Life of Lord Norton

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of Toronto http://www.archive.org/details/lifeoflordnortonOOchil LIFE OF LORD NORTON . ~( //cm <i cbrcuvin/3 t'u ^Jrcrge > A u/uiwito . A ., iruuLe for ifrUJLLcmUi t'lu/- LIFE OF LORD NORTON (RIGHT HON. SIR CHARLES ADDERLEY, K.C.M.G., M.P.) l8l 4— I9O5 STATESMAN & PHILANTHROPIST BY WILLIAM S. CHILDE-PEMBERTON AUTHOR OK "MEMOIRS OF BARONESS DE BODE" WITH ILLUSTRATIONS LONDON JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W. 1909 <*q > \ A PRINTED BY HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD. LONDON AND AYLESBURY. PREFACE There can be no hesitation in claiming that the memory of Lord Norton—better known as Sir Charles Adderley—and of the great, if little known, services rendered by him to his country, deserves permanent record, for he was one of those Englishmen, of whom there have been many in the past (let us hope there will be many like them in the future), who, while entirely devoid of self-seeking or of desire for personal advertise- ment, have done much to shape the policy and ameliorate the social condition of their country. Lord Norton's special characteristics in this respect are set forth in Chapter I., and need not be re- peated here. It is hoped, further, that whatever throws light on his life, his surroundings, and his character, may be not without interest. It was his practice from early youth—even from childhood—briefly to chronicle the events of his life, with meditations on them as to how they vi PREFACE had affected his character and spiritual ad- vancement. From these records he began at one time an autobiography of his early years, the object being, he tells us with characteristic modesty and sincerity, " firstly, to give myself a comprehensive survey of my past life, its whole meaning and tendency, with its defects while there is time to rectify them ; secondly, to leave any who may care for me, or for what my life may have been, a gift at parting. The barest autobiography," he adds, " has an interest, as being, even if idealised, at least the thing a man has himself built up of what he would be. Every man's record of his own little part not only is a valuable observation for himself, but also helps in the general survey. In the comprehensive view it matters little whether the features of each individual observation be great or small, in so far as we are all the instruments of work God does through our hands for the same account, ... to which indeed the widow's mite may be the greatest contribution." As the years advance the autobiographical notes become terse and scanty, and but barely outline the events of his busy career. It has been the part of the editor to bring these rough notes and scattered diaries together, and to illustrate the life as fully as possible by his correspondence, and by additional information from various other sources. ; PREFACE vii Among his correspondence are included letters from many of the leading statesmen of the Vic- torian era. The compiler of this memoir desires to express his thanks to Lord Cobham (who inherited a large number of letters to his father, Lord Lyttelton, from Lord Norton) ; to Sir Arthur Godley and to Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, whose respective fathers were among Lord Norton's intimate friends ; to Mr. Henry N. Gladstone to Lord Salisbury; to Lord Rothschild, and Mr. Monypenny, who have allowed him to print some letters of Lord Beaconsfield, and to others for permission to print the letters of which they hold the copyright; to Mr. Hobbiss, of Saltley College; and to Lord Crewe for permission to publish a poem by his distinguished father, Lord Houghton. w. S. C.-P. October, 1908. — CONTENTS CHAPTER I Outlines of career—Thirty-seven consecutive years in House of Commons, one constituency—His disinterestedness—His inde- pendence of party—Early unofficial work— Its importance —Colonial ideals — Educational and penal legislation — His note-books Spiritual guidance— Breadth of his sympathies—A leading lay Churchman pp. 1-7 CHAPTER II Birth and ancestry—His father and great-uncle—Two owners of Hams in 158 years —A fifteenth - century "Gentleman of the Chamber''—An Equerry to Charles I. —The story of a duel—Lord Norton's maternal ancestors—Descent from Oliver Cromwell—The Cradock Hartopps— The Baroness de Bode . pp. 8-10 CHAPTER III Autobiographical memoranda— Early memories—Father's death —Boyhood —Succeeds to Hams— Mother's death— Residence with his grand-parents— Early education and tastes . pp. II-15 CHAPTER IV 1832-35 Oxford days—Gentleman Commoner— His habits and friends Visits Scotland—Lessons in dancing .... pp. 16-19 —— x CONTENTS CHAPTER V 1835 {continued) Travels with Thomas Dyke Acland, junior—Drives in a britska Through Belgium—Over the Rhine—Crosses the Spliigen with five sledges—Reaches Rome—Excursions with Lord Clements—Becomes the guest of Thorwaldsen pp. 20-22 CHAPTER VI 1836 Adderley launched in London—Hams let to Lady Rosse—Lives with his guardian uncle—Sir Edmund Cradock Hartopp (2nd baronet) at Four Oaks and in London—Lady Cradock Hartopp, " daughter of Lord Henley—The last " pigtail —Adderley 