Exit Lady Masham
“He was Irish-born, a bachelor of middle years, a lazy man, but of prodigious energy and a one-time secretary of the late Sir William Temple, who had long represented our government in Holland. Following Sir William's death he had returned to Dublin and had now been sent over by the Church of Ireland to petition the crown for the grant of certain tithes. I do not even know whether or not he was ultimately successful in his embassy, for this mission seemed to be engulfed in the larger one of his ...becoming, for three years, the close advisor and spokesman to the press of the Tory leaders.
How did he manage it? Even now it is difficult to say. He had neither money nor birth, nor any great connections, at least until he had conquered the total admiration of two men as different as Harley and St. John. He was neither soft of speech nor gently persuasive; indeed, he could be harsh and dogmatic, and he was plainly outspoken in an age of the crudest flattery. He was always voicing opinions that were near heresy, in both ecclesiastical and political matters, and although women exercised great influence over our statesmen, he was never credited with—or accused of—a love affair at court.MoreLess
How did he manage it? Even now it is difficult to say. He had neither money nor birth, nor any great connections, at least until he had conquered the total admiration of two men as different as Harley and St. John. He was neither soft of speech nor gently persuasive; indeed, he could be harsh and dogmatic, and he was plainly outspoken in an age of the crudest flattery. He was always voicing opinions that were near heresy, in both ecclesiastical and political matters, and although women exercised great influence over our statesmen, he was never credited with—or accused of—a love affair at court.MoreLess
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