Perilous Question Read online

  1831, 114, 115–16, 118–20

  1832–33, 266–8

  George II, King, 227

  George III, King, 2, 3, 6, 106, 122, 227

  George IV, King, 2, 3–4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 21, 71, 72, 106, 129, 132, 134, 194

  Germany, 7

  Gladstone, William Ewart, 2, 121–2, 139, 145, 161

  Glasgow, 19

  Glengall, Countess of, 225

  Globe, 169

  Glorious Revolution 1688, 2

  Gloucester, HRH Prince William, Duke of, 57, 105, 117, 149

  Glynne, Sir Stephen, 77

  Goderich, Viscount (later 1st Earl of Ripon), 58, 130

  Goodall, Joseph, 127

  Goodwood, 29, 45

  ‘Goodwood Set’, 183

  Gordon, Sir Willoughby, 170

  Gorgon, 75

  Graham, Sir James, 34, 46–7, 58, 99, 212, 266

  Grant, Charles, 58, 73–4

  Grant, James, 30, 31, 32, 66, 174

  Granville, Harriet Cavendish, Countess, 44–5, 150

  Great Fire 1834, 276

  Great Marlow, 119

  Great Reform Bill; see Reform Bill

  Greville, Charles

  on Durham, 206

  on Grey, 22

  on Harrowby, 178, 253

  on Lady Lyndhurst, 56

  on the Lyndhursts’ different views about Reform, 230

  on Macaulay, 82

  on Queen Adelaide, 6, 7, 72

  on Reform Bill, 96, 97–8, 216

  on Richmond, 45

  on severe weather, 13

  on Talleyrand, 2–3

  on Tories, 251

  and Wellington, 24, 25

  on William IV, 6, 8, 134

  on William’s coronation day, 133, 134

  on William’s illegitimate children, 73

  Grey, 2nd Earl

  and Fox, 2

  and Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, 2, 22

  and death of George IV, 4

  disliked by George IV, 9

  early supporter of Reform, 10–11, 23

  happy family life, 21–2

  appreciation of female company, 22

  appearance, 22–3

  nepotism, 23, 52, 57–8

  believes the time has come for Reform, 23–4

  conversation with Brougham, 35–6

  political leadership is untried, 37

  speech after Opening of Parliament, 40–1

  comments on Wellington’s ‘blind presumption’, 44

  and the vote against the Government, 47

  asked to form a government by the King, 48

  wealth, 50

  forms a government, 55–60

  and appointment of Lord Chancellor, 56–7

  and appointment of Foreign Secretary, 57

  concerned about ‘large assemblages’, 60–1

  and formation of Committee of Four to consider Reform, 62

  relationship with Durham, 66, 129–30, 175–6, 188, 206, 266

  reads draft of proposals of Committee of Four, 69

  correspondence with William IV about Reform, 69–71

  shows Reform Bill to William, 71

  remains confident, 87

  Creevey remarks on renewed vitality of, 91

  backed by Birmingham Political Union, 93

  decides to proceed with Reform Bill in spite of defeat on Timber Duties, 94

  is informed of the King’s opposition to dissolution, 94–5

  announces that he will not amend the Bill, 98

  described by Creevey, 99

  private correspondence with Taylor, 106–7

  the King agrees to see, 107

  at dissolution of Parliament, 110

  gratitude to the King, 111

  becomes Knight of the Garter, 117–18

  and payments, 120

  letter to Holland about creation of new peers, 122

  and Eton, 127

  and his grandson’s illness, 129–30

