.-■-'.■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 . '." . 
 

 
 HUNT i BOOKS 
 
 1020 
 
 SOUTMBOKOUOH
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 ROBERT, EARL NUGENT
 
 \Af)hni, (barl > Vugerub, 
 ffirom a painlmo Lif Gainsborough.
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 ROBERT, EARL NUGENT 
 
 WITH LETTERS, POEMS, AND APPENDICES 
 
 By 
 
 CLAUD NUGENT 
 
 WITH TWELVE REPRODUCTIONS FROM FAMILY PORTRAITS BY 
 
 SIR GODFREY KNELLER, SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS, 
 
 GAINSBOROUGH AND OTHERS 
 
 LONDON 
 
 WILLIAM HEINEMANN 
 
 1898
 
 This Edition enjoys Copyright in 
 all countries signatory to the 
 Berne Treaty, and is not to be 
 imported into the United States 
 oj America.
 
 1)G 
 
 Sol 
 H2 N l # 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORN 
 SANTA BARBARA 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 In presenting a memoir of Robert, Earl Nugent, my purpose 
 is rather to introduce his transactions with men whose names have 
 become famous in history than to give a biography of the man 
 himself. Let it be said at once, that he appears here by reason 
 neither of his virtues nor his faults. With the preponderance of 
 one over the other I have nothing to do. It would be quite easy to 
 represent him as a monster of profligacy ; it would not be difficult 
 to picture him in the light of a large-minded, liberal, and judicious 
 politician of high statesmanlike qualities. He has been virulently 
 attacked both on the moral and the political side; but there is con- 
 siderable ground for suspicion that the onslaught on his morals 
 was prompted by a desire to injure him as a politician. Walpole's 
 invention of the word " Nugentize " (which, it will be observed, 
 applies to the action of the woman and not of the man) is a com- 
 pliment in so far as it implies that its object was a person of 
 sufficient importance to be worthy of attack. Moreover, it is not 
 necessary to affix undue weight to the eulogium of Dean Tucker 
 to recognize that the man who represented Bristol, then the first 
 port in this kingdom, for twenty years without intermission, and 
 was the associate of Burke in measures for the relief of Ireland, 
 was a living force in the politics of his time. I am placing side 
 by side the impeachment of Lord Nugent by the man who 
 claimed to be his natural son, and the unmeasured praise of the 
 churchman who owed his preferment to the object of his adula- 
 tion. Both documents were, probably, written for electioneering
 
 vi PREFACE 
 
 purposes. One frankly acknowledges it to be the case, and in the 
 other the coincidences are too strong to be resisted. The indict- 
 ment and the apologia, however, do not meet on the same plane. 
 I give them simply because I believe that each of them possesses 
 an interest of its own, and with no attempt to examine into the 
 truth of either, although it appears to me quite consistent with an 
 optimism which does not transcend the bounds of reason to attach 
 the higher credit to the political record as given by Dean Tucker. 
 It is in the letters that I venture to believe the main interest will 
 be found. That is to say, not in Nugent himself so much as in 
 those brilliant and distinguished men with whom he was associated. 
 The mere mention of the names of Pope, Goldsmith, Chesterfield, 
 Pulteney, Newcastle, Dunk Halifax, Pitt, Chatham, Hardwicke, 
 Grenville, Horace Walpole, Lord John Hervey, Henry Pelham, 
 Henry Fox (the father of Charles James), Wyndham, not to swell 
 the list any further, is an indication that the correspondence is 
 likely to contain matter of high interest. The speeches, of which 
 I give a few as specimens, clearly show, unless, indeed, it should 
 be contended that another composed them, that he was a man of 
 wide views and deep political insight. That he was garrulous 
 and even foolish in some of his later public utterances does not 
 detract from the force and wisdom of his earlier and many of his 
 later ones. His motives were attacked, it is true; but so were the 
 motives of every eminent man of his day. That he was a great 
 master of opportunity, both in matrimony and politics, is not to be 
 denied, but he was not peculiar in that, notwithstanding Walpole's 
 gibe. Adventures are to the adventurer as well as to the adven- 
 turous, and much of Nugent's good luck would not have come to 
 him but for his skill and judgment, allied to other qualities which 
 are usually regarded as commendable or the reverse, according to 
 the success with which they are used. The history of his mar- 
 riages is a remarkable one, and it is not surprising that " his skill in 
 marrying rich widows " should have excited unfriendly comment. 
 Although he cannot escape the reproach of fortune-hunting, it 
 must not be forgotten that he was of ancient and distinguished 
 birth, and in possession of an income of ^1500 a year. Fortune 
 gave the occasion for the exercise of his judgment in dealing with
 
