Ferdinand de Rothschild, Village Lectures, 1884 - 1888

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QUEEN ELIZABETH.


QUEEN ELIZABETH.


QUEEN ELIZABETH.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, We may feel some reluctance in turning

away from contemporary events of absorbing magnitude and interest to the history of a remote past. The recent expansion of the British Empire affords ample material for thrilling description and mature study. We live at a time when British valour and enterprise have transformed desert and boundless

lands beyond the seas into prosperous communities, and when tempered by British civilisation the 250 millions of alien and turbulent races of India have settled down into contented and industrious fellow-

subjects. At every point of the compass Britons are developing the resources of the world, one with us in the enjoyment of the same rights and material advantages, one in responding to the call of the

same duties and responsibilities, one in loyalty and devotion to the Sovereign under Whose beneficent rule the greatness of England has spread to the furthest regions of the globe.


QUEEN ELIZABETH.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, We may feel some reluctance in turning

away from contemporary events of absorbing magnitude and interest to the history of a remote past. The recent expansion of the British Empire affords ample material for thrilling description and mature study. We live at a time when British valour and enterprise have transformed desert and boundless

lands beyond the seas into prosperous communities, and when tempered by British civilisation the 250 millions of alien and turbulent races of India have settled down into contented and industrious fellow-

subjects. At every point of the compass Britons are developing the resources of the world, one with us in the enjoyment of the same rights and material advantages, one in responding to the call of the

same duties and responsibilities, one in loyalty and devotion to the Sovereign under Whose beneficent rule the greatness of England has spread to the furthest regions of the globe.


(4) But it may be well to remember that the British

Empire is not the sudden growth of our era, not the creation of this century alone, but an edifice long and laboriously built, raised stage by stage by generations and generations of your forefathers at the cost of infinite hardship and suffering, founded

with stupendous energy, consolidated with indomitable perseverance, and adorned with magnificent

heroism.

Proud as we may be of our possessions,

our prosperity and our liberties, they are virtually the result of the struggles of your ancestors an inheritance for which we owe them the tribute of our admiration and gratitude.

On these grounds I venture to offer for your consideration a brief survey of one of the most remarkable periods in the history of this country. The reign of Queen Elizabeth, more than any other epoch in the history of England, claims our sym— pathy, and appeals to the imagination, on account of the extraordinary personality of the Queen, the romantic character of its chief actors, and the

prodigious bound made by the country from comparative barbarism into the enlightenment of modern civilisation.

In the year 1509 Henry VIII. succeeded to the crown.

Endowed with many brilliant and sterling

qualities, he strengthei’icd the throne by his diplomatic skill and the valour of his arms, and raised

(5) England to an unprecedented position in the councils of the nations; but he stained his reign by the exercise of despotic power, and left at his death, in 1547, a gloomy record of tyrannical abuse.

Parliamentary institutions were still in their infancy; Parliament was only convoked to ratify his arbitrary decrees; ministers and bishops who attempted to interfere with his whims he sent to the Tower and

the scaffold.

Profligate as he was cruel, he married

no less than six times, and divorced or beheaded His his wives when he grew tired of them. second wife, Anna Boleyn, whose head fell under the executioner’s axe, bore to him, in 1533, the

Princess Elizabeth. We, who live under free and liberal institutions,

can hardly realise the condition of the people of England towards the middle of the sixteenth century.

The laws, which now afford to all alike

ample safeguard and protection, were then ill—defined and irregularly applied. The dominant law of the land was brute force, which was in the

hands of the great feudatories of the Crown, and was exercised by them without restraint against any kind of civil, political, and religious offender. There was a prison in every parish; not only every

town but every castle had its dungeon, places of the foulest description, without ventilation, damp and pestilential, stifling in summer, icy in winter.


(4) But it may be well to remember that the British

Empire is not the sudden growth of our era, not the creation of this century alone, but an edifice long and laboriously built, raised stage by stage by generations and generations of your forefathers at the cost of infinite hardship and suffering, founded

with stupendous energy, consolidated with indomitable perseverance, and adorned with magnificent

heroism.

Proud as we may be of our possessions,

our prosperity and our liberties, they are virtually the result of the struggles of your ancestors an inheritance for which we owe them the tribute of our admiration and gratitude.

On these grounds I venture to offer for your consideration a brief survey of one of the most remarkable periods in the history of this country. The reign of Queen Elizabeth, more than any other epoch in the history of England, claims our sym— pathy, and appeals to the imagination, on account of the extraordinary personality of the Queen, the romantic character of its chief actors, and the

prodigious bound made by the country from comparative barbarism into the enlightenment of modern civilisation.

In the year 1509 Henry VIII. succeeded to the crown.

Endowed with many brilliant and sterling

qualities, he strengthei’icd the throne by his diplomatic skill and the valour of his arms, and raised

(5) England to an unprecedented position in the councils of the nations; but he stained his reign by the exercise of despotic power, and left at his death, in 1547, a gloomy record of tyrannical abuse.

Parliamentary institutions were still in their infancy; Parliament was only convoked to ratify his arbitrary decrees; ministers and bishops who attempted to interfere with his whims he sent to the Tower and

the scaffold.

Profligate as he was cruel, he married

no less than six times, and divorced or beheaded His his wives when he grew tired of them. second wife, Anna Boleyn, whose head fell under the executioner’s axe, bore to him, in 1533, the

Princess Elizabeth. We, who live under free and liberal institutions,

can hardly realise the condition of the people of England towards the middle of the sixteenth century.

The laws, which now afford to all alike

ample safeguard and protection, were then ill—defined and irregularly applied. The dominant law of the land was brute force, which was in the

hands of the great feudatories of the Crown, and was exercised by them without restraint against any kind of civil, political, and religious offender. There was a prison in every parish; not only every

town but every castle had its dungeon, places of the foulest description, without ventilation, damp and pestilential, stifling in summer, icy in winter.


Into these dens prisoners were cast wholesale, with— out trial, on their way to the torture rack or to execution, unless they were reserved for a fate equally cruel to perish from fever or to be devoured by rats. The slightest misdeed was punished by death; stealing a sheep or a loaf of bread led to the gallows, a disloyal remark to the

The only mode of locomotion was on horse— back over rugged tracks which were infested by

block.

public schools to educate the young, no means of difiusing the knowledge and civilising influences

The sight of death was an amusement and

an excitement.

It took more than a week to travel brigands. from London to Edinburgh, and even long after

the reign of' Elizabeth no one attempted that perilous journey without taking a tearful farewell of his family and making his will. There were no

It was a common pastime for a Highland chief to season his breakfast with the spectacle of the execution of his prisoners. The gibbet stood in front of his window, and he joked and laughed over his tankard of beer while the bodies swung in the air. The nation was physically invigorated

that were restricted to the cathedral cities and universities. One of the chief causes of the unsettled con-

by constant experience of the battlefield, but as

tion during the reign of Henry VIII.

almost every citizen was pressed into the service,

the king adopted its elementary principles, and Protestantism rapidly gained ground in England, it was not established, not even clearly defined in

the

military profession absorbed the governing

power, and diverted the attention of the people from agricultural and industrial pursuits. War and

dition of the people was the hatred engendered by the new religious feuds. Luther, as you are aware, preached in Germany the doctrines of the Reforma-

its rites and Observances for many years.

Although

Its in-

plunder offered more immediate prospects of gain than the slower processes of peaceful occupation,

troduction was resisted by the Catholics with fanatical intolerance, and as the Catholics and Pro-

and the incitement to vanity, cruelty, and greed,

testants alternately gained the upper hand each

fostered the worst passions and inspired an utter

party indulged in reprisals on the other. Thus, during the reign of Henry and his son, Edward VI., Protestantism made considerable progress, but when,

contempt for the value of life.

It may be unfair

to judge the roughness of those times by the standard of modern ideas. Science and learning Were confined Within the ramparts of the towns.

upon the death of Edward, his sister, Mary Tudor, a devout Catholic, ascended the throne, the most


Into these dens prisoners were cast wholesale, with— out trial, on their way to the torture rack or to execution, unless they were reserved for a fate equally cruel to perish from fever or to be devoured by rats. The slightest misdeed was punished by death; stealing a sheep or a loaf of bread led to the gallows, a disloyal remark to the

The only mode of locomotion was on horse— back over rugged tracks which were infested by

block.

public schools to educate the young, no means of difiusing the knowledge and civilising influences

The sight of death was an amusement and

an excitement.

It took more than a week to travel brigands. from London to Edinburgh, and even long after

the reign of' Elizabeth no one attempted that perilous journey without taking a tearful farewell of his family and making his will. There were no

It was a common pastime for a Highland chief to season his breakfast with the spectacle of the execution of his prisoners. The gibbet stood in front of his window, and he joked and laughed over his tankard of beer while the bodies swung in the air. The nation was physically invigorated

that were restricted to the cathedral cities and universities. One of the chief causes of the unsettled con-

by constant experience of the battlefield, but as

tion during the reign of Henry VIII.

almost every citizen was pressed into the service,

the king adopted its elementary principles, and Protestantism rapidly gained ground in England, it was not established, not even clearly defined in

the

military profession absorbed the governing

power, and diverted the attention of the people from agricultural and industrial pursuits. War and

dition of the people was the hatred engendered by the new religious feuds. Luther, as you are aware, preached in Germany the doctrines of the Reforma-

its rites and Observances for many years.

Although

Its in-

plunder offered more immediate prospects of gain than the slower processes of peaceful occupation,

troduction was resisted by the Catholics with fanatical intolerance, and as the Catholics and Pro-

and the incitement to vanity, cruelty, and greed,

testants alternately gained the upper hand each

fostered the worst passions and inspired an utter

party indulged in reprisals on the other. Thus, during the reign of Henry and his son, Edward VI., Protestantism made considerable progress, but when,

contempt for the value of life.

It may be unfair

to judge the roughness of those times by the standard of modern ideas. Science and learning Were confined Within the ramparts of the towns.

upon the death of Edward, his sister, Mary Tudor, a devout Catholic, ascended the throne, the most


8 ) eminent of her Protestant subjects were hunted down, imprisoned, tortured, and burnt at the stake. Horrible as the religious persecutions now appear to us to have been in England during the sixteenth

century, we almost feel tempted to rejoice over their comparative mildness when we turn to the wholesale massacres on the Continent.

We shudder when we

read of the Smithfield martyrs under Mary Tudor and the executions under Elizabeth. During the five years of Mary’s reign, 193 Protestants, or heretics as they were called, were burnt to death. I do not think Elizabeth ever sent any one to the stake. She hanged and beheaded about 130 Papists during

the forty-five years of her reign. Now let us turn to France. Where in one Week alone—it was in the year 157 2 about 30,000 Protestants fell under the blows of Catholic

the high standard of their character, which have added the halo of romance to the halo of martyrdom, and caused the fame of Elizabeth, and the reputation of Mary Tudor, to come down to posterity sullied with the dark stains of intolerance and cruelty. The first act of Mary Tudor’s government had been to send to the block her cousin, Lady Jane Grey, an accomplished young woman of nineteen,

whom a powerful faction wished to raise to the throne. When after this act the Protestant factions of England turned to Elizabeth as their leader, Mary Tudor readily yielded to the impulses of her sanguinary nature, and sent to the Tower the Princess Elizabeth, who was in her twenty-first year.

Few prisoners who entered that fortress ever left it alive. Princes, archbishops, prime ministers, and

of

worthies of every class and description, stained Tower Hill with their blood ; and yet, when Elizabeth ap-

their king; in Flanders the Protestant executions

proached the fatal stairs of Traitors’ Gate, her proud

by the gallows and by the stake have to be

spirit already broke forth in the words : ‘ Here lands as loyal a subject, although a prisoner, as ever landed at these stairs; before Thee, O God, I speak it, having no other friend but Thee alonel’ In sparing her sister’s life, Mary Tudor was not influenced by any motives of humanity. Mary was

assassins,

who acted under the

counted by tens of thousands.

direct orders

For upwards of

twenty years France was devastated by civil wars between the Protestants and Catholics, and the

best blood of that kingdom was spilt and wasted in fighting for the cause of religious principles.

It

was the exceptional station of most of the English victims, their royal birth, the position they held in

old and broken in health, her own position was

the Church and in the nobility, and generally also

quences of beheading the next heir to the throne.

insecure, and she was afraid to incur the conse-


8 ) eminent of her Protestant subjects were hunted down, imprisoned, tortured, and burnt at the stake. Horrible as the religious persecutions now appear to us to have been in England during the sixteenth

century, we almost feel tempted to rejoice over their comparative mildness when we turn to the wholesale massacres on the Continent.

We shudder when we

read of the Smithfield martyrs under Mary Tudor and the executions under Elizabeth. During the five years of Mary’s reign, 193 Protestants, or heretics as they were called, were burnt to death. I do not think Elizabeth ever sent any one to the stake. She hanged and beheaded about 130 Papists during

the forty-five years of her reign. Now let us turn to France. Where in one Week alone—it was in the year 157 2 about 30,000 Protestants fell under the blows of Catholic

the high standard of their character, which have added the halo of romance to the halo of martyrdom, and caused the fame of Elizabeth, and the reputation of Mary Tudor, to come down to posterity sullied with the dark stains of intolerance and cruelty. The first act of Mary Tudor’s government had been to send to the block her cousin, Lady Jane Grey, an accomplished young woman of nineteen,

whom a powerful faction wished to raise to the throne. When after this act the Protestant factions of England turned to Elizabeth as their leader, Mary Tudor readily yielded to the impulses of her sanguinary nature, and sent to the Tower the Princess Elizabeth, who was in her twenty-first year.

Few prisoners who entered that fortress ever left it alive. Princes, archbishops, prime ministers, and

of

worthies of every class and description, stained Tower Hill with their blood ; and yet, when Elizabeth ap-

their king; in Flanders the Protestant executions

proached the fatal stairs of Traitors’ Gate, her proud

by the gallows and by the stake have to be

spirit already broke forth in the words : ‘ Here lands as loyal a subject, although a prisoner, as ever landed at these stairs; before Thee, O God, I speak it, having no other friend but Thee alonel’ In sparing her sister’s life, Mary Tudor was not influenced by any motives of humanity. Mary was

assassins,

who acted under the

counted by tens of thousands.

direct orders

For upwards of

twenty years France was devastated by civil wars between the Protestants and Catholics, and the

best blood of that kingdom was spilt and wasted in fighting for the cause of religious principles.

It

was the exceptional station of most of the English victims, their royal birth, the position they held in

old and broken in health, her own position was

the Church and in the nobility, and generally also

quences of beheading the next heir to the throne.

insecure, and she was afraid to incur the conse-


(11

(10)

Scotland was still a separate kingdom with an

So the Princess Elizabeth was released from the Tower, but was still kept strictly confined and

independent sovereign, and the whole population of and Wales at the time of Elizabeth’s England C)

jealously watched. In November, 1588, when sitting one day under an oak-tree in the park at Hatfield, Elizabeth received the news of Mary’s

accession only amounted to five millions, that is to say, one-sixth of its present population, or the present population of London alone. Many commodities which are now deemed necessaries of life were unknown to the people of England in those times. Tea, coffee, and cocoa, potatoes and

death and her own accession to the throne. She fell down on he knees, and exclaimed, ‘It is the

Lord’s doingl—it is marvellous in our eyes!’ These words she afterwards caused to be stamped on a gold coin, impressing on a silver coin another pious motto: ‘1 have chosen God for my helper.’

tobacco, were entirely unheard of in the year 1558. Gloves were a luxury only princesses could afford. In the year 1560, when Elizabeth was twenty-seven

The young Queen found the realm in an almost

hopeless state of civil discord, religious confusion, and

to obtain it by brigandage or robbery.

The people

of England were not only vastly inferior in culture and education to those of the present day, they were also greatly inferior in numbers.

i

the ladies of her Court. The Queen, after wearing them a few days, was so much pleased with them that she sent for the donor and asked her from whence they came, and if she could get any more; adding that if so, she would not wear worsted stockings any longer. #4.- may-9 m r gamma}. ‘ um.mfin

financial depression. On the one side there was an independent and powerful nobility, living in fortified castles, enjoying boundless privileges, surrounded by hosts of retainers, and ready to raise the standard of rebellion for their own ambitious ends. The middle class was as yet an unimportant factor, as the trade of England to which it owes its existence and its influence was then in its infancy. Then there were the humble and suffering people, wretchedly governed, starving and uncared for, looking either to the nobles for their sustenance or seeking

years of age, a pair of black silk stockings were presented to her as a New Year’s gift by one of

Instead of following Mary Tudor’s example and persecuting her enemies, Elizabeth showed the superiority of her nature by forgiving the petty offences of her sister’s courtiers, who had treated her with ‘Eear disrespect as long as she was in disgrace.

not,’ replied Elizabeth to a member of the late queen’s household, who abjectly besought her not to punish him for his former disrespect to her,


(11

(10)

Scotland was still a separate kingdom with an

So the Princess Elizabeth was released from the Tower, but was still kept strictly confined and

independent sovereign, and the whole population of and Wales at the time of Elizabeth’s England C)

jealously watched. In November, 1588, when sitting one day under an oak-tree in the park at Hatfield, Elizabeth received the news of Mary’s

accession only amounted to five millions, that is to say, one-sixth of its present population, or the present population of London alone. Many commodities which are now deemed necessaries of life were unknown to the people of England in those times. Tea, coffee, and cocoa, potatoes and

death and her own accession to the throne. She fell down on he knees, and exclaimed, ‘It is the

Lord’s doingl—it is marvellous in our eyes!’ These words she afterwards caused to be stamped on a gold coin, impressing on a silver coin another pious motto: ‘1 have chosen God for my helper.’

tobacco, were entirely unheard of in the year 1558. Gloves were a luxury only princesses could afford. In the year 1560, when Elizabeth was twenty-seven

The young Queen found the realm in an almost

hopeless state of civil discord, religious confusion, and

to obtain it by brigandage or robbery.

The people

of England were not only vastly inferior in culture and education to those of the present day, they were also greatly inferior in numbers.

i

the ladies of her Court. The Queen, after wearing them a few days, was so much pleased with them that she sent for the donor and asked her from whence they came, and if she could get any more; adding that if so, she would not wear worsted stockings any longer. #4.- may-9 m r gamma}. ‘ um.mfin

financial depression. On the one side there was an independent and powerful nobility, living in fortified castles, enjoying boundless privileges, surrounded by hosts of retainers, and ready to raise the standard of rebellion for their own ambitious ends. The middle class was as yet an unimportant factor, as the trade of England to which it owes its existence and its influence was then in its infancy. Then there were the humble and suffering people, wretchedly governed, starving and uncared for, looking either to the nobles for their sustenance or seeking

years of age, a pair of black silk stockings were presented to her as a New Year’s gift by one of

Instead of following Mary Tudor’s example and persecuting her enemies, Elizabeth showed the superiority of her nature by forgiving the petty offences of her sister’s courtiers, who had treated her with ‘Eear disrespect as long as she was in disgrace.

not,’ replied Elizabeth to a member of the late queen’s household, who abjectly besought her not to punish him for his former disrespect to her,


(12)

<13)

‘We are of the nature of the lion, and cannot descend to the destruction of mice and such small beasts.’ lVith the same generosity, though a Protestant she sentenced Catholics to death only when they were implicated in plots against her person, and, unlike her predecessor, devoted her energies

of the huge American continent, and had extended

to the maintenance of peace, to the defence of the

overwhelming force.

countr , and to the establishment of order. The severe training she had received from adversity, and

already wrested from England her possessions on

the melancholy spectacle of the then degraded state of England, taught her to recognise that peace was essential to the prosperity of the country, and that the interests of the monarch and of the people were identical. Thus we must look back to her reign for the dawn of those reforms which led to the religious and political independence of the people of England.

On the one hand she assisted the people in discovering and using their strength, and stimulated those commercial undertakings which from private

became national enterprises, bringing prosperity, fame, and glory to the countr ; on the other, she took effective measures to guard against the aggression of the most potent enemies of England—— Spain and France, both burning with centuries of

jealousy and hatred. Spain had possession of Holland and Belgium—When the biggest marts in the world—the West Indies, the greater portion

her sway over Naples and Sicily. She owned the inexhaustible gold, silver, and diamond mines of Peru, Venezuela, the Brazils, and Mexico, and was now preparing to sweep the seas with her tremendous fleet, and to invade England with an France,

on her side, had

the Continent. In Scotland, Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary Stuart, Queen Dowager of France, had become Queen Regnant, and, influenced by her French connexions, put forth claims to the throne of Elizabeth. En-

dowed with great personal charms and intellectual gifts, but devoid of principle, she succeeded in fomenting discord among the subjects of Elizabeth, gathering many English adherents to her cause, and hiring emissaries to attempt the life of the Queen. Such were the forces against which Elizabeth had to contend. At home, a discontented people divided against itself by religious fanaticism;

abroad, the ambitious and greedy foreigner.

Ruin

stared England in the face, her only hope lay in the Queen.

The character of Elizabeth presents the greatest contrasts, combining heroic qualities with the meanest defects. In appearance she was tall, graceful, and dignified, with a brilliant complexion and


(12)

<13)

‘We are of the nature of the lion, and cannot descend to the destruction of mice and such small beasts.’ lVith the same generosity, though a Protestant she sentenced Catholics to death only when they were implicated in plots against her person, and, unlike her predecessor, devoted her energies

of the huge American continent, and had extended

to the maintenance of peace, to the defence of the

overwhelming force.

countr , and to the establishment of order. The severe training she had received from adversity, and

already wrested from England her possessions on

the melancholy spectacle of the then degraded state of England, taught her to recognise that peace was essential to the prosperity of the country, and that the interests of the monarch and of the people were identical. Thus we must look back to her reign for the dawn of those reforms which led to the religious and political independence of the people of England.

On the one hand she assisted the people in discovering and using their strength, and stimulated those commercial undertakings which from private

became national enterprises, bringing prosperity, fame, and glory to the countr ; on the other, she took effective measures to guard against the aggression of the most potent enemies of England—— Spain and France, both burning with centuries of

jealousy and hatred. Spain had possession of Holland and Belgium—When the biggest marts in the world—the West Indies, the greater portion

her sway over Naples and Sicily. She owned the inexhaustible gold, silver, and diamond mines of Peru, Venezuela, the Brazils, and Mexico, and was now preparing to sweep the seas with her tremendous fleet, and to invade England with an France,

on her side, had

the Continent. In Scotland, Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary Stuart, Queen Dowager of France, had become Queen Regnant, and, influenced by her French connexions, put forth claims to the throne of Elizabeth. En-

dowed with great personal charms and intellectual gifts, but devoid of principle, she succeeded in fomenting discord among the subjects of Elizabeth, gathering many English adherents to her cause, and hiring emissaries to attempt the life of the Queen. Such were the forces against which Elizabeth had to contend. At home, a discontented people divided against itself by religious fanaticism;

abroad, the ambitious and greedy foreigner.

Ruin

stared England in the face, her only hope lay in the Queen.

The character of Elizabeth presents the greatest contrasts, combining heroic qualities with the meanest defects. In appearance she was tall, graceful, and dignified, with a brilliant complexion and


(14) beautiful hands, which she was

always

ostenta-

unconscious of his admiring eyes.

Even in the

tiously displaying. To the very last she set the highest store by her attractions. \Ve have a

midst of an important political conference with the French Ambassador she interrupted the discussion

graphic picture of her in her sixty—fifth year by a German visitor, who saw her one Sunday as she

by displaying, as if by accident, the elegant. propor-

proceeded to chapel.

self-possession, and dropping on one knee he salute-d the graceful limb so coquettishly revealed, laid'his hand on his heart and exclaimed with a deep s1gh, ‘Ahl Madame, if the King my master had but been in my placel’ upon which he resumed the diplomatic discussion. Her vanity showed itself strikingly in her love of dress. When she died, at the age of seventy, no less

‘She appeared,’ he says,

‘stately and majestic; her face oblong, fair but

wrinkled; her eyes small, yet pleasant; her nose a little hooked, her lips narrow, her teeth black, her hands slender and her fingers long. There was a special beauty in her delicate white hands, and at her audiences she took care not to hide them. She had pearls with rich drops in her ears, wore false red hair, had a small crown on her head, her bosom uncovered, her dress of White silk bordered with pearls of the size of beans, a collar of gold and

jewels; and thus arrayed Elizabeth passed along, smiling graciously on the spectators, who fell down on their knees as she approached; while a Marchioness bore up her train, a bevy of ladies followed her dressed in white, and she was guarded on each side by fifty gentlemen-pensioners carrying gilt battlevaxes.’ Her vanity manifested itself in many other ways.

tions of her ankle.

The ambassador retalned h1s

than 3000 gowns, some of the costliest description,

were found in her wardrobe, as well as sixty wigs. She was Her avarice equalled her vanity. avaricious as well as vain, and stingy as well as avaricious.

One day on visiting in state the

town of Norwich, the Mayor, after a long-winded oration, presented her with a silver cup full of gold pieces. The Queen eagerly took off the cover and looked inside, then with a pleased face she handed it to a servant, saying, ‘Look to it carefully, there is 100l.’

It is related that the same year when the Scottish

Another time Sir Roger Williams, a valiant Welsh

Ambassador came to her palace she feigned ignorance of his presence, and kept him waiting near a

commander, obtained an interview in order to present

her with a petition.

He knelt before her with the

curtain, in front of which she danced, seemingly

petition in his hand.

She was determined not to


(14) beautiful hands, which she was

always

ostenta-

unconscious of his admiring eyes.

Even in the

tiously displaying. To the very last she set the highest store by her attractions. \Ve have a

midst of an important political conference with the French Ambassador she interrupted the discussion

graphic picture of her in her sixty—fifth year by a German visitor, who saw her one Sunday as she

by displaying, as if by accident, the elegant. propor-

proceeded to chapel.

self-possession, and dropping on one knee he salute-d the graceful limb so coquettishly revealed, laid'his hand on his heart and exclaimed with a deep s1gh, ‘Ahl Madame, if the King my master had but been in my placel’ upon which he resumed the diplomatic discussion. Her vanity showed itself strikingly in her love of dress. When she died, at the age of seventy, no less

‘She appeared,’ he says,

‘stately and majestic; her face oblong, fair but

wrinkled; her eyes small, yet pleasant; her nose a little hooked, her lips narrow, her teeth black, her hands slender and her fingers long. There was a special beauty in her delicate white hands, and at her audiences she took care not to hide them. She had pearls with rich drops in her ears, wore false red hair, had a small crown on her head, her bosom uncovered, her dress of White silk bordered with pearls of the size of beans, a collar of gold and

jewels; and thus arrayed Elizabeth passed along, smiling graciously on the spectators, who fell down on their knees as she approached; while a Marchioness bore up her train, a bevy of ladies followed her dressed in white, and she was guarded on each side by fifty gentlemen-pensioners carrying gilt battlevaxes.’ Her vanity manifested itself in many other ways.

tions of her ankle.

The ambassador retalned h1s

than 3000 gowns, some of the costliest description,

were found in her wardrobe, as well as sixty wigs. She was Her avarice equalled her vanity. avaricious as well as vain, and stingy as well as avaricious.

One day on visiting in state the

town of Norwich, the Mayor, after a long-winded oration, presented her with a silver cup full of gold pieces. The Queen eagerly took off the cover and looked inside, then with a pleased face she handed it to a servant, saying, ‘Look to it carefully, there is 100l.’

It is related that the same year when the Scottish

Another time Sir Roger Williams, a valiant Welsh

Ambassador came to her palace she feigned ignorance of his presence, and kept him waiting near a

commander, obtained an interview in order to present

her with a petition.

He knelt before her with the

curtain, in front of which she danced, seemingly

petition in his hand.

She was determined not to


(16) grant his request, but not wishing to offend him she

Francis Walsingham, her ambassador to France, who

remained silent for a time, thinking how best to soften her refusal. She noticed in the meantime that his boots, instead of being bright and polished, were made

toiled many years in her service, died a pauper. Her temper was awful; she swore at a Cabinet

of rough and untanned leather, so she turned away, pretending to be disgusted, and exclaimed, ‘Oh, Williams, how your boots smelll’ ‘Tut, Madam,’ replied the sturdy Welshman, with an appropriate pun, ‘it is my suit that smells, not my boots.’ Her avarice often betrayed her into a false economy. She allowed herself to be persuaded at a moment of great national peril, when the Spanish fleet, the Invincible Armada, had actually set sail for the shores

Minister in a manner which would Billingsgate fishwife.

astonish a

When she was out of temper,

she soothed herself by beating her ladies-in-waiting; and on one occasion she replied to a discourteous remark of one of her favourites and greatest nobles of the realm, Lord Essex, with a box on the ear.

Her worse defects were her mendacity and duplicity. In political affairs she lied in such a barefaced way, that she often deceived her own ministers, and she never showed the slightest shame when found out.

of England, that soldiers and sailors wished for war

Her dissimulation was never more painfully illus-

because it was their trade, and she dismissed from their ships the crews which had been collected at much expense; she forbade the dispatch of the re—

trated than in her conduct towards her cousin, Mary Stuart. When after the death of her consort, the

quired amount of provisions, and sent an inadequate supply of beer, which was sour and poisonous into the bargain, and produced dysentery. When the commanders ordered fresh provisions on their own

she soon found herself at war with the nobles of the

King of France, Mary Stuart returned to Scotland, kingdom, who rebelled against her, partly owing to Mary Stuart’s own fault, but chiefly to the bribes they received from Elizabeth. Elizabeth wrote the

responsibility, she called them to sharp account,

sweetest letters to her cousin, but secretly she bought

and made them pay the bill themselves.

over her relatives, friends, and servants. Elizabeth's hatred of Mary Stuart was due in

Then shortly afterwards, when the Armada had been defeated, and the country saved from complete

great part to jealousy, for Mary Stuart was a

annihilation, her first act was to complain of a trivial waste of provisions, and the carelessness by which

younger, more beautiful, and a more attractive woman than Elizabeth. When the Scottish re-

some biscuits had been spoilt by the sea—water.

bellion succeeded, Mary Stuart fled to England, Sir

B


(16) grant his request, but not wishing to offend him she

Francis Walsingham, her ambassador to France, who

remained silent for a time, thinking how best to soften her refusal. She noticed in the meantime that his boots, instead of being bright and polished, were made

toiled many years in her service, died a pauper. Her temper was awful; she swore at a Cabinet

of rough and untanned leather, so she turned away, pretending to be disgusted, and exclaimed, ‘Oh, Williams, how your boots smelll’ ‘Tut, Madam,’ replied the sturdy Welshman, with an appropriate pun, ‘it is my suit that smells, not my boots.’ Her avarice often betrayed her into a false economy. She allowed herself to be persuaded at a moment of great national peril, when the Spanish fleet, the Invincible Armada, had actually set sail for the shores

Minister in a manner which would Billingsgate fishwife.

astonish a

When she was out of temper,

she soothed herself by beating her ladies-in-waiting; and on one occasion she replied to a discourteous remark of one of her favourites and greatest nobles of the realm, Lord Essex, with a box on the ear.

Her worse defects were her mendacity and duplicity. In political affairs she lied in such a barefaced way, that she often deceived her own ministers, and she never showed the slightest shame when found out.

of England, that soldiers and sailors wished for war

Her dissimulation was never more painfully illus-

because it was their trade, and she dismissed from their ships the crews which had been collected at much expense; she forbade the dispatch of the re—

trated than in her conduct towards her cousin, Mary Stuart. When after the death of her consort, the

quired amount of provisions, and sent an inadequate supply of beer, which was sour and poisonous into the bargain, and produced dysentery. When the commanders ordered fresh provisions on their own

she soon found herself at war with the nobles of the

King of France, Mary Stuart returned to Scotland, kingdom, who rebelled against her, partly owing to Mary Stuart’s own fault, but chiefly to the bribes they received from Elizabeth. Elizabeth wrote the

responsibility, she called them to sharp account,

sweetest letters to her cousin, but secretly she bought

and made them pay the bill themselves.

over her relatives, friends, and servants. Elizabeth's hatred of Mary Stuart was due in

Then shortly afterwards, when the Armada had been defeated, and the country saved from complete

great part to jealousy, for Mary Stuart was a

annihilation, her first act was to complain of a trivial waste of provisions, and the carelessness by which

younger, more beautiful, and a more attractive woman than Elizabeth. When the Scottish re-

some biscuits had been spoilt by the sea—water.

bellion succeeded, Mary Stuart fled to England, Sir

B


(19) and implored Elizabeth’s protection; but Elizabeth, who was delighted at this result of her intrigues,

ordered her to be imprisoned. The ill—fated Queen of Scots was sent from castle to castle, from prison to prison, and lingered in confinement for fifteen dismal years. In vain she besought the Queen's mercy; in vain she pleaded for an interview. The Queen undoubtedly feared unpleasant personal comparisons, as the following conversation between her

and Sir James Melville helps to prove. ‘She inquired,’ relates Melville, one of Mary Stuart’s envoys, ‘what coloured hair was reputed best, whether my Queen’s hair or her own was the best, and which of the two was the fairest.’ Melville answered, ‘You are the fairest Queen in England, and ours the fairest Queen in Scotland.’ Elizabeth

inquired which was of the highest stature.

Melville

answered, ‘Our Queen.’ ‘Then she is over high,’ returned Elizabeth, ‘for I am neither too high nor too low.’ ‘I was detained,’ continued Melville, ‘to

Stuart’s haughty spirit remained unbroken.

While

feigning submission and humility towards Elizabeth, she still secretly cherished her arrogant pretensions to the English crown, eluded the vigilance of her jailers, and directed conspiracies against the life of the Queen. Her machinations were invariably discovered. The detection of her plots could have but one result. Elizabeth’s ministers were resolved to put an end to the primary cause of disorder and insecurity in the country, and urged on the Queen the necessity of sending Mary Stuart to the block. Elizabeth, who in dissimulation yielded nothing to her cousin, and was moreover influenced by her own interests and jealousies, signed the warrant for

Mary Stuart’s execution, but flung the paper on the floor of the room. There Davidson, the Secretary of the Council, found it, and seeing that it was duly signed, gave it to the Minister of the Crown, who

forthwith had Mary beheaded. When informed of the execution of the sentence, Elizabeth flew into a violent passion, de-

see the Queen dance. This being done, she inquired whether she or my Queen danced best. Whereas to Lady Jane Melville she showed herself with her tresses all unbraided and in the unadorned splendour of her stately form, and then demanded of her if

clared that she never meant the warrant to be put in force, and sent Davidson to prison, where he

the Queen of Scots could boast of such a head of

Stuart may appear, it proved of great political ad-

hair.’ Despite her long and rigorous imprisonment, Mary

vantage, for her death put an end to the conspiracies both of her enemies and of her rebellious subjects,

suffered every kind of ill-treatment, and died a miserable death. Cruel as the execution of Mary


(19) and implored Elizabeth’s protection; but Elizabeth, who was delighted at this result of her intrigues,

ordered her to be imprisoned. The ill—fated Queen of Scots was sent from castle to castle, from prison to prison, and lingered in confinement for fifteen dismal years. In vain she besought the Queen's mercy; in vain she pleaded for an interview. The Queen undoubtedly feared unpleasant personal comparisons, as the following conversation between her

and Sir James Melville helps to prove. ‘She inquired,’ relates Melville, one of Mary Stuart’s envoys, ‘what coloured hair was reputed best, whether my Queen’s hair or her own was the best, and which of the two was the fairest.’ Melville answered, ‘You are the fairest Queen in England, and ours the fairest Queen in Scotland.’ Elizabeth

inquired which was of the highest stature.

Melville

answered, ‘Our Queen.’ ‘Then she is over high,’ returned Elizabeth, ‘for I am neither too high nor too low.’ ‘I was detained,’ continued Melville, ‘to

Stuart’s haughty spirit remained unbroken.

While

feigning submission and humility towards Elizabeth, she still secretly cherished her arrogant pretensions to the English crown, eluded the vigilance of her jailers, and directed conspiracies against the life of the Queen. Her machinations were invariably discovered. The detection of her plots could have but one result. Elizabeth’s ministers were resolved to put an end to the primary cause of disorder and insecurity in the country, and urged on the Queen the necessity of sending Mary Stuart to the block. Elizabeth, who in dissimulation yielded nothing to her cousin, and was moreover influenced by her own interests and jealousies, signed the warrant for

Mary Stuart’s execution, but flung the paper on the floor of the room. There Davidson, the Secretary of the Council, found it, and seeing that it was duly signed, gave it to the Minister of the Crown, who

forthwith had Mary beheaded. When informed of the execution of the sentence, Elizabeth flew into a violent passion, de-

see the Queen dance. This being done, she inquired whether she or my Queen danced best. Whereas to Lady Jane Melville she showed herself with her tresses all unbraided and in the unadorned splendour of her stately form, and then demanded of her if

clared that she never meant the warrant to be put in force, and sent Davidson to prison, where he

the Queen of Scots could boast of such a head of

Stuart may appear, it proved of great political ad-

hair.’ Despite her long and rigorous imprisonment, Mary

vantage, for her death put an end to the conspiracies both of her enemies and of her rebellious subjects,

suffered every kind of ill-treatment, and died a miserable death. Cruel as the execution of Mary


(20)

(21)

who used Mary Stuart’s name and position to give

duplicity, she awed him with the reply that if he dared to say another word she would fling hlm

a legitimate colour to their intrigues. But, wavering and vain, avaricious and menda-

into prison. If she was avaricious and sold her help to the French and Dutch Protestants at the highest rate she could; if when her life-long favourite,

cious, as Elizabeth was, her very faults promoted the interests of England. The whole world was arrayed against England. France intrigued through Mary Stuart; Spain armed against England; the

Leicester, died, she seized his property in payment of some money she pretended to have lent to him; if she stood in partnership with freebooters, accepted

with them, that she averted the perils with which

she was beset, and hit on the right policy, to meet the emergency. Moreover, her faults were rather superficial than inherent in her nature. In reality she had un— bounded courage, an indomitable will, a stern resolution, combined with an intense love for her country. If she persecuted Catholics in public, she herself was insensible to fear. Though her life was the mark for assassin after assassin, she never took

any precautions for her personal safety; and when Catholic plots broke out in her very household she refused to dismiss any Catholics from her Court. If she lied to the Spanish ambassador so audaciously on one occasion that he wrote to his master of the Queen, ‘That woman is possessed with ten thousand devils ; ’ on another, when he reproached her for her

a share of their spoils and profits, and wore in her crown the jewels they had plundered from Spanish shrines, her thrift, which she extended to the management of the public purse, won her general gratitude,

and enabled her to consolidate the power of the country.

It may be not out of place to devote a few words ,i. .v ii“:

playing of one against the other, by temporising

“an.“

sand enemies and false friends; and it was only by

. . .-....... vmn41.-.:c.:

Catholics fought with the Protestants and against Elizabeth. Elizabeth had to guard against a thou-

to these freebooters who played so large a part in enriching the throne of Elizabeth, as well as in building up the fortunes of England. . Some years before Elizabeth’s access1on, the two Cabots—father and son—had, in discovering Newfoundland, started the American fisheries, which under Elizabeth were greatly extended. Chancellor, in discovering Archangel, created the trade with Russia.

The wealthiest merchants of England had previously formed themselves into companies, under the name of ‘Merchant Adventurers] and had conveyed their goods to the Netherlands.

They even received


(20)

(21)

who used Mary Stuart’s name and position to give

duplicity, she awed him with the reply that if he dared to say another word she would fling hlm

a legitimate colour to their intrigues. But, wavering and vain, avaricious and menda-

into prison. If she was avaricious and sold her help to the French and Dutch Protestants at the highest rate she could; if when her life-long favourite,

cious, as Elizabeth was, her very faults promoted the interests of England. The whole world was arrayed against England. France intrigued through Mary Stuart; Spain armed against England; the

Leicester, died, she seized his property in payment of some money she pretended to have lent to him; if she stood in partnership with freebooters, accepted

with them, that she averted the perils with which

she was beset, and hit on the right policy, to meet the emergency. Moreover, her faults were rather superficial than inherent in her nature. In reality she had un— bounded courage, an indomitable will, a stern resolution, combined with an intense love for her country. If she persecuted Catholics in public, she herself was insensible to fear. Though her life was the mark for assassin after assassin, she never took

any precautions for her personal safety; and when Catholic plots broke out in her very household she refused to dismiss any Catholics from her Court. If she lied to the Spanish ambassador so audaciously on one occasion that he wrote to his master of the Queen, ‘That woman is possessed with ten thousand devils ; ’ on another, when he reproached her for her

a share of their spoils and profits, and wore in her crown the jewels they had plundered from Spanish shrines, her thrift, which she extended to the management of the public purse, won her general gratitude,

and enabled her to consolidate the power of the country.

It may be not out of place to devote a few words ,i. .v ii“:

playing of one against the other, by temporising

“an.“

sand enemies and false friends; and it was only by

. . .-....... vmn41.-.:c.:

Catholics fought with the Protestants and against Elizabeth. Elizabeth had to guard against a thou-

to these freebooters who played so large a part in enriching the throne of Elizabeth, as well as in building up the fortunes of England. . Some years before Elizabeth’s access1on, the two Cabots—father and son—had, in discovering Newfoundland, started the American fisheries, which under Elizabeth were greatly extended. Chancellor, in discovering Archangel, created the trade with Russia.

The wealthiest merchants of England had previously formed themselves into companies, under the name of ‘Merchant Adventurers] and had conveyed their goods to the Netherlands.

They even received


(22)

(‘23) to be rppalid d, whenever that service was likely the Channe, ie with plunder. When cruising in been frelghted in learned that a Spanish vessel had

an ambassador from the Czar of Muscovy. It is said that they rode forth to meet him in procession, dressed in velvet, with chains of gold round their necks, so that they might impress the imperial envoy favourably and make his country desirous of trading with them; but it was only later, and under Eliza— beth, that the pcacefulness of her reign enabled

cree

home With a cargo Flanders, and was on its way batch of Protestant of 80,000 ducats in gold, and a * n to serve in the ' g' take prisoners who were bein

Spanish galleys.

Cobham gave chase to the vessel,

fired into 1e]:i caught her in the Bay of Biscay, crew, boarde killed the captain and some of the

these merchants to develop these commercial trans-

rvors of the her, sewed up the captain and the surv , flung them crew in the sails of their own ship

a. 4-*m“; ~ 4;... .._ n. «an «ha-n.

.

actions. Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Martin Frobisher came after Chancellor; and in their search for the Northwest Passage, were the first English seamen who met the icebergs of the Arctic regions, and by discovering

Greenland and Labrador, opened out a new field of financial venture in the whale-fisheries, which soon

rapidly increased in value. George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, and Thomas Cobham, who followed in the wake of Frobisher,

displayed the distinct features of the corsair. That Lord Cumberland's piracies were not disagreeable

overboard, and made off with the

.

booty.

But of all the ‘sea-dogs,’ as these daring

mariners

and remarkable were called, the most conspicuous ock in the year was Drake. He was born at Tavist

subsequently 1545, on the farm of his father, who He began became Vicar of Upnor on the Medway. ter, and by serving as an apprentice in a Channel coas expedition then joined his kinsman Hawkins in an Drake’s Puritanism, like to the Spanish main.

to Elizabeth, she proved by admitting him to her tournaments. Once, as he knelt before the Queen

his love of Cobham’s, went hand in hand with

to receive the prize, she dropped her glove, which

plunder their riches was, in his mind, work.

adventure.

he thenceforward wore as a favour, encircled with diamonds. Cobham, the son of Lord Cobham, half a pirate,

a righteous .

but Hawkins’ expedition turned out a failure; began though Drake lost in it all he possessed, he unt, and to sail shortly afterwards on his own acco Spanish in the year 157 2 he already took a convoy of ..‘..-...,. U...

w

half a knight-errant of the Reformation, did battle on his own account with the enemies of the Reformed

To kill Catholic Spaniards .and to

,

’ ‘xmu‘

ea.

,

r


(22)

(‘23) to be rppalid d, whenever that service was likely the Channe, ie with plunder. When cruising in been frelghted in learned that a Spanish vessel had

an ambassador from the Czar of Muscovy. It is said that they rode forth to meet him in procession, dressed in velvet, with chains of gold round their necks, so that they might impress the imperial envoy favourably and make his country desirous of trading with them; but it was only later, and under Eliza— beth, that the pcacefulness of her reign enabled

cree

home With a cargo Flanders, and was on its way batch of Protestant of 80,000 ducats in gold, and a * n to serve in the ' g' take prisoners who were bein

Spanish galleys.

Cobham gave chase to the vessel,

fired into 1e]:i caught her in the Bay of Biscay, crew, boarde killed the captain and some of the

these merchants to develop these commercial trans-

rvors of the her, sewed up the captain and the surv , flung them crew in the sails of their own ship

a. 4-*m“; ~ 4;... .._ n. «an «ha-n.

.

actions. Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Martin Frobisher came after Chancellor; and in their search for the Northwest Passage, were the first English seamen who met the icebergs of the Arctic regions, and by discovering

Greenland and Labrador, opened out a new field of financial venture in the whale-fisheries, which soon

rapidly increased in value. George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, and Thomas Cobham, who followed in the wake of Frobisher,

displayed the distinct features of the corsair. That Lord Cumberland's piracies were not disagreeable

overboard, and made off with the

.

booty.

But of all the ‘sea-dogs,’ as these daring

mariners

and remarkable were called, the most conspicuous ock in the year was Drake. He was born at Tavist

subsequently 1545, on the farm of his father, who He began became Vicar of Upnor on the Medway. ter, and by serving as an apprentice in a Channel coas expedition then joined his kinsman Hawkins in an Drake’s Puritanism, like to the Spanish main.

to Elizabeth, she proved by admitting him to her tournaments. Once, as he knelt before the Queen

his love of Cobham’s, went hand in hand with

to receive the prize, she dropped her glove, which

plunder their riches was, in his mind, work.

adventure.

he thenceforward wore as a favour, encircled with diamonds. Cobham, the son of Lord Cobham, half a pirate,

a righteous .

but Hawkins’ expedition turned out a failure; began though Drake lost in it all he possessed, he unt, and to sail shortly afterwards on his own acco Spanish in the year 157 2 he already took a convoy of ..‘..-...,. U...

w

half a knight-errant of the Reformation, did battle on his own account with the enemies of the Reformed

To kill Catholic Spaniards .and to

,

’ ‘xmu‘

ea.

,

r


(25)

harbour in November 1577, with a squadron com-

Their vessels were reduced to three,———the Pelican, the Elizabeth, and the thirty~ton cutter. For six weeks they were battered to and fro in the storms and the bitter, cold winds. The cutter went down in those

posed of his own ship, the Pelican, a vessel of

fearful seas, carrying her crew with her.

one hundred and twenty tons, the size of an ordinary

mander of the Elizabeth lost heart and made his way back to England. Drake was now left alone with the Pelican and

bullion near the Isthmus of Panama; but five years later, when thirty-two years of age, he achieved his first and most splendid success. He left Plymouth

Channel coaster; two barques, one of fifty and one of thirty tons; one ship called the Elizabeth, of eighty tons, and a pinnace the size of an ordinary

rowing-boat.

With this Lilliputian fleet, and a

force all told of one hundred and sixty-four men, he ventured forth into a chartless ocean, and on an

invasion of the dominions of the King of Spain. His fleet having crossed the Atlantic, arrived safely on the coast of South America. Then the first mishap occurred. The second officer in

command mutinied ; he was brought on board the Pelican, and his ship was fired.

Drake sailed onward,

and now encountered the real perils of the voyage. No Englishman had as yet passed Magellan Straits; Cape Horn was unknown; there were no charts, no records of past experiences; it was the worst season of the year, and the vessels were mere cockleshells. Nevertheless, after three weeks’ toil and anxiety, they accomplished the passage of the Straits and found themselves in the Pacific Ocean.

The com-

a crew of eighty men. He waited amongst some islands for milder weather. Then, when the spring brought fair winds, he made for Valparaiso, a Spanish settlement, where an Indian fisherman had informed him that a Spanish galleon had just arrived. The

Pelican dashed straight into the harbour of Valparaiso, shot up alongside the Spaniard, and boarded

her. The Spaniards were taken by surprise and knocked down. “ledges of gold, weighing 600 lbs, and a mass of miscellaneous plunder, were found in the galleon, besides some pipes of wine, and a Greek pilot, who showed Drake the route to Panama. On his way there, he halted at a place called

Tarapaca, where silver bullion had been brought down from the mountains to be shipped for Panama. He found, lying on the pier, piles of silver bars worth 400,000 ducats, which he seized. That was one afternoon’s work. Ariea came next, where fifty-

Here they were immediately caught in a gale which

seven blocks of the same precious metal were added

swept them six hundred miles to the south-west.

to the store.

> w;

g,

” ’i’i"’ ' 7 I


(25)

harbour in November 1577, with a squadron com-

Their vessels were reduced to three,———the Pelican, the Elizabeth, and the thirty~ton cutter. For six weeks they were battered to and fro in the storms and the bitter, cold winds. The cutter went down in those

posed of his own ship, the Pelican, a vessel of

fearful seas, carrying her crew with her.

one hundred and twenty tons, the size of an ordinary

mander of the Elizabeth lost heart and made his way back to England. Drake was now left alone with the Pelican and

bullion near the Isthmus of Panama; but five years later, when thirty-two years of age, he achieved his first and most splendid success. He left Plymouth

Channel coaster; two barques, one of fifty and one of thirty tons; one ship called the Elizabeth, of eighty tons, and a pinnace the size of an ordinary

rowing-boat.

With this Lilliputian fleet, and a

force all told of one hundred and sixty-four men, he ventured forth into a chartless ocean, and on an

invasion of the dominions of the King of Spain. His fleet having crossed the Atlantic, arrived safely on the coast of South America. Then the first mishap occurred. The second officer in

command mutinied ; he was brought on board the Pelican, and his ship was fired.

Drake sailed onward,

and now encountered the real perils of the voyage. No Englishman had as yet passed Magellan Straits; Cape Horn was unknown; there were no charts, no records of past experiences; it was the worst season of the year, and the vessels were mere cockleshells. Nevertheless, after three weeks’ toil and anxiety, they accomplished the passage of the Straits and found themselves in the Pacific Ocean.

The com-

a crew of eighty men. He waited amongst some islands for milder weather. Then, when the spring brought fair winds, he made for Valparaiso, a Spanish settlement, where an Indian fisherman had informed him that a Spanish galleon had just arrived. The

Pelican dashed straight into the harbour of Valparaiso, shot up alongside the Spaniard, and boarded

her. The Spaniards were taken by surprise and knocked down. “ledges of gold, weighing 600 lbs, and a mass of miscellaneous plunder, were found in the galleon, besides some pipes of wine, and a Greek pilot, who showed Drake the route to Panama. On his way there, he halted at a place called

Tarapaca, where silver bullion had been brought down from the mountains to be shipped for Panama. He found, lying on the pier, piles of silver bars worth 400,000 ducats, which he seized. That was one afternoon’s work. Ariea came next, where fifty-

Here they were immediately caught in a gale which

seven blocks of the same precious metal were added

swept them six hundred miles to the south-west.

to the store.

> w;

g,

” ’i’i"’ ' 7 I


<26)

(27)

Drake then made for Lima; but there the nest

remainder of his journey, and to give you a more

Was empty,——the bird he was in quest of had flown. It was a huge Spanish galleon, the Caccafuego, and

detailed account of his adventures, his hardships, and his exploits. Before retracing his steps he followed the coast of Mexico, and discovered the gold-mines of

Drake learnt she had only just started, taking with her all the bullion the mines had yielded during the season. She had been literally ballasted with silver,

California ; then, expecting that the Spaniards would be on the look-out for him if he returned by the Straits of Magellan, he determined on the circuitous

and carried, besides, boxes of gold and jewels. Not a moment was lost.

route by the Cape of Good Hope.

The Pelican sped due

Eighteen months

after she had left it, the Pelican sailed in triumph into Plymouth Harbour, having been the first vessel that

golden jewel set with emeralds as large as pigeon

had circumnavigated the globe.

eggs. For eight hundred miles the Pelican flew 011wards on her chase, until at last she fell in with the

to the wonder-stricken nation a cargo of bullion, which, if we make the due allowance for the alteration in the value of money since those days, and

Caccafaego.

The corsair opened her ports and fired

without reckoning the packages of precious gems,

a broadside into the Spaniard and cleared her decks with arrows. The commander himself was wounded. In a few minutes more he was made a prisoner, and his ship and all it contained were in the hands of the

we may estimate at 8,000,000l. sterling. The Freebooters were the first pioneers of English trade and commerce ; they dealt the first and severest - ~v-J--‘

north. She encountered and took on her way a vessel, on which were found some gold and a great

She brought home

English. The value of the plunder has never been ac-

blows at the naval enemies of England. By their daring acts and successes they broke the power and the prestige of the naval supremacy of Spain and

curately known, and remained a secret between Drake and the Queen; but the Spanish Government con-

transferred the sceptre of the Ocean to the hands of the sovereigns of England; and when the climax

fessed they had lost upwards of one million and a half of ducats in bullion, which is equivalent to six

of that struggle was reached, when the Spanish

million and a half of our money, besides a priceless store of pearls, emeralds, and diamonds. I wish I had time to follow Drake during the

fleet——the Invincible Armada

appeared on the shores

of England, they supplied not only money and men, but also the most efficient commanders, thus provmg themselves the worthy forerunners of that glorious


<26)

(27)

Drake then made for Lima; but there the nest

remainder of his journey, and to give you a more

Was empty,——the bird he was in quest of had flown. It was a huge Spanish galleon, the Caccafuego, and

detailed account of his adventures, his hardships, and his exploits. Before retracing his steps he followed the coast of Mexico, and discovered the gold-mines of

Drake learnt she had only just started, taking with her all the bullion the mines had yielded during the season. She had been literally ballasted with silver,

California ; then, expecting that the Spaniards would be on the look-out for him if he returned by the Straits of Magellan, he determined on the circuitous

and carried, besides, boxes of gold and jewels. Not a moment was lost.

route by the Cape of Good Hope.

The Pelican sped due

Eighteen months

after she had left it, the Pelican sailed in triumph into Plymouth Harbour, having been the first vessel that

golden jewel set with emeralds as large as pigeon

had circumnavigated the globe.

eggs. For eight hundred miles the Pelican flew 011wards on her chase, until at last she fell in with the

to the wonder-stricken nation a cargo of bullion, which, if we make the due allowance for the alteration in the value of money since those days, and

Caccafaego.

The corsair opened her ports and fired

without reckoning the packages of precious gems,

a broadside into the Spaniard and cleared her decks with arrows. The commander himself was wounded. In a few minutes more he was made a prisoner, and his ship and all it contained were in the hands of the

we may estimate at 8,000,000l. sterling. The Freebooters were the first pioneers of English trade and commerce ; they dealt the first and severest - ~v-J--‘

north. She encountered and took on her way a vessel, on which were found some gold and a great

She brought home

English. The value of the plunder has never been ac-

blows at the naval enemies of England. By their daring acts and successes they broke the power and the prestige of the naval supremacy of Spain and

curately known, and remained a secret between Drake and the Queen; but the Spanish Government con-

transferred the sceptre of the Ocean to the hands of the sovereigns of England; and when the climax

fessed they had lost upwards of one million and a half of ducats in bullion, which is equivalent to six

of that struggle was reached, when the Spanish

million and a half of our money, besides a priceless store of pearls, emeralds, and diamonds. I wish I had time to follow Drake during the

fleet——the Invincible Armada

appeared on the shores

of England, they supplied not only money and men, but also the most efficient commanders, thus provmg themselves the worthy forerunners of that glorious


(28)

(29)

and unbroken line of heroes of whom Nelson, we may feel confident, has not been the last. The Elizabethan era possessed a not less attrac-

Inspired by the example of Drake, he fitted out a privateer, crossed the Atlantic, discovered and

tive hero in Sir Walter Raleigh, a younger son of good family and small fortune, endowed with an

adventurous and enterprising disposition.

Through

the influence of some friends he became acquainted with the Queen, whose notice he attracted by his

fine presence, and whose favour he gained by the following circumstance.

One day a heavy shower having fallen before her Majesty went out for her daily walk, the Queen’s progress was impeded by a pool of mud. Elizabeth paused for a minute.

Raleigh, who on that eventful

day had donned a splendid purple velvet cloak, in the purchase of which he had invested the best part of his small capital, slipped it off hastily, and spread it on the ground before the Queen’s feet, whereupon, says the chronicler, the Queen trod gently over it, rewarding him afterwards with many suits for his free tender of so fair a foot-cloth. Soon afterwards Raleigh was standing near a

window in the palace, when, feigning not to see the Queen, who stood close by, he wrote on the glass pane with the point of a diamond, ‘Fain would I climb but that I fear to fall,’ Elizabeth stepped forward

and wrote underneath, ‘If thy heart fail thee do not climb at all.’

acquired for England her first American possession, which in compliment to Queen Elizabeth he named

‘Virginia.7 Thence were first introduced tobacco and potatoes into Europe. It is a well-known story that Raleigh’s servant,

on entering his study with a foaming tankard of ale, saw him, for the first time, with a lighted pipe in his mouth, and enveloped in the clouds of smoke he was

puffing forth. Imagining that his master was the victim of some internal conflagration, the simple fellow dashed the contents of the tankard in his face, and then ran downstairs, screaming, that his master was on fire, and would be burnt to ashes before they could come to his aid. The practice of tobacco—smoking soon became general, and was even tolerated at Court in One (lay, after discussing the Queen’s presence.

the virtues of Raleigh’s famous herb with him, she merely told him that she knew of many persons who had turned their gold into smoke, but that he was the first who had turned smoke

into gold. Sir Richard Grenville was another and possibly

a nobler example of the gallantry of those days. With a single ship, the Revenge, he faced a Spanish fleet of fifty vessels, nearly all of which were twice


(28)

(29)

and unbroken line of heroes of whom Nelson, we may feel confident, has not been the last. The Elizabethan era possessed a not less attrac-

Inspired by the example of Drake, he fitted out a privateer, crossed the Atlantic, discovered and

tive hero in Sir Walter Raleigh, a younger son of good family and small fortune, endowed with an

adventurous and enterprising disposition.

Through

the influence of some friends he became acquainted with the Queen, whose notice he attracted by his

fine presence, and whose favour he gained by the following circumstance.

One day a heavy shower having fallen before her Majesty went out for her daily walk, the Queen’s progress was impeded by a pool of mud. Elizabeth paused for a minute.

Raleigh, who on that eventful

day had donned a splendid purple velvet cloak, in the purchase of which he had invested the best part of his small capital, slipped it off hastily, and spread it on the ground before the Queen’s feet, whereupon, says the chronicler, the Queen trod gently over it, rewarding him afterwards with many suits for his free tender of so fair a foot-cloth. Soon afterwards Raleigh was standing near a

window in the palace, when, feigning not to see the Queen, who stood close by, he wrote on the glass pane with the point of a diamond, ‘Fain would I climb but that I fear to fall,’ Elizabeth stepped forward

and wrote underneath, ‘If thy heart fail thee do not climb at all.’

acquired for England her first American possession, which in compliment to Queen Elizabeth he named

‘Virginia.7 Thence were first introduced tobacco and potatoes into Europe. It is a well-known story that Raleigh’s servant,

on entering his study with a foaming tankard of ale, saw him, for the first time, with a lighted pipe in his mouth, and enveloped in the clouds of smoke he was

puffing forth. Imagining that his master was the victim of some internal conflagration, the simple fellow dashed the contents of the tankard in his face, and then ran downstairs, screaming, that his master was on fire, and would be burnt to ashes before they could come to his aid. The practice of tobacco—smoking soon became general, and was even tolerated at Court in One (lay, after discussing the Queen’s presence.

the virtues of Raleigh’s famous herb with him, she merely told him that she knew of many persons who had turned their gold into smoke, but that he was the first who had turned smoke

into gold. Sir Richard Grenville was another and possibly

a nobler example of the gallantry of those days. With a single ship, the Revenge, he faced a Spanish fleet of fifty vessels, nearly all of which were twice


(30) as large as his.

From three in the afternoon till

daybreak next morning Grenville held out against them all. Time after time a huge Spanish ship attempted to board him, and was driven back. At last all his powder was spent, the pikes all broken. Of his crew of 140 men, forty were killed; the rest were wounded.

Grenville, severely injured, could

fight no more, but he would not surrender.

At

last he was taken on board the Spanish Admiral’s

discussion mentary session had commenced with the such-an on the monopolies. These had increased to t of issuing oppressive degree, that the exclusive righ salt, starch, licenses for the sale of wine, vinegar, 011, was yested coals, and almost every necessary of life, pr1v1lege in single individuals, who had purchased the the ladies from a minister, or through the influence of

of the Court. se of The Queen sent a message to the Hou

ng-all

ship, saying that they might do with his body In a what they liked, for he esteemed it not. few hours he died, crying, ‘Here die 1, Richard Grenville, with a joyful and quiet mind, for I have

ended my life as a good soldier ought to do, who has fought for his country and for his Queen.’

By encouraging actions such as these, many more of which could be related, Elizabeth fostered the British love of pluck and adventure, and laid

the foundations of that magnificent carrying fleet of England, which is now the envy of the world, and which then consisted only of a few fishingsmacks. ‘I have desired,’ Elizabeth said to her Parliament, almost immediately after her accession to the throne, ‘to have the obedience of my subjects by love and

not by compulsion.’

But almost the noblest words

that are recorded of her are the last she ever spoke in

public, two years previous to her death.

The parlia-

Commons signifying her intention of redressi

ority. grievances by the exercise of her regal auth

the The Commons hereupon sent a deputation to ks, and Queen, headed by the Speaker, to return than to express their loyalty to her person.

To this deputation she addressed a speech had which began with the following words :—‘I rather that my heart and hand should perish than priv1that either heart or hand should enjoy such ial to leges through monopolists as may be prejudic m e0 le.’ said y £11 21: previous occasion Elizabeth had already not to the assembled Peers and Commons, ‘1 have

called you together to make new laws, or lose good hours in empty speeches, but to vote a supply to defend the realm against the hostile attempts enemy.’

of the

The Queen acted up to her words, and 1t

must be recorded to her glory that, as her faults may have been numerous and reprehensible, she always


(30) as large as his.

From three in the afternoon till

daybreak next morning Grenville held out against them all. Time after time a huge Spanish ship attempted to board him, and was driven back. At last all his powder was spent, the pikes all broken. Of his crew of 140 men, forty were killed; the rest were wounded.

Grenville, severely injured, could

fight no more, but he would not surrender.

At

last he was taken on board the Spanish Admiral’s

discussion mentary session had commenced with the such-an on the monopolies. These had increased to t of issuing oppressive degree, that the exclusive righ salt, starch, licenses for the sale of wine, vinegar, 011, was yested coals, and almost every necessary of life, pr1v1lege in single individuals, who had purchased the the ladies from a minister, or through the influence of

of the Court. se of The Queen sent a message to the Hou

ng-all

ship, saying that they might do with his body In a what they liked, for he esteemed it not. few hours he died, crying, ‘Here die 1, Richard Grenville, with a joyful and quiet mind, for I have

ended my life as a good soldier ought to do, who has fought for his country and for his Queen.’

By encouraging actions such as these, many more of which could be related, Elizabeth fostered the British love of pluck and adventure, and laid

the foundations of that magnificent carrying fleet of England, which is now the envy of the world, and which then consisted only of a few fishingsmacks. ‘I have desired,’ Elizabeth said to her Parliament, almost immediately after her accession to the throne, ‘to have the obedience of my subjects by love and

not by compulsion.’

But almost the noblest words

that are recorded of her are the last she ever spoke in

public, two years previous to her death.

The parlia-

Commons signifying her intention of redressi

ority. grievances by the exercise of her regal auth

the The Commons hereupon sent a deputation to ks, and Queen, headed by the Speaker, to return than to express their loyalty to her person.

To this deputation she addressed a speech had which began with the following words :—‘I rather that my heart and hand should perish than priv1that either heart or hand should enjoy such ial to leges through monopolists as may be prejudic m e0 le.’ said y £11 21: previous occasion Elizabeth had already not to the assembled Peers and Commons, ‘1 have

called you together to make new laws, or lose good hours in empty speeches, but to vote a supply to defend the realm against the hostile attempts enemy.’

of the

The Queen acted up to her words, and 1t

must be recorded to her glory that, as her faults may have been numerous and reprehensible, she always


(32>

<33)

proved herself not only thoroughly patriotic but a

and the people, even the people of Ireland were

most efficient administrator. Thus her first measures were directed to the

satisfied, as the following contemporary verses may testify :—

restoration of internal peace and order. The country was infested with vagrants who from their audacity and violence were styled ‘sturdy beggars.’ They

‘Let bonfires shine in every place, Sing, and ring the bells apace,

And pray that long may live her Grace To be the good Queen of Ireland.

were the remnants of armed bands, which had been thrown out of employment by the cessation of civil disturbances, and were in reality no better than

‘The gold and silver, that was so base That no man could endure it scarce, Is now new coined with her own face, And made to go current in Ireland.’

brigands. They were brought to justice and hanged in scores, whereas the wants of the deserving poor were attended to. The first hospitals were built, and collections were made weekly at the parish churches; while the Queen established Houses of Correction, where labour was compulsory. A general rate for the relief of the destitute was levied, thus creating a distinction between the pauper and the

of singular beauty. Copper pennies were unknown, and were not introduced until fifty years later. Of course, the purification of the currency caused a large expenditure, but it was borne by the State

their hands to trade and agriculture, and after a short lapse of time the produce of every acre of

, «My- fl.

land was doubled. As the country grew more orderly it grew more prosperous; and as it grew more prosperous, it became more civilised. The nobles no longer found it necessary to live in fortified castles, and built

houses, which were the first approach to those of the modern type. Longleat, the seat of Lord Bath; Hatfield, the seat of Lord Salisbury; Burleigh, the seat of Lord Exeter; Holland House, the palace of Lord Holland, near London, are some of the

, best specimens of Elizabethan architecture. ‘ ;._w :

vagabond. The coinage, which had become greatly debased, was restored to its proper value. The old gold and silver coins, which had been depreciated by clipping and other fraudulent processes, were withdrawn and replaced by coins of proper value and

The people of England were no less satisfied than the Irish. The able-bodied men, no longer universally pressed into the military service, turned

days of Mary Tudor,

Spaniards

In the came

who 0

to


(32>

<33)

proved herself not only thoroughly patriotic but a

and the people, even the people of Ireland were

most efficient administrator. Thus her first measures were directed to the

satisfied, as the following contemporary verses may testify :—

restoration of internal peace and order. The country was infested with vagrants who from their audacity and violence were styled ‘sturdy beggars.’ They

‘Let bonfires shine in every place, Sing, and ring the bells apace,

And pray that long may live her Grace To be the good Queen of Ireland.

were the remnants of armed bands, which had been thrown out of employment by the cessation of civil disturbances, and were in reality no better than

‘The gold and silver, that was so base That no man could endure it scarce, Is now new coined with her own face, And made to go current in Ireland.’

brigands. They were brought to justice and hanged in scores, whereas the wants of the deserving poor were attended to. The first hospitals were built, and collections were made weekly at the parish churches; while the Queen established Houses of Correction, where labour was compulsory. A general rate for the relief of the destitute was levied, thus creating a distinction between the pauper and the

of singular beauty. Copper pennies were unknown, and were not introduced until fifty years later. Of course, the purification of the currency caused a large expenditure, but it was borne by the State

their hands to trade and agriculture, and after a short lapse of time the produce of every acre of

, «My- fl.

land was doubled. As the country grew more orderly it grew more prosperous; and as it grew more prosperous, it became more civilised. The nobles no longer found it necessary to live in fortified castles, and built

houses, which were the first approach to those of the modern type. Longleat, the seat of Lord Bath; Hatfield, the seat of Lord Salisbury; Burleigh, the seat of Lord Exeter; Holland House, the palace of Lord Holland, near London, are some of the

, best specimens of Elizabethan architecture. ‘ ;._w :

vagabond. The coinage, which had become greatly debased, was restored to its proper value. The old gold and silver coins, which had been depreciated by clipping and other fraudulent processes, were withdrawn and replaced by coins of proper value and

The people of England were no less satisfied than the Irish. The able-bodied men, no longer universally pressed into the military service, turned

days of Mary Tudor,

Spaniards

In the came

who 0

to


(34)

(35)

England said, ‘Those English have houses made of

not six or seven years’ rent laying by him, besides a fair garnish of pewter on his cupboard, with so much more in old vessels going about the house, three or four featherbeds, so many coverlids and carpets of tapestry, a silver

sticks and dirt!’

This could no longer be said.

Glass, which until then was quite a rarity, was imported from Venice. Instead of eating with their fingers, which was a common practice until the year

salt, a bowl of wine, and a dozen spoons to furnish up

the suit.’

1563, the people resorted to the use of knives and spoons : forks did not come into fashion until some

We can date from this period, as the chronicler’s quaint account indicates, the rise of a conception

years later. The floors were now covered with carpet; heretofore they were strewn with rushes, where dust, and dirt, and vermin accumulated, breeding a peculiar disease, to which Henry VIII. himself had succumbed. Instead of sleeping on straw, with a log of wood as a bolster, feather-beds now came to be used. Wooden plates were eschewed for pewter ones and wooden spoons for silver.

which seems to us now a peculiarly English one— the conception of domestic comfort. The chimney-

‘There are old men,’ says Harrison, a historian of the

latter end of the sixteenth century, ‘yet dwelling in the village where I remain who have noticed how marvellously things altered in England in their remembrance. One is

corner, so closely associated with family life, came

into existence with the general introduction of chimneys—«a feature rare in the ordinary houses

at the beginning of this reign. The use of glass on an extensive scale became a marked feature in the domestic architecture of the

time, and exercised an influence on the general health that can hardly be over-estimated. Long lines of windows now stretched over the fronts of the new manor-halls, admitting light, air, and sunshine.

the multitude of chimneys lately erected, whereas in their

young days there were not above two or three, if so many, in the uplandish towns of the realm. Such was also the poverty that if some odd farmer or husbandman had been to the alehouse among six or seven of his neighbours, and there in bravery, to show What store he had, did cast down his purse and therein six shillings of silver, it was very likely that all the rest could not lay down as much against it; whereas in my time the farmer will think his gains very small, towards the end of his term, if he has

If Elizabeth could be said to love anything, she loved England and its people. At all times, whether in days of distress and danger or of peace, Elizabeth mingled freely among and was easy of approach to the humblest of her subjects. Few English monarchs took a deeper interest in the social con— dition of the operative classes and farmers of the realm, who all came to her joyfully and without


(34)

(35)

England said, ‘Those English have houses made of

not six or seven years’ rent laying by him, besides a fair garnish of pewter on his cupboard, with so much more in old vessels going about the house, three or four featherbeds, so many coverlids and carpets of tapestry, a silver

sticks and dirt!’

This could no longer be said.

Glass, which until then was quite a rarity, was imported from Venice. Instead of eating with their fingers, which was a common practice until the year

salt, a bowl of wine, and a dozen spoons to furnish up

the suit.’

1563, the people resorted to the use of knives and spoons : forks did not come into fashion until some

We can date from this period, as the chronicler’s quaint account indicates, the rise of a conception

years later. The floors were now covered with carpet; heretofore they were strewn with rushes, where dust, and dirt, and vermin accumulated, breeding a peculiar disease, to which Henry VIII. himself had succumbed. Instead of sleeping on straw, with a log of wood as a bolster, feather-beds now came to be used. Wooden plates were eschewed for pewter ones and wooden spoons for silver.

which seems to us now a peculiarly English one— the conception of domestic comfort. The chimney-

‘There are old men,’ says Harrison, a historian of the

latter end of the sixteenth century, ‘yet dwelling in the village where I remain who have noticed how marvellously things altered in England in their remembrance. One is

corner, so closely associated with family life, came

into existence with the general introduction of chimneys—«a feature rare in the ordinary houses

at the beginning of this reign. The use of glass on an extensive scale became a marked feature in the domestic architecture of the

time, and exercised an influence on the general health that can hardly be over-estimated. Long lines of windows now stretched over the fronts of the new manor-halls, admitting light, air, and sunshine.

the multitude of chimneys lately erected, whereas in their

young days there were not above two or three, if so many, in the uplandish towns of the realm. Such was also the poverty that if some odd farmer or husbandman had been to the alehouse among six or seven of his neighbours, and there in bravery, to show What store he had, did cast down his purse and therein six shillings of silver, it was very likely that all the rest could not lay down as much against it; whereas in my time the farmer will think his gains very small, towards the end of his term, if he has

If Elizabeth could be said to love anything, she loved England and its people. At all times, whether in days of distress and danger or of peace, Elizabeth mingled freely among and was easy of approach to the humblest of her subjects. Few English monarchs took a deeper interest in the social con— dition of the operative classes and farmers of the realm, who all came to her joyfully and without


(36) fear.

(37)

Bad husbands she rated on those occasions,

Her State progresses with which she delighted

but conversed in an endearing way with the rustic

the population of the town and country are still celebrated—magnificent State processions and visits

children, and was amused with the familiarity of the farmers.

Once, on visiting Greenwich, a countryman

which she paid to the cities, universities, and the mansions of the great nobles.

awaited her on the road where she was takinor her usual morning walk with some ladies of her gourt. ‘Which of you,’ inquired he, in a loud voice, ‘is

Though of a humane disposition she was influenced by the barbarous customs of the day, and went so far as to encourage, personally, the public

the good Queen Bess?’

executioner, a cruel Villain called Topclyfi'e, who

The Queen, turning graciously to him in the sweetest way, answered,

delighted in prolonging the death agonies of his

‘My good man, I am Queen Elizabeth; what wouldest thou have me to do for thee?’ ‘Youl’ rejoined the farmer, with affected as-

the interests of her poorer subjects.

tonishment at the Queen; ‘you are the Queen !

victims; to enforce the torture of the rack on stubborn offenders. But still she was not insensible to When solicited to grant a patent to her cousin,

Well, you are one of the rarest women I ever

Lord Hunsdon, a nobleman, who invented a stockingframe, which produced stockings at least three times

saw; and yet I think you can eat no more than

as fast as the most dexterous female fingers could

my daughter Madge, who is thought the properest

knit, she refused her patronage to the stocking-

lass in all our parish, though short of you; but the Queen Elizabeth I look for devours so many of my hens, ducks, and capons, that I am not able to live; what then will I do?’ . The Queen, who was much amused, inquired into

machine, as it would interfere with the young maidens who obtained their livelihood by knitting.

his case, dismissed from her employment the pur— veyor who had plundered several other farmers in a

in England, instead of being imported from the

similar manner, dealt with him in an exemplary way

The first English newspaper, the English fifercm’y, was published during her reign, and thus it was in her time that the foundation was laid of that Press

rewarded the farmer, and ended by ordering a statute for the punishment of such thefts.

Under Elizabeth’s auspices, the first English stage was erected and the first English drama was performed.

In her time gunpowder was first made

Continent, as had been the custom until then.


(36) fear.

(37)

Bad husbands she rated on those occasions,

Her State progresses with which she delighted

but conversed in an endearing way with the rustic

the population of the town and country are still celebrated—magnificent State processions and visits

children, and was amused with the familiarity of the farmers.

Once, on visiting Greenwich, a countryman

which she paid to the cities, universities, and the mansions of the great nobles.

awaited her on the road where she was takinor her usual morning walk with some ladies of her gourt. ‘Which of you,’ inquired he, in a loud voice, ‘is

Though of a humane disposition she was influenced by the barbarous customs of the day, and went so far as to encourage, personally, the public

the good Queen Bess?’

executioner, a cruel Villain called Topclyfi'e, who

The Queen, turning graciously to him in the sweetest way, answered,

delighted in prolonging the death agonies of his

‘My good man, I am Queen Elizabeth; what wouldest thou have me to do for thee?’ ‘Youl’ rejoined the farmer, with affected as-

the interests of her poorer subjects.

tonishment at the Queen; ‘you are the Queen !

victims; to enforce the torture of the rack on stubborn offenders. But still she was not insensible to When solicited to grant a patent to her cousin,

Well, you are one of the rarest women I ever

Lord Hunsdon, a nobleman, who invented a stockingframe, which produced stockings at least three times

saw; and yet I think you can eat no more than

as fast as the most dexterous female fingers could

my daughter Madge, who is thought the properest

knit, she refused her patronage to the stocking-

lass in all our parish, though short of you; but the Queen Elizabeth I look for devours so many of my hens, ducks, and capons, that I am not able to live; what then will I do?’ . The Queen, who was much amused, inquired into

machine, as it would interfere with the young maidens who obtained their livelihood by knitting.

his case, dismissed from her employment the pur— veyor who had plundered several other farmers in a

in England, instead of being imported from the

similar manner, dealt with him in an exemplary way

The first English newspaper, the English fifercm’y, was published during her reign, and thus it was in her time that the foundation was laid of that Press

rewarded the farmer, and ended by ordering a statute for the punishment of such thefts.

Under Elizabeth’s auspices, the first English stage was erected and the first English drama was performed.

In her time gunpowder was first made

Continent, as had been the custom until then.


<38)

(39)

which has become a more powerful instrument than fleets and armies to check injustice, and advocate the cause of civil and religious liberty. (

rejected Princes from every reigning house were Wed to conin turn, though some of them were allO Duke of sider themselves betrothed to her. The was even Alencon, a brother of the King of France, she jilted officially engaged to her, and, although kiss him in him eventually, she went so far as to the middle public in the most affectionate manner, in

.The East India Company came into existence

while Elizabeth was on the throne, and the first immediate

connexion

with

Empire was formed.

our present Indian The veneration in which her

memory is held

still proved even in

is

trifling

matters.

In the early days of her life she resided at

Hatfield, at present the property of Lord Salisbur and the owner of that noble domain points wish,

legitimate pride to the tree under which Elizabeth sat when she received the news of her accession

Paul’s of a religious service that was held in St. Cathedral. ssy When the Emperor of Russia sent an emba g on with a proposal of marriage, instead of bestowin of one of him her own hand, she offered him that him with a the ladies of the Court, and presented

carriage.

What became of the lady I am unable to

to the throne. In many of the country-houses she has visited, the bed in which she slept is still

ponderous tell you; but the carriage, a gilt and

shown as the most revered relic.

lf. where I had the pleasure of seeing it myse of solace That these rejected suitors found means Eric of can well be surmised; one of them, King beauty of Sweden, became deeply enamoured of a in the humble degree, called Kate, who sold nuts He married her; she was streets of Stockholm.

Elizabeth is known to posterity by two nameS' the ‘Good Queen Bess’ and the ‘Virtrin Queen: The first of these titles was given her by the humbler portion of her subjects, the latter she earned from the maiden state she preserved until her death. This arose not from any lack of suitors 7 no woman ever had ‘ so many offers of marriage.

ow,

coach, is still preserved in the Museum of Mosc

, I:here was no marriageable prince or sovereign in Europe, no great noble of her own realm who did

new and acknowledged as his queen, and in that l of high position she proved herself to be a mode sympathy conjugal tenderness, with a heart full of for the poor and unfortunate.

not sue for the honour of her hand. The, kin ‘s of l‘ rance, of Spain, and of Sweden, wooed her in viii]

t were The members of Queen Elizabeth’s cour to matri— expected by her to share her aversion


<38)

(39)

which has become a more powerful instrument than fleets and armies to check injustice, and advocate the cause of civil and religious liberty. (

rejected Princes from every reigning house were Wed to conin turn, though some of them were allO Duke of sider themselves betrothed to her. The was even Alencon, a brother of the King of France, she jilted officially engaged to her, and, although kiss him in him eventually, she went so far as to the middle public in the most affectionate manner, in

.The East India Company came into existence

while Elizabeth was on the throne, and the first immediate

connexion

with

Empire was formed.

our present Indian The veneration in which her

memory is held

still proved even in

is

trifling

matters.

In the early days of her life she resided at

Hatfield, at present the property of Lord Salisbur and the owner of that noble domain points wish,

legitimate pride to the tree under which Elizabeth sat when she received the news of her accession

Paul’s of a religious service that was held in St. Cathedral. ssy When the Emperor of Russia sent an emba g on with a proposal of marriage, instead of bestowin of one of him her own hand, she offered him that him with a the ladies of the Court, and presented

carriage.

What became of the lady I am unable to

to the throne. In many of the country-houses she has visited, the bed in which she slept is still

ponderous tell you; but the carriage, a gilt and

shown as the most revered relic.

lf. where I had the pleasure of seeing it myse of solace That these rejected suitors found means Eric of can well be surmised; one of them, King beauty of Sweden, became deeply enamoured of a in the humble degree, called Kate, who sold nuts He married her; she was streets of Stockholm.

Elizabeth is known to posterity by two nameS' the ‘Good Queen Bess’ and the ‘Virtrin Queen: The first of these titles was given her by the humbler portion of her subjects, the latter she earned from the maiden state she preserved until her death. This arose not from any lack of suitors 7 no woman ever had ‘ so many offers of marriage.

ow,

coach, is still preserved in the Museum of Mosc

, I:here was no marriageable prince or sovereign in Europe, no great noble of her own realm who did

new and acknowledged as his queen, and in that l of high position she proved herself to be a mode sympathy conjugal tenderness, with a heart full of for the poor and unfortunate.

not sue for the honour of her hand. The, kin ‘s of l‘ rance, of Spain, and of Sweden, wooed her in viii]

t were The members of Queen Elizabeth’s cour to matri— expected by her to share her aversion


(41) mony. \Vhen her cousin, and favourite, Sir Robert Carey, presumed to take to himself a wife, she banished him from England; and when Sir Walter Raleigh committed the same offence with one of her own maids of honour, she sent him to prison and expelled his bride from her court.

the Duke of Northumberland, cannot be excused. In the opening years of her reign she drew forth from political obscurity this man who was entirely devoid of every title to notice, and whose only claim to distinction rested in his good looks, made him Earl-of

Though easily swayed by personal predilections,

honours, riches, and rewards. Leicester had married Amy Robsart, a young

which were not always justified, Elizabeth showed an unfailing sagaeity in the selection of her ministers.

Leicester, a Field Marshal, and heaped upon him

and lovely heiress, whose tragic story Walter. Scott

Such men as her Prime Minister Burleigh, the ancestor of the present Lord Salisbur 7, who for forty years bore the burden of office, and whom she tended 011 his death-bed ; Sir Philip Sydney and Spencer,

has immortalised in his novel ‘Kenilworth.’ Leicester secreted his wife in his castle, in charge of his steward. This treacherous scoundrel, to ingratiate himself with his master, contrived her murder by

the creators of English poetry and literature; Shakespeare, who wrote his best plays for the

inducing her to believe, one dark night, that her

amusement of the Queen;

such men, and a host

of others of hardly less distinction, owe the appreciation of their merits and their rise greatly to the encouragement they received from Elizabeth. _ On the other hand, her Vice—Chamberlain, Chris-

topher Hatton, whose only apparent recommendation was his proficiency in dancing, and who had probab ly never opened a law book, she made Lord Chancellor.

Strange to say, however, he acquitted himself most creditably of his difficult duties, as he had the good sense to rely upon the experience of trained lawyer

s

when called upon to give a decision.

But her in-

fatuation for Lord Robert Dudley, a younger son

of

husband was coming to see her. She rushed out of her room to meet him, and fell through a trap 7 into a vault and was killed on the spot. Leicester feigned regret, and ordered a coroners inquest, while his steward took good care to secure the return of a verdict of death by misadventure. Many years later, Leicester married agam, and Elizabeth gave way to a hysterical .outburst of

anger and jealousy.

The second Wife avenged

the first, as, hating her husband, she eventually

poisoned him. Elizabeth’s aversion to matrimony has never been However, the singleness. of clearly accounted for.

her life served her political purposes, for by dallying


(41) mony. \Vhen her cousin, and favourite, Sir Robert Carey, presumed to take to himself a wife, she banished him from England; and when Sir Walter Raleigh committed the same offence with one of her own maids of honour, she sent him to prison and expelled his bride from her court.

the Duke of Northumberland, cannot be excused. In the opening years of her reign she drew forth from political obscurity this man who was entirely devoid of every title to notice, and whose only claim to distinction rested in his good looks, made him Earl-of

Though easily swayed by personal predilections,

honours, riches, and rewards. Leicester had married Amy Robsart, a young

which were not always justified, Elizabeth showed an unfailing sagaeity in the selection of her ministers.

Leicester, a Field Marshal, and heaped upon him

and lovely heiress, whose tragic story Walter. Scott

Such men as her Prime Minister Burleigh, the ancestor of the present Lord Salisbur 7, who for forty years bore the burden of office, and whom she tended 011 his death-bed ; Sir Philip Sydney and Spencer,

has immortalised in his novel ‘Kenilworth.’ Leicester secreted his wife in his castle, in charge of his steward. This treacherous scoundrel, to ingratiate himself with his master, contrived her murder by

the creators of English poetry and literature; Shakespeare, who wrote his best plays for the

inducing her to believe, one dark night, that her

amusement of the Queen;

such men, and a host

of others of hardly less distinction, owe the appreciation of their merits and their rise greatly to the encouragement they received from Elizabeth. _ On the other hand, her Vice—Chamberlain, Chris-

topher Hatton, whose only apparent recommendation was his proficiency in dancing, and who had probab ly never opened a law book, she made Lord Chancellor.

Strange to say, however, he acquitted himself most creditably of his difficult duties, as he had the good sense to rely upon the experience of trained lawyer

s

when called upon to give a decision.

But her in-

fatuation for Lord Robert Dudley, a younger son

of

husband was coming to see her. She rushed out of her room to meet him, and fell through a trap 7 into a vault and was killed on the spot. Leicester feigned regret, and ordered a coroners inquest, while his steward took good care to secure the return of a verdict of death by misadventure. Many years later, Leicester married agam, and Elizabeth gave way to a hysterical .outburst of

anger and jealousy.

The second Wife avenged

the first, as, hating her husband, she eventually

poisoned him. Elizabeth’s aversion to matrimony has never been However, the singleness. of clearly accounted for.

her life served her political purposes, for by dallying


1,

(42)

<43)

with her royal suitors of various creeds and na-

Sir Robert Cecil, the son of Lord Burleigh, and a Secretary of State, insisted that she ‘must go to bed.’ ‘Jlfusz‘!’ she exclaimed, ‘is must a word to be addressed to princes? Little man, little man, thy father, if he had been alive, durst not have used that word; thou art so presumptuous, because thou knowest I shall die.’ From that moment she never

tionalities she played off one against the other; and by coaxing each of the rivals in turn, she offended none individually, and remained on fairly good terms with the majority of the pretenders to her hand and throne. But what she gained by this means poli-

tically, she lost in her own happiness. A desolate woman, with no husband to support

her declining years, no children to brighten her

rallied. Thus Elizabeth passed away at the age of seventy

home and to continue her race; the loneliness of

after a reign of forty-five years.

her life deepened as she drew towards the grave.

memories of those stirring days Englishmen will gladly condone the weaknesses of the maiden

The statesmen, the warriors, and the favourites of her palmy days, had dropped off one by one, and yet, though her end was approaching, she clung to life with a fierce tenacity. She hunted and danced, she coquetted and scolded, at sixty-seven as she had done

On recalling the

queen for the qualities of the sovereign.

At one

of the most momentous crises in their annals she

identified herself with her subjects in their manly and loyal struggles, and assisted them by her

But Death crept on, and she became

sagacity, energy, and patriotism, in asserting their

haggard and worn to a skeleton; her mind decayed,

independence, and together with them paved the

and her memory failed her.

way for the future glories of the country. Visitors to Westminster Abbey will halt and

at thirty.

Her temper became

unbearable, and she seemed to lose even her courage. She kept a sword constantly beside her, and thrust it from time to time through the tapestry curtains at imaginary ghosts and assassins. For days and nights she sat propped up with pillows and cushions, Without taking any sustenance, weeping, sighing, and speechless. Once only she broke the silence, once only a flash of her queenly mind triumphed

over the wreck of her bodily faculties.

muse in the chapel where two monuments, of equal size and similar design, stand side by side, over her ashes, and over those of her unfortunate victim, Mary Stuart. These monuments becomingly link

together the past and the present.

Queen Elizabeth

was the last sovereign of the Tudor line; with her were buried the confusion and darkness of ancient times, and all uncertainty as to the fortunes of


1,

(42)

<43)

with her royal suitors of various creeds and na-

Sir Robert Cecil, the son of Lord Burleigh, and a Secretary of State, insisted that she ‘must go to bed.’ ‘Jlfusz‘!’ she exclaimed, ‘is must a word to be addressed to princes? Little man, little man, thy father, if he had been alive, durst not have used that word; thou art so presumptuous, because thou knowest I shall die.’ From that moment she never

tionalities she played off one against the other; and by coaxing each of the rivals in turn, she offended none individually, and remained on fairly good terms with the majority of the pretenders to her hand and throne. But what she gained by this means poli-

tically, she lost in her own happiness. A desolate woman, with no husband to support

her declining years, no children to brighten her

rallied. Thus Elizabeth passed away at the age of seventy

home and to continue her race; the loneliness of

after a reign of forty-five years.

her life deepened as she drew towards the grave.

memories of those stirring days Englishmen will gladly condone the weaknesses of the maiden

The statesmen, the warriors, and the favourites of her palmy days, had dropped off one by one, and yet, though her end was approaching, she clung to life with a fierce tenacity. She hunted and danced, she coquetted and scolded, at sixty-seven as she had done

On recalling the

queen for the qualities of the sovereign.

At one

of the most momentous crises in their annals she

identified herself with her subjects in their manly and loyal struggles, and assisted them by her

But Death crept on, and she became

sagacity, energy, and patriotism, in asserting their

haggard and worn to a skeleton; her mind decayed,

independence, and together with them paved the

and her memory failed her.

way for the future glories of the country. Visitors to Westminster Abbey will halt and

at thirty.

Her temper became

unbearable, and she seemed to lose even her courage. She kept a sword constantly beside her, and thrust it from time to time through the tapestry curtains at imaginary ghosts and assassins. For days and nights she sat propped up with pillows and cushions, Without taking any sustenance, weeping, sighing, and speechless. Once only she broke the silence, once only a flash of her queenly mind triumphed

over the wreck of her bodily faculties.

muse in the chapel where two monuments, of equal size and similar design, stand side by side, over her ashes, and over those of her unfortunate victim, Mary Stuart. These monuments becomingly link

together the past and the present.

Queen Elizabeth

was the last sovereign of the Tudor line; with her were buried the confusion and darkness of ancient times, and all uncertainty as to the fortunes of


<44) England. Mary Stuart was the direct ancestor of the august lady Who now wields the sceptre of this realm.

Secure in the possession of a splendid

and united Empire, surrounded by a brilliant line of descendants, Queen Victoria is enshrined in the

hearts of a high-spirited, enlightened, and progressing people, Whose name Will be feared and respected

throughout the world so long as they continue to act according to the traditions of their race.

WADDESDON READING ROOM,

January 9th, 1884.

THEIMMGN(MFQUEEN ANNE

,

LONDON :

Prmted by Srmxazwns k SONS, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.Ci


<44) England. Mary Stuart was the direct ancestor of the august lady Who now wields the sceptre of this realm.

Secure in the possession of a splendid

and united Empire, surrounded by a brilliant line of descendants, Queen Victoria is enshrined in the

hearts of a high-spirited, enlightened, and progressing people, Whose name Will be feared and respected

throughout the world so long as they continue to act according to the traditions of their race.

WADDESDON READING ROOM,

January 9th, 1884.

THEIMMGN(MFQUEEN ANNE

,

LONDON :

Prmted by Srmxazwns k SONS, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.Ci


THE REIGN OF QUEEN ANNE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,— Doctors tell us, and their advice is cor-

roborated by experience, that a change of air is conducive to the maintenance of good health. What is applicable to the body is applicable to the mind. At times we all feel weary, harassed, out of sorts, either from the anxieties of our daily duties, from overwork, or from the emotions of an overstrained and sensational age.

A! < A“. .r. “hm,A map, A

n

But we can always ensure mental relief by turning our thoughts away from the exciting agencies of the present to the invigorating memories

of the past. Many were the illustrious men and fair women, the princes, warriors, and statesmen, the poets,

artists, and scholars, who not only struggled for the attainment of those civil and religious liberties which

it is our privilege to enjoy, but individually assisted in laying the foundations of this empire, to be a citizen of which is your proudest boast.


THE REIGN OF QUEEN ANNE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,— Doctors tell us, and their advice is cor-

roborated by experience, that a change of air is conducive to the maintenance of good health. What is applicable to the body is applicable to the mind. At times we all feel weary, harassed, out of sorts, either from the anxieties of our daily duties, from overwork, or from the emotions of an overstrained and sensational age.

