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English Pages 554 Year 1982
B E N J A M I N D I S R A E L I L E T T E R S : 1815-1834 Edited by J.A.W. GUNN, JOHN MATTHEWS and associate editor
DONALD M . SCHURMAN
with
M.G. WIEBE,
The private letters of a statesman are always inviting material for historians and when he has claim to literary fame as well the correspondence assumes a double significance. Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) belonged to an age that gave pride of place to the written word as an instrument of both business and pleasure. This volume includes 363 letters (many previously unpublished) from his schoolboy days to his establishment in the Tory camp under the patronage of Lord Lyndhurst. Most prominent are Disraelis letters to his sister, Sarah, with whom he corresponded frequently over several decades. To her he confided his hopes, interspersed with his observations and descriptions of social, literary and political events. The letters to Sarah supply a skeleton around which Disraelis young manhood can be reconstructed and shed valuable light on the remaining documents in the volume. The correspondence also includes accounts of his tour of the Low Countries and the Rhine in 1824, his adventurous trip to Spain, Greece, the Near East and Egypt in his tense negotiations with publishers and his campaign to shine as a member of aristocratic society and win political patronage. The letters demonstrate the fine eye for detail and the capacity for selfdramatization and literary conceits which mark his novels. With their annotations they also provide a remarkably detailed account of life in the upper reaches of English society as viewed from below, and of Disraeli s ambitions to enter that life. J.A.W. G U N N is Professor of Political Studies at Queens University. JOHN MATTHEWS
is Professor of English at Queens University.
DONALD M . SCHURMAN M.G. WIEBE
is Professor of History at Royal Military College, Kingston.
is Assistant Professor of English at Queens University.
BENJAMIN DISRAEL I
LETTERS: 181 5 183 4
Edited by J.A.W. G U N N JOHN MATTHEW S Senior Editor
DONALD M . SCHURMA N M.G. W I E B E Associate Editor
University of Toronto Pres s Toronto , Buffalo, London
©University of Toronto Press 1982 Toronto Buffal o Londo n ISBN 0-8020-5523-0
Canadian Cataloguing i n Publication Data Disraeli, Benjamin, 1804-1881. Benjamin Disrael i letters Contents: [v . i] 1815-1834 . ISBN 0-8020-5523-0 (v . i ) i. Disraeli, Benjamin, 1804-1881. 2 . Prime ministers - Grea t Britai n - Correspondence . 3 . Great Britain - Politic s and government - 1837-1901 . I. Gunn, J. A . W. (John Alexander Wilson), 1937II. Title. DA564.B3A4 198 2 941.081092
4 082-094169-
7
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements I vi i Introduction I xiii Collection of the Letters I x i i i Letters 1815-1837 I x vi A Note on Annotation I x xv Editorial Principle s a nd Convention s I xxvii Headnote I
xxvii
Text I x x i x Annotations I
xxxii
Postmarks I
xxxiii
Disraeli Chronolog y
xxx v
1 8 0 4 - 1 8 3 4I
Abbreviations I xxxix C h r o n o l o g i c a l Lis t o f Letter s
1 8 1 5 - 1 8 3 4I
x lv
Letters I 3 Appendix I Political Notes
1831-2 \
4 43
Appendix1 1 Aide-Memoire 11-15 November 1834 I Appendix i ll The Mutilated Diary
1833-4 I
4 45
I n d e x t o V o l u m e O n e I 4 51
4 44
MAPS A N D ILLUSTRATION S
Journey to the Rhine, July-September 1824
I
lxix
Journey to the Alps and Italy, August-October 1826 Journey to the Middle East,
Benjamin an d Sar a Auste n
Sarah Disrael i
lxx
June 1830 to October 1831 \
Fragment o f Lette r 3 4 I
Benjamin Disrael i
I
( 1 8 2 8 )
( 1 8 2 8 )
( 1 8 2 8 )
lxx i
46
b y Danie l Maclis eI
b y Danie l Maclis eI
b y Danie l Maclis eI
10
10
6 6
4
5
B r a d e n h a m M a n o r b y M r s Partridg e I 1 1 1 E d w a r d Lytto n Bulwe r b y Danie l Maclis e I 1 2 0 T h e firs t p a g e o f th e m a n u s c r i p t o f L e t t e r 9 8 I F r a g m e n t o f L e t t e r 13 7 I
158
22 4
L a d y Blessingto n b y Si r T h o m a s Lawrenc e I 2 6 3 ' A Radica l Conservative '
( 1 8 3 2
)
f r o m th e d i a r y o f B l a n c h e N o r r i s I
2 7
7
' T h e D ' I s r a e l i s a t H o m e ' (a ) Isaa c (b ) S a r a h , w i t h insets ; f r o m th e d i a r y o f Blanche Norris , 1 8 3 3 I 2 9 4 Maria, Ralp h an d Jame s
(1833) ,
Benjamin Disrael i Isaac D ' I s r a e l i
( 1 8 3 4 )
Benjamin Disrael i
f r o m th e d i a r y o f B l a n c h e N o r r i s I
( 1 8 3 3 )
b y Danie l Maclis eI
3 5
b y Stephe n Poynt z D e n n i n gI
( 1 8 3 4 )
b y Coun t Alfre d D'Orsa yI
4 3 8 4 3
7 3
3 1
8
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We acknowledge with gratitud e th e graciou s permissio n o f He r Majest y th e Queen fo r acces s to the correspondenc e betwee n Disrael i and Quee n Victo ria hel d i n the Roya l Archives at Windsor . The Editio n ha s been mad e possibl e b y generous fundin g to th e Disraeli Project fro m th e Canad a Counci l and fro m it s successor th e Socia l Sciences and Humanitie s Research Counci l of Canada. Thi s boo k ha s been publishe d with th e hel p o f grant s fro m th e Canadia n Federatio n fo r th e Humanities , using fund s provide d b y th e Socia l Science s an d Humanitie s Researc h Council of Canada, an d fro m th e Publication s Fund o f the Universit y of Toronto Press . We are gratefu l fo r copyrigh t permissio n t o publis h all previously unpublished Disrael i material . Thi s permissio n wa s granted b y th e Executor s o f the Trustees o f the Beaconsfiel d Trust , and b y the Nationa l Trust. We wish to express ou r gratitud e t o the member s of : THE BOAR D O F RESEARC H CONSULTANT S
Alan S . Bell , Nationa l Library o f Scotland ; Mile s Blackwell , Oxford ; Lor d Blake, Oxford; Lor d Bradford , Westo n Park , Salop; John Brooke , London ; Lord Carrington , London ; Clarenc e Cline , Austin , Texas; J.B . Conacher , Toronto; Ad m Si r Pete r Gretton , Oxford ; th e lat e Comtess e Corisand e d e Gramont, Paris ; th e lat e B.R . Jerman, Atlanta , Georgia; Coli n Matthew, Oxford; Si r Robin Mackworth-Young , Archivist to He r Majesty , Windsor ; Barbara North , Penn, Bucks ; E. Kenneth Timings, London . THE EDITORIA L BOAR D
F.E.L. Priestley , Toronto ; Joh n M . Robson , Toronto ; Georg e Whalley , Kingston; Haral d Bohne , Toronto ; Scot t Gordon , Bloomington , Indiana ; Michael Levison , Kingston ; Norman H . MacKenzie , Kingston; R.L . Mcln tosh, Kingston ; Ia n Montagnes , Toronto ; th e lat e Willia m L . Morton , Winnipeg. THE ASSOCIATE D FELLOW S
Vernon Bogdanor , Oxford ; MacBeat h Brown, Paris ; John deBruyn , Jackson, Tennessee ; James Leith , Kingston ; Charle s Nickerson , Boston , Mass ;
viii Aubre y Noakes , London ; Jame s Ogden , Aberystwyth ; Robert O'Kell , Winnipeg; Davi d Painting , Swansea ; Anthon y Riley , Kingston ; Michae l Selzer, New York City; Edgar Wright , Sudbury, Ontario. QUEEN'S UNIVERSIT Y
Principal R.L . Watts , John Real , C.M.D . Crowder, Pete r Dorn , Li n Good , Morris Love, Anne MacDermaid , William Morley , Duncan Sinclair, Ian Wilson, M.H . Yeates. T H E D I S R A E L I PROJEC T
Belinda Beaton , Wend y Burton , Nil s Claussen , Jennife r Chance , Ann e Cronk, Musett a Dee , Jame s Hamilton , Lyn n Haver , Willia m Hayes , Elle n Henderson, Aliso n Irons , Be n Lowe , Rober t Mackinnon , Margare t Mar shall, R.L . Mclntosh, Jane Graves Nelson , Cameron Pulsifer , Rowena Reed , Robert Stevens , Robert W. Stewart, Bette Withnell. The collectio n an d editin g o f th e letter s ha s been mad e possibl e onl y by the help o f man y institutions and man y individuals. (In th e followin g lis t 'CRO ' is used t o designate a County Recor d Offic e o r it s equivalent.) WE R E C O R D OU R G R A T I T U D E TO :
The Duk e of Abercorn, C o Tyrone; Lor d Aberdare , London ; G . Adamson , Lake Forest , Illinois ; America n Jewish Archives , Cincinnati: Stanle y Chyet , Fannie Zelcer ; America n Philosophica l Societ y Library : Car l Miller ; Lor d Ancaster, Lines ; Archives Nationales, Paris : Md e D'Huart; Th e Duk e of Argyll, Inverary ; Universit y of Arizona, Tucson: Loui s Hieb; Pete r Ashby, Oxford; Aucklan d Publi c Library : P . M . French; Universit y of Auckland : GJ . Tee; Badisch e Landesbibliothek , Karlsruhe : D r Werne r Schulz ; Mrs Robi n Bagot, Kendal , Cumbria ; Charle s H . Ball , Fairvie w Park , Ohio ; Barin g Brothers, London : Majo r T.L . Ingram ; Lor d Bath , Longleat : Mis s B.M. Austin; Countes s Beauchamp , Malvern , Worcs; D.R. Bentham , Loughbor ough; Berkshir e CRO , Reading : Mis s A. Green ; Universit y of Birmingha m Library: B.S . Benedikz ; Birmingha m Referenc e Library : W.A . Taylor ; Bis marck Archiv , Hamburg ; Juliu s Bisno , Lo s Angeles , California ; Andre w Block, London ; Kennet h Blackwell , McMaste r Universit y Archives, Hamil ton, Ontario ; th e lat e Richard Blackwell , Oxford; Bodleia n Library , Oxford : C.G. Harris , D.S . Porter , P.J . Bull ; N.M . Bolingbroke-Kent, London ; Rich ard Booth , Hay-on-Wye ; Lord Bradford , Westo n Park , Salop; Thorn Braun , London; Brigha m Youn g University, Utah: Scot t Duval ; V.J . Bristow , Ring wood, Hants ; Britis h Library : D r D.P . Waley , A.N . Schofield , R.A . Smith , P.E. Allen ; Princess e Josep h d e Broglie , Paris ; Lor d Brooke , Warwic k Castle: P.A.L . Pepys ; Nichola s Browne, London ; Princess e d e Bourbo n Palma , Paris; Buck s CRO , Aylesbury : E.F. Davis , H.A. Hanley ; Mis s Elizabet h Bur ton, Witney , Oxon; Lad y Bury , Venice; Davi d Butler , Nuffiel d College , Ox ford; Californi a Stat e Library , Sutr o Library : Richar d Dillon ; Universit y of
California, Lo s Angeles : Ann e Caiger ; Cambridg e University : Trinit y College - Phili p Gaskell, Pa t Bradford. Corpu s Christ i College - R.I . Page . Churchill Colleg e - A.D . Childs ; Lor d Carrington , London ; Bri g P.B . Cavendish, Brussels ; P.H . Cazenove , London ; Mr s Mauric e Cazenove , London; R . Cecil , Hambledon , Hants ; Pro f A . Chapeau , Angers , France ; Calderdale Centra l Library , Halifax , Yorks : Ala n Betteridge ; Gilia n Lad y Chelmsford, Godalming , Surrey ; Cheste r Cit y Recor d Office : Mis s A.M . Kennett; Chevenin g Estat e Office , Maidstone : P.G . Burton ; Chicag o Publi c Library: Thoma s A . Orlando ; Ho n Davi d Lytto n Cobbold , Knebworth ; Columbia Universit y Library , Ne w York ; Msg r l e comt e d e Paris , Paris ; Cornell Universit y Library, Ithaca , Ne w York : Donal d D . Eddy , Mr s Joan Winterkorn; Cornwal l CRO , Truro : M r Hull ; Cumbri a CRO , Carlisle : B.A . Jones; Dartmout h Colleg e Library , Hanover : Kennet h C . Cramer ; Si r Francis Dashwood , Wes t Wycombe , Bucks ; Lor d Derby , Knowsley : Deni s Lyonson; Derrydow n Corporation , Cherr y Hill , Ne w Jersey ; Devo n CRO , Exeter: P.A . Kennedy ; Charle s d u Cane , Glenealy , Co Wicklow ; Th e Duk e of Devonshire , Chatsworth : T.S . Wragg ; D r J.R . an d Ho n Mr s Dinwiddy , Clanricarde; Lad y Dufferi n an d Ava , London ; Duk e Universit y Library : B.E. Powell ; Dean Lesli e Dunlap , Universit y of Iowa ; Durham CRO : W.A.L. Seaman; Durha m University : J.M. Fewster ; M r an d Mr s A.C . Eastgate , London; th e lat e Mauric e Edelman an d Mr s Tilli Edelman, Hughende n an d London; Edinburg h University : Marjori e Robertson ; Lor d Egremont , Petworth; Lor d Eliot , Porteliot , Cornwall ; Lor d Ely , Port Hope , Ontario ; Eton College : Michae l C. Meredith ; Franci s Edwards , London : M r Russell, Charles Harris ; Marti n Elliott , Poffle y End , Oxon ; Lor d Exmouth , Canonteign House ; Lad y Fairfax-Lucy , Warwick; G.R. Fancourt , Felpham , Sussex; Mis s M . S t J. Fancourt , Tunbridg e Wells ; Cap t S t John Fancourt , Sway, Hants ; T.L . Fancourt , Timaru , Ne w Zealand ; Fitzwillia m Museum , Cambridge: Mis s Phylli s M . Giles, P. Woudhuysen; Sybill a Flower , London ; Folger Shakespear e Library , Washingto n DC : Phili p A . Knachel , Lill y S . Lievsay; Fondatio n Saint-Louis , Paris : Mil e Francois e Garcin ; Fathe r Christopher Fullerton , London ; Norma n Gash , St Andrew's University; Ken Gibson, Farnha m Royal , Bucks ; Glamorga n CRO , Cardiff : Mr s P . Moore ; John F . Glaser , Ripo n College , Wisconsin ; Universit y o f Glasgow : Ann e Ross; Glasgo w Distric t Count y Libraries : W.A.G . Alison , Mis s Wright ; Gloucestershire CRO : Bria n S . Smith ; Bisho p E.A . Gowing , Auckland , New Zealand; Lad y Gretton , Oxford ; C.P . Grogan , Wes t Pal m Beach , Florida ; Leslie Guttridge-White , Pett , Eas t Sussex ; Lor d Halifax , Garrowby , Yorks; Lord Hambleden , London : Ho n Davi d Smith , Mr s Ewins ; H . Hammond , Kenilworth, Cape , S . Africa ; Hampshir e CRO , Winchester : Mis s M.E . Cash; Lord Hampton , Holt , Worcs ; Lor d Harcourt , Oxon ; Lor d Hardwicke , London; Mr s Catherin e Hare , Middl e Claydon , Bucks ; Lor d Harrowby , Sandon Hall , Staffs ; Si r Dere k Hart-Dyke , Hamilton , Ontario ; Jac k Harte , County Rush , Ireland; Harvar d University : Houghton Librar y - Rodne y G. Dennis. Bake r Librar y - Kennet h E . Carpenter; Ho n Mrs Hastings, Moffat , Scotland; R . Hatchwell , Chippenham , Wilts ; Haverfor d College : Edwi n B .
ix
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Bronner; Herefor d an d Worc s CRO , Worcester : Mis s M . Henderson ; Lor d Hertford, Alcester ; Hig h Wycombe Central Library: I.G. Sparks; Denis HillWood, Hartley-Wintney , Hants ; Richar d Hobbs , c/o Corpus Christ i College, Cambridge; Mr s E . Holyoake , Newto n Abbot , Devon ; Hounslo w Distric t Library, Middlesex : Andre a Cameron ; Hert s CRO : Pete r Walne ; Hous e o f Lords Recor d Office : H.S . Cobb ; Hov e Centra l Library , Sussex: Jack Dove ; G.E. War d Hunt , Wadenhoe , Northants ; Huntingto n Library , California: Anne Caiger, Mar y L. Robertson; Hunt s CRO : P.J . Locke ; Mrs Donald Hyde , Princeton, Ne w Jersey; Lor d Hylton , Bath; Lor d Iliffe , Basildon ; Universit y of Illinois , Urbana-Champaign : Mr s Mar y Ceibert ; Indi a Offic e Records , London: Marti n Moir ; Indian a University , Bloomington: Sandr a Taylor ; Maj Ge n Si r Joslan Ingilby , Ripley Castle , Harrowgate ; Inverclyd e Distric t Council Library , Greenock , Renfrew : A.J.J . McNeill ; Iow a Stat e Historica l Department, De s Moines: Phylli s E. McLaughlin; Iow a Universit y Libraries: Frank Paluka ; Nationa l Librar y o f Ireland , Dublin : Alfre d MacLochlainn ; Dr Emerson Jacob, Middletown , Pennsylvania; Miss Jean Jamieson, Toronto; The Jenkin s Co , Austin , Texas; Jewish Museum , London: Phinea s L . May; Jewish National Library, Jerusalem: D r M . Nadav; Estate of Mr s E. Johnson, Bedford; E . Stanle y Jones, Letchworth , Herts ; Ken t CRO , Maidstone : Feli x Hull; M r an d Mr s Simo n Kenyon-Slaney , Salop; Pro f F.H.H . King , Hon g Kong; Kno x College , Galesburg , Illinois : Mr s Jacqueline K . Haring ; Bria n Lake, Jarndyce Books , London ; Lambet h Palac e Library , London : E.G.W . Bill; Bria n Lambie , Curator , Gladston e Cour t Museum , Biggar , Lanark , Scotland; Lambto n Estat e Office , Chester-le-Street : Lor d Lambton , Mis s Hester Borron ; Lanes CRO, Preston: R . Sharpe France , J. Keit h Bishop; Lord Lanesborough, Leics ; Lor d Lansdowne , Bowoo d House : Lor d Shelburne , J.A. Chamberlain; Leed s Cit y Libraries: J.M. Collinson; Leics CRO, Leicester : Dr Lesli e Parker; Le o Baeck Institute , Ne w York: Dr Sybi l Milton; Ed Levy, Palm Beach , Florida ; Librar y o f Congress , Washingto n DC : Joh n C . Broderick; Line s CRO , Lincoln : C . M . Lloyd ; Line s Histor y an d Tennyso n Collection, Lincoln : Lawrenc e Elvin ; Liverpoo l Cit y Recor d Office : Jane t Smith; Bri g A . Llewellyn-Palmer , c/o Bodleia n Library , Oxford ; Universit y College, London: Mr s J. Percival ; Greater Londo n Recor d Office : Mis s E.D. Mercer; Lor d Londonderry , Wynyar d Park ; Longman' s Group : R.M . Cooper; Lor d Lonsdale , Cumbria ; Lora s College , Dubuque , Iowa ; Lor d Loudoun, Hastings , Sussex ; Lor d Lytton , London ; Montag u Lowry-Corry , Hants; Loyol a University of Chicago; Sheil a Macpherson , Kendal , Cumbria; Mr an d Mr s F . McArdell , Hughende n Manor , Hig h Wycombe , Bucks ; Barbara S . McCrimmon , Tallahassee, Florida ; McGil l University , Montreal: Gerald French ; Norri s McWhirter , Enfield , Middlesex ; Oliv e Madden , Oxford; Joh n Maggs , London; Main e Historical Society , Portland : Thoma s L. Gaffney ; S . Maitland-Lewis , London ; Lor d Malmesbury , Hants ; Joh n Rylands Universit y Library o f Manchester : D r F . Taylor; Mancheste r Publi c Libraries: Jea n M . Ayton ; Maples , Teesdale an d Co , London : A . Taylor; Prof Pete r Marsh , Syracuse , Ne w York ; Ho n Mr s G.G . Martin , Crichel , Dorset; Massachusett s Historica l Society : D r Stephe n T . Riley , Malcol m
Freibert; Universit y of Michigan , Ann Arbor : Joh n C . Dann , Willia m L . Clements; Minister e de s Affaire s Etrangeres , Paris : M . Dethan ; Mitchel l Library, Sydney , Australia: Jean Dyce ; George Montague , Cannes, France ; Morristown Nationa l Historica l Park : Susa n Kopczynski ; Harol d Mortlake , London; Joh n Murray , London ; W . Myer s (Autographs ) Ltd , London ; National Maritim e Museum , London ; Nationa l Registe r o f Archives , London: RJ . Olney ; Nationa l Trust , London : S t John Gore ; Ne w Jerse y Historical Society : D.C . Skemer ; Th e Duk e o f Newcastle , London ; Newcastle-upon-Tyne Archives : W.A.L . Seaman; Ne w Yor k Publi c Library: Paul R . Rugen, John D . Stinson, Lola Szladits; State Universit y of Ne w York at Buffalo : K.C . Gay; Ne w Zealan d Nationa l Archives , Wellington: Sharo n Dell; Du e d e Noailles , Paris; Lor d Northampton , Castl e Ashby ; Northant s CRO, Northampton : P.I . King ; Lord Northbrook , Winchester ; Th e Duk e of Northumberland, Alnwic k Castle: D.P. Graham; Norton , Rose , Botterell and Roche, London ; Georg e A . Dunn (fo r th e Executor s o f the Trustee s of th e Beaconsfield Trust) ; Nottingha m Cit y Archives : Mr s F.M . Wilkins-Jones ; University o f Nottingha m Library : Mr s M.A . Welsh ; Norther n Irelan d Public Recor d Office , Belfast : B. Trainor, G.J. Slater , A.T. Harrison ; Kevi n B. Nowlan, National University of Ireland , Dublin ; A.W. Olmsted, Simsbury, Connecticut; Mrs M. Osers, Reading; Oxfor d University : Christ Church - Dr J.F.A. Mason . Ballio l Colleg e - E.V . Quinn ; D r Lesli e Parker , Leicester ; A.W.H. Pearsall , Nationa l Maritim e Museum , Greenwich ; Si r Willia m Pennington-Ramsden, Muncaste r Castle , Cumbria ; Pennsylvani a Stat e University Library ; Historica l Societ y o f Pennsylvania , Philadelphia: Jame s E. Mooney , G . Christopher; Car l H . Pforzheime r Library , New York: Mihai H. Handrea ; Pierpoin t Morga n Library : Herber t Cahoon ; Henr y Pownall , London; Lor d Powis, Powi s Castle ; Primros e League , London ; Princeto n University: Ale x D Wainwright ; Publi c Recor d Office , London : J. R . Ede ; Quaritch, London: M r Hostwick ; Ra y Rawlins, Isl e of Man ; Prof Gordo n N . Ray, Guggenhei m Foundation , Ne w York ; Universit y o f Reading : J.A . Edwards; Lor d Redesdale , Gloucs ; Th e Duk e o f Richmon d an d Gordon , Goodwood; Lor d Ridley , Northumberland ; J . Roberts , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania; Charle s E . Robinson , Universit y o f Delaware ; Universit y of Rochester: Phylli s Andrews ; Cap t Lor d Roden , C o Down ; D r M.A.T . Rogers, Ramsden , Oxon ; Mrs . T.D . Room , Launceston , Tasmania ; Hind a Rose, London; Si r Philip Rose , Great Missenden, Bucks ; Eva Lady Rosebery , Bedfordshire; L . Rosenberger , Chicago ; Ho n Jaco b Rothschild , London ; Rev D r Geoffre y Rowell , Kebl e College , Oxford ; Th e Roya l Archives , Windsor Castle : Si r Robi n Mackworth-Young , Mr s Jan e Langton ; Roya l Botanic Garden s Library , Kew : V.T . Parry ; Roya l Geographi c Society , London: Mr Cummings; Th e Duk e of Rutland, Belvoi r Castle: L.A . Parker ; Hon Mr s E . Waller , London ; Lor d S t Aldwin , Cirencester; Salfor d Cit y Council: M.W . Devereux ; Lor d Salisbury , Hatfiel d House ; Salo p CRO, Shrewsbury: Mar y C . Hill ; Mr s Basi l Samuel , Alresford , Hants ; Lor d Scarborough, Rotherham , Yorks ; National Library of Scotland: Ala n S. Bell; National Register o f Archives (Scotland): J.K. Bates , D.M. Hunter, Mis s M.D.
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xii Young ; Shakespear e Birthplac e Trust , Stratford : D r Lev i Fox ; Sheffiel d Central Library : John Babbington ; Pau l Smith, University of Southampton ; Somerset CRO , Taunton: Ivo r P . Hollis ; Sotheby's , London : Feli x Prior ; Southend-on-Sea Centra l Museum : L. Helliwell ; Mr an d Mr s Harr y Spiro , New York ; Staffs CRO , Stafford : F.B . Stitt ; The Governor s o f Stow e School , Bucks; Donald Sultana, Edinburgh; Lad y Sutherland, Bror a Castle ; National Archives o f Sweden , Stockholm : Folk e Ludwigs ; Universit y o f Syracus e Library: Caroly n A . Davis ; Suffol k CRO , Ipswich: W.R . Serjeant ; Stat e Library o f Tasmania , Launceston : P.F.J . Leonard ; Michae l Tebbutt, Salop ; Lt Co l Olive r Thynne , Berks ; Trinit y College , Dublin : R.B . McDowell; The Times Newspaper s Ltd , London: Gordo n Phillips ; Travellers' Club , London : R.A. Williams ; Universit y o f Texas , Austin : D r Davi d Farmer , Elle n S . Dunlap, Pro f Clarenc e L . Cline ; U.S . Informatio n Service , Ottawa : Mis s F . Swytink; William E. Uttall, Palm Beach, Florida; Si r Harry Verney , Sir Ralph Verney, Middl e Claydon , Bucks : H.R.H . Cox ; Verno n an d Sons , Hig h Wycombe; Victori a an d Alber t Museum , London : Georg e W . Nash , A.P . Burton; Nicol e Villa , Paris ; Nationa l Librar y o f Wales , Aberystwyth : K . Monica Davies ; Comt e Walewski , Paris ; B.D.J . Walsh , London ; Mr s R . Walters, Hove , Sussex ; Walthamsto w Centra l Library : J. Howes ; Mr s Edit h Warrilow, Willowdale , Ontario; Warwick s CRO : M.W . Farr ; Th e Duk e o f Wellington: Apsley House - R.J . Olney. Stratfield Say e House -Joan Wilson; Wesleyan University , Middletown , Connecticut ; Westminste r Abbe y Muniments Room : Howar d M . Nixon ; Wes t Susse x CRO , Chichester : Mr s Patricia Gill , M r McCann ; Lor d Wharncliffe , Wortle y Hall ; Robi n Whitworth, Oxford ; Wiga n Recor d Office : G.A . Knight ; Si r John Wiggin , Warwickshire; John Wilson , Witney, Oxon; Wincheste r College : P.J . Gwyn; Mr an d Mr s Philip Wroughton, Woolle y House , Wantage ; Yal e University: Kenneth Nesheim ; Simo n Young , London ; Zeitli n an d ve r Brugge , Lo s Angeles, California.
INTRODUCTION
Work began o n th e presen t editio n o f Disraeli's letters in 1972 . For th e mos t Collection of part th e location s of those know n to have survived were listed, and th e tas k th e Letters of editing the m appeare d t o b e formidabl e bu t no t overwhelming . I t was hoped tha t perhap s severa l ne w collections migh t b e located , an d tha t th e serious deficiencies of Ralph Disraeli's editions could be corrected b y findin g some of the originals on which he had drawn. For a long tim e scholars hav e been pointin g out th e valu e of a n accurat e and complet e editio n o f Disraeli' s letters. A s early a s 1882 , th e yea r afte r Disraeli's death, Si r Philip Rose wrote to Lor d Rowton : 'If w e should b e so fortunate a s t o discove r Lor d B' s letter s t o hi s famil y i n repl y t o theirs , which n o doub t wer e preserved , a wor k of th e rares t interes t ca n b e com piled, which will exhibit the inne r lif e o f our friend , t o the world , in a light of which even hi s most devote d friend s ca n hav e no notion. ' Memorandu m of i Sep t 1882 ; Rose Papers, H Box 308. Ros e was speaking more accurately than h e knew , an d i n way s other perhap s tha n h e intended ; bu t al l subsequent biographer s hav e commented o n th e indispensabilit y of Disraeli' s letters a s primary source s fo r al l facets o f his complex life an d personality , an d have regretted th e absence o f a complete collection. In 196 7 Lor d Blak e ha d stresse d thi s nee d i n th e preface (xxi ) t o hi s Disraeli: 'Al l subsequen t writer s about Disrael i must acknowledge thei r deb t to Monypenn y and Buckle . Perhaps on e da y som e wealth y foundatio n wil l finance a complet e editio n o f th e correspondenc e o f th e bes t letter-write r among all English statesmen. Till that day the officia l biograph y remain s th e nearest equivalent. ' Late r i n hi s biography (418 ) Lord Blak e pays a furthe r tribute t o the specia l quality of the letter s and t o their value , both t o historians and t o literary scholars : 'Disraeli' s letters giv e a picture o f his whole way of life , and , a s with his novels, indeed wit h everythin g he wrote , ther e i s a sparkle, movement , vivacit y whic h neve r fai l t o entrance . Hi s pros e whe n not rococo and ornate - an d in his letters i t seldom is - ha s the swift quality of sunshin e see n throug h movin g leave s or o n tumblin g waters . Th e cris p freshness i s there even when he i s describing event s of a character anythin g but sunny.' We believ e tha t th e collecte d editio n wil l allo w thi s specia l qualit y t o b e seen mor e clearl y tha n ha s befor e bee n possible . Wit h eac h o f hi s corre spondents Disrael i projecte d fo r himsel f a specia l rol e - alway s differen t
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from an y othe r - whic h develope d an d change d a s hi s own lif e did . O n reading thes e letter s togethe r i n chronologica l orde r fo r th e firs t tim e on e becomes awar e o f th e complexit y o f a personalit y i n whic h th e tota l i s greater tha n and differen t from the sum of the parts. Collecting began, a s one woul d expect, wit h th e know n locations. Thank s to th e earlie r initiativ e of Professo r Pete r Mars h o f th e Universit y o f Syra cuse, the Hughende n Archive s had bee n completel y microfilmed, and i t was possible t o examin e thi s ver y larg e collectio n wit h a thoroughnes s whic h would no t hav e been achieved eve n by protracted attendanc e a t Hughende n Manor. Visit s to other collection s began t o yiel d unexpected results . On e o f the earlies t wa s to Westo n Par k i n Shropshire , wher e Lor d Bradfor d wa s generous enoug h t o permi t fre e acces s t o hi s archives . Disraeli' s letter s t o Selina, Lady Bradford, an d t o her sister , Anne, Lad y Chesterfield, give what has rightl y bee n hel d t o be th e mos t comprehensiv e an d detaile d availabl e portrait o f hi s preoccupations durin g hi s second ministr y between 187 4 an d 1880. Buckl e printed 45 0 o f the m i n the las t two volumes of th e biography . But i t soo n becam e obviou s tha t Buckl e had no t bee n show n th e complet e collection an d tha t h e ha d no t chose n t o us e al l those h e wa s shown. Even Lord Zetland' s 192 9 edition, thoug h containin g man y more letters , wa s not complete. The explanatio n i s obvious enough , an d i t wa s to b e repeate d ove r an d over agai n wit h al l th e majo r liste d collections . Disrael i was uninhibite d i n his privat e correspondence ; h e sai d exactl y what h e though t abou t every body, an d supporte d hi s characte r assessment s wit h a floo d o f anecdot e filled with graphi c detail . I n th e earl y par t o f thi s century man y o f hi s subjects wer e stil l alive , and woul d hav e bee n extremel y upset , no t t o sa y liti gious, ha d suc h letter s the n bee n published . Afte r another sixt y years, how ever, attitude s hav e changed . N o obstacle s hav e bee n raised , eithe r b y th e descendants o f thos e o f whom Disrael i wrote, or b y those owner s of th e let ters we have so far located . In mos t cases , hithert o unknow n collection s wer e foun d b y tracin g th e descendants o f Disraeli' s know n correspondents. I n th e Hughende n paper s alone abou t fift y peopl e wh o wrot e t o Disrael i ar e classe d a s majo r corre spondents, an d ther e ar e ove r eleve n hundre d i n th e lis t o f genera l corre spondents. Th e descendant s o f the peers were th e first to be approached, a s they were comparativel y easy to find. The letter s from th e other s o n the two lists were combed fo r clues , and a numbe r o f th e descendant s o f thei r writ ers were also located. Man y of these people , whe n found , did no t kno w that they possessed th e Disrael i letters tha t were indee d amon g thei r papers , an d some o f th e searches , jointl y conducted, le d t o discoveries mad e wit h equa l excitement fo r both owne r and editor . Belvoir Castle , thank s to th e courtes y o f the Duk e of Rutlan d an d hi s archivist, D r Lesli e Parker , prove d t o b e a ric h source , particularl y fo r th e 18405 and th e Youn g Englan d movement , bu t ther e wer e als o som e letter s from th e 18305 . The Duke s of Abercorn , Argyll , Newcastle, and Richmon d and Gordo n al l had holding s of which initially they were not precisel y aware
- an d whic h testif y ho w thoroughly Disrael i ha d mad e u p fo r hi s father's comment afte r th e publicatio n of Th e Young Duke i n 1831 : 'Wha t doe s Be n know of dukes?' The letter s to Willia m Pyne , the ma n wh o mor e tha n an y other kep t Disraeli ou t o f debtors' priso n i n the 18305 , turned up , no t the n catalogued , in the Fitzwillia m Museu m i n Cambridge . Th e Bodleian , i n additio n t o it s known holdings , had th e privat e deposit collections of Lord Carringto n an d Lord Harcourt . W e suspect tha t ther e ar e othe r suc h collections containing Disraeli letter s whic h w e hav e no t unearthed , an d which , bein g uncata logued, w e will kno w nothin g about unles s we are fortunat e enoug h t o discover thei r owners. Lord Eshe r reported i n 190 5 tha t Disraeli' s personal correspondenc e wit h Queen Victori a had bee n destroye d o n th e orde r o f Edwar d vil . A s mor e and mor e of the correspondence fro m th e 1870 5 came to light, however, the more uncharacteristi c suc h a n actio n o n th e King' s par t appeare d t o be . When h e wa s Princ e o f Wales , hi s relation s wit h Disrael i wer e extremel y warm, an d o n a numbe r o f occasion s Disraelia n diplomac y was exercise d successfully wit h th e Quee n o n th e Prince' s behalf . Through th e goo d offi ces o f th e Roya l Archivist , Sir Robi n Mackworth-Young , an d b y graciou s permission o f He r Majest y th e Queen , a considerabl e collectio n wa s assembled o f both side s of the correspondence , th e vas t majorit y o f which ha s no t been published . Thi s bear s al l th e mark s o f a 'persona l correspondence' , and, whethe r o r no t othe r letter s wer e destroye d ove r seventy-fiv e year s ago, enoug h remai n t o justify th e clai m that a persona l correspondenc e ha s indeed survived . It i s a commonplac e to sa y that Disraeli' s letters t o wome n alway s hav e a special quality , and tha t h e neede d a femal e corresponden t fo r hi s confi dant. W e have no w his letters t o hi s sister Sarah , t o hi s wife Mar y Anne, to Lady Londonderry, Mr s Brydges-Willyams, Hannah Rothschild , Lady Blessington, th e Sherida n sisters , Lad y Joh n Manners , Lad y Bradford , Lad y Chesterfield, th e Quee n an d dozen s o f others . Disraeli' s letter s t o wome n managed t o achieve a tone o f almost instant and conspiratoria l intimacy . We have encountere d case s wher e Disrael i ha d writte n t o femal e correspond ents who , i n eac h instance , ha d cherishe d th e letter s an d preserve d the m carefully. Followin g their deaths , th e member s o f thei r familie s ha d foun d the letter s and , disturbe d b y the implication s of the familiarit y of tone, ha d destroyed them . I n non e o f thes e case s had Disrael i and hi s corresponden t even met ! As al l editor s o f collecte d letter s hav e surel y found, ther e i s a wealt h of anecdote whic h accumulates as the gatherin g goe s on . Collection s alleged t o have been destroyed emerg e unexpectedl y i n strange places ; the vagarie s of long-forgotten famil y conflict s determin e wh y on e branc h shoul d b e th e keepers o f the ancestral records rather tha n another . O n mor e tha n one occasion enquiries made quite by chance, wher e there were n o know n Disraeli associations, prove d t o be fruitful . Suc h randomnes s ca n lea d a n edito r int o a stat e o f melanchol y i f h e brood s upo n it . Ho w man y mor e cache s ar e
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xvi there ? Shoul d h e knoc k o n ever y thir d door , exhortin g th e occupant s t o bring out their Disrael i letters? We hav e sent enquirie s t o al l the count y record office s an d majo r publi c libraries i n Britain , an d hav e visite d mos t o f them . W e hav e writte n t o al l the majo r an d t o a considerabl e portio n o f th e mino r scholarl y libraries in North America , and hav e visite d man y of them . W e hav e foun d letter s i n France an d Germany , Israe l an d Japan , Australi a an d Ne w Zealand . W e have combe d th e sale s catalogue s o f dealer s fro m aroun d th e worl d fro m the mid-nineteenth centur y to the present . Thes e have provided evidenc e of the existenc e o f letter s which , i n som e cases , we hav e gon e o n t o find . I n others w e hav e use d th e catalogue s t o giv e th e statu s o f letter s t o extract s whose significance appear s t o warrant it. We ar e ver y consciou s o f ou r failures . There ar e stil l s o man y gap s w e had hope d t o fill. We have no t foun d Disraeli' s letters to Lord Chandos , o r to Lord Georg e Bentinck . We had no t reall y expected t o find those t o Hen rietta Sykes, but ou r hop e is not quite extinguished. As mos t editor s do , w e hav e advertise d i n Th e Times, TLS, Th e Daily Telegraph, an d i n othe r Britis h newspapers an d periodicals . Th e result s fo r us hav e bee n disappointing . Fewe r tha n twent y letter s wer e unearthe d b y this means. Fa r mor e fruitfu l hav e been th e effort s o f M r and Mr s F. McArdell, th e curator s o f Hughende n Manor , who seem t o hav e an unerrin g in stinct fo r possibl e lette r owner s amon g th e visitor s to th e house , an d wh o have ambushe d the m ver y successfull y o n ou r behalf . Th e effort s o f Bar bara North , formerl y of the Nationa l Trust offic e a t Hughenden , hav e also been invaluabl e in keepin g u s informe d abou t thos e wh o mad e enquirie s about th e archive s whe n the y wer e kep t ther e befor e bein g move d t o th e Bodleian in 1978 . Collection an d processin g continu e t o b e paralle l activities . New letter s keep turnin g u p whic h thro w light o n formerl y obscure passage s o f others. The identificatio n of the nove l which Disraeli and hi s sister publishe d unde r pseudonyms in 183 4 came at a late stage i n the processin g o f the 1833- 4 let ters an d mad e necessar y substantia l alteratio n t o man y of th e annotations . We inten d t o publis h a supplementar y volum e a t th e en d o f th e edition , containing all the letter s whic h hav e emerged afte r th e appropriate chrono logical volume has been published . I n the meantime, the hunt goe s on. Letters: Th e privat e letters of a statesman are alway s inviting material for historians . 1815-1837 Whe n the statesma n happen s a s well to have claims to literary fame , hi s correspondence assume s a doubl e significance . Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881 ) belonged t o an age that gav e pride o f place to the written word as an instru ment o f both busines s an d pleasure . Mor e tha n eve n hi s distinguished con temporaries, Disrael i brought t o th e epistolar y ar t bot h th e techniqu e o f a professional ma n o f letter s an d a sens e o f destiny . Evidenc e o f th e firs t abounds i n letters demonstrating a fine eye for detai l and , le t it be said, a capacity fo r th e self-dramatizatio n an d wil d literar y conceit s tha t mar k hi s novels and tales . I n fact , som e of th e fine r descriptiv e passage s i n earl y letters t o hi s famil y als o appea r verbati m i n novel s suc h a s Contarini Fleming,
nor i s i t alway s certai n whic h versio n wa s writte n first . A s t o th e man y premonitions o f futur e greatness , the y are epitomize d i n hi s advice of 183 0 to Benjami n Austen tha t i t woul d b e profitabl e t o preserv e hi s letter s fo r posterity. Of course, even then th e young Disraeli was not perfectl y obscure , though h e was known primarily as the author of Vivian Grey. Posterity complied , with th e resul t tha t th e year s o f Disraeli' s early manhood ar e relativel y well documented. Fe w schoolboy anecdotes swel l the rec ord, bu t ampl e compensation come s i n th e nex t fe w years, when the young Disraeli invaded the world of affairs, an d no t merel y as a spectator. Thoug h neither princ e no r prodigy , he nevertheles s had begu n t o participate in major event s by the ag e of twenty . He thu s ha d experience s wort h preservin g here on thei r ow n account, by no mean s only for th e insigh t that they give into hi s futur e development . There i s but on e lette r o f th e 'deares t mama ' genre; all others fin d hi m already launched, however uncertainly, into adult relations i n literatur e an d business . Becaus e h e wrot e wel l an d becaus e a sort o f eminence cam e early, the numbe r o f survivin g documents compare s favourably wit h thos e for , say , John Wilso n Croker, whos e papers yiel d n o information abou t thei r importan t subjec t unti l he wa s in hi s thirtieth year. When, however , on e consider s th e Dicken s correspondence, preserve d i n some profusion from 1835 , when the write r was twenty-three, the lac k of information abou t Disrael i in th e lat e 1820 5 is annoying, for i n this empty period cam e his serious illness - no w sometimes diagnosed afte r the fact a s the unromantic malad y of atrophic rhiniti s - an d othe r event s about whic h we know all too little. In total , th e Disrael i correspondence i s immense. A s of earl y 1980 , ther e are mor e tha n 10,00 0 letter s entirely in his hand, excluding government papers, letter s dictate d t o secretarie s an d document s tha t bea r onl y hi s signature. Thi s total fa r exceed s tha t for mos t major figure s whose collected cor respondence ha s alread y appeared , thoug h i t i s not quit e a s larg e a s i s th e surviving Dicken s correspondence o f ove r 13,00 0 letters . Ther e are , t o b e sure, suc h fable d treasure s a s tha t suggeste d i n Charle s Dodgson' s letter book wher e number s rende r an y complet e editio n unlikely , an d ther e i s Besterman's grea t fea t o f assemblin g 20,00 0 Voltair e letters . Nevertheless , in th e compan y of publi c men, Disrael i stands ou t eve n i n term s o f th e volume o f hi s output . Burke , Macaula y an d J.S . Mill , wh o hav e bee n wel l served b y modern scholarl y editions of thei r letters , ar e no t comparabl e i n extent. Fo r Russell , Peel, Melbourn e an d Gladston e ther e i s no fir m count , but publishe d edition s suggest , a t leas t fo r th e firs t three , a comparatively thin body of material. As h e ha d predicted , Disraeli' s letters becam e object s of valu e in hi s life time; indeed, th e earlies t recorded sal e dates fro m 1866 . I n 1878 , the grea t Parisian autograp h deale r Etienn e Charavay , using a scal e tha t ra n fro m 'commun' throug h nin e further gradation s o f increasing rarity , rated a Disraeli lette r a s 114 . I n th e nineties , S.J . Davey , the Londo n dealer , called Disraeli 'one of the rares t o f modern names' , and cite d an instanc e of £100 being aske d fo r a one-pag e lette r signe d 'Beaconsfield' . On e caus e o f thi s
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rarity was the Disrael i family's retentio n o f a huge store o f manuscript mate rials. Unhappil y fo r th e editors , a proces s o f sellin g of f letter s bega n i n 1901. Over th e nex t fiftee n year s the Hughende n archive s were divested of at leas t 30 0 letters writte n to th e family . Suc h item s became a drug o n th e market, a s note d i n 191 0 by th e discernin g collecto r A.M . Broadley: 'Ho w Lord Beaconsfield' s lif e i s ever to be written with any hop e o f completeness , I canno t imagine . Hundred s o f hi s letter s hav e bee n sol d sinc e hi s death , and a specimen of average interes t ca n now be obtained fo r ao s or less. ' Undeterred b y Broadley' s concern , Monypenn y publishe d th e firs t vol ume o f th e monumenta l biograph y i n tha t sam e year . Bu t ofte n h e de pended fo r hi s texts of letter s upo n Ralp h Disraeli's several compilations of his brother's correspondence . Sinc e th e Hughende n paper s wer e then , fo r the mos t part , unorganize d an d uncatalogued , i t must have been difficul t t o know if there stil l existed an y alternative t o the publishe d texts . Doubtless unavoidable, Monypenny' s decision was a costly one. As Broadley, himself the owne r of some originals, pointed out , Ralph's work faile d t o rise abov e th e undemandin g conventions o f othe r Victoria n editions . Tha t is, ther e ha d bee n n o effor t t o respec t th e integrit y of individua l letters a s discrete documents : no t infrequentl y a numbe r wer e conflate d int o a single and heavil y edited narrativ e and the n assigne d a date tha t belonged, a t best, to one o f them only . This editorial insensitivit y was least pronounce d i n th e case of th e Home Letters, consisting largely of detailed descriptio n o f identifi able places. However, many letters tha t did no t so depend fo r their meanin g on associatio n wit h a specifi c tim e an d plac e wer e ruthlessl y reshaped. In deed, i t i s no t alway s clea r wha t purpos e wa s served b y th e process , fo r i t was no t just inaccuracie s o r indiscretion s tha t suffered . A t time s the edito r seems to have sought t o substitute hi s own judgement fo r tha t of the writer . Over th e years , a certain numbe r o f items were reclaimed fro m th e market , perhaps b y Majo r Coningsb y Disraeli , Ralph' s son . Bu t no t unti l th e cata loguing o f th e Hughende n paper s i n th e 1960 5 coul d on e finall y declar e that Broadley' s alarm of fifty years before had bee n wel l founded . Some 4 0 librarie s o r privat e collection s hav e provide d th e text s o f letter s for th e first two volumes. There are man y more source s fo r th e late r years , when Disraeli' s correspondenc e increased . O f curren t sources , b y fa r th e major contributo r ha s bee n th e Hughende n collection , wit h clos e t o one third o f th e total . O f th e 69 7 letters t o the en d o f 1837 , only 9 0 lac k origi nals; thes e hav e ha d t o b e take n fro m publishe d source s - newspapers , books, auctio n o r sale s catalogues . Thi s proportio n o f origina l documents , or photocopie s o f them, largel y removes th e limitation s under which Monypenny an d Buckl e laboured . Wit h ou r acquisitio n i n 197 6 o f th e origina l manuscripts of the Home Letters, the spel l of Ralp h Disraeli's sanctified errors has further bee n lifte d an d mor e of his versions can no w be compared wit h the originals . Given the whimsica l character o f nineteenth-century editing , it is not unu sual fo r a much-needed moder n edition t o consist, as in th e cas e o f Byron' s letters, largel y o f previousl y published items . Removin g the confusion s ere -
ated by unexacting editing may be quite as valuable a task as the discover y of new documents . Bu t mos t of Disraeli' s correspondence escape d th e ravage s of hi s editor, fo r Ralph' s effort s concentrate d upo n th e earl y letters. Eve n for letter s writte n before 1838 , som e 40 per cent - 28 3 in all - no w appear for th e firs t time , at leas t a s fa r a s can b e ascertained . Apar t fro m Ralph's volumes, an d thos e o f Monypenn y and Buckl e who s o heavil y relie d upo n him, th e chie f work s tha t hav e printe d a t leas t fragment s of a substantia l number o f letter s ar e Smiles' s lif e o f John Murra y and Professo r Jerman' s The Young Disraeli. Bu t ther e are , o f course , man y sources tha t quot e smal l portions o f text . Perhap s th e oddes t cas e i s on e publishe d accoun t o f a private collection of Disrael i letters i n which some passage s ar e quoted , no t from th e original documents, bu t fro m Ralph Disraeli's unauthentic version. Truth does not always fare well even in free and open encounter . In order to understand a correspondence, on e usually wishes to be able to consult both sides. Letter s written to Disraeli are t o be found i n great num bers in the Hughende n paper s for , unlike some public figures, he preserve d such materials with care. Understandably , some items are missing , either be cause the y seemed t o be of n o consequence, invitations , for example , or be cause their content s wer e potentially embarrassing. Clearly , Disraeli received far mor e dunnin g letter s tha n h e preserved ; thei r disquietin g content s would provid e n o incentiv e t o treasur e them . Som e quit e intimat e letter s from marrie d wome n have survived , and Sar a Austen , who playe d a larg e role i n th e writin g of Vivian Grey, actuall y wrote som e o f her s i n a cipher , though th e content s wer e no t ver y compromising . Lad y Sykes , Disraeli's mistress in the perio d 1833-6 , was capable of a memorable candour , bu t was more give n to expressing sentimen t tha n to explaining circumstances. When one consider s th e travel s of Disraeli' s youth and th e fac t tha t afte r 182 9 h e spent muc h of his time living at various addresses i n London - no t to mention th e temptation o f an open fire as a method o f tidying - th e survival of so much correspondence i s remarkable. No attemp t ha s been made , a s in som e editions , t o prin t th e text s of letters addresse d t o Disraeli , though ofte n the y are quote d i n the notes . Espe cially prominen t ar e th e letter s fro m Sara h Disraeli , almost all of whic h remain preserve d i n the Hughende n papers , as did Disraeli' s to he r unti l the unfortunate sale s before th e Firs t Worl d War . Fo r severa l decades, Disrael i and hi s sister exchange d letter s wit h grea t frequency. Over one-thir d o f th e pre-i838 letter s ar e addresse d t o Sarah , thoug h thi s portio n doe s no t en tirely coincide with the one-third draw n from Hughenden . Th e letter s fro m her - a stream o f famil y news , local gossip , aci d commen t o n personalitie s and querie s abou t Londo n lif e - provid e th e background whic h enable s us to understand th e detail s of hi s existence. Becaus e of th e od d wa y in which she submerge d he r lif e i n his , hi s lif e gain s a n unusua l focus . Without he r letters, we would too often be confronted wit h answers for whic h there wer e no previous questions . Owing t o th e centralit y o f thi s prolonge d an d intimat e correspondence , the editor s migh t wel l hav e contemplate d devotin g whol e volume s t o i t
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xx alone. Th e Horac e Walpol e letters and som e earl y editions of Goethe' s let ters are s o organized. Bu t such an approach, howeve r effective fo r purpose s of focusin g th e theme s o f a thinker , poe t o r connoisseur , woul d no t hav e served t o illuminat e either th e thought s o r th e caree r o f thi s ambitiou s young ma n i n th e Londo n o f th e Refor m Bill . Inasmuc h as th e letter s t o Sarah suppl y the axi s round whic h we must reconstruct thi s perio d i n Disraeli's life, thei r supreme valu e lies precisely in the ligh t that they cast upon those other document s tha t form the remainder o f the record. Th e chrono logical arrangemen t o f letter s tha t ar e ver y different in ton e o r substanc e enhances th e valu e of each . On e ca n the n emplo y letters, no t onl y t o illus trate characte r o r t o enshrin e fin e phrases , bu t t o ma p a lif e i n systematic fashion. Th e sam e consideratio n justifie s th e inclusio n of al l Disraeli' s letters, fo r th e ver y density of th e correspondenc e contribute s t o ou r under standing. Indeed , i t is precisely thos e brief message s - announcing , for instance, hi s presenc e a t a specifi c plac e o n a give n dat e - tha t allo w fo r further inference s abou t hi s activity . Wha t seem s meaningles s i n isolatio n becomes significant whe n placed i n context. Sometimes, o f course , th e juxtapositio n o f letters , neve r intende d t o b e read together , doe s nothin g t o enhanc e Disraeli' s reputation . On e ca n tel l one publisher , but no t mor e tha n one , tha t h e ha s first refusa l o f a manu script; onl y on e credito r a t a tim e ca n b e assure d tha t h e command s th e highest priority. Disraeli kep t a diary only very irregularly; for th e mos t par t hi s activities were chronicle d i n letter s home , chiefl y t o Sarah . Thes e letter s d o immea surable servic e i f only because the y constitute the lin e of continuit y against which one ma y place hi s relations with other people . Th e seemingl y prosaic task o f datin g a n undate d documen t ma y be th e ke y to it s meaning. Sara h was mor e punctiliou s than he r brothe r i n datin g he r letters , s o that many chains of reasonin g abou t th e event s referred t o i n some othe r lette r begi n with th e bedrock supplie d b y comments either fro m Sarah o r t o her. I n th e absence o f suc h a sustaine d recor d w e woul d lac k thos e landmark s tha t make it easy to place Disraeli within his several spheres of activity. The world , and no t Sarah, was the target o f his ambition. To her , perhaps to her alone , he confided hi s hopes, interspersed wit h breathless accounts of occasions, social, literary or political , in which she was invited to share vicariously. Of hi s current writing s he wrot e to publishers ; of his political design s - throughou t mos t of the early perio d the y wer e unrealize d - h e wrote to senior politicians . Both spheres migh t warrant mention i n letters t o a particularly favoured , an d impatient , credito r suc h a s Benjami n Austen. Bu t t o 'Sa' h e wrot e o f bot h al l th e time , notin g no t just over t activity , bu t th e meaning o f hi s experiences . Eve n hi s lov e affair s leav e thei r traces . On e early courtshi p figure s i n account s t o Sarah , accompanie d b y fir m instruc tions no t t o allo w anyone els e t o intercep t th e letters . Hi s affai r wit h Lad y Sykes was another matter , but her e th e ver y silences about hi s whereabout s sufficiently mar k th e period . Th e sam e delicac y spare d Sara h mos t o f th e
details of his debts, a topic that dominates a number of relations - thos e with Austen, Pyne and Culverwell. There ma y wel l b e majo r figure s whos e letter s provid e n o perspectiv e comparable t o tha t afforde d b y th e 'Sarah ' correspondence , bu t al l editor s must hop e fo r thos e shaft s o f ligh t that invest thei r subjec t and hi s business with meaning . Som e personalitie s stan d in mor e nee d of candi d testimon y about thei r motive s than d o others . A n irrepressibl e sou l suc h a s Georg e Meredith expressed stron g feeling s in man y letters to different people . Th e more auster e Macaulay , by contrast , i s sufficientl y reveale d i n hi s privat e thoughts abou t publi c business largely throug h letter s t o hi s friend Thoma s Flower Ellis . Withou t th e presenc e o f Sarah , Disrael i woul d see m one dimensional, th e hom e o f a restles s ambitio n tha t lef t n o peac e fo r hones t self-scrutiny. Not , of course, that h e was, in general, a n understate d person ; far fro m it . However , neither th e hyperboli c enthusiasms nor th e bout s o f self-pity apparen t i n hi s other relation s wer e a s expressiv e a s hi s less mannered bu t mor e informativ e revelations to Sarah. Durin g the greater par t of his life , Disrael i appears t o hav e require d th e solac e o f a confidant . Fo r a long tim e - eve n after hi s marriage, thoug h i n reduced measur e - thi s wa s Sarah. Peeresses and eve n a queen were later to take up par t of that role . What, i n fact , d o Disraeli' s letters tell us tha t we might wish t o know ? Fo r one thing , the y provid e a remarkabl y detailed accoun t o f lif e i n th e uppe r reaches o f Englis h society , viewed fro m below . Lon g befor e h e cam e t o dominate hi s era, Disrael i had becom e adep t a t portrayin g it, sometimes in exquisite detail . Fe w other member s o f th e middl e class manage d t o pene trate aristocrati c societ y wit h comparabl e success , an d fewe r stil l brough t with the m th e literar y skil l t o tel l wha t they saw there. Observation s o n th e conversation o f th e tow n and th e personne l o f dinner partie s ar e conspicuous i n Disraeli' s letter s t o thos e people , particularl y Sarah, wh o wer e re moved fro m th e excitement . Th e letters , whether t o amus e ladie s or invit e the interest o f a publisher or th e patienc e of a creditor, hav e above all an air of busyness. But only the mos t narrowly instrumental messages are confined to a singl e topic. Eve n the creditor s hear d o f th e debtor' s mood s an d thes e are sometime s conveyed in telling ways. Who could no t respond t o the mes sage that Disraeli, amid al l his afflictions, wa s 'savagely gay'? Carlyle, even a s a young man, lectured hi s readers; Disraeli' s attention t o most topic s was too fleetin g to sustai n an y comparabl e gravitas. Wher e th e letters ar e richest i n information - a s in those t o Sarah - h e is least artful , because leas t o n display . Writing t o others , h e i s apt t o b e extravagan t i n sentiment, even at the expens e o f content. Applie d t o the simpl e acceptance or refusa l o f an invitation , this artfulness has the effec t o f making the docu ment more memorabl e than it s ostensible messag e would suggest. That, pre sumably, i s why such letter s hav e survived , to b e describe d i n auctio n cata logues as 'charming'. Some o f th e leas t memorabl e effusion s wer e directed t o Mar y Anne Lewis, his future wife . Devoi d of the informatio n and opinio n whic h he communicated t o Sarah, these exercise s i n gallantry too often seem contrived rather
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n clever. In hi s flirtatious correspondence wit h the ladie s of the Sherida n family Disrael i is shown to bette r advantage , fo r th e letter s ar e largel y self mocking jeux d'esprit. Disraeli's earlies t clai m to attentio n wa s literary, an d hi s pursuit s befor e his electio n t o Parliamen t wer e thos e o f a ma n o f letters . Bu t th e corre spondence say s comparatively little of hi s inspiration fo r hi s novels, thoug h it does document th e spee d an d concentratio n o f hi s composition. Only fo r the politica l writings can we learn muc h of his sources - a mixture of private information, carefu l reading of the press , and histor y books. One of Disrae li's objects i n writin g had bee n t o acquir e bot h th e nam e an d th e mone y t o sustain a parliamentar y career. B y 1834 , hi s involvement in literature came , more an d more , to look like a stepping ston e t o Westminster. The Revolutionary Epick o f tha t yea r wa s a sourc e o f prid e t o it s author an d th e letter s in clude ampl e detai l o n th e proces s of composition , bu t th e poe m itsel f was neither a critica l nor a commercia l success . Th e editin g o f th e letter s ha s added severa l items to the cano n o f Disraeli's works, most notably in the dis covery o f hi s joint authorship , wit h Sarah , o f Hartlebury, a nove l o f 1834 . The boo k wil l neve r ran k a s grea t literature , bu t i t attest s t o th e exten t o f Disraeli's commitmen t a t tha t tim e t o a fusio n o f Tor y an d Radica l princi ples. Tw o mor e novel s preceded hi s election i n 1837 , bu t hi s concentratio n had the n been primarily upon politica l affairs fo r severa l years. The mos t importan t issu e t o which these letter s spea k is , thus, the cours e of Disraeli' s political ambitions. I n th e firs t biograph y o f Disraeli , published in 1852 , the gran d question wa s already that of his alleged opportunis m an d want of principle . I n thi s century Disrael i has been th e subjec t of tw o of th e major biographie s i n th e language , bu t stil l uncertaint y abou t hi s political aims persists . Th e letter s wil l no t serv e t o dispe l al l doubts , bu t the y ma y render th e proble m mor e manageable . Hi s politica l opinion s appea r t o b e instinctively Tory . I n plannin g th e Canningit e newspape r o f 182 5 ne talks of private gai n an d o f British grandeur, bu t no t of reform. Whe n he regrets the outcom e o f the battl e o f Navarino or proclaim s his intention of assisting the Port e i n subduin g rebelliou s subjects , no glimme r o f politica l radicalism mars his orthodoxy . On hi s return t o England i n 1831 , Disraeli fell i n with one Morit z von Ha ber, an d throug h hi m was drawn into a scheme t o thwart the Whi g government's foreig n polic y by defeating it on th e Refor m Bill. The backgroun d t o the writing of Gallomania - th e instrument intended t o dish this set of Whigs - ha s been a neglecte d chapte r i n Disraeli's earl y history , and th e book re mains among th e leas t know n of hi s writings. As letters fro m th e sprin g o f 1832 indicate , he was more anti-Whi g than hostile to reform, but alread y h e had to stee r uneasil y among the contrar y demand s of potentia l supporters . Thus w e fin d hi s frien d Mr s Bolto n cautionin g hi m t o appea r mor e dedi cated t o the caus e of defeating th e Whi g bill, lest h e alienate that allianc e of reactionary European s an d Tor y ultras whose hopes la y with the Gallomania. Not muc h later , Edwar d Bulwer , hi s sponso r i n Radica l circles , anxiously sought reassuranc e tha t Disrael i wa s indeed committe d t o reform . Sarah ,
meanwhile, wrote to him about hi s plan to convert the Radical s of Wycombe to Toryism - a n ambition never so described i n Disraeli's letters to her. If an y settin g could sustai n Disraeli's self-proclaimed Radical proclivities, it wa s Wycombe, long a clos e borough i n th e Whi g interest, an d still , afte r passage o f th e Refor m Bill , responsiv e t o th e want s o f Lor d Carrington . This noblema n was actually a Tory, but hi s son was a Whig member, an d hi s wants di d no t includ e Disraeli . The fac t tha t Disrael i faile d t o displac e th e Whigs and tha t on e o f the member s after 183 2 was Charles Grey, son of th e prime minister , lent substanc e t o Disraeli' s rhetoric abou t freein g hi s hom e constituency from thraldom. These circumstances also helped t o nourish his romantic attachmen t t o the languag e o f eighteenth-centur y Toryism - th e creed o f Bolingbrok e an d Wyndham . Agai n i n 1834- 5 Disrael i fough t a n election a t Wycomb e with suppor t fro m Tories and Radicals , and agai n circumstances lent some credibility to his stand. Though no national coalescing of thes e element s wa s pending, condition s certainly favoure d som e realign ment of parties , and tal k about coalitio n government was heard. Even allowing fo r th e unsettle d times , however , th e politica l letter s vividl y amplif y Charles Greville' s famous observation tha t Disrael i seemed t o b e ' a might y impartial personage'. Within the spac e o f a few days we find him impartially bestowing his attentions upon bot h Lor d Durham , a decidedly radica l Whig, and th e Duk e of Wellington . I n bot h case s h e sough t a patro n wh o might get hi m int o Parliament . Som e o f Disraeli' s pronouncement s t o Durha m have a particularl y disingenuous flavour , whic h can bes t b e excuse d b y noting the deep divisions that then afflicte d th e Tories. From th e sprin g o f 1834 , Disraeli' s politica l fortune s ha d begu n t o im prove; h e ha d me t Lor d Lyndhurs t an d thi s influential patro n wa s to plac e him firmly in the Tor y camp. Still , the roa d t o Parliamen t wa s not ye t clear, for h e continue d t o be haunte d b y troubles fro m hi s past. Fo r suc h a young man, he had already compiled a lengthy public record - th e reward, o r the price, o f hi s youthfu l endeavours . Thi s prove d t o b e a mixe d blessin g fo r one who aspired t o a profession that valued consistency. Beset by charges of opportunism i n hi s Taunto n campaig n o f 1835 , Disrael i ha d stil l t o lear n the trut h o f his later dictu m that on e shoul d 'never explain'. Hi s longest let ters presented her e ar e thos e t o Edwards Beadon i n justification o f past conduct, and thes e hav e no t previousl y figure d i n scholarl y accounts o f Disrae li's career. Debts, contracte d a s lon g a s te n year s before , als o continue d t o plagu e him, a s the y would i n year s to come . H e wa s thus tempte d b y a variet y of money-making schemes, som e of which again brought him int o contact with the mysteriou s Baro n Haber . Introduce d firs t a s a n agen t o f th e exile d Charles X , Haber reappeare d a s a fund-raiser fo r th e Spanis h Carlists . This episode, whic h implicate d Disrael i i n som e dubiou s financia l engagement s on behal f o f a powe r agains t whic h th e Britis h ha d dispatche d a forc e o f mercenaries, ha s largel y escape d previou s attention . Neithe r ha s i t bee n clear unti l now ho w close Disrael i came t o permanen t rui n a t th e hand s o f his creditors i n the sprin g o f 1837 . Debtors ' priso n beckoned , an d ha d tha t
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e materialize d ther e i s doubt whethe r h e woul d eve r hav e been eligible , either i n la w o r i n reputation , fo r a parliamentar y career . Ne w finding s about Disraeli' s finances have come fro m th e correspondence , recentl y discovered, wit h Richar d Culverwell , and especiall y fro m letter s t o Willia m Pyne which were available to Lor d Blak e only in th e for m o f Monypenny's notes. Disraeli's eventua l electio n fo r Maidston e i n th e summe r o f 183 7 mark s the emergenc e o f a forma l public role afte r twelv e years o f intermitten t activity o n th e fringe s o f power . Whe n h e wa s no mor e tha n twenty , h e ha d negotiated wit h famous men an d ha d bee n part y to major financial speculations. The fac t tha t thes e venture s all failed did nothin g t o ri d Disrael i of a taste fo r hig h finance and hig h politics , preferably combined. On hi s travels in th e Ottoma n Empire , h e wa s impressed b y meetings wit h th e exoti c offi cialdom o f th e region . Bac k i n England , hi s desir e t o b e a t th e centr e o f events continue d unabated . A t first , h e appear s a s a too-credulou s youn g man, given to spreading abroa d th e misconception s of emigr e Carlists . Sur prisingly, though , Disrael i wa s no t a simpl e outsider , fo r h e wa s advantageously place d t o touc h grea t events , if no t alway s t o se e them clearly . Let ters datin g fro m th e writin g of Gallomania presen t hi m as convinced tha t h e was priv y t o astoundin g secret s an d poise d t o alte r th e balanc e o f Europe . One mus t mak e allowance s for hi s nativ e hyperbole , bu t th e fac t remain s that importan t men , Britis h and foreign , too k a n interes t i n th e writin g of Gallomania. A t th e sam e time , however , h e faile d t o identif y th e edito r o f The Times correctly . N o mer e parvenu , an d certainl y no t withou t influentia l friends, hi s resources o f all kinds nevertheless remained thin . As his company, through 1833-4 , gre w more aristocratic , th e qualit y of his information improved . Bu t a t leas t unti l hi s election t o Parliamen t h e lived on th e most allurin g rumour o f the day . The Whi g cabinet i n disarray an d his own triumph assured ! Ho w often Sara h and other s mus t have read thos e premature tidings . Th e worl d coul d neve r someho w kee p pac e wit h hi s overheated imagination . This mood wa s not confine d t o politics ; there wer e publishers who learned, mor e tha n once , o f hi s writing the greates t boo k i n the world . Th e bizarr e habi t of announcing th e deaths o f old ladies - wh o then remaine d stubbornl y aliv e - wa s another measur e o f Disraeli' s impe tuosity. This quality was most significant , however, i n hi s stormy ris e t o po litical eminence. A quarrel, suc h as that with Daniel O'Connell, probabl y did Disraeli as much harm a s good, and i t is implausible to suppose tha t i t was a calculated bi d fo r popularity . Becaus e h e se t out earl y and wa s a lon g tim e in attainin g hi s goals , on e i s sometimes tempte d t o lau d hi s patience ; wis e saws of hi s old age suppor t tha t impression . Bu t th e recor d suggest s energ y and enduranc e rathe r than patience . Disrael i was very muc h i n a hurry an d was thu s ap t t o pursu e ne w avenues t o succes s befor e h e ha d formall y dis avowed th e old. This is enough t o account for the common suspicion that h e was not fastidiou s about hi s means of rising. The firs t tw o volumes of th e Collecte d Letter s brin g Disrael i only to th e threshold o f th e Victoria n er a an d t o th e onse t o f hi s career a s a politician.
By late 183 7 he had faile d i n his maiden speech, but al l major successes lay in xx the future. It woul d be prematur e fo r th e editor s t o advertis e her e the treasure s lai d up fo r furthe r volumes . Mor e document s wil l ye t b e unearthe d an d th e meaning o f man y alread y i n ou r possessio n mus t stil l b e pondered . Fo r these reasons , i t i s impossible t o presen t here , a t th e beginnin g o f th e firs t volumes, a cogent an d accurat e overview of the entire collection . Our object , therefore, i s not t o presen t a 'general ' introductio n for , a s al l writer s an d editors know , that i s only usefu l whe n on e ha s finishe d one' s tas k an d th e whole pictur e i s clear. No r d o w e wish t o writ e a potte d biography . Rathe r we shal l presen t a ne w introductio n t o eac h bloc k o f th e letters . Eac h o f these, buildin g upon it s predecessors, will , w e are confident , assist i n focusing scholarl y reassessment o f Disraeli' s significance to hi s age. Undoubtedl y the events of later years which require explanatio n involve larger issue s than those covered t o date. Th e bul k of those set s of correspondence whic h biographers o f Disrael i have lacked are no w available to us . Mos t of the m relat e to th e perio d o f Disraeli' s eminenc e an d s o will for m th e conten t o f our fu ture labours .
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The bes t telle r o f thi s complex stor y i s Disraeli himself, and w e have made A Note on an effor t t o leav e the tellin g to him . Note s ther e mus t be, however , for th e Annotation letters tee m wit h proper name s an d studie d allusions . There ar e n o earlie r editions of the letter s with adequate annotation , althoug h som e scholarl y articles, based o n smal l bodies o f material , d o giv e useful data , an d th e pub lished correspondence t o Lad y Blessington, from the Morriso n Collection, is annotated. When a n edito r doe s no t initiall y kno w wha t a phras e o r a n allusio n means, the n h e ha s graspe d th e poin t o f annotation . Assumin g that wha t the editor s hav e readil y understoo d th e informe d reade r migh t alread y know, we have concentrated upo n thos e issue s which at first gave us difficul ty. A t th e sam e time , w e hav e trie d t o bea r i n min d tha t th e reade r inter ested mainl y in Disraeli' s huma n qualitie s may need furthe r guidance , an d we trus t tha t th e mor e knowledgeabl e ma y forgiv e it . Al l peopl e abou t whom we could lear n anythin g are identified , with emphasis upo n clarifyin g the context in which the name arises and it s owner's relation t o Disraeli. The place in history of Melbourn e or Pee l ha s no nee d o f our service s save in re lation to matters in which Disraeli took an interest . There i s a biographica l not e fo r eac h person, normall y placed wher e h e or sh e is first mentioned. Th e mai n note s fo r individual s are marke d i n th e index b y boldface type. W e have suppressed th e temptatio n t o provid e a biographical sectio n devote d t o th e name s tha t appear ver y frequently ; there seemed t o be just to o many of them. Famil y connections wer e the essenc e of individual identit y fo r upper-clas s individual s of th e period , especiall y th e women. This circumstance account s fo r th e wealt h of genealogica l detai l i n the notes ; withou t it , reader s migh t remai n unaware , fo r example , o f th e ties which united th e member s o f various social gatherings o r th e personne l of th e governmen t o f Malt a durin g Disraeli' s visit . Indeed , th e genera l
xxvi structur e o f Britis h public life the n remaine d ver y much a matte r o f socia l status symbolize d by names . I n additio n t o th e informatio n on individuals, social customs, quotations and expression s peculiar to other times and place s have been noticed . Where we have been unable either t o identify person s who are mentione d only incidentall y o r t o explain fleetin g references, w e have decided tha t saying nothin g wa s sufficiently eloquent . Admittedly , this policy - i n conjunction wit h ou r desir e t o avoid labourin g the obvious - seem s to run th e dan ger o f tha t schoolbo y excuse fo r silence , tha t som e consideration s ar e to o familiar t o warran t attentio n an d th e res t to o obscur e t o allo w it . Bu t n o part of editing is more a matter of judgement tha n annotation, and w e have, in fact , attempte d t o resolv e thos e point s whic h seem importan t t o th e un derstanding o f an y substantia l passage. No r hav e we averted ou r gaz e from difficulties arisin g from uncertain dating of letters or fro m other gap s in th e evidence. Explanation s inserted i n editoria l comment s serve a s bridge s be tween the letters . Ther e are certai n to be place s wher e we hav e sai d too much fo r som e tastes , to o littl e fo r th e need s o f others . Th e reader s wh o can elucidate what we could no t wil l be particularly cherished.
E D I T O R I A L P R I N C I P L E S AND CONVENTIONS
The governin g principl e o f th e editio n i s th e presentatio n o f a n accurat e text; editoria l interventio n ha s bee n kep t t o th e minimu m consistent wit h this aim, and wit h that of assisting ease o f reading an d clarificatio n o f meaning. The letter s are presente d i n chronological order ; each i s introduced b y a lette r numbe r o f larg e typ e in th e outsid e margin . Eac h letter consist s of three parts : (a ) the headnote . Thi s present s al l relevant informatio n about the lette r as a physical object; (b) the text ; (c) the annotations . ADDRESSEE Headnote The nam e o f Disraeli' s correspondent i s given in th e shortes t for m consistent wit h clear identification. DATE
The fou r element s - th e name o f day, numbe r o f day, month , yea r - ar e shown i n tha t order. Square bracket s enclose element s no t include d b y Disraeli i n hi s letter. Fo r example , th e expressio n 'Saturda y 1 5 Quly 1833] ' indicates that Disraeli has written 'Sat. 15 ' and tha t the remainin g information has bee n obtaine d fro m th e postmark , o r fro m reference s i n th e tex t t o known external event s or to other firmly dated letters . Any doubtfu l element i n the dat e i s followed b y a question mark . The ex pression '[Saturda y 15 ? July 1833] ' indicate s confidenc e i n th e mont h an d year, but doub t abou t th e day . Wher e ther e i s doubt abou t an y part o f th e date, o r wher e a letter ha s been definitel y assigne d t o a date othe r tha n th e one give n i n previousl y published sources , a datin g not e i n th e Editoria l Comment explains the basis on which the assignment has been made . When al l elements o f a dat e ar e doubtful , the questio n mar k appear s a t the end , a s i n th e expressio n '[Jul y 1833?]' . I n suc h case s th e hypothese s which would suggest a month an d yea r are presente d i n the Editoria l Comment. Such a letter woul d appear withi n th e chronologica l orde r a t th e en d of the mont h or year to which it has been assigned .
xxviii
PLACE O F O R I G I N
The plac e fro m whic h th e lette r i s written (eg 35 Duke Street, Bradenham ) appears withou t squar e bracket s onl y whe n Disrael i ha s writte n thi s infor mation formall y i n th e tex t o f hi s letter . Th e locatio n i s give n i n squar e brackets withou t a questio n mar k whe n it i s certain becaus e th e contex t o f the lette r make s it obvious; or becaus e th e postmar k i s clear; or becaus e th e letter i s one o f a close sequence of letters written from a known location. Where th e probabilit y is strong, bu t som e doub t remains , th e locatio n is shown in square brackets with a question mark. Where there are n o data t o support a hypothesis, no location is given. LOCATION O F O R I G I N A L A N D R E F E R E N C E N U M B E R
The locatio n o f th e origina l manuscrip t an d it s archival reference number , if any , ar e given . Th e name s o f th e majo r M S collection s ar e give n i n th e short for m note d i n th e Lis t of Abbreviations . For example , H A/i/B/34 indi cates M S i n th e Hughende n papers , a t th e Bodleia n Library , Oxford, whic h has been classifie d withi n that collection as A/I/B/34 . PRINTED SOURC E
Where th e origina l M S ha s no t bee n located , a transcriptio n fro m a printe d source i s indicated b y a reference t o th e publicatio n fro m which it has bee n obtained. Th e editor s cannot , o f course, vouc h fo r th e accurac y o f th e tex t in suc h cases . Experienc e ha s show n tha t i t mus t b e treate d wit h caution , particularly if it is taken from materia l edited b y Ralph Disraeli. COVER For th e earl y period , cover s ar e usuall y integral wit h the M S o f th e letter . A vertical solidus in the transcriptio n indicate s a change i n line. POSTMARKS
The shap e i s described an d the n eac h elemen t i s transcribed i n order, moving fro m th e to p t o th e bottom , eac h ne w line being indicate d b y a vertical solidus. Pictoria l example s o f th e type s of postmark s i n us e durin g thi s period ar e give n i n a separat e sectio n o f thi s introduction. Besid e eac h i s th e way in which it would be described i n the headnote . P U B L I C A T I O N HISTOR Y
We do no t attemp t t o list all the work s in which a letter ma y have been pre viously published . W e have tried t o show first publication, and i n some case s subsequent reprintin g in , for example, Monypenn y and Buckle , or Blake . If there is no entry here, we are no t aware of earlier publication .
E D I T O R I A L C O M M E N T xxi
This include s notes o n th e datin g and o n th e specia l problems of the physical stat e o f th e MS . Wher e necessary , bridging note s t o introduc e block s of letters, an d genera l comment s appropriate t o explai n circumstances in Disraeli's life , ar e als o provided. Addition s in other hand s hav e only been tran scribed whe n they bear upo n transmission , receipt, or content . W e have not corrected Disraeli' s spellin g an d synta x an d di d no t wis h t o scatte r '[sic]' throughout th e text , s o we have added a subheadin g i n th e Editoria l Comment - Sic: followed b y a lis t o f words with abnorma l spelling , and variant phrases - intende d t o reassure th e reader tha t thes e ar e not typographical errors on our part . See also below, under Spelling . Errors with apostrophe s are s o frequen t tha t thes e hav e no t bee n include d i n th e Si c list. Equally , where Disrael i has omitte d Frenc h accent s these hav e not bee n listed ; however, accents that are presen t an d incorrec t hav e been noted . C O R R E C T I O N Text
There has been n o silent correction o f spelling or grammar . INTERPOLATIONS
We have not indicate d interpolations between lines; they are incorporate d i n the text as they occur. ERASURES
We hav e no t indicate d Disraeli' s ow n corrections excep t i n thos e rar e case s when th e rejecte d wor d indicate s som e significan t developmen t i n th e thought expressed . SQUARE BRACKET S
We hav e used squar e bracket s in th e tex t to indicat e editorial additions, no tably: i To expan d abbreviation s which may be ambiguous or obscure . ii To complet e word s or phrase s i n the interes t o f swif t comprehensio n b y the reader ; fo r example , whe n Disraeli writes 'Xexamination' this has bee n rendered 'X[cross]examination' . Rarely, punctuation ha s also been adde d in square brackets in the interest s of comprehensibility. iii T o complet e words , part s o f words , o r phrase s whic h are obscur e o r missing as a result of damage t o the MS . Thes e are rendere d i n italic s inside square brackets . Th e natur e o f th e damag e i s reporte d i n th e Editorial Comment sectio n o f th e headnote , an d reporte d agai n i n th e tex t onl y in those fe w cases wher e larg e section s o f a M S pag e ar e missing , and where , therefore, ther e i s a n abrup t break , fo r example : [lower half o f third page missing] o r [page o f M S missing'?] o r [M S incomplete].
x
xxx C A T C H W O R D
S
Disraeli ver y ofte n use s catchwords , an d the y hav e bee n a grea t hel p no t only in confirming the prope r internal sequence o f pages within a letter, bu t in enabling us in some cases to restore th e original integrity of letters where, in som e collections , a numbe r o f the m hav e been unwittingl y collate d with pages mismatched . However, the duplication of catchwords in a printed tex t is annoying to the reader , an d w e have therefore silentl y dropped th e repe tition. However , wher e on e for m o f th e catchwor d i s abbreviated an d th e other i s given in ful l w e have given the fulle r version . V E R T I C A L SOLIDU S
The vertica l solidus, when used i n th e bod y o f a letter , indicate s page divi sions i n the manuscript ; whe n use d i n the headnote , or i n the uppe r righthand superscriptio n o f the text , it indicates line divisions. The solidu s is also used a t the end s of letters to show the poin t at which Disraeli , adding a run ning postscript (a s he often does), begins to write on th e margi n o f a differ ent page . Tha t is why the solidus appears muc h more frequentl y at the end s of letters. The exac t geography o f the postscript s has been note d onl y where there i s a special reason t o do so. ABBREVIATIONS
Abbreviations hav e been lef t i n thei r origina l for m where ther e i s no ambiguity in the context : M.P. , St. (for Street), Xmas , Co. (for Company), Ld. (for Lord). Wher e ther e i s ambiguity they have been expande d i n squar e brack ets. Disrael i abbreviates 'could' bot h a s cd an d cod , an d 'should ' as shd an d shod, th e fina l d sometime s i n superscrip t an d sometime s not . Th e firs t form, c d and shd , present s n o interruption t o the reader , and ha s been lef t as written, but th e second , whe n transcribed , i s often ambiguous , an d thi s form ha s bee n expande d t o co[ul] d an d sho[ul]d . Th e superscript s hav e been lowered . Where Disraeli , throughou t a letter , refer s t o someon e b y an initial , th e name i s expanded th e first time it appears i n each letter, e g L[yndhurst], bu t is lef t a s L . on subsequen t occasions . Set s o f initial s frequently used, i e BEL , ELB, LEL, are identifie d early in the sequence , but no t thereafter . AMPERSAND
Disraeli's usag e varie s widel y fro m th e extreme s o f clearl y writte n 'and' , clear ampersands , an d ever y variety of wriggl e in between . Al l thes e hav e been transcribe d a s 'and'. ADDRESSEE
Disraeli sometimes writes the nam e an d addres s o f the perso n t o whom th e letter i s written on th e lowe r lef t o f the first page, an d sometime s at the en d
of the last page. These have all been place d a t the upper lef t a t the beginnin g of the transcription of the text. LOCATION
Where presen t i n Disraeli' s text, th e plac e fro m whic h a lette r wa s written, and th e date , hav e bee n standardize d i n forma t o n on e lin e a t th e uppe r right o f th e letter , wit h the lin e division of th e origina l indicate d b y a vertical solidus. SIGNATURE
Letters signed D , D., B.D., B D have been standardize d a s D and B D without pe riods. Fulle r forms of signature have been transcribe d a s written. [?] A questio n mar k i n squar e bracket s immediatel y follows an y readin g abou t which some doubt remains . [...] Three dots within square bracket s indicat e an illegibl e word, or a gap in th e MS. The natur e o f th e difficult y normall y will have been indicate d i n the Ed itorial Comment sectio n of the headnote . P R I N T E D SOURCE S
On som e occasion s letter s whic h w e hav e ha d t o transcrib e fro m printe d sources contai n obviou s error s i n transcription . Misreading s o f prope r names, notabl y i n sale s catalogues, ar e quit e common . W e have transcribe d the tex t a s i t was printed, bu t w e have placed , i n squar e brackets , immedi ately followin g the wor d o r phras e w e think has been misread , th e readin g which we believe to be correct . HANDWRITING
The clarit y o f Disraeli' s handwritin g varie s enormously , dependin g upo n the identit y of hi s correspondent an d th e spee d wit h which he wa s writing. A forma l an d carefu l letter t o th e Duk e of Wellingto n i s one thing ; a not e dashed t o hi s siste r quit e another . Perhap s th e larges t singl e proble m ha s been pose d b y isolated word s i n letters whic h are otherwis e quite clear , an d which d o no t suffe r fro m th e obscuritie s o f spee d an d excessiv e abbrevia tion: suddenl y on e encounter s a word whic h seems quit e straightforwar d i n its calligraphy but whic h makes no sense . Ther e are stil l a fe w of thes e left , and the y ar e followe d i n th e tex t b y [?]. There ar e man y mino r variation s between ou r tex t an d previousl y publishe d version s of th e sam e letter . Un less our readin g alters th e significanc e of the letter , w e have not liste d thes e variations i n th e headnote . T o sav e postage , Disraeli , particularl y i n hi s letters fro m abroad, cultivated a very small hand, a n expedien t whic h poses its
xxxi
xxxii ow
n problems , aggravate d b y pe n an d in k o f poo r quality , an d porou s pa per, use d o n bot h sides , which permitte d th e in k t o see p fro m on e pag e t o the other. See, for example, the illustration on pag e 158 . PUNCTUATION
Disraeli's sens e o f punctuatio n is , a t best , spasmodic . Whe n w e hav e cor rected i t we have enclosed ou r additio n i n square brackets . There is one ex ception. Disrael i was much given to ending hi s sentences wit h a dash instea d of a ful l stop : wher e th e das h i s clearly intended t o be a ful l stop , and i s followed b y a capitalize d wor d beginnin g a ne w sentence , w e hav e silentl y in serted th e ful l stop . ACCENTS
Disraeli's enthusias m fo r foreig n word s an d phrase s outra n hi s knowledg e of them . Hi s accent s ar e nearl y alway s wrong , an d hi s spellin g o f foreig n place names is highly original, often presentin g differin g versions within the one letter . W e hav e lef t the m a s he wrot e them , addin g the m t o th e Si c list where appropriate . SPELLING
We hav e lef t Disraeli' s spellin g a s i t is . Som e spellings , uncommon eve n i n his own time, he consistently uses for years , i.e. 'agreable' , 'develope' , other s for a lifetim e - champagn e i s always 'champaigne' . Particularl y for prope r names, th e earl y spellin g i s likel y t o b e phonetic , late r rectifie d whe n h e comes to know the correct spelling .
Annotations SOURCE
S
Sources cite d i n th e annotation s ar e give n i n ful l wher e th e sourc e i s use d no mor e tha n twic e in an y volume, an d otherwis e give n i n th e shor t form s shown i n th e lis t o f abbreviations . Standard , readil y availabl e referenc e works such as dictionaries are not , of course, cited . M A I N NOTE S
The principa l annotatio n abou t a perso n o r a topi c normall y occur s a t th e first reference mad e b y Disraeli, and i s noted i n boldface typ e in th e index . Where th e mai n note ha s already bee n give n in an earlier volume , the inde x will provide it s location. We do not give annotations to annotations or to headnotes . INDEX
Each volume ha s its own index . Indexe s i n volumes after th e firs t wil l show all reference s i n th e curren t volum e and , i f the firs t an d principa l annota tion ha s alread y bee n give n i n a n earlie r volume , a cross-referenc e wil l b e included i n boldface type , giving volume and lette r number .
The followin g ar e som e o f the most commonly used postmark s in the 1815 37 period, togethe r wit h the form s used t o describe the m i n the headnotes : In circle: p I FE- 3 I 183 2
In double circle: E I 7 o c 7 I 181 1
In double circle: JY I £29 [central number in small circle] I 182 6 In Maltese cross: v.s I vjuis s I 183 1
[Foreign Pos t Office ] In dotted circle : FPO I FE. 2 I 181 9
In packet : T.P I Bg e S t Lambh.
In oval : 7.NIGHT. 7 AP.29 I 183 4
XXXlll
Postmarks
xxxiv
In crowned doubl e circle: FRE E I lyjui ? I 1825 I o
In circular form : ROCHFORD In circular form : CHELTENHAM I [enclosing]: DE2 3 ' 1836
In rectangle : NO. I
HONITON I Penn y Post
D I S R A E L I C H R O N O L O G Y 1804-183 4
The followin g i s a brief chronolog y o f Benjami n Disraeli' s early life . I t out lines th e chie f phase s o f hi s development an d hi s changing preoccupations , particularly a s these ar e reflecte d i n hi s letters . A fe w paralle l publi c events of importanc e ar e note d whe n the y hav e impac t o n Disraeli' s course . Hi s principal place s of residenc e ar e als o note d t o supplement th e outlin e o f his life, but n o attempt i s made to trace hi s day-by-day movements . DATE
RESIDENCE
EVENTS
6 King' s Road , Bedford Ro w
Benjamin Disrael i born, the first son of Isaa c and Mari a D'Israeli
1804
21 De c
1808-16
1817
Early education a t Mis s Roper's school, Islington , an d a t the Rev John Potticary' s school, Blackheat h 6 Bloomsbur y Square
31 July
Baptized int o the Church of Eng land
1817-20
Attends th e Re v Eli Cogan's school , Higham Hall , at Walthamstow
1820-1
Self-education a t hom e
1821 10 No v 1822 13 De c 1823 July-Aug
Articled t o the firm of Swain, Stevens et al, solicitor s Adopts 'Disraeli ' as spelling o f sur name Vacationing wit h family a t Windso r
xxxvi DAT
E
RESIDENCE
EVENTS
1824
Tour of the Lo w Countries an d Rhine with fathe r and Meredit h Abandons La w Clerkship
July-Sept Oct
Speculates i n Stock Exchang e an d loses heavily durin g year Publishes promotional tract s on Mexican Minin g ventures Completes editing of and publishe s anonymously Th e Life o f John Paul Jones Meets Sir Walter Scott Associated wit h John Murra y in launching The Representative, a short lived daily newspaper Twenty-first birthda y
1825
Mar-June Sept
Autumn
21 De c
1826 22 Ap r
Vivian Grey Par t l published anony mously Quarrels with Murray; health break s Tours Ital y with Sar a an d Benjami n Austen
May 8Aug15 Oct
Poor health and menta l depression persist throughou t th e yea r Vivian Grey Par t I I published anony mously Name entered at Lincoln's In n a s a prospective barriste r Vacationing at Fyfield , Essex ; taken seriously ill
1827 23 Feb
30 April Aug
1828 Jan 3 June Aug
Staying at Mayfiel d Hall , Hasting s Captain Popanilla publishe d Vacationing at Lym e Regis
1829 Spring
July
Bradenham
Contributes article s t o the Court Journal D'Israeli famil y move s permanentl y to Bradenham Hous e nea r Hig h Wycombe, Bucks
DATE
RESIDENCE
Nov Dec
Union Hote l Bradenham
1830 Winter Spring April
Union Hote l
28 May
Travelling
1831 April
Union Hote l 15 Pall Mal l East Bradenham
1832 Jan Feb 16 April 15 May 7 June 26 June Summer
12 De c
Physical an d menta l debility i s compounded b y financial pressures Begins composition o f Th e Young Duke an d Alroy Forms close friendship with Edwar d Lytton Bulwer Embarks on extended tou r o f Spain and th e Middl e East with Willia m Meredith, hi s sister's fiance. Sends 'home letters ' The Young Duke publishe d Sudden deat h of Meredit h a t Cair o ends eastern tou r Arrives back in England
19 July
23 Oct Nov 12 No v 25 Nov Dec
EVENTS
35 Duke Street, St James's
Bradenham 35 Duke Street Bradenham
Meets Baron Habe r Withdraws from Lincoln' s In n
Begins politica l campaigning at High Wycombe Active in fashionable Londo n societ y Gallomania publishe d Contarini Fleming publishe d Reform Ac t passe s Stands unsuccessfully in Wycombe by-election as a 'high Radical ' Suffers a second electora l defea t a t Wycombe in general electio n Stands briefl y a s a candidate fo r Bucks county, aligned wit h the Tory Marquess of Chando s
XXXVll
xxxviii
DATE
1833
Feb
RESIDENCE
EVENTS
35 Duke Stree t
'Ixion in Heaven ' appears in The New Monthly Magazine Alroy publishe d Stands as an independen t Radica l candidate a t Marylebone ; withdraws before pol l and explain s his politics in th e pamphle t "What i s He?" Meets Henrietta Syke s
5 Mar Mar-Apr
Summer Aug-Oct Nov Dec
1834 Jan-Feb
Bradenham The Grange , Southend Bradenham
15 Ma r
The Grange , Southend Bradenham
May
3ia Par k Stree t
16 June
Summer
Aug-Sept Oct
Bradenham
15 No v
313 Park Stree t
Dec
Bradenham
Visiting Sir Francis and Lad y Sykes
Engaged i n composition o f th e Revolutionary Epick Part I of th e Revolutionary Epick pub lished A Year at Hartlebury or the Election, a novel written jointly with Sarah Dis raeli, publishe d Resumes political activity; makes acquaintance of Danie l O'Connel l Publication of Th e Revolutionary Epick, Part s n and i n Meets Lord Durha m Active in social circle of Lad y Bless ington an d Coun t D'Orsa y 'The Infernal Marriage ' appears in The New Monthly Magazine Gains friendship an d patronag e of Lord Lyndhurs t Acts as Lyndhurst's intermediar y with th e Marques s o f Chando s Fall of the Melbourn e governmen t Independent candidat e fo r Hig h Wycombe in the genera l electio n Publishes electoral addres s as a pam phlet, Th e Crisis Examined
A B B R E V I A T I O N S IN V O L U M E O NE
app APSY AR Army List
Ashford
BEA BECK Beeton BEL BENT BG BH BL Blake BLG Boase BODL Boyle's
Appendix Wellington Museum, Apsley House, Londo n The Annual Register (followe d b y year of edition) A List of the Officers of the Army and Royal Marines on Full, Retired an d Half-Pay; afte r 1839 : Th e New Annual Army List compiled b y H.G. Har t (followe d b y year of edition) L.J. Ashfor d Th e History o f th e Borough o f High Wycombe (1962) Belvoir Castle, Lincolnshir e Beckford Collection , B.H . Blackwell Ltd , Oxfor d Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield. A Biography S.O . Beeton, nd [1877 ] [attributed t o T.P. O'Connor ] Benjamin Ephrai m Lind o D.R. Bentham , Loughborough, Leicestershir e The Bucks Gazette, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire The Bucks Herald, Aylesbury , Buckinghamshire The Britis h Library, Londo n Robert Blak e Disraeli ( 1 966) J°nn Burk e A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary o f the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland (var . ed.) Frederick Boas e Modern English Biography (189 2 repr 1965) Bodleian Library , Oxfor d Boyle's Fashionable Court and Country Guide (followe d b y year of edition )
BP BRST CARR
Burke's Peerage and Baronetage Henry Bristo w Ltd, Ringwood , Hampshir e
cj CM
The Court Journal The Court Magazine
Carrington Collection , Department o f Wester n Manuscripts, Bodleia n Library , Oxfor d
xl Colvi
n
D DNB
ec EGT EJM
ELB ER FE
FITZ
Foster Gash Peel Gash Politics Globe GM
Greville
H Hansard HARV Haydon HCR HL HM
H.M. Colvi n A Biographical Dictionary o f English Architects, 1660-1840 (Cambridge, Massachusett s 1954) Benjamin Disrael i (1804-1881) Sir Lesli e Stephen an d Si r Sidney Lee ed s Th e Dictionary of National Biography (191 7 repr 1973 ) Editorial comment sectio n of the headnot e A.C. Eastgate, Wimbledon ex-Jewish Museum , Woburn House , London . Th e Museum began t o sel l its collection of Disrael i letters through Sotheby' s in 1974 . Muc h of thi s material was purchased b y Francis Edwards, Marylebone , London and , where EJ M is cited, the documen t was , at th e tim e of collection, in the possessio n o f that firm . Edward Lytto n Bulwer The English Registry (followe d b y year o f edition) Francis Edwards, London Fitzwilliam Museum , Cambridge J. Foste r Alumni Oxonienses (1887, 1888 ) Norman Gash Si r Robert Peel: the Life o f Sir Robert Peel after 1830 (1972 ) Norman Gas h Politics in the Age o f Peel (1952) The Globe and Traveller The Gentleman's Magazine Lytton Strachey an d Roge r Fulfor d ed s Th e Greville Memoirs, 78^4-60(1938 ) The Hughende n papers , Bodleian Library , Oxfor d Hansard's Parliamentary Debates Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusett s Benjamin Rober t Haydo n Diary e d Willar d Bissel Pope (Cambridge 1960-3 ) Hertfordshire Count y Record Office , Hertfor d Ralph Disrael i ed Home Letters Written b y the Late Earl of Beaconsfield i n 1830 and 1831 (1885 ) Hughenden Museum , Hughenden Manor , Hig h Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
HUNT
Huntington Library , San Marino, California
IDL
Inverclyde Distric t Libraries, Greenock, Renfrewshir e University of Illinois , Urbana-Champaign, Illinoi s Isaac D'Israel i B.R. Jerma n Th e Young Disraeli (Princeton, Ne w Jersey 1960)
ILLU
Isaac Jerman
JNL jw
KCMG Kitson Clark LAMB Law List Layard LBCS LBL LC LGW LLD LPOD Madden M&B
MC Melville
Meynell MHS MM MNHP
Morrison MP MR
Murray's Northern Navy List
Jewish Nationa l and Universit y Library, Jerusalem xl i John Wilson, Witney, Oxfordshir e Knight Commander o f the Order of St Michael and S t George George Kitso n Clark Peel and th e Conservative Party: A Study i n Party Politics, 1832-41 (1964) Lambton Estat e Office , Durha m Clarke's New Law List compiled b y S. Hill and late r b y T . Cockell (followe d by year o f edition ) Sir Austen Henr y Layar d 'Th e Earl y Life o f Lord Beaconsfield' Quarterly Review Vol 16 8 (1889) 1-4 2 Ralph Disrael i ed Lord Beaconsfield' s Correspondence with his Sister, 1832-1852(1886) Ralph Disrael i ed Lord Beaconsfield' s Letters, 1830-52 (1887) Library o f Congress, Washington, D C Leslie Guttridge-White , Pett , East Susse x Doctor o f Laws Post Office London Directory (followe d by year o f edition ) Richard Rober t Madde n Th e Life an d Correspondence o f the Countess of Blessington (New York 1855 ) William Flavell e Monypenny an d Georg e Earle Buckle The Life o f Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield (1910-20 ) 6 vols The Morning Chronicle Lewis Melville The Life an d Letters of William Beckford (1903) Wilfred Meynel l Benjamin Disraeli: An Unconventional Biography (1903 ) Massachusetts Historica l Society , Bosto n Murray Manuscripts , John Murray , London Morristown Nationa l Historica l Park , Morristown , New Jersey The Collection of Autograph Letters and Historical Documents formed b y Alfred Morrison: Th e Blessington Papers (1895 ) The Morning Post Murray Representative Manuscript s (Thes e archives ar e divided int o tw o groups: General - MM; papers concerned with th e newspape r Th e Representative - MR ) John Murra y Handbook for th e Continent: Being a Guide through Holland, Belgium, Prussia and Northern Germany (1836) An alphabetical List of the Flag Officers and other Commissioned Officers of His Majesty's Fleet
xlii Nickerso
n
NIPR NLS
NMM NMR NUC
NYPL
O'Connor Ogden Oliver OSERS PFRZ
ph
PRIM PRIN PRO PS
QR QUA RAY RD RN
Robson's
Directory
Robson's Guide Rogers Roth Sa Sadleir Bulwer Scott Letters
Charles C. Nickerson 'Disraeli, Lockhart and Murray : An Episode i n the Histor y of the "Quarterl y Review", Victorian Studies XV (March 1972 ) 279-306 Public Record Offic e o f Northern Ireland , Belfas t The Nationa l Library of Scotland, Edinburg h The New Monthly Magazine The New Monthly Review National Union Catalogue, pre-ig$6 imprints; a cumulative author list representing Library of Congress printed cards and titles reported b y other libraries (1968-) New York Public Library, New York (Berg MSS , Kohns MSS, Montague MSS ) T.P. O'Connor Lord Beaconsfield: a Biography (1879 ) James Ogde n Isaac D'Israeli (1969 ) John Walter Oliver Th e Life o f William Beckford (1932 ) Mary Osers, Sonnin g Common, Reading , Berkshir e The Car l H . Pforzheimer Library, New York Publication histor y section of the headnot e Primrose League , Londo n Princeton University , Princeton, Ne w Jersey Public Record Office , Chancer y Lane, Londo n Printed Sourc e use d whe n the origina l M S ha s not bee n located The Quarterly Review Disraeli papers, Queen' s University Archives, Kingston, Ontario Collection of Professor Gordo n N . Ray, New York Ralph Disraeli Royal Navy Robson's Commercial Directory of London and the Western Counties (1840) Robson's British Court and Parliamentary Guide (followe d by year of edition ) Samuel Rogers Th e Italian Journal e d J.R. Hal e (1956 ) Cecil Roth Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield (Ne w York 1952 ) Sarah Disrael i Michael Sadleir Bulwer: A Panorama (1931) David Douglas ed Familiar Letters of Sir Walter Scott (Edinburgh 1894 )
SHC
Smiles Stenton Stewart Novels Stewart Writings
STL Sultana
Swartz TCC
TEXU UCLA
UTT
Venn WSRO
The Shakespear e Birthplac e Trust, Th e Shakespear e Centre, Stratford-on-Avo n Samuel Smile s A Publisher and His Friends: Memoirs an d Correspondence of the Late JohnMurray, with an Account of the Origin and Progress of the House, 1768-1843 (1891) Michael Stenton Who's Wh o o f British Members o f Parliament: Volume I, 1832-85 (Hassocks 1976 ) R.W. Stewart ed Disraeli's Novels Reviewed, i8s6-ig68 (Metuchen, New Jersey 1975 ) R.W. Stewart Benjamin Disraeli: A list of writings by him, and writings about him, with notes (Metuchen, New Jersey 1972). Citations are fo r ite m numbers . St Lawrence University , Canton, Ne w York Donald Sultan a Benjamin Disraeli in Spain, Malta and Albania, 1830-3 2(1976) Helen M . Swartz and Marvi n Swartz eds Disraeli's Reminiscences (1975) Trinity College , Cambridg e University of Texas, Austin University of California, Lo s Angele s Mr E . William Uttal, Palm Beach , Florid a John Venn an d John Archibal d Ven n ed s Alumni Cantabrigienses (1922-54) West Sussex Recor d Office , Chicheste r
xliii
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C H R O N O L O G I C A L LIST OF LETTERS 1815-1834
NUMBER DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBER OF ORIGINAL 1
[1815?]
H
A/I/C/i
2
3
[Friday 2 ] January 181 8 i [August 1820? ]
MM
43
BRST
4
[Friday] 1 3 December 1822
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
MARIA D'ISRAEL I
[Potticary's School, Blackheath? ] EDWARD JONES
Bloomsbury Square, [London ] UOHN MURRAY]
[Bloomsbury Square, London? ] [DAWSON TURNER ]
Bloomsbury Square, [London ]
TCC
21
5
Tuesday [2 2 July 1823 ]
H
A/II/B/2
6
[Tuesday] 1 2 Augus t [1823]
THOMAS FREDERIC K MAPLE S
H
A/II/B/3
7
[Tuesday] 2 5 May [1824?]
Windsor JOHN MURRA Y
MR
2
8
9
[May 1824 ] i [June 1824 ]
MR
3
MR
1O
[Thursday 2 9 July 1824 ]
H
A/IV/B/s
11
[Monday 2 August 1824 ]
H
A/IV/B/6
12
[Friday 6 August 1824 ]
H
A/IV/B/7
THOMAS FREDERIC K MAPLE S
[Windsor?]
Frederick's Place , [London ] (JOHN MURRAY]
[London] JOHN MURRAY
Frederick's Place , [London ] SARAH DISRAEL I
[Bruges] SARAH DISRAEL I
[Antwerp] SARAH DISRAEL I
[Brussels]
xlvi NUMBE R DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
13 [Saturda 1824]
y 1 4 August
H A/IV/B/
14 [Thursda 1824] 15 [Monda
y 1 9 August y 23 August
1824]
y [29 August 1824]
H A/IV/B/i MM 4
18 [Monda
r 1824? ]
JOHN MURRA Y
y 31 January
JOHN MURRA Y
0
1825]
MM 2
1
19 [Marc
h 1825]
MM 2
9
20 [Frida MM i
y i April ? 1825 ]
21 [Apri H R/II/B/ga 22 Ma MR 5
l 1825? ] , b, c y 1825 ]
23 Thursda MR 6
y [May 1825]
25 [Thursda 1825] H A/V/A/i
y [ 5 August 1825 ] 2
y 1 8 August
1825]
y 1 7 September
[London] [ROBERT MESSER? ]
[London] JOHN MURRA Y
[London] JOHN MURRA Y ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
[London] THOMAS MULLET T EVAN S
(JOHN MURRAY ]
Royal Hotel , Edinburg h
1825]
y [18 September
MR 9
28 Wednesda y [21 ] September [1825] MR 1
[London] JOHN MURRA Y [London] [JOHN MURRAY ]
Hyde House, Amersham, Buckinghamshire
o
MR 8
27 Sunda
Bloomsbury Square, [London ]
[London]
24 Frida H A/I/C/
26 [Saturda
SARAH DISRAEL I
Coblenz
z
17 [Octobe
SARAH DISRAEL I
[Heidelberg]
i
16 Sunda
SARAH DISRAEL I
[Mainz]
9
H A/IV/B/i
SARAH DISRAEL I
[Cologne]
8
H A/IV/B/
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
1
[JOHN MURRAY ]
Royal Hotel, Edinburgh [JOHN MURRAY ] Chiefswood, [Melrose ]
NUMBER DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
TO PLACE O F ORIGIN
28A Tuesda y [2 7 September 1825]
GEORGE BOYD
QUA 41
Chiefswood, Melros e (JOHN MURRAY ]
29 [Frida MR 1
8
1825]
y 27 ? Septembe r
4
30 [Thursda 1825?] MHS Guil
d Librar y i
31 [Tuesday 1825 PS 3
r 1825 ] 7
34 [Octobe QUA 14 1
35 Tuesda NLS M
36 Saturda NLS M
37 [Monda NLS M
38 Tuesda NLS M
y 2 6 Octobe r
S 931 n o 11 8
33 [Octobe MR 1
] 2 5 October
2
32 Wednesda 1825 NLS M
y 2 0 Octobe r
1825]
r 1825? ]
y [ i Novembe r
S 931 n o 11 6
1825]
y [12 ? November
S 931 n o 11 2
1825]
y 21 November
S 931 n o 11 5
1825]
y [2 2 November
S 931 n o 11 7
39 [Wednesday ] 23 November 182 5 MR 2
5
40 Wednesda 1825 NLS M
y 2 3 November
S 931 n o 11 9
Chiefswood, [Melrose ] THOMAS CROFTO N CROKE R
[London] [Mr MAAS ]
[London] JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART
[London] JOHN MURRA Y [London] [WILLIAM WRIGHT? ] [London] JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART
Whitehall Place , [London] JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHAR T
[London] JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART
[London] JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHAR T
[London] [JOHN MURRAY ]
Bloomsbury Square, [London] JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHAR T
[London]
41 [Thursda y 24? ] November 182 5
JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHAR T
NLS M
[London]
S 931 n o 11 4
xlvii
xlviii NUMBE R DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBER OF ORIGINAL
42 Frida NLS M
y 25 November
1825
S 931 n o 12 0
43 a
y [28 November 1825? ]
ILLU x
B 83656 1 Car d 2
44 Monda NLS M
y [28 November
1825]
S 931 n o 11 3
45 Wednesda y [30 November 1825? ] ILLU x
B 83656 1 Card 2
46 Thursda 1825] MR 3
47 Saturda ILLU x
9
y [ 3 December
1825]
B 83656 1 Car d 2
48 Sunda MR 6
49 [July BL AD
y [ i Decembe r
y 21 May 1826 2
? 1826 ] D M S 45908 ffio-1 2
50 Wednesda 1826 H A/IV/C/
51 [Monday 1826 H A/IV/C/
52 [Saturday 1826 H A/IV/C/
y 9 August s
] 21 August 7
] 2 Septembe r 9
53 Wednesda 1826 H A/IV/C/
y 1 3 September ii
54 [Tuesday 1826
] 2 6 Septembe r
H A/IV/C/1
3
55 Friday
] 29 Septembe r
1826
H A/IV/C/1
56 Frida H A/IV/C/1
4
1826
y 2 9 Septembe r 5
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHAR T
[London] [ALFRED TURNER ] [London] JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART
[London] ALFRED TURNE R
[Bloomsbury Square, London ] [JOHN MURRAY]
[London] ALFRED TURNE R
[Bloomsbury Square, London ] [ANNE MURRAY]
[Bloomsbury Square, London ] BENJAMIN AUSTE N
[London] ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Paris ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Geneva ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Milan ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Venice ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Florence ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Florence ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Florence
NUMBER DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
57 [Tuesday 1826
ISAAC D'ISRAELI
] 1 0 October
H A/IV/CA
6
Turin
58 Sunda
y 1 5 October 182 6
SARAH DISRAELI
H A/IV/C/i
S
Lyons
59 [Monday BODL M
] i January 1827 S Douce da 6 f i
60 [Monda
y 5 March? 1827]
61 Monda MM 3 5 62 [Apri PS 3 , 63 Saturda
y 1 9 Marc h 182 7 l 1827? ] y 1 4 [July] 182 7 D M S 45908 ffis-1 4
H A/V/A/
y [3 January ] 8 March 1828
S Finch d 5 £13 2
66 [Monday
] 1 0 March 1828
67 [Wednesday 1828
] 1 9 March
y 1 5 April 182 8
BODL M
S Douce d a 5 ££53- 4
69 [Thursday BL AD
] 5 June 1828 D M S 37502 ffs8- g
70 [Decembe
r 1828? ] D M S 37232 A f g
71 [Tuesda
y 1 2 May 1829? ] . 8033 [13]
72 [Monday ] 2 3 Novembe r [1829]
BL AD
[London] THOMAS MULLET T EVANS
ROBERT FINC H
6 Bloomsbur y Square, [London ] [SHARON TURNER ] THOMAS JOSEPH PETTIGRE W
6 Bloomsbury Square , [London]
8
68 Tuesda
BL AD
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
Bloomsbury Square, [London ]
RAY i
73 Saturda
[ROBERT WARD]
[Mayfield Hall? ]
n
65 [Saturday
LC Ac
JOHN MURRA Y
[London]
64 Thursda 1828]
BL AD
WILLIAM JERDAN
6 Bloomsbur y Square , [London]
BL AD
PS 7
Bloomsbury Square, [London ] [London?]
PS 24
BODL M
FRANCIS DOUC E
D M S 45908 ffis-i 6
1829?]
y [2 8 Novembe r
D M S 45908 ff88- g
FRANCIS DOUC E
Bloomsbury Square , [London] EDWARD LAWFOR D
Drapers' Hall, [London ] MR. DAVISON
[London] RICHARD BENTLE Y
[London] BENJAMIN AUSTE N
Bradenham BENJAMIN AUSTE N
[Union Hotel , London ]
xlix
l
NUMBER DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBER OF ORIGINAL
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
74
[Tuesday] 8 December 1829
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
BL
ADD M S 45908 ffiy-i 8
75 76
[Sunday] 1 4 February 1830 27 Sunday 1 4 February 1830
Bradenham CATHERINE GOR E
HARV
2
77
[Tuesday] 1 6 February 1830
TEXU
BL 78
BL
79 BL 80 BL 8l
ADD M S 45908 fi g [Sunday] 7 March 183 0 ADD M S 45908 ffai- 2 [March 1830 ] ADD M S 45908 ffas- 4 [Monday] 5 April 183 0 ADD M S 45908 fa s [Tuesday] 1 3 April 183 0
BL
ADD M S 45908 ffzy- 8
82
Sunday 9 May 1830
MM
Bradenham HENRY COLBUR N Bradenham BENJAMIN AUSTE N
Bradenham SARA AUSTE N Bradenham BENJAMIN AUSTE N [Bradenham] BENJAMIN AUSTE N [London] BENJAMIN AUSTE N Bradenham JOHN MURRA Y
Union Hotel, Cockspur Street, [London]
Sunday [ 9 May 1830] 16
(JOHN MURRAY]
84
[Sunday] 9 May 1830
THOMAS MULLET T EVANS
H
A/V/A/12
85
[Wednesday] 1 2 Ma y [1830]
H
A/V/A/is
86
[Thursday] 2 7 May 183 0 27 [Friday] 28 May 183 0
83
MM
MM 87 BL
88 BL 89
QUA
ADD M S 59887 f i [Friday 28 ? May 1830] ADD M S 45908 ffag-s o [Tuesday] i June 183 0
Union Hotel , [Cockspur Street , London] Union Hotel , Cockspur Street , London
THOMAS MULLET T EVANS
Union Hotel, [Cockspu r Street, London] JOHN MURRAY
Bradenham [THOMAS JONES] [London] BENJAMIN AUSTE N
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
Royal Hotel , Falmouth, [Cornwall]
NUMBER DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
9°
[Thursday] i July [1830 ]
QUA
202
9
1
QUA 92 QUA
93 QUA
94 QUA
95 QUA 96 HM
97 QUA
98
[Thursday] i July 183 0 203 [Wednesday] 1 4 July 1830 204 [Monday] 26 July 183 0 205 [Sunday] i Augus t 183 0 216 [Monday] 9 August 183 0 206 [Friday] 2 0 August 183 0 i [Wednesday] 2 5 August 1830 207 [Tuesday] 1 4 Septembe r 1830
BL
ADD M S 45908 ff 3 i- 2
99
[Friday 17? ] Septembe r [1830] 208 [Sunday] 1 0 October 1830 209 [Monday] 25 October 1830 210 [Thursday] 1 8 November 1830
QUA
100 QUA 101 QUA 1O2
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Gibraltar ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Gibraltar ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Cadiz ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Seville MARIA D'ISRAEL I
Granada SARAH DISRAEL I
Gibraltar GEORGE BARRO W
Malta ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Malta BENJAMIN AUSTE N
Malta [RALPH DISRAELI ]
Malta ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Corfu ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Prevesa, [Greece ] HENRY COLBUR N
[Nauplia, Greece]
PRIN
Parrish Collectio n A M 15767
103
[Thursday] 1 8 November [1830
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
BL
ADD M S 45908 ff33- 4
104
[Tuesday] 3 0 November 1830
[Nauplia, Greece ]
QUA
211
105
[Thursday 23 ? Decembe r 1830]
QUA
215
ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Athens and Constantinopl e ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
[Constantinople]
li
lii NUMBE R DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
106 [Monday 1830 BL AD
] 27 Decembe r
D M S 45908 ff35- 6
107 [Monday 1830
] 27 Decembe r
HCR D/EK/CS/ 108 [Sunda BL AD
I
y 9] January 183 1 D M S 45908 ff37- 8
109 [Tuesday 1831 QUA 21
] 1 1 January
2
no [Sunday QUA 21
] 20 March 183 1
H A/IV/E/3
113 [Wednesday 1831
[Cairo, Egypt] ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Cairo
y 2 0 July
i
] 3 August
D M S 45908 ff39-4 0
116 [Wednesday ]7 [September] 183 1 EGT i 117 Sunda y 2 3 October 183 1 H A/IV/E/3
BL AD
1831]
FE EJ
BL AD
[Cairo] BENJAMIN AUSTE N
Alexandria, [Egypt] ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
Quarantine Station, Malt a ISAAC D'ISRAELI
Falmouth
y [3 1 October
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
] 3 Novembe r
Union Hotel , [London] GEORGIANA MEREDIT H
] 3 November
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
Bradenham
M 6- i
izo [Thursday 1831
SARAH DISRAEL I
2
D M S 45908 ff4i- 2
119 [Thursday 1831
GEORGIANA MEREDIT H
Cairo
M13
115 [Wednesday 1831
118 Monda
Constantinople SARAH DISRAEL I
] 2 0 July ] 2 0 July
114 [Wednesda 1831]
BL AD
Constantinople SARA AUSTE N Constantinople ISAAC D'ISRAEL I
SARAH DISRAEL I
0
H A/I/B/
Constantinople EDWARD LYTTO N BULWE R
] 2 8 May 1831
4
112 [Wednesday 1831
FE EJ
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
Alexandria
3
in [Saturday QUA 21
TO PLACE O F ORIGIN
D M S 45908 ff43- 4
Bradenham
NUMBER DAT E LOCATION REFERENCE NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
TO PLACE OF ORIGIN
121
[Saturday] 5 November 1831
GEORGIANA MEREDIT H
FE
EJM 6-ii
Bradenham
182
Friday 1 1 November [1831]
SARAH DISRAEL I
H
A/I/B/2
123
Friday [ i i? Novembe r 1831]
BL
ADD M S 45908 ff48- 9
[London]
124
Saturday [1 2 Novembe r
SARAH DISRAEL I
H
A/I/B/3
15 Pall Mal l East , [London ]
125
Sunday [ 1 3 November
FRANCIS DOUC E
BODL
MS Douc e 0.3 3 f f 185-7
126
Monday 1 4 November 1831
15 Pall Mal l East, [London ] SARAH DISRAEL I
1831]
1831]
H
A/I/B/4
127
Tuesday 1 5 November [1831]
15 Pall Mal l East, [London ] SARA AUSTE N
15 Pall Mal l East, [London ] SARAH DISRAEL I [15] Pall Mal l East , [London ] GEORGIANA MEREDIT H
H
A/I/B/5
128
Thursday [17 November? 1831]
FE
EJM 6- v
[London?]
129
[Thursday] 1 7 Novembe r
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
BL
ADD M S 45908 ff45- 6
130
[Wednesday] 2 1 December 183 1
[London?] UNKNOWN
UTT 131
1831
1
[Thursday] 2 9 Decembe r 1831
FE
EJM 6-ii i
Bradenham GEORGIANA MEREDIT H Bradenham BENJAMIN AUSTE N Bradenham
132
[Friday] 6 January 183 2
BL
ADD M S 45908 ££50- 1
133
[Thursday] 1 9 January [1832]
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
BL
ADD M S 45908 ff59-6 o
The Re d Lion, Hig h Wycomb e
134
[Wednesday] i Februar y
ROBERT JOHN SMITH
CARR
1
Bradenham
1832
liii
liv NUMBE R DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBER OF ORIGINAL
•35
[Friday] 1 0 February 1832
MM
'9
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
JOHN MURRA Y
Bradenham
[Friday] 1 0 February
EVELYN MEREDIT H
137
Saturday [ 11 Februar y 1832]
GEORGIANA MEREDIT H
FE
EJM 6-iv
138
[Saturday 1 8 February 1832]
SARAH DISRAEL I
H
A/I/B/6
139
[Saturday 1 8 February 1832]
35 Duke Street, St James's, [London ] JOHN MURRA Y
MM
3
140
[Monday 2 0 February 1832]
35 Duke Street, St James's, [London ] SARAH DISRAEL I
H
A/I/B/7
141
Wednesday [2 2 February 1832]
35 Duke Street, St James's, [London] SARAH DISRAEL I
H
136 FE
1832 EJM7
Bradenham Bradenham
A/I/B/8
142
Friday [2 4 February 1832]
35 Duke Street, St James's, [London ] SARAH DISRAEL I
H
A/I/B/9
143
Sunday [26 February 1832?]
35 Duke Street, St James's, [London ] JOHN MURRA Y
MM
8
35 Duke Street, S t James's, [London ]
144 H 145 MM
Monday [2 7 February 1832]
A/I/B/io
Thursday [ i Marc h 1832 ] »5
146
Thursday i Marc h [1832]
H
A/I/B/n
147
Friday [2 ? March 1832 ]
MM
9
SARAH DISRAEL I
35 Duke Street, S t James's, [London ] JOHN MURRAY
35 Duke Street, S t James's, [London ] SARAH DISRAEL I
35 Duke Street, S t James's, [London ]
JOHN MURRA Y
35 Duke Street, S t James's, [London ]
148
Sunday [4 March 1832]
JOHN MURRAY
MM
34
[London]
149 MM
[Monday 5 March 1832] 12
JOHN MURRA Y
35 Duke Street, S t James's, [London ]
DATE NUMBER LOCATION REFERENCE NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
TO PLACE O F ORIGIN
150 [Monday
SARAH DISRAELI
H A/I/B/1
] 5 March [1832 ]
[35] Duk e Street, [S t James's, London]
2
151 [Wednesda 1832]
y 7 March
SARAH DISRAEL I
H A/I/B/1
3
[London]
152 Frida H A/I/B/1 153 Frida
y [ g Marc h 1832 ] 4 y [ 9 March 1832 ]
SARAH DISRAEL I
MM 2
[London]
8
154 [Saturda 1832] MM 1
155 Monda
156 Monda
y 10 ? March
1832]
y [1 9 March?
D M S 45908 llf,2-4
1832]
IJOHN MURRAY ]
[London]
0
BL AD
[London] JOHN MURRA Y J R
y [19? March
BENJAMIN AUSTEN
[London] IJOHN MURRAY ]
MM 2
Bradenham
157 Frida y [23? March 1832 ] MM 1 1 158 Monda y [26? March 1832]
JOHN MURRA Y
MM 1
3
159 Monda H A/I/B/a
IJOHN MURRAY ]
[London]
y [2 6 March 1832 ]
SARAH DISRAELI
y 2 8 March
SARAH DISRAELI
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ]
S
160 [Wednesda 1832]
[London]
H A/I/B/1
6
Pay Office, [Whitehall , London]
161 Frida MM 3
y [3 0 March 1832 ]
(JOHN MURRAY ]
6
[35] Duke Street, [S t James's, London]
162 [Frida y 3 0 March 1832 ] MM 3 7 163 [Frida y 30 ? March 1832 ] MM 1 4 164 Saturda y [3 1 Marc h 1832?] MM 3
3
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London] JOHN MURRA Y
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London] JOHN MURRA Y JR [London]
165 [Saturda 1832] H A/I/B/i
[JOHN MURRAY ]
s
y 3 1 Marc h
SARAH DISRAELI
[London]
Iv
Ivi NUMBE R DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
166 [Sunda MM 5 167 [Sunda
y i April ? 1832] y i April ? 1832]
4
171 Thursda y [5?] April [1832] MM 3
172 Frida
y [6? April 1832 ]
173 [Saturda
y 7 April 1832 ]
1
176 [Thursda
MM 3
[London] JOHN MURRA Y JR
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ] UOHN MURRAY]
MARY ANN E LEWI S SARAH DISRAEL I SARAH DISRAEL I
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London] JOHN MURRA Y J R
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London] JOHN MURRA Y J R
] 1 2 April 1832
JOHN MURRA Y J R
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ]
2
y [1 2 Apri l 1832 ]
SARAH DISRAEL I
y 1 4 April [1832]
SARAH DISRAEL I
y 16? April 1832]
JOHN MURRA Y J R
y 16? April 1832]
JOHN MURRA Y J R
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ]
2
179 Saturda H A/I/B/2 180 [Monda
SARAH DISRAEL I
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ]
178 Thursda H A/I/B/2
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ]
y 1 2 Apri l 1832]
2
177 [Thursday MM 3
JOHN MURRA Y
[London]
0
174 [Tuesda y 1 0 April 1832] H A/I/B/2 1 *75 [Wednesda y 11 April? 1832]
MM 4
[London]
[London]
i
H A/I/B/2
[JOHN WILSO N CROKER ]
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London]
8
H A/I/A/
MM 4
(JOHN MURRAY ]
[London]
PS 7 9 168 Monda y [ 2 April 1832] MM 4 169 Monda y 2 April 1832 H A/I/B/i g 170 [Wednesda y 4 April? 1832] MM 4
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ]
3
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ]
0
181 [Monda MM 6 182 Tuesda
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ] y [1 7 April 1832 ]
SARAH DISRAEL I
H A/I/B/2
4
183 Frida
y [20 April 1832]
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ] SARAH DISRAEL I
H A/I/B/2
5
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ]
DATE NUMBER LOCATION REFERENCE NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
TO PLACE OF ORIGIN
184 Saturda
SARA AUSTE N
y [2 8 April? 1832 ]
BL AD
D M S 45908 f f 148-9
185 Thursda BL AD
y [3 ? May 1832] D M S 45908 f f 146-7
186 Sunda MM 3
y 6 May [1832]
187 Wednesda
y [g May 1832] 6
188 Saturda H A/I/B/2
y [1 2 May 1832]
190 [Friday H A/I/B/3
198 Saturda BL AD
199 [Monday
SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] y [2 6 May 1832 ]
SARAH DISRAELI
[London] y [28 Ma y 1832]
SARAH DISRAEL I
[London]
4
y [2 9 May 1832]
SARAH DISRAEL I
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ]
7
y 30 May
SARAH DISRAEL I
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London ]
S
] i June [1832]
SARAH DISRAEL I
[35] Duke Street, St James's, [London]
4
y [2 ? June 1832 ] D M S 45908 ff 55-6
] 4 June [1832]
BENJAMIN AUSTEN
[London] JAMES GEORG E TATEM
Red Lion , Wycombe
OSER i
200 Tuesda PS 3 0
SARAH DISRAEL I
35 Duke Street, St James's, [London]
3
1Q7 [Friday H A/I/B/3
[35] Duke Street, St James's, [London]
y 2 4 May [1832]
196 [Wednesda 1832] H A/I/B/i
[London]
2
195 Tuesda H A/I/B/1
SARAH DISRAEL I
y [21 May 1832]
194 Monda H A/I/B/4
] 18 May [1832]
1
193 Saturda H A/I/B/3
SARAH DISRAEL I
0
192 Thursda H A/I/B/3
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
y [1 5 May 1832] g
191 Monda H A/I/B/3
SARAH DISRAEL I
[35] Duke Street, [St James's, London]
7
189 Tuesda H A/I/B/a
[35 Duke Street, St James's, London] JOHN MURRA Y
Bradenham
9
H A/I/B/2
Bradenham SARA AUSTE N
y 5 June 1832
JOSEPH HUM E Bradenham
Ivii
Iviii NUMBE R DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
201 Sunda
y [10 June 1832]
BL AD
D M S 45908 ff 5y-8
202 [Frida
y 22 June 1832]
PS 4
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
SARA AUSTE N [Bradenham] [HENRY GWILLIM ] Bradenham
7
203 [Wednesday 1832 H B/I/A/1
] 27 June
THE FRE E AN D INDEPENDEN T ELEC TORS O F WYCOMB E
Bradenham
6
204 [Thursday MM 3 1
] 5 July [1832]
JOHN MURRA Y
[35] Duk e Street, [S t James's, London]
205 [Thursda H A/l/B/3 5 206 Wednesda 1832] H A/I/B/3
y 5 July 1832]
[London]
y [ 18 July
y [2 1 July 1832] 7 y [27 July 1832] 38 y [ 4 August 1832]
H A/I/B/4
y [ 7 August 1832 ]
H A/I/B/4
SARAH DISRAEL I [London] SARAH DISRAEL I [London] SARAH DISRAEL I [London]
0
210 Tuesda
SARAH DISRAEL I
[London]
6
207 Saturda H A/I/B/3 208 Frida H A/I/B/ 209 Saturda
SARAH DISRAEL I
SARAH DISRAEL I
[35] Duk e Street, [S t James's, London]
1
211 Wednesda 1832]
y [ 8 August
SARAH DISRAEL I
H A/I/B/3
9
[London]
212 Frida
y [2 4 August 1832]
SARAH DISRAEL I
H A/I/B/4
2
[35] Duk e Street, St James's, [London]
213 Frida
y [2 4 August? 1832]
SAMUEL CARTE R HAL L
NYPL Montagu
214 Sunda
[35] Duke Street, S t James's, [London]
e7
1832]
y [23 September?
Bradenham
JW i
215 [Monday PS Time
] i Octobe r 183 2
THE INDEPENDEN T ELECTOR S O F TH E BOROUGH O F CHEPPIN G WYCOMBE
Bradenham
s
216 [Saturday [1832] BL AD
SAMUEL CARTE R HALL
] 6 October
D M S 45908 ff6i- z
BENJAMIN AUSTEN
Bradenham
NUMBER DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
217 Wednesda [1832]
THOMAS MULLET T EVANS
H A/V/A/1
y 2 4 Octobe r
4
218 Saturda 1832] BL AD
y [3? November
D M S 45908 ££63- 5
Bradenham BENJAMIN AUSTE N
Bradenham
219 [Sunday ] 1 1 November [1832]
THE EDITO R O F THE TIME S
PS Time
Bradenham
220 Frida
s2
y [23 November 1832?]
BL AD
D M S 45908 £17 3
221 [Wednesday ] 12 December 183 2 H B/I/A/2
3
222 [Thursday [1832] PS 7
2
223 [Monday 1832 PS 4
] 1 3 December ] 1 7 Decembe r
8
224 [Saturda 1832]
y 22 ? December
H B/XXI/L/24
3
225 [Wednesday ] 26 December [1832 ] PS Time
226 Sunda
s3
y [30 December 1832?]
MM 7
227 Tuesda
y [ i ? January
1833]
H B/XXI/L/24
5
228 Saturda y [1 2 January 1833] H A/I/B/4
5
229 Frida
y [18 January 1833]
FE EJ
Mi
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
[London] THE ELECTOR S O F THE COUNT Y O F BUCKS
Bradenham THE ELECTOR S O F THE COUNT Y O F BUCKS
Aylesbury THE INDEPENDEN T ELECTOR S OF WYCOMBE
Bradenham (JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART ]
[Bradenham?] THE EDITO R O F THE TIME S
Bradenham JOHN MURRA Y
[Bradenham?] (JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART ]
[Bradenham?] SARAH DISRAEL I
[35] Duk e Street, St James's, [London] SARAH DISRAEL I Bath
lix
Ix NUMBE R DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBER OF ORIGINAL
230 PS 231 FITZ
232 H 233
PS 234 MNHP
235 NIPR
Thursday [2 4 January 1833] 35
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
[SARAH DISRAELI ] Bath
Tuesday [2 9 January 1833]
SARAH DISRAEL I
Thursday [3 1 January 1833]
SARAH DISRAEL I
[Thursday 7 February 1833]
[SARAH DISRAELI ]
Sarah i
A/I/B/47
i
Thursday [1 4 February 1833] 1
Saturday [16 February? 1833] Di07iB/E 3 / 9 B [2]
[London]
[London]
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[35] Duke Street, St James's, [London] HELEN SELIN A BLACKWOO D
35 Duke Street, St James's, [London ]
236
Wednesday [20 February? 1833 ]
CAROLINE HENRIETT A SHERIDA N
NIPR
MIC22R 54 :6
35 Duk e Street, St James's, [London ]
2
37
NIPR
238
[Thursday 2 1 February? 1833]
D1071B/E3/9B/5
[Friday 2 2 February 1833]
PS 239
37
BL 240
ADD M S 34616 ff45- 6
NIPR
241
[Saturday] 23 February 1833
[HELEN SELIN A BLACKWOOD ] [London?] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] MACVEY NAPIE R
35 Duke Street, St James's, [London ]
Saturday [23 February? 1833]
[HELEN SELIN A BLACKWOOD ]
Monday [2 5 February? 1833]
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
DioyiB/Es/gBrg
[London]
BL
ADD M S 45908 ff66- 7
[London]
242
[Saturday] 2 March [1833] Sarah 2
SARAH DISRAEL I
FITZ
243
Wednesday [6 March 1833]
FITZ
Sarah 3
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London]
NUMBER DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBER OF ORIGINAL
244
Thursday [ 7 March? 1833]
NIPR
D1071B/E3/9B:13
245
[Thursday 7 March? 1833]
NIPR
D1071B/E3/9B:13
246
Thursday [ 7 March? 1833]
NIPR
DioyiB/Eg/gAiiS
247
[Saturday 9 March? 1833 ]
NIPR
DioyiB/Eg/gAizo
248
[Saturday] 9 March [1833]
PS
Times 1 2
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
[HELEN SELIN A BLACKWOOD ]
[London] [HELEN SELIN A BLACKWOOD ]
[London] CAROLINE HENRIETT A SHERIDA N
[London] [CAROLINE HENRIETT A SHERIDAN ]
[London] THE ELECTOR S OF THE BOROUG H O F MARYLEBONE
[London]
249
Sunday [1 0 March 1833 ]
NIPR
Dio7iB/E 3 /gB:i7
250
Tuesday 1 2 Marc h [1833]
THE ELECTOR S O F THE BOROUG H O F MARYLEBONE
PS
Times 1 3
251
Thursday 1 4 March [1833]
[35] Duk e Street, S t James's, [London]
H
[HELEN SELIN A BLACKWOOD ]
[London]
SARAH DISRAEL I
A/I/B/48
[London]
252
[Friday] 1 5 March 183 3
MACVEY NAPIE R
BL
ADD M S 34616 ffss- 4
[London]
253
Saturday [16 ? March 1833]
SARA AUSTE N
BL
ADD M S 45908 ff68- g
[London]
254
Monday [18 ] March 183 3
H
B/I/A/39/i
35 Duke Street, S t James's, [London ]
255
[HELEN SELIN A BLACKWOOD ]
NIPR
Monday [18 ? March 1833]
D1071B/E3/9B:23
256 H 257 PS 258
Tuesday 1 9 March 183 3
GEORGE HENR Y DASHWOO D
H
B/I/A/39/3
[Tuesday 2 6 March 1833 ] 3
Thursday [28 March 1833] A/I/B/5o
GEORGE HENR Y DASHWOO D
35 Duke Street, S t James's, [London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
Albion Club, [London ]
Ixi
Ixii NUMBE R DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
259
[March 1833? ]
PS 260
40
Thursday [ 4 April 1833 ]
H
A/I/B/51
261
Saturday [ 6 April 1833 ]
H
A/I/B/52
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
40 Brook Street , [London ] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London]
262
Monday [8 April 1833 ]
H
A/I/B/54
263
[Tuesday] g April 1833
THE INDEPENDEN T ELECTOR S O F TH E BOROUGH O F MARYLEBON E
FE
EJM 2
[London]
264
Sunday [1 4 April? 1833 ]
H
A/I/B/53
265
Wednesday [1 7 April? 1833]
NIPR
D1071B/E3/9B:27
266 PS 267
[Sunday 2 1 April 1833? ] 56 Tuesday [23 April 1833 ]
H
A/I/B/55
268
Thursday [2 5 April 1833]
H
A/I/B/56
269
Tuesday 3 0 April [1833 ]
H
A/I/B/57
270
[April 1833 ]
PS 271
38
Monday [1 3 May 1833 ]
H
A/I/B/sS
272
[Monday 1 3 May 1833 ]
NIPR
D1071B/E3/9B:33
SARAH DISRAEL I
[London]
SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] [HELEN SELIN A BLACKWOOD ]
35 Duke Street, S t James's, [London ] CHARLES MATHEW S
[London?] SARAH DISRAEL I
Albion [Club , London ] SARAH DISRAEL I
Albion [Club , London ] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] HELEN SELIN A BLACKWOO D
[London]
273
Wednesday [2 2 May 1833]
TEXU
[25]
[London]
274
Wednesday [2 2 May 1833]
SARAH DISRAEL I
H
A/I/B/49
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
SARAH DISRAEL I
275
Monday [ 3 June 1833]
H
A/I/B/59
276
[London]
Wednesday [ 5 June 1833 ]
SARAH DISRAEL I
H
A/I/B/6o
[London]
NUMBER DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBER OF ORIGINAL
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
277 Frida
y [7 June 1833]
SARAH DISRAEL I
H A/I/B/6
i
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I [London]
278 Monda
y [17 June 1833]
H A/I/B/6
2
279 [Wednesda 1833] H A/I/B
y 1 9 June
%
280 [Thursda y 2 0 June 1833?]
UCLA Dio
o Bo x 42
281 Sunda
y [23 June 1833]
H A/I/B/6
4
282 Monda
y [24 June 1833]
BL AD
D M S 45908 ffyo- z
283 Saturda H A/I/B/6 284 Saturda H A/I/B/6 285 [Saturda PS 4 PS 3
H A/I/B/6
291 Frida H A/I/B/7
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
35 Duke Street, St James's, [London ] [London] [London] [SARAH DISRAELI ]
[London]
y 26 July 1833]
SARAH DISRAEL I
y [7 August
SARAH DISRAEL I
9
8
y 1 0 August
7
g
y [15 November 1833] 0
292 Wednesda y [2 0 November 1833] H A/I/B/4
[London]
SARAH DISRAEL I
289 [September ? 1833 ] H A/IM/4 7 290 Tuesda y [12 Novembe r 1833] H A/I/B/6
SARAH DISRAEL I
y [ 6 July 1833 ] y 2 0 July 1833? ]
288 [Saturda 1833]
35 Duke Street, S t James's, [London ]
SARAH DISRAEL I
6
287 Wednesda 1833] H A/I/B/6
Cocoa Tree [Club, London] MESSRS RIVINGTO N
y [29 June 1833 ] 5
286 [Frida
SARAH DISRAEL I
3
[London] [London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] [WYNDHAM LEWIS ] [London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[The Grange , Southend, Essex ] SARAH DISRAEL I
The Grange , Southend , Esse x SARAH DISRAEL I
Southend, [Essex ]
ixiii
Ixiv NUMBE R DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBER OF ORIGINAL
293 Frida
y [22 November 1833]
H A/l/B/7
1
294 [Monda y 25? November 1833]
BL AD
D M S 45908 f f 176-7
295 Tuesda y [2 6 November 1833] H A/I/B/7
2
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
SARAH DISRAEL I
The Grange , Southend, Essex BENJAMIN AUSTE N
[London?] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London]
296 Saturda y [30 November 1833]
BENJAMIN AUSTEN
BL AD
Bradenham
297 Sunda
BL AD
298 Tuesda
D M S 45908 ff73- 5
1833]
y [i Decembe r
D M S 45908 ££77- 8
1833]
BL AD
y [ 3 December
D M S 45908 ff7g-8 i
299 [Saturday [1833] BL AD
] 7 December
D M S 45908 ££84- 5
300 [Tuesda y 31 ? December 1833] LC Ac
. 803 3
301 Wednesda 1834?] BL AD
302 Sunday[ FITZ Sara
y [i January
305 [Saturday 1834 PS 7
FITZ Sara
h5
[London] BENJAMIN AUSTE N
[Southend, Essex ]
Southend, [Essex] SARAH DISRAEL I
[Southend?]
] 2 5 January
SARAH DISRAEL I
y [29 January
[The Grange , Southend, Essex ] SARAH DISRAEL I
6
306 Wednesda 1834]
Bradenham RICHARD BENTLE Y
BENJAMIN AUSTE N an d SAR A AUSTE N
D M S 45908 ffgo- i
9
BENJAMIN AUSTE N
] 13 January
304 [Tuesda y 1 4 January 1834] PS 5
Bradenham
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
h4
BL AD
Bradenham BENJAMIN AUSTEN
5 January 1834]
D M S 45908 ff86- 7
303 [Monday [1834]
SARA AUSTEN
[Southend, Essex ]
NUMBER DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
307 BEA 308
Thursday [1 3 February 1834] 201 [Monday 17 ? February 1834]
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
SARAH DISRAEL I
The Grange , [Southend , Essex] [SARAH DISRAELI ]
49
39
Friday [2 1 Februar y 1834]
Southend, [Essex] SARAH DISRAEL I
H
A/I/B/46
310
Monday [2 4 February? 1834]
[Southend, Essex] EDWARD MOXO N
HUNT
HM20305-(34)
PS
Osborns Hotel , Adelphi , Londo n
313
[Monday 3 March 1834] 50 [Monday] 3 March 183 4 i Friday [ 7 March 1834 ]
H
A/I/B/73
3*4
Tuesday [ 1 1 March 1 834] SARAH DISRAEL I
H
A/I/B/74
3*5 PS 316
[Sunday] 1 6 March 1834 23 Sunday [2 3 March 1834]
BL
ADD M S 45908 ffg4- 5
11
3 PS 312
APSY
1
3?
BENT 318
Sunday [23 March 1834] i Wednesday [ 9 April 1834]
HUNT
RB 3200 6 vol z appg g
3*9
Saturday [2 4 May? 1834 ] ADD M S 45908 ffg6- y
BL
320
[Monday 2 6 May 1834? ]
BL
ADD M S 45908 fg z
381
[Wednesday 2 8 May? 1834]
BL
ADD M S 45908 £9 3
38iA
Wednesday [2 8 May ? 1834]
STL
1
SARAH DISRAEL I [Southend, Essex] THE DUK E O F WELLINGTO N [Southend, Essex] SARAH DISRAEL I
Harwich, [Essex]
[Park Street, London ] ALBANY FONBLANQU E Bradenham BENJAMIN AUSTE N Bradenham ALBANY FONBLANQU E Bradenham SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] BENJAMIN AUSTE N
[313 Park Street, Grosveno r Square , London] BENJAMIN AUSTE N
3ia Park Street , Grosveno r Square , [London] BENJAMIN AUSTE N
[313 Park Street, Grosveno r Square , London] SARA AUSTE N
[313 Park Street , Grosveno r Square , London]
Ixv
Ixvi NUMBE R DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBE R OF ORIGINAL
322 Wednesda 1834] H A/I/B/7
y [28 May
323 [Monda y 2 June 1834 ] H A/I/B/7 5 324 Wednesda y [4 June 1834 ] H A/I/B/7
6
H A/I/B/7 TEXU [22
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
y [9 June 1834 ]
SARAH DISRAEL I
[London]
[London]
]
327 [Frida BECK 1 9
y 1 3 June? 1834 ]
WILLIAM BECKFOR D
3ia Park Street, [Grosvenor Square , London]
328 Saturda
y [14? June 1834 ]
PFRZ Mis
c Ms . 90 0
329 Monda H A/I/B/7 330 [Monda HARV 4
y [16 June 1834 ] y 1 6 June 1834? ] y 1 9 June 1834 ]
2
332 [Monda
LADY BLESSINGTON
313 Park Street, [Grosveno r Square , London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London]
8
331 [Thursda BEA 20
SARAH DISRAEL I
y [7 June 1834 ] 7
326 Monda
SARAH DISRAEL I
[313 Park Street, Grosvenor Square , London]
9
325 Saturda
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
y 23 June 1834 ]
[WILLIAM BECKFORD? ]
313 Park Street, Grosveno r Square , [London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] MARIA D'ISRAEL I an d SARA H DISRAEL I
FITZ Sara
h6
47 Gower Street, Londo n
333 [Jun
e 1834? ]
HENRY COLBUR N
PS 5
[Bradenham?]
