216 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



in the Mediterranean. Perceiving, however, that little danger 

 was to be apprehended in these quarters, he returned, with nine 

 sail of the line, accompanied by the convoy from Lisbon. 



In 1800, we once more find him serving in the Channel fleet, 

 but he was soon afterwards appointed to succeed Admiral Kings- 

 mill, the naval commander in Ireland, being previously raised to 

 the dignity of an Irish peer. This command lie continued to hold 

 till the year 1807, when he hoisted his flag as Admiral of the 

 Channel fleet; which ill health, however, soon compelled him to 

 relinquish. He died in 1810, and was buried in the Abbey church 

 of Bath, with the grandeur and solemnity due to his rank and 

 merit. 



Lord Gardner's political, career was not distinguished by any 

 circumstance of great moment. He sat in three successive par- 

 liaments. His first election took place in 1790, when he was re- 

 turned one of the representatives for the town of Plymouth. In 

 1796 he was colleague to Mr. Fox, in the representation of West- 

 minster. On this occasion he was opposed by Mr. John Home 

 Tooke, whose wit, satire, and eloquence, were more alarming to the 

 Admiral than a shower of cannon-balls from an enemy's fleet. 

 Notwithstanding this circumstance, however, he once more offered 

 himself as a candidate for the same city, and was again successful. 

 At this time Mr. Fox, in addressing the electors, said, " A noble 

 Admiral has been proposed to you. I certainly cannot boast of 

 agreeing with him in political opinions ; but whom could the elec- 

 tors pitch upon more worthy of their choice than the noble Lord, in 

 his private character universally respected, and a man who has 

 served his country with a zeal, a gallantry, a spirit, and a splen- 

 dour, that will reflect upon him immortal honour."* 



B RAM SHALL is a small parish and village, about three miles 

 w.s.w. of Uttoxeter. The number of houses in the whole parish, 

 in 1811, amounted to 28, inhabited by 33 families. Males 76, fe- 

 males 79 : total of inhabitants 155. 



The village is situated on the summit of an eminence, and con- 

 tains some good substantial farm-houses, and smaller tenements. 

 The Church is a Gothic structure of stone, with a small wooden 

 belfry, containing three bells. The edifice itself might easily be 

 mistaken for a barn when viewed from the turnpike-road, and its 

 belfry for a dove-cote. It is dedicated to St Lawrence, and is a 

 rectory under the patronage of Lord Willoughby de Broke. The 

 * Imperial and County Annual Register, for 1810. 



