Catalogue

Letters between (1) Charles William Stewart (born 1788) (took surname Vane on his marriage to Frances Anne Vane-Tempest on 3 April 1819), 1st Lord Stewart (July 1814 - August 1822), 3rd Marquess of Londonderry (August 1822 - 1854); (2) John Fane (born 1784), styled Lord Burghersh (1784 - December 1841), 11th Earl of Westmorland (December 1841 - 1859), and (3) Priscilla Fane, Lady Burghersh (born 1793) (nee Priscilla Wellesley, daughter of 3rd Earl of Mornington).

Title and contents pages (pp.57-[64])

Letter from Sir Charles Stewart, Chatilion, to Lord Burghersh, 11 March 1814 (pp.65-[68]) 'My dear B[urghersh] Caulaincourt asked for an interview and conference to day which saved us any direct proceeding. He has given us our in our sitting a Tableau Historique de l'Europe, a great deal of crimination, invective against Austria and England particularly pointing out their aggrandisement etc. etc. in short a most bitter paper. We asked for an acceptance or refusal of our project. He begged us to consider his observations as preparatory to modifications. We rejected the possibility and said the Conference must end according to our instructions. He then produced a declaration which he begged to add to our proceedings verbally viz. that the Emperor of the French would renounce his titles, acknowledge the independence of Germany, Holland under the Prince of Orange, Spain under Ferdinand, Switzerland under ancient constitution and that if it would tend to make peace more durable, France would even cede some of her colonies. The whole of this is so wide from our mark that unless we are devilish Timid indeed I conclude we shall receive orders to break off. However there is no knowing any thing in these strange times. If Blucher could gain a victory Bonaparte would yield to what we desire. I don't think he seems as if he would else and this proceeding is evidently for delay. It may be with manouvring and I think will hold out 6 or 8 days longer and much may happen before then. Keep this all to yourself you know it's sacred. Lady B[urghersh] has given me a letter for you early in the evening which I enclose, she told me you did not get any Grog [?] I send you therefore some good wine and what I have in the larder to day. I send you also Cobbet which may amuse you. You will know when we are likely to move at least 12 hours before in order that you may send your Ideas to Lady B[urghersh]. I conclude we must retire to Chaumont or Langres. Ever yours most sincerely C[harles] S[tewart]'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Vienna, to Lord Burghersh, 19 February 1815 (pp.69-[76]) 'My dear Burghersh As Clancarty is writing a long history to Cooke which you will be privy to it is useless for me to enter into details. I wrote to Cooke some days since by the post; on reflection this was indiscreet, but I hope the letter arrived safe. Since Castlereagh's departure Metternich takes his fling. The Duke wishing to fix him at least to a particular hour in every day to communicate as to progress urged him to this effect. Metternich fixed between 4 and 5 and every day since when the Duke has been (not up as yet to M[etternich]'s pranks) he has found the Minister zum xxxx. I think therefore we shall have a little scrap more especially as there are tableaus, romances and little comedies preparing as more fetes at Court. At Switzerland we are still working. Austria had ceded the Valdeline and now wants to get it back for her Italian arrangements. It appears Marie Louise objects to the Austrian arrangement and will not yield her rights by treaty to Parma, this has caused difficulty. The Emperor Alexander with his usual chivalry supports Maria Louise against her Papa, Eugene seems in the plot, and there is still a kettle of fish about Italy. I want to give the P'cess imperiaux only for an Arrondisement[?] for my friend D'Iveraries at Geneva. We are all except a certain Minister, d'accord about Murat and I hope this will be managed well. Castlereagh got a guarantee from the Emperor as to Turkey previous to his departure, this is a great point. You keep such great house at Florence our Austrian minister can keep no pace with you and has desired his recall. You are to have a Monsieur and Madame Abone in their room. She is reckoned pretty and pleasant here, but I don't know her. I send you the project of the Declaration at the close of Congress. It is an outline. How far it will be ultimately fiated I know not. Alexander says it is "Tres Beau" "Idee charmante". Still [I] think on looking at the map of Europe and seeing the enormous near projecting position of his empire he will like soon to bring his acquisitions in line, and having a salient point forward he will ere long deploy right and left and with 500,000 men at his back. He is a bold man, who will say where he will stop. It is vain for Europe to hope for a long peace while Russia is actually on the Oder. I don't like to send you the Protocols etc. even by a messenger as I know not if it is permitted as yet to promulgate them. But as soon as I can you shall have all things in detail. Adieu. Believe me always Yours very sincerely Stewart'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Vienna, to Lord Burghersh, 3 March [1815]; received at Leghorn, 10 April 1815 (pp.77-[80]) 'My dear B[urghersh] I have written a long letter to Lady B[urghersh], and I know not that I have any thing to add worth your perusal. You will see we shall all have to draw our swords again and your melodies at Florence must yield to the sound of trumpets. I am a little afraid Bonaparte may be too rapid for the Duke. I believe the Army in the Low Countries very unfit. Our own troops never have seen a shot fired and are young. The Guards all recruits, the Hanoverians without officers. I have no idea of the Dutch battalions being great things. The German cavalry are the only weapon that is tolerably reported on. We must get every thing we can from England and at least 10,000 cavalry and then we shall do. Let me hear from you and Believe me Ever yours most sincerely Stewart L[ieutenant] G[eneral]'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Vienna, to Lord Burghersh, 15 March 1815; received 25 March 1815 (pp.81-[84]) 'Lord Stewart presents his Compliments to Lord Burghersh and has the honour of transmitting to him a copy of the Declaration of the Eight Powers relative to Napoleon Buonaparte. P.S. News are just arrived from Paris by a Prussian Courier, who left it on the 7th at mid-day, that the news of Buonaparte's landing reached Paris on the 6th. The King immediately convoked the Senate and also the Corps Diplomatique and told them that no fears were entertained, but that he had a little gout, which annoyed him. Paris was quite quiet and the National Guard called out with an excellent spirit. Monsieur set off with Marshal Gouvion St. Cyr to take the command at Lyons, the Duke of Orleans to Cambray, and the Duke of Berry to Metz. Marshal Suchet to Strasburg, and all the Generals who were at Paris, to their posts. Buonaparte had advanced from Castellano to Gap, from whence, it appears, he retired again to Digne, towards the Sens. No mention is made of Soult in the report.'

Letter from Lord Stewart to Lord Burghersh, 30 March 1815; received 10 April 1815 (pp.91-[92]) blank back page only

Letter from Lord Stewart, Vehnigen, to Lord Burghersh, 16 June 1815 (pp.109-[112]) 'No.1 Duplicate My Lord I have the honor to forward herewith a dispatch for your Lordship which reached me under flying seal, together with a letter I have this day addressed to Lieutenant Colonel Church directing that officer to place himself under your orders, agreeable to instructions received from Viscount Castlereagh. I shall arrive at Heidelberg this evening having as one of the Plenipotentiaries at Congress affixed my signature to the different articles of the Treaty previous to my leaving Vienna. So soon as I have communicated with Prince Schwartzenberg and find myself au courant of the military affairs in progress I shall not fail to take every safe opportunity of communicating to you in the most confidential and unreserved manner. Your dispatches will be forwarded by me whenever they arrive with all expedition, and I am sure your wonted zeal will keep me constantly informed of events near you. You will of course detach Lt. Col. Church to any corps or employ him in any manner most conducive to the publick service. But in the event of your having no particular service for him from the entire concentration of the army, if you direct him to return to me I will endeavour to make him serviceable with some corps on the Rhine. I hear Colonel Coffin is with the Piedmontese, and Colonel Leake in Switzerland, I shall open communications with both these officers and recommend you doing the same. I send this despatch to Lord Clancarty at Vienna with a request he will forward it by special messenger to you wherever you may be and I shall send duplicates from the headquarters of Prince Schwartzenberg by his conveyance to General Frimont's headquarters. I have the honor to be My Lord Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant Stewart Lieutenant General'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Heidelberg, to Lord Burghersh, 22 [June] 1815 (pp.121-[124]) 'My dear Burghersh I lose no time in sending you enclosed such details as I have already learnt. Our glorious and incomparable victory has been bought dear. But in the lamentation over our friends we must be supported by considering to what a pitch England's military fame and the name of Wellington have been carried. In breaking to you poor Fitzroy's having lost his arm I ['could' deleted] can equally assure you he is doing well. Poor Hardinge with Blucher has had his hand carried off by a cannon shot. I have no detailed accounts from our army but the enclosed are heads of what I have collected. We march tomorrow to Manheim, on the 2nd we shall be at Kaiserslautern, and on the 9th at Nancy when I hope to come into closer communication. I do not write to Lady B[urghersh] as I know not where she may be but I conclude you'll take care of Fitzroy's misfortune being broke in a proper manner to her. Ever yours most affectionately Stewart'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Venice, to Lord Burghersh, 14 November 1815 (pp.125-[128]) 'My dear Burghersh I have been here with Daring and Brown about 5 days and I never saw such a D[amn]e Hole as this is in my life. The people are horrible, filthy, venal and disgusting. They drink more than their canals, and I should die were I condemned to live here long. The Emperor will I believe stay until the 1st week in November when he will go to Milan. As I have my horses there, I probably shall go somewhat sooner. But I am very uncertain as to my plans. I rather wish to see Rome and Naples, and as I believe my sister is coming to Florence, I should hope to see you and Lady B[urghersh] there for a short time about the period of her arrival. I have a small box for Lady B[urghersh] which pray tell her with my best remembrances I will send the first safe opportunity. Your Grand Duke was here for a few days, but went away the day after my arrival. I have not had a line from England since I left Paris now near 5 weeks. I have seen a great deal in a long tour I have made. Pray let me hear from you here, if you can give me any intelligence, news or English papers and let me know how Lady B[urghersh] and you all are. Is Mrs. P[xxx] coming to you. Who are all at Florence. Pray protect Ward, you will find him very sharp and clever. I hope also I may ask Lady B[urghersh]'s protection for my sister. God be with you Yours ever S[tewart]'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Venice, to Lord Burghersh, 19 November 1815 (pp.135-[142]) 'Private My dear Burghersh I have figured in an official despatch to you in order to open something like communication between us, as it is possible it may be useful to H[is] R[oyal] H[ighness]'s affairs in Italy, and it may thus be worth while that the publick should be at the expence of an occasional messenger, even in these times of reform and aeconomy. I have a letter from Castlereagh in high spirits at the conclusion of his labours. The Bourbons are behaving very foolishly attempting to lower the Duke. I