The Creevey Papers
Thomas Creevey to Elizabeth Ord, 16 May 1835
“Brooks’s, 16th.
“. . . After our signal triumph in Yorkshire, which
was quite invaluable if our blockheads would have left it alone, they must make
that marplot Littleton a peer,† and
so open Staffordshire, as if the puppy had not done mischief enough last year
when, by his intrigues with O’Connell, he forced Lord
Grey out of the Government. Three days ago in my favorite resort
in St. James’s Park I met Brougham
walking. . . . He joined me—my first time of seeing him since the explosion; and a more unsatisfactory, rambling discourse
I never had dealt out to me—very, very long and, as far as he dared,
abusing everybody. I was heartily glad when this mass of insincere jaw came to
a close by his going to the House of Lords. Figure to yourself at this moment,
O’Connell and myself seated at the same table
writing, very near each other, and no one else in the room, and yet no
intercourse between us, tho’ formerly we always spoke. This is
![]()
![]()
| 306 | THE CREEVEY PAPERS | [Ch XIII. |
![]()
no matter of choice with me, nor do I like it, but after
his abuse of Lord Grey, I made up my mind never to speak
to him again.”
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).
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).
Edward John Littleton, first baron Hatherton (1791-1863)
The son of Morton Walhouse, educated at Rugby and at Brasenose College, Oxford; he was MP
for Staffordshire (1812-22) and South Staffordshire (1832-35). He was Irish secretary
(1833-34), raised to the peerage in 1835.
Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847)
Irish politician, in 1823 he founded the Catholic Association to press for Catholic
emancipation.
John Russell, first earl Russell (1792-1878)
English statesman, son of John Russell sixth duke of Bedford (1766-1839); he was author
of
Essay on the English Constitution (1821) and
Memoirs of the Affairs of Europe (1824) and was Prime Minister (1865-66).
