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The Greville Memoirs, Part 1 (of 3), Volume 1 (of 3)

by Charles Greville

By Charles Greville · History · Public domain

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The Greville Memoirs, Part 1 (of 3), Volume 1 (of 3) is a public-domain classic of history by Charles Greville.

The complete text is on this page and the chapter pages below — all 20 chapters, about 166,381 words (~14 hours of reading), free to read online with no signup. Chapters include “CHAPTER I.. Queen Charlotte--Duchesses of Cumberland and Cambridge--”, “CHAPTER II.. Popularity of George Iv.--the Duke of York's Racing”, “CHAPTER III.. The Panic of 1825--Death of the Emperor Alexander--the Duke of”, and more.

The Greville Memoirs, Part 1 (of 3), Volume 1 (of 3) at a glance

Author
Charles Greville
Length
166,381 words · about 14 hours to read
Chapters
20
Price
Free — public domain

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Read The Greville Memoirs, Part 1 (of 3), Volume 1 (of 3) online — full text

CHAPTER I.. Queen Charlotte--Duchesses of Cumberland and Cambridge--

Queen Charlotte--Duchesses of Cumberland and Cambridge-- Westminster Election--Contest between Sir Francis Burdett and Sir Murray Maxwell--London Election--Oatlands--The Duke of York--Duchess of York--Ampthill--Tixall--Mr. Luttrell--Lady Granville--Teddesley--Macao--Burleigh--Middleton--Lady Jersey-- The New Parliament--Tierney and Pitt--Princess Lieven--Madame de Staël on the French Revolution--Westminster Election-- Hobhouse Defeated--Scarlett's Maiden Speech--Influence of Party--Play--The Persian Ambassador at Court--Prince Leopold-- Woburn--Anecdote of the Allies--Death of George III.--Illness of George IV.--Queen Caroline--Fleury de Chabaulon--The Cato Street Conspiracy--George IV. at Ascot--Marchioness of Conyngham--Queen Caroline in London--Message to Parliament-- Debates--Insubordination in the Guards--Wilberforce's Motion-- Proceedings against the Queen--'Les Liaisons dangereuses'--The Queen's Trial--The Duke of Wellington on the Battle of Waterloo and the Occupation of Paris. Page 1

CHAPTER II.. Popularity of George Iv.--the Duke of York's Racing

Popularity of George IV.--The Duke of York's Racing Establishment--Clerk of the Council--Lord Liverpool and Mr. Sumner--Lady Conyngham--Death of Lady Worcester--Her Character--Ball at Devonshire House--The Duke of York's Aversion to the Duke of Wellington--The Pavilion at Brighton-- Lord Francis Conyngham--The King and the Duke of Wellington-- Death of the Marquis of Londonderry--His Policy--Sir B. Bloomfield sent to Stockholm--Mr. Canning's Foreign Secretary-- Queen Caroline and Brougham--Canning and George IV.--Lord William Bentinck aspires to go to India--His Disappointment-- The Duke of York's Duel with Colonel Lennox--George III.'s Will--George IV. appropriates the late King's Personal Property--The Duke of Wellington on the Congress of Verona and on the Politics of Europe--Intervention in Spain--Ferdinand VII.--M. de Villèle--The Duke's Opinion of Napoleon--Sir William Knighton--The Duke of York's Anecdotes of George IV.-- Death of the Marquis of Titchfield--His Character Page 43