A! < A“. .r. “hm,A map, A

n

But we can always ensure mental relief by turning our thoughts away from the exciting agencies of the present to the invigorating memories

of the past. Many were the illustrious men and fair women, the princes, warriors, and statesmen, the poets,

artists, and scholars, who not only struggled for the attainment of those civil and religious liberties which

it is our privilege to enjoy, but individually assisted in laying the foundations of this empire, to be a citizen of which is your proudest boast.


TT—i (4) The past takes us behind the scenes.

It dis-

closes to us the moral weaknesses, as well as the

strength, of its heroes and heroines.

By divulging

the mysteries of their domestic, life, it often enables us to trace the clue to their public actions. Thus, while admiration for their deeds kindles our

enthusiasm, a sense of the humorous provokes our smiles. There are various epochs in the past which, more powerfully than others, force themselves on our consideration. Lit up by a blaze of military glory,

they flatter our national vanity. They led to a great social and literary development, and appeal to our imagination. They bear analogies to our own times,

1.

THE reign of Queen Anne cannot vie in length,

-of it only extends over twelve years, with the reign ria; Queen Elizabeth, or with the reign of Queen Victo

it lacks the romantic glamour of the former, and the its practical development of the latter age; but military achievements and intellectual progress form two a connecting link between the two reigns and the centuries. The individuality of Queen Anne bears no coni-

and claim our interest.

The reign of Queen

parison with that of Elizabeth. Anne Combines

these

qualifications, and for this reason I venture to

submit to you a slight sketch of some of its principal features. The mere fact that our Sovereign is a Queen, that under her England has experienced a greater expansion of its political and material forces than under any of its kings, attracts our attention, and

invites comparison with the reigns of the former Queens regnant of England.

as

Queen Elizabeth s

personal importance dwarfs that of her contemr poraries. Her genius and influence direct and colou . the politics and events of her time. Queen Anne never directly interfered With the

working of the country, but when she did it was through the medium of her ministers and favourites.

That very non-interference on her part contributed as much to her popularity, for constitutional principles had already asserted themselves, and the country was

able to govern itself through its parliamentary representatives, as Queen Elizabeth’s personal government and patriotic energy in times of need and distress


TT—i (4) The past takes us behind the scenes.

It dis-

closes to us the moral weaknesses, as well as the

strength, of its heroes and heroines.

By divulging

the mysteries of their domestic, life, it often enables us to trace the clue to their public actions. Thus, while admiration for their deeds kindles our

enthusiasm, a sense of the humorous provokes our smiles. There are various epochs in the past which, more powerfully than others, force themselves on our consideration. Lit up by a blaze of military glory,

they flatter our national vanity. They led to a great social and literary development, and appeal to our imagination. They bear analogies to our own times,

1.

THE reign of Queen Anne cannot vie in length,

-of it only extends over twelve years, with the reign ria; Queen Elizabeth, or with the reign of Queen Victo

it lacks the romantic glamour of the former, and the its practical development of the latter age; but military achievements and intellectual progress form two a connecting link between the two reigns and the centuries. The individuality of Queen Anne bears no coni-

and claim our interest.

The reign of Queen

parison with that of Elizabeth. Anne Combines

these

qualifications, and for this reason I venture to

submit to you a slight sketch of some of its principal features. The mere fact that our Sovereign is a Queen, that under her England has experienced a greater expansion of its political and material forces than under any of its kings, attracts our attention, and

invites comparison with the reigns of the former Queens regnant of England.

as

Queen Elizabeth s

personal importance dwarfs that of her contemr poraries. Her genius and influence direct and colou . the politics and events of her time. Queen Anne never directly interfered With the

working of the country, but when she did it was through the medium of her ministers and favourites.

That very non-interference on her part contributed as much to her popularity, for constitutional principles had already asserted themselves, and the country was

able to govern itself through its parliamentary representatives, as Queen Elizabeth’s personal government and patriotic energy in times of need and distress


(6)

(I 7 ‘1

helped to consolidate her throne, and bind it to her

people with the common bond of love and loyalty.

Protestant for ever excluded any other than a though the prince from the throne of England; but

,

people of England would not brook the yoke

Queen Elizabeth was the last sovereign of the

Tudor dynasty ; Queen Anne was the last sovereign of the Stuart dynasty. Queen Elizabeth was an autocrat, Queen Anne

was already a constitutional sovereign. Had the princes of the house of Stuart been

endowed with the same good and wholesome Encrlish

James the Second, their loyalty to his line

unshaken.

of a

remained

His son 'might have been chosen to suc-

child, ceed him, but he was considered a pretended and his father had carried him off to France. James The Revolution handed over the throne to individthe Second’s daughters ; first to Mary, whose

sense as the Tudors, the history of England diiarincr the seventeenth century would have run a smoothe: course. On the other hand, we may assume that the rapid growth of English liberties would have been

uality was merged in the authority of her

husband

William the Third, and then to the Princess

Anne.

considerably retarded. . The Stuarts were an impassioned and shortsighted race. Imbued with the obsolete notions of divme right, they endeavoured to gag the civil

of England, foreign interference inspired the people resist the with the ardour which enabled them to

liberties of the people of England, and interfered with

w1thin those forty years, from comparative bondage, to national freedom. To ensure their freedom th: framed laws which were so efficient, and yet s:

Anne. Louis the Fourteenth of France, during the seventyintwo years of his reign, devoted the indefatigable his realm, dustry of his mind, the entire resources of and the blood of a generous nation, to the satisfaction of a reckof his personal greed, and the gratification into less and insatiable ambition. He turned Europe and the a battlefield, he devastated the Netherlands

moderate, that very few of them were subsequentl

German empire, and made of Spain an appanage

the free exercise of their religion. The Revolution of 1649 sent Charles the First to the block ; the Revolution of 1688 sent James the Second

into exile. The people of England consequently leapt

annulled.

y

Foremost among these laws was the one which

Hatred of the foreigner has been the chief factor of in building up the liberties of England. Hatred

aggression of Spain in the days of Elizabeth, days of and the encroachments of France in the

for

his grandson. But when Louis the Fourteenth received

at his


(6)

(I 7 ‘1

helped to consolidate her throne, and bind it to her

people with the common bond of love and loyalty.

Protestant for ever excluded any other than a though the prince from the throne of England; but

,

people of England would not brook the yoke

Queen Elizabeth was the last sovereign of the

Tudor dynasty ; Queen Anne was the last sovereign of the Stuart dynasty. Queen Elizabeth was an autocrat, Queen Anne

was already a constitutional sovereign. Had the princes of the house of Stuart been

endowed with the same good and wholesome Encrlish

James the Second, their loyalty to his line

unshaken.

of a

remained

His son 'might have been chosen to suc-

child, ceed him, but he was considered a pretended and his father had carried him off to France. James The Revolution handed over the throne to individthe Second’s daughters ; first to Mary, whose

sense as the Tudors, the history of England diiarincr the seventeenth century would have run a smoothe: course. On the other hand, we may assume that the rapid growth of English liberties would have been

uality was merged in the authority of her

husband

William the Third, and then to the Princess

Anne.

considerably retarded. . The Stuarts were an impassioned and shortsighted race. Imbued with the obsolete notions of divme right, they endeavoured to gag the civil

of England, foreign interference inspired the people resist the with the ardour which enabled them to

liberties of the people of England, and interfered with

w1thin those forty years, from comparative bondage, to national freedom. To ensure their freedom th: framed laws which were so efficient, and yet s:

Anne. Louis the Fourteenth of France, during the seventyintwo years of his reign, devoted the indefatigable his realm, dustry of his mind, the entire resources of and the blood of a generous nation, to the satisfaction of a reckof his personal greed, and the gratification into less and insatiable ambition. He turned Europe and the a battlefield, he devastated the Netherlands

moderate, that very few of them were subsequentl

German empire, and made of Spain an appanage

the free exercise of their religion. The Revolution of 1649 sent Charles the First to the block ; the Revolution of 1688 sent James the Second

into exile. The people of England consequently leapt

annulled.

y

Foremost among these laws was the one which

Hatred of the foreigner has been the chief factor of in building up the liberties of England. Hatred

aggression of Spain in the days of Elizabeth, days of and the encroachments of France in the

for

his grandson. But when Louis the Fourteenth received

at his


(8)

(9) Though lately it has been

court the dethroned James the Second, and continued

considered the best.

to acknowledge him as king of England, refusing to recognise the elect sovereign of its people, when he insulted their liberties and their rights, then they

sadly disfigured, it shows us a round and comely Her face, with strong and regular features.

rose as one man. Forming an alliance with the Dutch and the Germans, they gave the foreign intruder a lesson such as he never thought of experiencing, and checked, for one century at least, the meddling propensities of his descendants and countrymen. Queen Anne was born in 1664, and was consequently, at the time of her accession in 1702, in her

gh manner graceful, dignified, and pleasant, thou n a defect in her eyesight produced at times a frow

thirty-ninth year.

resulted from, and certainly were increased by,

Early in life she married Prince

her chestnut hair was long and luxuriant, and

which made her look cross.

Like Queen Elizabeth,

. she could boast of small and beautifully shaped hands As Queen Anne advanced in age. she became arid excessively stout, and was smitten with gout

dropsy.

Her corpulcnce and her ailments part y .the

The example set by Prince

George of Denmark, a man of dull understanding and coarse habits, who merely lived for the pleasures of

recklessness of her diet.

the table.

ar y indulged in three heavy meals a-day, and regul

Despite his long residence in this country,

George may have been catching, at any rate sllie

he never mastered its language.

washed down her supper

‘I have tried him drunk, and I have tried him sober,’ Queen Anne’s uncle, Charles the Second, said of him, ‘and there is nothing in him.’ The only claim he has to our notice rests on the

chocolate. Intellectually, Queen Anne was below the average of her subjects. \Veak, childish, pcevish, and 'obsti-

devotion with which he inspired the Queen.

r and affectionate, and showed a touching piety unde her bereavements. ‘Our Good Queen Anne’ is an appellation still common with the masses. ‘Entirely English at heart,’ were the words she used in her first speech from the throne; al and their genuineness was proved by her gener hconduct, by her domestic virtues, by her attac ment to the religion of her country, and even

In

the course of their union, she bore him seventeen

children. They all died in their infancy, with the exception of the little Duke of Gloucester, who lived to the age of eleven. In her younger days Queen Anne was a strik-

ing and a handsome woman.

Of her various

likenesses, the statue in St. Paul’s Churchyard is

with a cup of rich

nate, she was yet pure-minded, generous, Simple,


(8)

(9) Though lately it has been

court the dethroned James the Second, and continued

considered the best.

to acknowledge him as king of England, refusing to recognise the elect sovereign of its people, when he insulted their liberties and their rights, then they

sadly disfigured, it shows us a round and comely Her face, with strong and regular features.

rose as one man. Forming an alliance with the Dutch and the Germans, they gave the foreign intruder a lesson such as he never thought of experiencing, and checked, for one century at least, the meddling propensities of his descendants and countrymen. Queen Anne was born in 1664, and was consequently, at the time of her accession in 1702, in her

gh manner graceful, dignified, and pleasant, thou n a defect in her eyesight produced at times a frow

thirty-ninth year.

resulted from, and certainly were increased by,

Early in life she married Prince

her chestnut hair was long and luxuriant, and

which made her look cross.

Like Queen Elizabeth,

. she could boast of small and beautifully shaped hands As Queen Anne advanced in age. she became arid excessively stout, and was smitten with gout

dropsy.

Her corpulcnce and her ailments part y .the

The example set by Prince

George of Denmark, a man of dull understanding and coarse habits, who merely lived for the pleasures of

recklessness of her diet.

the table.

ar y indulged in three heavy meals a-day, and regul

Despite his long residence in this country,

George may have been catching, at any rate sllie

he never mastered its language.

washed down her supper

‘I have tried him drunk, and I have tried him sober,’ Queen Anne’s uncle, Charles the Second, said of him, ‘and there is nothing in him.’ The only claim he has to our notice rests on the

chocolate. Intellectually, Queen Anne was below the average of her subjects. \Veak, childish, pcevish, and 'obsti-

devotion with which he inspired the Queen.

r and affectionate, and showed a touching piety unde her bereavements. ‘Our Good Queen Anne’ is an appellation still common with the masses. ‘Entirely English at heart,’ were the words she used in her first speech from the throne; al and their genuineness was proved by her gener hconduct, by her domestic virtues, by her attac ment to the religion of her country, and even

In

the course of their union, she bore him seventeen

children. They all died in their infancy, with the exception of the little Duke of Gloucester, who lived to the age of eleven. In her younger days Queen Anne was a strik-

ing and a handsome woman.

Of her various

likenesses, the statue in St. Paul’s Churchyard is

with a cup of rich

nate, she was yet pure-minded, generous, Simple,


(11>

(10)

a Catholic succession. Weak and inconsistent as she was she spent the whole remainder of her life in alternate fits of remorse and fear; on the one

in more trifling matters, such as her devotion to

sport. She hated the play, and never went to the theatre, or sent for actors to perform in her presence ; but she patronised racing at Ascot and Newmarket, and was passionately fond of hunting.

hand, she corresponded with James H. till the end of his days, and implored his forgiveness in affectionate terms, and attributed the death of her On children to the retribution of Providence. the other hand, from her own free will and ac-

Before she succeeded to the throne she bought a small lodge in the vicinity of Windsor Castle, and

hunted in the forest.

I l I

As the Queen grew too stout

to ride she followed the hunt in a light chaise—a most dangerous vehicle on two high wheels, ‘on which she drove herself, for some forty or fifty miles in one day.’ Owing to the limited compass and the weakness of her intellect, Queen Anne was content to occupy herself with the ceremonials of her court and the provision for her creature comfort.

cord, she ordered a proclamation to be issued for the apprehension of her brother, whether dead or alive, and set a price on his head if he were found

This gives us the clue to her conduct towards her father and brother. Moralists blame her for com-

kings.

plying with the acts which dethroned them, and

on the old belief that a monarch was endowed with

wearing their crown. A more strong—minded person might have renounced the crown in favour of some Protestant prince, but the country never would have submitted

the miraculous power of curing sick persons by the touch of his hand. This rite was regularly performed with great pomp, and accompanied by religious cere-

in Great Britain or Ireland; and then, again, when any measures were debated against him in council,

she violently took his part and burst into tears. In one respect Queen Anne showed no weakness ; she firmly

believed in the divine mission and the rights of She was the last English sovereign who still acted

to the restoration of a Stuart who was livino~ in France, where he identified himself with the eneomies

monies. In one day—it was in the year 1712—she touched 200 invalids. We can hardly realise how this superstition, which arose from the loyalty of the

of the country and with the religion of its enemies.

people, could have lasted so long.

Queen Anne was a zealous Protestant, and Viewed with the same terror as her subjects the possibility of

ever recovered in consequence of this treatment can

That any patients

only be attributed to the force of imagination, which

i


(11>

(10)

a Catholic succession. Weak and inconsistent as she was she spent the whole remainder of her life in alternate fits of remorse and fear; on the one

in more trifling matters, such as her devotion to

sport. She hated the play, and never went to the theatre, or sent for actors to perform in her presence ; but she patronised racing at Ascot and Newmarket, and was passionately fond of hunting.

hand, she corresponded with James H. till the end of his days, and implored his forgiveness in affectionate terms, and attributed the death of her On children to the retribution of Providence. the other hand, from her own free will and ac-

Before she succeeded to the throne she bought a small lodge in the vicinity of Windsor Castle, and

hunted in the forest.

I l I

As the Queen grew too stout

to ride she followed the hunt in a light chaise—a most dangerous vehicle on two high wheels, ‘on which she drove herself, for some forty or fifty miles in one day.’ Owing to the limited compass and the weakness of her intellect, Queen Anne was content to occupy herself with the ceremonials of her court and the provision for her creature comfort.

cord, she ordered a proclamation to be issued for the apprehension of her brother, whether dead or alive, and set a price on his head if he were found

This gives us the clue to her conduct towards her father and brother. Moralists blame her for com-

kings.

plying with the acts which dethroned them, and

on the old belief that a monarch was endowed with

wearing their crown. A more strong—minded person might have renounced the crown in favour of some Protestant prince, but the country never would have submitted

the miraculous power of curing sick persons by the touch of his hand. This rite was regularly performed with great pomp, and accompanied by religious cere-

in Great Britain or Ireland; and then, again, when any measures were debated against him in council,

she violently took his part and burst into tears. In one respect Queen Anne showed no weakness ; she firmly

believed in the divine mission and the rights of She was the last English sovereign who still acted

to the restoration of a Stuart who was livino~ in France, where he identified himself with the eneomies

monies. In one day—it was in the year 1712—she touched 200 invalids. We can hardly realise how this superstition, which arose from the loyalty of the

of the country and with the religion of its enemies.

people, could have lasted so long.

Queen Anne was a zealous Protestant, and Viewed with the same terror as her subjects the possibility of

ever recovered in consequence of this treatment can

That any patients

only be attributed to the force of imagination, which

i


(13) (12) acted as a potent stimulant on the constitution of a nervous subject.

I need not give you the date of its birth. Party spirit ran then as high, if not higher, than it does now.

It is pleasant to turn to the more useful and

generous acts of her reign.

The very first act of her

government was to give out of her private income 100,000Z. towards the alleviation of the public burdens.

Shortly afterwards she made over the first-fruits of every benefice or dignity that were conferred by the Crown, and to which she was entitled, as some in-

crease to the livings of poor clergymen.

This chari-

table fund is still maintained, and known as Queen

Anne’s Bounty. Eor the political results of Queen Anne’s reign

England is indebted to the appearance of a constellation of great men such as had not been known since

the age of Elizabeth.

Their combined genius shed a

1:82:1‘0::11: I:rge, whose borrowed light was reflected

Godolphin and Somers, Oxford and Bolingbroke, alternately led, with consummate ability, the two great parties of the State, the Whigs and the Tories ; the division of Parliament in two parties, the balance

A contemporary writer says that, ‘even cats

and dogs were infected with the animosity of the Whigs and Tories.’ The origin of the names of the two great parties of the State is to be traced to that same feeling of hatred of the foreigner to which I have previously alluded. The ‘Tory’ was originally a term for an

Irish robber.

the Irish Catholic friends of James the Second, and soon became a designation for the whole body of his parliamentary supporters.

The term ‘Whig’ was a nickname applied to the Scotch Presbyterians. It was derived, according to some authorities, from the whey or refuse milk which their poverty obliged them to use; or, according to

others, from ‘ whiggam,’ a word employed by the Scotch cattle-drovers of the \Vest in driving their horses. But I consider that the chief interests of the reign

of Queen Anne lie less in the parliamentary debate than in the military events and social peculiarities of

of which is supposed to be one of the props of our constitution, dates from the time of Queen Anne’s predecessor, William the Third, but was only clearly

the day.

defined in her reign.

nations.

Radicals were unknown, and as for that rising sectlon of the House of Commons, the Fourth Party 7

The term was afterwards extended to

There was one man who towered like a

giant over all his contemporaries, and whose military genius placed England in the foremost rank of John Churchill, subsequently Lord Churchill, then Earl and Duke of Marlborough, was born in 1650. The


(13) (12) acted as a potent stimulant on the constitution of a nervous subject.

I need not give you the date of its birth. Party spirit ran then as high, if not higher, than it does now.

It is pleasant to turn to the more useful and

generous acts of her reign.

The very first act of her

government was to give out of her private income 100,000Z. towards the alleviation of the public burdens.

Shortly afterwards she made over the first-fruits of every benefice or dignity that were conferred by the Crown, and to which she was entitled, as some in-

crease to the livings of poor clergymen.

This chari-

table fund is still maintained, and known as Queen

Anne’s Bounty. Eor the political results of Queen Anne’s reign

England is indebted to the appearance of a constellation of great men such as had not been known since

the age of Elizabeth.

Their combined genius shed a

1:82:1‘0::11: I:rge, whose borrowed light was reflected

Godolphin and Somers, Oxford and Bolingbroke, alternately led, with consummate ability, the two great parties of the State, the Whigs and the Tories ; the division of Parliament in two parties, the balance

A contemporary writer says that, ‘even cats

and dogs were infected with the animosity of the Whigs and Tories.’ The origin of the names of the two great parties of the State is to be traced to that same feeling of hatred of the foreigner to which I have previously alluded. The ‘Tory’ was originally a term for an

Irish robber.

the Irish Catholic friends of James the Second, and soon became a designation for the whole body of his parliamentary supporters.

The term ‘Whig’ was a nickname applied to the Scotch Presbyterians. It was derived, according to some authorities, from the whey or refuse milk which their poverty obliged them to use; or, according to

others, from ‘ whiggam,’ a word employed by the Scotch cattle-drovers of the \Vest in driving their horses. But I consider that the chief interests of the reign

of Queen Anne lie less in the parliamentary debate than in the military events and social peculiarities of

of which is supposed to be one of the props of our constitution, dates from the time of Queen Anne’s predecessor, William the Third, but was only clearly

the day.

defined in her reign.

nations.

Radicals were unknown, and as for that rising sectlon of the House of Commons, the Fourth Party 7

The term was afterwards extended to

There was one man who towered like a

giant over all his contemporaries, and whose military genius placed England in the foremost rank of John Churchill, subsequently Lord Churchill, then Earl and Duke of Marlborough, was born in 1650. The


<15) son of a Dorsetshire gentleman, he was attached as a young man to the household of Queen Anne’s father, James. At the age of sixteen he received a commission in the Guards, and at twenty-three he served

trayed Marlborough into a single rash action or word. He never besieged a fortress that he did not take; he never fought a battle which he did not win; he never conducted a negotiation which he

the French under the orders of the great Marshal

did not bring to a successful issue-—his own enemies

Turenne in a campaign against the Dutch. In the French camp he was known as the handsome Englishman. ‘ His manners are irresistible, he

. said of him. A favourite with his superior officers, a favourite

possesses the graces in the highest degree,’ said Lord

with the ladies of the profligate Court of James the

Chesterfield, one of the wits of the day. To these external advantages he added an un-

Second, from one of whom he stooped to accept a present of 5000l.

ruffied courage, boundless energy and ambition, a

But he knew nothing of the finer sentiments of

with his men, Marlborough was an equal favourite

He turned without a blush from winning

temper naturally cool, serene judgment, and a vigi-

mankind.

lance and capacity for enduring fatigue which never forsook him. One day when a position had been lost by a French officer, Turenne offered to bet that his

victories and dictating their fate to the great powers

handsome Englishman would take it again with half the number of men, and Turenne won his bet.

On being caught in a Violent storm, Marlborough called to his groom for his cloak. The groom was fastening some straps, and paid no attention to his master. Marlborough called again. The groom answered sulkily, ‘If it were raining cats and dogs, my lord, you’d

have to wait till I have done.’

Marlborough turned quietly round to some companions and said, ‘I ”would not have that fellow’s temper for the world.’ Ten years of uninterrupted successes never be-

of the Continent, to employing the meanest artifices for his advancement and the accumulation of a . matchless fortune. His extreme rapacity in acquiring, and his avarice in hoarding, wealth, tarnished his fame, and furnished his opponents with the topics for their taunts.

One day some ruffians assaulted Lord Peter. borough, whom they mistook for him. ‘ Gentlemen,’ said Peterborough, ‘I can convmce

you for two reasons that I am not the Duke of Marlborough: in the first place, I have but five guineas in my pocket ; and, in the second place, here

they are at your servicel’ Of a servant who had saved his life Marlborough


<15) son of a Dorsetshire gentleman, he was attached as a young man to the household of Queen Anne’s father, James. At the age of sixteen he received a commission in the Guards, and at twenty-three he served

trayed Marlborough into a single rash action or word. He never besieged a fortress that he did not take; he never fought a battle which he did not win; he never conducted a negotiation which he

the French under the orders of the great Marshal

did not bring to a successful issue-—his own enemies

Turenne in a campaign against the Dutch. In the French camp he was known as the handsome Englishman. ‘ His manners are irresistible, he

. said of him. A favourite with his superior officers, a favourite

possesses the graces in the highest degree,’ said Lord

with the ladies of the profligate Court of James the

Chesterfield, one of the wits of the day. To these external advantages he added an un-

Second, from one of whom he stooped to accept a present of 5000l.

ruffied courage, boundless energy and ambition, a

But he knew nothing of the finer sentiments of

with his men, Marlborough was an equal favourite

He turned without a blush from winning

temper naturally cool, serene judgment, and a vigi-

mankind.

lance and capacity for enduring fatigue which never forsook him. One day when a position had been lost by a French officer, Turenne offered to bet that his

victories and dictating their fate to the great powers

handsome Englishman would take it again with half the number of men, and Turenne won his bet.

On being caught in a Violent storm, Marlborough called to his groom for his cloak. The groom was fastening some straps, and paid no attention to his master. Marlborough called again. The groom answered sulkily, ‘If it were raining cats and dogs, my lord, you’d

have to wait till I have done.’

Marlborough turned quietly round to some companions and said, ‘I ”would not have that fellow’s temper for the world.’ Ten years of uninterrupted successes never be-

of the Continent, to employing the meanest artifices for his advancement and the accumulation of a . matchless fortune. His extreme rapacity in acquiring, and his avarice in hoarding, wealth, tarnished his fame, and furnished his opponents with the topics for their taunts.

One day some ruffians assaulted Lord Peter. borough, whom they mistook for him. ‘ Gentlemen,’ said Peterborough, ‘I can convmce

you for two reasons that I am not the Duke of Marlborough: in the first place, I have but five guineas in my pocket ; and, in the second place, here

they are at your servicel’ Of a servant who had saved his life Marlborough


(17> ‘That fellow costs me 501.

, and waiting a passionate and devoted friendship

a-ycar.’ Of the charges of political ingratitude and treachery, posterity is unable to acquit him. He had been raised by the favour of James the Second

clung to her superior intellect for support with child

from the position of a page to the peerage, to

For some years the haughty maiden resisted

great wealth and high command. At the very first opportunity he betrayed and forsook his benefactor,

er; the suit of one who was still a needy adventur threw but when her heart was at last touched, Sarah

and went over to William the Third, whom the Revo-

lution had brought from Holland to dethrone the Stuart king.

all the passions of her fiery soul into her love, and exercised the great influence she possessed for the advancement of her husband’s fortunes.

Later on, when Queen Anne had loaded him with titles, honours, and riches, he entered into underhand

of With all his commanding talents the career

grudgingly remarked:

plots with the exiled Stuarts.

The one redeeming

feature of his character was his love for his wife, to

whom he ever showed unswerving fidelity and devotion. In the year 1671, about the same time as John Churchill was appointed page to James the Second,

-

like and affectionate tenacity.

The page and the lady—in-waiting first met at a once. ball. The young soldier’s heart was enslaved at

Marlborough might have been spent in obscurity, had it not been for this influence of his wife over the mind of her royal mistress. Dropping the restraint of a formal etiquette, Anne corresponded with her ey favourite under the assumed names of Mrs. Morl and Mrs. Freeman.

then Duke of York, Sarah Jennings, a beautiful child of eleven, the daughter of a Hertfordshire

Through all the tortuous polity of Marlborough, for his even when \Villiam the Third sent him by treachery to the Tower, Princess Anne stood

gentleman, who was blessed with a family of twentytwo children, was received by the Duchess of York,

her friend and refused to be parted from her. Thus

and transferred to the household of Princess Anne.

out

of

the

weakness

of

Queen

Anne’s

nature grew for England some of her most glorlous

Endowed with an indomitable spirit, haughty, laurels.

ambitious, and grasping, the penniless beauty soon completely mastered the weak nature of her young patron. As she grew up, Anne formed for her lady-in—

As soon as Queen Anne succeeded to the throne

she created Marlborough a Duke, a Knight of the Garter, and appointed him Captain-General of all the B


(17> ‘That fellow costs me 501.

, and waiting a passionate and devoted friendship

a-ycar.’ Of the charges of political ingratitude and treachery, posterity is unable to acquit him. He had been raised by the favour of James the Second

clung to her superior intellect for support with child

from the position of a page to the peerage, to

For some years the haughty maiden resisted

great wealth and high command. At the very first opportunity he betrayed and forsook his benefactor,

er; the suit of one who was still a needy adventur threw but when her heart was at last touched, Sarah

and went over to William the Third, whom the Revo-

lution had brought from Holland to dethrone the Stuart king.

all the passions of her fiery soul into her love, and exercised the great influence she possessed for the advancement of her husband’s fortunes.

Later on, when Queen Anne had loaded him with titles, honours, and riches, he entered into underhand

of With all his commanding talents the career

grudgingly remarked:

plots with the exiled Stuarts.

The one redeeming

feature of his character was his love for his wife, to

whom he ever showed unswerving fidelity and devotion. In the year 1671, about the same time as John Churchill was appointed page to James the Second,

-

like and affectionate tenacity.

The page and the lady—in-waiting first met at a once. ball. The young soldier’s heart was enslaved at

Marlborough might have been spent in obscurity, had it not been for this influence of his wife over the mind of her royal mistress. Dropping the restraint of a formal etiquette, Anne corresponded with her ey favourite under the assumed names of Mrs. Morl and Mrs. Freeman.

then Duke of York, Sarah Jennings, a beautiful child of eleven, the daughter of a Hertfordshire

Through all the tortuous polity of Marlborough, for his even when \Villiam the Third sent him by treachery to the Tower, Princess Anne stood

gentleman, who was blessed with a family of twentytwo children, was received by the Duchess of York,

her friend and refused to be parted from her. Thus

and transferred to the household of Princess Anne.

out

of

the

weakness

of

Queen

Anne’s

nature grew for England some of her most glorlous

Endowed with an indomitable spirit, haughty, laurels.

ambitious, and grasping, the penniless beauty soon completely mastered the weak nature of her young patron. As she grew up, Anne formed for her lady-in—

As soon as Queen Anne succeeded to the throne

she created Marlborough a Duke, a Knight of the Garter, and appointed him Captain-General of all the B


(18)

<19)

forces and Master-General of the Ordnance, while the

the the battle, ‘for I have the pleasure to find all officers willing to oblige.’ Nor was he mistaken ewhen he gave the word of command, ‘Now, gentl men, to your posts.’

Duchess was made Groom of the Stole—a curious title for a lady to bear Mistress of the Robes, Keeper

of the Privy Purse, and ranger of Windsor Park for

life. At the time of his assuming the command of the combined armies of England, Germany, and Holland,

Marlborough was in the fifty—second year of his life. It is quite beyond the scope of this lecture to

enter into a detailed account of his campaign. Much as I regret being obliged to do so, I must omit alto-

Lord Cutts, who led the attack, behaved so fearof lessly under fire, that he earned the nickname

Salamander. Two desperate charges which Marl The borough headed in person decided the day. gst French lost 40,000 in killed and prisoners ; amon the latter was the French General himself.

gether the mention of the war which was simultaneously carried on by the allied armies in Spain against France, with alternate success and reverse,

As soon as the battle was over Marlborough still hastily wrote a note in pencil to his wife ; it is . preserved, and runs as follows 2—— ‘I have not time to say more, but beg you Will

for its interest is overshadowed by the greater attrac-

give my duty to the Queen, and let her know

tions of Marlborough’s victories.

army has had a glorious victory.

In four battles he successively defeated the

her

Marshal Tallard

and two other Generals are in my coach, and

I am

of their country, crushed the pride of Louis the

following the rest. The bearer will give Her Majesty a an account of what has passed. I shall do 1t m

Fourteenth, saved Holland and Germany, and freed

day or two by another more at large.

French, and with such effect that he broke the power

England from every fear of foreign interference. The battle of Blenheim, which was fought in Bavaria, on a swamp near the Danube, was the first

and the most important.

On this occasion Marl-

‘ MARLBOROUGH.’

In England the joy was great. Besides an annual income of 64,000l., the country bestowed on

Marl-

borough remained on horseback for fifteen hours,

borough the royal domain of Woodstock, where Fair

superintending the movement of the allies. ‘ I have great reason to hope that everything will go well,’ he calmly wrote to his wife on the eve of

Rosamond had lived, the Black Prince been born,

Queen Elizabeth resided.

and

A new palace was erected 00l.

on the site of the old castle at the cost of 240,0


(18)

<19)

forces and Master-General of the Ordnance, while the

the the battle, ‘for I have the pleasure to find all officers willing to oblige.’ Nor was he mistaken ewhen he gave the word of command, ‘Now, gentl men, to your posts.’

Duchess was made Groom of the Stole—a curious title for a lady to bear Mistress of the Robes, Keeper

of the Privy Purse, and ranger of Windsor Park for

life. At the time of his assuming the command of the combined armies of England, Germany, and Holland,

Marlborough was in the fifty—second year of his life. It is quite beyond the scope of this lecture to

enter into a detailed account of his campaign. Much as I regret being obliged to do so, I must omit alto-

Lord Cutts, who led the attack, behaved so fearof lessly under fire, that he earned the nickname

Salamander. Two desperate charges which Marl The borough headed in person decided the day. gst French lost 40,000 in killed and prisoners ; amon the latter was the French General himself.

gether the mention of the war which was simultaneously carried on by the allied armies in Spain against France, with alternate success and reverse,

As soon as the battle was over Marlborough still hastily wrote a note in pencil to his wife ; it is . preserved, and runs as follows 2—— ‘I have not time to say more, but beg you Will

for its interest is overshadowed by the greater attrac-

give my duty to the Queen, and let her know

tions of Marlborough’s victories.

army has had a glorious victory.

In four battles he successively defeated the

her

Marshal Tallard

and two other Generals are in my coach, and

I am

of their country, crushed the pride of Louis the

following the rest. The bearer will give Her Majesty a an account of what has passed. I shall do 1t m

Fourteenth, saved Holland and Germany, and freed

day or two by another more at large.

French, and with such effect that he broke the power

England from every fear of foreign interference. The battle of Blenheim, which was fought in Bavaria, on a swamp near the Danube, was the first

and the most important.

On this occasion Marl-

‘ MARLBOROUGH.’

In England the joy was great. Besides an annual income of 64,000l., the country bestowed on

Marl-

borough remained on horseback for fifteen hours,

borough the royal domain of Woodstock, where Fair

superintending the movement of the allies. ‘ I have great reason to hope that everything will go well,’ he calmly wrote to his wife on the eve of

Rosamond had lived, the Black Prince been born,

Queen Elizabeth resided.

and

A new palace was erected 00l.

on the site of the old castle at the cost of 240,0


(21) ( 20 ) to the nation, and was called Blenheim after the

the peaceJingoism of the day, and was opposed by the most at—all-price party, who, in the face of

Victory.

ress, and by brilliant successes, hampered his prog

. To the Duchess Queen Anne gave an exquisitely painted miniature of the Duke, covered with and set in magnificent diamonds.

it the most disgusting the nation with war, forced on inglorious peace that was ever concluded. r to It is hardly credible that, simply in orde power to make peace, England, while having it in her

I fancy it might be difficult to find an analogous casein our day to this proof of the national generoZity. While the mob cheered itself hoarse, Addison, in a

obtain anything she chose from France,

hymn on the victory, sang of Marlborough :—

due to exception of Gibraltar; and this was not e, who had Marlborough, but to Sir George Rook surprised it with a mere handful of men. s for In the days of Queen Anne, the advocate as Marlpeace at any price were the Tories; and

‘ So when an angel by Divine command With rising tempests shakes a guilty land (Such as of late o’er pale Britannia pass’d), Calm and serene he drives the furious blast,

And, pleased the Almighty’s orders to perform Rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm.’ ,

The storm which is here alluded to had occurred the

renounced

every one of her Continental conquests, with

the sole

order

borough headed the Whig faction, the Tories, in

get rid of to achieve their object, had, first of all, to on their the victorious general. Had they relied

preceding year, and was the most fatal one which ever

political power only they would not have succ

passed over this country. It uprooted forests of trees sent the Thames into Westminster Hall, drove men: of-war 011 shore, blew down part of St. James’s Palace

True enough, by levelling against Marlbo

and killed the Bishop of Bath and Wells in his bed. , During the seven years which elapsed between the battle of Blenheim and the peace of Utrecht the conduct of the two great parties of State is not with-

out a certain analogy to that of our own parties at a recent date. Marlborough naturally was inclined for the continuation of the war; he was supported by the

eeded.

rough the

on they severest accusations of bribery and peculati l cry destroyed his popularity, and raised a universa for peace. to But the assent of the Queen was required

a deprive him of his command and to consent to treaty with France. w To obtain this assent the Tories well kne ence of they must, first of all, destroy the influ

for the Duchess of Marlborough—~which, luckily


(21) ( 20 ) to the nation, and was called Blenheim after the

the peaceJingoism of the day, and was opposed by the most at—all-price party, who, in the face of

Victory.

ress, and by brilliant successes, hampered his prog

. To the Duchess Queen Anne gave an exquisitely painted miniature of the Duke, covered with and set in magnificent diamonds.

it the most disgusting the nation with war, forced on inglorious peace that was ever concluded. r to It is hardly credible that, simply in orde power to make peace, England, while having it in her

I fancy it might be difficult to find an analogous casein our day to this proof of the national generoZity. While the mob cheered itself hoarse, Addison, in a

obtain anything she chose from France,

hymn on the victory, sang of Marlborough :—

due to exception of Gibraltar; and this was not e, who had Marlborough, but to Sir George Rook surprised it with a mere handful of men. s for In the days of Queen Anne, the advocate as Marlpeace at any price were the Tories; and

‘ So when an angel by Divine command With rising tempests shakes a guilty land (Such as of late o’er pale Britannia pass’d), Calm and serene he drives the furious blast,

And, pleased the Almighty’s orders to perform Rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm.’ ,

The storm which is here alluded to had occurred the

renounced

every one of her Continental conquests, with

the sole

order

borough headed the Whig faction, the Tories, in

get rid of to achieve their object, had, first of all, to on their the victorious general. Had they relied

preceding year, and was the most fatal one which ever

political power only they would not have succ

passed over this country. It uprooted forests of trees sent the Thames into Westminster Hall, drove men: of-war 011 shore, blew down part of St. James’s Palace

True enough, by levelling against Marlbo

and killed the Bishop of Bath and Wells in his bed. , During the seven years which elapsed between the battle of Blenheim and the peace of Utrecht the conduct of the two great parties of State is not with-

out a certain analogy to that of our own parties at a recent date. Marlborough naturally was inclined for the continuation of the war; he was supported by the

eeded.

rough the

on they severest accusations of bribery and peculati l cry destroyed his popularity, and raised a universa for peace. to But the assent of the Queen was required

a deprive him of his command and to consent to treaty with France. w To obtain this assent the Tories well kne ence of they must, first of all, destroy the influ

for the Duchess of Marlborough—~which, luckily


(23) of his

them, was on the wane—by the counter-influence of

locks carefully

a new favourite. For the decline of an affection which had extended over thirty years on the Dart of the Queen, the Duchess of Marlborough was al L to blame. b one

ess of most valued relics. Her daughter, the Duch not Montague, who inherited her temper, though me her intellect, had a daughter, who eventually beca Duchess of Manchester.

As she grew older in years, and more secure of her position, her pride turned into insolence and her haughtiness into an ungovernable temper,

T 0 this grandchild she turned one day and

preserved

amongst

some

said,

er :’

‘ You are a good creature, but you :have a moth

livery one who came within her range suffered

Her . ‘And so has shel’ replied the saucy child inuous husband alone was able to stand the cont

from the impetuosity of her nature and the acrimon

storms, and bore his conjugal trials with unru

of her uncurbed tongue. y One day, it is said, that the Duke ventured to contradict her. At once the necessity of punishment presented itself to her outraged dignity' without any hesitation she severed from h:r brow her

equanimity and faithful perseverance. out a Never did Marlborough leave his wife with

beautiful golden locks, of which Marlboroucrh was proud, and which he loved to caress. The un offending victims of her rage Were placed on th-

g On the eve of one of his great battles, after receivin from her a letter full of taunts and reproaches, the

threshold of her antechamber, through which he: husband must pass to gain acocess to her room; but Marlborough passed, and passed again over the threshold, and, to her bitter disap :int: ment, he never betrayed any sign of emoticljn

swered: ‘I can take pleasure in nothing so long as

grief. V or Yet, strangely enough, when she went to search for them the locks had disappeared. Years and years later, long after the death of her husband on opening a secret drawer in his table, she found’the

ffled

pang.

‘I did for a great while, with a perspective

have glass, look upon the cliffs in hopes that I might r. one sight of you,’ he wrote to her once from Dove

angreat chief, whom no peril could discompose, you continue uneasy and think me unkind.

I assure

es you that though the fate of Europe, if these armi yet engage, depends on my good or bad success, your uneasiness gives me much greater trouble.’ She treated the Queen with the same ill—temper suband want of consideration as her equals and

the ordinates. For many years Mrs. Morley stood had insolence of Mrs. Freeman; but the Duchess prounwittingly ‘nursed a snake in the grass,’ and


(23) of his

them, was on the wane—by the counter-influence of

locks carefully

a new favourite. For the decline of an affection which had extended over thirty years on the Dart of the Queen, the Duchess of Marlborough was al L to blame. b one

ess of most valued relics. Her daughter, the Duch not Montague, who inherited her temper, though me her intellect, had a daughter, who eventually beca Duchess of Manchester.

As she grew older in years, and more secure of her position, her pride turned into insolence and her haughtiness into an ungovernable temper,

T 0 this grandchild she turned one day and

preserved

amongst

some

said,

er :’

‘ You are a good creature, but you :have a moth

livery one who came within her range suffered

Her . ‘And so has shel’ replied the saucy child inuous husband alone was able to stand the cont

from the impetuosity of her nature and the acrimon

storms, and bore his conjugal trials with unru

of her uncurbed tongue. y One day, it is said, that the Duke ventured to contradict her. At once the necessity of punishment presented itself to her outraged dignity' without any hesitation she severed from h:r brow her

equanimity and faithful perseverance. out a Never did Marlborough leave his wife with

beautiful golden locks, of which Marlboroucrh was proud, and which he loved to caress. The un offending victims of her rage Were placed on th-

g On the eve of one of his great battles, after receivin from her a letter full of taunts and reproaches, the

threshold of her antechamber, through which he: husband must pass to gain acocess to her room; but Marlborough passed, and passed again over the threshold, and, to her bitter disap :int: ment, he never betrayed any sign of emoticljn

swered: ‘I can take pleasure in nothing so long as

grief. V or Yet, strangely enough, when she went to search for them the locks had disappeared. Years and years later, long after the death of her husband on opening a secret drawer in his table, she found’the

ffled

pang.

‘I did for a great while, with a perspective

have glass, look upon the cliffs in hopes that I might r. one sight of you,’ he wrote to her once from Dove

angreat chief, whom no peril could discompose, you continue uneasy and think me unkind.

I assure

es you that though the fate of Europe, if these armi yet engage, depends on my good or bad success, your uneasiness gives me much greater trouble.’ She treated the Queen with the same ill—temper suband want of consideration as her equals and

the ordinates. For many years Mrs. Morley stood had insolence of Mrs. Freeman; but the Duchess prounwittingly ‘nursed a snake in the grass,’ and


(24) vided her enemies with the very weapon they required. A poor relation of hers, Abigail Hill, had been introduced by her into the Queen’s household, where she at first occupied a most humble position. As ambitious as the Duchess, but more subtle and artful, she soon ingratiatcd herself with the Queen, and obtained, through the conciliatory blandness of her manner, the influence which the Duchess was losing through her overbearing indiscretion. Of this new influence the political enemies of Marlborough craftily availed themselves. Matters soon came to a crisis. As Mistress of the Robes it was the duty of the Duchess of Marlborough to select the jewels for the

daily use of the Queen. Driving in state with the Queen to a public thanksgiving at St. Paul’s, she noticed that her orders had not been attended to, and forthwith abused the Queen in the most frightful

language. For once the Queen retorted. Both were still quarrelling when they entered the Church, but as they advanced the Duchess insolently turned on her royal mistress, telling her not to answer her, and to hold her tongue. About the same time she discovered the clan-

destine marriage of Abigail Hill with Mr., afterwards Lord Masham. Again the Queen, who had countenanced the marriage with her presence, came in for a fair share of abuse.

A desperate state of things went on at Court. for another five years, when at last the Tories obtained

the dismissal of Marlborough.

Marlborough behaved

with his usual serenity, but the Duchess went into

paroxysms of rage, smashed the portraits of the Queen, flung the golden key of her oflice on the-floor of her room, bidding anyone who chose to take it up and return it, tore down the brass looks from the

doors and marble chimney-pieces from the walls of the apartment she occupied in St. James’s Palace, and demanded from the Queen arrears of enormous sums,

to the payment of which she had long given up every claim. Deprived of their respective commands and offices, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough spent on the

Continent the few months which elapsed between their disgrace and the death of the Queen. This event occurred on the 1st of August, 1714.


(24) vided her enemies with the very weapon they required. A poor relation of hers, Abigail Hill, had been introduced by her into the Queen’s household, where she at first occupied a most humble position. As ambitious as the Duchess, but more subtle and artful, she soon ingratiatcd herself with the Queen, and obtained, through the conciliatory blandness of her manner, the influence which the Duchess was losing through her overbearing indiscretion. Of this new influence the political enemies of Marlborough craftily availed themselves. Matters soon came to a crisis. As Mistress of the Robes it was the duty of the Duchess of Marlborough to select the jewels for the

daily use of the Queen. Driving in state with the Queen to a public thanksgiving at St. Paul’s, she noticed that her orders had not been attended to, and forthwith abused the Queen in the most frightful

language. For once the Queen retorted. Both were still quarrelling when they entered the Church, but as they advanced the Duchess insolently turned on her royal mistress, telling her not to answer her, and to hold her tongue. About the same time she discovered the clan-

destine marriage of Abigail Hill with Mr., afterwards Lord Masham. Again the Queen, who had countenanced the marriage with her presence, came in for a fair share of abuse.

A desperate state of things went on at Court. for another five years, when at last the Tories obtained

the dismissal of Marlborough.

Marlborough behaved

with his usual serenity, but the Duchess went into

paroxysms of rage, smashed the portraits of the Queen, flung the golden key of her oflice on the-floor of her room, bidding anyone who chose to take it up and return it, tore down the brass looks from the

doors and marble chimney-pieces from the walls of the apartment she occupied in St. James’s Palace, and demanded from the Queen arrears of enormous sums,

to the payment of which she had long given up every claim. Deprived of their respective commands and offices, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough spent on the

Continent the few months which elapsed between their disgrace and the death of the Queen. This event occurred on the 1st of August, 1714.


(27) Britain.

The expansion of Scotland can best be

illustrated by a glance at its condition at the beginning of the eighteenth century.

The Highlands were almost wholly inaccessible to Il.

the traveller, and were for the most part traversed

The peasants lived in

IN 1707, whilst Marlborough was pursuing his vic-

only by rude horse-tracks.

torious career on the Continent, Queen Anne gave

cabins, with holes for chimneys.

her assent to a measure which (I may say without the

was held to be a contemptible occupation for a man.

slightest hesitation) has been the most beneficial one

Plunder was his passion and his trade. The field— work was done by women. The Chieftain lived in

any English Government ever passed. Well could Queen Anne say on signing the deed, ‘The union with Scotland is the happiness of my

reign.’ Instead of a divided kingdom it was henceforth the United Kingdom. The Queen of England

Manual labour

a fortified castle, from which he only issued to engage on predatory raids. By law he had a hereditary jurisdiction over his vassals, extending to capital

and Scotland became the Queen of Great Britain ; and

punishment. He had a regular executioner at his service, and promised any of his guests the pleasure

the English flag and the Scotch flag were merged in

of seeing anyone who had offended him hanging next

the Union Jack.

morning before his window, unless he preferred his

The scheme met with much opposition on the part of the Scotch. They feared that their small nationality would be absorbed in the larger one of the neighbouring kingdom. The deep hostility between the Scotch and the English, the difference in religion and in wealth, aggravated the difficulty. Instead of the political amalgamation and even

head as a memorial of his visit.

An English footman who had been lured to the Highlands by one of the Chieftains found that his return to freedom was hopeless. Men and boys were kidnapped and sold as slaves to American planters. The Lowlands were infested with bands driving

annihilation they feared, the Scotch derived such

away, or ‘lifting ’ the cattle, as it was then called. 0f the impotence of the law the career of Robert

benefits from the union, that now they may be

McGregor, the well-known ‘Rob Roy,’ affords a

allowed to claim a greater share of ministerial attention and representation in the Councils of Great

striking instance. For twenty years he carried on a private war


(27) Britain.

The expansion of Scotland can best be

illustrated by a glance at its condition at the beginning of the eighteenth century.

The Highlands were almost wholly inaccessible to Il.

the traveller, and were for the most part traversed

The peasants lived in

IN 1707, whilst Marlborough was pursuing his vic-

only by rude horse-tracks.

torious career on the Continent, Queen Anne gave

cabins, with holes for chimneys.

her assent to a measure which (I may say without the

was held to be a contemptible occupation for a man.

slightest hesitation) has been the most beneficial one

Plunder was his passion and his trade. The field— work was done by women. The Chieftain lived in

any English Government ever passed. Well could Queen Anne say on signing the deed, ‘The union with Scotland is the happiness of my

reign.’ Instead of a divided kingdom it was henceforth the United Kingdom. The Queen of England

Manual labour

a fortified castle, from which he only issued to engage on predatory raids. By law he had a hereditary jurisdiction over his vassals, extending to capital

and Scotland became the Queen of Great Britain ; and

punishment. He had a regular executioner at his service, and promised any of his guests the pleasure

the English flag and the Scotch flag were merged in

of seeing anyone who had offended him hanging next

the Union Jack.

morning before his window, unless he preferred his

The scheme met with much opposition on the part of the Scotch. They feared that their small nationality would be absorbed in the larger one of the neighbouring kingdom. The deep hostility between the Scotch and the English, the difference in religion and in wealth, aggravated the difficulty. Instead of the political amalgamation and even

head as a memorial of his visit.

An English footman who had been lured to the Highlands by one of the Chieftains found that his return to freedom was hopeless. Men and boys were kidnapped and sold as slaves to American planters. The Lowlands were infested with bands driving

annihilation they feared, the Scotch derived such

away, or ‘lifting ’ the cattle, as it was then called. 0f the impotence of the law the career of Robert

benefits from the union, that now they may be

McGregor, the well-known ‘Rob Roy,’ affords a

allowed to claim a greater share of ministerial attention and representation in the Councils of Great

striking instance. For twenty years he carried on a private war


<28)

(‘29)

with the Duke of Montrose, within twenty miles of two garrison towns, and without ever having been checked in his dcpredations, died peacefully in his bed at the good old age of eighty. Superstition almost took the place of religion

Church, but Scotland leapt from abject poverty and

Thus some of the clergy denounced the use of ‘fanners’ to winnow corn as impious, because by

riots and in rhymes.

them men raised an artificial breeze. Witchcraft was universally believed in, and hundreds of wretched females suffered with their lives. As late as 17 27 an old woman was burnt in a pitch-barrel. Nor did the towns enjoy a much better state of things than the country. lnverness consisted of about 500 thatched houses, with two churches. There

was no regular post between Inverness and Edinburgh, and what post there was was carried on foot. The first coach that ever appeared in its streets, Lord Seaforth’s, was in 1715.

The population of Edinburgh, which was then twice as large as any other Scotch town, amounted to

savage rudeness into undreamt-of prosperity and

culture.

That the Union at first pleased neither

Scotch nor English was to be anticipated.

The

displeasure of the Scotch found its expression in The Scotch sang—

‘ Farewell to our Scottish fame,

Farewell to our ancient glory, Farewell e’en to our Scottish name, So famed in martial glory.’

The English replied with a sneer at Queen Anne’s first speech from the throne—— ‘ The Queen has lately lost a part Of her entirely English heart; For want of which, by way of botch,

She pieced it up again with Scotch.’

The social condition of the England of Queen Anne presented strange contrasts; while retaining

some of the evil practices of the Middle Ages, it

30,000 inhabitants; that of Glasgow to 15,000, and

began to develope the refinement of modern days.

that of Greenock to about 1700. A mere comparison between the figures of that day with those of the

In the reign of Queen Anne the population of England and Wales was roughly estimated to be

present will be a sufficient indication of the change since the Union. England was strengthened by having a warm

under 7,000,000 against 24,000,000 in our own time. Of these 7,000,000 no less than 1,330,000 were

ally instead of a jealous neighbour, for she allowed

paupers, consequently one-fifth of its entire population was kept up at the expense of the country. In 1873

Scotland to retain her characteristics: her law and her

(I have not been able to obtain more recent statistics)


<28)

(‘29)

with the Duke of Montrose, within twenty miles of two garrison towns, and without ever having been checked in his dcpredations, died peacefully in his bed at the good old age of eighty. Superstition almost took the place of religion

Church, but Scotland leapt from abject poverty and

Thus some of the clergy denounced the use of ‘fanners’ to winnow corn as impious, because by

riots and in rhymes.

them men raised an artificial breeze. Witchcraft was universally believed in, and hundreds of wretched females suffered with their lives. As late as 17 27 an old woman was burnt in a pitch-barrel. Nor did the towns enjoy a much better state of things than the country. lnverness consisted of about 500 thatched houses, with two churches. There

was no regular post between Inverness and Edinburgh, and what post there was was carried on foot. The first coach that ever appeared in its streets, Lord Seaforth’s, was in 1715.

The population of Edinburgh, which was then twice as large as any other Scotch town, amounted to

savage rudeness into undreamt-of prosperity and

culture.

That the Union at first pleased neither

Scotch nor English was to be anticipated.

The

displeasure of the Scotch found its expression in The Scotch sang—

‘ Farewell to our Scottish fame,

Farewell to our ancient glory, Farewell e’en to our Scottish name, So famed in martial glory.’

The English replied with a sneer at Queen Anne’s first speech from the throne—— ‘ The Queen has lately lost a part Of her entirely English heart; For want of which, by way of botch,

She pieced it up again with Scotch.’

The social condition of the England of Queen Anne presented strange contrasts; while retaining

some of the evil practices of the Middle Ages, it

30,000 inhabitants; that of Glasgow to 15,000, and

began to develope the refinement of modern days.

that of Greenock to about 1700. A mere comparison between the figures of that day with those of the

In the reign of Queen Anne the population of England and Wales was roughly estimated to be

present will be a sufficient indication of the change since the Union. England was strengthened by having a warm

under 7,000,000 against 24,000,000 in our own time. Of these 7,000,000 no less than 1,330,000 were

ally instead of a jealous neighbour, for she allowed

paupers, consequently one-fifth of its entire population was kept up at the expense of the country. In 1873

Scotland to retain her characteristics: her law and her

(I have not been able to obtain more recent statistics)


(30)

<31)

there were in round numbers 890,000 paupers, con-

besides other conveniences and advantages, and ‘still

sequently one-twenty-seventh part of the population. Queen Anne’s paupers cost the country about 143.

he is not happy.7 It would be interesting if a thoroughly correct

a-head yearly. The paupers in 1873 cost the country Of course, you must take into account the

estimate of the alteration of the value of money within these two centuries could be arrived at, so that we

difference in the value of money; but this has not

could tell to what extent the price of a sheep, for

decreased at the same ratio as the cost of maintenance has increased.

One of the modes of dealing with the paupers in

instance, which then averaged seven shillings, stood in proportion with the present price of a sheep which now averages TN. 103., or the price of an OX

the time of Queen Anne was to press them into the military service.

which was then 2L against 23L at the present time. Of the arable land, which then bore a greater

This was an improvement on the time of Queen Elizabeth, when men who could not or would not work

proportion to the pasture land than it does at present, one-third was devoted to the cultivation of

were branded on the ear, and whipped at the cart’s tail;

barley.

or on the time of the Stuarts, when they were trans-

the accession of Queen Anne 12,400,000 barrels of beer were brewed in one year, which allows twelve quarts a—day for each man, woman, and child, whereas, taking the increase of the population into consideration, only one-sixth of a quart falls now to

14!. a-head.

ported to the English plantations beyond the seas. The pressgang had, however, the disadvantage of somewhat diserediting the military profession. ‘ To a cobbler’s awl or butcher’s knife, Or porter’s knot, commend me;

But from a soldier’s lazy life, Good heavens! pray defend me ;’

It has been calculated that shortly before

the share of each head. This is no proof, however, of an improvement in the sobriety of the nation, the consumption of beer

having been comparatively diminished by the insaid some contemporary lines, yet the English soldier then received 861. a-day, whereas the French soldier

received only 3d. a—day. I am told that our recruiting sergeants find some diflficulty in disposing of the Queen’s shilling; and yet a private now receives 18. 2d,

troduction of spirits.

It was only at the beginning

of the seventeenth century that spirits were manufactured in England on anything like an important scale. Distilleries soon increased at a fearful rate. From 2,000,000 of gallons that were distilled in 1714,


(30)

<31)

there were in round numbers 890,000 paupers, con-

besides other conveniences and advantages, and ‘still

sequently one-twenty-seventh part of the population. Queen Anne’s paupers cost the country about 143.

he is not happy.7 It would be interesting if a thoroughly correct

a-head yearly. The paupers in 1873 cost the country Of course, you must take into account the

estimate of the alteration of the value of money within these two centuries could be arrived at, so that we

difference in the value of money; but this has not

could tell to what extent the price of a sheep, for

decreased at the same ratio as the cost of maintenance has increased.

One of the modes of dealing with the paupers in

instance, which then averaged seven shillings, stood in proportion with the present price of a sheep which now averages TN. 103., or the price of an OX

the time of Queen Anne was to press them into the military service.

which was then 2L against 23L at the present time. Of the arable land, which then bore a greater

This was an improvement on the time of Queen Elizabeth, when men who could not or would not work

proportion to the pasture land than it does at present, one-third was devoted to the cultivation of

were branded on the ear, and whipped at the cart’s tail;

barley.

or on the time of the Stuarts, when they were trans-

the accession of Queen Anne 12,400,000 barrels of beer were brewed in one year, which allows twelve quarts a—day for each man, woman, and child, whereas, taking the increase of the population into consideration, only one-sixth of a quart falls now to

14!. a-head.

ported to the English plantations beyond the seas. The pressgang had, however, the disadvantage of somewhat diserediting the military profession. ‘ To a cobbler’s awl or butcher’s knife, Or porter’s knot, commend me;

But from a soldier’s lazy life, Good heavens! pray defend me ;’

It has been calculated that shortly before

the share of each head. This is no proof, however, of an improvement in the sobriety of the nation, the consumption of beer

having been comparatively diminished by the insaid some contemporary lines, yet the English soldier then received 861. a-day, whereas the French soldier

received only 3d. a—day. I am told that our recruiting sergeants find some diflficulty in disposing of the Queen’s shilling; and yet a private now receives 18. 2d,

troduction of spirits.

It was only at the beginning

of the seventeenth century that spirits were manufactured in England on anything like an important scale. Distilleries soon increased at a fearful rate. From 2,000,000 of gallons that were distilled in 1714,


(3?)

(33>

the year Queen Anne died, they rose in twenty years

amounted to 1,708,000, and in 1872 to 185,000,000 pounds.

to 5,394,000. A chronicler says that the English first learnt, in the wars in the Netherlands under Elizabeth, to drown themselves with immoderate drinking.

Whether the taste of drinking was indigenous or acquired, so much was certain that under Queen. Anne Cabinet Ministers were far from sober, and even came drunk into the presence of the Queen.

Lord Bolingbroke, a member of the Tory administration, was often found in the morning with a wet napkin bound round his forehead and his eyes to drive away the effects of his intemperance.

The intemperance of the subjects of Queen Anne was slight when compared with that of the subjects of her successors. This may partly be accounted for by the recent importation and increased consumption of tea, coffee, and chocolate.

One of the first cups of tea ever drunk in England was in the year 1661, by Pepys, who men— tions it as a ‘China drink,’ of which he had never drunk before.

Tea, it may be said, was pronounced ‘tay,’ as is shown by the following lines :— ‘ And Gentle Anna, Whom three realms obey, Does sometimes counsel take, and sometimes tay.’

There is no doubt that the introduction of tea, coffee, and chocolate, has been instrumental in im-

proving the social condition of the people; for the taste for these drinks led rapidly to the establishment of tea, coffee, and chocolate houses in London, where people of all classes met, conversed, and exchanged ideas. In the year 1708 there were in London alone no fewer than 3000 coffee-houses, of which the most famous one was VVhite’s Chocolate House ; since then it has become VVhite’s Club. As facilities for meeting increased, the taste for society increased, and drew people away from the country to the towns.

In the time of Queen Anne the population of London only represented a tenth of the population of the entire

About the same time the East India Company presented the King with two pounds of tea in the way of a choice gift.

kingdom ; now it represents as much as a sixth. Whether this great concentration of humanity is

I have no accurate statistics of the consumption of tea under Queen Anne; but about the year 1730 it

of Great Britain is another question, and one on which it is not my province to dilate.

advantageous or detrimental to the general interests


(3?)

(33>

the year Queen Anne died, they rose in twenty years

amounted to 1,708,000, and in 1872 to 185,000,000 pounds.

to 5,394,000. A chronicler says that the English first learnt, in the wars in the Netherlands under Elizabeth, to drown themselves with immoderate drinking.

Whether the taste of drinking was indigenous or acquired, so much was certain that under Queen. Anne Cabinet Ministers were far from sober, and even came drunk into the presence of the Queen.

Lord Bolingbroke, a member of the Tory administration, was often found in the morning with a wet napkin bound round his forehead and his eyes to drive away the effects of his intemperance.

The intemperance of the subjects of Queen Anne was slight when compared with that of the subjects of her successors. This may partly be accounted for by the recent importation and increased consumption of tea, coffee, and chocolate.

One of the first cups of tea ever drunk in England was in the year 1661, by Pepys, who men— tions it as a ‘China drink,’ of which he had never drunk before.

Tea, it may be said, was pronounced ‘tay,’ as is shown by the following lines :— ‘ And Gentle Anna, Whom three realms obey, Does sometimes counsel take, and sometimes tay.’

There is no doubt that the introduction of tea, coffee, and chocolate, has been instrumental in im-

proving the social condition of the people; for the taste for these drinks led rapidly to the establishment of tea, coffee, and chocolate houses in London, where people of all classes met, conversed, and exchanged ideas. In the year 1708 there were in London alone no fewer than 3000 coffee-houses, of which the most famous one was VVhite’s Chocolate House ; since then it has become VVhite’s Club. As facilities for meeting increased, the taste for society increased, and drew people away from the country to the towns.

In the time of Queen Anne the population of London only represented a tenth of the population of the entire

About the same time the East India Company presented the King with two pounds of tea in the way of a choice gift.

kingdom ; now it represents as much as a sixth. Whether this great concentration of humanity is

I have no accurate statistics of the consumption of tea under Queen Anne; but about the year 1730 it

of Great Britain is another question, and one on which it is not my province to dilate.

advantageous or detrimental to the general interests


(34) London, in the time of Queen Anne, though almost a village compared with the London of to-

day, was already characterised by many of the anomalies which we still deplore. The metropolis then consisted of the city of Westminster and Blooms— bury. Houses went down the northern side of Piccadilly; Bond Street was only partially built; Hack— ney, Marylebone, Islington, Chelsea, and Kensing-

ton, were rural Villages. London Bridge was the only bridge across the Thames. Pall Mall was a fashionable promenade, where smock-racing by women

(35) having been previously exhibited for money by the turnkeys. During the twelve years of the reign of Queen Anne, 242 malefactors were hanged within the juris-

diction of the city of London alone. Hanging was not the only mode of capital punishment.

Women who were found guilty of murdering

their husbands were publicly burned ; men who were convicted of high treason were cut down when half hung, and then disembowelled, and those who refused

to plead guilty to a capital charge were laid on their

much to demoralise the neighbourhood, which was

backs while heavy weights were placed 011 their breasts which slowly pressed them to death. The management of the prisons was not more commendable. Prisoners for debt were left manaeled in nauseous dungeons. Cases were proved of debtors

infested by thieves, as the passage of the frequent

who, being unable to pay their gaol-fees, were locked

executions which attracted crowds of ruffians. These executions, which were held at Tyburn,

up with prisoners suffering from small-pox; women

were left without beds, and perished from want of

near the present site of the Marble Arch, were one of the chief amusements of the mob, they gave rise to revolting practices, and had the most brutalising

proper nourishment. In most large prisons the gaol fever made fearful ravages. In one year the disease raged to such an

results. Criminals were driven through the street dressed in their best clothes, some with white gloves and nosegays. In order to die like a gentleman, as they called it, they fortified themselves with brandy, and often

extent, that at the Old Bailey Assizes two Judges,

might be seen as late as the year 1733. On the present site of Curzon Street May fair was annually celebrated. It lasted six weeks, and did as

staggered to the gallows in a state of intoxication,

the Lord Mayor, and an Alderman, were among its victims. It was not until 1727 that a member of

the House of Commons, named Oglethorpe, obtained a Parliamentary inquiry into the condition of the prisons.


(34) London, in the time of Queen Anne, though almost a village compared with the London of to-

day, was already characterised by many of the anomalies which we still deplore. The metropolis then consisted of the city of Westminster and Blooms— bury. Houses went down the northern side of Piccadilly; Bond Street was only partially built; Hack— ney, Marylebone, Islington, Chelsea, and Kensing-

ton, were rural Villages. London Bridge was the only bridge across the Thames. Pall Mall was a fashionable promenade, where smock-racing by women

(35) having been previously exhibited for money by the turnkeys. During the twelve years of the reign of Queen Anne, 242 malefactors were hanged within the juris-

diction of the city of London alone. Hanging was not the only mode of capital punishment.

Women who were found guilty of murdering

their husbands were publicly burned ; men who were convicted of high treason were cut down when half hung, and then disembowelled, and those who refused

to plead guilty to a capital charge were laid on their

much to demoralise the neighbourhood, which was

backs while heavy weights were placed 011 their breasts which slowly pressed them to death. The management of the prisons was not more commendable. Prisoners for debt were left manaeled in nauseous dungeons. Cases were proved of debtors

infested by thieves, as the passage of the frequent

who, being unable to pay their gaol-fees, were locked

executions which attracted crowds of ruffians. These executions, which were held at Tyburn,

up with prisoners suffering from small-pox; women

were left without beds, and perished from want of

near the present site of the Marble Arch, were one of the chief amusements of the mob, they gave rise to revolting practices, and had the most brutalising

proper nourishment. In most large prisons the gaol fever made fearful ravages. In one year the disease raged to such an

results. Criminals were driven through the street dressed in their best clothes, some with white gloves and nosegays. In order to die like a gentleman, as they called it, they fortified themselves with brandy, and often

extent, that at the Old Bailey Assizes two Judges,

might be seen as late as the year 1733. On the present site of Curzon Street May fair was annually celebrated. It lasted six weeks, and did as

staggered to the gallows in a state of intoxication,

the Lord Mayor, and an Alderman, were among its victims. It was not until 1727 that a member of

the House of Commons, named Oglethorpe, obtained a Parliamentary inquiry into the condition of the prisons.


(36)

( 37 )

The amusements of the lower orders were not

In these ill-lit and ill-guarded streets a gang of young men, who were partly recruited from the higher classes, assumed the name of ‘ Mohawks ’ (amongst them were the son of a bishop and a baronet), and committed, in the year 1712, outrages that can hardly be realised. One of their amusements, called ‘Tipping the Lion,’ was to squeeze the nose of their

confined to the sight of executions. Bear-baiting had gone out of fashion ; but bull-baiting was performed twice a-week in London. At Stamford a maddened bull was hunted annually through the streets. Hunting ducks in ponds with a door or tying an owl to the back of a duck, which dived with terror till one or both were drowned. 07

victim flat on his face, and to bore out his eyes with their fingers.

Cock-throwing, which consisted in tying a cock to a stake, and throwing sticks at it till it was

Some of them called themselves the ‘Dancmg-

killed, something after the manner of our ‘Aunt

masters,’ from their skill in making men caper by thrusting swords into their legs ; others, the ‘Tum—

Sally,’ were the usual pastimes of the London roughs. Prize-fighting was not confined to men, for women indulged in boxing-matches. Cock—fighting was a

blers,’ who set women on their heads and ill-treated

them. When we hear of these practices we feel inclined to sympathise with the harmless proclivities of

gentlemanlike sport. It was introduced into Scotland by a fencingmaster named Mackrie, who was looked upon as a

our ‘ Mashers.’ It would be a mistake, however, to estimate the general tone of society from these instances. The sense of honour, little as it may harmonise

benefactor for having started a new, cheap, and innocent amusement.

German cocks were considered the

with our present ideas, found its expression in innumerable duels. Many a gallant life was unfor-

best. The want of proper lighting in the streets was one of the chief causes of their insecurity, and the disgraceful habits of the people. Lighting was done

tunately sacrificed to a petty quarrel.

A famous encounter took place in Hyde Park in 1712 between the Duke of Hamilton and Lord Mohun,

by contractors, who agreed to pay the city 600l. They were bound to place

a light before every tenth house, then only till midnight, and on the nights only when there was no 1110011.

«— sun.»

a-year for the monopoly.

who had opposed each other in a lawsuit. The Duke killed his adversary, and dropped mortally wounded himself on his antagonist, whose second, General Macartney, was afterwards accused of having treache-

rously stabbed him to death.


(36)

( 37 )

The amusements of the lower orders were not

In these ill-lit and ill-guarded streets a gang of young men, who were partly recruited from the higher classes, assumed the name of ‘ Mohawks ’ (amongst them were the son of a bishop and a baronet), and committed, in the year 1712, outrages that can hardly be realised. One of their amusements, called ‘Tipping the Lion,’ was to squeeze the nose of their

confined to the sight of executions. Bear-baiting had gone out of fashion ; but bull-baiting was performed twice a-week in London. At Stamford a maddened bull was hunted annually through the streets. Hunting ducks in ponds with a door or tying an owl to the back of a duck, which dived with terror till one or both were drowned. 07

victim flat on his face, and to bore out his eyes with their fingers.

Cock-throwing, which consisted in tying a cock to a stake, and throwing sticks at it till it was

Some of them called themselves the ‘Dancmg-

killed, something after the manner of our ‘Aunt

masters,’ from their skill in making men caper by thrusting swords into their legs ; others, the ‘Tum—

Sally,’ were the usual pastimes of the London roughs. Prize-fighting was not confined to men, for women indulged in boxing-matches. Cock—fighting was a

blers,’ who set women on their heads and ill-treated

them. When we hear of these practices we feel inclined to sympathise with the harmless proclivities of

gentlemanlike sport. It was introduced into Scotland by a fencingmaster named Mackrie, who was looked upon as a

our ‘ Mashers.’ It would be a mistake, however, to estimate the general tone of society from these instances. The sense of honour, little as it may harmonise

benefactor for having started a new, cheap, and innocent amusement.

German cocks were considered the

with our present ideas, found its expression in innumerable duels. Many a gallant life was unfor-

best. The want of proper lighting in the streets was one of the chief causes of their insecurity, and the disgraceful habits of the people. Lighting was done

tunately sacrificed to a petty quarrel.

A famous encounter took place in Hyde Park in 1712 between the Duke of Hamilton and Lord Mohun,

by contractors, who agreed to pay the city 600l. They were bound to place

a light before every tenth house, then only till midnight, and on the nights only when there was no 1110011.

«— sun.»

a-year for the monopoly.

who had opposed each other in a lawsuit. The Duke killed his adversary, and dropped mortally wounded himself on his antagonist, whose second, General Macartney, was afterwards accused of having treache-

rously stabbed him to death.


(38) Though the manners of the upper classes still

flavoured of the grossness of former centuries, yet

(39) works of art we know from the sales which now delight our collectors. Their ornaments consisted

the general tendency to progress was rapidly striding forward. The contact with France, and the increasing facilities for communication with the Continent, led to hitherto unknown refinements.

chiefly of Oriental china, which was brought to England by the East India Company. The notion of domestic comfort had not reached the pitch of the

300,000 Protestant re-

comfort was bestowed. Once at a lottery a bed was raffled on which 3000!. had been expended. Need I mention that

Between 200,000

and

fugees, whom the fanaticism of the King of France had banished from his country, imported their taste with their industry.

i

The present silk-weavers of Spitalfields are the

The first descendants of some of the refugees. lecturer on anatomy in London was a French refugee. These Frenchmen introduced also into England

the habit of taking snuff, which some ladies adopted in preference to smoking apipe. The more effeminate portion of the fashionable young men took to using muffs.

The contact with Holland introduced the love of gardening and flowers ; the greenhouses of Blenheim were celebrated.

The newspaper, The Garden, only told us the other day that the Duchess of Marlborough had a partiality for carnations, and that she used them for borders to her flower—beds.

That the apartments of the rich were filling with

present day, unless we except the stately four-poster, on which, however, perhaps more luxury than

craze of modern times, Queen Anne’s plate ? It is a matter of surprise that it should be so scarce considering the amount that was made, as even ordinary taverns had silver tankards.

Equal luxury was bestowed on the coaches. It was not thought surprising that an ambassador, as the Venetian ambassador did, should on state occasions use no less than ten huge coaches,

two of which had eight horses, and eight six horses each, attended by forty—eight footmen and twentyfour gentlemen and pages on horseback. The number of these servants may appear less remarkable when we hear that a footman’s wages were 6l. a-year, and that negro slaves were used in some establishments as servants. Coaches, however, were more used by men than by ladies, who preferred the Sedan chair, thus named after the town of Sedan, where they were invented.


(38) Though the manners of the upper classes still

flavoured of the grossness of former centuries, yet

(39) works of art we know from the sales which now delight our collectors. Their ornaments consisted

the general tendency to progress was rapidly striding forward. The contact with France, and the increasing facilities for communication with the Continent, led to hitherto unknown refinements.

chiefly of Oriental china, which was brought to England by the East India Company. The notion of domestic comfort had not reached the pitch of the

300,000 Protestant re-

comfort was bestowed. Once at a lottery a bed was raffled on which 3000!. had been expended. Need I mention that

Between 200,000

and

fugees, whom the fanaticism of the King of France had banished from his country, imported their taste with their industry.

i

The present silk-weavers of Spitalfields are the

The first descendants of some of the refugees. lecturer on anatomy in London was a French refugee. These Frenchmen introduced also into England

the habit of taking snuff, which some ladies adopted in preference to smoking apipe. The more effeminate portion of the fashionable young men took to using muffs.

The contact with Holland introduced the love of gardening and flowers ; the greenhouses of Blenheim were celebrated.

The newspaper, The Garden, only told us the other day that the Duchess of Marlborough had a partiality for carnations, and that she used them for borders to her flower—beds.

That the apartments of the rich were filling with

present day, unless we except the stately four-poster, on which, however, perhaps more luxury than

craze of modern times, Queen Anne’s plate ? It is a matter of surprise that it should be so scarce considering the amount that was made, as even ordinary taverns had silver tankards.

Equal luxury was bestowed on the coaches. It was not thought surprising that an ambassador, as the Venetian ambassador did, should on state occasions use no less than ten huge coaches,

two of which had eight horses, and eight six horses each, attended by forty—eight footmen and twentyfour gentlemen and pages on horseback. The number of these servants may appear less remarkable when we hear that a footman’s wages were 6l. a-year, and that negro slaves were used in some establishments as servants. Coaches, however, were more used by men than by ladies, who preferred the Sedan chair, thus named after the town of Sedan, where they were invented.


In the year 1711 there were 200 public Sedan chairs licensed at 108. each. The adornment of the

private ones indicated the wealth of the owner. Probably none could rival the one presented by Queen Anne to the King of Prussia, and which was valued at 8000!.

Ladies rode little, and when they did they preferred the pillion to the side—saddle, holding on by the belt of a cavalier or groom. That the public resorted to sports of a questionable character is not to be wondered at, considering that sight—seeing did not exist.

There were no public galleries, museums, or places of instruction and recreation. In the Tower of London only there was a collection of arms and curiosities, combined with a show of wild beasts, which attracted occasional visitors.

The term ‘lionizing’ has sprung from the fact of

the people going to see the lions in the Tower.

Yet

it is to the time of Queen Anne that we must be grateful for the establishment of the British Museum.

deposited at Montague House, they formed the nucleus of the British Museum. The growing population of London, the growing wealth of the upper‘classes, the growing taste for art, that began to be manifested, found their highest expression in the architectural progress of the day, to this the recent revival of what is termed Queen

Anne’s architecture bears witness. If Sir Christopher Wren had built nothing else but St. Paul’s Cathedral, his claim to immortality would have been sufficient; but we owe to him the Monument, Greenwich and Chelsea Hospitals, the

Library of Trinity College, Cambridge, besides a large number of other edifices. Most of our noted country-houses, Blenheim

included, were built by Van Ambrugh. On his merits, however, the opinion of his contemporaries was divided, as is recorded by a facetious epitaph of the day :— ‘Lie heavy on him, earth, for he

Layed many a heavy load on thee.’

Sir Hans Sloane, a famous physician of the day, after whom Sloane Square is named, to whom its site

then belonged and from whom it passed, through

Together with the taste of architecture the taste for music developed, and spread its humanising

marriage, to the Cadogan family, collected during his travels in the West Indies tropical fauna, as well as other curiosities.

influence. The mere fact that in 1710 Handel arrived and was welcomed in England, and that his sublime compositions, ‘Judas Maccabeus,’ the

These he left to the nation, and after having been

‘Messiah,’ and ‘Samson,’ were performed before and


In the year 1711 there were 200 public Sedan chairs licensed at 108. each. The adornment of the

private ones indicated the wealth of the owner. Probably none could rival the one presented by Queen Anne to the King of Prussia, and which was valued at 8000!.

Ladies rode little, and when they did they preferred the pillion to the side—saddle, holding on by the belt of a cavalier or groom. That the public resorted to sports of a questionable character is not to be wondered at, considering that sight—seeing did not exist.

There were no public galleries, museums, or places of instruction and recreation. In the Tower of London only there was a collection of arms and curiosities, combined with a show of wild beasts, which attracted occasional visitors.

The term ‘lionizing’ has sprung from the fact of

the people going to see the lions in the Tower.

Yet

it is to the time of Queen Anne that we must be grateful for the establishment of the British Museum.

deposited at Montague House, they formed the nucleus of the British Museum. The growing population of London, the growing wealth of the upper‘classes, the growing taste for art, that began to be manifested, found their highest expression in the architectural progress of the day, to this the recent revival of what is termed Queen

Anne’s architecture bears witness. If Sir Christopher Wren had built nothing else but St. Paul’s Cathedral, his claim to immortality would have been sufficient; but we owe to him the Monument, Greenwich and Chelsea Hospitals, the

Library of Trinity College, Cambridge, besides a large number of other edifices. Most of our noted country-houses, Blenheim

included, were built by Van Ambrugh. On his merits, however, the opinion of his contemporaries was divided, as is recorded by a facetious epitaph of the day :— ‘Lie heavy on him, earth, for he

Layed many a heavy load on thee.’

Sir Hans Sloane, a famous physician of the day, after whom Sloane Square is named, to whom its site

then belonged and from whom it passed, through

Together with the taste of architecture the taste for music developed, and spread its humanising

marriage, to the Cadogan family, collected during his travels in the West Indies tropical fauna, as well as other curiosities.

influence. The mere fact that in 1710 Handel arrived and was welcomed in England, and that his sublime compositions, ‘Judas Maccabeus,’ the

These he left to the nation, and after having been

‘Messiah,’ and ‘Samson,’ were performed before and


(4‘3) religiously listened to by an English public, claim our respect for the cultivated feelings of the period. Handel, however, suffered much from the rivalry of an Italian artist called Bononcini, whose name might have sunk into oblivion had it not been

Ill. I'am afraid that I have unduly trespassed on your time and on your indulgence, but it would be ungrateful on my part not to remember that I owe the

‘ Some say that Signor Bononeini

. g"

for the spirit of opposition which inspired the following doggerel rhyme :—

Compared to Handel is a ninny ;

privilege of addressing you to an invitation from members of a literary institute and a printers’ association. I therefore beg leave to conclude this lecture

Others aver that to him Handel

with a few remarks which may, perhaps, more directly Is scarcely fit to hold a candle.

affect the literary elements of my audience.

Strange that such a difference should be

v‘.““‘7.- Mann... ,4

’Twixt Tweedle-dum and Tweedle—dee.’

It is to them——I mean it is to the joint efforts of authors and compositors—to their combination of genius and labour, that the world is indebted for its intellectual sustenance and progress.

To them I

would point out that in the whole course of the history of England there has been no more magnifi-

cent display of literary talent, no greater progress of intellectual expansion than during the reign of Queen Anne. Poets and numbers of prose writers, arose whose powerful productions positively regenerated their countrymen. The profligacy and the bigotry of the Stuarts had ruined the taste of the public, destroyed the morals of Society, and unsettled the Constitution. It has been the glorious destiny of men of letters, under Queen Anne, to reconcile the antagonists,


(4‘3) religiously listened to by an English public, claim our respect for the cultivated feelings of the period. Handel, however, suffered much from the rivalry of an Italian artist called Bononcini, whose name might have sunk into oblivion had it not been

Ill. I'am afraid that I have unduly trespassed on your time and on your indulgence, but it would be ungrateful on my part not to remember that I owe the

‘ Some say that Signor Bononeini

. g"

for the spirit of opposition which inspired the following doggerel rhyme :—

Compared to Handel is a ninny ;

privilege of addressing you to an invitation from members of a literary institute and a printers’ association. I therefore beg leave to conclude this lecture

Others aver that to him Handel

with a few remarks which may, perhaps, more directly Is scarcely fit to hold a candle.

affect the literary elements of my audience.

Strange that such a difference should be

v‘.““‘7.- Mann... ,4

’Twixt Tweedle-dum and Tweedle—dee.’

It is to them——I mean it is to the joint efforts of authors and compositors—to their combination of genius and labour, that the world is indebted for its intellectual sustenance and progress.

To them I

would point out that in the whole course of the history of England there has been no more magnifi-

cent display of literary talent, no greater progress of intellectual expansion than during the reign of Queen Anne. Poets and numbers of prose writers, arose whose powerful productions positively regenerated their countrymen. The profligacy and the bigotry of the Stuarts had ruined the taste of the public, destroyed the morals of Society, and unsettled the Constitution. It has been the glorious destiny of men of letters, under Queen Anne, to reconcile the antagonists,


( 44 ) principles of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, and establish a code of humane and moral principles on the basis of public opinion. Certainly meteors such as Shakespeare, Milton,

and Bunyan, had previously flashed across the literary horizon, but their luminous track was ob-

scured in the depraved atmosphere of the Restoration. The taste of the public can be gauged by the fact, that at the end of a tragedy a lovely and popular

actress, Nell Gwynn (of whom I may incidentally mention that she resided at Tring Park), after having been left for dead on the stage, and as she was going to be removed, rose and exclaimed :— ‘ Hold! are you mad, you damned confounded dog ? I am to rise and speak the epilogue.’

The public under Queen Anne condemned these

incongruities and revived the Shakespearian drama;

would derive by attracting to themselves the services of the ablest writers of the day, and securing the

weight of their talent in their electioneering and debating controversies.

Thus it was that reforms

sprung out of the growing tendency to democracy, and the growing importance of parliamentary debates and party struggles. The union of political leaders with men of letters, which soon led to an enormous increase of literary productions, was cemented by the formation of political clubs.

Social clubs were not altogether unknown. They had their origin in convivial meetings. To associate on terms of perfect equality, friends clubbed together, and divided the expenses of the entertainment ; hence the term club. Out of these convivial meetings the political club was formed, which became chiefly instru-

but that more stringent reforms were needed was evident. The source alone from which these sprung is a matter of surprise.

mental in extending the organization of public opinion.

In the early days of Queen Anne, the only centres

Tonson, who enlisted among its members thirty—nine leading men of the Whig party, some of whom were of the highest rank. They assembled at a pastrycook’s, Christopher Catt’s, who gave his name to the Society, and its mutton cutlets, which were its ordinary

of Society were the Court and the aristocracy.

Newspapers, in the modern sense of the word, hardly existed; on the other hand, political parties

began to assume the shape they have since virtually retained, and political influence and political power began to be considered the highest objects of personal

ambition.

Party leaders saw the advantage they

Foremost among these institutions was the ‘Kit Cat’ Club. It was founded by a bookseller, Jacob

entertainment. For us the most important of its mem-

bers was Joseph Addison, who through his literary merits and industry rose from the precincts of his


( 44 ) principles of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, and establish a code of humane and moral principles on the basis of public opinion. Certainly meteors such as Shakespeare, Milton,

and Bunyan, had previously flashed across the literary horizon, but their luminous track was ob-

scured in the depraved atmosphere of the Restoration. The taste of the public can be gauged by the fact, that at the end of a tragedy a lovely and popular

actress, Nell Gwynn (of whom I may incidentally mention that she resided at Tring Park), after having been left for dead on the stage, and as she was going to be removed, rose and exclaimed :— ‘ Hold! are you mad, you damned confounded dog ? I am to rise and speak the epilogue.’

The public under Queen Anne condemned these

incongruities and revived the Shakespearian drama;

would derive by attracting to themselves the services of the ablest writers of the day, and securing the

weight of their talent in their electioneering and debating controversies.

Thus it was that reforms

sprung out of the growing tendency to democracy, and the growing importance of parliamentary debates and party struggles. The union of political leaders with men of letters, which soon led to an enormous increase of literary productions, was cemented by the formation of political clubs.

Social clubs were not altogether unknown. They had their origin in convivial meetings. To associate on terms of perfect equality, friends clubbed together, and divided the expenses of the entertainment ; hence the term club. Out of these convivial meetings the political club was formed, which became chiefly instru-

but that more stringent reforms were needed was evident. The source alone from which these sprung is a matter of surprise.

mental in extending the organization of public opinion.

In the early days of Queen Anne, the only centres

Tonson, who enlisted among its members thirty—nine leading men of the Whig party, some of whom were of the highest rank. They assembled at a pastrycook’s, Christopher Catt’s, who gave his name to the Society, and its mutton cutlets, which were its ordinary

of Society were the Court and the aristocracy.

Newspapers, in the modern sense of the word, hardly existed; on the other hand, political parties

began to assume the shape they have since virtually retained, and political influence and political power began to be considered the highest objects of personal

ambition.

Party leaders saw the advantage they

Foremost among these institutions was the ‘Kit Cat’ Club. It was founded by a bookseller, Jacob

entertainment. For us the most important of its mem-

bers was Joseph Addison, who through his literary merits and industry rose from the precincts of his


(47>

(46) father’s parsonage at Milstone, in Wiltshire, to occupy a seat in the Council Chamber of Great Britain.

ture. In opposition to Swift, who placed his pungent wit and incisive satire at the disposal of the Tories,

In conjunction with another literary man, Richard Steele, Addison edited two periodicals, the Tailor and the Spectator, the daily sale of which soon amounted to the then enormous number of 14,000 copies.

Defoe deluged the country with pamphlets in favour of the Whigs, and found his new pursuit more profitable than his commercial speculations, but not much safer. His sarcastic humour led him to the

Addison’s articles not only formed the modern Eng-

pillory and renewed imprisonment.

lish language, but established a national standard of conduct in manners and morals, in art and literature, and created an organized public opinion.

As Addison and Steele are to be looked upon as the progenitors of the modern newspaper and magazine, Swift and Defoe are to be considered, the one

the father of the political pamphlet, and the other the creator of the modern novel.

Both, even more than

At the age of sixty he wrote Robinson Crusoe;

it is founded on the adventures of a seaman who had been abandoned on an island in the West Indies in punishment for some crime. Need I refer to the adventures of Robinson Crusoe—to his domestic pets,

to his meeting with Friday, to his ultimate escape? Need I enlarge on the charms of a book that to its author brought fame and prosperity, and to endless

Addison, owed their rise to the patronage of party

generations affords unceasing delight?

leaders, to the interest they took in party struggles, and to their own personal influence in consequence. The chequered career of Defoe might be taken for

I must still be allowed to refer to Pope, the chief intellectual link between the age of Queen Anne and our own. His brilliant poems, ‘The Rape of the Lock’ and the ‘ Dunciad,’ strike home as much now as they

a work of fiction. ‘ N0 man had tasted different fortunes more,

For thirteen times have I been rich and poor ;’

did then. The first of these two poems, which is founded on the fact of Lord Petre having stolen a

he says of himself. The son of a butcher, he began life as

lock of hair of Miss Fermor, is a satire on feminine

a hosier ; failing soon afterwards, he started as a tile-

frivolity.

manufacturer, and having failed again he suffered imprisonment. Being a Dissenter, his sympathies were

characterised women as

In a previous essay he had already

‘ Matters too soft a lasting mark to bear,

And best distinguished by black, brown, or fair.’

with the Whigs, of whom the Dissenters formed a group. By them he was driven into politics and litera-

In the ‘Dunciad,’ which is a satire on the bad


(47>

(46) father’s parsonage at Milstone, in Wiltshire, to occupy a seat in the Council Chamber of Great Britain.

ture. In opposition to Swift, who placed his pungent wit and incisive satire at the disposal of the Tories,

In conjunction with another literary man, Richard Steele, Addison edited two periodicals, the Tailor and the Spectator, the daily sale of which soon amounted to the then enormous number of 14,000 copies.

Defoe deluged the country with pamphlets in favour of the Whigs, and found his new pursuit more profitable than his commercial speculations, but not much safer. His sarcastic humour led him to the

Addison’s articles not only formed the modern Eng-

pillory and renewed imprisonment.

lish language, but established a national standard of conduct in manners and morals, in art and literature, and created an organized public opinion.

As Addison and Steele are to be looked upon as the progenitors of the modern newspaper and magazine, Swift and Defoe are to be considered, the one

the father of the political pamphlet, and the other the creator of the modern novel.

Both, even more than

At the age of sixty he wrote Robinson Crusoe;

it is founded on the adventures of a seaman who had been abandoned on an island in the West Indies in punishment for some crime. Need I refer to the adventures of Robinson Crusoe—to his domestic pets,

to his meeting with Friday, to his ultimate escape? Need I enlarge on the charms of a book that to its author brought fame and prosperity, and to endless

Addison, owed their rise to the patronage of party

generations affords unceasing delight?

leaders, to the interest they took in party struggles, and to their own personal influence in consequence. The chequered career of Defoe might be taken for

I must still be allowed to refer to Pope, the chief intellectual link between the age of Queen Anne and our own. His brilliant poems, ‘The Rape of the Lock’ and the ‘ Dunciad,’ strike home as much now as they

a work of fiction. ‘ N0 man had tasted different fortunes more,

For thirteen times have I been rich and poor ;’

did then. The first of these two poems, which is founded on the fact of Lord Petre having stolen a

he says of himself. The son of a butcher, he began life as

lock of hair of Miss Fermor, is a satire on feminine

a hosier ; failing soon afterwards, he started as a tile-

frivolity.

manufacturer, and having failed again he suffered imprisonment. Being a Dissenter, his sympathies were

characterised women as

In a previous essay he had already

‘ Matters too soft a lasting mark to bear,

And best distinguished by black, brown, or fair.’

with the Whigs, of whom the Dissenters formed a group. By them he was driven into politics and litera-

In the ‘Dunciad,’ which is a satire on the bad


(48) authors of the day, he came forward as the champion of wit against dullness, and thus created the word

‘ Dunce.’

A martyr to physical infirmities, sensitive

and irritable, Pope spent the last twenty-five years of his life at a villa near Twickenham, which still bears

his name. There he produced creations that made him

and independent author, he associated with the wits, the beauties, and the statesmen whose memories hallow the rural shades of suburban London.

And round Addison and Pope, round Swift and Defoe, were grouped a host of writers of considerable importance, who glorified the person and the reign of Queen Anne. They divined the necessity of giving a specific form to the growing demand for public information, and thereby elevated the standard of

mental culture and the tone of public morality. And not the least amongst the imperishable records of their merits is that as they thought and as they

worked, they prepared the ground for that stupendous growth of modern days, the Press. AYLESBURY LITERARY INSTITUTE,

May 6th, 1884.

LONDON Printed by Srmxanwns «k Sous, Tower Street, Upper St, Martin's Lima.

7" «qr

THE YOUNG PRETENDER.

y

the acknowledged head of the poetical world of the day, and whose vigour and spirit will remain eternally fresh. There, unmoved by political strife, an impartial

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THE practical and levelling progress of our age has been so rapid, and the social and political order of our country has been established on such solid foundations, that some comparatively recent pages of our history read almost like fiction. In the middle of the last century an episode occurred which convulsed Scotland, and threatened the se— curity of England, an episode of mingled heroism and folly, of romantic glamour at its outset and cruel deception at its close, and which for these striking contrasts, as well as for the moral the tale conveys, I will endeavour to delineate. I We are told that the sins of parents are visited on their children, and no more forcible illustration of this warning was ever afforded than by the annals of the Royal House of Stuart.