hear the Duc de Berri said Wellington could never be a great man, because il est un parvenu. The Duke of Wellington told this story himself at a large dinner at Castlereagh's so it must be true. The Duchess d'Angouleme told old Blucher when he went to her that she was very glad to see him and respected him as au moins vous etes consequent. In short it appears there is no end to the folly of these people. I would send you all the officials but I have scarce myself waded through them as I had six weeks letters yesterday and I have nobody to copy volumes which these are like the Congress papers. I think [S]t. Aubin takes a trip to Milan with 1/2 dozen secretaries. He will [not] get through them. What are your plans. Shall you come to Milan to make your bow to the Emperor. When is Lady B[urghersh] to be confined. I suppose about the time of the Emperor's arrival at Florence. If you have no good amusements I think I shall (if there) like to see Rome and Naples. My sister and Ward are changed to Lisbon, I regret this much on their account, but I suppose you will have your old hand again. Pray don't delay my messenger as he goes to Milan on the important concern of getting me a house. If I come to Florence with the Emperor you must look out for a good billet for me. I don't mean en militaire for we ministers pay high now. Farewell my dear B[urghersh] Believe me ever Yours very sincerely S[tewart]'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Venice, to Lord Burghersh, 5 December 1815 (pp.143-[146]) written by secretary 'My Lord A messenger arrived here from Paris yesterday which he left the 23rd ultimo. Lord Castlereagh signed the Treaty on the 20th November at night, both with the French government and with the Allies and settled every thing to his entire satisfaction. As the messenger had despatches for Naples I forward him by Florence and avail myself of this opportunity to enclose your lordship the papers enumerated in my last despatch for your perusal and information. Having no copies I must entreat your lordship to send them with the least possible delay to Milan by messenger, for which place I set out in a day or two, purposing however to go by Mantua and Genoa. There are besides these papers some notes to the French government to place our relations as to internal measures on safe and good grounds, but as yet I can not forward them to your lordship. I understand there is no doubt of the issue of Ney's trial and La Vallette has been convicted before a jury. These examples will do a great deal to sustain the authority of the government. The Duke de Richelieu expects to be able to dispense with the presence of foreign troops at Paris by the end of the month. I must beg you lordship to communicate any thing you conceive important and that we may be ignorant of, to his Majesty's minister at Naples. I have the honor to be with great truth and esteem My Lord Your Lordship's Obedient Humble Servant Stewart Lieutenant General'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Milan, to Lord Burghersh, 29 December 1815 (pp.147-[150]) 'My dear B[urghersh] I have explained to your wife that I am a stupid beast about the box. Pray look out for a nice quarter for me, take it for a month or 6 weeks from the 18th of February. I have a letter from Castlereagh of the 4th. Every thing political quite smooth at home. France has agreed to the Ionian arrangement. Maitland now at Malta is to be the Lord Commissioner. The King of the Netherlands and the King of Sardinia having both accepted the arrangement of Paris, the Bavarian point alone remains for Clancarty to settle at Frankfurt. This will still cause trouble. Bonaparte arrived at St. Helena on the 22nd October. He was out of sorts at landing not liking the aspect of the island. I have no more in my budget. Austria is pushing Sardinia on the Semplon, but it will not do, and this fine work wil be lost. Is there a good wine to be had at Florence? How would it do for me to have apartments in the Inn. You know I have all my establishment of cooks etc. with me as if on campaign in a small way. God bless you Ever yours S[tewart] [PS] The despatches are gone'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Milan, to Lord Burghersh, 15 January 1816 (pp.151-[154]) written by secretary 'My Lord Colonel Sir Loftus Otway, having arrived from England charged with dispatches from Lord Castlereagh, I avail myself of his means to send your Lordship the precis of my last letters to England and to request that you will, in return, dispatch Sir Loftus, when he is inclined to leave Florence with any intelligence or news in your quarter. I should have availed myself of your correspondence with the Court of Rome, to have opened some business entrusted to my care by Lord Castlereagh for Cardinal Gonsalvi, as also to use your influence to settle the religious differences, n[ow] existing between the King of the Netherlands and the [Pope] but having met Cardinal Litta here, and gone fully into these objects, agreeably to the instructions received, I can only intreat your Lordship, from your intimacy with Cardinal Gonsalvi, to [appraise] him that nothing will be more gratifying and agreeable to the British Government, than a fran[k] settlement of the existing disputes with the Low Countries detailed in a memoir, transmitted to Cardinal [Go]nsalvi, by the Dutch Minister at Rome. [Re]ports were prevalent here of the plague having [bro]ke out near Naples. I beg your Lordship to acquaint me, if you have any intelligence [of] this nature. [Si]nce Schwartzenburg arrived from Vienna some [day]s since, and Count Stadion is expected immediately, [damaged] new arrangements for the army, and the new [damaged] of finance are to be finally submitted to the [Emper]or. [There] is no positive determination taken as yet, by [the] Emperor as to a visit to Naples, it will be [deci]ded after Count Stadion's arrival. [Pri]nce Metternich is still very ill with an [infl]ammation in his eyes. I have the honor to be Sir Your very obedient servant Stewart Lieutenant General'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Milan, to Lord Burghersh, 6 February 1816 (pp.155-[158]) 'Private My dear Burghersh I received your despatches last night by the messenger Fisher and whatever may be my zeal for publick business I have always a greater desire to combine obligations to ones friends, with the regular mode of serving the publick. I may be blameable in this, but some how or other I must love my friends better than any thing else in the world. Having an opportunity by 2 gentlemen travellers, I forward your despatches and my own this day to England and send back Fisher to you with such news as is worth your and Acourt's knowledge, having had occasion to address him particularly on one or 2 points. I address my dispatch to him under flying seal to you, this saves time paper and copying. I congratulate you on Great Diamond order. Would to God I could connect all ['my own' deleted] mine into a single jewel. I have however procured one here in the shape of the most beautiful Titian ever beheld restored from the grave. There is evident symptoms now of no sejour at Florence, and the Austrian court will pass all their time here. This is almost certain. However, I can hardly reconcile it to myself not to take just a trip to see you and Lady B[urghersh] being so near you and certainly I should like to see Rome and Naples. Don't however under present circumstances commit me further as to house or expences. I will write when I know more positively again. What a pickle our friend Wilson has got himself into. Intrigue where wilt thou lead?? Ambition what is thy seduction! I am going (I believe) into retirement for life. Adieu my dear fellow. I long every minute to see you and talk over many old and odd and new and silly things. Best regards to Lady B[urghersh]. Ever affectionately yours Stewart'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Milan, to Lord Burghersh, 15 February 1816 (pp.159-[162]) 'From my heart I wish you joy my dear B[urghersh]. But how the Devil am I to send your excellent news. I put Fisher into your hands twice and you have let him escape. I told you particularly to keep him with you, and send the bags etc. on to Naples by some of your people near you. If Sylveden had not come up here I have no one. Meades I sent off with some important news three days ago. I am in despair and in a quandary. But indeed it is your own fault, just as careless about preserves for sure communication as you used to be at Troyes. God send me a good deliverance. What is to be done. Ever yours S[tewart]'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Vienna, to Lord Burghersh, 8 May 1816 (pp.163-[166]) 'My dear Burghersh You will see by my official transmission etc. the cause of my sending Adamberger. It is inconvenient to me, but as I think the progress of the negotiations at Naples may be arrested if the late dispatches do not quickly arrive, I have not hesitated even in these economical times. I hear all our salaries are about to be reduced and God knows if we shall have wherewithal to keep a decent appearance. The F[oreign] O[ffice] write in horrible spirits losing their candle ends and cheese parings, Castlereagh says. The nation last year would have given millions to save the continent, at this moment the continent and those who saved it sink into insignificance compared with an imaginary saving by the reduction of some trifling office of £1000 a year. I have written Lady B[urghersh] all my jabber, so I have no more for you but to assure you how much I am your most affectionate friend S[tewart] [PS] If you will part with a brace of your pointers at any time and send them by Adamberger you will very much oblige me'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Vienna, to Lord Burghersh, 13 September 1818 (pp.167-[174]) 'My dear Burghersh I was delighted to see your hand writing although I was on the point of writing to you and yours by Jablonowski. As he will give you the little news this place affords in the absence of Metternich it is only necessary for me to inform you, that after innumerable storms and hard weather I have got my battered vessel near into port. However as there may be shoals and quick sands even at the harbor I don't like to tell you to wish me joy until all danger is passed. I hear certain peers are so consequential for the sake of being so, that I should not be surprised if I still had a breeze to encounter that may be disagreeable. However if Frances and I live they can not separate us long, so let them do their worst. Your friend Phelpps has behaved to me throughout most friendly and loyally, and I hope if you ever write to him you will express how much I have made his eloge to you as that will give him pleasure. I trust my dear friend we may meet next summer in Italy, as I think a little person will be most happy to take a trip there, and I shall be most delighted to gratify her. I don't think Aix will last long, unless something unforeseen occurs, and I should think the main Act will be confined to the pure and simple evacuation and 2 treaties one between the Allies and one between them and France. This with the treaty of evacuation as far as I learn will be the principal measures. How France will be managed is the Question. But her true position is not to be an integral party of the Alliance but to be the ally of that Alliance. Metternich was very kind as also the Emperor in wishing me to go to Aix. I have written for orders but my belief and indeed almost my wish is to remain quietly here. You will hear of a certain Commission at Milan. Brown is gone to join it. It is to be kept very secret, but I doubt how long this will be the case. It should have been instituted in my opinion long ago. If you have any thing for Brown write to him at Milan. God bless you my dear B[urghersh], I have time for no more as Jablonowski waits. Believe me ever with the sincerest regards Yours most affectionately S[tewart] [PS] In Metternich's absence I can do nothing about Appony's stupid mystery. They are in fact a little ashamed of their pxxx dealings.'