CHAPTER III.. The Panic of 1825--Death of the Emperor Alexander--the Duke of

The Panic of 1825--Death of the Emperor Alexander--The Duke of Wellington's Embassy to St. Petersburg--Robinson Chancellor of the Exchequer--Small Notes Bill--Death of Arthur de Ros--George III. and Lord Bute--Illness and Death of the Duke of York--His Funeral--Lord Liverpool struck with Paralysis--Rundell's Fortune and Will--Copley and Phillpotts--The Cottage--Formation of Mr. Canning's Administration--Secession of the Tories--The Whigs join him--Dinner at the Royal Lodge--Difficulties of Canning's Government--Duke of Wellington visits the King-- Canning's Death--Anecdotes of Mr. Canning--Recognition of South American States--His Industry--The Duke of Wellington on Canning--Lord Goderich's Administration formed--The Difficulty about Herries--Position of the Whigs--The King's Letter to Herries--Peel and George IV.--Interview of Lord Lansdowne with the King--Weakness of the Government--First Resignation of Lord Goderich--Lord Harrowby declines the Premiership--Lord Goderich returns--Brougham and Rogers--Conversation and Character of Brougham--Lord Goderich's Ministry dissolved--Cause of its Dissolution--Hostility of Herries--Position of Huskisson and his Friends--Herries and Huskisson both join the New Cabinet Page 77

CHAPTER IV.. The Duke of Wellington's Administration--Huskisson's Speech--

The Duke of Wellington's Administration--Huskisson's Speech-- Irritation of Mr. Canning's Friends--Tom Duncombe's Maiden Speech--Mr. Huskisson resigns and the Canningites quit the Government--Princess Lieven hostile to the Duke--The Catholic Question--Jockey Club Dinner at St. James's--Lord Lyndhurst-- Sir Robert Adair--Fox and Burke--Fox and Pitt--The Lord High Admiral dismissed by the King--Dawson's Speech on Catholic Emancipation--The King's Health--His Pages--State of Ireland-- Marquis of Anglesey--O'Connell--His Influence in Ireland--Lord Belmore Governor of Jamaica--The Duke's Letter to Dr. Curtis-- Recall of Lord Anglesey from Ireland--Causes of this Event-- Excitement of the King on the Catholic Question--His Aversion to Sir William Knighton--Character of George IV.--Denman's Silk Gown--Pension to Lady Westmeath--Duke of Wellington on Russia-- The Reis-Effendi--Duke of Northumberland goes to Ireland--Privy Council Register--State Paper Office--The Gunpowder Plot-- Catholic Emancipation--Navarino Page 124

CHAPTER V.. The Catholic Relief Bill--Inconsistency of the Tories--the

The Catholic Relief Bill--Inconsistency of the Tories--The Catholic Association--Dinner at Charles Grant's--The Terceira Expedition--Tory Discontent--Peel resigns his Seat for Oxford University--A Blunder in Chancery--The Oxford Election-- Influence of the Duke of Wellington--Debate of Royal Dukes-- Peel beaten--Sir Edward Codrington--Violence of the King-- Intrigues to defeat the Catholic Bill--The Duke of Cumberland-- Furious State of Parties--Matuscewitz--Peel's Speech on Catholic Emancipation--Exclusion of O'Connell from his Seat for Clare--Pitt's View of Catholic Emancipation--'Musae Cateatonenses'--'Thorough'--Mr. Lowther not turned out--Duke of Newcastle's Audience of George IV.--The King's Personal Habits--The Debate--Mr. Sadler--Hardness of the Duke of Wellington--His Duel with Lord Winchelsea--The Bishops and the Bill--Sir Charles Wetherell--The King on the Duel--Lord Winchelsea's Pocket-handkerchief--Debate on the Catholic Bill-- The Duke of Richmond--Effects of Dawson's Speech on the King-- The Bill in Jeopardy--Lady Jersey and Lord Anglesey--Lord Falmouth and Lord Grey--O'Connell at Dinner--The Duke breaks with Lord Eldon--Hibner the Murderess--Theatrical Fund--The Levee--The Duke's Carriage stopped--The King's Health--Lady Conyngham--O'Connell's Seat--Child's Ball at Court--Princess Victoria--Legal Appointments--Lord Palmerston on Foreign Affairs--The King and Lord Sefton--The King's Speech on the Prorogation--Madame Du Cayla--George IV.'s Inaccuracy-- Conversation of the Duke of Wellington on the King and the Duke of Cumberland Page 166

