29 chapters
13 hour read
Selected Chapters
29 chapters
HISTORICAL CHARACTERS
HISTORICAL CHARACTERS
TALLEYRAND HISTORICAL CHARACTERS BY SIR HENRY LYTTON BULWER (LORD DALLING) London MACMILLAN AND CO., Limited NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1900 All rights reserved First Edition, in 2 vols., demy 8vo, 30s., November 1867. Second Edition, in 2 vols., demy 8vo, 30s., March 1868. Third Edition, in one volume, crown 8vo, 6s., December 1869. Fourth Edition, in which was included, for the first time, the Life of Sir Robert Peel, in one volume, crown 8vo, 6s., December 1875. Transferred to Macmillan
29 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
TO LORD LYTTON.
TO LORD LYTTON.
My dear Edward , The idea of this work, which I dedicate to you in testimony of the affection and friendship which have always united us, was conceived many years ago. I wished to give some general idea of modern history, from the period of the French Revolution of 1789 down to our own times, in a series of personal sketches. In these sketches I was disposed to select types of particular characters, thinking that in this way it is easier to paint with force and clearness both an individual and a
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
PREFACE TO THIS NEW EDITION.
PREFACE TO THIS NEW EDITION.
The sale which this work has had in its original form has induced my publisher to recommend a cheaper and more popular one; and I myself gladly seize the opportunity of correcting some of the errors in print and expression which, though gradually diminished in preceding editions, left even the last edition imperfect. An author with ordinary modesty must always be conscious of many defects in his own work. I am so in mine. Still I venture to say that the portraits I have drawn have, upon the whol
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part I. FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTION TO THE EXPOSITION OF THE STATE OF THE NATION.
Part I. FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTION TO THE EXPOSITION OF THE STATE OF THE NATION.
Different types of men.—M. de Talleyrand, the politic man.—Character of the eighteenth century, which had formed him.—Birth, personal description, entry into church.—Causes of revolution.—States-General.—Talleyrand’s influence over clergy; over the decision as to the instructions of members, and the drawing up of the rights of man.—Courage in times of danger.—Financial knowledge.—Propositions relative to church property.—Discredit with the Court party.—Popularity with the Assembly.—Charged to dr
2 hour read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part II. FROM THE FESTIVAL OF THE 14TH OF JULY TO THE CLOSE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
Part II. FROM THE FESTIVAL OF THE 14TH OF JULY TO THE CLOSE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
Blesses the standard of France at festival of the 14th of July.—Increasing financial distress.—M. de Talleyrand’s views.—Civil constitution of the clergy.—M. de Talleyrand’s conduct.—Refuses archbishopric of Paris.—Letter to editors of Chronicle.—Mirabeau’s death.—Sketch of his career, and relations with M. de Talleyrand, who attends his death-bed.—Probabilities as to his having initiated M. de Talleyrand into plots of court.—Leaves M. de Talleyrand his intended speech on the law of succession,
54 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part III. FROM CLOSE OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO CONSULATE.
Part III. FROM CLOSE OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO CONSULATE.
M. de Talleyrand in London.—Manner and appearance.—Witticisms.—Visit to England.—Lord Grenville refuses to discuss business with him.—Goes to Paris; returns with letter from King.—State of affairs in France prevents success of any mission in England.—Arrives in Paris just prior to the 10th of August.—Escapes and returns to England, the 16th of September, 1792.—Writes to Lord Grenville, declaring he has no mission.—Sent away the 28th of January, 1794.—Goes to America.—Waits until the death of Rob
48 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part IV. FIRST CONSULATE.
Part IV. FIRST CONSULATE.
“The Emperor, instead of abusing me, would have done better in estimating at their first value those who set him against me. He should have seen that friends of that kind are to be more dreaded than enemies. What would he say to another who let himself be reduced to the state in which he is now?” The observation that it did not suit every one to be overwhelmed under the ruins of the government about to fall, applied, as it was intended to do by M. de Talleyrand, to himself. The part, however, he
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part V. FROM THE FALL OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON, IN 1814, TO THE END OF M. DE TALLEYRAND’S ADMINISTRATION, IN SEPTEMBER, 1815.
Part V. FROM THE FALL OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON, IN 1814, TO THE END OF M. DE TALLEYRAND’S ADMINISTRATION, IN SEPTEMBER, 1815.
