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22 Eastern diplomacy. George was admitted to the English Bar, lived in a cultured coterie, achieved some success in the lighter branches of literature, and enhanced his personal embarrassments and his father's resentment by marrying a beautiful but portionless young Irishwoman. In the midst of family troubles and bootless prospects of rehabilitation, he became the father of a son who was destined to become famous in the annals of English statesmanship. Little, indeed, did the Fates seem then to promise that this child of sorrow should be Prime Minister of England, and the embodiment of all that was most brilliant in the politics of his day.

The genius of George Canning soon soared above family misfortunes. His uncle, Stratford, came to his aid. Eton and Christ Church smiled upon the accomplished scholar; London society welcomed a brilliant acquisition: the discrimination of Pitt secured a valuable recruit. Good Tories were rejoiced to have their views enforced by the wit which flashed in the best of political squibs. He had now climbed the dizzy heights of office, and held the portfolio of Foreign Affairs.

The successful statesman's fortunes were crowned in 1800 by his marriage with Joan, daughter, and co-heiress with the Duchess of Portland, of General Scott, a gentleman whose successes at the whist-table had made his daughters wealthy women. In 1812 George Canning was living in the enjoyment of great domestic happiness at Gloucester Lodge, an