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Vienna, to Lady Burghersh, Florence, 2 December 1818 (pp.175-[182]) 'I almost fear you have discarded me from the list of your correspondence as I have not heard from you this age. I know I should have written to B[urghersh] if not to you from Aix, but somehow I hardly ever do what I ought. I am really anxious to learn how you go on and if you are grown fat and stout, and having no other means of ascertaining it must bore you with a few lines. I am just returned to Vienna and although the meeting at Aix la Chapelle was to me very interesting on account of my brother and the business was conducted there, still in point of other amusement it was very flat. We had no English there except the attachees. These I call Lady C[harlotte] Greville and daughter, Lady Hervey, Miss Catton etc. Catalani was giving concerts and the Princess la Tour and xxx thes and now les distractions are all told. I think the Duke since he has been fitted into the Emperor of Russia's own uniform and become marshal of that Empire as well as of Austria and Prussia has adopted the rxxxx, and certainly he is, if possible, greater than ever. I have not been able to discover Lady Charlotte's great admiration for him. Can you tell me? Pozzo is grown fatter and grander. He wrote one or two admirable papers but to me he is less pleasant than formerly. Metternich was a little idle and Madame de Lxxx set her cap at him and I believe she flatters herself with some success. The Castlereaghs went by Paris to England. He has certainly acquitted himself better than ever and stands deservedly high among the ministers and sovereigns of Europe. I hope therefore in time other people will be reconciled to him. I have not heard from your mother [since] God knows when. I conclude she considers me now as not worthy a scratch of her pen. She says all men change so much when they are married, and being married or going to be are synonimus. The death of the Queen will call Parliament together about the 14th January. By that time I shall leave here so as to be in England for my own affairs, some days after the meeting. Mrs. Taylor by all appearances is disposed to continue her malicious efforts, and I fear Romilly's death will make no other difference than placing her brief in the hands of others. I know not how things will be managed but I do not suppose I shall be delayed very long. Our court go into Italy in February and remain till July. I should not think it improbable that I should join them there with my new convoy. The Emperor of Russia is expected here the 12th for 10 days. We shall give him a manoeuvre with 30,000 men, a boar chase with 1600 boars and probably balls, tableaus etc. at court. People here however are rather sick of finding themselves at great expence by imperial order. I will write to B[urghersh] next post. In the mean time give him my kindest remembrances and believe me ever my dear Lady B[urghersh] Most affectionately yours Stewart'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Vienna, to Lord Burghersh, Florence, 30 December 1818 (pp.183-[190]) 'My dear Burghersh I have been lazy in not writing to you for this age. But the fact is you have not been much more diligent towards me. An entertaining letter from McKenzie received yesterday obliges me to scribble to him, and I can not send you an enclosure without adding a few lines. With regard to politicks, the Emperor of R[ussia]'s visit here passed off harmoniously, but there was nothing very extraordinary. I don't think the territorial question at Francfort of Baaden and Bavaria have been much approximated. Some other publick questions, slave trade, Barbary powers, mediation between Spain and her colonies remain much as they were at the close of Congress. The news from France is not what it ought to be, but the Ambassador here thinks the ministry will still keep together. The Distresses in the money market have occasioned another decision with respect to a more protracted period for the payments. I think the Emperor of Russia improved in every way since 1814. He inspires more confidence, seems more quiet and unless he is the falsest of men or hypocrisy personified, it is impossible to hear him converse on every interesting political subject without adding faith to what he utters. His diplomatick agents may intrigue par principe to keep up the northern influence in the southern kingdoms and to make this Great Emperor the Referee, but we are all deceived if the Emperor Alexander has any real mischievous intentions or if he swerves from that alliance which has accomplished and will secure the peace of Europe during our lives. You will lose Apponey soon as he replaces Jablonowski at Naples. He goes, as you know Ambassador to Spain to recruit his finances. On this account I thought it as well not to express great discontent about the former when he was here. He dined with me once, but I took little notice of him. There are several great places here vacant, military and civil, on account of recent deaths, but I have not yet heard who is to have the artillery in the room of Colonso which is the most important towards a radical reform in it. Schwarzenberg is valuable. He is now sitting to Laurence who I have here going on with his mission. He will proceed from hence to you and then to Rome to paint the Pope and Cardinal Gonsalvi. I know not that he has any noted military or diplomatick character to take at Florence, but I have no doubt you can select for him some rare work of nature out of your quondam studies which would hang well even amongst his dandies. They consist in Emperors Alexander and Francis, King of Prussia, Metternich, Neselrode, Capo d'Istria, Hardenberg, Duc de Richilieu, Suwaroff, Czernicheff, Blucher, Plattorf, Schwarzenburg, and the Pope and Gonsalvi fill up the collection. Lawrence will not finish here much before February when he will be with you. He is a delightful companion and a great resource to me now McKenzie has written me the humours and adventures of Les Voyageurs de Vienne. I always lament a woman's fault and the lower she is fallen the greater object of compassion as she will in the end pay for it ten fold, but I confess there is a clique of coarse feeling and bad taste in late accounts from Italy, which bereaves me of all common respect and civility for an object who certainly at one moment had a considerable influence over me. Paul, it is said here, is now tres heureux avec se femme. I go to England in a few days from whence you will hear of me if you do not from me. Don't forget me, nor allow your wife to do so, for although I have many errors, want of affection to those I value and who deserve really to be esteemed is not in my character. God bless you Ever your most affectionate Stewart'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Paris, to Lord Burghersh, 1 September 1819 (pp.191-[194]) Endorsed 'after his marriage on his journey with Lady Stuart to Vienna' 'My dear Burghersh I have been very shabby in my correspondence of late, but a man newly married has, you know, beaucoup a faire. I am rejoiced to hear such good accounts of Lady B[urghersh] and your young heir, and though she never will be reconciled to Florence still this little hero is the best antidote that could have been awarded. I am much happier than I deserve to be, which is what I never can thank God enough for. I think I was never really bad, but perhaps it is but too true in life that I never was really good. I think I shall be so now. We leave this tomorrow for Switzerland, the Tyrol and Vienna. When there you shall hear from me and pray let us know how you go on. I hear there are large diplomatick changes, but I know nothing of them. I wish my friends success, but I have no power to aid them. The enclosed is for Lawrence. I am anxious it should reach him soon. Pray try if you can convey it to him. The Lord alone knows where he is. Lady S[tewart] joins me in best wishes for the prosperity of your young heir and remember me most affectionately to Lady B[urghersh]. Believe me ever Yours most sincerely and faithfully Vane Stewart'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Vienna, to Lord Burghersh, 25 May 1820 (pp.195-[202]) 'I plead guilty to your accusation, my dear Burghersh, in having been extremely lazy and inattentive in not writing to you. But as I have already told Lady B[urghersh] it arises out of new habits of sloth, and I trust you will never believe it is any diminution of friendship. With respect to not keeping you informed of all that passes here in political concerns, you are unfortunately so much out of the beat of messengers, and one can write so little by post that it is really not worth while to send you scanty reports of all I scribble, and to cypher and decypher all that goes would be greater trouble to your people and mine than it is worth. You must not be angry with me for signing a routine paper to you about a vagabond sort of Englishman who presented himself here. The police suspected his story, and wished to know, from you, whom he quoted, if it was true, and my secretary wrote the letter with the other trash of the same nature. I have done all that Rumdale [?] has required about the necklace, and it is now lodged by Mr. Pinge [?], in the hands of Messrs. Arustedt and Eccles until further enquiries can be made, and steps taken concerning it. Pinge [?] says he bought the necklace from a man of the name (I think) of Louis Tercy. However it is probable the rogue has half a dozen names. The Emperor has left Vienna for the marriage at Prague, and Metternich went last night to join him, after having terminated with great credit to himself and with general unanimity the great work of the Federative Treaty. It will certainly add another bulwark to European security, and I can not help thinking, however radicalism may work at home, or liberation blaze out in France, revolution rise up in Spain or anarchy shew her head amongst the infatuated of Germany and Italy, that the perfect union existing between the great monarchs added to this mass of treatys in the centre of Europe will ensure us, as long as we live, from all new war or from such scenes as we have witnessed in times that are passed. Those times, my dear fellow, were most interesting, replete and big with events, which we little thought of as they rolled on day after day. But when quietly one looks back one can hardly believe that we have seen and we have lived as we have done. From England you hear, as I do, nothing of great secrecy is ever detailed at so great a distance. I am not however over pleased at what I get at ex officially. The reports of the change of administration have subsided but the dissatisfaction in a high quarter will subsist, I should think in a higher degree from the mortification of not having succeeded. Of having the odium of abortive wishes without the fruit. In short however smooth the atmosphere, the clouds may lower at a short warning. I am very sorry I own for a certain change because when an arrangement is understood by the fashionable world and that it has worked long, without glaring offence and never any mischief in point of intriguing in the hands of the lady, it becomes a harmless and quiet understanding. But when this is laid under and the new born vanity of another deeply intriguing spirit embraces every occasion to develope itself, when maturity of years no longer affords excuse for downright publick exhibitions of amorous dalliance and where lastly the date of the private affairs of one of the parties should render a new history just now most dangerous. When all this occurs, I say, how can ['any but' crossed through] sincere and devoted friends not deeply repine. I fear the new favourite is in her heart attracted to her brother's politicks. Your attachee's appointment has given great umbrage to the old world. I will write soon again my dear friend. Believe me ever Your most sincerely affectionate Vane Stewart'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Vienna, to Lord Burghersh, 18 September 1820 (pp.203-[210]) 'Private My dear Burghersh I profit of Jablonowski's departure to send you a few lines, although on publick points I have little to say. Jablonowski will put you so much in possession of all the language here that it would be quite useless for me to write any thing. I sent you in cypher the Austrian propositions. I have not heard from home since, nor is there any thing new from Warsaw. The refusal