BOOKS.

THE GRENVILLE PAPERS.*

Tam interest of these papers is chiefly biographical and historical: biographical as regards the elder Pitt and the Grenville family; historical in reference to the time immediately succeeding the fall of Walpole till they close, about 1772. The two volumes now published only come down to 1764, when George ONenville was Prime Minister.

At the first blush they appear to modify considerably the opi- nion generally entertained of three persons conspicuous for their own abilities or the accident of their position. The elder Pitt has usually been considered very stately, as well in private as in pub- lic. In the family letters in these volumes he comes out friendly, affectionate, and even playful, though perhaps a little of the state actor may still peep out except in the case of his paternal affections. George Grenville has been considered to have been without a heart, or to have had it encrusted with notions of Parliament, offi- cial business, his own importance as a public man, and state affairs in general. His private letters are free and affectionate, till the family quarrel, arising from his continuance in office on the resig- nation of his brother-in-law Pitt and his elder brother Temple ; while those addressed to him by his friends exhibit a man who had inspired great personal regard, especially in his earlier days. From a complaining narrative which he drew up after the quar- rel, it would seem that for many years, in fact from the time when Pitt first became influential, he was dissatisfied with Pitt and his elder brother, and at last with his sister, Lady Hester, Pitt's wife. The sins of the former seem to have been the not advancing him as he desired, of the latter her adherence to her husband. His anger was probably heightened by the quarrel and his subsequent treatment, for when he called several times upon his brother he was "not let in " ; and this might colour his state- ments. It is possible that in his younger days he fell into the manner of those about him, and seemed more affectionate than he was. For the style of the family and many of their friends is of a much less formal kind than is displayed in the generality of the letters of that age : there is seeming heart and affection, if there is not the reality.

Lord Temple does not so much modify as extend the idea formed of him. His abilities were by no means first-rate or his character commanding: the contemporai7 opinion was true, that he shone by borrowed light, and owed his prominence before the public to his connexion with his great brother-in-law. His intimacy with Wilkes does not impress one with a high notion of his moral sense, and he comes out as a jobber for title and the blue riband. Money he does not seem to have cared for; probably he had enough : he is liberal to Pitt, and the burden of Wilkes's letters is often to bor- row. His uncle Sir Richard Temple, Lord Cobham, was scarcely dead when he set all the engines of solicitation at work to get his mother the title of Buckingham, or failing that, of Temple, with remainder to himself: and he seemed to cool towards Pitt when he did not get the Garter quite as readily as he asked for it. Per- haps he can hardly be acquitted of more mercenary jobbing ; for when one of his sons was not quite four years old, he thus writes to his brother George.

"If you think Mr. T. Grenville p.he child] is of a proper age for the re- version of a clerkship in my office' it may be as well for me to dispose of it before the waves run so high as to overwhelm it : in which case I would have you send for my secretary, Wilson, at the Privy Seal Office, to inform you of precedents; which when you let me know, I will act accordingly. Only if it be any favour and not a strict matter of right, I cannot ask it.

"Adieu, ever most affectionately yours,

Even the patriot George himself, when at the Admiralty-, con- trived a snug little job for his brother the captain. "My dear Tom," and a brother of Lord Sandwich, were in command of ships, and George Grenville got an order drawn up that Anson should not keep them with the fleet longer than seven days. The sole probable ad- vantage of a separate cruise was the prospect of making money, by prizes : the effects that might follow from the absence of two ships in an action with an enemy's fleet are obvious. Junius's Duke of Bedford, then First Lord, had the credit of stopping this transaction. Lord john Russell says that he indignantly refused to sign the order, and the ships were placed unconditionally under Anson. The junior Lord was quite as indignant as his chief could be; he pours himself out as follows.

"Mr. George Grenvilk to Captain Thomas Grenville.

" Admiralty Office, April 2, 1747.

