XIV. 1726. with much unconcern. CHAP. of his failure. Of this Wharton himself speaks He writes to James, "I "had rather carry a musket in an odd-named "Muscovite regiment, than wallow in riches by "the favour of the usurper. . . . . I am told, from good hands, that I am to be intercepted by the enemy on my passage. I shall take the best precautions I can to obviate their malice. I set "out, infallibly, on Tuesday next, and hope to be "with you in three weeks, wind, weather, and "Whigs permitting !” * 66 When Wharton first arrived, he had found Ripperda lately returned from Vienna, created a Duke, and ruling the country as prime minister. Great efforts were expected from him for the regeneration of Spain, and the restoration of the Stuarts ; but in caprice, fickleness, and folly, Ripperda might be worthily compared even with Wharton himself. Though a Dutchman, he out-bragged the Spaniards themselves. He passed the day in boasting of the mighty things he meant to do. He gave the most opposite assurances in different quarters; and instead of deceiving others, only made them angry, and himself contemptible. According to William Stanhope, the British minister, "immediately after his "landing at Barcelona, all the officers of the gar"rison went to wait upon him, to whom he said, "that the Emperor had 150,000 men ready to "march at an hour's warning, and that Prince Eugene promised, that in case of a war, he would 66 * Letter, June 8. 1726. Appendix. "have as many more in six months. He told them, CHAP. "that if the Hanoverian league should dare to op 66 66 XIV. pose themselves to the designs of the Emperor 1726. "and Spain, France would be pillaged on all sides, "the King of Prussia, whom he was pleased al66 ways to call by the name of the grand grenadier, "would be driven out of his country by the Emperor in one campaign, as His Majesty would be "also in the same time out of his dominions in "Germany, and out of his English ones by the "Pretender; he added, that a reconciliation be"tween France and Spain should never be, whilst "he had any authority, and only wished to live "till that was brought about; as being assured he "should then die a very old man. 66 وو Yet to Mr. Stanhope himself, he professed the greatest confidence and friendship. "As to the Pretender," he said, "he must own his having "talked both here and at Vienna in his favour, but "that in his heart he was as sincerely in his Ma"jesty's interests, as the best subject he had; of "which he would give the most essential proofs 66 upon every occasion; that his talking in the man. "ner he had done, proceeded from his opinion of "making his court to their Catholic Majesties, "but more especially to appear zealous in his reli gion, which was much suspected in this country, "and to avoid passing for a heretic, and falling "into the hands of the Inquisition, who he was 66 66 very sure are very watchful over him, and look upon him as a CRISTIANO NUEVO. This was СНАР. what he said he would not, nor durst not say to "his confessor; but called God to witness in the 1726. "most solemn manner to the exact sincerity of "what he thus affirmed." Yet when Mr. Stanhope observed that all military equipments were proceeding with the utmost despatch, and at a vast expense-that the Spaniards were adding to the fortifications of Cadiz-that artillery, tents, and magazines were all preparing that a squadron was ordered to put to sea-when it was whispered to him by the Queen's Confessor, and other good authorities, that a war with France and England was absolutely resolved upon - he did not hesitate to assure his Government, that Ripperda's solemn protestations deserved no credit whatever. He concluded that all his speeches were designed only to gain time, and amuse the Court of St. James's, until the arrival of the Galleons and Flota, that were expected at Cadiz in June, with an immense quantity of treasure.* Ripperda had evidently taken Alberoni for his model; but altogether wanted both the lofty genius, and the laborious application of that remarkable man. It was soon found, that no reliance could be placed in his assertions, and any folly expected from his character. Rodomontades were his only resource on every occasion. Once at his levee, he boasted that he had six very good friends, God, the * Mr. W. Stanhope to Lord Townshend, Madrid, December 27. 1725. XIV. 1726. Holy Virgin, the Emperor and Empress, and the CHAP. King and Queen of Spain !* Yet whatever might be Ripperda's degree of favour in such high places, it is clear that he found none among the people. The English ambassador declares, that "he has "for inveterate enemies not only all the other mi"nisters, but the whole Spanish nation, to whom "he has rendered himself odious beyond imagin"ation...... It is also certain that the King is "extremely agitated and uneasy, and has daily disputes and quarrels with the Queen, who does "nothing but cry from morning till night.............. 'Ripperda has entirely changed his way of talking, "and is now become as abjectly fearful, as he was "before imperiously intrepid."+ The Austrian ambassador, Count Konigseck was still more indignant, finding how much Ripperda had bragged of the resources of the Spanish monarchy, and had promised more than he was able to perform. On the other hand, it became no less apparent that the forwardness of Austria had been greatly exaggerated by Ripperda to the Spanish Court, with the view to embolden them and recommend himself. Both parties, soon undeceived, and much disap * Comentarios de Don Joseph del Campo Raso, vol. i. p. 17. He truly adds, "Semejantes discursos daban de su capacidad "la opinion mas singular." + Mr. Stanhope to the Duke of Newcastle, March 25., April 11.1726. A Spanish historian admits Mr. Stanhope's accurate information," El incentivo de sus Guineas (o doblones) le "hacian penetrar el lo mas interior de las Secretarias de Estado." Campo Raso, vol. i. p. 69. CHAP. pointed, turned round upon Ripperda, and his own XIV. system of falsehood crushed him in its ruins. 1726. On the 14th of May he was informed that the King dispensed with his services, but granted him a pension of 3000 pistoles. His dismissal was hailed by the populace with loud acclamations, and muttered threats of tearing him to pieces. Ripperda, bewildered with his fall, and afraid either of mob violence, or of the Royal resentment, adopted the ignominious resolution of taking refuge in the house of the English minister, who had gone the day before to Aranjuez. On returning home that evening, Mr. Stanhope was not a little surprised to find in his apartments the lately arrogant Prime Minister of Spain imploring his protection. Nay more, so unmanned was Ripperda by his misfortune, and so grateful when Stanhope consented to shelter him, that he proceeded to disclose the highest secrets of his state. He communicated the particulars of the private agreement at Vienna, declaring that it aimed at nothing less than the total extirpation of the Protestant Religion; and that the King of Spain had said, that for such an object he would willingly sell his very shirt.* It seems probable, however, that Ripperda may have exaggerated these designs with a view to enhance the merit of his disclosures, or to inflame the British nation against * Mr. Keene's Memoir for the Duke of Newcastle, June 15. |