CORRESPONDENCE
by Henry Edward Fox, 4th Baron Holland of Holland and 4th Baron
Holland of Foxley (7 May 1802 – 18 December 1859),
and other members of his family to Dr Philip Nicholas Shuttleworth,
Bishop of Chichester (1782-1842) (12 letters).

Fox
was born at Holland House, London, the eldest legitimate child of the 3rd Baron
Holland and his wife, Elizabeth Vassal, and was educated at Christ Church,
Oxford. On 9 May 1833 he married Lady Mary Augusta Coventry (11 May 1812 – 23
September 1889) (a daughter of the 8th Earl of Coventry). He died without male
issue, in Naples, and his titles became extinct.

A
number of the letters are undated.

Covering note to the correspondence by Caroline Shuttleworth

Charles Fox was Lord
and Lady Holland’s eldest son, but being illegitimate, his younger brother
Henry succeeded to the title. He was the last Lord Holland and had no children.
His wife became a Roman Catholic. Both brothers and their wives were alive when
I came to Cottermore Gardens. Cox Fox (Charles)
living in Addison Road. Lord Holland largely abroad.

Paris,  August 30th 1831

My Dear Shuttleworth,

I am very glad to have an excuse to write to you as it
always gives me pleasure to hear from you and remind you of my existence.

I have just got the enclosed damning letter to which I have
replied as you see – however tho’ I am almost certain
that you paid the bill and have the receipt I do not like to send my reply till
you have ascertained that my recollection is correct – I know I had a heavy
bill at Loders(?) – I remember you paid some and I
believe the whole of it but would you be kind enough to ascertain -----; in
another fact I think it right you should know which is that Harry Fox also owes
a large bill to Messrs Laden and of course they may be trying to get that paid hor wine - will you forgive me for boring you on the
subject.

I am here only for a few days on my way back from Bruxelles. It has been a moment to see the chamber of Peers
commit involuntary suicide – I am sorry to observe that the enemies of the
present state of things have are very numerous and tho
far as ----- in the objects of their opposition they write very scornfully in
rendering the King and ministers odious and what is still more dangerous in
France – ridiculous.

Le Bartion has had an aplectic seizure and was for some time in considerable
danger – I hope he will be forced to retire for he is universally hated and
despised and he does discredit to Perien for whose
integrity and moderation even his enemies have respect. I long to see the
Reform Bill thro the Lords – it would give me and all your friends at Holland
House the greatest pleasure should you be in that chamber time enough to give
it a friendly note – I know you are high in Lord Grey’s list of Oxford
candidates for a mitre and you need not be told how happy it would make me to
see it towering over your long nose.

Ever yours,

H E Fox

Rome 24th February

My Dear Shuttleworth,

I cannot take such an important step in my life as that of
matrimony without writing to announce it to you whom I always look upon as my
earliest friend and to whom I feel indebted for whatever good I have in me.

In a few weeks I shall be united to Lord Coventry’s
daughter. I say nothing of her as I hope you will have occasion to judge
yourself of her purity which are the more remarkable as they certainly are no
part of her inheritance nor are they the effect of her education which has been
to ---- and even .... that it might have ruined any
disposition less good at well acquired.

It is still a secret to many, do not announce it yet. I
could not resist telling it to you myself as I know the real interest and
affection you have felt for me.

Ever most sincerely and gratefully,

Your,

H E Fox

Ordnance Office  7th May 1833

My Dear old Shuttleworth,

Many thanks for your kind Note – Franny
shall have its enclosure.

Henry is much better and has been ----- on the 20th
April on the -----. I believe of going to be married at Florence. May be dear
boy, be happy! Everybody who knows Lady Augusta speaks well of her temper and
manners and beauty and I think Henry if she has sense and affection for him
will prove a most excellent husband.

I wish I could do as much Virgil daily as your nice little
Boy and had I had a new chance under you when quite a youngster I cannot
but think I should have been better in all ways than I turned out.

My wife is now pretty well but had a very severe and long
attack of -----, she was six or seven days in her bed and room. I had it more
slightly.

I trust you will make my house your dormitory at least if any thing brings you up to town – we are now thank Heaven
again at our own Home though business and Parliament keep me the greater part
of the day out of it.

