FOOTNOTES:[1]This was in 1828; at the return of the writer to England, in 1833, there was a gallery in the House of Lords, and it is hardly necessary to say, that, since that time, both houses have been burnt.[2]Esquires were formerly created by patent.[3]A little of this feeling is getting up in Paris, under the new order of things, which favour the pretensions of money, but France is in the transition state, and it is too soon to predict the result.[4]In consequence of the delay in publishing these “gleanings,” the writer is often doubtful whether he ought to indulge such prophecies. These words, however, were actually written in 1828.[5]This lady is just dead, in her ninety-ninth year.[6]George III. was born in this house. See Wraxall.[7]Now Sutherland-house; the Marquis of Stafford having been raised to the rank of Duke of Sutherland.[8]Mr. Washington Alston was once asked, “what is a scirocco?” The celebrated painter pithily described it, as a “Boston east-wind BOILED.” It is a great advantage to be able to take the spring weather of Londonraw; and raw enough it is, of a verity.[9]Sir Nicholas Wraxall, in his Posthumous Memoirs of his Own Times, has probably given the true version of this tale. A person of the name of Philipps was denied a request to have a carriage-road from the park to his door, and to soften the refusal, Mr. Pitt offered him an Irish peerage, which he accepted. One hears of many grounds for anillustration, but this is the queerest on record; that of ennobling a man “because a carriage-sweep may not be made between St. James’s Park and his door!—Comme vous violà bâti!”[10]Jack was shortly after made Chancellor of the Exchequer.[11]“Decoration” is the proper word, I believe, for the badges of an order; the French, however, frequently term themcrachats, orle crachat du roi, the king’s spittle![12]Je la revois enfin, et rien n’y est changé, si ce n’est qu’il s’y trouve un Français de plus.[13]1828.[14]Coupling this conversation with subsequent knowledge, the writer has been induced to think that Sir Walter Scott, at that time, was not aware of the extent of his own liabilities. He mentioned a sum that was greatly short of that reported to be due, soon after his death, and which held an equitable lien on the estate of Abbotsford.[15]A man who has since filled one of the highest offices under the French government.[16]The writer had a ludicrous specimen of this feeling, at a later day, in Italy. An English minister’s wife gave a great ball, and applications were constantly made for tickets. As the town was small, this ball made a great sensation, and every one was talking of it. It was no great sacrifice for the family of the writer to preserve their self-respect on this occasion, as they lived retired from choice. Hints began to be thrown out, and questions asked if they had yetprocuredtickets. At eight o’clock of the very night of the entertainment, these important tickets arrivedunasked! Of course, no notice was taken of them. It will be remembered that all this dog-in-the-mangerismhad nothing to do with the customs of the country in which the parties were, it being usual for the natives to give their guests more than two hours’ notice, when they wished to see them at balls. This socialconvoitiseon one side, and coquetry on the other, distinguish the English circles all over Europe.[17]This arrangement was subsequently changed.[18]Even in the parliament of 1832, I find no less than seventy-four of theeldestsons andheirsof peers, sitting as commoners. Among them are Lords Surrey, Tavistock, Worcester, Douro, Graham, Mandeville, and Chandos. All of whom are the eldest sons of Dukes. In the parliament of 1830, were also Lords Seymour, Euston, and Blandford, of the same rank.[19]Just before the writer left England, the Lords threw out the bill for the repeal of the Test Laws. Shortly after, the matter was brought up anew, and the authorities of orthodox Oxford were assembled to petitionagainstthe measure. On the day of meeting, however, to the astonishment of every body, speeches were made infavourof the repeal by several prominent men. Of course the petition was for repeal, for party is just as well drilled in Europe as it is with us.A few months later, I had the whole secret explained. A leading dissenter, now a member of parliament, told me that he and his friends gave the government to understand distinctly, that if the Test Laws were not repealed, the dissenters of England would make common cause with the Catholics of Ireland, and overturn the establishment.The following anecdote is also derived from the best authority. About the time nullification was rife in America, a gentleman, also in parliament, went from London to a dinner in the country. He found the Right Rev. Lord Bishop of ——, among the company. “What news do you bring us from town, Mr. ——?” asked the consecrated christian. “No news, my Lord.” “No news! We were told there wasgoodnews.” “To what do you allude, my Lord?” “Why, we were told there is every reason to expect a speedy dissolution of the American Union.”[20]In 1830-31, when England was menaced with revolution, the English travellers on the Continent of Europe, hurried back to their own country, to be at their posts.