CHAPTER VI.. The Recorder's Report--Manners of George Iv--Intrigues of the

The Recorder's Report--Manners of George IV--Intrigues of the Duke of Cumberland--Insults Lady Lyndhurst--Deacon Hume at the Board of Trade--Quarrel between the Duke of Cumberland and the Lord Chancellor--A Bad Season--Prostration of Turkey--France under Polignac--State of Ireland--Mr. Windham's Diary--George IV.'s Eyesight--Junius--A Man without Money--Court-martial on Captain Dickenson--The Duke and the 'Morning Journal'--Physical Courage of the King--A Charade at Chatsworth--Huskisson and the Duke--Irish Trials--Tom Moore--Scott--Byron--Fanny Kemble--Sir James Mackintosh--His Conversation--Black Irishmen--Moore's Irish Story--Moore's Singing--George IV. and Mr. Denman-- Strawberry Hill--Moore at Trinity College--Indian Vengeance at Niagara--Count Woronzow--Lord Glengall's Play--The Recorder's Report Page 221

CHAPTER VII.. Chapter of the Bath--the Duc De Dino Arrested--a Ball to the

Chapter of the Bath--The Duc de Dino arrested--A Ball to the Divan--English Policy in Greece--Sir Thomas Lawrence-- Gallatin--Court of King's Bench--Accident to the Grand Duke Constantine--Osterley--Young Sidney Herbert--Duke of Wellington in Office--Stapleton's 'Life of Canning'--Death of Sir Thomas Lawrence--Leopold and the Throne of Greece--Canning's Answers to Lord Grey--Distressed State of the Country--Canning's Greatness and his Failings--Death of Tierney--Sir Martin Shee President--The Duke of Wellington's Views and Conduct--The coming Session--Moore's 'Life of Byron'--Character of Byron-- Opening of Parliament--The Fire King--The Duke of Wellington's Speaking--The English Opera House burnt down--Lord Thurlow on Kenyon and Buller--Old Rothschild--Lansdowne House--Earl Stanhope--John Murray--Departure for Italy Page 254

CHAPTER VIII.. Calais--Beau Brummell--Paris--the Polignac Ministry--Polignac and

Calais--Beau Brummell--Paris--The Polignac Ministry--Polignac and Charles X.--The Duke of Orleans--State of Parties--Talleyrand-- Lyons--First Impressions of Mountain Scenery--Mont Cenis-- Turin--Marengo--Genoa--Road to Florence--Pisa--Florence--Lord and Lady Burghersh--Thorwaldsen--Lord Cochrane--Rome--St. Peter's--Frascati--Grotto Ferrata--Queen Hortense and Louis Napoleon--Coliseum--Death of Lady Northampton--The Moses-- Gardens--Palm Sunday--Sistine Chapel--The Cardinals--Popes-- Cardinal Albani--The Farnese Palace--A Dead Cardinal--Pasquin-- Statue of Pompey--Galleries and Catacombs--Bunsen--The Papal Benediction--Ceremonies of the Holy Week--The Grand Penitentiary--A Confession--Protestant Cemetery--Illumination of St. Peter's--Torlonia--Bunsen on the Forum Page 282

CHAPTER IX.. Lake of Albano--Velletri--Naples--Rapid Travelling in 1830--a

Lake of Albano--Velletri--Naples--Rapid Travelling in 1830--A Trial at Naples--Deciphering Manuscripts--Ball at the Duchesse d'Eboli's--Matteis's Plot and Trial--Pompeii--Taking the Veil-- Pausilippo--Baiae--La Cava--Salerno--Paestum--Lazaroni--Museum of Naples--Grotto del Cane--The Camaldoli--Herculaneum-- Vesuvius--Sorrento--Miracle of St. Januarius--Astroni--Farewell to Naples Page 331

