Fitzroy.
First Instance of Bribery amongst Members of Parliament.—The following extract from Parry's Parliaments and Councils of England, deserves, I think, a corner in "N. & Q.," especially at the present day:
"1571, A. R. 13, May 10.—Thomas Long, 'a very simple man and unfit' to serve, is questioned how he came to be elected. He confesses that he gave the Mayor of Westbury and another four pounds for his place in parliament. They are ordered to repay this sum, to appear to answer such things as should be objected against them in that house, and a fine of twenty pounds is to be assessed on the corporation and inhabitants of Westbury, for their scandalous attempt."
Abhba.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan.—In the "Life of Sheridan," by G. G. S., prefixed to his Dramatic Works, published by Bohn in 1848, is the following passage (p. 90.):
"At the age of twenty-nine he had achieved a brilliant reputation, had gained an immense property, and was apparently master of large resources."
And in an essay lately published, entitled Richard Brinsley Sheridan, by George Gilfillan, is this statement:
"Young Sheridan had no patrimony, not a shilling, indeed, all his life that he could call his own."
Which of these two contradictory accounts is true?
In the Life by G. G. S. are two glaring slips of the pen or of the press; at p. 8. it is said that Sheridan was born in the year 1771 (1751?), and at p. 44. that The Duenna was brought out on the 21st of November, 1755 (1775?).