[1]This was in 1828; at the return of the writer to England, in 1833, there was a gallery in the House of Lords, and it is hardly necessary to say, that, since that time, both houses have been burnt.
[1]This was in 1828; at the return of the writer to England, in 1833, there was a gallery in the House of Lords, and it is hardly necessary to say, that, since that time, both houses have been burnt.
[2]Esquires were formerly created by patent.
[2]Esquires were formerly created by patent.
[3]A little of this feeling is getting up in Paris, under the new order of things, which favour the pretensions of money, but France is in the transition state, and it is too soon to predict the result.
[3]A little of this feeling is getting up in Paris, under the new order of things, which favour the pretensions of money, but France is in the transition state, and it is too soon to predict the result.
[4]In consequence of the delay in publishing these “gleanings,” the writer is often doubtful whether he ought to indulge such prophecies. These words, however, were actually written in 1828.
[4]In consequence of the delay in publishing these “gleanings,” the writer is often doubtful whether he ought to indulge such prophecies. These words, however, were actually written in 1828.
[5]This lady is just dead, in her ninety-ninth year.
[5]This lady is just dead, in her ninety-ninth year.
[6]George III. was born in this house. See Wraxall.
[6]George III. was born in this house. See Wraxall.
[7]Now Sutherland-house; the Marquis of Stafford having been raised to the rank of Duke of Sutherland.
[7]Now Sutherland-house; the Marquis of Stafford having been raised to the rank of Duke of Sutherland.
[8]Mr. Washington Alston was once asked, “what is a scirocco?” The celebrated painter pithily described it, as a “Boston east-wind BOILED.” It is a great advantage to be able to take the spring weather of Londonraw; and raw enough it is, of a verity.
[8]Mr. Washington Alston was once asked, “what is a scirocco?” The celebrated painter pithily described it, as a “Boston east-wind BOILED.” It is a great advantage to be able to take the spring weather of Londonraw; and raw enough it is, of a verity.
[9]Sir Nicholas Wraxall, in his Posthumous Memoirs of his Own Times, has probably given the true version of this tale. A person of the name of Philipps was denied a request to have a carriage-road from the park to his door, and to soften the refusal, Mr. Pitt offered him an Irish peerage, which he accepted. One hears of many grounds for anillustration, but this is the queerest on record; that of ennobling a man “because a carriage-sweep may not be made between St. James’s Park and his door!—Comme vous violà bâti!”
[9]Sir Nicholas Wraxall, in his Posthumous Memoirs of his Own Times, has probably given the true version of this tale. A person of the name of Philipps was denied a request to have a carriage-road from the park to his door, and to soften the refusal, Mr. Pitt offered him an Irish peerage, which he accepted. One hears of many grounds for anillustration, but this is the queerest on record; that of ennobling a man “because a carriage-sweep may not be made between St. James’s Park and his door!—Comme vous violà bâti!”
[10]Jack was shortly after made Chancellor of the Exchequer.
[10]Jack was shortly after made Chancellor of the Exchequer.
[11]“Decoration” is the proper word, I believe, for the badges of an order; the French, however, frequently term themcrachats, orle crachat du roi, the king’s spittle!
[11]“Decoration” is the proper word, I believe, for the badges of an order; the French, however, frequently term themcrachats, orle crachat du roi, the king’s spittle!
[12]Je la revois enfin, et rien n’y est changé, si ce n’est qu’il s’y trouve un Français de plus.
[12]Je la revois enfin, et rien n’y est changé, si ce n’est qu’il s’y trouve un Français de plus.
[13]1828.
[13]1828.
[14]Coupling this conversation with subsequent knowledge, the writer has been induced to think that Sir Walter Scott, at that time, was not aware of the extent of his own liabilities. He mentioned a sum that was greatly short of that reported to be due, soon after his death, and which held an equitable lien on the estate of Abbotsford.
[14]Coupling this conversation with subsequent knowledge, the writer has been induced to think that Sir Walter Scott, at that time, was not aware of the extent of his own liabilities. He mentioned a sum that was greatly short of that reported to be due, soon after his death, and which held an equitable lien on the estate of Abbotsford.
[15]A man who has since filled one of the highest offices under the French government.
[15]A man who has since filled one of the highest offices under the French government.