of the Emperor of Russia to receive Cxxx and his renvoir from hence are two good points. Our friends the Austrians take things up in a high tone and Metternich is so determined that I think they will succeed in restoring the King of Naples to an unfettered exercise of its rights. It will be very difficult, when the present junta and carbonari are put an end to, to know what to do to satisfy the nation and to prevent Naples being a burthen to the other important objects which Austria has to attend to. But I have full confidence in Metternich's wisdom as I have seen him of late at the Congress here manage the contradictory interests of Germany with so much dexterity. The difficulties in our business at home, I hear are immence. They do not expect the defence in the Lords until December. It will be January before they get into the Commons. The examinations at the Bar will then be interminable new points of law, and difficult constitutional questions arising at every step. However, if our Government go straight forwards, patience and perseverance and vigor will carry them through it. There never was such a D[evi]l incarnate as the Lady. I have been obliged to give up Pest as we look for conference here. The D[uke] of Cambridge who has been here 10 days is gone there and the camp will be interesting. I conclude we are now anchored for the winter in town. Our house is undergoing great alterations and we are very miserable in it. Lady S[tewart] is pretty well and wishes to be remembered to Lady B[urghersh]. Give my affectionate remembrances to her also, and I am delighted to hear you are forming a battalion so rapidly in true revolutionary terms. God bless you. Believe me ever Yours most affectionately Vane Stewart'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Vienna, to Lord Burghersh, 2 October 1820 (pp.211-[216]) 'My dear Burghersh I am quite amazed at the delay in the transmission of my last communications in cypher for ACourt. And, what is more singular, Count Golowkin sent me some packets to send at the same time to Sachelberg and Brown informs me these were sent to you to forward and yet you mention nothing of them, nor has there been any intelligence if they come ['to' deleted] safe to hand. Pray have the goodness to let me know if you have heard anything of or seen these Russian dispatches. I regret my dear friend that I can not communicate with you as fully and as confidentially as I could wish. 1st because I do not view the state of affairs in Italy with your aspect nor do I agree in the sentiments you detail. 2ndly I know that your mode of expressing yourself has been reported in an unfavourable manner to this Court. As I have no mode whatever of confidentially entering into full explanation with you, all I should recommend and enjoin, as a friend, in these fearful times is great caution in all you say as every thing is noted down, and probably the worst interpretations are drawn. From your long habits and intimacy with the Austrians, you should rather see things with Austrian eyes than Neapolitan, at least so is expected from you, and if they hear you do not you may rely on their not keeping it to themselves. Thank dear Lady B[urghersh] for her kind postscript. I am rejoiced to hear she is well, and your boy so nice and beautiful. I am not in spirits about our English news, and the times get worse and worse. Lady S[tewart] desires to be kindly remembered to Lady B[urghersh] and give her very best love. Believe me Ever yours most affectionately Vane Stewart'

Letter from Lord Stewart, Troppau, to Lord Burghersh, 21 November 1820 (pp.217-[220]) 'Private My dear Burghersh I have not answered your official letters as of course you are to act upon your own judgement and responsibility. I could only give you my information and state my own determination, only to give English officers etc. passports to Florence, where, as the scene opens, the best judgement may be formed of the actual business and inducement of 1/2 pay British officers ['have to' crossed through] proceeding to Naples, where at least there must be a great desire to give employment to officers of experience and I know not if our government could permit it, if they gave up their 1/2 pay. I am persuaded my dear friend, from the tone of your letters, that we differ upon principles in this great question. No private letter can do justice to our reciprocal views, why then enter at large into it? We both respect and love each other too well not to give each other credit for acting to the best of our judgement. Our situations are critical and embarrassing and the crisis is about to develope that must decide those nuances that I can not help observing in more than one point of late exist in our political notions. I do not think it out of the cards that we may meet in Italy when I have no doubt as in times of old, we shall ponder over all our most secret ideas. If I have not been a good correspondent of late, pray forgive me as I am much worried, indeed, overwhelmed here with papers etc. and separated from Lady S[tewart] at a moment when she requires and richly deserves all my care. You know me too well not to enter into my annoyance. Lady B[urghersh], I am sure will delight to hear of our prospect and as I have presumptuously prohibited her anxious desire to come here, in these horrible roads, and ['in' crossed through] taking a long journey. I trust as she is in her 5th month there is no dread of a similar accident with last year. I just receive your letter with the account of your boy. God in his mercy be praised. I do so thoroughly enter into all that she must have felt, that I am agitated [indecipherable crossed through] about it more than I can tell you. Pray let me know how things go on. I shall be uncomfortable unless you write. Give her my kindest love. Believe me ever yours most affectionately Vane Stewart'

Draft letter from Lord Burghersh, Florence, to Lord Stewart, 2 December 1820 (pp.221-[222]) 'My dear fellow You must have entirely forgotten me, if you could for a moment fancy that I could be either Austrian or Neapolitan or that either of these gentlemen could put me in their pockets. Whatever bias I have must be most decidedly in favour of the former, not that I could sacrifice one jot of my opinions to him, or that I should disturb myself as to his opinions of me. An amazing ass, the Austrian minister who has now left this, and whom I know to have represented something of the sort you mention, was too contemptible selon moi to take notice of, and had too little sense to know that with every feeling of regret for what has happened, one may take a fearful view of the consequences proposed for remedying it. Fearful as well from the principles upon which the remedy was to be applied, as from the danger which nothing but a man devoid of sense must see, to the person desiring to apply it. I have always felt that England never could sanction or at least become a party to the principles broached, and I am delighted to find myself confirmed in this. You ought to know me too well to allow an insinuation, such as you mention, to have been made without repelling it with the disgust I confess I should feel if such was made to me with regard to you. Upon this you may rest satisfied, however, that every effort I was capable of would be made to strengthen Austria in what he has and all the influence he ought to desire for it, but that he has hitherto been his own most bitter enemy, and that he threatens to continue so. I will say more when you feel you can resume confidential communications with me. Signed Burghersh'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Florence, to Lord Burghersh, 12 February 1823 (pp.223-[226]) 'My dear Burghersh I return you your memoir with many thanks. No doubt you will obtain the most distinguished testimonials of its merits. But having been engaged in the scenes to which it refers, I can not deny myself the satisfaction of expressing my admiration of the clearness and conciseness with which you have brought out the most essential features and striking points of the memorable era which you treat. I should have been tempted to scribble 2 or 3 memorandums as observations on that part of your work which immediately bears upon the Battle of Leipssick and the Prince Royals proceedings. But not having my papers here, I forget dates, and my remarks might be confused. If hereafter when I get to England and refer to your book again, I can write any thing that may be interesting to you on this part of your memoir, you shall know. Believe me ever Yours very sincerely Vane Londonderry'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Rome, to Lord Burghersh, 21 February 1823 (pp.227-[230]) 'My dear Burghersh You will be glad I am sure to hear we arrived safe her, although Lady S[tewart] was terribly fatigued by the journey and quite beat. Indeed so much so , that I fear we must forgo all thoughts of Naples until another campaign, and I think in 10 or 12 days we shall be on our road back to Florence, but I will let you know exactly when we think of starting, in order that you may be good enough to calculate and stop our letters accordingly. I have as yet no private news from England. The last authoritative and official defiance in the Courier has somewhat quieted my feelings. I hear H[is] M[ajesty] says he not only likes now but loves Mr. C[anning] and that the opposition mean to toady him with a hope that he will bring them in and turn his back upon his friends. From all general appearances, I can not yet believe in War. I have no news from Vienna since I saw you. I see that Wellesely and Clanwilliam are gazetted. Pray be so good as to find out what is the lowest Madame Grimaldi will take for her Carlo Dolce and if you can subjugate her through your arts, perhaps at my return I will give her the coup de grace. In society this place is dull, but we have the Leeds's and Rennards all nice people. My best regards to Lady B[urghersh] in which Lady S[tewart] joins, and believe me ever Yours most sincerely V[ane] L[ondonderry]'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Milan, to Lord Burghersh, 10 April 1823 (pp.231-[234]) My dear Burghersh We arrived here 3 days since having passed a day in Parma with your friend Marie Louise, where we had a dinner, a concert and a dejeune a la fourchette. Nothing could be kinder or more civil [?] than she and Le General. Lady S[tewart] was unfortunately very ill, while at Parma, and indeed she has suffered so much from travelling that I have abandoned all idea of going to Genoa, and shall proceed to Paris as fast as possible. We probably, however, shall be detained here still for several days as our boy has still his cough very bad and we cannot ascertain if it is the whooping cough or not. From England I have no news except an on dit that you are to get promotion immediately and that Ward is to succeed you at Florence. What can this mean? I still am all in perplexity as to what our operations will be after Easter, when Mr. C[anning] develops our Foreign Relations. In my own opinion the tone of the ministry and opposition has only tended to practice an impudent and base fraud upon the Spaniards by giving them hopes which we can not desire to realize without in the smallest degree arresting the progress of the French. As to their movements if they really are to take place the sooner they are commenced the better. They will have bloodless victories in my view of xxx's energy and preparation and must resort to their national system of lying in their bulletins to gratify French vanity. I hear Victor on his arrival at the army found every thing in the worst possible state as to preparation for a march en avant in commissariat and other arrangements. Bubna's language here is quite anti action. That is to say he declares Austria has nothing to do but to stick to England, and turn her back upon all Russian entreaty or effort to mix the least in the war. I should think from this that Metternich with his usual address will play the game of his own court and be as far as possible neutral. I've dine[d] with Strassoldo today, as yet I have not seen him or the Viceroy. Give me a line I beg to Paris or indeed here it will reach us to say how you all are, and when I get further northward if I hear any news that can be