We had on Thursday the Grand Dinner, when ninety-four gentlemen dined with me, amongst whom was Sir Rich. Bampfylde and Mr. Ackland, eldest son of Sir Thos. Ackland, who is going to be married to Sir Richd’s second daughter, a most amiable lady. This is a very great alliance for Sir Richard Bampfylde’s family, and will be the means of keeping everything quiet in the county.
This brings us to the topic of the social status of the Corporation, which was comparatively high. Its critics, indeed, complained that it included attornies, “very improper persons to be elected”; and the members were frequently laughed at for “having Mayors in trade.” In reply to this heavy indictment it was alleged by one of their number that at least twenty-two out of the twenty-four had landed property either in the town or in the parish. This was in 1831. In the reign of William and Mary the “burgesses” are described some as esquires, others as merchants, and one or two as yeomen; and this standard, there is reason to think, was consistently maintained. Tiverton, it may be well to say, was for centuries an important centre of the woollen trade. Instead of one big factory, as now, for the production of lace, there were many modest firms engaged in the manufacture and sale of serges, etc., and consequently the Common Council was, above all things, the valued preserve of families enriched by commerce, some of whom had acquired all the attributes of gentle birth and breeding. Mr. Worth, of Worth, and Mr. Cruwys, of Cruwys Morchard, belonged to two of the oldest families of Devon, and an ancestor of the former had sat in Parliament for Tiverton in days when the choice of members was apparently free and unfettered. With such the Ryders corresponded in the most genial, unaffected, and friendly way, and, in their somewhat infrequent visits to the place, were glad to accept their hospitality. They would, for instance, occasionally stay with Mr. Dickinson, of Knightshayes, an ancestor of the present Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Sir W. H. Walrond), and once, at least, Air. George Owen, of Lowman Green, was honoured by a surprise visit from the younger nobleman.
In the year 1808, this second Lord Harrowby condescended to be Mayor—a concession which resulted in a somewhat diverting misconception. It appears that a Barnstaple correspondent, interested in the working of the mails, had written to him in the belief that he was a “common or garden” mayor—a plain Mr. Mayor. His consternation on learning the truth does not need to be imagined, for he has pictured it himself:—
I was much mortified at my ignorance at the receipt of your Lordship’s letter, for which I beg to apologize. Far from having the least idea that the Corporation of Tiverton was so highly respected and had the Honor of a Nobleman of your Lordship’s High Rank for Mayor, I naturally concluded it to be an open borough like Barnstaple.
Lord Harrowby was coached for the inaugural ceremonies by the cousins Wood, the elder of whom, Mr. Beavis Wood, who long filled the office of Town Clerk, was by far the shrewdest of the Ryders’ multitudinous correspondents. Even now his clever, incisive letters, lit up with many a happy jest, are a pleasure to peruse, and neither in his earlier nor in his later ones was he inclined to spare the feelings and eccentricities of those with whom his lot was cast. Thus, on August 5th, 1808, he writes:—
The Mayor now again produced your Lordship’s Letter, desiring to know the answer they might [deem?] it proper for him to give to it, when they unanimously acknowledged your Lordship’s kind offer, and gladly consented to embrace it, and elect you Mayor for the ensuing year. The Business being unanimous, to be sure on that account from such an offer it must be pleasant; but those assembled on this occasion did not look like old Christians in old Times at previous meetings on such occasions. Twelve o’clock by Day is always a dull, dry time, when old Tiverton aldermen never met to do chearful Business, as they could not fix their Nominee by drinking his Health. Father Tucker gave the Company a Hint of it, but it had no effect. I suppose as those of the Junta are now under pantile Influence, and have turned their Backs on our Lord Bishop, they will leave off drinking wine, unless when quite by themselves.
Tempora mutantur. Of the old times and the old Christians Mr. Wood had told Lord Harrowby not a few entertaining stories, which are still preserved in his faded but excellent handwriting. Possibly at some future date they may be printed for the benefit of students of human nature, together with extracts from other correspondence, but with one more specimen of his admirable humour this paper must be brought to a close.
Sept. 17, 1775.
This afternoon according to the usual Custom the Corporation attended the new Mayor to Church, but before the Procession moved from the Town House, there happened a very unseasonable altercation and Dispute between Mr. Osmond, Mr. Mayor, and Mr. Lewis about the priority of reading the newspapers which are sent here directed to you. For since the late spite commenced, and almost during the whole of Mr. Lewis’s Mayoralty, care has been taken to prevent the newspapers coming to Mr. Osmond’s hands, and they have been sent about to persons out of the Corporation. Words grew high and rough, and this mad Trio did not end ’till each had called the other a damned Liar. Mr. Atherton[[28]] was present, and being met to go to church, the Magistrates recollected themselves, and after their return from prayers they looked at one another as quietly as if nothing had happened.