your sense of
equity has dictated to you.

Be sure, also, that in Ireland you will benefit by

144 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [jan.

the success the Emperor meets with in Poland ; any
other policy than this will upset and revolutionize the
whole of Europe.

Monday, /an. 24M, 183 1.

Dearest Princess,

... I saw Flahault last night, but not alone,
and had no private conversation with him. Of course
he is not come merely for amusement, but I am satisfied
his mission, whatever it may be, has only Belgium for
its object.

You will have heard, of course, that the Scheldt is
opened ? This is a great difficulty removed. Now, if
an immediate and decisive movement is not made in
favour of the Prince of Orange (of the success of which
the delay makes me doubt more and more), somebody
else must be found ; and in that case I am very much
inclined to say. Choose for yourselves, provided your
choice is neither French nor English. I am not sure
that I should describe the Duke of Leuchtenberg as
the former.'"

I wish the Polish business could be settled. If it
is protracted, I foresee great difficulties ; and there is
a case against you on the Treaty of Vienna. Could it
not be so managed that a submission should be made,
upon an assurance that this treaty, both as to the
limits and Constitution of the kingdom of Poland,
should be fulfilled ? If you look at the Times, you will
be able to judge of the course public opinion here is

* Duke Augustus of Leuchtenberg, who afterwards married Donna Maria of
Portugal. He was son of Eugene Beauharnais, and on his mother's side was re-
lated to the Bavarian Royal Family.

l83i.] CHANCES OF THE PRINCE OF ORANGE. 145

likely to take if the business is protracted, and of the
difficulties which may ensue.

Our accounts to-day put me quite at my ease
about Ireland.

God bless you. ...

Ever yours,

/an. 26^/1, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I am in despair at not seeing you, and with so
little prospect of having that happiness. On Friday I
have an engagement at home, which I cannot put off;
on Saturday I dine at the Mansion House ; and on
Sunday I am to go to the King with my plan of
Reform, which I am happy to tell you I am now
enabled to propose to him with the full concurrence of
all my colleagues. From this you will see that I
cannot accept Prince Leopold's invitation — when am I
to see you, then ?

I was so constantly persecuted yesterday that I
had not a moment to write even a line before I went to
the Cabinet, and afterwards it was too late. Flahault's
mission is entirely pacific, and I hope we shall at
last get things settled, though I do not yet see the
means of agreeing upon a Sovereign ; that is, of ob-
taining your consent, so as to prevent the increasing
danger of delay. The Prince of Orange, I am afraid,
is nearly hopeless. It was one of those things that
must succeed at once or not at all ; and I see no
symptom of the power, and still less of the vigour, in
his party which the case required. And then comes
the King's declaration to the States-General, which
VOL. II. 40

146 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [jan.

seems to me to destroy any chance that might have
existed. Is the proclamation of the Poles authentic ?*
I am interrupted, and must conclude. God bless

you.

Yours,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Wednesday, 9 0 clock [Jan, 26th, 1831].

When my husband returned home from the
Conference, my dear lord, I asked him for some
details of what Pozzo had written to him from Paris,
and about which matter I had been -speaking to you.
He gave me a copy of the despatch, and authorized
me to send it to you. Will you kindly return it as
soon as you have read it ; you can keep it until to-
morrow morning.

So once again good-evening, and kindest remem-
brances.

Downing Street,

/««. 27M, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I return the enclosed despatch with many thanks
to Prince Lieven for having been so good as to com-
municate it to me. The representation made by your
Minister at Paris, of the disposition and language of
Sebastiani, entirely corresponds with the accounts we
have received from Lord Granville, and with the
language held by Flahault here. I see in it strong
proofs of the fear of the French Government of a war,

* The manifesto of the Polish nation to Europe, inserted in the Polish Couritr
of January 3 without signatures. It was afterwards confirmed by the Diet.

i83i.] LORD GRETS VIEWS. I47

consequently of their desire to preserve peace ; but, at
the same time, of a wish to gain something which may
satisfy the vanity of the French people, and establish
their own credit. It is in this view that I regard the
proposition for a restoration of their ancient frontier.
The answer already given to that proposition is de-
cisive, and cannot be departed from. But if anything
could be done without opening the door to greater
encroachments, to give strength and security to the
present Government (which, both from inclination and
interest, I believe to be sincerely pacific), all Europe
would reap the benefit of it. The only thing in the
despatch which furnishes any ground for apprehending
war, beyond what results from the uncertainty and
danger of delaying the choice of a Belgic Sovereign, is
in the last paragraph of Pozzo's letter, which states
Sebastiani to have said that he abandoned all hope
of peace. Nothing of that sort has been repeated
to us.

You will not suspect me of any inclination to
interfere improperly in the affairs of another country,
and particularly of yours. In looking back at the
whole history of the events which have led to the
destruction of the independence and to the partition
of Poland, whatever one may feel for that unhappy
people, as a Government we can only look at what has
now happened as a revolt of subjects against a
Sovereign, with whose right of enforcing submission it
is not for us to interfere. On this principle I have
acted, and have declined any communication with
persons who might be considered as coming here in
the character of deputies from the insurgents.'^' But it

* Referring to Count Walewski's mission.

40 — 2

148 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [jan.

is impossible not to look forward to the consequences
of the present state of affairs ; and I cannot help
repeating, as a sincere friend to Russia and to the
peace of Europe, my anxious wish that means should
be found of terminating these unhappy occurrences in
such a manner as to prevent the excitement of the
general feeling of Europe against you. I state this
only as a wish, an anxious wish, and not as claiming
the slightest right to suggest, except in the tone of the
most friendly advice, anything that might be incon-
sistent with the respect which I owe to the character
and independence of a friendly Power. Above all, let
me earnestly entreat you to suggest in time, how
dangerous it might be, in the event of a prompt
repression of the insurrection in Poland, to incorporate
that kingdom with Russia. This would be inconsistent
with the Treaty of Vienna. An apprehension of such
an intention had, even in the time of Castlereagh, very
nearly produced a war ; and if such an attempt should
be made, you would give a pretence to France, and I
fear to more than France, to declare directly against
you. There is only one other consideration that I
would add in support of what I have already said — the
danger of a protracted contest. This you think im-
probable, but it is not impossible. If this should
happen, can you doubt that the sympathies of all
Europe would be as strongly excited as in the case of
Greece, or that there would be found a very strong
and general disposition to act upon the precedent
which you have set there ?

You may not, perhaps, be pleased with the senti-
ments which I have ventured to express. I hardly
know myself how I have been led to state them. But

1 83 1.] REACTION AGAINST O' CON NELL. 149

you cannot doubt these, proceeding from a person
whose feelings, both personal and public, are entirely
on the side of the most friendly union between your
Government and ours. If possible, I will see you at
five or soon after.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

P.S. — Most excellent accounts from Ireland. A
complete reaction has taken place against O'Connell ; he
is deserted, or, rather, opposed, by everybody of conse-
quence or character in the country, and betrays the
strongest symptoms of fear of the consequences of his
own conduct.

To Earl Grey.

Friday, i%th [Jan., 1831].

I will not leave London, my dear lord, without
sending you a word of good-bye. I also wish to add
a few words on the subject you questioned me upon
yesterday, viz. : as to whether I had been annoyed at
what you had written in the morning to me about Poland,
though I think you must have seen how little this was
the case. Indeed, I only bear in mind your kind in-
tention, and will not call in question the subject-matter.
Still, I would entreat you, my dear lord, not to go
beyond what you have written to me ; do not say as
much to others, for all the world is not as good-
humoured as I am. Have patience for awhile, and
wait with confidence for the solution of this difficulty.
Be assured that my Emperor will only do what is wise
and just.

How vexed I am at being so long without seeing

I50 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [jan.

you ! I shall be so anxious for good news of your
visit to Brighton.

Good-bye, then, and a thousand affectionate regards.

[Sunday] yan. 30///, 183 1.

Dearest Princess,

I was prevented writing to you yesterday, as
I had intended, having been constantly occupied till
the very moment when I was obliged to go to the Lord
Mayor's dinner. But I did not think of you the less,
and I hope, at least, that you will not have imputed
to me either neglect or forgetful ness. Both are quite
impossible with respect to you.

We have no news beyond what Prince Lieven
will have taken to you from the last Conference.

We still hear of the Orange party, but it does
nothing, and does not advance a step. This, there-
fore, may be put out of your calculations, and the best
thing now to be done — the neutrality"'" being now
established, which creates the best barrier that existing
circumstances afford against France, and unites the
other four Powers against her, if she passes it — is to
take any King the Belgians will choose, who can be
accepted without dishonour.

I am just setting out for Brighton. I will write to
you from thence, and what I shall have to communicate
will probably be important as to our internal interests.

God bless you, dearest Princess. Don't forget me,
and believe me ever,

Most entirely yours,
' Grey.

* Of Belgium, as declared in Protocol No. Ii of the Conference, dated
January 20, 1831.

1831.] THE PLAN OF THE REFORM BILL. 151:

Brighton,

Jan. 2,1st, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

My journey to this place has turned out to
admiration !

The King has had our plan of Reform fully
explained to him, and he understands it perfectly.
The result is that we can now go with it to Parliament
with the full concurrence both of the King and the
Cabinet. The kindness and the confidence with which
he has treated me impose on me a debt of gratitude
which I can never repay. ,

The accounts from Belgium, which have followed
me here, do not please me. They speak of some plan
on the part of the Orangeists, which has been commu-
nicated by Baron Kriidener to Prince Lieven. I wish
any attempt, which this information seems to give
reason for suspecting, may not lead us into a serious
difficulty. But it is in vain to speculate, when the
next despatches may very probably alter all the
grounds on which we could form any reasonable con-
jecture.

I return to town to-morrow, but God knows when
I shall see you. For even in these two days I fear
there will be a terrible accumulation of business to be
disposed of, and then comes the House of Lords every
day at 5 o'clock, which curtails my time sadly. But
see you I must, somehow or other. I feel as if I never
could thank you enough for your last note ; you would
not grudge any expression of kindness, if you could
only know how well it is bestowed.

I have been walking all over Ktrmp Town — this,
and, indeed, the greatest part of Brighton, is an entirely

152 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [feb.

new creation since I was here in 1797. Shall we make
a party to pass part of the summer here, if it is per-
mitted me to get away even to this distance ?
God bless you, dearest Princess.

Ever most entirely yours.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

London,

Feb. 1st, 183 1.

Your letter from Brighton, my dear lord,
delights me. Your success there ensures your success
in Parliament, and, thank God, we shall now see your
measure grandly carrying all before it. After that,
you are safe for all time. Most important for us will
this be. By us, I here mean the interests of Europe ;
since for myself it will be the contrary of advantageous :
I shall see nothing of you. Well, I must console
myself for private vexation in thinking of the public
good.

The moment is come, my dear lord, for showing
great firmness with regard to France. News from
Paris declares that the whole of France supports the
nomination of the Due de Nemours."^'" In other words,
the French Government has made dupes of us all to
bring about this end. But you will never permit this.
Belgium \mder the Due de Nemours is Belgium under
France. Europe cannot allow it, and in this circum-
stance I feel sure that you will show the firmness
required of the Prime Minister of a great country. It
is necessary for your reputation abroad ; it is still more

* The National Congress at Brussels, after drawing up a Constitution, had
offered the crown to the Due de Nemours, second son of Louis Philippe.

1831.] THE DUC DE NEMOURS. 153

necessary for your reputation at home. What ! Bel-
gium under the Due de Nemours ? This is truly a
strange result to crown all the exertions you have
made for that country. Indeed, there is no time to be
lost, my dear lord. Only let it be made known at
Paris that you will not recognise his nomination, and
the French Government will certainly not dare to
accept it for the Prince, even should the matter have
been already settled at Brussels.

How much I desire to see you ! but how can a
meeting be managed ?

Once again a thousand thanks for your good and
interesting letter from Brighton. . . .

Tuesday [Feb. ist, 1831].

Dearest Princess,

I was at the Cabinet from two till six. There
consequently was no time to call on you, even if I had
not been quite worn out with vexation and fatigue.

Certainly we will not acknowledge the Due de
Nemours. But there will be no difficulty on that
question, as I am quite certain that the French Govern-
ment will refuse. We must, then, look out for a new
choice, and finish as soon as we can, as this state of
things cannot last without producing a war.

The attempt at Ghent shows how little the Orange
party were capable of any effective exertion, and it is
very unlucky that we ever entertained that hope.

I am in despair at not seeing you. To-morrow I
have no chance, as there is a Cabinet at two, and the
House of Lords at five. I do not think the Duke of

154 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [feb.

Wellington will put any questions ; but if he does he
will not get much from me.

If you could but know how much I am tormented,
and how much I long to return to my former ease and
independence ! But I owe everything to the King,
whose kindness and confidence increase every day, and
I will not shrink from my duty. God bless you, dearest
Princess.

I have read Pozzo's despatch to Prince Lieven,
It exactly corresponds with the accounts from Lord
Granville, and I repeat my confidence in the result
being in conformity with what Sebastiani has so dis-
tinctly said to both of them.* Once more God bless
you.

Ever yours,

Downing Street,

Fed. 4//i, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I must write, though I have nothing to say, in
the hopes of receiving a little kind word in answer,
which will be some trifling compensation for not seeing
you. From Belgium we have nothing that alters the
situation of affairs in that country materially. I have
a confident expectation that the French Government
will not consent to the Due de Nemours. Leuchten-
berg we must all object to, and these two being put
aside, I hope a third candidate may be found who may
afford a chance of a settlement ; and with respect to
this we ought not to be very difficult ; for an early

* Namely, that the crown, if offered to the Due de Nemours, would not be
accepted.

1831.] A CANDIDATE FOR BELGIUM. 155

termination of this business becomes more and more
necessary.

I am appointed to be with the Duchess of Kent
to-morrow at half-past two, but as I am to receive a
deputation of merchants here at two, I probably shall
be later than the time appointed. If I can get there
at three, calculating at least half an hour for my inter-
view and for returning, I hope I may be able to call on
you before four, or, at any rate, soon after that hour.
I have accepted Leopold's invitation for Saturday and
Sunday in the next week. The appearance of both
Houses last night was very favourable.

God bless you, ever dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

To Earl Grey.

9 o'clock, Feb. i^h, 1831.

They brought me your note, my dear lord,
just as I was sitting down to table, so that I could not
answer it sooner. A thousand thanks for the kind
thought, and your hopes of coming to-morrow.
Possibly I may have something piquant to tell you.
Meanwhile, I have seen someone to-day who has had
a conversation with the Duke of Wellington, whom he
reports as somewhat soured, and much inclined to put
you to the question on Belgian affairs. He and Lord
Aberdeen had a long consultation together this morn-
ing. My husband will give you information to-morrow
(derived from a despatch received from Pozzo), which
goes to prove that the only thing that keeps the war-
like proclivities of France within bounds is her fear of

156 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [feb.

England. This sentiment would appear to pervade all
classes on the other side of the Channel, in spite of the
fact that they hardly believe England to be in a con-
dition to make a move just now. God be thanked ! —
in this they are greatly mistaken.

Good-bye, my dear lord. I have lost all patience
during the two long days which have gone by without
our meeting, and am eagerly looking forward to to-
morrow.

A thousand kindest regards.

To Earl Grey.

Monday, Feb. "jth, 1831.

Thanks for your letter of yesterday evening,'"'
my dear lord. Just after receiving it, the news
reached me of the refusal by France of the Belgian
crown for the Due de Nemours. Nothing, for the
moment, can be more prudent than is such conduct
on their part ; but we must be very good-natured
or very stupid, if we are taken in by this appear-
ance of generosity. Fear of war alone has inspired
this refusal, and you now reap the reward of your
firmness in dealing with the French Government as you
have done. I hope, however, that you will be careful
not to exhibit too much satisfaction, for this would
betray your secret ; that is to say, France would then
discover your fear of going to war, and this would give
her an advantage over you.

The proceedings of France must be more strictly
scanned than ever. The moment is not opportune for
her to take the initiative, and your energy has shown

* Missing.

1831.] THE INTENTIONS OF FRANCE. 157

her that, were she to declare war just now, she would
find England first among the ranks of her opponents.
This she must avoid at all costs. Flattery, there-
fore, intrigue, and every other art will be made use
of to compass her ends, and, above all, high-flown
sentiment. But the veil is thin, and surely you will see
through it. Otherwise, your enemies at home would be
the first to reap their advantage from what will happen.
By the way, I make use of my privilege as your friend,
to repeat to you what has reached me from the oppo-
site camp. They comment much on the fact of Flahault
being night and morning at your elbow, and express
surprise that the agent of the French Government
should be the individual on terms of the greatest in-
timacy with you. Do not despise this warning ; it
reaches me on good authority.

I am sorry the attempt on Ghent failed, but it does
not prove to me that the Orange party may not yet
have power in other parts of the country. As regards
the Prince of Naples,* he surely is out of the question.
Do you not see, my dear lord, that in setting him on
the throne you are giving Belgium to France almost as
much as would have been the case with the Due de
Nemours ? The whole world would take it in this
light. In no way could it be to your advantage. The
trick is really too transparent.

I go to-morrow to Brighton for two days. I do
not want to go, but it seems to me that I ought to
present myself at Court there ; and if I do not take
my opportunity now, I shall certainly not have another

* One of the candidates for the Belgian crown. The Prince of Naples was a
nephew of Louis Philippe, whose Queen, Marie Amelie, was a daughter of Ferdi-
nand I. of the Two Sicilies.

158 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [FEB.

chance before the King and Queen move up to
London. Possibly, therefore, my dear lord, I may not
see you again until we meet at Claremont on Saturday.
This is a terribly long time, but, at least, you can write
to me. Address to the Albion Hotel, Brighton. 1
shall return here on Friday. Send me a line in answer
to this, that I may receive it before I start, and I shall
know that you do not forget me.

Yours ever truly,

Monday \_Fel>. ^th, 1831].

Thank you a thousand times, dearest Princess,
for your note, but I have not now time to answer it.

I must, however, say that I think the Government
of France has acted with good faith and honour, and is
entitled to that credit, till facts prove that they do not
deserve it. Having been willing to give them this
credit, by no means diminishes our power of resenting
a contrary conduct. On the contrary. In the same
manner, in avowing my anxiety to preserve peace, and
my joy at any event that leads to that result, I do not
think I afford any reason for a doubt of my resolution
to support a war, if it should be forced upon me.

Previous threats and boastings are not the best
promise of true courage and resolution, if the necessity
of exerting them should arise. As to Flahault, I dis-
regard what is said of his influence, just as I do the
same insinuations with respect to you. I do not mis-
trust myself, and therefore wait patiently and confi-
dently till time shall show my conduct in its true light.
Flahault goes back to-night to Paris. By the way, you

1831.] THE KING AND SIR R. PEEL, 159

should be a little more careful of your confidences. I
was told last night, word for word, what you had said
to me of the King's declaration, that he must send for
Peel, if the present Government failed ; and that it
came from Madame Lieven.

God bless you. It is long to wait till Saturday, but
there is no help ; and then, at least, I shall hope to see

you comfortably.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Feb. <)tk, 1 83 1.

I wished to write to you yesterday, my dear
lord, but it was more than impossible for me to do so.
I arrived quite knocked up by my journey and the bad
roads, and went straight to bed. I must begin by
answering your accusation. I am perfectly certain that
it is not I who am in fault. To my husband and to
Lady C. alone did I mention the matter to which you
refer. He certainly has not said a word to anyone, so
you must find out whether the authority on which it
came to you can be traced back to Lady C. or not.
Otherwise, as I said to you before, there is the lady-in-
waiting and the P. of O. I can only answer for myself.
But as regards all this, my dear lord, I have seen
numbers of persons, your friends as well as your ad-
versaries, who all hold the same language. They
uniformly repeat that you have no party whatever ;
that, just as was the case with the former Administra-
tion, you are now at the mercy of any temporary coali-
tion between the old Tories, the supporters of the late

i6o THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [feb.

Government, and the Radicals; and that any day
your Administration may be upset. Further, to avoid
this, it is said that the Government ought to make friends
with the Tories, and come to an understanding with
them on the question of Reform, modifying, while
there is yet time, such parts of the Bill as may be
deemed too violent, and thus, in short, secure the
success of your measure.

Others (and I place Lord Londonderry first and
foremost) evince the greatest mistrust of your foreign
policy, and believe you to be entirely in the hands of
France. I found myself catechized on this subject
while talking with both father and son. I answered
quite simply, that, up to the moment at which I
was speaking, not only had we no reason to complain
of the English Government, but, on the contrary,
that we had every reason to be satisfied ; adding that
you had kept strictly and honourably to the terms
of the treaties, and had thus in every possible way
secured the preservation of peace ; also that the same
would be the testimony of all the other Plenipo-
tentiaries of the Conference. Londonderry replied
that this was all that was needful to induce him to
support the Government, because, as regards the ques-
tion of Reform, he had no objection thereto, provided
only it be carried out with moderation. Castlereagh
also appeared to me to attach much importance to what
I had been saying, observing, however, that the news
from France did not promise much in the way of
peace. They both added that France would dare
nothing so long as the four other Powers remained
agreed. I again affirmed that we were all entirely
of one mind.

1831.] SIR H. HARDINGE. 161

After this, Sir Henry Hardinge had a long con-
versation with me. It is the first time I have talked
with him. He is clever, and, as he took pains to divest
his conversation of party prejudice,'"' all that he said
was very plausible. He dwelt principally on the crafty
spirit shown by France, and the chance that you might
be duped by her feigned generosity. I said you were
too sharp-sighted not to see this, and, as far as we
were concerned, there was certainly nothing to be
feared on this head ; that, in refusing for Nemours,
France had only refused war — there was no mistaking
that point. He rejoined : * France does everything on
the one hand to circumvent Lord Grey, and everything
on the other to do him injury. A ship from a French
port has landed 800 muskets in Ireland. Is that
the act of a friendly Power ? She wishes to keep us
so well employed at home, that we may be unable to
accomplish anything abroad. She wishes to place a
Prince of her own choosing on the throne of Belgium,
in order that she may become mistress of that country,
too. Her intrigues with reference to this are incal-
culable, and once her object is attained, she will throw
off the mask.' — My lord, I would again urge you to
beware of committing yourself with regard to the
Prince of Naples. It would be a blunder, and too
ridiculous to place a lazzaroni from Naples, who
cannot speak one word of French, on the throne of
Belgium ; and that merely because he is a nephew of
the King of the French ! I question if it would ever be
possible lor us to accept a candidate named by France.
Well, report says that you have given your word to
Flahault on this point, and that it is with this that he has

* He had been Secretary at War in the Duke's Administration.
VOL. II. 41

i62 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [feb.

returned to Paris. I do not believe one word of this.
It would be absurd. You must know, my dear lord,
that we shall never agree to this. Think of the appear-
ance and consequences of such a divergence of opinion.
Our alliance would be at an end — an alliance which
forms the only sheet-anchor of Europe. And England
alone the cause— and for what ? Think what a fine
business it would be for your adversaries.

You will see that I have told you all that I gather
from what I hear, but I regret to communicate it by
letter rather than verbally. One word more : I would
indeed I could see the truth of the comparison you
kindly draw between Flahault and myself with regard
to intimacy with you. But it must be allowed that the
degree is all in all. I see you for half an hour once a
week. Flahault is at your house morning and even-
ing, at dinner — always, in fact, except that he does not
sleep there ; and this is remarked and commented upon
by everybody. If you are not told of it, it merely
proves that people are not true to you.

I dine both to-day and to-morrow at the Pavilion,
and Friday I return to London. My husband has not
yet arrived. I am looking forward to Saturday with
great pleasure. I hope to have a letter from you to-
morrow. Please address to the Albion.

A thousand kindest remembrances.

FeL gi/t, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

I have nothing to say in the way of news,
nothing having come to us since Prince Lieven left
the Conference, where he would hear all that we

1831.] THE CIVIL LIST AND THE BUDGET. 163

know. I think you will alter your opinion of our
internal state when you read the debate of last night.
Nothing could be more satisfactory in every respect^
and the feeling of the House manifested itself strongly
in favour of the Government. On money questions
we have our difficulties. The public is actuated not
only by a strong feeling of the abuses which have been
practised, but also by what I cannot designate other-
wise than as an illiberal spirit.* This feeling, spread
amongst their constituents, acts powerfully on the
members of the House of Commons ; and in this
respect, and in this respect only, we have difficulties
to get over, which would equally affect any other
Government. It is very long since I saw you ; but I
hope for two comfortable days at Claremont, and I
look forward to them with great impatience.
Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

London,

' Friday evening [lit k Feb., 1 831],

I am back again in town, my dear lord, and
very impatient to see you, but my journey has so much
tired me that I must ask you to excuse my not appear-
ing this evening at Lady Grey's party.

I am disappointed at not receiving a line from you
in answer to my long letter. Meanwhile, I have to
thank you for the letter you wrote to me on Wednes-
day. I had read the debate of the evening before

* As shown in the debates at this time on the Civil List and the reduction of
the Budget.

41 2

i64 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [FEB.

with much satisfaction. It appears to me, as you say,
much in favour of the Government. I am deh'ghted
the House should be of this way of thinking.

I have seen no one since I arrived, except Biilow,
who brought forward the name of the Prince of Naples,
as having had it of your Foreign Office. Truly I shall
begin to think that my wits, too, are going, if I see men
of note like yourself, and the other members of the
Cabinet, countenancing a project which appears to me
the very height of absurdity, — a Prince desired by no
single Belgian, and whom France wishes to impose on
Belgium and Europe, and who consequently would be
in French interests alone ! And is it England — who
took the lead of the other Powers in measures of pre-
caution directed against France — who is now going to
support France, and allow her to set up a Neapolitan
lazzaroni as King of a constitutional country ? And
this with no other result than simply to endow France
with unlimited power over the very country that it was
deemed so desirable to protect against her influence ?
I must repeat again that my wits are paralyzed in
trying to understand your policy, if, indeed, it be pos-
sible that you should be contemplating any such
arrangement.

But we will talk all this over to-morrow. Mean-
while, I could not go to sleep without this little
outburst of indignation.

At what o'clock shall you leave for Claremont to-
morrow } I will arrange my departure accordingly.

Good-night, my dear lord ; till to-morrow, then, and
with a thousand kind regards,

i83i.] BELGIUM AND FRANCE. 165

Downing Street,

Fed. I2th, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

I was not at home when your note arrived
yesterday evening, and could not answer it from Hol-
land's, where it was brought to me.

I mean to set out to-day at half-past three, if I can ;
but we have a Cabinet at one, and it may perhaps
detain me. Everything went as ill as possible in the
House of Commons last night, because the whole
Treasury bench chose to sit still, and suffer the House,
which was at the beginning quite with the Government,
to be turned against us by repeated speeches, to which
no answer was given. Grant* was the only exception.
All the rest were as dumb as stock-fish.

With regard to foreign politics, we will talk on
these subjects when we meet. In the meantime, let
me ask you whether, if by rejecting every proposition
except the Prince of Orange we are engaged in a war,
you are prepared to march 150,000 men to the Rhine
without a subsidy ?

Talleyrand showed me a most satisfactory letter
from Sebastiani last night. The rejection of the Duke
of Nemours is clear and positive, the determination to
adhere to their engagements, and their wish to act in
concert with the other four Powers, expressed in the
strongest terms.

Ever yours.

Grey.

* President of the Board of Control, afterwards Lord Glenelg.,

i66 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [feb.

To Earl Grey.

London,

Monday evening, \^th \^Feb., 1831].

Your last words, my dear lord, left us parted
like Hannibal and Scipio ; and you did not let me
know when I was to see you again, or whether you
would remember that I count on you for news. So I
must remind you that I am most anxious to know how
matters go in the House of Commons. Pray, there-
fore, send me a line to-morrow morning, if it is too
late to do so to-night.

The news from Paris does not appear to be satis-
factory. Sebastiani is the supporter of doctrines which
the Conference cannot accept. It is a great pity that
M. de Talleyrand cannot be Minister of Foreign Affairs
and Plenipotentiary at one and the same time, as hti
was at the Congress of Vienna. We should then avoid
these contradictions, denials and protests, which, what-
ever you may say, have not much the appearance of
good faith.

I have this moment heard that Miinster'"" has sent
in his resignation. Did you know this ? I should be
sorry if it were true.

Adieu, my dear lord. I regret Claremont — that
is to say, Sunday, not Saturday ; and I think that when
people have so little time to spare as we have, it is
almost a crime to have spoilt that poor Saturday as
you did. I hurried downstairs this morning to see you
again, but you had just started.

Good-night, and a thousand regards.

* Count Munster was Premier of the Kingdom of Hanover.

1831.] THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. 167

Feb. 1 4/ A, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I regretted not seeing you this morning. I
heard you playing on the pianoforte as I came down-
stairs, and was tempted to knock at your door, but I
dreaded a bad reception. In coming away I looked
up at your window, but you were not to be seen.
You do not make allowance enough for that disagree-
able Saniedi. I was worn out with fatigue and vexation,
and instead of showing any feeling for me, you were
unkind, and rather disposed to add to my vexations,
than to soothe them. You owe me a great deal.

The Duke of Buckingham had a meeting yesterday
for the avowed purpose of forming an Opposition, and
to-night opened the trenches against us, but not, I
think, with much success. The House was certainly
with me. The Duke of Cumberland cheered a good
deal. Things have gone equally well in the House of
Commons. It is disagreeable to be obliged to retreat,
but, as far as I can judge, we have lost nothing, and
what has happened will, I hope, convince our friends
that they must not sit still when they are attacked.
1 o repel the attack, and then to carry it vigorously
into the enemy's quarters, is the only safe policy.

I do not see anything bad in the despatches which
have as yet been brought to me. I really believe that
all we have to complain of has been owing to the
uncertain and vacillating conduct of the King [of
the French]. The account Lord Granville gives of
Flahault's language on his arrival at Paris will be the
best answer to all the attacks you have made on me
on that score.

I am afraid I have no chance of seeing you to-

i68 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [feb.

morrow. I have not had a moment to-day for my
own business, and the House of Lords at five takes
away the only hour when I could go to you. But I
am a great fool for making apologies, as I do not
believe you care in reality a single straw about it. Yet
I say God bless you, dearest Princess, with all my
heart.

Ever yours,

Downing Street,

Fed. l6i/i, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

We have a Cabinet to-day at three, but as
there is no House of Lords, I hope to be able to call
on you at five, or soon after. I have no news that
you will not have learnt from Prince Lieven. I was
very sorry to hear that your General Paskievitch,
having engaged in the defiles of the Caucasus, for the
purpose of repressing the mountain tribes, with almost
the whole of his army, had sustained a severe defeat.
Have you any particulars ? Au revoir.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Thursday, x'jth {Feb., 1831].

I am quite unhappy at not seeing you, my
dear lord, but I am very grateful for the effort you
made in coming yesterday, as also for your two notes.
What thankless work is yours, and how often have I
been disappointed of my visits since you became Prime
Minister!

1 83 1.] VIEWS OF THE TORIES. 169

The Duke of Wellington, Peel, and Aberdeen dined
with me yesterday. There was great moderation in
the tone of their conversation, and even a desire was
manifested that your Government should hold together
and become strong. Regret was expressed with refer-
ence to the Budget, but they seemed confident that
the items would not be allowed to pass. They pre-
dicted with equal assurance the failure of the question
of Reform. Peel spoke to me with great earnestness
on the subject of foreign politics, — about the war
preparations in France, and alluded ironically to the
Prince of Naples. He does not admit the possibility
of such a candidate, for he considers the trick too
monstrous. I entirely agreed with him, and when he
asked me if the Government looked with favour on
this project, I answered that I hoped not. He spoke
of you in the most flattering terms ; but not equally
so of Lord Althorp.* He had dined with me last
Sunday. The Duke of Buckingham is at the Pavilion,
and will remain there some days.

From whence did you get the news about Paskie-
vitch ? We know nothing whatever about it. I hope
it is not true, or, at least, that it may be exaggerated.
Is it even true that our army has entered Poland ?

Adieu, my dear lord. There is no use in my
wishing you a mere good-morning, for the day passes
away as much without my seeing you, as if we were
once more separated by three hundred miles.
A thousand affectionate regards.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, who had just introduced his Budget.

I70 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [fee.

Fed. igt/i, 1831.

A thousand thanks, dearest Princess, for your
kind note. . . .

The account of the defeat of Paskievitch came
from Lord Heytesbury,* and exactly in the words I
wrote it. There are also accounts from Chad.t received
by him from your Minister at Berlin, of the entry of
your army into Poland. According to these accounts,
they had met with no resistance, and it was stated that
the peasants of some of the villages had risen in favour
of the Russian army. I have a very entertaining
account to give you of the Duke of Buckingham's visit
to Brighton, which has not at all answered his Grace's
expectations.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

Ever yours,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Tuesday, 22nd [Feb., 1 831].

A few lines, my dear lord, to ask about you,
and to tell you my several anxieties.

I saw Londonderry yesterday, who gave me an
account of what had taken place at his house at dinner
on Sunday. And this was the substance : The Ultras
and the Tories are agreed to give their support to
Ministers, provided the plan of Reform be moderate,
but to fight you if you go too deeply into the great
question of the Rotten Boroughs. So you see the
Government in this latter case would only have the
Whigs and the ' Mountain ' for it, and against it the

* Ambassador at Petersburg.

t Mr. G. W. Chad, at this period English Minister at Berlin.

1 83 1.] FEARS FOR THE BILL. 171

Tories, the Ultras, and all the adherents of the late
Administration.

Do you not think that events now taking place in
France might justify a delay in making public your
measure of Reform in all its details ? Do not these
events appear to you sufficiently grave to cause appre-
hension of their producing some reaction in England ?
Why not concede something now, giving promises for
a greater extension of the franchise at a subsequent
period, to be determined according to circumstances ?
Surely this would be equitable, and would satisfy both
private and public interests. My heart fails me when
I dwell on this question of Reform. I cannot help
telling you of all that passes in my mind on the
subject, and the more so that what I am now saying
is the opinion held by your friends as well as your
enemies. For I believe that the latter would honestly
wish to postpone another Ministerial crisis. It would
be deplored by the whole of Europe. That is why
I am so deeply concerned at the matter — indeed, more
than I can possibly express to you. What took place
last night in the House is not very satisfactory ; 1 have
not yet read the debate, but the appearance presented
by two members of the Cabinet in disagreement is not
reassuring. Pozzo is very gloomy with regard to
affairs in France. You may feel sure that the revolu-
tionary movements there will be grave in their con-
sequences. But as an Englishman, and even as a
European, these need be no concern of yours.

Adieu, my dear lord. It is sad to have so much
to tell, and yet not be able to meet and talk of it all.
Do not forget me.

Ever yours,

D. LlEVEN.

172 THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [feb.

Downing Street,

Fed. 22nd, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

There is no retreat left on the question of the
Reform. We have passed the Rubicon, and must go
on. What you say of the disagreement between two
Ministers in the House of Commons is quite true. I
must take care that it does not happen again. But
of this hereafter.

The aspect of affairs in France is certainly very
bad. It has been produced, as I think, in a great
degree by the weak and vacillating character of the
King ; and as that cause continues, what hope is there
of improvement ? Think of the Government workmen
being employed to efface his own arms from all the
public buildings, statues, etc.

I have not another moment.

God bless you.

[ 173 ]

CHAPTER IV.

THE REFORM BILL.

The Introduction of the First Reform Bill — Attitude of the Tories — Advance of
General Diebitsch on Warsaw — The Debate on the First Reading of the
Reform Bill — Letter from Lord Howick — News of the Battles near Warsaw
— The Articles in the Courier on Poland — Defeat of the Russians under
General Geismar — Feeling throughout the Country for the Poles — Insult to
the Russian Ambassador in Paris — General Opinion of the Reform Bill — The
New Administration in France — Popularity of the Reform Bill among the
Peers — The Defeat of the Government on the Timber Duties — The Second
Reading of the Reform Bill — Sir R. Vyvyan — The Threat of a Dissolution —
M. Casimir Perier Premier — The Russians Occupy Praga — The Clauses of
the Bill, and the Reduction of the Number of Members — France and Belgium
— The Insurrection at Bologna ; Advance of Austrian Troops — Defeat of the
Poles — The Dinner at the Mansion House — Marshal Sebastiani — Windsor
Castle — The Insurrection in Samogitla and Lithuania — Defeat of the Russians
at Waver — General Gascoyne's Amendment Carried against the Government
— The Crown of Belgium Offered to Prince Leopold — Parliament Dissolved —
The Duke of Cumberland and the Opposition — The New Elections ; the
Duke of Northumberland's Subscription — Sir R. Peel ; the Duke of Welling-
ton— Lord Palmerston's Defeat — News from Poland — The King's Visit to the
City — The Cholera in Poland — The Garter and Lord Grey — Don Miguel's
Illtreatment of British Merchants — Troubled State of Portugal — The Violence
of the Tories— The Dukes of Cumberland and Gloucester — ^The Party at
Windsor — Lady Ely — The Cholera at Warsaw — The King and the Reform
Bill — Lord and Lady Jersey — Russian Defeat at Ostrolenka — The Grand
Duchess Helene — Arrival of Don Pedro — England and Belgmm.

[March i was fixed for the introduction of the Reform Bill into
the House of Commons by Lord John Russell.]

To Earl Grey.

Monday, I'&th \_Feb., 1831].

How are you, my dear lord ? and how are
things going for to-morrow ? Last night I met some

174 THE REFORM BILL. [feb.

persons at Lady Salisbury's, and learnt that the
Wellingtonites and Peel had held a meeting with the
Ultras, when it was agreed not to oppose the first
reading of the Bill. The general idea, however, is
that the Bill will be thrown out by a majority of from
seventy to a hundred votes. This is what Sir Henry
Hardinge maintains. He spoke to me about the two
chiefs of the Opposition, and confirmed my notion
that they are far from being of one mind — I mean
Peel and Wellington. I repeat, this is a fact that must
not be lost sight of for a moment, and you may depend
upon the truth of what I say. Hardinge, moreover,
told me that the Ultras take upon themselves to lay
down the law, and that the Duke of Wellington thinks
such pretension on their part very strange, as coming
from those who had helped to upset his Administra-
tion. In short, up to the present time there is no
unity among them whatever.

There was a report last night that you intended to
disfranchise fifteen boroughs. Your old Master of the
Rolls* declared that this would be turning England
into a Republic. Be this true or not, I hope, at all
events, that you do not hold the question of Reform to
be one of life and death ; and, further, I trust that you
may be contemplating some salutary changes in the
Cabinet. Keep Peel in your mind ; everything is
possible. Hardinge tells me that Grant had wished to
withdraw.

Now, after my telling you all this gossip, I beg
you will send me some news. Do you know anything
more about our Russian affairs than the newspapers
tell us ? What about France, and Italy, and Belgium?

* Sir John Leach.

1 83 1.] THE RUSSIANS ENTER POLAND. 175

How perplexing it is to have to bear in mind all
the corners of Europe at once ! I hope, my
dear lord, that your Council yesterday was satisfac-
tory. I feel very hopeful, and believe that all will go
well. No one will venture to declare himself an anti-
Reformer ; the business would be too risky. No
doubt many would desire less. After all, however,
your efforts have been most loyally carried out, and
should you not be able to effect everything you pro-
pose, it must remain evident to all England that it is
from you alone that anything is to be hoped for in
the future. Consequently, it is your Administration
alone that gives the guarantee for tranquillity at home.
I am thinking much about you, and full of curiosity.
Write me a few lines if you have time.

Adieu, and a thousand regards.

[Early in February, General Diebitsch entered Poland at the
head of 114,000 men, and marched against Praga, the bulwark of
Warsaw on the right bank of the Vistula. The Poles were at this
time under the command of Prince Radziwill.]

Downing Street,

Fek 28M, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

Many thanks for your kind note. Next to
seeing you, hearing from you is my greatest pleasure.
We have no news worth relating. The last accounts
I have seen from Chad are of the 17th, and give long
extracts from the Warsaw papers, etc., of the nth and
1 2th. The head-quarters of Prince Radziwill were
then at Yablowna, between Minsk and Warsaw. The
papers give accounts of several trifling affairs, in which,

176 THE REFORM BILL. [FEB.

of course, the advantage was always on the side of
the Poles. The accounts that come from the opposite
quarter are, of course, also directly the reverse, but
much more probable than the former. A very short
time must put an end to all doubt.

Not dividing on the introduction of the Bill is no
great proof of the confidence of our opponents in their
strength. And then, what do these gentlemen propose
to themselves ? The principle of the reform being sanc-
tioned by the introduction of the Bill, will they afterwards
oppose a measure which is to carry that principle into
effect, or reduce its efficiency so as to make it appear a
mere hitinbug (not a very elegant, but a very expressive,
word) to the public ? Of the consequences which would
result from either of these attempts, if successful, I leave
you to judge. In a measure of so much difficulty, one
cannot speak with confidence of what may happen in its
progress ; and I am not so wedded to our plan as not to
consent to alterations which would not destroy its char-
acter and efficiency. Our calculations give us a majority
of about 70 ; but in such a state of things no calcula-
tions are much to be relied on, as none can be made,
except with reference to circumstances as they now
exist, which must, in a matter of this nature, neces-
sarily be subject to great changes during the discus-
sion. To this difficulty is added, on the part of our
opponents, the want of union among themselves. It is
not the first time that they have held confident language
respecting their strength, which has been completely
contradicted by the result. As to the matter of Peel,
I think there is a great deal in what you say ; and I
have no indisposition towards him. But how to find a
place for him ? The three Secretaries of State are all

1831] READ FOR THE FIRST TIME. 177

excellent men, and I could not consent to the removal
of one of them. There is no other situation that he
could take except mine ; and that I should have no
objection to give up, if it could afford the means of
making a really strong and efficient Administration.

Ever yours,

[After the introduction of the Reform Bill on March i, the
House, instead of dividing, adjourned the debate till the morrow.
The debate, thus adjourned, was protracted over seven nights, and
on the 9th the Bill was read for the first time without a division.]

To Earl Grey.

Wcihiesday, 2nd{Marck, 1831].

I entreat you to send me some news, my dear
lord. I have not yet received the papers, and I know
nothing of what has happened since I last saw you. I
am uneasy and anxious. How did the debate end ?
What is going to take place ? Heaven have you in its
keeping I Pray attend to your daughter's counsel.
Send me an answer, and believe me

Yours ever truly,

Downing Street,

March 2nd, 183 1.

Dearest Princess,

There was nothing material in the subsequent
part of the debate. Sir Cullen Smith, whom we had
put down as a decided opponent, spoke for the plan ;
Horace Twiss and Lord Granville Leveson both badly
against it ; Althorpybr; and then the House adjourned.
Appearances, as they are represented to me, are very
VOL. II. 42

178 THE REFORM BILL. [march

favourable ; and when the plan is known, I have no
doubt that public opinion will be decidedly with me.
God bless you.

Ever yours,

G.*

To Earl Grey.

TJmrsday, March yd, 1831.

The Opposition, my dear lord, have agreed,
out of respect for the King, to allow the Bill to be
brought in, and will only oppose it at the second read-
ing ; no question of amendment will be allowed : the
whole Bill must be rejected. This is what I hear on
good authority. There is as yet no positive under-
standing come to with the Ultras, but a considerable
rapprochernent has taken place.

The Princesses, without exception, are violently
opposed to Reform ; and the future Regentf speaks of
it as the greatest of possible calamities. I hear the
remarks of people of all shades of opinion. The most
reasonable opinion is that of the Prince of Orange,
who says that the rejection of the Bill will be the

* The following note from Lord Howick is of interest. It was apparently
enclosed in the above letter to the Princess, and is dated in pencil in her hand-
writing :

^ o'clock [Ma7ch 1st, 1831].
My dear Father,

Lord John spoke very well. The measure is generally approved by our
friends, but they are very much astonished. They say the measure is koiiest, at
all events. John Smith said, ' It's true I lose my borough ; but I had no notion
you would have been so honest and wise at the same time.' The Mountain are
all with us, except O'Connell ; the Tories indignant, and saying they might have
supported a moderate measure, but this is rooting up everything. Sebright
seconded, and Inglis is now speaking, as ill as possible, the House almost empty»
and not a soul listening.

Your affectionate

Howick.
f The Duchess of Kent.

I83I-] OPINIONS ON THE BILL. 179

signal for revolution, therefore that it is madness not to
support it. This opinion he maintains to all your
opponents, who limit themselves to affirming that the
voice of the nation is not for Reform. I feel extremely
anxious, and wish you would send me a few lines. But
I have got over my alarm ; there are so many good
points in the Bill, which one discovers on examination.
It is strong and bold ; and I certainly believe it to be
a salutary measure. Will the Bill pass ? And if it
should not, what then ? Under any circumstances, do
not dream of throwing up the game. One thing is
certain, that the King will back you as long as you
stand by him ; and why should you not stand by him,
even admitting the very worst — the rejection of the
Bill?

Send me some news ; and say also if I shall see
you to-morrow. At all events I shall come early to-
morrow evening to Lady Grey's. Good-bye, my dear
lord. Have you been keeping me in mind ?

Downing Street,

March yd, 1 831.

A thousand thanks, dearest Princess, for your
note. Everything, I think, is going well. The public
is decidedly with us, and the violence of our opponents
adds to my confidence. The King yesterday, and in
letters to-day, has given me the strongest assurance of
support ; and you know me little if you think that,
having once undertaken a measure of this importance,
I can shrink from any of its consequences. The
enemy opened their fire to-day in the House of Lords,
and we are to have a battle on Thursday.

42 — 2

rSo THE REFORM BILL. [march

The Duke of Wellington took a position, which I
only marked enough to fix him to it, on which I can
desire nothing better than to meet him. We have had
hitherto decidedly the best of the debate in the House
of Commons, and with the force we have in reserve, it
will be hard if we fail in the conclusion of it. I again
say I do not understand the tactique of our opponents.
Is it possible to suffer a measure, which is revolutionary
and subversive of the monarchy, to receive the assent
of the House of Commons in a single stage ? Before
the second reading, I think you will see such a display
of feeling in the country as will make gentlemen, who
have popular elections to look to, think twice before
they venture upon a decided opposition. Almost all
the districts of the Metropolis will meet immediately,
and there will be an address from the City to the King,
which he will have to receive on the throne. All this
would be delightful if I were only twenty years
younger ; but I have still strength enough for this
fight, and with the support of the King and the people,
I cannot but think I have a good chance of victory.
The opinion of the Prince of Orange is perfectly just.
I have no chance of seeing you to-morrow unless you
come to Lady Grey's soiree.

God bless you, dearest Princess. It cannot be
necessary for me to answer your question. But you —
how can I think that you have a corresponding
feeling ?

Ever yours,

1831.] BATTLES NEAR WARSAW. 181

Downing Street,

March Jih, 183 1.

Dearest Princess,

Pray tell me whether you have any accounts
of the battles before Warsaw. I have seen letters
from Hamburg which speak of intelligence from
thence as late as the 24th, when the Poles still
maintained their position, but, from the immense
superiority of your army, I should think the event
could not be doubtful. But I feel for all the anxiety
you must feel on account of the loss with which this
unhappy contest is attended. How I wish that the
further effusion of blood could be prevented by an
accommodation !

There never was anything like the feeling that has
manifested itself in all parts of the country on the
question of Reform. The opposition to it is really
little short of insanity.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Tuesday evening, St/i {^Alarch, 1831].

Just one line, my dear lord, this evening, so
that the day may not have passed away without a sign
of remembrance. I am impatient, and almost uneasy,
at receiving no decisive news from Warsaw. If you
should learn any, pray do not fail to acquaint me
with it.

By the way, my dear lord, take the trouble to get
and read last evening's Courier, and tell me candidly
if you ever have seen anything more insulting and

THE REFORM BILL. [march

injurious than what is written here of a Sovereign and
a Power in friendly alliance with England. The Courier
frequently declares its statements to be by authority ;
now, it appears to me that the authority which some-
times inspires its articles might equally forbid such
articles as these. And you must be quite aware that
there is no one in England or out of England but
considers the Courier as a semi-official journal. Pray
think for one moment of the effect produced by such
writings. After having brought to your notice what
I look upon as of really serious consideration in
respect to general language, it were needless for me
to tell you how deeply pained I feel at this particular
instance of vituperation.

I trust that all is going well with you. I have
seen no one to-day, except the Duke of Cumberland.
He seems to me still to keep your friend, although no
friend to the Bill. The Prince of Orange intends to
leave for the Hague next week.

Good-bye, my dear lord, until to-morrow, when we
shall meet in a hubbub. I shudder to think of it !

A thousand regards.

Downing Street,

March %th, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

A thousand thanks for your note. I have no
news whatever respecting Poland — at least, Palmerston
has sent me none.

I saw the article last night in the Courier, and it
vexed me very much. We really have no power over
that, or any other paper, in great circulation. All that
we can do is by sending them sometimes an article of

1831.] NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ON POLAND. 183

intelligence (but even to this I am no party) to con-
ciliate them, when public opinion is not against us.
But when there is a strong general feeling, as in the
case of Poland, it is quite impossible to control them.
We might purchase a paper that is not read, which
would do us no good till it got into circulation ; and
then it would do just like the others. The truth is,
that the profits of a paper extensively taken in are so
great, that they are quite beyond any temptation that
could be held out to them. I really thought that you
had been long enough in England to understand this
matter, and that nothing could lead to more erroneous
conclusions than a belief that any of these papers, on
matters of general policy, speak the opinions of the
Government, and with the present Government less
than any other ; for I would not on any account put
myself in the power of any of their conductors by
having any communication with them. Of this you
may be convinced when you observe that when they
cannot help, from the strong current of public opinion,
supporting my measures, they hardly ever give me a
good word personally. Brougham, whose conduct is
different, is their hero, and on every favourable oppor-
tunity they never fail to attack me.

Lady Grey is suffering very much from a feverish
attack. God bless you.

Ever yours,

Downing Street,

March \\th, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

Though you were very ungracious the last
time I met you, I must say how much I regret not

1 84 THE REFORM BILL. [march

seeing you. My hope of that pleasure is disappointed
to-night by Lady Grey being obliged to put off her
party. She is better, however, and I do not mean that
our dinner to-morrow should be put off, which, by the
way, is a small one, as I think you will excuse her not
coming to table. I shall then, at least, have an oppor-
tunity of a little conversation with you. We have no
news of any consequence, and nothing from Poland
which adds to our former intelligence. Chad's letters
contain nothing new, except the copy of a despatch
from Marshal Diebitsch, giving an account of the
check which General Geismar"" had sustained, which
confirms the Polish account of that affair. God bless

you.

Ever yours,

P.S. — Lord Gosford is the new Lord of the Bed-
chamber.

To Earl Grey.

Friday, March lith, 183 1.

Thanks, my dear lord, for your note. You
are a physiognomist. It is quite true that my feelings
to you yesterday were not what they have been for
many past years. But you cannot be surprised, when
I tell you that I heard of the exclamation with which
you concluded the account you gave to a certain
diplomatist of what we had done before Warsaw.
And the exclamation was this : ' All is ended ; and
it is most unfortunate.' I no longer recognise the
friend, still less do I recognise the statesman. In

* General Geismar, commander of the Russian cavalry, was routed at Stoczek
on February 14 by the Poles under General Dwernicki.

1831.] SYMPATHY FOR POLAND. 185

fact, I do not know what to think, and probably I
had better keep silence.

I regret to hear that Lady Grey continues unwell.
Thank you for wishing still to receive us at dinner to-
morrow.

Good-bye, my dear lord. For the first time I feel
a hesitation in writing to you ; but when the heart is
full one can find neither ideas nor words.

March I2tk, 1 83 1.

I don't know who your diplomat may have
been, but he possesses at least one of the qualities
which are ascribed to that race. There is not one word
of truth in the exclaination which is said to have escaped
7ne. I have never concealed from you, however, that
I feel a good deal of compassion for these poor Poles.
But it has never influenced the conduct which my
public duty prescribed to me. I am not a little vexed
at your so easily believing this absurd story, and at
your being so ready to withdraw the kindness which I
had hoped did not depend altogether on our political
agreement.

Ever yours,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Saturday, \2th {Marc/i, 1 831].

It was in talking to M. de Talleyrand, my
dear lord, that the exclamation in question escaped
you, after the dinner at the Londonderrys'. And I
believe as implicitly in the person who heard it, and
repeated it to me, as I believe in my own self. It
now appears to me, however, that I believe in you

i86 THE REFORM BILL. [makch

more than in myself, since your note has obliterated
all trace of the pain that I had at heart. See, my
dear lord, the extent of your power over me. But, at
the same time, do not feel astonished that I should
have felt deeply wounded by anything that might
appear injurious to what I have a right to expect from
you, both as a friend and as a statesman. I take back
nothing of what I said, as you see.

Now let us look upon this as a good and perfect
reconciliation. Your note made me feel happy again,
and I thank you for the good it did me. I look
forward to telling you this by word of mouth before
very long. Believe, however, that I should not have
been so distressed yesterday, had I cared less about you.

[Marc/i I2th, 1831.]

Thank you, dearest Princess, for your second
note, and for the kindness it expresses. But I must
repeat that the assertion of your diplomat is altogether
false, and I should not have the least objection to tell
him so to his face. If he heard any such words, they
must have been applied to something else ; but I do
not recollect having had any conversation, except quite
in public, with Talleyrand at Lady Londonderry's, and
was it likely that I should have committed such an in-
discretion }

Let me see you at dinner with your usual expres-
sion of cordiality and confidence — I really deserve it.

God bless you.

Ever yours,

1831.] INSULT TO COUNT POZZO. 187

To Earl Grey.

Monday, March ij^tJi, 1831.

I have really nothing to say to you, my dear
lord ; but here are two days gone by without writing,
and we must not get into bad habits.

I am vexed at the insult offered to our Ambas-
sador in Paris, for mischief must arise from it,* If the
French Government be not sufficiently strong to pro-
tect the representative of a friendly Power, the only
thing to do is to avert renewed insults by recalling our
Ambassador ; and I much fear that this is what will
happen.

I am very sorry that our Polish business is not yet
brought to a conclusion. Not that I have any appre-
hension as to the result, but delay means further
effusion of blood, and more victims; and this is very
melancholy to contemplate.

To turn to something agreeable. I must con-
gratulate you on the rapid progress of your Bill. I
receive on this head various details from the provinces,
which are really curious to read. Even those most
opposed to Reform are beginning now to find out
that the Bill is both good and wise. Lord Chester-
field, amongst others, has just discovered that the Bill
increases his influence, and he is now somewhat em-
barrassed at having promised his support to the Duke
of Wellington. Each day people are making dis-
coveries of this nature, and I should not be surprised
if it should end in there being no opposition to the
measure. I should be delighted, for then you would

* Count Pozzo di Borgo had been insulted by the mob during the tumults
which took place (March 10) in Paris, when the news arrived of the defeat of the
Polish insurgents, and of the cruelties to which the Poles were being subjected.

THE REFORM BILL. [march

become stronger than ever, and your voice the more
powerful in Europe. You see that, in desiring this, I
hold that 7i>e, at least, shall always be one.
Good-night, my dear lord.

Yours ever, faithfully and truly,

Downing Street,

March \^tli, 183 1.

Dearest Princess,

After two days passed without seeing or hear-
ing from you, your note was a great comfort to me. I
began to think you had forgotten me. I should have
sent to you as soon as I had read the despatches from
Chad if they had contained anything material ; but, as
usual, there was nothing in them but extracts from the
Warsaw papers and communications from your Minister
at Berlin, which you would, of course, receive in a more
authentic shape. The result of my observations upon
the accounts in the Warsaw papers and on Field-
Marshal Diebitsch's despatches is, that though the
Poles were driven from the field of battle and retired
into Warsaw, Diebitsch no longer found it possible to
carry Warsaw on that side. He had been obliged,
therefore, to change his plan, and to begin a long and
difficult operation at this season (if the Poles had a
sufficient force to oppose to him), for the purpose of
crossing the Vistula at Plock and Gora. But I agree
with you in thinking that this operation must ultimately
succeed, reduced as the Polish army must be by the
late battles and without the means of repairing its
losses. The best hope they have is in the season, and
in the sickness which it may produce in the Russian
army.

1 831.] THE FRENCH MINISTRY.

Lord Granville speaks of some change in the
French Ministry as unavoidable, but does not think it
at all certain whether it will be Casimir P6rier, or
Odillon Barrot and Dupont de I'Eure. In either case,
he thinks Sebastiani will go out. You have a right to
complain of the insult offered to your Ambassador ;
but, under such circumstances, you should be disposed
to receive any apology from the Government for what
they could not prevent. I am afraid that Pozzo, who
is not celebrated for having the best nerves in any
case of personal difficulty, may be too ready to take
measures which might produce unnecessarily a breach
between the two Governments.

The success of our Reform Bill is beyond all ex-
pectation. If the Peers have any sense, they will dis-
cover, as Lord Chesterfield has done, that it is quite as
much for their interests as for that of the rest of the
community. The truth is, that it takes from them a
power which makes them odious, and substitutes for it
an influence which connects them with the people, at
the same time preserving their relation to the Crown,
and thus making them, as they ought to be, a connect-
ing-link between the Crown and the people. We had
our first division last night, and a motion brought on
by Lord Wynford, without any previous notice. The
enemy were evidently prepared for it, though we were
not ; but our numbers were sufficient ; and I hope you
admire the list of names in the minority. God bless
you.

Ever yours,

B.S. — I approve of the line taken in the answer to
Talleyrand ; but I think it might be better drawn up.

I90 THE REFORM BILL. [march

To Earl Grey.

Tttesday evening, l^th [March, 1831].

Many thanks, my dear lord, for your letter of
this morning. I was much amused at the list of last
night's minority, and delighted that this precious
attempt turned out as it did. I have a request to
make to you. The Prince of Orange dines once again
with us on Friday ; it was only to-day he finally
decided to postpone his departure till Saturday.
Would you give us the honour (as is said officially),
and me the great pleasure, of receiving you at dinner
on that day ? Pray answer, ' Yes.' I have no news
from any quarter to-day ; have you ? How long it is
since I last saw you !

Good-bye, my dear lord, and a thousand regards.

Tuesday [March i^ih, 1831].

Dearest Princess,

I should have had great pleasure in dining
with you on Friday, but I have, unfortunately, an
engagement which it is quite impossible for me to
put off. We have nothing new to-day ; but I am
told Casimir Perier is certainly to be the French
Minister.