"My dear Tom—You will be surprised and sorry, but not either one or the other half so much as I am, when I tell you that your ship and the Bristol are both ordered under the command of V. A. Anson., as long as from the in- formation he has of the strength of the enemy he judges it necessary. Mr. Anson and Mr. Warren set out from Portsmouth the next day after you left London ; and this regulation was settled whilst we were at dinner for the next day, at the Board, I found the order prepared for signing. As I knew nothing of it, I refused peremptorily to sign it, and bid Corbett write to Mr. Anson to know what he intended to do with you : this stopped the order that day, but yesterday the importance of it was pressed in the strongest manner, and that Mr. A. would have but few ships out with him ; and what would be the consequence if the Brest fleet should be superior, and beat us, &c.' &c., &e. To all this I replied, that the same language of !fa and ands had been used to me two years together, and that I was quite sick of it a third time; that the Admiralty had all promised me this cruise' with repeated vows and oaths; that I had already been used very ill upon this OCCIU31011, and that I would never consent upon any terms to release that promise ; but, if they • The Grenville Papers : being the Correspondence of Richard Grenville Earl 'Temple, E.G.' and the Right Honourable George Grenville, their Friends and Con- temporaries. Now first published from the Original MSS., formerly preserved at Stowe. Edited, with Notes, by William James Smith, Esq., formerly Librarian at Stowe. Volumes I. and II. Published by Murray. thought it proper and honourable, they must break it. Lord Vera sent me word that he would answer with his life that Mr. Anson would not keep you above a week with him ; and how could thatinjure you, as his orders are then to permit you to go in execution of our former orders ? These arguments did not prevail upon me to change my resolution or to sign those orders; but the Board are so much afraid, or so little anxious about keeping their word so solemnly given, that they have signed the order and gratified Mr. Anson in his request. I have not been at the Board today, nor don't much care if I never go again, so much am I vexed at their behaviour to me • which I think I have not deserved, and will not forget; though I hope, after" the bustle this has occasioned, that you will not be detained long."

The propriety of this detention is clear from Anson's having fal- len in with the enemy off Cape Finisterre in about a month from the date of George Grenville's angry letter. Thomas Grenville was killed in the action.

It is not often that we have a statesman's course of wooing, but these volumes give us a portion of Pitt's. The business opens with a letter of thanks from Lady Hester Grenville to her brother Earl Temple for his consent to the proposal ; which is followed by this letter from the English Demosthenes himself.

"Mr. Pitt to Earl Temple.

"(October 1754.)

" My dearest Lord—I cannot suffer a day to pass without expressing a few of the thousand things I feel from your kindest, most amiable of letters to Lady Hester Grenville. You sent me from Stowe the most blessed of men, and every hoi4-I live only brings me new and touching instances of the un- ceasing goodness and most affectionate and endearing partiality towards me, of the kind, noble and generous fraternity to which it is my glory and hap- piness to be raised. Don't imagine, my dearest Lord, that these are the ex- aggerations of a heart thinking and talking of the brother of her that for ever fills it. I can say nothing to you that my heart has not always given you before this last transcendent MI tender mark of your friendship and highest confidence. Your letter is the kindest that ever glowed from the best pen speaking the beat heart. I should say a million of things about the charm of style and manner of it, if I was not too much filled and touched with the endearing matter of it. If it did not look like an expression more of a lover than a friend, I should say, I love, to the very pen that wrote it. What do I read in it, from the first line to the last ?—not only the same warmth of affection, but the same amiable delicacy of manner that I read in every word and smallest instance of behaviour while I was at Stowe, and which even the best and kindest friends cannot put into their actions unless their minds are truly Grenville. How generous and how delicate it is in you to state me in the too flattering lights of your own partiality to the eyes of Lady Hester, and to help to furnish her with a kind of justification of, I fear, in- finitely too great a sacrifice of her establishment I see I have run into a long letter, intending only a note. I must yet add one word to Lady Tem- ple, but let that one word imply acknowledgments and gratitudes without number. You cannot read, for I cannot write, as Lady Hester does me the honour to wait for me. Ever, ever your most affectionate, obliged, and happy friend. My best compliments to Miss Banks, and many thanks."

The following "names the day " : a little of politics and news are mingled with love, but the writer soon quits them.

"Air. Pitt to Earl Temple.

" Salt Hill, Friday night, November 1, 1754.