 PREFACE vii 
 
 the Prince of Wales, and although the money Nugent lent the 
 latter was never repaid, the "places, pensions, and peerages" 
 bestowed by George III. upon the lender and his nominees made 
 the speculation an eminently lucrative one. Thus, no doubt, it 
 came about that, on the death of the Prince, Nugent was created a 
 Lord of the Treasury in Pelham's administration, the first of a long 
 series of important offices under different Governments. Hence 
 he was not only a person of high consideration himself, but the 
 constant associate of the leading men in the realm. It is corre- 
 spondence with them and with others that I reproduce here. 
 
 There was also another side to Robert Nuo;ent's character. He 
 was a poet, a bon vivant and a wit, and this brought him in 
 contact with some of the brilliant people of the day. As will be 
 seen, his powers as a poet have been doubted, and his principal poetic 
 effort, the Ode to Pulteney^ ascribed to Mallet, just as " Garth," 
 we are told, " did not write his own ' Dispensary.' " There is 
 nothing more, even in Gray's imputation, than mere suspicion, 
 and it is quite certain that his reputation as a wit could not have 
 been obtained in any such manner. Lord Chesterfield's opinion 
 of him in that regard is clearly manifested -in his letters to 
 Nugent, a fact which, with the other contemporary judgments 
 which I have set out elsewhere, will go far to explain why I have 
 thought his correspondence and some anecdotes worthy of a 
 separate place in this memoir. 
 
 C. N.
 
 ERRATA 
 
 Page 12, line 13, for 1760 read 1560 
 
 ,, footnote, lines 7 and 8,ybr Sir George Hanley read Sir George Stanley 
 
 ,, ,, line 11, for Henry VIII. read Henry VII. 
 
 48, line 22, for handy shop read brandy shop 
 50, line 10, for easy invasion read easy evasion 
 192, line 3 of poem, for Brindon read Bindon 
 233, line 2 of second letter, for behon read before 
 249, footnote, for brother read father 
 276, line 7 from foot, for 1882 read 1832 
 287, line 2 of Duke of Wellington's letter, for Bakerville read Baskerville
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 MEMOIR ...... 
 
 POEMS ...... 
 
 LETTERS ..... 
 
 APPENDICES BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 I. EDMUND NUGENT 
 
 F.-M. SIR GEORGE NUGENT 
 II. CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 
 III. ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR . 
 
 INDEX ...... 
 
 I 
 
 97 
 195 
 
 271 
 272 
 290 
 
 3 l6 
 
 345
 
 LIST OF PORTRAITS 
 
 ROBERT, EARL NUGENT 
 
 (Bv Thomas Gainsborough) 
 
 MARGARET, SISTER OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 [From a Pastel Drawing) 
 
 GOSFIELD HALL, ESSEX 
 A FAMILY GROUP 
 
 (By Zoffany) 
 
 LADY BUCKINGHAM . 
 
 MRS. 
 
 KNIGHT, SECOND WIFE OF LORD 
 
 NUGENT ...... 
 
 {From an "Engraving after a Painting b\ Kneller) 
 
 ELIZABETH, COUNTESS OF BERKLEY 
 
 (From an Eng> a Painting by Sir Joshua Remolds) 
 
 ROBERT, EARL NUGENT .... 
 
 [From a Pastel Drawin ) 
 
 ALEXANDER POPE ..... 
 
 ROBERT, EARL NUGENT .... 
 
