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The “Pope” of Holland House
John Whishaw to Thomas Smith, 7 May 1817
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
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Preface
Contents
Introduction
Chapter I: 1813
Chapter II: 1814
Chapter III: 1815
Chapter IV: 1816
Chapter V: 1817
Chapter VI: 1818
Chapter VII: 1819
Chapter VIII: 1820
Chapter IX: 1821
Chapter X: 1822
Chapter XI: 1824-33
Chapter XII: 1833-35
Chapter XIII: 1806-40
Chapter XIV: Appendix
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May 7th.

I am afraid Canning had a great triumph last night, and that he fully reinstated himself in the good opinion of the House. The case4 no doubt in reality

1 Home Secretary.

2 This expedition was known as the march of the “Blanketeers,” as each petitioner took with him a blanket to keep himself warm.

3 “The Apostate,” by Richard Lalor Sheil, the famous Irish politician. It was produced at Covent Garden, with Charles Kemble, Young, and Macready among the actors, with Miss O’Neil, afterwards Lady Becher, in the chief feminine part, and was a marked success.

4 Refers to Canning’s great speech in defence of his Embassy to Lisbon in 1814. Mr. Lambton’s motion had condemned his appointment on the ground that it was uncalled for and “has been attended with an unnecessary and unjustifiable waste of the public money.” Some of the Opposition went so far as to assert that it “was a job” instituted to provide a comfortable retreat for Canning.

182
Dr.Watson
is a gross job, but personal questions are always hazardous and generally unpopular, and the House showed the greatest willingness to accept anything which might bear the appearance of a justification. Canning’s speech was ingenious and brilliant, and carried everything before it; Brougham was hardly listened to.