We should be retracing our steps too far were we to follow the varied fortunes of the sovereigns of B


(48) authors of the day, he came forward as the champion of wit against dullness, and thus created the word

‘ Dunce.’

A martyr to physical infirmities, sensitive

and irritable, Pope spent the last twenty-five years of his life at a villa near Twickenham, which still bears

his name. There he produced creations that made him

and independent author, he associated with the wits, the beauties, and the statesmen whose memories hallow the rural shades of suburban London.

And round Addison and Pope, round Swift and Defoe, were grouped a host of writers of considerable importance, who glorified the person and the reign of Queen Anne. They divined the necessity of giving a specific form to the growing demand for public information, and thereby elevated the standard of

mental culture and the tone of public morality. And not the least amongst the imperishable records of their merits is that as they thought and as they

worked, they prepared the ground for that stupendous growth of modern days, the Press. AYLESBURY LITERARY INSTITUTE,

May 6th, 1884.

LONDON Printed by Srmxanwns «k Sous, Tower Street, Upper St, Martin's Lima.

7" «qr

THE YOUNG PRETENDER.

y

the acknowledged head of the poetical world of the day, and whose vigour and spirit will remain eternally fresh. There, unmoved by political strife, an impartial

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THE practical and levelling progress of our age has been so rapid, and the social and political order of our country has been established on such solid foundations, that some comparatively recent pages of our history read almost like fiction. In the middle of the last century an episode occurred which convulsed Scotland, and threatened the se— curity of England, an episode of mingled heroism and folly, of romantic glamour at its outset and cruel deception at its close, and which for these striking contrasts, as well as for the moral the tale conveys, I will endeavour to delineate. I We are told that the sins of parents are visited on their children, and no more forcible illustration of this warning was ever afforded than by the annals of the Royal House of Stuart.

We should be retracing our steps too far were we to follow the varied fortunes of the sovereigns of B


(2)

(3)

this race, but it may be expedient to refer to the

people readily conformed to the rule of George 1., not from any personal affection for a prince they had never seen, and who never attempted to in— gratiate himself with his subjects, but because he upheld that social order and Protestant ascendancy which the Stuarts had systematically violated. In the early days of June 1727 George II. was apprised by Sir Robert Walpole of his father’s death. The King received the minister’s announce— ment with the gracious words, ‘Dat is one big lie!’ It was to be expected that at the prosaic court of this king, who throughout a period of thirty—three years remained German to the backbone, lavished attentions and dignities on German

Revolution of 1688, which drove James II. from his

throne and his country.

A bigoted adherent to the

Roman Catholic faith, narrow-minded and obstinate,

James II., assuming that he reigned by divine right and that his royal prerogative was unlimited, had

exercised a contemptuous disregard for the religious and civil liberties of his subjects. But Parliament, by transferring the crown from him and his male descendants to his Protestant daughters Mary and Anne, and after Queen Anne’s death, in 1714, to their kinsman, the Elector of Hanover, and by de—

creeing that none but a Protestant prince could reign in England, secured the nation from the des— potic pretensions of an autocrat. The Stuarts, however, refused to acknowledge the verdict of the

favourites, and maintained a Whig Government permanently in power, there should have been not

country. James II. died in France in 1701, a victim

only discontented courtiers, but also ambitious poli—

to his errors, albeit a martyr to his faith.

ticians, who longed for a return of the Stuart Pre— tender as a means of advancement, or used his name

His son,

known in history as the Old Pretender and the Chevalier de St. George, had settled in Rome.

the throne, called himself James III. of England,

as a pretext for their intrigues. The two great political parties, Whigs and Tories, were steadily growing into shape, and while the principles of the former were bound up with

and, aided by the Jacobites, as the adherents to his cause were styled, fostered in 1715 an ineffectual movement in Scotland to regain his inheritance.

the Protestant succession of the Georges, the Tories, at least for party purposes, lent their moral, if not much material aid, to the Stuarts. It

The nation, however, was weary of revolution,

must be remembered that the population of the country was still limited. In England it only

Countenanced by the King of France and the Pope,

he based on his notion of divine right his claims to

disorder, and change, and the mass of the English


(2)

(3)

this race, but it may be expedient to refer to the

people readily conformed to the rule of George 1., not from any personal affection for a prince they had never seen, and who never attempted to in— gratiate himself with his subjects, but because he upheld that social order and Protestant ascendancy which the Stuarts had systematically violated. In the early days of June 1727 George II. was apprised by Sir Robert Walpole of his father’s death. The King received the minister’s announce— ment with the gracious words, ‘Dat is one big lie!’ It was to be expected that at the prosaic court of this king, who throughout a period of thirty—three years remained German to the backbone, lavished attentions and dignities on German

Revolution of 1688, which drove James II. from his

throne and his country.

A bigoted adherent to the

Roman Catholic faith, narrow-minded and obstinate,

James II., assuming that he reigned by divine right and that his royal prerogative was unlimited, had

exercised a contemptuous disregard for the religious and civil liberties of his subjects. But Parliament, by transferring the crown from him and his male descendants to his Protestant daughters Mary and Anne, and after Queen Anne’s death, in 1714, to their kinsman, the Elector of Hanover, and by de—

creeing that none but a Protestant prince could reign in England, secured the nation from the des— potic pretensions of an autocrat. The Stuarts, however, refused to acknowledge the verdict of the

favourites, and maintained a Whig Government permanently in power, there should have been not

country. James II. died in France in 1701, a victim

only discontented courtiers, but also ambitious poli—

to his errors, albeit a martyr to his faith.

ticians, who longed for a return of the Stuart Pre— tender as a means of advancement, or used his name

His son,

known in history as the Old Pretender and the Chevalier de St. George, had settled in Rome.

the throne, called himself James III. of England,

as a pretext for their intrigues. The two great political parties, Whigs and Tories, were steadily growing into shape, and while the principles of the former were bound up with

and, aided by the Jacobites, as the adherents to his cause were styled, fostered in 1715 an ineffectual movement in Scotland to regain his inheritance.

the Protestant succession of the Georges, the Tories, at least for party purposes, lent their moral, if not much material aid, to the Stuarts. It

The nation, however, was weary of revolution,

must be remembered that the population of the country was still limited. In England it only

Countenanced by the King of France and the Pope,

he based on his notion of divine right his claims to

disorder, and change, and the mass of the English


(4) amounted to about five and a half millions : in Scotland to little more than one million. Knowledge and education were confined within a narrow range ; steam and electricity were still undreamed of ; the

sons: in 1720, Charles Edward, the hero of this narrative, and in 1725 Henry, Duke of York.

Christened by a cardinal, swaddled in consecrated robes, placed on a couch beneath a gorgeous canopy

newspaper press was in its infancy; and communi—

of State, the infant Prince Charles received

cations were as defective as information was scarce. In England the old chivalrous feeling of blind and

caresses of the great ladies, and the homage of the

unconditional homage to the legitimate king had not been extinguished by the newly-born forces of political thought and democratic power. In Scotland the feudal system of clanship still acted as a strong stimulant to loyalty. The wild and romantic

tion was entrusted to Sir Thomas Sheridan, a gentle-

character of the Highlands inspired the bard in his

praise of the legitimate sovereign beyond the sea, whom distance and misfortune transfigured and ennobled. No wonder, therefore, that on the one hand

the sentiments of dreamy idealists found a wide theme of romance in the sufferings of the exiled Prince, and that on the other, the Stuarts were liable to

mistake the exaggerated promises and impassioned accents of a few enthusiasts for the unanimous voice of the nation. . Indolent, irresolute, licentious, and bigoted ; tall, meagre, and melancholy in aspect, the Old Pre— tender was said to be ‘ without any of the particular

features of the Stuarts, yet to have had the strong lines and fatality of air peculiar to them all.’ He was married to a Polish princess, who bore him two

leaders of the brilliant society of Rome.

the

His educa~

man of undoubted honour and devotion, but singu-

larly deficient in capacity, who neglected the elementary instruction

of the

youth, and

fostered

in him an unfortunate notion of his position and his claims, so that he came to consider himself as the rightful Prince of Wales, and to look

upon the devotion of his adherents as a bounden duty. Prince Charles ever remained so deficient in orthography that he spelt ‘human’ as ‘umen,’ ‘sword’ as ‘sord,’ and his father’s name, ‘James’

as ‘Jems,’ but showed a lofty sense of hon-our, a boundless energy of character, and warmth of heart, which developed as he grew up into courage and firmness of resolution. His quick intelligence, his promptness of deci— sion, and his contempt of danger, are recorded on unquestionable testimony. His talents as a leader never rose to a very exalted pitch, yet when occa— sion demanded he proved himself superior to more practised officers.


(4) amounted to about five and a half millions : in Scotland to little more than one million. Knowledge and education were confined within a narrow range ; steam and electricity were still undreamed of ; the

sons: in 1720, Charles Edward, the hero of this narrative, and in 1725 Henry, Duke of York.

Christened by a cardinal, swaddled in consecrated robes, placed on a couch beneath a gorgeous canopy

newspaper press was in its infancy; and communi—

of State, the infant Prince Charles received

cations were as defective as information was scarce. In England the old chivalrous feeling of blind and

caresses of the great ladies, and the homage of the

unconditional homage to the legitimate king had not been extinguished by the newly-born forces of political thought and democratic power. In Scotland the feudal system of clanship still acted as a strong stimulant to loyalty. The wild and romantic

tion was entrusted to Sir Thomas Sheridan, a gentle-

character of the Highlands inspired the bard in his

praise of the legitimate sovereign beyond the sea, whom distance and misfortune transfigured and ennobled. No wonder, therefore, that on the one hand

the sentiments of dreamy idealists found a wide theme of romance in the sufferings of the exiled Prince, and that on the other, the Stuarts were liable to

mistake the exaggerated promises and impassioned accents of a few enthusiasts for the unanimous voice of the nation. . Indolent, irresolute, licentious, and bigoted ; tall, meagre, and melancholy in aspect, the Old Pre— tender was said to be ‘ without any of the particular

features of the Stuarts, yet to have had the strong lines and fatality of air peculiar to them all.’ He was married to a Polish princess, who bore him two

leaders of the brilliant society of Rome.

the

His educa~

man of undoubted honour and devotion, but singu-

larly deficient in capacity, who neglected the elementary instruction

of the

youth, and

fostered

in him an unfortunate notion of his position and his claims, so that he came to consider himself as the rightful Prince of Wales, and to look

upon the devotion of his adherents as a bounden duty. Prince Charles ever remained so deficient in orthography that he spelt ‘human’ as ‘umen,’ ‘sword’ as ‘sord,’ and his father’s name, ‘James’

as ‘Jems,’ but showed a lofty sense of hon-our, a boundless energy of character, and warmth of heart, which developed as he grew up into courage and firmness of resolution. His quick intelligence, his promptness of deci— sion, and his contempt of danger, are recorded on unquestionable testimony. His talents as a leader never rose to a very exalted pitch, yet when occa— sion demanded he proved himself superior to more practised officers.


(7)

(6) In 1734, when he was only fourteen of age,

however, was not allowed to depart until France

he obtained a command in the Spanish army, and distinguished himself at the siege of Gaeta in the kingdom of Naples. It is reported that, while

had given a proof that she was in earnest by assembling some troops and manning a fleet for an

he was coasting along the bay his hat flew off A boat was lowered to and fell into the sea. recover it; but Charles begged the crew to desist, saying, ‘It was not necessary, as before long he

invasion. The parting between Charles and his father— to whom he had ever shown a dutiful submission— was affecting. ‘ I go, sire,’ said Charles, ‘in search of three crowns, which I doubt not but to have the

would have to go and fetch himself a hat in Eng-

honour and happiness of laying at your Majesty’s

land;’ alluding to the crown of which his family

feet. If I fail in the attempt your next sight of me shall be in my coffin 1’ ‘ Heaven forbid,’ cried the father, bursting into

had been deprived.

For two years afterwards he

lived in study and retirement; then went on a tour through the chief Italian cities, where he was

received with every mark of distinction.

Visitors

knelt to him and kissed his hand; in the Pope’s

presence he was accorded an arm-chair, and the highest prelates and nobles treated him with the honours of royalty. He soon began to crave for the reality instead of the shadow of his position.

His ambition, more-

tears,

‘that all the crowns in the world should

rob me of my son 1’ Then tenderly embracing him, he added, ‘Be careful of yourself, my dear Prince, for my sake, and I hope for the sake of millions I ’ He left Rome on the 9th January, 1744, dis-

guised as a Spanish courier, attended by a single servant and a groom, who personated a Spanish

over, was fanned into the highest expectation by the presence in Home of some Scottish Jacobite

secretary.

Chieftains, who formed themselves into an asso— France, actuated by its ancient enmity, saw in

strikingly handsome. His face aperfect oval, his complexion fair, his eyes light blue, and his features high—bred. In figure he was tall, well formed, and

these intrigues the means of embarrassing England. Cardinal Tencin, the Prime Minister, wrote to James

athletic. Contrary to the custom of the time, instead of wearing a wig, he let his own fair hair

ciation for the restoration of the Stuarts.

inviting Charles to visit him in Paris.

Charles,

Prince Charles, then in his twenty-fifth year, was

fall in long ringlets on his neck.

With graceful and


(7)

(6) In 1734, when he was only fourteen of age,

however, was not allowed to depart until France

he obtained a command in the Spanish army, and distinguished himself at the siege of Gaeta in the kingdom of Naples. It is reported that, while

had given a proof that she was in earnest by assembling some troops and manning a fleet for an

he was coasting along the bay his hat flew off A boat was lowered to and fell into the sea. recover it; but Charles begged the crew to desist, saying, ‘It was not necessary, as before long he

invasion. The parting between Charles and his father— to whom he had ever shown a dutiful submission— was affecting. ‘ I go, sire,’ said Charles, ‘in search of three crowns, which I doubt not but to have the

would have to go and fetch himself a hat in Eng-

honour and happiness of laying at your Majesty’s

land;’ alluding to the crown of which his family

feet. If I fail in the attempt your next sight of me shall be in my coffin 1’ ‘ Heaven forbid,’ cried the father, bursting into

had been deprived.

For two years afterwards he

lived in study and retirement; then went on a tour through the chief Italian cities, where he was

received with every mark of distinction.

Visitors

knelt to him and kissed his hand; in the Pope’s

presence he was accorded an arm-chair, and the highest prelates and nobles treated him with the honours of royalty. He soon began to crave for the reality instead of the shadow of his position.

His ambition, more-

tears,

‘that all the crowns in the world should

rob me of my son 1’ Then tenderly embracing him, he added, ‘Be careful of yourself, my dear Prince, for my sake, and I hope for the sake of millions I ’ He left Rome on the 9th January, 1744, dis-

guised as a Spanish courier, attended by a single servant and a groom, who personated a Spanish

over, was fanned into the highest expectation by the presence in Home of some Scottish Jacobite

secretary.

Chieftains, who formed themselves into an asso— France, actuated by its ancient enmity, saw in

strikingly handsome. His face aperfect oval, his complexion fair, his eyes light blue, and his features high—bred. In figure he was tall, well formed, and

these intrigues the means of embarrassing England. Cardinal Tencin, the Prime Minister, wrote to James

athletic. Contrary to the custom of the time, instead of wearing a wig, he let his own fair hair

ciation for the restoration of the Stuarts.

inviting Charles to visit him in Paris.

Charles,

Prince Charles, then in his twenty-fifth year, was

fall in long ringlets on his neck.

With graceful and


(9)

(8) seductive manners, kind and occasionally familiar, and a capacity for adapting his conversation to the style of his visitors, he always remained dignified. As Charles sped along to Paris he convinced himself of the fact that, though the crown of Eng— land was the object of his ambition, his strength lay in Scotland, where, the instant he landed, the ancient adherents of his race would flock around

his standard and prove the truth of the proverb: ‘ He that would England win ' Must with Scotland first bcgin.’

Hebrides.

vessel.

A large eagle came and hovered over the

‘ Sir, this is a happy omen,’ said the

Marquis of Tullibardine, one of Charles’s seven friends, ‘the king of birds has come to welcome

your Royal Highness on your arrival in Scotland.’ His reception at first was chilling, he was ad-

vised by the first Jacobites he met to desist from an insane enterprise; but being induced to persevere by his old governor, Sir Thomas Sheridan, he left

the island and reached Loch Nuagh on the coast of Inverness—shire, where he was conducted to a neigh— bouring farmhouse at Borrodaile.

On his arrival in Paris Charles found the French

The population of the Highlands in those days

ready to use him as a convenient tool, but unwilling

did not exceed 100,000, or about one twelfth of the

to engage for his sake in an open war with England. The French fleet on which he embarked withdrew before an English squadron, and was scattered by a

entire population of Scotland, and was divided into about forty different tribes or clans. Each of these dwelt upon its own portion of territory. Retaining primitive manners in almost pristine purity, holding but little intercourse with the rest of the community, distinguished by peculiar language and dress, yielding an imperfect obedience to Govern-

storm.

Charles then had to rely on his own slender

resources. It was not until the 8th of July, 1745, that having been able to fit out two small vessels, the Doutellc and the Elizabeth, accompanied by seven Scotch friends, disguised as a student and calling

ment, these clans formed families. Each of them bore

The Elizabeth met an

but one name, made arms their profession, despised all peaceful modes of living, and looked upon the rich Lowlands as a legitimate object of plunder. Go-

English man-of—war and was forced to put back, but

verned by a chief, whose subordinates were called

the Dourtcllc carried the young prince safely over

Chieftains, they were divided into two ranks: gentlemen, who were descended from former chiefs,

himself Mr. Smith, he set sail for Scotland on his in-

tended invasion of England.

the sea and landed him on a remote island of the


(9)

(8) seductive manners, kind and occasionally familiar, and a capacity for adapting his conversation to the style of his visitors, he always remained dignified. As Charles sped along to Paris he convinced himself of the fact that, though the crown of Eng— land was the object of his ambition, his strength lay in Scotland, where, the instant he landed, the ancient adherents of his race would flock around

his standard and prove the truth of the proverb: ‘ He that would England win ' Must with Scotland first bcgin.’

Hebrides.

vessel.

A large eagle came and hovered over the

‘ Sir, this is a happy omen,’ said the

Marquis of Tullibardine, one of Charles’s seven friends, ‘the king of birds has come to welcome

your Royal Highness on your arrival in Scotland.’ His reception at first was chilling, he was ad-

vised by the first Jacobites he met to desist from an insane enterprise; but being induced to persevere by his old governor, Sir Thomas Sheridan, he left

the island and reached Loch Nuagh on the coast of Inverness—shire, where he was conducted to a neigh— bouring farmhouse at Borrodaile.

On his arrival in Paris Charles found the French

The population of the Highlands in those days

ready to use him as a convenient tool, but unwilling

did not exceed 100,000, or about one twelfth of the

to engage for his sake in an open war with England. The French fleet on which he embarked withdrew before an English squadron, and was scattered by a

entire population of Scotland, and was divided into about forty different tribes or clans. Each of these dwelt upon its own portion of territory. Retaining primitive manners in almost pristine purity, holding but little intercourse with the rest of the community, distinguished by peculiar language and dress, yielding an imperfect obedience to Govern-

storm.

Charles then had to rely on his own slender

resources. It was not until the 8th of July, 1745, that having been able to fit out two small vessels, the Doutellc and the Elizabeth, accompanied by seven Scotch friends, disguised as a student and calling

ment, these clans formed families. Each of them bore

The Elizabeth met an

but one name, made arms their profession, despised all peaceful modes of living, and looked upon the rich Lowlands as a legitimate object of plunder. Go-

English man-of—war and was forced to put back, but

verned by a chief, whose subordinates were called

the Dourtcllc carried the young prince safely over

Chieftains, they were divided into two ranks: gentlemen, who were descended from former chiefs,

himself Mr. Smith, he set sail for Scotland on his in-

tended invasion of England.

the sea and landed him on a remote island of the


(10)

(11)

and commoners who had joined them and served in inferior offices. Savage and rude as the commoners may have been, the gentlemen and, above them, the chiefs, were well matched with the nobility of England in culture and civilisation. The chief was the leader in war, the judge and protector in

position, his quiet dignity, his manly bearing, and

peace, and the whole income of the tribe, paid into his purse, served to maintain that rude but generous

last, but not least, his adoption of the national costume, soon won the affection of those who had always called his father king. ‘ Oh better loved he canna be ;

Yet when we see him wearing Our Highland garb sae gracefully

’Tis aye the mair endearing. Though a’ that now adorns his brow

hospitality which was meted out to the poorest of Be but a simple bonnet,

the clan.

The value of an estate was never esti—

mated according to its rental, but according to the number of men it could raise. The story is told of Macdonald of Keppoch, who, entertaining some Lowland gentry with profuse hospitality at his Highland seat, was asked by one of the guests with blunt curiosity, what was the rent of his estate, ‘ I can raise 500 men,’ was the answer.

At Borrodaile Charles was joined already by an

Ere lang we’ll see of kingdoms three

The royal crown upon it.’

As the ranks of his adherents slowly but steadily swelled, Charles considered himself justified in declaring war against the King of England, whom he called the Elector of Hanover, and proceeded to erect the Royal Standard with as much pomp as he could command to the stirring notes of the bagpipes and the sound of the pibroch.

important follower, Cameron of Lochiel, whose ex—

ample was soon followed by others. Conscious that his hopes of success depended entirely on the support of the Highlands, Charles did everything in his power to ingratiate himself with the people. He was affable to all and denied his presence to

Rouse, ye heroes of the North l Rouse, and join your chieftain’s banners, ’Tis your Prince that leads you forth I ’

It was said by an eye-witness ‘that at the sight

none. He joined in their sports, and delighted them by trying to talk Gaelic. Taking up his

of the standard waving in the mountain breeze

abode in the very centre of those tribes which had

air was rent with shouts, and darkened with bonnets tossed on high, as by a cloud.’ The enterprise now

ever

ll

‘ Rouse, rouse, ye kilted warriors I

been

loyal ‘to his

house,

his frank dis—

it was hailed as the pledge of coming battle, the


(10)

(11)

and commoners who had joined them and served in inferior offices. Savage and rude as the commoners may have been, the gentlemen and, above them, the chiefs, were well matched with the nobility of England in culture and civilisation. The chief was the leader in war, the judge and protector in

position, his quiet dignity, his manly bearing, and

peace, and the whole income of the tribe, paid into his purse, served to maintain that rude but generous

last, but not least, his adoption of the national costume, soon won the affection of those who had always called his father king. ‘ Oh better loved he canna be ;

Yet when we see him wearing Our Highland garb sae gracefully

’Tis aye the mair endearing. Though a’ that now adorns his brow

hospitality which was meted out to the poorest of Be but a simple bonnet,

the clan.

The value of an estate was never esti—

mated according to its rental, but according to the number of men it could raise. The story is told of Macdonald of Keppoch, who, entertaining some Lowland gentry with profuse hospitality at his Highland seat, was asked by one of the guests with blunt curiosity, what was the rent of his estate, ‘ I can raise 500 men,’ was the answer.

At Borrodaile Charles was joined already by an

Ere lang we’ll see of kingdoms three

The royal crown upon it.’

As the ranks of his adherents slowly but steadily swelled, Charles considered himself justified in declaring war against the King of England, whom he called the Elector of Hanover, and proceeded to erect the Royal Standard with as much pomp as he could command to the stirring notes of the bagpipes and the sound of the pibroch.

important follower, Cameron of Lochiel, whose ex—

ample was soon followed by others. Conscious that his hopes of success depended entirely on the support of the Highlands, Charles did everything in his power to ingratiate himself with the people. He was affable to all and denied his presence to

Rouse, ye heroes of the North l Rouse, and join your chieftain’s banners, ’Tis your Prince that leads you forth I ’

It was said by an eye-witness ‘that at the sight

none. He joined in their sports, and delighted them by trying to talk Gaelic. Taking up his

of the standard waving in the mountain breeze

abode in the very centre of those tribes which had

air was rent with shouts, and darkened with bonnets tossed on high, as by a cloud.’ The enterprise now

ever

ll

‘ Rouse, rouse, ye kilted warriors I

been

loyal ‘to his

house,

his frank dis—

it was hailed as the pledge of coming battle, the


(.12) assumed that hold and romantic character for which

where his troops proclaimed him Regent for his

it was destined to be so remarkable. Having formed the resolution to descend upon the Lowlands, Charles did so with spirit and rapidity. Nature and educa-

father.

tion alike qualified him for his undertaking. Having constantly applied himself to field—sports he had become an excellent walker, and was inured to toil. The Highlanders were astonished to find

themselves overmatched

at

running,

wrestling,

He at once became the object of general atten—

tion, but judiciously preferred the camp to the palace. It is recorded that one night, when invited to a ball by the ladies of Perth, he had no sooner danced one measure than he made his bow and

withdrew, alleging the necessity of visiting his

leaping, and even at their favourite exercise of

sentry posts. At Perth Charles was joined by the Duke of

the broadsword, by the slender stranger from dis—

Perth and Lord Tullibardine’s brother, Lord George

tant lands; but their astonishment gave way to

Murray—two most important accessions to his strength, the former on account of his position and wealth, though called by a contemporary ‘a silly

admiration and affection when they discovered that Charles had adopted all their exercises out of com-

They could

horse—racing boy,’ and the latter for his military Both received commands ability and experience. in the Prince’s small army of 1200 men, but were soon divided by an unfortunate rivalry. We are bound to admire the intrepidity of a man, who, with a mere handful of followers, and actually

conceive no greater merit on earth than accom-

without a guinea in his pocket, had sufficient con

plishment in the use of arms, accompanied by a

fidence in himself, in the name he bore, and in

taste for tales of ancient glory; and half a cen-

the feeling it inspired, to attack the mighty force

sorrowing fellow—adventurers still

called, splendidly mounted, and attired in a suit

of England. Fortunately for him, at this time a most incompetent Minister, the Duke of Newcastle, was at the head of the Government; the King himself was, as usual, in Hanover ; and

of tartan, trimmed with gold lace, entered Perth,

the country looked on the rising in the far north

pliment to them, so that he might some day show himself, as he said, ‘a true Highlander 1’

By walking, moreover, every day’s march alongside one or other of their corps, inquiring into their family histories, songs, and legends, he completely

won the hearts of these simple people.

tury

later his

rarely spoke of him without a sigh

or a tear.

The Young Chevalier, as Charles was occasionally


(.12) assumed that hold and romantic character for which

where his troops proclaimed him Regent for his

it was destined to be so remarkable. Having formed the resolution to descend upon the Lowlands, Charles did so with spirit and rapidity. Nature and educa-

father.

tion alike qualified him for his undertaking. Having constantly applied himself to field—sports he had become an excellent walker, and was inured to toil. The Highlanders were astonished to find

themselves overmatched

at

running,

wrestling,

He at once became the object of general atten—

tion, but judiciously preferred the camp to the palace. It is recorded that one night, when invited to a ball by the ladies of Perth, he had no sooner danced one measure than he made his bow and

withdrew, alleging the necessity of visiting his

leaping, and even at their favourite exercise of

sentry posts. At Perth Charles was joined by the Duke of

the broadsword, by the slender stranger from dis—

Perth and Lord Tullibardine’s brother, Lord George

tant lands; but their astonishment gave way to

Murray—two most important accessions to his strength, the former on account of his position and wealth, though called by a contemporary ‘a silly

admiration and affection when they discovered that Charles had adopted all their exercises out of com-

They could

horse—racing boy,’ and the latter for his military Both received commands ability and experience. in the Prince’s small army of 1200 men, but were soon divided by an unfortunate rivalry. We are bound to admire the intrepidity of a man, who, with a mere handful of followers, and actually

conceive no greater merit on earth than accom-

without a guinea in his pocket, had sufficient con

plishment in the use of arms, accompanied by a

fidence in himself, in the name he bore, and in

taste for tales of ancient glory; and half a cen-

the feeling it inspired, to attack the mighty force

sorrowing fellow—adventurers still

called, splendidly mounted, and attired in a suit

of England. Fortunately for him, at this time a most incompetent Minister, the Duke of Newcastle, was at the head of the Government; the King himself was, as usual, in Hanover ; and

of tartan, trimmed with gold lace, entered Perth,

the country looked on the rising in the far north

pliment to them, so that he might some day show himself, as he said, ‘a true Highlander 1’

By walking, moreover, every day’s march alongside one or other of their corps, inquiring into their family histories, songs, and legends, he completely

won the hearts of these simple people.

tury

later his

rarely spoke of him without a sigh

or a tear.

The Young Chevalier, as Charles was occasionally


(14) with an incredulity and contempt aggravated by But as the news spread of lack of information. Charles’ advance to Edinburgh the Government were roused; and whilst a reward of 30,000Z. was

offered for the person of the Young Pretender, Sir John Cope, the commander of the English forces in Edinburgh, was ordered to arrest his progress. Charles skilfully evaded the English army. All along his march he met with demonstrations of loyalty, to which the fascination he exercised on the fair sex no little contributed. On one occasion, at Edmonston, he was invited by the ladies of the house to stop and have some refreshment, but he declined to dismount.

Having

drunk a glass of wine in the saddle to their health

they begged the favour of kissing his hand; but Miss Clementina Edinonston thought it more satis—

factory to ask permission to ‘pree his Royal Highness’s mou.’ It is needless to say that he not only complied with her wish, but took her in his arms, to the no small vexation, it is said, of the other ladies, who had been more discreet

in their request. On the 14th September Charles arrived at Linlithgow, sixteen miles from Edinburgh, and

on the following day, having skirted the town, he advanced with the Duke of Perth on one hand and Lord Elcho on the other towards

Holyrood, the ancient palace of his race. He is described as wearing on that day a tartan coat, with the Star of St. Andrew, and a blue sash

waving gracefully over his shoulder, small-clothes of red velvet, military boots, and a silver-hilted broadsword; and on his head a blue velvet bonnet

bound with gold lace, and adorned with a white satin cockade, the well—known badge of his party. On his way to Holyrood he despatched a party of officers under Cameron of Lochiel to reconnoitre the ground. These gentlemen fell in with a party of English dragoons, and with extraordinary coolness discharged their pistols in the faces of the cavalry. A disgraceful scene ensued. Terrified at the appearance of the bold Highlanders the dragoons flew for their lives. The engagement, which is known as the ‘ Canter of Colbrigg,’ enabled the Camerons to take possession of the city of Edinburgh, leaving the citadel only in the hands of the English. The arrival of the Prince at Holyrood was the signal for a great demonstration on his behalf.

At

the Old Cross in Edinburgh his father was proclaimed as King James VIII. of Scotland. The beautiful Mrs. John Murray witnessed the proceedings on horseback with a drawn sword in her hand, and distributed white cockades to the crowd. A magnificent ball at Holyrood closed the day.


(14) with an incredulity and contempt aggravated by But as the news spread of lack of information. Charles’ advance to Edinburgh the Government were roused; and whilst a reward of 30,000Z. was

offered for the person of the Young Pretender, Sir John Cope, the commander of the English forces in Edinburgh, was ordered to arrest his progress. Charles skilfully evaded the English army. All along his march he met with demonstrations of loyalty, to which the fascination he exercised on the fair sex no little contributed. On one occasion, at Edmonston, he was invited by the ladies of the house to stop and have some refreshment, but he declined to dismount.

Having

drunk a glass of wine in the saddle to their health

they begged the favour of kissing his hand; but Miss Clementina Edinonston thought it more satis—

factory to ask permission to ‘pree his Royal Highness’s mou.’ It is needless to say that he not only complied with her wish, but took her in his arms, to the no small vexation, it is said, of the other ladies, who had been more discreet

in their request. On the 14th September Charles arrived at Linlithgow, sixteen miles from Edinburgh, and

on the following day, having skirted the town, he advanced with the Duke of Perth on one hand and Lord Elcho on the other towards

Holyrood, the ancient palace of his race. He is described as wearing on that day a tartan coat, with the Star of St. Andrew, and a blue sash

waving gracefully over his shoulder, small-clothes of red velvet, military boots, and a silver-hilted broadsword; and on his head a blue velvet bonnet

bound with gold lace, and adorned with a white satin cockade, the well—known badge of his party. On his way to Holyrood he despatched a party of officers under Cameron of Lochiel to reconnoitre the ground. These gentlemen fell in with a party of English dragoons, and with extraordinary coolness discharged their pistols in the faces of the cavalry. A disgraceful scene ensued. Terrified at the appearance of the bold Highlanders the dragoons flew for their lives. The engagement, which is known as the ‘ Canter of Colbrigg,’ enabled the Camerons to take possession of the city of Edinburgh, leaving the citadel only in the hands of the English. The arrival of the Prince at Holyrood was the signal for a great demonstration on his behalf.

At

the Old Cross in Edinburgh his father was proclaimed as King James VIII. of Scotland. The beautiful Mrs. John Murray witnessed the proceedings on horseback with a drawn sword in her hand, and distributed white cockades to the crowd. A magnificent ball at Holyrood closed the day.


(16) Meanwhile Sir John Cope was retracing his steps to meet the army of the Pretender and to relieve Edinburgh. The challenge he sent Prince Charles to fight is described in a Jacobite lay,— ‘ Cope sent a letter from Dunbar, Saying, “ Charlie, meet me if ye daur,

mountaineers the various objects of civilised life they captured were incomprehensible. One man into whose possession a watch had fallen, when it stopped sold it for a mere song, thinking it a ‘dead beast.’

What puzzled the Highlanders most was the chocolate they found in Cope’s baggage chest, and which was hawked about as ‘ Johnnie Cope’s salve.’

And I’ll learn you the art of war Right early in the morning.”

Charles, elated as he was, instead of attending to his

When Charlie looked the letter upon,

own wants, spent several hours in providing for the

He drew his sword the scabbard from, Crying, “ Follow me, my merry, merry men,

relief of the wounded of both armies. His followers, however, drank fathom—deep the

And we’ll meet Johnnie Cope in the morning.” ’

They met on 20th September at Preston Pans, Charles having slept during the night wrapped in a plaid amongst the soldiers on the ground. Cope was a brave but dull and inefficient general and incapable of shaping his tactics to the requirements of the situation. On perceiving the enemy the Highlanders set up a yell of defiance which frightened the English soldiery. Rushing forward they drew their swords, with a dirk in the left hand, along with a

target with which they parried the bayonet thrusts, while they hacked and hewed their opponents with their swords. It is said that so rapid was their onset that in less than five minutes the battle was over.

health of the Prince, who, as they said, could eat a dry crust, sleep on straw, take his dinner in four minutes, and win a battle in five : whilst the Scotch ladies asked for locks of his hair, and wore minia—

ture portraits of him in which he was represented as the ‘ Highland Laddie.’ We are told that one of his admirers—a Miss Lumsden—informed a young artist, Robert Strange, to whom she was engaged, that he might think no more of her unless he joined Prince Charlie. It may be added that he obeyed, and eventually married the lady. This battle which went in England by the name of Preston Pans, and was called by the Jacobites the battle of Gladmuir,

The defeat was crushing, the artillery, the colours, the standards, the military chest of the English, all

made Prince Charles master of the best part of Scotland. The court of George II. had become thoroughly

To many of the uncouth

alarmed by the victory of Preston Pans, and Marshal

fell into their hands.

C


(16) Meanwhile Sir John Cope was retracing his steps to meet the army of the Pretender and to relieve Edinburgh. The challenge he sent Prince Charles to fight is described in a Jacobite lay,— ‘ Cope sent a letter from Dunbar, Saying, “ Charlie, meet me if ye daur,

mountaineers the various objects of civilised life they captured were incomprehensible. One man into whose possession a watch had fallen, when it stopped sold it for a mere song, thinking it a ‘dead beast.’

What puzzled the Highlanders most was the chocolate they found in Cope’s baggage chest, and which was hawked about as ‘ Johnnie Cope’s salve.’

And I’ll learn you the art of war Right early in the morning.”

Charles, elated as he was, instead of attending to his

When Charlie looked the letter upon,

own wants, spent several hours in providing for the

He drew his sword the scabbard from, Crying, “ Follow me, my merry, merry men,

relief of the wounded of both armies. His followers, however, drank fathom—deep the

And we’ll meet Johnnie Cope in the morning.” ’

They met on 20th September at Preston Pans, Charles having slept during the night wrapped in a plaid amongst the soldiers on the ground. Cope was a brave but dull and inefficient general and incapable of shaping his tactics to the requirements of the situation. On perceiving the enemy the Highlanders set up a yell of defiance which frightened the English soldiery. Rushing forward they drew their swords, with a dirk in the left hand, along with a

target with which they parried the bayonet thrusts, while they hacked and hewed their opponents with their swords. It is said that so rapid was their onset that in less than five minutes the battle was over.

health of the Prince, who, as they said, could eat a dry crust, sleep on straw, take his dinner in four minutes, and win a battle in five : whilst the Scotch ladies asked for locks of his hair, and wore minia—

ture portraits of him in which he was represented as the ‘ Highland Laddie.’ We are told that one of his admirers—a Miss Lumsden—informed a young artist, Robert Strange, to whom she was engaged, that he might think no more of her unless he joined Prince Charlie. It may be added that he obeyed, and eventually married the lady. This battle which went in England by the name of Preston Pans, and was called by the Jacobites the battle of Gladmuir,

The defeat was crushing, the artillery, the colours, the standards, the military chest of the English, all

made Prince Charles master of the best part of Scotland. The court of George II. had become thoroughly

To many of the uncouth

alarmed by the victory of Preston Pans, and Marshal

fell into their hands.

C


(18)

(19)

Wade was sent to retrieve General Cope’s defeat.

The Young Pretender did not remain idle, and at

The Pretender’s council now became almost unanimous in urging him to retrace his steps and

the head of 6000 men set out with rapid strides for

establish himself firmly in Scotland, instead of ven—

the south while Wade was but slowly advancing

turing into the heart of England. Again the boldness of Charles prevailed, and, at the head of

north. ‘ To your arms I To your arms! My bonnie Hieland Lads I We winna brook the rule 0’ a German thing. To your arms! To your arms! Wi’ your bonnets and

his small army, he made for Manchester.

He

requisitioned the city and pressed about three hundred of its inhabitants into

his

battalions,

your plaids,

then set forth on the 1st December and reached And hey for Charlie and our ain true king ! ’

Derby on the 4th, having successfully eluded the

Although the Highland enthusiasm and sup-

port were constantly on the increase—a fact which greatly tended to add to Prince Charlie’s illusions, —the‘_ inhabitants of Edinburgh and the Lowlands, partly from religious convictions, and partly from interest, showed but little zeal in his cause. Many of them drove a lucrative trade in carpets and night—

caps, and were unwilling to incur any risk.

force of Marshal Wade. The English people had, hitherto, entertained an inadequate idea of the insurrection, as well as of the Highland army, which was invariably spoken of with contempt. But when intelligence reach London that Charles had penetrated to Derby, consternation took possession of the town. Many

The

rivalries amongst the chiefs led to much dissension in the council of the Pretender. The more prudent

were for delaying the advance, but the impetuosity of Charles, who had adopted the word ‘thorough’ as his motto, overruled them, and, concentrating his forces, he marched on Carlisle.

[11 former days this city was considered the bulwark of England against the Scots, but its ramparts had now become dilapidated, and after a brief parley the mayor opened the gates.

persons fled to the country ; the shops were closed;

and a run was made on the Bank of England,

which barely escaped insolvency; public business was suspended ; prayers were said in the churches; the Guards of the City were strengthened; alarmposts were erected in the suburbs; and volunteers were asked to enlist. The Duke of Newcastle seri— ously thought for one day whether he should not declare for the Stuarts. King George himself was said to have ordered a yacht, in which he embarked his valuables, to remain in readiness at the Tower


(18)

(19)

Wade was sent to retrieve General Cope’s defeat.

The Young Pretender did not remain idle, and at

The Pretender’s council now became almost unanimous in urging him to retrace his steps and

the head of 6000 men set out with rapid strides for

establish himself firmly in Scotland, instead of ven—

the south while Wade was but slowly advancing

turing into the heart of England. Again the boldness of Charles prevailed, and, at the head of

north. ‘ To your arms I To your arms! My bonnie Hieland Lads I We winna brook the rule 0’ a German thing. To your arms! To your arms! Wi’ your bonnets and

his small army, he made for Manchester.

He

requisitioned the city and pressed about three hundred of its inhabitants into

his

battalions,

your plaids,

then set forth on the 1st December and reached And hey for Charlie and our ain true king ! ’

Derby on the 4th, having successfully eluded the

Although the Highland enthusiasm and sup-

port were constantly on the increase—a fact which greatly tended to add to Prince Charlie’s illusions, —the‘_ inhabitants of Edinburgh and the Lowlands, partly from religious convictions, and partly from interest, showed but little zeal in his cause. Many of them drove a lucrative trade in carpets and night—

caps, and were unwilling to incur any risk.

force of Marshal Wade. The English people had, hitherto, entertained an inadequate idea of the insurrection, as well as of the Highland army, which was invariably spoken of with contempt. But when intelligence reach London that Charles had penetrated to Derby, consternation took possession of the town. Many

The

rivalries amongst the chiefs led to much dissension in the council of the Pretender. The more prudent

were for delaying the advance, but the impetuosity of Charles, who had adopted the word ‘thorough’ as his motto, overruled them, and, concentrating his forces, he marched on Carlisle.

[11 former days this city was considered the bulwark of England against the Scots, but its ramparts had now become dilapidated, and after a brief parley the mayor opened the gates.

persons fled to the country ; the shops were closed;

and a run was made on the Bank of England,

which barely escaped insolvency; public business was suspended ; prayers were said in the churches; the Guards of the City were strengthened; alarmposts were erected in the suburbs; and volunteers were asked to enlist. The Duke of Newcastle seri— ously thought for one day whether he should not declare for the Stuarts. King George himself was said to have ordered a yacht, in which he embarked his valuables, to remain in readiness at the Tower


(20)

( 21 )

to convey him at a moment’s notice to his beloved

berland and Marshal Wade were rapidly approaching.

This day was long remembered as Hanover. ‘ Black Friday.’ The Duke of Cumberland, the King’s brother, was in the meantime on his way to deal with the insurrection. A gallant and experienced soldier, better things were expected of him than of Cope

There was no alternative but to retire.

and Wade. No words can describe the exultation of Prince

Charles.

He was only a hundred and twenty-seven

‘ miles from London, and blinding himself to the gravity of the situation, to the smallness of his

following, to the uncertainty of the reception he would meet with in the South, he was anxious

to

press forward at all hazards. He anticipated so easy a triumph that he consulted whether he should make his entry into London on horseback or on foot,

in Highland costume or in English dress. But the turning- point of his career had been reached: the climax of romance had arrived.

Stern reality

in the shape of Lord George Murray cruelly dispelled the fair illusions of the Prince’s dream. A general council had been held over night by the commanders of the Scotch battalions, in which it was settled without a dissentient voice that they

should retreat. The English population was hostile to their cause; despite their promises the French had not put in an appearance; the Duke of Cum—

Charles

vainly stormed and expostulated, vainly he pressed upon his friends the determination to advance: ‘Rather than go back,’ he cried, ‘I would wish to be twenty feet underground.’ Threats and promises were alike fruitless, and he at last gave an ungracious consent with the words : ‘ In future I shall summon no more councils. I am accountable to nobody for my actions but to God and my father, and

therefore I shall no longer either ask or accept advice.’ It is useless to speculate what might have happened if Charles’s audacity had prevailed over the more cautious policy of his friends. Given the success of his first innings, the enthusiasm of his troops, the relative strength of the Jacobites in

London, and the unpopularity of the Court, there is no telling whether he might not have succeeded in establishing himself on the throne of his ancestors. But it is more than doubtful that he would have been able to maintain himself there. The claim of

divine right, and the adherence to the principles of the Church of Home with which the creed of the Stuartswas inalienably bound up, must before long

have offended the privileges of a nation that had justly become proud and jealous of its civil and religious rights. Whilst we cannot withhold our sympathy from


(20)

( 21 )

to convey him at a moment’s notice to his beloved

berland and Marshal Wade were rapidly approaching.

This day was long remembered as Hanover. ‘ Black Friday.’ The Duke of Cumberland, the King’s brother, was in the meantime on his way to deal with the insurrection. A gallant and experienced soldier, better things were expected of him than of Cope

There was no alternative but to retire.

and Wade. No words can describe the exultation of Prince

Charles.

He was only a hundred and twenty-seven

‘ miles from London, and blinding himself to the gravity of the situation, to the smallness of his

following, to the uncertainty of the reception he would meet with in the South, he was anxious

to

press forward at all hazards. He anticipated so easy a triumph that he consulted whether he should make his entry into London on horseback or on foot,

in Highland costume or in English dress. But the turning- point of his career had been reached: the climax of romance had arrived.

Stern reality

in the shape of Lord George Murray cruelly dispelled the fair illusions of the Prince’s dream. A general council had been held over night by the commanders of the Scotch battalions, in which it was settled without a dissentient voice that they

should retreat. The English population was hostile to their cause; despite their promises the French had not put in an appearance; the Duke of Cum—

Charles

vainly stormed and expostulated, vainly he pressed upon his friends the determination to advance: ‘Rather than go back,’ he cried, ‘I would wish to be twenty feet underground.’ Threats and promises were alike fruitless, and he at last gave an ungracious consent with the words : ‘ In future I shall summon no more councils. I am accountable to nobody for my actions but to God and my father, and

therefore I shall no longer either ask or accept advice.’ It is useless to speculate what might have happened if Charles’s audacity had prevailed over the more cautious policy of his friends. Given the success of his first innings, the enthusiasm of his troops, the relative strength of the Jacobites in

London, and the unpopularity of the Court, there is no telling whether he might not have succeeded in establishing himself on the throne of his ancestors. But it is more than doubtful that he would have been able to maintain himself there. The claim of

divine right, and the adherence to the principles of the Church of Home with which the creed of the Stuartswas inalienably bound up, must before long

have offended the privileges of a nation that had justly become proud and jealous of its civil and religious rights. Whilst we cannot withhold our sympathy from


(22)

(23)

the young and chivalrous hero, and from his loyal

of Kilmarnock, one of the Prince’s adherents, to

followers, who, on the eve of success, saw the

waste the night carousing at her house, while Charles

glittering prize snatched from their grasp, we must be grateful that our country was saved the long sequel of disaster and misery which an advance on

was eagerly leading his bands to the hills of Falkirk,

only two miles from the English camp.

Hawley

Losing his former spirit and alacrity, Charles, instead of marching as before at the head of his

showed his contempt for the Highland rabble to such an extent that he neglected to send out patrols. In the engagement which followed, not— withstanding their advantage in numbers—the

troops, now sulked in the rear.

English had 2000 more men than the Scotch—they

London would have entailed.

The retreat to

Scotland was effected with coolness and skill. During the six weeks the expedition had lasted

were completely routed.

only forty men had been lost.

reputation of Charles both as a man and a soldier,

Carlisle was left on

Though the Battle of Falkirk has added to the The Duke of Cumberland

the Prince’s birthday. In fording the River Esk Prince Charles saw that a horseman had drifted

it was barren of result.

away and was being carried down the stream. He sprang forward at once, and catching the drowning

had no alternative but to resort to the fastnesses

was rapidly advancing from the south, and Charles

man by the hair called out in Gaelic ‘ Cobhear,

of the Highlands for strategic purposes and personal safety. On the 31st January the Duke was at

Cobhear,’ that is ‘Help, Help,’ and supported him until assistance came. This is but one instance of the care he took of his followers and which con—

Edinburgh, and on the 17th of the next month Charles arrived before Inverness, while, on the 14th April, the Duke entered Nairn, in close

tributed so greatly to endear him to them.

proximity to that place.

Charles

entered Stirling on the 5th of January, 1746, and laid siege to its citadel. Edinburgh was under the

command of General Hawley, who, with an army of 8000 men, determined to give battle to the Highlanders, but his conduct displayed as much

negligence as that of Charles did calculation and intelligence. Hawley was beguiled by the Countess

Charles and his principal

officers lodged that night at Culloden House, the

deserted seat of one of his adversaries. His army barely mustered 5000 men; they were ill supplied with the necessaries of life and the munitions of war, but his spirit was still undaunted. The army of his adversary was well fed, well clad, well armed,

and boasted of a numerous artillery, but the hot


(22)

(23)

the young and chivalrous hero, and from his loyal

of Kilmarnock, one of the Prince’s adherents, to

followers, who, on the eve of success, saw the

waste the night carousing at her house, while Charles

glittering prize snatched from their grasp, we must be grateful that our country was saved the long sequel of disaster and misery which an advance on

was eagerly leading his bands to the hills of Falkirk,

only two miles from the English camp.

Hawley

Losing his former spirit and alacrity, Charles, instead of marching as before at the head of his

showed his contempt for the Highland rabble to such an extent that he neglected to send out patrols. In the engagement which followed, not— withstanding their advantage in numbers—the

troops, now sulked in the rear.

English had 2000 more men than the Scotch—they

London would have entailed.

The retreat to

Scotland was effected with coolness and skill. During the six weeks the expedition had lasted

were completely routed.

only forty men had been lost.

reputation of Charles both as a man and a soldier,

Carlisle was left on

Though the Battle of Falkirk has added to the The Duke of Cumberland

the Prince’s birthday. In fording the River Esk Prince Charles saw that a horseman had drifted

it was barren of result.

away and was being carried down the stream. He sprang forward at once, and catching the drowning

had no alternative but to resort to the fastnesses

was rapidly advancing from the south, and Charles

man by the hair called out in Gaelic ‘ Cobhear,

of the Highlands for strategic purposes and personal safety. On the 31st January the Duke was at

Cobhear,’ that is ‘Help, Help,’ and supported him until assistance came. This is but one instance of the care he took of his followers and which con—

Edinburgh, and on the 17th of the next month Charles arrived before Inverness, while, on the 14th April, the Duke entered Nairn, in close

tributed so greatly to endear him to them.

proximity to that place.

Charles

entered Stirling on the 5th of January, 1746, and laid siege to its citadel. Edinburgh was under the

command of General Hawley, who, with an army of 8000 men, determined to give battle to the Highlanders, but his conduct displayed as much

negligence as that of Charles did calculation and intelligence. Hawley was beguiled by the Countess

Charles and his principal

officers lodged that night at Culloden House, the

deserted seat of one of his adversaries. His army barely mustered 5000 men; they were ill supplied with the necessaries of life and the munitions of war, but his spirit was still undaunted. The army of his adversary was well fed, well clad, well armed,

and boasted of a numerous artillery, but the hot


(24)

(25)

blood of the Highlanders was fired, and, forgetful of fatigue and hunger, they stood shoulder to shoulder grasping their claymores with eager hands ready for

despair, and his fame would have come down to posterity untarnished.

action. The battle was short and decisive. Charles, from the height Where he stood, saw the rout of

him abroad, Charles, shortly after the battle of Culloden, fled to the west coast of Scotland, accom-

his army and the ruin of his cause.

panied by his faithful governor, Sir Thomas Sheridan, two aides-de-camp, siX friends, a priest, and one

Shedding

impassioned tears he gave unavailing orders.

In the hope of finding a French ship to convey

Ned Burke, who acted as his guide.

The Duke of

‘ Fair lady, mourn the memory of all our Scottish fame ;

Cumberland found it an easy task to put down the Fair lady, mourn the memory even of the Scottish name 1

How proud were we of our young Prince, and of his native sway I But all our hopes are past and gone upon Culloden day.

insurrection, but sullied his name by the cruelties

he perpetrated, and which gained for him the nickname of ‘Butcher.’

‘ There was no lack of bravery there, no spare of blood 01' breath, For—one to two—our foes we dared, for freedom or for death.

The bitterness of grief is past, of terror and dismay ; The die was risked, and foully cast, upon Culloden day I ’

It is said that Lord Elcho urged him to charge at the head of the Macdonald clan and win or perish in the attempt, but Sir Thomas Sheridan, grasping the bridle of his horse, prevailed on him

to fly. Whether justly or not some historians have based on this report the assertion that Charles’s cowardice provoked Lord Elcho to swear that he would never look again on the face of a man who

did not know how to die. Death certainly would have saved the Prince a long life of humiliation and

A proof of the devotion with which Charles inspired the people is furnished by the conduct of a poor Highlander, who thought to save the Prince by killing the Duke of Cumberland at the sacrifice of his own life. Passing through the English lines he fired at a richly—dressed officer, whom he mistook for the Duke, but without hitting him. Needless to

say that the young here was shot dead on the spot. A merciless slaughter followed the battle. On being remonstrated with for having outraged the laws of the country, ‘Laws!’ roared the Duke; ‘What laws? I’ll make a brigade give laws I’ The

gaols were thronged to suffocation ; prisoners suffered privations that amounted to torture ; innocent friends were ill—treated for their sympathy. A Provost for venturing to interfere met with the reply, ‘D—


(24)

(25)

blood of the Highlanders was fired, and, forgetful of fatigue and hunger, they stood shoulder to shoulder grasping their claymores with eager hands ready for

despair, and his fame would have come down to posterity untarnished.

action. The battle was short and decisive. Charles, from the height Where he stood, saw the rout of

him abroad, Charles, shortly after the battle of Culloden, fled to the west coast of Scotland, accom-

his army and the ruin of his cause.

panied by his faithful governor, Sir Thomas Sheridan, two aides-de-camp, siX friends, a priest, and one

Shedding

impassioned tears he gave unavailing orders.

In the hope of finding a French ship to convey

Ned Burke, who acted as his guide.

The Duke of

‘ Fair lady, mourn the memory of all our Scottish fame ;

Cumberland found it an easy task to put down the Fair lady, mourn the memory even of the Scottish name 1

How proud were we of our young Prince, and of his native sway I But all our hopes are past and gone upon Culloden day.

insurrection, but sullied his name by the cruelties

he perpetrated, and which gained for him the nickname of ‘Butcher.’

‘ There was no lack of bravery there, no spare of blood 01' breath, For—one to two—our foes we dared, for freedom or for death.

The bitterness of grief is past, of terror and dismay ; The die was risked, and foully cast, upon Culloden day I ’

It is said that Lord Elcho urged him to charge at the head of the Macdonald clan and win or perish in the attempt, but Sir Thomas Sheridan, grasping the bridle of his horse, prevailed on him

to fly. Whether justly or not some historians have based on this report the assertion that Charles’s cowardice provoked Lord Elcho to swear that he would never look again on the face of a man who

did not know how to die. Death certainly would have saved the Prince a long life of humiliation and

A proof of the devotion with which Charles inspired the people is furnished by the conduct of a poor Highlander, who thought to save the Prince by killing the Duke of Cumberland at the sacrifice of his own life. Passing through the English lines he fired at a richly—dressed officer, whom he mistook for the Duke, but without hitting him. Needless to

say that the young here was shot dead on the spot. A merciless slaughter followed the battle. On being remonstrated with for having outraged the laws of the country, ‘Laws!’ roared the Duke; ‘What laws? I’ll make a brigade give laws I’ The

gaols were thronged to suffocation ; prisoners suffered privations that amounted to torture ; innocent friends were ill—treated for their sympathy. A Provost for venturing to interfere met with the reply, ‘D—


(27)

(26)

English vessels were cruising along

you, you puppy! do you pretend to dictate here I’

been unfurled.

and was kicked down-stairs. But these cruelties Many of the chiefs, in order to had their effect. buy their pardon, turned king’s evidence, and re-

the shore to cut off assistance from France; the

vealed all they knew.

Thus, while the rude clans-

militia were guarding the fords and passes; but an old Highlander, Donald MacLeod, procured an eight—oared boat in which the Prince was rowed

A shep—

men were drawn and quartered rather than become

in a terrific storm over to Long Island.

informers, we see a Mr. John Murray bringing by his confessions his brother-in—arms to the scaffold. This Murray had been for years the bosom friend of the Prince in Rome, and later on, had acted as

herd’s hut became his quarters, a sail his couch, and the ribs of an old cow his food. For some days he had to fly from island to island, occasionally with no water to drink, and

His revelations were so vile

seldom with any other food than dried herrings

his private secretary.

On a remote island a whole month was

that he was checked in them by the judge himself.

or crabs.

We are glad to know that he passed the rest of his days an object of universal detestation.

passed in this manner, but his temper never failed

Tracked and hunted like a wild animal, from

mountain to mountain, from island to island, and

from hut to hut, with a price set on his head, and Hanoverian bloodhounds at his heels, Prince Charles everywhere met with fidelity and loyalty. Pinched by famine, tossed by storms, unsheltered from rain, his spirit never gave way.

He became the hero

of extraordinary escapes and acts of devotion which to this day are remembered in national song on the

him.

He shared the same fatigue, the same accom—

modation, and

the

same

fare

as

his

followers,

saying that in misfortune all men were equal. The approach of the Hanoverian scouts then drove Prince Charles still farther away, and almost surrounded by the English, he had to part with all his 'friends, save one and a Highlander, in whose

company he set out for the Isle of Skye. Here occurred an incident which led ultimately to his escape, and which added not a little to the romantic

In more fortunate times he

moors of the north. The first day after Culloden he rode forty miles, and was then left with three of his attendants only. Dressed in the clothes of

halo of those days.

Ned Burke, he arrived close to the very spot on the

in the King’s army.

coast where some months before, his standard had

conceived an attachment to the Prince; at any rate

had danced at Holyrood with Miss Flora Macdonald,

the daughter of a Scotch gentleman, who was serving It may be that she had then


(27)

(26)

English vessels were cruising along

you, you puppy! do you pretend to dictate here I’

been unfurled.

and was kicked down-stairs. But these cruelties Many of the chiefs, in order to had their effect. buy their pardon, turned king’s evidence, and re-

the shore to cut off assistance from France; the

vealed all they knew.

Thus, while the rude clans-

militia were guarding the fords and passes; but an old Highlander, Donald MacLeod, procured an eight—oared boat in which the Prince was rowed

A shep—

men were drawn and quartered rather than become

in a terrific storm over to Long Island.

informers, we see a Mr. John Murray bringing by his confessions his brother-in—arms to the scaffold. This Murray had been for years the bosom friend of the Prince in Rome, and later on, had acted as

herd’s hut became his quarters, a sail his couch, and the ribs of an old cow his food. For some days he had to fly from island to island, occasionally with no water to drink, and

His revelations were so vile

seldom with any other food than dried herrings

his private secretary.

On a remote island a whole month was

that he was checked in them by the judge himself.

or crabs.

We are glad to know that he passed the rest of his days an object of universal detestation.

passed in this manner, but his temper never failed

Tracked and hunted like a wild animal, from

mountain to mountain, from island to island, and

from hut to hut, with a price set on his head, and Hanoverian bloodhounds at his heels, Prince Charles everywhere met with fidelity and loyalty. Pinched by famine, tossed by storms, unsheltered from rain, his spirit never gave way.

He became the hero

of extraordinary escapes and acts of devotion which to this day are remembered in national song on the

him.

He shared the same fatigue, the same accom—

modation, and

the

same

fare

as

his

followers,

saying that in misfortune all men were equal. The approach of the Hanoverian scouts then drove Prince Charles still farther away, and almost surrounded by the English, he had to part with all his 'friends, save one and a Highlander, in whose

company he set out for the Isle of Skye. Here occurred an incident which led ultimately to his escape, and which added not a little to the romantic

In more fortunate times he

moors of the north. The first day after Culloden he rode forty miles, and was then left with three of his attendants only. Dressed in the clothes of

halo of those days.

Ned Burke, he arrived close to the very spot on the

in the King’s army.

coast where some months before, his standard had

conceived an attachment to the Prince; at any rate

had danced at Holyrood with Miss Flora Macdonald,

the daughter of a Scotch gentleman, who was serving It may be that she had then


<29)

(28) she warmly espoused his cause.

She was staying

in the neighbourhood of his retreat, and, on being

promised to be more careful in future, and accordingly in passing the next stream allowed his skirts

in female attire, and, under the name of Betty

to hang down and float upon the water. ‘Your enemies,’ said Kingsborough, ‘call you a Pretender; but if you are, I can tell you, you

Burke, acted the character of her maid.

are the worst of your sort I ever saw 1’

apprised of his presence, immediately decided to assist and to save him.

The Prince was dressed Flora

obtained from her father passports for herself, the They first tramped across a bleak moor amid

After having continued with him for some considerable time, Miss Macdonald considered Charles fairly safe and bade him farewell. It is said that

blinding rain, and after spending the night in a

Charles held her hand in his, but the words would

shepherd’s hut, which was surrounded by militia,

not find their way through the husky passage of

they succeeded in reaching a Wherry on the coast,

his throat and that tears rushed to his eyes.

in which they made for the open sea on a dark

formal phrases passed his lips, but he bent down

night. Miss Macdonald was nervous, but the Prince

and kissed her twice on the forehead, and then, as he stepped into the boat which was to take him away, he turned and said, ‘ For all that has happened, madam, we shall meet in St. James’s yet.’

Prince’s

faithful

Highlander,

and

Betty

Burke.

remained merry, sang gay ballads, and related stories of foreign adventure to his brave protectress. As they neared the Island of Skye they were

No

The hope was not fulfilled, and they never met

fired at by the English soldiers; they succeeded in

again.

landing farther on, and found a temporary respite

watching its flight from a rock.

at the mansion of Lady Kingsborough, a relation

she was arrested and sent to prison in London,

of Miss Macdonald,

but at the intercession

of Frederick, Prince

Wales,

released.

where

unwonted luxury of a bed.

Charles

enjoyed the

He was not allowed to

tarry long, and urged to continue his flight, still

The boat pushed off from the shore, Flora

she

was

soon

Within a few days

She

of

afterwards

On passing a stream

married her kinsman, Alexander Macdonald, Kings— borough’s son, to whom she bore several children.

he held up his petticoats so high as to excite the surprise and laughter of some country people on the road. Being admonished by his attendants he

She died at the age of seventy at her home in the Island of Skye, leaving to posterity a name which will ever be reverenced for courage, fidelity, and honour

retaining his female disguise.


<29)

(28) she warmly espoused his cause.

She was staying

in the neighbourhood of his retreat, and, on being

promised to be more careful in future, and accordingly in passing the next stream allowed his skirts

in female attire, and, under the name of Betty

to hang down and float upon the water. ‘Your enemies,’ said Kingsborough, ‘call you a Pretender; but if you are, I can tell you, you

Burke, acted the character of her maid.

are the worst of your sort I ever saw 1’

apprised of his presence, immediately decided to assist and to save him.

The Prince was dressed Flora

obtained from her father passports for herself, the They first tramped across a bleak moor amid

After having continued with him for some considerable time, Miss Macdonald considered Charles fairly safe and bade him farewell. It is said that

blinding rain, and after spending the night in a

Charles held her hand in his, but the words would

shepherd’s hut, which was surrounded by militia,

not find their way through the husky passage of

they succeeded in reaching a Wherry on the coast,

his throat and that tears rushed to his eyes.

in which they made for the open sea on a dark

formal phrases passed his lips, but he bent down

night. Miss Macdonald was nervous, but the Prince

and kissed her twice on the forehead, and then, as he stepped into the boat which was to take him away, he turned and said, ‘ For all that has happened, madam, we shall meet in St. James’s yet.’

Prince’s

faithful

Highlander,

and

Betty

Burke.

remained merry, sang gay ballads, and related stories of foreign adventure to his brave protectress. As they neared the Island of Skye they were

No

The hope was not fulfilled, and they never met

fired at by the English soldiers; they succeeded in

again.

landing farther on, and found a temporary respite

watching its flight from a rock.

at the mansion of Lady Kingsborough, a relation

she was arrested and sent to prison in London,

of Miss Macdonald,

but at the intercession

of Frederick, Prince

Wales,

released.

where

unwonted luxury of a bed.

Charles

enjoyed the

He was not allowed to

tarry long, and urged to continue his flight, still

The boat pushed off from the shore, Flora

she

was

soon

Within a few days

She

of

afterwards

On passing a stream

married her kinsman, Alexander Macdonald, Kings— borough’s son, to whom she bore several children.

he held up his petticoats so high as to excite the surprise and laughter of some country people on the road. Being admonished by his attendants he

She died at the age of seventy at her home in the Island of Skye, leaving to posterity a name which will ever be reverenced for courage, fidelity, and honour

retaining his female disguise.


(30)

(31)

For many weeks Charles continued his lonely wanderings. On one occasion he had to seek con-

detained General Hawley at her house at Falkirk,

cealment in a cave among robbers; but fierce and lawless as they were, they never thought for an instant of earning the price of blood; on the con-

trary, they spared no effort to secure his safety and to supply his wants. After endless perils and ad-

was executed on Tower Hill, together with Lord Bal-

merino.

Lord Tullibardine was only saved a similar

fate by dying in the Tower before his trial came on. The Duke of Perth and Lord George Murray con-l trived to escape. The Duke died while out at sea, but his more fortunate comrade reached Holland,

ventures, Charles effected a meeting with some of

where he lived for fifteen years.

his faithful adherents, among whom was Cameron of Lochiel, who provided him with a plenty to which he had long been unused. Devouring some scollops out of a saucepan with a silver spoon, he cried,

Sheridan, the Prince’s Governor, made good his flight to Rome, where he died broken—hearted within

‘Now, gentlemen, I live like a prince.’

parture from Scotland, he cast off all the good qualities of his nature. Henceforth, a wanderer on the face of the earth, soured by misfortune, bereft

One day lying concealed in a close thicket, that from being half suspended in the air was called

Sir Thomas

the same year. Of Charles, it may be said, that with his de-

had been despatched to his relief had anchored in

of the excitement of an ambitious campaign, and the influence of a vigorous race, he succumbed to weak-

the neighbourhood.

nesses which grew into vices.

‘ the cage,’ Charles heard that a French ship which He immediately set out, but

travelled only at night, and on the 20th September, attended by Cameron of Lochiel and about a hundred other faithful friends, embarked at the

very same spot where he had landed fourteen months before, for the coast of France, which he

reached in nine days. After the escape of Prince Charles: the Duke of Cumberland’s butcheries were followed up with wholesale execution, both in Scotland and England. Lord Kilmarnock, the husband of the ladygwho had

It is with regret and pity, it is almost with shame, that we have to chronicle the remainder of his life. The change, however, was not accomplished in a day. On his arrival in Paris he was

graciously received by the King, and enthusiastically by the French people. Whatever his faults Charles remembered his friends, and at his request commands were conferred on them in the French

army. For himself he only obtained empty words. His applications to the Courts of Spain and


(30)

(31)

For many weeks Charles continued his lonely wanderings. On one occasion he had to seek con-

detained General Hawley at her house at Falkirk,

cealment in a cave among robbers; but fierce and lawless as they were, they never thought for an instant of earning the price of blood; on the con-

trary, they spared no effort to secure his safety and to supply his wants. After endless perils and ad-

was executed on Tower Hill, together with Lord Bal-

merino.

Lord Tullibardine was only saved a similar

fate by dying in the Tower before his trial came on. The Duke of Perth and Lord George Murray con-l trived to escape. The Duke died while out at sea, but his more fortunate comrade reached Holland,

ventures, Charles effected a meeting with some of

where he lived for fifteen years.

his faithful adherents, among whom was Cameron of Lochiel, who provided him with a plenty to which he had long been unused. Devouring some scollops out of a saucepan with a silver spoon, he cried,

Sheridan, the Prince’s Governor, made good his flight to Rome, where he died broken—hearted within

‘Now, gentlemen, I live like a prince.’

parture from Scotland, he cast off all the good qualities of his nature. Henceforth, a wanderer on the face of the earth, soured by misfortune, bereft

One day lying concealed in a close thicket, that from being half suspended in the air was called

Sir Thomas

the same year. Of Charles, it may be said, that with his de-

had been despatched to his relief had anchored in

of the excitement of an ambitious campaign, and the influence of a vigorous race, he succumbed to weak-

the neighbourhood.

nesses which grew into vices.

‘ the cage,’ Charles heard that a French ship which He immediately set out, but

travelled only at night, and on the 20th September, attended by Cameron of Lochiel and about a hundred other faithful friends, embarked at the

very same spot where he had landed fourteen months before, for the coast of France, which he

reached in nine days. After the escape of Prince Charles: the Duke of Cumberland’s butcheries were followed up with wholesale execution, both in Scotland and England. Lord Kilmarnock, the husband of the ladygwho had

It is with regret and pity, it is almost with shame, that we have to chronicle the remainder of his life. The change, however, was not accomplished in a day. On his arrival in Paris he was

graciously received by the King, and enthusiastically by the French people. Whatever his faults Charles remembered his friends, and at his request commands were conferred on them in the French

army. For himself he only obtained empty words. His applications to the Courts of Spain and


(32)

(33)

Prussia to assist him in a renewed descent upon England subjected him to humiliating rebuffs. For three years he kept ceaselessly importuning the

dier, the Prince was becoming debased by drink.

French Government with the same object, until at

whisky to sustain him under privations and fatigue. Even in an age when immoderate drinking was the

last they lost all patience, and one day, on his way to the Opera, he was arrested by the Marquis de

Vaudreuil, ignominiously bound, and sent to prison,

whence he was taken with an escort to the Italian frontier, where he was liberated. For some years his life is shrouded in obscurity. His head-quarters were at Avignon, in the south of France, but he spent much of his time in various parts of Europe engaged in more or less impracticable schemes for the recovery of the Eng— lish throne. There is no doubt that he visited London disguised as a servant under the name of Smith. There he met some Jacobite conspirators in an obscure tavern and displayed on that occasion the intrepidity of character and confidence in his friends which had won him so many hearts. He was informed about this time that his brother Henry had become a Cardinal of the Church of Rome. He never forgave him for taking this step, which hopelessly removed this Prince from the prospect of a succession to the British Crown, and hence-

forth his relations both with his father and brother became strained. From the chivalrous youth and the gallant sol-

During the months of his concealment in Scotland he had accustomed himself to taking drams of

fashion his habits of self-indulgence soon attracted attention and comment. His whole moral nature

underwent a complete transformation owing to this Vice to which he became a slave.

His bold bearing degenerated into cowardice, his sensitive humanity into brutality, his generosity into avarice, his confidence into suspicion, and his cordial

manners into vulgar swagger and coarse hilarity. For many years little of moment can be gathered of his eXistence.

He lived alternately in France, in Belgium,

in Switzerland, under various names and in various

disguises, accompanied by Miss Walkenshaw, whose

acquaintance he had made in Scotland. His con— duct towards this lady, who was treated as his wife, and had borne him a daughter, savoured of the

brutality which had permeated his whole nature. He quarrelled with her, beat her, and ill—treated her

to such an extent that, in the year 1760, she fled with her child, and took refuge in a convent. \Vith an indifference which did him little credit, Charles never troubled himself further about her, even, to the

extent of making any provision for her maintenance. To Lord Elcho, who lost his fortune in his cause, he '1)


(32)

(33)

Prussia to assist him in a renewed descent upon England subjected him to humiliating rebuffs. For three years he kept ceaselessly importuning the

dier, the Prince was becoming debased by drink.

French Government with the same object, until at

whisky to sustain him under privations and fatigue. Even in an age when immoderate drinking was the

last they lost all patience, and one day, on his way to the Opera, he was arrested by the Marquis de

Vaudreuil, ignominiously bound, and sent to prison,

whence he was taken with an escort to the Italian frontier, where he was liberated. For some years his life is shrouded in obscurity. His head-quarters were at Avignon, in the south of France, but he spent much of his time in various parts of Europe engaged in more or less impracticable schemes for the recovery of the Eng— lish throne. There is no doubt that he visited London disguised as a servant under the name of Smith. There he met some Jacobite conspirators in an obscure tavern and displayed on that occasion the intrepidity of character and confidence in his friends which had won him so many hearts. He was informed about this time that his brother Henry had become a Cardinal of the Church of Rome. He never forgave him for taking this step, which hopelessly removed this Prince from the prospect of a succession to the British Crown, and hence-

forth his relations both with his father and brother became strained. From the chivalrous youth and the gallant sol-

During the months of his concealment in Scotland he had accustomed himself to taking drams of

fashion his habits of self-indulgence soon attracted attention and comment. His whole moral nature

underwent a complete transformation owing to this Vice to which he became a slave.

His bold bearing degenerated into cowardice, his sensitive humanity into brutality, his generosity into avarice, his confidence into suspicion, and his cordial

manners into vulgar swagger and coarse hilarity. For many years little of moment can be gathered of his eXistence.

He lived alternately in France, in Belgium,

in Switzerland, under various names and in various

disguises, accompanied by Miss Walkenshaw, whose

acquaintance he had made in Scotland. His con— duct towards this lady, who was treated as his wife, and had borne him a daughter, savoured of the

brutality which had permeated his whole nature. He quarrelled with her, beat her, and ill—treated her

to such an extent that, in the year 1760, she fled with her child, and took refuge in a convent. \Vith an indifference which did him little credit, Charles never troubled himself further about her, even, to the

extent of making any provision for her maintenance. To Lord Elcho, who lost his fortune in his cause, he '1)


(33) would never repay a considerable sum of money he

dier, the Prince was becoming debased by drink.

borrowed from him in Scotland. Lord Elcho kept his vow and would never see him again, but made repeated application for the money through a friend,

During the months of his concealment in Scotland

he had accustomed himself to taking drams of whisky to sustain him under privations and fatigue.

without avail.

Even in an age when immoderate drinking was the

It is said that Prince Charles visited England

fashion his habits of self—indulgence soon attracted

three times, and was even present at the coronation

attention and comment.

of George III. in Westminster Abbey; but on hear-

underwent a complete transformation owing to this

ing of his father’s death in 1766, he set out for

vice to which he became a slave.

Rome.

His bold bearing degenerated into cowardice, his sensitive humanity into brutality, his generosity into avarice, his confidence into suspicion, and his cordial manners into vulgar swagger and coarse hilarity. For many years little of moment can be gathered of his ex—

He expected to be received with the distinction due to royalty, and to reign in a little court as his father had reigned before him in his. But he was

disappointed.

No one of any consequence would

His whole moral nature

meet him but his brother. Neither the Pope nor any

istence.

European sovereign ever recognised his claims or his rights. Much of his time was spent in the neigh-

in Switzerland, under various names and in various

He lived alternately in France, in Belgium,

Of bourhood of Rome hunting and shooting. society he saw little. Drink had so fastened itself

disguises, accompanied by Miss Walkenshaw, whose acquaintance he had made in Scotland. His con— duct towards this lady, who was treated as his wife,

estranged his friends, and

and had borne him a daughter, savoured of the

His own people were not safe wrecked his life. from him. In a drunken fit he once pursued them

brutality which had permeated his whole nature.

with a drawn sword, so that they narrowly escaped

to such an extent that, in the year 1760, she fled

upon him, that it

with their lives.

‘The Pretender,’ writes one who

He quarrelled with her, beat her, and ill—treated her with her child, and took refuge in a convent.

‘Vith

saw him at this time, ‘appears bloated and red in

an indifference which did him little credit, Charles

the face, his countenance is heavy and sleepy; but he is by no means thin, has a noble person and a peaceful manner, but on the whole he has a melan-

never troubled himself further about her, even to the

extent of making any provision for her maintenance. To Lord Elcho, who lost his fortune in his cause, he I)


(36)

(35)

couple started for Rome. At first matters went fairly well. The Cardinal of York procured them a

nk, and always choly and mortified appearance.’ Dru drunk, his health began to fail. at Pisa, and He left Rome to take the baths ence, where he then fixed his quarters at Flor . But France assumed the title of Count of Albany

royal entry into the Eternal City; and althouah

the aristocracy of Rome refused to acknowledge their regal title, they showed profuse hospitality. and during the winter the Prince, proud of his beautiful wife and ever at her side, mixed largely

in society.

The Princess is thus described by one

who saw her at that time: ‘ The Queen of Hearts as the Queen of England was called, was of the: middle height, blonde, with deep blue eyes, a nose

remained watchful, and saw with regret

the probable

Prince Charles

extinction of the line of the Stuarts.

Henry, now was advancing in years. His brother, lessly re— a prince of the Roman Church, was hope the policy moved from the succession. It served tenders as a of France to perpetuate a line of Pre

slightly turned up, the complexion dazzlingly fair like that of an Englishwoman. Her expression was

land. means of fomenting discord in Eng

maliciously gay, but naturally not without a dash

ful Princess of high birth, Louisa, the

of raillery; her nature more French than German.

Prince Stolberg, was taken from a

She seemed made to turn everybody’s head.

was being educated, packed off to Flor

Pretender was large, lean, of a

kindly

The

disposi—

To give effect to this policy, a young and

beauti-

daughter of

convent, where‘she

ence, and there

st incredible that married to the Pretender. It is almo

with a con-

He delighted to speak English,

Charles, then fifty—two years of age, and

and spoke much and willingly of his adventures

stitution shattered by drink and debauche

interesting enough for a stranger, whilst those about

not only a have lent himself to this plan, accepting ernment consort but a subsidy at the hands of a gov

tion, talkative.

him might possibly have been obliged to listen to

them a hundred times. His young wife laughed heartily at the history of his having been disguised in woman’s clothes, considering his mien and stature.’

ry, should

own selfish which had merely utilised him for its

purposes, and had left him in the lurch

in the hour

the monotony of his greatest need. But wearied by ce, he gave his of his life and bribed into complian

of the Princess, and the distractions of the gay life

place one consent to the scheme. The wedding took of Ancona, Good Friday, 1772, in the neighbourhood

on which they had entered, Charles had now become

whence

It was fondly imagined that under the influence

after

the

honeymoon the newly-married


(36)

(35)

couple started for Rome. At first matters went fairly well. The Cardinal of York procured them a

nk, and always choly and mortified appearance.’ Dru drunk, his health began to fail. at Pisa, and He left Rome to take the baths ence, where he then fixed his quarters at Flor . But France assumed the title of Count of Albany

royal entry into the Eternal City; and althouah

the aristocracy of Rome refused to acknowledge their regal title, they showed profuse hospitality. and during the winter the Prince, proud of his beautiful wife and ever at her side, mixed largely

in society.

The Princess is thus described by one

who saw her at that time: ‘ The Queen of Hearts as the Queen of England was called, was of the: middle height, blonde, with deep blue eyes, a nose

remained watchful, and saw with regret

the probable

Prince Charles

extinction of the line of the Stuarts.

Henry, now was advancing in years. His brother, lessly re— a prince of the Roman Church, was hope the policy moved from the succession. It served tenders as a of France to perpetuate a line of Pre

slightly turned up, the complexion dazzlingly fair like that of an Englishwoman. Her expression was

land. means of fomenting discord in Eng

maliciously gay, but naturally not without a dash

ful Princess of high birth, Louisa, the

of raillery; her nature more French than German.

Prince Stolberg, was taken from a

She seemed made to turn everybody’s head.

was being educated, packed off to Flor

Pretender was large, lean, of a

kindly

The

disposi—

To give effect to this policy, a young and

beauti-

daughter of

convent, where‘she

ence, and there

st incredible that married to the Pretender. It is almo

with a con-

He delighted to speak English,

Charles, then fifty—two years of age, and

and spoke much and willingly of his adventures

stitution shattered by drink and debauche

interesting enough for a stranger, whilst those about

not only a have lent himself to this plan, accepting ernment consort but a subsidy at the hands of a gov

tion, talkative.

him might possibly have been obliged to listen to

them a hundred times. His young wife laughed heartily at the history of his having been disguised in woman’s clothes, considering his mien and stature.’

ry, should

own selfish which had merely utilised him for its

purposes, and had left him in the lurch

in the hour

the monotony of his greatest need. But wearied by ce, he gave his of his life and bribed into complian

of the Princess, and the distractions of the gay life

place one consent to the scheme. The wedding took of Ancona, Good Friday, 1772, in the neighbourhood

on which they had entered, Charles had now become

whence

It was fondly imagined that under the influence

after

the

honeymoon the newly-married


(37)

(3G)

He had apparently foresworn

couple started for Rome. At first matters went fairly well. The Cardinal of York procured them a

a reformed character.

royal entry into the Eternal City; and although

The admiration excited by the wit and beauty of

the aristocracy of Rome refused to acknowledge

the Princess flattered his vanity and gave society

their regal title, they showed profuse hospitality,

additional charms for him.

and during the winter the Prince, proud of his

these early days of their union, a model of devotion,

beautiful wife and ever at her side, mixed largely 111 society. The Princess is thus described by one

though inordinately jealous.

who saw her at that time: ‘ The Queen of Hearts, as the Queen of England was called, was of the middle height, blonde, with deep blue eyes, a nose slightly turned up, the complexion dazzlingly fair, like that of an Englishwoman. Her expression was

his evil habits, benefiting vastly by the change.

He proved himself, in

This salutary reformation was short-lived. His jealousy grew daily more excessive, and satiated with the delights of society, he again turned to

the bottle for a stimulant for his jaded appetites.

Pretender was large, lean, of a kindly disposition, talkative. He delighted to speak English,

The old demon took entire possession of him, and in less than two years after his marriage he was more the Victim of intoxication than ever. Florence had long been a favourite resort with the Prince, and he shortly took up his abode there permanently. At first, as far as hospitalities were concerned, the Prince and Princess had nothing to

and spoke much and willingly of his adventures,

complain of, but owing to their pretensions they

interesting enough for a stranger, whilst those about

were soon left to themselves.

him might possibly have been obliged to listen to them a hundred times. His young wife laughed heartily at the history of his having been disguised in woman’s clothes, considering his mien and

Prince had always found relaxation, and now a night rarely passed that he was not to be seen in his box ; but an opera or a play were insufficient for his amusement, unless their performance was accompanied by copious libations of his favourite Cyprus

maliciously gay, but naturally not without a dash of raillery; her nature more French than German. She seemed made to turn everybody’s head.

The

stature.’ It was fondly imagined that under the influence

of the Princess, and the distractions of the gay life on which they had entered, Charles had now become

In the theatre the

wine. Not unfrequently under the gaze of the audience he passed through the different phases of intoxication, until, finally stupefied and reeling from


(38)

(37)

the fumes of the Wine, he had to be borne in the arms of his servants to his carriage, too drunk to

a reformed character. He had apparently foresworn his evil habits, benefiting vastly by the change.

articulate the curses which rose to his lips.

The admiration excited by the wit and beauty of

It is needless to dwell on the miserable consequences of this ill—starred marriage.

Disparity of

the Princess flattered his vanity and gave society additional charms for him.

He proved himself, in

At last

these early days of their union, a model of devotion, though inordinately jealous. This salutary reformation was short~lived. His jealousy grew daily more excessive, and satiated

driven to desperation the Princess sought refuge

with the delights of society, he again turned to

in a convent, from which she shortly afterwards

the bottle for a stimulant for his jaded appetites.

sloped with Count Alfieri, an Italian noble and a

The old demon took entire possession of him, and in

poet of genius.

less than two years after his marriage he was more the victim of intoxication than ever.

years, and uncongeniality of taste and disposition, caused this incongruous couple to lead for some years

a wretched life ; quarrels ensued which formed a topic for all the scandal-mongers of Europe.

Eventually she obtained a divorce from her hus—

lated as a condition to his assent, that he should

Florence had long been a favourite resort with the Prince, and he shortly took up his abode there

retain the entire dowry which France had given at

permanently.

the time of the marriage.

concerned, the Prince and Princess had nothing to

band; and it is painful to record that Charles stipu—

At first, as far as hospitalities were

The subsequent career of the Countess of Albany

complain of, but owing to their pretensions they

must be reluctantly dismissed from our attention.

he Cl eated Duchess of Albany, but her influence was

were soon left to themselves. In the theatre the Prince had always found relaxation, and now a night rarely passed that he was not to be seen in his

of no avail in checking his intemperance.

The priva—

box ; but an opera or a play were insufficient for his

tions and fatigue of the campaign of ’45 and the

amusement, unless their performance was accom-

anxieties of later days had impaired a constitution

panied by copious libations of his favourite Cyprus

which

wine.

Charles in his solitude sent for his daughter, whom

continuous

excesses

irretrievably

ruined.

Not unfrequently under the gaze of the

With his weakened intellect he turned for solace to

audience he passed through the different phases of

the prophecies of astrologers.

intoxication, until, finally stupefied and reeling from

A casket full of gold


<38)

(39)

the fumes of the wine, he had to be borne in the

means was ever under his bed to furnish him with the gave to start at the first signal. But to the very last he

arms of his servants to his carriage, too drunk to

articulate the curses which rose to his lips. It is needless to dwell on the miserable con-

sequences of this ill—starred marriage. Disparity of years, and uncongeniality of taste and disposition, caused this incongruous couple to lead for some years

d proofs that some sparks of the old fire still slumbere beneath the ashes of his life. He beguiled the loneliness of his existence with music, being a proficient in the use of several instruments, even the bagpipe, on which he played Jacobite airs.

To his Visitors

a wretched life ; quarrels ensued which formed a topic for all the scandal—mongers of Europe. At last driven to desperation the Princess sought refuge

he ever expressed himself in pathetic and eloquent

in a convent, from which she shortly afterwards

exploits of his youth he fell into convulsions.

one words of the adventurous days of ’45. On of the occasion when one of these reminded him ,

‘ Ah I’ cried his daughter, rushing into the room

eloped with Count Alfieri, an Italian noble and a poet of genius. Eventually she obtained a divorce from her hus-

‘ what is this?

Prince about Scotland and the Highlands—no

one

band ; and it is painful to record that Charles stipu—

dares to mention either in his presence!’

On

lated as a condition to his assent, that he should

son another occasion, when M. de Vaudreuil, the and of the officer who had arrested him in Paris,

retain the entire dowry which France had given at

the time of the marriage. The subsequent career of the Countess of Albany must be reluctantly dismissed from our attention. Charles in his solitude sent for his daughter, whom

he created Duchess of Albany, but her influence was of no avail in checking his intemperance. The priva—

You must have spoken to the

who bore a striking resemblance to his father, with ,

more curiosity than tact called upon him in Rome he almost fainted.

In the spring of 1786 he fell dangerously ill. The end came somewhat suddenly two years later.

tions and fatigue of the campaign of ’45 and the

ter, Charles breathed his last in the arms of his daugh on exactly one hundred years after the Revoluti

anxieties of later days had impaired a constitution

which had deprived his grandfather, James 11., of

which continuous excesses irretrievably

With his weakened intellect he turned for solace to

her the throne. The Duchess of Albany survived ies father but a few months. She died from injur

the prophecies of astrologers.

sustained from a fall from her horse.

ruined.

A casket full of gold


(39)

(40) In 1807, with the death of Prince Henry, Cardinal and Duke of York, the House of Stuart became

extinct.

The Old Pretender and his sons lie in-

terred in the Cathedral of St. Peter’s at Rome,

where King George IV. raised a monument to their memory. Posterity is prone to be indulgent in its judg— ment of prominent personages. We prefer to linger

was ever under his bed to furnish him with the means to start at the first signal. But to the very last he gave proofs that some sparks of the old fire still slumbered beneath the ashes of his life. He beguiled the loneliness of his existence with music, being a proficient in the use of several instruments, even the bagpipe, on which he played Jacobite airs.

To his visitors

sionally tempted to attribute to an inscrutable cause the doom which was but the natural penalty of their

he ever expressed himself in pathetic and eloquent words of the adventurous days of ’45. On one occasion when one of these reminded him of the exploits of his youth he fell into convulsions. ‘Ah I’ cried his daughter, rushing into the room,

failings.

‘ what is this?

The malignant influence of an evil star has been held responsible for the misfortunes of the

Prince about Scotland and the Highlands—no one dares to mention either in his presence!’ On

Princes of the House of Stuart.

An impartial critic,

another occasion, when M. de Vaudreuil, the son

however, must admit that they brought those misfortunes on themselves and on their descendants,

of the officer who had arrested him in Paris, and who bore a striking resemblance to his father, with

and that they were but a just retribution for a

more curiosity than tact called upon him in Rome,

century of misrule. Prince Charles may have been the innocent victim of circumstances. He may

he almost fainted. In the spring of 1786 he fell dangerously ill. The end came somewhat suddenly two years later.

in the glow of their brighter qualities than to dwell in the dark shadow of their vices, and are occa-

have suffered for the faults of others. But there is no reason to suppose that on the throne he would have proved himself an exception to his race. In his maturer years he failed to fulfil the promise of his youth. He learnt nothing from the lessons of adversity. He lost the chance of rehabilitating the character of his house.

You must have spoken to the

Charles breathed his last in the arms of his daughter,

exactly one hundred years after the Revolution which had deprived his grandfather, James 11., of the throne. The Duchess of Albany survived her father but a few months. She died from injuries sustained from a fall from her horse.


(40)

(41)

’ In 1807, with the death of Prince Henry, Car-

If Bonnie Prince Charlie—brave, amiable, popular,

dinal and Duke of York, the House of Stuart became

brilliant, humane, and kind—became the brutal,

extinct.

coarse, ungenerous, and depraved Count of Albany, it was because his blood was tainted with the vices of his ancestors, and that in common with them, he lacked those high principles of honour and morality

The Old Pretender and his sons lie in-

terred in the Cathedral of St. Peter’s at Rome,

where King George IV. raised a monument to their memory.

Posterity is prone to be indulgent in its judgment of prominent personages. We prefer to linger in the glow of their brighter qualities than to dwell

which are essential to the success of individuals and

in the dark shadow of their vices, and are occa-

the highest expectations; but at the same time

sionally tempted to attribute to an inscrutable cause the doom which was but the natural penalty of their

rejoice in the knowledge that a Stuart no longer

failings. The malignant influence of an evil star has

and that with unquestioned right and in undisturbed glory, a sovereign is seated on its throne who, during

been held responsible for the misfortunes of the Princes of the House of Stuart. An impartial critic,

a reign of fifty years, has endeared not only herself

the welfare of nations.

We must doubly deplore

these blemishes in one whose early career raised

exists to menace the peaceful security of this realm,

but her line to the hearts of her subjects.

however, must admit that they brought those misfortunes on themselves and on their descendants,

WADDESDEN READING ROOM,

and that they were but a just retribution for a

January, 1886.

century of misrule. Prince Charles may have been the innocent victim of circumstances. He may have suffered for the faults of others.

But there 1

is no reason to suppose that on the throne he would have proved himself an exception to his race. In his maturer years he failed to fulfil the promise of his youth. He learnt nothing from the lessons of adversity, He lost the chance of rehabilitating the character of his house.


GEORGE III.


GEORGE III.


GEORGE III.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, In the selection of the subject of

this lecture I fear that I lay myself open to your criticism, if not to your censure. At any time, I am fully aware that I must rely on your indulgence and

claim your generous sympathy, but on this particular occasion I have to solicit your special forbearance.

To render in the space of an hour an adequate account of a life of eighty—two years, and of a reign of sixty, is almost an impossible task, yet I trust that by portraying to you some of the most noteworthy traits of a king Who stood out prominently among

i

‘5

li

an illustrious host of contemporaries, and by touching on some of the most conspicuous events of his day,

I may not in vain appeal to your interest. In 17 60, at the age of twenty-two, George III. succeeded his grandfather as King of Great Britain. The impression which the King made on the public was a most favourable one.


GEORGE III.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, In the selection of the subject of

this lecture I fear that I lay myself open to your criticism, if not to your censure. At any time, I am fully aware that I must rely on your indulgence and

claim your generous sympathy, but on this particular occasion I have to solicit your special forbearance.

To render in the space of an hour an adequate account of a life of eighty—two years, and of a reign of sixty, is almost an impossible task, yet I trust that by portraying to you some of the most noteworthy traits of a king Who stood out prominently among

i

‘5

li

an illustrious host of contemporaries, and by touching on some of the most conspicuous events of his day,

I may not in vain appeal to your interest. In 17 60, at the age of twenty-two, George III. succeeded his grandfather as King of Great Britain. The impression which the King made on the public was a most favourable one.


