110 LORD ELDON. 



find a proper weight in the estimation of so peculiar a charge. In 

 the commencement of his lordship's life, we have seen that he strug- 

 gled with pecuniary embarassments : he, therefore, was compelled to 

 be frugal to an extreme, particularly after he had become a married 

 man, and, of course, had enlarged his exigencies. From the slender 

 state of his purse at that time, and from the imperative necessity of 

 acting with tne most rigid economy, we may easily date the result of 

 his actions in after-life. What was first necessity, by continued 

 usage became habit : and thus did both Lord and Lady Eldon allow 

 themselves to be governed by the principles of their early and less 

 fortunate days. Generosity, we take upon ourselves to affirm, his 

 lordship practised : and a more erroneous conclusion has never been 

 arrived at, than a belief to the contrary. He certainly possessed this 

 virtue ; and many are now living, who can attest the nature of his 

 bounty. It is true, his name did not surmount every list for the aid 

 of public charity, or blaze among the titled patrons of private bene- 

 volence ; but to those who are acquainted with his private life, he 

 was not wanting in charily; and we are convinced that our readers 

 will conclude with us, that his good deeds were not the less effica- 

 cious, from their being performed without ostentation. Yet, as 

 faithful chroniclers, we feel compelled to state, that we cannot refrain 

 from expressing our* unfeigned sorrow, that the great weight and 

 influence of a chancellor's name was not more frequently added to 

 the patrons of science, and the lovers of philanthropy. The example 

 of high personages is of infinite importance, and, we are convinced, 

 more likely to be productive of salutary advantages, than the most 

 extensive channels of private benevolence. There is, therefore, in 

 this view, much to regret ; but we contemplate the painful subject 

 with mingled sensations, and feel relieved in mind, when we are 

 assured that the springs of charity were not dried up that they fre- 

 quently flowed to the succour of the sick and the distressed and 

 though the current cannot be so frequently traced as we would de- 

 sire, yet we must feel satisfied with the hope and belief, that the fault 

 did not arise from want of thought, or callous indifference.* 



His lordship was chancellor for the long period of four-and-twenty 

 years: he was conspicuous, during that time, for his influence in the 

 cabinet, and his exertions in the senate, and on the judgment seat: 

 and if we are to ascribe all honour and renown to the lenglh of time 

 passed in official life, or be convinced that patience and slowness of 

 belief, are the characteristics and strongest marks of sound judg- 

 ment j then we must be prepared to bestow upon the subject of our 

 thoughts, the most unbounded commendation. But if we measure 

 the merits of his lordship, by a different standard if we judge of his 

 long life by his private and public acts if we see, that during a long 



* His lordship, from the long period that he was in office, and from his fru- 

 gality perhaps parsimony has amassed a large fortune. He is generally con- 

 sidered to be immensely rich ; for, when chancellor, his income averaged 

 19,000 a-year ; and in one year, 1810 11, the receipts actually amounted to 

 the enormous sum of 22,737 13s. He also was in possession of many saleable 

 places and sinecures, besides the large patronage that fell to his distribution. 



