SPECTATOR'S LIBRARY.

Biooaarirr,

Memoirs and Correspondence of the Most Noble Richard, Marquis Wellesley, R.P., B.O., D.C.L.; successively Governor-General and Captain-General of India; Bri- tish Ambassador in Spain; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; and Lord-Lieu- tenant of Ireland. Comprising numerous Letters and Documents, now first pub- lished from original MSS. By Robert Ronlere Pearce, Esq. In three volumes. 'POTION, Benaey. Daniel Dennison, and The Cumberland Statesman. By the late Mrs. Hotiand. In

three volumes Bentley.

RZLI010013 FANATICISM,

The Buchanites from First to Last. By Joseph Train, Author of "The History of

the Isle of Man," Re Blackwood and Bons.

PEARCE'S MEMOIRS OF THE MARQUIS WELLESLEY.

NB Marquis Wellesley was one of the last of that class of statesmen who studied statesmanship in virtue of their birth, and attained eminent if not important posts by the decision of individual judgment rather than by the influence of public opinion. The class was not that of mere Whigs, who fancy (or fancied) themselves entitled to place as members of " the great Whig families" : nor does it embrace those men who en- joy the natural advantage of wealth, position, opportunity, and probably historical name ; and who, unless in a wild and vulgar mobocracy, will always possess the benefits of "a good introduction," though now they must earn distinction before they reap its reward. The statesmen in virtue of birth were almost a necessity after the monopoly of knowledge by the priest- hood had been destroyed; for no means at first existed for educating the sons of the people for public office,—nor, indeed, is it desirable that they should be so trained, for they perhaps rather make clever tools than able ministers. The principle of supply and demand always produced a sufficient number of scions of the aristocracy, who would study the usual statesman- ship of the time, for the power and profit a knowledge of it brought. In this country, till the Revolution at least, the character of the King and Court operated fearfully upon the virtue of the aspirant ; as we may see in the wretched degradation of Bacon before James. The principles of the states- manship were also adapted to the ideas of the time; sometimes not getting beyond the mere personal wishes of the King ; seldom rising above the trite but expressive " l'etat—c'est mot"; or, if advancing to a consideration of the people, doing it as creatures whom the monarch might be bound in conscience to protect, but not as persons who had rights that could justly be enforced against him. This school was injurious to the political morality of its scholars ; but it was perhaps not less favourable to a knowledge of their business than the more bustling, pragmatic, " walking tcyclopmdia " training of modern times.

Of this class of men the Marquis of Wellesley was by far the most virtuous, and one of the most eminent. He had a political conscience; perhaps not entirely without the usual laxity of political consciences, but still based upon fixed principles, and animated by a lofty sense of public honour. Something of the heartlessness of power may be found In his Oriental-views and demands ; the calm imperiousness of the Ro- man patrician was visible enough in his tone of announcing them ; but everything was plain and open—an enemy had no trickery to guard against, no "after-claps" to encounter—he might be oppressed, but that he should be defrauded was against nature. Lord Wellesley's ken was comprehensive—he had the same coup d'osil in civil matters as Welling- ton in military; his foresight and sagacity were both considerable ; and a sound judgment was rendered of higher value by the utmost firmness and promptitude. These natural qualities were improved and elevated by study, not only of politics, but of history and classical literature ; at the Board of Control he had opportunities of practically considering the affairs of India; and his situation in the Ministry forced those of Europe upon his attention. In his doings, however, as in those of others, For- tune had her share. His appointment to India, if a proof of Pitt's pene-

• tration, was lucky for Wellesley. It placed him at once in a position adapted to his genius, where he commanded rather than ruled. Not- withstanding his great abilities, it may be doubted whether he was fitted to act a distinguished part in affairs where he was surrounded by equals, not counsellors. He seems to have wanted flexibility of manner to con- ciliate or to influence men, whose character or abilities he might justly despise, but whose cooperation was necessary to his object°. His patri- cian stamp of character as completely shut him out from popular attach- ment, or the sympathy of the "the Commons in Parliament assembled." He had not the geniality of feeling with the people, or the art of plausibly effecting it, which is necessary to acquire and maintain power in Eng- land, or even party consideration—for the Tories, in their way, are as much a mob as the Whigs. Hence, perhaps, his want of success as Am- bassador in Spain, (though any one must have failed at the time,) and his want of power to effect a more vigorous prosecution of the Peninsular war during the short period he held office as Foreign Secretary. His career in Ireland was more successful ; but he was there a species of "monarch of all he surveyed" : he might be thwarted by his inferiors, but not openly opposed by pretended equals.