interesting to you, I will not fail to write. If the Duke of Leeds is arrived at Florence give him the enclosed. If not, keep it until he comes. Our kindest remembrances etc. to Lady B[urghersh] and believe me ever Yours most sincerely and affectionately V[ane] L[ondonderry]'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Holdernesse House, London, to Lord Burghersh, 12 July 1823 (pp.235-[242]) My dear Burghersh I have been very remiss since our arrival in England in acting as if I had entirely forgotten all your kind attentions and friendship while at Florence. But the fact is I have been so principally and incessantly occupied I have not had a moment to myself. I heard with the greatest grief that your dear boy had been ill but almost at the same time of his perfect recovery which speedily allayed my anxiety. I also learnt that Lady B[urghersh] was in a way to give you many more, which I ardently hope and pray, and that she will take care of herself and do nothing giddy or foolish. Pray tell her this with my kindest love. Our children are, thank God, quite recovered and Lady S[tewart] still holds out of bed, against every appearance and probable calculation. Our boy is very much improved indeed since his illness and is without flattery a very pretty child. What a blank I feel here you can well imagine, but I try for those I belong to to keep up my broken hearted spirits and to do as well as I can. You will probably like to know what I hear and think of the state of things. I should conjecture that the machine does not work as was expected and the D[uke of Wellington] has hard work to keep things together. However the conduct of the Government may be right upon the line of neutrality, Lord Liverpool and Mr. Canning's speeches have ruined us with our foreign allies and we may fairly congratulate ourselves on being 'toto divisos orbe Brittannos'. Every thing is done amongst the foreign cabinets abroad without our knowing or hearing any thing whatsoever. The Lievens, Esterhazys etc. have little or no communication with our Foreign Office, and the Spanish subscriptions and Spanish balls etc. makes these foreign embassy so irritable and enraged that the Society is much changed in consequence, and things are in many respects most unpleasant. Mr. C[anning] in the House of C[ommons] has very much failed in working for the Government and taking up the proper tone, which was expected. Occasionally but rarely he states his own opinion but he never places the Government and they are one and all dissatisfied. Peele holds off from jealousy, it is said. Robinson has done best, but the whole Treasury Bench look different ways. I do not think the D[uke of Wellington] is satisfied with either Mr. C[anning] or Lord Liverpool and if I was to judge from what he has dropped, it is with the greatest discomfort and annoyance he carries on the Concern with them. But the question is how to mend it? The King is very decidedly better, and is now giving parties etc. He talks of sailing. You know of course Lady E.C. match is off and I think they are trying again for the D[uke] of D[evonshire]. With respect to other London gossip, I am a bad person, as I have scarcely stirred out since my arrival. I think Mrs. Pole looking remarkably well, your father not so, he swooned (I hear) at Almacks the other night, and to my eye is certainly very much altered. Town is clearing and every body going different ways, therefore we shall now have no news till next Session. Whether things will then go on in the House as they do now I think very questionable. I have never been near the F[oreign] O[ffice] and know no news of your shop from you. I learn none of us are supposed to have any right to pensions and if asked for will be refused. This therefore looks bad for those want to settle at home. God bless you now my dear Burghersh. Give my affectionate remembrances to Lady B[urghersh]. I ardently hope your dear children may go on well and all happiness attend you. Ever yours most affectionately V[ane] L[ondonderry]' [PS] My Corregios are the wonder of the world

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Holdernesse House [London], to Lord Burghersh, 16 June 1824 (pp.243-[246]) 'My dear Burghersh I am very grateful for your kind resolution. Had my life been any thing but a constant scene of badgering and had I not known you would receive all the details of Mr. Battier through the publick prints, I would have bored you with an account of the adventures of this Johnny Gilpin, and the inadvertent manner in which I was hooked into his history. As it turned out, he challenged me, because he was sure I would not go out with him. But being deceived in this his subsequent conduct shewed up the contemptible nature of the wretch. Many abuse me for condescending to give him satisfaction. But in this country I am quite sure that whatever man refuses a challenge on any grounds whatsoever, is always more abused than if he accepts. And as to being shot at, you should know how very indifferent this is to us. I hope dear Lady B[urghersh] is well and her little ones, the last I heard was that she was not quite stout. I heard C[annin]g wanted to oust you to Sweden, to get in Lord Frances and I am glad you have properly disappointed him, sooner or later however, he will fish out all he chooses or he will shipwreck. This latter is a consummation in my mind devoutly to be wished. The D[uke] of Wellington looks very unwell, and is alas! not what he was or else I think he would not so quietly submit to the discordance evident in the Seat of Government. Maryborough I see is very very angry with him and indeed Brothers ought to support each other. In Parliament every thing has been smooth by the Opposition flirting with Canning. The K[ing] is more devoted to hisr family than ever, and they have it all their own way. Madame de Lieven started for a journey supposed to be Johannesberg, but stated to be St. Petersburg. She got however very sick at Dover, from some unlucky cause, letters or packets, and she is returned to Town ill and wretched. You know perhaps the diplomacy of all this. Adieu. My best regards to Lady B[urghersh] in which Fanny joins and believe me ever yours most affectionately Vane Londonderry London'

Incomplete letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Wynyard Park [Durham], to Lord Burghersh, 25 February 1827 (pp.247-[248]) 'My dear Burghersh I have just received your kind note of the 8th, and lose not a post in informing you I have ordered Coutts to pay Mr. Bartolini's bill and I have urgently to request you will stir him up and force him to embark the statues with as little delay as possible. How can I tell you news when I am now absent from the fountain head. I am obliged to delay going to London from county business until after the 1st of March. Of course Lord L[iverpool] is politically dead. The fight is between the D[uke] of Wellington and the Tories, and C[annin]g and the Whig party in the Cabinet. You can speculate as well as me who will be victorious. I have so long witnessed the increasing and domineering influence of C[annin]g. That if his health stands, he will I think be supreme. Both parties in the Cabinet in my opinion! will like to keep office and preserve their places, so I do not apprehend Landsdowne, Holland or any Whigs will come in. But I consider the struggle will be whether [second page torn out]'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, to Lord Burghersh, 16 April 1827 (pp.251-[254]) 'My dear Burghersh Our recent sad loss has much occupied my time and hounded [?] my spirits, I have not been able to write or would have done so at this Crisis. That this Machiavelian politician has turned out all our friends is not the least surprizing to me, as I early told the Duke at Vienna what he might expect. But I confess, I was not prepared for such a reign of intrigue, insolence and Upstart dominion as now exists. You will see C[annin]g has formed his government on the sergeants and corporals of the old Tory party and under a strict promise to the K[ing] that Protestant principles are to have the ascendancy in Cabinet. So much for his Patriotism on that Question. You will also learn by his insolent and sarcastick correspondence he has forced out the D[uke] of Wellington and every one that could in his Cabinet be any thing but a Creature of his own. At the same time he tells the Whigs the arrangement is only Provisional and they are to give him at first a Romantick support. The end is easy to be perceived. C[annin]g must by degrees join with the Whigs and overturn the King's mind on Protestantism or he can not hold on. You will be in an Embarrassment my dear friend, but I think I know you. You will sail on the Wellington Boat and I believe no man was worse used of late in the Cabinet by C[annin]g than your father. Fitzroy's loss of office etc. is sad to him, so is poor Hardinge's. But we have all gallantly stuck to our Chief and write these few words that you may be aware there is a gallant squad at home with plenty of pluck for a jolly opposition. Ever yours most affectionately V[ane] L[ondonderry] [PS] My kindest regards to Lady B[urghersh]'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Holdernesse House [London], to Lord Burghersh, 12 July 1827 (pp.255-[258]) My dear Burghersh I have not written to you lately because my ebullition in politicks might not be very acceptable as I shew no quarter, and you can not but be silent as long as you serve. Time may come when we shall be in the same boat together. I am delighted to hear Lady B[urghersh] is going on so well, pray give her my kindest remembrances. I write these few lines to entreat of you to do something for me with that deuced fellow Bartolini. He promised my statues in March positively, and here in July I hear nothing of him. Pray tell me what hopes I have, or if you can do any thing for me. Au revoir bientot mon cher ami. It is the best thing I can wish. Ever yours most affectionately Vane Londonderry'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Wynyard Park [Durham], to Lord Burghersh, 20 October 1827 (pp.259-[262]) 'My dear Burghersh The account of Lady B[urghersh]'s safety and your having got another recruit even at this remote corner, and at a distance so great has given me excessive pleasure. God grant that she may rapidly and entirely recover. The more I see of the world, the more I am persuaded there are few really good people in it and much fewer real friends. The changes of late years in persons and positions are fearfull and makes me consider that to begin to grow old and to look forward to eternal rest is no bad prospect. In the mean time as dum vivimus vivamus. We have had the Duke in the North, and we have treated him en demi dieu. Caesar's triumphs never exceeded the publick entries, illuminations, Dinings, fetes etc. He has gone away richly pleased, and thinks there is some good in us Northerns. It has been bitter pill to the new patch work concern. They think the Duke has been electioneering and say it is foul play and the Whigs can not but admit there has been in the great demonstration of feeling something more than the military victories of 12 or 14 years standing. From what I hear the ex Whigs, Jerseys, Bedford, Grey, Huskisson etc. etc. are more decided now than last session and there will be as many Whigs coming to opposition as there will be any trimmers to Lord Goderich. I think H[is] M[ajestys] Ministers are too divided amongst themselves and too despicable if they could be united to make head against the high aristocracy of both the great parties, and no one has confidence that the Snivelling Blubberer can long be Premier. For this term H[is] M[ajesty] has lately given him in the Herries concern. Lord Landsdowne I hear is an altered man, his friends have told him he has discredited the name of Whig by his subserviency and pleasing and Lady L[andsdowne] is alarmed about his health and spirits, and says he will die if he remains in. Dudley has an earldom for his great Foreign Office Services. His Treaties, his acute diplomacy and his Elaborate instructions to Capo to overturn the Turks and take Constantinople, when he is to become Duke Dudley. A monument is erecting to Mr. C[anning] for his great publick services, but no one can preciser exactly