92

1751.

RESIGNATION OF THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

two months before, and had been requested by him to be the bearer of this notification."

I have given these details, not only because they show the characters of the two men between whom the contest lay, but also because they serve to illustrate the politics of the age. In the dispute between Newcastle and Bedford, the chief advantage of the former lay in the superior sense and discretion of his adherents. Lord Hardwicke and Mr. Pelham were far better advisers than Lord Sandwich, and their weight with the public was far greater than that of the whole party which followed the Duke of Bedford. In the exercise of personal qualities, Newcastle was as usual persevering, crafty, treacherous: the Duke of Bedford showed himself a careless courtier; and, if we are to believe the Pelhams, an inattentive man of business. But the confidence and pride which Mr. Pelham calls "boyishness," were the worst of his failings; his integrity and frankness are admitted, and I may add the justice of his political views is attested by his official letters.

The general politics of the time are difficult to explain. There was at this period no principle or system of policy which divided opinion; no eminent leader whose surpassing talents separated parties into his adherents and his opponents. Newcastle was a great man in his own eyes, but not in those of any one else; Granville tried to soar, and falling was content to keep near the ground ever after. Fox had abilities equal to the enterprise of leading

the House of Commons; but his soul wanted elevation, and he exchanged power for emolument. Pitt indeed had both talents and ambition; but he was as yet content to serve and save the Pelhams. Thus the period from the fall of Walpole to the commencement of the seven years' war, while it affords matter of interest to the historian and the philosophical writer, has little to excite warm emotion, or attract cager curiosity.

1751.

MR. ALDWORTH TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

My Lord,

Whitehall, April 14. 1751.

I have just heard that my Lord Asburnham is to be appointed Master of the Horse, my Lord Sussex, Lord of the Bed Chamber, and Mr. Pelham (Turkey Pelham) Groom of the Bed Chamber, to Prince George. The person from whom this intelligence originally comes only mentioned these three, as instances of the arts and power of the Pelhams; and my friend did not think it proper to ask any farther questions: he said he had likewise been told that my Lord Chancellor had some mind to be made governor to the Prince and President of the Council.

I am, &c.

R. NEV. ALDWORTH.

1751.

LORD SANDWICH TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

My dear Lord,

Windsor Lodge *, June 13. 1751.

The master of this house has received a confirmation this morning of the intelligence I gave your Grace yesterday; and as I think it will have a good appearance in the world, I am determined to stay here to-day, in hopes of receiving my dismission, when I am under his roof. I shall be in town early to-morrow to receive your Grace's directions, but as we are here extremely curious to know what passes among you, I should take it as a particular favour if you could let me know by Wiseman, who returns hither this evening, whether any thing remarkable or interesting has happened since I had the honour of seeing you. I hope your Grace is convinced that I am, &c.

SANDWICH.

MR. RIGBY† TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

My Lord,

If the nature of the despatch I take the liberty to trouble you with, was such as required

* Now
called Cumberland
Lodge; at that time the residence
of the Duke of Cumberland.

+ Mr. Rigby, who became sub-
sequently one of the Lords of
Trade, Master of the Rolls in Ire-

land, and secretary to the Duke of Bedford, owed all his advancement in public life to the Duke; to whom it is stated he had chiefly recommended himself by his convivial qualities. As a consider

any answer or other further notice than the perusal, I know the tranquillity you enjoy too well, by your removal from things of that odious name, to punish you with this. But as I, by the correspondence I intrude upon your Grace, may be no more trouble to you, nor looked upon in any other light than taking in one more newspaper, I will, without any more apology, fill it up with such as I have been able to pick up. The printed paper you find enclosed, is one copy of only thirty I am informed are printed off for the use of particular friends. They are wrote by Mr. Moore, the author of Gil Blas, who now, I think, bids fair for the laureat. I

able number of his letters will appear in the course of the correspondence, the following character by Horace Walpole will afford some insight into his character by a vigilant contemporary, and who was a frequent guest at his country residence in Essex.

:

"Rigby had an advantageous and manly person, recommended by a spirited jollity that was very pleasing, though sometimes roughened into brutality of most insinuating good breeding when he wished to be agreeable. His passions were turbulent and over bearing; his courage bold, and fond of exerting itself. His parts strong and quick, but totally uncultivated; and so much had he trusted to unaffected common sense, that he could never afterwards acquire the mercenary temperament of art in his public speaking. He placed his honour in steady addiction to whatever faction he was united with; and,

from the gaiety of his temper,
having indulged himself in pro-
fuse drinking, he was often hur-
ried beyond the bounds of that
interest which he meant should
govern all his actions, and which
his generous extravagance for ever
combated. In short, he was a
man who was seldom liked or
hated with moderation; yet he
himself, though a violent oppo-
nent, was never a bitter enemy.
His amiable qualities were all na-
tural; his faults acquired or fatally
linked to him by the chain of
some other failings." · Memoirs,
vol. ii. p. 254.

* The paper is not to be found.
Edward Moore was author of
Gil Blas, a comedy published in
1751; the Gamester, a tragedy;
fables for the female sex; and
editor of the periodical paper
called the World, to which he
Iwas the chief contributor: he
died in 1757.

1751.

1751.

*

own I think the compliment contained in it as
pretty, as undeserved; there is no necessity I trust,
was I ever so much abler, to make comment or para-
phrase upon them, considering who I send them to;
one who is a much better judge of the public part
of the character, and, for much nearer reasons, a
more adequate one of the private. I read them at
Holland House this morning to Mr. Fox and the
Duke of Marlborough. The former would have got
the copy
from me;
I told him how scarce they were,
and that I could not part with them. He assured me
I might be very easy upon that head, for the
person
addressed to would take care to have another edition
of them if the jealousy of his brother did not inter-
fere. Your Grace's brother-in-law was of another
opinion; and said he thought he would be glad to
sink the adulation contained in them, lest the pub-
lishing them might bring out a reply. I was left
some time alone with the Duke of Marlborough; he
inquired if you was gone out of town, and seemed
sorry not to have an opportunity of seeing you.
He said he had been at Court and seen two Pelhams
and Lord Granville: in a whisper, he had asked the
Duke of Newcastle about a Prebend he had promised
to speak about long ago; who answered him, "My
Lord, the King has not spoke to me since your
brother-in-law has been out." I never saw any body
appear more chagrined than he did. Mr. Fox ex-
cused not seeing me to stay dinner, because the

* The Duke of Marlborough, brother of the Duke of Bedford's first wife.