A Parade Of Virtue (A Poor Man At The Gate Series Book 9)

by Andrew Wareham

  "He would not countenance any modification of the Corn Laws. Indeed, I suspect he might burst into tears at the very prospect."

  Mr Monkhouse, a Tory backbencher of no personal ambition but related to a quite remarkable number of those who had, permitted himself a smile. He was a few years older than James and was expected to retire from the political arena when he inherited a very substantial proportion of the Welsh coalfields from his ailing father. For the while, he acted as errand-boy for would-be leaders of the Party, and would expect to pick up a title of some sort when he stood down, a very satisfactory reward.

  "One gathers that Lord Goderich is not expected to remain in office in the longer term, Mr Andrews."

  "The question of his successor is of some importance then, Mr Monkhouse. As a Whig, I, of course, cannot express any preference for the leadership of the Tories - it would be quite inappropriate for me to appear to interfere in such a matter. Bearing in mind as well that I am the least significant of backbenchers, it would be as arrogant as it was discourteous of me to do so."

  "Yet the opinion of an Andrews could never lightly be discounted, sir."

  James bowed in acknowledgement of the compliment.

  "As a one-time soldier, I could hope to see only one man as leader of our country, sir."

  "His Grace is preferred by many of the Party, but it is not known just how much support he could rely upon elsewhere."

  "I rather suspect, Mr Monkhouse, that the death of our present King, which - bearing in mind his age, habits and constitution - cannot be too many years delayed, may be seen as an apt occasion on which to consider the matter of the franchise. I must say that I believe all of my party will unite in favour of Reform."

  Monkhouse had received the same message from almost every Whig he had spoken to - Wellington would be supported until it came to the issue of Reform, while Goderich was viewed with such dislike that his majority could evaporate at any time.

  "Thus, it might be said, Mr Andrews, that you would be in favour of a measure that improved the short-term stability of the current administration?"

  "Most definitely, Mr Monkhouse."

  "Then I would suggest, in confidence of course, that you might expect to see a new Prime Minister in the second half of the winter."

  "A very good thing, sir. I can assure you that I would support any measure to alleviate to any extent the hunger in this country."

  Monkhouse left James in the lobby of the House of Commons, made his way to the lobby of Lords where he joined a small group attendant on Wellington, Peel amongst them.

  "I have lately been in conversation with Pegleg Andrews, Mr Peel. About the obvious topic, of course."

  "His opinion?"

  "Much as we expected, sir. I presume he is speaking for his brother when he says that he would support His Grace for the sake of stability in the country as a whole, but that Reform will become a problem in the longer term."

  "Must be parroting his brother's words - I do not believe that young gentleman is capable of thought himself."

  "You may be doing him a disservice, sir. He is a man of principle, even if not of any depth of intellect."

  "I stand corrected, Mr Monkhouse."

  Monkhouse swore to himself - Peel was an unforgiving sort, one who did not love to be told he was wrong. If Peel had a say in the matter then he would now be lucky to get a knighthood on stepping down from the House - small chance indeed of a baronetcy, let alone a peerage.

  "I believe his opinion to be shared by the great bulk of his party, sir."

  Peel, who had harboured hopes that he might be the favoured man, smiled bravely and said how pleased he was to discover that England's great Hero was to be her new leader.

  "For a while, sir. The issue of Reform will be the end of him, I fear, but he will do very well for a year or two. He is a believer in discipline and will give troublemakers short shrift, but he is also a man of discernment who will try to remove some of the causes of trouble. I believe he will encourage manufacturers to pay higher wages, sir - if they will listen to him. I am sure he will try to recruit extra battalions of troops, to take the unemployed off the streets."

  "He will support a police force, that is a certainty, Mr Monkhouse. His Irish background will have shown him just how valuable a constabulary can be."

  Peel inched his way into the group directly surrounding Wellington, exchanged greetings with him on an equal basis. As Home Secretary Peel was a power in the land and must be consulted by any Prime Minister; it was his main grievance that Goderich, far from being an intellectual, commonly disregarded his advice for being unable to understand it.

  "Your Grace, we really must consider the question of stability in the country, and of the provision of a leadership that can seek to attain it."

  "Meaning what, precisely, sir?"

  Wellington did not like Peel, regarding him as far too ambitious a man, one who might well subjugate the national interest to his own personal desires. He had commented on a previous occasion that Peel was so convinced that the best thing for England would be to have him as Prime Minister that he in fact believed the national interest to be synonymous with his own wishes.

  The Duke did not especially wish to become Prime Minister himself, but would do so in order to keep Peel out of Number Ten, a fact that Peel suspected.

  "The bulk of backbench members, of both sides of the House, Your Grace, wish to see change. The majority would be very happy to support you in office. Soundings have been taken over the last few days, sir, and it is clear that you could form a Ministry. His Majesty would be very pleased to summon you to his side, I am quite certain."

  Only the King could appoint a Prime Minister, and he had the power to name any man he wished to the post, but his candidate then had to create and keep a majority in Parliament. The current King had been given a harsh, dismissive, tutorial in the realities of power in the modern world in the first days of his rule and would not repeat his mistakes - he would take great care to ensure that his appointment was of the man Parliament wanted.