(4)

(5)

Tall and full of dignity, with a somewhat florid and good-natured countenance, with a graceful and obliging manner, he combined remarkable tact and a

a visit, and he instituted the King’s Plate of One

His voice was particularly

His pluck in following the hounds was proverbial;

fine and melodious, and his demeanour so dignified, that it was generally remarked no actor could have equalled his grace in ascending the throne. Throughout his long life, George III. proved

an excellent horseman, no leap saW him turn aside. It was a point of etiquette with the royal hounds that no one was permitted to ride before the King;

himself to be a gentleman in every sense of the

see that it was observed. It happened on one occa-

{eligious without bigotry, simple without

sion that a young sportsman, unable to control his horse, rode past the King, dashing some dirt into his

happy facility of address.

word.

affectation, courageous without foolhardiness, an excellent son, a devoted husband, and a fond parent, he ever afforded the noblest contrast to the coarseness and greed of his predecessors, and the licentious profligacy of his contemporaries. His habit was to rise in the early morning,

and spend an hour in devotion before

break-

fast. Having attended to public business, he then passed his time until dinner in his study, or on horse-

back. It was a common practice for him, Whatever might be the state of the weather, to ride all the way

Hundred Guineas, to be run for by such horses as had

regularly hunted with his hounds the preceding Winter.

and men called ‘prickers ’ were specially appointed to

Majesty’s face. The ‘prickers’ were about to resent this affront, when George III. good-naturedly exclaimed, ‘ Stop! stop! never punish a man for what he can’t help.’ His fondness for horses was extended to the stable, to which he was in the habit of paying an early visit. ‘Do you see my horse?’ he once asked Lord Winehilsea. ‘l have had him twenty years, and he is good now. If you don’t know the secret I’ll tell it to you: I know what he is worth, and treat

from Windsor to London; there hold a levee, then

. him accordingly.’ A striking feature of the King’s nature was his

a Privy Council, and after attending to various

frugality.

engagements, at a late hour return in his coach to

glasses of wine at dinner, and was known to prefer a plain mutton chop to the most elaborate dishes.

Windsor. Hunting was for many years the chief, if not the only, spOrt to which he was addicted. Ascot races, however, he never omitted to patronise annually with

He never indulged in more than four

In fact, his economy gave rise to sarcastic comments,

and it was whispered that four pounds of meat only were regularly measured out for the royal table.


(4)

(5)

Tall and full of dignity, with a somewhat florid and good-natured countenance, with a graceful and obliging manner, he combined remarkable tact and a

a visit, and he instituted the King’s Plate of One

His voice was particularly

His pluck in following the hounds was proverbial;

fine and melodious, and his demeanour so dignified, that it was generally remarked no actor could have equalled his grace in ascending the throne. Throughout his long life, George III. proved

an excellent horseman, no leap saW him turn aside. It was a point of etiquette with the royal hounds that no one was permitted to ride before the King;

himself to be a gentleman in every sense of the

see that it was observed. It happened on one occa-

{eligious without bigotry, simple without

sion that a young sportsman, unable to control his horse, rode past the King, dashing some dirt into his

happy facility of address.

word.

affectation, courageous without foolhardiness, an excellent son, a devoted husband, and a fond parent, he ever afforded the noblest contrast to the coarseness and greed of his predecessors, and the licentious profligacy of his contemporaries. His habit was to rise in the early morning,

and spend an hour in devotion before

break-

fast. Having attended to public business, he then passed his time until dinner in his study, or on horse-

back. It was a common practice for him, Whatever might be the state of the weather, to ride all the way

Hundred Guineas, to be run for by such horses as had

regularly hunted with his hounds the preceding Winter.

and men called ‘prickers ’ were specially appointed to

Majesty’s face. The ‘prickers’ were about to resent this affront, when George III. good-naturedly exclaimed, ‘ Stop! stop! never punish a man for what he can’t help.’ His fondness for horses was extended to the stable, to which he was in the habit of paying an early visit. ‘Do you see my horse?’ he once asked Lord Winehilsea. ‘l have had him twenty years, and he is good now. If you don’t know the secret I’ll tell it to you: I know what he is worth, and treat

from Windsor to London; there hold a levee, then

. him accordingly.’ A striking feature of the King’s nature was his

a Privy Council, and after attending to various

frugality.

engagements, at a late hour return in his coach to

glasses of wine at dinner, and was known to prefer a plain mutton chop to the most elaborate dishes.

Windsor. Hunting was for many years the chief, if not the only, spOrt to which he was addicted. Ascot races, however, he never omitted to patronise annually with

He never indulged in more than four

In fact, his economy gave rise to sarcastic comments,

and it was whispered that four pounds of meat only were regularly measured out for the royal table.


(7) (6) ‘I am told, Mr. Ramsden, that you are the least After supper, at which he never went beyond a glass of wine and water, he ended the evening by reading a religious tract, and retiring at an hour at which fashionable dissipation had hardly begun. There was no more methodical or business—like administrator in his kingdom ; it being his invariable principle that system alone could carry a man suc— cessfully through the affairs of life. On being asked how one of his Ministers could get through such an amount of business, he replied, ‘He acts as I do, and always finishes one thing before he begins another.’ Punctuality was the chief element in the carrying out of this system ; and he exacted it from others as well

as practising it himself. One of his Ministers appeared late at an audience. Noticing the displeasure of the King, he said gaily, ‘Better late than never, Sire.’ ‘ I don’t think so,’ replied the King.

‘I would rather

have the proverb “ Better never than late,” my lord.’ It happened one day that he had ordered a scientific instrument of a celebrated Optician named Ramsden, and purposely fixed a distant day to give

him time to complete it.

When the appointed day

arrived, not only was the instrument unfinished, but

it was not until exactly twelve months later, though on the corresponding day, that Ramsden proceeded with it to the Palace. He was ushered into the

King‘s presence, who carefully examined the instrument, and then addressed the Optician with the words,

punctual of any man in England, and yet I'find you have kept your appointment to the very day; the only difference is, that you have mistaken the

year.’ George the Third’s qualities, however, were more those of a good than of a great king. Though he ever applied an almost exaggerated solicitude to the affairs of the realm, though conversing and writing with fluency and facility, and delighting in mechanics and music, he never entirely mastered the difficulties

of grammar and spelling ; and whilst being tolerably well instructed in modern languages, remained but little conversant with history or literature. Indeed, he was always consistently averse to sedentary occupations. A newspaper constituted the ordinary extent of his literary application, and however interesting

it might be, generally sent him to sleep in half an hour; and while ruling his household with a kindly hand, he wielded in the affairs of the State an injudicious, an unscrupulous, and even a tyrannical authority. The reason of this inconsistency may be traced

partly to the natural obstinacy which he had inherited from his race, but chiefly to the unwise education he had received. Having lost his father, Frederick, Prince of Wales, in his youth, he was brought up


(7) (6) ‘I am told, Mr. Ramsden, that you are the least After supper, at which he never went beyond a glass of wine and water, he ended the evening by reading a religious tract, and retiring at an hour at which fashionable dissipation had hardly begun. There was no more methodical or business—like administrator in his kingdom ; it being his invariable principle that system alone could carry a man suc— cessfully through the affairs of life. On being asked how one of his Ministers could get through such an amount of business, he replied, ‘He acts as I do, and always finishes one thing before he begins another.’ Punctuality was the chief element in the carrying out of this system ; and he exacted it from others as well

as practising it himself. One of his Ministers appeared late at an audience. Noticing the displeasure of the King, he said gaily, ‘Better late than never, Sire.’ ‘ I don’t think so,’ replied the King.

‘I would rather

have the proverb “ Better never than late,” my lord.’ It happened one day that he had ordered a scientific instrument of a celebrated Optician named Ramsden, and purposely fixed a distant day to give

him time to complete it.

When the appointed day

arrived, not only was the instrument unfinished, but

it was not until exactly twelve months later, though on the corresponding day, that Ramsden proceeded with it to the Palace. He was ushered into the

King‘s presence, who carefully examined the instrument, and then addressed the Optician with the words,

punctual of any man in England, and yet I'find you have kept your appointment to the very day; the only difference is, that you have mistaken the

year.’ George the Third’s qualities, however, were more those of a good than of a great king. Though he ever applied an almost exaggerated solicitude to the affairs of the realm, though conversing and writing with fluency and facility, and delighting in mechanics and music, he never entirely mastered the difficulties

of grammar and spelling ; and whilst being tolerably well instructed in modern languages, remained but little conversant with history or literature. Indeed, he was always consistently averse to sedentary occupations. A newspaper constituted the ordinary extent of his literary application, and however interesting

it might be, generally sent him to sleep in half an hour; and while ruling his household with a kindly hand, he wielded in the affairs of the State an injudicious, an unscrupulous, and even a tyrannical authority. The reason of this inconsistency may be traced

partly to the natural obstinacy which he had inherited from his race, but chiefly to the unwise education he had received. Having lost his father, Frederick, Prince of Wales, in his youth, he was brought up


(8)

(9)

under the unintelligent guidance of his mother, the

commanded by the sovereigns of preceding centuries,

Dowager Princess of Wales, who confined him to the nursery almost to the day of his accession to

he surrounded himself with men who were ready to acquiesce in the changes he endeavoured to bring about in the system of government for the pro— motion of his individual authority. With that

the throne. On the one hand, she wilfully neglected his education; on the other, she inculcated in him the most extravagant notion of his future position,

and of the royal prerogative of the Sovereign. ‘ George, be a King I ’ were the words with which she foolishly and constantly admonished him. To ‘be a king,’ in his mind, was to exercise a personal authority in the affairs of the nation, which, with the

growth of constitutional freedom, had passed from the Crown to a Ministry responsible to Parliament, and

in some degree to the country. Ignorant, narrow-minded, and arbitrary, George III. was resolved at all hazards to compel his Ministers to adopt his own views, which were generally erroneous; and ever endeavoured to resist measures which are now admitted to have been good, and to forward measures which are as univer-

sally admitted to have been bad.

It might be said

with regard to his whole public life, that, with the purest intentions, he managed to do as much mischief as it was possible for him to do. There

is scarcely a field of politics in which his hand may not be discerned, either in postponing inevitable measures of reform, or in sowing seeds of enduring evil. In order to recover for the Crown the power

object he dismissed from their posts Ministers of the highest ability, replacing them in his Councils by such politicians and courtiers as would be subservient tools in his hands ; and swamped the House

of Lords with creations of Conservative peers to carry out his views, with an effect on the influence of that assembly which is now apparent. For a considerable period before his accession to

the throne, the Wlhig party had absorbed the entire political influence of the country, and reduced their opponents, the Tories, to a condition of helpless weakness. From these George III. selected as his first Prime Minister Lord Bute, a man who, though not

devoid of taste and of talent, was deficient in ability, and whose first act was to expel from their posts not only the great dignitaries of State, but the meanest officials, for no other reason than that they had been

appointed by the previous administration. In order to ensure the return to Parliament of

men on the majority of whose votes he could rely, George III. inaugurated an organized system of bribery and corruption, as disereditable as it was injurious; and lavished such fabulous sums on brib-


(8)

(9)

under the unintelligent guidance of his mother, the

commanded by the sovereigns of preceding centuries,

Dowager Princess of Wales, who confined him to the nursery almost to the day of his accession to

he surrounded himself with men who were ready to acquiesce in the changes he endeavoured to bring about in the system of government for the pro— motion of his individual authority. With that

the throne. On the one hand, she wilfully neglected his education; on the other, she inculcated in him the most extravagant notion of his future position,

and of the royal prerogative of the Sovereign. ‘ George, be a King I ’ were the words with which she foolishly and constantly admonished him. To ‘be a king,’ in his mind, was to exercise a personal authority in the affairs of the nation, which, with the

growth of constitutional freedom, had passed from the Crown to a Ministry responsible to Parliament, and

in some degree to the country. Ignorant, narrow-minded, and arbitrary, George III. was resolved at all hazards to compel his Ministers to adopt his own views, which were generally erroneous; and ever endeavoured to resist measures which are now admitted to have been good, and to forward measures which are as univer-

sally admitted to have been bad.

It might be said

with regard to his whole public life, that, with the purest intentions, he managed to do as much mischief as it was possible for him to do. There

is scarcely a field of politics in which his hand may not be discerned, either in postponing inevitable measures of reform, or in sowing seeds of enduring evil. In order to recover for the Crown the power

object he dismissed from their posts Ministers of the highest ability, replacing them in his Councils by such politicians and courtiers as would be subservient tools in his hands ; and swamped the House

of Lords with creations of Conservative peers to carry out his views, with an effect on the influence of that assembly which is now apparent. For a considerable period before his accession to

the throne, the Wlhig party had absorbed the entire political influence of the country, and reduced their opponents, the Tories, to a condition of helpless weakness. From these George III. selected as his first Prime Minister Lord Bute, a man who, though not

devoid of taste and of talent, was deficient in ability, and whose first act was to expel from their posts not only the great dignitaries of State, but the meanest officials, for no other reason than that they had been

appointed by the previous administration. In order to ensure the return to Parliament of

men on the majority of whose votes he could rely, George III. inaugurated an organized system of bribery and corruption, as disereditable as it was injurious; and lavished such fabulous sums on brib-


(11)

ing electors and corrupting the returned members,

to the reporting of Parliamentary debates, the Free-

that although he had succeeded to a well-stocked treasury, he left at his demise debts, which were

chiefly incurred in these nefarious practices, to the amount of almost three millions and a half sterling. These arbitrary proceedings were facilitated by the restriction under which the Press still laboured,

and by the limited proportions of the Press itself. Reporters were rigorously excluded from the Houses of Parliament; consequently the journals lacked interest for the public, and the country at large

knew comparatively nothing of the actions of its representatives. It was in this early period of George the Third’s reign that the movement first began which ultimately

led to the Liberty of the Press. This was indirectly brought about by John Wilkes, the member for Aylesbury, who by his attacks in the Press on Lord Bute, and the unwarrantable persecution he suffered in consequence at the hands of the King and his

Ministers, rose to be a political martyr and hero. Expelled four times from Parliament, but always re-elected by the undaunted constituency of Middlesex, outlawed and imprisoned, the injustice of his

‘ 11“";

(10)

dom of the Press, and the free representation of the constituencies in Parliament.

Lord Bute’s unpopularity soon increased to such an extent that he could not venture to leave his house without an escort of prize-fighters—called ‘mashers’ in those days, though of a different type from the ‘mashers’ with whom we are familiar.

The young King experienced the consequences of his Minister’s unpopularity, and on one occasion, when going to visit his mother, a voice in the mob exclaimed, ‘Are you going to suck?’

It is always pleasant to revert from the political to the private life of the King. Immediately after his accession to the throne, George III. conceived a romantic attachment for Lady Sarah Lennox, the

daughter of the Duke of Richmond.

Though only

in her seventeenth year, she was eulogised by her admirers for a surpassing loveliness and bewitching fascination of manner, which is said to have charac-

terised her even in extremest old age. She was called the chief angel of the ladies of

treatment attracted the attention and called forth the

the Court, and on one occasion at private theatricals, when she was dressed in white with her hair drooping down to the ground, was described as being

sympathy of the masses to such an extent that, for the first time, public meetings were held to express

lovelier than the most ideal representation of the greatest painter.

the indignation of the country, which eventually led

On fine summer mornings Lady Sarah, attired in a


(11)

ing electors and corrupting the returned members,

to the reporting of Parliamentary debates, the Free-

that although he had succeeded to a well-stocked treasury, he left at his demise debts, which were

chiefly incurred in these nefarious practices, to the amount of almost three millions and a half sterling. These arbitrary proceedings were facilitated by the restriction under which the Press still laboured,

and by the limited proportions of the Press itself. Reporters were rigorously excluded from the Houses of Parliament; consequently the journals lacked interest for the public, and the country at large

knew comparatively nothing of the actions of its representatives. It was in this early period of George the Third’s reign that the movement first began which ultimately

led to the Liberty of the Press. This was indirectly brought about by John Wilkes, the member for Aylesbury, who by his attacks in the Press on Lord Bute, and the unwarrantable persecution he suffered in consequence at the hands of the King and his

Ministers, rose to be a political martyr and hero. Expelled four times from Parliament, but always re-elected by the undaunted constituency of Middlesex, outlawed and imprisoned, the injustice of his

‘ 11“";

(10)

dom of the Press, and the free representation of the constituencies in Parliament.

Lord Bute’s unpopularity soon increased to such an extent that he could not venture to leave his house without an escort of prize-fighters—called ‘mashers’ in those days, though of a different type from the ‘mashers’ with whom we are familiar.

The young King experienced the consequences of his Minister’s unpopularity, and on one occasion, when going to visit his mother, a voice in the mob exclaimed, ‘Are you going to suck?’

It is always pleasant to revert from the political to the private life of the King. Immediately after his accession to the throne, George III. conceived a romantic attachment for Lady Sarah Lennox, the

daughter of the Duke of Richmond.

Though only

in her seventeenth year, she was eulogised by her admirers for a surpassing loveliness and bewitching fascination of manner, which is said to have charac-

terised her even in extremest old age. She was called the chief angel of the ladies of

treatment attracted the attention and called forth the

the Court, and on one occasion at private theatricals, when she was dressed in white with her hair drooping down to the ground, was described as being

sympathy of the masses to such an extent that, for the first time, public meetings were held to express

lovelier than the most ideal representation of the greatest painter.

the indignation of the country, which eventually led

On fine summer mornings Lady Sarah, attired in a


<12)

(13)

half-fancy costume, resembling a peasant’s, was to be

tically said that they would probably have some difficulty in finding it.

seen gracefully taking her share in the labours of haymaking in the meadows of the park of Holland House, in close proximity to London. There she attracted

After a voyage of ten days, during which time the future Queen of England remained gay, and

the eyes of the King, who was taking his customary

amused herself by singing to her harpsichord, she

ride down the Kensington Road. Complimentary words soon ripened into a warm affection. The

arrived at St. James’s Palace, where she was found to be easy—going, and civil, and self-possessed.

Princess Dowager of Wrales and Lord Bute were

She was received by the Duchess of Hamilton, who smiled at seeing her turn somewhat pale ; whereupon

thrown into a deep state of consternation by the report, for which there seemed to be good foundation, that George III. would make her the Queen of

she remarked, ‘My dear Duchess, you may laugh— you have been married twice—but it is no joke to

So little control had the Princess over her

me.’ Though short, and her figure thinner than it might have been, the natural paleness of her

England.

feelings, that she threw herself in Lady Sarah’s way

and burst out into an offensive laugh in her face.

face was set off to advantage by her sleek, darkbrown hair; and though her mouth was somewhat

But however intense the King’s feelings may have been, he sacrificed his inclinations to the re-

large, pearly teeth, and a countenance expressive of

quirements of his position, and submitted to the

good nature and good sense, made amends for the

guidance of his mother in the selection of a consort. Charlotte, Princess of Mecklenburg - Strelitz, was destined to share his throne, and to present him with a family of six daughters and nine sons—the fourth of whom, the Duke of Kent, eventually became the father of our present Queen.

lack of beauty. In later years her want of charms became less observable. This being once said to her Chamberlain, he replied, ‘Yes ; I do think that the bloom of her ugliness is going of.’ Her temper was well suited to the disposition of the King, and throughout their long union a cloud never passed between them. In her modest German

In those bygone days, when information was not so general as it is now, there probably were not

six men in England who knew that such a Princess existed; and when the Ambassadors were on their way to her father’s Lilliputian country, it was sarcas-

home she had been accustomed to run about from morning to night, visiting the poor, looking after her poultry-yard, and attending to a small garden of medicinal herbs, and common fruit and flowers,


<12)

(13)

half-fancy costume, resembling a peasant’s, was to be

tically said that they would probably have some difficulty in finding it.

seen gracefully taking her share in the labours of haymaking in the meadows of the park of Holland House, in close proximity to London. There she attracted

After a voyage of ten days, during which time the future Queen of England remained gay, and

the eyes of the King, who was taking his customary

amused herself by singing to her harpsichord, she

ride down the Kensington Road. Complimentary words soon ripened into a warm affection. The

arrived at St. James’s Palace, where she was found to be easy—going, and civil, and self-possessed.

Princess Dowager of Wrales and Lord Bute were

She was received by the Duchess of Hamilton, who smiled at seeing her turn somewhat pale ; whereupon

thrown into a deep state of consternation by the report, for which there seemed to be good foundation, that George III. would make her the Queen of

she remarked, ‘My dear Duchess, you may laugh— you have been married twice—but it is no joke to

So little control had the Princess over her

me.’ Though short, and her figure thinner than it might have been, the natural paleness of her

England.

feelings, that she threw herself in Lady Sarah’s way

and burst out into an offensive laugh in her face.

face was set off to advantage by her sleek, darkbrown hair; and though her mouth was somewhat

But however intense the King’s feelings may have been, he sacrificed his inclinations to the re-

large, pearly teeth, and a countenance expressive of

quirements of his position, and submitted to the

good nature and good sense, made amends for the

guidance of his mother in the selection of a consort. Charlotte, Princess of Mecklenburg - Strelitz, was destined to share his throne, and to present him with a family of six daughters and nine sons—the fourth of whom, the Duke of Kent, eventually became the father of our present Queen.

lack of beauty. In later years her want of charms became less observable. This being once said to her Chamberlain, he replied, ‘Yes ; I do think that the bloom of her ugliness is going of.’ Her temper was well suited to the disposition of the King, and throughout their long union a cloud never passed between them. In her modest German

In those bygone days, when information was not so general as it is now, there probably were not

six men in England who knew that such a Princess existed; and when the Ambassadors were on their way to her father’s Lilliputian country, it was sarcas-

home she had been accustomed to run about from morning to night, visiting the poor, looking after her poultry-yard, and attending to a small garden of medicinal herbs, and common fruit and flowers,


( 1‘1 ) which she cultivated for the use and comfort of the poor. After her marriage her first act was to found in Bedfordshire an asylum for the daughters of

by the Royal couple in the latter pageant cost 75621. 5s. 2d., and the diamonds worn by the Queen at the former were valued at 60,000l.

With almost incredulous eyes

bridcmaids, and it happened that Lord VVestmoreland, who was old and partially blind, mistook her

decayed gentlemen.

society beheld the young Queen preferring simplicity to splendour, and domestic duties to a round of

vanity and pleasure. Even her magnificent jewels had little fascination for her. ‘ I thought at first,’ she said, ‘ I should always choose to wear my jewels ;

but from the fatigue and trouble of putting them on, the care they required, and my fear of losing

them, after a fortnight’s time I longed again for my earlier dress, and wished never to see them any more.’ The greater portion of these jewels, on the succession of our Queen to the throne, passed to

the representative of the male line of Hanover. The Queen had a taste for literature, and established a private printing-press in her palace, from which, however, only a couple of complete works were issued; one being of a religious character, and the other a small volume of miscellaneous poems.

When her Majesty was informed that she should get this press registered, ‘I shall do so,’ she said; ‘but

there is little fear, I think, of our being sent to Reading jail for printing libels.’ The Royal wedding and coronation were performed with equal splendour. The coach used

Poor Lady Sarah Lennox was one of the Queen’s

for his Royal mistress, and was only prevented from

kneeling and doing homage to her by the prompt interference of the bystanders. It may be mentioned that Lady Sarah did not long remain disconsolate. She was eventually married twice, and lived to the mature age of eighty-two. During the last years of her life she was completely blind, an afiliction she

bore with exemplary cheerfulness and resignation. The splendour of the Royal Court was soon laid

aside. During the first twenty years of his reign George III. rarely participated in any public amusement except the theatre. He never frequented masquerades, engaged in play, or wasted hours in convivial relaxation.

By the courtiers, however, the

homeliness of the King’s life and surroundings were viewed with a feeling akin to dismay, and one of the

wags of the day revenged himself for the absence of the customary regal gaieties in the following sarcastic lines :——— ‘ Caesar, the mighty King who swayed The sceptre, was a sober blade;

A leg of mutton and his wife Were the chief comforts of his life.


( 1‘1 ) which she cultivated for the use and comfort of the poor. After her marriage her first act was to found in Bedfordshire an asylum for the daughters of

by the Royal couple in the latter pageant cost 75621. 5s. 2d., and the diamonds worn by the Queen at the former were valued at 60,000l.

With almost incredulous eyes

bridcmaids, and it happened that Lord VVestmoreland, who was old and partially blind, mistook her

decayed gentlemen.

society beheld the young Queen preferring simplicity to splendour, and domestic duties to a round of

vanity and pleasure. Even her magnificent jewels had little fascination for her. ‘ I thought at first,’ she said, ‘ I should always choose to wear my jewels ;

but from the fatigue and trouble of putting them on, the care they required, and my fear of losing

them, after a fortnight’s time I longed again for my earlier dress, and wished never to see them any more.’ The greater portion of these jewels, on the succession of our Queen to the throne, passed to

the representative of the male line of Hanover. The Queen had a taste for literature, and established a private printing-press in her palace, from which, however, only a couple of complete works were issued; one being of a religious character, and the other a small volume of miscellaneous poems.

When her Majesty was informed that she should get this press registered, ‘I shall do so,’ she said; ‘but

there is little fear, I think, of our being sent to Reading jail for printing libels.’ The Royal wedding and coronation were performed with equal splendour. The coach used

Poor Lady Sarah Lennox was one of the Queen’s

for his Royal mistress, and was only prevented from

kneeling and doing homage to her by the prompt interference of the bystanders. It may be mentioned that Lady Sarah did not long remain disconsolate. She was eventually married twice, and lived to the mature age of eighty-two. During the last years of her life she was completely blind, an afiliction she

bore with exemplary cheerfulness and resignation. The splendour of the Royal Court was soon laid

aside. During the first twenty years of his reign George III. rarely participated in any public amusement except the theatre. He never frequented masquerades, engaged in play, or wasted hours in convivial relaxation.

By the courtiers, however, the

homeliness of the King’s life and surroundings were viewed with a feeling akin to dismay, and one of the

wags of the day revenged himself for the absence of the customary regal gaieties in the following sarcastic lines :——— ‘ Caesar, the mighty King who swayed The sceptre, was a sober blade;

A leg of mutton and his wife Were the chief comforts of his life.


(1(3)

( 17 )

The Queen, composed of difierent stuff, Above all things adored her snufi; Save gold, which, in her great opinion, Alone could rival snufi’s dominion.’

passion.” Yet I think he continued all his life putting papa: in a passion and being forgiven, for I believe he died in his service.’

Lord North lived to an old age, and in common In the meantime, in 1770, Lord North had become Prime Minister of England. Considering the disastrous results of his policy, I may be excused for devoting a few remarks to his person. Coarse, clumsy, and ungracious in appearance; with large, prominent eyes, that kept rolling about aimlessly ; a wide mouth, thick lips, and an inflated visage, he was said to resemble ‘a blind trumpeter.’ But he redeemed the ungainliness of his person

by great power of speech, remarkable wit, and extraordinary evenness of temper. On one occasion a Member of the House of Commons contemptuously

alluded to him as ‘That thing called a Minister.’

with several distinguished contemporaries became afflicted with blindness. It happened that he then met Colonel Barre, formerly one of his political

adversaries, who had also lost his sight, and after exchanging the usual compliments, ‘Ah! Colonel,’

gaily observed Lord North, ‘whatever may have been our former animosities, I am persuaded there are no two men who would now be more glad to see each other than you and l.’ Lord North’s plainness was shared by his wife and transmitted to his daughter, Lady Sarah Lindsay. The story is well known of a gentleman asking Lord North at the theatre who that frightful woman was

wishes most to be.’

sitting beside him, and his lordship answering, ‘ That is my wife.’ The other, to repair his blunder, said, ‘I don’t mean her, but that monster next to her,’ on which Lord North said, ‘That monster is my

That same equanimity which he displayed in politics also distinguished his private life. ‘I

daughter.’ With. this story, Frederick Robinson, the ancestor of the present Lord Ripon, and well known

never,’ writes his daughter, Lady Sarah Lindsay,

for his absence of mind, was one day entertaining a lady next him at dinner—and, lo! the lady was

‘Wcll,’ he retorted, ‘to be sure I am a thing, and I

can’t be angry with the hon. member—for “that thing called a Minister” is of all things what he

‘saw my father really out of humour.

He had a

drunken, stupid groom, who used to provoke him, and who from this uncommon circumstance was

called by the children “ The man who puts papa in a

Lady Sarah Lindsay. Lord North’s political tendencies and subservience to the King made him particularly acceptB


(1(3)

( 17 )

The Queen, composed of difierent stuff, Above all things adored her snufi; Save gold, which, in her great opinion, Alone could rival snufi’s dominion.’

passion.” Yet I think he continued all his life putting papa: in a passion and being forgiven, for I believe he died in his service.’

Lord North lived to an old age, and in common In the meantime, in 1770, Lord North had become Prime Minister of England. Considering the disastrous results of his policy, I may be excused for devoting a few remarks to his person. Coarse, clumsy, and ungracious in appearance; with large, prominent eyes, that kept rolling about aimlessly ; a wide mouth, thick lips, and an inflated visage, he was said to resemble ‘a blind trumpeter.’ But he redeemed the ungainliness of his person

by great power of speech, remarkable wit, and extraordinary evenness of temper. On one occasion a Member of the House of Commons contemptuously

alluded to him as ‘That thing called a Minister.’

with several distinguished contemporaries became afflicted with blindness. It happened that he then met Colonel Barre, formerly one of his political

adversaries, who had also lost his sight, and after exchanging the usual compliments, ‘Ah! Colonel,’

gaily observed Lord North, ‘whatever may have been our former animosities, I am persuaded there are no two men who would now be more glad to see each other than you and l.’ Lord North’s plainness was shared by his wife and transmitted to his daughter, Lady Sarah Lindsay. The story is well known of a gentleman asking Lord North at the theatre who that frightful woman was

wishes most to be.’

sitting beside him, and his lordship answering, ‘ That is my wife.’ The other, to repair his blunder, said, ‘I don’t mean her, but that monster next to her,’ on which Lord North said, ‘That monster is my

That same equanimity which he displayed in politics also distinguished his private life. ‘I

daughter.’ With. this story, Frederick Robinson, the ancestor of the present Lord Ripon, and well known

never,’ writes his daughter, Lady Sarah Lindsay,

for his absence of mind, was one day entertaining a lady next him at dinner—and, lo! the lady was

‘Wcll,’ he retorted, ‘to be sure I am a thing, and I

can’t be angry with the hon. member—for “that thing called a Minister” is of all things what he

‘saw my father really out of humour.

He had a

drunken, stupid groom, who used to provoke him, and who from this uncommon circumstance was

called by the children “ The man who puts papa in a

Lady Sarah Lindsay. Lord North’s political tendencies and subservience to the King made him particularly acceptB


<19)

(18)

so great, in fact, that it

able to George 111., and it was unfortunate for the

country was lamentably great

country that a man of such a type should have been called to the head of affairs, and by his short-

was said two thirds of the people of England were still

sightedness and want of political sagacity have for-

neglect, indeed, of their affairs the Americans had a

warded instead of checking the course of the King in

right to complain.

of opinion that all Americans were Negroes.

Of past

On the resignation of a Cabinet

For some time the relations

Minister it was found that he had left behind him a

between England and her North American Colonies had been severely strained by the mistaken policy of Lord North’s predecessors in office; a policy which

closet full of American despatches unopened. George 111. and his Ministers, backed up by the

led to the War of American Independence, culminating

considered that the Americans should contribute to

in the severance of the American Colonies from the

the expenditure England

mother-country, and the establishment of the Great

with European nations, and imposed taxes on the Americans, not for their benefit, but to enrich the

the crisis that ensued.

Republic of the United States. It would be beyond the scope of this lecture to give you an account either of the condition of the American Colonies before their revolt, or of the gradual growth of the American Republic. The population of North America about a century ago barely reached three millions, and its leading citizens were chiefly descended from Puritan families driven from England in the seventeenth century to escape the

bigoted persecution of the Stuart dynasty. These three millions were loyally attached to the mothercountry, and content to submit to her rule so long

as their rights were respected and their domestic politics not made subsidiary to interests exclusively English. Unfortunately, the ignorance of the English in all things pertaining to the Americans and their

ignorance and selfishness of the English public,

had incurred by wars

English Exchequer. At that time the Americans were prohibited from receiving a large number of articles except from the mother country. They were, consequently, always largely in debt to England, and to pay their way, resorted to an illicit trade with the Spanish colonies,

which an English fleet was suddenly dispatched to stop. Simultaneously two Acts were passed by the House of Commons, one laying duties on certain articles in America for the benefit of England, and the other prohibiting the use of paper money in America. The result was disastrous to American commerce, and the indignation aroused among the

colonists took the form of what may be termed ‘ boycotting’ English goods. Lambs were not killed,


<19)

(18)

so great, in fact, that it

able to George 111., and it was unfortunate for the

country was lamentably great

country that a man of such a type should have been called to the head of affairs, and by his short-

was said two thirds of the people of England were still

sightedness and want of political sagacity have for-

neglect, indeed, of their affairs the Americans had a

warded instead of checking the course of the King in

right to complain.

of opinion that all Americans were Negroes.

Of past

On the resignation of a Cabinet

For some time the relations

Minister it was found that he had left behind him a

between England and her North American Colonies had been severely strained by the mistaken policy of Lord North’s predecessors in office; a policy which

closet full of American despatches unopened. George 111. and his Ministers, backed up by the

led to the War of American Independence, culminating

considered that the Americans should contribute to

in the severance of the American Colonies from the

the expenditure England

mother-country, and the establishment of the Great

with European nations, and imposed taxes on the Americans, not for their benefit, but to enrich the

the crisis that ensued.

Republic of the United States. It would be beyond the scope of this lecture to give you an account either of the condition of the American Colonies before their revolt, or of the gradual growth of the American Republic. The population of North America about a century ago barely reached three millions, and its leading citizens were chiefly descended from Puritan families driven from England in the seventeenth century to escape the

bigoted persecution of the Stuart dynasty. These three millions were loyally attached to the mothercountry, and content to submit to her rule so long

as their rights were respected and their domestic politics not made subsidiary to interests exclusively English. Unfortunately, the ignorance of the English in all things pertaining to the Americans and their

ignorance and selfishness of the English public,

had incurred by wars

English Exchequer. At that time the Americans were prohibited from receiving a large number of articles except from the mother country. They were, consequently, always largely in debt to England, and to pay their way, resorted to an illicit trade with the Spanish colonies,

which an English fleet was suddenly dispatched to stop. Simultaneously two Acts were passed by the House of Commons, one laying duties on certain articles in America for the benefit of England, and the other prohibiting the use of paper money in America. The result was disastrous to American commerce, and the indignation aroused among the

colonists took the form of what may be termed ‘ boycotting’ English goods. Lambs were not killed,


(20) so that no' necessity should arise for importing English wool; and even the female portion of the population joined in the protest, by denying them-

selves every European luxury, the purchase of which would benefit England. Unrestrained by the dangerous spirit thus manifested, Parliament followed up these measures by

attempt to bribe them into compliance with the obnoxious duty.

The tea-agents were compelled to refuse the consignments; at Philadelphia the pilots were warned not to take the tea-ships up the river, and at New York the popular tumult was increased by the report that the ships were not laden with tea, but with chains. When the vessels arrived at

another—the most hateful of all—putting a stamp

duty on paper and vellum used in America. The Colonists immediately petitioned against the new Act without effect; ill-feeling against England spread and deepened; the officers appointed to collect the

taX were forced to throw up their posts; riots occurred; and Parliament Wisely repealed the Act. There was universal rejoicing in America; addresses of thanks were sent to the King, and at a great meeting at Philadelphia it was unanimously resolved that his Majesty’s birthday should be celebrated. But this tranquillity and good feeling was short-lived. At this moment Lord North acceded to power. With an utter want of foresight he determined to enforce a duty on tea, although it would not bring in more than 300l. a-year, merely to assert the right of England to impose taxes on her Colonies. When, shortly after, a large quantity of tea was offered at an unusually cheap price to the Colonists by the East India Company, they resented it as an insidious

Boston, a vast concourse of people—some of them painted like Red Indians and armed with hatchets— swarmed along the quay. Suddenly separating themselves from their companions, the men disguised as Indians flung themselves on board the tea-ships, overpowered the crews, and seized the cargoes. In a couple of hours, 342 chests of tea were broken open, and their contents, valued at 18,000l., flung into the sea.

The news of the outrage created intense indignation in England; a Bill closing the port of Boston was passed, and Massachusetts, the State in which that city was situated, was deprived of its government. The Boston Port Bill was exhibited in the

streets of that city, bordered with a deep black band, with the inscription appended, ‘A barbarous, cruel, bloody, and inhuman murder.’ On the 5th

September, 1774, the first step was taken towards organized revolt, when the representatives of the States met in congress at Philadelphia, including


(20) so that no' necessity should arise for importing English wool; and even the female portion of the population joined in the protest, by denying them-

selves every European luxury, the purchase of which would benefit England. Unrestrained by the dangerous spirit thus manifested, Parliament followed up these measures by

attempt to bribe them into compliance with the obnoxious duty.

The tea-agents were compelled to refuse the consignments; at Philadelphia the pilots were warned not to take the tea-ships up the river, and at New York the popular tumult was increased by the report that the ships were not laden with tea, but with chains. When the vessels arrived at

another—the most hateful of all—putting a stamp

duty on paper and vellum used in America. The Colonists immediately petitioned against the new Act without effect; ill-feeling against England spread and deepened; the officers appointed to collect the

taX were forced to throw up their posts; riots occurred; and Parliament Wisely repealed the Act. There was universal rejoicing in America; addresses of thanks were sent to the King, and at a great meeting at Philadelphia it was unanimously resolved that his Majesty’s birthday should be celebrated. But this tranquillity and good feeling was short-lived. At this moment Lord North acceded to power. With an utter want of foresight he determined to enforce a duty on tea, although it would not bring in more than 300l. a-year, merely to assert the right of England to impose taxes on her Colonies. When, shortly after, a large quantity of tea was offered at an unusually cheap price to the Colonists by the East India Company, they resented it as an insidious

Boston, a vast concourse of people—some of them painted like Red Indians and armed with hatchets— swarmed along the quay. Suddenly separating themselves from their companions, the men disguised as Indians flung themselves on board the tea-ships, overpowered the crews, and seized the cargoes. In a couple of hours, 342 chests of tea were broken open, and their contents, valued at 18,000l., flung into the sea.

The news of the outrage created intense indignation in England; a Bill closing the port of Boston was passed, and Massachusetts, the State in which that city was situated, was deprived of its government. The Boston Port Bill was exhibited in the

streets of that city, bordered with a deep black band, with the inscription appended, ‘A barbarous, cruel, bloody, and inhuman murder.’ On the 5th

September, 1774, the first step was taken towards organized revolt, when the representatives of the States met in congress at Philadelphia, including


(23) the most eminent and respected citizens of the

was the famous battle of Bunker’s Hill, near Boston,

Colonies. In 1776 Lord North offered to withdraw all the taxes, but the Colonists had been too deeply

on the 17th June, 1775. When the British General, Gage, fortified Boston, he omitted to take possession of Bunker’s Hill, a mistake of which the insurgent

exasperated by the distress

resulting from the

treatment of Boston. At this juncture there came forward in America, for the first time in a position of prominence, the

man who was destined not only to redress his country’s wrongs, but to gain her independence.

This man was George Washington, descended of an old Virginian family. He offered to raise a regiment of a thousand men to defend the liberties of

the people.

His lead was followed by several other

influential Colonists, and thus

the nucleus was

formed of the army which, with Washington as Commander-in-Chief, won the Independence of the

American Colonies. The force which Washington was called upon to command would have been utterly useless in the hands of any man not endowed with his energy and enthusiasm. They were ill—disciplined, ill-armed, ill-fed, and ill-clothed ; opposed to the tried veterans of the British army, who were amply pro-

vided with everything they lacked. But Washington triumphed over every obstacle, and succeeded in keeping their hopes of victory alive. The first engagement of importance that took place between the insurgents and the Royalist troops

commander availed himself. In the middle of the night a thousand of the insurgent troops stole silently In the to its summit, and fortified themselves. morning General Gage saw the error he had made, and instantly determined to take Bunker’s Hill by About three that afternoon, the British assault. General, Howe, crossed the river with 2000 men, and

landing at Charleston, formed for the attack. Not until his men had advanced within a few yards of their redoubt did the insurgents fire, and with such deadly effect, that almost every man in the front line of the English force fell. They were driven back twice, with fearful carnage, the dead lying, it is said, as thick as sheep in

a fold.

A third desperate attempt was made; the

deadly fire of the insurgents was again poured out

upon the English infantry; they staggered for an instant only, and then with a gallant rush carried the earthworks.

The insurgent brigade was composed of husbandmen, who wore no uniform, and who were armed with

fowling-pieces only, without bayonets. They were a fair sample of the stuff out of which Washington had to make an army. As the campaign progressed, the


(23) the most eminent and respected citizens of the

was the famous battle of Bunker’s Hill, near Boston,

Colonies. In 1776 Lord North offered to withdraw all the taxes, but the Colonists had been too deeply

on the 17th June, 1775. When the British General, Gage, fortified Boston, he omitted to take possession of Bunker’s Hill, a mistake of which the insurgent

exasperated by the distress

resulting from the

treatment of Boston. At this juncture there came forward in America, for the first time in a position of prominence, the

man who was destined not only to redress his country’s wrongs, but to gain her independence.

This man was George Washington, descended of an old Virginian family. He offered to raise a regiment of a thousand men to defend the liberties of

the people.

His lead was followed by several other

influential Colonists, and thus

the nucleus was

formed of the army which, with Washington as Commander-in-Chief, won the Independence of the

American Colonies. The force which Washington was called upon to command would have been utterly useless in the hands of any man not endowed with his energy and enthusiasm. They were ill—disciplined, ill-armed, ill-fed, and ill-clothed ; opposed to the tried veterans of the British army, who were amply pro-

vided with everything they lacked. But Washington triumphed over every obstacle, and succeeded in keeping their hopes of victory alive. The first engagement of importance that took place between the insurgents and the Royalist troops

commander availed himself. In the middle of the night a thousand of the insurgent troops stole silently In the to its summit, and fortified themselves. morning General Gage saw the error he had made, and instantly determined to take Bunker’s Hill by About three that afternoon, the British assault. General, Howe, crossed the river with 2000 men, and

landing at Charleston, formed for the attack. Not until his men had advanced within a few yards of their redoubt did the insurgents fire, and with such deadly effect, that almost every man in the front line of the English force fell. They were driven back twice, with fearful carnage, the dead lying, it is said, as thick as sheep in

a fold.

A third desperate attempt was made; the

deadly fire of the insurgents was again poured out

upon the English infantry; they staggered for an instant only, and then with a gallant rush carried the earthworks.

The insurgent brigade was composed of husbandmen, who wore no uniform, and who were armed with

fowling-pieces only, without bayonets. They were a fair sample of the stuff out of which Washington had to make an army. As the campaign progressed, the


(24)

(25)

hardships of the force increased, their clothes were ragged, and large numbers were absolutely shoeless.

his Parliament had to recognise the Independence of the United States in the following year. Though we have every reason to deplore the policy of the King and his Ministers, as well as the infatuation of the country which occasioned the loss of the American Colonies, we may surmise that sooner or late they would have been severed from England, perhaps at a still greater sacrifice of life and treasure. A Judge of high standing already said,

But even when hundreds of them were without

blankets, and when their march might be traced by the blood left by their naked feet in the snow, not a

murmur was heard against their idolised leader. On the 4th July, 1776, Congress passed the

Declaration of American Independence.

Hereupon

Lord North had to pass his Conciliation Bill, in which were conceded all the demands of the Colonists, short of Independence. But it came too

late. It was rejected by the Congress; the war dragged on with varying success on both sides until 1781, when Lord Cornwallis, the English Commander-in-Chief, found himself hemmed in at Yorktown, on the York River.

Surrounded by a force of 18,000 men, his own numbering only 7000, Lord Cornwallis had to choose between surrender and an effort to

withdraw his troops from their untenable position. He determined to transport his men in boats across the river,—but the elements were against him.

The boats had made one journey, when a storm arose which rendered the further prosecution of the plan impossible. The next day Cornwallis had to surrender, and 4000 British soldiers marched

out of Yorktown, laying down their arms before the American army.

Reluctantly George III. and

in 1774, ‘It is intolerable that a continent like America should be governed by a little island three thousand miles away. America must, and will, be

independent.’ But instead of speculating on what might have been, let us turn to what really has been, and,

instead of regretting an irredeemable Past, let us endeavour to learn from history such lessons as may be profitable for the future. A great crisis often produces the most unexpected results. The war with America was followed by an expansion of Great Britain, such as it had not known since the age of Elizabeth, and by a display of industrial activity such as the world had never seen. In her singlehanded fight with Spain and France, after the American war,

which

lasted for twenty years,

England not only proved herself to be a great European Power, but rose to become a mother of nations. Her settlers disputed Africa and Aus-


(24)

(25)

hardships of the force increased, their clothes were ragged, and large numbers were absolutely shoeless.

his Parliament had to recognise the Independence of the United States in the following year. Though we have every reason to deplore the policy of the King and his Ministers, as well as the infatuation of the country which occasioned the loss of the American Colonies, we may surmise that sooner or late they would have been severed from England, perhaps at a still greater sacrifice of life and treasure. A Judge of high standing already said,

But even when hundreds of them were without

blankets, and when their march might be traced by the blood left by their naked feet in the snow, not a

murmur was heard against their idolised leader. On the 4th July, 1776, Congress passed the

Declaration of American Independence.

Hereupon

Lord North had to pass his Conciliation Bill, in which were conceded all the demands of the Colonists, short of Independence. But it came too

late. It was rejected by the Congress; the war dragged on with varying success on both sides until 1781, when Lord Cornwallis, the English Commander-in-Chief, found himself hemmed in at Yorktown, on the York River.

Surrounded by a force of 18,000 men, his own numbering only 7000, Lord Cornwallis had to choose between surrender and an effort to

withdraw his troops from their untenable position. He determined to transport his men in boats across the river,—but the elements were against him.

The boats had made one journey, when a storm arose which rendered the further prosecution of the plan impossible. The next day Cornwallis had to surrender, and 4000 British soldiers marched

out of Yorktown, laying down their arms before the American army.

Reluctantly George III. and

in 1774, ‘It is intolerable that a continent like America should be governed by a little island three thousand miles away. America must, and will, be

independent.’ But instead of speculating on what might have been, let us turn to what really has been, and,

instead of regretting an irredeemable Past, let us endeavour to learn from history such lessons as may be profitable for the future. A great crisis often produces the most unexpected results. The war with America was followed by an expansion of Great Britain, such as it had not known since the age of Elizabeth, and by a display of industrial activity such as the world had never seen. In her singlehanded fight with Spain and France, after the American war,

which

lasted for twenty years,

England not only proved herself to be a great European Power, but rose to become a mother of nations. Her settlers disputed Africa and Aus-


(27) of mighty nations in the future; thus widening the

July, 1778, and a partial action ensued, which Keppel thought to have renewed in the morning, but when

limits of the mother-country into boundless realms and dominions.

was represented in a most unfavourable light in

It is impossible to refer, without legitimate pride,

England, and Koppel was tried by court-martial, but

tralia with hordes of natives, and sowed the seeds

day broke the enemy had disappeared.

to the deeds of the naval heroes of those days, who

honourably acquitted.

gave England the rule of the ocean.

the opera wearing caps ‘ d la chpel.’

In 1781

Rodney saved the country from a dishonourable peace by his Victory over the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent, when four of the enemy’s vessels were captured, and the rest made their escape in so shattered a condition that the Spanish fleet may be said to have been annihilated. The French Admiral, De Grasse, drew Rodney to the West Indies, who on the 12th April, 1782, by a manoeuvre he was the first to introduce, broke

This affair

At once ladies appeared at

In his earlier days Keppel was sent to demand restitution from the Dey of Algiers of two ships the pirates had taken. Having cast anchor with his squadron in front of the palace, he landed, and attended only by his captain and a few men, demanded an immediate audience of the Dey, and

claimed full satisfaction for the injuries done to British subjects. Enraged at his manner,

the Dey exclaimed,

‘that he wondered at the English King’s insolencc

his opponent’s line and scattered and sunk his ships. Within two years he had the honour of taking two Spanish, one French, and one Dutch

in sending him a foolish, beardless boy.’ Keppel replied, that if the Dey’s wisdom was to be mea-

Admiral. In his earlier years, Rodney had resided in Paris, which he was unable to leave owing

sured by the length of his beard, they should have sent a he-goat. The Dey, beside himself with

to pecuniary embarrassments.

He was then offered

anger, ordered him out for instant execution; but

the command of the French fleet, but the French

Keppel took him to the window, and, pointing to the fleet beneath, told him to touch him at his peril. The Dey was wise enough to take the hint, and granted Keppel’s demands in full. The achievements of Lord Howe also won for him

King vainly tried to corrupt his patriotism with promises of large sums of money. It was that fleet Rodney afterwards encountered and defeated. Admiral Lord Keppel, after many minor services, fell in with the French fleet off Ushant on the 12th

a high place among England’s victorious admirals.


(27) of mighty nations in the future; thus widening the

July, 1778, and a partial action ensued, which Keppel thought to have renewed in the morning, but when

limits of the mother-country into boundless realms and dominions.

was represented in a most unfavourable light in

It is impossible to refer, without legitimate pride,

England, and Koppel was tried by court-martial, but

tralia with hordes of natives, and sowed the seeds

day broke the enemy had disappeared.

to the deeds of the naval heroes of those days, who

honourably acquitted.

gave England the rule of the ocean.

the opera wearing caps ‘ d la chpel.’

In 1781

Rodney saved the country from a dishonourable peace by his Victory over the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent, when four of the enemy’s vessels were captured, and the rest made their escape in so shattered a condition that the Spanish fleet may be said to have been annihilated. The French Admiral, De Grasse, drew Rodney to the West Indies, who on the 12th April, 1782, by a manoeuvre he was the first to introduce, broke

This affair

At once ladies appeared at

In his earlier days Keppel was sent to demand restitution from the Dey of Algiers of two ships the pirates had taken. Having cast anchor with his squadron in front of the palace, he landed, and attended only by his captain and a few men, demanded an immediate audience of the Dey, and

claimed full satisfaction for the injuries done to British subjects. Enraged at his manner,

the Dey exclaimed,

‘that he wondered at the English King’s insolencc

his opponent’s line and scattered and sunk his ships. Within two years he had the honour of taking two Spanish, one French, and one Dutch

in sending him a foolish, beardless boy.’ Keppel replied, that if the Dey’s wisdom was to be mea-

Admiral. In his earlier years, Rodney had resided in Paris, which he was unable to leave owing

sured by the length of his beard, they should have sent a he-goat. The Dey, beside himself with

to pecuniary embarrassments.

He was then offered

anger, ordered him out for instant execution; but

the command of the French fleet, but the French

Keppel took him to the window, and, pointing to the fleet beneath, told him to touch him at his peril. The Dey was wise enough to take the hint, and granted Keppel’s demands in full. The achievements of Lord Howe also won for him

King vainly tried to corrupt his patriotism with promises of large sums of money. It was that fleet Rodney afterwards encountered and defeated. Admiral Lord Keppel, after many minor services, fell in with the French fleet off Ushant on the 12th

a high place among England’s victorious admirals.


(28)

(29)

So great was his coolness in the face of danger, it is

powers of administration, rendered durable the work

related of him, that once hastily awakened in the

of. Lord Clive.

night by a lieutenant, in great agitation, who said that the ship was on fire near the powder magazine, ‘If that be the case,’ replied Lord Howe, ‘we shall

Wolfe wrested Canada from the French, who lost many other possessions also in distant climes.

soon hear a further report of the matter.’ The lieutenant flew back to the scene of danger, and returned instantly, exclaiming, ‘You need not, Sir, be afraid ;

distant Pacific and the Southern Seas Cook added

the fire is extinguished.’ ‘Afraidl ’ roared Howe; ‘what do you mean by that, Sir?’ and, looking the

Tahiti, it was not until he had discovered the Sandwich Islands, which he called after the then Lord of the Admiralty, a man whose name has been

officer full in the face, ‘Pray, how does a man feel, Sir, when he’s afraid?

I need not ask how he

looks.’ But the acme of British valour was reached by

Nelson.

Every Englishman knows the words which

he addressed to his men on the morning of the

victory of Trafalgar— ‘England expects this day that every man will do his duty ’—words for which he paid with his life. Far beyond the seas Lord Clive had already laid the foundation of that empire which is now the pride of England and the envy of the world. Having started as a clerk in the East India Company’s

In the Western hemisphere General

Discoverers sailed along with conquerors.

In the

New South Wales and New Zealand to the British flag, and though assassinated by the cannibals at

transmitted in a scarcely less durable form as the inventor of the Sandwich. But whilst England was asserting her power abroad, one of the greatest Ministers she has ever known developed her material resources at home. The second son of Lord Chatham, William Pitt,

entered Parliament in 1782, at the age of twenty-two. Endowed with a ready and wondrous eloquence, and the learning of a ripe scholar, his first speech called forth from a member of the Whig party the exclamation, ‘He will become one of the first men in Parliament.’ ‘He is so already,’ was another

service, at the age of nineteen, he soon aban-

member’s reply. ‘He is not a chip of the old block,’

doned the pen for the sword, and rose to command the English force in India. In 1783 Warren

said a third; ‘he is the old block himself.’ So remark-

able were his abilities, that in the following year,

Hastings became the first Governor-General of India,

though b only twenty -three y ears of a g e a he was aP -

and by his acquisition of native states, and his rare

pointed Prime Minister, and remained head of the


(28)

(29)

So great was his coolness in the face of danger, it is

powers of administration, rendered durable the work

related of him, that once hastily awakened in the

of. Lord Clive.

night by a lieutenant, in great agitation, who said that the ship was on fire near the powder magazine, ‘If that be the case,’ replied Lord Howe, ‘we shall

Wolfe wrested Canada from the French, who lost many other possessions also in distant climes.

soon hear a further report of the matter.’ The lieutenant flew back to the scene of danger, and returned instantly, exclaiming, ‘You need not, Sir, be afraid ;

distant Pacific and the Southern Seas Cook added

the fire is extinguished.’ ‘Afraidl ’ roared Howe; ‘what do you mean by that, Sir?’ and, looking the

Tahiti, it was not until he had discovered the Sandwich Islands, which he called after the then Lord of the Admiralty, a man whose name has been

officer full in the face, ‘Pray, how does a man feel, Sir, when he’s afraid?

I need not ask how he

looks.’ But the acme of British valour was reached by

Nelson.

Every Englishman knows the words which

he addressed to his men on the morning of the

victory of Trafalgar— ‘England expects this day that every man will do his duty ’—words for which he paid with his life. Far beyond the seas Lord Clive had already laid the foundation of that empire which is now the pride of England and the envy of the world. Having started as a clerk in the East India Company’s

In the Western hemisphere General

Discoverers sailed along with conquerors.

In the

New South Wales and New Zealand to the British flag, and though assassinated by the cannibals at

transmitted in a scarcely less durable form as the inventor of the Sandwich. But whilst England was asserting her power abroad, one of the greatest Ministers she has ever known developed her material resources at home. The second son of Lord Chatham, William Pitt,

entered Parliament in 1782, at the age of twenty-two. Endowed with a ready and wondrous eloquence, and the learning of a ripe scholar, his first speech called forth from a member of the Whig party the exclamation, ‘He will become one of the first men in Parliament.’ ‘He is so already,’ was another

service, at the age of nineteen, he soon aban-

member’s reply. ‘He is not a chip of the old block,’

doned the pen for the sword, and rose to command the English force in India. In 1783 Warren

said a third; ‘he is the old block himself.’ So remark-

able were his abilities, that in the following year,

Hastings became the first Governor-General of India,

though b only twenty -three y ears of a g e a he was aP -

and by his acquisition of native states, and his rare

pointed Prime Minister, and remained head of the


(30)

(31)

Government for seventeen years. Though essentially a peace minister, he was destined to guide England throughout her long struggle with France; and it

disabilities. But, though beaten on these points he succeeded, with the aid of Wilberforce, in abolishing

is said that the Continental triumphs of Napoleon I.

narrowed the power of the Crown, and deprived the Sovereign of much of his personal influence; he

so affected his patriotic heart that they hastened his death. He remained single through life, and on being pressed to marry, he answered that he was wedded already to his country. Simple in his habits and careless of personal gain in a time of general

profligacy and corruption, he combined an ardent but self-controlled temper with an immense application, and extraordinary knowledge of finance with as great a judgment of the condition of

parties. One day at an assembly, the conversation turned

on the qualities most needed in a Prime Minister; one said ‘eloquence,’ another ‘knowledge,’ and a third ‘toil;’ Pitt exclaimed, ‘No, patience.’

He may be

said to have united them all. ‘What an extraordinary man Pitt is! ’ said the great economist Adam Smith: ‘he makes me understand my own ideas better than myself.’

Though nominally the head of

the Conservative party, Pitt endeavoured to initiate the Reforms, which the next generation carried into

the slave-trade, with its indescribable horrors; he

effected the union with Ireland, and raised the tone

of English political life by the high example set in his own character.

We cannot refrain from reflecting on the strange customs of those days, when many of the vices of former ages still survived. Drunkenness, so far from being regarded as reprehensible, was considered the natural close to a dinner. Even Pitt, the ‘blameless Pitt,’ as he was called,

indulged in the prevalent abuse of port wine. He and his friend Dundas one day put up at an inn on their way to Walmer Castle. Next morning, when they were leaving, the waiter said to the painter Stothart, who was staying there, ‘Do you see those gentlemen ?’ ‘ Yes,’ replied Stothart ; ‘ and know them.’

‘Well, Sir,’ continued the waiter, ‘can you guess how much wine they drank last night? Seven bottles, Sir l’

Pitt ran his head against the obstinacy of

Profligacy and immorality were still practised by

the King and the prejudices of his contemporaries. It was he who first set on foot the reform of the House of Commons and the removal of Catholic

men of the highest standing, but these relics of a

effect.

barbarous age were gradually disappearing before the march of civilisation. The facilities of communica-


(30)

(31)

Government for seventeen years. Though essentially a peace minister, he was destined to guide England throughout her long struggle with France; and it

disabilities. But, though beaten on these points he succeeded, with the aid of Wilberforce, in abolishing

is said that the Continental triumphs of Napoleon I.

narrowed the power of the Crown, and deprived the Sovereign of much of his personal influence; he

so affected his patriotic heart that they hastened his death. He remained single through life, and on being pressed to marry, he answered that he was wedded already to his country. Simple in his habits and careless of personal gain in a time of general

profligacy and corruption, he combined an ardent but self-controlled temper with an immense application, and extraordinary knowledge of finance with as great a judgment of the condition of

parties. One day at an assembly, the conversation turned

on the qualities most needed in a Prime Minister; one said ‘eloquence,’ another ‘knowledge,’ and a third ‘toil;’ Pitt exclaimed, ‘No, patience.’

He may be

said to have united them all. ‘What an extraordinary man Pitt is! ’ said the great economist Adam Smith: ‘he makes me understand my own ideas better than myself.’

Though nominally the head of

the Conservative party, Pitt endeavoured to initiate the Reforms, which the next generation carried into

the slave-trade, with its indescribable horrors; he

effected the union with Ireland, and raised the tone

of English political life by the high example set in his own character.

We cannot refrain from reflecting on the strange customs of those days, when many of the vices of former ages still survived. Drunkenness, so far from being regarded as reprehensible, was considered the natural close to a dinner. Even Pitt, the ‘blameless Pitt,’ as he was called,

indulged in the prevalent abuse of port wine. He and his friend Dundas one day put up at an inn on their way to Walmer Castle. Next morning, when they were leaving, the waiter said to the painter Stothart, who was staying there, ‘Do you see those gentlemen ?’ ‘ Yes,’ replied Stothart ; ‘ and know them.’

‘Well, Sir,’ continued the waiter, ‘can you guess how much wine they drank last night? Seven bottles, Sir l’

Pitt ran his head against the obstinacy of

Profligacy and immorality were still practised by

the King and the prejudices of his contemporaries. It was he who first set on foot the reform of the House of Commons and the removal of Catholic

men of the highest standing, but these relics of a

effect.

barbarous age were gradually disappearing before the march of civilisation. The facilities of communica-


<32) to overcome the bounds of space

and time, and

tion, the influence of a more general education, helped

to form public opinion, which, no less than the . deepening of religious feeling in the country, rendered public success impossible to men whose private life was blemished with such vices. As the reign of Elizabeth marked the turningpoint in the history of England from the era of comparative barbarism to that of enlightenment and enrolment of the name of England among those of the Great Powers of Europe, so, the reign of George the Third marked the transition to the era of civilisation and culture of modern days. Not the English language only but English society was refined by the polished manners and the literary culture of men like Lord Chesterfield and Sir Horace Walpole, and rescued from grossness by the brilliant wit of a Townshend, a George Selwyn,

and a Sidney Smith.

No greater orators ever lived

than the statesmen of his time.

revolutionise the conditions of human life. \Vatt maybe said to have first applied steam to those uses which have done so much to promote the material prosperity of England and the world. Arkwright, by the invention of the spinning-machine, and Hargreaves and Crompton by similar inventions, turned the northern provinces of the country into hives of industry. Brindley, triumphing over stupendous engineering difficulties, constructed those splendid waterways of commerce, one of which, the Bridgewater Canal, passes your very doors.

Smeaton reared the first of these lighthouses which guide the mariners round our coasts, and rendered

obsolete the occupation of the wreckers.

Herschel,

by his construction of a gigantic telescope, discovered many secrets of the heavens. So huge was this instrument that, on festive occasions, his whole family assembled in it for tea.

Pitt, Fox, and

Burke, paved the way for those reforms of the Parliamentary system and those enlargements of popular liberty which we enjoy. The scientific discoveries which have been perfected in the Victorian age, date their conception from the days of George the Third. In his time Franklin began those experiments with the electric fluid which, continued by succeeding generations of men of science, have resulted in

Nor were the graces of life ever more successfully cultivated. The Royal Academy was instituted by George TIL, with Sir Joshua Reynolds as its first President. teynolds, Romney, and Gainsborough have never been equalled for the power, the loveliness, and the charm of their execution; Turner, as a landscape-painter, has remained unsurpassed for

brillianey of colouring. The genius of Garrick and Mrs. Siddons raised the English stage to the highest

inventions in our own day which promise ultimately C


<32) to overcome the bounds of space

and time, and

tion, the influence of a more general education, helped

to form public opinion, which, no less than the . deepening of religious feeling in the country, rendered public success impossible to men whose private life was blemished with such vices. As the reign of Elizabeth marked the turningpoint in the history of England from the era of comparative barbarism to that of enlightenment and enrolment of the name of England among those of the Great Powers of Europe, so, the reign of George the Third marked the transition to the era of civilisation and culture of modern days. Not the English language only but English society was refined by the polished manners and the literary culture of men like Lord Chesterfield and Sir Horace Walpole, and rescued from grossness by the brilliant wit of a Townshend, a George Selwyn,

and a Sidney Smith.

No greater orators ever lived

than the statesmen of his time.

revolutionise the conditions of human life. \Vatt maybe said to have first applied steam to those uses which have done so much to promote the material prosperity of England and the world. Arkwright, by the invention of the spinning-machine, and Hargreaves and Crompton by similar inventions, turned the northern provinces of the country into hives of industry. Brindley, triumphing over stupendous engineering difficulties, constructed those splendid waterways of commerce, one of which, the Bridgewater Canal, passes your very doors.

Smeaton reared the first of these lighthouses which guide the mariners round our coasts, and rendered

obsolete the occupation of the wreckers.

Herschel,

by his construction of a gigantic telescope, discovered many secrets of the heavens. So huge was this instrument that, on festive occasions, his whole family assembled in it for tea.

Pitt, Fox, and

Burke, paved the way for those reforms of the Parliamentary system and those enlargements of popular liberty which we enjoy. The scientific discoveries which have been perfected in the Victorian age, date their conception from the days of George the Third. In his time Franklin began those experiments with the electric fluid which, continued by succeeding generations of men of science, have resulted in

Nor were the graces of life ever more successfully cultivated. The Royal Academy was instituted by George TIL, with Sir Joshua Reynolds as its first President. teynolds, Romney, and Gainsborough have never been equalled for the power, the loveliness, and the charm of their execution; Turner, as a landscape-painter, has remained unsurpassed for

brillianey of colouring. The genius of Garrick and Mrs. Siddons raised the English stage to the highest

inventions in our own day which promise ultimately C


( 5:3 ) point of excellence; Sheridan enriched the drama

field where one woman only was working, and on

With brilliant comedies; Oliver Goldsmith and Sir Walter Scott composed their familiar masterpieces of fiction; and, amid a galaxy of poets, Lord Byron

inquiring the cause, was told by her that the rest had gone to see the King. ‘ Why did not you go ? ’ he asked, ‘I wouldn’t give a pin to see him!’ she replied ; ‘besides, I can’t afford to lose a day’s work.’ ‘ Well,7 said the King, putting a guinea into her hand,

poured forth his immortal verse. Some of these illustrious men owed to George III. not a little of the patronage which facilitated their further success.

Dr. Johnston, the literary autocrat

of the eighteenth century, a man whose praise was

‘you must tell them on their return that the King

came to see you.’ Again it is related of

him,

that when

at

not easily commanded, pronounced a high eulogium

Worcester the Quakers affected to take no notice of

on George the Third’s manner, and much in the same words used by Pitt’s father, Lord Chatham, who had

him, but a few, more curious than the rest, got leave to stand in the courtyard when his Majesty was

said of the King, ‘ His Majesty is the greatest courtier in his court.7

passing out. When he came by they stood unmoved, with

In the meantime, during the unceasing struggles with foreign powers and the various changes of his

their hats on their heads, but the King, seeing they were Quakers, took off his hat and bowed to them. They, in return, moved their hands, the

Ministers, the King was laying a strong hold on the affections of his people. His Governments bore the responsibility

eldest saying, ‘Fare thee well, friend George I’ which and

made the King and Queen laugh heartily.

blame of his political blunders, which, owing to

He was ever amongst his subjects, and nowhere

the scarcity of information and the lack of political

was he brought into pleasanter contact with them

education, were unrevealed and ignored. On the other hand, he benefited by the lustre of Pitt’s

than during his residence at Windsor. From his youth he had the greatest fondness for the College of

administration.

Eton, and to this day his birthday, the 4th June, is celebrated with great rejoicing in proof of the affection in which his memory is still held. He rarely failed

But it was his geniality and modesty, of which many instances are related, that principally endeared

George III. to his subjects. When walking at VVeymouth, one day, the King came across a hay-

to honour the festivals of the College with his presence, and never, it is said, appeared so happy or to


( 5:3 ) point of excellence; Sheridan enriched the drama

field where one woman only was working, and on

With brilliant comedies; Oliver Goldsmith and Sir Walter Scott composed their familiar masterpieces of fiction; and, amid a galaxy of poets, Lord Byron

inquiring the cause, was told by her that the rest had gone to see the King. ‘ Why did not you go ? ’ he asked, ‘I wouldn’t give a pin to see him!’ she replied ; ‘besides, I can’t afford to lose a day’s work.’ ‘ Well,7 said the King, putting a guinea into her hand,

poured forth his immortal verse. Some of these illustrious men owed to George III. not a little of the patronage which facilitated their further success.

Dr. Johnston, the literary autocrat

of the eighteenth century, a man whose praise was

‘you must tell them on their return that the King

came to see you.’ Again it is related of

him,

that when

at

not easily commanded, pronounced a high eulogium

Worcester the Quakers affected to take no notice of

on George the Third’s manner, and much in the same words used by Pitt’s father, Lord Chatham, who had

him, but a few, more curious than the rest, got leave to stand in the courtyard when his Majesty was

said of the King, ‘ His Majesty is the greatest courtier in his court.7

passing out. When he came by they stood unmoved, with

In the meantime, during the unceasing struggles with foreign powers and the various changes of his

their hats on their heads, but the King, seeing they were Quakers, took off his hat and bowed to them. They, in return, moved their hands, the

Ministers, the King was laying a strong hold on the affections of his people. His Governments bore the responsibility

eldest saying, ‘Fare thee well, friend George I’ which and

made the King and Queen laugh heartily.

blame of his political blunders, which, owing to

He was ever amongst his subjects, and nowhere

the scarcity of information and the lack of political

was he brought into pleasanter contact with them

education, were unrevealed and ignored. On the other hand, he benefited by the lustre of Pitt’s

than during his residence at Windsor. From his youth he had the greatest fondness for the College of

administration.

Eton, and to this day his birthday, the 4th June, is celebrated with great rejoicing in proof of the affection in which his memory is still held. He rarely failed

But it was his geniality and modesty, of which many instances are related, that principally endeared

George III. to his subjects. When walking at VVeymouth, one day, the King came across a hay-

to honour the festivals of the College with his presence, and never, it is said, appeared so happy or to


(3(3)

(37)

greater advantage than when, at the close of their

at Windsor for some time one afternoon, the King went to speak to some gentlemen near a sun-dial, and while doing so rested his elbow on the dial.

time-honoured Montem Day, he was mixing about among the joyous lads in their fancy costumes on the Terrace at Windsor. On his birthday, in one year, he gave the head-master 230]. to distribute among the scholars; and in the closing years of his life

A sentry near the spot came forward and removed his elbow, saying that the dial was under his charge ;

whereupon the King commended him for his atten-

he invited eighty of them, bearing the invitation

tion to duty, and subsequently had him promoted.

himself to the school, to a ball given to please the

High personal courage was one of the finest points in the King’s character. On the occasion of a riot

young Princesses at \Vindsor.

On another occasion it happened that two Eton

which had been provoked against the Roman Catholics

boys, who were staying near \Vindsor on a visit, met a fresh—looking old gentleman—whom they did not know to be the king—in Windsor uniform,

by a bigoted Protestant rabble, the King spent the greater part of the night 011 foot endeavouring to quell the disturbance. One morning, as his Majesty stepped out of his carriage at St. James’s Palace, a

in the forest, who good — humouredly extracted from them an account of themselves. They were going to see the King’s stag-hounds throw off, they said, whereupon the kind stranger said that the King did not hunt that Clay, but promised to let them know when he did. A, few days after, one of the royal yeomen called for the two lads and invited them, on behalf of the King, to see the hunt. On fine summer evenings it was the custom

woman pushed forward, and, while thrusting a paper into the King’s hands, struck at his breast with a concealed knife, which he avoided by bowing as he

of the King to promenade on Windsor Terrace,

entering his box at Drury Lane Theatre, and the

surrounded by his numerous children and attended by his household, when all those who enjoyed his friendship, or courted his favour, were allowed

bullet lodged quite close to him. On the report of the pistol he stopped and stood firmly, and waved his hand to keep the Queen back, answering her alarmed inquiries by saying reassuringly, ‘ It is only

to approach him.

After promenading the Terrace

received the paper.

She was caught by a yeoman

when making a second thrust, and the King ex-

claimed, ‘1 have received no injury, pray do not hurt the woman; the poor creature appears insane,’—— which turned out to be the case. On another occasion he was fired at when


(3(3)

(37)

greater advantage than when, at the close of their

at Windsor for some time one afternoon, the King went to speak to some gentlemen near a sun-dial, and while doing so rested his elbow on the dial.

time-honoured Montem Day, he was mixing about among the joyous lads in their fancy costumes on the Terrace at Windsor. On his birthday, in one year, he gave the head-master 230]. to distribute among the scholars; and in the closing years of his life

A sentry near the spot came forward and removed his elbow, saying that the dial was under his charge ;

whereupon the King commended him for his atten-

he invited eighty of them, bearing the invitation

tion to duty, and subsequently had him promoted.

himself to the school, to a ball given to please the

High personal courage was one of the finest points in the King’s character. On the occasion of a riot

young Princesses at \Vindsor.

On another occasion it happened that two Eton

which had been provoked against the Roman Catholics

boys, who were staying near \Vindsor on a visit, met a fresh—looking old gentleman—whom they did not know to be the king—in Windsor uniform,

by a bigoted Protestant rabble, the King spent the greater part of the night 011 foot endeavouring to quell the disturbance. One morning, as his Majesty stepped out of his carriage at St. James’s Palace, a

in the forest, who good — humouredly extracted from them an account of themselves. They were going to see the King’s stag-hounds throw off, they said, whereupon the kind stranger said that the King did not hunt that Clay, but promised to let them know when he did. A, few days after, one of the royal yeomen called for the two lads and invited them, on behalf of the King, to see the hunt. On fine summer evenings it was the custom

woman pushed forward, and, while thrusting a paper into the King’s hands, struck at his breast with a concealed knife, which he avoided by bowing as he

of the King to promenade on Windsor Terrace,

entering his box at Drury Lane Theatre, and the

surrounded by his numerous children and attended by his household, when all those who enjoyed his friendship, or courted his favour, were allowed

bullet lodged quite close to him. On the report of the pistol he stopped and stood firmly, and waved his hand to keep the Queen back, answering her alarmed inquiries by saying reassuringly, ‘ It is only

to approach him.

After promenading the Terrace

received the paper.

She was caught by a yeoman

when making a second thrust, and the King ex-

claimed, ‘1 have received no injury, pray do not hurt the woman; the poor creature appears insane,’—— which turned out to be the case. On another occasion he was fired at when


<38) a squib;

they

are firing squibs.’

(39) Perhaps as

striking an instance of his courage is found in his

conduct when attacked by the mob, and his carriage smashed with stones, during the riots of 1795.

A

shot passed through the window without affecting his coolness, and though repeatedly struck with stones, he never winced. He only took one of the stones out of his cuff and presented it to Lord ()nslow, as a mark

of the ‘civilities ’ they had received that day. In moments of national danger, when a foreign invasion was feared on the part of France, the King was prepared to place himself at the head of his army for the defence of the country, and it was no idle boast

on his part that he would maintain the reputation for courage won by his ancestors on the field of battle. Happy as the King was in his conjugal life, and in the affection of his daughters and sisters, the conduct of some of his brothers, and also even of more than one of his sons, in their earlier years, was of a kind to give him the greatest offence; although to the nation their transgressions only served as a

foil to set off his own personal qualities.

Marriages

below their station were contracted by some of his brothers, to the King’s intense annoyance, and led to

the passage of the Royal Marriage Act, in consequence of which no Royal marriage is now valid without the sanction of the Sovereign.

In days when statesmen, eminent politicians, and

noblemen of the highest rank, ruined their health and squandered their fortunes at games of hazard, the

private life of the King was unstained by such extravagant follies. It contributed more than ever to endear him to his subjects, whose sympathy was still further stimulated by the serene fortitude with which he bore the bitterest bereavements in his family. His unfailing affability and good humour were widely known and appreciated by the people. It is related of him that on one occasion when hunt-

ing he hailed a man to unlock a gate, who lazily answered,—

‘ Nay, ye mun gang aboot.’ ‘Gang abootl’ replied his Majesty; ‘open the gate, man: I am the King!’ ‘Why may be,’ said the yokel ; ‘but ye mun gang aboot if ye er.’ And sure enough the King had to ‘gang aboot.’ The landlord of the farm afterward hastened to apologise, the King only said,— ‘I wish I had such fine fellows in my pay as “ Auld Gang Aboot.” Tell him from me that I shall always be glad to see him.’ And ‘Auld Gang Aboot’ never afterwards visited the Palace without receiving some solid proof of the King’s favour. But the sunshine of conjugal felicity and the pride of regal splendour were fated to end in


<38) a squib;

they

are firing squibs.’

(39) Perhaps as

striking an instance of his courage is found in his

conduct when attacked by the mob, and his carriage smashed with stones, during the riots of 1795.

A

shot passed through the window without affecting his coolness, and though repeatedly struck with stones, he never winced. He only took one of the stones out of his cuff and presented it to Lord ()nslow, as a mark

of the ‘civilities ’ they had received that day. In moments of national danger, when a foreign invasion was feared on the part of France, the King was prepared to place himself at the head of his army for the defence of the country, and it was no idle boast

on his part that he would maintain the reputation for courage won by his ancestors on the field of battle. Happy as the King was in his conjugal life, and in the affection of his daughters and sisters, the conduct of some of his brothers, and also even of more than one of his sons, in their earlier years, was of a kind to give him the greatest offence; although to the nation their transgressions only served as a

foil to set off his own personal qualities.

Marriages

below their station were contracted by some of his brothers, to the King’s intense annoyance, and led to

the passage of the Royal Marriage Act, in consequence of which no Royal marriage is now valid without the sanction of the Sovereign.

In days when statesmen, eminent politicians, and

noblemen of the highest rank, ruined their health and squandered their fortunes at games of hazard, the

private life of the King was unstained by such extravagant follies. It contributed more than ever to endear him to his subjects, whose sympathy was still further stimulated by the serene fortitude with which he bore the bitterest bereavements in his family. His unfailing affability and good humour were widely known and appreciated by the people. It is related of him that on one occasion when hunt-

ing he hailed a man to unlock a gate, who lazily answered,—

‘ Nay, ye mun gang aboot.’ ‘Gang abootl’ replied his Majesty; ‘open the gate, man: I am the King!’ ‘Why may be,’ said the yokel ; ‘but ye mun gang aboot if ye er.’ And sure enough the King had to ‘gang aboot.’ The landlord of the farm afterward hastened to apologise, the King only said,— ‘I wish I had such fine fellows in my pay as “ Auld Gang Aboot.” Tell him from me that I shall always be glad to see him.’ And ‘Auld Gang Aboot’ never afterwards visited the Palace without receiving some solid proof of the King’s favour. But the sunshine of conjugal felicity and the pride of regal splendour were fated to end in


(40)

(41)

darkness and desolation. In the whole history of England there is perhaps no more painful record than that of the last ten years of the King’s life. Loved by his subjects, the head of a magnificent empire,

was to raise his hat to the crowd, saying, ‘Good night, gentlemen ; I thank you.’ But though his bodily health long continued good, his mind gradually

endowed with a robust constitution, he was struck

solation, and the hopes of a bright eternity illuminated the darkness of his life. Unconscious of his disorder, he believed himself

became a blank.

down by the most fearful malady of which man can

be the victim.

In 1788 the King’s mind had already

Happily, religion afforded him con-

to be constantly conversing with angels; and still

become affected, but he recovered after ten months.

being able to indulge in his favourite occupation, music, he occasionally performed on the flute or the violin, both of which he played with surprising skill from memory. On some few occasions he became alive to the nature of the affliction that had befallen him. One

Though excitable and peculiar in his ways, he was able to control the balance of his mind until the

year 1810, when the death of his favourite daughter Amelia, an amiable and charming Princess, affected him so deeply that his already shaken understanding entirely gave way. In addition to his mental troubles, the King had begun to lose his sight for some time previous to this event. Still he‘eontinued to enjoy his promenade on the Terrace at Windsor, where two bands of music played alternately. There, on fine

bright morning, when all was sunshine and cheerfulness around, the Prince of Wales visited his father, and

found him bitterly lamenting his blindness. Pausing to catch the King’s words, he heard him repeat with

summer evenings, the venerable monarch, assisted by

pathetic solemnity Milton’s mournful lines :—

his attendant, might be seen feeling his way with his

‘ 0 dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon, Irrecoverably dark, total eclipse Without all hope of day l 0 first created beam, and thou great Word, Let there be light, and light was over all ; Why am I thus bereav’d Thy prime decree ? To me the sun is dark And silent as the moon.’

stick down the steps which led to the Terrace, usually dressed in a blue coat with the Star of the Order of

the Garter, and wearing a large hat so as to shade his eyes. He walked, leaning on the arms of his two daughters, who whispered to him the names of such

persons as he might like to converse with, and with whom he then entered into a familiar talk.

The Prince was so affected that he hurried from

On

returning to his apartments, his invariable custom

#5 ”WW

the apartment in a paroxysm of tears.

'

Shortly after-


(40)

(41)

darkness and desolation. In the whole history of England there is perhaps no more painful record than that of the last ten years of the King’s life. Loved by his subjects, the head of a magnificent empire,

was to raise his hat to the crowd, saying, ‘Good night, gentlemen ; I thank you.’ But though his bodily health long continued good, his mind gradually

endowed with a robust constitution, he was struck

solation, and the hopes of a bright eternity illuminated the darkness of his life. Unconscious of his disorder, he believed himself

became a blank.

down by the most fearful malady of which man can

be the victim.

In 1788 the King’s mind had already

Happily, religion afforded him con-

to be constantly conversing with angels; and still

become affected, but he recovered after ten months.

being able to indulge in his favourite occupation, music, he occasionally performed on the flute or the violin, both of which he played with surprising skill from memory. On some few occasions he became alive to the nature of the affliction that had befallen him. One

Though excitable and peculiar in his ways, he was able to control the balance of his mind until the

year 1810, when the death of his favourite daughter Amelia, an amiable and charming Princess, affected him so deeply that his already shaken understanding entirely gave way. In addition to his mental troubles, the King had begun to lose his sight for some time previous to this event. Still he‘eontinued to enjoy his promenade on the Terrace at Windsor, where two bands of music played alternately. There, on fine

bright morning, when all was sunshine and cheerfulness around, the Prince of Wales visited his father, and

found him bitterly lamenting his blindness. Pausing to catch the King’s words, he heard him repeat with

summer evenings, the venerable monarch, assisted by

pathetic solemnity Milton’s mournful lines :—

his attendant, might be seen feeling his way with his

‘ 0 dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon, Irrecoverably dark, total eclipse Without all hope of day l 0 first created beam, and thou great Word, Let there be light, and light was over all ; Why am I thus bereav’d Thy prime decree ? To me the sun is dark And silent as the moon.’

stick down the steps which led to the Terrace, usually dressed in a blue coat with the Star of the Order of

the Garter, and wearing a large hat so as to shade his eyes. He walked, leaning on the arms of his two daughters, who whispered to him the names of such

persons as he might like to converse with, and with whom he then entered into a familiar talk.

The Prince was so affected that he hurried from

On

returning to his apartments, his invariable custom

#5 ”WW

the apartment in a paroxysm of tears.

'

Shortly after-


(43) wards, the Queen, being apprised that her consort was in a tranquil mood, paid a visit to his apartment.

She found him seated at the harpsichord, singing to his own accompaniment. Reason had only temporarily reasserted her sway .

With an agonised sense of his condition, the King fell on his knees, fervently and touchingly prayed for his wife, his children, and his people, and besought the Almighty either to deliver him from his awful

affliction or to grant him sufficient strength to submit with resignation to the Divine will. Bursting into tears, he then relapsed again into his former benighted state.

In the following year failure of hearing was added to his other calamities, and thus bowed down by years, afflicted with deafness, with the loss of sight and of reason, it would be difficult to conceive a

more painful spectacle than that of the King of England in his dreary solitude. Dressed in a loose gown of violet-coloured velvet, the Star of the Garter

on his breast, with his long, flowing hair and heard of silvery white, he paced his spacious apartment in Windsor Castle, sometimes stopping to accompany

himself on the harpsichord, or holding conversation with the visionary forms of friends and Ministers

long dead, with whom he dwelt on the episodes of his reign, mingling humorous anecdotes with sketches of remarkable characters.

His manner to his attendants was full of kindness,

but he never forgot that he was still a King, and always expected the deference to which he had been accustomed in former days. And so as he drew near the grave, all within him and around him became stillness, darkness, and obscurity. Of the

radiance of the outer world, of the changes of the seasons, of the strife of the elements, no glimmer, no sign, no sound, ever penetrated his vacant mind, or shone before his vacant eye. WThen in 1815, by the victory of Waterloo, Wellington had crushed the aggressive ambition of the Emperor Napoleon, illuminations blazed over England, and the roar of artillery, the flourish of trumpets, and

the cheers of the nation, proclaimed the return of peace after a war of twenty years, not the faintest echo

of these happy demonstrations stirred the

soul of the King. ‘ Thy loved ones fell around thee. Manhood’s prime, Youth with its glory, in its fulness age,

All, at the gates of their eternal clime, Lay down, and closed their mortal pilgrimage: The land wore ashes for its perished flowers, The grave’s imperial harvest. Thou, meanwhile, Didst walk unconscious through the royal towers,

The one that wept not in the tearful isle! As a tired warrior, on his battle plain, Breathes deep in dreams amidst the mourners and the slain.’ Those who were near and dear to

him had


(43) wards, the Queen, being apprised that her consort was in a tranquil mood, paid a visit to his apartment.

She found him seated at the harpsichord, singing to his own accompaniment. Reason had only temporarily reasserted her sway .

With an agonised sense of his condition, the King fell on his knees, fervently and touchingly prayed for his wife, his children, and his people, and besought the Almighty either to deliver him from his awful

affliction or to grant him sufficient strength to submit with resignation to the Divine will. Bursting into tears, he then relapsed again into his former benighted state.

In the following year failure of hearing was added to his other calamities, and thus bowed down by years, afflicted with deafness, with the loss of sight and of reason, it would be difficult to conceive a

more painful spectacle than that of the King of England in his dreary solitude. Dressed in a loose gown of violet-coloured velvet, the Star of the Garter

on his breast, with his long, flowing hair and heard of silvery white, he paced his spacious apartment in Windsor Castle, sometimes stopping to accompany

himself on the harpsichord, or holding conversation with the visionary forms of friends and Ministers

long dead, with whom he dwelt on the episodes of his reign, mingling humorous anecdotes with sketches of remarkable characters.

His manner to his attendants was full of kindness,

but he never forgot that he was still a King, and always expected the deference to which he had been accustomed in former days. And so as he drew near the grave, all within him and around him became stillness, darkness, and obscurity. Of the

radiance of the outer world, of the changes of the seasons, of the strife of the elements, no glimmer, no sign, no sound, ever penetrated his vacant mind, or shone before his vacant eye. WThen in 1815, by the victory of Waterloo, Wellington had crushed the aggressive ambition of the Emperor Napoleon, illuminations blazed over England, and the roar of artillery, the flourish of trumpets, and

the cheers of the nation, proclaimed the return of peace after a war of twenty years, not the faintest echo

of these happy demonstrations stirred the

soul of the King. ‘ Thy loved ones fell around thee. Manhood’s prime, Youth with its glory, in its fulness age,

All, at the gates of their eternal clime, Lay down, and closed their mortal pilgrimage: The land wore ashes for its perished flowers, The grave’s imperial harvest. Thou, meanwhile, Didst walk unconscious through the royal towers,

The one that wept not in the tearful isle! As a tired warrior, on his battle plain, Breathes deep in dreams amidst the mourners and the slain.’ Those who were near and dear to

him had


(44)

< 4-5 >

married, but at the nuptial banquet his seat was

inclination, a constitutional monarch by force of

empty; not a note of the merry joy-bells reached his ears, and so he passed away on the 29th January,

circumstances, George HI. lived to see his country expanding into a magnificent empire. A Victim to

1820.

the direst afflictions that can be accumulated on the head of suffering humanity he died an object of

No pomp, no pageantry was omitted in solemnising his obsequies. Heralds in resplendent tabards, Princes of the blood in sable mantles, Ministers of State habited in mourning garb, moved

veneration to his people. To which of the two monarchs life brought the bitterest trials can only be

by the flickering torchlight into St. George’s Chapel,

surmised. Englishmen, on recalling the history of this now

and with the blast of trumpets and the sound of muffled drums, mingling with the peal of cannon

distant past, should remember that it was to the loyalty, bravery, and patriotism, of their forefathers

and the toll of the death-bell, the body of George

that their country owes that position which it is now

the Third was lowered into the vault. Fifteen months later died Napoleon 1., Emperor

their duty to strengthen and uphold.

of the French.

To draw a comparison between these

two contemporary sovereigns is not the object of this

ANTHONY HALL, ASTON CLINTON,

Frinmarg/ 23rd, 1885.

lecture. But it is impossible to refrain from according a thought to the end of these two potentates, so dissimilar, and yet in some respects so like. An adventurer by birth, endowed with every talent, quality,

and genius, Napoleon I. rose to an undreamed-of pinnacle of power. Hurled down again amid the exccrations of the world, he saw his country a. prey

to the invader, and left it to be desolated by a succession of revolutions, to die of a broken heart, on a barren island in mid-ocean.

Born in the purple, ungifted and unwise, a pattern of simplicity and domestic virtue, an autocrat by

L 0 N D O N : Printed by Snuxnuwars & Sox's, Tower Street, T'pper St. Martin's Lane.


(44)

< 4-5 >

married, but at the nuptial banquet his seat was

inclination, a constitutional monarch by force of

empty; not a note of the merry joy-bells reached his ears, and so he passed away on the 29th January,

circumstances, George HI. lived to see his country expanding into a magnificent empire. A Victim to

1820.

the direst afflictions that can be accumulated on the head of suffering humanity he died an object of

No pomp, no pageantry was omitted in solemnising his obsequies. Heralds in resplendent tabards, Princes of the blood in sable mantles, Ministers of State habited in mourning garb, moved

veneration to his people. To which of the two monarchs life brought the bitterest trials can only be

by the flickering torchlight into St. George’s Chapel,

surmised. Englishmen, on recalling the history of this now

and with the blast of trumpets and the sound of muffled drums, mingling with the peal of cannon

distant past, should remember that it was to the loyalty, bravery, and patriotism, of their forefathers

and the toll of the death-bell, the body of George

that their country owes that position which it is now

the Third was lowered into the vault. Fifteen months later died Napoleon 1., Emperor

their duty to strengthen and uphold.

of the French.

To draw a comparison between these

two contemporary sovereigns is not the object of this

ANTHONY HALL, ASTON CLINTON,

Frinmarg/ 23rd, 1885.

lecture. But it is impossible to refrain from according a thought to the end of these two potentates, so dissimilar, and yet in some respects so like. An adventurer by birth, endowed with every talent, quality,

and genius, Napoleon I. rose to an undreamed-of pinnacle of power. Hurled down again amid the exccrations of the world, he saw his country a. prey

to the invader, and left it to be desolated by a succession of revolutions, to die of a broken heart, on a barren island in mid-ocean.

Born in the purple, ungifted and unwise, a pattern of simplicity and domestic virtue, an autocrat by

L 0 N D O N : Printed by Snuxnuwars & Sox's, Tower Street, T'pper St. Martin's Lane.


JOHN WILKES.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,— Of all the transformations in the political and social condition of England, there is none that appeals more forcibly to the attention of the his-

torian, and the sympathy of every citizen of these isles, than the growth of English liberties and freedom. Ever since the days of King John, in

1215, when the great Barons of the kingdom forced from the reluctant sovereign the signature of Magna Charta, which contained the germs of all future Parliamentary representation, the progress of national freedom and liberty has been steadily advancing.

At times it was diverted by Continental warfare, or checked by the personal ambition of shortsighted

rulers and governments; but only to reassert itself all the stronger, and to sweep away more thoroughly the impediments by which it had been obstructed. Crises such as these marked the reigns of

Charles I. and James H.-crises deplorable for the passions they excited and the scenes of Violence they A


JOHN WILKES.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,— Of all the transformations in the political and social condition of England, there is none that appeals more forcibly to the attention of the his-

torian, and the sympathy of every citizen of these isles, than the growth of English liberties and freedom. Ever since the days of King John, in

1215, when the great Barons of the kingdom forced from the reluctant sovereign the signature of Magna Charta, which contained the germs of all future Parliamentary representation, the progress of national freedom and liberty has been steadily advancing.

At times it was diverted by Continental warfare, or checked by the personal ambition of shortsighted

rulers and governments; but only to reassert itself all the stronger, and to sweep away more thoroughly the impediments by which it had been obstructed. Crises such as these marked the reigns of

Charles I. and James H.-crises deplorable for the passions they excited and the scenes of Violence they A


(2)

(3)

produced, yet tame when contrasted with those which

influence abroad.

occurred on the Continent.

during the reigns of his two predecessors, who had

Render thanks to your forefathers, that they have not blotted the pages of your history with crimes

never exceeded their prerogative by interfering in

such as those which—committed in the name of

liberty——soiled the fair escutcheon of France. The French Revolution of 1789 can only be compared to the bursting of a shell, which shattered the whole fabric of French society into fragments. On its

smouldering ruins was raised the most absolute despotism that has ever been known—the Empire of Napoleon l. Soon to break down, it was followed by a varied succession of governments, which have vainly struggled, and are struggling still, to consolidate the liberties of France on a secure foundation. Simultaneously almost with the French Revolution of 1789, preceding it only by twenty years,

a crisis occurred in the political history of England, the relative mildness of which is a matter of surprise and interest, considering the importance of its consequences, and the peculiar individuality of its chief actor.

In 1760, at the age of twenty-two, George III. succeeded to the throne of Great Britain. The first

English—born King after a period of nearly half-acentury, his accession was hailed with a genuine burst

of enthusiasm and loyalty. He found the country in a hitherto unknown state of prosperity at home and

To this condition it had been raised

the powerful administration of their Ministers. Having lost his father (Frederick, Prince of Wales) in his youth, George III. remained under the control of his mother, a narrow-minded and in-

triguing woman.

