The “Pope” of Holland House
John Whishaw to Thomas Smith, 13 October 1819
Oct. 13, 1819.
I dined on Sunday at Holland House, where they are in much better
spirits, but the little girl, though decidedly
better, is still seriously ill. They live very quiet and retired.
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1 In ordering the yeomanry to charge the unarmed mob.
2 Daughter of Lord
and Lady Holland.
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I am still much engaged with my family. John Romilly,1 the second son, came here
this morning, and will stay two days. We then go to the Mackintoshes, accompanied by Sharp; and on Saturday we proceed to Cambridge, where Henry and Edward are to meet us from Bury St. Edmunds. I wish to take this
opportunity of seeing the boys and showing them the University. I hope to return on
Monday.
I have no news, except that there is some prospect of a scheme of
moderate and reasonable reform being brought forward by the Whigs; but I am afraid
it will not be generally supported, even by their own party. I hope to write more
fully on this subject in the course of next week.
Elizabeth Fox, Lady Holland [née Vassall] (1771 c.-1845)
In 1797 married Henry Richard Fox, Lord Holland, following her divorce from Sir Godfrey
Webster; as mistress of Holland House she became a pillar of Whig society.
Henry Richard Fox, third baron Holland (1773-1840)
Whig politician and literary patron; Holland House was for many years the meeting place
for reform-minded politicians and writers. He also published translations from the Spanish
and Italian;
Memoirs of the Whig Party was published in 1852.
Sir James Mackintosh (1765-1832)
Scottish philosopher and man of letters who defended the French Revolution in
Vindiciae Gallicae (1791); he was Recorder of Bombay (1803-1812) and
MP for Knaresborough (1819-32).
Edward Romilly (1804-1870)
The third son of Sir Samuel Romilly and Anne Garbett; educated at Bury St Edmunds and
Christ's College, Cambridge, he was M.P. for Ludlow (1832-5) and member of the Board of
Audit (1837-66).
Henry Romilly (1804-1884)
The fourth son of Sir Samuel Romilly and Anne Garbett; educated at Bury St Edmunds and
Christ's College, Cambridge, he was a merchant in Liverpool.
John Romilly, first baron Romilly (1802-1874)
English judge, the son of Sir Samuel Romilly; educated at Trinity College, he was MP for
Bridport (1832-35) and master of the rolls (1851).
Richard Sharp [Conversation Sharp] (1759-1835)
English merchant, Whig MP, and member of the Holland House set; he published
Letters and Essays in Poetry and Prose (1834).
