The Creevey Papers
Lord Holland to Thomas Creevey, 24 June 1817
“Holland House, 24th June, 1817.
“. . . The heat of the weather is delightful, but
writing letters is not the way of enjoying it. The country is, or was, as flat
about its liberties as it had been animated and, according to my judgment,
absurd about sinecures and Parliamentary reform five months ago. However, I
think the spies and informers admirably exposed by Ld.
Grey. The conversion of Ld.
Fitzwilliam and the stoutness of Milton,* have somewhat roused them from their indifference, and
very much shaken any disposition there was to approve these revivals of
Pitt’s worst measures. However,
the best chance of change in the Government is, after all, that of their
weakness and disunion, rather than our popularity, strength or concert.
Peel’s election has galled the
Cannings to the quick.Ӡ
George Canning (1770-1827)
Tory statesman; he was foreign minister (1807-1809) and prime minister (1827); a
supporter of Greek independence and Catholic emancipation.
William Wentworth Fitzwilliam, second earl Fitzwilliam (1748-1833)
The nephew of the Marquis of Rockingham and lifelong friend of Charles James Fox and Lord
Carlisle; he was president of the Council (1806-07) and lieutenant of the West Riding from
1798 to 1819 when he was dismissed for his censure of the Peterloo massacre.
Charles Grey, second earl Grey (1764-1845)
Whig statesman and lover of the Duchess of Devonshire; the second son of the first earl
(d. 1807), he was prime minister (1831-34).
William Pitt the younger (1759-1806)
The second son of William Pitt, earl of Chatham (1708-1778); he was Tory prime minister
1783-1801.