"I am, thank Heaven, so far in my way towards London ; that is, my dearest Lord, within hours, but far from a few, of seeing again every perfec- tion of human nature in Argyll Buildings. You perhaps begin to suspect a summons to you to leave Stowe, which you so kindly allowed to be served upon you, is coming. Not so ; Lady Hester has granted to my most ardent and respectful su.pplications the 15th,—a day, however late for my tender impatience, infinitely good in her not to think too early. This leaves my dear Lord master of his motions, as to the journey of happiness to his most loving friend, which he was so kind to offer at any warning. But though I will not tease you in one character, shall I persecute in another ? Reason of state says, Lord Temple can hardly be in town too early : his eyes will be ever the best, and sure the more wanted, as some eyes he too often trusts to can go but to one loved object. What your brother Harry's letter will have intimated about Hagley merits attention. I "I understood Thursday, at the Bath, from William Lyttelton, who has wishes and prospects of going to America, that the most obliging, and I hope agreeable offer, will be made to your Lordship, in case his seat vacates. This is one reason of state, and I think not weak, for your presence among your friends. Many others, rather seen in the mass than in detail, must occur.

"I had conversation this day, at Reading, with Lord Pane. I foresee an event growing out of that petition. His Lordship I have known from boy's age, and his worth and honour inferior to none. His language is very manly : to your humble servant very obliging, upon my public situation. So much for politics. How shall I thank you for the kindest and most agree- able letter that ever flowed even from your own pen ?—not by my pen, but with my life ; by telling you that life Is happy, and that the inestimable present you have given me could alone have made it so. I should not say too much if I added, that this life, happy as it ill, is at your calL Never were words so fine and touching as those which I now repeat Why must I blot this happy paper with the miserable name of Queenaberry. I have writ to the poor Duke,i- to inquire of their health, which I dread to hear. Dear Lady Temple has more room in my thoughts than in my paper. All happiness to Miss Banks. Adieu."

Junius, in his attack on the Duke of Bedford for the peace with France, refers to the disapprobation of the Duke's proceedings by Lord Egremont, who, "notwithstanding his pride and Tory prin- ciples, had some English stuff in him." Several letters in this col- lection show that Junius rather understated than exaggerated the Secretary's dissatisfaction. "The Earl of Egremont to Mr. Grenville.

"Sunday afternoon (September 26, 1762).

"Dear Sir—I received yours, by Jackson' this morning ; very sorry to draw you from your retreat into so horrid a scene as I fear you will find here. I conclude you lie at Missenden tonight, and therefore send you the Duke of Bedford's despatches, that you may be fully informed before you come to town : you will see that that hea4trong silly wretch has already given up two or three points in his conversation with Choiseul, and that his de- sign was to have signed without any communication here. I have been with Lord Bute this morning, and had much talk with him : some I did not like; but I have not given way in anything; nor shall in the attack I expect from

t "Mr. Pitt here alludes to a dreadful calamity which had befallen the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry, by the death of their son Lord Drum- lanrig, who was killed by the accidental discharge of his own pistol, in their coach, while they were on a journey to London, accompanied by his newly- married wife Lady 'Elisabeth, a daughter of the Earl of Hopetoun; and she died of consumption a little more than a year afterwards."

the superior, who I am to see after the drawingroom. I am to meet M. de Nivernois tomorrow mornmg at Thomond's at ten, so suppose our conference will be over time enough for me to call upon you before you go to Court. ray almost gives it up, and says Nivernois is quite ill-intentioned. So we seem to be in a strange condition. "Ever yours, &c., EGREMONT."

" 7'he Earl of Eyremont to Mr. Grenville.

" Saturday morning (February 12, 1763). "Dear Sir—Perhaps the Dee de Nivemois has sent you word that the treaty i was to be signed as yesterday if not, I would not leave you a mo- ment ignorant of the news after I had it. Ever yours most faithfully, EGREMONT. "What think you of the D. of B., who lets the King's Ministers be in- formed by the French Ambassador of the appointment to sign the treaty ?"

And yet again— "2e Earl of. Egremont to Mr. Grenville.

Wednesday evening, 7 o'clock, (March 2, 1763.) "Dear Sir—I send you a more extraordinary letter than has yet come from that extraordinary personage his Majesty's Ambassador in France : pray return it when you have read it, because I want to get it copied for answer- ing, before it circulates any farther.

