224 COKE 



of example, raised the county to unrivalled excellence, 

 and made the name of a Norfolk farmer to be held in 

 the highest estimation throughout the kingdom. The 

 periodical agricultural meetings, both central and 

 provincial, have also taken their rise from the same 

 enlightened and practical mind, and will continue ever 

 to be a deserving tribute to his memory. They have 

 conferred the greatest benefit on the community, and so 

 long as the country lasts, the name of Thomas William 

 Coke will be as deservedly immortal as that of a 

 Stephenson or a Brunei. 



" Praised for their virtues, which improve mankind." 



With all this, I could but regret the loss of the society 

 I met with in London. 



In vain did I look for that intellectual enjoyment an 

 evening at the Eccentrics would afford. To this club, 

 which has since, I believe, become extinct, and in whose 

 lists the names of celebrated men of old were enrolled, I 

 was frequently admitted. At one time it was the resort 

 of some of the greatest wits and most eminent statesmen 

 of the day, and at the time I speak of it had not lost all 

 its charms. Though I did not then meet a Pitt or a Fox, 

 a Burke or a Sheridan, yet these great men, Avith Lord 

 Liverpool and Mr. Canning, had all been members of 

 the Eccentrics ; and I have met and conversed with 

 there, many members of the senate — on one occasion I 

 remember noticing one who has since held almost the 

 highest office in the state, and now leads the opjDosition 

 in the House of Commons. I sat tete-a-tete here with 

 him, conversing on various toj)ics, political and literary. 



