ABSTRACT
HE who was now to succeed to the heritage of Castlereagh had preceded him in the office of Foreign Minister. During 1807-9 he had held power and shown great resolution at the most perilous moment of England's fate. His measures in Denmark and in Portugal had withdrawn from Napoleon's grasp as many ships of the line as Nelson destroyed at Trafalgar; and his policy in committing England irrevocably to the defence of Spain ultimately cost that great conqueror half a million of men. This record was a very remarkable one, though it did not excel that of Castlereagh in consolidating the Alliance in 1814, nor equal his great constructive work in rebuilding Europe in 1815. The unfortunate incidents which led to the retirement of Castlereagh and Canning from the Cabinet and to their duel in 1809 had caused great excitement and had left a lasting impression. Canning received a wound in the duel, and bore ever afterwards (though somewhat unjustly) both moral and material scars. His political career had beet) fatally injured, while Castlereagh went on to achieve a power such as few men have ever enjoyed. At the moment when Castlereagh was giving the law to Europe, Canning played the humble part of Ambassador to Lisbon (1814-1816). In 1816 he entered the Cabinet once more as President of the (India) Board of Control, thus definitely renouncing independence and accepting defeat. There he had distinguished
himself by attacking the Radicals with a vigour and bitterness which even exceeded their own, and became, for a time, the best·hated man in a thoroughly unpopular ministry. Then came George IV. 's accession and his attempt to divorce Queen Caroline. From this campaign Canning, who had been her personal friend, stood aside, and finally resigned when the King's efforts forced the ministers towards penal measures. Canning took care to say on his resignation that it was on this point alone that he differed from the ministers. It was one over which the public was more concerned for the moment than over foreign policy, and they considered it much in his favour. For the London mob espoused the cause of the , injured Queen' with frantic enthusiasm, and Brougham had fanned their hatred of the King to white· heat during the trial before the Peers. Neither Castlereagh nor Wellington could appear in public without being insulted, the indignation with the King was even greater, and the throne itself in some danger. Canning by his resignation had regained some of his lost popularity, but for that very reason his re·entry into the ministry was not welcomed by most of his colleagues, and was bitterly opposed by the King. It was not pleasant to them to hear Brougham praising' the noble and manly conduct of Mr Canning.'
