[36] “Memoirs of the Life of Thomas, Marquess of Wharton; to which is added his character by Sir Richard Steele.” London, 1715. 8vo.
[37] Lord Grimston’s curious comedy, in five acts and in verse(!), “The Lawyer’s Fortune, or Love in a Hollow Tree,” was first published in 1704, as a quarto; being a foolish attempt, in fact, the merest trash, the author, it is said, suppressed it. The edition printed, as alleged, by the Duchess of Marlborough’s orders, is dated 1736. Besides the heading of an elephant performing on a rope, a satirical frontispiece was engraved, in which Lord Grimston is seen interrogating a sage, ensconced in the “hollow tree” of his play; a jackass is the most conspicuous object in the foreground; the animal wears a coronet, and is intended to typify the doltish author, who is farther ridiculed in a burlesque dedication “To the Right Sensible the Lord Flame.”
[38] Queen Anne.
[39] The Sacheverell riots.
[40] “Catalogue of the Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum,” vol. iii.
[41] “The Humours of an Election” seems to have inspired not only artists and balladists, but playwrights and opera composers also. “The Humours of the Town, a Dramatic Interlude,” referring to the contested election of 1774, is of this order. M.P. Andrews wrote “a new musical Interlude” under this title, 1774. “The Election,” a comedy in three acts, appeared in 1749; and “a new opera, called the Election,” was published in 1817. “The Country Election,” a farce in two acts, is due to D. J. Trusler, 1786; and “The Humours of an Election,” by F. Pilon, was published in 1780. Besides these and other plays, several poems were printed under this title, to some of which we have occasion to refer.
[42] There were several variorum editions of this ballad, mostly amounting in substance to the same thing, “but with differences.” One entitled, “The Downfall of Sundon and Wager,” etc., commences with this verse:—
“Ye Westminster Boys,
By your freedom of choice
Who have shown to your good friends of London
Ye dare to be free,
Reject Pension and Fee,
By throwing out Wager and Sundon.”
[43] “Gentleman Harry” was Henry Pelham, the head of the Administration. He combined the offices of first lord of the treasury and chancellor of the exchequer. His death occurred on the eve of the elections of 1754.
[44] Sir John Soane secured these inimitable pictures from Mrs. Garrick.