 (From an Engrav.ng pub ished in 17S4 
 
 HORACE WALPOLE ..... 
 
 COLONEL THE HONOURABLE EDMUND NUGENT 
 
 (By Thomas Gainsborough) 
 
 Frontispiece 
 
 To face page 6 
 
 ■>■> ■>■> 
 
 " 5? 
 
 10 
 22 
 
 55 
 
 •>■> 
 
 3° 
 
 •■> 
 
 •>•> 
 
 40 
 
 ■>■> 
 
 5> 
 
 82 
 
 ;•> 
 
 ;) 
 
 150 
 
 ■>■> 
 
 >> 
 
 I92 
 
 i) 
 
 •>•> 
 
 I98 
 
 ■>■> 
 
 ■>■> 
 
 2-2
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 Robert Nugent of Carlanstown, County Westmeath, came of an 
 ancient and distinguished family, settled in Ireland since the reign 
 of Henry II., when Sir Gilbert de Nugent accompanied Sir Hugh 
 de Lacy in the expedition to Ireland, in recompense for which Sir 
 Hugh gave him his sister Rosa to wife, and with her the Barony 
 of Delvin. This was some time after 1172. Sir Gilbert's sons, 
 however, died before him, the barony devolving upon his brother 
 Richard, whose only child and heiress carried the title in 11 80 to 
 her husband, one John or Fitz-John. The title was restored to 
 the Nugent family more than two hundred years later, when, in 
 1407, Sir William Nugent, a collateral descendant of Sir Gilbert, 
 married the sole heiress of John Fitz-John le Tuit, eighth baron 
 Delvin, and Sir William succeeded his father-in-law as ninth 
 baron, although genealogists often regard the peerage as a new 
 creation. His eldest son, the tenth baron, who died about 1460, 
 was Lord-Deputy of Ireland under the Earl of Ormonde in 1444, 
 and Richard, Duke of York in 1449. In the latter year he con- 
 vened parliaments in Drogheda and Dublin. The twelfth baron, 
 Richard Nugent, like his grandfather, did the State excellent 
 service, which seems to have been well recognized, and also, like 
 him, held some of the most honourable and responsible offices in 
 the realm. He signed the letter addressed by the Council of 
 Ireland to Wolsey in 1522, thanking him for the care he was 
 taking of Ireland, and begging that five or six ships might be 
 sent to keep the sea between them and the Scots, as they were 
 afraid that, in consequence of the departure of the Earl of Surrey 
 and the King's army, the Irish rebels would receive help from 
 
 B
 
 2 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Scotland and prove too strong. He was more than once Lord- 
 Deputy and Governor of Ireland, and his position in the State may 
 be approximately gauged by the fact, that when in 1524 an 
 indenture was drawn up between the King and the Earl of 
 Kildare, the Earl promised not to " procure, stir, nor maintain any 
 war against the Earl of Ormond, the Baron of Delvin, nor Sir 
 William D'Arcy." It was from his second son, Sir Thomas 
 Nugent, knight, that the subject of this memoir was descended. 
 
