The Third Earl Spencer. 
139 
His college tutor was Mr. Allen, subsequently Bishop of Ely, 
who had graduated as seventh wrangler, and from whom he 
acquired a knowledge of mathematics which he frequently 
turned to practical account in after-life. His mind had, 
indeed, a mathematical bent, and his fondness for intricate cal- 
culations not only facilitated his work, and made him greatly 
independent of others when he attained high office as Chancellor 
of the Exchequer, but was manifested in various ways. It is, 
indeed, related as an instance of his exactitude, that on one 
occasion, finding an error of threepence in the accounts of 
the Royal Agricultural Society, he spent four hours with Colonel 
Challoner in setting the matter right. 
In early life Lord Althorp evinced a strong inclination for 
the sea ; but his father, though he afterwards put two of his sons 
into the Xavy, had other views for his heir-apparent, intend- 
ing that he should enter Parliament. Lord Althorp's predilec- 
tions, however, were not legislative, but pastoral. From his 
earliest boyhood he was passionately attached to the pursuits 
and enjoyments of a country life, in which respect he but in- 
herited the tastes of his father, and of still earlier progenitors. 
It was declared of Sir Robert Spencer, raised to the peerage by 
James I., that " he made the country a virtuous court, where 
his fields and flocks brought him more calm and happy content- 
ment than the various and unstable dispensations of a Court 
can contribute " — words which are singularly applicable to the 
subject of this notice. 1 
Lord Althorp left Cambridge on taking his MA. degree in 
June, 1802. and two years later, after making the customary Con- 
tinental tour, he entered Parliament as Member for the pocket 
borough of Okehampton. The impression which he made on 
his introduction into London society was (says his biographer, 
Sir Denis Le Marchant) " far from favourable. In person, he 
was neither tall nor graceful. An embarrassed manner, with a 
1 This agricultural memoir of the founder of the Society has been, from 
the nature of things, a compilation from many sources. Amongst the books 
which have been consulted in its preparation are Sir Denis Le Marchant's 
Memoir of Earl Spencer (Bentley, 1X76), Charles Greyille*s Diary, the 
Edinburgh Review, Lord Brougham's Dialogues on Instinct. " The Druid's '' 
Saddle and Sirloin, Bell's History of Shorthorns, Mrs. Butler's Life of 
John Grey of LHlston, the volumes of the old Farmer's Magazine, and other 
.contemporary agricultural newspapers. The Editor has gratefully to acknow- 
ledge the valuable suggestions and assistance which he has received from the 
present Earl Spencer, the Earl of Powis. Lord Moreton. Sir Harry Verney. Mr. 
Albert Fell. Mr. John Thornton, Mr. John Gamble, Mr. Henry Smith, of 
Leamington, Mr. E. J. Powell, and from Mr. Francis Ford, but for whose skill 
and patience in searching books and records many of the facts and anecdotes 
contained in the paper would hive been brought to light. — [Ed.] 