2
334 Wednesda y [2 July? 1834] PRIN Parris h A M 19732 335 [Thursda y 3 July 1834 ] BECK 3
336 Frida
y [4 July 1834 ]
H A/I/B/S
o
337 Monda BEA 20
[London] WILLIAM BECKFOR D
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] y [7 July 1834 ]
3
LADY BLESSINGTON
SARAH DISRAEL I
[34 Grosvenor Street, London ]
NUMBER DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBER OF ORIGINAL
338 PS
[Friday nPJul y 1834 ] 5
TO PLACE OF ORIGIN
[SARAH DISRAELI]
[London]
[Wednesday 1 6 July 1834]
SARAH DISRAELI
FITZ
Sarah 7
34«
Wednesday [2 3 July 1834]
SARAH DISRAELI
H
A/I/B/Si
339
341 PS
[Saturday 26? July 1834 ] 75
[London] [London] [SARAH DISRAELI]
[London]
34*
[Tuesday 2 9 July? 1834]
NYPL
Kohns 3 5
343
[Friday] i Augus t 1834 80 [Saturday 2 August? 1834]
[SARAH DISRAELI ]
PFRZ
Misc Ms . 91 3
345
[Tuesday 5 August 1834 ]
LADY BLESSINGTO N
PS
344
PFRZ
346 PS
347 PFRZ
Misc Ms . 89 0
Friday 1 5 August [1834 ] 73
Tuesday [2 September? 1834] Misc Ms . 89 5
348
Wednesday [3 September? 1834 ]
PFRZ
Misc Ms . 90 7
349
[Tuesday] 7 October [1834]
BL
ADD M S 45908 ffgS- g
35°
Friday [17 October 1834 ]
PFRZ
Misc Ms . 891
35 !
[Friday] 24 October 183 4
BL
ADD M S 45908 f f loo-i
35*
[Tuesday 4 November? 1834]
PS
6
353
Monday 1 7 November [1834] i
LAMB
LADY BLESSINGTO N
[London?] [London] LADY BLESSINGTO N
[London?] Bradenham LADY BLESSINGTO N
Bradenham LADY BLESSINGTO N
Bradenham LADY BLESSINGTO N
[Bradenham] BENJAMIN AUSTE N
Bradenham LADY BLESSINGTO N
Bradenham BENJAMIN AUSTE N
Bradenham [SARAH DISRAELI ]
[London] LORD DURHAM
[London?!
Ixvii
Ixviii NUMBE R DAT E LOCATION REFERENC E NUMBER OF ORIGINAL
354 Monda y [24 November 1834] H A/I/B/8
2
355 Saturda y [29 November 1834] NYPL Kohn
s19
356 Thursda 1834]
y [4 December
PRIM i
357 Monda
y [8 December
1834]
H A/I/B/8
3
358 Thursda y [ 11 Decembe r 1834] PRIN Parris h A M 17270 359 Monda y [22 December 1834] H A/I/C/
8
360 Tuesda y [30 ? Decembe r 1834] BL AD
D M S 45908 f f 102-3
361 Tuesda y [30 ? December 1834] LAMB 2
TO PLACE O F ORIGI N
SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] [LORD LYNDHURST ]
313 Park Street, Grosveno r Square , [London] SARAH DISRAEL I
[London] SARAH DISRAEL I [London] MARIA D'ISRAEL I
[London] BENJAMIN AUSTE N
313 Park Street, Grosveno r Square , [London] LORD DURHAM
3ia Park Street, Grosvenor Square , [London]
TOUR O F TH E R H I N E 1824 Letters of 29 July to 29 August 182 4
Journey to the Rhine, July-September 1824 Letters 10-1 6
G R E A T Londo BRITAIN
n
BAVARIA SWITZERLAND ~Brieg
(SARDINIA) Genoa
AUSTRIAN
rqua * Ferrar a Bologna
MEDITERRANEAN SEA ^~
CORS/ICA
TOUR O F ITAL Y 1826 Letters o f 9 August to 1 5 October 182 6
Journey to the Alps and Italy , August-October 1826 Letters 50-8
T O U R O F T H E M I D D L E EAS T 1830-1831 Letters of 1 June 183 0 to 23 October 1831
Journey t o the Middle East, June 183 0 to October 183 1 Letters 89-117
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B E N J A M I N D I S R A E L I LETTERS : 1815-183 4
This page intentionally left blank
TO MARIA DISRAELI [Potdcary'
s School, Blackheath? , 1815? ]
1
ORIGINAL: H A/I/C/ 1 PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B 121 , Undated
EDITORIAL COMMENT : A s Monypenn y observe s (I 21), this letter owe s it s preservatio n to Isaac' s us e of the reverse for his own notes. Both the dating and th e plac e of origin are purely conjectural. The spellin g of the nam e of the independent ministe r who conducted the Blackheat h school which D attended ha s als o been subjec t to variation . Monypenn y (i n the tex t an d inde x of vo l l ) and Blak e refer t o Potticany , whil e Buckl e (i n th e cumulativ e inde x i n vo l VI) , Meynel l an d other s spea k o f Potticary. There i s a not e fro m Isaa c (H A/n/c/2) clearl y writte n 'Potticary' and tha t i s the spellin g we have adopted. Ther e i s also uncertainty about the date s of D' S attendance . Meynel l ( l 7 ) firml y states that he was there between 1813 and 1817 . Sic: D Israeli.
Dear Maman, 1 I hav e arrived saf e B D Israel i TO EDWARD JONES Bloomsbur
y Square, [London] , [Frida y 2 ] January 181 8
ORIGINAL: BRS T 1
EDITORIAL COMMENT : A copy, endorsed: ' B Disraelis letter'. Sic: Albermale, Your's. 1
Bloomsbury Square I Jany an d I 1818
Dear Jones, Will yo u an d you r Brothe r an d Siste r favou r m e wit h your compan y a t te a to morrow evening . We trust tha t your Pap a an d Mamm a will allow Fanny to com e to us , i t i s quite a youn g party , w e expec t th e littl e Mis s Murrays 2 from Alber male Street. I hope you wil l have no objectio n t o come among suc h young I people, bu t I a m i n hope s tha t yo u wil l hav e n o dislik e t o com e an d se e m e an d keep m e company amongs t them . W e hope we shall be fortunat e i n finding you disengaged. Pray favour us early, 5 o'clock, and believ e me, dear Jones Your's truly Benjamin D'Israel i Pray reques t of your Mamm a in al l our name s t o allow Fanny t o visit us tomorrow we are al l so anxious t o see her .
1 Mari a D'Israel i (1775-1847) , daughte r o f Naphtal i Basev i (1738-1808) , a Londo n merchant , and Ricc a Basevi , ne e Riet i ( d 1798) . Sh e marrie d Isaa c D'Israel i in 1802 . Fo r D' S often ambiva lent attitud e t o his mother see Blake 15-16 . 1 Edwar d Jone s (1805-1892) , admitte d t o Corpu s Christ i 1 8 November 1823 ; matriculate d Mi chaelmas 1824 ; B A 1828, M A 1831. H e wa s ordained deaco n o f Wincheste r i n 1834 , an d ap pointed curat e o f Colmer , Hants , i n 1834-5 . Fro m 183 9 t o 188 0 h e serve d a s vica r o f Wes t Peckham, Kent . Ven n par t ii in. According t o Meynel l (l 2-3) , Edward Jones was a schoolfello w of D' S a t Potticary' s School , Blackheath , an d wa s the so n o f th e surgeo n wh o attende d a t th e birth o f D' s siste r Sarah . Writin g t o Th e Standard (2 8 Ap r 1887) , h e recalle d hi s early acquain tance wit h D and indicate d that they ha d stil l been in contact i n the lat e 18305 . 2 Christin a Jane (1811-1877 ) anc' Hester Anne (1813-1890) , daughter s of John Murra y o f 50 Albemarle Street.
1
3
TO (JOHN MURRAY ] [Bloomsbur
y Square, London? , August 1820? ]
O R I G I N A L : M M 43
COVER: B D I J Murra y Es q I Albemarle St . PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s ii io8 , dated August 1822 EDITORIAL COMMENT : This letter is undated, although Smiles dates it as 'August 1822 ' and use s it as an exampl e of Murray' s confidence i n D' s abilities which wa s 'so fir m tha t h e consulte d him a s to th e merits of a M S when D had scarcel y reached his eighteenth year.' Yet this MS, Charles Edward Walker's play Wallace, wa s published i n 182 0 (by Oxberry) and presente d o n th e stag e at Coven t Garde n 1 4 November 182 0 with Macread y i n the titl e role . Smiles II 107-8 . In anothe r hand at the hea d of th e first pag e of th e M S appears: 'MSS Rec I B. DTsraeli I in packe t fo r I Aug 1820. ' The sens e of th e lette r would sugges t Murray wa s indeed consulting D for hi s opinion on whethe r th e pla y shoul d be published, but befor e i t had appeare d either in prin t o r o n th e stage . This would mea n Murray' s confi dence was indeed extraordinary, for D would then not have reached his sixteenth birthday - a n implication which perhaps Smiles could not accept.
Dear Sir, 1 I ran m y eye over 3 acts of Wallace, and a s far a s I could for m a n opinion I cannot conceiv e thes e act s to be as effective o n the stage a s you seemed t o expect however i t is impossible to sa y what a very clever actor lik e Macready 2 may make I o f som e passages . Notwithstandin g th e man y erasure s th e dictio n i s stil l dif fuse, an d sometime s languishing , tho no t inelegant. I cannot imagin e i t a power ful wor k as far as I hav e read - bu t indee d runnin g ove r a part of a thing with people talking around is too unfair. I shall be anxious t o hear ho w it succeeds . Many thanks, dear I Sir, for sendin g i t to me . You r not e arrives . I f o n s o slight a knowledg e o f the pla y I could ventur e t o erase either o f the word s yo u set before m e I fea r i t would be yes - bu t I fee l crue l an d wicke d i n sayin g so. I hop e you go t you r dinne r i n comfor t whe n yo u go t ri d o f m e an d tha t gentl e Pyramid.3 Yrs truly BD 1 John Murra y (1778-1843), the second o f the famou s publishing family o f that name. H e starte d The Quarterly Review i n 1809 , an d upo n movin g t o Albemarl e Stree t i n 181 2 h e becam e ac quainted wit h Byron, whose works he published . H e wa s a good frien d o f D' S father, Isaac . 2 Willia m Charles Macread y (1793-1873), the well-know n actor . 3 Smile s (I I 108 ) identifie s hi m a s Giovann i Battist a Belzon i (1778-1823) , Italia n explore r o f Egyptian antiquities . H e lef t Englan d i n 1812 , arrivin g i n Egyp t i n 1815 , wher e h e experi mented fo r a time with hydraulic machines for raisin g the water s of th e Nile . He remove d th e statue of Rameses ll fro m Thebes and shippe d i t to England. H e also explored an d carrie d ou t excavations at th e temple s o f Edf u an d Ab u Simbel , a t th e sepulchr e o f Set i I and a t Karnak . Returning t o Englan d i n 1819 , h e wrot e hi s Narrative o f th e Operations an d Recent Discoveries within th e Pyramids, Temples, Tombs an d Excavations i n Egypt an d Nubia, etc.. H e die d i n 182 3 i n Benin on a journey t o Timbuktu . Likening hi m t o a pyrami d woul d hav e been a double allusio n t o Belzoni' s large siz e and t o his Egyptian interests .
TO [DAWSON TURNER] Bloomsbur
y Square, [London] , [Friday] 1 3 December 1822
ORIGINAL: TC C 21
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Althoug h the corresponden t i s not named , internal evidence makes the iden tification al l but certain .
Bloomsbury Square I Deer. 13th : 1822 My dear Sir, 1 I should no t hav e troubled yo u wit h thi s letter , were i t not uncertain , when my father2 ma y write to Yarmouth, and I am quite ashamed o f not having answered your kind message , before thi s time. I regret , tha t business wil l utterly prevent m e fro m acceptin g you r Christmas invitation. I trust, that at another time , I may be more fortunate . It wil l giv e me infinit e pleasure , i f I ca n i n anywa y b e instrumenta l to th e in crease o f your valuable collection of Autographs. Th e office 3 i n which I am in, is not, I a m afraid , as old a s you ma y imagine it . I t ha s existed abou t fort y years , but does not possess an y papers of a date mor e ancien t than the commencement of the presen t century ; for about 2 0 years ago, the fir m littl e dreaming o f Autographs an d Autograph-collectors , ha d a genera l burnin g an d I hav e n o doub t but, that at thi s time, many invaluable treasures I were destroyed . I hav e obtaine d permissio n however t o examin e th e papers , whic h the y d o possess, an d I shal l be oblige d t o yo u therefor e t o transmi t m e th e lists , which you mentioned . I regre t t o giv e you s o much trouble , whe n there seem s s o slight a chance of my obtainin g anything , which you ma y value , but whateve r ma y b e th e result , you wil l at least have the satisfactio n of having had th e collection examined. My fathe r send s hi s kindes t remembrances , an d desire s m e t o say , that h e is executing you r commission. Do no t thin k m e premature , i f I offe r yo u th e Compliment s o f th e Season , and believ e me 1 Dawso n Turne r (1775-1858) , o f Yarmouth , botanis t an d antiquary , frien d o f Isaac , note d fo r his autograph collection o f 40,000 letters. 2 Isaa c D'Israel i (1766-1848) , onl y chil d o f Benjami n DTsrael i (1730-1816 ) an d Sara h D'Israeli , n6e Shiprut d e Gaba y Vill a Rea l (i743?-i8z5) . See 32111 . Isaa c wa s a ma n o f letters , note d fo r his miscellaneous eruditio n an d fo r th e purit y o f hi s style. Hi s most popula r work , Curiosities of Literature, appeared i n 179 1 an d wen t through man y editions . A s an historia n h e wa s less emi nent, fo r thoug h h e mad e extensiv e us e o f archives , hi s interpretation s wer e sometime s deemed t o b e uncritical . Henr y Morley O f English Literature i n th e Reign o f Victoria (Leipzi g 1881) 119-21 . On th e DTsrael i ancestry , se e Lucie n Wol f 'Th e Disrael i Family ' Transactions o f th e Jewish Historical Society o f England v (1902-5 ) 202-1 8 and Rot h c h i . The onl y biograph y o f Isaa c is by Ogden. 3 Th e offic e o f the fir m o f solicitors, Messr s Swain, Stevens, Maples , Pears e and Hun t o f 6 Frederick's Place , Ol d Jewry. D was articled t o on e o f th e partners , William Stevens, on 1 0 November 1821 . Th e indentur e wa s signed b y Stevens, Isaa c DTsrael i an d D . This i s the las t know n occasion on whic h D signed hi s name with the apostrophe . H A/H/B/4- See also loni.
4
6 I 6m y dea r Si r la Au g 182 3 Your s very faithfull y B. Disraeli I am afraid tha t I shall be able t o procure nothing but th e Signatures of lawyers. 5T
O THOMAS FREDERICK MAPLES [Windsor?]
, Tuesday [ 2 2 July 1 8 a 3]
ORIGINAL: H A/II/B/2 COVER: July twenty second I 23 I T. F Maple s Esqre I Fredericks Place I Old Jewr y I B Disraeli EDITORIAL COMMENT : A copy , sen t b y Frederic k Maples , th e recipient' s son, t o Lor d Rowto n i n 1889.
Tuesday 1/ 2 pt. 7 oclock T.F. Maples Esqre. My dear Sir, 1 I regret that I have not been able before this , to give you the information , which you desired, but I have been s o unfortunate i n my visits to Mr. Brown, the solicitor t o Eton College , as always to find him and hi s clerk out . I too k th e followin g description fro m a leas e whic h I hav e just thi s momen t seen an d I trust i t will full y answe r your object . "The provos t o f the Coll . Royal of the Blesse d Mar y of Eton nea r unt o Windsor, i n the Co . of Bucks Commonly called th e King s Coll. of our blesse d Lad y of Eton nig h o r b y Windsor i n th e sd . Co . of Buck s and th e sam e Colleg e o f th e one part etc. " Excuse this brief epistle , but I a m ver y I desirous o f gainin g this evenings pos t which goes of f immediately. I hop e Mrs . Maples' health i s better tha n i t was when I left . I t give s me pleas ure t o say that m y mother is much better. I am My dear Sir Yrs sincerely B. Disraeli 6T
O THOMAS FREDERIC K MAPLES Windsor
, [Tuesday ] 1 2 August [1823 ]
ORIGINAL: H A/II/B/3 COVER: Augus t twelfth/23 I T.F. Maple s Esqre I 52 Guilfor d Street, I London. I B.D. PUBLICATION HISTORY . M& B I 41, date d 2 August 1823 EDITORIAL COMMENT : A copy, sent by Frederick Maple s to Lord Rowto n in 1889 .
Windsor I Aug 12th . T.F. Maple s Esqr . My dear Sir , A lette r whic h begin s wit h Congratulations i s generally a pleasan t thing , an d I therefore fee l ver y grateful , fo r th e opportunit y o f thu s happil y Commencin g my epistle, t o the young Stranger, who 1 Thoma s Frederick Maple s ( d 1864) , a solicito r an d fro m 180 6 a partne r i n th e fir m o f Messr s Swain, Stevens, Maples , Pears e and Hunt .
Porrigens teneras manu s 7 Matris e' gremi o suae 2 Dulce rideat ad patrem Semihiante labello1 But t o leav e Catullus and congratulation s for a mor e matte r o f fac t subject . As no particular time was settled fo r m y return, an d a s you expressed a wish, that I would communicat e t o yo u upo n it , I a m unde r th e necessit y o f intrudin g I upon you , surrounded o f cours e b y crowds of hurryin g and eage r friend s who 'hail this new accession t o the hous e o f Montague ' to as k the ver y uninteresting and busines s like question of, when you would wish me to return ! If yo u ca n fin d tim e to write me 1/ 2 a line upon thi s subject I shal l feel muc h obliged. Present my best Comp[limen]ts to Mrs. Maples. With th e wis h tha t ever y day o f you r daughter' s lif e ma y b e a s sunny as th e present an d tha t she may never know the miseries of a wet summer, I remain My dear Si r Yours sincerely B. Disraeli TO JOHN MURRA Y Frederick'
s Place, [London], [Tuesday ] 2 5 May [1824?] 7
ORIGINAL: M R 2
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s II 183-4, dated 2 5 May 1824 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Th e 3 i n 182 3 is overwritte n wit h 4 i n anothe r hand . Ma y 182 4 > s writte n above in yet another hand. Dating: by comparison with 8 and 9 which refer t o 'Aylmer Papillon'.
Frederick's Place I May 25th . 1823 Jno. Murray , Esq. etc. My dear Sir , The travels , to whic h I allude d thi s morning , woul d no t bin d u p wit h Parry, 1 since a moderate duodecimo would contain the Adventure s of a certain Mr . Aylmer Papillo n in a terra incognita . I certainl y should neve r hav e mentione d them , ha d I bee n awar e tha t yo u were so very much engaged, and I only allude to them once more, tha t I no con fusion ma y arise fro m th e hal f explanations which were given this morning. 1 Th e origina l reads : 'Torquatus volo parvulu s I matris e gremi o sua e I porrigens tenera s manu s I dulc e rideat a d patre m I semihiante labello. ' (Catullus Carmina LX I 212-16) . This ma y b e trans lated: ' I woul d se e a little Torquatus, stretchin g hi s baby hand s fro m hi s mother's lap , smil e a sweet smil e a t hi s fathe r wit h lip s hal f parted. ' Th e origina l i s a weddin g poem , whic h con cludes with the hop e tha t a son will soon b e born. 1 I n 182 4 J°hn Murra y publishe d Journal o f a Second Voyage fo r th e Discovery o f a North-West Passage by William Edward Parr y (1790-1855) , the arcti c explorer . Behin d O's facetiou s remar k lies the practice , the n common , of publishin g severa l unrelate d trave l account s a s a singl e volume. Th e popula r serie s o f Ne w Voyages an d Travels, publishe d b y Si r Richar d Phillips , was of this character.
I7 5 May 1824
8 I g Yo u wil l oblige me b y no t mentionin g thi s to anybod y an d Jun 182 4 Believ e me to be my dear Sir Your very faithful an d oblige d Ser[van] t B Disraeli 8T
O IJOHN MURRAY ] [London
, Ma y 1824]
ORIGINAL: M R 1
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s I I 182-3 , dated Ma y 182 4 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Endorsement s i n anothe r hand : 'Ma y 1824' , 'Aylme r Papillo n A novel' . Th e last page of th e M S is damaged.
My dear Sir, Your very kind letter induce s me to trouble yo u with this most trivial of trifles . My pla n ha s bee n i n thes e fe w pages s o to mi x u p an y observations , whic h I had t o make on the presen t state of society, with the bustl e and hurr y o f a story, that m y satire shoul d neve r b e protrude d o n m y reader. I f yo u wil l loo k a t th e last Chapte r bu t one , entitle d Lady Modeleys, yo u wil l se e wha t I mea n bette r than I can express it. The firs t page s o f that chapte r I hav e written in the sam e manner a s I would a common I novel, but I have endeavoured t o pu t i n action at the en d the presen t fashio n of getting o n in the world . I writ e n o humbu g abou t candidl y givin g your opinio n etc . etc . Yo u must b e aware, tha t you cannot d o m e a greater favor , than refusin g to publish it , if you think it won't do, and wh o should b e a better judge than yourself? Believe me, ever to be, my dear Sir, Your most faithfu l an d oblige d B. Disraeli I The and . an d th e las t Chapter s ar e unfortunatel y mislai d - bu t the y hav e n o particular connectio n wit h the story . The y ar e bot h ver y short, th e ist . contain s an adventure o n the road and the last Mr. Papillon's banishmen t unde r th e alien Act from a ministerial misconception o f a metaphysical sonnet. 1 Thursday morn Excuse wan t of sea l - a s we're doin g a bit of summer toda y an d ther e i s not a fire in the house . QT
O JOHN MURRA Y Frederick'
s Place , [London] , [Jun e 1824 ]
ORIGINAL: M R 3
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s II 184, dated June 1824 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Endorsement in another hand: June - 1824' . 1 'Aylme r Papillon ' wa s a satirica l nove l whic h John Murra y declined t o publish . Th e ton e an d content o f the two chapters whic h have survived (H E/V/A/I ) - thos e describe d here as 'mislaid' suggest tha t i t foreshadowed D' S satirical Voyage o f Captain Popanilla (1828).
Frederick's Plac e 1 J. Murra y Esq 2 My dear Sir, Until I received you r note thi s morning, I had flattere d myself , that my indiscretion had been forgotten . It i s to m e a matte r o f grea t regret , that , as appears b y your letter , an y mor e trouble shoul d b e give n respectin g thi s unfortunat e MS. , whic h will , mos t I probably, be considered to o crude a production fo r th e public , and whic h if it is even imagine d t o posses s an y interest , i s certainly too lat e fo r thi s Season , an d will be obsolete i n the next . I thin k therefore tha t th e soone r i t be pu t behin d th e fire , th e better , an d a s you hav e some I small experience i n burning MSS., 1 you wil l be perhap s s o kind as to consign it to the flames. 2 Once mor e apologisin g fo r all the troubl e I have given you I remain ever my dear Sir, Yours very faithfull y B. Disraeli TO SARAH DISRAELI [Bruges
, Thursday 2 9 July 1824 ] 1
O R I G I N A L : H A/IV/B/ 5
COVER: [I n Isaac' s hand]: Mr s D'Israel i I Dall i Building s I 9 Bedfor d Ro w I Worthing I Sussex I e n Angleterre I [At righ t angles]: L'Angleterre POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FP O I AU.2 I 182 4 (2 ) I n doubl e circle: A U I G 2 [centra l numbe r i n small circle] I 1824 (3) BRUGG E PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 42-3, dated 2 9 July 1824, edited version EDITORIAL COMMENT : Al l the letter s from D written durin g the tou r t o th e Rhinelan d (his first visit to the Continent ) were included i n letter s from Isaa c to his wife , th e cover s being addressed t o her . The firs t pag e of the M S is torn. Sic: it's, paysanes, fleur du ble , Ysarn, gentleman, french, weasing .
My dear Sa! 1 I ad d a fe w lines no t onl y out o f m y great affectio n fo r you , but als o tha t yo u may not misconceive the meanin g of the Governor' s dubiou s paragrap h respect ing our triumph. 2 The trut h i s that w e had a very stiff breez e an d almos t every individual wa s take n dow n stair s sav e ourselves, wh o bor e [if] ou t i n th e mos t 1 Thi s is an extraordinar y taun t fo r a young man o f ninetee n t o make to a publisher o f Murray' s standing. I t refers , o f course , t o th e burnin g o f Byron' s 'Memoirs' , whic h ha d take n plac e a t Murray's on 1 7 May 1824 . For detail s of the complicate d circumstance s see DNB entr y for Byron, an d Smile s I ch 17 . 2 Murra y presumably too k D at hi s word, an d burne d all he ha d o f 'Aylmer Papillon' . 1 Sara h Disrael i (1802-1859) , Isaac' s eldes t child . Sh e neve r married , an d serve d a s D' s faithful confidant. He r vicariou s enjoymen t o f D' s lif e i n th e worl d o f affair s wa s nourished b y hi s de tailed letter s over severa l decades. She followe d D in dropping the apostroph e fro m th e famil y surname, a s did the other children. Both parent s retained the old spelling . 2 Unde r th e sam e cove r Isaa c wrot e t o hi s wife : 'Th e Voyag e wa s certainly tediou s .. . and th e young Voyagers exult tha t the y saile d the waves in triumph - and were mor e sleepy tha n other wise indisposed.' H A/IV/B/5.
0I 9 9 Jul 182 4
0
10 I 10 manl y and magnificen t [man]ner, no t eve n inclinin g to indisposition . [We] cam e 1824 i n wit h a ver y fres h sea , th e nigh t [w]a s mos t magnificen t indee d I neve r witnessed [a ] finer night. The Governo r wa s most frisk y o n hi s landin g an d o n the strengt h o f mulled claret etc . was quite th e lio n of Ostend. 3 This latter plac e we foun d sufficientl y disgusting , uninterestin g fo r anythin g with th e exceptio n of it' s fortification s and harbour . W e lef t i t at 8 o'clock sam e mornin g a s we arrived, and proceede d t o Bruges i n diligence thro ' a flat but richl y wooded coun try ful l o f chateaux lon g avenues and paysane s with wooden shoe s and ric h lac e caps. Bruge s i s the Cit y of cities . Nothin g bu t Churche s an d gran d maison s not a hovel in it. The street s th e handsomest an d wides t and th e architecture th e most varie d an d picturesqu e imaginable . Meredith 4 an d mysel f perfectly well. I never kne w th e governo r i n suc h fin e rac y I spirits . I se e th e governo r ha s hinted a t the Hamiltonia n adventure. Si r John is certainly rather a bore, but upon m y lif e he has two daughters an d a ladye wife - th e first are regular prim e girls , bot h fine women, the younges t devilis h pretty, regularly unaffected , ful l o f sketching and voi d o f sentimentality. 5 H e ha s introduce d u s wit h th e greates t sangfroi d and Meredit h an d mysel f intend t o run awa y with them. W e have pu t u p a t th e same in n a t Bruges , th e fleu r d u ble , a capital one b y the bye . Ysarn, 6 I tak e it, has given you a high character, inasmuc h as your nam e wa s often graphicall y introduced an d you r opinio n aske d respectin g paten t pencil s an d crac k camel s hairs, gentlema n wh o taugh t wit h indi a rubbe r an d gentlema n wh o teac h sin e etc. etc . etc . Meredit h an d mysel f talk frenc h wit h a mixtur e o f sublimit y an d sangfroid perfectl y inimitable. We are of f t o Gand tomorro w b y canal afte r hav ing passe d a lon g an d lusciou s day at Bruges . I shal l write to you fro m th e for -
29 Jul
3 A pun o n hi s father's role a s socia l lion, and o n th e lio n o f Flanders , a n heraldi c device common throughout th e region. Isaa c D'Israeli rampant must have been a rare sight. 4 Willia m George Meredit h (1803?-1831), at this time Sarah Disraeli' s unofficial fiance . O n hi s return hom e afte r thi s tou r wit h D and Isaac , Meredit h wrot e an accoun t entitle d A Tour o f the Rhine whic h wa s printe d an d privatel y circulated . Si r Phili p Ros e note d tha t ' a beautifull y bound Cop y i s i n th e Librar y a t Hughende n presente d b y Meredit h t o B.D. ' H A/IV/B/3 . Th e Brasenose College Register, ifjog-igog (C.B . Heberden ed ) I gives the followin g entr y fo r Mere dith: 'Meredith , Willia m George , (London) ; Winchester. Com . Matr . arm. 2 2 Jan. 1821 , aged 17; 3 Cl . an d B A 1824; M A 1 §29; rem . 1831 . Studen t Lincoln' s In n 1823. ' Durin g th e 1820 5 Meredith wa s one o f D' s closest friends an d the y collaborated o n a work entitled 'Rumpe l Stilts Kin: a Dramati c Spectacle' . Writte n i n 1823 , it wa s firs t printed , fo r th e Roxburgh e Club , i n 1952, with an introductio n b y Michael Sadleir. Meredith died at Cairo on 1 9 July 1831 . 5 Si r John Hamilto n (1755-1835) , is t Baronet , lieutenan t general i n the army , inspector genera l of th e Portugues e arm y durin g th e Peninsula r War . H e ha d fou r daughters : Emil y Louisa , Harriette Georgiana, Armint a Ann an d Eleano r Frances. BP (1829). Harriette i s mentioned b y name i n 14 , thus makin g the identificatio n highly probable. Isaa c in his portion o f the letter said : 'We met on board Si r John and Lad y Hamilton and tw o daughters.' 6 Fro m th e reference s her e and i n 1 4 'Ysarn' would seem t o have been a London spinster , an d a mutual acquaintanc e o f th e D'Israeli s an d th e Hamilton s ( H A/l/B/46g, 472). For som e reaso n D and Sara h chos e to employ her surnam e fo r Sara h wrot e i n 1831 , 'Yzar n is paying us a visit ... ' H A/IV/E/14 . Probably th e lad y was Anne C . Yzarn, daughter o f Peter Yzar n (d 1847) , and siste r of James B . Yzarn of the Eas t India Compan y service. In 185 1 she lived at Hern e Hill, Brixton, aged fifty-seven . East India Register and Directory (1835 , 1840) ; Populatio n Return s 185 1 Census , PRO.
mer plac e an d a s often a s I ca n besides . Giv e m y bes t lov e to m a mer e an d th e 1 dear youn g slav e drivers . Th e governo r presse s m e t o finis h an d I therefor e 2 close this short letter . My dear S a yours B. Disraeli The Governor' s weasin g has disappeared . TO SARAH DISRAELI [Antwerp
, Monday 2 August 1824 ] 1
O R I G I N A L : H A/IV/B/ 6
COVER: [I n Isaac' s hand]: Mr s D'Israel i I 9 Bat h Building s I Worthing I Sussex I Angleterre I [At righ t angles]: L'Angleterr e POSTMARK: (\ ) I n dotte d circle : FP O I AU.6 I 1824 (2) I n doubl e circle : A U I s6 [centra l numbe r i n smal l circle] I 1824 (3) ANTWERPE N PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 43-4, edited versio n dated 2 August 182 4 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: Sevigne , Matthews , flemish , Vandyke , it's , tabl e d'hotes , entertainting , desert, francks , wusser.
My dear Sa, We hav e been i n Antwer p about 2 hours an d 1/2 , and th e pos t goe s off tomor row morning . M y father a s usua l emulous of savin g postage, positivel y forbid s our writin g separat e letters , an d h e ha s been , o f course , th e whol e tw o hour s and 1/ 2 writing his half page. I a m mysel f extremely tired, an d hav e not room , even i f I ha d time , enough t o write you a lette r a s long as I coul d desire , bu t I trust tha t b y nex t pos t m y fathe r wil l sicke n of hi s Sevign e fit , an d resig n th e sheet i n m y favor. 1 W e lef t Bruges'excessivel y delighte d o n Frida y morning i n the barque. The vesse l was very full. Th e Hamilton s etc. There was an Irishma n among th e passenger s wh o would have made a n inimitabl e hero for Matthews. 2 It was his debut o n th e continent , an d wit h a most plentifu l suppl y of ignoranc e and a n utte r wan t o f taste , h e wa s enthusiastically fond o f paintings ; for man y years running , h e ha d com e u p fro m Dubli n on purpos e t o se e the exhibition, and afte r a discourse wit h hi m o n Rubens , th e flemis h Schoo l etc . o n al l which subjects h e exhibite d th e mos t splendid enthusiasm , he cooll y remarked tha t h e should hav e enjoyed his journey muc h more ha d h e not misse d the Water Colo r Exhibition. I me t him two or 3 times afterwards in different places , and hi s salutations were exceedingly rich; i t was always "How d o yo u do Sir , wonderful city this Sir wonderful ! pray have you see n th e crucifixio n I by Vandyke, 3 wonderful picture Si r wonderfu l Sir. " W e arrive d a t Ghen t afte r a pleasan t passag e o f 6 1 D considered Isaac' s contributions to b e overelaborate whe n coupled wit h hi s insistence that, t o save postage , they both us e the sam e sheet of paper . The famil y wa s dedicated t o the ar t o f let ter-writing an d Sara h onc e wrot e a n essay , intende d fo r publication , o n Madam e d e Sevign 6 (1626-1696), who was the standar d of excellence in suc h matters . H AJim/tjo'j (1 9 Jan 1834) . 2 Charle s Mathew s (1776-1835) , th e acto r an d comedian . D invariably spelle d hi s nam e 'Mat thews'. 3 Presumabl y th e 'Carryin g of th e Cross ' i n St Paul's, Antwerp , b y Sir Anthon y Va n Dyc k (1599 1641).
1 I 11 Aug 1824
1
la I ii hour s o n Frida y a t 3 . I wa s agreeabl y surprise d b y th e plac e whic h I ha d 2 Aug 182 4 imagine d woul d hav e bee n Bruge s o n a large r scale . It' s characte r howeve r is perfectly different . Ther e seem s a grea t dea l o f busines s goin g on , o r a t leas t the numerou s canals and th e rive r Scheldt, by which it is intersected, an d whic h are tolerabl y wel l fille d wit h shipping , giv e i t tha t appearance . W e o f cours e visited Mr . Schamp's collection, 4 the University , Cathedral etc . and o f course we always though t eac h thin g mor e wonderfu l tha n another , wer e exceedingly delighted and tire d ourselve s to death. W e left Ghen t thi s morning after havin g attended hig h mas s in [the ] Cathedral . Thi s servic e was sublime beyond concep tion an d th e music , one o f Mozart s grandest masse s was played by a ful l band ! Our livin g has been tolerabl y good, the table d'hotes however as yet not very entertainting, bu t reasonable . W e reached Antwer p this afternoon e n voiture . We passed thro' , amon g others , th e ver y thriving towns of Lokere n an d St . Nicholas. A t th e las t place , w e took i t into ou r head s t o dine , perfectl y extemporane ous. We ordered of course somethin g cold, not to be detained. Th e hostes s however seeme d peculiarl y desirous t o give us a specimen o f her cookery , and ther e was a mysteriou s delay. Ente r th e waiter . A fricandea u th e fines t I eve r tasted , perfectly admirable , a smal l an d ver y delicat e roas t joint , vea l chop s dresse d with a rich I sauce piquant , capital roast pigeons , a large dis h of pea s mos t wonderfully fine , cheese , desert, a salad preeminen t eve n amon g th e salad s of Flanders whic h are uniqu e fo r thei r delicat e crispnes s an d silver y whiteness, bread and bee r ad. lib . served u p i n the neates t an d pures t manne r imaginable , silver forks etc . cos t only six francks, forming one o f th e fines t specimen s o f exquisite and economi c cooker y I eve r witnessed . W e hav e ha d a goo d [dinner ] o f veal stewed wit h sorrel an d no t bad . Th e pape r i n this countr y i s bad, th e in k infa mous and th e pen s wusser. Love to mere an d al l not forgetting Olivia and Belin 5 and DrSa your affec. Brother . B. Disraeli 4 Scham p d'Aveschoot had a gallery i n the ru e de s Champs. Hi s remarkable collection, which included man y Flemis h masters , wa s dispersed a t a sal e i n 1840 . J . Emerso n Tennen t Belgium (1841) I 21. 5 D' s cousin, Olivia Lind o (1800-1878) was one o f fou r daughter s of Ephraim Und o (1763-1839), and o f Mari a D'Israeli' s elder sister Sarah (ne e Basevi) . I n 182 9 Olivi a marrie d Charles Trevor, then o f 1 8 Norfolk Crescent , London . Olivia' s sister s wer e Cecili a (1792-1877) , Emil y (1796 1864) an d Louis a (1798-1872) . 'Belin ' wa s a shor t for m fo r Benjami n Ephrai m Lind o (1794? 1854), Olivia' s brother , who m D often calle d BEL . Lind o famil y tree , printe d b y Be n Johnson and Co , York (1900) , in the possessio n of the Queen's University Archives .
TO SARAH DISRAELI [Brussels
, Friday 6 August 1824 ]
ORIGINAL: H A/IV/B/ 7
COVER: [I n Isaac' s hand]: Mr s D'Israel i I 9 Bat h Building s I Worthing I Sussex I Angleterre I [At righ t angles]: L'Angleterre POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FPO I AU.g i 182 4 (2) I n doubl e circle: AU I Yg[central number i n smal l circle] I 182 4 (3) BRUSSE L I FRANCO PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 45-6, extracts date d 6 August 182 4
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: Brusselles, Anwers, L e Place, parisian, Mozelle, wusser, the too , loath, fattigue, flemish.
My dear Sa, The sermone s gubernatoria e ar e thi s tim e rathe r diminished . W e hav e hear d that a pos t ha s arrived fro m Englan d this evening; there is therefore som e little chance of a letter, i f however we do no t receiv e one w e shall be off o n Saturda y morning. W e wer e mor e delighte d wit h Antwer p than wit h an y plac e w e have yet been at . We put up at the Grand Laboureu r - unfortunatel y no table d'hot e but capital private feeds - a vol au vent of pigeons admirable - ou r living for the last wee k ha s bee n th e mos t luxuriou s possible an d m y mother mus t reall y reform he r tabl e before ou r retur n - a t Brusselle s we had a pate de s grenouilles quite sublime. Anwers is a grand City . Le Grand Laboureu r i s the crac k Hotel in the crac k situation, Le Place de Mer. I have kept a journal1 of dinners fo r myself and o f doing s i n genera l fo r m y father , s o I shal l leav e th e accoun t o f th e churches cathedral s an d cafe s til l w e com e home . W e hav e ha d a perfec t debauch o f Ruben s and Meredit h an d mysel f hav e destroyed th e reputatio n o f half th e Cathedral s i n Flander s b y our mysteriou s hint s of th e spuriousnes s of their Si r Pauls. 2 I Monday was the birthda y o f a prince of Orange, an d ther e was a gran d revie w in th e plac e - amon g the m a regimen t o f Swiss . O n Tuesda y morning w e set off fo r Brussels . We dined a t Mechlin , and staye d between fou r and five hours ther e - dinne r goo d and Cathedral magnificen t - oyster s as small as shrimps, but delicately sweet - hunte d u p an old Bookseller.3 The entrance t o Brussels i s very striking - passin g thro ' a road bounde d o n both side s by mag nificent chateau x an d ornamente d gardens . W e arrived abou t 9 o clock and pu t up a t the Hote l d e Bell e Vue, which is crammed ful l an d sport s a table d'hote of 40 persons. Brussels , at least the par t i n which we reside, the ne w town, is a perpetual Waterloo Place , a regular successio n of grand place s and Ru e royales in a magnificent styl e of architecture . The governo r i s particularl y well . H e ha s mounte d a blac k stock , an d thi s added t o hi s forme r rathe r militar y appearance, ver y materiall y aided a very pleasant mistak e which occurred som e shor t tim e ago. Our affectionatel y slan g appellation o f Governo r aide d b y the aforesai d militar y appearance ha s cause d him to be lionized over a maison du forc e with regular majo r general honors . 1 D' s journal is in th e Hughende n papers (H A/III/B/II), and i s discussed b y C.L. Cline in 'The Un finished Diar y o f Disraeli' s Journe y t o Flander s an d Th e Rhinelan d (1824) ' University o f Texas Studies in English XXH1 (1943) 94-114. 2 Durin g hi s period in England Pete r Paul Rubens ha d bee n knighted b y Charles I. 3 Th e nam e i s either De Breyst or Verbeyst . Cline 'Unfinished Diary ' 104 .
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14 I la W e visited the Comedi e las t night; but th e performance s were meagre an d th e 6 Aug 182 4 hous e il l attended. Th e Kin g of Hollan d pay s the actor s an d o f cours e ther e i s no theatrica l spiri t i n Bruxelles . We pas s th e evening s ver y agreeably i n cafes , where Meredit h an d mysel f play dominoes i n a mos t magnificen t manner an d the governor , invent s or discover s ne w ices , lecture s o n sorbette s an d liqueur s and read s th e Flander s paper s whic h are a copy a week old of the parisia n cop ies of th e English . We then rus h hom e t o Selze r water an d Mozelle , suga r an d lemon, a n inventio n o f a waite r and m y father , an d which , t o us e ou r favorit e national phrase, i f it i s equalled by an y cu p i n Europe , i s certainly not excelled . I You are tol d I see that th e Andersons 4 are here . It i s impossible to conceive anything hal f s o vulga r a s Milad i an d he r sister . The y scarcel y spea k a wor d o f grammar an d ar e floore d mos t horribl y b y th e optativ e mood . Mis s Youn g is however the wusser of the too . T o an y remark yo u make on the country, her invariable repartee i s that fo r her par t sh e thinks there i s no place lik e Pari s - thi s accompanied b y a pleasan t lee r make s me utterl y loat h her . Th e wretc h als o is fond o f domesticit y "tho* she must confess that whe n one onc e get s abroad, on e does no t lik e to come home again , the firs t rummidg e i s the thing , after th e first rummidge (rummag e etc. ) you ge t mor e use d t o fattigu e every day." Th e Doc tor i s as amiably dozy and elaboratel y pleasant as ever. My father thinks you may as well write to us at Mayence en Allemagne - a s we shall probably pas s twice thro', it seems the onl y place we can fix on fo r a letter. We are al l extremely wel l an d I hop e tha t by this time you are settle d a t Worthing, that my mere ha s recovered, an d tha t th e Meredith s have joined you . Meredith write s by this post t o hi s famille . W e have visited a grea t man y private collections. Ou r banke r a t Brussel s sport s on e an d ha s ver y politel y allowed u s t o visit i t tomorro w morning . Th e flemis h bookseller s ar e horri d Dons , the y ar e above a commo n shop ; bu t cooll y sport a whol e house. Brussel s i s full o f Eng lish. The Bell e Vue crowded — an Iris h office r rathe r gran d - invite d me to a pic nic part y a t Waterloo , als o tol d m e h e though t a n Iris h gentlema n wa s th e completest gentleman i n I the worl d when he chose , fancyin g hi s brogue di d no t detect him . W e visi t th e field s o f Waterlo o no t s o muc h fo r th e scenery bu t a s Mrs. Young says, for th e idea. I leav e a spac e fo r tomorro w t o sa y if pos t arrives . How are Ralp h and James?5 Yours B. DISRAEL I 4 I n hi s part o f the sam e letter, Isaa c referred t o 'Dr. Anderson' and t o th e probabilit y o f seeing the famil y at Brighton . This was Dr Rober t Anderso n ( d 1837) , a physicia n o f Dorset Gardens, Brighton. Th e Stranger i n Brighton an d Baxter's New Brighton Directory (Brighto n 1822) . Hi s will , probated 1 8 July 1837 , referre d t o his wife France s and t o her siste r Dorothe a Young. The lat ter's marital statu s i s not clear , and apparentl y D also was uncertain, a s he refer s t o he r i n thi s letter both as 'Miss' and a s 'Mrs' Young. 5 D' s younger brothers , Ralp h (1809-1898 ) an d Jame s (1813-1868) . Bot h attende d Winchester . Clifford W . Holgat e Winchester Commoners, 1800-183 5 (Salisbur y 1893) . Ralp h eventuall y be came deputy clerk of Parliament, and James (known a s Jem), after man y agricultura l misadventures, became a commissioner of inland revenue .
TO SARAH DISRAELI [Cologne
, Saturday 1 4 August 1824 ] 1
O R I G I N A L : H A/IV/B/ 8
COVER: [I n D' s hand]: a Madam e I [In Isaac' s hand] : Madam e D'Israel i I Bath Building s I Worthing I Sussex I en Angleterr e I [At righ t angles]: L'Angleterre POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FP O i A U 23 i 182 4 (2 ) I n doubl e circle : A U i I 2 3 [centra l numbe r i n small circle] I 1824 (3 ) COL N I 14 AU G (4) FRANC O PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 47-8, extracts dated 1 4 August 182 4 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Th e las t pag e o f th e M S is torn . Sic: postmark : COLN , Vandykes , dutch , flemish, French, english, hamburg , Liege , flanders .
Dear Sa, We are i n a city in which there ar e s o many churches t o lionize, that I am afrai d we shal l neve r ge t ou t o f it . W e arrived a t Col[ogne ] las t night . I wrot e t o you last fro m Brussels . O n Friday , th e da y o n whic h the pos t lef t fo r England , w e visited the Muse e at Brussels , and i n the evenin g we called o n a person t o whom we wer e recommende d fo r print s etc . W e foun d a larg e collectio n o f painting s etc. an d a mos t origina l possesso r o f them . H e talke d i n a lou d voice , and i n a most swaggerin g manne r o f himsel f an d hi s fortune . H e informe d u s tha t h e had bee n a Colonel o f Cavalry; that h e was the riches t perso n i n the world , and the possesso r o f th e mos t rar e curiosities . H e opene d a Cabine t ful l o f jewels and cameos , exhibite d a profusio n o f Vandyke s an d Rubens , parade d hi s wounds and dashe d hi s bull neck int o the Governor s fac e t o shew him a wound much i n th e manne r o f Mascarille. 1 M y fathe r wa s o f cours e delighte d an d richly credulous. Vou s etes u n her o I was his constant exclamation. Afte r spend ing two hours wit h him i n which the Colone l wa s indefatigable i n endeavouring to persuad e th e Gov . to buy a 3O/ - work my father lef t withou t purchasing, with such a ma n i t wa s of cours e no t requisite . O n inquirin g o n ou r return , w e of course foun d ou t tha t th e her o wa s one o f the riches t quack s in Xdom , bu t extremely poor , an d a s fo r hi s military rank, u n colone l d u gran d regimen t de s menteurs, a s our hos t o f th e Bell e Vue quaintl y observed. O n Saturda y w e lef t Brussels fo r Waterloo , lionize d ove r th e fiel d o f Battl e and th e adjoinin g coun try b y Old Koster 2 himself a jolly antique. H e harangue d i n a mixture of dutch , flemish, frenc h an d englis h ver y ric h formin g a kin d o f Bell e Allianc e lingo, most likel y i n complement t o the place . Th e roa d t o W. thro' the fores t of Soig nies. W e dined a t Genappe mos t admirably - b y the bye we hired a carriage a t Brussels. I t i s a complet e travellin g carriage lef t behin d b y a hambur g gentle man a t th e Bellevue , perhap s fo r hi s bill . W e go t t o Namu r b y 1 1 o'cloc k a t night. I t is strongly fortified - a t Genappe th e country rises and the road fo r abt 1 Th e impuden t valet who appears i n three o f Moliere' s comedies: 'L'Etourdi' , 'L e D£pit amour eux' and 'Le s Pr^cieuses ridicules'. 2 A Flemish peasant who , having served a s Napoleon's involuntary guide a t th e Battl e of Waterloo, late r mad e hi s living showin g visitors around th e field. The nam e Koste r appears t o be a Dutch versio n o f Lacoste , th e nam e b y whic h th e guid e wa s usually known . Another varian t that appear s i n travel s i s 'D a Costa' . Si r Walte r Scot t Life o f Napoleon Buonaparte (Edinburg h 1827) il l 246 ; Robert Southe y Journal o f a Tour o f th e Netherlands (1833 ) 213 ; J. Emerso n Ten nent Belgium (1841 ) n 146 .
3
16 I 13 7 league s i s thro ' a bol d bu t highl y cultivated country . W e lef t Namu r wher e 14 Aug 1824 ther e i s little t o se e o n Sunda y afternoon. Ou r roa d la y thro' th e valle y o f th e Meuse an d afte r proceedin g fo r abou t 2 0 miles we arrived a t Huy , a smal l village most romantically situated amidst lofty hill s on th e banks of the Meuse . The journey t o Hu y i s a successio n of scener y whic h I thin k the Rhin e can scarcely equal. On Monda y morning we continued ou r journey fo r abou t 2 0 miles, as far as Liege ; stil l thro ' th e I valley. Th e scener y i f possibl e eve n mor e picturesqu e than befor e an d th e valle y considerably wider. The da y was, however unfavorable. Liege is a pretty City - par t o f it is built on the heights of the valley and i n a view of the cit y there appears a succession of terraces t o the level . It i s the finest country in the worl d for fruit . W e here first tasted stewe d apricots as a vegetable and foun d the m excellent . At Brussel s every day we dined a t th e tabl e d'hote[;] the compan y change d o n the secon d day [ - ] a pate de s grenouilles - englis h abounded an d a vulgar but luck y prejudic e agains t frogs - w e had i t all to ourselves. I eat myself blind. The beggar s aboun d al l thro' flanders - ou r charity is quite tire d out . A t seve n i n th e mornin g o n Tuesda y w e se t of f fo r Spa . W e passed over a mountainou s countr y and fo r mile s continued t o ascend . W e lef t the valle y o f the Meus e on th e righ t an d passe d thro ' a most gorgeou s country . We breakf[aste]d a t Louvegne , a fe w houses surrounde d b y immense elevations - a t a neat littl e cabaret, kep t by ano[the]r ol d gent an d a beautiful little daugh ter know n 2 0 miles round a s des brave s gens . Th e da y very fine. The roa d t o Spa is a perfec t debauc h of gorgeou s scenery . We arrive d at the far fame d watering place - pe n and ink and particularly the miserable materie l wit h which I a m scratching , can giv e you n o ide a o f our ric h adventures. Yo u shall have an oral description o f our expedition , roug e et noir, Mrs . Young and other diabler ies, when we meet. Th e Sp a ware is perfectly contemptible. Th e wate r sparkling and pleasantl y flavored - a kind of Champaigne au naturel. We rode on the Spa ponies to the distant springs. They ar e handsom e littl e Galloways. The govr . was particularly equestrian . I hav e becom e a mos t exquisit e billiar d playe r - w e showed of f I to grea t advantag e a t th e well s and Ai x t o whic h place w e were of f - o n Wednesday. We were asleep when we entered th e Prussian frontier and the Governor mistoo k the office r fo r an innkeepe r and kindl y informed hi m that he had take n refreshmen t a t Limburg - th e rest o f this scene whic h was exquisite, when we meet. Ai x is close and inelegan t - th e picture s we saw magnifique. We slept o n Thursda y a t Juliers an d ha d ric h adventure s a t a Country in n and ar rived a t th e Rhin e las t night. I t i s flowing in sight of ou r windows . Excuse fals e construction an d viciou s grammar a s I hav e los t m y english . Ever y thin g ha s gone righ t [exjcep t hearin g fro m you . I su[^o,s] e yo u misse d th e Englis h pos[t] We di d no t sufficientl y calculate . A s for ou r ow n journey i f w e fin d a lette r a t Mayence sayin g my dear mothe r i s well, we may perhap s fav[o r y]ou b y no t re turning a t all , a s reall y you[ r mjanner s ar e s o barbarou s you r dishe s [s o Detestable that etc . Give my love to all. I trust m y mother an d yoursel f ar e well . I mean t t o have written to Ralph , but m y father approve s o f concentrated post age. Ho w is Jem, als o the stra w hats?
best comp[limen]ts t o th e M[eredith] s an d Oflivia] . 1 Yours ever 1 B. Disraeli TO SARAH DISRAELI [Mainz
, Thursday 1 9 August 1824 ] 1
ORIGINAL: H A/IV/B/ Q
COVER: [I n D' s hand]: a Madam e I [In Isaac' s hand]: Madam e D'Israeli I 9 Bedfor d Ro w I Worthing I Sussex I en Angleterr e I [At righ t angles] : L'Angleterre POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FPO i [Aju.2 7 i 182 4 (2) I n doubl e circle: AU i u 2 7 [centra l number i n small circle] i 182 4 (3) FRANC O I [others illegible] PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 49-50, extracts dated 1 9 August 1824 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: ther e i s no dat e o r addres s o n th e letter , bu t th e chronolog y o f th e itinerary confirms Monypenny' s dating. Sic: your's, Mentz , Harriet , Ehrenbreitztin, Embs, those kind, restaurateur, pavillion , it's, proceeded, Wisbaden, Frankfort, Heidleburg, fleas, best, scools, worthing, all.
My dear Sa, You have by this time received m y letter from Brussels . We of course di d no t re ceive your' s there . W e arrive d a t Ment z yesterda y mornin g an d immediatel y rushed t o the pos t offic e tho ' w e were al l convinced o f th e utte r impossibilit y of receiving a letter. T o ou r grea t joy one wa s immediately hande d us . I t wa s very clever in you in writin g to M. The non receip t of a lette r was the onl y circumstance whic h thre w a clou d ove r ou r enjoymen t an d t o receiv e i t s o unexpect edly was quite delightful . M y father recovere d his spirits in an instant . I wrote to you fro m Cologne . W e see so much an d ar e s o much i n actio n tha t i f I wer e t o write at all en larg e I should no t have proceeded muc h furthe r tha n Ghent . Th e Hamiltons moreove r ar e muc h to o ric h a famil y t o discus s i n a singl e lette r which woul d no t d o justice t o th e dozies t famil y i n Xdom . W e mus t therefor e defer al l details til l ou r meeting . Respectin g Ysar n the y mentione d he r much , and Harrie t Hamilton 1 tol d m e tha t sh e expecte d a lette r fro m he r I thin k a t Antwerp. Sinc e I las t wrote fro m Cologn e ou r adventure s hav e been grand . So much wa s to be see n a t Cologn e tha t w e hired a fiacre as we thought fro m ou r host determine d t o ride al l over th e City . To ou r grea t surpris e a mos t elegan t landaulet wit h the coachmen i n military livery stopped at our gate . Thi s we were informed wa s the fiacr e an d als o nearl y th e onl y carriage i n Cologne . W e wer e almost stoppe d i n our progres s by the stare s o f th e multitud e wh o imagined w e were Archduke s a t least . W e hav e alway s put u p a t th e crac k hotel s whic h we find th e mos t reasonable . W e travel a s I wrot e yo u i n a mos t elegan t equipag e and liv e perfectly e n prince . I The governo r allow s us t o debauc h t o th e utmos t and Hocheime r Johannisber g Rudelsheirnie n Ashanhausen 2 an d a thousan d other varietie s are unseale d and floored wit h equa l rapidity . Yesterda y we had Cabinets wei n Rudel . O n Sunda y w e lef t Col . earl y dine d a t Bon n wher e w e stayed som e shor t tim e - passe d Drachenfel s an d the 7 mountains - Remage n and go t on as far a s Andernach wher e w e slept. W e reached Coblent z early nex t 1 A daughter of Sir John Hamilton . Se e lantj. 2 Probabl y D' s version o f Riideshei m and Assmannshausen .
4 I 17 9 Aug 1824
4
i8 I 14 mornin g - lef t i t i n th e afternoo n - visite d Ehrenbreitzti n fo r whic h ou r 19 Aug 1824 landlor d go t u s a ticket 3 and lef[t ] fo r th e presen t th e Rhin e to procee d o n ou r tour t o the Bath s of the Taunu s Mountains . We entered th e principalit y of Nassau an d arrive d a t Emb s at 5 o'clock. The scener y i s of a nature bafflin g al l description - th e chie f featur e richl y wooded mountains . Th e bath s of Emb s are now amon g th e mos t fashionabl e of th e continent . Sp a and thos e kin d of plac e are no w out o f date or visite d merely by English. The establishmen t consists of a mansion whic h covers nearly a n acr e o f groun d an d whic h was formerly a palace o f Nassau . I t contain s upward s o f 23 0 room s beside s 8 0 baths , whic h ar e similar t o thos e a t Aix . The lodging s ar e a concer n o f th e princ e an d o n eac h door th e pric e o f th e be d etc . i s affixed. Ove r thi s department a maitr e d'hote l appointed b y the Princ e presides . Th e res t o f th e establishmen t is perfectly separate an d i s conducted b y a restaurateur a t his own risk. There is a Saloon of an immense lengt h an d magnificentl y furnished, a t whic h ther e i s a tabl e d'hot e every da y at one, al l other meal s and refreshmt s independent i n different part s of th e Saloon . Opposit e t o th e Mansio n ar e beautifu l gardens runnin g b y th e side o f th e rive r Lahn . Th e garden s ar e filled with arbors , a pavillio n for ban d etc. Ther e is also in the m a larg e and elegan t caf e billiar d roo m redoub t etc . Underneath th e palac e i n th e I large cloisters and corridor s are 3 or 4 large Bazaars i n whic h al l kind s o f Bijouteri e silk s etc . etc . a perpetuit y o f Howar d & James.4 Such i s a slight sketch of Embs, a most singular, indeed a n uniqu e spot . A waterin g place withou t shops an d withou t houses; Th e ver y Castle o f Indo lence. Abov e all its situation is perhaps on e o f th e mos t magica l in th e world . I t is i n a smal l valley surrounde d b y range s o f loft y bu t woode d mountains . Th e river Lah n wind s thro' the m an d walk s an d garden s ar e o n it' s banks . Furthe r on th e height s and wood s of Nassau studded wit h ol d gre y ruin s and withou t a sign o f population . Th e visitor s ar e perfectl y i n uniso n wit h th e geniu s loci . Lounging an d lackadaisica l they bask o n sunn y banks o r doz e i n acaci a arbors . Some creep to the woods of Nassau, others are rowe d dow n the river music per petual. Th e ladie s patroniz e super b Donkeys . There seem s a n utte r voi d o f all thought an d energ y an d positivel y in thi s plac e eve n th e billiar d roo m an d th e gambling tabl e ar e deserted . Abov e al l n o English . Th e Hamiltons , who m we met again, th e only ones. After this account you will perhaps rejoic e t o hear tha t we lef t thi s fata l an d deliciou s Paradis e nex t da y at 1 2 - a gloriou s mornin g passed t o and thro' Nassau [ - ]th e countr y i f possible increasin g i n loveliness the roa d exceedingl y mountainou s - fro m on e o f th e lofties t elevation s we viewed th e ruined castle s of Stein and Nassau - crosse d th e lovely Lahn - journeyed over mountainou s countr y at i 1/ 2 mil e an hour . Th e da y turned t o rain. 3 Ehrenbreitstei n fortres s occupie d a formidabl e sit e 40 0 fee t abov e th e tow n whic h had bee n used a s a strongpoin t sinc e Roman times. Durin g the Napoleoni c Wars the Frenc h ha d take n the fortress , but i n 180 1 they blew it up afte r evacuating it. I n 1815 , one o f th e term s of peac e was the paymen t of 1 5 million francs fro m Franc e t o Prussi a fo r th e reconstructio n o f Ehren breitstein, a process whic h lasted fro m 181 6 to 1826 . Although still in progress a t the tim e of D's visit, th e wor k was already a notabl e touris t attraction , an d ticket s to inspec t i t wer e i n shor t supply. 4 D meant Howell and James, sil k merchant s and jewellers in Regent Street.
Swallbach th e secon d o f th e Taunu s spring s foun d th e bes t hote l fille d b y th e 1 Hamiltons wh o had proceede d u s - ros e a t si x the nex t morning , befor e th e 2 Hamiltons a s w e foun d thei r fou r horse s clearin g th e roa d - arrive d a t Wisbaden a regular dashin g waterin g [place - ]th e 3rd . o f the Taunus spring s breakfasted an d at 1 2 were walking in the streets of Mentz - w e shall be off soon to Frankfor t perhap s toda y - fro m whic h place Meredit h wil l write . We are all excellently well . Hav e mad e man y acquaintances - chiefl y amon g th e military the governo r bein g perpetuall y mistake n I for a genera l anglais . Hi s blac k stock is gran d an d h e ha s lon g lef t of f powder . Pra y remember m e t o th e Meredith s and Olivia . The promis e o f a lette r wil l mak e u s reac h Heidleburg . W e ge t o n famously. Ou r las t letter s wer e directe d t o B[ath ] Build[in]g s wh y hav e yo u changed, fleas I suppose , a very unpleasant smell , a cracked dis h o r som e othe r housewives' care, best lov e to Mother - an d the boys - tel l Ralph lots of military music scools garrisons 600 0 strong . Ask a t worthin g i f they kno w any thing o f a Mr . Cockerill abroad - a grea t man in the vicinit y of Aix etc. H e ha s the gran d hous e i n every place etc. etc. all we can fin d ou t i s that h e i s an iro n ma n bu t whe[the] r ol d iro n o r mine s can' t say.5 Your affe c Bro[ther ] B. Disraeli TO SARAH DISRAELI [Heidelberg
, Monda y 23 August 1824 ] 1
ORIGINAL: H A/IV/B/1 1
COVER: [I n D' s hand?]: A Madam e I [In Isaac' s hand] : Madame D'Israeli I 9 Bedford Ro w I Worthing I Sussex I en Angleterre I [At righ t angles] : L'Angleterr e POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle : S E I L z[central numbe r i n smal l circle] I 1824 (2) I n dotte d circle: FP O i SE. 2 i 182 4 (3)In rectangle: BAD E PAR i STRASBOUR G (4 ) R. I HEIDELBERG PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B i 51-2, extracts date d 2 3 August 182 4 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Isaac' s lette r i s headed: 'Heidelburgh, Monda y 2 3 182 4 at Night. ' There i s no signature. Sic : Heidleburg , Mentz , Frankfort , english , Gatteau , Bonasoni's , Rembrants , Bethman , Franfort, Manheim , it's, Heidleberg, Beasley, Coblentz.
My dear Sa, We arrive d a t Heidleburg , o r a s m y fathe r term s i t Heligoland , thi s mornin g and receive d you r letter . O n Thursda y th e igth . w e lef t Mentz , crossed agai n the Rhine, reentered Nassau , and after proceedin g thro ' Hockheimer, arrived a t Frankfort early . We remained i n thi s cit y unti l Sunday mornin g an d wer e very much amused . F . is a very populous, bus y and dashin g city. The Oper a is one of the bes t i n Germany . W e wen t o n Thursda y night , Cherubini' s Medea . Th e house cramme d full . Th e boxe s private , as in London, sav e two in the centre fo r strangers. I We were muc h amused . W e lounge d a grea t dea l a t Frankfort . Ou r banker wa s extremely civil , an d gav e u s a ticke t fo r th e Casino , a n institutio n similar to our crac k London clubs , and no t inferio r t o them i n style or splendor . 5 John Cockeril l (1790-1840 ) was an English-bor n enginee r an d industrialist , who, beginning in Belgium, ha d sprea d hi s enterprise s ove r wester n Europe . Dido t Nouvelle biographie gtnirale (Paris 1856) . The establishmen t at Aix-la-Chapell e is mentioned i n Murray's Northern (7).
5 I 19 3 Aug 1824
5
20 I 15 Ther e we read al l the englis h newspaper s an d billiardized. 1 Returning hom e w e 23 Aug 1824 discovere d a t a confiseur' s "Gattea u d e Pouche, " - somethin g super b beyon d conception, w e committed a n excess, and hav e talked of the ambrosi a eve r since . My fathe r ha s bough t som e fin e print s a t F . - Albfrecht ] Durers , Marc ' Antonios,2 Bonasoni's 3 an d man y Rembrants, ver y magnificent impressions an d very reasonable . O n Saturda y w e visited th e collectio n o f Mr . Bethma n - i n it Dannecker's gran d Ariadn e o n th e Lion 4 - whic h you remember describe d i n Dodd5 - i n the evening w e rushed t o the Opera - Th e Zauberflote - her e we met again Dr. Henderson, th e autho r o f the Histor y of Wines. 6 We had me t him before. Th e Gov . was introduced t o him at the Athenaeum . H e is travelling on a winebibbing tour , ha s been nearl y i n a stat e o f gnostica l intoxicatio n th e whol e time. They ar e quite ma d about hi m in Germany an d th e whole Rheingau, eve n to the ancien t an d seale d cellar s o f Johannisberg, ar e open to his beck. On Sun day, after visitin g the Museum, 7 we left Franfor t fo r Darmstadt , a lounging little city ful l o f ne w an d architectura l streets . Th e Oper a i s celebrated throughou t Europe an d justly so. We attended i t in the evening - Otell o - th e scenery i s the most exquisit e I ever me t with . The disciplin e o f th e orchestr a admirable . Th e grand Duk e a n immens e amateur . Th e Roya l box i s a larg e pavilio n o f velvet and gol d i n the mids t of th e Theatre. The Duk e himself, in grand militar y uniform, gav e th e wor d fo r th e commencemen t o f th e Overture , standin g u p al l the time , beating I time with one han d an d watchin g the orchestr a thro ' an im mense glas s with the other. 8 We left Darmstad t thi s morning , a very fine day travelled thro ' a beautifu l countr y a t th e foo t o f th e Bergstrass e mountains , reached Heidelberg , whic h i s beautifully situate d o n th e Neckar , surrounde d and partl y built on loft y mountains . W e called an d delivere d ou r letter s t o Mrs . Tobin, a cleverish, pleasant woman . She was very civil - presse d u s very much to stay at Heidelberg , aske d us to mee t Lad y Davy 9 and Lor d Dudley, 10 who are 1 Th e Casin o wa s described i n Murray' s Northern a s one o f th e bes t club s in Germany , to which visitors wer e admitte d upo n bein g introduce d b y a member . I t subscribe d t o ove r a hundre d different newspapers , including Galignani's Messenger an d Th e Times. 2 Marcantoni o Raimondi (c 1480-1534), Italian engraver . 3 Guili o Bonasone (i4g8?-i574?), Italian painter an d engraver . 4 Phili p Heinric h Bethman n (1811-1877 ) wa s hea d o f a Frankfur t bankin g house . Grevill e v iO4n. Bethmann's collection was apparently a well-known attraction of the district . Another traveller refer s t o hi s 'museum ' wit h it s statu e o f 'Ariadn e o n a Lion ' b y Johann Heinric h von Dannecker (1758-1841). Mrs Trollope Belgium and Western Germany in 1833 (1834) I 246. 5 Thoma s Dod d (1771-1850) , auctioneer an d printseller , and autho r o f The Connoisseur's Repertorium; or A Universal Historical Record of Painters, Engravers, Sculptors, and Architects, and of their Works 6 vols (1825-31). D had perhap s see n Dannecker' s 'Ariadne' in one o f Dodd's earlie r cata logues. 6 Alexande r Henderso n (1780-1863) , physician , and autho r o f Th e History o f Ancient an d Modern Wines (1824). 7 Th e Staede l Museu m in Neu Mainzer Strasse, name d afte r a private citize n who left hi s collection of paintings an d engraving s to the city. Murray's Northern 403 . 8 Accordin g t o Murray' s Northern (425) , Darmstadt ha d on e o f th e fines t operas in Germany . I t also confirm s D' s accoun t tha t th e Gran d Duk e o f Hesse-Darmstadt , Ludwi g I ( d 1830) , con ducted th e orchestra o n numerous occasions . 9 Probabl y Jane Dav y ne e Ker r (1780-1855) , wh o i n 181 2 married secondl y Si r Humphr y Dav y (1778-1829), is t Baronet, th e chemist. 10 John Willia m Ward (1781-1833) , 4th Viscoun t Dudley and Ward , afte r 182 7 is t Ear l o f Dud ley, Tory M P for variou s constituencies between 180 2 and 1823 , foreign secretary 1827-8 .
both at H . whic h we declined, as we set of f tomorrow . We shal l to Manheim . We 1 think o f returnin g hom e a s it must be necessary , tho' w e are al l very inclined t o 2 reach Switzerland , an d talke d seriousl y thi s mornin g o f goin g o n t o Baden , which i s only 1 8 lea[gue]s distance . A s however w e visi t th e Rhin e again i n it' s most interestin g part s o n ou r return , w e shall give this up . W e ris e ver y early and trave l chiefl y i n th e earl y morning . W e shall be back , I dar e say , in a fort night a s ther e ar e n o grea t citie s to visi t o n ou r return . W e hav e bee n onl y a month comin g t o Heidleber g an d hav e don e anythin g but hurry , spendin g i n Brussels an d Frankf[ur] t alone , upward s o f a week . I hop e yo u d o no t fin d Worthing to o dull. I can' t pa y yo u th e complimen t of sayin g I your letter s ar e very interesting . Yo u row rather to o muc h abou t Cabbage . I rea d o f i t about 3 months before I lef t England . You might hav e told u s about Dibdin " tho' to be candid i t is certainly an exquisit e bore t o repea t a whole epistle. Remembe r m e to all - m y best lov e to my mother. I wish the young heroes succes s in their sep ulchral promenades . We are her e all quite well. Mr. Beasley I suppose ha s found Gretn a Gree n to o successful t o give it up i n a hurry. 12 I expect n o more letter s fro m yo u but shall enquire a t Mannhei m and Ment z and Coblent z before ou r excursio n int o Luxembourg. W e are now in the Duch y of Bade n - hav e been muc h disappointe d in no t seein g th e Freischutz . I t woul d have been a great trea t t o hav e seen i t at Darmstadt.13 Meredith i s too [?] well. your affectionate brother . B. Disraeli 11 Thoma s Frognal l Dibdin (1776-1847), bibliographer an d frien d of Isaa c D'Israeli. Dibdin's correspondence wit h Isaac , whic h i s i n th e Hughende n papers , reveal s a clos e relationshi p be tween the tw o men, which ofte n include d collaboration on variou s literary projects. Dibdi n had frequently bee n subjecte d t o critica l attacks which questione d bot h th e accurac y and th e completeness of his work, and he , in turn, showed a propensity to complain that other peopl e wer e anticipating his best ideas. In Apri l 1824 , Dibdin ha d writte n to Isaa c approving o f tw o articles in Th e Quarterly Review but concludin g 'One woul d think the sl y Critic had peepe d ove r m y shoulders, an d borrowe d one idea , a t least , fro m th e page s o f th e L.C! ' H 0/1/306. D had n o doub t rea d thi s when Isaac received it . During D' s absenc e abroad , o n 9 Augus t 1824 , Dibdin published a work entitled Th e Library Compcnion; or, Th e Young Man's Guide an d Th e Ol d Man's Comfort, i n th e Choice o f a Library. No t unexpectedly, th e critica l reception give n t o th e boo k wa s unfavourable. A parod y soo n ap peared, entitled 'Th e Street Companion ; or The Youn g Man's Guide and The Ol d Man's Comfort i n th e Choic e o f Shoe s b y Rev . Tom. Fogg y Dribbl e (Pseud)' . Th e London Magazine an d Review ns I (Jan 1825 ) 73"7' 'Cabbage' wa s a ter m widel y use d t o mea n plagiarism , but i t i s not know n whether th e re ports whic h Sara h ha d bee n sendin g t o D reflected Dibdin' s customary complaints, or whethe r Isaac had been grumblin g that Dibdin had been 'borrowing ' from him. 12 Samue l Beazle y (1786-1851) wa s a successfu l architect , specializin g in theatres . H e als o wrote numerous comedies and farces - on e of which, an operetta abou t th e vagaries of the marriag e laws, was called Gretna Green. I t wa s first produced i n 182 2 and, although i t seems no t t o have been runnin g at th e tim e o f D' s letter, D probably mean t tha t Beazle y had foun d tha t lin e o f work an attractive alternative to his profession. 13 The Darmstad t Oper a wa s particularly renowned fo r it s performanc e o f Weber' s best-known work.
5 I 21 3 Aug 1824
i6
TO SARAH DISRAELI Coblenz
, Sunday [29 August 1824]
O R I G I N A L : H A/IV/B/1 2
COVER: [I n D' s hand?]: A Madam e I [In Isaac' s hand]: Madam e D'Israeli I Bedford Ro w I Worthing I Sussex I en Angleterr e I [At righ t angles]: L'Angleterre POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle: SE I s 6 [centra l number i n smal l circle] I 1824 (2) I n dotte d circle: FP O I SE. 6 I 1824 (3 ) COBLEN Z I 29 AUG . (4) FRANC O PUBLICATION HISTORY : M&B I 52-3, dated 2 9 Augus t 182 4
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Thi s i s the las t lette r fro m th e tou r whic h ha s been located . Th e itinerar y fo r the remainde r o f th e tri p ha s usuall y been gleane d fro m Vivian Grey par t I , book I I ch 3 , interpreting the description there a s autobiographical. Sic: Coblentz, sour craut.
Coblentz. Sunday My dear Sa , My fathe r wil l explai n th e reaso n o f you r bein g honore d wit h thi s epistle . I wrote to you last from Heidelber g whic h pretty place we left o n Wednesda y last. We ha d th e misfortun e o f havin g very rainy weathe r there , bu t th e ne w moo n has brough t u s a t las t th e mos t beautifu l weathe r tha t I eve r remember . O n Wednesday w e walke d ove r Schetzingen , larg e garden s ful l o f temple s water works and berceaus bu t rather stupid . W e reached Mannhei m a beautiful cit y a fet e o n th e birthda y o f the G[rand ] Duk e o f Baden 1 - th e Oper a a ver y ele gant hous e an d ver y fully attende d [, ] Don Giovanni very bad. W e met Dr. Hen derson agai n i n thi s city . Fro m Mannhei m w e travelle d thro ' Worms , slep t a t Oppenheim an d arrived agai n nex t mornin g a t Mayence - o n Friday. Yesterda y having mad e necessar y arrangement s fo r th e conveyanc e o f ou r carriag e w e commenced ou r voyag e dow n th e Rhine . S o muc h ha s bee n rea d an d writte n about thi s descen t tha t I wil l no t bor e yo u with descriptions o f a country which you kno w almost a s well as myself. I can only say that the mos t glowin g descriptions do bu t imperfec t justice t o the magnificen t scenery. I t answere d m y high est expectations whic h after passin g over th e Bergstrass e an d th e Taunu s is saying a grea t deal . W e se t of f a t 6 o'cloc k - stoppe d I at Binge n tw o hour s fo r dinner, bu t th e tim e no t suitin g u s w e ha d supplie d ourselve s wit h prog. 2 We therefore too k a boa t durin g thes e tw o hour s an d mad e a n excursio n t o th e ruined castle o f Ehrenfel s nea r Binge n an d opposit e th e famou s towe r o f Archbp. Hatt o - passe d thro ' th e Bingerlock , Bacharach , St . Goar, Boppart , near which last places the Rhin e is as narrow an d th e bank s as wild as in Switzerland. We landed i n the evenin g again a t Coblentz afte r passin g thro' 60 miles of the mos t beautifu l par t o f th e river . Her e w e are digestin g a n excursio n int o Luxembourg. Ou r hos t a t Coblent z i s a mos t excellen t fellow . M y love t o m y mother an d all . The weathe r continue s mos t beautiful . Tel l Ralp h w e had tw o military band s alternatel y playin g while we dined a t Mannheim . Je m I hop e is prospering. Yrs ever B. Disraeli. 1 Ludwi g Wilhel m Augustus (1763-1830) . 2 Schoolbo y slang for food .
We have met Lad y Belmore 3 and suit e two or thre e times . I wonder when they'll 1 be tire d o f travelling . Ou r hos t a t Coblent z ha s discovere d sinc e ou r las t visi t 3 that th e governo r i s a grea t autho r an d ha s cooll y informe d hi m thi s mornin g he shal l be obliged t o him for hi s works. Our dinners , i f possible , improve . Gam e i s rushing in , i n al l directions. Par tridges abound . Th e Roebuc k i s superb beyon d imagination . A t Mannhei m we had sou r crau t bu t thi s is not the seaso n fo r it. TO JOHN MURRA Y Bloomsbur
y Square I [London], [Octobe r 1824? ] 1
8 I 23 1 Jan 182 5
7
ORIGINAL: M M 40
EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n another hand: 'Octr - 182 4 - I B. DISRAELI Esq'. On returnin g fro m th e Rhinelan d tour i n Septembe r D persuaded hi s father to allo w hi m t o withdraw fro m hi s 'unprofitable studies ' as articled clerk, and h e did no t return t o the solicitors ' office. In stead h e wa s permitted t o join hi s friend Willia m Meredit h in readin g fo r th e ba r a t Lincoln' s Inn, where he was admitted 1 8 November 1824.
Bfloomsbury] S[quare ] 1 o'clock J. Murra y Esq. My dear Sir, The accompanyin g table mat i s from Treves. I wis h tha t i t were in my power t o present yo u with a larger one , bu t unfortunatel y it is the larges t tha t I could obtain. I f I however i t wil l serv e fo r you r domesti c use , i t wil l giv e me grea t pleas ure. Believe me my dear Sir Yr Ser[van] t B. Disraeli TO JOHN MURRA Y [London
, Monda y 31 January 1825 ] 1
O R I G I N A L : M M 21
COVER: Cit y 4 o'cloc k I John Murra y Esqr . 1 Whitehal l Place I [I n anothe r hand] : 182 5 January I D'hraeli B. Esq POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e oval: 7 . NIGH T 7 i JA. 31 I 1825 (2 ) I n packet : T.P. I Lombard St EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: Glynn, Columbian.
My dear Sir , I reed , you r draf t onl y this morning. A s I wa s particularly engage d a t th e tim e and a s Glynn brought it, 1 I did no t at the momen t in writing acknowledge the re ceipt. 3 Lad y Juliana Lowry-Corr y ( d 1861) , secon d daughte r o f th e 2n d Ear l o f Carrick . I n 180 0 sh e had marrie d the 2n d Earl o f Belmore. 1 Probabl y a member of th e bankin g fir m o f Glyn , Mills , Halifax, Mill s & Co, at 1 2 Birchin Lane . It i s unlikel y tha t Si r Richar d Car r Gly n (1755-1838) , is t Baronet , a one-tim e lor d mayor , would hav e delivere d a ban k draf t i n person , bu t h e ha d severa l son s in th e bank . H . Pric e A Handbook o f London Bankers (1876) 57-8 , 215 ; G.F. Russel l Barke r and Ala n H . Stennin g eds The Records o f Ol d Westminsters (1928 ) I 375-6.
8
24 I 19 I Mar 182 5 tio
IQ T
t wa s a holida y at th e Stoc k Exchange today i n consequenc e o f th e decapita n o f Chas.l; 2 but man y speculators attende d o n th e Roya l Exchange and con sequently some little business was done amon g I the firs t men . A seller of Anglo-Mexican 3 was not t o be found. I purchase d you r te n Columbia n shares a t 39 . They ros e afterwards ; but to morrow wil l be th e da y o f action . I kno w the Contractor s ar e buyin g and shal l have my broker earl y on th e Market . At the presen t th e danger of speculating is turned int o the difficult y o f acting . I I shal l communicat e immediatel y that anythin g decisiv e happen s an d i n th e meantime in great haste am Ever yours BD O JOHN MURRA Y [London
, Marc h 1825]
ORIGINAL: M M 2Q
COVER: John Murra y Esquire I Albemarle Street I 50, Piccadill y I [In anothe r hand] : 182 5 [hole in MS] March I D'Israli B. Es q EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: fro m th e referenc e to th e publicatio n of D' s pamphlet. Sic: cover: D'Israli, pamplet, pamplets.
My dear Sir, Mr. Powles 1 was not i n town today, but M r Hunt 2 informed me , that h e ha d de termined t o interfere. I am requested t o lose no time and document s hav e been sent me. 2 Althoug h th e traditio n o f thirtieth-of-Januar y sermon s ha d muc h declined , th e dat e wa s still marked i n other ways. When 3 0 January fel l o n a Sunday, th e holida y was observed on th e fol lowing day. The Times ( i Fe b 1825) . 3 Th e Anglo-Mexica n Minin g Association, bor n i n th e speculativ e mani a o f 1824 , prove d t o b e one o f th e mor e endurin g enterprise s o f tha t sort . I t wa s dissolved onl y i n 1849 . J.R . McCul loch A Dictionary, Practical, Theoretical, and Historical, of Commerce and Commercial Navigation 2nd ed (1834 ) 804, an d subsequen t eds ; Christophe r Richardso n Mr . John Diston Powles: or, the Antecedents, as a Promoter and Director of Foreign Mining Companies, o f an Administrative Reformer (1855 )
12.
1 A key figure behind the minin g stocks was John Disto n Powles . Powles seems t o hav e recovered from financial reverses suffere d i n the speculatio n o f 182 5 and remaine d prominen t i n the City for man y years. Hi s enterprises o f th e 1820 5 included th e Anglo-Mexica n Minin g Association , of which he was a director, the Colombian Minin g Association, an d th e complex busines s o f negotiating a loa n t o th e stat e o f Gra n Colombia . Henr y Englis h A General Guide t o Companies Formed for Working Foreign Mines (1825 ) 4, 23 ; [English ] The Contractor Unmasked (1823 ) 23 . Th e closest approximatio n t o a biograph y i s Richardson' s unfavourabl e account , alread y cited . Powles married three times and hi s fifth son, Loui s Disto n Powle s (1842-1911), became a noted lawyer an d judge. The elde r Powle s apparently die d c 1865 , bu t n o wil l ha s been discovered . Pedigree o f th e Powle s family , i n th e librar y o f th e Societ y o f Genealogists , Harringto n Gar dens, London. 2 Willia m Ogl e Hun t ( d 1860) , o f Swain , Stevens, Maples , Pearse an d Hunt , solicitor s to th e Co lombian Minin g Company. Law List (1825) , and Henr y Englis h A Complete View o f the Joint-Stock Companies Formed During the Years 1824 an^ J # 2 5 (1827) 5.
Mr. Hunt' s opinio n o f Si r W[illiam] A[dams]3 is the commo n one. I have been ao unable of course t o ask Powles respecting him, but fro m wha t I see I imagine no i encouragemt. i s offered t o him fro m th e proprietors . Respecting the public[ati]o n of his pamplet I leave you to decide. I t cannot interfere wit h mine 4 i n an y materia l way ; bu t i t wil l b e fo r yo u t o consider , whether it may not be mos t advisable for you to I interfere in the contes t only to decide it , rathe r tha n commenc e th e investigatio n of thi s important subjec t by a publication o f partia l researc h an d limited purpose, whic h will d o an y thin g bu t enlighten th e publi c mind , and mus t necessaril y invite controversy fro m ever y quarter. All th e pamplet s o f Si r W' s which you have , hav e been befor e th e Director s for man y months. Hun t tell s me tha t Powle s said h e ha d I folios o f Adam s which he had neve r read. This I think shows their opinion o f him. Ever yours BD TO [JOHN MURRAY ] [London
, Friday i April ? 1825] 2
ORIGINAL: M M 1
EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n anothe r han d on th e fourt h pag e of th e MS : 'Mines' . Dating: Parliament ad journed 3 1 Marc h 1825 . D would onl y infor m Murra y of thi s even t immediately after i t ha d take n place.
My dear Sir, I balance d our account s on Sunda y evenin g and find mysel f worth ioog £ and crediting yo u £1650 exclusive of a fresh deposi t whic h I pai d upo n you r AngloMexican. My sellin g out wa s a mos t successfu l operation . B y this mean s I ha d al l th e cash a t m y comman d awaitin g the I expected opportunity . I thin k th e Minin g Companies have now passed thro ' their ordeal . Th e Chancellor' s judgment1 was 3 Si r William Adam s (1783-1827) , oculis t an d surgeon , adopted hi s wife's nam e o f Rawso n o n 9 March 1825 . Unde r this name , h e wrot e Th e Present Operation an d Future Prospects o f th e Mexican Mine Association Analysed (1825) , puffin g the minin g stocks , especiall y Unite d Mexican . Hi s en thusiasm fo r various money-makin g scheme s made hi m an objec t o f som e amusement. See the letter of July 182 6 fro m Joh n Rickman , one of the clerk s at the tabl e in the Hous e of Com mons, to Lord Colchester, in Charles, Lord Colcheste r e d Th e Diary an d Correspondence o f Charles Abbot, Lord Colchester (1861) II I 443 . 4 D' s anonymous pamphlet , A n Inquiry into th e Plans, Progress, an d Policy o f th e American Mining Companies (Joh n Murra y 1825) . I t appeare d i n March , an d tw o mor e edition s wer e printed . The prospec t of a Spanish-American Eldorado created enormous interest, and th e best publica tions of the da y argued th e merit s of the variou s schemes . However , on e reviewer' s judgemen t on D' s Inquiry wa s that 'Whoever wrote i t is an ugl y customer.' [Willia m Maginn ] 'The Quarterly Review and th e America n Mines ' Blackwood's Magazine xvi l (May 1825) 592-600 at 593 . 1 O n 2 9 March, John Scott (1751-1838) , is t Ear l o f Eldon , lor d chancello r sinc e 1807 , rendere d judgement i n th e cas e o f Kinder v Taylor an d th e Directors o f th e Real De l Monte Company. H e found i n favour o f the defendants and refuse d t o grant an injunction , sough t by Kinder, whic h would hav e forbidde n the director s of the origina l minin g compan y to transfer share s to a new company. Th e Times (3 0 Mar 1825) ; Th e Law Journal i n (1825 ) 68ff; an d Bisho p Carleto n Hun t The Development o f th e Business Corporation i n England, 1800-1867 (Cambridge , Massachusett s 1936) 38-41 . Th e increase d freedo m thu s give n t o unincorporate d companies , specificall y t o the Rea l De l Monte directors , was obviously t o D' s advantage, as he hel d stoc k i n th e ne w com pany.
I 25 Apr 1825
O
26 I ai mos t satisfactor y - i t i s evident that n o legislativ e interference will b e allowed, Apr 182 5 an d tha t th e administratio n are full y aware , that th e prosperit y o f thi s country depends upo n ou r patronag e of America. The Parliamen t has adjourned , an d th e Chancello r decided, a t a fortunat e I moment, the settlin g of the account at the Stock Exchange. The share s continue, necessarily fro m n o busines s being done , i n thei r depresse d state , fo r a da y o r two, bu t I thin k this moment i s the crisis, and tha t a n immens e and permanen t rise is to be looked to. I hav e therefore forme d a partnershi p wit h yo u wit h proportionat e interests according to the annexe d I paper - th e share s in which w e are intereste d are in an iro n cas e i n m y roo m wit h a pape r o f whic h th e accompanyin g i s a counterpart.2 I n cas e therefore o f m y death etc . everythin g will b e straightforward. I hop e tha t thi s partnershi p is but th e forerunne r o f mutua l brilliancy of fortune. Ever yours, BD 21 T
O [ROBERT MESSER?] [London
, April 1825? ]
ORIGINAL: H R/II/B/Qa , b, c
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Thi s wa s a draf t whic h was not sent , an d thi s ma y accoun t fo r a numbe r o f obscurities in meanin g and style . There is no signature . Dating: D says that 'about seven months hav e now elapsed sinc e my return t o England'. He returned fro m th e tour o f the Rhinelan d with his father and Willia m Meredith in September 1824 . S'c: Columbia, it's, at at, breath .
2 Th e agreemen t reads: Know all men hereby , that the share s in Companies an d Association s forme d fo r workin g th e mines o f Americ a an d al l othe r share s certificate s o f share s paper s an d writing s whic h ar e contained in this iron box are hel d by and belon g to John Murra y of Albemarl e St . in the city of Westminste r Esquir e an d Benjami n Disrael i o f Lincoln' s In n i n th e Count y o f Middlese x Esquire i n partnershi p an d tha t th e interest s o f th e sd . John Murra y an d Benjami n Disrael i in th e sai d shares , certificate s o f share s paper s an d writing s ar e a s follows , videlicet . Tw o thirds of al l interest whic h ma y exist in , all profit whic h may arise fro m an d al l liability whic h may b e incurre d b y possessing the sd . share s certificates I papers and writing s shall be veste d in, accrue t o and b e incurred b y sd. John Murray ; An d on e thir d o f th e sd . interest wit h the same advantage s an d responsibilitie s shal l be held b y the sd . Benjamin Disraeli . If an y futur e share s an d certificate s o f share s shal l b e purchase d o r obtaine d b y th e sd . partnership the y shal l b e hel d upo n th e sam e term s a s th e foregoing . An d i n cas e an y suc h are purchase d o r obtaine d o r an y o f th e firs t mentione d share s ar e sol d b y o r otherwis e parted wit h b y th e sd . John Murra y an d Benjami n Disrael i the n a memorandu m shal l b e added t o thes e present s explainin g th e natur e quantit y an d prim e cos t o f suc h shares . Wit ness the hand of the said Benjami n Disrael i and John Murray . Benjamin Disraeli John Murray . [ H R/n/B/a]
My dear Sir, 1 a i I 27 I a m no w engaged upo n ou r business 2 an d a m preparin g t o pu t yo u i n posses - Ap r 1825 sion o f th e additiona l securit y whic h I mentioned . Befor e howeve r thi s i s executed I thin k i t prope r t o plac e before yo u th e whol e stat e o f m y affairs, i n or der tha t you may rest perfectl y satisfied a s to your situation even independent o f all securit y an d tha t yo u ma y be enable d t o for m a n opinio n a s t o th e expedi ency of auxiliary interference eithe r a s regards you r rights or m y convenience. About seve n month s hav e no w elapsed sinc e m y return t o England , a t which time I wa s not possesse d o f fift y guinea s i n th e world , an d arrive d i n Londo n with th e intentio n o f resumin g thos e unprofitabl e studies 3 i n whic h I ha d al ready employed thre e years . On settlin g agai n i n th e metropoli s I wa s immediatel y struc k b y I the grea t revolution whic h wa s takin g plac e i n th e financia l relation s o f Englan d an d America an d I wa s no t astonishe d a t th e speed y recognitio n whic h ensued o f Mexico an d Columbia. 4 I t immediatel y struck m e tha t i f fortune s eve r wer e t o be mad e thi s was the momen t an d I accordingl y pai d grea t attentio n t o American affairs . The consequenc e o f th e recognitio n wa s an attentio n t o th e Mexica n minin g Co[mpanie]s whic h had the n bee n forme d abou t a year and i n which the publi c tho' utterl y ignoran t o f the whole business immediatel y rushe d t o buy shares in . Those share s ros e upwards o f 10 0 p Ct . Ther e was then n o caus e fo r an y I rise whatever fo r n o informatio n o f th e progres s o f th e Companie s ha d bee n re ceived an d consequentl y th e origina l holder s wh o possesse d thei r share s fro m the beginning too k th e opportunit y o f realising. A n immense fal l wa s the Conse quence an d th e publi c enrage d a t th e hope s whic h thei r ow n foll y alon e occa sioned unite d i n on e furiou s attac k upon th e ver y Association s whic h had , bu t just before, been th e objec t of so much attention . The Lor d Chancellor 5 wa s terrified a t th e tale s o f rui n whic h he dail y hear d and whic h wer e th e offsprin g o f Falsehoo d an d Exaggeration . H e determine d however t o us e th e evi l an d propose d a pla n whic h I was very muc h lik e shoot ing a ma n t o pu t hi m out o f pain . A grea t pani c 'took plac e - everythin g fell , even in their depreciate d stat e and fo r som e time i t was supposed tha t the whol e Commerce wit h America migh t be crushed . 1 Rober t Messe r was one o f D' s early creditors, th e deb t datin g fro m 1824 . From survivin g financial statements ( H A/v/A/i-g) it seems that Messer , the so n of a stockbroker, bought minin g stocks for D and others . B y i Februar y 1825 , D and Thoma s Mullet t Evans , a clerk i n the sam e solicitors' office a s D, and hi s partner i n mining speculations, owed Messe r £2,061.8.8, an d b y 31 December 182 6 th e deb t ha d increase d t o £2,833.10.11 . Dunnin g letter s writte n b y Messe r i n 1828 an d directe d t o Evan s are i n th e Hughende n papers . H A/v/A/15-17. A s lat e a s 184 9 th e unfortunate M r Messe r wa s stil l attemptin g t o obtai n satisfactio n fro m D for approximatel y £1,200 wit h accumulated interes t at 5 per cent . H A/v/A/21-52 A referenc e t o th e speculatio n o n th e stoc k exchang e i n whic h D was engaged, togethe r wit h Thomas Mullett Evans, John Murray and John Diston Powles. 3 Se e i7ec. 4 Canning' s promp t recognitio n o f th e independenc e o f th e forme r Spanis h colonie s le d t o substantial British investment in Latin America. 5 Lor d Eldo n threatene d th e promoter s o f th e Mexica n Minin g Co wit h th e penaltie s o f th e 'Bubble Act' of 172 0 (6 Geo I c 18). It wa s repealed late r i n 1825 .
28 I ai A t thi s crisi s I steppe d forwar d an d offere d m y service s t o a dismaye d an d Apr 182 5 despairin g party . I propose d measure s whic h as they were unanimousl y adopted, I hav e a righ t t o suppos e wer e prudentl y conceived an d whic h no on e ca n deny were vigorously ex[ecu]ted. A Committee of all the member s of Parliament connected wit h th e America n Minin g Companie s wa s I formed , deputation s waited o n th e ministers , and ever y mean s wa s taken t o oppos e th e instan t an d urging evil . Bu t th e pres s whic h always follow s th e publi c was against us , an d a cry of Bubble was raised whic h was echoed eve n in the house s of Parliament . I immediatel y publishe d th e "Inquir y int o th e Plans , Progres s an d Polic y o f the America n Minin g Companies" - an d rapid sale s of numerous and large edi tions testif y it' s complete success . I wa s the firs t perso n wh o demonstrate d th e fallaciousness o f th e paralle l whic h the Ld . Chancello r ha d forme d bet[wee] n I the presen t tim e an d th e one which generated th e S[outh] S[ea ] Bubbl e - an d finally afte r exertion s durin g whic h for man y night s I di d no t eve n sleep , th e Ld. Chancellor was forced t o give up hi s threatened interference. 6 I publishe d th e 3rd . edi t o f m y Inquir y an d foun d mysel f i n possessio n o f shares i n al l th e grea t minin g Companie s t o th e amoun t o f man y thousan d pounds. All th e informatio n whic h i s no w receive d fro m Americ a passe s thro ' m y hands. Sinc e Januar y w e hav e receive d dispatche s fro m Mexic o alon e abov e eight times . Al l these I hav e see n - moreove r I hav e peruse d I secret report s which have not been seen even by many of the Director s themselves. I have read every book upo n th e subjec t and converse d wit h secret agent s of the Companie s in which I am interested an d I have come to the conviction that th e ioo £ shares in the Mexica n mining Companies wil l in a very few years be worth upwards of iooo£ apiece . The publi c are now more violen t agains t the minin g Companies tha n eve r for thi s I care not , a s long a s their legislativ e interference I etc. i s nought t o me . They wil l b e thunderstruc k i n a fe w months b y the Companie s whic h the y believe d o no t posses s an y mine s declarin g larg e dividend s an d the n th e reactio n will be terrific. All England will be buying in the sam e morning . But t o resume m y narrative. After th e publicatio n of the thir d edi t tw o things occurred t o me. The on e was a plan to get introduced t o Canning 7 - th e second of investing a considerable su m in a great colonia l undertaking which ha d bee n maturing fo r th e las t thre e year s and I [page(s) missing in MS?] Fo r th e las t affai r 4000 wa s immediatel y wanted t o ves t m y share s wit h m y feeling s respectin g them wa s madness. Ho w I manage d b y th e assistanc e of m y uncle 8 an d yo u i s 6 D' s publications in defence of th e minin g ventures resisted th e paralle l with th e Bubbl e of 1720 , and discouraged parliamentar y inquiries into the affair s o f the companies . 7 Georg e Cannin g (1770-1827) had bee n foreig n secretary i n Liverpool's governmen t since 1822 and, in opposition t o Lord Eldon , favoured recognition of the forme r Spanish colonies. H e was a friend of Sir Walter Scott and, though a Tory, supporte d a large number of progressive mea sures. He was prime minister for three month s before hi s death i n 1827. 8 Possibl y George (formerl y Joshua) Basev i Sr (1771-1851) , brother o f D' s mother. H e marrie d Bathsheba Lindo . H e ha s sometime s been confuse d wit h hi s son, George Basev i (1794-1845), the architect , who predeceased him. An unsuccessful involvement in D's speculations may be th e reason fo r th e late r coolness of the Basevi s to D.
well know n t o you . Wha t I di d t o gai n th e firs t poin t wa s a t tha t tim e als o i n a p[ar]t relate d - an d the Lawyers and Legislators 9 was in consequence dedicated . Ap But thi s last connectio n gav e ris e t o a ne w occurrence an d on e fro m whic h I may obtai n no t onl y considerable profit , but whic h will als o materiall y assist m e in gainin g th e objec t o f m y highest ambition . Th e dail y journal10 mus t i f prop erly manage d soo n becom e th e leadin g newspaper , an d I shal l possess a considerable shar e of it. I My affairs a t the present momen t stan d thu s I posses s a certain numbe r o f share s whic h are wort h tho ' a t th e lowes t pric e they have yet sunk about 6ooo£ sterling, which I calculate at the en d o f this year will be worth 1200 0 - bu t 3 5 of which I calculate in the course o f 5 years will be worth as many thousand . I hav e 4ooo£ investe d i n a speculatio n whic h I expect wil l produc e m e in th e course o f 8 mon[th]s 100 0 a year. An d I [am ] now getting everythin g ready fo r the introductio n o f a newspape r whic h will be supported an d whic h will be con tributed t o by the greates t me n i n this kingdom and whic h will be under th e immediate patronag e o f Mr Canning . 7 mon[th]s of unwearied exertion , an d trul y of harrowing care hav e produce d this result, whic h when I contemplate I fee l actually dizzy. I t i s I truly work for a life. On th e Mexica n mines I rest m y sheet anchor . When I tel l yo u tha t on e singl e min e whic h everybod y i n thi s kingdo m be lieves to be inundated an d t o be incapable o f producin g unde r five years at th e least is , altho i t ha s not been worke d fo r 8 month s - producin g a t th e rat e o f £3000 net profit p r wee k and tha t at the en d o f the firs t yea r of working it, when everybody imagines that i t is so much unproductive propert y i t will giv e us a ne t profit a t a t th e leas t o f 150,000 , whe n I tel l yo u moreove r tha t thi s min e con tains vein s o f I immense an d incalculabl e worth, whic h have onl y bee n discov ered b y ou r ow n surveyor s an d tha t i t i s their opinio n tha t i t alon e ma y yield cent [100 ] p r Ct . for our money , when I tell you I have seen th e weekl y account s of profi t an d los s and ever y pape r an d memorandu m connecte d wit h it's man agement, whe n I tell you that all our agent s ar e writin g home t o us to buy the m additional, n o matte r at what price. Can yo u call me too sanguine ? Such i s a slight sketch of th e secret s o f m y life know n only to you. I ma y consider m y fortune a s made, bu t I breat h no t a n indicatio n o f it , till I a m upo n a rock. 9 Lawyers an d Legislators: or Notes o n the American Mining Companies (Joh n Murra y 1825). This, th e second o f D' s anonymousl y publishe d pamphlets , wa s dedicated t o Canning . Fo r th e firs t se e 19114. A thir d suc h publication , Th e Present State o f Mexico (Joh n Murra y 1825) , was writte n i n part by D. 10 Th e Representative wa s a propose d Tor y dail y newspape r intende d t o compet e wit h Th e Times. The term s o f its formation were decided i n August. See agna. The pape r ra n fro m January to July 1826 , and the n went bankrupt.
i I 29 r 1825
22 T
O JOHN MURRA Y [London
, May 1825]
ORIGINAL: M R 5
EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n another hand: 'May 1825' .
J Murra y Esq My dear Sir , I shal l cal l i n Albemarl e St . tomorro w mornin g a t hal f pas t te n o'clock . D o m e the particula r favo r of seeing m e at that tim e - a s I wis h t o consult with you on most important business - n o more drafts , so don't b e alarmed . Be eas y about you r mine s - w e were mor e behin d th e scene s tha n I even imagined - but Tace.1 Ever yours, B. Disraeli 23 T
O JOHN MURRA Y [London]
, Thursda y [Ma y 1825]
ORIGINAL: M R 6
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Endorsement s i n other hands : on the first page of the M S '1825 - May' ; on th e fourth pag e '1825 - Ma y B D'Israeli Esq' .
Thursday Jno. Murra y Esq etc. etc. My dear Sir, I merel y calle d yesterda y to beg you not t o trouble yoursel f with any thought o f business. Since I have seen you, the case has run thus . I hav e seen Powle s constantly who, if possible, grows warmer hourly , but wh o is perpetually asking me whether I think things are definitively settled. I hav e tol d him , that ther e I was no visible , I migh t say , no invisibl e cause fo r the pla n no t bein g carrie d int o effect , a s all parties wer e equally desirous o f executing it . And I explained tha t you r illness was the onl y cause of your no t having met him upon th e subject. He wa s perfectl y satisfied and i s now preparin g a statemen t o f wha t he thinks I ought t o be done, an d what h e can do, which he wil l sen d m e shortly , and which , I think, will be a very important document . Thus stand s th e case . Th e onl y poin t tha t mus t no t b e neglecte d i s the cer tainty tha t Ellis ' etc . are awar e of your progress , an d ar e no t contemplatin g any other plan . 1 B e silent. 1 Perhap s Charle s Ros e Elli s (1771-1845), created Baro n Seaford Jul y 1826 . Ellis, M P fo r variou s constituencies 1793-1826 , wa s th e cousi n o f Georg e Ellis , Georg e Canning' s intimat e friend , and throug h hi m becam e acquainte d wit h th e famou s statesman . Havin g inherite d a larg e property i n th e Wes t Indies , Charle s Elli s ha d becom e th e acknowledge d hea d o f th e 'Wes t Indian interest' , a grou p tha t figure d i n th e plan s fo r Th e Representative. Cannin g ha d bee n a supporter o f Murray' s Quarterly Review, and Georg e Elli s had been a contributor t o it.
With th e exceptio n of this , of which , I suppose , you I have no doubt , there i s 2413 1 no occasio n for yo u t o cas t on e though t at present upo n th e subject . Th e consid - 5 Aug 1825 eration of the subjec t may , therefore, be adjourned sine die, and if , I were you, I would giv e my mind some rest upo[n] all others.2 Ever yours B. Disraeli TO ISAAC DISRAELI [London]
, Friday [5 August 1825]
ORIGINAL: H A/I/C/ 2
COVER: I . Disrael i Esquire, I Robert Ward Esquire, I Hyde House, I near Amersham , I Bucks. I FRIDAY I [I n Isaac' s hand] : S . Turner memoire s I Eng. Wisd. I see Roret . de s anonyme s in I le grand Vocabe . francais. POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle: AU I S 5[central number i n smal l circle] I 1825 EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n th e past , Isaac had ofte n rente d house s in the countr y for th e autum n season. H e had , fo r example , rente d on e a t Brighto n i n 1814 , an d on e a t Farnha m Royal , Bucks, in
1818.
Isaac ha d com e t o kno w Rober t War d throug h Benjami n Austen, wh o wa s Ward's solicitor . See 4gni. Austen arranged fo r Isaa c to rent Ward' s country residence, Hyd e House near Amersham , for the 182 5 season, an d thi s letter show s that th e D'Israeli s lef t fo r thei r countr y holiday in late July or early August. Ward's nove l Tremaine, a successfu l pionee r o f th e 'silver-fork ' genre, ha d jus t bee n publishe d b y Henry Colburn , th e anonymit y of th e autho r bein g carefull y preserved, eve n fro m th e publisher , by the service s of Auste n and hi s wife Sar a a s intermediaries. Durin g Isaac's tenanc y of Hyd e House , h e became part y to the secret, an d Blak e reports that 'Isaac read hi s landlord's novel in manuscript' (35). D visite d Hyd e House , bu t remaine d base d i n Bloomsbur y Squar e bus y o n th e launchin g of Th e Representative. Durin g his visits he came t o know about th e authorshi p of Tremaine an d develope d th e seeds o f the ide a o f writing what was to become Vivian Grey fro m th e exampl e it provided. However , Blake i s righ t i n pointin g ou t th e improbabilit y of D' s later clai m (noted i n M& B I 80) tha t h e wrot e Vivian Grey a t Hyd e Hous e befor e hi s twenty-firs t birthda y (21 De c 1825) . As these letter s show, th e autumn an d earl y winter were packed wit h activity fo r D , and man y of the event s of this time becam e incorporated int o the nove l when it was written in 1826 , when Sara Austen , in London, repeate d an d extended the patter n o f arrangements sh e had helpe d t o develop for th e publicatio n of Tremaine. She became D' s go-between wit h Colburn t o preserve th e anonymit y of th e authorshi p of Vivian Grey, even to the extent of copying the manuscript in her own hand, an d o f negotiating the contract fo r publication. The thir d pag e of the M S is torn. Sic: Smith, Parke's, inditer , course, domestics. 2 A memorandum of agreement between Murray , Powle s an d D was signed three months later: London 3r d Augus t 1825 . The undersigne d partie s agree t o establis h a Mornin g paper , th e propert y i n which i s to be in the followin g proportions viz Mr . Murra y — one hal f Mr. Powle s — one quarte r Mr. Disrael i — one quarte r each part y contributing to the expense capital an d ris k i n those proportions. The pape r to be published by and be under the managemen t of Mr. Murray . John Murra y J D Powles B Disraeli [M R 7]
24
32 18 4 Dea r Father, Frida y 5 Aug 1825 I t ha s just occurre d t o me , that you migh t expec t m e tomorrow . I shal l no t b e able to get down, but ver y probably will during the middle of next week. A respectable and ancien t gentlewoman called in B[loomsbury] S[quare] fro m whom i t wa s learned, tha t m y mother bor e he r journey but sadly . I trus t that she ha s recovered, and tha t the rai n ha s provide d yo u wit h potatoes , and tha t you mak e you r mone y ou t o f Mr . Ward, 1 whic h desirabl e contingenc y i t appeared unt o me whe n you lef t Londo n would I not occur . I dine d a t Murray s on Thursda y a t a part y which h e gav e to th e forme r and present Africa n expeditions 2 - ther e wer e an immense number of captain-voyageurs, an d muc h tal k abou t th e savourines s of stewe d lizard an d rattlesnake ragouts. Ther e wer e presen t Majo r Denham 3 - Captain s Clapperton, Pearce, King and Smith4 - Chines e Ellis 5 - a brother of Mungo Parke's6 - Dr . Holland7 etc. Wishaw , a s th e indite r o f th e biog[raphical ] notice, whic h i s prefixe d t o Parke's travels, 8 heade d th e table , and opposit e hi m was Roger Wilbraha m white, sleek an d smiling , lik e th e Mus k O x o n th e I top o f th e stair s at th e Brit ish Museum. 9 The part y being well concocted went off well. Murray did hi s duty 1 Rober t War d (1765-1846) , politicia n an d novelist . A supporte r o f Pitt , h e wa s M P fo r Cocker mouth 1802-6 , an d fo r Haslemer e 1807-23 , an d a n under-secretar y i n th e Foreig n Offic e i n 1805. Afte r retiring fro m politic s in 182 3 he ha d turne d t o writing and produce d Tremaine; or the Man o f Refinement (1825 ) followed by D e Vere: o r the Man o f Independence (1827) . O n 1 6 July 1828 he added the nam e Plumer . See also ec. 2 John Murra y publishe d man y accounts o f explorations , especiall y of Africa , an d wa s secretar y of the Africa n Association . 3 Dixo n Denha m (1786-1828) , explorer o f th e Sahara , wa s actually a lieutenan t colone l a t th e time. 4 Hug h Clapperto n (1788-1827) , African explorer . Denham' s and Clapperton' s accoun t o f thei r travels wa s late r publishe d b y Murray . Captai n Rober t Pearce , describe d a s 'a n excellen t draughtsman', accompanied Clapperto n t o Afric a an d die d ther e in Decembe r 1825 . Clapper ton Journal of a Second Expedition into th e Interior o f Africa (1829 ) ix, xiii ; G M XC V part i i (Sep t 1825) 265 and XCV I part ii (Nov 1826) 457. Philip Parker Kin g (1793-1856), noted explorer an d hydrographer, thoug h h e attaine d hi s captaincy only in 1830 , is probably th e ma n t o who m D refers. 'Smith ' i s William Henr y Smyt h (1788-1865), Africa n explore r promote d t o captai n i n 1834; he retired as an admiral . 5 Henr y Elli s (1777-1855) , KC B 1848 , no t t o be confuse d wit h his namesake , th e principa l librar ian o f the Britis h Museum . He accompanied Ear l Amherst t o Chin a and publishe d a n accoun t of th e even t i n 1817 , entitle d Proceedings o f Lord Amherst's Embassy t o China. Elli s late r becam e ambassador t o Persia . 6 Mung o Par k (1771-1806) , th e Africa n explorer , wa s on e o f fourtee n children . Tw o o f hi s brothers about who m somethin g i s known are Adam , who live d a t Gravesend , an d Archibald , of Madeira , a frien d o f Si r Walter Scott . Archibal d wa s certainly aliv e at thi s time, fo r hi s son , Mungo Travers Park, was born in 1843 . Foste r H I 1065. 7 Henr y Hollan d (1788-1873 ) wa s a note d traveller . H e graduate d fro m Edinburg h i n medicin e in 1811 , and i n 185 2 he becam e physicia n extraordinary t o the Queen . H e was created a baronet i n 1853 . 8 John Wishaw (i764?-i84o) edited Mung o Park's travels, which John Murra y published i n 1815 . An accoun t o f Murray' s initial reluctance t o publis h is in Lad y Seymour e d Th e 'Pope' o f Holland House: Selections from th e Correspondence o f John Wishaw an d Hi s Friends (1906 ) 27 . 9 Roge r Wilbraha m (1743?-1829), Whig MP for variou s constituencies 1784-96 . Well known in literary circles , h e wa s a student o f Italia n literature . A s the musk-o x i s no longe r i n its place, we are deprive d o f this slender clue t o Wilbraham's nature . Gerri t Parmel e Judd Members o f Parliament 1734-1832 (1955 repr Hamden , Connecticu t 1972 ) 376; M.C.W . Wicks The Italian Exiles i n London, 1816-1848 (1937 repr Freeport, New York 1968 ) 21 .
both a s hos t an d a s a gentlema n equall y well, altho' on e tim e i n th e evenin g h e 2 took off a course mournin g ring and swor e it was Belzoni's hair!10 I never hear d 1 of it till that day . Howr . i t pr[odu]ced a n effec t - th e company sympathised and passed th e claret. I hav e no news on any subject - bu t perhap s ma y have when we meet . Tel l th e women , "Montague Stepne y Browne , second so n of Si r John Edmond Brown e o f Holie s Stree t Dublin " i s dead, i n spit e o f hi s siste r i n law and eight carriages. 11 If m y grandmother 12 want s to I come down , remembe r I hol d mysel f to m y promise. I shal l call on he r befor e I se e you. No letters hav e arrived, and I a m told that the domestic s incidents, such as grates, babyhouses etc! went off well . Remember etc. to all and bel[iev]e your affec Son , BD TO THOMAS MULLET T EVAN S Hyd e House, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, 2 [Thursday 1 8 August 1825] ORIGINAL: H A/V/A/1 O
COVER: T . M . Evans Esquire I Messrs. Swain and Co . I 6 Frederick s Place I Old Jewry POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle: ci i8AUi 8 I 1825. [The sam e postmark appears twice.] EDITORIAL COMMENT : There i s a draft versio n of this letter, with minor variations, in another section of the Hughende n papers (R/n/B/8).
at Rober t Ward Esquir e I Hyde House I nr. Amersha m I Bucks Dear Evans, I arrive d i n tow n fro m Wimbledo n o n Monda y night , an d m y tim e unti l 2 o'clock th e nex t day , was occupied i n appointment s withou t a secon d t o spare . I was then oblige d t o leav e town for a fe w I days on a visit where I a m a t present , and as I did not arriv e til l pas t pos t time , I hav e not bee n abl e to answe r your note unti l this moment . You pu t m e i n a very delicate situation . After every deliberation I cannot ad vise you t o declin e you r country offer. 1 Th e reason s whic h induce I me t o com e to this conclusion, I need no t give. They woul d not be agreeable t o you and I assure you are not to me - fo r the detail of ill-success is seldom interesting. 10 Thoug h new s of Belzoni' s death i n 182 3 took som e tim e to reach England , it was certainly pub lic knowledge b y the summe r o f 182 4 ~ ~ a f u " year befor e th e dinner . Thus Murray was telling his guest s nothin g new , excep t fo r th e busines s o f th e mournin g ring . Fo r furthe r detail s o n the nineteenth-centur y use of hai r jewellery, see John Morle y Death, Heaven and the Victorians (1971)66-7. 11 D was quoting Th e Times obituar y o f Montagu e Stepne y Brown e ( b 1795) , a barrister. The sis ter-in-law referred t o was an heiress , Mar y De Beauvoir Browne , wh o in 182 5 had marrie d hi s elder brother , John Edmond D e Beauvoir Brown e (1794-1869) , afte r 183 5 an d Baronet . 12 Sara h D'Israeli . 1 Letter s fro m Evan s reveal tha t h e share d wit h D the Londoner' s impressio n tha t leavin g tow n for Bristo l constitute d a 'countr y offer' . Evan s wa s due t o depar t i n January 1826 , an d late r correspondence find s hi m a solicitor i n th e Bristo l firm of Bal l & Evans. H R/n/B/5,io;A/VA/15.
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hop e t o hav e the pleasur e o f seein g you befor e yo u leave ; but i f not , I wis h u ever y success in th e anticipate d connexion . I f eve r I ca n assist , b e assure d that you may command me with[ou]t reserve, yours ever BD O [JOHN MURRAY ] Roya l Hotel , Edinburgh, [Saturday 17 September 1825 ] ORIGINAL: MR S
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s II 187-8, dated 2 1 September 1825; M&B I 63-4, extracts dated 1 7 September 1825 EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n anothe r han d on th e firs t pag e of th e MS : 'Sep t 1825. ' Th e conspiratorial note introduced here, and intensifie d i n succeeding letters concerning The Representative, suggests that D thoroughl y enjoye d transformin g a n ordinar y busines s transactio n int o a cloak-and-dagge r affair. Dating: by context and b y comparison with vj. Sic: Edinburg, neighbourood .
Royal Hotel - Edinburg -
My dear Sir , I arrive d i n Edinbur g yesterday night a t 1 1 o'clock . I slep t at Stamford , York and Newcastle , and b y so doing fel t quit e fresh a t the en d o f my journey. I neve r preconceived a place better tha n Edinburg. It is exactly what I fancie d it, and certainl y is the mos t beautiful tow n in the world - yo u can scarcely call it a cit y - a t leas t it has little of the roa r o f millions , and a t thi s time is of cours e very empty. I coul d no t ente r Scotlan d b y th e rout e yo u pointe d out , an d therefor e wa s unable t o ascertai n th e fac t o f th e Chevalier being a t his castellum. 1 I should hav e gone b y Carlisle. I calle d o n th e gentleman 2 t o who m Wright 3 gave m e a lette r this morning. H e i s at hi s country house. He wil l ge t a letter fro m I me thi s evening - yo u see therefore tha t I have lost little time. I calle d a t Ofliver ] an d B[oyd]'s 4 thi s morning thinkin g that yo u migh t have written. You had not however. When you write to me, enclose to them - a s they
1 Si r Walter Scott (1771-1832) , the novelis t and poet . In 181 2 he had purchase d a decaying farmhouse nea r Melros e wit h 10 0 acres o f land . H e ha d transforme d i t at grea t expens e int o 'Ab botsford', a larg e an d sprawlin g Scottish baronia l countr y house . Th e financia l disaste r whic h beset hi m was to occur th e followin g year, in 1826 . 2 John Gibso n Lockhar t (1794-1854) , son-in-la w and biographe r o f Si r Walte r Scott . H e bega n his literar y caree r a s a contributo r t o Blackwood's Magazine, gainin g notoriety fo r hi s attacks o n The Edinburgh Review, the so-calle d cockne y school of poetry, S.T. Coleridg e an d Keats . In 181 8 he me t Si r Walte r Scot t an d tw o year s late r marrie d hi s daughter , Charlott e Sophi a (1799 1837). Despit e D' s effort s t o obtai n hi s services, on 7 October 182 5 Lockhart decline d Murray' s offer t o become th e edito r o f Th e Representative, but , at Murray' s urging , di d accep t th e editor ship o f Th e Quarterly Review, with specified service s bein g mad e availabl e to Th e Representative. See 4anz . Hi s Memoirs o f th e Life o f Si r Walter Scott appeare d i n 1836-8 . Th e standar d moder n biography i s Marion Lochhead's/o/m Gibson Lockhart (Joh n Murra y 1954) . 3 Willia m Wright, a n attorne y a t 4 Cloak Lane , London , ha d give n D a lette r o f introductio n t o Lockhart. Se e a8. 4 Olive r & Boyd, Tweeddale House , 1 6 High Street , Edinburgh . Thoma s Oliver (i776?-i853) , a printer, forme d a partnershi p wit h Georg e Boy d ( d 1843) , a bookbinder , i n 1807 , an d the y soon becam e the larges t wholesal e booksellers in Scotland, bein g the agent s for , among others , John Murray.
will forwar d wherever I ma y be , an d m y sta y a t a n hote l i s always uncertain. Mr . 2 Boyd wa s most particularl y civil. Their establishmen t is one o f th e completes t I 1 have eve r seen . The y ar e booksellers , bookbinders an d printer s al l unde r th e same roo f - ever y thin g bu t makin g paper . I inten d t o examin e th e whol e minutely before I leave as it may be useful. I never though t o f binding. Suppos e you were to sew etc. your own publications? I arrived a t York in the mids t of the Gran d Festival. 5 It was late at night when I arrived, but th e streets wer e crowded, and continue d s o for hours . I never witnessed a City in suc h an extrem e bustl e and s o delightfully gay . It wa s I a perfec t Carnival. I postpone d m y journey fro m five in the mornin g to eleven, and b y so doing go t an hou r fo r th e Minster , where I witnesse d a scen e whic h must hav e far surpasse d b y all accounts the celebrate d commemoratio n in Westminster Abbey. Yor k Minste r baffle s al l conception . Westminste r Abbe y i s a to y t o it . I think i t is impossible to conceive of wha t Gothic Architecture i s susceptible until you se e York . I spea k wit h th e Cathedral s o f th e Netherland s and th e Rhin e fresh i n my memory. I witnesse d i n York another splendi d sigh t - th e pouring i n of all the nobility and I gentr y o f th e neighbouroo d an d neighbourin g counties . Th e four-in hands o f th e Yorkshir e squires , th e splendi d rivalr y in liverie s and outriders , and the immense quantit y of gorgeous equipage s - number s wit h fou r horse s formed a scene which you can only witness in the might y and aristocrati c county of York. It beat a Drawing Room hollow , as much a s a Concert i n York Minster does a concert i n the Oper a House . Thi s delightfu l stay at York quite refreshe d me, an d I a m no t th e I least fatigued by my journey. As I hav e only been i n Edinbur g a fe w hours, o f course I hav e littl e t o say . I shall writ e immediatel y that an y thin g occurs . Kindes t remembrance s t o Mrs . Murray and all. Ever yrs BD I find Froissart a most entertainin g companio n - just th e fello w fo r a travellers evening - an d just th e work too for it needs neithe r book s of reference, no r accumulation of MS. TO [JOHN MURRAY ] Roya
l Hotel, Edinburgh , Sunday [18 September 1825 ] 2
ORIGINAL: M R 9
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smiles I I 188-90 , date d 2 2 Septembe r 1825 ; M& B I 64 , extrac t date d 1 8 September 182 5 EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n anothe r han d o n th e firs t page of th e MS : 'Sep t 1825' . There are als o interpolations, in another hand , in the text : '(Sir W S)' following 'spea k fo r itself ; '(ockhart)' following 'M r L'; '(Canning) ' followin g 'the n unwell' ; '( ] M) ' and '(Barrow?) ' followin g 'Africa n dinners' . Sic: Edinburg, Cheefswood. 5 Th e Yor k Musica l Festiva l was an annua l week-lon g event , with musicians comin g from al l over Europe t o perform . Th e proceed s wen t t o charity , and , a s D observed, th e festiva l receive d widespread support . In 182 5 ''was held 10-1 7 September. The Times (13-18 Sept 1825) .
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36 I 27 Roya 18 Sep 182 5 M y dear Sir ,
l Hote l - Edinbur g - I Sunday
I sen t a dispatc h b y Saturda y night' s pos t directe d t o Mr . Barrow. 1 Yo u have doubtless receive d i t safe . A s I conside r yo u ar e anxiou s to hea r minutel y the state of my operations I again send you a few lines. I receive d thi s morning a ver y polit e lette r fro m Lfockhart] . H e ha d just re ceived tha t mornin g (Saturday) Wrights letter.2 I enclose you copy of L' s letter, as it will be interestin g t o yo u t o se e or judge wha t effec t wa s produced o n hi s mind by its perusal. 3 I hav e written to day t o sa y that I wil l call at Cheefswood4 on Tuesday . I inten d t o g o t o Melros e I tomorrow, bu t a s I wil l no t tak e th e chance of meeting him the leas t tired I shall sleep at Melrose and cal l on th e following morning . I shal l of cours e accep t hi s offe r o f stayin g there. I shal l call again a t B[oyd]' s before m y departure tomorro w to se e i f there i s any dispatch from you . You will judge whethe r in future it will be mor e expedient t o send t o B. o r t o M r L's . The firs t on e wil l preven t th e franke r suspectin g the objec t of my visi t - bu t on the other han d wil l make your letters come at least a day later. I shall give B. my direction to forward in case you send . I shal l continue t o give you advice s of al l my movements. You wil l agree wit h me that I hav e at leas t not los t any time, but tha t all things have gone very wel l as yet. There i s o f cours e n o dange r i n ou r communication s of anythin g unfairl y
1 John Barro w (1764-1848) , secon d secretar y o f th e Admiralt y 1804- 6 an d 1807-45 . Hi s travel s in China and Sout h Afric a ha d mad e him an enthusiasti c advocate o f explorations, especiall y in the arctic , an d h e i s credite d wit h bein g th e founde r o f th e Roya l Geographica l Society . A friend o f Murray , h e wa s a frequen t contributo r o f trave l article s t o Th e Quarterly Review. I n 1835 h e was made a baronet. 2 Probabl y th e lette r i n which Wright informe d Lockhar t o f D' s forthcoming visit . NL S MS 924 105 . 3 Usin g th e ne w code se t out late r i n thi s letter, th e cop y i n D' s han d religiousl y substitute d 'M ' for Lockhart' s name wheneve r i t appeared: Copy of M's lette r Dear Sir , I a m extremel y sorr y tha t yo u hav e ha d s o much troubl e i n communicatin g wit h me, which moreover ha s arise n entirel y fro m mistake n informatio n a s t o th e stat e o f th e Post s i n thi s quarter. On returnin g hom e toda y fro m a little distance I found th e letter yo u allude to . The characte r o f the lette r an d o f the busines s t o which it refers entitl e i t to muc h consid eration. A s yet I hav e ha d n o leisur e no r mean s t o for m eve n a n approximatio n I toward s any opinio n a s to the proposa l Mr W. mentions - fa r les s to consult an y friend. I n a word I am perfectl y i n th e dar k a s to everythin g els e excep t tha t I a m sur e i t wil l giv e Mrs . M an d myself very great pleasur e t o see Mr. Disraeli under this roof, an d tha t I shall take care to be at home fro m thi s time untill [sic] I either see or hear from him . We are exactl y 36 miles from Edinbur g [sic] an d eve n i f you ha d n o other objects i n view I I flatte r mysel f tha t thi s neighbouroo d [sic] ha s i n Melros e an d Abbotsfor d som e attraction s not unworthy of your notice . I have the honor to be, Yours with much esteem , M [M R 10] The othe r letters fro m Lockhar t t o D during thi s period hav e no t been located. 4 Chiefswood , a part of Si r Walter Scott' s estat e to which Lockhart move d afte r marryin g Scott' s daughter in 1820 .
transpiring - bu t fro m th e I very delicat e natur e o f name s interested , i t wil l b e 2 expedient t o adopt som e cloak. 2 The Chevalier will speak for itself M - fro m Melros e - fo r Mr. L. X fo r a certain personag e o n whom we called on e day - wh o lives a slight distance from town and who was then unwell. 5 0 Fo r the political Puck. 6 Mr. Chronometer wil l spea k fo r itself , a t leas t t o al l thos e wh o giv e Africa n dinners.7 I think this necessary; and tr y to remember it . I a m quite delighte d wit h Edinburg . It s beauties becom e ever y moment mor e apparent. The vie w from the Gallo n Hil l finds me a frequent votary. In th e presen t stat e o f affair s I suppos e i t wil l no t b e expedien t t o leav e I the letter fo r Mrs . Bruce.8 It wil l seem od d p.p.c. 9 at th e sam e moment I bring a letter o f introduction . I f I retur n t o Ed . I ca n avai l myself of it . I f th e lette r con tains anythin g which would otherwis e mak e Mrs . Murra y wis h i t t o b e left , le t me know. Read m y letters and write to me. I revel in the various beauties of a Scotch breakfast - col d grous e an d marma lade find me however constant. Ever yrs BD TO [JOHN MURRAY ] Chiefswood
, [Melrose], 2 Wednesday [21 ] September [1825 ]
ORIGINAL: M R 11
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s ii 190-3 , date d 2 5 September 1825 ; M& B I 64-6, edited versio n dated 21? September 182 5 EDITORIAL COMMENT : O n th e secon d lin e of the M S '5' is written in another han d followin g th e '2 ' of the date. Dating: in yj, date d 1 8 September, D wrote that he would go to Chiefswood on Tuesday. Sic: Edinburg, cast, tory. 5 Smile s ( H 187 ) identifies x as George Canning, then foreign secretary . 6 Possibl y D himself. 7 Give n John Barrow' s associatio n wit h the Admiralty , and th e importanc e o f the chronometer to navigation - i t carried Greenwic h tim e t o sea - Barro w was probably th e person s o described. He ha s also been identifie d wit h another o f D' s code names (see 3sniz) ; however, that was in a letter to Lockhart , and i t would hav e bee n entirel y consisten t fo r D to hav e kep t thi s set of ref erences for Murra y alone , and t o have develope d other name s fo r th e sam e people whe n writ ing to others. 8 Smile s (171 ) mention s a n Ada m Bruc e a s solicitor t o th e Elliots , th e famil y o f Mr s John Mur ray. 9 'Pou r prendre cong£' - a formal leavetaking , which had been borrowed fro m diplomati c protocol for general social use . Card s marked 'p.p.c.' constituted notic e of imminent departure .
8 I 37 1 Sep 1825
8
38 I z8 Chiefswoo d - Wednesda y I Septr. I 2[i] 21 Sep 182 5 M y dear Sir, I arrive d a t Chiefswoo d yesterday. M. [Lockhart ] ha d conceive d tha t i t was my father wh o was coming. H e wa s led to believe this thro' Wright's letter. 1 I n addi tion therefor e t o his natural reserve , ther e wa s of course a n eviden t disappoint ment a t seeing me . Everythin g looked a s black as possible. I shal l no t detai n yo u now b y informin g yo u o f firs t particulars . I leav e the m fo r whe n w e meet . Suffice i t t o say , that i n a fe w hours w e completely understood eac h other , an d were upon th e mos t intimate terms. M. enter s int o ou r view s wit h a facilit y an d readines s whic h were capital . H e thinks that nothin g ca n be more magnificen t or excellent , bu t tw o points immediately occurred ist. th e difficult y o f hi s leavin g Edinbur g with[ou] t I any ostensibl e purpos e and andly . th e losin g cast in societ y by so doing. H e i s full y aware , that h e ma y end b y making his situation a s important a s any i n the empire , bu t th e primar y difficulty i s insurmountable. As regard s hi s interest , I ment[ione] d tha t h e sho[ul] d b e guarantee d fo r three years iooo £ pr . ann . an d shoul d tak e a n eight h o f every paper whic h was established withou t risk his income ceasing on hi s so doing. Thes e are muc h better term s tha n w e had imagine d w e could hav e made . Th e 8th . i s thought ex tremely handsom e bot h b y him and th e Chev[alier ] - bu t the incom e i s not imagined t o b e to o large . Howeve r I droppe d tha t poin t a s it should b e arrange d with you when we all meet. The Chev . breakfasted her e toda y I and afterward s we were all three closete d together. Th e Chev . entere d int o i t excellently . H e though t howeve r tha t w e could no t depen d upo n Malcolmf,] 2 Barro w etc . keeping t o it, but thi s I d o no t fear. H e o f course ha s no ide a o f your influence or connections . With regard t o the delicat e point , I mentioned , th e Chev. i s willing t o mak e an y sacrific e in hi s personal comfort s for Lockhart's advancement - bu t he feels that hi s son-in-la w will "los e cast " b y goin g t o tow n withou t any thin g ostensible . H e agree s wit h me, tha t M canno t accep t a n officia l situatio n o f an y kind , a s i t would compro mise hi s independence , bu t h e think s parliamt for M indispensable, an d als o very much t o ou r interest. I din e a t Abb[otsford] toda y I and w e shal l mos t probabl y again discuss matters. Now these ar e th e points which occur t o me. When M come s to town , it will be mos t important , tha t it should be distinctly 1 Willia m Wrigh t ha d sen t tw o letter s t o Lockhar t o n 1 2 September (NL S M S 92 4 no s 105, 107) . The forme r wa s a privat e lette r apparentl y sen t direct ; the latte r wa s the lette r of introductio n which D took with him, and whic h refers t o D as 'Mr. D'Israeli , junr.' Murra y ha d als o writte n t o Lockhart o n 1 2 Septembe r referrin g t o 'Mr . B . D'Israeli, so n o f m y oldest friend' . Scot t Letters II 355n . Thus there appears to have been no reason fo r Lockhart' s bewilderment . 2 Perhap s Si r John Malcol m (1769-1833) , Eas t India n administrator , author , governo r o f Bom bay 1826-30 , M P for Launcesto n 1831-2 . John Murra y published severa l o f hi s works, includin g The Political History o f India from 1784 t o 1823 (1826) , Th e Government o f India (1833) , an d Th e Life o f Robert, Lord dive (1836).
proved t o him , that h e will be supporte d b y the grea t interest s I hav e mentioned 2 to him. He mus t see, tha t thro' Powles, all America and th e Commercia l Interes t 2 is at our bec k - Tha t Wilmo t H[orton] 3 etc. not as mere undersecretary , bu t as our privat e frien d i s most staunc h - Tha t th e Church i s firm - Tha t th e West India Interes t wil l pledg e themselves f - ]tha t suc h me n an d i n suc h situation s I as Barro w etc . etc . ar e distinctly i n ou r power - an d finally tha t h e i s coming t o London no t t o b e a n Edito r o f a Newspaper , bu t th e Directeu r Genera l o f a n immense orga n an d a t th e hea d o f a band o f hig h bre d gentleme n an d impor tant interests . The Chev . an d M , have unburthene d themselve s to m e i n a manne r th e most confidential, that yo u ca n possibly conceive. O f M s capability , perfect an d complete capability, ther e i s no manne r o f doubt . O f hi s soun d principle , an d o f hi s rea l I views in lif e I could i n a moment satisf y you . Rest assured however , that you ar e dealing wit h a perfect gentleman. There ha s bee n n o disguis e t o m e o f wha t has been done 4 - an d the Chev had had a private conversation wit h me on the subject of a nature th e most satisfactory. With regar d t o othe r plan s o f ours , i f w e could ge t hi m up , w e should fin d him I invaluable. I hav e a mos t singular an d secre t histor y on thi s subject when we meet . Now o n the grand poin t - Parliament . M cannot b e a representative o f a government boro' . I t i s impossible. H e mus t b e fre e a s air . I a m sur e tha t i f thi s could b e arranged - al l would be settled - bu t it is "indispensable", withou t you can sugges t anythin g I else. M was two day s in compan y wit h + thi s summer , as well as + ' s and our frien d - bu t nothing transpired of our views. 5 This is a mos t favorabl e time , t o make a parliamentary arrangemt. What d o yo u thin k o f makin g a confidan t o f Wilmo t H . H e i s th e kin d o f man, wh o woul d be righ t please d b y suc h conduct . Ther e i s no har m o f Lockharts coming in for a tory Boro', because h e is a Tory - bu t a ministerial Boro' is impossible to be managed . If I this poin t coul d b e arranged , I hav e n o doubt , tha t I shal l be abl e t o or ganise, i n th e interest , wit h whic h I a m no w engaged , a mos t IMMENS E PARTY , and MOS T SERVICEABL E ONE .
Be so kind a s not t o leav e the vicinit y o f London , i n case M an d mysel f com e
3 Rober t John Wilmo t Horton (1784-1841) , knighted 1831 , after 183 4 3r d Baronet . At this time he wa s M P for Newcastle-under-Lym e an d under-secretar y fo r wa r an d th e colonies . Wilmot Horton and Colone l Doyle , acting as the representative s of Mr s Leigh and Lad y Byron respect ively, wer e implicate d i n th e destructio n o f Byron' s 'Memoirs' , an d henc e Wilmo t Horto n would hav e been wel l known to Murray . Lord John Russel l ed Memoirs o f Thomas Moore (1853 ) iv 192 ; Smiles I 445. 4 Thi s ma y b e a referenc e t o Lockhart' s involvement , beginnin g i n 1817 , wit h Blackwood's Magazine. Lockhart' s allege d responsibilit y fo r th e Chaldee MS., a blasphemou s parod y o f th e Scriptures, an d othe r literar y offences , ha d cause d Murra y t o brea k of f hi s partnershi p wit h William Blackwood . Although Murra y appears t o hav e overcom e a n antagonis m t o Lockhar t dating fro m thi s period, some members o f Murray' s circle, such as Barrow, were less forgiving. See 37&na. 5 O n thei r retur n fro m a tri p t o Irelan d i n the summe r o f 182 5 Lockhar t an d Scot t visite d th e Lake District, where they met Wordsworth, Southey, Canning and others .
8 I 39 1 Sep 1825
40 I 29 u p suddenly - bu t I pra y yo u i f yo u hav e an y rea l desir e t o establis h a might y 27 Sep 182 5 engine , t o exer t yoursel f a t thi s presen t moment , an d assis t m e I to your very utmost. Write as soon a s possibl e t o giv e m e som e ide a o f you r movement s and direct to me here - a s I shall then be sure to obtain you r communication. The Chev. and al l here have the highes t idea of Wrights nous and thin k it most important, that he should be at the head o f the legal department . I write this dispatch in the most extreme haste. Ever yrs BD I I have already written twice 2 8 A T O GEORGE BOYD Chiefswood
, Melrose, Tuesday [2 7 September 1825 ]
ORIGINAL: QU A 418 COVER: Messrs . Oliver an d Boy d I High Street I Edinburg h I MR. BOYD
POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : SEP I w 2 8 [centra l number i n smal l circle] E I 1825 (2) I n rectangle : MELROS E I 3 PA[ID ] B
EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n anothe r han d o n th e flap : 'Lette r I B. Disrael i I Chiefswood I 27 Sep t reed 2gth. 1825' . S* c: Edinburg . 1
Chiefswood - Melros e I Tuesday
Dear Sir, I hav e just receive d a parce l fro m you . From th e content s o f m y letters I shall most probably return i n a few days to England . I shall feel extremel y obliged by your sendin g t o m e twent y pounds , a s I fea r I shal l not b e abl e agai n t o I reach Edinburg. Mr. Murra y desires m e to remember hi m to you and t o say that the Quarterl y will b e publishe d nex t Saturday , an d tha t h e ha s man y important work s in th e press. I regre t exceedingl y tha t i t i s no t i n m y powe r personall y t o I acknowledge your attention an d I am, dear Sir, Truly yours, B. Disraeli. 29
TO [JOHN MURRAY ] Chiefswood
, [Melrose], [Tuesday 27 ? September 1825]
ORIGINAL: M R 1 4
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s II 194-5, dated Septembe r 1825 EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n anothe r hand : 'Sep t 1825' . Dating: by comparison wit h «8A . The las t page of the M S is torn. Sic: Edinburg, Abbottsford.
Chiefswood My dear Sir, I a m quit e sure , tha t upo n th e busines s I a m upo n now , every lin e wil l b e acceptable, an d I therefore mak e no apology fo r thi s hurried dispatch. I have just 1 sEE 26N4.
received a parce l fro m O[liver ] an d B[oyd] . I transmitte d a lette r fro m M 3014 1 [Lockhart] t o Wrigh t and whic h wa s for you r mutua l consideration, to you , via 2 0 Oct 1825 Chronometer, last Friday . I afterward s received a not e fro m yo u date d Chichester, and fearin g fro m tha t circumstanc e that som e confusio n would arise, I wrot e a few line s to yo u a t M r Holland's. 1 I no w find , tha t yo u wil l b e i n tow n on Mon day; o n whic h day I rathe r I imagine th e sai d lette r fro m M t o Wrigh t wil l ar rive. I therefore trus t that the suspecte d confusio n will not arise . I am very much obliged to you for your letters - bu t I am very sorry, that you have incurre d an y trouble , whe n i t is most probable , tha t I shal l not us e them . The Abbotsfor d an d Chiefswoo d familie s hav e place d m e o n suc h a friendl y and familia r footing , tha t i t i s utterl y impossibl e fo r m e t o leav e them , whil e there exists any chanc e I of M' s going to England . M ha s introduce d m e t o mos t of th e neighbourin g gentry , an d receive s with a lou d laug h an y mentio n o f my returning t o Edinburg . I dine d wit h Dr . Brewster 2 th e othe r day . H e ha s a pretty plac e nea[r] Melrose . I t i s impossible for m[e] t o give you any writte n idea of the beauty and uniqu e character o f Abbottsford. Adio. BD TO THOMAS CROFTO N CROKE R [London
, Thursday 2 0 October 1825? ]
ORIGINAL: MH S Guild Librar y 1
EDITORIAL COMMENT : O n th e evidenc e of Croker's note (see nz) to whic h this was the answer , D was seeking advice about a projected serie s of volumes on th e Englis h counties. The serie s seems never to have materialized.
My dear Croker, 1 Absence fro m B[loomsbury ] Sfquare ] ha s prevente d m e fro m answerin g you r note2 and ha s made me , I fear, very much inconvenience you. I shall not be able to gai n Russell Place today, as I leave I town in hal f an hour . Will you din e wit h [me ] in B.S . on Monda y at 1/ 2 past 6. and w e will the n discuss all points. Yrs faithfull y B. Disraeli 1 Th e Re v William Woolams Holland, a minor canon of Chichester , wa s Murray's brother-in-law . blg (1837).
2 Davi d Brewste r (1781-1868) , physicist . Sinc e 180 2 h e ha d edite d th e magazin e know n i n 182 5 as The Edinburgh Journal o f Science. He wa s knighted i n 1831 . 1 Thoma s Crofto n Croke r (1798-1854 ) wa s an Iris h antiquar y an d author . H e the n live d a t 1 3 Russell Place , Fitzro y Square. 2 H B/xxi/c/597 (1 9 Oc t 1825) .
30
3 1T
O [Mr MAAS] [London]
, [Tuesday ] 2 5 October 182 5
ORIGINAL: P S 3 2
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s ii 202-3 , dated 2 5 October 1825 ; M&B ' 69, undated extract EDITORIAL COMMENT : Monypenny' s notes contain only a brief extract from thi s text. Sic: Coblentz .
October 25th , 1825. Dear Sir, 1 Your hospitality, which I have twice enjoyed, convinces me that you will not con sider thi s a n intrusion . M y friend, Mr . Murray , of Albemarl e Street , London , the mos t eminent publishe r tha t we have, is about t o establish a daily journal o f the first importance. With his great influenc e an d connections , there i s no doub t that h e wil l succee d i n hi s endeavour t o mak e it the focu s o f th e informatio n of the whole world. Among other place s at which he wishes to have correspondent s is th e Rhine , an d h e ha s applie d t o m e fo r m y advic e upo n thi s point . I t ha s struck m e that Coblentz is a very good situatio n for intelligence . Its proximity to the Rhin e an d th e Moselle , its contiguity to th e beautifu l baths o f th e Taunus , and th e innumerabl e traveller s who pass through it , and sprea d everywher e the fame o f your admirabl e hotel , all conduce t o mak e it a plac e fro m whic h much interesting intelligenc e might be procured . The mos t celebrate d me n i n Europ e hav e promise d thei r assistanc e t o Mr . Murray i n hi s great project . I wis h t o know whether yo u can poin t ou t an y on e to hi m wh o wil l occasionall y write him a letter fro m you r city . Intelligence a s to the compan y a t Wiesbade n an d Ems , and o f th e person s o f eminence , particu larly English , who pass through Coblentz , of the traveller s down the Rhine , and such topics , are ver y interesting t o us. You yourself would make a most admira ble correspondent. The labou r woul d be very light and ver y agreeable; and Mr . Murray woul d tak e care t o acknowledge your kindnes s by various courtesies. I f you objec t t o sa y anything about politic s you can omi t mentioning th e subject . I wish yo u woul d undertak e it , as I a m sur e yo u woul d write mos t agreeabl e let ters. Onc e a month woul d be sufficient , o r rathe r write whenever you have anything tha t yo u thin k interesting . Wil l you b e s o kind a s t o writ e m e i n answe r what you thin k of thi s proposal? Th e communicatio n ma y be carried o n i n any language yo u please . Last yea r whe n I wa s at Coblent z you wer e kin d enoug h t o sho w m e a very pretty collectio n of ancien t glass . Pra y is it yet to be purchased ? I thin k I know an Englis h gentlema n wh o would be happ y t o posses s it . I hop e thi s will not b e the las t letter whic h passes between us. I am, dear Sir, Yours most truly, B. Disraeli 1 Murray' s Northern (227 ) identifies Maa s a s th e proprieto r o f th e Trierch e Ho f i n Coblenz . A copy o f Murray' s offe r t o Maa s is in th e Representative MS S (M R 29). Although thi s copy i s not i n D's hand, it appears that on e o f D' s function s at Th e Representative wa s drafting letter s for Murra y to sen d unde r hi s (Murray's ) name . Fo r example , ther e i s a draf t i n D' s han d o f a lette r fro m Murray t o Walter Henr y Watt s offering hi m a position (M R 21). There is also a draft i n D's hand of a letter from Murra y to Sir Walter Scott . MR 34.
