BOOKS.

JOITENAL OF THOMAS BATHES FROM 1831 TO 1847. • THE merchant-prince of our ancestors is almost extinct, with his old pedigree, his family connexions, his solid capital, his high respectability of character, and his "word for his bond." This

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extinction s partly owing to events beyond control. Negro Emancipation contributed to sweep away the great West India houses ; steam and the general improvement in the locomotion of men or goods put an end to the true old Turkey merchant, and his African confrere. Of the oldfashioned merchants who took their name from the nation they traded with, the Russian alone sur- vives, though not in his pristine greatness ; and perhaps a change is impending over him.

But manners have worked a greater change than even the march of science or of history. If by necromantic art we could bring tip one of those ancient Samuels to the scenes of his former triumphs, he would be more disquieted by the sight than by the bringing. He would be distanced at once by the methods of " fast ' young England. He pondered over every adventure as a general meditates upon the plan of a campaign, taking the nature and means of the country as well as his own and his adversary's forces into account. Perhaps, too, the old merchant might allow the morality or prejudices of his day to cheek his speculations : he might indulge in some inward exultation as to the influence of his operations in extending material civilization, though he did not turn periods on the idea to entrap adventurers. But why should a man ponder who has nothing to lose ; or who has set Ins fortunes, or at least those of his creditors, upon the hazard of the die ? Make things seem pleasant ; pay profits out of the receiver% own capital ; undertake anything. What is half-a-million in promises to pay ? and though the value of the acceptances may be nil, they are sometimes almost as good as the article they buy. The father of the late Thomas Raikes was one of the old merchant-princes. He was of an ancient Yorkshire family ; rich, and of course "respected" in "the City" ; and a personal friend of Pitt and Wilberforce. His son, the author of the jour- nal before us, was born in 1779, and was educated at Eton.: in his nineteenth year he did as much of the grand tour as was open to him, under the charge of a travelling tutor ; visiting "most of the German courts, and making himself extensively acquainted with modern languages." On his return he became a partner in the firm ; but, having "little inclination for mercantile affiiirs, and a marked preference for social and literary pursuits, he very soon established himself at the West-end of the town be- came a member of the fashionable clubs, and mixed largely in what is, by a somewhat questionable courtesy, denomi- nated the best society." From his journal it is evident that his connexions were extensive, and of the highest if not the best. He was intimate with the Duke of York and his set, and a frequent guests at Outlands; he was also a friend of Brummel, when that arbiter elegantiarum was at the zenith of his dictator- ship. In days nearer our own time he was confidentially intimate with the Duke of Wellington, and numbers of the then Tory party ; he was also on very unreserved terms with the corps diplo- matique, especially Pozzo di Borgo and the Russians,—though it may be questioned whether there was much of real con)idence. Through his wife, Miss Sophia Bayly, he appears to have acquired some West Indian property in addition to his own ; but in 1832 pecuniary embarrassments compelled retrenchment, and induced him to settle at Paris. There he resided till 1846, when he re- turned to England. But fourteen years had made sad havoc in his circle ; his own health began to fail ; and he died at Brighton in 1848. Mr. Raikes could not exactly be called literary, but he published two works,-4 Visit to St. Petersburg, in 1829-'30; and France since 1830, which appeared in 1841. The journal of which this posthumous publication consists be- gan in January 1832, and closes so far as thew volumes are con- cerned in June 1836. The whole period was a time of consider- able excitement both social and political. The very first entry records a "curious conversation" with Matuscewitz, the oek- brated Russian diplomatist or "spy," respecting the conferences touching Holland and Belgium, then an absorbing subject, and in which conversation Raikes evidently suspects his friend of "lying abroad for the good of his country." The Reform Bill in all its stages ; the foreign policy. of England, and its effects upon other countries ; the polities, intrigues riots' and bloodshed of France under the Citizen King—whom Raikes thoroughly ap- preciated, though, read at the time of entry, his comments would have seemed like prejudice,—all form frequent topics of the journal. Many characters or anecdotes of men of historical cele- brity, or eminent in their day, will be found in the volumes, as well as retrospective reviews of celebrities when death or cir- eumstance throws the writer's mind back upon the past. With these matters of interest are mingled things of a more common kind,—as remarkable suicides in London and Paris, which any one might have cut from the newspapers. In the ease of English- men, the journalist sometimes gives the life and character as well as the death ; and his Paris news strongly marks the peculiaritiea and the vices of that wonderful capital. A portion of the book, however, is trifling or fade, and might have -been advantageously omitted, especially long passages from journals or printed books, • Aportion of the Jcnirnal kept by the late Thomas Raikes, Esq., from 1881 to 1847: coinprisinft Reminiscences of Social and Political Life in London and Nth durinp that period, Vols. 1.11. Published by Longinans.

which Mr. Raikes had a tarn for transcribing. Vain jeremiades about the decline of Britain and British influence, prophecies in the same strain, and strong Tory prejudices, seem almost ludi- crous now; but they rightly remain as memorials of a wide- spread party feeling during the days of the Reform struggle and the subsequent years.

