Dangos 581 canlyniad

Letters to John Benn Walsh including letters from Lady Clive (Fd 5/1); Francis Fowke, 1806 (containing a tirade against Napoleon (Fd 5/2) and 1817 (opposition to paper currency and the extension of income tax and his plans for his Boughrood estate, co. Rad.) (Fd 5/7) [these two letters are strays; virtually all the extant correspondence between them is in the India Office Library in the Fowke MSS and MSS Euro. D 546], and James Casamajor, Madras, asking John Benn Walsh to use his influence with the Court of Directors [of the East India Co.] to secure him the post of chief judge of the Sudden Court, 1810 (Fd 5/4).

Misc. Papers including a list of fees charged by the Herald's Office to John Benn Walsh on assuming the name Walsh, 1795 (Fd 6/1) [cf. I 1/2]; particulars and conditions of sale of No. 5 Upper Harley Street and related correspondence, 1802 (Fd 6/2-4) and case and opinion of counsel whether purchased waste ground planted with trees in p. Warfield, Berkshire, is liable to be assessed for poor rates, 1821 (Fd 6/6).

Frequent visits to see her son at Eton; a tour from Warfield to Oakley Park, Shropshire, including a description of the poet [William] Shenstone's house and gardens at Halesowen, Staffordshire (ff. 46-7), a description of Lady Clive (ff. 49-50); a description of Downton Castle, Shropshire (ff. 51v-2); references to the ironworks at Coalbrookdale (f. 56) and to Lucien Bonaparte then living near Worcester (ff. 57v-8); a description of the ruins of Evesham Abbey (ff. 58v-9); a reference to a riot by students at Hertford College, Oxford on 5 Nov. (f. 75) and an account of an outbreak of scarlet fever at Eton (ff. 75v-7).

References to the Rev. David Davies, 1815 (f.4v); to Napoleon's landing in France and regaining the French throne and recording her astonishment that the French had allowed him to do so, 1815 (ff. 13-15); account of a tour from Warfield, Berkshire, to Oakley Park, Shropshire, 1815, including brief descriptions of Worcester (f.34v), Abberley (f. 36r-v), Leominster (ff. 39v-40), Maeslough (ff. 41-2) and Eastnor Castle then undergoing construction (f. 45); an account related to her of the influence of the 'sectaries', especially the preacher Rowland Hill who overcame people's prejudice against inoculation by preaching a sermon in its favour and who used his influence to secure the return of Sir William Guise as M.P. [for Gloucestershire in a by-election in 1811], 1815 (f. 43); references to enclosing land in p. Warfield, 1815-16 (ff. 52, 55v-6, 70v-1); to an affray at Hertford College and the expulsion of 14 students, 1816 (f. 63), [cf. G 10], to pecuniary distress, unpaid rents and to the country banks stopping payment, 1816 (f.69v) and a lengthy account of her daughter Elizabeth's illness who thought she was going mad, 1816 (ff. 73-86).

Continuation of Fe 4/10 but with no entries from 1 Jan. to 17 Feb. by which time the family is in Paris until their hasty return in March on account of her husband's severe illness (ff. 7v-18); press cuttings relating to Louis XVIII of France's proposed change to the law of elections together with her comments (ff. 56-9), and press cuttings relating to, and her comments on, the Queen Caroline affair (ff. 70v-9, 84v-5, 99-102, 108-9) and references to insurrection in Portugal (ff. 86-8).

Continuation of his stay in Brussels, 1-17 Oct. 1823 (pp. 1-12) and of his review of his present situation (pp. 20-9, 40-80, 110-30) wherein he attributes his failure to ascend the social ladder to the growing exclusiveness of the aristocracy after the end of the Napoleonic war, the closing off of paths of advancement with the end of the war, the agricultural depression after 1815 which brought to an end the custom of holding great balls to be replaced by subscription balls, called almacks, and to his lack of the basic prerequisites to social advancement, namely; a compact landed estate with electioneering interests, a seat in the House of Commons, especially an independent one, military rank and, most important, an advantageous connexion by marriage; a description of another vain pursuit of Lady Charlotte Charteris in London (pp. 107-201 passim) and a brief account of readings by Sarah Siddons, 5 Nov. 1823 (p. 30).