"Ever yours, &c. &FREMONT."

The biographical attraction of these volumes, like that of most other collections of papers, depends upon the interest already felt by the reader in the persons ; since the information furnished is scattered and incidental. The same remark holds good as to the politics; and as yet perhaps the volumes rather extend and modify existing knowledge than contain much that is absolutely new. They, however, exhibit a good deal of daily and living knowledge on what may be called personal politics and motives. The great mystery of the time was the King's seemingly sudden determina- tion to get rid of the Grenville Ministry, in 1763; his negotiations with Pitt, and their sudden termination, when "the Great Com- moner" went to conclude, and found himself bowed out—he always declared he knew not why. The resolve does not seem to have been so sudden as is generally supposed. The King had been talking of changing and strengthening his Ministry, in a manner which to a man who was more of a courtier than George Grenville would have prepared him for the worst; in fact, he was so far prepared that he and the other Ministers only transacted routine business and did not mention anything else to the King. The great mover, or at least negotiator in the affair, was Bute, though he had ostensibly retired; and, so far as we can see, he was the real cause of the breach of the negotiation with Pitt. When the large plans and equally large demands of Pitt were known, Bute took fright. Elliott, and Jenkinson his private secretary, (afterwards Lord Liverpool,) who were opposed to Pitt, most pro- bably increased his terrors ; so the favourite persuaded the King to get rid of the negotiation, on the plea that Pitt's terms were too high. The affair still remains mysterious, but quite enough appears to exhibit a sad scene of courtly trick and treachery. This is Grenville's account of the matter, in his diary. "Saturday, 27th [August 1763]. Mr. Grenville went to the King, saw Mr. Pitt's servants waiting in the court at the Queen's House, and was near two hours before the King called him in. Mr. Grenville found his Majesty a good deal confused and flustered : he resumed the conversation of the former day ; entered fully into his own situation from the time he had been first called upon by his Majesty to the management of his affairs ; stated the decla- rations that were made to him of support to be given to him then, and of the usage he had met with ; at all which the King iseemed much disturbed: re- minded his Majesty of Lord Bute's letter to him in October 1761, in which his Lordship told him that the King would never abandon him, that his honour was the King's honour, his disgrace the King's disgrace. The King held pretty near the same language as before ; took no notice of Mr. Pitt's having been with him • and in less than twenty minutes bowed to Mr. Grenville, told him it was tale, and, as he was going out of the room, said with emotion, 'Good morrow, Mr. Grenvilk,' and repeated it again a second time ; which was a phrase he never had used to him before. "Sunday, 28th. Lord Bute went in the morning to Kew, where he saw Mr. Elliott and Mr. Jenldnson, where they had a long discourse with him, in which they terrified him so much upon the consequences of the step he had persuaded the King to take, that he determined to depart from it, and to advise his Majesty to send to Mr. Grenville. "Mr. Grenville received a message in the afternoon from the King, to come to him at eight o'clock in the evening. When he came he found the King in the greatest agitation. His Majesty told him he had seen Mr. Pitt; that he had acquainted him he sent for him, not for any. apprehensions he was under from Parliament, but as a general strengthening to his Govern- ment at the close of the peace, by which he meant to abide."

Then follows the King's account of the interview and Pitt's de- mands; after which his Majesty continues.

"The King said to Mr. Grenville that these terms were too hard, that he could not think of complying with them : he had therefore once more sent to Mx. Grenville to tell him that he wished to put his affairs into his hands ; that he gave him the fullest assurances of every support and every strength that he could give him towards the carrying his business into execution ; that hewieant to take his advice, and his alone, in everything ; that it was

