The Greville Memoirs, Part 1 (of 3), Volume 1 (of 3): A Journal of the Reigns of King George IV and King William IVGreville, Charles
History
The Greville Memoirs, Part 1 (of 3), Volume 1 (of 3): A Journal of the Reigns of King George IV and King William IV
Greville, Charles
Great Britain -- History -- George IV, 1820-1830; Great Britain -- History -- William IV, 1830-1837
The Irish Chancellor has given way about Doherty's appointment,
and put the Great Seal to it before his own resignation. He did
it with a good grace, Lord Lansdowne told me.
We went all over the Castle the other day; his Majesty will not
let anybody see it now. I don't think enough is effected for the
enormous sums expended, though it is a fine and will be a good
house; still, how far (as a palace) from Versailles, St. Cloud,
and the other palaces in France! The external terrace has spoilt
the old one, and is altogether a frightful excrescence, and
should never have been made.
[Page Head: DEATH OF CANNING.]
August 9th, 1827 {p.103}
Canning died yesterday morning at four o'clock. His danger was
only announced on Sunday night, though it had existed from the
preceding Wednesday. When he saw the King on Monday his Majesty
told him he looked very ill, and he replied that 'he did not know
what was the matter with him, but that he was ill all over.'
Nothing could exceed the consternation caused by the announcement
of his danger and the despair of his colleagues. From the first
there was no hope. He was aware of his danger, and said, 'It is
hard upon the King to have to fight the battle over again.' The
Cabinet met on Monday, and great unanimity prevailed among them.
They all agreed to stand by each other in the event of his death.
As soon as it happened Lord Lansdowne went down to Windsor and
saw the King. His Majesty spoke with great affection of Canning,
and said something of the difficulties in which he was again
involved. Lord L. replied that he had come down, as it was his
official duty to do, to announce to him the event; that nothing
could be further from his wish or intention than to elicit from
him any opinion as to the future, and he begged his Majesty would
not say one word upon that subject. The King said that the first
thing he should do would be to show every mark of respect to the
memory and attachment to the person of Canning, and that he
should therefore send for those of his Ministers who had been the
most closely connected with him in public and private life. He
sent immediately for Lord Goderich and Sturges Bourne, who went
down to him when Lord Lansdowne returned.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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