God bless you.

Ever yours,
G.

[The Government were defeated on March 18 in the House of
Commons on the Timber Duties, which Lord Althorp, in his Budget,
had proposed to reduce. The Protectionists united with the Oppo-
sition, and the proposal was rejected by 236 votes to 190.]

1831.] THE TIMBER DUTIES. 191

To Earl Grey.

Saturday, \(jth [March, 1 831].

What was the meaning of the division yester-
day in the House of Commons, my dear lord ? It
makes me furious. Let me have a word to tell me
that it was not to your prejudice. I have just written
an excuse to Lady Grey for last night ; I was tired to
death by my dinner-party, and my husband was kept
writing till two in the morning by the bag. We had
the Duke of Wellington to dinner. He showed no
bitterness, but seemed quite confident of the rejection
of the Reform Bill. And when I asked him if this
would not lead to serious commotions in the country,
he answered me ' Bah ! bah !' It does not appear to
me a very powerful argument. Shall I see you to-day
at half-past five, my dear lord .'*

Good-bye, and a thousand regards.

Downing Street,

March l^th, 183 1.

Dearest Princess,

The meaning of the division is that they
collected all the persons interested on the question of
the Timber Duties, with all the opponents of Reform,
and Peel and Herries joined most treacherously with
them, though neither of them directly opposed the
measure. It is always disagreeable to fail in anything,
but this defeat is not of much consequence in itself,
though all the opponents of Government will, I have
no doubt, be very triumphant and very insolent
upon it.

192 . THE REFORM BILL. [march

I will call on you at half-past five, if possible ; but
I cannot promise positively. God bless you.

Yours ever,
^_______ G.

[The second reading of the Reform Bill began on Monday,
March 2\ ; and, after two nights' debate, was ultimately carried by
a single vote, the numbers being 302 to 301.]

To Earl Grey.

Monday, 2ist {March, 1831].

I have such a dreadful cold, my dear lord, that
I dare not venture out to Lady Grey's this evening,
as I had wished to do. But I must have some news
of you. Are you still confident for to-night ? Are
you resolved, in the event of the defeat of the Bill, to
dissolve ? I promise the most inviolable secrecy, but
I am uneasy, for the moment seems to me most
critical ; and you well know how deeply interested I
am in it all.

Have you any news from the Continent }
Adieu, my dear lord. Take care of yourself in
body and mind. All my good wishes go with you, as
also my friendly regards.

To Earl Grey,

Tuesday, 22nd [March, 1831].

Well, my dear lord, last night's discussion in
the Commons : has it thrown any light on the fate of
the Bill ? I wait for your com.mentary, as I am in-
capable of forming an opinion from what I read of the
debate. I hope that Lord Valetort will not be allowed

1831.] THE SECOND READING. 193

to keep his place at Court. Pray send me a line.
You can conceive how anxious I am just now about
everything. I feel dreadfully worried. Indeed, for
the present I set aside France, Italy, Belgium, and
even Poland.

Adieu. I cannot say azc revotr, for Heaven only
knows when we shall meet.

A thousand regards.

Downing Street,

March I7.nd, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I have this moment received your note, of
which I must complain, in the first instance, for not
having told me how you do. I don't know that the
debate of last night makes much difference in our ex-
pectations. We calculate confidently on a majority for
the second reading. There was nothing remarkable
in the discussion, except a most eloquent and powerful
speech in favour of the Bill from Mr. Shell. The
previous discussion on the complaint of the Ti7nes did
us good. It divided our opponents, provoked the
press, and ended by a great display of weakness in not
daring to divide. The course taken by the opponents
to the Bill ought also to turn to our advantage. Sir
R. Vyvyan opposes the second reading, but declares
at the same time that, if he carries the question, he will
himself move a resolution, pledging the House to
some Reform, but not saying what. He thus con-
cedes the principle, admits the necessity, and, having
given this advantage to the advocates for Reform,
disappoints their expectation. Can there be a plan
VOL. II. 43

194 THE REFORM BILL. [march

more certainly leading to the worst consequences than
this ?

God bless you.

Ever yours,

March 24^//, 183 1.

Dearest Princess,

I think the result of last night very satisfac-
tory, though it would undoubtedly have been more so
if the majority had been larger. You may judge of
the effect by the disappointment of the confident ex-
pectation of our opponents. I have now till April 14''"*
to propose my measures, and with a resolution to face
all difficulties, I feel confident that I shall surmount
them, if my strength does not fail me. They were
much served by a report most studiously circulated,
that the King had refused to agree to a dissolution.
A^ous verro?is.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Friday, March 2$th, 1831.

I really think I am ill-treated, my dear lord,
to be left so long without seeing you. At least write
to me, and tell me something about yourself and your
affairs, for these are the subjects mostly occupying my
thoughts at this moment.

It is generally said that the Bill will be very much
mutilated in Committee — indeed, more so than you
could allow. Is there no means of coming to an

* After the Easter recess.

1831.] CONDUCT OF THE OPPOSITION. 195

understanding beforehand with the less violent of the
Opposition, so as to insure the provisions you may
consider indispensable being carried ? You see how
tenaciously I hold to my opinion that a rapprochement
with Peel would be most desirable. But perhaps this
may be beyond the reach of possibility, in consequence
of declarations on either side. I have not yet had
time to read yesterday's debate in the House of
Commons. I only saw your declarations in the House
of Lords, which appeared to me stated very categori-
cally. A dissolution is so generally dreaded, that you do
well to hold it as a sword of Damocles over their
heads. But, to carry out my simile, keep it suspended,
as there would be danger were it allowed to fall.

I wish I could talk with you, for I am sure you
pay no attention to my letters. If it be possible for
me to go out this evening, I will come to Lady Grey's,
but early, so as to see you.

Adieu, my dear lord. Can you come to-morrow ?
and if so, when ?

A thousand regards.

Downing Street,

March 261/1, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I intended to have called on you to-day after
taking a short ride, but I really felt so completely worn
out that I was obliged to come home, to get a little
rest before I go to a dinner, which I could not avoid.

Everything is going on well for us. The despair
of our adversaries — of which I have the most certain
proofs, notwithstanding all their pretended confidence

43—2

196 THE REFORM BILL. [march

— gives me this assurance still more strongly than our
own calculations.

I have heard no news of any kind. God bless

you.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Sunday, 2'jth [A/arch, 1831].

Thank you much, my dear lord, for your note
of yesterday, and the good news it contains. It
appears to me that, provided all goes on well and
steadily here^ elsewhere all must be right. It must be
admitted, however, that the conduct of France on the
Belgian question is not yet characterized by entire
good faith, and that M. Casimir Perier reminds us still
too much of M, Lafitte.*

According to letters from Berlin, our army up to
March 12 was still in occupation of the suburb of Praga,
and our troops were in their quarters waiting to cross
the Vistula. The Polish army numbers 25,000 men.
The influence of the moderates at Warsaw was on the
increase, and the leaders of the irreconcilables were
about to retire on Cracow. This is what Colonel
Mycielski, the Polish officer bearing a flag of truce,
told Marshal Diebitsch.

I wonder what you will have to tell me, my dear
lord. Shall I see you to-day, and at what hour ? If
you could only let me know the exact time when it
would be possible for you to come, you would then be
sure to find me at home, for I would arrange my visits

* M. Casimir Perier had succeeded M. Lafitte as Premier (President of tlie
Council).

i83i.] POLES AND. RUSSIANS ON THE VISTULA. 197

and going out accordingly — that is to say, before or
after your coming.

Good-bye. I have only three more days in
London. What a pity you cannot come to Brighton !

Downing Street,

March 2jtk, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I am in despair ! A Cabinet to-day at three,
and more than will occupy every moment of my time
till that hour, make it impossible, absolutely impossible,
for me to call on you to-day.

To-morrow we have a debate in the House of
Lords, with all the usual business in the morning, and
the next day the same, so that if you do not stay over
Wednesday, I have no chance of seeing you before
you go to Brighton. I wish I could pass two or three
comfortable days there, but I cannot go so far.

I was very much pleased with both Casimir
Perier's speeches, and I augur well from them for the
preservation of peace.

I don't understand how a corps of the Polish army
could act on the right bank of the Vistula, and pene-
trate beyond Lublin, if you held the suburb of Praga,
and were in force on that side. But a few days will
give us more certain means of judging. What I wish
is that peace should be restored on equitable conditions,
and that, for the interest of Russia and of Europe, this
unfortunate affair should be speedily settled, and in
such a way as to give general satisfaction. God bless
you.

Ever yours,

Grey.

198 THE REFORM BILL. [march

To Earl Grey.

Tuesday^ March 2()th, 1831.

It appears to me, my dear lord, that in yester-
day's debate the Government was triumphant. Your
speech was very fine. But let me have your opinion.
I have seen many Tories during the last two days.
Their tone in general is that of great discouragement ;
the Duke of Wellington and his people, more than
the rest, are quite cast down.

Sir C. Wetherell and Lord Beresford, at Lady
Salisbury's the other day, were discussing most
earnestly the clauses of the Bill. What surprised me
most was to hear them objecting so strongly to the
contemplated reduction of the numbers in the Commons.
They would wish to keep the present total, because,
according to them, such a reduction would too much
affect the proportions, and tell against England in
favour of Ireland.

My husband has received two despatches from
Diebitsch, which confirm what I told you the other day.
Do you think the French Cabinet is behaving well
in the Belgian question ? It seems to me nothing has
been gained by the change in the Ministry. However,
as long as we maintain our strong position — that is to
say, as long as we four Powers keep to our engage-
ments, and exact respect from others for the same — it
will matter little to us what may be the action of
France. If I can leave home this evening, I will go to
Lady Grey's to see you for a moment, but it could not be
before half-past ten, because we have people to dinner.

Adieu, my dear lord, and a thousand affectionate
regards.

1831.] REDUCTION OF THE NUMBERS. 199

Downing Street,

March 2^th, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

The debate was, as might have been expected,
entirely in our favour. But I was not content with my
own speech — the truth is, that I have not been well
for the last two days, and was half dead when I began
to speak at one o'clock this morning. I know the
state of the feeling in the enemy's camp, and particu-
larly in their chief, to be what you describe. In the
clauses of the Bill, I shall not object to any alterations
which will not affect its character and efficiency, and
which may be reasonable. As to the reduction of the
numbers, it is, in my opinion, one of the best features
in the measure ; but not being material as to its prin-
ciple, it is precisely one of those points on which I
could most easily give way if the public feeling should
desire it. But these people cannot see an inch before
them. The alteration of the proportion of the Irish
representation could not injure our decided preponder-
ance, and the addition of the 58 members which would
be necessary to keep up the present numbers could
not be made without adding to that part of the repre-
sentation of which the opponents of the measure are,
or appear to be, most fearful.

I really see nothing to diminish my hopes that
things are much more likely to go well under the
government of Casimir Perier than they were under
his predecessors. According to the last despatches,
notwithstandinof the loss which Diebitsch allows himself
to have sustained, it appears to me that the resistance
of the Poles cannot be maintained long after the
Vistula shall have become free. Generosity and

THE REFORM BILL. [april

clemency in the moment of success — the re-establish-
ment of the kingdom of Poland, with proper securities
for its future government — and everything in all parts
of the world will, I think, be settled by a general and
permanent peace.

If I can find a quarter of an hour between half-past
three and half-past four, I will call ; if not, I shall
look with impatience to the pleasure of seeing you
to-night. God bless you.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Sunday, April yd, 1831.

Here I am, my dear lord, expecting letters
from you, and receiving none. Plenty of east wind,
plenty of dust — no news. Think how agreeable all
this is to me. Pray come to my help, otherwise I
shall return to London more ill than when I left.

Is it true that Bologna is not taken,* and that the
French Government alone believed in it ? This would
be too good ! t-ven if it were true, I do not believe in
war, because nobody wishes for it, and France less than
any other country, I think that with Sebastiani the less
in Paris, and with the Prince of Orange the more at
Brussels, one might feel assured of peace. . . . The first
can be brought about any day,t the latter by the force

* Following the election of Gregory XVI., an insurrection broke out in the
Papal States, and on February 4 a Provisional Government was established in
Bologna, which declared the temporal sovereignty of the Pope to be at an end.
On March 21 the Austrians entered the town, and re-established the papal
authority.

f Marshal Sebastiani had remained on as Foreign Minister after M. Casimir
Perier came into office on March 13.

1831.] . THE AUSTRIANS IN BOLOGNA. 201

of circumstances in a very few weeks ; and this arrange-
ment alone is what would suit Belgium and every other
country. Anything else would deliver over that country
to France, or impose her as a burden for ever upon
England. This is a truth which requires no demonstra-
tion. How much I should like to be at Stoke on
Tuesday !

Good-bye, my dear lord ; this week will be a very
long one : try and shorten it by writing to me.
All sincere good wishes.

Downing Street,

Aj>rtl ^/i, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I received your letter this morning. It gave
me, as your letters always do, the greatest pleasure ;
but it is a poor substitute for that of seeing you.

We have despatches from all parts of the world ; but
nothing very material, except the confirmation of the
advance of the Austrians to Bologna on February* 21,
so there was a mistake only of one day. Their force
consisted of twenty battalions of infantry, twelve
squadrons of cavalry, twenty-four pieces of cannon,
and a rocket brigade. This was, to say the least of it,
a very precipitate measure, but I hope it will not be
followed by any bad effect ; at least, if the Austrians
are reasonable, and withdraw their troops, in order to
settle matters by an amicable negotiation, in the way
that was before proposed. The conduct of the French
Government, according to Lord Granville's despatches
of the I St, has been very moderate on this occasion,

* Read March.

202 THE REFORM BILL. [april

and indicates, I think, as indeed all their latter com-
munications have done, a sincere desire for peace.

Chad, whose last letter is, I think, dated February*
27, tells us nothing that adds to our former infor-
mation respecting the state of affairs in Poland. Wa-
lewski dined here yesterday. If the accounts he gives
are to be depended upon, there will still be a severe
and bloody struggle, though the result can hardly be
doubted. How earnestly I wish that this could be
prevented by an arrangement that might be honourable
to the Emperor, and satisfactory, as to their future
government, to his revolted subjects !

I go to Stoke to-morrow, and shall stay there till
Saturday. I regret your not being of the party, which
I think might have been managed if you had not been
so impatient to go to Brighton ; where you can get no
good in this weather (though, by the way, they tell me
it is better to-day), especially if you persevere in going
out in an open carriage. Talleyrand, Madame de
Dino, and Montrond are to be at Stoke on Thursday.
Lady Grey is not able to go, as Lady Durham's con-
finement is hourly expected.

I am really too stupid, as this letter will have suffi-
ciently proved ; so good-bye, and God bless you.
Ever, dearest Princess,

Yours most entirely.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

April Ith, 1 83 1.

Thanks, my dear lord, for your letter of
yesterday. This will find you at Stoke. Do not for-

* Again read March.

1831] THE TORY TACTICS. 203

get me, but send me some news. I am very glad
that you take to driving and walking, and that you
begin to share my predilection for Richmond, for I am
told you went there the other day, in spite of the east
wind. You see I know all your movements.

Here, with regard to news, we are entirely de-
pendent on your charity ; for not one single letter have
we received from abroad since we came to Brighton.
I bathe every day ; I drive for three hours in an open
carriage, and I have not caught cold.

I have had a long letter from Matuscewitz, from
Belvoir Castle. He tells me that up to the 26th the
Tories were most hopeful, but that a few days later
they were much discouraged by news from London
that the King had decided to support you, and even,
were it necessary, to dissolve Parliament. It appears
that up to the earlier date they had received assurances
entirely to the contrary of this. Later Lord Wharncliff
arrived, and spread dismay among the party. In
short, they consider the game as ended. The question
of the Reform Bill is no longer an anxiety to me. It
appears to me to be done with, and to be well done ;
and I am only now thinking how long the business
may last. I wish much it could be finished off quickly,
and the Session brought to a close ; for it seems to me
that if you were able to find your way to Richmond
on April 2, you would be well able to do so in the
month of June.

Good-bye, my dear lord. Write to me after your
visit to Windsor, which is fixed for to-morrow, I think.

A thousand regards.

204 THE REFORM BILL. [april

Downing Street,

April ^th, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I write a line before I set out for Stoke, just
to recall myself to your recollections, having little else
to say.

We have despatches this morning from Chad of
March 30, containing the substance of accounts from
Marshal Diebitsch, and from a Major Brandt, a
Russian officer, who left Diebitsch's headquarters on
the 2 1 St. If these accounts are accurate, the war
cannot last long after the operations are resumed ; but
as Chad announces despatches from your Minister at
Berlin to Prince Lieven with all the details, it cannot
be necessary for me to say more about them. The
only thing which, perhaps, may not be mentioned is
the report of the surgeon, who had been sent to
Warsaw, and had returned to Berlin. He states the
number of sick and wounded there, including 500
Russians, to be about 8,000 ; that the army is entirely
devoted to the cause ; but that the citizens of Warsaw
do not like the notion of defending the town. On this
the young Prince Czartoryski, who had come to Berlin
after the battle of the 25th instant, said to Chad that
they would not be consulted. I repeat my wish that an
arrangement could be made, and this wish is not
diminished by the publication of a letter which I wrote
to Kosciusko in 18 14, and which you will see in the
Morning Chronicle of to-day. It was not quite fair to
publish it, but the temptation to do so under the
present circumstances was, perhaps, too great to be
resisted.

The dinner at the Mansion House yesterday went

1831.] DINNER AT THE MANSION HOUSE. 205

off as well as possible ; the greatest applause was to
the Chancellor [Brougham] and Lord John Russell.
Walmesley was there, and I was fearful of a speech
either from the Lord Mayor or Hume, in proposing
his health, which might have been awkward enough
on such an occasion in the presence of all the
Ministers. But the meeting broke up rather suddenly
on the Duke of Sussex's going away, and my following
him, which prevented all the follies that might have
been committed after the wine had circulated a little
longer. Walmesley was taken there by Lady Glen-
gall without an invitation.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

Ever most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Api-il 6th, 1 83 1.

I am most grateful for your letter of yesterday,
my dear lord, and thank you much for the news it con-
tained. I have just read your letter to Kosciusko,
also the remarks of the leader of the Opposition
thereon, I feel no anxiety as to what the Premier of
England will do.

My husband has had despatches from our Minister
at Berlin. The struggle will recommence as soon as
the material obstacles have been surmounted. As to
any arrangement, this could be made possible only by
the submission of the Poles. A Sovereign cannot
treat with his subjects ; he can only grant. Had the
Poles but realized this truth sooner, what disasters
would not have been avoided !

2o6 THE REFORM BILL. [april

My husband has heard also from Paris. Pozzo is
making much of Casimir Perier, and sincerely trusts
he may be able to keep in. If he can hold his place
until the close of the Session, much will have been
gained. It appears that the Palais Royal is again
thinking of the Prince of Naples for Belgium. What
vacillations, what contradictions and bad faith, and
always coming from that quarter ! M. Sebastiani con-
ducts his policy as an intrigue is conducted on the
stage ; but Scapin's tricks are cleverer than his.

We have had one fine day, but the bad weather is
beginning again, and this depresses me. I hope you
will find time for writing to me during your leisure in
the country, though I know that very often leisure is
less conducive to letter-writing than is business. But
you have never yet forgotten me, and, indeed, you do
well. Your letters give me the greatest pleasure.

Adieu, my dear lord.

Your sincere and constant friend,

Stoke Farm,

April ph, 1831,

Dearest Princess,

Your letter was brought to me yesterday by a
messenger, who came from the Foreign Office, but not
in time to answer it before I went to Windsor.

Our dinner there passed off as usual. The King
very kind and gracious, and the Queen, next to whom
I sat, particularly so. The company consisted only of
the usual inmates of the house, who, you know, are
sufficiently numerous — Lord Howe, Lord Valetort,
the Seftons, and ourselves. I think the rooms delight-
ful, very magnificent, and yet very comfortable — a

1 83 1.] THE FRENCH MINISTRY. 207

little too much charged with gilding and finery,
perhaps. We are to go to luncheon to-morrow to see
the whole place. I forgot whether I told you that I
have only my daughters with me, Lady Grey being
detained by the hourly expectation of Lady Durham's
confinement.

From the last accounts from Paris I think it seems
very probable that Sebastiani will be removed, after
the adjournment or the dissolution of the Chambers.
It would be convenient to defer it till then, on account
of the discussions that may follow. They believe that
in this event Casimir Perier would himself take the
Porte-feuille des Affaires Etrangeres. This would, I
believe, be a good appointment with a view to the
preservation of peace. I believe the account given by
Matuscewitz of the state of the high Tories to be per-
fectly correct. They must see the hopelessness of a
direct opposition. I wish they could be equally con-
vinced that it is for their interest that the question
should be settled in such a manner as not to leave
behind it any cause of complaint, which would bring it
back upon them, at no distant period, in a much worse
shape.

I have old partialities for Richmond, and I should
like above all things, especially if you are to be there
in the summer, to find a villa in that neighbourhood.
I have heard of one at St. Leonards, adjoining old
Lady Harcourt's, of which they give a most tempting
description. It is rather too far, though its neighbour-
hood to Windsor would be convenient.

We expect Montrond and Mr. Creevey to-day, and
to-morrow Talleyrand and Madame de Dino. I am
not quite certain that I shall not stay here till Sunday,

2o8 THE REFORM BILL. [APRIL

but on that day, at least, I hope to have the happiness
of seeing you at Leopold's.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

P.S. — A thousand thanks for your letter of yester-
day, which I have just received, and also the accounts
from the Foreign Office ; but as Lord Palmerston is at
Brighton, I shall only be repeating what you will have
heard before this can reach you. if I state them.
What do you hear of the reported insurrection in
Samogitia ?*

[On March 30 the new Polish Commander-in-Chief, Skrzynecki,
left Warsaw at the head of a body of 35,000 men, and attacked
Ceneral Geismar at Waver. The Russians were completely surprised ;
3,000 were taken prisoners, and 2,000 killed, and four pieces of
cannon were taken. The Russians were again defeated on the
following day under General Rosen, and suffered great losses.]

To Earl Grey.

Wednesday, April ly/i, 1 8 3 1 .

The news from Poland, my dear lord, makes
me very sad. I do not believe all the details as
reported in the newspapers, but it is evident that we
have been taken by surprise and beaten, also that the
insurrection has broken out in Lithuania. These are
two most deplorable facts. We have not, as yet,
received any direct account of these events.

What have you to say about the debate of last night,
and the Times of this morning ? Neither at all please
me. I saw Lord Aberdeen yesterday. He tells me

* The districts of the Vilno Government.

1 83 1.] RUSSIAN DEFEAT AT WAVER. 209

that the Duke continues to be strangely depressed and
melancholy. As for Peel, he will let the others propose
amendments, and confine himself to supporting them.
Such, at least, he has himself declared will be his line
of conduct.

Take advantage of this fine day, my dear lord ; it
is quite charming. I am sorry you will not come and
drive with me in an open carriage.

A thousand regards.

Downing Street,

A/>rt7 13///, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

I am not surprised that you should be affected
by the Polish news. With every allowance that can
be made for exaggeration, it is certainly very unfavour-
able for your army. To what extent it may be so in
its further consequences, no satisfactory opinion can be
formed till we receive more circumstantial accounts.
The advance of the Polish army to Minsk, and even,
as some of the accounts state, to Siedlec, would indi-
cate a success of a very decisive nature ; were it not
for the possibility that, flushed by a first advantage,
the Polish general may have been hurried on too far,
and may, in his turn, afford to Diebitsch an opportu-
nity of retrieving his losses. But where is Diebitsch ?
The whole operation seems to me nearly incomprehen-
sible, except on the ground of his having mismanaged
matters to a degree which his Turkish campaign gave
no reason to expect.

I see nothing in what passed yesterday in the
House of Commons to give ground for any uneasiness.
Lord John's notice of the disposition of Government
VOL. II. 44

THE REFORM BILL. [april

to acquiesce in any strongly-expressed desire to keep
up the present numbers, though against their own
opinion, was, I am told, very well received. It was,
of course, made a subject of taunt by those who found
themselves deprived by it of a favourite mode of
attack. As to Hunt,* it was neither with the expecta-
tion nor the desire of satisfying him, or men like him,
that the measure was proposed, and the way in which
the Tories cheered his attack is only an additional
proof that they will stick at nothing that is most fac-
tious to gratify their malevolence.

I should like, of all things, to take a drive with you
this fine day, but I shall be confined the whole morning
at the levee, as there is to be a Council after it for the
Recorder's report, God bless you.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Saturday, April \bth, 1831,

We have no news, my dear lord. Have you
any ? How are affairs going on in Parliament } The
Tories are becoming hopeful again. They declare
themselves sure of being able to dispute every suc-
cessive clause of the Bill. I hope their prognostics
may turn out as did those anent the second reading.
Lord Londonderryjtold me yesterday, as a positive
and acknowledged fact, that the King would never
consent to a dissolution. This, as it appears to me,
is what is emboldening them so greatly. Do you
know that the Dukes of Cumberland and Wellington
have made it up } I had a little discussion with the

* ' Orator' Hunt, the radical M.P. for Preston.

1831.] GASCOYNE'S AMENDMENT. 211

former on this subject, which will amuse you when I
can relate it to you.

I am diffident, my dear lord, and no longer ask you
when I shall see you, although I desire it much. But
I am loath to curtail your hour of exercise, for fresh
air is really more essential to you than my society. If,
however, you did think of calling, let me know the
exact hour when I may expect you.

A thousand kind regards.

[On the motion for a Committee on the Reform Bill, April 19,
General Gascoyne, M.P. for Liverpool, moved an amendment 'that
the number of representatives for England and Wales ought not to be
diminished.' The Ministry decided to meet the motion by a conces-
sion, which, however, did not concihate the Opposition, and the
adverse amendment was carried, the Government being defeated by
eight votes.]

To Earl Grey.

April 19///, 1 83 1.

How is your House of Commons getting on,
my dear lord ? The gossip that reaches me makes me
uneasy. Pray reassure me. We are still without
news from Russia, and, indeed, this is not reassuring,
either. The world goes very ill, and the prospective
good appears to be far distant. Is it true that they
have offered the Belgian throne to Prince Leopold .'*

xA.dieu, my dear lord. Your time is precious, and
I will only add my most friendly regards.

Downing Street,

April i^ih, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

All the reports that I have received represent
the debate in the House of Commons last night as

44—2

212 THE REFORM BILL. [april

having been very favourable to us. All the speeches
against the Bill absolutely contemptible, and Fer-
gusson's and Althorp's, particularly the latter,
quite excellent. He took the right tone, and stated
truly that, on the decision on this question, though
brought forward on a special ground for the purpose of
catching votes, the fate of the Bill really depended.
You may, therefore, consider a crisis as having arrived,
the result of which a few days, or perhaps hours, will
show. We had another breeze last night in the House
of Lords, which ended as usual.

I know nothing more about Poland than what I
read in the papers. By some of these accounts, the
Poles seem to have been in possession of Siennica,
and even beyond it. Again I ask, where is Diebitsch?
From the number of superior officers whose names
are enumerated amongst the prisoners, the loss of
Geismar must have been very great.

We have heard that two persons were to come
(Villain XIV., I believe, one of them) to sound
Leopold about the crown of Belgium, but I have not
heard of their arrival.

I cannot look to the pleasure of seeing you before
the dinner on Thursday, unless you could some time
call here in the evening. God bless you.

Yours ever,

[April 19///, 1 83 1.]*

The Cabinet is now assembled, and till it is
over I can say nothing. The crisis is arrived, and in
two hours will be decided. In five minutes after you

* Added in pencil by the Princess. It should probably be dated Api-il 20th.

1 83 1.] DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT. 213

went, I received Chad's despatches to the 13th. He
mentions a report from Posen of a battle on the 7th
and 8th, in which you were completely victorious,

[The Cabinet, on the morrow after their defeat on General Gas-
coyne's amendment, which proved fatal to the Bill, decided on
recommending a dissolution. After twenty-four hours' consideration,
the King gave his consent to this. On the 21st the Government
were again defeated (by 22 votes) in the House of Commons, on a
motion for adjournment carried by the Opposition. On the 22nd,
William IV. went down and hurriedly dissolved Parliament in person,
with a view of preventing Lord Wharncliffe's Address in the Lords,
against a dissolution, being carried.]

(Secret)

Ap)-il 2ist, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

Our fate is decided. We contifiue Ministers.
More than this I cannot say at present, and this must
be secret — at least, as coming from me. The King has
behaved like an angel ! Again, remember this is a
secret.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Thursday^ 5 d clock [April 2lst, 1831].

As perhaps I shall not dare to show you my grati-
tude at dinner, I must express it by writing, my dear
lord. A thousand thousand thanks for your note.
What excellent news ! 1 was really discouraged up to
the time of receiving your note ; since then I am
beside myself with joy.

214 THE REFORM BILL. [april

I must do justice to the Duke of Cumberland by
telling you that he was much annoyed at what
happened yesterday, and said so to me quite openly.
Do not rebuff him if he should make you any advance ;
far better accept this than abandon him to the enemy.

I had a visit from Aberdeen yesterday. They had
filled up all the places, in prospect : either himself or
the Duke for the Foreign Office — think how nice
for us ! Au revoir, my dear lord.

Most joyfully yours,

To Earl Grey.

Sunday morning, April 2i\th, 1831.

I am quite distressed, my dear lord, to have
missed you yesterday. The truth is, that when I see
no chance of a visit from you, I take very long drives,
and rarely get home before seven o'clock. To-day I
am thinking of going to Richmond at three. I hardly
dare hope to see you before that hour, but to-morrow
would it be possible } or must we be satisfied to meet
at the Queen's ball } How much I shall have to tell
you, and to ask you !

You have had a most brilliant success. Never was
greater consternation seen than in the enemy's camp.
I had a visit from the Duke of Wellington yesterday.
He looked cross, and was very tart about the Govern-
ment. However, he thinks the Opposition will gain
at the new elections. The Duke of Cumberland,
whom I saw yesterday, being no longer tipsy, was no
longer so tenderly disposed towards Ministers. He
was full of gossiping stories against you. Amongst
the rest, a list of sixteen new peers you are about to

i83X.] THE ELECTIONS. 215

make. Indeed, nothing is more amusing than to listen
to all the Tories are saying, and I assure you that during
the last few days many have found themselves much
out of their reckoning. I refer to those who had felt
so certain of having to deal with a new Administration.
To turn right about face, now, is embarrassing.

Adieu, my dear lord. I should like a chat with
you, and to have a good laugh, for I own to having
been mucha mused.

A thousand regards.

To Earl Grey.

Moftday, 25M [April, 1 831].

Not a line from you yesterday, my dear lord.
Shall you write to me to-day ? or shall I see you — which
would be still better — and at what hour ? It appears
to me quite legitimate that I, too, should profit some-
what by the dissolution.

I dined yesterday at the Morleys', and met several
Ultras. They are full of hope in regard to the elec-
tions. The Duke of Northumberland will subscribe
^100,000, Lord Faversham his whole fortune, if neces-
sary ; the Duke of Rutland has backed out of it,
declaring he has not a penny more to throw away.
A central committee is to be established in London
to direct the election campaign. Sir R. Peel has gone
to stand for Staffordshire.* Such is my Ultra news-
budget.

What do you hear about our affairs, my dear lord ?
and what of the interview between Leopold and the
Belgians ? Has he promised to go and put them to

* He was elected for Tamworth.

2i6 THE REFORM BILL. [may

rights ? What do you say of M. Sebastiani's good
faith, so brilliantly shown forth at Constantinople ?

But it would be so much better to talk over all
this. Still, write me a few lines, for I feel myself
badly used when I see neither yourself nor your hand-
writing for three long days.

Yours sincerely and ever faithfully.

Downing Street,

Monday \May 2nd, 1 831].

Dearest Princess,

I had hoped to be able to call on you this
morning, but it is impossible. I shall hope to be more
fortunate to-morrow.

We have no news, except that the French Govern-
ment have found that the representation of Guille-
minot's"'* conduct was correct, and had determined to
recall him. This you will probably have heard from
Pozzo, as it had been communicated to him.

Good news from all quarters respecting the elec-
tions.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

To Earl Grey.

Tuesday, May yd, 1 831.

Thank you much, my dear lord, for your note
of yesterday, and the news you give me of the recall
of M. Guilleminot, of which we had not yet heard. I
wish the victim had been M. Sebastiani instead ; but
in any case it is a fitting act of reparation for his

* French Ambassador at Constantinople.

1831.] THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 217

hostile conduct towards Russia ; and it is, at the same
time, honourable to the French Government. I am
convinced, moreover, that it is largely due to the loyal
and firm manner in which you have treated the affair
throughout.

I received a letter from the Duke of Wellington
yesterday, which, in confidence, I send on to you to
read. (Pray return it by the bearer.) As he touches
on your affairs, I thought it might not be without its
use that you should know what he thinks. He paints
the picture in very dark colours, but one must own
that the apprehension is pretty general.

There seems to be a unanimous desire, and even
hope, throughout the country, that you will use your
victory to introduce some modifications into the Bill.
You are well aware that these affairs neither concern
nor interest me for themselves, and that if I repeat to
you all that I hear, I am actuated solely by personal
friendship in so doing.

If you should be able to come and see me to-day,
my dear lord, could it be at six o'clock ?

With a thousand kindest regards.

Downing Street,

May yd, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

A thousand thanks for the note which I have
just received, and for the communication of the enclo-
sure, which I return. The Duke of Wellington is a
good judge of military operations, and I think there
seems great reason in his present opinion. But we
shall soon see. As to his opinion on what is passing
here, it is that of a man who does not understand the

2i8 THE REFORM BILL. [may

character of the times, and who thinks that public
opinion may be subdued by power. If this attempt is
made, and a violent struggle takes place in consequence
of it, I will not answer for the consequences ; but if
the Reform is carried satisfactorily, I will answer for
the peace of the country, and not only for its peace,
but for its power and its prosperity.

The elections prosper, though the returns of
Schedules A and B* give the Tories a majority at
present. I have just had letters from Northumberland
to tell me that Bell, notwithstanding the Duke of
Northumberland's ^100,000, has given up the contest.
Howick therefore comes in without further trouble.
What do you think of Lord Tankerville's having sent
instructions to his agent to make Bell his first object,
and Howick his second ?

Lady Jersey's violence does us much less harm
than the hollow friendship of Lady Cowper and Lady
Tankerville.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours.

Grey.

P.S. — I will call, if possible, a little before six.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Thursday, May ^tli, 1831.

Here I am at Richmond, my dear lord ;
everything beautifully green, but pouring rain. I am
much more quiet than I was in London, but quite

* In the first Reform Bill, Schedule A contained the names of the boroughs
to be wholly disfranchised ; Schedule B the names of those to be semi-dis-
franchised.

i83i.] LORD PALMERSTON. 219

as inquisitive. Could you not feed this weakness a
little ?

How are things getting on ? Your affairs appear
to me to be prospering amazingly. I only regret to
see how poor a chance Palmerston has,'""

Is it true that the City dinner is postponed ? I
hope you are not made uneasy by the King's gout.
What are you going to do Sunday ? If fine, will you not
come and see how both Richmond and I are looking ?
You would find your luncheon all ready.

Adieu, my dear lord, with very sincere regards.

Downing Street,

May Si A, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

A tormenting pain in my face, and an uncom-
fortable night, notwithstanding a large dose of laudanum,
and general malaise, deprive me almost of the power
of answering your kind note. And yet, in the midst
of all this, I have not had a moment free from a suc-
cession of persecutors the whole morning.

We have no news, except that the cholera has
got to Praga, and that both armies are suffering from
it ; and nothing can be worse than this. Sebastiani
wants a cordon sanitaire to be established. There
seems to be nothing more, certain, respecting the
armies, except the Polish account, not at all concealing
or diminishing the defeat and loss of General Sierawski
near Lublin, t and his being obliged to recross the
Vistula. On the other hand, Chad sends an account

* For re-election as M.P. for Cambridge University, which he had represented
since 181 1. Lord Palmerston lost his election, and was ultimately returned for
Bletchingly (July 18). t On April 17.

220 THE REFORM BILL. [may

of the defeat of Riidiger, but with considerable doubt
as to its authenticity.

Nothing can be going better than the elections,
except in the case of Palmerston, who has been hurt
by the foolish conversation of those who think com-
plaints of the Bill afford the best means of supporting
those who are pledged to it. I am beset with people
who endeavour to persuade me that it is from you that
Lady Cowper has taken her tone. I need not say that
I know this to be impossible, first from your regard for
me, and next because you have too much sense not to
be aware how mischievous such language must be.

I go to Holland House on Sunday. If it is a very
fine day, and I am very well, and very free from busi-
ness, I will endeavour to pay you a visit in my way.

Ever yours,

P,S. — The preparations for the King's visit are
only suspended till it is seen whether his gout will
leave him the power of going to the City.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

May 6th, 1831.

I write to you to-day, my dear lord, to inquire
about the pain in your face. I have suffered more
from that than from any other pain in my life, so that
I can truly sympathize for all you are undergoing.
Cholera in both the camps ! This is frightful, if true.
What would lead me to doubt it is the eager haste of
M. Sebastiani for a cordon sanitaire. Might it not be
a mere pretext for the French army airing itself.'*

i83i.] LADY COWPER.

What you say with regard to insinuations made
to you respecting my influence on Lady Cowper,
proves to me that there are some persons who con-
sider that you see me too frequently when you give
me half an hour in the course of a week. I wish some-
body would go and inquire of Lady Cowper what are
her opinions, and then what are mine, on Reform.
Moreover, I declare that I hold no opinion whatever
on this question — certainly I never stated one ; indeed,
the only interest I take in English home politics is in
so far as they regard your remaining Premier. What-
ever shakes your power, distresses me ; whatever
confirms it, rejoices me. This is my Credo, and I
have none other. So send the gossips to the right-
about.

We are freezing with cold here, and meanwhile
waiting for news. Good-bye, my dear lord ; I hope
you will be able to send me word you are better.

I can truly tell you that I feel a most sincere regard
and compassion for you.

Downing Street,

Maydth, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

My face is much better, and, thanks to lauda-
num, I had an excellent night. I shall not expose
myself to the cold to-day, and another day's nursing
will, I hope, set me quite right again. I have no
news to-day. The elections are better and better.
I told you yesterday I did not believe what was
laid to your charge by Lady Cowper. I knew it
to be impossible, nor was it necessary for you to
assure me of your entire and undeviating kindness.

THE REFORM BILL. [may

I rely on it with the most perfect confidence. A doubt
would make me miserable.

I think it not unlikely that deaths occasioned by
distress and bad food may be ascribed to cholera. But
certainly the accounts speak of sixty in Praga, and of
its being, if not in the armies, in their immediate
vicinity. Lord Heytesbury also mentions its re-
appearance at Moscow, and being within 200 miles of
Petersburg. God bless you.

Ever yours,

G-

To Earl Grey.

Tuesday morning, May lot/i, 1831.

Last night's party has so completely knocked
me up, that I feel it will be impossible for me to dine
at Holland House to-day. If you have not yet sent to
say I am coming, pray leave it, my dear lord ; but if
your note has already gone, let me know, and on my
way to Richmond I will leave a second note explaining
why I am unable to appear. Further, pray tell me if
you are dining there on Friday ; if so, I will propose
myself for that day. How tiresome the ball was ! im-
possible to talk sensibly together for five minutes. But
our present life is all so tiresome ; we really see as
little of each other as though you were at Howick.
Pray send me some news — about the elections, about
Poland, and France. I see Republicanism is at her
tricks again, and that the Blue Riband is not at all
to the taste of the hero.*

* ' The extra Blue Riband to Lord Grey is a gross impropriety, between our-
selves.'— Letter from the Duke of Wellington to the Duke of Rutland, May 29,
1831 : 'Despatches,' vii. 449.

1831.] DON MIGUEL. 223

I am so deadly tired that I can hardly write. How
is your face getting on ? The King's partiality for you
goes the length of making him deny that you have one
cheek fatter than the other. I am not quite so loyal.

Adieu, my dear lord. Do not forget me.

A thousand regards.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Thursday, May i^th.

Let US at any rate correspond, my dear lord,
even though we do not get sight of one another ; at
least, neither need then imagine that the other is dead.
Here, I live in the open air as much as possible, and
think as little as possible of politics — so little that I do
not know what is taking place, and now beg you to
inform me.

Lord Aberdeen paid me a visit the day before
yesterday. He approves of all you have done in
Portugal, and only blames you for not having de-
manded satisfaction sooner of Don Miguel.* He further
assured me that just before the late Ministry went out,
they were themselves on the point of doing in Portugal
exactly what you have done. Was there ever such
impudence ! With regard to Reform, he said that the
Duke of Wellington is determined to make every effort
to prevent party violence, but that if the Bill should be
brought to the Upper House in its present form, it
must be rejected ; because, as it entails the destruction
of the aristocracy, the said aristocracy would die with
greater dignity now than two years hence. I answered

* For his ill-treatment of British merchants at Lisbon.

224 THE REFORM BILL. [may

that I did not see the logic of his reasoning ; for even
if the chances were equal, I would not go and kill
myself to-day out of fear of dying in two years' time.
After all, such threats are mere rubbish, and I wager
there will be many a bad cold and many a fit of indi-
gestion when the day comes for voting against the
Bill. The Duke of Cumberland tells me that the
King weeps all day, and lies awake all night. These
are truths, I suppose, a la Cumberland.

Shall you come to see me at Richmond ? Why
cannot you come one day and dine } The drive would
give you a good night. Think it over. For instance,
would Sunday suit .'*

Adieu, my dear lord, and do not forget me.

Downing Street,

May 20th, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

Not being able to see you, it did me good to
see your handwriting at least, and I cannot sufficiently
thank you for your very kind note. I cannot, however,
make any return for it, having nothing to tell you that
you will not hear from others, or that you would care
about.

If the late Government had any intention of taking
measures to bring Don Miguel to reason, all I can say
is that there was not the slightest trace of it, any more
than there was of anything done, or intended to be
done, to stop the burnings and the tumults which,
being begun in August, were in full activity when we
came into office in November. Don Miguel, indeed,
produced two letters from the Duke of Wellington and
Lord Beresford, promising him support and assistance,

i83i.] TACTICS OF THE TORIES. 225

and perhaps it was in return for these that he engaged
himself to behave more decently. But he certainly
never did so, and though one felt almost ashamed of
taking a strong measure against so pitiful an enemy, it
was impossible to forbear any longer.

Your answer about the scheme of throwing out the
Bill in the House of Lords is incontrovertible. It
seems as if God has deprived these men of their
understanding. If they could succeed, they would
ensure their own destruction. But I entertain sanguine
hopes that the Duke may be as much mistaken in his
calculations as to the House of Lords, as he was with
respect to the House of Commons. I trust there are
amongst them a sufficient number with prudence
enough to counteract these inconsiderate and violent
men, and to prevent a collision (the effect of which
must be fatal) with the House of Commons. A
triumphant majority there, and the declared support of
the King, will, I have no doubt, make a very great
and decisive alteration. Nothing can be more cordial
and sincere than the King in the support he gives us.
I have had several long conversations with him, which
I cannot describe better than by saying that, if I had
suggested every word he uttered, it could not have
been more gratifying to me. I am happy to say, too,
that he is much better in health. He has had an
abscess in his neck, which has broken, and, I have
no doubt, will be of great use to him.

I am afraid it will be out of my power to dine with
you on Sunday, nor can I, at this moment, say when it
is likely that I may be able to call on you.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

G.
VOL. II. 45

226 THE REFORM BILL. [may

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,
Friday, May 2"] ill, 1831.

My dear Lord,

It seems so dull, never seeing you, and I am
already getting somewhat tired of the country. My
only hope now is of having a few words with you to-
morrow at the Drawing-room, but this is worth very
little. Pray write to me. You have no idea how
happy it made me to see you looking so well the day
before yesterday, and how rejoiced I was about the
Garter. I always thought you were the man in all
England most deserving of it. My husband is going
to pay you a visit. I do not know why it should not
be myself instead of him : the business would be quite
as well done.

I sometimes see the Duke of Cumberland here.
He is very sour, and does his best to pass his humour
on to me. The newspapers are doing all they can to
irritate us ; but I have become hardened against such
attacks, and always hold that so long as England only
makes war on us after this fashion, we may take it very
easily. I none the less sincerely reprobate such in-
sulting language as we find in the Courier. How-
ever, it is the reality of enmity I care for, not the
semblance. What is your news, my dear lord ? Has
Diebitsch still an army for fighting with, or even for
retreating } It appears to me, at present, that opinions
are not much united at Warsaw, and that the extreme
party is getting the upper hand there.

The Ultra-Tories are making great preparations
here : I really do not know on what they reckon —
perhaps it is on finding Jacobins in the new Parlia-

1831.] THE GARTER. 227

ment. I trust they will be disappointed, and that
your Bill may make its way surely and peacefully.
Now I must say good-bye, for I am taking up your
time without having anything really worth talking
about.

Send me a few lines, for I am thinking so much
about you.

Downing Street,

May 28M, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

If anything could make up for my seeing you
so little, it would be the kindness of the note which I
received here from you yesterday. At the ball, too,
you were most good-natured to me ; but this has in-
creased my regret at not having oftener the same
pleasure. I think of you constantly, and always, if
possible, with increased affection.

Nothing could be more gratifying, both as to the
manner and the time, than the King's resolution to
give me the Garter. It was entirely unsolicited by
me, and I had declined, as you know (but not from
any indisposition to appreciate the honour), when I
first came into office. But I have no doubt that, with
their usual spirit of misrepresentation, the Tories will
give a totally different account of the transaction. As
their hopes of success fail, their malignity seems to
increase. It is painful for me to have such violence
to encounter : my wish is peace, both public and
private ; but if they will not allow me to indulge
this wish, I must prepare myself with resolution for
the combat. The Duke of Cumberland is, I know,
amongst the most furious, and threatens I know not

45—2

228 THE REFORM BILL. [may

what in the House of Lords. But let him take
care. I hope I shall never fail in the respect which I
owe to the brother of the King, but there may be
bounds to my forbearance. He and the Duke of
Gloucester thought proper to show their enmity by not
attending the Chapter of the Garter ; they little think
how completely this was a matter of the most perfect
indifference to me. But if I was in the King's situ-
ation, I certainly should consider it as a mark of per-
sonal disrespect. But all these are miseries which it
is only a waste of time to talk or think about.

I have often told you, what is the truth, that I
have nothing to do with any of the newspapers, and
disapprove, as much as you can do, many of the articles
which appear even in those which are supposed to be
friendly to the Government. With respect to the
Poles the truth is — for it is in vain to conceal it — that
their cause is so popular that the papers, looking to
their circulation, are impelled by their interest to sup-
port it.

I shall see but little of you at the Drawing-room,
but that little will be valuable to me, more especially
if you make use of it to show me the same kindness as
when we last met.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

May 2<jih, 1831.

Nothing could have been more unsatisfactory
than yesterday, my dear lord ; not two words of con-

1 83 1.] THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND. 229

versation at the Drawing-room, and yet it lasted till
half-past five. I am half dead with fatigue, and in a
very bad humour.

I quite agree with what you say as to the absence
of the two royal Dukes from the Chapter of the Garter.
It was a want of respect to the King, but his Majesty
is more than indulgent to the Duke of Cumberland,
and I believe that his dread of family quarrels makes
him wink at many improprieties on the part of his
brother. In truth, the King tires himself too much ;
and he will not live if he goes on in this way. It
made me sad to look at him after the Drawing-room
yesterday ; and after that again he had his dinner-
party.

What do you think of affairs in Belgium ? and
what says the King of Holland ? It appears to me he
is beginning to lose patience. The Prince of Orange,
in his letters, does not seem sanguine. He tells me
that the King is nervously irritable. Oh ! what a long
week this will seem to me, my dear lord. At least, do
write to me. When I think of the Ascot Races, I
then realize what immense changes have taken place ;
men, manners — all have changed. Is it true that
cholera has broken out in one of the London hos-
pitals }

Adieu. What with the rain of to-day and the
Drawing-room of yesterday, I feel quite stupid.
A thousand affectionate regards.

230 THE REFORM BILL. [JUNE

Windsor Castle,

Jtme yd, 1831.*

Dearest Princess,

After a fatiguing day, having gone from hence
to the races at half-past twelve, from whence we did
not return till half-past seven, I must, before I go to
bed, sleepy and stupid as I am, say a single word to
recall myself to your recollection. How I wish you
could have been here, even at the expense of all the
ennui that such parties I know inflict upon you !

We have hitherto but a small party, which does
not contain much that can either interest or amuse.
The only lady, except those who belong to the family
and to me, is Lady Ely, whom I never knew before,
and from the little I have seen of her, it does not seem
that I should have had much to regret if I had con-
tinued to be deprived of the honour of her acquaintance.
The men are the Duke of Richmond, the Duke of
Dorset, Lord Howe, and Lord Valetort, all the bons
tons, and the usual appendages of the Court. To-
morrow we do not go to the races. Thursday is the
great day, and I hear there is to be a large party at
dinner — amongst the rest, Lord and Lady Jersey.

Public news I have none, except that the Dutch
King seems determined to do everything he can to
prevent an arrangement in Belgium. I feel half
inclined to withdraw altogether from the party, and
leave you to settle all your Continental matters as you
may. I conclude, from your army's not having made
more forward movements, either that cholera, or want
of provisions, or the interruption of its communica-

* From internal evidence, and also being answered by the Princess's letter of
Thursday, 2nd, it is evident that this letter was misdated. It should be Tuesday.
May 31st, 1831, not Friday, June 3rd.

1831.] CHOLERA AT WARSAW. 231

tions by the insurgents,* must have impeded its opera-
tions. Chad sends an account of the cholera at
Warsaw, which seems to me an alarming one. He
says that, from April 23 to May 5, 2,580 patients
under this disorder had been admitted into the hos-
pitals ; that of these 192 had recovered, 1,110 had
died, and 1,278 remained sick. He adds, however,
that it was diminishing daily.

I really am so sleepy that I must go to bed.
Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Juneznd, 183 1.

I feel much gratified, my dear lord, at your
having remembered me in the midst of all your great
doings, your fatigues, and your dissipation. I can see
Windsor from my hill, and though 1 regret not being
there with you, I find here a repose for body and
mind which really suits me better than the troubled
life imposed on you at Court.

At Almack's yesterday Lady Cowper, Lady
Willoughby, and myself all came together — three relics
of the late reign, who in those days always went to
Ascot, and who now are almost the only members of
the old set who are absent. It made me smile to
think of it. At the present day it is Lord Grey and
Lady Jersey, despite the lack of sympathy between
them, who go.

By the way, tell me how your meeting went off,

* In Lithuania.

232 THE REFORM BILL. [jUNE

also how the King stands the fatigue he has to under-
go ; but above all, tell me when I can hope that you
will find a day for coming to see me. Come and dine
here ; fix your own hour ; the weather is so delightful
that the drive must do you good.

I am very curious to know what will be your news
from Brussels. It is an important moment, and great
may be the consequences. I hope you are only joking
when you propose leaving us in the lurch. Europe
will get on strangely without you. Admitting that
you consult nothing beyond your amour propre, surely
you must feel flattered when you see how all the
most important affairs, all the greatest events, centre
round you. You alone can direct matters so as to pre-
serve order and peace in Europe. Politics will go
badly indeed when England decides on throwing up
the game. We are absolutely without news — know
not what to think ; and for myself, I am in very low
spirits.

Good-bye, my dear lord. Let me have news of
you, and also of Lady Grey. How has she borne the
fatigues of Court ?

A thousand true and faithful regards.

Downing Street,

June ^th, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

You must have thought me dead, and I am
nearly so. At Windsor, the short time that I could
find for writing of any kind was entirely occupied by
the necessary answers to official letters. I wished for
you every moment, and regretted more than ever the
change which has separated me so sadly from your

1831.] ASCOT RACES. 233

society. For the rest, the time did not pass un-
pleasantly ; the weather was beautiful, and as I am an
amateur of races, the two days that we went to the
course had an additional interest. But I liked better a
long ride we took to Virginia Water. I had not seen
it since I was at Eton, and was much struck with its
beauties.

The King was as usual most kind and gracious.
I only wish an enemy could have overheard my con-
versations with him, which were long and numerous,
on the subject of the Reform Bill, and the approaching
struggle in the House of Lords. The Queen's manner
was equally gratifying, though I cannot suppose that
she has not been in some degree infected by her
entourage. She was particularly civil to Lady Grey,
who made a great acquaintance with her.

There were large dinners every day ; at one of
them the Jerseys. I had met Lord Jersey in the
morning on the stairs of the race-stand, when nothing
passed but a cold and muttered ' How do you do ?'
At dinner, in so large a company, it was easy to avoid
them both, and we had not even the communication of
a bow. Since my return, I have been much amused
by my Lady's* account of the King's attentions to her.
She boasts having caused ' Lord Grey an uneasy night.'
In truth, she did contrive after dinner to get possession
of the King, and talked to him incessantly for an hour
and a half, the Queen and everybody else having left him
at her mercy. 1 sat at a little distance, and was much
amused with the scene. The only interruptions to an
unceasing strain of eloquence were the King's answers
of, ' Yes, ma'am,' ' Exactly so/ ' Oh, of course,' ' Ma'am,

* Lady Jersey.

234 THE REFORM BILL. [jUNE

you're quite right,' which seemed to be uttered with an
effort to keep himself awake. She was, however, in
the seventh heaven, and, I hear, tells everybody that
the King talked to nobody but her, and that I several
times came near, but was taken no notice of. Poor
woman ! if she could but know what I heard of this
the next day, her vanity would be a good deal morti-
fied.

After all this gossip, I have no time for anything
more. There are letters to-day from Ponsonby,'""
holding out hopes that things will end well in Belgium.
I sincerely hope they may, but I confess I do not see
my way through all this confusion. From Poland we
have nothing new. Chad's accounts (Warsaw accounts)
of the success of the Poles at Ostrolenkaf do not
correspond with the despatch of Diebitsch of May 17.
If the armies were as they were represented to be, the
position is a curious one, Skrzynecki being on the
line of Diebitsch's communications, and Diebitsch on
his. To risk such an advance must have been either
a coup de ddsespoir, or great confidence in Diebitsch's
weakness. There is some ground for the latter sus-
picion in a despatch from Lord Cowley,| who repre-
sents the Russian army as being in a ' deplorable condi-
tion! This is his expression. But where there is so
much exaggeration, it is in vain to attempt to form an
opinion. We must wait for events, and judge by the
map. Our politics at home are in statu quo ; except
that I hear the Duke of Wellington is become very

* Lord Ponsonby had been sent on a special mission to the Provisional Govern-
ment at Brussels, December, 1830.

t The Russians were defeated at Ostrolenka on May 26, but the Poles had to
retire, and gained little by the victory.

X English Ambassador at Vienna.

1 831.] DEFEAT OF THE POLES. 235

violent, and that we are to be attacked on the first
day.

I have not another moment. God bless you,
dearest Princess. If I can escape from hence, and the
weather is not bad, will you let me dine with you on
Thursday at six ? Once more, God bless you.

Ever yours,
G.

Downing Street,

/une 6i/i, 183 1.

Dearest Princess,

As I am afraid you will think I never send
you anything but bad news, I must tell you that a
letter has been received to-day from Chad, of May 31,
enclosing an account of a general battle on the 26th
and 27th, in which the Poles were completely defeated,
and Skrzynecki had returned to Praga.

Ever yours.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Tuesday, June Tth, 1 83 1.

My dear Lord,

I begin by telling you what pleasure the end
of your letter gave me, in your promising to come
and dine here Thursday. I am delighted. The dinner
shall be at six, as you desire, but I hope that you will
arrive a little before, so that we may have time for
talking. And, while on this subject, do propose to
Lord Durham to come also and dine with us ; it would
be an opportunity for seeing his child, who must be
domiciled somewhere in our neighbourhood, for I often

236 THE REFORM BILL. [JUNE

see him being taken out in the open carriage. I enclose
a note of invitation, in case this suits you.

How much has taken place of late! In the first
place, and what most concerns me — Diebitsch's success
— indeed, it was time. But my heart bleeds to think
of the number of brave men sacrificed on both sides.
God grant this bloody struggle may soon end ! Belgium
seems in greater confusion than ever — at least, as far
as concerns our relations with her. What is Leopold
going to answer to the awkward proposal that the
deputation is bringing him ? He surely cannot take
the oath they are commissioned to demand of him.

I have heard at least twenty versions of Lady
Jersey's tete-a-tete with the King. She proclaims it
far and wide — I have even heard of it from the country.
A letter from Mrs. Arbuthnot from Walmer Castle,
relating to a subscription to Almack's, shows me that
they are still very sanguine in the enemy's camp. The
Duke of Cumberland, too, declares that any compro-
mise is out of the question, and that the Bill must be
altogether opposed, tooth and nail. What blindness !

The Grand-Duchess* is expected to arrive in a
week's time. She lands at Sidmouth. We shall go
there shortly to receive her. I am delighted she does
not intend coming just now to London. It will be far
easier for me to manage the few days of attendance on
her Imperial Highness in Devonshire, than would be
the many troublesome weeks of entertainment were she
to stay in London, She travels as Comtesse Romanoff,
and wishes to preserve the strictest incognito.

* The Grand-Duchess Helene, daughter of Prince Paul, brother of William,
King of Wiirtemberg, and wife of the Grand-Duke Michael, brother of the Emperor
Nicholas.

1831.] THE PRINCE OF ORANGE. 237

Adieu, my dear lord. I look forward greatly to
Thursday — it will be very pleasant.

A thousand regards.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Friday, June loth, 1831.

My dear Lord,

I enclose the correspondence about the Arch-
bishop and the Abbe Gregoire.^

Again my thanks for the pleasure you gave me
yesterday. I hope much you may be able to think of
me again before your horrid Parliament reassembles.

The Duke of Cumberland has already been here
this morning. There was a meeting of the Ultras
yesterday, at which he was present. He was with the
Duke of Wellington for some time, but I do not know
what they may have decided on in their wisdom.

