wick shortly after his success at Nottingham, gives a fair notion of his life on circuit after he had risen to a leading position at the bar, and a seat in the House of Commons. Warwick: April 10, 1820. My dearest Love,-Our labours draw to a conclusion. There are not more than four or five cases remaining for trial, in one of which I have been long retained-a horrible murder of a farmer's wife by a maidservant who had robbed her. But for this important matter I should long ago have withdrawn from the trifling concerns that have been lingering on through the week. Now for my private history. On Sunday I dined at Hatton (near Warwick) with Dr. Parr a most good-humoured, animated, and instructive conversation. Monday and Tuesday with the few remaining barristers, who, by good fortune, are gentlemanly men, and form a very pleasant party. Wednesday at Mr. John Parkes's, a most excellent and friendly family; Dr. Parr was there, and in the highest spirits. Thursday at Mr. Greathead's, 15 where we had music, good pictures, literary talk, and first-rate wine. Friday at the Judges, and in the evening drank tea at Parkes the elder's, where Parr was again the delight of the assembly. Yesterday (Saturday) I was engaged to dine with the Blands, at Kenilworth,16 but I was prevented by my late attendance in Court; so I am going over to pay them a visit this morning, and afterwards dine again at Hatton (Dr. Parr's). There is still more gaiety in store, for Mr. Parkes is to entertain Michael Angelo Taylor to-morrow, and I am expected. 14 Dr. Samuel Parr, born 1747, died 1825, æt. 78. 15 Of Guy's Cliff, near Warwick. His heiress in 1822 married the Honourable Charles Percy, son of the Earl of Beverley, brother of the late, and uncle of the present, Duke of Northumberland. 16 Bland died at Kenilworth, in embarrassed circumstances, in 1825. Denman, with characteristic generosity, headed a subscription got up for the widow, with a contribution of 100%., which, at the time, he could but ill spare. You will ask who the Parkes's are? Answer: Great manufacturers in worsted, who have recently discovered a method for making fires consume the whole of their own smoke. They employ a steam-engine, and have three large furnaces in their factory, the smoke of which escapes through one chimney, but is so entirely destroyed in its passage that the mouth of the chimney is surrounded with as clear an atmosphere as can be found on the top of Mont Blanc. Conceive the advantages of this invention in great towns, choked as they are with breweries, soaperies, &c. They want a patent for it, and I hope we shall get them one. Taylor was chairman of a committee in the last Parliament for discussing a method of effecting this object, and is coming to witness its complete success here on Tuesday. I hope to leave Warwick, and shall hold my last sessions at Nottingham as Deputy-Recorder on Thursday."7 Our adversaries are extremely ill-tempered, and have been acting a most despicable part since the election: they talk of petitioning, but we laugh at their threats. I fear I must not hope to see you before Sunday, but then! oh then! how happy we will be! Your picture of the boy is beautiful. God bless you and all the children. My best thanks and kind love to my mother, whose letter [no doubt of congratulation on his success at Nottingham] is only too short. The carriage is at the door for Kenilworth. Ever most faithfully and affectionately yours. 17 Denman resigned the Deputy-Recordership on becoming member for the b rough. 18 The Honourable Mr. Justice Denman, born 1819. 133 CHAPTER VIII. THE QUEEN'S ARRIVAL-DENMAN HER SOLICITOR-GENERAL. A.D. 1820. ET. 41. Trial of Queen Caroline-Denman's MS. narrative of the year 1820Drawn up in 1821-How dealt with-Antecedents of the Queen— Lives separate from her husband since 1796-His scandalous profligacy -She leaves England in 1814 and resides abroad till 1820-Her conduct while abroad-Milan Commission in 1818-Its secret report, 1819 -The Queen's name ordered to be omitted from the Liturgy, Feb. 11, 1820-The Queen determines to come to England-This determination supported by Wood-Opposed by Brougham-Antagonism between. Brougham and Wood-Denman takes a middle line-His chivalrous feeling for the Queen-Feeling of the people for the Queen and against the King-Commencement of MS. narrative-Denman appointed SolicitorGeneral to the Queen, Brougham being her Attorney-General-Ought the Queen to come to England ?