She confined his education within

the most restricted limits, keeping him in the nursery till within two years of the time he mounted the throne ; and instilled into his mind the most exagge-

rated notions of his position, together with an intense desire for personal and independent authority. He never forgot her injunction, ‘George, be a King I’ But though the natural defects of his disposition were aggravated by this mistaken education, they were tempered by nobler qualities. Unostentatious in his manner, religious without affeetation or bigotry, a good son, and an excellent husband, a gentleman in every sense of the word, his private life contrasted advantageously with the dissolute fashions of the time. The indolence of his earlier years he overcame, and exhibited the most

remarkable application to business. As energetic in his recreations as in his pleasures —on hunting days he remained in the saddle from eight in the morning till dusk—he always maintained in his habits a simplicity and at his table an abstin-


(2)

(3)

produced, yet tame when contrasted with those which

influence abroad.

occurred on the Continent.

during the reigns of his two predecessors, who had

Render thanks to your forefathers, that they have not blotted the pages of your history with crimes

never exceeded their prerogative by interfering in

such as those which—committed in the name of

liberty——soiled the fair escutcheon of France. The French Revolution of 1789 can only be compared to the bursting of a shell, which shattered the whole fabric of French society into fragments. On its

smouldering ruins was raised the most absolute despotism that has ever been known—the Empire of Napoleon l. Soon to break down, it was followed by a varied succession of governments, which have vainly struggled, and are struggling still, to consolidate the liberties of France on a secure foundation. Simultaneously almost with the French Revolution of 1789, preceding it only by twenty years,

a crisis occurred in the political history of England, the relative mildness of which is a matter of surprise and interest, considering the importance of its consequences, and the peculiar individuality of its chief actor.

In 1760, at the age of twenty-two, George III. succeeded to the throne of Great Britain. The first

English—born King after a period of nearly half-acentury, his accession was hailed with a genuine burst

of enthusiasm and loyalty. He found the country in a hitherto unknown state of prosperity at home and

To this condition it had been raised

the powerful administration of their Ministers. Having lost his father (Frederick, Prince of Wales) in his youth, George III. remained under the control of his mother, a narrow-minded and in-

triguing woman.

She confined his education within

the most restricted limits, keeping him in the nursery till within two years of the time he mounted the throne ; and instilled into his mind the most exagge-

rated notions of his position, together with an intense desire for personal and independent authority. He never forgot her injunction, ‘George, be a King I’ But though the natural defects of his disposition were aggravated by this mistaken education, they were tempered by nobler qualities. Unostentatious in his manner, religious without affeetation or bigotry, a good son, and an excellent husband, a gentleman in every sense of the word, his private life contrasted advantageously with the dissolute fashions of the time. The indolence of his earlier years he overcame, and exhibited the most

remarkable application to business. As energetic in his recreations as in his pleasures —on hunting days he remained in the saddle from eight in the morning till dusk—he always maintained in his habits a simplicity and at his table an abstin-


( 5 ) (4) enee, which were nobly at variance with those of the upper classes. But ignorant to such a degree that he never mastered the difficulties of spelling or of grammar; with an unbounded confidence in his own judgment, which was often at fault; he retained throughout his life an ext *avagant estimate of the Royal prerogative.

Bent on restoring the regal power to a position it

House of Hanover to the Throne, the power of the House of Commons in the affairs of the State had been steadily increasing.

iut during these hundred

years the abuses of the Parliamentary system had kept pace with the growth of its overwhelming supre—

macy.

Paradoxical as it may appear, the very power of the House of Commons made it, on the accession of George 111., a pliable instrument in his hands

had long lost, he endeavoured to use sources of in-

for personal government. Owing to the rapid development of the wealth

fluence which only nominally belonged to the Crown,

and prosperity of the country Parliament had long

and were exercised by a responsible Ministry, for the promotion of his own authority. In his own private circle he enforced an almost

ceased adequately to represent the nation, or to accurately reflect public opinion. From its necessary reforms, the attention of the country was distracted by the great Continental wars, as well as by the preoccupations of the intrigues of the deposed dynasty. Ministers availed themselves of the rising

puritanical severity, but selected for the highest offices men whose incapacity, or laxity of principle, made them subservient tools in his hands, and while practising in his court the strictest parsimony, lavished enormous sums in the pursuance of his

political designs.

Although he

importance of the House in their own interest and

that of the Crown by conciliating members and

succeeded to a

procuring their votes, and to this effect instituted

well-stocked treasury, his debts accumulated during his reign to nearly three and a half millions sterling —money chiefly expended on political corruption and bribery. The political machinery of the country, of which the House of Commons was the central feature, was

a regular system of bribery and corruption, which turned the majority of the members into mere hirelings of the Government. During the past two centuries the Crown, in order to increase its influence, had been creating a profu-

well suited to the disposition of the young Sovereign.

sion of small boroughs. Most of these were mere villages, and gradually passed into the hands of the

Since the days of Charles 1., since the Revolution,

neighbouring

especially, which banished the Stuarts and called the

htem as they bought and sold their estates.

landowners,

who

bought

and

sold


( 5 ) (4) enee, which were nobly at variance with those of the upper classes. But ignorant to such a degree that he never mastered the difficulties of spelling or of grammar; with an unbounded confidence in his own judgment, which was often at fault; he retained throughout his life an ext *avagant estimate of the Royal prerogative.

Bent on restoring the regal power to a position it

House of Hanover to the Throne, the power of the House of Commons in the affairs of the State had been steadily increasing.

iut during these hundred

years the abuses of the Parliamentary system had kept pace with the growth of its overwhelming supre—

macy.

Paradoxical as it may appear, the very power of the House of Commons made it, on the accession of George 111., a pliable instrument in his hands

had long lost, he endeavoured to use sources of in-

for personal government. Owing to the rapid development of the wealth

fluence which only nominally belonged to the Crown,

and prosperity of the country Parliament had long

and were exercised by a responsible Ministry, for the promotion of his own authority. In his own private circle he enforced an almost

ceased adequately to represent the nation, or to accurately reflect public opinion. From its necessary reforms, the attention of the country was distracted by the great Continental wars, as well as by the preoccupations of the intrigues of the deposed dynasty. Ministers availed themselves of the rising

puritanical severity, but selected for the highest offices men whose incapacity, or laxity of principle, made them subservient tools in his hands, and while practising in his court the strictest parsimony, lavished enormous sums in the pursuance of his

political designs.

Although he

importance of the House in their own interest and

that of the Crown by conciliating members and

succeeded to a

procuring their votes, and to this effect instituted

well-stocked treasury, his debts accumulated during his reign to nearly three and a half millions sterling —money chiefly expended on political corruption and bribery. The political machinery of the country, of which the House of Commons was the central feature, was

a regular system of bribery and corruption, which turned the majority of the members into mere hirelings of the Government. During the past two centuries the Crown, in order to increase its influence, had been creating a profu-

well suited to the disposition of the young Sovereign.

sion of small boroughs. Most of these were mere villages, and gradually passed into the hands of the

Since the days of Charles 1., since the Revolution,

neighbouring

especially, which banished the Stuarts and called the

htem as they bought and sold their estates.

landowners,

who

bought

and

sold


(7)

(6) , ‘ . Even the representation of large towns had be-

come a mere name.

Some were the private boroughs

of the king; others obediently returned candidates Vx hom Ministers selected; others again were pocketboroughs 1n the hands of jobbers. One, the Duke T . . . of he“ castle, at one time returned one third of all the borough Members in the House. Whatever independent right of suffrage was left

in the boroughs was counteracted by this system of

corruption, which made the expense of a contest so

great, as to place it beyond the reach of an ordinarv fortune. d Even in the counties the franchise was ridicu-

lously limited and unequal. Out of a population of about eight millions only 160,000 were possessed of the right of voting; nor could the House of Com-

mons be considered at all representative of the people at large.

Shortly after the accession of George 111. it was shown that about one half of its Members repre-

Under these circumstances corruption and bribery found a ready field, and flourished vigorously, stimulated and encouraged by the manifold resources of

the State.

One instance will suffice as an example.

The Crown employed 11,500 officials for the collection of the Excise and Customs duties. These were

able to control seventy elections, and naturally they were docile instruments of corruption in the hands of the Government. Of the immense sums spent in this ignoble traffic, we can form some estimate from the fact that the Duke of Portland and Sir James

Lowther each spent forty thousand pounds in the contests for VVestmoreland and Cumberland; the contest for Northampton cost each of the rival

parties thirty thousand pounds; the borough of Sudbury publicly advertised itself for sale; and the city of Oxford undertook to secure the re-election of

its representatives on condition of their paying the debts of the Corporation. It is true that the new generation of legislators

sented less than twelve thousand electors; while as many as fifty-six Members represented only seven hundred electors. Of those fifty—six, not one had a

no longer expected to find five—hundred—pound banknotes under their plates when they dined with the Prime Minister, but a public office was opened for

constituency of more than thirty-eight voters, and

the bribery of Members of Parliament, and twentyfive thousand pounds were said to have been spent there in one day. Promotion in the Civil Service

six of them had not more than three voters.

Great towns like Manchester and Birmingham were still totally unrepresented, and there were Members who sat for boroughs, like Old Sarum, that had

actually disappeared from the face of the earth.

and the Army and preferments in the Church, were only dispensed to the supporters of the Government.


(7)

(6) , ‘ . Even the representation of large towns had be-

come a mere name.

Some were the private boroughs

of the king; others obediently returned candidates Vx hom Ministers selected; others again were pocketboroughs 1n the hands of jobbers. One, the Duke T . . . of he“ castle, at one time returned one third of all the borough Members in the House. Whatever independent right of suffrage was left

in the boroughs was counteracted by this system of

corruption, which made the expense of a contest so

great, as to place it beyond the reach of an ordinarv fortune. d Even in the counties the franchise was ridicu-

lously limited and unequal. Out of a population of about eight millions only 160,000 were possessed of the right of voting; nor could the House of Com-

mons be considered at all representative of the people at large.

Shortly after the accession of George 111. it was shown that about one half of its Members repre-

Under these circumstances corruption and bribery found a ready field, and flourished vigorously, stimulated and encouraged by the manifold resources of

the State.

One instance will suffice as an example.

The Crown employed 11,500 officials for the collection of the Excise and Customs duties. These were

able to control seventy elections, and naturally they were docile instruments of corruption in the hands of the Government. Of the immense sums spent in this ignoble traffic, we can form some estimate from the fact that the Duke of Portland and Sir James

Lowther each spent forty thousand pounds in the contests for VVestmoreland and Cumberland; the contest for Northampton cost each of the rival

parties thirty thousand pounds; the borough of Sudbury publicly advertised itself for sale; and the city of Oxford undertook to secure the re-election of

its representatives on condition of their paying the debts of the Corporation. It is true that the new generation of legislators

sented less than twelve thousand electors; while as many as fifty-six Members represented only seven hundred electors. Of those fifty—six, not one had a

no longer expected to find five—hundred—pound banknotes under their plates when they dined with the Prime Minister, but a public office was opened for

constituency of more than thirty-eight voters, and

the bribery of Members of Parliament, and twentyfive thousand pounds were said to have been spent there in one day. Promotion in the Civil Service

six of them had not more than three voters.

Great towns like Manchester and Birmingham were still totally unrepresented, and there were Members who sat for boroughs, like Old Sarum, that had

actually disappeared from the face of the earth.

and the Army and preferments in the Church, were only dispensed to the supporters of the Government.


(8)

(9)

It seemed as if the power of the Crown must anni-

mindful of, and attentive to, the local affairs of the

hilate the liberties of the people.

county.

It was necessary to devote so much of our limited time to these introductory remarks, in order clearly to reveal the political condition of .the country in which John Wilkes, the subject of this lecture, was destined to effect so prominent and efficient a change. By a singular freak of fortune distinction was thrust upon him, and he unwittingly became the chief instrument in bringing about some of the greatest advances the Constitution ever made.

In London he entertained on a large and sumptuous scale, and became acquainted with the smart company and fashionable people of the day. drilliant and ever—ready wit, unflagging spirits, much shrewdness of judgment, and a remarkable charm of manner, compensated for the disadvantage of an exterior of singular plainness. He squinted fearfully, and his ugliness became proverbial. He was so exceedingly ugly that a lottery-house keeper—in those days public lotteries were permitted—offered him ten guineas to keep away from his shop when the tickets were being drawn, for fear of his bringing ill—luck upon the house. Yet Wrilkes turned this physical drawback to humorous account. In reply to a sarcastic remark of Lord Townshend, he said, I‘ Your Lordship is one of the handsomest men in the kingdom, and I one of the ugliest; yet give me half-an-hour’s

The son of a wealthy distiller, whose family had resided at Leighton Buzzard for upwards of a century, John Wilkes was born in London on the 17th October, 1727. His early teaching was acquired at

Aylesbury, at the school of Mr. Leeson, a Presbyterian clergyman. It was at Aylesbury that, at the age of twenty-two, he met and married an heiress, Miss Mead, who was ten years his senior; and there, too, his daughter, and only child, was born. \‘Vilkes and his wife resided at the Prebendal House, where his statuette may still be seen. But the narrow limits of a county town were unable to satisfy the buoyant spirits of the young man. Partly to free himself from the society of his mother-in-law, partly to use his newly acquired fortune in a manner more congenial to his tastes and ambition, he removed to London; but remained

start, and I will enter the lists against you with any lady you may choose to name; because you will omit attentions 011 account of your fine exte-

rior, which I shall double on account of my plain one.’

His circle of fashionable acquaintances rapidly enlarged; amongst his guests were numbered two

of the most notorious rakes of the day, Thomas


(8)

(9)

It seemed as if the power of the Crown must anni-

mindful of, and attentive to, the local affairs of the

hilate the liberties of the people.

county.

It was necessary to devote so much of our limited time to these introductory remarks, in order clearly to reveal the political condition of .the country in which John Wilkes, the subject of this lecture, was destined to effect so prominent and efficient a change. By a singular freak of fortune distinction was thrust upon him, and he unwittingly became the chief instrument in bringing about some of the greatest advances the Constitution ever made.

In London he entertained on a large and sumptuous scale, and became acquainted with the smart company and fashionable people of the day. drilliant and ever—ready wit, unflagging spirits, much shrewdness of judgment, and a remarkable charm of manner, compensated for the disadvantage of an exterior of singular plainness. He squinted fearfully, and his ugliness became proverbial. He was so exceedingly ugly that a lottery-house keeper—in those days public lotteries were permitted—offered him ten guineas to keep away from his shop when the tickets were being drawn, for fear of his bringing ill—luck upon the house. Yet Wrilkes turned this physical drawback to humorous account. In reply to a sarcastic remark of Lord Townshend, he said, I‘ Your Lordship is one of the handsomest men in the kingdom, and I one of the ugliest; yet give me half-an-hour’s

The son of a wealthy distiller, whose family had resided at Leighton Buzzard for upwards of a century, John Wilkes was born in London on the 17th October, 1727. His early teaching was acquired at

Aylesbury, at the school of Mr. Leeson, a Presbyterian clergyman. It was at Aylesbury that, at the age of twenty-two, he met and married an heiress, Miss Mead, who was ten years his senior; and there, too, his daughter, and only child, was born. \‘Vilkes and his wife resided at the Prebendal House, where his statuette may still be seen. But the narrow limits of a county town were unable to satisfy the buoyant spirits of the young man. Partly to free himself from the society of his mother-in-law, partly to use his newly acquired fortune in a manner more congenial to his tastes and ambition, he removed to London; but remained

start, and I will enter the lists against you with any lady you may choose to name; because you will omit attentions 011 account of your fine exte-

rior, which I shall double on account of my plain one.’

His circle of fashionable acquaintances rapidly enlarged; amongst his guests were numbered two

of the most notorious rakes of the day, Thomas


(11) I’otter, son of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and

was besought to give the patronage of his name to

Lord Sandwich; both of whom subsequently played important parts in his career. His life became one of the most deplorable profligacy and immorality. It resulted by mutual consent in a separation from his wife, whose earlier feelings of tenderness he had never reciprocated. In one of his letters he thus speaks of his marriage: ‘ To please an indulgent father I married a woman half as old again as myself, of a large fortune, my own being that of a gentleman. It was a sacrifice to Plutus and not to Venus. I stumbled at the very threshold of

Captain Cook’s newly-discovered islands in the Pacific. Sir Francis Dashwood, a man of such incompetency that he could not correctly make up a sum, and of such laxity of principles that he was acknowledged to surpass anyone of his contemporaries in

the Temple of Hymen,— “ The God of Love was not a hidden guest, Nor was he present at his own mysterious feast.”

Vice, became Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord

Despencer. His irreverent frolics were the talk of the time. One of these, which occurred at Rome, will suffice to illustrate the man. It was the custom on certain occasions for devotees who wished to perform penance to scourge themselves with a light whip in a dimly lit chapel of the Pontifical Palace. Sir Francis, having provided himself with a strong hunting whip, placed himself

amongst the congregation, and when the candles Are such ties at such a time of life binding? and are schoolboys to be dragged to the altar?’ Objectionable as were his vices, they were only in keeping with prevalent customs. Some of the greatest noblemen of the land

had been extinguished took advantage of the dark—

ness to hit the penitents right and left and as hard as he could. In the confusion which ensued he contrived to make his escape, but being subsequently

discovered had to fly the country for his life.

vied with each other in depravity, and yet were

Under his auspices a society was formed, which

promoted to the highest posts and honours, both

in point of lieentiousness exceeded anything that had

at Court and in the councils of the kingdom. Lord Sandwich had been expelled from the Beefsteak Club for blasphemy; nevertheless he became Post-

ever been known in England. Its twelve members called themselves ‘Franciscans,’ and met at Medmen-

master-General, First Lord of the Admiralty, and

indulged in profane rites and disgraceful orgies.

Secretary of State in several administrations, and

one of these saturnalia, Wilkes played a practical

ham Abbey near Marlow-on-the-Thames, where they At


(11) I’otter, son of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and

was besought to give the patronage of his name to

Lord Sandwich; both of whom subsequently played important parts in his career. His life became one of the most deplorable profligacy and immorality. It resulted by mutual consent in a separation from his wife, whose earlier feelings of tenderness he had never reciprocated. In one of his letters he thus speaks of his marriage: ‘ To please an indulgent father I married a woman half as old again as myself, of a large fortune, my own being that of a gentleman. It was a sacrifice to Plutus and not to Venus. I stumbled at the very threshold of

Captain Cook’s newly-discovered islands in the Pacific. Sir Francis Dashwood, a man of such incompetency that he could not correctly make up a sum, and of such laxity of principles that he was acknowledged to surpass anyone of his contemporaries in

the Temple of Hymen,— “ The God of Love was not a hidden guest, Nor was he present at his own mysterious feast.”

Vice, became Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord

Despencer. His irreverent frolics were the talk of the time. One of these, which occurred at Rome, will suffice to illustrate the man. It was the custom on certain occasions for devotees who wished to perform penance to scourge themselves with a light whip in a dimly lit chapel of the Pontifical Palace. Sir Francis, having provided himself with a strong hunting whip, placed himself

amongst the congregation, and when the candles Are such ties at such a time of life binding? and are schoolboys to be dragged to the altar?’ Objectionable as were his vices, they were only in keeping with prevalent customs. Some of the greatest noblemen of the land

had been extinguished took advantage of the dark—

ness to hit the penitents right and left and as hard as he could. In the confusion which ensued he contrived to make his escape, but being subsequently

discovered had to fly the country for his life.

vied with each other in depravity, and yet were

Under his auspices a society was formed, which

promoted to the highest posts and honours, both

in point of lieentiousness exceeded anything that had

at Court and in the councils of the kingdom. Lord Sandwich had been expelled from the Beefsteak Club for blasphemy; nevertheless he became Post-

ever been known in England. Its twelve members called themselves ‘Franciscans,’ and met at Medmen-

master-General, First Lord of the Admiralty, and

indulged in profane rites and disgraceful orgies.

Secretary of State in several administrations, and

one of these saturnalia, Wilkes played a practical

ham Abbey near Marlow-on-the-Thames, where they At


<12) joke on Lord Sandwich, which eventually cost him dear. Wilkes dressed a baboon in imitation of the conventional representation of the devil, and secreted it in a chest in the room where the revellers were feasting. At the very moment Lord Sandwich was addressing an invocation to his master the Evil One, the animal was let loose. In the general consternation that ensued, the company actually believed that the devil had answered the summons, the baboon jumped upon Lord Sandwich’s shoulder.

Fearing that his end had come, the terrified nobleman fell on his knees, recanted his previous

< 13 > them to Berwick. Wilkes, however, bribed the master of the vessel, and instead of appearing at the polling booths the would-be voters found themselves landed on the coast of Norway.

Three years later Wilkes was more successful, and took his seat in the House of Commons as member for Aylesbury. That his return was not

altogether cheaply acquired, we may infer from his saying to his friends, that he would never advise any gentleman to sit for the town he lived in, for his constituents would prove a perpetual and heavy encumbrance on his table and cellar. The early stages of his parliamentary career were

utterances, and prayed to Heaven for mercy; but comparatively tame.

when the baboon took his flight through an open window, the revellers recovered their spirits and resumed their feast. Lord Sandwich never forgave Wilkes.

In the country he made a better use of his life, and vas appointed High Sheriff of Bucks in acknowledgment of his services. But he aspired to a more ambitious field for the exercise of his talents, and at the Gene ‘al Election of 1754 appeared as a candidate for Berwick-on-Tweed. He was defeated, but not from any lack of bribery, or pluck. The Delaval family were omnipotent in the borough. To

In one respect, however, they

deserve our notice. He brought in a Bill for the re-establishment of the Militia, for which he was rewarded with a Lieutenant—Colonelcy in the newlyraised regiment of the county of Bucks. It was only in 1763, consequently the third year

after the accession of George Ill. to the Throne, that \Vilkes suddenly leaped into public notoriety. Lord Bute was then Prime Minister. A man of common— place abilities, though of refined taste, he added to his inexperience of public business the most extreme

Views as to the legitimate power of royalty. The only claim posterity has allowed to his vanity and

ensure the votes of some of their supporters who

conceit lay in the unrivalled symmetry of his legs,

resided in London, they chartered a ship to convey


<12) joke on Lord Sandwich, which eventually cost him dear. Wilkes dressed a baboon in imitation of the conventional representation of the devil, and secreted it in a chest in the room where the revellers were feasting. At the very moment Lord Sandwich was addressing an invocation to his master the Evil One, the animal was let loose. In the general consternation that ensued, the company actually believed that the devil had answered the summons, the baboon jumped upon Lord Sandwich’s shoulder.

Fearing that his end had come, the terrified nobleman fell on his knees, recanted his previous

< 13 > them to Berwick. Wilkes, however, bribed the master of the vessel, and instead of appearing at the polling booths the would-be voters found themselves landed on the coast of Norway.

Three years later Wilkes was more successful, and took his seat in the House of Commons as member for Aylesbury. That his return was not

altogether cheaply acquired, we may infer from his saying to his friends, that he would never advise any gentleman to sit for the town he lived in, for his constituents would prove a perpetual and heavy encumbrance on his table and cellar. The early stages of his parliamentary career were

utterances, and prayed to Heaven for mercy; but comparatively tame.

when the baboon took his flight through an open window, the revellers recovered their spirits and resumed their feast. Lord Sandwich never forgave Wilkes.

In the country he made a better use of his life, and vas appointed High Sheriff of Bucks in acknowledgment of his services. But he aspired to a more ambitious field for the exercise of his talents, and at the Gene ‘al Election of 1754 appeared as a candidate for Berwick-on-Tweed. He was defeated, but not from any lack of bribery, or pluck. The Delaval family were omnipotent in the borough. To

In one respect, however, they

deserve our notice. He brought in a Bill for the re-establishment of the Militia, for which he was rewarded with a Lieutenant—Colonelcy in the newlyraised regiment of the county of Bucks. It was only in 1763, consequently the third year

after the accession of George Ill. to the Throne, that \Vilkes suddenly leaped into public notoriety. Lord Bute was then Prime Minister. A man of common— place abilities, though of refined taste, he added to his inexperience of public business the most extreme

Views as to the legitimate power of royalty. The only claim posterity has allowed to his vanity and

ensure the votes of some of their supporters who

conceit lay in the unrivalled symmetry of his legs,

resided in London, they chartered a ship to convey


(14)

( 15 )

which he took every opportunity of displaying. ‘Bute is a fine, showy man,’ said the father of

by the first speech delivered by George III. from the Throne, in which he made use of the words, ‘ I glory

George TIL, ‘and would make an excellent Ambas—

in the name of Briton.’

Up to that time the'press, in the modern sense

sador in a Court where there is no business.’

By birth a Scotchman, he dispensed his patronage solely to the Scotch, whose rebellion in

1745 was still unforgotten and unpardoned.

He

of the word, had scarcely begun to exist.

One

of the principal causes of its inactivity was, that by the rules of Parliament reporters were ex-

concluded ignominious treaties with France and

cluded from the debates, and the

Spain; expended sixty thousand pounds on bribery; turned out all the holders of office, from the greatest

the speeches strictly forbidden. Vague and imperfect reports of speeches, committed to paper from

dignitaries down to the smallest officials, to replace

memory, occasionally found

them by his nominees ; and contrived to drag down

papers, but the names of the speakers were either

the King’s mother and the King himself to the

omitted or only indicated by initials. Thus public opinion could not be formed, as the

level of his own unpopularity.

publication of

their way into the

The Lord Chamberlain, the Duke of Devonshire,

outside world only knew of parliamentary discussions

was stopped on the steps of St. James’s Palace and

and their results, from what members of the House allowed to transpire. There being no public opinion, there was no control over the proceedings in Par-

peremptorily ordered to deliver up the key of his office; a poor man was deprived of his pension which he received from the late Government for having distinguished himself in a fray with smug-

glers; and a housekeeper was dismissed from her post in a public office for no other reason than that she had been appointed by the previous Administration.

To win the public over to his views, Bute caused a journal, The Briton, to be founded.

The name of this periodical was probably inspired

liament. All the jobs and abuses, all the political machinations, the whole system of corruption, all the encroachments of power, were kept out of the

newspapers, and by being withheld from the public, constituted obstructions to political education and dangers to national liberty. In opposition to Bute, Wilkes founded a journal, the North Briton.

He strikes its keynote in the

opening sentence: ‘Liberty of the press is the birth-


(14)

( 15 )

which he took every opportunity of displaying. ‘Bute is a fine, showy man,’ said the father of

by the first speech delivered by George III. from the Throne, in which he made use of the words, ‘ I glory

George TIL, ‘and would make an excellent Ambas—

in the name of Briton.’

Up to that time the'press, in the modern sense

sador in a Court where there is no business.’

By birth a Scotchman, he dispensed his patronage solely to the Scotch, whose rebellion in

1745 was still unforgotten and unpardoned.

He

of the word, had scarcely begun to exist.

One

of the principal causes of its inactivity was, that by the rules of Parliament reporters were ex-

concluded ignominious treaties with France and

cluded from the debates, and the

Spain; expended sixty thousand pounds on bribery; turned out all the holders of office, from the greatest

the speeches strictly forbidden. Vague and imperfect reports of speeches, committed to paper from

dignitaries down to the smallest officials, to replace

memory, occasionally found

them by his nominees ; and contrived to drag down

papers, but the names of the speakers were either

the King’s mother and the King himself to the

omitted or only indicated by initials. Thus public opinion could not be formed, as the

level of his own unpopularity.

publication of

their way into the

The Lord Chamberlain, the Duke of Devonshire,

outside world only knew of parliamentary discussions

was stopped on the steps of St. James’s Palace and

and their results, from what members of the House allowed to transpire. There being no public opinion, there was no control over the proceedings in Par-

peremptorily ordered to deliver up the key of his office; a poor man was deprived of his pension which he received from the late Government for having distinguished himself in a fray with smug-

glers; and a housekeeper was dismissed from her post in a public office for no other reason than that she had been appointed by the previous Administration.

To win the public over to his views, Bute caused a journal, The Briton, to be founded.

The name of this periodical was probably inspired

liament. All the jobs and abuses, all the political machinations, the whole system of corruption, all the encroachments of power, were kept out of the

newspapers, and by being withheld from the public, constituted obstructions to political education and dangers to national liberty. In opposition to Bute, Wilkes founded a journal, the North Briton.

He strikes its keynote in the

opening sentence: ‘Liberty of the press is the birth-


(17)

(16) 45) appeared retailing an account of the conversa-

right of the Briton, and is justly esteemed as the tion.

foremost bulwark of the country.7

On reading this paper the King’s wrath was

Though of comparatively small literary ability, the ZVorth Briton began to command attention by its

unsparing attacks on public men, and by ridiculing the Ministry. As is indicated by the title of the paper its satire

was chiefly directed against the Scotch, whose monopoly of the Royal and Ministerial patronage made them particularly obnoxious at the time. Nevertheless, the publication remained unmolested. In the meantime, Lord Bute, compelled to resign ofiice because of his unpopularity, was succeeded as Prime Minister by Mr. Grenville, a brother of Lord Temple, the then owner of VVotton Park. With Lord Temple, who was estranged from his

brother, Wilkes was on terms of friendship.

Happen-

kindled at once, and incited him to immediate and

Violent action.

By his orders the Secretary of State

issued a warrant, authorising the officials to whom its execution was entrusted ‘ to search for the author,

printers, and publishers of a seditious and treasonable paper entitled the North Briton (N0. 45), apprehend and seize them together with their papers, and bring them before him in order to be examined.’ These orders were carried out Without delay. The first person seized under this warrant was a printer of the North Briton. His house was entered at night and he was taken from his bed, notwithstanding the cries of his wife and the serious illness of his child. After every printer, publisher, servant, and jour-

ing to call upon him one day he found him discussing with Mr. Pitt, afterwards Lord Chatham—perhaps the greatest Minister England has ever known,— the Speech from the Throne, which was about to be

into prison, Wilkes himself was arrested. He demanded to see the warrant, and, on finding that it contained no mention of his name, refused to yield

delivered by George III. at the opening of Parlia-

to the illegal precept.

ment, and a copy of which had been obtained by Lord Temple. In this conversation the Speech was condemned for suppressing the truth and for containing false-

hoods.

A few days later the North Briton (N0.

neyman connected with the paper had been thrown

Every justice of the peace knows that a warrant must specify the particular individual against whom it is directed. But in the long run Wilkes was compelled to surrender to superior force, and arraigned before .13


(17)

(16) 45) appeared retailing an account of the conversa-

right of the Briton, and is justly esteemed as the tion.

foremost bulwark of the country.7

On reading this paper the King’s wrath was

Though of comparatively small literary ability, the ZVorth Briton began to command attention by its

unsparing attacks on public men, and by ridiculing the Ministry. As is indicated by the title of the paper its satire

was chiefly directed against the Scotch, whose monopoly of the Royal and Ministerial patronage made them particularly obnoxious at the time. Nevertheless, the publication remained unmolested. In the meantime, Lord Bute, compelled to resign ofiice because of his unpopularity, was succeeded as Prime Minister by Mr. Grenville, a brother of Lord Temple, the then owner of VVotton Park. With Lord Temple, who was estranged from his

brother, Wilkes was on terms of friendship.

Happen-

kindled at once, and incited him to immediate and

Violent action.

By his orders the Secretary of State

issued a warrant, authorising the officials to whom its execution was entrusted ‘ to search for the author,

printers, and publishers of a seditious and treasonable paper entitled the North Briton (N0. 45), apprehend and seize them together with their papers, and bring them before him in order to be examined.’ These orders were carried out Without delay. The first person seized under this warrant was a printer of the North Briton. His house was entered at night and he was taken from his bed, notwithstanding the cries of his wife and the serious illness of his child. After every printer, publisher, servant, and jour-

ing to call upon him one day he found him discussing with Mr. Pitt, afterwards Lord Chatham—perhaps the greatest Minister England has ever known,— the Speech from the Throne, which was about to be

into prison, Wilkes himself was arrested. He demanded to see the warrant, and, on finding that it contained no mention of his name, refused to yield

delivered by George III. at the opening of Parlia-

to the illegal precept.

ment, and a copy of which had been obtained by Lord Temple. In this conversation the Speech was condemned for suppressing the truth and for containing false-

hoods.

A few days later the North Briton (N0.

neyman connected with the paper had been thrown

Every justice of the peace knows that a warrant must specify the particular individual against whom it is directed. But in the long run Wilkes was compelled to surrender to superior force, and arraigned before .13


two Secretaries of State.

On refusing

to submit

to cross-examination, he was sent a prisoner to the Tower. His house was searched, the drawers

of his

writing-table were broken open, and his papers carried of. Proceedings such as these had never heretofore been known. A warrant that did not name the per-

son to be arrested, or specify the papers to be seized, was an illegal act—one that attacked the liberty of the individual and the liberty of the press.

The injustice of Wilkes’ imprisonment at once raised him to importance. The illegality of his treatment involved a constitutional question, and his cause became identified with that of liberty and the Constitution. The effect was immediate.

On appearing before the Court of Common Pleas \Vilkes was set free by the judges, who pronounced the arrest illegal.

Assisted by Lord Temple he then prosecuted the Secretaries of State. Despite the utmost efforts of the Government on their behalf, they were mulcted in

heavy fines; while the printers obtained large pecu— niary compensation. It was admitted by the Leader of the Government himself that the conduct of his indefensible prosecutions cost the country 100,000Z. Wilkes at once became a popular hero.

The

people argued that their independence and freedom

had been violated in the person of the man who represented their opinions. Greeted on his release with loud cheers by the multitude, he was escorted in triumph to his house. Illuminations and bonfires blazed all over the town. Considering the comparative mildness of its

attacks, we may wonder that the North Briton (No. 45) gave such deep offence in high quarters. But the real cause of the resentment of the King was the use that had been made of the press. It had counteracted the license of the Crown and disparaged its Ministers, an innovation which both the King and his Government were determined to nip in the bud.

Wilkes was dismissed from the colonelcy of the Bucks Militia, and Lord Temple removed from the Lord-Lieutenancy of Bucks and the Privy Council. At once a counter - demonstration was made on Wilkes’ behalf by his friends in the City of London. From the jury at the Guildhall he received a

donation of 10002.; and his portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, the first painter of the day, was placed in the Guildhall, with the inscription, ‘In honour of

so eminent a man, the assertor of English liberty.’ In the House of Commons, whose venal majority lay at the command of the King and the Ministers, it was decided, on the motion of Lord North, ‘That the paper, JVON/z, Briton, Number 45, is a false and


two Secretaries of State.

On refusing

to submit

to cross-examination, he was sent a prisoner to the Tower. His house was searched, the drawers

of his

writing-table were broken open, and his papers carried of. Proceedings such as these had never heretofore been known. A warrant that did not name the per-

son to be arrested, or specify the papers to be seized, was an illegal act—one that attacked the liberty of the individual and the liberty of the press.

The injustice of Wilkes’ imprisonment at once raised him to importance. The illegality of his treatment involved a constitutional question, and his cause became identified with that of liberty and the Constitution. The effect was immediate.

On appearing before the Court of Common Pleas \Vilkes was set free by the judges, who pronounced the arrest illegal.

Assisted by Lord Temple he then prosecuted the Secretaries of State. Despite the utmost efforts of the Government on their behalf, they were mulcted in

heavy fines; while the printers obtained large pecu— niary compensation. It was admitted by the Leader of the Government himself that the conduct of his indefensible prosecutions cost the country 100,000Z. Wilkes at once became a popular hero.

The

people argued that their independence and freedom

had been violated in the person of the man who represented their opinions. Greeted on his release with loud cheers by the multitude, he was escorted in triumph to his house. Illuminations and bonfires blazed all over the town. Considering the comparative mildness of its

attacks, we may wonder that the North Briton (No. 45) gave such deep offence in high quarters. But the real cause of the resentment of the King was the use that had been made of the press. It had counteracted the license of the Crown and disparaged its Ministers, an innovation which both the King and his Government were determined to nip in the bud.

Wilkes was dismissed from the colonelcy of the Bucks Militia, and Lord Temple removed from the Lord-Lieutenancy of Bucks and the Privy Council. At once a counter - demonstration was made on Wilkes’ behalf by his friends in the City of London. From the jury at the Guildhall he received a

donation of 10002.; and his portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, the first painter of the day, was placed in the Guildhall, with the inscription, ‘In honour of

so eminent a man, the assertor of English liberty.’ In the House of Commons, whose venal majority lay at the command of the King and the Ministers, it was decided, on the motion of Lord North, ‘That the paper, JVON/z, Briton, Number 45, is a false and


(20) scandalous libel, tending to excite the people to traitorous insurrection against His Majesty; and that the aforesaid paper should be publicly burned by the common hangman.’ But when this order was about being carried out the mob forcibly prevented the hangman from ex-

ecuting it, and in place of the paper, burned a jack-boot and a petticoat symbolical of the unpopular mother of the King, and his former Minister, Lord Bute.

One of the printers of the North Briton, who had been sentenced to the pillory, went there in a

coach marked ‘Numbcr 45.’

Instead of being pelted

with mud, as was the custom on such occasions, he was cheered, and a collection was made for him on

notes facetiously added in the counterfeit handwriting

of Warburton, Bishop of Gloucester. One of these copies was obtained through bribery from a printer, by the Duke of Queensberry’s private Chaplain, who was afterwards rewarded for this despicable service with a handsome living. From the hands of the Duke the poem passed into those of Lord Sandwich, who at once saw an opportunity of wreaking vengeance on Wilkes for his old offence of having made him the butt of a practical joke, as well as of showing his zeal in the service of the King. The noble lord had no difficulty in finding a mad— jutor in the Bishop of Gloucester. Simultaneously with Lord North’s motion in the House of Commons

Lord Sandwich proceeded to read with unfcigned de-

the spot, which produced QOOZ. Wilkes then injudiciously and contrary to the

light the ‘Essay on \Voman,’ notwithstanding the

advice of his friends, set up a private printing-press

noble profligate and Secretary of State had played his

in his house, with the intention of publishing a complete set of the Norlh Briton, and printing other papers, but for private circulation only. Amongst these was a poem called, ‘An Essay on Woman.’ This was an indecent and profane parody of Pope’s

part the Bishop rose to play his. Indignantly he protested against his own ears and those of his episcopal brethren being offended by such improprieties and prophesied that the ‘blackcst fiends in hell 'would not keep company with Wilkes.’ Assuming

famous poem, ‘An Essay on Man,’ and has since

that Wilkes was the author, he pronounced the poem

then been proved to be the composition of Potter, the son of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

‘ worthy of the devil ,7 but added, after a pause, ‘ No; I beg the devil’s pardon. He is incapable of writing it! ’

Only thirteen copies of this poem were printed for distribution amongst his personal friends, with

Both he and Lord Sandwich recommended the

objections raised by his brother peers.

prosecution of Wilkes for blasphemy.

Vthn the

At a later


(20) scandalous libel, tending to excite the people to traitorous insurrection against His Majesty; and that the aforesaid paper should be publicly burned by the common hangman.’ But when this order was about being carried out the mob forcibly prevented the hangman from ex-

ecuting it, and in place of the paper, burned a jack-boot and a petticoat symbolical of the unpopular mother of the King, and his former Minister, Lord Bute.

One of the printers of the North Briton, who had been sentenced to the pillory, went there in a

coach marked ‘Numbcr 45.’

Instead of being pelted

with mud, as was the custom on such occasions, he was cheered, and a collection was made for him on

notes facetiously added in the counterfeit handwriting

of Warburton, Bishop of Gloucester. One of these copies was obtained through bribery from a printer, by the Duke of Queensberry’s private Chaplain, who was afterwards rewarded for this despicable service with a handsome living. From the hands of the Duke the poem passed into those of Lord Sandwich, who at once saw an opportunity of wreaking vengeance on Wilkes for his old offence of having made him the butt of a practical joke, as well as of showing his zeal in the service of the King. The noble lord had no difficulty in finding a mad— jutor in the Bishop of Gloucester. Simultaneously with Lord North’s motion in the House of Commons

Lord Sandwich proceeded to read with unfcigned de-

the spot, which produced QOOZ. Wilkes then injudiciously and contrary to the

light the ‘Essay on \Voman,’ notwithstanding the

advice of his friends, set up a private printing-press

noble profligate and Secretary of State had played his

in his house, with the intention of publishing a complete set of the Norlh Briton, and printing other papers, but for private circulation only. Amongst these was a poem called, ‘An Essay on Woman.’ This was an indecent and profane parody of Pope’s

part the Bishop rose to play his. Indignantly he protested against his own ears and those of his episcopal brethren being offended by such improprieties and prophesied that the ‘blackcst fiends in hell 'would not keep company with Wilkes.’ Assuming

famous poem, ‘An Essay on Man,’ and has since

that Wilkes was the author, he pronounced the poem

then been proved to be the composition of Potter, the son of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

‘ worthy of the devil ,7 but added, after a pause, ‘ No; I beg the devil’s pardon. He is incapable of writing it! ’

Only thirteen copies of this poem were printed for distribution amongst his personal friends, with

Both he and Lord Sandwich recommended the

objections raised by his brother peers.

prosecution of Wilkes for blasphemy.

Vthn the

At a later


(23) period Wilkes wittily commented on this pause in

they did with great

the Bishop’s speech, saying that he reminded him of a certain Spaniard who propitiated the evil one by always invoking him as ‘My good lord the devil l’ Retribution overtook Lord Sandwich sooner than might be expected. He met with his deserts for the duplicity of his conduct and the meanness of his revenge. At the performance of the well-known play, the Beggar’s Opera, at Covent Garden, when the popular actor Macheath came to the words, ‘ That Jemmy Twitcher should peach me, I own I am surprised,7 a general cry arose from the public and hurled the opprobrious name of the thief at the Ministerv—a

laughter. But Wilkes was less fortunate in a duel with Mr. Martin, an eX-Secretary of the Treasury, who had been practising for six months in anticipation of

name that stuck to him to the end of his days. Meanwhile an incident occurred which might have resulted in the premature end of the man whom

the King detested, and whose ruin he had foretold and decreed. Duels were considered the only manner of settling

a quarrel or wiping off an offence—a disastrous illusion to which many a gallant life has been sacrificed. But duels did not always terminate fatally. In that case the combatants vied with each other in a

magnanimous show of courtesy and good feeling. In a duel with Lord Talbot, whom Wilkes had made fun of in the North Briton, the shots had taken no effect. At once Lord Talbot asked Wilkes to retire to an inn and drink a bottle of claret, which

good

humour and much

the meeting which he had resolved to provoke, and in which he was dangerously wounded. The conduct of both adversaries is worthy of notice. On seeing Wilkes fall Martin was much distressed, and rushed to his assistance. Wilkes, however, urged him to seek safety in flight; and

on reaching his house returned to him the written challenge which he had received the same morning, so that in the event of his death no evidence should appear against Martin. Nor did his humour abandon him. When his medical adviser insisted on complete seclusion, ‘I will not admit,’ he said, slyly, ‘even my own wife.’

To ensure a speedier recovery \Vilkes Went abroad, but when Parliament reassembled was still disabled from travelling. Although he sent a medical certificate to this effect, the House made use of some technical quibble,

and taking advantage of his absence, decreed that because he did not appear at the Bar when summoned, he should be expelled from the House for having written what was held to be a seditious and scandalous libel.


(23) period Wilkes wittily commented on this pause in

they did with great

the Bishop’s speech, saying that he reminded him of a certain Spaniard who propitiated the evil one by always invoking him as ‘My good lord the devil l’ Retribution overtook Lord Sandwich sooner than might be expected. He met with his deserts for the duplicity of his conduct and the meanness of his revenge. At the performance of the well-known play, the Beggar’s Opera, at Covent Garden, when the popular actor Macheath came to the words, ‘ That Jemmy Twitcher should peach me, I own I am surprised,7 a general cry arose from the public and hurled the opprobrious name of the thief at the Ministerv—a

laughter. But Wilkes was less fortunate in a duel with Mr. Martin, an eX-Secretary of the Treasury, who had been practising for six months in anticipation of

name that stuck to him to the end of his days. Meanwhile an incident occurred which might have resulted in the premature end of the man whom

the King detested, and whose ruin he had foretold and decreed. Duels were considered the only manner of settling

a quarrel or wiping off an offence—a disastrous illusion to which many a gallant life has been sacrificed. But duels did not always terminate fatally. In that case the combatants vied with each other in a

magnanimous show of courtesy and good feeling. In a duel with Lord Talbot, whom Wilkes had made fun of in the North Briton, the shots had taken no effect. At once Lord Talbot asked Wilkes to retire to an inn and drink a bottle of claret, which

good

humour and much

the meeting which he had resolved to provoke, and in which he was dangerously wounded. The conduct of both adversaries is worthy of notice. On seeing Wilkes fall Martin was much distressed, and rushed to his assistance. Wilkes, however, urged him to seek safety in flight; and

on reaching his house returned to him the written challenge which he had received the same morning, so that in the event of his death no evidence should appear against Martin. Nor did his humour abandon him. When his medical adviser insisted on complete seclusion, ‘I will not admit,’ he said, slyly, ‘even my own wife.’

To ensure a speedier recovery \Vilkes Went abroad, but when Parliament reassembled was still disabled from travelling. Although he sent a medical certificate to this effect, the House made use of some technical quibble,

and taking advantage of his absence, decreed that because he did not appear at the Bar when summoned, he should be expelled from the House for having written what was held to be a seditious and scandalous libel.


(24>

(‘25)

Tried in the Court of King’s Bench, he was found guilty not only of republishing No. 45, but also for

voting was taken possession of by the mob; no one

printing and publishing a blasphemous ‘Essay on

Woman,’ the Court wilfully ignoring the fact that he had carefully concealed it in his desk, and that there was no evidence whatever of his being the author.

Unable to appear in Court at the trial from his enforced absence on the Continent, he was outlawedThus, to all appearance, the King had triumphed. Wilkes remained abroad for four years ; although

was allowed to pass who did not wear a blue cockade with the name of Wilkes and the ‘Number 45.’ On

every door along the roads far beyond the precincts of the City the pOpular number was inscribed in chalk. It was noticed that there was hardly a house within fifteen miles of London unmarked, and the inscription might be seen from time to time the whole

way from London to \Vinchester.

Visits to London, in 1768 he ventured to show himself publicly in town, and, still under the ban of

At the election, which took place at Brentford, he was returned by an overwhelming majority, to the intense delight of the mob, who cheered him with the shout of ‘Wilkes and Liberty,’ and compelled illuminations in the town. The windows of the Mansion House were demolished, and the houses of the Duke of Northumber-

two condemnations, presented himself at the General

land and of Lords Bute and Egmont were attacked.

he had kindled public enthusiasm on his behalf, he thought it more

prudent to keep aloof from .

Ministerial persecution.

After

two surreptitious

The house of the Duchess of Hamilton was be-

Election in that year as a candidate for the City. Flattering as was his reception, it failed to ensure

sieged for three hours because she refused to burn a

his return.

pint of oil in honour of the assailant of her husband’s

He then resolved on a step which was to

lead to the culminating point of his career, and raise

countrymen.

him to that position in English history which he probably never dreamt of occupying, and which has

Ambassador was taken out of his coach, and ‘Num-

to be accorded him from the momentous results of

the struggle it produced. Backed by popular favour, Wilkes presented himself as a candidate for the County of Middlesex. Every avenue and turnpike leading to the place of

The pompous and stately Austrian

ber 45 ’ chalked on his shoes. Peers caught on their way were ordered to huzzah for ‘ Wilkes and Liberty,’ but not till the glass of their chariots was broken, and the famous ‘Number 45’ scratched on their

panels.

The Duke of Northumberland had to regale

the populace with beer, and swallow some of it him-


(24>

(‘25)

Tried in the Court of King’s Bench, he was found guilty not only of republishing No. 45, but also for

voting was taken possession of by the mob; no one

printing and publishing a blasphemous ‘Essay on

Woman,’ the Court wilfully ignoring the fact that he had carefully concealed it in his desk, and that there was no evidence whatever of his being the author.

Unable to appear in Court at the trial from his enforced absence on the Continent, he was outlawedThus, to all appearance, the King had triumphed. Wilkes remained abroad for four years ; although

was allowed to pass who did not wear a blue cockade with the name of Wilkes and the ‘Number 45.’ On

every door along the roads far beyond the precincts of the City the pOpular number was inscribed in chalk. It was noticed that there was hardly a house within fifteen miles of London unmarked, and the inscription might be seen from time to time the whole

way from London to \Vinchester.

Visits to London, in 1768 he ventured to show himself publicly in town, and, still under the ban of

At the election, which took place at Brentford, he was returned by an overwhelming majority, to the intense delight of the mob, who cheered him with the shout of ‘Wilkes and Liberty,’ and compelled illuminations in the town. The windows of the Mansion House were demolished, and the houses of the Duke of Northumber-

two condemnations, presented himself at the General

land and of Lords Bute and Egmont were attacked.

he had kindled public enthusiasm on his behalf, he thought it more

prudent to keep aloof from .

Ministerial persecution.

After

two surreptitious

The house of the Duchess of Hamilton was be-

Election in that year as a candidate for the City. Flattering as was his reception, it failed to ensure

sieged for three hours because she refused to burn a

his return.

pint of oil in honour of the assailant of her husband’s

He then resolved on a step which was to

lead to the culminating point of his career, and raise

countrymen.

him to that position in English history which he probably never dreamt of occupying, and which has

Ambassador was taken out of his coach, and ‘Num-

to be accorded him from the momentous results of

the struggle it produced. Backed by popular favour, Wilkes presented himself as a candidate for the County of Middlesex. Every avenue and turnpike leading to the place of

The pompous and stately Austrian

ber 45 ’ chalked on his shoes. Peers caught on their way were ordered to huzzah for ‘ Wilkes and Liberty,’ but not till the glass of their chariots was broken, and the famous ‘Number 45’ scratched on their

panels.

The Duke of Northumberland had to regale

the populace with beer, and swallow some of it him-


<27)

<26) self to the health of the new Member for Middlesex. The cry penetrated even into the royal nursery. The Prince of \Vales, afterwards George the Fourth, with that perversity which distinguishes children, found that the best way to annoy his father was to shout, ‘Wilkes and Number Forty-five for ever i 7 The only effect of all these demonstrations was

to excite the anger of the King still further, and to goad him to extremities. Writing to Lord North, the leader of the House of Commons in the Government of the Duke of Grafton, he demanded that the dcmagogue should be expelled from Parliament.

ings in a riot.

In anticipation of this contingency,

soldiers had been kept in readiness.

One of these,

in the midst of the uproar, bayonetted a man of the name of Allen, who had taken no part in the disturbance. Notwithstanding the verdict of ‘wilful murder’ which the jury brought in against the soldier, he

was rewarded with a pension; and special thanks were conveyed to the soldiery by the Secretary for War for the manner in which they had behaved. It was with difficulty that the mob was restrained from tearing the offending soldier to pieces—his chief

crime consisting in the fact of his being a Scotchman. Over Allen’s grave a tombstone was raised, with an

The servile and corrupt Parliament obeyed his

inscription describing him as ‘An Englishman of unspotted life and amiable disposition, who was in-

orders, and on the third of February, 17 69, for

humanly murdered by the Scottish detachment in the

the second time, Wilkes was expelled from the House

Army.’ However unpleasant Wilkes’ enforced seclusion

of Commons. In the meantime he had been enabled to get

his outlawry reversed, but was undergoing his

may have been, it was mitigated by the innumerable marks of kindness he received from his friends, by

attempt at rescue, stopped his coach and drew him

visits from leading politicians, and last, though not least, by large sums of money bestowed upon him by some of the greatest gentlemen and ladies in the land. The City itself testified its approval by electing

away in triumph. \Vilkes, however, showed his good

him an alderman.

sentence for libel. When he first surrendered and was sent to the

King’s Bench Prison the populace made a violent

sense by escaping from his admirers and giving himself up voluntarily at the prison gates. The mob, baulked in their intentions, gave vent to their feel-

Twelve days after his expulsion Wilkes again offered himself from his prison as a candidate for Middlesex; but on his election the House of Com-


<27)

<26) self to the health of the new Member for Middlesex. The cry penetrated even into the royal nursery. The Prince of \Vales, afterwards George the Fourth, with that perversity which distinguishes children, found that the best way to annoy his father was to shout, ‘Wilkes and Number Forty-five for ever i 7 The only effect of all these demonstrations was

to excite the anger of the King still further, and to goad him to extremities. Writing to Lord North, the leader of the House of Commons in the Government of the Duke of Grafton, he demanded that the dcmagogue should be expelled from Parliament.

ings in a riot.

In anticipation of this contingency,

soldiers had been kept in readiness.

One of these,

in the midst of the uproar, bayonetted a man of the name of Allen, who had taken no part in the disturbance. Notwithstanding the verdict of ‘wilful murder’ which the jury brought in against the soldier, he

was rewarded with a pension; and special thanks were conveyed to the soldiery by the Secretary for War for the manner in which they had behaved. It was with difficulty that the mob was restrained from tearing the offending soldier to pieces—his chief

crime consisting in the fact of his being a Scotchman. Over Allen’s grave a tombstone was raised, with an

The servile and corrupt Parliament obeyed his

inscription describing him as ‘An Englishman of unspotted life and amiable disposition, who was in-

orders, and on the third of February, 17 69, for

humanly murdered by the Scottish detachment in the

the second time, Wilkes was expelled from the House

Army.’ However unpleasant Wilkes’ enforced seclusion

of Commons. In the meantime he had been enabled to get

his outlawry reversed, but was undergoing his

may have been, it was mitigated by the innumerable marks of kindness he received from his friends, by

attempt at rescue, stopped his coach and drew him

visits from leading politicians, and last, though not least, by large sums of money bestowed upon him by some of the greatest gentlemen and ladies in the land. The City itself testified its approval by electing

away in triumph. \Vilkes, however, showed his good

him an alderman.

sentence for libel. When he first surrendered and was sent to the

King’s Bench Prison the populace made a violent

sense by escaping from his admirers and giving himself up voluntarily at the prison gates. The mob, baulked in their intentions, gave vent to their feel-

Twelve days after his expulsion Wilkes again offered himself from his prison as a candidate for Middlesex; but on his election the House of Com-


(28>

(29)

.mons decreed that as he had in this Session been expelled from the House, he was incapable of being elected a Member to serve in that Parliament. For the third time he was expelled. At once the electors of Middlesex re-elected him

a Violent struggle and a burst of enthusiasm, which turned him into the hero of the hour, and enlisted

for the third time as their representative; but the

decision that the House failed to realise the import-

House then pronounced his election null and void,

ance of this step and the responsibility which it incurred. In those days the House of Commons was chiefly composed of men who were bound to the great families of the kingdom by ties of relationship or of interest, Whose political supremacy in the affairs of

and proceeded to set up an oflicial candidate against him in the person of Colonel Luttrell.

Nevertheless

\Vilkes was re-elected for the fourth time, defeating the Government candidate by an immense majority. But the Government and the House of Commons, in the teeth of all legality and justice, declared that

on his behalf the sympathy of some of the noblest speakers in the House.

We may assume in defence of this iniquitous

the State was paramount, and by whose influence they had been returned. Far from representing the

Colonel Luttrell ought to have been returned, and

sense of their constituencies, they sought politics as

resolved,

an amusement for their own profit, lOOked on the House much in the same light as we do on a club, and

‘That Colonel

Luttrell is duly elected

to serve in the present Parliament for the County of Middlesex.’

The right of Parliament to expel an offending member was indisputable, but to disqualify a duly elected member from taking his seat on no other

treated imperial interests with proportionate levity. In their eyes Wilkes was but a profligate demagogue, a worthless agitator. To get rid of him by

means fair or foul was of small moment to the com-

ground than that he had libelled the Government

monwealth, but of great matter to the supreme au-

was quite another matter. The first power was inherent in the House of Commons, the second was an invention of the Ministry of that day. \Vilkes, owing to his imprisonment, was unable to defend himself and his rights, which were those of the people of England. But the illegality of his treatment raised, both within the House and without,

thorities whom he annoyed.

They ignored that,

contemptible as Wilkes may have been both as a man

and as a politician, he was, nevertheless, the representative of a constituency.

By tampering with the constitutional rights of the electors of Middlesex not only a great wrong was done to an individual—this on the above grounds


(28>

(29)

.mons decreed that as he had in this Session been expelled from the House, he was incapable of being elected a Member to serve in that Parliament. For the third time he was expelled. At once the electors of Middlesex re-elected him

a Violent struggle and a burst of enthusiasm, which turned him into the hero of the hour, and enlisted

for the third time as their representative; but the

decision that the House failed to realise the import-

House then pronounced his election null and void,

ance of this step and the responsibility which it incurred. In those days the House of Commons was chiefly composed of men who were bound to the great families of the kingdom by ties of relationship or of interest, Whose political supremacy in the affairs of

and proceeded to set up an oflicial candidate against him in the person of Colonel Luttrell.

Nevertheless

\Vilkes was re-elected for the fourth time, defeating the Government candidate by an immense majority. But the Government and the House of Commons, in the teeth of all legality and justice, declared that

on his behalf the sympathy of some of the noblest speakers in the House.

We may assume in defence of this iniquitous

the State was paramount, and by whose influence they had been returned. Far from representing the

Colonel Luttrell ought to have been returned, and

sense of their constituencies, they sought politics as

resolved,

an amusement for their own profit, lOOked on the House much in the same light as we do on a club, and

‘That Colonel

Luttrell is duly elected

to serve in the present Parliament for the County of Middlesex.’

The right of Parliament to expel an offending member was indisputable, but to disqualify a duly elected member from taking his seat on no other

treated imperial interests with proportionate levity. In their eyes Wilkes was but a profligate demagogue, a worthless agitator. To get rid of him by

means fair or foul was of small moment to the com-

ground than that he had libelled the Government

monwealth, but of great matter to the supreme au-

was quite another matter. The first power was inherent in the House of Commons, the second was an invention of the Ministry of that day. \Vilkes, owing to his imprisonment, was unable to defend himself and his rights, which were those of the people of England. But the illegality of his treatment raised, both within the House and without,

thorities whom he annoyed.

They ignored that,

contemptible as Wilkes may have been both as a man

and as a politician, he was, nevertheless, the representative of a constituency.

By tampering with the constitutional rights of the electors of Middlesex not only a great wrong was done to an individual—this on the above grounds


(31>

(30) might have been condoned—but the rights of a whole community were infringed; this could not be brooked in silence. Moreover a precedent was established which would be deemed by the masses as an interference with their constitutional rights. Thus

the cry of ‘Wilkes and liberty,’ which at first was the mere cry of the rabble, may be considered to have become the expression of national feeling. Outraged public opinion, and the disaffection

created by the infringement of national liberties, was expressed in public meetings, which as yet had never been known.

The first public meeting in

England was held in \Vestminster Hall in 1769. It was attended by seven thousand persons, and led to the formation of small political societies, which

grew into great associations.

Bar of the House. One, who refused to appear, was imprisoned; but the magistrates of the City of London, setting the arbitrary proclamation aside, released the printer.

The House retaliated by

sending the Lord Mayor to take his place in jail; but the public outcry was so great that the House was obliged to let its decree fall into abeyance and release the Lord Mayor. Heneeforth reports of Parliamentary proceedings were allowed to be published. Public opinion was enabled to regulate the responsibilities of members to their constituents, and found expression in the speedy appearance of numerous magazines and news-

papers. An anonymous writer who styled himself ‘ Junius ’ attacked the Government in letters which, raneorous and unscrupulous as was their tone, gave a new

Thus were ventilated the first serious attempts to reform and control Parliament by pressure from without, and make its members subservient to their

power to literature and the press by the elearness and terseness of their diction, the polish of their

It was then that public opinion was

style, and the vigour of their invective. Most of the great journals date their birth from that epoch

constituents.

first called into life. It has already been mentioned that the debates of the House of Commons were withheld from the public.

To ensure more complete secrecy the House of Commons issued in 1771 a proclamation forbidding the publication of the debates, and six printers who

set

it

at

defiance

were

summoned to the

—the Times, ilfomz'ng Post, ilform'ng IIci'aZd, and

ilfomz'ng Chronicle. In 1776 the Stamp Duty on newspapers was raised from one penny to three halfpence. This, however, does not appear to have seriously

impeded the progress of the press. In the following year seventeen papers were published in London,


(31>

(30) might have been condoned—but the rights of a whole community were infringed; this could not be brooked in silence. Moreover a precedent was established which would be deemed by the masses as an interference with their constitutional rights. Thus

the cry of ‘Wilkes and liberty,’ which at first was the mere cry of the rabble, may be considered to have become the expression of national feeling. Outraged public opinion, and the disaffection

created by the infringement of national liberties, was expressed in public meetings, which as yet had never been known.

The first public meeting in

England was held in \Vestminster Hall in 1769. It was attended by seven thousand persons, and led to the formation of small political societies, which

grew into great associations.

Bar of the House. One, who refused to appear, was imprisoned; but the magistrates of the City of London, setting the arbitrary proclamation aside, released the printer.

The House retaliated by

sending the Lord Mayor to take his place in jail; but the public outcry was so great that the House was obliged to let its decree fall into abeyance and release the Lord Mayor. Heneeforth reports of Parliamentary proceedings were allowed to be published. Public opinion was enabled to regulate the responsibilities of members to their constituents, and found expression in the speedy appearance of numerous magazines and news-

papers. An anonymous writer who styled himself ‘ Junius ’ attacked the Government in letters which, raneorous and unscrupulous as was their tone, gave a new

Thus were ventilated the first serious attempts to reform and control Parliament by pressure from without, and make its members subservient to their

power to literature and the press by the elearness and terseness of their diction, the polish of their

It was then that public opinion was

style, and the vigour of their invective. Most of the great journals date their birth from that epoch

constituents.

first called into life. It has already been mentioned that the debates of the House of Commons were withheld from the public.

To ensure more complete secrecy the House of Commons issued in 1771 a proclamation forbidding the publication of the debates, and six printers who

set

it

at

defiance

were

summoned to the

—the Times, ilfomz'ng Post, ilform'ng IIci'aZd, and

ilfomz'ng Chronicle. In 1776 the Stamp Duty on newspapers was raised from one penny to three halfpence. This, however, does not appear to have seriously

impeded the progress of the press. In the following year seventeen papers were published in London,


of which seven were daily; and in the year after

that appeared the first Sunday paper in England. It may be asserted that, although utterly unconscious of the achievement, Wilkes was the indirect means of securing to England one of its greatest and

most valued liberties—freedom of the press. On the expiration of his term of imprisonment Wilkes was compensated by municipal honours for the loss of his Parliamentary seat.

He was elected a

Sheriff ; presented with a silver goblet, on which, at his request, the following words were engraved :— ‘ May every tyrant feel The keen, deep searehings of a patriot steel ! ’

Twenty thousand pounds were

collected

opinion that no objection was made in the House when he took his seat, though certainly he had done nothing in the meantime to conciliate his adversaries. Eight years later, in 1792, the House, without a dissentient voice, ordered its clerk to remove from its

records all traces of its own arbitrary proceedings in the past. \Vith the unopposed return of “Tilkes to Parliament his career may be said to have come to an end,

though his life still extended over a considerable number of years. Had he fallen a victim in the earlier days of his constitutional struggles, he might have been considered an apostle of truth and libertV.

by

his friends to pay his debts ; and he was successively elected Alderman and Lord Mayor, despite all the influence which the Court brought to bear against It must be borne in mind that in those him. days the Lord-Mayoralty was considered a more

important post, and one of far greater distinction, than at the present time. Soon afterwards he was appointed to the very lucrative post of the Chamberlainship of the City; and finally, at the General Election of 1784:, he was put forward for the fifth time, and returned

unopposed as member for Middlesex. Such had been the progressive march of public

sacrificed in the people’s cause, his memory handed down to posterity endowed with a halo of martyrdom, and his name enrolled among those of the great worthies of the past. But \Vilkes, perhaps fortunately for himself, yet less so for his posthumous honour, survived himself.

The fact of his living peaceably and unmolested for thirteen years (he died in 1797, in his seventy—first year), and ending his days quietly in bed, brought him down to a prosaic level, and deprived him of the sentimental admiration we so gladly accord

to those who have suffered for what we enjoy. Wilkes lived long enough to be reconciled to his great adversary, George lll., and to tone down into political insignificance. As Lord Mayor he C


of which seven were daily; and in the year after

that appeared the first Sunday paper in England. It may be asserted that, although utterly unconscious of the achievement, Wilkes was the indirect means of securing to England one of its greatest and

most valued liberties—freedom of the press. On the expiration of his term of imprisonment Wilkes was compensated by municipal honours for the loss of his Parliamentary seat.

He was elected a

Sheriff ; presented with a silver goblet, on which, at his request, the following words were engraved :— ‘ May every tyrant feel The keen, deep searehings of a patriot steel ! ’

Twenty thousand pounds were

collected

opinion that no objection was made in the House when he took his seat, though certainly he had done nothing in the meantime to conciliate his adversaries. Eight years later, in 1792, the House, without a dissentient voice, ordered its clerk to remove from its

records all traces of its own arbitrary proceedings in the past. \Vith the unopposed return of “Tilkes to Parliament his career may be said to have come to an end,

though his life still extended over a considerable number of years. Had he fallen a victim in the earlier days of his constitutional struggles, he might have been considered an apostle of truth and libertV.

by

his friends to pay his debts ; and he was successively elected Alderman and Lord Mayor, despite all the influence which the Court brought to bear against It must be borne in mind that in those him. days the Lord-Mayoralty was considered a more

important post, and one of far greater distinction, than at the present time. Soon afterwards he was appointed to the very lucrative post of the Chamberlainship of the City; and finally, at the General Election of 1784:, he was put forward for the fifth time, and returned

unopposed as member for Middlesex. Such had been the progressive march of public

sacrificed in the people’s cause, his memory handed down to posterity endowed with a halo of martyrdom, and his name enrolled among those of the great worthies of the past. But \Vilkes, perhaps fortunately for himself, yet less so for his posthumous honour, survived himself.

The fact of his living peaceably and unmolested for thirteen years (he died in 1797, in his seventy—first year), and ending his days quietly in bed, brought him down to a prosaic level, and deprived him of the sentimental admiration we so gladly accord

to those who have suffered for what we enjoy. Wilkes lived long enough to be reconciled to his great adversary, George lll., and to tone down into political insignificance. As Lord Mayor he C


(34) headed a deputation to the King, and in the words

whose fortune he had dissipated, and Whose annuity he endeavoured, though vainly, to take from her by legal means, were in harmony with his empty and insipid declarations on behalf of liberties and rights for which he cared but little, and against corrup— tion in which he was the first to engage. That he took to the thriving trade of patriotism, which Dr. Johnson Wittily defined as ‘the last

that he had ‘never been a VVilkite,’ almost made a recantation of his past, extracting thereby from the

King the flattering remark, that ‘he had never seen so well—bred a Lord Mayor.’ Even in the championship of popular principles Wilkes made a similar reeantation. On meeting an old woman who raised, at sight of him, the old cry, ‘lVilkes and Liberty 1’ he stopped her with the observation, ‘Hushl you old fool, that was all

refuge of a scoundrel,7 may have been due to his no longer possessing the means of supporting his ex—

pensive tastes and mode of living.

over long ago.’ To extol Wilkes beyond his merits would be

But we may argue as we like; we may blush at

falling into the same exaggeration as to undervalue

his lieentiousness; we may rob him to any extent of

the services he rendered the country. If not a great man, he undoubtedly was a very remarkable one. In an age which abounded with the greatest

all initiative in the reforms which he he 'aldcd; yet, his name will always be gratefully associated with

c

,5,

statesmen and men of letters, he contrived to play a prominent part and hold a conspicuous position. The impression he generally produced is well suinmarised in the judgment passed on him by Dr. Johnson, the literary autocrat of the day. Though detesting his principles and opposed to him in every way, Dr. Johnson, after spending some time in his company, said, ‘Jack has a variety of talk, Jack is a scholar, and Jack has the manners of a gentleman.’ His success is all the more striking considering his questionable character and the mediocrity of his oratorical powers. His attack on his Wife,

'l

those reforms, and inspire the same charm that fascinated the scholars, historians, and philosophers, as well as the men and women of fashion of the day a charm produced by good temper allied with pluck, and by geniality combined with wit. His wit was so remarkable that wagers were made and actually won, that from the time he quitted his house in the West End till he reached the Guildhall, no one would address or leave him without a smile or a

hearty laugh. Although the events which brought him to the front were not directly his own making or the result of a conscientious policy, yet they cannot possibly be

,

I


(34) headed a deputation to the King, and in the words

whose fortune he had dissipated, and Whose annuity he endeavoured, though vainly, to take from her by legal means, were in harmony with his empty and insipid declarations on behalf of liberties and rights for which he cared but little, and against corrup— tion in which he was the first to engage. That he took to the thriving trade of patriotism, which Dr. Johnson Wittily defined as ‘the last

that he had ‘never been a VVilkite,’ almost made a recantation of his past, extracting thereby from the

King the flattering remark, that ‘he had never seen so well—bred a Lord Mayor.’ Even in the championship of popular principles Wilkes made a similar reeantation. On meeting an old woman who raised, at sight of him, the old cry, ‘lVilkes and Liberty 1’ he stopped her with the observation, ‘Hushl you old fool, that was all

refuge of a scoundrel,7 may have been due to his no longer possessing the means of supporting his ex—

pensive tastes and mode of living.

over long ago.’ To extol Wilkes beyond his merits would be

But we may argue as we like; we may blush at

falling into the same exaggeration as to undervalue

his lieentiousness; we may rob him to any extent of

the services he rendered the country. If not a great man, he undoubtedly was a very remarkable one. In an age which abounded with the greatest

all initiative in the reforms which he he 'aldcd; yet, his name will always be gratefully associated with

c

,5,

statesmen and men of letters, he contrived to play a prominent part and hold a conspicuous position. The impression he generally produced is well suinmarised in the judgment passed on him by Dr. Johnson, the literary autocrat of the day. Though detesting his principles and opposed to him in every way, Dr. Johnson, after spending some time in his company, said, ‘Jack has a variety of talk, Jack is a scholar, and Jack has the manners of a gentleman.’ His success is all the more striking considering his questionable character and the mediocrity of his oratorical powers. His attack on his Wife,

'l

those reforms, and inspire the same charm that fascinated the scholars, historians, and philosophers, as well as the men and women of fashion of the day a charm produced by good temper allied with pluck, and by geniality combined with wit. His wit was so remarkable that wagers were made and actually won, that from the time he quitted his house in the West End till he reached the Guildhall, no one would address or leave him without a smile or a

hearty laugh. Although the events which brought him to the front were not directly his own making or the result of a conscientious policy, yet they cannot possibly be

,

I


(3G) severed from his name.

whose fortune he had dissipated, and whose annuity he endeavoured, though vainly, to take from her by legal means, were in harmony with his empty and

In the honours and favours

showered upon him, incommensurate to his services as they may have been, we cannot fail to recognise the outcome of an immense popularity, which is seldom undeservingly accorded. Of his popularity there are numberless instances, and trivial as some of them may appear, they prove its extensiveness. In 1769 a clergyman pulled the nose of a Scotch naval officer for talking disparagiugly of the member for Middlesex, and then ran him through the swordarm in Hyde Park. A gentleman in Abergavenny announced his in— tention to erect a monument, a miniature imitation of Stonehenge, and dedicate it to Liberty, and

insipid declarations on behalf of liberties and rights for which he cared but little, and against corrup-

tion in which he was the first to engage. That he took to the thriving trade of patriotism, which Dr. Johnson wittily defined as

“the last

refuge of a scoundrel,’ may have been due to his no longer possessing the means of supporting his expensive tastes and mode of living. But we may argue as we like; we may blush at his lieentiousness; we may rob him to any extent of

all initiative in the reforms which he heralded; yet, his name will always be gratefully associated with those reforms, and inspire the same charm that fascinated the scholars, historians, and philosophers, as

begged of him a ‘few strong words’ by way of inscription.

well as the men and women of fashion of the day

A correspondent wrote to offer his friendship and fortune, proposed to marry his daughter as an excuse for giving Wilkes himself ten or fifteen thousand pounds, and ended by leaving him a hand-

a

charm produced by good temper allied with pluck, and by geniality combined with wit. His wit was so remarkable that wagers were made and actually won, that from the time he quitted his house in the “Test End till he reached the Guildhall, no one would address or leave him without a smile or a

some legacy. Another gentleman f 'amed as precious relics the buttons which, when Wilkes fought the duel with Mr. Martin, diverted the bullet and hindered the wound

hearty laugh. Although the events which brought him to the

from proving fatal.

front were not directly his own making or the result

when one of them disparagingly spoke of Wilkes’

of a conscientious policy, yet they cannot possibly be

A 4U..7m__

-

Again, in a conversation between two women,

II


(3G) severed from his name.

whose fortune he had dissipated, and whose annuity he endeavoured, though vainly, to take from her by legal means, were in harmony with his empty and

In the honours and favours

showered upon him, incommensurate to his services as they may have been, we cannot fail to recognise the outcome of an immense popularity, which is seldom undeservingly accorded. Of his popularity there are numberless instances, and trivial as some of them may appear, they prove its extensiveness. In 1769 a clergyman pulled the nose of a Scotch naval officer for talking disparagiugly of the member for Middlesex, and then ran him through the swordarm in Hyde Park. A gentleman in Abergavenny announced his in— tention to erect a monument, a miniature imitation of Stonehenge, and dedicate it to Liberty, and

insipid declarations on behalf of liberties and rights for which he cared but little, and against corrup-

tion in which he was the first to engage. That he took to the thriving trade of patriotism, which Dr. Johnson wittily defined as

“the last

refuge of a scoundrel,’ may have been due to his no longer possessing the means of supporting his expensive tastes and mode of living. But we may argue as we like; we may blush at his lieentiousness; we may rob him to any extent of

all initiative in the reforms which he heralded; yet, his name will always be gratefully associated with those reforms, and inspire the same charm that fascinated the scholars, historians, and philosophers, as

begged of him a ‘few strong words’ by way of inscription.

well as the men and women of fashion of the day

A correspondent wrote to offer his friendship and fortune, proposed to marry his daughter as an excuse for giving Wilkes himself ten or fifteen thousand pounds, and ended by leaving him a hand-

a

charm produced by good temper allied with pluck, and by geniality combined with wit. His wit was so remarkable that wagers were made and actually won, that from the time he quitted his house in the “Test End till he reached the Guildhall, no one would address or leave him without a smile or a

some legacy. Another gentleman f 'amed as precious relics the buttons which, when Wilkes fought the duel with Mr. Martin, diverted the bullet and hindered the wound

hearty laugh. Although the events which brought him to the

from proving fatal.

front were not directly his own making or the result

when one of them disparagingly spoke of Wilkes’

of a conscientious policy, yet they cannot possibly be

A 4U..7m__

-

Again, in a conversation between two women,

II


(

36

)

(37)

severed from his name. In the honours and favours showered upon him, incommensurate to his services as they may have been, we cannot fail to recognise the outcome of an immense popularity, which is seldom undeservingly accorded. Of his popularity there are numberless instances, and trivial as some of them may appear, they prove its extensiveness.

w"

squint, the other replied, ‘He squints, does he? \Vell, if he does, it is not more than a man 5-7202ch squint l 7 His portrait generally served as public-house signs, which drew the remark from one of his adversaries, that he swung everywhere but where he should. In times when party spirit ran so high that

the pri rate relations of life were affected by it, he

In 1769 a clergyman pulled the nose of a Scotch naval officer for talking disparagingly of the member for Middlesex, and then ran him through the swordarm in Hyde Park.

always

remained on good terms with his political

opponents, even keeping on amicable terms with his enemy, Lord Sandwich. During his four years of travel in France and Italy, at the time of his outlawry, his company was gene'ally sought for by the representatives of Eng-

A gentleman in Abergavcnny announced his intention to erect a monument, a miniature imitation of Stonehenge, and dedicate it to Liberty, and

land at the various Courts; and though he was

begged of him a ‘few strong,words7 by way of

excluded from official hospitalities by official instruc-

inscription.

tions from home, they generally managed to procure

,l

A correspondent wrote to offer his friendship

the treat of his society at private entertainments.

and fortune, proposed to marry his daughter as

It ’as on one of these occasions, when residing in Paris, he was asked by Madame de l’ompadour—the

an excuse for giving \Vilkes himself ten or fifteen

Another gentleman framed as precious relics the buttons which, when \Vilkes fought the duel with Mr. Martin, diverted the bullet and hindered the wound from proving fatal.

omnipotent favourite of Louis XV., who was in the ifi‘kw '_,,u vs

thousand pounds, and ended by leaving him a handsome legacy.

habit of sending her libellers to digest their sarcasms in the darkest dungeons—how far he considered a libeller could go with impunity in abuse of the Royal Family in England. “fillies replied, ‘Madame, that is exactly what I am trying to find out.’

Again, in a conversation between two women,

Much obloquy has been cast on his memory on

when one of them disparagingly spoke of \Vilkes’

account of the profligaey of his life and the im-


(

36

)

(37)

severed from his name. In the honours and favours showered upon him, incommensurate to his services as they may have been, we cannot fail to recognise the outcome of an immense popularity, which is seldom undeservingly accorded. Of his popularity there are numberless instances, and trivial as some of them may appear, they prove its extensiveness.

w"

squint, the other replied, ‘He squints, does he? \Vell, if he does, it is not more than a man 5-7202ch squint l 7 His portrait generally served as public-house signs, which drew the remark from one of his adversaries, that he swung everywhere but where he should. In times when party spirit ran so high that

the pri rate relations of life were affected by it, he

In 1769 a clergyman pulled the nose of a Scotch naval officer for talking disparagingly of the member for Middlesex, and then ran him through the swordarm in Hyde Park.

always

remained on good terms with his political

opponents, even keeping on amicable terms with his enemy, Lord Sandwich. During his four years of travel in France and Italy, at the time of his outlawry, his company was gene'ally sought for by the representatives of Eng-

A gentleman in Abergavcnny announced his intention to erect a monument, a miniature imitation of Stonehenge, and dedicate it to Liberty, and

land at the various Courts; and though he was

begged of him a ‘few strong,words7 by way of

excluded from official hospitalities by official instruc-

inscription.

tions from home, they generally managed to procure

,l

A correspondent wrote to offer his friendship

the treat of his society at private entertainments.

and fortune, proposed to marry his daughter as

It ’as on one of these occasions, when residing in Paris, he was asked by Madame de l’ompadour—the

an excuse for giving \Vilkes himself ten or fifteen

Another gentleman framed as precious relics the buttons which, when \Vilkes fought the duel with Mr. Martin, diverted the bullet and hindered the wound from proving fatal.

omnipotent favourite of Louis XV., who was in the ifi‘kw '_,,u vs

thousand pounds, and ended by leaving him a handsome legacy.

habit of sending her libellers to digest their sarcasms in the darkest dungeons—how far he considered a libeller could go with impunity in abuse of the Royal Family in England. “fillies replied, ‘Madame, that is exactly what I am trying to find out.’

Again, in a conversation between two women,

Much obloquy has been cast on his memory on

when one of them disparagingly spoke of \Vilkes’

account of the profligaey of his life and the im-


(37)

(33) morality of his character.

squint, the other replied, ‘He squints, does he? lVell, if he does, it is not more than a man should squint ! ’

But profligacy and im-

morality were the order of the day, and, as we have seen, were 110 bar to advancement.

His portrait generally served as public—house signs,

It must not be forgotten that Wilkes ventured to attack the highest and the mightiest personages in the State. Many of these who had been his friends, notably Sir Francis Dashwood, Lord Sandwich, the Duke of Grafton, turned from and betrayed him when

which drew the remark from one of his adversaries, that he swung everywhere but where he should. In times when party spirit ran so high that the private relations of life were affected by it, he always remained on good terms with his political Opponents, even keeping on amicable terms with his

it served their purpose. They revenged themselves by bringing the weak and objectionable traits of his character into prominence, and casting mud on his fame, leaving a stain that was never obliterated. One of the most illustrious strangers who was staying in England when \Vilkes’ star was in the ascendant-Dr. Franklin, the great American patriot

enemy, Lord Sandwich. During his four years of travel in France and Italy, at the time of his outlawry, his company was

——wrote of him, perhaps not without a touch of irony, that if George III. had had a bad character

excluded from official hospitalities by oflicial instruc-

and John \Vilkes a good one, the latter ‘might have turned the former out of his kingdom.’ These words are the more significant as coming from a man whose pri "ate and political sympathies were all against him.

the treat of his society at private entertainments. It was on one of these occasions, when residing in Paris, he was asked by Madame de Pompadour—the

His humanity and toleration were nobly exemplified during the later days of his parliamentary career. That he should have advocated the claims of the British Museum to an augmented grant, and urged

the reform of Parliament, proved the broader View he took of national questions—views which then

generally sought for by the representatives of England at the various Courts; and though he was

.3 v.

tions from home, they generally managed to procure

omnipotent favourite of Louis XV., who was in the habit of sending her libellers to digest their sarcasms in the darkest dungeons—how far he considered a libeller could go with impunity in abuse of the Royal Family in England. Wilkes replied, ‘ Madame, that is exactly what I am trying to find out.’ Much obloquy has been cast on his memory on account of the profligacy of his life and the im-


(37)

(33) morality of his character.

squint, the other replied, ‘He squints, does he? lVell, if he does, it is not more than a man should squint ! ’

But profligacy and im-

morality were the order of the day, and, as we have seen, were 110 bar to advancement.

His portrait generally served as public—house signs,

It must not be forgotten that Wilkes ventured to attack the highest and the mightiest personages in the State. Many of these who had been his friends, notably Sir Francis Dashwood, Lord Sandwich, the Duke of Grafton, turned from and betrayed him when

which drew the remark from one of his adversaries, that he swung everywhere but where he should. In times when party spirit ran so high that the private relations of life were affected by it, he always remained on good terms with his political Opponents, even keeping on amicable terms with his

it served their purpose. They revenged themselves by bringing the weak and objectionable traits of his character into prominence, and casting mud on his fame, leaving a stain that was never obliterated. One of the most illustrious strangers who was staying in England when \Vilkes’ star was in the ascendant-Dr. Franklin, the great American patriot

enemy, Lord Sandwich. During his four years of travel in France and Italy, at the time of his outlawry, his company was

——wrote of him, perhaps not without a touch of irony, that if George III. had had a bad character

excluded from official hospitalities by oflicial instruc-

and John \Vilkes a good one, the latter ‘might have turned the former out of his kingdom.’ These words are the more significant as coming from a man whose pri "ate and political sympathies were all against him.

the treat of his society at private entertainments. It was on one of these occasions, when residing in Paris, he was asked by Madame de Pompadour—the

His humanity and toleration were nobly exemplified during the later days of his parliamentary career. That he should have advocated the claims of the British Museum to an augmented grant, and urged

the reform of Parliament, proved the broader View he took of national questions—views which then

generally sought for by the representatives of England at the various Courts; and though he was

.3 v.

tions from home, they generally managed to procure

omnipotent favourite of Louis XV., who was in the habit of sending her libellers to digest their sarcasms in the darkest dungeons—how far he considered a libeller could go with impunity in abuse of the Royal Family in England. Wilkes replied, ‘ Madame, that is exactly what I am trying to find out.’ Much obloquy has been cast on his memory on account of the profligacy of his life and the im-


<38)

failed of fulfilment because they were in advance of

But profligacy and im-

morality were the order of the day, and, as we have seen, were no bar to advancement.

the time.

Unprincipled as he may have been, it must be

attack the highest and the mightiest personages in

said to his credit, that he publicly denounced religious persecution in every form, even saying of an Atheist,

the State.

Many of these who had been his friends,

‘I think he has a right to toleration. for he wants

notably Sir Francis Dashwood, Lord Sandwich, the

the consolation which I enjoy.’ Nor did he fail to redeem the blemish of his domestic relations by his

It must not be forgotten that “Hikes ventured to

Duke of G 'afton, turned from and betrayed him when

by bringing the wear and objectionable traits of his

fondness for and devotion to his daughter, who, to the end of his days, remained his most intelligent

character into prominence, and casting mud on his

sympathiser and sweetest companion.

it served their purpose.

They revenged themselves

Indeed, it was for her sake that he chiefly

fame, leaving a stain that was never obliterated. One of the most illustrious st ”angers who was staying in England when \Vilkes’ star was in the

valued his popularity, and proved it by dividing with her the monies and presents that flowed in

ascendantfiDr. Franklin, the great American patriot —wrote of him, perhaps not without a touch of irony, that if George Ill. had had a bad character

upon him from every quarter. As he put aside for his ‘Polly,’ as he called her, ‘a pine-apple out of a hamper of fruit, or salmon-trout out of a basket of fish, and four exquisitely beautiful paroquets which had come by coach from Portsmouth,’

and John \Vilkes a good one, the latter ‘might have turned the former out of his kingdom.’

so he never failed to let her know, in his long corre-

His humanity and toleration were nony exempli-

spondence with her, how he had been cheered and mobbed; how ladies at the Assembly looms pulled caps to dance with him; how he visited Cambridge

fied during the later days of his parliamentary career.

for his amusement, and was received as if he were a

That he should have advocated the claims of the

famous foreign general.

British Museum to an augmented grant, and urged

anxiety for the cultivation of her intellect, as in his letters he is constantly recommending to her the studv of modern classics, both French and English.

3“-

These words are the more significant as coming

from a man whose private and political sympathies were all against him.

the reform of Parliament, proved the broader View he took

of national questions—Views

which then

Nor does he fail to evince

. i- r '4'?

morality of his character.

(39)


<38)

failed of fulfilment because they were in advance of

But profligacy and im-

morality were the order of the day, and, as we have seen, were no bar to advancement.

the time.

Unprincipled as he may have been, it must be

attack the highest and the mightiest personages in

said to his credit, that he publicly denounced religious persecution in every form, even saying of an Atheist,

the State.

Many of these who had been his friends,

‘I think he has a right to toleration. for he wants

notably Sir Francis Dashwood, Lord Sandwich, the

the consolation which I enjoy.’ Nor did he fail to redeem the blemish of his domestic relations by his

It must not be forgotten that “Hikes ventured to

Duke of G 'afton, turned from and betrayed him when

by bringing the wear and objectionable traits of his

fondness for and devotion to his daughter, who, to the end of his days, remained his most intelligent

character into prominence, and casting mud on his

sympathiser and sweetest companion.

it served their purpose.

They revenged themselves

Indeed, it was for her sake that he chiefly

fame, leaving a stain that was never obliterated. One of the most illustrious st ”angers who was staying in England when \Vilkes’ star was in the

valued his popularity, and proved it by dividing with her the monies and presents that flowed in

ascendantfiDr. Franklin, the great American patriot —wrote of him, perhaps not without a touch of irony, that if George Ill. had had a bad character

upon him from every quarter. As he put aside for his ‘Polly,’ as he called her, ‘a pine-apple out of a hamper of fruit, or salmon-trout out of a basket of fish, and four exquisitely beautiful paroquets which had come by coach from Portsmouth,’

and John \Vilkes a good one, the latter ‘might have turned the former out of his kingdom.’

so he never failed to let her know, in his long corre-

His humanity and toleration were nony exempli-

spondence with her, how he had been cheered and mobbed; how ladies at the Assembly looms pulled caps to dance with him; how he visited Cambridge

fied during the later days of his parliamentary career.

for his amusement, and was received as if he were a

That he should have advocated the claims of the

famous foreign general.

British Museum to an augmented grant, and urged

anxiety for the cultivation of her intellect, as in his letters he is constantly recommending to her the studv of modern classics, both French and English.

3“-

These words are the more significant as coming

from a man whose private and political sympathies were all against him.

the reform of Parliament, proved the broader View he took

of national questions—Views

which then

Nor does he fail to evince

. i- r '4'?

morality of his character.

(39)


(39>

(40) Profligate as he was, he never indulged in the two prominent vices of the day—drinking and gambling. Once as a youth Wilkes had lost five hundred guineas at play. His father paid his debts and said to him, ‘Jack, mind you do so no more.’ He promised, and never again did he touch a die or a card.

failed of fulfilment because they were in advance of

The anniversary of the King’s birthday was cele-

redeem the blemish of his domestic relations by his fondness for and devotion to his daughter, who, to the end of his days, remained his most intelligent sympathiser and sweetest companion.

brated by the British Ambassador at Paris by a grand banquet, followed by six hours of faro, a game of hazard, a mode of entertainment which Wilkes in a letter declared ‘he detested, as well as any other kind of gaming.’ The majority of the greatest noblemen and most remarkable politicians were in the habit of squandering

their fortunes at the gaming-tables.

Day and night

they sate in their frieze coats, which they had exchanged for their embroidered garments, turning them inside out for the sake of luck, hiding their lace ruffles with pieces of leather, such as are used by footmen in cleaning their knives, and wearing

high-crowned, broad—brimmed straw hats, adorned with flowers and ribbons, to conceal their emotions, and hazarding as much as 10,000]. on a single throw of the dice. On one of these occasions Lord Stavordale, who was not then of age, lost eleven thousand pounds, and

recovered them by ‘ one great hand.’

He then swore

the time.

Unprincipled as he may have been, it must be said to his credit, that he publicly denounced religious

persecution in every form, even saying of an Atheist, ‘I think he has a right to toleration, for he wants

the consolation which I enjoy.’

Nor did he fail to

Indeed, it was for her sake that he chiefly valued his popularity, and proved it by dividing with her the monies and presents that flowed in

upon him from every quarter. As he put aside for his ‘Polly,’ as he called her, ‘a pine-apple out of a hamper of fruit, or salmon-trout out of a

basket of fish, and four exquisitely beautiful paroquets which had come by coach from Portsmouth,’ so he never failed to let her know, in his long correspondence with her, how he had been cheered and

mobbed; how ladies at the Assembly Rooms pulled caps to dance with him; how he visited Cambridge for his amusement, and was received as if he were a

famous foreign general.

Nor does he fail to evince

anxiety for the cultivation of her intellect, as in

his letters he is constantly recommending to her the study of modern classics, both French and English.


(39>

(40) Profligate as he was, he never indulged in the two prominent vices of the day—drinking and gambling. Once as a youth Wilkes had lost five hundred guineas at play. His father paid his debts and said to him, ‘Jack, mind you do so no more.’ He promised, and never again did he touch a die or a card.

failed of fulfilment because they were in advance of

The anniversary of the King’s birthday was cele-

redeem the blemish of his domestic relations by his fondness for and devotion to his daughter, who, to the end of his days, remained his most intelligent sympathiser and sweetest companion.

brated by the British Ambassador at Paris by a grand banquet, followed by six hours of faro, a game of hazard, a mode of entertainment which Wilkes in a letter declared ‘he detested, as well as any other kind of gaming.’ The majority of the greatest noblemen and most remarkable politicians were in the habit of squandering

their fortunes at the gaming-tables.

Day and night

they sate in their frieze coats, which they had exchanged for their embroidered garments, turning them inside out for the sake of luck, hiding their lace ruffles with pieces of leather, such as are used by footmen in cleaning their knives, and wearing

high-crowned, broad—brimmed straw hats, adorned with flowers and ribbons, to conceal their emotions, and hazarding as much as 10,000]. on a single throw of the dice. On one of these occasions Lord Stavordale, who was not then of age, lost eleven thousand pounds, and

recovered them by ‘ one great hand.’

He then swore

the time.

Unprincipled as he may have been, it must be said to his credit, that he publicly denounced religious

persecution in every form, even saying of an Atheist, ‘I think he has a right to toleration, for he wants

the consolation which I enjoy.’

Nor did he fail to

Indeed, it was for her sake that he chiefly valued his popularity, and proved it by dividing with her the monies and presents that flowed in

upon him from every quarter. As he put aside for his ‘Polly,’ as he called her, ‘a pine-apple out of a hamper of fruit, or salmon-trout out of a

basket of fish, and four exquisitely beautiful paroquets which had come by coach from Portsmouth,’ so he never failed to let her know, in his long correspondence with her, how he had been cheered and

mobbed; how ladies at the Assembly Rooms pulled caps to dance with him; how he visited Cambridge for his amusement, and was received as if he were a

famous foreign general.

Nor does he fail to evince

anxiety for the cultivation of her intellect, as in

his letters he is constantly recommending to her the study of modern classics, both French and English.