The Prince of Orange has written me a long letter,
received this morning. He invokes all possible energy
on the part of the Conference in general, and England
in particular ; and he represents as quite intolerable
the continuance of the burdens now endured by Hol-
land. I entirely agree with him as far as energy is
concerned, and this is certainly the time for displaying
it. To let the affair drag on seems an avowal of
weakness quite unworthy of England. I reckon as
much on your pride as on your wisdom. One must
keep up one's dignity, in order to carry the point
abroad, just as at home. And, indeed, each time that

* Monseigneur de Quelen, Archbishop of Paris, had refused the Abbe Gre-
goire, Bishop of Blois, the last sacraments and Christian burial, because of his
having taken the oath to the ' Civil Constitution of the Clergy.'

238 THE REFORM BILL. [jUNE

you have stood on your dignity you have won the
game. If you receive any news, be charitable and
write it to me. To-day and to-morrow I am here all
by myself. My husband is in town busy with despatches.
Good-bye, my dear lord. I regret yesterday — I
desire another day like it. Such is life — one is never
satisfied.

Downing Street,

/une nth, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

Before this can reach you, you will probably
have heard of the arrival of Don Pedro off Falmouth.*
The account came late last night from Lord Colchester,
the captain of the Volage, in which ship the ex-Emperor
came. He only stopped to deliver some letters at
Falmouth, and then sailed to Cherbourg. The young
Queen, Donna Maria, sailed at the same time in a
French frigate, Le Seine. The two ships had orders
to keep together, but the slow sailing of the Seine
detaining ours, Don Pedro became impatient, and de-
sired Lord Colchester to make the best of his way,
which he did, leaving the Seine out of sight before the
evening. The accounts of the revolution you will see in
the papers. The young Emperor t is acknowledged
for the present, but it does not seem likely that his
reign will be long.

It is very odd that we have no further particulars
of the battle of Ostrolenka. Chad sends an account

■'' Following on revolutionary movements at Rio Janeiro, Don Pedro had been
compelled to abdicate the imperial crown of Brazil, April 7, 1 831, in favour of his
infant son, and had now come to England to join his daughter, the little Queen
Donna Maria, and prepare for a vigorous attack on his brother, Don Miguel, in
Portugal.

f His son, Don Pedro II. of Brazil.

1831.] THE BATTLE OF OSTROLENKA. 239

that, according to a report which had been received
from Diebitsch, the defeat did not appear to have been
so decisive as had been supposed. But all the state-
ments are very loose and unsatisfactory. I do not like
the last accounts from Paris. They increase my fears
that the vigorous measures which you recommend
would not long be supported by all the members of the
Conference. This is a consideration which must make
one hesitate, though the appearance of doing so is, I
own, very disagreeable. We could do everything that
can be done at sea with our fleet, but that would not
prevent a general conflagration on the Continent.

I think with the greatest pleasure of my visit of
Thursday last, and with despair at having no prospect
of being able to renew it at present. God bless you.

Ever yours,
G.

P.S. — Are you to be at the Queen's ball on
Monday ?

To Earl Grey

Richmond,

June 13M, 1831.

I shall not see you this evening, my dear
lord, for I am suffering from a nervous attack, and the
heat of the ballroom would annihilate me. I have
just written to the Queen, begging her graciously to
excuse me. I regret the few words we might have
had together, so, to console myself, I am writing this.

There is one phrase in your last letter that I do
not like. It makes me apprehend a want of vigour on
your part with reference to the Belgian Question. If
this helped to shield you from trouble I should approve

240 THE REFORM BILL. [jUNE

of it. But pray bear in mind what I say to you. You
will be considered weak, which, as you own, would be
very disadvantageous ; and, all the same, you will not
be able to avoid war. It will be a double victory for
your adversaries, and this would distress me ; for your
renown is more precious to me than you have any idea
of. The revolution in Brazil will do a great deal of
harm in Europe. Indeed, I begin to think that in a
few years' time there will be no more Kings in the
world. Shall we be any better off in consequence ?

I imagine, from what the Duke of Cumberland said,
that they have determined on attacking you in the
House of Lords on the first day of Parliament. I have
taken a disgust for this Parliament beforehand ; what
a life they will lead you ! I am altogether saddened ;
the world must go very much better before I can
again feel in spirits, and at this moment things could
not possibly be worse than they are. What are you
doing with your Belgian deputies ? To judge by the
papers, they are taking up a great deal of your time.

Adieu, my dear lord. Writing to me is an act of
charity. In days gone by I sent you news to Howick ;
treat me now as though I were 200 miles away — it
will afford me, at least, some little consolation for not
seeing you.

A thousand true regards.

241 ]

CHAPTER V.

THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION.

The New Parliament — Additions to the Cabinet ; and the New Peers — France
and the Netherlands — The Reference in the King's Speech to the Affairs of
Poland — Death of Marshal Diebitsch ; Marshal Paskievitch succeeds to the
Command — The Introduction of the Second Reform Bill — The King of
Holland and the Belgians — The Duke of Wellington's Speech — Prince
Leopold elected King of the Belgians — Dinner at Northumberland House —
Don Pedro in England — Count Orloff — Disunion of the Tories — The Grand
Duchess Helene — The Duchesse de Berri's Journey— The Second Reading of
the Reform Bill — William IV. 's Coronation — The House at Sheen — Tactics
of the Opposition in the Commons— The Opinions of the Duke of Wellington
— The King of Holland's Refusal of the Eighteen Articles — King Leopold —
M, Lafitte — The Bishop of London and Reform — The King of Holland
invades Belgium ; French Troops cross the Frontier — Sir Edward Cod-
rington ordered to the Downs — King Leopold defeated at Tiilemont —
Occupation of Belgium by French Troops — The Dutch retire — Arrival of
M. Niemcewicz ; his Interview with Lord Grey — The Duke of Wellington's
Visit — The Insurgents at Witepsk — The Massacres at Warsaw — General
Baudrand's Mission — Report of the Committee on the Reform Bill — The
French retire from Belgium — Count Capo d'Istria in Greece — The King's
Speech at the Coronation Dinner — The Russians take Warsaw — The Third
Reading of the Reform Bill — The Paris Mobs — Civil War in Portugal —
Death of Lord Durham's Son — The Reform Bill introduced into the Lords
— The Second Reading rejected — The Grand Duchess Helene — The Vote of
Confidence in the Commons — The Riots at Derby and Nottingham — Proro-
gation of Parliament — The Twenty-four Articles on the Affairs of Belgium —
The Riots at Bristol.

[The new Parliament assembled June 14, and the Reformers
proved to be in a great majority.]

June \i^th, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I have just been adding two members to the
Cabinet — Lord J. Russell and Stanley* — and making

* Chief Secretary for Ireland ; afterwards E^rl of Derby (1S51).
VOL. II. 46

242 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [june

five peers — Sefton, Agar Ellis, Kennaird, Lord Fin-
gall, and Lord Leitrim. Nobody, I think, can object
to these names, and it may be taken as a hint that
more will be made if necessary.

I think there is now a chance that things may turn
out well in Belgium, though Falck* and his employers
will do all they can to embroil matters. If I could
prove what is said — that they have made a proposition
to France to divide the Netherlands — I should hold
myself absolved from all obligations of every kind to
Holland.

This is only for yourself, and you had better say
nothing about the new peers, even though it is no
secret, till you hear it from others. I suppose I am
never to see you again.

Ever yours,

Grey.
To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Ju7te i6t/i, 1831.

Half an hour before receiving your note, my
dear lord, the Duke of Cumberland had come to tell me
of the nominations of which your letter speaks. He
did not seem inclined to find fault with any except that
of Lord Fingall, as being a Catholic. I am very much
pleased at your two additions to the Cabinet.

I really do not believe the King of Holland can
have made overtures to France in view of a dis-
memberment. You will find this to be a pure inven-
tion. The Prince of Orange continues writing me
letters full of regrets, and apprehensions lest public
•opinion should force the King to have recourse to

* Dutch Minister in London.

1 83 1.] THE KING'S SPEECH. 243

extreme measures against the Belgians. One must
own that the King's position is most perplexing. My
husband has just come back ; he is much pleased
at his interview. He tells me you and he understand
one another perfectly on all matters. This gives me
the sincerest pleasure. I am frightened to death about
the cholera. I do entreat of you to be most vigilant.

If the Grand- Duchess should not arrive before to-
morrow, I shall certainly go to the State concert, and
we could have a few minutes of talk together. Perhaps
you could come to Hanover Square to-morrow at six ;
I shall be there. Pray try and manage this, for we
should then have a little time for talking.

A thousand kind regards and best wishes. After
next week you will stand in need of the latter ; and
may ill-luck — I will say no more — attend your
enemies !

[Parliament was to be formally opened on June 21. The follow-
ing letter evidently refers to the wording of the King's Speech.]

To Earl Grey,

Richmond,

Saturday, June 17///,* 1831.

What I wished to say to you, my dear lord,
regarded just one single word, namely the word ' war/
which you propose making use of in reference to
Poland. In thinking over the paragraph, such as you
read it to me, it strikes me that this particular word,
fallowing upon * civil commotions ' — the term employed
to characterize the recent events in Italy — would imply
that the Polish affair is of a different order to these.

* The date should be the i8th.

46 2

244 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [june

In point of fact, the cases are identical. For it is an
insurrection in Poland, just as it was an insurrection in
Italy. The word 'war' was never made use of in any
official act by England relating to the Greek business ;
and, strictly speaking, this word can only be applied to
the acts of two belligerent Powers. The respective
positions of Poland and Russia are quite different, the
Emperor of Russia having been acknowledged by the
treaties Sovereign of that country, and, consequently,
the term ' war ' is not applicable in the present
instance. Further, since it is most important that you
should furnish no pretext of quibble to your enemies,
and that this expression would most certainly be seized
upon with eagerness by them to draw you into an em-
barrassing discussion, I judge it would be to your
own interest even to avoid making use of it. The
word ' contest,' or the more general designation of
' unfortunate events,' might be substituted for the word
'war.' 'Contest' would embody the same idea, but
would not give rise to the same inconvenient equivoca-
tion as ' war.'

Pardon me, my dear lord, for thus giving you my
opinion. I felt so touched by the confidential and
friendly way in which you spoke to me yesterday, that
I do not hesitate to tell you all that is in my mind. I
assure you that no one can appreciate more entirely
than I do the delicacy and generosity of the confidence
you have placed in me, and I look upon it as one
of the many valued proofs of your friendly feeling
towards us. Only grant me the word * contest ' in
the place of ' war,' and I shall be eternally grateful to
you. You see all this was too long a story for telling in
public — besides which, I was admiring your ' Garter '

i83r.] 'WAR' OR 'CONTEST.' 245

all the time. I quite agree with Lady Cowper — I
never saw any order more becomingly worn. But I
really wonder why I was so much pleased.

They told me yesterday that the Duke of Welling-
ton had an attack of fever, and had been bled ; but
that, dead or alive, he would have his dinner-party to-
day.

Adieu, my dear lord. One word, pray, in answer
to my petition for one word. You have no idea what
pleasure you will give me by granting what I ask.
Most affectionate regards.

[Lord Grey's note in answer has not been preserved. That
Princess Lieven's suggestion, however, was adopted by him is proved
by the following letter, as well as by the text of the King's Speech at
the opening of Parliament on the preceding day. It runs as follows :

'The assurances of a friendly disposition, which I continue to
receive from all Foreign Powers, encourage the hope that, notwith-
standing the civil commotions which have disturbed some parts of
Europe, and the contests now existing in Poland, the general peace
will be maintained.'

Marshal Diebitsch died (as the medical account certified) of
cholera on June 11, in his camp at Kleczew, near Pultusk. Marshal
Paskievitch succeeded him in the command of the Russian armies in
Poland.]

To Earl Grey,

Richmond,

Wednesday, June 22nd, 1831.

Your note of Monday only reached me yester-
day, my dear lord. I thank you for all that it contains.
The fact itself is a great satisfaction to me, and it is
enhanced by my being indebted to you for the same.
The gratitude I owe you causes me a real pleasure.
I have heard nothing of what took place yesterday

246 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [JUNE

except about the Speech from the Throne. I am
curious to know if the Tories found anything in it to
criticise. My judgment sees nothing to find fault with.
The leaders of that party whom I met at Lady Ravens-
worth's appeared to me sad and discouraged.

My husband is ill, and cannot move ; this postpones
our departure for Devonshire, which I think cannot
take place this week. The death of Diebitsch will
cause no embarrassment in our army, for Paskievitch
had already been given the command.

Good-bye, my dear lord, I am thinking much of
you, and my best wishes attend you. You will see
that your Parliament will, after all, work much more
easily than you had imagined ; but what is Belgium
going to do ? and, above all, what is France going
to do?

A thousand kindest regards.

[The second Reform Bill was introduced by Lord J. Russell on
June 24, and leave was granted after one night's discussion.]

To Eaid Grey.

Richmond,

Thursday, June 2yd, 1831.

I was distressed, my dear lord, to see that
your first sitting in the House of Lords had lasted
until three o'clock in the morning. I really feel quite
tired and ill in sympathy with you, and only hope that
your adversaries suffered in proportion. What do you
think of the aspect of the House of Commons ? It
appears to me the attack was very weak ; but they say
that the Opposition benches were well filled.

My husband is still here and, feeling very unwell,

1831.] BELGIUM AND HOLLAND. 247

he knows nothing of what has taken place in London
about Belgium. But what I happened to hear yesterday,
during the short time I was in London for the meeting
at Aimack's, distressed me much. We shall not escape
from our difficulties by giving in to the Belgians, who
have always treated us with insult, and by showing
injustice to the King of Holland, w!io has always paid
deference to the propositions of the Conference, trust-
ing to its good faith and sense of justice. Moreover,
in admitting that almost every sacrifice ought to be
made for the maintainance of peace, one sacrifice is
impossible — namely, that of honour. Were we to yield
now to the Belgians, this could not be otherwise than
gravely compromised. For long past I have had my
fears on this head, and have also taken occasion to
express them ; we shall end by having the double evil of
both war and dishonour. However, I still hope things
are not so bad as the fear expressed yesterday by the
diplomatists would seem to warrant ; and I wait for
you to give me some light on the subject.

Adieu, my dear lord. How angry I feel at your
Parliament, and how L wish you were living quietly,
keeping early hours, and coming sometimes to Rich-
mond to rest your brain ! But when will this be .'*

A thousand regards.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

June 2^th, 1 83 1.

I have this moment received your letter of
yesterday,* my dear lord, and am very sorry to hear of

* Missing.

248 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [jUNE

the death of the poor Httle child.""' Anything that dis-
tresses you gives me pain, just as all that gives you
pleasure rejoices me. You are wrong to blame me
for Wednesday ; it is. all very well fixing an hour for
Blilow, but a very different thing with regard to the
Prime Minister. I was only able to stay in London
from two till five ; you were at the Levee, and I was
obliged to be at Almack's at half-past three, where I
remained till close upon five. From there I went
straight back to Richmond, having left my husband
that morning very unwell. I was again in town
yesterday, but what hope had I of seeing you, except at
the Drawing-room, where you never came? On leaving
the Palace, about five o'clock, I was only too thankful
to get off my dress, and get into the carriage to return
to Richmond, If you would let me know any day
when you could call in Hanover Square at eleven or
twelve o'clock, I would meet you very punctually.
And, indeed, I wish much to see you again before
setting out for my country visits. Or shall I call on
Lady Grey between eleven and twelve, and see you in
this way ? Name your day.

I have just run through the Times, but I looked in
vain for the paragraph to which you draw my atten-
tion in the Duke of Wellington's speech. To me it
seems that he approves of all you are doing, and ex-
horts you to persevere ; such also would be the desire
of your friends. I spoke to the Duke of Wellington
yesterday at the Drawing-room. He told me that his
party was very strong in the Upper House, and that
all the various shades had now become of a single hue.
He regrets much the death of Diebitsch, and was some-

* A grandson, the child of Lady Caroline Barrington.

1831.] LEOPOLD KING OF THE BELGIANS. 249

what concerned about it. In fact he appeared to me
calm rather than irritated, but I thought he looked ill.
Keep well yourself, my dear lord. My poor husband
is still unwell — at least, he thinks so, and will not stir
out of his room.

Good-bye ; we shall certainly not leave before
Tuesday or Wednesday.

A thousand kind regards.

[On June 4 the Belgians elected Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg
King. The London Conference, on June 27, then issued a new
Protocol, containing Eighteen Articles, which gave Belgium more
favourable boundaries, and made the country responsible for its own
debt, and only for a share of that which had been contracted con-
jointly with Holland. On this, Prince Leopold accepted the crown,
though his acceptance was not formally published till July 12.]

Downing Street,

June 2Tth, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

I have been very ill for the last three days
with the influenza, and am still a great wretch ; but I
must, if possible, be in the House of Lords to-morrow.
I have not been out of the house since I last wrote.

I hope you do not disapprove of the terms on which
Leopold has accepted, and that you are relieved from
your apprehensions that anything dishonourable would
be acquiesced in. The Articles appear to me just for
both parties, and if peace can be maintained on this
ground, it surely is more than could have been expected
when we undertook the Government. I am sorry to
hear that Matuscewitz has been declaiming violently
against your word ' contest.' Nothing, it seems, but
the word ' revolt ' could liave satisfied him. Not being

250 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [JUNE

able to go out of the house, I have not seen Don
Pedro. I hear he means to bring the young Queen
here. What will the Duke of Wellington and Lord
Aberdeen say to this if it should happen ? You could
not fail to observe the anxiety shown by both to
support Don Miguel.

It is an age since I saw you, and I cannot write as
I should talk to you. Let me know when you are
likely to be in town, and, if possible, I will call on you.
Are you to be at the concert on Wednesday ?

God bless you.

To Earl Grey,

June 2<)th, 1 83 1.

My dear Lord,

I never was at so dull a dinner as yesterday at
Northumberland House. Nobody but Wynns, and
Clives, and Amhersts. In short, not a soul to speak
to, just when I was hoping to gather up something in-
teresting to tell you to-day. So now I have to count
on something from you. You will tell me how you
are, for I am really more anxious about your health
than about your visit to me. You looked so unwell
yesterday, that it made me uneasy. Shall you be at
the concert this evening ? Do come there for a little.
Pray take care of yourself, and do not forget me.

Adieu, my dear lord.

P.S. — If you shoifld be pretty well, and have a
little spare time, I do not give up all hope of seeing
you in Hanover Square. I scarcely expect it ; and
it is only a bare chance I cling to.

1831.] DEATH OF DIEBITSCH. 251

Downing Street,

/une 2gi/i, 1831.

My dearest Princess,

I came home from the Levee without the
power of thought or action, and have been lying on
the sofa ever since — I could do nothing else — in the
hope of being able to get through my Cabinet dinner,
with sufficient will left to go afterwards to the concert,
where the great pleasure I have to look to is that of
seeing you. I have no news. The King looks well,
and seems much pleased with everything that has been
done. Don Pedro had his audience, but I did not see
him.

From Chad's letters, quoting the reports made by
Count Orloff,* and an account sent by a surgeon of the
name of Koch, who attended and examined him after
death, it appears rather uncertain whether Diebitsch
died of cholera. What have you heard of it ? Is it true
that the French have opened the question of Poland in
their late communications with your Government ? It
seems probable — with a view to the opening of the
Chambers. My daughter Elizabeth f came to town
quite unexpectedly last night ; which is a great pleasure
to us, though she is to stay only a week. God bless
you.

Ever yours,

* Count Alexis Orloff had arrived at the Russian camp from St. Petersburg
the day before Marshal Diebitsch's death. He was the son of the Orloff who had
taken an effective part in the assassination of the Emperor Paul (father of Nicholas),
and the grandson of the Orloff whom Catharine II. had raised from the ranks, in
reward for his services connected with the death of her husband, Peter III. One
account said that DieJDitsch had poisoned himself.

t Lady E. BuUeel.

252 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [JUNE

To Earl Grey.

Salisbury,

Thursday, June 30//;, 1 831.

Only a few lines, my dear lord, to remind you
to write to me. You can imagine how pleasant it was
to receive a letter in the depths of the country from
you. I hope you have been dreaming of Paganini.
His playing enchants me. Pray do not say you don't
care about it — it would be vandalism.

France has made overtures to my Court with
respect to Poland. This was the Emperor's answer :
'As soon as order shall have been restored in our Polish
provinces, an act of general amnesty to its inhabitants
shall be proclaimed.' I had a few minutes' conversation
with the Duke of Wellington yesterday, and afterwards
with Lord Wharncliffe. The former continues to assure
me that he will not deviate from the line of moderation
he has adopted ; that he preaches this to all his party,
and, indeed, that it is the only conduct proper for the
Peers. Lord Wharncliffe complains bitterly of the
divergence of opinions, the impossibility of coming to
an agreement on any single point, and of the absurdity
of people who concede nothing. Such is my little
budget of news.

Adieu, my dear lord ; get rid of your cough, and
get back your good looks. Pray write to me, and send
me plenty of news — but not after Saturday.

A thousand regards.

1831.] THE IRISH REFORM BILL. 253

Downing Street,

/ie/}> ist, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

I have received your letter from Salisbury,
and cannot sufficiently thank you for this^proof of your
kind remembrance. It is most sincerely and cordially
returned. I think of you constantly, and regret more
than ever the loss of that daily intercourse which con-
tributed so much to the happiness of my life. Now
no longer my own master, I can do nothing that I
wish to do. Beset with unreasonable and discon-
tented people, who, instead of endeavouring to diminish
the difficulties of my situation, think only of turning
them to their own advantage, I sigh after the quiet
which I enjoyed before I was placed in my present
situation.

We have no news of any kind. Nothing has yet
been heard from Brussels ; nor has anything arrived
from any other part of the world in addition to what
) ou knew when you left London.

In the House of Commons last night* a division
took place, which was satisfactory in proving that
there was no disposition to press the Government with
unreasonable proposals of retrenchment. It was also
satisfactory from the bad figure made by Dawson and
Goulbourn. In general our friends there have taken
a much better tone. Sir James Grahamt is universally
acknowledged to have made a most excellent speech,
and Stanley never fails. Being now in the Cabinet, I
have no doubt he will very soon place himself vir-
tually, though not ostensibly, in the decided lead

* June 30. The first reading of the Irish (Reform) Bill.
f First Lord of the Admiralty.

254 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [jULY

of the House of Commons. If they get into a fair
contest, I am as confident he will be found superior to
Peel.

My cough is not much better, and I passed a
most wretched night. I am going, notwithstanding, to
dine at St. James's, at a dinner given to Don Pedro.
You must forgive me, but I cannot like Paganini. He
seems to me merely a player of monkey tricks on the
fiddle. It is not music. And when I am told of the
extraordinary difificulty of what he does, I can only say
that I wish that it was impossible.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Wednesday, July 6th, 1831,

A thousand thanks, my dear lord, for your letter of
Friday, received at Sidmouth. It gave me the greatest
pleasure. I came back here last night, very well but
very tired, I was enchanted with my Grand- Duchess.
She is good to look at and to listen to ; pretty, witty,
and charming. Do you dine on Sunday at Lord
Palmerston's, and could we not meet there } I shall
be in town to-morrow, only for two hours, and for
shopping, but too early for the least chance of seeing
you. But I wish you would send me some news.

What do you think is going to happen in Belgium ?
What do you think of the Duchesse de Berri's expe-
dition ?* And how far are you satisfied with your

* The Duchesse de Berri had left England, and gone up the Rhine to Metz,
attended by Marshal Bourmont. She afterwards attempted to excite a civil war in
La Vendee, in favour of the Legitimist cause.

1 83 1.] .SECOND READING OF THE BILL. 255

House of Commons ? You see I want to know a
great deal. It appears to me that the next eight or
ten days will be full of varied events, for on all sides
the impending questions must soon be settled. Mean-
while, I hope you have got rid of your cough, for I
see your name as at all the parties. What beautiful
weather you had yesterday!

Good-bye, my dear lord ; I am impatient to see
you again, and beg of you to write to me.

A thousand kindest regards.

[The second reading of the Reform Bill, in the Commons, was
carried, July 7, by a majority of 136.]

Downing Street,

/ulj 7/A, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I was glad to see your handwriting once more.
I had begun to fear that you had been carried off by
the cholera. It rejoices me to hear, on the contrary,
that you are come back in good health. This weather
must make everybody well who is not obliged to attend
Parliament. You see our majority has fulfilled my
expectations, though I did not think the enemy would
have been able to bring so many voters to the post.
Peel, I hear, made a very bad speech.

The news yesterday from Brussels was not good,
and there seems to be too much reason to fear that
an active and turbulent minority, aided by French
agitators, may prevail over the wishes of a large
majority of the people. However, they still write
sanguinely as to the result, though the majority in
favour of Leopold and the Propositions may be small.
This does not signify if it be true that the majority of

256 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [july

the people of Brussels, of the army, of the Civic Guard,
and of the population of the provinces, are in favour of
the proposed arrangement. You will have seen in the
papers that we are to have a coronation, which I shall
make as short, as simple, and as little expensive as
possible. It will probably be on September 22, the
day of the coronation of George III.

I am treating about a house at Sheen ; if I take it,
I conclude you will leave Richmond. The only diffi-
culty is the price ; but as I never yet resisted tempta-
tion, I suppose I shall give way, contrary to all
considerations of prudence. I am unfortunately obliged
to attend a dinner in the Egyptian Hall, on Lord
John Russell's receiving the Freedom of the City, on
Saturday.

Ever yours.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

July %th, 1 83 1.

My letter begins, my dear lord, with the
subject with which ynu end yours — the house at
Sheen. What a capital idea ! How thankful I am it
should have been proposed to you, and that you are
inclined to carry it out ! Pray keep me informed as to
the progress of the negotiation. It interests me even
more than the news from the Continent, for which we
are so impatiently waiting. All the same, I am still
somewhat curious to know the vote of the Congress in
Brussels, and the result of the elections in France.

They tell me that even at Court the feeling has
become warlike. If such be the case, we certainly shall

18.31.] THE BILL IN COMMITTEE. 257

have war. But it is always well to be able to say that
everything was done to avoid it. How sorry I am not
to meet you at dinner to-morrow ! I was pleased
with what I saw of Don Pedro ; what did you think of
him ? You had a splendid majority. I have not seen
any Tories since, so I do not know what they say of
it ; but it appears to me that the House of Lords
cannot possibly continue to reject what has so un-
equivocally obtained the consent of the House of
Commons.

Good-bye, my dear lord. Take the house at
Sheen ; but have you been to see it ? I hope not, and
that this will force you to come and beg a dinner of me
one of these days.

A thousand regards.

D. LlEVEN.

[On July 12 Lord J. Russell moved that the House should
go into Committee upon the Bill. The Committee lasted for forty
nights, and did not conclude its labours till September 7.]

To Earl Grey.

Wednesday nighty July \'^th, 1831.

The conduct of the Opposition, my dear lord,
is both senseless and despicable. Surely the debate of
last night in the Lower House must show the Peers
only too plainly that they will have nothing to count
upon there. What did you sa)- on the subject ?

My dinner-party yesterday went off very fairly,
though we had little that was homogeneous in the
company. We had only the Cowpers and the Duke
of Wellington. During dinner nothing but general
topics were discussed ; afterwards I had a short con-
voL. II. 47

258 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [JULY

versation with his Grace. He repeated to me that
he was more than ever resolved to maintain the
system of moderation he had adopted ; that he felt no
hostility towards the Government, though he had no
love of Reform (on this subject he touched very
lightly) ; that with regard to foreign politics, so long as
he should have no cause for doubting that Ministers
were keeping to the straight course, he should give
them his support ; and that he had reason to believe
all would go well on this head. My answer to him
was, that not only had we no complaint to make, but,
on the contrary, that we had everything to say in praise
of the present Government, and that, with regard to
Russian affairs, we had always been treated loyally and
with consideration. He then instanced to rne the
Ministerial newspapers. These, I said, did not con-
cern us ; we held rather to facts, and what conse-
quently was really important to our negotiations and
patent of purpose. My answers seemed to satisfy him,
and I assure you that I found him both amiable and
reasonable on all points. I trust he may continue so.

I am counting the days till Monday, my dear lord ;
pray assure me that you will come that day ; it will be
the greatest treat I have had for a long time.
A thousand kindest regards.

y«/j/ 14M, 1831.
A thousand thanks for your kind note, dearest
Princess. It is the best substitute, but still a poor one,
for not seeing you. Nothing could be better for us
than the conduct of the Opposition the other night. I
hear already facts which prove the impression it has

1831.] TACTICS OF THE OPPOSITION. 259

made on the public. Thompson, the City member,
will certainly lose his seat for having voted in the first
division, and the evidence of popular feeling, thus
manifested, ought to correct the delusion into which I
am told our opponents were fallinor, that the public
were beginning to cool on this subject. Besides, it has
created a good deal of division in the Opposition, and
the violent people are not at all reserved in their com-
plaints of Peel.

The Duke of Wellington has, certainly, acted
hitherto very fairly and moderately ; but I do not, on
that account, rely on his abstaining from striking a
blow at us, if an opening should be given him. On
my part I have shown, and shall continue to show,
every disposition to a conduct equally moderate and
forbearing. I wished him to attend the Council for
the coronation, but he declined. The Duke of
Cumberland came, and looked as sulky as a bear ; and
I shall not be surprised if he endeavours to throw
difficulties in the way of the reductions in the ceremony
which are proposed.* He can have no object but
annoyance ; and he had better take care that he does
not, in the event, bring more difficulties on himself
than he expects to inflict on others.

So the King of Holland is to refuse.f Tan^ pis
pour lui. There is business in the House of Lords on
Monday which I must attend, and I cannot at present
fix a time for going to Sheen. God bless you.

Ever yours,

* ^^240, 000 had been expended at George IV.'s coronation ; the Government
had determined in the present instance to avoid all reckless extravagance.

\ The conditions contained in the Eighteen Articles, which had been accepted
by the Belgian Congress, July 9.

47—2

26o THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [july

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Sunday, July I'jtk, 1831.

As I had hoped to meet you, my dear lord,
yesterday at Kew, I did not write. I am so sorry you
were not able to come. I really required some conso-
lation for the tedium, the dulness, and the heat of a
day out of town, spent in two small, crowded rooms.
We have not met since your interview with my
husband, and I have longed to tell you how much it
pleased him. At the risk of repetition, I must assure
you again how great is the pleasure I feel at everything
that proves satisfactory to my Court, and that is brought
about by your instrumentality. If you have heard any-
thing about the cholera at Petersburg, pray send me
the particulars, for I feel very uneasy.

Prince Leopold came to see me the day before he
left* I was extremely well satisfied by all he said to
me. No one could realize the position with greater
wisdom, and he has much sound common-sense. He
is entering on a career which he knows to be full of
peril and difficulty. Indeed, he has my earnest good
wishes for success. What is going to be the last word
from the Hague ? I am very curious and uneasy.
Yesterday the Queen's sisterf talked to me at length
on the subject. She is indignant at the way the King
of the Netherlands has been treated. She is all fire
and flame against the Conference, and against Leopold ;
and the Queen herself is of the same mind.

I came across several ultra-Tories yesterday. The
most violent, such as the Duke of Cumberland, are

* For Belgium. f Ida, Duchess of Saxe-Weimar.

1831.] SIR ROBERT PEEL. 261

very angry at Peel's conduct. He says that the party
does not want Peel, and that Peel owes all his import-
ance to the party ; that if they abandon him, it would
then soon be seen what an insignificant fellow he
was. Lord Mansfield is persuaded that Parliament
will be adjourned as soon as the Bill has passed the
Commons ; but that will not be under four weeks
at earliest. The Duke of Wellington yesterday was,
as usual, both amiable and moderate in his tone.

When shall I see you again, my dear lord ? When
shall you come to Sheen ? When shall you come and
dine at Richmond again ? I thirst for a long talk
with you.

A thousand kindest regards.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Tuesday, Jttly 26th, 1 83 1.

Although I would not insult you, my dear lord,
by supposing you capable of forgetfulness, I call to your
mind that we expect you at dinner here to-morrow.
I fancy half-past six is the hour you prefer, but give
me your orders if you wish it earlier, since our general
hour is later. I am looking forward with the greatest
pleasure to seeing you here. The weather is lovely.
We shall have the enjoyment of the terrace. What a
gasconade the speech of the King of the French was !*
Adieu, my dear lord ; a thousand kind wishes.
Now do not disappoint my pleasant hopes for to-
morrow.

At the opening of the newly-elected Chambers.

262 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [JULY

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Friday, Jttly 2()th, 1831.

Do you still hold to your good intentions for
Sunday, my dear lord, and shall you come early that
day to Richmond, so that we can have a walk together?
Do you sleep at Sheen, or at the Star and Garter ? If
at the latter, you may commission me about rooms. I
went to look at your house yesterday, and thought it
charming. The contempt with which you treated Lord
Londonderry yesterday delighted me greatly. I am
certain that even his own party will have approved
of it.

Once more my best thanks for the pleasure you
gave me on Wednesday. You must be kind again,
and begin by dining here next Sunday.

A thousand kind regards.

Downing Street,

July Tpth, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I am going to Sheen this evening after dinner
to stay there to-morrow ; but I cannot dine with you,
as Lady Grey goes alone with me. Perhaps you will
call during your drive in the morning. I had intended
to avoid the City fete, and to stay till Tuesday, but
they tell me I must submit to the bore of this ceremony.
I know nothing that you will not hear from other
quarters. They say that there is, after all, an ex-
pectation that Lafitte will not be chosen President ;*

* Of the Chamber.

1831.] THE BISHOP OF LONDON. 263

but all the appearances are, I think, very unfavourable
for the continuance of Perier's Administration.
Ever most affectionately yours.

Grey.

l/iiiy 30///, 1831.]*
Dearest Princess,

I had already sent a note, when yours arrived,

to say that I cannot dine with you to-morrow, but that

I am going to Sheen to-night to stay till Monday. I

could not leave Lady Grey alone.

Londonderry was furious at my refusing to answer

him. I forgot to tell you that yesterday a Bishop

(London) made a speech for reforming the Church, in

which the principles of Reform were as strongly laid

down as they could have been by me, which must have

carried dismay into the ranks of the Tories.

Ever yours,

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Thursday, Aug, /^th, 1 83 1.

You are getting a very bad habit, my dear
lord, of neglecting me. Four long days, and I have
heard nothing from you. You said you would write,
and you have not done so. Try to bear me in mind —
send me also some news.

Is it true that the French are carrying off the
Portuguese fleet ? Also that France will only acknow-
ledge Leopold on condition that the fortressf^s be dis-
mantled ? These are two very grave matters. I am

* Without date. In pencil by the Princess is added 'July 26,' but from internal
evidence it must be Sunday, July 30.

264 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [july

waiting with the greatest impatience for news from
Poland. Before three days are over we must have
something decisive. I am happily no longer sensitive
to the articles in the Courier. Actual facts will stop
their mouths. At all events, you are not our enemy,
and the thought of this enables me to bear much that
is disagreeable elsewhere.

I am now quite alone here. My husband is in
town all day. I find it somewhat dull, but it is a good
rest for me. You are neither dull nor resting, and this
last is bad.

Adieu, my dear lord ; when shall I see you ?

[The King of Holland, after bitterly protesting against the
Eighteen Articles in the beginning of August, marched his troops
across the Belgian frontier. King Leopold at the time was engaged
in a tour through his new dominions, and was entirely unprepared
for war. At the first news of hostilities, a French army under
Marshal Gerard marched into Belgium, and the English fleet appeared
in the Scheldt.]

Downing Street,

Aug. Sth, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

Never imagine that I can forget you. But I really
have been so harassed for the last five days that my life is
a burden to me. I mean, if possible, to go to Sheen to-
night, and to stay till Sunday, when I must be in town
for a meeting of the Cabinet. In that case I shall
hope to see you on Saturday morning. But this is
very uncertain, and the odds are that I shall be kept
here.

This last affair in Holland supersedes everything
else for the moment. My indignation at the conduct
of the Dutch is extreme. I trust the Conference will

1831.] THE DUTCH INVADE BELGIUM. 265

follow the course which its duty prescribes. In fact,
we must consider the measures which it will be right
for us to take, and which will not be slow in following
the arrival of Sir Edward Codrington in the Downs.
When shall we be able to talk of these matters .'* God
bless you.

Ever yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Sunday, Aug. "jth, 1831.

I passed two hours yesterday, my dear lord,
in the Tory headquarters. The Duke of Wellington
talked to me for a long^ time ; he is very much con-
cerned at all that is taking place. He openly blames
the King of the Netherlands, and thinks that Leopold
could not have done otherwise than turn to his neigh-
bours for help. The promptitude with which the
French have answered his appeal proves, however,
according to him, what a tempting morsel Belgium
has all along been to France. Leopold, who yester-
day was not even acknowledged by France, and was
not to be so (as he well knew) until the dismantlement
of the fortresses was both agreed upon and accom-
plished, now finds himself all of a sudden the close ally
of France, and that even before they have recognised
him as King. Once in possession of the fortresses,
France will not give them up in a hurry ; and one may
look upon Belgium from the present as virtually in the
power of France. All this, my dear lord, did the
Duke of Wellington say to me. He seemed most
deeply concerned ; but the other Tories were rather

266 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [july

triumphant than otherwise. They only appeared to
look on these events as being likely to entail serious
embarrassment and complications for your Govern-
ment, and to rejoice thereat in anticipation. Not so
the Duke of Wellington — he was depressed and
anxious ; but he repeated again, that if only we had
unity of purpose and action, all might yet be well. I
was anxious to write you this little bulletin, of which my
husband will be the bearer. The Princes and Princesses
are open-mouthed on the subject of Belgium ; and the
Queen, according to what the Duchess of Gloucester
told me (she had left her only yesterday morning at
Windsor), is in floods of tears.

Good-bye, my dear lord ; when shall we be able to
go on an excursion together ? Do you sleep at Sheen
to-night ?

A thousand regards.

East Sheen,

Friday night \_Aiig. \ith, 1831].

Dearest Princess,

I came here to-night feeling as if I had not an
hour's life in me from the exhaustion of the House of
Lords, the heat of which was greater than anything I
ever felt. I think I am better already. I must see
you to-morrow ; shall I call on you, or will you call
here } As you always drive out, perhaps the latter
will be more convenient, and you may come at any
hour, as, if I do not go to you, I shall be at home the
whole morning. Will you have the goodness to tell
the Prince, who expressed a wish to have some con-
versation with me, that I am at his orders at any hour

1 83 1.] DEFEAT OF KING LEOPOLD. 267

to-morrow after eleven, or on Sunday before I go to
town for the Cabinet, which meets at two.

If the Dutch bombard Antwerp, I will not leave a
Dutch ship on the sea. God bless you.

Ever yours,

[On August 1 1 King Leopold was completely defeated at Tirle-
mont, and escaped to Mechlin. The intervention of France and
England, however, compelled the Dutch to retire, and an armistice
was concluded.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Mo7iday, Aug. x^tlt, 1 83 1.

If Sunday be the only day free for you to
receive us, my dear lord, we accept your invitation at
once, because I cannot forego an opportunity of seeing
you — we meet now so seldom. No news this morning.
I am very glad an armistice is concluded, and hope it
may be immediately followed by the retreat of the
Dutch, also that the French will likewise lose no time
in withdrawing their troops. At the present moment
this is all that is essential.

A thousand kind regards.

P.S. — The 'If at the beginning of my letter is
caused by the fact of our Sundays being generally
devoted to receiving friends who come out from town.
But I can beg them not to come should this be the
only day convenient to you.

268 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [aug.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Thursday, 2$th \_Aug., 1831.]-''

I am very unwell, my dear lord, otherwise so
long a time should not have elapsed without my coming
to see you. But I must hear something of you, and it
is for that reason that I write. I was enchanted at
learning yesterday that the order had been sent for the
withdrawal of the French troops from Belgium. You
see very well how France fears you, and that your
words have had weight. I rejoice both on your account
and for all the rest of the world. What is Leopold
doing ? Has he hopes now of being able to manage
the Belgians ?

I have not one word of news to send you. My
malady is a violent cold, so bad that it has ended in
blood-spitting, which somewhat alarms me. Adieu,
my dear lord. How long it is since I have seen
you !

A thousand reo^ards.

Downing Street,

Aug. 2^tk, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

I am deeply and sincerely grieved at hearing
of your illness ; this comes of your fondness for open
carriages, and particularly at night. You really must
give up that folly.

The French Government has acted very fairly and
honourably in sending an order to Marechal Gerard to
retire. Leopold, however, has requested that a divi-

* The docket reads ' October,' but from internal evidence it should be August.

i83T.] ARRIVAL OF NIEMCEWICZ. 269

sion of the army may remain till he has organized his
own. You will have heard that a new Polish deputy
has arrived.* He brougrht a letter from Prince Adam
[Czartoryski], and has requested to see me, which I
thought I could not refuse. He is, therefore, to come
to me on Monday.

The Duke of Wellington was with me more than
half an hour this morning in Downing Street. What
will all the politicians say to this ? I was in hopes I
should have been allowed to stay here to-morrow, and
hoped to have been able to call upon you, but I am
afraid I shall be obliged to go back for the House of
Lords.t In that case I shall have no chance of seeing
you before Sunday.

Ever yours,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Friday, Aug. 2.6th, 1831.

A thousand thanks for your note of yesterday,
my dear lord. It was worth something, since we
cannot meet. I appreciate your letting me know
about the Polish deputy, and 1 entirely understand
how full of consideration you are in not leaving me
in ignorance of the honour you are about to show hirt).
But my gratitude does not exclude the regret I feel at
your granting, now, that which you wisely judged better
to refuse, a few months ago, to M. Wielopolski. He
also had brought you a letter from Prince Czartoryski.

* J. v. Niemcewicz, the Polish poet. He had been Kosciusko's aide-de-camp
in 1794, and was a member of the Council of the National Government.

y The letter was apparently despatched from East Sheen, not from Downing
Street.

1-jo THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [aug.

You received the letter, but you granted no audience
to the bearer ; and assuredly in so doing you consulted
the dignity of the Premier of England, and the honour
of a Power allied with, and friendly to, Russia. Your
position is so exalted, that of necessity the greatest
importance is attached to all your actions ; and this is
also why the Emperor, who is kept well informed of
everything done by the Polish agents, both here and
elsewhere, appreciated, and expressed his gratitude
for, your straightforward and friendly conduct towards
him in regard to the Poles.

My dear lord, it is indeed a great honour, and more
than that, a great encouragement, that you are granting
to this envoy in receiving him ; and it is on this ground
that I feel so distressed. I am quite aware how power-
less I am to induce you to reconsider your decision; but
I could not help telling you what was passing in my
mind, because to you I always speak quite openly. I
will also venture to add this : pray do not negative by
a needless act the sincere gratitude which the Emperor
feels with reference to all that you have no^ done up
to the present time. In you, and in you alone, does
he place the fullest confidence, making an exception in
your favour to which you are justly entitled, and which
is as flattering to me as though you and I were members
of the same family.

The Duke of Wellington's visit to you yesterday
will give rise to many speculations. I am delighted
at everything which has the appearance of a good
understanding existing between you, and from what I
have heretofore heard from the Duke himself, there
is nothing that need prevent a continuance of the
same.

1831.] THE POLISH ENVOYS. 271

I think I am better to-day, but I have not yet seen
my doctor. Good-bye, my dear lord. What a long
week !

A thousand regards.

East Sheen,

Aug. 26th, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

I must, in the first place, say how much I
rejoice at hearing that you are better.

I think you may trust me, after all that has passed.
After having seen Walewski, after both he and Wielo-
polski had been frequently received by Palmerston,
I thought I could not very well decline an interview
which was proposed to me by a person whom I had
known formerly when he was here with Kosciusko.
The appearance is the only thing you can have to fear,
and I do not see why more importance should be
given to the visit I am to receive on Monday than
to those which I have frequently received from
Walewski.

I have just received a despatch from Chad of the
1 8th. He says that a Colonel Kiss, who had been
detached to Polangen by Gielgud,* had penetrated
into the Government of Mohilew ; that the insurgents
in the neighbourhood of Witepsk were very strong,
and that General Tolstoi had marched from Wilna
against them. He also states that the account of
RiAdiger's having passed the Vistula had not been
confirmed ; that some Cossacks had crossed, but had
been driven back by the Poles. All this, however,

* The Polish commander.

272 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [AUG.

appears to be taken from the Prussian State Gazette,
and will probably, therefore, be known to you. God
bless you.

Ever yours,

Grey.
P.S. — Do you go to the breakfast to-morrow ?

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Wednesday evening, Aug. ^isi, 1831.

When shall I see you again, my dear lord ?
What are you doing ? what is the world about ? I
should much like to have a talk with you. Can you
come and see me to-morrow ? but say at what hour,
because, as I always take a walk, I should like to
know your time, so as to be at home to receive you.

What says France ? Will she retire from Belgium ?
This question interests me, because it concerns you ;
but one can only talk these matters over : writing of
them is too difficult. What has Niemcewicz to say of
what has taken place at Warsaw ?^'' and what do you
think of it ?

Shall you be able to dine here Saturday, my dear
lord, or are you going to the theatre, in the City ?

A thousand regards.

[East Sheen,]

Au^. 3 1 J/, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I am bent double with a courbature — anglice, a
lumbago ; so that it is with difficulty that I can cross

* On August 16, the populace had risen, had forced open the prisons, murdered
the Russian prisoners, and committed the greatest atrocities.

1831.] THE MASSACRES IN WARSAW. 273

the room, and am come here to try to cure myself. If
you wish to see me, therefore, you must call here
to-morrow, but not before twelve.

Niemcewicz appeared to be in absolute despair. I
was really touched by the feeling which the poor old
man showed, and his manner of expressing it. Accord-
ing to the last accounts, if they are correct, this unhappy
business must be settled before this time.

I had a long interview this morning with General
Baudrand, first aide-de-camp to the Duke of Orleans,
who has been with him in Belgium, and is now come
here, from the King, to explain the situation of that
country and of France. He gave a thousand and one
good reasons why the French army should remain in
Belgium, to which I answered that I should only
deceive him if I held out the slightest hope of its
being consented to by this Government. He is an
agreeable and sensible man, of good manners, and
extremely conciliatory and prepossessing, without
losing anything in his endeavours to promote the
object of his mission.

I was not able to go to the Levee, and had a very
kind message from the King, desiring that I would
meet him in town on Saturday. I doubt whether I
shall be able to go. Madame de Dino comes here on
Friday to stay till Sunday ; it will not be in my power,
therefore, to dine with you on Saturday ; but perhaps I
shall be able to fix some other day when I see you, as
I count upon doing, to-morrow.

Ever yours,

Grey.

VOL. II. 48

274 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [sept.

[Thursday, September 8, King William IV. was crowned in
Westminster Abbey.

On the 7th the Committee on the Reform Bill concluded its
labours, and the Bill was reported. On the T3th the report was
considered.]

To £ar/- Grey.

Richmond,

Saturday, Sept. \oth, 183 1.

It is only to-day, my dear lord, that I am
beginning to revive after that most fatiguing Thursday,
and I make use of my little bit of strength for writing
to you. I think it much better to write as though
there were three hundred miles between us, otherwise
we deprive ourselves even of the benefits of absence.

I shall go up to London on Monday for the
Drawing-room; and on Tuesday, unless anything un-
foreseen should occur, we go down to Cheltenham to
see the Grand- Duchess, so pray write to me, for I
have no chance whatever of seeing you except at the
Drawing-room. I am looking anxiously for the reply
from France to the last Memorandum. I trust they
will accept it, and thus the honour and merit of having
preserved peace will accrue to you. Should, how-
ever, it turn out otherwise, your position would still be
all that you can desire, for public opinion, and even the
Opposition, are both with you.

Sunday, iitk. — Just imagine! it was impossible for
me to finish this note yesterday, I was so constantly
interrupted by visitors. I despatch it, however, stupid
though it be, to prove that I have not forgotten you.
The King came to walk here, at Richmond, yesterday.
He stopped to talk with me, and to my surprise I found
him looking remarkably well. Do you dine at Court
to-morrow ? The Corps Diplomatique is invited. No

1831.] THE FRENCH EVACUATE BELGIUM. 275

news whatever, my dear lord, unless you can send me
some. Our Polish affairs drag on. They say the Tories
are still uncertain as to what they are going to do,
the report being that the Duke of Wellington intends
to throw out the Bill at the second reading. The
moderates think this bad policy, and I doubt much his
succeeding. When do you think the Bill will be in-
troduced into the Upper House ?

Adieu, my dear lord ; I am quite sad at not seeing
you, so I begin to rejoice at the prospect of the
Drawing-room, which is not my usual habit.
A thousand sincerest regards.

Downing Street,

Sep. 14M, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

As you have no taste and no feeling for any-
thing but politics, I have, I fear, very little to say on
that all-engrossing subject which will make you think
this letter worth reading.

You knew, before you left London, that the French
Government had agreed to remove every French
soldier from the soil of Belgium before the 30th. I
have since had a long letter from Leopold, who, on his
part, has written to the French Government to say
that he finds the presence of French troops no longer
necessary, and therefore desires that they may be
withdrawn. I had a long conversation, and a very
satisfactory one, yesterday, with General Baudrand,
and I really see a better prospect of bringing these
matters to a good conclusion than we have yet had, if
everything is not thrown into confusion by the rejec-
tion of the Reform Bill in the House of Lords. In

48—2

276 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [sept.

that case I will answer for nothing — neither for internal
nor for external peace. I hear there is a good deal of
dissension in the camp of the enemy, and I hope there
are not madmen enough in the House of Lords to
produce a majority on the second reading, which would
produce a series of the most fatal consequences.

Your Capo d'Istria* has thrown everything into
the greatest confusion in Greece. There is now a
decided civil war in that country ; and from all I hear
it is chiefly owing to his fault. I am not indisposed,
however, to make allowance for the difficulty of
governing such a people.

How I wish I could have stayed to hear what you
were going to say the other night, when my carriage
came to the door ! Will you write it ? but not unless
it is something very kind. I am summoned to the
Cabinet, God bless you, dearest Princess,

Ever yours,

P.S. — I am going to Sheen to-night, and hope to
be able to stay till Monday.

To Earl Grey.

Oxford,

Wednesday, Sept. \a^th, 1 831.

Here are a few lines from Oxford, my dear
lord ; I begin my letter here, and shall probably finish
it elsewhere ; but as you promised to bear me in mind
to-day, I wished to prove to you that I think of you
wherever I may be.

* He was still President of Greece. On October 9 following he was assas-
sinated by a Mainote, whose brother he had imprisoned.

i83i.] THE CORONATION DINNER. 277

In Spite of several things your King said the
other day (which certainly would have been far better
left unsaid*), he pleased me much at the dinner by his
sensible remarks on the news from Paris. He thinks,
as I do, it is most desirable that we four Powers
should all appear to France as holding together, and
of good intelligence one with the other. Recent
experience has already confirmed the truth of this.
As soon as it was seen in Paris that England, at the
head of the three other Powers, had both force of
will and firmness of purpose, the French Cabinet
yielded. This plainly shows, as I have always been
telling you, that they fear you, and that you can always
obtain what you will ; also that giving in only renders
them more exacting, while a little energy will command
everything. At the present moment, by your dignified
and firm attitude, you have obtained an immense
result in the preservation of peace, at the same time
preserving intact the honour of England. I congratulate
you with all my heart, for it is a very great triumph.

Cheltenham^ Wednesday evening. — This is such a
pretty place. Were you ever here, my dear lord ?
Let us both come here next summer. You have no
idea how charming, picturesque, and mysterious the
place is ! I found the Grand Duchess better. To-
morrow we leave again, and I shall arrive early on
Friday at Richmond. If you could manage to come
and see me that day you would be certain to find me.
I have not another moment, so good-bye.

Trust me, and do not forget me.

* At the Coronation dinner at St. James's Palace. See Greville's ' Diary,*
ii. 193, for some of his Majesty's remarks.

278 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [sept.

[On September 8, after two days' assault, Warsaw was taken by
Marshal Paskievitch. The Polish insurgents fell back on Modlin.]

September \()th, 183 1, \\ p.m.

Dearest Princess,

The enclosed contains the substance of the
intelligence which has been received to-night. It will
probably have reached you from other quarters, but
there can be no harm in my sending you news of this
nature, even if you should already have received it.

Yours,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Saturday, Sept. \']th.

It was your note, my dear lord, which gave us
the first news of the taking of Warsaw. I received it
this morning on waking. Nothing could have been
more agreeable to me, and I assure you the pleasure
was much enhanced by the fact of the news having
reached me first through you. A thousand grateful
thanks and my warmest regards.

[September 19 the Reform Bill was read in the Commons a
third time, without discussion, and finally on the 21st was passed,
after three nights' debate, by a majority of 109. On the 22nd the
Bill was carried to the Lords, and the second reading was fixed for
Monday, October 8.]

To Earl Grey.

Panshanger,

Monday, Sept. \(jth, 183 1.

I have absolutely nothing to tell you, my dear
lord, but I wish to call myself to your recollection, and

18.31.] THE RUSSIANS TAKE WARSAW. 279

repeat again how much pleasure you gave me the other
day in being the first to announce news of so much
interest to me. Since then the Berhn newspapers have
given us details showing the Polish defeat to have
been even more complete than appeared at first sight.
Thank God we may now look upon this business as
finished ; but sad it is that so much blood should have
been needlessly spilt, though Marshal Paskievitch did
all that lay in his power to prevent it.

And now pray send me some news from London, for
since I am at rest about Poland, I can throw myself
entirely into your Parliamentary interests. I am most
impatient and curious to know how the House of
Lords is going to behave. I shall be here the whole of
this week, while our ddmSnagenient to Ashburnham
House is going on. Next week I shall be partly
in London, partly at Richmond, and towards the end
probably at Windsor. Cannot you come here for one
day ? It is all so beautiful, and green as in the month
of June.

Good-bye, my dear lord. I remind you to write to
me ; it will be a real act of charity, as well as a great
pleasure. A thousand regards.

[In Paris mobs assembled, on September 16, 17, and 18, for the
purpose of expressing indignation at the failure of the Polish insur-
rection, and at the part the French Government were supposed to
have taken in bringing about this result.]

To Earl Grey.

Panshanger,

Sept. 22nd, 1831.

What has happened to you, my dear lord ?
Why have I not one single line in answer to the letter

28o THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [sept.

which you ought to have received on Monday ? Not
one word of remembrance ! I am resting here, am
quite alone, and am very sorry you are not here with
me. What do you think of events in Paris ? Do
you consider them serious, or will they all come to
nothing, as such tumults have so often done before ?
In any case, they are becoming a seriously bad habit !
Is it true, and can it be possible, that the Belgian
army is going to be organized by French officers,
remaining in the French service and wearing the
French cockade ? I really did not expect that Belgium
would have so quickly become a French province.

We consider the Polish affair finished, thank God.
The conclusion has been long in coming, but it could
never have been different from what we now see.

When is the second reading of the Bill to come
on in the Upper House ? As far as I can gather,
everyone is making a mystery of how he will vote
on this occasion, which seems to prove that no general
understanding has yet been come to.

I shall be in town on Monday, and at Ashburnham
House. Where shall you be ? Good-bye, my dear
lord. Do not leave me so long again without a letter.
I was better off when you were at Howick. I should
be angry were I not rather hurt at your neglect.

A thousand regards.

Downing Street,

Se/i. 2^rd, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

You have, indeed, a right to reproach me.
Much as I have been occupied, much as I have

1831.] AFFAIRS IN FRANCE. 281

been annoyed by many vexations, both public and
private, I ought not to have omitted to write to you.
I have intended every day to do so ; and every day
and almost every hour, when I might have hoped for a
leisure moment, something has occurred to prevent
me.

I never passed such a morning as that of yesterday.
I was never left alone one moment from nine in the
morning till five in the afternoon, when I went to
the House of Lords more dead than alive. Yet I had
nothing to write that could have excited in you the
slightest interest. You care for nothing but politics. I
am not, however, quite sure, from something I have
heard, that you may not have other interests. They
are remote from me, however, and as to politics, I
really have heard and know nothing that you must
not have heard from other quarters.

I begin to hope that the French Government will
weather this storm. The peace of Europe depends
upon it. If they do, they will be so much the stronger,
as every Government is from an attack that fails. I
see you have read Pozzo's despatches. Don't take
your opinions from him. He sees everything through
the medium of his hatred of France ; and would,
if left to himself, plunge Europe in a war. We must
not be too captious as to any circumstance which might
furnish some cause of complaint. With patience and
forbearance, and without any sacrifice of national
honour, I have strong hopes that peace may be
preserved ; and remember, if you urge matters in a
hostile tone, without any pressing necessity, we are not
with you. Perhaps the case may be different if the
Duke of Wellington succeeds, as he hopes to do, in

282 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [sept.

his opposition in the House of Lords ; if he does, woe
to Europe !

I saw Palmella the other day. You may easily
imagine the object of his interview. If my hands
were free, I might, perhaps, have answered him more
satisfactorily.

The accounts from Lisbon are worse and worse. ^'"
And yet it seems that Don Miguel is supported by the
priests and a considerable portion both of the nobility
and the people. He could not otherwise stand an hour,
and this consideration adds much to the difficulty
of the question.

I am going back to-day to Sheen, and hope to stay
there at least till Monday. On Monday se'nnight our
war begins. When and how will it end ?

God bless you.

To Earl Grey.

London,

Monday y Sei)t. 26th, 183 1.

I have this moment arrived, my dear lord, and
only last night did I hear at Panshanger from Lord
Palmerston of the sad loss of your grandchild. f That
charming little Lambton was the pet of everyone. I
cannot tell you how grieved I feel, and how deeply I
sympathize with the sorrow this must have caused
you.

Household matters detain me here, and I shall
only be able to go to Richmond to-morrow. I shall

* Since August 21 insurrection had broken out in Portugal in favour of the
Queen, Donna Maria, and the Civil W^ar was now at its height.

+ Lord Durham's eldest boy, Charles, born in January, 1818, died Septem-
ber 24, 1 83 1.

1831.J THE FRENCH MINISTRY. 283

Stop for a moment in passing East Sheen, when I
hope you may be able to see me. The fresh air and
the quiet life at Panshanger have done me much good.
This week I shall have many things to tire me in
addition to my usual daily work. I have heard no
news in town, only great anxiety everywhere expressed
as to what will happen next week in the House of
Lords. The Tories are very ill-advised in forcing on
a division. I am surprised that the sensible men of
their party should allow themselves to be drawn into
this.

