Volume III Part 2 (2/2)
He was editor of the 'National,' an able writer, and one of the principal instigators of the Revolution of July It is said that he is a ood speaker, lish than the boh opinion of hirets; it is well done, but the doctrine of fatalism which he puts forth in it he thinks calculated to injure his reputation as a statesain at dinner at Talleyrand's yesterday with another great party, and last night he started on a visit to Birham and Liverpool
After dinner on Friday I had rather a curious conversation with Esterhazy, who said he wanted to knohat I thought of the condition of this country I told hiaveso
He then went off and said that these were his opinions also, and he had written hoiving the theht wish to hear, but that he was resolved to tell thereatly they were deceiving themselves if they counted upon the decadence or want of power of this country; a great deal more of the same sort, which proves that the Austrian Court were all on the _qui vive_ to find out that we are paralysed, and that their political conduct is in fact influenced by their notion of our actual position They probably hardly knehat they would be at, but their hatred and dread of revolutionary principles are so great that they are always on the watch for a good opportunity of striking a blow at theland and France They would therefore willingly believe that the political power of England is diminished, and Neumann, rote in the spirit of a disappointed Tory rather than of an in Minister, no doubt flattered their desires in this respect Last night I sat by Dedel, the Dutch Minister, who told iven very false accounts (not intentionally) to his Govern took reed with Esterhazy, who said that nobody could understand this country who had not had long experience of it, and that he found it iive entire credit to what he said
Dedel toldwill come, when they will discover what a state of bankruptcy they are in, that the spirit of the nation had been kept up by excite and his Government, but that this factitious enthusias away They now pay fifty millions of florins interest of debt, about four , and their population is not above two e Head: QUEEN OF PORTUGAL IN ENGLAND]
The young Queen of Portugal goes to Windsor to-day The King was at first very angry at her coland, but when he found that Louis Philippe had treated her with incivility, he changed his reat honours He hates Louis Philippe and the French with a sort of Jack Tar aniiments at Windsor, and as usual he made a parcel of foolish speeches, in one of which, after descanting upon their exploits in Spain against the French, he went on: 'Talking of France, I must say that whether at peace or at ith that country, I shall always consider her as our natural ene or _ruler_, I shall keep a watchful eye for the purpose of repressing her ambitious encroachments' If he was not such an ass that nobody does anything but laugh at what he says, this would be very i 'What can you expect' (as I forget who said) 'from a man with a head like a pineapple?' His head is just of that shape
The history of the French King's behaviour is that he wanted the young Queen of Portugal to marry the Duke de Nemours, and when he found that impossible (for we should have opposed it) he proposed Prince Charles of Naples, his nephew This was likewise rejected
The E, his wife's brother, to marry her[3] This Duke went to Havre the other day, where the Prefet refused to ad the law excluding Napoleon's faainst such application of the law, but, as he would not make any disturbance there, desired to have his passports _vise_ for Munich, and off he went At the sae Villiers, to whoood He said that though he did not know Palreatest and freest country in the world, for the purpose of explaining what had happened, and to clear himself from the misrepresentations that would behis sister; that it was true that Don Pedro had wished hihter, and that he had written him a letter, of which he enclosed a copy This was a very ritten letter, begging the Emperor to pause and consider of this projected ht not be advantageous for her; in short, Villiers says, exhibiting a very rehted vieith regard to the situation of Portugal and the general politics of Europe
[3] [Queen Donna Maria did eventually ene Beauharnais and a Bavarian Princess But he survived his e only a few months, and died of a fever at Lisbon]
He told me another anecdote at the same time Palmerston showed him a letter he had received fro of the possible interference of Spain, he said; 'Your Lordshi+p knows that I have only to sail witha respectable squadron of different sizes) to Cadiz, and I can create a revolution in five hout the whole South of Spain' Palmerston seems to have been a little amused and a little alarreat deal of truth He said that of course they should not allow Napier to do any such thing, but as nothing else could prevent him if we did not, the Spaniards may be made to understand that we shall not be at the trouble ofif they do not behave with civility and moderation
London, Novee Head: SYDNEY SMITH AND MACAULAY]
Nothing written for nearly two months I remained in town till the end of September, when I went to Newmarket, and afterwards to Buckenhareeable in society, it is a toss up whether he talks or not, but if he thaws, and is in good hu in anecdotes, which he tells extremely well I came back to town on Friday last, the 8th, dined with the Poodle, and found Rogers, Moore, and Westreeable dinner
On Sunday dined with Rogers, Moore, Sydney Smith, Macaulay Sydney less vivacious than usual, and somewhat overpowered and talked down by what Moore called the 'flumen sermonis' of Macaulay
Sydney calls Macaulay 'a book in breeches' All that this latter says, all that he writes, exhibits his great powers and astonishi+ng inforreeable It is more than society requires, and not exactly of the kind; his figure, face, voice, and manner are all bad; he astonishes and instructs, he sometimes entertains, seldom amuses, and still seldoracefulness; his is a roaring torrent, and not astrealad to exchange some of his sense for some of Sydney Smith's nonsense He told me that he had read Sir Charles Grandison fifteen times!