TO JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHAR T [London]
, Wednesday 26 October 182 5 3
ORIGINAL: NL S MS 931 n o I l8
COVER: John Gibso n Lockhart Esq, I etc. etc., etc., I Chiefswood, I Melrose, I N.B. POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle: oc i u 26[centra l number in smal l circle] I 1825 (2) I n square : 1/ 2 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Scot t Letters I I 406-7 , omittin g th e firs t paragraph , th e paragrap h abou t Moore, and th e postscript ; Nickerson 283-5 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: Pashaw .
Oct 26 . Wedy . I 2 5
Dear Lockhart , I had intende d t o have sent you a packet today, or th e next , but th e death o f my fathers mother, 1 a n ol d Lad y who m yo u migh t perhap s remembe r seein g a t Hyde2 ha s rathe r disorganise d m y operations. Sh e wa s of s o advanced a n age , that w e were al l prepared fo r thi s event , an d altho ' w e can loo k upo n he r sud den decease , onl y a s a ver y fortunate releas e fro m sufferin g and infirmity , stil l you mus t be conscious , tha t eve n unde r thes e circumstances , deat h i s somewhat affecting. I hav e bee n engage d a t th e magnum opus5 unceasingl y since we parted, a s well as Murray who i s perfectly indefatigable. I hav e received si x letters fro m differ ent correspondent s i n th e Levan t an d More a wh o al l appear ver y intelligent . I have written t o them fully . M r Briggs, 4 the grea t Alexandria n merchan t an d th e agent i n thi s country for th e Pasha w of ^Egypt, 5 ha s engage d t o furnis h u s with information fro m tha t quarter . B y hi s accoun t ^Egyp t i s no w on e o f th e mos t flourishing countrie s i n th e world , an d hi s detai l o f th e polic y an d conduc t o f the reignin g Pasha w certainly prove hi m one of the mos t enlightened o f moder n rulers. Beside s letters , Brigg s receive s by every ship a journal o f th e publi c occurrences o f the Kingdom , and h e has pledged himsel f to give us this regularly. I have not yet engaged Maginn, 6 but I hope shortl y to inform you of this business being arranged . I 1 Sara h D'Israeli , Isaa c D'Israeli' s mother , died , age d eighty-two , o n 2 4 October 1825 . M& B I 8 . Her obituar y i n Th e Times, however, describe d he r a s being 'i n he r 84t h year' . (2 8 Oc t 1825) . Roth (21-2 ) note s that 'w e hav e he r grandson' s authority fo r believin g tha t sh e .. . regarded Ju daism no t a s a religio n bu t a s a misfortune , an d wa s ... buried i n Willesde n Churc h whe n sh e died.' In hi s old age , D described he r t o Rowto n a s 'a demon only equalle d b y Sarah Duches s of Marlborough, Frances Anne [Marchiones s o f Londonderry] , and perhap s Catherine of Russia. ' M&B I 7-8 .
2 Thi s is the firs t indicatio n that , o n on e o f hi s visits to London, Lockhart ha d bee n take n b y D to meet the famil y at Hyd e House. 3 The Representative. 4 Samue l Briggs , senio r partne r i n th e fir m o f Briggs & Thurburn , cottonbrokers . I n 180 3 Briggs ha d bee n name d vice-consu l a t Alexandria ; late r h e becam e Britis h consu l there . John Marlowe Anglo-Egyptian Relations, j 800-1953 (1954) 60 ; Alfre d C . Woo d A History o f th e Levant Company (193 5 rep r 1964 ) 185 , 197 ; E R (1810). 5 Meheme t (or Mohammed ) Al i (1769-1849), founder o f modern Egypt an d viceroy . 6 Willia m Magin n (1793-1842) , LLD , poet , journalist and miscellaneou s writer. After leavin g Trin ity College , Dublin, h e wa s a journalist wit h Blackwood's Magazine, then wit h Th e Literary Gazette. Coming to Londo n i n 1823 , h e wa s enlisted b y John Murra y fo r Th e Representative. See 36. H e was sent t o Paris as a foreign correspondent , but returne d t o edit th e lighte r sid e of the paper . He was involved in the establishmen t of Fraser's Magazine in 1830 , and provide d the tex t for the 'Gallery of Literar y Characters', which feature d drawing s by Daniel Maclise .
2
44 I 3« I 26 Oct 1825 °
inform you, au secret o f course , tha t Copleston i s also engaged o n th e subjec t f Universities. 7 A s i n th e presen t stat e o f affair s ther e i s every appearanc e o f the opinion s o f th e Churc h part y upo n thi s importan t subjec t bein g extremel y varying, M r Powle s has written to th e Bishop 8 t o arrang e tha t o n hi s coming t o town, a council consisting of tw o or thre e Churchme n an d a s many laics shoul d be instituted , an d tha t the y shoul d immediatel y tak e int o consideratio n th e whole affai r an d settl e upo n som e syste m t o b e adopte d an d tha t thei r pla n should b e develope d i n ou r journal . Tha t the y shoul d als o invit e Coplesto n t o send i n hi s ideas , an d tha t yo u should , i f i n London , for m on e o f th e counci l and, i f not , assis t them b y your advice . I f thi s pla n b e adopted , I wil l immedi ately let you know. It seems rationalf. ] I a m vigorou s i n m y researche s afte r a maison fo r yo u an d hop e I shal l succeed ver y shortly. Two or three are upo n th e tapis. I observ e toda y b y th e Time s tha t Moor e i s about t o reac h Abbotsfor d wit h the intentio n o f inducing the Illustrissimus t o assist him in a projected Lif e o f Ld . B[yron].9 I f thi s be true , pra y beware , tha t Toa d an d Cupid 10 does no t ge t any scent o f th e Volum e yo u too k dow n wit h you , an d indee d I woul d advis e you not t o mention , i n an y manner , anythin g o f Murray' s Byronia n I collection. From peculia r circumstances , I kno w ' s affairs a s well, I believe , as any on e in Xdom. Beware of him! - hi s situation is such, that he must write - quarto s and octavos ca n alone sav e hi m - an d h e goet h abou t lik e a hungr y lion , seekin g whom he can devour. 11 Do me the favo r of presentin g m y best compliments to Mrs . Lockhart and be lieve me, with great regard , yours, B. Disraeli I say nothing o f Guinea Hen 12 au present; but I will take care that an y letters t o a
7 Edwar d Copleston (1776-1849 ) was then provos t of Oriel College , an d autho r o f pamphlet s o n various subjects , including defence s o f th e universitie s as organized a t tha t time . H e late r be came bishop of Llandaff. 8 Shut e Harringto n (1734-1826), bishop of Durham 1791-1826 . See also 36n7 . 9 Thoma s Moor e (1779-1852) , Iris h poe t and clos e frien d and biographe r of Byron . Moore had met Byro n i n Venice in 1819 , at which time Byron had mad e a gif t t o Moor e o f hi s 'Memoirs'. In 182 1 Moor e sol d th e 'Memoirs ' t o John Murray . See gni. Th e Times o f th e da y o n whic h D wrote thi s lette r recorde d Moore' s departur e fo r Edinburg h t o consul t wit h Scot t (th e Illustrissimus of the text) about a planned biograph y of Byron. 10 I n th e contex t thi s can only be Moore . Nickerso n (285) suggests tha t Moore' s smal l size and hi s recent publication of Th e Loves of the Angels (1823) account for th e doubl e familiarity. 11 I n Ma y 1824 , on th e burnin g o f th e MS S o f Byron' s 'Memoirs' (se e gni), Moor e repai d Murra y the 2,00 0 guineas, wit h interest , which he ha d receive d t o edit th e work . But to do thi s he ha d to borro w th e mone y fro m th e publishe r Longmans . I t wa s to pa y off thi s debt t o Longman s that Moor e agree d t o write a lif e o f Byro n for Murray . D suggests that these circumstance s ha d made Moor e avi d in the searc h fo r literar y topics from which he might make money . 12 Nickerso n suggest s John Barrow . Se e als o i'jn'j. Thi s lette r illustrate s D's habit o f developin g different set s of cod e name s fo r th e sam e people , dependin g on hi s correspondent. Here , Sir Walter Scott i s not 'The Chevalier' as he is in letters to Murray , but 'Illustrissimus' . In th e sam e way, Barrow - 'M r Chronometer' to Murray - is 'Guinea Hen' to Lockhart.
certain gentleman 13 shal l arriv e onl y thro ' me . M y relation s howeve r i n tha t 3 3 I 45 quarter ar e (o n m y honour) i n nowis e different from wha t the y were, when we Oc t 1825 parted. TO JOHN MURRA Y [London
, October 1825 ] 3
ORIGINAL: M R 1 7
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s II 2Oi, edited versio n dated October 182 5 EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n another han d o n the first page o f the MS : 'Oct r 1835' ; ar|d on tne fourth : '1825. Octr. I B. D ISRAELI ESQ'. Th e contex t makes it clear D is writing from London . Hi s retur n fro m 'the city' probably refers to Hurst's office i n Cheapside, rather than to a departure fro m th e capital. 1/2 pt . 1
Jno. Murra y Esq My dear Sir , I have just returne d fro m th e city , and write you a hurried note . When Basev i ha s arrange d th e terms , yo u shoul d furnis h Powle s wit h th e name o f th e Vendor' s solicito r and Hurst 1 wil l the n examin e I the titl e and d o the needful . N o time should be los t i n arranging this , as the examinatio n of th e title should take place, while the ol d fishma n i s moving. Roworth2 i s to sen d al l m y proof s t o I you. I hav e taken th e libert y of having them sen t t o W[hitehall] P[lace] 3 as I though t the y would then b e sur e t o mee t your eye. I send th e map . When w e agai n meet , whic h I trus t wil l b e righ t speedily , I I hop e t o hav e a vigorous accoun t o f your movement s - particularl y as regards th e foreig n cor respondence. Yours ever BD I mentio n Hurst , a s I thin k afte r wha t ha s passe d i t wil l b e better ; an d h e i s more use d t o deed s o f partnershi p an d agreements for services etc . etc . tha n th e Anglo Saxon. 4 13 John Murray? 1 Th e contex t suggest s a solicitor . Th e onl y Londo n solicito r s o named i n thi s perio d wa s James Hurst o f 2 6 Mil k Street , Cheapside . La w List (1825) . D appears t o b e referrin g t o negotiation s for office s fo r Th e Representative. Accordin g t o Smile s (I I 201) , George Basev i wa s engage d t o plan office s an d t o secur e printin g premises . Although , a s Smile s records , ' a larg e hous e was eventually take n i n Grea t Georg e Street , Westminster , an d dul y fitte d u p a s a printin g office' , when th e pape r appeared , th e printe r wa s Thomas Cap e i n Northumberlan d Court , Strand . The pape r also ha d an address at 46 Fleet Street . 2 Charle s Roworth , 3 8 Bel l Yard, Temple Bar , printe d Th e Quarterly Review. William B. Todd A Directory o f Printers .. . 1800-1840 (1972 ) 166. The proof s an d ma p wer e probabl y fo r a ne w edi tion of one o f the minin g pamphlets. 19114 , zing. 3 John Murray' s London residence . 4 Probabl y Sharo n Turner (1768-1847) , solicitor an d write r o n Anglo-Saxo n history , clos e frien d of Isaa c an d D' s godfather. Murra y consulted Turne r frequentl y o n lega l question s touchin g literary property . Turner als o acte d a s th e solicito r fo r Th e Quarterly Review during it s formativ e years.
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34 T
0
[WILLIAM WRIGHT?]
[London, October 1825? ]
O R I G I N A L : QU A 14 1
EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n anothe r han d o n revers e side : '182 5 London'.
Benjamin Disraeli I
J. Murray |
My dear Sir, 1 Be so kind as to let Mr Murra y know the momen t that M r Constable 2 arrives, as he wishes to have the pleasur e o f calling upon him . Ever m y dr Sir , yrs B. Disraeli. 1 Th e recipien t appear s t o b e Willia m Wright, o n th e basis o f th e followin g lette r fro m Joh n Murray t o Wright, dated Octobe r 182 5 (Smiles II 247): My Dea r Wright , Although I inten d t o do mysel f the pleasur e o f calling upon Mr . Constable a t your hous e to morrow immediatel y after churc h (fo r i t is our charit y sermon a t Wimbledon, an d I mus t attend), ye t I shoul d b e mos t happy , i f i t were agreeabl e t o yo u an d t o him , t o favou r u s with your compan y a t dinne r at , I wil l say , five to-morrow. Mr . Constabl e i s godfather t o m y son , who wil l b e a t home , an d I a m anxiou s t o introduc e hi m t o Mr . C., who ma y not b e lon g in town. 2 Archibal d Constabl e (1774-1827) , Scottish publishe r o f Th e Edinburgh Review and o f Si r Walter Scott's poetr y an d novels . Thi s i s ho w D remembered hi s firs t meetin g wit h Constable : 'A s I came down t o dinner, Si r Walter wa s walking up an d dow n the hal l with a very big, stout, florid man, apparentl y i n earnes t conversation . I wa s introduce d t o hi m befor e dinne r a s M r Con stable, th e famou s publishe r o f th e Edinburg h Revie w and th e Waverle y novels, the authorshi p of the m no t the n acknowledged , a t least , no t formally . It struc k me , tha t I ha d neve r me t be fore suc h a n ostentatiou s man , o r on e whos e conversatio n wa s so braggart. On e woul d thin k that h e ha d writte n th e Waverle y novels himself , an d certainl y tha t Abbotsfor d belonge d t o him.' H A/x/A/g , Swartz 9-10.
TO JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART Whitehal
l Place , [London], 3 Tuesday [ i Novembe r 1825]
O R I G I N A L : NL S MS 931 n o 11 6
COVER: John Gibso n Lockhar t Es q I Nuilliuinbeiland Stiee l I Edinbuigli I [In anothe r hand]: Chifs wood I Milrose Milrose POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle: N o i J i[centra l number i n smal l circle] I 1825 (2) I n circle : NO V i w 3 E i 182 5 (3) I n circle : NO V I [illeg]4 E i [1812 5 (4) Hal f circle over box: Q A Q i [i ] i EDINBURG H i NO V 1825 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Nickerso n 286-7 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic : Chifswood, Milrose . There are calculations on the lowe r flap of the cover, presumably by Lockhart: (1) 28 0 (2 ) 10 5 (3 ) 20)360 5 _21 _2 1 18 0 280 10 5 560 20 0 5880 210 5 1500 21)3605 130 21/160 1500 [sic]
Whitehall P . I Tuesday Dear Lockhart, I receive d you r lette r thi s morning . Ther e i s ver y grea t difficult y i n gettin g houses in Westminster, everybody rushing to that quarter. I hav e seen however a grea t man y houses i n it. There are two , which appea r t o me to deserve attention. One i s in Duke Street. I t i s a much superior hous e to the on e w e visited. It has a very pretty hall - a n elegant little suite upstairs of two drawing rooms and boudoir - a handsom e dinin g parlour , an d a library - th e last a very elegant, tho' not a very large room. There are two best bed rooms - one the siz e I of the drawing roo m an d therefor e ver y commodiou s and a dressingroo m answering to th e boudoir , an d whic h i s large enoug h fo r a room fo r Johnnie. 1 There ar e then thre e servant s rooms - goo d - office s downstair s good - Kitche n admirable. Al l these rooms look on th e park , to which there i s an entrance. Th e ren t of this hous e fo r a leas e of nearl y 2 1 year s is only 10 5 pr. ann . bu t a premiu m of i5oo£ i s demanded a s th e hous e ha s bee n thoroughl y repaired . I understan d they wil l tak e iooo £ - bu t ther e require s 5Oo £ I shoul d thin k to be laid ou t in internal painting and decoratio n etc . Write me a line and tel l me what you think of this ? Th e situation , altho' no t ver y agreeable t o ge t a t on e way , is yet mos t genteel - man y member s o f Parliament ] an d peopl e o f grad e residin g there . This house also belongs to a clergyman,2 who leaves on acc[oun]t of promotion. There i s a corner hous e i n Whitehal l I Place, also deserving attentio n - leas e of 2 1 yrs. - n o premium; might be got perhaps fo r £280 pr. ann - bu t requires 1 John Gibson Lockhart' s son , John Hug h ( b 1821) , known as Hugh Littlejohn. 2 Th e Re v William J. Rodbe r (1791?-1843) , secretar y t o th e Societ y fo r Promotin g th e Buildin g of Churches and Chapels . Afte r 182 6 he had a parish in Marylebone.
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48 I 36 thoroughl y paintin g etc . inside , th e wall s neve r havin g been touche d sinc e they 12 Nov 182 5 wer e finished . Th e bes t drawin g roo m an d th e dinin g roo m ar e bigge r tha n Murrays, bu t thi s siz e woul d o f cours e mak e furnishin g mor e expensive . Sen d me your idea s on thi s also. I hope to have a letter fro m yo u by tomorrow's post , as yo u mentio n tha t yo u inten d t o write . I hav e bee n ou t al l da y afte r house s and onl y write thi s by twilight, that yo u ma y not b e disappointe d i n receivin g a letter. Yo u must not therefor e expec t an y news and mus t excuse th e scrawl. M[os]t f[aithfu]lly yr s B. Disraeli 36 T
O JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART [London]
, Saturda y [12 ? November 1825 ]
O R I G I N A L : NL S M S 931 n o 11 2
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Scot t Letters I I 407-10, dated 'earl y i n November'; Nickerson 287-9 0 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: b y Lockhart' s letter t o D of 3 Novembe r about obtainin g a hous e i n London, whic h crosse d wit h D' s t o hi m o n th e sam e subject. Sic : Porsenna, Philpotts, Stuttgardt, Coblentz, Frankfort.
Saturday night
Dear Lockhart , I shoul d hav e written to you before this , but hav e waited with the expectatio n o f receiving a letter fro m you as mentioned i n your last . I hop e yo u received min e directed t o yo u a t Edinburg h an d date d somewhere , abou t th e en d o f las t month - th e subject , you r house. 1 I am the las t person wh o could eve r wis h to make a bor e o f correspondence , no r hav e I th e leas t desir e tha t yo u shoul d write t o m e a singl e letter , unles s yo u hav e somethin g t o communicate , whic h may authoris e th e grea t troubl e o f you r writin g and m y reading a letter ; bu t I confess, for Murray's sake, I rather wished t o hav e a line as to th e feelin g now existing a t Abbotsford 2 o n th e gran d plan . A communication o f thi s kin d infuse s new life an d energ y int o the Emperor. 3 It i s perhaps foolis h to mention this , but the trut h is , Murray has long bee n accustome d t o look u p t o authority, an d th e approbation o f such a man as Scott is to him "meat drin k an d raiment. " Much I m y dea r Lockhar t ha s happene d sinc e w e parte d - I thin k o f importance[.] I n th e firs t plac e Maginn i s engaged. I calle d upo n th e Dr . shortl y after you r departure . I t i s impossible fo r m e t o giv e you an y adequat e ide a o f our interestin g interview . To presen t yo u with a few of the leadin g features , yo u must know, that M . speedily came t o the poin t an d tol d me , that 30 0 to 35o£ pr . ann wa s the regula r salar y fo r th e service s w e required, bu t tha t i t woul d no t suit hi s view s to g o fo r a les s income tha n £50 0 pr . ann . "but that he felt bound i n honor and candor to tell us, that he did not conceive that our paper could afford or justify such a n expenditure". H e the n wen t o n "backing Barnes 4 against us " ridiculing th e 1 Se e 35 .
2 D was not onl y draftin g letter s for Murra y t o write to Scott, bu t als o tryin g t o stimulat e encour aging response s fro m Scot t t o Murray , wh o remained worrie d b y the oppositio n t o Lockhart' s appointment t o The Quarterly Review. See also sgnz. 3 Murray , who m Sir Walter Scot t called the 'Empero r of the West' . 4 Thoma s Barnes (1785-1841) was editor of Th e Times 1817-41 .
attempt generally , swearin g there wa s onl y on e wa y t o conduc t a newspaper , I 3 that a newspape r wa s a newspape r an d othe r o f thes e sag e truisms . H e 1 "ventured t o predic t tha t wit h al l our syste m in si x months tim e w e shoul d b e doing the sam e thing as the Old Times." - Tha t h e was "the most experienced man as regards newspapers i n London," tha t he kne w what the syste m was capable of etc. etc. etc. As I di d conceiv e him t o b e decentl y honorable, an d a s I fel t th e importanc e of arguin g th e questio n wit h a man , who migh t fairl y b e considere d a s a ver y prosopopeia o f the Publi c Press, I thought th e experiment migh t be hazarded o f giving hi m a sligh t an d indefinit e sketc h o f ou r intentions . I This I di d wit h great cautio n and mentionin g no names. To giv e you an idea o f the effec t which I produce d i s utterly impossible. The Dr . starte d fro m hi s chair lik e Giovanni in the Banque t scene , an d seeme d a s astounded , a s attonitus, a s Porsenn a whe n Scaevola misse d him. 5 A ne w worl d seeme d opene d t o him , an d thi s sneerin g scribe, thi s man o f mos t experience , wh o had s o smiled at ou r firs t mentionin g of the busines s ended b y saying, that as to the succes s of the affair , doub t coul d not exis t and tha t a year could no t elaps e without our bein g th e very first paper going.6 Upo n m y faith Lockhart , I conside r thi s a mos t importan t intervie w because I really after all , it i s becoming acquainted , a s i t were , with th e privat e opinion o f Barne s etc . I n brie f th e Dr . goe s t o Paris , an d Murra y acquits hi m (this au secret) o f hi s little engagement. H e set s off som e tim e in December , that he ma y have si x weeks clear i n Pari s before w e commence o n operations - bu t his salar y commences from this time an d h e i s t o assis t u s b y hi s genera l advic e and exertion s until he goes off. Have I managed thi s well? It ha s come to our knowledg e that the Bp . of Durham, spirited o n by his able council i n th e Nort h (Philpott s Townsend & Co) 7 I is contemplating some move in th e press . W e intend t o writ e t o the m informin g them o f ou r plan s and re questing their cooperation . I am most unceasingly employed about thi s business. The followin g is a sketch of our correspondenc e a t present established. 5 Assuredly , thes e ar e tw o vivid images t o indicat e extrem e astonishment : on e i s of th e protag onist o f Mozart' s Do n Giovanni, who rightl y see s hi s ow n doo m a s hi s victim' s statue come s t o life (ac t I I sc v), an d th e othe r i s of Lar s Porsena , Kin g of th e Tuscans , who besiege d Rom e i n 5ogBC. Durin g th e siege , Gaiu s Muciu s (later 'Scaevola'-th e 'left-handed' ) attempte d t o kil l him, but wa s taken prisoner . Threatened b y Lars Porsen a wit h torture and death , Muciu s thrust hi s right han d int o a flam e an d hel d i t ther e unti l i t wa s consumed . Th e kin g wa s s o thunder-struck (attonitus) b y such courage that h e mad e peace and withdrew . Liv y I I 12. 6 Ironically , just as D was confidently predicting its eclipse b y Th e Representative, Th e Times, under Barnes, wa s beginning its great period of pre-eminence. Barnes himself wa s to become D's tutor in th e journalism o f politica l polemics . Th e referenc e t o th e 'Ol d Times ' recognize s th e exist ence o f Th e New Times. Edite d unti l 182 6 b y John Stoddart , better know n a s 'D r Slop' , i t chal lenged th e Thundere r in the perio d 1818-28 . W.D . Bowe n Th e Story o f Th e Times' (1931 ) 105-6 . 7 Henr y Phillpott s (1778-1869) , late r bisho p o f Exeter , and Georg e Townsend (1788-1857 ) wer e both a t this tim e chaplain s t o Shute Barrington, bishop of Durham . Al l three were Tor y opponents of Catholic Emancipation , whic h was then becomin g a n issue . I n Apri l 182 5 Phillpott s began hi s controversy o n thi s subjec t wit h Charle s Butle r i n a serie s o f fiftee n letters , attackin g Butler's Book o f th e Roman Catholic Church. Townsend contribute d t o th e debat e b y publishing , also in 1825 , ^* Accusations of History against the Church of Rome,
6 I 49 2 Nov 1825
50136 S.A 12 Nov 1825 Al
. N.A l South America - Al
. l the North America n Newspapers an d privat e intelligence fro m a family of distinction a t Washington b y every packet . Mexico.
All the Morea All the Balti c All the Levant makin g abou t 2 7 correspondents. Smyrna Constantinople Greece. Paris - a general agent. Florence - ) correspondents RomeNetherlands - Tw o correspondents - bot h me n of intelligence . German y Vienna - Berlin - Munich - Dresden - Stuttgardt Weimar - Coblent z Frankfor t Hambur g an d Treves.8 I hav e been ver y muc h assisted i n thi s gran d coup o f German y b y Mrs . Wm. Elliott, 9 who whe n devoi d of humbu g i s very clever . Al l the letter s whic h we hav e writte n t o thes e place s are no t answered , bu t w e do no t anticipat e th e slightest doub t of thei r success . I have hear d thi s da y of a mos t admirabl e ma n a t S t Petersburg - I n additio n t o these w e must put down - Th e West Indies - Teneriff e I have no doubt, tha t in a few days I shall get a most excellen t correspondent at Cadi z - bu t I hav e no t I yet succeede d i n Madri d whic h i s most important . W e hav e establishe d als o a t Liverpool, Glasgow , Manchester , Birmingha m etc . etc . - actuall y established . I see n o visibl e obstacl e t o ou r beginnin g th e ist . da y o f Februar y fo r ou r me chanical part , suc h a s reporters , printer s buildin g etc . goe s o n a s wel l a s th e other. Pray presen t m y kindest Complimts . t o Mrs . Lockhar t an d remembe r m e t o John. Yours ever faithfull y BD I shoul d thin k it most desirable for yo u to write a serious letter t o Maginn. 8 Th e Murra y Representative MS S (26-31 ) contain copies of letter s to an R . Duckworth a t Gibraltar, Joseph J. Saunder s a t Genoa, a Dr Julius at Hamburg, a n Auguste Clavareau at Limburg, a Mr Henry Bynne r at Trieste and M r Maas at Coblenz. Si x letters fro m Bynne r to John Murray are in th e Hughende n papers. H E/v/B/ia-f. 9 Monypenn y (I yon) identifie s he r a s a woma n of Germa n birt h wh o marrie d Murray' s broth er-in-law.
TO JOHN GIBSON LOCKHAR T [London
, Monda y 2 1 November 1825 ] 3
O R I G I N A L : NL S M S 931 n o 11 5
COVER: J.G. Lockhar t Esq : I Chiefswood I Melrose I N.B. POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle: N O I J2i [centra l numbe r i n smal l circle] I 1825 (2 ) I n square : 1/ 2 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Scot t Letters I I 410; Nickerso n 295- 6 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: meleed.
1/2 p t 5 o'clock. My dear Lockhart , I hav e arrive d afte r a mos t fatiguin g journey. I wen t immediatel y t o th e Em peror an d m y reception wa s most unfavorable . I woul d use a harshe r wor d i f I remembered one . H e ha s spoken t o Coleridge 1 and nothin g coul d g o off better - i t is perfectly settled . Bu t as to my unhappy missio n - H e swears tha t h e understood, I undertoo k t o g o to Sir W[alter Scott ] au secret and no t t o you , tha t I have ruine d an d meleed everythin g etc. - Tha t h e only wanted Si r W. to write a few letter s i n consequence o f th e spiri t evince d agains t yo u etc . etc . I wa s too ill to answe r hi m an d I trus t t o th e cours e o f event s to settl e al l things. I He swear s also tha t I ough t no t t o hav e mentione d Barrow' s nam e etc . Al l these things , I need no t tel l you, appear t o me very extraordinary, a s I am not awar e o f having violated an y confidenc e o r instruction s whatever . Stewar t Ros e ha s mad e a miserable busines s of it - instea d o f calling on Murray , he wrote to Barrow, and the latter ha s called o n Murra y in great ire. 2 I hop e al l things wil l tur n ou t well . Murra y write s b y tomorrow's pos t t o Sir . W. Scott , an d ha s extracte d a promis e fro m m e I that I woul d no t writ e b y thi s to you . Conside r therefor e tha t thi s violation o f m y word i s the consequenc e o f my sincer e friendshi p fo r you , an d mentio n i t no t t o th e winds . I wil l writ e by tomorrow's pos t full y an d positively. Yrs. Eve r BD You wil l no t o f cours e com e t o tow n upo n thi s letter. I only write that yo u may be prepared. 1 John Taylor Coleridg e (1790-1876) , nephew of the poet , acte d a s editor o f Th e Quarterly Review for thre e o r fou r month s durin g th e interregnu m betwee n th e retiremen t o f Willia m Giffor d and th e appointment o f Lockhart. 2 Willia m Stewart Rose (1775-1843) was a poet and translator , an d readin g cler k of the Hous e o f Lords 1800-24 . A s a close frien d o f Murray and Si r Walter Scot t (wh o fitted up room s fo r him at Abbotsford) , Rose would presumably hav e known Lockhart, whose appointment a s editor o f The Quarterly Review Barro w opposed . Ros e ma y no t hav e know n of Barrow' s view s whe n h e wrote t o him . An y favourable reference t o Lockhar t coul d hav e angered Barrow , sending hi m in protest t o Murray.
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TO JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART [London]
, Tuesday [2 2 Novembe r 1825]
O R I G I N A L : NL S MS 931 n o 1 17
COVER: Nov . 22. Tuesday . I John Gibson Lockhart Es q I Chiefswood I Melrose I N.B. I BD POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle : N O I N 22 [centra l number i n smal l circle] I 1825 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Scot t Letters II 411, omitting last two paragraphs; Nickerso n 296- 7 EDITORIAL COMMENT : 'Monday ' is written in th e superscriptio n an d the n delete d b y D.
Tuesday. I 5 o'clock. My dear Lockhart , Forget th e letter, 1 whic h i n a momen t o f grea t agitatio n abou t you r business , and utterl y exhauste d i n min d an d bod y I wrot e yo u yesterday evening . I ros e this morning , havin g previously sworn by the Go d o f th e Silve r Bow to sla y th e mighty Python of Humbu g whose vigorous and enormou s fold s wer e so fast an d fatally encirclin g us. Thank s th e God! 2 I hav e succeeded ! Yo u wil l no w come t o London i n triumph. Yours ever BD Give I my best compliment s to your Lady , and you r visitors, with whom I regret my too short acquaintance . Murray i s desirous o f writing you a s to all that ha s happened. I coul d not re frain givin g yo u th e gratifyin g result , bu t conside r thi s lette r a s perfectly confidential. As I a m writin g foreign letter s I I hav e scribbled b y mistak e on foreig n lette r paper, whic h I trust you will decypher . Thanks fo r yr. kind letter. I am quite well. 30 T
O [JOHN MURRAY ] Bloomsbur
y Square, [London] , [Wednesday] 23 November 182 5
ORIGINAL: M R 2 5
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s I I 205, dated 2 3 November 182 5 EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n anothe r han d o n th e firs t page o f the MS : 'Nov r 2 3 1825' .
23 Novr. 182 5 ' Bloomsbury Sqr My dear Sir, Leave a note fo r Mr . Watts,1 and reques t hi m to come on to Bloomsbury Squar e where yo u wil l mee t hi m t o execute . I wan t t o se e yo u immediately. A lette r o f 1 Se e 37 .
2 Apollo , who wit h a n arro w sle w th e Pytho n whic h infeste d th e cave s o f Parnassus . The Apoll o Belvedere i n th e Vatica n represent s hi m i n th e momen t o f victory , an d Byron' s description o f the statu e ma y wel l hav e bee n th e inspiratio n fo r th e ton e o f D' S us e o f th e imag e here . Childe Harold I V 161 . 1 Walte r Henr y Watt s (1776-1842) , parliamentar y reporte r fo r Th e Morning Chronicle 1813-40 . He wa s also editor o f Th e Annual Biography and Obituary 1817-31 . Se e M R 21 fro m Joh n Murra y to Watt s (i n D' S hand) , date d 3 Novembe r 1825 , i n whic h Murra y offere d Watt s £350 pe r an num fo r hi s 'services as a parliamentary Reporter and genera l advice in the business. ' Watts politely decline d the nex t day (M R 22).
Lockharts o f th e firs t importance whic h will thro w some ligh t upon th e I machina- 4 tions of the junta o f officia l scamps 2 who have too long enslaved you. 2 Yrs affectionatel y BD TO JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART [London]
, Wednesda y 2 3 November 182 5
O R I G I N A L : NL S M S 931 n o 11 Q
COVER: John Gibson Lockhar t Esquire I Chiefswood I Melrose I N.B, POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle: N O I Q 23 [centra l numbe r i n smal l circle] I 1825 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Scot t Letters II 411-12; Nickerson 297- 9 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: leSS .
November 2 3 - 182 5 ~ ' Wednesday. My dear Lockhart , Ecce iterum Crispinus! 1 I think I hav e kept m y word an d a m pesterin g yo u with communications righ t sufficient . I a m quit e alarme d fo r th e postmaster s bill , which by the by e will no t b e the les s light for the , by no mean s slender, sum s incurred by my own postag e durin g m y two visits, and whic h I am ashame d t o say your fascinatin g conversation prevente d m e fro m dail y rememberin g an d reim bursing. The Empero r i s writing you a lon g an d ful l letter , bu t hi s morning ha s been so broken into , tha t h e ha s desire d m e agai n t o write , less yo u migh t imagin e that all was not right . I fee l tha t a day shoul d no t pas s withou t your havin g a somewha t mor e defi nite idea o f what has passed tha n m y last communication afforded . I confess it is a ver y difficul t subjec t t o handl e i n a shee t o f paper . Yo u mus t kno w tha t I called o n Tuesda y mornin g a t Murray s and findin g tha t h e wa s in a mor e tem perate humor I determined t o bring matter s t o a crisis. What I said i n our thre e hours uninterrupte d conversatio n i t i s difficul t t o detail . M y communication s were the result s o f what I ha d seen , o f what I ha d felt , sinc e we had becom e ac quainted. I detailed m y sentiments as to your characte r - m y experience o f your disposition - m y knowledge of your view s in life. Th e resul t yo u are acquainted with. Do not thin k Murray s conduct i n this last affair waverin g and inconsistent . His situatio n I has bee n ver y trying. Yo u an d h e hav e neve r rightl y understoo d 2 Murra y ha d a circle o f advisers , all of who m wer e i n officia l positions . Th e mos t influentia l o f these were John Barro w and John Wilso n Croker , both a t th e Admiralty . Thes e me n had bot h been lon g associate d wit h Th e Quarterly Review, an d the y complaine d loudl y a t Murray' s inten tion t o appoint Lockhar t t o any editorial positio n on tha t journal. Their friendshi p ha d earned for Murra y th e positio n o f publishe r t o th e Admiralty . Willia m Stewar t Ros e ha d als o bee n associated wit h thi s group. George Paston [Emil y Mors e Symonds] At John Murray's: Records of a Literary Circle, 1843-1892 (1932 ) 18-19 . Andre w Lan g Life an d Letters ofJ.G. Lockhart (1897 ) I 369-71. See also 41. 1 'Behol d agai n Crispinus' , or , mor e colloquially , 'Here' s Crispinu s again. ' Juvenal Satires I V i. Crispinus i s portrayed i n th e poe m a s th e debauche d intimat e o f th e Empero r Domitian , th e last of th e Flavia n emperors. Thus D may be jokingly referrin g t o hi s positio n of intimac y wit h the 'Emperor' Murray.
0 I 53 3 Nov 1825
40
54 I 40 eac h other. Whe n such connections were about t o b e forme d betwee n two men , 23 Nov 1825 the y should hav e become acquainte d no t b y the stimulu s of wine . There should have been som e interchang e of sentiment and feeling . Th e faul t I kno w was not yours - th e resul t howeve r wa s bad. Al l men hav e thei r sobe r moment s an d Murray i n hi s i s a ma n o f pur e an d honorabl e - I migh t say , elevate d sentiments. H e wanted only to understand you . He wanted onl y to be told, what has no w mad e hi m estee m th e happies t inciden t i n hi s lif e hi s connectio n wit h Mr. Lockhart. I a m speakin g soberly and seriously . The tras h whic h ha s been to o lon g bandied about , as to your character, you[r] feelings, you r society, 2 can only be effec tively repelle d b y your conduct as really known - b y an acquaintance with yourself "in spirit an d in truth." 3 The Baronet s letter ha s opportunely assiste d me . When I say, it was worthy of him, I sa y sufficient. 4 When yo u com e t o Londo n yo u wil l b e introduce d o n th e bes t understoo d terms no t onl y to al l the regula r supporter s o f th e Q[uarterly ] R[eview ] but t o Coleridge himself , who wil l fee l honore d b y your acquaintanc e and wil l be most happy to assist you in the mechanica l detail. As to your comin g to Londo n i t cannot be to o speedy . I expec t i n less than 8 and 4 0 hours I to have arranged everything about your house . Man y are offere d and al l suitable . Th e othe r affair s ar e prancin g o n i n suc h prosperity , tha t a strong desir e i s expressed b y al l partie s t o commenc e operation s sooner . Th e Emperor wil l write howr. Whe n you com e t o town , it will b e advisabl e fo r u s t o have some private conversation befor e yo u see him, as I thin k it proper fo r bot h of you that yo u should b e pu t i n possessio n o f what has passe d withou t obliging him to detail. My compliment s t o all . And m y bes t respect s t o Si r W[alte r Scott ] when yo u write. I shall not add t o the unpleasant sensation s which you may have already expe rienced b y presuming t o offer yo u advice from a young gentleman age d - twen ty. I may however my dear Lockhar t indulg e in the hope , that your destin y may be crossed n o more, and tha t n o indiscretion ma y prevent you r splendi d talent s from havin g thei r ful l an d fai r play . I f so , th e resul t wil l b e a s honorabl e t o yourself as it will be gratifying to your very attached frien d B. Disraeli 2 A scarcel y tactfu l referenc e t o th e rumour s abou t Lockhart' s earlie r journalisti c caree r wit h Blackwood's Magazine. 3 Joh n 4:24. 4 Whe n Scot t hear d rumour s tha t Lockhart' s nominatio n a s edito r o f Th e Quarterly Review wa s running into trouble, h e wrote a long letter to Murray in Lockhart's defence. The letter - date d 17 November 182 5 — is quoted i n ful l i n Smile s (11 220-4).
TO JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART [London]
, [Thursda y 24? ] November 182 5 4
ORIGINAL: NL S MS 931 n o 11 4
COVER: Genl. pt . I John Gibson Lockhar t Esquire , I Chiefswood, I Melrose, I N.B. POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle: N O I [illegible] 1182 5 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Scot t Letters I I 413-14; Nickerso n 299-30 1 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: by context. The las t page of th e M S is torn.
J.G. Lockhar t Esq Chiefswood My dear Lockhart , I receive d you r lette r o f Monda y enclosing one fo r m e this morning. I immedi ately pu t your s i n a n envelop e an d forwarde d i t t o Murra y without comment . He ha s thi s moment lef t me , havin g called i n consequence . H e tell s me tha t h e wrote t o you las t nigh t - I di d th e sam e an d hav e trouble d yo u wit h epistle s every day since I left Chiefswood . I hope yo u have received the m all. I hav e ofte n complaine d t o yo u o f Murray' s inconsistency, vacillation and in decision. I hav e don e more , I hav e complained o f the m t o himself . I regre t it . Had I ha d an y conceptio n o f th e utte r worthlessnes s o f th e intriguing , selfis h and narrowminde d official s b y who m h e ha s bee n s o lon g surrounded , I cer tainly would have restrained m y sentiments, and hav e pitied th e nobl e and gen erous minde d bein g who was subjected to such disgusting thraldom. When I tell you, tha t i n th e whol e o f thi s busines s Murra y doe s reall y appea r t o hav e behaved i n a manne r mor e correc t an d mor e conscientiou s tha n I di d previously consider huma n natur e t o b e capabl e of , I fee l tha t ther e i s no perso n i n th e world to whom it can give such pleasure a s yourself. It i s impossible in a letter t o give yo u an y ide a o f th e agitatin g an d curiou s scene s whic h have take n plac e during thes e las t days . Th e scale s howeve r hav e a t lengt h falle n fro m ou r friends eyes , an d th e wall s o f th e Admiralty 1 hav e resounde d t o hi s fir m an d bold bu t gentlemanl y tones. H e i s now in no state of excitement t o which any reaction ca n ensue . Hi s min d ha s undergon e a revolution which I it ha s take n te n years t o bring about , an d which , I honestl y confess, I did conceiv e coul d neve r have occurred . Yo u would no t kno w him fo r th e sam e man . Than k Go d I di d not postpone m y departure to town one other second ! On th e whol e my good an d excellent Lockhar t I do mos t sincerely rejoice tha t our affair s hav e taken thi s turn. Som e il l blood ma y for a moment hav e existed , some intemperat e expression s ma y hav e perhap s o n bot h side s bee n uttered , but afte r al l without these menta l purges wher e should w e have been? Hal f confi dence an d hollo w friendship , an d waverin g councils, are o f al l things th e mos t terrible, an d I canno t see , tha t i f this affai r ha d no t happened , yo u coul d hav e come t o London withou t thes e bein g you r welcomers. I am mos t oblige d t o you for th e fran k and straightforwar d manne r i n which you hav e delivered yoursel f in thi s day s letter . Hono r m e wit h your perfec t confidenc e always , an d I hop e you wil l have no cause t o repent . 1 Se e 39112 .
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56 I 42 W e ar e mos t nervousl y anxious to se e yo u i n London . Affair s assum e a mos t 25 Nov 1825 importan t aspect . I need no t sa y what place you hol d no w really in Murrays confidence. H e say s withou t any violen t protestations an d wit h a coolnes s whic h I never remembe r t o have witnessed in him, that h e listens to n o mor e opinions o n these affair s an d tha t whil e h e ha s cash i n hi s pocket an d bloo d i n hi s veins he stands b y John Gibso n Lockhart , eve n unt o th e death . Yo u kne w m y forme r I opinion o f the Empero r - yo u know I have had som e little experience wit h him and yo u hav e sometimes expresse d you r opinio n tha t I was not utterl y ignorant of thi s world' s ways . No w I deliberatel y an d solemnl y declare tha t I hav e a s much confidence in the permanenc y o f Murray s present dispositio n as I hav e in your honor . But t o your comin g t o town - Murra y is most anxiou s t o know whether you and Mrs . Lockhart, her mai d an d you r So n and hi s peculiar suit e wil l no t com e up immediatel y t o Whitehal l Place . Everythin g is alread y prepfara/ ] fo r you r presence, actually prepare d an d allo w m e t o hop e tha t yo u wil l come . Befor e that tim e I very probably shal l have a house fo r yo u but i t appears t o m e by n o means undesirabl e tha t Mrs . Lockhart should no t b e bored b y nove l domesticities immediately on he r arrival . I d o mos t sincerel y hop e therefor e tha t yo u will comply with the imperia l request . There i s one thin g whic h I agai n mention . I t i s absolutely necessary, tha t yo u and I shoul d hav e a conversation before yo u see Murray. I hav e no objection to his knowing it, but min d me , it is absolutely necessary. Yours ever B. Disraeli It i s in vain to give you any details. I keep them, till we meet. 42 T
O JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART [London]
, Frida y 2 5 November 182 5
ORIGINAL: NL S M S 931 n o 12 O
COVER: John Gibson Lockhar t Esq : I Chiefswood I Melrose I N.B. POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle : NO I C 25 [centra l numbe r i n smal l circle] I 1825 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Scot t Letters i i 419 , omittin g th e las t tw o paragraph s o f th e postscript . Nick erson 301- 3 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: SCCC .
Friday. Nov. 25 I 1825
My dear Lockhart , I hav e jus t receive d yr . Ir e [letter ] o f Tuesda y evening . Go d gran t you r communic[ati]on wit h my father i n law 1 ma y lea d t o n o il l consequences. Yo u ar e perhaps b y thi s tim e convince d tha t yo u hav e bee n o n a wron g scent . A s fo r Murray, h e ha s done mor e i n eight an d fort y hour s tha n i f he ha d bee n sweat ing at the busines s as many weeks - an d actuall y the Prince o f Pluck an d Count of Confidence mus t now be adde d to his numerou s titles . I shal l not sho w however
1 Thi s i s apparently a privat e referenc e rathe r tha n a code; fo r i t seems that Lockhar t ha d bee n 'chaffing hi m abou t his attentions to one o f th e Mis s Murrays' . George Paston At John Murray's: Records o f a Literary Circle, 1845-1892(1932) ign .
to hi m th e lette r I receive d fro m yo u today , because I thin k whe n all goes right , 4 I ma y as well be silent . 2 I muc h regre t t o sa y that I hav e bee n unabl e t o arrang e th e busines s o f yr . house a s I ha d hoped . Th e price s ar e s o enormou s an d th e seaso n ha s com menced s o early that I d o no t fee l justified in closing with anything . Basevi who has been s o zealously kind in this business (for it is not etiquett e fo r a n architec t to interfere i n these matters ) ha s counselled m e today t o advise you t o come u p and settl e for yourself. In th e mea n tim e ou r affair s I are momentarily growin g mor e important . Yo u are wante d every second o f the day . For heaven s sake then clos e with the impe rial offer 2 an d com e t o tow n IMMEDIATELY . This , thi s indeed i s most, mos t im portant for us both. Pra y come . As t o other matter s - m y father send s yo u his Compliments an d say s i f you think a n articl e o n Charle s ist . worthy your attention , h e wil l pledge himself that you shal l hav e i t fo r you r firs t number. 3 A s h e ha s o f lat e year s cu t th e Q[uarterly] R[eview ] he begs i t to be understood tha t h e no w resumes hi s labors merely becaus e yo u are it s Conducto r an d tha t i f a t an y tim e circumstances may arise from which you ma y deem i t desirable for your interests that this fact b e known, you are perfectl y at liberty to say so. I hav e ha d a vie w o f th e gubernatoria l articl e an d I mus t say , altho' I hop e I am th e las t fello w i n th e worl d wh o ha s a foolis h penchan t fo r parenta l effu sions, tha t fo r I exquisite philosophy , beautiful feeling , intense interes t an d pro found research , it was never equalled . Your fea r tha t Murra y ma y b e endangere d b y a conferenc e wit h Croker 4 makes me smile. Perhap s you smile too at m y remark, bu t m y dear fellow , a s the showman says , "you wil l see what you will seee" in the greates t hast e BD I hav e just receive d a lette r fro m Powle s and shal l dine wit h him today . I mus t again impres s upo n yo u th e might y importanc e o f you r presenc e i n London . May the nex t pos t bring news of your movement southward . 2 Murra y (the 'Emperor') had offere d t o Lockhart the editorship o f either Th e Quarterly Review o r The Representative. Ther e wer e tw o separat e agreements : on e fo r Lockhart' s editorshi p o f th e Quarterly, and one specifyin g his obligations to The Representative. The term s of the agreemen t between Lockhar t an d Murra y concerning Th e Representative, signe d o n 2 0 October 1825 , were that Lockhar t wa s to be pai d £1,50 0 pe r annu m fo r th e year s 1826 , 182 7 and 1828 . Lockhar t also agreed t o write articles 'consisten t wit h his rank i n life' . A t any tim e during th e perio d o f the agreemen t Lockhar t ha d th e optio n o f exchangin g hi s salar y fo r one-eight h shar e o f th e newspaper fo r fourtee n years , without advancing any capital o f hi s own. Any losses were t o be 'wholly borne' by Murray . The witnesse s to th e agreemen t wer e William Wright an d D . MR unnumbered. 3 Eithe r Lockhar t di d no t tak e u p th e offe r o r Isaa c withdrew it, fo r n o articl e on Charle s I appeared i n Th e Quarterly Review. Isaac, who had contribute d a t least five articles t o the revie w between 180 9 an d 182 0 (Ogde n 214-15) , wa s at thi s tim e a t wor k o n hi s five-volum e stud y o f Charles I fo r Colburn , th e firs t tw o volume s o f whic h appeared i n 1828 . Colbur n publishe d volumes HI and I V in 183 0 an d v in 1831 . 4 John Wilso n Croker (1780-1857) , man o f letters , Tor y M P 1807-32 fo r variou s constituencies.
2 I 57 5 Nov 1825
58 I 43 Complimts . to Mr s L. , etc. I I hav e written every day sinc e I lef t Chiefswood . I 28 Nov 1825 mentio n this lest any sho[ul]d have miscarried. I have got a title. 5
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TO [ALFRED TURNER] [London]
, Monday [28 November 1825? ]
ORIGINAL: ILL U x B 8365111 Car d 2
COVER: Alfre d Turne r Esqre I 32 Re d Lio n Square I B.D. EDITORIAL COMMENT : A copy: the M S is in Sarah' s hand. Dating: b y comparison with 47, dated 3 December 1825 . ^e present lette r was probably written on the preceding Monday .
Monday Morning My dear Sir, 1 I a m mos t unexpectedl y calle d ou t b y pressing business , which I a m sorr y must prevent m y receiving you this morning. Wil l you have the goodnes s t o prepare 2 agreements fo r genera l services , similar to the one wit h Mr . Derbishire for Mr. Edward Byrne 2 2 Lyons In n and Mr . Charles Roger Dodd 3 17 Penlington Plac e Lambeth the firs t fo r 5 G[uinea]s a wee k I from th e ist . of January, th e and . 5 G[uinea] s pr. wee k from th e commencemen t o f the Paper . Hav e you any News of the Abstract? Dr. Sir faithfully Your s B. Disraeli At thi s tim e h e represente d Bodmin . H e wa s firs t secretar y t o th e Admiralt y fro m 180 9 t o 1830. 5 Probabl y th e titl e fo r the , a s yet unnamed, prospectiv e newspaper . Writin g t o Murra y fro m 2 5 Pall Mal l on 2 1 December 1825 , Lockhar t sai d ' I a m delighte d an d wha t i s more satisfie d wit h Disraeli's titl e The Representativ e If M r Powle s doe s no t produc e som e thunderin g objectio n Le t thi s b e fixe d i n God' s name. ' MR 35 . 1 Alfre d Turne r (d 1864) , eldes t son and la w partner of Sharon Turner. 2 On e journalist name d Derbishir e worked fo r Th e Morning Chronicle, became editor o f Th e Sunday Times i n 1835 , an d the n returne d t o Th e Morning Chronicle a s Spanis h correspondent . A t one tim e he als o edited Th e Courier. (James Grant ] The Great Metropolis 2n d e d (1837 ) I I 145 . Ed ward Byrn e wa s perhaps related t o th e famil y wh o were proprietors of Th e Morning Post. Nicholas Byrn e ( d 1833 ) wa s succeeded a s editor-proprietor b y hi s eldes t son , Willia m Pit t Byrne . Harold Her d Seven Editors (1955 ) 40-56 . 3 Charle s Roge r Phipp s Dodd (1793-1855) , a Times reporter , best remembere d a s editor o f Dod's Parliamentary Companion. Afte r 184 7 n e droppe d the final lette r fro m the spellin g of his sur name.
TO JOHN GIBSO N LOCKHART [London]
, Monday [28 November 1825 ] 4
O R I G I N A L : NL S MS 931 n o 11 3
COVER: John Gibso n Lockhart Esqr. I Chiefswood I Melrose I N.B. POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle: NO I F 28 [centra l number i n smal l circle] I 1825 (2) I n square : 1/ 2 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Scot t Letters I I 417-18, omitting the firs t paragraph ; Nickerso n 303-4 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: whig .
Monday 1/ 2 p t 4 My dear Lockhart , As m y lette r abou t yr . house 1 ma y giv e yo u a grea t dea l o f uneasiness , I just write t o say , that I hav e thi s afternoon reed , a communicatio n from Trollope, 2 the West[minste] r hous e agent , tha t th e hous e o f th e Revd . Rodber3 i n Duk e St which we looked ove r tog[ethe] r i s to let for th e seaso n o r year . Rodber ha s sol d the leas e t o the presen t lesso r who wishes to go to the Continen t fo r a yr. befor e he takes up hi s residence i n Duke St. and wishe s to let it for thi s year furnished . Altho' th e hous e i s not a t al l desirable a s a permanent residence , ye t taking into consideration th e unparallele d difficult y o f gettin g house s a t al l an d als o th e contiguousness of th e prem[is]e s in questio n to Murray 4 ( a most importan t con sideration fo r th e first year o f our labors ) I hav e thought prope r t o require th e terms etc . fro m Trollop e withou t loss of time , an d shal l then, i f they suit , conclude th e bargain . I hav e receive d you r letter , an d I believ e hav e attended t o everything neces sary. I shoul d no t I of cours e hav e pressed yr . immediat e comin g t o tow n had I been aware of the circ[umstance]s you mention. The soone r you arrive after, the better. Indee d th e experienc e o f every moment make s me th e mor e urgen t fo r your presence . As t o th e paper , everythin g goe s o n swimmingly . The terrifi c agitatio n i n which th e Cit y and th e whol e commercial interes t ha s been throw n durin g th e last thre e week s ma y hav e prevente d Powle s from writin g t o you , bu t I kno w that he is attending t o the point s you mention. 5 As to the revie w - Coleridge , i f possible, is more friendly . I mentione d I believe t o yo u about m y father. I hav e calle d a t Wright s three o r fou r time s an d have kep t hi m up t o the stickin g point. Th e Chancer y Comm[issi]oner s publis h their report at the commencement o f this year and i t is therefore ver y importan t that you should hav e a first rate article on th e subject . Mean s might b e take n t o get a previou s view of the report , and plac e it at the hea d of the article. 6 I hav e 1 Se e 48. 2 G . Trollope, house agent at 1 5 Parliament Street , London. 3 Se e 3sn2. 4 Duk e Street is two blocks wes t of Albemarle Street , where John Murray' s office s were located. 5 Thi s may be a reference t o the fluctuation s i n trading in Colombian bonds , which rose from 5 8 3/4 o n 1 7 November 182 5 t o a hig h o f 6 5 o n 2 3 November , befor e fallin g of f t o 6 3 o n th e 25th. Ther e was generally heav y tradin g in South America n stock s an d bond s during this peri od. Th e Times (18-2 6 No v 1825) . Joh n Disto n Powle s woul d obviousl y hav e bee n preoccupie d with the South America n market . 6 Presumabl y a review by John Taylor Coleridge of the report on the Court of Chancery planned for a future issu e o f The Representative. N o review appeare d in The Representative - bu t there was a comment on the report in the fourt h issu e (28 Jan 1826) .
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6o I 44 attende d t o this . Palgrave 7 came to tow n las t wee k an d calle d on Murra y yester28 Nov 1825 da y i n consequenc e o f th e Q[uarterly ] R[eview ] reports . H e wa s delighte d a t hearing you were to be Editor , and enquire d whethe r his assistance would in future [be ] acceptable. 8 H e wa s of cours e no t a littl e please d whe n he foun d tha t his service s had bee n already desired. I Merivale9 (a gentlemanly whig) called immediately after to congratulate M. on the coup h e had mad e in bringing you up t o London etc . etc. great unknow n etc. etc. such a father in law etc. etc. etc. In shor t all goes right an d yo u have only to come to London t o take advantage of affairs - an d indeed a s the Marchioness of Hastings10 says, in the lette r whic h Mrs . Lawrence Lockhart" wo[ul]d not le t me bring t o tow n "wh o th e devi l eve r hear d anythin g agains t you " whic h consid[erin]g all we know, was rather an od d observ[atio]n. in g t haste BD Chenevix12 wil l b e i n Londo n a s soon a s yourself. I hav e had immens e troubl e about the Burk e and a m flattered today with the prospec t o f success. 13 I hav e heard nothin g from Magin n and a m most anxious to see him. I send you "the Age". 14 Is it credible, that it has come to this!!!! As a resul t o f criticis m o f th e slo w an d expensiv e procedure s o f th e Cour t o f Chancery , a commission ha d bee n set up i n 182 4 to investigate. The report , dated 2 March 1826 , contained 187 recommendation s fo r reform . Lockhar t seem s t o hav e followe d D' s advice t o giv e promi nence t o th e report , fo r Th e Quarterly Review devoted tw o articles t o it : xxxi v (Sep t 1826 ) 540 79; xxxvill (July 1828) 241-97. 7 Franci s Palgrav e (1788-1861) , barrister, author an d deput y keepe r o f th e record s 1838-61 . H e was knighted i n 1832 . 8 Th e Times o f 1 7 November 182 5 carrie d a repor t tha t Lockhar t ha d bee n appointe d edito r o f The Quarterly Review. 9 John Herma n Merival e (1779-1844) , schola r an d mino r poet . H e sa t on th e above-mentione d Chancery Commission , an d concurre d wit h it s recommendations . H e late r wrot e A Letter t o William Courtenay, Esq., on th e Subject o f th e Chancery Commission (1827) . 10 Lad y Flor a Mui r Rawdo n (1780-1840) , Countes s o f Loudou n i n he r ow n right , onl y daughte r of th e 5t h Ear l o f Loudoun , ha d marrie d i n 180 4 Franci s Rawdon , 2n d Ear l o f Moir a an d is t Marquess of Hastings . 11 John Gibso n Lockhart' s sister-in-law . The Re v Lawrence Lockhar t wa s the ministe r o f th e par ish of Inchinnan , Renfrewshire , Scotland . 12 Richar d Chenevi x (1774-1830) , Irish-bor n chemist , mineralogist , dramatis t an d poet , an d a n occasional contributo r t o th e Th e Edinburgh Review an d Th e Quarterly Review. He i s best know n for hi s Essay upon National Character, published posthumousl y i n 1830 . 13 Possibl y D had bee n charge d wit h th e tas k o f obtainin g a suitabl e reviewe r fo r Jame s Prior' s Memoir o f th e Life an d Character o f th e Right Hon. Edmund Burke. I t wa s eventuall y reviewe d b y Lord Wellesle y in Th e Quarterly Review for Septembe r 1826 . 14 Th e Age (1825-43 ) wa s a scurrilou s an d libellou s weekly , edited b y Charle s Mollo y Westmacott (i787?-i868). Michae l Sadlei r give s a sketc h o f it s histor y i n Bulwer 340-5 . Nickerso n suggest s that th e cop y whic h D had enclose d fo r Lockhar t migh t hav e been th e numbe r fo r 2 7 November, whic h contained a ferociou s attac k upo n Josep h Hume , the Radica l MP , and Leonar d Hor ner, bot h of whom ha d just delivere d speeche s in Edinburgh . Bu t the previou s week' s number had include d a short item i n which Sir Walter Scot t wa s quoted as attributing hi s good relation s with To m Moor e t o Moore' s bein g a Jacobin an d Scott' s bein g a Jacobite. Th e Age nos 28 , 2 9 (20, 2 7 Nov 1825) .
TO ALFRED TURNER [Bloomsbur
y Square, London], Wednesday [3 0 November 1825?]
45
O R I G I N A L : ILL U x B 8365111 Car d 2
COVER: Alfre d Turne r Esqr e I Red Lio n Square I If no t withi n M r Disrael i would fee l oblige d by Mr . Wm. Turner steppin g on to Bloomsy Sq. EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: by comparison with 46 and 47 .
Wedny. I Alfred Turne r Es q My dear Sir , I shal l be at hom e the whol e morning and woul d feel oblige d by your calling on me i f not inconvenien t to you. Yrs. faithfullly , B. Disraeli TO (JOHN MURRAY ] [London]
, Thursday [ i Decembe r 1825 ]
ORIGINAL: M R 39
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s ii 205-6 , extract dated December 1825 EDITORIAL COMMENT : In anothe r hand on th e firs t pag e of th e MS : 'Jan y 1826' . Dating: a s Lockhart left fo r Londo n on 5 December, the las t sentence identifies thi s Thursday as i December . Sic: inclose, Windyer, Wyndier.
Thursday. My dear Sir , I inclos e two letters which I receive d yesterday from M r Powle s (Nos . i an d 2) . Do me the favo r t o read the m both. The sensatio n abou t th e pape r i s very great . A meeting of th e proprietor s o f the Ne w Times wa s held yesterday , in orde r t o conciliat e the Reporter s whom they hav e universall y offended . I hav e receive d tw o letters fro m Watt s and i n consequence hav e engaged Mr . Hall1 and a Mr. Windyer Senr2 - bot h o f whom 1 Samue l Carter Hal l (1800-1889), autho r an d editor . I n th e earl y 1820 5 h e ha d bee n actin g as parliamentary reporter in the Hous e o f Lords, an d writin g reviews and criticism s of art fo r The British Press. In 182 3 he ha d edite d th e short-live d Literary Observer; during 182 5 he contribute d to Th e New Times, and i n 182 6 he bega n th e annua l called Th e Amulet. His late r journalistic career include d a n associatio n with Th e New Monthly Magazine, o f whic h h e wa s briefly editor . O n 28 April 188 0 D granted him a civil-lis t pensio n of £15 0 a year 'fo r his long and valuabl e services to literature and art' . In hi s Retrospect o f a Long Life (Ne w York 1883 ) 72-3, Hall gives a brief accoun t of hi s connection with Th e Representative. 'I was appointed on e o f its corps o f parliamentar y reporters. Rarely had a publicatio n been launche d int o th e worl d of literatur e wit h such "great expectations" . I t was believed tha t th e suppl y of mone y wa s inexhaustible; and i t was known that th e bes t liter ary aid of the day was at the command o f the proprietor . There had been tim e for ample prep aration; ne w type and fine paper were among th e accessories .. . The da y preceding th e issu e of the firs t number , Mr . Murra y might hav e obtained a ver y large su m fo r a shar e o f th e copy right, o f whic h h e wa s the sol e proprietor ; th e da y afte r tha t issu e th e copyrigh t wa s worth comparatively nothing.' The identit y of the edito r o f Th e Representative i s still a mystery. Hall comments: 'Editor there was literally none fro m the beginning t o the end'. However, further remark s sugges t tha t some one wa s entrusted wit h the functio n o f edito r thoug h h e performe d hi s duties ver y badl y an d seems t o hav e remaine d unknow n t o th e staff ! Smile s observes : 'Failin g Lockhart , a n editor , named Tyndale , ha d bee n appointe d o n shor t notice , thoug h h e wa s a n obscur e an d
46
62 I 47 w 3 Dec 1825 o
47
e shall fin d mos t excellent reporters an d me n o f business . The latte r ha s bee n n the Times . Mr. Hal l an d Mr . Windye r wil l cal l o n m e tomorro w als o fo r thei r agree ments, and I shal l give each o f the m a note t o you t o have the agreement s exe cuted. I shoul d no t hav e trouble d yo u wit h thi s ha d i t bee n i n m y powe r t o hav e reached yo u today . Pray favo r m e wit h a note , inform g I me whethe r Hal l an d Wyndier shal l call i n Whitehall Place or Alb[emarle ] St. and wha t hour ma y suit your convenience. It i s no us e t o write to Lockhart after today . Yrs ever BD T0
ALFRED TURNER [Bloomsbur
y Square, London], Saturday [3 December 1825 ]
O R I G I N A L : ILL U x B 83656! Car d 2
COVER: Alfre d Turne r Es q I Red Lio n Sq : I [In anothe r hand on th e back] : B . Disreal i I Bloomsbury I Square I 1825 ' [inverted]: B . Disreal i EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: b y compariso n with 46 . Th e las t pag e o f th e M S is torn . Si c cover: Disreali.
Saturday My dear Sir, There i s another gentlema n whos e name toda y bears a very different aspec t t o what it did yesterday - fo r Wyndier leg e Windeyer. I t wil l perhaps b e necessary to have fres h agreement s i n consequenc e o f thi s error i n you r instructions . I f I so, be kin d enoug h t o sen d u p Mr . Windeyer s agreements t o Albemarl e St . when finished an d infor m hi m a t what hou r h e ma y call t o execut e th e same . I have given him a letter t o Murray for this purpose. Do no t le t thi s however interfere wit h ou r previou s arrangement s a s t o Hall I and Derbishir e and sen d m e on their agreement s to look at, before they are for warded t o Albemarle St. Dr. Maginn' s agreement appear s t o me to be very good - th e Docto r ha s arrived. I wil l send yo u the agreemt . i n the course of the mornin g and yo u can let me have the engrossmts . on [Morc]day . Yrs faithfully] D uninfluential person . He soo n disappeare d i n favour of others, wh o were n o better.' Smiles also quotes an anecdot e fro m Hall , that John Murra y calle d bac k a frien d who m h e ha d just see n off i n a cab. Respondin g t o hi s friend's alarme d enquir y of what it was he wanted , Murra y re plied, ' I wan t an editor ! I wan t a n editor! ' Smile s concludes , 'Thi s wa s his constant cry ; bu t a cry whic h wa s never satisfied. ' Smile s I I 210. Hal l als o remarks , Tha t Mr . D'Israel i neve r wa s the editor, I am certain.' 2 Charle s Windeye r (1780-1855) , journalist. A la w reporter fo r Th e Law Chronicle an d als o con nected wit h Th e Times, he i s remembered a s the firs t recognize d reporte r o f th e debate s i n th e House o f Lords . I n 182 8 he emigrate d t o Australia , where h e becam e a magistrate . D' s uncertainty abou t hi s name mad e a ne w contract necessar y whe n h e discovere d th e correc t spelling . See 47.
TO [ANNE MURRAY] [Bloomsbur
y Square, London] , Sunday 21 May 1826
O R I G I N A L : M R 62
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Blak e 45, extract dated 2 1 Ma y 1826 EDITORIAL COMMENT : There i s a ga p i n th e correspondenc e o f ove r fiv e months. Th e Representative had begu n i n January and i t was quickly eviden t that th e brigh t hope s o f it s founders would no t b e realized. The pape r woul d limp on fo r anothe r si x weeks after thi s letter, but i t was clear that Murray would be left wit h a considerable financial loss. D must have spent most of th e tim e writing, at grea t speed , th e firs t par t o f Vivian Grey, which ha d been publishe d anonymously by Colburn a mont h before thi s letter, o n 2 2 April. See also «4ec , an d 6on2. Althoug h the identit y of th e autho r ha d bee n a well-kept secret, an d speculatio n ha d contributed t o the novel' s initial success, Murray became aware of D' s authorship and wa s greatly offended by the book , believing that one o f it s characters, th e Marqui s of Carabas , was a thinly disguised parod y of himself . To Murra y it seeme d tha t no t onl y ha d D rushed hi m int o a disastrou s financia l los s (it amounted t o £26,000), but h e ha d the n withdrawn , when failure wa s apparent, t o write a book whic h made fu n o f hi m fo r doin g wha t D had urge d hi m t o do . I t wa s too much , an d a sever e strai n was placed o n th e relation s betwee n Murra y and th e D'Israel i family . Fo r a ful l accoun t se e M& B I 74-8, Blake 44-8. Sic: have altogether have , has spoke.
Sunday morning 8 o'clock I May 2ist . 182 6 Dear Madam, 1 I reques t you r particula r attentio n t o this letter, which I do assure yo u is written purely ou t o f respec t an d regar d fo r yo u an d you r family . Thes e feeling s have hitherto prevente d m e fro m noticin g i n an y manne r Mr . Murray' s conduct to wards m e - the y preven t m e at thi s momen t fro m applyin g any epithet t o his conduct characteristi c o f m y opinion o f it s nature - an d the y would hav e alto gether hav e prevented m e fro m noticin g i t at all , as long a s the knowledg e of it was confined to a few private and mutua l friends. But Mr . Murray has overstep ped th e bounds , whic h the remembranc e o f forme r friendship , ha s to o indul gently conceded him , and h e ha s spoke and i s now speaking of me to the world generally i n term s whic h to m e are a s inexplicable, a s they appear t o b e outra geous. Under thes e circumstances , one cours e i s apparently onl y left t o me, and tha t is of the mos t decided an d deplorabl e nature , bu t befor e I hav e recourse t o it I wish, fo r th e sak e of al l interested, t o I give you ever y opportunity o f renderin g it unnecessary. 2 I earnestly be g o f yo u t o allow no misconceive d opinions o f self dignity - n o preconceived opinion s o f my character, t o prevent yo u from actin g in thi s business temperately , wisely , an d promptly. Promptitud e i s absolutely necessary. I only heard last night of your communication to Mr. and Mrs . Spence3 and I alread y fee l tha t I a m perhap s wron g i n losin g anothe r fou r an d twenty hours. 1 Ann e Murra y ( d 2 0 Oct 1845) , daughte r o f Charles Elliot ; sh e had marrie d John Murra y o n 6 March 1807 . Smile s I 67, 73 . 2 Monypenn y interprete d thi s a s a 'menac e o f lega l action ' (M& B I 75), bu t Blak e think s i t mor e likely D was hinting at the possibilit y of a challenge. Blake 45 . 3 Probabl y George Spence and hi s wife Anne , n£ e Kelsall , whom h e had marrie d in 1819 .
48
64 I 49 I Jul 182 6 d
40 T
hav e not mentione d to th e family , tha t I hav e written thi s letter, but I shal l o s o whe n w e mee t thi s morning . I f yo u thin k tha t an y communicatio n between yourself an d m y mother 4 can produc e any beneficial effect , I am sure she will no t b e hindere d b y th e remembranc e o f wha t i s pas t fro m immediatel y meeting you. I hope tha t the bearer o f this may return with an answer. I am, dear Madam , your very obedt Ser[van]t, B. Disraeli O BENJAMIN AUSTE N [London
, July? 1826]
ORIGINAL: B L ADD MS 45908 fflO-1 2
COVER: Benjn . Auste n Es q I Holborn Ct I 11 Grays In n Ct . PUBLICATION HISTORY : [Si r Auste n Henr y Layard ] 'Th e Earl y Lif e o f Lor d Beaconsfield ' Qf i 16 8 (Jan 1889 ) 1-4 2 at 12 , undated extract; M&B l 94-5, dated July? 1826 ; Jerman 74-5, dated June 1826 EDITORIAL COMMENT : The Austen s an d th e D'Israeli s apparently came t o kno w eac h other i n earl y 1825, when Sara Austen approached Isaa c to writ e a revie w o f Tremaine fo r Th e Quarterly Review. See «4ec. The Auste n residence in Guildford Street was close to Bloomsbury Square, and afte r th e perio d at Hyd e House , the familie s becam e more intimate. No letter s have been located from D to Sara Aus4 Mari a D'Israeli wrote to John Murra y on th e sam e day:
Bloomsbury Sq 2 1 May 182 6 Dear Sir , Having learn t tha t m y So n ha s writte n t o Mr s Murra y this mornin g I a m no w doin g wha t had I please d mysel f I shoul d hav e done sometim e sinc e which is to write to you, to reques t an explanatio n o f your conduc t whic h the kindnes s and pliabilit y of Mr . D'Israeli's characte r never coul d obtain , fo r whil e you were expressing grea t friendship , we were constantly hearing of the great losse s Mr . Murray had sustaine d throug h th e mismanagemen t an d ba d con duct o f m y Son. Surel y Sir , wer e thi s story truel y [sic] tol d i t woul d no t b e believe d tha t th e experienced publishe r o f Albemarle Street coul d b e deceived b y the plan s of a boy of twenty whom yo u ha d know n from hi s cradle an d whos e resources yo u mus t hav e as well know n as his Fathe r an d ha d yo u condescende d t o consul t tha t Fathe r th e foll y migh t no t hav e been committed. I You the n Si r perhap s woul d hav e foun d tho ' a clever bo y he wa s no "prodigy " an d I mus t say I believe that the failur e of the Representativ e la y much mor e with the proprieto r and hi s Editor tha n i t ever did with my Son - bu t I fee l you r disappointment an d can forgive your irritability, yet I must resen t you r lat e attack on Benjamin . What can you mean b y saying as an excuse fo r no t meetin g D'Israel i an d mysel f at th e hous e o f M r Spenc e tha t ou r so n ha d divulged an d made public your Secrets thi s surely you must know i s not trut h - an d ca n you as the father o f a famil y thin k yourself justified i n hurtin g th e characte r an d futur e prospect s o f a young Ma n t o whos e Fathe r yo u subscrib e yoursel f hi s faithfu l frien d an d t o whos e Mothe r her mos t obliged. I no w must beg a n explanatio n o f this Enigma. I hav e allways [sic] carefull y abstained fro m speaking o n thi s subjec t I o r attachin g an y reaso n fo r you r strang e conduc t a t Mr s Hardwick's, but thi s canno t las t fo r I mus t no t suffe r Be n t o la y [sic] an y longe r unde r a n odium which can be explained awa y by the trut h bein g told . I reall y cannot beleiv e [sic] John Murra y who has so often professe d suc h strong friendshi p for D'Israel i shoul d b e now going about blastin g the character o f that Friends Son because h e had forme d i n hi s versatile imaginatio n a perfect being and expecte d impossibilitie s and foun d him o n tria l a mere mortal and a very very young Man, I fea r I have made thi s letter to o long and tha t you will destroy i t instead o f reading it pray for ol d friendship d o not do that but giv e me the explanation I so ardently require . And believ e me ever you r Sincere wel l wisher Maria D'Israel i [M R 61]
ten during the time she was helping hi m to prepare Vivian Grey, but ther e are a number from he r t o 4 D i n th e Hughende n papers. Mos t o f the m ar e friendl y bu t formal , excep t on e ( H A/IV/D/Z ) whic h Ju breaks half-wa y throug h into a cipher . The passionat e tone, allie d wit h th e existenc e of a mutuall y understood privat e cipher , presumabl y fo r jus t suc h messages , suggest s a developmen t o f D's penchant fo r codes , an d th e existenc e of a n elaborat e flirtation , i f nothing more. Blak e (36 ) believes Sara Auste n wa s 'at leas t hal f i n love ' wit h D . Jerman gives the most detailed accoun t of th e relation s between D and th e Austens . See also 6onj. Dating: th e Austen s had invite d D to accompan y the m on their tour to Italy . Layard state d that this letter was written immediately before the tour , which began in early August. Sit: danse, headache.
Dear Austen, 1 Having met man y women who were too beautiful at the las t nights danse, I slept off th e memor y o f thei r lovelines s by an extr a thre e hour s o f oblivion , and wa s therefore unabl e t o answe r you r not e immediately ; which however I a m no w doing surrounde d b y a much better breakfas t than grace d yr . board thi s morn ing. A devil , tho ' a n ugl y name, is certainly the wises t style of dejeuner - a n inno cent I egg perhaps th e sillies t - wh y I say innocent I know not - fo r certainly if a devilled Turkey' s le g i s the rea l "lim b o f Satan" , th e othe r articl e ma y no t in aptly b e considered th e "yok e of sin. " Accordin g to yr. advice , I hav e "peruse d your not e with attention, an d considere d you r offe r wit h care;" and a s the ma n says who i s going to be hire d " I thin k the situatio n wil l suit." It il l befits an y ma n to I dilate upo n hi s ow n excellence , bu t I ma y perhap s b e allowe d t o observ e that m y various , no t t o say , innumerable accomplishment s ar e no t altogr . un known to you - an d as for my moral capacities, why I can have a good characte r from m y las t place , whic h I lef t o n accoun t of th e disappearanc e o f th e silve r spoons; I def y als o anyon e t o declar e tha t I a m no t sobe r an d honest , ex[cep] t when I am entrusted wit h the ke y of the win e cellar, when I mus t candidly confess I hav e a n ugl y habit o f stealin g the I Claret, gettin g drunk , an d kissin g th e maids. Nevertheles s I'v e n o doub t bu t tha t w e shal l agre e ver y well . Yo u cer tainly coul d no t com e t o an y perso n bette r fitte d fo r orderin g a dinner , an d a s to casting up account s - i f there's anythin g in the world whic h I exce l in, thats the ver y one. An d a s I'v e go t th e habi t o f neve r attendin g t o th e shilling s and pence becaus e the y make my headache, I generally detect th e aubergiste i n a super-charge. I I sen d thi s to Gray s Inn - o n accoun t o f you r writing . Dont work too much , or it'l l make you bilious. After all, a cold ee l pie is as good a thing fo r breakfast a s I know. I can't sa y but wha t it 'tayn't. BD 1 Benjami n Auste n (1789-1861 ) wa s a solicito r i n partnershi p wit h C.W . Hobso n a t 4 Raymon d Buildings, Gray' s Inn . H e wa s the uncl e o f Auste n Henr y Layar d (1817-1894) , wh o was to become th e famou s archaeologist, Austen' s sister , Mariann e ( b 1789) , having marrie d Henr y Pe ter John Layar d (1783-1834) , son of the dean of Bristol. Austen' s fathe r acte d a s banker t o th e Duke of Suffolk's wife, who was known as the Countes s d'Este . LPOD (1832); Jerman 46. According to A.H. Layard (9) , Austen's wife , Sar a (1796-1888) , was 'the daughter of a gentle man o f th e nam e o f Rickett , wh o reside d i n Oundle , Northamptonshire . H e wa s descended from a goo d ol d Englis h family , an d wa s a ma n o f literar y an d scientifi c tastes.' I n a footnot e Jerman (46) adds that the parish of Oundle 'has no record of her birt h o r marriage . One of her brothers, however , reside d fo r a tim e a t Cotterstock , a villag e nearby . I t woul d see m tha t th e elder Ricketts were dead by the tim e Sar a Ricket t became Mrs Austen.'
9' " 5 l 182 6
66149 Jul 1826
Benjamin Auste n (1828 ) by Danie l Maclis e
Sara Austen (1828 ) by Danie l Maclis e
TO ISAAC DISRAELI Paris
, Wednesday 9 August 182 6
O R I G I N A L : H A/IV/C/ 5
COVER: I . D'Israel i Esquire, I Post Office , I Dover, I Angleterre. POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FP O i AU . 14 i 182 6 (2) I n doubl e circle : A U I Q 1 4 [centra l numbe r i n small circle] I 1826 (3) I n octagon : 6 8 i P.P . i E (4) PORT-PAY E PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 95-6, extracts date d 9 Augus t 1826 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: Brittania , accomodation, stopt , westend, staid, French , Thuilleries, Elyssees.
Paris. August 9. Wednesday 1826. My dear Father , You receive d doubtles s a letter writte n by Mrs. Auste n on board th e packe t an d sent o n ou r arriva l at Boulogn e b y the Captai n o f ou r packet , the Brittania , to you. Sh e woul d hav e writte n to Sara h thi s pos t bu t I oppose d th e arrangemt . which ha d bee n mad e bet[wee] n the m fo r Mrs . A's sharing m y sheet o f paper , and sh e therefore wil l write by another opportunity . In th e first place I am quite well and hav e neve r experience d suc h goo d healt h fo r th e las t thre e years. Th e lightness of the ai r and th e cuisin e hav e effected tha t revolution i n my digestion which I have so long wished - th e process bein g no w like lightning. Mrs. Auste n on th e whol e ha s bee n ver y wel l indee d bu t I a m sorr y t o sa y that Auste n ha s not altho' he has now recovered. I am unquestionably the bes t of the party , for I not onl y a m a s wel l a s I wa s in England , bu t te n thousan d time s better . Ou r journey t o Paris wa s much pleasante r tha n I expecte d - w e slept the first night at Montreuil , at the Hot[el ] de L'Europe - th e inn you mentioned. I t was full of English, bu t th e accomodatio n i s a s delightfu l a s ever . Bein g overtake n b y a storm i n th e nex t day s journey w e stoppe d shor t a t Grandvillier s instea d o f reaching Beauvai s passing i n ou r wa y thro' Abbevill e where w e stop t 2 hours . The nex t da y passin g thro' Beauvais where w e stopped a couple o f hours t o see the ol d Cathedral , painte d glass , tapestr y etc . we reached Paris , Sunda y after noon an d ar e no w a t th e Hote l d e Terrace , Ru e d e Rivoli , th e bes t situatio n here, havin g obtained thes e apartment s i n a manner whic h wo[ul]d make an excellent chapte r i n Gil Bias 1 an d bea t th e adventur e o f the Hotel Garni hollo w but I mus t keep this and al l scenes fo r ora l communication. "Paris I is delightful." I neve r wa s so much struc k with anything i n th e whol e course o f m y life . I ex pected anothe r Londo n - bu t there are no points of resemblance. I did not expect i n s o short a distanc e t o hav e me t suc h a contrariet y o f manner s an d life . Our entranc e wa s most favorabl e - th e weathe r bein g intensel y ho t an d th e whole populatio n bein g su b dio. It wa s like wha t we read o f Naples . The whol e world wa s out, sitting o n chairs , dancin g etc . etc. Certainly the Quai s an d th e Boulevards are tw o most miraculou s feature s in this City. You must also bear in mind tha t sinc e yo u wer e her e a muc h mor e extensiv e architectural revolutio n has taken plac e i n this capital tha n ther e ha s even i n our own . Th e magnificen t 1 Obviousl y the picaresqu e characte r of Gil Bias appealed t o D , as he often referre d t o it.
50
68 I 50 terraces , palaces , an d street s whic h have bee n erecte d withi n these seven years 9 Aug 1826 woul d astonish you . They hav e one grea t advantag e ove r ou r Regen t St . which strikes me more forcibl y every day - elevation. This give s an air of magnificence and grandeu r whic h we do no t attai n - al l our ne w houses ar e s o low. At the same tim e Pari s i s not t o b e compare d i n an y wa y to London . Pari s is the bea u ideal of a magnificent City - bu t it might have been fancie d withou t having bee n seen. O n th e contrar y Londo n i s a wonder , a mystery , whic h neve r coul d b e preconceived, an d whic h neve r ca n b e exhausted , whereas , I imagine , Pari s can . On Monda y we took a drive thro' all the westend o f this City, and i n the evenin g drove abou t th e Boulevard s whic h literally were Doubl e line d wit h multitude s on chairs[;] we then wen t to Tortonis - yesterda y I lionized the old City, and the Quais - Notr e Dam e etc. I was very much struc k by the resemblanc e o f the old Town o f Edinburgh t o the ancient part s o f Paris - indee d a t some time s the resemblance wa s perfect. I am going to the Louvr e this morning an d t o the Oper a this evening fo r we do no t leav e Paris until Friday, on accoun t of th e grea t tim e and difficult y whic h we experience an d i s requisite fo r th e arrangemen t o f ou r passports. Fo r thi s delay I confes s I a m no t sorry . I t wil l mak e n o differenc e i n our arrangements , a s we intended t o hav e stai d a t Pari s on ou r wa y back, but i t does mak e a difference i n ou r pos t day s with you . Be s o good a s to pu t al l ou r days on four days. I I hav e no t ye t kep t an y journal but , of course, shall. 2 M y fellow traveller s will however mak e up fo r al l my negligence. Austen' s journal commencin g at Guildford St . with th e incident s of whee l greasing an d vai l givin g not forgotten , an d Mrs. A havin g alread y fille d he r quarto , altho ' havin g mor e modestl y com menced onl y a t Dover . B y havin g shaft s pu t o n ou r carriag e a t Boulogn e w e only pa y for the horses w e use - vizt . three. Ano[the] r Englis h party of the sam e number travellin g i n a simila r carriag e hav e th e pleasur e o f payin g fo r fou r from thei r obstinac y i n no t havin g their pol e take n off , o r thei r cockneyis m in not likin g to destro y th e effec t o f thei r Londo n equipage . I sa w a frenc h wed ding i n the Churc h of St Roque, whic h is a very curious ceremony, an d I will tell you mor e abou t i t when we meet. D o you remember seein g in the pape r th e da y we lef t Dove r th e marriag e o f a cidevan t membe r o f you r boo k societ y - Mr . Hundleby.3 W e me t hi m a t Montreui l enjoyin g "th e Continent " wit h a n ugl y wife, a n uglie r bridesmaid , an d a mor e hideou s mothe r i n la w or aunt . Th e Quai Voltaire is delicious. Yo u cannot conceiv e the convenienc e of our carriage . No botheratio n ever y nigh t o f unpacking , no fever s i n th e mornin g wit h cord ing and strapping . Reall y this conduces greatl y to our healt h an d pleasure . I rejoice dail y that w e did no t tak e an open travellin g carriage. Th e Thuillerie s gar dens ar e ver y beautiful , an d for m wit h th e Plac e Loui s 1 5 and th e Champ s Elyssees etc. a muc h mor e extensiv e plac e than I had conceived . Th e equipage s here ar e muc h improve d sinc e yo u wer e here . Ther e ar e a grea t numbe r o f English Carriage s harnes s etc . an d stil l mor e o f Englis h horses , bu t ye t nothin g 2 Th e journa l is in th e Hughende n papers, H A/III/C. 3 Th e Times of 3 August 182 6 announced th e marriag e o f M r Hundleby , o f Freeman' s Court, to Emily Curtis .
to b e compare d i n sumptuousnes s o r numbe r o f equipage s wit h London . W e 5 shall writ e fro m Geneva , bot h Mrs . Austen an d mysel f - bu t no t befor e a s we 2 shall spen d th e whol e of th e seve n followin g day s t o Thursda y (tomorrow ) i n travelling. I hav e to finis h m y letter abruptly , for i f it does no t g o immediatel y it will b e delaye d tw o days. I hop e m y mothe r i s better, - tha t yo u al l are well . Ralph o f cours e ha s joined you , an d Je m I trus t i s sloshy a s ever . Giv e m y bes t love t o all . I I hop e t o fin d a lette r fro m Sa . at Geneva . Remembe r m e t o Olivia. God bles s you Yrs mst affecttl y B. Disraeli. TO ISAAC D'ISRAELI Geneva
, [Monday] 21 August 182 6 5
O R I G I N A L : H A/IV/C/ 7
COVER: I . D'Israel i Esqre . I Post Offic e I Dover, I England. I [At righ t angles]: Angleterre POSTMARK: ( i ) I n dotte d circle : F.P.O . i AU.2[8 ] I 1826 (2 ) I n doubl e circle: A U I A 28 [centra l number i n small circle ] I 1826 (3 ) I n rectangle : SUISS E i PA R i FERNE Y PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B i 96-8, date d 2 1 Augus t 1826 , wit h omission s EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: ultra marine , blanchesseuse, gen d'arme , accomodation.
Geneva. Augus t 21 . 182 6 My dear Father , Mrs. Auste n wrot e fro m Dijo n t o Sara h an d he r lette r was , I hope , dul y re ceived. You doubtless receive d min e fro m Pari s in which I mentione d her s fro m Boulogne. W e staye d a t Dijo n on e da y i n consequenc e o f th e indispositio n o f Mrs. Austen , which however wa s fortunately of sligh t duration, tho ' women' s illness whe n travellin g i s alway s alarming . Dijo n I like d ver y much . I t i s a flourishing bus y an d livel y tow n th e capita l o f Burgundy , thro ' whic h mos t splendid provinc e w e have travelle d fo r man y days. A t Dijon provision s aboun d and th e wine s ar e o f th e mos t magnificen t descriptio n - th e commones t vi n ordinaire bein g th e mos t delightfu l tha t 1 ever drank . Afte r quittin g Dijo n tw o more day s travellin g thro' Burg[un]d y brough t u s t o Polign y at th e foo t o f th e Jura Alps . W e commence d thei r ascen t a t fiv e o'clock o n th e mornin g o f th e lyth an d too k tw o days in getting t o thi s city wher e w e arrived o n Frida y last. I shall no t attemp t t o describe an y of the scener y thro ' which I hav e passed , o r i n which I am living : but I do no t refrai n fro m s o doing becaus e yo u may find descriptions i n 50 0 printe d volumes : th e trut h is , i t i s impossible t o describe them , and nevertheles s muc h mor e difficul t t o imagine them . I hav e neve r ye t precon ceived a scen e whic h ha s no t i n realit y turne d ou t utterl y different . Th e Jur a Alps ar e a fin e preparatio n fo r th e hig h Alps . A t th e terminatio n o f th e Jura ridge whic h bound s on e sid e o f th e plai n o f Genev a di d I o n Frida y mornin g witness the mos t magnificen t sigh t i n the worl d - th e whol e range o f the Hig h Alps with Mon t Blan c in the centr e without a cloud - th e effec t was so miraculous that fo r a lon g tim e I di d no t perceiv e th e lovel y scene unde r m e the plai n an d city and lak e of Geneva - th e latter o f ultra marin e blue . Suc h a view of the Alps has been seen by few persons i n this country an d wa s occasioned b y the unparal leled drynes s an d hea t o f th e seaso n whic h a s we are dail y informed b y travel lers exceeds b y much th e heat no w experienced on the o[the]r sid e of the Alps -
1 I 69 1 Aug 1826
1
70 I 5» i n Italy . Th e hea t doe s no t howeve r affect m e th e least . I hav e not ha d a days, 21 Au g 1826 na y a n hour s illness , sinc e I lef t England . T o understan d th e beaut y an d rareness o f th e vie w o f th e Alp s which I hav e mentioned , yo u mus t kno w tha t on cloudless day s here , th e peak s o f th e Hig h Alp s ar e alway s covere d wit h clouds: yo u ca n no w conceiv e th e extrem e rarenes s o f thi s sight . Genev a i s a dingy an d uninterestin g City . W e are no t howeve r at thi s City, bu t a t Secheron , an establishmen t of a very curious nature abou t hal f a mile off and o n th e banks of th e lake . Sechero n i s a Chatea u o f th e firs t magnitud e wit h garden s an d terraces t o the lake' s margin an d everythin g that you can conceive luxurious and splendid fitte d u p o n speculatio n as an hotel . Everythin g is made an d provide d within th e wall s o f th e place . There i s a bake r i n th e house , a blanchesseuse , a coachmaker etc . etc . - bu t a s al l Traveller s an d especiall y th e Englis h ar e extremely anxiou s to obtai n room s here , nothin g i s of cours e mor e difficult . I A friend, th e celebrate d Mr . Capes, 1 respectin g who m I hav e alread y writte n a comedy fo r th e Haymarke t (Bo b Capes : Mr . Liston) 2 and wh o wa s travelling with a start of three day s over u s promised t o act as our courier . "H e wa s sure t o have rooms , if anybody could - neve r was such a fello w a s he fo r gettin g room s - bee n t o Switzerlan d thre e times , know n b y everybod y o n th e roa d tho ' h e couldn't spea k a word o f French " etc . etc. The joke wa s our courie r wa s turned away and b y the meres t fortun e in the worl d a couple of rooms a t the to p o f th e house wer e vacan t - twent y carriage s wer e turne d awa y i n th e cours e o f th e afternoon, an d no t on e perso n ha s quitted sinc e we have been here . Her e ar e a great numbe r o f Englis h and Frenc h nobilit y amon g th e forme r th e Marques s of Bath 3 an d family . I tak e a ro w o n th e lak e ever y nigh t wit h Maurice , Lor d Byron's celebrate d boatman . Mauric e is ver y handsom e an d ver y vain , but h e has bee n mad e s o b y th e Englis h of who m h e i s th e regula r pet . H e talk s of nothing but Lor d Byro n particularly if you show the leas t interest i n the subject . He tol d m e tha t i n th e nigh t o f th e famou s storm describe d i n th e 3rd . Cant o C[hilde] H[arold] ha d the y been ou t five minutes more th e boat mus t have bee n wrecked. H e tol d Lor d Byro n at first of th e dange r o f suc h a nigh t voyage, and the onl y answe r whic h B . mad e wa s stripping quit e nake d an d foldin g roun d him a great rob e d e chambr e - s o that i n case o f wreck he was ready prepare d to swi m immediately . Ld . B . h e assure s m e wa s ou t al l nigh t withfouj t eve n stockings, an d u p mos t o f th e nigh t t o hi s knee s i n water . I aske d hi m i f h e spoke. H e sai d tha t h e seldo m converse d wit h hi m o r an y on e a t an y time , bu t that thi s nigh t h e Mauric e was so employed i n managin g th e boa t an d sai l etc . 1 Mr s Auste n tol d essentiall y th e sam e stor y t o Isaac , i n a lette r o f 5 Augus t ( H A/IV/C/4). Ther e she reported havin g me t Capes on the Channe l crossing , an d sh e noted tha t h e was known pro fessionally t o he r husband . He r lette r bear s a note , i n anothe r hand , suggestin g a connectio n with th e fir m o f Cape s & Stuart, solicitors, o f 4 8 Bedfor d Row . D' s frien d wa s perhaps a so n o f George Capes, the senior partner . 2 John Listo n (1776?-1846) , well-know n comi c actor . Listo n wa s note d bot h fo r a n impressiv e gravity o f manne r an d fo r hi s remarkable ugliness . Arthu r H . Engelbac h Anecdotes o f the Theatre (1914) 90, 179 . It i s not clear whic h trait best fitte d hi m t o portray M r Capes. 3 Thoma s Thynne (1765-1837), 2n d Marques s o f Bath .
that conversatio n woul d hav e bee n quit e impossible . On e da y Byro n sen t fo r 5 him an d sittin g dow n i n th e boat , h e pu t a pisto l o n eac h sid e (whic h wa s hi s 2 invariable practice ) an d the n gav e hi m 30 0 Napoleon s orderin g hi m t o ro w t o Chillon. H e the n ha d tw o torche s lighte d i n th e dungeo n an d wrot e fo r tw o hours an d a half . O n comin g ou t th e ge n d'arm e wh o guarde d th e castle humbly aske d fo r quelqu e chos e a boire . "Giv e hi m a Napoleon " sai d hi s Lordship. "D e tro p milor " sai d Maurice , who being bu t recentl y installe d i n his stewardship wa s somewhat mindfu l of hi s masters interest . "D o you know who I am" rejoine d th e master , "Giv e i t hi m an d tel l hi m tha t th e dono r i s Lor d Byron!" Thi s wonderfu l piec e o f information must hav e produced a great effect on th e poo r miserabl e tipplin g gen d'arme. But in the slightes t things was Byron by Maurice' s account , I most ludicrousl y ostentatious . H e gav e hi m on e da y fiv e napoleons fo r a swimmin g race acros s th e lake . A t th e sigh t o f th e Clubfoo t Maurice though t h e wa s sure t o win , but hi s Lordshi p gaine d b y five minutes . Byron h e say s was not a quic k swimme r bu t h e wa s never exhausted , b y which means h e generall y wo n whe n th e distanc e wa s great . On e mornin g Mauric e called fo r hi m ver y earl y t o swim . Byro n brough t t o th e boa t hi s breakfas t consisting o f col d duc k etc . an d thre e o r fou r bottle s o f wine . H e scarcel y ea t anything bu t dran k al l th e wine , an d the n amuse d himself , whil e the y wer e sailing t o th e appointe d place , b y throwin g th e provision s graduall y int o th e water. Upo n thi s hones t Mauric e gentl y hinte d tha t h e ha d no t himsel f breakfasted, an d tha t h e shoul d swi m much bette r i f he ha d som e portio n o f his Lords[hi]p's superfluity . "Friend Maurice " sd. B "it ill becomes tru e Christian s to think of themselves, I shall give you none - yo u see I eat no breakfast mysel f do you als o refrain - fo r the sake of the fishes." He then continue d hi s donations t o the fishe s (whic h here ar e beautiful ) and wo[ul] d no t besto w a singl e crumb o n his companion . "Thi s was all very well" says Mauric e "but hi s Lords[hi] p forgo t one little circumstance. H e had no appetite - I had." H e says that h e never sa w a man ea t s o littl e a s B . i n al l hi s life , bu t tha t h e wo[ul] d drin k thre e o r fou r bottles o f th e riches t wine s fo r hi s breakfast . I shal l perhap s remembe r mor e when w e meet . I hav e bee n o n th e lak e at al l hours, an d see n Mt . Blan c by all lights - twic e b y sunse t whe n th e whol e might y mountai n i s quite rosy . Th e effect i s beyond al l description. Th e livin g a t Sechero n i s most excellen t - w e much wante d it , except a t Dijo n I hav e scarcel y had anythin g to ea t sinc e I lef t Paris. I n th e Juras w e were literall y with[ou]t a meal . Th e hone y o f the Alp s wild strawberries , butte r chees e an d egg s ar e al l ver y wel l i n romanc e an d certainly ar e no t t o b e despise d a s collaterals , bu t wit h u s the y wer e principal s for successiv e days . Traveller s requir e nourishin g food . I n th e Juras w e coul d not eve n ge t a bottle o f common win e - an d th e brea d wa s black an d no t only sour bu t acid . I hav e bee n a t Ferney , bu t hav e no t roo m a t presen t t o giv e you an accoun t o f th e I place which i s very different fro m wha t you wo[ul] d imagine . I leav e thi s plac e tomorrow , fo r th e wildes t parts of the Hig h Alp s which we are to travers e o n mule s an d b y track s littl e known . B y thes e mean s w e shal l monopolise th e littl e accomodatio n whic h doe s exist . W e stan d n o chanc e o f getting an y on th e common roa d fro m th e crowd s o f English which are scourin g it. We have mad e thi s alteration i n our rout e by the advic e o f a Swiss Gentlema n
1 171 1 Au g 1826
72 I 52 o f Austen' s acquaintance , an d h e inform s u s tha t th e scener y i s muc h mor e 2 Se p 182 6 magnificent . It wil l b e ou t o f m y powe r t o writ e before I reac h Mila n a s I shall not b e stationar y after tomorro w fo r a singl e hou r unti l I arriv e there . Mr s A. will als o write to S a from Milan . I hop e t o fin d letter s fro m Englan d there , an d shall enquir e a t th e pos t a t Genev a t o da y tho ' I d o no t expec t any . Mrs . A . is very well , an d sport s Frenc h wit h eve n greate r rapidit y tha n sh e doe s English . I I hop e t o Go d m y mothe r i s better. Lov e t o all . Tell Je m an d Ralp h I' d giv e anything for an election . Yr m[os] t affec So n B. Disraeli. 52 T
O ISAAC D'ISRAELI Milan
, [Saturday ] 2 September 182 6
O R I G I N A L : H A/IV/C/ Q
COVER: Mila n Septr. 2 I I. D'Israel i Esqre I Post Office I Dover I Inghilterra I [At righ t angles]: Angleterre POSTMARK: ( i ) I n dotte d circle : FP O I SE-14 ! 182 6 (2 ) I n doubl e circle : S E I v ^[centra l numbe r i n small circle] I 1826 (3) I n rectangle : MILAN O (4 ) I n smal l rectangle: L.[E? ] PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 99-102, dated 2 September 1826 , with omission s EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: Austin, protege, French , laid, cloke, staid, vallies, cupola'd, uninclosed , th e the, entree, passed , Bennett , las t supper , Ciceronis , countreymen .
Milan. September 2 . 1826 . My dear father , We arrive d her e o n Thursda y las t and wer e muc h disappointe d a t no t findin g any letter s fro m England . W e hav e reaso n howeve r no w t o believ e tha t tw o letters intende d fo r us have been sent to another Mr . Austin - th e Queen's proteg e Billy Austen 1 who live s on th e lak e of Como . W e have take n measure s t o obtai n them an d mos t probabl y wil l obtai n the m tomorro w o r Sunda y bu t a s the Pos t for Englan d leave s thi s Cit y t o da y I a m unde r th e necessit y o f writin g t o yo u with[ou]t havin g previously received you r letters . I shall write again immediatel y that I receiv e them . I a m mos t anxiou s t o hea r afte r m y mothe r an d shal l b e sadly annoye d i f we do no t obtai n ou r letter s befor e w e leave Milan . I wrot e t o you las t fro m Genev a an d ha d writte n previousl y fro m Paris . Mr s A . havin g written fro m Dijo n an d Boulogne . Sh e als o write s thi s pos t t o Sarah . I men tioned tha t I ha d bee n t o Ferne y i n m y last letter . The usua l prin t o f thi s cha teau an d partic[ular]l y the on e i n Duppa' s book 2 i s faithful - bu t I wa s greatly surprised t o find it the inhabited sea t of a french noblema n an d hi s family - th e Count d e Bude. 3 Onl y tw o rooms ar e show n - lef t furnishe d a s i n Voltaire' s time. Th e res t o f th e hous e whic h is very large i s inhabited an d canno t b e seen . The ground s are larg e and excellentl y kept u p i n the Englis h fashion ; wild and woody. I n shor t Ferne y instea d o f being a s I had imagine d a dingy unfurnishe d 1 Quee n Caroline's ward, alleged by some to be he r son . 2 Richar d Dupp a (1770-1831 ) Miscellaneous Observations and Opinions o n the Continent (1825 ) facin g page 76. 3 A later sourc e leave s both nam e an d titl e i n some doubt, while confirmin g th e genera l sens e of D's comment. Se e Murray' s Handbook for Switzerland (1838 ) 140 , i n whic h Ferne y i s sai d t o be long 'to the famil y o f M. Bude de Boissey' .
ancient mansio n i s a complete fashionabl e show place, th e Dropmore 4 o f Gene - 5 va. There i s one beautifu l berceau calle d th e wal k o f Voltair e but I shoul d hav e a thought tha t th e tree s o f w[hi]c h it i s composed wer e to o juvenile fo r hi s time. Of th e situatio n of Ferne y I ha d n o previou s idea, an d ca n giv e you no presen t description. I t i s sublime - place d betwee n tw o of the mos t splendi d range s o f Alps in the world , with eternal snow s and a gigantic lake, and forest s of pines , it should hav e inspired a mor e Homeri c epi c than th e Henriade , an d chastene d a more libidinou s effusion tha n th e Pucelle.5 I ha d m y heart's conten t befor e I lef t Genev a - th e nigh t before . M y friend Maurice sent fo r m e afte r a very cloudy Day to sa y that there wa s every prospec t of a fin e stor m upo n th e lake . As it was just afte r dinne r an d Auste n wa s with me I wa s obliged t o tak e a companion , bu t a s w e had discusse d a considerabl e quantity o f Burgund y I wa s soon free d fro m hi s presenc e fo r h e lai d dow n i n the boa t on m y cloke and er e hal f an hou r wa s passed wa s fast asleep , neve r disturbing u s save with an occasiona l request t o participate i n our brand y bottle. As for mysel f I wa s I soon sobered , no t b y sleep but b y the scene . I t wa s sublime lightning almost continuous - an d sometimes in four place s - bu t as the evening advanced th e lak e became quit e calm an d w e never ha d a drop of rain . I would willingly hav e stai d ou t al l night bu t w e were t o leav e the nex t mornin g a t five and nothin g was packed up . W e lef t Sechero n nex t mornin g muc h pleased wit h the environ s of Genev a an d travellin g by the sout h sid e o f th e lak e entered Sa voy. I a m wearie d o f avowin g my inabilit y of description . I passe d thro ' and b y Thonon, Lausanne, La Meillerie, St Gingough, Vevau [Vevey], Clareno, Chillon. Imagine the rest. Th e mornin g had been rathe r mist y but cleared u p bright, but the earl y shower s occasione d som e beautifu l prismati c effect s whic h I shal l never forget . Afte r th e lake , w e entere d th e valle y o f th e Rhon e an d ap proached th e Hig h Alps . The scener y was really painfull y sublime . We gazed til l our eye s ached an d ye t dared no t withdra w them fro m th e passin g wonders. Astounded b y th e scener y w e passe d fou r o r fiv e day s much longe r tha n w e ha d intended amon g th e Alp s but thes e wonderfu l Swis s valley s ar e onl y th e won ders of a moment, mor e monotonou s place s to live i n cannot b e conceived - n o walks or rides - o n one side the road you have come - o n the other th e one you are t o pursue - I suffere d fro m th e closeness of the air and the goitres and the cretins ar e horro r itself . W e travelled al l thro' th e valle y o f th e Rhon e whic h is 100 mile s long . I hav e see n al l varietie s o f Alpin e scener y an d viewe d al l varieties of Alpin e destruction. Surel y the ravage s of volcano s cannot b e s o terrific a s those o f the avalanche . I endeavoured t o se e all species of destruction o f this genus , an d tho ' I hav e visite d the villag e in ruins , an d th e forme r fields of wheat, the fields of last summer mor e barre n an d a s stony as the shingle s I think I prefe r on e scen e t o all others. I was taken by a peasant t o a place a small plain where th e pea k o f a n Al p ha d falle n dow n thi s spring. Viewe d fro m th e plain , the brothe r pea k looke d abou t tw o yard s wide , ye t th e fragment s o f th e on e 4 Dropmor e Hous e i n Buckinghamshire . I t was built for Lor d Grenvill e shortl y afte r 1792 . 5 L a Henriade (1723), a poem exalting Henr i IV, and L a Pucelle d'Orleans (1755), a moc k epic , both by Voltaire.
3 I 73 Sep 1826
74 I 55! whic h ha d falle n an d whic h wa s no t I even a s larg e ha d fille d som e acre s wit h 2 Sep 1826 stone s large r tha n elephants ! Th e passag e o f th e Simplo n i s th e gran d crown[in]g scen e t o al l thes e horrors . W e stai d on e da y a t Brig g wher e th e passage commences on account of the storm y weather, but a s it did no t abate we set of f th e nex t day . Nothin g could b e mor e awfu l tha n th e firs t par t o f ou r passage - th e sublimity of the scenery was increased b y the partial mists and the gusts of rain . Nothin g is more terrifi c than th e nea r roa r o f a Cataract which is covered b y a mist. It i s horrible. When we arrived a t the summi t of the road , th e weather cleare d an d w e foun d ourselve s surrounde d b y perpetua l snow . Th e scenery her e an d fo r a mil e o r tw o before wa s perfect desolatio n - cataract s coursing dow n crumbled avalanche s whose horrible surfac e wa s only varie d by the presenc e o f on e o r tw o blasted firs . Her e i n thi s dreary an d desolat e scen e burst fort h a smal l strea k o f blu e sky , the harbinge r o f th e Italia n heaven . During ou r whol e descen t dow n th e Italia n sid e whic h i s b y fa r th e mos t splendid w e enjoye d th e sun . W e wer e fo r a lon g tim e howeve r ver y cold . I never shal l forge t th e descen t - waterfall s ar e innumerabl e fro m th e hel l of waters t o stream s fine r tha n gauz e - road s cu t thro ' soli d roc k archway s and called grottos - gallerie s over precipice s whose terminations are invisible - passe s in whic h th e descende d avalanche s of snow are viewe d even after thei r fal l wit h horror - bridge s whic h alway s spa n a roarin g an d rushing torren t - narro w vallies backe d wit h eterna l sno w peepin g ove r th e neare r an d blacke r background, al l combin e t o produc e a successio n o f scene s whic h contraste d with th e beautifu l road s an d elegan t bridge s - th e best sign s o f civilizatio n cannot surel y b e paralleled . Th e contras t o n descendin g int o Ital y i s wonderfully striking . Th e mountain s stil l continu e bu t thei r heigh t i s ver y moderated - the y are covered wit h vines and glitter with white villages, churches and villas . Duom o d'Ossola i s beautifully situate d i n a larg e an d lovel y valle y o f Piedmont. After sleepin g here we continued ou r journey thro ' the valle y o f Mt. Rose, s o called because a n enormou s Al p only a fe w feet lowe r than M t Blanc is seen i n I grea t perfectio n fro m thi s valley . W e proceede d t o Baven o thro ' Fariolo, bot h o n th e Lag o Maggiore . Her e we quitted th e hig h rout e a s we had determined t o visit the Italia n lakes previously to reaching Milan . We visited th e Borromean Island s - Isol a Bell a rise s fro m th e boso m o f th e lak e lik e a fair y palace. I t is the most expensive of toys and th e most fantastic - mos t enjoyed by those t o whom it does not belon g fo r the y see it but once , an d th e secon d time , in spit e o f it s magnificent palace and it s ten terrace s an d it s beautiful prospect s and it s statues, grottoe s tropica l vegetatio n an d orienta l bird s i t mus t appear a prison. Afte r quittin g Isol a Bell a w e continue d o n th e lak e unti l w e reache d Arona whic h i s situate d o n th e othe r sid e an d whic h i s th e frontie r tow n o f Lombardy. From Aron a w e travelle d o n t o Vares e wher e w e slept . Nothin g could b e mor e wonderfu l tha n ou r journey , nothin g mor e strikin g tha n a n entrance int o Ital y fro m th e wildes t parts o f Switzerland . Our rid e fro m Aron a commanded m y uninterrupted gaz e altho' fo r week s the busines s of m y life ha s been onl y to admire natur e - bu t the scenery i s so different - s o exceedingly beautiful - so inconceivably lovely - the purple mountain s - the glittering lake s the cupola' d convents , th e man y windowe d villa s crownin g luxurian t woode d
hills - th e undulation o f shore - th e projecting headlan d - th e receding ba y - 5 the roadsid e uninclose d - ye t bounded wit h walnu t and vin e and fig and acaci a 2 and almon d tree s bendin g dow n unde r th e load o f their frui t - th e wonderful effect o f ligh t and shad e - th e trunk s of every tree lookin g black as ebony and their thicke r foliag e fro m th e excessiv e ligh t - lookin g quit e thi n an d transparent i n the sunshine - th e I thousand village s - eac h with a church with a tall thi n towe r - th e large melon s trailing over wall s and above all the extended prospect ar e s o strikin g afte r th e gloo m o f Alpin e passes , ar e s o differen t i n their sunn y ligh t fro m th e reflected , unearthl y glitte r o f eterna l snow s that we are constraine d t o fee l tha t i n speakin g o f Ital y Romanc e ha s omitted fo r onc e to exaggerate. Bu t you must remember tha t we are i n the mos t beautiful par t of northern Ital y and tha t I have not yet entered the plain s of Lombardy. I say the most beautifu l part , fo r I hav e just quitte d th e Lag o Maggior e an d I a m abou t to introduce yo u t o the Lak e of Como. I t i s a muc h smaller lak e than Maggior e and ye t quit e differen t - woode d mountain s gree n wit h Vineyard s an d descending immediatel y int o th e wate r with[ou] t any shor e t o th e lake . I t i s literally covere d wit h glitterin g palaces . I t i s difficul t t o mak e yo u understan d the differenc e betwee n these tw o magical lakes but Maggior e with th e exceptio n of Isol a Bell a is of a severe r kin d of beauty , less art i s evident, as indeed muc h less art is put in action - i n short the y are both lake s - bot h perfectl y beautiful and bot h quit e differen t fro m eac h othe r - tha t i s to say -Lag o Maggior e is a precious ston e and the Lak e of Como is a gem - perhap s you now understand me a littl e better. W e were o n th e lak e si x or seve n hours . W e visited the Vill a Pliniana - s o called no t because i t was the residenc e o f a Plin y but becaus e o f a celebrated intermitten t sprin g th e curiosit y of whic h supplie d a chapter t o th e naturalist and a letter t o the nephew. 6 I also saw the Villa d'Este - th e residenc e of th e lat e Quee n - th e apartment s ar e lef t i n exactly the sam e stat e a s in he r life tim e - ther e is the theatre i n which she acted Colombin e and the celebrate d statues of Ada m and Ev e covered wit h th e ye t more celebrate d fi g leaves . I t i s a villa o f th e firs t grad e - an d splendidl y adorned , I but th e ornament s ar e with[ou]t an exceptio n s o universally indelicate tha t i t was painful t o vie w the m in th e presenc e o f a Lady and onl y the drawingrooms and saloon s are exhibite d for th e the uppe r apartments ar e o f a nature beyond al l imagin[ati]on. We were refused admittanc e - an d I have heard fro m unquestionabl e authorit y that larg e sums have not bought a n entree. We were of course no t informed at the tim e of the reaso n o f th e refusal . Her e i f they possesse d an y interes t migh t yo u obtai n thousands o f stories o f her lat e Majest y - bu t th e tim e is passed than k Go d for 6 Plin y th e Elde r devote d a chapter o f hi s natural history to 'Mirabilia fontium et fluminium' 'Remarkable properties of springs an d rivers' - i n which h e said: 'I n Comensi iuxta Larium la cum fon s largu s hori s singuli s sempe r intumesci t a c vesidit. ' 'I n th e distric t b y th e Lake s of Como a copious sprin g alway s swell s up an d sink s bac k again ever y hour. ' Naturalis Historia l l cvi 232. Pliny the Younge r wrote a letter t o Liciniu s Sura describin g th e spring , and askin g for a probabl e explanation o f its curious behaviour. Letters IV xxx i-ii.
3 I 75 Sep 1826
76 I 52 them . Ou r riot s i n he r favo r ar e th e laughin g stoc k o f Italy. 7 Mor e whe n w e 2 Sep 1826 meet . Th e bank s o f th e Lak e o f Com o ar e covere d wit h th e villa s o f th e Mila nese nobility , who are th e wealthies t in Italy . Her e als o resides Mr . Grey Bennett with hi s Lady 8 and children . An elegant littl e villa wit h garden s graper y etc. may be her e ha d fo r tw o to thre e napoleon s a wee k - a palac e fo r abou t seve n many o f th e Englis h nobilit y passe d a coupl e o f month s las t summe r o n thi s lake. Wit h respec t t o th e vill a o f Paulu s Jovius, ther e i s a gran d palac e called Balbiano where h e is said t o have lived - bu t th e famil y o f Giovio now reside in the tow n of Como . I believ e they are nobl e whic h is not a despicabl e distinction here - mor e of this also when we meet. Dr. Ciceri 9 t o who m Forbes 10 gav e m e a lette r i s of th e greates t us e t o u s a t Milan. H e i s a ver y singular character an d o f grea t importanc e i n thi s City. W e find him extremely courteous, an d thro ' him see everything here to great advantage. I wa s yesterday a t th e refector y o f Sant a Mari a dell'Grazie t o se e th e las t supper. I t i s i n a muc h bette r stat e tha n I ha d imagined . Th e engravin g o f Morghen 11 i s very unlik e - I d o no t thin k tha t th e expressio n o f an y o f th e countenances i s correct. Morghe n i s himsel f n o judge o f paintin g an d a grea t miser an d engrave d fro m a miserabl e an d inaccurat e I copy by a n artis t of th e lowest character. Instea d o f being admired b y the cognoscent i in Ital y a s in England the y are extremel y desirous o f having this wonderful production agai n en graved fro m a cop y by a goo d artis t and Si r Thomas Lawrence 12 ha s promise d Ciceri to send on e ove r and ge t it engraved i n England. The prid e of Ciceri is to be considere d a n Englishman . H e live s amon g th e Englis h nobilit y who trave l thro' an d resid e here and i s their factotu m on ever y subject. He lodge s in a palace, and dine s every day o n a beef steak . He i s known to everybody in Ital y an d manages the business of all Milan. H e is a sort o f an intellectual Paul Pry 13 - th e best o f Ciceroni s of cours e an d wit h a littl e managemen t th e mos t courteou s o f men, bu t h e i s a littl e surly at firs t becaus e h e conceive s that tha t i s keeping u p 7 Th e Vill a d'Est e ha d bee n bough t i n 181 6 b y Quee n Caroline , the n Princes s o f Wales , fo r £7,500, and name d b y her afte r th e famil y fro m whic h she wa s descended. Sh e spent a n addi tional £30,00 0 on improvement s an d furnishings , and , accordin g t o evidence presente d i n 182 0 at he r tria l fo r adultery , th e vill a was notorious throughout norther n Ital y as the sit e of numerous orgies . Christopher Hibber t George IV, Regent and King, 1811-30 (1975) 135 , 138 , 141 , 153 . For tw o day s followin g Caroline' s retur n t o Englan d i n Jun e 182 0 crowd s demonstrate d around th e hous e where sh e was staying. One observe r reporte d 'sh e showed hersel f t o a wildly excited mo b tha t streame d throug h th e street s al l night wit h torches, makin g passers-b y shou t "Long Live the Queen!", and roarin g their suppor t of "Queen Carolin e an d he r son , Kin g Austin".' Pete r Quennel l e d Th e Private Letters o f Princess Lieven to Prince Metternich, 1820-26 (1948 ) 3°8 Henr y Gre y Benne t (1777-1836) , secon d so n of th e 4t h Ear l o f Tankerville , marrie d Gertrud e Frances (d 1841) , eldest daughte r of Lord Willia m Russell, in 1816 . Grevill e I 7in. 9 Lad y Murray' s repor t o f a visi t to Mila n in 183 5 refer s t o a Venu s b y th e Venetia n Schiavon e 'bequeathed by Doctor Cicer i t o Signer Fidanza' . A Journal o f a Tour in Italy [1836? ] I 192 . 10 Probabl y Charle s Fergusso n Forbe s (1779-1852) , one-tim e arm y surgeo n wh o ha d serve d ex tensively i n the Mediterranea n area, an d wh o became a prominen t Londo n docto r specializin g in diseases of the eye . H e was knighted i n 1844 . 1 i Raffaell o Sanzi o Morghe n (1758-1833) , Italian engraver. H e ha d engrave d Leonard o da Vinci' s 'Last Supper' for the Grand Duk e o f Florence. 12 Si r Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) . He ha d succeede d Benjami n Wes t a s president of the Roya l Academy i n 1820 . 13 Th e idle , meddlin g hero of Thomas Poole's comedy Paul Pry (1825).
the Englis h character . Howeve r ou r acquaintanc e wit h hi m i s extremel y 5317 7 fortunate an d I dar e sa y will influenc e th e pleasur e o f th e res t o f ou r tour . I t 1 3 Sep 1826 was thro' hi m tha t w e have a chance o f obtain[in] g our los t letter s fo r h e drop s in at the pos t ever y mornin g t o enquire wha t letters ther e ar e for English - an d is applied t o by all parties whe n ever anythin g i s in dispute abou t tha t wonderfu l nation. W e hav e ha d delightfu l weathe r eve r sinc e w e left England , an d I hav e not ha d a moments illness . I long for a letter an d hop e to God I shall obtain i t to morrow. M y mother I am very anxious about. I hav e not see n Englis h papers til l I go t her e whe n Cicer i len t u s a pil e o f Galignani s which are no t allowe d here , but whic h of course h e obtains. 14 Things look gloom y enoug h i n England. Colo nel Wardle 15 amon g othe r peopl e i s living in thi s city . M y fello w traveller s ar e very kin d an d ver y accommodating . Auste n i s particularly learned i n coin s an d postillions an d exchange . I We hav e me t lot s of peopl e who m th e Austen s know and thes e occasiona l rencontre s ar e ver y agreeable . I mean t t o hav e writte n a whole letter abou t L a Scala and th e ballet here which ranks almost wit h Tragedy but m y lon g lette r i s full . I shal l writ e fro m her e agai n whe n I hav e receive d yours, o r fro m Venic e wher e I shal l be o n Thursday . W e trave l slowl y which is delightful. Coul d yo u but se e a fe w of ou r countreyme n - ho w much the y d o and ho w little the y enjo y an d understan d - th e excitemen t o f idiotis m I neve r witnessed befor e an d i t is very ludicrou s - bu t I mus t introduc e yo u to charac ters orally . God bles s you all Your affe c So n B. Disraeli TO ISAAC D'ISRAEL I Venice
, Wednesday 1 3 September 182 6 5
O R I G I N A L : H A/IV/C/ 1 1
COVER: I . D'Israel i Esqre I Post Offic e I Dover I Inghilterra I [At righ t angles] : Angleterre POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FP O i $£.2 5 I 182 6 (2 ) I n doubl e circle : S[E ] I w 25[centra l numbe r i n small circle] I [1826] (3 ) Venezi a (4 ) L.I. PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 102-3 , 103-4 , extracts dated 1826 .
Venice Wednesday Sept . 13th . 182 6 My dear Father , We hav e no t bee n abl e ye t t o obtai n ou r missin g letter s bu t hav e a chanc e a t Florence wher e w e shall b e o n Sunday . I wrot e yo u a double lette r fro m Mila n which I trus t yo u dul y received . Th e da y afte r I wrote , I wen t t o th e famou s Ambrosian Library . Th e collectio n i s no t larg e 3500 0 printe d books : bu t i t is 14 Galignani's Messenger, a dail y newspaper , i n English , was publishe d i n Pari s betwee n 181 4 an d 1895. Fro m 183 0 ther e wer e mornin g an d evenin g editions , an d i t catered t o th e interest s o f the Englis h traveller abroad. Strict licensing regulations prohibite d it s circulation a t this time in Lombardy, or anywhere els e in the Austrian Empire . 15 L t Col Gwyllym Lloy d Wardle (i762?-i833) , soldier an d politician . In 180 9 h e ha d raise d i n th e Commons a scanda l abou t th e sal e of commissions by Mary Anne Clarke , mistres s of th e Duk e of York, and ha d force d th e Duke' s resignatio n a s commander i n chief. Wardle later fled to th e Continent to escape his creditors, and die d in Florence .
3
78 I 53 ver y ric h i n MSS . O f cours e I sa w th e Petrarc h Virgil 1 an d al l th e lion s an d 13 Sep 1826 muc h more thro ' the kindnes s of Ciceri. This library was founded b y a Cardina l Borromeo, th e grea t famil y a t Milan . The presen t member s ar e th e trustees . Herein a smal l collection of paintings : I sa w the origina l sketc h of th e schoo l of Athens - Raphael s own fac e omitted . Mila n ma y be thoroughl y seen a s far as churches an d picture s i n th e cours e o f tw o days. I d o no t howeve r regre t m y longer sta y there. It is a city no t particularl y distinguished by architectural beau ty. The street s ar e i n general narro w and th e house s lofty bu t th e union of thes e two defect s ensur e constan t shade , an d ar e a mod e o f buildin g peculiarl y adapted t o sunn y climates. The churche s ar e no t ver y numerous, an d wit h th e exception o f th e interio r o f St. Vittorio are no t t o be notice d i n an architectural point of view. The Cathedra l o f White marble stands alone with[ou] t a rival, but whether rivalr y is desirable, i s dubious. Forsyth s pungent criticis m is just. Rea d it.2 Th e rampart s roun d Mila n ar e mos t noble . The y exten d seve n miles . O n each sid e rows of trees an d a capital road. The Cors o i s a fine street; broa d an d long. This with a part of the rampart s for m "the Corso " whic h is hardly inferior at the sacre d hou r i n quantity of equipages t o our Hyd e Park, and tha t i s saying very much . Certainl y the quantit y is out o f al l ratio wit h th e populatio n o f thi s City, an d ca n onl y be accounte d fo r b y the tempe r o f th e Italian s who sacrific e every thin g fo r a bo x a t th e Opera , an d a carriag e o n th e Corso . Th e Cors o however i s one o f the mos t strikin g sights on th e Continent . Th e equipage s ar e certainly no t t o b e compared t o ours , bu t stil l the y are ver y good. Th e liverie s are ver y picturesque . Al l are allowe d chasseurs , whic h are her e n o diplomati c distinction - grea t rivalrie s in the dres s o f these picturesqu e attendant s conse quently tak e plac e an d servant s i n easter n costum e ar e sometime s observable . The Milanes e are the wealthies t of the Italians . Amon g the noble s 20,00 0 pr. ann. is not unknown and its moiety is not uncommon - 6 to 4000 common. Th e Borromeos whos e estates ar e encumbere d hav e stil l 1400 0 pr . ann . bu t wha t is the bes t evidenc e o f th e prosperit y o f thi s populatio n i s the 3 I existence o f a wealthy class of gentry not noble - 2 to 3000 pr. ann. is very common - wit h all this Mila n i s cheap - fo r thes e fortune s are no t th e mushroo m production s o f national debt s an d governmen t contracts , bu t of real propert y - o f hereditar y estates wit h regard to the nobles and o f purchased churc h land s as to the others. Not a monaster y exist s in Lombardy . Coun t Ciconia 4 i s the leade r o f th e to n a t Milan. He is a dandy of genius - worth y of Brummell. He is about 4 5 - dresse s very plainl y - ha s been frequentl y in Englan d an d pay s constant trip s ther e to 1 Th e Bibliotec a Ambrosiana, built by Lelio Buzzi in 1607-9 , contains Petrarch's cop y of Virgil. 2 Joseph Forsyt h (1763-1815) firs t publishe d i n 181 3 Remarks o n Antiquities, Arts, and Letters, during an Excursion i n Italy i n th e Years 1802 and 1803. In th e firs t editio n h e ha d sai d nothin g o f the architectur e o f Milan , but b y the thir d edition , of 1824 , he ha d include d a sectio n o n tha t city. Commenting on the cathedral, he described i t as 'wonderfully contrive d to bury millions of money in ornaments whic h are neve r seen. Whol e quarries o f marble hav e been manufacture d here int o statue s .. . and hig h sculptur e ha s been squandere d o n object s which vanish individually in the mass. ' 3rd e d (1824 ) II 134. 3 Th e final ten words on this page of the M S are repeated on the next . 4 D' s spelling is suspect here. Th e Count' s famil y wa s probably that described a s 'Cicogna di Mila no' i n G.B . d i Crollalanz a Dizionario storico-blasonico delle famiglie nobili e notabili italiane (Pis a 1886) I .
study. He i s young in figure but hi s face i s long and ol d - a bachelor wit h a loud 5 shrill voice . He is curious in horses - drive s four i n hand i n perfect styl e - an d 1 was attende d alway s b y Englis h groom s til l thei r idlenes s force d hi m t o giv e them up . The y wil l no t d o fo r Italy . Ciconia is as rapid i n the chang e of hi s style and dres s a s i n hi s conceptionsf. ] Whit e hat s ar e a t Mila n th e rag e - whic h Ciconia introduced . H e appeare d th e las t day on th e Cors o i n a black one. Thi s forms the subjec t of the afternoons conversation at all the Cafe s and circles . Th e dandies her e are numerous and splendid - Italian s - Austrian s - Hungarian s mustaches o f al l colour s an d descriptions . Her e i s n o regula r season . Th e Milanese with a beautiful countr y and splendi d villa s are no t fon d of a rural lif e and neve r leav e th e City , til l Octobe r whe n th e rain s generall y commence . Ciconia, I sho[ul]d no t omit to say, is considered a shrewd han d a t a bargain an d a most excellent manager , mak[in] g a great figure on a small income - 250 0 pr. ann. H e i s o f a ver y goo d family . Provision s a t Mila n an d throughou t al l Lombardy ar e excellent . The brea d i s peculiarly white. The win e is to b e ha d for nothing , bu t no t brilliant , tho ' sound . Th e mod e o f thei r cultivatio n i s beautiful i n appearance . Eleganc e mus t b e studie d i n a n Italia n vineyard. We left Milan , and sleepin g at Brescia , a flourishin g cit y ful l o f lif e an d business , we proceeded nex t da y to Dezenzan o - wher e w e breakfasted o n deliciou s trou t and arena s o n th e bank s o f th e Lag o d e Guard a an d opposit e t o th e vill a o f Catullus. Thi s Lak e i s much vaunte d fo r it s beauty bu t I prefe r th e Maggiore , which it resembles. Fro m Dezenzan o to Verona thro' a rich country bounded o n one sid e by the moderate but beautifu l elevations of the Trentine Alps . Verona is on e o f th e mos t agreeabl e citie s I eve r saw . I It i s interestin g fo r it s ancien t fortunes an d convenien t fro m it s present prosperit y - rar e union ! I t i s a larg e city - I sho[ul]d hav e thought too large for its population (45000 ) bu t the street s are alway s bustling . The y ar e als o ver y wid e an d th e house s ar e extremel y handsome. I do no t remembe r a narro w alle y looking place i n all Verona. Thi s city is full o f picture s which have never been painted . Every step excites emotion and give s rise t o unaffecte d reflection . I n th e cours e o f a shor t stroll , you may pass by a Roman amphitheatre - stil l used - the n the castle of some pett y princ e of th e middl e age s - an d whil e yo u are contrastin g th e sublim e elevatio n of antiquity wit h th e heterogeneou s palac e of a Scaliger 5 you r eye s light on a gat e of orienta l appearanc e an d fantasti c ornament erecte d b y th e Venetian s when they wer e the conqueror s o f th e mos t fertil e distric t of norther n Italy . Memorials of this wonderful people are constantl y before you . In th e marketplac e rise s a loft y pillar whic h evidently once bor e som e sculpture d burden . As k - i t was the winge d Lion of St. Mark. Stand i n the Piazz a dei Signori at Verona. There is the palac e o f th e counci l by Sansovino - o n anothe r sid e i s a Saraceni c palac e once a n offic e o f Venetia n administratio n - thre e o r fou r perspective s ar e afforded by various arches whic h open int o street s or othe r piazzas , and a mag nificent towe r rise s fro m a corner . Th e illusio n is perfect - th e ey e rests wit h pain o n the passin g citizen s in their moder n costume s - yo u look fo r black vel5 Th e Scaliger i were a leading Veronese famil y o f the thirteent h an d fourteent h centuries unde r whose rule Verona rose to a position o f political and artistic prominence .
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s and gol d chain s - whit e feathers and re d stockings . It is odd t o write a lette r m Venic e an d no t mentio n i t - i t i s stil l mor e singula r t o writ e abou t th e picturesque appearanc e o f a singl e square a t Veron a whe n I a m sittin g in sight of St . Mark s and th e duca l palac e o f Venice , bu t I hav e bee n i n thi s cit y fiv e days an d hav e no t yet been abl e t o write on e singl e lin e abou t i t - beside s you wish t o hav e a n ide a o f al l that I se e an d betwee n Veron a o f whic h I hav e no t said hal f enough an d Venice ther e i s much t o mention - Vicenz a for instance full o f Palladio . I leav e fo r Ferrar a i n hal f a n hou r - bu t di d no t lik e t o g o with[ou]t writin g t o you . I shal l endeavou r t o writ e agai n I befor e I reac h Florence - perhap s fro m Bologna . I am quite wel l - n o contretemps. I can only hope tha t yo u are al l as I am and I pant fo r a letter a t Florence[.] God bles s you all Yr. affe c So n B. Disraeli 0
ISAAC D'ISRAELI Florence
, [Tuesday ] 2 6 September 182 6
O R I G I N A L : H A/IV/C/1 3
COVER: I . D'Israel i Esqr e I Lawn Hous e I Marine Parad e I Dover I Inghilterra I [A t righ t angles] : An gleterre POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FP O i OC- g I 182 6 (2 ) I n doubl e circle : O[C ] I C g[centra l numbe r i n small circle] I 1826 (3 ) FIRENZ E (4 ) I n smal l rectangle: IT . PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 104 , extract date d 182 6 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: Francescan, roman , the that , Theatro Olympico, Pallaces .
Florence Septembe r 26th . 182 6 My dear Father , We arrived a t this city last Sunday week and hav e here received Sarah s lette r ad dressed t o m e a t Florenc e an d you r lette r t o Mrs . Auste n whic h w e misse d a t Milan. Mrs . A. has written to m y mother fro m thi s and sinc e I'v e bee n i n Ital y I have writte n double lette r fro m Mila n and singl e from Venice : all , I trust , duly received. You r letter s hav e given us a great dea l o f pleasur e an d yo u continue I hope to like Dover and enjo y health . When I was at Verona, a t which place, I believe, my last letter ceased , I visited the tom b o f Julia. 1 I t i s a sarcophagu s o f Veron a marbl e wit h a cavit y fo r th e head, a socke t fo r a candl e an d tw o holes fo r th e admissio n o f ai r - th e dat e 1303, th e supposed yea r o f her deat h - th e famil y name s wer e a s you probably know, Capell o an d Montecchio . Th e tom b i s in a n ol d Francesca n conven t an d the stor y i s highly popular a t Verona , a grea t par t o f th e sarcop[hagus ] havin g been broken awa y b y the Italian s for snuf f boxes, bu t thi s is at presen t an d ha s been fo r som e year s perfectly prohibited . Whethe r thi s be th e rea l tom b o f one , who was , undoubtedly, a rea l heroine , o f cours e I canno t decide . I wo[ul] d no t 1 A fourteenth-centur y tomb, allege d t o b e tha t o f Juliet o f th e hous e o f Capulet , locate d i n a cloister of f th e Vi a del Pontiere . Juliet, i n Italian , is usually rendere d a s 'Giulietta', but 'Giulia ' is not unknow n and appear s sometime s in the titl e Romeo e Giulia. Thus D has recorded the Ital ian pronunciation, but faile d to capture the spelling.
however hazar d a doub t t o th e ol d woma n wh o shewe d it , an d wh o prattle d 5 about th e "goo d fathe r Lorenzo " wit h credulou s naivete . I sa w only tw o Pau l 2 Veroneses2 a t Veron a an d neithe r o f the m remarkabl e picture s - bu t I hav e seen thousand s o f thi s wonderful master sinc e at Venic e where among a crow d of genius he wa s still most remarkable. Here , roma n antiquity, as you well know, abounds: th e amphitheatr e o f cours e i s the mos t interestin g remnant . It s inter ior is perfect, havin g been restore d - an d is indeed stil l use d - a wooden theatr e having bee n erecte d i n it s centre, an d a certai n par t o f th e amphitheatr e seat s being railed i n to serve as boxes. With one exception , one smal l bit, the elevation of thi s grea t wor k i s demolished , th e surroundin g wal l whic h yo u se e repre sented i n engraving s bein g bu t th e inne r wal l o f th e porticos , an d muc h lowe r than th e origina l exterior. Th e Verones e nobilit y are no t s o wealthy as the Mila nese: amon g othe r palace s I remarke d th e tha t o f the Marques s Maffe i th e lineal descendant o f the nobl e illustrato r of Verona. 3 The presen t noblema n ha s a fine collectio n o f antiqu e gems . I From Veron a thro ' a beautiful country, wher e the vin e is married t o th e mulberr y we travelled to Vicenza . The famou s Palladian palace s are i n decay. They ar e built of brick, sometimes plastered, occasionally whitewashed - th e re d materia l i s constantly appearing an d vie s i n hideou s color wit h th e eve r offensiv e roof . I t i s a miserabl e thin g tha t a ma n worth y of Athens o r Rom e shoul d hav e worked wit h suc h materials . In th e whol e course of m y travelling nothing ha s struck me a s more fals e tha n th e perpetua l lamen t in Englan d o f th e wan t of marbl e an d th e a s constant env y o f ou r mor e fortu nate neighbour s th e Italians . Th e trut h i s tha t a marbl e structur e o r eve n a stone buildin g i s infinitely mor e rar e i n Ital y than i n England . Al l is brick an d plaster an d a s I sd . before, occasionall y whitewash. The onl y difference between England an d Ital y is tha t ou r poo r materia l i s no t offensiv e becaus e i t i s kep t neat and clean . There is not a street i n Italy as to houses which is equal in cleanliness t o Regen t St . an d n o palac e whic h looks hal f a s whit e or a s imposin g as the County fire office 4 o r buildings of that calibre - al l the smoke of all the machinery o f Birmingha m an d Mancheste r united wil l no t d o a s much mischie f t o a buildin g as the indolenc e o f man , an d sunn y skies are o f littl e use wher e th e beings the y shin e o n ar e contente d wit h th e dir t o f a hove l provide d i t be be stowed i n a palace . I n Ital y cobweb s mus t b e accompanie d wit h cornice s an d stinks mus t b e endure d i n saloons . Abstrac t filt h i s alone odious . Forsyth , wh o however i s not seldo m a blunderer, ha s sai d o f Palladi o all that nee d b e sai d by any man , an d mor e tha n ha s bee n sd . b y an y ma n - "Reproducin g ancien t beauty i n combinations unknow n to the ancient s themselves," is the whol e secre t and i s keenly expressed. I prefe r th e gate s o f Palladi o to hi s palaces , p[er]hap s 2 Paol o Caliar i Verones e (c 1528-1588). 3 Th e Palazz o Maffe i (1668) , locate d nea r th e Cors o Anastasia, wa s once th e palac e o f Francesc o Scipione, Marches e d i Maffe i (1675-1755) , Italia n dramatist, archeologis t and illustrator . Verona illustrata (1731-2) was one o f hi s best-known works . 4 Designe d b y th e architec t Rober t Abraham , th e Fir e Offic e ha d bee n erecte d a t 5 0 Regen t Street i n 1819 . Wit h it s Corinthian column s an d statu e o f Britannia , th e buildin g wa s a show piece o f th e time , bu t som e expert s proclaime d i t an inferio r cop y o f Ol d Somerse t Hous e by Inigo Jones. W.H. Leed s Illustrations o f the Public Buildings of London (1838 ) I I 157-60 .
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8a I 54 becaus e the y are o f stone . O f thes e tha t o f th e Camp o Marz o is the mos t nobl e 26 Sep 1826 an d tha t leading to the celebrate d Churc h o f the Madonn a the mos t novel. This last on e i s a gat e whic h opens o n tw o hundre d step s leadin g t o a celebrate d temple o f th e virgin . Th e pilgrim s toilin g u p thi s magnificen t ascent viewed thro' th e Palladia n porta l forme d a pictur e worth y of Piranesi. 5 Th e famou s Theatre Olympico 6 is now finishin g an d whe n finishe d wil l b e o f n o use . I t wil l be a wonderful thing however to visi t i n thi s I age a perfec t roma n theatre , per fect eve n a s t o th e scenes . Gazin g on thi s buildin g I kno w no t b y wha t I wa s most affected - wit h admiration of the art which had created i t - o r by the ideal presence o f antiquity . Matte r howeve r i s mor e powerfu l tha n mind , an d th e deepest abstractio n i s of trifling duration. Her e you are soo n engaged i n the sole admiration of a specimen of perfec t Roma n architecture. How exquisite are the proportions! ho w subdue d ar e th e componen t parts ! ho w harmoniou s i s th e mighty whole ! Gazing in th e Theatr o Olympic o we forge t th e gothi c fretwork! Who can hesitat e to admit architecture i n the gracefu l catalogue of th e fine arts - a n ar t whic h alik e enchants th e eye , subdue s th e passions , an d elevate s the soul. Besides many public buildings Vicenza is full o f Pallace s by her grea t archi tect. O f these , th e mos t elegan t i s th e Chiericate : th e mos t gorgeou s th e Barbarono;7 th e mos t simpl e th e Franchescine . I mentio n thes e name s tha t i f there be any illustrated works of Palladio it may be in your powe r t o turn t o th e plates. I sa w also th e vill a o f th e Marques s Capra, th e mode l o f Chiswick. 8 I t is in a miserabl y dilapidated state , but it s red-tiled roo f wil l neve r pleas e th e curi ous. The proportions ar e exquisite - an d the interior is beautiful - bu t why Forsyth sho[ul]d conceiv e such a style of building suited t o our wind y climate passes my understanding . Th e view s fro m thi s palac e ar e beautiful . Here i s a hous e shown a s that o f Palladi o himself. It i s an elegan t buildin g but th e traditio n i s a fable. Vicenz a tho' ful l o f palaces, is not a n elegan t town. On th e yth . Inst . w e were a t Padu a fro m man y causes a gloom y and decaye d city. I t i s so large tha t it s streets see m depopulated tho ' its still remaining popu lation exceeds 40,000, an d it s houses ar e buil t with portico s of unequa l siz e and of universally inelegant appearance. Th e tow n hall here is the mos t ancient, the largest an d th e mos t ugl y room i n Xdom . I n i t ar e som e antiquities , Egyptian, presented by Belzoni, one of the numerou s eminent me n whom Padua ha s Pro duced. Hi s gratefu l cit y ha s struc k a meda l t o hi s memory , an d ar e abou t t o raise a marbl e medallio n o f hi s hea d i n th e Library . Her e i s a publi c place o r garden surrounde d b y statue s o f al l th e eminen t me n who m Padu a ha s pro duced - wel l executed. Th e effec t wo[ul] d be agreeable in any city except Padua , but her e everything is sombre. Mrs. Austen's letter t o my mother di d no t g o yesterday a s we expected - yo u will therefor e receiv e thi s at th e sam e tim e bu t I 5 Giovann i Battista Piranesi (1720-1778), etcher and architect . 6 Th e Teatr o Olimpico, located i n the Corso Palladio, was Palladio's last work. 7 Th e Palazz o Chiericate (1550-7 ) an d th e Palazz o Port o Barbara n (1570) , i n th e Contr a Porti , both by Palladio. 8 Th e Rontond a Capra , begu n b y Palladio in 155 1 an d finishe d b y Scamozzi in 1606 , ha d pro vided th e mode l fo r Chiswic k House , a Palladia n mansion wes t of London , designe d an d buil t by Lord Burlingto n early in the eighteenth century.
shall nevertheles s write to yo u agai n b y nex t post . I It i s odd t o writ e fro m thi s 5 beautiful an d wonderfu l City an d no t mentio n it , but I imagin e that you wil l b e 2 more please d by the pla n which I have adopted o f giving you a short accoun t of every plac e w e pas s thro' , tha n wit h a mor e hurrie d communicatio n which wo[ul]d carry me on muc h further. Nothin g can go on mor e pleasantl y than we do, an d I trus t mor e profitably . I a m sur e ther e i s no excus e fo r an y reflecting man wh o doe s no t com e hom e fro m Ital y an d Switzerlan d with a min d mor e matured an d a taste mor e correct . I shall fo r man y reason s conside r m y coming as one of the luckies t incidents of my life . I am quite wel l in health . God bles s you all . Stephe n Weston 9 i s a t Naple s (I believ e now)[. ] H e lef t Venic e a fe w weeks before us for that City. Your most affec So n B. Disraeli TO ISAAC D'ISRAELI Florence
, [Friday ] 29 September 182 6
ORIGINAL: H A/IV/C/14 COVER: I . D'Israel i Esqre I Law n Hous e I Marin e Parad e I Dover - I Inghitierra I [A t righ t angles] : Angleterre POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FPO I OC-12 I [1826] (2) I n doubl e circle: [illegible ] (3 ) FIRENZ E (4 ) I n small rectangle: IT (5) Toscana PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 104-5 , 1O 5' extracts dated 1826 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: file, Lagune , moonlights, lazulli , last supper, latter.