With kindest remembrance to Mrs S.

Believe me ever very Dear Friend,

your C H Fox

I believe I told you how very interested and pleased Mary
was with your work which she made in the winter, all I do in that way is very
little indeed but I do read a sermon aloud to her every Sunday and generally
one of Leeds which I like extremely, to you know him?

Holland House, Saturday 24th

Dear Shuttleworth,

Lady Holland feels as you do about the funeral. It was with
difficulty we persuaded her not to go herself. It is to be on Wednesday at 2
o’clock in Milbrook church near Ampshill.
Here dear Georgina was interred. The funeral procession will leave here on Tuesday
and the Browning coaches will be in attendance at the gate leading to Ampshill and Woburn about half a mile from the place of
interment. Charles will give you further details.

Yours truly,

John Allen

Pall Mall
1836  25th
February

My dear Shuttleworth,

I have not heard so much about the vacant see as I would
have expected during the last two days but I am quite sure that I shall and
that when I do I shall hear your name talked of. You I am sure know I believe
how very anxious I should be to see you get what you ought and what I think you
would like. I know nothing about it but I should like to be able to say I could
when I hear a dits about you
that I am certain you would support the church expropriation question of
Ireland if brought forward. I of course really mean that I should like this if
you did and felt you could conscientiously do so, for to do otherwise would be
unlike yourself and I respect and love you too much to wish you could do so if
not your own opinion. If however such is your opinion I should like to be able
to say I was sure of it to any of my friends or others who may talk of you. If
it is not so, I shall merely hold my tongue.

The Government are quite rejoiced at their act respecting Dr
Honyden(?)
who has pleased those he has seen very much in London besides his stoutness and
straightforwardness. I met the brother of one of your heads of Houses (I believe)
the other day who gave me a very amusing account of the violence of some
amongst you. I even heard that they had discussed at one college table how many
Masters of Art are capable of bearing arms!

John Russell’s speech has pleased all parties and surely
this quiet Death of that dangerous and unquiet society in a most important
point gained.

I am interrupted by the post going.

Adieu and pray do not be angry or think me presumptuous in
writing as I have. My only wish is to see for everything that you wish.

Ever your dear Shuttleworth,

H Fox

Ordnance
1836 12th April

Dear Shuttleworth,

I am afraid I cannot much assist you regarding the Tweed
Fisheries, but I will send your friends letter to Sir Robert Boukin(?)
MP for Berwick.

It would be strange if my father and all of us did not love
and wish to serve you. How I regret you had not the gout in both hands and a
small harmless wandering from blight fever when that foolish old hell went up
to Peel! However I by no means understand that you are not to have one of the
future and very imminent vacancies. The appointment by one not known, but I
believe Butler to Lichfield and Thinwall(?) or Legwick(?) to Ely. Ely must
have a Cambridge Man they say. I really cannot but think they must appoint you
after those two are filled, but I know nothing I assure you.

Ever yours, most sincerely,

C H Fox

House of Commons  Wednesday

My Dear Shuttleworth,

My father read your letter just now and bid me tell you that
it is honourable and candid in you to have written in a quiet title yourself,
in which I need not say I most heartily concur, at the same time he bid me add
that he fears that in the event of any opportunities of promotion in the church
occurring, should the late ministry be again in power, it would of course be
more difficult to obtain it for you, since those who had not taken a part in
any petition of this sort would naturally have superior claims.

I cannot say how sorry I am that you took any part in the
petition though I can more easily forgive one of you profession for so doing
and acting under the conviction that the property of the church in inalienable,
an opinion which I see many, very conscientiously hold, but which to me appears
unaccountable.

My father will I dare say write to you himself and you know
him too well not to be sure that his own kind feelings would not be carried
towards you any more than those of your own affectionate,

C H Fox.

Peel will at 5 o’clock give us the news, I believe there is
no doubt that he has resigned and it is rumoured here that Lord Lyndhurst
announced it in his court. Pray read Perrin’s speech last night, he is as fine
honest upright man and a very sincere protestant respected by all parties.

