Number of his Prosecutions for Libel, 119. Improper Prosecution for Libel,

instigated by the Whigs, 120. This is laudably opposed by Sir John Scott, 121.

He conducts the Prosecution with fairness, 121. His salutary Bill to regulate the

Publication of Newspapers, 121. Acquittal of Crossfield, 122. Trial of Ar-

thur O'Connor and O'Coigley for Treason, 122. Improper Prosecutions and Con-

victions for Libel, 123. Prosecution of Lord Thanett and Cutler Fergusson, for

a Riot in a Court of Justice, 124. Favourable Specimens of Sir John Scott's

forensic Eloquence, 124. Q. Whether a wooden Machine may be invented to

draw Bills and Answers in Chancery? 124. Ingenious Evasion of the Duty on

French Gloves, 125. A Scotsman's best Proof of "Taste," 125. Sir John

Scott a Soldier: he is expelled from the Awkward Squad for Awkwardness,

125. Testimonies to his general Demeanour while he was at the Bar, 126.

Amiable and disinterested Conduct of Sir John Scott as a Counsel, 126.

CHAPTER CXCVII.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL HE WAS MADE LORD CHANCELLOR.

Death of Lord Chief Justice Eyre, 127. Sir John Scott succeeds him as Chief

Justice of the Common Pleas, 127. And is made a Peer, 128. Letter to his

Mother announcing his Elevation, 128. And to his Brother, 129. The King

forbids him to leave off a Wig without wearing a long Beard, 129. He proves

a great Common Law Judge, 129. His Judgments, 129. Doubtful Decision

against the Right of Roman Catholic Peers to frank, 130. If Tailors are indicted

for a Riot: Q. how many must be proved to have been present? 130. Lord

Eldon takes his Seat in the House of Lords, 131. His Maiden Speech, 131.

He supports the Bill to prevent the Marriage of a Woman divorced for Adultery

with her Paramour, 131. Death of his Brother Henry, 132. And of his Mo-

ther, 132. Dissolution of Mr. Pitt's Administration, 132. Lord Eldon to be

Chancellor, 133. Answer to Letter of Congratulation from Lord Kenyon, 133.

Letter of Congratulation from Lord Thurlow, 133. State of Confusion during

The King's Illness, 134. Consideration of Lord Eldon's Conduct in obtaining

the King's Signature for public Business when his Majesty was under medical

Restraint, 134. Documents showing the State of the King's Faculties at this

time, 134. Lord Eldon's "Anecdote Book," 134. Letter from the King to

Lord Eldon, 135. Dr. John Willis to the Lord Chancellor, 135. Mr. Adding-

ton to Lord Eldon, 136. Dr. Thomas Willis to Lord Eldon, 136. Lord Eldon

to the King, 137. The King to Lord Eldon, 137. The Princess Elizabeth to

Dr. Thomas Willis, 138. The same to the same, 138. The same to the same,

139. Dr. Thomas Willis to Lord Eldon, 139. The King to Lord Eldon, 140.

The same to the same, 140. Lord Eldon's Conduct on this Occasion excused,

140. Lord Eldon installed as Chancellor, 141.

CHAPTER CXCVIII.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL HIS FIRST RESIGNATION OF THE

GREAT SEAL.

Lord Chancellor Eldon in the House of Lords, 142.

Alarmed by Symptoms of a

Return of the King's Malady, 143. Negotiations for peace with France, 144.

Letter from Lord Eldon to Lord Loughborough on the Peace, 144. Lord

Loughborough gives Lord Eldon his Proxy, 145. Lord Eldon to Lord Lough-

borough, 145. Lord Eldon's Defence of the Articles of Peace, 145. Letters

from the King to Lord Eldon, 146. Bank Restriction, 147. Lord Eldon's

Alarm on being appointed High Steward of the University of Oxford, lest he

should be obliged to return Thanks in Latin, 147. Hoax upon the Chancellor

by his Son, 148. Return of the King's Illness, 148. Lord Eldon's Declaration

on the Subject in the House of Lords, 148. Embarrassment from the King be-

ing disabled when the Mutiny Act was about to expire, 149. Course taken by

Lord Eldon, 149. Lord Eldon's statement respecting the Manner in which he

.

obtained the Royal Assent to the passing of Bills, 150. Anecdote of the King

and Lord Eldon during the King's Illness, 151. The King's presence of Mind

in his Illness, 152. Lord Eldon defended on the necessity of the Case, 152.