You are mistaken, my dear lord, when you accuse
me (as in your last letter) of taking my opinions from
Pozzo's despatches. I did not even know any had
been received, as my husband had not been at Pans-
hanger since last Monday. Neither do I discover the
resemblance you find between my views and those of
Pozzo ; but if, without collusion, Pozzo and I have
come to the same opinion, I think this says somewhat
in favour of the correctness of our judgment, because
really I do not see any probability that he and I should
simultaneously have arrived at a like senseless con-
clusion. I am delighted at the way in which the
Ministerial crisis in Paris has happily ended, and I
trust that it will be the same with you next week.

If you do not see me to-morrow, kindly write me a
line, and tell me if you will be at Windsor towards the
end of the week. How is poor Lady Durham .'* I
grieve to think of her. Adieu, my dear lord,
A thousand kindest regards.

284 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [SEPT.

East Sheen,

SeJ>i. 28/ A, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I was very sorry to have missed you this
morning. As you said you would call here on your
way from London, I thought you would probably be
late, and I was obliged to go to my poor daughter and
Lambton. Our first interview yesterday was dreadful.
I shall never forget it while I live. To-day they were
more composed ; but it is a blow not to be recovered.
Why did it fall on this heavenly boy, whilst I and so
many others, who would be no loss to the world, are
spared ? I can think of nothing else, and am quite
unnerved for the battle that I have to fight. God

bless

you.

Ever yours most affectionately,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Wednesday evening, Sept. 28th, 1 83 1.

My dear Lord,

I have had a visit from Lord Aberdeen to-day,
and his language is that of a man pretty sure of a
majority next week. However, he declares that if it
should be the Government who get the majority, the
Tories will then throw up the game, and go away for
the shooting, because they see no possible amendment
to the Bill that it would be worth their while staying
on for. He met Palmella at my house, which was a
little bit awkward. I imagine that if you are not in
the House of Lords, he will put no question about For-

1 83 1.] LORD ABERDEEN. 285

tuguese affairs. Lord Aberdeen considers it impos-
sible that you should resign, even though the Bill were
thrown out.

Your sorrow, my dear lord, still weighs upon me,
I have felt sad all day ; I called at Sudbrook this
afternoon. Good-night, and au revoir ; it would give
me such pleasure if you could write me a few lines
Friday or Saturday to Ashburnham House. I am
already settled there. I want to hear how you are.

A thousand regards.

Sept. 2,0th, 1831.

A thousand thanks, dearest Princess, for your
kind note of yesterday. I am very well in health, but
I cannot shake off this dreadful affliction. Every time
I see my poor daughter renews it. There is in her
countenance a sweet and affectionate expression of
meekness and resignation, with a look of inexpre^ible
anguish which breaks my heart. Poor Lambton, too,
is very bad ; and I shall feel no mitigation of my
anxiety about them till they are returned home from
the dreadful ceremony which is to take place next
Friday. Forgive me for saying so much about the
melancholy circumstances of this family, but my mind
is so weakened that I can divert it to nothing
else.

If Aberdeen expects me to retain the Government
after a defeat on the Bill, what is the object of his
measures ? Does he think that a revival of the
question in the next Session, with all the intermediate
agitation, will be to the advantage of the country, or of
any party in it ? Listening only to their desire to

286 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [oCT.

embarrass the Government, they really do not see
what. they are doing. God bless you.

Ever yours,

[Monday, October 3, the debate commenced in the Lords on the
second reading of the Bill. It lasted the whole of that week, and on
the morning of Sunday, October 8, the second reading was rejected
by forty-one votes.]

To Earl Grey.

Ashburnhatn House,

Oct. 6th, 1 83 1.

I am in my new house, my dear lord, but in
such a state of chaos that with difficulty even do I
find a sheet of paper on which to write ; and I should
not have attempted it to-day had I not been urged
thereto by some business for the Grand-Duchess.
At a time such as this letters and my affairs are really
out gf place ; but you must know the anxiety I always
feel, remembering the interest I take in all that regards
you.

To return, however, to my Grand-Duchess. Her
departure is decided upon, and she now claims the
fulfilment of the promise you were good enough to
make, some six weeks or two months ago, when
she asked you if it would be possible for the British
Government to convey her in a steam -packet to a port
of either Germany or Sweden. You at that time
replied affirmatively, adding, ' Provided always that
the time of year allowed of it, and that we were not
at war.' As neither of these provisos would at the
present moment militate against us, I write to know if
you would kindly promise us your interest to obtain

1 83 1.] THE BILL DEFEATED IN THE LORDS. 287

a Government steam-packet to convey her Imperial
Highness to Hamburg. She would wish to set out
on her journey, and embark on the 21st of this month.
Kindly let me have a word from you on this subject,
addressing your answer to Ashburnham House. Your
speech in the House of Lords was splendid ; they say
that Lord Lansdowne also spoke very well yesterday.
So the Duke of Wellington is prepared to bring in a
Reform Bill of his own !

Good-bye, my dear lord. How much I have felt
for you this last week, with all your fatigue, and
worry, and various troubles ! What is to come
next ?

Ever yours most truly,

Oct. %th, 1 83 1.

It is too true, dearest Princess, that we have
been beaten by a majority more than double of what I
expected. What comes next ? That is a question I
cannot yet answer. But I am quite satisfied with my
position. We had a most triumphant debate, and I
think it will not be long before the Tories repent what
now, probably, fills them with exultation."^*

To Earl Grey.

[Richmond],

Alottday, Oct. loih, 1831.

I am hungry and thirsty to see you, my dear
lord. Is there any hope for to-morrow, or the day
after ? — at any time or hour you like to name. I come
in every morning to Ashburnham House. Let me

* The letter ends abruptly.

288 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [oCT.

find a few words there to-morrow answering me on
this point. All the Tories say you ought to resign,
and this appears to me the most conclusive reason
why you should stay in. Everything will, I think,
settle down soon. The Grand-Duchess appreciated
very sincerely your kind conduct with regard to her
request for the steam-packet, and I, too, cannot
sufficiently thank you.

Adieu, my dear lord. Pray come and see me ; at
all events, do not forget me. I hope you are keeping
well.

[A vote of confidence in Ministers was carried by Lord Ebrington
in the House of Commons on Monday, loth, by 131 votes. Lord
Althorp then declared that ' the Government did not propose making
any other proposition to the House.']

OcL wth [1831].

Dearest Princess,

A Cabinet at two, and the House of Lords at
five, make it impossible for me to call on you this
morning. I am, however, most impatient to see you,
though I am told you are become a decided Tory ;
and I am not satisfied with what I hear of your
proceedings in the Conference. As to the Tories,
begging your pardon, they seem to me to conduct
themselves like men whom God had deprived of
understanding for their destruction. Lord Howe's*
resignation has been accepted.

In haste, dearest Princess,

Yours most affectionately.

Grey.

Queen Adelaide's chamberlain.

1 83 1.] THE GRAND-DUCHESS HELENE. 289

To Earl Grey.

Ashburnham House,

Tuesday [Oct. lii/i, 1831].*

Thanks, my dear lord, for your note. Choose
your own hour to-morrow for coming to me ; but,
meanwhile, have the goodness to answer by one line
the following question. The Grand- Duchess arrives
on Thursday evening. Can you come and dine with
us Friday, in town, to meet her ? I must have your
answer immediately for making arrangements. Should
Friday be inconvenient, shall I fix my dinner for
Saturday or Sunday ? Decide ; but, for goodness'
sake, let me hear from you to-day, if it be possible.

I laughed heartily at the accusation of having
become a Tory. People would have to be very clever
ever to know whether I am Whig or Tory. I only
display one colour — that is, yours. I am Grey, and I
defy them to convict me of anything else. With
regard to the Conference, I do not belong to it ; but
I repeat and maintain that all will go well if England
and Russia keep on good terms, because, though
France may cause embarrassments, she will always
have to yield when we show ourselves seriously
resolved upon carrying anything through. Now, it
is impossible that Russia should desire anything that
is not just, or anything that would not be even more
in the interests of England than in that of any other
Power.

One word in answer, pray, about the dinner.
Always yours, in most faithful friendship.

* Docketed in error October 12.
VOL. II. 49

290 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [ocT.

Oa. 12///, 1831.
Dearest Princess,

I did not get your note till last night. I have

no dinner-engagement this week ; but there is always

danger of the House of Lords, on any day except

Saturday and Sunday. Either of these days would

suit me perfectly well, but I should prefer Saturday ;

and . I shall think myself much honoured by being

presented to the Grand-Duchess.

The majority in the House of Commons, and
Lord Althorp's declaration, have quieted the mind of
the public here, and I hope will have the same effect
in the counties. But there have been some very
unpleasant occurrences at Derby and Nottingham.^"'
I am most afraid of Scotland ; but I trust they will
be quiet there, in the expectation of a new Bill. If
we had resigned, I don't know what would have
happened. Lord Howe, you know, is out, and furious.
God bless you.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Yours most affectionately,

Grey.

Downing Street,

Oct i^th, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I enclose a letter which I received last night
from Sir James Graham, t from which you will learn
the opinion of the Sea-Lords of the Admiralty with
respect to a voyage up the Baltic at this season. If
the Grand- Duchess determines, after all, to go, we

* Riots took place in both these towns. At Derby the gaol was carried by the
mob, and at Nottingham the castle (belonging to the Duke of Newcastle) was
burnt to the ground. t First Lord of the Admiralty.

1 83 1.] THE TWENTY-FOUR ARTICLES. 291

must hope that her good fortune will carry her in
safety to Cronstadt ; but it really is too great a risk.
The vessel she goes in will not be able to return till
after the winter. I really was unable to go to you-
last night, having had a dinner at home, and being

quite worn out.

Ever yours,

Grey.

[Parliament was prorogued October 20, and it was announced
that the Reform Bill would be reintroduced after the conclusion of
the recess, with such amendments as might be necessary.

On October 1 1 the London Conference on Belgian affairs issued
Twenty-four Articles, by which Limburg was ceded to Holland, and
Walloon Luxemburg to Belgium, and the latter country was to pay
8,400,000 florins a year towards the debt. With great reluctance the
Belgians accepted these altered conditions.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Mo7iday, Oct. ^ist, 183 1.

I cannot go and see you, my dear lord, for I
am not at all well to-day ; and besides, the Duchess of
Cumberland has sent to me to say that she is coming
here, so that I am most stupidly kept a prisoner at
home. But I must have some news of you. How
is your head, and have you dismissed the leeches ?
I left you much too early last night, but it was not my
fault. My husband pressed me to go, thinking we
were somewhat in the way, as you seemed far from
well.

I promised to send you the letter [from the Duke
of Wellington], Here it is ; but pray return it to me
by my groom. I have read it over once again, and
ended by understanding it, although the subject interests

49—2

292 THE END OF THE POLISH INSURRECTION. [ocT.

me but slightly. He thinks Belgium has been too
favourably dealt with.

Adieu, my dear lord, I regret another day passing
without seeing you, and hope nothing will prevent my
going to you to-morrow.

East Sheen,

Ocf. 31J/, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

I am very much disappointed at not seeing
you to-day, as I was at your going away so soon last
night, for which I think your excuse a very bad one.
I hope I am a little better, but not much ; though I
had a much better night. I have escaped the leeches.

The Duke of Wellington's meaning is clear enough,
but his objection can only proceed from a desire to
find fault. If he knew the details, of which he con-
fesses himself to be ignorant, he would hardly contend
that we have given too small a portion of the debt to
Belgium ; and I shall be very glad if the advantages
of the internal navigation can be considered as a fair
equivalent for the 600,000 florins with which the
Belgians were charged, without any reason that I
could see. I return the letter. We have very bad
accounts of riots at Bristol, which were still going on
when the accounts came away.

Ever most affectionately yours,

[The riots at Bristol began October 29, and continued for three
days before order was again restored. A great part of the city was
set on fire, the Bishop's palace and the Mansion House were both
burnt to the ground, the prisons were broken open by the mob and
the inmates liberated, and it was estimated that above five hundred
persons in all were killed by the military or perished in the course of
the riot.]

[ 293 ]

CHAPTER VI.

THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL.

The Conferences on Belgium — Correspondence between Lord Grey and Mr. H.
Drummond — Riots at Lyons — The King of Holland refuses the Twenty-four
Articles — Donna Maria and Don Sebastian — The Cholera — The Speech from
the Throne and the Address — The Third Reform Bill introduced into the
Commons — Obstinacy of the King of Holland — M. Ouvrard — Arrival of
Prince Adam Czartoryski — The Second Reading of the Bill carried — Delay
of Russia in the Ratification of the Twenty-four Articles — Prince Czartoryski
dines with Lord Grey; Remonstrances of Princess Lieven — Correspondence
on this Subject ; Case of General Alava cited — Unsettled State of France —
The Bill in Committee — The King of Holland refuses to recognise King
Leopold — Mission of Count Orloff to the Hague and London — Lord
Harrowby and the ' Waverers ' — Prince Polignac's Pamphlet — The Bill read
a Third Time ; it is carried to the Lords — The Second Reading carried in
ihe House of Lords; the Bill in Committee — Count Orloff and the Queen — The
Russian Ratifications arrive — The Council summoned to consider these —
Lord Grey's Brother made Bishop of Hereford — Count OrlofTs Departure —
The Settlement of the Belgian Question — Lord Lyndhurst's Motion ; Defeat of
the Government — Lord Grey resigns — The Duke of Wellington unable to
form an Administration — Conduct of Sir R. Peel — Death of M. Casimir
Perier — Lord Grey resumes Office — The Reform Bill passes the Committee
in the House of Lords — Is read a Third Time, and receives the Royal
Assent — The Czar's Opinion of Lord Grey — Lord Grey's Speech in the
House of Lords — Riots in Paris, on the Occasion of General Lamarque's
Funeral.

To Earl Grey.

Dec. 1st, 1831.

My DEAR Lord,

Neither yesterday nor to-day have we met.
This is very bad fortune. Thanks, however, for your
little note.'"" My husband was well satisfied with yester-

* Missing, There are. no letters preserved of the month of November, 1831.

294 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [dec.

day's Conference. Assuredly he is not one of the
party which regards with uneasiness the various
changes which have taken place of late. On the
contrary, in this present instance political interests
being at one with his personal predilections, he looks
forward with pleasure to being associated with you in
this business,* in all hope and confidence of ultimate
success. He is sincerely happy to see you again ; you
will meet him to-day at the Levee, and he will keep the
appointment with you to-morrow at one o'clock — in
Berkeley Square, I presume.

The King was in excellent spirits yesterday,
and more than usually cordial to me, talking of
various matters, questioning me about Palmerston,
mentioning you several times ; and though he ex-
pressed no positive opinion, he seemed to me, from
incidental remarks, to be much more kindly disposed
towards you than he was the other day. The Queen
was equally cordial ; she gave me a long account of
the dinner of the day before yesterday. The King
mentioned that he had seen the Duke of Wellington
yesterday at half-past four. What is the meaning of
such repeated visits ? The King asked me if I
had seen you ; I said, * Yes, within the last few days.'
The Duke of Cumberland observed that you had not
been to the House of Lords yesterday, when the
King remarked that you had much to occupy you.
Such is my report. On the whole I feel more satisfied
with the general aspect of affairs. The King does
not like Lord Holland. I w^onder why.

Adieu, my dear lord. I shall expect a line the day
after to-morrow to say when you can come to see me.

* The Conferences on Belgium.

1 83 1.] MR. DRUMMOND'S LETTER. 295

It is a long- time to wait. We were to have dined
on Monday with Falck, but the King has sent to
invite us for that day. What answer is there from
Rosslyn ?

Adieu once more, and a thousand regards.

Downing Street,

Dec. ■^rd, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

Your note, which I received last night, did
my heart good, for I really began to think that you
had determined to leave me off, having heard that
you were in town on Wednesday without taking any
notice of me. This prevented my writing, not that I
had anything to say, or any inducement to write,
except the pleasure of communicating with you. I
should have wished, however, to have said something
about my late correspondence with Mr. Drummond,*
and to explain to you the state of the case. I enclose
the paper which the Duke of Richmond was com-
missioned to read to him, and which produced the
letter which you have now in the papers. I did not
take this step without consulting those on whose
judgment I could rely, as I have passed the age when
men are sometimes prompted to get into a quarrel,
for the sake of being talked of ; it was not, therefore,
till I had opinions, on which I relied more than on my
own, that I called on Mr. Drummond for explanation.
Let me have the satisfaction of knowing that you

* The correspondence between Lord Grey and Mr. Henry Drummond was
published in the Times of December i, 1831, prefaced by a letter from ihe Duke
of Richmond. Mr. Drummond apologized for the expressions he had used.

296 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [dec.

think I did right ; but do not conceal it if you have a
contrary opinion.*"

I know little more of Lyonsf than you will see in
the papers. That affair was clearly unconnected with
any political object, and everything seems now to be
quiet ; but the comments may appear subject to some
criticism.

The French Government have entered into a
convention with us for a mutual right of search,
confined, of course, to vessels of war, and for a limited
time, for the more effectual abolition of the African
slave-trade. This is a great point with us, and one

* \^EnclosHi-e.'\

Lord Grey has read with great pain and surprise a letter in the Times of this
morning, dated Albury Park, November 26, and signed Henry Drummond, in
which the following passage appears :

' The passions of all ranks have been excited by Lords Grey and Brougham
against the ministers of religion, and the hereditary counsellors of the King who
opposed them, in order that the upholders of our ancient institutions might be
intimidated into becoming accessories to their new constitution ; and it is vainly
imagined that the labouring classes will submit to be discarded, and to sink again
into their former degradation as soon as they shall have served the purpose of
these profligate politicians.'

Lord Grey claims no exemption from the censure to which every public man is
exposed, but he has a right to expect that such censures shall be so expressed as
not to attack his private character or honour. A charge of exciting the public
mind would have given him no cause of offence, such a charge, made generally,
not necessarily implying any improper motive. But Lord Grey cannot help feeling
that the line which ought to regulate the conduct of one gentleman towards
another, even in the utmost heat of political contention, has been transgressed
when he is accused, not only of having excited the public feeling against the
ministers of religion and the hereditary counsellors of the King, but of having
done so designedly for the purpose of intimidation, and that he is further held up
to the public as a profligate politician. Lord Grey would fain hope that the ex-
pressions of which he complains may have escaped Mr. Drummond in a moment
of irritation, and that he may have published them without sufficient time for
reflection. He trusts, therefore, that Mr. Drummond will see the propriety of
giving such an explanation of them as may obviate the effect which they must
necessarily produce on the minds of all who may read them.

f Riots at Lyons began on November 21, and during their course six hundred
lives are said to have been lost. The riots, it was said, were brought on by the
example set by the Bristol mob.

1831.] THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. 297

which it was said the French never would consent to.
I am busy preparing the Speech for Tuesday, which I
do not find so easy, as it will perhaps appear, when
the thing is done.

God bless you ; love me a little, and believe me
ever, dearest Princess,

Yours most devotedly,

Grey.

[Parliament was to meet again, after the recess, on December 6.]
To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Mottday, Dec. ^th, 1831.

I only received your letter, my dear lord, on
Saturday night. Yesterday there was no means of
sending a letter to London, so you cannot receive my
answer before to-day. To begin with, a thousand
thanks for all your kind wishes. I truly appreciate
what you say, and indeed deserve the affectionate
regard you have for me. Your chivalrous conduct
with regard to Mr. Drummond is quite to my taste.
In matters of this sort one always does well to be even
over-scrupulous ; and I would further add that in this
case I do not consider that you have in any way
exaggerated the heinousness of the offence. You have
acted very nobly, and secured for yourself a vantage
ground that places you beyond the reach of future
attack, and shields you from subsequent annoyance.
If, then, my appreciation be of value to you, believe
me, it is entirely yours.

It is with regret that I see this 6th of December
approaching, for to you the date will be fraught with
endless worries. I will try to come to town one day

298 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [dec.

this week, and will let you know beforehand, so that
we may meet. Last Wednesday, by the way, I came
to town with Arthur,* for the dentist, and for nothing
else, and after changing horses returned here at once.
I did not see a single soul.

My dear lord, diplomacy asks at your hands a
favour that is granted in every other country. Now
that they have put up a gallery in the House of Lords,
could there not be a limited space reserved for foreign
Ambassadors and Ministers, where they might come
when it pleased them to hear the debates ? Do bear
this in mind ; my request is most disinterested, for you
do not admit ladies, and my husband cares little for
such matters. I am therefore begging in the interests
of Europe in general. Whilst on the subject of Ambas-
sadors, have you remembered Falck ? I am very
anxious you should accomplish this good work. From
a political point of view, also, it is a question on which
the Tories will otherwise seek to annoy you. They
maintain (as I believe you do also) that Holland is asso-
ciated with a brilliant epoch in the history of England
which it would be a shame for this country to forget.
And Falck represents Holland. I beseech you do not
lose sight of this. Only show Palmerston that you are
truly interested in the matter 9.nd he will certainly then
come round to your view.

Are you aware how completely the King of the
Netherlands has led astray his son, as well as his
subjects ? The Prince of Orange writes me most
vehement letters.t Truly these Dutch, with the ex-

* Her son.

f The Dutch King still refused to accept the Twenty-four Articles, embodied
in the Protocol of November 15. All the Powers (except Russia) had recognised
the kingdom of Belgium, and had ratified the act of the London Conference.

1831.] DONNA MARIA AND DON SEBASTIAN. 299

ception of Falck, have most thoroughly mistaken all
the acts of the Conference.

Since I have been here alone and at leisure, I have
allowed my thoughts to run on all sorts of political
questions. Amongst others, on your intentions with
respect to Portugal. I do not know what you have
done, or what you may intend to do ; but since, in
order to promote success, it would be very desirable to
keep Spain on your side, be assured that one means of
gaining her is 7io^ to negative the hope of an alliance
between Donna Maria and Don Sebastian. I am
aware this is not to your taste, but do not say ' No ' to
it ; because with such a bait hung out the Princess de
Beira, Don Sebastian's mother — the most intriguing
and active woman in Madrid — would help you in your
projects for getting rid of Don Miguel, and would work
with all good-will for success in this matter. I think I
am right in my advice, for this woman is all-powerful.

You see, I have time on my hands at Richmond.
I know nothing about the Tories, except that they
hold their conclave to-day ; that old Eldon has come ;
that Londonderry has sent his proxy to the Duke of
Cumberland, and that he remains down at Wynyard to
prove that there is no cholera at Sunderland,'"

Adieu, my dear lord ; my letter is altogether too
long, especially for a time like this — on the eve of the
meeting of Parliament. However, write me a line in
answer if you have time. Have you seen Niemcewicz ?
What is he going to do ?

A thousand kindest regards.

* The Asiatic cholera had first appeared in Sunderland, and committed great
ravages among the densely crowded and poverty-stricken inhabitants.

300 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [dec.

Downing Street,

Dec. 7M, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I will not tell you how much pleasure your
letter gave me ; you know it too well, and you abuse
your power. Our campaign has opened much better
than I expected : the Address voted neinine dis-
setitiente, and Harrowby declaring that he did not
wish to alter a single word in it, except in one passage,
in which he was clearly right, and in which I at once
adopted his alteration ! The whole tone of the House,
too, on the question of Reform, was very much altered,
and leads me to hope we shall have the concurrence of
many, who before voted against us, on the second
reading.

On the two points of Portugal and Holland, Aber-
deen showed all his factious malignity ; thinking, I
suppose, that the Dutch King wanted encourage-
ment in his resistance ; and, unwilling to lose any
opportunity of annoying the Ministers, even at the risk
of throwing all Europe into confusion, he declared that
the article respecting the navigation of the canals was
so iniquitous and unjust, that it was impossible the
King should ever accede to it ; and he then went into
a description of the unanimous indignation with which
it had inspired all the people of Holland. On Portu-
gal, forgetting all he has written and all he has said,
he again urged the necessity of recognising his dear
Don Miguel, and ascribed all the occurrences of which
we have heard, and have reason to complain, to our
not having done so. You will see, however, both his
speech and my answer, and in the result 1 do not think
he will be found to have gained much for the objects
which he had in view.

1831.] THE KING'S SPEECH. 301

Tell me, and tell me fairly, what you think of the
King's Speech, and of all that has passed upon it. I
cannot describe the satisfaction which your approbation
(and the manner in which it is expressed) of what I had
done with respect to Mr. Drummond gave me. When
shall I see you ? I now hope that my labours will not
be so severe during the sitting of Parliament before
Christmas as I had expected ; and I am not without
hope that, about Saturday se'nnight, I may be able to
return to Sheen for the holidays, God bless you.
Ever most entirely yours.

Grey.

P.S. — Comment va la coquebiche ?

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Thursday, Dec. %th, 1 831.

Many thanks, my dear lord, for your letter of
yesterday, and for the graphic account of your first
debate. I read also what the papers said with much
attention, and I congratulate you on the very conclu-
sive way you answered Lord Aberdeen's attack. My
congratulations, also, on the Speech from the Throne,
which seems to have been very generally and de-
servedly approved. The Session appears to me to
have opened under extremely favourable auspices, and
you ought to feel well satisfied both on private and
public grounds. Your adversaries have considerably
modified their tone, and it is evident that on the
Reform Question the moderate Tories will only oppose
you with regard to details. The number, also, of the
Ultras, whom no considerations can modify, will become

302 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [dec.

SO insignificant as to be swallowed up in the general
mass of those whose desire it is to bring about an
accommodation between the parties. You will then
have achieved a great and difficult work, the whole
honour of which will be yours alone, since it would
certainly never have been accomplished without you.

With regard to foreign policy we must expect
some opposition. So I judge at least from what the
Duke of Wellington told me in a letter received the
day before yesterday. He again mentions the ques-
tion of the navigation of the Scheldt, and characterized
the decision arrived at by the Conference as a 'gross
injustice.' He does not believe it possible that the
two Emperors could sanction a treaty which thus
confirms an injustice. (The King of Prussia he does
not even mention.) He holds that the interests of
Holland, which up to the present time have always
been considered as identical with those of England,
have now been sacrificed by the English Ministry, etc.
Such is the drift of his letter.

The Duchess of Cumberland has lately passed
three hours en tete-a-tete with the Queen, during which
she endeavoured, as usual, to bring forward subjects
connected with domestic policy. But the Queen would
not let herself be drawn into a discussion, and did not
commit herself either by word or sign, being extra-
ordinarily prudent and reserved, and with regard to
the Government, saying not one single word. My
whooping-cough goes on well, and in a few days I
hope to be able to dismiss it from my mind. How
happy you make me by saying you will be back here
in ten days ; this is indeed delightful. Good-bye, my
dear lord.

1832.] THE THIRD REFORM BILL. 303

' Falck, Falck !' such is the burden. of my song.
In truth, public poHcy demands this of you quite as
much as does your personal interest. Reminiscences
such as these must not be wiped out by the Whigs,
and you really must not give the Tories the pleasure
of being more orthodox than yourself in such a matter.
I was delighted to hear from my husband that you
had arranged everything for the comfort of the diplo-
matists when they may wish in the future to hear the
debates. He told me also that you looked well. I
was truly glad to hear this.

Adieu, and a thousand regards.

[The third Reform Bill was introduced into the Commons Monday,
1 2th, and at once read a first time.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Dec. I4t/i, 183 1.

I must congratulate you, my dear lord, on
your success. Your Bill is a great triumph, as also
the reception it has met with in the House of Commons.
Public opinion is certainly with you, and the accept-
ance of your great measure is now assured.

I was more than disappointed at not seeing you on
Sunday, the only day I was in town. I was somewhat
tempted to invite you to dinner, but as you are not
always easy to deal with, I had arranged for a tHe-a-
tete first ; this, however, fell through, and I now
regret not having kept to my first intention. Do give
me some news, for I know absolutely nothing. In
my last letter I asked several questions, to which you
have sent me no answer. What day do you return to
Sheen ? My whooping-cough is nearly gone.

304 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [dec.

Good-bye, my dear lord. Do not take pattern of
length from my letter when you write to me. You
have so much to tell me — all is news to me — whilst I
have nothing to give you but true friendship, which is
already old.

Downing Street,

I^ec. 14///, 1 83 1.

Dearest Princess,

I have just received your note. I really have
nothing new to tell you that you must not know from
other quarters.

The answer of the King of Holland has been an-
nounced, but I have not seen it. If he is encouraged
to hold out, so much the worse for him, and for those
who encourage him. I am told, but I do not believe
it, that you are of this number. The thing is impos-
sible. You have too much regard for me to do what
would be so distressing to me personally, and too
much care for the interests of your country to force
this Government into a close connection with France,
which must be the necessary consequence if any of
the four Powers were to withhold their ratification
of a treaty which their Plenipotentiaries have sub-
scribed.

I do not think Aberdeen will persist in his motions,
as there seems now no probability of the Duke of
Wellington's being able to attend before Christmas.
If he does, never trust me again if I do not make it
the worst day both that he and the King of Holland
ever saw. In the meantime, the great Mr. Ouvrard*

* The celebrated French financier. He had gained much notoriety by attempt-
ing, under Ferdinand VII., to set in order the fiscal affairs of Spain.

1832.] M. OUVRARD. 305.

is expected here every day with some money scheme
which is to set everything right. He mistakes his
men very much if he thinks that any of the present
Ministers will listen to any schemes of this nature.

Prince Adam Czartoryski is also daily expected ;
but this leads to a subject on which I think it better
to be silent.

Our Reform Bill has had the greatest success.
The reformers (not Hunt and Co., for from them I
neither expect nor wish for support, but all reasonable
reformers) are perfectly satisfied, and our reasonable
opponents are at least mitigated by the disposition
which we have shown to conciliate them. Peel broke
out very intemperately, and very injudiciously ; for I
think he could not have intended to place himself in a
position in which he would be given up by Lord Clive,
and supported only by Sir C. Wetherell and the ultra-
Tories. His speech, too, was very bad, and success-
fully answered by Althorp.

I think I have now exhausted all my budget,
except that I have fixed Monday, nothing inter-
vening in the House of Lords, for going back to
Sheen. God bless you.

Ever yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Dec. iSiA, 1831.

My dear lord, you were indeed out of temper
when you wrote to me yesterday, and although I am
convinced the cloud has already passed, I feel none the
less obliged to notice it.

VOL. II. 50

3o6 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [dec.

First and foremost you accuse me of encouraging^
the King of the Netherlands in his opposition, and I,
therefore, am the cause of the non-ratification of the
Treaty ! Truly you invest me with an influence and
an importance that is both curious and novel, such as
would be capable, if exerted, of bringing about the dis-
avowal of all that my husband has effected. . . . Surely
you forget that I am his wife when you repeat to me
such tattle. The conclusion, also, at which you have
arrived is equally strange. Why should the non-
ratification of one of the four Powers throw you into
the arms of France ? Your inclination must indeed
be great if so trifling an incident could entail so grave
a decision. Is England, then, the ancient and puissant
upholder of order and tranquillity of Europe in general,
and of all stable Governments in particular, to make
common cause with a revolutionary Power whose
Government rests on a volcano ? — a Government
which offers no guarantee but that of disorder, which
is incessantly threatening to trouble the peace of the
world, and which is only held in check by the good
understanding that fortunately unites the four other
Powers .'* I might also remind you that France has
ever been the enemy of England, but that truisms do
not gain by mere repetition. My dear lord, do you
really think I can believe you when you thus threaten
me ? For this I should have to forget that you were
an Englishman, a clever man, and, what I have always
believed heretofore, a great statesman. This, then, is
my answer to the first paragraph of your letter.

I pass now to your announcement of the speedy
arrival of Prince Adam Czartoryski. The /acl has
been known to me for the last eight days, also it

i83i.] PRINCE ADAM CZARTORYSKI. 307

was M. Niemcewicz who announced it to M. de
Talleyrand. Your reticence after mentioning his
name necessarily implies this to be a subject on
which it would be impossible for us to agree. You
only brought it forward, then, by way of saying some-
thing disagreeable. The intention is certainly not
flattering to me, but you have not made me angry, my
dear lord, for I have long ceased to be irritated on this
subject. Russia fears no one, for anything that can be
done in the matter of Poland. Only it would be
deplorable were England gratuitously to arouse just
feelings of resentment in the mind of the Emperor,
and thus irritate the susceptibilities of all Russia, instead
of cultivating the cordial relations and the feelings of
sympathy which up to the present time have existed
with us in regard to England. This is a consideration
which, it appears to me, is worth taking into account.

I have left the bonne bouche for the end. It is a
real pleasure to me to know that on Monday you will
again be my neighbour : truly this is the best of good
news. A thousand thanks for letting me know, and,
as ever, I remain faithfully your friend,

[December 17 the second reading of the Bill was carried in the
Commons by 162 votes, being a majority of exactly two to one. The
House then adjourned, for the Christmas holidays, till January 17.]

East Sheen,

Dec. \fjth, 1831.

Dearest Princess,

I came here this evening to dinner, and hoped
to have had the pleasure of seeing you to-morrow ; but
I am summoned to a Cabinet at twelve o'clock, which
obliges me to go to town early, and when I come back

50—2

3o8 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [JAN.

it will be too late to call upon you. But on Wednes-
day morning I promise myself, certainly, the pleasure
of seeing you.

I did not answer your angry note ; in the first
place, because I cannot bear to enter into an adverse
argument with you, and, secondly, because I felt assured
that, upon reflection, you would find that you had been
unjust. I stated expressly that I did hot believe what
I had heard ; and what I said was not in the way of
menace, but a simple statement of what must be the
necessary consequence if the ratification is withheld.
France and England are bound by the treaty which
they have signed, and they must, at all events, ratify
and support it.

You will have seen the effect of the reaction, with
the belief of which the Tories have consoled them-
selves, in the House of Commons. The debate was
as triumphant as the division. The speeches of
Macaulay and Stanley were admirable. The latter
completely destroyed Croker, and Peel could make
no fight after him. I have no news worth writing.
God bless you, and believe me ever,

Yours most affectionately,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Ashburnham House,

[an. 1st, 1832.

It is I, my dear lord, who now have always to
take the initiative. You never send me even a few
lines written spontaneously as of old, and I am obliged
to come and ask questions in order to extract a letter
from you. Such, then, is my reason to-day for writing,

1832.] NEW YEAR'S DAY. 309

and at the same time I wish you many happy returns
of the New Year's Day, which, in London especially,
begins very gloomily. Nowhere indeed does the
prospect appear very brilliant. What will happen
during the next three hundred and sixty-five days ?

We have no messenger as yet. It is evident
they are taking time for reflection ; reflection is
always a wise counsellor, so I do not regret the delay.*
What news from France ? What news from Belgium ?
I see no great harm in Sebastiani's attack of apoplexy;
the Portefeuille is well enough in the hands of
M. Perier. What is Leopold doing ? and what does
he mean to do for the retention of the fortresses }

We had wished to go to Brighton to-day, but the
answer to the King of the Netherlands keeps my
husband in town. I suppose we shall go on Tuesday,
hindrances excepted.

Adieu, my dear lord. How very dull London isf
I have not seen one soul yet, except poor Falck, who is
set fast in his bedroom with rheumatism in all his
joints.

Do not forget me, and believe that I think much
about you.

[East Sheen],

Jan. 1st, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

Thanks, a thousand thanks, for your note ;
and I return your wish with all my heart — many many
happy New Years to you. But it is rather too good
for you to say that you always make les avances.
Recollect, and let me appeal to your conscience whether

* In the ratification of the Twenty-four Articles.

3IO THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [jan.

this is just. I only wish I could have found a disposi-
tion in you to meet the advances which I have always
been making to you, even less than half-way.

The news that we must look for with the greatest
anxiety must come from you. I hope the ratification
will not be withheld. If it is, the consequences must
be what I stated to you the first moment the suspicion
arose. Our part is decidedly taken, and we shall go
through with it. This is of so much more importance,
that I can hardly think of the question of the
fortresses.

I shall be in town to-morrow for a Cabinet ; but I
fear there will be little chance of my being able to call
on you before I return to dinner. On Tuesday I go to
Brighton, where I shall be delighted to meet you, and
I hope you will persevere in your intention of going on
that day. I shall stay there till Thursday or Friday.
We had a good deal of fog this morning, but not
like London. What a pity to leave Richmond at this
time !

Sebastiani had faults, but I am always afraid that
changes may be for the worse. I hope Perier will
take the Portefeuille.

Czartoryski* dined here yesterday. I cannot ex-
press to you how much I feel for him. This feeling
you ought not to object to, and I think you will not.
It is impossible you should not have it yourself. God
bless you.

Ever yours,
G.

* Prince Adam Czartoryski, after narrowly escaping capture by the Russians
at Cracow, had travelled across Germany with a passport given him by Metter-
nich, under the name of ' George Hoffman,' and had arrived in London on
December 22.

1832.] PRINCE ADAM CZARTORYSKI. 311

To Earl Grey.

Ashburnham House,

Monday, Jan. 2nd, 1832.

Your note reached me last night, my dear lord.
Prince Lieven had already been informed during
the day of the honour conferred on Prince Czartoryski
in having been invited to dine at your house to meet
some of the Cabinet ; in consequence of which, my
husband has requested an interview with Lord
Palmerston, to whom he desires to make certain
observations on this subject. My dear lord, this man
whom you, the Prime Minister of England, have just
received with every token of friendship and considera-
tion which you would show to a foreigner of the
highest distinction, is a State criminal, convicted of
high treason against his Sovereign — a Sovereign who
is the friend and the ally of England .... And yet
now, at the conclusion of a whole year of struggle on the
part of the Ambassador of Russia to maintain, working
with England, the general peace of Europe, does this
rebel, guilty of high treason against his Sovereign,
meet with a most flattering and encouraging reception
from the head of the English Government ! My dear
lord, your commiseration with Prince Czartoryski is
most humane. I also pity him, but I pity him for his
errors, and for having been the cause of the loss of so
many thousand lives. But in showing him more than
your pity, you have lost sight of this, namely, that a
statesman is responsible to the public for his several
acts ; that it is neither sympathy nor affection that
ought to dictate his line of conduct, and consequently
that the reception you have given to Prince Czartoryski
might well be regarded as an insult by an ally such as

312 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [JAN.

is Russia. When Lord Grey is Premier of England,
Lord Grey as a private person ceases to exist. Your
actions now are those of England.

I am more amazed than I can express that this
view of the matter should not have presented itself to
your mind. You know me well enough to feel sure
that I could not withhold from you the expression of
what I think ; and from my long and sincere friendship
for you, you must also understand the disappointment
and vexation I feel in reflecting that the first hostile
proceeding on the part of the British Government
against my Court should have come from you — and
that after our nineteen years' residence in your country.
Indeed, you have deeply grieved me.

To - morrow there is a Conference, which will
postpone our journey to Brighton, and I foresee it
will be impossible for us to go there this week. Good-
bye, my dear lord. Let me hear from you. London
is odious ; it is stifling, and I am dull to extinction.

Yours ever,

The Pavilion,

jTan. 4t/i, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I received your letter this morning. I will not
say with surprise, because the account which I had
received from Palmerston of his very extraordinary
conversation with Prince Lieven had prepared me for
it, but with deep regret. To anybody else my answer
would have been short : that it neither became a foreign
Minister to offer, nor me to receive, such a communica-
tion. But to you I cannot write in a harsh and
peremptory tone.

1832.] THE PRINCE DINES WITH LORD GREY. 313

I believe it is the first time that a foreign Minister
has ever assumed a right of questioning a member of
the Government as to the persons he may invite to
dinner ; and the justice of such a pretension, you may
be assured, I never will acknowledge. I must beg
leave to remind you of the perfect fidelity with which
this Government has discharged all the duties arising
from its declared neutrality between the contending
parties ; and, secondly, from its friendly relations with
Russia during the whole course of the conflict in
Poland. I have personally acted on this principle
most carefully. I have avoided as much as possible
all communication with the Polish agents in this
country, and especially with Prince Czartoryski as
long as he was a member of the Government, not
having even acknowledged the receipt of any of the
letters which he addressed to me. You know what
the conduct observed by this Government, and chiefly
by my advice, was upon the propositions made by
France, leading to an interference ; and after this
experience, I think I might have been exempted from
such a representation as Prince Lieven has thought
himself justified in making to another member of the
Government, and not to me, with respect to a matter
which would not have signified a rush, had he not
by this proceeding raised it into importance.

When Prince Czartoryski came to this country, I
saw in him no longer a person in a situation of
authority and opposing a friendly Government — though
if I had, I do not know that it would have made it
necessary for me not to show him a common civility —
but an unfortunate refugee, deprived of all he had,
without having done anything to lower his moral

314 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [jan.

character in my estimation, and entitled, both as a
person I had long known and on account of his
misfortunes, to my personal kindness and attention. It
was in this situation and under these circumstances
that he applied to see me, and that I proposed to
him to come to Sheen and to stay to dine on the
same day on which Palmerston had been previously
engaged to me. And this it is that is magnified into a
hostile proceeding, the first that Russia has received
from England during the long course of nineteen years !
I think I recollect complaints during the Duke of
Wellington's Administration of a much graver cast,
and I sincerely hope that on our side we may not have
much more serious grounds for dissatisfaction. If
we have not, you may be assured that you will never
receive a word of remonstrance or complaint from
me. I certainly am aware of all the duties imposed on
me as a Minister of the Crown, and I hope 1 fulfil
them conscientiously ; at least, I endeavour to do
so. But I cannot admit that I am to be restrained
by them in such a case as this — as to my private
relations in society. Prince Czartoryski's situation
differs in no respect from that of Alava. Both
have been proscribed and condemned as traitors by
the Governments to which they opposed an unsuccess-
ful resistance."^'' But I have not heard that the Spanish
Minister ever ventured to remonstrate with the Duke
of Wellington on his not only inviting Alava to dinner,
but lodging him in his house, when he was the First
Minister of the Crown. If such a remonstrance had
been made, I think we may guess at the sort of answer
which would have been returned. I trust, therefore,

* See note to p. 5, vol. i.

1832.] CORRESPONDENCE ON PRINCE CZARTORYSKI. 315

that I shall hear no more upon a subject on which
I never ought to have heard at all. I must add
that Prince Lieven is quite mistaken in supposing that
my invitation had served as an example to Talleyrand.
Czartoryski had dined there before he wrote to me.

I have found the King looking very well, in spite of
a slight cold, and the Queen quite recovered. I return
to Sheen on Friday.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Yours very faithfully and affectionately.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

London,

Jan. yh, 1832.

I should be too happy, my dear lord, to con-
form with your desire to say nothing further about
Prince Czartoryski, and to drop a disagreeable discus-
sion, were it not that in the present instance I am the
party complaining and aggrieved. However, as nothing
is further from my wish than to go deeper into this
quarrel, I will content myself with merely offering some
brief observations on the subject of your last letter.

The duty of an Ambassador, and which it has
been my husband's earnest endeavour to fulfil during
the long course of his residence in England, is to main-
tain a good understanding and harmonious relations
between the two Courts. And even when it became
no longer possible for him to hold silence with regard
to the fact, that a State criminal had been received with
favour and distinction by the Prime Minister of
England, he still hoped that an amicable and satis-
factory explanation from you might have placed him in

3i6 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [JAN.

a position to mitigate the painful impression this news
must produce at the Russian Court. You did not give
him the opportunity of doing so. As you had already
left for Brighton, and as, moreover, Lord Palmerston
is the Minister with whom an Ambassador is in official
communication, it was naturally to him that my husband
addressed himself.

The comparison that you draw between Alava and
Czartoryski does not appear to me exact. First of all,
Alava was not the chief oi a revolutionary Government,
only a secondary personage and of no individual im-
portance. In the next place, he was a member of a
Government recognised by England, and with whom
diplomatic communications were being carried on
through the Ambassador, Lord Heytesbury.* Thirdly,
Alava and the Duke of Wellington had long been on
terms of the greatest intimacy. Your acquaintance
with Prince Czartoryski is limited, if I mistake not, to
the few weeks of a visit made by him to England in
the year '14 ; and finally, in receiving Alava, the Duke
of Wellington entered into such explanations with the
Spanish Minister as did away with any political im-
portance that might otherwise have been attributed to
the proceeding.

Allow me now, in my turn, to make a comparison.
If M. de Polignac had not so stupidly allowed him-
self to be taken prisoner in France, but had escaped
to England, would you have asked him to dinner ^
Had you done so, do you believe that M. de Talleyrand
would have held his peace ? And even in this instance
the cases are not similar. For M. de Polignac never
conspired against his King ; he never sought to de-

* At that time Sir W. A'Court.

1832.] OTHER CASES CITED. 317

throne him ; he never wa^ed open war against him ;
in fact, M. de Polignac was little more than a fool,
punished according to his folly. My husband never
dreamt of saying that your dinner to Prince Czartoryski
served as an example for M. de Talleyrand to do the
like, since it was well known that from the day of the
Prince's arrival in England he had been received on
intimate terms by the French Ambassador. But what
my husband maintains is, that the reception you have
given to Prince Czartoryski has encouraged M. de
Talleyrand in giving greater publicity to the relations
existing between them ; in consequence of which, too,
he has had him at one of his soirees, to which
several foreign Ministers had been also invited. These
Ministers are the representatives of Courts in friendly
relations with Russia ; they took offence, and have
declared to M. de Talleyrand that it would be impos-
sible for them to accept any invitation for the future,
to go to his house, when Prince Czartoryski was likely
to be present.

I repeat, my dear lord, heretofore we have never
had to complain of any want of consideration arising
from unfriendly feeling on the part of the British
Government. The policy of the Duke of Wellington,
certainly, was hostile to Russia in our war with the
Turks ; still, he never showed lack of courtesy towards
our Emperor. And since no discourtesy was shown,
even at the time when Great Britain was inimical to
our country, why should we meet with unfriendliness
when the politics of the two nations are in perfect
accord ? I leave unanswered the passage in your
letter where you say that ' Czartoryski has done
nothing to lower his moral character in my estimation,'

3i8 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [jan.

which can only mean that you do not disapprove of
what he has done ; you are well able to judge the
impression this must make upon me.

I admit all that you say, my dear lord, with regard
to your very loyal conduct towards Russia during the
struggle in Poland, This is most true and exact.
You have fulfilled your duty as a statesman and a man
of honour scrupulously, and with dignity. You must
have seen how entirely the Emperor has appreciated
your conduct. You know well how sincerely grateful I
have been to you for all this, and it is precisely for this
reason that my vexation has been the greater at seeing
you depart from the judicious line of conduct you had
hitherto adopted.

And now, having said all that is on my mind, I close
the subject with the earnest hope that this disagreeable
discussion may be finished. I feel sure that you will
give me no cause for returning to it ; your good sense
must always, in the long-run, get the better of either
inclination or prejudice. I did not show your letter to
my husband ; it contained expressions which would
have annoyed him greatly. I preferred, as a woman,
to give no occasion for fresh misunderstanding, and I,
therefore, only read out to him a general summary of
its contents. 1 think the last news from Petersburg
must have pleased you ; for though the ratification
would have been still more satisfactory, the Emperor's
message was both wise and conciliatory.

Ouvrard has had an interview with the Duke of
Wellington. On leaving his house he said to some-
one : ' That man is quite broken,'* so greatly was he
struck by the change in him.

* ' C'est un homme demoli.'

i832.] THE NEW PEERS. 319

Good-bye, my dear lord. It is reported that you
have accomplished many and great things at Brighton.
I have seen the Bathursts, who told me that positively
there is to be a new batch of Peers, which appeared
still more to annoy these ladies than did the Reform
Bill. As you are only acting within your rights, it
seems to me that nothing can be said. Heaven knows
when we shall get to Brighton. I am wasting away in
London ; it is really enough to kill anyone.

Adieu once more, and a thousand kind regards.

East Sheen,

Jan, 6th, 1832.

Dear Princess,

I am just returned from Brighton, and have
received your letter. I was in hopes this matter would
have ended with my last letter, and I am not at all
inclined to prolong a very unpleasant correspondence
upon it. But I must say a word : In the first place,
I do not think it is any part of the duty of a foreign
Minister to make inquiries into the dinner-parties
of the Government to which he is accredited, or to
report upon them ; much less into a very private party
in the country, of which nothing need have been
known, if Prince Lieven had not thought proper to
raise a question upon it. At all events, I must protest
against, and never will submit to, such an interference.
I deny, then, the right to make a representation upon
such a subject to the Court of Petersburg, and certainly
you will expect in vain any amicable explanation from
me upon it.

In the next place, you are quite mistaken as
to the fact of my having left town for Brighton

320 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [JAN.

when this communication was made to Lord Palmer-
ston. I was in London at the very moment of the inter-
view, and it would have been as easy for the Prince to
see me as Lord Palmerston after the Cabinet. I beheve
there are not many examples of a foreign Minister
making a complaint against the head of the Ad-
ministration to another member of the Government.
I feel, therefore, that not only the thing itself, but the
manner of it, was such as to give me just cause of
offence.

Thirdly, I cannot admit any valid distinction
between the case of Alava and that of Czartoryski.
The former was in a high situation in the revolutionary
Government, though not its chief, and was a party to
the violence used to the person of the King* in taking
him by force to Cadiz. It is possible the Duke of
Wellington may have given a voluntary explanation to
the Spanish Minister. Of this I know nothing. But
I think I do know the answer which would have been
returned if a complaint had been made of the Duke's
conduct.

Fourthly, Polignac was a person for whom I had
neither friendship nor esteem. There consequently
could have been no question as to my receiving him.
But if it had been otherwise, and Talleyrand had made
a representation upon it, I should have given the same
answer to him that I do to you. As to my dinner
having served as an example and encouragement to
Talleyrand, I must be allowed to doubt the fact. Nor
do I see how a very private family dinner, consisting
only of three persons in addition to the inmates of the
house, could serve as an example for a public one.

■ ' '-' * Ferdinand VII.

1832] ENGLAND AND RUSSIA. 321

Fifthly, I leave you to decide which you would
prefer — a hostile policy (the word used to be une mal-
veillance extreme), accompanied with external regard ;
or a friendly policy, which has been uniform and
faithful, with such a proceeding as you think it right to
complain of.

Sixthly, here your logic is a little at fault. Is it
not possible to reconcile personal regard with a dissent
from personal conduct ? If a person engages in a
contest in which I am satisfied that he has been
influenced by honourable and conscientious motives,
may I not retain all my esteem for him, though I may
think that he has judged ill for himself and for his
country ? Nobody can disapprove more than I do of
the conduct of Lafayette ; but nobody, on the other
hand, can be more convinced than I am that, though
his views may be erroneous, his motives are honest. I
am rejoiced, at least, that you acknowledge that my
conduct towards Russia has been sincere and friendly.
This experience, and some knowledge of my character,
ought, I think, to have protected me against such a
complaint as was made against me. Here, at last, I
hope this discussion will terminate, the more especially
as I fear neither of us is likely to be convinced ; and
as the more this matter becomes a subject of con-
troversy, the more I feel that I have reason to be
offended.

I shall be in town to-morrow for a Cabinet, but
without a hope of being able to call upon you.
Ever, dear Princess,

Most sincerely yours.

Grey.

VOL. II. 51

322 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [jan.

To Earl Grey.

London,

Jan. Ttk, 1832.

You are perfectly right, my dear lord : I am
not in the slightest degree convinced by any single
argument contained in your letter. I feel myself quite
capable of refuting each and all of them ; but I call to
mind, and shall now turn to account, what my old
governess told me when I quarrelled with my brothers
and sisters : ' The least at fault ought to bring the
quarrel to a close.' You must not take offence at this
comparison, nor at the way I apply it. I will only say
in answer to one phrase in your letter — viz., ' certainly
you will expect in vain any amicable explanation from
me upon it ' — that neither my husband nor myself can
take back a word of what we have said.

And I remain ever truly and sincerely yours,

P.S. — It is only from your letter my husband learns
that you were in town on the day of his explanation
with Lord Palmerston. Had he been aware of it,
certainly he would have communicated directly with
you.

To Earl Grey.

London,

fan. lUh, 1832.*

I believe you to bear me no ill-feeling, my
dear lord, since truly I bear none to you. As, then,
we have no longer any quarrel, I ought to keep you
informed of my plans. I leave to-day for Panshanger,

Docketed in error 1833.

1832.] NEWS FROM THE CONTINENT. 323

to remain there three days ; and I expect to return, at
latest, on Sunday. What are you doing ? When
shall I see you again ? What is the news we shall
get at the end of this week from Vienna, from Berlin,
and from France ? We live in strange times, and one
must be stupid indeed to be a prey to ennui. It is
certainly not flattering my vanity to have to confess
that I do suffer from it ; but the fact is deplorably
true. Address your letters to Panshanger. I expect
to go to Brighton after Parliament meets, when
perhaps there will be fewer people there. At any
rate, we may then hope for better weather.

Adieu, my dear lord. Do you not think it possible
that not seeing you may cause me some ennui .'*
A thousand kindest regards.

Downing Street,

/an. nth, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

There never was a person less disposed to
bouderie than I am ; and if I still had any ill-humour
remaining, your note was enough to dissipate it at
once. I am here for a Cabinet, but return to Sheen
to dinner, from whence I shall not return, except I
should be wanted for another Cabinet, till Monday,
when we come to establish ourselves for good. To
say how I hate the prospect of a triste s^jour in this
horrible town is impossible, the more especially as my
constant occupations, both in Parliament and here,
will allow me few opportunities of seeing you. I wish
I could believe that your ennui had been occasioned
by my absence ; but you have never given me much
reason to think that it is of much importance to you,

51—2

324 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [jan.

and you are rather too subject to that feeUng to allow
my vanity to attribute it to myself.

I have no news, except what you will have both
seen and heard from the public papers and from other
sources ; and these certainly show that nothing can be
worse than the present appearances in Paris. The
delay of your ratifications has been most unfortunate.
If a change of Government should take place in France,
whilst the Belgic affair remains unsettled, God knows
what may be the result.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Panshanger,

Saturday, /an. l^h [1832].*

Thanks for your letter, my dear lord. Despite
Parliament, which I detest, I am glad of your returning
to London, for I am condemned to stay there, too. I
return to-morrow, and shall not stir again, except to
go and stay a few days at Brighton, which I shall do
on the first occasion of my husband's being able to
get away for a holiday ; and this, I think, may be at
the end of next week.

The adjournment of the Conference for the ex-
change of the ratifications gives us a little time to
look about us ; and I think that through this delay,
which I might regret for not being longer, all the
Governments will end by doing the same thing at the
same time. This would be an excellent thing, both as
regards the manner and the matter.

, * Docketed in error 1833.

1832.] AFFAIRS IN FRANCE. 325

It appears to me that affairs are calming down in
Paris ; but what a bad state a country must be in,
where at the end of each week the Government is
menaced afresh ! It is impossible to know who to
rely on in France, and who is really master. How
poor Louis Philippe must regret being no longer Duke
of Orleans ! and what a poor business it is being a
King ! I am far away here from all news ; but, then,
far away also from the fogs, which is more than a com-
pensation. The company we have is not remarkable ;
it is mostly made up of young people who sing duets
and trios all the evening.

Adieu, my dear lord. I shall be most impatient to
see you, and I trust you will think of me when first
you have a moment of leisure.

A thousand kindest regards.

[Parliament met on January 17, and immediately proceeded to
business. In the Commons, twenty-two nights' work enabled the
Government to carry the Bill through Committee.]

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Sunday, Jan. 22 w^ [1832].

Your note^' of Friday found me here, my dear
lord. I had not told you of my departure for
Brighton, because, as you seemed to have forgotten
me since your return to London, I imagined that such
information could have but little interest for you.

I have felt some remorse on receiving your note,
as I see by it that you have been unwell, and all my
kindly feelings are reawakened. I hope that you are

* Missing.

326 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [jan.

better now, and that you may find it possible to come
and see me Tuesday or Wednesday. To-morrow I
return to London. I am very well satisfied with my
stay here. The air is good. One becomes indifferent
to all worldly worries ; in short, one breathes and
absorbs philosophy. Truly, there is nothing in this
world I detest more than London, and nothing is to
me more charming than leaving it. I dine every day
at the Pavilion. The King is in excellent health and
spirits, as likewise the Queen. My time there passes
very pleasantly. My husband has left again for London
for another Conference. I rebelled against so short a
holiday, and twenty-four hours extra leave seems to
me quite worth having. What news is there from the
Hague ? I much fear the King of the Netherlands is
not a man to ward off difficulties. There are a great
many Tories here. Up to now I have met no guests
but these at the Pavilion. Indeed, it is only there that
I can take my bearings as to society-
Adieu, my dear lord. It seems so very long since
I have seen you ; it is nearly four weeks ago that we
last met. This is too much.

Very many most faithful regards.

To Earl Grey.

Friday morning [Jan. 27M, 1832].

I have just heard, my dear lord, how trium-
phant for you were both the debate and the division
last night in the House of Lords. I am told you
spoke admirably. I have not yet seen the papers ;
but I cannot delay complimenting you on your success.

1832.] LORD GRETS SPEECH. 327

I am looking forward with impatience to to-morrow,
since you at last promise me a visit ; but let me know
the hour, that I may put off a tiresome visitor who is
threatening me. I have been by no means well since
I came back from Brighton, and I dare not leave my
room.

Adieu, my dear lord. What an eternity of time it
is since I saw you last !

A thousand kindest regards.

/an. z'Jth, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I have kept your servant longer than I
wished, but I was dressing when he arrived. I came
home more dead than alive from the House of Lords,
having been very unwell, and passed the night before
without sleep.

If my speech succeeded, it was by God's
providence ; for I was suffering all the time, and at
last cut off from much that I had to say by mere want
of bodily strength. I long to see you, and will call
to-morrow at three, or as soon after as I can. It
grieves me to hear you complain of your health.

There never was anything like the malignant and
factious spirit of these Tories, and particularly Lord
Aberdeen. I have been hitherto very forbearing,
even last night, though I found some difficulty in
restraining myself ; but let them take care that they
don't at last provoke me beyond my patience.

Ratify ! ratify ! ratify ! there is no other con-
clusion safe or possible. God bless you.

Yours affectionately,
G.

328 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [jan.

To Earl Grey.

Monday, Jan. 2,0th [1832].

I have but this moment heard the news, my
dear lord, of the poor little child's death.* I am pained
to think of the grief that your daughter must be
suffering, and all that you also must feel on her
account.

