Part 58 (2/2)

Mr. Thomas Grenville was one of the most liberal collectors of rare books at a time when bibliomania was much more in fas.h.i.+on than it is now. The following is a characteristic specimen of his powers of observation when directed to his favourite pursuit:--

THE RIGHT HON. THOMAS GRENVILLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Cleveland Square, July 30, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

I have just been collating two copies of the ”Sacra Exequialia in Funere Jacobi II.--a Carolo de Aquino. Fol. Romae 1702.” Whether you have this book or not, you certainly have in your Granger the famous print (belonging to this book) of a head of the _Pretender_, by _Edelinck_, _aetatis suae_ 12. In one of my copies (the presentation copy to the King of France or one of the French Royal Family) below the head, upon a _tablet_, is engraved ”Cognosc.u.n.t mei me,” and in the corner of the tablet ”aetatis suae 12;” and on each side of the tablet is a circular _medallion_, one of which is _a library_ with ”Litteris Insignis” round it. The other _medallion_ is a _man firing at a wild boar_, with ”Et Armis” round it. In the _centre of the large circle_ which surrounds the head, and just above the tablet, is a _large medallion_, with the sun behind a cloud, and round it ”Et latet et lucet.” In the other copy, the same print (with Edelinck's name and ”aetatis suae 12,” in the corner of the tablet, like the other), has these variations.

The _large medallion_ above the tablet has the ”Arms of England with a crown.”

The _tablet_ has no inscription, but is left blank, except that it has in the corner ”aetatis suae 12.”

The _two small medallions_ have, one of them, the Prince's plume, with _Ich dien_; the other, the Order of the Garter, with _Honi soit qui mal y pense_.

These differences are remarkable, and as I have found no account of them, and understand the print is rare and dear, I send to you for information about them.

In my ”royal copy, with the French royal arms,” the impression of the head seems much finer than the other, which has the English emblems in the medallions. Perhaps they were subsequently inserted; but why, then, was ”Cognosc.u.n.t mei me,” taken out and the tablet left blank? Was it intended perhaps to insert his royal t.i.tles, and if so, why were they omitted, when the English arms were subst.i.tuted for the allegorical medallions? I know, when you are among your prints, these inquiries, however minute, are interesting to you.

I know no news except the Spanish and Portuguese finale to their revolutions, which, inasmuch as they were both military and not civil revolutions, I could not wish success to, though I feel as adverse to the French dictation and invasion as any Spaniard could do. Love to your dear wife.

Ever most affectionately yours,

T. G.

Miss Poyntz has just refused Lord Apsley; who the deuce will she marry?

Mr. Canning had by this time made good his position at Court, by coming to an understanding with the most influential channel of Court favour.

The Scottish preacher, Irving, the Spurgeon of his day, indicated her presence among his fas.h.i.+onable audience by a very delicate piece of flattery. ”All the world here,” writes the indignant Lord Chancellor, ”is running on Sundays to the Caledonian Chapel in Hatton Garden, where they bear a Presbyterian orator from Scotland preaching, as some ladies term it, _charming_ matter, though downright nonsense. To the shame of the King's Ministers be it said, that many of them have gone to this schism-shop with itching ears. Lauderdale told me that when Lady ---- is there, the preacher never speaks of an heavenly mansion, but an heavenly _Pavilion_. For other ears mansion is sufficient.”[121]

[121] Twiss's ”Life of Lord Eldon,” vol. ii. p. 86.

”The appointment of Lord Albert Conyngham in the Foreign Office,” we are a.s.sured by the same writer, ”has, by female influence, put Canning beyond the reach of anything to affect him, and will naturally enable him to turn those out whom he does not wish to remain in. The King is in such thraldom that one has n.o.body to fall back upon.”[122]

[122] Ibid., p. 87.

The autumn did not bring any very important changes, as may be gathered from the text of Mr. Williams Wynn's next letter. Towards the conclusion the writer refers to communications from Count Nugent to the Duke of Buckingham, and to a reply which the Duke had proposed sending, evidently referring to Austrian policy, and written with the view of being laid before the Emperor.

THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

LlanG.o.dwin, Aug. 20, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

I certainly cannot conceive from what source the article in the _Courier_ so tallying with my language can proceed, unless it should be from Phillimore or Courtenay; for there are no other persons besides you and the Duke of Wellington and Lord Liverpool, with whom I have had any communication on the subject; and the two latter are much too well inclined to Lord Hastings, or to anybody whom they think the King feels any interest for, to have expressed those sentiments to any one who might transfer them to the _Courier_.

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