  moves second reading of Bill in House of Lords, 139–41, 142–3

  and death of his grandson, 139

  accused of trying to ‘overawe ’ the House, 145

  speaks in House of Lords shortly before the vote on Bill, 149

  urges dismissal of Howe from Royal Household, 154

  Queen Adelaide is hostile towards, 154, 202

  meets delegation led by Place, 158–9

  correspondence between William IV and, 163–4

  and Bristol riots, 168

  and date of next meeting of Parliament, 175

  scene caused by Durham, 175–6

  issue of creation of peers raised in Cabinet by, 184–5, 187, 188

  visited by Holland, 188

  informs the King about events in Ireland, 189

  reads letters to Cabinet about creation of peers, 190

  meets the King to discuss creation of peers, 190–2

  the King sends written response to, 192–3, 201

  kept informed about the King by Taylor, 195

  declares unalterable commitment to Reform, 202

  Althorp writes to, 206–7

  letter to Althorp, 207

  and debate in House of Lords, 211–12, 214–15

  speaks in Lords on 7th May, 218

  presents Cabinet minute about resignation to the King, 224–5

  at public house in Hounslow, 225

  announces Government resignation, 226

  at Court reception, 227

  and the Tory attempt to form new administration, 232, 240–1

  communications between the King and, 242, 244, 245–6

  and speeches of Wellington and Lyndhurst, 244

  discusses reinstatement of Ministers, 246–7

  thanks Attwood, 247, 277–8

  news of his return spreads, 249

  angry exchanges in House of Lords, 250–1

  comments on the blunder made by the Opposition, 251

  and debate in House of Lords on third reading of Bill, 252, 253–4

  congratulated on the success of the Bill, 254

  and the King’s refusal to attend House of Lords, 255

  and Royal Assent, 257

  and Haydon, 260–1

  depictions of, 262

  on the unions, 264–5

  in Doyle’s cartoon following General Election, 268–9

  inspirational character of, 273–4

  retirement, 274–5

  brief references, 25, 39, 54, 76, 81, 84–5, 102, 124, 144, 151, 155, 156, 177, 194, 238, 248, 256, 259

  Grey, Lady Georgiana, 69

  Grey, Lady Hannah, 58

  Grey, Lady Louisa; see Durham, Lord

  Grey, Mary Ponsonby, Countess, 6, 21, 39, 69, 99, 145, 188–9, 211, 260–1

  Grosvenor, Earl (later 2nd Duke of Westminster), 77, 119

  Grosvenor, Elizabeth Leveson-Gower, Countess, 77, 112, 113, 169

  Grote, George, 159, 160, 249

  Essentials of Parliamentary Reform, 160

  Grote, Harriet, 159–60, 183, 184, 245

  Guildford, 88, 178

  Guildhall Banquet 1832, 260

  painting of, 260–1

  Gunpowder Plot 1605, 173

  Gurney, Hudson, 88–9

  Guy Fawkes Day 1831, 173–4

  Hansard (Hansard ’s Parliamentary Debates), 32, 144, 145, 199, 216, 254

  Hansard, Thomas, 32

  Harborne, 26

  Hardinge, Sir Henry, 109, 238–9

  Harrowby, 1st Earl of, 145–6, 178, 197, 205, 218, 252, 253

  Hastings, 2nd Marquess of, 110

  Haydon, Benjamin Robert, 2, 19, 24, 27, 35, 51, 60, 111 221, 222, 260–1

  Hepburne Scott, Henry, 96

  Hetherington, Henry, 152, 208

  founds Poor Man’s Guardian, 75

  Hobhouse, Sir John (later 1st Baron Broughton)

