Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-07-19
English Celebrities.


sentences he describes day with Charles Jame
Fox, the Demosthenes of England. de intro
duces us to the great orator statesman at noon
when he was "lounging over late breakfast
slipping his chocolate aud amusing himself witt
the latest and most piquaut Partisan gossip
He is surrounded with books and papers "a:
miscellaneous as his acquaintance" A stray
volume of Tacitus is beside the Italian opera
the new Racing Calendar is csrelessy tossed o.
YER his old Eton copy of Thucydides. Every
thing about the man, in fact, indicates the min
gled life of business and dissipation, of study
and friyolty, into which he plunged with pas
sionate energy. Friends come in, and with
them the orator saunters to his club. There al
flock round him, charmed with his wit and wis
dom, and the Prince of Wales, takes him aside
for confidential chat. A ride in the Park
follows when the chariot of the Duchess o
Devonshire is reached, aud with the loveiest o
reigning beauties Fox holds long and pleasant
converse. He dimes with Mrs. Armstead, who
should long before have borne the name she
afterwards adorned, that OF "Mrs. Fox" The
dinner is q briel repast, for the presence of the
Whig leader is required in the House. He ha'
to answer Pitt on some great question, and
though lie rises and speaks at first in an awk
ward and hesitating manner, yet in few min
utes he electri6es his audience, and finishes amid
thunders OF applause. Then comes the sad
conclusion OF the hitherto glorious day. The
statesman sups at Boobies, aud thence hurries
off to the gaining-house, where he remains long
after the summer morning has dawned. How
humiatipg the thought that such stupendous
genius could siuk So low, and that the mighty
orator OF the evening should "stagger home to
his lodgings ruined gamber9" With all rever.
ence for that greatest OF our American statesmen
and orators, the kind hearted, genial Daniel
Webster, there were many points in common
between him and Fox. Our excellent friend,
Charles Stetson, could make a very pleasant
book out of his experiences OF the great expound
or.
Maddyn gives US an anecdote of Lord Broug
ham, which, true or not, is equally amusing
1t is only another instance of what a thing OF
chance is the government OF the world. The
merchants of Paris expressed the true philosophy
of happiness when they begged Neckar, the
French minister, to let them alone. A poet has
said
OF governments it is confessed,
That which is best administered is best,
which is pure nonsense, and very like some OF
the editorials of our public journals since
Austrian despotism if well laid on, comes under
the category. All government is restraint
upon human action and impulse; and it would
be as reasonable to say that prussic acid, if well
administered, is good physic. But now to Lord
Brougham.
One day, as Brougham was leaving the House
of Lords, he met friend who was proudly
escorting two very handsome young ladies.
"Ah! Brosgbam," was his greeting, II am sorry
you are leaving, because my fair young friends
had made up their minds to hear you address
the House." "Tlen," retorted Brougham, cast
ing an eye of admiration upon his expected au-
dience, 'they shall not be disappointed" and
forthwith he returned into his accustomed place
among the peers, whilst the ladies were escorted
to the gallery. Lord Melbourne was then in
Office, and when the first pause in the proceed
ings occurred, up jumps Brougham with ques-
ton upon some intricate matter Of foreign policy
The poor premier smiles amiably but hopelessy
he is not acquainted with the facts; no notice
has been given him of the question he is very
sorry, but must inquire for information. This
was all that Brougham required. Once more
he rises, but this time with that terrible frown
upon bis brow and that rugged voice with
which he knew SO we'll how to crush an oppo-
nent. A philippe against the incapacity OF the
minister, the negligence with which public at
fairs were conducted, the shameful supineness
aud indifference manifested by the advisers OF
the queen, was poured forth with all the rough,
stroug, rapid eloquence Of which this man alone
was capable.
Lord Melbourne covered in his seat; the ru
mors of this great speech brought loungers from
the Commons to listen to what seemed the
death blow of the ministry; Queen Victoria
herself heard what was going on, and treInbled
for her amiable minister leading article APP
peared in the next mornings Times, treating the
speech as something of the last Importance and
it was only made after all to please pair o
pretty women in the gallery who took it as they
would any other tribute of homage to theiI
beauty-a boquet, box at the opera, white
bait dinner, or O new bonnet.
DR.. Maddyn does not seem to have anything
pleasant to say about Sir' Robert Peel, one o.
the most repulsive, cold -bluoded machines thai
ever wore flesh about him. Cobbett hit him tt
nicety when he said "he had a ball OF cottor
where his heart ought to be, }" and that "he hat
no more soul than a spinning Jennys;" ant
Disraeli was equally happy in likening him to &
rogush lad, who found the Wings bathing one
day, and stole their clothes-alludiDg to h
introducing the very measures be had resisted
all his life We give two specimens OF the grea
bread -cheapener's manners.
One day, Sir Robert Peel was riding, nea
Birmingham, 10 company with one OF the lead
ing professional celebrities of London, then OF
u visit with him at Drayton Manor. They
passed new and handsome villa, which Si
Robert Peel pointed out as belonging to one o
the chief professional men in Birmingham.
"He is" said Sir Roberts companion, 'on
of the oldest friends have in the world, and i
Is nearly twenty years since | have taken hin
by the hand, although | often correspond will
him."
"Oh!" said Sir Robert Peel, "I'll drive yol
up there with pleasure" and the coachman wa
ordered to drive to the villa.
"And you must come in with me, Sir Robert,
said his companion "my old friend will an
sure, be proud OF seeing me with the prime minis
ter in his house."
Sir Robert consented to go in.
The greeting between the two old friends wa
cordial and Joyous. The family, also, at first tel
much pleasure at receiving Sir Robert Peel
The honors of the house were performed will
grace and hospitality. A choice luncheon, ad
mirably served, was Immediately set forth, ant
the prime minister sat down to the table, From
the time that Sir Robert Peel entered that vill'
to his leaving it, he never opened his lips no
Joined in the conversation!
~ would not have minded it as far as mysel
was concerned" said the eldest son of the gen
lenan who owned the villa, ''but my father i
one Of the most respectable professional men il
England, and in his way just as respectable
man as Sir Robert Peel's father, and bitterl,
felt for the affront to him.
Yet Sir Robert Peel meant no affront. 1t wa
simply the fault OF his manners, which at times
we're most ungracous.
But while leading the House under the Vel
iington cabinet, Sir Roberts manners were
,,eculiarly stited and repellant At that time
L.1 ,,,n., aittnr in tho Hnnse of Commons