(40)

( 41 )

Profligate as he was, he never indulged in the two prominent vices of the day—drinking and gambling. Once as a youth “fillies had lost five hundred guineas at play. His father paid his debts and said to him, ‘Jack, mind you do so no more.’ He promised, and never again did he touch a die or a card. The anniversary of the King’s birthday was cele-

with a great oath, ‘Now if I had been playing high, I might have won millions I ’ Charles James FOX, one of the greatest of English orators and statesmen, and champion of Liberal principles, was brought by his father, Lord Holland, at the age of fourteen, to a public gaming-table, and contracted debts during the following twelve years to

brated by the British Ambassador at Paris by a grand

Whatever there was ignoble in his nature, however much he may have offended purists and moralists, however secondary the part that has been assigned to him in the history of his country, Wilkes deserves the epitaph he composed for his own tomb— ‘A friend of Liberty.’

banquet, followed by six hours of faro, a game of hazard, a mode of entertainment which “Tilkcs in a letter declared ‘he detested, as well as any other kind of gaming.’ The majority of the greatest noblemen and most remarkable politicians were in the habit ofsquandering their fortunes at the gaming-tables. Day and night they sate in their frieze coats, which they had exchanged for their embroidered garments, turning them inside out for thc sake of luck, hiding their

lace ruffles with pieces of leather, such as are used by footmen in cleaning their knives, and wearing high-crowned, broad-brimmed straw hats, adorned with flowers and ribbons, to conceal their emotions, and hazarding as much as 10,000]. on a single throw of the dice. On one of these occasions Lord Stavordale, who was not then of age, lost eleven thousand pounds, and

recovered them by ‘ one great hand.’

Ile then swore

the amount of 140,000l.

With him, and certainly owing in part to him, a revolution—though fortunately it was a silent one—

was initiated and accomplished, which established on a sound and firm basis the freedom of the press, the control of Parliament by the voice of the nation, and

the free representation of the nation itself. Well might Mr. Gladstone declare, in one of his speeches, ‘The name of Wilkes, Whether we choose it or not,

must be enrolled among the great champions of English Freedom.’ WADDESDON READING ROOM, November 192%, 1884.


(40)

( 41 )

Profligate as he was, he never indulged in the two prominent vices of the day—drinking and gambling. Once as a youth “fillies had lost five hundred guineas at play. His father paid his debts and said to him, ‘Jack, mind you do so no more.’ He promised, and never again did he touch a die or a card. The anniversary of the King’s birthday was cele-

with a great oath, ‘Now if I had been playing high, I might have won millions I ’ Charles James FOX, one of the greatest of English orators and statesmen, and champion of Liberal principles, was brought by his father, Lord Holland, at the age of fourteen, to a public gaming-table, and contracted debts during the following twelve years to

brated by the British Ambassador at Paris by a grand

Whatever there was ignoble in his nature, however much he may have offended purists and moralists, however secondary the part that has been assigned to him in the history of his country, Wilkes deserves the epitaph he composed for his own tomb— ‘A friend of Liberty.’

banquet, followed by six hours of faro, a game of hazard, a mode of entertainment which “Tilkcs in a letter declared ‘he detested, as well as any other kind of gaming.’ The majority of the greatest noblemen and most remarkable politicians were in the habit ofsquandering their fortunes at the gaming-tables. Day and night they sate in their frieze coats, which they had exchanged for their embroidered garments, turning them inside out for thc sake of luck, hiding their

lace ruffles with pieces of leather, such as are used by footmen in cleaning their knives, and wearing high-crowned, broad-brimmed straw hats, adorned with flowers and ribbons, to conceal their emotions, and hazarding as much as 10,000]. on a single throw of the dice. On one of these occasions Lord Stavordale, who was not then of age, lost eleven thousand pounds, and

recovered them by ‘ one great hand.’

Ile then swore

the amount of 140,000l.

With him, and certainly owing in part to him, a revolution—though fortunately it was a silent one—

was initiated and accomplished, which established on a sound and firm basis the freedom of the press, the control of Parliament by the voice of the nation, and

the free representation of the nation itself. Well might Mr. Gladstone declare, in one of his speeches, ‘The name of Wilkes, Whether we choose it or not,

must be enrolled among the great champions of English Freedom.’ WADDESDON READING ROOM, November 192%, 1884.


PUBLIC

OPINION.


PUBLIC

OPINION.


PUBLIC OPINION.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT will hardly be gainsaid,~-in fact, it may almost be accepted as a truism, that the moral and social tone of all classes in Great Britain has improved more during the last fifty years than

during the preceding three centuries.

To what

extent this improvement has modified human nature may be a matter of controversy. Man is, and always will be, man; and, however much mankind may strive after an ideal state of perfection, if ever it is to be attained in this world, it will not be in the nineteenth century. We are born with the same passions, the same temptations, and the same

inclination to give way to those temptations, as were our forefathers.

But we have learnt to ex-

ercise a beneficial control over those inclinations,

~‘v-«T

have recognised our obligation to raise our sufferring and shining fellow-creatures to a better condition of life and a higher sense of morality, and, most of all, to attach an enhanced value to the


PUBLIC OPINION.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT will hardly be gainsaid,~-in fact, it may almost be accepted as a truism, that the moral and social tone of all classes in Great Britain has improved more during the last fifty years than

during the preceding three centuries.

To what

extent this improvement has modified human nature may be a matter of controversy. Man is, and always will be, man; and, however much mankind may strive after an ideal state of perfection, if ever it is to be attained in this world, it will not be in the nineteenth century. We are born with the same passions, the same temptations, and the same

inclination to give way to those temptations, as were our forefathers.

But we have learnt to ex-

ercise a beneficial control over those inclinations,

~‘v-«T

have recognised our obligation to raise our sufferring and shining fellow-creatures to a better condition of life and a higher sense of morality, and, most of all, to attach an enhanced value to the


( 4 )

(5)

consideration in which we are held by our fellowmen. Civilisation has been chiefly, but not entirely, instrumental in effecting these improvements. A civilised community means an enlightened, a cultivated, refined, literary, artistic, a well-governed and well—ordered state. There have been in antiquity states, now decayed, which were conspicuous for these attributes, but in which the principles of

show you, as clearly as lies in my power, how' deficient in the sense of political, public, and social morality were past periods of great civilisation and refinement, as well as the most conspicuous and illustrious persons of those days. This will lead up to the direct, though somewhat intricate, causes which not only developed public opinion, but guided it into the healthy channels which it now follows.

morality were singularly deficient. N0 period of history was richer in famous men—

I am well aware that the statement that public opinion is a modern factor will meet with some question. Manifestations of popular feeling occurred in the early years of our history, contributed towards

divines, philosophers, statesmen, and artists—than the sixteenth century. England had then emerged

from the chaos of the Middle Ages, bursting into a

the progress of civilisation, and foreshadowed the dawn of public opinion.

glow of civilisation and refinement ; but morality, as

it affects politics, toleration, humanity, and social

The Great Charter, which in 1215 the Barons obtained from King John, was, perhaps, the first manifestation of that kind. By that act the national craving for freedom asserted itself for the first time. The peasant revolt in 138], under the leadership of John Ball and Wat Tyler, was a more general

life, may be said to have been then entirely unknown. The fact is, that a force has assumed a new and bold

front in our century—the force of public opinion; and to public opinion I venture to ascribe the keener

consciousness we now possess of our moral responsibilities, and the. consequent advance in our moral and social condition. The subject I shall endeavour to treat is almost beyond the scope of a lecture ; but

explosion of a similar nature. It was an outcry against the intolerable hardships of serfdom to which the working and agricultural classes were

if you will kindly give me your attention, I confidently hope that we shall be enabled to trace some of the

subjected, and was the first indication of the claims of the people for consideration and liberty.

influences which have made this factor in our lives

In John Ball’s famous lines :

effective, as well as the direct bearings which it has on the condition of society.

It is my intention to ‘O

‘ When Adam delved and Eve span, Who was then the gentleman?’


( 4 )

(5)

consideration in which we are held by our fellowmen. Civilisation has been chiefly, but not entirely, instrumental in effecting these improvements. A civilised community means an enlightened, a cultivated, refined, literary, artistic, a well-governed and well—ordered state. There have been in antiquity states, now decayed, which were conspicuous for these attributes, but in which the principles of

show you, as clearly as lies in my power, how' deficient in the sense of political, public, and social morality were past periods of great civilisation and refinement, as well as the most conspicuous and illustrious persons of those days. This will lead up to the direct, though somewhat intricate, causes which not only developed public opinion, but guided it into the healthy channels which it now follows.

morality were singularly deficient. N0 period of history was richer in famous men—

I am well aware that the statement that public opinion is a modern factor will meet with some question. Manifestations of popular feeling occurred in the early years of our history, contributed towards

divines, philosophers, statesmen, and artists—than the sixteenth century. England had then emerged

from the chaos of the Middle Ages, bursting into a

the progress of civilisation, and foreshadowed the dawn of public opinion.

glow of civilisation and refinement ; but morality, as

it affects politics, toleration, humanity, and social

The Great Charter, which in 1215 the Barons obtained from King John, was, perhaps, the first manifestation of that kind. By that act the national craving for freedom asserted itself for the first time. The peasant revolt in 138], under the leadership of John Ball and Wat Tyler, was a more general

life, may be said to have been then entirely unknown. The fact is, that a force has assumed a new and bold

front in our century—the force of public opinion; and to public opinion I venture to ascribe the keener

consciousness we now possess of our moral responsibilities, and the. consequent advance in our moral and social condition. The subject I shall endeavour to treat is almost beyond the scope of a lecture ; but

explosion of a similar nature. It was an outcry against the intolerable hardships of serfdom to which the working and agricultural classes were

if you will kindly give me your attention, I confidently hope that we shall be enabled to trace some of the

subjected, and was the first indication of the claims of the people for consideration and liberty.

influences which have made this factor in our lives

In John Ball’s famous lines :

effective, as well as the direct bearings which it has on the condition of society.

It is my intention to ‘O

‘ When Adam delved and Eve span, Who was then the gentleman?’


< 6 > was epitomized the present socialistic doctrine of the rights and equality of man. The change from Roman Catholicism to Protestantism marked an epoch in the manifestation of public opinion. The Reformation was hailed by the

nation as a release from the pretensions and extortions of a depraved clergy. Indeed, it may be said that the Reformation was the cradle of public opinion.

our errors and brand us at once with its stigma. Public opinion was born in 1534 with the Reformation, it emerged from its swaddling-elothes in 1688 with the Revolution, it reached its teens in

1776 with the liberty of the press, and attained its majority in 1885 with the Reform Bill.

These dates

may serve as mile-stones to mark the progressive stages in the growth of public opinion.

On throwing off the thraldom of Rome the people of

the power of giving it practical effect. The Puritanical movement under Cromwell, which led to the

POLITICAL CORRUPTION.———Tn 1688 James 11. succeeded to the throne of England. In his days, authority, patronage, and power were chiefly vested in the hands of the sovereign. When he ascended

execution of Charles I. in 1649, marks a still further

the throne the people were enthusiastically loyal to

progress in the advance of public opinion, as it paved the way for the attainment of the civil liberties of the

his dynasty, but intent on preserving those civil and religious liberties they then possessed. James II.

nation.

resorted to illicit means in order to press on the

England awoke to the consciousness of their indi-

vidual moral responsibilities, and eventually gained

.

Nevertheless, these manifestations of public opinion were chiefly directed against national abuses, and had

but little influence on the public or private conduct of single individuals. In our day public opinion follows every man like his shadow, hovers over his every word and action like a guardian or avenging spirit, upholds him either to general applause or to general reprobation. If we are more tolerant, more

nation the Roman Catholic religion, which he professed, and which was distasteful to the majority of the people; to enlarge his already great royal prerogatives, and to establish a personal despotism.

Had he been content to practise his religion unobtrusively, or to exercise his immense authority in a manner less obnoxious to national feeling and na-

tional prejudice, the achievement of the liberties we

charitable, more humane, more moral than were our forefathers, it is not only because we are more

now enjoy might have been considerably postponed.

civilised and refined than they were, but because we know and feel that public opinion will find out

to official and military positions, and the abominable

But the then illegal appointment of Roman Catholics


< 6 > was epitomized the present socialistic doctrine of the rights and equality of man. The change from Roman Catholicism to Protestantism marked an epoch in the manifestation of public opinion. The Reformation was hailed by the

nation as a release from the pretensions and extortions of a depraved clergy. Indeed, it may be said that the Reformation was the cradle of public opinion.

our errors and brand us at once with its stigma. Public opinion was born in 1534 with the Reformation, it emerged from its swaddling-elothes in 1688 with the Revolution, it reached its teens in

1776 with the liberty of the press, and attained its majority in 1885 with the Reform Bill.

These dates

may serve as mile-stones to mark the progressive stages in the growth of public opinion.

On throwing off the thraldom of Rome the people of

the power of giving it practical effect. The Puritanical movement under Cromwell, which led to the

POLITICAL CORRUPTION.———Tn 1688 James 11. succeeded to the throne of England. In his days, authority, patronage, and power were chiefly vested in the hands of the sovereign. When he ascended

execution of Charles I. in 1649, marks a still further

the throne the people were enthusiastically loyal to

progress in the advance of public opinion, as it paved the way for the attainment of the civil liberties of the

his dynasty, but intent on preserving those civil and religious liberties they then possessed. James II.

nation.

resorted to illicit means in order to press on the

England awoke to the consciousness of their indi-

vidual moral responsibilities, and eventually gained

.

Nevertheless, these manifestations of public opinion were chiefly directed against national abuses, and had

but little influence on the public or private conduct of single individuals. In our day public opinion follows every man like his shadow, hovers over his every word and action like a guardian or avenging spirit, upholds him either to general applause or to general reprobation. If we are more tolerant, more

nation the Roman Catholic religion, which he professed, and which was distasteful to the majority of the people; to enlarge his already great royal prerogatives, and to establish a personal despotism.

Had he been content to practise his religion unobtrusively, or to exercise his immense authority in a manner less obnoxious to national feeling and na-

tional prejudice, the achievement of the liberties we

charitable, more humane, more moral than were our forefathers, it is not only because we are more

now enjoy might have been considerably postponed.

civilised and refined than they were, but because we know and feel that public opinion will find out

to official and military positions, and the abominable

But the then illegal appointment of Roman Catholics


(8)

(9)

cruelties he perpetratel, exasperated his subjects, and

Large towns were unrepresented, and small boroughs which belonged to private individuals were over—represented. The whole parliamentary influence

produced a revolution which drove him from the throne. And yet this revolution can hardly be termed the outcome of public opinion, for the people, injured and oppressed as they were, almost bore their miseries without complaint. It was a revolution effected by the chief statesmen of the day, who com-

and the whole patronage of the State were in the

hands of a wealthy limited class. Parliamentary debates were held with closed doors, and reporters

But the

were excluded. Appointments of the most lucrative description, sinecures now abolished, and gifts

result of this revolution was, that when Parliament

of all kinds were at the disposal of ministers and

bined against an intolerable despotism.

met again in 1689 it was able to discuss public

their supporters. One of these offices, the Paymaster Generalship of the Army and Navy, brought in an

questions with a freedom from royal influence heretofore unknown ; to frame laws which formed the foundations of our present liberties, and to curtail the power of the monarch. This altered state of affairs opened the way for the institution of Party

income of between forty and fifty thousand a-year. The salary at present attached to that office is 2000l. ; and the holder of it in Mr. Gladstone’s last administration, Lord VVolverton, drew no salary whatever. In former days candidates employed the most corrupt methods to obtain a seat in Parliament. When

Government, by producing a healthy rivalry between two parties in the State—the Whigs aud Tories—— for the support and approval of the public. Thus, in 1689, political public opinion first dawned on

in the nineteenth. The country remained virtually misrepresented until the Reform Bill of 1832, both

as regards the representation of constituencies and the relations between constituencies and their representatives. The former was inadequate, and the latter were unsatisfactory.

I ‘ ‘ V *‘__/""--

assume that the parliaments of the eighteenth century genuinely reflected public opinion as they do

in-

Nevertheless, it would be a mistake to

power they received in exchange valuable offices for themselves and their friends. In addition to this the secrecy with which the proceedings in Parliament were conducted, and the non-existence of the press,

left Members without responsibility to their constituents for their parliamentary action. Thus arose a hideous system of bribery and corruption. Ministers bribed members, who, in turn,

_

British soil.

returned they bartered their support to one or other of the two parties, and when their party was in

secured their seats by bribing the electors.

An idea


(8)

(9)

cruelties he perpetratel, exasperated his subjects, and

Large towns were unrepresented, and small boroughs which belonged to private individuals were over—represented. The whole parliamentary influence

produced a revolution which drove him from the throne. And yet this revolution can hardly be termed the outcome of public opinion, for the people, injured and oppressed as they were, almost bore their miseries without complaint. It was a revolution effected by the chief statesmen of the day, who com-

and the whole patronage of the State were in the

hands of a wealthy limited class. Parliamentary debates were held with closed doors, and reporters

But the

were excluded. Appointments of the most lucrative description, sinecures now abolished, and gifts

result of this revolution was, that when Parliament

of all kinds were at the disposal of ministers and

bined against an intolerable despotism.

met again in 1689 it was able to discuss public

their supporters. One of these offices, the Paymaster Generalship of the Army and Navy, brought in an

questions with a freedom from royal influence heretofore unknown ; to frame laws which formed the foundations of our present liberties, and to curtail the power of the monarch. This altered state of affairs opened the way for the institution of Party

income of between forty and fifty thousand a-year. The salary at present attached to that office is 2000l. ; and the holder of it in Mr. Gladstone’s last administration, Lord VVolverton, drew no salary whatever. In former days candidates employed the most corrupt methods to obtain a seat in Parliament. When

Government, by producing a healthy rivalry between two parties in the State—the Whigs aud Tories—— for the support and approval of the public. Thus, in 1689, political public opinion first dawned on

in the nineteenth. The country remained virtually misrepresented until the Reform Bill of 1832, both

as regards the representation of constituencies and the relations between constituencies and their representatives. The former was inadequate, and the latter were unsatisfactory.

I ‘ ‘ V *‘__/""--

assume that the parliaments of the eighteenth century genuinely reflected public opinion as they do

in-

Nevertheless, it would be a mistake to

power they received in exchange valuable offices for themselves and their friends. In addition to this the secrecy with which the proceedings in Parliament were conducted, and the non-existence of the press,

left Members without responsibility to their constituents for their parliamentary action. Thus arose a hideous system of bribery and corruption. Ministers bribed members, who, in turn,

_

British soil.

returned they bartered their support to one or other of the two parties, and when their party was in

secured their seats by bribing the electors.

An idea


may be gained of the extent to which this bribery

for the expenses of his funeral.

and corruption was carried from a few typical cases.

Danby, when Lord Treasurer, about 1673, offered a thousand pounds for his vote, an offer which was declined. It is said that Lord Danby, at parting,

In 1768 the then Lord Spencer is said to have spent 7 0,000l. in contesting the borough of Nottingham. A subsequent election for the county of York cost upwards of 160,000l.

To him Lord

slipped into Marvell’s hand an order for that amount.

In 1807 the joint expenses of

Marvell stopped him, and, taking him upstairs again,

Mr. Lascelles and Lord Milton in contesting the same county were 200,000l. One day’s expenses at a small pothouse at Ilchester during the Somerset-

call his servant-boy, when the following colloquy took place :—‘ Jack, child, what had 1 for dinner

shire election were returned as follows :—

the little shoulder of mutton you ordered me to

yesterday?’

‘Don’t you remember, sir, you had

bring from the woman in the market?’

‘Very

353 bottles of rum and gin, at 63. each . . . . .£105 18 57 bottles of French brandy, at 108. 6d. each . . . . 29 18

514 gallons

of beer, at 28. 8d.

right, child,’ returned Marvell. ‘What have I for dinner to-day ?’ ‘Don’t you know, sir, that you bade me lay by the blade-bone to broil ?’ "Tis so,

0 6

a

child ; you can go away. gallon . . 792 dinners at 2.9. 6d. each

Making altogether

. .

65 18 99 0

8

. £300 15

2

.

Now, my Lord, you hear

that my dinner is provided. of paper: I don’t want it. kindness you intended.

The whole public life of the eighteenth century is

There is your piece I knew the sort of

I live here to serve my

office, he had found that every man had his price,

constituents. The Ministry may seek men to serve their purposes : I am not one.7 Sir John Barnard, thirty-six years M.P. for the City of London, and perhaps the greatest financial authority of the day, not only steadily refused Sir Ropert Walpole’s offers

and had known but one woman whose influence

of money, but remained one of his firmest political

could not be bought with money, and hers was

adversaries. Sir Robert, on being taunted for having been unable to gain his support at any price, re-

blemished with this political bribery and corruption.

Sir Robert Walpole, who was Prime Minister from 1723 to 1742, remarked that, during his tenure of

plied : ‘ Yes ; but he has his price, too—l’opularity.’ Jr.“

bought with diamonds. Happily there were some exceptions to the rule. Andrew Marvell, MP. for Hull, died so poor that the town of Hull voted 501.

He could not have praised him in more forcible


may be gained of the extent to which this bribery

for the expenses of his funeral.

and corruption was carried from a few typical cases.

Danby, when Lord Treasurer, about 1673, offered a thousand pounds for his vote, an offer which was declined. It is said that Lord Danby, at parting,

In 1768 the then Lord Spencer is said to have spent 7 0,000l. in contesting the borough of Nottingham. A subsequent election for the county of York cost upwards of 160,000l.

To him Lord

slipped into Marvell’s hand an order for that amount.

In 1807 the joint expenses of

Marvell stopped him, and, taking him upstairs again,

Mr. Lascelles and Lord Milton in contesting the same county were 200,000l. One day’s expenses at a small pothouse at Ilchester during the Somerset-

call his servant-boy, when the following colloquy took place :—‘ Jack, child, what had 1 for dinner

shire election were returned as follows :—

the little shoulder of mutton you ordered me to

yesterday?’

‘Don’t you remember, sir, you had

bring from the woman in the market?’

‘Very

353 bottles of rum and gin, at 63. each . . . . .£105 18 57 bottles of French brandy, at 108. 6d. each . . . . 29 18

514 gallons

of beer, at 28. 8d.

right, child,’ returned Marvell. ‘What have I for dinner to-day ?’ ‘Don’t you know, sir, that you bade me lay by the blade-bone to broil ?’ "Tis so,

0 6

a

child ; you can go away. gallon . . 792 dinners at 2.9. 6d. each

Making altogether

. .

65 18 99 0

8

. £300 15

2

.

Now, my Lord, you hear

that my dinner is provided. of paper: I don’t want it. kindness you intended.

The whole public life of the eighteenth century is

There is your piece I knew the sort of

I live here to serve my

office, he had found that every man had his price,

constituents. The Ministry may seek men to serve their purposes : I am not one.7 Sir John Barnard, thirty-six years M.P. for the City of London, and perhaps the greatest financial authority of the day, not only steadily refused Sir Ropert Walpole’s offers

and had known but one woman whose influence

of money, but remained one of his firmest political

could not be bought with money, and hers was

adversaries. Sir Robert, on being taunted for having been unable to gain his support at any price, re-

blemished with this political bribery and corruption.

Sir Robert Walpole, who was Prime Minister from 1723 to 1742, remarked that, during his tenure of

plied : ‘ Yes ; but he has his price, too—l’opularity.’ Jr.“

bought with diamonds. Happily there were some exceptions to the rule. Andrew Marvell, MP. for Hull, died so poor that the town of Hull voted 501.

He could not have praised him in more forcible


<13)

(1?) terms.

lic opinion, which is inseparable from social public

Shortly after this Walpole deprived I’itt,

afterwards Lord Chatham, of his commission in the

opinion.

Guards because he opposed him in the House of Commons.

JUDICIAL CORRUPTION—In speaking of the political corruption of past generations, we must not

It was not until the end of the last century, when public opinion began to form, that this system

forget the judicial corruption which was rife at the

of bribery showed signs of abating.

same time.

We may say,

In 1621 Lord Bacon was Lord Chan-

however, that it only received its death-blow in 1872,

cellor to James I.

when the Ballot Act was passed, which enables every

pher, he was already a distinguished lawyer in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. In his earlier days he owed everything he possessed to the generosity of Lord Essex. Nevertheless, when Lord Essex, having rebelled against Queen Elizabeth, was arraigned for high treason, Bacon, in order to ingratiate himself

elector to vote according to his conscience regardless of intimidation; and that it was finally despatched

by the Corrupt Practices Act of Sir Henry James, which limits the expenditure of candidates. I need not tell you how immeasurably the country has gained by candidates being precluded from spending

A powerful writer and philoso-

with the Queen, not only acted as counsel against Lord Essex, but by his skilful and relentless conduct of the prosecution, established his former patron’s guilt, secured his conviction, and his execution. Such baseness was no bar to his elevation to the

large sums, which demoralised the public, generally found their way into unworthy hands, and impoverished the candidates themselves, who, in order

to recoup their expenditure, resorted to jobbery at the cost of the taxpayers at large.

highest office in the legal profession.

In 1885 political public opinion reached the acme of its expression in the enlarged franchise and the

beth, it is true, steadily refused to listen to his claims for advancement, but her successor, James I.,

redistribution of political power which was then

made him his Lord Chancellor.

effected.

bribes from suitors, and sold justice to the highest bidder. The crash eventually came, and Bacon was

I have dilated at some length on the slow

growth of our political freedom, as the expansion of

Queen Elizi -

As such he accepted

dismissed from his office ; ostensibly because he had accepted bribes, but really because it was expedient at the moment that the King and his party should make

parliamentary privilege and power, and of the re-

sponsibilities of members to their constituents, has been largely concerned in moulding political pub\‘


<13)

(1?) terms.

lic opinion, which is inseparable from social public

Shortly after this Walpole deprived I’itt,

afterwards Lord Chatham, of his commission in the

opinion.

Guards because he opposed him in the House of Commons.

JUDICIAL CORRUPTION—In speaking of the political corruption of past generations, we must not

It was not until the end of the last century, when public opinion began to form, that this system

forget the judicial corruption which was rife at the

of bribery showed signs of abating.

same time.

We may say,

In 1621 Lord Bacon was Lord Chan-

however, that it only received its death-blow in 1872,

cellor to James I.

when the Ballot Act was passed, which enables every

pher, he was already a distinguished lawyer in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. In his earlier days he owed everything he possessed to the generosity of Lord Essex. Nevertheless, when Lord Essex, having rebelled against Queen Elizabeth, was arraigned for high treason, Bacon, in order to ingratiate himself

elector to vote according to his conscience regardless of intimidation; and that it was finally despatched

by the Corrupt Practices Act of Sir Henry James, which limits the expenditure of candidates. I need not tell you how immeasurably the country has gained by candidates being precluded from spending

A powerful writer and philoso-

with the Queen, not only acted as counsel against Lord Essex, but by his skilful and relentless conduct of the prosecution, established his former patron’s guilt, secured his conviction, and his execution. Such baseness was no bar to his elevation to the

large sums, which demoralised the public, generally found their way into unworthy hands, and impoverished the candidates themselves, who, in order

to recoup their expenditure, resorted to jobbery at the cost of the taxpayers at large.

highest office in the legal profession.

In 1885 political public opinion reached the acme of its expression in the enlarged franchise and the

beth, it is true, steadily refused to listen to his claims for advancement, but her successor, James I.,

redistribution of political power which was then

made him his Lord Chancellor.

effected.

bribes from suitors, and sold justice to the highest bidder. The crash eventually came, and Bacon was

I have dilated at some length on the slow

growth of our political freedom, as the expansion of

Queen Elizi -

As such he accepted

dismissed from his office ; ostensibly because he had accepted bribes, but really because it was expedient at the moment that the King and his party should make

parliamentary privilege and power, and of the re-

sponsibilities of members to their constituents, has been largely concerned in moulding political pub\‘


(14)

(15)

a political scapegoat. The most notorious example of judicial corruption was afforded by Jeffries, Lord Chancellor to James H. Although a man of great ability, Charles 11., the brother and predecessor of

See that she is whipped soundly—whipped until the

James IL, had remarked that Jeffries had neither learning, commonsense, nor manners, but much impudence.* After the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth,—James II.’s nephew,—in 1685, Jeffries was sent to Dorsetsliire and Somersetshire on circuit,

where, in order to please the King, he hanged no less than 350 rebels,——some say even 600,

and

transported 800 more to the West Indies, which was equivalent to being sold into slavery. The great majority of his victims being innocent of any crime

whatever.

It may be added, that not only the ladies

blood runs down 1’ This man was allowed to become Lord Chancellor of England because there was no public opinion to condemn his crimes. In fact it may be stated that the judges in a body

followed the brutal servility of Jeffries to the King’s orders. The exception proves the rule. Sir John Jones, who had been Attorney- General under Charles 11., retired from office, and even refused the woolsack, as he would not support the arbitrary

measures of the King. One day on refusing to comply with James II.’s orders to serve on the bench, James said that he would find twelve judges

to serve. ‘Twelve judges you may, sire, but not twelve lawyers,’ rejoined Jones.

of the Court of James II., but even his Queen, sold

pardons to other unhappy wretches who had been ' sentenced by Jeffries. A lady of high standing, Mrs. Lisle, against

INTOLERANCE. The same sense of morality which now ensures to every criminal, whether political or

whom no evidence of guilt could be adduced, was beheaded The jury twice returned a verdict of acquittal, but they were intimidated by Jeffries’ threats to such an extent that the third time they

intolerance which prevailed in this country up to a

gave in a verdict of guilty. A poor woman, equally innocent, he sentenced to be whipped, making at the same time the coarse joke, ‘ It may be a cold morning to strip, but we shall try to keep you warm, madam. * The King’s language has been slightly modified.

otherwise, a fair trial, has moderated the religious comparatively recent date.

Religious fanaticism is

the strongest passion of which the human breast is capable, and we may exonerate, to a certain extent

at least, preceding generations from blame for cruelties perpetrated by the masses during crises of great excitement, and under the pressure of overwhelming influences. Still, we cannot reconcile the pomp and pageantry of the English Court of the sixteenth


(14)

(15)

a political scapegoat. The most notorious example of judicial corruption was afforded by Jeffries, Lord Chancellor to James H. Although a man of great ability, Charles 11., the brother and predecessor of

See that she is whipped soundly—whipped until the

James IL, had remarked that Jeffries had neither learning, commonsense, nor manners, but much impudence.* After the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth,—James II.’s nephew,—in 1685, Jeffries was sent to Dorsetsliire and Somersetshire on circuit,

where, in order to please the King, he hanged no less than 350 rebels,——some say even 600,

and

transported 800 more to the West Indies, which was equivalent to being sold into slavery. The great majority of his victims being innocent of any crime

whatever.

It may be added, that not only the ladies

blood runs down 1’ This man was allowed to become Lord Chancellor of England because there was no public opinion to condemn his crimes. In fact it may be stated that the judges in a body

followed the brutal servility of Jeffries to the King’s orders. The exception proves the rule. Sir John Jones, who had been Attorney- General under Charles 11., retired from office, and even refused the woolsack, as he would not support the arbitrary

measures of the King. One day on refusing to comply with James II.’s orders to serve on the bench, James said that he would find twelve judges

to serve. ‘Twelve judges you may, sire, but not twelve lawyers,’ rejoined Jones.

of the Court of James II., but even his Queen, sold

pardons to other unhappy wretches who had been ' sentenced by Jeffries. A lady of high standing, Mrs. Lisle, against

INTOLERANCE. The same sense of morality which now ensures to every criminal, whether political or

whom no evidence of guilt could be adduced, was beheaded The jury twice returned a verdict of acquittal, but they were intimidated by Jeffries’ threats to such an extent that the third time they

intolerance which prevailed in this country up to a

gave in a verdict of guilty. A poor woman, equally innocent, he sentenced to be whipped, making at the same time the coarse joke, ‘ It may be a cold morning to strip, but we shall try to keep you warm, madam. * The King’s language has been slightly modified.

otherwise, a fair trial, has moderated the religious comparatively recent date.

Religious fanaticism is

the strongest passion of which the human breast is capable, and we may exonerate, to a certain extent

at least, preceding generations from blame for cruelties perpetrated by the masses during crises of great excitement, and under the pressure of overwhelming influences. Still, we cannot reconcile the pomp and pageantry of the English Court of the sixteenth


(10)

(17)

century, the brilliant displays of its great nobles, the lofty conceptions of its great writers, with the

country?

Need I mention the Corporation Act of

horrors that were then committed under the cloak

1662, which deprived the Dissenters of the most valued rights of a citizen; the Five-Mile Act of

of religion.

Smithfield was long ablaze with the

1665, which strove to make it impossible for Non-

fires at which Protestants suffered for their faith.

conforming Ministers to earn a living and hard for

When the stake had ceased to send forth its ghastly glare, the Roman Catholics had to endure numberless

them to escape being sent to gaol ; and the Test Act of 1673, which imposed a qualification on all

oppressive and cruel restrictions at the hands of a Protestant Government. Under James II. the Protestant majority came in once more for its share of persecution. After his fall in 1688, despite the growth of civilisation, the Roman Catholics again paid the penalty for their creed; and for 150 years afterwards they were excluded from both Houses of

officials which most Nonconformists could not conscientiously take ? And these Acts were all passed during the reign of Charles II., ‘the merry monarch,’ as he was called from the levity and licentiousness of his conduct. It was only after the Revolution of 1680, which unfettered public opinion, that the

Toleration Act gave the Dissenters the right to worship freely after their own manner. During

Parliament, as well as from public offices of all kinds. In Ireland especially the intolerance which

the eighteenth century a series of remedial laws

was exercised against the Roman Catholics until

slowly, but gradually, removed the disabilities and

the end of the first quarter of this century was

almost inconceivable. They were for the greater part of a century prohibited under pain of death from practising their religion; priests were prohibited under the same penalty

from marrying

Catholics, and marriages solemnised by them were treated as void in law: in short, Catholics were

debarred from every right of citizenship and dealt with as rebels and outlaws. Need I enlarge on the restrictions and dis-

abilities imposed on the Nonconformists of this

inequalities which attended Dissent; but it was not until 1828 that the Test and Corporation Act was

entirely repealed ; and it may be said that it was not until 1880 with the Burials Act that the religious equality of the Nonconformist was finally established. Intolerance in its

most

inhuman form was

long exemplified by the treatment of the Jews in this country. It is strange to record that in the comparatively uncivilised days of the last Saxon and

first Norman Kings the Jews enjoyed in England the same rights and liberties as any of their fellowB


(10)

(17)

century, the brilliant displays of its great nobles, the lofty conceptions of its great writers, with the

country?

Need I mention the Corporation Act of

horrors that were then committed under the cloak

1662, which deprived the Dissenters of the most valued rights of a citizen; the Five-Mile Act of

of religion.

Smithfield was long ablaze with the

1665, which strove to make it impossible for Non-

fires at which Protestants suffered for their faith.

conforming Ministers to earn a living and hard for

When the stake had ceased to send forth its ghastly glare, the Roman Catholics had to endure numberless

them to escape being sent to gaol ; and the Test Act of 1673, which imposed a qualification on all

oppressive and cruel restrictions at the hands of a Protestant Government. Under James II. the Protestant majority came in once more for its share of persecution. After his fall in 1688, despite the growth of civilisation, the Roman Catholics again paid the penalty for their creed; and for 150 years afterwards they were excluded from both Houses of

officials which most Nonconformists could not conscientiously take ? And these Acts were all passed during the reign of Charles II., ‘the merry monarch,’ as he was called from the levity and licentiousness of his conduct. It was only after the Revolution of 1680, which unfettered public opinion, that the

Toleration Act gave the Dissenters the right to worship freely after their own manner. During

Parliament, as well as from public offices of all kinds. In Ireland especially the intolerance which

the eighteenth century a series of remedial laws

was exercised against the Roman Catholics until

slowly, but gradually, removed the disabilities and

the end of the first quarter of this century was

almost inconceivable. They were for the greater part of a century prohibited under pain of death from practising their religion; priests were prohibited under the same penalty

from marrying

Catholics, and marriages solemnised by them were treated as void in law: in short, Catholics were

debarred from every right of citizenship and dealt with as rebels and outlaws. Need I enlarge on the restrictions and dis-

abilities imposed on the Nonconformists of this

inequalities which attended Dissent; but it was not until 1828 that the Test and Corporation Act was

entirely repealed ; and it may be said that it was not until 1880 with the Burials Act that the religious equality of the Nonconformist was finally established. Intolerance in its

most

inhuman form was

long exemplified by the treatment of the Jews in this country. It is strange to record that in the comparatively uncivilised days of the last Saxon and

first Norman Kings the Jews enjoyed in England the same rights and liberties as any of their fellowB


(18) William Rufus, the son of the Conqueror,

to the extension of our political liberties and the

was even so partial to their race and faith that he is

establishment of religious equality. It has entered into every phase of our social life. Cruelty was the natural accompaniment of the occupations of the upper classes in former times. That it was not

citizens.

said to have thought of embracing Judaism.

As the

Jewish body grew stronger and more prosperous, it excited the greed and animosity of the Plantagenet kings and their nobles. Accused of crimes they

civilisation only that stamped out this state of affairs can be seen if we refer to the history of

never committed, the Jews were systematically plundered, tortured, and massacred, then occasionally respited only to be more freely plundered

and tortured again,

until in 1290

now decayed countries, which were as highly civilised as ours is, but where public opinion did not exist. You are well aware that in times of antiquity Rome was the capital of an empire which embraced

they were

summarily expelled from these shores. About four centuries later Cromwell allowed them to return. Yet they gained little by this permission.

the greater portion of the known globe.

ment, the culture, the art, and the literature of Rome have not been surpassed, and yet in the first century of the Christian era customs prevailed in Rome which

For upwards of another century, during the enlightened reigns of Queen Anne and the Georges, they were legally, if not virtually, forbidden to hold land; they were excluded from every profession

are revolting in their barbarity.

chastity of the most stringent kind.

1828 only twelve Jews were suffered to carry on business as brokers in the City of London. Until

If they broke

these vows they incurred the penalty of being buried

alive—a penalty which was still actually enforced in the first century. Another instance of the inhumanity of those days was afforded by the law, that for a

1832 no Jew was allowed to open a shop in London. Until the Reform Bill of 1831 no Jew was allowed to vote. It has been the privilege of our age to

murder committed by a slave every slave in the

establishment of his master might suffer death. It is recorded that about the year 50 a slave murdered, in i‘,.v., -_

redeem the iniquities of the past.

public opinion has wrought has not been confined

A temple was dedi-

cated to the goddess of fire, Vesta. It was served by priestesses called Vestals, who took vows of

and trade, from every political, civil, and municipal office, and the commonest duties of a citizen. Until

CRUELTY.——The change which the influence of

The refine-

S: 5.

a fit of jealousy, one of his fellow-slaves, who was his

rival in love.

The wealthy master sent to execu-


(18) William Rufus, the son of the Conqueror,

to the extension of our political liberties and the

was even so partial to their race and faith that he is

establishment of religious equality. It has entered into every phase of our social life. Cruelty was the natural accompaniment of the occupations of the upper classes in former times. That it was not

citizens.

said to have thought of embracing Judaism.

As the

Jewish body grew stronger and more prosperous, it excited the greed and animosity of the Plantagenet kings and their nobles. Accused of crimes they

civilisation only that stamped out this state of affairs can be seen if we refer to the history of

never committed, the Jews were systematically plundered, tortured, and massacred, then occasionally respited only to be more freely plundered

and tortured again,

until in 1290

now decayed countries, which were as highly civilised as ours is, but where public opinion did not exist. You are well aware that in times of antiquity Rome was the capital of an empire which embraced

they were

summarily expelled from these shores. About four centuries later Cromwell allowed them to return. Yet they gained little by this permission.

the greater portion of the known globe.

ment, the culture, the art, and the literature of Rome have not been surpassed, and yet in the first century of the Christian era customs prevailed in Rome which

For upwards of another century, during the enlightened reigns of Queen Anne and the Georges, they were legally, if not virtually, forbidden to hold land; they were excluded from every profession

are revolting in their barbarity.

chastity of the most stringent kind.

1828 only twelve Jews were suffered to carry on business as brokers in the City of London. Until

If they broke

these vows they incurred the penalty of being buried

alive—a penalty which was still actually enforced in the first century. Another instance of the inhumanity of those days was afforded by the law, that for a

1832 no Jew was allowed to open a shop in London. Until the Reform Bill of 1831 no Jew was allowed to vote. It has been the privilege of our age to

murder committed by a slave every slave in the

establishment of his master might suffer death. It is recorded that about the year 50 a slave murdered, in i‘,.v., -_

redeem the iniquities of the past.

public opinion has wrought has not been confined

A temple was dedi-

cated to the goddess of fire, Vesta. It was served by priestesses called Vestals, who took vows of

and trade, from every political, civil, and municipal office, and the commonest duties of a citizen. Until

CRUELTY.——The change which the influence of

The refine-

S: 5.

a fit of jealousy, one of his fellow-slaves, who was his

rival in love.

The wealthy master sent to execu-


(20)

(21)

tion his whole establishment, numbering 400 human beings, who were all innocent of any share in the

management fostered instead of checking crime. Nowadays, by a careful classification of prisoners, young offenders are precluded from making the contaminating acquaintance of incorrigible criminals; and hard by the doors of most prisons are refuges where discharged prisoners are received, and placed

crime. In Rome conger-eels, called Murenae, were considered a great delicacy, and were kept in large tanks. Some of them attained a length of seven feet, and were as voracious as sharks. It was thought they fattened best on human flesh, and slaves guilty only of trivial offences were thrown alive into their

in the way of earning an honest livelihood in the

future.

Even in the beginning of this century such

Yet in no country were the people so much

offences as forgery and sheep-stealing were punished

courted as in Rome, and was mob-rule so powerful. If there was no public opinion to condemn these horrors, it was because the minds of the masses were

with death ; and some of those present may perhaps

tanks.

debased by the idolatrous practices of their religion ; and their morals degraded by the system of slavery which lowered men to the level of the brute, and incapacitated him from having the consciousness of

his worth which the religion and freedom of later days have instilled into his mind.

From the Middle Ages down to the middle of last century every judicial court had its torture-chamber.

remember the days when men and women were subjected to the cruel and degrading penance of the stocks. After the Jacobite rebellion of 1715 rebels

were disembowelled before they were hanged.

Men

were pressed to death so late as the middle of the

last century, when on being cross-questioned they refused to give evidence; and up to the same date wives who murdered their husbands were condemned to be burnt alive.

Judicial cruelty was equalled by the barbarity Bear-baiting, which had been

James 11., before his accession to the throne, presided

of popular pastimes.

at the tortures of the Scotch Covenanters.

Jeffries

popular in the time of Elizabeth, had gone out of

ordered an old woman, Mrs. Gaunt, to be burnt alive because she had harboured a rebel, and James II.

applauded the act. In Scotland up to within a hundred years ago every Highland chief had an executioner in his train. Gaols up to recent times

fashion, but bull-baiting existed until the last generation. At Stamford it was a common recreation of the people to bait a mad bull through the streets. Cock—fighting, a still more cruel amusement, survived until lately. At the beginning of

were centres of disease and immorality, and their

this century it was the pastime of high and low.


(20)

(21)

tion his whole establishment, numbering 400 human beings, who were all innocent of any share in the

management fostered instead of checking crime. Nowadays, by a careful classification of prisoners, young offenders are precluded from making the contaminating acquaintance of incorrigible criminals; and hard by the doors of most prisons are refuges where discharged prisoners are received, and placed

crime. In Rome conger-eels, called Murenae, were considered a great delicacy, and were kept in large tanks. Some of them attained a length of seven feet, and were as voracious as sharks. It was thought they fattened best on human flesh, and slaves guilty only of trivial offences were thrown alive into their

in the way of earning an honest livelihood in the

future.

Even in the beginning of this century such

Yet in no country were the people so much

offences as forgery and sheep-stealing were punished

courted as in Rome, and was mob-rule so powerful. If there was no public opinion to condemn these horrors, it was because the minds of the masses were

with death ; and some of those present may perhaps

tanks.

debased by the idolatrous practices of their religion ; and their morals degraded by the system of slavery which lowered men to the level of the brute, and incapacitated him from having the consciousness of

his worth which the religion and freedom of later days have instilled into his mind.

From the Middle Ages down to the middle of last century every judicial court had its torture-chamber.

remember the days when men and women were subjected to the cruel and degrading penance of the stocks. After the Jacobite rebellion of 1715 rebels

were disembowelled before they were hanged.

Men

were pressed to death so late as the middle of the

last century, when on being cross-questioned they refused to give evidence; and up to the same date wives who murdered their husbands were condemned to be burnt alive.

Judicial cruelty was equalled by the barbarity Bear-baiting, which had been

James 11., before his accession to the throne, presided

of popular pastimes.

at the tortures of the Scotch Covenanters.

Jeffries

popular in the time of Elizabeth, had gone out of

ordered an old woman, Mrs. Gaunt, to be burnt alive because she had harboured a rebel, and James II.

applauded the act. In Scotland up to within a hundred years ago every Highland chief had an executioner in his train. Gaols up to recent times

fashion, but bull-baiting existed until the last generation. At Stamford it was a common recreation of the people to bait a mad bull through the streets. Cock—fighting, a still more cruel amusement, survived until lately. At the beginning of

were centres of disease and immorality, and their

this century it was the pastime of high and low.


(22)

( 533 )

The fights were the subject of wagers even more extravagant than are now bet on horse—racing. A story is told of one young man of fashion, Mr. Ardesoif of Tottenham, who, in 1789, to revenge himself for his loss on one of these encounters had the losing bird roasted alive; but by a just retribu-

was not only tolerated, but occasionally connived at

by the landlords of the district. Now our coasts are girt with a chain of lighthouses which serve both as a guide and a warning to the mariner ; and assistance

tion of Providence dropped dead himself before the wretched bird expired. But of all the abominations

is rendered to vessels in distress by the dauntless crews of the National Life-boats. Since its establishment in 1824:, the National Life-boat Institution has saved upwards of 30,000 lives. Moreover, no seaport

of which history tells us, perhaps none ever equalled

town of importance is now without its Sailors’ Home,

those of the Slave—trade.

where shipwrecked and distressed sailors are received. The name of Mr. Plimsoll has become a household

Negro men, women, and

even children, many of them in a high position among their race, were kidnapped by the thousand on the coast of Africa, crammed to suffocation into

word owing to his exertions on behalf of the sailor population, the perils of whose calling, though still

the holds of ships, where they became a prey to the foulest diseases, and were sold into slavery in the West Indies and America. It was chiefly owing to

great, have been appreciably reduced by the legisla-

the exertions of Mr. Wilberforce, father of the late Bishop of Oxford, that this traffic in human life was abolished in 1806. A distinctive feature of the humanity of the age we live in, is the increased security which is afforded

Another illustration of the humane spirit of the

to navigation. In lay-gone days the population along our coasts regarded a wreck as a stroke of .good fortune, considered the cargo a fair spoil, and did not

attempt to save the crew.

At some dangerous points

tion he obtained for making penal the overloading of

vessels and the use of unseaworthy ships. day is supplied by the tenderness displayed even in the killing of homeless dogs. No longer hung from a tree or thrown into a mill-pond with a stone around

its neck, the stray dog is rescued from the street, treated for three days with every care and attention in the Dogs’ Home, and if not claimed, is made to inhale a narcotic, which puts an end to its existence, if not with absolute pleasure, at least without pain.

of the coast there was a class of people who lived by

the practice of luring storm-stricken vessels on to the rocks by means of false beacons,

a practice which

INTEMPERANCE.——But perhaps the greatest change that has been effected by public opinion within the


(22)

( 533 )

The fights were the subject of wagers even more extravagant than are now bet on horse—racing. A story is told of one young man of fashion, Mr. Ardesoif of Tottenham, who, in 1789, to revenge himself for his loss on one of these encounters had the losing bird roasted alive; but by a just retribu-

was not only tolerated, but occasionally connived at

by the landlords of the district. Now our coasts are girt with a chain of lighthouses which serve both as a guide and a warning to the mariner ; and assistance

tion of Providence dropped dead himself before the wretched bird expired. But of all the abominations

is rendered to vessels in distress by the dauntless crews of the National Life-boats. Since its establishment in 1824:, the National Life-boat Institution has saved upwards of 30,000 lives. Moreover, no seaport

of which history tells us, perhaps none ever equalled

town of importance is now without its Sailors’ Home,

those of the Slave—trade.

where shipwrecked and distressed sailors are received. The name of Mr. Plimsoll has become a household

Negro men, women, and

even children, many of them in a high position among their race, were kidnapped by the thousand on the coast of Africa, crammed to suffocation into

word owing to his exertions on behalf of the sailor population, the perils of whose calling, though still

the holds of ships, where they became a prey to the foulest diseases, and were sold into slavery in the West Indies and America. It was chiefly owing to

great, have been appreciably reduced by the legisla-

the exertions of Mr. Wilberforce, father of the late Bishop of Oxford, that this traffic in human life was abolished in 1806. A distinctive feature of the humanity of the age we live in, is the increased security which is afforded

Another illustration of the humane spirit of the

to navigation. In lay-gone days the population along our coasts regarded a wreck as a stroke of .good fortune, considered the cargo a fair spoil, and did not

attempt to save the crew.

At some dangerous points

tion he obtained for making penal the overloading of

vessels and the use of unseaworthy ships. day is supplied by the tenderness displayed even in the killing of homeless dogs. No longer hung from a tree or thrown into a mill-pond with a stone around

its neck, the stray dog is rescued from the street, treated for three days with every care and attention in the Dogs’ Home, and if not claimed, is made to inhale a narcotic, which puts an end to its existence, if not with absolute pleasure, at least without pain.

of the coast there was a class of people who lived by

the practice of luring storm-stricken vessels on to the rocks by means of false beacons,

a practice which

INTEMPERANCE.——But perhaps the greatest change that has been effected by public opinion within the


(24)

(25»

last fifty years is exemplified in the diminution of

unable to restrain his passion for drink, he entered a low public-house at Dover ; and though disguised,

lntemperance.

Those who now give way to this

vice—and their number is, unfortunately, still considerable—are misled either by the force of a habit that has been transmitted for many generations, or by ignorance as to its effects on mind and body, and its injury to their material surroundings.

Up to a recent date lntemperance was not only not considered a vice, but was looked upon as a sign of manliness and vigour. The highest vied with the lowest in the cultivation of excessive drinking. Lord Chancellor Jeffries was no less famous for his intem— perance than for his other vices ; in fact, when about to proceed on circuit, Charles II. once warned him: ‘It is a hot summer; pray do not drink too much.’ But Jefli‘ies did drink, and the innocent suffered.

At a later date (1686), Jeffries and a party of Cabinet Ministers, including Lord

Rochester, the

King’s uncle, all got riotously drunk. They stripped to their shirts, and intended to climb a sign-post in

was recognised by one of his former Victims, captured, and taken to the Tower, where, after three months, he killed himself by drinking large quantities of brandy. During the whole of the eighteenth century, intemperance, and, consequently, grossness of habits, were universally prevalent. In 1719 Lord

Wharton gave a dinner to celebrate the coming of age of his son, the future famous Duke of Wharton, owner of the estates of VVaddesdon and Upper \Vin-

chenden.

After the party had freely partaken of

liquor, the youthful lord rose to propose the health of his father in the following terms :—— ‘ I pray God to shorten The days of Lord \Vharton, And set up his son in his stead. He’ll drink and he’ll roar, And a thousand things more,

And never go sober to bed.’

a public thoroughfare to drink the King’s health on

The comical point of the incident is that old Lord

the top—a freak which they were prevented from

Wharton, being stone—deaf, responded ‘Amen.’

accomplishing by an accident.

him was brought about by his love for drink.

Sir Robert lValpole, the Prime Minister, the possessor of one of the finest mansions and choicest galleries of pictures in the country, was a model of intemperance and coarseness. He must have had a

After the fall of James 11., Jeffries fled to save

lurking suspicion, however, of the degradation of

himself from an inquiry into his judicial crimes.

intemperance, for he often sent for one of his sons

As I shall not have

occasion to refer to 'Jeffries again, I may mention that the retribution which ultimately overtook

But,


(24)

(25»

last fifty years is exemplified in the diminution of

unable to restrain his passion for drink, he entered a low public-house at Dover ; and though disguised,

lntemperance.

Those who now give way to this

vice—and their number is, unfortunately, still considerable—are misled either by the force of a habit that has been transmitted for many generations, or by ignorance as to its effects on mind and body, and its injury to their material surroundings.

Up to a recent date lntemperance was not only not considered a vice, but was looked upon as a sign of manliness and vigour. The highest vied with the lowest in the cultivation of excessive drinking. Lord Chancellor Jeffries was no less famous for his intem— perance than for his other vices ; in fact, when about to proceed on circuit, Charles II. once warned him: ‘It is a hot summer; pray do not drink too much.’ But Jefli‘ies did drink, and the innocent suffered.

At a later date (1686), Jeffries and a party of Cabinet Ministers, including Lord

Rochester, the

King’s uncle, all got riotously drunk. They stripped to their shirts, and intended to climb a sign-post in

was recognised by one of his former Victims, captured, and taken to the Tower, where, after three months, he killed himself by drinking large quantities of brandy. During the whole of the eighteenth century, intemperance, and, consequently, grossness of habits, were universally prevalent. In 1719 Lord

Wharton gave a dinner to celebrate the coming of age of his son, the future famous Duke of Wharton, owner of the estates of VVaddesdon and Upper \Vin-

chenden.

After the party had freely partaken of

liquor, the youthful lord rose to propose the health of his father in the following terms :—— ‘ I pray God to shorten The days of Lord \Vharton, And set up his son in his stead. He’ll drink and he’ll roar, And a thousand things more,

And never go sober to bed.’

a public thoroughfare to drink the King’s health on

The comical point of the incident is that old Lord

the top—a freak which they were prevented from

Wharton, being stone—deaf, responded ‘Amen.’

accomplishing by an accident.

him was brought about by his love for drink.

Sir Robert lValpole, the Prime Minister, the possessor of one of the finest mansions and choicest galleries of pictures in the country, was a model of intemperance and coarseness. He must have had a

After the fall of James 11., Jeffries fled to save

lurking suspicion, however, of the degradation of

himself from an inquiry into his judicial crimes.

intemperance, for he often sent for one of his sons

As I shall not have

occasion to refer to 'Jeffries again, I may mention that the retribution which ultimately overtook

But,


(26)

(27)

after dinner, and made the boy drink twice as much

city, some five-and-twenty years ago, there were undergraduates’ clubs, the qualification for member-

as he did himself, saying, ‘The son should not be a witness of the father’s intoxication.’ The younger Pitt, who died in 1806, as illustrious and high-minded a Minister as ever ruled Great Britain, was addicted to intemperance, the public opinion of his time not being powerful enough to make him feel its disapproval. Nor did it affect his contemporary, Sheridan, who, according to Lord Byron, gave English literature the finest comedy it possesses, and Parliament the noblest effort of oratory in its annals. Before one of

his greatest speeches he drank, at one gulp, a pint of brandy neat. A friend remarked upon this, that he would destroy the coats of his stomach. ‘ Then my stomach must digest in its waistcoat,’ retorted Sheridan. Sheridan, it may be added, died in absolute want.

It was an almost general custom at the beginning of this century, where a party had assembled for dinner, to order up several dozen bottles of wine, then throw the key out of the window as a pledge that they would not leave until all the drink was consumed. Intemperance is still prevalent in the

ship of which consisted in being able to drink a whole bottle of claret without taking the bottle from

the lips ; and others, in which you were required never to drink less than three bottles of claret at dinner. That these drinking customs at the University were of ancient origin can be seen from an extract from one of Lord ()hcstcrfield’s letters to his son, written in 1720: ‘When 1 first went to Cambridge,’

he says, ‘I drank and smoked» though I hated both practices—because I thought it genteel, and made me look like a man.’

It may be apparent from these illustrations, which extend over a considerable period, that the fashion of intemperance was not out of accord with a high state of civilisation. But since public opinion arose to mark out its faults and condemn them it cannot be denied that the inebriated man, whatever be his position, is looked upon with contempt and

' disgust.

No better proof could be desired of the

decrease of drunkenness in this country than

is

afforded by the loss to the Exchequer through the

country, and certain antiquated drinking customs are even now in existence that promote the vice ; but we

diminution in the quantity of spirits on which duty

must hope they will soon be abolished. I cannot say whether the custom still prevails at Cambridge, but I remember when I first visited the University

On the other hand, how much is yet to be

is paid.

achieved in the field of temperance is shown by the

existence of the network of Temperance organizations


(26)

(27)

after dinner, and made the boy drink twice as much

city, some five-and-twenty years ago, there were undergraduates’ clubs, the qualification for member-

as he did himself, saying, ‘The son should not be a witness of the father’s intoxication.’ The younger Pitt, who died in 1806, as illustrious and high-minded a Minister as ever ruled Great Britain, was addicted to intemperance, the public opinion of his time not being powerful enough to make him feel its disapproval. Nor did it affect his contemporary, Sheridan, who, according to Lord Byron, gave English literature the finest comedy it possesses, and Parliament the noblest effort of oratory in its annals. Before one of

his greatest speeches he drank, at one gulp, a pint of brandy neat. A friend remarked upon this, that he would destroy the coats of his stomach. ‘ Then my stomach must digest in its waistcoat,’ retorted Sheridan. Sheridan, it may be added, died in absolute want.

It was an almost general custom at the beginning of this century, where a party had assembled for dinner, to order up several dozen bottles of wine, then throw the key out of the window as a pledge that they would not leave until all the drink was consumed. Intemperance is still prevalent in the

ship of which consisted in being able to drink a whole bottle of claret without taking the bottle from

the lips ; and others, in which you were required never to drink less than three bottles of claret at dinner. That these drinking customs at the University were of ancient origin can be seen from an extract from one of Lord ()hcstcrfield’s letters to his son, written in 1720: ‘When 1 first went to Cambridge,’

he says, ‘I drank and smoked» though I hated both practices—because I thought it genteel, and made me look like a man.’

It may be apparent from these illustrations, which extend over a considerable period, that the fashion of intemperance was not out of accord with a high state of civilisation. But since public opinion arose to mark out its faults and condemn them it cannot be denied that the inebriated man, whatever be his position, is looked upon with contempt and

' disgust.

No better proof could be desired of the

decrease of drunkenness in this country than

is

afforded by the loss to the Exchequer through the

country, and certain antiquated drinking customs are even now in existence that promote the vice ; but we

diminution in the quantity of spirits on which duty

must hope they will soon be abolished. I cannot say whether the custom still prevails at Cambridge, but I remember when I first visited the University

On the other hand, how much is yet to be

is paid.

achieved in the field of temperance is shown by the

existence of the network of Temperance organizations


h

(29)

(28) I am not acquainted with

General may be excused for the comparatively mild

the exact number of such societies, but I know that

language they used. Later still, it is recorded that Lord Melbourne was sitting next Queen Victoria at dinner at Windsor, when her Majesty asked his opinion of the Repeal of the Corn Laws, which the late Sir Robert Peel was ‘It’s a damned dishonest act, then advocating.

throughout the kingdom.

London alone possesses eighteen, without counting their many branches and ramifications.

SWEARING.—Intemperance of language had long been as prevalent as intemperance in drink. Up to a very recent date persons of all classes and all ranks rarely spoke without making use of expressions which are now condemned as offensive. change

is

beth used

of recent

occurrence.

Queen

ma’am,’ replied the erewhile Prime Minister, with more force than elegance.

Lord Chief Justice

Monahan, an Irish Judge who died only a few years ago, when dining at the present Sir Robert Peel’s

But the Eliza-

table when he was Chief Secretary for Ireland, being asked by Lady Emily Peel, ‘How are you, Chief Justice?’ replied, ‘Blood an’ ouns, madam, I’m

language on public occasions which

only the lowest character would now think of employing. Bad language was never more general than at the end of last century and the beginning

pretty well.’

This was the Judge whom Sir Robert

Peel had to defend in Parliament for his habit of

of this. To this very day Frenchmen call Englishmen ‘Goddams’——this being the expression they

swearing on the Bench.

most frequently hear from our compatriots. At the Battle of \Vaterloo, at which, I need not tell you, the Duke of Wellington was in command of the

MANNERs.—It would take me too long were I to enlarge on the transformation public opinion has

British Army, one of his generals was the Earl of Uxbridge, afterwards Marquis of Anglesea. A can-

wrought in our fashions, in our dress, and in our

non-ball struck the Earl, who was standing next the Duke, whereupon he turned round and exclaimed, ‘By

Queen Elizabeth.

God, Duke, I’ve lost my leg!’

they were in their time; and, to a certain extent,

manners, both public and private, since the days of We often hear from our elders

that the manners of the present day are worse than

To which the Duke

the assertion is justifiable.

replied, calmly, ‘By God, Sir, have you really?7 Under the circumstances, perhaps the Duke and the

In former times there

was an elaborate courtesy of manner which has al—

I

.


h

(29)

(28) I am not acquainted with

General may be excused for the comparatively mild

the exact number of such societies, but I know that

language they used. Later still, it is recorded that Lord Melbourne was sitting next Queen Victoria at dinner at Windsor, when her Majesty asked his opinion of the Repeal of the Corn Laws, which the late Sir Robert Peel was ‘It’s a damned dishonest act, then advocating.

throughout the kingdom.

London alone possesses eighteen, without counting their many branches and ramifications.

SWEARING.—Intemperance of language had long been as prevalent as intemperance in drink. Up to a very recent date persons of all classes and all ranks rarely spoke without making use of expressions which are now condemned as offensive. change

is

beth used

of recent

occurrence.

Queen

ma’am,’ replied the erewhile Prime Minister, with more force than elegance.

Lord Chief Justice

Monahan, an Irish Judge who died only a few years ago, when dining at the present Sir Robert Peel’s

But the Eliza-

table when he was Chief Secretary for Ireland, being asked by Lady Emily Peel, ‘How are you, Chief Justice?’ replied, ‘Blood an’ ouns, madam, I’m

language on public occasions which

only the lowest character would now think of employing. Bad language was never more general than at the end of last century and the beginning

pretty well.’

This was the Judge whom Sir Robert

Peel had to defend in Parliament for his habit of

of this. To this very day Frenchmen call Englishmen ‘Goddams’——this being the expression they

swearing on the Bench.

most frequently hear from our compatriots. At the Battle of \Vaterloo, at which, I need not tell you, the Duke of Wellington was in command of the

MANNERs.—It would take me too long were I to enlarge on the transformation public opinion has

British Army, one of his generals was the Earl of Uxbridge, afterwards Marquis of Anglesea. A can-

wrought in our fashions, in our dress, and in our

non-ball struck the Earl, who was standing next the Duke, whereupon he turned round and exclaimed, ‘By

Queen Elizabeth.

God, Duke, I’ve lost my leg!’

they were in their time; and, to a certain extent,

manners, both public and private, since the days of We often hear from our elders

that the manners of the present day are worse than

To which the Duke

the assertion is justifiable.

replied, calmly, ‘By God, Sir, have you really?7 Under the circumstances, perhaps the Duke and the

In former times there

was an elaborate courtesy of manner which has al—

I

.


(30) most entirely disappeared.

Up to the beginning of

this century gentlemen wore their fine dress with ease; they were trained to make deep salutations, to

(31) dress. Certainly we indulge in less show of politeness, and we must deplore the rough-and-ready ways which it is now the fashion to assume. But

Stair happened to leave the royal palace together,

these, it may be said in palliation, arise from the press of business common to every one, which precludes us from devoting the time and attention Nevertheless, necessary to outward appearances. rough as we may be, public opinion would no longer tolerate the peculiarities—a very mild word—of the manners for which the worthies of the past have

and the King, as the royal chariot drew near, 1110-

not been considered anything the worse.

tioned Lord Stair to enter it first. The Ambassador did so, and the propriety of his conduct being afterwards criticised in the court circle, one of the

Elizabeth, when she presided at her councils, generally took good care to have a young and handsome minister at her feet, with whose locks she played and whose face she stroked as the business progressed. Sir Christopher Hatton, whose chief recommendation to her Majesty’s notice was the fairness of his complexion and the gracefulness of his danc-

walk and dance with grace.

The greatest importance

was then attached to minute points of politeness. Towards the end of the seventeenth century Lord Stair was our Ambassador in France. The French King, Louis XIV., prided himself on the perfection of the manners of his court. One day he and Lord

courtiers observed to the King that Lord Stair had been guilty of a breach of etiquette and politeness

in entering the carriage before his Majesty. ‘No,’ said the King, ‘the Ambassador was right ; it would have been rude on his part to have disobeyed my

request.’ A century ago Dr. Johnson was ridiculed for having returned the bow of a negro boy in the street, whereupon he declared that he ‘would not be outdone in good manners by a negro.’ There was much hypocrisy, however, beneath the outward polish and formality of the manners of our

Queen

ing, was made Lord Chancellor, and often had to take off his robes and dance before his Sovereign. Queen Elizabeth boxed and pinched the ears of

her ladies-in—waiting, and on one occasion spat in the face of her handsome favourite, Sir Matthew

forefathers. Courteous as they were, their habits were

Arundel, with whose remarks she was displeased. When George IV. was Prince of Wales, he and Sheridan—whom I have already mentioned—and

gross, and contrasted singularly with their stately

Lord Surrey, were intimate friends.

politeness and with the elegance of their bearing and

an’msements was to meet at a low tavern called the

One of their


(30) most entirely disappeared.

Up to the beginning of

this century gentlemen wore their fine dress with ease; they were trained to make deep salutations, to

(31) dress. Certainly we indulge in less show of politeness, and we must deplore the rough-and-ready ways which it is now the fashion to assume. But

Stair happened to leave the royal palace together,

these, it may be said in palliation, arise from the press of business common to every one, which precludes us from devoting the time and attention Nevertheless, necessary to outward appearances. rough as we may be, public opinion would no longer tolerate the peculiarities—a very mild word—of the manners for which the worthies of the past have

and the King, as the royal chariot drew near, 1110-

not been considered anything the worse.

tioned Lord Stair to enter it first. The Ambassador did so, and the propriety of his conduct being afterwards criticised in the court circle, one of the

Elizabeth, when she presided at her councils, generally took good care to have a young and handsome minister at her feet, with whose locks she played and whose face she stroked as the business progressed. Sir Christopher Hatton, whose chief recommendation to her Majesty’s notice was the fairness of his complexion and the gracefulness of his danc-

walk and dance with grace.

The greatest importance

was then attached to minute points of politeness. Towards the end of the seventeenth century Lord Stair was our Ambassador in France. The French King, Louis XIV., prided himself on the perfection of the manners of his court. One day he and Lord

courtiers observed to the King that Lord Stair had been guilty of a breach of etiquette and politeness

in entering the carriage before his Majesty. ‘No,’ said the King, ‘the Ambassador was right ; it would have been rude on his part to have disobeyed my

request.’ A century ago Dr. Johnson was ridiculed for having returned the bow of a negro boy in the street, whereupon he declared that he ‘would not be outdone in good manners by a negro.’ There was much hypocrisy, however, beneath the outward polish and formality of the manners of our

Queen

ing, was made Lord Chancellor, and often had to take off his robes and dance before his Sovereign. Queen Elizabeth boxed and pinched the ears of

her ladies-in—waiting, and on one occasion spat in the face of her handsome favourite, Sir Matthew

forefathers. Courteous as they were, their habits were

Arundel, with whose remarks she was displeased. When George IV. was Prince of Wales, he and Sheridan—whom I have already mentioned—and

gross, and contrasted singularly with their stately

Lord Surrey, were intimate friends.

politeness and with the elegance of their bearing and

an’msements was to meet at a low tavern called the

One of their


(33)

(32)

‘Salutation,’ at Tavistock Garden, where the Prince

which

went by the name of Blackstock, Lord Surrey that of Greystock, and Sheridan, Thinstock. Disguised in various ways they knocked about the streets, and from one tavern to another. One night they went to a public-house in St. Giles’s called the ‘Brown

is that of Duelling.

Bear,’ where they became so drunk and noisy that

they were all three arrested by the watch, and owed their release merely to a witty remark of Sheridan. They ended the night with a supper at the ‘Salutation.’ I might give you endless instances of such conduct on the part of a prince who was called the ‘ first

gentleman in Europe,’ on account of his fine manners. One more specimen of the behaviour in which he habitually indulged will suffice. Accompanied by

two of his equerries—one of them Colonel St. Leger, the founder of the St. Leger races at Doncaster—he called on a Miss Vanneck. On entering her room,

public

opinion has

caused

to disappear

In its defence it may be said

that it exercised some restraint on the violent in-

stincts of our ancestors.

Many a ‘masher’ would

now mend his manners if he knew that they would

bring him opposite the muzzle of a pistol at twelve paces. iidicule was an agent in putting an end to duelling, and the following story is told of

Mr. Philpot Curran, a brilliant Irish lawyer who flourished early in this century.

Mr. Curran, who

was of diminutive stature, once called out a big fellow, who declined the contest on the plea that he was three times the size of Curran, and would there-

fore fight at a great disadvantage. Upon this Curran suggested that his own exact size should be chalked out on his adversary’s form, and all ‘outside it was not to count.’ Needless to add, the laugh was with Curran, and nothing more was heard of the duel.

the two equerries, at a signal from the Prince, pro-

I think, from the illustrations I have given of

ceeded to lay her on the floor, upon which the Prince beat her with his riding-whip. ‘Pray excuse me,’ said the future George IV., ‘Imean no insult : I am

the political and religious intolerance of past times, you may have perceived that the constitutional pro-

merely

opinion have gone on side by side. But you may justly feel inclined to ask for'the causes which so signally subjected to it our manners and‘customs.

carrying

out a wager.’

And,

strangely

enough, Miss Vanneck took the beating and the insult in good part ; and her royal visitor left her on

gress of this country and the progress of public

only because there was no public opinion to condemn it.

I have no hesitation in saying, in reply, that the reasons are the increase in the public itself; for

One of the last barbarous and insane customs

without a public you can manifestly have no public

the most amicable terms.

Such conduct was possible

(‘


(33)

(32)

‘Salutation,’ at Tavistock Garden, where the Prince

which

went by the name of Blackstock, Lord Surrey that of Greystock, and Sheridan, Thinstock. Disguised in various ways they knocked about the streets, and from one tavern to another. One night they went to a public-house in St. Giles’s called the ‘Brown

is that of Duelling.

Bear,’ where they became so drunk and noisy that

they were all three arrested by the watch, and owed their release merely to a witty remark of Sheridan. They ended the night with a supper at the ‘Salutation.’ I might give you endless instances of such conduct on the part of a prince who was called the ‘ first

gentleman in Europe,’ on account of his fine manners. One more specimen of the behaviour in which he habitually indulged will suffice. Accompanied by

two of his equerries—one of them Colonel St. Leger, the founder of the St. Leger races at Doncaster—he called on a Miss Vanneck. On entering her room,

public

opinion has

caused

to disappear

In its defence it may be said

that it exercised some restraint on the violent in-

stincts of our ancestors.

Many a ‘masher’ would

now mend his manners if he knew that they would

bring him opposite the muzzle of a pistol at twelve paces. iidicule was an agent in putting an end to duelling, and the following story is told of

Mr. Philpot Curran, a brilliant Irish lawyer who flourished early in this century.

Mr. Curran, who

was of diminutive stature, once called out a big fellow, who declined the contest on the plea that he was three times the size of Curran, and would there-

fore fight at a great disadvantage. Upon this Curran suggested that his own exact size should be chalked out on his adversary’s form, and all ‘outside it was not to count.’ Needless to add, the laugh was with Curran, and nothing more was heard of the duel.

the two equerries, at a signal from the Prince, pro-

I think, from the illustrations I have given of

ceeded to lay her on the floor, upon which the Prince beat her with his riding-whip. ‘Pray excuse me,’ said the future George IV., ‘Imean no insult : I am

the political and religious intolerance of past times, you may have perceived that the constitutional pro-

merely

opinion have gone on side by side. But you may justly feel inclined to ask for'the causes which so signally subjected to it our manners and‘customs.

carrying

out a wager.’

And,

strangely

enough, Miss Vanneck took the beating and the insult in good part ; and her royal visitor left her on

gress of this country and the progress of public

only because there was no public opinion to condemn it.

I have no hesitation in saying, in reply, that the reasons are the increase in the public itself; for

One of the last barbarous and insane customs

without a public you can manifestly have no public

the most amicable terms.

Such conduct was possible

(‘


<34)

(35)

opinion; the favourable influences under which this

of wheat was then 503. a-quartcr; I need not tell

increase occurred, and the development of the intelligence of the people themselves.

you what it is now. expensive.

Ordinary vegetables were very

Cauliflowers cost 18. 6d. each, they now

combined amounted to between six and seven mil-

cost a penny ; and potatoes were rarely grown. The wages of a day labourer were at the utmost ls. a—day. These wages were settled by the . justices of the peace ; and it was a punishable offence for a

lions, whereas now it amounts to thirty millions.

labourer to accept more than the sum so fixed.

The great increase in the population has naturally been attended with a corresponding increase in the

Two hundred years ago the labourer was in every respect worse off than he is at present. By the

power of the masses.

landlord he was simply looked upon as an instrument for the increase of his wealth. Nor had the labourer the means of improving his own condition. He earned less and had to spend more on the neces— saries of life. Distressed as may be the times in

INTERNAL ECONOMY.—At the accession of James II. in 1685, the population of England and Scotland

Moreover, owing to the con-

ditions of the country as it was then, the people had not the power or the means of uniting and expressing their views with the force and eifeet they do nowa-days. Nor were they in a condition to enforce their opinions. In 1685 half the country consisted of moorland, forest and fen. The system of agriculture was of the rudest description, and the rotation

which we live, and great as are the privations of the unemployed labourer, still there is generally an opening for such as are intelligent, active, and

of crops, though known, was little applied. No means were known of preserving cattle during the

thrifty. Many charitable institutions have sprung up for the relief of the aged, the infirm, or the

winter, and when October came round half the stock had to be slaughtered and salted. The ap-

helpless. In former days the working classes had no means of redress, no voice in legislation, no means of communication; they had no instruction or education, no comfort ; in fact, none of the material

pliances of the farm were so primitive, and ploughs and harrows so inefficient, that the clods they left behind had to be broken up with a heavy instrument

or intellectual facilities they now possess.

called a beetle.

The average weight of a sheep was

this moment can blind himself to the fact that, be he

then 281bs.; it is now 100lbs.: that of an OX

landlord or employer of labour, it is to his personal

was then 370 lbs; it is now 1000 lbs.

interest to improve the moral and physical condition

The price

Who at


<34)

(35)

opinion; the favourable influences under which this

of wheat was then 503. a-quartcr; I need not tell

increase occurred, and the development of the intelligence of the people themselves.

you what it is now. expensive.

Ordinary vegetables were very

Cauliflowers cost 18. 6d. each, they now

combined amounted to between six and seven mil-

cost a penny ; and potatoes were rarely grown. The wages of a day labourer were at the utmost ls. a—day. These wages were settled by the . justices of the peace ; and it was a punishable offence for a

lions, whereas now it amounts to thirty millions.

labourer to accept more than the sum so fixed.

The great increase in the population has naturally been attended with a corresponding increase in the

Two hundred years ago the labourer was in every respect worse off than he is at present. By the

power of the masses.

landlord he was simply looked upon as an instrument for the increase of his wealth. Nor had the labourer the means of improving his own condition. He earned less and had to spend more on the neces— saries of life. Distressed as may be the times in

INTERNAL ECONOMY.—At the accession of James II. in 1685, the population of England and Scotland

Moreover, owing to the con-

ditions of the country as it was then, the people had not the power or the means of uniting and expressing their views with the force and eifeet they do nowa-days. Nor were they in a condition to enforce their opinions. In 1685 half the country consisted of moorland, forest and fen. The system of agriculture was of the rudest description, and the rotation

which we live, and great as are the privations of the unemployed labourer, still there is generally an opening for such as are intelligent, active, and

of crops, though known, was little applied. No means were known of preserving cattle during the

thrifty. Many charitable institutions have sprung up for the relief of the aged, the infirm, or the

winter, and when October came round half the stock had to be slaughtered and salted. The ap-

helpless. In former days the working classes had no means of redress, no voice in legislation, no means of communication; they had no instruction or education, no comfort ; in fact, none of the material

pliances of the farm were so primitive, and ploughs and harrows so inefficient, that the clods they left behind had to be broken up with a heavy instrument

or intellectual facilities they now possess.

called a beetle.

The average weight of a sheep was

this moment can blind himself to the fact that, be he

then 281bs.; it is now 100lbs.: that of an OX

landlord or employer of labour, it is to his personal

was then 370 lbs; it is now 1000 lbs.

interest to improve the moral and physical condition

The price

Who at


( 36 )

(37)

of the people among whom he lives, and whom he

dom; while last year the number had increased to

employs ?

2076. It may be interesting to know that of these 594 profess Liberal principles, 369 are devoted to the

INFORMATION—I have already stated that parliamentary debates were unreported until the end of the eighteenth century, when, owing to the agitation

headed by Wilkes, the then Member for Aylesbury, reporters were in 1776 admitted for the first time to the debates in Parliament. Members then became, to some extent, responsible to their constituents for

Tory cause, 66 are Liberal-Conservative, and the

remainder, 1047, a~e independent organs of public opinion. In London alone there are now 293 newspapers published. Of the total number issued in the United Kingdom—that is, 2076—54 may be classed

as specially devoted to religious purposes, 62 are connected with temperance, 13 are identified with the

their acts and speeches, and were, to a limited degree, controlled by their opinion. The publication of the debates in Parliament soon conjured the newspaper press into existence. For many years before political pamphlets were extensively written and hawked

labour interest, and 7 with the advancement and

about, but they were entirely of a partisan, and, more or less, of a scurrilous nature; and were

the monthly and quarterly reviews and magazines,

written only for the amusement of the upper classes. The newspapers of the present day not only deal

with political subjects, but also discuss moral and social topics, diffuse information upon them, and

employment of women ; to say nothing of the many

fashion papers, which possibly some might place in the same category. But, independent of the newspaper press, immense influence is now wielded by of which 941 are now published ; and it is significant of the extent to which the press is utilised for pur-

poses of moral teaching that no less than 400 of these are of a distinctly religious tendency. There are newspapers and periodicals printed in the Welsh

arouse public opinion to a sense of their importance. In the year 1700 there were but five newspapers in the three kingdoms, and these were of an official character, in the nature of gazettes, being confined to

and Gaelic languages ; and in Lancashire some local prints are partly written in the dialect of that county.

the publication of state and official intelligence.

circulation in this country two magazines consisting of literary compositions by the inmates of lunatic

In

1800 there were 75 newspapers in the United King-

As a final and conclusive proof of the growth of periodical literature, I may mention that there are in


( 36 )

(37)

of the people among whom he lives, and whom he

dom; while last year the number had increased to

employs ?

2076. It may be interesting to know that of these 594 profess Liberal principles, 369 are devoted to the

INFORMATION—I have already stated that parliamentary debates were unreported until the end of the eighteenth century, when, owing to the agitation

headed by Wilkes, the then Member for Aylesbury, reporters were in 1776 admitted for the first time to the debates in Parliament. Members then became, to some extent, responsible to their constituents for

Tory cause, 66 are Liberal-Conservative, and the

remainder, 1047, a~e independent organs of public opinion. In London alone there are now 293 newspapers published. Of the total number issued in the United Kingdom—that is, 2076—54 may be classed

as specially devoted to religious purposes, 62 are connected with temperance, 13 are identified with the

their acts and speeches, and were, to a limited degree, controlled by their opinion. The publication of the debates in Parliament soon conjured the newspaper press into existence. For many years before political pamphlets were extensively written and hawked

labour interest, and 7 with the advancement and

about, but they were entirely of a partisan, and, more or less, of a scurrilous nature; and were

the monthly and quarterly reviews and magazines,

written only for the amusement of the upper classes. The newspapers of the present day not only deal

with political subjects, but also discuss moral and social topics, diffuse information upon them, and

employment of women ; to say nothing of the many

fashion papers, which possibly some might place in the same category. But, independent of the newspaper press, immense influence is now wielded by of which 941 are now published ; and it is significant of the extent to which the press is utilised for pur-

poses of moral teaching that no less than 400 of these are of a distinctly religious tendency. There are newspapers and periodicals printed in the Welsh

arouse public opinion to a sense of their importance. In the year 1700 there were but five newspapers in the three kingdoms, and these were of an official character, in the nature of gazettes, being confined to

and Gaelic languages ; and in Lancashire some local prints are partly written in the dialect of that county.

the publication of state and official intelligence.

circulation in this country two magazines consisting of literary compositions by the inmates of lunatic

In

1800 there were 75 newspapers in the United King-

As a final and conclusive proof of the growth of periodical literature, I may mention that there are in


(38)

(39)

asylums, whose views are said to be by no means the

by the aid of the railway and the telegraph, the views of the leading organs of public opinion were known in every corner of the country at the same time.

wildest to which the public are treated. COMMUNICATION—The expansion of the press to-

wards the close of the last century was followed by numerous scientific discoveries of the utmost value.

Roads and canals furrowed the face of the country, rendering communicating between distant parts com— paratively easy, promoting an interchange of knowledge of their wants and wishes between the people to an extent heretofore unknown ; thus uniting them for the attainment of objects in common, and so forming and concentrating public opinion. In 1706 it took four days to travel from London to York by

stage-coach, a journey not without its perils owing to the roads being infested with highwaymen. That journey can now be accomplished in four hours and

a half.

The utilisation of steam as a motive power

by Watt in 176-3, and its adaptation to the locomotive by Stephenson, have helped the material and moral progress of the countr , no less than the

EDUCATION—YOU. may have gathered from the various facts I have put before you that the attainment of our civil and religious liberties, the adequate representation of the people, the expansion of the press, the progress of agriculture, the facilities of communication, have all conduced towards promoting the growth of public opinion. But one of the chief causes which has led public opinion into a healthy

channel is the spread of education amongst all classes. There was no systematic method of affording elementary instruction to the children of the workingclasses before the passage of the Elementary Education Act of 1870, by which local School Boards were established. There were endowed schools and so— called public schools before that, but the richer

classes derived the benefit.

The Society for the

invention of the telegraph in the early part of this

Promotion of Christian Knowledge and the National

century. Takearecent instance only. Mr. Gladstone’s speeches in Midlothian, some of them filling more

Society began the educational work, which was largely supplemented by the foundation of Voluntary

than five columns of the Tinzes, were in every news-

Schools; but the great mass of the children of the

paper office in the United Kingdom a couple of hours after he had delivered them; they were published in every newspaper on the following morning; and,

poor were left ignorant of the rudiments of learning. In 1834 the Government began to make grants for

the promotion of public education.

Thenceforward


(38)

(39)

asylums, whose views are said to be by no means the

by the aid of the railway and the telegraph, the views of the leading organs of public opinion were known in every corner of the country at the same time.

wildest to which the public are treated. COMMUNICATION—The expansion of the press to-

wards the close of the last century was followed by numerous scientific discoveries of the utmost value.

Roads and canals furrowed the face of the country, rendering communicating between distant parts com— paratively easy, promoting an interchange of knowledge of their wants and wishes between the people to an extent heretofore unknown ; thus uniting them for the attainment of objects in common, and so forming and concentrating public opinion. In 1706 it took four days to travel from London to York by

stage-coach, a journey not without its perils owing to the roads being infested with highwaymen. That journey can now be accomplished in four hours and

a half.

The utilisation of steam as a motive power

by Watt in 176-3, and its adaptation to the locomotive by Stephenson, have helped the material and moral progress of the countr , no less than the

EDUCATION—YOU. may have gathered from the various facts I have put before you that the attainment of our civil and religious liberties, the adequate representation of the people, the expansion of the press, the progress of agriculture, the facilities of communication, have all conduced towards promoting the growth of public opinion. But one of the chief causes which has led public opinion into a healthy

channel is the spread of education amongst all classes. There was no systematic method of affording elementary instruction to the children of the workingclasses before the passage of the Elementary Education Act of 1870, by which local School Boards were established. There were endowed schools and so— called public schools before that, but the richer

classes derived the benefit.

The Society for the

invention of the telegraph in the early part of this

Promotion of Christian Knowledge and the National

century. Takearecent instance only. Mr. Gladstone’s speeches in Midlothian, some of them filling more

Society began the educational work, which was largely supplemented by the foundation of Voluntary

than five columns of the Tinzes, were in every news-

Schools; but the great mass of the children of the

paper office in the United Kingdom a couple of hours after he had delivered them; they were published in every newspaper on the following morning; and,

poor were left ignorant of the rudiments of learning. In 1834 the Government began to make grants for

the promotion of public education.

Thenceforward


(40)

(41)

the education of the masses was gradually improved ; but it was not until the adoption of the compulsory system of 1870 that its advantages came to be

of knowledge, and thus qualify them to aid in forming public opinion. The consequence of the facilitation of intercourse has been to bring together the ignorant and the

availed of to anything approaching the extent which now prevails. In former times all the power of authority in this country rested in the hands of the wealthy, who were then also the educated classes.

Now there is no village in the country where one school at least does not give elementary teaching to

educated, and to enable the masses to judge of the inestimable blessings which education brings in its train. Every educated man knows that rank and wealth are no longer essential to his advancement, or to his attaining that position to which his in-

the young.

dustry and his ability entitle him.

Those who, later on, are capable of

benefiting by further instruction in any skilled handi— craft have technical schools open to them ; while proficiency in artistic and scientific acquirements can be

obtained through the medium of the classes estab— lished in most towns in connexion with the Science and Art Department at South Kensington. Again, by means of the University Extension Movement all the advantages of that higher education which were, heretofore, confined to the favoured few who studied

at the great Universities, are open to the humblest student in many parts of the country. Equally conducive to the diffusion of knowledge has been

the reduction in the price of books. Standard and popular works on all subjects are now brought within the reach of the most limited means.

Twelve repre-

sentatives of labour now sit in the House of Commons, and men have raised themselves from the

lowest station to the most coveted positions in the land. Lord O’Hagan, the late Lord Chancellor of Ireland, was the son of a labourer, and he went

through all grades of the legal profession until he reached the woolsaek.

Moreover, men are con-

scious that if they are guilty of intolerance, of cruelty, of intemperance, or ill-manners, it obtains general publicity, and however much they may be

admired for such conduct by the ignorant few, they will be justly condemned by the large portion of the community.

Cir-

PHILANTHROPY.—Thcre have been great philan-

culating libraries and free libraries afford numerous

thropists at all times, but the difficulties with which

opportunities even to the residents in remote dis-

they had to contend—geographical, physical, and

tricts to make themselves acquainted with all branches

intellectual——often rendered their efforts almost fruit-


(40)

(41)

the education of the masses was gradually improved ; but it was not until the adoption of the compulsory system of 1870 that its advantages came to be

of knowledge, and thus qualify them to aid in forming public opinion. The consequence of the facilitation of intercourse has been to bring together the ignorant and the

availed of to anything approaching the extent which now prevails. In former times all the power of authority in this country rested in the hands of the wealthy, who were then also the educated classes.

Now there is no village in the country where one school at least does not give elementary teaching to

educated, and to enable the masses to judge of the inestimable blessings which education brings in its train. Every educated man knows that rank and wealth are no longer essential to his advancement, or to his attaining that position to which his in-

the young.

dustry and his ability entitle him.

Those who, later on, are capable of

benefiting by further instruction in any skilled handi— craft have technical schools open to them ; while proficiency in artistic and scientific acquirements can be

obtained through the medium of the classes estab— lished in most towns in connexion with the Science and Art Department at South Kensington. Again, by means of the University Extension Movement all the advantages of that higher education which were, heretofore, confined to the favoured few who studied

at the great Universities, are open to the humblest student in many parts of the country. Equally conducive to the diffusion of knowledge has been

the reduction in the price of books. Standard and popular works on all subjects are now brought within the reach of the most limited means.

Twelve repre-

sentatives of labour now sit in the House of Commons, and men have raised themselves from the

lowest station to the most coveted positions in the land. Lord O’Hagan, the late Lord Chancellor of Ireland, was the son of a labourer, and he went

through all grades of the legal profession until he reached the woolsaek.

Moreover, men are con-

scious that if they are guilty of intolerance, of cruelty, of intemperance, or ill-manners, it obtains general publicity, and however much they may be

admired for such conduct by the ignorant few, they will be justly condemned by the large portion of the community.

Cir-

PHILANTHROPY.—Thcre have been great philan-

culating libraries and free libraries afford numerous

thropists at all times, but the difficulties with which

opportunities even to the residents in remote dis-

they had to contend—geographical, physical, and

tricts to make themselves acquainted with all branches

intellectual——often rendered their efforts almost fruit-


(42)

<43)

less. But during this century many noble men and women have continued the philanthropic exertions of their predecessors, under more favourable conditions, and consequently with greater results. The work of providing better houses for the poor was initiated by Mr. Peabody, who devoted a portion of his great wealth to the erection of artisans’ dwellings—a work for which, by an Act of Parlia—

origin in vanity and conceit. Many a man likes to read his name in the papers as the founder of a hospital, of a library, or a school; but there are hundreds, yes thousands, of almost secret workers,

who devote their intelligence, their time, and their means, with unflagging energy and perseverance, t0 the improvement of the condition of their suffering fellow-creatures. You may not have heard of the

ment of last year, the local authorities are now

institution of the Gordon Home, the object of which

responsible. The good accomplished by the late Earl of Shaftesbury by the Ragged Schools Movement, by the unselfish and untiring application of his abilities to the general improvement of the lot of the working

is to reclaim the waifs of our streets and train them as soldiers or sailors. Men and women of high station now, on winter nights, g0 among the very

classes; the labours

of Mrs.

Fry in reclaiming

prisoners at a time when they were treated as out— casts, leading the way to the formation of the Prisoners’ Aid Society, which has branches all over the kingdom ; the kindred labours of John Howard

poorest of the London poor to rescue them from vice and degradation. Good examples are as contagious as bad: we are prompted, half unconsciously, to follow their example, feeling convinced that it is

gaols; the progress of the Temperance movement,

better to enjoy a good name and a worthy position in this world, by being temperate, tolerant, and charitable, than by squandering our fortunes at play or degrading ourselves by vulgar habits to the level

originated by John Livesey in 1832 ;—the success of

of the beasts.

all these movements was due to the growing force of public opinion, which at the same time was trained

trees, which bear their peculiar blossoms and fruit, so

and developed to its present proportions by being exercised in their behalf. The expansion of charitable institutions has kept pace also with the growth of public opinion. Of course, many seemingly charitable acts have their

Frenchman is famed for his Wit, the Spaniard for his

in obtaining better treatment for the inmates of our

As every clime has its indigenous

every nation has its individual characteristics.

The

pride, the German for his sentiment, the Briton for his common sense.

That common sense only needed

the fertilising forces of recent times to expand into a higher sense of justice, morality, and self-respect.


(42)

<43)

less. But during this century many noble men and women have continued the philanthropic exertions of their predecessors, under more favourable conditions, and consequently with greater results. The work of providing better houses for the poor was initiated by Mr. Peabody, who devoted a portion of his great wealth to the erection of artisans’ dwellings—a work for which, by an Act of Parlia—

origin in vanity and conceit. Many a man likes to read his name in the papers as the founder of a hospital, of a library, or a school; but there are hundreds, yes thousands, of almost secret workers,

who devote their intelligence, their time, and their means, with unflagging energy and perseverance, t0 the improvement of the condition of their suffering fellow-creatures. You may not have heard of the

ment of last year, the local authorities are now

institution of the Gordon Home, the object of which

responsible. The good accomplished by the late Earl of Shaftesbury by the Ragged Schools Movement, by the unselfish and untiring application of his abilities to the general improvement of the lot of the working

is to reclaim the waifs of our streets and train them as soldiers or sailors. Men and women of high station now, on winter nights, g0 among the very

classes; the labours

of Mrs.

Fry in reclaiming

prisoners at a time when they were treated as out— casts, leading the way to the formation of the Prisoners’ Aid Society, which has branches all over the kingdom ; the kindred labours of John Howard

poorest of the London poor to rescue them from vice and degradation. Good examples are as contagious as bad: we are prompted, half unconsciously, to follow their example, feeling convinced that it is

gaols; the progress of the Temperance movement,

better to enjoy a good name and a worthy position in this world, by being temperate, tolerant, and charitable, than by squandering our fortunes at play or degrading ourselves by vulgar habits to the level

originated by John Livesey in 1832 ;—the success of

of the beasts.

all these movements was due to the growing force of public opinion, which at the same time was trained

trees, which bear their peculiar blossoms and fruit, so

and developed to its present proportions by being exercised in their behalf. The expansion of charitable institutions has kept pace also with the growth of public opinion. Of course, many seemingly charitable acts have their

Frenchman is famed for his Wit, the Spaniard for his

in obtaining better treatment for the inmates of our

As every clime has its indigenous

every nation has its individual characteristics.

The

pride, the German for his sentiment, the Briton for his common sense.

That common sense only needed

the fertilising forces of recent times to expand into a higher sense of justice, morality, and self-respect.