Florence Septr. 2Qth . 1826 My dear Father , I wrote to you two days ago from this city and th e sam e post also carried a letter from Mrs . Austen to m y mother. W e are al l quite well , but regre t tha t we have not receive d anothe r lette r fro m Dove r a t thi s place . I hop e howeve r that this pleasure i s only postpone d til l Genoa . M y last lette r carrie d yo u t o th e border s of th e grea t Lagun e o f Venice . The firs t thin g whic h struc k m e o n arrivin g at that wonderful city was its extreme distanc e from th e Continent . It i s nearly five miles fro m th e lan d o f Ital y and ha s th e appearanc e a t a distance o f a larg e island. I entere d Venic e with a magnificen t setting sun o n a gran d fet e day. 1 As we glide d i n a gondol a u p th e grea t Lagun e w e passed St . Marks, the Campan ile, th e Palac e of th e Doges , th e Bridg e o f Sighs , the Priso n befor e w e reache d our Hote l - onc e th e prou d residenc e o f th e Bernardinis 2 a famil y whic h has given more tha n one doge t o the old Republic - th e floors of our rooms were of marble - th e hangings of satin - th e ceilings painted by Tintoretto an d his scholars, ful l o f Turkis h Triumph s an d trophie s - th e chair s o f Sati n an d th e gild[in]g tho ' o f tw o hundred year s duration a s brightly burnished a s th e ne w 9 Stephe n Westo n (1747-1830) , traveller , antiquaria n an d translator ; autho r o f Viaggiana: Re marks o n the Buildings, etc, of Rome (1776). 1 Th e da y o n whic h D arrived i n Venice , 8 September , wa s celebrated a s th e birthda y o f th e Virgin Mary. 2 A prominen t Venetia n famil y o f th e fifteent h century . O n th e MS , i n anothe r hand , followin g 'Hotel': 'Dameli's' .
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84 I 55 mosai c invention . Afte r a hast y dinne r w e rushe d t o th e might y plac e o f St . 29 Sep 1826 Mark . It wa s crowded - tw o Greek an d on e Turkis h shipfs ] o f wa r were fro m accidental circumstance s i n port , an d thei r crew s mingle d wit h th e othe r spectators - th e Greek s ar e mos t magnificen t me n wit h hig h forehead s an d higher cap s an d elevate d ey e brows: then ther e wa s the Austria n militar y ban d and th e bearded jew with hi s black velve t cap was not wanting - thre e gorgeou s flags waved o n th e might y staff s whic h are opposit e th e churc h i n al l th e ol d drawings and which onc e bore th e Standards o f Candia, Crete and the Morea tired wit h travelling , we left th e gay scene crowded - bu t the moon was so bright that a juggler wa s conjuring i n a circl e unde r ou r window , and a n itineran t Italian oper a performin g b y ou r bridge . Serenade s wer e constan t durin g th e whole night - indee d musi c is never silen t in Venice. I wish I co[ul]d giv e you an idea o f th e moonlight s there, bu t tha t i s impossible. Venice by moonligh t i s an enchanted cit y - th e effec t o f th e flood s o f silve r ligh t upo n th e moresc o architecture - th e perfect absenc e o f all harsh sound s o f carts and carriages the neve r I ceasing musi c on th e water s produce a n effec t o n th e min d which cannot b e experience d I a m sur e i n an y othe r cit y i n th e world . Altho ' succeeding day s a t Venic e wer e no t s o ga y an d animate d a s ou r firs t I mus t however sa y tha t I di d no t perceiv e thos e eviden t sign s o f deca y whic h al l s o much tal k of - th e "marble halls " seem in very good repair, an d stan d ver y littl e chance of fallin g i n the water - th e canals are quite ful l an d mu d i s never visible and n o cit y i n th e worl d wa s mor e fre e fro m nauseou s smell s an d simila r nuisances. The vie w of Venice in Hakewill 3 is the Gran d Cana l on whic h mos t of the palace s of the High nobilit y are situate - sailin g down thi s broad Strea m the palaces of Foscari - Grimani , Barberigo, 4 and other name s which make the coldest heart thril l rise rapidly before yo u - th e end o f it empties itsel f in the Grea t Lagune, o n th e bank s of whic h ar e situat e th e building s of St . Mar k etc. Th e Rialto, you know, spans the Grea t canal . The palac e of the Doge s i s still kep t u p for publi c offices, librar y etc. It s wall s are painte d b y the greates t master s of th e miraculous Venetia n school an d it s roof i s gilt an d adorne d i n a manne r which leaves fa r behin d al l the magnificenc e of al l the palace s i n th e world . I n ever y room yo u are reminde d o f the glor y and th e triumphs of the Republic , the door of on e chamber onc e close d upo n th e mosqu e of St. Sophia - th e pillar s of another grace d a temple in the More a - an d eve n Solomon s temple i s not forgotten, an d tw o pillars of fantasti c architectur e wer e carved fro m larg e column s of granite whic h were brough t i n triump h b y a nobl e Venetia n fro m th e ruin s of Jerusalem. St . Mark's Church i s a pil e o f preciou s stone s - th e wall s ar e o f all kinds of th e rares t marble s an d eve n o f jasper, lapi s lazulli and th e riches t por phyry an d orienta l agate s - th e interior i s cased wit h mosaic s of gold an d i n the front figure five hundred pillar s of all kinds of architecture and colors - som e of which I are o f ver d antique . Th e fou r braze n horse s amble , no t prance a s som e have described , o n th e front , an d five cupolas - hoode d cupolas , crow n thi s 3 James Hakewil l (1778-1843) A Picturesque Tour of Italy (1820 ) scene XII plate 2. 4 Al l thre e wer e powerfu l Venetia n families , member s o f whic h wer e doge s o f Venic e i n th e fifteenth and sixteent h centuries .
Christian mosque . I t i s impossibl e howeve r t o giv e an y writte n descriptio n o f 5 Venice at leas t in a letter: wit h the ai d o f print s howeve r I ca n manag e t o mak e 2 you for m a goo d idea , whic h som e winte r evenin g I will . I t i s vai n t o writ e anything her e o f the picture s - th e churches - th e palace s wit h whic h this cit y abounds. Accordin g t o the common opinion I saw all that ought t o be seen - bu t I neve r fel t les s inclined t o quit a place than I did Venice . It i s in these spot s tha t I wis h t o stay , fo r i t i s i n suc h place s tha t th e min d receive s tha t degre e o f wholesome excitatio n whic h i s on e o f th e grea t benefit s o f travel , I mea n a n excitation whic h quicken s th e feeling s an d th e fancy , an d whic h enable s th e mind t o arriv e a t result s with greater facilit y an d rapidit y tha n w e do a t home , and in our studies . We were five days at Venice - arrivin g on Friday and leaving on followin g Wednesday. I mus t no t forge t t o mentio n ou r delightfu l driv e from Padu a t o tha t Cit y by th e bank s o f th e Brenta , whic h reall y is lined wit h villas an d palaces . Fro m Venic e w e journeyed t o Ferrar a i n tw o days , par t o f one o f whic h w e spen t i n visitin g Arqua, a sof t quie t hamle t i n th e boso m o f green hill s - bu t turn t o Childe Harold , th e poetr y an d th e prose not e wil l save me a descriptio n o f on e o f th e sweetes t spots i n Italy . I sa w the famou s cat an d read th e epitaph . Isn' t ther e a controversy abou t thi s cat? How co[ul]d i t arise?5 Ferrara is a most interestin g city . Her e in a rich an d admirabl y arrange d librar y I sa w the MSS . of Ariosto , Tass o and Guarini 6 and th e tom b of th e former . W e of cours e visite d the cel l of Tasso - the doo r post s of thi s gloom y dungeo n are covered wit h th e name s o f its visitors - her e scratche d wit h a grea t nai l on the brick wal l I saw sprawled Byro n - Sa m Rogers printe d I in pencil i n a neat bank ers han d wa s immediatel y underneath. 7 I a m force d t o clos e thi s lette r muc h sooner tha n I had intended , bu t I am sufferin g so severely this day from th e Sirocco, tha t I can scarcel y guid e m y pen. I fea r yo u wil l fin d thi s ver y incorrectly written, bu t i n th e evenin g I shal l mak e ano[the] r attemp t t o writ e t o you . T o make sur e howeve r o f you r receivin g on e lette r I shal l sen d thi s to th e pos t t o night. Mr . Saunders, 8 who m I hav e just seen , ha s mentione d t o m e wher e h e thinks I can get a fine set of Morghen' s poets. 9 I f th e pric e be reasonable , I shall purchase the m fo r you . H e als o advise s me t o purchas e th e retouche d las t sup per whic h is superior t o al l the latte r origina l impression s etc . etc . a s h e think s that i t will rise i n value as the onl y memorial of a work which becomes ever y day more interestin g fro m it s perishin g nature . Go d bles s yo u all . I ca n scarcel y guide m y pen . BD 5 Byro n describe s th e scen e i n Childe Harold I V 30-2, an d i n note s t o Cant o IV . Petrarch's cat , dried, wa s kept i n a glas s cas e ove r th e doo r o f hi s hous e i n Arqu a wher e Petrarc h die d i n 1374. The Italia n inscription declares th e cat to have been 'secon d only to Laura'. Rogers 181 . 6 Th e Duke s of Ferrar a ha d bee n th e patron s o f Ludovic o Ariost o (1474-1553 ) and Torquat o Tasso (1544-1595). Guarini is presumably Giovanni Battista Guarini (i537?-i6iz). 7 Samue l Roger s (1763-1855) , banker , poe t an d frien d o f Isaa c D'Israel i an d Byron . H e visite d Tasso's tomb in Ferrara o n 2 5 October 1814 . Rogers 180 . 8 Joseph Saunders . 9 Raffaell o Sanzi o Morghen had engrave d portrait s o f Dante, Petrarch, Ariosto , Tasso and othe r Italian poets an d celebrities .
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O ISAAC D'ISRAELI Florence
, Friday 29 September 182 6
O R I G I N A L : H A/IV/C/1 5
COVER: I . D'Israeli , Esqre . I Law n Hous e I Marin e Parad e I Dover I Inghilterra I [A t righ t angles] : Angleterre
POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle: FP O i OC-i z I 182 6 (2) I n doubl e circle: [OC ] I i2[centra l numbe r i n small circle] I 1826 (3) FIRENZ E (4) Toscana (5 ) i n smal l rectangle: [l.]T. PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 107-8 , extracts dated 2 9 September 182 6 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic. 7,oooo , Carracis , Albano , Appennines , Bertolini , florentine , Medicis , countreymen, last supper, Vandyke, Wtlna, Bartolomeo, flemish, french, Rembrants , prixfixe.
Florence. Friday Eveng. Septr. 29 . 1826. My dear father , I hav e written you a letter t o day by this same post w[hi]ch doubtless you will re ceive by the sam e delivery as the present . Ferrar a whic h I las t mentioned i s the first city in the papa l dominions and i n the Cathedra l I saw for th e first time the Cardinals throne. I n thi s city and i n this city only I sa w the Regula r Ghetto, a tolerably lon g stree t enclose d wit h re d woode n gate s an d holdin g abou t 300 0 Jews.1 I n ou r wa y to thi s cit y w e crossed amon g othe r river s the celebrate d P o which is much wider than th e average breadth o f the Thames. Fro m Ferrar a we proceeded t o Bologna , a city containin g 7,0000 inhabitant s - ful l o f handsom e churches magnificen t palaces an d fin e streets , free , flourishin g an d wit h a n in creasing population. The universit y is here celebrate d an d som e of the mos t eminent scholar s o f Ital y liv e i n this town . One o f the Professor s i s Mezzofanti 2 upon who m I called , bu t who m I unfortunatel y co[ul]d no t see . On e o f th e great advantage s of travellin g in Ital y i s the ability o f visiting the grea t gallerie s which ar e forme d i n thos e citie s which were formerl y th e chie f abode s o f th e arts an d th e opportunit y thereo n consequen t o f formin g fro m th e numbe r o f specimens o f th e master s see n a comprehensiv e opinio n o f thei r peculiaritie s and merits . Venic e revealed t o me the Venetian school - Titian , Giorgione , Tin toretto, Pau l Veronese, Palma 3 etc. etc. Bologn a in its public Gallery introduced me to perhaps a still more illustriou s band - take n altogether th e finest school in Italy - th e thre e Carraci s an d thei r fou r wonderfu l scholar s — Domenichino, Guido[,] Albano , Guercino. 4 Th e latter , perhap s th e mos t wonderful, and wh o from hi s miraculous and enchantin g us e of Chiaroscur o wa s called th e magician of ar t is a native of a little town a few miles from Bologna - Cento, which perhap s 1 Th e Ghett o i n Ferrara, established i n 1624 , was partially demolished i n 1797 , but re-establishe d in 1826 . I t wa s completely torn dow n i n 1859 . Encyclopaedia Judaica (Jerusale m 1971) . 2 Guisepp e Caspa r Mezzofant i (1774-1849), professor o f Arabic at Bologna . 3 Probabl y Jacom o Palm a ( c 1480-1528) , calle d 'Palm a Vecchio ' t o distinguis h hi m fro m hi s grand-nephew, Palm a Giovane, who was also a painter. 4 Th e Caracci s wer e a Bolognese famil y o f painters in the earl y seventeenth century , whos e mos t famous student s were : Domenic o Zampier i (o r Sampieri), know n as Domenichino (1581-1641) ; Guido Ren i (1575-1642) ; Francesc o Alban i (1578-1660) , a Bolognes e painte r o f idylli c land scapes which were ver y popular in England i n the lat e eighteenth century; an d Gian-Francesc o Barbieri (1591-1666) , calle d Guercino , 'th e squinter'.
you remember. 51 left Bologn a on th e secon d da y wit h regret and bi d farewel l to 5 the nort h o f Italy . My visit I to th e sout h di d no t exten d far . I onl y just crosse d 2 the Apennines , but m y passage le d m e to one o f the mos t delightfu l cities in th e world, fair Florence . Th e passag e o f the Appennine s took us two days. After the Alps al l mountain scenery mus t be tame . Th e Apennine s howeve r are sof t an d green, an d yo u sin k down fro m thei r moderat e elevation s into th e magnificent Val d'Arn o wit h a min d tho ' untire d b y Alpin e magnificence, yet soothe d an d delighted. Florenc e onl y contains 70,00 0 inhabitant s bu t it s surround[in]g hill s are covere d wit h villa s an d convent s an d village s - ye t Florence wit h it s small population ha s so much amusement - possesse s so many sources of occupation so man y resource s fo r th e employmt . of tim e - i s so gay bustling an d variou s that I declar e afte r a fortnight s sta y here , i t is almost as difficul t fo r m e t o find my wa y about her e an d t o wal k th e lengt h o f a stree t with[ou] t being delighte d with a ne w object , a s i t i s fo r a foreigne r i n London . O n th e contrary , I ex hausted th e topograph y o f Mila n an d o[the] r capital s in tw o days, even Pari s in four, an d afte r th e firs t fou r an d twent y hours , cease d t o wonder . Th e florentine schoo l o f painter s i s of course see n t o advantag e i n th e grea t Galler y here - bu t this grea t Galler y together wit h th e accompanying private collection of th e Gran d Duke 6 i n th e Pitt i Palac e - th e mos t wonderfu l collectio n i n the world - affor d yo u specimens of the artists of all countries and some of the most magnificent o f most. Amon g these ar e man y of the finest works of Raphae l an d o[the]r painter s o f the Roma n schoo l - s o that I hav e now a very tolerable ide a of th e comparativ e style s and I merits o f th e fou r grea t Italia n schools . I gaze d upon th e Venus de Medicis with[ou]t prejudice an d lef t i t with veneration - bu t I wil l not tire you with th e tattl e of th e marbl e mart . There are som e clever art ists and sculptor s a t Florence . Amon g the latte r sinc e the deat h o f Canova 7 Bertolini i s reckoned th e mos t eminen t i n Italy. 8 H e i s a ma n o f genius . I ha d th e honor o f a ver y lon g conversatio n wit h hi m - o f cours e upo n hi s art. H e i s a friend o f Chantrey 9 bu t th e Go d of hi s Idolatry an d indee d o f all the Italian s is Flaxman.10 Bertolin i sd . tha t h e considere d tha t Flaxma n ha d revive d th e tast e of Europ e - tha t h e was a classic and tha t h e thought tha t a young man might study hi s works with a s much advantag e a s the treasure s o f th e Vatica n or th e Tribune. H e aske d m e to explai n th e reaso n o f th e indifferenc e o f th e Englis h to thi s grea t ma n an d expresse d hi s surprise a t findin g hi m almost unknown to the great number o f our travellin g countreymen an d littl e esteemed eve n by our 5 Cent o was the plac e from which D' s grandfather, Benjami n D'Israeli , came to England in 1748 . 6 Leopol d ii (1797-1870) was Grand Duk e of Tuscany fro m 182 4 until 1859 , when he abdicated . 7 Antoni o Canov a (1757-1822) , whos e influenc e dominate d Englis h ar t an d mos t Europea n sculpture from the end of the eighteenth century through th e Victorian period. 8 Presumabl y Lorenzo Bartolin i (1777-1850), Florentine sculpto r wh o made a bust of Byron. One traveller of the tim e had onl y praise fo r Bartolini' s artistry. J.D. Sinclair An Autumn in Italy (Ed inburgh 1829 ) 129 . But Henr y Matthews , notin g tha t th e sculpto r wa s all the rag e amon g th e English, wa s less impressed . H e adde d tha t 'yo u wil l fin d al l you r acquaintanc e draw n u p i n fearful array , i n hard marble ; som e at ful l length! ' The Diary o f an Invalid an d ed (1820 ) 59. 9 Franci s Legatt Chantre y (1781-1841) was at thi s time the best-know n sculptor o f portrai t bust s in England. He was knighted in 1835 . 10 John Flaxman (1755-1826), English sculptor and engrave r wh o had studie d i n Rome 1787-94 .
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88 I 56 grea t artists . He mentione d Wilkies 11 opinion of Flaxma n with hi s eyes up t o th e 29 Sep 1826 sky . It seem s th e Englis h Teniers 12 i s no grea t admire r o f on e who m Bertolini says is the greates t poe t tha t eve r lived , tho' h e neve r wrot e a verse. The studio s of all these me n ar e ope n t o all Travellers an d for m th e mos t agreeable an d in structive lounges . I'v e bee n t o Morghen s bu t a m sorr y t o sa y that I di d no t se e him. H e ha s quite gon e t o th e dog s her e an d ha s just give n up hi s art. I have not been abl e t o pick up anythin g for you worth the troubl e o f carrying to England. Al l Morghen's I works are touche d an d retouche d - I se e nothing choice . The plat e o f th e las t suppe r ha s just bee n retouche d b y one o f hi s scholars and well done. I have a mind t o bring it to England fo r you - bu t the price frightens me. Betwee n 4 and 5 gu[ine]as for a retouched, ver y retouched plate ! I n on e of my speculation s I hav e bee n disappointed . I n th e Pitt i palac e ther e i s a mos t beautiful portrai t o f Charles ist . by Vandyke - th e most pleasing and noble like ness that I have ever seen. I t is a picture highly esteemed. I engaged a miniature painter her e ( a class of artists much esteemed a t Florence ) to make me an exquisite cop y o f thi s pictur e wit h whic h I intende d t o surpris e you . Afte r a week s work h e ha s brough t i t toda y bu t ha s misse d th e likeness ! and ye t h e wa s th e court painter , Signe r Carloni. 13 I hav e refuse d t o tak e th e wor k an d a m em broiled i n a row - bu t in this country firmness i s alone necessary and the Italians let you do what you like, so I've no fea r as to the resul t - m y mortification and disappointment howr . are extreme . W e have some agreeable acquaintanc e here . Among thes e a ver y extraordinary ma n o f th e nam e o f Saunders . H e i s a des cendant of one o f those Scotch families wh o used s o often to emigrate o n specu lation t o Russia . He wa s the intimat e frien d o f th e lat e Empero r Alex[ande]r, 14 and i s highly esteemed b y the presen t Emperor , an d i s one o f thos e wh o chiefl y assisted th e decease d monarc h i n hi s plan s fo r ameliorat[in] g th e conditio n o f the Russian s and encouragin g th e tast e fo r th e I fin e arts i n Russia . H e i s no w residing i n Ital y fo r hi s health whic h he ha s injure d b y over study , having just completed o r bein g nea r th e completio n o f a wor k whic h ha s no w employe d twenty year s of hi s lif e - " A philosophical Histor y of th e Fin e Arts. " H e i s still attached t o th e cour t o f Russia , is an auli c Councillor etc. H e i s a deep student , full o f philosophy - first principles - an d the study of the beautiful - bu t eloquent an d profound. 15 Tho ' o f a ver y close tempe r h e wa s so delighted t o ge t hold o f som e on e wh o ha d a literar y turn , tha t w e hav e becom e tolerabl y inti mate, an d I occasionall y visit hi m a t hi s countr y villa , whic h b y th e by e i s th e 11 Davi d Wilkie (1785-1841), th e Scottis h painter, wa s knighted i n 1836 . 12 D probably make s thi s compariso n becaus e Wilkie , lik e th e Flemis h painte r Davi d Teniers th e Younger (1610-1690) , painte d scene s of peasan t life . 13 Probabl y Carl o Carloni , painte r an d engraver . 14 Cza r Alexande r I (1777-1825) . 15 Th e Chevalie r Joseph Saunders may well, as D said, hav e been the so n of a Scot transplante d t o Russia, thoug h hi s father , Joh n Saunders , apparentl y die d i n Londo n i n 1822 . A s o f 1833 , Saunders had no t yet published hi s 'History' and, thoug h i t remained o n hi s mind, i t probabl y never appeared . Hi s childre n establishe d themselve s i n easter n Europ e an d b y 184 3 h e ha d taken u p residenc e in Poland. Th e Archive s of Queen's University contain 3 6 letters that Saun ders wrote fro m variou s Europea n location s t o Sara Austen . Severa l of these record hi s dismay at D' s political ambitions .
villa Vespucci rente d b y hi m o f a nobl e famil y o f tha t name , th e linea l 5618 9 descendants o f th e famou s Americus. 16 Amon g other thing s h e persuade d th e 2 9 Sep 1826 Emperor o f Russi a to foun d a t th e Universit y of Wilna 17 a chair fo r th e Profes sorship of the fine arts - a thing hitherto unknown in Europe - her e h e read the first course o f lectures himself - an d is still a honorary Professo r - altogethe r a very singula r man who m a letter wil l giv e you n o idea of. Amon g his other pur suits he occasionall y amuses himself with engraving in which art yo u wil l be surprised t o hea r tha t h e eve n excel s Morghen . Suc h howeve r i s the fact , tho ' h e had o f cours e n o regula r instructio n i n the art . Th e portrai t o f his great frien d Canova an d a fe w other thing s hav e made a grea t nois e i n Italy , an d h e i s well known amon g th e cognoscenti . H e i s now engravin g th e mos t valuabl e pictur e in Ital y - th e masterpiece of Era Bartolomeo 18 - i n the line manner, muc h larger than th e Doctor s o f th e I Church. Florence i s not onl y on e o f th e mos t delightfu l cities to liv e in , bu t i s also th e cheapest i n Europe . Her e cheapnes s real cheapnes s i s to b e foun d - fo r her e luxuries ar e cheap . A n Englis h family o f th e highes t respectabilit y may liv e i n Florence wit h ever y convenience and kee p a handsom e carriag e horse s liverie s etc. for five hundred a year. I speak her e o f an average sized family, a s ours. O n this income you might enter int o the bes t society , and th e best societ y here i s excellent. You may live in a palace built by Michael Angelo - kee p a villa two miles from th e cit y i n a most beautiful situatio n with vineyards fruit an d pleasur e gar dens etc . etc . kee p tw o carriages hav e your oper a bo x an d liv e i n ever y way as the first florentine nobility - g o to court - hav e you r ow n night fo r receiving company etc . etc . o n les s tha n a thousan d a year , an d thi s wit h n o miserabl e managing, bu t wit h th e enjoymen t of ever y comfort an d luxury . Provisions are here bette r tha n a t Paris . Mea t averages fro m a d t o 2 i/a d pr . I b an d i s excellent, bread i s proportionately chea p an d you r ow n vineyard wo[ul]d supply you with the most delicious wine at something near a halfpenny a bottle - frui t cost s nothing - a turkey, a fat, sweet, bird, ninepence, etc. etc. An open an d shut carriage - equipage s whic h wo[ul]d not be considered imprope r eve n in Hyde Park - indee d o f the most fashionabl e appearance - horse s and coachman's keep , livery included wil l not cost here mor e tha n £70 pr. ann . Unless yo u com e t o Italy , yo u ca n hav e n o ide a o f wha t art reall y is . In fac t the names of Italia n I painters ar e alon e know n to u s i n England . I n flemis h an d french picture s w e beat th e Italian s out o f the field - ther e ar e n o Rembrant s and n o Claudes 19 lik e thos e o f ou r Kings 20 an d Angersteins 21 - bu t wha t sur 16 Amerig o Vespucc i (1451-1512). 17 Th e Universit y of Viln a (Wilno) was founded i n 180 3 b y Czar Alexande r I . 18 Fr a Bacci o Deli a Port a Bartolomme o (i472?-i5i7) , Italia n painte r o f th e Florentin e school . The 'masterpiece ' coul d be any one of the majo r works , includin g the 'Visio n of St Bernard' , 'The Salvator Mundi' , th e 'Pieta', 'St Mark' , 'St Sebastian', all then to be foun d i n Florence. 19 Claude Gelle e (1600-1682) , calle d L e Lorrai n an d know n i n Englan d a s Claud e Lorraine , French landscap e painter . 20 Richar d Kin g (d Apr 1829) , collector wh o lef t hi s paintings an d librar y t o his son, Richar d John King (1818-1879), a noted antiquary . 21 John Julius Angerstei n (1735-1823) , Londo n merchan t and patro n of the arts . His , collection o f
go I 56 prise s yo u mos t i s the quantit y - th e shoal s o f undoubte d original s b y th e firs t 29 Sep 1826 master s whic h ar e i n th e possessio n o f privat e individual s i n thi s countr y t o which collections lik e Ld . Grosvenors 22 etc . are absolutel y ridiculous. I have see n enough i n Ital y to know that we are no t settin g abou t th e righ t wa y in Englan d to form a national Gallery. The Marques s Gerini23 a Florentine noblema n o f ancient famil y die d th e other day in debt - leav[in] g no property behin d hi m but a magnificent collectio n o f pictures . Thes e wer e immediatel y seized b y the polic e for hi s hungry creditors, an d sol d unde r th e immediat e directio n o f the govern ment. Larg e price s co[ul] d no t b e expecte d i n Italy , and a s the grea t poin t was to satisf y hi s creditors a summar y process wa s adopted. The polic e fixe d price s to eac h pictur e an d opene d sal e room s i n hi s palace . Th e fines t picture s wer e sold fo r a song. Why had no t th e nationa l Galler y an agen t o n th e spot . Wha t is Ld. Burghers h pd . for ? I am sure h e ha s little enough t o do here. 24 Bu t see the result! I mysel f kno w o f on e celebrate d pictur e b y Salvato r Ros a whic h was bought a t this Gerini palace for 8o£ , and whic h has been shipped of f to England for ou r nationa l Galler y on speculation , prix fixe £iooo!25 W e leave Florence o n Monday morning and shal l be at Genoa o n Thursday o r Friday , going thro' Pisa and b y the shore s o f th e Mediterranean . I expect t o be at Dove r on th e 24th . of next mont h o r ver y nea r it . N o expeditio n o f equa l duratio n wit h ou r ow n co[ul]d possibl y have been mor e successful . I shal l travel s o rapidly hom e afte r crossing Mon t Cenis, tha t i t is probable I shal l not b e abl e t o write to yo u agai n before I reach Pari s - bu t I wil l endeavou r t o do so at Genoa. I long t o see you all - an d wo[ul]d wish that this letter wa s more ful l o f matter - I have still plenty in store - bu t the weather overcomes me . Can I however complain, when I have not I yet ha d on e singl e Day's real indisposition . Le t Meredit h know , if any com munication i s going o n betwee n th e families , tha t I hav e writte n t o hi m fro m this place . I a m gla d t o hea r tha t Ralp h conducte d himsel f thi s vacatio n wit h such sens e an d propriety , an d I hop e tha t h e wil l b e wel l dispose d t o enter o n his ne w studies wit h spiri t an d firmness . Go d bles s yo u - m y Mothe r I pra y Heaven continue s bette r - Lov e t o he r an d Sarah . I shal l endeavou r t o write from Genoa . Yours most affect[ionatel]y B. Disraeli paintings was purchased by the Britis h governmen t on hi s death, and forme d th e nucleu s o f a National Collection , whic h wa s opened t o th e publi c i n 1824 , an d fro m whic h wa s developed the collection of the Nationa l Galler y tha t was founded i n 1838 . 22 Rober t Grosveno r (1767-1845) , an d Ear l Grosveno r an d is t Marques s o f Westminster , wh o greatly enlarged the famou s Grosveno r collection of pictures. 23 Roger s write s o f a visi t to th e Palazz o Gerini , addin g tha t althoug h ther e wer e man y picture s none was eminent . 24 John Fan e (1784-1859) , Baro n Burghersh , afte r 184 1 nt h Ear l o f Westmorland , wa s at thi s time Britis h envo y extraordinar y t o Tuscany , Parma , Moden a an d Lucca , an d livin g i n Flor ence. D seems to suggest that one o f hi s additional functions shoul d b e t o act as a scout for th e acquisition of Italia n painting s for the newl y opened Nationa l Collectio n in London. 25 Ther e ar e severa l painting s b y Salvato r Ros a (1615-1673 ) i n th e Nationa l Gallery , bu t non e seems t o hav e bee n bough t a t th e tim e o f th e Gerin i sale . A privat e purchase r n o doub t acquired th e wor k mentione d here . Phillips , the auctioneer, advertised painting s fro m th e Gerini collection, including some by Rosa, for a London sale in 1830 . Th e Times (21 Apr 1830) .
TO ISAAC D'ISRAELI Turin
, [Tuesday] 10 October 1826 5
ORIGINAL: H A/IV/C/l 6
COVER: [Probabl y no t i n D' s hand]: I . D'Israel i Esqre. I Lawn Iluus e I Mjiine Paiad e I No 6 Bloomsbury Square I Dvvw. I London I Angleterre POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FPO I oc.ig I 1826 (2) I n circle : + I 230023 I 1826 (3) I n doubl e circle: O C I H ig[central number i n smal l circle] I 1826 (4) TORIN O PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I log-io, extracts dated 1 0 October 182 6 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Fe w of th e letter s sent by members of th e famil y t o D on hi s trips abroad hav e been located ; i t seems probabl e tha t h e di d no t kee p them . One ha s no wa y of knowing , therefore, 'the mournfu l contents ' o f Sarah' s letter . Sic : vale t d e places , arabisques, streamy , Ratcliffe , misanthrophy.
October 10 : 1826. Turin My dear father , As our movement s are no w very rapid, and a s I d o no t lik e t o leav e letters behind t o b e pu t i n th e pos t b y corrupt vale t d e place s I canno t communicat e to you ver y often o r a t ver y grea t lengt h an d a m oblige d t o seiz e any spar e te n minutes tha t presen t themselves . I foun d you r lette r a t Geno a an d ver y much grieve at th e mournfu l contents of Sarah's. Yo u say nothing in i t of your movements; whethe r I ma y expect th e pleasur e o f meetin g you at Dove r etc? the letter a t Lyon s will I trus t b e satisfactory on thi s head an d wil l I hop e als o be ad dressed to Mrs. Austen who complains sadly of the manne r i n which Sa has kept her promis e o f corresponding . We travelled fro m delightfu l Florenc e thro ' th e luxurian t Va l d'Arn o t o Pis a where th e Cathedra l an d it s more wonderfu l Baptister y - th e leanin g Towe r and th e Camp o Sant o rivette d ou r attention . Thes e fou r interestin g objects , all of Marble , ar e situate d together . Forsyth' s descriptio n o f th e Camp o Sant o i s very masterly , and I recommen d yo u t o rea d it. 1 I t i s one o f th e mos t nervou s descriptions i n th e language , bu t no t quit e just , fo r i n th e arabisques o f th e Campo Santo, which Forsyth perhap s overlooked, may be found the originals of some of Raphael s sweetest conceptions. Th e countr y from Pis a to Lucca and in deed th e whol e of tha t littl e state i s mos t lovely . Lucca , smal l as i t is , is i n th e most flourishin g condition . Th e inhabitant s ar e th e mos t industriou s o f 1 I n hi s description of the art t o be found i n the Campo Santo, Forsyth said : 'Here the immensity of surfac e t o be covered forbad e al l study of perfection , an d onl y required facilit y an d expedi tion. Th e firs t picture s sho w u s wha t the artis t wa s when separate d fro m th e workman . The y betray a thin , timid , ill-fe d pencil ; the y presen t corpse s rathe r tha n men , stick s rathe r tha n trees, inflexibl e forms , fla t surfaces , lon g extremities , ra w tints , an y thin g bu t nature . A s you follow th e chronolog y of th e wall , yo u catch perspectiv e entering int o th e pictures , deepenin g the back-ground , an d the n adjustin g th e group s t o th e plans . Yo u see the huma n figur e firs t straight, o r rathe r stretched ; the n foreshortened , the n enlarged : rounded , salient , free , vari ous, expressive. Throughout this sacred ground, painting preserve s the austerity of the Tuscan school: she rises sometimes t o its energy and movement , sh e is no where sparin g of figures, and has produced muc h of the singular, the terrible, the impressive; - but nothing tha t is truly excellent.' Joseph Forsyt h Remarks on Antiquities, Arts, and Letters during an Excursion i n Italy 2n d e d (Geneva i8zo ) 16-17 .
7
ga I 57 souther n Italy . Sate d a s w e wer e wit h scener y and desirou s almos t to avoi d an y 10 Oct 182 6 mentio n o f th e subject , yet w e hav e ye t scarcel y ceased t o tal k i n wonde r an d admiration o f th e shore s o f th e Mediterranean . Th e journe y fro m Spezzi a to Genoa baffle s al l idea. Th e glitterin g shores o f Naple s are perhap s i n their kind unrivalled, bu t take n a s a whol e there seem s bu t on e opinio n i n Italy , tha t th e route I befor e mentione d embrace s th e mos t enchanting part o f Italy . Fo r two days w e wandere d amon g th e mos t exquisit e an d th e wildes t part s o f th e Apennines - no t th e Apennine s tha t w e had befor e bee n use d t o - bu t the Apennines of romance an d Mrs Ratcliffe2 - wit h streamy blue distances and unfathomable wood y dells, and ruine d castles , and constan t views of th e blu e Mediterranean, an d it s thousand bays . On th e thir d da y w e descended nearl y to its shore, bu t I what a shore! I t require d n o stretc h o f th e imaginatio n to fanc y our selves in Asi a and unde r a n orienta l sky , for aloes , huge, everlasting, aloes her e grow o n th e shingles , an d grove s o f oliv e trees , date s and figs , an d cluster s o f eastern tree s aboun d upo n th e gree n mountains , whic h descen d int o th e sea , and whos e onl y artificia l ornament s ar e town s of colore d marble , an d amphi theatres o f Palaces . The shor e a s I sd . before, i s broken int o innumerabl e bays, which vi e with eac h othe r fo r superiority , until the y al l yield t o thei r Quee n the gorgeou s ba y of Geno a o n whos e mountain banks rises i n a crescent Geno a la Superb a a crow d o f palaces , villas , an d convent s - bu t I a m writin g of tha t which should b e seen - howeve r the scenery of the Mediterranean wo[ul]d alone repay m e fo r twic e te n thousan d th e fatigue s I hav e suffered . Tw o day s travelling, durin g on e o f whic h we again crosse d th e grea t chai n o f th e Apen nines an d entere d Norther n Italy , hav e brought u s to Turin. The might y chain of th e Hig h Alp s covered wit h snow now meets our eye s and tomorro w we shall cross Mon t Cenis. Turi n i s a city, o f uniform magnificenc e - a Mannhei m on a large scale . Afte r Ceni s w e shal l trave l throug h th e Sout h o f Franc e t o Lyon s and fro m thenc e t o Paris . I expec t t o b e o n th e 24th . at Dover . Thu s en d m y travels. I trus t I hav e no t travelle d i n vain . As to th e genera l utilit y o f travelling I hav e more t o say than I can sa y now. As to the particula r poin t o f m y own tra velling - Natur e and Art have been tolerabl y wel l reveale d t o me. The Alps , the Apennines an d tw o seas hav e prett y wel l don e fo r th e first , an d tho ' I ma y see more citie s I canno t se e mor e varietie s o f Europea n nature . Fiv e capitals an d twelve great cities, innumerable remain s o f antiquity and th e choices t specimen s of moder n ar t hav e told I me wha t man ha s done and i s doing. I fee l no w tha t it is not prejudice , whe n I declare tha t Englan d wit h all her imperfection s i s worth all the worl d together , an d I hope i t is not misanthroph y when I fee l tha t I love lakes an d mountain s bette r tha n court s an d cities , and tree s bette r tha n men . That i s to sa y men i n general . Your s I mus t always be mos t affectionately . In a fortnight I shal l hav e th e inexpressibl e happines s o f joining you . Jem's debu t gives m e grea t pleasure . Yo u sa y nothin g o f m y mothe r whic h alarm s me . I must run t o gain the post . B. Disraeli 2 An n Radcliff e (1764-1823) , th e Gothi c novelist , severa l o f whos e novel s ar e se t in Italy.
With respec t t o th e Basevis , we inten d t o b e i n Pari s onl y on e day . I shal l o f 5 course d o al l that i s possible to fin d them , bu t wit h n o directio n yo u can for m a n 1 idea ho w difficult i t is to find in twelve hours a person i n London o r Pari s - per haps th e Lyon s letter wil l give me som e clue. I You hav e receive d doubtles s al l my Italian Ires [letters ] - fro m Milan , Venice , Florence (2). TO SARAH DISRAELI Lyons
, Sunday 1 5 October 182 6
O R I G I N A L : H A/lV/C/l S
COVER: [I n anothe r hand] : Mis s D'Israeli I 6 Bloomsbur y Squar e I London I Angleterre I [inverte d a t top]: I f no t i n Bloomsbury Square , t o be forwarded t o Dover. POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle: FP O I OC. 2 3 I 1826 PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I no-ii, dated 1 5 October 182 6 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: contretemp, Everythin g things, Lisle , inertion, Vandyke.
Lyons. October i5th . 1826 . Sunday Dearest Sa, We arrived a t thi s city las t night, an d shal l leave i t tomorrow morning . Th e pos t brings u s a numbe r o f letters , tw o fro m you , at leas t fro m Dover . Mrs . Austen desires me to tell you that nothin g but th e receip t o f a letter of rather a n agitat ing natur e fro m a branch o f he r famil y wo[ul] d hav e prevente d he r answerin g yours her e - sh e will writ e to you with[ou]t fail fro m Paris . The pos t als o bring s a letter fro m Layards 1 saying they are settle d a t Moulin s and a letter fro m Grays Inn informin g Auste n tha t al l is well an d no t t o hurr y himsel f for a day o r two. I shal l therefor e no w certainly be able to see the James Basevis 2 as our arriva l in England wil l be postpone d fo r a couple o f days. I am glad tha t thi s arrangemen t will give me an opportunit y o f gratifying my mother; otherwis e I sho[ul]d griev e at th e postponement , a s I wis h very muc h t o b e wit h you. Ou r cours e t o Pari s will be somewhat altere d t o give u s the opportunity o f seeing th e Layard s - thi s I do not regret a s I shall now return back by the banks of the Loire . Nothing can have been more prosperous than our whol e journey. No t a single contretemp an d m y compagnon s d e voyag e uniforml y agreeable . Everythin g things that I wished ha s been realized , and mor e tha n I wishe d granted. I hav e got al l th e kin d o f knowledg e tha t I desired , an d muc h more , bu t tha t muc h more I a m convince d wa s equally necessary . T o discover ne w want s an d fin d them instantl y gratified - o r rather t o discover unexpecte d necessitie s anticipat ed, i s th e mos t pleasin g o f al l things . Fro m Turi n w e travelle d t o Sus a an d crossed Mon t Cenis , whic h considering th e mountai n pas s merel y i s I not t o b e compared t o th e Simplon . I t i s vas t withou t bein g sublim e - an d drear y with[ou]t any o f th e gran d effect s of desolation. Som e point s howeve r ar e won 1 Henr y Pete r John Layard, Austen's brother-in-law, and hi s family. 2 James Basev i (1784-1861) , Mari a D'Israeli' s brother , marrie d Charlott e Elizabet h Robinso n o f Bath; they ha d n o issue . C M LXXX I par t i (June 1811 ) 671; Basev i famil y tree in Jewish Museum , London.
8 I 93 5 Oct 183 6
58
94 I 58 derfu l - a small lake at th e to p of the rang e i n the mids t of eternal snow , a small 15 Oct 182 6 blu e lak e wit h bank s o f whit e marbl e attracte d m y attentiv e admiration . I t i s about hal f a mil e fro m th e roa d an d I walke d ther e whil e ou r trou t wer e cooking. Cenis however leads to Savoy which I prefer t o Switzerland. The valle y of th e Ar[n] o i s even finer tha n th e valle y o f th e Rhon e - i t is as sublime, and yet no t gloomy - th e lofty mountain s are covered wit h firs, and tippe d wit h th e snows o f centurie s - brillian t cascades fallin g fro m elevation s o f 2 to 30 0 fee t contrasted wit h th e variet y o f autumna l tints , and banishe d monoton y without disturbing reflection . From Savo y w e entere d Franc e thro ' th e roa d o f th e Echelles - road s cu t thro' rocks , and grottoe s hollowe d thro' mountains , whos e peaks are hi d in the clouds. Lyons i s a fin e cit y - lik e Lisl e ful l o f regular , moder n an d uninterestin g architecture, but finely situated. I suppose I shall be in London 27th . or 28th . of this month. Jem's fortune has made m e very happy. I am glad tha t I at last ge t some account o f my mother my best lov e to her: w e meet soon . M y father say s that he ha s been ver y idle an d I fea r fro m his tone tha t I am to believe him. I hav e been just th e reverse , bu t I wo[ul]d thro w all my papers int o th e Channe l onl y t o hea r tha t h e ha d written fifty pages. Thi s continued inertio n make s me sad , but I hav e hope s tha t if we get o n with[ou] t fresh vexation s fo r si x month s I more, tha t hi s spirit s ma y b e raised. I had a great ro w about th e portrai t o f Charles ist . but was quite successful. Th e consequenc e i s that I hav e got a new miniature i n which the likenes s is exactly hit and a t a cheaper rate . Talking of Charles ist . there i s a most extraor dinary likenes s o f hi m i n th e collectio n o f th e Roya l Palac e o f Turi n - a ful l length, young , no t abov e 25 , ful l i n th e fac e withfouj t a wrinkl e or a marke d care - stand[in] g i n the court o f a magnificen t palace, whic h does no t bear th e look o f pictoria l architecture . Th e pictur e i s by Vandyke ; at leas t the y sa y so, and i s highly valued. I t i s the mos t interestin g I hav e eve r seen , bu t I d o no t think b y Sir Anthony . A s I hav e kep t n o journal,3 b e kin d enoug h t o preserv e those letters w[hi]ch you have not burnt . With best love to all most affectionately your s BD Of course yo u will no t be surprised a t this short lette r - a s had Mrs . A written, you wo[ul] d not have received i t - i t appears, altho' my father doe s no t mention it, tha t yo u hav e receive d m y Ire s [letters ] u p t o Venice , (tha t cit y inclusive) . There are due then i f I remember righ t tw o from Florenc e - one , a double lette r - an d one letter fro m Turin - thi s epistle completes my travels. I wish they were better written , but I hav e of cours e ofte n bee n presse d for tim e - the matte r howr. has been considere d - i f the style has not. T.O.I I wrote to Meredith fro m Florence . 3 Bu t h e did. Se e 50112.
TO FRANCIS DOUCE Bloomsbur y Square, [London] , [Monday ] i January 182 7 5
9
O R I G I N A L : BOD L M S Douce da6 f l
EDITORIAL COMMENT : D returned fro m hi s tour i n late October 1826 . Despite poor health , which was now t o bese t hi m fo r th e nex t three years , D was busy writing part H of Vivian Grey, which wa s considerably longe r tha n par t I , and whic h wa s to b e publishe d in les s than tw o months from thi s date. As Blake points out (54) , he wa s intermittent in hi s studies at Lincoln' s Inn an d ha d n o clea r pla n for a career. See 66ec. 1
Bloomsbury Sq. Jany. i . 1827.
Fras: Douc e Esqr. My dear Sir, Since m y return t o Englan d I hav e been s o severely and constantl y indisposed , that I hav e had ver y few opportunities o f calling on m y friends, among who m I trust I ma y number a gentlema n s o entitled t o m y regard an d respec t a s yourself. The accompanyin g figur e attracte d m y notice i n a n ol d collectio n a t Venice . You wil l immediatel y recognise i t as one o f thos e quaint an d agreeabl e person ages wit h who m you r interestin g researche s hav e mad e u s s o intimatel y ac quainted. I t ver y probably i s not entitle d t o a moment o f your attention, bu t i f it be ever s o valueless -, i t will at least prove , tha t eve n on th e shore s o f the Adri atic I did no t forge t y r various kindnesses . I I am le d t o believ e tha t th e accompanyin g meda l ma y b e mor e worth y o f your acceptance . I t wa s given m e b y a nobl e Venetia n an d a s yo u wil l instantly perceive i s an ol d duca l Coronatio n medal . Th e executio n i s very bold; an d ac cording t o him among the ducal series, singular. Allow me to wish you - multo s et felices anno s I am my dear Sir, with great truth , Your very faithfl Ser[van]t , Ben. Disraeli. TO WILLIAM JERDAN [London?
, Monday 5 March? 1827] 6
ORIGINAL: P S 2 4
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Willia m Jerdan Autobiography (1853 ) IV 78-9, dated [1827] EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: th e dat e assigne d i s conjectural, bu t th e referenc e t o th e 'former ' a s opposed t o th e 'present ' volumes makes it clear tha t Colbur n ha d referre d Jerda n t o D for th e pur pose of compiling a key to the character s fo r al l five volumes of Vivian Grey, part I I in 3 volumes having been publishe d o n 2 3 February 1827 . See also n2. 1 Franci s Douce (1757-1834), collector o f antiquarian book s and objet s d'art , was a close friend o f Isaac D'Israeli.
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96 I 60 (PRIVATE ) 5 Ma r 182 7 [Sir,] 1 I a m ver y muc h surprise d a t Mr . Colburn's 2 request. Ho w my knowledge of th e characters i n Vivian Grey ca n b e necessar y to, or , indeed , i n th e slightes t degree assist an y on e i n understandin g the work , is to m e a mos t inexplicabl e mystery. Let i t be take n fo r grante d tha t th e character s ar e purel y ideal, and th e whole affair i s settled . I f an y collatera l informatio n be required , i n orde r t o under stand th e work , either Vivian Grey i s unworthy to be read, or, whic h is, of course, an impossibl e conclusion, the reade r i s no t sagaciou s enough t o penetrat e it s meaning. Of course , I hav e n o intentio n of denyin g that thes e volume s are, i n a ver y great degree, founde d on m y own observation and experience . Possibly , in some instances, I ma y hav e ver y accuratel y depicted existin g characters . Bu t Vivian Grey i s not give n to th e publi c as a galler y o f portraits , no r hav e I an y wis h that it shoul d b e considere d a s such . I t wil l giv e me grea t pleasur e i f th e publi c re cognise i t as a faithfu l pictur e o f huma n natur e i n general . Whethe r i t be anything further, rests with th e author , an d shoul d onl y interes t him . I cannot pre vent surmises ; bu t I shal l alway s tak e car e tha t fro m m e the y shal l receiv e neither denial nor confirmation. In par t of the forme r volumes, a number of name s and character s were introduced whic h wer e evident portraits or caricatures . I can understand an y reade r of thos e page s bein g naturall y desirou s t o comprehend thei r ful l meaning , and seeking auxiliary means to procur e th e desire d knowledge ; but t o comprehen d the ful l meanin g of th e presen t volumes , th e publi c has onl y t o read them ; an d if ther e b e anything obscure o r unsatisfactory , i t i s the author' s faul t - h e i s a blunderer. Al l the note s and key s in the kingdo m will no t mak e him mor e intelligible. The Autho r of V.G. 3 1 Willia m Jerdan (1782-1869), journalist. I n 181 7 he becam e edito r o f Th e Literary Gazette. See nz. Between 183 0 an d 183 4 h e brought ou t annuall y an illustrate d volum e o f memoir s o f contemporary celebrities , entitled National Portrait Gallery o f the Nineteenth Century. Jerdan introduced thi s letter i n hi s Autobiography (78 ) by saying: 'a s the matte r of th e identifi cation o f Mr . Disraeli' s dramati s persona e continue s t o excit e s o much publi c notice , I canno t do better , little though i t be, tha n cop y hi s own lette r o n th e subjec t a t th e time , whe n a sl y attempt wa s made t o worm th e secre t ou t o f him , an d ge t a ke y to th e characters . Bu t th e mod ern Samso n wa s not to be taken in. ' 2 Henr y Colbur n ( d 1855 ) wa s publishe r o f Th e Ne w Monthly Magazine, Th e Literary Gazette, Th e Court Journal, an d o f man y of D' s novels includin g Vivian Grey. Colbur n wa s held i n littl e awe by his authors , an d o n occasio n D was condescending to him . Se e 333 . However , D seems t o hav e admired Mr s Colburn. Richard Renton/oA n Forster an d his Friendships (1912 ) 237. 3 Vivian Grey (par t I , in tw o volumes), D's first novel, had bee n published anonymousl y by Colbur n on 2 2 Apri l 1826 . Se e als o S4ec , 48ec an d 4gec . Sara Austen' s letter s t o D reveal tha t D was at work on Vivian Grey fro m lat e Februar y t o about th e thir d week o f Marc h 1826 ; just ho w muc h of th e nove l was written befor e tha t tim e i s difficult t o determine. In a letter date d 2 5 Februar y 1826 Sara Auste n informe d D : 'I a m guile delighted wit h it [Vivian Grey], an d enter into the spirit o f the book entirely. I hav e no w gon e throug h i t twic e - an d th e mor e I rea d th e bette r I a m pleased.' She asked hi m to send he r th e res t of the M S 'as soon as possible', offered hi m a standing invitatio n t o visit he r 'whenever you like to come - a t all hours'. H A/IV/DAJ. Subsequent letter s re -
TO JOHN MURRA Y 6
Bloomsbury Square, [London] , Monda y 1 9 March 1827
O R I G I N A L : M M 35
COVER: John Murra y Es q I Albemarle St. I [In anothe r hand] : 182 7 March igth I D'Israeli B PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s II 254-5, dated 1 9 March 1827 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Three weeks earlier, on 2 3 Februar y 1827 , Vivian Grey par t H ha d bee n pub lished, and Colbur n had pai d D £500. I t i s worth noting that in this, the firs t direct contact with Murray sinc e the ruptur e of a year earlier, D used a large proportion o f hi s newly acquired fund s t o make, in lordly fashion, a gesture of repayment of at least one par t of his debt, incurre d whe n he was under twenty-one, and thu s not legall y enforceable. Sic: inclose, inclosing.
6 Bloomsbur y Square I Monday March igt h 182 7 John Murra y Esq 50 Albemarle St. Sir, I be g to inclos e you the su m of one hundre d an d fort y pounds , whic h I believe to b e th e amoun t du e t o yo u fo r certai n pamphlets , publishe d respectin g th e American Minin g Companies, a s state d i n account s sen t i n som e tim e since . I have neve r bee n abl e t o obtai n a settlemen t of thos e account s fro m th e partie s originally responsible, and i t has hitherto been quit e out o f m y power t o exemp t myself fro m th e liability , which , I hav e eve r bee n conscious , on thei r incompe tency, resulted fro m the peculia r circumstance s of the case to myself. In no w inclosin g yo u wha t I conside r t o b e th e amount , I be g als o t o state , that I hav e fixed upon i t from memory , having been unsuccessfu l in my endeav ours t o obtai n eve n a retur n o f I the account s fro m th e origina l parties , an d be ing unwillin g to troubl e yo u agai n fo r a secon d se t of accounts , whic h had bee n so long an d s o improperly kep t unsettled . I n th e even t therefor e o f there bein g any mistake , I wil l b e oblige d b y your cler k instantl y informing me o f it , and i t will be as instantly rectified - an d I wil l als o than k yo u to inclose me a receipt in orde r t o substantiat e m y claims and enforc e m y demand agains t th e partie s originally responsible . veal he r urgin g D to tel l Isaa c o f thei r plans , an d sho w he r supervisin g th e wor k throug h th e printers. I n particula r sh e wa s mos t anxiou s tha t complet e anonymit y b e preserved : 'Canno t you', she asked, 'ge t Mr. D.I. [Isaac ] t o correct i n pencil an d I will alter i t - ligh t lea d woul d eas ily ru b out . Yo u must not risk anything with C[olburn].' H A/iv/D/14. Partly a s a consequence o f Colburn' s puffin g of th e novel , speculatio n wa s widespread abou t its authorship - Croker , Theodore Hook , Lockhar t and Magin n wer e som e o f the name s men tioned. Willia m Jerdan appear s t o hav e bee n on e o f th e firs t t o suspec t tha t D was the author ; in a letter t o D , Sara Auste n retaile d a rumou r reporte d t o he r b y War d tha t D was the autho r of Vivian Grey, an d tha t War d ha d 'trace d th e repor t clearly t o Jerdan.' H A/IV/D/I i. Se e als o Jer man 56-70. Several key s t o th e character s were published , th e firs t i n Th e Star Chamber o n 2 4 Ma y 1826 . Vivian Grey par t I I (in thre e furthe r volumes ) wa s publishe d b y Colbur n o n 2 3 February 1827 , and th e ke y referred t o i n this lette r ma y be th e on e b y William Marsh, publishe d i n 182 7 and , according to Jerman (6on) , 'certainly prepared by someone in Colburn's employ t o puf f th e en tire five volumes o f Vivian Grey.' Th e publishe r boaste d tha t th e ke y was in its tenth edition an d this clai m wa s solemnly reproduce d i n a n editio n publishe d i n Philadelphia . Copie s o f earlie r editions hav e no t bee n found , raisin g the suspicio n tha t th e ke y was also being puffed . Fo r a n account o f critica l opinio n o n th e novel se e R.W . Stewar t 'Th e Publicatio n an d Receptio n o f Disraeli's Vivian Grey QR CCXCVII I (Oc t 1960 ) 409-17; and Stewar t Novels 113-30 .
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hav e to express m y sense o f your courtesy in this business an d am Sir Yours etc. Benjamin Disrael i TO [ROBERT WARD] [London
, April 1827? ]
O R I G I N A L : P S 31
PUBLICATION HISTORY : E . Phipp s Life o f Plumer Ward I I 164-6 , undated EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: by comparison wit h Ward's letter t o D of 1 7 April 182 7 ( H B/XXI/w/izo) in which he thanke d D for hi s 'kind vie w of D e Vere'. Sic: Raffaelle.
[Sir,]' Yours is a work as improving as delightful - on e which must always be remem bered wit h profit , a s i t mus t eve r b e recurre d t o wit h pleasure . Th e vei n o f unaffected philosophy , practica l wisdom , an d ennoblin g moralit y whic h per vades it, will render i t an objec t o f study, or a source o f interest, whe n incidents however artfull y contrived , an d character s howeve r skilfull y delineated , must , from ou r previou s acquaintanc e with them, ceas e t o engag e ou r attention , an d excite ou r sympathies . I hav e rea d thi s morning , fo r th e twentiet h time , D e Vere's firs t intervie w wit h Si r W . Flowerdale , an d probabl y ma y rea d i t every year o f m y lif e wit h unabated pleasure , sinc e ever y yea r o f m y existenc e mus t afford a fresh commentary upon suc h views of human life . I t is , indeed, admira ble. Th e Ma n of Conten t an d th e Ma n of Imaginatio n ar e a coupl e o f cabine t pictures; th e las t is my favourite, and i s highly coloured. 'Tis in truth richl y fanciful. Thes e episodes, too, are i n th e righ t vein , since the y develo p the philoso phy of the work . Indeed, without them, the mora l plo t would be deficient. Clay ton i s excellently conceived, and admirabl y sustained. Hi s sensibility was a gran d hit. Thi s character is , if I mistak e not, original i n literature , thoug h no t i n hu man life . I , fo r one , have me t wit h Clayton . Lor d Mowbray' s death i s actually sublime, and hi s daughter becomes ever y page mor e delightful ; but sh e will no t supersede, i n m y most agreeabl e associations , th e inimitabl e Georgina, who m I shall alway s uphold , a s no t onl y th e mos t delightfu l heroine , bu t th e mos t en gaging woman , t o who m I eve r ha d th e honou r o f bein g introduced . Bu t i f I descant upo n ever y character , I shal l trespas s mos t unwarrantabl y upo n you r patience, and therefor e I say nothing of the sagaciou s Herbert, the classic Wentworth, th e arrogan t Cleveland , an d th e timi d Oldcastle , no r o f th e dignifie d Lady Eleanor , no r o f th e delightfu l Lad y Clanellan . Cleveland' s lov e fo r Constance i s finely discriminated, an d Oldcastle' s intervie w with De Vere o n th e em bassy i s beyond praise . Suc h passages , however , a s thi s las t ar e caviar e t o th e general; nevertheless , tim e and th e cognoscenti wil l discove r them . I mentio n n o faults, whic h may surprise you ; for what critic ever bored an author wit h so long a letter , withou t hintin g a t a fe w blemishes, merel y t o prov e tha t hi s previou s praises wer e sincere . Candidly , and upo n m y honour, I see none. Whe n a ma n has himself a little acquaintance wit h the ar t o f writing, he begins t o grow a very 1 Ward' s novel De Vere: o r the Man o f Independence ha d recentl y been published .
temperate critic . He the n discover s that, because an author ha s a peculiar way of 6 conceiving his subject, it does no t follo w tha t that peculiar mod e i s a fault y one ; 1 but, o n th e contrary , that i t is the author' s style , a style or manne r by which he is distinguished fro m othe r artists , and tha t unles s he commi t what the criti c may consider faults , h e neve r wil l produc e wha t all agree t o b e beauties . Al l works are no t t o be written on th e sam e principles , no r d o I quarrel wit h th e Flor a of Titian, becaus e he r countenanc e i s no t tha t o f th e Madonn a o f Raffaelle . Ye t some me n do ; but , afte r all , there ar e som e me n wh o se t the sundia l b y thei r own watches. One thin g has peculiarl y delighted m e i n 'D e Vere,' an d tha t is , that a writer who ha s prove d himsel f conversant above all others o f th e ag e wit h th e fascina tions of courts and senates , should on al l occasions, and i n a manner s o preemi nently beautiful, have evinced his deep study and ferven t adoration o f Nature . [D] TO BENJAMIN AUSTEN [London]
, Saturda y 1 4 [July] 1827
ORIGINAL: B L AD D MS 45908 f f l $ - 1 4
COVER: Benjami n Auste n Esquire I Ramsgate. PUBLICATION HISTORY : Layar d 14-15 , dated 1 4 June 1827 , in part ; M& B I 116-1 7 extract s dated 1 4 June 1827 ; Jerman 85-7 , dated 1 4 June 1827 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: no t onl y wa s 1 4 June a Thursday i n 1827 , but Lor d d e Tabley' s pic tures wer e no t sol d unti l Saturday 7 July 1827 . D therefore mus t have written 'June ' instea d o f th e correct 'July' . Sic: Wisbaden, insure, Fusileers, altogether, Taylor .
Saturday one o'cloc k I 14th. June 1827. My dear Austen, It ha s given me great pleasur e t o find that th e account s fro m you this mornin g continue favorable, and tha t you have arranged fo r a further enjoyment of your native air - th e atmosphere o f Ramsgate, that glor y of Kent and first of watering places , and worth y rival of Em s and Wisbaden . As , however, you hav e post poned you r retur n I cannot refrai n fro m writin g to you, if it be only t o inform you o f m y existence an d tha t I continue just "a s ill" as ever. Little else have I t o tell you , bein g i n th e situatio n o f thos e youthfu l jackanapes a t schoo l - wh o write hom e t o thei r parent s ever y wee k t o tel l the m tha t the y hav e nothin g t o say. You r goo d lad y I a m awar e send s yo u dail y bulletins and I a m quit e sur e that nothin g certai n o r contingen t i n thi s od d worl d ca n possibl y escap e th e comprehensive circui t of her livel y pen . Thi s fine morning witnessed th e departure o f my mother an d Jem t o Fern-Acres 1 to insure the retur n o f our lon g lost and muchl y deplore d sister . The weathe r favor s the m as it has don e you . I wanted t o persuad e Mr s Austen t o join them , imaginin g that i t migh t be som e little relaxatio n i n th e mids t of he r anxietie s an d mos t variou s occupations, bu t she pleaded you r letter s t o be pondered ove r an d t o be answered an d I co[ul] d say no more . 1 Fer n Acres , near Fulme r i n Buckinghamshire , was the hom e of th e Re v Henry Jame s Slingsb y (1786?-1844), late r recto r o f Stou r Provost , Dorsetshire . C M XCVI par t i i (Jul y 1826 ) 93 ; Ven n part ii, v; AR (1844) app 236 .
3 I 99 4 Jul 1827
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e I affair o f Slingsbys on Thursda y wa s very ga y - a t leas t I hea r s o - I di d t attend . Lot s of syllabubs , officer s an d stars , tho' thes e last were merely celestial. Th e Moo n disappointe d the m b y risin g at midnigh t an d the n holdin g he r silver stat e o n th e wron g side of the mansion . The y shoul d hav e fixed their day a littl e earlier . Thi s unfortunat e circumstanc e wa s a deat h blo w t o muc h in tended sentiment , and tw o or thre e officer s o f Fusileer s who ha d go t up some thing abou t "Quee n o f th e silve r bow " an d "resplenden t lam p o f night " wer e unable t o quote, and lef t thei r sonnets i n their pockets . The resul t of Lor d d e Tabley' s picture s ver y unexpected an d ver y unsatisfactory. I t turn s ou t tha t th e whol e o f thi s vaunte d collectio n neve r cos t abov e £5000 an d hav e sol d fo r abou t £7000. 2 Considerin g tha t hi s Lordship ha s ha d the pickin g of the Englis h schoo l - tha t h e go t the finest Gainsboroughs fo r a price lower than yo u wo[ul]d now give Glover,3 1 cannot but thin k that the affai r has turne d ou t a s badly for th e Britis h School as it well co[ul]d. How[ev]e r some fools congratulat e themselve s and tal k of proo f havin g at lengt h bee n adduce d in th e mos t signal manner, tha t i t is a wis e and profitabl e thing to inves t money in th e work s of Britis h artists etc . etc . etc . Di d yo u eve r kno w such fools ! I always thought s o myself, til l the ver y event which gives rise to their presen t crowing an d congratulations . I As I understan d yo u ar e i n wan t of a book, I sen d yo u th e mos t amusin g i n any languag e - fo r suc h I d o no t hesitat e t o styl e th e Memoir s of Benvenut o Cellini.4 I t i s many year s sinc e I rea d i t an d I wa s then enchanted . I sh[oul] d have been entranced wit h rapture ha d I then bee n i n Italy. The whol e scene lie s at Rome , FLORENC E (especially ) Milan - Padu a - Paris , Fontainbleau , Lyon s etc. You wil l read i t with grea t deligh t an d sympathis e with al l his scrapes. Th e par t that wil l leas t pleas e yo u wil l no t b e hi s interesting histor y of hi s Perseus - hi s beautiful Perseu s whic h you wel l remembe r i n th e mor e beautifu l Palazzo Vecchio at Firenze. 5 My fathe r say s he ha s muc h t o tal k about . I shal l be ver y happy whe n we ar e altogether onc e mor e an d a t Fyfield . Yo u of course kno w that Dorrie n ha s given us the hous e a week sooner.6 Pray come t o town as soon as you fee l a little resuscitated, a s I a m sur e yo u wil l b e muc h bette r wit h al l of us . Jem i s richer tha n
2 Par t o f th e collectio n o f John Flemin g Leiceste r (1762-1827) , is t Baro n d e Tabley , was sold b y auction a t Christie's and fetche d £7,466 . The Times (2 7 June; 7 , 9 July 1827) . 3 I n th e M S th e nam e appear s t o b e 'Clover ' althoug h th e initia l letter i s unlike eithe r D' s usual capital C or hi s capital G . It ha s been assume d fro m th e contex t tha t h e mus t hav e mean t 'Glo ver'. John Glove r (1767-1849 ) wa s a landscap e painte r who , betwee n 181 8 an d 1823 , exhibite d seven picture s at the Roya l Academy, fou r o f which were Italia n i n subject . 4 Cellini' s autobiograph y wa s translate d int o Englis h i n 182 2 by Willia m Roscoe . Th e 'beautifu l Perseus' mentioned by D is Cellini's bronze, 'Perseus with the Hea d of Medusa' . 5 Th e Palazz o Vecchi o wa s the sea t o f th e governmen t o f th e Florentin e Republic , an d after wards becam e the tow n hal l of Florence. 6 Georg e Dorrie n (1767-1835) , of th e bankin g hous e of Dorrien , Magen s & Co, was governor of the Ban k o f Englan d 1818-35 . H e wa s the owne r o f Fyfiel d House , Essex , addition s t o whic h had bee n designe d b y th e architec t Joh n Papwort h i n 1815-17 . W . Marsto n Acre s Th e Bank of England from Within,i6g4-igoo (1931 ) n 623 ; Colvi n 440 . Th e Disraeli s rented Fyfiel d fo r th e 1827 autum n season , a s the y ha d rente d Hyd e Hous e i n 1825 , an d Law n House , Dover , i n 1826.
ever an d strut s abou t tow n i n a kin d o f clot h shootin g jacke t mad e b y th e 6 celebrated Hyd e o f Winchester - almos t as celebrated a s a Taylor a s Dr. Chard 3 is a s a musician. 7 I n thi s quain t costume , wit h th e additiona l assistanc e o f a sporting handkerchie f h e look s very much lik e one o f thos e elegant , hal f blackguard, hal f gentleman I speculators in horseflesh , who crow d Winchester market and dine at the "good ordinary at two o'clock - " for which great grub , if you remember, th e bell rang lou d and lon g as we crossed fro m the Cathedral . All her e sen d thei r kindes t and mos t sympatheti c regards. Ad d t o thes e thos e of your sincere frien d BD Ralph's adventures a t th e In n wer e quite Gilblasish . He arrive d ther e about two o'clock an d tol d the m t o awake n him fo r th e earlies t coach. This they did i n th e course o f about tw o hours. H e jumped ou t o f bed wit h his eyes still shut and di d not fin d ou t til l h e arrive d i n town , tha t h e ha d mounte d on e o f th e nigh t coaches at about 4 o'clock - an d so he was in excellent office time ! TO THOMAS MULLET T EVAN S [Mayfiel d Hall?] , Thursday [ 3 January 1828 ] 6 O R I G I N A L : H A/V/A/1 1
COVER: p r 2y . pos t 8 o'cloc k Frida y morng . I Thomas Evan s Esquir e I at Vine s Esqre I 1 0 Siz e Lan e I Bucklersbury I City POSTMARK: (i ) I n oval : 2A . NOON. 2 I 4-JA I x 182 8 x (2 ) [illegible ] - n d St . EDITORIAL C O M M E N T : Sic: dye .
Thursday nigh t My dear Evans, I a m very much obliged t o [you ] for you r note . Nee d I sa y I wis h you succes s in your morrow' s negotiation. I n case the contingency you mention aris e I think on reflection tha t you had bette r direc t t o me at Bloomsbur y Sq. and tha t th e lette r should b e forwarded - becaus e I may possibly move from Mayfiel d Hal l to Hastings, in which case my family wil l be apprised o f it. On furthe r reflectio n I I think yo u ha d bette r direc t t o m e a t Hasting s where Day's brother and hi s family ar e a t present residing . Direct to me at Day' s Esq. Hastings. I mentio n thi s because al l Meredith's letters g o so, and I know that Richar d Day 7 Georg e Willia m Char d (1765?-1849 ) wa s organis t o f Wincheste r Cathedra l 1802-49 . Hyde' s fame ha s proved mor e fragile .
4 I 101 Jan 1828
4
102 I 66 a t Mayfield 1 get s hi s a day's earlier b y it in th e regula r cours e o f delivery . I shall 10 Mar 1828 therefor e certainl y expect yo u t o direct t o Hasting s in case you fin d i t necessar y to communicate. I expect certainl y t o be in town by Monday week at the latest . It ma y however be I Tuesday. That wil l positively be th e latest . I trus t tha t all will go well . At an y rate whateve r happen, kee p yoursel f cool, and whateve r you resolve on, resolv e on with temperance . God bless you BD I hav e writte n thi s in a tremendou s hurr y an d i n a horribl e noise . I a m afrai d you wil l fin d i t horribl y confused . I ca n onl y recapitulat e - direct t o m e at Hastings, and B E NOT RASH . Al l is on the dy e - thro w it with caution. 2
65
TO ROBERT FINCH 6 Bloomsbury Square, [London] , [Saturday ] 8 March 182 8 ORIGINAL: BOD L M S Finch 65 (132.
6 Bloomsbur y Square I March 8th. 182 8 Revd. R. Finch1 etc. etc. etc. My dear Sir, My fathe r regret s extremely , tha t he misse d the opportunit y of bein g intro duced t o you yesterday - whic h would hav e give n hi m great pleasure . H e desires m e I to request th e hono r o f you r company at dinner on Saturda y nex t th e i5th. I trust th e accompanying card may find you disengaged . I am, my dear Sir, Very truly yours, Benjn. DISRAELI . 66 T
O SHARON TURNER Bloomsbur ORIGINAL: RA Y i [Monday
y Square, [London] , ] 1 0 March 182 8
COVER: Sharo n Turner Es q I etc. etc. etc. I Red Lio n Square I [Endorsement in anothe r hand]: B Disraeli I loth. March 1828 PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 116, dated March 1828 , cites the second , third and fourt h sentences of the fourth paragraph. EDITORIAL COMMENT : Thi s is one o f th e fe w sources of persona l information fro m th e perio d o f D's
1 Th e Da y family ha d live d a t Mayfield , about twenty miles from Hastings, from at least the early decades of the eighteent h century . Foster I 357. Willia m Day of Mayfiel d wa s one o f the princi pal landholder s o f th e district ; and probabl y it i s he wh o i s mentioned i n (vo l ll ) 384 . B y th e time o f th e 185 1 census th e famil y n o longe r live d in Mayfield . Thoma s Walker Horsfiel d Th e History, Antiquities, and Topography o f th e County o f Sussex (Lewes 1835) 415. By 183 5 there was a Richard Da y living at Bexhill, near Hastings . H e married Jane Worge of Battle, and die d i n London i n December 1845 , aged 45 . Horsfiel d 427; BLC (1846 ) I I 1634-5; GM 25 (Jan 1846 ) 104 . 2 D and Evan s still owed £1,266.10. 1 t o Rober t Messer , who was then pressin g Evan s for a meet ing o f the thre e of them . H A/V/A/IS (5 Jan 1828) ; H A/v/A/2. 1 Rober t Finc h (1783-1830) , antiquary , whose collections o f books an d objet s d'art are preserve d in th e Ashmolea n Museum , Oxford . H e spen t mos t o f the las t sixtee n year s of hi s life abroad , and i n th e sprin g of 182 8 h e wa s making one o f hi s rare visit s to England . G M c par t i i (Dec 1830) 567-8 .
serious illness. D found in Sharon Turner, hi s godfather and a man thirty-si x years older (see 33n4), a 6 temporary confidan t t o who m h e coul d express his sense of frustration . Near the en d o f hi s lif e h e commented t o Lady Derby on hi s 'miserable youth' when, h e said , 'I was devoured by ambition I di d not se e an y mean s of gratifying. ' Meynel l I 24. Monypenny note s that, for muc h of th e 1827-3 0 period, ' A mysteriou s disease hel d hi m in its grip and paralyse d his energies.' In January 1829 Isaac wrote, 'M y son's life withi n the las t year and a half , with a ver y sligh t exception , ha s bee n a blan k i n hi s existence . Hi s complain t i s on e o f thos e perplexing case s whic h remai n uncertai n an d obscure , til l the y ar e finall y go t ri d of . Meanwhil e patience and resignatio n must be his lot - tw o drugs in human life, bitte r of digestion, in an arden t and excitabl e mind. ' A t th e time , D' s complaint wa s describe d a s 'chroni c inflammatio n o f th e membranes o f th e brain' ; a phras e whic h seem s t o hav e bee n a s muc h use d t o indicat e medical uncertainty i n the nineteent h century as 'virus infection' i s in the twentieth . M& B I 115-16.
Bloomsbury S q I March lot h 182 8 My dear Sir, I fea r tha t yo u mus t consider m e a very ungrateful o r a very insensible person age, bu t I trus t I am neither . I hav e taken u p m y pen variou s times with th e intention o f writing to you, but overwhelmin g indisposition ha s rendered it impossible, and I hav e delayed , unti l I co[ul] d d o i t with ease , tha t which , although a duty, I wished also to consider a pleasure . I am I highly gratified by your remembrance of me. You are one of thos e men whose talent s I hav e alway s admired , whos e virtues I hav e ever respected , an d whose friendship I have rather aspire d to , than deserved . It i s with grea t regret , tha t I hea r yo u stil l mentio n 'bodil y infirmities' . How you succee d i n strugglin g s o successfully agains t th e tripl e destinie s of Law , Literature an d Illnes s ha s ofte n excite d m y admiration . I You hav e don e grea t things, which , res t assured , wil l b e hear d o f i n afte r days , whe n thi s fals e an d frivolous ag e will not perhap s b e thought s o wonderfully wis e and virtuou s as, in the plenitud e o f nationa l conceit , it imagines itself . Indeed yourself , and m y father, and Southey , commenced you r career s a t so early a period, tha t now without an y of the deca y or deadnes s o f old age you are enjoyin g an established an d classical I reputation, an d t o you , and them , th e applaus e o f th e publi c must almost sound lik e the whisper of Posterity. I am ver y much obliged t o you for you r kind wishes regarding myself . I am at present quit e idl e being a t this moment slowl y recovering fro m one o f those tre mendous disorganisation s whic h happen t o all men a t some perio d of their lives, and whic h perhaps ar e equall y necessar y fo r I the formatio n bot h o f th e bod y and th e constitution . Whethe r I shall ever d o anythin g which may mark m e out from th e crow d I kno w not . I a m on e o f thos e t o who m moderat e reputatio n can giv e n o pleasure, 1 an d who , i n al l probability , am incapabl e o f achievin g a great one. Bu t ho w this ma y be I care not . I hav e ceased t o be dazzled wit h th e glittering bubble s whic h floa t o n I the trouble d ocea n o f existence . Whateve r i s granted I shall receive wit h composure, an d tha t which is withholden I shal l not regret. 1 Blak e (54 ) remarks tha t scor n fo r a 'moderat e reputation ' i s 'the quintessenc e o f Disraeli , in deed the key to his character and career.'
6 I 103 10Mar 1828
104 I 6 6 10 Mar 183 8
Benjamin Disrael i (1828) by Daniel Maclise
66 I 10 5 10 Mar 182 8
Sarah Disraeli (1828) by Daniel Maclis e
io6 I 68 Oblig e m e b y makin g m y kindes t remembrance s t o Mrs . Turne r an d you r 15 Apr 182 8 family . M y severe illnes s ha s o f lat e prevente d m e fro m seein g them a s muc h as I could wish , but I can never forge t my best an d oldes t friends. 2 Believe me, m y dear Sir, with great respec t and regar d yours Benjamin Disrael i 67 T
O THOMAS JOSEPH PETTIGRE W 6
Bloomsbury Square, [London] , [Wednesday] 1 9 March 182 8
ORIGINAL: P S 78
PUBLICATION HISTORY : W.V . Daniell Catalogue o f Autograph Letters (1906) item 34 1 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Th e lette r i s described in th e catalogu e as : 'A.L.s . zpp . 8vo. 6, Bloomsbury Sq., March igth, 1828, toT.J. Pettigrew.'
[Dear Sir] 1 I am s o decided a n invalid , that at presen t I am obliged t o foreg o altogethe r th e deliciae o f society, 68 T
O FRANCIS DOUCE Bloomsbur
y Square, [London] , Tuesday 1 5 April 182 8
O R I G I N A L : BOD L M S Douce d2 5 ff53'4 . EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: de . Repub .
Bloomsbury Square Tuesda y I April 15th . 182 8
F. Douce Esq etc. etc. etc. My dear Sir, I hav e taken th e libert y of sendin g yo u th e de . Repub[lica], ' altho ' yo u intimat ed, whe n I las t had th e pleasur e o f seein g you , that yo u ha d scarcel y leisur e t o examine it. The trut h is , that I was unwilling to mis s the opportunity , by my mother's go ing t o Kensington, 2 of sending yo u the volume , which I hav e quite finishe d an d 2 Man y year s late r D credited Sharo n Turne r wit h havin g persuaded Isaa c t o hav e hi s children baptized a s Christians in 1817 . M& B I 23 . 1 Thoma s Joseph Pettigre w (1791-1865 ) wa s a well-know n member o f th e Londo n medica l pro fession. H e ha d bee n surgeo n t o the Roya l Dispensar y for Children , senior surgeo n t o Charin g Cross Hospita l and a founde r o f th e Roya l Philosophical Society. At this time, in addition t o his other duties , he was surgeon t o the Duk e of Sussex and wa s compiling a catalogue of his library in Kensingto n Palac e (Bibliotheca Sussexiana 1827-39) . He practise d i n Savile Row 1835-54 . The complet e letter , which has not been located , migh t indicate whether Pettigre w was treating D for hi s illness. 1 Th e rediscover y o f th e M S a t th e Vatica n in 182 0 had spurre d a series o f ne w editions o f Cice ro's De re publica during th e twenties. 2 Althoug h DNB state s tha t Douc e dispose d o f hi s Uppe r Gowe r Stree t hous e afte r 182 3 an d moved t o Kensingto n Square , th e D'Israel i famil y alway s addresse d correspondenc e i n thes e years to 1 5 Upper Gowe r Street, an d Robson' s Guide fo r 183 3 list s him at tha t address.
which I trus t yo u wil l kee p a s lon g a s yo u like , a s I shal l i n nowis e b e 69 inconvenienced by the detention . 5 I foun d i t impossible in an y moderat e bounds , b y a written statement to give the faithfu l an d accurat e description o f the MS. , whic h I though t requisite , and I hav e therefore onl y writte n a fe w "notulae " which I may perhap s b e o f a littl e use in pointing out th e mos t interesting s[ection]s of the "Prefatio" . I regre t tha t I hav e not bee n abl e t o procur e yo u an impressio n o f the plate , but I trus t nevertheles s tha t eventuall y I shal l be able . I n th e mea n tim e you must mak e shif t wit h m y poo r specimen , i n which , I fear , you r practise d eye s will find considerable deviations from th e engraving . I am, m y dear Sir, Your very faithful an d oblige d Servan t
1 107 Jun 182 8
B. DISRAEL I I
Again I be g to repeat tha t I hop e yo u wil l no t troubl e yourself about returnin g the vol . Any time that I have the pleasur e of calling upon you , I can take it. TO EDWARD LAWFORD Drapers
' Hall , [London], [Thursday ] 5 June 182 8 6
O R I G I N A L : B L ADD MS 37502 ff38- g
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Tw o day s before, o n 3 June, Colbur n ha d publishe d D' s Th e Voyage o f Captain Popanilla, dedicated t o Rober t Ward . The boo k i s a political satire o n the Benthamites , in the mod e o f Swift an d Voltaire . There wa s an America n edition i n 182 8 and a ne w Colburn editio n i n 182 9 with illustrations by Maclise. See also 7m3- Endorsement s o n th e last page i n other hands: (i ) '5 June 182 8 I Mr . Disrael i I Law Institution ' (2 ) I n pencil : 'Mr. Disrael i seems t o hav e called a t Draper s Hal l to so licit M r Edwar d Lawford' s influence on behal f o f Mr . Basev i and no t findin g hi m a t home , sat down and wrot e the foregoing . I.M . Waterhouse[?].'
Drapers Hal l I June 5th . 182 8 Ed. Lawford Esqr1 etc. etc. etc. Dear Sir, I a m abou t t o tak e a very great liberty , which the invariabl e civility I hav e eve r experienced fro m yo u ma y excuse, but wil l scarcely justify. Your ver y influential nam e i s to b e foun d amon g th e Member s of th e Com mittee o f th e La w Institution . My cousin, M r Georg e Basevi , of Savill e Row is a candidate fo r th e appointment o f architect to that Society. Mr Basevi was a pupil of Mr . Soane2 - h e studied fo r som e years both a t Rome and Athens , and sinc e his retur n t o England , abou t te n I years back, h e ha s bee n eminentl y successfu l in hi s profession , havin g bee n entruste d wit h muc h importan t busines s bot h public an d private , an d havin g at thi s momen t confide d to hi m th e erectio n o f Belgrave Squar e o n Lor d Grosvenor' s estate, 3 a n undertakin g which , whethe r 1 Edwar d Lawfor d (1788?-1864 ) wa s solicito r t o th e Eas t Indi a C o i n London , an d fo r man y years Clerk o f th e Drapers ' Company . H e die d i n Switzerland . Perciva l Boy d Roll o f the Drapers Company o f London (Croydon 1934 ) 113 ; G M 21 8 (May 1864 ) 674 . 2 John Soan e (1753-1837) , architect an d founde r o f th e Soan e Museum . I n 180 6 h e ha d bee n named professo r o f architecture at the Roya l Academ y an d h e was knighted i n 1831 . 3 I n 182 6 Lor d Grosveno r ha d obtaine d specia l power s fro m Parliamen t t o la y out, i n roads an d squares, tha t par t of hi s London estate no w called Belgravia . George Basev i wa s one o f th e ar chitects. Colvin 63 .
9
io8 I 70 w e regar d i t i n a pecuniar y o r a mor e refine d view , ma y certainl y b e classe d Dec 182 8 amon g th e mos t importan t eve r entruste d t o a moder n architect . I mentio n al l this merely t o prov e tha t i n venturing I to solici t your vot e and influenc e for Mr . Basevi, I a m no t presumin g t o intrud e upo n you r attentio n eithe r a n incompe tent o r an improper personage . Had no t h e understoo d tha t a meetin g of th e Committe e woul d take plac e t o day - h e could , an d woul d hav e obtaine d a n applicatio n t o yo u calculated t o carry mor e weigh t tha n m y own - bu t time pressed - an d I wa s rash - I trus t that you wil l not sa y impertinent. Mr. I George Meredith 4 i s an ol d an d particula r frien d o f Mr . Basevi's - an d I am sur e wil l fee l greatl y interested i n his success. 5 Let m e conclud e thi s ver y hast y letter , b y mos t sincerel y apologisin g fo r th e trouble I hav e given you, and b y assuring you that I hav e the hono r t o subscribe myself, with grea t respect , Your mos t obedt humbl e Ser[van]t En. Disraeli 7O T
O MR. DAVISON [London
, Decembe r 1828? ]
O R I G I N A L : B L ADD MS 37232A f g
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: th e Bloomsbur y referenc e places this before 1829 , when th e D'Israeli s moved t o Bradenham. The lef t margi n of the M S ha s been trimmed.
6 o'clock My dear Davison, 1 I a m ver y vexed tha t I misse d yo u this morning . I arrive d i n town toda y - an d am no w livin g the vi e solitaire i n Bloomsbury. Will yo u com e an d ameliorat e a Bachelor s torment s b y partakin g o f hi s gob let. I a m alone , a s Ossian says , but luckil y no t I upon th e hil l of .Storms. Instead o f that catch-col[rf ] situation , a good fir e sid e wil l greet you. Mind yo u come, yours ever, B. Disraeli Excuse scraw l etc. 4 Georg e Meredith o f Nottingham Place and Berringto n Court , Worcs, was the fathe r o f D' s great friend Willia m George Meredith . The elde r Meredit h (d 5 Dec 1831) was a member o f the Dra pers' Company fro m 179 5 until hi s death . A List o f the Master an d Wardens, Court o f Assistants and Livery o f th e Worshipful Company o f Drapers, various years. 5 Basev i did no t ge t the commission . The architec t fo r th e ne w Law Institution building in Chan cery Lan e wa s Lewi s Vulliam y (1791-1871), wh o supervise d bot h th e constructio n i n 1830- 2 and th e alteration s in 1836 . Colvi n 643. 1 Probabl y a legal acquaintance; ther e were a number o f Londo n solicitor s named Davison .
TO RICHARD BENTLEY [London
, Tuesday 1 2 Ma y 1829?] 7
1
O R I G I N A L : L C Ac. 8033 [13]
COVER: Ma y 12th . I Mr. Richar d Bentle y I Dorset Stree t I Salisbury Square EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: by reference t o th e ne w editio n o f Popanilla (1829) .
To Mr. Richard Bentley 1 Sir, We are gettin g o n wit h Mr . Meredith' s work2 i n a mos t imbecile , unsatisfactory , and contemptibl e manner . Th e wor k ough t t o hav e bee n publishe d a mont h ago. Exer t you r ancien t I energies - maintai n your character , an d le t the proof s follow eac h other lik e flashes of lightning. I am, Sir, Yours truly Benjn Disraeli I
I hav e bee n expectin g dail y proo f o f th e titl e page , dedicatio n etc . o f th e Ne w Edit, o f Popanilla. 3 I f thes e hav e not bee n forwarde d t o you , have the kindnes s to appl y fo r the m a t Burlingto n St. an d procee d wit h the m immediately . Too much time has been lost. TO BENJAMIN AUSTEN Bradenham
, [Monday] 23 November [1829] 7
O R I G I N A L : B L ADD MS 45908 ffl5-l 6
PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 121 , extracts date d Novembe r 1829 ; Jerman 90-1 , dated 2 8 November 1829 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Towards th e en d o f 1829 , despite th e extravaganc e o f hi s descriptio n o f hi s health, D was attempting t o persuad e Isaa c t o se t hi m u p a s a country gentlema n wit h his own estate . As th e famil y ha d jus t move d t o Bradenham , a t leas t partl y fo r D' s health, Isaa c no t unreasonabl y refused. 1 Richar d Bentle y (1794-1871 ) the n operated , in partnershi p with hi s brother Samuel , a printin g office i n Dorse t Street , Salisbur y Square . Th e fac t tha t Bentle y wa s Henr y Colburn' s printe r explains why , late r i n th e letter , D instructed hi m t o appl y i n Burlingto n Street , wher e Colburn's offices wer e located, for th e proof s o f Popanilla. Bentle y an d Colbur n late r became part ners and, when th e partnershi p was dissolved i n 1832 , Bentle y continue d t o operate fro m Burlington Street. Frank Arthu r Mumb y Publishing and Bookselling (1930) 324. 2 Willia m Georg e Meredit h Memorials o f Charles John, King o f Sweden an d Norway .. . With a Discourse o n the Political Character of Sweden (Colburn 1829) . 3 A new editio n o f D' s The Voyage o f Captain Popanilla appeare d lat e i n 1829 . Se e Cgec. Puttick an d Simpso n catalogu e (1 9 July 1877) , ite m 120 , list s a lette r fro m D among a grou p probably t o Charle s Oilier , wh o wa s the n a principa l assistan t t o Colburn . Th e lette r i s de scribed a s 'A.L.s. 4pp. 8vo. and Address , Tuesday night [1828]' . If t o Oilier, the lette r (whic h ha s not bee n located) , in asking fo r a n intervie w wit h Colburn, probably refers t o th e publicatio n of the firs t editio n of Popanilla i n June 1828 : 'With regar d t o th e printer , I shoul d lik e t o hav e a n interview wit h hi s Satanic majesty befor e th e appearanc e of an y of hi s devils.'
2
no I 73 Bradenha m House 1 I Novr. 23 . 28 Nov 1829 M y dear Austen, You ar e m y sheet anchor and th e mos t valuable of friends . Would I cofulj d tes tify m y gratitud e in an y othe r wa y than by being the sourc e of perpetua l trouble, bu t I ma y someday . Your informatio n i s quit e satisfactory , an d obtaine d with your usual tact and I acuteness. 2 I am desperately ill - an d shal l be in town in a day or two, incog, of course, but I hope to get to your chambers, if nowhere else, and shak e your honest hand. Farewell Disraeli I Tell Mada m I shal l cal l upo n he r i f possible , bu t I ca n onl y call , becaus e I a m necessarily betrayed by her, and i n consequence "the heathen rage most furiously."* 73 T
O BENJAMIN AUSTE N [Unio
n Hotel, London] Saturday [28 November 1829?]
ORIGINAL: B L ADD MS 45908 ff88- g COVER: PRIVAT E I Benjamin Austen Esqr
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: fro m interna l evidence ; th e ton e an d conten t suggest this t o b e a sequel to the precedin g letter.
Saturday, My dear fellow , I foun d you , as I feared , out. You are als o engaged t o dinner today, but I shal l perhaps see you in the evenin g when I intend to pay your good Lad y a visit. As, fro m fea r o f th e Philistines , I canno t come and din e wit h you , you mus t 1 I n th e summe r o f 182 9 th e famil y move d fro m Londo n t o Bradenha m House , a fe w mile s from Hig h Wycomb e i n Buckinghamshire . Concerned abou t bot h D and Maria , Isaa c gav e a s his reason 'th e precarious health o f several member s o f my family'. Th e house , datin g fro m th e reign of Henr y vm, was remodelled i n the eighteent h centur y to its present attractiv e guise o f a Queen Ann e mano r house . A s the hous e dominate d th e smal l village , an d a s the churc h an d rectory wer e attache d t o th e property , th e occupan t inevitabl y assume d th e rol e o f th e loca l squire. There were 1,35 1 well-wooded acres on th e slope s o f the Chilterns , and a nominal gros s rent-roll of £1,689 P er annum. Isaac did no t purchas e th e propert y wher e h e wa s to spen d th e remainin g ninetee n year s of his life , bu t obtaine d a leasehold ; indee d fo r thirt y years (betwee n 182 4 and 1854 ) th e titl e of the estate - propert y an d advowson - wa s subject to litigation in the Court o f Chancery. Amon g the privilege s acquired b y Isaa c was that o f presentin g candidate s fo r th e livin g at Bradenha m Church, an d hi s status as a Jew does not appea r t o hav e deterred th e Dioces e o f Oxfor d fro m confirming hi s right, no r doe s it seem t o have inhibited Isaa c from exercising it . D retaine d a stron g affectio n fo r Bradenha m al l hi s lif e and , a s has bee n noted , hi s descrip tion o f Hurstle y in chapter 1 1 of Endymion (1880 ) i s a recognizable an d nostalgi c portrai t of hi s old home . Ogde n 155-6 ; M& B I 120-1 ; Blak e 54; James Josep h Sheaha n History an d Topography of Buckinghamshire (1862) 878, 881 ; Return of Owners o f Land i n England and Wales (1873). 2 Thi s wa s in connectio n wit h D's pla n t o hav e Isaa c purchas e a n estat e fo r hi m a t Stockton . Se e 743 'Wh y d o th e heathe n s o furiously rag e together : an d wh y do th e peopl e imagin e a vain thing? ' Book o f Common Prayer. Sheriff s officers , sen t b y D' s creditors, an d read y t o serv e thei r writs , kept an eye on th e residence s o f his known friends.
73 I in 28 Nov 1829
Bradenham Mano r from a water-colour by Mrs Partridg e
112 I 74 com e I and din e wit h me , whe n w e ca n discours e d e omnibus rebus e t quibusdam 8 Dec 1829 aliis. Wha t sa y yo u t o Monda y a t 1/ 2 pas t 6 ? o r i f engage d Tuesda y - bu t Monday I sho[ul] d rathe r prefer . I canno t refres h yo u wit h th e I rich an d re d Tonnerre, ye t the Unio n Lafitt e i s not despicable , an d I mos t particularl y hop e you wil l favo r me b y trying it. Yours ever BD 74 T
O BENJAMIN AUSTEN Bradenham
, [Tuesday ] 8 December 182 9
O R I G I N A L : B L ADD MS 45908 ffl7-l 8
COVER: PRIVAT E I Benjamin Auste n Esqre. I 4 Raymon d Buildgs I Grays Inn I London POSTMARK: ( i ) I n circle : [Illegible] I 1829 (2 ) I n smal l rectangle: No . i (3 ) HWYCOMB E i Penn y Pos t PUBLICATION HISTORY : Layar d 16 , dated Decembe r 1829 , i n part ; M& B I 121-2 , date d 8 Decembe r 1829, i n part; Jerman 91-2 , dated 8 December 1829 , in part EDITORIAL COMMENT : Hi s schem e t o b e a lande d countr y gentleman havin g been rejected , D turned to hi s secon d plan . Fo r som e tim e h e ha d bee n workin g on th e M S o f Alroy, an d h e ha d becom e in creasingly interested i n Arab and Semiti c culture. His appetite fo r foreig n travel ha d bee n whette d by his tw o earlier tours , and h e convince d himself tha t both hi s physica l an d menta l health required a n extensive gran d tou r o f th e Mediterranea n an d th e Middl e East . As this lette r reveals , Isaa c refused to financ e th e trip . D thereupon determine d t o rais e th e necessar y funds himself , an d a t onc e pu t Alroy asid e and bega n wor k on wha t was intended t o be a pot-boiler, The Young Duke. He finishe d i t by the en d o f Marc h 183 0 and , thoug h i t was not publishe d until April 1831 , Colburn offered £50 0 fo r it in post-dated bills. That, wit h a loan from Austen , was enough fo r hi m t o carry out hi s plan.
Bradenham. Deer . 8. 182 9 Benjn Auste n Esq r My dear Austen , We receive d las t night , vi a Canonbury, 1 ver y alarming account s o f Louisa. 2 Sh e appears t o hav e become muc h wors e sinc e I lef t London . W e very muc h desir e to kno w ho w sh e is . Sa wo[ul]d hav e written , ha d no t I sd . tha t I wa s about t o communicate to you. I a m sorr y t o sa y that Stockto n i s no go . The fac t is , that grea t an d genera l a s is th e agricultura l distress , thi s count y i s sufferin g muc h wors e eve n tha n it s neighbours, an d th e Governo r i s fairl y frightened . Her e rent s ar e neve r paid , farms ar e dail y thrown up , an d stoc k i s given away . Under thes e circumstance s it i s impossible fo r m e t o persuad e m y father , tha t M r Edwar d Boddington 3 i s 1 Th e Lind o famil y live d a t Canonbury . A letter o f 2 5 February 183 1 fro m Sara h recorde d tha t the Lindo s were movin g fro m thei r hous e in tha t par t of London. H A/lv/E/iy. 2 Louis a Rickett , afterward s Mr s Charles Linton, Sar a Austen' s sister . Se e 79 and 8 1 for he r brie f engagement t o D' s cousin BEL . 3 Samue l Boddingto n wa s know n t o D but, i n a famil y wel l supplie d wit h publishe d pedigrees , there is no mentio n of an Edwar d then living. Jerman (go ) say s tha t th e Stockto n estat e carried wit h i t a sea t i n Parliamen t (wit h immunit y from arres t fo r debt) , whic h D saw a s a wa y ou t o f hi s financia l problems . However , althoug h there ar e man y Stocktons , non e ha s yet been identifie d wit h a rotten borough. The mos t likely candidate i s Stockton i n Warwickshire , a paris h the n owne d b y the Clapha m family , ten mile s southwest o f Rugby . I n Rugb y ther e wa s an Edwar d Boddingto n wh o wa s a butcher , an d i t is conceivable, i n view of the natur e of D' s comments, that h e ha d bee n trying t o convinc e Isaa c of, for example , a firm contract with Boddington t o purchase livestock regularly fro m th e Stockto n estate, bu t tha t Isaa c ha d no t bee n convinced . Al l this, however , i s sheer conjecture . Willia m West Th e History, Topography an d Directory o f Warwickshire (Birmingha m 1830 ) 735 , 752 .
any othe r bu t on e o f thos e respectabl e individual s whose fles h i s made o f straw , 7 and bloo d o f moonshine. I have sd. all that I can venture - I cannot tak e the re - 1 sponsibility upo n mysel f i n I any furthe r degree , particularl y a s I hav e mor e than once interfere d i n his affairs, an d neve r wit h any particular success . Therefore I must give up al l idea o f an estate , which would have exactly suited me. I a m sorr y t o sa y that m y other , an d stil l mor e importan t plan , prosper s a s badly. I hav e partly broken it , and i t was at once fairl y knocke d on th e hea d i n a calmer manner , tha n I sho[ul] d hav e expecte d fro m m y somewha t rapid , bu t too indulgen t Sire . Altogether , I am sufficientl y dozy , but wil l no t quit e despair . A sanguine temper support s m e still . There is yet time, and that, according to th e great Frederick , i s everything. Th e fac t i s I a m "spell-bound within the clustering Cyclades"
5 I 113 4 Feb 1830
4
and g o I must , tho ' I fea r I mus t hack fo r it . A literar y prostitute I hav e neve r yet been, I tho' born i n an ag e of general prostitution , and tho ' I hav e more tha n once bee n subjec t t o temptation s which might hav e been th e ruination of a less virtuous youn g woman . M y mus e howeve r i s stil l a virgin , bu t th e mystica l flower, I fear , mus t soo n b e plucked . Colbur n I suppos e wil l b e th e bawd . Tempting Mothe r Colburn ! However , a s Frederic k says , I hav e ye t time, an d I may b e saved. 5 Kee p thi s lette r t o yoursel f without exception, an d indee d al l I write t o you . Tho ' generall y accuse d o f uncommunicativeness , I lik e a gentl e chat wit h a friend , provide d i t b e strictl y confidential , and h e b e a trie d an d trusty one , lik e yourself. Women ar e delightfu l creatures, particularl y if they be pretty, whic h the y alway s are , bu t the n the y chatter (the y can' t hel p it) , an d I have n o ambition , i n cas e m y deares t projec t fails , t o I be pointe d ou t a s th e young gentleman, who was going to Constantinople . Let it be secre t as the cav e of the winds, and then , perhaps , a friendly breez e ma y yet bear m e to Syria. Farewell, mon ami, BD By th e bye , I advis e yo u t o tak e car e o f m y letters , fo r i f I becom e hal f a s fa mous as I inten d t o be , yo u ma y sel l the m fo r te n guinea s a piec e t o th e Keep sake fo r 184 0 - tha t bein g th e price , o n dit, a t whic h tha t delicat e creatur e D[ouglas] Kfinnaird] furnishe s a Byronic epistle to the Annuals. 6 TO CATHERINE GORE Bradenham
, [Sunday ] 1 4 February 183 0 *J
O R I G I N A L : TEX U 2 7
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Writte n durin g th e perio d o f D' s concentrated wor k on th e M S o f Th e Young Duke, this letter reveals a dramatic rise i n his morale. Hi s self-mockery of his state of health is put t o a literary purpose , an d th e whol e tone o f th e lette r represent s a n experimen t i n projectio n o f a mannered rol e tha t i s itself a n extensio n o f th e nove l h e wa s then writing . Th e en d o f 7 6 t o Colbur n shows him in another rol e on the subjec t of Mrs . Gore's novel. As the letter s of a month late r reveal, however, this euphoria wa s coupled wit h equally extreme period s of depression. Sic: agreable. 4 Byro n Th e Corsair il l 62 . 5 Presumabl y Frederic k II , th e Grea t (1712-1786) , Kin g o f Prussia . Doubtles s th e occasio n wa s one o f his many playfu l assaults on churchmen . Zimmermann, D e Catt and other s record com parable comments . 6 Dougla s Kinnair d (1788-1830) , a frien d o f Byron , publishe d i n Decembe r 182 9 som e o f By ron's letter s i n Th e Keepsake fo r 1830 . Andre w Boyl e An Index t o the Annuals (Worceste r 1967 ) 45-
fy
ii4 I 75 Bradenha m Hous e I February 14 . 183 0 I Wycombe 14 Feb 183 0 Mrs . Charles Gore1 I d o no t writ e for th e Cfourt ] J[ournal ] fo r th e sam e reaso n tha t I neve r shal l see you - becaus e I a m dying . M y only chance , an d a very forlor n one , o f not immediately quittin g thi s life , i s immediatel y quittin g thi s country , almos t a greater bore , an d ha d you r agreabl e volume s bee n publishe d a mont h later , they wo[ul]d not hav e been m y travelling companions. I di d no t receiv e the m unti l las t night , whic h I mention , becaus e I suspec t from th e directio n the y I have been roaming : m y fathe r no w residin g solel y a t Bradenham. He i s never i n town , but whe n we again meet , I shal l tell him tha t yo u recog nise i n hi m a literar y godfather , an d tha t h e i s answerable fo r al l your sins . H e will no t b e aghas t a t th e responsibility , because h e i s gallant as well a s grey, an d you ar e a favorite. What doe s Colburn mea n b y imagining that anythin g we write can b e " a fail ure"? Doe s th e villai n rebel ? I hav e n o doub t tha t you r boo k i s a s cleve r a s everything you write must alway s be, but i f ever yo u b e d d . ( I us e th e wor d technically an d "don't mean t o be coarse"), i t mus t be , becaus e lik e Congreve, yo u have to o muc h wit . I I a m sorr y that you remember m y boyish indiscretions[.] I ha d onc e hope d t o atone fo r thos e terribl e crudities , bu t thi s las t delusio n als o vanishes . Wha t i s Life? Yout h is a blunder, Manhoo d a Moral, and Ol d Ag e a Regret. 2 As you hav e chosen t o tear of f m y mask, permit m e to say , if indeed I am no t speaking o f a thin g forgotten , tha t i n assumin g th e nam e an d ton e o f Mivarti nos, I wishe d t o gai n th e C.J . th e reputatio n o f havin g a fa r mor e successfu l writer fo r it s correspondent, tha n myself. 3 I though t tha t whe n h e once ha d th e reputation o f fightin g unde r ou r flag , h e reall y would hav e struggle d fo r som e 1 Catherin e Grac e France s Gore, ne e Mood y (1799-1861) , enormously prolifi c novelis t an d play wright, publishe d ove r sevent y works . He r nove l Manners o f th e Day appeared i n 1830 , pub lished b y Colburn, an d i s certainly th e boo k t o whic h D refers. I n 182 3 sh e ha d marrie d Cap t Charles Arthur Gore ( d 1846) . He r wil l specifie d tha t her paper s be burned; there has been n o biography. 2 D will remember thi s epigra m an d buil d o n i t fourtee n year s late r i n Coningsby (boo k III , c h i) : 'Youth is a blunder; Manhood a struggle; old Age a regret.' 3 Th e pseudony m 'Mivartinos' wa s employed by D on a numbe r of article s publishe d i n Th e Court Journal. Se e 'A Colloquy o n th e Progres s and Prospect s of the "Cour t Journal'" C J no 4 (23 May 1829) 49-51 , where Mivartino s i s one o f th e characters ; 'Secon d Edition ! Terrible Non-Occur rence!! Flight o f a Distinguished Individual!!! ' CJ no 5 (30 May 1829 ) 65-7; 'Th e Trial of Mivartinos' cj n o 6 (6 June 1829 ) 82-9 3 anc ' 'The Levee o f Augustus Villeroy ' cj n o 8 (20 June 1829 ) 114-18. Mivartino s was a name obviously derived fro m Mivart' s Hotel, then a fashionable haun t for foreig n visitors . Edwar d Bulwe r live d a t th e hote l befor e hi s marriage , an d h e wa s con vinced tha t the articles , whos e autho r he had no t identified , wer e writte n a s parodies of his own style. Louis a Deve y e d Letters o f th e late Edward Bulwer, Lord Lytton, to his Wife (Ne w York 1889 )
384-5.
laurels. I t wa s i n thi s vein, tha t I I venture d t o addres s yo u thos e letter s whose 7 arrival yo u pardoned . I di d no t expec t t o b e discovere d o r betrayed . The y 1 contain n o genuin e expressio n o f m y feelings , excep t inasmuc h as they declare my admiration o f your talents. I wil l no t re-iterat e that admiration here; becaus e praise from on e s o insignifi cant as myself, cannot b e gratefu l t o you, and a s far a s the publi c is concerned, I have no strengt h t o wield a pen, whic h would willingly move in your favor . Adieu! dear Madam . Wherever i t ma y be m y fat e t o linger , I shal l no t forge t your courtesy , no r ceas e t o hope , tha t you r caree r ma y be a s eminent a s your merit. Benjamin Disraeli TO HENRY COLBURN Bradenham
, Sunday 1 4 February 183 0
ORIGINAL: HAR V 2
COVER: private \ Henry Colbur n Esqr e I Northumberland Plac e I Northumberland Stree t I New Roa d I London POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : [illegible] I 15.F E I 1830 (2 ) I n rectangle : No . i (3 ) HWYCOMB E I Penny Pos t EDITORIAL COMMENT : Th e Young Duke wa s planne d fo r Colbur n fro m th e start . However , D still sought to interest Murra y in the novel . See 82, 83 and 86 .
Bradenham House . Sunda y I Feb. 14 . 1830 .
PRIVATE Dear Sir, Forward th e enclosed 1 an d don' t loo k pal e abou t th e postage , whic h I wil l religiously discharge whe n we meet. I have not forgotte n you, tho' th e preparation s for m y departur e an d anothe r caus e hav e prevente d m e latel y sendin g yo u a contribution. In a word, being declared t o be i n a decline, which i s all stuff, bu t really wit h positiv e Exile, probable Death , and possibl e Damnation hanging over me, I hav e been foo l enoug h t o be intent upo n a nove l - Bu t suc h a novel ! It will astoun d you , draw tear s fro m Princesses , an d grin s fro m Printer s devils : it will atone fo r al l the stupi d book s you hav e been latel y publishing , and allo w m e to di e i n a blaze . I n a wor d t o giv e you a n ide a o f it . I t i s exactly th e kin d o f work whic h yo u wo[ul] d writ e yourself , i f yo u ha d time , an d delightfull y adapted t o the mos t corrupt taste . This immorta l work which will se t all Europ e afire an d no t be forgotten til l at least 3 months has only one faul t - i t is not written. Seriously howeve r a volume an d 1/ 2 are finished , bu t a s I mus t g o of f befor e the en d o f March , I a m afrai d i t i s impossible t o le t yo u hav e it , but perhap s I can finis h i t a t Rom e befor e I g o of f t o Greece , an d the n yo u ca n hav e i t fo r next Season . A pity because i t is exactly suited t o th e present. 2 Write if you wis h me to hatch this Phoenix - bu t an y rate be SECRE T AS THE GRAVE. 1 D' s letter to Catherine Gore of th e sam e date (75) . 2 Monypenn y report s a commen t whic h D made to Willia m Meredit h concernin g Th e Young Duke at 'the end o f Marc h 1830' : 'It i s a series of scenes every on e o f whic h woul d mak e th e fortun e of a fashionabl e novel : I am confiden t o f it s success, and tha t i t will complete the corruptio n of the publi c taste. ' M& B i 123 . The origina l has no t bee n located.
6 I 115 4 Feb 1830
76
116 I 78 i 7 Ma r 183 0 B
77 T
n hast e
. Disraeli P.S. I hav e no t ye t rea d Mrs . Catherine ] G[ore]' s novel , whic h howr . I have . You ar e publishin g a good dea l o f dull stuff. Imitations o f imitations. 3 0
BENJAMIN AUSTEN Bradenham
, [Tuesday ] 1 6 February 1830
O R I G I N A L : B L ADD MS 45908 f i g
COVER: Benjami n Austen Esqr. I 4 Raymon d Bigs I Grays Inn I London I PRIVATE.
POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle : F I lyFEi y I 1830 (2 ) I n smal l rectangle : No . i (3 ) HWYCOMB E i Penn y
Post
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Jerman 93 , extract dated 1 6 February 1830 .
Bradenham Hous e I Febr 1 6 1830 . Benj Auste n Esq My dear Austen , I a m no t squeamis h abou t puttin g friendshi p t o th e test , a s yo u kno w bette r than an y othe r man , yo u t o who m I [am ] indebte d fo r s o muc h goo d service , but ther e i s a lin e o f demarcatio n beyon d whic h I canno t eve n pass , an d I should pas s it , i f I wer e t o avai l myself of you r generou s offer . Whe n w e meet , which I hop e w e shal l soon, I shal l spea k t o yo u i n confidenc e a s t o m y plans , which howeve r ar e vagu e I and indefinite . I n th e mea n tim e le t m e expres s m y grateful sens e o f you r unparallele d kindness ; an d pardo n m e i f I add , that I think better o f mysel f for havin g excited s o warm a friendship in the hear t o f a n honorable an d excellen t man . I shal l expect yo u and Lind o o n Saturday , if fine. If howeve r tha t day wil l no t suit you , le t m e hav e a line , bu t otherwis e d o no t giv e yoursel f th e troubl e o f writing. With the hop e of soon meetin g Believ e me as ever Yours BD 78 T
O SARA AUSTEN Bradenham
, [Sunday ] 7 March 1830
O R I G I N A L : B L ADD MS 45908 ff 2 1-2
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Layar d 17 , date d 7 Marc h 1830 , i n part ; M& B I 122-3 , date d 7 Marc h 1830, with omissions; Jerman 94, dated 7 March 1830 .
Bradenham Hous e I Mar. 7. 1830 Mrs. Auste n My dear Madame , Your repeate d kin d message s requir e m y persona l acknowledgement , an d de serve somethin g better . With regard t o myself in a word, I cannot b e worse. With regar d t o London , i t i s o f al l place s th e one , in m y presen t situation , least I suited t o me . Solitud e an d silenc e d o no t mak e m y existenc e easy , bu t they make i t endurable . My plan s about leavin g England ar e mor e unsettled tha n ever . I anticipate n o 3 D used a very differen t ton e in writing t o th e author .
benefit, fro m it , no r fro m anythin g else, bu t I a m desirou s o f quittin g England 7 9 I 117 that I ma y lea d eve n a mor e reclus e lif e tha n I d o a t present , an d emancipat e Ma r 1830 myself fro m perpetua l commiserations . I When I wa s i n tow n las t I consulte d secretl y man y eminen t men . I receive d from the m n o consolation . Withou t an y exception , the y approve d o f M r Bolton's1 treatment , tho ' the y were no t surprised tha t i t produced n o benefit. I shal l soon hav e th e pleasur e o f seein g you , and, a s I rejoic e t o hear , i n con firmed health . I griev e t o I say my hai r grow s very badly, and I thin k more grey , which I ca n unfeignedly declar e - occasion s m e mor e anguis h tha n eve n th e prospec t o f death. Yours ever BD TO BENJAMIN AUSTEN [Bradenham
, Marc h 1830 ]
O R I G I N A L : B L AD D MS 45908 ((23-4
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Jerman 102-3 , dated Marc h 1830. EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: it , true.
My dear Austen, "Throw bu t a stone - th e Giant dies"1 - s o they say , but I do not find it, true, an d al tho' I rous e mysel f from m y stupor t o write a line, it is but a line, and cost s me I assure yo u no slight effort. I am in fact hal f defunct - bu t enough o f this. All ide a o f the East , and indee d al l idea o f Travelling , given up - I fea r with out a I chance of revival - o r rathe r I sho[ul]d no t sa y fear, becaus e i f the oppor tunity offered , I doub t whethe r I hav e no w the strengt h an d spiri t t o avai l myself o f it . I hav e been daily declining eve r sinc e I saw you last. "The happy, happy, happy pair" 2 o f cours e engros s al l your thoughts . Th e notifi cation o f th e even t t o be , occasione d m e mor e pleasure , tha n I surprise. I know no individual s more likel y t o attai n that happines s whic h all miss. You hav e wel l 1 Georg e Buckle y Bolto n ( d 1847 ) wa s a fashionabl e physicia n a t 3 Kin g Street , S t James's. Fo r anecdotes about hi m se e th e Re v J. Richardso n Recollections, Political, Literary, Dramatic and Miscellaneous .. . (1856 ) I 73-5. Bolto n treate d D for hi s unknow n illness . D is alleged t o hav e ha d a n affair wit h Bolton's wife, Clarissa Marion , know n a s 'Clara' ( d 1839) , whos e letter s t o D between 6 June an d 1 9 November 183 2 ar e i n th e Hughende n paper s ( H A/lv/c/i-i4). I n ton e the y ar e very lik e Sara Austen' s o f 1826 . A covering note to these letters , written b y Sir Phili p Ros e afte r D's death , asserts tha t th e D'Israel i famil y looke d upo n Mr s Bolto n a s D' s mistres s ( H A/xi/A/8), and tha t document is the basi s fo r al l subsequent speculation . I t seems probabl e that D dropped Clara Bolto n on meetin g Henrietta Sykes in 1833 , a defection whic h seem s to have been bitterl y resented b y Clara. Although sh e promptl y becam e the mistres s o f Sir Francis Sykes , Henrietta' s husband, Henrietta' s letter s t o D record Clara' s effort s t o hav e Syke s ba r D from hi s house . H A/iv/H/2,88. See also Blake 75-7 , 101-3 . 1 'Flin g but a stone, the gian t dies, I Laugh and b e well. ' Matthe w Gree n The Spleen 92-3 . 2 'Th e lovel y Thais by hi s sid e I Sate lik e a blooming Eastern bride I In flow' r o f yout h an d beau ty's pride . I Happy, happy , happ y pair!'Joh n Dryde n 'Alexander' s Feast'. D' s effusion wa s occasioned by the engagemen t of Louis a Rickett , Sar a Austen' s sister , to D' s cousin, Benjami n Lindo . By 1 3 April i t had bee n broken off .
79
n8 I 81 describe d hi s character, an d I thin k none ar e bette r acquainte d wit h her virtue s 13 Apr 183 0 tha n yo u an d myself . Madame I a m gla d t o hea r prospers . Remembe r m e t o he r an d all , an d a s I sho[ul]d b e sorr y tha t an y I one I s o muc h regar d a s yourself , sho[ul] d imagin e he wer e neglecte d b y me , d o m e th e favo r i n futur e t o conside r m e you r deceased, tho ' sincere , friend Benj. Disraeli 1000 thank s for you r proffere d hospitality , but I have no intention of coming t o Babylon. 80 T
O BENJAMIN AUSTEN [London]
, [Monday ] 5 April 183 0
O R I G I N A L : B L ADD MS 45908 f2 5
COVER: Benjami n Auste n Esqr.
April 5. 1830
Benjn. Auste n Esq r Grays In n My dear Austen , I hav e receive d you r chequ e fo r fift y pounds , fo r whic h I a m you r debtor . Receive my thanks and believ e me ever your s B. Disraeli 81 T
O BENJAMIN AUSTEN Bradenham
, [Tuesday ] 1 3 April 183 0
O R I G I N A L : B L ADD MS 45908 ff27" 8
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Jerman 105-6 , date d 1 3 April 1830. EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: Msslle.
Bradenham Hous e I April 13th . 1830 My dear Austen, Whatever migh t hav e been m y opinion o f Louisa s conduct, 1 depend upo n it , if it ha d bee n unfavorable , I sho[ul] d no t hav e expresse d i t t o you . Th e trut h i s she conducte d hersel f a s eleven youn g ladie s wo[ul] d ou t o f twelve , and proba bly th e twelft h wo[ul] d no t hav e deporte d hersel f wit h suc h propriety . Wha t I meant t o express t o yo u was , that h e I had no t availe d himsel f of th e advantage s of hi s situation , an d that , i n expressin g hi s belief, tha t imprope r influenc e was exercised ove r her , he only proves tha t he ha d no t succeeded i n securing he r affections, which shows a great want of gumption. Excuse m e fo r no t lookin g at th e letters , an d fo r no t discoursin g anymor e o n this disagreeable subject . We hav e go t throug h i t better tha n I I anticipated , an d I hope the feeling s between th e familie s will not no w change . I hav e go t into a confounded scrap e abou t th e invitations . Get me through it. 1 Th e engagemen t between Louis a Rickett and Benjami n Lind o was broken off . Jerman 104.
The trut h is , between cuppin g an d you r unexpecte d an d nervou s interview , my 8 head wa s turned . I hav e passe d th e las t week , nearl y i n a trance fro m th e 9 digitalis. I slee p literall y sixtee n ou t o f th e I twenty fou r hours , an d a m quit e dozy now. Remember m e to Madame and Mssll e and believ e me Yours eve r BD TO JOHN MURRA Y Unio
n Hotel , Cockspur Street , [London] , 8 Sunday 9 May 183 0
ORIGINAL: M M 22
EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n anothe r han d o n th e las t page : '183 0 Ma y 9 I D'Israeli Benjn. Es q I an d copy of M r Murray' s I answer on Ma y 10' .
Union Hotel . Cockspur Street I Sunday. May 9 . 183 0 Mr. Benjami n Disraeli wishes to see Mr. Murray . Mr. Disrael i will attend an y appointment i n Albemarl e Street , whic h Mr . Murra y ma y hav e th e kindnes s t o make.1 TO [JOHN MURRAY ] Unio
n Hotel , [Cockspu r Street , London] , Sunday [ 9 May 1830 ]
ORIGINAL: M M 1 6
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s I I 332-3 , dated 1830 , omitting the firs t paragrap h EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n anothe r hand: '1830 (no date ) I D'Israeli, Benjn Esq' . Dating: i t may b e diffi cult t o reconcil e th e coo l third-perso n styl e o f th e lette r immediatel y preceding this , an d Murray's equally cool reply, with the assumptio n that this is the secon d lette r which D wrote to Murra y on Sunday 9 Ma y 1830. The datin g is justified b y D's comments that he ha d 'just ' receive d Murray's note an d that h e wa s replying 'to i t wit h speed' , an d b y the statemen t in Murray' s not e tha t Mitchel l ha d lef t town. A s publicatio n of Th e Young Duke woul d provid e hi m wit h th e potentia l incom e t o pa y back Austen's loan, D was anxious to have the arrangement s made before he lef t o n hi s tour of th e Middl e East, and h e could well have decided t o swallow his pride to that end. Sic: overated.
Union Hotel . I Sunday Afternoo n Sir I hav e just ha d th e hono r o f receivin g you r note : i f I repl y t o i t with speed, d o not suppos e tha t I answer i t without deliberation . The objec t o f m y intervie w wit h yo u i s purely literary. I t ha s alway s bee n m y 1 Copie s of Murray' s answer s t o thi s lette r an d t o D' s repl y (83 ) ar e preserve d o n th e sam e shee t of paper i n the Murra y Archives . Th e first , date d Sunda y 9 May, is in Murray's ow n hand, and the second , dated 1 0 May, is in the han d of Murray's clerk. Se e 83^. Murray's first reply was : Mr. Murra y wil l receiv e an y communicatio n whic h Mr . Benj n Disrael i ma y hav e occasio n t o make eithe r b y Lette r o r throug h th e kindnes s o f thei r mutua l friends . Mr . Mitchel l ha s unexpectedly left town . By Mr . Geo. Basev i Jnr . Benj. Lind o Albemarle St . May 9 1830 . [M M 23] The tw o lines referrin g t o D' s cousins were intended , in th e draft , t o b e a substitut e phras e fo r 'through the kindnes s o f their mutual friends' .
3 I 119 May 1830
2
12O I 8 3
9 Ma y 183 0
Edward Lytton Bulwer by Daniel Maclise
wish, that i f ever i t were my fat e t o writ e anything calculated t o arres t publi c at- 8 3 I iai tendon, tha t you sho[ul] d b e th e orga n o f introducin g it to publi c notice. A let9 May 1830 ter I receive d thi s mornin g fro m m y electe d critic 1 wa s th e reaso n o f m y ad dressing mysel f to you . I I a m sorr y tha t Mr . Mitchell 2 i s out o f town , because h e i s a perso n i n whom you rightl y hav e confidence ; bu t fro m som e observation s h e mad e t o m e th e other day , i t i s perhap s no t t o b e regrette d tha t h e doe s no t interfer e i n thi s business. A s he ha s overated som e juvenile indiscretions of min e I fear h e i s too friendly a critic. I a m thu s explicit, because I think that candor, fo r al l reasons, i s highly desir able. I f yo u fee l an y inclinatio n to pursu e thi s affair , ac t a s yo u like ; an d fi x upon an y criti c I you please . I hav e n o objectio n t o Mr . Lockhart , wh o i s cer tainly a n abl e one , an d is , I believe , influence d by n o undu e partialit y towards me. At al l events , this i s an affai r o f n o grea t importance , an d whateve r ma y b e your determination , i t wil l no t chang e th e feeling s whic h influenced , o n m y part, thi s application. I have the honor , to be, Sir, Your obedt Serv[an]t Benj. Disraeli T.O .I I thin k it prope r t o observe , tha t I canno t crudel y deliver my MS . to anyone . I must have the hono r o f seeing you, or you r critic. I shal l keep thi s negotiation open fo r a coupl e of days, that is , I shal l wait fo r your answe r til l Tuesda y morning , although , fro m particula r circumstances, Time is important to me. 3 1 Th e criti c wa s Edward Georg e Earl e Lytto n Bulwe r (1803-1873), novelis t an d politician , wh o later change d hi s surname t o Bulwer-Lytton , and becam e i n 186 6 is t Baro n Lytton . D's friendship wit h him , whic h bega n i n 1829 , wa s no t fre e fro m a measur e o f rivalry . Fe w o f D' s earl y letters t o hi m surviv e in th e Lytto n papers , bu t Bulwer' s side o f th e correspondenc e i s in th e Hughenden papers . D had aske d Bulwe r fo r hi s opinio n o f Th e Young Duke befor e h e ap proached Murray . For Bulwer' s role a s critic see 86&na. There i s only one survivin g dated lette r fro m Bulwe r between 1 4 April 1830 , whic h is obviously to o early, and Octobe r 1831 . However , an undate d lette r (H B/xx/Ly/6) refers t o the proba bility o f hi s havin g copies o f Paul Clifford b y th e nex t day . Bulwer' s novel wa s published o n o r about 1 5 May 1830 . Thoug h ther e seem s t o b e n o Bulwe r letter tha t exactl y corresponds t o D' s description o f a lette r o f 'thi s morning', one ma y assume tha t D took som e libert y with inconse quential fact s i n explaining himself to Murray. 2 Probabl y Thoma s 'Aristophanes ' Mitchel l (1783-1845) , bes t know n fo r hi s critica l writing s in The Quarterly Review. Though primaril y a classical scholar, h e ha d bee n a frien d o f Byro n an d moved i n literary circles. 3 D' s appeal ha d n o success. The cop y of Murray' s reply, written in his clerk's hand , reads : Mr. Murra y is obliged t o decline at present any personal interview, but i f Mr. Benjn. D'Israel i is dispose d to confid e his MS to Mr. Murra y as a man of business , Mr. D'Israel i is assure d that it will be entertained i n every respect with the strictest honou r an d impartiality . Albemarle St., May loth , 1830 . [M M 23] At thi s poin t D gave u p hi s hopes tha t Murra y would publis h Th e Young Duke, but, i n hi s lette r to Murra y of 2 7 May 1830 , kep t th e doo r open fo r othe r MS S whic h h e hoped t o submit i n the future.
84 T
O THOMAS MULLET T EVAN S Unio
n Hotel , Cockspu r Street , London , [Sunday] 9 May 183 0
O R I G I N A L : H A/V/A/1 2
COVER: PRIVAT E AND PAI D I Thomas Mullet t Evans Esqre. I Solicitor I Bristol. POSTMARK: (i ) I n Maltes e cross: C.H / [illegible ] I 1830 [illegible ] PUBLICATION HISTORY : A.C . Ewal d Tw o Letter s fro m Disrael i t o T.M . Evans ' Th e Athenaeum n o 2,845 ( 6 Ma7 l882 ) 568-9.
Union Hote l Cockspu r St . Londo n I May 9 . 183 0 PRIVATE AN D CONFIDENTIA L
My dear Evans, We hav e bee n to o lon g silent . I t ha s bee n m y fault , bu t i f you co[ul] d for m th e slightest idea o f th e sever e visitatio n under which I have been long, an d a m still , suffering, I am confiden t yo u wo[ul] d no t onl y accept m y excuses, bu t sympath ise with their cause . Fo r the last thre e years - I will not talk of enjoyment - Lif e has not afforde d m e a moment s ease ; an d afte r havin g live d in perfec t solitud e for nearl y eightee n months , I a m abou t t o be shippe d of f fo r th e las t resourc e of a warmer climate. 1 To leav e Englan d a t all , particularly i n th e stat e i n which I am , i s to m e mos t distressing; t o leave i t without finally arranging m y distracted affairs, 2 cost s me a pang, whic h i s indee d bitter . Bu t I ca n assur e yo u a t thi s moment , whe n s o many harrowin g interest s solicit the attentio n o f my weakened mind , ther e is no subject o n whic h I oftene r think , tha n ou r pas t relations , an d n o person , who more constantly occurs t o me, than yourself . I I assure you, dea r Evans , that i t wo[ul]d be ver y difficult t o fin d one , wh o i s really mor e intereste d i n th e welfar e o f another , tha n I a m i n yours , an d al though yo u ma y perhaps doub t th e sincerit y o f thi s declaration , I nevertheles s make it . I t wo[ul] d b e a grea t consolatio n fo r me , i f befor e m y departur e I co[ul]d hea r fro m yourself , that yo u were prosperin g in the world , a great satis faction i f you wo[ul] d communicat e t o m e wit h the candor , whic h I wis h t o b e the characteristic o f our letters . Altho' I hav e no t bee n fortunat e enoug h i n finall y arrangin g m y affairs , I 1 D and Georg e Meredit h lef t Londo n i n lat e Ma y 183 0 fo r thei r tou r o f th e Mediterranea n an d Middle East. 2 Man y of D's debts were stil l outstanding fro m his stock-exchang e speculation s in 1825 . In a let ter of 1849 , Rober t Messe r wrot e tha t sinc e January 183 1 D had continue d to owe him '£igoo odd". H A/V/A/2O. See aim an d 25 .
flatter mysel f I have succeeded i n makin g some temporar y dispositions . Nothing 8 of importanc e ha s been done wit h M., 3 bu t h e i s inclined to wai t til l m y return i f 1 possible, an d i f h e cannot , t o b e silent . I fee l les s for him , tha n fo r others , be cause I no w se e to o wel l wha t wa s th e caus e o f al l ou r errors , an d curs e th e hour, h e practised , a s he though t s o cunningly, upon ou r inexperience d youth . But thi s only t o yourself , for h e i s after al l a n objec t o f pity , an d I wo[ul] d t o God, tha t I co[ul]d d o something for him more tha n I am bound t o do. To yourself , who, mos t unintentionally - o n my part, hav e suffered fro m my madness - I t i s for yo u I feel , indee d keenly , you, whose I generous an d manl y soul I have ever honore d an d credi t me , hav e ever don e justice to . Al l I can say is, that th e firs t ste p I take , when th e powe r i s mine, shal l b e i n your favor , an d that sooner , o r later , th e powe r wil l b e mine , an d that , som e da y o r other , w e may loo k back t o thes e earl y adventures , rathe r a s matter o f philosophica l spec ulation, than individua l sorrow, I confidently believe. For ther e is something withi n me , which in spite of all the dict a o f the faculty , and i n th e fac e o f th e prostrat e stat e i n whic h I lie , that whisper s to m e I shall yet weathe r thi s fearful storm , an d tha t a more prosperou s caree r ma y yet ope n to me. My fathe r ha s quitte d London , an d no w reside s a t Bradenham House, nr. Wycombe, Bucks - a place , wher e I hop e som e da y t o se e you, tho ' a t presen t I am only th e inmat e o f a n unsocia l hotel , and preparin g fo r m y embarkation i n th e course o f this current month . Anythin g addressed t o me at th e Unio n will reac h one, wh o wil l alway s consider himself, Your sincer e friend . BD Write as soon a s possible. TO THOMAS MULLET T EVAN S Unio
n Hotel , [Cockspu r Street, London] , 8 [Wednesday] 1 2 Ma y [1830 ]
O R I G I N A L : H A/WA/1 3
COVER: Thomas Mullett Evans Es q I Solicitor I Bristol I private and pai d POSTMARK: (i ) I n Maltes e cross : PAI D I 1 2 M Y 30 I ex.
Union. I May 12 . My dear Evans, I shal l be i n tow n only for a fe w days, an d i n al l probabilit y shal l leave i t Monday o r Tuesday ; a t th e farthest : ye t I muc h desir e t o meet. Eve n if you ha d th e goodness t o come , m y time i s of course greatl y engrossed , an d i t might chance , that we sho[ul]d no t see enough o f each other . Another pla n occur s t o me . I mus t b e a t Falmout h b y the 3 0 or 3151 . o f th e month, an d afte r a week or s o at I Bradenham, shal l proceed ther e b y easy journeys. Coul d no t I com e round b y Bristol. I a m no t muc h o f an Englis h topogra pher, bu t thi s seems feasible . With your business lik e brain, yo u wil l arrange [it] 3 Messer , presumably.
5 I 123 2 May 1830
5
124 I 86 i 27 Ma y 1830 a
86 T
na
moment. I cannot trave l by night - bu t can do 10 0 miles a day. Le t me have line with a route[.] Yrs ever BD
O JOHN MURRA Y Bradenham
, [Thursday ] 2 7 May 1830
ORIGINAL: M M 27
COVER: privat e I John Murra y Esqr I Albemarle Street I 50 I [In anothe r han d o n back] : 183 0 Ma y 27 . I D'Israel i Benjn. Esq I and cop y o f M r I Murrays answer o n I May 2 9 POSTMARK: (i ) I n oval : 2.A.NOON. 2 I 28. MY I xi83ox (2 ) I n packet : [illegible] PUBLICATION HISTORY : Smile s I I 333-4, date d 2 7 Ma y 183 0 EDITORIAL COMMENT : I n anothe r han d o n th e las t page : '183 0 Ma y 2 7 I D'Israeli Benjn . Es q I an d copy of M r Murray s I answer on Ma y 29' .
Bradenham House , Buck s I May 27 , 183 0 John Murra y Esq. Sir, I a m unwilling to leave England , which I do o n Saturday , without noticing your last communication, 1 because I shoul d regre t ver y much, i f you wer e t o misconceive th e motive s whic h actuate d m e i n no t complyin g wit h th e suggestio n therein contained . I can assure you I have perfect confidenc e both i n your "hon or" and you r "impartiality", for th e first I have never doubted , an d th e secon d i t is your interes t t o exercise . The I truth i s m y frien d an d mysel f differe d i n th e estimat e o f th e MS. 2 al luded to , an d whil e I fel t justified , fro m hi s opinion , i n submittin g i t t o you r judgment, I fel t i t du e t o m y own , t o explai n verball y the contendin g view s of the case , for reason s whic h must be obvious. As you forced m e to decide, I decided a s I thought mos t prudently . The wor k is on e whic h I dar e say , wo[ul] d neithe r disgrac e yo u t o publish , no r m e t o write, bu t i t i s not th e kin d o f production , whic h shoul d recommenc e ou r con nection, o r b e I introduce d t o th e worl d b y th e publishe r o f Byro n an d Anastasius.3 I a m no w about t o leave England fo r a n indefinite , perhaps fo r a long period. When I return , i f I d o return , I trus t i t will b e i n m y powe r fo r th e third time t o endeavour tha t yo u shoul d b e th e mean s o f submittin g m y work t o th e public . For this I shall be ever read y t o make great sacrifices , and le t me then hop e tha t I whe n I nex t offe r m y volume s t o you r examination , lik e th e Sibyllin e books, 1 Se e
2 Th e M S o f Th e Young Duke, whic h D had referre d t o Edwar d Lytto n Bulwer . I n a lette r t o D dated 1 0 April 183 0 Bulwe r offere d th e followin g criticis m o f th e novel : 'Yo u d o no t see m t o me t o hav e don e justice t o you r ow n power s whe n yo u ar e s o indulgent t o flippancie s .. . At all events if you d o no t thin k twic e an d ac t a littl e on thi s poin t I fea r yo u are likel y t o be attacke d and vituperize d t o a degree whic h fam e ca n scarcel y recompense. Recollec t that yo u hav e writ ten a boo k [Vivian Grey] o f wonderfu l promis e — but whic h go t yo u enemies . Yo u hav e there fore t o meet in this a very sever e ordeal both of expectation and malice. ' H B/xx/Ly/4. 3 Anastasius (1819) , a very popula r picaresqu e novel by Thomas Hope (i77o?-i83i).
their inspiratio n ma y a t lengt h be recognised. 4 8 I am , Sir , 2 Your obed Ser[van] t B. Disraeli TO [THOMAS JONES] [London]
8 I 125 8 May 1830
, [Friday] 28 May 1830 8
7
O R I G I N A L : BI . ADD MS 59887 f l
COVER: a8t h Ma y 1830. Mr. Disraeli's Acknowledgement of Debt due t o Mr . Jones.
May. 28.th . 183 0 I hereb y declar e tha t I a m indebte d t o m y frien d Thoma s Jone s Esqre 1 i n th e sum of three thousan d pound s fo r money advanced for my use - an d tha t ther e is interest i n arrear o n th e sd . su m t o th e amoun t o f on e hundre d an d sevent y five pounds , an d i n cas e th e propert y whic h I ma y leav e behin d m e wil l no t meet thi s engagement , I I request m y dea r fathe r t o mak e good th e same , feel ing confident that m y friend Thos. Jones wil l consult my father's convenience in such repayment B. Disraeli TO BENJAMIN AUSTEN [London
, Frida y 28? May 1830] 8
O R I G I N A L : B L ADD MS 45908 KSQ-^O
COVER: IMMEDIAT E AN D PRIVATE I Benjamin Auste n Es q I Raymond Big s I Grays In n PUBLICATION HISTORY : Jerman 106-7 , dated lat e Ma y 183 0 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic : wherabouts.
My dear Austen, A thousan d thank s fo r al l your kindness . I hav e just arrived , an d writ e thi s in case I ma y not b e s o fortunate as to fin d you . I enclose th e £8.7.6 . an d shal l advise yo u whe n I draw , no t onl y for you r convenience, 1 but fo r th e gratificatio n of informing my friends of my wherabouts. We ma y ye t mee t a t Naples . In th e meantime , m y dear fellow , res t assured ; 4 Murra y replied: Albemarl
e St May agt h 1830. Mr. Murra y acknowledges th e receipt o f Mr . Benjamin Disraelis polite lette r o f the 27th . Mr. Murra y will b e ready , a t al l times, t o receiv e an y M S which Mr. B . Disrael i ma y think proper t o confid e t o him . Mr M hopes , tha t th e resul t o f Mr . Disraeli s Travel s wil l b e th e compleat restoratio n o f hi s health, wit h the gratificatio n of hi s expectations . D did no t receiv e Murray' s letter unti l his arrival at Malta . For hi s reaction t o it see 97n2.
1 Thoma s Jones, fathe r o f Edwar d (se e a), appear s t o hav e practise d a s a surgeon-accoucheu r until th e lat e 18305 . Ther e ar e entrie s i n Londo n directorie s fo r Thoma s Jones bot h a t 5 1 Strand an d a t 2 3 Prince s Street , Cavendis h Square , an d bot h entrie s ceas e a t muc h th e sam e time - 1838-9 . A s the nam e wa s not a rare one, it is uncertain whethe r th e entrie s refe r t o one person or two . D's relation s wit h Jones date fro m 182 5 ( H R/n/B/4 ) an d Jones' s financial claims remained un satisfied i n 1840 . A n undated documen t ofte n pages , auctione d a s recently a s 1977 , apparentl y spells out th e natur e of D' s obligation. Anothe r letter , recorded i n sales catalogues , suggest s tha t D and Jone s were stil l corresponding as late as 1854 . 1 I t wa s Auste n wh o mad e D' s journey t o th e Middl e Eas t possible . H e ha d give n D a lette r o f credit for £500.
8
126189 tha t nothin g bu t you r conduc t wil l eve r influenc e min e toward s you , an d i Jun 183 0 therefor e I thin k ourselve s prett y safe . I I shall endeavou r no t t o abus e you r good offers . Remembe r m e mos t kindl y t o m y kin d frien d Madame , an d t o Louisa wh o I trus t continue s convalescent. I can't sa y much fo r m y confounde d head; whic h has retrograded wit h th e weather, but continue d hea t ma y yet cure me. I n th e mea n time I wil l be sanguine , for i f I despair, al l is over. I Farewell m y dear friend . Al l prosperity atten d yo u an d yours . Believ e me, I shall ever tak e a warm interest i n your welfare . B. Disraeli.
89
TO SARAH DISRAELI Roya
l Hotel , Falmouth , [Cornwall], [Tuesday] i June 183 0
O R I G I N A L : QU A 2O 1
COVER: Mis s Disraeli I Bradenham Hous e I Bucks. I [In anothe r hand] : H . Wickha m POSTMARK: (i ) FALMOUT H i n circula r form, enclosing: ju i I 1830 (2 ) I n circle : E I 3 ju 3 I 183 0 PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 1-5, dated i June 1830 , wit h postscrip t omitte d EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: cover: H . Wickham , Avala, Frankfort .
Royal Hote l Falmouth June i . I 183 0 My dear Sa, We arrived her e this morning a t fou r o'cloc k instea d o f Sunday evening, having had a very rough passag e indeed , th e win d ahead th e whol e time. I was not only not sick , but di d no t even fee l a qualm. Meredith also pretty well, but h e can no t match m e a s a sailor . S o far , s o good : bu t fo r th e res t th e stea m packe t i s a beastly conveyance , an d th e tota l absenc e o f al l comfort , decency , an d refine ment i s trying . W e mad e acquaintanc e i n th e packe t wit h a Spanis h Officer , Colonel Avala, 1 wh o i s going t o Cadiz , a ver y knowin g fellow, exceedingl y pol ished an d Parisian , havin g long reside d i n France . W e were introduce d t o hi m by th e Captai n a s interpreters, bein g th e onl y me n o n boar d suppose d t o know French. Consequentl y a certai n degre e o f intimac y too k place , an d a s h e re paired t o th e sam e hotel , we mess I together. W e cannot mak e out wha t he is , as tho' excessivel y complaisant, h e i s ver y close . W e suppos e somethin g political , but non e o f you r Sherr y Merchants , as his costume i s remarkable, hi s conversation ver y refined , an d moreove r beaucou p d'argent . I n th e mea n time , ou r French improves , and perhap s h e may [be] of use to us in Spain. Here at Falmouth , which by the bye is one o f the mos t charming place s I eve r saw, ( I mean th e scener y around), I met a M r Cornish wh o I believe is a medical man her e and on e of the Corporation. 2 He foun d m e out, and introduce d m e to 1 Properl y spelle d 'Alava' , th e nam e i s a commo n on e i n Spain . However , bearin g i n min d D's later commen t tha t Alav a ha d turne d ou t t o b e a 'perso n o f muc h distinction ' (91) , ther e may have bee n a connectio n betwee n th e Colone l an d th e famou s Alav a o f th e day . Thi s wa s Don Miguel de Alav a (1770-1843) , Wellington's comrade i n arms, who was in exile in Englan d unti l 1833. Th e followin g year , he was appointed Spanish ambassador to the Court of St James's. 2 M r James Cornis h ( b 1792 ) wa s certainly a burges s o f th e Corporation , bu t apparentl y no t a physician. Susan E . Ga y Ol d Falmouth (1903 ) 164-5 ; J- Phili p Panorama o f Falmouth (Falmout h 1827)35.
the Casin o or Clu b something like Frankfort , having in hi s librar y an America n 8 Edit: o f V[ivian ] G[rey ] compressed i n thre e volumes, 3 an d ful l o f admiratio n i etc. Bu t this is nothing. Would you believe it, - h e has every one of my father's works excep t James an d Charles, 4 whic h howr . h e ha s rea d throug h th e Boo k Society, interleave d an d ful l o f MS . notes an d ver y literar y ones . H e ha s even the Bowle s an d Byro n Controversy 5 al l bound u p wit h th e review , an d a MS. note t o prov e tha t Disrael i was I the autho r o f th e revie w from paralle l passages from th e Quarrel s etc. 6 Yo u neve r sa w such a man . H e literall y know s m y fa thers work s b y heart, an d think s ou r revere d sir e th e greates t ma n tha t eve r lived. H e say s tha t Byro n go t al l hi s literatur e fro m padre , an d adduce s in stances which have even escaped us . Yo u never me t suc h an enthusiasti c votary. I reall y wish m y father co[ul] d send hi m a book. Unfortunately h e ha s even th e last edit : o f th e Litferary ] Charfacter]: 7 h e ha s thre e o r fou r edit s o f th e Curios[itie]s8 an d amon g the m th e first . I tol d hi m tha t whe n I wrot e home , I sho[ul]d mentio n him . I hav e no t eve n hinte d a t m y fathe r sendin g hi m anything, bu t reall y thes e arden t admirer s o f th e unite d geniu s o f th e famil y sho[ul]d b e encouraged. Bu t I do not see that we co[ul]d do anything - Charle s of cours e bein g ou t o f th e questio n t o give , and Jame s no t bein g exactl y th e thing, even i f practicable. 9 Meredit h wil l write when we leave Falmouth which I think wil l be Friday. If I have anything more to say about Cornish , I will then let you know . I I hav e of cours e nothin g particular to say , but I though t yo u wo[ul] d like t o hear, therefore I write tho' I fear you will all grumble at postage for suc h empty letters, but i n time you wil l have fuller ones . We are ver y glad to hav e got rid o f Louis Clement, and ar e in very fine condition indeed. 3 N o three-volum e editio n o f Vivian Grey publishe d i n the Unite d States before 183 0 has been lo cated. However , a two-volum e edition ha d bee n publishe d i n Philadelphi a i n 182 7 b y Carey , Lea and Carey . 4 Inquiry into th e Literary an d Political Character o f James I (Joh n Murra y 1816) , and Commentaries on the Life an d Reign o f Charles th e First, King o f England ( 5 vol s 1826-31 ) publishe d b y Colbur n (vols I-H ) and Colbur n an d Bentle y (vol s Ill-v) . I t shoul d b e note d tha t Isaa c wa s probably mor e affected b y the 182 6 rupture wit h Murray than D was. The vas t majorit y of Isaac' s work s befor e that yea r ha d bee n publishe d b y Murray. After it, Isaac submitte d nothin g t o Murra y again fo r the res t o f hi s life . 5 Isaa c reviewe d Edmon d Malone' s an d Samue l Welle r Singer' s edition s o f Josep h Spence' s Anecdotes (bot h publishe d i n 1820 ) together wit h William Bowles's 'The Invariabl e Principle s of Poetry' (1819 ) i n Th e Quarterly Review xxm (Jul y 1820 ) 400-34. H e defende d Alexande r Pope' s poetry an d attacke d Bowles' s more romanti c theories . When Bowle s replied t o th e review , Byron produce d a pamphlet o n th e subject , to which Bowles replied. J.J . va n Rennes Bowles, Byron and th e Pope Controversy (Amsterda m 1927) ; Ogden 91-4. 6 Quarrels of Authors, or Some Memoirs for our Literary History (1814) . 7 A n essay o n th e Manner an d Genius o f th e Literary Character wa s firs t publishe d i n 1795 , an d th e most recen t edition, revise d an d enlarged , had been publishe d i n 1828 . 8 Th e firs t serie s o f Curiosities o f Literature, Consisting o f Anecdotes, Characters, Sketches, and Dissertations Literary, Critical, and Historical ha d begu n t o appear i n 1791 . By 182 4 there had bee n seve n editions an d severa l reprintings . 9 Charles I wa s still i n proces s of appearin g and, a s a five-volum e work , would hav e been to o ex pensive fo r D to expect Isaa c t o bestow o n a chance acquaintance . James I wa s long ou t o f print , and ha d ha d a mixed reception . Ogden 124 .