I have before me a very explicit letter from the
Prince of Orange. The King of the Netherlands will
not recognise Leopold, any more than a year ago he
would agree to recognise his own son as King of
Belgium. It is not possible, therefore, to come to an
understanding with him. This obstinacy is sad work,
and I do not see how matters are to end. I now
the more regret you cannot pause till you learn the
Emperor's view of the matter ; for it is evident that
Russia cannot countenance such extravagant conduct.

They tell me the Duke of Wellington is convinced
your Parliament will not sanction the Treaty ; though
who the authority is for the statement, I do not know.
Truly your Irish are becoming too dreadful ; the
assassination of this poor priest is a horrible act.

Adieu, my dear lord. I trust you and Lady
Georgina do not forget that I expect you both to
dinner on Sunday ; though you, doubtless, I may hope
to see again before then. Lady Jersey was very sweet
yesterday, and very amiable with John Russell.
A thousand kindest regards.

* An infant daughter of Lady C. Barrington.

1832.] THE DUTCH KING'S OBSTINACY. 329

/an. 315/*, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

Many thanks for your note, which I received
last night. The release of the poor little child is
really a blessing. Its life was impossible. My
daughter, though feeling this event as she naturally
must, is going on as well as possible.

If you did not before see that the real motive of
the resistance of the King of the Netherlands was his
determination not to acknowledge the separation of
Belgium, and his hope of recovering it, you have been
slow of conviction. A more decisive conduct on the
part of your Government, and such as (give me leave
to say) we had a right to expect, would have prevented
this mischief This, I hope, may still be done ; but
it can only be done by an exchange of the ratifications.
If you continue to withhold them, the consequences
must be what I have stated from the beginning.

I will call on you the first moment I can, but the
necessity of being in the House of Lords always at
five o'clock abridges my time exceedingly. The
Duke of Wellington's predictions are not always borne
out by the event. Witness his confident assertion
that the House of Commons would never pass the
Reform Bill.

Yours most affectionately,

Grey.

To Earl G^'ey.

London,

Monday, Feb. i-^th [1832].

This morning my husband received despatches
from Petersburg, my dear lord, which inform him

330 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [feb.

that Count Orlofif (general Aide-de-Camp to the
Emperor) is to be sent forthwith to the Hague.

The object of his mission is to prevail on the
King of Holland to accept the resolutions come to by
the Conference, and should he refuse assent thereto,
to declare that Russia gives him no countenance, but
recognises as established facts both the independence
and the neutrality of Belgium. From the Hague
Count Orloff is to proceed to London in order to
acquaint our Plenipotentiaries with the results of his
mission. He is the same individual who managed our
affairs at Constantinople after the Treaty of Adrianople ;
in fact, it was he who signed the Treaty.

I had a long visit from Lord Harrowby yesterday
morning." He talked over the whole question of
Reform with me, in all its length and breadth. His
own views are extremely moderate, and he promises
that there will be a considerable number of Peers who
will follow his lead. He will vote (with the minority)
for the second reading.

The Duke of Wellington has dined with us —
in excellent health, and quite good-humoured, ex-
cept when Harrowby was mentioned. Such, my
dear lord, is my budget of news. I should add that
the pony has arrived, and you have my promise that
the greatest care shall be taken of him. I trust you
have not felt any the worse for your walk of the other
day. To regain your appetite you should repeat the
prescription.

Adieu, my dear lord, and a thousand kindest regards.

* Lord Harrowby was one of the Tory partj' called the ' Waverers,' who were
profoundly impressed with the dangers inseparable from the unconditional rejection
of the Bill, and sincerely anxious to effect a compromise upon it.

1832.] COUNT ORLOFrS MISSION. 331

Downing Street,

I'ei. lyk, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

A thousand thanks for your very kind and
interesting note. The information it gives me is most
satisfactory. I trust Count Orloff will execute his
commission with firmness. Nothing else will bring
that obstinate King to his senses, who runs a great
risk (if it is clearly proved, as it must be, that his real
objection is to the separation of Belgium, and to the
acknowledgment of Leopold) of turning the public,
which has hitherto been in his favour, against him. I
hope the ratification will immediately succeed Count
Orloff's mission, and then the union of the Powers
and the peace of Europe will be established.

I had before no doubt that Lord Harrowby will
support the second reading. But I wish I could know
a little more distinctly who are the persons who
compose ' la longue queue, and what is the real length
and substance of it. The Duke of Wellington's
obstinacy is really inconceivable. It is the effect of
personal feeling, and not of reason.

I hope the pony will suit Prince George ; if not,
you have nothing to do but to send him back to me ;
of his being taken care of I have no doubt. God bless
you.

In haste, yours most affectionately,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Saturday, Feb. \Wi [1832].

I wanted to have written to you yesterday, my
dear lord, but was prevented ; and I do so now to ask

332 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [feb

whether there is any chance of my seeing you either
to-day or to-morrow, and at what o'clock.

How did your meeting with Lord Harrowby go
off? If what the Globe writes be true, matters are now
arranged between you ; but, then, I do not always give
credence to what the papers say. Of our own affairs
we have as yet no news. Have you heard, however,
that they are beginning to talk of a possibility that the
King of Holland will abdicate ?

Good-bye, my dear lord. What abominable
weather ! By the way, how does the cholera get
on ?

Yours ever.

Downing Street,

Feb. \Wi, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

The dinner at the Lord Mayor's, where, by
the way, you and Prince Lieven ought to be — for you
have not once undergone that infliction since I have
been in the Government — prevents the possibility of
my seeing you to-day. To-morrow we have a Cabinet,
and then the House of Lords begins again ; whence,
to judge from what passed yesterday, the acrimony
and violence of the Tories is rising to madness.

My interview with Lords Harrowby and Wharn-
cliffe was marked on both sides by a conciliatory spirit.
More I cannot say at present, and you are quite right
in doubting what appears in the papers on subjects of
this nature. It will be a Pfood thing: for all the world
if the King of Holland abdicates, but I do not think
it likely. I am afraid the Conference has been very
ill-served by the foreign Ministers at the Hague, as

1832.] PRINCE POLIGNACS PAMPHLET. 333

the accounts I hear confirm me more and more in the
belief that they have, by their language and conduct,
encouraged the King of Holland in the resistance
which he has made to propositions which it would
certainly have been his interest to accept. The
cholera seems to make a very slow progress, and I
have great hopes that the alarm will be found to have
been much greater than the real danger, God bless
you, dearest Princess.

Ever most entirely yours,

Grey.

Fe/>. 2Sik, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

The King does not leave town till Friday. I
can send you Polignac's pamphlet if you have not got
it. I have only skimmed it over, but it does not
appear to me worth reading. I had only cast my eye
over the three or four first pages when I mentioned it
to you, which seemed to be better written than I
expected. What news of Orloff ? I begin to be very
impatient.

In haste, dearest Princess,

Yours most affectionately,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Wednesday, Feb. 2^th [1832].

A thousand thanks, my dear lord, for the
information about the King's departure. It was of
some moment to me to know the date of it, for Friday
being the Duchess of Cumberland's birthday, I wanted
to get her to dine with us, which, however, could not

334 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [feb.

be, had the King been leaving that day. I have read
M. de Polignac's pamphlet, and in all that concerns
himself I think it dignified and moderate. The rest
only treats, in a clever way, of what are general
considerations, and of no immediate interest. In point
of fact, I do not consider that he is capable, by himself,
of having written it.

We have no word of Orloff. I think the mails are
delayed. To-morrow we dine with the King. Are
you to be there too ?

The division in the House of Commons yester-
day appears to me well enough,* whatever they may
say, and Peel, by the way, seems to have made a fine
speech.

Adieu, my dear lord. What weather ! It makes
me quite sad.

[March 22 the Reform Bill, having passed the Committee, was
read a third time ; and on the 23rd it finally passed the House of
Commons without a division.

The Bill was introduced into the Lords on the 26th, and the
' Waverers ' publicly avowed their intention of supporting it. The
Bill was read a first time without a division, and April 9 was fixed
for the second reading.]

To Earl Grey.

Wednesday morning, 2%th [March, 1832].

Orloff has arrived, my dear lord. Will you
not be amiable, and come and dine with us to-morrow,
to meet him ? it would give me such great pleasure.
Send me a line in answer. I am in hopes that you
will look in on us for a short time this evening.

* In the division in the House of Commons (February 28), on the Enfranchising
Schedule C, the Government had a majority of eighty.

1832.] THE BILL IN THE LORDS. 335

Your Speech on Monday was perfect, and in my
opinion should insure success to the Bill.

A thousand kind regards.

[April 9 the debate in the Lords on the second reading began, and
lasted over four nights. On the 13th the Government carried the
second reading by a majority of nine votes, and the Bill went into
Committee.]

To Earl Grey.

London,

Saturday, April \^h [1832].

I have let myself be forgotten by you, my dear
lord, all the time that your mind was preoccupied with
your great measure ; but now that the second reading
has been carried, I must really recall myself to your
memory.

And first of all, with all my heart do I congratulate
you on your victory, which is all the more glorious
from your having conquered without a recourse to
extreme measures ; also, as everyone knows, the
honour of resisting the temptation belongs to you
alone. '"'^

I am so grieved for all your fatigues, and trust that*
you will now spend the day resting, and enjoying the
fresh air. I also trust you will not forget that to-
morrow you dine with us.

A thousand friendly regards.

* Lord Durham and Sir J. Graham had persistently urged the creation of
Peers, in order to secure the passage of the Bill.

336 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [APRIL

To Earl Grey.

Panshanger,

April 2.0th [1832].

You left London, my dear lord, without either
coming to see me, or giving me a sign of recollection,
and now we shall probably be separated for a fort-
night."^

I arrived here yesterday with my children. My
husband will be unable to follow me for at least some
days ; but since his illness was in no way serious, and
I hungered for fresh air and quiet, I let myself be
persuaded to abandon him. We are quite by our-
selves here ; there is only Lord John, who goes to
sleep, and so the company is not very animated. But
it is peaceful and quiet, with not a word about politics
or ratifications — all that is left in London.

If Orloff leaves next week, as he intends, I shall
go back to town for two days to see him once more.
I shall regret him, for he is such a good fellow, and
so honest-minded ; both merry and frank-hearted,
having withal a subtle intellect — this last far more than
appears at first sight.

I dined Wednesday with the Londonderrys ; they
gave us a child's play afterwards, very prettily done. I
met the Duke of Wellington, Peel, and Lyndhurst
there, besides the Duke of Cumberland, who appeared
quite cast down and anxious ; the others, however,
were in excellent spirits. The long recess has pleased
everybody, and as I observed to the Duke of Welling-
ton, he must admit that in this matter, at least, the
Whigs do better than the Tories. But now we are

* The Easter recess.

1832.] COUNT ORLOFF. 337

having rain and bad weather, for apparently you did
not arrange matters with the heavens.

Good-bye, my dear lord ; I hope to hear news of
you soon. Do not forget me, and rely on my friendly
regards.

East Sheen,

April list, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

Between business, House of Lords, and Levee,
I had not one moment of which I could dispose on
Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, the only days on
which I could have called on you. I am rejoiced at
getting a little quiet and fresh air, and regret that
during this, the only interval which I shall probably
have for some time to come, you are not at your old
quarters on Richmond Hill. I rode over it yesterday,
and with a fine air and bright sun, the view was more
beautiful than ever. But I suffer more from fatigfue
now, I think, than during the period of exertion.

I quite agree with you about Orloff. What I have
seen of him I like very much. There is a story of
what he said of the Queen's ugliness having been
repeated to her ; but it seems impossible to suppose,
with every allowance for a disposition to make mis-
chief, that such a thing could have been repeated.

I have a letter from one of my sons, who is at
Nauplia, giving a sad account of the state of Greece.

I am irrecoverably stupid, and must conclude.
Ever most affectionately yours,
G.

VOL. II. " 52

338 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [may

To Earl Grey.

London,

May tst, 1832.

My dear lord, you are forgetting me. You
have sent me nothing since your last short letter.

I got back yesterday from Panshanger, very sorry
to come away, and, above all, to have to go and bury
myself in this vile atmosphere. Had I any hopes of
seeing you, there would be some consolation in my
trouble ; but you have become niggard of both visits
and letters.

Our ratifications arrived by the messenger yester-
day, and I trust the desires expressed by our Govern-
ment, and appended thereto, will not be disapproved
by you. The fact of our having ratified is of value to
the world at large, and while I congratulate myself for
it on our own account, I may congratulate you also, for
it is no unfavourable event for your Administration.

I regret that my forecast about M. Perier appears
to be coming true. I always feared the sequel of so
grave a malady would, for a long time to come, be to
prevent his return to public life.

Thursday next we give our farewell dinner for
Orloff. I know there is no chance of our getting you,
because of the dinner of the Knights of the Garter ;
but I am vexed at it.

Adieu, my dear lord ; send me some news, and
above all, tell me if your leisure is profiting your health,
and whether or no it has weakened your memory ; for
I am quite annoyed at seeing that you no longer think
of me.

Yours ever,

D. LlEVEN.

1832.] RATIFICATION OF RUSSIA. 339

East Sheen,

May isf, 1832.

A thousand thanks for your note, dearest
Princess. A complaint of my not writing is expres-
sive of a wish to hear from me ; so that it is flattering.
But I have an equal right to complain. I really have
had nothing to say as to any public event, and nothing
else has any interest for you ; and I have been lately
afflicted more than usual with my dislike of writing.

The weather has been cold, and has chilled my
blood ; and I go back with more reluctance than ever
school-boy went to school to my daily labour in
Downing Street and the House of Lords. To-day
it has been beautiful, and I suppose spring will break
out with all its sweets and all its brilliancy just as I am
going to that dirty town.

I am glad your ratifications are at last arrived.
Better late than never. I hope they are without con-
ditions. I am afraid the delay which has attended
them cannot be altogether repaired by their coming
now at the eleventh hour ; certainly not, if they are
clogged with any new difficulty. A change of Ministry
in France seems inevitable. The danger of this is
much increased by your having kept the Belgian
Question unsettled.

We shall all be in town to-morrow ; but what with
Levees, Drawing-rooms, Cabinets, and dinners, I don't
know when it will be in my power to call on you, God
bless you, dearest Princess.

Yours most affectionately,

52-

340 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [may

To Earl Grey.

Friday, May i^th, 1832.

Thank you much for your little note of yester-
day,''^ my dear lord. We are indeed reduced to a sad
case when we have to give each other appointments
at the Queen's Drawing-room, with no other resource
for meeting or exchanging a couple of words. All this
pains and worries me extremely.

Orlofif will call on you to-day between one and
two o'clock ; but since you tell me that you will be at
leisure to-day from twelve to three, why not employ
this in a Cabinet Council, and there take cognizance
of the communications we have to make ? I think if
you examined these more attentively, you would judge
of them more favourably than you at present appear to
do. Everybody — Prussia, Austria, even France — all
desire that matters be decided without delay, and that
Orloff may be the bearer of the decision come to by
your Government. Again, all hold that our reserva-
tions in no wise prevent the exchange of the ratifica-
tions, and further, everybody feels it to be of importance
that this exchange should take place immediately, for
thereby the core of the matter would be irrevocably
fixed. This for the general tranquillity of Europe
would be an excellent thing. If you agree with me in
this, make up your mind to exchange the ratifications ;
if you think differently, pray say so ; but really it would
seem to me useless in this latter case to let us go
lingering on in uncertainty. If you agree (to ratify),
it is of the first importance that Orloff should be the
bearer of the news, for his broad shoulders may carry

* Missing.

1 832.] RUSSIAN RESERVATIONS. 341

a great deal more besides. He leaves to-night. I
know M. de Talleyrand is extremely anxious that the
affair should be settled, and they will all petition you
to summon a Council for to-day. Should this be so,
pray let me have a line that Orloff may hold himself
at your orders at whatever other hour you may indicate.
Our reservations might be kept secret ; all that need
be known would be the exchange of the ratifications,
this giving an assurance of the perfect agreement
among the five Powers on a point of interest common
to all, viz. : the peace and the tranquillity of Europe.

Good-bye, my dear lord ; pray tell me that you are
to have a Cabinet Council to-day ; but then, alas ! when
am I to see you ? I am quite sad at not having any
talk with you.

A thousand true regards.

Downing Street,

May ^h, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I shall be very glad to see Count Orloff at the
hour you mention. I wrote last night to Palmerston
(in consequence of a note to Talleyrand) to say that if
he would summon the Cabinet for this morning, I
should be ready to attend it, at any hour he would ap-
point. I have had no answer, and am afraid something
may have delayed his arrival in town.

Believe me, I am as anxious as anybody can be to
bring this Belgian Question to an end. Ask your own
conscience to whose fault it is owing that this has not
been done long ago. Not only the reserve made in
the instructions to Prince Lieven, but the manner of it,

342 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [MAY

create difficulties which I am afraid the declaration
which Prince Lieven, in his private letter to Palmer-
ston, states that he is ready to make, on exchanging the
ratifications, is hardly sufficient to remove. But I am
willing to consider everything in the best view that
can be taken of it, and to remove, and not to increase,
difficulties ; but I am much and deeply grieved at the
conduct of your Court. I agree with you in thinking
it of great importance that Count Orloff should be the
bearer of the decision taken here, whatever it may be.
But I am afraid this can hardly be, if he is to go away
to-night. Could he remain for a day or two, I would
ask it as a personal favour, if that would do any
good ; and I repeat that I have no disposition to
dwell on difficulties which there is any possibility
of avoiding.

My brother is the new Bishop.* I meant to have
proposed him, but the King anticipated me in the most
gracious manner, and desired that it might be under-
stood to be entirely his own doing, without my having
mentioned the subject to him, which is the fact.

God bless you, ever dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Friday, May A^h [1832].

I sent on your note to Orloff, my dear lord,
and he is quite ready to meet your wishes, and remain
on for a day or two longer ; but the case presents a
difficulty. The steamer for Hamburg sails to-night,

* Of Hereford.

1832.] COUNT ORLOFF'S DEPARTURE. 343

and by her is the only ordinary means of reaching
Llibeck in time to catch the steamboat for St. Peters-
burg, which sails on the loth. In any case, it is neces-
sary that Orloff should arrive in Hamburg not later
than the 9th, and how can this be secured if he fail to
cross by to-night's steamer ? Would you have any
means of sending him over ? Were such the case, and
were you to allow him hopes of a favourable decision in
regard to this affair, he would stay over to-morrow ; in
the other event, he has no choice but to take passage
by this evening's boat. You have my thanks for the
conciliatory disposition evinced by your letter ; it gives
me hope the difficulties will be removed, and that in
the manner we all desire. Count Orloff has every con-
fidence in you, and carries away a feeling of personal
regard for you that may content you well ; for, as I
would again repeat, what he thinks they will also think
in Russia. I desire, above all things, that he should
be the bearer of the news — and of good news. Tell
me if this can be managed as I propose ?

I am delighted at what the King has done, and
congratulate you both on the matter and the manner of
the doing.

A thousand kindest regards.

May 4iA, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

Unfortunately Sir James Graham and the
chief Lords of the Admiralty are all attending the
King to-day at Woolwich, and I can have no com-
munication with them till they return. But I have
sent to the Admiralty to say that I must have means

344 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [may

of conveyance, if possible, for Count Orloff, so as to
ensure his arrival at Hamburg the 9th. I think there
can be no doubt that this may be managed ; but I
cannot speak positively for the reasons I have given.
I will write again as soon as I have an answer to the
communication I have made to the Admiralty.

Yours in great haste,

P.S. — The Cabinet meets at half-past four, but
many of the members are absent.

Friday [May ^th, 1832].

Dearest Princess,

I am just returned from the Council, and I
hope the ratifications may be exchanged to-night when
the Conference meets at nine. In this case Count
Orloff may, perhaps, be able to leave London to-night-
If not, he may either go in the Lightning sX.^2snho2iX.,
which is to carry the Fitzclarences, or in the Comet,
which shall be ready for him on Sunday, and entirely
at his orders ; but it is not fitted up with accommoda-
tions for passengers, though it is an excellent vessel.
Will you have the goodness to communicate this to
Count Orloff .f* The Comet is one of the Government
steamboats.

In great haste, ever yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Saturday, May yh, 1832.

Orloff is gone, my dear lord, but he charged
me to express to you his most grateful thanks for this

1832.] RATIFICATIONS EXCHANGED. 345

last proof of your goodwill towards him, in offering in
your note to me last night to let him have the Comet
for taking him over to Hamburg. He would grate-
fully have accepted the offer had the negotiations not
been brought to a close that same evening. Happily
everything was concluded, and an hour later he was
on board the steam -packet. Besides being very
happy at being the bearer of the good news, he carries
away a most agreeable remembrance of his sojourn
here, of the many acts of kindness of which he has
been the object, and especially of the cordial manner
in which he was treated by you. You have in him an
ardent admirer.

Good-bye, my dear lord ; I congratulate both you
and myself on the exchange of the ratifications ; it
restores Europe to its equilibrium. Let England and
Russia only keep well together, and the peace of
Europe will not be disturbed. Orloff was much pleased
by all that you said to him on the subject of the
relations existing between the two countries. Every
word you said had its value.

A thousand kind regards.

Do wning Street,
May t,th, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

Your note gave me the greatest pleasure. I
took a great fancy to Orloff, and it is a great gratifica-
tion to me to be assured by you that he left England
with a favourable impressipn of me. It can hardly be
necessary for me to assure you that it has been my
most anxious wish to preserve a .good understanding

346 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [may

with the Continental Powers, and particularly with
Russia, and that when anything has occurred that
seemed to threaten an interruption of the concert which
is so necessary to the peace of Europe, it has been felt
by me more in sorrow than in anger. The ratifications
being now exchanged, I will only look forward to the
means of making them effectual. On two of the three
modifications, viz., the route by Sittard, and the capit-
alization of the debt, there ought to be — I think there
will be — little difficulty.

The question then will reduce itself to the internal
navigation, and with respect to this I should be well
disposed to any arrangements that may be necessary to
save the amour propre, or to secure the rights of
sovereignty of the Dutch. But there must be this
outlet for the commerce of Antwerp. It is absolutely
necessary to the existence of Belgium ; and surely it is
for the interest of the Powers of the Continent to place
that country in a situation in which she will not iind
herself under the necessity of seeking her advantage in
a closer connection with France. I shall trust, there-
fore, to Prince Lieven receiving such instructions, after
the representations which will be made to your Emperor
by Orloff, as will enable him to proceed frankly and
effectually in supporting the measures necessary to a
final settlement on the principle which I have stated.

We had an immense dinner yesterday, the most
remarkable incident in which was the Duke of Cum-
berland's being behind the screen to hear the speeches.

I wish I could say when it will be in my power to
call on you. God bless you.

Ever affectionately yours,

Grey.

1 832.] LORD GREY RESIGNS. 347

[Parliament reassembled after the Easter recess on May 7, and on
that evening, in Committee, Lord Lyndhurst moved ' that the question
of enfranchisement should precede that of disfranchisement.' The
motion was carried against the Government by a majority of thirty-
five. The Cabinet, on meeting the next day (8th), recommended the
creation of fifty new Peers. The King, after some hours' considera-
tion, refused, and Lord Grey resigned.]

To Earl Grey.

London,

Tuesday, May 8iA [1832].

Well, my dear lord, I am altogether struck
dumb ! What am I to think of the events of last
night ? I am loath to take up your time in the midst
of affairs of such gravity, but I cannot conceal from
you my anxiety, and no one but yourself can reassure
me. I do not ask you to tell me any secrets, but
pray send me a few words to tell me that there is no
cause for disquietude ; this is all I need.

Your last letter to me was of the best — kind,
conciliatory, everything that we on our part could
desire. It is more than ever urgent for us, now, to
stand together ; the state of France is, alas ! by no
means reassuring. There is every reason to fear that
the present Ministry there will not be able to keep on
its legs, and that it will be the faction who desire commo-
tions and conquest which will obtain the upper hand.

Our union alone will neutralize this danger, and
with you in power I should always feel that affairs were
both safe and sound. I beseech you once more to
send me a few lines.

A thousand kindest regards.

348 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [may

Downing Street,
May gtA, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I did not get your note till after twelve last
night, on my return from the Cabinet, which was held
after my return, with the Chancellor, from Windsor,
At that time, however, I could have told you nothing.
I have now to inform you that our resignations have
been accepted, and that we only hold our offices till a
new Administration can be appointed. I have not
time for another word.

Ever yours,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Thursday , \oth [May, 1832].

How sad your note of yesterday made me, my
dear lord ! what an unexpected event ! what a surprise
for Europe ! and what will be the consequences ?
Pray see me as soon as you have a moment to spare.
At present I suppose all your time is taken up, and
my sending this note even to you is an indiscretion ;
but I could not keep myself from writing you a few
words to express all the sorrow I feel, and to offer you
my most tender sympathy.

May loth, 1832.

A thousand thanks for your very kind note,
dearest Princess. Personally, what has happened is
no cause of regret to me ; and were it not for my fear
of what the consequences of it may be to the King and
to the country, I should look forward with real pleasure
to the season when I may return to Howick. Perhaps

1832.] SIR R. PEEL'S REFUSAL. 349

your long-promised visit to me there may be accom-
plished. This would be more than a compensation for
any annoyances I have suffered. You rightly suppose
that just at this moment my time is a good deal occu-
pied, but I hope soon to be restored to my beloved
idleness, and I certainly shall not be remiss in seizing
the first opportunity of assuring you in person how
much and how sincerely

I ever am, dearest Princess,

Yours most afifectionately,
G.

[Lord Lyndhurst, on the resignation of Lord Grey, was com-
missioned by the King to form a Government. He apphed to the
Duke of Wellington, who agreed to join him in an Administration
prepared to carry a moderate Reform Bill. Sir R. Peel, however,
refused absolutely to join, and his example was at once imitated by
Goulburn and Croker. On Monday, May 14, the debate began in
the Commons on a petition of the City of London, praying that the
House would refuse supplies until the Reform Bill had become law.
Greville (' Diary,' ii. 299) characterizes it as 'such a scene of violence
and excitement as never had been exhibited within those walls.'
The next day the Duke of Wellington informed the King that it was
impossible for him and his friends to form an Administration.]

To Earl Grey.

Tuesday, 15M [May, 1832].

Last night's debate seems to me of so decisive
a nature that I cannot think the day will pass without
your having something of importance to announce to
me. Remember, my dear lord, the interest I take in
it all, and give me news that we are to have you again
as Premier. You will have been able to judge from
the regrets my husband expressed to you yesterday,
that, politically speaking, this event will be agreeable
to us ; personally, you well know how ambitious I am

350 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [may

for you, and though I shall have to abate somewhat of
my pretensions in the matter of your visits, which, in
their frequency and the renewal of the old terms of
intimacy, were already affording me so much pleasure,
I must console myself for the deprivation by the in-
crease to your fame, and that assuredly, whatever else
may happen, is great to-day. Let me have a line,
therefore, my dear lord, to say whether you take office
again.

A thousand tender regards.

Downing Street,

May i$th, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I need not tell you that the Duke of Wellington
has been obliged to acknowledge his inability to form
an Administration. I have since had a communication
from the King, to which I have sent an answer, but I
cannot say decisively that it will lead to our continuance
in office. It may, or it may not — this is very diplo-
matic ; but I cannot say more at present. I have not

another moment.

Ever yours,
G.

To Earl Grey.

London,

Friday, May [i8//«,* 1832].

Do not accuse me of being indiscreet, my dear
lord, if I write to ask you for some confirmation of the
hope you sent me yesterday. The fact is, my husband
desires to send off a messenger to Petersburg to-night
by the Hamburg steamboat, and it would be very

* Dated in error i6th.

1832.] DEATH OF M. PERIER. 351

important for him to be able to say for a fact that we
are to have you once more at the head of the Ad-
ministration. You said nothing positive yesterday in
the House of Lords. If what you may be able to tell
me is a secret, I can promise you it will be inviolable,
except for Petersburg ; and telling me, I think, will be
no indiscretion.

I would repeat to you what I told you yesterday —
be in your triumph (which is great) as noble and mag-
nanimous as you were in defeat. It is only a great
man who can act thus ; your dignity and moderation
have raised you more, if possible, now, even than
before, in my esteem. At the present time, more than
ever do I wish you success, for the times are difficult,
and the conduct of the Tories has made the difficulties
all the greater. I think the whole of Europe has been
stirred up by these last ten days.

So M. Perier is dead !* He is a very great loss
indeed.

Adieu ; I must take all your fame to console me
for the ruin of my plans and projects ; for in my mind's
eye I already had you coming daily to talk to me, as
was your wont in past times ; and, believe me, nothing
during the last year and a half has made up to me for
those pleasant habits of intimacy.

A thousand kindest regards.

P.S. — The Tories, with whom I had some conver-
sation yesterday, were all enraged against Peel.t Mrs.

* In April M. Casimir Perier had accompanied the Duke of Orleans on a
visit to the cholera patients at the Hotel Dieu. Three days later he was struck
down, and after lingering six weeks died of the cholera on May 16.

f Sir R. Peel had refused either to be Premier, or to take office under the Duke
of Wellington, and bring forward the modified Reform Bill which the latter had
wished to take office in order to carry.

352 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [may

Arbuthnot, on the other hand, told me she was
ashamed of the Tories, and that they had only got
what they deserved ! !

Downing Street,

May iSi/i, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

If you read my speech in the Times (if it is
not very incorrectly given), you will know nearly all I
can tell you with respect to our present situation, with
the following addition, which I make in strict con-
fidence.

When I saw you at the Drawing-room, and when I
went to the House, I had, in consequence of com-
munications which I had had from St. James's in the
morning, every reason to believe that the Duke of
Wellington and others would have declared that they
abandoned all further opposition to the Bill, which I
should have thought a sufficient security for my power
to carry it ; and in that case I had the King's
authority to declare that I continued in his service.
Instead of such a declaration, the Duke of Wellington,
in giving what he called an explanation of his conduct,
made a most violent attack upon me, but said nothing
on which I could rely with respect to his future
conduct. He was followed by Lyndhurst, et cetera^
as you will see in the papers, each endeavouring to
exceed in acrimony and bitterness those who had
preceded him.

I figured in these attacks successively as Necker,
Robespierre, and Cromwell. I spoke after Lyndhurst
with moderation, certainly, considering the provocation
I had received, or rather, perhaps, with too much

1832.] LORD GREY RESUMES OFFICE. $$3

tameness ; but it was impossible for me, in the circum-
stances in which I then stood, to make the declaration
which I had contemplated, and I could only say that
nothing was yet definitely settled. And such is the
fact — the Cabinet meets at twelve to consider what
step we should now take ; but the matter mus^ be
settled to-day, one way or the other. These men are
mad, and I wish they may not be found to have
pushed things to an extreme which may produce
irreparable mischief. ,

Remember, this is written in full reliance on the
secrecy which you have promised.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most affectionately yours,

Grey.

[The King, finding he had no alternative, empowered Lord Grey
to create, should it prove necessary, an unlimited number of Peers.
Fortunately, however, the necessity did not occur. The Duke of
Wellington and other Peers abstained from taking any further part in
the discussion on the Bill, and the Opposition became paralyzed by
the abstention of its leaders. The Bill passed the Committee at the
end of May, was read a third time on June 4, with a majority of
eighty-four, and received the Royal Assent on the 7th.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

June 6th [1832].

My dear Lord,

I congratulate you on your most complete
victory, for never before was such discomfiture seen in
an enemy's camp. Why, however, the Bill should not
have been passed, and everybody have kept his dignity,
I know not. But such was not to be the case, and I
am quite of the opinion of those among the Tories
who hold that their cause has been damaged and
VOL. II. 53

354 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [june

disgraced by the conduct of their chiefs. I dined
yesterday with a number of them, and the whole
time they did nothing but quarrel with each other ;
but I will tell you more about this when we meet. By
the way, however, when are we to meet ? Will you
come and dine here Friday ? I think you told me
your recess began Thursday. It would be doing me
such a pleasure coming ; or else Saturday, if this day
suits you better than the other. Only let me know
your wishes in the matter. I should prefer the Friday,
for it would be sooner.

Orloff begs me to remember him to you, and again
to thank you for all the kindness you showed him.
His letter is of May 24, and is in answer to one
giving the news that you were out. He ends thus :

' Ministre ou non, Lord Grey restera toujours
digne de I'estime de tout honnete homme. L'Empereur
m'a dit qu'il I'avait toujours juge comme le plus galant
homme possible.'

I give you his words just as they stand, for what is
said of a Minister who is out of office is the candid
truth ; and at ^/m^ time, as far as concerned Peters-
burg, you had ceased to be Premier.

Your speech of the day before yesterday is superb.
I should have been made anxious by what you said
about the state of your health had I not learnt that
the evening before you had been seen at Neumann's
concert.

Adieu, my dear lord, and a thousand kind regards.

1832.] RIOTS IN PARIS. 355

[In Paris, on June 5, the funeral of General Lamarque, an officer
well known for his democratical opinions, was the signal for a
Republican demonstration. The barricades were raised, but the
prompt measures of Marshal Soult soon triumphed over the disorderly
mob.]

Downing Street,

/tine Jth, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I have been very unwell ever since the last
debate in the House of Lords. Indeed, I was, at the
time, so ill that I thought I should have dropped while
I was speaking.

1 am going this evening, after having passed the
Bill, to Sheen, and hope to be able to stay there
quietly till Sunday, and during that time to have the
pleasure of seeing you frequently. But I cannot, in
my present infirm state, venture to dine out.

We have no accounts at the F.O. from Paris, and
I hear Talleyrand has none ; but I have seen a copy
of a telegraphic despatch which has been received by
Rothschild. It states that the King put himself at
the head of the troops and of the National Guard ;
also, all showed the greatest d^vouement, and that the
insurrection occasioned by the Carlists* and the
Republicans united had been completely put down.
Lady Grey has a letter from Lady Keith of the
preceding day, in which she mentions many arrests
and discoveries made in the seizure of the papers of
Carlists — amongst others, of a list amongst the papers
of the secretary of the Duke de Fitzjames, containing
the names of a great many persons who had engaged
to join the insurrectionists in La Vendee whenever
called upon to do so. This may perhaps have pre-

* The Carlists of 1832 were the partizans of Charles X.

53—2

356 THE PASSAGE OF THE REFORM BILL. [june

cipitated the movement, the effect of which, I hope,
will be to give additional strength to the Government.

Yours most affectionately.

Grey.

East Sheen,

/une m/i, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

Since you were here I have received a
despatch from Paris of the 6th. It adds little to what
we have already heard. The despatch appears to
have been written about one o'clock in the day ; but
the postscript (the hour is not given) says that the
insurgents still held out, and that a heavy firing was
going on in the neighbourhood of the Place de Greve
and the Pont Neuf.

It states that, from the number of troops collected,
and the disposition of troops made by Marshal Soult,
no fear was entertained of the result.

I send your handkerchief which you had left
behind.

Ever yours,
G.

[ 357 ]

CHAPTER VII.
LORD Durham's embassy.

Lord Durham's Embassy to St. Petersburg — The Debates in the House of
Commons on Poland — Lord Grey's Speech in the House of Lords — Obstinacy
of the King of Holland — Don Pedro of Brazil sails for Portugal — Lands,
and gains Possession of Oporto — The Discussion in Parliament on the Anglo-
Dutch Loan — Respective Forces of Don Pedro and Don Miguel — Lord
Howick's Marriage — The Decrees of the German Diet — Reception of Lord
Durham by the Czar — The Russian Court at Peterhof — Count Nesselrode's
Opinion of Lord Durham — The Czar's Visit to the Talavera — Lord Heytes-
bury — Marriage of King Leopold — M. Van de Weyer — Lord Howe and
Lord Grey's Letter — The King of Holland must be brought to Reason — Prince
Talleyrand's View of King Leopold's Conduct — Greek Affairs ; Prince Otho
of Bavaria — Lord Durham to visit Berlin on his return Journey — Belgium and
the Treaty of November confirming the Twenty-four Articles — Complaints of
Admiral Ricord — Russia's Partiality towards Holland — The Rights of Belgium
— Lord Howe's Answer — Arrival in London of the Duchesse d'Angouleme —
Her View of the Duchesse de Berri's Proceedings — Accident to Prince George
of Cumberland ; his Blindness — Report of the Death of the King of Spain —
Letter from Count Orloff — Lord Palmerston's proposed Alteration in the
Treaty of November — The Conference on Belgium breaks up — Arrival of
Lord Durham — English Treaty with France for the Settlement of the Belgian
Question — Don Miguel at Oporto — Request that Lord Heytesbury shall return
as Ambassador to St. Petersburg.

[Lord Heytesbury, the Ambassador at St. Petersburg, being in bad
health and wishing to resign his post, the Government had decided
on sending Lord Durham on a special embassy to the Czar, the
purpose of which, according to the Times of Wednesday, June 27,
was to effect ' a direct and strenuous interference on the part of this
country in favour of the glorious and deeply-outraged Poles.' In
point of fact, as afterwards became known. Lord Durham's mission
was to induce Russia to join the Western Powers in measures of
coercion towards Holland, in order to bring the Belgian Question to
a satisfactory issue.]

358 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [JUNE

To Earl Grey.

London,

Wednesday, zyth [June, 1832].

I found your note,"''' my dear lord, at one o'clock
this morning on getting home from the Duke of
Wellington's ball, or, rather, his rabble-rout, for never
did I see a mob to equal that in his drawing-rooms.

Your letter gave me a surprise, for I had only
heard Lord Durham's mission spoken of vaguely and
merely as a possibility. They will wonder at it rnuch
in Russia, and do more than wonder if the object of
his mission were really that of which the Times of this
morning speaks. But, for the first time, I think the
Times has not told the truth. In any case, I regret the
article, for it may create a bad impression. Lady Dur-
ham will, I know, meet with a most cordial welcome in
Russia, and I shall be only too happy to offer you
my counsel in anything that may be of use to her.

As I am obliged to set out early for Richmond, and
as the Levee and the deputations after the Levee will
probably keep you till very late, I will ask for you
when calling on Lady Grey in Downing Street before
one o'clock to-day ; and we can then talk over briefly
any matters of interest or importance in regard to
Lady Durham's journey.

Adieu for the present, and meanwhile a thousand
friendly regards.

[On June 28, a debate took place in the House of Commons on
the Polish Question. Several members spoke in condemnation of
the late proceedings of Russia in Poland, and Mr. O'Connell went

* Missing.

1832.] DEBATE ON POLAND. 359

so far as to call the Emperor Nicholas ' a miscreant.' This elicited
an expression of regret from Lord Palmerston at the use of such
language in the House, upon which Mr. Hume said he would not
only call the Emperor 'a miscreant, but a monster in human form.']

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Friday, 2()th \Jtine, 1832].

My Dear Lord,

How deeply I regret the discussion that took
place yesterday in the House of Commons, and, above
all, the silence of Ministers while such insulting words
were being spoken of the Emperor. Hitherto, any
such language, personally insulting to a Sovereign in
friendly alliance with England, has always been met by
reproval in the Government papers. If my memory
does not fail me, you have yourself taken objection
to unbecoming expressions with regard to Louis
Philippe.

Lord Palmerston's silence will have a bad effect at
Petersburg, and despite all that we are trying to do to
ensure Lord Durham a cordial reception, I fear much
that this circumstance may have an unfavourable in-
fluence in the matter of his welcome. Could you not
try and repair, what I should call Lord Palmerston's
forgetfulness, by some few words to-night, that either
Lord Althorp or Lord John Russell might say? I
assure you if matters are to remain as they were left
last night, it may entail disagreeable consequences.
What I am saying to you is in all friendship, and is
solely due to the anxiety I feel that Lord Durham
should meet with a good reception. My husband was
charmed at his interview with him yesterday.

Adieu, my dear lord ; I am busy writing letters in

36o LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [june

your daughter's behalf to go by to-night's messenger.
I hope I am to meet you at dinner to-morrow at
Billow's.

. Downing Street,

yune 2gi/i, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I can only repeat what I said an hour ago
to the Prince, that you cannot be more vexed than
I am at what passed last night in the House of
Commons. I did all I could to prevent the discussion,
and (when I failed in that endeavour) to make the form
of the motion unobjectionable. But I always feared,
in consequence of the excited feeling which prevails on
this subject, that there would be violent expressions in
the debate. Palmerston did state his regret that such
expressions should be used, and his disapprobation of
them ; but the attempt to check them only seemed
to increase the irritation.

I have just seen Palmerston, and, if an opportunity
is given him, he will state more strongly his disappro-
bation of the language used last night.

I am delighted at the prospect of meeting you
to-morrow at Billow's.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Yours most affectionately.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Wednesday morning, July /[th [1832].

I have just read yesterday's debate, and I
make all haste to let you know what pleasure every one

1832.] THE KING OF HOLLAND'S OBSTINACY. 361

of your words has given me. Thanks, my dear lord,
for having thus repaired all that was left undone the
other day in the House of Commons. The fact itself
gives me every satisfaction, and coming from you,
it affords me a double pleasure.

I gather, from what our Plenipotentiaries at the
Conference say, that they do not consider the answer
sent by the Dutch in so bad a light as Palmerston
would have it ; on the contrary, that there are some
positive hopes of coming to an arrangement ; and
further, they hold Zuylen* has a sufficient latitude
of action to allow of the negotiation being accommo-
dated. I wish you were of a like mind ; for I had
hoped the matter might thus have been brought to a
conclusion. Palmerston is occasionally hasty, and too
positive in his judgments. I wish I knew what you
think about it.

So the dinner at Sion House is put off because of
Princess Louise's condition."!" I imagine the other
breakfasts will have a like fate.

Adieu, my dear lord. I am going in to town
to-day to take part in the Conference -aX Almack's — and
for nothing else. When are you coming out to East
Sheen?

A thousand kindest regards.

* One of the Dutch Plenipotentiaries representing the King of the Netherlands
at the Conference. Those representing the other four Powers were Prince Ester-
hazy and Baron Wessenberg for Austria: Baron Billow for Prussia; Prince Lieven
and Count Matuscewitz for Russia ; and Lord Palmerston for England. The King
of Holland still refused to accept the Twenty-four Articles.

t Eldest daughter of Louis Philippe, who married, August 9 of this year, King
Leopold of Belgium. She was at this time seriously ill.

362 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [jULY

Downing Street,

/le/y 6th, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I received your note yesterday, and should
have expressed immediately the pleasure it gave me,
but that I was so harassed the whole day that I
had not a moment to myself. I had before told you
that nothing but the difficulty of finding a favourable
opportunity would prevent my expressing the regret
and disapprobation which I felt at the language used
in the House of Commons. For once Lord London-
derry assisted my wishes, and the effect of what I said
would have been better if the Duke of Wellington
had not thought proper to do all he could to diminish
it. I should be unwilling to suspect him of inten-
tionally throwing difficulties in the way of the Govern-
ment in its intercourse with foreign Powers. But
he certainly has, both upon this and upon other
occasions, done what could have no other result.

I trust that Lord Durham's mission will prove
useful, though I know (not from the communication
alone which you made to me) the strength of the
prejudice against him. I know, too, that this extends
beyond his person ; that your Government entertains
something like horror of the principles and measures of
the present Administration, and looks with anxiety
to the formation of a new Ministry of a Tor}''
character, and even expects it, before the dissolution of
Parliament. They are very shortsighted if they
think this would prove more favourable to their views.
We may be overturned, though I see little reason to
fear such an event at present ; but take my word for it,
if a Tory Administration should succeed, it would not

1832.] DON PEDRO. 363

last six months, and the Government would fall, not
into our hands, but into those of a party professing
opinions far exceeding ours. You will do well, there-
fore, to correct the impression which the representa-
tions of others, I know, have made at St. Petersburg.

I do not quite go the length of Palmerston with
respect to the Dutch answer. But the counter-project,
as it now stands, certainly could not be accepted by
the Conference ; and after the experience we have had
of the King of Holland, of his impracticable nature,
his disposition to dispute everything, and his skill in
every species of chicane, I confess I have great fears
that, by opening the negotiation again on any ground,
we should again throw everything into a state of
uncertainty, with little hope of a speedy settlement.

I write in great haste, amidst constant interruptions,
and, I fear, not very intelligibly.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,
Grey.

[The ex-Emperor, Don Pedro, who, at Terceira, in April, had pro-
claimed himself Regent of Portugal, in the name of his daughter.
Queen Donna Maria, had succeeded in raising a loan, and was now
sending an expedition from the Azores against Oporto to fight Don
Miguel. The expedition landed in safety, and Don Pedro was
welcomed by the people. He gained possession of Oporto July 8,
but was immediately afterwards besieged there by the Miguelites,
though for a long time no decisive advantage was gained by either
party.]

Downing Street,

July gth, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I conclude you will have heard that Don
Pedro sailed on the 27th, his convoy consisting of a

364 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [jULY

hundred sail. I have seen a private letter from Villa
Real, which confirms what I had before heard, of his
being discontented and desponding. He does not
accompany the expedition, but comes home with
Mesdames de Palmella and Villa Flor. Poor Palmella
had lost his son. He states the army to be in an
excellent state of discipline, and well officered. But
he does not state that they could land more than 6,coo
effective men. The point of disembarkation was ex-
pected to be on the northern coast of Portugal. This
is the substance of a letter from P[almella] to Lord
Palmerston.

You will, of course, say nothing of this till you
hear from other quarters.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Yours most entirely,

Grey.

[The Convention mentioned in the following letter refers to the
Anglo-Dutch loan, at this time being violently attacked by the
Opposition. During the course of the war against Napoleon, Russia
had borrowed twenty-five million florins from a banking-house at
Amsterdam. At the conclusion of peace in 181 5, Russia, England,
and the Netherlands conjointly made themselves responsible for the
debt, but it was stipulated that, should the Belgian provinces (which
were united to Holland in 1815) pass at any period from the
sovereignty of the Dutch King, his liability for the debt was to cease.
This was what had now happened, in consequence of the Revolution
of July, and the recognition of the Belgian King by Great Britain in
November, 1831. The Government held that England had no right
to take advantage of her own breach of the Treaty of 181 5 to relieve
herself from a charge which the Treaty imposed, and which she had
undertaken to bear; though by the letter of the arrangement, no doubt,
she was no longer liable to pay any portion of the Dutch-Russian loan.
After many debates in the Commons, and three several attacks by
the Tories on the policy of the new Convention, the Ministers
ultimately succeeded in obtaining satisfactory majorities.]

1832.] THE ANGLO-DUTCH LOAN. 365

To Earl Grey.

Tuesday evening, loth [July, 1832].*

Many thanks, my dear lord, for the accounts
you have given me of Don Pedro's expedition. It
was from you I first learnt that he had put himself
in motion. I hope we may soon hear of his arrival in
Portugal, and of his success, for I cannot help wishing
well, and the best of success, to any enterprise in which
Palmella is associated.

I have seen some Tories to-day. They leave me
in doubt as to the issue of the debate which is to take
place to-morrow about our Convention. Those who
are most violent say that the only way the Govern-
ment can carry the matter through would be for them
to ask for a Bill of Indemnity. Others, without giving
a direct opinion, say that all their party will vote
against the Government on this occasion. The Duke
of Wellington is, of all, the most reserved on this
point. Londonderry is going down to Durham ; you
will not, therefore, have to answer any further inter-
rogations from him.

Never have I known a more favourable wind for
the Baltic passage. Your daughter and son-in-law will
certainly reach Petersburg this week. I am impatient
for the first news of their arrival.

Adieu, my dear lord. When are we to see each
other again ? This is a long separation. Are you to
be at East Sheen again soon ?

A thousand regards.

Dated in error June 10. July from the docket.

366 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [july

Downing Street,

/ti/y i6^/i, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I would have sent a messenger this morning,
with an account of the landing of Don Pedro, if I had
not thought it certain to appear in the morning
papers. We know little more than is stated in them.
The amount of his force is, as they say, about 7,500
men. Miguel has, according to a return which I have
seen, about 22,000 regular troops, and as many more
militia, making, on the whole, about 45,000. The
success of the enterprise, therefore, depends on a
defection from the army of Don Miguel, of which, up
to the time when the accounts came away, there was
not much indication.

As I know the interest you take in everything
that concerns me, I must tell you that a marriage is
likely to take place between my eldest son and Miss
M. Copley.* It is not absolutely settled, but probably
will be so immediately. I hope you are edified by the
kindness, consistency, and good faith of your friends,
the Tories, in opposing your Loan. I don't know
what is to be their motion to-day, but if they could
unite with the Economists and Radicals in refusing
to grant the money, the result of the division might
not be secure. I must caution you against placing
any reliance on their friendship — particularly on that
of Peel and Aberdeen. / spea^ advisedly.

I wish you would let me know when you send
anything to Petersburg, that I may write to Lambton.
I shall not scruple giving you the trouble of adding a

* In August, 1832, Lord Howick married Maria, daughter of Sir J. Copley,
Bart.

i832.] DON PEDRO AT OPORTO. 367

letter to your packet, under the assurance that I will
write no treason.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Yours most truly,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

\^th [July, 1832].

Very many thanks, my dear lord, for your
note of yesterday. I begin with the matter that must
interest you most, namely, Lord Howick's marriage.
You have for your future daughter-in-law a person of
great merit and sound good sense ; I know a good
deal of her through Lady Granville, who is extremely
her friend. You have my most sincere good wishes
for the marriage.

The gaining of Oporto, although it is a success for
Don Pedro's side, gives no guarantee as yet for the
ultimate issue of the struggle. The Duke of Welling-
ton was talking to me a week ago of the expedition,
and said : * If Don Pedro begins by Lisbon, Don
Miguel may lose his cause ; but if he goes first to
the north, he himself is lost.' The phrase is rather
dogmatic, but I think there is, none the less, much
truth in it. I shall be very anxious to get the first
news. As to what you tell me about the Tories,
believe me, I am old enough to have learnt that with
public men it is politics and personal interests which
dominate all other affections.

My husband sends off his home despatches regu-
larly every Friday, by the Hamburg steamboat, and
his bag goes with the Government mail. Whenever

368 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [jULY

he may be sending a special messenger you shall have
information of it, at least a day previous, in case the
occasion should serve you. I am extremely impatient
to learn the first news of Lord Durham's arrival, and I
entreat of you to let me know. You say nothing to
me of coming back to East Sheen. Why waste your
time and your health In that villainous London ? I
wish so much you were here.

Adieu, my dear lord ; again my thanks for your
letter, and the news it contains, and for your kind
recollection of me. I value it all very much.

A thousand kindest regards.

[On June 28, 1832, the German Diet confirmed the Six Articles,
generally known as the Carlsbad Decrees, which Prince Metternich
had sent in for the approval of the various German Courts, on
April 12 preceding. By these Articles all popular assemblies and
festivals were forbidden, and the Sovereigns of the Confederation
undertook to give military assistance to any Government that was
threatened by revolution.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Thursday, July igth [1832].

I am to Inform you, my dear lord, that my
husband intends sending off a messenger to-morrow
for St. Petersburg ; but that In all cases he considers
sending despatches by the Hamburg steamboat the
quickest route ; our Consul at Hamburg forwards
them on immediately to Ltlbeck, and there they catch
the steamboat running between that port and St.
Petersburg.

Would you In the present case send my husband

1832.] THE SIX ARTICLES. 369

your letters during the afternoon of to-morrow ? Tell
me, pray, some news, if there be any. I do not
imagine you will take the Protocol of the Diet of
Frankfort in high tragedy, as do the newspapers. It is
only the application of a principle established in the
year '21, and which England herself then recognised.
It must be acknowledged it was getting high time
for Germany to look to her own internal security, and
certainly the tranquillity of a State is worth the sacrifice
of a certain amount of useless chattering. I wonder
when you will have the cloture in your Parliament .'*
How I should like to see some of your talkative
members left stranded high and dry. I am getting
very impatient to see you at East Sheen, and to
resume once more our pleasant talks. They endanger
no Government.

Adieu, my dear lord ; write me a few words mean-
while, and do not forget me.

Yours ever,

July 2.0th, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

Thank you for your kind note of yesterday.
I will send a letter in the course of the morning to go
by your courier ; but I find letters go regularly
through our Consul at Hamburg, every Tuesday, to
be forwarded by the steam-packet from Liibeck.

Prince Lieven would tell you that I had received
letters from Lord Durham from Copenhagen, where
they arrived early in the morning of the loth ; they
had stopped to take in coals for the steamer, and were
to sail again the same evening. They would arrive,
therefore, in all probability about the 15th. I shall
VOL. II. 54

370 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [jULY

settle my family at Sheen to-morrow, and be there
myself as much as I can during the remainder of the
Session. I am not sure whether I shall be able to go
to-morrow till after dinner, but I shall be there all
Sunday, and hope to see you. We shall then be able
to talk comfortably on all that is passing.

You see we are to have another fight to-night
upon your Loan, and from what passed in the House
of Lords we are, I conclude, to be attacked on the
Greek Loan also. As ' Messieurs ' (to use the
favourite phrase of the Great Captain) are not very
scrupulous in their use of means to annoy the Govern-
ment, their assurances that the money would not be
withheld would not have been good for much if they
had beaten us. In that case you may be assured not
one shilling would have been obtained from the House
of Commons. If the Belgic Question is not settled,
you will have war very shortly over all Europe.

God bless you.

Ever yours,

East Sheen,

/ufy 30M, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I have received a confirmation of the news in
the Morning Herald, by which it appears that after a
very severe action, at Porto Ferrari, about six miles
east of Oporto, the result was decidedly in favour of
Don Pedro. It remains to be seen what effect it will
have on the people of the country, and on Don
Miguel's army.

Yours ever,

i832.] HIS RECEPTION BY THE CZAR. 371

East Sheen,

Monday \_July y>th, 1832].

Dearest Princess,

I enclose a note which Lambton wrote to me
after his arrival at Petersburg, which will show you
how much he was pleased with the Emperor's recep-
tion of him. For the particulars I must wait till I see
Palmerston's letter.

Yours affectionately,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Mo7tday, y>th [July, 1832].

Very many thanks, my dear lord, for your
two notes, the first about Don Pedro, and the last
containing Lord Durham's letter. I am enchanted that
he should have been so well pleased at the reception
the Emperor gave him. What follows must depend
on Lord Durham himself, and I trust the end will
justify the beginning.

Once more a thousand thanks. I am very curious
to know what Lord Palmerston has heard.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Tuesday, 2,1st [July, 1832].

Herewith, my dear lord, a letter from Orloff,
received by the messenger last night. I prefer show-
ing it you entire. Pray read it all, and note especially
what was the effect produced by the debates in the
House of Commons on Poland. Since then they
must have learnt all that you said in the House of

54—2

372 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [JULY

Lords, and on this point I can promise you that the
Emperor will have been much gratified. Yoic have
always been our hero.

If you have seen Lord Durham's letter to Lord
Palmerston, pray give me some account of it. All
that he may have written about his interview with the
Emperor interests me greatly. I should have come
myself to East Sheen this morning, had I not caught
a cold, and this with the prospect of a day at Sion
House, which cannot fail to be fatiguing.

A thousand friendly regards.

East Sheen,

/uly T,\st, 1832.

A thousand thanks, dearest Princess, for
sending me Orloff's letter, which is most gratifying to
me personally, and expresses sentiments which, on
my part, are cordially returned. The impression
made by the debate on Poland was naturally to be
expected. You know how much I lamented at the
time the indiscretion and intemperance of that dis-
cussion, and how anxious I was to obviate their effects.
I have not yet seen Lord Durham's private letter
to Palmerston ; but I have read his despatch, which
gives a full account of his interview with the Emperor.
It seems that H.M. visited Cronstadt on the morning
of the 17th to review the division of his fleet lying in
that harbour, and immediately on his arrival sent an
officer on board the Talavera to express his wish * to
receive Lord Durham as a private individual, for the
purpose of making his acquaintance before he pre-
sented his credentials as Ambassador.' In con-
sequence of this gracious message, Lord Durham

1832.] THE CZAR'S CORDIALITY. 373

immediately went on board the Imperial yacht (the
statement that the Emperor went on board the
Talavera appears to have been erroneous), and had a
long conversation with his Majesty, which principally
turned on the affairs of Belgium, for the details of
which I have not time.

Nothing could be more cordial and gracious than
the Emperor's reception of Lord Durham, accom-
panied by the expression of a wish that the intercourse
between H.M. and him should be of the most
unreserved nature, and deprived of all ceremony ; and
stating that it was for this purpose that he had taken
this opportunity of having Lord Durham introduced
to him privately.

At the conclusion of his account of his interview,
which was of considerable duration, Lord Durham
adds : ' H.I.M.'s manner was most gracious, repeatedly
shaking me by the hand when declaring both his
personal kindly disposition towards myself individually
and my country generally.'

Nothing can be more satisfactory than this, and
I trust — indeed, I cannot doubt — that the suite will be
equally so. I wish you could have called, that I might
have shown you the despatch itself, which I am
obliged to send back to London. Louisa complains
very much of the cold, but is delighted with the
novelty of the scene.

The letters which had been sent to our Consul had
not arrived, which was the cause of no house having
been provided for them.

Excuse haste.

Most entirely yours.

Grey.

374 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [aug.

East Sheen,

Atig. yh, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

We have letters to-night from my daughter
(none from Lord Durham), giving an account of their
introduction at Peterhof, where they dined and were
at a ball. She speaks in raptures of the Emperor and
Empress, and gives the preference to your Court, very
much, to ours.

Lord Heytesbury has had a better passage than
Lord Durham. Three and a half days from Cronstadt
to Copenhagen, and five days from thence to Wool-
wich.

Bad news from Brussels — it is now Leopold's
turn to be unreasonable ; and I believe we must come
at last to my proposal of drawing a cordon round
them, and leaving them to fight it out.

Ever yours,
G.

P.S. — Lady Durham's letters are dated the 25th
ultimo.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Aiig. 6th, 1832.

After having seen you yesterday, my dear
lord, I received some more letters from Petersburg,
dated July 28, in which they write me further details
of the reception given to Lord Durham at our Court.

The same question continually recurs, ' Is Lord
Grey satisfied } for it is he whom we have always in
mind in all we do to show consideration and friendship
for his son-in-law and daughter.'

1832.] POPULARITY AMONG RUSSIANS. 375

Shall 1 say, my dear lord, that you are satisfied ?
They are so, certainly, in my country, at the way
Lord Durham deals with business and treats of all
political questions. They think him remarkably clever,
and say that he has a manner of discussing affairs that
is both straightforward and honest. This, with us, is
held greatly in esteem. I assure you all the success
he is gaining touches me as though / were his father-
in-law.