References to and accounts relating to writing and publishing a pamphlet entitled Poor Laws in Ireland considered in their probable effects upon the capital, the prosperity and the progressive improvement of that country (pp. 6, 8-9, 17-18, 22-4, 33) together with favourable comments on the same by R.G. Stanley [later 14th earl of Derby], [Thomas] Malthus and Sir Henry Parnell and not so favourable comments from sections of the Press (pp. 22, 24, 33-4); discussions about the possibility of standing as a parliamentary candidate in either Sudbury or New Romney, 24 June 1830 (pp. 68-74); exploratory visit to Sudbury and including a brief history of the parliamentary representation of the bor., of canvassing and campaigning there, 28 June - 30 July, 1830 (pp. 68-92) [cf. G 35, ff. 78-106] a holiday on the Isle of Wight, 17 Aug. - 13 Oct. 1830 (pp. 96-114); taking his seat in the House of Commons and early parliamentary debates of the session, 26 Oct. - 3 Nov., 9-10 Nov. 1830 (pp. 118-27, 129-30); references to [Swing] riots in Kent, Sussex and Berkshire, to his proposals to establish an Association to apprehend the rioters and to meetings relating to the proposed Association and to the Special Commission at Reading to try the rioters at which he was the foreman of the grand jury, 13 Nov. - 11 Dec. 1830 (pp. 131-3, 135-9, 148-50); brief reports of debates on the Reform Bill, 13 Nov. - 11 Dec., 27-31 Dec., 1830 (pp. 131-3, 135-9, 148-50) and 1 Mar. - 17 Dec. 1831 (pp. 169-72, 199-204, 206, 208-9, 236-7, 241-2); his work on the Forfar election committee, 2-12 Dec. 1830 (pp. 140-4); his maiden speech on Irish grand juries, 9 Dec. 1830 (pp. 142-3); references to writing pamphlets entitled Popular Opinions on Parliamentary Reform (pp. 162, 165-7, 170) and Observations on the Ministerial Plan of Reform (pp. 172, 174); election campaign at Sudbury, 23-30 Apr. 1831 (pp. 177-80) and helping in the campaign in the Berkshire election, 2-4 May 1831 (pp. 176-80) and the Cambridgeshire by-election, 24 Oct. - 1 Nov. 1831 (pp. 215-19); brief accounts of meetings of the Tories at Sir Robert Peel's and elsewhere, ?, June, ?, July, 5-6 Dec. 1831 (pp. 186, 189-91, 234, 236); holiday on the Isle of Wight, 13-15 Aug., 30 Aug. - 11 Sept. 1831 (pp. 195-8); remarks on Lord Brougham's character, 7 Oct. 1831 (pp. 204-6) and anecdotes relating to alleged misconduct of the same, 20 Dec. 1831 (p. 244); remarks on the proclamation against the Political Unions and a press cutting of the said proclamation, 23 Nov. 1831 (pp. 225-6); political gossip about splits in the Whig cabinet, Peel's tactics, etc., 27 Nov. and 11 Dec. 1831 (pp. 227, 239); accounts of riots in Lyons, 28 Nov. and 2 Dec., 1831 (pp. 228, 230-1); references to writing a pamphlet entitled The Balance of Parties in the State, Dec. 1831 (pp. 241-3, 245-6) and his views on Macaulay, 16 Dec. 1831 (pp. 241-2).