what they are or state any one act. The Blubberer has got the warrant signed for his 3000 a year and so has Huskisson. But you'll hear more of this anon and now I forget, I am writing to a man in Office, and all this will be deemed Faction, therefore it is addressed to your dear wife and not to you. Now do row that beast Bartolini and say if I am ever to expect my statues or not. God bless you. Assure Lady B[urghersh] je la baise les mains and believe me ever Yours most affectionately V[ane] L[ondonderry] [PS] All well chez nous'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Ap[e]thorpe [Northamptonshire], to Lord Burghersh, 14 January 1828 (pp.263-[266]) 'My dear Burghersh I would be unmindfull of many long years of friendship if I did not write to you one line an my first inhabiting the paternal roof. Your father kindly urged Lady L[ondonderry] and I to come here from Belvoir, and we have been 2 days inspecting the chateau, the forest, the shooting and we did not forget the church. There is a magnificent possession here and great capability, but that it is not in apple pie form nor in the stile I like you know. However nothing can exceed the hospitality and your father's wish that all should do as they like. We have the Becketts and Mrs. Arbuthnot but the rest are a forest of Fanes, all very worthy people but much of the same stamp, without variety. We inhabit a nice old bed room on the stair case and my dressing room is a little grenier en haut, very snug. But one of these days I may suggest to you an improvement which will prevent very cold walks these cold early mornings. I told your father, meaning a great compliment, his gallery was delightful and if I had it I should always live in it with 2 chinmeys. So you may when you have it, stopped my mouth from further observations. We are going to Burghley and Belvoir again and shall be in Town by the 22nd. And now what do you say to his gracious M[ajest]y being obliged to take back the Tory dictators without one effort or intrigue on their part. Pray give us malignants some credit for managing opposition well. It is a glorious crumbling to dust, ashes to ashes, and rubbish to rubbish. Were I near you and my lady I think I could make you laugh at a great deal I could recite. Doodle will send you a farewell dispatch and Goodey will put the post script and the Lord go with such miserable drivelling stuff, as Goodey has plainly shewn he can neither ride nor drive nor lead. We must een leave him to kick the rest of his bright career of five months and 11 days in which he resigned and took on again about eleven times. Peace to such ashes. The Duke's tack is very difficult no doubt and I fear he will let in Huskey's club, which I shall much deprecate, but I must hope the best. Nothing whatever is yet settled. But we Tories will have it run our own way. My best and kindest love to dear Lady B[urghersh] and I am ever yours most truly affectionately Vane Londonderry [PS] Pray work up Bartolini for me'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Paris, to Lord Burghersh, 29 April 1828 (pp.267-[270]) 'My dear Burghersh I fully intended to have written you a line by Lord Albert Conygham but he was gone before I knew of it. I send now these few lines merely to say that my lady and I have been gallivanting at Paris for 6 weeks and that we are now on our return, and it will be very kind of you if you will refresh Bartolini's memory again about our statues, which I fairly think now he will never send to us and I can not finish the arrangement of my gallery without them. I know nothing new from England. The Duke seems at the summit of all earthly power and all is abandoned to his controul. He is beyond dictator in Roman story. That supremacy was often adchieved by faction and intrigue, but in the Duke's instance it seems to be by a complete surrender of the publick mind to his genius and fortune. I have put together my memorandums on the Peninsular campaigns. If I had the vanity to believe Lady B[urghersh] or you would look at them, I would send them. But I live to see and know I am forgotten by all my old friends. Heigh Ho! It is a sad but true reflection. Next year I shall amuse myself, having nought else to do, with 1813 and 1814 and at Chatillon etc. you may find yourself portrayed. Ainsi hereafter my 2 volumes may be installed in Apthorpe library. My kindest love to Lady B[urghersh] Ever yours most affectionately Vane Londonderry'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Wynyard Park [Durham], to Lord Burghersh, 19 November 1831 (pp.271-[278]) 'My dear Burghersh I am very glad to see your letter dated from Brighton as I know Lady B[urghersh] was anxious to get fresh Sea Air and it always does children good. Indeed in these times we have nothing to do but to take care of ourselves and see if we can escape the general swamping that seems to surround us. All feelings of publick Conduct and publick Spirit are become dead and mortified by the imbecile Apathy of the Monarch, and the weakness which pervades his Character makes me feel we shall have no Security or Peace in England until the Almighty delivers us from his Reign. The Case as to the Bill or a measure as efficient stands thus, Lord Grey and his colleagues are pledged to it and bound, if any thing can bind them to a common Act, except the Determination, come what may, to stick to their places. The Majority of Peers, appear to me, in Honor, in Conscience, in Uprightness, in Justice to their Peerage and their Ancestry, [bound] to resist again any Bill that can be shewn to be as effectual in revolution as the last Bill. What then must be the issue? All the intimidation which has been used against the Church and the late Majority are so many additional grounds in my Mind for us Opposition Peers to adhere to our principles and our Votes. For Base and Cowardly indeed must that mind be, which delivers an Opinion before God and his Country, and then abandons it from the Menaces and Machinations of the Revolutionists and the Mob. The crisis therefore in my Mind must resolve itself into this. Either the king must make Peers, and then the Country becomes not worth living in, or by His Majesty's Resistance (of which I have no hopes) some better but, at present, totally unforeseen Chance may arise to give us more breathing time, if it does not save us from the gratuitous and Wanton Deluge ['of' deleted] which Lord Grey has been pleased to inundate this hitherto happy Country with. The Cholera at Sunderland has added much to my private Anxieties as well as the State of publick Events which has made My thoughts most gloomy on general politicks. Although I am persuaded the accounts have been largely exaggerated, still that an unusual Epidemic reigns there can not be denied. And with Wife, Children and Servants who are all of the weaker and timid Nature it is not quite easy to stem all Rumours, Apprehensions and daily Histories that arise. Still I felt that had I abdicated and given way to the Alarm, the mischief that it would have occasioned in this Country would have been incalculably. It would have been the Tocsin for a general Emigration. Neither Lords Cleveland, Durham, Ravensworth or any Feature of note is now resident here but my family and myself, and with the large number of persons in my employ my Fears would have given general dismay. Whatever I may therefore individually feel, and however I may be ill at ease in my own Mind, for those I love and cherish far more than Myself and whose early age may make their Lives valuable, while mine has run for more than half its Course, I have determined to put the best face I could upon the General Position and place my faith in Providence more than in any of the Doctors or their Reports. I wrote my Letter however to the Standard to give all the Confidence I could and by going over to Seaham and Sunderland 2 or 3 times a week, I shew outwardly no Apprehension while I trust my Children etc. are as safe here as they well can be. I am very glad you approve of the Course I have taken as it is always gratifying to know ones friends think one has done right . I hope the Duke will intimate to those at a Distance in time what he wishes them to do. Having taken my line here and doing all the good I can I should be very sorry to move till after Christmas, indeed I should like to stay in the Country as long as possible, and I could send my proxy for the meeting. Unless, therefore, I hear it is particularly wished, I should not stir for the meeting if it is so early as the 6th of December. You however will hear the best intelligence and I shall take it as a great favour if you will communicate . Now as to your own position, I do indeed think and you must excuse me for saying so that Lord Westmoreland behaves extremely ill to you and nothing can justify such Conduct. A paltry expenditure at Lyme (if he is sure of a return of which I suppose there can not be a doubt[)] should not in justice or fairness prevent his bringing a Son forward, whose position diplomatically and militarily is known in Europe! A niggardliness as to spending for such an object in Lord Westmoreland is bad toward the Country and bad for an old Servant of the Crown long in office and long personally enjoying the advantages of Government. If he thinks he is as well represented by another in the H[ouse] of C[ommons] as by you, he grossly misses himself. I am not one who would preach Disobedience or Disconduct against paternal decrees, but I do think nothing can justify Lord Westmoreland's insouciance towards you on this subject. Now my dear B[urghersh] you ask me if I should know of any place for which you might come on, to let you know it, and I do understand by this that Lord Westmoreland would pay for a seat for you, or pay any Chance Contest. If so, let me know, I always find things are to be had for money. But I much fear Lord W[estmorland] will say no, and you know without money how few seats could be had. But surely the D[uke] of Wellington's means (more especially against another Parliament) might provide for you [three lines torn off] I wish you had been able when at Apthorpe to have come on here. I think you would have been pleased at all I have done, we are now really very comfey. Seaham Harbour also promises well and I have made up my mind to work on as well as I can in my own little Nook and in my own humble way until le bon Dieu chooses to call me elsewhere. Kindest love to Lady B[urghersh]. Pray write on a bad day which is (I know) the Devil at Brighton, of all places under the Globe. Ever your most attached friend Vane Londonderry'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Wynyard Park [Durham], to Lord Burghersh, 8 October 1832 (pp.279-[282]) 'My dear Burghersh I was delighted to see your handwriting, and as you say nothing of your own health, I trust it is quite re-established. I have not written to you since we parted, as really in this secluded North I could only give you Electioneering Anecdotes, which (ignorant of the locale) could not much amuse you. I have had a hard fight here to make any stand against the overwhelming Whig power, which aided by the ingenuity of Durham contrivances and the most Liberal Bailey Myrmidons at his and Lord Cleveland's Back, entirely counted upon Ten members here as their own. Their Rage and Malice at finding any head made against them and giving them the Expence and Trouble of Contest knows actually no Bounds, and even if I should fail in unseating any of the Whigs, I shall at least have the satisfaction of making them empty their purses and bow down their heads. However, I hope for good luck and to carry 3 Conservatives out of the Ten, which will not be bad work if you knew all we have to struggle with. I have fortunately a fine little Fellow as a candidate in this North Division, and his 2 Duels in one Day have placed him on the pinnacle of fame. I rejoice very much to think that your father is at last doing what is right. Had I been him however in these Times you should have been for the County where they request you, and your brother for Lyme. If our great Tories will not exert themselves, if Hertford turns his Back and Lowther goes abroad and others act tamely and indifferently in the same fashion, there is an end of Conservative Power forever and Nothing now will ever