LIFE, LETTERS, AND

DIARIES

OF

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

FIRST EARL OF IDDESLEIGH

BY

ANDREW LANG

NEW EDITION

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS

EDINBURGH AND LONDON

MDCCCXCI

All Rights reserved

The family of Northcote-Ancestry-The first baronet in the Long

Parliament-Parentage of Sir Stafford Northcote-His Scottish

descent from the Cockburns-The "Border Widow "-Infancy

-Precocious love of books-First school-Early compositions—

Extract from a romance-Eton-Fights-Amusements-Friend-

ships-Return from sport to study-Goes up for the Balliol

Scholarship-His success on the river-Reads with Mr Shirley

-Religious opinions,

1

CHAPTER II.

OXFORD.

The Balliol of sixty years ago-Election to a scholarship-Arthur

Clough-Influence of Mr Edward Irving-Letters on Irvingism

-Religious opinions-Undergraduate diversions-The boat-race

--Reading for the Schools-The examination-Success-A First

in Classical Schools, a Third in Mathematics-Departure from

Oxford-A letter on Irvingism-A Latin dispute-Thoughts on

public affairs-Becomes private secretary to Mr Gladstone-

Letter to Mr Northcote, .

17

700

CHAPTER III.

ENTRY ON POLITICAL LIFE.

Remarks on the aspect of politics-Secretaryship to Mr Gladstone-

Letters on marriage-Engagement to Miss Cecilia Farrer-Letter

on politics in general-His ideas-Official duties-Mr Gladstone's

candidature at Oxford-Northcote's work on the Navigation

Laws—The Chartist meeting—The Great Exhibition—His duties

as secretary of the Commission-Doubts as to choosing a rural

or official life-Succeeds to the baronetcy-His health impaired

-Letters,

39

CHAPTER IV.

BEGINNING OF HIS PARLIAMENTARY CAREER.

Change of Government—Aversion to the Whigs-Election address

at Exeter-Mr Gladstone's Oxford seat-Political ideas-Civil

Service Commission-Learning elocution from Mr Wigan—The

Crimean war- -Candidature at Dudley-Enters Parliament-Mr

Disraeli-Maiden speech-Familiar letters-Lord John Russell,

CHAPTER V.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE AND REFORMATORY SCHOOLS.

Interest in reformatory schools-Sketch of their history-The school
at Pynes - Alarm of the neighbourhood-Gale, Burns, and
Sparks-Anecdotes-Later work in reformatory schools-- His
bill, "the omnibus "-Success of the bill,

CHAPTER VI.

PARLIAMENTARY WORK.

His position as a party man- -The Kars debate-The "Jew Bill"
-End of session-Relations with Lord Ward-Mr Gladstone
and Mr Disraeli-The Chinese question—Determines to stand
for North Devon-Defeat-Withdrawal to Paris-Offer of a
place in Conservative Government-Early views of Mr Disraeli
-Elected at Stamford-Financial secretary to Treasury—Mr
Disraeli's Reform Bill-Defeat of his party-Letter on policy of