Serious Charge against him of betraying Mr. Addington, 152. Mr. Pitt's Desire

to return to Office, 153. Lord Eldon, without the Knowledge of Mr. Addington,

engages in an Intrigue to turn him out, 153. Mr. Pitt to Lord Eldon, 153.

Their tête-à-tête Dinner, 153. Mr. Pitt to Lord Eldon, 154. Same to same,

154. Incorrect Statement of Mr. Twiss, 155. Altercation between Lord

Eldon and Mr. Addington on the Discovery of this Intrigue, 155. Lord Eldon

induces the King to part with Mr. Addington, 155. Mr. Pitt to Lord Eldon,

156. Change of Government announced in the House of Lords, 156. Mr. Pitt

writes a long Letter to the King, 156. Mr. Pitt's Letter designated by the

King "an Essay containing empty Words and little Information," 157. Lord

Eldon's Denial that he had disinclined the King to admit Mr. Fox into the

Cabinet, 157. Formation of Mr. Pitt's last Government, 157. Correspondence

between Mr. Pitt and Lord Eldon, 158. The King to Mr. Addington, 158.

Mr. Pitt to Lord Eldon, 158. Mr. Pitt again in Office, 159. Lord Eldon's

Account of these Transactions, 159. Lord Eldon's Plea that he was the King's

Chancellor, not Mr. Addington's, 160. Consummate Skill as an Intriguer dis-

played by Lord Eldon, 161. Equivocal State of the King's Mental Faculties

continues, 161. King's Recovery, 162. Lord Eldon during Mr. Pitt's second

Administration, 163. Declaration of his Principles respecting Catholic Eman-

cipation, 163. Differences between the King and the Prince of Wales, 163.

Fracas between Lord Eldon and the Prince of Wales, 165. Exemplary Con-

duct of Prince Edward, 165. Tottering State of the Ministry, 166. Vote

against Lord Melville, 166. Death of Lord Eldon's eldest Son, 166. His

Grief, 167. Sympathy which he experienced, 167. Death of Mr. Pitt, 168.

Formation of new Government: Lord Eldon attempts no Intrigue on this oc-

casion, 168. He announces his Resignation, 168. Lord Eldon's Farewell ad-

dress to the Bar, 169. His Letter to Lady Eldon, 169. His Account of his

Interview with George III. when he surrendered the Great Seal, 169. Lord

Eldon's meritorious Services during his first Chancellorship, 169. The Pains

he bestowed upon the Recorder's Report, 170. Lord Eldon's Discontent and

bad Prospects, 170.

CHAPTER CXCIX.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL HE WAS RESTORED TO THE

WOOLSACK.

Lord Eldon an Ex-Chancellor, 170. Alarm caused by Fox's Favour with the

King, 171. Lord Eldon's Speech against the Chief Justice of the King's Bench

having a Seat in the Cabinet, 171. Consternation among the Tories by the

King's consenting to dissolve the Parliament, 172. Lord Eldon's Rage against

his Majesty, 172. Lord Eldon's Explanation of the King's supposed Dislike to

him, 172. Lord Eldon prepared for factious Opposition and personal Attacks

on the King, 173. Lord Eldon to Lord Melville on the Conduct of the Tory

Opposition, 174. Scheme for publishing "The Book," 174. The "Delicate

Investigation," 174. Lord Eldon takes up the Cause of the Princess of Wales,

175. Lord Eldon's Intimacy with the Princess, 175. Letter from the Princess

to Lord Eldon, 175. Same to same, 176. Report of the Commissioners upon

the Charge against the Princess, 176. She acts under Lord Eldon's Advice,

177. The Princess of Wales to Lord Eldon, 177. Same to same, 178. Lord

Eldon and Mr. Perceval compose and print "The Book," 178. Favourable

Prospects of the Whig Government, 179. Lord Eldon opposes the Abolition of

the Slave Trade, 179. Lord Eldon and the Duke of Cumberland, 180. Measure

imprudently brought forward in favour of Roman Catholic Officers, 180. Cry

raised that the Church was in Danger, 180. Bill abandoned, 181. Unconsti-

tutional Pledge demanded by the King, 181. Defended by Lord Eldon, 181.