Not a word of news, political or other; the Ministers are all coal potter on with their civil contests and create uneasiness, though of a languid kind I ca at the Council Office, the first under Broughas of the Court All the lawyers attended, not reat difficulties There was Brougham, with Leach next him, and Lyndhurst opposite, all s one another Dined yesterday with Stanley, who gave ainst Berbastes for the Derby, and talked of racing after dinner with as much zest as if he was on the turf Who (to see hireatest orator and statesman of the day?
November 14th, 1833 {p035}
Dined with Sefton yesterday; after dinner caood humour and spirits; talked of Lord Wellesley, who, since he has been in Ireland, has astonished everybody by his activity and assiduity in business He appeared, before he went, in the last stage of decrepitude, and they had no idea the energy was in him; but they say he is quite a new man, and it is not merely a splash, but real and bona-fide business that he does The Chancellor talked over soes of the Queen's trial, to which he loves to revert It was about the liturgy The negotiations which had taken place at Apsley House between the Duke of Wellington and Lord Castlereagh on one part and Brougham and Denreed to refer the h were to meet Lord Fitzwilliam and Sefton; a queer choice, old Fitzwilliam a driveller, and Sefton, with all his sharpness, totally unfit for the office of negotiator in a grave ; but the night before they were to ht, and backed out Notice was sent to the other party, but they did not get it, owing to soham came to Sefton and asked him to drive hih Grosvenor Square, to their a (full dressed for the levee) at Lord Fitzwilliam's door Sefton went into the house, and found the-room, the table covered with papers, when an explanation ensued, on which they had to bundle up their papers again and trot off
[Page Head: BROUGHAM'S ANECDOTES OF QUEEN CAROLINE]
When the deputation from the House of Co her to come to terot all her Council asse the deputation froham said that she was disposed to acquiesce, but wanted _them_ to advise her to do so, and that her intention was, if they had, to act on that advice, but to save her popularity by throwing the odiu them to popular execration He therefore resolved, and his brethren likewise, to give no advice at all; and when she turned to hiht to do?' he replied, in a sort of speech which he gave very coe of the answer you ought to give, and I as will point out to you the proper course' 'Well, but what is your opinion?' 'Mada opinion on the subject, but I think there cannot be a shadow of doubt of what your Majesty ought to do, and there can be no doubt your Majesty's adest to you what that opinion is' 'Hu to Denman, 'And Mr Solicitor, what is your opinion?' 'Madam, I concur entirely in that which has been expressed by the Attorney-General;' and so they all repeated She was furious, and being left to herself she resolved not to agree
Sefton was on horseback a impatiently to hear the result of the interview and her deterham that as soon as she had made up her n He _was to stroke his chin_ if she refused, and do soly arrived Broughaht Sefton's eye began stroking his chin This was enough for Sefton, who (as he declares) i people in the croere wondering and doubting and hoping that they ht rely upon it she would 'stand by them,' and not accept the ter at the Council Office the day before yesterday
The Chancellor arranging everything, but proposing s which meet with opposition, wants people to be allowed to plead _in forma pauperis_ before the Privy Council, which they object to I have doubts whether this Court ell after all, and foresee great difficulty about the rota; everybody had so to prevent their attendance; however we meet on the 27th for the despatch of business I have just finished 'Clarissa;' never was so interested or affected by any book
November 28th, 1833 {p038}