Political Recollections, Part II: Lord Brougham
A further selection from a memoir Barrington composed towards the close of his life and transmitted to his kinsman, the third Earl of Durham. Through his connections with leading political families, and official appointments he held at 10 Downing Street and the Treasury, Barrington was in an excellent position from which to observe and comment on the personalities of the nineteenth century including Brougham, Melbourne, Peel and Gladstone.
You will have gathered already how much I admired both your Grandfather and mine,1 and I think I have also indicated what a rascal Brougham was. Still, something more should be stated, showing his conceit and rascality.
As to the first, here is an anecdote to the point. There is near Alnmouth a ford on the Ain which you may ride when the tide is not too nigh; one day my Grandfather, who had Brougham staying with him at Howick, proceeded to cross by this ford, when the marks by the river side indicated that it was rather doubtful if the crossing was safe. Halfway over Lord Grey, who led the way, turned in his saddle and said, “Brougham, can you swim?”
Brougham replied, “I never have swam, but have no doubt I could if I tried.” One is reminded of the man who, when he was asked whether he could play the fiddle, answered that he did not know because he had never made the attempt.
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