i

necessary the direction should be n one man's hands only, and he meant it should be in his ; that lie had no right, after what had passed, to expect a compliance with this propoisal, but that he hoped for it, from the zeal, at- tachment, and love with which he bad hitherto served him. Mr. Grenville anawered, that those sentiments which had before prompted him to sacrifice every private consideration to devote himself to his Majesty's service would make him again engage in the performance of his duty in such manner as his Majesty should please to direct; but that to enable him to make that duty and zeal of real service to his Majesty, he must arm him with such powers aa were ne- emery, and suffer no secret influence whatever to prevail against the advice of those to whom he trusted the management of his affairs. The King. told Mr. Grenville that Lord Bute desired to retire absolutely from all business whatsoever ; that he would absent himself from the King for a time till an Administration, firmly established, should leave no room for jealousy against "Monday, 29th of August. —Mr. Grenville went to the Queen's House between two and three o'clock. The King sent him word he was much fa- tigued, and desired not to see him till the evening. Mr. Grenville went at eight o'clock. The King told him that Mr. Pitt had again been with him, and had again rose in his demands ; that the King told him they were such Again7— as he could by no means comply with, upon which, with some general ex- pressions of duty and respect, and a long encomium upon Lord Temple, ho withdrew. His Majesty repeated his desire to Mr. Grenville, that he should take the management of his affairs, with the fullest assurance of his thorough support. He read part of a letter to him from Lord Bute, in which his Lord- ship speaks with the greatest regard imaginable of Mr. Grenvilie advising the King to give his whole confidence to him ; showing the necessity of his own retreat, from the reasons of nationality, unpopulanty, &c. &c. " Mr. Grenville, in discourse with Mr. Elliott at Shene, on Sunday the 16th of October 1763, was told by him, that Lord Bute had sent to Mr. Beckford on Monday the 29th of dewy.; (the morning after Mr. Grenville's interview with the King,) to express how sorry he was the negotiation with Mr. Pitt had failed by the high terms he had demanded ; that it still might do if he would be contented with the filling up the two Secretaries of State, and putting a neutral person at the head of the Treasury instead of Lord Temple, (which person was thought to be Lord Northumberland) ; promising that in six months' time it should be open to Lord Temple, and that other offices might immediately be disposed of ; but that his Majesty could not consent to have his measures arraigned, and must give rewards to his servants who had stood by him. Mr. Beckford ran with all haste to make this offer to Mr. Pitt, before Mr. Pitt went the second time to the King, but could not prevail with him to listen to it.

" Observe that this extraordinary offer was made by Lord Bute after the King had told Mr. Grenville that he looked upon the negotiation with Mr. Pitt as over,"

There is a good deal of quiet character in Grenville's diary; and though often curt, it is full on matters which he thought important to his position. The diary, with the letters addressed to him, and ' such epistles of his own as have been preserved, give a fair idea of the life of a Ihard-working Premier ninety years ago, and show how little time and attention were occupied in what theory might lay down as the proper business of his office—how much were given to personal applications or personal objects, or to guard against Court intrigues, and the treachery or at least the counter- working of colleagues. Even when business is really the subject, it is the business of the King's Government, varied by foreign affairs, those often turning upon personal squabbles. In these things the King was quite as active as the Minister, and displayed quite as much attention, if not as much coolness and sagacity. The candidateship of Sandwich, alluded to in the following closet talk, gave rise to Gray's bitter lampoon, beginning "When sly Jemmy Twitcher had smugg'd up his face."

"Tuesday, November 22d. The King told Mr. Grenville that Lord Sand- wich had been with him, to ask his approbation for his being a candidate for Steward of the University of Cambridge, in case it should be vacant by Lord Hardwicke's death ; that he had told his Majesty that Lord Halifax and Mr. Grenville concurred in this nomination. Mr. Grenville told his Majesty that the two Secretaries had mentioned it to him ; that he had not opposed it, and thought it very proper that one of his Majesty's Seoretariea of State should be named ; that the other people talked of were Lord Tavistock; Lord Granby, and Lord Royston; but he thought it his duty to acquaint his Ma- jesty, that upon talking with many of the Cambridge people, particularly the Bishop of Chester, he had told him that the nomination might probably do for Lord Halifax, but that it would be very difficult for Lord Sandwich ; and Mr. Grenville said to his Majesty that his Government and recommenda- tion must not be disgraced.

