Holland, Lord
HENRY RICHARD VASSALL FOX, 3RD BARON HOLLAND
Lord Holland born on 21 November 1773 at Winterslow House, Wiltshire, only
son of Stephen Fox, 2nd Baron Holland (who had inherited both the barony of
Holland of Foxley from his father and the barony of Holland of Holland from
his mother) and Lady Mary Fitzpatrick (daughter of earl of Upper Ossory) - 6
weeks later almost died in fire (9 Jan 1774) that destroyed the house:
rescued by mother. His father died in Dec 1774, making him 3rd Baron Holland
at age of of one, and his mother in 1778, and so from age five Holland was
placed under guardianship of maternal grandfather and uncle, but in fact
taken up by paternal uncle, the great Whig politician Charles James Fox -
extremely clever, forceful, and famously debauched. During boyhood and
adolescence, Holland came to adore Charles James Fox, who became dominant
intellectual influence in his life.
Holland educated at Eton, and in 1790 entered Christ Church, Oxford, but
remained there only a year (was awarded M.A. in June 1792 in his absence),
after making several important friends, including Lord Carlisle, Canning,
Hookham Frere, and Robert Smith. Found Oxford full of "pedantry without
science, insolence without learning, and intolerance without firmness", and
so with CJF's encouragement he left in summer of 1791 and spent next five
years travelling round Europe. First visited Paris, where was introduced to
Lafayette and Talleyrand, then went to Denmark and Prussia, then Spain and
Italy - met Nelson at Leghorn, and settled in Florence in autumn 1793 until
early 1796. Here met many expats, including 40-yr-old Louise of Stolberg,
Countess of Albany - widow of Young Pretender - then living openly with poet
and dramatist Alfieri - can't find anything on love affair between them: in
fact, from Jan 1794 in Florence was instead madly in love with his future
wife Lady Webster (Elizabeth Vassall), the extremely wayward wife of Sir
Godfrey Webster. Pair conducted passionate affair in Florence and Naples,
and then left Italy together in early 1796 (after having portrait finished
by Fabre, 1795-96), travelling back to England via Germany. Couple arrived
back in England in June 1796, and effectively moved in together in London -
to great scandal etc., made considerably worse when Elizabeth Vassall gave
birth to their son, Charles Richard, in Oct 1796. Sir Godfrey Webster
obtained a decree for separation in Feb 1797, and couple were divorced by
Act of Parliament on 3 July - "overjoyed" Holland and Elizabeth Vassall
married 3 days later on 6 July 1797. Under terms of settlement, Webster
received £6,000 in damages and promise of £7,000 p.a. from revenue of West
Indian estates - thus Hollands in straitened financial circumstances, but
proved remarkably happy and successful marriage. (Sir Godfrey Webster
committed suicide in 1800).
Elizabeth Vassall: born Golden Square, Soho in 1771. Family owned large
estates in Cornwall County, Jamaica, and when her father died in 1795 she
became rich heiress, plus was one of most beautiful women of her generation.
Thus, was highly sought after, and in 1786 was married at age of 15 to
49-yr-old Sir Godfrey Webster, with whom she had three children. No love in
marriage, and by 1790 EV becoming wayward and people gossiping: result was
that Webster took his wife abroad in Jan 1791, where she remained (except
for break of 4 months, Sep-Dec 1793) til June 1796. Like Holland, loved
European travel, gave her mastery of foreign languages, plus exciting
experiences - heard Robespierre speak in National Assembly, met Mme de
Stael, became one of principle favourites at Neapolitan Court. Meanwhile,
Webster found pace of life and wife's behaviour too much (social attitudes
in English colonies abroad far laxer than in England), and he returned home
in early 1792, leaving EV in company of greatest confidante Lady
Bessborough, mother of Lady Caroline Lamb, whom Byron called "the hack whore
of the last century". Together EV and Bessborough went on what was virtually
series of hunting expeditions for young Englishmen visiting Italy as part of
the Grand Tour: during these 5 yrs, EV had affairs with Viscount Morpeth,
Sir Gilbert Elliot, William Wyndham, and Thomas Pelham. Thus, when met
Holland was already a highly controversial woman, a visit from whom was
necessarily compromising. Holland however cared nothing for all this, and
immediately wanted to marry her.
