588 
forward by a Chancellor of the Exche- 
quer,* supposed to be but little con- 
versant in matters of finance. He af- 
terwards entered his protest against that 
“measure, which was too unpopular to be 
persevered in, as it introduced the excise 
Jaws into the barn and cellar of every 
farmer in the kingdom, who made use of 
the juice of his own apples. On the 
proeegaas against Mr. Wilkes, too, the 
Juke joined with the opposition, who, on 
this occasion, were supporred by the 
great body ofthe people. He, and those 
with whom he acted, maintained that 
the privilege of parliament extended to, 
matters of libel, and accordingly he was 
one of those eho dissented from tne 
resolution of the house. 
Tt has always béen customary for 
men of acertain rank and influence in 
this country, to attach themselves to a 
party, as this is supposed to be the only 
sure and infallible way of either attain- 
ing, or preserving, polities! and parlia- 
mentary consequence. I[lis Grace, ac- 
cordingly, connected himself with the 
Marguis of Rockingham, a name 
once celebrated, and. still kage 
in the annals of this country! He 
joined with that worthy nobleman, in 
taliing down, and writing} down, two 
different aduiinistrations. At the head 
of the first of these presided the Peer, 
who had acted as governor to the King 
who enjoyed all his Majesty’s confidence, 
and. who was supposed to have conceived 
notions of government but little com- 
patible with’ public liberty. The second 
was George Grenville, father of the pre- 
sent Marquis of Buckingham, Lord 
Grenville, &c. &c. who-had been but a 
lawyer, sua ee conceived to be no 
statesman. With a mind technical, 
professional, and limited, he on all oreat 
occasions exhibited the ee rister, rather 
than the minister; and to him have becn 
attributed some of those measures which 
first led to a war with, and that pro- 
duced the enfranchisement of, Ame- 
rica. 
At length, 1 in 1765, in consequence of 
a change in the ministry, the Duke ac- 
cepted “of enployment; but on this oc- 
casion, at least, there was 20 compromise 
with principle ; ho coalition with noto- 
riously wicked men; no groveling, nar- 
* Sir Francis Dashwood, afterwards Lard 
Spencer. 
* T say ‘€ writing dewn,” as there wasa 
joint-stock purse collected and seared for 
that express purpose. 
Memoirs of the late Duke of Portland. 
[Jan ° Ty 
row, or interested speculation. The 
place occupied by him, was that of Lord 
Chamberlain of the Household, an office 
of honour rather than of profit; and he 
retained it but a few months, having gone 
out, or, in plain English, been turned out, 
in conjunction with his colleagues. 
From this disappointment, if it really 
was one, the mind of the Duke was hap- 
pily averted to more pleasing scenes; and 
the bustle of politics became, fora while, 
exchanged for the happiness arising out 
of domestic comiort. On the. 8th of 
November, 1766, his Grace was married 
to Lady Dorothy Cavendish, daughter 
of William, the late Duke oF Devon- 
shire, by whom he has had four sons and 
two daugliters. By this union, he be- 
came connected with another whig 
family, which, like his own, had been 
zealous for the revolation; and still 
cherished the principles under a new 
dynasty, that led to that great, inemo- 
rable, and fortunate event. From this 
period, too, Burlington House, in Pic- 
cadiily, became his town residence ; and 
it was there where all the plans for 
abating the alarming influence of the 
crown, curbing the avowed arrogance of 
erect successive ministers, &e. giving 
strength, zeal, and efficiency, to popular 
sentiment, were hatched, reared, and 
brought to maturity, up to the period 
of the French revolution. 
As parliamentary influence must al- 
ways be a great object with every one 
who aspires to become .a leader of a 
party, the subject of this memoir was 
well aware of the advantages supposed 
to result from it. Having property in 
the county of Cumberland, he thought | 2 
fair opportunity presented itself of as- 
sisting two of his friends, in their pre- 
tensions to be returned its knights of the 
shire, and he accordingly supported the 
late Henry Curwen, Esq. a gentleman 
of fortune, and Henry Fletcher, Esq. an 
East India Director, and afterwards ° a 
Baronet, both of whom had large pos- 
sessions there, _ 
This of course gave great umbrage to 
the late Sir James Lowther, afterwards 
Earl of Lonsdale, who, to great opu- 
lence, united a daring spirit; and, in ad- 
dition to both, was son-in- law of the Ear! 
of Bute. A long, violent, and expen- 
sive contest accordingly took place; and, 
although the Baronet found means to be 
returned, yet he was ‘declared unduly 
elected by a Committee of the House 
of Commons, and the two other candie 
dates were left for that Parliament, at 
least, 