  "Not before Christmas, Mr Peel. We have had three Prime Ministers already this year. A fourth might be seen as excessive, and would certainly send a very wrong message overseas."

  "Then early in January, Your Grace?"

  "I fear we must, Mr Peel. Is Goderich aware of the moves to dismiss him?"

  "I am sure he is aware of very little, Your Grace. He will hold no Cabinet meetings in December, I am told, expecting all to be in the country for the festive month. When the Houses sit again in January he may be informed of his fate."

  Wellington gave his neigh of laughter.

  "If ever we were to offend the French again, they should choose December to mount their invasion - there would be none at home in London to oppose them!"

  Peel gave a cursory smile in response; the very thought of another war appalled him.

  "Will you give consideration the meanwhile to the membership of your Administration, Your Grace?"

  "As little change as possible, would be my instinct, sir. I would hope you would consent to remain in your present post, where you have done so much good work. If you would prefer to take another ministry, then be sure that I will do my best to accommodate you, sir."

  The post of Foreign Secretary was commonly held to be senior to that of Home Secretary, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer was increasingly important, but Peel had little hesitation in requesting to keep the Home Office - there was much work still to be done, he believed, in modernising the administration, and creation, of law and order in the country.

  "You are far the best man for the post, Mr Peel, and I am glad you accept that fact. Your work in prison reform, for example, your personal involvement and detailed knowledge, is a model for all ministers to follow." Wellington was generally an honest man and felt he had to give praise where it was due, but not too much. "Should we look to continue some Whigs in the government, do you think? In junior positions particularly I think it important. Not
to be mentioned too much, sir, but the Whigs have not held power in a generation, yet I suspect they may form the administration after the next election. They will need some men amongst them who have had experience in government."

  The philosophical differences between Whig and Tory were minimal, and they would be able to work together with a degree of ease, being mostly from the same segment of the landed gentry. It made good sense for the Whigs to be shown the right way of doing things.

  "Have you any of the younger men particularly in mind, Your Grace?"

  "Not really. They are all much of a muchness, few of them stand out for any particular virtue... That said, what of young Andrews? The family is important and he, if not hugely intelligent, is a man of firmly held principles, and one who has been quite willing to haul me over the coals when he has considered me mistaken. A man of character and courage, and hence one rarely to be valued in Westminster!"

  Peel reflected that young Andrews' main interests must lie in Colonial Affairs - and hence he would have almost no dealings with him. He gave his support to the suggestion and offered to seek out three or four other young men of similar character and ability.

  "That should pretty well exhaust the resources of the House of Commons, sir!"

  Laughing merrily, supremely confident in himself, Wellington strode off to the chamber of the House of Lords, intending not to speak but to scowl mightily at those who opposed his ideas. He had found that a fixed and disapproving stare would often cause an erring peer to change his opinions.

  Peel had to decide how best to go about approaching James Andrews. He could speak to him directly, which was not a task he especially looked forward to, or he could pass word to his elder brother, an oblique approach.

  'Better the latter course. Let Lord St Helens be the first to know of his brother's rise in the world. They are so close-knit a family that he will feel a modicum of gratitude, I doubt not...'

  "James, I have just had the supreme privilege and pleasure of a conversation with that arrogant little shit, Peel!"

  "I trust you considered yourself honoured, brother?"

  "Rarely so!"

  "One moment, Robert." James rang the bell, nodded to the butler as he entered the room.

  "Three o'clock, Robert, which presents a difficulty in itself. It is too late in the morning for Madeira, too early in the afternoon for sherry. What may one take as a refreshment at this time of day?"

  The butler reappeared with a light claret, having no doubt of what was correct at any time of day.

  "A very welcome glass, James. What is it, precisely? I would like to purchase a couple of dozen for my own cellar."

  "I will ask Beggs to tell your man, Robert, for I have not the least idea. I believe my father by marriage sent this to us a week or two back, having recently discovered it himself."

  "Now then, James, Peel!"

  "An unlovely man, very able, bound eventually to become leader of his Party. I am glad it is no longer mine."

  "In confidence, James, Goderich is to go soon after the Christmas festivities."

  "Yes, I had heard his days were numbered - I suspect he may be the only man at Westminster to be unaware of the fact. Poor old Blubberer! I could feel sorry for him, would do, was he not so unpleasant a character."

  Robert was a little surprised to discover that James was au fait with Westminster rumour and plotting. He was not entirely displeased, however.

  "I presume Peel was informing you that Wellington is to form an administration, Robert?"

  "He was. He told me that you would be invited to accept a post in some role to do with the Colonies. Clapperley is to retire, by the way, anno domini and all that. Thus the Andrews interest will rest in your hands. Capable hands, I believe!"

  "Secretary for the Colonies. Will it be under the Foreign Affairs department or is it to be regarded as a domestic office?"

  Robert had not considered that question.

  "If the Colonies belong to us, and are to remain ours in perpetuity, then they cannot be the responsibility of the Foreign Secretary. It is an important point, Robert."

