The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-12-23
Miscellaneous.
THE. CLOSING SCENES IN THE LIFE OF LORD
CHATHAM


r... . CHATHAM
The Duke Of Richmond had given notice of an nd
dress to the throne against the further prosecution of
hosities with America. Chatham had during some
time, absened himself from, Parliament, in conse
quence of his growing nfrmities. He determined to
appear in his place this OCCASION and TO declare
that his opinions decidedly at varunce with
those of the Rockingham party. lie was IN a state of
great excitement His medical attendants were I'M.
easy and stongly advised him to calm himself, and
to remnin at home. But he was not to be controlled.
His son William and his son in-law Lord Mahon, ac-
companied him TO Westminster. He rested himself
in the ChancelIor's room ill tho debate commenced
and then, leaning on his two young relations, limped
to his seat The slightest particulars OF that day
were remembered, and have been carefully recorded.
lie bowed, it remarked, with great courtliness
those peers vino rose to make way for him and his
supporters His crutch in his hand lie wore,
as was his fashion, rich velvet cloak. His legs
were swathed in flannel Ills wig was so large and
his face emaciaed, that of his features could
be dscerned except the high of nose, and his
eyes, which still retained CLEAN orthe old fire.
When the Duke of Richmond had spoken, Chat
ham rose. For some lime his voice was inaudibe.
At length his tones became distinct and his action
animated Here and there his hearers caught a
thought expression which reminded them Of
William Pitt. But it was clear that he was no; him.
SELF He lost the thread OF his discourse, hesitated,
repeated che words several times, and was so
confuse, that in speaking of the of Settlement: he
could not recall the Of the Electress Sophia
The House listened in solemn silence, and with the
aspect of profound respect and compassion. The
stiffness deep that the dropping of a hAndker-
chief would have been heard The Duke Of Rich
mond replied with great tenderness and courtesy; but
while he spoke The old was observed to be rest
less and irritable. The Duke sat down. Chatham
stood up again. pressed his hand his breast, and
sank down in an apeplectic fit. Three four lords
who sat near him caught him in his fall The House
broke up in confusion. The dying man was carried
TO the residence Of one Of the officers OF Parliament,
and Far restored to be able to bear journey
TO Hayes Al tlayes,after lingering few weeks, he
expired in his SEVENTEEN year. His bed was watch
cd to the last, with anxious tenderness, by his wife
and children; and he well deserved their care. Too
often naughty and Maynard 10 others,to them he had
been almost effem;nately kind. lie had thEeugh life
been dreaded by his political opponents and regarded
with than love by his political
cutes. But no fear seems 10 have mingled with the
affection which his fondncss, constantly OVERLOOKING
in thousand endearing lerns had inspired in the lit
tie circle at Hayes. ....
Chatham at the time of his decease, had not, in
both Houses ofPurliament, ten personal adherents.
Half the public of the age had been esranged
from his errors and the other half by the exerions
which he made repair his Ills last speech
had sesa an attack at the policy pursued by
the government and on the policy recommended by
,l,a n,,fI onth
his old place in the affection of his country. Who
conld hear unmoved of the fall of tina, which had
been SO great, and which has stood so long -? The
circumstances, too, seemed rather to belong to the
tragic stage than TO real liie great statesman, full
OF years and honors led forth the by
a son of rare hopes, and stricken down in full council
while strainng his feeble voice to rouse the dropping
spirit Of his country, could not but be remembered
with peculiar generation and tenderness. Deraction
was overawed. The voice even Of just and temper
ate censure was mute. Nothing was remembered
but the lofty genius, the unsullied pro6ay, the un-
disputed services, of him, who was no more. For
once, all parties agreed. public funeral,
public monument, were eagerly voted The debts
Of the deceased were paid. provision was made
for his family. The city of London requested that
the remains Of the greut man whom she had so long
loved and honored might rest under the dome Of her
magnificent cathedral But the petition came too
late, Every thing already prepared for the in
iernent in Westminster Abbey. I'D ,t ..,
Though men of all parties had concurred in de-
creeing posihumus honors to Chatham, his corpse
was attended TO the grave almost exclusively by op-
ponents Of the government. The banner of the
lordshp Of Chatham was borns by Colonel Barre, at
tended by the Duke Of Richmond, and Lord Rock
ingham, Burke, Savlle and Dunning upheld the pail
Lord Camden conspicuous in the. procession
The chief mourner young William Pitt. After
the lapse Of mora than twenty seven years, in sea-
son as dark and perlous,hs shattered frame and
broken heart laid, with the same pomp, in the
same consecrned mould, .... .' .. ..tr. .. .