The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-03-28
Vol, 9. No. SO, Whole No. 45s.


O57"An American in England" is furnish
ing the New York Evening Gazette with
an intesting series ofsketches of her public
men, beginning with the paramount statesmen
ofthe day:
Sir Robert Peel, The Premier
ofEngland.
This distinguished statesman is in person
rather above the common size, though not
what might be termed, n large man-his COM
pleXion is light, and his hair what is general
ly called "sandy;' his cheeks full, which di-
minish the size of his mouth and eyes AT
first glance a stranger would not pronounce
him man of intellect or genius-but tits on
ly necessary to attend one debate in tho
House of Commons, in which the Premier
takes part,to be convinced that he is not only
Il man of extraordinary powers, but far supe-
ror to any other man upon that floor-in
fact, though / have been present on many oc-
casions, and sat for hours at time in listen
ing to every variety of debate there; never
witnessed an instance when the most power
fu on "the opposition benches" no matter
on what subject, with or without notice, did
not find his overmatch in "Sir Robert" or" The
TT. Honorable BTOnet" as they term him
His manner il remarkably easy, his tone OF
voice soft and agreeable, and he is entirely
free from that habit Of hesitation, and repeti-
ton and "mtmbhng," which is so peculiar 10
the English. In this respect he almost equals
the best American speakers in fluency, but
there is no violence CO rant, his object seems
TO he first TO convince and next to persuade
in the most quiet and Gmicahe way. i sur=
pose have heard him speak at least fifty
times, and never rec0llect Witnessing in his
manner loss oftempcr lie was always gem
tlemanly and courteous, as if he felt by his
position and power lie required no other
means to carry his object, or that long expert
cncc had taught him that they were the most
efficient means. As lam in the habit oftrac-
ing resemf lances, !,chnuld say that n person
familiar with the appearance of Col. Benton
ofthe United States Senate, would at first sight
he struck with his resemblance 10 Sir Robert
Peel: whilst the voice and manner of the
latter, closely resemble that of the late Mr.
Biddle of Philadelphia.
Duke of Wellington--Parlia@
ment.
On first entering the House ofLords wuz
exceedingly disappointed by the plainrcss 4
simplicity ofits interior, as we'll also by the
uuoslcntatiGus appearance of "thc Peers"
with the exception OF the Bishops in their full
robes and law sleevcs-thc wig and gown Of
the Chancellor on the trooi sack and the less
or wig and less ample gown or black frock
of the officers, CLERKS, secretaries, ushers;
&c. &C., stranger would suppose himself
in an assembly ofpiain farmers and trades
men who had come together TO nominate II
suitable person 10 lecture on agriculture and
trade, for the ensuing season,
| scarcely required any one to point out
TO me the Duke Of Heiiingfou or "tho DliFe,"
as he is almost universally called III Eng
land.
There lie sat, precisely where | was told,
years ago, ! should find him. about the mid
die ofihe front bench on the right hand or
"minsterial SIDE" ofthe table, in bis almost
invariabIc posture and attitudc-his arms
folded close over his chest, his legs extended
out. and feet scross-and trim shaped har
with a very narrow brim pulled down and
resting on his nose. altered my position
several times that might see more of his
face, but in vain; there he sat, as ! supposed
asleep, but not so, he was wide awake, lis
tening attentively to Lord BroahGm, who was
at the time in some humorous and
sarcastic filings at the architect and architec-
lure of the new House ofParliament, now in
progress of being finished. The Old Duke
would occasionally lift his hand trumpet
shaped) to his ear,to catch drop in the voice
of the speaker, and resume his folded up po-
sion again.
The subject changed TO the reading Of
some long report ola committee on railroads;
through WHICH lne duke sat III inc same poo
siion and GppdrGnt'y taking u good sound
nap; the reading finished, to my equal suIa
prise and qualification 1or had great Curl
osity to see more of him, and TO hear him ol-
SOL he unfolded his arms and legs, ard tak-
ing off his mai 1,J:rc"oached the table.
The Lord Chancellor, from the "Wooi
Sack" pronounced in quiet and clear voicc3
'IHe Duke oFHeIlineton;" and "the Duke"he-
gan with "Nie Luds" aud here he put his hat
down on the table, and on he went from "Me
Luds" to ''your Ludships," and "this-thisE
This report me Iuts,n and "I-I-' and 'yer
Ludships can't mistake" ''this-this report is
not Legislative, mo Luds'' and 1hen he
would give lhe table a crack with his hard
bony hand,and shake his old head and leath-
er cheeks, aud shear, hear, HEAR" would fol-
low from all sides--clear as light 10 them, no
doubt; as also TO the reporters, who We're all
busy putting down what they, from long
practice, know he intends and means and ac-
tually does say-but could not catch (though,
within twenty feet or less ofhim,) two clear
sentences. His style ofspeaking 2
is entirely "Steeple-chase"--he sees his oh
iect, and goes directly at it, and though diff,
cult words come in his way, like deep bitches
or thick bramhles, he tumbles through and
over them, and generally comes out first; as
found in this instance, on reading his "clear
and lucid views"neXt morning inthe Times
"The Duke of Wellington" gives evidence
in his personal appearance of a severe cons
flict going on between seventy-siX years of
time, and strong iron-bound constitution,
hard worked and severely disciplined, and
sometimes one side has it and sometimes
another-when off his guard, his under
lip will fall, and his head will shake, and
his voice sound husky; and then again nc VIII
brace up, and put sold Time" flat on his back
and walk along like man of fifty.