»sand-gathering blasts of Norfolk, on 
he rode, like old Lear, regardless of 
>the elements. 
Blow, yaa and crack your cheeks! 
e! blow 
You cataracts, and lessniciieabil spout 
Till you: haye drench’d our steeples, 
—__ drown’d the cocks !” 
For, innately warm with the predo- 
minance of his passion for sport, he 
‘set at defiance storms of every de- 
‘Scription. 
_ Ata particular period of his life, 
when 
“ The springs of nature rose above their 
level,” 
there was a necessity for some de- 
gree of medical coercion to bring 
them, again within the bounds of 
prudent regulation. During this 
scene of unavoidable suspension from 
his favourite pursuits, the extreme 
attention shewn to him by a person 
who regulated his domestic concerns, 
so much influenced his nicer sensa- 
tions, that he dedicated to her the 
most tender and grateful affection 
during her life. The circumstance 
of her death (though by no means 
young or handsome) so much affect- 
ed his lordship, that the nerves be- 
fore unstrung, again gave way, and 
the former malady returned with in- 
creasing violence. Ile was, at this 
time, confined to his chamber, with 
_ an attendant necessary to the dis- 
ordered state of his mind ; but, with 
all that latent artifice for which ob- 
jects of this description are so re- 
markable, he contrived, by some 
plausible pretext, to get his keeper 
out of the room, instantly jumped 
out of the window, ran to the sta- 
_ bles, and saddled his pye-balled po- 
“ney, at the very time he well knew 
the grooms and stablerattemants 
were all engaged, 
Ma that day his. farourite bitch, old 
CHAR A SCRT EARS: 
779 
Czarina, was to run a match of much 
magnitude ; the gamekeepers had 
already taken her to the field, where 
a large party were assembled, equal- 
ly lamenting the absence of his lord- 
ship, and the cause’ by which his 
presence was prevented. When, at 
the very moment of mutual regret 
and condolence, who should appear, 
at full speed, on the .pye-balled po- 
ney;:but lord Orford himself, 
His presence all bosoms appeared to 
dismay, 
His friends stood in silence and fear : 
But none had power to restrain him; 
all attempts.and entreaties were in 
vain; the match he was determined 
to see ; and no persuasions whatever 
could influence him to the contrary. 
Finding no endeavours could divert 
him from the ecstatic expectation he 
had formed ; the greyhounds were 
started, and Czarina won; during 
the course, no human power or ex- 
ertion could prevent him from riding 
after the dogs, more particularly as 
his favourite bitch displayed her su- 
periority in every stroke: when, in 
the moment of the highest exulta- 
tion, and the eagerness of his tri- 
umph, unfortunately falling from 
his poney, and pitching upon his 
head (whether, occasioned by apo- 
plexy, or such contusion upon the 
skull as instantly affe¢ted the brain), 
he almost immediately expired, to 
the inexpressible grief of those who 
surrounded him at the last moment 
of his life: individually convinced, 
that coursing was the predominant 
idea. ; 
“ Sull liv’d the ruling passion strong in 
death.” 
A man of more, simple manners, 
more liberal constructions, or of 2 
more courteous nature, never was 
known 