"The King seemed displeased at Lord Sandwich for coming in that man- ner to steal Ins approbation from him; that he was trying to take the lead in everything ; and that under pretence to Lord Halifax of following his opin- ions, he was getting the start of him, and governing him absolutely. Mr. Grenville said that he could not say much to that ; he believed it was so ; but that as long as his Majesty thought fit to employ him in his service he should go on straightforward, not looking much to right hand or to left at his colleagues. "The King said he was perfectly in the right ; that though they took these precipitate steps he would never decide anything without speaking to Mr. Grenville about it ; and that he spoke to him from the bottom of his heart, and with a confidence and trust with which he spoke to nobody else. "In the evening, Mr. Grenville mentioned to Lord Halifax, under the seal of secrecy, the difficulties Lord Sandwich would meet with at Cambridge ; that the nomination would be much easier for his Lordship. Ile told Mr. Grenville that Lord Sandwich and he had agreed between themselves that the first should be Steward and the last Chancellor. Lord Halifax thanked him for his advice, and seemed pleased with him for giving it. "Memorandum.—Lord Sandwich is trying in the same manner to steal the nomination of the knight of the shire for Cambridge when the vacancy happens."

As time went on, the King was or professed to be on the most confidential terms with Grenville, and often exhibited a good deal of shrewdness.

"A scheme was proposed, chiefly by Lord Sandwich, (at this time,) for the two Secretaries of State, the Duke of .Bedford, and Mr. Grenville, to dine to- gether once a week to talk upon business : to this Mr. Grenville .agreed, as often as the business of the House of Commons would allow of his coming to it. Lord Sandwich named it to the King ; who when he saw Mr. Grenville asked him about it, and advised him to treat of nothing there but public business only, and not to come upon the arrangements for offices, in which he would be overpowered by the other three. Mr. Grenville assured his Majesty that it was his intention to do so, knowing that the Duke of Bed- ford and Lord Sandwich would always join upon that head against him. The King said, he thought he would do well to join the Chancellor into the week., ly meeting.

"Monday, January 30th. Thering had a great deal of confidential easy talk with Mr. Grenville. His Majesty told him Lord Mansfield had been with him ; that he was extremely well pleased and satisfied with the language he had held to him ; that he had spoke a good deal to him upon his Ministers, telling his Majesty that he thought them now strongly and firmly established ; that he looked upon it as the hand of Providence which had directed his Majesty to the wisest choice he could have made, to deliver him from the greatest of all dangers in the treaty begun with Mr. Pitt; that he must own, from the timidity of his own nature, he had doubted of the permanency of the Administration, but that he no longer did so now. The King repeated all this with great eagerness and seeming satisfaction. Mr. Grenville saw the Duke of Bedford ; who told him that a person on whom he could rely had informed him that he knew for a certainty that the Dukes of Grafton and Devonshire had said that it was in their power to come into office in a week's time whenever they pleased, with Lord Bute in their hands.

"Thursday, February 911. The King told Mr. Grenville that he was informed that the Duke of Cumberland had had an apoplexy, and that ha believed him to be very ill; but that he did not send to inquire after him, because, after the Duke's behaviour to him, nobody could suppose he could inquire out of regard to him."

• • •

▪ Sunday, Feb. 26th. Mr. Grenville took occasion to ask the King if he -would be graciously pleased to give him his picture and the Queen's as a tes- timonial to his family of the honour he had of being in his service. His Ma- jesty told him he would do it with the utmost pleasure; that he was well entitled to a mark of his favour, having served him so entirely to his satis- faction, and with so much distinction to himself; and added, I know the dif- ference between you and the rest of my servants—they have many purposes to serve, you have none but my service and that of the public."

The volumes close in December 1764, with a premonitory note of the dismissal which was to take place in the following summer.

"The Bishop of Chester came to Mr. Grenville in the evening, to decline the situation of Primate, which he could not bring himself to think of, from his unwillingness to enter upon so public a scene.

"Mr. Grenville sent to the Bishop of Bristol to sound his inclinations upon the same head ; but found him equally averse to it, upon account of his health. Mr. Grenville had a second letter more pressing than the first, from Lord Granby, to solicit for Dr. Ewer. The King pauses upon appointing any one to it as yet ; and in that and some other instances of delays in some things, and averseness to what Mr. Grenville proposes in others, he feels the effects of some inferior persons who get about his Majesty, and seemingly in- dispose him to his principal servants."