If you have heard anything from him, pray send
me a few lines ; also, on general affairs, do not forget
me during these days of absence. What lovely
weather you are missing here !

Adieu, my dear lord.

A thousand kind regards.

D. LlEVEN.

Downing Street,

Au£^. gf/i, 1832.

A thousand and thousand thanks, dearest
Princess, for your very kind note. I should indeed
be most ungrateful if I could be insensible to the
consideration for myself, and to the kindness and con-
descension which have marked the Emperor's reception
of Lord Durham.

Since I saw you, I have received letters both from
him and from my daughter, down to the 29th ultimo,
and they both speak in raptures of everything they
have seen and met with. Lambton has conceived a
great admiration of the Emperor, from all his con-
versations with him, and speaks also with great satis-
faction of his communications with Count Nesselrode.
He is sensible, as he ought to be, of the kindness he

376 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [AUG.

has received from everybody; but mentions particu-
larly Generals Benkendorf and Czernicheff and Count
Orloff, to whom, as well as to Count Nesselrode, I
beg you will express how much I have felt their
attentions.

The Emperor's visit to the Talavera delighted the
officers and ship's company, and his magnificent
present when he left the ship will make them drink
his health with increased fervour. He was most
gracious, and expressed the greatest pleasure at seeing
the flags of Great Britain and Russia flying together
on board the same ship. The pleasure that all this
gives me is much increased by what you say of the
impression made by Durham himself. I was sure it
would be so, and I trust the error which prevailed as
to the extent and danger of his views will be com-
pletely removed. In short, I cannot help anticipating
all the good effects from this mission which it was my
object to produce.

There is one subject on which I know you will
not allow me to speak to you, though assuredly I
should never think of doing so in a manner which
could be offensive to the independence and dignity of
your Government. But if something could be done
to mitigate the condition of the poor Poles, what
satisfaction it would give to this country and to
Europe ! You see we have had another debate on
this subject in the House of Commons, and I hope
were satisfied with the speeches of Lord Palmerston
and Lord John Russell, particularly of the latten
But you may judge of the feeling which has been
created, and which it would be a mistake to suppose is
confined to Radicals, when you read the speech of a

1 832.] M. DE PALMELLA. 377

man so connected, and himself so little given to
popular violence, as Lord Sandon.

I conclude you have seen Palmella, and probably
will not have conceived better hopes than I have,
from the account he gives of the state of things in
Portugal.

I am just going to the wedding.* I hope to
return to Sheen on Saturday, but am not certain, and
that we shall be able to put an end to the Session
before the end of next week.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Monday, i-^th \_Aug., 1832].

I am much disappointed, my dear lord, that
you should have remained in town.

John Russell told me yesterday that he did not
think you would come back here before Thursday ;
and, further, he talks of an absence of six weeks at
Howick, all of which quite upsets me. I will, at
least, give myself the satisfaction of telling you of my
vexation.

I have been spending a day at Stoke with the
Seftons. Yesterday I saw Palmella again, very much
changed, as you told me. His looks give me pain.
I have at last had some talk with Lord Heytesbury.
It is very interesting to hear all he has to tell of the
details of Lord Durham's reception. He, also, said
the Emperor had thought him extremely clever.

* Lord Howick's.

378 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [AUG.

Well, my dear lord, and what news is there from
Compiegne ? So Leopold is married ! ^''^ I do not
know exactly why, but I augur it ill for him. His
life has always been so full of uncertainty, and I do
not think this marriage will bring him happiness.

I must offer you my felicitations that Thursday
ends your Parliamentary worries. It is, indeed, a
happy moment for a Premier !

Adieu, mv dear lord. Bear me in mind.

A thousand regards.

Downing Street,

Aug. iph, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I found I had so much to do in winding up
the business of the Session, that it was in vain to
think of going to Sheen. My present purpose is to
be there for two or three days at the end of the week,
and start for Howick, if I can get leave, on Monday ;
to be here again, when the whole Cabinet will
assemble, the first week of October.

Van de Weyerf is coming over to treat, but I do
not like the tone of Leopold's answer to Palmerston.
The accounts from Portugal are rather more favour-
able to Don Pedro. If Sartorius| could capture or
defeat Don Miguel's squadron, it would be a great
event for him. Lord Dundonald would have done it.
In the meantime, the horrors that are going on in
Lisbon are beyond description.

* To Princess Louise, eldest daughter of Louis Philippe,
t Subsequently for many years Belgian Minister in London.
X Captain Sartorius was at this time in command of Don Pedro's fleet. His
name had been removed from the Navy List.

1832.] HIS JOURNEY TO MOSCOW. 379

I have this moment a letter of the 2nd from Lord
Durham, repeating in the strongest terms the satisfac-
tion at all that has passed with Nesselrode. He had
not had any further conversation with the Emperor.
He was thinking- of going to Moscow, proposing not
to be absent more than ten days, and looking to the
commencement of his journey homewards about the
middle of September.

I am impatient for the pleasure of seeing you, and
much flattered at your expressing the same feeling ;
but what proof have I of it ? God bless you.

Ever most affectionately yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Tunbridge Wells,

Tziesday, Aug. i/^h [1832].

What will you say, my dear lord, at my
sudden flight ? I am just arrived here with my
children. I was in want of change of air and some
little relaxation, and have come to Tunbridge Wells
in search of them ; but for thirty-six hours only, and
Thursday morning I go back to Richmond. I received
your letter yesterday, and thank you for the news
about Lord Durham. I am delighted that he con-
tinues pleased with everything.

I am sad at thinking of your going away, and for
so long, too ! Let me know whether it would be
possible for you to come and dine with us Saturday
at Richmond. The Cowpers and the Seftons will be
coming. Send me a line to say if you accept. If
you answer early, send it to our house in town ; but

38o LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [aug.

if you are delayed in writing, put it in the post, and
address, * Tunbridge Wells, Sussex Hotel,' for I shall
only leave this Thursday after the post comes in.

Adieu, my dear lord. They are waiting for my
letter, and I must hurry.

A thousand kindest regards.

P.S. — I am vexed by what you say about Leopold.
I fear his marriage will somewhat mar his manners as
regards England, and the support he gets on this one
side will make him less docile towards the other. It
is a pity.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Saturday, Aug. 2^th [1832].

Well, my dear lord, so we are again reduced
to letter-writing as in the old time. The last two
years have gone by very quickly, and many things
have gone along with them ; if only our friendship
remain I shall care little for what else goes. I
imagine you to arrive at Howick to-day, and would I
were arriving there too ! but meanwhile, and till this
can take place, I must communicate with you by
letter. Some events are, however, occasionally brought
about by the mere continual repetition that ' they
ought to take place.'

In the meantime the Conference certainly does not
make much way, and my advice would be that it
should take its vacation, and inform the two contend-
ing parties that it will busy itself no more with either
of them until they both ask for an intervention to effect

1832.] BELGIUM AND HOLLAND. 381

a settlement — after they themselves have found it
quite impossible to effect it alone. Further, till this
vacation be over, all recourse to arms should be for-
bidden, under penalty of a decision in all matters at
present pending, against the one who should act on
the aggressive. This is how I would arrange all their
affairs — on a rainy morning at Richmond !

I dined the day before yesterday in town at Lord
Palmerston's to meet the Flahaults. I met Palmella
there ; he was very sad and sorrowful. It appears to
me that the news of this morning, which is that Don
Miguel's fleet has returned to the Tagus, puts a better
face on things.

Let me know, I beg of you, what may be the effect
of the hint given to Lord Howe.* I am curious in the
matter, and have not the slightest chance of hearing any-
thing except from you. I have been thinking over your
letter once more, and consider it quite admirable ; it is
dignified, full of delicacy, and in perfect good taste. I
wish I knew for certain that the Queen would read it.
I saw the Cumberlands this morning : they told me
nothing new ; but they seem to be on extremely
intimate terms with the Court. By the way, the
Duchess of Gloucester is very ill ; they think she is
dying of dropsy. Lady Falkland and Lady West-
meath have had cholera at Windsor so badly as to
have been perfectly blue during some hours.

Adieu, my dear lord ; write to me, I beg of you,
and send me some news. Remember how, in old
days, I used to be your gazetteer, and now I want

* Chamberlain to Queen Adelaide. He had recently voted against the
Government, and had been dismissed. The Queen's wrath at his dismissal was,
it is said, in consequence of her not having been informed by Lord Grey beforehand
of what he intended to do.

382 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [AUG.

something in return. What do you say of Charles X.'s
proposal to establish himself in Austria ?

A thousand most kind regards.

Howick,

Ateg. Tjth, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I received your very kind letter this morning.
I need not say what pleasure it gave me. But I dare
not encourage the hope which it holds out of a chance
of your coming to Howick. It would be too great
happiness to have the full enjoyment of your society
here without anything to interrupt or distract it.

We arrived here on Saturday all well, and I cannot
describe to you the pleasure I felt in returning to my
old haunts and occupations. But unfortunately boxes
and letters follow me, and will not allow me the
complete idleness which I covet.

This Belgium affair goes between me and my rest.
You are the cause of its remaining so long in suspense,
and you are doubly bound to exert yourselves to bring
it to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion. The first
point to be insisted on is the really free navigation of
the Scheldt. To this the King of Holland must be
brought — saving any fair reserve of his rights of sover-
eignty— substantially and unequivocally to assent, which
he has not as yet done. Then we may be able to deal
with the other. But till he has a distinct assurance on
this head, Leopold has right on his side.

I had a letter to-day from Taylor.* The letter (as
you know was intended) had been given to Lord
Howe on Wednesday before he left Windsor, but no

* Sir Herbert Taylor, William IV.'s private secretary.

1 832.] 'LETTER TO LORD HOWE. 383

answer had been received on Saturday when Taylor
wrote. This looks as if he was taking the counsel of
others, and if your friend and neighbour* is one, we
may easily jump at the result. I have done, however,
all that was possible on my part. I should be very
glad to have my letter seen by the Queen. Not that I
expect the impression created by the dismissal of
Lord Howe ever to be effaced, but it is not for me to
suggest it.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

Ever most entirely yours.

Grey.

To Eaid Grey.

London,

Aug. 7&th [1832].

My husband is writing to you to-day, my dear
lord, and I also wish to add a few lines. To my mind.
Count Nesselrode's idea is an excellent one ; and in the
tour he suggests Lord Durham should make, there
would be everything to be gained both for the public
and for his own advantage. Your Government would
certainly find some profit in becoming acquainted with
the views of the various German Cabinets on the
affairs which, at the present moment, are agitating that
quarter of Europe ; and Lord Durham, who is an
important member of the Cabinet, would gain by the
opportunity of thus becoming personally known to the
various Sovereigns and their Ministers. This, at
the present day, is a knowledge of no mean importance
in politics. I feel sure that you must see it all from
my point of view, and that your sanction will be given

* The Duke of Cumberland (?).

384 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [aug.

to a proposition which, it appears to me, is wholly in
the interest of your country.

Pray write to me, my dear lord, for I am hungry
for your letters, and it in no way suffices me to read in
the newspapers about * the merry peals ' at Doncaster,
etc. I have nothing new to send you. They tell me
the Dukes of Cumberland and of Wellington are
not exactly of one mind, and that the latter every day
becomes more moderate in his views. They say,
by-the-by, that his private affairs are in disorder, and
that it is this that is annoying him so much.

I am just setting off" for Panshanger, to spend a
week there ; but address your letters to London as
before. My husband has heard from Paris that M. de
Talleyrand is extremely angry at Leopold's conduct,
and that in his opinion the Conference can and must
demand of Leopold that he conform to its advice,
seeing that, according to him (Talleyrand), the latest
propositions of the King of Holland are perfectly
reasonable. He is very much excited on this subject.
He promises to return here by September 20, not
before.

Adieu, my dear lord ; I am waiting for news from
you, and I send you all my warmest regards.

To Earl Grey.

Panshanger,

Friday, Aug. 'i,\st, 1832.

I received your letter of the 27th, my dear
lord, late last night, and I will not let time go by with-
out thanking you for it ; all the more that at this
distance from London there is no means of despatching

1832.] THE BELGIAN DIFFICULTY. 385

letters north on a Saturday, and I imagine this must
go back to London before starting on its journey down
to Howick.

For the last five or six days we have had a deluge
here ; to-day the weather is more gracious. There is
as yet no one in the house, but people arrive to-night,
and things are to begin to-morrow. My husband was
sent for into town yesterday for Greek affairs.*

The Belgian Question, I think, is making no
progress at all. It is enough to make one laugh or
cry, according as is one's humour. You are wrong to
blame us; we have done all we could, short of the
threat of an armed intervention, and this we have
always declared we would not do. We have been con-
sistent from the very beginning, and now, when every-
thing was on the point of being settled, why could
not Leopold have been forced to give way ? This
was your opinion, at least, some weeks back, and it is
the view M. de Talleyrand still holds, and openly pro-
claims. He says that Leopold should be ordered to
give in his agreement, not merely parleyed-with and
advised about the matter ; and that since England and
France have given him a crown, they may well look
for a certain amount of docility from him as a return.
M. de Talleyrand is no Russian, and therefore his
opinion need not be regarded with suspicion. As to
his movements, by the way, he only leaves Paris in
time to be here about September 20. It is a nuisance
having to be bored with M. de Mareuil till that
date.

For the last few days I have had no news from

* Oiho of Bavaria was named King of Greece by a Convention signed May 7,
1832 ; he only assumed the Government on June i, 1835.

VOL. II. 55

386 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [SEPT.

Windsor ; but they say the Duchess of Gloucester is
getting worse.

Adieu, my dear lord ; do not forget me now that
you are back among your sheep. The month of Sep-
tember will appear very long to me.

Yours ever.

Howick,

Sept. 2nd, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I have to thank you for two letters which I
have received from you since I last wrote.

I answered immediately that which I received from
the Prince enclosing Count Nesselrode's despatch. I
was much gratified by the proof it afforded of the
favourable impression which Lord Durham had made,
and I think it will be well that he should have some
communications with the Court of Berlin on his way
home, and also, if his time and the advanced state of
the season will permit, with that of Vienna. But yotc
will not recommend it to us to place too much confi-
dence in any utterances we may receive from the latter.
Nor is it exactly for the reasons urged by Count
Nesselrode that I think these communications will be
useful. It is possible that persons, though not in office
for fifty years, may know something of the different
Courts, and the persons of the greatest influence and
power in them ; perhaps as mu^h as if they had been
engaged in daily negotiations with them. But I should
be glad to have the opinion of a person of great obser-
vation and judgment, as to the actual state of things
there ; that above all he should have an opportunity of
convincing them that this Whig Administration is no

1832.] THE NAVIGATION OF THE SCHELDT. 387

friend of agitators and revolutionists ; that it is as
desirous as any of you to counteract their designs, and
that if it thinks it necessary to represent the danger of
such a policy as that which appears to have dictated
the resolutions of the Diet,* it is from the most friendly
motives, and from a sincere belief that it is calculated
to produce, or at least to accelerate, the evil which it is
intended to avert.

As to Belgium, the matter never will be settled till
a firm tone is taken towards both parties. I think,
and must think, that the difficulties which we now
suffer arise in a great degree from the course taken by
your Court and the other two Powers after the signa-
ture of the Treaty of November. | Even now you are
ready enough to dictate to one side and not to the
other, showing favour to that which has the least title
to it. I certainly thought the last proposition of the
Dutch likely to lead to a satisfactory conclusion ; but
I thought so under the belief that in that proposi-
tion the free navigation of the Scheldt, subject to a
moderate duty, and exempt from means of vexation and
delay, was included. This does not appear to be the
case. On this Leopold has a right to insist, and to
call upon us to assist him. Let the Dutch fairly and
unequivocally state their readiness to concede this
point, for the sake of a final arrangement, and we then
shall have a riuht to say to Leopold he ought to be, and
must be, content with the acquisition of all the sub-
stantial advantages which he has a right to expect. I
do not understand how the opinions which you state
Talleyrand to have given, and which appear to me, in

* See p. 368.

t November 15, 1831, confirming the Twenty-four Articles. (See p. 291.)

55—2

388 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [sept.

themselves, very improbable, are to be reconciled with
the part which Mareuil, who is believed to be entirely
of his school, and who certainly was placed here by
him, is taking.

I hear nothing but complaints of your Admiral
Ricord, which has more particularly occasioned the
greatest dissatisfaction amongst our naval officers.

There is another report, which I do not believe,
though it has been sent to us from very authentic
sources, that you have proposed a marriage between
Prince Otho and one of your Princesses.

We have at last had two fine days ; but for the
greater part of the week the weather was what you
describe it to have been at Panshanger, which has been
a sad interruption to our harvest.

I have at last heard something of Lord Howe, but
nothing satisfactory. I cannot give you the details,
and as nothing is likely to come of it, it is more than
ever necessary that you should not appear to have
heard of it from me.

God bless you, and believe me ever, dearest
Princess,

Yours most affectionately,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Panshanger,

Sept. 6ih, 1832.

I received last night, my dear lord, your letter
of the 2nd. I find in it many effects of the bad weather,
for you were not in good humour when you wrote it,
and I have a great mind to give you a flat contradic-
tion for every line of it.

1832.] BERLIN AND VIENNA. 389

In the first place, why is it the Whigs alone who
are to have innate intelligence ? and since contact with
men and affairs adds to the experience and knowledge
of all other mortals, why show disdain for opportuni-
ties of learning, and for the advantages to be derived
therefrom ? I do not share your opinion that personal
acquaintance with a Minister is of no great use ; and I
instance to you Lord Durham as a case in point.
Before seeing him in Russia, they had conceived the
strongest prejudice against him ; he was judged on his
reputation. They have seen him, they have had dis-
cussion with him, and the Emperor and his Ministers
have not only lost their prejudice against him, but
have found this converted into sentimicnts of friend-
ship and confidence. On the other hand, again, I
am convinced that Lord Durham will come back
with very different ideas from those with which he
was animated when he set out to pay us this visit.
It is probable that a like result, on either side,
would accrue were he to visit Berlin and Vienna.
Further, my dear lord, as you have put me on the
subject of Germany, allow me to repeat to you my
conviction, which is that the German Courts must
know more about the affairs that concern them than
can a foreigner ; just as you yourselves probably know
how it best suits you to pacify and govern Ireland.

As to Belgium, and this interminable business which
you had imagined was concluded, but which Leopold
wishes to keep, and will keep, dragging on, because at
the present day his new father-in-law backs him up in
all his pretensions, — I am certain it is not we who have
spoilt matters by showing any partiality for Holland.
It is rather the disfavour shown by England (who was

390 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [sept.

the ancient protector and ally of Holland) to that un-
happy country, whose antecedents and present conduct
might well have commanded her respect. Surely, just
as greater regard is everywhere paid to ancient honours,
so is greater respect and consideration due to the older
States. On this principle, which I deem to be most
just, I do not agree with you in holding that we are
showing favour * to that side which has the least title
to it.' I think that Holland has every title to respect,
and from all of us.

I am, in truth, entirely ignorant in the matter of
Admiral Ricord's conduct ; and likewise it is from you
that I first learn of the intention to marry one of our
Grand- Duchesses to Prince Otho. I am, however,
sure that the Emperor will marry his daughters as he
sees fit, and will do his best to settle them suitably.
On the other hand, there can be no hurry about the
matter, since the eldest of the Grand- Duchesses is
only twelve. As you will perceive, the leisure of
country life gives me a taste for answering you back.
It does one so much good, and I should like you so
much less if we happened to be always of the same
mind.

I am indignant to think that your well-meant and
loyal attempt to set matters straight with Lord Howe
has not met with a proper reception. It is showing a
bad spirit, and great wrong-headedness ; and these
things disgust me. You may count upon the strictest
discretion on my part, for I have not whispered a word
of it to any living soul. What I told you as being
M. de Talleyrand's opinions on the affairs of Belgium,
was what he said to our Charge d' Affaires in Paris, who
mentioned it in a despatch he wrote to my husband.

1832.] PRINCE TALLEYRAND. 391

If your accounts differ from ours — well, it would not
be the first occasion that M. de Talleyrand has pro-
claimed two contradictory opinions at one and the
same time. But whatever may be (or may not be) his
character in the matter of strictest veracity, I am
delighted he is coming back to us ; first, because he
amuses me ; secondly, because M. de Mareuil bores
me ; and lastly, because I am convinced that it is he
alone who can bring the Belgians to terms.

I stay on here till Tuesday, and then go to Rich-
mond, for this eternal Belgian business obliges my
husband to keep in the neighbourhood of London. It
is extremely dull here, and there is only Lord Mel-
bourne, who snores all the evening.

Wessenberg* is at Deal, at the feet of Lady Stan-
hope. As you may have probably heard, the Duke of
Hamilton's daughter is going to marry the Duke of
Newcastle's eldest son.

Adieu, my dear lord ; I congratulate you on getting
to the end of my gossip. On the other hand, being
extremely fond of your letters, I entreat you to write
to me often and at length. Nesselrode is, as ever,
very well satisfied at the terms on which he meets
Lord Durham. He repeats this again and again, both
in his letters to my husband and to myself.

Yours ever, with a thousand regards,

Howick,

Sep/, lotfu, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

If you found traces of the bad weather in my
letter, I must say that your Highness in return does

' Austrian Secretary of Embassy.

392 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [sept.

not appear to have written in a good humour. I have
too often occasion to reply in the House of Lords, to
find pleasure in the same sort of controversy during
my holidays. I will only say, therefore, that if per-
sonal communication with the Ministers of Foreign
Powers is necessary, it is seldom that the Ministers
here can have that advantage. They must trust to
their observation of what passes, and to the information
sent to them by their accredited agents at the different
Courts ; and all these sources of knowledge, from the
nature of our Government, are open to persons en-
gaged in public affairs, though not in the Administra-
tion. Besides, you will pardon me if I doubt the
infallibility of the knowledge acquired by personal
communication. I have known a person of the greatest
acuteness of intellect, and with the best opportunities
of intimate observation, impressed for twenty years
with the most perfect belief in the sincerity and truth
of a great Minister who at the end of that time was
discovered to be /e plus grand fourbe qui ait jamais
exists /*

I am aristocratic both by position and by nature,
and have with you a predilection for old institutions.
I have always had, also, a great desire, in the new
arrangement, to do as much for the interest of Holland
as was compatible with justice to others, and with the
peace of Europe. But when the conduct of that
Government has been marked throughout, and never
more than in the last instance, by chicanery and bad
faith (words which I have heard from every member of
the Conference, and which the Emperor himself used
to Lambton), I must say that if favour is to be shown

* Referring, probably, to Lord Aberdeen.

1832.] OBSTINACY OF THE DUTCH KING. 393

to either party, it is not to that which has so conducted
itself.

However, the matter is now placed on a right
ground, and there is no further need of discussion.
Our last word is spoken. If it is not agreed to,
we must act ; and it will be for the other Powers
of the Conference to determine what course they will
pursue. Ours is determined. There are some other
points in your letter on which I should have some-
thing to say, but here is enough of controversy for
one day.

When I wrote I thought the 'affaire Howe' com-
pletely at an end. It is on again, but not in a way
that is completely satisfactory to me. I cannot ex-
plain the particulars by letter.

I hear that Talleyrand is not well. He is gone, as
of course you will have heard, to Madame de Dino's
country house. I shall be very sorry if he does not
return, thinking, as you do, both of him and of Mareuil.
He will be a great loss to society, and Madame de
Dino equally so. By the way, where do you learn
that Louis Philippe supports Leopold in unreasonable
resistance ? This does not tally with my informa-
tion.

Our weather is beautiful, but I do not recover my
strength or spirits. I am afraid I can no longer hope
for any chance of your coming here.
Ever dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours.

Grey.

394 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [sept.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Saturday, Sept. ly/i [1832].

How much better it would be, my dear lord, if
you were the Grand Turk ! No more contradiction
then. I should be afraid of the bowstring, and I
should always agree with you. Admit that you are
rather dogmatic in your opinions, and that the Whigs
in general, with all their apparent Liberalism, have a
great predisposition for turning autocrats.

This is all the reply I make to your last letter ; let
us now pass to other matters. What is most recent in
my mind is an interview that I have had with the
Dauphine.* I had always felt great respect for her,
and had decided — even in spite of my husband's
opposition — to go and see her. I went without sending
word before. ' Je vous attendais, madame, car vous
vous etes toujours souvenue de moi quand j'etais dans
le malheur.' These were the words with which she
received me on entering. I was deeply touched.
Further, what I have done has not the merit of being
extraordinary, for your Queen also has been to pay her
a visit. This act on her Majesty's part is in excellent
taste, as the Dauphine recognises, and she is very
grateful. The Ministers have not been as polite as the
Queen. Palmerston would not go to see her. I think
she has felt this, as also the necessity under which she
was placed of crossing in an ordinary steam-packet,

* Better known as the Duchesse d'Angoul^me, who was then on her way
through London. Charles X. had quitted Edinburgh, it was said, fearing lest the
Government, under pressure from France, should take the initiative in urging his
departure from this country. He retired to the Austrian dominions, and died at
Goritz in 1837.

1832.] THE DUCHESSE D'ANGOULEME. 395

the Government having been too late in providing one
for her.*

She spoke to me at length of the past and of the
future. Of the past, deploring certain mistakes,
and laying the blame on the evil spirit of the times
and the wrong-headedness of certain individuals ; of the
future, with great hope, and showing almost a certitude
that sooner or later France will recall the Bourbons.
She blames greatly the imprudent zeal of the Duchesse
de Berri,t which, according to her, is retarding the
success of the cause. She speaks of Louis Philippe's
chances with contempt. Of the Queen she talked
with great esteem and friendship. Such was, more
or less, the text of our interview. All the Corps
Diplomatique went to pay her their respects. I
imagine that she has left to-day.

I am rather sad at finding myself back again at
Richmond. I adore Panshanger ; everything there
is gaiety and gladness to me. Lady Cowper hopes
you and Lady Grey will stop there on your way
up from Howick. If you could manage it, I would
try and be there too, in order to meet you.

The Emperor has offered Lord Durham the imperial
steam-yacht to take him to Stettin ; no one, not of the
Imperial Family, has ever as yet been permitted to use
her. Count Nesselrode is loud in praise of the manner
in which all the official business he has had to transact
with your son-in-law has been carried through. He
has certainly had complete success with us in Russia,

* The Dauphine went in a common passenger-boat to Rotterdam ; Charles X.
crossed in a trader to Hamburg. (See ' Wellington Despatches,' New Series,
viii. 415.)

t The Duchess de Berri had placed herself at the head of the insurrection in
La Vendee.

396 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [sept.

and I shall be impatient to talk it all over with him as
soon as he comes back.

I went yesterday to see the Cumberlands, and
found the whole family plunged in the deepest despair.
Their little son George'"'^ has suddenly lost all power of
sight. He sees absolutely nothing ; they turn his face
towards the sun, and he cannot perceive the light.
Imagine what a grief and a calamity this is to his
parents. The doctors have not given up all hope,
or, at any rate, they do not say they have ; but as
one of the eyes has already been stone blind for a year
past, it seems to me there can be but little chance
now of saving the other ; and this is already the
fourth day of total loss of sight.

What a dull time we have been having for the
last three weeks — not a word of news, not a single
event, and none of the business already begun brought
to a close ! So, by the way, you want to have war.
Well, then, declare war — see how accommodating I
am ! The secret of it all, however, is that I am boring
myself, and would fain have something to stir up
Europe a little. Do tell me what are your ' spirits '
that you cannot 'recover.' You were in 'good
spirits ' enough at East Sheen, and in excellent health,
too. Come back here quickly ; it will do you good.
We will try and amuse each other, and laugh. It is part
of one's business in this world, and laughing makes
one keep one's health, too.

Adieu, my dear lord. My Highness salutes your
lordship, but in all happiness, and, above all, in true
and warmest friendship.

* Afterwards the blind King of Hanover. The eye had received a blow.

1832.] PRINCE GEORGE OF CUMBERLAND. 397

Howick,

Sep^. 20M, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I have received your letter of the 15th. One
must feel for any person suffering under misfortune, like
the Dauphine ; but I cannot say that I can take any other
interest in her situation except that which arises from
this general feeling of compassion, and from the wish that
she may remain quiet and unmolested in whatever retreat
she may choose. She has been in a great degree the
cause of the misfortunes of her family ; and though
she may be sincere in her feelings, this does not
prevent her having been, like other bigots, the cause
of great mischief. As to the restoration to which
she looks, I do not believe, and should be sorry to
believe, it probable. There never was a truer word
spoken than that by Fox — that ' the worst of all
revolutions is a restoration.' History gives few
examples, if any, of two in one family ; and I believe
certainly none of a third. And if the throne of Louis
Philippe should be overturned, I do not believe it will
be to place a Bourbon upon it.

If you look to war as a means of dissipating ennui
and affording a new interest and amusement, I am afraid
you will soon have enough of it to make you very soon
wish for a return to a state of tranquillity and repose.

I really was very sorry to hear of the dreadful
calamity that has fallen on Prince George of Cumber-
land, and all the reasons which I have to complain
of them cannot prevent my feeling for the distress
which it must bring upon the Duke and Duchess.
l'>om your account of the case, I should not think
there is much chance of a recovery.

398 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [sept.

I seek in vain for anything that can interest you;
the only thing that occurs, and that, perhaps, is a
subject of indifference to you, is that I shall set out on
my return to London on the 4th, and be there on
the 8th or loth at latest.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Yours entirely,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Sept. 2^h [1832].

So at last, my dear lord, you have remembered
me ! I received on Saturday your letter of the 20th.
I was beginning to be anxious, and thought you were
ill, or angry with me. My thanks for having saved
me from these dragons. Thanks also for telling me
that in a fortnight I shall see you again. It gives me
the greatest possible happiness, as I beg you to under-
stand. Why should you make believe to have doubts
thereon ?

Well, here we are in a nice confusion at the Confer-
ence. Your going away has not brought luck to the
Belgian business, for each day things have been getting
worse. We must wait and see what the sequel is to
be ; and though it would be perfectly possible at any
moment for England to go and annihilate Holland,
yet, as you well know, I have always held this to be
so unnatural, politically speaking, that it never had
entered my head you could do it ; neither, for that
matter, can I conceive of you doing it now.

The death of the King of Spain, if the news be
true,* will bring about strange complications in the

• A false report. Ferdinand VII. died a year after this.

1832.] AFFAIRS IN SPAIN. 399

affairs of the Peninsula ; and I cannot help thinking
that any difficulties which crop up in Spain will be
likely to act favourably, at the present juncture, for
Don Pedro's cause. But in looking ahead, all likeli-
hood of confusion in that country must give rise to the
most serious apprehension. I myself indeed believe
that there will be great confusion everywhere before
the year is out, and that I shall no longer have to
complain of ennui.

At the present time I have the great pleasure of
complaining of the heat. It is perfectly lovely here.
I set off in a few hours for Stoke, to stay there either
one or two days, according to the weather and the
company. My husband is tied down by the Confer-
ences, and cannot accompany me. Why are you not
at Stoke .-* I should stay on there in that case. What
amuses me, my dear lord, is that during fine weather
I seem to love my friends doubly well, and to-day I
love you most dearly. In which state of feeling I close
my letter.

Howick,

Sepi. Z'jth, 1832.

My dearest Princess,

I cannot delay thanking you for your very
kind letter ; but it is not in my power to express the
real pleasure it gave me. . . .

The Chancellor* and Althorp have been here the
last two dciys. We have agreed to be at our posts on
the loth. We set out, as I before told you, on the 4th.

I have often told you that I was sincerely disposed
to an arrangement favourable to the real interests of

* Lord Brougham.

400 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [sept.

Holland. This, I think, we have proved by what we
have done. But there is a limit to forbearance, and
the time is at last come when that Government must
become reasonable, either willingly, or by compulsion.
There can be no longer subterfuge or delay. The
question is now placed on clear and just ground.
The King and the Ministers, and, I will now confi-
dently add, the people, will be united in enforcing the
proposition we have made, and the consequences do
not rest with us.

The last accounts seem more favourable to Don
Pedro, and I agree with you in your view of the
probable effect of the death of the King of Spain on
that cause. The last naval accounts left Sartorius in
a situation in which, if ever, he may have an oppor-
tunity of striking a decisive blow. I have not men-
tioned Lord Howe lately, but that matter is now
settled. He has not acted as, I think, he ought to
have done ; but I am very glad to have had it in my
power to remove his cause of dissatisfaction,* and it
rests with him to prevent its recurrence.

Everything is going on well — the Revenue
flourishing beyond our most sanguine expectation, the
internal condition of the country improving in every
respect, even Ireland getting into a satisfactory state ;
everything, in short, except this affair of Belgium,
going on as we could wish ; judge, therefore, whether
it must not be both my interest and my desire to bring
this matter to a speedy and, if possible, to a pacific
adjustment.

* The offer made to Lord Howe was that he should resume his office of Cham-
berlain to the Queen on the understanding that, though not required to support
the Government, he should not vote against them, but be neutral. Lord Howe
ultimately declined these terms.

1 8.32. 1 LORD PALMERSTON. 401

How I wish I could have met you at Stoke I Per-
haps I may still have that happiness after my return.
We have had accounts of Lord Durham's arrival at
Stettin. He was to have been at Berlin on the 19th,
and will be now, or very soon, on his way home
through Brussels.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

Ever yours,

P.S. — Direct to me till Tuesday inclusive here.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Oct. \st, 1832.

How much I thank you, my dear lord, for
your good and kind letter of the 27th ! I am quite
delighted to be writing to you for the last time, and to
be able to think that before very long we shall be
able to answer one another by word of mouth. I
trust it is at East Sheen that you intend staying. We
have had anxious times since I last wrote to you — Lord
Palmerston became so bellicose. How ofien have I
regretted your absence 1 for I hold you have far too
much sagacity ever to allow a hasty judgment to get
the better of your understanding, and we have had, alas !
instances of this temper, here, more often than was
either fitting or necessary.

Things have become more pacific during the last
few days. What, however, may be the conclusion of
to-day's Conference, it is impossible to say, and it may
have very important results. I would quote with
pleasure a saying of Lord Holland's, who, referring to
VOL. II. 56

402 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [oCT.

the various bad jokes that have been made about
the Conference, and of the ridicule which has been
heaped on it, said : ' I had rather, however, have a
hundred protocols than a single bulletin.' This is
well said.

Now, according to my view, it would have been so
much better and more suitable to have paused and
awaited the arrival of Lord Durham. From all sides
I hear how extraordinarily suspicious Lord Palmerston
is of Russia, attributing to us all the blame for the resist-
ance Holland is now making. Lord Durham knows
the Emperor's views, and has listened to his last
utterances on this subject. Why do they not wait and
hear him, and learn from him what are his impressions
on Russian politics ? When a Cabinet Minister has
passed some months at one of the great Courts, one
may well suppose him to have gained some profit by
his sojourn there, and from the results of the negotia-
tions confided to him. It seems to me that it would
only be what is due both to the individual and the
office he holds, to listen to what he may have to say,
before passing judgment in so grave a matter. Un-
less .1 am very much mistaken. Lord Durham returns
with a full conviction of the perfect good faith and
loyalty evinced by our Cabinet. The reputation he
has left behind him in Petersburg is of the best.
Everybody writes to me in his praise. I send you,
from among others, a letter of Orloffs that you will
read with pleasure.

I sincerely hope Lord Durham will have arrived
by the time you yourself get up to town. I had pro-
mised to go to Panshanger on the 8th, but since that
is the date on which you expect to be arriving, I will

1832.] COUNT ORLOFF'S LETTER. 403

put off my visit in order to see you quietly for a few
days.

So the King- of Spain is only dead in the Moniteur.
This is rather hare-brained information to be Govern-
ment news, and the telegraphs M^ill lose all their
authority. Just fancy, they say that there have been
sixty cases of bankruptcy in Paris, as a consequence of
speculations entered into on the faith of the Moniteur s
information. George of Cumberland is getting on
better. I told his father and mother how you had
sympathized in their distress, and they were much
touched thereby. What do you say of this stupid
affair of the Demoiselles Perfect }

Adieu, my dear lord. My scrawl will be proof to
you that I write in great haste, but never imagine
that anything prevents my thinking of you with regard
and friendship.

Howick,

Oct. yd, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I return Count OrJoff's letter immediately, lest
I should afterwards forget it. It is very gratifying as
to the testimony it bears to the manner in which Lord
Durham has conducted himself.

But forgive me if I say that the late proceedings of
your Court with respect to the Belgian Question, and
more particularly the last proposition made to the Con-
ference by Prince Lieven. do not appear to me to be
in accordance with the friendly sentiments which we
had a right to expect from you. You certainly will
not find me at all more disposed than Palmerston to
relax as to the measures which we think necessary.

56-2

404 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [oCT.

I was very glad to hear that Prince George was
so much better. As to the Perfect affair, I can only-
say that I regret it. I am in all the turmoil of pre-
parations to set out to-morrow. We expect to arrive
at Sheen on Monday.

Yours most entirely,
G.

[With a view to an amicable adjustment of the Belgian Question.
Lord Palmerston, during the month of September, had consulted
the representatives of both Holland and Belgium as to the con-
cessions which each country would respectively make. Their sub-
stance was embodied in a document proposing certain alterations in
the Treaty of November 15, 1831 ; this was laid before the Conference
on September 30. The Belgians were not unwilling to accept these
alterations. The Dutch, however, declared that they were not even
authorized to discuss them. On the following day the French
Plenipotentiaries, having lost all patience at the bad faith of the
Dutch, formally suggested the employment of force, and the English
Plenipotentiary supported the suggestion. The Plenipotentiaries of
the Northern Courts urged further delay ; the representatives of
England and France responded that too much delay had already been
allowed, and the Conference, thus divided in opinion, separated.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Oct. \Qth [1832].

If it be all the same to you, my dear lord,
would you dine here Monday instead of Saturday.-*
Should this, however, put you out, pray let us keep
to the Saturday. I hear the King has a Council on
Friday ; so there will be no hope of seeing you that
day — when shall it be, then ?

I met Billow at dinner yesterday at the Errols' ;
he, too, thought you warlike and over-excited. But
he still counts on you as much as I do, and feels sure

1832.] ARRIVES IN ENGLAND. 4°$

that just as a great deal oi^ harm happened during your
absence, so a great deal of good will result from your
return. What news is there of Lord Durham ?

Adieu, my dear lord ; it is sad being so near, and
yet having so little hope of meeting.

Yours ever,

D. L.

East Sheen,

Oct. lolh, 1832,

Dearest Princess,

It will give you pleasure to hear that Lord
Durham was to be at Calais last night, and will be
here in time for the Cabinet to-morrow ; but to prevent
disappointment, let me forewarn you that he will come
with no disposition to object to the decisive measures
which can now be avoided only by the acquiescence of
the King of Holland, and that without further delay,
in the just and reasonable terms which have been pro-
posed to him.

I am obliged to be in town both to-day and to-
morrow and Friday, and shall go each day about
twelve. God bless you.

Yours very faithfully.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Wednesday, loih {Oct., 1832].

Very certainly, my dear lord, yoU have afforded
me great pleasure in telling me of Lord Durham's
expected arrival, and I thank you much for your kind
thought. As you will have seen, my note, which
crossed yours, was to ask you for news of him. You

4o6 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [OCT.

know I am by nature somewhat obstinate, and I still
persist in thinking that you will not do anything but
what is prudent, cautious, and far-seeing. In this
Belgian matter you will do nothing precipitately, for,
however bad may be this delaying, it is always prefer-
able to war. And, after all, you must feel that we
entirely share your opinion as to the bad faith of the
King of the Netherlands, and that we shall say out
what we think. As to the possible ridicule which
this delay may entail, I ask: How can the Great
Powers ever be injured by ridicule ?

My husband is very desirous of the honour of
seeing you. He will call at East Sheen to-morrow,
and take his chance of your receiving him before your
hour of setting out for town.

Adieu, and a thousand friendly regards.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Friday, 6 Sclock [Oci, 19M, 1832].

As you did not come and call, my dear lord, I
wished to have gone to see you, but my time has been
taken up by various people, and were I to call now, 1
should fear to be ushered in among your Ministers. I
send you, therefore, a line to say good-bye, for it will
be ten days at least before I see you again. Pray
write to me during this time.

And now tell me something. My husband has
just been summoned to the Conference to hear a com-
munication from Zuylen.* What is it about ? Does
his King give way ? I am extremely curious to know,

* Dutch Plenipotentiary.

1832.] THE DUTCH PROPOSITIONS. 407

and if you do not tell me, I shall not hear it till to-
morrow, for my husband stays in town.

Good-night, my dear lord, and adieu. I had Lord
Durham with me for a long time this morning, and
each time I see him I like him the more.

oa. igtk [1832].

Dearest Princess,

The bad day and business together prevented
my going to you this morning ; and I was in hopes
that I might have been able to see you to-morrow, as
I knew there was to be a Conference, and thought
you might wait for the Prince.

I don't know what Zuylen has sent ; but I expect
nothing good. We have had a despatch from the
Hague, written after your new proposition was pre-
sented. What it was I know not ; but if it was such
as the Dutchman will agree to, it probably will not suit
us. All I know of Zuylen's packet is that it is, like
himself, very bulky ; but Palmerston keeps it for the
Conference.

You have timed your visit [to Panshanger] just
when I might have had some chance of seeing you
here ; but there is no chance of my being able to
leave town for the next ten days. My ' Ministers ' are
collecting, and I have only time to add, God bless you.

Ever yours,
G.

East Sheen,

Oct. 26th, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

You ordered me to write, and 1 have too
great interest in keeping myself alive in your recollec-

4o8 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [OCT.

tion to disobey so gratifying a command. If I have
appeared to you rather dilatory in obeying it, it has
been owing to my having nothing to say on those
subjects which alone are interesting to you, on which
it could be pleasant, at this moment, to write.

Indeed, I have had little to tell you that you
would not have found in the newspapers, and you are
too well informed of my feelings and opinions with
respect to the present crisis in the affairs of Belgium
to make it necessary for me to repeat them. I can
only offer up my prayers that the measures in which
we are now engaged, and with respect to which the
only reproach to which I feel that I may be justly
exposed is that they have been too long delayed, may
speedily end in such a manner as to prevent the
danger of any interruption of the good understanding
which it has always been my wish to cultivate between
your Government and mine.

When do you return from Panshanger ? I suppose
just at the time when I shall be going somewhere else,
as I am thinking of going about the middle of next
week to Lord Dacre s, and on Saturday, the 3rd, to
Lord Sefton's, to meet Talleyrand and Madame de
Dino, the latter of whom I have not yet seen. I must
be in town again on the 5th or 6th for a Council on one
of those days, and after that I meditate no further visits.

I conclude despatches have arrived during the
night from Portugal ; but they have not yet been sent
to me, and I know nothing but what you will see in
the papers. I thought Sartorius had given checkmate
to Don Miguel's fleet in Vigo, and I don't understand
how they got away from him. But they appear to have
returned to the Tagus in a crippled condition, which,

1832.] . PORTUGAL AND SPAIN. 409

considering the great superiority of their forces, is not
discreditable to Sartorius. These Portuguese fight
much better on both sides than I had expected.

Zea* has an expedient for settUng it all by a ' sor^ '
for Donna Maria. How do you think ? By marrying
her to Prince Otho. He came to me the other day
just as I was going to the King, in his usual state of
distress and tribulation. He said he had just been to
Palmerston for some consolation, *mais qu'il en revenait
la mort dans le coeur.' I had neither time nor power
to give him any comfort.

Believe me, ever dearest Princess,

Yours most entirely.

Grey.

To Earl Grey,

Panshanger,

Sunday, Oct. 2%th [1832].

I was unable to answer your letter yesterday,
my dear lord, because, in the country, no post went
out that day, and hence it is only to-day that I can
thank you for having at last recalled me to mind.
You are quite right to refer me for news — and even
for secrets of State — to the newspapers ; for at the
present day it is to them that everything secret is first
confided. Thank heaven, however, they have not yet
invaded the domain of personal friendship, and proofs
of yours for me I shall always look forward to finding
in your letters.

I probably stay on here till Tuesday, and Wednes-
day would be my utmost tether, unless, perchance, you
thought of passing this place, and staying here a clear

* Spanish Ambassador in London.

4IO LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. focT.

day on your way to Lord Dacre's. Should you have
any intention of doing this, pray make haste and let
me have a line by to-morrow's post, so that I may
stay on and see you. Lord Sefton had made me
promise to come to Stoke when you were to go there.
But I have heard nothing from him, and the Times
announcing your new Treaty with France has, I fear,
made him regard it as more fitting that you should
meet France than Russia at Stoke, for Russia to-day
is a very black sheep. This would vex me more than
your Treaty, for I was looking forward with such
pleasure to passing a couple of days with you quietly
and pleasantly in the country.

I am very, very anxious about the next news from
Oporto. Don Miguel's going there, and planning an
attack to take place on the anniversary of his birthday,
proves that he evidently wishes to bring on the decisive
crisis. Politically, my interest is given to both equally;
but my personal feelings are all with poor Palmella.
Zea and his despair reminds one of the despair of
Orestes ever imagining he is pursued by the Furies, or
of the dolt Jocrisse in the French play. A Minister,
too, who takes to crying is but a poor specimen of the
profession.

I expected my husband yesterday. It must have
been the fog that prevented his coming. Brouillards,
broidllons, brouilUs ! We are suffering from them all
now. M. de Talleyrand and Madame de Dino are
expected to come and dine here to-day, with Palmer-
ston, Motteux, and my husband to meet them. We
have had Lord Auckland and Miss Eden — no one
else. Lady Stanhope comes to-morrow. Now, do,
pray, come Tuesday ; it would be so pleasant.

1832.] TREATY BETWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE. 411

Adieu, my dear lord. However badly politics may
turn out, my friendship for you will not follow suit, and
you will ever find me faithful and constant in my affections.

[The Treaty with France referred to in the above letter was
signed October 22, 1832. It was stipulated that if Holland did not
withdraw its troops from Belgian territory before November 12, France
and England would place an embargo on all Dutch shipping in their
respective ports, would blockade the Dutch coast with a combined
squadron, and that the French should march an army into Belgium
and drive the Dutch garrison from the citadel of Antwerp, which the
King of Holland still held in defiance of the decree of the Conference
and the Treaty of November 15, 1831.]

East Sheen,

Oct. 29M, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

A thousand thanks for the letter which I
received from you this morning. Its kindness really
touched me, and you cannot doubt how sincerely I
concur in the hope that nothing will ever occur to
interrupt this feeling on either side. I have done all
I could to avoid what has now happened, and it will
still be my endeavour to prevent things becoming
worse ; but the prospect is not encouraging, and
though I was prepared to expect your Note, it might,
I think, have been expressed in more friendly terms.

I am very sorry it will not be in my power to go
to Panshanger to-morrow. I have an engagement,
and, besides, am obliged to be in town to see the
King on Wednesday. I am not limited to one visit
to Stoke, and I still hope for the pleasure of passing
there two or three comfortable days with you.
Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

412 LORD DURHAM'S EMBASSY. [NOV.

[The following letter from Princess Lieven is docketed by Lord
Grey * 6th November, 1832,' which day, however, was not a ' Saturday,'
the day on which the letter was written, but a Tuesday (in the follow-
ing year, 1833, the day fell on a Wednesday) Princess Lieven's note is
important, as it confirms the account given in the Greville Memoirs
of the cause which led to Prince Lieven's recall in 1834. (See
chapter ix.) Lord Heytesbury never returned to Petersburg. After
Lord Durham's special mission had come to an end, the Hon. J. D.
Bligh was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary ad interim.^

To Earl Grey.

Saturday, 6 o'clock [Nov. 6th, 1832 (?)].

I dine at Sir Robert Peel's this evening, my
dear lord, and sleep in town to-night, where I shall
remain the whole of to-morrow, so fix your own hour
for calling ; but have the kindness to let me know
when to expect you, in order that I may not be kept a
prisoner all day.

I congratulate you on having so quickly carried
through your difficult task.

By the way, do you remember, my dear lord, a
request I made you some days back, in the matter of
Lord Heytesbury.'* Permit my stating it to you once
again. The Emperor would be really grateful to you
were you able to send Lord Heytesbury back as Am-
bassador. If it be possible, pray grant me this as a
favour.

Good-night, my dear lord, I should very much
have liked to have had a talk with you to-day, but I
want to do so even more to-morrow, so I beg you to
give me a few moments. I am to meet all the late
Ministry at dinner this evening.

Yours ever,

D. LlEVEN.

[413]

CHAPTER VIII.

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION.

The Siege of Antwerp Citadel — General Chasse — M. Bjoernstjema — The State of
the Belgian Army — Admiral Sartorius and the Portuguese Fleet — The Queen
and Lord Howe — The Effect of the Blockade of the Dutch Coast — The New
French Ministry; Marshal Soult— M. Zea and Don Miguel — Russia and
Portugal — The Court at Brighton — Delay in beginning the Siege of the
Antwerp Citadel — Princess Lieven's Accident — The Duchess of Gloucester —
The Elections for the First Reformed Parliament— News from Antwerp ;
further Delays — The Citadel finally taken ; the French Troops retire from
Belgium — Arrival of Count Pozzo di Borgo in London — The Emperor of
Russia refuses to receive Sir S. Canning as Ambassador — The King of
Holland and the Forts on the Scheldt — The Elections — Lord Denbigh
appointed Chamberlain to the Queen — The Article in the Standard — Sir R.
Peel's Opinion on the Union with Ireland and Irish Church Reform — The
Meeting of the First Reformed Parliament — The King's Speech and the
Address — Lord Palmerston and Sir S. Canning's Nomination to Petersburg —
The Division on the Irish Coercion Bill — The Queen's Remarks thereon —
The Duke of Wellington and the Address of the House of Lords to the King
— Failure of the Tory Tactics — Princess Lieven's Journey to Russia — Position
of the Duke of Wellington — The Duchess of Kent and the Salutes at Cowes —
The Russian Court at Peterhof — The Illumination on the Empress's Birthday
— Mehemet Ali — The Porte and the Treaty of Unkiar Skelessi — Lord Ponsonby
— Fetes at Peterhof ; the Review — Return of Princess Lieven to London.

[The King of Holland showing no signs of compliance with the
demands of France and England, on November 6 an embargo was
laid on all vessels bearing the Dutch flag in British ports, a fleet was
sent to the Downs to blockade the coast, and nine days later a French
army of fifty thousand men, under Marshal Gerard, crossed the
Belgian frontier and marched upon Antwerp, where General Chasse,
with a garrison of four thousand men, held the citadel in the name
of the Dutch King.]

414 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [NOV.

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Tuesday, Nov. 20th [1832].

I arrived Sunday, my dear lord, and am
established here for so long as it remains fine weather,
and the douches continue to do me good ; which may
be for about a week. One must be very incurious to
be leavingf London at a time like this, and but that I
counted on two good friends — of whom you are one,
and Billow the other — I should not have ventured on
such an exile. Write to me, I entreat of you ; send me
some news, and not the news of the newspapers, but
what you think about it all. You will be doing me an
extremely great service, for without your charitable
aid I shall be a century, at least, behind the time,
judging by the rate at which events progress in these
days. What do you know about Antwerp ? Will the
King make up his mind to defend the citadel, or will
he surrender it ? This seems the chief question. And
since such grave consequences depend on it, with all
my curiosity for definite news, I would rather see this
momentous crisis delayed than hurried on. I saw
Fagel * before I left London, and he was of opinion
that Chasse had had orders to defend the place, and
feared lor the consequences.

Lady Howe has sprained her ankle, and is obliged
to keep to her bed : this is the only piece of news I have
heard here. The Cowpers arrive the day after to-
morrow. Do you still remain at Sheen ? and if so, for
how long ?

* Piobably Baron Henri de Fagel (who died in 1834). He had been Dutch
Minister in London from 1814 to 1824, and was then recalled and named Secretary
of State in Holland. His brother Robert was Dutch Minister in Paris from 1814
to 1854.

1832.] THE BELGIAN ARMY. 415

Adieu, my dear lord ; I count on your letters and
your friendship. My address is the Albion Hotel.
A thousand kindest regards.

Downing Street,

Nov. 22nd, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I received your letter yesterday, but had
nothing to tell you ; having waited till the last moment,
I may still say the same thing. There are letters both
from the Hague, Antwerp, and Brussels of the 20th,
but adding nothing to the lights we had before. It
appears, I think, pretty certain that the citadel will be
defended, and those by whom this madness has been
encouraged have much to answer for.

I am only come to town for a few hours to attend
a Cabinet and a Cabinet dinner, but return to Sheen
to-night. I shall remain there as long as I can, but
shall probably be obliged to remove my headquarters
here about the end of next week. From the list of
visitors I see in the papers, I should not think the
parties at the Pavilion very gay. The King, I hear,
is in excellent health, and the Queen also ; but I am
afraid my sins are not yet forgiven. Your friend
Bjoernstjerna,* whose return, I am sure, must have
delii^hced you, gives a much better account than I had
expected to hear of the Belgian army. He says the
cavalry and the artillery in particular are very good
and that he thinks them quite equal to cope with the
Dutch single-handed.

I will write again the moment I hear anything
that might interest you ; in the meantime, Brighton is

* Swedish Minister in London.

4i6 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [nov.

more likely to furnish materials for a letter, and I shall
expect accounts of all you are doing.

God bless you, dearest Princess, and believe me
Ever yours most faithfully,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Friday, Nov. 23/-£/ [1832].

Although your letter of yesterday, my dear
lord, gave me no news, it afforded me great pleasure,
which must prove to you that I prefer being remem-
bered by you even to getting news. This morning's
papers unfortunately confirm the news of the King of
Holland's intention to defend the Antwerp citadel.
Alas! what will come of all this.-* In so far as I
am in a position to judge, public opinion is not in
favour of this war, and it is a sad necessity indeed that
has forced you to undertake it. No one would be
more happy than I to see it promptly concluded.

Brighton is charming, and distracts my mind
entirely from Belgium. There are a great many
people to see, and a small number of intimate friends,
whose presence affords me agreeable society. Among
them I count the Chesterfields, the De Ros's, and
Alvanley. To-day we shall be reinforced by the
Cowpers. Imagine my horror at meeting the Bjoern-
stjernas to-day on the Parade ! They will ruin Brighton
for me. I have as yet seen nothing of the Court, and
so can tell you nothing about those highest circles.
As soon as I have been initiated, I will transmit to
you the result of my observations.

What is Portugal doing ? Is it true that the

1832.] DON PEDRO'S FLEET. 417

English officers have left Don Pedro's service,* and
if so, why ? What curious things do happen in this
world ! Heaven knows what catastrophes there may
be awaiting us before long !

Yesterday was the second anniversary of the date
of your taking office, and though so many things have
happened since that time, to me the two years seem to
have passed very quickly. Do you not think so, too ?

Adieu, my dear lord. You see I have really
nothing to say to you that is worth the taking up of
your time. I shall hasten, therefore, to assure you of
my warmest regards, for the assurance of this, at least,
I know to be always welcome. On this one matter,
at any rate, I am convinced we think alike ; and,
assuredly, it is a great piece of good fortune in this
world to be able to count on a true heart. I implore
you to fulfil your good intentions, and send me some
news. Adieu once more, and a thousand kindest
regards.

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Sunday, Nov. 26Mf [1832].

I dined the day before yesterday at the
Pavilion, my dear lord — I dine there again to-day ;
and yesterday I went to see the Queen, to present
Princess Galitzin to her. As a consequence of all
this going to Court I must send you a letter, although

* Alluding to the report that Admiral Sartorius had gone off with Don Pedro's
fleet. The sailors had mutinied for their arrears of pay, and Admiral Sartorius
had threatened to confiscate the fleet unless their demands were satisfied. Fortu-
nately, Don Pedro was able to collect money enough to do this. The command
of the fleet was afterwards given to Captain Charles Napier, R.N.

+ It should be the 25th.

VOL. II. 57

4i8 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [nov.

in point of fact my budget of news is extremely limited.
The health of the royal personages is excellent, as
also their spirits. The gathering at the Pavilion was
wholly Tory. The Peels and the Dawsons as many
as could be ; the Chesterfields, and the De Ros's, the
Brownlows, and Lord Howe.* Such were the notables.
After dinner the King talked to Lord Howe alone,
who appears to me to enjoy his Majesty's favour in
the highest possible degree. The King and Queen,
Princess Augusta, Madame Bjoernstjerna, Lord Howe,
and myself, made up the party, who sat together in
the round drawing-room. The Queen talked to me ;
the King, as I have just told you, to Lord Howe, and
to him alone.

The Queen did not go beyond trivial matters, and
I heard no word of politics, except when she referred
to the letters which the Princess, her sister, "j" writes to
her. She naturally pities her much, for her position
at the present moment is not agreeable. The Prince
of Orange sent his portrait the other day to the King
and Queen, not considering that he is at war with
/ke?7t. My visit yesterday was nothing but an official
presentation. . The Cowpers have arrived, and they
also dine at the Pavilion to-night. So here we have
some Whigs. George Anson, too, has been invited.

Observe what careful bulletins I send you ; pray
pay me back in kind, but of a different sort. Tell
me what is happening in that unhappy Antwerp ; and
tell me how and when the dead-lock will come to an
end. It is all but impossible to think of anything

* Although no longer her Chamberlain, Lord Howe still continued his attend-
ance on the Queen.

+ Ida, wife of Grand-Duke Charles of Saxe-Weimar, and daughter of Duke
George of Saxe-Meiningen.

1832.] THE SIEGE OF ANTWERP CITADEL. 419

else. I have paid the Duchess of Gloucester a visit ;*
she is greatly altered, and is very unwell. I need not
tell you that she is extremely indignant at the war
against Holland. We have to-day a/rotd de loup here
at Brighton, but the sun shines brilliantly, and the
promenaders are numerous.

Adieu, my dear lord ; pray write to me ; it is not
I who now fail in the matter of letter-writing. I think
I shall stay out the week here.

A thousand warmest regards.