  reaction to 1830 Revolution in France, 12

  and Russell’s introduction of Reform Bill, 79, 81–2

  at meeting in Crown and Anchor Tavern, 88r />
  and voting on Reform Bill, 95

  comments on the new London Bridge, 128

  and the meeting between Grey and Place’s delegation, 158

  and attacks on country houses, 171–2

  reflects on the fate of Bristol rioters, 196

  conversation with Althorp, 206

  asks Place to declare his intentions, 245

  Place visits, 248

  and the King’s decision not to attend House of Lords, 255

  comments on ‘this great national exploit’, 278

  brief references, 2, 109, 257

  Holkham, 54, 190, 261, 262

  Holland, Elizabeth Vassall, Lady, 52, 53, 65, 198

  Holland, 3rd Baron

  response to 1830 Revolution in France, 12

  admits that Grey is susceptible to women, 22

  and Brougham, 35, 149

  wealth, 50

  criticizes the self-educated, 51

  devoted to his wife, 53

  appearance, 54

  turns down Foreign Secretaryship, 57

  and Durham, 67, 205–6

  and Secret Ballot, 102

  and creation of new peers, 122, 184, 186, 187–8, 188–9

  at Eton, 127–8

  and occasion of royal assent to Queen’s dower-bill, 129

  verdict on Sydney Smith, 155

  visits Grey at East Sheen, 188

  and William IV, 210, 273

  comment about Lyndhurst, 218

  responds to Grey’s depressed communication, 232

  writes to Grey about possible reactions if Wellington were to move a Bill, 238

  meeting with Attwood and companions, 247

  in the Lords for Royal Assent to Reform Bill, 257–8

  writes in Diary about impact of individual character on government, 271

  brief references, 2, 59, 65, 134, 141, 152, 176, 197, 214, 241, 274

  Holland House, 6, 17, 52–4, 217

  Holyoake, George, 25, 27

  Holyrood Palace, 11, 83, 243

  Hounslow, 225

  Houses of Parliament

  1834 fire, 276

  see also Commons, House of; Lords, House of

  Howe, 1st Earl, 72, 118, 129, 153–4, 197, 202, 204, 254

  Howick, 21, 35, 260

  Howick, Viscount (later 3rd Earl Grey), 17–18, 58, 219

  Howley, William, Archbishop of Canterbury, 142, 146–7, 188, 216, 227

  Huddersfield, 173–4

  Hume, Joseph, 100–1, 158, 194, 196, 264, 265

  Hunt, G.W., 127

  Hunt, Henry ‘Orator’, 13–14, 38, 44, 85, 100, 101, 102, 179, 180, 194, 200

  Hunt, John, 68

  Hunt, Leigh, 68, 75, 237

  Huntingdon, 178

  Huntly, 8th Marquis of, 2

  Hurst Green, 28

  Huskisson, William, 119, 181

  Huskissonites, 33, 43, 47; see also names of individuals

  Hutton, Revd, 222

  Hyde Park, 125

  Industrial Revolution, 18

  Inglis, Sir Robert, 80–1, 83, 87, 240

  Ireland, 10, 15, 59, 66, 156, 189, 224, 269

  Irish MPs, 16, 66, 93–4, 98

  Irish peers, 16, 186, 192

  Irish Reform Bill, 213, 215, 265

  Irving, Edward, 198

  Itchen Abbas, 61

  Jacobite Rebellion 1745, 2

  James II, King, 2, 140

  Jeffrey, Lord, 51, 59, 63, 104, 110

  Jersey, Sarah Fane, Countess of, 48, 91

  Jordan, Mrs Dora, 6, 73, 116

  Kay, Dr James, 237

  Kay, James Phillips, 198

  Kemble, Fanny, 209

  Kensington, 52

  Kent, civil unrest in, 14, 28–9

  Kent, Duchess of, 129, 133

  Kent, HRH Prince Edward, Duke of, 6, 8

  Kenyon, 2nd Baron, 250–1

  Kerry, Knight of, 44

  Kilkenny, 189

  Kingsley, Charles, 168

  Kirkby, Sergeant John, 172

  Knaresborough, 105

  Knights of the Garter, 117–18

  Knowles, James Sheridan: Alfred the Great or the Patriot King, 112

  Lafayette, Marquis de, 143, 190

  Lamb, Lady Caroline, 60

  Lamb, George, 138

  Lamb, William, Lord Melbourne; see Melbourne, William Lamb, Lord

  Lambton, Charles William, 129–30, 139

  Lambton, Harriet, 252

  Lambton, John George ‘Radical Jack’, Lord Durham; see Durham, Lord

  Lansdowne, 3rd Marquess of, 54, 57, 82, 89, 102, 120, 130, 182, 187, 190, 261, 267

  Lansdowne House, 52

  Lascelles, Caroline, 68

  Lawrence, Sir Thomas, 19

  ‘The Red Boy’, 129

  Leeds, 19, 36, 103, 267

  Leeds Mercury, 74–5, 180

  Leicester, 37

  Le Marchant, Sir Denis, 64, 86, 87, 88–9, 105, 126, 135, 136, 149–50, 156, 177, 197, 211, 219, 226, 227

  Lennox, Lord William, 180

  Leopold, Prince, 57

  Leveson-Gower, Elizabeth, 32; see Grosvenor

  Lieven, Princess

  and Durham, 67

  and France, 11

  and George IV, 3, 4

  and Grey, 22, 44, 47, 56, 57, 71, 139, 244

  and Peel, 241

  and Queen Adelaide, 154

  and Reform Bill, 82

  and Wellington, 44, 48, 117, 212

  and window-breaking by the crowds, 113

  Littleton, Edward, 83, 148–9, 182, 207, 226, 227–8, 268

  Liverpool, 112, 119, 181, 249

  Liverpool, Lord, 9, 79, 118

  Liverpool-Manchester Railways, 1

  London

  cholera epidemic, 198

  civil disturbances, 43, 44–5, 46

  Clubs, 54–5

  concerns about shooting of dogs in, 125

  gathering of National Political Union in, 220

  great Whig houses in, 52

  march takes place in, 157–8

  meeting of Radicals in, 232–5

  police force founded in, 1

  see also names of locations in London

  London Bridge, 128

  Londonderry, 3rd Marquess of, 45, 72–3, 110, 128, 139, 146, 151, 195, 197, 254, 269