Holland came back aged 22, knowing French, Spanish and Italian, with
passable German and Portuguese - thus perfectly equipped to embark on
involvement with European affairs. Was never any doubt that he would enter
politics, but unlike his uncle and grandfather (Henry Fox, 1st Baron
Holland) was not primed for career based on oratory - Holland had been
plagued from early life by bad stammer, and although cd mostly control this
by adulthood, came back in times of stress (nervousness at public speaking
had not worn off by 1835) - plus from early adulthood had excrutiating
attacks of gout. However, abs. had to have a public career - so took his
seat in House of Lords on 5 October 1796, making his maiden speech on 9
January 1798 in debate on the Assessed Taxes Bill. However, scandal
concerning his wife had made public and private life difficult for Holland:
divorce and birth of illegitimate son had been scandal of the year, and for
2 or 3 yrs Lady Holland cd not attend any social function without causing
confusion and embarrassment. Further, even spirit of liberality and
toleration of Fox family pushed too far - Charles James Fox refused to
attend wedding and sister Caroline Fox estranged. Tinge of moral disapproval
never really left couple, even forty years on. Meanwhile, affected life at
Holland House, which was to visitors always foreign, exotic - partly cos
always had Italian, Spanish or black servants, but also cos of influence of
Lady Holland - and ultimately became one of most exciting places in London.
In 1797, Whig party had been split badly over French Revolution, but was so
entirely dominated by Charles James Fox that his views were now the party's
views. As result, Holland, his nephew and political heir, had an assured
position in politics that cd not be dispelled even by mass moral disapproval
- thus couple were rehabilitated sufficiently that Holland cd pursue his
political career.
As politician, Holland was widely known never to have made a decision for
himself: instead simply accepted political dictation from Charles Fox, from
his sister Caroline, and ultimately from his wife. John Russell, 6th Duke of
Bedford, and one of Holland's closest friends thought him "entirely without
judgment or discretion, and this I have thought for the last 22 years".
Seems that nervousness and insecurity made him apply to any given situation
a family tradition handed down and interpreted by other people. His
strengths, however, were those associated with Fox family: was generally
considered one of most agreeable and amiable men of his generation, was
loyal and affectionate friend, was extremely charming dinner companion, v.
quick witted and humorous - one quote: news that Prince Regent had decided
to give up wearing of corsets greeted with "Royalty without support makes a
bad figure - what would such a relaxation of all restraint produce . . .
what great bodies would it separate . . . it would clearly subvert or rather
overturn and demolish the form of our happy constitution". Like Charles,
Holland not fond of sport, and followed him so exactly in total indifference
to religion that many females shocked - little heroic in his character and
much wayward, but like CJF and other Foxes he inspired general feeling of
genuine affection. This amiability and social connections, when combined
with his wife's energy, wealth and determination, made them a formidable
political couple - wife quickly grasped whole bag of Fox family creed, and
took them over completely, guaranteeing third generation of political
influence for Fox family.
Both Lord and Lady Holland saw Holland House (in Holland Park) as way of
exercising power: idea of salon from Europe etc. - which Lady Holland ruled
over. Holland House salon v. big news in London for next few 30 yrs, where
guests were lobbied for votes, ambassadors and foreign politicians
cross-questioned and/or courted (e.g Talleyrand great favourite), and
occasionally even Cabinet meetings were hosted at moments of crisis. Plus
big patronage element - endless stream of young men were put through paces
and then found employment if talented enough. Way that Lady Holland found
power, plus maintained imperial style elsewhere: always travelled in convoy
with several maids and footmen and at least one doctor, plus abroad always
rented large house of hotel in which salon world would be immediately
recreated - made visitations rather than visits. Got more imperious as got
older: while travelling by train for first time, she personally ordered
Brunel to slow down to under 20 mph "in spite of the protestations of the
passengers", plus by 1840s became intolerably moralistic (despite her past).
Not surprisingly, according to Sydney Smith (c. 1811), London apothecaries
specialised in production of pills for people who had been frightened at
Holland House. Partly ferocity of LH, partly incredible calibre of guests:
successful evening in LH's words was where had been "not one person who was
not remarkable for sense, wit, acquirement or some distinguishing quality" -
poets (from 1812, Byron - who in 'English Bards and Scottish Reviewers' had
satirized her and was out of favour til dedicated 'the 'Bride of Abydos' to
Holland in reparation - went frequently), novelists and writers (e.g. Walter
Scott, Bulwer Lytton, Fenimore Cooper, Washington Irving, Dickens,
Macaulay), ambassadors, members of Royal Academy and Royal Society,
politicians and revolutionaries - thus dinners nerve-wracking for newcomers
but never dull.