East Sheen,

Nov. T.'jth, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I went to town yesterday intending to answer
your letters from thence, that I might be able to send
you the latest intelligence. . . . The delay is extra-
ordinary, though we knew that the commencement of
the operations against the citadel of Antwerp had been
retarded, not by the foolish dispute with the Govern-
ment of Belgium, but by the French not having got
up their heavy artillery. In the meantime I hear that
the merchants of Rotterdam and of Amsterdam are
beginning to feel that the blockade is no joke. They
had forgotten that we were well practised in this
during the last war, and thought that at this season of
the year we could do little. They now find that hardly
a Dutch ship has got in, and that there is now in
English ports, sent in by the British cruisers alone,
exclusive of what has been detained by the French,
property to the amount of more than half a million of

* Princess Mary, the King's sister. She married her cousin William, second
Duke of Gloucester, grandson of Frederick, Prince of Wales.

57—2

420 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [nov.

our money. This will form a good deposit for the
indemnity which their conduct may make it necessary
to demand of them. They should recollect, too, that
they have colonies ; and the King would do well to
bethink himself in time of the ruin he may bring on
himself and his family, when all his false pretences
are exposed, and a reaction takes place in public
opinion.

I hear the best accounts of the prospects of the
Government in France, the stability of which is an
object of European interest.* But I hear also that
Pozzo, to say nothing of his language about Belgium,
etc., has been doing all he can to instigate Zea,t during
his stay in Paris, to take up the cause of Don Miguel.
You must have an extreme desire to thwart the policy
of England everywhere, to seek for an opportunity of
doing so in Portugal.

This is the first bad day we have had since you left
Richmond, and I was surprised to hear you speak of a
froid de loup at Brighton. Our elections]; are going
on admirably, and you will have seen that the attempt
at addresses for the Dutch war, as they are pleased to
call it, has signally failed. Even the meeting in the
City is regarded as a failure by all the reasonable and
respectable merchants.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

Ever most affectionately yours,

Grey.

* M. Casimir Perier's death in May had been succeeded by some months of
interregnum, during which no Ministry was formed. In October, finally, Marshal
Soult was promoted from the Ministry of War to the Presidency of the Council,
and France was again under the control of a firm Government.

+ Zea Bermudez was, during these last days of King Ferdinand and at the
commencement of Queen Christina's regency, Spanish Prime Minister.

± For the first Reformed Parliament.

1832.] M. ZEA BERMUDEZ. 421

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Wednesday, Nov. ^th [1832].

Many thanks, my dear lord, for your letter of
yesterday. I am extremely curious and impatient for
news ; it seems impossible that the siege should not
have already begun, and then the end cannot be far off.
This would certainly be a great event ; and an ex-
cellent affair, too, if it only brought the Belgian Ques-
tion to a solution. What you tell me of Pozzo has
diverted me much, because assuredly you cannot be
ignorant that Zea requires no urging in the cause of
Don Miguel. The poor man was already so ardent
on the matter that it was tragic to behold him ; and I
am sure there was no need to inflame him the more.

Why do you imagine that Russia wants to thwart
the policy of England ? In the first place, your policy
in this affair has never been clearly stated ; you have
never said you wished to turn out Don Miguel. In
the second place, Russia has never meddled in Por-
tuguese matters. We live much too far off for it to
concern us in any way, and what Pozzo thinks of the
business is of no moment whatever. Pray do not give
in so easily to these false notions, with which others
wish to inspire you against us. It may all be in the
interest of your new ally,* but surely you are far too
clear-sighted and just, not to consult your own judg-
ment rather than theirs in this matter. My dear lord,
your highest quality in my eyes has always been that
you have the clearest, the most honest and the most
open mind of any statesman I know, and at the same
time the keenest foresight. Your greatest defect is

••" France.

422 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [nov.

that you do not allow yourself to be sufficiently guided
by your own incontestable superiority of judgment.

The King and Queen are both extremely gracious
to me, and no one could have more obliging attentions
paid them than those of which I am the recipient. I
always find the King calm and good-humoured, and
in such good health as is a pleasure to see. The
Queen also appears to me to be now in excellent
spirits. When the occasion serves, she of course
throws out a few words that show her great dislike
of this war against the Dutch ; but as a rule she says
little about it, and tries to occupy her thoughts with
other matters.

Alexander Baring* dined the other evening at the
Pavilion, which astonished me. The last two occa-
sions on which I dined there, Lord Howe was not
present. The Cowpers are always invited the same
day that we are. To-day the Duke of Gloucester is
invited — what a pleasure ! I intend staying here for
yet another week ; I am amusing myself, and one
must admit that Richmond is no longer very agreeable,
especially now you are going away from East Sheen.

Thursday, 2^tk. — My letter remains unsent, for I
had no time to finish it yesterday. I have just heard
that Palmella has arrived in London. What has he
come for ? and how are his master's affairs progress-
ing.-^ Nothing as yet from Antwerp; how things do
drag on !

Adieu, my dear lord. Write to me, I beseech of
you ; you cannot conceive how ignorant I am, and
how full of curiosity. On this last head my husband
has taken to an independent course of action that suits

* Afterwards Lord Ashburton.

1832.] COUNT POZZO DI BORGO. 423

me ill. Brighton amuses him, and he takes walks.
This is not the best of means for getting me news.
Bulow remembers me but rarely, and so I rely on you
more than ever.

A thousand warmest regards.

East Sheen,

Z>er. 4^/1, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I have been so harassed for some time that it
has been impossible for me to write, but I have had
nothing to tell you that you would not have heard from
other quarters.

Your defence of Pozzo is most logical. We pro-
fess not to interfere in Portugal, therefore his instiga-
ting Zea to espouse the cause of Don Miguel cannot
thwart us, though it has been our object to keep Spain
quiet, for which purpose we made our neutrality depen-
dent on hers. Again, Zea was already on fire, there-
fore an addition of fuel could do no harm. It, at least,
showed a desire to increase the flame, and at all events
not to let it subside. But it is not in this case
alone that his enmity to this Government has been
displayed ; nor is it from the French I have my
information. There is not a Court in Germany
through which he has passed, from which we have
not had accounts of his holding the most hostile
languajje, and describing this Administration as
Jacobinical, and so reprobated by the most powerful
classes in the country that it could not stand. Of the
state of public feeling here with respect to us you may
judge from the effect of the measure to obtain
addresses. Wherever a fair appeal has been made to

424 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [dec.

it, the result has been decisively in favour of the
Government.

I have not yet fixed a time for going to town,
and shall put it off as long as I can. I am nearly
knocked up, and here, at least, am safe from people
coming to me late in the evening.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

Ever yours,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Dec. Sth, 1832.

Really, my dear lord, you only write to me
now to pick quarrels with me, and at that price I
would rather not have your letters. If the four pages
about Pozzo had been used to prove your friendship for
me, and to give me a little news, both my heart and my
curiosity would have been better satisfied. But I will
not imitate you, and for the future even will have
no opinions, since I see that unless mine agree with
yours, you get angry. It is always so with politics ;
but as I have none, I do not get angry, and I now
resume my peaceful routine of news-writer.

The Cowpers have come back from Petworth,
happily so for me, for I was beginning to bore myself
without them ; so much so, even, as to have made
me want to go back to London, whither my husband
has returned for a few days.

I received yesterday a letter from the Prince of
Orange, the first I have had from him during the
last ten months. He is naturally very much excited,
but seems firmly resolved on the course to pursue — to

1832.] THE FRENCH IN BELGIUM. 425

act on the defensive — which appears to me to be his
country's best policy. Further, he thinks that the
French will be in Belgium for the whole of this winter.
That remains to be seen. It seems to me that the
French Government is gaining strength. But when is
Gerard going to push on the siege .'* Certainly the
calculation as to time has been far from exact, for here
we are already at the date at which the whole affair was
to have been concluded, and the French back home
again.

You must have found the King in the best of health
the other day, and one must admit that he makes
journeys like a young man. He only got back here
at two in the morning. The Queen just escaped
having a bad fall from her horse the day before yester-
day. The fact is, though she looks so well on horse-
back, she is by no means a good horsewoman. Lady
Jersey threatens to come to Brighton, but I hope to be
gone before she arrives ; just imagine what a kill-joy
she will be !

Good-bye, my dear lord. How is Lord Durham's
little girl ? The papers said she was worse, but I hope
this is not true.

A thousand kindest regards. .

East Sheen,

Dec. 8ik, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I have been intending to write to you for the
last three days, but have been always prevented, and
now I have only a few minutes.

The latest accounts from Antwerp seem to offer a
reasonable expectation that the citadel will surrender

426 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [dec.

very soon, unless old Chasse has some scheme to play
off which is past my powers of divining. The whole
history of these proceedings is most unaccountable.
First, the delay of the French in beginning, and the
inadequacy of their preparation. Next, the very little
resistance which has been made by Chasse, whose
defence has hitherto been so miserable as to induce one
almost to believe the report of his death. He may, as I
have observed, have some resource which is not apparent
to us ; but it seems impossible that he can have any that
could be equivalent to the advantages which he has
allowed the French to obtain. They have, in fact,
established their two first parallels, without any
material loss, within the distance which there gener-
ally is between the third and the place. They have
made up, therefore, by their subsequent activity for
the first delay. I have no other news, and all this
you will have seen in the papers.

I confess I have felt sore at the language held
by Pozzo, so inconsistent with that which was held
to Lord Durham, but which it is hardly possible to
suppose he would have held, coming immediately from
St. Petersburg, if he had thought it would not be
approved of. I have other grievances, but let them
rest for the moment.

This is a very shabby letter, but I have not another
minute. Lord Durham's daughter is as ill as possible,
and entirely, I fear, without hope.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours.

Grey.

1832.] SIR STRATFORD CANNING. 427

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Tuesday^ Dec. nth, 1832.

I was unable, my dear lord, to thank you for
your last letter before now, for I have been suffering
so much from a fall I had Friday last, that it was
impossible for me to take pen in hand. I slipped and
fell, getting out of bed, against a piece of furniture,
and I thought I must have broken some of my ribs.
I am still in great pain to-day, but I wish all the same
to send you a few lines.

Matters at Antwerp are dilatory, and, in fact, things
there go much as everything else has been going for
some time past — no despatch of business, everything
dragging on, and all calculations as to time completely
at fault. Chasse is defending himself well.

I see by the papers that Stratford Canning is going to
Spain. If his mission be to urge Spain in bringing to
a close this struggle which is going on in Portugal, it
would be an excellent matter, although it is difficult to
conceive how a satisfactory solution can result from
the present state of affairs.

In spite of my half-broken ribs, I am going to the
Pavilion. The Duke of Sussex is the only new
guest, for they never have anyone except the Royal
Family and the Household, although Brighton is full
of people. It is a long time since I last met Lord
Howe, but he is still here. I hope to return to
London on Saturday, if my ribs will allow me to do
so. Will you be back in town by that time } I am
truly grieved to hear of the hopeless condition in which
Lord Durham's daughter is lying. Brighton is in all

428 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [DEC

the turmoil of the elections. It seems probable that it
is the Radicals who will carry the day. It is incredible
how hostile the people of Brighton are to the Court ;
and it is a great piece of ingratitude on their part,
for assuredly it is to the presence of the Royal Family
that Brighton owes its prosperity. Within the palace
everything goes on in perfect peace and tranquillity ;
domestic harmony, as I am told; and the King, as
ever, in excellent health.

Adieu, my dear lord. Write to me once more, I
beg of you. Letters are the more welcome when one is
ill. The Duchess of Gloucester is no better, and I hear
from Hastings that poor Prince George is worse again.
I fear his sight is lost entirely.

A thousand regards.

East Sheen,

Dec. I2th, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I write to thank you for your letter of the
nth, which I have just received, and to condole with
you on the injury which you have received from your
strange accident. What pranks were you playing ? I
trust, however, you have not suffered severely, as you
were going to dine at the Pavilion.

Never was there anything so completely successful
as the London elections. Not one Radical returned,
not one soi-disant Conservative ;* not a symptom of
violence or tumult. Nobody who passed through
London would have known that an election was going
on : when we were told that the elections were to be

* A new word in those days. It is said to have come into use in 1831, through
an article in the Quarterly Revieiv, written by J. W. Croker.

1832.] THE ELECTIONS. 429

thrown into the hands of a fierce democracy, and
nothing but Radicals to be returned, under the effect
of intimidation and outrage. I really believe that there
has not been a disturbance anywhere, except where it
was provoked by the Tories, whom God seems to have
blinded for their destruction.

I have not heard whether any further accounts
have been received this morning from Antwerp. Old
Chasse seems to have shown more vigour since I last
wrote ; but it is only a question of days, more or less,
unless the Prince of Orange should advance to his
relief. To this he may be pushed by the state of
public opinion, but if he fails (and how can he be
expected to succeed ?), I will not answer for the con-
sequences to the Dutch King and his dynasty. You
might have saved them, but you preferred a course to
which I shall always ascribe all these dangers and
difficulties.

I think with horror of fixing my residence in town,
and shall remain here till the beginning of next month.
I was sorry to hear of the Duchess of Gloucester's
distressing state ; she is one of my bitterest enemies,
but I cannot help liking her. For poor Prince George
and his wretched parents I feel more than I can
express, though they are to be placed in the same
category (but in a much higher degree) as the Duchess
of Gloucester. Zea arrived at Madrid October 27.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,
G.

430 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [dec.

Downing Street,

Dec. 24M, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I do assure you my regret at not being able to
call on you to-day was very great and very sincere,
[t is increased by the news you send me of your in-
tending to leave town on Wednesday, as I cannot
come to town to-morrow. Why did you give up your
house at Richmond ? I might have had the pleasure
of seeing you frequently there.

I propose going to Goodwood on the ist, and am
invited to Brighton on the 3rd ; after that I shall fix
myself here, but without any hope of one minute's
leisure or comfort.

It grieves me to hear that you still suffer so much.

God bless you.

Yours,
_^______ G.

[On December 23 the citadel of Antwerp capitulated. After this
decisive success, which gave Belgium the free navigation of the
Scheldt, the King of Holland withdrew his troops, and the French
army immediately afterwards quitted the country.]

To Earl Grey.

London,

Tuesday, Dec. 2^tk, 1832.

I congratulate you, my dear lord, on the sur-
render of the citadel of Antwerp, and I congratulate
myself, too. Anything that tends to smooth away
political difficulties is a good thing for all parties, and
I trust matters may now be arranged so as to avoid
thorny situations of all sorts and kinds.

Your note of last night announces such a long

1832.] SURRENDER OF ANTWERP CITADEL. 431

period of separation between us, that I cannot make
up my mind to start for Panshanger without having
seen you once again. This is what I propose, there-
fore : If you come in to town to-morrow, come and
see me on your way in. If it is still early enough after
your visit to allow of my reaching Panshanger, I shall
go to-morrow ; if, however, you can only visit me late
in the day, I shkll put off my departure till Thursday.
All this />our vos beaux yeux ! I trust you are duly
grateful ; but be you so or not, let me have a line
in answer to this, in order that I may arrange my
plans.

Pozzo arrives here next week to pay my husband
a visit. Without going bail for anybody, I certainly
think he cannot be as full of evil dispositions against
England as you would have it, since he thus puts him-
self at our mercy. As a rule, when people are really
so very inimical, they prefer remaining at a distance.

Adieu, my dear lord ; I await your reply, and
meanwhile prospectively rejoice, perhaps in vain, at
the pleasure of seeing you to-morrow. Pray arrange
things so that I may not be rejoicing vainly.
A thousand kindest regards.

P.S. — I am sending a man to bring back your
answer.

East Sheen,

Dec. 2$th, 1832.

Dearest Princess,

I accept your congratulations on the surrender
of the citadel, though there are those connected with
your Embassy to whom this account will be by no
means agreeable, any more than it will be to Pozzo.

432 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [dec.

What is he coming here for ? Do not imagine I can
believe it to be merely a journey of pleasure.

I have only a moment to say that I shall go to
town to-morrow, and will call on you between twelve
and one ; but my visit must, I fear, be very short.

Ever yours,
G,

To Earl Grey.

Panshanger,

Monday, Dec. I'i^st, 1832.

As we cannot meet, my dear lord, I must, at
any rate, send you by letter my good wishes for the
year that is about to begin. All manner of success
has been yours during the year that is drawing to its
close, and from the bottom of my heart do I wish you
the like for that which is now commencing. For my-
self, I hope that I may pass the year with you in
England. The matter lies in your hands, and it seems
to me that your friendship assures me that it will turn
out in accordance with my desires.

We expect Pozzo on Wednesday, and since you
will be out of town at that time, I shall get him to
come down to me here, and then we will come up to
London together as soon as Ministers are back again.
I assure you I count greatly on his presence to counter-
act all the prejudice that exists in England to our dis-
favour. We, at least, have every wish to dissipate
this prejudice, and if but a moiety of the like desire
should show itself on your side, I see no reason why
the coming year may not open under auspices of good-
will to all men — and this, to me, at least, would seem
in the interest of Europe in general.

1832.] FRENCH TROOPS LEA VE BELGIUM. 433

France, withdrawing her troops as she does, is
acting in a way that is worthy of great praise, and
fully justifies the confidence you placed in her word.
This is an excellent guarantee that peace will be main-
tained, and I consider, in fact, that it is better assured
now than it has been at any time since you came into
office. Whether the King of Holland remains obsti-
nate or not matters nothing at all. Further, it would
appear likely that the Dutch of themselves will now
refuse to maintain a resistance which has no object,
and is without hope of success.

I am still suffering a good deal, but, at any rate, I
sleep well at Panshanger, which I did not do in London.
There are staying here only Lady Tankerville and the
Duke of Argyle ; and we have snow to-day, which I
detest. You can have no conception how I hate the
winter-time. Have you any good news from Lambton
Castle ? and how is Lady Grey ? How is poor Lord
Durham's daughter getting on ?

Tell me, my dear lord, if you can come and dine
with us Monday next, the 7th, at Ashburnham House.
It would give me such pleasure if you can manage it.
I shall count also on Lady Georgiana.

Adieu ; a thousand good wishes and assurances of
my true and faithful friendship.

East Sheen,

Jan. 1st, 1833.*

Dearest Princess,

I cannot sufficiently thank you for your very
kind note, which I received late yesterday evening.
In the first place let me return your good wishes for

* Dated by mistake 1832.
VOL. II. 58

434 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [jan.

the New Year, and more especially that part of them
which relates to your continuance here. Be assured
that this wish is sincere, and from my heart. There is
nothing that I would not do, that honour and duty
would allow me to do, to contribute to its fulfilment.
But really we are placed in a situation, with respect to
the demand of your Court, from which it does not
depend upon us to extricate ourselves.* Let me hope,
therefore, that a pretension will not be insisted on,
which is founded on no valid reason, and to which we
cannot yield. A similar demand has more than once
been resisted, and by Canning, in a tone which we
certainly shall not adopt.

The King of Holland seems determined to persist
to the last as he began. Was there ever such a piece
of gratuitous obstinacy as the refusal of Lillo and
Liefkenshoek .^t They are of no earthly use to him,
except to provoke and irritate. He commands the
Scheldt without them ; and his keeping them gives
the Belgians a right to retain Venloo, etc, I cannot
help feeling that allowing the garrison, whose bravery
he so much vaunts, to be sent prisoners into France
on this ground, will have some effect on public opinion
in Holland. But let him take care that the reaction,
when it comes, as come it will, does not assume a
strength which may push matters too far. We have
sent him a proposal for an immediate Convention,
previous to a definitive Treaty ; but I suppose we may
expect a refusal as a matter of course.

I do not go to establish myself in London till

* The Emperor of Russia had refused to receive Sir Stratford Canning as
Ambassador at St. Petersburg.

t The two forts commanding the lower reaches of the Scheldt.

1833.] COUNT POZZO DI BORGO. 435

Monday next, and wish you could put off your dinner
till some day later in the week.

Ever, dearest Princess,
Yours most affectionately,

Grey.

P.S. — Poor Lambton's daughter is as ill as it is
possible to be. Our accounts of Lady Grey are
better.

To Earl Grey.

Ashburnham House,

Friday, Jan. /^h [1833].

I could not write to thank you yesterday, my
dear lord, for your kind letter of the other day, for I
had to go from Panshanger up to London, which was
a matter of great fatigue to me in the suffering con-
dition in which I still find myself. When I got up
here, it was found needful to arrange a consultation
with Brodie and Halford, and in this my day was
wasted.

Since Monday will not suit you, will you come
and dine with us Tuesday ? If I hear nothing from
you to the contrary, I shall know that we may look
forward to the pleasure of seeing you.

Pozzo amuses me greatly, and I think you will like
him ; he is full of wit and gaiety, and his political
ideas are of the most pacific and conciliatory order.
He is very well content with the present state of
France. Matters there have all turned out in favour
of order and moderation. He is extremely pleased
(just as I am) that the recent elections here in England
have added so much to the strength of the Adminis-
tration ; for, that the Government should be strong at

58—2

436 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [JAN.

home is what is most to be desired for every country.
It is only weakness that can compromise the peace of
Europe. As for you, my dear lord, you are on
Fortune's highroad ; she seconds you, and does so
rightly, for you will use her gifts to good purpose. I
am very curious to know what your judgment will be
on Pozzo ; and he, too, is extremely impatient to make
your acquaintance.

I wish I could inspire the King of Holland with a
little common-sense, and I agree with you in thinking
that for lack thereof on this occasion things in Holland
may go very ill with him. I cannot, however, prevent
myself looking on all this as secondary. The essential
point is — peace ; which seems to me well secured at
the present day, unless it be put in jeopardy by Strat-
ford Canning, and this would be too ridiculous. I
rejoice in the idea of seeing you once more, and hope
you will have been pleased with your visit to Brighton.
Although I have seen no Tories, I hear on all sides
of the state of despondency they are in ; but I should
add that, except in a very few cases, a general desire
seems to prevail that the Government should be sup-
ported.

Adieu, my dear lord, and till Tuesday only, I hope.
A thousand kind regards.

East Sheen,

/an. ^th, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

I received your very kind letter this morning
before I left Brighton. I hate great dinners, and they
are not suited to the present state of my health ; but I
find I must submit to several, and therefore I will not

1833.] LORD DENBIGH. 437

refuse yours on Tuesday. I hope to meet you also at
Palmerston's on Monday.

Everything passed to my complete satisfaction at
Brighton, and I was much gratified by the Queen's
graciousness to me. You will have heard of the
appointment of Lord Denbigh to be her Chamberlain.*
This was done before I arrived. There could not
have been a better solution. The other promotion
you will also have heard, and I am sure will rejoice at
— Lord Stafford's Dukedom.'f

I was sorry not to be able to receive the Prince and
Pozzo to-morrow, but I am sure the validity of my
excuse will be admitted.

Ever dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours.

Grey.

Wednesday night [Jan. ^th, 1833].

Dearest Princess,

I am so much edified by the enclosed article,
which I have just read in the Standard,\ that I cannot
help sending it to you. You see you have excellent
friends in the Tories.

Ever yours,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Thursday, Jan. loth [1833].

You cannot laugh more than I do, my dear
lord, at the extreme popularity enjoyed by Russia in

* Vice Lord Howe. f Duke of Sutherland.

J In a leading article of the Standard of January 9, 1833, these words occur :
' The truth is that the favourite policy, during at least six years, of Russia is to
cheat and embroil the fools in the West of Europe, while she plays her own game
in the East, etc'

438 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [jan.

England. A fortnight ago, also, the Standard had
an article in a like obliging tone, and I was the first
to divert myself therewith one day at breakfast at
Panshanger. But, ray dear lord, pray note a differ-
ence. I laugh at the Tory newspapers as I laugh at
those of the Radical press, for they matter to me not
a straw ; but I do not laugh at what the Ministerial
journals publish. However, let us laugh over it all
together to-night at M. de Talleyrand's, where I shall
be so happy at meeting you again. I trust there is
now no question of your cold.

Pray tell William that he would see my boys at
Covent Garden in the Queen's box. He will only
have to mention my name. They could afterwards
bring him back to Downing Street, if that suited.

A thousand regards.

To Earl Grey.

Panshanger,

Friday, /an. 25^/z, 1833.

This silence is too much, my dear lord, and I
do not feel at my ease when I am so long without
hearing from you. I have taken to the good (or is it
bad ?) habit of occupying myself greatly about you,
and I have the pretension of imagining that you think
of me, too, a little.

I have, however, no news to give you, unless it be
to assure you that what I hear on every side from the
Tories confirms all that I have been telling you for
some time past ; namely, that they will be moderate in
their views, and be disposed to give a frank support
to the Government in all that relates to guarding

1833.] THE NEW PARLIAMENT. 439

against and repressing Radicalism, which is the only
foe much to be feared. Peel thinks there will be 120
Jacobins in the House ever ready to harass both the
Ministers and the Tories ; and that they will impede
business to a considerable extent, even though it be
merely by their eternal chattering.

In Peel's opinion Government ought to make
every haste to carry a motion declaring that the
Union between Ireland and England must be main-
tained, at any cost and peril. He thinks that at
the present moment the Government would be able
to carry this by a majority of ten to one. Later
on the majority would decrease ; O'Connell having
acted on their minds, there would be hesitations,
and the House would no longer give the same
unqualified support to the measure. The measure
once passed, he holds that martial law ought immedi-
ately to be proclaimed in Ireland. My informant
further told me he thought if the [Irish] Church
Reform were very moderate. Peel would not oppose
it. He displays in his usual language no sort of
bitterness against the Government. I have no exact
knowledge of what he may think about foreign affairs,
but in general terms he is greatly in favour of all that
can tend to the maintenance of peace.

All this, my dear lord, is a short summary of
opinions which I think it well to forward to you, and I
have them from an extremely reliable source. The
Duke of Wellington, according to what I also hear,
holds language of much the same tenor ; but I shall
know more on this matter in a few days' time.

I come up to town Sunday, to dine at Lord John
Russell's. Shall you be there ? It would be such a

440 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [feb.

pleasure to meet you, A letter from you posted to-
morrow would still find me here Sunday morning.

Adieu, my dear lord, and a thousand kindest
regards.

[The first Reformed Parliament was formally opened on
January 29, and the Speaker (Mr. Manners Sutton) elected. The
Speech from the Throne was delivered on February 5 by the King
in person.]

To Earl Grey.

London,

Wednesday, Feb. 6th [1833].

The Speech from the Throne, and what you
said in the House of Lords, was all that we could
wish for, my dear lord ; and, according to my old
habit, I am writing to tell you what I think of it all.
It would have been impossible to speak with greater
propriety and delicacy on matters of foreign policy
than you have done. Pozzo came back enchanted
with your speech, and loud in praise of its eloquence.
It was such a pleasure to me to hear him speak so of
you. Praise of you always makes my heart warm.

I thank you, too, for your last note."^' The ex-
pression of your friendship for me is the chief matter
in it, and this, in fact, is the only thing to which I
attach much importance. I already begin to look
forward to the visit you promise me towards the end
of the week. Let me, however, know the hour
beforehand ; for now that I am getting the better of
my cold, I begin to go out a little, and I would fain
not risk the vexation of missing you. I hardly dare

* Of February 3, Downing Street.

1833.] THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. 441

hope to see you to-night, but only after midnight shall
I give up all hope ; for I have the greatest longing to
talk to you, and three weeks have passed since we last
saw each other.

Adieu. A thousand most friendly and most faith-
ful regards.

Feb. 6ih, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

I promised myself a kind note from you this
morning, and I have not been disappointed. Accept
my best thanks, then, for that which I have received.
It did my heart good, and is the best compensation I
could have ; but, still, a very inadequate one for my
not having the pleasure of seeing you. I am glad
that anybody else was pleased with my speech, for I
was not so myself. I had been so unwell after the
King's Speech in the House of Lords that I had
been on the point of sending to desire that they
would go on without me. The truth is, I was quite
overcome by hard work and want of sleep, and had
not had five minutes to think of what I had to say,
before the House met. However, if it satisfied others,
as I am assured it did, all is well ; but I wish Pozzo
had had a better specimen of me.

The Tories did exactly as I had expected — that
is, all the mischief they could, and in the most factious
spirit. There was nothing omitted by Aberdeen and
the Duke of Wellington to encourage the King of
Holland to resist, and to excite alarm as to our inten-
tions about the Church. On the strong declaration
of our intention to suppress the violence which pre-
vails in Ireland, and to support the Union, they said

442 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [feb.

little or nothing, and gave a cold, hesitating, and re-
luctant promise of support, tf our measures should
be such as they approved. I see their game as
clearly as if I had been present at their consultations,
and I promise you it shall not succeed. I am so
knocked up that I must stay at home and go to bed
early. Besides, there is no comfort in seeing you at
an assembly.

God bless you, dearest Princess.

And believe me, ever most entirely yours.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

London,
Friday, 6 o'clock ^February 8tk, 1833].*

As I count on giving you pleasure in so doing,
I hasten, my dear lord, to acquaint you with the
impression left on my mind by my interview with the
Queen, from which I am just come — namely, that it
seems to me her Majesty is extremely well disposed
towards you.

The Queen spoke with evident satisfaction of the
debates last night in both Houses, saying that if Peel's
speech gave satisfaction to the Government, that of
Lord Grey, on the other side, must have greatly pleased
the Tories. Thus by a lucky chance, at the same
moment and from opposite quarters, each party had
made an advance to their rivals, which action would not
fail to have a tendency to bring about a tacit union
between those in either camp who were moderate and
reasonable in their views. Such a rapprochement, the
Queen continued, was a matter of the utmost import-

* Docketed in error * March 29lh.' It evidently precedes the letter of
February 9th.

I833-] LORD GREY'S SPEECH. 443

ance, and was in every way desirable, for therein lay
the greater safety of the State; and, her Majesty
added, through this it might be hoped that influence
would be brought to bear on certain matters of foreign
policy. From this rapprochement all manner of good,
and nothing but good, would result ; and what the
Queen most hoped was that so auspicious a beginning
might not fail in the sequel. Her Majesty praised
your two speeches to me in the strongest terms, adding
that, since her knowledge of them came through a
Tory channel, her approval was not open to the
suspicion of undue partiality. The Queen, in fact,
appeared to me to be most decidedly impressed in your
favour. I beg of you now, my dear lord, to throw this
letter of mine into the fire, for it is in no way according
to rule thus to repeat the sayings of royalty ; but to
you, and above all when they contain matter that may
be agreeable to you, I am always ready to make an
exception. On Sunday I will tell you some more.

Meanwhile, good-night, and a thousand kindest
regards.

P.S. — The Queen much disapproved of the speeches
of both Aberdeen and the Duke of Wellington.

Downing Street,

Feb. 9M, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

I had hoped to have been able to thank you
for your note of yesterday in person, but have been
prevented, and to-morrow, as I feared, there is to be a
Cabinet. I bear this very ill, for your kindness to
me yesterday makes me more than ever impatient to

444 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION, [march

see you. It gave me great pleasure to hear that so
favourable an impression had been made on the Queen
by the first debates. The result of the division ^^" last
night was even better than I had expected. Such a
majority in a Reformed House of Commons affords
undeniable proof that the spirit of Radicalism is not
very formidable in the country. Latterly, the feeling
of the House of Commons became very strong against
these violent people,t and I hear from all quarters that
they have excited nothing but disgust in the public.

Has Bulow told you what the King said to him
yesterday ? It was entirely of his own motion, for he
had mentioned his intention neither to Palmerston nor
me. God bless you, dearest Princess.

Ever entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Tuesday, Feb. i^th [1833].

Pozzo leaves on March 3 for Paris. Would
you give us the pleasure, my dear lord, of once more
coming to dine with us to meet him ? and would you
be free on Friday, March i ? I hope much it may
be so.

I am very well pleased with last night's debate in
the Upper House ; and from what you said in reply
to the Duke of Wellington, I gather you are satisfied
also with the course he has promised to follow. I saw
Lord Aberdeen yesterday, who appeared to me to be
taking a more just view of affairs ; and I know that

* On the Address, carried by a majority in the Commons of more than six to
one.

f The Irish members under Mr. O'Connell's leadership.

1833.] SIR STRATFORD CANNING. 445

the language he held to Zuylen was anything but
encouraging to the Dutch.

Adieu. On Sunday we meet for certain, and
possibly before then.

A thousand kindest regards.

To Earl Grey.

Sunday morning, March lath [1833].

My dear Lord,

Pray send me some news of your poor little
grandchild.* I trust things go better to-day.

That I might see whether it were possible for me
to release you from your promise, I got my husband
once more to talk to me about the declaration which
Lord Palmerston made to him,f and I inquired why,
after all, he had not gone and spoken of the matter to
you ? He answered my query by laying it down as
an acknowledged fact that a declaration made officially
by one member of the Government must of necessity
be regarded as emanating from the Cabinet in general
— that, as a consequence, any appeal against the same
was entirely superfluous ; on the other hand, my hus-
band said that if this declaration were to be regarded
as embodying the opinion of Lord Palmerston alone,
any recourse to you would be of the nature of a com-
plaint, and such a proceeding, without in any way
changing the core of the matter, would entail con-

* George, son of Lady Caroline Barrington. The child died March 16.

t Lord Palmerston had declined to cancel the nomination of Sir Stratford
Canning as Ambassador to Petersburg. Lord Grey supjJorted Lord Palmerston's
decision, which Lord Durham vehemently opposed. Lord Durham shortly after
this resigned the Privy Seal, on the plea of ill-health. The Emperor of Russia still
persisting in his objections, an understanding was arrived at that Sir S. Canning
should not proceed to his Embassy, which remained vacant till 1835.

446 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION, [march

sequences that would not fail personally to be dis-
agreeable to him. His answering me thus robbed me
of all desire to acquaint him with the conversation I
had had with you. So, therefore, more than ever do I
conjure you to remember your promise, and I rely on
your breathing no syllable about it to anyone. I
thought myself clever at diplomacy, but I never am
so with you, for I cannot get rid of my old habit of
telling you all that is on my mind. I ought to have
broken myself of this two years and a half ago.

Yours ever, with a thousand kindest good wishes,

Downing Street,

March loth, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

The poor little boy continues much in the
same state — i.e., as bad as possible.

You may be assured I never will repeat without your
permission anything that you say to me in confidence ;
and in the present case it is, on all accounts, better to
let the matter rest as it is, though I am certain there
must have been some misunderstanding.

I am always too happy when I receive any mark
of your kindness, and I should be still more so if you
could justly accuse yourself of being off your guard in
any of your communications with me. Even if you
were more imprudent, you would have nothing to fear
with respect to any confidence that is confided to me.
But it has more than once occurred to me to hear
things repeated from others which you had told me
under the strictest injunction of secrecy, and for these
I cannot answer.

1833-] LORD PALMERSTON. 447

You complain of Palmerston ; but you ought not to
be surprised if the violent, and, as I believe, most
unjust, things that are said against him, when repeated,
should produce some impression. The other night
Lady Holland repeated to Lady Cowper all that had
been said of him by Pozzo to her, which was of such a
nature as not to be forgiven.

Ever yours,

Downing Street,

March zoth, 1 833.

Dearest Princess,

If there is no House of Lords, I shall be
very happy to dine with you on Monday ; but Lady
Grey is at present quite unequal to such an exertion.
The most satisfactory division we have yet had was
that of last night,* as all the Tories, with the exception
of three or four, voted against us. Some of our
friends also voted in the same way, so that there could
not be a stronger proof of the strength on which we
can rely, in spite of all accidents.

The Duke of Cumberland will, I hope, no longer
boast that we depend upon their assistance. He
declared last night that he would vote against the
Bill when it comes back to the House of Lords. I
hope he will keep his word. God bless you.

Ever yours affectionately,
Grey.

[On April 26 the Government sustained a defeat in the House of
Commons, when Sir W. Ingilby carried his proposition for a reduction
of the Malt Tax by a majority of ten.

On June i the Duke of Wellington moved an Address to the

* In the Court-martial Clause of the Irish Coercion Bill, carried by a majority
of 140.

448 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION, [june

Throne, pledging the House to a policy of neutrality as regarded
Portugal and the rival claims of Don Pedro and Don Miguel. The
motion was carried by ten votes.

Princess Lieven was to leave England in the middle of June on a
visit of some weeks to the Court of the Emperor Nicholas.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

June Sf/i, 1833.

You made it a matter of reproach with me,
my dear lord, a few weeks back, that during the period
when a crisis was imminent I failed to turn to you for
news. Although in my opinion the vote of Monday
in the House of Lords need not be regarded as of any-
thing like the importance of the motion on the Malt
Tax, and I therefore foresee no peril to your Adminis-
tration, yet since the newspapers, which are my only
sources of information, insist that this will bring about
a crisis, I write to inquire what I am to think
about it all. Is there anything in it ? or is it all
nothing ? My idea is ' nothing,' but then I may
be mistaken. In any case, I consider the bringing
forward of the motion to have been very ill-advised.

I must see you again before I leave. Can you call
on me in town on Tuesday next ? — I shall not be there
before that date. Also pray fix your hour, for I shall
be very busy, and every moment occupied.

Adieu, and a thousand kindest regards.

D. Lieven.

Downing Street,

/une dth, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

It was a real pleasure to me to see your hand-
writing once more on my return from the Cabinet

1833.] THE ADDRESS OF THE LORDS. 449

dinner last night. I had begun to fear that I was
entirely forgotten. You know I cannot always com-
mand my time, but I will, if possible, call on you
about three on Tuesday. Do you dine at Sion [House]
on Monday ?

The vote of the House of Lords on Monday night
would require more than is possible in a letter. A
decided declaration of that branch of the Legislature
against the Administration would, in ordinary cases,
make a change necessary. If such a change does not
now take place, it is owing to circumstances of the
greatest moment to the character and authority of the
House of Lords. These ought to have been well con-
sidered by the leaders of the Opposition before they
committed the House by a measure of which they do
not seem to have foreseen the consequences. Nothing
could be more satisfactory than the interview which the
Chancellor and I had yesterday with the King. The
answer to the Address will be delivered to the House
of Lords to-day. I hate the thoughts of your going to
Russia. In the present state of the world God knows
what may happen before you come back.

Ever most affectionately yours,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Friday, June "Jth [1833].

After having written to you the day before
yesterday, my dear lord, I went to dine at Kew, where
I met all the high Tories. Their faces and their talk
gave me the answer to my question before I had
received your letter in reply. I, very soon understood
VOL. II. 59

450 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION, [june

that they had done a foolish piece of business, and that
they themselves knew it ; and although the Duke of
Wellington put a better face on it than any of the
others, it needed no pains to perceive that he was not
triumphant. What happened yesterday has thrown
a fresh light on their position ; every attempt that fails
is a piece of stupidity. The King's reply to the
Address appears to me extremely moderate in tone,
and very much to the purpose, also not a little biting,
if one may say so.

To-morrow I go down to Windsor, and come back
Monday. I dine that evening at Sion House. Your
question on that point makes me hope you are to be
there too.

The thoughts of my voyage oppress me dreadfully.
It is such a fatigue, and I shall have worry enough to
kill me. But the Emperor wishes to see me, and I
tell myself that I must not disappoint him. If I am
still alive I shall be back by August 15. Why should
you imagine that any catastrophe will occur between
this and then ? I, on the contrary, think that every-
tliing looks pacific, but your prognostications frighten
me.

Adieu, my dear lord ; many thanks for your letter,
and a thousand kindest regards.

To Earl Gi^ey.

Hamburg,

June 22W, 1833.

It is impossible for me, my dear lord, to let
slip any opportunity of sending a letter to London
without writing to you ; and the Coinet is just starting
on her return journey. The Comet is an admirable

1833.] VOYAGE TO PETERSBURG. 451

vessel, and I take leave of her with the feelings that
one has in saying ' Good-bye ' to an agreeable ac-
quaintance. Comparisons are not in favour of the
vessel I find here to replace her, for just imagine, I am
about to embark aboard a packet-boat whose sister
ship was wrecked a week ago ! How much this
inspires one with confidence !

I have borne the sea well enough up to now ; I
remain here to rest over to-morrow, and then I set off
for the Baltic.

How far away England and all its politics seem to
me now ! The more, however, I think over things,
the less do I think it possible that anything grave will
happen. I feel sure everything will pass off well, if
you show a conciliatory spirit. I think so, in the first
place, on account of your words, which were in every
way moderate ; and I believe it, in the second place, on
account of what the Duke of Wellington said, whom I
saw on the eve of leaving London, and who appeared
to me to have no other ambition than to effect a
reconciliation between extreme opinions ; and he cer-
tainly had no idea of overturning the Government. If
he fibbed to me, I shall be very sorry for it ; but up to
the present moment I shall have been completely his
dupe. However matters turn out, I feel sure, one way
or another, the present crisis will be got over without
much difficulty, and perhaps it is all arranged as I
hope at the present moment of my writing to you.

Adieu, my dear lord ; think of me sometimes, and
let me know too that you do so. I need both your
friendship and the being reminded of it.

Believe ever in my most affectionate regard.

59—2

452 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION, [june

Downing Street,

June 261/t, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

I was in hopes of hearing before this of your
safe arrival at Hamburg. I cannot, however, feel
any doubt of it, and I know you are now at or near
Petersburg, or at any rate that you will be there long
before you can receive this letter. I write in obedience
to your orders, and to satisfy my own desire to recall
myself to your memory ; to say how much I regret
your absence, and how anxiously I look to the time
fixed for your return.

I have nothing new or interesting to tell you with
respect either to our foreign or domestic affairs. The
most interesting point with respect to the former will
be the Belgian Question, till it is settled by a definitive
treaty ; and I sincerely hope your Plenipotentiaries
will have instructions to press that matter to a conclu-
sion by resisting the attempts, which we may still
expect from the Dutch Government, to raise difficulties
and to create delay.

The state of parties here continues much as when
you left us, and I am quite prepared for any efforts
our opponents may make on the Irish Church Reform.
They have not lately acted with more prudence or
skill than previously to your departure ; and as long as
your friend the whiskered Duke,'" and persons of his dis-
position, have any influence amongst them, they cannot
be expected to do so. But in truth, as to feelings of
personal resentment and hatred of the Government,
there is not much difference ; and the Duke of Welling-
ton neyer loses an opportunity of giving vent to them.

* The Duke of Cumberland.

1833.] THE SALUTES AT COWES. 453

He puts himself forward on every occasion to criticise
and censure the measures of the Government, without
pushing the questions, on which these attacks are made,
to a division; and it must be confessed that, with a
strange conceit to appear to understand every question
better than all the world besides, he often makes a
sorry figure.

Not having enough to do with more serious matters,
I have at this moment on my hands a foolish quarrel
between the Courts of Kensington and St. James's.
The immediate cause is a question about salutes from
the ships of war and forts when the Duchess of Kent
is passing in her excursions from Cowes, where she is
going, with the Princess Victoria, to pass the summer.
The details of all this are too foolish for me to trouble
you with them, even if I were disposed, or had time
to do so. But it is very provoking that there should
be advisers so wrong-headed, or so interested, as to
create disputes where it would be so easy to avoid
them, and which must necessarily, if made public,
prove injurious to the Royal Family. In the meantime
various little matters add to these annoyances. Your
two Princes of Wurtemberg had been invited to
Windsor, and were to have been there to-day; but a
note from the Duchess of Kent to the Queen has
desired that they may be excused, as they have already
paid their court to their Majesties at St. James's, and
the short time they have to stay is hardly sufficient for
all they have to see in London. I should have thought
that one of the things they would have been most
desirous of seeing was Windsor ; and at all events
such a refusal of the King's invitation was not gracious.
1 am really ashamed when I look at the quantity of

454 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [JULY

paper I have covered with this stuff. It is a proof
that I have nothing to say that is material.

Your letter is just brought to me ; ten thousand
thanks for this proof of your kindness and remem-
brance. I need not tell you what pleasure it has given
me. I rejoice in your having been so well pleased
with the Comet, and only wish it could have taken you
all the way. I have not another minute.
God bless you, and believe me,

Ever dearest Princess,

Yours most entirely.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Peterhof,

July 6th, 1833.

If you knew what my existence was, you
would bear me some gratitude, my dear lord, for
writing to you. I have not time for sleep ; I hardly
breathe — but I often think of you, and needs must tell
you so.

Perhaps as you have already heard, I met the
Emperor out at sea, he having sallied forth to capture
me. He overwhelms me with kindness, with marks of
his confidence and friendship, placing me on a footing
of intimacy with himself and the Empress. With all
my heart, too, I appreciate the welcome I receive,
and certainly it is impossible to be a witness, as I now
am, of the perfect simplicity, happiness, and gaiety
of their family life, and of the great qualities, both in
heart and head, of the Emperor, without feeling one's
self in every way drawn towards him. In short, in
this matter, my satisfaction is entirely beyond what I

1833.] THE COUNT AT PETERHOF. 455

had cause to expect. In regard to the fatigue suf-
fered by my poor body, that, also, goes beyond any-
thing I had been led to foresee. I am quite over-
whelmed. From morning to night it is nothing but
military reviews, festivals, dinners, excursions, and
balls. I dress four times a day. The heat is that of
the tropics, and an absolute uncertainty always reigns
as to what may be going to take place during the next
quarter of an hour. Just imagine how all this suits me!
What are they doing in England ? and what are
you doing ? Up to the present moment I am the
latest arrival from those parts ; and yet it seems to me
an eternity since I left England. I have fixed the date
of my departure for the end of the month, which will
get me back to you by the loth or 12th of August.
However, I cannot, of course, answer that my wishes
will be respected in this matter. I have seen no one of
the Corps Diplomatique as yet, but they are all to
be received here on the Empress's birthday, which is
celebrated on the 13th ; then is the time when Peterhof
is seen in all its magic splendour. The blue sea, some
hundreds of beautiful fountains, and waterfalls, those
fine black pine-trees that you like so much, and the
ancient gilded palace crowning the slopes — all this,
and the brilliant Court, truly makes a most resplendent
show. The night of the birthday the evening closes
with a general illumination, on which occasion they
light two hundred thousand coloured lamps in and
about the gardens, and have two thousand men in
attendance to see after them. What I tell you is
rather a contrast to your dull mode of life in London,
with your smoke and your indocile House of Lords,
but you will tell me all about it, none the less, I hope.

456 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [jULY

Good-bye, my dear lord, and do not forget me.
Tell Lord Durham that here they all retain a most
pleasant recollection of his visit, and that the Emperor
in particular holds him in the most cordial esteem.
He talked a great deal to me about him.

I look with great eagerness for your letters, and
rely with confidence on your friendship. My confi-
dence will not, I trust, be disappointed.

[The ambition of Mehemet Ali, Viceroy of Egypt, had thrown
the East into a turmoil. In 1831 he had conquered Syria, and had
only been prevented from marching on Constantinople by the sending
of 15,000 Russian troops to the shores of the Bosphorus. England
and France, however, refused to sanction Russian interference, and
the Sultan was forced to cede Syria to Mehemet Ali in fief. On
July 8, 1833, the Sultan, disgusted with the attitude of the Western
Powers, concluded the Treaty of Unkiar Skelessi with the Czar, and
in a secret article agreed to close the Dardanelles to all but Russian
vessels.]

To Earl Grey.

Peterhof,

Thursday, July l^th, 1833.

How can I sufficiently thank you, my dear
lord, for your kind letter of June 26? An accident that
befell one of the Baltic steam-packets has disorganized
the mail-service, and hence we are very much behind-
hand just now in the matter of London news. Although,
from this, the date of your letter was not very recenc,
it in no wise diminished either the interest of its con-
tents or the pleasure of being thus remembered by you.
I beg you to believe that in the midst of a society and
occupations that in no way tend to recall you to my
mind, and with an amount of dissipation that will
hardly allow two ideas to remain together in my head,

1833.] THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS. 457

you are, none the less, almost always present to my
recollection.

I learn with pleasure that the crisis, from which so
much was to be feared at the time when I left London,
has not fallen out badly, and that your threats of retiring
to Howick were, as I then said, devoid of common-
sense ; forgive the hasty expression, but I take such
pleasure in seeing it has come true.

The squabbles that have been going on at Kens-
ington Palace do not surprise me. The cause is
that German morgue and little-mindedness which is
rampant in that quarter ; those people are wrong-
headed to the utmost possible degree, all of which,
however, is a great pity, for, after all, the future of
England is placed in their hands. Here I have before
my eyes the sight of a perfect domestic union, and, in
truth, it does one's heart good to see how complete is
the happiness that reigns between all members of the
Imperial Family.

The birthday entertainment was very fine, but
fatiguing enough to make one die of it ; I very much
prefer the smaller parties. I dine then at a table with
only four places set — with the Emperor, the Empress,
and Prince Albert, the Empress's brother.''^ Nothing
can be more comfortable, nor, for me, more interesting.
My conversations with the Emperor are always on
subjects of interest, and the more I come to know him,
the more am I convinced that Russia has never had a
Sovereign who was more the friend of peace, and more
desirous of maintaining a good understanding with all
other countries, than the Emperor Nicholas. He
seems, above all, to be penetrated by the idea that

• Son of William III. of Prussia.

458 SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [jULY

to maintain the good relations at present existing
between Russia and England is in every way for
the interest of both nations; that it is the natural
condition of things, equally necessary to both, and that
it can and ought for no consideration to be changed.
I have seldom met with a mind so logical, and, at the
same time, so matter-of-fact and so practical, as that
of the Emperor. He is very much pleased with the
news from Constantinople. Your Ambassador there
is acting very nobly, and with great good sense, which
means : in every way befitting the representative of
a great Power. A quarrelsome man would have done
much mischief at Constantinople at a time like the
present ; but the frank and loyal way in which Lord
Ponsonby meets Orloff has enabled this Eastern Ques-
tion to be brought to a prompt conclusion. Our troops
and our fleet have left the Bosphorus, and it is an
excellent thing that matters are so ended.

I have no doubt the Belgian Question, too, will
now be terminated as we all desire. Be assured,
no one here is in love with the King of the Nether-
lands, and they understand him thoroughly. We want
the affair settled just as much as you do.

Adieu, my dear lord. I leave this positively on
August 6, so you will have me back in London by the
15th at latest, unless 1 sink to the bottom of the sea !
And I think that if I get back once again safe and sound
to England, I shall not stir for the rest of my life.

How happy I am at the thought of seeing you
again ! and what talks we shall have! God bless you.
With all my heart,

Yours most truly.

1833.] THE RUSSIAN ARMY. 459

To Earl Grey.

Peterhof,

July \%\zoth, 1833.

This will be my last letter, my dear lord, for 1
leave in a week's time, and after this I shall have no
other opportunity for writing to you.

I have spent three days at the camp, in the midst
of 50,000 men. I have been to sea, and seen the fleet
at the naval review ; and to-morrow I am going to
attend the manoeuvres, which are to last four days.
After which I shall doubtless come back to you ex-
tremely wise in all such matters. What I, however,
can hardly believe is, that I shall survive the fatigues I
undergo here. The pleasure I take in it all keeps up
my strength at present, for everything I see and hear
gives me the greatest satisfaction. But this does not'
in any way prevent my having the pleasantest antici-
pations of the moment when I shall see you once
again. You will then no longer be in the midst of
your Parliamentary worries, and if you talk to me
much about Howick I shall come down there to pay
you a visit. So you see how I arrange both your aftairs
and my own. I send you only these few lines to-day,
because so very shortly I shall be able to say much more
by word of mouth, I hardly dare tell you how much
I long to find that most amiable of Comets waiting
for me at Hamburg ; but if she could be there on
August II, what a happiness it would be! By one
means or another, however, provided always the sea
does not swallow me up, I shall be in London by the
15th, or immediately afterwards.

Adieu, my dear lord, and au revoir, which is a

46o SETTLEMENT OF THE BELGIAN QUESTION. [aug.

charming end to a letter. So may it all turn out, and
let me find you still with all your old friendship for me.
Accept meanwhile a thousand assurances of that which
I bear to you.

To Earl Grey.

Wednesday, Aug. 2isf, 1833.

You will have heard of my arrival, my dear
lord, for I left word of it at Downing Street while you
were at the House of Lords. Last night it was im-
possible for me to stir out. I am dying to see you —
when shall it be ? some time this morning, perhaps ?
Let me know, and also the hour.

Have you had any answer about your house at
East Sheen ? how I wish you could get it this year
again !

Good- day to you, and good-bye. I am so happy
at finding myself near you once more. But I really must
see you.

A thousand kindest regards.

[46i ]

CHAPTER IX.

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE PORTUGUESE QUESTION.

The Czar's Journey — Marriage of Lord Fordwich — Queen Donna Maria at
Windsor — The Meeting of the Sovereigns at Miinchengratz — Princess
Lieven's proposed Visit to Howick — Failure of Don Miguel's Attempt on
Lisbon — Prince Talleyrand leaves England — The Duke and Duchess of
Cumberland — The expected Courier from Count Nesselrode — Lady Jersey
— Lord Stuart de Rothsay — News from Portugal ; M. de Palmella — The
' Memoirs and Correspondence of Mirabeau ' — Death of Ferdinand VIL of
Spain — The Queen Regent and Don Carlos — Don Sebastian — Lady Jersey
and Lord Palmerston — Don Pedro in Portugal — M. Zea Bermudez — The
Queen Regent's Manifesto — Prince Leopold in Paris — Lady Jersey and Lord
Grey — New Year's Day at Brighton — Don Miguel's Answer to Don Pedro —
The Duchess of Bedford — Society at Brighton ; at the Pavilion — Death of
Mr. George Lamb — News of Prince Lieven's Recall — Despatch from Count
Nesselrode — Cause of Prince Lieven's Recall — Lord Grey's Speech in the
House of Lords — The Commission of Inquiry on the Irish Church — The
Quadruple Alliance Treaty — Final Defeat of Don Miguel — The Irish Coercion
Act ; Resignation of Lord Althorp — Lord Grey Resigns Office — Lord Mel-
bourne's Administration — Departure of Prince and Princess Lieven for
Russia.

[On July 2 Captain Charles Napier, who was now in command of
Don Pedro's squadron, came up with Don Miguel's fleet off Cape
St. Vincent, and, closing at once, succeeded in capturing every vessel
of which it was composed. Being now master of the sea, Don Pedro
proceeded to blockade the Portuguese ports, Donna Maria was pro-
claimed Queen, and the Miguelites were forced to evacuate Lisbon.]

To Earl Grey.

Panshanger,

Wedtiesday, Sept. llih, 1833.

Here I am writing, my dear lord, and punctual
to the appointed day ; but what news can one have to

462 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [sept.

send to a Prime Minister ? The task, you will allow, is
difficult. Would you wish to know what most occupies
my mind ? It is full of anxiety about my Emperor.
He had left Cronstadt on August 28, and instead of
having arrived on September i at Stettin, on the
evening of the 4th they had as yet no news of him.
There have been storms in the Baltic, much as we
have had here. The Emperor is extremely venture-
some, and I tremble for his safety, for my regard falls
very little short of worship for him.

We are almost by ourselves here. Esterhazy kept
us in good humour for two days, but he has left this
morning. His presence does one's health good — he
keeps up one's spirits. To-day Wessenberg and Dedel
come to replace him ; and to-morrow the Seftons are
expected.

The family here are greatly delighted — Lord
Fordwich is going to marry Lady Anne de Grey.*
Lord de Grey arrives here to-day about the settle-
ments. She is a fine young woman, very pleasant and
very rich.

Donna Maria is in the midst of all the pomp of
Windsor.t I trust she will receive good news from
Portugal. What a great opportunity it will be for
speechifying ! \

It appears to me every day more likely that you
will soon see us at Howick. The King of the Nether-
lands very evidently only wants to gain time, and seeks

* Lady Anne Robinson.

\ She had come over to England from Havre with the Duchess of Braganza,
her stepmother, and they were on the point of embarking for Lisbon. The
ex-Emperor of Brazil, Don Pedro, was at this period commonly called the
Duke of Braganza ; his second wife (married in 1829) was Amehe, daughter of
Eugene Beauharnais, Duke of Leuchtenberg.

i William IV.'s habit.

1833.] DELAYS OF THE DUTCH KING. 463

pretexts on every hand. The worst possible one is
the journey he now wishes his son to undertake to the
place where the Sovereigns are to meet.* The Em-
peror loves the Prince of Orange like a brother, and
will be most happy once more to see him. He was
expecting him at Petersburg when I arrived there, and
was much vexed at his father's not allowing him to
come ; for (as was the case long ago at Friedland) the
Belgian Question does not interfere with their private
friendship. The Emperor wishes the question to
be settled quickly ; and he has no further instructions
of any sort to give my husband, nor any new course to
prescribe to him. This meeting is, therefore, as I
repeat, the worst of possible reasons on the part of the
King of the Netherlands for delaying. But as a pre-
text for breaking faith anything is good enough. The
result will be further delays, and nothing will be done
here ; the only good part is, that we shall be free to set
out on our journey North. And, after all, I am quite
decided, if my husband should be detained at the last
moment, to set out by myself ; for it would really be too
humiliating, at the end of twelve years that we have
been talking of the visit, thus, at the eleventh hour,
to be prevented carrying it out. So you see my amour
propre, as well as my friendship, has taken up arms.

Adieu, my dear lord. Write to me Sunday, and
address your letter to London. My husband is greatly
obliged to you for sending him the venison.

Kindest messages to Lady Grey, and a thousand
regards for yourself.

* In September the Sovereigns of Russia, Prussia and Austria were to meet
at Miinchengratz, in Bohemia.

464 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [sept.

Howick,

Sept. i^ih, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

A thousand and a thousand thanks for your
very kind letter. Believe me, it was not thrown away
upon me, and if you realize the hope which it holds
out of my seeing you here, I shall be but too happy.

We arrived on Wednesday to dinner, having per-
formed our journey with great ease in three days ; so
you see it is not so formidable an affair as it appears.
I advise you to take the same stages, viz. : Grantham,
Northallerton (both good inns, particularly the first),
and Howick, reserving your visits till your return. I
am the more anxious about this, as the season is fast
advancing towards winter, and I wish you to see this
place before the leaves and flowers are all gone. They
are already more decayed than they generally are at
the end of October.

The season has been unusually stormy. The oldest
people do not remember tempests so long and so
terrible, and the loss of shipping on the whole extent
of this coast has been most afflicting. I am not sur-
prised, therefore, at your anxiety about your Emperor,
but I trust he will have got into some safe port, and
that by this time your fears may have been relieved.
The length of time alone furnishes no ground for
apprehension, for you may remember that Lord
Durham was nine days on his passage, in the same
vessel, from Cronstadt to Stettin.

I have heard nothing of any interest in the way of
news since I left London. As to the King of Holland,
it is for the five Powers to determine how long they
will allow him to set them at defiance, and to keep all

1 833] LORD FORDWICH. 465

Europe in a state of uneasiness. He counts too much
on our forbearance, but he may find at last, to his cost,
that patience has its limits.

