140 
. Agricultural Worthies, 
blunt and almost rustic mode of expressing himself, which a 
voice the reverse of melodious made more remarkable, ill-qualified 
him for the position he was to occupy in the brilliant coteries of 
Spencer House and Althorp ; and his inferiority in personal 
accomplishments to most young men of his rank was painfully 
evident, even to his parents."' But in spite of these disadvan- 
tages, in spite of his avowed detestation for what he called " the 
life of a grandee," in spite of his constant longing for those rural 
delights which from first to last were the chief enjoyments of his 
existence, he devoted himself to his Parliamentary duties with 
such assiduity, such singleness of purpose, and such unswerving 
integrity, that he gradually but surely made his way to the 
highest place in the confidence of his party, whilst he also 
secured the respect of his opponents and of the public generally 
by his singular freedom from the prejudices and bitterness of 
mere partisanship. Having been made a Lord of the Treasury 
when the Whigs returned to office with Lord Grenville, on the 
death of Pitt, in 180G, his father (then Home Secretary) induced 
him to offer himself for the seat vacated by this event in the 
representation of Cambridge University. He was unsuccessful ; 
but in the following December he was returned at the head of the 
poll, after a sharp contest, for the County of Northampton, 
which he continued to represent until his accession to the peer- 
age, twenty-eight years later. Though for years he but seldom 
addressed the House, he gradually acquired a reputation for 
straightforwardness and sterling good sense, and became 
familiarly known to politicians of all shades as " honest Jack 
Althorp.'" 
In 1814, Lord Althorp married the only daughter and heiress 
of Mr. Acklom, of AViseton Hall, Nottinghamshire. His union 
with this lady imparted to the sterling qualities of his character 
a devotion and enthusiasm which greatly enhanced their value 
and usefulness, and which never left him, save with life itself. 
Previous to his marriage, fond as he was of rural pursuits, it 
could not be said that he had taken up agriculture in earnest. 
Field-sports claimed the chief attention of his leisure, and the 
Pytchley Hounds, kept by his father and grandfather before 
him, furnished him with abundant occupation for eight months 
out of the twelve. lie was in the habit of riding down 
from London (GG miles) after a division, and had relays of 
hacks placed (occasionally in stables specially built) at regular 
intervals along the road. He net infrequently returned to 
London after hunting in the same manner. Lord Althorp's 
eldest sister, Lady Sarah Spencer (afterwards Lady Lyttelton), 
writing to another member of the family on March 20, ISO',), 