However, Hollands clearly totally complemented each other: she ruffled
feathers, he smoothed them etc. - his patience and understanding almost
infinite, but she had all the ambition and energy. Major area of difficulty
of personal life was their children, as LH apparently had no maternal
feelings whatsoever: she lost sight of her three children with Webster
almost totally (with apparently no regrets), plus long absences abroad meant
that Hollands saw very little of three own surviving children - illegitimate
Charles, and legitimate Henry Edward (Holland's heir) and Mary - with
Holland, greatly loved by children, too weak to insist on seeing them. Big
bone of contention was refusal of eldest legitimate son, Henry Edward, to
enter politics: caused huge rows, and eventually settled on diplomatic
career - appears cos meant cd go abroad, away from family. Such was
disappointment of parents, that they virtually adopted Lord John Russell as
substitute son - had just right tastes and abilities: LJR was eventually
entrusted with guardianship of CJF's letters (and thus of Foxite tradition),
and was major beneficiary in LH's will (left him estate at Kennington - on
which Oval still stands - easily most valuable thing she possessed). LH
regarded her children as "commonplace" cos lacked political interest or
flair - wrote, "I hate my son; I don't like my daughter" - plus both parents
totally disregarded illegitimate son Charles.
Despite supposedly pursuing some kind of career in politics, Holland spent
much of period 1791-1809 abroad - after extensive tour of France (during
which they met Napoleon at Malmaison - remained ardent admirers of his,
sending message of respect and sympathy at Elba in 1814, and parcels of
books and Neapolitan sweetmeats at St. Helena - highly controversial etc; in
return, he left LH a gold snuffbox given to him by Pius VI in 1797, and she
procured and preserved as relics a ring and cross of the Legion of Honour
which had belonged to him, a sock which he had worn at his death, and a copy
of the 'Edinburgh Review' containing pencil marks in his hand), Italy,
Germany, Austria, Denmark 1791-96, was further excursion to Germany in 1800,
and 1802-05 and again in 1808-09 they travelled in Spain and Portugal,
developing intense interest in Iberian peninsula and establishing themselves
as authorities on Iberian politics. Both had literary ambitions also - LH
wrote her 'Spanish Journal' on return, while Holland published his biography
of Lope de Vega.
Politics: Whigs in opposition from 1784 to 1806 and from 1807 to 1830 -
organizational vacuum of party in opposition provided by Holland House, with
dinners often called to discuss a particular topic etc., and greatly
influenced development of party thinking. All this dominated by ideas of
Charles James Fox - died in 1806, and next 40-odd years spent by Holland in
defence of his uncle's every political statement - became one of his
principal duties in politics. Holland's early political career entirely
stage-managed by his uncle, and then became great advocate of uncle's
libertarian politics - e.g. always resisting suspensions of the Habeas
Corpus Act, continually arguing for emancipation of slaves in West Indies
(despite having wife's extensive plantations in Jamaica), opposing the Act
of Union with Ireland (1801) and continually advocating its repeal, while at
same time working for Catholic Emancipation. However, although a loyal and
active member (when actually in the country), he was never personally
powerful in Whig party. Only occasionally gained significant position: e.g.
in Oct 1806, shortly after CJF's death, Holland became Lord Privy Seal in
Lord Grenville's coalition; although during short tenure he helped to secure
the abolition of the slave trade in the British colonies, he was forced to
leave office with the rest of the Cabinet in March 1807. Seemed in fact to
be shy of high office: e.g. in 1812 Holland declined Grey's offer of the
Whig opposition leadership, although was keen in 1827 to be foreign
secretary (in Canning and Goderich ministeries), but it was disallowed as
King George IV refused to admit another Whig to the Cabinet.
In November 1830, when Whigs finally returned to power, Holland was
appointed chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster in Grey's reform ministry,
and, except for the brief period of Sir Robert Peel's first ministry
(November 1834-April 1835), he held that office until his death. Thus, in
Whig (Grey and Melbourne) cabinets of 1830s, Holland had no official voice
in formulation of foreign policy - sat in Cabinet as Chancellor of the Duchy
of Lancaster only - in fact, Holland House often running own foreign policy
counter to that of govt. However, during this period he did manage to steer
the Anglo-French entente through - always v. pro French (once Napoleon in
power).
Lord Holland died on 22 October 1840: his wife wrote, "This wretched day
closes all happiness, refinement and hospitality within the walls of Holland
House." Letters of condolence fill whole volume of Holland House
manuscripts. The salon closed abruptly, and for remaining five yrs of her
life (died 1845), LH moved into London, to house in South Street, Grovesnor
Square, where gave fewer parties etc and only rarely revisited Holland
House. After Holland's death, the protests he entered into the journals of
the House of Lords were collected and edited by Moylan, barrister at
Lincoln's Inn, as 'The Opinions of Lord Holland as recorded in the Journals
of the House of Lords from 1797 to 1841'., while his 'Foreign Reminiscences'
were edited by son Henry Edward and published in 1850 - was highly praised
in 'Edinburgh Review' (1851 - which Hollands had greatly supported), but was
denounced by Croker in 'Quarterly Review' as full of libel. Also wrote
series of pamphlets and shorter works, some literary some political, but his
most important work remains his 'Memoirs of the Whig Party during my Time'
(ed by his son), 1852, which gives valuable history of the Whigs 1797-1809.