[19] Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count von Rumford (1753–1814), was born at North Woburn, Massachusetts. After suffering imprisonment in 1774, for lukewarmness in the cause of liberty, he sailed for England. He became Under-Secretary for the Colonies in 1780, and also served in America against his fellow-countrymen. On his return he entered the service of the Elector of Bavaria, and received the honour of knighthood from George III. He came back to England in 1795, and devoted the remainder of his life to scientific research. His experiments for the improvement of fireplaces and chimneys have proved of lasting benefit to mankind.
[20] Lord Henry Spencer (1770–1795), second son of George, third Duke of Marlborough. He died at Berlin, to which court he had been accredited as Envoy-Extraordinary. Lord Holland, in his Miscellaneous Reminiscences, says of him: ‘Notwithstanding his constitutional shyness and reserve, he would have distinguished himself by his wit and ingenuity, but died at the early age of twenty-four, when employed on a mission to Berlin.’
[21] Hugh Elliot (1752–1830), brother of Gilbert, first Earl of Minto. Minister at the Court of Saxony from 1791 until 1803.
[22] An Eton publication, which first appeared about 1786. Canning, Frere, and ‘Bobus’ Smith were among the chief contributors.
[23] The Duke of Brunswick’s Manifesto, issued on July 25 in the joint names of the Emperor and King of Prussia, was very unlikely, under the circumstances of the case, to assist the French Royal Family. Paris was ordered to submit to the King, under penalty of instant attack, and all popular leaders were to suffer for their misdeeds with their lives.
[24] The Association was formed largely to promote Parliamentary Reform, a subject which was brought forward by Grey in that session of Parliament. It was originated at a dinner at the house of Lord Porchester, who refused to join as it was not sufficiently Republican. A few months later he termed it a seditious movement, and was raised to an earldom. Lord Holland relates that Mr. Fox said upon this that Lord Porchester was right in saying that the Association was not as Republican as he wished, otherwise he would probably have got a marquisate.
[25] Mr. Thomas Pelham, in a letter to Lady Webster, dated June 15, 1792 (Holland House MSS.), recounts a conversation he had with Mr. Fox about the Association:—‘He told me (what I knew to be the truth, notwithstanding what is now said) that he had never been consulted about it, and that, on the contrary, the Associators seemed determined not to have any advice, and particularly not to have his. This I know to be true, for Lauderdale told me that they were determined not to consult Fox until they saw the probability of success, in order that he might not be involved if they failed.’
[26] Henry, second Viscount Palmerston (1739–1802), who succeeded his grandfather in 1757. He was twice married, his second wife, whom he married in 1783, being Mary, daughter of Benjamin Mee, Esq. She died 1805. The celebrated statesman was her son.
[27] Under La Touche Tréville. Their unwelcome presence was due to the recent dismissal of the French Minister, Mackau. The Court were ignominiously compelled to allow him to return.
[28] Russian Secretary of Legation at Naples, and afterwards Minister there. He was Minister at Constantinople for some years.