SIR JOHN AUBREY. 167 



family estates he possibly could away from his nephew, 

 as Sir Thomas had married a young lady contrary to 

 his wishes. She died within a year or so of her marriage, 

 childless. Sir Thomas never married again, and as Sir 

 John had left the estates to a stranger, and had leased 

 the Welsh and other properties at very long leases and 

 at ridiculously low rates, so as to impoverish his nephew 

 as much as possible, it may be imagined that Sir Thomas 

 did not trouble himself to improve the estates. I once 

 visited his ancient mansion and park, Llantrithet, near 

 Cardiff, with his steward, and found the deer destroyed, 

 the house nearly dismantled, and the estate almost 

 denuded of timber. 



This Sir John Aubrey was for some years member for 

 the County of Bucks, and stood the celebrated poll for 

 the election in 1784, when he was returned at the head 

 of the poll over the Hon. Thomas Grenville and Lord 

 Verney. One amusing record we have of that election. 

 Sir John knew there were many residents in the borough 

 and county who were above receiving ordinary money 

 bribes, so he was accustomed to invite a rather aristo- 

 cratic party to dine at Dorton House, and by the side 

 of each guest on the dinner-table was placed a handsome 

 silver cup, which at the conclusion of the entertainment 

 each gentleman was expected to put into his pocket and 

 carry home with him as a memento of his visit. On the 

 cup was inscribed, " May voters be free, and representa- 

 tives independent." I have seen many of these cups, 

 which are now becoming very rare ; the late Mr. James 

 bought several, and I believe some are in the collections 

 of the Rothschild family. 