Restoration of the Tories, 181. Lord Eldon's pretended Sorrow at receiving

the Great Seal, 182. His gross Hypocrisy or Self-delusion, 183. His cordial

Reception from the Bar on his Return to the Court of Chancery, 184. His dis-

claimer of giving Advice to the King when out of office, 184. Intention, after

the Formation of the new Government, still to publish "The Book," 15. It

is suppressed, 186. Intention to republish it in Sunday Newspaper, 186. The

Attorney General files an Information to prevent the Publication, 186. The

Case comes on before Lord Chancellor Eldon, 187. Injunction granted, 187.

Lord Eldon justified in granting it, 187. The Princess of Wales still kindly

treated by Lord Eldon, 187.

CHAPTER CC.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL THE PERMANENT ILLNESS OF

GEORGE III.

Lord Eldon urges the Dissolution of the new Parliament, 188. And defends this

Measure in the House of Lords, 188. He throws out the Bill for establishing

Parochial Schools, 189. His influence in the Duke of Portland's Ministry, 189.

Orders in Council, 190. Seizure of Danish Fleet, 190. Jesuits' Bark Bill,

192. Lord Eldon gives a grand Dinner to the Princess of Wales, 192. Visit

of the Duke of Cumberland to Encombe, 192. Proceedings in the House of

Commons against the Duke of York, 192. Ceremony of Lord Byron taking his

Seat in the House of Lords, 193. Ministerial Crisis on the Retirement of the

Duke of Portland, 193. Lord Eldon summoned from the Country, 194. Scheme

for depriving him of the Great Seal, 194. His Letter on this occasion to Lady

Eldon, 195. Bulletins sent by Lord Eldon to Lady Eldon, during the Minis-

terial Crisis, 196. Duel between Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Canning, 198.

Lord Eldon to his Brother Sir William, 200. Triumph of Lord Eldon, 202.

His Talent for Political Intrigue, 202. Perceval his Prime Minister, 202.

Lord Eldon Candidate for the office of Chancellor of the University of Oxford,

202. He is defeated, 203. His Resentment against the King and others, 203.

Complimentary Letter to him from George III. on this subject, 203. Lord

Eldon begins to cultivate the Prince of Wales, 204. Lord Eldon's Defence of

Offices in Reversion, 204. He opposes the Bill to abolish the Punishment of

Death for stealing to the Value of 5s., 205. His able Vindication of Parlia-

mentary Privilege, 206. His Opposition to Catholic Emancipation, 207.

CHAPTER CCI.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL THE PRINCE REGENT FOR EVER

RENOUNCED THE WHIGS.

State of Parties, 207. The King's permanent Illness, 208. Proceedings in the
House of Lords on this occasion, 208. Hopes of the Whigs, and Fears of the
Tories, 209. Protest of the Duke of Cumberland and all the Princes of the
Blood, 210. Opening of Parliament under a Sham Commission, 210. The Re-
gency Bill in the House of Lords, 211. Lord Grey's Speech on the Household
Appointments, 211. Lord Eldon defends himself against the Charge of having
made the King sign Commissions when in a State of Restraint, 212. Lord El-
don's Delight in the Approbation of his Conscience, 214. Lord Grey's Charge
against Lord Eldon, 215. Lord Eldon's Denial of having made the King act
when incompetent from mental Aberration, 217. Responsibility of the Chan-
cellor for the Use of the Great Seal, 219. Lord King's Motion to exclude Lord
Eldon from the Queen's Council, 219. Lord Eldon's Demeanour on this occa-
sion, 220. Protest against the Clause for including him, 220. Lord Eldon's
painful Recollection of these Proceedings, 221. Q. How far Lord Eldon was
justified in what he did during the King's Illness, 221. Passing of the Regency
Act, 222. The Regency, 223. The Prince continues the Tory Ministers in
Office, 223. Lord Eldon's Anecdote of George III. when his Majesty was in a
State of Delusion, 222. Lord Eldon at first encourages the Notion of the King's

