[148] Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort. [He held the office only until 1780. In 1786 he was made a Knight of the Garter. He died in 1803.—E.]
[149] The debate is reported in Cavendish, vol. i. pp. 61–8. This was one of the first steps towards that fatal entanglement in which the characters of so many public men suffered by their being drawn into a line of conduct contrary to their former professions, and their known political principles.—E.
[150] Cavendish, vol. i. pp. 168–75. Lord Barrington evidently wanted a vote of approbation to countenance his very injudicious letter; and judging from the tenor of his public life, as well as from the course pursued by the Ministers on this occasion, there is strong ground for suspecting that Lord Barrington had written the letter to please the King or even at his Majesty’s instigation.—See supra, p. 211.—E.
[151] Cavendish, vol. i. pp. 75–76.—E.
[152] Mr. Hopkins, of Oving House, near Aylesbury, M.P. for Great Bedwin. He was appointed Clerk of the Green Cloth, through the Duke’s interest. He left his estate to his nephew, General Northey, who thereupon took the name of Hopkins, and has died very recently.—E.
[153] Cavendish, vol. i. p. 77, &c.—E.
[154] Cavendish, vol. i. p. 100.—E.
[155] It was the same day put off to the 12th. (Cavendish, vol. i. p. 78.)—E.
[156] Chauncey Townshend. They were not related to Lord Townshend’s family. [Mr. James Townsend was at this time M.P. for West Looe. Lord Shelburne brought him in for Calne on Mr. Dunning’s elevation to the peerage, and he represented that borough till his death in 1787. He spoke at times with considerable effect in the House of Commons. One quality very requisite to the success of a popular leader he certainly possessed,—and that was, resolution; he showed it on all occasions. I have heard, on good authority, that a highway robbery having once been committed in his neighbourhood, he disguised himself as a countryman, and with his friend, the late Mr. Parker of Munden, in Hertfordshire, set out in search of the offender, and succeeded in overpowering and apprehending him. Mr. Parker used to dwell on the man’s ludicrous astonishment in discovering that his captors were gentlemen.—E.]
[157] Daughter of Sir Orlando Bridgman. His second wife was Miss Stevenson. She died a few weeks after the marriage.—E.