  Londonderry House, 132

  Lords, House of

  Byron’s maiden speech in, 13

  seats in, 16

  the King’s speech at Opening of Parliament, 39–40

  Grey’s speech on need for Reform, 40–1

  Wellington’s speech, 25, 41–2

  Richmond states his position on Reform, 45–6

  and assassination attempt on Wellington, 61–2

  Grey announces that Reform Bill will be presented in Commons, 76

  members listen to presentation of Bill in Commons, 78

  Grey announces that he will not amend the Bill, 98

  William IV agrees to go to, 108

  dissolution of Parliament, 109–11

  inbuilt majority of Tories in, 122

  possibility of creating peers to get Reform Bill through, 122–3, 130, 144, 152–3, 158, 159, 163, 183, 184–9, 190–3

  William IV attends to give consent to Queen’s dower-bill, 128–9

  Althorp pessimistic about Bill being passed in, 130

  debates on Reform Bill, 139–41, 142–3, 144–9

  bishops in, 141–2, 156

  petition of Birmingham Political Union presented to, 144

  vote against the Bill, 149–50

  situation after the vote in, 151–62, 166

  Bill formally presented to, 209

  canvassing of uncommitted peers, 209–10

  debate on the Bill, 211–15

  vote on second reading, 215–16

  debate on 7 May, 218–19

  Government defeated in, 219

  Attwood asks Brougham to present petition to, 220

  Government resignation announced in, 226

&
nbsp; speeches of Wellington and Lyndhurst, 244–5

  angry speeches following the return of Whig Government, 250–1

  debate on third reading of the Bill, 252–4

  vote in favour of the Bill, 254

  the King declines to attend, 255–6

  Royal Assent given, 257–8

  emerges with membership intact, 270–1

  Louis XIV, King of France, 52, 181

  Louis XVI, King of France, 7, 140, 181, 193, 251, 257, 258

  Louis-Philippe, King of the French, 3, 11, 39, 53, 187

  Lovat, Lord, 2

  Lulworth Castle, 11

  Lyndhurst, Lady, 22, 56, 230

  Lyndhurst, 1st Baron

  and post of Lord Chancellor, 55, 56

  background, 55–6

  and his wife, 56, 230

  and dissolution of Parliament, 109–10

  and Brougham’s fall/genuflection, 148

  asks about possibility of moderating the Bill, 175

  as one of the Waverers, 175, 178, 218

  proposes changes to the Bill, 218

  acts as intermediary between William IV and Wellington, 226

  sets condition for returning to post of Lord Chancellor, 230

  Wellington’s response to, 231

  reaction to listening to Manners-Sutton, 232

  speech on 17 May 1832, 244

  absents himself from vote in Lords, 254

  absent from Lords for Royal Assent, 257

  brief references, 219, 246, 256, 265

  Lyttelton, Sarah Spencer, Lady, 162–3

  Lytton, Edward Bulwer, 1st Baron, 30–1, 34, 57, 65, 83, 93

  Macaulay, Hannah, 125, 204–5

  Macaulay, Margaret, 205

  Macaulay, Thomas Babington

  on Industrial Revolution, 18

  and Lady Holland, 53

  and journalists, 67

  and Calne constituency, 82, 89, 182

  brilliance, 82–3

  speech during debate on first Reform Bill, 83–4

  Mahon’s response to, 84

  Hunt’s attack on, 85

  and the vote on the Bill, 96, 97

  views on Universal Suffrage, 101

  and cholera epidemic, 125

  on William IV’s coronation, 133

  speech following defeat of second Bill in Lords, 156

  speech in debate on third Bill, 180–1

  Croker’s long-running battle with, 182

  comments on public disorder, 189

  writes to his sisters on the Bill, 204–5

  on Grey’s speech in Lords, 211

  on Wellington’s behaviour, 239–40

  on William IV, 256

  at Guildhall Banquet, 260

  transfers to Leeds constituency, 267

  on Althorp, 275

  comments on ‘the victories of reason’, 278

  brief references, 2, 120, 216

  Macready, William Charles, 112

  Mahon, Viscount (later 5th Earl Stanhope) 84

  A Leaf from the Future History of England, 102–3

  Maidstone, 28

  Manchester, 19, 26, 60–1, 80, 100, 103, 139, 170, 171, 196; see also Peterloo Massacre