FRERE, Toing Hoot/Tiny, 1796-1841. At Eton'college, in 1785, he contracted an inti macy with Canning, which greatly influenced his after-life. From Eton he went to Cambridge, where he graduated in 1795. He commenced his public career in the for eign office under lord Grenville, and from 1796 to 1802 represented a Cornish borough in parliament. He warmly seconded Canning in the defense of Pitt's administration, and was an enetgetic contributor to the pages of the Anti-Jacobin. When Canning was appointed to the board of trade, be replaced him as under-secretary of state; in Oct., 1800, he was appointed envoy extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Lisbon; and, Sept., 1802, he was transferred to where he remained for two years. He was recalled en account of a personal disagreement, but his conduct was approved by the ministry, and in 1808, he was'again sent out as plenipotentiary to Ferdinand VII. The condition of Spain rendered his position a very responsible and difficult one, yet had it not been for one unfortunate step he would have left the country with greatly increased reputa tion. When Napoleon began to advance on Madrid it became a matter of supreme importance to decide whether sir John Moore, who was then in the n. of Spain, should
endeavor to anticipate the occupation of the capital or merely make good his retreat; and if he did retreat, whether he should do so by Portugal or by Galicia. Frere was strongly of the opinion that the bolder was the better course, and he persistently urged his views on sir John Moore. After the disastrous retreat to Commis, the public accused Frere of having by his advice endangered the British army, and, though no direct censure was passed upon his conduct by the government, he was called home, and the marquis of Wellesley was appointed in his place. Thus ended Frere's public life.
Ile afterwards refused to undertake an embassy to St. Petersburg, tutd twice declined the honor of a peerage. In 1816, he married Elizabeth Jemima, dowager countess of Erroll; and in 1820, on account of her failing health, he went with her to the Mediter ranean. In quiet retirement he devoted himself to various literary labors, studied Greek authors, and taught himself Hebrew and Maltese. His hospitality was well known to many an English guest, and his charities and courtesies endeared him to his Maltese neighbors.