Southern Argus., 1841-12-14
From the. Alexandra Gazette.
THE CAUSE OF CAtTNlNG'S
nEAFrNIJ
DEATH

The extract below, from Blackwood'S
Magazine, for February, 1928, will be
read with deep and melancholy interest,
by those who remember the
brilliant minister whose genius gdorned
the country and his age. Canning died
Just after the close of the parliament ses-
sion of 1927; and though there are few
who will believe his death was The result
of mere chagrin, his graphic account Of
the influence of Lord Grey's Ph!lPPle,w
let the reader into sad CO nPre lenSion
of the pains of greatness:
1t was not out ofthe quiyer of the ex-
Ministers that the shaft was taken, which
was hurled with such calm and deadly
strength against the new Premier, Can
ming: Had the memorable speech which
was held up by Mr.. Canning to such cod
and bitter scorn, come from one of the
Tories, it might have been imputed to an
ger, to vexation, and desire of revenge;
but the blow came from quarter where
no such artfce could be usei to parry 1t.
The new Premier had suffered the COM
mon fate of those who trust TO lntrlg1e
and dex.erity, rather than 10 bold and
manly sincerity; he had no real friends,
no one to throw his shield over hlm IN
his hour of need, and save him from the
stern vengeance of his naughty enemy.
Lord Grew saw his opportunity and smote
him to the earth. The newspapers ofthe
day gave no adequate idea of the wonder
full effect of Lord Grey's speech on the l,
of May. While he was speaking, and
pouring forth invectives, which fell Ike
torrent of bitter waters, full upon Cannlngs
devoted head, the House of Peers, which
was extremely crowded, hung with breath
less attention upon his word, and when
he had concluded no man rose up TO gam
sly that which he had spoken. Mr.. Can
nings party stood aghast at the fearful cas-
litigation of their leader, and the Tories tel
that any thing more would be supe.fiuous
In a few minutes the House was empty
mems minds were too fuIf of what the.
had heard to allow them to address them
selves to the ordinary business OF tn
House, and it adjourned almost lmmedl
ately, notwithstanding the earllness OF tn
hour. The news flew about as swift
: the wind, that Lord Grey had destloye'
Mr.. Canning in the. House Of Lords, an
/, it soon reached the Premier himself.
The iron entered into his soul-he foun
r he had climbed a pinnacle only to be tn
2 more conspicuous TO scorn; but ne wa
) not man 10 sit down and weep under b
: modification. His bitter thoughts lashe
\ him into fury:
!, "Tis not in words to tell the power.
The despotism that from that hour,
Passion held Ger him."
6 He became fierce and almost savage
i his language and department. He cou
IS not command his temper even when
II addressed the House. The heat of i
chafed blood preyed upon his health, viii
: his noble tormentor, far from relentin
) los 3 opportunity of mercilessly repea
! ing he blow he had given. and thTowil
u the superioritv of "his order" into
u teeth of the -fated votary of popul'
nt itv..whi elevation he opposed.
Sc It is said that Mr.. Canning intended
10 have closed the session with furious {
in plosion of his wrath, against the House
r I,ords--an intention which all the entls
- ties of his friends would hardly have P
= vented him from carrying into effect, |
: not The accident which happened to
Speaker It tho critical moment lrende
II. ii impossible for him TO occupy the cf
he daring heightened speech The sess
ch therefore closed without this opportul
ght of venting his burning heat; but his fri
The could not bear the agitation which he
- fered-he sank down exhausted. His