Comte d’Artois, Lieutenant-General of France.—Treaty of the 23rd of April for the evacuation of France.—Louis XVIII., contrary to M. de Talleyrand’s advice, refuses to accept the crown with a constitution as the gift of the nation; but, agreeing to the first as a right, grants the second.—Forms his government of discordant materials, naming M. de Talleyrand, of whom his distrust and jealousy soon appear, Minister of Foreign Affairs.—Reactionary spirit of the Émigré party and Comte d’Artois.—Trea
2 hour read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part VI. FROM THE RETIREMENT OF M. DE TALLEYRAND TO THE REVOLUTION OF 1830.
Part VI. FROM THE RETIREMENT OF M. DE TALLEYRAND TO THE REVOLUTION OF 1830.
M. de Talleyrand’s retirement from public affairs during the period which closed with the dethronement of Charles X.—Appearance in the House of Peers on two occasions, to protest against the Spanish war and to defend the liberty of the press.—Reasons for the course he pursued.—Share in the advent of Louis Philippe.—Accepts the embassy to London.—Conduct and policy when there.—Retires after the Quadruple Alliance.—Discourse in the Institute on M. Reinhard.—Death.—Summary of character. M. de Talle
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part I. FROM HIS YOUTH TO HIS APPOINTMENT IN INDIA.
Part I. FROM HIS YOUTH TO HIS APPOINTMENT IN INDIA.
Mackintosh’s character.—Character of men of his type.—Birth and parentage.—Starts as a physician, fails, and becomes a newspaper writer, and author of a celebrated pamphlet in answer to Burke’s “Thoughts on the French Revolution.”—Studies for the bar.—Becomes noted as a public character, violent on the Liberal side.—Becomes acquainted with Mr. Burke.—Modifies his opinions.—Gives lectures on public law, remarkable for their eloquence and their Conservative opinions.—Becomes the advocate of Peltie
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part II. HIS STAY IN INDIA AND HIS CAREER IN PARLIAMENT.
Part II. HIS STAY IN INDIA AND HIS CAREER IN PARLIAMENT.
Goes to India.—Pursuits there.—Returns home dissatisfied with himself.—Enters Parliament on the Liberal side.—Reasons why he took it.—Fails in first speech.—Merits as an orator.—Extracts from his speeches.—Modern ideas.—Excessive punishments.—Mackintosh’s success as a law reformer.—General parliamentary career. Sir James Mackintosh, in accepting a place in India, abdicated the chances of a brilliant and useful career in England; still his presence in one of our great dependencies was not without
28 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part III. MERITS AS A WRITER, DEATH, AND ESTIMATE OF GENERAL CAPACITY AND CHARACTER.
Part III. MERITS AS A WRITER, DEATH, AND ESTIMATE OF GENERAL CAPACITY AND CHARACTER.
History of England.—Articles in “Edinburgh Review.”—Treatise on Ethical Philosophy.—Revolution of 1688.—Bentham’s system of morals and politics.—His own death.—Comparison with Montaigne. I have said that Sir James Mackintosh allowed himself to be lured from the strife of politics by the love of letters. And what was the species of learned labour on which his intervals of musing leisure were employed? He read at times—this he was always able and willing to do—for the future composition of a great
28 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part I. FROM HIS BIRTH, IN MARCH, 1762, TO HIS QUITTING THE UNITED STATES, JUNE 1ST, 1800.
Part I. FROM HIS BIRTH, IN MARCH, 1762, TO HIS QUITTING THE UNITED STATES, JUNE 1ST, 1800.
Son of a small farmer.—Boyhood spent in the country.—Runs away from home.—Becomes a lawyer’s clerk.—Enlists as a soldier, 1784.—Learns grammar and studies Swift.—Goes to Canada.—Remarked for good conduct.—Rises to rank of sergeant-major.—Gets discharge, 1791.—Marries.—Quits Europe for United States.—Starts as a bookseller in Pennsylvania.—Becomes a political writer of great power.—Takes a violent anti-republican tone.—Has to suffer different prosecutions, and at last sets sail for England. The c
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part II. FROM JUNE 1ST, 1800, TO MARCH 28TH, 1817, WHEN, HAVING ALTOGETHER CHANGED HIS POLITICS, HE RETURNS TO AMERICA.
Part II. FROM JUNE 1ST, 1800, TO MARCH 28TH, 1817, WHEN, HAVING ALTOGETHER CHANGED HIS POLITICS, HE RETURNS TO AMERICA.
Starts a paper, by title The Porcupine , which he had made famous in America.—Begins as a Tory.—Soon verges towards opposition.—Abandons Porcupine and commences Register .—Prosecuted for libel.—Changes politics, and becomes radical.—Prosecuted again for libel.—Convicted and imprisoned.—Industry and activity though confined in Newgate.—Sentence expires.—Released.—Power as a writer increases.—Government determined to put him down.—Creditors pressing.—He returns to the United States. The space Cobb
26 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part III. FROM QUITTING ENGLAND IN 1817 TO HIS DEATH IN 1835.
