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fourth Duke of Devonshire, was created Earl of Burlington in 1831 , 

 Th* Cavendishes have been conspicuous in English history for several 

 centuries, but here it is only necessary to note the late Duke's con- 

 nexion with two of the most eminent philosophers this country has 

 produced. His great- grand mother, wife of the fourth Duke of 

 Devonshire, was the Lady Charlotte Boyle, daughter of the Earl of 

 Burlington and Cork, and the direct descendant of Richard, second 

 Earl of Cork, who was brother to the Hon. Robert Boyle, the cele- 

 brated chemist and natural philosopher of the 17th century. His 

 great-grandfather was first cousin to Henry Cavendish, the no less 

 celebrated chemist and natural philosopher of the 18th century. 

 The late Duke was educated at Eton, and at Trinity College, 

 Cambridge, and his career at the University was exceptionally 

 brilliant. In the Mathematical Tripos of 1829 his name appeared as 

 Second Wrangler, Philpott, lately Bishop of Worcester, who sur- 

 vived him only a few days, being the Senior Wrangler. At the 

 ensuing examination for the Smith's Prizes, the order of their names 

 was reversed, and they both appeared in the First Class of the Classical 

 Tripos. In the same year he married Lady Blanche Howard, daughter 

 of the Earl of Carlisle ; and in the following year he was returned as 

 colleague of Lord Palmerston, to represent the University in Par- 

 liament. It might have been expected that the descendant of the 

 staunch friend of Lord William Russell would side with the Whigs ; 

 he was not, however, a man to be guided merely by tradition, 

 or to take his opinions at second hand, but was Liberal by conviction, 

 and had the courage of his opinions. In the debates on the Reform 

 Bill, which ensued almost immediately after his return to Parliament, 

 he spoke in favour of the measure, and in a few thoughtful and wise 

 words pointed out the dependence of good government upon the 

 confidence and support of the people. This was too much for his 

 academic constituency, and at the next election he and his col- 

 league lost their seats. He continued, however, in the House of 

 Commons for a year or two, representing first Malton, and then 

 Derbyshire, until in 1834 he succeeded his grandfather as Earl of 

 Burlington. 



In the Upper House he very rarely spoke. It cannot be said that 

 he took little interest in politics, for he was a keen observer of the 

 course of events, and formed a shrewd judgment of their issues; but 

 he never laid himself out for debating. He was too conscientious, 

 too cautious of using idle words, ever to be a ready speaker. The 

 condition of Ireland, where the just claims of his tenants were never 

 forgotten by him, gave him great concern; and he was a consistent 

 supporter of all measures for bettering the condition of the people, 

 and removing the grievances which alienated them from England. 

 Yet he dissented on principle from Mr. Gladstone's method of dealing 



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