9 I 137 Jun 183 0
ia8 I 90 Love i Jul 183 0 You
, to all r most affect. Brothe r BD P.S. W e have, of course, hear d nothin g yet fro m Broadfoot, 10 and d o no t muc h care; W e must buy bedding fo r the Mediterranean packet s - a bore.
QO T
O ISAAC D'ISRAELI Gibraltar
, [Thursday ] i July [1830 ]
O R I G I N A L : QU A 2O 2
COVER: I . Disrael i Esqre. I Bradenham Hous e I Wycomb. I Bucks. I England via Madrid I and Paris POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FP O i jv.a o I 183 0 (2 ) I n circle : w i JY.Z O I 183 0 (3 ) ESPAGN E PA R i ST.JEAN-DE-LUZ
PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 6-13, dated i July 1830 , omitting the las t sentence , which i n th e origina l is written above the superscriptio n as a postscript EDITORIAL COMMENT : Despit e his parents' retentio n of th e ol d spellin g of th e famil y surname , fro m this point D's letters to them were addressed wit h the nam e in the revise d form whic h h e used himself. There i s no signature . Sit: agreable , past , Easter melodrame, scull , Alemada , expence, Caravensara, Cacador.
Gibraltar. July. i . My dear father, I writ e t o yo u fro m a countr y wher e th e hedge s consis t o f aloe s al l in blossom, fourteen, sixteen , fee t high . Conceiv e th e contras t t o ou r belove d an d beech y Bucks. I sa y nothing o f geranium s an d myrtles , bowers o f oranges , an d wood s of olives , tho' th e occasiona l pal m sho[ul] d no t b e forgotte n fo r it s great novelty and uncommo n grace . W e arrived her e after a very brief an d ver y agreable pas sage pas t i n ver y agreable society . You hav e already hear d o f ou r detentio n a t Falmouth fo r a week . As from th e chang e o f m y plans , Gib. ha s become t o m e what I had intende d Malt a to hav e been, conceiv e th e awkwardnes s of my situation, whe n th e onl y person , t o who m I ha d a letter , Colone l Falla, 1 i s in Eng land, bu t th e introductio n t o Broadfoo t ha s counteracted al l inconvenience. H e is here really a perso n o f th e firs t importance , and ha s treated u s wit h th e mos t marked consideration , s o I co[ul]d no t hav e been bette r off , if I ha d ha d letter s to al l the authorities . Thi s rock i s a wonderful place wit h a populatio n infinitel y diversified - Moor s with costume radian t a s a rainbow or an Easter melodrame, 2 10 Alexande r Broadfoo t ( d 1837) , M D (1803 ) fro m Edinburgh , inspecto r genera l o f healt h fo r th e Ionian Islands , an d assistan t inspecto r o f healt h a t Gibraltar . L t Col Harry A.L . Howel l ed Roll of Commissioned Officers i n th e Medical Service o f th e British Army (Aberdee n 1917 ) 182 . Georg e Barrow ha d provide d a letter o f introductio n t o Broadfoot. Se e 96. 1 L t Col Daniel Fall a (d 1851) , then Town Majo r of Gibraltar . 2 Ralp h Disrael i transcribe s thi s a s 'Eastern melodrama ' (H L 7); however , th e writin g o n th e M S i s very clea r fo r th e termina l lette r o f eac h word . Ther e ar e tw o othe r instance s whe n D uses 'Easter' i n a simila r sens e (10 8 an d 109) , an d i n eac h cas e th e writin g i s clear an d ther e i s no trace of a vestigal fina l 'n' . 'Melo-Drame', at the beginning of the nineteent h century, ha d fe w of the characteristic s asso ciated wit h late r Victoria n melodrama . I t wa s made u p largel y o f a serie s o f spectacles , se t in scenes of picturesqu e fantas y an d accompanie d b y music, pantomime , ballet an d elaborat e cos tuming. Althoug h th e ter m 'Easte r melodrame ' does not appea r t o have survive d a s a category
Jews wit h gaberdine s an d scul l caps , Genoese , Highlanders , an d Spaniards , 9 whose dress i s as picturesque a s that of th e son s of Ivor . There are tw o public li- i braries, th e Garriso n Library , with mor e tha n 12,00 0 vols . an d th e Merchant s with upward s of 1/ 2 that number . I n th e Garriso n are al l yr. works even the las t edition o f th e Literar y Character , i n the Merchants , the greate r part . Eac h pos sesses a copy of another book 3 sd. t o be written by a membe r o f our family , an d which is looked upo n a t Gibraltar as one o f th e masterpiece s of th e igth . Centy. You ma y fee l thei r intellectua l pulse fro m this . At firs t I apologise d an d talke d of youthful blunder s an d al l that, really being ashamed, but findin g the m t o my astonishment sincere , an d fearin g the y wer e stupi d enoug h t o adop t m y las t opinion I shifte d m y positio n just i n time , looke d ver y grand, an d pas s mysel f off fo r a child of the Sun , like the Spaniard s i n Peru . We wer e presente d b y B . t o th e Governor , Si r Georg e Don, 4 a Genl . an d G.C.B. a ver y fin e ol d gentleman , o f th e Windso r Terrac e school , courtly I almost rega l i n hi s manner, paternal , almos t officiou s i n hi s temper - a sor t o f mixture o f Lord St . Vincent 5 an d th e Princ e de Ligne 6 - Englis h i n his general style, bu t highl y polished an d experience d i n Europea n Society . His palace, th e Government House, i s an old Convent and on e of the mos t delightful residence s I know, with a garden unde r th e superintendanc e o f Lady Don ful l o f rare exotics with a beautiful Terrac e over th e sea , a berceau o f vines, and othe r delicacies which wo[ul] d quite delight you. Beside s this, Si r Geo . ha s a delightfu l Pavilion modestly calle d the Cottag e a t th e extrem e poin t o f th e Rock , an d a vill a at San Roque i n Spai n abou t 1 0 miles off. Thus by a constan t chang e o f residence , h e counteracts th e monoton y of hi s situation. He possesse s a large privat e fortune, all of which he here disburses, and ha s ornamented Gibraltar , as a lover does his mistress. The Alemada 7 here is superior t o that at Cadiz, with banks of pink ger aniums trul y delicious. Bu t Gibralta r is a limite d theatre fo r hi s Excellency, and he ha s civilise d Spain fo r twent y mile s round , b y makin g roads a t hi s ow n ex pence, buildin g bridges, an d reformin g posadas . H e behave d t o u s wit h grea t kindness, aske d u s t o din e an d gav e u s a rout e himsel f for a n excursio n t o th e used b y historians o f the theatre , they d o record a growing tendenc y fo r dramatic presentation s during Len t t o b e seriou s an d morall y improvin g i n character . Afte r Easte r ther e wa s a re sumption o f performance s o f song, dance , spectacle an d mime , and i t may, therefore, b e in thi s sense tha t D is using wha t would otherwis e b e a puzzlin g association o f terms . Joseph Donohu e Theatre in the Age of Kean (Oxfor d 1975 ) 106-7 , 1O 9At leas t on e exampl e o f thi s genre of whic h D was awar e wa s Cherry an d Fair Star; or, the Children o f Cyprus, describe d a s 'th e New , Grand, Asiatick , Melo-Dramatic k Romance' , probabl y b y John Fawcett , produce d b y Charle s Farle y a t th e Theatr e Royal , Coven t Garden , o n Easte r Monday, 8 Apri l 1822 . D and Sara h chos e th e pseudonym s 'Cherry ' an d 'Fai r Star ' t o concea l their authorshi p o f thei r joint nove l A Year a t Hartlebury, o r The Election when i t was published i n 1834. Se e 30411 1 ff . 3 Vivian Grey. 4 Ge n Si r George Do n (1754-1832) , lieutenant governo r of Gibraltar 1814-2 0 and 1825-31 . Lieu tenant governors performed al l the dutie s fo r nomina l absente e governors. 5 Ad m John Jervis (1734-1823) , 1st Earl S t Vincent. 6 Charle s Joseph , Princ e d e Lign e (1735-1814) . H e wa s made a lieutenan t fiel d marsha l a s a re sult of hi s service i n the Austria n army i n the Seve n Years ' War . 7 Th e Alamed a Gardens , in the souther n par t of Gibraltar .
0 I 129 Jul 183 0
130 I go Sierr a d a Ronda , a savag e mountai n distric t aboundin g i n th e mos t beautifu l i Jul 183 0 scener y an d bugs . W e returne d fro m thi s excursion , whic h too k u s a wee k yesterday, greatl y gratified. Th e countr y in which we travelled is a lan d entirel y of robber s an d smugglers . The y commi t n o persona l violence , but la y you o n the groun d an d clea n ou t you r pockets . I f yo u hav e les s tha n sixtee n dollars , they shoo t you ; that is the tariff , an d i s a loss worth risking. I too k car e to have very littl e mor e - an d n o baggage whic h I co[ul]d not stow in the red bag which my mother remember s makin g for m y pistols. We travelled o n horseback , rising at fou r and stoppin g on account of the hea t fro m ten til l five in the evenin g and then proceedin g fo r thre e mor e hours . Ther e ar e a numbe r I of littl e villages in this sierr a entirel y inhabite d b y robber s an d smugglers , al l o f whic h boas t a place calle d a posada . Thi s i s in fac t a Caravensara . Th e sam e roo m hold s th e cattle, th e kitchen , th e famil y an d board s an d mat s fo r traveller s to sleep o n one o r tw o hav e smal l room s wit h beds fo r th e chanc e o f a n office r fro m th e garrison, and these wer e alway s clean - indee d nothin g is more remarkabl e tha n the delicac y an d th e cleanlines s o f th e lowe r order s i n thi s countr y an d th e precautions whic h the y universall y take, b y frequen t whit e washing , to guar d against vermin, but nothin g can succeed agains t this generating Sun , and I have suffered severely , tho ' no t a s muc h a s I expected . Thes e Posada s are , I say , mere Caravans[e]ra s the y affor d n o provisions , an d yo u mus t cate r a s yo u proceed, an d wha t is more, coo k when you have catered, fo r tha t is a science no t understood i n Spain , o r know n only as a n abomination . Yo u wil l wonde r ho w we manage d t o extrac t pleasur e fro m a life , whic h afforded u s hourl y peri l fo r our purses , an d perhap s fo r our lives , which induced fatigu e greater tha n I eve r experienced, fo r her e ar e n o roads , an d w e were neve r les s than eigh t hour s a day o n horseback , pickin g ou r wa y throug h a cours e whic h ca n onl y b e compared t o th e stee p be d o f a n exhauste d cataract , an d wit h s o sligh t a prospect o f obtainin g fo r a rewar d eithe r foo d o r rest . I wil l tel l you . Th e country wa s beautiful, th e novelt y of th e lif e wa s great , an d abov e al l w e ha d Brunei.8 Wha t a man ! Bor n i n Ital y o f Frenc h parents , h e ha s visite d a s th e Captain o f a Privatee r al l the countries o f the Mediterranea n - Egypt , Turkey , Syria. Early in life a s valet to Lord Hood, 9 he wa s in England and ha s even bee n at Guinea. Afte r fourtee n year s cruising, he was taken b y the Algerines , and was in various parts of Barbar y fo r five or si x years. At last he obtains his liberty an d settles a t Gibraltar , wher e h e become s Cacador 10 t o th e Governor , fo r h e is , among hi s universa l accomplishments , a celebrate d shot . H e ca n spea k al l languages but Englis h of which he makes a sad affair - eve n I Latin, and h e hint s at a little Greek. H e i s fifty, but ligh t as a butterfly, and ga y as a bird: in person no t unlike Englis h at Lyme , if you can imagin e s o insipid a character wit h a vivacity that neve r flags , an d a tongu e tha t neve r rests . Brune i di d ever y thing , reme died ever y inconvenience , an d foun d a n expedien t fo r ever y difficulty . Neve r did I liv e so well as among thes e wild mountains o f Andalusia , s o exquisite i s his 8 D had a penchant fo r vivi d servants, as is pointed ou t b y Sultana 66. 9 Ad m Samuel Hoo d (1724-1816) , ist Baron and Viscoun t Hood. 10 Cazador , meanin g 'hunter'.
cookery. Seriousl y he is an artis t of the first magnitude , and use d to amus e 91 himself b y givin g us som e ver y exquisite dis h amon g thes e barbarians , fo r h e i affects a grea t contemp t o f th e Spaniards , an d a n equa l admiration , o f th e Moors. Wheneve r w e complained , h e shrugge d hi s shoulder s wit h a loo k o f ineffable contempt , exclaimin g "Nous n e sommes pa s i n Barbaric!" Recallin g ou r associations with that word an d country , it was superbly ludicrous. Alas! m y sheet ha s alread y disappeared, an d I hav e said nothing . I wil l write you anothe r lette r b y thi s post. I Lady Don i s ill; I have therefore no t ye t seen her . TO ISAAC D'ISRAELI Gibraltar
, [Thursday] i July 183 0 QI
O R I G I N A L : QU A 20 3
COVER: I . Disrael i Esq I Bradenham Hous e I Wycomb. Bucks. I England viS Madrid I and Paris POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FP O i jv.ao I 183 0 (2 ) I n circle : w i JY.2 O I 183 0 (3 ) ESPAGN E PAR i ST . JEAN-DE-LUZ PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 14-21, dated 1 July 183 0
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: gennet, burthern , Gehoegans , avanture , publickly , expence .
Gibraltar. July. i . 1830 . 2 My dear father , I hav e already writte n to you by this post, and altho ' I do no t thin k that I hav e sufficient intelligenc e to warrant me i n sendin g yo u another letter , nevertheless by doin g so , I er r o n th e righ t side . T o conclud e th e sligh t character whic h I gave you of Brune i in m y last, let m e tell you tha t h e i s at presen t makin g me a travelling suit of stuff , fo r h e i s a very goo d tailor . I hear d onl y of one travelle r among th e Sierr a d a Ronda , an d h e wa s of cours e a n Englishman . I mad e hi s acquaintance a t Ronda , ou r ultimat e poin t an d a town on th e othe r sid e o f th e mountains, a town with a garrison an d som e slight marks of civilisation. The tra veller was Colonel Batty , sketching 1 - a gentlemanly person an d very courteous : he wishe d m e t o join hi m t o Granada . I neve r kne w anyone sketc h wit h suc h elegance, precision , and accuracy ; long practice ha s made hi m unrivalle d in this art, an d fa r superio r I sho[ul] d thin k t o an y professiona l artist . I n th e Sierr a every ma n wa s armed. W e returned throug h a countr y whic h reminded m e of the Apennines; the res t wa s unlike anything I had see n an d decidedl y character istic. Ther e a t Castella r we slep t i n th e ver y haun t o f th e banditti , amon g th e good fellow s o f Jos e Maria , th e Captai n Roland o o f thi s part, 2 an d wer e no t touched. I n fac t w e were no t promising pre y - tho ' picturesqu e enoug h i n our appearance. Imagin e Mferedith ] an d mysel f on tw o little Andalusian mountain horses wit h lon g tail s an d genne t necks , followed by a large r beas t o f burther n 1 L t Col Robert Batt y ( d 1848) , soldier and amateu r draughtsman. H e was the autho r of accounts of the Napoleoni c Wars and o f several popula r trave l books. H e married th e daughter of John Barrow. 2 Jose Mari a e l Tempranillo , famou s Spanis h bandi t wh o live d i n Andalusi a i n th e earl y nine teenth century . Captai n Roland o i s th e bandi t chie f introduce d i n boo k I ch 4 o f Alain-Ren e Lesage's The Adventures o f Gil Bias de Santillana (1715-35) .
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132 I 91 wit i Jul 183 0 ha
h ou r baggage , an d th e inimitabl e Brunet, cocked upo n it s neck wit h a white t an d slippers , lively , shrivelled , and nois y as a pe a dancin g upo n I tin: Ou r Spanish guide , tal l an d wit h a dres s excessivel y brode and covere d wit h brilliant buttons walkin g b y th e sid e an d occasionall y addin g t o th e burther n o f ou r sumpter steed . Th e ai r of the mountains , the risin g Sun, the risin g appetite, th e variety o f picturesqu e person s an d thing s w e met , an d th e impendin g dange r made a delightful life, an d ha d i t not bee n fo r th e grea t enemy , I sho[ul]d hav e given mysel f up entirel y t o th e magi c of th e life , bu t tha t spoile d all . I t i s no t worse, sometimes I think it lighter about th e head , bu t th e palpitatio n abou t th e heart greatl y increases : otherwis e m y healt h i s wonderful . Neve r hav e I bee n better, bu t wha t use i s this, when th e en d o f al l existence i s debarred me . I say no mor e upo n thi s melanchol y subject , b y whic h I a m ever , an d infinitel y depressed, an d ofte n mos t so , whe n th e worl d leas t imagine s i t - bu t t o complain i s useless, and t o endur e almos t impossible , bu t existenc e i s certainly less irksom e i n th e mil d distractio n o f thi s various life . Yo u an d al l I trust , ar e well an d happy . Le t m e hea r fro m yo u a grea t dea l a t Malta . I shal l no t b e there, I dar e sa y till th e middl e o f August , so you ca n writ e by that packe t an d indeed yo u ha d bette r alway s direc t you r letter s t o m e a t Malta , and the y shall be forwarded t o me fro m that place , which is a fine centra l position . Well t o return. I n spit e o f our frequen t enquirie s afte r th e robbers , m y being told "tha t i s one o f them " o r tha t "Jos e Mari a was here tw o night s ago, " o r "i s expected her e t o night," I was a little disappointed I confess to return quit e safe, and reall y began t o believe we had bee n hal f mystified. Judge then ou r feelings , when o n I re-entering th e hotel , th e firs t sigh t that meet s u s an d th e firs t new s that greet s us , ar e tw o Englishme n just arrive d fro m Cadiz , utterl y rifle d an d stripped. The y wer e attacke d nea r a village at which we had been , no t fa r fro m Gibraltar, b y nin e me n i n buckram. 3 Th e robber s di d no t eve n as k fo r thei r keys, bu t cu t open thei r portmanteau s an d sacks , literally rippe d the m open , di vided thei r ne w Gehoegans4 o n th e spot , too k even their papers , an d wit h barely clothes t o cove r them , dismisse d the m i n th e mos t courteou s manne r wit h two dollars fo r thei r journey. Quell e avanture ! as Parr y says. 5 The y ar e now , poo r devils inmates , o f Griffith s Hote l Gibraltar , wher e the y ar e abou t t o b e agai n plundered, i f I may judge from m y own experience, tho ' no t professionally. Meredith maintain s th e hig h characte r h e wo n i n forme r day s i n Germany , and i s a mos t admirabl e travellin g companion. I hav e ha d mor e tha n on e offe r of that sor t a t this place, which allows me to pay him a compliment publickly etc. Tell m y mother, tha t a s it is the fashio n among th e dandie s of thi s place, tha t is th e officers , fo r ther e ar e n o others , no t t o wea r waistcoat s in th e morning , her ne w studs com e int o fine play, and maintai n m y reputation o f being a great
3 Althoug h 'me n i n buckram' wa s established a s a phras e connotin g 'imaginar y men ' (fro m Fal staff s boasting about beatin g back imaginary attackers), it seems evident that D did no t us e th e term i n that sense here , nor late r i n 95. 4 Shirt s from Geoghegan & Co, 17 8 Regent Street. LPOD 1832 ; HL i8n. 5 Presumabl y Si r Willia m Parry , th e arcti c explorer. Thi s expressio n i s not i n keepin g wit h th e restrained ton e o f Parry' s travel journals, but D' s contacts with Murra y may have shown him an other sid e of the explorer .
judge o f costume t o the admiratio n an d env y of man y subalterns. I hav e also the 9 fame o f bein g th e firs t wh o eve r passe d th e Strait s wit h tw o canes , a mornin g 1 and a n evening cane. I change m y cane a s the gu n fires, and hop e to carry the m both o n t o Cairo. I t i s wonderful the effec t thes e magica l wands produce . I owe to them eve n mor e attention s than to being the supposed autho r o f - wha t is it I forget . These straits by the bye - tha t is the passag e fo r the las t ten miles or so to Gib. between th e tw o opposit e I coasts o f Afric a an d Europ e wit h th e Ocea n fo r a river an d th e shore s al l mountains, is by far th e sublimes t thing I hav e yet seen. We are no w preparing fo r anothe r an d longe r tri p int o Spain . The par t w e intend t o visi t i s the Sout h o f Spain , that celebrate d Andalusi a of whic h yo u hav e heard s o much, comprising all the remain s o f th e onc e famou s kingdoms of th e Moors. We propose returnin g t o Cadiz to our frien d Alav a [, ] who turned ou t t o be a perso n o f muc h distinctio n [, ] ascending th e Guadalquivi r to Seville , there to Cordova , Granada , an d Malaga . Loo k a t th e ma p an d ge t Washington ] I[rving]'s Chronicle. 6 I d o no t thin k much o f i t as a literar y production , fo r th e character h e ha s assume d to o muc h restrain s him , tho ' hi s humo r sometime s breaks out , bu t yo u wil l fin d i t mos t interesting, when you remembe r I a m wandering amon g th e scenes. Whe n I be g you to write , I mea n m y beloved Sa , because I kno w you thin k it a bore, bu t d o al l as you like . T o he r an d t o m y dear est mother a thousand kisses . Tel l Ralp h I hav e not forgotte n m y promise o f a n occasional letter , an d m y dear pistol-cleane r tha t he forgo t t o oil the lock s which rusted i n consequence. I thank the God s daily I am free d o f Loui s Clement wh o wo[ul]d hav e been a n expence an d a bore. Tel l Irvin g he has left a golden nam e in Spain . Fe w English visit Gibraltar . Tell Ld . Mahon, 7 enquiries mad e afte r hi s health. Adie u m y beloved Sire . Your most affec. So n BD Tell Irving , if you se e him, I go to Mr s Stocker at Seville thro' Batty. TO ISAAC D'ISRAELI Cadiz
, [Wednesday] 1 4 July 183 0 Q
O R I G I N A L : QU A 20 4 COVER: I . Disrael i Esq r PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 22-Q, dated 1 4 July 183 0
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Ralp h Disraeli's major conflations an d excision s are th e mos t striking reasons for th e unreliabilit y o f hi s texts, but ther e i s also a constan t silent alteration of individua l word s an d phrases. On e exampl e of hi s curious bowdlerizing i s the substitutio n of 'fib ' fo r 'lie ' in the fourt h sentence of this letter. Sic: agreable, aid-de camps, recherchee, sulleness, Baron, Valdes. 6 A Chronicle o f th e Conquest o f Granada (1829) b y Washingto n Irvin g (1783-1859) . Th e America n poet and write r ha d com e t o Britai n i n 181 5 an d Isaa c ha d me t hi m at Murray' s i n 1817 . The y remained friend s unti l Irving's return to the Unite d State s in 1832 . Ogde n 114-15 . 7 Phili p Henr y Stanhop e (1805-1875) , Viscoun t Stanhop e o f Mahon , afte r 185 5 5t h Ear l Stan hope. Late r a n eminen t historian , Lor d Maho n wa s electe d Tor y M P for Wootto n Basset t i n 1830-2, and fo r Hertfor d 1835-52 .
2 I 133 4 Jul 183 0
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134 I 9* Cadiz . July 14 . 183 0 14 Jul 183 0 M y dear father, H.M.S. Messenger , i n whic h I wen t out, is , I hear , expecte d a t Cadi z to da y o n its retur n fro m Corfu , an d therefor e I sen d yo u thi s lette r thoug h I doub t whether anythin g justifies m e writing except th e circumstanc e of your s o speedily receivin g it . W e passe d a ver y pleasan t wee k a t Gibralta r afte r ou r retur n from Ronda . W e dine d wit h th e Governo r a t hi s Cottag e a t Europ a a mos t charming Pavilio n - an d me t a most agreabl e party . Lady Don was well enoug h to din e wit h us, and di d m e the hono r o f informin g me tha t I wa s the caus e of the exertion , whic h though o f cours e a lie , wa s nevertheles s flattering . Sh e is, tho' very old, without exception on e o f the mos t agreable personage s tha t I ever met, excessively acute and piquante , with a n aptitude o f detecting character an d a tac t i n assumin g it , very remarkable. T o liste n t o her , yo u wo[ul] d think you were charming away the hour s wit h a blooming beauty in Ma y Fair, an d tho ' excessively infirm , he r ey e i s s o brillian t and s o ful l o f moquerie , tha t yo u quit e forget he r wrinkles . Altogether th e scen e ver y muc h resemble d a smal l Germa n Court. There was His Excellency in uniform covered with orders exactly lik e th e old G[rand] Duk e of Darmstadt directing everythin g - hi s wife th e clever Prus sian Princes s that share d hi s crown, the aid-d e camp s made excellen t chamber lains - an d the servants in number an d formalit y quit e equalled thos e o f a Residenz. The repas t was really elegant and recherche e even for thi s curious age. Sir Geo. wil l ye t hea d hi s table an d ye t carve, recommen d a favorit e dish an d del uge you with hi s summer drink, half champaigne and hal f lemonade. Afte r din ner Lad y Don rode out wit h th e ver y pretty wife o f Colonel Considine, 1 and th e men disperse d i n variou s directions. I t wa s the fat e o f Meredit h an d mysel f t o be lionized to some cave or othe r wit h Sir Geo. Wha t a scene an d wha t a proces sion. First came two Grooms o n tw o Barbs , then a carriage wit h fou r I horses, a t the window at which H.E. sits, a walking footman, and then an outrider - al l at a funereal pace . W e were directed t o meet ou r hos t a t the cave , ten minute s walk. During thi s time Si r G. tries on e o f th e Arabians , but a t th e gentles t walk , an d the footma n changes hi s position i n consequence t o hi s side; but i t is windy, ou r valiant, but infirm , frien d i s afraid o f being blown off, and whe n h e reache s th e point of destination, we find him again i n the carriage . I n spit e of his infirmities, he wil l ge t out t o lionize, but befor e h e disembarks, h e changes hi s foraging cap for a ful l General s coc k wit h a plum e a s big a s th e Otrant o one, 2 an d thi s because th e her o wil l neve r b e see n i n publi c in undress , altho ' w e were i n a solitary cav e lookin g over th e Ocean , an d inhabite d onl y by monkeys . The cav e is shewn, and w e all get into th e carriage , becaus e h e i s sure w e are tired , th e for aging cap i s again assume d an d w e travel back t o th e cottage , Meredith , myself , the Governor , an d th e cocke d hat , eac h in a seat. I n th e evening he has his rub1 L t Co l James Considine ( d 1845 ) of th e 53r d Regimen t o f Foot . Arm y Lis t (1845 ) J 6i- N o in formation abou t his wife ha s emerged; she is not mentione d in her husband' s will. 2 A n allusio n t o the sabl e plume s o n th e giganti c enchante d helme t i n Horac e Walpole's Th e Castle of Otranto (1764).
her whic h h e neve r misses , and i s surprise d I d o no t pla y "the only gam e fo r 9 2 I 135 gentlemen, yo u sho[ul] d play , learn." 3 Howeve r I preferre d th e conversatio n of Mju l 1830 his agreabl e lad y altho' th e charm s o f Mrs . Considine wer e puzzlin g and I was very much like Hercules between etc. - yo u know the rest. 4 I a m sorr y t o sa y all my hair i s coming off, just a t th e momen t i t had attaine d the highes t perfectio n an d wa s universall y mistake n fo r a wig , so tha t I a m obliged t o le t th e wome n pul l it , merel y t o satisf y thei r curiosity . Let m e know wha t my mother thinks . There ar e n o wig s her e that I co[ul] d wear . Po made an d al l that i s quite a delusion. Somebod y recommend s m e coco a nu t oi l which I co[ul]d ge t here - bu t suppos e i t turns it grey, or blue or green! I mad e a ver y pleasan t acquaintanc e a t Gibraltar , Si r Charle s Gordon , I a brothe r o f Lord Aberdee n an d Colone l o f th e Roya l Highlanders. 5 H e wa s absent durin g my firs t visit. He i s not unlik e his brother i n appearance bu t th e frigidit y o f th e Gordons ha s expanded int o urbanity , instea d o f subsidin g int o sullenes s - i n short a ma n wit h a war m hear t tho ' a col d manner , an d exceedingl y amusin g with th e reputatio n o f bein g alway s silen t - a s contraries sometime s agree , w e became excessivel y friendly. He aske d m e t o dine wit h him , and t o g o to Ceut a on th e Africa n Coast, bu t I wa s engaged. I me t hi m howr . a t Si r George s an d also at Colonel Harding's 6 where I dined, and h e called on m e at Griffiths . H e is going t o Constantinopl e and expresse d a wis h tha t w e might be travellin g companions, bu t ou r plan s d o no t agree. Th e Judg e Advocate a t Gibralta r i s tha t Mr. Baron Field 7 who once wrote a book, and who m all the worl d took for a noble, but i t turned ou t tha t Baro n wa s to hi m wha t Thomas i s to othe r men . He pounced upo n me , sai d h e ha d see n yo u a t Murrays , first man o f th e day , and all that , an d evidentl y expected t o d o a n amazin g bit of literature , bu t I foun d 3 Whist. 4 Whe n Heracle s wa s passing fro m boyhoo d t o youth' s estate, wherei n th e young , now becoming their ow n masters, sho w whether the y will approach lif e by the pat h o f virtue or th e pat h of vice , h e wen t out int o a quiet place , and sa t ponderin g whic h roa d t o take . An d ther e ap peared tw o women of great stature makin g towards him. The on e wa s fair t o see and o f high bearing; an d he r limb s wer e adorne d wit h purity , he r eye s wit h modesty ; sobe r wa s he r figure, and he r rob e was white. The othe r wa s plump an d soft , wit h hig h feeding . He r fac e wa s made u p t o heighte n it s natural whit e and pink , her figur e t o exaggerate he r height . Open-eyed wa s she; and dresse d so as to disclose al l her charms . No w she eyed herself ; ano n looke d whethe r an y notice d her ; and ofte n stol e a glanc e a t he r ow n shadow . Xenopho n Memorabilia I I i 21-2 , trans E.G . Marchant (1923 ) 95. Presumably Hercule s chose virtu e and w e hear n o more of Mrs Considine. 5 Si r Charles Gordo n (1790-1835) , brother o f George Gordon , 4t h Ear l o f Aberdeen ; lieutenan t colonel in the Blac k Watc h (42nd Highlanders) . 6 Georg e Jud d Hardin g (1788-1860) , the n a lieutenan t colonel , late r lieutenan t general , gover nor of Guernsey 1855-9 . H e was knighted i n 1860 . 7 Barre n Fiel d (1786-1846) , lawyer and miscellaneou s writer. A close frien d o f Charles Lamb , h e was a membe r o f th e literar y circl e tha t include d Coleridge , Wordsworth , Hazlit t an d Leig h Hunt. I n 1819 , durin g hi s appointment a s judge o f th e Suprem e Cour t o f Ne w South Wale s (1817-24), h e ha d ha d privatel y printe d Th e First Fruits o f Australian Poetry, a collectio n o f poems, som e whimsica l som e serious , whic h had greatl y amuse d hi s literar y friends . Fiel d was chief justice o f Gibralta r a t th e tim e o f D' S visit , and whil e D may hav e know n o f th e boo k o f verse, th e wor k t o whic h h e refer s i s probabl y th e better-know n A n Analysis o f Blackstone's 'Commentaries' (1811) .
136 I 93 hi m a bor e an d vulgar , a Stork s withou t breeding, 8 consequentl y I gav e hi m a i4jul 183 0 lectur e o n canes , whic h made hi m star e an d h e ha s avoided m e ever since . Th e truth is , he wishe d t o saddl e hi s brother9 upon m e fo r a compagnon d e voyage, whom I discovere d i n th e cours e o f hal f a n hou r t o b e bot h deaf , dumb , an d blind, but ye t more endurable , tha n th e noisy , obtrusive, jargonic judge, who is a true lawyer , ever illustratin g the obvious , explaining th e evident , an d expatiat ing o n th e commonplace . W e travelle d her e o n horsebac k i n tw o days , an d passed o n eithe r sid e Medin a Sidonia , and tha t Tarif a whic h Valdes too k t o ou r cost.10 The Englis h Consul her e maintains a very elegant establishment , and ha s a ver y accomplished an d amusin g family . H e pride s himself o n makin g all English "o f distinction" dine wit h hi m every day - fortunatel y his cook i s ill, for being Frenc h an d a ver y goo d on e I sho[ul] d hav e sun k unde r it . Bu t Mrs . Brackenbury11 "receives" every evening, an d wheneve r on e i s at a loss, it is agreable t o tak e refug e i n a hous e whic h is literally a palac e covere d wit h pictures , where th e daughter s ar e al l pretty, and sin g boleros. I hav e me t her e Mr . Fran k Hall I Standish,12 onc e a celebrate d dandy , an d wh o wrot e a lif e o f Voltair e yo u remember. W e hav e hear d o f th e King' s death , whic h is the destructio n o f m y dress waistcoats. 13 I trul y grieve . New s arrive d las t nigh t o f th e captur e o f Algiers,14 but al l this will reac h yo u befor e m y letter. M y general healt h i s excellent. I hav e never ha d a moments illnes s since I lef t home , no t countin g an occa sional indigestion , bu t I mea n n o feve r an d s o on. Th e grea t enem y I thin k is weaker, but th e palpitatio n a t the hear t th e reverse . I find whereve r I g o plenty of friend s an d nothin g bu t attention . Pra y le t m e hea r fro m home . M y love t o all. I hop e t o fin d letter s a t Gibralta r whe n I retur n there , whic h wil l b e a month, i t ma y be . I lik e thi s hors e travellin g ver y much . O n a n averag e I a m eight hour s a da y o n horseback . Th e grea t thin g i s to avoi d th e Sun . W e hav e had rai n onl y on e da y sinc e w e have bee n out , an d tha t wa s among th e moun tains, otherwis e a cloudles s sky , the I nights ar e delicious . I hav e literall y hear d nothing o f England, sinc e I left an d lon g fo r letters . 8 Probabl y Henr y Stork s (1778-1866) , at th e tim e chie f justice o f th e Isl e o f Ely . He appear s t o have had a persistent reputatio n a s a monumental bore. Se e also (vol ll ) 373^. 9 John Franci s Field, a clerk in the Indi a Office . 10 Cayetan o Valdez (1767-1835) was a Constitutionalist conspirator wh o le d a successful attack o n the fortres s o f Tarif a i n Augus t 1824 . After a brie f occupatio n th e Constitutionalist s were dis lodged b y Royalis t an d Frenc h troops . Britis h opinion ha d bee n sympatheti c to Valdez' s cause; indeed th e attac k ha d bee n launche d fro m Gibraltar. However , the failur e of thi s invasion had been embarrassin g t o Britain , fo r i t ha d straine d relation s wit h Franc e withou t weakening th e worrisome French influenc e in Spain. MC n o 17,27 4 (28 Aug 1824) . 11 John Macpherso n Brackenbur y (1778-1847), British consul fo r th e provinc e o f Andalusia , was knighted i n 1845 . H e marrie d Sophi a ( d 1841) , nee Nicholson . Their famil y consiste d o f three sons an d si x daughters. Joh n Macpherson , th e secon d son , succeede d hi s fathe r a s consu l i n 1842. BLC; CM n s xvi i (Mar 1842 ) 319. 12 Fran k Hall Standish (1799-1840) , art collecto r and autho r o f Th e Life o f Voltaire (1821) . 13 Fo r th e shor t term , a period o f mournin g woul d hav e to b e observe d fo r Georg e IV , who die d 26 June 1830 . Fo r th e lon g term , Willia m iv's tast e i n waistcoat s was considerably mor e sub dued tha n hi s brother's ha d been . Whethe r D realized i t or not , the flamboyance of the Regency was over . 14 A month previousl y French troop s ha d lande d a t Algiers , thus taking the firs t ste p i n foundin g an empire i n North Africa.
Your mos t affec So n 9 BD 2 I hav e quite forgo t t o sa y a wor d abou t Cadiz , which i s charming! brillian t beyond description . "Fai r Florence " i s a ver y ding y affai r compare d wit h it . Th e white houses and th e gree n jalousies sparkle in the Sun . Figaro i s in every street, and Rosin a in every balcony.
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TO ISAAC D'ISRAELI Seville
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, [Monday] 26 July 183 0
O R I G I N A L : QU A 20 5
COVER: FRANC E I I . Disrael i Esquire I Bradenhara Hous e I WYCOMB. Buck s I Inghilterra I via Mjiliii l el Palis I [I n anothe r hand] : 2/ 7 I [on flap] : 16. 1 I 15.9 I 2.12.10 POSTMARK: ( l ) I n circle : D I JA.31 I 183 1 (2 ) ESPAGN E PA R I ST.JEAN-DE-LUZ PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 30-7, date d 2 6 July 183 0
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Ther e i s a smal l hol e i n th e secon d pag e o f th e MS . Th e Britis h postmar k shows tha t thi s lette r too k ove r si x month s t o arriv e fro m Spain . Ther e i s no signature . Sic: Time, agreable, courier , au pie d d e lettre , Mashalla , chef d'oeuvres, tauridores , agreably .
Seville July 26. 183 0 My dear father , The Sevillian s say tha t Cadiz e s toda facada1 b y whic h the y endeavour t o concea l their env y at th e superio r beaut y of a moder n rival . Th e ol d prover b Qui non a vista Seviglia no n a vista maraviglia 2 mus t have been founde d o n it s reputation i n the Tim e o f th e Moor s fo r it s exterior appearanc e an d genera l effec t ar e cer tainly no t it s most striking qualities. It is ancient and ramblin g but populou s an d wealthy. It s interna l architectur e i s imposing . Th e house s ar e al l built (a t least the principa l ones ) roun d a quadrangl e o r patio. Thi s i s quite Moorish . Ther e are tw o suite s o f apartments , an d a t thi s tim e o f th e year , th e famil y reside i n the lowe r an d coole r one . Th e plac e i s fearfully hot , ho t enoug h eve n fo r me , but th e hea t certainl y agrees wit h m y constitutio n and eve n m y hea d i s better . The improvemen t howeve r is very slight, and i t will a t th e bes t b e a lon g affair . If I co[ul]d ge t o n a s well a s I hav e done thi s fortnight though , I sho[ul] d hav e hope. M y general healt h i s mos t remarkable . I d o no t suffe r fro m an y o f th e complaints o f whic h m y countryme n ar e th e victims . Cadi z I lef t wit h regret , tho' ther e i s little t o interest excep t it s artificial beauty . I t i s not unlik e Venice in its situation , but ther e th e resemblanc e ceases . Cadi z i s without an association , not a church, a picture, o r a palace. The famil y o f th e Consu l is a most agreabl e one; yo u mus t no t associat e with thi s somewhat humble title a character a t all in unison. M r Brackenbur y i s grea t enoug h fo r a n ambassado r an d live s wel l enough fo r one , bu t wit h som e foibles , he i s a very hospitable personage , and I owe man y agreable hour s t o it s exercise. Yo u se e wha t a Sevillia n ecritoire i s by this dispatch . I hav e alread y expende d o n i t mor e tim e tha n I wo[ul] d hav e 1 'Cadi z i s all a fagade. ' 2 'Ch i no n h a visto Sevigli a no n h a vist o meravglia ' - a n Italia n translatio n (wit h errors ) o f a Spanish sayin g - 'Quie n n o h a vist o Sevill a n o h a visto maravilla' : 'H e who has not seen Sevill e has missed a marvel.'
!38 ' 93 serve d fo r writin g man y letters , an d a m almos t i n a stat e o f frenz y fro m th e aGJul 183 0 proces s o f paintin g m y idea s i n thi s horribl e scrawl . I t i s lik e writin g with blacking, an d wit h a skewer . Mr . Standis h returne d t o Sevill e wher e h e reside s at present , an d calle d on m e th e nex t day. We dined wit h hi m yesterday . I He i s a mos t singula r characte r - a spoiled chil d of fortune , who thinks himself, and who i s perhap s no w a sor t o f philosopher . Bu t al l thes e character s mus t b e discussed ove r our fireside or on th e Terrace. Fleuriz the Governo r o f Cadiz is a singular brute . Whe n w e mee t I wil l tel l yo u ho w I Pelhamise d him. 3 Al l th e English complai n that whe n the y are presente d t o hi m h e bow s and say s noth ing, utterin g non e o f thos e courtl y inanitie s which are expecte d o n suc h occa sions an d fo r whic h crowne d heads , an d al l sort s o f Viceroy s are celebrated . Brackenbury ha d bee n readin g a revie w of th e Commentarie s i n th e courie r i n the morning , an d ful l thereof , announce d m e t o Fleuri z as the so n of the great est author in England. 4 The usua l receptio n howeve r onl y greeted me, but I being prepared fo r th e savage , was by no means silent and mad e hi m stare fo r half an hou r i n a mos t extraordinar y manner . H e wa s sitting over som e print s just arrived fro m England , a view of Algiers and th e fashion s for June. The questio n was whether th e plac e was Algiers for i t had n o title . Just fres h fro m Gibraltar I ventured t o inform his Excellency that i t was, and tha t a group o f gentleme n in tended t o represent Ralp h an d a couple o f hi s friends, but displayin g those ex traordinary coat s an d countenance s that Mr . Ackermann 5 offers monthl y as an improvement upo n Natur e an d Nugee, 6 wer e personage s n o les s eminent tha n the De y and hi s tw o principa l Conseiller s d'Etat . Th e dul l Fleuri z too k every thing au pie d d e lettr e an d afte r due examinatio n insinuate d scepticism . Where upon I offer renewe d argument s to prov e th e dres s t o be Moorish . Fleuriz calls a Mademoisell e to translat e th e inscription , but th e inscriptio n onl y prove s tha t they ar e "fashion s for June"[,] at Algier s I add , appealin g t o everyon e whethe r they ha d eve r see n suc h beings in London . Si x Miss Brackenburys I equally pret ty, protes t the y hav e not . Fleuri z unabl e t o comprehen d badinage , give s a Mashalla7 loo k o f piou s resignatio n an d ha s bowe d t o th e groun d ever y nigh t since that h e has met me. You wil l perhap s receiv e a couple of pound s o f Sevill e snuff in the cours e o f a month o r so . It i s very celebrated . Th e fines t kin d i s a sor t o f ligh t yellow . You will receive tw o sorts. Sevill e is full o f Murillo , who appears t o m e th e mos t orig inal of artists. I n Londo n w e think of him only as the painte r o f beggar boys, be3 Th e her o o f Bulwer' s fashionabl e nove l Pelham (1828 ) consistentl y displaye d a condescendin g manner. There were sterne r ripostes in store for governors of Cadiz. Les s tha n a year later , th e successor o f Fleuriz , one Oliveira , wa s assassinated. Th e Times (1 7 Ma r 1831) . 4 Th e Courier n o 12,04 9 ( 6 Jul y 1830 ) described Isaac' s styl e a s 'amon g th e mos t correc t an d scholar-like' o f al l the popula r authors . Th e reviewe r added , cogently , tha t i t wa s always diffi cult t o kno w wha t wa s new i n Isaac' s history , sinc e h e neve r calle d attentio n t o hi s departures from receive d opinion . 5 Rudolp h Ackerman n (1764-1834) , fine-ar t publishe r an d bookseller . Amon g hi s many popula r publications wa s th e lavishl y illustrate d Repository o f Arts, Literature, Fashion, Manufactures etc, which appeared in monthly parts , edited by Frederic Shoberl. 6 F.G . Nugee , tailor, 20 St James's Street. LPOD (1832). 7 Mashalla h - a n Arabic expressio n meaning 'what God wills (must come to pass).'
cause w e happen t o posses s th e onl y pictur e of th e kin d tha t h e eve r produced . 9 3 I 139 No ma n ha s painte d more , o r oftene r reache d th e ideal . H e neve r fails . Wher e aGJu l 183 0 can hi s bad picture s be, I constantl y ask. All here, an d ever y house an d churc h are full , ar e che f d'oeuvres . I hav e see n mor e tha n on e bul l fight . Th e sigh t i s magnificent. I for m som e idea o f th e publi c game s o f th e ancients , and i n th e tast e o f th e Spaniard s fo r these entertainment s can easily comprehen d th e Pane m e t Circenses. The effec t however i s marred b y the wre[te]he d hack s which they ride. S o many horses ar e killed, tha t the y can affor d onl y th e vilest . W e ar e ver y comfortabl e her e a t a n English boarding hous e kep t by a widow, where Irvin g lived,8 but g o tomorrow. The costum e of the tauridores o r ban d o f footme n who attend th e picadores , o r horsemen wit h pikes , is brilliant beyond anythin g I have ever seen . Mrs . Stalker, our hostes s lent m e Leucadi o Doblado 9 which I rea d her e with interest. Th e af fecting stor y o f th e Nu n wh o wa s allowed fo r a shor t tim e t o se e th e world , is that of Blanco's own sister. 10 So a gentleman tol d me , who knows and ha s known the famil y fo r years . Blanco' s brother i s a ver y eminen t merchan t her e i n th e house o f Cahill , White, an d Beck. " Ol d Whit e wa s the greates t o f bigots , an d wished t o mak e al l hi s childre n priest s an d nuns . W e cam e her e u p th e Guadalquiv[ir], an d tomorro w procee d b y a diligenc e t o Cordova . I This i s a very stupi d letter , bu t I wa s determined t o writ e t o yo u fro m Seville , an d wil l whenever i t is in m y power . Yo u sho[ul] d hav e received your las t letter free. W e have foun d her e a mos t agreabl e frien d i n Mr . Williams 12 an Englis h Merchan t married t o a Spanish Lady and considere d th e greates t connoisseu r i n paintings in Spain . H e ha s nearl y thirty of th e fines t Murillos . I ha d a letter t o hi m fro m Brackenbury. I t i s astonishing with what kindness he behave s to us. Hi s house is open t o us at al l times, and w e pass our evening s most agreably sittin g in hi s Patio turnin g over th e origina l drawings of Murill o while hi s Spanish siste r i n law Dolores sing s a bolero. I t i s the mod e t o call all the ladie s here b y their Christian name directl y you are introduced . S o much fo r Spanis h etiquette . O n th e othe r hand, m y tailor i s offended i f I d o no t as k him t o tak e a chair , and alway s ad dress hi m Signer. I t i s all banished t o the lowe r classes. When h e brought hom e [my] jacket h e told m e hi s whole fortune was at m y command. Go d bless you all. I shall soon hea r fro m you. 8 Fro m 182 6 t o 182 9 Washingto n Irvin g wa s a diplomati c attach e i n Madri d an d engage d i n re search fo r hi s Life o f Christopher Columbus (1828) . H e returne d t o Londo n i n 182 9 an d wa s sec retary to the Unite d State s legatio n until 1832 . 9 Joseph Blanc o Whit e (1775-1841) , Anglo-Spanis h poe t wh o publishe d unde r th e nam e of Don Leucadio Doblado . He lef t Spai n fo r England , wher e hi s Letters from Spain, first publishe d 1807 , 2nd e d rev 1825 , established a minor reputatio n fo r him . 10 White' s bitternes s a t th e blea k existenc e t o whic h hi s siste r wa s condemne d i s ampl y docu mented i n hi s writings. Hi s sister (die d c 1821 ) was referred t o as 'Maria Francisca' . Letters from Spain (1825 ) 22-31 ; John Hamilto n Thor n e d Th e Life o f th e Rev. Joseph Blanco White, Written by Himself ( 1845) I 120-5 ; I!I 343"5 11 Blanc o White' s father , William , described b y hi s so n a s oppressivel y pious , wa s born i n Seville , and becam e a successfu l exporte r o f Spanis h produce . Hi s partne r i n thi s enterpris e wa s an Irishman named Thoma s Cahill, who was also th e elder White' s brother-in-law . Luk e Beck , an other Irishman , marrie d int o th e Cahil l famil y an d joine d Blanc o White' s younge r brother , Ferdinand ( b 1785) , in the firm . Tho m I 3-9; il l 201 , 315, 470 . 12 Th e English Registry fo r 183 4 list s Julian B . Williams as Britis h consu l i n Seville .
94
T0
MARIA D'ISRAELI Granada
, [Sunday ] i Augus t 183 0
O R I G I N A L : QU A 2l 6
COVER: Mrs . Disrael i I Bradenham Hous e I Wycomb Buck s I Inghilterra. I vi a Madri d y Paris . I [A t right angles]: Francia I [In anothe r hand] : 2. 8 I o.io I 3.6. POSTMARK: (i ) I n dotte d circle : FP O I AU.2 3 I 183 0 (2 ) I n circle : D I AD.2 3 I 183 0 (3 ) ESPAGN E PA R i ST.JEAN-DE-LUZ (4 ) Unde r crown: GRANADA PUBLICATION HISTORY : LB L 17-26, date d i Augus t 1830, wit h omissions ; M& B I 149-52 , date d i Au gust, with omissions EDITORIAL COMMENT : Thi s i s the lette r whic h D refers t o elsewher e as being written on a n 'elephan tine' sheet. Th e pape r i s 2icm by 3ocm, and ther e ar e fou r closely written pages. Th e greate r par t of the lette r wa s inserted i n Contarini Fleming par t v ch s 6 an d 7 . Indee d ther e i s scarcely a sentenc e i n those chapter s no t draw n fro m thi s letter . Par t o f th e secon d shee t o f th e M S i s torn. Sic : Grenada , agreable, envelope, Ossuna, aggravate, anyway , Each , I hav e rode, tomata , an usual , Tomata, Toma tas, AlHambra .
Grenada August , i . 1830 . My dear Mother , Altho yo u doubtles s assist , as th e Frenc h phras e it , a t th e readin g o f m y dis patches yo u wil l I a m sur e b e please d t o receiv e on e direc t fro m you r absen t son. I t ha s just occurre d t o m e tha t I hav e never ye t mentioned th e Spanis h Ladies, an d I do no t thin k that I can address anythin g that I hav e to say upon thi s agreable subjec t t o anyonje ] mor e suitabl e tha n yourself . You kno w tha t I a m rather a n admire r o f th e blonde , an d t o b e perfectl y candid , I wil l confes s t o you, tha t th e onl y times which I have been s o unfortunate as to be captivated, o r captured, i n thi s countr y wer e bot h b y Englishwomen . Bu t la s Espagnola s ar e nevertheless ver y interestin g personages . Wha t w e associate wit h the ide a o f fe male beaut y i s not commo n i n thi s country . There ar e non e o f thos e seraphi c countenances whic h strike you dumb or blind , but face s i n abundance whic h will never pas s without commanding a pleasing glance . Their charm consist s in thei r sensibility. Eac h incident ever y person, ever y word, touche s the fanc y o f a Span ish Lad y and he r feature s ar e constantl y confuting the cree d o f Mahomed , an d proving tha t sh e ha s a soul : bu t ther e i s nothing quick , harsh, o r force d abou t her. Sh e i s extremely unaffecte d an d no t a t al l French. He r eye s glea m rathe r than sparkle , sh e speaks with guileless vivacity but i n sweet tones, an d ther e i s in all he r carriage , particularl y whe n sh e walks , a certai n dignifie d grace , whic h never leave s her, an d whic h is very remarkable. Th e genera l femal e dress in this country i s of blac k sil k calle d a basquina, and a black sil k shaw l wit h which they usually envelop e thei r hea d calle d a mantilla. As they walk along i n this costum e in a n evening , wit h their sof t dar k eye s dangerousl y conspicuous , yo u willingl y believe i n thei r universa l beauty . The y ar e remarkabl e fo r th e beaut y o f thei r hair. O f thi s the y ar e ver y proud , an d indee d it s luxuriance i s only equalled b y the attentio n whic h the y lavis h on it s culture. I hav e see n a youn g gir l o f four teen whos e hai r reache d he r fee t an d wa s as glossy as the cur l o f a Lad y Caro line. All day long, eve n th e lowes t order, are brushing , curlin g and arrangin g it. A fruitwoma n ha s he r hai r dresse d wit h a s muc h car e a s th e Duches s o f Ossuna.1 A t thi s tim e o f th e yea r the y d o no t wea r th e mantill a generall y over 1 B y which D obviously mean t 'an y gran d lady' . The the n Duk e o f Osun a die d unmarried . Th e dowager Duchess died i n 1830 . Encyclopedia universal illustrada (Barcelon a nd) .
the head , bu t sho w their comb s which are o f immens e size. The fashio n of thes e 9 combs varies constantly, every two or thre e months. It i s the par t o f the costum e i of whic h the Spanis h femal e is most proud . Th e momen t tha t a ne w comb ap pears, eve n the servan t wench will hav e her ol d one melte d dow n and thu s wit h the cos t o f a dolla r o r tw o appea r th e nex t holida y i n th e newes t style . These combs ar e wor n a t th e bac k o f th e head . The y ar e o f tortois e shell : th e ver y fashionable wea r them o f th e white. 2 I sa t next t o a lad y o f hig h distinction at a bull fight at Seville . She was the daughte r i n law of the Captai n Genera l an d th e most beautifu l Spaniar d I hav e ye t met . He r com b wa s white, and sh e wor e a mantilla o f blonde . I hav e n o doub t extremel y valuabl e fo r i t wa s ver y dirty . The effec t howeve r wa s very charming. He r hai r wa s glossy black, and he r eye s like an antelopes , bu t al l her othe r feature s deliciously soft, an d sh e was further adorned whic h i s rare i n Spai n wit h a ros y cheek , fo r her e ou r heroine s ar e rather sallow . But the y counteract thi s defect b y never appearin g unti l twilight, which call s them fro m thei r bowers , fresh , thoug h langui d fro m th e lat e siesta. To conclude , th e onl y fault of th e Spanis h beaut y i s that sh e to o soo n indulge s in th e magnificenc e of e n bo n point . Ther e ar e howeve r man y exception s t o this. At seventeen a Spanish beaut y is poetical - tall , lithe and clear tho ' sallo w but yo u hav e seen I Mercandotti.3 As she advances , i f she d o no t los e her shape , she resemble s Juno rather tha n Venus . Majesti c sh e eve r is , and i f her fee t ar e less twinkling than i n her firs t career , loo k on he r han d an d you'l l forgiv e the m all.4 There i s a cal m voluptuousness about th e lif e her e tha t wonderfull y accord s with m y disposition s o that i f I were resident an d ha d m y intellect at command , I d o no t kno w any plac e where I could mak e i t more productive . Th e imagina tion i s ever a t work , and beaut y and grac e ar e no t scare d awa y b y those sound s and sights , those constant cares, an d changin g feelings which are th e prou d pos session of our fre e lan d o f eastern winds . You rise a t eight, and sho[ul] d break fast lightly , altho a tabl e covere d wit h al l fruit s render s tha t rathe r difficul t t o one wh o inherit s wit h other qualitie s good an d bad , tha t passio n fo r th e mos t delightful production s o f Natur e wit h whic h my beloved sir e ca n sympathise . I only wish I had hi m here over a medley of grape an d melon , gourd, an d prickly pear. I n th e mornin g yo u neve r qui t th e house , an d thes e ar e hour s whic h 2 Tortois e shel l i s not, o f course , 'melte d down ' a s metal s o r moder n plastic s are . I t may , how ever, b e remoulde d an d reshape d b y the carefu l applicatio n o f th e righ t degre e o f hea t — too much, an d the shell become s very dark. The 'white ' is thus a relative ter m - th e very ligh t tone s testifying tha t th e articl e ha d no t been remodelled to fit the fashion , but wa s an 'original' . 3 Mari a Mercandott i (b 1806?) , Spanis h dance r who mad e he r Englis h debut at th e King' s Theatre i n th e seaso n 1822-3 . He r caree r ende d whe n sh e elope d wit h Edwar d 'Ball ' Hughes , a friend o f he r protector , Lord Fife . Bernar d Blackmantl e [Charle s Mollo y Westmacott] The English Spy (1825) I 203, 284 ; C.E . Pearc e Mme Vestris an d He r Times (Ne w York nd ) 72-4 ; Parmeni a Migel Th e Ballerinas (New York 1972 ) 109-10 . 4 Thi s variation o n Pope' s line s fro m Th e Rape o f the Lock (I I 17-18 ) i s but on e o f numerou s suc h attempts t o adapt the languag e of th e famou s couplet : 'If t o her shar e some female error s fall, I Look on he r face , and you'l l forge t 'e m all.' Other wit s of D' S tim e ha d sometime s give n a les s positiv e tur n t o th e line s - 'Loo k o n he r face, and you'l l believe 'e m all' being a popular alternative .
4 I 141 Au g 1830
142 I 94 migh t b e profitabl y employed unde r th e inspiratio n o f a climat e which i s itself i Au g 183 0 poetry , fo r i t shed s ove r everythin g a golde n hue , whic h does no t exis t i n th e objects themselve s illuminated. At present I indulge only in a calm reverie, fo r I find th e leas t exertio n o f min d instantl y aggravate al l m y symptoms , and eve n this lette r i s an exertio n whic h yo u wo[ul] d hardl y credit . Bu t t o exist , an d t o feel existenc e mor e tolerable , t o observe, an d t o remember, t o record a though t that suddenl y start s up, o r catc h a ne w image whic h glance s over th e surfac e of my min d - thi s i s still lef t me . Bu t th e momen t tha t I attemp t t o meditat e o r combine, to ascertain a question tha t i s doubtful o r i n anyway t o call the greate r powers o f intellec t int o play , tha t momen t I fee l I a m a los t man . Th e palpitation i n m y heart an d hea d increase s in violence , an indescribabl e feelin g of idioc y comes ove r me , an d fo r hour s I a m plunge d i n a stat e o f th e darkes t despair. Whe n th e curs e ha s subsided t o its usual grade o f horror, m y sanguin e temper call s me again t o lif e an d hope . M y general healt h wa s never bette r an d this allows me to endure, o r rathe r t o support, wit h more eas e th e lif e I am now pursuing. I d o no t fo r a momen t giv e wa y to m y rea l feeling s excep t unde r a paroxysm. I a m determine d t o prov e t o al l tha t I a m no t sufferin g unde r hypochondria, an d I cour t instea d o f shunnin g society . Bu t I pursu e thi s lif e only fo r a year ; i f at th e en d o f tha t perio d I fin d n o relief , I resig n mysel f to my fate . Wer e I a catholi c without the tie s of lov e whic h alone reconcil e m e t o my bitte r existence , I wo[ul]d the n ente r a Convent, but a s I a m a member o f a family t o which I am devotedly attached, an d a good Protestant , I shall return t o them an d t o m y country, bu t t o a solitar y roo m whic h I neve r leave . I se e n o one, an d spea k wit h n o one . I a m serious . Prepar e yoursel f fo r this , but hop e better things . I f yo u as k me whethe r I a m better , I answe r Yes? Yo u know how much bette r I am on a sunny da y in England - wel l I hav e ha d tw o months of sunny day s infinitel y warmer . I hav e durin g al l thi s perio d enjoye d genera l health, o f whic h I hav e n o memor y durin g m y life . Al l the Englis h I hav e me t are il l and liv e upo n a diet. I ea t everything , and m y appetite Eac h day increas es. I hav e constantl y rode eigh t hour s a da y on horseback . I travelle d throug h three successiv e nights and sa w the Su n se t and ris e withou t quitting m y saddle , which fe w me n ca n say , ye t I have I neve r know n fatigue . Thi s i s literall y th e fact. A feverish feeling of which all travellers complain I hav e not know n for a n instant. S o extraordinary an d s o beneficial is the influenc e of thi s climat e upon me, an d s o entirely doe s m y frame sympathis e wit h this expanding Sun . Bu t is all this a subject of congratulation whe n the grea t evi l doe s no t proportionately , I sho[ul] d sa y does no t at all amend. Th e grea t hope that wit h the improvemen t of m y genera l healt h i t wo[ul] d disappea r seem s vanishing . T o wha t a m I t o cling? Enoug h o f this : i t is three o cloc k and nearl y dinner ; I dof f m y dressin g gown an d slippers , m y only costume, an d prepar e m y toilette. Th e Spanis h cui sine i s not muc h t o m y taste, fo r garli c an d ba d oi l preponderate, bu t i t ha s its points. It s soup s are good . The most agreable dish in the worl d i s an Olio . I wil l explain i t t o you , fo r m y fathe r woul d deligh t i n it . There ar e tw o larg e dishes : 5 R D omits all this section, beginning fro m 'But to exist... ', retaining onl y the phras e 'M y genera l health was never better'.
one a t eac h en d o f th e table . Th e on e a t th e to p contain s bouill i beef , boile d 9 pork (fat ) sausage , blac k pudding , al l thes e no t mixe d togethe r bu t i n thei r i separate portions . Th e othe r dis h i s a medley of vegetable s and fruits , generall y french beans , caravanseras , slice s of melon s an d whol e pears . Hel p eac h perso n to a portio n o f th e meat s an d the n t o th e medle y - Mi x them i n you r plat e together an d drow n the m i n tomat a sauce . Ther e i s no garli c and n o greas e o f any kind . I hav e eaten thi s everyday. It i s truly delightful. Of cours e yo u can fix upon thos e ingredient s mos t a t han d - I hav e describe d a n usua l Olio . Th e Tomata sauc e her e i s very light , piquant , an d pleasant . I t i s thin . W e hav e i t with u s to o thic k and rich . Th e Spaniard s ea t th e Tomat a i n al l possible ways . I obtained th e receip t fo r on e dish , whic h infinitely please d me , and wit h whic h I think m y fathe r woul d b e charmed . I t i s ver y simple . Tak e fou r pound s o f Tomatas, fr y them ver y small; add fou r eggs, yoke and all . Mix [them] well . The y sho[ul]d b e served u p ver y dry, and indee d o n th e whol e lo[oks] lik e a Dry soup , but o f a ver y prett y color . I nee d no t tel l th e mistres s [of] s o experience d a cuisine a s you , t o ad d a smal l quantit y o f onio n i n fryin g th e tomatas . B y th e bye, Adams, 6 I hope, is well. After dinner yo u tak e your Siesta. I generall y sleep for tw o hours. I think this practice conduciv e to health. Ol d peopl e howeve r ar e apt t o carr y i t to excess . B y the tim e I hav e risen an d arrange d m y toilette, it is time t o stea l out , an d cal l upo n an y agreabl e famil y whos e Tertullia 7 yo u ma y choose t o honor, whic h you do afte r th e first time uninvited, and wit h them you take your te a or chocolate . Thi s is often alfresco . Unde r th e piazz a or colonnad e of th e patio . Her e yo u whil e awa y th e Tim e unti l i t i s coo l enoug h fo r th e Alameda o r publi c walk. A t Cadiz an d eve n a t Seville , up th e Guadalquivi r you are sur e o f a delightful breeze fro m th e water . The se a breeze come s lik e a spirit. Th e effec t i s quite magical . A s yo u ar e lollin g in listles s languor i n th e ho t and perfume d air , a n invisibl e guest come s dancin g int o th e part y an d touche s them al l with an enchante d wand . All start, all smile. It ha s come - i t is the Sea breeze. Ther e i s muc h discussio n whe[the] r i t i s a s stron g o r whethe r weake r than th e nigh t before . Th e ladie s fur l thei r fans , an d seiz e thei r mantillas , the cavaliers stretc h thei r leg s an d giv e sign s of life . Al l rise. I offe r m y ar m t o Dolores o r Florentin a (I s not thi s familiarity strange? ) and i n te n minutes , you I are on th e Alamed a - Wha t a change ! Al l is now life an d liveliness . Such bowing , such kissing , such flutterin g o f fans , suc h gentl e criticism s of gentl e friends . Bu t the fa n i s the mos t wonderfu l part o f th e whol e scene. A Spanish lad y with he r fan migh t sham e th e tactic s of a troop of horse . No w she unfurls it with the slo w pomp an d consciou s elegance o f a peacock , no w she flutter s i t with all the lang uor o f a listless beauty, no w with all the livelines s of a vivacious one. Now , in th e midst of a very Tornado, she closes it with a whirr whic h makes you start - Pop ! In th e mids t o f you r confusion , Dolore s tap s yo u o n you r elbow ; yo u tur n round t o listen and Florentin a poke s you i n your side . Magica l instrument! Yo u know that i t speaks a particular language , an d gallantr y require s n o other mode to expres s it s most subtl e conceit s o r it s most unreasonabl e demands , tha n thi s 6 Th e D'Israel i family's cook. 7 Spanis h term fo r a n evenin g party.
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144 I 95 delicat e organ. Bu t remember , whil e you read , that here , as in England , it is no t 9 Aug 183 0 confine d alone t o your delightful sex. I also have my fans, whic h makes my cane extremely jealous. I f yo u thin k I hav e grow n extraordinaril y effeminate , lear n that in this scorching clime , the soldie r wil l no t moun t guar d withou t one. Nigh t wears on. W e sit, we take a panal , which is as quick work as snapdragon, an d fa r more elegant, 8 again w e stroll. Midnight clears th e publi c walk, bu t fe w Spanish families retire ] til l two . A solitar y bachelo r lik e mysel f stil l wanders , o r stil l lounges o n a benc h i n th e warm moonlight . (Caraccioli' s story ha s bee n misun derstood. H e allude d t o th e heat) 9 th e las t guita r die s away , an d th e Cathedra l clock breaks u p you r reverie. Yo u too seek your couch, and ami d a sweet flow of loveliness and light , and musi c and fres h air , thus dies a day in Spain. Adieu, m y deares t mother . I f possibl e I writ e t o m y fathe r fro m thi s place . 1000 love s to all. B Disraeli Tell Emily 10 tha t I hav e no t forgotte n her , bu t hav e plucke d fo r he r Albu m a sprig fro m th e Cour t o f Myrtle s in AlHambra, but a s I travel on horseback , onl y with m y saddlebags , I fea r muc h i t will los e it s lustre, before i t i s secured i n m y writing case at Gibraltar . 95 T
0
SARAH DISRAELI Gibraltar
, [Monday ] 9 August 183 0
O R I G I N A L : QU A 2o 6
COVER: B y th e Steam Packet. I Mis s Disrael i I Bradenham. Hous e I Wycorab. Buck s I Inghilterra I Via M dill id y Pali s I [At righ t angles] : Fiauii a POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : K I AU.2 5 I 183 0 (2 ) I n dotte d circle : FP O I AU.25 I 183 0 (3 ) I n semi-circle : GIBRALTAR
PUBLICATION HISTORY : HL 38-47 , date d 9 Augus t 1830 , wit h th e omissio n o f th e sixt h sentenc e be fore th e signatur e EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: Medittn, Grenada , Tomata, agreable, la y perdus, Cordove, leant , English man, are waken.
Gibraltar. Augus t 9. My dear Sa, We arrive d her e yesterda y tire d t o deat h bu t ver y well . The Meditt[erranea] n packet i s expected hourl y an d I los e no t a moment i n writin g to you which I d o in complimen t t o your mos t welcom e letter, whic h awaited m e here , and which , tho' shor t enough , wa s mos t sweet . Th e ver y lon g on e abou t al l th e thing s I want t o kno w make s m y mout h water . Ther e i s no t th e slightes t doub t o f it s duly reaching me . I am surprised t o find you complain o f my writing seldom, a s 8 Pana l consisted o f smal l piece s of honeycom b which wer e serve d i n various ways as sweetmeats. Snapdragon wa s a n Englis h Christma s gam e i n whic h raisin s wer e extracte d fro m a dis h o f burning brandy and eate n whil e stil l aflame . 9 Dominique , Marches e Caracciol i (1715-1789) . I n 176 3 h e becam e Neapolita n ambassado r t o the Cour t of S t James's. Dislikin g th e Englis h an d Londo n an d longin g for th e climat e of Italy , he ofte n complaine d tha t th e Englis h su n coul d no t equa l th e moo n o f Naples . J.F. Michau d Biographie universelle ancienne et moderne re v e d (Pari s 1854-65) . 10 Emil y Lindo , D's cousin.
I hav e reall y made ever y exertion t o giv e you a fai r accoun t of al l m y doings . I 9 sent tw o letters t o m y fathe r fro m Gib . but a s the y went by th e sam e pos t yo u 9 may perhap s coun t the m a s one , bu t the y wer e o n separat e sheets , on e fro m Cadiz an d on e fro m Sevill e als o t o hi m an d on e o n a n Elephantin e sheet fro m Grenada t o m y mother , al l about Spanis h Ladie s and Tomat a Sauce . I trus t all these wil l duly arrive. I t i s possible you ma y receive the las t being overlan d even after this . With regard t o my plans, we are certainl y off nex t packet , perhap s o n Saturday. No farther ca n I aver. What use are plans ? Did I dream 6 months ago of Andalusi a wher e I hav e spen t som e o f th e mos t agreabl e hour s o f m y existence? Suc h a trip ! Suc h universa l novelt y an d suc h unrivalle d luc k i n al l things. I mus t fin d tim e t o sen d yo u a t leas t a coupl e mor e letter s fro m thi s place, to complete m y sketch from Cordova . I f I tell you more storie s o f me n i n buckram, d o no t smile . Literall y a wee k ag o w e save d ourselve s onl y b y a moonlight scampe r an d a change o f road. I gav e all up, an d onl y at Malag a two nights sinc e wit h ou r fee t i n ou r stirrups , w e were obliged t o dismoun t an d la y perdus til l morn . Whe n I resid e a t a plac e i t i s not ver y difficul t t o writ e hom e which i s really always agreable , bu t i f you co[ul] d for m a n accurat e ide a o f th e life o f constant fatigu e and excitemen t whic h I have experienced sinc e I left yo u I do no t thin k you wo[ul]d accuse me of neglect . Wha t a country have I lived in! I a m invite d b y " a gran d lad y o f Madrid " I quot e ou r hos t a t Cordov e t o join her escort to Granada - twent y foot soldiers, fou r servant s armed an d tirailleurs in th e shap e o f a doze n muleteers . W e refuse d fo r reason s to o lon g her e t o detail - an d se t off alone tw o hours before , expectin g a n I assault. I sho[ul]d tell you w e dined previousl y wit h he r an d he r husband , havin g agree d t o mee t t o discuss matters . I t wa s a trul y Gi l Bias scene . M y Lord i n a n undres s uniform , and highl y imposin g i n appearance , greete d u s wit h dignity , th e Signor a exceedingly young , an d reall y ver y pretty , wit h infinit e vivacit y an d grace . A French vale t leant on hi s chair an d a Duenna, such as Stephanoff wo[ul] d draw, broad an d supercilious , wit h jet eyes , mahogan y complexio n an d cocke d u p nose, stoo d b y my Lady, exercising[?] a larg e fan . She wa s most complaisant, as she evidentl y ha d mor e confidenc e i n tw o thickheade d Englishma n wit h thei r Purdeys an d Mantons, 2 tha n i n he r specime n o f th e onc e famou s Spanis h Infantry. Sh e did no t kno w that we are coward s on principle . I co[ul]d scre w u p my courag e t o a due l o r a battle , bu t I thin k m y life wort h five pounds, i n th e shape o f ranso m t o Jose Maria . I n spit e o f he r charms , an d thei r unite d elo quence which , a s the y onl y spok e Spanish , wa s o f cours e mos t persuasive , w e successfully resisted . Th e moo n rise s on ou r course ; fo r th e first two leagues, all is anxiety , a s i t wa s wel l know n tha t a stron g ban d wa s lyin g i n wai t fo r th e "great lady" . After tw o leagues, w e began t o hope, when suddenly ou r guid e in 1 Eithe r Franci s Phili p Stephanof f (1790?-1860) , London-bor n engrave r an d painte r o f popula r pictures, o r hi s brother , Jame s (1788?-1874) , famou s mainl y fo r hi s painting s o f ceremonia l scenes such as coronations and roya l receptions . 2 James Purdy an d Joseph Manto n wer e bot h well-known gunsmiths o f the day . Harol d L . Peterson e d Encyclopedia o f Firearms (1964) .
5 I 145 Aug 1830
146 I 95 form s us, tha t h e hear s a tramplin g of hors e i n th e distance . Av e Maria ! A cold 9 Aug 1830 perspiratio n cam e ove r me . Decidedl y the y approache d - bu t rathe r a n uproarious crew . We drew u p ou t of pur e fear , and I ha d m y purse ready . Th e band turne d ou t t o b e a compan y of actor s travellin g to Cordova . Ther e the y were, dresse s an d decorations , scener y an d machinery , al l o n mule s an d donkeys, fo r ther e ar e n o road s i n thi s country . Th e singer s rehearsin g a n Opera - th e principa l Tragedia n ridin g o n an ass , and th e Buff o mos t seriou s looking a s grav e a s nigh t wit h a sega r an d i n greate r agitatio n tha n the m all . Then ther e wer e wome n i n sidesaddles , lik e sedans , an d whol e I panniers o f children - som e of the former chaunting an Ave, while their waist s (saving your presence, bu t i t i s a ric h trait ) were i n mor e tha n on e instanc e encircled b y th e brawny ar m o f a mor e robus t devotee . Al l thi s irresistibl y reminded m e o f Cervantes! W e procee d an d mee t a carava n (Corsari o the y cal l it , bu t I spel l from sound ) of armed merchants , who challenged u s with a regular piquet , an d I nearl y go t sho t fo r no t answerin g in time , being somewha t before m y guide : then come tw o travelling friars wh o giv e us thei r blessing , and the n w e lose ou r way. W e wander about all night; dawn breaks; and w e stumble on som e peasant s sleeping i n th e fiel d ami d thei r harvest . W e lear n tha t w e canno t regai n ou r road an d utterl y wearied, we finally sin k t o sound slee p with our packsaddle s fo r our pillows . This i s the countr y for a nationa l novelist . The alfresc o lif e o f th e inhabitants induce s a variet y o f th e mos t picturesqu e manners , thei r sem i savageness makes each distric t retain wit h barbarou s jealousy their ow n customs and thei r ow n costumes . A wea k governmen t resolve s societ y int o it s origina l elements an d robber y become s mor e honorabl e tha n war , inasmuc h a s th e robber i s paid , an d th e soldie r i n arrear . The n a wonderfu l ecclesiastica l establishmt. cover s th e lan d wit h a privilege d clas s wh o ar e perpetuall y producing som e effec t o n society . I sa y nothin g whil e dottin g i n thes e lines , which afterward s ma y b e expande d int o a picture , o f thei r costume . Yo u ar e waken fro m you r slumber s by the Rosorio , th e singin g procession b y which th e peasantry congregat e t o thei r labours . I t i s most effective , ful l o f nobl e chaunts and melodiou s responses , tha t brea k upo n th e still , fresh , air , an d you r eve n fresher feelings , in a manner trul y magical . Oh! wonderful Spain! Think o f this romantic lan d covere d wit h Mooris h ruins and ful l o f Murillo ! Ah! that I could describe t o yo u th e wonder s o f th e painte d temple s o f Seville , ah! tha t I coul d wander wit h yo u amid th e fantasti c an d imaginativ e halls of delicate Alhambra! Why, why , canno t I conve y t o yo u mor e perfectl y al l tha t I se e an d feel ! I thought that enthusiasm was dead withi n me, and nothin g could b e new . I have hit perhap s upo n th e onl y countr y whic h co[ul] d hav e upse t m y theory , a country o f whic h I hav e rea d little , and though t nothing , a I country o f whic h indeed nothin g ha s been writte n and whic h few visitf.] I dar e t o sa y that I a m better. This las t fortnigh t I hav e mad e regula r progress , o r rathe r fel t perhap s the progres s which I ha d alread y made. I t i s all the Sun . D o not thin k that i t is society o r chang e o f scene . This , howeve r occasionally agreable, i s too muc h fo r me, and eve r throw s me back. I t i s when I a m quite alone , and quit e still , that I feel th e differenc e o f m y system, that I mis s old aches , an d a m consciou s of th e increased activit y an d vitalit y an d expansio n o f m y blood . Writ e t o m e
when[eve]r you can - alway s to Malta , from whenc e I shall be sur e t o receiv e my 9 letters sooner o r later . If I receive 2 0 at a time, it does no t signify ; bu t write ; do 2 not le t the chai n of m y domestic knowledg e be brok e fo r a n instan t - writ e to me abou t Bradenham , abou t dog s an d horses , orchards , garden s - wh o calls, where you go. Who my father see s in London - wha t is said. This i s what I want - neve r min d publi c news, except i t be private in its knowledge, or abou t privat e friends. I se e all newspapers soone r o r later . I shal l writ e from her e overland . I forgot t o sa y I wrot e fro m Falmouth . I di d no t kno w that I ha d bee n lon g o n the rock . They al l complain of m y angel visits. 3 I fea r Ponsonby i s not a t Malta. 4 I a m obliged fo r th e lette r t o Hankey. 5 I have already mad e waddin g for m y pistols wit h si x to tha t Gentleman, but thi s between ourselves . Kee p on writin g but dont bore yourself - min d this . A thousand, thousand love s to all . Adieu m y beloved. We shall soon meet . There is no place like Bradenham, and eac h moment I fee l better, I want to come back. BD The rai n wo[ul] d have finished me fo r ever : even if the Su n had no t revived me, and al l ha d bee n fancy , I sho[ul] d no t hav e know n it then . I thin k th e conse quences o n m y min d woul d hav e bee n fearful . Tw o thunderstorm s i n th e mountains. Tha t i s all w e had . Eac h da y cloudless , and th e ai r lik e a furnace . The hea t o f the moo n i s unpleasant at night. Quelle pays! TO GEORGE BARROW Malta
, [Friday] 20 August 183 0 0
ORIGINAL: H M 1
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: agreable, Grenada, agreably, Tomata's.
Malta - Augus t aoth. 183 0 G. Barrow Esq 1 Dear Barrow , I hav e long been intendin g t o write to you, not I assure you, for th e purpos e o f availing mysel f of you r kin d offer , whic h I sho[ul] d d o withou t ceremony, bu t really becaus e I wa s desirous o f expressin g ho w very much I a m oblige d t o you for you r introductio n t o Broadfoot , which from certai n circumstances , I foun d of n o sligh t importance; fo r i t so happened a s I was standing on th e dec k o f th e Steamer an d gazin g o n m y country's lessenin g shores , i t suddenl y occurre d t o 3 'Wha t thoug h m y winge d hour s o f blis s hav e been , I Like angelvisits , fe w an d fa r between? ' Thomas Campbell Th e Pleasures of Hope I I 377-8 . 4 Ma j Gen Si r Frederic k Cavendis h Ponsonb y (1783-1837) , secon d so n o f th e 3r d Ear l o f Bess borough, was lieutenant governo r of Malt a 1826-36 . In 182 5 h e ha d marrie d Lad y Emil y Charlotte Bathurs t ( d 1877) , younges t daughte r o f th e 3r d Ear l Bathurst . Ponsonb y performe d th e office o f governo r bu t th e positio n wa s styled 'lieutenan t governor' . Unlik e Do n i n Gibraltar , Ponsonby seem s not t o hav e ha d a n absente e superior , but wa s apparently accorde d th e lowe r rank to justify a lowe r salary . A.V . Laferla British Malta (Valett a 1946 ) I 133 . 5 Co l Si r Frederic k Hanke y (i774?-i855) , KCM G 1818 , chie f secretar y t o th e governo r o f Malt a 1825-38, formerly secretar y to the hig h commissione r of the Ionia n Islands . Hanke y wa s not, i t seems, popular with the Maltes e population . Laferla I 158 . 1 Georg e Barrow (1806-1876) , eldes t son of John Barrow , ha d sinc e 182 5 been a clerk i n the Col onial Office . H e succeeded hi s father a s baronet in 1848 .
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148 I 96 me 20 Aug 1830 th
, tha t Gibraltar, at whic h I intended t o stop only a fe w hours, was anciently in e Kingdo m o f Spain , an d tha t tha t romanti c regio n ha d o f late , bee n littl e visited. T o b e brief , I hav e only thi s moment arrive d her e wher e I intende d t o be i n th e middl e o f June, havin g wandered fo r tw o delightful month s throug h Andalusia, an d visite d I believ e ever y par t o f th e Sout h o f Spain . Amon g th e mountains of Ronda , in the wildes t par t o f th e Sierra , I me t Colone l Batty , an d only regretted , that w e were companions fo r s o short a time . I hop e h e ha s no t been plundered , fo r we were in very wicked parts, an d h e bore wit h hi m sundry coats an d chattel s ver y tempting . You r brothe r arrive d a t thi s plac e i n th e Blonde a fe w day s befor e me , bu t h e i s i n lon g quarantine. 2 I hav e ha d a lengthy palave r howeve r wit h hi m fro m a respectfu l distance , an d fro m hi s looks I don' t think , that h e ha s go t th e plague . I offere d t o sen d an y message , but h e write s by this packet. As your father and yoursel f were fortunately almost the las t two person s I sa w in I England, it was in m y power t o giv e him a bulletin of your blooming looks. I foun d Spain i n almost the sam e stat e as in the tim e of Gil Bias: less rich per haps, but wit h a social order almos t as imperfect, and quit e as picturesque. Rob bers infes t every road , an d th e whol e governmen t o f th e countr y exercisin g a n authority, which is limited to th e wall s of th e capital , the populatio n ar e force d to tak e th e la w in thei r ow n hands , an d trave l with all the etiquett e o f warfare . Riding on , on e night , before m y servant, I wa s challenged b y a pique t o f som e travelling toy dealers fro m Malaga , and al l but sho t because I was silent from astonishment. I travelle d generally by night - pour voir le pays, yo u wil l add wit h a smile - bu t reall y th e moo n i s so bright tha t on e ma y use one' s sigh t wit h a s much advantage , an d wit h mor e comfort , than i n th e daytime . I t i s more tha n bright, i t is warm, it is hot. Carracioli's famou s story about th e moon s of Naple s has been misunderstoo d - h e alluded, I feel confident, to the heat. There are no roads an d yo u wor k you r wa y o n horseback , whic h i s les s pleasan t tha n yo u wo[ul]d a t first imagine. I hav e generally been te n hour s i n the 2 4 on m y steed , and mor e tha n onc e sa w the Su n se t and ris e without quitting m y saddle, which few me n ca n say , and whic h I hop e neve r t o sa y again. Afte r thi s I nee d no t aver tha t I a m i n fin e condition , bu t m y confounde d brai n come s roun d bu t slowly, an d will , I fea r ye t giv e m e muc h trouble . Th e mod e o f lif e i n Spai n is very agreable t o a young man an d wo[ul] d I think please you. The wome n without bein g strikingly I handsome, ar e highl y interesting. Their countenances hav e all tha t char m whic h arise s fro m excessiv e sensibililty . They have , whe n ver y young, a fine voluptuous gait, and what are called speaking eye s - bu t their ocu lar conversation i s not the restless , fidgetty, chat o f a Frenchwoman. Their larg e soft blac k eyes gleam rathe r tha n sparkle . Their faul t is , that i n to o man y cases, they to o earl y indulg e i n th e magnificenc e of embonpoint , bu t a ver y youthful Spanish girl , who has not exceede d swee t seventeen (equa l in these clime s to ou r
2 Willia m Barro w (1810-1838) was John Barrow' s youngest son. H e wa s at thi s time a lieutenant in HM S Blonde, a 46-gun frigat e commanded b y Capt Edmon d Lyons , which had just arrive d a t Malta.
27) dus k an d lithe , is a ver y poetica l heroine, an d Go d knows , a ver y passionat e 9 one. 2 Cadiz i s the mos t brillian t city yo u co[ul] d wel l fancy . It s whit e walls and ver dant jalousies sparkl e i n th e sun . Figar o i s in ever y street, an d Rosin a i n every balcony. I go t u p t o Sevill e fro m thi s plac e b y a Steame r (th e onl y evidenc e I have met of the vaunte d regeneration o f Spain) up th e Guadalquivir . The cit y is ancient and interestin g moreove r fro m being the Temple o f Murillo's genius, an artist who m I hav e alway s greatl y admired , bu t who m I no w hesitat e no t t o place abov e al l the Italians . Indee d I a m greatl y incline d t o conside r th e Span iards a s th e firs t o f al l masters; particularl y when I thin k Velasquez 3 b y whos e side Titian's portrait s ar e dull - bu t we know nothing of these men . There is not a firs t rat e Murill o in England , tho' w e have som e cleve r specimens o f hi s early styles. W e alway s conside r hi m a s a painte r o f begga r boy s an d courtesan s be cause h e onc e painte d a s a capricci o a varle t playin g a t chuckfarthin g and a whore lookin g ou t o f [a ] window . I ca n als o tel l yo u tha t h e onc e painte d I a dead duck. The trut h is, he was a mighty master o f ideal grace . H e beats th e Romans i n desig n an d th e Venetian s in coloring . Fro m Sevill e I repaire d t o Cor dova skirtin g the Sierr a Morena , an d thenc e t o Grenada. Thi s delicious country was highly refreshing after th e burning plains and barre n mountains over which I ha d lon g wandered. I will not attemp t to describe Alhambra , which is the mos t imaginative, th e mos t delicat e an d fantasti c creation tha t eve r spran g u p i n a Summer nigh t in a fairy tale . My dea r fellow , Spai n i s th e onl y lan d fo r travel . Afte r wha t I ha d see n I thought nothin g co[ul] d greatl y interes t me ; I hav e been agreabl y disappointed . In thi s country, the hedge s ar e o f aloes i n bloom, fit company for th e pal m an d the india n fi g an d th e Suga r can e whic h flourishe s al l aroun d Vele z Malaga . Magnificent picture s by masters o f whom we have never hear d fill every temple, and splendi d building s which make you hourly regret the expulsion of the Sara cens, attes t thei r refine d civilization , while they contribute t o th e pleasurabl e excitement whic h in this land neve r ceases . Th e manner s o f th e peopl e ar e poeti cal - thei r costum e and their castanets , their alfresc o habits which are constantly conducive of adventure, an d whic h hourly show me what was the Studi o of Cer vantes, ar e al l enchanting . I sa y nothin g o f Tomata's , Oll a Podrida , an d Bul l fights, because m y sheet desert s me . Remembe r m e t o your father . I often hea r his nam e mentioned , an d alway s wit h tha t honor , whic h it wil l eve r command : to Batty also, and believ e me with sincere regard, faithfully your s B. Disraeli 3 Velazque z wa s born in Seville .
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ISAAC D'ISRAELI Malta
, [Wednesday] 25 August 183 0
O R I G I N A L : QU A 20 7
PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 48-64, date d 2 5 Augus t 1830 , wit h omissio n o f an y referenc e t o th e 'extraordinary letter , an d wit h mino r changes; Mfc B I 154-5 , dated 2 7 Augus t 1830 , extract s fro m th e second sectio n of the lette r EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: 2 & 28th.; Ferdousi ; Jeffre y Wyattville ; guilding ; this , To ; agreable ; In close; Bury; du Tencins ; disagreable ; Scirocc; Timboctoo; Burghesh ; rissible.
Malta. August 25 . 1830 . Lazaretto . My dear father , We have at lengt h arrive d a t wha t Major Rennell declares i s not, the ancien t Melita, in spite of all tradition,1 but a s I am not ye t allowed to enter th e city , but a m imprisoned i n a vas t an d solitar y building, an d shunne d b y all m y fello w crea tures, I ca n giv e yo u n o accoun t o f it , excep t tha t th e city , Valetta , look s ex tremely beautiful from th e distance . I had wishe d to have written to you anothe r Spanish lette r o r tw o from Gibraltar , but wa s in such a constant bustl e there between calling on ol d friend s an d preparin g fo r m y new voyage, that I could no t find tim e t o collec t m y senses fo r a coo l communication . I a m ver y glad m y letters pleas e you . Yo u kno w I hat e writin g such things , but t o yo u i t i s indeed a pleasure. Literall y they were scribbled almos t like Erasmus' Encomium on horse back, and I can only regret, that they are s o imperfect, and conve y so feeble an d hasty a n expressio n o f m y adventure s an d feeling s i n th e memorabl e an d ro mantic land i n which I wandered. I foun d al l letters here up t o the 2 8 28th. July and rea d the m wit h lively satisfaction . Pray continu e t o write whenever convenient, an d direc t t o me alway s at thi s place. The y contribut e greatly t o my happiness. The "extraordinary" lette r - Sara h rightl y guessed th e purport of - Al l how ever i s settled o n tha t poin t i n anothe r quarter , an d eve n i f i t wer e no t an d a thousand othe r reason s di d no t sway , it sho[ul]d be , fo r i t was concocted fo r tha t market, an d i s suited t o it only. It i s well however t o have an openin g i n anothe r region. I hav e spoke t o you all thus frankly, becaus e I never wis h to have secret s from you , and i f ever I hav e witheld it is because I hav e been somewha t oblige d by your nobl e failin g of being mor e fran k tha n you r neighbours , a splendid an d honorable foible , if it be one , bu t inconvenien t an d injurious , an d no t suite d t o this vulgar an d war y life . I a m sur e tha t I hav e only to expres s m y absolute re quest tha t wha t ha s take n place , an d wha t I hav e mentioned , sho[ul] d b e con fined t o our ow n hearth, to fin d thi s my great wish complied with . Let i t be buried in silence , and I entrea t i n cas e yo u mee t th e writer , tha t i t make n o differenc e in you r carriage , an d sho[ul] d h e b e s o sill y a s t o speak , which he I will not, I en treat that yo u know nothing of the affair. 2 1 D was wrong. James Rennel l (1742-1830) , the geographer , had argued i n a paper t o th e Societ y of Antiquaries in 182 7 that Malt a was mentioned i n the Act s of the Apostle s as the sit e o f Paul' s shipwreck. 2 Th e lette r arrived unde r J.W. Croker' s frank , but was not fro m Croker . Isaac and Sara h recognized John Murray' s handwritin g an d the y wer e curious , bu t thei r letter s t o D do not , i n fact , contain speculation s about th e content s ( H A/1V/E/3-4). Presumabl y thi s wa s Murray' s answe r o f 29 Ma y to D' s letter of th e 27th . See 86n4. D' s indifference wa s the resul t of Th e Young Duke having already been place d wit h Colburn, but , obviously , th e famil y had no t know n tha t D had re established communication with Murray 't o have a n opening in another region'.
I parte d wit h m y frien d Standis h a t Sevill e wit h regret . H e i s excessively fan- 9 tastic and odd , bu t a good fellow . Th e Spaniard s cannot make him out , and th e 2 few Englis h tha t mee t hi m se t hi m dow n onl y a s excessivel y affected . H e i s something more. Th e ma n of pleasure who instead of degenerating int o a roue , aspires t o be a philosopher, i s to my mind certainly a respectable, an d I think a n interesting character . I wis h tha t I co[ul] d conve y to you som e ide a of th e Saraceni c architecture i n perfect an d brillian t specimens of whic h th e Sout h o f Spai n abounds, but I fee l it i s impossible. Descriptio n i s alway s a bore , bot h t o th e describe r an d t o th e describee. On e thin g howeve r I wil l say , for i t i s a furthe r an d a stronge r illus tration o f wha t I hav e lon g thought , tha t howeve r ther e ma y be a standar d o f taste there i s no standar d o f style. I must place Alhambra with the Parthenon , th e Pantheon, and Yor k Minster. The sam e principles of taste are there evident , but the combination s are differen t as they are different in the east[?]. On thi s principle yo u ma y equall y admir e Aeschylus , Virgil , Shakespear e an d Ferdousi. 3 There neve r co[ul] d hav e been a controvers y o n suc h a point , i f mankin d ha d not confuse d th e idea s of Taste an d Style. Th e Saraceni c architecture i s the mos t inventive an d fanciful , bu t a t th e sam e tim e th e mos t fittin g an d th e mos t deli cate, that can be conceived. There wo[ul]d be no doub t abou t its title to be considered amon g th e firs t invention s of me n i f it were better known . It i s only to be foun d i n an y degree of perfectio n i n Spain . When a man sneer s a t th e Sara cenic as k him wha t h e ha s seen . Perhap s a barbarou s tho ' picturesqu e buildin g called th e Duca l Palac e at Venice ? What sho[ul] d w e thin k of a ma n wh o de cided o n th e buildings of Agrippa by the architectur e of Justinian or judged th e age o f Pericle s by the restoration s o f Hadria n - ye t he I wo[ul]d not commi t so great a blunder. Ther e is a Moorish Palace - th e Alcazar at Seville - a n immense Mosque a t Cordov a turne d int o a cathedral onl y wit h partia l alteration, Alhambra a t Granad a - thes e ar e th e grea t specimens , an d sufficien t fo r al l study. There i s a shrin e an d chape l o f a Mooris h Sain t a t Cordov a quit e untouched , with th e blu e mosaic , and th e golde n honeycom b roof , a s vivid, an d a s brilliant as when the Sain t was worshipped. The material s are th e richest, th e ornament s the mos t costly and i n detail the mos t elegant and th e mos t novel , the mos t fanciful an d th e mos t flowing - bu t nothin g a t th e sam e tim e ca n b e conceive d more just than the proportion o f the whole, and mor e mellowe d than the blending of the parts , which indeed Palladi o co[ul]d not excel. The grea t effort s o f antiqu e architectur e ar e confine d t o Temple s o r Thea tres, whic h at th e bes t can be only a room. Alhambr a is a palace, and th e oppor tunity fo r inventio n is of cours e infinitel y increased . I t i s not a ruin a s I expect ed, scarcel y in a state o f dilapidation. Certainly under th e patronag e o f our lat e Monarch, i t migh t have been restore d t o al l its pristine splendor , tho ' I thin k a compliant Parliamt . wo[ul] d hav e bee n almos t a s necessar y a s Si r Jeffre y 3 Firdausi , Persian fo r 'garden' , was the nam e employe d b y Aub'l-Qasim Mansu r (934?-1020), author of the Persian classic Shahnama.
7 I 151 5 Aug 1830
152 I 97 Wyattville. 4 Everythin g about it , th o exquisitel y proportioned, i s slight an d smal l 25 Aug 1830 an d delicate . Murph y makes the Cour t o f Pillar s too larg e an d coarse. 5 Aroun d this cour t ar e chamber s wit h carve d an d purpl e roof s studde d wit h gold , an d walls entirel y covered wit h th e mos t fancifu l relief , picke d ou t wit h tha t viole t tint, whic h mus t hav e bee n copie d fro m thei r Andalusia n skies . I n thes e yo u may si t in th e cooles t shade , reclinin g upo n cushion s wit h you r bead s o r pip e and vie w th e mos t dazzlin g sunlight i n th e Cour t whic h assuredly mus t scorc h the flowers , i f th e faithfu l lion s ever cease d fro m pourin g fort h tha t elemen t which yo u mus t trave l i n Spai n o r Afric a t o honor . Pinda r wa s quit e right. 6 I These chambers ar e innumerable . There i s the Hal l of the Ambassadors , alway s the mos t sumptuous , the Hal l of Justice, th e room s o f th e Sultana s an d o f th e various member s o f the famil y - quit e perfec t - no t a singl e roo f ha s given. What a scen e - ah ! tha t yo u wer e [here?] , bu t conceiv e i t i n th e time s o f th e Boabdils7 - conceiv e it with all its costly decoration, al l the guilding, all the imperial purple , al l the viole t relief, al l the scarle t borders , al l the glitterin g inscriptions, an d costl y mosaic s burnished, brigh t an d fres h - conceiv e i t ful l o f stil l greater ornaments , th e livin g group s wit h thei r rich , an d vivi d an d picturesqu e costume, an d abov e all , thei r shinin g arm s - som e standin g conversin g i n groups, som e smokin g in sedate silence , some telling their beads , som e squattin g round a Storier. Then the bustle, and th e rush, and th e arriving horsemen al l in motion, and al l glancing in the mos t brilliant Sun. Enoug h o f this, To ad d t o th e delights of Granada, i t is situated i n a most beautiful and productiv e country . Its fruit marke t i s nearly as great a wonder a s the Alhambra : bu t th e route to Velez Malaga i s through a lan d eve n fulle r o f mil k an d honey . Surrounde d b y aloes , and India n figs, and fo r th e firs t time , sugar canes, I co[ul]d hav e fancied myself in the Antilles . All this was very agreable after burnin g plain s and barre n moun tains. All my adventures mus t be orall y delivered. I hav e slightly sketched the m in a hasty letter t o Sarah fro m Gib. by the las t packet. I t was a lif e o f perfec t Romance, bu t th e fatigu e wa s sometimes appalling : ye t I bore i t all; and fro m th e moment I wrote t o my mother I hav e been progressivel y improving . Slow , but I now flatte r mysel f - certain . I t wil l not be I very quick work, but I a m too grateful t o grumble. I t is all the Su n and th e Wester n breeze . Th e leas t blow from th e Levant an d I partiall y relapse. Societ y has nothin g t o do wit h it . On th e contra ry, tho ' ver y delightful, i t retards, I a m confident , m y convalescence : fo r Tem perance an d Quie t ar e als o mos t important , bu t i t i s impossible t o escape . I d o what I can to guard - yo u have yet to receive fro m me a letter fro m Sevill e - an 4 Si r Jeffry Wyatvill e (1766-1840), architect, is best known for hi s remodelling of Windsor Castle, and fo r th e enthusias m with whic h he applie d stucc o to buildings of earlie r architectura l peri ods. 5 Th e descriptio n o f th e Alhambr a i n Th e Arabian Antiquities o f Spain (1815 ) b y James Cavana h Murphy (1760-1814). 6 Th e openin g lin e of 'To Hieron o f Syracuse', Pindar's first Olympian ode - 'Bes t of all things is water.' 7 Boabdil , a corruptio n o f th e nam e Ab u Abdullah , the las t Mooris h kin g of Granada , wh o lost his throne i n 1498 . D appears t o be giving the ter m a generic meaning t o cover al l the king s in the final period of Moorish rule.
elephantine sheet from Granad a to m y mother and a letter from Gibralta r to Sa . 9 I shal l send thi s to George Barrow , and therefor e shall make it a long affair, bu t 2 stop fo r th e present . Whil e I remembe r it , a cop y o f th e Y[oung ] D[uke] must be sent to Lady Don. Tell Ralp h t o attend t o it. Write in the Title - "Lad y Don, by desire of the author" . Inclos e it to her an d the n put anothe r cover addresse d "His Excell[enc]y General
Si r George Don. G.C.B. Gib[ralta]r"[.] Yo u wil l b e
surprised a t m y sendin g a ligh t nove l an d findin g a mus e i n a n ol d Lad y of seventy, but i n truth sh e is the cleveres t and mos t charming woman I eve r met, beating all the Lydi a Whites, Mrs. Weddells8 and Misse s Bury 9 out an d out , and the onl y perso n I kno w wh o gives m e the leas t idea of th e Madam e du Tencin s and th e othe r brillantes , who flirte d wit h Henault,' 0 chatted wit h Montesquieu, and corresponde d wit h Horac e Walpole. We saile d here wit h Captain s Coffin an d Nesha m wh o have come ou t t o join the Glouceste r an d Melvill e 74 5 i n th e plac e o f th e ne w Admiral s Stuart an d Schomberg.11 They ar e ver y gentlemanly , agreable men , of a certain age, an d I have alread y got a n invitatio n to bot h thei r ship s to ea t se a pi e etc ! Th e latte r has a very agreable daughter , wh o came out wit h him , and ha s lightened by her good humo r the bor e I of our quarantine, 12 and a son i n the Rifl e Brigad e which is here . W e ar e fre e tomorrow . The Blond e frigate i n whic h Wm . Barro w is a Lieutenant ha s just arrived , bu t i n a lon g quarantine fro m Turkey . Adie u fo r the present . I forgo t t o sa y we had a ver y roug h an d disagreabl e voyage the wind , a devi l of a Levanter, and sometime s Scirocc, full i n our teet h half the tim e and no t go8 Mis s Lydi a Whit e ( d 1827 ) was one o f th e well-know n hostesse s o f th e Regency . I t wa s onc e claimed b y a scholar tha t familiarit y wit h he r nam e indicate d a command o f th e literar y histor y of th e period . Willia m Prideau x Courtne y Eight Friends o f th e Great (1910 ) 152 . Lady Charlott e Bury describe s dinne r partie s a t Mis s White's in 1819-20 , when the hostes s was apparently ol d and infirm . Th e Diary o f a Lady-in-Wailing (1908 ) I I 199 , 226-7 ; se e als o the Ear l of Ilcheste r e d Elizabeth, Lady Holland t o Her Son, 182.1-1.845 (1946) 58. Mr s Weddel l (or Weddel ) of Newb y also belonged t o thi s era . Th e siste r o f Lad y Rockingham , sh e figured , sometime s amusingly , in fashionable society . Joseph Farington Diary e d James Grei g (1923) I 125 ; v 177. 9 Althoug h D spells the nam e 'Bury ' i t i s probable tha t 'Berry ' wa s intended. Th e Misse s Berry, Mary (1763-1852) and Agne s (1764-1852) , were bot h activ e in literary circles. Mar y was the ear liest editor of the Works o f Horace Walpole . 10 Claudin e Alexandrin e Gueri n (1681-1749) , marquis e d e Tencin , Frenc h author . Charle s Jean Frangois Henault (1685-1770) , French historia n an d poet . 11 John Townsen d Coffi n (1789-1882 ) an d Christophe r Joh n Willia m Nesham (1771-1853) , re spectively captain s o f HM S Gloucester an d HM S Melville, mounting 7 4 gun s each . Bot h me n re tired wit h the ran k o f admiral. Th e officer s whom the y replaced wer e Rea r Ad m Henr y Stuar t (1767-1840) and Rea r Ad m Alexande r W . Schomberg (1774-1850) . ER; Boase . 12 Traveller s wer e subjec t t o an especiall y rigorous quarantin e a t Malt a as, in th e eye s of all Euro pean powers , th e islan d serve d as a gateway for th e whol e Continent. Choler a wa s on the ris e at this time, bu t an y other disease deeme d t o be infectious was also cause fo r quarantine . No r was quarantine limite d t o traveller s returnin g fro m th e East ; thos e travellin g ou t o f Europ e migh t also b e subjec t t o th e regulations , dependin g upon condition s o f healt h i n their por t o f departure. Fo r furthe r detail s se e Pau l Cassa r Medical History o f Malta (1964 ) ch 31 . Eve n so , Malta was then considered th e bes t por t i n Europ e fo r wha t was called 'performin g quarantine' . Tra vellers wer e confine d fo r a shorte r perio d tha n wa s required elsewher e an d livin g condition s were better. Sir Gardine r Wilkinson Modern Egypt an d Thebes (1843 ) I 55. On th e evidenc e o f thi s letter an d tha t o f 96 , D' s quarantine on hi s arrival fro m Gibralta r vi a Algiers laste d on e week , 19-2 6 August .
7 I 153 5 Aug 1830
1
54 '9 7 m g eve n wit h th e steam , mor e tha n fou r knot s a n hour . I maintaine d m y 25 Aug 1830 characte r a s a sailor , but wa s otherwis e very unwel l i n m y head . Th e sk y was covered wit h cloud s nearl y the whol e time. This i s the onl y disagreabl e weather we hav e had . Th e Summe r i s universall y agree d t o b e unusuall y hot . I wa s howr. repai d fo r al l this b y a visi t t o Algiers . We di d no t land , bu t th e tow n is built o n th e coas t an d o n a hill , s o w e sa w every hous e - w e observe d wit h interest tha t th e Tricolo r fla g wa s flying. 13 I conside r mysel f ver y fortunat e in having see n thi s famou s place. I t i s a ver y handsom e whit e town , and th e hill s about wel l cultivate d and covere d wit h whit e houses . Th e harbou r seeme d a very fine one, an d th e mol e is a strong piece o f masonry. It wa s fortunately our only fin e day . So ends m y account of Algiers , which is about a s long, and muc h more true , than Caille's description o f Timboctoo. 14 I Saturday. 27 I scribbl e until the retur n o f the packe t a daily bulletin. We landed yesterday for breakfast, an d are quartered i n a capital hotel - Beverleys. 15 I assure you I look forward t o som e repos e her e afte r al l my exertions wit h grea t zest . We did no t find thi s a t Gibralta r wher e our quarter s wer e horrid . T o ou r surpris e w e find James Clay 16 here , immensel y improved an d quit e a hero . H e ha s been her e a month, an d ha s alread y bea t th e whol e Garriso n a t Racket s an d billiard s and other wicke d games, give n lesson s t o thei r Prim a Donna , an d seccaturad " th e primo tenore. Reall y h e has turned ou t a most agreable personage , an d ha s had that advantag e o f Society , in whic h h e ha d bee n deficient , an d le d a lif e which for splendi d adventur e wo[ul] d beat an y youn g gentleman' s ye t publishe d i n 3 vols pt . 8vo . Lor d Burghes h wrot e a n Oper a fo r hi m an d Lad y Normanb y a farce.18 H e dishe d Princ e Pignatelli 19 at Billiard s and diddle d th e Russia n Lega13 Meanin g tha t th e forc e whic h ha d carrie d th e Bourbo n fleu r d e li s t o Nort h Afric a ha d no w recognized the Revolutio n o f 1830 . 14 Ren e August e Caill e (1799-1838) , Frenc h traveller . H e se t of f t o explor e Afric a a s a resul t o f reading Robinson Crusoe, and becam e obsesse d b y the ide a o f reachin g th e fable d tow n of Timbuctoo. H e arrived ther e in Apri l 1828 , and spen t tw o weeks before returnin g t o Franc e wher e he wa s awarded a priz e o f 10,00 0 francs , a pension , an d th e Legio n o f Honour , fo r bein g th e first travelle r t o brin g back exac t information . His Journal d'un voyage a Temboctou .. . wa s pub lished i n Pari s i n 1830 , an d a n Englis h version , Travels through Central Africa t o Timbuctoo, ap peared i n Londo n th e sam e year . Ther e wer e initiall y som e doubt s (late r dispelled ) i n Englis h circles abou t th e truthfulnes s o f Caille' s description (I I ch xxi) , and presumabl y D was reflecting these. 15 Th e nam e of thi s hotel is not i n Thomas MacGill' s Handbook t o Malta (1839), though th e autho r purports t o lis t the bes t establishments . However , Lor d Lindsa y record s a sta y at Beverley' s in 1836. Letters on Egypt... (1839 ) 18 . 16 James Clay (1805-1873) , Libera l M P fo r Hul l 1847-53 , 1 &57~7S- H e enjoyed som e reputation a s an authorit y o n whist . Cla y ha d bee n a t Wincheste r wit h Ralp h Disrael i an d a t Oxfor d wit h Meredith. Althoug h Isaac , Mari a an d Sara h strongl y disapprove d o f Clay , D' s friendshi p wit h him wa s lifelong. 17 'Bothered' , 'annoyed'. D has invented a verb from a n Italia n noun . 18 A n opera by Lord Burghers h was first performed i n Florenc e durin g June 1829 . Th e Private Diary o f Richard, Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, KG (1862 ) HI 207-8. Mari a Phipp s ( d 1882) , eld est daughte r o f is t Baro n Ravensworth , ha d marrie d i n 181 8 Constantin e Henr y Phipps , Vis count Normanby , afte r 183 1 2n d Ear l o f Mulgrave . I n he r repl y Sara h undercu t th e honou r paid t o Clay by observing tha t Lad y Normanb y ha d 'los t her reputation' . 19 Francesc o Pignatell i (1775-1853) , Princ e o f Strangoli . A general, patrio t an d historian , h e wa s prominent in the struggl e for a united Italy .
tion a t Ecarte . I ha d n o nee d o f letters of introductio n her e - an d hav e already 9 "troops o f friends" . Th e fac t i s in ou r origina l Steampacket, there wer e som e 2 very agreabl e fellows , officer s who m I believ e I neve r mentione d t o you . The y have been lon g expecting your worship's offspring, an d hav e gained grea t fam e in repeatin g hi s thir d rat e storie s at secon d hand : s o i n consequenc e o f thes e messengers, th e Messiahshi p has answered, and I a m receive d wit h branches of palm. Her e th e younker s do nothin g but pla y rackets , billiards, and cards , rac e and smoke . To govern me n you must either exce l in their accomplishment s - o r despise them . Cla y doe s one : I d o th e other , an d w e ar e equall y popular . I Affectation tell s her e eve n better tha n wit . Yesterday at th e racke t cour t sitting in th e Galler y among strangers , th e bal l entered , slightl y struc k me, an d fel l a t my feet . I picke d i t up , an d observin g a youn g riflema n excessivel y stiff, I humbly requeste d hi m t o forwar d it s passag e int o th e Court , a s I reall y ha d never throw n a bal l i n m y life . Thi s inciden t ha s bee n th e genera l subjec t o f conversation at all the messe s to day. I cal l o n th e governo r tomorrow . H e i s reputed a very nonchalant personag e and exceedingl y exclusive in hi s conduct t o hi s subjects. 20 Cla y ha d n o lette r t o him, but hi s Exclly . i s a great racketplayer , and s o he addresse d ou r frien d on e day wit h condescendin g familiarity , bu t di d no t as k hi m t o dinne r til l h e ha d been her e som e time , whic h s o offende d ou r frien d wh o i s excessivel y gran d and talk s o f nothin g bu t Burghesh , Normanby , Lady Williamson 21 an d variou s Princes, that he refused an d i s in opposition[.] The cit y i s one o f th e mos t beautifu l fo r it s architecture an d th e splendo r o f its streets, that I know, something between Venice and Cadiz . We dine d yesterda y wit h Cla y t o mee t Captn . Anstruther 22 ou r principa l steamboat frien d and som e other officers . Sunday morn Yesterday I calle d o n Ponsonby . H e wa s fortunatel y at home . I flatte r mysel f that h e passe d throug h th e mos t extraordinar y quarte r o f a n hou r o f hi s existence - I gave him no quarter, an d at last mad e our nonchalant Governor rol l on the sof a fro m hi s rissibl e convulsions. Then I jumped up , remembere d tha t I must b e sadl y breakin g int o hi s mornin g an d wa s off : I making it a rul e alway s to leave with a good impression . He pressed m e not to go - I told hi m I had so much t o do! I walked down the Strad a Reale , which i s nearly as good a s Regent Street, an d go t five invitations to dinne r (literall y a fact) 23 an d the n betoo k my 20 I n thi s respect Ponsonby seem s t o have epitomize d th e attitud e o f the Britis h officia l populatio n to th e Maltese . Ther e wer e the n som e 70 0 resident British , exclusiv e o f th e military , and sev eral writer s o f th e tim e commente d bot h o n th e cos t o f administratio n an d o n it s apparent indifference t o th e welfar e o f th e inhabitants . Andre w Bigelo w Travels i n Malta an d Sicily .. . i n MDCCCXXVtl (Bosto n 1831 ) 126 , 151 ; James Webster Travels Through the Crimea, Turkey an d Egypt (1830) I 293-7. 21 Ann e Elizabet h Williamso n ( d 1878) , thir d daughte r of is t Baro n Ravensworth , had marrie d in 1826 Sir Hedwort h Williamso n (1797-1861) , 7th Baronet , and live d in Florence . She was the sister o f George Liddell and o f Lad y Normanby . 22 Rober t Anstruthe r (1805-1855) , eldest son of Sir Alexander Anstruther , was then a member of the 73rd Foot . 23 D' s rat e o f acquirin g acquaintance s ma y b e judged b y th e fac t tha t th e Strad a Real e i n Valett a was three-quarters of a mil e long , runnin g throug h th e centr e o f town . George Warin g Letters from Malta and Sicily (1843 ) 73 .
7 1 15 5 5 Aug 1830
156 I 97 se lf t o th e Unio n Club. This i s in ever y sens e o f th e wor d no t a n inferio r estab 25 Aug 183 0 lishmen t even in the building , which i s an ol d Palac e to the Londo n Union , and tho' ther e ar e onl y 80 members, ye t as they are alway s there, eve n on thi s point, it doe s no t see m inferior . You may dine her e and everything . We are honorar y members o f it , which is mos t convenien t an d als o of th e Malt a Sportin g Club , which i s a ver y exclusiv e establishment of recen t date . Thu s yo u see , no t bein g in our ow n country, we are considered prophets . When I arrive d hom e I foun d a n invitatio n for Tuesda y whic h fortunatel y I can accep t fro m th e Ge n an d Lad y Emily . Cla y confesse s my triump h i s complete and unrivalled. I sto p th e pres s t o say that I dine d a t th e mes s of th e 73rd . i n an Andalusian dress. After suc h buffooneries I need no t add , tha t I continue tolerably well. Monday. Sunday passe d i n a delightfu l fa r niente . I din e t o da y wit h a n office r name d Primrose.24 I hav e been introduce d t o lot s of me n an d amon g the m littl e Lor d Rothes - Lad y Henrietta Murray' s brother. H e i s the Marques s of Exeter I of Gibraltar an d ha s a stud o f fourtee n horses , wit h regular jockeys, grooms, etc . etc. as at Newmarket. 25 Clay ha s offered t o ru n an y o f hi s steeds i f his Lordship wil l give hi m 10 0 yards start . Th e packe t i s announce d i n sight , an d I a m disap pointed i n my hope o f sending you any further adventure s at present. I am glad to hea r tha t Jem i s so efficient a member o f th e famille , whic h indeed I expect ed. I hav e grea t confidenc e i n him . Hi s Commissio n sho[ul] d b e though t of . Pray hav e n o hesitatio n i n applyin g to Croker , wh o I a m sur e wil l b e delighte d to oblige you in a manne r whic h costs him nothing. 26 Tell Ralp h I shal l write to him fro m thi s place , which after som e tim e will , I dar e say , afford matte r fo r a separate epistl e - befor e this , any thing to him wo[ul]d only hav e been a repeti tion. Hi s handkerchie f whic h he I brought m e fro m Pari s is the mos t successfu l thing I ever wore, and universally admired - a 100 0 loves to all. Pray let me find long letters soon an d direc t alway s to Hunter an d Ross. 27 Your affe c So n BD I hav e held a long parley with William Barro w at a respectful distance. 24 L t Philip Primrose ha d joined the 73r d i n 182 3 and ha d lef t the servic e by 1832 . Arm y List . 25 Georg e Willia m Evely n Lesli e (1809-1841) , 15t h Ear l o f Rothes . Hi s sister , Lad y Henriett a Anne Murra y ( d 1832) , ha d marrie d i n 182 7 Charle s Knigh t Murray . I n likenin g th e Ear l t o the 2n d Marques s o f Exete r (1795-1867) , D meant tha t h e wa s a sportsma n an d a man o f fash ion on a large scale . 26 I t ha d firs t bee n hope d tha t Joh n Wilso n Croke r coul d obtai n a nava l commissio n fo r James Disraeli. Bu t Croke r resigne d hi s Admiralty pos t i n Novembe r 1830 , an d th e D'Israelis ' atten tion shifte d t o other sources of influence . H A/IV/E/I, 17 . 27 Banker s an d merchant s o f Malta . Apparentl y D' s dealings wer e wit h James Ros s who , apar t from hi s busines s interests , serve d fo r a tim e a s th e Dutc h consu l genera l a t Malta . Hi s son' s correspondence indicates tha t th e elde r Ros s was still aliv e in 1852 . Janet Ros s ed Letters from the East b y Henry James Ross, 1837-1857 (1902 ) 161-7 . Donal d Sultan a ha s kindl y supplied informa tion abou t Ros s fro m document s i n his possession .
TO BENJAMIN AUSTEN Malta
, [Tuesday] 1 4 September 183 0
O R I G I N A L : B L ADD MS 45908 ff31- 2
COVER: [I n D' s hand]: A l Signe r I Signor Benjami n Auste n I PuMe Resum e I No. 4 Raymon d Buildings I Fiieiue. I Gray's In n I Angleterre London. [I n anothe r hand] : Ree d your' s yesterday and foun d this at the Post office al l well - Marc h zgth. POSTMARK: [illegible ] PUBLICATION HISTORY : Layar d 18 , 19 , 20 , undate d extracts ; M& B I 143-4 , 145 , 156 , undate d ex tracts; Jerman 110-13 , dated 1 4 September 183 0 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Her e D repeated muc h of wha t h e ha d tol d Sara h i n hi s letter to he r o f 9 August 183 0 (95). This letter is written on both side s of very thi n pape r throug h which the in k has penetrated. It i s particularly difficult t o read. Sic: burthern, blanke, Coliseum, agreable, relieve.
Malta. Septr 14 . 183 0 My dear Austen, I arrive d a t thi s place som e te n day s ago, an d foun d you r welcome letter amon g others, whic h ha d bee n awaitin g m e fo r months . Yo u kno w o f cours e tha t I changed m y plan s of trave l afte r ou r parting , an d tha t I hav e been wanderin g during th e summe r throug h th e Sout h o f Spain . I hav e bee n greatl y please d with wha t I hav e see n o f tha t interestin g country . I visite d i t a t a tim e whic h is not considered th e mos t judicious fo r travellers , but I can bear I believe any degree o f heat , an d passe d throug h a blazin g summer i n sigh t o f Afric a withou t any inconvenience . I travelle d throug h th e whol e of Andalusi a on horseback . I was neve r les s tha n te n hour s ou t o f th e twent y fou r o n m y steed , mor e tha n once I sa w the su n se t and rise , withou t quitting m y saddle, whic h few men ca n say, an d whic h I neve r wis h t o sa y again. I neve r sa w anything more sublim e than th e strait s of Gibraltar wit h Europe an d Afric a frownin g on eac h other, bu t our sultr y sister ha s the advantag e i n picturesque beaut y tho' bot h ar e ver y fine. The contras t betwee n a country wher e th e hedge s b e of aloe s i n bloom an d th e iron boun d coast s o f Falmout h wa s of cours e striking . I hav e sometime s see n two or thre e hundre d aloe s i n blooming compan y which wo[ul]d have delighte d Mrs. Austen . I visite d Cadiz, Seville , Cordov a an d Granad a amon g man y othe r cities whic h mus t no t b e name d wit h thes e romanti c towns . I saile d upo n th e Quadalquivir, I cheere d a t th e bul l fights , I live d fo r a wee k amon g brigand s and wandere d i n th e fantasti c hall s o f th e delicat e Alhambra . Wh y sho[ul] d I forget t o sa y that I ea t a n oli o podrida ? I wil l no t wear y you no w wit h tale s o f men o f buckram. The y mus t be reserve d fo r ou r fir e side . I entered a t Spai n a sceptic wit h regar d t o thei r robber s an d listene d t o al l thei r romance s wit h a smile. I lived to change m y opinion I t i s difficult t o conceive a mor e brilliant city tha n Cadiz . It s whit e walls an d verdan t jalousies sparkl e i n th e Sun . Figar o is i n ever y street , I and Rosin a i n ever y balcony . I a t lengt h foun d a countr y where adventure i s the commo n cours e o f existence, and fro m necessit y mus t be so. Al l travel b y night , an d i n arme d companies . A moo n s o brilliant that yo u might se e for miles , lights up a country alternately forme d o f sierras , o r moun tain passes , an d immens e plains . Merchant s i n armed bands , muleteer s defiling, a coupl e o f friar s secur e i n th e sanctit y o f thei r characte r an d thei r poverty , some lord s and ladie s o f hig h degre e with a military escort whic h always scampers of f a t th e firs t shot , thes e wit h a fe w adventurous traveller s lik e ourselves , form th e interestin g an d constan t groups . I n th e cities , th e Churc h i s stil l th e
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Royal Exchang e o f Assignations , an d throug h th e whol e war m nigh t th e 9 constant Castane t remind s yo u o f th e fascinatin g Fandango . Fro m Gibralta r I 1 arrived here , a plac e from whic h I expected littl e and hav e found much . Valetta surprises m e a s on e o f th e mos t beautifu l cities I hav e eve r visited , somethin g between Venic e and Cadiz . I was very much oblige d t o you and Layar d fo r you r letter t o Hankey , I gave it in preference t o others whic h I had. Si r Fred i s a fine fellow, an d spok e o f Layar d wit h grea t regar d bu t a s h e i s a t presen t i n th e country I hav e not see n muc h o f him . Cla y wh o i s here, an d who m I hav e no t seen fo r 3 years , an d wh o like s Layar d ver y much , desire s t o b e particularl y remembered t o him . Wit h regar d t o mysel f I hav e certainl y mad e ver y grea t progress, bu t no t enough . I hav e stil l illnes s enoug h t o mak e lif e a burthern , and a s m y grea t frien d th e Su n i s daily becomin g les s powerful , I dail y gro w more dispirited , an d resum e m y old styl e o f despair . Ha d I bee n cure d b y this time I ha d mad e u p m y min d t o join yo u i n Italy . A s i t is , I g o I kno w no t where, but d o no t b e surprise d i f you hea r something ver y strange indeed. 1 I I a m ver y anxiou s t o hea r fro m you . I shal l communicat e agai n ver y soon , and sho[ul] d hav e done before, ha d I known more o f your movement s and ha d I no t been leading such a restless life i n countries where t o find materials for letter writin g i s I assur e yo u n o eas y matter . Eve n at Granad a whe n I wante d t o write home , I wa s oblige d t o appl y t o a notar y fo r materials . Th e smal l po x rages her e s o desperately tha t the y hav e pu t i n a quarantine o f thre e week s at Sicily which has prevente d m y trip t o a n islan d I muc h desired t o visit. I hav e a great dea l t o sa y t o yo u o f infinit e smal l matter s whic h will no t tel l in a letter . May w e soo n meet. A s fo r myself , I hardl y kno w what t o say . All i s uncertai n and gloomy . Eac h da y I fee l mor e keenl y tha t withou t health lif e i s a blanke . Write t o m e abou t you r movements , i n orde r tha t i f possibl e I ma y mee t yo u and se e the Coliseu m b y moonligh t wit h Madame an d al l that. M y letters fro m England whic h I foun d her e i n a regula r bonanz a ar e al l very agreeable ones , which i s something. I was told her e by a perso n o f consideration tha t m y fathe r was to be in the ne w batch of baronets, bu t I suppose thi s is a lie. If i t be offere d I a m sur e h e wil l refuse , but I hav e n o ide a tha t it will. Th e Governo r her e i s a very agreabl e perso n Genera l Ponsonby , a brother o f Lad y Caroline Lamb. 2 Except t o him and Hankey , I have never give n any letters of introduction, a s I find so many friends here , som e travellin g like myself, som e quartere d i n regiments , and som e on board shi p and I have not recovere d m y gusto for society . We have a ver y good opera here , and altogethe r i t is a sort of place which , particularly in winter wo[ul]d be a desirable residenc e tho ' i t has not a single tree, but th e city is truly magnificen t full o f palace s worth y of Palladio . Talkin g o f Art ru n m y dear fellow t o Sevill e and fo r th e firs t tim e i n I your lif e kno w what a grea t artis t i s 1 I n hi s nex t lette r t o Austen , on 1 8 November 183 0 (103) , D was to tell him o f an earlie r resolv e 'to join th e Turkish arm y as volunteer in the Albania n war'. 2 Lad y Caroline Lam b (1785-1828), only daughter o f th e 3r d Ear l of Bessborough , i n 180 5 ha d married William Lamb, after 182 9 2nd Viscount Melbourne. She was notorious fo r he r tempes tuous affair wit h Byron , and ha d separate d fro m her husban d i n 1825.
8 I 159 4 Sep 1830
160 I 99 Murillo , Murillo, Murillo! After all, I believ e these Spaniard s ar e th e to p o f th e 17 Sep 183 0 tree . I hav e become a n inveterat e smoker . Ar e yo u no t surprised ? Conceiv e m e with a Turkis h pip e seve n fee t lon g puffin g o n a sofa . Barrow, 3 who i s a Lieu tenant i n th e famou s frigat e th e Blond e just arrive d fro m Stambou l ( I wa s on the frigat e o n boar d whic h the y gav e th e gran d entertainmen t t o th e Turkis h authorities) presente d m e wit h thi s beaut y wit h a n ambe r mout h piece , an d a porcelain bowl . I fin d i t relieve m y head. I hav e als o a Meerschau m an d on e o f Dresden chin a set in silver, both presents . A m I not fortunate ? A thousand kin d remembrances t o Madame from yours ever BD 99 T
O [RALPH DISRAELI] Malta
, [Friday 17? ] September [1830 ]
O R I G I N A L : QU A 208
PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 68-74, undated , wit h change s an d omissions . R D prints thi s lette r afte r 100 and befor e 101. EDITORIAL COMMENT : Th e M S of thi s letter wa s damaged b y fire. The page s ar e charre d an d th e to p and lef t sid e o f each shee t i s cropped. Missin g words and part s of word s hav e been suggeste d wher e possible i n square brackets . Ralph omits wha t he cannot rea d an d censor s othe r sections . Dating: th e month i s legible i n th e M S a s i s the secon d numera l o f th e date . I n 10 0 o f 1 0 October 1830 , D told Isaac that he ha d lef t Malt a 'nearly three week s ago'. The dat e o f Friday 1 7 September woul d be consistent wit h th e intentio n state d her e o f leavin g Malt a 'next Wednesday ' (2 2 September). Sic: relieve, Lieutt., fuzileer, agreable , Corfou, inclose. 1
Malta. September [i?] 7 [1830 ]
Mashalla! Here I am smoking in an eas y chair a Turkish pip e [si]x fee t long with an ambe r mouth piec e an d a porcelai n bowl . [W]ha t a revolution ! Bu t wha t i f I tel l you that I no t only [A]av e become a smoker, bu t th e greates t smoke r i n [M]alta! Th e fact i s I fin d i t reliev e m y hea d an d therefor e [gi]ve th e Syriac , Lataki a o r Canastre2 (fo r we have a [Z)w]tc h Squadro n i n harbour) n o quarter . Barro w wh o [is] her e i n th e Blond e an d a mos t knowin g youn g Lieutt . [w]h o informe d m e the othe r night , whe n drunk , tha t [h e w]as sur e t o b e mad e a captai n i n 1 8 months, therefore ] [ther]eby irresistabl y remindin g m e o f John Falconer [... ] in Patronage,3 presented m e wit h the Turkish , [and] ha s give n m e a Meerschaum , and Anstruthe r [a ] most splendi d Dresden , gree n china se t in [most] mass y silver, an extremel y valuabl e pip e [ind]eed. Bu t ther e i s nothin g lik e a Meerschaum . [When I ] ge t int o thos e part s wher e I a m no t a t presen t [ / must] pic k one u p fo r you, whic h whe n skilfull y [done], wil l b e wort h a s man y pound s a s [nominall y 3 Se e 96112 . 1 Se e 93n7 (an d th e portio n of the tex t which tha t not e annotates) for th e circumstance s possibl y behind D' s adoption of thi s ter m as a nicknam e fo r Ralph . RD' s versio n adds an orthodo x salutation not presen t in the M S and move s 'Mashalla ' to the tex t (H L 68). In on e o f hi s notebooks , however , D ha s entered : 'Marshalla - a celebrate d Jewis h astron[ome]r at Bagdad. ' H A/ni/E/i/8. 2 Varietie s of tobacco . 3 John Falconer is the hea d of the Falcone r famil y in Maria Edgeworth's Patronage (1814).
cost shillings . I hav e spent some [w]eeks here. Ponsonb y the Governo r i s a [most] 9 charming fellow , an d ha s bee n mos t courteous [t o m]e. His wif e i s very ugl y an d 1 not ver y popula r [... ] being grand, bu t I rathe r lik e her . I [rfmje d ther e o n th e Tuesday an d o n th e Sunda y [/b/]lowing when Meredith also dined ther e [/«a]vin g been presente d b y Sir John Stoddart. 4 [We m]et most of the bes t people in Malt a [ther]e: Nex t day the y left tow n fo r Mafr a [ a scooting box whic h th e Governo r has sixtee n [mzjle s off , a considerabl e distanc e in thes e island s I [...] party have taken a box [there] i n which i s a great lounge. Do yo u remembe r i n ancien t day s i n Windsor , th e Roya l Fusileer s bei[ng ] quartered ther e an d Jame s swearin g that tw[o ] youn g Subs. Liddel l an d Lor d Amelius Pau[fe< ] wer e brother s o f hi s schoolfellow s an d al l that. 5 Ho w curious life is ! That Liddel l i[s] now quartered her e (bein g Senior Capt on th e Statio n in the absenc e o f Fitzclar[enc« ] wh o ha s gon e t o se e hi s Papa, 6 h e comma[nds] th e Regiment.), an d ha s becom e m y mo[.s( ] intimat e friend . H e i s th e Georg e Lid[dell] wh o act s al l th e Listoni c part s a t private ] theatrical s at Harringto n House7 and Nor[... ] theatre, and i s a most delightful party . He and anothe r fuzi leer by name Pery, the [future] Lor d Limerick, 8 are m y usual compafm'ons.] The y are bot h me n o f th e worl d and g[oorf ] compan y forming a remarkabl e [contrast] to al l their brothe r officers , fo r soot h t o [tell] a visi t t o Gibralta r and Malta , ou r two c[rack] garrisons , ha s quit e opened m y eyes to [the] rea l life an d characte r o f a militafzre] . B y heavens I believ e these fellow s ar e boy s till they are Majors , an d sometimes d[ora'£ ] eve n sto p then . Thei r ignoranc e of[tew ] i s astounding , onl y equalled by their e [...] I admiration of [res t of to p lin e of second shee t missing] The Societ y at Malt a i s very supefnor ] [z]ndee d fo r a Colony . I hav e received great attention s from everybody , but a t presen t mos t familie s ar e wha t i s called "in th e country " that i s living some dozen mile s awa y i n a sit e ver y muc h lik e a quarry withou t a tre e t o be seen , o r shrub s [«]noug h t o fee d thei r bees . There fore I se e littl e o f them, as it is impossible to visi t at thi s distance, [b]ut i n winter all agree that it is extremely [ajgreable. A wee k ago , I kne w no t wha t I [woul]d do . Al l is now settled . On Wednesda y 4 Si r Joh n Stoddar t (1773-1856) , edito r o f Th e New Times 1818-26 , chie f justice o f Malt a an d judge o f th e Admiralt y Court ther e 1826-40 . H e wa s known fo r hi s confidence i n th e capacity of the Maltes e to govern themselves . Harriso n Smit h Britain in Malta (Malt a 1953) l 80. See also 36n45 Th e record s d o no t revea l an y Lor d Ameliu s Paulet . Th e tw o young officer s o f who m Jame s had spoke n mus t hav e been Lor d Willia m Paule t (1804-1893) , fourth so n of the i3t h Marques s of Winchester , an d late r a field marshal, an d Georg e Augustu s Frederic k Liddel l (1812-1888) , fifth son of is t Baro n Ravensworth , then a captain i n the 3r d Regimen t o f Foot. Bot h ha d bee n lieutenants i n th e Roya l Fusiliers i n 1825 , the perio d to which D is referring. Arm y List. 6 Lor d Frederic k Fitzclarenc e (1799-1854), illegitimate so n of William iv, was a lieutenant colone l in the Roya l Fusiliers. 7 Th e Londo n residenc e o f Charle s Stanhop e (1780-1851) , afte r 182 9 4t h Ear l o f Harrington . He wa s a patro n o f th e stag e an d i n th e followin g year, 1831 , marrie d a well-know n actress, Maria Foote . A s Viscount Petersha m h e ha d bee n on e o f the mos t prominen t figure s i n society during th e Regenc y an d reig n o f George iv , and h e may well have staged privat e theatrical s o f the kin d t o which D refers. 8 Edmon d Henr y Per y (1809-1844) , after 183 4 Baro n Glentworth , then a lieutenant i n the Royal Fusiliers. I n 183 6 h e marrie d Ev e Mari e Villebois , a siste r o f Lad y Sykes . H e die d befor e hi s grandfather, an d s o never becam e Earl of Limerick .
9 I 161 7 Sep 1830
162 I 99 [m]ornin g I qui t thi s plac e wher e o n th e [wAJol e I hav e spen t ver y agreabl e 17 Sep 183 0 hour s i n [the] [y]ach t whic h Cla y ha s hire d an d i n whic h [he] intend s t o tur n pirate. Th e origina l [pl]an wa s t o hav e take n i t together , bu t [as] Meredit h wa s averse t o th e plan , we [have] becom e hi s passenger s a t a fai r [rate] an d h e drop s us wheneve r an d whereve r [we] like . Yo u sho[ul] d se e m e i n th e costum e [o f a] Greek pirate . A bloo d re d shir t with [silv]er stud s as big as shillings, an immens e [scajrf fo r girdl e ful l o f pistol s and daggers , [a ] red cap , red slippers , blue broad striped [... ] jacket and trousers . Excessivel y wicked! We shal l touc h a t Corfo u o n [pur]pose t o ge t th e letter s whic h com e ou t b y this [pack]el an d whic h Ros s wil l sen d o n immediately . I I [first lin e missin g a t top o f page ] al l letters mus t be sent o n t o Corfou. I wil l inclos e a direction. Thi s is th e las t regular lette r yo u wil l receive , perhap s th e ver y las t in direc t answe r but d o no t o n an y account ceas e t o write every packet, i n order tha[£ ] the chai n may be never broken, and that I may not return with the feeling s o f a stranger. Sir John Stoddar t i s an ass . Hi s Lad y th e mos t vulga r ol d washerwoman ] I ever met . Sh e bore d m e t o deat h a[bout] "Miss Porson" I could no t conceiv e who she meant . At last it came out \\hat] i t was something t o do wit h old [... ] Parsons, of who m I tol d he r I h[ad] n[ever] heard . Mrs . Seymour Bathurst 9 [i s an] interesting woman, but sh e ha s ][usi\ los t he r child , and ha s sinc e gone [to] Naples . I sat next t o old Mrs . Hankey 10 at dinner, who m they all make mu[c/i] of, but wh o is rather a n ol d fashione d affair . Ther e i s a Mrs . Pleydell Bouverie h[ere] wit h a pretty daughter . Th e fathe r Cap[£ ] I commanding11 [mos t o f is t lin e a t to p o f page i s missing] [et cum wz]ultis alii s q.n.p.l.e. 12 I a m sorr y [t o say] amon g the m a beauty ver y dangerous t o th e peac e o f You r unhapp y brother , bu t n o mor e o f that, and i n a few weeks I shall be bounding, an d perhap s seasic k upon th e blu e jEgean, and the n al l will be over. Nothin g like an emeti c in these cases . I fin d I have very little to tell you, for altho' each da y brings an infinit e dea l of nothings which might authorize [a ] record over a wood fir e i n the ol d [h]a\\, they are to o sligh t to bear [a]n y communicatio n but a n ora l [one]. S o let us hope tha t that ma y soo n [tak]e place . I ofte n thin k o f yo u all . [How] g o o n th e Norrises, 13 and th e Lor d Abbot? 14 [Ifyo]u hea r o f m y marriag e (o r death ) don' t believe [it] 9 Julia Bathurs t ( d 1877) , daughter o f John Pete r Hanke y (Si r Frederick' s brother), who i n 182 9 had marrie d L t Col Thomas Seymour Bathurs t (1793-1834) , third so n of the 3r d Ear l Bathurst . At this time Seymou r Bathurs t wa s military secretary t o the governor , his sister's husband. 10 A s D is usually accurate in th e wa y in whic h h e refer s t o women, 'Mr s H ' woul d probabl y b e Si r Frederick Hankey' s mother , Mrs Elizabeth Hankey , n£e Thompson. D coul d b e referrin g t o Si r Frederick' s secon d wif e (althoug h sh e woul d b e 'Lad y H') , wh o died i n 183 5 an d wa s described i n Burke' s a s 'a nativ e of Corfu' . I n 182 7 Henr y Fo x described her a s follows : 'His wife i s a Greek. Sh e is dreadfully fa t .. . but sh e i s lovely; her eyes , her teeth , her complexio n ar e th e fines t I ever saw almost.' The Ear l of Ilcheste r ed Th e Journal o f the Hon. Henry Edward Fox ... 1818-1830 (1923 ) 243. 11 Buncomb e Pleydel l Bouveri e (1780-1850) , secon d so n o f th e 2n d Ear l o f Radnor . H e wa s later colonel o f marine s an d vic e admiral . I n 180 9 h e ha d marrie d Louis a Ma y ( d 1852) . Thei r daughter Louis a ( d 1898 ) marrie d i n 1832 . 12 'E t cu m multi s alii s quibu s no n possu m loqu i ego ' - 'an d wit h man y other s to o numerou s t o mention.' 13 See igms . Th e Norrise s the n live d a t Hughenden , whic h man y year s late r wa s to becom e D' s home. 14 D' s nicknam e fo r Rober t Smit h (1752-1838) , is t Baro n Carrington , whose residence , near Bra denham, was Wycombe Abbey .
any mor e tha n I shal l our fathe r [6e]in g in th e ne w batc h o f Baronet s whic h [is] 10 here currentl y reported. 1 Clay i s immensel y improved , an d [a ] very agreabl e companio n indeed , wit h [sw]ch a valet ! Giovanni by name , Byro n [d]ied i n hi s arms , an d hi s mustachio s touch [t]he earth . Witha l mild a s a lamb , tho' I [he has two] dagger s alway s abou t his perso[n]. 15 Ou r yach t i s o f 5 5 tons , a n excellen t siz e fo r thes e seas , wit h a crew o f 7 men . Sh e i s a ver y strong se a boat an d bear s th e unpoetica l nam e o f Susan, whic h is a bore, bu t a s we can't alte r i t we have painte d i t out. An d no w my dea r bo y adieu. I enclose a letter t o Sa, 16 and Hanke y has promised t o sen d them free . I cannot sa y that I hav e made an y grea t progres s sinc e my last, but I am no t wor[.se ] an d muc h bette r indee d tha n whe n I left . Le[t] u s hop e goo d things. Your Mos t affec. broker ] B. Disrae[/i] You wil l continue t o send th e letter s on t o Malt a directed t o Hunte r & Ross. TO ISAAC DISRAELI Corfu
, [Sunday] 10 October 183 0 1O
O R I G I N A L : QU A ZO Q
COVER: I . Disrael i Esqre. I Bradenham House I Wycombe I Bucks. I [In anothe r hand]: E Barro w POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : [illegible] I NO.fillegible] I 1830 (2) Smal l orange four-pointed sta r PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 65-7, dated i o October 1830 , with omissions EDITORIAL COMMENT : Two-third s of pages 3 and 4 of the M S hav e been torn off, and th e to p quarter of pages 5 and 6 is also missing. Sic: Corfou, disagreable, aide camps.
Corfou Octobe r 10 . 183 0 My dearest father , I lef t Malt a nearly three weeks ago and als o left a letter fo r the packe t whic h was then hourl y expecte d an d whic h we imagined wo[ul] d reac h thi s islan d befor e us. T o ou r infinit e surpris e an d inexpressibl e mortification , it ha s no t eve n ye t arrived. Eithe r i t i s wrecked, o r pu t i n por t o r els e ha s bee n supersede d b y a sailing vessel - a t all events I must quit this place without hearing fro m you , but in case it do arriv e I write these hast y lines in addition t o m y monthly report. I f it arriv e i n a fe w days, I wil l hav e th e letter s sen t bac k t o Malt a and forwarde d to Constantinople , bu t i f not, the y mus t remain a t Malta . There is little communication between thi s place and th e Levant , but prett y constant a t Malta. On du e consideration, I canno t alte r m y previou s instruction s abou t writin g alway s t o Malta, a s I wo[ul] d infinitel y prefe r receivin g al l m y letter s month s afte r thei r date, than losin g one which breaks th e chain . We had a stormy, but no t disagre able, passag e here . I like a sailors lif e much , tho' it destroys th e toilette , and on e never feels , o r i s indeed, clean . This , tho' a poor village , is a mos t lovel y island , offering al l that yo u ca n expec t I from Grecia n scenery , gleaming waters, woody 15 This is D's first reference t o Giovann i Battist a Falcier i (1798?-1874) , otherwise know n a s Tita. Once Byron' s servant , in the summe r o f 183 0 h e entered th e servic e o f James Clay, and, later , of Isaa c D'Israel i at Bradenham . Se e also 9isn$. M&B I app A 383-5. 16 This letter has not been located.