—Arguments in favour of her coming Alderman Wood-Denman's opinion of him-Brougham's nickname for him, 'Absolute Wisdom '-Line of the Whig Opposition-Tierney's alternative policy-Scheme of a divorce-Sir John Leach-Denman's opinion of the Whig policy-Tierney's interview with Denman as to his acceptance of office from the Queen-Possibility of the King's taking a fancy to the Queen-Fat, fair and fifty-Interview of Brougham and Denman with Lord Eldon respecting professional rank - The serpent more subtle than all the beasts of the field '— Brougham and Denman called to the Bench of Lincoln's Inn-Sir F. Burdett tried at Leicester, March, 20, 1820, for seditious libel-Makes his own speech and is convicted-Denman moves for a new trial— Mr. Justice Bayley's judgment in Rex v. Burdett-The Queen leaves Italy and arrives at Geneva-Alderman Wood goes to Geneva to meet her-Queen at St. Omer's-Brougham goes to meet her-She leaves him there and sets out for London, where she arrives June 6-Denman in Brougham's absence, acts as her chief law officer-Brougham arrives-Denman summoned to meet the Queen at Alderman Wood's house-Her progress through the streets-Alderman Wood by her side-The Queen in sight-The Queen's bearing, dress and appearance -'That beast Wood '-The Queen's delusion as to the King's feeling for her-Denman's first reception by the Queen-Brougham imparts his apprehensions to Denman-Denman's testimony as to Brougham's zeal for his client-The Queen's suspicions of Brougham-The charges against the Queen opened in the House of Commons-Brougham's incomparable first speech-Queen's suspicions of Brougham not removed-Social position of the Queen-Are the ladies to call upon her?-Mrs. Brougham and Mrs. Denman do not call-Denman's reflections on this-Remarks by the present writer-High spirit of the Queen-'I will be crowned '-Addresses to the Queen-Her reception of the Lord Mayor and Common Council-Her popularity with the London mob. THE TRIAL of Queen Caroline was one of the most important events of Lord Denman's life, and he has left behind him in manuscript a narrative drawn up in the year 1821, of what he then considered most worthy of being recorded in connection with it. Had this narrative been composed at a later date, or with a view to present publication, it would probably have omitted some particulars which have now ceased to be either interesting or important; and would almost certainly have included others, some mention of which, though then unnecessary, has, after the lapse of more than half a century, become absolutely indispensable to a right understanding of the course of the proceedings, and of the part taken in them by Denman himself. It would be neither just to its writer, nor fair to the reader, to print this fragment simply as it stands: the plan adopted will be to give textually by far the greater portion of it, omitting nothing that is material, and supplying from time to time such few additional items of information as may seem requisite for presenting a clear view of Denman's exertions in the progress of this celebrated cause.1 Caroline of Brunswick, it may be as well to remind the reader at the outset, was in the fifty-third year of her age when these proceedings commenced.2 In 1796, after a single year of cohabitation, she had lived apart from her husband, whose whole life and conduct, ever since the first day of their unfortunate union, had been, and down to the period now under consideration had continued to be, one unbroken course of bare-faced and notorious profligacy. In August 1814, the Princess had left England for the Continent (almost as soon as the Continent was open), and had resided there, principally in various parts of Italy, but occasionally making excursions as far as Egypt and the Holy Land, till the death of George III., at the commencement of the year 1820, made her titular Queen of England. Her own conduct, during her six years' residence abroad, even if it had not provably overstepped the line which separates levity from guilt, had been, at all events, reckless and compromising to the extremest verge of imprudence. In 1818, at the suggestion of Sir John Leach, then Vice-Chancellor of England (a favourite of the Regent and a rival of Lord Eldon, whose high office he coveted), there was issued, with the sanction of the then Cabinet, 1 The additional matter will of course be carefully and clearly distinguished from the text of the fragment. ⚫ Caroline Amelia of Brunswick; born, May 17, 1768; married, April 8, 1795; separated, April 30, 1796; died, August 7, 1821, in her fiftyfourth year. |