236 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. 



civility and politeness and conversational ability, enhanced 

 by an easy flow of wit, and supported by a various and 

 extended scope of useful knowledge. Sir William Wyndham 

 was a good all-round sportsman ; a bold, straight rider to 

 hounds, and thereby incurring many a spill in the hunting 

 field. He was a great favourite with Queen Anne, by whom 

 he was allotted a splendid suite of apartments in Windsor 

 Castle, as well as the stately mansion belonging to the Crown, 

 "near St. James's, wherein the Duchess of Mazarine formerly 

 lived," from which he was evicted soon after the accession of 

 George I., when it was sumptuously furnished " on the occa- 

 sion of the coronation for the use of the Court." * He was 

 one of the most popular politicians of the old school, of which 

 Godolphin was the head ; and, had he chosen to stoop to the 

 court corruption of the Hanoverian regime, might have at- 

 tained the highest ministerial honours. But, as Pope very 

 truly states, he preferred to remain 



"... just to freedom and the throne, 

 The Master of our passions and his own." 



Sir William died, greatly lamented, at Wells in Somerset, 

 after an illness of a few days, on June 17, 1740. 



George, Third Earl of Cardigan, thirty-fifth Master of 

 the Royal Buckhounds, was appointed to the office soon after 

 the resignation of Sir William Wyndham, on June 28, 1712, 

 in pursuance of the annexed Royal Warrant : — 



Anne R. 



Our Will and Pleasure is, that you forthwith Swear and admitt 

 or cause to be Sworne and admitted Our Right Trusty and R' Wei. 

 beloved Cousin George Earl of Cardigan into the Office and Place of 

 Master of our Buckhounds, to have hold and enjoy the same during 

 Our Pleasure, with all rights, ffes, Salarys, Profits, Priviledges and 

 Advantages thereunto belonging m as full and ample manner to all 

 Intents and purposes as Our Trusty and Welbeloved S"" William 

 Wyndham B' or any other person heretofore hath held and enjoyed, 

 or of right ought to have held and enjoyed y® same. And for so 

 * Lord Chamhcrlain's Records, Warrants for Servants, vol. xxiii. 



