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The “Pope” of Holland House
John Whishaw to Thomas Smith, 21 February 1818
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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Feb. 21, 1818.

Lord Sidmouth is supposed to be tottering on his ministerial throne. In case of his retirement he will
196
Peel
be succeeded by Peel, who made the famous anti-Catholic speech last year, and is the great favourite of the Court party. His original principles were those of a Manchester Church and King Tory, which his Oxford education has not improved. He is considered as treading in the steps of Perceval, and I am afraid is certainly destined to be the Minister of this country.

Leonard Horner has been in London, and I have had a great deal of conversation with him respecting his brother’s papers, which are certainly very interesting. The family are so kind as to leave everything to my determination; and I think something must be attempted. But my official engagements are still unremitted, and I have no time to sit down seriously to such an undertaking.

Since I finished my letter I have accidentally seen at Murray’s Mr. Ritchie,1 who is going to attempt a new passage into the interior of Africa by way of Tripoli. He said he had the greatest desire to see me, and desired to call on me to-morrow. His appearance is striking and prepossessing; you shall hear further of him.