SIR AVILLIAM B. FFOLKES 145 



occasion slip without endeavouring to enlist the sym- 

 pathies of strangers, particularly of the male sex, and 

 those belonging to the higher class of society. 



It is not to be wondered at, then, that in her aberra- 

 tion she should fasten on this distinguished member of 

 the Whig aristocracy ; for his handsome, jDortly appear- 

 ance, and his urbane manner, would almost invite 

 communication from the most diffident, however his 

 general bearing might be marked by the pride of family 

 connections. 



This has lono; been set down as the distinctive 

 mark of the srreat Whio; families and their fol- 

 lowers ; but the highly respected owner of Hillington, 

 who represented the Western division of the county 

 of Norfolk, in that interest, for two or three Par- 

 liaments, and was frequently during the session my 

 companion on the box, was an exception to the rule.^ 

 His conversation was at all times easy, familiar, and 

 agreeable, and his demeanour that of a well-bred 

 gentleman. 



Upon one occasion I remember, that on a wet spring 

 morning, I found the coach had been overbooked, which 

 subjected the ^proprietors to the charge of a post-chaise 

 the whole distance, involving an expense of ten pounds ; 

 in which the unfortunate book-keeper who had committed 

 the error would be unmercifully mulcted. On my 

 arrival at Kingsland Gate, having already three insides, 

 one of whom was the Baronet, two others, whose names 

 had been entered in the book for a week preceding, 

 claimed their places. 



' Sir William B. Ffolkes. 

 VOL. II. L 



