Samuel Rogers and his Contemporaries
Lord Brougham to Samuel Rogers, [2 July 1850]
‘House of Lords: Tuesday [2nd July, 1850].
‘My dear R.,—I have a good account of you, which
cheers us.
‘The Government had the folly yesterday to bring over Normanby from Paris, and Clanricarde on his crutches from his sofa, to be miserably
defeated after a severe debate, though, to escape, our good friend Lansdowne (the best leader of a House I have ever
known) began his reply at the close of the debate by giving up the Government
measures, and divided only against the Opposition substitute, preferring a
middle course. But the Government were defeated by seventy-two to fifty. So
much for hatred of Romish priests to which I contributed my mite.
‘Peel has been in
imminent danger almost all night. His son writes to me that he is a shade
better, and they have hopes of his recovery; but plainly, not strong hopes.
‘Lady Jersey and
myself are occupied with Lord Hardinge and
others in making up a purse for Mr.
Macfarlane, author of travels and other excellent works. He has
fallen into difficulties and we have got a cadetcy for his son, and are raising
money for his outfit. Your known benevolence makes us think of you. Say your
pleasure.
‘Yours ever affectionately,
Henry Peter Brougham, first baron Brougham and Vaux (1778-1868)
Educated at Edinburgh University, he was a founder of the
Edinburgh
Review in which he chastised Byron's
Hours of Idleness; he
defended Queen Caroline in her trial for adultery (1820), established the London University
(1828), and was appointed lord chancellor (1830).
Ulick John de Burgh, first marquess of Clanricarde (1802-1874)
Irish peer who married George Canning's daughter Harriet; he was under-secretary of state
for foreign affairs (1826) under Canning and afterwards was captain of the Yeoman of the
Guard (1830-1834); he held offices during Whig administrations.
Henry Hardinge, first viscount Hardinge (1785-1856)
After a distinguished career in the Napoleonic wars (in which he lost his left hand) he
served as Tory MP for Durham (1820-30), Newport (1830-34), and Launceston (1834-44); he was
secretary-at-war (1838-30) and governor-general of India (1844-48).
Charles Macfarlane (1799-1858)
A traveler, historian, and miscellaneous writer who knew Shelley in Italy; he active in
the Royal Asiatic Society and worked for the publisher Charles Knight and the Society for
the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. His
Reminiscences was published
in 1917.
Constantine Henry Phipps, first marquess of Normanby (1797-1863)
The son of Henry Phipps, first earl of Mulgrave; educated at Harrow and Trinity College,
Cambridge, he was a Whig MP, governor of Jamaica (1832-34), lord privy seal (1834),
lord-lieutenant of Ireland (1835), and ambassador at Paris (1846-52).