Pray offer my congratulations to Lord and Lady
Cowper on the marriage of Lord Fordwich. As it
gives them pleasure, I sincerely rejoice in it. I have
at times been angry with Lady Cowper, but there is
nobody I feel more inclined to like and to admire.

I shall expect an answer on the appointed day, and
hope it will announce the time being fixed for your
Northern expedition. Remember my recommendation
to postpone your visits till your return, which will be
best on all accounts, but more especially because shorter
days make shorter stages more convenient.

God bless you, dearest Princess, and believe me,
Yours most affectionately,

To Earl Grey,

Panshanger,

Wednesday, Sept. \Wi [1833].

I received your letter of the 14th last night*
my dear lord, and I answer it to-day.

We intend going straight to Howick, and keeping
our other visits for the return journey. We hope to
set out October 8, which will bring us by the loth, or
I ith at latest, to Howick. This is what is settled, and
greatly does it rejoice my heart.

Lady Cowper and her husband are very much
obliged to you for your congratulations on the marriage
of their son, and she in particular was extremely
gratified by the kind manner in which you wrote of
her. She affirms that if ever you were * angry with
VOL. II. 60

466 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [sept.

her/ it is because she has been ' misrepresented to
you ' ; and she returns with interest the kindly feelings
you have for her. Her departure* is a real grief to
me, and this, with the going away of the Duchess of
Cumberland, who is leaving at about the same time,
deprives me of my two most intimate women friends.
I wish to goodness I could get someone who would
undertake to love me during their absence. I would
pay good wages.

Of the Emperor we have as yet only the account
in the newspapers, but, thank God ! he is at least safe
and well. It is from Portugal now that we are looking
for interesting news. My own opinion is that all is over
with Don Miguel, and that the failure of his attempt on
Lisbon leaves him without other resource. They tell
me Donna Maria is extremely plain-looking. It is a
misfortune in a Queen. On the other hand, they tell
me her stepmother^ is perfectly charming.

I have received letters lately from the Prince of
Orange. According to these, there never was any
question of his going to visit the Emperor, which
proves how false are often the reports one hears.
Dedel,| who came down to spend a day here, does
not seem sorry to have got rid of his colleague. M. de
Talleyrand has obtained the leave of absence he applied
for, and he starts Saturday. I go in to town to-morrow
to give him a farewell dinner. He is a real loss to
Society. They say Olivia de Ros is going to marry
Lord Cowley's eldest son. You see, I give you the

* Lord and Lady Cowper were going to the Riviera for their daughter's
health.

+ The Duchess of Braganza. See note, p. 462.

+ Baron van Zuylen had been succeeded by M. Dedel as Dutch Plenipotentiary
sent to attend the Conferences.

1833-] THE DUCHESS OF CUMBERLAND. 467

news I hear down in the country, for I know no
other.

Adieu, my dear lord ; our correspondence is regu-
lated most charmingly. Would that all else in the
world were as well arranged ; it would be so much
better.

A thousand kindest regards.

Howick,

Sepi. 22nd, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

Your most welcome letter, naming the day for
the commencement of your journey, reached me on
Friday. This time, at least, I hope I shall not be dis-
appointed, and that I shall at last have the pleasure of
seeing you here. But why is it put off so long ? We
shall be content, however, if you keep your appoint-
ment, and only beg that you will not allow it to be
further delayed, even for a single day. My only
fear now is that you may find our family party very
dull, for there is nobody within reach of this place,
except little Tankerville, whom I could ask to meet
you.

I can well appreciate the loss you will sustain in
Lady Cowper, but as to the other, I cannot understand
it. I can judge, indeed, only from externals ; but her
manners appear to me those of a great lady on the
stage. I propose myself to supply the vacancy which
this occasions. You say you will give good wages,
and I shall be very reasonable.

It is very extraordinary that our only account of the
attempt on Lisbon on the 5th should be by a letter
written by Lord William Russell to our Minister at

60 — 2

468 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [sept.

Madrid. From this it would appear that the MigueHte
army had been completely repulsed. I quite agree
with you that, deprived of all assistance from without,
it seems impossible that the contest on the part of Don
Miguel should ultimately be successful. But with the
assistance of the priests he may be able to keep up a
desultory war, inflicting the greatest evils on the
country. I often ask myself whether we ought to
suffer this to go on, and I find myself insensibly
growing very warlike. As to the Dutch King, it
requires the patience of Job to endure his proceedings.
Our weather is cold for the season, and I do not
regain strength as I ought to do.* God bless you,
dearest Princess.

Ever most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Wednesday, Sept. 2$th, 1833.

Thanks a thousand times, my dear lord, for
your letter, and for the kind manner in which you
receive our proposals for October 8. We are still
keeping to our intention of starting that day. Obstacles
may arise (for everything is possible), but as yet I
do not foresee any.

We gave M. de Talleyrand a farewell dinner the
evening before last ; and I must tell you that from the
tragic manner in which he and Madame de Dino both
take their going away, I greatly fear they are not
coming back again. I almost believe he is either going
to his death, or to accept office in the Government,

* Lord Grey was now in his seventieth year.

1833.] AFFAIRS IN HOLLAND. 469

and this last alternative the newspapers (those of the
opposition, it is true) have already prophesied. Do you
believe in the report ? I shall not feel at all amiable
towards his successor, whoever he may be. Dedel
continues in a state of perfect ignorance. They send
him no news from the Hague ; he hears that Verstolk*
has not taken office again, which makes him think that
he will have to go back home.

I see by your letter that in Portuguese matters you
are becoming somewhat warlike. I will confess I
think you are right. Things go on too long and too
wearisomely in this world. If you would only begin,
the war-fever would master everybody else too, and
one after the other, each would find it necessary to
join in. We should then have a proper general war,
which would leave things a great deal straighter than
they are at present. I beg you not to set down my
abominable sentiments in your note-book of Premier,
for I am speaking to you as though you did not hold
that office, and it bores me, with you, to have to be
always attending to prudence. I wish to retain my
freedom of speaking, right or wrong, just as the ideas
pass through my head. I am quite of your opinion in
the matter of my friend Number 2. I have always
thought she had the appearance of a stage-queen.
Also everything goes with her at a snail's pace ; it is
so long drawn out, formal and particular, and yet with
all this (which is very antipathic to me), she is so
excellent and faithful, so appreciative and so devoted
in her friendship, that it is impossible for me not to
love her. You will have heard of the unpleasant aft'air

* Baron Verstolk van Soelen had been Minister of Foreign Affairs at the
Hague.

470 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [sept.

that lately took place at Kew. They are certainly
most unlucky. They leave on October i, and go to
pass a night at Walmer Castle, as M. de Talleyrand has
just been doing. Lord Charles Wellesley accompanies
the Duke of Cumberland as his Aide-de-Camp.

We receive to-night at dinner the Court of Kew,
with Lady Jersey and all the German diplomatists.
Esterhazy is madder than ever. He and I never stop
laughing together, and we have promised each other
to do it for the remainder of our lives. By the way,
he says he is coming to Howick, too. Wessenberg
and Dedel want to go and travel about Devonshire
without any servant, riding outside in the stage
coaches, and being perfectly independent. Billow
alone, whose craze is his diplomatic work, remains on
in London as the sole monument of the Corps
Diplomatique.

Adieu, my dear lord ; the punctuality with which we
write to one another is charming. I love regularity in
things that are pleasant, and your letters please me
much. But I shall save you the trouble of writing
one or two of them in the month of October, and that
will be delightful.

A thousand kindest regards.

Howick,

SeJ>L zWi, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

Your letter came most punctually on the
appointed day, and gave me, as usual, the greatest
pleasure. I will no longer doubt the certainty of my
seeing you here, and am rejoiced at the prospect of
Esterhazy's coming to enliven our solitude. Why

1833-] PRINCE TALLEYRAND. 471

should not Biilow come too ? What can he do when
left alone in London ? and here I think we might form
a very pretty little committee to settle the affairs of
Europe. I have already a very nice scheme for this
purpose. You may send the King of Holland to
Siberia ; Miguel may go to expiate his vices at
Spandau. I shall have no objection to making an
establishment for Pedro at St. Helena : and the Grand
Turk ?— ay, that will be a more difficult question, and
I think we must trust a little to events there to settle
themselves.

I had letters from Talleyrand and from Madame
de Dino, both expressing an anxious wish and inten-
tion to return, but both also in a tone of low spirits
denoting a presentiment of the contrary. They will
both be a great loss to society, and I quite agree with
you that it will be difficult, with a view either to public
or private interests, to replace Talleyrand as Ambas-
sador from France. I do not think there is any
chance of the Porte-feuille ; of the other side of the
alternative I see much more. I thought him greatly
changed and enfeebled, and at eighty a man does not
easily recover. There are those who think that Madame
de Dino, seeing this, would not wish him to return. But
where could he lead a life more suited to his health
than here, with just occupation enough to interest
him, and a society which he appeared to like, and
which is more in accordance with his aristocratic
habits than that of la nouvelle France ?

This catastrophe at Kew is most unfortunate. All
the contrary testimony will be opposed in vain to the
dying declaration, repeated in three separate letters,
of the wretched man. It being the second case of the

472 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [ocT.

same sort, will confirm the opinion which the public
had previously conceived. No man can think worse
of another than I do of the person whom this will
chiefly affect. But do not imagine that I can feel
anything but the deepest regret at such an event.

Your next, I hope, will tell me positively the day
and hour on which you are to set out ; let me re-
peat my injunction to you, not to stop on the way.
The leaves are falling fast, and the flowers withering,
and all our beauty will be gone if you delay. God
bless you, dearest Princess.

Believe me ever,

Yours most affectionately.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Wednesday, Oct. 2nd, 1833.

Here is my Wednesday letter, my dear lord ;
but very probably I shall write again to you before
many days to tell you exactly the day and hour of our
departure. This I am unable to do at present.

The fact is, my husband must of necessity stay on
here for a messenger, who, Count Nesselrode informs
him, will be despatched from Berlin as soon as his visit
to that capital is at an end. Count Nesselrode had
arrived there on the 24th, and was to remain a week.
The messenger will probably arrive here by Saturday
next, and then there will be nothing to prevent our
starting, as originally fixed, on Tuesday, the 8th. If
the messenger were delayed, this would put off our
journey for one or two days. However, I will send

1833.] LORD STUART DE ROTHSAY. 473

you notice of all this as soon as I myself know any-
thing further. Esterhazy has quite made up his mind
to come down to Howick at the same time that we
do, and I' think Bulow even will come ; but you shall
hear more about it all in a few days. Meanwhile,
pray write to me again as usual.

We gave a great dinner-party yesterday, in town,
in honour of the marriage. Ten members of the
Cowper family and of the Lambs, and six of the De
Greys. Palmerston was there, of course, and a few
diplomats, to save appearances, as Esterhazy says. I
returned, however, to Richmond that same night,
driving through a fog that was so thick as to prevent
one seeing the lamps, and I in my open carriage ! I
can already hear the scolding you will give me. No
matter, I should do it all over again. The fact is, I
have a holy horror of London just now ; it is so black
and dismal, and so abominably cold. Lady Jersey,
who came to my party, does not yet know when she
leaves. Her husband has been in bed for the last
week with sciatica and gout, and they do not know
when he will be better ; he has got it in the thigh.
Lord Burghersh, too, is down with a like attack, and
they are anxious about him.

Lord Stuart de Rothsay has come back from his
expedition to Iceland. What a strange notion of his
going there, and with such a mystery about it that his
wife even did not know where he had started off to go !
Lord Aberdeen has gone down to Scotland. Such is
my budget of news from Lady Jersey. She paid
Lord Melbourne all sorts of pretty attentions yester-
day, and he received them with his usual boisterous
laughter. There is not a word of news as to politics ;

474 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [ocT.

one would imagine all Europe was remaining quiet
during your stay at Howick in order not to disturb
your repose. It is to be hoped they will not disturb
our journey either.

Adieu, my dear lord, once more.

A thousand kindest regards.

D. LlEVEN.

Howick,

OrL 41 A, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

Your letter, which I have received this morn-
ing, has disturbed me very much. Any delay will, I
fear, be fatal to my hopes of seeing you here. The
despatch may not come so soon as you expect. When
it comes it probably will require some communication
with the Foreign Office, and in the meantime the
season is fast advancing. We are already at October 4,
and I must be in town by November 10. For God's
sake don't delay an hour more than is necessary ! You
have already delayed too long. We have had a country-
man of yours here for the last two days — Count Pahlen.
He left us this morning. I am afraid he must have
found our party very dull. I shall be delighted to see
Billow if he can be persuaded to come. With Ester-
hazy and him, I shall be less afraid of your being
bored. I am very sorry for poor Lord Jersey, but bad
as the sciatica and gout are, I am not sure he would
not prefer them to a journey to Barcelona or Odessa.

The day on which you said there was no news
brought what was excellent news from Lisbon. The
best part of it was the appointment of a Council with
Palmella at its head.

1833-] LORD MELBOURNE. 475

I cannot write more to-night, and hope it will not
be necessary for me to write more again, but I tremble
for your next letter.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

London,

Saturday, Oct. ^th, 1833.

The steamboat from Hamburg arrived yesterday,
my dear lord, but there was no Russian messenger
on board. Hence it is only next Monday evening
that my husband can now expect him ; and this, of
course, entails a delay in setting out on our journey.
It is all most provoking. As soon as my husband
receives his despatches, however, I will write to you
again ; for their contents will immediately decide our
fate, though I see no reason to imagine they will force
us to delay still further.

I slept here in town last night, after having a
dinner-party for the Cowpers. For the last two days
I have not been feeling very well, and I particularly
do not want to fall ill now. I have heard nothing
new, although I found myself at table between Home
and Foreign Affairs,* The Home Secretary is really
an excellent creature, very honest and simple-minded,
with not an atom of humbug about him, and, thank
Heaven ! not in the least melancholy. M. Bacourt
does not seem to think that M. de Talleyrand will
come back. By the way, Prince Auguste d'Aremberg,
who is just dead, has left Bacourt, by will, the ' Memoirs

* Lord Melbourne and Lord Palmerston.

476 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [ocT.

and Correspondence of Mirabeau.' They say these
are most interesting. If I told you all this before, it
only shows I am getting into my dotage, and repeat
myself.

Fordwich is to be married on Monday ; and the
Cowpers start Wednesday. Lady Holland, they tell
me, is getting better. The return of the William
Russells is a matter of great satisfaction to me. She
is really a most agreeable person, and a great resource
in society.

Adieu, my dear lord. Btilow is getting quite thin
for lack of news ; one hears really of nothing at all
now.

A thousand kindest regards.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Oct. 2,th* [1833].

You are quite right, my dear lord, to get
impatient at our delaying, and even to be angry with
us, and as I really feel it to be becoming an imper-
tinence, this constant putting off, I have been talking
over the matter very plainly with my husband.

The steamboat from Hamburg arrived yesterday
with a messenger from Petersburg, who tells us no news
at all ; and the boat did not bring Count Nesselrode's
messenger from Berlin, who was to have told us every-
thing. This latter personage can now only arrive
Friday night or Saturday morning (by the next steam-
boat), and only after his arrival, and after looking
through the despatches he brings, would my husband

* Docketed in error ' September.'

1833.] DEATH OF FERDINAND VII. 477

be able to say if he can start, and when. The
total uncertainty of our plans, combined with your
letter, warning us not to postpone our departure,
force us to give up all idea of our visit ; for under
the most favourable circumstances, and should my
husband not receive instructions that compel him to
remain on here, we could only set out on Monday, the
14th. You find the 8th or 9th already late, but what
would you say to the 14th? All this, my dear lord,
has cost us both many regrets, believe me ; and, for me
personally, it is a real grief. For beside the enjoy-
ment, and the very great and chief pleasure of passing
some days with you, there was also in this journey
movement, distraction, and novelty — in short, all one
most longs for during this season of the year, when
London and its neighbourhood are so dismal. You
will, at least, believe me when I tell you it is a real
sorrow to me thus finally to have to abandon so
cherished a project. And now, my dear lord, we must
exchange parts, and it is I who am going to urge you
to hasten your departure from Howick. Do pray come
back to London.

The King of Spain is dead,* and what a number of
events may not follow in the train of this event ! Since
the Revolution in France, nothing of an equal import-
ance to this has occurred — which is equivalent to say-
ing that since you came into power this is the most
momentous event, in its probable effect on foreign
affairs, that we have yet seen. Further, the con-
sequences may come about with great celerity — and
how can you then remain away at such a distance ?
This is what all the diplomatists say ; we should like

* Ferdinand VII. died September 29.

478 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [ocT.

well to find ourselves mistaken, but the probabilities
are surely in favour of what I am writing.

I was at the wedding yesterday. I like weddings ;
they cheer me up. But poor Lord Fordwich did not
seem at all in a gay mood. He was suffering very
much from a pain in his stomach. The bride had an
appearance that suited the circumstances of the case.
Heavens ! what a size she is, and so far from pretty !
The Cowpers leave to-morrow ; and I go into town
to-day to have them to dinner. The newly-married
couple follow them in a week.

Adieu, my dear lord ; I wish I could have said
au revoir ! A thousand kindest regards, and pray let
me hear from you soon.

Howick,

Oct. I2th, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

I need hardly say how much I am grieved at
the final extinction of all my hopes of seeing you here.
From the moment I heard of your being obliged to
wait for this unfortunate courier, I felt certain that
you would not come, and yet I could not help feeling
all the vexation of disappointment when your letter
came. It is clear now that I shall never have the
happiness of seeing you here. What may happen
before next year, God only knows ; but the prospect
is not encouraging, and whether you will be in
England, or I in the world, seems most uncertain.

I quite agree with you that one of the most
important events which has taken place since I came
into office is that of the King of Spain's death. It
involves consequences of the gravest import. But my

1 833-] LORD FORDWICH'S MARRIAGE. 479

mind is quite made up to them ; and, let others do
what they may, our course will be straightforward.
At present I see no necessity for hastening my arrival
in London, which I have fixed for the loth of next
month. Our weather has been lately very fine, and I
had great pleasure in thinking I should be able to show
you this place, with still some remains of beauty. But
I have not been able to enjoy it much, having been
very unwell.

I quite differ with you as to the effects of a
marriage ; I have always felt it to be a most melan-
choly ceremony, deciding upon the fate of two persons
who can know little of each other, and with the
chances sadly against their future happiness. When
one parts with a child it is still worse, and I cannot
describe to you how much I have always been affected
by it. I do not wonder that Lord Fordwich should
have looked melancholy, thinking of his wife as you
do. A pain in the stomach was a bad thing to begin
with, and I only hope that it may be the worst he will
have to undergo.

I am very stupid, and not in train to write ; so
good-night, and God bless you.

Yours affectionately.

Grey.

[On the death of Ferdinand VII., his next male heir was his
brother, Don Carlos, but the King left two daughters by his fourth
wife. Queen Christina, the eldest of whom was Isabella, afterwards
Queen, born in 1830.

The ancient laws of Spain allow females to reign. Philip V., in
1 7 13, introduced the Salic Law, but Charles IV., in 1789, re-enacted
the ancient constitution. The Cortes, in i8t2, reverted to the Salic
Law. Ferdinand, in 1830, revived once again the ancient custom,
but shortly afterwards annulled his act, thus making Don Carlos his

48o SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [oCT.

heir. But he married, and having two daughters only, in 1832 he
had re-estabhshed the old law, and by so doing settled the crown on
his daughter Isabella. The Cortes, further, in 1833, had sanctioned
this final arrangement, and on his death in September, Queen Isa-
bella II. was proclaimed, and the Queen-mother, Christina, named
Regent. Don Carlos, however, at once announced his intention of
claiming the crown by legal right, and rallied to his standard all the
adherents of absolute rule, and especially the people of the Basque
provinces.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Wednesday, Oct. i6t/i, 1833.

I received your letter yesterday, my dear lord.
I knew well that you would sympathize with all my
regrets ; and, in truth, these increase daily. But the
event has proved how wise I was, with the uncertainty,
to give up all idea of paying you our visit ; for just
imagine, even down to the moment at which I am
now writing the all-important messenger has not yet
arrived ! Count Nesselrode writes to my husband
from Berlin, under date of the 7th, that his stay there
will be protracted for at least another week, and that it
is only when he himself is leaving that he can send off
a full despatch. It is, therefore, not before the 21st
that it can reach us here, and it would only have been
possible for us to have proposed setting out on our
journey down to Howick after that date. I confess
my preference for looking on the matter as impossible ;
and instead of keeping up false hope, I now resign
myself. As I have already told you, I am looking
forward to November 10, and no longer allow myself
to think of aught else.

Lord Palmerston has been very well pleased with
the tenor of the instructions given to Prince Felix

I833-] QUEEN CHRISTINA'S MANIFESTO. 481

Schwartzenberg,* and I think you will be so, too.
According to the report to-day, Verstolk returns to
office, which would seem to promise rather greater
pliability on the part of the King of the Netherlands.
I am extremely curious to hear the first news from
Spain. What you tell me of your having entirely
made up your mind on this subject, seems to me both
natural and wise on your part. The article in the
Globe of the day before yesterday comments on the
news, and enlarges on the probabilities in a very
logical manner. We are all ready for the play to com-
mence, both first and second places filled, and every-
body looking on attentively. The Queen Regentt
begins well. Her manifesto is full of wisdom and
prudence ; but will she keep to these lines ?

I dined at Holland House the day before yester-
day. Very good company, and very gay. She, very
ill before dinner, very well after ; Esterhazy, as ever,
extremely noisy. They tell me Lady Howe has been
appointed lady-in-waiting to the Queen, in place of
Lady Ely, who has resigned. All I know besides this
of Court news is that the King wishes his visits to Lady
Errol and to Lord Albemarle to take place before he
sets out for Brighton. ■

Adieu, my dear lord. I think you are staying
away a very long time, and I shall be greatly rejoiced
at your return.

Believe ever in my most faithful regards.

* Recently attached to the Austrian Embassy.
f Queen Christina.

VOL. II. 61

482 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [ocT.

Howick,

Oa. igi/i, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

I received your letter this morning, which
gives me little to answer, and you would be tired of
a repetition of my regrets at not seeing you here.
Every fine day renews them, when I think of the
pleasant walks or drives we might have had. I wish
you could have seen the beautiful blue sea to-day, with
the fields and woods still glowing with the tints of
autumn, lighted up by the sun.

Upon the whole, the accounts from Spain are
not unsatisfactory, but much, or, rather, everything,
will depend upon what happens after Don Carlos
enters Spain. If the Captain-General and army of
Estremadura remain faithful to the Queen, his chance
would appear desperate, and, indeed, there would be no
security for his person after crossing the frontier. As
Captain Ross has reappeared, the return of Don
Sebastian seems no longer to be despaired of, and it
requires little less than a miracle of this sort to settle
Portugal between the two brothers.

I begin to count with the feelings of a school-boy, as
the end of his holidays approaches, the days that it
remains for me to pass here. Idleness is so congenial
to me, and my pursuits here so much more to my taste
than any other, that I look forward with something
like horror to my dreary prison in Downing Street, and
all that awaits me there. The only thing that consoles
me is the pleasure that I shall have in seeing you again.
But I shall return in a very savage humour, and if you
do not behave very well, we shall quarrel. Louisa,*

* Lady Durham.

1833.] AFFAIRS IN SPAIN. 483

Lady Fanny, and one of her younger daughters are
here. Lambton could not come on account of busi-
ness, and we have, besides, some natives, who do not
diminish the disappointment I have felt at your not
being here.

On the 4th we shall set out, stop two nights at
Lambton Castle, the same probably at Lord Howden's,
and then make the best of our way to town, where
I expect to arrive on the 9th or loth. God bless you,
dearest Princess. Let me find you kind and amiable,
and believe me ever,

Yours most entirely,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Wednesday, Oct. 2T,rd, 1833.

Your letter, my dear lord, has afforded me the
pleasure of enabling me to fix my mind on a certain
date. I have a passion for dates, and I never can take
any pleasure in things left vague — I like positive facts
in everything. Till the date arrives, therefore, I look
forward to the loth, and on that day! shall come into
town on purpose to see you. On the whole, I manage
to get on pretty well with the rainy weather and the
yellow leaves ; at certain times I descend from my
mountain, in order to come back again, giving myself
some fatigue, and warming myself, all of which favours
my appetite. All this is very material ; but then,
after all, we are animals, which, though an unflattering
reflection, is none the less true.

Spain is not going to afford us as much diversion as

61 — 2

484 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [OCT.

I had imagined. It appears that the power of the
Queen Regent is consolidating itself, and that Don
Carlos is not at all venturesome. I now hear nothing
but praise of Zea^' — so wags the world !

We have as yet received no news of Count
Nesselrode's departure from Berlin, and the famous
messenger is still in the clouds. It would seem now
as though we should have had plenty of time to go
and come back from Howick before his advent. We
expected him on October 5, and now, on the 23rd,
he is still not arrived We are going to Stoke to-day ;
I shall play whist, but I shall not have a partner as
pleasant as you were. Yesterday there must have
taken place at Windsor Olivia de Ros's wedding. The
ceremony was to be at six o'clock, a great dinner after-
wards, and then Bushy Park for the honeymoon. The
Duke of Wellington and all the Salisburys were ex-
pected at the Castle.

By the way, my dear lord, have you heard the great
news of all London — Lady Jersey running after Lord
Palmers ton ? — Lord Palmerston, not a little touched by
her enticing ways, paying her visits during his morn-
ings, of two hours' duration, and then little dinners with
her, and then going to the theatre together ; in short, a
perfect family party! So much for the fidelity of men!
Lady Jersey says they are going next week. Barcelona
is given up, Odessa also, and the voyage will be
circumscribed to Valen^ay, and nothing more. I
certainly congratulate M. de Talleyrand for having
such visitors on his hands for some weeks.

Adieu, my dear lord ; believe in my true friendship
for you, and in all the joy your speedy return gives me.

* At that time Spanish Prime Minister.

1 833-] LIFE AT HO WICK. 485

I expect some further news from you before you leave
Ho wick, and I, too, will write to you again.

Howick,

Oa. 27t/i, 1833.
Dearest Princess,

I was prevented from writing yesterday, ac-
cording to established custom. But this will arrive
quite soon enough, for my stupidity is beyond descrip-
tion, and will be but too apparent in everything I do
or write.

It is too provoking that your journey should have
been prevented without any real necessity, and I am
inclined to lay the blame on you for not having come
away, as you might and ought to have done, before the
eternal courier was announced. To-morrow begins
the last week of my residence here, and I have suffered
the time to slip away without having done half the
business that called for my attention. When the
weather is fine (and it still continues beautiful), I like
to be out as much as I can, and the boxes which come
every morning leave me little time for anything else.

Lately we have had a good deal of company.
There are now here Lord Tankerville and Lord Ossul-
ston, Lord F. Fitz Clarence, and Lord G. Hervey, and
others whom you don't know. I don't know whether
it is the character of the company, or that I daily
become more unfit for society, but I feel more com-
fortable when we are quite alone. You are one of the
very few persons in the world by whom I should like
to have my solitude interrupted.

Things, on the whole, certainly look well in Spain ;
but nothing there yet appears sufficiently certain to

486 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [ocT.

create confidence as to the result. It seems to me for
the interest of all the world that the Queen's cause
should be successful. It is the only chance for per-
manent tranquillity in Spain, which is so intimately
connected with that of the world. But I have no
doubt there are spirits enough at work to do all they
can to prevent it. In Portugal I consider the contest
decided, though there may be yet a good deal to do to
bring a country from such a state of disorganization to
a permanent settlement ; and this work is not in the
best hands, being committed to Pedro and his Ministers.
But I do not see the possibility of Miguel's keeping up
a regular army, and in spite of all the errors that may
be committed, Portugal is not a country in which a
guerilla warfare can long be sustained. But much will
depend on what happens in Spain.

Your account of Palmerston and Lady Jersey
amused me very much. May I not derive from it a
hope that I, too, may again be taken into favour."*
I cannot conceive that the visit to Valen9ay should
answer to any of the parties. Madame de Dino cer-
tainly does not like or admire ' the first woman in
England ;' nor should I imagine she is better suited to
the taste of M. de Talleyrand.

I shall expect a letter on the usual day, which is
the last I can receive here ; and when I write next I
will tell you where to direct whilst I am on my
journey.

Ever, dearest Princess,

Most entirely yours,

Grey.

1833-] THE DUCHESS OF CUMBERLAND. 487

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Wednesday, Oct. Tptk [1833].

Here, my dear lord, is Wednesday come round,
and your letter not arrived. This, however, shall not
release me from my engagement, and I write to you as
though I had a letter to answer. It gives me the
greatest possible pleasure to think that very soon our
correspondence may cease.

I passed some days at Stoke — the last few rather
too much alone with the family party — but it did not
matter, for we had fine weather, and Lord Sefton is
always in good spirits. I, too, am still in excellent
spirits. It is astonishing what a supply I brought
back with me from Russia, and how it holds out.

In the way of news we have had plenty these last
few days. The affairs of the Peninsula appear to be
settling themselves, and the King of the Netherlands
is mending his ways. Everything is getting right, and
a good thing, too ! I have received news from Lady
Cowper from Geneva. The Jura was impassable from
the snow, and they were obliged to make a great
detour. They are to arrive to-day at Milan. How
beautiful Lombardy must be looking now ! We have,
by the way, been having a continuance of real summer
weather here, too. What have you got at Ho wick }
The Duchess of Cumberland has reached Berlin, but
very ill ; her son, on the other hand, is better as regards
his sight than when he left England. The Duke
threatens to come back in January.

You will let me know if, in case I should come in
to London on Monday, the nth, I could count on a
short visit from you during the morning of that day ;

488 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [nov.

Otherwise I shall probably not come in to town. And,
by-the-bye, will you dine with us Thursday, the 14th,
at Ashburnham House ? You see how I take things
in time. They tell me Lady Holland is going to take
Lady Sandwich's house in town, next door to us. Just
fancy, how many messages there will be, all day long !
Every time she is bored I shall be having her page*
sent over to me.

Here is your letter arrived at last. I have but
time to thank you for it, and to reiterate a thousand
kindest regards. I shall await your next letter to
know where to write to you. Biilow is here, while I
am writing ; he brings me no news. It appears the
Bayonne telegraph does not always speak the truth,
and that the recognition by Spain of Donna Maria is
not an accomplished fact. To me, however, it does
not seem that the matter can long be delayed.

Adieu,

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Nov. 6th [1833].

You write to me, my dear lord, but you do
not let me know where I am to address my answer.
I send it therefore to the Treasury to take its chance,
for they must surely know of your whereabouts in
Downing Street. I rejoice greatly at the prospect of
seeing you so soon, but will tell you frankly that as
there is some doubt as to the Sunday and Monday, it is
only Tuesday morning that I shall come in to town.

* See Greville, ' Diary,' ii. 332. ' This " little creature," as Lady Holland calls a
great hulking fellow of above twenty, is called " Edgar," his real name being Tom
or Jack. *

1833.] AFFAIRS IN SPAIN. 489

Let me know, further, at what hour to expect you, or
if you would prefer my coming to see Lady Grey.

There is no sort of news, and affairs in Spain are
not settHng themselves. If only Zea's ferocious activity
had brought matters to a crisis, one would have under-
stood it all ; but as it has remained profitless, it is
really without any excuse. Biilow is getting quite thin
for lack of news, and what Palmerston is doing puts the
cap on it all. There will be nothing left of him soon.
Lady Jersey is going every week, and does not go.

Adieu, my dear lord — adieu for the last time. It
is delightful being able to add att revoir till Tuesday.
A thousand kindest regards.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Saturday, Nov. ()th [1833].

I had wished to write to you yesterday, my
dear lord, but was suddenly taken with violent pains
in the chest, and had to spend my day lying down,
speechless and unable to move. To-day I am better,
and want to thank you for your short note from
Lambton Castle.* I am delighted to think that this
answer of mine has so short a journey to make.

As you will see, so long as you remain away the
world stands still. It is incredible how persistently
stationary things are. I have a bad opinion of the
news from Spain. The business will be greatly pro-
tracted, and will not turn out well. The Queen Regent
appears to me to be acting very imprudently. A new
dividing up of the land is, in truth, a revolution, and it
is what consolidated the French Revolution.

* Of November 5.

490 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [nov.

In the dearth of other events, I see that Leopold
has been creating a sensation in Paris by wearing a
Russian decoration. I do not even know which it can
be ; for if I remember right, he was not present at
the occupation of Paris, neither did he take part in the
campaign of 1812 — and these are the only two medals
we have. M. de Bacourt tells me that M. de Talley-
rand will be back here for certain by the beginning of
December. Lady Jersey had accepted an invitation
to go down to Broadlands to Lord Palmerston's, and
I do not know what has prevented her. But you
must, at least, admit that we have here an affair that
has made some way.

You will have received, I trust, the letter in which
I tell you I intend to come in to town Tuesday to see
you. Do not forgot to let me know the time and
place — that is, whether it is to be at my house, or at
Lady Grey's. I must not tell you how much I am
rejoiced at the prospect of seeing you again ; it would
not be convenable.

A thousand kindest regards.

Downing Street,

Nov. nth, 1833.

Dearest Princess,

I am just arrived, and have only a moment to
say that I will call on you to-morrow at four, or as
soon afterwards as possible. I got your letters at the
Hoo. How happy I am at the thoughts of seeing
you so soon !

Yours most entirely,

Grey.

1833-] LADY JERSEY AND LORD PALMERSTON. 491

[Nov. i6ih, 1833].*

Dearest Princess,

I am just setting out for Brighton, from
whence I shall return on Wednesday to dinner. My
cold still hangs on me, and I should be better to stay
at home if it was in my power to do so. But, cold or
not, I hope our party to the play may take place soon.
The town rings with the exhibition made by Queen
Saraht at your soiree. I hear she says that I
attempted to bow to her, and that she turned away
her head. This is not true, but 1 am very willing to
adopt this account of the adventure. I hear also that
she says P[almerston] never was really in love with
anybody but her. I have no news to send you, but
have been very much amused with the account of the
coup d'^pingle given by Princess Metternich to Orloff
at Munchengratz. Au revoir, and God bless you.
Ever, dearest Princess,

Yours most entirely,

Grey

To Earl Grey.

Saturday, i6tk {Nov., 1833].

Your cold, my dear lord, came on very ill-
advisedly, and I was much vexed at it. To console
myself, therefore, I went alone to the theatre, after
having driven out to Richmond. I am going back
there again now, and come in to town Monday, or
Tuesday at latest, to stay for good.

* Princess Lieven has docketed this letter in pencil ' November 17, 1833,' but
it must have been written on the 15th or i6th, and precedes her answer written on
the 1 6th.

t Lady Jersey. See H. B.'s 'Sketches,' No. Ixxii., ' Queen Sarah.*

492 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [JAN.

Your meeting of the other evening was recounted
to me by the lady herself, who appeared flushed with
victory at having been able to pass you by, while in
possession of the arm of the Foreign Secretary. It is,
in truth, a strange matter, and made so public that all
society is taken aback by it. What a fine piece of
gossip for Lord Sefton to pounce on !

Let me have word how your cold progresses. The
weather is superb. I know no news. If you can tell
me of any, pray do ; for I rather bore myself at Rich-
mond, and anything to distract one is very welcome.

Adieu, my dear lord, and a thousand kindest
regards.

P.S. — On what day do you return from Brighton ?

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Jan. I si, 1834.

The first words I write on the first day of the
New Year are to you, my dear lord. I begin by send-
ing you all manner of good wishes, and must follow
this up with some reproaches.

You promised me a letter from Woburn, and
nothing has come. You are, however, back again in
London, for I am so informed by the veracious Court
News7nan. I am well pleased with myself here, and
my only regret is that what is so pleasant is to last so
short a time. Before very long I must go back and
asphyxiate myself with the fogs of London. The Court
treats us with great amiability. Society is not very
numerously represented, and I regret much the absence

1834-] NEW YEAR'S DAY. 493

of Esterhazy, who is ever a charming antidote to the
Duke of Gloucester. The New Year was rung in last
night as we were all at supper, following on an evening-
reception which succeeded a great dinner. All this is
too much dissipation, and to-day I am quite upset in
consequence.

If the papers report Don Miguel's answer correctly,
it would seem to infer that he is prepared to come to
terms with Donna Maria ; for he only says it is im-
possible for him to treat in any sort of way * wt^/^ his
brother.' Is there any truth in my conjecture ? We
live here on the reports in the newspapers only.
There is no one at Brighton who talks politics, and at
the Pavilion they keep entirely to commonplaces.

I regret greatly that I shall not dine with you
to-morrow night, and in saying this I show my
amiability, for, in truth, the sunshine of Brighton
enchants me. Adieu, my dear lord, I trust soon
to be in receipt of a letter, for I count much on
your remembrance and your friendship.

Yours ever,

D. LlEVEN.

Downing Street,

Jan. \st, 1834.

Dearest Princess,

Many happy New Years to you and yours ! I
expected to hear from you, and only promised to write
if I had a letter to answer. None is come, and I am
better than my word, as you are worse than yours.
Amongst the gaieties of Brighton, you appear to have
forgotten me. This I cannot bear, and must, there-
fore, endeavour to recall myself to your remembrance.

You ought to have much to tell me — much that

494 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [jAN.

would be amusing, and much that would be interesting
to me. Let me have a full budget. The papers state
you to be dining almost every day at the Pavilion, and
the dinners, and the soirees, and the morning-visits
must furnish you a great stock of materials to satisfy a
hungry correspondent. Here we have nothing of any
importance, and what we have has appeared in the
papers, in substance at least, from the private cor-
respondents of the editors. They have now paid
agents, and a regular journalist diplomacy established
all over the world. In Spain things appear to be
going on very well. In Portugal /es freres ennemis
appear to be vying with each other, which shall entitle
himself to the greatest share of the general abhor-
rence.

I passed three very pleasant days at Lord Dacre's
and at Woburn, though the illness of the poor
Duchess* was a sad drawback on the enjoyments of
the latter. You can conceive nothing like her colour.
I do not exaggerate when I say that it is not exceeded
by the brightest orange. She came, however, into
the library for an hour or more each morning that I
was there, and was still cheerful, notwithstanding the
depressing nature of her complaint. The accounts of
her to-day are, I am happy to say, better than they
yet have been. I wish I could say as much for poor
George Lamb ;t but his case is desperate, and the best
that can be said of him is that he is still alive. He
probably cannot survive the night. Melbourne is very
much affected by it, and Lady Cowper will also feel it

* The Duchess of Bedford.

t The Hon. George Lamb, M.P., brother of Lord Melbourne and of Lady
Cowper, died January 2.

I834-] DEATH OF GEORGE LAMB. 495

very deeply. We had a large dinner at Esterhazy's
yesterday — Talleyrand, Madame de Dino, Tankervilles,
and most of the diplomats who are in town, except
Wessenberg, who was ill. The Hollands also were
there. It was not very gay. Talleyrand did not seem
well, and it was one of Lady Holland's bad days, her
own sufferings being increased by the melancholy
situation of George Lamb.

I hear you do not come back till Monday, so I shall
expect to hear from you, though the stupidity of this
letter is, God knows, quite enough to ease you of any
wish to continue the correspondence.

Ever yours,
G.

To Earl Grey.

Brighton,

Thursday, Jan. 2nd, 1834.

We were thinking of each other at the same
moment yesterday, my dear lord, and it gave me a real
pleasure receiving your letter this morning at my
waking. But I assure you that you most uncondition-
ally promised me a letter from Woburn. It is no
matter, however, now ; and let us not quarrel over it,
for we are according to rule on both sides at present,
and I am already writing you my second letter of the
year.

You wish me to send you all sorts of details ;
well, you force me to repeat myself, and you will be
bored. You know well enough what life is at Court.
Dinners of forty people, who are not all of them
remarkably interesting ; and no possibility of having
any reasonable conversation. In the evening we all

496 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [jan.

sit at the round table. The King snoozes ; the Queen
does needle-work, talks a good deal, and with much
amiability, but never a word of politics. She is in
very good spirits, and appears to enjoy excellent
health. As to the King, he seems to have the most
remarkably good constitution. The guests of greatest
note are the Shrewsburys, a certain Lord Rosse,
whom I had not met before, and the Conynghams ;
yesterday, Sir J. Scarlett ; the day before, the
Clarendons and the Maryboroughs — these are all the
names I can remember. The music they give us is
excellent. The Duke of Gloucester plays whist ; he
has, however, left to-day, without staying to see
Madame de Dino, who arrives to-morrow. The
Duchess of Gloucester is getting quite fat. Princess
Augusta is very unwell, and does not appear. And
now, my dear lord, you know all that I know.

I cannot express to you how grieved I am at what
you tell me of George Lamb's condition. His will be
a real loss ; for he is a man of great intelligence, with
a mind of a very superior order, honest, and frank
almost to simplicity, and such an excellent heart.
Lord Melbourne will, I think, have every reason, both
on public and on private grounds, to mourn his loss.
Lady Cowper, too, will be much afflicted. As for
myself, I like all the family so much that, though
I knew George Lamb but slightly, I have felt inclined
to sit down and cry on hearing the news. I should
trust he might yet escape, but your letter hardly allows
of any hope.

I am just back from a visit to the Queen, who kept
me long with her, and it is now dressing time, so all I
can do is to close my letter. This is, however, the

1834.] THE COURT AT BRIGHTON. 497

first visit I have had the honour of paying her Majesty,
whatever the papers may report to the contrary. Adieu,
my dear lord.

A thousand kindest regards, and in all haste.

Downing Street,

May 17M, 1834.

Dearest Princess,

I write merely to say that Lady Grey is going
with me to Woburn, that you may not have the
trouble of coming here to-morrow night, if peradven-
ture you should have intended it.

I have seen very little of you lately ; but be assured
that this has been the cause to me of great regret, and
that I look anxiously to the time when I may be more
at liberty to resume my old habits. Will there be any
chance of your long-promised visit to Howick this
year ? You probably have heard of Georgiana's fright-
ful accident yesterday. She has not suffered from it,
but it was a miraculous escape. God bless you.

Ever most entirely yours.

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Sunday, May 18/A [1834].

I have just received your note of yesterday,
my dear lord, and thank you much for all the kind
things you say to me therein. I had heard nothing of
Lady Georgiana's accident. What was it } Happily,
I need only inquire for curiosity's sake, since from
what you say there is nothing to be anxious about.

We arrived here yesterday. The weather has not
shown itself favourable to us, for since we came, there
VOL. II. 62

498 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [may

has been nothing but cold. Would you kindly tell
Lady Grey that her parcel, to be sent to Lady Keith,
goes by to-day's messenger to Paris ?

Adieu, my dear lord ; I shall be in London again
by the end of the week, and I trust we are to meet at
dinner at Lord Durham's on Sunday.

A thousand most faithful regards,

D. LlEVEN.

Downing Street,

A/ay 22nd, 1834.

Dearest Princess,

What is this I hear on my arrival in town of
a change in the Russian mission which will take you
away from us ? Nothing could have come upon me
more unexpectedly or more painfully ; and I cannot at
once give up all hope that an event which I should so
deeply regret may be averted. Lately, it is true, our
political relations have not been so comfortable as I
could wish ; but there could exist no means so power-
ful to obviate or to lessen differences, as well as to
promote friendly and cordial co-operation, whenever
circumstances may fortunately admit of it, as the
continuance of Prince Lieven here, where he has
established amongst all who know him a reputation
which will make it very difficult to supply his place
with anybody possessing the same advantages.

Of yourself I say nothing, except that the idea of
parting with a person whom I have known so long,
who has always been so kind to me, and for whom I
bear so sincere an attachment, occasions a pang which
I have not power sufficiently to express.

I heard this last night, and did not believe it,
having had nothing to lead me to the suspicion of such

1834.] PRINCE LIE YEN'S RECALL. 499

an event. But it has unfortunately been confirmed
this morning, and I could not help expressing the
feeling which it has occasioned. When can I see
you ? If you will let me know at what hour to-morrow,
before five, I can have that pleasure, though under the
present circumstances it will be a melancholy one, I will
make everything else give way to it. God bless you.
Ever most affectionately yours,
^ G.

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Friday, May 22,rd [1834].

Your letter touched me deeply, my dear lord,
but what you wrote was no surprise to me. I have
always known that by you my husband would have
justice done him ; that in politics you would always act
so as to conciliate wherever possible ; and that for me
personally you felt much friendship. Would to Heaven
it had been yott alone who had had to give effect to
these sentiments ! I can hardly write, I feel so sick at
heart. It is you who are principally in my thoughts,
in all the regret I feel at leaving England, that I love
so well. My heart will always remain faithful in its
friendship towards you, however far separated we may
be in the future.

I shall be in town to-morrow after eleven o'clock ;
let me find a line from you to say at what time you
will come, for I have many people to see, and wish to
make my other appointments suit your convenience.

Adieu.

Ever your true friend.

62-

500 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [may

Downing Street,

May ■zyd, 1834.

Dearest Princess,

I had mistaken the date of your letter, and
thought you were to be in town to-day, when I wrote
my note of this morning. Prince Lieven, whom I have
just seen, has set me right. I will call at Ashburnham
House, therefore, to-morrow at one, as I am afraid I
may be obliged to attend a Cabinet afterwards.

Count Nesseirode's despatch gave me pleasure, as
far as it expressed an approbation of Prince Lieven's
conduct, and did him the justice, as to his conduct
here, which he so well deserves. But in another sense
it grieved me, as it appeared to take away all hope of
its being possible to alter a decision which I regret
more and more. Mr. Bligh* makes the same report
of the honourable distinction intended to be conferred
on the Prince by his new appointment, and of the
manner in which the Emperor expressed the high
opinion which he entertains for him.

I respond with all my heart to all the kindness of
your note. I shall never forget the pleasure I have
had in your society, or cease to regret its loss. God
bless you.

Yours most affectionately,

Grey.

[Prince Lieven, on his recall from London, was named Governor
of the young Czarewitch, afterwards the Emperor Alexander IL In
regard to the causes which led to Prince Lieven's abrupt recall, the
following extracts from Mr. Greville's ' Memoirs ' explain much that
is left vague in the letters. In confirmation of what is here stated,
compare the note from Princess Lieven to Lord Grey of the year
1832, given above, page 412.

* English Minister ad iiiteriin at Petersburg.

1834] CAUSES OF THE RECALL. 501

'February 16 (1833). — Madame de Lieven gave me an account
(the day before yesterday) of the quarrel between the two Courts
about Stratford Canning. When the present (Lord Grey's) Ministry
came in, Nesselrode wrote to Madame de Lieven, and desired her to
beg that Lord Heytesbury might be left there — "Conservez nous
Heytesbury." She asked Palmerston and Lord Grey, and they both
promised her he should stay. Some time after he asked to be re-
called. She wrote word to Nesselrode, and told him that either
Adair or Canning would succeed him. He replied : " Don't let it be
Canning ; he is a most impracticable man, soupconneux^ pointilleux,
defiant ; and that he had been personally uncivil to the Emperor
when he was Grand-Duke * ; in short, the plain truth was they would
not receive him, and it was therefore desirable somebody, anybody,
else should be sent," She told this to Palmerston, and he engaged
that Stratford Canning should not be named. Nothing more was
done till some time ago, when, to her astonishment, Palmerston told
her that he was going to send Canning to St. Petersburg. She re-
monstrated, urged all the objections of her Court, his own engage-
ment— but in vain ; the discussions between them grew bitter :
Palmerston would not give way, and Canning was one day, to her
horror, gazetted. As might have been expected, Nesselrode positively
refused to receive him. . . .

' . . . Lady Cowper has since told me that Madame de Lieven
has been to blame in all this business : that Palmerston was provoked
with her interference ; that her temper had got the better of her, and
she had thought to carry it with a high hand, having been used to
have her own way, and that he had thought both she and her Court
wanted to be taken down a peg ; that she had told Nesselrode she
could prevent this appointment, and, what had done more harm than
anything, she had appealed to Grey against Palmerston, and employed
Durham to make a great clamour about it. All this made Palmerston
angry, and determined him to punish her, who, he thought, had
meddled more than she ought, and had made the matter personally
embarrassing and disagreeable to him.' — Greville, 'Diary,' ii. 357.]

Downing Street,

May 2^th, 1 834.

Dearest Princess,

Lord Londonderry has just given notice of his
intention to raise a discussion on our not having sent an

* This was denied. For the reasons which prevented Sir S. Canning taking
up his appointment, see ' Life ' by S. Lane-Pole, ii. 18-23.

502 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [may

Ambassador to St. Petersburg, on Monday next. In
doing so, he spoke very handsomely of the Prince
de Lieven, which gave me an opportunity of stating
what I sincerely feel as to the loss we shall sustain here,
and which, I think, will be equally felt at St. Peters-
burg, by his recall. So far, I was well satisfied with
what took place, but anything beyond this, and more
especially a discussion on the cause of Sir S. Canning's
not proceeding on the mission to which he was ap-
pointed, must be extremely mischievous ; and not the
less so from its being introduced by that shatter-
brained Marquis.

Yours most affectionately,

Grey.

To Earl Grey.

Wednesday, May 2%th [1834].

My husband has this moment come back from
Richmond, my dear lord, and learns from your note to
me, as also from the newspapers, of what passed
yesterday in the House of Lords.

To say he is profoundly touched by the manner
in which you spoke of him, and that he appreciates
the honour you have done him, would but feebly
express all that he has in mind. And how can I,
too, sufficiently thank you — yoiL, whom I regard as
my best friend here — and make you understand all
the good your words have done my poor heart ?

My husband fully agrees with you in what you say
regarding the motion Lord Londonderry is to bring on ;
and be assured he will use his utmost efforts to prevent

1834.] IRISH CHURCH COMMISSION. 503

further mischief. Of this he gives you his word, and
trusts to be able to succeed.

Adieu, my dear lord, and believe in the lasting
friendship and the gratitude of us both.

[On May 27, Sir Henry Ward moved that the revenues of the
Irish Church exceeded the requirements of the Protestant Estabhsh-
ment, and that the surplus ought to be applied to other purposes.
To meet this motion, Lord Althorp, on June 2, announced a Special
Commission of Inquiry on the Irish Church, and moved the previous
question. This was carried by 396 to 120, nearly all the Tories
voting with the Government The appointment of the Commission,
however, at once brought the differences which existed among the
members of the Cabinet to a decisive issue.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Tuesday, Jutte 3;-^ [1834].

I have just read the numbers of the division in
the House of Commons last night, my dear lord, and I
cannot help writing to offer you my most sincere con-
gratulations. In spite of pre-occupation of mind about
my own sad affairs, my thoughts are always with you,
and whatever touches your fame, or is the cause of
satisfaction to you, affects me as though I were a
member of your family. I am, therefore, most heartily
glad at what has happened.

Let me know at what time you can come and
see me Thursday. I shall be in town that day, and
would fain profit to have a few moments' conversation
with you. I have not seen you since my talk with Lady
Grey. Her kindly expression of friendship for me I
shall never forget. Ah, well ! there is much that I

504 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [june

regret and much that I love in all that I am leaving
behind in England.

Adieu, and God bless you !

D. LlEVEN,

[The Quadruple Alliance Treaty, signed in London on April 22,
1834, between England, France, Spain, and Portugal, rendered Don
Miguel's cause hopeless. After a battle fought on May 9, Don
Miguel embarked at Evora, and sailed for Genoa (May 30). Don
Miguel's submission made Don Carlos' position impossible, and
shortly afterwards he was landed at Portsmouth by a British man-of-
war.]

Downing Street,

/^une 4ik, 1834.

Dearest Princess,

I received your note last night with all the
feelings which so gratifying an expression of your con-
fidence and affection necessarily inspired. The division
was very brilliant, but I feel in the weight of the
burthen imposed upon me that this success is not
an unmixed subject of congratulation.

Well, there is, at last, one affair brought to a conclu-
sion— the war in Portugal is over. It is now to be seen
how Don Pedro conducts himself after his victory.
Here, also, is matter for doubt as well as congratulation.
I am just going to Windsor, but return to-morrow ;
then there is a Levee, and a Council afterwards, which,
I am afraid, will leave me no time to call on you before
five, when I must be in the House of Lords. If I can
escape from thence, I will call on you between five and
six, but I have little hope.

God bless you. Always believe in my sincere and
constant affection.

Ever yours,

1 834] LORD GREY RESIGNS. 505

[The Irish Church Commission brought the disunion in the
Cabinet to a crisis. Mr. Stanley saw that the issue of such a Com-
mission must eventually lead to the partial disendowment of the
Church, and refused to agree to it. Sir J. Graham, the Duke of
Richmond, and Lord Ripon joined him in sending in their resigna-
tions. On the 7th, Lord Althorp resigned, not being able to agree to
certain clauses of the Irish Coercion Act.

Lord Grey, on laying his colleagues' resignation before the King,
accompanied it with his own. On Lord Grey's retirement, the King
sent for Lord Melbourne.]

To Earl Grey.

Richmond,

Wednesday evening, July <)th [1834].

The news of your having resigned came on
me like a thunder-clap, my dear lord, some hours ago,
for, having come out to Richmond yesterday, and
having stayed on here to-day, I had no suspicion of all
that was taking place.

I am most anxious to see you. To-morrow I go
in to town, but only for a very short time, to see the
Princesses ; but on Friday pray name your own time.
I shall be in town all day, and except from five to six,
am free at any hour. What a series of events ! but
before passing judgment, I must hear from you what
you have to say upon it all. For some time back I
have seen you looking so harassed and anxious that
I cannot help believing you must be well pleased
to be quit of your daily worries. But what will
come of it all ? I am burning to see you ; if it is
possible, I will call to-rnorrow for a moment at Lady
Grey's.

Meanwhile, my dear lord, I would reiterate to you
once more, and more than ever, the assurance of my
unvarying and tender friendship. It seems as though

5o6 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [JULY

I felt more for you now than ever I did ; I cannot
fully explain it all, or, rather, to do so now would take
too long.

Yours ever,

D. LlEVEN.

Downing Street,

_////)/ lot/i, 1S34.

Dearest Princess,

Your note has touched me to the heart. In
all circumstances I know the entire dependence I may
place in your kindness and affection ; but every new
expression of them gives an increased warmth to the
sentiments of attachment with which you have inspired
me.

You judge rightly. My life for the last eight
months has been one of such unhappiness as nobody
can imagine, and as far as I am personally concerned,
I rejoice at having escaped from so painful and so
thankless a situation. But I feel, deeply feel, for the
difficulties of the King and the country. My only
comfort is that they are owing to no fault of mine.

The causes of all that has happened would require
too long an explanation for the limits of a letter ; but
I shall be glad to talk them over with you when we
meet. This pleasure, I am afraid, I cannot have to-
morrow, as I have foolishly taken upon myself the
burthen of going on with the Poor-law Bill, and it will
require all the morning to recall my scattered thoughts,
and I must be in the House of Lords at five. On
Saturday I shall be more at liberty, but if you can see
me, it must be rather early. God bless you.

Ever yours,
G.

1834-] LORD MELBOURNE PREMIER. 507

To Earl Grey.

London,

Tuesday, i^i/i [/tt/y, 1834].

I am quite as anxious as you are, my dear
lord, to have a quiet talk, and 1 am again in town,
though for a few hours only, since I must go back to
Richmond at four o'clock. If, however, you could call
in passing before that hour, I should only be too happy
to receive you.

My dear lord, it matters little what details you
may have to communicate to me ; I must tell you that
the world's opinion on the subject is already formed,
and this from what is publicly known of recent events.
Men of both parties are agreed in their opinions, and
we diplomatists, too, who during the late occurrences
were by the necessities of our position entirely neutral
— we are of one mind with the rest of the world in
holding that you leave office with honour unimpaired,
while the others remain in with theirs . . . But I
must not finish the phrase, for I do not forget that
I have been a diplomatist.

Adieu, my dear lord ; if you cannot come and see
me to-day, come Thursday between two and five, when
you are sure to find me at home.

A thousand faithful regards.

Downing Street,

/u/y 15M, 1834.

Dearest Princess,

I have only this moment got your note —
three o'clock —and it is now quite impossible for me
to call before four. I will do so Thursday between
two and four.

5o8 SETTLEMENT OF PORTUGUESE QUESTION. [aug.

Melbourne is gone to Windsor with the new ar-
rangement which was settled last night at a meeting
of the remaining members of the Cabinet. Mel-
bourne, First Lord ; Duncannon, Home Secretary ;
Sir J. Hobhouse, Woods and Forests, and with a seat
in the Cabinet. All the rest as they were. Howick
will not stay, and therefore his place in the Home
Office will also be to be filled up."^'

It was the only thing to be done, and is done with
my concurrence and at my desire. As the King and
all of them wished me to stay, and I found it impos-
sible, there cannot be imputed to them any want of
consideration for me.

Excuse haste. God bless you.

Ever yours,
G.

P.S. — Don't mention the arrangement till you hear
it from others.

[Princess Lieven left England for Petersburg in the first days of
August. Before her departure the Duchess-Countess of Sutherland
presented to the Princess a bracelet in the name of the ladies of
London society, who had subscribed to offer her this token of regard,
in souvenir of the many years she had spent in England and the
position she had occupied as one of the lady patronesses of Almack's.]

To Earl Grey.

Hamburg,

Aug. 6th, 1834.

I only reached Hamburg this morning, my
dear lord. The crossing was execrable, everybody
was ill, and I almost died of it. I have eaten
nothing since I left London, and have arrived here so

* Under-Secretary, January 13 to July 23, 1834.

«834.] JOURNEY TO PETERSBURG. 509

weak that I cannot stand, with my back all broken,
and not an idea left. Pity me, for I deserve it. How
am I ever going to live away from my dearly-beloved
England, and without ever seeing you ? I start on my
journey to-morrow.

Good-bye. Think of me often and lovingly, and
write to me. Give Lady Grey many tender messages
from me. Tell her how much her name on the famous
bracelet touched and flattered me, and how this brace-
let is in my eyes the greatest honour that has ever
been paid me. How proud I am of it, and how
happy, and yet how sad ! You will understand all
this, and Lady Grey, also. I have not the strength to
write to her, but tell her all this from me, I beg of
you.

What between weakness, fatigue, and sorrow, I am
almost dead. Adieu, and again adieu.

END OF VOL. II.

BILLING AND SONS, PRINTERS, GUILDFORU.

f.D.&'Co.

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