I do not know anything of Henry’s intentions but do not
think he will come home. I don’t want to keep out O’Conner.

Holland House   24th
October 1840

Dear Dr Shuttleworth,

I add a line to say that there will be a bed for you at my
house on Tuesday night at Addison Road and if you will write me one line there
will be dinner at any hour. I you please and I will then let you know at what
hour we will start in the morning for our melancholy Duty to my best of fathers!

I was absent when I heard of this, but thank God, for it was
at his request that I was to. I left him excellently well on Sunday night!

God bless you very dear kind friend.

C H Fox

Address me here.

Holland House

Dear Shuttleworth,

Tho’ I have not written to you or
heard from you I have heard much of you from all quarters and believe me there
exists hardly any one about whom I feel a more lively
interest than yourself. I am in hope some thing or
other may soon bring you to town for I am very anxious to see you – the last
peep I had of you was a very short and unsatisfactory one indeed – My father
has been very unwell but is now I think getting quickly quite well and much
better already for having moved from our dingy working quarters in London to
this airy house in which he finds so many of his pursuits and amusements – The
immediate cause of my writing to you in to enclose the name of a connexion of
Lady Lansdowne – that she is extremely anxious to get a  foundation at Winchester. Other
wise I had not intended writing but I could propos
to come and pay you a visit for a few days – a proposal I cannot make just now
but which I hope you will let me do later in the year.

Believe me my dear Heart, Ever affectionately and gratefully
yours,

H E Fox

Pray remember me to Mrs Shuttleworth
who has not I hope forgotten.

Holland House 1840 22nd October

My Dear Lord,

It is with the deepest sorrow I write these few lines to
inform you that your old and dear Friend Lord Holland has this morning at 6
o’clock been removed by the Lord of all wise ----- to another world. It is a
most sudden and bitter affliction to poor lady H and Miss Fox. Alas! Poor
Charles was gone down of Duchy of Lancaster business to Burton on Trent for a few
days.

Indeed we truly know not what one day may bring forth! He
was not quite well on Tuesday but got up as usual on Wednesday morning, but
when up had a shivering frost and begged to return to bed which he did. Dr
Holland who attended him tells me that from the first moment almost he was
alarmed then that the discent made no stay but went
on increasing so rapidly that all hope was soon over, and this morning at 6
o’clock he breathed his last, happily he suffered little or no pain. I write in
great haste I dread the effect on poor Charles.

Yours truly,

Mary Fox (Lord H E Fox’s wife)

1841
5th January

Your letter gave me much pleasure – You may guess how much I
have suffered and am still suffering. I often sat down to write to you as I
well know none would feel more for me than one who has always been kind but I
could not.

I am truly rejoiced my dear Shuttleworth
or tho’ you be a bishop and I want always to think of
you that way, dear father was gratified in seeing you when he so long had
wished to please you and to which he so ---- judged you would be an honour and
an -----. Almost the last letter I ever had from him was full of you and his
unmixed satisfaction at seeing one so worthy of such an honour promoted by his
exertion – I do not know what way --- will but I will not leave England without
seeing you be certain of that.

Think twice before you take Lord Donovon’s
house it is very very cold – lofty rooms all to the
north.

Why do not you take rooms in town while your duties in town
call you here.

Augusta desires to be kindly remembered to you – yours ever
believe me most affect yours,

H E Fox

Lilford  11th
January 1842

My dear Mrs Shuttleworth,

Forgive my thus intruding on your grief but I cannot refrain
from expressing to you our deep and heartfelt sympathy under your present heavy
bereavement.

May God support and strengthen you! I well know here after
you will be enabled to derive consolation from the only and highest service of
all comfort – but these first days of any which are bitter and hard to bear!

It seems selfish indeed to think of one’s own feelings at
such a time, but we both most sincerely revered him, it has pleased the
Almighty to take him from you, and I cannot look back upon a time when I did
not both know and love him. Once more may God in his mercy bless and sustain
you and your dear children.

Ever my Dear Mrs Shuttleworth,
most truly, most sincerely,

Mrs M E Lilford.

A note in
pencil: Lady Lilforde was the Holland’s only
daughter. Her name was Mary.