[184] George Tierney (1761–1831) was son of Thomas Tierney, a native of Limerick, and originally a merchant in London. He married, in 1789, Miss Miller, of Stapleton, in Gloucestershire.
[185] Mungo Park (1771–1806). He lost his life in a second attempt to solve the mystery of the sources of the Niger. An account of his travels was published in 1815 by Whishaw.
[186] See ante, p. 33.
[187] Claude Etienne Savary (1750–1788), who spent some years in Egypt and wrote, among other works, Letters on Egypt and Letters on Greece.
[188] During the autumn of 1797 various intrigues were on foot in Rome, and all centred in the residence of the French Ambassador, Joseph Bonaparte (Napoleon’s eldest brother), who desired a means of breaking with the Papal Government. His opportunity came at last on December 28, when a revolutionary band sought refuge from the soldiery and populace in the courtyard of the French Embassy. In the tumult a member of the Embassy was shot by one of the Papal soldiers. Joseph instantly quitted the Pope’s dominions, and a French army under Berthier entered the city on February 10. It was received with acclamation by the multitude, and the Roman Republic was proclaimed an accomplished fact. The Pope was removed to Tuscany, and afterwards to Valence, where he died in 1799. In November 1798, Ferdinand issued a proclamation to the Neapolitans that he was about to restore the Pope to his throne, and immediately proceeded, with the help of an Austrian army, to try to carry out his boast. The whole force, under the command of General Mack, did indeed reach Rome, but were unable to maintain their position, owing to lack of discipline and bad generalship. The French closely pursued their disorderly retreat, and in their turn entered Naples in January 1799.
[189] Joseph Jekyll, the celebrated wit. He practised at the Bar, and was returned to Parliament for Calne in 1787 through the influence of Lord Lansdown. He was a favourite with the Prince of Wales, and it is probable that he owed his appointment as Master in Chancery (1815) to that fact, for he was barely qualified for the post. He died in 1837.
[190] Lord Henry Petty (1780–1863), Lord Lansdown’s only son by his second marriage. He became third Marquess on his half-brother’s death in 1809.
The first Lord Lansdown always signed his name without the terminal e, a practice not followed by his successors.
[191] At the Anchor and Crown.
[192] The estrangement between the Prince and Grey arose over the latter’s refusal to make a statement in the House of Commons concerning the Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert. At her desire the Prince wished for a modification of Fox’s outspoken denial of the marriage. Grey would have nothing to do with it, and the business was handed over to Sheridan, who made a confused and undecided statement.