My Lords of Strogue, Vol. 3 (of 3): A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the UnionWingfield, Lewis
History
My Lords of Strogue, Vol. 3 (of 3): A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union
Wingfield, Lewis
Historical fiction; Ireland -- History -- 18th century -- Fiction
Mr. Pitt's choice was a most judicious one. He had to look for a man
who was brave and honest, high-spirited, clear-headed--the antithesis
to Camden. Some one who knew something of affairs, who was a
soldier--in order that at this difficult juncture the reins of
government and the command of the forces should be in one firm grasp.
Some one who was experienced in the world's ways, who would be too
wise to run a-muck or do anything Quixotic. Who would pull things
straight gradually and with circumspection, so as not to stop the ball
before it reached its goal, and yet who was too conspicuous for virtue
for the opposition to jut forth the tongue at him. Just such a man was
the Marquis Cornwallis, who had recently earned glorious laurels in
India; whom all the world respected because he was upright as well as
worldly-wise.
The preparations of the new Viceroy had been made in secret.
Therefore, the word of command being given, he started off, like the
good soldier that he was, at a moment's notice, and arrived at
Kingstown towards the end of June. As a salve to his predecessor's
feelings, a nephew of Lord Camden's was attached as chief
secretary--the young Viscount Castlereagh, who, report said, was
promising. Lord Clare met the party with a toothsome smile, in all the
bravery of tightly-fitting silk upon his dapper limbs, his rustling
robes stiffened with gold lace, his lappeted wig powdered with
perfumed flour. The viceregal state-coach was not in waiting, he
regretted to say. The rapidity of his excellency's coming was
extraordinary! My Lord Camden, who was living within a cordon of
guards away in the Ph[oe]nix Park, had not yet resigned it. But his
own poor coach was there (the one which cost four thousand guineas);
if his excellency would so far honour him as to take a seat in it, it
would be the proudest moment in the life of his humble servant.
Lord Cornwallis, thinking it a good opportunity of studying the
notorious chancellor, accepted graciously; and the two jogged
together along the high-road to Dublin, preceded by a body of the
Liberty-rangers, who appeared to the military optic a sad set of
clodpoles. Lord Clare descanted on the beauty of the scenery, the
loveliness of Dublin Bay, the delights of summer weather. Sure, his
excellency must have had a splendid passage. Was he never sick? Lucky
man! Never, never? This good beginning was a fine omen for the future.
Might his career in Ireland win his Majesty's approval! and so on, and
so forth. Vapid compliments! Lord Clare made himself as pleasant as he
possibly could, and congratulated himself rather on his success. It is
a fortunate circumstance that we do not abide in the Palace of Truth.
The first impression which the coercer of viceroys left upon the mind
of Lord Cornwallis, was one of a cruel eye, painfully glittering
teeth, a smile to be distrusted, a voice which went through him like a
knife.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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