CHAPTER IV 



PRESIDENTSHIPS OF THE EARL OF MORTON, 1764-1768, 

 AND JAMES WEST, 1768-1772 



1764. THIS year was somewhat more eventful in the history 

 of the Club than the immediately preceding years had been. 

 The President, the Earl of Macclesfield, failing in health during 

 the latter half of 1763, had not attended any dinner of the 

 Club after the 28th of April of that year. His place in 

 the Chair was supplied by Lord Willoughby or by Mr. 

 Burrow, sometimes by Dr. Watson, who was also one of 

 the original group of members in 1743. The Earl died on 

 I7th March of this year after having filled the office of Presi- 

 dent with genial efficiency for more than twelve years. 

 The Earl of Morton was chosen to succeed him at the Society, 

 and likewise at the Club. Treasurer Colebrooke's entry in 

 his Dinner-Register under date April 5th is as follows : 



" The Earl of Morton having been elected President of the Royal 

 Society was this day elected a member of this Club in the room 

 of the Earl of Macclesfield, and attending, paid his Admission Fee 



& i/." 



The Treasurer and the Club somewhat anticipated the 

 choice of the Royal Society, for the Earl of Morton was not 

 formally elected President by the Society as a body until 

 the 3Oth November following. James Douglas, fourteenth 

 Earl of Morton [1702-1768], was M.A. of King's College, 

 Cambridge. As a representative peer of Scotland he 

 had a seat in Parliament, and the administration of his 

 large estates in Scotland occupied much of his time. He 