speedy Recovery, 223. Plan afterwards adopted by him to gain the Favour of

the Regent, 224. His altered Policy with respect to the Princess of Wales,

224. A Session of Parliament, 224. Abuse of ex officio Informations by Sir

V. Gibbs, 224. Lord Eldon defends him, 225. Bill for taking away the Pu-

nishment of Death from the Offence of Stealing to the Value of Forty Shillings,

226. Lord Eldon's Horror at a Bishop who was for Catholic Emancipation,

226. Arrears in Chancery and in the House of Lords, 227. How far Lord

Eldon was to blame for the Arrears, 227. Committee of the House of Lords

on this subject, 227. Lord Eldon induced against his Inclination to remain in

Office out of Love for the good old King!!! 228. Lord Eldon's Policy respect-

ing the State of the King's Health, 229. Report by the Duke of York respect-

ing the King's Malady, 229. Lord Eldon and Mr. Perceval strive to gain the

Favour of the Regent, 230. Avowal of the King's permanent Incapacity, 231.

Meeting of Parliament, 231. The Regent finally renounces the Whigs, 232.

Lord Eldon and Mr. Perceval take part with the Regent against the Princess

of Wales, 232. The Regent's Letter to the Duke of York, announcing his In-

tentions respecting the Ministry, 233. Lord Eldon unnecessarily alarmed,

233. Insulting Proposal to the Whigs of a Coalition with Lord Eldon and Mr.

Perceval, 234. Lord Eldon about to become a Favourite of the Regent, 235.

CHAPTER CCII.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL THE CONCLUSION OF THE GENERAL

PEACE.

Lord Eldon transfers to the Regent his Affection for his "dear old Master," 235.

His Irregularities in the House of Lords respecting the Regent's letter to the

Duke of York, 235. Lord Eldon's canting Statement of his Reasons for con-

tinuing to hold the Great Seal under the Regent, 237. He writes sincerely to

his Brother, 238. Lord Eldon wins the Prince by his altered Behaviour to the

Princess of Wales, 238. Lord Eldon's Annoyance from the Complaints in

Parliament respecting the Arrears in the Court of Chancery, 239. Assassination

of Mr. Perceval, 239. Lord Eldon's Alarm when told of Mr. Perceval's Death,

239. Indecent Hurry with which the Assassin of Mr. Perceval was tried and

executed, 241. Skill displayed by Lord Eldon in the Ministerial Crisis which

followed, 241. Opinions of the Members of the Cabinet taken seriatim, 242.

Lord Eldon's Dread of Lord Wellesley and Mr. Canning, 243. Ministers ten-

der their Resignation, 244. Lord Wellesley's Attempt to form an Administra-

tion, 244. Explanations in the House of Lords, 244. Offer to Lords Grey and

Grenville fails from Difference about the Household Appointments, 245. Lord

Liverpool Prime Minister, 245. Sir S. Romilly's Account of these Intrigues,

246. Leading Members of the new Government, 246. Lord Eldon's Speech

against the Irish Catholics, 246. Proceedings against Lord Eldon in Michael

Angelo Taylor's Committee, 247. Grand Dinner given by Lord Eldon to the

Regent, 247. Lord Eldon's Account of his Intercourse with the Regent, &c.,

248. Fire at Encombe, 249. Lord Eldon bewildered by his Anxiety about

the Great Seal and Lady Eldon, and by seeing the Servant Maids in their Shifts,

249. Lord Eldon's small Influence in Lord Liverpool's Cabinet, 249. The

Prince Regent opens Parliament, sitting on the Throne, 250. Unfortunate

Consequences of the Orders in Council, 250. Bill for appointing a Vice Chan-

cellor, 250. Lord Eldon unjustly blamed for the Appointment of Sir Thomas

Plumer as Vice Chancellor, 252. Lord Eldon again throws out all Romilly's

Bills for reforming the Criminal Law, 252. The Measure for which the Whig

Government had been turned out in 1807 now passes unopposed! 252. Fresh

Disputes between the Prince and Princess of Wales, 252. Scheme for making

Sir S. Romilly Chancellor, repudiated by him, 253. Terms on which

the Regent and Chancellor then were, 254. The Regent to the Chancellor,

255. Lord Eldon's Account of the Regent's Conversion, 255. Military Glory

now acquired by England, 256. Peace of 1814, 257. Lord Eldon returns

Thanks to the Duke of Wellington, 256. Mot. of George IV. to the Emperor

of Russia, 257. Controversy respecting a Marriage between Princess Charlotte

of Wales and the Prince of Orange, 257. Lord Eldon employed to frame the

Marriage Treaty, 257. The Princess Charlotte's Opposition to the Match, 258.