0 I 163 0 Oct 183 0
O
164 I 100 isles , cypress , olive, vine, a clea r sky , an d a war m sun . Zant e i s I believ e even 10 Oct 1830 mor e beautiful , wit h the remnants of a decent Venetia n Town - Cephaloni a not so fine . Sant a Maura , the ancien t Leucadi a o f Sappho 1 I hop e t o see , an d th e barren Ithac a mus t no t b e forgotten . I a m disappointe d i n enterin g Albania, and visitin g Yanina and th e "monasti c Zitza" 2 fo r th e whol e country is in a stat e of insurrection . I a m gla d t o say the Port e ever y where triumphant . One o f th e rebel Beys , of Valona, 3 arrived her e a fugitive th e da y before us , with man y rich pipes an d pistol s but withou t his women . H e fle d i n suc h haste . I f th e Gran d Vizier wit h th e Turkis h arm y b e a t Prevesa , a s i s reported , I a m t o hav e th e honor o f bearin g hi m a lette r fro m th e "Lor d High " whic h I shal l present wit h my two aide camps, Clay and Meredith , and hop e t o get a pipe a t least. I am going u p t o th e Palac e now t o lear n I my fat e an d se e if for onc e i n m y lif e I a m t o be a n ambassador . Al l Nats 4 letter s hav e been ver y good . Tel l hi m s o with m y regards. Si r Frederick 5 receive d m e mos t courteously . H e ha s the reputatio n of great talents , tho' h e looks like Hartley i n the Innkeepe r i n the "£ioo Note" 6 Tomlinson7 of th e i8t h wh o i s much improved called on m e an d aske d m e t[o ] I [two thirds of pag e thre e i s missing] two dollars a day an d hel d ver y cheap altogether her e - describe d t o me as a most asinine braggadocio, an d a certain hig h personage hesitate d no t t o say , that h e ha d n o doub t th e Coun t ha d take n he r in, with lon g accounts of hi s palace an d villa , having neither. Si r John Franklin 8 is expected o n thi s station. We may probably meet. There i s a ver y grea t thin g whic h yo u [ca n do ] fo r m e I [two thirds o f pag e four, an d som e lines at the to p of page five are missing] I continu e muc h th e sam e - stil l infirm , bu t n o longe r destitut e o f hope . I wander i n pursui t o f healt h lik e th e immorta l exile i n pursui t o f tha t los t shor e which i s no w almos t glitterin g i n m y sight . Five years o f m y lif e hav e been al ready wasted , and sometime s I thin k my pilgrimage ma y be a s long as that [of ] Ulysses. Adieu m y dearest friend . 100 0 love s to all . I hop e m y letters dul y arrived. I 1 Leucadia , on e o f th e Ionia n islands , has a high clif f fro m which , according t o on e legend , Sap pho hurled hersel f t o her death . 2 Th e expressio n i s Byron's (Childe Harold I I 425), incorrectly transcribe d by Ralph Disrael i as 'romantic Zitza' . Zitz a was the hom e o f th e monaster y o f S t Elias. Willia m Martin Leak e Travels i n Northern Greece (1835 ) I V 92 . 3 A s D clearly wa s to revea l i n hi s lette r t o Auste n o f 1 8 November, h e wa s under th e misappre hension tha t ther e wa s such a perso n a s th e 'Bey o f Valona' . However , ther e wer e simultane ously severa l beys , o r nobles , o f Valona . Tw o prominen t one s o f th e previou s decad e wer e Is mael Be y and Beki r Bey . Gabriel Remeran d Alt Tebeien Pacha dejanina, 1744-1822 (Paris 1928 ) 230, 240 . 4 Nathanie l Basev i (1792-1869) , D' s cousin ; h e wa s th e firs t Jewish-bor n barriste r t o practis e i n English courts. Basevi famil y tree , Jewish Museum ; Blake 9. 5 L t Gen Si r Frederick Ada m (1781-1853) . Fro m 182 4 to 183 2 h e wa s lord hig h commissione r t o the Ionia n Islands , an d fro m 183 2 t o 183 7 governo r o f Madras . H e wa s also colone l o f th e 73rd Foo t 1829-35 , anc > ne became a general in 1846 . 6 Th e £100 Note, a farc e b y Richar d Brinsle y Peak e (1792-1847) , produced i n 1827 . Bartle y i s presumably th e actor Georg e Bartley (i782?-i858). 7 Nichola s R . Tomlinson was then a lieutenant i n the i8t h Foot. 8 Si r John Frankli n (1786-1847) , arcti c explorer .
enumerated thei r respectiv e date s i n th e las t Malta letter. Write withou t ceasing. 10 1 I 165 BD 2 5 Oct 183 0 TO ISAAC D'ISRAELI Prevesa
, [Greece] , [Monday ] 25 October 183 0 1
O R I G I N A L : QU A 21 O
COVER: I . Disrael i Esqr. I Bradenham House I Wycomb I Bucks. PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 75-95, date d 2 5 Octobe r 1830 . Th e bul k o f th e lette r wa s reproduce d verbatim in Contarini Fleming part v chs 10 , 14. EDITORIAL COMMENT : D' s enthusiasm for th e cultur e o f th e Nea r Eas t (Turkish , Jewish an d Ara b alike) steadil y mounted throughou t thi s tour. H e ha d alread y emphasized the Mooris h influence a s underlying th e fascination s o f Spain , an d hi s sympathie s were furthe r define d a s h e approache d Greece. Undoubtedly the majorit y o f Englishmen, educated t o regard Greec e as the cradle of western civilization an d reinforce d b y the romanti c example of Byron' s death, woul d unhesitatingl y have expressed thei r support fo r Christia n Greece in its struggle for freedo m fro m Mohammeda n Turkey. D, equally unhesitatingly , took th e opposit e position . While th e ide a o f Greec e seeme d occasionall y t o conquer, as in the las t passage s of thi s letter, the cal l of the Eas t reasserted itself . H e sa w the Port e as the las t bulwar k of a civilizatio n t o whic h h e seeme d instinctivel y t o respond , an d whos e continuing appeal extende d fa r beyond these letters - t o Alroy, Tancred, th e 'Asian Mystery ' and even to the Congress o f Berli n forty-eigh t year s later . Sic: Corfou, agreable , accomodation , Gazel, journeyd, sate , Moslemin, hav e drank , tipsey , rased , buzzeed , th e the , Scheik , seiges, antichamber , groupes, Red schid, cheif, arabesques, St.James, lacqueys, the Pete r the Great, Gulph.
Prevesa. Octobe r 25 . 183 0 My dearest father , I wrot e t o Ralp h fro m Malta , and t o you fro m Corfou , an d lef t th e letter s t o be forwarded b y the Octobe r packe t whe n i t arrived, i f i t ever did , o f whic h today there is a report here . I t wa s so late afte r it s time tha t i t was quite despaire d of . Doubtless howr . yo u hav e receive d m y letter s b y som e sourc e o r other . I ment[ione]d i n m y lette r t o yo u tha t ther e wa s a possibilit y of ou r payin g th e Grand Vizie r a visi t a t hea d quarter s a t Yanina , th e Capita l o f Albania . Wha t was then probabl e has since become certain . W e sailed fro m Corfo u t o this plac e where w e arrived o n th e elevent h Inst . an d foun d a most hospitabl e an d agrea ble friend i n the Consu l Genl. Mr . Meyer, 1 to whom Si r Frederick ha d give n m e a ver y war m letter . H e i s a gentlema n o f th e ol d school , wh o ha s move d i n a good sphere , an d ha s grea t diplomati c experienc e o f th e East . H e insist s upo n our dinin g wit h hi m ever y day , an d wha t i s even stil l mor e remarkable , pro duces a cuisin e whic h wo[ul] d no t b e despicabl e i n London , bu t i n thi s savag e land o f anarchy i s indeed a s surprising a s it is agreable. As th e movement s o f hi s Highnes s wer e ver y uncertai n w e los t n o tim e i n commencing ou r Journe y t o Yanina . W e saile d u p t o Salor a ( I mentio n thes e places becaus e yo u wil l be alway s able t o trac e m y route i n you r ne w maps) an d on th e mornin g o f the fourteenth , a company o f si x horsemen al l armed, se t off for Arta , wher e w e foun d accomodatio n read y fo r u s i n a hous e belongin g t o the Consulate . Arta , onc e a tow n as beautiful as its situation, i s in ruins - whol e streets razed t o th e groun d an d wit h the exceptio n o f the Consulat e House , re 1 Willia m R. Meye r wa s British consu l i n Albania . ER 1828, 1834 .
01
166 I 101 buil t since, scarcel y a tenemen t whic h wa s no t a shell . Her e fo r th e firs t tim e I 25 Oct 1830 repose d upo n a Divan , an d fo r th e firs t tim e hear d th e Muezzi n fro m th e Minaret, a ceremony whic h is highly affecting, whe n performed , a s it usuall y is, by a ric h an d powerfu l voice . Nex t mornin g w e pai d a visi t t o Kali o Bey 2 th e Governor onc e th e wealthiest , an d no w one o f the mos t powerful , Albanian nobles. He ha s ever been faithfu l t o the Porte , even during th e recen t insurrection, which was an affai r o f the grea t bod y o f the Aristocracy . W e found hi m keepin g his state, whic h in spit e o f th e surroundin g desolation , wa s not contemptible , in something no t muc h better tha n a larg e shed . I canno t describ e t o you the awe with which I first entered th e diva n of a Great Turk, or th e curious feelings with which fo r th e firs t tim e in m y life I foun d mysel f squatting on th e righ t han d o f a Be y smoking an ambe r mouthe d chibouque , drinkin g coffee, an d payin g him compliments throug h a n Interpreter . H e wa s a ver y handsome , statel y man grave bu t no t dull , an d remarkabl y mil d an d blan d i n hi s manner, whic h may perhaps b e ascribe d I to a recent imprisonmen t i n Russi a where howeve r he wa s treated wit h great consideration , whic h he mentione d t o us. H e was exceedingly courteous an d woul d no t le t us depart, insistin g upon ou r repeatin g ou r pipes , an unusua l honor . A t length w e set off fro m Art a wit h an Albania n of hi s body for ou r escort , ourselve s an d guide s si x in numbe r an d tw o Albanians who took advantage o f ou r company . Al l these Albanian s are arme d t o th e teeth , wit h daggers, pistols , and gun s invariabl y richly ornamented, an d sometime s entirel y inlaid with silver, even the barrel. Thi s was our processio n An Albanian o f the Bey s guard, completel y armed , 2 Turkish Guide s with the baggage , Three Beyasdeers Inglases , or son s of English Beys, armed, afte r their fashion . Giovanni covered wit h mustachios and pistol s Boy carrying a Gazel An Albanian completel y armed. The Gaze l mad e a capita l object , bu t gav e u s a grea t dea l o f trouble . I n thi s fashion, w e journeyd over a wild mountain pass , a range of th e ancien t Pindus , and 2 hours befor e sunse t havin g completed onl y half ou r cours e i n spit e o f all our exertions , w e foun d ourselve s a t a vas t bu t dilapidate d Khan, 3 a s bi g a s a Gothic castle , situate d o n a hig h rang e an d buil t as a sor t o f halfwa y hous e fo r the traveller s by Ali Pacha 4 when hi s long, sagacious , an d unmoleste d reig n ha d permitted hi m t o tur n thi s unrivalle d countr y whic h combines al l the excellen cies of Southern Europ e an d Wester n Asi a t o some o f th e purpose s fo r whic h it is fitted . Thi s Kha n ha d no w bee n turne d int o a militar y pos t an d her e w e found a young Be y to whom Kali o had give n u s a letter i n case o f our stoppin g 2 H e i s the subjec t of the chapte r 'Th e Be y of Arta ' in Contarini Fleming. 3 Arabic word fo r th e sor t o f inn which D described elsewher e b y the Persia n ter m 'caravanserai' . 4 Know n as th e 'Lio n o f Janina', Al i Pasha (1744-1822 ) wa s one o f severa l overmight y subjects who challenge d th e Port e earl y i n th e nineteent h century . T o Byron , h e wa s 'Albania's chie f and a romanti c figure . A more mundan e an d griml y explicit account o f thi s remarkabl e ma n and hi s deeds i s found i n th e Re v T.S. Hughe s Travels i n Greece an d Albania zn d e d (1830 ) II . Hughes visite d Al i Pasha five years afte r Byron .
for a n hour . H e wa s a ma n o f ver y pleasin g exterior, bu t unluckil y co[ul] d no t 10 understand Giovanni' s Greek, an d ha d n o Interpreter . Wha t wa s t o b e done ! 2 We co[ul] d no t g o on , a s ther e wa s not a n inhabite d plac e befor e Yanin a an d here wer e w e sitting before Sunset , o n th e sam e Diva n wit h ou r hos t wh o ha d entered th e plac e t o receiv e us , an d wofulj d no t leav e the roo m whil e we were there, I without th e powe r o f communicatin g an idea . W e wer e i n despair , an d we were also very hungry, and co[ul] d not therefor e i n the cours e of an hou r o r two plea d fatigu e as an excus e fo r sleep , fo r w e were ravenous , an d anxiou s t o know wha t prospec t o f foo d existe d i n thi s wil d an d desolat e mansion . S o we smoked. I t i s a grea t resourc e - bu t thi s wor e out , an d i t wa s s o ludicrou s smoking, an d lookin g a t eac h other , an d dyin g t o talk , an d the n exchangin g pipes by way of compliment, and the n pressin g ou r han d t o our hear t b y way of thanks. Th e Be y sat e i n a corner , I unfortunatel y next , s o I ha d th e onu s o f mute attentio n an d Cla y nex t t o me . S o h e an d M . co[ul] d a t leas t hav e a n occasional joke, tho' o f course w e were too well bred t o exceed a n occasiona l and irresistible observation . Cla y wante d t o pla y Ecarte, an d wit h a grav e face , as if we were a t our devotions , bu t just as we were abou t commencin g it occurred t o us tha t w e ha d som e brandy , an d tha t w e wo[ul] d offe r ou r hos t a glas s a s i t might b e a hin t fo r wha t sho[ul]d follo w t o s o vehement a schnaps . Mashallah! had th e effec t onl y taken plac e 183 0 year s ago, instea d o f i n th e presen t ag e of scepticism, i t wo[ul] d hav e bee n instantl y voted a firs t rat e miracle . Ou r mil d friend smacke d hi s lips, an d instantl y asked fo r anothe r cu p - w e drank i t in coffee cups . B y the tim e that Meredit h had returned , wh o had lef t th e hous e o n pretence o f shooting , Clay , ou r hos t an d mysel f ha d despatche d a bottl e o f brandy i n quicke r tim e an d faire r proportion s tha n I eve r di d a bottl e o f Burgundy and wer e extremely gay. Then h e wo[ul]d drink agai n with Meredith and ordere d som e figs, talking I must tell you all the time , indulging i n the most graceful pantomime , examinin g our pistols , offering us his own golden one s fo r our inspection , an d finall y - makin g ou t Giovanni s Gree k enoug h t o misunderstand mos t ludicrousl y ever y observatio n w e communicated . Bu t al l was taken i n goo d part , an d I neve r me t suc h a jolly fellow i n th e cours e o f I my life. I n th e meantime , w e were ravenous , fo r th e dr y round , unsugar y fig , i s a great whetter . A t last we insisted upon Giovann i communicating our wants , an d asking fo r bread . Th e Be y gravely bowe d an d sd . "Leav e i t t o m e - tak e n o thought" an d nothin g mor e occurred . W e prepare d ourselve s fo r hungr y dreams, whe n t o ou r grea t deligh t a mos t capita l suppe r wa s brough t i n accompanied t o our great horro r by wine . We ate - w e drank - w e eat with our fingers - w e drank i n a manner I never recollect - th e wine was not bad, but if i t had bee n poison , w e must drink, i t was such a compliment fo r a Moslemin , we quaffe d i t in rivers - th e Bey called fo r the Brandy - w e drank i t all - th e room turne d round , th e wil d attendant s wh o sat at ou r fee t seeme d dancin g i n strange an d fantastic whirls, the Bey shook hand s wit h me, he shouted Englis h I Gree k - "ver y good " h e ha d caugh t u p fro m u s - "Kalo , Kalo, " wa s my rejoinder - H e roared - I smacked hi m on the back - I remember n o more. In the middl e o f the nigh t I woke. I foun d mysel f sleeping o n the Divan , rolled u p in its sacred carpe t - th e Bey had wisely reele d t o the fire - th e thirst I fel t was
1 I 167 5 Oct 1830
i68 I 101 lik 25 Oct 1830 th
e tha t o f Dive s - al l were sleepin g except two , who kep t up durin g th e nigh t e grea t woo d fire . I ros e lightl y steppin g ove r m y sleepin g companions , an d the shinin g arms tha t her e an d ther e informe d m e that the dar k mas s wrapped up i n a capot e wa s a huma n being . I foun d I Abraham's boso m i n a flago n o f water. I thin k I mus t hav e drank a Gallon at th e draught . I looke d a t th e wood fire, an d though t o f th e blazin g blocks in th e Hal l at Bradenham , aske d mysel f whether I wa s indee d i n th e mountai n fastnes s o f a n Albania n chief , an d shrugging m y shoulders, went to sleep and wok e without a headache . We lef t ou r jolly host with regret. I gave him m y pipe as a memorial of having got tipsey together. Next da y havin g crossed on e mor e stee p mountai n pas s we descended int o a vast plai n ove r whic h we journeyed fo r som e hours , th e countr y presentin g th e same mournfu l aspect which I had too long observed - village s in ruins and per fectly uninhabited , caravansera s deserted , fortresse s raze d t o th e ground , oliv e woods burn t up . S o complete ha s been th e wor k of destruction , tha t yo u ofte n find your horse s course o n th e foundatio n of a village without being aware of it, and wha t at first appears th e dr y be d o f a torrent turn s ou t t o be th e backbon e of th e skeleto n o f a ravage d town . At th e en d o f th e plai n immediatel y backed by ver y lofty mountains , and jutting int o the beautifu l lake, that bear s it s name, we suddenly came upo n th e Cit y of Yanina - suddenl y for a long track of grad ually risin g ground ha d hithert o conceale d i t from ou r sight . At the distanc e we first behel d it , thi s cit y onc e i f no t th e largest , on e o f th e prosperou s an d th e most brillian t in th e Turkis h dominions , stil l looke d imposin g bu t whe n we entered, I soo n foun d tha t al l preceding desolatio n ha d onl y been preparativ e t o the vas t scen e o f destructio n no w befor e me . W e proceede d throug h a stree t winding in it s course, bu t o f ver y great I length t o ou r quarters . Ruine d houses , mosques wit h thei r towe r onl y standing , street s utterl y rase d - thes e ar e noth ing. We met grea t patche s of ruin a mile square a s if a swarm of locust s had ha d the powe r o f desolatin g th e work s of ma n a s wel l a s thos e o f God . Th e grea t heart o f the cit y was a sea of ruin. Arche s and pillars , isolated, and shattere d stil l here an d ther e jutting forth , breakin g th e uniformit y o f th e desolation , an d turning th e horribl e int o th e picturesque . Th e grea t bazaar , itsel f a little Town , was burnt dow n onl y a fe w months since , when a n infuriat e ban d o f Albania n soldiers hear d o f th e destructio n o f thei r chief s by the Gfrand ] Vizier . Bu t while th e cit y itsel f presented thi s mournful appearance it s other characteristic s were anything but sad . At this moment a swarming population, arrayed i n every possible an d fancifu l costume , buzzee d an d bustle d i n al l directions . A s w e passed on , an d yo u ca n easil y believe no t unobserved , wher e n o "mylords Ingles" (as regular a word amon g th e Turk s a s the Frenc h an d Italians ) had bee n see n for mor e tha n nin e years , a thousand object s attracted m y restless attention an d roving eye. Every thing was so strange an d splendid , tha t fo r a moment I forgo t that this was an extraordinar y scen e eve n fo r th e East , and gav e up m y fancy t o a ful l credulit y in the no w obsolete magnificenc e of Oriental Life . Militar y chieftains clothe d i n th e mos t brilliant colors, an d mos t show y furs, and attende d by a corteg e o f officer s equall y I splendid, continuall y passed u s - no w for th e th e first time a Dervis h saluted m e an d no w a Delh i with his high ca p reine d i n his
desperate stee d a s the suit e of some Pach a blocked up th e turnin g of the stree t - 10 the Albania n costum e to o i s inexhaustibl e in it s combinations , an d Jew s an d 2 Greek priest s mus t no t b e forgotten . I t seeme d t o m e tha t m y firs t da y i n Turkey brough t befor e m e al l the popula r characteristic s of whic h I ha d read , and whic h I expecte d I occasionall y might se e during a prolonge d residence . I remember thi s ver y da y I observe d a Turkis h Schei k i n hi s entirel y Gree n vestments, a Scribe with his writing materials in hi s girdle, an d a littl e old Gree k physician, who afterwards claimed my acquaintance on th e ple a o f being able to speak English , tha t i s t o say , h e coul d coun t nin e o n hi s fingers , n o furthe r (literally a fact) . I gaze d wit h a strang e mingle d feelin g o f deligh t an d wonder . Suddenly a strange , wild , unearthl y drum i s heard, an d a t th e en d o f th e stree t a hug e camel , t o m e i t seeme d a s larg e a s a n elephant , wit h a slav e sittin g crosslegged o n it s neck and playin g an immense kettle drum, appear s and , is the first o f a n apparentl y interminabl e processio n o f hi s Arabia n brethren . Th e camels wer e ver y large , the y move d slowly , an d wer e man y i n numbe r - I sho[ul]d thin k there migh t have been betwee n 6 0 and 10 0 one b y one. I t wa s an imposing sigh t - al l immediatel y I hustled ou t o f th e wa y of th e Carava n an d seemed t o shrink under th e soun d o f the wil d drum . This procession bor e cor n for th e Vizier s troops encampe d withou t the wall . It i s in vai n that I attemp t t o conve y t o yo u al l tha t I saw , and fel t thi s wondrous week . T o lioniz e and b e a lio n a t th e sam e tim e i s a har d fate . Whe n I walked ou t I wa s followe d b y a crowd , when I stoppe d t o bu y anything , I wa s encompassed b y a circle . Ho w shal l I conve y to yo u a n ide a o f al l th e Pachas , and al l the Aga s and al l the Selictars 5 who m I hav e visited and wh o have visited me - al l the coffe e I sipped , al l the pipes , I smoked , al l the sweetmeat s I dev oured. Bu t ou r gran d presentatio n mus t no t be omitted . A n hou r havin g bee n fixed fo r th e audience , w e repaire d t o th e celebrate d fortres s palac e o f Ali , which, th o greatl y battere d b y successiv e seiges, i s stil l inhabitable , and ye t af fords a ver y fai r ide[a ] o f it s old magnificence . Having passed th e gate s o f th e fortress w e found ourselve s i n a numbe r o f smal l streets lik e thos e i n th e liber ties of the Tower o r any other ol d castle - Al l full o f life, stirrin g and excited then w e came t o a Gran d Place , i n whic h o n a n ascen t stand s th e Palace . W e hurried throug h court s an d corridor s al l full o f guards an d pages and attendan t chiefs an d i n fac t ever y specie s o f I Turkish population , fo r i n thes e countrie s one hea d doe s everythin g and w e with ou r subdivisio n of labo r an d intelligen t and responsibl e deputie s hav e n o idea o f th e labo r o f a Turkis h Premier . A t length w e cam e t o a vast , irregula r apartmen t servin g a s th e immediat e anti chamber t o the Hal l of Audience. Thi s wa s the finest thing I hav e ever ye t seen . In th e whol e course o f m y life I neve r me t anythin g so picturesque an d canno t expect t o do s o again. I do no t attemp t t o describe it , but figur e t o yourself the 5 A 'pacha' o r 'pasha ' wa s originally the titl e o f a militar y commander , bu t b y thi s tim e various grades o f senio r administrators , includin g Europeans i n th e servic e of th e Porte , wer e s o described. An 'aga' wa s a Turkish gentleman . Neither office no r nobilit y was implied. A 'selictar' was an official mor e senio r than th e literal meaning 'sword-bearer' would suggest.
1 I 16 9 5 Oct 1830
170 I 101 larges t chambe r tha t yo u eve r wer e perhap s in , ful l o f th e choices t groupes o f 25 Oct 1830 a n Orienta l population , eac h individua l waitin g b y appointmen t fo r a n audience, an d probabl y abou t t o wai t fo r ever . I n thi s roo m w e remained , attended b y the Austrian Consul6 who presented u s about ten minutes , too short a time . I neve r though t tha t I co[ul] d hav e lived to hav e wished to hav e kicke d my heel s i n a minister s antichamber. Suddenl y we are summone d t o th e awfu l presence o f th e pilla r o f th e Turkis h Empire , th e ma n wh o ha s the reputatio n of bein g th e mai n sprin g o f th e ne w syste m o f regeneration , th e renowne d Redschid,7 a n approve d warrior , a consummat e politician , unrivalled as I a dissembler i n a country where dissimulation is the principa l portio n o f thei r mora l culture. Th e Hal l wa s vast, buil t b y Al i Pach a purposel y t o receiv e th e larges t Gobelin carpe t tha t wa s eve r made , whic h belonge d t o th e chei f chambe r i n Versailles and wa s sold t o him i n the Revolution . It i s entirely covered wit h gilding an d arabesques . Her e squatte d u p i n a corne r o f th e larg e diva n I bowe d with al l the nonchalanc e of St . James St . to a little , ferocious looking, shrivelled, care wor n man , plainl y dressed wit h a brow covered wit h wrinkles , and a countenance cloude d wit h anxiet y and thought . I entere d th e shedlik e Diva n o f th e kind an d comparativel y insignificant Kalio Be y wit h a feelin g of awe . I seate d myself o n th e Diva n o f the Gran d Vizier , who as the Austria n Consul observed, has destroyed , i n th e cours e o f th e las t thre e month s no t in war , "upward s o f four thousan d o f m y acquaintance" , wit h th e self-possessio n of a mornin g call . At a distance fro m us , in a group o n hi s lefthand wer e hi s secretary an d hi s immediate suit e - th e en d o f the saloo n wa s lined b y lacqueys in waitin g wit h a n odd nam e whic h I no w forge t an d whic h yo u wil l I fin d i n th e glossar y o f Anastasius.8 Some compliment s no w passe d betwee n us , an d pipe s an d coffe e wer e the n brought b y four of these lacquey s - the n hi s H[ighne]ss waved his hand an d in a instant th e chambe r wa s cleared. Ou r conversatio n I nee d no t repeat . W e congratulated hi m on th e pacificatio n of Albania. He rejoined tha t th e peac e o f th e world wa s his only objec t an d th e happines s o f mankin d hi s onl y wis h - thi s went o n fo r th e usua l time. H e aske d u s n o question s abou t ourselve s o r ou r country a s th e othe r Turk s di d bu t seeme d quit e overwhelme d wit h business, moody an d anxious . Whil e we wer e wit h him , thre e separat e Tartar s arrive d 6 Som e o f th e consul' s correspondence o f 1825- 6 wa s intercepted b y the Britis h an d i s preserved in the Ionia n Island s section o f th e record s of the Colonia l Office . C.W . Crawle y Th e Question of Greek Independence (Cambridg e 1930 ) i5n . Th e document s (PRO ) indicat e tha t th e consul , a t least immediatel y before D' s visit, was Vincenzo Micarelli . 7 Reshi d Mehme t Pasha , als o know n as 'Kutahia' ( d 1836) , was grand vizie r of th e Ottoma n Em pire, c 1829-34 . Afte r distinguished servic e i n Greec e an d hi s successful suppressio n o f th e Al banian insurrection , h e was himself defeate d an d take n prisone r b y the Egyptian s at th e battl e of Konie h i n Decembe r 1832 . H e ende d hi s caree r a s commander-in-chie f (seraskier ) o f th e Sultan's force s in Asi a Minor . This grand vizie r is not t o be confused wit h Reshid Mustaph a Pasha, th e reformin g vizie r of th e 18405 . John Burk e Th e Official Kalendar for 1830 (1830) col 840 ; Peter J. Burk e e d Th e Royal Register .. . for MDCCCXXXI (nd ) 186 ; J.B. Capefigu e L'Europe depuis I'avenement du ro i Louis-Philippe (Pari s 1846 ) VI I ch 3 ; Harol d Temperley England and th e Near East: The Crimea (1936 ) 10 , 542. 8 Th e lackey s i n question wer e 'Koords' , mountaineer s of Anadoly , sai d t o be th e bodyguard s of the Asiati c pashas . Thomas Hope Anastasius, or Memoirs o f a Greek (1820 ) II 237n .
with dispatches . What a life ! an d wha t a sligh t chance fo r th e gentleme n i n th e 10 antichamber. 2 After th e usua l time we took our leave , and pai d a visit to his son Amin Pacha, a youth of eighteen, but wh o looks ten year s older an d wh o is Pacha of Yanina.9 He i s the ver y revers e o f hi s father - incapabl e i n affairs , refine d i n hi s manners, plunge d i n debaucher y an d magnificen t in dress . Covere d wit h gol d an d diamonds h e bowe d t o u s wit h th e eas e o f a Duk e o f Devonshir e and sai d th e English were the mos t polished o f nations . I But al l these visit s must really be re served til l w e meet. W e foun d som e Turk s extremel y intelligent who reall y talk about th e Pete r th e Great , an d al l that , wit h considerabl e gout . Wit h on e o f these, Meheme t Aga , Selicta r t o th e Pach a o f Lepanto , an d a n approve d war rior, w e became grea t friends. 10 H e showe d u s hi s new books of militar y tactics , and a s h e too k a fanc y t o m y costume, insisted upo n m y calling to se e hi s uniforms, whic h he get s mad e i n Italy , and whic h really wo[ul]d no t disgrac e th e loth. I forgo t t o tell you, that with the unite d assistanc e of my English, Spanish an d fancy wardrobe , I sported a costume in Yanina which produced a most extraor dinary effec t o n tha t costum e lovin g people . A grea t man y Turk s calle d o n purpose t o see it - bu t th e littl e Greek physician , who had passe d a year a t Pisa in hi s youth , nearl y smoke d m e - "Questo vestito Inglese o di fantasia?" h e aptly asked. I oracularl y replied "Inglese e fantastica"[,]}l I I writ e you thi s fro m tha t Ambracia n Gulp h wher e th e sof t Triumvi r gaine d more glor y by defeat, tha n attend s th e victor y of harshe r warriors. 12 The sit e is not unworth y of th e beaut y o f Cleopatra . Fro m th e sinuosit y of th e land , thi s gulph appear s lik e a vas t lak e walled in o n al l sides by mountains, more o r les s distant. Th e dyin g glor y o f a Grecia n Ev e bathe s wit h war m ligh t a thousan d promontories, an d gentl e bays , and infinit e undulation s o f purpl e outline . Be fore m e i s Olympus, whose auster e pea k glitter s ye t i n th e Sun : a ben d o f th e land alon e hide s fro m m e th e island s o f Ulysse s and o f Sappho . Whe n I gaz e upon thi s scene , I remembe r th e barbari c splendor , an d turbulen t existence , which I hav e just quitted, wit h disgust. I recur t o the feelings , in the indulgenc e of whic h I ca n alon e fin d happiness , an d fro m whic h I an inexorabl e destin y seems resolved to shut me out. Pray writ e regularl y as , sooner o r later , I shal l receive al l your letter s - an d write fully . A s I hav e no immediat e mod e o f conveying this safely t o England , I shall probabl y kee p i t i n m y portfoli o til l I ge t t o Napoli , and sen d i t throug h Mr. Dawkins[.] 13 9 Th e Times ( 2 Oc t 1830) , i n reportin g a massacr e o f rebel s a t Janina, calle d hi m 'Emi r Pacha' . Other source s render th e nam e a s 'Amir', but al l versions agre e tha t thi s perso n wa s the gran d vizier's elder son, th e younger being name d Ibrahim . 10 Contarini Fleming part v ch 1 4 adds some details about this warrior . 11 'I s your costum e English o r th e produc t of your ow n fancy?' 'I t is both Englis h an d fanciful. ' 12 Of f th e promontor y o f Actium , at th e mout h o f th e Ambracia n Gulf , where Octavia n defeate d the fleet s o f Anton y an d Cleopatr a i n 31 BC . 13 Edwar d Jame s Dawkin s wa s appointe d Britis h Residen t i n Greece , 1 1 Novembe r 1828 . H e served a s ministe r plenipotentiar y t o Greec e 1833-5 , anc ' the n lef t th e service . D . Daki n Th e Greek Struggle for Independence 1821-1833 (Berkele y an d Lo s Angeles 1973 ) 268 .
1 I 171 5 Oct 1830
172 I 103 A 18 Nov 183 0 y
102 T
thousan d love s to all, r m[os] t affe c BD
O HENRY COLBURN [Nauplia
, Greece], [Thursday] 1 8 November 1830
ORIGINAL: PRI N Parris h Collection A M 1576 7 COVER: Henr y Colburn Esqre I Northumberland Place I New Roa d I private. London POSTMARK: (i ) I n oval : IO.F.NOON.I O I 21.J A I x 183 1 x (2 ) I n packet : T.P i charin g Cros s (3 ) Larg e nu meral: 2 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Naupli a ha d bee n captured b y the Greek s from th e Turk s i n December 1822, and wa s used a s th e centr e o f Gree k administratio n until i t move d t o Athen s in 1833 . I t wa s stil l known b y it s old titl e o f Napoli , t o whic h D has appende d it s location in th e ol d Turkis h provinc e of Romania.
Napoli di Romani a I Nov. 18. 183 0
Henry Colbur n Esq My dear Sir , I sen d yo u b y our Minister s bag a n accoun t o f m y visit t o th e hea d quarter s o f the Gran d Vizie r during th e Albania n Insurrectio n - whic h will for m a n inter esting articl e fo r th e C[ourt ] J[ournal]. ' I hav e writte n i t i n a manne r a s littl e egotistical a s a persona l narrativ e ca n wel l be , an d I be g yo u wil l no t mak e i t more so . I hav e engaged wit h m y tw o companions 2 a yach t whic h i s th e onl y mode o f travel for thi s interesting sea . Tomorrow I sai l to Athens, and intend , if wind wil l favor me, to pass my Christmas and th e winte r months at Constantino ple. I d o no t se e by th e newspapers , u p t o th e loth . Ulto: , tha t hav e reache d me , that th e Y[OUNG ] D[UKE ] i s yet advertised. 3 I ver y muc h fea r tha t yo u ar e injuri ously procrastinating it s appearance. Believe me, dear Sir, Yours truly B. Disraeli 103 T
O BENJAMIN AUSTEN [Nauplia
, Greece], [Thursday ] 1 8 November [1830 ]
ORIGINAL: B L ADD MS 45908 ff33~ 4 COVER: Benj : Auste n Esqr I Raymond Buildings I Grays Inn I London I PRIVAT E POSTMARK: (l ) I n oval : 10.F.NOON.1 0 I 21.JA I X 1831 X (2) I n packet : T.P. I Charing Cros s PUBLICATION HISTORY : Layar d 21 , undated extract ; M& B I 158-9 , undated; Jerman 113-15 , dated 1 8 November [1830] EDITORIAL COMMENT : Ther e i s no signature . Sic: Corfou, Spacteria, arabia n nights, Pylus, Navarin, french.
1 ' A Visit to the Gran d Vizier ' appeared in The Court Journal n o 9 2 (2 9 Jan 1831 ) 66-7 . 2 James Clay and Georg e Meredith . 3 D had submitte d hi s M S of Th e Young Duke to Colbur n befor e h e lef t England , but th e nove l wa s not publishe d unti l April 1831 .
Napoli di Romani a I Nov. 18. 10 My dear Austen , 1 As I hav e unexpectedl y a mod e o f conveyin g letters t o Englan d I writ e yo u a few lines . I wrot e t o yo u a t Florenc e fro m Malta , an d wa s on th e poin t o f dis patching yo u anothe r letter , when I accidentall y met you r frien d Mrs . Christie 1 at Corfo u wh o informed m e that yo u had renounce d you r intentio n of travel. I was not surprise d a t this, tho'-very sorry to hear it. When I wrot e to yo u last, I ha d som e thoughts , indee d ha d resolved , t o join the Turkis h arm y as volunteer i n the Albania n war. I foun d howeve r on m y arrival at Corfou , whithe r for thi s purpose I ha d repaired , instea d o f goin g o n t o Egypt, tha t th e Gran d Vizier , whil e al l your newspaper s wer e announcin g th e final los s o f Albani a t o th e Porte 2 ha d proceede d wit h suc h surprisin g energy, that th e war , which ha d begu n s o magnificently, ha d alread y dwindled int o a n insurrection. I waite d a wee k at Corfo u t o se e how affair s wo[ul] d turn out , a t the en d o f whic h came Schiem [?] Bey one o f th e principa l rebels flying for ref uge, an d afte r him , th e Be y of Valona 3 and som e others . Unde r thes e circumstances, I determine d t o tur n m y intended campaig n int o a visi t o f congratula tion t o hea d quarters , an d Si r Frederick Ada m gave me a letter an d wit h Meredith an d Clay , our servant s and a guard o f Albanians, we at las t reached Yanina the capita l of th e Province . I I can giv e you n o ide a i n a letter o f al l the Pacha s and al l the Selictar s and al l the Agas , that I have visited and visite d me, all the pipe s I smoked, all the coffe e I sipped , al l the sweetmeat s I devoured. I mus t reserve unti l we meet matte r fo r many a chat. Eve n the gran d audienc e can onl y b e glanced at . Fo r a week I was in a scene equa l to anything in the arabian nights - suc h processions, suc h dress es, such cortege s o f horsemen , suc h caravans of camels. Then th e deligh t of being made much o f by a man wh o was daily decapitating half the province . Ever y morning w e pai d visits , attende d reviews , an d cramme d ourselve s with sweet meats, every evening dancers and singer s were sent to our quarter s by the Vizier or som e Pacha. We hav e hire d a yach t which is the onl y mod e o f trave l fo r thi s sea , wher e every headlan d an d ba y i s the sit e of somethin g memorable , and whic h is studded wit h islands which demand a visit . We were a week at the scen e of Codring ton's blood y blunder, 4 I Navarino, a superb , perhap s unrivalle d harbour , wit h 1 Wif e of James Christie I I (1773-1831), o f th e well-know n family o f art an d boo k auctioneers . 2 Report s in The Times came mainly fro m Belgrad e and wer e abou t a month behind events. Thu s the issu e o f 1 7 September carrie d tw o brief reports . The first , date d 4 August , anticipate d th e defeat o f th e Turks ; th e second , of 2 7 August , reporte d th e massacr e o f fou r hundre d o f th e rebels at Bitoglia, otherwis e know n as Monastir . 3 Schie m Bey may well hav e been one of the bey s of Valona . See icong. 4 Si r Edwar d Codringto n (1770-1851 ) wa s the admira l o f th e Britis h forc e which , wit h Frenc h and Russia n squadrons , entere d th e Gree k harbou r o f Navarin o o n 2 0 October 182 7 an d de stroyed th e Turkis h fleet. D's interpretation agreed wit h the ungratefu l vie w held b y Wellingto n and th e Torie s tha t i t wa s an 'untowar d event" . Th e Whig s an d th e Radical s ha d applaude d Codrington's action . Fo r a surve y o f politica l reactio n t o Navarin o se e Lad y Bourchie r e d Memoir o f the Life o f Admiral Si r Edward Codrington (1873 ) " '78-83.
3 I 17 3 8 Nov 1830
174 I 104 th 30 Nov 1830 th
104 T
e celebrated Spacteri a o n on e sid e and ol d Pylu s on th e other. 5 Here we found e Frenc h i n thei r glory . The y hav e alread y covere d th e scen e o f Sparta n suf fering wit h cafe s an d billiar d rooms , an d mak e dail y picnic s t o th e grott o o f Nestor.6 Navari n looks exactly like a frenc h Village . From Navarino , after visit ing Modon , an d sailin g by the ba y of Coron , th e Promontor y o f Malea , Cerigo , a beautifu l island , w e reached Napoli . Her e w e hav e bee n thre e o r fou r day s and afte r visitin g Argos, Mycena e and Corinth , w e shal l sai l fo r Athen s an d i f the win d favo r us pas s our Xma s at Stamboul . Al l this is pleasant enough , bu t I cannot sa y tha t I a m advance d a s muc h a s I c d desire , bu t thi s i s a subjec t o f which i t i s vain t o think . I dre w upo n yo u fro m Malt a £100 . an d wil l writ e before I draw again . A 100 0 remembrances t o Madam e and Louis a wh o I trust ar e quit e well. I am quite a Turk, wea r a turban , smok e a pip e si x feet long , an d squa t o n a Divan. Mehemet Pach a tol d m e tha t h e di d no t thin k I wa s an Englishma n becaus e I walked 5 0 slow. I n fac t I fin d th e habit s o f thi s calm I and luxuriou s peopl e en tirely agre e wit h m y ow n preconceive d opinion s o f propriet y an d enjoyment , and I detes t th e Greek s mor e tha n ever . I d o no t fin d mer e Travellin g o n th e whole ver y expensive , but I a m ruine d b y m y wardrobe. Yo u hav e n o idea o f the rich an d variou s costume of the Levant . When I was presented t o the Gran d Vizier I mad e u p suc h a costum e fro m m y heterogeneou s wardrobe , tha t th e Turks, wh o are ma d o n th e subjec t of dress , wer e utterl y astounded . Ami n Pacha sen t a Colonel t o kno w whether m y dress wa s English, and I I had a regular crowd roun d ou r quarters , an d ha d t o come forwar d an d bo w like Don Miguel and Donn a Maria. 7 Nothin g wo[ul] d persuad e th e Greek s tha t w e wer e no t come abou t th e ne w Kin g an d I reall y believ e tha t i f I ha d 25OOo £ t o thro w away I might increase m y headache b y wearing a crown.8 O ISAAC D'ISRAELI Athen
s and Constantinople , [Tuesday] 3 0 November 183 0
O R I G I N A L : QU A 21 1
COVER: I . Disrael i Esquire I Bradenham House I Wycombe I Bucks. POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : E ? IJAZO I 1831 PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 96-102, dated 3 0 November 1830, with omissions and change s EDITORIAL COMMENT : The bul k of th e lette r wa s written in Athen s and durin g th e voyag e to Con stantinople, where D added a postscript and wher e he posted it . Sic: encreasing, french . 5 Durin g the first phase of the Peloponnesia n War , the Athenian s a t Pylo s destroyed o r capture d several hundre d Sparta n hoplite s o n Sphacteria , the islan d tha t almos t block s th e Ba y of Pylos , scene of the Battl e o f Navarino . 6 Accordin g to Homeri c legend Nesto r wa s son of Kin g Neleu s o f Pylos . 7 I n 182 8 Do m Miguel , brothe r o f th e Empero r o f Brazil , usurpe d th e crow n o f Portugal , de priving the chil d Queen, Donna Mari a d a Gloria . D' s use of this stylistic device is of the sam e or der a s his earlier compariso n o f a young Tur k t o th e Duk e o f Devonshir e (101) . An y member of a European royal family woul d serv e to make th e parallel . 8 Leopol d of Saxe-Coburg had refuse d th e throne of Greece in June of that year; Prince Otho of Bavaria ha d ye t to accept it.
Athens. November 30 . 183 0 10 My dearest father , 3 I wrot e yo u a ver y lon g lette r fro m Prevesa , an d forwarde d i t to yo u fro m Na poli throug h Mr . Dawkin s bag. Yo u have doubtless receive d it . As you probabl y wo[ul]d be disappointed, i f you did no t als o receive one fro m th e "cit y of the Violet Crown", 1 I si t down befor e w e sai l fro m th e harbou r o f Piraeus , t o le t you know, that I am stil l in existence. We sailed fro m Preves a through th e remainin g Ionian island s amon g whic h was Zante, preeminen t i n beauty ; indee d the y say none o f th e Cyclade s ar e t o b e compare d t o i t wit h its olive trees touchin g th e waves, and it s shores undulatin g i n every possibl e variety. For abou t a fortnigh t we wer e fo r eve r sailin g on a summe r sea , alway s withi n two or thre e mile s o f the coas t and touchin g at every island or harbou r tha t invited. A cloudless sky, a summer atmosphere , an d sunset s like the nec k o f a dove, complete d al l the en joyment whic h I anticipate d fro m rovin g i n a Grecia n sea . W e wer e oblige d however to keep a sharp loo k out for Pirates, wh o are all about agai n - w e exercised th e cre w ever y day wit h muskets , an d thei r encreasin g prowess , an d ou r own pisto l exercise, kep t u p ou r courage . We sailed roun d th e coas t o f the Mor ea, visiting Navarino, which has become quit e a little french tow n with cafes an d billiard tables , Modon , an d Napoli . From her e w e mad e excursion s t o Argos , Mycenae and Corinth . Napol i is a bustling place for Greece . Argo s is rising from its ruins . Mycena e ha s a ver y ancien t tom b o r templ e o f th e tim e o f thei r ol d kings, mass y a s Egypt , an d Corint h offere d t o u s a scen e which , both fo r it s beauty an d associations , wil l not easil y be forgotten . Fro m Napol i we had a very quiet passag e t o thi s memorabl e place . Novembe r her e ha s bee n warme r tha n our bes t Englis h summers , bu t thi s i s unusual. Neve r wa s such a seaso n know n all agree . I On th e afternoo n o f ou r arriva l i n Piraeus , whic h is about si x miles from th e city , I climbe d a smal l hil l formin g a sid e o f th e harbour . Fro m i t I looked upo n a n immens e plai n covere d wit h olive woods and skirte d b y moun tains. Som e isolate d hill s rise a t a distance fro m th e boundin g ridge . O n on e o f these I gaze d upo n a magnificen t templ e bathe d i n the sunse t - a t th e foo t of the hil l wa s a walle d cit y o f considerabl e dimension s - i n fron t o f whic h was a Doric templ e apparentl y quit e perfec t - th e violet sunset, and to day the tint was peculiarly vivid , thre w ove r thi s scen e a colorin g becomin g it s beauty , and , i f possible, increasin g it s delicate character . Th e cit y was Athens, but independen t of al l reminiscences, I neve r witnesse d anythin g s o trul y beautiful , and I hav e seen a great deal . We wer e fortunat e - Th e Acropoli s whic h has been shu t fo r nin e year s was open t o us , th e firs t Englishmen . Athen s i s still i n th e powe r o f th e Turks , bu t the Grecia n commission 2 t o receiv e it , arrived a shor t tim e befor e us . Whe n we 1 Athen s was first called th e 'Violet-Crowne d City ' by Aristophanes. Th e nam e involve d a comic play o n words : Io n (ancien t Greek fo r violet ) was one o f th e earl y representative king s of Athens and th e cit y became know n as King Ion's cit y or 'th e city wit h Io n crowne d (it s king)'. Th e pun, translate d int o English, became 'Violet-Crowned City ' (or King Violet's city). 2 Th e bod y set up b y Great Britain , France an d Russi a unde r th e Treat y o f Londo n t o establish the boundarie s o f th e independen t stat e o f Greece . C.W . Crawle y Th e Question o f Greek Independence (Cambridg e 1930 ) 204.
4 I 175 0 Nov 183 0
1761104 entere d th e cit y w e foun d ever y hous e roofless , bu t reall y befor e th e war , 30 Nov 1830 moder n Athen s mus t hav e bee n n o commo n town . Th e ancien t remain s hav e been respected . Th e Partheno n an d th e othe r temple s whic h ar e i n th e Acropolis, hav e necessaril y suffered durin g th e siege , bu t th e injur y i s only in the detai l - th e genera l effec t i s not marre d - w e saw hundreds o f shells and balls lyin g amon g th e ruins. 3 The templ e of Theseus 4 look s at a shor t distance , as i f i t wer e just finishe d b y Pericles . Gropius , a wel l know n character, wa s th e only civilise d bein g i n thi s almos t uninhabited town , an d wa s our excellen t Cicerone. I We have just returne d fro m a n excursio n int o the country , to Marathon etc. I can giv e you n o idea o f th e sever e hardshi p an d privatio n o f presen t Grecia n travel. Happ y are w e to ge t a she d fo r nightl y shelter, and neve r hav e been for tunate enoug h t o fin d on e no t swarmin g with vermin. M y sufferings i n thi s way are great , an d s o are poo r Clays , bu t Meredit h escapes . Ou r foo d mus t no t b e quarrelled with , for w e lived for a week on th e wil d boar o f Pentelicus, 5 and th e honey o f Hymettus , both ver y good ; an d I d o no t car e fo r privatio n in thi s respect, as I have always got my pipe - bu t th e want of sleep fro m vermin , and literally I di d no t slee p a win k th e whol e time I wa s out, i s very bad , a s i t unfit s you fo r dail y exertion . We foun d a wil d boa r jus t kille d a t a littl e villag e and purchase d hal f o f it but i t is not a s good a s Bradenham pork . We hav e been a t Egin a fo r a coupl e o f days . A favorable wind has risen , an d we are of f fo r Stamboul. We hav e had a mos t splendi d vie w o f Sunium : it s columns looked lik e undri ven snow , and are now among th e clustering Cyclades - sixtee n island s in sight, and w e are makin g ou r cours e eas t amon g th e hear t o f the m - ou r passag e promises wonderfully. We hav e reached th e Dardanelles - a capital passage - wha t a road t o a great city - narrowe r an d much longe r tha n th e straits of Gibraltar, but not with such sublime shores . Asi a and Europ e loo k mor e kindl y on eac h other , tha n Europ e and he r mor e sultr y sister. The breez e ha s again sprun g up . W e have ye t one hundre d an d thirt y mile s to Constantinople . It i s near sunse t an d Const , i s in ful l sigh t - i t baffle s al l description, tho ' s o often described ; a n immens e mas s of buildings, cupolas, cypress, groves and mi narets. I fee l an excitement , which I thought wa s dead. I loth. December . [Constantinople ] George Seymour, 6 I am sorr y to say, left thi s place two months ago fo r Florence , 3 Havin g surrendered Athen s in 1822 , the Turks ha d recapture d th e cit y in 182 6 and th e Acrop olis in 1827. 4 Th e bes t preserve d o f th e ancien t buildings of Athens , the Templ e o f Theseus was built c 465 BC, and wa s thus older tha n the Parthenon . 5 Thi s sound s lik e a mythical beast, but apparentl y it was quite real. 6 Georg e Hamilto n Seymou r (1797-1880) , diplomat , appointed ministe r residen t a t Florenc e i n November 1830 . H e was later ministe r to the Belgia n Court.
where he i s appointed Ministe r but othe r friend s promise, tho' thi s is provoking. 10 The Ambassador' s ba g goe s of f i n a fe w hours ; thi s lette r mus t therefor e b e 2 shorter tha n intended . I hav e just go t a pil e of papers . Wha t universal gloom! but I thin k under n o circumstances War . I ca n sa y no mor e a t present , bein g pressed t o th e utmost , but wil l write very soon. I have received n o letters since the Malt a one, date d th e end o f July, nor coul d I - bu t the y will all reach m e very soon , an d surely . Pray write regularly . I continue , I thin k mending , bu t hav e mad e n o grea t mov e these las t two months - whic h makes me low. A thousand love s to all Your most affec So n B. Disraeli TO ISAAC DISRAELI [Constantinople
, Thursday 23 ? December 1830 ]
ORIGINAL: QU A 21 5
COVER. I . Disrael i Esquire I Bradenham House I Wycomb I Bucks. POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : D I JA.31 I 1831 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Thi s lette r wa s omitted fro m Ralp h Disraeli' s edition, its contents bein g redistributed to the conflate d postscrip t of the printe d version of 109 . EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sit: inclose .
My dear father , Meredith wishin g me t o inclose a letter, I add a few lines. I d o no t writ e by this opportunity becaus e b y writing too often I am unable t o give any results - bu t will communicat e full y befor e I leav e thi s place , whe n I hop e I ma y be abl e t o speak satisfactoril y about m y return. Yo u wil l b e gla d t o hea r tha t Georg e Sey mour's absenc e ha s bee n o f n o disadvantag e t o me , as the Ambassado r ha s re ceived m e with a kindness which I shall always remember wit h gratitude. I t i s almost impossible for hi m to have done more, whateve r ties existed betwee n us. I hav e just go t thro ' a pil e o f Galignanis . Wha t a confusion ! Wha t a capita l Pantomime "Lor d Mayor' s Day, or Harlequi n Brougham!" 1 Your most affec Son BD All your letter s hav e been sent on to Alexandria. I long to be there. Continue t o write regularly. 1 Th e Britis h new s o f Novembe r centre d o n th e resignatio n o f Wellington' s administration , th e cancellation (owin g to political unrest) o f the King' s traditional visi t to the Cit y on 1 0 November and th e elevatio n o f Henr y Brougha m (1778-1868 ) t o th e pos t o f lor d chancellor . Thi s mos t brilliant an d mos t difficul t o f Whig politician s thu s becam e Baro n Brougha m an d Vau x - a ludicrous turn of events, coming o n th e heel s o f his initial truculent refusa l of the chancellorship . Galignani's Messenger (Paris ) no s 4886-9 8 ( i 1-25 Nov 1830) . D was not on e t o wast e a goo d lin e on a single correspondent. He used i t again i n 10 6 to Austen, and i n 10 7 to Bulwer.
5 I 177 3 Dec 1830
105
106 T
O BENJAMIN AUSTEN Constantinople
, [Monday] 27 December 183 0
O R I G I N A L : B L ADD MS 45908 H^-^6
COVER: Benjn . Auste n Esqr I Raymond Buildgs I Gray s Inn, I Londo n POSTMARK: (i ) I n oval : IO.F.NOON.I O ! I.F E I x 183(1 ] x (2 ) I n packet : T. P I Charing Cros s (3 ) Larg e nu meral: 2 PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 2O2 , undate d extract ; Jerman 115-16 , dated 2 7 December 1830 .
Constantinople Decemr . 27th. 183 0 My dear Austen, I wrot e to you fro m Napol i some si x weeks or tw o months ag o by the Minister's bag. Yo u hav e doubtles s received th e letter . I wrot e t o Mrs . Austen a fe w days back, but i t is probable yo u wil l receive this first as hers ha s been forwarde d b y a private hand, an d thi s goes by an extraordinar y bag . I do no t therefor e ente r i n to muc h detail abou t m y whereabouts - bu t mak e thi s a letter o f business, a s I have not forgotte n yo u impressed upo n me , to give due notic e of drawing. Since I wrot e last , I hav e drawn upo n yo u on e hundre d pounds , vizt . 7 5 on Hunte r and Ros s of Malt a an d 2t)£ o n Messrs . Hanson o f thi s place. 1 Th e las t bil l wil l eventually mee t thi s i n case , fro m mos t improbabl e circumstances , th e deb t i s not previousl y discharged . I t i s probabl e tha t I ma y dra w anothe r hundre d pounds upo n yo u - n o more under an y circumstances. After wha t passed I between us upo n thi s subject, I hav e n o fals e delicac y in s o doing, altho ' I hav e not for gotten, and shal l never forget, your generous friendship . Let me hea r fro m you directed t o Hunte r an d Ros s at Malta, who will forward the lette r t o any part o f the Levan t I may be in. I hop e t o return soon . I sho[ul] d be gla d t o retur n immediately . What a confusion yo u ar e al l in. I hav e just go t thro' a batch o f Galignanis . What a capital Pantomime i t wo[ul] d mak e - "Th e Lor d Mayor' s day, o r Harlequi n Broug ham". I a m entirel y destitut e o f new s fro m hom e - sinc e Jul y - i n fac t I kno w nothing, all my letters I having been sen t o n t o Alexandria . I scribble this at the Palac e with scarcely a moment allowed me. Ever Yrs BD 1 D carried a genera l lette r o f introductio n t o a lon g lis t o f financia l house s i n tha t par t o f th e world, including 'Charles S. Hanson' at Constantinople. H A/IV/E/i i. A yea r previously , th e pres s carried a notic e o f the marriag e o f Charles Simpso n Hanso n of Constantinople. Hanso n & Co were th e correspondent s in Constantinople and Smyrn a fo r J. & R. McCracken of London . Murray's Handbook for Turkey gr d ed (1854) .
TO EDWARD LYTTON BULWE R Constantinople
, IQ'J [Monday] 27 December 183 0
ORIGINAL: HC R D/EItOj/l
COVER: Edwar d Lytton Bulwer Es q I 36 Hertfor d Street I May Fai r I London. POSTMARK: (i ) O n th e bac k o f th e cover , in oval : 8.MORN . 8 1 I.F E I x 183 1 x (2 ) On th e fron t o f th e cover, in packet : [T.P] I Charing Cros s (3) Larg e numeral: 2 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Lytton (1883) II 322-3, dated 2 7 December 1830 EDITORIAL COMMENT . Sic: boring of saloons , sooner that.
Constantinople. Dee r 27 . 183 0 My dear Bulwer, In spit e o f th e extraordinar y time s and engrossin g topic s on whic h we have fallen, I flatte r mysel f you wil l be gla d t o hear o f m y existence, an d tha t tha t existence i s in a state not quite so forlorn, as when I last had th e pleasur e o f enjoying your society . Sinc e the n I hav e travelle d throug h Spain , Greec e an d Albania , and a m no w a resident i n this famous city. I canno t easil y express ho w much I was delighted wit h the firs t country . I n o longer wonde r a t th e immortalit y of Cervantes , an d perpetuall y detected i n th e picturesque an d a l fresc o lif e o f hi s countrymen, th e source s o f hi s inspiration . The Alhambr a an d othe r Saraceni c remains , th e innumerabl e Murillos , an d above al l thei r oll a podrid a i n I turn delighte d m e - I arrive d a t Malt a tim e enough t o nam e th e favorit e horse fo r thei r race s "Pau l Clifford", 1 an d I hav e since learnt b y a letter a t this place, that he won the plate . While a t th e littl e Militar y hot house, 2 I hear d tha t Albani a was in a flamin g insurrection, an d alway s havin g had a taste fo r a campaign, I hurried of f wit h a couple o f friends t o offer ou r service s to the Gran d Vizier . We found th e insur rection b y the tim e of our arriva l nearl y crushed, an d s o turned ou r militar y trip into a visi t o f congratulatio n a t I headquarters. I mus t reserv e fo r ou r meetin g any accoun t o f m y visit. I certainl y passe d a t Yanin a ten o f th e mos t extraordi nary day s of m y life, an d ofte n wishe d that you had bee n my companion . Of al l the place s tha t I hav e visited, Athens mos t completel y realize d al l that I co[ul]d hav e wished . The plac e require s n o association s to rende r i t one o f th e most delightfu l i n th e globe . I a m no t surprise d tha t th e fin e tast e of th e dwel lers i n this delicate lan d shoul d hav e elected th e oliv e for thei r chose n tree , an d the viole t for their favorit e flower. I I confess to yo u tha t m y Turkish prejudice s ar e ver y much confirmed b y my residence i n Turkey. Th e lif e o f this people greatly accord s wit h my taste, which is naturall y somewhat indolen t an d melancholy , an d I d o no t thin k woul d dis gust you . T o repos e o n voluptuou s ottomans , an d smok e super b pipes , dail y to indulge i n th e luxurie s o f a bath whic h require s hal f a doze n attendant s fo r it s perfection, t o cour t th e ai r i n a carve d caiqu e b y shore s whic h ar e a continua l scene an d t o fin d n o exertio n greate r tha n a cante r o n a barb , i s I thin k a fa r 1 Afte r Bulwer' s novel of 1830 . 2 'Tho u littl e military hothouse'. Byron's 'Farewel l to Malta ' 46.
180 I 108 mor e sensibl e lif e tha n all the bustl e of clubs, and all the borin g of saloon s I - all 9 Jan 183 1 thi s without any colorin g an d exaggeratio n i s the lif e whic h ma y b e her e com manded accompanie d b y a thousand source s of calm enjoyment and a thousan d modes o f mellowe d pleasure , whic h it wo[ul]d weary you t o relate , an d whic h I leave to your own livel y imagination. I can say nothing about ou r meeting , but pra y that it may be sooner tha t I can expect. I send yo u a tobacco bag, that you may sometimes remember me . If eve r you hav e leisur e t o writ e me a line , anything directed t o Messrs. Hunter and Ross Malta, wil l be forwarde d t o whatever part o f th e Levan t I I may resid e in . I men d slowly , bu t mend . Th e season s hav e greatl y favore d me[. ] Continual heat, an d eve n here a summer sky, where the winte r is proverbially severe . Remember m e most kindly to your brother3 - an d believe me my dear Bulwer Yours most faith[ful]l y Benj. Disrael i I hav e just go t thro' a pil e of Galignani's. What a confusion! an d wha t an excel lent Pantomim e - "Lord Mayor's Day, or Harlequin Brougham" - Oh ! for the days of Aristophanes and Foote , or even Scaramouch - Dam n the Licenser. 4 I I hav e just been informe d tha t i t is questionable whethe r I can forwar d thes e letters wit h th e parcel . I therefor e sen d the m b y th e Ambassador's 5 bag , bu t I fear tha t yo u will receive them lon g before Mrs . Bulwer does he r slippers . 1OO T
O SARA AUSTEN Constantinople
, [Sunda y 9] January 183 1
O R I G I N A L : B L AD D MS 45908 lftf-8
COVER: Mrs . Austen I 32 Guildfor d Street I London PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 165, undated extract; Jerman 117-19 , dated 9 January 183 1 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: th e M S show s evidence of '10 ' havin g been writte n first, and o f a heavier '9' havin g been writte n over th e zero, the Y remainin g uncorrected. Th e dat e thu s appears t o be 'Jan 19' . However , compariso n wit h 10 9 (whic h als o state d D' s intentio n of leavin g Constantinople in the very near future ) and wit h the itinerary reported i n n o woul d seem t o rule out 1 9 January as being too late for thi s letter. Jerman's datin g has therefore been adopte d a s the one most consistent with the know n facts . Sic: Careatides, Bosphorous , Easter, Bythinia .
Constantinople Jan 19 . 1831
My dear Mrs . Austen, Some thre e week s ago I sen t yo u fro m thi s place a pair o f slipper s an d a letter ;
3 Willia m Henr y Lytto n Bulwe r (1801-1872) , Whi g M P an d diplomat , Edward' s elde r brother , who, afte r hi s KC B i n 1843 , was known a s Sir Henr y Bulwer . Th e yea r befor e hi s death h e was raised t o th e peerag e a s Baro n Bailin g an d Bulwer . I n 183 0 h e wa s an attach ^ a t th e Hagu e and wa s elected M P for Wilto n i n that year . Later he hel d a series of ambassadorial posts . 4 D was blaming th e lor d chamberlain' s censorship fo r a declin e i n th e livelines s o f Britis h thea tre. I t wa s not a tim e of grea t politica l satir e on th e stag e and D obviously fel t tha t th e actiona ble satires of Samue l Foot e (1720-1777), or eve n th e milde r far e o f th e commedia dell'arte, woul d enliven politica l comment . 5 Si r Rober t Gordo n (1791-1847) , fift h so n of Georg e Gordon, Lor d Haddo , presented hi s cre dentials a t th e Port e i n July 182 9 an d wa s recalled becaus e o f poo r healt h i n Septembe r 1831 . He later serve d a s ambassador i n Vienna 1841-6 . Hi s eldest brother , the 4t h Ear l o f Aberdeen, was late r prim e minister . S.T . Bindof f e t al ed s British Diplomatic Representatives, 1789-1852, Camden Society (1947) , 3rd ser , 50 , 169 .
the latte r wa s som e day s afte r returne d t o m e a s it s compan y migh t hav e 10 rendered th e receip t o f the forme r problematical . I have kept it by me since, but 9 as I hav e ha d n o opportunit y o f forwardin g it to you unti l s o long afte r it s date , I sen d thi s a s a substitute . I hav e bee n her e a mont h an d lik e th e plac e exceedingly, altho' th e Franks 1 are unfortunatel y so gay, that instea d o f residin g in a n easter n city , you migh t reall y fancy yoursel f i n all the bustl e and bor e of a London season . Th e Carniva l has no w commenced, an d rage s s o terribly tha t I intend t o leave this place immediately. Of al l that I hav e ye t visited , nothing ha s mor e completel y realized al l that I imagined an d al l that I could hav e wished than Athens . Independen t of associations, i t i s the mos t beautifu l assemblage o f al l that i s interesting i n ar t an d na ture. Ha d an y o f th e house s boaste d a roo f I shoul d certainl y have remained , but tho ' th e cit y yet makes an importan t featur e i n the distan t landscape, succes sive siege s hav e rendere d i t quite a n uninhabite d shell . After bein g close d nin e years t o th e curiosit y o f travellers , th e Acropoli s wa s opened no t nin e day s before m y arrival . Whe n I you remembe r tha t beside s th e Parthenon , thi s heigh t boasts th e ric h remain s o f tw o other temples , an d amon g the m th e fa r fame d Careatides,2 yo u wil l b e please d a t m y goo d fortune . Th e ancien t relic s hav e been respecte d durin g th e struggl e b y all parties an d are littl e injure d - a s the old acropoli s i s the moder n Citadel, an d s o strong tha t i t is still i n the possessio n of th e Turk s i t ha s o f cours e no t escape d quit e harmless . Man y wer e th e ball s and shell s I stumble d over , whe n wanderin g amon g it s columns. Thes e pillar s are her e an d ther e a littl e chipped , bu t th e principa l feature s ar e no t injured . The smal l but beautifu l temple o f Theseus without the wall s ha s been quit e un touched, an d i s altogether s o perfect , tha t t o m y sigh t i t look s just finishe d b y Pericles. Description i s an acknowledge d bore , therefore I sa y nothing o f Constantino ple, save that i n this, as in all other instances , yo u can for m n o ide a o f the objec t in question bu t b y sight. Cypres s groves an d mosquis h cupolas, masse s of habitations an d minaret s growin g out o f water s intersectin g th e cit y an d covere d wit h innumerable carve d boat s an d al l teemin g wit h huma n being s i n th e brightes t I and mos t fancifu l costume , whe n groupe d b y you r livel y fanc y wil l giv e yo u a better ide a tha n hal f a doze n elaborat e pages . Th e caiqu e i s not unlik e a gon dola bu t gaye r an d eve n mor e swift ! Th e golde n Hor n is a branch o f the Sea not unlike th e Gran d Canal , bu t th e Bosphorou s ca n b e likene d t o nothin g bu t it self. Th e vie w o f th e Euxin e whe n nea r it s termination i s the mos t sublim e an d mystical affair tha t I remember. I n shor t al l here is very much lik e life i n a Pan tomime o r Easte r Tal e of Enchantment, which I think very high praise . I depar t fo r Egyp t i n a fe w days, an d i f I mak e a s muc h progres s ther e a s 1 I n th e Ottoma n Empire , European s wer e generally so described. Th e ter m Fran k ('e l Frangi' ) was applied , i t seems , t o Russian s as wel l a s t o wester n Europeans , bu t Greek s appea r no t t o have come unde r th e label . Charles MacFarlane Constantinople i n 1828 (1829) I 46; Cap t Charle s Colville Frankland R N Travels t o and from Constantinople i n the years 182 7 and 1828 (1829) II 181. 2 Th e si x figure s o f maiden s o r 'caryatids ' whic h suppor t th e porc h a t th e southwes t corne r o f the Erectheum on the Acropolis.
8 I 181 Jan 183 1
i8a I 109 her e shal l not complain . Th e sprin g I trus t wil l confir m m y convalescence , an d 11 Jan 183 1 i f so , wil l brin g m e back . I a m quit e i n ignoranc e o f you r movements , a s m y letters hav e all been forwarde d t o Alexandria, but i f you will write to me, care of Hunter an d Ross , Malta , i t wil l reac h m e - bu t writ e withou t any unnecessar y loss of time . This plac e i s celebrate d fo r it s col d winters , bu t thi s year , summe r wil l no t end. Sinc e I left England , nothin g but cloudles s skies and constan t Sun. Meredith lef t u s t o ou r grea t regre t som e day s back , an d i s now wanderin g among th e mountain s o f Bythinia . We shal l probably mee t hi m a t Smyrn a I but I am afraid w e shall not induc e hi m t o join u s to Egypt. Pray write t o me fully , an d i f you like, you may cross.3 Remember m e most kindl y to Austen an d Louis a and believ e me Ever Yrs B. Disraeli 1OQ T
O ISAAC D'ISRAELI Constantinople
, [Tuesday ] 1 1 January 183 1
O R I G I N A L : QU A 21 2
COVER: I . Disrael i Esquire I Bradenham Hous e I Wycomb I Bucks POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : N I FE14 I 1831 PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 103-10 , date d i i Januar y 1831 , addin g a postscrip t o f twenty-three printed line s which (wit h th e exceptio n of th e firs t sentence ) includes a versio n of 10 5 and a para graph fro m a source not located . R D ha s also moved the fina l paragrap h (eigh t lines) of the postscrip t in the M S to the bod y of the letter . EDITORIAL COMMENT : D has used her e fo r th e firs t tim e a device consisting of a long dash crossed i n the centre, which, it is assumed, indicated a new paragraph without incurring the los s of spac e on th e sheet usuall y resultin g from th e norma l paragraphin g procedure . Thes e ar e indicate d by + befor e the ne w paragraph begins . In th e M S the sentence s are continuous . Sic: agreable, Bithynian , suburbe , swifte, Easter , turks.
Constantinople. Jany. 11 . 1831 . My dearest father , Having been her e more tha n a mont h withou t communicating, yo u wil l b e gla d to receive a letter. I hav e been silent , because i t is possible t o write too frequent ly, which prevents yo u giving any results, or occasions you giving false ones. + In th e firs t plac e I can giv e a favorable bulleti n o f m y health whic h continue s improving: i n fac t I hop e tha t th e earl y sprin g wil l return m e t o Bradenha m i n very differen t pligh t t o that i n which I lef t it . I can assur e yo u tha t I sig h t o re turn, altho ' in very agreable company: bu t I hav e see n an d don e enough i n this way, an d a mingled pictur e o f domesti c enjoymen t an d fres h butter , fro m bot h of which I have been so long estranged, dail y flits across m y fancy. + Meredith quitte d u s t o ou r grea t regre t a fortnigh t ago , a s he ha d alway s intended, an d i s now wanderin g amon g th e Bithynia n mountains, whic h are re markable fo r bein g mor e devoi d o f interest tha n an y hills in existence. W e antic3 A practice commo n amon g nineteenth-century correspondents , intende d t o sav e postage . Hav ing completed a pag e i n th e usua l way , the write r woul d tur n i t ninet y degree s and continue , with th e ne w tex t crossin g th e ol d a t righ t angles . Fortunatel y D never crosse d i n hi s ow n let ters.
ipate meetin g hi m a t Smyrna , and i f so , ma y probabl y fin d hi m no t disincline d 10 to renounce hi s ambitious intentions of being a discoverer. + 1 You wil l al l be gla d t o hea r tha t Georg e Seymour s absence occasione d m e n o inconvenience. Nothin g co[ul]d be kinde r t o us than th e conduc t o f th e Ambassador. Sinc e Meredith' s departure i n consequence o f th e unfavorabl e change i n the weathe r we have left ou r shi p and take n lodgings in Pera. H.E . has given us a genera l dinne r invitation , so that i f we wish t o din e wit h him , we only send t o the Palac e i n th e morning : h e ha s introduce d u s t o al l the othe r Ambassador s and invite s us to every picnic, here a favorite expedition. W e visited in hi s suite, the othe r day , th e Seve n Towers , whic h ar e neve r shown , probabl y becaus e there is nothing t o see - a more amusin g affair wa s the departure o f the Mecc a Caravan fro m Scutari , th e Asiati c suburbe. W e were entertained her e by one o f the Minister s ver y sumptuously , smoke d ou t o f pipe s wit h diamon d mouthpieces, an d sippe d coffe e perfume d wit h rose s i n cups studde d wit h pre cious stones. Description i s an acknowledge d bore . I drea d i t myself , an d therefor e sym pathise wit h you r alread y murmure d fears . S o I I leav e Constantinople t o you r imagination. Cypres s grove s an d mosquis h domes , masse s o f habitation s grouped o n gentl e acclivities rising out o f the waters , millions of minarets, a sea, like a river , covere d wit h innumerabl e long , thin , boats , a s swift e a s gondolas , and fa r mor e gay , being carve d an d gil t - al l these an d this , when filled with a swarming population i n rich and brillian t and variou s costume, will afford you a more lively , an d certainl y no t a mor e incorrect , ide a than , hal f a doze n page s worthy of Horac e Smith. 1 There are tw o things here which cannot b e conceived without inspectio n - Th e Bosphoru s an d th e Bazaar . Conceiv e th e Ocea n a stream no t broader than th e Thames at Gravesend, wit h shore s wit h all the variety an d beaut y o f th e Rhine , covered wit h palaces , mosque s villages , grove s o f cypress and wood s of Spanish chestnut. The vie w of the Euxin e at the en d i s the most sublim e thin g I ca n remember . Th e Bazaa r wo[ul] d delight yo u howeve r more than th e Bosphorus . Fanc y the Burlingto n Arcade or som e of the Parisia n passages an d panoramas , fancy , perhaps , a squar e mil e of groun d covere d with these arcade s intersectin g eac h othe r i n al l directions, an d ful l o f every produc t of th e Empir e fro m diamond s t o dates. Th e magnificence , novelty, and variet y of th e good s o n sale , the whol e nation o f shopkeeper s al l in different dress, th e crowds o f buyer s fro m al l parts o f th e worl d - ar e just t o b e hinte d at . Her e every peopl e hav e a characteristic costume . Turk s Greeks, Jews and Armenian s are th e stapl e populatio n - th e latte r see m t o predominate . Th e Armenian s wear roun d an d ver y unbecoming black caps and robe s - th e Jews a black hat I wreathed wit h a white handkerchief - th e Greeks black turbans - th e Turks indulge i n al l combination s o f costume . Th e meanes t merchan t i n th e Bazaa r looks lik e a Sulta n i n a n Easte r fair y tale . Thi s i s mainly to b e ascribe d t o th e marvellous brilliancy of their dyes , which is one o f the mos t remarkable circum1 Horati o (Horace ) Smit h (1779-1849) , poet, essayis t an d novelist . Hi s popula r Gaieties an d Gravities (1826) contains Levantine themes.
9 I 183 1 Jan 183 1
184 I 109 stance s i n thei r socia l life , an d whic h neve r ha s bee n explaine d t o me . A 11 Jan 183 1 commo n pai r o f slipper s tha t yo u purchas e in th e stree t i s tinged o f a vermilion or a lak e s o extraordinary , tha t I ca n compar e thei r colo r t o nothin g bu t th e warmest beam of a southern sunset. + We hav e seen th e Sultan 2 severa l times. He affect s al l the affabl e activit y o f a European Prince , mixe s wit h hi s subjects , interfere s i n al l thei r pursuit s an d taxes the m mos t unmercifully . H e dresse s lik e an Europea n an d al l the youn g men hav e adopte d th e fashion . Yo u se e young turk s in uniform s which would not disgrac e on e o f ou r crac k cavalr y regiments , an d loungin g with al l the list lessness o f roya l illegitimates . It i s on th e risin g generatio n tha t th e Sulta n de pends, an d i f one ma y form an opinion , no t i n vain. After al l his defeats, h e ha s now sixt y thousan d regula r infantr y excellentl y appointed an d wel l disciplined . They ar e certainly not to be compared t o the French o r English line - bu t they would a s certainly beat th e Spanis h or th e Dutch , and man y think with fai r play , the Russians . Fai r pla y thei r monarc h certainl y ha d no t durin g th e las t cam paign. It s secret histor y wo[ul]d not no w interest, but i t was by other means than military prowes s tha t th e Muscovite s advanced s o successfully . Th e Sulta n ha d to struggle agains t an unprecedente d conspirac y the whol e time, and th e morn ing tha t Adrianopl e wa s treacherousl y delivere d up , th e street s o f Stambou l were fille d wit h th e dea d bodie s of detected traitors. 3 I Kiss my mother an d Sa . Tell m y dearest S a I shal l soon hav e her letters . I saw Lingards coldblooded han d a t work in the monthl y which I of course expected. 4 Adieu m y dearest father , Your most affec[tionate]l y BD I hav e been insid e a Mosque - Suleimana , which is nearly as large and fa r more beautiful tha n Sophia . The most wonderful thing here are the burial ground s but i t is vain to write - I must return, if only to save you from reading thes e stupid letters . I expec t i n te n day s t o b e i n Egyp t as th e win d i s most favorable. 5 From tha t country I shall return t o Malta and then to Naples - a t least these ar e my plan s whic h ma y probabl y no t b e executed . I wis h t o ge t bac k fo r Braden ham races , bu t ver y muc h fea r I shal l not , unles s I ca n someho w o r othe r shuffle quarantin e whic h is a month o r si x weeks from thes e awfu l parts . Esper ons! [105 wa s inserted b y Ralph Disraeli as a continuation to the first sentence o f th e postscript 2 Mahmou d ll (1785-1839) was Sultan of the Ottoma n Empir e 1808-39 . 3 Hostilitie s between Russi a and th e Ottoma n Empir e broke ou t i n Apri l 182 8 and wer e terminated b y th e Treat y o f Adrianopl e i n Septembe r 1829 . Th e Sultan' s militar y effort wa s certainly inhibited by concern abou t the loyalt y of the Albania n troops unde r Mustaph a Pasha. 4 Sara h and Isaa c ha d bee n curiou s about the author o f an attac k on volumes m and I V of Isaac' s Commentaries on the Life an d Reign o f Charles th e First. H A/IV/EAO. The revie w called Isaa c 'a Jacobite of th e ol d school' and proclaime d the demis e of Toryism. The Monthly Review xv (Oc t 1830 ) 193-212. I n attributing the attack to John Lingard (1771-1851) , a Roman Catholic historian en gaged i n a work even more ambitiou s than Isaac's , D was probably correct. 5 Thi s was to prov e a n optimisti c forecast. Afte r Constantinopl e (on the evidenc e o f no ) D and Clay wen t t o Smyrn a fo r a ten-da y reunio n wit h Meredith , then t o Cyprus , Jaffa, Jerusalem , back to Jaffa an d finally , o n about 1 2 March , arrived at Alexandria.
in hi s published version o f th e letter, followed b y the paragraph printed below, the original n of which has not been located]: 2 Tell Ralp h we are ver y ga y here, nothin g but masquerad e ball s and diplomati c dinners. Th e Ambassado r ha s introduce d u s everywhere . W e ha d th e mos t rollicking wee k a t th e Palace , wit h rompin g o f th e mos t horribl e description , and thing s called 'games of forfeits. ' Gordon , ou t o f the pures t malice , made m e tumble ove r hea d an d heels ! Ca n you conceive anything more dreadful ? There are onl y tw o attache s here : Villiers , a ver y cleve r an d agreeabl e person ; an d Buchanan, a good fellow. 6 TO SARAH DISRAELI Alexandria
, [Sunday] 20 March 183 1 1
O R I G I N A L : QU A 21 3
COVER: Mis s Disrael i I Bradenha m Hous e I Wycomb . Buck s I Inghilterr a I [a t righ t angles] : INGHILTERRA
POSTMARK: ( i ) I n circle : 1 2 I AVRIJL ] I 183 1 (2 ) I n circle : u I APig I 183 1 (3 ) I n dotte d circle : FP O I AP
[lower hal f missing ] (4) P.I.[?]P . I MARSEILLE^] PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L in-21, dated 2 o March 1831 , with omissions EDITORIAL COMMENT : There i s a smal l hol e i n pag e thre e o f th e MS , an d th e fina l pag e i s badl y stained. Sic: Alessandria, agreable, coc k an d a bull , Sphorades , Jafa , Beirout , Sour, confectionary , Ramie, Jehosaphat, there wanderings, asmodeus.
Alessandria Marc h 20. 183 1 My dearest Sa , Your charmin g letter s deserv e a direc t commendatio n an d therefor e I addres s the usua l bulleti n t o yourself . I ha d directe d Ros s to sen d al l m y letters t o this place, renouncin g b y thi s arrangemen t th e agreabl e chanc e o f occasionall y receiving them , fo r th e sak e o f th e guarante e o f no t missin g any . H e ha s for warded m e here only tw o dated Sepr . an d Ocr. , informin g me at the sam e time, that h e ha s ye t thre e more . I s no t suc h stupidit y inconceivable? Had no t you r two letter s bee n s o delightful , I thin k I sho[ul]d , hav e sun k unde r th e disap pointment. I arrive d her e o n th e twelft h an d wrot e a hurrie d lin e b y a shi p which went off nex t da y t o Malta , fo r th e othe r letter s which he ma y have, and am flattere d wit h the hop e tha t in six weeks they will reach me . Here I a m a t las t i n th e ancien t lan d o f Priestcraf t an d o f Pyramids , abou t which how r I mus t at presen t sa y little. It i s so long sinc e I hav e written altho' I miss n o reasonabl e opportunit y o f s o doing , tha t I almos t forge t wha t I wa s about whe n I wrot e t o yo u last . I thin k o n th e ev e o f m y departur e fro m Constant[inopl]e, Meredit h havin g already departe d fo r hi s exploration o f Asia Minor, respectin g whic h h e wa s ver y ma d altho ' I believ e i t t o b e a countr y equally unsatisfactory to the topographer, the antiquarian , and th e ma n of taste. 6 Villier s was the famil y nam e o f both th e Ear l of Jersey an d th e Ear l of Clarendon . N o Villiers appears on th e diplomati c lis t for Constantinopl e a t this time, but on e of them coul d hav e been a militar y attache. Andre w Buchana n (1807-1882 ) is said b y DNB to have been at th e embass y in Constantinople betwee n Octobe r 182 5 an d 1 3 Novembe r 1830 , whe n h e wen t t o Sout h America. However , thi s would hav e mean t tha t D could no t hav e me t hi m durin g his visit. Buchanan's caree r i n th e diplomati c servic e wa s long an d varied . H e wa s knighted i n 1860 , an d was created a baronet in 1878 .
o I 185 0 Ma r 183 1
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i86 I no Eve n Leake, 1 wh o owe s whatever dry reputatio n h e possesse s t o hi s researche s 20 Mar 1831 i n thi s region , warne d m e agains t it . W e remaine d a t Const , abou t a fortnigh t after William s Departure , an d wer e literall y unabl e t o mak e ou r escap e fro m our frien d Si r Robert , wh o a t las t i n hi s desperation , offere d u s room s i n th e Palace, whe n w e complained o f ou r lodgings , an d finally , whe n al l was in vain, parted fro m u s in a pet . W e came wit h a dashing breez e dow n the Dardanelles , but wer e becalme d betwee n Lesbo s i.e . Mitylen e an d Ze a fo r thre e days . You cannot conceiv e anythin g mor e lovel y tha n th e scenery o f th e Gul f o f Smyrna, which i s vaster an d mor e beautifu l than th e Ambracian . At Smyrna , where we intended onl y to touch fo r a day, we were detained ten , by our winte r season, violent an d unceasin g rains , an d terribl e gale s o f wind . Her e howr . w e foun d Meredith i n a ver y decent bivouack , so having much t o sa y to eac h o[the]r , w e got over th e affai r bette r than migh t have been expected . Thi s is the onl y winter we hav e had, tho ' thi s season a t Constantinopl e i s usually even severe . I ascrib e to this continuance o f fine weather an d t o smokin g the continue d improvemen t in m y health , whic h is mos t satisfactory . Your letter s ar e delightful . I di d no t send yo u a name fo r James' dog becaus e yo u limited m e to an appropriat e one , and I co[ul]d no t thin k of any thing or perso n wh o was white at the time . I suppose i t wa s fro m bein g i n sigh t o f Africa . Th e missin g o f th e Sevill e lette r i s unaccountable an d I provoking. I n th e crow d o f impression s I canno t no w tel l what it was about, but shal l perhaps b e able when we meet. Perhaps abou t Fran k Hall Standish whose acquaintance I made a t Cadiz, and who m I met again at Seville wher e h e resides , an d wh o receive d m e ver y hospitabl y - bu t Heave n knows. With regard to general news , I am aujour b y the ai d of Galignani's excellent journal. What endless confusions! I long to get back. At Smyrna I found that Mer[edith ] began t o indicate a wish to see Egypt. Th e fact i s tha t h e ha d go t hol d o f som e book s there , Hamilton' s Egyptiaca 2 etc. , which had opened hi s mind upo n th e subject . The trut h is , as I then discovered, he kne w n o mor e abou t Egyp t tha n a child , an d wa s quite surprise d t o lear n that there were mor e remain s there on one spot, tha n i n all the res t o f the glob e united. I did th e impossibl e to induce hi m to rejoin us , but h e co[ul]d no t mak e up hi s mind t o give up a n intended tri p t o the unsee n relic s of some unhea[r] d of cock and a bull city, and s o we again parted . We found ourselve s again i n a n Archipelago, th e Sphorades , an d trie d t o mak e Rhode s bu t a contrary wind , altho' w e were of f i t fo r tw o days , prevente d us . Afte r som e days , w e lande d a t Cyprus, where w e passed a day o n lan d famou s in al l ages, bu t mor e delightfu l to me as the residenc e o f Fortunatus, tha n a s the ros y realm of Venus, or the ro mantic Kingdo m o f th e Crusaders . Her e w e got a pilo t t o tak e u s t o Jafa. On e morning with a clear blu e sky and a n intense Sun , we came in sight of the whole 1 Willia m Marti n Leak e (1777-1860) , topographer , autho r an d traveller . Workin g with William Richard Hamilton , he mad e a general surve y of Egypt . Leake published hi s Journal o f a Tour i n Asia Minor i n 1824 . D had contac t wit h hi s famil y i n Londo n an d h e wa s t o mentio n a n Emil y Leake in 1832 . See 207. 2 Aegyptiaca: Th e Ancient an d Modern State o f Egypt (1810 ) b y Willia m Richar d Hamilto n (1777 1859) contained th e first translations of the inscriptions on the Rosett a Stone .
coast o f Syria , very high an d mountainous , and th e lofties t range s covere d wit h n Snow. We passed Beirout , Sour, th e ancien t Tyre, St . Jean d'Acre, and a t length a cast ancho r i n th e road s o f Jafa . Her e w e mad e a curiou s acquaintanc e i n Damiani, th e descendan t o f a n ol d Venetia n family , bu t himsel f a perfec t Oriental. W e ha d rea d somethin g about hi s grandfather i n Volney, 3 and a s h e had n o conception of books, he was so appalled by our learning , that had w e not been Englishmen , he wo[ul] d have taken us fo r Sorcerers . W e foun d hi m livin g among th e mos t delightfu l garden s o f oranges , citron s an d pomegranates , th e trees as high and th e frui t a s thick as our Englis h apple orchards; himsel f a most elegant personag e i n flowing robes o f crimson silk etc . etc. I am oblige d t o hint, rather tha n describe , an d mus t reserv e al l detail til l ou r meeting . H e wishe d us to remai n wit h hi m fo r a month , an d gav e u s a n admirabl e Orienta l dinner , which wofulj d hav e delighte d m y father . Rice , spices, pistachio nuts, perfume d rotis, and dazzlin g confectionary. I From Jafa, a part y o f six , well mounte d an d armed , w e departed fo r Jerusalem. Jaf a i s a prett y town , surrounde d b y gardens , an d situate d i n a fruitfu l plain. Afte r ridin g ove r thi s we crossed a rang e o f ligh t hills and cam e int o th e plain o f Ramie , vast and fertile . Ramie , the ancien t Arimathea , i s the mode l o f our ide a o f a beautifu l Syria n villag e al l th e house s isolate d an d eac h sur rounded b y palm tree s - th e meadows , an d th e exterior o f the villag e covere d with oliv e tree s o r divide d b y ric h plantation s o f India n fig . Her e w e sough t Hospitality i n th e Lati n convent , a n immens e establishment , wel l kep t up , bu t with onl y one monk . I co[ul]d willingl y dwell in immense detail but cannot . Th e next da y we commenced ou r Journe y ove r th e delightfu l plain, bounded i n th e distance b y the sever e an d savag e mountains of Judea. I n th e wil d ston y ravines of these shagg y rocks we were wandering the whol e day; at length after crossing a vas t hill, w e saw the Hol y city. I wil l describ e i t to yo u fro m th e moun t o f Ol ives. This is a very high Hill , stil l partiall y covered wit h th e tre e which gives it a name. Jerusalem i s situate upo n a n opposit e height , which descends a s a stee p ravine, an d form s with the assistanc e o f th e moun t of Olives , th e narro w valle y of Jehosaphat. Jerusale m i s entirely surrounded b y an ol d feuda l wall wit h towers an d gate s o f th e tim e o f th e crusader s an d i n perfec t preservation ; a s th e town i s built upo n a hill , you ca n fro m th e opposit e heigh t discer n th e roo f o f almost every house. I n th e fron t is the magnificen t mosque built upon th e site of the Temple , wit h it s beautiful garden s an d fantasti c gates - a variety of dome s and tower s rise in all directions, th e house s ar e o f a bright stone . I was thunder struck. I sa w before m e apparentl y a gorgeou s city . Nothin g ca n b e conceive d more wil d an d terribl e an d barre n tha n th e surroundin g scenery , [... ] dark , stony an d severe , bu t th e groun d i s thrown abou t i n suc h picturesqu e undula tions, that the mind , [is ] full o f the sublime , not th e beautiful, and ric h an d waving woods, and sparklin g cultivation wo[ul]d be misplaced. Th e cit y on the other side i s in th e plain , th e ravin e no t bein g al l round. I t is , as it were i n a bowl of mountains. I have dotted down materials for description; I have not space to de3 Th e grandfather , Jean Damiani , i s mentioned i n Constantine, comte d e Volne y Voyage e n Syrie et en/Egypte pendant les annees 1783, 84 et 85 (1787 Paris repr 1959 ) 256.
o I 18 7 o Mar 1831
188 I no scribe . I leav e i t t o you r livel y imaginatio n t o fil l u p th e rest . Excep t Athens , I 20 Mar 1831 neve r sa w anything more essentiall y striking - n o city , excep t that , whos e site was s o pre-eminentl y impressive . I wil l no t plac e i t belo w th e cit y o f Minerva . Athens an d Jerusale m i n thei r glor y mus t hav e been th e fines t representation s of th e beautifu l and th e sublime . Jerusalem i n it s present state , wo[ul]d mak e a wonderful subjec t for Martin 4 and a picture from hi m co[ul] d alone giv e you a n idea o f it . W e sough t Hospitalit y fro m th e father s o f th e famou s Terra Sant a Convent for a n accoun t of which see Clarke.5 There were we were told 600 0 pil grims at Jerusalem - 400 0 a t the Armenian convent - 200 0 at the Greek. I The Latins have left of f there wanderings. I sho[ul]d hav e said that the roa d w[as ] all full o f thes e gentry . On e o f th e bes t house s i n Jerusalem, belong' d t o th e con vent, an d servant s wer e allotte d t o us . The y sen t u s provision s daily. I co[ul] d write hal f a doz . sheet s o n thi s week, the mos t delightfu l of al l our travels . We dined ever y da y o n th e roo f o f ou r hous e b y moonligh t - visite d th e Hol y S[epulchre] of course, tho ' avoide d the othe r coglionerias; 6 th e hous e o f Lorett o is probabilit y to them , bu t th e Easter n wil l believ e anything . Surprise d a t th e number o f remains a t Jer - tho ' non e mor e ancien t tha n Herod . Th e tomb s of the King s very fine. Weather deliciou s - mil d summe r hea t - mad e an immense sensation - receive d visit s from the Vicar General of the Pope, the Spanish Prio r etc. Neve r more delighte d i n my life - wretche d passag e fro m Jafa t o this place - wher e I hav e been a week. Mr. Briggs the great Egyptia n merchant, has written fro m England 7 t o say, that grea t attentio n i s to be paid m e because I am th e son o f th e celebrate d author . Th e consequenc e i s we din e ever y da y wit h hi s partner, whos e cuisine is excellent. This i s substantial fame. You hav e bee n unfortunat e i n a Tuscan asmodeu s i n Mari a Slin[g]sby. 8 He r sharp voice , snu b nos e an d intens e an d innat e vulgarity must hav e give n effec t to he r secon d han d scandal . I a m surprise d t o fin d tha t Mis s G de C . and he r spouse figure d i n m y epistles in an heroi c poin t o f view , as I was not awar e that [I] had mentione d thei r names . I neve r hear d anythin g of the gentlema n excep t that h e wa s a kee n jockey wh o too k i n hi s friends , and tha t Mademoisell e was something as bad, who took in Perry. 9 4 John Marti n (1789-1854) , Englis h painte r o f visionar y an d apocalypti c landscape s o n biblica l themes. 5 Edwar d Danie l Clark e (1769-1822) , traveller an d antiquary . H e visite d th e easter n Mediterra nean i n 180 1 and hi s account of th e conven t occur s in hi s Travels i n the Holy Land (Philadelphi a 1817) 150-1 . 6 Fro m 'coglioneria', Italian fo r 'piece of foolishness' , 'idiocy'. 7 Samue l Briggs , a long-tim e confidan t o f Mehme t Ali , wa s then functionin g a s hi s sol e agen t i n England. Richar d Rober t Madde n Travels i n Turkey, Egypt .. . i n 18^4, J #25. '826, an d 1827 (1829) a > 6 and Madde n Egypt an d Mohammed Al i (1841) 56. 8 Mari a Slingsby , siste r o f th e Re v Henr y Slingsby , i n 183 7 marrie d Edwar d Peacock , a clergy man. CM n s I X (Jan 1838 ) 88 . Mis s Slingsby ha d just returne d fro m tw o years i n Italy , and Sar ah, i n her bes t form, commente d on th e experience: 'She ha s made several pleasan t English acquaintances an d no t spoke n t o a singl e Italian. ' H A/IV/E/17- Asmodeu s i s sai d t o hav e spen t much o f hi s time sowin g discord, particularly betwee n newly-weds . 9 Sara h relaye d th e gossi p fro m Mis s Slingsby: '.. . sh e say s Geraldine de Courc y wa s in wan t of a dinner and tha t young Perr y lost all his money i n horse-racing.' H A/lv/E/g.
The mos t surprisin g news ! Meredit h ha s just arrive d a s I understan d i n a i Turkish Shi p - afte r a horri d passage . H e write s t o m e t o com e alongsid e di - 2 rectly as they threate n hi m wit h a months quarantine . Thi s is the cas e an d I believe ther e i s n o chanc e o f Escape . H e w[z'W ] g o mad . I a m goin g t o th e Gov[ernor] Gen[eral] 10 to se e what can b e done . H e i s a very good fellow . I wil l w[rite] agai n soon . I shall leave this place i n a day o r two . I have a mos t knowing Cy[prian?] servan t i n th e mos t delicat e costume . Go d bles s yo u all . I a m afrai d you [will] neve r ge t this , as I a m ou t o f th e land s of regula r posts , ambassadors , and publi c offices . Your mos t affec . BD TO SARAH DISRAEL I [Cairo
, Egypt] , [Saturday] 2 8 May 1831 11
O R I G I N A L : QU A 21 4
COVER: Mis s Disrael i I Bradenha m - Hous e I Wycomb . Buck s I Inghilterr a I [a t righ t angles] : INGHILTERRA
POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : Y i AU3< 5 I 183 1 (2) I n dotte d circle : [FPJ O i AU3 O I 183 1 (3 ) VERON A I ZO.AG O (4) VERON A I 20.AGO (5) I n rectangle : [LA]ZERET[TO] i [?]S O DILI?] (6) I n smal l rectangle: T.I. PUBLICATION HISTORY : H L 122-37, dated 2 8 May 1831 , with omissions EDITORIAL COMMENT : There is a postscrip t written in th e lef t margi n of th e firs t pag e of th e MS . The first part, a phrase , is an insertio n with it s intended locatio n marked in th e text . I t i s transcribed following D' S intention . The rest , a sentence , bear s n o relatio n t o th e firs t an d i s transcribed a s a post script. The righ t margi n of th e las t pag e of th e M S ha s a smal l sectio n missing . Sic: musquitoes, agreable, much bore , chasseur , a l a 'Turque, Naroli , Atar, Fitzroy , principl e art , Lybian , Hadgees , Simoom, Sphynxs, to a death.
May 28 . 1831 . My dearest Sa! I hav e receive d al l your delightfu l letters Marc h packe t inclusive , and on e fro m Ralph, for whic h give him m y warmest thanks. I wrote home , t o whom I forget , from Alexandria , abou t te n week s ago , givin g an accoun t o f m y Syria n adven tures, an d m y visit to Jerusalem, whic h I trus t yo u received , bu t w e are ou t o f the land s o f diplomati c bags , an d I trembl e abou t ou r dispatches . I ha d in tended t o have written by this opportunity a long lette r t o my father, givin g him a detaile d accoun t o f m y travel s i n thi s ancien t country , an d a miscellaneou s sheet t o yourself , bu t th e wonderfu l news 1 whic h meet s m e her e i n a pil e o f Galignanis ha s reall y quit e unsettle d m y mind fo r suc h a n exertion , an d there The lad y i n questio n wa s the secon d daughte r o f L t Co l Gerald d e Courc y an d marrie d i n 1830 William Perry (1801-1874) . Afte r servin g a s master o f hors e t o the lor d lieutenan t o f Ire land, Perr y hel d a numbe r o f consula r post s an d wa s knighte d i n 1873 . BP unde r Baro n Kingsale; Boase . 10 Probably h e mean t th e senio r Britis h representativ e i n Egyp t - th e agen t an d consu l general . See 1 1 in 14. 1 Th e introductio n o f th e Refor m Bil l had raise d D' s hopes for a sea t i n Parliament . H e assume d that, wer e th e Bil l t o pass , ther e woul d soo n b e a genera l electio n unde r th e ne w franchise ; were i t to fail , an d th e governmen t the n to resign, there would probabl y als o be an election .
n I 18 9 8 May 1831
1
190 I in for e I writ e only t o you, giving only a rapi d sketc h of m y progress, whic h must 28 May 1831 b e finishe d an d colore d whe n w e meet . That meetin g wil l I trus t b e speedy . I n fact I a m onl y waitin g her e fo r a shi p t o conve y m e t o Malta , an d i n al l probability, shal l com e hom e straight , bu t a t an y rate , i f I arriv e overland , it shall delay me very little. Circumstances may even render it the shorte r way , and this consideration wil l entirely sway me. + I a m gla d tha t yo u ar e no t a s astonished a s th e res t a t Meredit h an d mysel f parting. Considerin g tha t Egyp t and Syri a forme d tw o prominent object s of my travels, and tha t h e ha d s o positively arrange d tha t certainl y the last , and, i n all probability, th e secon d wo[ul] d no t sui t hi m I a m surprised , I confess , a t thei r marvelling. Ha d i t not bee n fo r th e affai r o f th e yach t which held ou t t o m e th e advantage o f reachin g Syria , which otherwise I sho[ul] d no t hav e bee n abl e t o accomplish, we must have originally parted a t Malta. Meredith - wh o by the bye is looking excessively wel l - i s now at Thebes, and I have no mode o f communicating with him. Hi s letters hav e arrived, a t Cairo , but i t wil l b e mos t unsaf e t o forward them , whic h co[ul]d onl y be don e b y a chanc e boa t etc . I n fac t I a m strongly advised agains t it by all persons, t o say nothing of hi s particular reques t to me , whe n I sa w him las t in Uppe r Egyp t not t o forwar d them . I f h e kep t t o his the n plans , h e wil l retur n i n a fe w days to thi s place, but I fea r h e ma y b e tempted t o advance higher. I cannot conve y in writing all the consideration s etc . which occur t o me , bu t m y impressio n is , that thre e o r fou r week s may I elapse before I sai l fro m Alexandria , an d tha t therefor e i t is pretty certain tha t Willm . will hav e returne d t o Cair o an d wil l depar t wit h me . I n cas e howeve r I qui t Egypt with[ou] t seeing hi m I shal l leave a lette r fo r him , an d w e shall certainly meet a t Malta , as I shal l have t o pas s m y quarantine there . Thi s is a ver y inelegant epistl e bu t I a m writin g i t a t night , wit h a t leas t fift y musquitoe s buzzing about an d bitin g me i n all directions, whic h destroy s sentences . Cla y has go t a n intermittent fever, whic h in itself is bad enough , an d a s he ha s never bee n il l before i n hi s life , h e i s exceedingly frightened . Luckil y her e i s a ver y good Fran k physician. I rathe r imagin e h e wil l g o off i n a day o r tw o to Rosetta fo r chang e of air . I am very well indeed an d find the climate of Egypt delicious - ver y hot, but alway s a most refreshing breeze . I am very sorry about m y companion, a s he has been t o m e a highly agreable one . I ow e much t o hi s constant attentions . I t is a great thing to travel with a man fo r month s and tha t he sho[ul]d neve r occa sion yo u a n uneas y momen t whic h I ca n sincerel y sa y o f him . Indee d I a m greatly indebted t o him fo r muc h comfort. You know that tho' I like to be at my ease, I wan t energy i n thos e littl e affair s o f whic h lif e greatl y consists . Her e I found Cla y alway s ready - i n shor t h e save d m e fro m muc h bore . I a m sorr y also t o sa y that hi s faithfu l servan t Giovann i better know n by the nam e o f Tita (he wa s Byron's chasseur o f renown) who is a Belzon i in appearance an d consti tution, is also very ill of a dysentery, which is a great affliction . Thu s you se e th e strong me n hav e al l falle n whil e I wh o a m a n habitua l invali d a m fir m o n m y legs - bu t the reason i s this, that I - bein g somewha t indolent an d feeble, liv e a la 'Turque whil e Clay and Giovann i are alway s i n actio n an d hav e don e nothin g but shoo t an d swi m fro m mornin g t o night. A s I am o n the chapte r o f domesti c troubles, yo u wil l hea r wit h regret tha t m y favorite servant, a Gree k o f Cyprus ,
gave m e warnin g yesterday, his fathe r I being ver y il l at Alexandria . H e leave s i me directl y whic h is a grea t bor e a t thi s moment especiall y as I a m abou t t o be 2 alone, and wo[ul] d annoy m e at all times, because h e wor e a Mameluk e dress of crimson an d gol d wit h a whit e turban thirt y yards long , an d a sabr e glitterin g like a rainbow. I mus t now content mysel f with an Ara b attendan t i n a blue shir t and slipperless . How are th e might y fallen! I canno t sufficientl y commen d you r letters . The y ar e i n every respect charm ing - ver y lively and witty , and ful l exactl y of the stuff I want. If you were only a more perfec t mistres s o f th e ar t o f punctuation , yo u migh t riva l Lad y Mar y herself.2 Than k m y mother fo r he r remembranc e o f me. I cannot writ e to say I am quit e well , becaus e th e enem y stil l hold s out , bu t I a m sanguine , very , and am a t an y rat e quit e wel l eno ' t o wis h t o b e a t home . I shal l enquir e abou t Naroli,3 bu t fo r perfume s I rathe r thin k Stambou l wa s the bes t place . Mustapha's sho p there , the Imperia l perfumer , wa s my daily lounge an d I never went to the Bazaa r with[ou] t smoking a pipe wit h him. I don't thin k I ever mentione d this characte r t o you - remembe r whe n w e meet. H e neve r showe d m e Naroli howr., tho' h e di d everythin g to tempt m e to daily expense . Th e grea t perfum e among th e Turk s i s Atar o f Jasmine. I hav e som e - whic h I sen t t o Malt a with all m y goods , som e o f whic h wil l ornamen t Bradenha m i n th e shap e o f pipe s nine fee t long , an d curiou s Orienta l arms . I neve r bough t anything , bu t wit h a view to its character a s furniture. Everythin g is for Bradenham . Jem's commission wo[ul] d occasio n m e muc h anxiety , if I di d no t kno w anxiety were useless . I f Croke r reall y wish to serv e m y father, h e can , whether in o r out, becaus e Lor d Hil l i s a creature o f th e Duke's, 4 an d a whisper fro m hi m i s enough, bu t m y father mus t be explicit, and no t le t him suppose tha t h e wants a commission fo r nothing . I t wa s n o us e writin g to Lor d Fitzroy, 5 who probabl y I never sa w the letter . Al l these me n hav e privat e Secretarie s wh o hav e a discre tion t o ope n al l letters an d t o answe r al l matters o f cours e whic h this was. Tell James, I a m highl y please d wit h him , an d hav e n o doub t h e wil l tur n ou t a n honor to the family , and tha t I shall always be his friend. + I a m quit e delighte d wit h my fathers capita l progress . Ho w I lon g t o be wit h him, deares t o f men , fleshing 6 ou r quill s together , an d openin g thei r minds , "standing togethe r i n ou r chivalry" , which we wil l do , no w tha t I hav e go t th e use of my brain fo r th e first time in my life . Tell Ralp h t o write as often, an d a s much as he likes , and tha t I hav e becom e a mos t accomplishe d smoker , carryin g tha t luxuriou s ar t t o a pitc h o f refine 2 Lad y Mar y Wortle y Montag u (1689-1762 ) was th e wif e o f Edwar d Wortle y Montagu , wh o i n 1716 was appointed ambassado r i n Constantinople. He r observation s on th e Eas t and o n Eng lish society - sh e was an inveterate gossip — established he r fam e a s a letter-writer. 3 Nerol i was an oil extracted fro m orange blossoms and use d a s a base for perfumes . 4 Rowlan d Hill (1772-1842), is t Baro n Hill , in 184 2 ist Viscount Hill, commander-in-chief of th e Army 1828-42 , owed his appointment to the Duk e of Wellington. 5 Lor d FitzRo y James Henr y Somerse t (1788-1855) , afte r 185 2 is t Baro n Raglan , youngest so n of the 5t h Duk e of Beaufort . In 182 7 he was appointed militar y secretary a t the Hors e Guards . He is best remembered a s the commander o f the Britis h Army in the Crimea . 6 'Fleshing' , draw n fro m th e practic e o f incitin g hound s b y taste o f blood; figuratively , th e ter m means inflammation by the foretast e of success. RD' s 'flashing' i s wrong.
n I 191 8 May 1831
iga I in men t of whic h he ha s no idea . M y pipe is cooled i n a wet silken bag, my coffee i s 28 May 1831 boile d wit h spices , an d I finis h m y las t chibouqu e wit h a sherbe t o f pomegranate. Oh ! the delicious fruit s tha t w e have here and i n Syria - orang e gardens mile s in extent , citrons , limes , pomegranate s - bu t th e mos t delicious thing in the worl d is a Banana, which is richer tha n a Pineapple. Ho w I long for my dea r father , an d ho w h e wo[ul] d was h hi s mout h i n a countr y wher e th e principle art o f life i s to make a refreshing drink. + Your visi t fro m th e Guard s i s most amusing. Young officers purportin g t o b e the so n of Jekyll, and th e nephe w o f Hom e mus t hav e been hoaxin g you . Why the first is an Antediluvian , and th e secon d a Pre-Adamite. 7 I don't care a jot abou t th e Y[oung ] D[uke].8 I never stake d an y fame on it. It may tak e it s chance. I mean t th e her o t o b e a mode l fo r ou r youth , b[ut o/]te r two year s confinemen t i n thes e revol[utionar] y [times] I fea r h e wil l prov e oldfashioned. Goeth e an d V[ivia n G[rey ] of course gratifying . I hea r th e Patriarc h is dead . Perhap s a confusio n wit h hi s son. 9 I sa w it i n Galignani , a n excellen t publication which keeps, m e au jour. I a m of course ver y anxious to hea r o f th e progress o f the bill. I hav e heard u p t o the majorit y of one. 10 On examinin g th e lists of th e votes I a m incline d to thin k I that i t wil l be lost , tho' I se e th e paper s take another view , and indulg e in other anticipations . The deat h o f Max has cut m e to the heart . The epitap h i s charming an d worthy o f th e bette r day s o f ou r poetry . It s classica l simplicity, its highl y artificial finish (I mean of style), and fine natural burst of feeling at the end ar e remarka ble, and wha t I believe no writer o f the da y co[ul]d produce . I t i s worthy of th e best thing s in th e anthology . I t i s like an inscriptio n by Sophocles translate d b y Pope.u + 7 Sara h wrote on 2 2 January 183 1 of two officers o f the Grenadier Guard s - Co l Home and Cap t Jekyll - wh o had visite d Bradenham . H A/lv/E/ig. Thes e wer e L t Col John Hom e an d Edwar d Jekyll, then apparently only a lieutenant. Home was identified a s having an uncl e who was 'the author o f Douglas' , and Jekyl l wa s described a s the descendan t o f one 'wh o live d in thi s hous e about 5 0 years ago'. The first was thus the playwrigh t John Home (1722-1808) , and th e second , Joseph Jekyl l (1753?-1837), politician , wit and sometim e resident o f Bucks . D' s incredulit y that men of the eighteenth centur y should be represented b y youthful son s or nephews did no t last : some years later he told Lady Blessington that Jekyll had a son of his own age (347). 8 O n i Ma y Sarah ha d writte n to repor t on th e receptio n o f Th e Young Duke: 'Wher e ever w e go the Y.D . is before us , and it s praises fo r eve r resounding.' H A/IV/E/ZI. Fo r detail s of the review s see n7n3. 9 Sar a Auste n had reporte d that a friend had just come back from Weima r and tha t 'the old man himself and Madam e Goethe, hi s son's wife , wer e among th e warmes t admirers o f Vivian Grey: they ha d i t on thei r ow n particula r book shelves , and the y spok e enthusiasticall y of i t as being after Scot t the firs t o f their Englis h favourites.' Goethe , accordin g to hi s daughter-in-law, 'considered tha t there wa s more true originalit y in the work than i n any he had see n for years' . M& B I 176. Goethe live d until the followin g year ; however his son August had die d i n Rom e in Octobe r 1830. 10 Se e nyni. 11 Isaac' s elegy on th e famil y pet , printed i n H L 130, i s as follows : Max, true descendant o f Newfoundland race, Where onc e he sported, finds his burial place. Few were his months, yet huge of form tho' bland, Well tutored b y our James with voice and hand .
The accoun t i n th e C[our] t J[ournal ] wa s written by you r humbl e servant . I m I 19 3 did no t lik e to appea r a s furnishing anything to th e Journal directly , so I wrot e 2 8 May 1831 in a dull sort of Ollierish resume style , as from a letter. 12 + I neve r tol d yo u t o bu y horses o f Rymell, 13 onl y t o borrow the m - howeve r I don't see , that h e ha s behaved ver y nefariously. I hav e gossipped a grea t dea l wit h you . I t i s impossible to sa y when I shal l be home, but I sho[ul]d thin k in three months . I do no t loo k upon Quarantin e a s a bore excep t tha t i t keep s m e fro m you . I wan t rest . Fro m Alexandri a fro m whence I wrote t o you last , I crossed th e deser t to Rosetta . It wa s a twelve hour s job, an d th e whol e way we were surrounde d b y a mirag e o f th e mos t complete kind. I wa s perpetually deceived , an d alway s though t I wa s going t o rid e int o the sea . At Rosett a I first saw the might y Nile, with it s banks richly covered wit h palm groves . A grov e o f palm s is the mos t elegan t thin g i n Nature . Fro m Ro setta fiv e day s i n a capita l boat, whic h th e Consul 14 ha d provide d fo r u s wit h cabins an d ever y convenience and whic h recently h e ha d ha d entirel y painte d and fitte d u p fo r Lor d Clare, 15 too k u s to Cairo throug h th e famou s Delta. This greatly reminde d m e of the ric h plain s of the Pay s Bas - quit e flat with a soil in every par t lik e th e finest garden moul d - covere d wit h productio n bu t mor e productive tha n cultivated . The bank s of the river studde d wit h villages of mud , but al l clustered i n palm groves beautiful - moonligh t on I the Nil e indescribably charming an d th e palm s b y thi s ligh t perfectl y magical . Gran d Cair o a larg e town of dingy house s of unbaked brick , looking terribly dilapidated, bu t swarming wit h populatio n i n ric h an d variou s costume . Visite d th e Pyramid s and as Mild in his pensive face hi s large dark eyes
Talked i n their silenc e to our sympathies . His awful pa w our fon d salut e would hail, And pleasur e fluttere d i n the o'ershadowing tail . Vast limb'd, hi s step resoundin g a s he walk'd, The playfu l pupp y lik e a lion stalk'd ; All clad i n spotless snow he seeme d t o stan d Like faultless marble fro m th e sculptor' s hand . Domestic friend , companio n o f all hours ! Our vacan t terraces an d silen t bow'rs No more repeat thy name, an d b y this ur n Not t o love dogs too wel l we sadly learn. 12 Presumabl y thi s refer s t o th e ite m whic h appeare d i n Th e Court Journal o n 2 9 January, an d i s mentioned i n th e lette r t o Colbur n o f 1 8 November 183 0 (Se e loa) . Th e accoun t wa s said t o have been fro m al l three of th e youn g travellers. Obviousl y D entertained n o very hig h opinio n of th e styl e of th e orienta l romance s o f Charle s Oilie r (1788-1859) , Shelley' s publisher . Fo r D's earlier relation s wit h Oilier se e 7in3. 13 Sarah provoke d thi s comment b y writin g that 'You r frien d Rymel l has take n u s i n .. . we gav e him £2 5 fo r a horse not wort h £5.' H A/IV/E/I,}. Rymell was a local farmer . 14 John Barke r (1771-1849 ) was consul genera l in Egypt , 1829-33 . Previousl y he had bee n consu l at Alexandria . Hi s correspondence records the meeting : ' I was much please d wit h the manner s of Cla y an d Disraeli . The y ar e gon e u p th e country , an d purpos e o n thei r retur n t o pas s th e winter i n Cairo. ' Edwar d B.B . Barke r e d Syria an d Egypt under th e Last Five Sultans o f Turkey (1876 rep r Ne w York 1973 ) n 168 . Th e spellin g o f D' s nam e wa s probably modernize d b y th e editor. 15 John Fitzgibbo n (1792-1851) , 2n d Ear l of Clare, governo r of Bomba y 1830-4 . He ha d n o doub t stopped in Egypt en route to his post.
ig4 I in cende d th e grea t one , fro m th e to p o f whic h som e week s afterwards a man , by 28 May 1831 nam e Maze , whom I ha d slightl y know n in Spain , tumbled, an d dashe d himself to a mummy. 16 Ver y awfu l - th e firs t acciden t o f th e kind . A Voyage of thre e weeks in the same boat t o Thebes - bank s of the river very different. The Delt a ceases a t Cairo , an d Egyp t now only consists of a valle y forme d b y a rive r run ning throug h a desert . Th e lan d i s however equally rich th e soi l bein g forme d by th e Nile , bu t o n eac h sid e a t th e distanc e o f 3 o r 4 miles , an d sometime s much nearer, Deserts. Th e Lybia n desert o n th e Africa n sid e is exactly our com mon ide a o f a desert , a n interminabl e wast e o f burnin g sand , bu t th e Arabia n and Syria n desert s ver y different ; i n fac t wha t w e cal l Downs . Landing o n th e African sid e on e night , wher e th e Deser t stretche s t o th e ver y banks, found a ship o f Hadgees 17 emptie d o n th e shor e i n th e mos t picturesqu e groups , som e squatting down with their pipes , som e boiling coffee, som e performing their de votions. I t was excessively close, but ha d bee n a fine clear day. I walked nearly a mile from the shore - i n an instant very dark, with a heat perfectl y stiflin g - saw a colum n o f San d i n th e distance . I t struc k me directl y what it was. I rushe d t o the boa t wit h ful l speed , bu t barel y quick enough. I cannot describe th e scen e of horror an d confusion . It wa s a Simoom . The win d wa s the mos t awfu l soun d I ever heard . Fiv e column s o f san d talle r tha n th e monumen t I emptied them selves o n ou r party . Ever y sai l wa s ren t t o pieces , me n burie d i n th e earth . Three boat s sailin g along overturned , th e crews swam t o shore - th e wind, the screaming, th e shouting , th e drivin g o f th e san d wer e eno ' t o mak e yo u mad . We shu t al l the window s of th e cabin , and jumped int o bed, bu t th e san d cam e in like fire. I do not offer thi s as a description, but as a mem. for furthe r details. + As fo r Dender a an d Thebe s and th e remain s i n every part o f upper Egypt , it is useless to attemp t t o write. Italy and Greec e mer e toy s t o them , an d Martin' s inventions common place . Conceive a feverish an d tumultuou s dream ful l o f triumphal gates , procession s o f paintings , interminabl e wall s o f heroi c sculpture , granite coloss i of God s an d Kings , prodigious obelisks , avenue s o f Sphynx s and halls o f a thousan d columns , thirty fee t i n girt h an d o f a proportionat e height . My eyes and min d yet ache wit h grandeu r s o little in unison with our ow n littleness - ther e th e landscap e to o was quite characteristic], mountain s o f burnin g sand, vegetatio n unnatur[a/fy ] vivid , grove s of coco a trees , group s o f crocodiles] and a n ebony population i n a state of nud[%] armed wit h spears o f reeds. Having followe d the cours e o f th e Nil e fo r seve n hundre d mile s to th e ver y confines o f Nubia , we returned. A s an antiquar y I migh t hav e been tempte d t o advance t o have witnessed further specimens , bu t I wa s satisfied, and I wished] not t o lose time unnecessarily. We were a week at Thebes with th e advantag e o f the societ y of Mr . Wilkinson 18 an Englishma n of vast learning, wh o ha s devote d 16 A letter of 1 1 April 183 1 fro m th e consul-genera l tol d th e story of'th e melanchol y en d o f Mr . Maze, so n o f a Bristo l merchan t wel l known i n Smyrna . I suspec t a suicide , fo r ther e i s no in stance i n th e tradition s o f Egyp t tha t a perso n ha s eve r falle n of f th e Pyramids. ' Barke r Syria and Egypt n 168 . 17 Hadjis , o r pilgrim s wh o had bee n to Mecca . 18 John Gardner Wilkinson (1797-1875), Egyptologist . H e was knighted i n 1839 .
ten year s t o th e stud y o f hieroglyphic s an d Egyptia n antiquity , and wh o ca n n read yo u th e sid e o f a n obelisk , o r th e fron t o f a pylon , a s we wo[ul]d th e las t 2 number o f the Quarterly . I This Cairo i n spit e o f it s dinginess is a luxurious an d pleasant place . Th e mor e I se e of Orienta l life , th e mor e I like . There i s much more enjoymen t tha n a t Constantinople . I hav e see n th e Pach a i n a ver y extraordinary manner . Wanderin g i n th e garden s o f hi s palac e a t Shubra , I suddenly cam e upo n hi m on e afternoo n surrounde d b y hi s Court , a ver y brilliant circle , i n mos t gorgeou s dresses , particularl y th e blac k eunuch s i n scarlet and gold , an d wh o ride white horses. I was about t o retire, bu t on e o f his principal attendant s too k m e by the ar m an d le d m e t o th e circle . The Pach a is exceed[ing]ly fon d o f th e English . Hi s H[ighne]s s wa s playin g ches s wit h hi s fool, an d I witnessed a ver y curiou s scene . I staye d abou t a quarter o f a n hour , and ha d I waited til l his game wa s finished, I am informe d tha t h e wo[ul]d hav e spoken t o me , but a s I ha d n o interprete r wit h me , an d a m prett y sur e tha t h e was i n th e sam e state , I though t i t bes t t o mak e m y bow. M y presentation ha s been delaye d o n accoun t o f Clay' s illness, but i t has been offere d t o m e severa l times. I loo k forwar d t o it rather a s a bore tha n no t - a s he receives yo u quite alone an d X [cross-] examines yo u t o a death. I A thousand love s to al l - Writ e to Malta until the July packet inclusive, your most affec. brothe r BD Also you need no t be alarmed abou t my locks. TO ISAAC DISRAELI Cairo
, [Wednesday ] 20 July 183 1 1 1
O R I G I N A L : H A/IV/E/3 O
COVER: Rea d thi s first , an d alone . I I. Disrael i Esq . PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 177-8 , dated z o July 1831 , omittin g the medica l detail s EDITORIAL COMMENT : A draft o f this letter i s in the Hughende n papers A/lv/E/ag. This was the cover ing lette r wit h whic h wer e enclose d th e tw o followin g letters an d th e medica l reports . Sic : ( , I am ; sate.
Cairo. July 20. 1831 . READ THI S ALONE
My dearest father , If yo u were no t a great philosopher , a s well as a good man , I do no t think , that I coul d summo n courag e t o communicate t o you the terribl e intelligenc e which is now to be imparted b y this trembling pen ; bu t I have such confidence in your wisdom, as well as in your virtue, that i t is your assistanc e t o which I loo k in th e saddest offic e tha t ha s ever yet devolved upon me, because I know that th e joint influence o f your experienc e an d you r benevolen t sou l wil l a t th e sam e tim e assist th e sufferer s i n formin g a juster estimat e o f their los s than ca n occur i n th e first pang s o f affliction , an d offe r th e onl y solace whic h is precious t o a refine d mind - th e Sympathy of one as refined. You hav e already guesse d th e fata l trut h - ou r William is lost to us. I feel tha t I mus t repea t it . I t i s too terribl e t o believe. H e returne d t o Cair o i n th e fines t health an d spirits . I ha d waite d fo r hi m to return together . Ou r departur e was postponed fo r a week or tw o for hi s sake. About nin e o r te n day s ago (, I am too
a I 195 0 Jul 183 1
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196 I 112 I distracted t o remembe r dates ) o n th e ver y ev e o f departur e h e fel t himsel f aojul 183 1 unwell , and calle d i n a Fran k physicia n of th e nam e o f Gaetani, 1 wh o ha s re cently arrive d i n Cairo, to preside over th e Pasha' s hospitals. He i s the bes t physician here . H e wa s in ever y respect a ma n o f skill , educatio n an d experience , quite unlik e the medica l character s tha t yo u mee t i n thi s country, and w e ha d great confidenc e i n him , particularl y fro m th e judiciou s manne r i n whic h h e had treate d Cla y i n a fever . Gaetan i said ther e was inflammation in th e bowels, bled hi m i n th e arm , an d applie d leeche s t o th e part . Th e pai n wen t off , bu t some feve r remained , bu t no t ver y great . Cla y wen t of f t o Alexandri a t o se e after a ship , an d I remaine d wit h ou r friend . O n th e thir d day , th e smal l pox developed itsel f in a copious eruption , bu t i t was of a modifie d kind, and ther e was n o dangerou s symptom . Gaetani assured m e tha t al l wo[ul]d go wel l tha t it was a kind tha t neve r wa s fatal, I that i t must take its course, tha t h e wo[ul] d no t even be marked. Ou r poo r frien d ha d n o pain, and neve r lost his confidence fo r a moment . Eac h da y th e suppuratio n advanced , an d yesterda y th e igth . July Gaetani cam e as usual in th e mornin g an d examine d him , and sai d tha t al l was well, that in all probability tomorrow the eruptio n wo[ul] d commence disappear ing. Ou r dea r frien d complaine d o f a n oppressio n i n hi s ches t fro m phlegm . Gaetani ordered hi m som e squill s and wen t away, perfectly easy; he sai d h e was going o n a s well a s possible, tha t h e ha d no t a dangerou s symptom . About five o'clock one of hi s attendants came running into a n adjoinin g room , wher e I was conversing with a son of Botta the historian, 2 a very scientific travelle r and a surgeon, an d tol d m e that hi s master ha d fainted . I too k Botta 3 along wit h m e who opened a vein , the bloo d flowed , bu t no t strongly , the bod y wa s quite war m in every part . Th e terribl e trut h - apparen t t o all, never occurre d t o me, but I will not dwel l on m y own horribl e I sufferings. So much no w depends upo n me , tha t I fee l I mus t no t giv e way. I wo[ul] d willingly hav e give n m y lif e fo r his . I wil l send fo r th e satisfactio n of hi s family b y this post i f possible a report by his physician. I wil l also write to hi s sister t o break th e intelligenc e to hi s family, enclos ing som e line s to hi s father. I wil l enclos e bot h o f the m t o yo u open , tha t yo u may rea d them , an d sen d the m i f yo u thin k proper. 4 M y principa l reaso n i n 1 D r F . Gaetan i prepared , i n Italian , a ful l repor t o n Meredith' s illness . D enclosed th e repor t with this letter to Isaac to be sent to Meredith's family, togethe r wit h an Englis h translation, th e full tex t of which i s given in 113^. There is a postscript of 2 7 lines of comment added b y D at a late r date , possibl y on hi s retur n t o England , an d certainl y afte r hi s sta y a t Malt a o n th e return voyage. 2 Carl o Giuseppe Gugliem o Botta (1766-1837), historia n and surgeon . Hi s principal work was a history of Ital y between 178 9 and 1814 , which was published in 1824. 3 Pau l Emile Bott a (1802-1870) , archaeologist , Assyriologis t and (o n th e evidenc e of thi s letter) surgeon. I n th e 'Mutilate d Diary ' D described Bott a as 'the man fro m who m I have gained mos t in conversation .. . the mos t philosophic mind that I ever came in contact with. Hou r afte r hou r has glide d away , whil e chibouqu e i n mout h w e have disserted togethe r upo n ou r Divan , i n a country where ther e ar e n o journals and n o books. M y mind made a jump i n these highe r dis courses. Bott a was wont t o say that they formed als o an er a i n hi s intellectual life.' H A/m/C. See app HI . Letters t o D from Bott a are preserve d i n the Hughende n paper s (A/IV/F) . 4 I t i s probabl e tha t Isaa c di d no t forwar d Gaetani' s report , wit h it s translation , t o Georgian a Meredith wit h 113 , judging s o muc h detai l t o b e inappropriat e a t suc h a n earl y stag e o f th e Merediths' grief . I t coul d wel l hav e awaited D' s retur n an d the n bee n sen t o n wit h D' s furthe r comments as postscript (njng) .
writing them is that you shoul d be quit e unoccupied , and devot e yourself solely 113 I 197 to one wh o indeed require s solace . 2 0 Jul 183 1 Oh! m y father when I think of this I am nearl y mad. Why do w e live? The an guish o f m y soul i s great. Ou r innocen t lamb , our ange l i s stricken. The jo y o f our eye s and hearts . Save her! Save her! I will come hom e directly. I think that I shall retur n i n th e Septembe r packet , whic h return s fro m Malt a o n th e firs t Octr. I Let m e hav e a line, if possible, by i t as i t comes out. My dear father , I do no t kno w whether I hav e said all that i s necessary. It re quires grea t exertio n no t t o go distracted. I hav e sent off a Courier t o Clay. Mr. Botta ha s bee n ver y kin d t o me , an d sat e u p al l night wit h me , a s I coul d no t sleep, an d dare d no t b e alone , a s my anguish wa s very great. I wis h t o liv e only for m y sister . I thin k o f he r al l day an d al l night . I t i s some satisfactio n tha t I was wit h ou r frien d i n hi s last moments . Oh ! m y fathe r I trus t a grea t dea l t o you an d m y dear Mother . I do no t know what to write, what to think. I have not said anything that I wanted, yet I have said too much. God bless you my dear father. Embrac e them all . I wish that I could mingl e my tears with yours. Your ever affectionate Son B. Disraeli I hav e written to his sister. I cannot, I cannot write to his father. I have begun a thousand times . There i s no t a singl e topi c o f consolation . Hi s deat h the y say was occasioned b y intense interna l inflammation of which there wa s no outwar d symptom a s pain etc . endin g i n a n interna l hemorrhag e whic h issued fro m th e mouth. Botta says this is not uncommon . T.O. I They tel l me I must send duplicate s of all these letters for safety - I will do it. TO GEORGIAN A MEREDITH Cairo
, [Wednesday] 20 July 183 1 1
O R I G I N A L : F E EJM 1 3
COVER: Mis s Meredit h EDITORIAL COMMENT : There i s a cop y o f thi s lette r i n th e Hughende n paper s (A/lVfU^i) whic h ha s slight variations , an d whic h is doubtless th e duplicat e t o whic h D refers i n th e postscrip t o f hi s letter written t o Isaa c o n th e sam e day . A t the tim e o f th e preparatio n of thi s edition, thi s lette r an d it s accompanying medica l report s were i n the possessio n of Messr s Franci s Edwards , London .
Cairo. July 20. 1831 . READ THIS ALONE
My Dear Georgiana! 1 There ar e crise s i n lif e whic h require al l our energ y t o endure , an d ye t under which, whe n mellowe d b y Time, b y Sympathy , by Reason , an d b y Religion , we are sometime s not ungrateful that a benevolent Natur e ha s permitted u s to sup1 Georgiana Esthe r Meredith , siste r o f Willia m Georg e Meredith , wh o marrie d th e Re v Edward Higgins o n 7 Februar y 1833 . Th e Times ( 8 Fe b 1833) . Th e entr y fo r he r appear s i n Walford' s County Families until 1900 , bu t no t i n 1901 .
1 ^
198 I 113 por t ourselves. One o f thes e crises has no w arrive d fo r u s all ; and i t will requir e aojul 183 1 al l tha t strengt h o f min d whic h I hav e eve r observe d i n you , an d al l thos e delightful an d amiabl e feelings , whic h w e hav e lon g acknowledge d wit h admiration, t o suppor t i t yourself , t o communicat e it s impor t t o you r family , and t o strengthe n an d t o solac e the m unde r it s irresistibl e an d overwhelmin g affliction. The fata l quicknes s of an affectionat e mind ha s already whispered t o you th e dreadful truth . Yes ! my dear an d muc h love d friend, i t is indeed to o true . Ou r William i s lost t o us . That frien d o f ou r lives , tha t joy, and hope , an d expecta tion, ca n n o mor e sweete n ou r existenc e wit h hi s society , enliven u s wit h hi s presence, an d gladde n u s with his promise. Al l is over, and h e ha s yielded t o his Creator withou t a bodily , o r mental , pang , tha t pure , an d honorable , an d up right, soul, which we all so honored an d esteemed : h e ha s suddenly closed a lif e unsullied b y a vice , scarcel y b y a weakness . Suc h a death i s too awfu l bu t I fo r those wh o ar e virtuou s as himself, and i f we regret tha t th e unconsciousnes s of his approaching fat e ha s occasioned hi m to quit us without leaving some las t memento o f hi s affection , le t u s consol e ourselve s b y th e recollectio n o f th e an guish, that the same cause has spared him . I wil l endeavour, i n spit e o f th e distractio n o f m y mind, calmly an d shortl y to trace t o you the progres s o f thi s fata l result . H e returne d t o Cair o i n th e fines t health an d spirits : neve r wa s h e lookin g better , neve r mor e cheerful . I ha d waited fo r him in order tha t we might return together. Ou r departur e wa s postponed a week or tw o for hi s sake. Abou t nin e o r te n day s ago, on th e ver y eve of departure , h e fel t himsel f unwell , and calle d i n a Fran k physicia n by nam e Gaetani, who has recently arrived her e to preside ove r the militar y hospitals. H e is by far th e bes t physicia n here. H e i s in every respect a man o f skill , educatio n and experience , quit e unlik e the medica l character s tha t yo u mee t i n thi s country, and w e had grea t confidenc e in him, particularly from the judicious manne r in which he ha d treate d Cla y i n a fever. Gaetani sai d there was inflammation in the bowels, bled hi m in the arm , and applie d leeche s t o the part . Th e pai n went off, bu t som e feve r remained bu t no t ver y great. Cla y went off to Alexandria t o see after a ship , an d I remaine d wit h your brother. O n th e thir d da y th e SMAL L POX develope d itsel f i n a copiou s eruption , bu t i t wa s of a modifie d kind , an d there wa s no dangerou s symptom . Gaetan i assure d m e tha t al l woul d g o well , that i t wa s a kin d tha t neve r wa s fatal , tha t i t I must tak e it s course, tha t al l that medical skil l coul d no w [do ] wa s to watc h it s progress , an d tha t h e woul d no t even be marked. Ou r poo r frien d ha d n o pain, and neve r los t his confidence for a moment ; h e neve r suppose d tha t i t woul d b e mor e tha n a n affai r o f a fe w days. Eac h da y th e Suppuratio n advanced , an d yesterday , th e igth . July, Gae tani came as usual early in the mornin g and examine d him , and sai d tha t all was well, and tha t i n all probability o n the nex t day, the eruptio n wo[ul] d commenc e disappearing. Ou r dea r frien d complaine d o f a n oppressio n o n hi s chest fro m phlegm. Gaetan i ordere d hi m som e squills , an d wen t away , perfectl y easy : h e said h e wa s going o n a s well as possible, tha t h e ha d no t a dangerous symptom. About fiv e o'c k on e o f hi s attendant s cam e runnin g int o a n adjoinin g roo m where I was conversing wit h a gentlema n o f the nam e o f Botta , a very scientific
traveller, an d wh o ha s studie d surgery , an d tol d m e tha t hi s maste r ha d fainted . 11 3 I 199 I too k Bott a alon g wit h m e wh o opene d a vein . Th e bloo d flowed , bu t no t aoju l 183 1 strongly. Th e bod y wa s quite war m i n ever y part , an d remaine d s o fo r som e time. Ever y thin g wa s done an d tried . Th e terribl e trut h apparen t t o al l never occurred t o me , bu t I wil l no t dwel l o n m y ow n sufferings . Afte r a nigh t o f horror I ris e wit h th e determinatio n o f doin g m y dut y whic h i s imperative. I write to yo u therefor e withou t loss of time , because tomorro w I ma y be unable . I wil l no t attemp t t o console you . Fin d consolatio n i n you r ow n heart . I would willingly have given my life fo r his , for hi s was much more precious . I I write by thi s pos t t o a famil y t o who m he wa s scarcely les s dear. Oh ! ther e is on e membe r o f it , m y dearest Georgiana , o f who m I thin k wit h unutterabl e anguish - bu t let me not speak o f others. I have tried t o write to your Excellen t father,2 bu t cannot . Tende r hi m my duty an d m y affection, and le t him rest assured, tha t I wil l no t neglec t th e corps e o r th e memor y o f the frien d t o whom I was devoted. I hav e ordered th e Physicia n to draw u p a report. 3 Farewell, farewell! What , wha t i s life , i f i t lea d onl y t o suc h agony . Farewell ! I wis h tha t I could mingl e the tear s I am fast sheddin g wit h your own. Your affectionate friend, Benjn Disraeli The rite s of the Englis h Church wil l be performed b y a Protestant Missionary . 2 Willia m George Meredit h Sr. 3 Accoun t of the las t illness of W.G. Meredith Esqre Mr. W.G . Meredith an Englis h traveller of about 2 9 years of ag e wh o ha d fo r som e month s been livin g i n th e bes t healt h i n thi s cit y (Cairo ) wa s attacked o n th e nt h o f July 183 1 by sudden indisposition . Being sent fo r t o atten d hi m I proceede d t o th e hous e o f th e invalid whom I foun d with the followin g symptoms. Fever o f an inflammator y nature, throbbin g pai n in the head , eyes sunk, face flushed , ani mated, mouth dry, tongue whitish , the edges an d ti p red, thirst , pain in the epigastric regio n which wa s increased b y pressure, retching , an d vomitin g a substanc e o f a white mucous na ture, pain s i n th e loins , a feelin g of wearines s particularl y in th e grea t articulation s o f th e body and limbs , constipation etc. I immediatel y ordered 1 2 ounce s o f bloo d t o b e take n fro m him , an d prescribe d a n en imma [sic] o f decoctio n o f mallows , I and a mucilligenou s [sic] draught . The sam e day towards evening Mr. Meredith informed me, he had perspire d muc h durin g the day , that the pai n i n the hea d wa s a little diminishe d but tha t i n other respect s h e foun d no alteration sinc e the morning. On th e secon d day' s illness the pai n i n the hea d stomach , and loin s had decreased , bu t a s pressure wit h th e han d o n th e epigastri c regio n wa s painful, an d a s the feve r and throbbin g continued, I ha d thirt y leeches applied o n th e epigastri c region , advisin g when these fel l off , that th e stomac h shoul d b e covere d wit h a n emollien t cataplasm, whic h shoul d b e change d every three , o r fou r hours , wit h th e intentio n bot h o f promotin g bleedin g fro m th e bite s of these insects, and o f fomenting the bowels , which were evidently so much affected. The evenin g of this day there was no alteration - durin g the day the patient slep t for some hours. The thir d da y all the symptom s had diminished , the feve r wa s slighter, the pai n nearl y removed, th e breathin g almos t natural, and ever y thin g indicate d a speedy recovery , when o n the evenin g of thi s day, I observe d o n I the fac e of th e patien t a n unusua l redness like erysipelas i n spot s disperse d ove r i t irregularl y i n whic h spots o n close r examinatio n I discov ered th e marks of pustules. The perio d o f th e eruptio n th e plac e wher e i t firs t appeared , an d th e for m i t assumed ,
2OO I 113 joine 20 Tu l 183 1 '
d t o th e progressiv e cessatio n o f th e gastri c symptoms as the eruptio n appeared , author ^ me 'n cnaracterizmg tne illness as small pox. The fourt h th e fift h an d th e sixt h day s the eruptio n showe d itsel f successively in th e face , throat breast , arms , an d th e res t o f th e body , an d th e lowe r extremities . Th e eruptio n pro ceeded mildly , th e pustule s wer e ful l o f limpi d matter , nothin g wron g wa s observed i n th e functions o f th e viscera , head , breast , an d lowe r stomach , th e feve r wa s mitigated, and ever y thing promised a happy termination. The sevent h day th e pustule s on th e fac e began to grow yellow , the period fo r suppuratio n having arrived. The evenin g of thi s day, the puls e wa s more frequent , I and th e patien t com plained o f a sensation o f fullnes s o n th e stomach , and thic k mucu s which rising to the throat , was expectorated wit h difficulty . Hi s mouth becam e dry , and th e thirs t increased ; bu t a s it is known t o every medica l ma n wh o i s tolerably well acquainted wit h his profession, tha t i n th e commencement o f th e perio d o f suppuration , th e gastri c symptom s ar e see n t o re-appea r and tha t they disappear o f themselves after 2 4 or 3 6 hours, I only saw in this case the regula r and constan t progress of the disease . Mr. Meredit h aske d fo r a refreshin g drink , an d I prescribe d fo r hi m minera l lemonad e slightly acidulated wit h sulphuric acid an d sweetene d wit h syru p of mallows. The eight h da y the puls e was quieter, ever y thing ha d returne d t o the forme r stat e excep t the mucu s which annoyed th e patient . The nint h and las t day of this illness Mr. Meredith complained mor e than eve r of the diffi culty o f th e expectoratio n o f th e abov e mentione d mucu s on accoun t o f it s bein g s o glutinous; I prescribe d thre e ounce s o f I Oxymel o f Squill s as a n expectoran t a te a spoo n ful l t o be taken occasionally . It is to be observed tha t ther e were n o symptom s denoting th e slightes t derangement i n the viscera l functions. It wa s 9 o'clock i n th e mornin g whe n I visite d Mr . Meredith an d I congratulate d hi m sincerely o n th e mil d progres s o f a malad y i n s o many cases fatal . Abou t 4 o'clock i n th e after noon I wa s sent fo r ver y hastily Mr. Meredit h havin g (as his servant informe d me ) fainted . I hastened immediatel y to the patient' s abode ; an d foun d hi m pale , wit h hi s mouth open , de prived entirel y o f circulatio n eithe r arterial , o r o f th e heart . Th e eruptio n o f th e smal l po x was stil l on th e skin , the pustule s o n th e fac e and par t o f those on th e nec k i n a stat e o f sup puration, thos e o n th e breast, arms , an d lowe r par t o f the stomac h o f a red colou r and ful l o f lymph, but thos e o n th e extremities had assume d a violet hue . When I arrive d a t th e hous e o f Mr . Meredit h I foun d tha t I Dr. Bott a ha d attempte d t o bleed him , but could onl y obtain a few drops of blood. A death s o melancholy and unexpecte d ca n onl y be attribute d b y me t o th e afflusio n o f a quantity of mucus in the trache a b y which suffocation was caused. Signed Docto r F . Gaetani. [D added the following at the end of the document which contained Dr Gaetani's original report]: I thin k i t proper t o ad d tha t Dr . Gaetan i onl y examine d th e bod y o f m y lamente d frien d immediately afte r th e decease , tha t h e wa s then oblige d t o g o into th e country , an d tha t th e funeral necessaril y took plac e befor e hi s return nex t day . The bod y wa s examined b y Mr. Bott a th e followin g morning . Th e bloo d wa s flowing from the mouth , and fro m this , and fro m othe r symptoms , Mr. Botta was confirmed i n his decided opinion, tha t th e sudde n deceas e wa s occasioned b y an interna l hemorrhage . A s however h e had no t attende d m y frien d i n hi s lifetime , Mr . Bott a decline d givin g an y forma l writte n opinion. I als o submitte d thi s statemen t t o severa l o f th e mos t eminen t militar y Surgeons a t Malta, with whom I was acquainted. On e o f these, Mr . [George] Martin of th e 7srd. , had at tended hi s own regiment a t Malt a when the Smal l Pox was raging in it. He was therefore par ticularly I qualified t o decide . I t wa s his conviction , as wel l a s tha t o f th e others , tha t th e de cease wa s occasione d b y a n interna l hemorrhage , whic h i s no t unusual . I mentio n thes e particulars, because fro m th e rapi d alteration afte r thi s fatal event , the bod y of m y friend was not opened, altho" I had instantly expressed a desire that i t sho[ul]d be . Benj. Disrael i ze
la,5 a s h e calle d it, capital. He ha s al l hi s work s in hi s towe r at Landsdowne . I He amused m e very much; but detail s must wait until we meet. I dine d yesterda y a t Lad y Bless[ington] s wit h Durham , Albt . Conynham, 6 Massey Stanley, 7 Si r Wm. Somerville, 8 and Bulwer . A very agreeabl e party , an d admirable dinner. Durha m talked to me the whole evening. In the ev[enin]g but as late as i o'c k I was at Lady Salisburys. Today I dine with Bulwe r seul. I called on the Austen s yesterday, and mus t dine ther e tomorro w an d o n Saturday with the Meredith s whom I co[ul]d not refuse . I Thus I hav e ha d thre e interview s of lat e with three remarkabl e me n wh o fill the publi c ear a t present ; O'Connell ; Beckford ; and Lor d Durham . The first is the ma n o f the greates t genius ; th e secon d o f the greates t taste , an d th e las t of the greatest ambition . Beckford's feelin g fo r th e fin e art s i s beyond al l conception. Hi s sight i s marvellous; he can detect with[ou]t a glass a picture tha t has been painte d over; and he i s a perfec t musician , deciding I on th e merit s o f a n Oper a b y readin g th e score. B y the by e the "Sieg e o f Corinth" by Rossini is very gorgeous an d martial . In the greatest possible ] haste D 33O T
O [WILLIAM BECKFORD?] 31
3 Park Street, Grosveno r Square , [London] , [Monday 1 6 June 1834? ]
ORIGINAL: HAR V 4
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Ther e i s no indicatio n o f th e recipien t or th e date , bu t th e addres s an d ton e are consistent with D's letters to William Beckford i n June-July 1834.