  "So it is! Thank you for telling me, for making me aware of it."

  "Singapore, for example, Robert. To be dealt with as a part of India, or as a foreign port held by treaty, or as a detached part of the British Isles?"

  "Damned if I know! Will you take the post?"

  "I must, I think, Robert. I believe it to be my duty, and I might well enjoy the work. My secretary, Mr Baker, has, in fact, been preparing for the eventuality since he joined me."

  Robert was amazed; he had not expected James to be ready and willing to take charge of his own future in such a way. On reflection he was rather pleased with him, and probably even more so with his wife.

  "Is this house adequate for your needs, James? Would you be better off in a larger place? Is your dining room great enough?"

  James did not know, reached for the bell again.

  "Would you ask Mrs Andrews if she could join us, if it is convenient, Beggs?"

  "We can seat twenty-four to dinner, my lord. More than that becomes somewhat cramped, particularly for the footmen. At the moment, of course, we hire in extra footmen when we entertain, from the Agency, you know."

  Robert did not know, was unaware that such an institution existed.

  "Not always entirely satisfactory, I fear. I have learnt to inspect the staff of the evening for cleanliness before the meal, and for possession of silver cutlery as they leave afterwards!"

  Robert was astounded - it would not have occurred to him to do so. He wondered, fleetingly, whether Miriam had discovered the same problem - but, of course, they rarely hosted large dinner parties, were not political entertainers.

  "Larger, and more modern, kitchens would be advantageous, as well. I believe my husband's career would gain greatly from a reputation for a very good dinner!"

  That was certainly true - Robert's sole recollection of some dinner parties was of poorly seasoned, slowly boiled, very plain food. English cooks were almost never trained properly, the great majority learning in the kitchens from inadequate predecessors.

  "Bedrooms are of lesser significance, because one tends to have few house guests in London, of course. I confess that I would rather like to have a larger nursery and schoolroom, for I suspect that we may well be able to fill such!"

  "Am I to congratulate you both?"

  James grinned, proud and pleased - he loved his children and would very happily see a baker's dozen about him.

  "What of Lutterworth, James? Would it not make logical sense to throw out a wing there, because you will certainly wish to hold house parties, particularly in the hunting season, being in Leicestershire."

  "I am to become a burden on your purse, I fear, Robert."

  "Not at all, James! The builder in Lutterworth will be very pleased to have work, and to take on more hands over winter, and I will be happy to be seen to be putting money into the village. For a Town House - we need a presence in the political world, the family gains much simply by being known to be involved. As well, we must marry Joseph off in grand fashion, I very much hope – entertainments at Mount Street and in your place, the whole family to celebrate, the political world to be involved as well as the more respectable of the commercial houses! With your agreement, James, and yours, ma'am, I shall put the matter in Michael's capable hands. A house that is less than a mansion - for we must not be accused of pretentiousness - but well suited to the demands of an increasingly important Public Man. He will know exactly what is available and best-suited to your needs. Staffing, of course, will be the concern of the family, James."

  There was no salary for politicians, and payments for expenses, under consideration since the Castlereagh affair, seemed unlikely to eventuate. The old system of Grants-in-Aid made to the worthy upon their accession to a title or their retirement from office, erratic and unpredictable and depending as much on luck as merit, seemed set to continue.

  Book Nine: A Poor
Man

  at the Gate Series

  Chapter Five

  Ocean voyages and small children did not mix, Henry mused, fielding his younger boy as he attempted to climb the bulwarks in order to walk, tight-rope fashion, along the railing.

  "The Atlantic is deep and very cold, Joe, and you would drown within five minutes. It takes nearly ten minutes to bring a ship to a stop, to 'heave-to', as the sailors say. It can take as much as twenty minutes to lift a boat off the booms and put it over the side. You can add up, Joe. What is twenty add ten?"

  Surreptitious waggling of fingers accompanied by a ferocious frown of concentration.

  "Thirty, Papa?"

  "Well done! Good boy! Thirty indeed. Half an hour. If you go overboard you will be lucky to last five minutes, so..."

  "So... I will die, Papa."

  "You will, and nothing I could do about it, except to jump over myself and try to find you. Look how tall the waves are - do you think I would be able to see you?"

  Joseph shook his head, apparently convinced, on this occasion.

  "So I must be careful not to fall over the side, Papa. If I do fall I must make sure to land on the deck, not in the water."

  The boatswain, listening with great entertainment, snorted with laughter, shook his head and walked off. It was impossible to reason with little boys - he had five of his own and had long given up on sensible argument. He approved Henry's final words, likely to be much more effective.

  "Joseph! If I see you up on that railing, I will borrow the boatswain's cane and leather your arse with it! Do you understand?"

  "Yes, sir!"

  Marcus, far less adventurous and more obedient than his brother, stood carefully towards the centre of the deck. He had not the least desire to climb on the bulwarks, or to venture into the rigging, or to beg the steersman to let him have a go at the wheel.

  "I shall watch him, Papa, but he will not do as I bid him, though I am elder and he should."