Lengthy account of the illness and death of his niece Charlotte Dibgy, 7 Apr. - 1 June 1837 (pp. 60-112); possibility of standing for Birmingham which he declined, 18-19, 24 May 1837 (pp. 90, 94). From June to Dec. 1837 the diary is in narrative form, written in early 1838, and includes his recollections of his electioneering activities in co. Rad. in 1836, his refusal to stand in the general election in the said county, news about [Walter] Wilkins' (the M.P. for the said county) expected death and the possibility of Sir John Walsh standing for the county (pp. 119-22, 140-2, 149-52) and an account of his decision to stand for Poole, Dorset, together with a perceptive description of political influences and bitter party conflicts there and an account of his election campaign there (pp. 123-39, 143-5). Daily entries resume from 1 Jan. 1838 and these include attending the co. Rad. quarter sessions and political discussions there, 3-7 Jan. (pp. 164-7), the Sudbury by-election where he was elected, 15-27 Mar. (pp. 230-6); another visit to co. Rad. to declare his intention to contest the seat at the next vacancy, 2-10 Apr. (pp. 238-45); and a petition to unseat him at Sudbury (pp. 238-45). The diary breaks off again on 23 Apr. 1838 and continues in narrative form for the remainder of the vol. This narrative, written in Nov. 1838 is arranged thematically and not chronologically and contains further accounts of the Sudbury election petition [it was abandoned in May] together with remarks about the growth of party and about the continuation of bribery and treating, especially at borough elections (pp. 255-81); acceptance of a lease of a house in co. Rad. to use as a temporary residence and thus removing one of the chief objections to his candidature of co. Rad., that of non-residency (p. 259); his parliamentary votes during the session and a meeting with Peel about his (Sir John Walsh's) proposals relating to the Irish Municipal Franchise Bill which were adopted in the Lords' amendments to the Bill which eventually helped to defeat the Bill (pp. 259-60).

Conclusion of the sailing trip mentioned in Fg 1/13 (p. 1); a phrenological investigation of his son Arthur's character, 5 Aug. 1843 (pp. 4-8); a yachting cruise from Ramsgate to Belgium and Holland and visits to the same including a brief description of Antwerp, 9-19 Aug. 1843 (pp. 9-18); a yachting cruise to Hamburg, 23 Aug. - 9 Sept. 1843 (pp. 20-35); accounts of the Rebecca riots in co. Rad., 25 Sept. 1843-31 Jan. 1844 (pp. 38-121 passim, especially pp. 42-73); illness and death of his sister in law, Lady Grey, 11 Dec. 1843 - 11 Jan. 1844 (pp. 69-105 passim); brief accounts of debates in the House, 13 Feb. - 26 June 1844 (pp. 125-70 passim) including his own speech on the Irish Church (pp. 160-1); a meeting at Downing Street re Sugar Duties, 13 June 1844 (pp. 161-2); account of a seance held by a French clairvoyant, 3 July 1844 (pp. 166-70); ill-health of his daughter 'Minny' [Catherine], 20-31 Dec. 1844 (pp. 208-52); yachting trip to Ireland to visit his estates and visits to Belfast, Glasgow and Edinburgh, 18 Aug. - 27 Sept. 1844 (pp. 182-202) and a reference to a 'formidable gang' of sheep stealers tried at Radnor quarter sessions, 18 Oct. (p. 207) [cf. Fg 1/15, p. 29].

Reference to 'very violent proceedings' at Old Radnor between the Quakers and the 'Church party' about Church rates, 16 Nov. 1849 (p. 8); brief account of the life of his wife's father, Joseph Fowke including his opposition to Hastings in India, 27 Dec. 1849 (pp. 36-42); visit to Paris, 4-16 Jan. 1850 (pp. 55-77) including an account, in French, of a reading by a clairvoyant (pp. 68-75); account of a protectionist meeting in co. Rad. 28-9 Jan. 1850 (pp. 79-80); brief accounts of parliamentary debates including his own speeches, 31 Jan. - 4 July 1850 (pp. 81-141 passim); meetings of Irish M.P.s, 15 Feb., 31 May 1850 (pp. 86, 115) and protectionist M.P.s, 5 Feb., 8 Mar., 12 Apr. 1850 (pp. 89, 95, 110), an interview with Disraeli about the Irish Reform Bill, 8 May 1850 (pp. 121-2); a case of counterfeiting at the co. Rad. assize, 2 Aug. 1850 (p. 150); account of a continental tour starting in France (Paris, Clarmont, Le Pay, Nismes, Marseilles and Toulon), Nice and Italy, 27 Sept. - 16 Dec. 1850 (pp. 182-270) and his son Arthur's rash proposal of marriage to a Miss De Burgh, 24 Nov. - 16 Dec. 1850 (pp. 245-70 passim).