The highest public effort of Mr. Raikes during this contest was to speak to a resolution at the City meeting, held to denounce the attack upon our ancient ally Holland. Behind the scenes, he seems to have been active, and to have been much talked to by foreign diplomatists avowed or unavowed. This is perhaps the most curious part of the book, especially as respects Russian com- munications; sometimes seemingly frank, sometimes vapouring and minacions, cunning at all times. This is a sample of Pozzo di Borgo, then Ambassador at Paris ; the date is the 8th October 1833, at which time Europe was in a very unsettled state. "I called on Count Pozzo di Borgo, the Russian Ambassador, by ap- pointment, at his hotel in the Champs Elysees ; who spoke very openly on the aspect of affairs. He seemed much irritated at what he called the hypocrisy of the French Government as well as of the English, against whom he expressed himself almost equally hostile. He Said that, contrary to all diplomatic etiquette, which requires that each nation should carry on its own correspondence direct with foreign powers, France and England had sent a joint note to Russia on the subject of her interference in Turkey, couched in terms which he knew they would not dare to maintain. He said that Russia, Austria, Prussia, and Holland, were all united in sentiment, and understood each other perfectly ; that their armies never were so well appointed; and that 600,000 men could be brought into the field at any no- tice. At to Louis Philippe, his opinion was, that little dependence could be placed on him ; he was consistent only in one point, and that was his de- termination to remain King ; if he could not reign with the bonnet gris, he would condescend to reign with the bonnet rouge. All his questions seemed to tend to what means could overthrow the Whig Government in England. He desired C—, who was with him during my visit, and who is going to England, to tell the Duke, that if ever he returned to office, all the Four Powers were unanimous to abide in everything by his instructions' that if he wished any particular object to be accomplishes' for the good of Europe, they would follow it up hand and heart ; in short, that in such a ease their counsels should be guided by England : but, added he, if she is still to be governed by her present rulers, let her beware of the consequences. Our plans are laid. We shall attack her in her most vulnerable point—in her commerce. We have means in our power to destroy her ; we will prohibit every species of manufacture or produce that can in the slightest degree af- fect her interests,' &c. Re."

Five days afterwards, Pozzo talked in a similar but rather less threatening style -against England : on which, after reporting the talk, the journalist remarks- ' Nothing can equal the veneration which Pozzo di Borgo professes for

• the character of the Duke, and the anxiety to learn his sentiments on all political subjects, which he said would have the greatest weight with the Russian Cabinet : but, recollecting, as I do, the feeling which prevailed in Petersburg in 1829 on the subject of his Grace's policy at that period, when he stopped their march to Constantinople, and the bitteruess,-thenexpressed against him, I must rather impute the present change to a sense of impend- ing danger from the state of Europe, and a wish to gain partisans in any quarter that may be useful. Their intrigues in London were directed against the Duke prior to Canning's Administration. They assisted then in giving the first check to his power, and in laying the first stone of that bridge over which, aided by unforeseen circumstances, another party has since stepped into office ; whose influence, opposed as it IS to their own, they will have double cause to rue, from the conviction that they may have, though unwittingly, contributed to raise it, and are now utterly powerless to overthrow it.'

The Duke seems to have replied to the remarks of the first in- terview rather more confidentially as respects his political situa- tion than might seem proper, supposing this C—, whoever he WSS; is altogether to be trusted. The Duke, however, returned a quiet threat, better founded than that of the Corsican-Russ. "Great care should be observed by all foreign powers, especially Russia, to avoid any measure that can lead to a popular war. The Ministers would take advantage of it ; and France and England combined would not only sweep every sea, but destroy the commerce of all the world. A popular war would be a most dreadful scourge to all the sovereigns of Europe ; even such a war, if England remained neuter, would enable France by her pro- paganda to set the subjects of all Europe against their sovereigns and create universal desolation."

The qualities and the characteristics of the Duke of Wellington have been the theme of abler men than Thomas Raikes ; still it is interesting to have the immediate impression freshly written down. In July 1832 the journalist had a political conversation with him on various topics, which he mentions, and then continues-

" The more I see of this extraordinary man, the more I am struck with his singularly quick apprehension, the facility with which he seizes the real gist of every subject, separates all the dross and extraneous matter from the real argument, and places his finger directly on the point which is fit to be considered. No rash speculations, no verbiage, no circumlocution ; but truth and sagacity, emanating from a cool and quickly apprehensive judg- ment, fortified by great experience and conversant with each and every sub- ject, and delivered with a brevity, a frankness, simplicity of manner, and a confidential kindness, which, without diminishing that profound respect which every man must feel for such a character, still places him at his ease in his society, and almost makes him think he is conversing with an inti- mate friend.

"His whole mind seems engrossed by the love of his country. He said, we have seen great changes ; we can only hope for the best ; we cannot fore- see what will happen, but few people will be sanguine enough to imagine that we shall ever again be as prosperous as we have been. His language breathed no bitterness neither sunk into despondency : he seemed to me aware of everything that was going on, watching, not without anxiety, the progress of events, and constantly prepared to deliver his sentiments in the House of Peers on all subjects which affected the interests of England. His health appeared much improved ; and I trust that, however his present re- tirement may be a loss to his country, it may be a benefit to himself."

