The noble Baron, after a while, changed the place of his abode, and his mansion was purchased by one of the Royal Family. The Prince, with more good sense, and with more consideration for the feelings of his countrymen, directed the ponderous gates to move on their hinges, as well for the humble ensign, as for the greatest and proudest of the realm.
One act of modesty, however, on the part of the first Baron, ought to be recorded, and this is the motto which he adopted for his arms:—
Labore et honore.
The next individual in our manuscript who was elevated to the Peerage, from the midst of commercial connections and pursuits, was of a very highly respectable, and ancient Dutch family. They came to England more than a century ago, and very honourably and very successfully engaged in commerce. So early as the year 1751, one of them was created a Baronet, with the title of Sir Joshua Vanneck. The third Baronet in succession was in the year 1796 raised to the rank of Baron H.
The next personage of this description exhibits perhaps the detached and solitary example of the elevation of one of the tribe of Judah to the honours of the British Peerage. Let it not be imagined that any imputation or disparagement is intended by this observation on the individuals of the family thus illustriously distinguished. Far otherwise—are we not all brethren? but the circumstance is without parallel.
The family name of Gideon was discreetly laid aside by the first Baron, and that of Eardley assumed, the then Sir Sampson having married a daughter of Sir John Eardley Wilmot, Lord Chief Justice, descended in the female line from the ancient family of Eardley.
The last individual whom we shall mention of the above description, was the intimate friend of Mr. Pitt, and in every particular deserving of the honours which were bestowed upon him. This is Lord ⸺, whose ancestors were all long and successfully engaged in the banking business, and in other departments of commerce.
There are or were many other individuals of this family, all of whom rose not only to affluence, but to considerable distinction in society. Two of these were representatives of populous places in the House of Commons; all were respected and esteemed for their irreproachable conduct in life, and eminent for their liberality, benevolence, and courtesy.
Such results of talents and diligence, honourably and successfully exercised, excite the wish that they might be enjoyed without interruption.