Part III. FROM QUITTING ENGLAND IN 1817 TO HIS DEATH IN 1835.
Settles on Long Island.—Professes at first great satisfaction.—Takes a farm,—Writes his Grammar.—Gets discontented.—His premises burnt.—He returns to England, and carries Paine’s bones with him.—The bones do not succeed.—Tries twice to be returned to Parliament.—Is not elected.—Becomes a butcher at Kensington.—Fails there and is a bankrupt.—His works from 1820 to 1826.—Extracts.—New prosecution.—Acquitted.—Comes at last into Parliament for Oldham.—Character as a speaker.—Dies.—General summing up
35 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part I. FROM BIRTH AND EDUCATION TO DUEL WITH LORD CASTLEREAGH.
Part I. FROM BIRTH AND EDUCATION TO DUEL WITH LORD CASTLEREAGH.
Well-adapted ridicule no public man can withstand, and there seems to have been something peculiar to Mr. Addington that attracted it. Even Mr. Sheridan, his steady supporter to the last (for the main body of the Whigs, under Mr. Fox, when they saw a prospect of power for themselves, uniting with the Grenvillites, went into violent opposition)—even Mr. Sheridan, in those memorable lines: quoted in defence of the Minister whom so many attacked without saying why they disapproved, furnished a nick
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part II. FROM MR. PERCEVAL’S ADMINISTRATION TO ACCEPTANCE OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERALSHIP OF INDIA.
Part II. FROM MR. PERCEVAL’S ADMINISTRATION TO ACCEPTANCE OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERALSHIP OF INDIA.
Mr. Perceval, Prime Minister.—Lord Wellesley, Minister of Foreign Affairs.—King’s health necessitates regency.—The line taken by Mr. Canning upon it.—Conduct with respect to Mr. Horner’s Finance Committee.—Absurd resolution of Mr. Vansittart.—Lord Wellesley quits the Ministry.—Mr. Perceval is assassinated.—Mr. Canning and Lord Wellesley charged to form a new Cabinet, and fail.—Further negotiations with Lords Grey and Grenville fail.—Lord Liverpool becomes head of an Administration which Mr. Cann
44 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part III. FROM DEATH OF LORD LONDONDERRY TO PORTUGUESE EXPEDITION.
Part III. FROM DEATH OF LORD LONDONDERRY TO PORTUGUESE EXPEDITION.
Lord Castlereagh’s death.—Mr. Canning’s appointment as Foreign Secretary.—State of affairs.—Opposition he encountered.—Policy as to Spain and South America.—Commencing popularity in the country, and in the House of Commons.—Affairs of Portugal and Brazil.—Recognition of Brazilian empire.—Constitution taken by Sir Charles Stuart to Portugal,—Defence of Portugal against Spanish treachery and aggression.—Review of policy pursued thus far as a whole. At this critical moment Lord Castlereagh, who had
35 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part IV. FROM THE BEGINNING OF MR. CANNING’S POPULARITY AS FOREIGN MINISTER TO HIS DEATH.
Part IV. FROM THE BEGINNING OF MR. CANNING’S POPULARITY AS FOREIGN MINISTER TO HIS DEATH.
After passing some time in a state of insensibility, during which the words “Spain and Portugal” were frequently on his lips, on the 8th of August Mr. Canning succumbed. His remains sleep in Westminster Abbey; a peerage and a pension were granted to his family; and a statue is erected to his memory on the site of his parliamentary triumphs. The generation amidst which Mr. Canning died, attended his hearse, and crowned his funeral with honours. What is the place he ought to hold in the minds of f
39 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part V.
Part V.
One must judge men by a real and not ideal standard of mankind.—Criticisms on Mr. Canning’s conduct.—His faults when in a subordinate position.—His better qualities developed in a superior one.—Nature of faculties.—Influence on his own time and the succeeding one.—Foreign policy considered.—Person; manners; specimens of his various abilities; eloquence; art; and turn for drollery and satire.—Style of speaking of despatches.—Always young, and inspiring admiration and affection, even when provokin
24 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part I.
Part I.
Family.—Birth.—Formation of character.—Education at Harrow and Oxford.—Entry into Parliament.—Line adopted there.—Style of speaking.—Becomes Secretary of Colonies.—Secretary for Ireland.—Language on the Catholic question.—Returned as member for the University of Oxford.—Resigned his post in Ireland. The family of the Peels belonged to the class of yeomanry, which in England, from the earliest times, was well known and reputed, forming a sort of intermediate link between the gentry and the common
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part II.
