CHAPTERS FROM TURF HISTORY 



five years of age. Charles Watson-Wentworth 

 was the second of the title. His father had de- 

 manded the Garter and had been appeased with a 

 Marquisate.^ Of this young nobleman there is 

 little to be said. His fortune was splendid ; his 

 character unblemished. His political fame depended 

 upon his resignation of a Bedchamber appointment 

 and his dismissal from the Lieutenancy of his 

 County. He appears to have possessed conciliatory 

 manners and some ability in the management of 

 men ; but he was absolutely destitute of any power 

 to express himself in debate, and he was without 

 intellect or knowledge. Few Ministries have been 

 more feeble than the first which he directed, 

 although it carried some measures of importance 

 during its brief existence of a year and twenty days. 

 It was a Government of great families, distinguished 

 only for their wealth and position, and it perished 

 by a combination of many enemies. Townshend 

 described it as "a lute-string Administration fit 

 only for pretty summer wear which would never 

 do in the winter." Rockingham rarely opened 

 his mouth in the House of Lords, although he 

 enjoyed the assistance of Burke, who was his 

 Private Secretary, and who, through his influence, 

 was brought into Parliament. But the inspiration 

 of Burke could not save his master, and the 

 Administration came to an end in July 1766. After 

 an interval of sixteen years, Rockingham fluttered 

 once more into office — this time in succession to 

 Lord North. He died within the year. 2 



» Walpole, referring to his wealth and luxury, calls him Marquis 

 Sardanapalus. 



^ The inscription on the mausoleum at "Wentworth erected by 



16 