[16]The writer had a ludicrous specimen of this feeling, at a later day, in Italy. An English minister’s wife gave a great ball, and applications were constantly made for tickets. As the town was small, this ball made a great sensation, and every one was talking of it. It was no great sacrifice for the family of the writer to preserve their self-respect on this occasion, as they lived retired from choice. Hints began to be thrown out, and questions asked if they had yetprocuredtickets. At eight o’clock of the very night of the entertainment, these important tickets arrivedunasked! Of course, no notice was taken of them. It will be remembered that all this dog-in-the-mangerismhad nothing to do with the customs of the country in which the parties were, it being usual for the natives to give their guests more than two hours’ notice, when they wished to see them at balls. This socialconvoitiseon one side, and coquetry on the other, distinguish the English circles all over Europe.
[16]The writer had a ludicrous specimen of this feeling, at a later day, in Italy. An English minister’s wife gave a great ball, and applications were constantly made for tickets. As the town was small, this ball made a great sensation, and every one was talking of it. It was no great sacrifice for the family of the writer to preserve their self-respect on this occasion, as they lived retired from choice. Hints began to be thrown out, and questions asked if they had yetprocuredtickets. At eight o’clock of the very night of the entertainment, these important tickets arrivedunasked! Of course, no notice was taken of them. It will be remembered that all this dog-in-the-mangerismhad nothing to do with the customs of the country in which the parties were, it being usual for the natives to give their guests more than two hours’ notice, when they wished to see them at balls. This socialconvoitiseon one side, and coquetry on the other, distinguish the English circles all over Europe.
[17]This arrangement was subsequently changed.
[17]This arrangement was subsequently changed.
[18]Even in the parliament of 1832, I find no less than seventy-four of theeldestsons andheirsof peers, sitting as commoners. Among them are Lords Surrey, Tavistock, Worcester, Douro, Graham, Mandeville, and Chandos. All of whom are the eldest sons of Dukes. In the parliament of 1830, were also Lords Seymour, Euston, and Blandford, of the same rank.
[18]Even in the parliament of 1832, I find no less than seventy-four of theeldestsons andheirsof peers, sitting as commoners. Among them are Lords Surrey, Tavistock, Worcester, Douro, Graham, Mandeville, and Chandos. All of whom are the eldest sons of Dukes. In the parliament of 1830, were also Lords Seymour, Euston, and Blandford, of the same rank.
[19]Just before the writer left England, the Lords threw out the bill for the repeal of the Test Laws. Shortly after, the matter was brought up anew, and the authorities of orthodox Oxford were assembled to petitionagainstthe measure. On the day of meeting, however, to the astonishment of every body, speeches were made infavourof the repeal by several prominent men. Of course the petition was for repeal, for party is just as well drilled in Europe as it is with us.A few months later, I had the whole secret explained. A leading dissenter, now a member of parliament, told me that he and his friends gave the government to understand distinctly, that if the Test Laws were not repealed, the dissenters of England would make common cause with the Catholics of Ireland, and overturn the establishment.The following anecdote is also derived from the best authority. About the time nullification was rife in America, a gentleman, also in parliament, went from London to a dinner in the country. He found the Right Rev. Lord Bishop of ——, among the company. “What news do you bring us from town, Mr. ——?” asked the consecrated christian. “No news, my Lord.” “No news! We were told there wasgoodnews.” “To what do you allude, my Lord?” “Why, we were told there is every reason to expect a speedy dissolution of the American Union.”
[19]Just before the writer left England, the Lords threw out the bill for the repeal of the Test Laws. Shortly after, the matter was brought up anew, and the authorities of orthodox Oxford were assembled to petitionagainstthe measure. On the day of meeting, however, to the astonishment of every body, speeches were made infavourof the repeal by several prominent men. Of course the petition was for repeal, for party is just as well drilled in Europe as it is with us.
A few months later, I had the whole secret explained. A leading dissenter, now a member of parliament, told me that he and his friends gave the government to understand distinctly, that if the Test Laws were not repealed, the dissenters of England would make common cause with the Catholics of Ireland, and overturn the establishment.
The following anecdote is also derived from the best authority. About the time nullification was rife in America, a gentleman, also in parliament, went from London to a dinner in the country. He found the Right Rev. Lord Bishop of ——, among the company. “What news do you bring us from town, Mr. ——?” asked the consecrated christian. “No news, my Lord.” “No news! We were told there wasgoodnews.” “To what do you allude, my Lord?” “Why, we were told there is every reason to expect a speedy dissolution of the American Union.”
[20]In 1830-31, when England was menaced with revolution, the English travellers on the Continent of Europe, hurried back to their own country, to be at their posts.
[20]In 1830-31, when England was menaced with revolution, the English travellers on the Continent of Europe, hurried back to their own country, to be at their posts.