Part II.
Currency.—Views thereupon.—Chairman in 1859 of Finance Committee.—Conduct as to the Queen’s trial.—Becomes Home Secretary.—Improvement of police, criminal law, prisons, &c.—Defends Lord Eldon, but guards himself against being thought to share his political tendencies, and declares himself in favour in Ireland of a general system of education for all religions, and denounces any attempt to mix up conversion with it.—Begins to doubt about the possibility of resisting the Catholic claims.—T
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part III.
Part III.
Fall of the Goderich ministry.—Formation of the Cabinet under the Duke of Wellington.—Policy of that Cabinet.—Its junction with Mr. Canning’s friends.—The secession of these, and the defeat of Mr. Fitzgerald in the Clare election.—Majority in the House of Commons in favour of Catholic claims.—The Language of the House of Lords.—The conviction now brought about in the mind of Mr. Peel, that there was less danger in settling the Catholic claims than in leaving them unsettled.—The effect produced b
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part IV.
Part IV.
Mr. O’Connell’s opposition in Ireland.—The general difficulties of the Government.—The policy it tried to pursue.—Its increasing unpopularity.—Its policy towards Don Miguel.—William IV.’s accession.—The Revolution in Paris.—The cry now raised in England for Reform.—The King’s opening speech on convocation of new Parliament.—The discontent against the Government it excited.—The Duke of Wellington opposed to any change in the Constitution.—Postponement of Lord Mayor’s dinner to the new Sovereign.—
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part V.
Part V.
Effects of Reform.—Changes produced by reform.—Daniel O’Connell.—Lord Melbourne.—Choice of Speaker.—The Irish Tithe Bill.—Measures of Lord Melbourne.—The Irish question.—The Queen’s household.—The Corn Law League.—Whig measures. The great measure just passed into law was not calculated to justify the fears of immediate and violent consequences; but was certain to produce gradual and important changes. The new constitution breathed, in fact, a perfectly different spirit from the old one. The vita
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Part VI.
Part VI.
Differences in the country.—Sir Robert Peel’s programme.—A new Conservative party.—Peel’s commercial policy.—Catholic education.—The Maynooth grant.—Corn Law agitation.—The Irish distress.—Peel resumes the Government.—The Corn Laws repealed.—Review of Peel’s career.—Character of Peel.—Peel and Canning contrasted. The great interest which attaches to Sir Robert Peel’s life is derived from the period over which it extended, and his complete identification with the spirit and action of that period.
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Essai sur les avantages à retirer de colonies nouvelles dans les circonstances présentes. Par le Citoyen Talleyrand. Lu à la séance publique, de l’Institut national, le 25 messidor, an V.
Essai sur les avantages à retirer de colonies nouvelles dans les circonstances présentes. Par le Citoyen Talleyrand. Lu à la séance publique, de l’Institut national, le 25 messidor, an V.
Les hommes qui ont médité sur la nature des rapports qui unissent les métropoles aux colonies, ceux qui sont accoutumés à lire de loin les événements politiques dans leurs causes, prévoyaient depuis longtemps que les colonies américaines se séparaient un jour de leurs métropoles, et, par une tendance naturelle que les vices des Européens n’ont que trop accélérée, ou se réuniront entre elles, ou s’attacheront au continent qui les avoisine: ainsi le veut cette force des choses qui fait la destinée
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Mémoires sur les relations commerciales des Etats-Unis avec l’Angleterre, par le Citoyen Talleyrand. Lu le 15 germinal, an V.
Mémoires sur les relations commerciales des Etats-Unis avec l’Angleterre, par le Citoyen Talleyrand. Lu le 15 germinal, an V.
Il n’est pas de science plus avide de faits que l’économie politique L’art de les recueillir, de les ordonner, de les juger la constitue presque tout entière; et, sous ce point de vue, elle a peut-être plus à attendre de l’observation que du génie; car, arrive le moment où il faut tout éprouver, sous peine de ne rien savoir; et c’est alors que les faits deviennent les vérificateurs de la science, après en avoir été les matériaux. Toutefois il faut se garder de cette manie qui voudrait toujours r
24 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
M. R.
M. R.
Foreign Office, January 31st, 1826. Sir , In matters of commerce the fault of the Dutch is offering too little and asking too much. The French are with equal advantage content, so we clap on Dutch bottoms just 20 per cent. Chorus of English Custom House officers and French douaniers: “We clap on Dutch bottoms just 20 per cent. ; Vous frapperez Falk avec 20 pour cent.” I have no other commands from his Majesty to convey to your Excellency to-day. I am, with great truth and respect, Sir, Your Exce
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter