The “Pope” of Holland House
John Whishaw to Thomas Smith, 4 February 1817
Feb. 4, 1817.
The parliamentary prospects of the Opposition are overclouded by
the riotous proceedings of the mob on Tuesday last, and the powerful diversion made
by Hunt, Cartwright, and Cobbett, in
favour of Ministers. Many are seriously alarmed, others affect to be so; and it is
hardly possible that the Opposition should not be much divided upon these
questions. I am afraid that the fate of the Session is decided, and that Parliament
and the country will be occupied by treason and sedition bills, instead of economy
and retrenchment. Brougham is in excellent
health and spirits, and has hitherto spoken with great prudence and moderation, as
well as with considerable ability. He has risen much in the opinion of the House.
Henry Peter Brougham, first baron Brougham and Vaux (1778-1868)
Educated at Edinburgh University, he was a founder of the
Edinburgh
Review in which he chastised Byron's
Hours of Idleness; he
defended Queen Caroline in her trial for adultery (1820), established the London University
(1828), and was appointed lord chancellor (1830).
John Cartwright (1740-1824)
Political reformer who advocated the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of Greece;
he was the brother of the poet and inventor Edmund Cartwright.
Henry Hunt [Orator Hunt] (1773-1835)
Political radical and popular agitator who took part in the Spa Fields meeting of 1816;
he was MP for Preston (1830-33).
