HC Deb 25 April 1843 vol 68 cc899-901
Sir R. Peel

I dare say, Sir, that any Gentleman who may have given notice of a motion which stands for to-night will permit me, in conformity with usual courtesy, shortly to interpose for the purpose of carrying out the intention of which I gave notice last night, of proposing an address of condolence to her Majesty, on account of the loss which the country and her Majesty have sustained by the lamented death of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex. The motion with which I shall conclude, of course, contains an address of sympathy to her Majesty, and a tribute of public respect to the character and memory of the Duke of Sussex. Though the Duke of Sussex was not called upon to perform distinguished military services, and though, by his position, he was precluded from rendering any great services in a civil capacity, yet, by the force of his own character and conduct, he succeeded in establishing claims on the respect and public attachment of his country. His long residence by preference in England—his truly English habits—his conciliatory manners and demeanour—his habits of friendly and social converse with all classes of society —his zeal in the promotion of every object connected with science and literature, a zeal the more effectual on account of his own literary and scientific attainments—the readiness with which he, in common with all other members of the Royal Family, made every sacrifice of time and personal interest for the advancement of every object connected with charity and benevolence; all these constitute claims on the grateful remembrance which must long endear his name to the people of this country. I must also add, that the integrity, consistency, and disinterestedness with which his Royal Highness maintained, throughout his life, those political opinions which he professed, must have naturally established a strong point of connection and attachment between him and those who shared those opinions with him; whilst they entitled him no less to the respect of those who differed from him. His Royal Highness combined the firm maintenance of his own opinions in political matters with such an absence of asperity towards those who differed with him, that it is impossible he should have left behind him a political enemy. I have thus, in calm and simple language, endeavoured to enumerate the strong titles which his Royal Highness had to public respect, and which every one will admit. I have said nothing that is not in precise conformity with the truth, and I am sure that the simple statement of the truth forms a panegyric much more suitable to the character of his Royal Highness than any elaborate or inflated encomium that could have been passed upon him. With these few short observations, I shall submit to the House a motion which I hope will meet with their unanimous concurrence. I beg to move, that an humble address be presented to her Majesty, to express the deep concern of this House at the loss which her Majesty has sustained by the death of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, to condole with her Majesty on the melancholy occasion; and to assure her Majesty that this House will ever participate with the most affectionate and dutiful attachment in whatever may concern the feeling and interest of her Majesty and of her illustrious House.

Lord J. Russell

The right hon. Gentleman will perhaps allow me the honour to second the motion. I should hardly have added a word to what has been so well and so feelingly said by the right hon. Gentleman on this subject, but that I had the honour of an intimate acquaintance with the late Duke of Sussex, and was most sincerely attached to him. With regard to his political opinions, what the right hon. Baronet has said is perfectly true, that their consistency attracted the respect not only of his friends, but also of his political opponents. I will not say one word as to whether these opinions were right or erroneous, but I will say that they were opinions taken up from thorough conviction—that they were not opinions which were naturally in conformity with; his birth or rank, but opinions which he; advocated as tending to the maintenance of the constitution under which he was born, and to the benefit of the people amongst whom he lived. With respect to his attachment to science and literature, there was nothing of ostentation in his devotion to these pursuits. There was nothing on his part like a pretence of conferring honour on those with whom he associated. It was, on the contrary, a love of these subjects on which he was well entitled by his attainments and study to speak, by which he was animated, and which enabled him freely to converse on such subjects with those who had devoted their time to them. I shall only add that I sincerely agree with the regret which the right hon. Gentleman has expressed, and in the expressions of condolence and deep sympathy to her Majesty for the great loss which she and the country have alike sustained.

Motion agreed to nem. con.