Volume II Part 25 (1/2)

[Footnote 2: 'The Knight of Snowdoun', a musical drama, written by Thomas Morton (1764-1838), and founded on 'The Lady of the Lake', was produced at Covent Garden, Feb. 5, 1811, and published the same year.

John Liston (1776-1846), the most famous comedian of the century, played the part of ”Macloon,” his wife that of ”Isabel.” In act iii. sc. 3 Macloon says,

”Oh, woman! woman! deceitful, d.a.m.nable, (_changing into a half-smile_) delightful woman! do all one can, there's nothing else worth thinking of.”]

221.--To Francis Hodgson.

8, St. James's Street, Feb. 1, 1812.

MY DEAR HODGSON,-I am rather unwell with a vile cold, caught in the House of Lords last night. Lord Sligo and myself, being tired, _paired off_, being of opposite sides, so that nothing was gained or lost by _our_ votes. I did not speak: but I might as well, for nothing could have been inferior to the Duke of Devons.h.i.+re, Marquis of Downs.h.i.+re, and the Earl of Fitzwilliam. The Catholic Question comes on this month, and perhaps I may then commence. I must ”screw my courage to the sticking-place,” and we'll _not_ fail.

Yours ever, B.

222.--To Samuel Rogers.

February 4, 1812.

MY DEAR SIR,--With my best acknowledgments to Lord Holland [1], I have to offer my perfect concurrence in the propriety of the question previously to be put to ministers. If their answer is in the negative, I shall, with his Lords.h.i.+p's approbation, give notice of a motion for a Committee of Inquiry. I would also gladly avail myself of his most able advice, and any information or doc.u.ments with which he might be pleased to intrust me, to bear me out in the statement of facts it may be necessary to submit to the House.

From all that fell under my own observation during my Christmas visit to Newstead, I feel convinced that, if _conciliatory_ measures are not very soon adopted, the most unhappy consequences may be apprehended. [2]

Nightly outrage and daily depredation are already at their height; and not only the masters of frames, who are obnoxious on account of their occupation, but persons in no degree connected with the malecontents or their oppressors, are liable to insult and pillage.

I am very much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken on my account, and beg you to believe me,

Ever your obliged and sincere, etc.

[Footnote 1: For Lord Holland, see 'Letters', vol. i. p. 184, 'note' 1 [Footnote 3 of Letter 94]. He was Recorder of Nottingham; hence his special interest in the proposed legislation against frame-breaking.]

[Footnote 2: Owing to the state of trade, numbers of stocking-weavers had lost work. The discontent thus produced was increased by the introduction of a wide frame for the manufacture of gaiters and stockings, which, it was supposed, would further diminish the demand for manual labour. In November, 1811, organized bands of men began to break into houses and destroy machinery. For several days no serious effort was made to check the riots, which extended to a considerable distance round Nottingham. But on November 14 the soldiers were called out.