Description of a fire near Blackfriars Bridge, London, 16 Feb. (pp. 21-3); brief account/references to parliamentary debates, 21, 26 Feb. (pp. 29-30) and 24 June - 3 Aug. (pp. 84-132 passim) including the Crimean War and foreign policy and his parliamentary question which eventually led to the resignation of Lord John Russell; description of a service at the Catholic Apostolic Church ('Irvingites'), Gordon Square, London 31 Mar. (pp. 46-9); a brief biography of [Gustavus] Hamilton, viscount Boyne 18 Apr. (pp. 58-73); a visit to Boulogne where he received a letter from his son Digby announcing that he had married in secret and a visit to Paris, 26 Sept. - 15 Oct. (pp. 180-201) and a visit to Bath, 30 Oct. - 1 Nov. (pp. 210-17).

Negotiations over the marriage settlement of his daughter Minny and Horace Trelawny, 29-31 Dec., 1858, 4-5 Feb. 1859 (pp. 33-42, 63-5, 69); copy of his letter to Lord Derby asking again for a peerage with a copy of Derby's reply and his thoughts on Derby's refusal, 14 Jan. 1859 (pp. 51-6); brief accounts of debates, 3 Feb. - 4 Apr. 1859 (pp. 62-89 passim); canvassing in co. Rad., 6-15 Apr., 1 May 1859 (pp. 90-9, 118-21); another visit to the Moor Row mine, 5-11 May 1859 (pp. 122-36) and a holiday in Scotland (Rothesay, Inverness, Loch Lomond, Fannick Lodge, Gosford, Benam Castle, Camperdown, etc), 1 Sept. - 14 Nov. 1859 (pp. 207-70).

Visit to Preston Grange and Edinburgh, 23 Dec. 1863 - 18 Jan. 1864 (pp. 44-65); debates in the House, 4 Feb. - 19 July (pp. 77, 80, 93-6, 101-2, 115, 119, 131, 136, 175-6, 184); the monument to Sir George Cornewall Lewis, 11, 16, 18 Feb. 1864 (pp. 79, 82-3); his relationship with Disraeli, 27 Feb. 1864 (pp. 82-3); his views on the 'new' Biblical criticism, 5 May, 1864 (pp. 91-4); a summary of his speeches this present session, 18 Mar. 1864 (pp. 101-2); visit to his Cumberland estate and the Moor Row mine, 17-19 May (pp. 139-45); a meeting of the Conservatives at Lord Salisbury's and his speech there, 28 June 1864 (pp. 164-7); sailing trip to Cherbourg and from thence to Monkston, Ireland, via Devonport and Falmouth, 23 July - 13 Aug. (pp. 185-200) and a cruise from Kingston, Ireland, to Scotland followed by a round of visits in the same including Netherley House, Fannick, Callendar House, 30 Aug. - 13 Oct. (pp. 221-55).

These diaries were dictated by Sir John Walsh to Mr Irving, his secretary, and are entirely concerned with family affairs, mainly his wife and grand-children's ill health.

Copies of The Complete Pocketbook or Gentleman's and Tradesman's Daily Journal, 1816, and Kearsley's Gentleman's & Tradesman's Pocket Ledger, 1827, both containing brief financial memoranda by Sir John Walsh.