313 Park St I Grosr S q My dear Sir , Colburn i s going to publish a very beautiful Edit : of V[ivian] G[rey] with plates. 1 I therefor e postpon e send[in] g yo u a cop y o f I that book , but hav e sen t yo u a copy o f Contarin i Flem[in]g for th e present , whic h is a work of which I a m no t so much ashamed, yrs f[aithfu]lly , BD 4 Despotism; o r the Fall o f th e Jesuits (1811) , a novel by Isaac . 5 Isaa c D'Israeli's Mejnoun an d Leila: The Arabian Petrarch and Laura (1797). 6 Lor d Alber t Conyngha m (1805-1860) , third so n of the is t Marques s Conyngham , Whig M P for Canterbury 1835-4 1 and 1847-50 . On inheritin g the propert y o f his maternal uncl e in 1850 , h e assumed th e surnam e o f Denison , an d a t th e sam e tim e became is t Baro n Londesborough . I n 1833 he had marrie d Henriett a Mari a Forester (d 1841) , daughter of the is t Baron Forester . 7 Willia m Thomas Stanley-Massey-Stanley (1807-1863) , Whig MP for Pontefrac t 1837-41 . 8 Si r Willia m Meredyt h Somervill e (1802-1873) , 5t h Baronet , Whi g M P fo r Droghed a 1837-52 , chief secretar y fo r Irelan d 1847-52 . I n 183 2 he ha d marrie d Lor d Alber t Conyngham' s siste r Harriet. He was created is t Baron Athlumne y in 1863 , an d is t Baron Meredyt h in 1865 . 1 N o such edition eve r appeared .
TO SARAH DISRAELI [London
, Thursday 1 9 June 1834] 3
O R I G I N A L : BE A 2O 2
COVER: Mis s Disraeli I Bradenham House I High Wycombe I Bucks POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : s I juig I 1834 PUBLICATION HISTORY : LBC S 26 , date d 1 9 June 1834 , prints four sentence s from th e secon d paragraph and thre e from th e third ; M& B I 250-1, extract dated 1 9 June 1834 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Ther e i s no signature. Sic: Grantly Berkleys, Aylesbury, Dorien Magins.
My dearest , I thin k i t ver y improbabl e tha t yo u wil l fin d roo m o r room s nex t wee k a t th e Union and Trafalgar 1 fro m whic h I have just returned, or any other hotels . The bedroom a t m y lodgings is very good , an d th e be d a fou r post . M y father might breakfast wit h me , an d wo[ul] d I mak e n o doub t b e ver y comfortable , a s m y landlady an d he r famil y ar e highl y respectable ; bu t th e distanc e i s considerably more tha n a mil e fro m th e Clubs . The neares t Coachstan d in hi s route wo[ul]d be where Davies St. intersects Lower Gros[veno]r St. I wa s at th e Duches s of St . Alb[an] s on Monday , bu t rathe r to o lat e fo r th e fun. I t wa s a mos t brilliant fete. Th e breakfas t a real banquet; bu t I misse d th e Morris dancers etc. 2 I n I the evenin g at Lad y Essex where th e coteri e consiste d of th e ne w Postmaste r Genl an d hi s lady, 3 th e Chesterfields, 4 Georg e Ansons 5 and Alber t Conynghams and Cas[tlereagh] . Tuesday afte r th e Opera , I suppe d with Cas : who gav e me a very recherche party . Ossulston, myself, Masse y Stanley and a Forester; not Cecil. 6 Wednesday , a goo d dinne r at Lad y Sykes : the Grantly Berkleys, 7 th e Charle s Tollemache s an d daughter , siste r o f Lad y 1 Se e Isaa c to D 10 June: ' I thin k I could ge t int o the Spring Garden Hote l (th e Trafalgar I think is the ne w name ) it could be better fo r u s both.' H A/i/cAjS. 2 Th e Duches s of St Albans gave on 1 6 June wha t was described i n the pres s as 'a farewel l fete ' a t Holly Lodge , he r Londo n residence . 'He r Grace gave an Entertainmen t on Monda y last which will lon g b e remembere d i n th e annal s o f pleasur e a s a divertissement o f peculia r tast e an d re finement .. . a promenade .. . military band o f the Guards .. . morris dancer s .. . a sumptuous supper conclude d al l the festivities. ' MP n o 19,82 1 (18 June 1834) . 3 Franci s Nathanie l Conyngham (1797-1876) , an d Marques s Conyngham, a general in the army. He was gazetted as postmaster general 5 July 1834 . In 182 4 he had marrie d Lad y Jane Paget (d 1876), daughter o f is t Marquess of Anglesey. See 3agn6. 4 Georg e Stanhop e (1805-1866) , 6t h Ear l o f Chesterfield , ha d marrie d i n 183 0 Ann e Elizabeth Forester ( d 1885) , daughte r o f is t Baro n Forester . Stanhope wa s master o f th e buckhound s in Peel's firs t government . 5 Georg e Anso n (1797-1857) , so n o f is t Viscoun t Anson , ha d marrie d i n 183 0 Isabell a Foreste r (d 1858) , daughter o f is t Baro n Forester . Anso n wa s Whig M P fo r Grea t Yarmout h 1818-35 , for Stoke-upon-Tren t 1836-7 , and fo r Sout h Staffordshir e 1837-53 . H e was killed in the India n Mutiny. 6 Presumabl y one o f the younge r brother s o f George Ceci l Weld Forester , afte r 187 4 3rd Baro n Forester. They were : Charle s Rober t Wel d Forester ( b 1811) , a major i n the arm y and assistan t military secretar y i n Ireland ; Orland o Watki n Weld Forester , wh o entered th e church , afte r 1886 4th Baro n Forester ; and Emiliu s John Weld Forester (b 1815), a colonel i n the army . 7 Georg e Charle s Grantle y Fit z Hardinge Berkele y (1800-1881) , younge r so n of th e 5t h Ear l o f Berkeley. I n 182 4 he ha d marrie d Carolin e Benfiel d ( d 1873) . H e wa s MP for Wes t Gloucestershire 1832-52 , and th e majo r accomplishment of his parliamentary career appear s t o have bee n the sponsorin g o f the admissio n o f ladie s to the visitors ' gallery. His memoirs claim friendship with D . My Life an d Recollections (1866) I 357-8; II I 223.
3
414 I 331 Aylesbury, 8 th e Dorie n Magins, 9 Lad y Cork , Gas . an d Ridle y Colborne: 10 t o igjun 183 4 nigh t afte r payin g m y respects t o thei r Maj[estie] s at the Opera " I a m goin g to the Duches s of Hamilton's. 12 I hav e ha d grea t succes s i n societ y this year i n every respect. I a m a s popular with the Dandie s a s I wa s hated b y the secon d rat e men . I mak e m y I way easily in the highes t set, where ther e is no envy , malice etc., and wher e the y like to admire an d b e amused . Yest[erda] y Lor d Durha m calle d upo n me , being th e first day h e ha s bee n i n tow n sinc e w e met . I wa s no t a t home ; bu t thi s Lad y Bles[sington] tol d me . I a m als o righ t i n pol[itic] s a s wel l a s society , being no w backed b y a very powerful party; and I think the winning one. A good story ! On Monday , I think ; Lady Syke s was at Lad y Cork's, an d Lor d Carrington pai d he r a visit. Lady C: "Do you know young Disraeli?" Lord C: "Hem!, why! eh! " Lady C: "Why he is yr. neighbour isn't he, eh?" 13 Lord C : "His father is - " Lady C : " I kno w that. Hi s fathe r i s one o f m y dearest friends . I dot e o n th e Disraelis." Lord C : "The youn g man i s a very extraord[inar]y sor t o f person . Th e fathe r I like; he is very quiet and respectable. " Lady C : "Wh y d o yo u thin k th e youn g ma n extraord[inar]y ? I sho[ul] d no t think that you co[ul]d tast e him. " Lord C: "He i s a great agitator. No t that h e troubles u s much now. He i s never amongst u s now . I I believe h e ha s gon e abroad again. " Lad[y] C literatum : "Yo u ol d fool ! Wh y h e sen t m e thi s boo k thi s morning . You nee d no t loo k a t it ; yo u can' t understan d it . I t i s the fines t book eve r writ ten. Gon e abroa d indeed ! Wh y h e i s the bes t to n i n London ! Ther e i s no t a party tha t goe s dow n with[ou] t him . Th e D[uche]s s o f Hamilto n say s there i s nothing like . Lad y Lonsdale 14 wo[ul] d give her hea d an d shoulder s fo r him . H e 8 Charle s Tollemach e (1775-1850) , thir d so n o f Louis a Manners , wh o i n 182 1 ha d becom e Countess o f Dysart i n her ow n right. I n 180 3 he had marrie d Gertrud e Gardiner . Thei r elder daughter, Mari e Elizabeth Brudenell-Bruce (1809-1893), had becom e th e secon d wif e o f the is t Marquess o f Ailesbur y in 1833 , an d th e younger , France s Louis a Tollemache , i s th e on e t o whom D refers. 9 Eithe r Magen s Dorrien-Magens ( d 1849 ) of Hammerwoo d and Brightlingse a and hi s wife Hen rietta Cecilia Dorrien-Magens (d 1849) , eldest sister of 3rd Baro n Dynevor, or thei r son John (b 1796), who married i n 183 0 Mar y Stephana Riedsdell . Father an d so n were both doubtless connected wit h the well-known banking firm of that name. 10 Nichola s William Ridley Colborne (1779-1854) , Whig MP fo r Well s 1834-7 . I n 183 9 h e wa s cre ated is t Baron Colborne . 11 Th e Kin g an d Quee n attende d a performanc e o f Rossini' s Th e Siege o f Corinth a t th e King' s Theatre o n 1 9 June. Althoug h D had see n th e oper a fiv e day s before (328) , obviousl y h e was planning to go again . 12 1 2 Portman Square was the Londo n addres s of the Duches s of Hamilton . 13 Lor d Carrington live d at Wycombe Abbey, only a few miles from Bradenham . 14 Lad y August a Lowthe r (1761-1838) , daughte r o f th e gt h Ear l o f Westmorland , wh o i n 178 1 had marrie d Willia m Lowther, after 180 7 is t Earl of Lonsdale o f the secon d creation .
wo[ul]d no t din e a t yr . house , i f yo u wer e t o as k him . H e doe s no t car e fo r 33 2 141 5 people becaus e the y ar e lords ; h e mus t hav e fashion , o r beauty , o r wit , or asju n 183 4 something; an d yo u ar e a ver y goo d sor t o f a person , bu t I you ar e nothin g more." Th e ol d Lor d too k i t very goo d humoredl y an d laughed . Lad y Cork has read ever y line of the ne w books. I do no t doubt the sincerit y of her admiration, for sh e has laid out i y/- in crimson velvet, and he r mai d is binding it. I hav e sent the boo k t o th e Lindos . I Angelo's letter 15 cost me y/ TO MARIA D'ISRAELI and SARA H DISRAEL I 4
7 Gower Street, London, [Monday 2 3 June 1834 ]
ORIGINAL: FIT Z Disrael i A 6
COVER: Mis s Disraeli I Bradenham House , I High Wycombe I Bucks
POSTMARK: (i ) I n Maltes e cross: v.s i vjuass I 1834 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Th e firs t twelv e line s o f th e lette r ar e addresse d t o D' s mother ; th e rest , wit h the envelope , is addressed t o Sarah. Sic: accoraod[ati]on.
47 Gowe r St.1 I 5 o'ck
My dear Mother , You mus t com e t o me ; a s the y cannot receiv e yo u a t an y hotel . Yo u ca n hav e here a ver y goo d drawin g an d sleepin g room , an d accomod[ati]o n fo r Wells . You need no t brin g William as my little boy will wait upon you. I have taken th e rooms and everythin g will I think be very good, a s the peopl e ar e ver y respectable. Altho' distant from th e club , it will be pleasan t to be tog[ethe]r . To Sa. I have not got Mignet2 Taylor i s a hack of th e Quarterl y 1 an d a creature o f Lockharts. 3 Beckford's book awaits my father.4 The an d Vol. is delightful. There are rev[iew]s in the Lit[erary] Gaz[ette] and the Athenaeum 5 - ver y fa15 Se e 329111 . 1 Throughou t th e period , 4 7 Gowe r Stree t wa s listed a s the addres s o f Georg e Falconer . How ever i t seems clear tha t D' s uncle Ephrai m Lind o an d hi s family live d there . 2 D used Frangoi s Mignet' s Histoire de la revolution fran^aise depuis i?8gjusqu'en 1814 (Paris 1824 ) as a principa l sourc e in writing The Revolutionary Epick. 3 I n a lette r o f 1 6 June 183 4 ( H A/l/B/523) Sarah ha d asked : 'Who i s this Taylor tha t i s so puffe d up?' Henr y Taylo r (1800-1886) , knighted i n 1869 , served i n the Colonia l Offic e and simultane ously pursue d literar y ambitions . H e wa s a regular contributor t o Th e Quarterly Review. In June 1834 h e publishe d hi s closet drama , Philip va n ArteveUe, and i n 183 6 The Statesman, an ironica l account o f ho w to succeed i n politics . Th e lastin g succes s o f th e latte r suggest s tha t D was being rather hasty in dismissing Taylor a s a mere hack . A revie w of Philip va n Artevelde an d on e o f Th e Revolutionary Epick appeare d soo n after , o n the sam e page of Th e Court Journal 27 0 (28 June 1834 ) 457 . Th e Epick receive d fain t praise an d Taylor's work wa s acclaimed a s one o f th e mos t 'origina l work s of ou r time' . This cannot hav e soothed D' s feelings. 4 Willia m Beckford's Dreams, Waking Thoughts an d Incidents (re v ed 1834) . D had offere d t o revie w it for Th e Edinburgh Review. 5 Th e Revolutionary Epick wa s reviewe d i n Th e Literary Gazette n o 90 9 (2 1 June 1834 ) 427-8 . An other review i n Th e Athenaeum no 34 7 (21 June 1834 ) 468- 9 has been ascribed t o H.F . Chorley .
332
416 I 334 vorable . Gen[era]l impressio n that i t wil l b e mor e popula r tha n th e others ; fo r ajul 183 4 whic h I car e nothing, as I a m certai n that I mus t publish ye t more, befor e th e attention which I require can b e obtained . I in grea t haste. My uncle sends his love to Emily ; the girl s are ou t an d wil l soon write to her. 6 BD 333 T
O HENRY COLBURN [Bradenham?
, June 1834? ]
ORIGINAL: P S 5 2
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Magg s catalogue 34 9 (Autum n 1916 ) item 1171 , described as 'A.L.S. "B.D." to Henry Colburn, 1 page, 410. Bradenham House. 1834.' EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: b y reference t o th e firs t instalmen t of 'Th e Inferna l Marriage ' whic h appeared in the July number of Th e New Monthly Magazine.
I shal l send you my article very early on Monda y morning. 1 I t i s a very amusing one, and wil l make I think about 1 2 pages . I think your Mag: is improving. 334 T
O LADY BLESSINGTO N [London] ORIGINAL: PRI N Parris h Collection A M 19732
, Wednesday [ a July? 1834 ]
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Madde n ii 21 6 prints the first paragraph without date. EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: b y comparison with 336 .
Wednesday Dearest Lady Blessington, Ever sinc e you r mos t agreeabl e dinne r part y ("afte r pleasur e come s pain" ) I have bee n a prisone r wit h th e Influenza ; a mos t annoying infirmity i n thes e I troublous times , whe n on e like s t o loung e abou t an d gathe r al l th e chit-cha t which i s always wrong. I wis h yo u woul d writ e me a littl e confidentia l not e an d tell me what the I Opposition mea n to do, an d wha t is to happen. 1 I a m going to indulge in a drive, but I fea r I shall not gathe r strengt h eno ' t o crawl t o yo u I altho' I a m ver y anxiou s to hav e th e hono r o f presentin g m y Henry G . Hewlet t ed Henry Fothergill Charley: Autobiography, Memoirs an d Letters (1873 ) I 96. Th e Gazette noted D' s tendency t o 'The mistaken us e of odd expression s fo r poetr y and o f stron g ep ithets fo r power' , addin g tha t th e poe m gav e th e impressio n 'o f grea t labour ' withou t bein g 'highly polished' . No r wa s The Athenaeum laudatory , notin g tha t 'th e tast e o f th e da y i s not fo r allegory', although the reviewer allowed tha t th e poe m improve d a s it went along. 6 Ephrai m Lind o an d hi s four daughters : Cecilia , Emily, Louis a an d Olivia . Emily was presuma bly visiting Bradenham a t the time. 1 Probabl y th e firs t par t o f 'Th e Inferna l Marriage' , publishe d i n NMM XL I (Jul y 1834 ) 293-304 . On 2 4 May D had conclude d a n agreemen t with Colburn t o supply material fo r us e i n The New Monthly Magazine i n return for a stipend o f £100 . Se e H E/vil/D/i6. 1 Th e Cople y MS S hel d a t th e Pforzheime r Librar y in New York suggest tha t Lor d Lyndhurs t an d Lady Blessingto n wer e clos e friends . Fo r other evidence o f their friendshi p se e Derek Hudso n ed Th e Diary o f Henry Crabb Robinson: An Abridgement (1967 ) 136 , entry fo r 2 December 1834 . A s the Torie s had onl y recently bee n defeated , perhap s D was hoping for informatio n fro m Lynd hurst vi a Lady Blessington . D seems no t ye t to have known Lyndhurst. Se e 338 .
friend Villebois 2 t o yo u wh o ha s passe d severa l year s a t th e Norther n Court s 336141 7 and who m you will like very much. 4 Jul 1834 Yours, dr Lad y Bless[ington] Ever B. Disraeli
TO WILLIAM BECKFOR D [London
, Thursday 3 July 1834 ] 33
5
ORIGINAL: BEC K 3 COVER: Willia m Beckfor d Esqr . I Landdown Plac e I 20 Barth I from Mr . Disraeli POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : E X I 3 JY 3 I 183 4 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Melvill e 338-9 , dated 3 July 183 4
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Th e secon d and thir d line s of th e cove r are no t i n D' s hand , so he canno t b e credited wit h th e highl y origina l spelling o f bot h element s of th e addres s t o whic h th e lette r wa s forwarded.
I am very sorry! I hope yo u will not fal l int o the hand s of a Pict. Thy eve r faithfu l Disraeli If you have time, read "Th e Inferna l Marriage" in the Ne w Monthly. 1 TO SARAH DISRAEL I [London]
, Friday [4 July 1834 ] 3
ORIGINAL: H A/l/B/8o COVER: Mis s Disrael i I Bradenham House I High Wycombe I Bucks POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : R IJY-4 I 183 4 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: MtAlem[bert']s .
Friday My dear Sa , I go t abou t yesterda y morn[in]g but fel t s o exhausted, tha t I co[ul] d no t g o to Madfame] MtAlemfbert'J s i n th e evening . I a m no w sufferin g onl y fro m ex treme lassitude. I hav e not been doctored a t all; but I shal l now take some stimulants and i n a fe w days shall be quite myself. Th e Influenz a rage s here : everyone i s blind. 2 Probabl y Henriett a Sykes' s brother, Henr y Villebois , eldest so n o f Henr y Villeboi s of Marham Hall, Norfolk. Her father , the elder Villebois , was a partner i n a brewery. The brothe r marrie d in 1831 . BLG (1846). 1 I n Jun e D wrote t o Macve y Napier , edito r o f Th e Edinburgh Review, offering t o revie w Beck ford's Italy, Spain an d Portugal. When his offer wa s declined, D attached thi s note t o Napier's re fusal o f 2 4 June (BEC K i ) and sen t both o n to Beckford. Beckford replied : 'So then I am doomed t o fal l int o Picts ' hand s an d certai n therefor e o f being daubed o r skinned . Praise o r censur e fro m tribe s wors e than savage s is to m e perfectly indifferent. I shall probably not find time to read thei r ravings , but I have snatched a moment to read the I.M . and bles s the hou r whe n I snatched it. ' BEC K 3 . 'The Inferna l Marriage' , a series of satirica l dialogue s i n the manne r o f Lucian , appeared in four issue s of The New Monthly Magazine: XL I (Jul y and Aug 1834 ) 293-304 , 431-40 ; XLI I (Sep t and Oc t 1834 ) 30-8 , 139-44 . Beckfor d di d rea d 'Th e Inferna l Marriage' , and conveye d hi s appreciation throug h hi s friend Georg e Clarke : 'Pra y tel l Disrael i tha t I hav e read, enjoyed, an d admired hi s Infernal Marriage . Th e sly , dry humou r o f that mos t original compositio n i s to me delightful.' Olive r 302 .
36
418 I 337 Th e buckl e has arrived and shal l be forwarde d at th e firs t opportunity. 1 7 Jul 183 4 Sen d th e paper s with[ou] t los s o f I time. I hav e nothing t o tel l yo u fo r I have seen no one an d hear d nothing ; but I will write when things are vic e versa. Thine, D 337 T
0 SARAH
DISRAELI [3
ORIGINAL: BE A 203
4 Grosvenor Street , London] , Monda y [7 July 1834 ]
COVER: Mis s Disraeli I Bradenham House I High Wycombe I Bucks POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : v I jv-y I 183 4
PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 251-2, dated 7 July 1834 , with omissions EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: Frank's , Cholmely, champaigne, Lewis'.
Monday morng . My dearest , I hav e just receive d you r parcel . I hav e quite recovered , bu t I a m takin g quinine, and shal l yet for a few days. I shall be sending yo u a parcel in a day or two when I wil l enclose m y mothers buckl e and th e boo k fo r m y father. I wa s very unwell unt o Frida y Ev[enin]g . I ha d promise d t o joi n a wate r part y i n Si r Frank's yacht which has returned with[ou] t its master, 1 to witness the Roya l embarkation on Saturday morng, 2 and th e exertio n whic h I dreaded, cure d me . It was almos t th e onl y part y o f pleasur e tha t eve r turne d ou t pleasant . Lad y Sykes[,] Sir M . and Lad y Georgiana Cholmely, 3 the I Burdett daughters, 4 Castlereagh, Ossulsto n an d myself . Th e da y wa s beautiful. The ladie s went of f th e night before. Ossulsto n drove m e dow n in hi s cab. We arrived just i n time , 1/2 past 9 , i n spit e o f a lon g debate o n Tithe s whic h had kep t him an d Cas . up til l two.5 Cas . rode dow n an d arrive d covere d wit h dus t an d sulk y bu t just i n time also: and regaine d hi s good humo r after breakfast. After th e sho w we breakfasted, an d saile d up t o Greenwich. After lionisin g the Hospital 6 and sentimentalis1 Sara h ha d aske d D on 3 July 1834 : 'Ha s Mamma' s buckle come fro m Howel l and James . To m was t o cal l fo r it. ' H A/l/B/526. 1 Se e saSni. 2 'He r Majesty , accompanie d by the Duk e of Sax e Meiningen , and attende d by the Ear l and Countess o f Denbigh , th e Ear l an d Countes s Brownlow , Mis s Bagot , Lor d Frederic k Fitzcla rence, an d M r Davies , lef t th e Palac e o f S t James's a t a quarte r befor e 9 o'clock o n Saturda y morning i n a carriage an d four , with an escort of ligh t cavalry, for Woolwich. ' The Times (7 July 1834). 3 Si r Montagu e Joh n Cholmele y (1803-1874) , 2n d Baronet , marrie d i n 182 9 Georgian a Beau clerk ( d 1880) , daughter o f th e 8t h Duk e of S t Albans. Sir Montagu e was Whig MP for Lincoln shire 1847-5 2 and agai n 1857-74 . 4 Th e daughter s o f Si r Franci s Burdet t were : Sophi a ( b 1794) , marrie d i n 183 3 Rober t Otway Cave, MP; Susanna h ( b 1800) , marrie d i n 183 0 John Trevanion; Joann a Frances (b 1804) ; Clar a Maria ( b 1806) , marrie d i n 185 0 James Money; and Angel a Georgin a ( b 1814) , afte r 187 1 Bar oness Burdett-Coutts i n her ow n right. 5 Th e Iris h Tithe Bil l — an amendmen t t o th e Churc h Temporalitie s (Ireland) Ac t — was debated in the Common s o n Frida y 4 July, and th e debate continued into Saturday morning. The Times (5 July 1834) . 6 Greenwic h Hospital , no w the Roya l Naval Hospital .
ing i n th e Park, 7 w e ha d a magnificen t banquet o n deck , an d ha d nothin g fro m 33 8 I 419 shore exc[ep] t white bait piping hot. Ossulston wa s our minstre l an d a mos t mu- 1 1 Jul 1834 sical one ; an d w e al l arrive d i n tow n i n tim e fo r th e I ballet.8 I neve r kne w a more agreeabl e day , an d neve r dran k s o muc h champaign e i n m y life . I wok e quite well , and afte r a ver y dul l dinne r part y a t th e Wyndha m Lewis ' wen t t o Lady Salisbury's . S o yo u se e I a m o n m y leg s again . O n th e receip t o f thi s I sho[ul]d fee l muc h oblige d t o you, if you wo[ul]d pack up m y daggers and sen d them t o town and als o m y old shawl . If the y co[ul]d arrive a t No . 3 4 Grosr. St. 9 directed t o Lad y Syke s i n th e cours e o f th e day , I shd . b e very glad . I a m sorr y for dea r Jem, bu t h e ha s man y fello w sufferers . Th e Influenz a howr . i s not s o severe a s last year. My love to all. Your own D T.O .I Ossulston aske d m e to allow him to put m e up fo r Crockfords. 10 I told hi m tha t I wa s sure I shd . b e blackballed , bu t h e wa s sanguine o f th e reverse , an d i s to consult hi s friends . I When hav e you a dinner party ? TO [SARAH DISRAELI] [London
, Frida y 1 1 ? July 1834 ] 3
ORIGINAL: P S 5
PUBLICATION HISTORY : LBC S 26-7, dated i i July 1834 ; M&B I 252, extracts dated 1 1 July 183 4 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: Lord Grey announced his resignation in the Hous e of Lord s on Wednesday 9 July 1834 . The Times', Greville ill 53ff .
July 11 , 1834 . We remai n her e i n breathles s agitation. 1 I ca n giv e yo u n o ide a o f th e stat e o f excitement. A t thi s momen t nothin g i s settled . Lord s Lansdown e an d Mel bourne wer e wit h th e kin g al l yesterday. 2 Masse y Stanley brough t th e new s t o the opera 3 on Tuesda y a t nin e o'clock . I was in Lad y B's box. N o one woul d be7 Greenwic h Park, site of the Roya l Observatory. 8 Rossini' s Semiramide wa s performed a t th e King' s Theatre on Saturda y 5 July 1834 , followe d by Le Pouvoir de la Danse, a ne w balle t by M . Taglioni. Th e Times ( 5 July 1834) . D had me t Beckfor d at a performance whic h included a one-act version of this same opera on 1 2 June. Se e 329112. 9 Th e Sykeses . 10 Founde d b y William Crockford i n the 18205 , Crockford's Club - locate d a t 50 St James's Stree t - wa s one of the mos t famous gambling houses of the era. D , however, did no t become a member unti l 1840 . A.L . Humphrey s Crockford's o r The Goddess o f Chance i n St . James's St , 1828-1844 (1953) 10 51 O n 9 July 1834 , Gre y resigned, havin g alienated O'Connel l wh o fel t betraye d b y the new s that the Iris h Coercio n Bil l was to be renewed. Grey' s growing sense o f isolation within his own cabinet was perhaps th e fundamental cause . 2 Melbourn e becam e prim e ministe r o n 1 6 July 1834 . Si r Henr y Petty-Fitzmauric e (1780-1863) , 3rd Marques s of Lansdowne, had been lor d presiden t o f the Council in Grey's government an d continued i n that offic e unde r Melbourne . A moderate Whig , he favoure d th e abolitio n o f th e slave trade and other liberal measures . 3 Donizetti' s opera Anna Bolena was playing at the King' s Theatre.
38
4 2 0 ' 339 li eve it - O n Wednesda y a t Lad y Cork' s wa s th e Duk e o f Wellington , in hig h i6Jul 183 4 spirits , bu t sayin g everywher e th e Torie s woul d no t tak e office . Fonblanque , who wa s there, sai d th e Torie s wer e lik e a woma n wh o fancie s hersel f enceinte and goe s about saying it is not ye t he r time... . I mad e m y debut a t Almack's 4 with a subscriptio n fro m Lad y Tankerville, 5 but i t wa s not a ver y brilliant reunion . Yesterday I me t Lor d Lyndhurst, 6 whom I lik e very much . The nex t tim e h e goes th e Norfol k circuit he is to sleep at Bradenham. H e says the Duk e of Wellington neve r read s an y boo k bu t th e 'Commentaries' , an d assure d m e i t wa s a positive fact ! [D] 339 T
O SARAH DISRAELI [London
, Wednesday 1 6 July 1834 ]
ORIGINAL: FIT Z Disrael i A-J
COVER: Mis s Disraeli I Bradenham Hous e I High Wycombe I Bucks POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : M IJY 1 6 I 183 4
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Ther e is no signature. Sic: fro.
My dearest , I inten d t o wake at Bradenham on the mornin g of the is t of August. The hors e howr. may be turned out , a s I do no t wis h t o move for th e ist . week at least out of the grounds , and I have a horse i n London whic h I shall perhaps brin g down with me . The pric e outsid e t o Exete r i s £2. and ther e ar e coache s to and fr o Bat h an d Exeter daily. It i s by n o mean s settled tha t th e Ministr y i s patched u p eve n I yet; but a s all parties apparentl y desir e thi s temporar y arrangement , I thin k i t mus t tak e place. The Torie s are lost for ever. 1 4 Almack' s Assembly Rooms, i n Kin g Street, S t James's, serve d a s th e semi-officia l focu s of th e London season . Assemblie s and subscriptio n ball s wer e usuall y hel d o n Wednesda y night s since tha t da y wa s considered a ligh t on e fo r Parliament . Thi s institutio n wa s controlle d b y seven patronesses , al l of nobl e rank , and lon g dominated b y Lady Jersey an d b y Princess Liev en, wif e o f th e Russia n ambassador . Ther e wer e als o provincia l equivalents, modelle d o n tha t of th e metropolis , cj n o 19 6 (1 6 Jan 1833 ) 5 0 an d n o 28 7 (2 5 Oc t 1834 ) 274 ; E . Beresfor d Chancellor Memorials o f St. James's Street together with the Annals of Almack's (1922 ) 195-279 . 5 Corisand e Armandin e Sophi e Benne t ( d 1865) , daughte r o f Antoine , du e d e Gramont , ha d married i n 180 6 Charle s Augustu s Bennet , 5t h Ear l o f Tankerville . Sh e wa s D'Orsay' s niec e (his siste r Ida' s daughter) . 6 John Singleto n Cople y (1772-1863) , is t Baro n Lyndhurst ; solicito r genera l i n 1819 , attorne y general 1824-6 , chief baron o f the Excheque r 1831-4 , and thre e times lord chancellor , 1827-30 , 1834-5, 1841-6 . Thi s seems t o hav e been D' s first encounter wit h Lyndhurst , to who m h e late r became a n unofficia l privat e secretary . 1 Thi s was the firs t o f a series o f occasions whe n th e Torie s seemed unabl e t o take sufficien t ad vantage o f th e fragilit y o f th e Whig-Radica l alliance. A possible coalition o f Torie s and Whig s was proposed b y the Kin g at thi s time, but Pee l decline d th e opportunity . Som e for m o f coalition continue d t o b e bruite d durin g successiv e crise s i n 1834-5 . Si r Theodore Marti n A Life o f Lyndhurst (1884 ) 316; Grevill e ill 137-8 .
My Macclesfiel d lette r wa s fro m on e M r Siddeley, 2 a grea t literar y admirer, 33 9 I 421 impressing th e necessit y o f a chea p edit : o f th e Revolutionary ] Epic k fo r th e i6Ju l 1834 manufacturing district s etc. etc . I wrot e abou t Jem , bu t perhap s (tho ' I thin k not) he i s the Edito r of a news[pape]r and no t a manufacturer. I I thin k your story ma y b e i n th e nex t No . bu t i t arrive d late. I though t very well of it[.] 3 The Ifnfernal] Mfarriage] 4 - i s the mos t successful thin g I ever wrote - I hear something of it every day. I hop e I ma y just escap e th e Shepherds, 5 whic h I thin k I shall . I calle d o n B.E.L. th e da y afte r hi s arrival . I hav e 3 invit[ati]on s today, al l o f whic h I sho[ul]d lik e to accept - a birth day fete in honor of Margaret Purves6 at Lincoln Stanhope's villa a t Putney; 7 a white bait dinner wit h D'Orsa y and th e dandie s at Blackwall; and a dinner a t Lad y Combermere's.81 have decided fo r th e I middle affair, o r rathe r Fat e di d fo r me . Adieu ! I shal l g o t o Almack s tonight , not t o appear onl y t o g o once , but it s Room is over thi s season . Castlereagh i s off fo r Ireland o n Thursday. Ossulsto n on Sunday week to the Duches s of Bedford's in the Highlands. 9 Al l tal k o f moving ; yet ther e ar e rumour s tha t Park , ma y sit thro' Augt. 10 Chalo n ha s mad e th e mos t exquisit e portrai t o f Lad y Syke s (ful l length) I ever saw. 11 It is marvellous, quite his chef d'oeuvre. 2 On e Samue l Siddeley was a householder i n Sunderlan d Street , Macclesfield . Th e Poll at an Election o f Representatives i n Parliament for th e Borough o f Macclesfield i n th e Year i $35 (Macclesfield 1835) 21 . 3 O n 3 July Sara h ha d written : 'D o yo u thin k there i s any chanc e o f gettin g anything int o th e N.M. for th e nex t tim e if I send i t to you in three or fou r days . True Stories a series, thi s is No. i Th e Birth-day . I t i s a very good story indeed , quit e a s goo d a s an y Balaa m I eve r read , an d much bette r tha n mos t - h e ma y have i t fo r anything. ' H A/l/B/526. I f th e stor y di d appea r i n The New Monthly Magazine, however , it was not unde r this name and ha s no t ye t been located. 4 Se e 335H2. 5 The famil y o f the Re v Dr George Shepherd (1767?-1849) , then o f Russell Square, London. H e was a friend of Isaac . Foster IV ; H 0/1/861-62; A/l/B/527 , 530 . 6 Marguerit e Purve s (d 1896) , niece of Lady Blessington , married i n 184 6 Willia m Augustus Tollemache (1817-1911) . 7 Th e villa , one supposes , wa s 'The Cedars'. Se e 340. 8 Carolin e Cotto n ( d 1837) , second daughte r o f Willia m Fulke Greville , married i n 181 4 Sir Stapleton Cotton , 5th Baronet , an d late r is t Viscount Combermere. Sh e was her husband' s secon d wife, and fo r th e las t seven years of her lif e sh e lived apart fro m hi m at 8 Hereford Street , Oxford Street . 9 Lad y Georgian a Russel l (d 1853) , fift h daughte r o f th e 4t h Duk e o f Gordo n o f th e firs t cre ation, and , afte r 1803 , secon d wif e o f th e 6t h Duk e o f Bedford . Sh e usuall y spent par t o f th e summer a t 'Th e Doune' , i n th e Fores t o f Rothiemurchus , Inverness-shire . He r lover , Edwi n Landseer (1802-1873) , painted a numbe r o f well-known pictures o f th e area . Campbell Lenni e Landseer: Th e Victorian Paragon (1976 ) 43, 107 . 10 B y the beginnin g o f Augus t man y member s o f th e Common s ha d lef t town . Th e Lord s sud denly came to life, thre w out th e bill for the admissio n of Dissenters into the universitie s by 187 to 85 , and , wit h mounting enthusiasm , wen t on t o rejec t th e government' s Iris h Tithe Bil l o n 11 August by 18 9 to 122 . Two day s later th e sessio n ended . 11 Alfre d Edwar d Chalo n (1780-1860 ) wa s a membe r o f a famil y o f emigre s wh o ha d com e t o England i n 1789 . H e becam e a ver y fashionabl e portrait-painte r an d wa s th e firs t t o pain t Queen Victori a after he r accession . Jerma n (99 ) has a reproduction o f a portrait o f Lady Sykes by Chalon take n fro m th e 183 7 Book o f Beauty.
340
T0
SARAH DISRAELI [London]
, Wednesday [23 July 1834 ]
O R I G I N A L : H A/I/B/8l
COVER: Mis s Disraeli I Bradenham Hous e I High Wycombe I Bucks POSTMARK: (l ) I n circle : X I JY23 I 183 4
PUBLICATION HISTORY : LBC S 27-8 , dated 2 3 July 1834 , prints , i n rando m order, si x sentences fro m the first paragraph, and part of 341 (see ni). EDITORIAL COMMENT : Ther e is no signature. Sic: Matthews, almost, champaigne.
Wednesday My dearest , I hav e been expecting Jem i n town every morng. and i t has only just occurred to me tha t h e ha s foun d hi s way to Dawlis h with[ou]t passing thro ' London . Tel l Tita to get my pipes in good order , as I look forward to a batch of smoking with great zest . I stil l adher e t o m y plan o f bein g dow n i n a wee k or te n days . Th e season her e wil l no t b e ove r fo r a fortnight . I g o every day t o fete s and water parties. I was at Lad y I Tavistock's at Richmon d on Saturday : it rained dreadful ly, with[ou] t ceasing . O n Sunda y I dine d a t th e Seymour s wit h th e Nortons , Lord Mulgrav e an d Fran k Sheridan ; bu t i t wa s such a dreadfu l nigh t tha t I co[ul]d no t mak e m y final bow, as I ha d intende d a t Lad y Salisburys. Monday another part y t o Blackwal l wit h D'Orsay : th e afternoo n wa s fine: To da y Lad y Sykes has a grand water-party . Lincoln Stanhope ha s I lent her "th e Cedars" , th e most beautifu l vill a o n th e Thames . Sh e ma y consider hersel f fortunat e i n th e weather, tho ' ther e i s a lowerin g loo k abou t th e skies . Thin k o f u s a t 4 o ck : when w e embark a t Whitehal l stairs . I suspec t a shower. 1 Tomorro w [I ] g o t o Lord Hertfords ; an d Lad y Cork ha s a part y this evening, but I doubt whe[the] r we shal l retur n i n time . Ther e ar e onl y twent y person s asked , an d ther e i s a large 8-oa r boa t tha t carrie s u s al l down tog[ethe]r , al l the ladie s ar e beauties , and al l the me n wits , so I suppose i t must be a failure . I Margaret Purves , who i s going today , now they say is about t o marry Mortimer Ricardo; 2 rather a chang e from Lor d Douro, 3 but a very goo d matc h fo r he r al l the same . Ther e ar e two Miss Kings, dau[ghte]rs of Hon : Gen l King, 4 and Mis s Ellio t of th e Admiralty. 5 1 LBC S 27-8 , dated 2 3 July 1834 , include s a passag e fro m 34 1 o f 26 ? July, describing th e 2 3 July water-party a t the 'Cedars' after i t had take n place . 2 Mortime r Ricard o (1807-1876) , thir d so n of the economist , an d the n a captain i n the an d Lif e Guards, did not , i n fact, marry Miss Purves. 3 Arthu r Richar d Wellesley (1807-1884), Marques s Douro , after 185 2 and Duke of Wellington . 4 Ma j Gen Henr y Kin g ( d 1839 ) wa s the fourt h so n o f th e 2n d Ear l o f Kingston . H e wa s for •merly governo r o f Heligoland , wa s awarded th e KC B an d gazette d lieutenan t genera l i n 1838 . His first wife, Mar y Hewitt, whom he ha d marrie d i n 1802 , had die d i n 1821 , and h e ha d mar ried i n 183 2 a widow , Catherine Richardson , n6 e Philip s (d 1847) . H e ha d fou r daughter s b y his first marriage - Caroline , Louisa , Sidne y and Alicia - an d those who were referred t o as 'the daughters of The Ho n Mr s King' in the socia l note s o f th e tim e were th e tw o younger ones, cj no 20 8 (20 Apr 1833 ) 264. 5 Georgian a Mari a Ellio t ( d 1874 ) wa s the eldes t daughter o f Georg e Ellio t (1784-1863) , secon d son of the is t Ear l o f Minto , and firs t secretar y o f th e Admiralt y betwee n 183 0 an d 1834 . Sh e married in 184 3 the 8t h Ear l o f Northesk.
Men: Oss[ulston ] Landseer , Matthews, 6 Captn . Phipps, 7 F[rancis ] Sher[idan] : 341 1 423 Linleyf,]8 Arthu r Chichester , Henr y Bathurst 9 an d myself , almos t al l sing , an d aGJu l 1834 there i s a quantit y of guitar s an d champaigne . M y love t o all . The col d crea m I very good; and you r waistcoat universally notice d and admired. 10 The las t Almack s was muc h better . M y subscription] o f 3 ticket s i s out . I thought i t useless to apply again. TO [SARAH DISRAELI] [London
, Saturda y 26 ? July 1834 ] 3
ORIGINAL: P S 7 5
PUBLICATION HISTORY : Anderso n Galleries, catalogue 2099 (1926) ite m 17 ; LBC S 27-8, extract dated 23 July 1834 ; see als o 340111; M& B I 253, extract dated 2 3 July 183 4 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: b y comparison with 34 0 (2 3 July 1834 ) in whic h D told Sarah tha t 'to day Lad y Sykes ha s a gran d water-party' . O n 2 5 July Sara h ha d observe d tha t the y ha d no t hear d from D for thre e days. H A/I/B/531. The passage s fro m LBC S 27-8 , of 2 3 July 1834 , whic h seem t o belon g t o thi s lette r hav e been in serted i n square brackets. Sic: Sykes'.
[I fin d th e en d o f th e seaso n mor e fatiguin g than th e beginning , owin g to th e morning festivities. ] Lady Sykes ' part y o n Wednesda y was th e mos t delightfu l I eve r wa s at. W e embarked a t 5 , the heaven s very favourable, sang all the wa y down, wandered i n beautiful garden s worth y of Pau l Veronese [ , full no t onl y o f flowers, but foun tains and parroquets : th e dinne r first-rat e an d muc h better tha n col d miserabl e picnics, i n whic h all brin g th e sam e things. ] O n Thursda y I dine d e n famill e with th e Bulwer s and wen t to Lor d Hertford's 1 i n th e evenin g where I foun d a scene worth y of Calip h Vathek. 2 By the by , Beckford , who ha s lon g lef t town , has written a letter t o Bentley and say s there never was anything like 'The Infer nal Marriage' and al l people say the sam e ... [People ar e stil l in town, but Goodwood 3 will, I think, clear us.] 6 Probabl y Charle s Mathews , son of th e comedian . Th e elde r Mathew s was, however, i n England at thi s time . H e departe d o n hi s tou r t o Americ a on e mont h later . Mr s Mathew s Memoirs o f Charles Mathews, Comedian (1839) IV 288. 7 Cap t Charle s Beaumont Phipps (1801-1866), secon d so n of the is t Earl o f Mulgrave . He was at this time a captain i n the Scot s Fusilee r Guards. 8 Willia m Linle y (1771-1835) , the great-uncl e of Franci s Sheridan, was the compose r of light operas and simila r entertainments. Linley woul d hav e bee n older than the res t of the part y but h e was both a bachelor and a noted singer. 9 Presumabl y Henr y Georg e Bathurs t (1790-1866) , Baro n Apsley . Fou r day s afte r D' s lette r th e 3rd Ear l Bathurs t died , and Lor d Apsley , who ha d bee n Tory M P fo r Cirenceste r 1812-34 , suc ceeded as the 4th Earl . 10 Sarah ha d mad e hi m on e a mont h earlier : 'You r waistcoa t i s finished, I a m al l impatienc e t o learn if it be a failure. I am hal f afrai d o f it , as it is my first attempt in that line.' H 1 Lor d Hertfor d live d at Dorchester House , Park Lane . 2 Se e 3*7ni. 3 Th e rac e meeting held annually i n July near Chichester.
41
342 T
O LADY BLESSINGTON [London?
, Tuesday 2 9 July? 1834 ]
O R I G I N A L : NYP L Kohn s 3 5
COVER: Th e I C[ounte]ss of Blessingto n I Disraeli EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: th e 'tale ' i s almos t certainly 'The Carrier-pigeon ' whic h appeare d i n Lady Blessington' s The Book o f Beauty fo r 1835 , published 1 5 November 1834. The dat e ha s been arbitrarily assigned to late July from th e interna l evidence of this sequence o f letters to Lady Blessington.
Tuesday My dear Lady Blessington , I sen d yo u th e tale , whic h I be g yo u to accep t a s a mar k o f m y sincere regard; and t o rejec t with[ou]t hesitation, if, on perusal , yo u d o no t conside r i t suitable t o your wishes . I shal l b e gla d indee d i f yo u ma y conside r i t such , a s i t I must al ways afford m e livel y satisfaction t o be of service , howeve r slight , t o one who m I so much esteem . Yrs f[aithful]l y Dl I fea r th e MS . is not a s fair as I cd. wish . My amanuensis i s too busy to hel p me , and I broke dow n i n the copying. Let me have a proof. 343 T
O [SARAH DISRAELI] [London]
, [Friday ] i Augus t 183 4
ORIGINAL: P S 80
PUBLICATION HISTORY : J . Pearso n catalogue 18 8 (nd) 33 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Th e catalogu e describe s thi s lette r a s bein g t o Sarah , 'Augus t ist , 1834 . 3 pages, 410. A n interestin g early letter on a projecte d visi t o f Lad y Cork t o Bradenham. ' The tex t i s a mixture of paraphrase an d quotation.
She ha d fixe d o n nex t Thursda y fo r he r visi t an d neve r eve n hinte d i t t o 'th e young man. ' She did no t care whe[the]r h e was there o r not , a s she went t o visit his father . Thro ' th e goo d office s o f Lad y Syke s I rejoic e t o sa y that th e stor m has at presen t blow n over . 'H e who gains time , gain s everything' , and therefor e we will not anticipat e futur e movement s o n the par t of the old lady,...' 344 T
O LADY BLESSINGTON [London?
, Saturday 2 August? 1834 ]
O R I G I N A L : PFR Z Mis c Ms . 91 3
COVER: Th e Countes s of Blessingto n I Disrael i PUBLICATION HISTORY : Morriso n 1 3
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: D left fo r Bradenha m Sunda y 3 Augus t 183 4 (345) , an d thi s ha s th e tone of a note sen t immediately before tha t departure .
My dear Lady Bless[ing]ton , I ventur e t o enclos e yo u th e lette r fo r Botta , an d a not e whic h I shal l fee l obliged by your givin g Count D'Orsay . I shall the n b e sure that i t reaches him. I wish you wo[ul]d enforc e th e favo r I ask of him . I fea r yo u wil l fin d m y correspondence ver y monotonous ; bu t I shal l b e to o delighted to hear fro m you , to omit a claim for you r answers . 1 Ther e i s no evidenc e tha t Lad y Cor k eve r di d descen d o n Bradenham ; possibl y th e caus e o f her annoyanc e with D was his failure t o come to her part y o n 2 3 July. Se e 340 .
We liv e at "Bradenha m House , High Wycombe". 34 Pray let me hav e a proof o f m y little story, sent t o Brad : Th e post , you know, 5 will carr y a proo f sheet , i f so certified on th e direction . I t shal l be returne d in stantly. In haste Yr f[aithfu] l D TO LADY BLESSINGTO N Bradenham
, [Tuesday 5 August 1834 ] 34
O R I G I N A L : PFR Z Mis c Ms . 89 0
COVER: Th e I Countess o f Blessingto n I 8 Seamore Plac e I Londo n POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle : F I 5 A U 5 I 1834 (2) I n rectangle : No . i (3 ) HWYCOMB E I Penny Pos t PUBLICATION HISTORY : Morriso n 13-14 ; Meynel l 295-6 ; Madde n H 219, excerpt EDITORIAL COMMENT : Ther e i s no signature . Sic: Sandt.
Bradenham Hous e I High Wycombe My dear Lady Blessington, I wa s so sorry t o leave London with[ou] t being a moment alone with you but al tho' I cam e t o th e Oper a th e las t nigh t o n purpose , Fat e wa s against us . I di d not reach thi s place until Sunday, very ill indeed fro m the pang s of parting . In deed I fee l a s desolate a s a ghost, an d I d o no t thin k that I ever shal l be able to settle t o anythin g again . I t i s a grea t shame , whe n peopl e ar e happ y together , that I they sho[ul]d b e ever separated ; bu t i t seems the grea t objec t of al l huma n legislation that peopl e neve r shd . be happy tog[ethe]r.' My fathe r I find better than I expected, an d muc h cheered b y my presence. I delivered hi m al l you r kin d messages . H e i s now ver y bus y on hi s "Histor y o f English Literatu[re]" 2 in which he i s far advanced . I a m mistake n if you wil l no t delight i n thes e volumes . They ar e ful l o f ne w views of th e Histor y of ou r Language, an d indee d o f ou r country , fo r th e histor y I o f a stat e i s necessaril y mixed u p wit h the histor y of its literature. For mysel f I a m doing nothing . Th e wester n breez e favor s an alfresc o exist ence, an d I a m seate d wit h a pipe unde r a spreading sycamore , solemn a s a Pacha. I wis h you cd. induc e Hookham 3 t o entrus t m e wit h Agathon, 4 tha t ma d Byronic novel. What d o yo u thin k o f th e moder n Frenc h novelists ? and i s it worth m y while to rea d them ? An d i f s o wha t d o yo u recommen d me ? Wha t o f Balzac ? Is h e better tha n Sue 5 and Geo : Sandt Dudevant? 6 And are thes e inferio r t o Hugo ? I 1 Lad y Blessington was one o f th e fe w to whom D confided the detail s of hi s affair wit h Henriet ta. Th e extravaganc e of hi s feeling s wa s occasioned, no t b y any permanen t break , but b y th e temporary separatio n brough t abou t b y his return t o Bradenham for the autumn. See 346111. 2 Se e 314ns. 3 Thomas Hookham , bookseller an d publisher , 1 5 Old Bon d Street, London . 4 Agathon, a romantic tal e by Christoph Marti n Wieland, was published i n Germany i n 1767 . An English translation wa s published by T. Cadel l in London i n 1773. 5 Mari e Joseph Su e (1804-1857), French novelist and author , who wrote as 'Eugene Sue'. 6 Georg e San d wa s the no m d e plum e of baronne Dudevant , n6e Amandin e Lucile Aurore Du pin (1804-1876) .
5 I 425 Aug 183 4
5
426 I 346 as k yo u thes e questions , because yo u wil l giv e m e shor t answers , like all peopl e 15 Aug 183 4 wh o ar e master s o f thei r subject . I I suppos e i t i s vain to hop e t o se e m y dea r D'Orsay here . I wis h indee d h e wo[ul] d come . Her e i s a coo k b y n o mean s contemptible. H e can bring his horses i f he like, but I can mount him . Adieu dr . Lady Blessington . Someda y I wil l tr y t o writ e yo u a mor e amusin g letter , a t present I am in truth il l and sad . 346 T
O LADY BLESSINGTON Bradenham
, Friday 1 5 August [1834 ]
ORIGINAL: P S 73
PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 257-8, dated 15 August [1834]; Madden (n 217 ) prints two paragraphs which hav e been added her e within square brackets. The similarit y of subject supports the hypothesis that i t i s th e materia l omitte d by Monypenn y a s indicate d by hi s ellipsis . R . Atkinso n catalogu e 58 (1924) item 55, includes extracts from thi s letter. EDITORIAL COMMENT : Ther e i s a copy, in another hand, of th e firs t pag e o f thi s lette r i n th e Ber g Collection o f th e NYP L (n o 8) . Th e text , wit h mino r changes , runs fro m th e beginnin g to 'muc h pleased'. W e hav e followe d Monypenny' s text , with addition s from Madden . See ph . Dating: Lad y Blessington replied 2 0 August: T kne w yo u would lik e Agathon even thro' the dilutin g medium of a translation.' H A/B/xxi/B/557.
BRADENHAM HOUS E I Friday, Au g 15. [1834.] My Dear Lad y Blessington , I hav e been ver y unwell, or I should soone r hav e acknowledge d the receip t o f your kin d letter . I ca n assur e yo u that you r friendshi p is a grea t consolatio n t o me. The chang e o f life wa s too sad and sudden . Indee d I am quite at a loss how to manage affair s i n future as I fin d separation more irksom e than eve n my bitterest imaginatio n predicted . Go d howeve r i s great, an d th e futur e mus t regu late itself , fo r I can't. 1 I hav e done nothin g bu t scribbl e on e da y a third par t of The Infernal Marriage wit h whic h fantas y Colbur n pretend s no w t o b e muc h pleased. I suppose your letter is at the bottom of his rapture . I a m delighted wit h Agathon. It lef t m e musing which is a test of a great work . I invariabl y close on e i n a reverie . Wielan d indee d alway s delight s me . I sympathise with him much . There is a wild Oriental fanc y blende d wit h hi s Western philosophy whic h is a charming union . I lik e a mora l t o peep ou t o f th e wildest invention, t o assur e u s that , whil e we hav e been amused , w e hav e als o al l th e time been growin g a little wiser. The translatio n of the Agathon is very clumsy. I wish I could read i t in the origina l but I have no talent for languages and invariably los e m y command ove r Englis h in a n exac t proportio n a s I gai n an y hol d over another tongue... . [I thin k the'Manuscrit Vert'2 sad stuff. The author' s constan t efforts to be reli1 Lad y Blessingto n ha d writte n t o D on 5 August , comfortin g hi m o n hi s temporar y separatio n from Henrietta : Partings ar e sa d things, bu t ye t this bitterness has a consolation, for w e know they wil l be re paid b y the happines s o f meetings .. . I saw that yo u were suffering (in anticipation,) for som e days befor e yo u lef t Town , an d i f sympathy could hav e augh t availed , be assure d yo u ha d mine .. . I am bu t now , 1/ 2 past twelve , returned fro m the Opera , where I saw "The Lad y of your Love " lookin g a s handsom e a s usual , an d much less gay , thi s i s al l a s i t shoul d be . [H B/xxi/B/558] 2 A novel by Gustave Drouinea u (1800-1878) , published i n two volumes in 1832 . B y 183 4 i t ha d reached a third edition .
gious ar e ver y unfortunate. I fea r tha t fait h i s not hi s practice . Hi s her o seize s 34 every inopportun e occurrenc e t o assur e u s tha t h e believe s in God . Hi s evident 2 conviction i s th e genera l one , tha t eve n thi s articl e o f fait h i s b y n o mean s common i n France . Hi s her o an d heroin e ar e moulde d i n th e Germa n school , and ar e personification s of abstract ideas . Th e hero , because h e believes in God , represents spiritualism ; the heroine , becaus e sh e instantly knows every ma n sh e meets, is materialism, forsooth ! Th e lad y is not a Philina, s and altogethe r th e author i s a fool. I hav e not made u p m y mind abou t Pickersgil l and th e Three Brothers. Whe n I se e more , mor e I wil l say. 4 A t present, I a m inclined t o believe that th e work i s a translation from th e German. Altogether , i n a seaso n o f sorrow , you r kin d parce l has much amuse d me . Shall I send the books bac k to Hookham? ] My kin d regards to his Highness, Kin g Alfred:5 a wise man thoug h no t a Saxon. Your faithfu l D TO LADY BLESSINGTO N Bradenham
, Tuesday [ 2 September? 1834 ] 34
O R I G I N A L : PFR Z Mis c Ms . 89 5
COVER: Th e I Countess of Blessingto n I Disrael i PUBLICATION HISTORY : Morriso n 14-15; Madden 11 218, excerpts; Meynel l 296-7 , excerpts EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: Lady Blessington wrote to D on 2 0 August 1834 (H B/xxi/B/557) asking for th e book s D had borrowe d to be returned t o her rathe r than to Hookham's . D'S apology for havin g 'so long omitted' a reply suggests Tuesday 2 September as a more probable date than the Tuesday before. Lad y Blessingto n acknowledge d thi s lette r an d receip t o f th e book s o n 4 September . H B/xxi/B/559. Sic: Parris'.
Bradenham Hous e I Tuesday
Dearest Lad y Blessington, I have intended t o return the books an d sen d yo u these fe w lines every day, and am surprise d tha t I cd . hav e s o lon g omitte d doin g anythin g s o agreeabl e a s writing t o you . W e ar e al l delighte d wit h th e portraits : m y siste r i s collectin g those o f all my fathers friends ; he r collectio n wil l include almos t every person o f literary celebrit y from th e en d o f th e Johnsonian aera . S o your fai r fac e arrive d 3 Philin a (o r Philine ) is a characte r i n Goethe' s Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship. Sh e i s a frivolou s actress, a whimsical light-of-love, who nevertheless entrance s Meiste r and mos t readers . 4 Joshua Pickersgill' s Th e Three Brothers (1803 ) i s said t o hav e bee n th e basi s fo r Byron' s Th e Deformed Transformed (1822) . Madde n ( n 2i7n ) claime d tha t h e introduce d th e nove l t o Lad y Blessington, adding that h e had tried t o obtain informatio n abou t the autho r fro m th e publish er, Stockdale , bu t wit h n o success . Lad y Blessingto n ha d sen t D only th e firs t volume . H B/XXI/B/558. 5 D'Orsa y sent D a message through Lady Blessingto n o n 4 September saying that he was 'half-affronted', an d askin g D to b e 'less ceremoniou s an d more friendly ' i n hi s reference s t o him . H B/xxi/B/559.
7 I 427 Sep 1834
7
428 I 347 jus t i n time , i I a m particularl y delighte d wit h Parris ' port[rai] t w[hi]c h I ha d a Se p 183 4 neve r seen before. 1 I hav e read the artficle ] o n Coleridge i n the Quarterly ; bu t d o no t agre e wit h you i n holding it to be written by Lockhart. It i s too good. Us styl e has certainly the meri t of being peculiar . I kno w none s o meagre, hars h an d clumsy ; or mor e felicitous i n th e jumbl e o f common-plac e metaphors . I thin k th e presen t re viewal must be by I Nelson Coleridge, a nephew of th e poet , an d a cleverish sort of fellow , tho ' a prig. 2 You giv e me the sam e advice as my father ever ha s done abou t dotting down the evanescen t feeling s o f youth: 3 bu t lik e othe r excellen t advic e I fea r i t wil l prove unprofitable. I have a horror of journalising, and indee d o f writing of all description. Wit h me execution i s ever a labor, an d conceptio n a delight. Altho ' a great traveller, I I never kept a diary in my life. 4 Do you really thin k that Jekyll i s ninety?5 He has a son, I believe o f my standing. As you are learne d i n Byro n do yo u happen t o know who was the mothe r o f Allegra?6 I gav e all yr. kind messages to m y father, who returns you others equally amiable. H e wil l c[all ] upon yo u i n th e cours e o f th e mont h i f h e visi t town . We have ha d a I very goo d harves t here , an d ou r secon d cro p o f hay , like secon d love, has proved mor e satisfactor y than our first. My kindes t remembranc e t o Coun t D'Orsay . Believ e me, dearest Lad y Bless ington Your affectionate humble servant D 1 Edmun d Thoma s Parri s (1793-1873) , painte r an d engraver , was well know n durin g the 1830 5 for hi s portraits o f fashionabl e people. Man y of hi s engravings appeared i n th e Th e Keepsake, a competitor o f Lad y Blessington's Book o f Beauty, an d i n th e othe r annuals . Parris had prepare d a portrai t o f Lady Blessington as the frontispiec e for th e 183 4 Book o f Beauty. 2 I n th e Augus t issue of Th e Quarterly Review (LI I 1-38 ) there wa s a review o f Th e Poetical Works o f S.T. Coleridge (1834) . The Wellesley Index support s D's attribution of th e revie w t o Henr y Nelson Coleridge (1798-1843) , nephew and literar y executor o f S.T . Coleridge . H e edited hi s uncle's Literary Remains, Aids t o Reflection an d Confessions o f an Inquiring Spirit. Hi s transcriptions of Cole ridge's conversations wer e publishe d i n 183 5 unde r th e titl e Table Talk. Durin g the 1830 5 Nelson Coleridge wa s a frequent contributor o f articles to The Quarterly Review, especially on classical Greek poetry . 3 Lad y Blessington ha d written on z o August: 'I wish you would make a practice of writing down your feeling s and sensation s as they occur, yo u will fin d the m a treasure hereafter , whe n they become blunte d a s alas! they will, and the y will serv e a s beautiful view s drawn from natur e i n some fin e Countr y wher e we passed ou r youth , and whic h brin g back to u s some o f it s faded happiness.' H A/XXI/B/5574 Th e firs t dat e i n the 'Mutilate d Diary' is i September 1833 . H A/III/C. See app ill . 5 Joseph Jekyll died i n 1837 , aged eighty-four. 6 Th e daughte r o f Byron and Clair e Clairmont. She was born i n 1817 , and live d with Byro n for nearly three years . Despit e he r mother' s opposition , sh e was placed in a convent near Ravenna , where she died i n 1822 .
TO LADY BLESSINGTON [Bradenham]
, Wednesday [3 September? 1834 ]
O R I G I N A L : PFR Z Mis c Ms . 90 7
348
COVER: Th e I C[ounte]ss of Blessingto n I [Also i n D' s hand]: This morn g I forwarde d yo u th e book s and a letter EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: b y compariso n wit h 347 ; th e book s referred t o o n th e cove r of th e present letter are almos t certainly the same ones referred to in 347.
Wednesday Eve Your entreatie s ar e t o m e commands . I receive d th e proo f thi s afternoon , I which I no w return . I wish, instead of sendin g it by the Oxfor d coach , I I cd. ti e it under th e wing of Mignon! 1 TO BENJAMI N AUSTE N Bradenham
, [Tuesday] 7 October [1834 ] 34
ORIGINAL: B L ADD MS 45908 ffgS- g
COVER: Benjami n Auste n Esqr. I 1 0 Lansdown Crescent I Cheltenham POSTMARK: (i ) I n circula r form : HIG H WYCOMB E (a) I n rectangle : Cheltenham I Penny Post PUBLICATION HISTORY : Jerman 236, excerpt dated 7 October 183 4 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Ther e i s a smal l hol e i n th e secon d shee t o f th e MS . Sic : 7-th, S t Thomas' , here, Smythe.
Bradenham Hous e I Octr y.t h My dear Austen, This golde n an d smilin g autumn ha s been a ver y gloomy seaso n fo r u s here . I am mysel f slowl y recoverin g fro m a mos t sever e illnes s whic h ha s nearl y confined m e t o m y roo m fo r tw o months . M y brother Jame s ha s ha d a rheu matic fever ; an d i n the mids t of all this confusion, our mos t able servant amon g the womankin d ha s ha d a fit . Suc h a combinatio n o f domesti c misfortune s I never before occurred t o us. A few days back, I made a great effor t and reache d Aylesbury to call upon ou r frien d Layard. 1 What was my grief an d astonishmen t to fin d ou r friend s ther e i n almos t as bad a pligh t a s ourselves. Layar d i n bed , and reall y dangerously ill, and you r sister 2 a terrible sufferer . It really was like a visit fro m S t Bartholemew s t o S t Thomas'. 3 You r nephew 4 wa s there , an d promised t o writ e m e a bulleti n o f hi s father' s state , whic h h e ha s no t per formed, an d I hav e therefore dispatche d hi m a lin e I by thi s post . I hop e tha t you an d your s have escaped al l similar sufferings and reall y enjoye d yourselve s in you r beautifu l county i n thi s unrivalled season . M y sister desire s he r kindes t remembrances t o Mrs. A. and beg s m e to say that sh e wo[ul]d have written, now that ou r suffering s are o n th e wane , had sh e no t foun d tha t I wa s performin g the sam e office. Pra y let us here [of] you r doings. I hav e nothing to tel l you. My life her e i s always uneventful, and durin g thi s season ha s been literall y a blank. 1 Migno n is the nam e o f the pigeo n i n D's tale 'The Carrier-pigeon'. 1 Henr y Pete r Layard, Austen' s brother-in-law , ha d died the day before, 6 October. The Times (i i Oct 1834) . 2 Marianne , Layard's wife . 3 Bot h ar e hospital s i n London . 4 Auste n Henr y Layard .
9
43° ' 35° Wha t do yo u thin k of affairs ? Ha d yo u an y Spanish? 5 Lord Auckland 6 I hea r 17 Oct 1834 i s to go to India , and Sydne y Smythe to be th e ne w Bishop. 7 My kindest regard s to Mrs. Austen and Louisa . Write soon to yours ever, B. Disraeli 35O T
O LADY BLESSINGTON Bradenham
, Friday [17 October 1834 ]
ORIGINAL: PFR Z Mis c Ms . 89 1
COVER: Th e Countes s o f Blessingto n I 8 Seamore Plac e I Curzon Stree t POSTMARK: (i ) I n doubl e circle: F I i8oci8 I 1834 (2 ) I n circula r form: HIG H WYCOMBE PUBLICATION HISTORY : Morrison 15 ; M& B I 259, excerpt dated [1 7 October 1834] ; Meynell 297-8 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: sheathe.
Friday I Bradenham Hous e My dear Lad y Blessington, My absence a t Quarter Sessions, 1 where I was bored t o death, prevente d m e instantly answerin g your letter . I hop e howeve r yo u wil l receiv e thi s before you r departure. I sympathise with your sufferings; my experience unhappil y assures I me how ably you describe them. This golden autum n ought t o have cured u s all. I mysel f in spit e of th e sunshine, have been a grea t invalid . Indeed, I kno w not how i t is , but I a m neve r wel l sav e i n action, an d the n I fee l immortal . I a m ashamed o f being "nervous". I Dyspepsia always make me wis h fo r a civil war. I n the mea n time , I amus e mysel f b y county politics . I receive d yesterda y a lette r most spritel y an d amusin g fro m E.L.B. 2 dated Limerick . He i s about t o retur n to Dublin, and talk s of going to Spain. I am ashamed tha t I must confess to him that I hav e no t rea d Pompeii, 3 bu t alas ! a Londo n bookselle r treat s u s provin cials with grea t contemp t an d i n spite of reiterate d epistle s and promise s as nu merous I I have no t ye t receive d th e muc h wished tomes. M y fathe r send s hi s kindest regards. As for myself , I a m dying for action , and rus t lik e a Damascus sabre i n th e sheath e o f a poltroon . Adieu ! dear friend . W e shall meet o n you r return. D 5 Th e pric e o f Spanish bond s (know n a s '5 percent Spanis h stock' ) jumped i n Londo n an d Pari s during the first week of October 183 4 followin g th e new s fro m Madri d that the ne w Cortes had agreed i n principl e t o honou r th e financia l obligation s contracte d b y Kin g Ferdinan d vi l be tween 182 3 an d 1833 . Th e Times (2-1 0 Oc t 1834) . Fo r othe r evidenc e tha t 'Spanish ' mean t 'Spanish bonds' in th e argo t o f th e Stoc k Exchang e se e [Jame s Grant ] The Great Metropolis 2n d ser, an d ed (1838 ) II 36. 6 Lor d Aucklan d was at thi s tim e first lord of the Admiralty . He was not officiall y appointe d gov ernor general of India until th e next year. 7 Sydne y Smit h (1771-1845) , the note d wit , had bee n a canon o f S t Paul's since 1831 , bu t h e di d not become a bishop. 1 Th e autum n sessio n opened 1 4 October. An accoun t o f th e proceeding s make s n o mentio n of D's presence. BH n o 14 6 (18 Oct 1834 ) 2 , 3 . D did no t become a JP until 5 August 1836 , thoug h that would not hav e prevented hi s attending. H A/l/miscell and Buck s County Record Office : 0/1111033 . 2 Thoug h invited , D had fel t unabl e t o accompan y Bulwe r o n hi s trip. Bulwer reassured hi m h e had no t misse d much : 'Yo u ha d n o los s i n Birmingha m - a sor t o f kitche n covere d wit h re d flock paper. ' H B/2O/Ly/243 Bulwer' s The Last Days o f Pompeii ha d bee n published i n July 1834 .
TO BENJAMIN AUSTEN Bradenham
, [Friday] 24 October 1834
ORIGINAL: B L ADD MS 45908 fflOO- 1 COVER: private I Benjamin Auste n Esqr. I Raymond Buildings I Grays Inn I London POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : F I 250025 I 1834 (2 ) I n rectangle : No . i (3 ) I n rectangula r form : HWYCOMB E I Penn y Pos t
PUBLICATION HISTORY : MSc B 1 259, dated 2 4 October 1834 , extracts from th e thir d paragraph; Jerman 236-7 , extracts dated 2 4 October 1834 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: capitally, Your.
Bradenham Hous e I Oct. 24. 1834 My dear Austen , Layard's death 1 greatl y affecte d me . I agre e i n you r estimat e o f hi s character, and ha d h e been spare d I make no doubt hi s career woul d have been tha t of an amiable and regula r man . H e was still young; I had n o idea tha t he was only 50. I anticipate d th e pleasur e o f cultivatin g his acquaintanc e no w tha t h e wa s a neighbour, an d m y firs t visi t brought I me almos t to hi s deathbed! Such is life! I sent ove r t o Aylesbur y yesterday, t o enquir e afte r th e family , an d receive d a good repor t of Mrs. Layard and al l of them. I inten d t o be in town in the course of ten day s or so , when we shall meet an d when I hope to find you and your s all well and prospering . The pe n ha s been ver y busy an d everythin g in that department look s capitally. I have been howr . prevente d i n bringing out a novel, 2 as I hoped in Novr. by a strang e illnes s which kept m e t o m y sofa , exactl y tw o months . I t wa s something o f th e kin d o f attac k that yo u experience d a t Fyfiel d I great pain s i n th e legs an d extraord[inar] y languor . I t cam e upo n m e suddenly . I struggle d against i t fo r som e time , bu t mountin g m y hors e on e day , I ha d a sligh t determin[ati]on of bloo d to my head , and was obliged to thro w mysel f on the floor of the hall. This frightened m e remembering ol d sufferings, and I laid up . Quiet, die t an d plenteou s doses of Ammonia (heavenly maid!) not only restored me, but I have felt better an d mor e heart y this last fortnight than I long remember. With regard t o your kind and neve r t o be forgotte n loan , I fee l mysel f boun d not onl y by law, but by honor, to repay it at the beginning of the year , if you require it . I wo[ul] d howr. myself propose tha t it shd. be paid i n the cours e o f th e ensuing yea r i n tw o equa l portion s o r moieties , i f no t disagreeabl e t o you . I really can hold ou t n o inducement to you to grant m e this fresh favor, fo r I cannot affec t t o fee l mor e oblige d t o you tha n I alread y do. Th e ac t of friendship was I one whic h it is painful fo r m e t o attemp t to expres s m y sens e o f b y words. When w e meet, I wil l giv e you th e reason s whic h induce m e t o mak e this proposal: a t presen t I hav e no t room... . S a ha s writte n to Mrs . A . but directe d t o Cheltenham. I a m sorr y I di d no t visi t you : the trut h i s I wa s meditat[in]g th e very ste p whe n th e mournfu l even t too k plac e tha t calle d yo u t o Aylesbury . I 1 Se e 349111 . 2 Presumabl y Henrietta Temple, which was begun i n 183 4 but no t publishe d unti l December 1836 .
351
43 2 I 352 speculate d o n yr . lette r perhap s mak[in] g m e th e offer , whic h I hardl y I ven4 Nov 1834 ture d t o propos e myself , a s I wa s stil l wea k and nervous . Al l possibl e kin d re gards to all. Your aff[ectionate]l y BD We hav e n o hop e o f De l Montes: 3 w e tr y t o forge t suc h things . Ah ! fo r Spanish!4 I rejoice yo u had a crumb; if not a slice! 352 T
O [SARAH DISRAELI ] [London
, Tuesda y 4 November? 1834]
ORIGINAL: P S 6
PUBLICATION HISTORY : LBC S 28, dated 4 November 1834; M&B I 262, dated 4 November 1834 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: Denvi l appeared i n Manfred a t th e Theatr e Royal , first on 2 9 October 1834, then nightly until 1 4 November. Quaritch catalogue 289 (May 1910 ) item 7 lists an extract , the las t sentence of whic h is to be foun d in th e secon d paragrap h o f RD' S text: 'Lad[y ] B[lessington ] wit h a n Italia n greyhound no t a s bi g a s Muff, quit e white with a red collar and gol d bell... I went to see the new actor ...'
November 4, 1834 . I dine d o n Saturda y wit h Lyndhurst e n famille. A mor e amiabl e and agreeabl e family I neve r met . Th e eldes t daughter , 'Sa, ' i s just lik e he r mother, 1 an d although onl y thirteen, rule s everythin g and everybody - a most astounding little woman. Yesterday I wen t t o se e the ne w actor, Denvil. 2 H e i s deplorable, ha s no t th e slightest feeling , no r on e physica l o r menta l qualificatio n fo r th e stage . I saw Chandos3 to-da y an d ha d a lon g conversatio n wit h hi m o n politics . H e ha s n o head, bu t I flatter myself I opened hi s mind a little...D'Orsay ha s taken m y por trait. 3 Th e silver-minin g stock s ha d bee n grossl y overpriced , accordin g t o contemporaries. Ano n The Real del Monte Mining Concern Unmasked (1833) . Though their value would continu e to fluctuat e with news of fresh discoveries, the trend was downward. Th e aggregat e value of the various silver stock s wa s £4,375,000 in 1825 . A decade later th e marke t valu e wa s £620,000. The Circular to Bankers no 39 4 ( 5 Feb 1836 ) 7 . 4 Se e 349ns. 1 Lyndhurst' s wife (se e i8gn8 ) ha d die d te n month s earlier . Ther e wer e thre e daughters: Sara h Elizabeth (1821-1865) , who married Henr y John Selwi n in 1850 ; Susa n Penelop e (1822-1837) ; and Sophi a Clarence (1828-1911) , who married Hamilto n Becket t in 1854 . 2 Henr y Gaskel l Denvi l (1804-1866) , wh o playe d th e leadin g role i n Byron' s Manfred a t Coven t Garden. The Times ( 3 Nov 1834) . In he r lette r t o D of 6 November , Sara h describe d th e Pardoes " reaction: 'Ou r Bradenha m authoress has been to see Manfred an d i s quite enchanted wit h it. Papa happening to call there had he r lette r rea d t o hi m whic h o f course h e though t ver y clever , s o now the Majo r an d hi s Lady ru n abou t th e gree n sayin g "Manfred transcends , Manfre d transcends. " As their memo ries no further carr y the m I cannot tell you what it transcends!' H A/l/B/5353 Richar d Plantagene t Templ e Nugen t Brydge s Chando s Grenvill e (1797-1861) , Marques s o f Chandos and, afte r 1839 , 2n d Duk e of Buckingha m and Chandos . A t this time Chandos was the nomina l head of the Buck s Tories, and a power fo r D to placate in his attempts to establish his politica l credential s i n hi s hom e county . Ther e ar e eighty-on e letter s betwee n 183 4 an d 1861 fro m Chando s to D in th e Hughende n paper s (H B/l/A/a8-3i, 57-9; H B/XXI/B/I119-93), bu t D's letters to him hav e no t been located.
35« I 43 3 4 Nov 183 4
Benjamin Disrael i (1834 ) by Count Alfred D'Orsa y
353 T
0 LORD
DURHAM [London?
] see ec, Monday 17 November [1834]
O R I G I N A L : LAM B 1
PUBLICATION HISTORY : SJ . Reid Life an d Letters ofthe First Earl ofDurham, 1792-1840(1906)1408-9 ; M&B I 267, dated 1 7 November 1834 EDITORIAL COMMENT : Although this letter i s written as from Bradenham , all th e evidenc e points t o D'S still being in London on thi s date. Three day s later Sarah wrote that the y had bee n expecting him and askin g when he would be coming. H A/l/B/536.
Bradenham Hous e I High Wycombe I Monday Nov. i yth. private My dear Lor d Durham , My electioneerin g prospect s loo k gloomy . Th e Squire s throughou t m y ow n County loo k gri m a t a Radica l - an d th e libera l interest i s so split and pre-en gaged I in ou r fe w towns , that I fea r I shal l fail. A t presen t I a m lookin g afte r Aylesbury, where young Hobhouse 1 was beat las t time and wil l be beat this, if he try, bu t where , with my local influence, you r party wo[ul]d succeed. I f yo u have influence wit h Hobhouse , counsel him to resign i n my favor, an d no t of anothe r person, a s 'tis rumored I he will . At the sam e time if Nugent 2 return, h e wil l beat us all . So , m y dea r Lord , m y affair s ar e black ; therefore remembe r me , an d serve m e i f yo u can . M y principle s yo u ar e acquainte d with ; as fo r m y othe r qualifications, I am considered a great popula r rhetor . What d o yo u thin k o f th e Tories ! A t a moment , whe n decision an d energ y wo[ul]d b e pearl s an d diamond s t o I them , the y hav e forme d a provisional government? "Th e voic e of on e cryin g in th e wilderness , Prepare y e th e wa y of the Lords]" suc h is Wellington's solitary cry; a Baptist worthy of such a Messiah as - Peel. 4 In great haste , Dear Lord Durham Your faithfu l Benj Disraeli 1 Se e aisns. 2 I n Jul y 183 2 Lor d Nugen t ha d bee n name d lor d hig h commissione r t o th e Ionia n Islands . When he returned fro m this posting he ran unsuccessfull y for Aylesbury in 183 7 and 1839 . See also i88ni4 . 3 Viscoun t Althorp , chancello r o f the Excheque r an d leade r of the Whig s in the Hous e o f Commons, was translated t o the Hous e o f Lord s on 1 0 November, o n th e deat h o f hi s father, 2n d Earl Spencer . Thi s provide d th e Kin g wit h an excus e fo r dismissin g Melbourne . Wellingto n was asked t o form a provisional governmen t pendin g Peel' s return fro m Italy , which took plac e on 9 December. Kitso n Clark 193-6 . Clearly, D favoured th e alternativ e strateg y o f coalitio n betwee n th e Torie s an d som e ele ments of the Whigs. 4 Thi s apparent disloyalt y was no barrie r t o th e enlistmen t o f Wellingto n i n D' s effort s t o ente r Parliament (se e 358). I t was just as well, for in his answer Durha m ha d littl e comfort t o offer: 'I have not sufficient acquaintanc e with Hobhouse to authorize m e to offer hi m any advice on th e point t o whic h you refer. ' H e the n adde d conventiona l goo d wishe s t o D in hi s endeavours. H B/xxi/D/448 (20 Nov 1834) .
TO SARAH DISRAELI [London] ORIGINAL: H A/I/B/8 2
, Monday [24 November 1834 ] 35 4
COVER: Mis s Disraeli I Bradenham Hous e I High Wycombe POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : B I NO24 I 1834 .
Monday My dearest , I hav e s o muc h t o tel l you, that I ca n writ e nothing . M y affairs o n th e whol e have a very favorable aspect, but thi s aspect i s liable to change ever y day, and a t present al l i s uncertainty . I receive d yr . welcom e packet , whic h contained I a friendly lette r fro m Durham . Th e Lor d Chancellor 1 i s my staunch friend, no r i s there anyth[in] g for m y servic e w[hi]c h he wil l no t do . Chandos 2 wrot e t o m e this morning, sayin g he shd. be up i n tow n in a very few days. When h e comes , probably I something ma y b e settled . In gt haste, Yr own BD TO SARAH DISRAELI [London]
, Saturday [2 9 November 1834 ] 35
ORIGINAL: NYP L Kohn s 1 9 COVER: Mis s Disraeli I Bradenham Hous e I High Wycombe POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : M I NOag I 1834 .
Sat. Dearest, I hop e t o be at Bradfenham] tomorro w fo r certain. It was not Bulwer who made th e speec h bu t Buller, 1 an ass. Lady B[lessington] has given me a fine waistcoat for th e Boo k of B[eaut]y. 2 D'Ofrsay] ha s take n m y portrait . I All other thing s whe n we meet. Nothin g is settled wit h the Abbey, 3 but th e Duk e is confident and I hav e therefore calle d a meeting for Monda y night at the Lion. 4 BD 1 O n th e previou s Frida y (2 1 November), Lord Lyndhurs t ha d take n th e Grea t Sea l in Wellington's provisional government . 2 Lyndhurs t soon opene d negotiation s wit h Chandos t o gain hi s support fo r th e ne w administra tion. Chandos , i n turn , sough t a commitment t o repeal th e mal t tax. Kitson Clar k 205-6 . D no doubt hope d tha t thes e tw o would overcome thei r mutua l suspicion sufficientl y t o procure hi m a seat . See also app II. 1 Charle s Buller (1806-1848), Radica l M P for Liskear d 1832-48 . 2 Presumabl y in payment fo r 'The Carrier-pigeon'. See 348. 3 Lor d Carrington (sometimes calle d 'The Abbot' by D) lived at Wycomb e Abbey, and D was continuing hi s attemp t t o secur e Carrington's neutralit y i f no t hi s suppor t fo r th e forthcomin g Wycombe campaign. Se e 3s8n4. 4 Th e meetin g a t the Re d Lio n in High Wycomb e was apparently arrange d t o mobilize local support, wit h an ey e to the imminen t election . Parliamen t wa s dissolved o n 2 9 December. The re sult was that D stood fo r a third time as a candidate fo r Hig h Wycombe .
5
356
TO [LORD LYNDHURST] 31
3 Park Street , Grosveno r Square , [London] ,
Thursday [ 4 December 1834 ] ORIGINAL: Primros e League, London i EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: D had bee n i n Wycombe briefly betwee n 3 0 Novembe r and 3 December. H e had receive d Durham's non-committal letter on 2 4 November (35sn4 and 354) and, whethe r or no t ther e wa s a secon d Durha m letter, D' s intention obviousl y was to us e th e allege d urgenc y of a need t o respon d a s a spu r t o urge Lyndhurs t to stronge r actio n on hi s behalf. I t seem s to hav e had the desire d effec t i f the report s i n 357 and 35 8 are accurate . 4 December 183 4 seems to be the onl y logical dat e fo r thi s letter i n such a sequence. The testimon y of Grevill e (35?n5) provide s additional evidence. Sic: expences, Melborne.
3ia Park St Grosr Sq I Thursda y
private My dear Lord , It is with real reluctance , I may even sa y with extreme pain, tha t I tease you any further respectin g m y affairs. I assur e you , it i s very difficul t fo r m e t o expres s the dee p sense of gratitude whic h I feel for al l your kindness . I hav e just receive d a communication fro m Lor d Durha m whic h imperatively commands m y decision. 1 Th e circumstance s o f m y I recent absenc e fro m town , and hi s quittin g i t thi s morning , allo w m e tim e whic h otherwis e I co[ul] d no t have wel l obtained . Lor d D . has offered m e a seat i n the expecte d Park , fo r th e mere lega l expences , and , alarmed a s I apprehende d b y som e rumor s whic h have reache d him , entreat s m e i n cas e I declin e hi s proposa l no t t o ente r th e house, bu t wai t the resul t o f the grea t experiment, a s he i s confident i t will be all over i n si x months. 2 H e assure s m e thi s I conduct wil l no t affec t hi s futur e goo d dispositions toward s m e and urges[? ] anything in short but joining th e Tories. I hav e onl y t o observ e tha t altho ' I a m mysel f fa r fro m sanguin e a s t o you r success, I wd . soone r los e wit h the Duk e an d yoursel f tha n wi n with Melborn e and Durham , bu t win or lose I must - I cannot affor d t o be neutral. Ho w then, my dear Lord, a m I t o I act? Believe me ever , your obliged an d very grateful Ser[van] t B. Disraeli 1 N o suc h lette r ha s bee n found . Durham' s respons e t o D' s earlier reques t fo r hel p (355114.) suggests that such evidenc e o f a change of heart would b e difficult indee d to locate. 2 A Tory government, the lif e o f which Durham predicte d accurately .
TO SARAH DISRAELI [London]
, Monda y [8 December 1834 ]
O R I G I N A L : H A/I/B/S g
COVER: Mis s Disraeli I Bradenham House I High Wycombe POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : z I DE-8 I 1834 PUBLICATION HISTORY : LBC S 29 , date d 2 8 Novembe r 1834, prints a n altere d versio n of th e las t sentence o f th e firs t paragraph , an d th e thir d paragrap h (wit h som e omissions), conflated with extract s from 35 8 and 35 9 and wit h two sentences fro m a n origina l not located , which reads : Th e Duk e and the Chancello r are besettin g old Carrington i n m y favour, that they say he mus t yield. I a m no t san guine, but wa s recommended to issue the address.' R D has a footnot e t o 'the address': 'To the elector s of Hig h Wycombe'. Unlik e D's other electio n manifestos , thi s one doe s not appea r i n th e press , no r i s there a cop y o f i t i n th e Hughende n papers . Fo r thi s campaig n D seemed t o rel y o n Th e Crisis Examined, a printe d pamphle t of hi s Wycomb e Speech o f 1 6 December . Se e als o 360 an d 361 . M& B I 265, date d 2 8 November 1834, reprints extracts from th e LBC S conflation. EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic : Frazers, insured.
Monday My dearest , Old Carry, 1 a s they cal l him here , arrive s i n tow n today , an d L[yndhurst ] wit h whom I dined yesterda y intende d t o see him at fou r o'ck : bu t I am sorry t o say that th e younges t Copley is at thi s moment s o dangerously ill , that he r lif e i s in peril, an d thi s may interfer e terribly. 2 D'Orsay, proud o f hi s previou s I success is working Bob very hard, and i s very sanguine.3 D'O say s that his portrait i n Frazers i s like a Drum Major. 4 The Duk e wrot e a stron g lette r t o Granvill e Sfomerset ] - chairma n o f th e Election comm[itt]e e say[in] g tha t i f Wycomb e was no t insure d somethin g els e must b e foun d fo r D . a s " a ma n o f hi s acquirement s I and reputatio n mus t no t be thrown away." L. showed m e the lette r whic h he seale d an d sent . I t i s impossible t o sa y ho w thing s wil l go: 5 bu t a t presen t I hav e no t though t prope r t o write to Durham - i n haste. D 1 Lor d Carrington . See also ae>3ni . 2 Sophi a Clarenc e Copley wa s the younges t daughte r of Lord Lyndhurst . She recovered, but th e middle daughter , Susan Penelope , died i n Paris on 9 May 1837 . 3 D'Orsa y wa s indeed cultivatin g Rober t Smit h o n D' S behalf ( H B/xxi/D/zSg), but Smith' s letter t o D on 1 6 Decembe r attests to th e failur e o f D'Orsay' s blandishments. Smith refuse d D' s proposal 'to as k for secon d vote s an d t o require plumpers' , arguing that suc h activitie s would violat e hi s neutrality. Th e politica l divisio n betwee n fathe r an d so n i n th e Smit h famil y mean t tha t eac h was reluctan t t o exer t himsel f o n behal f o f an y genera l part y loyalty . Smit h close d wit h th e warning tha t 'anyon e connecte d wit h m y Fathe r an d m e wh o use s ou r nam e o r expect s ou r influence i n solicitin g secon d vote s act s agains t m y positive instructions' . D was the victi m of thi s policy, but the n s o too was Charles Grey. Se e 359. H B/IM/4O. For additional informatio n o n 'plumpers' see sa^na. 4 Froser's Magazine x (De c 1834) , facin g pag e 645 . Th e portrai t (b y Daniel Maclise ) accompanie s an essa y on D'Orsa y b y William Magin n i n his 'Gallery of Literary Characters' . 5 Lor d Granvill e Charle s Henry Somerse t (1792-1848) , secon d so n of th e 6t h Duk e o f Beaufort , was Tory M P for Monmouthshir e 1828-48 . Greville had observe d in his journal two days earlier: 'The Chancellor calle d on me yesterda y about gettin g young d'Israel i [sic] int o Parliamen t (throug h th e mean s o f Gfeorge ] B[entinck] ) for Lynn . I ha d tol d hi m G . wanted a goo d ma n t o assist i n turnin g out Bill y Lennox , and h e suggested the above-name d gentleman , whom h e called a friend o f Chandos's. [Ed notes: '1 line
357
3 5 ^T
0
SARAH DISRAEL I [London]
, Thursday [ 11 December 1834 ]
ORIGINAL: PRI N Parrish Collection AM 17270 COVER: Mis s Disraeli I Bradenham House I High Wycombe POSTMARK: (i ) I n circle : F i D E 11 I 1834 PUBLICATION HISTORY : LEG S 29 , dated 2 8 November 1834 , print s the thir d paragraph , fro m 'Entr e nous' to 'Chandos', conflated wit h extracts from 357&p h and 359. EDITORIAL COMMENT : Ther e is no signature. Sic: inclosed.
Thursday Dearest, Rumsey's1 lette r wa s forwarded t o m e b y th e coac h yesterday . I gav e i t t o th e Chan[cello]r2 who took i t with hi m t o dinner a t th e Duke's 3 where ther e wa s a grand banque t t o all the head s of the party . The C[hancello] r sa t on th e Duke's right; Chando s on hi s left an d afte r havin g drawn the conversatio n to m e (taking advantag e o f th e friendl y group ) L[yndhurst ] produced th e epistl e an d Wellington was in suc h a rage tha t h e instantl y inclosed it t o Carring[ton ] with I the follow[in] g verbatim epistle "My dear Lord , The L d C[hancello]r has this moment show n me the enclosed : w e both think your conduct incomprehensible. This i s an affai r i n which I am most interest ed, an d I mus t come t o a definit e understand[in]g . Th e L d C[hancello] r wil l have the hono r o f calling on yr L[ordshi]p tomorrow at 4 o'ck hereon, i f convenient." W[ellingto]n of MS . here expunged.'] Hi s politica l principle s must , however , b e i n abeyance , fo r h e sai d tha t Durham wa s doing all he could t o ge t him by the offe r o f a seat, an d s o forth; if , therefore, h e is undecided an d waverin g betwee n Chando s and Durham , h e mus t b e a mighty impartia l per sonage. I don' t thin k suc h a ma n wil l do , thoug h just suc h a s Lyndhurst woul d b e connecte d with.' in 117 . Bentinck wa s a Tory membe r fo r th e two-membe r constituenc y of Lynn Regis, and a numbe r of comments wer e mad e by Greville during th e mont h recordin g his difficulty i n finding a suit able runnin g mat e i n th e constituenc y fo r th e January genera l election . O n 7 Decembe r Gre ville noted : 'Georg e sen t t o Sturge s Bourn e t o kno w i f h e woul d com e i n fo r Lynn , bu t h e would no t hea r o f it . G . dTsrael i [sic] h e won' t hea r of. ' Il l 118 . B y 1 1 Decembe r h e sai d 'wit h regard t o Lynn , I hav e hande d Georg e B[entinck ] ove r t o W[illiam] Peel an d Gr[anville ] Som erset, and s o washed m y hands of it. ' m 121 . Eventuall y Sir Stratford Cannin g wa s persuaded to run, and , wit h Bentinck, was elected. Se e also (vo l n) 405112. For th e mor e general uncertaintie s o f th e campaig n se e Richard , 2n d Duk e o f Buckingha m and Chando s Memoirs o f the Courts and Cabinets o f William IV an d Victoria (1861 ) II 148-9 . 1 John Rumsey , law partner o f Rober t Nas h with offices i n Credon Lane , Hig h Wycombe . Rum sey was a Dissenter an d a Whig (Ashfor d 264 , 270). The lette r ha s not been located, but clearl y he and Carringto n were seeking t o discourage furthe r politica l efforts b y D at Hig h Wycombe . 2 Lor d Lyndhurst . 3 Th e Duk e o f Wellington gav e a grand dinner at Apsley Hous e on the evenin g o f 1 0 December. The Times (i i De c 1834).
In a fe w minute s th e audienc e wil l tak e place , Lyndh t swear s tha t 359143 9 Carring[ton] shal l swallow th e leek. 4 I Entres nous, Park wil l no t b e dissolve d a s 2 2 Dec 1834 speedily a s is imagined, whic h is all in m y favor , bot h a s regards Wyc[ombe ] or any othe r place . I t i s imposs[ib]le for anyon e t o b e warme r than th e Duk e o r Lynd. and I ought to say the sam e of Chandos. The answe r of Stanley, on whic h everything depends a t presen t i s hourly expected. Pee l wrote hi m a n admirabl e letter , whic h will b e publishe d i n cas e Ld . Stanley declines office. 5 Everything look s prosperou s an d well , an d altho ' I a m no t mysel f sanguin e about Wye : I cannot help believ[in]g that with such zealous friends all will yet go right - I you mus t b e friend s with Sir W. 6 who ha s writte n t o m e a n amicabl e epistle and offerin g his assistance at Wye. TO MARIA D'ISRAELI [London]
, Monda y [22 December 1834 ] 35
ORIGINAL: H A/I/C/8
COVER: Mrs . Disraeli I Bradenham House I High Wycombe I Bucks. POSTMARK: (i ) In circle : x I DE22 I 1834 PUBLICATION HISTORY : Although this letter is not t o Sarah , RD include s i t i n LBC S 29 , dated 2 8 No vember 1834 , and print s the first two sentences of th e secon d paragraph of this letter, conflated wit h extracts from J57&p h and 358 . EDITORIAL COMMENT : Sic: Niele .
Monday My dearest Mother , Lady Syke s send s yo u ever y kin d messag e i n th e world , and hope s tha t i f sh e cannot visi t you at presen t you will onl y conside r the visi t deferred 1 - but she has s o much t o do i n Londo n a t thi s moment, tha t sh e cannot b e spared. I am very sorry , a s she i s far fro m well ; bu t i t i s important fo r me , tha t sh e sh d no t leave town until the Electio n is I over. I ha d a lon g conversatio n wit h Chas . Gre y t o day . H e i s bitter agains t th e Smiths2 but say s they can only command te n o r twelv e votes. H e says Niele3 an d Ashton are workin g ag[ains]t him but h e defies them . In hast e Your affec Son BD 4 O n 2 7 November Wellingto n ha d writte n to Carrington in the followin g terms: ' .. . we are con sidering o f th e Measure s t o be adopted i n case o f a genera l Electio n an d som e o f ou r friend s who hav e this subjec t unde r thei r consideratio n hav e desired m e to write to Your Lordshi p re specting th e Boroug h o f Hig h Wycombe . On e o f th e Member s i s Col. Charle s Gre y an d i t is proposed t o oppose to him M r D'Israeli i f Your Lordship shoul d hav e no objection an d wil l afford hi m th e Countenanc e whic h may be i n You r Power. ' H B/l/A/32. Carringto n obviousl y re mained adamant , thoug h Wellington' s publishe d correspondenc e doe s no t includ e thi s ex change. 5 Pee l wrote t o Stanley o n 9 December invitin g hi m to join the cabinet . O n 1 2 Decembe r Stanle y refused. Gas h Peel 86. 6 Si r William Young was elected Tory MP for Buck s in January 1835 . 1 Lad y Syke s had visite d Bradenha m i n June 1833 , bu t di d no t d o s o again unti l July 1835 . Si r Francis was on the Continent at this time. 2 Se e 357n3. 3 John Neale, of Saint Mary' s Street, High Wycombe , wa s Lord Carrington's agent. Ashford 288 .
9
360
TO BENJAMIN AUSTEN 3l
a Park Street, Grosvenor Square, [London] , Tuesday [30 ? December 1834 ]
ORIGINAL: B L ADD MS 45908 ff!O2- g
PUBLICATION HISTORY : M& B I 273, undated extract ; Jerman 241 , dated ' a fe w days before Christmas ' 1834
EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: o n 2 3 Decembe r Th e Crisis Examined wa s advertise d a s 'no w ready' . MP no 19,98 2 (2 3 Dec 1834). This letter canno t be earlier tha n tha t dat e and , as Austen was supposed t o have a copy, the las t Tuesday i n the month seem s probable .
31 a. Par k St. G r S q I Tuesday My dear Austen , I onl y arrive d i n tow n o n Sunda y night. I stan d astonishingl y well at Wycombe and ma y bea t th e Colpne l yet. 1 Ha d I th e money , I I migh t cante r over th e C[ount]y, for m y popularity is irresistible. Tell me , my dear friend, when the money shd be paid int o yr. bankers. I nee d I no t sa y that unde r th e extr[aordinar] y and unexpecte d circ[umstanc]e s of th e times, the lates t moment in th e month 2 consistent with your convenience, is very desirable by I me . I hav e published m y Wycombe speech3 at the Ministers desire - yo u probably have got one, but I will send ano[the]r . Yours affect[ionatel] y with love to all BD
361
TO LORD DURHAM 31
3 Park Street, Grosvenor Square, [London] , Tuesday [30 ? December 1834 ]
O R I G I N A L : LAM B 2
PUBLICATION HISTORY : S . J. Rei d Life an d Letters o f th e First Earl o f Durham, 7792-1540(1906) I 370-1; Chester W . New Lord Durham (1929) II 274-5; MScB '273~4> undated extrac t fro m Rei d transcriptio n EDITORIAL COMMENT : Dating: by comparison wit h 360 and wit h Durham's reply of i January 1835 .
Tuesday I 313. Park St. I Grosvr S q The Ear l of Durham My Lord , On arrivin g in town , I fin d th e accompanying 1 ha d no t been forwarde d t o you as I wished immediately. I no w I enclose it. 1 Co l Charle s Grey. 2 Presumabl y January 1835 . 3 Th e Crisis Examined was a printe d versio n o f th e speec h a t Wycomb e o n 1 6 December 1834 . A letter to Sarah of 2 6 December, recorded i n Tragaskis catalogue 75 8 (27 April 1914 ) item 795 , contains the information tha t Wellington ha d sent for fifty copies of the pamphlet. 1 The Crisis Examined.
To sav e you the troubl e of readin g the pamphlet , I have scored the passag e in 361 I 441 question p.25- 2 I 3 0 De c 183 4 I shd . grieve if you cd. fo r a moment have imagined that I cd. hav e ever spoken o f your L[ordshi]p in any other term s but thos e of hig h and deserve d con sideration. I As fo r th e opinion s contained i n these pages , the y are thos e I hav e ever pro fessed, an d I shd . griev e i f your L[ordshi]p's junction wit h th e Whigs 3 and I my continued resistanc e t o a part y who hav e ever oppose d m e eve n wit h a degre e of persona l malignity , sho[ul]d eve r I plac e m e i n oppositio n t o a noblema n whose talent s I respect , an d who , I a m confident , has onl y th e sam e I object i n view with myself, whic h is to maintai n this great Empir e on a broad democrati c basis, I and whic h I a m convince d i s th e onl y foundatio n o n whic h it ca n no w rest. Bel[ieve] me, my Lord, wit h every sentiment of consideration and esteem , your obed S[ervan]t B. Disraeli 2 Th e passag e is: 'Very soo n afte r it s [the Refor m ministry's ] formation , Lor d Durha m withdre w from th e roya l councils ; the onl y man , i t would appear , of an y decisio n o f characte r amon g it s members. Stil l it was a most "united " cabinet. Lor d Durha m onl y withdrew on accoun t o f hi s ill health. Th e friend s o f thi s noblema n represen t hi m a s no w read y t o seiz e th e hel m [end of D'S marginal scoring] \ of the state' . Copy in Lambto n Archive s inscribed by D to Lor d Durham . 3 Durha m wa s lord priv y seal for tw o and a half years in Grey's refor m ministry . Durham replie d on i January 183 5 enclosin g a copy of hi s 183 3 lette r of resignation. H B/XXI/D/449-
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APPENDIX I
POLITICAL NOTES -1831-2 These three pages of manuscript were used by D, together with the aide-memoire in app II, in the composition of his accounts of political events which are to be found in vol II apps iv and v. On Ld . Grey's resign[ati]on , B[rougha] m personall y calle d o n hi m to tender him th e Priv y Seal . Committee o n th e Refor m Bill . Si r Jas Graham , L d J. Russell , Lor d Dur ham, Ld . Duncannon - divide d o n the ballo t 3 to i i n favor . The on e was Duncannon. No t know n - Graha m alway s insinuatin g it was himself. Had Ld Durha m I live d wd . hav e mad e a communic[ati]o n i n th e Hous e o f Lords, he was so indignant . On leav e t o brin g i n th e Refor m Bill , Pee l wa s anxious t o mee t i t a t onc e with a direct negativ e - i t wd. have been throw n ou t by a very considerabl e majority - an d the question wd. have been finished - Ld . Granville Somerse t was the perso n who dissuaded I Peel . Th e consequenc e o f th e dela y was th e agitation o f the country etc . Ld. Ducannon twic e offered O'C[onne]l l offic e - onc e unde r th e governmt . of Ld Grey, with the Premier's sanctio n - I t was the Mastership of the Rolls. H A/iiid/IIB/1-3
APPENDIX I I
AIDE-MEMOIRE- 11-1 5 NOVEMBER 1834 These are the notes which D kept at the end of the week of 11 November 1834, and from which he reconstructed the events of the period when he came to write his narrative of them in September 1836. See vol n apps IV and V. Nov i ith. Tuesday - 183 4 Conference wit h Chandos a t Wootton whe n I suceeded [ sic] i n obtaining th e definite term s o f the Country party. Novr. i2th . Interview wit h Lyndhurs t i n th e evening . Arriva l o f th e D[uke ] o f Wellington] in town. Novr. 13TH. Despatch t o Chando s appris[in] g hi m o f the Intervie w betn. Lyndhurs t an d Wellington thi s evenin g etc . etc. Failure o f L . i n I hi s proposals . Th e D . quitted tow n for Strathy. next day. Novr. 14TH. Long conferenc e wit h L a t th e Exchequer . Despatc h t o Chandos . Ministr y discussed a t Brighto n an d a messenger sen t to Strathfieldsay . Novr. 15TH Dismissal publicl y announced. Th e Duk e at Brighton. Lette r fro m th e Duk e to Lyndhurst . Conferenc e thi s evening betn. mysel f and L . I Novr. i6th . H A/IIID/IIC/1-3
APPENDIXIII
THE MUTILATED DIARY From i September 1833 to 12 November 1837 D kept a diary which noted, at infrequent intervals, his reactions to developments in his career. As a result of a number of heavy overscorings in certain passages, together with whole pages which have obviously been removed, this is generally known as 'the Mutilated Diary'. The text written in the appropriate years has been included as an appendix to each of the first two volumes of the letters. The division has been made on the basis of the date on which the entry was written rather than on the date of the subject matter. Sept. i . 183 3 MEMS
I lef t Englan d i n th e Sprin g o f 1830 , an d returne d t o Bradenha m Deer . 1831-32, havin g travelle d ove r th e Sout h o f Spai n visite d Gibralte r an d Malta Albania, the Morea , Attica and th e isles , and wintere d i n Constantinople. Fro m thenc e I wen t t o Palestin e an d dine d i n [bottom quarter o f th e page missing] I th e temperatur e s o mild[. ] Fro m Jerusalem t o Egyp t where I re mained si x month s visitin g Thebes. I ha d previousl y visite d Ital y summe r and autum n o f 1826 , and th e Rhin e I thin k 182 4 then onl y eighteen, bu t I determined whe n descendin g thos e magical water s that I [would] no t b e a lawyer [bottom quarter o f th e page missing] I
1833 I hav e passe d th e whol e of thi s year (tha t is until this presen t mont h Septr ) in uninterrupte d loungin g an d pleasur e (wit h th e exc[ep]tio n o f offerin g myself fo r Marylebon e an d writin g a pamphlet , bu t th e expecte d vacanc y thank Go d did no t occur ) an d on e inciden t ha s indeed mad e thi s yea r th e happiest o f m y life . Ho w lon g wil l thes e feeling s last? The y hav e stoo d a I great test , an d no w absence, perhap s th e mos t fata l o f all - [two lines crossed out - illegible] My lif e ha s not been a happy one . Natur e ha s given me an awfu l ambitio n and fier y passions . My life ha s been a struggle, wit h moments o f rapture - a storm wit h dashe s o f moonlight . Love , Poetry , I [page(s) missing?] achiev e the difficul t undertaking . Wit h fai r healt h I hav e n o doub t o f success , bu t
446 th
e resul t wil l probabl y b e fata l t o m y life . M y disposition i s now indolent. I wish to be idle, and enjoy myself , muse over th e storm y past, and smil e at th e placid present . M y career wil l probabl y b e mor e energeti c tha n ever , I an d the worl d wil l wonde r a t m y ambition . Ala s I struggl e fro m Pride . Ye s it is Pride tha t no w prompts me , no t Ambition . They shal l not sa y I hav e failed. It i s not Lov e that make s me sa y this. I remember expressing thi s feeling to Bulwer a s we were return[in] g fro m Bat h tog[ethe]r, a ma n wh o was at tha t moment, I a n M.P . an d a n activ e one, editin g a politica l journal, an d writ ing a t th e sam e tim e a nove l an d a profoun d an d admirabl e philosophica l work. H e turne d aroun d an d presse d m y ar m an d sai d i n a tone , th e sincerity o f whic h co[ul] d no t b e doubted . "I t i s tru e m y dea r fellow , i t i s true. W e ar e sacrificin g our I youth , the tim e of pleasure , th e brigh t season of enjoym t - bu t we are boun d t o go on, we are bound . Ho w our enemie s wo[ul]d triump h were we to retire fro m th e stage . An d yet " he continued i n a solem n voic e "I hav e more tha n once bee n tempte d t o throw it all up, an d quit even my country for ever! " I Al l men o f hig h imagination are indolent. I hav e no t gaine d muc h i n conversatio n wit h men. Bulwe r is one o f th e few wit h whom m y intellec t come s int o collisio n wit h benefit . H e i s ful l o f thought an d view s a t onc e origina l an d just. Th e materia l o f hi s conversation an d man y a hin t fro m ou r colloquie s h e ha s poured int o hi s "Englan d and th e English " a I fin e serie s o f philosophi c dissertations . Lockhar t i s good fo r tet e a tetes [sic] i f h e lik e you, which he di d m e once . Hi s min d is full o f literature , bu t n o grea t powe r o f thought . H e i s an overrate d man . But th e ma n fro m who m I hav e gaine d mos t i n conversatio n i s Botta, th e son o f th e Italia n historian who m I kne w in Egypt , travell[in]g I a s a physician i n th e Syria n dres s - th e mos t philosophi c min d tha t I eve r cam e i n contact with . Hou r afte r hou r ha s glide d away , while chibouqu e i n mout h we hav e disserte d [sic] togethe r upo n ou r Divan , in a countr y wher e ther e are no journals an d n o books. M y mind mad e a jump in these hig h discours es. Bott a wa s won t t o sa y I tha t the y forme d als o an er a i n hi s intellectua l life. I f I ad d t o these m y father, th e lis t comprises th e fe w men fro m whose conversation I have gained wisdom . I make it a rule no w never t o throw myself open to men. I do not grudge them th e knowledge I co[ul]d impart , bu t I a m alway s exhausted b y composition I whe n I ente r society , and littl e in clined t o talk, and a s I never ge t anything in return, I do not think the exer tion necessary . In th e conversatio n o f societ y the most brilliant me n I kno w are perhap s Spencer (no w in Paris ) an d To m Moore . A s a livel y companio n o f ceaseles s entertainmt an d fun , n o on e perhap s equal s I Charle s Matthew s [sic], th e son of the comedian , but far excellin g his father, who is I understan d jeal ous o f him . James Smith, tho ' gouty , wil l nevertheles s no t easil y find a rival as a diseur de s bons mots. I me t hi m a t Genl . Phipp s thi s year an d h e divide d mankind int o thos e wh o I walke d to ge t a n appetit e fo r thei r dinner , an d those wh o walke d t o ge t a dinne r fo r thei r appetite . Jeemes Smit h a s th e
good ol d general , (wh o by the by e gives as pleasant little dinners a s anybody 44 in Town) ever calls him. "General" say s Lady Cork "whe n am I to dine with you" "Name the da y an d you r party, I Lad y Cork. " "Well then th e aoth . and yo u may ask whom you like - onl y not Jeemes Smit h or Jekyll I am tired o f them. " But I a m no t Lad y Cork, and wa s very much amuse d wit h Jeemes. Jekyll has hi s facultie s but i s deaf, lik e Lad y Aldboro' . I canno t bea r dea f people . I I fee l fo r the m s o much , an d I neve r ca n repea t wha t I say , not eve n t o Princes. The worl d calls me "conceited". The worl d is in error. I trace al l the blunder s of m y lif e t o sacrificin g my own opinion t o tha t o f others. Whe n I wa s considered ver y conceited indeed, I wa s nervous, an d ha d sel f confidence / only by fits. I intend i n future to act entirely from my own impulse. I have an un erring instinct . I ca n rea d character s a t a glance ; fe w men ca n deceiv e me . My min d i s a continenta l mind . I t i s a revolutionar y mind. I a m onl y truly great i n action . I I f eve r I a m place d i n a trul y eminen t positio n I shal l prove this . I co[ul] d rul e th e Hous e o f Commons , altho' ther e wo[ul] d b e a great prejudic e agains t m e a t first . I t i s th e most jealous assembl y i n th e world. Th e fixe d characte r o f ou r Englis h society , the consequenc e o f ou r aristocratic institution s I render s a career difficult . Poetr y i s the safet y valve of m y passions, bu t I wis h to act what I write. M y works are th e embodifica tion [sic] o f m y feelings . I n Vivia n Gre y I hav e pourtraye d [sic] m y active and rea l ambition . I n Alroy , m y ideal ambition . The P.R . i s a developmt. of my poeti c character . I Thi s Trilog y i s th e secre t histor y o f m y feelings . I shall write no more abou t myself. Beckford wa s s o enrapture d whe n h e rea d "th e Psychological " tha t h e sent Clarke , hi s confidential agent an d publishe r wit h whom alone h e corresponds t o call upon m e on som e pretence , o r other , an d giv e him a descrip tion I o f th e person , convers e etc . o f th e autho r o f wha t he wa s pleased t o style "tha t transcendan t work" . Clarke called accordingl y and wrot e back to Beckford tha t Disraeli was the mos t conceited perso n h e had eve r me t in th e whole course o f hi s life . B . answered an d rate d C . roundly fo r hi s opinion , telling I hi m tha t wha t "appeared concei t i n D . wa s only th e irrespressibl e consciousness o f Superio r power" . Som e tim e afte r thi s whe n Clark e kne w me better, h e ver y candidly tol d m e th e whol e story and gav e m e a copy of B's letter. I shall always consider "th e Psych " as the perfectio n o f English Prose, an d a che f d'ouvr e [sic]. I t ha s no t pai d it s expence s [sic]. V.G . I wit h fault s which even yout h ca n scarcely excuse, i n short th e mos t unequal , imperfect , irregular thin g tha t indiscretio n eve r published , ha s sol d looo s an d eigh t years afte r it s public[ati]on , a ne w Edit : i s announced t o day . S o much fo r public taste! I The Utilitarian s i n Politic s are lik e the Unitarian s i n Religion . Bot h omi t Imagination i n thei r systems , and Imaginatio n govern s Mankind . I
7
44^ OCTR
. 21 . 1833 .
Seven weeks and no t a line in my book Brad[enham] Augt. 4th 1834 . returned . And no w nearl y a yea r ha s elapsed . An d wha t a n eventfu l on e Le t m e sketch it . The en d o f 33 . and sprin g o f 34 . passe d wit h Henrietta i n Essex, writing the thre e first books o f the Rev : Epick: Returned t o Bradenham be fore Easter , then t o tow n and remaine d ther e until this moment. I a seaso n of unparallele d succes s an d gaiety . Wha t a vas t numbe r o f extraordinar y characters hav e passed befor e m e or with whom I have become acquainted . Interviews with Beckford Lord Durha m O'Connell three me n al l makin g a grea t noise . Wil l the y b e remembere d whe n thi s book turn s up, i f ever i t do? Perhaps O'Connell . How sorr y I a m tha t I di d no t kee p som e recor d o f th e las t I fou r months. I revive d my acquaintance wit h th e Sheridan s wit h who m I wa s so intimate last year, but shall I ever be forgiven - Methink s the fair Hele n wd be merciful if- but never, never! Mrs. Norton, an Aspasia Helen Blackwood. Lady Seymour , thre e matchles s sisters . An d th e mothe r an d Lad y Graham. I I hav e becom e thi s year ver y popula r wit h th e Dandies . D'Orsa y too k a fancy t o m e an d the y tak e thei r ton e fro m him . Lad y Blessingto n i s thei r muse, and sh e declared violentl y in my favor. I am as popular wit h first rate men, as I am hated b y the secon d rate . D'Orsay Massey Stanley Talbot Lord Alber t Conyngham Marq. of Worceste r I Revived my acquaintance with Angerstein who thought I meant to cut him an error I am very blind . What a happ y o r rathe r amusin g societ y Henrietta an d mysel f commande d this year . Wha t Deliciou s littl e supper s afte r th e Opera ! Castlereag h eve r gay a constant attendant, an d Ossulston , the pe t o f al l I th e wome n with hi s beautiful voice . What a singula r characte r i s Ossulston. H e require s "study ing". The n w e mad e i t a poin t alway s to hav e som e ver y prett y women . Chas. Matthew s ever there[. ] Inimitabl e mimic ! Hi s anima l spirit s ar e ex traordinary. Landseer (Edwin)[,] Grantly Berkeley . Seymour d e Constant . This las t her o remind s m e I o f tha t extraordinar y woman , Lad y Dudle y Stuartf,] an d she again o f her famil y - mos t o f whom I kne w - Lucie n the
Prince o f Canino, Joseph Ct. of Survilliers - Lad y Dudley's little son, lik e the 44 Emperor - An d Lor d Dudle y mus t no t b e forgotte n wit h hi s handsome , melancholy face , an d the n Lad y Tankervill e an d he r lovers . Ho w muc h I I cd. writ e o f thi s singula r coterie ! Bu t thi s i s a mem : whic h wil l reca l [sic] them perhap s t o my memory. That singula r woma n th e Cts s MtAlember t an d Geraldin e Foley : strang e stories Old Lad y Salisbur y and ol d Lad y Cork. Me t the Duk e of Wellington at Lady Corks i n his blue ribbon the ev e of th e da y I Lor d Grey resigned . "He alway s wears th e blu e ribbon d [sic], whe n mischie f i s going on " whispered Oss: t o me. Rogers hate s me . I can hardl y believe, as he give s out, tha t V.G. is the cause . Considering hi s ag e I endeavoure d t o conciliat e him , bu t i t i s impossible. I think I wil l give him caus e t o hat e me . I Lady William Powlett. Lady Frederick Bentinck . I ca n hardl y believ e tha t th e Norbury s ( a ric h parvenu e Iris h family ) sen t out card s "Lor d an d Lad y N an d th e Ladie s Tole r a t home" , bu t s o the y said on e morning . Lord Melbourn e an d Lor d Mulgrave . The blues - Lad y Stepney , Lad y Charlotte Bury. I Lord Wilto n an d hi s Italian. Th e stor y I though t to o good; but I believe true Comes to Signer Rubini Comes ta Signoria Grizi [sic] Dined wit h him at Lad y Bs. Extraordinary fat e o f women. Lady Bless . and Lady Manner s Sutton . The Speake r appeared t o me a bete when I was introduced t o him by his wife . I Visit t o Beckfor d a t th e Oper a an d convers[ati]o n o f thre e hours . Ver y bitter an d mali n [sic], bu t ful l o f warm feeling s fo r th e worthy . Convers[ati]on of 3 hours with O'Connell next whom I sat at dinner. Long convers[ati]on wit h Durham a t Lady Bless's . Lady Combermere and
9
45° Lad
y Aldboro ' and Mrs. Fo x Lan e I Mrs. Elio t Mrs. Abel l Mrs. FGeral d Mrs. Blackwoo d Mrs. Bolton . Lady Combermer e Mrs. Wn . Lewis Bolton and hi s wife, a decoy duck.
Long convers[ati]o n wit h Lord Lyndhurst . He sd . that if he were to choose a career now, it wo[ul] d t o b e a t onc e I edito r an d proprieto r o f a firs t rat e newspaper. When She e wa s elected P.R.A.[, ] Roger s (hi s friend) sd . i t wa s the greates t compliment eve r pai d t o Literature. O'Connell ver y communicative. Sd. that fro m bein g th e so n of a gentlema n farmer h e ha d raise d himsel f t o b e un e de s puissances d u monde— (hi s very words) Sd. tha t th e Clar e Election wa s the most nervous momen t o f I hi s life . I thin k h e sd . h e di d no t slee p a win k fo r 3 days . Ha d h e failed , h e wo[ul]d hav e been ridiculou s fo r life . Di d not determine o n the ste p unti l h e had trie d ever y country gent : favorabl e to the Catholics . Two day s after th e election a lega l flaw was detected in the registratio n of his voters by which, had i t been I discovere d i n time , hi s majorit y and muc h mor e [?] , wd. hav e been cut off. LADY BLESSINGTON S EPIGRAMS .
