Part 50 (1/2)
The Prince of Orange certainly went to the Hague. He was received there enthusiastically. The proposition he takes is for Federal union. I fear he must submit to some modification of that, or encounter real opposition and civil war.
_September 9._
Hardinge gives me rather an indifferent account of Ireland. Great animosity still existing between the Catholics and Protestants in the _lower_ ranks; in the higher, peace. A revolutionary disposition raised in the middle cla.s.ses by the example of Prance. Great dissatisfaction in consequence of the proposed taxation of last session.
He told the Duke, and so did Arbuthnot, that he might dispose of their offices if he wanted them. He seems to think Peel is tired and anxious to withdraw--annoyed at the idea of being unpopular, an idea the defeat of his brothers has given him. This makes him less energetic than he should be with respect to the measures necessary to strengthen himself in the House of Commons.
_September 10._
It seems the desire of separation is general in the Netherlands. It is the result of national prejudice and vanity. The Dutch seem just as violent the other way, and the deputies were rather in danger at Rotterdam. The separation will probably defeat the objects of the great Powers in 1814, for it is idle to expect such terms of Federal union as will enable the two States to act cordially together.
_September 11._
By withdrawing his troops from the palace, and going to the Hague, the Prince of Orange has ruined his cause. He has appeared to give it up.
_September 13._
Read on my way to London the intelligence obtained by Lord Heytesbury relative to the Russian trade with Tartary and on the Caspian. It is very full and satisfactory.
The 'Times' has a sensible article on the state of France; the want of materials to form a const.i.tutional monarchy, the growing dissatisfaction that _more_ is not done in a revolutionary sense, and the irresponsible power of a deliberative army of 800,000 men.
Ghent and Antwerp seem to cling to the connection between Holland and Belgium, and I begin to hope that if France is tranquil the Bruxellois and Liegeois may grow tired and become reasonable. Men cannot play at barricades long when no one attacks them.
_September 14._
House of Lords. I had to wait half an hour for the seals, which were carelessly carried off by Lady Lyndhurst in her carriage.
Talked to Rosslyn. He told me Aberdeen was led to expect another revolution in France. The paper they were going to prosecute was an _affiche_ calling upon the French people to overthrow _l'aristocratie bourgeoise_, which was as bad as the other, and to divide the lands.
In the Netherlands the people and their leaders are divided, and if Antwerp and Ghent, &c., remain firm, it signifies little what Brussels does.
Brussels will be brought into terms by distress.
Rosslyn thinks some of the Whigs as well as of the Tories will be alarmed by events on the Continent and support Government.
He hears of no negotiations for accessions.
The people of Brunswick, very justly provoked, have turned the Duke [Footnote: This was the eccentric Duke who died a few years ago at Geneva, bequeathing his whole property to the city, who have erected a monument to him.] out of the town and burnt his palace. He escaped with ten Hussars. He deserves his fate. I believe he is mad. He is a complete _vaurien._
When Parliament is prorogued, as to-day, the peers are without their robes.
The Chancellor was in his legal dress. The Commons appear without a summons by their clerks, and the Chancellor merely desires the proclamation to be read. However, as it is held, _improperly,_ to be the first day of the sitting of Parliament, the return of the Scotch peers is laid on the table.
All this is sanctioned by precedent, but contrary to reason.
_September 20, 1830._
Wrote a long letter to Hardinge upon the political consequences of Huskisson's death, [Footnote: He was killed, as is well known, at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.] urging the introduction of Palmerston and Stanley. The latter to Vent the junction of the Whig aristocracy with the Radicals.
I am sure, if measures are not taken immediately, we shall have all the Huskissonians, Whigs and Ultra-Tories (the last are insane), united against us.