Had he succeeded in forming a Ministry when called upon by the Regent in 1812, he would probably have been able to settle the Catho- lic question. Whether his power would have lasted long enough to carry out his darling object—war upon the largest practicable scale in Spain, so as to have expelled the French and invaded France at a somewhat earlier period, and thus for Wellesley to have shared with Wellington the glory of Napoleon's downfall—may be doubted. His essential characteris- tics unfitted him for a British Premier : the dispositions of Grey and Gren- ville were quite as haughty as his own, and more impracticable; and the very war itself was likely to have become a subject of debate if

not of dispute to the new Cabinet, as soon as it should have got " official information" before it. The consequences of this failure of the Marquis

*Wellesley is one of those topics which foolish people like to propose for themes ; its probable cause is a more legitimate subject of speculation. The Marquis• intimated in the House of Lords that it was chargeable on some members of the previous Ministry ; men, on perusal of the papers, may feel inclined to ascribe it to the impracticable tempers and domi- neering exactions of Grey and Grenville; or, with as much proba- bility, may attribute it to some secret treachery on the part of George Prince Regent, who the Marquis found could not be trusted, and whom he was unwilling to expose,—a conclusion not wholly irreconcileabie with his speech.

The Marquis Wellesley was not only a statesman : he was " a scholar, and a ripe and good one" ; but probably with some of the classical preju- dices which were the fashion of his youth, and might render his taste rather too artificial. If not entitled to high rank as poetry, his verses may take the first place among the productions to which they belong— that of the elegant effusions of a man of rank — amusements rather than labours. The Marquis Wellesley has also a claim to be considered as a rhetorician not of the claptrap but classical school ; which, though somewhat too ornate in manner and profuse in words, was attentive to structure as well as to matter. His despatches cannot be recommended as models ; because their power of presenting a subject in all its ampli- tude and details, sustaining the attention of the reader to each, and lead- ing him step by step to the apprehension of the whole, cannot be attained through means analogous to those of their author, unless by a kindred genius. But they will always be distinguished for those great merits, as well as for lofty thought, stately march of matter, and sonorous diction, filling the ear yet reaching the mind ; though occasionally becoming, es- pecially on matters jubilant, in Mill's felicitous language, "something more than pompous." The views of his despatches belong to his character as a statesman, not a writer.

The Marquis was by nature too stately for an orator, who must vary or seem to vary with every change of his subject, and who cannot hope to move his audience till he appears moved himself. For a debater he was equally unfitted by nature, by taste, and by want of exercise. As a speaker, he had similar merits to those lie possessed as a state-paper- writer ; the views being perhaps less masterly and conclusive, the style less rotund and artificial. But his speeches did not produce a suocess in proportion to their literary merits, from the same causes to which we have attributed his comparative failure in European politics—a want of flexibility and geniality. There was too much at bottom of what is called " laying down the law "; which an assembly does not bear with favour, and indeed bears at all only under peculiar circumstances.

The public life in extenso of such a man as the Marquis Wellesley obviously belongs to history. The only mode of effectually dealing with that portion of the biography, would be to present a condensed prdcis of those views, actions, and speeches of the Marquis, which most individu- ally characterized him. His private life could only be written by a friend, or by one who had the confidence of his friends and of the family. The qualifications of the compiler of these three volumes for the latter part of the subject may be guessed, when we say that be does not appear to have been allowed to inspect a single private document in any quarter of the slightest import, and that he does not know as much of the private habits and characteristics of the Marquis as might be picked up almost anywhere. The materials for the public career are now open to the world : the thing wanted is the ability to profit by them. In this Mr. Robert Rouiere Pearce is so utterly deficient, that criticism would be thrown away upon his publication. The Memoirs and Correspond- ence of the Most Noble Richard Marquis Wellesley is a most ex- traordinary specimen of bookmaking.

