ing principles or traditions, and skilful in discerning
what concessions must be made to the liberal feelings
of the people, in order to gain their favour, he was far
better adapted for movement than for resistance, and
the flexible innovator was always perceptible behind
the eloquent conservative. As an avowed partizan
of Catholic emancipation, moreover, he was vehe-
mently rejected by Protestant Toryism. King
George IV. also regarded him with antipathy,
because he had been one of the favourites of his
wife, Queen Caroline, and because, at a later period,
he had held conspicuously aloof from the trial which
had published abroad the scandals of the royal house-
hold. Lord Liverpool, convinced that the Cabinet
could not dispense with the talent and influence of
Mr. Canning, had endeavoured, but in vain, to induce
the King to consent to his appointment. 'I will
undertake it,' said the Duke of Wellington, who
was accustomed to treatIV. with a rough
and unyielding respect, to which the intimidated
monarch always ended by giving way. He yielded
on this occasion, and Mr. Canning entered the Cabinet,
forced on the Tories by necessity, and on the King by
the chief of the Tories, in the name of that necessity.

His position as a member of the Government was
difficult and disagreeable. The King revenged himself
for having been obliged to admit him, by treating
him with marked disfavour. He did not invite him
to court, and would but rarely consent even to see
him, only once or twice a month, when public busi-
ness absolutely required it. Nor did Mr. Canning's

-23-