ably the most peaceful of his life, and they
served to create for him a reputation altogether new, and such as
to cancel all former recollections. His age was venerable, his
society was delightful, and there was an exhibition of
conservative wisdom, 'of moderate and healing counsels,' in all
his thoughts, words, and actions very becoming to his age and
station, vastly influential from his sagacity and experience, and
which presented him to the eyes of men as a statesman like
Burleigh or Clarendon for prudence, temperance, and discretion.
Here therefore he acquired golden opinions, and was regarded by
all ranks and all parties with respect, and by many with sincere
regard. When he was attacked in the House of Lords the Duke of
Wellington rose in his defence, and rebuked the acrimony of his
own friends. Talleyrand was deeply affected at this behaviour of
the Duke. I regret much not having availed myself of the
opportunities I might have had to listen to and record the talk
of Talleyrand, but the fact is, he was so inarticulate, and I so
deaf, that the labour would have been greater than I could go
through for the object. The account which my brother has sent me
of the circumstances which preceded his death, and of his
reconciliation with the Church, are very curious.[3] He had
always desired to die at Valencay, in order to avoid the scandal
which he apprehended there might be in Paris from the severity of
the Archbishop, but it was contrived to get everything quietly
and decently settled, and he died in peace with the Church, and
with all the absolutions and benedictions that she could have
bestowed upon the most faithful of her sons.

[3] [These particulars are now published in the 'Leaves
from the Journals of Henry Greville,' selected by his
niece, the Viscountess Enfield.]

May 27th, 1838 {p.096}

[Page Head: CHARACTER OF LADY HARROWBY.]

Yesterday, at two o'clock, died, after a week's illness, of a low
bilious fever, Lady Harrowby,[4] the oldest and most intimate of
my friends, and the woman in the world for whom I had the
greatest respect and regard. My intercourse with her had been
much diminished for many years past; such changes take place in
our social habits without any cause except those which the lapse
of time, different pursuits, ties, and habits, bring about. There
is a melancholy satisfaction in dwelling upon the noble qualities
which death has extinguished, and the excell