The compiler has consulted the Wellesley MSS. in the British Museum, which were deposited there by order of the Marquis, and has thence drawn some papers that might have formed a useful appendix to the Wellesley Despatches ; at the same time, it is wonderful that he has found so few : the bulk of the book is an affair of wholesale extract from the Despatches, the Parliamentary Debates, the Parliamentary Papers especially relating to the Marquis's first Government of Ireland, and the newspapers, — Mr. Pearce having a congenial regard for the penny-a-line department of the latter. He embraces in his account of the first arrival of the Marquis as Viceroy a tedious variety of "ad- dresses," with the replies; he prints at full length, with all its interminable technical jargon, the " information " against the rioters at the Dublin Theatre when the bottle was thrown at his Excellency's head ; and in the account of the first levee, he takes care to inform the reader that "the Lord-Lieutenant was most magnificently attired in purple velvet, richly embroidered." In giving, or rather, we suppose, in cutting out the ac- count of the second marriage of the Marquis, Mr. Pearce acts as a com- mentator upon the penny-a-liner, and to his mention of the " state liveries" appends a note of his own, in a style worthy of the flunkies. " Uniform worn by members of his Excellency's household —Sky-blue coat, lined with white silk, and richly embroidered with sil- ver lace; the waistcoat richly embroidered ; the buttons were richly gilt, ornamented with a shamrock in the centre of a star." Not even death is safe from his bathos. After duly noting the rich crimson velvet, &c. of the coffin, and " the following inscription upon a brass plate," he tells the reader, in rigmarole style, that on the conclusion of the ceremony, the London part of the company " left the College for their respective reel- dencea in town, proceeding to Paddington by the Great Western Railway." " What man is happy till he knows his end ?" might suffice for ancient times, but in an age of mechanics he cannot be pronounced happy till he is buried and secured from a biographer.

Some pages of letters of solicitation, addressed to the Marquis when Governor-General of India have been selected and italicized by the com- piler. Of these we take a few, written by his Lordship's colleagues,— probably the only recommendations that he paid much attention to, un- less there was real merit to back them ; for although the Marquis was

by no means squeamish in pushing his own family, he did not like to have to provide for the "promising young men" of all his acquaintance; and of his own family Arthur has justified his preference. Henry Wel- lesley (Lord Cowley) has never maintained before the public the very

high opinion formed of him by the Marquis and his acquaintance : but the public test is a touchstone a hich very few candidates would bear.

"Mr. Dundas to the Marquis Wellesley.

" Charles Street, 10th Aprn 1802.

" My,dear Lord—I trouble you with this letter at the instance of Mr. Canning, to call your favourable attention to Mr. Charles Grmme, Registrar of Ilajeshahye. This gentleman's father is a friend of Sir ff. Mildmay, and is a member of the Cotporation of Winchester, which place Sir H. intends to represent in the next Parliament. I trust your Lordship will take an opportunity of noticing Mr. Grteme in your future arrangements, as far as shall be consistent with the regard which I know your Lordship ever pays to the claims of meritorious servants.

" I remain, my dear Lord, yours very truly, HENRY DUNBAR." " Charles street, 16th April 1802. " My dear Lord—Mr. George Suttie, of the Bengal establishment, is connected with several branches of my family by blood; and his father, Sir George Suttie, was long a steady political friend of mine in Parliament; and upon these grounds I wish to bring him particularly under your view, in case you have it in your power to show him any particular attention. " I remain, my dear Lord, yours very sincerely, HENRY DUNDAS."

" London, 28th April 1803.

"My dear Lord—I beg leave to introduce to your. Lordship's favour Mr. Pack- enham, a son of Admiral Packenham, whom I have nominated to a Writership at Bengal.

