II

DEFEAT OF THE MINISTRY—DINNER AT ST. JAMES'S

THOUGH the reign of William IV. was free from any serious war, the political condition of the country was such as to cause the King much anxiety. The establishment of a popular Government in France under Louis Philippe gave a great impulse to the enthusiasm which had been growing in England for Parliamentary reform, which, through the growth of large manufacturing centres since 1790, had become a more urgent necessity every year. In 1795 Lord Grey brought forward a motion on the subject, which was opposed by Burke and Pitt, and thrown out by a large majority. The attention of the country was somewhat diverted from reform during the war with France, which was brought to a close after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Its advocacy in Parliament was renewed in 1817 by Sir Francis Burdett, while William Cobbett's pamphlets, and large public meetings, often attended by riots, voiced the popular feeling, which Parliament endeavoured to stifle, thereby only adding to the discontent. Lord John Russell, in 1819, proposed resolutions in its favour, but failed to carry them. Lord Liverpool's ministry, which lasted till his death in 1827, was strenuously opposed to it, and Canning's death in the same year was a further check to political progress.

The General Election, consequent on the accession of William IV., was favou[r]able to the supporters of reform, and the Duke of Wellington, who had been Prime Minister for more than two years, roused a great deal of feeling by declaring his unqualified disagreement with their views. Before, however, any resolution was brought forward, the Government was defeated on a motion connected with the Civil List, and the Duke immediately resigned. On the night of his defeat, the Clitherows were dining at St. James's, and the following extract from a letter dated November 20, 1830, tells us of the reception of the news at the Palace:

'We were at St. James's the night of the Duke's defeat in the House. The King had a note, which he opened, and left the room, but soon returned. Colonel Fred Fitz-Clarence came in, and told the Queen[*] of it in German. Miss Wilson was sitting by me, and exclaimed, "Good God!" in a low tone. I looked at her; she put up her finger, and afterwards whispered what was said in German, but nothing transpired—not a comment. It's the great secret at Court to smile and be cheerful and attentive to the circle round you when the heart is sad, and it was exemplified that evening.'

[*] Queen Adelaide was the eldest daughter of George Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, born 1792. By her marriage in 1818 to William IV. she had two children, both of whom died in infancy.

The news appears from this to have fallen like a thunderbolt upon the party, and the inference as to the Clitherows' views is that they were supporters of the Duke. The letter proceeds to touch of matters of less public importance, but illustrative of the King and Queen's interest in local affairs and English industries:

'We had dined there, and it seems almost like vain boasting, but it was a party made for us. When the King told Mrs. Henry to write and invite us, he said: "I shall only ask Colonel Clitherow's friends that I have met at Boston House." And it was the Duke of Dorset,[*] Lord[**] and Lady Mayo, the Archbishop and Mrs. Howley, the rest of the company his own family, the Duke of Sussex,[***] and a few of the Household-in-waiting. There could not be a greater compliment. The Queen shows a decided partiality for Mrs. Clitherow. In the evening she sat down to a French table, and called to her to sit by her. The King came in and sat down on the other side of Mrs. Clitherow. She rose to retire, but he said: "Sit down, ma'am—sit down." Two boxes were placed before him, and he said to Miss Fitz-Clarence[****]: "Amelia, I want pen and ink." Away she went, and brought a beautiful gold inkstand, and he signed his name, I am sure, a hundred times, passed the papers to Mrs. Clitherow, and she to the Queen, who put them on the blotting-paper, then folded them neatly and put them in their little case to enable them to pack into the boxes again, conversation going on all the time. When the business was over, the King took my brother to a sofa, and chatted a long time, inquiring into the state of things in our neighbourhood, policemen, etc. The Queen's new band was playing beautifully all the evening, which she said she had ordered to have my brother's opinion. The late King's private band cost the King £18,000 a year. It was dismissed, and a small band is formed—I believe I may say all English, and many of the juvenile performers whom she patronizes. Her dress was particularly elegant, white, and all English manufacture. She made us observe her blend was as handsome as Lady Mayo's French blend. "I hope all the ladies will patronize the English blend of silk," she said. She is a very pretty figure, and her dress so moderate, sleeves and head-dress much less than the hideous fashion.'

[*] Charles Sackville Germain, fifth Duke of Dorset, K.G., was a son of the first Viscount Sackville, and born 1767. He became Viscount Sackville 1785, and succeeded his cousin, the fourth Duke of Dorset, in 1815.

[**] John Bourke, fourth Earl of Mayo, born 1766, succeeded his father 1794. Married Arabella, fourth daughter of W. M. Praed, Esq. His brothers were Bishop of Waterford and Dean of Ossory.

[***] H.R.H. was the sixth son of H.M. George III., born 1773, and was unmarried.

[****] The King's youngest daughter, by Mrs. Jordan; born 1807, married, 1830, the ninth Viscount Falkland.