STATESMEN GRAVE AND GAY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16750, 3 June 1922, Page 4

STATESMEN GRAVE AND GAY

TAGENTS WIN SUCCESS. THE HEYDAY OF DUKES. j In “The Prime Ministers of Britain,” 17'21-lf>2l (published by Mr Murray!. the Hon Clive Bigham presents “'short sketches of the lire’s of the 86 men who have held the helm of btnte since the present political system btv gan-’’ Ho gives lis a fascinating char-acter-study of a succession of men v no have played a leading part m British history during the past 200 years. Cabinet Government evolved with Mr Robert Walpole. Before the first ot the Georges came over from Hanover, Kings were their own Prime Ministers Walpole, was appointed 1 irst I.oid ot the Treasury and Chancellor oi the hv chequer in 1715. but the King presided in the Cabinet. As George I. knew no Kngliin, their conversation had to be carrie<l on in dog Gatin- I.argely for tills reason the King ceased to after.c. the meetings of the Cabinet, vmlc Ministers power 'proportionately increased. The Cabinet at this time consisted of some twelve member?. “ all of whom, with the exception of 11 alpole and one other, sat in the House of Cords. !u the Commons Walpole was supreme. Profuse bribery smothered every obstacle. “In the third year of Walpole’s Administration there was only one division in the House of Commons. ’ The eighteenth century saw the culmination of the •■great families ” who had managed the “ glorious revolution of 1688. It was the heyday of dukes. 11l 1721 there were no fewer than thirty-two of them—far more than now. Three became Prime Ministers—Devonshire, Grafton. Portland—four, if we include Newcastle, who was made a duke but who was also, Mr Bigham observes drily, a “ genuine working politician.' There lias been only one ducal Prime Minister in the Inst hundred years. . In 1767. when Chatham retired to Bath “verging on insanity, the Duke of Grafton, great-grandson of Goalies II took the helm. He is describe I as “totally illiterate " as to books; yet “ from long observation and great. na•fcural sagacity be became the ablest, courtier of hia time. . . Separated from his- wife. he nan formed a connection with Miss Nancy Parsons, a. Indy known for her on virtue and faded charms. Her admirer did not scruple to entertain her publicly at hi* house in London, or to load her cut of the Onern n. the presence of the Queen. Even in til bee easy days this was thought rather daring behaviour for a Prime Minister, and particularly for one whose Government was not ingTHE TWO PITTS. The elder Pitt. was “regarded as the greatest Minister that England had ever known."’ Brilliant victories at sea A nd on land and splendid Colonies were won under his leadership. Of him Frederick the Great of Prussia said : “England has been a long time in labour, but she has at last brought forth a. man.” It was be "who said : “‘Magna ( harta. the Petition of Right, the Bill ot Rights, form the Bible of the British Constitution.” And in a famous speech on the American war, he declared: “ If I were an American, as 1 am an Englishman. whT.: a foreign troop was landed in my country I would never lav down my arms—never ! never ! never! ” Op. December 29, 2 783. bis great son “ walked info the Hotise of Commons as First Lord c.f the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. He was then 21 years of age, the youngest Prime Minister ever known.” Burke, on hearing his first, speech. .said : “ It’ (s not a chip of the old block : it is the old block itself ” ; but, in fact, Pitt bad not inherited Iris father’s superb - ; oratory. The victories of Wellington in India and of Nelson in Egypt enhanced Pitt’s prestige. Three-quarters of his time in office were spent in striving to resist the Revolution in France, the rebellion in Ireland, and the ruin of Europe. At the Guildhall banquet on November 9, 180-3, he said : “T return you thanks for the honour you have done me; but Europe is not to be saved by any single man. (We vore then engaged in the long final struggle with Napoleon.) England has saved herself by her exertions, and will, as T trust, save Europe by her example.” Tt might have been spoken yesterday. And it was his last speech in public. Like his father, he was a keen gardener, but hard work was his short life’s pleasure; and for all his modest living, “his debts were paid by Parliament.” A JAUNTY MINISTER. Lord Melbourne. Queen Victoria’s first and idolised Prime Minister, stands out ;vs the most attractive personality of all. He was strikingly good looking, full of humour, and excellent company. He and Palmerston were the last of the jaunty Prime Ministers. “What does he wart now?” Melbourne asked about on importunate Peer. “Is it a Garter for the other leg? ” One of (his common remarks was • “ Most letters answer themselves.” His first attack of illness he called “ only it • runaway knock, hut he shouldn’t core tc know the fellow who gave it-.” But with ell his airy nonchalance, Melbourne knew the time to be serious. When the young Queen was anxious for Prince Albert to be made KingConsort Melbourne strongly dissuaded . her.” For God’s sake, let’s henr no more of it, ma’am ; for if you once get the English people making Kings you will get them into the way of unmaking them.