get the Whigs out. Had the King given us a chance before the new Parliament by dismissing Lord Grey, the game might have got into our hand. I think a Quarrel might have been picked with him on his still suffering the Political Unions etc. [and 'deleted'] if there had been a change I should have expected a great ralliement in the Country. But the Truth, so long as Royalty is bound up ostensibly with Whiggery, you can not get the moderate men in the Country to budge. But place the King in jeopardy or put him with a new Tory ministry on a good Quarrel with the Whigs, and the inherent Attachment to Monarchy in the Nation would break out. We have sad uphill work now but it is a raison de plus in my Mind not to go to sleep. Having done all I can here I set out tomorrow Bag and Baggage for Ireland, as I trust not Downshire. Still I think Frederick is impregnable. In Londonderry I have made 300 more votes and the 2 Conservatives are sure. I hear Mcdonnell talks of Antrim again. But he believed it last time and I shall steer clear of him. We have had people going and coming here. Acting English French etc. etc. [and 'deleted'] have been the order of the Day and time passes and Alas! we grow old. I shall be back here by Christmas. Pray write and keep me informed in Paddys land - direct Mount Stewart N Ireland Best love to Lady B[urghersh] and Ever yours most affectionately Vane Londonderry'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Wynyard Park [Durham], to Lord Burghersh, 5 March 1834 (pp.283-[290]) 'My dear Burghersh I see in the paper of this morning with much concern the account of Lord Westmoreland's illness, by the sad mistake that seems to have occurred. As one never knows by newspaper accounts what is the real history of the case pray send me a line here saying how your father really is, and assure him of Lady Londonderry and my interest as to his illness and speedy recovery. I have little to tell you since I wrote last. I hope to see you after Easter but we certainly shall not come up sooner. I hope our Northern commercial concerns are wearing rather a more favourable aspect, but the truth of it is all us coal owners are in a very bad way. I rather expect McDonnell down in a few days and I wish very much we could tempt you forward. But we are quite alone in a dark house and I fear it would be very boring to you. It seems sadly unlucky the effect of Chandos and Sir E.R's motions were so completely lost by that beast Ingleby. Hanging and quartering is too good for him. Had the country remained under the impression of those divisions much good would have arisen. As it is I am inclined to believe with their infernal good luck when they are at their last gasp, our blessed ministers will now weather the session and I consider le juste xxx system will hold them up, while we Conservatives dare nothing and will do nothing. The dreadfull accident of the Bxxxdons child is an awful lesson to all parents, and whatever bother and miseries we all may have, we are at least comparatively blessed so long as we are spared such dreadfull visitations. I suppose the Duke is at S[tratfield] Saye as I do not see he is attending the H[ouse] of Lords. The D[uke] of Cumberland writes me word he is sure a crisis is approaching and that things can not last as they are. I own I am not so sanguine as H[is] R[oyal] H[ighness]. I hear W[illiam] Bankes is with every one just as before; I wish you would tell me if he dines out every where, if ladies receive him of a morning and if there is no awkwardness. Have you seen your neighbour Lord L[owther]. How does he bear his loss. What a lesson of the awful truth of 'In the midst of life we are in death'. Poor creature the suddenness of this exit is well described by Mrs. Norton in her old binding book, in the last number of her magazine wherein I think I trace Lady Jersey, Lady L[ondonderry], Princess Esterhazy, Prinncess Lieven etc. I trust Lady B[urghersh] is getting quite well now you are so frisky. I saw great xxx of her paintings in the B[xxx] Gallery God bless you My dear fellow Believe me ever Yours most sincerely Vane Londonderry'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, St. Petersburg, to Lord Burghersh, 4 January 1836 (pp.291-[294]) My dear Burghursh I was much rejoiced to see your hand writing, but deeply regretted the intelligence your letter conveyed of your dear wife's misfortune, for though you are blessed with Cchildren sufficient, still I believe a Mother always feels poignantly such a Calamity as has occurred to you, and the Health of the poor Ssufferer is a long time restoring. However God grant you may be able to send me again soon some satisfactory intelligence of her progress toward perfect recovery. You seem to have enjoyed yourself in the Land o'Lakes. I know well the joys of Abercairny and Co. and can well imagine that as garcon you engrossed des Grands Attentions and que vous vous etes bien tirer d'affaire. The Picture you give of Home Politicks is sadly gloomy, but I fear, true enough. This Session will be passed as the last. The Muzzle on the Peers, the attendance slack in the Commons partly from Disgust and partly from idleness on our side, and the Bills, as last year, sent up by small Majorities which will be rejected or remodelled by the Lords being whipped in after Easter. This is so entirely my opinion that having heard from no one that Attendance is desirable, I shall not hurry my private movements and shall certainly not be in London till after Easter, when some Railway and Coal Concerns will force my presence. Our sejour these last 3 weeks here has not been so fortunate as dans le commencement. Both Lady L[ondonderry] and Seaham have been very ill and have enjoyed nothing. The Climate clearly agrees with neither and we have had some very trying Weather, one day 25 Degrees of Cold, the next a complete Thaw and 8 or 10 of Heat. These immense Transitions are very trying especially if the age of Seaham, and I believe no girls from 12 to 18 ever get on here. Perhaps when you are born here or long used to it you may sustain the Temperature and the sudden Changes without serious Mischief, but to us oiseaux de passage, it is very bad. Lady L[ondonderry] and Henry are so thin and changed it is melancholy to see them and the former has been deprived of all the numerous Dinners, Balls, Gaieties etc. I only wait till the end of the Month to get a good Frost well established, to cut our stick, for I can not bear to see my Companions so poorly. As to me, I delight, and so would you in this place, le luxe est pompe beyond what I ever saw elsewhere, in Reception, Splendor and in all the Dsirables of Life. The women though not positively in Consistency and firmness equal to our English Material still in Tonsure, Dess and Agrement they are very fascinating. The Dress and Toilette indeed beats every thing in Paris, London or elsewhere. It is in vain to tell you how we have been overpowered with kindness from the Imperial family and the Emperor has presented Lady L[ondonderry] with a more splendid Specimen of Malachite in Table and Vases than ever yet has been seen in England. These proofs will at least shew our Enemies that the Old School are appreciated abroad for their own Sakes. I have seen a great deal and have written a great deal on this wonderfull Colossal Empire which is not at all known or estimated chez nous. My memorandums, if I don't publish them, may amuse you some of these days. Lord D[urham] is very ill. He can not possibly remain here. He has passed Gall Stones and has been in great Agony. Who will Cupid send to replace him? Pray write to me to Berlin on receipt of this. How Old some of my Old friends have grown there. God Bless you my dear friend, make my kindest love acceptable to Lady B[urghersh]. You don't say one word about the marriage. It is fine to see us Old Gntlemen (not you xxx) getting hold of the prettiest and nicest things going. Believe me ever your most affectionately and sincerely Vane Londonderry [PS] Since writing the above the Emperor has sent me the Paris Medal (Russian) of 1814, in the most flattering manner, in order to witness the great funeral Ceremony of Alexander. He has also sent magnificent Table Ware of malachite to Lady L[ondonderry] and a Vase of Porcelain Pedestals to me. If the Radicals thought to do us mischief they never could have done me so much good in their lives, as I am treated as if I was a Victim!!'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Dresden, to Lord Burghersh, 7 April 1837 (pp.295-[298]) My dear Burghersh It is impossible I can read in the papers the affecting calamity which it has pleased Providence to assail you without expressing my deep condolence and without assuring you that no friend you have can more sincerely deplore than I do the severe and bitter suffering to which your poor dear wife must have been exposed. Alas my friend we know not the causes of these inflections of the Power Divine but they make us feel, who have passed the hey day of youth, that we are all hastening to the same bourn and one is only astonished when the young are cut off instead of those whose more natural turn it seems to be. I see your father has rallied again and why should your dear child not have been spared as well as him. But all this is unfathomable. I must beg of you to give me a line to Paris to say how dear Lady B[urghersh] is. For her I feel most poignantly for I know what an agonizing trial it must have been for one of the best of mothers. I trust in God your other children are all well. I know nothing of the sad particulars but just the report in the journals. I always thought your eldest girl so strong and healthy. We are thus far on our way coasting homewards. Lady L[ondonderry] has suffered so much from fatigue and hardship that she is hardly to be known, she is grown so thin. Still there is no real illness about her and when she can get repose and quiet she will, I trust, recruit again. But this is not easy in our present life, for as soon as we arrive at any Court, we are immediately feted and feasted and there is visiting, dressing, dinners early and parties late. In short it is never ending scene of worry. You will be glad to hear I was not made less of by our old friends the Prussians at Berlin than at Petersburg, though their receptions were of less éclat and more homely. Still their cordiality was even greater than elsewhere. We staied near a month. I dined every day nearly at Court or with the Princes and was heartily sick (I own) of 2 o'clock repasts. Lady L[ondonderry] was hardly ever equal to dine out, but we had spectacles, concerts and theatre every night. Lord W[xxx] does the thing handsomely enough. He gave us a grand concert (as all the Corps Diplomatique). xxx lxxx was just arrived, dropped from the clouds into his house, sore against his will, as it still goes on with the Jewess and I believe he is infatuated, but Lady W[xxxx] bears every thing. The King presented Lady L[ondonderry] with a most beautiful jardinere en porcelain with the most perfect painting of flowers and fruit I ever saw. He was remarkably kind to her. He sent her an immense vase with his own portrait. In short, Holdernesse House will nearly not hold all the magnificent souvenirs and cadeaux we have received on our tour. No one but the D[uke] of Wellington can shew such an assembled union of gifts from crowned heads as we shall display on our return. I think we shall be in Paris about the 20th and in London the middle of May. It appears to me we are likely to tick on in statu quo with this infernal ministry. The King is too weak to take an ini[ti]ative having failed last time. The Duke and Peel are evidently disposed rather to remain in a strong opposition and try and prevent mischief, than saddle themselves with the responsibility of throwing these fellows out on a chance only of gaining more strength on a dissolution. The government, as Durham long time told me, will never commit suicide as long as they have 5 votes a head in the Commons, and they care nothing for their discomfiture nor defeat nor disgrace arising from their measures. With this view I have not the least hopes of a change. I see the Chronicle is already explaining away Lord John's declaration upon the failure of the M[unicipal] C[orporations] Bill in the Lords. Warwick I think also will set these chaps up again. It being a set off against Evans. What a mess he has made? Did ever man shew more ignorance, want of talent, and judgement, even by his own dispatch he talks of his regiments being clubbed and intermixed, just as if they ought to be. It seems however Peel is very lukewarm in Carlos's cause? Why? God bless you my dear friend. Let me hear from you at Paris. My kindest regards to Lady B[urghersh] Ever yours most sincerely Vane Londonderry'

Incomplete letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Naples, to Lord Burghersh, 21 March 1841 (pp.299-[300]) - page 299 is numbered 297 in error Under every calamity my dear friend with which it please God to inflict us, the greatest balm to the mind arises from the sympathy of those we love and esteem. Yes, our old friendship is too well established for me to doubt how keenly alive Lady Burghersh and your feelings will have been to our calamity. But what is more, you and her (almost alone) of all my relations and friends, have always (during now an advanced life) been the first to participate with me in all my weal and woe and I thank my God that under all the changes and chances of this mortal life I can look back to our solid and unchangeable intimacy without a shade of alloy. Few can say this after wear and tear of somewhat about 35 or 36 years. Yes, my dear Burghersh, the blow has struck me to the earth, as far as I can be prostrated by a worldly misfortune which carries not living victims to the grave. A, possibly, foolish vanity, ambition (not instigated by selfish feelings God knows) urged me on to establish the foundation of this mansion on a scale and stile that might make my memory dear, when the vault closes over me, to those I left behind. I thought my exertions during my own life enjoying the combination of 2 splendid fortunes I might establish permanently 2 great families without prejudice in the end and with real advantage to both. I strained imprudently all my means, I have waded through 20 years of anxieties of mind, distress and penury in my way (although you may open your eyes wide at this) in order to accomplish my harbour but above all my poor Wynyard. This was my idol, my hobby, my play thing. All the dearest reminiscences of my life were there concentrated, and after all in advancing years I am doomed to learn that the devouring elements in a few short hours has reduced to ashes the fabrick of my labours and beloved creation. Ah! it is sad, very sad, and by some unaccountable misunderstanding and confusion there is not a shilling insured, so all, all is gone never to rise again. I know I have blessings left, my wife, my children. I know I deserve chastisement for my sins, I know we ought not to set our affections on things below. But alas! how weak is man! With all our professions of the inscrutable and unerring wisdom of the decrees of providence, with all our desire to submit patiently and without murmurs, still the pang (so deep rooted) attaches to the rebellious heart and in spite of ones self, in spite of its inutility in defence of common sense and reason. One becomes [subsequent page(s) missing]

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Wynyard Park [Durham], to Lord Burghersh, 25 September 1841 (pp.301-[306b]) 'I feel mortified my dear Burghersh to learn that you are expressing yourself in strong disapprobation of my having refused Vienna. This I regret the more as you more than any one ought to be au fait of all those transactions in 1814 and 1815 which must in no slight degree bear on my determinations. As also you ought to know that in Peel's last Government he offered me Russia as the most important embassy next to Paris, which at that time he did not propose, as I had expressed myself not favorable to L[ouis] Philipe in the H[ouse] of Lords. Now barring the reflection of the sliding scale downward pronounced by Peel himself in an offer far less gratifying than he made me in 1834 I asked myself what I had done to stand lower in his estimation, being conscious since 1834 of having deserved well of the party and the chief. I asked myself if I was the person to blame in my appointment to Russia? I asked myself if the man who made it ought not to stand up for it and defend it, when in one case he had the power to do it, and when in the other, rather than subject him to risk I had voluntarily resigned it. I asked myself finally if office was an object to me for profit or emolument or for credit and reputation, and feeling all the answers to these questions tending to the same point of decision I thought it became me, if I was not worth my meat to the extent he formerly himself had pronounced, it became me to yield the palm to younger, fresher and more vigorous spirits. You are wrong in talking of the importance of Vienna. Now it is no such thing, Aberdeen and Metternich are two old cronies not to have it all their own way. Above all, I believe Friend Aberdeen knew I never could or would be an intermediaire. Old impressions, alas, are not easily forgotten. I think you must have slept over the days at Francfurt. No, my good friend, I do not believe in their hearts either Aberdeen or Metternich ever forgave me my developements to my brother at that period. To renew my old work in my grammar school in Metternich's ante chamber at Vienna; to travel those haunts no longer a Lothair but 60 and a family of young ladies; to have the contrast of the past with the present thrown in my teeth; to live with people at a thousand miles off in whom no common interest can be established; to turn my back at so remote a place from my publick and uncertain property and great political interests both in England and Ireland. And for what? Credit, No! Convenience to the Government, No! They are happy to have Vienna to give to another waverer or Canningite. To gratify my own habits of life, No! Not now. To make Lady L[ondonderry] and my children comfortable and well established? For the progress of the young ladies in life? No. In God's name then what object but one of degradation and disgust could Vienna but be to me. Paris far far different, affording every thing new, tempting, animating, approximating and interesting. The London season always come atable [?] to Lady L[ondonderry] and the girls. And really upon my deliberate judgement if I am competent to the duties of one embassy I am competent to those of another; and that the judgement of the minister of this country should not be led or afraid to contend with the revolutionary spirit in another; and the very reason that is assigned by many as the cause of my non appointment, vizt. that I had done my duty as a military man against the French, would in the eyes of others be precisely the reason why I should be appointed. But they, the French, were not afraid of sending us Soult or Sebastiani and made us gulp it down. But we are afraid of sending such a minor satellite as myself least it should be injurious to the returning cordiality between the 2 Crowns. I remember xxd's praise of Bonaparte, I now hear Peel's of Louis Philipe. I want to know what is the shades of difference of usurpation!! Never mind. Let the new ministers throw off their friends. The day may come. But do not let an old friend run down another when from various intricate circumstances and causes he ought to know better than to do. Best love to Lady B[urghersh]. I cordially wish you joy of Naples where I heard the greatest disaster of my worldly existence. God bless you Ever yours V[ane] L[ondonderry]' [PS] Write me your notion of Department Appointments, where is the hitch.

Copy letter from Lord Burghersh, Apethorpe [Northamptonshire], to Marquess of Londonderry, 30 September 1841 (pp.307-[310]) 'My dear Londonderry I regret only the "strong disapprobation" in the beginning and the "run you down" at the end of your letter. These are bits of poetry but au reste when the subject of your refusal of Vienna has been mentioned and lately by a friend of yours to whom you had written on the subject, I have said what I said to you. My fancy is that V[ienna] is the centre of the great political connexion of this country and therefore a place of the highest importance for any minister or ambassador to hold. I cannot therefore conceive any circumstances under which if I wished for diplomatic employment I could be induced to throw it up or to find fault with the offer. But then I am a Lilliputian, your pretentions are of a different class and I may not be a fitting judge of them and at any rate it is your affair and not mine, and the private reasons you mention are all strong reasons for your consideration, but you could not expect them to enter into the consideration of minister in making his appointments. Here, however, again I may be wrong, I only throw it out as the way in which the thing strikes me, and still continues to strike me, notwithstanding that I have really been awake some part of the time since 1813 and 14. What you say of Soult and Sebastiani is wanting in this essential point; they never trod as enemies on English ground, they never revelled in our Palais Royal and that makes a great difference. I have not time for more but all I have to say is said in a very few words. I most sincerely regret that you are not in one of the high diplomatic situations of the country and if I should be placed in any one, however inferior (of which I know nothing), I shall deeply feel the loss of your old friendly as well as official correspondence. I must end'

Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Brighton [Sussex], to Countess of Westmorland, 19 July 1846 (pp.311-[322]) A thousand thanks dear Lady for your kind confidential. As years roll on it is consolatory to see the early plant not entirely dried up, and however different soils or climes operate there seems a freshness when any propitious wind blows that wafts the same odour and bursts forth the same old shoots. With respect first to the official communication (here returned) I quite admit now P[xxx]'s dispatch is unanswerable except in the way you have decided for B[urghersh]. Again I say one can not judge fairly in peculiar circumstances another man's position. Whatever I might have thought without seeing his correspondence, I now am of a totally different opinion and I am glad you have shewn it me. But ought it to be kept quite private? Because under it B[urghersh]s position is honourable and intelligible. But without it the Conservative party will judge him with severity. However, there is time hereafter for this. The actual sort of inter regnum that exists, the prospects of a dissolution, the impossibility of divining the events of tomorrow, all combine and co-operate in the wisdom of your letting your worldly concerns remain positively as they are at present. On this il n'y a pas un mot a dire. Your account of the Duke's denial staggers me If I had it not all but sworn to I should not have mentioned it as second time to you. But where? can one place belief. Nevertheless my Dear I must say to you, political obligations and discretion 'in these days' seems impregnable on some occasions and on others fragile as the reed that grows. Now suppose I am in duty bound not to act with Party. Suppose I determine not to give advice to any one. Suppose I have no reason to know that if such advice was given it would be observed or followed. I want to know, in the days we live in and in the times we witness, whether a high authority saying to another, if I were in your situation I know how I should act would be a breach of any political understanding. However, it little matters to argue these refinements, the best course to pursue is to try and discover some stable anchor to hold by, to use one's own penetration and judgement, bad as it may be and bereft as mine has been hitherto of success since my poor brother's death. Still as you kindly say it has been straightforward and loyal and independent, and I suppose with all I am worth something by the pains and intrigue some are taking to induce me to declare Stanley as our leader. I hope to be in London tomorrow and will see you Wednesday or Thursday. God bless you, I would write more but it would bore you and so I will release you for the breezes of the main ocean As ever yours C[harles] S[tewart]'