Illusions Of Change (A Poor Man at the Gate Series Book 6)

by Andrew Wareham

  “Probably. You must realise, James, that both parties would like to be sure of you, in part because young men are always valuable – you may well serve in the House for half a century and become a stalwart of your faction. Besides that, there is the family with its increasing network of connections, all of which add to your value.”

  James suddenly grinned.

  “It will probably result in my making the acquaintance of any number of young ladies over this Season and the next, sir. I shall have the opportunity to be very picky!”

  “If I might venture to give advice, my son, pick carefully, and let affection far outweigh any material considerations.”

  “I should in fact follow your example, sir. I will try, though I much doubt I shall have your good fortune – my luck has not been of the best as yet!”

  The Stars appeared mid-way through the Season, excused because they had remained in attendance on their eldest girl who had just produced her sixth child, and fifth son. Her husband was already turning his mind to consideration of employment for his boys – he would be facing problems within the decade.

  “I suspect that the new lands in Canada and America and Botany Bay and the Cape will be seeing more colonialist farmers, sir,” he had said to Lord Star when discussing the happy event. “Providing for so many sons in England will probably be beyond me.”

  “Large families are indeed a mixed blessing,” was the reply.

  Thomas and Elizabeth Star accompanied my lord and his lady, and were made welcome by the politically aware. The industrial areas of Lancashire, and the whole of the North Country, were short of active Tories of uncompromised character, which Thomas certainly seemed to be, and he was a known figure as a result. His opinion was canvassed on a number of issues, especially that of the claimed abuse of mill hands in the cotton and woollen industries. There was a demand in some quarters for government regulation of employment practices in the textile industry and the newspapers were making a noise and were creating a little disquiet in government circles.

  “I presume, Mr Star, that it is the normal story of one or two flagrant cases being treated as the norm, the whole grossly exaggerated?”

  Mr Huskisson was closely involved, being Minister at the Board of Trade, but had not himself had the time to travel to the North of England and make an investigation.

  “On the contrary, I am afraid, sir. At Star Spinners we accept a significant reduction in our profits for our refusal to imitate the worst practices. I suspect my father could increase his income by at least five thousands a year if he was to fall in line with his competitors. Not all firms are bad, sir, but a substantial minority have no scruples in behaving in a way that would shame a Turkish slave-driver!”

  The Turks were by-words for savagery, rightly or wrongly believed capable of any inhumanity.

  “As an example, Mr Huskisson, one at least of the mills in St Helens employs children from the Foundlings Home for sixteen hours a day, six days a week, with an overseer to whip them if they fall asleep. From the age of eight years, I am told. Each year some stumble from fatigue and fall foul of the overhead belts or the machinery of the underparts of the frames. Limbs lost, faces grotesquely mutilated, sometimes dead, and all without any action by the authorities.”

  Huskisson demanded the name of the firm, was shocked to be told it was only one of many.

  “As well, it is common for foremen to carry a cane, to ‘wake-up’ any of the men or girls, the latter especially, who seem to be slacking. In some mills the hands are fined a part of their wages every week, it is claimed for poor quality output, unable to argue their case without being dismissed on the spot, even when they know that the accusation is false. I am told that some of the foremen, and managers or owners as well, demand certain favours of the prettier young girls as a condition of their keeping their jobs. What could be done about that, I do not know.”

  Huskisson did not know either.

  “Then the call for a Factory Act is not unreasonable, you would say, Mr Star?”

  “I would support it, sir, and so I know would Lord Star. I would, however, point out, sir, that the Act would be valueless if it did not create an Inspectorate of well-paid men who would actually and frequently enter upon the premises of bad employers. Well-paid, of course, because they would be offered bribes.”

  The Inspectorate was too much for Huskisson. He believed that government had no right to invade the premises of the private citizen except in criminal cases and by authority of a writ issued by a judge of the High Court of Justice. The principle was far too important to be lost to any argument of necessity. There had to be an alternative; perhaps there could be an appeal to the better nature of the manufacturers.

  “Was there to be a Royal Commission to make a public enquiry into the industry, taking evidence from all parties, then perhaps the employers might be shamed into better practice, Mr Star.”

  “Any mill-hand, man or girl, who stood and spoke in public would never work again, sir. They would not dare open their mouths. The overseers from the parishes would perjure themselves, denying that the children in their care suffered any abuse at all. The employers who took the stand would all claim that the accusations had been made by their less efficient competitors, trying to cripple the leaders in their industry. In addition, sir, the cotton industry is rich and might well choose to spread its wealth in a productive fashion…”

  “You say, in fact, that one of the main results of such a Commission would be to improve the financial health of the Commissioners?”

  “Without a doubt, sir.”

  “Then there is no solution available to us.”

  “There is, sir, and that is to empower the working people themselves. Encourage the people to form and join Trades Unions, sir, and they will eventually be able to protect themselves.”

  “Combinations in Restraint of Trade? Impossible, Mr Star! As well put guns in the hands of the Reds as to legalise Unions!”