CHAPTER X.. Moladi Gaeta--Capua--Lines on Leaving Naples--Return to Rome--the

Moladi Gaeta--Capua--Lines on leaving Naples--Return to Rome--The Aqueducts--'Domine, quo vadis?'--St. Peter's--The Scala Santa-- Reasons in Favour of San Gennaro--Ascent of St. Peter's-- Library of the Vatican--A racing ex voto--Illness of George IV.--Approaching Coup d'État in France--The Villa Mills--The Malaria--Duc and Duchesse de Dalberg--The Emperor Nicholas on his Accession--Cardinal Albani--A Columbarium--Maii--Sir William Gell--Tivoli--Hadrian's Villa--The Adventures of Miss Kelly and Mr. Swift--Audience of the Pope--Gibson's Studio--End of Miss Kelly's Marriage--A Great Function--The Jesuits-- Saint-making--San Lorenzo in Lucina--The Flagellants--Statues by Torchlight--Bunsen on the State of Rome--Frascati--Relations of Protestant States with Rome--The French Ministry--M. de Villèle--The Coliseum--Excommunication of a Thief--The Passionists--The Corpus Domini--A Rash Marriage--Farewell to Rome--Falls of Terni--Statue at Pratolino--Bologna-- Mezzofanti--Ferrara--Venice--Padua--Vicenza--Brescia--Verona-- Milan--Lago Maggiore--The Simplon--Geneva--Paris Page 350

NOTE.

Mr. Greville's Connexion with the Turf.

A JOURNAL of the REIGN OF KING GEORGE THE FOURTH

CHAPTER I.. Queen Charlotte--Duchesses of Cumberland and Cambridge--

Queen Charlotte--Duchesses of Cumberland and Cambridge-- Westminster Election--Contest between Sir Francis Burdett and Sir Murray Maxwell--London Election--Oatlands--The Duke of York--Duchess of York--Ampthill--Tixall--Mr. Luttrell--Lady Granville--Teddesley--Macao--Burleigh--Middleton--Lady Jersey-- The New Parliament--Tierney and Pitt--Princess Lieven--Madame de Staël on the French Revolution--Westminster Election-- Hobhouse Defeated--Scarlett's Maiden Speech--Influence of Party--Play--The Persian Ambassador at Court--Prince Leopold-- Woburn--Anecdote of the Allies--Death of George III.--Illness of George IV.--Queen Caroline--Fleury de Chabaulon--The Cato Street Conspiracy--George IV. at Ascot--Marchioness of Conyngham--Queen Caroline in London--Message to Parliament-- Debates--Insubordination in the Guards--Wilberforce's Motion-- Proceedings against the Queen--'Les Liaisons dangereuses'--The Queen's Trial--The Duke of Wellington on the Battle of Waterloo and the Occupation of Paris.

1818.

I began to keep a Journal some time ago, and, after continuing it irregularly, dropped it entirely. I have since felt tempted to resume it, because, having frequent opportunities of mixing in the society of celebrated men, some particulars about them might be interesting hereafter.

June 7th, 1818 {p.001}

The dissolution of Parliament is deferred on account of the mistakes which have been made in passing the Alien Bill. On Friday night the exultation of the Opposition was very great at what they deemed a victory over the Ministers. It is said that there will be 100 contests, and that Government will lose twenty or thirty members. The Queen was so ill on Friday evening that they expected she would die. She had a severe spasm.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been received in a most flattering manner here, and it is said that the Duchess of Cumberland is severely mortified at the contrast between her reception and that of her sister-in-law. On the Sunday after her arrival the Duke took her to walk in the Park, when she was so terrified by the pressure of the mob about her that she nearly fainted away.

The Regent drives in the Park every day in a tilbury, with his groom sitting by his side; grave men are shocked at this undignified practice.

June 21st, 1818 {p.002}

I dined at Holland House last Thursday. The party consisted of Lord Lansdowne, Mr. Frere, and Mrs. Tierney and her son. After dinner Mr. Frere repeated to us a great deal of that part of 'Whistlecraft' which is not yet published. I laughed whenever I could, but as I have never read the first part, and did not understand the second, I was not so much amused as the rest of the company.

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