This is a good story of his Grace.

"Lord Douro's regiment, the 60th Foot, has been lately quartered at Dover. When the Duke his father went to make a short stay at Widmer Castle, the officers all rode over to pay their respects, and left their cards at the house as a matter of form. Shortly after came an invitation from his

Grace to dinner, including all the officers excepting Lord Douro. The Major, who received the note, quite confused, knew not how to act, and showed it to Lord Douro; who was equally puzzled, though he knew it must have some meaning. To solve the difficulty, he went forthwith to see the Duke at Weimer; who with great good-humour told him, make no distinctions lit the service : those gentlemen who paid me the compliment of a visit I in- vited to dinner ; you were not of the number, and so I omitted you in the "

Talleyrand figures in the volumes, but not so intimately or from such close observation as many of the Others. His bons- mots are pretty numerous, and though known not haoknied. Here are two.

" Talleyrand's bons-mots always fly about. His Mend Montrond has been subject of late to epileptic fits, one of which attacked him lately after din- ner at Talleyrand's. While he lay. on the floor in convulsions, scratching the carpet with his hands, his benign host remarked with a sneer, C'est qu'il me parait, qu'il vent absolument descendre.' "A certain Vicomte de V—, friend of Talleyrand, who with him fre- quented some distinguished soirees, where high play was encouraged, had incurred some suspicions not very creditable to his honour. Detected one evening in a flagrant attempt to defraud his adversary, he was very uncere- moniously turned out of the house, with a threat, that if he ever made his appearance there again, he should be thrown out of the window. The next day he called upon M. de Talleyrand to relate his misfortune and .protest his innocence : Ma position eat fres embarrassante,' said 'the Vicomte, donnez moi done un conseil." Dame ! mon cher, je vows conseille de ne plus jouer qu'au rez de chaussee.' " This is a good trait of Bernadotte the late King of Sweden. "General Sir Alured Clarke was making a tour of pleasure on the Con- tinent, and arrived at Stockholm, when he wished to be presented to the King. A private audience was granted, as a matter of course, to an English general officer. When presented to Carl Johann, Sir Alured was very much astonished to find that the Kim, of Sweden, instead of a formal reception, folded him in his arms, and kissed him on the cheek. He was confounded at this distinction, and more so when the King asked him if he could not re- collect him. In this, as his memory was gmte defective, he could only ex- press his regrets. To which the King replied, I am not surprised that you do not recognize in me the CorporalBernadott ,e who became your prisoner at Pondicherry, when you commanded the English army in India ; to whom you showed the greatest kindness while in your power; and who now is most anxious to return the obligation in every way that may be most agreeable to you during your stay in his dominions.'" There is a singular prophecy by the author on the 'opening of the first Reformed Parliament, in relation to Peel, his objects, and their probable attainment ; which was completely, fulfilled by the event. Here is Peel's estimate of that same Parliament, before it formally opened for business ; it must have have been made while the Members of the new louse of Commons were taking the oaths.

"Sunday, 34—Sir Robert Peel said to me, that he was very much struck with the appearance of this new Parliament, the tone and character of which seemed quite different from any other he had ever seen ; there was an asperity, a rudeness, a vulgar assumption of independence, combined with a fawning reference to the people out of doors, expressed by many of the new Members, which was highly disgusting. My friend It—, *rho has been a thick-and-thin Reformer, and voted with the Governuient throughout, owned to me this evening that he began to be frightened."

The conduct of William the Fourth in turning out the Whigs in the autumn of 1834, when they were doing their best to turn out themselves, has often been a subject of remark. If two stories of the King recorded by Mr. Raikes, in May 1834, are true, his proceedings are no subject of wonder.

"The accounts from London of the King are rather extraordinary : his mind appears to be under excitement ; every day is occupied with some fresh scheme or party to visit some place or establishment, which generally, as at Sandhurst, concludes with a speech, not always the most appropriate. At the levee a considerable sensation was created the other day by his-in- sisting on an unfortunate lieutenant in the Navy, who had a wooden leg, kneeling down to kiss hands : it was impossible ; but the Sovereign would not concede the point, and the other was obliged to hobble away without going through the ceremony.

Mrs. D. showed me a letter from —, which says, '1 went yesterday, yesterday, with their Majesties to the private Exhibition at Somerset House. We were received by the President of the Royal Society, [Academy?] who, among other portraits, pointed out to the King that of Admiral Napier' who has been commanding the fleet for Don Pedro. His Majesty did not hesi- tate to show his political bias on this occasion, by exclaiming, immediately, Captain Napier may be d—d, sir; and you may be d—d, sir ; and if the Queen were not here, sir, I would kick you down-stairs, sir !' " No great literary power is requisite for the keeping of a journal: in the present case, when the necessity arises, as in the longer entries, the writer displays a clear and easy style, some acumen, good feelings, and just reflections. His reminiscences of Brum- mel, extending to ten pages, contain a very fair and characteristic account of that remarkable adventurer—the quintessence, in fact, of 'his biography. There are other full-length portraits, done in the same style, but not with such thorough knowledge.