The Princess Charlotte makes her Escape from Warwick House, 258. Lord

Eldon's Account of this Transaction, 259. Lord Brougham's, 259. Questions

in the House of Lords respecting the Princess Charlotte, 260. Her subsequent

happy Marriage and lamented Death, 261. Lord Eldon's alleged Impatience to

get rid of his Office, 261. Riots on account of the Corn Law of 1814, 262.

Dangers of the Chancellor, 262. Escape of Napoleon from Elba, 263. Battle

of Waterloo, 263. Question as to the Detention of Napoleon, 263. Unfortu-

nate Consequences of the Harshness with which the Plan for detaining Napo-

leon was carried into execution, 263.

CHAPTER CCIII.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL THE DEATH OF GEORGE III.

Lord Eldon throws out the Bill for subjecting Freehold Estates to simple Contract

Debts, 264. He supports the Introduction of Trial by Jury in Civil Suits in

Scotland, 265. Lord Eldon annoyed by the Return to Office of Mr. Canning,

265. Marriage of the Princess Charlotte with Prince Leopold of Saxe Cobourg,

266. Marriage of the Princess Mary with the Duke of Gloucester, 266. Fa-

miliarity between the Chancellor and the Regent, 266. Public Discontents,

267. Erroneous Policy of Lord Eldon for repressing them, 267. Death of the

Princess Charlotte, 268. Increased Influence of Lord Eldon from the Duke of

York being Heir Presumptive, 268. Intrigue of Sir John Leach to become

Chancellor, by recommending the Prosecution of the Princess of Wales, 268.

The Subject is broached by the Regent to Lord Eldon, 269. Rage of Lord El-

don from a Rumour of his Resignation-supposed to originate with Sir John

Leach, 270. Workings of Lord Eldon's Mind on this occasion, exhibited in a

Letter to his Brother, 272. Impolicy of the suspension of the Habeas Corpus

at this time, 272. Failure of Government Prosecutions, 273. Restriction on

Factory Labour opposed by Lord Eldon, 273. Bill to declare Arrest for Libel

unlawful, 273. Parliament dissolved by the Prince Regent in Person in pre-

sence of the Two Houses, 274. Marriage of the Duke of Kent, 274. Lord El-

don's Merit in appointing Abbott Chief Justice of the King's Bench, 274. Gos-

sip of Westminster Hall respecting Legal Peerages, &c., 275. Grief of Lord

Eldon for the Death of Sir S. Romilly, 276. Death of Queen Charlotte, 276.

Q. Whether the Duke of York's Allowance as Custos of the King's Person

should be paid out of the Privy Purse, 276. Lord Eldon's Heresy upon the

Currency Question, 277. He again opposes Relaxation of the Code against the

Roman Catholics, 278. Lord Eldon, for once a Reformer, supports the Aboli-

tion of "Trial by Battle," and "Appeals of Murder," 278. Birth of Queen

Victoria, 279. Disturbances in the Manufacturing Districts, 280. Mr. Hunt's

famous Meeting at Manchester, 280. Lord Eldon wishes to prosecute those

concerned in it for High Treason, 281. He is overruled in the Cabinet, 282.

Dismissal of Earl Fitzwilliam from the Office of Lord Lieutenant of the County

of York, 282. Lord Eldon's Domestic Happiness, 283. Beautiful Letter from

him to his Grandson, 283. Lord Eldon resists Inquiry into the Circumstances

of the "Manchester Massacre," 284. Mr. Hunt convicted of a Misdemeanor,

285. "The Six Acts," 285. Defended by the Lord Chancellor, 285. Death

of the Duke of Kent, 286. And of George III., 287. Character of George
III., 287.

CHAPTER CCIV.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE of Lord ELDON TILL THE CONCLUSION OF THE QUEEN'S

TRIAL.

Meeting of Parliament at the Commencement of the New Reign, 287. The Great

Seal again delivered to Lord Eldon, 288. The Cato Street Conspiracy, 289.