"From his close relationship to Lady Castlereagh, and with llfr. Conolly, and the high regard I entertain for his father, I am induced to recommend Mr. Packenham to your Lordship's particular notice; and I shall be personally obliged by your extending to him that patronage of which I am certain he has zeal and ability to render himself deserving. "I am, my dear Lord, your most sincere and faithful humble servant, "CASTLEREAGH." " Fife House, Gth March 1801. "My dear Lord,—I take the liberty to recommend Mr. James Gordon who goes out as a cadet to Bengal. He is the son to my relation and neighbour in the country, and is a very meritorious young man; and I request to put him under your protection, and shall be much obliged to your Lordship for any attention you may show him. "I have the honour to be, with great respect and regard, my dear Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and most humble servant, "FIFE."

The following letters are not without a character in themselves, echo- ing, after the fashion of Osric in Hamlet, the opinions of " the Go- vernor." They are curious, too, as showing the Marquis interfering in a love affair. We see his prudence in submitting to what was unavoid- able; but we should like to have had a glimpse Of the manner in which the Governor-Genetal conducted the delicate negotiation.

" Maiden Early, 8th October 1801.

" My Lord:--Having just received a letter from my son which has filled me with vexation and surprise, I intrude on your Lordship for a moment just to say, that whatever may be the result of his most imprudent and unfortunate attach- ment, I shall ever feel the utmost gratitude and thankfulness fin• your Lordship's most kind interposition of authority to retard, at least, and I wish I could hope effectually to prevent, a step which, at his early time of life, must be so fatal to his future prospects, and destructive of all the anxious endeavoUrs which I have exerted for his happy and successful establishment in life. My consent he cannot have to the union he seems so rashly determined to form; and I can only express any wish that a fair and not dishonourable means might yet be devised to prevent it. It is with much reluctance-and-concern that I troableyour Lordship; who,,I am convinced, will make due allowance for a father's feelings on this distressing occasion, and will suffer me to hope and solicit, that however mortifying it cer- tainly must be to his family here, it may not withdraw from him a continuance of your Lordship's favour and protection. " With the utmost admiration and respect for the great qualities which have distinguished your Lordship's government of India, I beg leave to subscribe my- self, my Lord, your Lordship's most obliged and faithful humble servant,

E • * * * 4, 6 "Malden Early, 27th August 1802.

"M Lord—Finding by this morning's post that the overland despatch for Bengal will go off this night, I lose not a moment in sending a few lines in ex- treme haste, by express, to town, in hopes of their being in time to acknowledge most thankfully the honour of your Lordship's very kind letter dated near Patna, the 23d of March, of which I have just received the duplicate by the Momington packet. Whatever gratitude can be excited in the breast of a parent for the res- toration of happiness to a whole family in their reconciliation to a beloved son; whatever gratification can result to a benevolent and generous mind from re- lieving the anxiety of others, I beg leave most humbly to offer to your Lordship for the satisfaction we all this moment experience, which has been bestowed upon us amidst the most important occupations pressing on your Lordship's time; and for which I shall ever retain a sense which it is out of my power to express.; The condescending goodness with which your Lordship has been pleased to communi- cate to me all the circumstances of my son's marriage, has filled me with sensa- tions little short of regret for the elect which I allowed the first intimation of his attachment to have on my own mind, and the affliction which I apprehend my severe reproof must have inflicted on his. The kind, and I may even say the parental interest which your Lordship manifested in his welfare, leaves me no room to solicit anything, and will best direct his future destiny. "Had I no personal or domestic feeling in the continuance of your Lordship to direct the vast machine of our Eastern empire, I could not be insensible to the great and important interests of this nation which are involved in whatever de- termination your Lordship may make on this point. Influenced by pisblic mo- tives alone, and fully sensible of that judgment, experience, and discernment, which is requisite to preserve all those splendid advantages which so much zeal and activity have acquired, I should say serus in Anglian rodeos: but whenever that event may take place, there can, I hope, be no doubt that all the eminent services performed by your Lordship, and the great benefits which this nation has derived from them, will be duly appretiated by those most capable of judging of them; and that the cavils of the ignorant, the malevolent, or the envious, will be dispersed and put to silence. That your Lordship may find every satisfaction that public gratitude can bestow, and enjoy every possible domestic happiness, is the sincerest wish of, my Lord, your Lordship's ever obliged and faithful humble ser-