William Strahan to David Hume-Wilkes, and the Middlesex Elections. molished; and though a party of soldiers were at length sent for by the Mayoress, from the Tower, they, when they came (so general was the infatuation), seemed more disposed to assist the mob than to disperse them. You will not easily believe it, but it is true, that the Dukes of Grafton and Northumberland, and many others of the first nobility, nay, some of the royal family itself (viz., the Princess Amelia, and the Dukes of Gloucester and Cumberland), were mean enough to submit to illuminate their windows upon this infamous occasion, in obedience to the orders of a paltry mob, which a dozen of their footmen might easily have dispersed. If you ask me why was not Wilkes secured on his arrival, and before he had acquired his present consequence? the answer is plain; the ministry were part of them timid, and part of them secretly his friends. The outlawry, says the present AttorneyGeneral, cannot he defended because of some informalities in the passing of it, and his predecessor who did pass it, is in opposition. The Duke of Grafton, though then in town, is now at Newmarket; the Chancellor at Bath; the rest electioneering in different parts of the country, or skulking in town; but not one of them disposed to prevent the insult to their master, or to issue orders for a party of the Guards (and a small one would have been sufficient) to clear the streets. The next night the same illuminations were again insisted on, and the same insolence, with the same impunity, was repeated. Strange, in truth, must it appear to friends and to enemies at home and abroad, that a criminal, an outlaw, a man in every sense a wretch, should be chosen by men who call themselves loyal, to represent the very county honored with the royal residence; and this attended, too, with many marks of insolence, William Strahan to David Hume-Wilkes, and the Middlesex Elections. brutality, and disaffection. But after all, I do not think there is much to be apprehended from all this; there is actually no real disaffection existing here. We want nothing earthly to keep every thing in order but a firm and spirited ministry. This we are certainly not blessed with, and what the continuance of this want may at length lead to, is indeed justly to be dreaded. I will now offer some probable conjectures on what is likely to follow upon all this. On the 20th of this month, the first day of term, Wilkes is to surrender himself, and will certainly be attended by a considerable mob. Lord Mansfield, I am assured, will act with becoming spirit, and will be properly supported by the military; of course Wilkes will be committed to the Tower, for he has no privilege; and I really think if this matter is rightly conducted, and the ministry mean that the law should take its course, his sentence may easily be carried into execution. On the 10th of May, the meeting of the Parliament, the farce will be resumed, and will probably have great effects: perhaps no less than the total overthrow of the present ministry and the banishment of Lord Bute from this part of the kingdom. The case of this nobleman is really singular; divested of power, he retains all the odium of Prime Minister. Having long since most injudiciously pushed into office, and as injudiciously retired from the political theatre, he hath ever since exercised the power of recommending or rather nominating every succeeding ministry. These have, by turns, spurned at and renounced their maker; and, what is truly remarkable, though he has had no influence in their councils, though he has all along never dared to interpose, even so far as to occasionally serve an humble retainer or dependent, yet, being well known to have named the men, he has made himself, in the public opinion, ulti Lord Camden to the Duke of Grafton-Death of Lord Chatham. mately responsible for their measures; and will ere long, if I am not mistaken, be made the scapegoat of all their misconduct; so that in the end his master's favor, of which he appears to have little known how to avail himself, will cost him dear. XI.-DEATH OF LORD CHATHAM. Lord Camden to the Duke of Grafton. April, 1778, N. B. Street. MY DEAR LORD: I cannot help considering the little illness which prevented your grace from attending the House of Lords. last Tuesday, to have been a piece of good fortune, as it kept you back from a scene that would have overwhelmed you with grief and melancholy, as it did me and many others that were present. I mean Lord Chatham's fit, that seized him as he was attempting to rise and reply to the Duke of Richmond. He fell back upon his seat, and was, to all appearance, in the agonies of death. This threw the whole House into confusion; every person was upon his legs in a moment, hurrying from one place to another some sending for assistance, others producing salts, and others reviving spirits. Many crowding about the Earl to observe his countenance--all affected-most part really concerned; and even those who might have felt a secret pleasure at the accident, yet put on the appearance of distress, except only. the Earl of M.,* who sat still, almost as much unmoved as the senseless body itself. Dr. Brocklesby was the first physician that came; but Dr. Addington, in about an hour, was brought to him. He was carried into the Prince's chamber, and laid upon the table, supported by pillows. The first motion of life * Either the Earl of Marchmont or Earl of Mansfield. Lord Camden to the Duke of Grafton-Death of Lord Chatham. that appeared was an endeavor to vomit; and after he had discharged the load from his stomach that probably brought on the seizure, he revived fast. Mr. Strutt prepared an apartment for him at his house, where he was carried as soon as he could with safety be removed. He slept remarkably well, and was quite recovered yesterday, though he continued in bed. I have not heard how he is to-day, but will keep my letter open till the evening, that your grace may be informed how he goes on. I saw him in the Prince's chamber before he went into the House, and conversed a little with him; but such was the feeble state of his body, and indeed the distempered agitation of his mind, that I did forebode his strength would certainly fail him before he had finished his speech. In truth, he was not in a condition to go abroad, and he was earnestly requested not to make the attempt; but your grace knows how obstinate he is, when he is resolved. He had a similar fit to this, this summer-like it in all respects in the seizure, the retching, and the recovery; and after that fit, as if it had been the crisis of the disorder, he recovered fast, and grew to be in better health than I had known him for many years. Pray heaven that this may be attended with no worse consequences! The Earl spoke, but was not like himself; his speech faltered, his sentences broken, and his mind not master of itself. He made shift with difficulty to declare his opinion, but was not able to enforce it by argument. His words were shreds of unconnected eloquence, and flashes of the same fire which he, Prometheus-like, had stolen from heaven, and were then returning to the place from whence they were taken. Your grace sees even I, who am a mere prose man, am tempted to be poetical while I am discoursing of this extraordinary man's genius. The Duke of Richmond answered Lord Camden to the Duke of Grafton-Death of Lord Chatham. him, and I cannot help giving his grace the commendation he deserves for his candor, courtesy, and liberal treatment of his illustrious adversary. The debate was adjourned till yesterday, and then the former subject was taken up by Lord Shelburne in a speech of one hour and three-quarters. The Duke of Richmond answered; Shelburne replied; and the Duke, who enjoys the privilege of the last word in that House, closed the business, no other Lord, except our friend, Lord Ravensworth, speaking one word; the two other noble Lords consumed between three and four hours. And now, my dear Lord, you must, with me, lament this fatal accident. I fear it is fatal, and this great man is now lost forever to his country; for, after such a public and notorious exposure of his decline, no man will look up to him, even if he should recover. France will no longer fear him, nor the King of England court him; and the present set of ministers will finish the ruin of the State, because he being in effect superanuated, the public will call for no other men. This is a very melancholy reflection. The opposion, however, is not broken, and this difference of opinion will wear off; so far, at least, the prospect is favorable. I think I shall not sign the protest, though, in other respects, I shall be very friendly. I have troubled your grace with a deal of stuff, but the importance of the subject will excuse me. Your grace's, etc., CAMDEN. P. S. I understand the Earl has slept well last night, and is to be removed to-day to Downing street. He would have gone into the country, but Addington thinks he is too weak.* *The death of Lord Chatham is the subject of a great historical painting by Copley. The moment chosen for the picture is when Lord Chatham, after vain efforts to speak, presses his hand on his heart, and sinking into convul |