(44)

(45)

It can be abundantly proved by statistics, that the

happiness of the masses as a whole is only attainable

internal economy of this country in all its branches

when every individual acknowledges and practices those higher moral, religious, and social principles,

has undergone a complete transformation within this century. Volumes could be filled with the history of the development of agriculture, of trade, of science, —in short, of every attribute of material progress,

which space has allowed me but briefly to indicate. The agricultural, working, trading, and professional classes, owing to the vast interests they

which are the mainspring of private as of public welfare and contentment.

The growth of the demo-

cracy has been instrumental in giving its beneficial impulse to public opinion. By abolishing the narrowing privileges of caste it has infused new blood into all branches of society, cemented all classes

represent, to the facilities of communication and information at their command, have the power to move public opinion by deputations to Ministers, by organization, by public meetings, and by parliamentary influence. Education has enabled them to utilise the advantages of their position in making their influence felt and recognised. Notwithstanding their numerical

into one homogeneous body actuated by the same interests and following the same pursuits, recognised personal merit, and brought to the front those men who are best fitted to lead. Let us hope that the

superiority the sway of these classes over public

ing the errors by which in other countries it has

opinion would be lost if their conduct or their aims

been led astray, so that after our generation has passed away, and is referred to by posterity, our

ceased to be such as to entitle them to respect, confidence, and sympathy from the community at large. In other words, they must themselves act up to the standard which they contribute so largely to set, by which public opinion is guided in its decisions.

democracy may continue to employ its intelligence

and industry for the promotion of good government and the happiness and security of the empire, avoid-

descendants may be able to congratulate themselves

on an improvement in their moral and social condition, for which public opinion is now laying the foundation.

Hand in hand with them, work those great and

noble men, whose number is legion, whose energies are devoted to the extension of civilisation, and to enforcing the cardinal truth derived by human

experience from the lessons of the past, that the

ASTON CLINTON, ANTHONY HALL, January 9, 1886.


(44)

(45)

It can be abundantly proved by statistics, that the

happiness of the masses as a whole is only attainable

internal economy of this country in all its branches

when every individual acknowledges and practices those higher moral, religious, and social principles,

has undergone a complete transformation within this century. Volumes could be filled with the history of the development of agriculture, of trade, of science, —in short, of every attribute of material progress,

which space has allowed me but briefly to indicate. The agricultural, working, trading, and professional classes, owing to the vast interests they

which are the mainspring of private as of public welfare and contentment.

The growth of the demo-

cracy has been instrumental in giving its beneficial impulse to public opinion. By abolishing the narrowing privileges of caste it has infused new blood into all branches of society, cemented all classes

represent, to the facilities of communication and information at their command, have the power to move public opinion by deputations to Ministers, by organization, by public meetings, and by parliamentary influence. Education has enabled them to utilise the advantages of their position in making their influence felt and recognised. Notwithstanding their numerical

into one homogeneous body actuated by the same interests and following the same pursuits, recognised personal merit, and brought to the front those men who are best fitted to lead. Let us hope that the

superiority the sway of these classes over public

ing the errors by which in other countries it has

opinion would be lost if their conduct or their aims

been led astray, so that after our generation has passed away, and is referred to by posterity, our

ceased to be such as to entitle them to respect, confidence, and sympathy from the community at large. In other words, they must themselves act up to the standard which they contribute so largely to set, by which public opinion is guided in its decisions.

democracy may continue to employ its intelligence

and industry for the promotion of good government and the happiness and security of the empire, avoid-

descendants may be able to congratulate themselves

on an improvement in their moral and social condition, for which public opinion is now laying the foundation.

Hand in hand with them, work those great and

noble men, whose number is legion, whose energies are devoted to the extension of civilisation, and to enforcing the cardinal truth derived by human

experience from the lessons of the past, that the

ASTON CLINTON, ANTHONY HALL, January 9, 1886.


DE SULTORY DISCOURSES.


DE SULTORY DISCOURSES.


DESULTORY DISCOURSES.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, Public speakers have often insisted on the advantages of desultory reading. I will go a

step further, and state, unlikely as you may regard it at first, that desultory discourses or conversations will lead to similar satisfactory results. Now, what is the exact meaning of the word desultory?

In his famous dictionary, Doctor John-

son defines it as ‘unconnected, unsettled.’ Take up any books that happen to come under your hand at any hour of the day, or under any circumstances, and let these books be either a work of fiction or travel, or a poem or a drama, read one day a portion

of the one and the following day a portion of the other.

This is desultory reading.

But to arrive at

any results you must read every day, say, for ten minutes at least, and, moreover, you must read attentively and diligently.

It is not my purpose on this occasion to dwell on the advantages of reading, but, during the time


DESULTORY DISCOURSES.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, Public speakers have often insisted on the advantages of desultory reading. I will go a

step further, and state, unlikely as you may regard it at first, that desultory discourses or conversations will lead to similar satisfactory results. Now, what is the exact meaning of the word desultory?

In his famous dictionary, Doctor John-

son defines it as ‘unconnected, unsettled.’ Take up any books that happen to come under your hand at any hour of the day, or under any circumstances, and let these books be either a work of fiction or travel, or a poem or a drama, read one day a portion

of the one and the following day a portion of the other.

This is desultory reading.

But to arrive at

any results you must read every day, say, for ten minutes at least, and, moreover, you must read attentively and diligently.

It is not my purpose on this occasion to dwell on the advantages of reading, but, during the time


(4)

(5)

at my disposal, I will endeavour to illustrate my

over a glass of some favourite beverage, which may not always be plain water.

View, that desultory discourses and conversations

may be made the basis of sound and useful know— ledge. 1 am well aware that the audience I have the pleasure of addressing chiefly consists of working men.

Your life is one of almost constant labour and toil. At an early hour you go either to the

Your conversations will probably turn upon the latest news or gossip of the day, on the prospects

of agriculture or of the profession in which you are engaged. It is in the nature of things that you will constantly touch on topics with which you are quite familiar superficially, and which you will our-

workshop, the factory, or the fields. And it is well that it is so. Without labour—and this

sorily dismiss from the very fact of their familiarity.

statement applies to all classes—man’s life would be a dreary and profitless waste, his mind would

contemplation of objects with which we are least

degenerate, and his sinews would relax.

All credit

little time and intelligent study to such familiar

and honour are due to him who ensures the comfort

things, you will be surprised to find among your

and happiness of his home and family by the manli—

immediate surroundings objects hitherto unheeded

ness and energy of his work.

But however laborious

which are brimful of interest, and worthy of engaging

and energetic a man’s life may be, after his days work is over he requires change and recreation.

your thoughts during some of your moments of lei—

The greater the change from his usual avocation

As a rule, human curiosity is most excited by the

acquainted

If you could be induced to apply some

sure. I will exemplify my meaning by a homely illus— tration.

Whatever your profession may be, whether

The

you are mechanics, artisans, or labourers, you are

late Lord Iddesleigh, in one of his speeches, said

brought into contact with animals of various kinds,

that he never read so many novels as when he was

some domestic, some wild.

engaged in a contested election, and so I may say

occasional remarks either on the horse you have

that after leaving the workshop, the factory, or even

ridden, on the dog you have trained, or on the

the much-vaunted allotment field, your first impulse

cow you have milked.

will be to spend some little time in recreation or in conversation. You will, especially during these

such threshed-out subjects as the fidelity of the dog, the nobleness of the horse, or the utility of the

short Winter days, join in a game, or talk to a friend

cow; but I desire to draw your attention to less

the more welcome and beneficial it will prove.

Thus you will make

I do not wish to dilate on


(4)

(5)

at my disposal, I will endeavour to illustrate my

over a glass of some favourite beverage, which may not always be plain water.

View, that desultory discourses and conversations

may be made the basis of sound and useful know— ledge. 1 am well aware that the audience I have the pleasure of addressing chiefly consists of working men.

Your life is one of almost constant labour and toil. At an early hour you go either to the

Your conversations will probably turn upon the latest news or gossip of the day, on the prospects

of agriculture or of the profession in which you are engaged. It is in the nature of things that you will constantly touch on topics with which you are quite familiar superficially, and which you will our-

workshop, the factory, or the fields. And it is well that it is so. Without labour—and this

sorily dismiss from the very fact of their familiarity.

statement applies to all classes—man’s life would be a dreary and profitless waste, his mind would

contemplation of objects with which we are least

degenerate, and his sinews would relax.

All credit

little time and intelligent study to such familiar

and honour are due to him who ensures the comfort

things, you will be surprised to find among your

and happiness of his home and family by the manli—

immediate surroundings objects hitherto unheeded

ness and energy of his work.

But however laborious

which are brimful of interest, and worthy of engaging

and energetic a man’s life may be, after his days work is over he requires change and recreation.

your thoughts during some of your moments of lei—

The greater the change from his usual avocation

As a rule, human curiosity is most excited by the

acquainted

If you could be induced to apply some

sure. I will exemplify my meaning by a homely illus— tration.

Whatever your profession may be, whether

The

you are mechanics, artisans, or labourers, you are

late Lord Iddesleigh, in one of his speeches, said

brought into contact with animals of various kinds,

that he never read so many novels as when he was

some domestic, some wild.

engaged in a contested election, and so I may say

occasional remarks either on the horse you have

that after leaving the workshop, the factory, or even

ridden, on the dog you have trained, or on the

the much-vaunted allotment field, your first impulse

cow you have milked.

will be to spend some little time in recreation or in conversation. You will, especially during these

such threshed-out subjects as the fidelity of the dog, the nobleness of the horse, or the utility of the

short Winter days, join in a game, or talk to a friend

cow; but I desire to draw your attention to less

the more welcome and beneficial it will prove.

Thus you will make

I do not wish to dilate on


( ‘3 ) favoured, though equally familiar objects of the animal creation.

I will not go so far as to plead for the worm, the most despised and repulsive of British reptiles. I must own that I loathe the sight of a worm, though

I might ask you to pause before driving your spade through its wriggling body. Remember that it has some claim on your forbearance, as its incessant

boring and working in the earth loosens the soil, rendering it amenable to cultivation. But there is one small insect than which none more frequently obtrudes itself on our notice or promotes more desultoiy remarks. From its ubiquitous presence on the leaves of the shrub, on the coping of a wall, on the

beams of a loft, on the turf of a meadow, in the aisles of a church, on the hearth of a cottage, in the halls

of a palace, it challenges our unwilling attention, and it is equally obnoxious to the gardener, the builder, the farmer, the beadle, the labourer, the magnate,

and last, though not least, to the housemaid.

omnipresent insect is the Spider.

This

Your natural in-

The race of spiders comprises many varieties, but they one and all show the same distinctive formation, having eight legs, bearing a superstructure which is head and body combined; body and legs alike being covered with the softest down. At the extremity of the body are situated articulated pipes, out of which issues a liquid which hardens on contact with the air and forms the web. These threads are so perfectly even, so marvellously delicate, and s0 enduring, that astronomers

place them on the lenses of their telescopes when they are engaged in measuring distances in the heavens, or are observing the movements of the planetary system. But the spider’s chief claim to our interest lies in the remarkable love displayed by the female towards its offspring. It was often wondered why there should be so many more female than male spiders in existence, and spiders were often reproached for eating not only other insects, but with being addicted to cannibalistic practices among

clination probably is, as it has often been mine, to

themselves.

destroy the unwelcome intruder together with its cobweb. I must frankly confess that I cannot yet bring myself to fall in love with a spider, but, having often admired the graceful network it spins, I was induced to pry a little more closely into the habits of the spinner.

as the mother has laid her eggs she resents even the approach of her husband to her nest, and if he dares to look after the management of the household he is

The explanation of this is, that as soon

instantly seized, killed, and devoured.

The female spider carries the eggs in her bosom in a delicately woven bag, and when they have


( ‘3 ) favoured, though equally familiar objects of the animal creation.

I will not go so far as to plead for the worm, the most despised and repulsive of British reptiles. I must own that I loathe the sight of a worm, though

I might ask you to pause before driving your spade through its wriggling body. Remember that it has some claim on your forbearance, as its incessant

boring and working in the earth loosens the soil, rendering it amenable to cultivation. But there is one small insect than which none more frequently obtrudes itself on our notice or promotes more desultoiy remarks. From its ubiquitous presence on the leaves of the shrub, on the coping of a wall, on the

beams of a loft, on the turf of a meadow, in the aisles of a church, on the hearth of a cottage, in the halls

of a palace, it challenges our unwilling attention, and it is equally obnoxious to the gardener, the builder, the farmer, the beadle, the labourer, the magnate,

and last, though not least, to the housemaid.

omnipresent insect is the Spider.

This

Your natural in-

The race of spiders comprises many varieties, but they one and all show the same distinctive formation, having eight legs, bearing a superstructure which is head and body combined; body and legs alike being covered with the softest down. At the extremity of the body are situated articulated pipes, out of which issues a liquid which hardens on contact with the air and forms the web. These threads are so perfectly even, so marvellously delicate, and s0 enduring, that astronomers

place them on the lenses of their telescopes when they are engaged in measuring distances in the heavens, or are observing the movements of the planetary system. But the spider’s chief claim to our interest lies in the remarkable love displayed by the female towards its offspring. It was often wondered why there should be so many more female than male spiders in existence, and spiders were often reproached for eating not only other insects, but with being addicted to cannibalistic practices among

clination probably is, as it has often been mine, to

themselves.

destroy the unwelcome intruder together with its cobweb. I must frankly confess that I cannot yet bring myself to fall in love with a spider, but, having often admired the graceful network it spins, I was induced to pry a little more closely into the habits of the spinner.

as the mother has laid her eggs she resents even the approach of her husband to her nest, and if he dares to look after the management of the household he is

The explanation of this is, that as soon

instantly seized, killed, and devoured.

The female spider carries the eggs in her bosom in a delicately woven bag, and when they have


(8)

(9)

been hatched, after endless care and precaution, the mother has but one thought in her life,—to shield

gravelly soil, into which moisture does not easily penetrate. Slowly, diligently, and artistically, like the most ingenious engineer or architect, they bore a vertical hole, which is always duly proportioned to their size. Could you penetrate into the little

the little ones from danger, and to supply them with food. An almost touching incident is related by a naturalist who threw a mother and her brood into a basin of water for the purpose of experiment. The mother gathered her young ones under her legs, and kept them above water until death released her from her agony. Spiders are generally timid, and will fly from an enemy, but woe to him if he venture to attack

subterranean domicile, you would be astounded by

its neatness, and almost fancy yourself in a lady’s drawing-room. You would find on the walls the softest hangings, formed by the threads spun by the indefatigable worker. But you could not easily penetrate into this

Under all circumstances the

sanctum were you ever so diminutive in size, for

mother carries them about with her until they are strong enough to provide for themselves. Perhaps the spider whose habits are most amusing is the Jumping Spider, which lives in the crevices of

the spider has constructed at its entrance a trapdoor which only opens from the inside. This trapdoor artfully revolves on hinges, and is made, as well as the hinges themselves, out of a piece

walls and the fissures of trees, and is common

of damp

in this country. They espy their prey from a dis— tance, and practically stalk it down. They approach it stealthily from behind, until they get within jumping distance, when they dart upon it, sometimes from no inconsiderable height. Should they miss their object and fall to the ground, they are never hurt, for in the very act of jumping they spin a

principle as cow-hair is put in mortar to make it

thread, which sustains them in case they fall.

a distance, and makes an assault On her fortress.

But the most interesting spider of all is the Trapdoor Spider, a species which is not often

How is it that the trapdoor cannot be pushed back? The spider has guarded against this contingency by boring imperceptible holes in the trap-

the young ones.

found in England.

Their home is made in dry,

strong.

clay mixed with threads, on the same

In the secrecy of her apartment the Spider

tends her young family, and lives in comparative

security.

It is only at night, when nature is still

and peacefully slumbering, that the spider sallies

forth in quest of her food. But it often happens that some wily creature scents the spider from


(8)

(9)

been hatched, after endless care and precaution, the mother has but one thought in her life,—to shield

gravelly soil, into which moisture does not easily penetrate. Slowly, diligently, and artistically, like the most ingenious engineer or architect, they bore a vertical hole, which is always duly proportioned to their size. Could you penetrate into the little

the little ones from danger, and to supply them with food. An almost touching incident is related by a naturalist who threw a mother and her brood into a basin of water for the purpose of experiment. The mother gathered her young ones under her legs, and kept them above water until death released her from her agony. Spiders are generally timid, and will fly from an enemy, but woe to him if he venture to attack

subterranean domicile, you would be astounded by

its neatness, and almost fancy yourself in a lady’s drawing-room. You would find on the walls the softest hangings, formed by the threads spun by the indefatigable worker. But you could not easily penetrate into this

Under all circumstances the

sanctum were you ever so diminutive in size, for

mother carries them about with her until they are strong enough to provide for themselves. Perhaps the spider whose habits are most amusing is the Jumping Spider, which lives in the crevices of

the spider has constructed at its entrance a trapdoor which only opens from the inside. This trapdoor artfully revolves on hinges, and is made, as well as the hinges themselves, out of a piece

walls and the fissures of trees, and is common

of damp

in this country. They espy their prey from a dis— tance, and practically stalk it down. They approach it stealthily from behind, until they get within jumping distance, when they dart upon it, sometimes from no inconsiderable height. Should they miss their object and fall to the ground, they are never hurt, for in the very act of jumping they spin a

principle as cow-hair is put in mortar to make it

thread, which sustains them in case they fall.

a distance, and makes an assault On her fortress.

But the most interesting spider of all is the Trapdoor Spider, a species which is not often

How is it that the trapdoor cannot be pushed back? The spider has guarded against this contingency by boring imperceptible holes in the trap-

the young ones.

found in England.

Their home is made in dry,

strong.

clay mixed with threads, on the same

In the secrecy of her apartment the Spider

tends her young family, and lives in comparative

security.

It is only at night, when nature is still

and peacefully slumbering, that the spider sallies

forth in quest of her food. But it often happens that some wily creature scents the spider from


(10) door, in which she fastens her little claws, and by pressing on it with all her weight endeavours to defend her home against the invader. Natural history teems with objects of a higher order than the spider, all of which are equally familiar, and many more engaging; but there is

perhaps no species whose habits present more singular contrasts. Let us brush away the contaminating cobweb, and consign to a decent burial in _ the dust-bin the skeletons of the murdered flies,

but before we destroy the arch offender, the spider, let us sympathise with that little creature in whose heart, despite her external ugliness, maternal love throbs so wisely and so well. The gist of these observations on the spider was

curiosity with regard to the laws of colour; the mere handling of a spade or the use of a steel pen may raise in you the desire of gaining a more inti—

mate knowledge of the peculiarities of iron and its transformation into steel, of its various appliances, of the development of industry in which it takes so prominent a part, and of the bearing of science on this branch of industry. The working of a gravel pit may set you thinking on the formation of the earth. So much I may say on this one point, that gravel has been formed in prehistorical days by the constant action of ice and water on rocks which they reduce into small fragments. Again, I must state that, like natural history,

to show that, even in its lowest forms, natural

optics, science, and geology, are not alone the cause of desultory remarks or the sole objects of the at-

history can be studied in an easy, desultory manner.

tention of scholars and students.

There is hardly a quadruped, a bird, or an insect,

the day form the chief staple of our conversations: there is hardly one current event which may not be connected with some event of the past and

however humble it may be, whose habits are not interesting.

Watch the fox or the weasel, the stork

The events of

or the swallow, the bee or the ant, and you will be thoroughly repaid for your trouble. But natural history is far from being the only subject—indeed, it is but a very secondary one— on which we often make desultory remarks. The

which, in some degree at least, is not its logical

most ordinary manifestations of nature, if intelli-

,. gratifying interest.

gently observed, will lead to a profitable study. The appearance of a rainbow may awaken your

I will now endeavour to show that by expanding some of the desultory remarks of a special kind,

sequence. By seeking for the primary cause you will be unconsciously studying the history of the world, and on its every page you will find ample matter of pleasant surprise, easy instruction, and


(10) door, in which she fastens her little claws, and by pressing on it with all her weight endeavours to defend her home against the invader. Natural history teems with objects of a higher order than the spider, all of which are equally familiar, and many more engaging; but there is

perhaps no species whose habits present more singular contrasts. Let us brush away the contaminating cobweb, and consign to a decent burial in _ the dust-bin the skeletons of the murdered flies,

but before we destroy the arch offender, the spider, let us sympathise with that little creature in whose heart, despite her external ugliness, maternal love throbs so wisely and so well. The gist of these observations on the spider was

curiosity with regard to the laws of colour; the mere handling of a spade or the use of a steel pen may raise in you the desire of gaining a more inti—

mate knowledge of the peculiarities of iron and its transformation into steel, of its various appliances, of the development of industry in which it takes so prominent a part, and of the bearing of science on this branch of industry. The working of a gravel pit may set you thinking on the formation of the earth. So much I may say on this one point, that gravel has been formed in prehistorical days by the constant action of ice and water on rocks which they reduce into small fragments. Again, I must state that, like natural history,

to show that, even in its lowest forms, natural

optics, science, and geology, are not alone the cause of desultory remarks or the sole objects of the at-

history can be studied in an easy, desultory manner.

tention of scholars and students.

There is hardly a quadruped, a bird, or an insect,

the day form the chief staple of our conversations: there is hardly one current event which may not be connected with some event of the past and

however humble it may be, whose habits are not interesting.

Watch the fox or the weasel, the stork

The events of

or the swallow, the bee or the ant, and you will be thoroughly repaid for your trouble. But natural history is far from being the only subject—indeed, it is but a very secondary one— on which we often make desultory remarks. The

which, in some degree at least, is not its logical

most ordinary manifestations of nature, if intelli-

,. gratifying interest.

gently observed, will lead to a profitable study. The appearance of a rainbow may awaken your

I will now endeavour to show that by expanding some of the desultory remarks of a special kind,

sequence. By seeking for the primary cause you will be unconsciously studying the history of the world, and on its every page you will find ample matter of pleasant surprise, easy instruction, and


(12)

which I have no hesitation to say you are making every day of your life, you will provide yourselves with a subject of unfailing enjoyment. When I stated the nature of your first impulse after your day’s work I left out one important point.

Probably your first desire will be to read a news— paper, and make yourself acquainted with the political

intelligence of the day. After having perused his favourite newspaper, one man will praise the superiority of the Times over the Standard, another that of the Daily News over the Telegraph; but all will agree in extolling not only the excellence of the style and type of these papers, but the marvellous expansion of the daily press, its immense influence,

and its great advantages. Here you will perceive the force of my observa-

quainted with the dawn, growth, and diffusion of literature, and so I will venture to discourse on

the historical beginnings of books and newspapers. Circulating libraries, both public and private,

bring books of all kinds within the reach of all classes. We can now purchase the best literary work at a comparatively trivial cost.* It is scarcely possible to realise the expense of books at a time when printing had not yet been invented, and when they were written and not printed. In those days the materials on which books, or to use the correct expression, manuscripts, were written, varied con-

siderably at different epochs down to the remotest antiquity. The most ancient material used for this purpose is supposed to have been the leaves of the palm—tree.

tion with regard to the advantages of desultory conversation. Let there be one man of a more

founder of the Mohammedan religion, was recorded

1nquis1t1ve turn than the rest; he will ponder over

on palm—leaves, and also on shoulder-bones of sheep,

the actual position of the Press, and he will recognise

and kept in a domestic chest by one of the Prophet’s

the fact that the Press has not been born into

existence bodily as it is now. He will try to elicit from a friend details regarding its growth. This

numerous wives. But many centuries before Mahomet, skins were used for writing on, and it is asserted, not Without some plausibility, that the

will bring him to discourse on the origin of books

autograph law of Moses was written upon prepared

and foster in him a wish to investigate their earliest composition. I will assume that there are amongst you some members of this Club who are not already ac-

The original text of the Koran of Mahomet, the

skins.

The skins of fish, and even of serpents, were

* Messrs. Ward Ll: Look, of Salisbury Square, in London, publish the entire works of Shakespeare, his plays and poems, together “ith a Glossary, for the sum of—-sixpence !


(12)

which I have no hesitation to say you are making every day of your life, you will provide yourselves with a subject of unfailing enjoyment. When I stated the nature of your first impulse after your day’s work I left out one important point.

Probably your first desire will be to read a news— paper, and make yourself acquainted with the political

intelligence of the day. After having perused his favourite newspaper, one man will praise the superiority of the Times over the Standard, another that of the Daily News over the Telegraph; but all will agree in extolling not only the excellence of the style and type of these papers, but the marvellous expansion of the daily press, its immense influence,

and its great advantages. Here you will perceive the force of my observa-

quainted with the dawn, growth, and diffusion of literature, and so I will venture to discourse on

the historical beginnings of books and newspapers. Circulating libraries, both public and private,

bring books of all kinds within the reach of all classes. We can now purchase the best literary work at a comparatively trivial cost.* It is scarcely possible to realise the expense of books at a time when printing had not yet been invented, and when they were written and not printed. In those days the materials on which books, or to use the correct expression, manuscripts, were written, varied con-

siderably at different epochs down to the remotest antiquity. The most ancient material used for this purpose is supposed to have been the leaves of the palm—tree.

tion with regard to the advantages of desultory conversation. Let there be one man of a more

founder of the Mohammedan religion, was recorded

1nquis1t1ve turn than the rest; he will ponder over

on palm—leaves, and also on shoulder-bones of sheep,

the actual position of the Press, and he will recognise

and kept in a domestic chest by one of the Prophet’s

the fact that the Press has not been born into

existence bodily as it is now. He will try to elicit from a friend details regarding its growth. This

numerous wives. But many centuries before Mahomet, skins were used for writing on, and it is asserted, not Without some plausibility, that the

will bring him to discourse on the origin of books

autograph law of Moses was written upon prepared

and foster in him a wish to investigate their earliest composition. I will assume that there are amongst you some members of this Club who are not already ac-

The original text of the Koran of Mahomet, the

skins.

The skins of fish, and even of serpents, were

* Messrs. Ward Ll: Look, of Salisbury Square, in London, publish the entire works of Shakespeare, his plays and poems, together “ith a Glossary, for the sum of—-sixpence !


put to a similar use. In the year 485 the remains of St. Barnabas were found in Greece with a copy of a portion of the New Testament written on this

though by a limited class, at all times is attested by the circumstance that almost our earliest records tell of the existence of libraries. We know that a

material and placed on his breast.

public library was founded at Memphis, in Egypt, some 3000 years ago, by Osimandias, one of the Pharaohs and a contemporary of David; and Nehemiah, on his return from Babylonian captivity,

But undoubtedly the most ancient material of all used for this purpose was Papyrus, hence our word paper.

This substance was procured from a bulrush

of that name which grows on the banks of the

and was used in Egypt by the Pharaohs and their

founded a library at Jerusalem in connexion with the Temple. In Greece, the most intellectual and refined

subjects, whose history we can trace back for upwards

country of antiquity, in the year 550 B.C., Pisis-

of 6000 years. Amongst the ancient Britons the original method of writing was by cutting letters with a knife on

tratus endowed Athens, over which he then ruled, with a collection of heroic songs. The first really national library, according to our modern ideas, was

sticks, which were afterwards put together in the form of a frame or book. I need not say that this

established about 1800 years ago, at Alexandria, by Ptolemy, king of Egypt. ‘ Nourishment of the soul ’

very primitive method was superseded when parch—

were the noble words he inscribed on the face of the edifice containing this collection.

Nile,

ment or vellum was first introduced into this country from the far East.

Its preparation from the skins of

At Rome, which shortly after that time became

sheep, lambs, and goats, has been traced to distan

mistress of the thenicivilised world, its Emperors

antiquity, and it remained for many centuries in use, despite its costliness, after linen rags had been

esteemed it one of their chief glories to adorn their capital with magnificent libraries, and the library became an indispensable and highly prized portion of the palatial dwelling of the wealthy citizen. In

t

employed for the manufacture of paper.

No two scholars agree about the date when linen rags were first so employed, but this is certain, that the earliest manuscript of linen paper, which was recently in the possession of a German professor

the fifth century, shortly before the fall of the

Empire, Rome boasted of twenty - nine libraries.

bore the date of 1239. i That knowledge and culture were cherished,

if

public

I regret to say that the dawn of civilisation and knowledge in this country, and the consequent

h

.


put to a similar use. In the year 485 the remains of St. Barnabas were found in Greece with a copy of a portion of the New Testament written on this

though by a limited class, at all times is attested by the circumstance that almost our earliest records tell of the existence of libraries. We know that a

material and placed on his breast.

public library was founded at Memphis, in Egypt, some 3000 years ago, by Osimandias, one of the Pharaohs and a contemporary of David; and Nehemiah, on his return from Babylonian captivity,

But undoubtedly the most ancient material of all used for this purpose was Papyrus, hence our word paper.

This substance was procured from a bulrush

of that name which grows on the banks of the

and was used in Egypt by the Pharaohs and their

founded a library at Jerusalem in connexion with the Temple. In Greece, the most intellectual and refined

subjects, whose history we can trace back for upwards

country of antiquity, in the year 550 B.C., Pisis-

of 6000 years. Amongst the ancient Britons the original method of writing was by cutting letters with a knife on

tratus endowed Athens, over which he then ruled, with a collection of heroic songs. The first really national library, according to our modern ideas, was

sticks, which were afterwards put together in the form of a frame or book. I need not say that this

established about 1800 years ago, at Alexandria, by Ptolemy, king of Egypt. ‘ Nourishment of the soul ’

very primitive method was superseded when parch—

were the noble words he inscribed on the face of the edifice containing this collection.

Nile,

ment or vellum was first introduced into this country from the far East.

Its preparation from the skins of

At Rome, which shortly after that time became

sheep, lambs, and goats, has been traced to distan

mistress of the thenicivilised world, its Emperors

antiquity, and it remained for many centuries in use, despite its costliness, after linen rags had been

esteemed it one of their chief glories to adorn their capital with magnificent libraries, and the library became an indispensable and highly prized portion of the palatial dwelling of the wealthy citizen. In

t

employed for the manufacture of paper.

No two scholars agree about the date when linen rags were first so employed, but this is certain, that the earliest manuscript of linen paper, which was recently in the possession of a German professor

the fifth century, shortly before the fall of the

Empire, Rome boasted of twenty - nine libraries.

bore the date of 1239. i That knowledge and culture were cherished,

if

public

I regret to say that the dawn of civilisation and knowledge in this country, and the consequent

h

.


formation of collections of books, began at a much later period.

Whatever learning existed in Britain

had been acquired from its Roman conquerors; but when they departed, after the destruction of their Empire in the fifth century, learning was only saved from extinction by the clergy, who were rising on the ruins of heathenism, and in the seminaries which

were being gradually established.

monks. In time, as an ever—increasing demand arose for books, the copying of them was entrusted to laymen, who worked at first only for the abbots, and

subsequently for the King and the great nobles of the realm.

Caligraphy became an art, and attained

a pitch of excellence which is unknown at the present day. It is but a few months ago since I was invited by the Master of the Rolls to the Record

At this moment, when Ireland attracts our at—

Office, and there with much reverence I turned over

tention so largely, it may be interesting to know, as it is agreeable to quote for the sake of any Irishman who may be present on this occasion, that in those very remote days Ireland was famed as the most learned nation in Europe. Whether the Sister Isle still maintains this reputation is beyond the scope of the present inquiry, but it is unquestionable that some of the greatest poets and writers in the English language in later times have come from the country of St. Patrick. But to revert to the past. For many centuries all learning remained confined to the clergy, and was

the pages of a book than which none more remarkable or interesting has ever since been produced. This was the Domesday Book, a ponderous manuscript written in characters of extraordinary fineness and regularity. The Dom Boc, or the Book of

concentrated in the numerous monasteries and re-

ligious establishments which studded the land. It even became a fixed rule in religious houses that some of their inmates should devote a portion of every day to copying manuscripts. The transcription of service—books was entrusted to boys and novices, that of missals and Bibles to the

Judgment, as it was originally called, was compiled

by direction of William the Conqueror in the year 1086. It is, as you may be aware, a register of the possessions of every freeman throughout the country. As this register was compiled by the Norman Conqueror for the purposes of taxation, and as it was followed by the imposition of three distinct descrip— tions of land tax, the landlords of the day may not have regarded its completion with much gratification. For some centuries still all learning and education were in the hands of the clergy and the monks, but, learned and educated as they were, these

clerical and literary gentlemen indulged in practices which were not always consistent with their religious B


formation of collections of books, began at a much later period.

Whatever learning existed in Britain

had been acquired from its Roman conquerors; but when they departed, after the destruction of their Empire in the fifth century, learning was only saved from extinction by the clergy, who were rising on the ruins of heathenism, and in the seminaries which

were being gradually established.

monks. In time, as an ever—increasing demand arose for books, the copying of them was entrusted to laymen, who worked at first only for the abbots, and

subsequently for the King and the great nobles of the realm.

Caligraphy became an art, and attained

a pitch of excellence which is unknown at the present day. It is but a few months ago since I was invited by the Master of the Rolls to the Record

At this moment, when Ireland attracts our at—

Office, and there with much reverence I turned over

tention so largely, it may be interesting to know, as it is agreeable to quote for the sake of any Irishman who may be present on this occasion, that in those very remote days Ireland was famed as the most learned nation in Europe. Whether the Sister Isle still maintains this reputation is beyond the scope of the present inquiry, but it is unquestionable that some of the greatest poets and writers in the English language in later times have come from the country of St. Patrick. But to revert to the past. For many centuries all learning remained confined to the clergy, and was

the pages of a book than which none more remarkable or interesting has ever since been produced. This was the Domesday Book, a ponderous manuscript written in characters of extraordinary fineness and regularity. The Dom Boc, or the Book of

concentrated in the numerous monasteries and re-

ligious establishments which studded the land. It even became a fixed rule in religious houses that some of their inmates should devote a portion of every day to copying manuscripts. The transcription of service—books was entrusted to boys and novices, that of missals and Bibles to the

Judgment, as it was originally called, was compiled

by direction of William the Conqueror in the year 1086. It is, as you may be aware, a register of the possessions of every freeman throughout the country. As this register was compiled by the Norman Conqueror for the purposes of taxation, and as it was followed by the imposition of three distinct descrip— tions of land tax, the landlords of the day may not have regarded its completion with much gratification. For some centuries still all learning and education were in the hands of the clergy and the monks, but, learned and educated as they were, these

clerical and literary gentlemen indulged in practices which were not always consistent with their religious B


calling, and for which they were rebuked by their superiors. From the already remote period of the rule of the Danes in England the practice of drinking had been introduced into the country. In the year 965 an edict was issued by Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, directing each village should have only one alehouse; that pins should be fastened into every

drinking-cup at prescribed distances, and that whoever should drink beyond those marks at one draught should be subjected to severe punishment. That the monks of the twelfth century are not entirely to be absolved from indulging too freely in the national beverage is proved by an edict which was issued at that time by the Abbot of Westminster, enjoining ‘that priests should not go to drinking bouts or drink to pegs.’ It is very doubtful whether the habits of the nobles of the day were restricted in a similar manner. Their education was confined to the early and constant use of arms. In the year 1164 Henry II. sent an embassy to the Pope, consisting of an Archbishop, four Bishops, together with the Earl of Arundel and several others of the greatest Barons in the land. After the prelates had made their speeches, the Earl of Arundel rose, and prefaced his remarks by saying, ‘We who are illiterate laymen don’t understand a word of what the Bishops have said to your Holiness.’ In 1215, when King John subscribed the Magna

Charta, out of the twenty—six barons who signed it, only three could write their names, and the others affixed their marks. In fact, for many generations

to come, the great bulk of the nation, though dimly and unconsciously progressing towards civilisation and learning, knew but one science—~that of waging war upon and slaying each other. In 1275 we first notice the existence of booksellers. Stationarii they were called, the origin of the modern term stationer.

In 1357 a manuscript

was purchased by the Earl of Salisbury for a sum equivalent to 661.

133. 4d.; but to estimate the

costliness of this investment, it may be well to show the prices that ruled at that time. This very identical sum of 66l. 13s. 4d. was the pay of Henry Percy, keeper of Berwick Castle, one of the great fortresses of the kingdom. The pay of the King’s Surgeon, a mighty personage at Court, was 5l. 13s. 4d. a-year, with an extra fee of 13.

a—day when in attendance. Master carpenters received 4d. and their assistants 2d. a-day. Fifty years later, in 1425, the library of the King of

France, which on the conquest of Paris was brought to England, and consisted of 853 volumes, was valued by its former owner at 2220l., or at a fraction over

2l. 12$. 05d. per volume.

We have now arrived at an epoch when three great events occurred almost simultaneously, and by


calling, and for which they were rebuked by their superiors. From the already remote period of the rule of the Danes in England the practice of drinking had been introduced into the country. In the year 965 an edict was issued by Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, directing each village should have only one alehouse; that pins should be fastened into every

drinking-cup at prescribed distances, and that whoever should drink beyond those marks at one draught should be subjected to severe punishment. That the monks of the twelfth century are not entirely to be absolved from indulging too freely in the national beverage is proved by an edict which was issued at that time by the Abbot of Westminster, enjoining ‘that priests should not go to drinking bouts or drink to pegs.’ It is very doubtful whether the habits of the nobles of the day were restricted in a similar manner. Their education was confined to the early and constant use of arms. In the year 1164 Henry II. sent an embassy to the Pope, consisting of an Archbishop, four Bishops, together with the Earl of Arundel and several others of the greatest Barons in the land. After the prelates had made their speeches, the Earl of Arundel rose, and prefaced his remarks by saying, ‘We who are illiterate laymen don’t understand a word of what the Bishops have said to your Holiness.’ In 1215, when King John subscribed the Magna

Charta, out of the twenty—six barons who signed it, only three could write their names, and the others affixed their marks. In fact, for many generations

to come, the great bulk of the nation, though dimly and unconsciously progressing towards civilisation and learning, knew but one science—~that of waging war upon and slaying each other. In 1275 we first notice the existence of booksellers. Stationarii they were called, the origin of the modern term stationer.

In 1357 a manuscript

was purchased by the Earl of Salisbury for a sum equivalent to 661.

133. 4d.; but to estimate the

costliness of this investment, it may be well to show the prices that ruled at that time. This very identical sum of 66l. 13s. 4d. was the pay of Henry Percy, keeper of Berwick Castle, one of the great fortresses of the kingdom. The pay of the King’s Surgeon, a mighty personage at Court, was 5l. 13s. 4d. a-year, with an extra fee of 13.

a—day when in attendance. Master carpenters received 4d. and their assistants 2d. a-day. Fifty years later, in 1425, the library of the King of

France, which on the conquest of Paris was brought to England, and consisted of 853 volumes, was valued by its former owner at 2220l., or at a fraction over

2l. 12$. 05d. per volume.

We have now arrived at an epoch when three great events occurred almost simultaneously, and by


(20)

(21)

the stupendous influence they exercised put an end

thus the forms of the letters were left in relief. These letters were then damped with some kind of

for ever to the darkness, misery, and ignorance of

the Middle Ages. These were the invention of Printing, the discovery of America, and the Reformation. Not the least potent factor in the new era of progress and civilisation was the invention of Printing. At a time when the inhabitants of Europe were still wild and savage barbarians, the Chinese were a prosperous and cultivated nation, and had anticipated for themselves many of the great inventions and discoveries of our forefathers. They boast of having used gunpowder long before it was known in Europe, and claim to have discovered the art of printing some 3000 years ago. This is a disputable point ; but it is certain that in the tenth century a Minister of State named Foong Taon, being desirous of multiplying the copies of a favourite book without the labour of writing them, contrived the following process 2—He placed a page of writing, while the ink was wet, on the face of a smooth piece of wood, making an impression on the wood in the same way as a letter does when it is turned down on a pad of blotting-paper, the letters being reproduced, as in the case of the blotting-paper, in reverse order. He then cut away all that part of the surface of the wood which was not touched by the writing, and

ink, impressed on paper, and an exact copy of the original writing was the result. This process unquestionably contained the ele-

mentary principles of the art of printing.

But from

the fact that the Chinese surrounded themselves

with a huge impregnable wall, and had no communication with the outer world, the invention re-

mained their exclusive property. It was thus reserved in the first place for a Dutchman, and in the second for a German, to rein-

vent that process which, owing to its ever—perfected methods, has become, in the course of time, the

prime source of enlightenment and enjoyment to the world at large. At Haarlem in the North of Holland—a city

famous for the cultivation of tulips, the rage for which at one time was so great that the sum of

900l. was paid for a single bulb—at Haarlem, in 1370, lived one Laurence Jaansen, who assumed the surname of Coster, the Dutch for sexton, his occupation. A paterfamilias, and a man of leisure, he occasionally took his grandchildren to walk in the groves of the neighbourhood. For their amuse-

ment he one day cut the letters of the alphabet out of the bark of a tree with the intention of using them to spell the names of the little ones. He


(20)

(21)

the stupendous influence they exercised put an end

thus the forms of the letters were left in relief. These letters were then damped with some kind of

for ever to the darkness, misery, and ignorance of

the Middle Ages. These were the invention of Printing, the discovery of America, and the Reformation. Not the least potent factor in the new era of progress and civilisation was the invention of Printing. At a time when the inhabitants of Europe were still wild and savage barbarians, the Chinese were a prosperous and cultivated nation, and had anticipated for themselves many of the great inventions and discoveries of our forefathers. They boast of having used gunpowder long before it was known in Europe, and claim to have discovered the art of printing some 3000 years ago. This is a disputable point ; but it is certain that in the tenth century a Minister of State named Foong Taon, being desirous of multiplying the copies of a favourite book without the labour of writing them, contrived the following process 2—He placed a page of writing, while the ink was wet, on the face of a smooth piece of wood, making an impression on the wood in the same way as a letter does when it is turned down on a pad of blotting-paper, the letters being reproduced, as in the case of the blotting-paper, in reverse order. He then cut away all that part of the surface of the wood which was not touched by the writing, and

ink, impressed on paper, and an exact copy of the original writing was the result. This process unquestionably contained the ele-

mentary principles of the art of printing.

But from

the fact that the Chinese surrounded themselves

with a huge impregnable wall, and had no communication with the outer world, the invention re-

mained their exclusive property. It was thus reserved in the first place for a Dutchman, and in the second for a German, to rein-

vent that process which, owing to its ever—perfected methods, has become, in the course of time, the

prime source of enlightenment and enjoyment to the world at large. At Haarlem in the North of Holland—a city

famous for the cultivation of tulips, the rage for which at one time was so great that the sum of

900l. was paid for a single bulb—at Haarlem, in 1370, lived one Laurence Jaansen, who assumed the surname of Coster, the Dutch for sexton, his occupation. A paterfamilias, and a man of leisure, he occasionally took his grandchildren to walk in the groves of the neighbourhood. For their amuse-

ment he one day cut the letters of the alphabet out of the bark of a tree with the intention of using them to spell the names of the little ones. He


(22)

(23)

daubed them with colour and stamped them on paper, but of course the letters came out backwards. He therefore cut out the letters backwards from the bark, so that the impression came right on the paper. It struck him that if he could thus print his grandchildren’s names, he might go a step further and print the letters of books, and by that means he

melina Iserne Thure, or of the Iron Door, and that

gradually arrived at the formation of wooden types.

he settled the difficulty by making her his wife; that he was of a speculative turn of mind, and, like

all speculative geniuses, was often in great monetary distress and harassed by his creditors; that he

became a salaried courtier of the Archbishop of Mayence, with a fixed allowance of corn and wine, and finally died, in 1468, poor, childless, and

Coster died in 1440 of the plague, but, as patents did not exist in the fifteenth century, much to his annoyance a dishonest workman, named John, had pilfered his secret one Christmas Eve. ‘ Cursed be

friendless. Gutenberg’s genius was first employed on a new plan of polishing stones, and afterwards on the

my fate,’ he is said to have exclaimed, ‘ that I should

entered into partnership with a shrewd goldsmith

have shared my bread with such a wretch 1’ The identity of the thief has remained a mystery. It

named John Faust, or Fust, who is accused by some historians of having been Coster’s dishonest John.

has been fastened, though with no show of reason,

With the money Gutenberg obtained from Faust he

on John Gutenberg, the real father of the art of

was able to concentrate his time and attention on perfecting the mode of printing, and in course of time he invented cut metal types. It is related of

printing. Gutenberg was born in 1410, of noble parents,

at Mayence on the Rhine. His father was Frielo of Gansfleisch (or goosefiesh), and his mother, whose name John adopted, was Elsa of Gudenberg (or Goodmount). Comparatively little is known of the private life of the man to whom we are so largely indebted.

But so much is known, that at the age

manufacture of looking—glasses.

About

1440 he

Faust that, having carried a parcel of books, which

he and Gutenberg had printed, to Paris, the French, after considering their great number and exact conformity, even to points and commas, which the best book-writers could not have rivalled, decided that there was witchcraft in the case and threatened to

prosecute Faust as a wizard.

This tradition formed

of twenty-seven he was sued for a breach of pro-

the foundation of the legend of Dr. Faustus and the

'mise of marriage by a well—favoured maiden, Em-

Devil, which has since been so often and so beauti-


(22)

(23)

daubed them with colour and stamped them on paper, but of course the letters came out backwards. He therefore cut out the letters backwards from the bark, so that the impression came right on the paper. It struck him that if he could thus print his grandchildren’s names, he might go a step further and print the letters of books, and by that means he

melina Iserne Thure, or of the Iron Door, and that

gradually arrived at the formation of wooden types.

he settled the difficulty by making her his wife; that he was of a speculative turn of mind, and, like

all speculative geniuses, was often in great monetary distress and harassed by his creditors; that he

became a salaried courtier of the Archbishop of Mayence, with a fixed allowance of corn and wine, and finally died, in 1468, poor, childless, and

Coster died in 1440 of the plague, but, as patents did not exist in the fifteenth century, much to his annoyance a dishonest workman, named John, had pilfered his secret one Christmas Eve. ‘ Cursed be

friendless. Gutenberg’s genius was first employed on a new plan of polishing stones, and afterwards on the

my fate,’ he is said to have exclaimed, ‘ that I should

entered into partnership with a shrewd goldsmith

have shared my bread with such a wretch 1’ The identity of the thief has remained a mystery. It

named John Faust, or Fust, who is accused by some historians of having been Coster’s dishonest John.

has been fastened, though with no show of reason,

With the money Gutenberg obtained from Faust he

on John Gutenberg, the real father of the art of

was able to concentrate his time and attention on perfecting the mode of printing, and in course of time he invented cut metal types. It is related of

printing. Gutenberg was born in 1410, of noble parents,

at Mayence on the Rhine. His father was Frielo of Gansfleisch (or goosefiesh), and his mother, whose name John adopted, was Elsa of Gudenberg (or Goodmount). Comparatively little is known of the private life of the man to whom we are so largely indebted.

But so much is known, that at the age

manufacture of looking—glasses.

About

1440 he

Faust that, having carried a parcel of books, which

he and Gutenberg had printed, to Paris, the French, after considering their great number and exact conformity, even to points and commas, which the best book-writers could not have rivalled, decided that there was witchcraft in the case and threatened to

prosecute Faust as a wizard.

This tradition formed

of twenty-seven he was sued for a breach of pro-

the foundation of the legend of Dr. Faustus and the

'mise of marriage by a well—favoured maiden, Em-

Devil, which has since been so often and so beauti-


(24> fully told in prose and verse.

(25) Having quarrelled

with Faust, Gutenberg took Faust’s son—in—law, Peter Schoffer, into his employment, and to the

latter we owe the further invention of cast-metal types.

The most famous of the books they printed was a large folio Bible in Latin, of which but few copies are known. One of these was recently sold in London at a public auction for 2800l. This book is known as the Mazarin Bible, as the first copy was found in the library of Cardinal Mazarin at Paris in the beginning of the seventeenth century. Great Britain may pride herself on having led the van during the nineteenth century in the march of invention and discovery, but it must be admitted

that foreigners were in the past the chief promoters of civilisation. So it was only towards the latter part of the fifteenth century that printing was intro— duced into this country. The first English printer was William Caxton, of whom about as little is known as of Gutenberg.

Even the dates of his birth and death are matters of controversy, but his life ranged between the years

1412 and 1490.

An inhabitant of Hadlow, in Kent,

he was apprenticed to a rich London mercer, who sent him to Bruges on matters relating to his busi~ ness. During his residence abroad Caxton became acquainted with Gutenberg’s invention, and, under

the patronage of the Duchess of Burgundy, turned his attention to the study of printing, though with what financial advantage to the mercer history fails to record. On his return to his native country he set up the first English printing—press, near the western

entrance of Westminster Abbey. There he died and was buried.

The first book printed in England was

a romance on the capture of Troy. This somewhat detailed discourse on the origin of the printing—press may serve to show to what extent colossal results may accrue from the smallest beginnings, and also to what profitable account the human mind is capable of turning the most trivial circumstances. If Coster had not been endowed with the sagacity to discern that the toy of an idle hour could be developed into a practical pursuit, Guten— berg might have frittered away his intelligence in polishing stones, or making mirrors for the smart ladies of the Court, and the flood of light and know-

ledge, which the subsequent cheap and easy sale of books poured forth over the world, might have remained obscured for some, perhaps for many years. It may be urged that Coster only made a lucky hit, that Gutenberg was favoured by chance, and Caxton by opportunity. Yes. But the Whole secret of success lies in the knack of seizing a favourable opportunity, and favourable opportuni-


(24> fully told in prose and verse.

(25) Having quarrelled

with Faust, Gutenberg took Faust’s son—in—law, Peter Schoffer, into his employment, and to the

latter we owe the further invention of cast-metal types.

The most famous of the books they printed was a large folio Bible in Latin, of which but few copies are known. One of these was recently sold in London at a public auction for 2800l. This book is known as the Mazarin Bible, as the first copy was found in the library of Cardinal Mazarin at Paris in the beginning of the seventeenth century. Great Britain may pride herself on having led the van during the nineteenth century in the march of invention and discovery, but it must be admitted

that foreigners were in the past the chief promoters of civilisation. So it was only towards the latter part of the fifteenth century that printing was intro— duced into this country. The first English printer was William Caxton, of whom about as little is known as of Gutenberg.

Even the dates of his birth and death are matters of controversy, but his life ranged between the years

1412 and 1490.

An inhabitant of Hadlow, in Kent,

he was apprenticed to a rich London mercer, who sent him to Bruges on matters relating to his busi~ ness. During his residence abroad Caxton became acquainted with Gutenberg’s invention, and, under

the patronage of the Duchess of Burgundy, turned his attention to the study of printing, though with what financial advantage to the mercer history fails to record. On his return to his native country he set up the first English printing—press, near the western

entrance of Westminster Abbey. There he died and was buried.

The first book printed in England was

a romance on the capture of Troy. This somewhat detailed discourse on the origin of the printing—press may serve to show to what extent colossal results may accrue from the smallest beginnings, and also to what profitable account the human mind is capable of turning the most trivial circumstances. If Coster had not been endowed with the sagacity to discern that the toy of an idle hour could be developed into a practical pursuit, Guten— berg might have frittered away his intelligence in polishing stones, or making mirrors for the smart ladies of the Court, and the flood of light and know-

ledge, which the subsequent cheap and easy sale of books poured forth over the world, might have remained obscured for some, perhaps for many years. It may be urged that Coster only made a lucky hit, that Gutenberg was favoured by chance, and Caxton by opportunity. Yes. But the Whole secret of success lies in the knack of seizing a favourable opportunity, and favourable opportuni-


(26) ties crop up in every man’s lifetime.

(27) The foolish

man lets them slip; the intelligent man avails him-

self of them. At no period of history have so many opportunities been afforded to men of all classes for the improvement of their position as at the present time. The gigantic strides that science has made in this century have opened out limitless fields to the intelligence and energy of man. He need only glance around and he will find a congenial means of gratifying his taste, or proving his genius, whatever direction it may take. The power of steam has been applied to the production of almost every necessity of life——the engineering skill which bores through Alpine ranges and bridges over estuar ies; the telegraph; the advance of astronomy, which now enables us to foretell to a second the advent of a comet, even at an interval of centuries, and to

discover the composition of the moon and the planets; geological investigations which lay bare the mysteries of the formation of the earth and of the deepest depths of the ocean—have been the means of bringing fame, together with remunerative employment, to men who in other times would have been doomed to obscurity and poverty. These improvements have been attended by a diminution in the cost of living in every direction. At a comparatively trifling expense we can repair,

not only to any part of the country, but to the most distant Colonies of the Empire, and exchange a precarious existence for a life breezy, full of novelty, enterprise, adventure, and promise of success. I have no hesitation is saying that one of the most fruitful promoters of the well-being of the working classes is the development of the press. The state of the newspaper press of Great Britain at this moment is one of the wonders of the age. It is not only formidable as a literary and political weapon, but as an eminently cultivating, beneficent, and useful agency. The penny newspaper opens out channels of instruction and .111formation~—and by information I mean practical and technical information—which were closed to ' former generations. It affords at a minimum cost to any artisan and labourer in the kingdom practical knowledge and information of almost every kind. It forms his judgment on the political questions of the day, which by his vote he has the power of influencmg ; it acquaints him with the most recent improve-

ments in agriculture and every species of trade, Whilst offering to his mind an easy survey of the daily history of the World. I belieVe I shall not be trespassing unduly on your time by briefly sketching the history of the press.


(26) ties crop up in every man’s lifetime.

(27) The foolish

man lets them slip; the intelligent man avails him-

self of them. At no period of history have so many opportunities been afforded to men of all classes for the improvement of their position as at the present time. The gigantic strides that science has made in this century have opened out limitless fields to the intelligence and energy of man. He need only glance around and he will find a congenial means of gratifying his taste, or proving his genius, whatever direction it may take. The power of steam has been applied to the production of almost every necessity of life——the engineering skill which bores through Alpine ranges and bridges over estuar ies; the telegraph; the advance of astronomy, which now enables us to foretell to a second the advent of a comet, even at an interval of centuries, and to

discover the composition of the moon and the planets; geological investigations which lay bare the mysteries of the formation of the earth and of the deepest depths of the ocean—have been the means of bringing fame, together with remunerative employment, to men who in other times would have been doomed to obscurity and poverty. These improvements have been attended by a diminution in the cost of living in every direction. At a comparatively trifling expense we can repair,

not only to any part of the country, but to the most distant Colonies of the Empire, and exchange a precarious existence for a life breezy, full of novelty, enterprise, adventure, and promise of success. I have no hesitation is saying that one of the most fruitful promoters of the well-being of the working classes is the development of the press. The state of the newspaper press of Great Britain at this moment is one of the wonders of the age. It is not only formidable as a literary and political weapon, but as an eminently cultivating, beneficent, and useful agency. The penny newspaper opens out channels of instruction and .111formation~—and by information I mean practical and technical information—which were closed to ' former generations. It affords at a minimum cost to any artisan and labourer in the kingdom practical knowledge and information of almost every kind. It forms his judgment on the political questions of the day, which by his vote he has the power of influencmg ; it acquaints him with the most recent improve-

ments in agriculture and every species of trade, Whilst offering to his mind an easy survey of the daily history of the World. I belieVe I shall not be trespassing unduly on your time by briefly sketching the history of the press.


(28)

( 29 )

Of course the Chinese boast of having published the first known newspaper. Whether they did so or not is a matter of little importance, as they never improved on their original conception. I believe that I am correct in stating that the native newspaper press in China at this moment is confined to

asserted that Queen Elizabeth, one of the greatest

an ofiicial gazette, of which every article has to be

submitted to the supervision of no less a personage than the Emperor of China. In ancient Rome a kind of newspaper was posted in the public baths which was called the Acta Dlurna, or Daily Events. It was merely an official gazette containing the record of the most conspicuous transactions and events of the day. A Latin author named Petronius, who lived about the year 60, published in a famous novel an epitome of the Acta

sovereigns, as she was one of the most disagreeable women that ever lived, commanded Lord Burleigh, her Prime Minister, to issue a publication in the nature of a newspaper. This was the English

Mercurie, whose mission was to warn the country of false reports, and at the same time to supply it with authentic information with respect to the threatened invasion by Spain, and of the movements of the Spanish Armada.

Three numbers of this periodical are still preserved in the British Museum, the first of them

being No. 50, and bears the date July 23rd, 1588. It says that the Armada was seen on the 20th in ‘the chops of the Channel,’ gives ah account of the

Diurna, which gives us a fair notion of what the

English fleet, which consisted of 80 sail, and that of the Spanish, which consisted of 150, and proceeds

gazette must have been.

This is a translation :—

to remark that the British sailors hailed their

‘On the 26th July thirty boys and forty girls were born on the estate of Trimalchis at Cuma. At the same time a slave was put to death for uttering disrespectful words against his master. On the same day a fire broke out in Pompey’s Gardens, which began at night in the steward’s room.’

enemies with cheers and acclamations of joy. Unfortunately the authenticity of the English Mercurie is now being disputed. Historians and scholars look upon it as a forgery of a later day. To Germany must be conceded the honour of having founded the first really authentic newspaper.

We have to take a leap over many centuries to arrive at the publication of the first newspaper. We flatter ourselves that the credit of this belongs to England. Until a very recent date it was

This was the Franky‘in‘ter Journal, which is still continued in a daily form, and which was established at Frankfort as a weekly periodical in 1615. Isolated German pamphlets had already appeared in 1498.


(28)

( 29 )

Of course the Chinese boast of having published the first known newspaper. Whether they did so or not is a matter of little importance, as they never improved on their original conception. I believe that I am correct in stating that the native newspaper press in China at this moment is confined to

asserted that Queen Elizabeth, one of the greatest

an ofiicial gazette, of which every article has to be

submitted to the supervision of no less a personage than the Emperor of China. In ancient Rome a kind of newspaper was posted in the public baths which was called the Acta Dlurna, or Daily Events. It was merely an official gazette containing the record of the most conspicuous transactions and events of the day. A Latin author named Petronius, who lived about the year 60, published in a famous novel an epitome of the Acta

sovereigns, as she was one of the most disagreeable women that ever lived, commanded Lord Burleigh, her Prime Minister, to issue a publication in the nature of a newspaper. This was the English

Mercurie, whose mission was to warn the country of false reports, and at the same time to supply it with authentic information with respect to the threatened invasion by Spain, and of the movements of the Spanish Armada.

Three numbers of this periodical are still preserved in the British Museum, the first of them

being No. 50, and bears the date July 23rd, 1588. It says that the Armada was seen on the 20th in ‘the chops of the Channel,’ gives ah account of the

Diurna, which gives us a fair notion of what the

English fleet, which consisted of 80 sail, and that of the Spanish, which consisted of 150, and proceeds

gazette must have been.

This is a translation :—

to remark that the British sailors hailed their

‘On the 26th July thirty boys and forty girls were born on the estate of Trimalchis at Cuma. At the same time a slave was put to death for uttering disrespectful words against his master. On the same day a fire broke out in Pompey’s Gardens, which began at night in the steward’s room.’

enemies with cheers and acclamations of joy. Unfortunately the authenticity of the English Mercurie is now being disputed. Historians and scholars look upon it as a forgery of a later day. To Germany must be conceded the honour of having founded the first really authentic newspaper.

We have to take a leap over many centuries to arrive at the publication of the first newspaper. We flatter ourselves that the credit of this belongs to England. Until a very recent date it was

This was the Franky‘in‘ter Journal, which is still continued in a daily form, and which was established at Frankfort as a weekly periodical in 1615. Isolated German pamphlets had already appeared in 1498.


(30) In May, 1622, the first England ranks next. English periodical was issued in London under the

lence to many causes, chief among them being the liberty of the Press. For this we are indirectly

name of the Courcmt; or, Wee/sly News for Foreign

indebted to John Wilkes, in 1768, who, by his bold

Parts.

This was followed up in the next year by

defiance of a tyrannical Ministry, and the arbitrary

Certain News of this Present “76679. The improvements in machinery and printing, the growing appetite for information, and the interest which the public were beginning to take in the proceedings of Parliament, led to a rapid increase in the number of newspaper publications. During the next forty years 150 periodical publications sprang into life. But to call these newspapers would be to anticipate the press achievements of the present century. Although many of them were edited and written by men of great literary ability, they were subjected to strict censorship, and were liable almost at every step to prosecution for libel. They were partly political and literary essays, squibs, or pamphlets and they recorded the movements and gossip of the court and aristocracy, with a sprinkling of foreign intelligence. It may be known to you—at any rate you should bear it in mind—that up to the end of the last century reporters were excluded from Parlia-

imprisonment he suffered for publishing the Parliamentary debates, which were then considered secret,

excited public opinion to such a degree that reporters henceforth were admitted to the galleries. Public opinion soon demanded greater excellence and better information in the papers, and the latter

were put upon their mettle to satisfy this demand. The liberty to publish the debates in Parliament was still further supplemented by modification of the law of libel. At the beginning of this century invention followed upon invention, lowering the

cost of printing and of paper, enabling newspapers to enlarge their space, while at the same time the increased facilities of communication and the diminution in the charge for postage increased their circulation.

ment, and debates were recorded only on hearsay,

The last impediment was removed when the newspaper tax was abrogated in 1855. In 1776 the stamp duty was threepence-halfpenny, but it had been reduced to a penny before it was abolished. The history of the newspaper press of this

and in a necessarily unsatisfactory and mangled

century, of its editors, writers, and correspondents,

form. We owe the growth of the Press and its excel—

would sufiice to fill a volume in itself, and would

be full of attractive episodes.

I shall be satisfied


(30) In May, 1622, the first England ranks next. English periodical was issued in London under the

lence to many causes, chief among them being the liberty of the Press. For this we are indirectly

name of the Courcmt; or, Wee/sly News for Foreign

indebted to John Wilkes, in 1768, who, by his bold

Parts.

This was followed up in the next year by

defiance of a tyrannical Ministry, and the arbitrary

Certain News of this Present “76679. The improvements in machinery and printing, the growing appetite for information, and the interest which the public were beginning to take in the proceedings of Parliament, led to a rapid increase in the number of newspaper publications. During the next forty years 150 periodical publications sprang into life. But to call these newspapers would be to anticipate the press achievements of the present century. Although many of them were edited and written by men of great literary ability, they were subjected to strict censorship, and were liable almost at every step to prosecution for libel. They were partly political and literary essays, squibs, or pamphlets and they recorded the movements and gossip of the court and aristocracy, with a sprinkling of foreign intelligence. It may be known to you—at any rate you should bear it in mind—that up to the end of the last century reporters were excluded from Parlia-

imprisonment he suffered for publishing the Parliamentary debates, which were then considered secret,

excited public opinion to such a degree that reporters henceforth were admitted to the galleries. Public opinion soon demanded greater excellence and better information in the papers, and the latter

were put upon their mettle to satisfy this demand. The liberty to publish the debates in Parliament was still further supplemented by modification of the law of libel. At the beginning of this century invention followed upon invention, lowering the

cost of printing and of paper, enabling newspapers to enlarge their space, while at the same time the increased facilities of communication and the diminution in the charge for postage increased their circulation.

ment, and debates were recorded only on hearsay,

The last impediment was removed when the newspaper tax was abrogated in 1855. In 1776 the stamp duty was threepence-halfpenny, but it had been reduced to a penny before it was abolished. The history of the newspaper press of this

and in a necessarily unsatisfactory and mangled

century, of its editors, writers, and correspondents,

form. We owe the growth of the Press and its excel—

would sufiice to fill a volume in itself, and would

be full of attractive episodes.

I shall be satisfied


<33) with briefly giving the history of a family to whose exertions we mainly owe the high standard of the newspaper writing of the day, as well as the perfection of the methods by which the press has become cheap and popular.

This is the family of

read in Truth and the World; half a column is devoted to a poem by the Poet Laureate, which is very much on a par with the latest effusion of the

present bearer of that title. Only one marriage is announced and only one death. Among the advertisers a certain C. Sharp vaunts the superiority of'

Mr. John Walter, the present proprietor of the Tfines.

his razors; John Young his Caledonian snuff; Mrs.

We have to retrace our steps to 1738, when the

H. M. announces her new opera fans, with a plan of

The

the boxes and the names of the subscribers on the leaves. There is also an opiate of life for weak

first John Walter was born in Newcastle.

son of a coal-merchant, he turned his attention to marine insurance and made a considerable fortune,

but which he lost owing to the capture of a fleet of merchantmen he had insured. He then came to London at the age of forty-six, and having interested‘ himself in an improved method of printing invented by one Matthew Johnson, took, in 1784,

the well-known premises in Printing House Square, and in the following year started the Times. The first number was of folio size, containing four pages, half of" them being occupied with advertisements. The foreign intelligence in the first issue fills only half a column, whilst the London news is confined to ten short paragraphs. It may be amusing to compare some of these with the paragraphs of the present day. One states that ‘the illness of Lord Salisbury is a public evil;’ another, headed ‘The Cuckoo,’ is

made up of personal gossip similar to what we now

stomachs, and a golden pill which prevents head— aches and beautifies the complexion. The progress of the Times was slow, as John

Walter, like Wilkes, suffered from the law of libel.

He had to pay a heavy fine, stand in the pillory for an hour, be imprisoned for twelve months, and find security for his good behaviour for seven years—all for having libelled a noble lord. Disheartened by

his treatment, and being advanced in years, he handed over the management of the paper to his son, another John Walter, in the year 1803.

Its new ownerwas a young man of twenty—seven,

but was possessed of uncommon sagacity and perseverance. He entirely reorganized the paper, and improved its foreign news supply, for which, owing

to the French war, they had hitherto been indebted

to the assistance of smugglers. Young Walter invented the special correspondent, the first of the (7‘,


<33) with briefly giving the history of a family to whose exertions we mainly owe the high standard of the newspaper writing of the day, as well as the perfection of the methods by which the press has become cheap and popular.

This is the family of

read in Truth and the World; half a column is devoted to a poem by the Poet Laureate, which is very much on a par with the latest effusion of the

present bearer of that title. Only one marriage is announced and only one death. Among the advertisers a certain C. Sharp vaunts the superiority of'

Mr. John Walter, the present proprietor of the Tfines.

his razors; John Young his Caledonian snuff; Mrs.

We have to retrace our steps to 1738, when the

H. M. announces her new opera fans, with a plan of

The

the boxes and the names of the subscribers on the leaves. There is also an opiate of life for weak

first John Walter was born in Newcastle.

son of a coal-merchant, he turned his attention to marine insurance and made a considerable fortune,

but which he lost owing to the capture of a fleet of merchantmen he had insured. He then came to London at the age of forty-six, and having interested‘ himself in an improved method of printing invented by one Matthew Johnson, took, in 1784,

the well-known premises in Printing House Square, and in the following year started the Times. The first number was of folio size, containing four pages, half of" them being occupied with advertisements. The foreign intelligence in the first issue fills only half a column, whilst the London news is confined to ten short paragraphs. It may be amusing to compare some of these with the paragraphs of the present day. One states that ‘the illness of Lord Salisbury is a public evil;’ another, headed ‘The Cuckoo,’ is

made up of personal gossip similar to what we now

stomachs, and a golden pill which prevents head— aches and beautifies the complexion. The progress of the Times was slow, as John

Walter, like Wilkes, suffered from the law of libel.

He had to pay a heavy fine, stand in the pillory for an hour, be imprisoned for twelve months, and find security for his good behaviour for seven years—all for having libelled a noble lord. Disheartened by

his treatment, and being advanced in years, he handed over the management of the paper to his son, another John Walter, in the year 1803.

Its new ownerwas a young man of twenty—seven,

but was possessed of uncommon sagacity and perseverance. He entirely reorganized the paper, and improved its foreign news supply, for which, owing

to the French war, they had hitherto been indebted

to the assistance of smugglers. Young Walter invented the special correspondent, the first of the (7‘,


(34) race being Henry Crabbe Robinson. But the direction in which he displayed his abilities most usefully of all was in promoting improvements in the printing-press. This, again, was effected by a German, one Frederic Koenig, a native of Saxony, who, with Walter’s enterprising aid, invented the

first printing—press that was worked by steam. Walter adopted Koenig’s machine, and after two years’ experiments, on the 29th November, 1814,

he held in his hand the first sheet of the Times printed by steam. The effects of this daring innovation were soon apparent, the improvement of the process of printing went forward by leaps and bounds, and when John Walter died in 1847 he was

not only a famous but a wealthy man. In 1862 the Times was printed at the rate of 8000 copies an hour; while in 1814 when Koenig’s machine turned

out 1100 copies in that time it was considered a work of magic. Under the present and third Mr. Walter the Walter Press has been so perfected that it will give off 17,000 complete impressions in an hour; and by multiplying these presses, the whole issue of the Times, which is put down at 80,000, is printed in

less than two hours every morning. This press is at once simple and compact. A large reel covered with a continuous roll of paper revolves at one end, at the other the printed sheets

(35) issue folded and ready for distribution.

The paper

on the reel is four miles long ; and this four miles of

paper is converted into newspapers in less than half an hour. The Times consumes nightly ten tons weight of paper, representing a roll 160 miles in length. It is needless for me to dilate on the number of journals and periodicals which are daily showered all over the country, the universality of the information they contain, the admirable style in which for the most part they are written, or the accuracy and certainty with which they are supplied with news from all quarters of the globe. A new feature in journalism is the work of the War Correspondents, who undergo all the perils

and fatigues of the severest campaigns in pursuit of their calling, meeting death, as did Mr. Pemberton in the Franco—German War, and Mr. Cameron and Mr. St. Leger Herbert in the Soudan Expedition,

while taking notes in the thick of the fire. The services of Dr. Russell in the Crimea, when

his letters to the Times not only sustained the enthusiasm at home, but preserved the army by drawing attention to its defects; and of Mr. Archibald Forbes in the Zulu Campaign, where he rode 160 miles through an enemy’s country, bringing the first tidings of the decisive battle of Ulundi, are

matters of common knowledge.

Nowadays gentle-


(34) race being Henry Crabbe Robinson. But the direction in which he displayed his abilities most usefully of all was in promoting improvements in the printing-press. This, again, was effected by a German, one Frederic Koenig, a native of Saxony, who, with Walter’s enterprising aid, invented the

first printing—press that was worked by steam. Walter adopted Koenig’s machine, and after two years’ experiments, on the 29th November, 1814,

he held in his hand the first sheet of the Times printed by steam. The effects of this daring innovation were soon apparent, the improvement of the process of printing went forward by leaps and bounds, and when John Walter died in 1847 he was

not only a famous but a wealthy man. In 1862 the Times was printed at the rate of 8000 copies an hour; while in 1814 when Koenig’s machine turned

out 1100 copies in that time it was considered a work of magic. Under the present and third Mr. Walter the Walter Press has been so perfected that it will give off 17,000 complete impressions in an hour; and by multiplying these presses, the whole issue of the Times, which is put down at 80,000, is printed in

less than two hours every morning. This press is at once simple and compact. A large reel covered with a continuous roll of paper revolves at one end, at the other the printed sheets

(35) issue folded and ready for distribution.

The paper

on the reel is four miles long ; and this four miles of

paper is converted into newspapers in less than half an hour. The Times consumes nightly ten tons weight of paper, representing a roll 160 miles in length. It is needless for me to dilate on the number of journals and periodicals which are daily showered all over the country, the universality of the information they contain, the admirable style in which for the most part they are written, or the accuracy and certainty with which they are supplied with news from all quarters of the globe. A new feature in journalism is the work of the War Correspondents, who undergo all the perils

and fatigues of the severest campaigns in pursuit of their calling, meeting death, as did Mr. Pemberton in the Franco—German War, and Mr. Cameron and Mr. St. Leger Herbert in the Soudan Expedition,

while taking notes in the thick of the fire. The services of Dr. Russell in the Crimea, when

his letters to the Times not only sustained the enthusiasm at home, but preserved the army by drawing attention to its defects; and of Mr. Archibald Forbes in the Zulu Campaign, where he rode 160 miles through an enemy’s country, bringing the first tidings of the decisive battle of Ulundi, are

matters of common knowledge.

Nowadays gentle-


(:36)

( 37 )

men of the highest standing are proud to be on the

ments in bewildering variety, business notices equally multifarious. There you will be told of Madame Tussaud’s, where you can see the model of the latest sensational murderer or statesman; of the moneylender who will trust you with any sum you require,

staff of a daily paper, and some of our most eminent public men were at one time connected with the press. Lord Salisbury, when he was still Lord Robert Cecil, was a leader—writer on the Standard; Mr. Leonard Courtney, Deputy Speaker of the

from 10l. to 20,000l., on the slightest security; of

House of Commons, occupied a similar position on

the gold mine in which innumerable fortunes are to

the Times; Mr. Robert Lowe, afterwards Chancellor of the Exchequer, and now Lord Sherbrooke, also followed the profession of journalism; the Solicitor-General, Sir Edward Clarke, was a news-

be made; of the gentleman, ‘young and goodlooking, with 500l. a—year, who wishes to meet with a lady, also young and good-looking, possessed of a

paper reporter; and last, but not least, Mr. W. H. Smith in his younger days worked at the business established by his father, and which is now the greatest newspaper-distributing agency in the world. The advertisements produce the great incomes which are now made by the daily papers; but, again, those journals which by the excellence of their news and the ability of their writing secure the largest circulation have the greatest number of advertisements. If you want an hour’s amusement

sweet temper, with a view to matrimony—a fortune not objected to g’ of the medicine which cures all disorders in three doses; of the nose-improving machine which will make you a Grecian or Roman nose at pleasure ; the stays which will give you the figure of a sylph without inconvenience; the phy— sician who will reform the most inveterate dipso-

maniac ; or the lawyer who will assert your right to unclaimed thousands. The accommodating person who will buy anything, from a court suit to a set of artificial teeth ; the two maiden ladies who will ex-

or profit you can obtain it by scanning the adver—

change their charming cottage in the country~—WIth-

tising sheets of a leading daily paper. There you will find the most ludicrous and absurd notices side by side with ones which are in the highest degree practical and useful. There is scarcely a want in life which these columns do not offer to satisfy. There are amuse-

out three acres or even a cow—for your town house for three months; not forgetting that attractive column wherein you can read of the births, marriages,

and

deaths

of your

friends,

which

the

irreverent Yankees have called ‘hatches, matches,

and despatches.’

In these days every trade, every


(:36)

( 37 )

men of the highest standing are proud to be on the

ments in bewildering variety, business notices equally multifarious. There you will be told of Madame Tussaud’s, where you can see the model of the latest sensational murderer or statesman; of the moneylender who will trust you with any sum you require,

staff of a daily paper, and some of our most eminent public men were at one time connected with the press. Lord Salisbury, when he was still Lord Robert Cecil, was a leader—writer on the Standard; Mr. Leonard Courtney, Deputy Speaker of the

from 10l. to 20,000l., on the slightest security; of

House of Commons, occupied a similar position on

the gold mine in which innumerable fortunes are to

the Times; Mr. Robert Lowe, afterwards Chancellor of the Exchequer, and now Lord Sherbrooke, also followed the profession of journalism; the Solicitor-General, Sir Edward Clarke, was a news-

be made; of the gentleman, ‘young and goodlooking, with 500l. a—year, who wishes to meet with a lady, also young and good-looking, possessed of a

paper reporter; and last, but not least, Mr. W. H. Smith in his younger days worked at the business established by his father, and which is now the greatest newspaper-distributing agency in the world. The advertisements produce the great incomes which are now made by the daily papers; but, again, those journals which by the excellence of their news and the ability of their writing secure the largest circulation have the greatest number of advertisements. If you want an hour’s amusement

sweet temper, with a view to matrimony—a fortune not objected to g’ of the medicine which cures all disorders in three doses; of the nose-improving machine which will make you a Grecian or Roman nose at pleasure ; the stays which will give you the figure of a sylph without inconvenience; the phy— sician who will reform the most inveterate dipso-

maniac ; or the lawyer who will assert your right to unclaimed thousands. The accommodating person who will buy anything, from a court suit to a set of artificial teeth ; the two maiden ladies who will ex-

or profit you can obtain it by scanning the adver—

change their charming cottage in the country~—WIth-

tising sheets of a leading daily paper. There you will find the most ludicrous and absurd notices side by side with ones which are in the highest degree practical and useful. There is scarcely a want in life which these columns do not offer to satisfy. There are amuse-

out three acres or even a cow—for your town house for three months; not forgetting that attractive column wherein you can read of the births, marriages,

and

deaths

of your

friends,

which

the

irreverent Yankees have called ‘hatches, matches,

and despatches.’

In these days every trade, every


(38)

(39)

business, every profession, and every popular amusement and pastime, has its special mouthpiece in the press; and though many of these are ephemeral publications, they indicate the extent to which the art of printing has been utilised. In conclusion, let me touch on one more topic only. To what extent the inventions of the nineteenth century have enhanced the comfort and independence of the masses, and especially to what extent the application of steam has been instru-

tobacco, and do not think that this comes from America; when planting your potatoes, that these were originally imported from Virginia; when drinking your cocoa, that this also comes from America;

or that the gold or jewels you see in a shop window may have been taken from the mines of California or the Brazils. Probably the only person to whose mind the discovery of America is ever present is the agri-

culturist who deplores the importation of wheat.

mental in the diffusion of knowledge, I have

It may, however, be the case, that such desultory

already sufficiently enlarged upon. I may add that the geographical discoveries of the last three hundred years have conferred equal blessings on the people of this country. The discovery of Australia by Captain Cook in 1768, and the opening out of immense regions in hitherto unexplored parts of Africa and Canada, have relieved by emigration

remarks may have awakened in you a desire to become better acquainted with the early history of that great continent.

the over—crowded centres of the old world, and been

the means of providing many fresh outlets for the energies of mankind. As we can hardly realise the time when printing had not been invented, so we can hardly realise the time when geographical knowledge was limited to Europe and portions of

I may say, that towards the end of the fifteenth

century the discovery of America was in the air. Scientific and astronomical knowledge had pro-

gressed, and that the earth was shaped like a globe, and at any rate that it was spherical and not flat, was, if not an ascertained fact, at least a

general belief. America, despite the 3000 miles of intervening ocean, was scented by the nostrils of acute scholars and greedy adventurers. Travellers had explored

Asia and Africa; when the earth was supposed to

the shores of the Atlantic, and discovered some

be a flat surface, bounded on all sides by the ocean.

tropical islands from which they returned laden

I have no doubt that some of you, when smoking your pipes, casually discuss the quality of your

with strange spices and fruits, and skins of strange birds and animals. There were countless legends


(38)

(39)

business, every profession, and every popular amusement and pastime, has its special mouthpiece in the press; and though many of these are ephemeral publications, they indicate the extent to which the art of printing has been utilised. In conclusion, let me touch on one more topic only. To what extent the inventions of the nineteenth century have enhanced the comfort and independence of the masses, and especially to what extent the application of steam has been instru-

tobacco, and do not think that this comes from America; when planting your potatoes, that these were originally imported from Virginia; when drinking your cocoa, that this also comes from America;

or that the gold or jewels you see in a shop window may have been taken from the mines of California or the Brazils. Probably the only person to whose mind the discovery of America is ever present is the agri-

culturist who deplores the importation of wheat.

mental in the diffusion of knowledge, I have

It may, however, be the case, that such desultory

already sufficiently enlarged upon. I may add that the geographical discoveries of the last three hundred years have conferred equal blessings on the people of this country. The discovery of Australia by Captain Cook in 1768, and the opening out of immense regions in hitherto unexplored parts of Africa and Canada, have relieved by emigration

remarks may have awakened in you a desire to become better acquainted with the early history of that great continent.

the over—crowded centres of the old world, and been

the means of providing many fresh outlets for the energies of mankind. As we can hardly realise the time when printing had not been invented, so we can hardly realise the time when geographical knowledge was limited to Europe and portions of

I may say, that towards the end of the fifteenth

century the discovery of America was in the air. Scientific and astronomical knowledge had pro-

gressed, and that the earth was shaped like a globe, and at any rate that it was spherical and not flat, was, if not an ascertained fact, at least a

general belief. America, despite the 3000 miles of intervening ocean, was scented by the nostrils of acute scholars and greedy adventurers. Travellers had explored

Asia and Africa; when the earth was supposed to

the shores of the Atlantic, and discovered some

be a flat surface, bounded on all sides by the ocean.

tropical islands from which they returned laden

I have no doubt that some of you, when smoking your pipes, casually discuss the quality of your

with strange spices and fruits, and skins of strange birds and animals. There were countless legends


(40)

(41)

afloat of a great continent, which went by the

At the age of thirty—four he arrived at Lisbon, after having been wrecked in a sea—fight, escaping on a plank to the land. For the next four years he listened to those marvellous tales about the mythical Cathay, which old seamen poured into his ready ears, pondered over the maps and charts he drew

name of Atalantis, and was supposed to be situated

somewhere in the centre of that strange ocean.

Then, again, there was a hope of reaching India by crossing the ocean—a mythical India which

went by the name of Cathay, and was reputed to be blazing with jewels and gold. But to reach this fabulous land the ocean had to be traversed,

and it was a tempestuous ocean, into whose fathomless depths evils spirits and genii dragged the foolhardy mariner.

To essay such a venture was a

tremendous temptation.

Success would lead to

to make a livelihood, and finally arrived at the conclusion that the discovery could be made, and that he was the man to make it.

We are unable to follow the steps of Columbus one by one during the next eighteen years—years of toil, anguish, deception, and hardship, patiently

honours, fame, and wealth, but the most daring

and perseveringly endured.

buccaneer recoiled before that gloomy waste, and

To accomplish his design the concurrence of some state or sovereign was necessary. His country-

from those waves which ran mountains high.

That it could be accomplished seemed never to

men, the Genoese, turned a deaf ear to his entreaties.

enter any sane man’s head ; it would be sheer folly,

The King of Portugal played him false and sent out an expedition behind his back, which returned after a brief absence, the sailors having lost heart. He then betook himself to Spain, where he fruitlessly dogged the footsteps of the court. His plans were submitted to a theological assembly, which rejected them with scorn. Columbus was in despair, and meant to try his

it would be defying the will of Providence, it would be courting certain death.

‘Wherever ship has

sailed there have I journeyed,’ wrote Christopher Columbus about the year 1470. He was destined to sail where no ship had sailed yet. Born in 1436 at Genoa, the son of a wool—comber, when he

reached his fifteenth year he became a sailor; and in the course of twenty rough and adventurous years visited England, Iceland, the West Coast of Africa, and the Greek Isles, and had become

familiar with the terrors of the deep.

luck in France.

A weary, footsore wanderer, he

knocked at the door of the monastery of La Rabida. which is situated on the southern coast of Spain. The Prior, a generous and noble - hearted man, D


(40)

(41)

afloat of a great continent, which went by the

At the age of thirty—four he arrived at Lisbon, after having been wrecked in a sea—fight, escaping on a plank to the land. For the next four years he listened to those marvellous tales about the mythical Cathay, which old seamen poured into his ready ears, pondered over the maps and charts he drew

name of Atalantis, and was supposed to be situated

somewhere in the centre of that strange ocean.

Then, again, there was a hope of reaching India by crossing the ocean—a mythical India which

went by the name of Cathay, and was reputed to be blazing with jewels and gold. But to reach this fabulous land the ocean had to be traversed,

and it was a tempestuous ocean, into whose fathomless depths evils spirits and genii dragged the foolhardy mariner.

To essay such a venture was a

tremendous temptation.

Success would lead to

to make a livelihood, and finally arrived at the conclusion that the discovery could be made, and that he was the man to make it.

We are unable to follow the steps of Columbus one by one during the next eighteen years—years of toil, anguish, deception, and hardship, patiently

honours, fame, and wealth, but the most daring

and perseveringly endured.

buccaneer recoiled before that gloomy waste, and

To accomplish his design the concurrence of some state or sovereign was necessary. His country-

from those waves which ran mountains high.

That it could be accomplished seemed never to

men, the Genoese, turned a deaf ear to his entreaties.

enter any sane man’s head ; it would be sheer folly,

The King of Portugal played him false and sent out an expedition behind his back, which returned after a brief absence, the sailors having lost heart. He then betook himself to Spain, where he fruitlessly dogged the footsteps of the court. His plans were submitted to a theological assembly, which rejected them with scorn. Columbus was in despair, and meant to try his

it would be defying the will of Providence, it would be courting certain death.

‘Wherever ship has

sailed there have I journeyed,’ wrote Christopher Columbus about the year 1470. He was destined to sail where no ship had sailed yet. Born in 1436 at Genoa, the son of a wool—comber, when he

reached his fifteenth year he became a sailor; and in the course of twenty rough and adventurous years visited England, Iceland, the West Coast of Africa, and the Greek Isles, and had become

familiar with the terrors of the deep.

luck in France.

A weary, footsore wanderer, he

knocked at the door of the monastery of La Rabida. which is situated on the southern coast of Spain. The Prior, a generous and noble - hearted man, D


(42)

(43)

listened to his passionate appeal, and recommended

his genius, honesty, and perseverance, were not

him to the Confessor of Queen Isabella.

proof against the meanness, envy, and malice of his associates. We have seen that Gutenberg died a pauper; a worse fate was in store for Columbus. Shamefully calumniated after his third Voyage, he was loaded with chains by the very persons whose

On her the

future discoverer made a favourable impression.

In

an interval of her massacres of Moors and Jews,

Queen Isabella granted him an audience, and furnished him with the means of fitting out an expedition. The little fleet consisted of the Santa Mrria, a decked ship with a crew of fifty men, and two small

fortunes he had

made, ignominiously sent

back

undecked vessels, the Pinta, with thirty men, and

to Spain, and there thrown into prison. A fourth time, however, he accomplished the voyage across

the Nina, with twenty—four men.

the Atlantic.

Though he enriched the Crown of

On Friday, August 3rd, 1492, the discoverers set

Spain with the untold wealth and resources of

sail on the stormy, chartless, and mysterious ocean. After a voyage of upwards of two months, in craft in which you would hardly care to meet the chops of

the new continent, he had to retire in disgrace, and died in 1506, at the age of seventy, a heart—

the Channel, and after endless privations and almost

broken and impecunious man. Posterity has erected statues to Gutenberg

unconquerable difficulties, in the face of a super-

and Columbus.

stitious and mutinous crew, on another Friday, the

of civilisation met with a small recognition, and

12th of October, a sailor on the mast of the Nina

a sorry acknowledgment of their labours.

proclaimed to Columbus that the New World was

in the following year, bearing with him the gold,

this may not be an incentive to those who would emulate their example. Yet who would not gladly incur the same risks, and meet with the same difficulties and disappointments, for the conscious—

the cotton, the parrots, the curious arms and gor-

ness of achieving such results, and the glory which

geous plants, the bright birds and wild beasts of

has since hallowed their names?

the New World, and last, though not least, the first Indians ever seen in Europe, Columbus became, but for a brief while only, the hero of the day, and

or expect, that I am addressing the hero of a new

discovered. On his return to Spain on the 15th of March

enjoyed well-deserved ovations and rewards; but

In their lifetime these pioneers Perhaps

I do not believe,

invention, or the discoverer of a new continent.

Nor am I anxious, were it even in my power, to


(42)

(43)

listened to his passionate appeal, and recommended

his genius, honesty, and perseverance, were not

him to the Confessor of Queen Isabella.

proof against the meanness, envy, and malice of his associates. We have seen that Gutenberg died a pauper; a worse fate was in store for Columbus. Shamefully calumniated after his third Voyage, he was loaded with chains by the very persons whose

On her the

future discoverer made a favourable impression.

In

an interval of her massacres of Moors and Jews,

Queen Isabella granted him an audience, and furnished him with the means of fitting out an expedition. The little fleet consisted of the Santa Mrria, a decked ship with a crew of fifty men, and two small

fortunes he had

made, ignominiously sent

back

undecked vessels, the Pinta, with thirty men, and

to Spain, and there thrown into prison. A fourth time, however, he accomplished the voyage across

the Nina, with twenty—four men.

the Atlantic.

Though he enriched the Crown of

On Friday, August 3rd, 1492, the discoverers set

Spain with the untold wealth and resources of

sail on the stormy, chartless, and mysterious ocean. After a voyage of upwards of two months, in craft in which you would hardly care to meet the chops of

the new continent, he had to retire in disgrace, and died in 1506, at the age of seventy, a heart—

the Channel, and after endless privations and almost

broken and impecunious man. Posterity has erected statues to Gutenberg

unconquerable difficulties, in the face of a super-

and Columbus.

stitious and mutinous crew, on another Friday, the

of civilisation met with a small recognition, and

12th of October, a sailor on the mast of the Nina

a sorry acknowledgment of their labours.

proclaimed to Columbus that the New World was

in the following year, bearing with him the gold,

this may not be an incentive to those who would emulate their example. Yet who would not gladly incur the same risks, and meet with the same difficulties and disappointments, for the conscious—

the cotton, the parrots, the curious arms and gor-

ness of achieving such results, and the glory which

geous plants, the bright birds and wild beasts of

has since hallowed their names?

the New World, and last, though not least, the first Indians ever seen in Europe, Columbus became, but for a brief while only, the hero of the day, and

or expect, that I am addressing the hero of a new

discovered. On his return to Spain on the 15th of March

enjoyed well-deserved ovations and rewards; but

In their lifetime these pioneers Perhaps

I do not believe,

invention, or the discoverer of a new continent.

Nor am I anxious, were it even in my power, to


( 44) animate you with the desire to attempt Wild speculations.

In delineating the careers of Gutenberg and Columbus, and giving you a summary of the colossal results which have followed from their work, I am, in the first place, only anxious to show

that desultory remarks and discourses may lead to profitable studies; and, in the second, to lay before you the great lessons taught by the labours, trials, and triumphs of some of the master minds of history. At any rate, let me express the hope that my attempt to interest you has not failed, and that it may meet With a generous indulgence and approval.

THE ADVENT OF THE

AYLES BURY, VICTORIA CLUB FOR WORKING MEN, 18th October, 1887.

FRENCH REVOLUTION.


( 44) animate you with the desire to attempt Wild speculations.

In delineating the careers of Gutenberg and Columbus, and giving you a summary of the colossal results which have followed from their work, I am, in the first place, only anxious to show

that desultory remarks and discourses may lead to profitable studies; and, in the second, to lay before you the great lessons taught by the labours, trials, and triumphs of some of the master minds of history. At any rate, let me express the hope that my attempt to interest you has not failed, and that it may meet With a generous indulgence and approval.

THE ADVENT OF THE

AYLES BURY, VICTORIA CLUB FOR WORKING MEN, 18th October, 1887.

FRENCH REVOLUTION.


THE ADVENT OF THE

FRENCH REVOLUTION.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,——

REPUBLICAN France is actively preparing to celebrate the centenary of her first Revolution. An exhibition of unique dimensions, a tower double the height of St. Paul’s, and pageants and demonstrations of all kinds, will commemorate that chapter in their history

which our neighbours recall with so much thankfulness and pride. In View of this display of enthusiasm, in celebration of one of the most appalling crises, not only in the history of France, but of

Europe, I venture to ofi’er for your consideration a brief survey of the most salient episodes of the earlier stages of that Revolution. It is a common error to regard the events of the Revolution as an abnormal, or an unprecedented upheaval of the national life of France. Her earlier


THE ADVENT OF THE

FRENCH REVOLUTION.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,——

REPUBLICAN France is actively preparing to celebrate the centenary of her first Revolution. An exhibition of unique dimensions, a tower double the height of St. Paul’s, and pageants and demonstrations of all kinds, will commemorate that chapter in their history

which our neighbours recall with so much thankfulness and pride. In View of this display of enthusiasm, in celebration of one of the most appalling crises, not only in the history of France, but of

Europe, I venture to ofi’er for your consideration a brief survey of the most salient episodes of the earlier stages of that Revolution. It is a common error to regard the events of the Revolution as an abnormal, or an unprecedented upheaval of the national life of France. Her earlier


(4)

)

history is a long record either of wars or of inter-

repetition,

necine strife, presenting a picture which alternates

sanguinary struggles of preceding times. The Revolution re—enacted these struggles, with the difference that the victory remained with the people. I do not wish to impugn the character

between the revolts of the great Chieftains and the risings of the people.

The second part of the sixteenth century of

under

aggravated

conditions,

of the

France, and the first part of the seventeenth, were

of the French.

ghastly kaleidoscopic scenes of crime and folly, of

witty and intelligent, artistic and brave, they have,

anarchy and despotism, ending in a victory for the

in many respects, been the pioneers of civilisation.

monarchy.

But they never were, any more than they are at present, fitted for party government and the steady

It was only {under Louis XIV. that France he-

came a homogeneous and compact nation.

But

during his long reign the demoralising tendencies

of absolutism made themselves felt.

Singularly lively and accomplished,

evolution of popular liberty.

Long before 1789,

Voltaire sneered at his compatriots as being a compound of the ape and the tiger.