's dislike of society — "The great unknown" — Conquers shyness — Lady Leigh's letter—Management of his properties—An epoch of changes —Allusions to Stephenson and Huskisson . .pp. 23-29 CHAPTER VII 1837 Visits at Drayton—The 4th Duke of Newcastle—Sir Robert Peel —Peel's partridges—Peel's orderly habits—His cupboards at Drayton — Croker at Drayton — John Robert Godley — Godley's letters— Irish visits—Adderley visits O'Connell . pp. 30-34 CHAPTER VIII 1841 Parliamentary prospects—Lord Harrowby and Lord Sandon Adderley's sister—His reflections on her death—Spiritual guidance —Adderley elected for North Staffordshire—Parliamentary sur- - roundings pp. 35 4o CHAPTER IX 1842 Introduction to the Leighs—Falls in love—Engagement—Letters to Miss Leigh— Marriage ...... pp. 41-49 — CONTENTS xi CHAPTER X 1843-45 Early married life —Birth of daughter—Home surroundings Views about Society—Fasting and abstinence—His principles—Not a teetotaler— " Intoxicating liquor "—A story of a flask —His Sunday observance—A visit to Alton Towers .... pp. 50-55 CHAPTER XI 1846 Repeal of the Corn Laws—The Tory feelings—An old Tory song —Godley's letters on Peel and the Corn Laws . pp. 56-60 CHAPTER XII 1847-48 A North Staffordshire contest — Peel plumps for Adderley Chartist riots—Adderley's Yeomanry troop—The " Battle of Body- moor Heath "—Prize-fighting suppressed —Birmingham race-course —Canterbury Colony started— Eliot Warburton—Adderley's Essay on Happiness—Dr. Temple's criticism — Gladstone's appreciation The Morning Chronicle— . The Times' complaint . pp. 61-67 CHAPTER XIII 1849 Comes into prominence —Colonial subjects —Attacks Lord Grey —Ceylon Committee—A trio of friends : Adderley, Godley, and Lyttelton —Edward Gibbon Wakefield—A "strange genius" Canterbury Colony—Earl Grey—Colonial Government—Adderley opposes convicts being sent to the Cape — Gratitude of Cape Colony —Adderley Street—An unexpected tribute . pp. 68-77 CHAPTER XIV 1849 {continued) Origin of Colonial Reform Society —Adderley its Secretary Ideals of the Society—The Radical elements —Sir William Moles- worth —His habits and speeches —Gladstone's views—Colonial Church—Sir Robert Peel's refusal and advice—Disraeli's refusal Domestic events—Death of Sir Edmund Hartopp . pp. 78-86 — —— xii CONTENTS CHAPTER XV 1850 "A shopman must attend to his shop"—Colonial schemes — Australian Constitution Bill —Letters of Gladstone— Cobden's letter about Colonial Reform Society—Sir Robert Peel dies—Prescott visits Hams—Gibbon Wakefield visits Hams—He and Adderley concoct the New Zealand Constitution on Hams Terrace—Cape Colony sends a representative to visit Adderley . pp. 87-92 CHAPTER XVI 1851 "Transportation not necessary" — Adderley's views — Lord Shaftesbury's views—Juvenile delinquents—State of gaols pp. 93-96 CHAPTER XVII 1 85 1 {continued) Godley's letters from New Zealand — Canterbury Colony—An " infant's scream "—Adderley sends out several families—New Zealand Constitution draft progresses—Divisions iu the Church Practical religion —A dull political year ends in excitement pp. 97-101 CHAPTER XVIII 1852 New Houses of Parliament—Queen's Speech—Adderley's Cape Motion arranged — Disraeli and " Peelites " assist — Intended " assegai thrust "— Political excitement—Lord John Russell's unexpected move—Government resigns The Times' comments Fear of Adderley's attack—A letter of Mr. Henry Drummond Lord Grey and Lord John Russell—Lord Palmerston's remarks quoted pp. 102-109 — " — ——A CONTENTS xiii CHAPTER XIX 1852 {continued) Lord Derby Prime Minister—Sends for Adderley—Adderley declines Secretaryship of Board of Control—A letter to his wife Adderley " forces " the New Zealand Constitution on Sir John Pakington— Pakington passes the New Zealand Constitution Act Control of natives reserved to Home Government, contrary to Adderley's views— Gladstone's great speech on colonial principles —Godley's mixed feelings— Gratitude of the colonists to Adderley pp. 110-114 CHAPTER XX 1852 {continued) Cape schemes—Interviews with Sir John Pakington —Lord Lyndhurst—Gladstone and Lyndhurst— Kaffir war debate The Times' article —Adderley's letter to The Times—Cape Colony in despair—Treatment of criminals—Reformatory in Birmingham Cobbler Ellis —St.-George's-in-the-East—Sidney Herbert pp. 1 15-120 CHAPTER XXI 1852 {continued) Adderley abandons Protection— " Until the nation changes its " mind The Times jubilant— " A lingering glance "—The Queen's Speech (November) — Adderley backs up Disraeli — Duke of Wellington's funeral—Lord Derby resigns —Aberdeen Ministry pp. 121-125 CHAPTER XXII THE MAKING OF SALTLEY The origin of Saltley—Railway carriage builders —Church built and endowed—Then streets built—Lord Lincoln's plans for build- ing —Adderley's benefactions—Saltley Training College founded Its high standing—Saltley Reformatory— Its beginnings—Cobbler Ellis and the boys—French Reformatory at Mettray—Lord Robert Cecil's remarks on Frenchmen—Young criminals—A well-meaning Bishop—Adderley's addresses to boys—Views on education— blue-stocking—Adderley's appointments to the living of Saltley " ! God bless what we are doing for Saltley .

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