In Rogers ' Huma n Lif e But little with its name thi s work agrees ; For nought o f human o r of life, on e sees! or to that effec t Scarce wit h its title doth thi s work agree etc. I
H A/III/C/i-4 1 [For the remainder of 'The Mutilated Diary' see vol II app in]
INDEXTOVOLUME ONE
References are to letter numbers. Abbotsford: D visits 28, 29 ; M o o r e t o visit 32 ; failur e o f publi c subscriptio n to pa y mortgag e o f 228&1112 ; men tioned 34n 2 Aberdeen, 4t h E a r l of : D sends The Gallomania t o 170 , 173&111 ; men tioned 92&n5 , i o 7 n 5 A b r a h a m , Rober t 54n 4 A c k e r m a n n , R u d o l p h 93&115 A ' C o u r t , C o l Charles Ash e 189&111 A ' C o u r t , Cap t E d w a r d i 8 g & n i A ' C o u r t , W i l l i a m . See Heytesbury , 1s t Baron A c t i u m , battl e o f 1 o 1 &n 12 A d a m , Si r Frederick: D meets a t C o r f u 100&115; gives D letter o f introductio n 101, 10 3 Adams, B r a d e n h a m coo k 94&n6 , 2 6 2 m Adams, Si r W i l l i a m: financia l specula tions o f 19&113 Adelaide, Q u e e n : Lad y M a r y F o x , state housekeeper t o 1 5 9 ^ ; hold s D r a w i ng Rooms 190 , 322&ec ; at oper a 33 l & ni 1 ; embark s a t Woolwic h 337&n2 Adrianople, Treat y o f 1 0 9 ^ 3 A d y , Joseph : hi s 'chain letters ' 290&11 4 African Associatio n 24n 2 Age, The: libel s in 4 4 & n i4 Agricultural Interes t 22 2 Ailesbury, 1s t Marques s o f 3 3 i n 8 Ailesbury, Marchiones s of 331&118 Alava, D o n M i g u e l d e 8g&ni , 9 1 A l b a n i , Francesc o 56&11 4 Albert, Prince : Charles Grey' s later con nections wit h 2 0 i n 5 A l b i o n C l u b : amenitie s describe d 242 ; mentioned 258 , 2 6 7 & n i , 31 3 A l b i o n Hotel , (Morley's ) 2 6 2 & n i; D recommends t o Isaa c 278&n8 , 279. See also Morley's H o t el
A l d b o r o u g h , 3 r d Ear l o f 228n 7 A l d b o r o u g h , Countes s of : a s 'th e Englis h N i n o n ' 278&n6 ; mentioned 228&117 , 281, 28 3 Alexander 1 , T s ar o f Russi a 5 6 & n n i 4 , i7 Alexandria: letter s forwarde d t o 105 , 106, 108 ; D' s arrival in 1 0 9 ^ , 110 ; Meredith's arriva l in 110 ; D intends t o leave 115 ; mentione d n 6 e c , 1 2 9 m A l i Pash a 101&11 4 A l l e n , 6t h Viscoun t 322&119 Almack's Assembl y Rooms: D' s first visi t to 3 3 8 ^ 4 ; D visits 339; D' s subscription expire s 34 0 Alroy. See Disraeli , Benjamin , work s Amherst, 1s t E a r l 2 4 ^ A m i n (Amir ) Pasha : D visits l o i & n g , 10 3 Amulet, The: 4 6 m ; D' s contributions t o 2 i 3 & e c & n i , 228n 9 A m y , B r a d e n h a m servan t 2 i 2 & n 4 A n c o n a : Frenc h occupatio n o f i 7 5 & n i A n d e r s o n , France s 12&11 4 A n d e r s o n , D r Rober t 12&11 4 Angerstein, J o hn J . W . : D meets 126&119 ; D dine s wit h 127 , 205 ; acts as secon d for D in dispute wit h L o r d Nugen t 203ec; mentione d 19 3 Angerstein, J o hn Julius : ar t collectio n of 56&1121; mentioned i 2 6 n g Anglesey, 1s t Marques s o f 3 3 i n 3 Anglomania: us e o f th e ter m 158801 2 A n g l o - M e x i c a n M i n i n g Association: speculative boo m i 8 & n n 3 , 2 i ; Powle s director o f 1 9 m ; effec t o f Eldon' s judgement o n 20 . See also M i n i n g Stocks A n s o n , Georg e an d Isabell a 331&115 A n s o n , 1s t Viscoun t 3 3 i n 5 Anstruther, Si r A l e x a n d er 97n2 2 Anstruther, Cap t Rober t 97 & 112 2
452
Apsley, B a r on (late r 4t h Ear l Bathurst ) 340&119 Arabian Nights, The: D to compil e a n edi tion o f 3 0 i & n i A r g y l l , 5t h Duk e o f 2 3 2 ^ Ariosto, Ludovico : D visits tomb i n Fer rara 55&n6 &ng Aristophanes: hi s famou s descriptio n o f Athens i o 4 & n i , 10 7 A s h b u r n h a m , 3r d E a r l o f 2o8n 3 A s h b u r n h a m , T h o m a s 2o8&n 3 Ashburton, 2n d B a r o n 2 7 8 n i o Ashburton, Barones s 278&111 0 Ashton, Buck s elector 35 9 Athenaeum, The: review s Contarini Fleming igoec; review s Alroy 2 4 7 & e c & n i ; re views The Revolutionary Epick 3 3 2 ^ 5 Athenaeum C l u b : D seeks membershi p in i 2 6 & n i 5 , i g 5 & n 2 ; M o o r e resign s from 169 ; D indifferent t o 1 7 9 ^ 7 ; mentioned 15 , 19 1 Atlas, The: review s Contarini Fleming i 9 4 & e c & n 3 ; review s Alroy 2 5 7 & n i Attwood, T h o m a s iQ3&n6 &n7 Aub'l-Qasim, Mansu r ('Firdausi' ) 97^0 3 A u c k l a n d , 2n d B a r o n (late r 1s t E a r l of) : influence a t th e Travellers ' C l u b 126&1113; M a c h in a s credito r o f 165 ; r u m o u r o f appointmen t a s G o v G en o f India 349&n 6 Augusta-Sophia, Princes s 290&11 5 Austen, Benjamin : relation s wit h the D ' Israeli famil y 24ec , 49111 ; D o n tou r o f Continent wit h 50 , 58 ; D advise s Aus ten t o kee p hi s letter s 74 ; loa n t o D for M i d d l e Eas t tou r 74ec , 83ec , 8 8 & n i , 106, 115 , i 2 g & n n i , 2 ; D' s relations wit h i 2 0 & n i , 1 3 2 ^ 5 , 133 , 220 , i55ec&n2, 2g6&n3 , 2 g 8 & n i , 2 g g & n i , 301, 3 2 o & n i , 321 , 351 , 360 ; aske d t o obtain propert y qualificatio n fo r D 2 i 8 & n n i , 2 ; complain s o f D' s neglec t 282, 2g4 ; D reads par t o f The Revolutionary Epick t o 3 0 3 & n i ; mentione d g 8 n i , 108 , i 7 g n 2 , 2 5 3 & n i , 2g4n 2 Austen, Bill y 5 2 & n n i , 7 Austen, Sara : relation s wit h th e D'Israel i family 24ec , 4 g e c & m ; D on tou r o f Continent wit h 50 , 58 ; help s D with Vivian Grey 24ec , 48ec , 4gec , 6on3 ; re ports Goethe' s prais e o f Vivian Grey 11 i n g; greeting s t o 7g , 88 , g8 , 103 , 106, 115 , 132 , 216 , 220 , 316 , 34g , 351; D sends The Gallomania t o 185 ; re -
ports gossi p 2 7 3 m 1 ; D an d The Revolutionary Epick 2 g 7 & n n i , 4 , 3038012 , 316, 32 1 A; an d D' s financial relation s with Auste n 2g8 ; mentione d 5 6 n i 5 , 63, 7 2 & n 3 , 74n2, 78 , 7gn2 , 81 , g8 , 103, 133 , 141 , 253n 3 Austens, the : relation s wit h th e D'Israel i family 4gec ; L o n d o n address 234n4 ; a trip t o th e Continen t 2g4n2 ; D dines with 122 , 150 , 234 , 32g ; mentione d 140, 146 , i 8 g , 3 0 3 m Bagot, Mis s Emil y Georgian a 337n 2 Baldock, E . H . , antiqu e deale r i 6 5 & n 8 Ball, W i l l i a m 228n 8 Ball & Belson, tailors a t H i g h Wycomb e 228n8 Ball & Evans, solicitor s 2 5 m Ballot, th e 2 i 5 & n 4 , 263, 268n 5 Balzac, H o n o r e d e 34 5 Barante, baro n d e 1 4 6 ^ Barberigo family , the 55&n 4 Barbieri, G i a n Francesc o 56n 4 Barclay, Rober t 2 7 3 ^ Baring, Alexande r 2 0 i n 2 Baring, L a d y Augusta 234&1112 Baring, Franci s 2 0 i n 2 B a r i n g , Franci s T h o r n h i l l 2 0 i n 2 Baring, H e n r y B i n g h a m 234&1112 B a r i n g , Si r Thomas, 2n d Bart : r u m oured peerag e i33 &ec&ni, 141 , i 7 8 & n i ; long-tim e M P fo r H i g h Wyc ombe 2 0 i & n n i , 2 ; D criticizes 203ec , 2 i g n 2 ; mentione d 188 , i g 8 , 20011 1 Baring, T h o m a s (Jr ) 2 0 i n 2 Baring, Willia m B i n g h a m 2 o m 2 Barker, J o hn 111&111 4 Barnes, Thomas : edito r o f The Times 36&n4&n6 Barnett's H o t e l 27 8 Barrington, Shut e 32118 , 36n 7 Barrow, George : provide s D with a lette r o f introductio n 8 g n i o , 96111 , g 7 Barrow, J o hn (late r 1s t Bart) : a s ' M r. Chronometer' 2 7 & m & n 7 , 2g ; involvement wit h The Representative 28&n4 ; a s 'Guinea H e n ' 3 2 & n i 2 ; oppose s Lock hart's appointmen t a s edito r o f The Quarterly Review 3 7 & n 2 , 3gn2, 4 i & n i ; mentioned g 1 n 1, g6n n 1, 2 Barrow, W i l l i a m 96&112 , 97, g8 , g g Bartley, Georg e 100&11 6 Bartolini, L o r e n z o 56&118 Bartolommeo, F r a Bacci o Delia 56&111 8 Basevi, Bathsheb a 2 i n 8
Basevi, Charlott e Elizabeth : D visits in Paris 57 , 58&n 2 Basevi, France s Agneta : prio r knowl edge o f The Gallomania 174&11 2 Basevi, Georg e 21&118 , 2o8n2 , Basevi, Georg e (Jr ) 2in8 , 3 3 & n i , 42 , 6g&nn3,5, 8 2 m , 126 , 146 , i 7 4 n 2 Basevi, James 58&112 Basevi, James Palladi o 146&1116 Basevis, th e Jame s 57 , 58&n 2 Basevi, Naphtal i (Nathaniel ) 111 1 Basevi, Nathanie l 100&114 , 2 3 4 ^ 3 Basevi, Ricc a 111 1 Basevi, Sara h 1 i n5 Basevis, th e 2 i n 8 , 3 1 4 m Basildon House : th e Sykeses ' countr y seat 2 7 5 m Bath, 2n d Marques s o f 51&113 Bathurst, 3r d E a r l 95n4 , 99ng , 34on g Bathurst, J u l i a 99&119 Bathurst, Thoma s Seymou r 9911 9 Batty, Rober t g i & n i , 9 6 Bayntun, Clementina : opinio n o f D 230&n6 Bayntun, Si r H e n r y Willia m 230&11 6 Bayntun, Lad y 230&n 6 Bayntun, Samue l A d l a m 228&11 5 Beauclerk, Lad y Charlotte 238n s Beauclerk, L a d y Louis a 238&112 Beaufort, 5t h Duk e o f 1 1 i n 5 Beaufort, 6t h Duk e o f 357n 5 Beazley, Samue l 15&1112 , Beck, L u k e 9 3 & n i 1 Beckett, H a m i l t o n 3 5 2 m Beckford, W i l l i a m : D quotes hi s prais e o f Contarini Fleming 193&111 ; opinion o f Contarini Fleming an d Alroy 253&n2 , 255&nn6,7; disapprova l o f D' s smokin g 327ec&:nni,2; D describes a s ma n o f greatest tast e 329 ; D sends cop y o f Contarini Fleming 33oec , 332 ; praise s T h e Inferna l Marriage ' 3 3 5 m ; works : Vathek 242, 3 2 7 & n i , 341 ; Italy: with Sketches 3 2 9 ^ 3 , 3 3 5 m ; Dreams, Waking Thoughts 33 2 &n4; mentione d 282 , 283ec, 332 , 3 3 5 m , 337n 8 Bedford, 6t h Duk e o f 3 3 9 ^ Bedford, Duches s o f 339&n g Bedingfield, Feli x W i l l i a m 273&11 8 Bedingfield, Si r Richard , 5t h Bar t 273n 8 B e k i r Be y i o o & n 3 Bell, J o h n: founde r o f La Belle Assemblee 265ns Bell, Rober t 1 9 4 ^
Bellini, Vincenzo : D attends hi s / Montecchi e Capuleti 2 8 6 & n i Belmore, 2n d Ear l o f i 6 n 3 Belmore, Countes s o f 16&11 3 Belzoni, Giovann i Battista: a s th e 'gentl e Pyramid' 3&113 ; unusual m o u r n i n g r i n g 2 4 & n i o ; memorial t o i n Padu a 54; mentione d 11 1 Bennet, Gertrud e France s 52&11 8 Bennet, H e n r y Gre y 52&118 Bennets, th e 5 2 Bentham, Jerem y i 2 2 n 4 ; compare d t o Bulwer's mother-in-la w 2 3 i & n 2 Bentinck, L o r d Frederic k Cavendis h 3*5 3 Bentinck, Lad y Frederic k 325&11 3 Bentinck, L o r d Georg e 357n 5 Bentley, Richard : buys defunc t Catholic Miscellany i 8 2 & n 2 ; compared unfav ourably wit h Saunder s an d Otle y 228 ; mentioned 71&111 , 89n4, 2 3 2 ^ , 34 1 Bentley, Samue l 7 1 m Berkeley, Carolin e 331&117 Berkeley, 5t h Ear l o f 3 3 i n 7 Berkeley, Georg e Charle s Grantle y 331&117 B e r n a r d , Duk e o f Sax e Meininge n 337n2 B e r n a r d i n i family , the 55&n 2 Berry, Agne s g7&n g Berry, Carolin e d e B o u r b o n , duchess e de 188&111 2 Berry, M a r y g7&ng Bertie, Lad y Charlotte. See Guest , Lad y Charlotte Bertie Matthews , Brownlo w 2 5 i n 2 Bertie Matthews , M r s 2 5 i & n 2 Bessborough, 3r d E a r l o f 95n4 , g8n 2 Bethmann, Phili p H e i n r i c h : D visits hi s collection o f ar t object s 15&11 4 Beverley's Hote l (Malta ) 9 7 & n i 5 Beys, T u r k i s h nobilit y (Valona) i o o n 3 B i r m i n g h a m Politica l U n i o n i 9 3 n 6 Biscoe, Joseph Seymou r i 7 4 n 2 Blacas, du e de : supplie s materia l fo r The Gallomania 175&11 4 Blackwell, Mis s 2 7 3 & n i o Blackwood, H e l e n Selina : D meets an d describes 234&1114 ; suggests that Alroy be mad e int o a n oper a 2 8 5 ^ ; an d he r amusing letter s t o D 237&ec&nn 1,3-5, 2 4 4 m , 245ec&:nni,2 ; mentione d 24oec, 243 , 2 4 5 e c & n i , 246, 247 , 249ec, 255ec , 2 6 5 e c & n i , 278 , 28 3 n
453
454 Blackwood , Price 2341114 Blackwood, Willia m 280 4 Blackwood's Magazine 26112 , 2804 , 32116 , 40112, 21111 1 Blessington, 1s t E a rl o f 159112, 1780 6 Blessington, Countes s of : describes D to D'Orsay 178&116 ; never travel s with out The Literary Characters 195 ; he r house focu s o f the D u r h am part y 323; friendship wit h Lyndhurs t 3 3 4 m ; D sends manuscrip t t o 342; confidan t concerning Henriett a Syke s 3 4 5 m ; sends Agathon t o D 3 4 6 e c & n i; suggests D kee p a j o u r n al 3 4 7 & e c & n n i , 3 ; gives D a waistcoat 3 5 5 ^ 2 ; mentione d i 5 9 n 2 , 242n7 , 286n2 , 3o6n4 , 307n6 , 322, 324 , 325 , 326 , 329 , 331 , 338, 339n6, 346n4 , 352e c Blessingtons, th e i 5 9 n 2 Boabdil, M o o r i s h K i ng 97&n 7 Boddington, E d w a r d 74&n 3 Boddington, Samue l 74n3 , 169&111 4 Bolanos: Mexica n M i n i ng C o m p a n y 2838012 Bolton, Clariss a M a r i o n (Clara): D' s alleged affai r wit h 78111; illness 138, i 4 i & n i o , 144 ; as matchmaker fo r D i 4 2 & n n 7 , 8 ; a s D's political confidan t a n d advise r i 9 5 & n i ; propose d visi t to B r a d e n h a m 196 , 197, 211; make s D an oriental costum e 275 ; mentioned 206 , 208, 209 , 212 Bolton, Georg e Buckley : administer s treatment t o D 78&111, 281; offer s advice on politics 122 ; quote s L o r d Darnley o n Reform B i l l 179 ; mentioned 126 , 142, 160, i 6 5 & n 7, 191 , 212, 264 Bonaparte, Joseph : D meets 275&114, 297&n2 Bonaparte, Josephin e 295 , 2 9 7 m; D describes i n The Gallomania 3 2 1 A Bonaparte, Loui s Napoleon 322n 6 Bonaparte, L u c i e n , Prince o f Canino: D meets 283&118 ; D reluctant t o seek description o f Josephine fro m 297&n2 ; mentioned 3 2 4 ^ Bonaparte, Napoleo n 2 7 5 ^ , 283ns , 295, 2 9 7 & n i , 3 2 2 n 5 Bonaparte, Pauline . See Le Clerc, Pau line Bonaparte, Zenaid e 275&11 4 Bonasone, G u i l i o 15&11 3 B o n d , Effi e 126n 4
Boode, J o hn Christia n 23on 6 Book of Beauty: prints portrai t o f Lady Sykes 339 n 11; publishe s ' T h e Carrierpigeon' 342ec , 3 5 5 ^ 2 ; mentione d i78n6, 347 m Book of Common Prayer j28cn$ Bordeaux, du e de i 8 8 n i 2 Borromeo, C a r d i n a l : founder o f the Ambrosian L i b r a r y at M i l a n 5 3 B o r r o m e o family , the 53 Botta, Carl o Giusepp e 112&11 2 Botta, Pau l Emil e 112&113 , 1 1 3 ^ 3 , i 6 o & n n i , 2 , 344 Bouverie, Duncomb e Pleydel l 99&1111 Bouverie, Louis a 99&1111 Bouverie, Louis a (daughter) 9 9 m l Bowes, B a r n a r d T o p h a m F o o r d 1278cm, 160 , i 9 o & n2 Bowes, Margare t i 9 o n 2 Bowes, T i m o t h y Fis h F o o r d 1 2 7m Bowes, M r s 127 Bowles, W i l l i a m : work s 89&n 5 Bowring, J o h n: D' s opinion of 122&114 B o y d , Georg e 26&11 4 Brackenbury, H e l e n 190&11 2 Brackenbury, J o h n Macpherson : enter tains D in Cadiz 92&1111; mentione d 93,i9on2 Brackenbury, J o h n Macpherso n (Jr) 92m 1 Brackenbury, Sophi a 92&111 1 Brackenburys, th e 9 2 & ni 1 , 93 B r a d e n h a m Hous e 7 2 & n i B r a h a m , France s (late r Countes s Walde grave) 233&11 1 B r a h a m , J o hn 233&11 1 B r a h a m , M r s 2 3 3 & ni Brahams, th e 2 3 3 m, 278 Brazil: independenc e o f 1 7 8 ^ 3. See also Pedro 1 , E m p e r or o f Brazil Brewster, Davi d 29&11 2 Briggs, Samuel : Britis h consu l a t Alex andria 32&114 ; provides introductio n for D 1 i o & n7 h
Briggs & T h u r b u r n, cotto n broker s 3 4 British Institutio n (Gallery ) 2 3 3 ^ 4 British M u s e u m 2 8 3^ British Press 4 6m Broadfoot, Alexander : D given lette r of introduction t o 90, 96; mentione d 89&1110, i 6 5 & n 7 Broglie, du e de 1 4 6 ^ 2 n
Bromley, Si r Robert Howe , 3 rd Bar t 281&1111 B r o m p t o n : it s Bohemia n characte r i 9 n g , i 6 g , 2o g Brooks (Brookes) , founder o f clu b i73n2 Brooks's C l u b : compare d wit h th e C a r l ton i 7 3 & n 2 ; lis t o f Cabine t emanate s from 178 ; mentione d i 6 g Broomhead, Willia m 3 0 6 m B r o o m h e a d an d Thomas , B i r m i n g h am merchants 3 0 6 m B r o u g h a m an d V a u x , 1s t B a r o n : ap pointed L o r d Chancello r 105&111 ; cofounder o f Societ y for Diffusio n o f Useful Knowledg e i g 4 n 2 ; mentione d 106, 107 , 2 i 5 & n 2 B r o w n , solicito r to Eto n Colleg e 5 Browne, J o hn 24&111 1 Browne, M a r y 2 4 m l Browne, Montagu e Stepney : D report s death o f 24&1111 Brownlow, 1s t E a r l 33711 2 Brownlow, Countes s 337n 2 Bruce, A d a m 27n 8 Bruce, M r s 27&n8 Bruce, James: hi s writing s compared t o 5
D's I 5 I & I I 2
B r u m m e l , Bea u 5 3 Brunet, D' s valet i n Spai n g o & n 8 , gi Bryce: publishe s D' s first collecte d novel s 2g6n2 Buccleuch, 5t h D u k e o f 306&115 Buchanan, A n d r e w : Britis h attach e i n Constantinople iog&n 6 Buck, Georg e 144 , i 6 o & n 4 Buck, Mis s i 6 o n 4 , 23 2 Buck, M r s i 6 o n 4 Bucks, th e 1 4 4 ^ 7 , 23 2 B u c k i n g h a m , 1s t Marques s o f i 8 8 n i 4 B u c k i n g h a m an d Chandos , 1s t D u k e o f 228&1110 Bucks Agricultura l Association : histor y o f 23on5 ; D sends contribution t o 234&:n2 Bucks Gazette: D described a s ' T o r y in disguise' 203ec ; report s D' s withdrawal a s candidate 2 2 2 m ; mentione d 20iec , 2 2 5 & n n i , 2 , 6 , 254&n 2 Bucks Herald: report s D' s ' R ed L i o n ' speeches 2oiec ; publishe s D' s corre spondence wit h Dashwoo d 254ec ; mentioned 222ec , 234n 2 Bude, comt e d e 52&n 3
Buller, Charle s 355&111 Bulwer, E d w a r d Lytto n (late r 1s t B a r o n Lytton): believe s sel f parodie d 7 5 ^ ; correspondence wit h D 83&111 ; criti cisms o f The Young Duke 8 6 & n 2 ; welcomes D home fro m th e M i d d l e Eas t i 2 2 & n i , i 2 3 & e c ; a s edito r o f The New Monthly Magazine i 6 g & n 3 , 2 0 7 & n i , 2 i 2 & n 5 ; ask s Isaa c fo r contribution s to The New Monthly Magazine i 8 3 & n 2 ; reviews Contarini Fleming i g 7 & n 4 ; of fers t o advanc e D' s politica l ambition s (1832) i g 8 n i , i g g n 3 , 200111 , 2 o m 4 ; uncertain abou t D' s real politica l view s 202n4; projecte d visi t t o B r a d e n h a m 210, 2 i i & n i ; seek s authors fo r The Amulet 2 i 3 & e c ; D comment s o n hi s po litical caree r 2 3 0 8 ^ 7 ; D describe s a dinner 'e n famille ' 206 , 231 ; as publi c speaker 233&nn2,3 ; advises D o n courtship 27g ; works : Paul Clifford 8 3 m , i o 7 & n i ; Pelham g3&n3 , i 2 6 & n 5 ; Eugene Aram: i 4 i & n 7 ; D' s opinion o f 178 ; attacke d i n Fraser's i 4 i n 7 , i 7 g , 2og&n5 ; 'Asmodeus a t Large' 2 1 i n 3; England and the English 22g&n4, 288 ; The Last Days of Pompeii 350&n3; mentione d 1 0 5 m , i o 7 n n i , 3 , 127, 138 , 144 , 146 , 150 , i 5 g , 174 , i 7 g & n 5 , 182 , 188 , i g o , 191 , i g 3 n i o , i g 6 , 2og&n5 , 228, 22g&ec , 2 3 2 & n i , 25g, 267 , 26g , 283ph , 28g , 3 1 5 ^ 1 , 318, 324 , 32g , 35 5 Bulwer, Elizabet h Barbara 2 3 2 & n i Bulwer, Rosina : D describe s 146 ; men tioned 107 , 142&111 , 206, 207 , 212 , 2 3 i & n 2 , 234 , 267 , 32 8 Bulwer, Willia m H e n r y Lytton : praise s Contarini Fleming 206 ; mentione d 107&113, 142 , i 6 g , 21 2 Bulwers, th e i 5 g n 5 , 206 , 228 , 231 , 232 , 28g&ec, 34 1 Burdett, Angel a Georgin a 337&114 Burdett, Clar a M a r i a 337&11 4 Burdett, Si r Francis, 5th Bart : chairma n of th e Nationa l Political U n i o n 1 4 2 ^ ; unable t o recommen d D a s a candidat e i g 8 & e c & m , i g g ; mentioned 337n 4 Burdett, Joanna France s 337&11 4 Burghersh, B a r o n (late r 11t h E a r l o f Westmorland) 56&1124 , g 7 & n i8 B u r k e , E d m u n d 448c m 3 Burlington, 3 r d E a r l o f 54n 8 Burney, Fann y 1 4 i n 10, 207&112
455
456
Burney, Sara h Harrie t 141111 0 B u r t o n , A n n a - M a r i a 273&1117 B u r t o n , Ryde r 2 7 3 m 7 B u r y , Blanch e 232&11 6 B u r y , Lad y Charlott e Susa n M a r i a 97n8 , 2 3 2 & n 3 & n 6 , 251 , 26 9 B u r y , E d w a r d J o hn 2 3 2 & n 3 & n 6 Bute, 4t h E a r l an d 1s t Marques s o f 3 4 3 Butler, Charles : work s 36n 7 Butler, Samue l 30 2 Butler-Johnstone, H e n r y 2 7 3 m B u x t o n , Thoma s Fowel l 201&11 4 Buzzi, Leli o 5 3 n i Bynner, H e n r y 36n 8 Byrne, E d w a r d 43&11 2 Byrne, Nichola s 4311 2 Byrne, Willia m Pit t 43n 2 B y r o n , L o r d : b u r n i n g o f hi s 'Memoirs ' g n i , 28n3 ; Moor e plan s lif e o f 3 2 & n n 9 , i 1 ; D alludes t o hi s Childe Harold: 38n2 ; D hires hi s boatma n 51 ; affair wit h Lad y Carolin e L a m b 98n2 ; Isaac hire s hi s forme r servan t 9 9 & n i 5, 111, 204 , 205 ; works : 'Memoirs ' 9111, 28n3, 3 2 n n 9 , n ; Childe Harold: 38n2 , 51, i o o & n 2 , i 5 i & n i ; D quotes fro m 55&n5; The Corsair 7 4 ^ 4 ; 'Farewel l to Malta' : D quotes fro m i o 7 n 2 ; The Deformed Transformed 346n4 ; Manfred 352ec&n2; mentione d 3111 , 55&nn5,7 , 56n8, 74&nn4,6 , 83n2 , 86 , 8 9 ^ 5 , i o i e c & n 4 , 151 , i 5 9 n 5 , 17806 , 2 7 9 m , 301, 311 , 3 4 7 ^ , 352n 2 B y r o n , Lad y 28n 3 Cadell, T h o m a s 3 4 5 ^ Cahill, Thoma s 9 3 & m 1 Cahill, Whit e an d Beck , merchants i n Se ville 9 3 & n i 1 Caillie, Rene : D refers t o hi s Travels through Central Africa 97&111 4 Cambridge, 1s t Duk e o f 259&11 2 Campbell, Si r C o l i n 243n 2 Campbell, Thomas : D refers t o hi s Pleasures of Hope 9 5 ^ 3, 1 9 3 ^ ; opin ion o f Contarini Fleming 194 ; men tioned 141&118 , 193 , 27 8 C a n n i n g , George : Lawyers and Legislators dedicated t o 2 i & n 7 & n n 4 , 9 ; men tioned 2 3 m , 27ec&n5 , 28n 5 C a n n i n g , Si r Stratford (late r 1s t Vis count Stratfor d d e Redcliffe) : contest s L y n n Regi s 3 5 7 ^ Canova, A n t o n i o 56&117 2
n
& n
Cape, Thoma s 3 3 m Capel, A r t h u r A l g e r n o n (late r 6t h Ear l o f Essex ) 238112 , 28 1 Capel, Lad y Caroline : D' s opinion o f 28 1 mentioned 238&11 2 Capelle, Guillaum e Antoin e Benoit : hi s Origine a sourc e fo r The Revolutionary Epick 306&11 4 Capes, Bo b 5 i & n n i ,2 Capes, Georg e 5 1 m Capes an d Stuart , solicitor s 5 1 m Capra, Marches e de : D visit s vill a o f 54&n8 Caraccioli, Dominique , Marchese : hi s saying abou t th e moo n o f Naple s 94&119, 9 6 Cardigan, 6t h E a r l o f 2 3 4 m 2 Carey & Hart : publis h D' s collecte d works 2g6n 2 Carey, L e a an d Carey : Philadelphi a pu b Ushers o f Vivian Grey 8gn% Carlists: Spanis h i 3 8 n 2 ; Frenc h 1 6 1 m Carloni, Carl o 56&1113 Carlton C l u b : D decline s membershi p i n i63&:n6; politica l tendency o f i 7 3 & n 2 ; mentione d i 6 o n 4 Carlyle, Thoma s 2 1 l &m Carnarvon, 2n d E a r l of : view s o n politi cal tactic s 191 ; mentione d 188&11 4 Caroline, Queen : D reports Italia n opin ion o f 5 2 & n n i , 7 Carraci family , the 5 6 ^ 4 Carrick, 2n d Ear l o f i 6 n 3 Carrington, 1s t B a r o n : o p i n i o n o f D an d Isaac 3318cm3 ; aske d t o suppor t D at H i g h Wycomb e 357&ec ; opposes D' s candidacy 3 5 8 & n n i , 4 , 3 5 9 ^ ; men tioned 99&1114 , 1 9 7 m , 225n7 , 2 2 8 & n n , 242n6 , 254n3 . See also Smith, Rober t J o h n Carter, J o h n : hi s favou r courte d b y D 142&115; as mayo r o f H i g h Wycomb e 202n3; nominate s D (1832) 2 1 7 m Casino a t Frankfurt : D visits and de scribes i 5 & n i Castlereagh, Viscoun t (late r 4t h Mar quess of Londonderry) : D meets 242&1110, 322&n7, 323 ; mentione d 33*> 337 > 339 » Catherine 1 , Empress o f Russi a 3 2 m Catholic Emancipatio n 36n7 , 3 2 4 m l Catholic Miscellany and Monthly Repository of Information: Isaac' s 'ol d enemy ' i82&n2
Catullus: D quote s fro m hi s Carmina 6&ni Cedars, T h e : D visit s 339&117, 340&111 Cellini, Benvenuto : D' s opinion of The Life of Benvenuto Cellini 63&n 4 Cervantes, Saavedra , Migue l de : D' s ad miration fo r 107 ; mentione d 95 , 9 6 Chaldee MS 28114 C h a l o n , A l f r e d E d w a r d 339&1111 Chandos, Marques s o f (late r 2n d Duk e o f B u c k i n g h a m and Chandos) : D' s alleged suppor t fo r 202ec ; chairma n o f Society o f Wes t Indi a Planter s 2 i 5 n 6 ; wins sea t i n Buck s County 2 2 2 m ; views o n politica l situatio n 352&113 ; conditional suppor t fo r Peel' s ministr y 354&n2; mentione d i 9 9 n 2 , 2 2 8 n i o , 357 5> 3 5 Chantrey, Franci s Legat t 56&11 9 C h a r d , Georg e Willia m 63&11 7 Charles 1 : commemoration o f hi s deat h i 8 & n 2 ; Isaa c contemplating articl e o n 4 2 & n 3 ; portrait s o f 56 , 58 ; mentione d i2n2 Charles x o f France : D uses hi s cabine t papers i n writin g The Gallomania i4o&n4&n7, 177 ; J u ly ordinance s o f i 4 i n 2 ; mentione d 126 , i 7 5 n 4 , 3o6n 4 Charles, proprieto r o f th e A l b i o n Hote l 278 Charleville, 1s t E a r l of : D dine s wit h 269 , 278; mentione d 26003 , 26 7 Charleville, Countes s of : invitation s from 260&113 , 273 ; D visit s 283 , 297n 2 Charlevilles, th e 267 , 2 6 9 8 ^ 4 Cheltenham: D offer s t o visi t 11 9 Chenevix, Richard : works 44&1112 C h e r r y an d Fai r Star: pseudonym s un der whic h D an d Sara h publis h Hartlebury 3 0 4 m Cherry and Fair Star; or, the Children of Cyprus: a s exampl e o f melodram e 9on2 C h e r u b i n i , L u i g i : D attends hi s Medea 1 5 Chesterfield, 6t h E a r l o f 331&114 Chesterfield, Countes s o f 331&114 Chichester, L o r d A r t h u r 273&115 , 34 0 Chiefswood: D visits 27&n4 , 28 , 28A , 29 , 41,42 Cholera 9 7 n i 2 , 1 2 6 ^ 3 , 13 8 Cholmeley, Si r Montagu e J o h n , 2n d Bart 337&113 Cholmeley, L a d y Georgiana 337&113 n
8
Chorley, H . F . : reviews The Revolutionary Epick 332n 5 Christie 11 , James 103111 Christie, M r s James: D meets at C o r f u io3&ni Christie's 63n 2 C h u r c h o f Englan d 28 , 36 , 11 3 Ciceri, D r : D meets i n M i l a n 5 2 & n n 9 , i o , 53 Cicero: M S of De Republica discovere d 68ni Cicogna d i Milano , C o u n t 53&11 4 Circulating Librarie s 29 1 Clagett, Horac e i 4 4 & n 8 Clagett, Horati o 144n s Clagett an d Pratt , A m e r i c a n merchant s i44n8 Clairmont, Clair e 347n 6 Claphams, th e 74n 3 Clapperton, H u g h 24&114 Clare, 2n d Ear l o f 111&1115 Clarendon, 3r d E a r l o f 2 8 i n i 5 Clarendon, Countes s o f 281&1115 Clarke, E d w a r d Daniel : D cite s hi s Travels in the Holy Land 110&11 5 Clarke, George : frien d o f Beckford 2551168017; and Beckford' s opinio n o f D 327n2 ; mentione d 253n2 , 3 3 5 m Clarke, Mar y A n n e 5 2 m 5 Claude (Lorraine ) 56&1119 Clavareau, Auguste : reporte r fo r The Representative $6n8 Clay, James: D' s travelling companio n 9 7 & n i 6 & n i 8 , 9 8 99 , 100 , 101 , i 0 2 n 2 , 103, 10 4 112 , 113 ; illnes s 111 ; lose s T i t a a s servan t 2 0 5 ^ 5 ; mentione d 1111114, 7 > 2 3 ' 2 7 6 m , 314 , 3 1 5 ^ 3 , 32 5 Clay, Willia m 315n 3 Clement, Loui s 89, 9 1 Clements, B a r o n 283&116 Cleopatra i o i & n i 2 Clerke, H e n r y S . 243&116 Cleveland, 1s t Duk e o f 2 8 i n n 7 , 8 Cleveland, Duches s o f 281&118 Cockerill, J o hn 14&11 5 Cocoa-Tree C l u b : D visits 2 7 9 & n i C o d r i n g t o n , Si r E d w a r d 103&11 4 Coffin, J o h n T o w n s e n d 97&111 1 Colborne, Nichola s William Ridle y 331&1110 C o l b u r n , H e n r y : publishe s Vivian Grey 24ec, 48e c 6o &ec&n2&n3, 6 i e c ; pub lishes Isaac' s Charles 1 42n3, 8gn^ 21
1
t
457
45»
publishes Popanilla 6gec ; partnershi p with Bentle y 7 1 m ; publishe s The Young Duke 76ec , 97n2 , 1 0 2 ^ ; D' s indebtedness to 115, i 2 0& n i ; solicit s article fro m D i23ec; D temporarily breaks wit h 1488cm ; publishe s a n edition o f Alroy 29604. ; publishe s Isaac' s Commentaries 306 ; mentione d 74 , 7 5 & e c & n i , m n i 2 , 122 , 322, 330, 3 3 3 m , 34 6
Colchester, 1s t B a r on 1 9^ Coleridge, H e n r y Nelson : work s 347&02 Coleridge, J o hn T a y l o r : interi m edito r o f The Quarterly Review 37&01; men tioned 4 0 , 4 4 n 6 Coleridge, Samue l T a y l o r 26n2 , 92n7 ; works 347&n 2 Colombian M i n i n g Associatio n ign 2 Combermere, 1s t Viscoun t 339n 8 Combermere, Viscountes s 339&0 8 Comic Annual', quote s D 3028^4 Congreve, W i l l i a m 75 Conservative: us e of term 3 2 3 m Considine, James 928c m Considine, M r s 928cnni, 4 Constable, A r c h i b a l d 348cm&0 2 Contarini Fleming. See Disraeli , Benjamin , works C o n y n g h a m , L o r d Alber t (later 1s t B a r o n Londesborough ) 329&o68cn8 , 33
1
C o n y n g h a m , Lad y Alber t 32906, 331 C o n y n g h a m , 1s t Marquess 329n 6 C o n y n g h a m , 2n d Marques s 331&0 3 C o n y n g h a m , Marchiones s 331&0 3 Coplestone, E d w a r d 32&0 7 Copley, Sara h Elizabet h 3528cm Copley, Sophi a Clarenc e 352m ; illnes s 357^2
Copley, Susa n Penelop e 352m ; illnes s and deat h 3578^ 2 C o r k an d O r r e r y , 7t h E a r l o f 26703 C o r k a n d O r r e r y, Countes s of : D dine s with 278 , 324 , 325 , 32 6 338, 340 ; opinion o f James Smit h 284 ; lette r t o D 324 ; o p i n i o n of D an d Isaa c 331 ; projected visi t to B r a d e n h a m 3438cec8cni; mentione d 267&03 , 269 , 273, 279 , 28i8cn6 , 285 , 32 3
C o r n Law s 133 , 215 C o r n i s h , James 89&0 2 Cornwallis, 2n d Marques s 1 7 4 ^ , 1890 2 Cornwallis, Marchiones s 189&0 2
C o r r y , Montag u (late r 1s t B a r on Row ton) 5ec , 6ec, 3 2m Cotton, Si r Willoughby 284&04 Courcy, Geraldin e de . See Perry , Geral dine Courier, The: review s Isaac' s Commentaries 938cn4; critica l reactio n t o The Gallomania i848cec8cn3 ; Isaa c cancel s subscription t o i4on2 ; mentione d 43n2
Court Journal: D' s contributions t o 758^3 , 1028cn 1,1118cn 12 ; review s Contarini Fleming 1938^2 ; review s The Revolutionary Epick 332n3 ; mentione d 2428cni6
Court Magazine and Monthly Critic: publi cation histor y o f 2658013; D contributes to 2848c m C o u r t o f Chancery 44n 6 Coutts, T h o m a s 3 2 5 ^ Coutts a n d C o, bankers 2o6n 2 Coventry, 8t h E a r l o f 2 0 5 m Cranstoun, 10t h B a r o n 27801 1 Cranstoun, Barones s 2 7 8 m l Cranstoun, Charle s Frederic k 27801 1 Cranstouns, th e 27 8 Craven Stake s 1748^ 4 Crewe, Harriet : support s D' s political am bitions 2 42 8c n6 Crewe, J o hn Frederic k 242n 6 Crichton-Stuart, Lad y Dudle y 3228^3 , 324&03, 326 Crichton-Stuart, L o r d Dudle y Coutt s 324n3
Critic, The: judgement o f Alroy 26o8cn 5 C r o c k f o r d , Willia m 337m © Crockford's C l u b : D considers member ship i n 3378cnio Crofton, Lad y Charlotte 269&0 6 Crofton, Si r E d w a r d, 3r d Bart 2690 6 C r o k e r , J o hn Wilson : advise r t o M u r r ay 39n2; involvemen t wit h The Representative 42&04; suspecte d au thor o f Vivian Grey 6on3; aske d t o find James Disrael i a position 978cnn2,26 , 111; D s o p i n i on of 146; o p i n i o n of The Gallomania 1 6 3 m , 169 , 178; believe d responsible fo r D's exclusion fro m th e A t h e n a e u m 1798^7 ; mentione d 1 4 7 m , 18 8
C r o k e r , T h o m a s Crofto n 3oec8co i Crossing o f letters io8n 3 Culverwell, R i c h a r d 3268cm C u m b e r l a n d , D u k e of 2 7 3 ^
Czartoryski, Princ e A d a m 193&11 5 Damiani, Jean n o n 3 Damiani, th e younger : D meets i n Jaff a 1 i o& n 3 Dandies: i n M i l a n 53 ; i n Englan d 33 1 Daniell, Thoma s an d W i l l i a m : D en quires afte r thei r Picturesque Voyage to India 303n s Dannecker, J o h a n n H e i n r i c h von: D sees his * A r i a d ne o n a L i o n ' 15&n4&n 5 Dante: D compare s sel f with 2978^3 , 3 0 3 m ; mentione d 5 5 ^ Darnley, 5t h E a r l of : opinio n o f th e Re form B i l l 179&116 ; described b y D 19 1 Dashwood, Georg e H e n r y (late r 5t h Bart) 2 2 2 m , 254 &ec&ni&n4 Dashwoods, the : politica l influence a t H i g h Wycomb e 2 0 3 m Davenport, M a r y A nn 189&114 Davies: accompanie s Quee n Adelaid e t o Woolwich 337n 2 Davison, a L o n d o n solicito r 7 o & n i Davy, Si r H u m p h r y , 1s t Bar t 1511 9 Davy, Lad y 15&119 Dawkins, E d w a r d James 101&1113 , 10 4 Dawson, Georg e Rober t 242&115 , 283nio
Dawson, M a r y 2 4 2 ^ , 283&111 0 Day, Charle s 144&11 8 Day, Jane (vo l 11 ) 384116 ; 1 5 2 8 ^ 5 Day, Richar d 648cm
Dickens, Charles : Pickwick Papers 2 6 7 ^ Digby, E d w a r d St . Vincen t (late r 9t h B a r o n Digby ) 273&117 Digby, Si r H e n r y 273n 7 Disney, Cap t 1788^ 7 Disneys, th e 1788^7 , i 8 2 n 3
D'Israeli, Benjamin , th e elde r 4112 , 5 6 ^ Disraeli, Benjamin : - o n art , musi c an d theatre : ar t 233 , 302 , 303; musi c 11 , 233 , 273 , 278 , 283 , 286, 328 , 329 , 331 , 338 , 345 ; theatr e 234, 268 , 270 , 352 ;
- o n autograp h letter s 4 , 74 ; - controversies : wit h J o hn M u r r a y 48 , 163, 167 , 168 ; wit h L o r d Nugen t 203ec; wit h Gre y ('th e Whig s hav e cas t me off ) 219 ; wit h The Times 2258mm,2; wit h Dashwoo d 2548cm , 256;
- hi s dandyis m 91 , 92 , 97 , 1018c m 1 , 103 , 275;
- debts , natur e o f 6iec , 648^2 , 84n2 , 878cm, 132 , 296 , 298 . See also Austen; - diary , o n keepin g 3478^4 ; - dissolutio n o f Parliament , concer n about (1834 ) 322 , 323 , 324 , 358 ; - hi s dres s 97 , 103 , 117 ; - electio n campaigns : Wycomb e (Jun e 1832) 133 , 134 , 198 , i998cnn2, 3 200 ,
201, 202 , 203 ; Wycomb e (Oc t 1832 ) 215, 2 1 7 m , 22iec , 223 ; Buck s Count y
Day, W i l l i a m 6 4 m , 1448^6 , 146 , i 5 2 n 5
Day, Miss : marriag e o f I44&:n 8 Days, th e 64 , 14 6 Day an d Martin' s Blackin g 1 4 4 n s De Breyst , Brussel s bookselle r i2n 3 Deerhurst, Viscoun t 2058cm Denbigh, 7t h E a r l o f 337n 2 Denbigh, Countes s o f 337n 2 Denham, D i x o n 24&n3&n 4 Denning, Stephe n Poynt z 3 0 2 m Denvil, H e n r y Gaskel l 352&ec&n2 Derbishire, M r : hired a s reporte r fo r The Representative 43&112, 4 7 Derby, Countes s o f (wif e o f 1 6 t h E a r l o f Derby): D tells o f hi s yout h 66e c 'Derby Dilly ' 3 2 4 m D'Este, Countes s 4 9 m Devonshire, 6t h D u k e of : L o n d o n resi dence i89n7 ; dutie s a s L o r d C h a m berlain o f th e Househol d 28i8cn2 ; mentioned 101 , 1 0 3 ^ , 2 4 3 ^ Devonshire Hous e 1898^ 7 D i b d i n , T h o m a s Frognal l 15&1111
(Oct 1832 ) 221 , 2228cm , 2258cnni,2 ;
Marylebone ( A p r i l 1833 ) 2488cm ,
2508cm, 2518c m 252 , 2558cm , 2618cm, 2638cm , 2 6 5 m ; Wycomb e (Dec 1834 ) 3558cnn3,4 , 356ec , 357ec ;
- hi s father : relation s wit h 11 , 12 , 74 , 2 7 1 m , 2 8 2 m , 298 , 306 ; act s as agen t for 1388cm , 141 ;
- o n foo d 11 , 12 , 13 , 16 , 27 , 49 , 51 , 53 , -
94, 101 , 110 , 302 ;
o n foreig n language s 13 , 284n8 , 346 ; o n friendshi p 298 ; government , observation s o n 97 ; health : 'th e grea t enemy ' 598cec , 63 , 668cec, 678cm , 728cec , 74ec , 758cec , 788cm, 79 , 81 , 84 , 88 , 89 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 948cn5, 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 103, 104 , 107 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 116 ,
117; mercur y treatmen t 1328^3 ; ef fect o f eas t w i n d 2538^3 ; othe r ill nesses 118 , 119 , 125 , 264 , 265 , 334 ; -justice o f th e peac e 3508cm ; - lawyers , opinio n o f 9 2
459
460
- a t Lincoln' s I nn i7ec , 5gec ; - machinery , observation s o n 315 ; - manners , comment s on : i n Ital y 54 ; i n Spain 93 , 95 ; - militar y men , opinio n o f 99 ; - name , spellin g of 1 0 m ; - hi s pipe s 122 , 124 , 127 , 340 ; - politica l order, view s o n 215 , 221 ; - politica l principles 263 . See also his T o ryism, hi s Radicalism ; - politica l rumours, report s o f i i 7 & n n i , 2 , 1 3 8 ^ 3 , 1 4 1 ^ 3 , 142 , i 4 4 & n n , 150 , i 5 2 & n 2 , 173 , i 7 8 & n i , 188, 191 , 322 , 323 , 324 , 338 ; - politica l scene, comment s o n i 2 0 & n 2 , 150, 190 , 324 , 338 , 3 3 9 & n i ; - portraits : b y Maclis e 260 2 6 9 & n i ; b y Sykes 290 , 291 ; b y D'Orsa y 352 , 355 ; - th e press , observation s on : i n Flander s 12; - a s publi c speake r 2 0 i & n n 6 , 7 ; - hi s Radicalis m 1 9 5 m , 198 , 199 , 225n2 , 261, 331 , 353 ; - Re d L i o n Speeche s (1832 ) 2oi&ec&nn6,7; - reputatio n an d popularity , comment s o n hi s ow n 83 , 908^3 , 101 , 127 , 159 , 179, 211 , 2 2 4 & n i , 227 ; - review s of : Alroy 243 , 2 4 4 ^ 3 , 2 4 7 & n i , 26o&n5; Contarini Fleming 186 , i 8 8 & n 7 , 189 , 193 , 194 , 197 ; The Gallomania i 8 3 & n i , 184 ; The Revolutionary Epick 339 ; "What is He?" 260 ; 'Ixion i n Heaven ' 234 ; - slavery , view s o n 2 i 5 & n 6 ; - hi s smokin g 107 , 229 , 3 2 7 ^ , 345 ; - socia l occasions: presenc e a t th e resi dence of : Lad y A l d b o r o u g h 281 ; A ngerstein 127 , 205 ; th e Austen s 122 , 124, 303 , 329 ; Lad y Blessingto n 322 , 325, 326 , 329 , 334 ; M r s B o l t o n 206 ; George B u c k 160 ; Bulwe r 142 , 146 , 159, 169 , 206 , 210 , 212 ; Rosin a B u l wer 207 ; Castlereag h 323 , 331 ; Lad y Charleville 260 , 269 , 278 , 283 ; Lad y C o r k 278 , 281 , 285 , 323 , 324 , 325 , 326, 338 ; Lad y Dudle y Crichton Stuart 322 , 324 , 326 ; th e Eliot s 188 , 192; L a d y Esse x 331 ; Forbe s 189 , 242 ; J o h n H a r d wick 234 ; L o r d H e r t f o r d 324, 340 ; M r s W y n d h am Lewi s 228 , 273> 275 , 337 ; th e L i n d o s 178 ; L y ndhurst 352 ; M a c h i n 165 ; M e r e d i t h 150; th e Meredith s 138 , 232 , 329 ; M r s
M i t f o r d 285 ; M u n r o 274 , 278 ; M u r r a y 230; N a m i k Pach a 255 ; M r s N o r t o n 249; G e n Phipp s 260 , 284 ; Polis h C l ub 193; th e Salisbury s 326 , 337 ; th e Spences 188 , 243 , 273 ; th e S t Alban s 331; th e S t Maur s 283 , 340 ; Lad y Stepney 238 , 251 , 259 , 284 ; th e Sykeses 267 , 273 , 340 ; th e Tavistock s 288, 340 ; - speculativ e venture s 18 , 198cm , 2o8cnni,2, 2i8cnni,2 , 22 , 448^5 , 848012, 3 5 i n 3 ; - speech , reprinte d a s The Crisis Examined 3608^3. See also as publi c speaker , R e d L i o n Speeches ; - Tories : D resists approache s fro m 163 ; Ds view s o n prospect s o f 179 ; D's judgement o n 198 ; thei r 183 4 strateg y 3398cm, 353 ; D' s approach t o 356 ; - hi s T o r y i s m 1 8 8 m , 202ec ; denie d 265 ; - visit s to : A l b a n i a 100 , 101 ; Algier s 97; Andalusia 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 ; Athen s 104 , 107, 108 ; Bruge s 10 ; Brussel s 12 ; Cadiz 93 , 96 ; C a i r o 111 ; th e Cedar s 3408cm; Constantinopl e 108 , 109 ; E d inburgh 27 ; Emb s 14 ; Florenc e 56 ; Frankfurt 15 ; Genev a 52 ; Ghen t 11 ; Gibraltar 90 , 91 , 92 ; Granad a 94 ; Jaffa 110 ; Jerusalem 110 ; Lieg e 13 ; Lyons 58 ; Malt a 97, 98 , 99 ; M i l a n 53 ; Padua 54 ; Pari s 51 ; Pis a 57 ; Rhinelan d 16; Rhon e Valle y 52 ; Sevill e 93; T u r i n 57; Venic e 55 ; V e r o n a 53 ; Vicenz a 54 ; Y o r k 26 ; - Whigs : D' s relations wit h 198 , 219 , 2258cn4, 361 ; - wome n an d marriage : view s o n 74 , 276; o n Spanis h wome n 94 , 96 ; - writing : views o n 62 , 305 , 308 , 320 , 347; - works : - Alroy: D postpones earl y wor k o n 74ec ; influence o f M i d d l e Eas t tou r o n l o i e c ; wor k resume d o n i55n2 , i79n5, 209 , 2 i 6 n 2 ; Beckford' s admi ration fo r 1938cm , 2538012 , 2558017 ; offered t o M u r r a y 226ec ; publicatio n agreement 2288cnni,2 ; 'Iskander ' added t o 2298cm , 231 ; forma t 22g8cn2; 1s t vo l printed 230 ; 2n d vol printed 233 ; subscriptio n 2348cec , 24i8cec; suggest s adaptatio n a s oper a 2858^2; talisman s 2388013 ; publica tion 2428cnn2,i7 , 243 ; receptio n an d
reviews o f 242&1114 , 244&113, 247&111, 255 , 2 5 7 & n n i , 2 , 3 , 25802 , 26o&n5, 269 , 273013 , 316 ; dedicatio n to Sara h 251&114 , 269&113; 2nd edition 2968^4 , 297 , 298n2 ; mentioned 237 &ec, 240&ec, 244&ec&nn4,5; - ' A y l m e r Papillon' : D s MS decline d b y M u r r a y 7 &ec, 8& e c & n i , 9&n2 ; - ' T h e Bosphorus , a Sketch ' i22n3 ; - ' T h e Carrier-pigeon ' 342&ec, 344 , 348∋ - ' A Colloquy o n th e Progres s an d Pros pects o f th e "Cour t J o u r n a l" ' 75n3 ; - Coningsby: anticipatio n o f i n early lette r 75n2; 324n4 ; - Contarini Fleming: D includes descrip tion o f Kali o Be y and Meheme t A g a in i o i n n 2 , i o ; par t v c h 6 an d 7 origi nally compose d a s a lette r t o hi s mother 94ec ; D' s hopes tha t M u r r a y will publis h 1 2 0 m , i 3 2 & n 2 , i 3 5 & n i , 139, 143 , 147 , i48 &ec; Milman's opin ion o f i 5 i & n i , i 5 5 & e c & n i ; discus sions o f titl e 153 , 154 , 1 5 8 m , 165 ; a t the printer s i 6 o & n 7 , 165 , 173 , 178 , 179; review s o f i 8 6 & n i , i 8 8 & n 7 , i89n6, 191 , i94 &ec&nn3,4, 195 , 196 ; Beckford admire s 1 9 3 m , 253n2 ; D re ports o n receptio n o f i n societ y 205 , 206, 207 , 208 , 209 , 232 ; D sends a copy t o M a h m u d 1 1 255n4 ; D sends a copy t o Beckfor d 330; mentione d 1 9 7 ^ 3 , 228&n9 , 234 , 298 ; - ' T h e C o u r t o f Egypt ' I22n3 ; - The Crisis Examined 36oec&n3 , 3 6 i & n i ; - 'Egyptia n Thebes' 2 i 4 & n 2 ; - Endymion 7 2 m ; - England and France: or A Cure for the Ministerial Gallomania: D begin s wor k o n i 4 0 & n 8 ; a s 'th e Haberia n volume ' 1 5 0 ^ 3 , 151 ; D submits earl y M S t o M u r r a y i 5 6 & n i , 157 , 1 5 8 ^ 2 ; M u r ray agree s t o publis h 159 , i 6 o & n 7 ; ne gotiations wit h M u r r a y about th e titl e i 6 i e c , 165 ; D submits M S t o C o u n t O r loff 164 ; D submits M S t o C r o k e r 169 ; D's anxiety t o ge t int o prin t 170 , 171 ; D submits M S t o L o r d A b e r d e e n 173 ; i ncludes critiqu e o f W h i g passivit y i 7 5 & n i ; libellou s dedication t o Gre y i 7 6 & n 2 , i 8 o & n n i , 2 ; D seeks Isaac' s opinion o f 182 ; reviewe d i n The Times i 8 3 & n i ; review s o f 1 8 4 ^ 3 ; " D s r e a
sons fo r anomymit y i848cec8cnn2,3 ; mentioned i4i8cnn2 ,g, 1 5 5 ^ , 1628cm, 163 , 1688cm , 177 , 179 , 181 , 1858cm, 188 ; - Henrietta Temple 2968cm, 3518^2 ; - 'Ibrahi m Pacha , th e C o n q u e r o r o f Syria, b y Marc o Polo J u n i o r' 2318^4 ; - T h e Inferna l Marriage ' 3338cm, 341 , 346; Beckfor d praises 3 3 5 m ; 'th e most successfu l thin g I eve r wrote ' 339; - An Inquiry into the Plans, Progress, and Policy of the American Mining Companies ign4, 21 ; - ' A n Interview wit h a Grea t T u r k . . . ' 249n2; - 'Ixio n i n Heaven ' 2318^3 , 233 , 2348cm; - Lawyers and Legislators: or Notes on the American Mining Companies 2 i8cng; - Letters , anticipate s increas e i n valu e o f 74; - ' T h e Leve e o f Augustu s Villeroy ' 7 5 ^ ; - Lord George Bentinck: anticipation s o f in Sarah's writin g 28on2 ; - T h e Mutilate d Diary' i i 2 n 3 , 2 3 2 ^ , 347n ; - ' A Pilgrimage to th e H o l y Sepulchre ' 2 1 3 m , 2148cm , 228ng ; - The Present State of Mexico 2ing; - The Representative: agreemen t t o publis h 23n2; negotiation s t o establis h 2i8cnio, 2 3 m , 26ec , 3 1 m , 328cnn3,6 , 3 3 m ; expecte d riva l t o The Times 368^4; choic e o f titl e 428cnn2,4,5 ; S.C. Hall' s accoun t o f 4 6 m; failur e o f 48ec8cn4; lin k wit h th e Wes t Indi a i nterest 2i5n6 ; mentione d 24ec , 44n6 ; - The Revolutionary Epick: D begin s wor k o n a t T h e Grang e 2908cm , 2918^3 ; published: par t 1 (Ma r 1834) , par t 11 (June 1834 ) 2968cm ; Sar a Auste n does researc h fo r 2978cm ! 1,3; 186 4 re print 2g88cn2 ; D recites alou d t o th e Austens 3038cm ; source s use d b y D 3o68cn4, 3328012 ; D submits par t 1 to M o x o n 310 , 3118cm ; offe r o f dedica tion t o Wellingto n declined 3128cm ; Isaac's comments o n 3168cm ; succes s o f sale s 319 ; D begin s par t 1 1 3228cn2 ; reviews o f 332801^,5 ; mentione d 4
3 > 3°5 > 3°7 > 3°9 > 3 3 ^ 3 320, 321 , 325 , 339 ; 01
1
8cn1
7> 3 >
l
l8
461
462
- The Rise of Iskander 17905 , 2298cm , 230, 2318cm , 234 ; - ' R u m p e l Stilts K i n ' 10014 , 1 1 g n i; - 'Secon d Editio n ... ' 7 5 ^ ; - ' T h e Speakin g H a r l e q u i n ' i22n3 , 21 i&;nn2,3; - Tancred l o i e c ; - ' T h e T r i a l o f Mivartinos ' 7 5 ^ ; - Velvet Lawn: A Sketch 2 8 i n 3, 2848^9 ; - ' A Visit t o th e G r a n d Vizier ' 1028cm ; - Vivian Grey: modelled o n Tremaine 24ec; rapi d compositio n of 48ec; Sar a Austen's involvemen t wit h 4gec; com position o f par t 1 1 5gec ; attempt s t o maintain anomymit y 6 o & e c & n n i , 3 ; A m e r i c a n editio n (1827 ) 898^3 ; Goethe admire s 1 1 i & n g; mentione d i6ec, 6iec , 86n2 , 908^3 , 121111 , 1 8 4 m , i97n4 , 231 , 234 , 2 4 5 m , 255 , 269, 300 , 301 , 330 ; - The Voyage of Captain Popanilla 8 n 1; - 'Walstein : or A C u r e fo r Melancholy' 2 6 5 ^ 3 , 2848cm ; - "What is He?": D begin s 2518^3 ; M r s Blackwood's comment s o n 2 6 5 & n i ; at tacked i n The Morning Herald 268&n5 ; success o f 269 ; mentione d 270 , 2788^7; - The Works of UIsraeli the Younger 2g6n2 ; - A Year at Hartlebury, or The Election 2 9 6 m ; D submits M S t o Bentle y 3008cm; D submits M S t o Saunder s an d Otley 302&n6 , 3 0 4 m; reviewe d 3o6&n2; mentione d gon2 , 267n5 , 3058^2; - The Young Duke: writte n t o rais e mone y for tou r o f M i d d l e Eas t 74ec ; experi ments wit h mannere d role s i n 75ec ; D describes a s ' a fashionabl e novel ' 76&n2; M u r r a y declines M S 8 3 & n n i , 3 ; Bulwer's o p i n i o n of 86n2 ; C o l b u rn publishes 97&n2 , i 0 2 & n 3 ; Sara h re ports popularit y o f 1 1 i8cn8; review s o f H 7 & n 3 , i 2 2 & n 5 ; Lockhar t ridi cules 224 &ec; mentioned 1 2 1 m , 127 , 169, 234 , 29 6 D'Israeli,Isaac; 4n2 : clos e relationshi p with M u r r a y 3111; enters D a s article d clerk 4 & n n i , 3 ; trip t o th e Continen t with D an d M e r e d i t h i o & e c & n n i - 5 , n & n i , i 2 & n 4 , 13 , 14 , i 5 & e c & : n i i , 16, i7ec , 2iec ; rent s H y d e Hous e (1825) 24ec ; deat h o f hi s mothe r 3 2 m ; promise s articl e fo r The Quar-
terly Review 42&n3 ; aske d t o revie w Tremaine 4gec ; concerne d abou t D' s puzzling illnes s 66&ec&n2; resist s D' s request t o purchas e a n estat e a t Stock ton 7 2 e c & n n i , 2 , 74 &ec&n3; move s t o B r a d e n h a m Hous e 84 ; M u r r a y n o longer hi s publishe r 898^4 ; r u m oured baronetc y 98 ; hi s epitap h t o th e family d o g 1 1 l & ni 1 ; 'What doe s B e n know o f dukes?' 1 i 7 n 3; a membe r o f the A t h e n a e u m 1 2 6 ^ 1 5 ; subscribe s to The Globe and cancel s The Courier i4on2; hi s portrai t accompanie s a n ar ticle i n T he Galler y o f Literar y Characters' 1 6 5 ^ 3 ; hi s T o r y i s m attacke d by The Westminster Review 1698cm2 ; asked t o contribut e t o The New Monthly Magazine 1838^2 , 207 , 208 , 2098cm ; Peel forbid s h i m acces s t o record s i n the Stat e Pape r Offic e 1938^9 ; bette r acquaintance wit h Bulwe r encourage d by D 2118cn3; hire s T i t a 2128cn3 ; England and the English dedicate d t o 2298^4; relation s wit h M r s Black wood an d M r s Sheridan 2458cec8cni , 2 4 7 m ; visit s L o n d on 279 , 281 ; hi s praise fo r The Revolutionary Epick 3168cm; works : ' T h e Aigulet s of A n n e o f Austri a (A Secret Anecdote) ' 23i8cn5; Amenities of Literature 3 1 4 ^ , 345; ' O u r Anecdotage ' 1 8 3 ^ ; re viewed i n The Globe 21 i n 3; Calamities of Authors 194 n 1; Commentaries on the Life and Reign of Charles the First: re views o f 938cn4 , iogn4 ; mentione d 42n3, 898^4 , i93ng , 268n2 , 306 , 338 ; Curiosities of Literature 4n2 , 898018 , 127, 3028cm , 311 , 3148^3 , 318 ; Despotism: or the Fall of the Jesuits 3298C4; 'Domesticity ; or a Dissertatio n o n Servants ' (b y Atticus ) 2318^5; Eliot Hampden and Pym 2688cn2 ; Flim Flams Or... 2918cm ; The Genius of Judaism 2428cm! 1,15, 2 5 8 m ; Mejnoun and Leila... 3298^5 ; ' A Psychologica l M e m o i r o f a Provincia l M a n of Gen ius: Jackson o f Exeter ' (b y Atticus) 2098cm, 210 , 212 ; ' O f the T h r e e Ear liest A u t h o r s i n O ur Vernacula r Liter ature': review s of , 2 1 i n 3; mentione d iec8cni, 288cm , 3 3 ^ , 44 , 488^4 , 5 1 m , 55n7 , 58 , 5 9 m , 6on3 , 63 , 65 , 75> 7> 93& 4> 94> 95 > 9 7 2 , i 6 , 998cec8cni5, 110 , H3ec8cn3 , 114 , 124 , 8
n
n n
130111, 132 , i34 » 3 , i 4 i & n 6 , 1428019, 144 , 14603 , 153113 , 159 , 174112, 178 , 188111 , 189 , i g o & e c , 191&112, i 9 4 & n n i , 2 , 195 , 206&112 , 2i3ec, 228&113 , 2 3 0 & n n i , 8 , 232 , 238ec, 251 , 262 , 264ec , 268111 , 271111 , 278, 283&113 , 287 , 2 9 i & n m , 2 , 2988cm, 3 0 2 & n n i , 2 , 306 , 307 , 311 , 314801113,5, 3258cm , 326 , 3298cm , 3318cm, 332 , 337 , 339^5 * 345 > 347> 350, 3520 2 1
8
Disraeli, James 128 c 115; D hopes t o obtain nava l commissio n fo r 9780126 ; and horse s 1248^3 , 1 2 6 m , 159, 188, 191, 207 , 210, 269; and dogs 189 , 190, 287; illnes s 337 , 349; in search o f a j ob 3068cm, 3 2 2 m , 339 ; D' s greetings t o 10, 13 , 15 , 16 , 50 , 51 , 57 , 58 , 63 , 91 ,
99, 110 , 291; mentioned m & n i i ,
140, i528cn6 , i79n2 , igoec , 2oiec , 2o68cn2, 208 , 228 , 271 , 273 , 288 , 307 , 309, 314 , 3 2 6 m , 34 0
D'Israeli, M a r i a 18cm ; lette r t o M u r r a y in defenc e o f D 488^4 ; concer n fo r D' s health 29o8cec ; D' s greetings to 5, io8cec8cnni,2, 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 24 , 50, 51 , 52 , 54 , 55 , 57 , 63 , 90 , 92 , 95 , 97, 109 , 111 , 116 , 131 , 138 , 141 , 159 , 189, 231 , 291 , 302 , 314 , 325 , 337 ; mentioned n n 5 , 2 i n 8 , 58n2 , 68 ,
7 2 m , 9 7 n i 6 , 130 , 1 3 1 m, igoec, 228,
232, 275 , 277 , 279 , 2 8 1 m , 302n2 , 332ec, 3 3 6 m
Disraeli, R a l p h 12&115 ; transcription er rors i n his edition o f D's letters gon2 , ggec; anticipate d marriag e 1448^5 ; begins lega l studie s 1798^2 ; D' s greetings t o 10 , 13 , 14, 15 , 16 , 50, 51, 56, 63, 93 , 100 , 109, 111, 124; mentione d 9 7 n i 6 , 9 9 m , i 2 4 n 8 , 125 , 127 , 129 , 1318cm, 1328cm , 137 , 140 , 187 ,
igoec, 193 , 194, 195 , 196, 20iec ,
2068cm, 207 , 210 , 211 , 238ec , 251 , 267, 267 , 268 , 269 , 271 , 288 , 290 , 293 , 295> 3°7 > 3* 4
D'Israeli, Sara h ( D'S grandmother) 4112 , 2480112, 328c m
Disraeli, Sara h l o n i ; engagemen t t o Meredith ion4 ; essa y on Madam e d e Sevigne; a s 'Fair Star ' 9on2 ; disap proval o f Clay 9 7 n n i 6 , i 8 ; report s on reception o f Young Duke 1 1 i n 8; bereavement 112 , 114, 116, 1188011 , 119, 121 ; receives memoria l r i n g fro m
the Meredith s 1378cm ; report s local gossip i42nn4,5 , i78n7 , 1 8 8 m ,
i9on4; enquire s afte r th e LeClercs 169m 3; comments : o n M a r y A n n e
i6g8cn6; o n L E L i89n6 ; o n th e N o r -
rises 1918^3 ; o n the Pardoe s 352n2 ; o n Singe r 126m4 ; o n Captain Walle r 126m6; humourou s accoun t o f Ralph's adventure s 2 0 6 m ; an d her lost d o g 2io8cn2, 2788cm ; literar y ef forts 267nn4, 5 28oec8cn2 ; distresse d by D' s silence 2 7 1 m ; warn s D against marriage 2 7 3 m 1 ; invite s Lad y Syke s to Bradenha m 2 7 5 ^ ; concern a t entertaining th e Sykese s 2 7 7 m ; ask s D to write stor y fo r local bazaar 2 8 i n 3 , 2 8 3 ^ ; he r opinion of Mr D e n n i n g 3028cnn2,3; a s co-author o f A Year at Hartlebury 302n6 , 3 0 4 m , 3 0 5 ^ ; he r
account o f L E L an d Mis s Pardo e 3 2 5 m ; intende d articl e fo r The New Monthly Magazine 3 3 9 ^ ; makes D a waistcoat 3 4 o n i o ; curiou s lette r fro m Angelo L i n d o 3 2 9 m; mentione d 2 m , 108016, 43ec, 51 , 52 , 54 , 56 , 578cec , 63, 74 , 91 , 98ec , 99 , 1098014 , 110 , i n n i 3 , 116 , 1 2 2 m , 1 2 6 m , 127 , 128 , 131, i 4 i n 8 , i45ec , i 4 6 n n i , 3 , i 4 , i49ec, 1 5 0 m , i 5 3 n 3 , i 6 5 n n i , i 3 , i 6 9 n n i , i 3 , i74n2 , i79nn2,3 , i 8 i e c , i92ec8cni, i99n2 , 2o88cn2 , 2i3ec , 23oec8cn6, 234n2 , 238ec , 24oec , 242n6, 2 6 2 m , 264ec , 274ec , 278ec , 28iec8cni, 2 8 3 ^ , 2 8 7 m , 288ec8cni , 29oec8cm, 294ec8cn2 , 3098cm , 3 1 5 ^ , 322ec8cnni,i2, 3236c , 3 2 6 m , 328ec , 332ec8cn3, 3 3 6 m , 34iec , 343ec , 349 , 35 3 5 3
e c
D'Israelis, the : relation s wit h th e M u r ray s i o n 6 , 488cec ; residence s 24ec , 63n6, 209n6 , 2 i 2 n 2 ; relation s wit h
J o h n Wilso n C r o k e r 1 7 9 ^ ; activities chronicled b y Blanche N o r r i s 1 9 1 ^; relations wit h the Pardoe s 3 2 5 m ; mentioned 32n2 , 49ec , 68n2 , 94n6 , i 4 6 n 3 , 24 0
Dissenters 3 3 9 m o Divie Robertso n a n d Son i6on 5 Divie Robertsons , th e 16 0 Doblado, D o n Leucadio . See White, J oseph Blanc o Doctors' C o m m o n s 1698c m 5 D o d d , Charle s Roger : hire d a s reporte r for The Representative 43&113
4^3
464
D o d d , T h o m a s : D refer s t o hi s auctio n catalogues 15&11 5 Domitian 4o n 1 D o n , Si r George: D meets an d describe s 90&114, 92; mentione d i 4 6 & n i 7 D o n , Lady : D describe s 92 ; D sends Young Duke t o 97 ; mentione d 90 , 14 6 Donegall, 2n d Marques s o f 2 7 3 ^ Donizetti, Gaetano : D attends hi s Anna Bolena 3 3 8 ^ D o r r i e n , Georg e 63&11 6 D o r r i e n , Magen s an d C o , L o n d on bank ers 63n 6
Dorrien-Magens, Henriett a Cecili a 33 9 Dorrien-Magens, J o hn 33111 9 Dorrien-Magens, Magen s 331119 Dorrien-Magens, M a r y Stephan a 33111 9 D'Orsay, C o u n t A l f r e d Guillaum e G abriel: firs t meet s D 159&112; D dine s with 165 , 339 ; hi s dres s describe d i 7 8 & n 6 ; D' s greetings t o 3 4 6 ^ 5 , 347 ; paints D' s portrai t 352 , 355 ; attempt s to advanc e D' s politica l caree r 357&nn3,4; mentione d 3 2 2 n i o , 3 3 5 > 344 > 34 5 Douce, Francis : L o n d o n address 68n2 , 1 2 5 m ; purchase s th e V e l l u m Plin y 138; mentione d 59111 , 126 , 146 , 152 , i n
8n
279
Douglas, Marques s o f (late r 11t h D u k e o f Hamilton ) 325&114 D o u r o , Marques s (late r 2n d D u k e o f Wellington) 340&113 D o w d i n g , Mis s 209&n 6 Dowlais Ironwork s 2 4 2 ^ , 2 7 3 m l Downes, 2n d B a r o n 269&115 Downshire, 2n d Marques s o f 2o8n 5 Doyle, Archdeaco n 23in 2 Doyle, Colonel : an d b u r n i n g o f Byron' s 'Memoirs' 28n 3 Drapers' C o m p a n y o f L o n d o n 6gn 1 &n4 D r o p m o r e Hous e 52&n 4 Drouineau, Gustave : autho r o f Le Manuscrit Vert 346&112 D r u m m o n d an d C o , bankers 2 4 i & n i , 244, 28 2
D r y d e n , J o h n: D quote s fro m hi s Alexander's Feast 79&n2 Duels 48n2 , 203ec , 294801 1
Duckworth, R. : reporter fo r The Representative 36n 8 Dudley, 1s t E a r l o f 15&111 0 Dulcken, Louis a 273&111 3
Dunboyne, 13t h B a r o n 2 7 3 m Duncombe, T h o m a s Slingsb y 1658c m 1, 197m
D u n m o r e , 5t h E a r l o f 2 6 i n 3 Dunsany, 13t h B a r o n 2 7 3 m 7 D u p p a , Richard : D refers t o hi s Miscellaneous Observations 5 2 &112 D u r e r , Albrech t 1 5 D u r h a m , 1s t Ear l o f 324&112; D dine s with an d describe s 325 , 329 ; decline s Ds reques t fo r hel p i n electio n 353n4 ; alleged t o hav e offere d D a sea t 3 5 6 & e c & n m , 2 ; D 'wavering ' betwee n Chandos an d D u r h a m 3578^5 ; i n cluded i n The Crisis Examined 3 6 i & n n 2 , 3 ; mentione d 3248^2 , 331 , 354 D u r h a m , Si r Phili p 307n 4 Dyck, Si r A n t h o ny van: D admires hi s ' C a r r y i n g o f th e Cross ' 1 i8cn3; D ad mires hi s portrai t o f Charle s 1 56 , 58 ; mentioned 1 3 Dynevor, 3r d B a r on 3 3 i n g Dysart, Countes s o f 3 3 i n 8 East Indi a C o 6 9 m Eastlake, Charle s Loc k 297&11 4 Eastnor, Viscoun t (later 2n d E a r l Som ers) 281111 0 Eastnor, Viscountes s 281&1110 Ebrington, Viscoun t (later 2n d E a r l For tescue): secon d i n a due l 203e c Edgeworth, M a r i a : Patronage 99801 3 Edinburgh Journal of Science 2 g n 2 Edinburgh Review: expected no t t o revie w The Gallomania 188 ; contribution s from D invited 2 3 9 m , 2 5 2 & n i ; D of fers t o contribut e t o 239 , 332n4 , 3 3 5 m ; mentione d 26n2 , 34n2 , 4 4 m 2
Egyptology i25n 2 Ehrenbreitstein, fortres s of : D visit s 148013
Ehrenfels Castle : D visits 1 6 E l d o n , 1s t E a r l o f 208cm , 2 i & n n 5 , 7 Elections: J u ne 183 2 H i g h Wycomb e byelection 1 3 3 m , I99n2 ; Decembe r 1832 H i g h Wycomb e genera l electio n 2178cm, 221 , 223 ; M a r c h 183 3 M a r y l ebone by-electio n 248 , 250 , 251 , 252 , 255; Decembe r 183 4 H i g h Wycomb e general electio n 357 &ec&nn3,5, 358&n2, 359 , 360 . See also electoral system Electoral petition s 2 6 1 m Electoral system : unreforme d 1 3 2 ^ ,
i44> 20303 ; reforme d 216&113 , 324 .
See also plumpers; requisition ; ballo t Eliot conventio n I38n 2 Eliot, B a r o n (late r 3r d E a rl o f S t Ger mans): D meets an d like s 173 ; praise s The Gallomania 179 ; invite s D to mee t Peel 190 , i g 2 & n 5 ; mentione d 138&112, 142 , 1 7 4 ^ 3 178 , 188 , 189 , 269
Eliot, Lad y Jemima: D meets 183 ; D's opinion o f i89&n2 ; mentione d 174&113, 19 2 Eliots, th e 24 2 Ellenborough, 2n d B a r o n 2 7 3 ^ Ellenborough, Barones s 273&11 7 Ellice, E d w a r d 2 0 i n 4 Elliot, Charle s 4 8 m Elliot, Georg e 340115 Elliot, Georgian a M a r i a 340&11 5 Elliots, the : M r s J o hn Murray' s family 27n8
Elliott, M r s W i l l i am 36&n 9 Ellis, Charle s Ros e (late r 1s t B a r o n Sea ford) 23&111 , 2 0 6 m Ellis, Georg e 2 3 m Ellis, Georg e H e n r y 2 1 i & n 5 Ellis, H e n r y 24&115 , 15 9 Ellison, Rober t 2 0 5 ^ 3 Elphinstone, 13t h B a r o n 322&118 Emmott's liver y stables 2 i o n2 England and France: or a Cure for the Ministerial Gallomania. See Disraeli , Benja min, work s Ensor, Georg e 230&11 8 Erasmus 9 7 Escott, B i c k h a m 283&1111 Essex, 5t h E a r l o f 325n 5 Essex, Countes s o f 325&115, 33 1 Esterhazy, Princ e Pau l i8on 2 Evans, Eleanor . See Yate , Eleano r Evans, J o hn 1 6 9 ^ Evans, T h o m a s Mullet : D' s partner i n financial speculation s 2 i n i & n 2 ; debt s o f 64n2 ; mentione d 2 5 m Evans, M r s 21 7 Examiner, The: hostil e revie w o f The Young Duke i 2 2 & n 6 ; subscriptio n t o raise fund s fo r 3 1 5 ^ , 317 ; mentione d !59 7> 32 2 n
Exeter, 2n d Marques s o f 97&1125 Fairlie, J o hn 2 4 2 ^ 7 Fairlie, Louisa : D meets an d describe s 242&117 Falcieri, G i o v a n n i Battista (Tita) : Byron' s
former servan t 99&1115 ; D' s o p i n i on o f 204; move s t o B r a d e n h a m 2 i 2 & n 3 ; mentioned 101 , 111 , 205 , 271 , 288 , 340
Falcon I n n i4on 3 Falconer, Georg e 3 3 2 m Falla, Danie l 90&111 Farley, Charle s gon 2 Farmer, Mauric e 178116 Fawcett, J o h n gon 2 Federalism: us e o f ter m 29 7 Ferdinand 111 , G r a n d Duk e o f Florenc e 52ml
Ferdinand v n o f Spai n 3 4 9 ^ Ferguson, H e n r y Rober t 2058^ 3 Feudalism: us e o f ter m 29 7 Fidanza, Signo r $2ng Field, B a r r o n : D meets an d describes , work mentione d 92&11 7 Field, J o hn Franci s 92&119 Fife, 4t h E a r l o f 9 4 ^ Finch, Rober t 6511 1 Firdausi. See Aub'l-Qasim , Mansu r Fitzclarence, L o r d Frederic k 99&116, 337n2
Fitzgerald, 2n d B a r o n 232115 Fitzgerald, Maurice , 18t h K n i g h t of K e r r y 232&11 5 Fitzgeralds, th e 2 3 2 ^ Flaxman, J o h n: Englis h artist admire d i n Italy 56&1110 Fletcher, S. , engrave r an d jewelle r 1918014
Fleuriz, governo r o f Ca d iz 93&n3 Floyd, Si r J o h n, 1s t Bar t 2600 4 Floyd, Lady : sends invitatio n t o D 260&114 Floyd, Si r H e n r y , 2n d Bar t 26on 4 Fonblanque, Alban y 159&117; review s The Young Duke i 2 2 & n 6 ; a s edito r o f The Examiner 3 1 5 ^ ; write s t o D 3 1 7 m ; vie w of th e Torie s quote d 33 8 Foote, Mari a 99n 7 Foote, Samue l 107&11 4 Forbes, Charle s Fergusson : provide s D with lette r o f introductio n 52&1110 ; D dines wit h 189 , 242 ; mentione d 15 0 Forester, 1s t B a r o n 32gn6 , 33inn4, 5 Forester, Charle s Rober t W e l d 3 3 m 6 Forester, Emiliu s J o hn W e l d 33111 6 Forester, Georg e Ceci l W e l d 331&11 6 Forester, O r l a n d o W a t k i n W e ld 331116 Forsyth, Joseph: D quotes hi s Remarks on
4^5
466
Antiquities 53&112 , 578cm; mentione d 54 Foscari: D visits palaces o f 558^4 Fougeret d e M o n t b r o n , Louis Charles: works i58n 2 Fox, Charle s Richar d 1590 3 Fox, H e n r y : hi s o p i n i on of M rs Hanke y quoted 99111 0 Fox, Lad y Mary : work s 159&11 3 Fox, W i l l i a m Johnson: D meets and describes 193&1110 , 2 6 3 m F r a n k i n g privileg e 1 2 4m Frankland, Mis s 169 m 3 Franklin, Si r J o hn 100&11 8 Franks 1 0 8 m , 113, 124 Fraser, Jame s 16 5 Fraser's Magazine for Town and Country: established i n 1830 32n6; critica l notice o f Eugene Aram 1 4 1 ^ , 2098^5 ; origin o f its nam e 16504 ; portrai t o f Isaac 1658^3 ; include s D in ' T he Gal lery o f Literary Characters' 2588^2 ; portrait o f D 2698 m 1; portrait o f D 'Orsay 357801 4 Frederick 1 1 of Prussia: quote d b y D 74&H5 Froissart: hi s Chronicles 2 6 Fyfield Hous e 63801 6 Gaetani, F. : his account o f Meredith's ill ness a nd death 1 i28cnni,4, 1138^ 3 Gahagan, H e n r y : candidat e fo r Maryle bone 248e c Galignani's Messenger 15111 , 5 2 8cn 14, 1058cm, 106 , 107 , 110 , 11 1
Gallomania: us e of the ter m 1588cn 2 Galloway, J .: D meets i n Egypt 160&11 2 Galloway, 7t h E a rl o f 269n 6 Galway, 1s t Viscount 2 6 7^ Galway, 2n d Viscoun t 3 0 4^ Gay, J o hn 30 2 Geoghegan a n d C o, shirt-makers 918^ 4 George i n 1 2 2 m l , 2598cnni,2 , 2 9 0 ^
George i v : his death 928cm3 , 130 ; mentioned 99n7 , 1 2 2 m l , 228n6 , 247n 2
G e r i n i 568cnn23,2 5 Gibbon, E d w a r d i44n 2 G i f f o r d , W i l l i a m 3 7m Gillies, Rober t Pears e 2118c m Giorgione, Italia n painte r 5 6 Glen Moubray, a Tale (anon) : a s imitation o f Vivian Grey 23i8cn 6 Globe and Traveller: Isaa c regrets hi s sub scription t o i4o8cn2 ; attack s The
Gallomania i848cec8cn3 ; praise s ' T h e Speaking H a r l e q u i n ' 2ii8cn 3 Glover, J o hn 63&11 3 G l y n , Si r Richard C a r r, 1s t Bart 188c m G l y n , Mills , C u r r i e and C o m p a n y, bank ers 188c m
Goethe, Augus t v o n 11 mg Goethe, Ottili e v on 11 mg Goethe, J o h a n n Wolfgan g von: admire s Vivian Grey 1 1 i8cn9; Wilhelm Meister i97n4, 2 1 1 m ; Drouineau' s heroin e contrasted wit h his Philina 3468^ 3 Goldsmith, Olive r 30 2 G o r d o n , Allegr a 347&11 6 G o r d o n , Si r Charles 92&115 G o r d o n , 4t h Duke o f i89n2 , 339n 9 G o r d o n , Si r Robert 107&115 , 109 , 110 Gore, Catherin e Grace : admire s D i598cn6; review s Alroy 2428^14 ; writ ings compare d t o D' s by reviewer s 3o6n2; work s 75m , 768^3 ; men tioned 768cm , 178 , 244^3 , 26 9
Gore, Charle s Alexander ; a s D' s politica l informant 141&113 ; D's condesendin g comments o n 159 , 165; efforts t o advance D' s politica l caree r 1 9 8 m , 205; supports D'S applicatio n t o Traveller' s 208; mentione d 20 9 Gore, Charle s A r t h u r 75111 , 159 , 178 Gore, Montagu : anticipate d visi t to B r a denham 1958cm ; D' s efforts t o culti vate i978cn2 ; entertains/ ) 251 ; resign s his sea t 3078014 ; mentione d 1938 c 114, 196,252ec
Gore, Phili p Y o r k e (late r 4t h Earl o f A r ran) i 4 i n 3
Gore, W i l l i a m i 4 i n 3 G r a h a m , Si r James, 2n d Bar t 3 2 4 m , Gramont, Antoin e Genevieve, due de i 7 8 n 6 , 338n 5
Gramont, Ida , duchesse d e 338n 5 Grange, T h e , Southend: D compose s The Revolutionary Epick a t 2908cm , 291 ; D submits A Year at Hartlebury fro m 300; D describe s lif e a t 290 , 291, 292, 30 7 Grant, Charle s (late r 1s t B a r on Glenelg ) 233&113 Granville, Countes s 325n 6 Gray's I n n 58 Grecian Commissio n io48cn 2 Greece, thron e o f i038cn 8 Green, Matthew : D quote s hi s The Spleen 798cm
Gregson, B o b , prize fighter 2 4 5 ^
Grenfell, Pasco e 20i&n3&n 4 Grenville, is t B a r o n 52n 4 Greville, Charle s Cavendis h Fulke : o n Melbourne's privat e secretar y 243n4 ; on D as ' a might y impartia l personage ' 357n5; mentione d 165&1112 , 356ec Greville, W i l l i a m Fulk e 339118 Grey, Charles : contest s H i g h Wycomb e (June 1832 ) 2oi &ec&n5, 202n4 , 203&ec&:nni,2; D describes a s friendl y 207, 209 ; publi c disagreement wit h D over J u ne 183 2 event s 219 ; contest s H i g h Wycomb e (De c 1832 ) 22iec ; high opinio n o f D a s orato r 233 ; con tests H i g h Wycomb e (De c 1834 ) 357 3> 35 4> 359 > 3 & ; men tioned i33ec , 212 , 23 3 Grey, 2n d Earl : an d th e Refor m B i l l 1 1 7 m , 144 , 150 , 152 , i 8 7 & n i , i88&nn3,6; an d Belgia n independ ence i38n4 , i63n2 ; The Gallomania dedicated t o 161 , i76n2 , 179 , 180 ; re signs a s Prim e Ministe r (1834) 3 2 1 m , 338ec&nni,2; mentione d 122&117 , i 4 i & n 4 , 2 o m 5 , 203 , 2 4 3 m , 324n2 , 3 3 Griffiths Hotel , Gibraltar 91 , 9 2 G r i m a n i , famil y o f 55801 4 G r i m m , th e brother s 2 1 l & n i Gropius 10 4 Grosvenor, 2n d Earl , an d 1s t Marques s o f Westminste r 56&1122 , 698^ 3 G u a r i n i , Giovann i Battista 55&11 6 Guest, Lad y Charlott e Elizabeth : work s 273&1111; marriage o f 28 6 Guest, Josia h J o h n (late r 1s t Bart ) 2731111, 28 6 G u i l f o r d , 2n d E a r l o f 2598c m Guizot, Francoi s 146&11 4 Gully, J o h n, prize-fighte r 245&11 4 Gurney, H u d s o n 273&11 4 Gurney, Margare t 273&11 4 G w i l l i m , H e n r y 202&ec8cn i G w y n , N e l l 2388^2 , 28 1 Haber, B a r o n Morit z von : D meets an d describes 126&1110 ; and th e treat y fo r Belgian independenc e 138 ; provide s secret document s fo r The Gallomania 140, i 4 i & n 2 ; Isaa c concerned abou t D'S connectio n wit h 142 ; communica tion wit h th e Saint-Simonian s 144 ; i n troduces D to th e foreig n directo r o f The Times 1528^3; co-autho r o f The Gallomania 1 5 6 m , 161 , i 6 8 & n i , 170 ; n
6 i n
8n
6 o
n i
mentioned 165 , 179 , 180 , 1908^5 , i95 Haber, Salomo n vo n i 2 6 n i o H a d d o , L o r d io7n 5 Hadrian 9 7 H a k e will, James: D cite s hi s Picturesque Tour of Italy 55&113 H a l l , Samue l Carter : describe s hi s con nections wit h The Representative 46&111; and The New Monthly Magazine 2 i 2 & n 5 ; an d The Amulet 2i3ec8cni ; and The Town 257n2 ; mentione d 47 , 2i4ec, 3 2 5 m Hamilton, 10t h Duk e o f 2 8 i n i 3 , 3 2 4 ^ Hamilton, Duches s o f 281&1113, 33i&ni2 Hamilton, A r m i n t a A n n i o n 5 Hamilton, Eleano r France s i o n 5 H a m i l t o n , Emil y Louis a i o n 5 Hamilton, Harriett e Georgian a i o n 5 , 148cm Hamilton, Si r J o h n, 1s t Bar t 10&115 , 14m H a m i l t o n , Lad y 10801 5 Hamilton, W i l l i a m Richard : work s iio&ni&n2 H a m i l t o n , E m m a 278n 4 Hamiltons, th e ion6 , 11 , 1 4 Hankey, Si r Frederic k 95&115 , 98 , 99nn9,io Hankey, Lad y 9 9 n i o Hankey, M r s 998m 10 Hankey, J o hn Pete r ggng Hanson, Charle s Simpso n 106 m Hanson an d C o , bankers i o 6 & n i , 129 m H a r d i n g , Georg e J u d d 92&11 6 Hardwick, J o hn 122&112 , 126 , i46n3 , 152, 189 , I92n4 , 196 , 234 , 24 3 Hardwick, J u l ia T u f n e l l 48n4 , 146&113 , 1898015, 234n7 , Hardwick, Phili p 14603 , 1 8 9 ^ , 23 4 Hardwicke, 3r d Ear l o f 2 8 i n 10 Hardwicke, 4t h E a r l of . See Y o r k e , Capt . Charles Phili p H a r f o r d , H e n r y 23on 3 H a r m a n , o f Wycomb e 212&n 6 Harpers, A m e r i c a n publisher s 3 2 4 ^ H a r r i n g t o n , 3 r d E a r l o f 2 8 4 ^ , 288n 2 H a r r i n g t o n , 4t h Ear l o f 99&117 H a r r i n g t o n Hous e 9 9 Harrowby, 1s t E a r l o f 155&113 , i 8 7 & n i Hastings, 1s t Marques s o f 4 4 n i o Hastings, Marchiones s o f 44&1110 Hatto, Archbisho p 1 6 n i
467
468
Haussez, baro n d ' 140&117, 141 , 161 , Hawkins, J o hn Haywoo d 159&11 8 Hawksley, Rosett a 23on 4 Hawksley, Willia m 23on 4 Hawksleys, th e 23 0 Hayday, James 179&11 3 Hayne, J . G . Teagreen' : prominen t ma n of fashio n 165&11 9 Hazlitt, Willia m 92n7 , 2 2gn4 Henault, Charle s Jean Francoi s 97&1110 Henderson, Alexander : D refers t o his History of Wines 15&116, 16 Henniker, Si r Augustu s Brydges , 3r d Bart 273&11 3 Henniker, Lad y 273&113 Henniker, 3r d B a r o n 273n 3 H e n r i i v o f Franc e 52n 5 Henry v m 7 2 m H e r o d , K i n g 110 Herries, J o h n Charle s 192&11 2 Hertford, 3r d Marquess o f 323 , 324&114, 340, 341801 1 Heygate, Si r William , 1s t Bar t 290&11 2 Heytesbury, 1s t B a r o n 178&112 , 18 9 Higgins, E d w a r d 1 1 3 m , 22905 , 232&n 2 H i l l , 1s t B a r o n 111&11 4 H i l l , L o r d A r t h u r Marcu s Ceci l 195111 , 208&115, 20 9 H i l l , Matthe w Davenpor t i94n 2 Hobhouse, Si r J o hn C a m , 2n d Bar t 215113 Hobhouse, Thoma s Benjami n 215&113 , 353
& n
H o p e , Thomas : hi s Anastasius 86&113, ioi8cn8
168m
4
Hobson, Campbel l Wright: Benjami n Austen's partne r 4911 1 H o l l a n d , 3r d B a r on 15911 3 H o l l a n d , H e n r y 24&11 7 H o l l a n d , W i l l i a m Woolam s 29&111 H o m e , J o h n, playwrigh t 11111 7 H o m e , J o hn m & n 7 H o m e r : D compares The Revolutionary Epick wit h The Iliad 2978^3 , 3 0 3 m Homfray, Si r Jeremiah 127&11 5 Homfray, Samue l 127&11 5 H o o d , 1s t Viscoun t 90 &ng H o o d , T h o m a s 302n 4 H o o k , Theodore : r u m o u r e d autho r o f Vivian Grey 6on3 H o o k h a m , Thoma s 3458013 , 347e c H o p e , Frederic k W . 1 1 9 ^ , 150&11 2 H o p e , H e n r y Thoma s i5on2 , 2 5 0 m , 2558cm, 26180011,2 , 3228011 3
H o p w o o d , Fran k Georg e 190 m Horfords, th e 23 0 H o r n b y , E d m u n d i26&n 8 H o r n b y , M r s i26n 8 H o m e , Si r Willia m 2 4 8 m , 26gn 6 Horner, Leonar d 4 4 m 4 H o r t o n , Rober t J o h n W i l m o t 28&n3 Hotel d e l'Europe 50 Hotel d e Terrace 5 0 H o w a r d , Josep h L . 23005, 23 2 Howell & James, jewellers 148^4 , 3 3 6 m H u d s o n , J ., tobacconist i 2 2 & n i o , 12 7 H u f f a m , J o h n H u d s o n : support s D at Wycombe 142&114 ; acts o n D' s behal f 190; circulate s D' s address 202n2 ; men tioned 146 , 1888c m H u g h a n , Thoma s 238n 2 Hughes, E d w a r d 'Ball ' 94n 3 Hughes, Re v T . S . : works i o i n 4 H u g o , Victo r 34 5 H u m e , Joseph i 9 8 & e c & n i ; provide s let ter o f recommendatio n fo r D (June 1832) 1 9 9 ^ 3 ; withdraw s recommen dation 2008cm ; mentione d 4 4 m 4 , Hundleby, Emil y 50&n 3 Hundleby, membe r o f Isaac's boo k soci ety 50&n 3
H u n t , H e n r y 122&11 7 H u n t , Leig h 92n 7 H u n t , W i l l i a m Ogl e 19&11 2 H u n t e r an d Ros s (Malta ) 97&n27 , 99 , 106, 107 , 108, 1 2 9 m, i37n2
Hurst, James 3 3 & e c & n i H y d e , Wincheste r tailo r 638^ 7 H y d e House : th e D'Israelis ren t 24ec , 25, 32&n2 , 49ec , 63n 6
Ibrahim Pasha , gran d vizie r l o i n g , 231&114, 249n2 , 2 7 3 m l
Ibrahim Pash a (son ) 10 mg Influenza epidemi c 288 , 336 , 33 7 Irasiel an d Jackson , banker s 129 m Irving, Washingto n 91&116 ; Life of Christopher Columbus 93&n8 ; works 182 Ismael Be y ioon 3 Jackson, W i l l i a m : work s 209&111 , 210 , 212
Jacobites: Scott' s allege d sympath y fo r 4 4 n i 4 ; mentione d 1 0 9 ^ Jamaica: slav e insurrectio n i n 1 4 1 ^ 5 ; L i n d o interest s i n i 4 i & n 6 , i 6 9 n i 3 , 2i5n6
Jameson, A n n a B r o w n e l l : works 257&113
Janina: massacr e a t l o i n g Jefferson, T h o m a s i58n 2 Jekyll, Edward : visit s B r a d e n h a m 11 i & n 7 , 34 7
Jekyll, Joseph 111117 ; D comments o n hi s age 3 4 7 &
n
5
Jerdan, William : involvemen t wit h Vivian Grey 6oec&ni&n3; work s 6 o n i , i58n2; D' s opinion of 186 ; gossi p con cerning 3 2 5 m Jersey, Countes s of : a s hostes s of A lmack's 338n 4 Jervis, Mar y A n n : D' s marital design s o n 279&114 Jews: ghett o i n Ferrar a 5 6 & n i ; civi l disa bilities o f 2 4 2 m 5 J o h n v i of Portuga l i78n 3 Johnson, D r Samue l 2 4 5 m , 26 9 Johnston, Jame s 248e c Jones, E d w a r d : earl y relation s wit h D 2111; D' S debt s t o 8 7 m Jones, Fann y 2 Jones, Inig o 5411 4 Jones, M r s 2 Jones, T h o m a s 878c m J o r d a n , Dorothe a i59n 3 Julius, D r : foreig n corresponden t fo r The Representative %6n8 Justinian, E m p e r o r 9 7 Juvenal: D quotes fro m 408c m Kalio Bey : described i n Contarini Fleming ioi&n2 Keats, J o hn 26n 2 Keepsake, The 74n6 , 286n2 , 3 4 7 m
Kell,J.B. i 2 6 n Kelly, France s M a r i a 234&11 7 Kenney, James: hi s Love, Law and Physic 156112; Raising the Wind 3 2on 2 Kinder v Taylor and the Directors of the Real Del Monte Company 2 0 m K i n g , Alici a 3408^ 4 K i n g , Carolin e 34on 4 K i n g , Catherin e 34011 4 K i n g , E . , Wycombe printe r 203 , 2 8 i n 3 K i n g , H e n r y 340&11 4 K i n g , Isaa c 205n 6 K i n g , Isaa c (Jr ) i788cn8 , 205&116 , 20 6 K i n g , Si r J o hn Dashwood , 4t h Bart : po litical influenc e describe d 203ec8cn i K i n g , Louis a 34on 4 K i n g , M a r y 340114 K i n g , Phili p Parke r 24&11 4 K i n g , Richar d 56&1120 K i n g , R i c h a r d J o hn 56&112 0 3
K i n g , Sidne y 3408^ 4 Kingston, 2n d Ear l o f 34on 4 K i n n a i r d , Dougla s 74&116 Knight, Charle s i94n 2 Knight, Elli s Cornelia : author o f Flaminius 278&11 4 Knight, Henriett a Gail y 28 1 Knight, H e n r y Gail y 232&11 4 Knights, th e Gail y 28 1 Knowles, James Sheridan : work s 268&113 Knowsley Park : describe d 1248^4 , 12 7 Kosciuszko, Tadeus z Bonaventur a 1278^28013, 1 9 3 ^
Koster (Lacost e o r d a Costa ) 13&11 2 Lacy, Richar d 21 0 Laffitte, Charle s 322&116 Laffitte, Jacque s 140116 , 3228cn 6 Lamb, Lad y Caroline 94, 98&112 L a m b , Charle s 92n7 , 22gn 4 Lamb, George : D meets an d describe s 1698cm!
Lambert, Franci s J o hn 208&11 6 Lambert, Si r H e n r y , 4t h Bar t 2o8n 6 Lamberts, th e 20 8 L a n d o n , Letiti a Elizabeth : D meets an d describes, work s mentione d 159&119 ; as 'Sappho ' 1598^9 , 169 ; review s Contarini Fleming i888cn7 , i89n6 ; a t opera wit h D 228; contretemp s wit h J u l i a Pardo e 3258cm ; mentione d 206 , 209
Landseer, E d w i n 33909 , 34 0 Lansdowne, 3r d Marquess o f 338&112 Lansdowne Terrace , Bath : Beckford' s residence a t 32 9 L a Rochefoucauld , vicomt e d e i42n 7 Law Chronicle 46n 2 Law Institutio n 6 9 Law term s 1798c m Lawford, E d w a r d 698c m L a w n House , Dover : th e D'Israeli s ren t 63n6
Lawrence, Elizabet h Sophia 1408c m 2, 2058cn4
Lawrence, Si r T h o m as 52&111 2 Layard, Auste n H e n r y : describe s Sar a Austen 4 9 8 c m ; describe s D 3 0 3 m; mentioned 349n 4 Layard, H e n r y Pete r J o h n : illnes s 3498cnni,2; deat h 351 ; mentione d 4 9 8 c m , 588cm , 9 8
Layard, Mariann e 4 9 8 c m , 5 8 m , 3498cn2, 35 1
4^9
470
Leach, Si r J o hn 188&11 5 Leake, Emil y 20 7 Leake, Willia m M a r t i n : work s l i o & n i , 20703 Le Clerc , Charle s Victo r Emanue l 1691113 Le Clerc , Paulin e i6gni 3 L e Clercs , the 169&013 , 17 9 Leigh, August a Mar y 2803 , 159&115, 206, 23 2 L e i g h , Georg e 1590 5 Leitrim, 2n d Ear l o f 28306 L e Marchaot , Deoi s 215&112 Leoclos, A o o e 278&116 L e o o o x , L o r d A r t h u r 243&118 , 27 8 L e o o o x , L o r d W i l l i a m Pit t 169&118 , 273 , 357"5 Leooardo d a V i o c i 5201 1 L e o p o l d , Prioc e of Saxe-Coburg (late r L e o p o l d 1 , K i og o f th e Belgians ) 10308 L e o p o l d 11 , G r a o d Duk e o f Tuscao y 56&116 Lesage, A l a i o Reo6 : D allude s t o hi s Adventures of Gil Bias 50&01 , 91&02 , Lewis, M a r y A o o e : D firs t meet s ao d de scribes 169&115&06 ; D' s first lette r t o i72ec; D misspells he r oam e 21201 , 267&02; D atteods oper a wit h 228 ; D dioes wit h 242003,4 , 275 ; act s a s matchmaker fo r Lad y Guest 286 ; meotiooed 26602 , 269&09 , 289 , 29702 Lewis, W y o d h a m 16906 , 242&113, 26601, 268&4 , 269&09 , 273011 , 28 6 Lewises, th e 268 , 269 , 273 , 28gec , 33 7 Liberal: us e o f ter m 3230 1 Licioius, Sur a 520 6 L i d d e l l , Georg e Augustu s Frederic k 97021, 99&115 Lieven, Dorothea , Princes s 3380 4 Ligoe, Charle s Joseph, Prioc e d e 90&11 6 L i o c o l o , E a r l o f (late r 5t h Duk e o f New castle) 324&11 7 L i n c o l o , Countes s o f 324&117 L i n d o , A l e x a o d e r 14 1 &n6; fioaocial problems o f 16901 3 L i n d o , A n g e l o : letter fro m 32901 , 33 1 L i o d o , Benjami o E p h r a i m (Sr ) 331 , 33 9 L i o d o , Beojami o E p h r a i m (Jr) : eogage ment o f 7902; eogagemeot broke n 8101; Wes t Iodi a holdiog s 14106 ; D dioes wit h 144 , 243 ; L o o d o o addres s
267&n6; mentione d 11&115 , 77, 82m , 122, i33ec&n4 , 178 , 210 , 212 , 269 , *7 >33 >339 L i n d o , Cecili a 11115 , 332n6 L i n d o , Emil y 11115 , 9 4 & n i o, 332&n 6 L i n d o , E p h r a i m 11115 , 332&nni,6 L i n d o , Louis a 11115, 179^014, 182 , 332n6 L i n d o , Olivi a (late r M r s Charles Trevor) : D's greetings t o 11115 , *3 > *4 > 5°> i4oni3, i79n4 , 2628012 , 332n6 L i n d o , Sara h 1 in5 Lindos, the : addres s 74m , 332m ; i nvestments i n Jamacia i4i&n6 , 2i5n6 ; mentioned 33 1 Lindsay, L o r d (late r 25t h E a r l o f Crawford): visit s Malt a 97ni 5 Lindsay, Lad y Charlotte 259&11 1 Lindsay, J o hn 25911 1 Lindsey, 9t h E a r l o f 273 m 1 L i n g a r d , J o h n: review s Isaac' s Commentaries 109&11 4 Linley, W i l l i a m 340&11 8 Liston, J o hn 51&112 , i56&n 2 Literary Associatio n of th e Friend s o f Poland: histor y o f 193^ 3 Literary Gazette: reviews Contarini Fleming 186&n 1, 188&n7 ; review s The Revolutionary Epick 332&n5 ; mentione d 32n6, 6onni,2, 189 , i g o & e c Literary Observer 46 m Liverpool, 2n d Ear l o f 2in 7 Lockey, Oliver , Wycomb e merchan t 228&:n8 Lockhart, Charlott e Sophi a 26n2 , 27n4, 32, 36 , 38 , 41 , 4 2 Lockhart, J o hn Gibson : D first visit s 26&ec&n2&n3; involvemen t wit h The Representative 27&:nn2-4,7, 29 , 46&ec&n 1; introduced t o th e D'Israel i family a t H y d e Hous e 32&nn2,i2 ; let ter t o D 36ec; as edito r o f The Quarterly Review 37m l 1,2, 40&nn2,4 , 4 2 & n n i 3,5, 44&nn6,8 ,i 1,14, 246 &:ni; sus pected autho r o f Vivian Grey 6on3; Ds opinion o f 83 , 347 ; suspecte d criti c of Bulwer 209&n5 ; D' s relations wit h 224n2; works 239^ ; mentione d 28&nni,4,5, 35m , 151 , 227ec , 33 2 Lockhart, J o hn H u g h 35&111 , 4 1 Lockhart, Lawrenc e 44 m 1 Lockhart, M r s 44&n 11 L o n d o n Seaso n 34 0 1
1
L o n d o n , Treat y o f 1388^4, 171m , 228n4 Londonderry, 4t h Marquess of . See Cas tlereagh, Viscoun t Londonderry, Marchiones s o f 32m, 242nio L o n g , Samue l 1248006 , 126 , 127 , 138, 190 Longs, th e 138 L o n g m a n , Rees , O r m e , B r o w n a nd Green, bookseller s 314801 4 Longman, Thoma s Norton , Londo n publisher 32 m 1 Longpr£, Charle s Lemercher . See Haus sez, baro n d ' Lonsdale, 1s t Earl o f 28in7, 3258cm&n8, 3 3 i n 1 4 Lonsdale, Countes s o f 33180014 L o u d o n , 5t h Earl o f 44nio Louis Philipp e of France: describe d i n The Gallomania 156 , 162 ; alliance wit h the Whig s 168m , i75n2 Lowndes, E . , composer 2738cm 2 Lowndes, Willia m 2738c m 2 Lowndes, Willia m Selb y 2738c m 2 Lowndeses, th e 273m 2 Lowther, J o hn H e n r y 2288005 , 2428cn8 Lucian 335 m Ludolf, Guiglielmo , C o u nt d i 2738002 Ludolf, Countes s d i 273n2 L u d w i g 1 , G r a nd D u k e of Baden 168001 , 165 L u d w i g 1 , G r a nd Duk e o f Hesse D a r m stadt 158C118 , 92 Luttrell, H e n r y 146&09 Lyndhurst, 1s t B a r o n: D first meet s a nd likes 3388cn6; increasing intimac y wit h D 354nm,2 ; aids D' s political ambition s 356ec, 35780012,5, 358 ; mentione d i89n8, 334m , 352 Lyndhurst, Barones s 1898008 , 35 2 L y o n , Davi d 232n 6 Lyons, E d m o n d g6n 2 Maas, M r 31111; involvement wit h The Representative $6x18 Macaulay, T h o m a s Babingto n 233&113 M a c h i n , Nathanie l Smith : as secretary of the Travellers ' C l u b i658cnn6,9 M a c h i n , M r s 16 5 Machin, Debenha m a n d Storr, auction eers i65n 6 M a c k i n n o n , Willia m Alexande r (Sr) : works 1888001 1 Maclean, Si r J o hn 242&01 2
Maclise, Daniel : illustrates Fraser' s 'Gal lery o f Literary Characters ' 32n6 , i65n3, 269m , 357n4; illustrate s Captain Popanilla 6gec, his ' M o k a n n a Unveiling hi s Features ' exhibite d 2338cn4; mentioned 209800 4 Macready, Willia m Charle s 38cec8co 2 Macrone, J o hn 324m © M a d d e n , Si r Frederic : work s 283800 3 M a d d e n , Richar d Rober t 346n 4 Maffei, Francesc o Scipione , Marches e di 54&»3 M a g i n n , W i l l i a m 328006 ; engaged a s reporter fo r The Representative 36, 47; critical o f Bulwer's Eugene Aram i4in7; r u m o u r e d autho r o f Vivian Grey 6on$\ articl e o n Isaac in 'Galler y o f Literar y Characters ' 165^ ; sus pected autho r o f attack o n Bulwer 2ogn5; article o n D in 'Gallery of Literary Characters ' 26911 1; article o n D 'Orsay i n 'Gallery of Literary Charac ters' 357n4 ; mentioned 328006 , 44, 258n2 M a h m o u d 11 , Sultan o f T u r k ey 1098002 , 2558cn4 M a h o n , Viscoun t Stanhope of (later 5t h Earl Stanhope ) 91800 7 Maitland, Frederic k i88&n 8 Maitland, M r s . i888cn8 Malcolm, Si r J o h n: work s 288cn 2 Malibran, M a r i a Felicita : D meets 2858cm M ' A l p i n e , C o n i n g h a m 2300 4 Malone, E d m o n d 8 9 ^ Malta: governmen t o f 97 Malta Sportin g C l u b 97 Manners-Sutton, Si r Charles (late r 1s t Viscount Canterbury ) 2428^7 , 2738006, 307n6 Manners-Sutton, Lad y 307800 6 Manners-Sutton, J o h n H e n r y 307800 6 Manton, Joseph 958^ 2 Manuscrit Vert. See Drouineau , Gustav e Maples, Frederic k 5ec , 6ec Maples, M r s 5, 6 Maples, T h o m a s Frederic k 5&11 1 M a r i a1 1 da Gloria o f Portugal 103801 7 M a r k A n t o n y 1018011 2 M a r l b o r o u g h , Duches s of : D compare s his grandmothe r t o 32m Marsh, W i l l i a m : autho r o f a key to Vivian Grey 6on3
47i
472
M a r t i n , George : physicia n wit h th e 73r d regiment a t Malt a 1 i3n3 M a r t i n , J o hn 1 i o& n 4 , 11 1 Mathews, Charle s i i & n 2 , 234 , 2 6 6 m , 2 8 4 ^ 7 , 34on 6 Mathews, Charle s James (Jr ) 228n6 , 284&117, 340&n6 Matthews, H e n r y 56n 8 Mauregini, Jean de , T u r k i s h diploma t 242&ng Maurice, L o r d Byron' s boatman 51 , 5 2 May, James, publishe r o f The Bucks Gazette 225n6 Mayfield H a l l 6 4 Maze, M r : falls off a pyrami d 1 1 i & n i 6 M c C r a c k e n , J. & R . 106 m Mehemet, A g a l o i & n i o Mehemet, A l i Pash a 32&115 , 1 i o n 7, 111 , 23 4 Melbourne, 2n d Viscoun t 243&111 liai son wit h M r s N o r t on i5gn4 ; encoun ter wit h D 1 6 0 m; become s prim e m i n ister (1834 ) 3 3 8 ^ 2 ; dismisse d a s prime ministe r 3 5 3 ^ ; mentione d g8n2, i38n4 , i 6 g n n , 2 4 3 ^ 4 , 35 6 Melo-Drame go &n2, 10 8 Mercandotti, M a r i a g4&n 3 Meredith, Ellen : D' s greeting s t o 131 , 136, 137 ; D' s marita l design s o n 1 4 4 ^ , 2758^5; marriag e o f i5on2 ; men tioned 119&113 , 2 7 6& n i Meredith, Evelyn : D' s greetings t o 11 g&n2, 131 , 137 ; accoun t o f conver sation wit h Sara h Disrael i 2 7 6& n i ; mentioned i44n4 , 22g , 275 , 32 g Meredith, Georgian a Esthe r 113m ; D' s greetings t o 136 ; marriag e o f 22g&n5; mentioned H 2 & n 4 , i23ec , 137 , 232n 2 Meredith, W i l l i a m Georg e (Sr ) 69&114, 112, H 3 & n 2 , n g & n 2 , 121 , 12 8 Meredith, W i l l i a m Georg e (Jr) : engage ment t o Sara h Disrael i 10&114; accompanies D on firs t tri p abroa d 12 , 14 , 15; reads fo r th e ba r a t Lincoln' s I n n i7ec; accompanie s D on M i d d l e East e r n tou r 8 4 m , 8g , g i , g2, gg , 100 , 101, I02n2 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 108 , i o g & n 5 , 110 , 111 ; illnes s and deat h i i 2 & n i , H 3 & n 3 ; offensiv e obituar y o f i 2 i & n i ; propose d memoria l t o i 2 8 & n i ; work s i o n 4 , 7 i & n 2 , n g n i ; mentioned 2iec , 56 , 58 , 6gn4 , 76n2 , 116, n g n i , i37n2 , 2 7 6 m Merediths, th e 12 , 13 , 14 , H 2 n 4 , 138 , i n
140, 142 , 144 , 146 , 150 , i 5 2 & n n 4 , 5 , 165, 182 , 183 , igoec , 191 , 195 , 207n3 , 229, 232&:n2 , 243, 258 , 273 , 274 , 276 , 329 Merivale, J o hn H e r m a n : work s 44&n g Messer, Robert : D' s creditor 21&111 , 64n2, 84&nn2, 3 Metropolitan Magazine i 2 3 & n 2 Metternich, Princ e 180 m Mexican M i n i n g C o m p a n y 2 i n 5 Meyer, W i l l i a m R. : Britis h consu l i n A l bania l o i & n i Mezzofanti, Guisepp e Caspa r 56&11 2 Micarelli, Vincenz o i o i & n 6 Michelangelo 5 6 Michele, Charle s Eastlak e 3 1 in 2 Mignet, Francois : D uses hi s Histoire i n writing The Revolutionary Epick 332n 2 Miguel, D o m o f Portuga l 1 0 3 ^ 7 M i l m a n , H e n r y Hart : work s 144&112 ; reader fo r M u r r a y of Contarini Fleming i 5 i & n i , i55 &ec, 1 5 8 m Milman, Mr s i 5 i & n i M i l t o n , J o h n: D compares Revolutionary Epick t o Paradise Lost 2 9 7 ^ 3, 3 0 3 m M i n i n g Stock s i g & n n i , 4 , 2 0 & n n i , 2 , 21 , 3 5 i & n 3 . See also A n g l o - M e x i c an M i n ing Association ; Bolanos; Rea l de l Monte Minto, 1s t Ear l o f 34on 5 Mitchell, T h o m a s Aristophanes : 8 2 m ; suspected a s publisher' s reade r o f The Young Duke 83&ec&ns, 14 4 M i t f o r d , Letiti a 273&1114 , 28 5 M i t f o r d , Rober t 2 7 3 n i 4 'Mivartinos' 75&n 3 Mivart's H o t e l 7 5 ^ Moliere: work s 1 3 m Monasti'r: massacr e a t io3n 2 Money, James 337n 4 Montagu, E d w a r d Wortle y 1 1 in2 Montagu, Lad y M a r y Wortle y 111&112 Montalembert, Charle s Forbe s Ren e d e 325n6 Montalembert, comtess e d e 325&n6 , 33^ Montesquieu, baro n d e l a Bred e e t d e 9 7 Monthly Review: review s Contarini Fleming 197^3 Moore, Thomas : projecte d lif e o f B y r o n 3 2 & n g & n n i o , i 1 ; aware o f The Young Duke 169 ; The Loves of the Angels 3 2 n i o ; mentione d 4 4 n i 4 , 18 9 M o r g a n , Si r T h o m as Charle s 2 8 i n 12
M o r g a n , Lad y 2818c m 2 M o r g h e n , Raffaell o Sanzio : work s 5280011, 55 &ng, 56 Morier, James Justinian: Hajji Baba 16980010; as author o f Zohrab the Hostage 2 2 4 m , 227 ; D offer s t o review Zohrab 2398cm ; D meets a nd describe s 324
Morley's Hote l 279 Morning Chronicle: writer s fo r 3 9 m, 43n2; leade r o n T o ry peer s 2 7 8^ Morning Herald: attack s "What is He?" 2688cn5
Morning Post: reviews The Gallomania i 8 i e c ; report s on Marylebone electio n 2 5 0 m , 2558cm ; D' s only pape r 291 ; history o f 31 i8cn2; mentione d 43n2 , 275m
Mortimer, E . a nd C o, stockbroker s 1408cm, 14 1
M o x o n , Alfre d 3i88cn 2 M o x o n , E d w a r d : publishe s Isaac' s Genius of Judaism 2428cm , 2 5 8 m; publishe s revised editio n of The Curiosities 3028cm, 311 , 3148^3 , 318 ; publishe s
The Revolutionary Epick 2 9 6 m , 3ioec , 313; mentione d 1 3 5 m , 260 , 326 Mozart, Wolfgan g Amadeus : D attends his Don Giovanni 16 ; mentione d 11 , 3
6 & n
5
Mucius, Gaiu s (Scaevola ) 368^ 5 Mulgrave, 1s t E a rl o f 34on7 Mulgrave, 2n d Ear l of : D meets 159; mentioned 978cm8 , 1468007 , 169, 243nn2,9, 284n6 , 3o6n2 , 3248^ 5
Mulgrave, Countes s o f 9 7 & n i 8 8 c n 2 i, 324n5
Mulgraves, th e 325 M u l l e r , Johannes von : D uses his Universal History i n writing The Revolutionary Epick 3068011 4 Mulready envelop e 2 0 8 m M u n r o , Si r A l e x a n d er 2 7 3 m M u n r o , H u g h A n d r e w Johnson: D' s friendship wit h 2438007; projecte d visit t o B r a d e n h am 258 , 260 , 261, 273, 274, 275 , 277 , 2788ce c
M u n r o , Isabell a Margare t 2738cm , 27 4 M u r i l l o , Bartolom e Esteba n 93 , 95 , 96, 98 M u r p h y , James Cavanah : D cite s his Arabian Antiquities 97800 5 Murphy, Thoma s 250m , 26in 5 Murphyites 26i8cn 5
M u r r a y , A n n e 26 , 278cn8, 488eoi8cn4 M u r r a y , Charle s Augustu s 2 5 0 m , 2618C03
M u r r a y , Charle s K n i g h t 97n2 5 M u r r a y , Charle s Rober t Scot t 2 2 2 m , 225n2
M u r r a y , Christin a Jane 2&0 2 Murray, Lad y Henriett a A n n e 978002 5 M u r r a y , Heste r A n n e 28C0 2 M u r r a y , Mis s 4 2 m Murray, James: D meets 1528003 ; opinion o f The Gallomania 17 9 M u r r a y , J o h n: hig h o p i n i o n of D's abili ties 3ec8coi ; declines t o publish ' A y l mer Papillon ' 8 n i, 9 n n i , 2 ; involvement wit h The Representative 238cn2 , 268cnn2,4, 288cnni,2,4 , 28A , 29 , 318cm, 34 , 368cn8 , 428cnn2, 5 46 ; a s
publisher o f Quarterly Review 26n2 ,
2 7 m , 28 , 28A , 328cni3, 33n4 , 36n2 , 378cn2, 38 , 39n2 , 4o8cn4 , 428cn2 ,
i53n2; L o n d o n office s (address ) 448cn4; a n d Byron's 'Memoirs' 328cm 1; L o n d o n residenc e o f 338^3 ; opinion o f Vivian Grey 488cec; break s relations wit h D 48 , 6iec , 89114.; of fered The Young Duke 76ec , 828cm , 83ec8cnni,3, 868cn4 ; relation s wit h D improve 868cn4 , 1 2 0 m ; publishe s Contarini Fleming i32n2 , 135 , i3g8cec, 140, i438cec , 144 , i458cec , 146 , 147 , i488cec, 150 , 1518cm , 154 , i558cec ,
1 5 8 m , 159 , i788cn4, 208 , 228 ; pub lishes Gallomania 1568 m 1, 157 , 158 , 159, i6o8cn7 , 161 , 162 , 1638cm , 165 ,
166, i67ec , 168 , 169, 171; mentione d
2n2, 7 m , 2oec8cn2 , 2 3 m , 248cnn2,8 , 10, 2 7 n n i , 7 , 38 , 47 , g i n n 5 , 6 , 92 , 97n2, i 7 4 n 2 , i 7 6 n 2 , 180 , 18 2 , 205 , 301, 31 1
M u r r a y , J o hn (Jr ) 15301; a nd Gallomania 164, 170 , 175 , 1768cm , 177 , 180 , 18 1
M u r r a y , Willia m 23o8cn 2 Mustapha, imperia l perfume r 11 1 Mustapha Pash a 1 0 9^ N a m i k Pasha , T u r k i s h ambassado r 255
& n 2
Napier, Macvey : as editor o f The Edinburgh Review 23901; asks D for contributions 2528cm ; D offer s t o review Beckford's Italy, Spain and Portugal 335
n i
Napoleon, Loui s (later E m p e r o r Napo leon in) . See Bonapart e
473
474 Nash , J o hn 1268002 , 169 , 1990 2 Nash, Rober t 358 m National Omnibus and General Advertiser 1828cm, 21 i&n4 National Politica l U n i o n 1428^ 3 Navarino, Battl e o f 1038^ 4 Neale, J o hn 3598^ 3 Nelson, 1s t Viscount 278n 4 Nesham, Christophe r J o h n Willia m 9780011 New Monthly Magazine: editor s 46m , 141, 146ml , 2078cm, 2i2n5*, Ds con tributions t o i22n3 , i7gn5 , i83n2, 2148012, 23in3 , 3358cm; Isaac's con tributions t o 23in5; reviews Contarini Fleming 1978^4 ; review s Alroy 2448^3; Sarah' s intende d contribu tions t o 267n5, 339n3; mentione d 1698^3, 207 , 208, 2iin4 , 2i3ec , 232, 26on5, 333 &ec&:ni New Times 36n6, 468cm New Voyages and Travels 7 m New York Mirror 324m © Ney, Joseph Napoleon , Princ e o f Moskowa 322&n5&n 6 Ney, Miche l 3 2 2 ^ Nicholas 1 , Tsar o f Russia 56 , 164 m N i c h o l l , Wycomb e tradesma n 228801 8 Nicholson, Rento n 257n 2 Nichols a n d Son, printer s 2838c m Nichols, J o hn G o u g h 2838cm Niebuhr, Barthol d Georg : works , 211 m Niemcewicz, J u l i an U r s i n 1270 2 Normanby, Viscount . See Mulgrave , 2nd Earl of Normanby, Viscountess . See Mulgrave , Countess o f Norris, Blanch e 191800 3 Norris, Carolin e i4om o Norris, J o hn 1910 3 Norrises, th e 998cm 3 Northesk, 8t h E a rl o f 34on5 N o r t o n , Carolin e 1598004 ; L o n d o n address 244n2 ; D visits 249 , 278; as 'Starry Night ' 2658012 ; as editor o f La Belle Assemblee 2658013 ; gives D he r portrait 307 ; The Sorrows of Rosalie 228ng; mentioned 2348cnn9 ,io, 243, 245n2, 2558cn3 , 268, 286n 2 N o r t o n , Charle s Franci s 243800 2 N o r t o n , Georg e Chappi e 15904 , 234 , 24302, 244n 2 N o r t o n , M a r i a Wellesle y 2438002 Nortons, th e 340
Nugee, F . G . , tailo r 938cn6 Nugent, 2n d B a r on 18880014 ; his Memorials of John Hampden 169012 , 268n2; challenges D to a duel 203ec ; named lor d hig h commissione r t o the Ionian Isle s 3538^2; mentione d 2ign2 O ' C o n n e l l , Daniel : letter i n support o f D as candidat e ig88cec8cni , 199; opinion o f "What is Her 268 ; D dine s wit h 3228cec, 3238cec; account o f Clare election 3248c m 1; D describes 329 ; mentioned I93n6 , 199 , 338m Octavian 1 0 in 12 Oliveira, governo r o f Cadiz 93n3 Oliver, Thoma s 26800 4 Oliver a n d B o y d, bookseller s 268cn4 , 27, 28A, 2 9 Oilier, Charle s 7in3 , 11180012 , 122 , 2328cn7 Ongley, 2n d B a r on 2090 3 Ongley, 3r d B a r on 2090 3 Ongley, Barones s 2 0 9 ^ Ongley, Charlott e 2090 3 Ongleys, the 2098^ 3 O p e r a boxes : cos t o f 197m Opie, M r s A m e l i a: 'Poo r Rosalie ' 2288009, 22 9 Orange, Cap t i6gn 6 Orange, Princ e o f 1388^ 4 Orlov, C o u n t Alexi s Fedorovic h 164800 1 Ossian 7 0 Ossulston, B a r o n (late r 6t h E a rl of Tankerville): D dine s wit h 23480016 , 3 5> 33 !> 337> 34; mentione d 33 9 Osuna, D u k e o f 94m Osuna, Duches s o f 948cm Otho, Princ e o f Bavaria i03n 8 Otley (o f Saunder s a nd Otley) 25 7 Ottley, W i l l i a m Y o u n g 2600 1 Ottley, M r s 260m Ottleys, th e 2608cm Ottoman Governmen t ioon3 , ioin 5 Otway Cave , Rober t 337n 4 Otway Cave , Sophi a 337800 4 O x m a n t o w n , B a r o n (late r 3r d E a rl of Rosse) 278800 2 Palgrave, Si r Franci s 44800 7 Palladio 53 , 548^6-9, 97 , 98 Palma Vecchio , Jacomo Negrett i 56800 3 Palmerston, 3r d Viscount i38n4 , 233n2 Pantomime gon2 , 108 Papworth, J o h n 63n 6 Pardoe, J u l i a S.: disput e wit h L E L 3258001; Sarah's comments o n 352n2 2
Pardoe, Majo r 325m , 3520 2 Park, A d a m 240 6 Park, A r c h i b a l d 2406 Park, M u n g o 24&n6&n 8 Park, M u n g o Traver s 2411 6 Parker, o f Wycomb e 188 m Parris, E d m u n d T h o m a s 347&n i Parry, Willia m E d w a r d : work s 7&111 , 9 5 Patmore, Coventr y 146m l Patmore, Pete r Georg e 146&1111 ; views o n Contarini Fleming ig3&n 2 Paulet, L o r d Willia m gg&n 5 Paulus, Jovius 5 2 Payne, J o hn 13 8 Payne an d Foss , bookseller s 138 ^ Peake, Richar d Brinsley : D refers t o hi s The £100 Note 100&116 Pearce, H e n r y , prize-fighter : a s th e 'Game C h i c k e n ' 2 4 5 ^ 4 Pearce, Rober t 24&11 4 Pedro 1 , E m p e r or o f Brazi l 103^ , 178113 Peel, Si r Robert , 2n d Bar t 188&113 ; hi s opinion o f D ig2&nn2,5 ; decline s th e King's proposa l fo r a coalitio n 33gni ; asks Stanley t o j o in th e cabine t 3 5 8 ^ 5 ; mentione d 187m , i g o , i93 9> 242115 , 283nio, 324 , 33in4 , 1 & n
&n
353& 3> 357 5 Peel, W i l l i a m 357n 5 Peers: propose d creatio n o f i n 183 2 i 3 3 & n i , 134m , 142 , i44&ni2 , 152 , i 7 8 & n i , i7g , 187m , i g i & n 5 Penrhyn, Charlott e Elizabet h igon i Penrhyn, E d w a r d i g o n i Percival, banke r 11 5 Pericles g7 , 10 4 Perry, Geraldin e 1 l o & ng Perry, Willia m 1 lo&ng Pery, E d m o n d H e n r y gg&n 8 Peter th e Grea t 10 1 Petit, Loui s Hayes 205&11 4 Petrarch: D visit s home o f 5 3 & n i , 55&nn5,g Phelps, James i88&ni3 , i g o , l g i , ig2 , 210 Phelps (Jr) : D finds positio n fo r 210 , 21 2 Phillips, Si r Richar d 711 1 Phillips, auctionee r 56^ 5 Phillpotts, H e n r y 36&117 , 242&ni 6 Phipps, Augustu s Frederic k 284&11 6 Phipps, Charle s Beaumon t 3 4 0 ^ 7 Phipps, G e n E d m u n d : invite s D to din e n
n
260, 273 , 284&n6 ; mentione d 243&119, 28 7 Phipps, E d m u n d 24311 2 Pickersgill, H e n r y Willia m 243&111 3 Pickersgill, Joshua: an d hi s The Three Brothers 3 4 6 ^ 4 Pignatelli, Francesco , Princ e o f Strangol i 97&nig Pigou, Charle s 234 &ni 1 Pigou, Rober t 2 3 4 & n u Pindar: D quote s hi s ' H i e r o n of Syracuse ' g7&n6 Piranesi, Battist a Giovann i 54&115 Plank, Sa m 126&11 7 Pliny, th e elder : work s 52&n 6 Pliny, th e younger : Letters 52n6 Plumpers 223n2 , 35703 Polignac, Jules-Auguste-Armand-Marie , Prince d e 176n 3 Ponsonby, Lad y Emil y Charlott e 9504 , 97>99 Ponsonby, Si r Frederic k Cavendish : a s governor o f Gibralta r 95&n4 , g7&n2o; mentione d g8 , g g Poole, Thomas : D alludes t o hi s Paul Pry 521113 Pope, Alexander : D attempt s variation s o n line s fro m The Rape of the Lock g4n4; D quote s fro m hi s 'Epistl e t o D r Arbuthnot' i 2 3 & n i ; mentione d 8gn5 , 111 Porsena, Lar s 36&n 5 Porter, Jane : work s 278&113 Portland, 3r d Duk e o f 3 2 5 ^ Portman, E d w a r d Berkle y 248 m Postal Servic e 1 l & n i , 40 , 2o8 &:ni, 230&:ni, 326 . See also 'Crossing' of let ters; franking ; Mulread y envelop e Poten, B a r o n Frederic k vo n 273 &1K) Potticary, Re v (Potticany ) le c Potticary's School , Blackheath: D attends lec, 2 m Poulett Scrope , E m m a Phipp s 2 4 2 ^ 4 Poulett Scrope , Georg e Juliu s 242&114, 243, 26 g Poulett T h o m s o n , Charle s E d w a r d (late r 1st B a r o n Sydenham ) 242n 4 Pouncey, Mis s i88 &ng Pouncey, Rober t i88n g Powles, J o hn Diston : financial specula tions wit h D l g & m; involvemen t wit h The Representative 2in2, 2302 , 28 , 32 , 33, 42n5 , 44&n5, 4 6 Powles, Loui s Diston i g n i
475
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Powlett, Lad y Grac e Carolin e 281&117, 325^3 Powlett, L o r d Willia m J o h n Frederic k (later 3 r d Duk e o f Cleveland) 2810 7 Primrose, Phili p 97&n2 4 Prior, James: Edmund Burke 4 4 8 ^ 1 3 Property qualification s fo r MPs 2188c m Protheroe, E d w a r d Davi s i22&n g Psychological: meanin g o f ter m i94&nni,3 Publishers: thei r term s 182 , 2288cn2 , 241, 296 , 301 , 324 ; Isaac' s relation s with 169 . See also Bentley; C o l b u r n ; M o x o n ; M u r r a y ; Rivington ; Saunders and Otle y Purdy, James 95 &n2 Purves, Marguerit e 33980116 , 340 &n2 Pye, H e n r y James 307&112 Quarantine 971112 , 109 , 11 0 Quarter Sessions , i n Bucks 3508c m Quarterly Review: founde d i n 1809 3 m, 2 3 m ; Lockhar t appointe d edito r 26n2, 4 0 8 ^ 4 ; contributor s t o 2 7 m , 4 4 & n n 6 , 8 , i 2 , i 3 , 83n2 , 3 3 2 8 ^ 3 ; Is aac's contributions t o 42&:nn2,3, 49ec ; reviews Zohrab the Hostage 2 2 4 8 ^ 2 ; re views Aims and Ends 2468cm ; intro duces 'Conservative ' 3 2 3 m ; review s S.T. Coleridg e 3 4 7 8 ^ 2 ; mentione d 28A, 33nn2,4 , 3 7 m , 39n2 , 111, i 5 3 n 2 , 2398cm , 2 5 2 m Radcliffe, A n n 5780112 Radnor, 2 n d Earl o f 9 9 ml Raimondi, Marcantoni o 158011 2 Rameses 1 1 3n3 Raphael 53 , 56 , 57 , 62 Ravensworth, 1s t B a r on 97n n 18,21, 99 5 Rawson. See Adams , Si r Willia m Reade, J o h n E d m u n d 324&11 8 Real de l Mont e C o : D'Israel i famil y i nvests in 283&n2, 3 5 1 8 ^ 3 ; mentione d 20m Red L i o n (Wycombe) : D' s famou s speeches at i98ec , 199 , 20iec , 3 5 5 8 ^ 4 Reform B i l l o f 1832: introduce d (Marc h 1831) m m , 117m; . W h ig strateg y on 179; a s issue a t Wycombe 1 8 8 m ; a nd the Hous e o f L o r ds 1 1 7 m , i 2 o n 2 , i 3 8 n 4 , i 4 4 & n i 2 , 152 , i 7 i & n i , i 7 5 n 5 , i 7 9 & n 6 , 1 8 7 m , I9i8cn6 ; a n d Wellington's view s i 8 8 & n 3 ; becomes law 203n3 ; mentione d 117 , i 3 2 n 4 , i 4 o n 9 , 1 4 4 m l , 146 , 1558^3 , 2 0 3 m , n
2 0 5 8 ^ 4 , 3 1 i n 2. See also Grey, 2nd Earl Regency, th e 9 2 m 3, 99n 7 Rembrandt 56 , 243n 7 Reni, G u i d o 56&114 Rennell, James: D misquotes 978c m Representative, The. See Disraeli , Benjamin, work s Requisition, b y Electors 2218cm , 248 Reshid Mehme t Pash a (Gran d Vizier) : D describes meetin g wit h 101&117 , 103 Reshid Mustaph a Pash a i o i n 7 Review, The 1 6 9 n s Revolutionary Epick. See Disraeli , Benjamin, work s Reynolds, M a r i a 20811 2 Reynolds, Vincen t Stuke y 2o8&n 2 Ricardo, Davi d 34on 2 Ricardo, M o r t i m e r 34080112 Rich, H e n r y : hi s pamphlet What Will the Lords Do? 1 4 4 m 2 R i c h m o n d a n d G o r d o n, 4th Duke o f 243n8 R i c h m o n d a n d G o r d o n, 5t h Duke of i69n8, 324 m Rickett, Louisa : Sara Austen' s siste r 74&n2; engagemen t t o Benjami n L i n d o 79&n2 , 818cm, i 3 3 n 4 ; greet ings t o 88, 103 , 108 , 218 , 316 , 349 , Ricketts, th e 4 9 m Rickman, J o hn ign§ Ridgway, James Leec h 2 5 1 ^ , 269800 2 Rivington, Francis : D negotiates wit h on Sarah's behal f 26705 , 2798003 , 28oec , 281, 28 3 Rivington, C J . G . a n d F. 2 8 0 m Robarts, Curti s a nd C o, banker s i46&nio Robertson, Divi e i 6 o & n 5 Robertsons, th e i 6 o & n 5 Rockingham, Marchiones s o f 97n 8 Rodber, Re v Willia m J . 358002 , 44 Rodriguez, Benjami n O l i n d e 144800 9 Rogers, Samuel : visit s Tasso's tom b 558CI17; visit s Palazz o G e r i n i 56023 ; mentioned i388cn6 , 140 Rosa, Salvato r 568002 5 Roscoe, W i l l i a m 630 4 Rose, Si r George 188800 9 Rose, Si r Philip , 1s t Bart 1004 , 7 8m Rose, Lad y i888cn 9 Rose, W i l l i a m Stewar t 378002 , 39n 2 Rosetta 11 1 Ross, H e n r y James 9 7 8 ^ 2 7
Ross, James 971127 , 99 , 11 0 Rossini, Gioachin o A n t o n i o: Otello 15 ; Tancred 2 7 3 m l ; Semiramide 329&02 , 337n8; L'Assedio di Corinto 328ec , 331ml Rothes, 15t h Ear l o f g7&n2 5 Roworth, Charle s 33&112 Rowton, B a r o n . See C o r r y , Montag u Roy, R o m o h u n i6g&n g Royal Academ y 5 2 m 2 , 6303 , 69n2 , 30603 Royal Academ y o f Polan d 127&0 2 Royal Geographica l Societ y 2 7 m Royal Hote l (Edinburgh ) 26 , 2 7 Royal Hote l (Falmouth ) 8 9 Royal Societ y 278n 2 Royal Yach t C l u b 3o6n 5 Rubens, Pete r Pau l 11 , i 2 & n 2 , 1 3 Rumsey, J o hn 358&11 1 Russell, L o r d J o h n (late r 1s t Ear l Rus sell): introduce s Refor m Bil l i i 7 & n i ; expresses interes t i n D 141&03&114 Russell, L o r d Willia m 52n 8 Ruthven, Georg e 126&11 7 Rutland, 5t h Duk e o f 286n 2 Rymell, Wycomb e farme r 111&013 , 159&010 St Albans , 1s t Duk e o f 238n 2 St Albans , Duchess o f 325&07 , 3 3 i & n2 St Albans , 8th Duk e o f 238n2 , 3370 3 St Albans , 9th D u k e o f 3250 7 St M a u r . See Seymou r St Vincent , 1s t Ear l 9 0 & 0 5 St Vincent , 2n d Viscoun t 2790 4 Saints, oickoam e o f C l a p h a m sec t 2010 4 Salisbury, Dowage r Marchiooes s o f 192&116, 32602, 329 , 337 , 34 0 Salisbury, 2o d Marques s o f 1920 6 Salisbury, Marchiooes s o f 1920 6 Salmoo, Thoma s Stokes : suito r o f Elle o Meredith 276&11 1 Sams. See Waller, Cap t Saod, Georg e 345&11 6 Saosovioo, Jacopo 5 3 Saota-Aooa, A o t o o i o Lopez de 2910 2 Sappho 100&01 , 159&0 9 Sauoders, J o h o 5601 5 Sauoders, Josep h 3608 , 55&08 , 56&1115 Sauoders, o f Sauoder s ao d Otle y 22 8 Sauoders ao d Otley : D expect s excelleo t treatmeot b y 231 ; publis h Alroy 2 2 8 & o o i , 2 , 241 , 242 ; publis h A Year at Hartlebury 296&01 , 302&06, 30401 , 306
Saurio, B e r n a r d Joseph : work s 1580 2 Savage, Richar d 30 2 Scaligeri family , the 53&0 5 Scamozzi, V i o c e o z o 540 8 Scaramouche 107 , 12 2 Schamp d'Aveschoot : D view s hi s ar t col lectioo 1 1 & 04 Schiavooe, A o d r e a Meldolla , Veoetia o artist 520 9 Schiem Be y 103&0 3 Scholefield, Joshu a 193&11 7 Schomberg, Alexaode r W . g 7 & n i i Schomberg, Mis s 9 7 Schreiber, Charle s 27301 1 Scott, Si r Walter, 1s t Bart : a s T h e Che valier' 26 , 27 , 28 , 32012 ; a s 'Illustrissimus' 3 2 ^ 0 0 9 , 1 2 ; D visit s 28 ; iotro duces D to Coostabl e 3402 ; support s Lockhart a s edito r o f The Quarterly Review 4 0 & 0 4; called a Jacobit e 44014; publi c subscriptio o i o memor y of 228&012 ; works: Guy Mannering, M e g Merrilee s compared wit h B u lwer's mothe r 23102 ; th e Waverle y Novels 3402 ; Rob Roy D alludes t o 142&06; Count Robert of Paris, 17201 ; meotiooed 210 7 2406 , 26&111 &02, 2704, 28&05 , 3101, 36&oo2,3 , 37&02, 11109 , 2110 1 Scottish U o i o o Fire ao d Lif e Iosuraoc e C o 1600 5 Scrope, Willia m 2420 4 Seftoo, 2o d Ear l o f 165&11 5 Seldeoeck, Baro o vo o 165&01 0 Selwio, H e o r y J o ho 3520 1 Semooville, marqui s d e 14006 , i4i&ni&n2 Seti 1 30 3 Sevigoe, M m e d e 11&0 1 Sewell, Si r J o ho 160&11 6 Seymour, B a r o o (late r 12t h Duk e o f Somerset) 234015 , 23503 , 283&05 , 284, 34 0 Seymour, Barooess : D meets ao d de scribes he r beaut y 234 &011&1115; meotiooed 23503 , 243&03 , 283&05 Seymour, Georg e H a m i l t o o 104&116, 105, 10 9 Seymours, th e (S t Maurs ) 284 , 34 0 Shakespeare: Comedy of Errors 208&04 ; Romeo and Juliet 6 , 5401 ; meotiooe d t
9 3> 9 7 Sharpe, William , L o o d o o haircutte r 124&08 in
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Shaw, H . , engraver 2 8 3 ^ Shee, Si r M a r t i n A r c h e r: work s 306800 3 Sheil, Richar d Lalo r 233800 3 Shelley, Perc y Byssh e 1 1 i n i 2 Shepherd, Re v Georg e 3390 5 Shepherds, th e 3398015 Sheridan, Carolin e Henrietta : D' s great est admire r 23482017 ; apartment at H a m p t o n C o u r t Palac e 2478012 ; D visits 273 ; mentioned 237ec , 240 &ec, 249&ec, 255 , 265ec, 272, 2788015, 2838^5; works: Aims and Ends 234&ni7, 2368cm, 246m, 247m; Carwell 2348cm7 , 2358cm, 236, 245m; Oonagh Lynch 2348cm7 , 2368cm, 2468cm, 2478cm, 2498c m Sheridan, Charle s 23480010 , 24 3 Sheridan, Charle s K i n n a i r d 234800 9 Sheridan, Franci s C y n r i c 23409, 34o8cn8 Sheridan, Richar d Brinsley , the drama tist 15904 , 234nn9 ,io,i7, 24580^11, 2 Sheridan, Richar d Brinsle y 23409, 2838cn7 Sheridan, T h o m a s 234017 , 2458013, 247n2 Sheridans, th e 234, 235ec Shoberl, Frederic : work s 93n 5 Siddeley, Samuel : admire s The Revolutionary Epick 3398cn 2 Sidney, Phili p (late r 1s t B a r on D e L'Isle and Dudley ) 273ni5 Sidney, Lad y Sophi a 2738001 5 S i m p k i n , publishe r 23in 6 Singer, Samue l Welle r 89n5, 12680014, 16506 Sitwell, Si r George, 2n d Bart 27301 6 Sitwell, L a d y 27301 6 Skinner, M a r y 32580018002 Skinner, Samue l 3250 2 Slade, A d o l p h u s : work s 257800 4 Sliogsby, H e o r y James 638001, 1100 8 Sliogsby, Maria : gossi p fro m 11080008, 9 Smith, Si r D r u m m o o d, 1s t Bart 3040 2 Smith, L a d y 3048002 Smith, Horace : D alludes t o his Gaieties and Gravities 1098001 ; mentione d 284n5 Smith, James 284800 5 Smith, J o hn 222m , 223, 2258007 Smith, J o hn A b e l 225800 7 Smith, Rober t J o h n (late r 2n d B a r on Carrington): D court s hi s influence a t Wycombe (1832 ) 1348001 ; receive s Hume's withdrawa l o f support fo r D
20on 1; contest s H i g h Wycomb e (De c 1832) 22iec; refuses t o advance D' s political fortune s 3578C03 , 3598C02 ; men tioned i33ec , 138 , i528cn2 , 2548013 Smith, Sydne y 349800 7 Smith, Payn e a n d C o, bankers 225n7 Smyth, Si r George H e n r y , 6t h Bar t 3078005 Smyth, W i l l i a m H e n r y 24800 4 Smythe, Georg e Augustu s 159 m Soane, Si r J o hn 69800 2 Society fo r the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge I94n 2 Society fo r Promoting th e B u i l d i ng o f Churches a n d Chapels 35n 2 Society of Antiquaries 9 7 m Society of West Indi a Planter s a n d Mer chants: D a nd slavery 2i5n 6 Somerset, L o r d FitzRo y (late r 1s t B a r on Raglan) 111800 5 Somerset, 1 i th D u k e o f 2848002 Somerset, L o r d Granvill e 3578005 Somerville, Lad y Harrie t 329n 8 Somerville, Si r Willia m Meredyth , 5th Bart 329800 8 Sophocles: styl e o f elegy t o D i s r a e l i s' d o g compare d t o 1118c m 1 Sotheby, W i l l i a m 138800 3 South Se a C o m p a n y 2900 2 Southern, H e n r y i22n 4 Southey, Robert : Isaa c compared wit h 229n4; pamphlets mentio n Isaa c 2688C018012; mentioned 28n5 , 66, i82n2, 273 m 1 Spence, George : a s supporter o f the Reform B i l l 2058cn4 ; mentione d 4880013,4, 1408009 , 160 , 18880110, Spence, A n n e 488003 , 1408019 , 189 , 268 Spence, H a r r y D o n a l d i888cnio Spence, Joseph : work s 890 5 Spences, th e 188 , igoec , 243 , 273 Spencer, 2n d E a rl 3530 3 Spencer, 3r d E a rl 3530 3 S p r i n g G a r d e n H o t e l 331m Stalker (Stocker) , M r s 91, 93 Stamp dut y 2158015 , 263 Standard, The 2m Standish, Fran k H a l l : D sketches charac ter o f 93, 97; mentioned 110 ; work s 9280012 Stanhope, L i n c o l n E d w i n 2848003 , 339, 340
Stanley, E d w a r d Geoffre y (afte r 183 4 B a r o n Stanley ; afte r 185 1 14t h Earl of
Derby) 117&112 , 12406 , 324&111, 35 5 Stanley, E d w a r d Smith , B a r o n Stanle y (after 183 4 13t h Ear l o f Derby ) 124&115, i26&n8 , 127 , 138 , Stanley, Barones s i26n 8 Stanley, Eleano r Mar y 190 m Stanley, H e n r y Thomas : D meets i n Spain 117&112 ; Ds efforts t o locat e 124, i26&n5 , 127 ; mentione d 174 , 178, i 9 0 & n i , 32 3 Stanley, Louis a Emily I24n 6 Stanley, Willia m T h o m a s Stanle y Masse y 329&117, 331, 33 8 Stanleys, th e i24&nn4,7 , 12 6 Star Chamber: ke y t o character s 6on2; D suspected write r for , 1 sgng Starkies, th e igoe c Stephanoff, Franci s Phili p 95&111 Stephanoff, Jame s 95&111 Stepney, Si r Thomas, 9t h Bar t 1690 7 Stepney, Lady : D first meet s i6g&n7 ; praises Contarini Fleming 232 ; he r novel 2328017 , 269; D dine s wit h 242 , 251, 259 &ec, 273 , 281 ; D visit s 238 , 242, 281 ; mentione d 228 , 269 , 278 , 284, Stevens, W i l l i a m : D article d t o 4n 3 Stockdale, L o n d o n bookseller 346n 4 Stoddart, Si r J o h n: an d The New Times 36n6; D describes 99&11 4 Stoddart, L a d y 9 9 Storks, H e n r y g2&n 8 Storr, Pau l 281&115, 283, 28 4 Strachan, Si r Richar d 322114 Strachan, Lad y 322&114 Strangford, 6t h Viscount : D admire s 189; insincer e prais e o f Alroy 242^17; mentione d 159&111 , 190 , 191 Stuart, H e n r y 97&1111 Stuart-Wortley, Charle s 286n 2 Stuart-Wortley, Lad y Emmelin e 286&112 Subscription o f books 234 , 242n2 , 243 , 302 Sue, Eugen e (Mari e Joseph) 345&11 5 Suffolk, Duches s of . See D'Este , Countes s Sunday Times 43n2 Sussex, Princ e Augustu s Frederick , Duke o f i 2 2 & n n Swain, Stevens , Maples , Pearse an d H u n t , solicitor s 4&n3, 5 m , ign2 , i79n2, Swift, Jonatha n 6ge c 8 & n
Swinburne, Si r J o h n, 6t h Bar t 14601 5 Sykes, Ev a 277&112, 307&01 Sykes, Si r Francis, 1s t Bar t 3040 2 Sykes, Si r Francis William , 3r d Bart : liai son wit h C l a r a Bolton 78m; D dine s with 205&112 , 267&04; rents T h e Grange, Southen d 2 g o & o i ; begin s D' s portrait 291 ; purchase s yach t 306 ; L o n d o n addres s 3 1 4 ^ 2; mentione d 269&07, 275 , 277n2 , 288 , 300 , 30402 , 307&01, 310 , 328 &ec&oi, 35901 Sykes, Heorietta : he r relatioo s wit h Sarah Disrael i 267&114; D' s liaisoo with 27101, 282ec , 34501; at coocer t wit h D 273; visit s to B r a d e o h a m 275&02 , 276, 277001,2 , 278ec, 359&01; por trait o f 339&011 ; at oper a wit h D 273&013; purchases chai r fro m Wyc ombe 279 ; Isaa c dioes wit h 281 ; seod s veoisoo t o Isaa c 287 ; promise s Isaa c a portrait o f D 291 ; hold s a water-part y at ' T h e Cedars ' 340 , 34i &ec; atteod s M r Hope' s bal l 322 ; D dioes wit h 331 ; meotiooed 7801 , 9908, 268 , 269 , 283 , 288&01, 307&01 , 318 , 33402 , 34 3 Sykeses, the : couotr y sea t t o le t 27501 ; the Graoge , Southeo d 290&01 ; L o od o o addres s 307 , 31402 , 3 1 gee, 337&09; meotiooe d 273 , 302 , 30 4 Tabley, B a r o o d e 63 &ec&n2 T a g l i o o i , M . 33708 Talbot, Si r George, 3r d Bar t 281&119 Talbot, Maose l 322&010 Talleyraod, Prioce : meotiooe d b y D io The Gallomania 163&0 3 Taokerville, 4t h E a r l o f 5208 Taokerville, 5t h Ear l o f 33805 Taokerville, Couotes s o f 338&115 T a p l i o , hote l keepe r i o H i g h Wycomb e 140&03, 28 8 Tarifa: occupatio o o f g 2 & o i o Tasso, Torquato : D visit s tomb o f 55&n6&oo7,g T a t e m , James Georg e i g g & n i Tavistock, Marques s o f (late r 7t h Duk e o f Bedford ) 288&112 , 32 4 Tavistock, Marchiooes s o f 288112, 324 , Tavistocks, th e 32 5 Taxes 0 0 koowledge . See Stamp dut y Taylor, H e o r y : work s 332&113 T e m p r a o i l l o , Jose M a r i a el , Spaoish bao dit 91&112 , g 5 T e o c i o , marquis e d e 97&111 0
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Teniers, David , th e younger 568c m 2 Thackeray, Willia m Makepeac e 324^ 4 Theatres: licensin g of 1078^ 4 T h i r l w a l l , C o n n o p : work s 2118c m Thomas, Jame s 2288cn 8 Tieck, J o h a nn L u d w i g : Novellen 2 1 1 m Times, The: The Representative a possibl e rival 2 i n i o ; review s The Gallomania i 8 i e c , 1838cm , i848cn2 ; D' s public dispute wit h 2258cm ; mentione d 1 5 m, 2 4 m 1 , 328cno , 4303 , 44n8 , 468cn2 , 5o8cn3, l o i n g , i o 3 n 2 , I4i8cn2 , i528cn3, i 6 5 n 6 , 179 , i 8 8 n i 2 , 216 , 2288cn3, 248ec , 2 6 i n 2 , 2788c m Tintoretto 55 , 56 Tisdall, James 26on 3 Tita. See Falcieri , Giovann i Battista T i t i a n 56 , 62 , 96 , 281 T o b i n , M r s 15 Tollemache, Charle s 33180118 Tollemache, France s Louis a 33i8cn 8 Tollemache, Gertrud e 33111 8 Tollemache, Willia m Augustu s 3390 6 T o m , B r a d e n h a m servan t 3 3 6 m T o m l i n s o n , Nichola s R. ioo8cn 7 T o r y : us e of term 3 2 3 m Town, The: review s Alroy 2 5 7 8 ^ 2 ; com ments on D's politica l stanc e 2 6 2 8 ^ 3 Townsend, George : an d his Accusations of History 3680117 Travellers' C l u b : D fails to gain entr y t o I 2 6 8 c n n i 2 , i 4 , 127 ; membershi p lis t consulted i 6 5 n 6 ; D' s renewed hope s to become membe r 173 , 178 , 208 T r e v a n i o n , J o hn 337n 4 T r e v a n i o n , Susanna h 3378011 4 T r e v o r , Charle s n n 5 , 14080013, 1 7 9 ^ , 2o68cn2, 262n2 , 2 g i n 4 T r e v o r , Georg e 291800 4 T r e v o r , Olivia . See L i n d o , Olivi a Trevors, th e 1408cm3 , 146 , 179 , 208 , 243 T r i e n n i a l Parliament s 215 , 263 , 324 Triggers 287 T r o l l o p e , G . , L o n d on hous e agen t 448cn2 Trotter, Si r Coutts, 1s t Bart 1 4 2^ Trotter, Margaret : possibl e matc h fo r D i228cn8; a s 'the A m a z on of Grosvenor Square' 1428007 , 14480010 ; mentione d 2o88cn7 True Sun 2 6 9 8 ^ 1 0 T u l l a m o r e , B a r o n (late r 2n d Ear l of Charleville) 23801 ,
T u l l a m o r e , Baroness : D meets a nd is i m pressed b y 2388001 Tullamores, th e 26 9 T u r n e r , Alfre d 4380m , i 7 6 n 2 T u r n e r , Dawso n 48001 T u r n e r , Josep h M a l l o r d W i l l i a m 24380012 T u r n e r , Sharo n 338004 , 4 3 m, 66ec8cn2 , 1 3 0 m , i 7 6 n 2 , 302n 3 T u r n e r , M r s 66 T u r n e r s , th e 66 Tyndale, possibl e edito r o f The Representative 46n 1 U n i o n C l u b 97 ; foundin g an d L o n d o n address 2 7 8 8 ^ 9 U n i o n C l u b (Malta ) 97 U n i o n H o t e l : D' s L o n d on address 82 , 83, 84, 85 , 117 , 118 , 331 Valdez, Cayetan o 928001 0 Valpy, A b r a h a m J o hn 123800 2 V a n d e Weyer, Sylvian : Belgia n ministe r 2288004 Velasquez, Rodrigue z g68cn 3 Velvet L a w n , Chequer s C o u r t 2 7 7 8 ^ 3 Verbeyst. See De Breyst Veronese, Paol o Caliar i 548002 , 56, 34 1 Vespucci, A m e r i g o 5680016 Vespucci family , the 56 Vestris, Luci a Elizabet h 2288006 Victoria, Q u e e n 2 4 ^ , 2 0 i n 5, 3 3 9 m l Villebois, Ev e Mari e 99n 8 Villebois, H e n r y (Sr ) 2 6 7 ^ , 334n 2 Villebois, H e n r y 334800 2 Villiers, attach e at Constantinopl e iog8cn6 Villiers, Charle s Pelha m 1468005 , 159 , 294 Villiers, Frederic k Meynel l 146800 6 Villiers, T h o m a s H y d e 146800 5 V i l n a , Universit y of 568cm 7 Vincent, Si r Francis, 10t h Bart : D describes 127800 4 V i r g i l : D sees Petrarch' s cop y o f 538cm; D compare s The Revolutionary Epick with The Aeneid 2 9 7 8 ^ 3 ; mentione d 97, 3 0 3 m Vivian Grey. See Disraeli , Benjamin , works Volney, comt e de : D refer s t o his Voyage en syrie 1 io8cn3 Voltaire, Frangoi s Mari e A r o u et de: works 528cn5 ; mentione d 69ec , 2 5 3 ^ Vulliamy, Lewi s 6905 V y n e r , H e n r y 12680011 , 127
Wade, Re v A r t h u r S . 193800 8 Walker, Charle s E d w a r d : M u r r a y con sults D o n his play Wallace $8cec Walker, Thoma s 1928004 , 234&n6 , 243 5 Waller, Capt : change s hi s name i26&ni6 Walpole, Horace : D allude s t o his Castle of Otranto g2&n2 ; mentione d gyBcng W a r d , A n n e 1468cm 2 W a r d , Catherine : deat h o f 1461114 W a r d , Emil y Elizabet h 1468cm 5 W a r d , H e n r y George : annua l motion s o n th e Irish C h u r c h 3 2 i e c 8 c n i , 3 2 4 m ; mentione d 146801115 , 2 4 2 m l W a r d , J u l i a: deat h o f 1461114 W a r d , Rober t Plumer : relation s wit h the D'Israeli famil y 248cec8cni ; Popanilla dedicated t o 6gec; D dines wit h and describes 124 ; a s Tremain e I468cnni2-i5; aske d t o advance D' s political caree r 2i88cec8cn2 ; works : De Vere 628cec8cni; Tremaine 24ec ; Isaa c reviews 4gec ; mentione d 6on3 , 62, 122, i468cni3 , 2428c m 1 , 2 7 3 m l W a r d , M r s Rober t Plume r (secon d wife) : death o f 146014 Wards, th e 14 6 Wardle, Gwylly m L l o y d 5280111 5 Warrender, Si r George, 4t h Bart: D comments on his wealt h 146800 8 Washington, Georg e i278cn 2 Waterloo Dinne r 2818c m 7 Waters, Si r J o hn 2428001 3 Watts, Walte r H e n r y 3 1 m ; caree r in journalism 39800 1 Weber, C a r l Mari a vo n 15013 ; Der Freischiitz 2 2 5 8 ^ 5 Webster, Grac e 1698001 4 Webster, H e n r y Vassal l 16980014, 23 2 Websters, th e 20 7 Weddel, M r s : society hostes s 978008 Wellesley, 1s t Marquess 4401 3 Wellington, 1s t D u ke of : resigo s offic e (1830) 10501 ; view s 00 Belgian inde pendence i 3 8 n 4 ; t o receive proof s of The Gallomania 171 ; dedicatio n o f The Gallomania show n t o 180 ; unabl e in 1832 t o form governmen t 1 8 7 m ; pub lic view s on his retur n t o powe r i 8 8 n 3 ; D attempt s to dedicate The Revolutionary Epick t o 311, 312ec8c n 1 ; reads Isaac' s Commentaries 338; form s provisional governmen t (1834 ) & n
3 5 3 3 > 4 > 3 5 4 m , 355 ; support s D 3578cec, 3588cnn3,4 ; seek s 50 copies of The Crisis Examined 36on3 ; men tioned 8 9 m , i 0 3 n 4 , m 8 c n 4 , 1228007 , 1 3 0 m , 179 , 281 , 307 , 322ng , 356 Wells, Bradenha m servan t 332 West, Benjami n 5 2 m 2 West Indi a Doc k Company : Isaac' s investments in 2288cn 3 West Indi a Interes t 2 3 m , 28 , 2 i 5 n6 Westmacott, Charle s Mollo y 4401 4 Westmacott, Richar d 2438001 1 Westmacott, Richar d (Jr ) 24380011 Westminster Review: critical review o f The Young Duke i228cn5 ; o n Isaac's T o r y views i6g8cni2 ; mentione d i5gn 7 Westmorland, Countes s o f 2788005, 283 Westmorland, gt h Earl o f 3 3 in 14 Westmorland, 10t h Ear l o f 278n 5 Weston, Stephen : hi s Viaggiana 54800 9 Whalley, Si r Samuel B u r d e n 248ec , 2 5 0 m , 26i8coi8cnn4 ,5 Wharncliffe, 1s t B a r on 286n 2 Wheeler, A n n a : as M eg Merrilies 2318002 Wheeler, Franci s 2 3 i n 2 W h i g : us e of term 3 2 3 m Whigs. See Disraeli , Benjamin White, A r c h i b a l d 2 1 7 m White (Blanco) , Ferdinand 938001 1 White, Joseph Blanc o (alia s Leucadi o Doblado): D reads hi s Letters from Spain 9380098am 10,11 White, L y d i a 97800 8 White, Siste r ' M a r i a Francisca ' (Blanco) : her lif e recounte d i n Letters from Spain 93&010 White (Blanco) , William 938c m 1 White's C l u b 2 8 i 8 c n i 6 Whittaker, Treache r an d C o , bookseller s &nn
314&1M Wieland, Christop h M a r t i n : D anxiou s t o read hi s Agathon 3 4 5 8 ^ 4 , 346 Wilbraham, Roger : D meets a nd describes 24800 9 Wilkie, David : a s 'the English Teniers ' 56800118cm 2; a nd his 'Preachin g o f K n o x ' 2328cn6 ; mentione d 2 4 3 8 ^ 1 0 Wilkinson, J o hn Gardner : D meets a nd describes 1118001 8 William, servan t a t B r a d e n h am i248cn2 , 191, 210 , 33 2 William 1 of the Netherlands 12 , 1808003
481
482
William i v : his tast e in dress 9 2 m 3 ; a nd the Refor m Bil l crisi s i 8 7 & n i , i 8 8 n 6 , i 9 i n 5 ; refuse s t o include D u r h a m in government 324 ; negotiation s to for m government (1834 ) 338 , 3 3 9 m ; dis misses Melbourn e 35303 ; mentione d 99&n6, 1 2 2 m 1 , 150 , 2 4 3 n i o , 2 7 3 n i 5 , 281, 283 , 322 , 3 3 i & n n Williams, coac h proprieto r 18 8 Williams, J u l i an B . : British consul i n Seville 9 3 & n i 2 Williamson, Si r Hedworth , 7t h Bart 971121 Williamson, Lad y 97&n2 i Willis, Nathanie l Parker : work s 324&1110; D meets a nd describes 326 Willis, Perciva l a nd C o, bankers 1 i 5 & n i, 1 2 9 m , 216 Willis's Rooms : sit e of the G r a n d Caledo nian Bal l 275n 3 Wilton, 2n d E a r l of : D meets a nd describes 322&111 1 Winchester, 13t h Marques s o f 99n5 Windeyer, Charles : involvemen t wit h The Representative 46&112, 47 Wishaw, J o hn 24&11 8 Wootton, A b r a h a m 228&n 8 Worcester, Jame s 273e c Wordsworth, W i l l i a m 28n5 , 92n 7 Worge, Jane 6 4 m Wright, W i l l i a m : provide s lette r of introduction t o Lockhart 26&113 ; an nounces D* $ visit to Lockhart 27&n2 ; as intermediary betwee n D and Lockhar t 2 8 & n i , 29 , 3 4 m , 42n2 , 44 Wroughton, Phili p i 9 i n 3 Wyatville, Si r Jeffry 97&114 , 2 8 1 m
Wycombe Abbe y 9 9 m 4 , 3 5 5 ^ Wycombe: corporatio n o f 133, 202 ; political independenc e o f 2038011, 215 , 221, 223 , 225 Wycombe Sentinel: D' s weekly election sheet 2 1 7 m W y n f o r d , 1s t B a r on 1890 3 W y n f o r d , Barones s i8g&n 3 X e n o p h o n : D alludes t o his Memorabilia 92&n4 Yate, Eleanor : D' s future mother-in-la w i69n5 Year at Hartlebury, or The Election. See Dis raeli, Benjamin , work s Y o r k , Frederic k Augustus , Duk e of 5* 5 Y o r k Musi c Festival 26&n 5 Y o r k e , Cap t Charle s Phili p (later 4th Earl o f Hardwicke) ig2&n 3 Y o u n g , Dorothe a i 2 & n 4 , 13 Y o u n g , Gilber t Ainsli e 248e c Y o u n g , H e n r y T u f f n e l l : D describes i40&ni 1 Y o u n g , T o m 243&11 4 Y o u n g , Si r Willia m Lawrence , 4t h Bart 140&1110; offers t o help D at Wyc ombe 358 Young Duke. See Disraeli , Benjamin , works Y o u n g Englan d 1 $gn 1 Y z a r n , A n n e C . 10&116 , 14 Y z a r n , James B . i o n 6 Y z a r n , Pete r ion 6 Zampieri, Domenic o 56114 Zuylen va n Nyevelt , B a r o n H u g o i 4 0 & n 5 , 163&11 2 n i