The great independent Chieftains of the previous

During the sixty years’ reign of Louis XV.,

century were transformed into courtiers ; the re—

throughout which the king gave the grossest ex—

sources of the country were exhausted by wars, and the most industrious section of the people, the Protestants, were driven into exile by fanatical persecu-

amples of profligacy, extravagance, and indolence;

tion.

When Louis XIV. died, in 1715, the character

and aspirations of the nation had been modified by the influences of civilisation, but the feudal institu—

tions of the past still remained; which institutions

when the royal doctrine was that the people were made for the king; when to gain his smile was a

surer means of advancement than the performance of a great public service; when questions of

etiquette were of greater moment than the win— ning of a battle; when defeated generals were

were only possible in the darkness of the Middle Ages, or when upheld by the strong hand of a despot. The reign of his successor rendered a

and men of letters sent to jail for inveighing against the mistresses of the king; when those

change inevitable; and the passion with which

mistresses and their favourites had open warrants

that

at their disposal for imprisoning, without trial, their personal enemies ; when the finances of the country

change

was

accomplished

with the character of the nation.

was

consonant

It was a mere

made

marshals;

when

ministers

were

banished


(4)

)

history is a long record either of wars or of inter-

repetition,

necine strife, presenting a picture which alternates

sanguinary struggles of preceding times. The Revolution re—enacted these struggles, with the difference that the victory remained with the people. I do not wish to impugn the character

between the revolts of the great Chieftains and the risings of the people.

The second part of the sixteenth century of

under

aggravated

conditions,

of the

France, and the first part of the seventeenth, were

of the French.

ghastly kaleidoscopic scenes of crime and folly, of

witty and intelligent, artistic and brave, they have,

anarchy and despotism, ending in a victory for the

in many respects, been the pioneers of civilisation.

monarchy.

But they never were, any more than they are at present, fitted for party government and the steady

It was only {under Louis XIV. that France he-

came a homogeneous and compact nation.

But

during his long reign the demoralising tendencies

of absolutism made themselves felt.

Singularly lively and accomplished,

evolution of popular liberty.

Long before 1789,

Voltaire sneered at his compatriots as being a compound of the ape and the tiger.

The great independent Chieftains of the previous

During the sixty years’ reign of Louis XV.,

century were transformed into courtiers ; the re—

throughout which the king gave the grossest ex—

sources of the country were exhausted by wars, and the most industrious section of the people, the Protestants, were driven into exile by fanatical persecu-

amples of profligacy, extravagance, and indolence;

tion.

When Louis XIV. died, in 1715, the character

and aspirations of the nation had been modified by the influences of civilisation, but the feudal institu—

tions of the past still remained; which institutions

when the royal doctrine was that the people were made for the king; when to gain his smile was a

surer means of advancement than the performance of a great public service; when questions of

etiquette were of greater moment than the win— ning of a battle; when defeated generals were

were only possible in the darkness of the Middle Ages, or when upheld by the strong hand of a despot. The reign of his successor rendered a

and men of letters sent to jail for inveighing against the mistresses of the king; when those

change inevitable; and the passion with which

mistresses and their favourites had open warrants

that

at their disposal for imprisoning, without trial, their personal enemies ; when the finances of the country

change

was

accomplished

with the character of the nation.

was

consonant

It was a mere

made

marshals;

when

ministers

were

banished


(6)

(7)

Were impaired to gratify the insatiable greed of

the royal prerogative. In France we find the converse of this. From the earliest days of her history, the nobility and the middle class assisted in building up the autocracy of the crown, partly from a mistaken sense of loyalty and a want of political discernment, partly from selfishness and greed. The more absolute the king, the more assured were they of the maintenance and the extension of their numerous privileges at the expense of the people. As early as 1752 the Marquis d’Argenson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, wrote these prophetic _ words :—‘The evil results of an absolute monarchy are succeeding in convincing France and the whole of Europe that it is the worst form of government. I hear all the philosophers saying that even anarchy

those individuals ; a reign during which France lost

her colonies to England, and became the laughingstock of Europe; then the malignity of the ape found a favourable vantage ground, and the ferocity

of the tiger gathered the impulse for its spring. A new, or a latent, trait of the French character

became prominent in the eighteenth century. You may remember the declaration of war by France against Germany in 1870, and M. Ollivier’s speech —‘ We begin the war with a light heart.’ The same lightheartedness which led to the disasters of that campaign was already a marked characteristic of the French a century before. Carried away by sentiment, beguiled by theatrical rhodomontade, or drunk with passion, the French rushed into the revo—

lution of ’89, never thinking of what was to be put in the place of that which they pulled down, and heedless of the responsibilities which they incurred. It has suited the French to fasten the responsibility for the Revolution chiefly on their kings ; but it appears to me that the weight of responsibility on the nation at large is equally heavy. In England,

would be preferable.

as early as 1215, the great feudatory Chieftains

class, the old nobility of France consisted of a

obtained from King John a Charter containing the

gigantic network of many thousands of families. Surrounded by insurmountable barriers of caste and prejudice, it extended octopus-like its ten—

germs of our present constitution.

From that

day all classes combined to ensure for each other an extension of their rights at the expense of

Public opinion, however, is

growing, and may lead to a national revolution.’ Singularly enough public opinion emanated from a quarter from which it was least expected. It emanated from the nobility. Unlike the nobility of England, which was always a small and compact body, recruited

from,

and returning

tacles over the whole country.

to,

the middle

It held three-


(6)

(7)

Were impaired to gratify the insatiable greed of

the royal prerogative. In France we find the converse of this. From the earliest days of her history, the nobility and the middle class assisted in building up the autocracy of the crown, partly from a mistaken sense of loyalty and a want of political discernment, partly from selfishness and greed. The more absolute the king, the more assured were they of the maintenance and the extension of their numerous privileges at the expense of the people. As early as 1752 the Marquis d’Argenson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, wrote these prophetic _ words :—‘The evil results of an absolute monarchy are succeeding in convincing France and the whole of Europe that it is the worst form of government. I hear all the philosophers saying that even anarchy

those individuals ; a reign during which France lost

her colonies to England, and became the laughingstock of Europe; then the malignity of the ape found a favourable vantage ground, and the ferocity

of the tiger gathered the impulse for its spring. A new, or a latent, trait of the French character

became prominent in the eighteenth century. You may remember the declaration of war by France against Germany in 1870, and M. Ollivier’s speech —‘ We begin the war with a light heart.’ The same lightheartedness which led to the disasters of that campaign was already a marked characteristic of the French a century before. Carried away by sentiment, beguiled by theatrical rhodomontade, or drunk with passion, the French rushed into the revo—

lution of ’89, never thinking of what was to be put in the place of that which they pulled down, and heedless of the responsibilities which they incurred. It has suited the French to fasten the responsibility for the Revolution chiefly on their kings ; but it appears to me that the weight of responsibility on the nation at large is equally heavy. In England,

would be preferable.

as early as 1215, the great feudatory Chieftains

class, the old nobility of France consisted of a

obtained from King John a Charter containing the

gigantic network of many thousands of families. Surrounded by insurmountable barriers of caste and prejudice, it extended octopus-like its ten—

germs of our present constitution.

From that

day all classes combined to ensure for each other an extension of their rights at the expense of

Public opinion, however, is

growing, and may lead to a national revolution.’ Singularly enough public opinion emanated from a quarter from which it was least expected. It emanated from the nobility. Unlike the nobility of England, which was always a small and compact body, recruited

from,

and returning

tacles over the whole country.

to,

the middle

It held three-


fourths of the land; was sole possessor of the right of hunting and shooting; had authority to 'l

levy a feudal land-tax, while enjoying immunity

j‘

from taxation itself; had the monopoly of officering

l

the army, and of filling certain exalted ecclesiastical offices; was exempt from the common law ; and in

.‘

the criminal law was only amenable to the highest courts.

I

Heroic in the field, the nobles were de—

praved at home.

While the great lords squandered,

many debts ?’

‘ Sire, I shall inquire of my steward,

and have the honour of rendering an account to your majesty.’ At Versailles the nobles fawned on the king, his ministers, and favourites; in Paris they revenged themselves for the prostitution of their self-respect by vilifying the very persons from whom they had craved and received their honours. But not satisfied with lampooning the court and the govern-

and private morality, the minor nobles, unlike the

ment—lampoons which were greedily taken up and believed by the public—they vented in verse and in song their mutual jealousies and rivalries, thereby

l

gentry of England, who occupied themselves with

discrediting themselves and their order.

>

local affairs, looked down with indifference from the

tunately their intellectual culture—their one redeeming feature—proved one of the chief elements in their ultimate destruction.

at Paris and Versailles, money wrung from their

tenants and serfs, ignoring every principle of public

Unfor—

.

seclusion of their Chateaux on the wants of the people. The clergy was a worthy counterpart of the

l ‘

nobility.

1

income of seventy thousand a—year from his see, but never visited it once. Comte Dillon, Archbishop of

I f ‘ l

Narbonne, kept a pack of hounds in Normandy, ‘ You hunt much, bishop,’ said Louis XVI. ‘How

, "

can you prevent your curates from hunting if you spend so much time in giving them the example '9' ‘ Sire,’ he rejoined, ‘ for my curates hunting is their

activity.

own vice, for me it is the vice of my ancestors.’

with open arms by the nobles and members of

Being saddled with debt, the king remonstrated with him. ‘I am told that you have debts, even

the wealthy middle class.

i.

For instance, Cardinal Dubois drew an

At no time in history was society so refined, so

polished, so cultivated, as the French society of the eighteenth century. While devoting the gravest study to such trifles as the step of a minuet, the perfection of a bow, or the originality of a costume, it was animated with a very frenzy of intellectual

Every author whose writings showed

any merit, whose wit pleased their fancy, or whose

teachings appealed to their sentiment, was welcomed Foremost amongst the

great writers of the day were Voltaire, the son of a


fourths of the land; was sole possessor of the right of hunting and shooting; had authority to 'l

levy a feudal land-tax, while enjoying immunity

j‘

from taxation itself; had the monopoly of officering

l

the army, and of filling certain exalted ecclesiastical offices; was exempt from the common law ; and in

.‘

the criminal law was only amenable to the highest courts.

I

Heroic in the field, the nobles were de—

praved at home.

While the great lords squandered,

many debts ?’

‘ Sire, I shall inquire of my steward,

and have the honour of rendering an account to your majesty.’ At Versailles the nobles fawned on the king, his ministers, and favourites; in Paris they revenged themselves for the prostitution of their self-respect by vilifying the very persons from whom they had craved and received their honours. But not satisfied with lampooning the court and the govern-

and private morality, the minor nobles, unlike the

ment—lampoons which were greedily taken up and believed by the public—they vented in verse and in song their mutual jealousies and rivalries, thereby

l

gentry of England, who occupied themselves with

discrediting themselves and their order.

>

local affairs, looked down with indifference from the

tunately their intellectual culture—their one redeeming feature—proved one of the chief elements in their ultimate destruction.

at Paris and Versailles, money wrung from their

tenants and serfs, ignoring every principle of public

Unfor—

.

seclusion of their Chateaux on the wants of the people. The clergy was a worthy counterpart of the

l ‘

nobility.

1

income of seventy thousand a—year from his see, but never visited it once. Comte Dillon, Archbishop of

I f ‘ l

Narbonne, kept a pack of hounds in Normandy, ‘ You hunt much, bishop,’ said Louis XVI. ‘How

, "

can you prevent your curates from hunting if you spend so much time in giving them the example '9' ‘ Sire,’ he rejoined, ‘ for my curates hunting is their

activity.

own vice, for me it is the vice of my ancestors.’

with open arms by the nobles and members of

Being saddled with debt, the king remonstrated with him. ‘I am told that you have debts, even

the wealthy middle class.

i.

For instance, Cardinal Dubois drew an

At no time in history was society so refined, so

polished, so cultivated, as the French society of the eighteenth century. While devoting the gravest study to such trifles as the step of a minuet, the perfection of a bow, or the originality of a costume, it was animated with a very frenzy of intellectual

Every author whose writings showed

any merit, whose wit pleased their fancy, or whose

teachings appealed to their sentiment, was welcomed Foremost amongst the

great writers of the day were Voltaire, the son of a


(11) solicitor; Diderot, the son of a cutler; Rousseau,

During the winter they were often the prey of

the son of a clockmaker; and d’Alembert, a found-

the wolves of the great forests; in the summer

ling—four men of genius who headed the new philosophical school. They exposed and attacked the

their small holdings were devastated by deer and

economic and religious evils of the day, laid bare all

wild boar, which they were not allowed to destroy; and in years of bad harvests they were the victims

the foul diseases of society, were hailed by the nobility as the apostles of a new political and philosophical doctrine, and thus assisted by them

of famine and pestilence. Devoid of all means of redress, they brooded over their wrongs, ready to involve the innocent with the guilty in one com-

in becoming the founders and leaders of public opinion. Blinded by their love for literature and

mon and indiscriminate vengeance.

art, excited by a vague and utopian desire for reform and improvement, they failed to perceive the danger which underlay their patronage of

these writings, which assumed the place and power now possessed by the Press. Disseminated among the masses, the writings of that school sowed the

seeds of lawlessness, atheism, and anarchy. Possessing no rights, having no liberty, the

When Louis XVI. ascended the throne in 1774, the spirit of dissatisfaction had spread amongst all classes. The State was on the verge of bankruptcy, the throne was debased, the nobility was detested,

and the people were desperate. A radical change had become inevitable. To effect constitutional reforms peaceably, France needed a monarch gifted with the political sagacity of William III. of Eng-

people were compelled to pay all the taxes, to till the

land, and a population endowed with the political sense and self—restraint of the English people.

ground, and work the estates of their absent land-

Louis XVI, alike by circumstances and by na-

lords, with little remuneration, save kicks and abuse.

ture, was the last prince competent to grapple with the situation. Even had he inherited the genius

They held barely one quarter of the land, and this they held by a tenure which resembled the English copy—

possessed by his ancestors, Henri IV. and Louis

the payment of a fowl or a pound of cheese, or the

XIV. — genius which had been trained in the school of adversity—he must have been wrecked

obligation of beating at night the marshes which sur—

on the stubborn resistance of his nobility, who,

rounded the manors in order to keep the frogs quiet during the time the lord slept.

while indulging in philosophical theories, was loth to forego any of its privileges. No reforms could

hold, and was subjected to many vexatious duties ;


(11) solicitor; Diderot, the son of a cutler; Rousseau,

During the winter they were often the prey of

the son of a clockmaker; and d’Alembert, a found-

the wolves of the great forests; in the summer

ling—four men of genius who headed the new philosophical school. They exposed and attacked the

their small holdings were devastated by deer and

economic and religious evils of the day, laid bare all

wild boar, which they were not allowed to destroy; and in years of bad harvests they were the victims

the foul diseases of society, were hailed by the nobility as the apostles of a new political and philosophical doctrine, and thus assisted by them

of famine and pestilence. Devoid of all means of redress, they brooded over their wrongs, ready to involve the innocent with the guilty in one com-

in becoming the founders and leaders of public opinion. Blinded by their love for literature and

mon and indiscriminate vengeance.

art, excited by a vague and utopian desire for reform and improvement, they failed to perceive the danger which underlay their patronage of

these writings, which assumed the place and power now possessed by the Press. Disseminated among the masses, the writings of that school sowed the

seeds of lawlessness, atheism, and anarchy. Possessing no rights, having no liberty, the

When Louis XVI. ascended the throne in 1774, the spirit of dissatisfaction had spread amongst all classes. The State was on the verge of bankruptcy, the throne was debased, the nobility was detested,

and the people were desperate. A radical change had become inevitable. To effect constitutional reforms peaceably, France needed a monarch gifted with the political sagacity of William III. of Eng-

people were compelled to pay all the taxes, to till the

land, and a population endowed with the political sense and self—restraint of the English people.

ground, and work the estates of their absent land-

Louis XVI, alike by circumstances and by na-

lords, with little remuneration, save kicks and abuse.

ture, was the last prince competent to grapple with the situation. Even had he inherited the genius

They held barely one quarter of the land, and this they held by a tenure which resembled the English copy—

possessed by his ancestors, Henri IV. and Louis

the payment of a fowl or a pound of cheese, or the

XIV. — genius which had been trained in the school of adversity—he must have been wrecked

obligation of beating at night the marshes which sur—

on the stubborn resistance of his nobility, who,

rounded the manors in order to keep the frogs quiet during the time the lord slept.

while indulging in philosophical theories, was loth to forego any of its privileges. No reforms could

hold, and was subjected to many vexatious duties ;


r.,._— .4

be initiated Without the assistance of the nobles,

in his circle—he might have made a good constitu—

whose opposition must have led to civil war, or to a palace conspiracy and the assassination of' the sovereign. At the very beginning of the reign of Louis XVI.

tional sovereign, but he always was and always would

give the word of command at the right moment, he always faltered before taking an important de—

the American War of Independence broke out.

The

cision, and, when he took it, it was always too

most distinguished and chivalrous youths of France enrolled themselves under the banner of Washington; and on their return, animated by the enthusiasm of the cause for which they fought, and

late; indeed, these two words may serve as the

4 my: "1“qu

«Rm-g

Amman—“1‘;

:4 -

imbued with the spirit of Republicanism, they in-

have been a weak and irresolute ruler.

motto for his reign.

Unable to

Every measure of reform he

consented to, every liberty he granted, came too

late to be of service.

oculated their compeers with their own aspirations

Though the king was absolute, hallowed by the traditions of a dynasty extending back 800 years,

for liberty, and infected the people with the desire

and the arbiter of the destinies of his subjects,

for enfranchisement from the rule of a despotic

his personality was eclipsed by that of his consort.

monarchy.

The character of Marie Antoinette has long suffered from the aspersions cast upon it during the Revo— lution ; and it is only now, when the passions of

To stay the revolutionary torrent it

required, on the throne, a man of action—a man of indomitable energy. N0 training or circumstances could ever have made a man of action of Louis XVI. Deficient in the qualifications needed for

have been enabled to thresh out the truth from

his kingly office, heavy in appearance, shy, em-

the mass of records of the period.

barrassed, and stolid in manner, he was more at

always tending to extremes, and swayed by the

home in the hunting—field, or at his chosen occu— pation of a locksmith, than in the ceremonies of

sentiment of the moment, worshipped her at first; overwhelmed

her

the Court, or the councils of his Ministers.

with insults, and defiled her with calumnies.

She

He

that epoch have been assuaged by time, that we

then

suddenly veered

round,

Her subjects,

would have adorned a private station as an honest,

arrived from Vienna in the most dissolute court

upright, and worthy man, the very pattern of a

in Europe, a mere child of fifteen, and became

husband and father—qualities for which he deserves all the more credit, considering their rarity

queen

at

nineteen.

Advisers

and

tutors

were

given her, it is true, but their efforts were wasted


r.,._— .4

be initiated Without the assistance of the nobles,

in his circle—he might have made a good constitu—

whose opposition must have led to civil war, or to a palace conspiracy and the assassination of' the sovereign. At the very beginning of the reign of Louis XVI.

tional sovereign, but he always was and always would

give the word of command at the right moment, he always faltered before taking an important de—

the American War of Independence broke out.

The

cision, and, when he took it, it was always too

most distinguished and chivalrous youths of France enrolled themselves under the banner of Washington; and on their return, animated by the enthusiasm of the cause for which they fought, and

late; indeed, these two words may serve as the

4 my: "1“qu

«Rm-g

Amman—“1‘;

:4 -

imbued with the spirit of Republicanism, they in-

have been a weak and irresolute ruler.

motto for his reign.

Unable to

Every measure of reform he

consented to, every liberty he granted, came too

late to be of service.

oculated their compeers with their own aspirations

Though the king was absolute, hallowed by the traditions of a dynasty extending back 800 years,

for liberty, and infected the people with the desire

and the arbiter of the destinies of his subjects,

for enfranchisement from the rule of a despotic

his personality was eclipsed by that of his consort.

monarchy.

The character of Marie Antoinette has long suffered from the aspersions cast upon it during the Revo— lution ; and it is only now, when the passions of

To stay the revolutionary torrent it

required, on the throne, a man of action—a man of indomitable energy. N0 training or circumstances could ever have made a man of action of Louis XVI. Deficient in the qualifications needed for

have been enabled to thresh out the truth from

his kingly office, heavy in appearance, shy, em-

the mass of records of the period.

barrassed, and stolid in manner, he was more at

always tending to extremes, and swayed by the

home in the hunting—field, or at his chosen occu— pation of a locksmith, than in the ceremonies of

sentiment of the moment, worshipped her at first; overwhelmed

her

the Court, or the councils of his Ministers.

with insults, and defiled her with calumnies.

She

He

that epoch have been assuaged by time, that we

then

suddenly veered

round,

Her subjects,

would have adorned a private station as an honest,

arrived from Vienna in the most dissolute court

upright, and worthy man, the very pattern of a

in Europe, a mere child of fifteen, and became

husband and father—qualities for which he deserves all the more credit, considering their rarity

queen

at

nineteen.

Advisers

and

tutors

were

given her, it is true, but their efforts were wasted


(15) on a young princess before whose mind every amusement and every frivolity were temptingly displayed. Her loveliness at first delighted the people. When she appeared on the balcony of the Tuileries, in response to the demand of an

enthusiastic crowd, ‘ What multitudesI—what multitudes !’ she cried. ‘ Madam,’ exclaimed the Due de Brissac, ‘ I mean no offence to the Dauphin,

but they are all lovers of yours ! ’ Marie Antoinette was not strictly beautiful ; the details of her face would not bear close criticism;

the nose was too aquiline ; the Hapsburg underlip too prominent; the figure, especially as she grew

an assembly of twenty persons, each one would fancy that he or she was an object of special favour. At a time when domestic virtue was almost unknown the king and queen gave a bright example of conjugal devotion, which was enhanced

with the lapse of years.

In judging Marie An-

toinette, we must bear in mind that she was the

true product of her age. She was a royal princess of the eighteenth century, imbued with a thorough consciousness of her birth and position, and believing that the fortunes and welfare of France were inseparably bound up with those of the sovereign. Moreover, we must take into account that she

older, inclined to stoutness ; but her eyes beamed

with the brilliancy of youth and the kindliness of a sweet disposition. In her every movement there was a nameless grace and a queenly dignity, and from her whole person there radiated an irresistible charm.

Not her subjects only, but English visitors join in extolling her fascinations. Foreigners were wont to crowd in the long gallery, which she traversed daily on her way to chapel, merely to see her walk.

Writing of her, Horace Walpole says, ‘ She

shot through the room like an aerial being, all brightness and grace,

and without seeming to

touch the ground.’ Then she had a marvellous manner of bowing, so that when she curtsied to

was thoroughly German in her disposition, and never quite understood the temper of her French subjects and courtiers. Simple in the midst of the greatest luxury, she preferred a cottage to a palace, and unconventional intercourse with her favourites to the ponderous ceremonies of the court. But her nature, though generous, afi’ectionate, and true, was deficient in seriousness. Her favourites she mistook for friends.

Her conversation lacked concentration,

and she was unable to dwell on any serious subject, or to develop any great idea or principle. Instead of heeding her advisers and masters, she plunged recklessly into the frivolities of court life; instead

of perfecting her education, she read novels; in—


(15) on a young princess before whose mind every amusement and every frivolity were temptingly displayed. Her loveliness at first delighted the people. When she appeared on the balcony of the Tuileries, in response to the demand of an

enthusiastic crowd, ‘ What multitudesI—what multitudes !’ she cried. ‘ Madam,’ exclaimed the Due de Brissac, ‘ I mean no offence to the Dauphin,

but they are all lovers of yours ! ’ Marie Antoinette was not strictly beautiful ; the details of her face would not bear close criticism;

the nose was too aquiline ; the Hapsburg underlip too prominent; the figure, especially as she grew

an assembly of twenty persons, each one would fancy that he or she was an object of special favour. At a time when domestic virtue was almost unknown the king and queen gave a bright example of conjugal devotion, which was enhanced

with the lapse of years.

In judging Marie An-

toinette, we must bear in mind that she was the

true product of her age. She was a royal princess of the eighteenth century, imbued with a thorough consciousness of her birth and position, and believing that the fortunes and welfare of France were inseparably bound up with those of the sovereign. Moreover, we must take into account that she

older, inclined to stoutness ; but her eyes beamed

with the brilliancy of youth and the kindliness of a sweet disposition. In her every movement there was a nameless grace and a queenly dignity, and from her whole person there radiated an irresistible charm.

Not her subjects only, but English visitors join in extolling her fascinations. Foreigners were wont to crowd in the long gallery, which she traversed daily on her way to chapel, merely to see her walk.

Writing of her, Horace Walpole says, ‘ She

shot through the room like an aerial being, all brightness and grace,

and without seeming to

touch the ground.’ Then she had a marvellous manner of bowing, so that when she curtsied to

was thoroughly German in her disposition, and never quite understood the temper of her French subjects and courtiers. Simple in the midst of the greatest luxury, she preferred a cottage to a palace, and unconventional intercourse with her favourites to the ponderous ceremonies of the court. But her nature, though generous, afi’ectionate, and true, was deficient in seriousness. Her favourites she mistook for friends.

Her conversation lacked concentration,

and she was unable to dwell on any serious subject, or to develop any great idea or principle. Instead of heeding her advisers and masters, she plunged recklessly into the frivolities of court life; instead

of perfecting her education, she read novels; in—


(16)

<17)

stead of practising economy in face of the financial embarrassments of the country, she used the un— bounded influence she acquired over the king to

‘Yes,’ he answered. ‘That is a very dry “Yes.” Does not this head—dress suit me?’ ‘Well, if you

gratify her own extravagance and to procure costly

gifts and pensions for her friends. With all the ardour of youth the queen indulged her fondness for dancing, not only at the palace, but at the masked balls at the Opera. It is true that the royal princesses had been in the habit of appear— ing at these entertainments, but a queen should

have been careful to guard against the possibility of compromising contingencies. One evening it happened that her carriage broke down, and she was obliged to take refuge in a shop until a cab was brought, in which she arrived at the Opera house.

All Paris rang with the incident,

and the Vilest insinuations were thrown out as to the real object of her going into a private house. It was natural that a young queen should set the fashion of the day, but she need not have spent hours in consultation with fashionable milliners designing extravagant costumes, and head—dresses so elaborate that it took hours to construct them. Three years after her accession to the throne, her brother, the Emperor Joseph 11., came to France.

One day he found the queen engaged in arranging a lofty device of feathers and flowers on her head. ‘Is not my hair beautifully done?’ she inquired.

wish me to speak frankly,’ he replied, ‘I think it

rather light to bear a crown.’ The ladies of the court improved on the example of the queen, and invented a head—dress which was called a sentimental pouf This consisted of a structure a yard high, and ornamented with a collection of objects intended to remind the wearer of the person she liked best. The Wife of a sailor carried on her head a frigate in full sail; the wife of a soldier a

miniature fortification; a lady who had five children adorned her hat with five dolls. The Duchesse de Lauzun appeared one day with a head—dress representing a whole landscape, showing a rough lake with ducks swimming on it, a sportsman lying in ambush with a gun in his hand; on the top a windmill, with the miller’s wife flirting with an abbé, while the miller himself, lower down, was driving a donkey.

For these

absurdities the queen was made responsible.

When

she grew tired of dancing, she became absorbed

in private theatricals, and the court enjoyed the rare spectacle of its queen acting the part of maidservant in a play of a revolutionary character, in which the nobles were satirised. With the same thoughtlessness Marie Antoinette rebelled against the restrictions of the etiquette of the French court,

B


(16)

<17)

stead of practising economy in face of the financial embarrassments of the country, she used the un— bounded influence she acquired over the king to

‘Yes,’ he answered. ‘That is a very dry “Yes.” Does not this head—dress suit me?’ ‘Well, if you

gratify her own extravagance and to procure costly

gifts and pensions for her friends. With all the ardour of youth the queen indulged her fondness for dancing, not only at the palace, but at the masked balls at the Opera. It is true that the royal princesses had been in the habit of appear— ing at these entertainments, but a queen should

have been careful to guard against the possibility of compromising contingencies. One evening it happened that her carriage broke down, and she was obliged to take refuge in a shop until a cab was brought, in which she arrived at the Opera house.

All Paris rang with the incident,

and the Vilest insinuations were thrown out as to the real object of her going into a private house. It was natural that a young queen should set the fashion of the day, but she need not have spent hours in consultation with fashionable milliners designing extravagant costumes, and head—dresses so elaborate that it took hours to construct them. Three years after her accession to the throne, her brother, the Emperor Joseph 11., came to France.

One day he found the queen engaged in arranging a lofty device of feathers and flowers on her head. ‘Is not my hair beautifully done?’ she inquired.

wish me to speak frankly,’ he replied, ‘I think it

rather light to bear a crown.’ The ladies of the court improved on the example of the queen, and invented a head—dress which was called a sentimental pouf This consisted of a structure a yard high, and ornamented with a collection of objects intended to remind the wearer of the person she liked best. The Wife of a sailor carried on her head a frigate in full sail; the wife of a soldier a

miniature fortification; a lady who had five children adorned her hat with five dolls. The Duchesse de Lauzun appeared one day with a head—dress representing a whole landscape, showing a rough lake with ducks swimming on it, a sportsman lying in ambush with a gun in his hand; on the top a windmill, with the miller’s wife flirting with an abbé, while the miller himself, lower down, was driving a donkey.

For these

absurdities the queen was made responsible.

When

she grew tired of dancing, she became absorbed

in private theatricals, and the court enjoyed the rare spectacle of its queen acting the part of maidservant in a play of a revolutionary character, in which the nobles were satirised. With the same thoughtlessness Marie Antoinette rebelled against the restrictions of the etiquette of the French court,

B


(18)

<w>

heedless of the fact that etiquette in those days

placed on her relations with the men who belonoed to her circle. Even among those friends, whbom

of growing

independence

was perhaps the chief

outward mark of royal supremacy.

She made fun

she loaded with kindness and gifts, many turned

of her Mistress of the Robes, and abolished the

against her.

custom of dining in public and promenading in

one day wore in his hat a splendid white heron’s

muslin gown,

feather, which excited the admiration of the queen.

sauntered through the

The duke sent her the feather, and though she

cottages and workshops of her village, fished in her lake, and superintended the operations of her

did not like to accept such a present, she could

state costumes.

with a

dairy.

Clad in a plain

straw hat, she

That the etiquette must have been irk—

some to a young and vivacious woman we can

One of them, the Duc de Lauzun

not bring herself to refuse his offer, and wore the feather on one occasion.

The duke lost his head; and, presuming on the queen’s familiarity and his own infatuation, fell on his knees and made her a

readily believe when we recall its Observances, but the moment the queen permitted herself to

declaration.

come down to the level of ordinary persons, she

once, and afterwards became one of her bitterest

destroyed the reverence and exclusiveness with which her predecessors had hedged round the

enemies.

The intimate gatherings of her friends throne. from which the great dignitaries of the court

and leaders of society were excluded, and whose members came to be known as ‘the Queen’s Society,’

were productive of the greatest evil.

The bulk of

society were frantic at their exclusion, and revenged themselves, with inconceivable treachery and mean— ness, by circulating cruel slanders concerning the

He was turned out of the palace at

. The king and queen often spent their evenings in the private apartments of Madame de Polignac at Versailles, and the presence of His Majesty acted as a damper upon the gaiety of the young people. This led to the adoption of an undignified stratagem. It was the king’s habit to retire early to bed, and, in order to accelerate his departure the hands of the clock were put on. By shuttino:

queen, ruining her reputation with the people. They

his eyes to the follies of a wife whom he worshippedb the king became an instrument of her unpopularity’

spread the wildest stories abroad as to the orgies

and the exposer of his own weakness.

which were supposed to take place in the shrubberies

customary at the accession of every king to impose a specral tax for him and his consort—a tax which

of the Trianon, and the worst interpretation was

It was


(18)

<w>

heedless of the fact that etiquette in those days

placed on her relations with the men who belonoed to her circle. Even among those friends, whbom

of growing

independence

was perhaps the chief

outward mark of royal supremacy.

She made fun

she loaded with kindness and gifts, many turned

of her Mistress of the Robes, and abolished the

against her.

custom of dining in public and promenading in

one day wore in his hat a splendid white heron’s

muslin gown,

feather, which excited the admiration of the queen.

sauntered through the

The duke sent her the feather, and though she

cottages and workshops of her village, fished in her lake, and superintended the operations of her

did not like to accept such a present, she could

state costumes.

with a

dairy.

Clad in a plain

straw hat, she

That the etiquette must have been irk—

some to a young and vivacious woman we can

One of them, the Duc de Lauzun

not bring herself to refuse his offer, and wore the feather on one occasion.

The duke lost his head; and, presuming on the queen’s familiarity and his own infatuation, fell on his knees and made her a

readily believe when we recall its Observances, but the moment the queen permitted herself to

declaration.

come down to the level of ordinary persons, she

once, and afterwards became one of her bitterest

destroyed the reverence and exclusiveness with which her predecessors had hedged round the

enemies.

The intimate gatherings of her friends throne. from which the great dignitaries of the court

and leaders of society were excluded, and whose members came to be known as ‘the Queen’s Society,’

were productive of the greatest evil.

The bulk of

society were frantic at their exclusion, and revenged themselves, with inconceivable treachery and mean— ness, by circulating cruel slanders concerning the

He was turned out of the palace at

. The king and queen often spent their evenings in the private apartments of Madame de Polignac at Versailles, and the presence of His Majesty acted as a damper upon the gaiety of the young people. This led to the adoption of an undignified stratagem. It was the king’s habit to retire early to bed, and, in order to accelerate his departure the hands of the clock were put on. By shuttino:

queen, ruining her reputation with the people. They

his eyes to the follies of a wife whom he worshippedb the king became an instrument of her unpopularity’

spread the wildest stories abroad as to the orgies

and the exposer of his own weakness.

which were supposed to take place in the shrubberies

customary at the accession of every king to impose a specral tax for him and his consort—a tax which

of the Trianon, and the worst interpretation was

It was


privilege.

On their first appearance in public, there-

fore, they were received with vociferous applause.

affairs, she applied her energies to the business of the state, and to directing the policy of the king. Unluckily she was not fitted by capacity or training for such work.

A woman with noble and high—

But the reaction soon came.

We have seen how the queen’s private character had been maligned and defamed. The influence she wielded in political matters brought her unpopularity to a climax. It was known that she was present at the meetings of the ministers, and as many of

minded instincts, she had neither system, practical knowledge, nor policy ; and, while animated by the

best motives, she failed in her schemes, partly because of the weakness of the king, and partly because of her own inaptitude. Moreover, her political

to these ministers were her creatures, she had

reputation had never recovered the injury it had

bear the odium of their incapacity. It was never forgotten that she was the native of a country which had been for many centuries the hereditary

sustained the year after her husband’s accession,

foe of France, and she was accused by the people

gance and to the demands of her favourites, and probably the only one Louis XVI. ever had who

of not only abhorring the country of her adop— tion, but of acting in collusion with Austria in its supposed intrigues and machinations. And so it came to pass that the feeling with which the people at first regarded her, turned to the deepest hate. She was no longer called by her title, but—~ in ‘the Austrian,’ and she could not show herself

public without being insulted. Disheartened by her unpopularity and the opposition which she en— countered publicly and privately, the queen abandoned her frivolous occupations, and sought in the performance of her domestic duties the happiness and affection which was denied to her in her public station.

when she procured the dismissal of Turgot—a minister who would not pander to her extrava-

was gifted with any real ability.

The storm was

rapidly brewing. The advent of a revolution was considered by all classes not only a possibility but a desirable event.

In the salons of Paris ladies and

gentlemen regarded the coming struggle in the light of a burlesque. Young men began to cultivate the art of public speaking at the meetings of the Freemason lodges, ladies’ boudoirs were turned into legislative assemblies, and the cafes on the Boulevards into debating societies. The loiterer in the street, as well as the duke in his palace, looked upon himself as a politician and a reformer; and

mm A,.n,.nnrn.__ i!_74‘

Harassed by anxieties and by the condition of

4

Louis XVI. and weighed heavily on the people. Marie Antoinette were the first to renounce that

_

(21)

(20')


privilege.

On their first appearance in public, there-

fore, they were received with vociferous applause.

affairs, she applied her energies to the business of the state, and to directing the policy of the king. Unluckily she was not fitted by capacity or training for such work.

A woman with noble and high—

But the reaction soon came.

We have seen how the queen’s private character had been maligned and defamed. The influence she wielded in political matters brought her unpopularity to a climax. It was known that she was present at the meetings of the ministers, and as many of

minded instincts, she had neither system, practical knowledge, nor policy ; and, while animated by the

best motives, she failed in her schemes, partly because of the weakness of the king, and partly because of her own inaptitude. Moreover, her political

to these ministers were her creatures, she had

reputation had never recovered the injury it had

bear the odium of their incapacity. It was never forgotten that she was the native of a country which had been for many centuries the hereditary

sustained the year after her husband’s accession,

foe of France, and she was accused by the people

gance and to the demands of her favourites, and probably the only one Louis XVI. ever had who

of not only abhorring the country of her adop— tion, but of acting in collusion with Austria in its supposed intrigues and machinations. And so it came to pass that the feeling with which the people at first regarded her, turned to the deepest hate. She was no longer called by her title, but—~ in ‘the Austrian,’ and she could not show herself

public without being insulted. Disheartened by her unpopularity and the opposition which she en— countered publicly and privately, the queen abandoned her frivolous occupations, and sought in the performance of her domestic duties the happiness and affection which was denied to her in her public station.

when she procured the dismissal of Turgot—a minister who would not pander to her extrava-

was gifted with any real ability.

The storm was

rapidly brewing. The advent of a revolution was considered by all classes not only a possibility but a desirable event.

In the salons of Paris ladies and

gentlemen regarded the coming struggle in the light of a burlesque. Young men began to cultivate the art of public speaking at the meetings of the Freemason lodges, ladies’ boudoirs were turned into legislative assemblies, and the cafes on the Boulevards into debating societies. The loiterer in the street, as well as the duke in his palace, looked upon himself as a politician and a reformer; and

mm A,.n,.nnrn.__ i!_74‘

Harassed by anxieties and by the condition of

4

Louis XVI. and weighed heavily on the people. Marie Antoinette were the first to renounce that

_

(21)

(20')


(92)

(23>

even the staunchest Royalists longed for the Re-

tried to dissuade him from summoning the States

'volution, the worthless among them, from malice or self-interest; the more public-spirited, in the

General, as she foresaw the peril, in times of such

belief that it would bring a better state of things.

profound excitement, of assembling a great and powerful body of chiefly ill—affected persons. Equally

The prime cause of disorder and discontent, and the greatest stumblingablock to the Government, Was the state of the finances. In order to meet

fruitless were her entreaties that the States General

this difiiculty successive Ministers raised the taxes on the food and clothing of the people. By these inj udicious measures the prices of these articles were so much raised that famines became of frequent

asserted that had her advice in this respect been

In 1715, Louis XIV. had left debts

they should meet in Paris, which was not only

That

the capital, but the intellectual and political centre of the country. On the 15th May, 1789, the States General were

occurrence.

to the extent of eight millions of our money.

debt went on steadily increasing. By 1787 it had mounted up to sixty-nine and a half millions, and there was still an annual deficit of five and a half

should meet, not at Versailles, but at some other place farther away from the capital.

lt has been

adopted, the Revolution might have been averted.

But in such case, the first act of the States General undoubtedly would have been, to proclaim that

opened by the king, with great pomp, at Versailles.

As a last resort, being at their wits’ end,

They numbered 1183 members—291 representing

the king and his advisers resolved to call together the States General. The existence of the States General dates back from the earliest days of the French monarchy. They consisted of delegates of the nobility, clergy, and commons, who were c011-

the clergy, 270 the nobility, and 622 the Commons or Tiers Etat, as they were called. It was a fatal error to give so largely preponderating an influence

voked at the pleasure of the king, not to legislate,

had been the practice of the States General to vote

but to advise with him on matters of great public importance. Since the year 1614 the absolute rulers of France had refrained from summoning them, as they feared their influence.

by orders—that is to say, the clergy, nobility, and

millions.

Wiser than the king, Marie Antoinette vainly

to the advanced section, as its voting strength would

enable it to swamp the conservative element.

commons, each voted separately.

It

The very first act

of the States General was to declare itself a National

Assembly, thus breaking down the distinction l)»,tween the three orders, converting itself into

a.


(92)

(23>

even the staunchest Royalists longed for the Re-

tried to dissuade him from summoning the States

'volution, the worthless among them, from malice or self-interest; the more public-spirited, in the

General, as she foresaw the peril, in times of such

belief that it would bring a better state of things.

profound excitement, of assembling a great and powerful body of chiefly ill—affected persons. Equally

The prime cause of disorder and discontent, and the greatest stumblingablock to the Government, Was the state of the finances. In order to meet

fruitless were her entreaties that the States General

this difiiculty successive Ministers raised the taxes on the food and clothing of the people. By these inj udicious measures the prices of these articles were so much raised that famines became of frequent

asserted that had her advice in this respect been

In 1715, Louis XIV. had left debts

they should meet in Paris, which was not only

That

the capital, but the intellectual and political centre of the country. On the 15th May, 1789, the States General were

occurrence.

to the extent of eight millions of our money.

debt went on steadily increasing. By 1787 it had mounted up to sixty-nine and a half millions, and there was still an annual deficit of five and a half

should meet, not at Versailles, but at some other place farther away from the capital.

lt has been

adopted, the Revolution might have been averted.

But in such case, the first act of the States General undoubtedly would have been, to proclaim that

opened by the king, with great pomp, at Versailles.

As a last resort, being at their wits’ end,

They numbered 1183 members—291 representing

the king and his advisers resolved to call together the States General. The existence of the States General dates back from the earliest days of the French monarchy. They consisted of delegates of the nobility, clergy, and commons, who were c011-

the clergy, 270 the nobility, and 622 the Commons or Tiers Etat, as they were called. It was a fatal error to give so largely preponderating an influence

voked at the pleasure of the king, not to legislate,

had been the practice of the States General to vote

but to advise with him on matters of great public importance. Since the year 1614 the absolute rulers of France had refrained from summoning them, as they feared their influence.

by orders—that is to say, the clergy, nobility, and

millions.

Wiser than the king, Marie Antoinette vainly

to the advanced section, as its voting strength would

enable it to swamp the conservative element.

commons, each voted separately.

It

The very first act

of the States General was to declare itself a National

Assembly, thus breaking down the distinction l)»,tween the three orders, converting itself into

a.


(25) single chamber, and, as such, voting collectively.

their midst, and made a speech which might have

By this means unrestrained power was secured for the commons.

cowed an assembly of servile courtiers, but not the

There

were

still

two

courses open to the

king, either of which might have succeeded not in staying, but in steadying the rush of the revolutionary torrent. He should either have headed manfully and boldly the liberal movement, voluntarily curtailed his own arbitrary powers, granted progressive measures, and, with the aid of the

enlightened portion of the Royalist party, have enforced the reform of the feudal system, or he should have taken a high—handed course, and with the assistance of his army compelled obedience and order.

But,

irresolute as usual, he

temporised, and finally listened to that selfish minority, which thought of nothing beyond pre-

representatives of an angered and pOWerful nation. He

offered

some

tardy

concessions,

he

con-

demned their behaviour, and threatened a dissolu-

tion if they refused to disperse. In bold defiance of his commands the Assembly continued its sittings, and on the following day the master of

the ceremonies appeared at the bar and repeated to them the king’s order to disperse. ‘Tell your master,’ exclaimed the Comte de Mirabeau, the most eloquent and prominent member of the Assembly, ‘tell him that we are here by the will of the people, and that we shall only leave at the point of the bayonet.’ The half measures adopted by the king irritated

instead

of

calming

the

people.

Necker,

serving its hated, baneful, and obsolete privileges.

the popular minister, was discharged; troops were

So he ordered the Assembly to be closed. But the Assembly was not in a trifling mood. On finding the door of their chamber shut against them, the deputies proceeded to the tennis-court at Versailles, declared they would not leave the place, day or night, and solemnly swore that they would not separate until the king had granted them a constitution. These men were giants, though the king treated

massed at Paris and Versailles, but no orders were given, and no efiicient measures were taken, pro-

them as if they were children.

He came down in

bably because the troops could not be trusted. In Paris the disorder increased at an alarming rate, and the wildest reports were set afloat. It was believed that the king had sent for his soldiers to shoot down his subjects. Mass meetings were held in support of the dismissed minister; his successor

was burnt in effigy, and the popular enthusiasm spread like wildfire. Unchecked by the authori-


(25) single chamber, and, as such, voting collectively.

their midst, and made a speech which might have

By this means unrestrained power was secured for the commons.

cowed an assembly of servile courtiers, but not the

There

were

still

two

courses open to the

king, either of which might have succeeded not in staying, but in steadying the rush of the revolutionary torrent. He should either have headed manfully and boldly the liberal movement, voluntarily curtailed his own arbitrary powers, granted progressive measures, and, with the aid of the

enlightened portion of the Royalist party, have enforced the reform of the feudal system, or he should have taken a high—handed course, and with the assistance of his army compelled obedience and order.

But,

irresolute as usual, he

temporised, and finally listened to that selfish minority, which thought of nothing beyond pre-

representatives of an angered and pOWerful nation. He

offered

some

tardy

concessions,

he

con-

demned their behaviour, and threatened a dissolu-

tion if they refused to disperse. In bold defiance of his commands the Assembly continued its sittings, and on the following day the master of

the ceremonies appeared at the bar and repeated to them the king’s order to disperse. ‘Tell your master,’ exclaimed the Comte de Mirabeau, the most eloquent and prominent member of the Assembly, ‘tell him that we are here by the will of the people, and that we shall only leave at the point of the bayonet.’ The half measures adopted by the king irritated

instead

of

calming

the

people.

Necker,

serving its hated, baneful, and obsolete privileges.

the popular minister, was discharged; troops were

So he ordered the Assembly to be closed. But the Assembly was not in a trifling mood. On finding the door of their chamber shut against them, the deputies proceeded to the tennis-court at Versailles, declared they would not leave the place, day or night, and solemnly swore that they would not separate until the king had granted them a constitution. These men were giants, though the king treated

massed at Paris and Versailles, but no orders were given, and no efiicient measures were taken, pro-

them as if they were children.

He came down in

bably because the troops could not be trusted. In Paris the disorder increased at an alarming rate, and the wildest reports were set afloat. It was believed that the king had sent for his soldiers to shoot down his subjects. Mass meetings were held in support of the dismissed minister; his successor

was burnt in effigy, and the popular enthusiasm spread like wildfire. Unchecked by the authori-


(27) ties, the mob gathered strength and boldness and pillaged the shops for bread and arms. An organized tenance of order in Paris was entrusted to the

eighteenth century it was what the Tower of London is now to us—the obsolete relic of feudal monarchy. Whatever may have been the cruelties perpetrated within its silent walls in bygone times,

Gardes Franeaises, a regiment of 3000 soldiers, all

it had now become an almost disused prison, was

Parisians by birth.

But as the men had become

garrisoned by a mere handful of soldiers, and con~

imbued with the ideas of the Revolution and frater— nised with the people, the citizens, to ensure order

tained only seven prisoners, of whom four were

forgers.

By the deluded populace it was still

and their own safety, constituted themselves into a

regarded

as a

volunteer National Guard, under the command of

tyranny, and they fancied that by wreaking their

the Marquis de Lafayette.

vengeance upon it they would be making a just

police force being unknown at the time, the main—

This young nobleman,

barbarous instrument

of despotic

who had been the companion—in—arms of Washington,

assertion of their rights.

played a conspicuous part during the early stages of

was taken up eagerly by the people, and on the 14th

the Revolution, but being saturated with vanity and

of July, the Bastille was surrounded by a seething

egotism, he aimed at no higher object than the

and fierce crowd. The first step was taken by Deputy

popularity of the mob, missed the greatest oppor—

Thuriot, who, having gained admission to the fOrt—

tunities of achieving a useful and splendid career,

ress, begged its governor, de Launay, to turn away

and ended a miserable failure.

the guns which were pointed at the people.

The riot in the meantime increased; the mob,

The cry, ‘ To the Bastillel’

De

Launay in performance of his duty refused.

swelled by some National Guards and uncontrolled

But the crowd had grown into a tempestuous

by the others, made for the armour-y of the Palace

multitude, would listen to no parley, and clamoured

of the Invalides and took possession of its stores of

for the surrender of the fortress.

weapons and ammunition.

ever, stood firm.

Then, bent on destroying

De Launay, how-

The rioters attacked the bridges,

some tangible manifestation of the detested government, they swayed towards the Bastille. The

lowered the portcullis, and rushed upon the inner defences. Heedless of the the directed upon them,

fortress of the Bastille, the state prison of France,

they poured on, refusing

situated in the centre of Paris, had long been an

offered by de Launay ; and, despite the pledge given by their leaders that the governor and

object of terror and hatred.

At the end of the

the

tardy capitulation


(27) ties, the mob gathered strength and boldness and pillaged the shops for bread and arms. An organized tenance of order in Paris was entrusted to the

eighteenth century it was what the Tower of London is now to us—the obsolete relic of feudal monarchy. Whatever may have been the cruelties perpetrated within its silent walls in bygone times,

Gardes Franeaises, a regiment of 3000 soldiers, all

it had now become an almost disused prison, was

Parisians by birth.

But as the men had become

garrisoned by a mere handful of soldiers, and con~

imbued with the ideas of the Revolution and frater— nised with the people, the citizens, to ensure order

tained only seven prisoners, of whom four were

forgers.

By the deluded populace it was still

and their own safety, constituted themselves into a

regarded

as a

volunteer National Guard, under the command of

tyranny, and they fancied that by wreaking their

the Marquis de Lafayette.

vengeance upon it they would be making a just

police force being unknown at the time, the main—

This young nobleman,

barbarous instrument

of despotic

who had been the companion—in—arms of Washington,

assertion of their rights.

played a conspicuous part during the early stages of

was taken up eagerly by the people, and on the 14th

the Revolution, but being saturated with vanity and

of July, the Bastille was surrounded by a seething

egotism, he aimed at no higher object than the

and fierce crowd. The first step was taken by Deputy

popularity of the mob, missed the greatest oppor—

Thuriot, who, having gained admission to the fOrt—

tunities of achieving a useful and splendid career,

ress, begged its governor, de Launay, to turn away

and ended a miserable failure.

the guns which were pointed at the people.

The riot in the meantime increased; the mob,

The cry, ‘ To the Bastillel’

De

Launay in performance of his duty refused.

swelled by some National Guards and uncontrolled

But the crowd had grown into a tempestuous

by the others, made for the armour-y of the Palace

multitude, would listen to no parley, and clamoured

of the Invalides and took possession of its stores of

for the surrender of the fortress.

weapons and ammunition.

ever, stood firm.

Then, bent on destroying

De Launay, how-

The rioters attacked the bridges,

some tangible manifestation of the detested government, they swayed towards the Bastille. The

lowered the portcullis, and rushed upon the inner defences. Heedless of the the directed upon them,

fortress of the Bastille, the state prison of France,

they poured on, refusing

situated in the centre of Paris, had long been an

offered by de Launay ; and, despite the pledge given by their leaders that the governor and

object of terror and hatred.

At the end of the

the

tardy capitulation


(28)

(29)

officers should be spared, once inside the fortress

however, it must be said that, unlike Charles I. of

they massacred its defenders, and then set about

England, he never would incur the reproach of shedding the blood of his subjects and provoking

razing it to the ground. Some few days later, Foulon, one of the un-

popular eX—ministers of the king, had foolishly ventured abroad.

At a time of great distress

among the people he was credited with having made the remark: ‘If the rabble have no bread,

let them eat grass.’

Though disguised as a work-

man, he was recognised and captured, and, after

having been insulted and maimed, was hanged on a lamp-post in the street. His head was then cut off and borne aloft upon a pole, the mouth stuffed

with grass.

The crowd then bent its course to

the house of Foulon’s son-in-law, Berthier, who had

civil war. Lawlessness when unrepressed spreads like a

foul contagion. It needed but the example set by the capital to hasten the fermentation in the provinces. Throughout the land the peasantry rose against their landlords, sacked and burnt their mansions, and tore up their title deeds. Riots— chiefly bread riots—broke out in the provincial cities; the soldiery refused to act, and officers,

officials, and bakers, were put to death by the mob. Then a great fear came over the people. They believed that brigands—mere phantoms of their

incurred unpopularity in the discharge of his official duties. Having forced him to kiss the mangled

fevered brains—were marching on every village

trophy of their rage, these fiends dealt out to Berthier

most harrowing scenes ensued. As in Paris, the . citizens formed themselves into National Guards to enforce order. It was obvious that the ancient

the same hideous fate they had inflicted on Foulon. When the news of the taking of the Bastille reached Versailles late in the night, the old Duke

de Liancourt awakened the king to give him the

and town bent on murder and plunder, and the

machinery of the State was no longer able to cope

when prompt decision and energy were demanded,

with the new-born forces of the democracy, and that anarchy was bound to result from the confusion of the administration and government of the country. Under these circumstances, at Versailles, in a single night, on the 4th of August, the Assembly abolished the entire privileges of the

did the king rise to the occasion.

nobility and clergy, and proclaimed the equality

information.

‘Why, it is a riot !’ exclaimed the king.

‘ Sire, say it is a revolution,’ answered the duke. No measures were taken to quell the insurrection. Neither at this crisis, nor at any subsequent moment

To his credit,


(28)

(29)

officers should be spared, once inside the fortress

however, it must be said that, unlike Charles I. of

they massacred its defenders, and then set about

England, he never would incur the reproach of shedding the blood of his subjects and provoking

razing it to the ground. Some few days later, Foulon, one of the un-

popular eX—ministers of the king, had foolishly ventured abroad.

At a time of great distress

among the people he was credited with having made the remark: ‘If the rabble have no bread,

let them eat grass.’

Though disguised as a work-

man, he was recognised and captured, and, after

having been insulted and maimed, was hanged on a lamp-post in the street. His head was then cut off and borne aloft upon a pole, the mouth stuffed

with grass.

The crowd then bent its course to

the house of Foulon’s son-in-law, Berthier, who had

civil war. Lawlessness when unrepressed spreads like a

foul contagion. It needed but the example set by the capital to hasten the fermentation in the provinces. Throughout the land the peasantry rose against their landlords, sacked and burnt their mansions, and tore up their title deeds. Riots— chiefly bread riots—broke out in the provincial cities; the soldiery refused to act, and officers,

officials, and bakers, were put to death by the mob. Then a great fear came over the people. They believed that brigands—mere phantoms of their

incurred unpopularity in the discharge of his official duties. Having forced him to kiss the mangled

fevered brains—were marching on every village

trophy of their rage, these fiends dealt out to Berthier

most harrowing scenes ensued. As in Paris, the . citizens formed themselves into National Guards to enforce order. It was obvious that the ancient

the same hideous fate they had inflicted on Foulon. When the news of the taking of the Bastille reached Versailles late in the night, the old Duke

de Liancourt awakened the king to give him the

and town bent on murder and plunder, and the

machinery of the State was no longer able to cope

when prompt decision and energy were demanded,

with the new-born forces of the democracy, and that anarchy was bound to result from the confusion of the administration and government of the country. Under these circumstances, at Versailles, in a single night, on the 4th of August, the Assembly abolished the entire privileges of the

did the king rise to the occasion.

nobility and clergy, and proclaimed the equality

information.

‘Why, it is a riot !’ exclaimed the king.

‘ Sire, say it is a revolution,’ answered the duke. No measures were taken to quell the insurrection. Neither at this crisis, nor at any subsequent moment

To his credit,


(30) of all classes before the law. the upper classes.

A wild panic seized

The queen’s intimate friend,

the Duchess de Polignac, the king’s brother, the Comte

d’Artois,

and

his

cousin the Prince de

Condo, led a general stampede across the frontier. The Comtesse de Brionne, a distant connexion of

the queen, informed Talleyrand, the future Minister

of Napoleon, of her intention to emigrate. ‘ Why do you take such a sudden resolution ?’ he inquired.

schemes for a constitution fashioned on the English and American pattern.

came from, Paris.

The danger was in, and

Emboldened by the apathy of

the government, the electors

of Paris organized

committees and political clubs to stir up the people. The town went mad with political excitement.

In

every public place of resort, demagogues harangued the mob, and fanned the revolutionary flame. The ministers, hopelessly embarrassed, bewildered

‘ Because I will neither be a victim nor a witness of

the king with contradictory advice, and involved

‘ Then why not go and

him in the odium which they incurred, by their

scenes which horrify me.’

spend some little time in a small country town 7.7

‘A

duplicity.

While publicly recommending more con—

small country town 7.7 she exclaimed: ‘Fiel I will be

cessions and reforms, privately they insisted on

a peasant if you like, but a provincial never.’

an appeal to the army and civil war. It never occurred to the king to forestall the Assembly and promulgate a constitution, but even this course

With the same levity with which they had entered into the Revolution, the nobles deserted Some left their sovereign in the hour of need. - from sheer disgust at the democratic turn of affairs, many fled for personal safety, others, chiefly officers

would not have saved the monarchy. It is not likely that the French nation would have settled

down at that crisis under a constitution, seeing that

whom the revolutionary spirit among the men had forced to quit the army, imagined that, on the

in later times they have never abided for more than a few years by constitutional methods of govern-

frontier, a royalist army would be formed to crush

ment. The queen alone remained calm and collected.

To remain behind

‘ She is the only man at Versailles! ’ said Mirabeau

the revolution and save the king.

was considered a sign of cowardice, and ladies sent

admiringly of her.

distaffs to the laggards as a mark of contempt.

much by the soundness of her advice as by the intrepidity of her demeanour. ‘I know they will come from Paris and ask for my head,’ she told

From the Assembly itself, as yet, there was no

danger to the throne. It was composed of comparatively moderate men, and busied itself with

She justified his words, not so

Madame Campan, ‘ but I have learnt from

my


(30) of all classes before the law. the upper classes.

A wild panic seized

The queen’s intimate friend,

the Duchess de Polignac, the king’s brother, the Comte

d’Artois,

and

his

cousin the Prince de

Condo, led a general stampede across the frontier. The Comtesse de Brionne, a distant connexion of

the queen, informed Talleyrand, the future Minister

of Napoleon, of her intention to emigrate. ‘ Why do you take such a sudden resolution ?’ he inquired.

schemes for a constitution fashioned on the English and American pattern.

came from, Paris.

The danger was in, and

Emboldened by the apathy of

the government, the electors

of Paris organized

committees and political clubs to stir up the people. The town went mad with political excitement.

In

every public place of resort, demagogues harangued the mob, and fanned the revolutionary flame. The ministers, hopelessly embarrassed, bewildered

‘ Because I will neither be a victim nor a witness of

the king with contradictory advice, and involved

‘ Then why not go and

him in the odium which they incurred, by their

scenes which horrify me.’

spend some little time in a small country town 7.7

‘A

duplicity.

While publicly recommending more con—

small country town 7.7 she exclaimed: ‘Fiel I will be

cessions and reforms, privately they insisted on

a peasant if you like, but a provincial never.’

an appeal to the army and civil war. It never occurred to the king to forestall the Assembly and promulgate a constitution, but even this course

With the same levity with which they had entered into the Revolution, the nobles deserted Some left their sovereign in the hour of need. - from sheer disgust at the democratic turn of affairs, many fled for personal safety, others, chiefly officers

would not have saved the monarchy. It is not likely that the French nation would have settled

down at that crisis under a constitution, seeing that

whom the revolutionary spirit among the men had forced to quit the army, imagined that, on the

in later times they have never abided for more than a few years by constitutional methods of govern-

frontier, a royalist army would be formed to crush

ment. The queen alone remained calm and collected.

To remain behind

‘ She is the only man at Versailles! ’ said Mirabeau

the revolution and save the king.

was considered a sign of cowardice, and ladies sent

admiringly of her.

distaffs to the laggards as a mark of contempt.

much by the soundness of her advice as by the intrepidity of her demeanour. ‘I know they will come from Paris and ask for my head,’ she told

From the Assembly itself, as yet, there was no

danger to the throne. It was composed of comparatively moderate men, and busied itself with

She justified his words, not so

Madame Campan, ‘ but I have learnt from

my


(32)

(33)

I shall await it with mother not to fear death. firmness.’ Her energy, her high moral qualities, her devotion to her husband and children were The dreaded by the leaders of the revolution.

shops and government stores for arms, then, though as yet with no matured plan of operations, yelled ‘ To Versailles! To Versailles!’ The king was out hunting, when he was stopped by a breathless messenger, who begged him not to be frightened, and informed him that a crowd of excited women were gathering in front of the palace. ‘Frightenedl’

king, from whose weakness they had nothing to fear, was still called the honest, the virtuous, the ill-advised. The queen was subjected to slanderous and murderous invectives, and against her the

minds of the credulous people were effectually poisoned. It had been a year of unparalleled scarcity.

Bread, the staple food of the people, was dear, and a famine was imminent.

The agitators seized on

the first pretext to hound on the people against Versailles.

On the 1st of October, the garrison

of that place had given to their comrades of a newly arrived regiment a banquet, which had been graced by a visit from the royal family.

The

banquet was popularly represented as being an orgy, and the report was spread that a plot was being hatched to deprive the people of their liberty. On the 4th of October the populace collected in the

streets of Paris and raised the cry for bread. A young girl entered a guard-house, seized a drum, and marched, beating it, and calling for bread through the streets. At once she was surrounded by a horde of fish-fags, who were followed by the

rabble.

As on the 14th of July, they pillaged the

said Louis, with a smile;

‘I have never been

frightened in my life.’ The aspect of the crowd was appalling. It had been raining during the day; the women, their garments dripping and soiled with mud, had been drinking freely in the pothouses 0n the road, and worked themselves into a state of frenzy against Marie Antoinette. ‘You, Austrian!’ they shrieked;

‘ until now

you. have been dancing for your own pleasure, now you will dance for ours. Thy blood shall serve as ink, thy skin shall be made into aprons, and thy body into ribbons for our gowns !' The king, in the meantime, had arrived in the palace. ‘What are my orders?’ asked the general in command. ‘ Orders!’ exclaimed the good-natured monarch. ‘ Orders against women! Why, you are joking !’ No orders were given to the military, but a deputation of five women were admitted into the palace. ‘You know my heart,’ said the king to their leader, a young girl. ‘All the bread C


(32)

(33)

I shall await it with mother not to fear death. firmness.’ Her energy, her high moral qualities, her devotion to her husband and children were The dreaded by the leaders of the revolution.

shops and government stores for arms, then, though as yet with no matured plan of operations, yelled ‘ To Versailles! To Versailles!’ The king was out hunting, when he was stopped by a breathless messenger, who begged him not to be frightened, and informed him that a crowd of excited women were gathering in front of the palace. ‘Frightenedl’

king, from whose weakness they had nothing to fear, was still called the honest, the virtuous, the ill-advised. The queen was subjected to slanderous and murderous invectives, and against her the

minds of the credulous people were effectually poisoned. It had been a year of unparalleled scarcity.

Bread, the staple food of the people, was dear, and a famine was imminent.

The agitators seized on

the first pretext to hound on the people against Versailles.

On the 1st of October, the garrison

of that place had given to their comrades of a newly arrived regiment a banquet, which had been graced by a visit from the royal family.

The

banquet was popularly represented as being an orgy, and the report was spread that a plot was being hatched to deprive the people of their liberty. On the 4th of October the populace collected in the

streets of Paris and raised the cry for bread. A young girl entered a guard-house, seized a drum, and marched, beating it, and calling for bread through the streets. At once she was surrounded by a horde of fish-fags, who were followed by the

rabble.

As on the 14th of July, they pillaged the

said Louis, with a smile;

‘I have never been

frightened in my life.’ The aspect of the crowd was appalling. It had been raining during the day; the women, their garments dripping and soiled with mud, had been drinking freely in the pothouses 0n the road, and worked themselves into a state of frenzy against Marie Antoinette. ‘You, Austrian!’ they shrieked;

‘ until now

you. have been dancing for your own pleasure, now you will dance for ours. Thy blood shall serve as ink, thy skin shall be made into aprons, and thy body into ribbons for our gowns !' The king, in the meantime, had arrived in the palace. ‘What are my orders?’ asked the general in command. ‘ Orders!’ exclaimed the good-natured monarch. ‘ Orders against women! Why, you are joking !’ No orders were given to the military, but a deputation of five women were admitted into the palace. ‘You know my heart,’ said the king to their leader, a young girl. ‘All the bread C


(:34)

(35)

that can be found here shall be given to you.’

Overcome by his gentleness, the girl fainted, and

and holding the little Dauphin by one hand and her daughter by the other, she appeared on the

on her recovery she was kissed by the king.

She

balcony, and calmly looked down on the masses.

returned to the crowd outside, spoke of the king’s

‘ No children 1’ was the greeting she received ; ‘no

kindness, and implored them to return to Paris, but

children I’

she was loaded with abuse, and narrowly escaped being hanged. The tumult increased, but the day

stood facing the threatening throng alone. At this moment Lafayette, whose peaceful and opportune slumbers had been undisturbed by the turmoil of the morning, turned up on the balcony and wishing

was on the wane, and the crowd dispersed in the darkness.

A brilliant sun shone the next day on the multitude which had arrived from Paris. Following in the wake of the women, the citizens, the National

Guard, headed by Lafayette, and some of the regu-

lars, had trudged in thousands during the night along the road to Versailles.

At five in the morning the queen was suddenly aroused. Some of the rioters had broken into the palace, murdered the guards, and were making straight for her room. She had barely time to fly for her life to the apartments of the king, where

she was joined by her children. The inmates of the palace had lost their presence of mind; the queen alone preserved hers. Believing that he could pacify the people, the king showed himself on the grand balcony of the palace; but it was the queen, the bitterly-hated queen, for whom they shouted. ‘Should I go to my execution? I should not hesitate, she said to her terrified attendants,

The children were sent back, and she

to pose as the queen’s saviour, kissed her hand in a

theatrical manner. Abashed by her courage, the emotional people broke into a loud cry of ‘Long live the queen!’ ' But this revulsion of feeling was shortlived. ‘ To Paris!’ howled the people; ‘To Parisl’ Always yielding and good-natured the king returned to the balcony, pinned on his breast the new tricolor

cockade, the emblem of liberty, took an oath of fidelity to the nation, said he would comply with their demand, and ordered his carriage to convey him to Paris. With these words and this act the king sealed his doom and that of his family. Preceded by the savages, who bore on pikes the heads of the murdered guards, a long file of hackney coaches containing the citizens and sixty vans laden with the flour they had pillaged, the viragoes marched and danced along the road to Paris, ‘ Now bread will be plentiful, as we have the baker, the


(:34)

(35)

that can be found here shall be given to you.’

Overcome by his gentleness, the girl fainted, and

and holding the little Dauphin by one hand and her daughter by the other, she appeared on the

on her recovery she was kissed by the king.

She

balcony, and calmly looked down on the masses.

returned to the crowd outside, spoke of the king’s

‘ No children 1’ was the greeting she received ; ‘no

kindness, and implored them to return to Paris, but

children I’

she was loaded with abuse, and narrowly escaped being hanged. The tumult increased, but the day

stood facing the threatening throng alone. At this moment Lafayette, whose peaceful and opportune slumbers had been undisturbed by the turmoil of the morning, turned up on the balcony and wishing

was on the wane, and the crowd dispersed in the darkness.

A brilliant sun shone the next day on the multitude which had arrived from Paris. Following in the wake of the women, the citizens, the National

Guard, headed by Lafayette, and some of the regu-

lars, had trudged in thousands during the night along the road to Versailles.

At five in the morning the queen was suddenly aroused. Some of the rioters had broken into the palace, murdered the guards, and were making straight for her room. She had barely time to fly for her life to the apartments of the king, where

she was joined by her children. The inmates of the palace had lost their presence of mind; the queen alone preserved hers. Believing that he could pacify the people, the king showed himself on the grand balcony of the palace; but it was the queen, the bitterly-hated queen, for whom they shouted. ‘Should I go to my execution? I should not hesitate, she said to her terrified attendants,

The children were sent back, and she

to pose as the queen’s saviour, kissed her hand in a

theatrical manner. Abashed by her courage, the emotional people broke into a loud cry of ‘Long live the queen!’ ' But this revulsion of feeling was shortlived. ‘ To Paris!’ howled the people; ‘To Parisl’ Always yielding and good-natured the king returned to the balcony, pinned on his breast the new tricolor

cockade, the emblem of liberty, took an oath of fidelity to the nation, said he would comply with their demand, and ordered his carriage to convey him to Paris. With these words and this act the king sealed his doom and that of his family. Preceded by the savages, who bore on pikes the heads of the murdered guards, a long file of hackney coaches containing the citizens and sixty vans laden with the flour they had pillaged, the viragoes marched and danced along the road to Paris, ‘ Now bread will be plentiful, as we have the baker, the


France, by whom they were put up for sale.

The

baker’s wife, and the baker’s boyl’ chanted they into the ears of the royal family of France, who, silent

and mournful in their coach, escorted by

battalions of the National Guard, turned for ever

sale, however, proved a failure, as the sense of insecurity was too deep, and money was too scarce. Then the municipalities were authorised to pay the state in notes on the security of the land.

from the palace which their ancestorshad proudly reared, and had inscribed ‘To all the glories of

The currency of these assignats, as they were

France.’

called, was enforced by law, an expedient which tided over the first embarrassment. But later on,

No incident of a specially sensational character occurred during the next year. In Paris the National Guard maintained comparative order among

when the State issued assignats without any security, there being no money in the treasury to redeem them, they became worthless, and the State bank-

the people, who rejoiced at having the king in their rupt. midst.

But we are anticipating events.

The clergy

The National Assembly, which had followed

could hardly be expected to accept the spoliation him to the Tuileries, proceeded with its reforms, of their property without opposition.

Their in-

divided France into departments and communes,

trigues called forth decrees abolishing monastic vows, whose administration was constructed on the most the suppression of convents and monasteries, and

democratic lines, abolished the old law courts, placed the choice of judges and magistrates directly in

declaring the civil constitution of the Church.

This measure provided that the clergy should the hands of the electors, and made them inde-

pendent of all other control on the part of the State.

be elected by the lay authorities, and should swear allegiance to them—an enactment highly repulsive

It then turned its attention to the finances.

to the religious feelings of a body which only The deficit, which had run up to several hundred

millions of our money, had to be met. Democratic governments are often more arbitrary than absolute monarchies.

Failing to float loans, the representatives of the

acknowledged the supremacy of the Pope. Here we may pause for an instant and fairly concede our

admiration to the next decree of the Assembly. While in England, for many years afterwards, the Catholics, Dissenters, and Jews were still de-

nation confiscated the immense property of the

clergy, and ordered its sale. The lands were divided among the municipalities throughout

prived of the rights of citizenship, in France, in the year 1790, freedom of worship was granted to


France, by whom they were put up for sale.

The

baker’s wife, and the baker’s boyl’ chanted they into the ears of the royal family of France, who, silent

and mournful in their coach, escorted by

battalions of the National Guard, turned for ever

sale, however, proved a failure, as the sense of insecurity was too deep, and money was too scarce. Then the municipalities were authorised to pay the state in notes on the security of the land.

from the palace which their ancestorshad proudly reared, and had inscribed ‘To all the glories of

The currency of these assignats, as they were

France.’

called, was enforced by law, an expedient which tided over the first embarrassment. But later on,

No incident of a specially sensational character occurred during the next year. In Paris the National Guard maintained comparative order among

when the State issued assignats without any security, there being no money in the treasury to redeem them, they became worthless, and the State bank-

the people, who rejoiced at having the king in their rupt. midst.

But we are anticipating events.

The clergy

The National Assembly, which had followed

could hardly be expected to accept the spoliation him to the Tuileries, proceeded with its reforms, of their property without opposition.

Their in-

divided France into departments and communes,

trigues called forth decrees abolishing monastic vows, whose administration was constructed on the most the suppression of convents and monasteries, and

democratic lines, abolished the old law courts, placed the choice of judges and magistrates directly in

declaring the civil constitution of the Church.

This measure provided that the clergy should the hands of the electors, and made them inde-

pendent of all other control on the part of the State.

be elected by the lay authorities, and should swear allegiance to them—an enactment highly repulsive

It then turned its attention to the finances.

to the religious feelings of a body which only The deficit, which had run up to several hundred

millions of our money, had to be met. Democratic governments are often more arbitrary than absolute monarchies.

Failing to float loans, the representatives of the

acknowledged the supremacy of the Pope. Here we may pause for an instant and fairly concede our

admiration to the next decree of the Assembly. While in England, for many years afterwards, the Catholics, Dissenters, and Jews were still de-

nation confiscated the immense property of the

clergy, and ordered its sale. The lands were divided among the municipalities throughout

prived of the rights of citizenship, in France, in the year 1790, freedom of worship was granted to


(38)

(39)

every denomination, and all creeds were placed on the same footing. With the nobility the Assembly dealt in a more puerile, though an equally despotic manner. Not only were all titles of nobility, orders of knighthood,

her son and herself shared the feelings of the king, and the people responded with enthusiastic cheers. But this was only a lull in the storm. The revolution was entering upon a new phase. The dreamy and sentimental longing for reform which animated the upper classes at its outset, as well as the burning desire of the lower orders for enfranchisement, had been gratified far beyond

liveries, and armorial bearings abolished, but to stem the swelling tide of emigration, it was decided that

the property of every emigrant would be confiscated: measures for which the nobles and priests revenged themselves by fomenting discord and anarchy among the people. The position of the ill—fated monarch was daily

their expectations.

The rottenness of the former

He lived in regal state, and the strict etiquette of

system had been proved by the rapid collapse of the ancient monarchy, and the facility with which the political and social condition of the country had been remodelled. But the canker which had destroyed the monarchy and its institutions had also eaten into the hearts of the people. They were

Versailles was maintained.

demoralised

growing more lamentable. For some months after his arrival in Paris he still indulged in fond illusions. He was still supported

by a strong Royalist party, and from his mobile and emotional subjects he received occasional demonstra— tions of loyalty. On the first anniversary of the destruction of the Bastille, while the people were dancing on its site, the King, on the spot where next year’s exhibition is to be held, took part in

and

brutalised, and became a mere

weapon of destruction in the hands of their leaders. The Assembly was much to blame. Instead of conducting

the debates with dignity, instead of

' asserting its supremacy, and enforcing obedience to the law, the Assembly—which had never shown

the oath of fidelity to the nation and king ; the king

much statesmanship in the framing of its measures —indulged in unseemly and profitless wrangles, which were applauded or hissed by the strangers in the galleries. It was controlled first by the electors, then by the clubs, and took no steps to

swore to govern by the constitution ; the queen held

repress disorder.

up the dauphin to the crowd, and exclaimed that

been formally adopted, the Assembly was bound to

a national pageant of great splendour. The general in command of the National Guards,

and the president of the National Assembly, took

The moment the Constitution had


(38)

(39)

every denomination, and all creeds were placed on the same footing. With the nobility the Assembly dealt in a more puerile, though an equally despotic manner. Not only were all titles of nobility, orders of knighthood,

her son and herself shared the feelings of the king, and the people responded with enthusiastic cheers. But this was only a lull in the storm. The revolution was entering upon a new phase. The dreamy and sentimental longing for reform which animated the upper classes at its outset, as well as the burning desire of the lower orders for enfranchisement, had been gratified far beyond

liveries, and armorial bearings abolished, but to stem the swelling tide of emigration, it was decided that

the property of every emigrant would be confiscated: measures for which the nobles and priests revenged themselves by fomenting discord and anarchy among the people. The position of the ill—fated monarch was daily

their expectations.

The rottenness of the former

He lived in regal state, and the strict etiquette of

system had been proved by the rapid collapse of the ancient monarchy, and the facility with which the political and social condition of the country had been remodelled. But the canker which had destroyed the monarchy and its institutions had also eaten into the hearts of the people. They were

Versailles was maintained.

demoralised

growing more lamentable. For some months after his arrival in Paris he still indulged in fond illusions. He was still supported

by a strong Royalist party, and from his mobile and emotional subjects he received occasional demonstra— tions of loyalty. On the first anniversary of the destruction of the Bastille, while the people were dancing on its site, the King, on the spot where next year’s exhibition is to be held, took part in

and

brutalised, and became a mere

weapon of destruction in the hands of their leaders. The Assembly was much to blame. Instead of conducting

the debates with dignity, instead of

' asserting its supremacy, and enforcing obedience to the law, the Assembly—which had never shown

the oath of fidelity to the nation and king ; the king

much statesmanship in the framing of its measures —indulged in unseemly and profitless wrangles, which were applauded or hissed by the strangers in the galleries. It was controlled first by the electors, then by the clubs, and took no steps to

swore to govern by the constitution ; the queen held

repress disorder.

up the dauphin to the crowd, and exclaimed that

been formally adopted, the Assembly was bound to

a national pageant of great splendour. The general in command of the National Guards,

and the president of the National Assembly, took

The moment the Constitution had


(40) dissolve. It needed no prophetic gifts to foretell the result of a general election. The extreme views of the clubs, whose vast political organizations were ruling the country, were graphically represented in the revolutionary press. To their tender mercies the welfare of the country would be committed, together with the safety of the throne. Unfortunately for themselves, the king and his friends

only too effectually assisted the objects of the revolutionaries. Irritated by a mean espionage and the animosity of the populace, galled by ministers who were forced upon him by the Assembly, and dismayed by the increase of the emigration, the

that the queen was intriguing with her brother the emperor, she and the king encountered such hostile manifestations in public that they no longer

dared to venture out—of—doors. In the palace they were rigorously guarded, and the king, driven to desperation, decided, at last, that he too would

seek safety in flight. With the help of some devoted Royalists a plan

of escape was matured.

In face of the greatest diffi—

culties, the king, his family, and attendants, disguised as the family and servants of the Baroness

de Korff—a Russian lady—effected their exit from the Tuileries, and set off in a lumbering old coach But the fatality which had pur—

king, acting upon the advice of the queen, entered into a correspondence with most of the kings of Europe, appealed to their assistance and claimed their intervention. To a certain extent we may sympathise with the king: the provocation was

for the frontier.

great, the temptation to free himself at any cost from an untenable and perilous position can be

Drouet—the son of a post-master.

sent a message to the Assembly at Paris, then

appreciated, but the means employed can hardly

started after the ponderous vehicle which contained

be excused.

the fugitives, and caught it up, close to the frontier, at Varennes ; there he gave the alarm, and with the

To connive at a policy which might, and eventually did, lead to an invasion was the result of an

sued Louis throughout his life also frustrated this

design. The first portion of the journey was safely accomplished, but on the second day the king was recognised

by

an

ardent

revolutionist —— young

He at once

aid of some sympatliisers barricaded the town.

exaggerated conception of the relative importance

A detachment of soldiers had been provided at

of his own position and the interests of his people. Proofs of this correspondence were not discovered for some time 3 but when the rumour went about

Varennes to escort the king to the fortress of Montmédy, which was held by Bouillé, a royalist

general.

Had the king at this critical moment


(40) dissolve. It needed no prophetic gifts to foretell the result of a general election. The extreme views of the clubs, whose vast political organizations were ruling the country, were graphically represented in the revolutionary press. To their tender mercies the welfare of the country would be committed, together with the safety of the throne. Unfortunately for themselves, the king and his friends

only too effectually assisted the objects of the revolutionaries. Irritated by a mean espionage and the animosity of the populace, galled by ministers who were forced upon him by the Assembly, and dismayed by the increase of the emigration, the

that the queen was intriguing with her brother the emperor, she and the king encountered such hostile manifestations in public that they no longer

dared to venture out—of—doors. In the palace they were rigorously guarded, and the king, driven to desperation, decided, at last, that he too would

seek safety in flight. With the help of some devoted Royalists a plan

of escape was matured.

In face of the greatest diffi—

culties, the king, his family, and attendants, disguised as the family and servants of the Baroness

de Korff—a Russian lady—effected their exit from the Tuileries, and set off in a lumbering old coach But the fatality which had pur—

king, acting upon the advice of the queen, entered into a correspondence with most of the kings of Europe, appealed to their assistance and claimed their intervention. To a certain extent we may sympathise with the king: the provocation was

for the frontier.

great, the temptation to free himself at any cost from an untenable and perilous position can be

Drouet—the son of a post-master.

sent a message to the Assembly at Paris, then

appreciated, but the means employed can hardly

started after the ponderous vehicle which contained

be excused.

the fugitives, and caught it up, close to the frontier, at Varennes ; there he gave the alarm, and with the

To connive at a policy which might, and eventually did, lead to an invasion was the result of an

sued Louis throughout his life also frustrated this

design. The first portion of the journey was safely accomplished, but on the second day the king was recognised

by

an

ardent

revolutionist —— young

He at once

aid of some sympatliisers barricaded the town.

exaggerated conception of the relative importance

A detachment of soldiers had been provided at

of his own position and the interests of his people. Proofs of this correspondence were not discovered for some time 3 but when the rumour went about

Varennes to escort the king to the fortress of Montmédy, which was held by Bouillé, a royalist

general.

Had the king at this critical moment


(42)

(43)

ordered the troops to fire on the insurgents and attempted to force his way through the barricade,

the declaration of war by the Convention against the coalition of Foreign Powers, the history of the Revolution became the history of Europe. Had it

he might have been saved; but unwilling, as usual,

to shed the blood of his subjects, he patiently

been possible for the Revolution to have come to an end at that point, had the nation been satisfied with

submitted, and surrendered himself and his family

into the hands of the deputies from the Assembly, who had arrived from Paris, atoning by his self-

sacrifice for the errors of his reign.

the immense results that had been achieved, bent

all its energies to the work of defeating the enemy abroad, and at home consolidated the new political

After two

days of indescribable anguish and suffering, the royal family of France arrived in Paris, where they

were received by an immense multitude, whose silence was ominously significant. During those painful days the queen never lost her calmness

and dignity, but when she rose the morning after her return her hair had grown white. Paris at once became the scene of insurrections and mas-

sacres, and the Assembly passed a decree declaring

and social liberties it had acquired, it would have

earned the gratitude of posterity. It had abolished for ever the abuses of the past; it had proclaimed religious equality; it had curtailed the royal prerogative; it had destroyed the pernicious privileges of a limited class; and it had established its own

rights on a secure foundation.

The crimes that could

be laid to its door were, as yet, comparatively few,

and they might have been forgotten for the

that the king would be deposed if he broke his

sake of the immeasurable advantages that had

oath to the Constitution by encouraging an in— vasion of the country. On the 14th September,

been gained. The example given by France must necessarily have been followed by other nations, and the gradual development of her democratic

1791, that constitution was formally adopted and

approved by the king, and on the 30th of that month the Assembly declared itself dissolved. This day marks a new departure in the Revo-

institutions, carried out in a spirit of tolerance

and with a regard for law, might have initiated

for; her an era of healthy stability. But moderation and common sense are qualities

lution, which I must reluctantly refrain from fol-

lowing.

With the meeting of the new Assembly,

which styled itself the Convention, the Revolution

assumed a distinctly republican character ; and from

not characteristic of the French.

The Assembly,

though animated by a genuine enthusiasm and patriotism, and sincerely desirous of building up a


(42)

(43)

ordered the troops to fire on the insurgents and attempted to force his way through the barricade,

the declaration of war by the Convention against the coalition of Foreign Powers, the history of the Revolution became the history of Europe. Had it

he might have been saved; but unwilling, as usual,

to shed the blood of his subjects, he patiently

been possible for the Revolution to have come to an end at that point, had the nation been satisfied with

submitted, and surrendered himself and his family

into the hands of the deputies from the Assembly, who had arrived from Paris, atoning by his self-

sacrifice for the errors of his reign.

the immense results that had been achieved, bent

all its energies to the work of defeating the enemy abroad, and at home consolidated the new political

After two

days of indescribable anguish and suffering, the royal family of France arrived in Paris, where they

were received by an immense multitude, whose silence was ominously significant. During those painful days the queen never lost her calmness

and dignity, but when she rose the morning after her return her hair had grown white. Paris at once became the scene of insurrections and mas-

sacres, and the Assembly passed a decree declaring

and social liberties it had acquired, it would have

earned the gratitude of posterity. It had abolished for ever the abuses of the past; it had proclaimed religious equality; it had curtailed the royal prerogative; it had destroyed the pernicious privileges of a limited class; and it had established its own

rights on a secure foundation.

The crimes that could

be laid to its door were, as yet, comparatively few,

and they might have been forgotten for the

that the king would be deposed if he broke his

sake of the immeasurable advantages that had

oath to the Constitution by encouraging an in— vasion of the country. On the 14th September,

been gained. The example given by France must necessarily have been followed by other nations, and the gradual development of her democratic

1791, that constitution was formally adopted and

approved by the king, and on the 30th of that month the Assembly declared itself dissolved. This day marks a new departure in the Revo-

institutions, carried out in a spirit of tolerance

and with a regard for law, might have initiated

for; her an era of healthy stability. But moderation and common sense are qualities

lution, which I must reluctantly refrain from fol-

lowing.

With the meeting of the new Assembly,

which styled itself the Convention, the Revolution

assumed a distinctly republican character ; and from

not characteristic of the French.

The Assembly,

though animated by a genuine enthusiasm and patriotism, and sincerely desirous of building up a


(44)

(45>

constitutional monarchy, and securing the happiness of the people, consummated the change in a reck-

derisively called, had been condemned after a mock

less and precipitate manner.

to traduce the queen and enhance the sufferings of a martyrdom which she bore with unshaken

Instead of gradually

pruning the decayed outgrowths of the ancient institutions, and of grafting reforms upon those

trial and executed, the basest means were devised

courage and sustained dignity, while her son, a

which were still healthy and useful, it ruthlessly destroyed them root and branch. Regardless of the fact that order and security are the essentials of efficient government and of the progress of

gentle and loveable child, was brutally done to death.

nations, the Assembly disturbed every vested in-

instituted in its place.

terest and paved the way for those grim factions

disgraced any country in any age engaged on a

hunted down like vermin, and their religious houses and mansions rifled of their contents and converted into jails. In these, regardless of sex, age, or profession, on the mere suspicion of their having any aristocratic sympathies, or of concealing any precious metals which were claimed for State purposes, the highest and lowest of the land were indiscriminately huddled together and butchered in cold blood, or carted to the guillotine. France was turned into a vast slaughter—house; human sacrifices were offered up at the shrine of

work of destruction and violence, in

dia—

Liberty, in which hecatombs of the worthiest and

Scenes of such profanity and

most innocent Victims perished, offering to the world a terrible example of what human nature is capable

whose sole object is chaos.

Thus the Convention

was composed of the nominees of anarchical and socialistic clubs, whose leaders, under the guise of a republic, attained supreme power on the ruins of all social and political systems.

They merely sub-

stituted one despotism for another, the despotism

of the mob for the despotism of the monarchy. During

the

next

three years,

in

the name of

liberty, the most tyrannical government that ever

bolical wantonness. atrocity were

enacted

that

sheer

humanity recoils

at

their mere mention. The king having been deposed, he and his family were imprisoned and treated with studied

contumely.

When Louis Capet, as he was then

The Catholic creed was held up to ridicule,

and. the blasphemous worship of the goddess Reason Priests and nobles were

when unrestrained by morality, principle, or faith.

Nations, like individuals, are the best judges of their own interests. The French nation glorifies a revolution which brought to her citizens liberty,


(44)

(45>

constitutional monarchy, and securing the happiness of the people, consummated the change in a reck-

derisively called, had been condemned after a mock

less and precipitate manner.

to traduce the queen and enhance the sufferings of a martyrdom which she bore with unshaken

Instead of gradually

pruning the decayed outgrowths of the ancient institutions, and of grafting reforms upon those

trial and executed, the basest means were devised

courage and sustained dignity, while her son, a

which were still healthy and useful, it ruthlessly destroyed them root and branch. Regardless of the fact that order and security are the essentials of efficient government and of the progress of

gentle and loveable child, was brutally done to death.

nations, the Assembly disturbed every vested in-

instituted in its place.

terest and paved the way for those grim factions

disgraced any country in any age engaged on a

hunted down like vermin, and their religious houses and mansions rifled of their contents and converted into jails. In these, regardless of sex, age, or profession, on the mere suspicion of their having any aristocratic sympathies, or of concealing any precious metals which were claimed for State purposes, the highest and lowest of the land were indiscriminately huddled together and butchered in cold blood, or carted to the guillotine. France was turned into a vast slaughter—house; human sacrifices were offered up at the shrine of

work of destruction and violence, in

dia—

Liberty, in which hecatombs of the worthiest and

Scenes of such profanity and

most innocent Victims perished, offering to the world a terrible example of what human nature is capable

whose sole object is chaos.

Thus the Convention

was composed of the nominees of anarchical and socialistic clubs, whose leaders, under the guise of a republic, attained supreme power on the ruins of all social and political systems.

They merely sub-

stituted one despotism for another, the despotism

of the mob for the despotism of the monarchy. During

the

next

three years,

in

the name of

liberty, the most tyrannical government that ever

bolical wantonness. atrocity were

enacted

that

sheer

humanity recoils

at

their mere mention. The king having been deposed, he and his family were imprisoned and treated with studied

contumely.

When Louis Capet, as he was then

The Catholic creed was held up to ridicule,

and. the blasphemous worship of the goddess Reason Priests and nobles were

when unrestrained by morality, principle, or faith.

Nations, like individuals, are the best judges of their own interests. The French nation glorifies a revolution which brought to her citizens liberty,


(45) equality, and fraternity. To us it might appear as if these boons were clearly purchased. For twenty— three years France remained engaged in a war in which the best blood Of the country was squandered,

and the worst military despotism was established which the world has ever known. The despotism of Napoleon was succeeded by the restoration of the formerly detested Bourbon monarchy; this was followed by a second revolution, which gave place to a short period of constitutional monarchy. This collapsed in a third revolution, which resulted in another military despotism, which culminated in a disastrous war, and terminated in

a fourth revolution and the Commune.

You, too,

have had your revolution—in fact, at this very moment, we are silently living through the bi—centenary of the year which gave you your liberties. The English nation may be congratulated on the dignity of its silence, for revolutions, however legitimate in their origin, mild in their process and beneficent in their results, cannot be accomplished without violence and injustice.

been less incapable, Marie Antoinette less frivolous,

the finances less impaired, the nobility less profiigate, the people less ferocious—if all the conditions of two centuries had been altered to suit our convenience,

the Revolution might have been avoided, and we might fill our leisure in writing a new history

of Europe. It would be more profitable to us if those historians and statesmen would accept the lessons of the past as a guide to the solution of those many problems which menace social security, and

teach the people that there is no finality in revolution, that revolution leads to anarchy, and that anarchy destroys the prosperity of empires and the welfare of their citizens.

TOYNBEE HALL, LONDON, December 15m, 1888.

Historians and

statesmen have devoted much time and sagacity to the investigation of the causes of the French Revolution, and to the devices by which it could have been avoided. Yes! Had Louis XIV. been less despotic, had Louis XV. been less depraved, had Louis XVI.

LONDON : Printed by STRANGEWAYS & SONS, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.


(45) equality, and fraternity. To us it might appear as if these boons were clearly purchased. For twenty— three years France remained engaged in a war in which the best blood Of the country was squandered,

and the worst military despotism was established which the world has ever known. The despotism of Napoleon was succeeded by the restoration of the formerly detested Bourbon monarchy; this was followed by a second revolution, which gave place to a short period of constitutional monarchy. This collapsed in a third revolution, which resulted in another military despotism, which culminated in a disastrous war, and terminated in

a fourth revolution and the Commune.

You, too,

have had your revolution—in fact, at this very moment, we are silently living through the bi—centenary of the year which gave you your liberties. The English nation may be congratulated on the dignity of its silence, for revolutions, however legitimate in their origin, mild in their process and beneficent in their results, cannot be accomplished without violence and injustice.

been less incapable, Marie Antoinette less frivolous,

the finances less impaired, the nobility less profiigate, the people less ferocious—if all the conditions of two centuries had been altered to suit our convenience,

the Revolution might have been avoided, and we might fill our leisure in writing a new history

of Europe. It would be more profitable to us if those historians and statesmen would accept the lessons of the past as a guide to the solution of those many problems which menace social security, and

teach the people that there is no finality in revolution, that revolution leads to anarchy, and that anarchy destroys the prosperity of empires and the welfare of their citizens.

TOYNBEE HALL, LONDON, December 15m, 1888.

Historians and

statesmen have devoted much time and sagacity to the investigation of the causes of the French Revolution, and to the devices by which it could have been avoided. Yes! Had Louis XIV. been less despotic, had Louis XV. been less depraved, had Louis XVI.

LONDON : Printed by STRANGEWAYS & SONS, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.


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