  Thomas Star more than half believed Huskisson’s words to be true. He had no counter-argument to offer, particularly because the recently-hanged Cato Street Conspirators had favoured the formation of universal trades unions, amongst other policies.

  Dancing was more important than politics during the Season, and Thomas Star had employed the best of local masters to good effect. He stood with Elizabeth at first, then with other ladies as he was seen to have safe feet, and achieved a degree of popularity that rather surprised him and greatly pleased his wife, who strongly felt that he should be liked amongst the best.

  “All gentlemen must dance, Thomas,” Elizabeth said, “and unfortunately, almost without exception, they do and bruised toes are a commonplace among young females. I am amazed that we are not all seen to hobble like arthritic crones by the end of the Season. A gentleman who can safely be set loose in the ballroom is much to be caressed amongst the female population.”

  Huskisson and other members of the Administration suggested to Thomas Star that he might well consider taking a seat in the Lower House, with the certainty that he would be very rapidly asked to accept responsibility in one of the Ministries as a Secretary. As the country grew so the functions of government inevitably became more complex and it was no longer possible, due to the simple press of business, for a single Minister of the Crown even to keep himself fully informed on all issues, let alone make reasoned decisions. Home Affairs, the Treasury, Foreign Affairs, the Board of Trade, all were being forced to expand, despite the government’s urgent desire not to impinge upon the liberties of the people.

  “Not merely that, Mr Star. What of our merchants trading overseas? Take the case of a seller of woollen cloth who has a contract with a Polish gentleman in Warsaw, as came to my attention recently. There was a dispute on various issues and payment was not made and a writ was issued in London and judgement given in the absence of any defence. The contract stated that English law applied, so as far as we are concerned all is legitimate. How is the judgement to be enforced? What should g
overnment do? The Board of Trade is concerned to protect our merchants; Foreign Affairs does not wish to cause an embarrassment with Russia; the Lord Chancellor demands that the sanctity of English Law shall be preserved; the Home Office is anxious that there should be no disorder in our streets, no riots aimed at Russians, for example. The Admiralty informs us that they can, if so instructed, prize Russian ships which might then be sold to defray the damages awarded our merchant, but that they would then wish to place the whole of the Royal Navy onto a war footing, and that will require the immediate expenditure of at least two millions and over the next two years the building of a dozen or so of first-rate line of battle ships, and appropriate numbers of lesser vessels.”

  Thomas Star laughed, despite himself. They really wanted him to involve himself in such a headache? Why should he possibly wish to?

  “The rewards of service can be not insubstantial, Mr Star, for the whole of one’s family.”

  Very true, and a consideration, but not sufficient.

  “There is much to be done in my own area, Mr Huskisson. A smaller compass, and one might argue, of lesser importance, but one that will directly affect the local people. An Infirmary large enough to offer treatment to all; a workhouse that will offer a roof and three meals a day to the elderly and infirm; clean drinking water for all; a sewerage system that will reduce the incidence of disease; made roads that will enable wagons to roll in winter so that foodstuffs will be available in town. These are all absent at the moment and it is my hope, and most earnest endeavour, that they shall be present within a score of years. The rewards are inherent, sir, in the work itself!”

  “If more of our people would take your stance, sir, then government might be much less necessary. As it stands, however, please believe that the opportunity remains open to you. Certainly, Mr Star, when you succeed to your father’s honours then you must expect Downing Street to be more urgent in its demands upon you!”

  They could demand all they wanted, Thomas said to Elizabeth that night, but London stank and he much preferred to live in the clean air of the flanks of the Pennines. She agreed, she had no wish at all to expose their son, and possible daughter, to such miasmas. The prospect of a second child stilled any remaining doubts – Thomas Star would not be taking up residence in London.

  “There is a certainty that typhoid fever has broken out again in the rookeries of East London, and there is a whisper of a few cases of cholera down by the East India Company docks. The Thames is an open sewer – has James Andrews spoken to you of the stench in the House of Commons on hot days? Thinking on it, he would not have, much too indecorous a topic to mention to a lady! London is not for me, my love. Nor for you, unless you particularly wish to dwell here – we could buy a house, if you wish.”

  She did not so wish, she was very content to live at Freemans for the whole of her days.

  “There is so much to do, Thomas. Your Mama, though very active in the house, has no great interest in the gardens, and I have taken them over, to my great delight. I am no Capability Brown, I would be the first to admit, yet I believe that a few years will produce a landscape of no mean quality, a combination of proper order and romantic elegance that will, I trust, please the most discerning. Have you read Mansfield Park yet? Miss Fanny’s reflections upon nature are such as to please the most refined mind and have offered me a philosophical guide to mould my works.”

  Thomas confessed that he had yet to complete the novel, finding the heroine insipid and the hero a prig, the whole work, whilst very worthy, less attractive than the lady author’s previous books.

  “Yet beautifully written, and with much to say about our world, though, I must confess, I cannot imagine either party indulging in a vigorous married life.”

  Thomas Star chuckled and turned his attention to his own, very satisfactory, marital pleasures.

  The Grafhams appeared in Town only for the last fortnight of the Season, deep mourning having precluded their previous attendance. They would not dance, being still in black gloves, and it was to an extent doubtful whether they should have arrived at all. The special circumstances, those of the new Marchioness, justified their presence; it was appropriate that they should make themselves known in their new position in life.

  “You were a member of the government some years ago, my lord. Will you re-enter public life?”

  Lady Jersey was able to make the enquiry without seeming impertinent, her place in Society allowed her to do so; it could in fact be argued, especially by her, that it was incumbent upon her to be aware of all that was happening or about to happen.

  “I do not believe that I will be able to do so, ma’am. My father’s affairs transpired to be far less untidy than I had feared, but there is still much to be done on the estate and my presence will be much appreciated by the people there. My father’s commitments to the Navy meant that he dwelt in London far more than at his home – and the people there hardly saw him from one year’s end to the next. Loyalty tends to wane in such circumstances and it will take some years to rebuild the lord of the manor’s place in their affections. I believe I must do so and will not be seen so much in Town.”

  “Yet you will be present reasonably frequently, I trust?”

  “Of course, ma’am, for the whole of the Season I expect, from next year, and probably in September, too.”

  An increasing number of the Upper Ten Thousand had developed the habit of returning to Town after the opening of the shooting season and before the beginning of hunting, so much so that mid-autumn was sometimes referred to as the ‘Little Season’.

  “As I recall, the Grafhams no longer possess a town house?”

  “My Grandfather’s foolishness made it necessary to sell the old family house, ma’am, both to help my father stave off the creditors and to reduce his annual outgoings. I have only lately come to appreciate just how great a burden my father faced, and how very well he managed it, with the great aid of my elder sister, needless to say.”

  “She is much missed, my lord.”

  “By the whole family, ma’am. On the topic of the town house, I believe it is my goodfather’s intention to remedy the lack. It had been our habit to stay with him in his vast mansion when we were in Town, but he now believes that to be inappropriate and will take action to remedy the situation, whether I agree with him or not.”

  It was right that the Marquis should have his own place in Town and Lady Jersey had to accept that he must acquire one; she could not like the origins of the gift, however. Best to make no comment, one way or the other.

  “It is a pity that you could not be in Town to attend my ball, but I have no doubt we shall see much of you over the coming fortnight.”

  Grafham correctly interpreted this to mean that she had arranged invitations for every remaining evening of the Season.

  Colonel Miller had invited the whole of New York, all of the important folk that was, to an evening reception to greet his son on his return from the Old World, accompanied by his new wife, Lettice, eldest daughter to Lord Frederick Masters. He had debated having her name and parentage printed in capital letters on the invitation cards, but had been persuaded that it might seem a fraction ostentatious; the ladies would take on board the message and would inform their husbands, at length, no doubt.

  “What is the correct form of address for you, ma’am?”

  The colonel was anxious that all must be done correctly. Lord Frederick’s daughter was to be his son’s passport to the New York State Assembly at the next elections and to the Federal Congress four years thereafter, and he must maximise his advantage.

  “Simply Mrs Miller, sir. An Honourable does not retain her Christian name in the way that a Lady does.”

  All to be noted and carefully remembered.

  Mrs Miller possessed the authentic English accent and dressed in the height of London fashion, emphasising her quite striking figure in an emphatic fashion. She would soon be mentioned in the society pages of the newspapers. They must ensure that al
l of the references were properly positive; she must be seen to take an interest in Foundlings’ Hospitals and Poor Relief Committees and must, if at all possible, establish a reputation for Good Works. Membership of a fashionable congregation was advisable; if it could be arranged, and she had a voice, she should sing with a Young Ladies Choir, to provide entertainment at Church Socials, occasionally.

  An active, busy, ornamental wife was a necessary asset to a would-be politician. Parental money was even more a necessity but was somewhat more commonly found than an English aristocrat.

  A pair of handsome children were also valuable to a young gentleman’s career, but those, unfortunately, could not be supplied overnight – one must wait the appropriate length of time.

  All of the ‘better’ part of New York society came to Colonel Miller’s call, their carriages blocking the street and attracting great attention in themselves.

  The Governor, DeWitt Clinton, made an appearance, pleased to be welcome, his political backing in the state still rocky and happy to put Colonel Miller firmly and publicly in his camp. The colonel had been suspected of making overtures to Tammany Hall and its lower-class, immigrant-leaning, openly corrupt bosses. The Hall was still relatively weak but it was powerful amongst the slowly growing Irish community. Any sudden influx of Irish or Germans must build the Hall into a major factor in New York city and state politics, and the colonel was renowned for looking ahead. The marriage of his son had placed the Miller family firmly into the camp of the elite.

  It was time to enrol young Thomas Miller in the ranks of the Freemasons, the Governor mused, himself a leading national figure, thus to cement his loyalty and put him in the way of earning its rewards.

  “Tell me, Mr Miller, are you interested in canal building?”