 Greater variety marked the fortunes of Sir Christopher, the 
 fourteenth baron. He was presented to the Queen when she 
 visited the University of Cambridge in 1564, and on coming of 
 age next year, he went to Ireland with letters of recommendation 
 to the Lord-Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, containing considerable 
 grants of land. In the course of his career he was several times 
 suspected of disloyalty to the Crown, and on one occasion suffered 
 imprisonment for eighteen months during the investigation of a 
 charge of complicity in the rebellious projects of Lord Baltinglas. 
 He was liberated, however, and in a measure was restored to the 
 favour of the Queen, at whose request and for whose use he had 
 compiled A Primer of the Irish Language. A serious embroil- 
 ment with Chief-Justice Dillon again brought his fidelity into 
 disrepute, although he declared that his animosity against Dillon 
 was the result of the latter's having done to death Nugent's uncle, 
 Nicholas Nugent, a Chief-Justice of the Irish Common Bench, 
 who had been hanged in 1582, upon what there is good reason to 
 believe was a trumped-up charge of rebellion and conspiracy to 
 murder the two Dillons, who were respectively Lord Chief- 
 Justice of the Common Pleas and Lord Chief Baron. At all 
 events, the jury had acquitted Sir Nicholas, when the Dillons 
 compelled them to alter their verdict, and Nugent was hanged 
 two days later. The Oueen's opinion may be gathered from the 
 reversal of the attainder with a re-grant of his estate to the widow, 
 a daughter of Sir John Plunket, Lord Chief-Justice of the Queen's 
 Bench, for life, with remainder to her son Richard. Lord Delvin, 
 too, though not until 1593, was appointed leader of the forces of 
 Westmeath at the general hosting on the Hill of Tara, and was 
 warmly commended for his zeal in the disturbed period which 
 preceded the rebellion of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and was 
 also the recipient of further emoluments and honours. In 1600, 
 however, the severities of Tyrone forced him to submit, and 
 although he does not appear to have afforded the rebels any active 
 service, he was arrested on suspicion, and died in confinement in 
 1602. Richard, the son of the unfortunate Nicholas, who was 
 hanged, was a poet of some note.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 3 
 
 Another member of the family, William, a younger brother of 
 Christopher, the fourteenth Baron Delvin, was an open and avowed 
 rebel. He had previously been suspected of rebellious sympathies 
 on two occasions, and, as he was expressly excluded from the 
 general pardon offered to the adherents of Lord Baltinglas, he 
 was driven to take up arms on his own account. He gave the 
 authorities a great deal of trouble for a little while, but the rising 
 failed miserably, and he underwent unspeakable privations, in 
 which an heroic attempt by his wife to succour him was visited 
 with a year's imprisonment. Afterwards he escaped to Scotland, 
 thence through France to Rome. Here and elsewhere on the 
 Continent he engaged in various intrigues against the English 
 Government, especially with regard to an insurrection to take 
 place in Ireland while Spain was invading England. After many 
 romantic adventures, he returned home, took up his old position, 
 the quietude of the remaining years of his life being varied only 
 by an attempt to pay off old scores against Sir Robert Dillon, who 
 had so malignantly persecuted his family. In 1591 he formally 
 accused him of maladministration, and it is generally admitted 
 there was strong presumptive evidence of Dillon's guilt ; but the 
 Government were in a difficult position, and in 1593 Sir Robert 
 was pronounced innocent of all the accusations laid to his charge. 
 William Nugent's youngest son, James, became Marshal of the 
 army of the Confederates and Governor of Finagh, and by his 
 rebellion the family estates were finally forfeited. 
 
 Although the fourteenth Baron, as we have seen, died in prison 
 under a charge of treason, his death was regarded as a sufficient 
 atonement for his offence, and his eldest son, Richard, was allowed 
 to succeed to the title without opposition. An unexecuted grant 
 of lands to his father, and confirmed to him by James I., turned 
 out not to belong to the Crown, and pressure was brought to bear 
 upon Delvin to force him to surrender them. Exasperated at this 
 treatment, he unluckily in 1606 entered into a conspiracy to over- 
 throw the Government. He appears to have repented of the act 
 as soon as he had committed it, but shrank from disclosing the 
 plot to the Government. Christopher St. Lawrence, Lord Howth, 
 however, denounced the conspiracy, and although he was at first 
 disbelieved, the flight of Tyrone and Tyrconnell in 1607 awoke 
 the Government to the necessity of finding out as much as possible. 
 Delvin, who was implicated by Howth's revelations, was therefore 
 inveigled to Dublin and arrested ; but succeeded in making his 
 escape to the Cam Mountains, where he defied all the efforts of 
 Sir Richard Wingfield to capture him. He submitted eventually, 
 and at Court his misconduct was entirely overlooked, and orders
 
 4 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 were given for the restitution of his property, together with a grant 
 of certain lands in lieu of those he had been obliged to surrender. 
 Once again, in 1613, he incurred the displeasure of the Govern- 
 ment, and was summoned to London. Subsequently, however, he 
 regained the King's favour, and in 1621 was advanced to the dig- 
 nity of Earl of Westmeath. On the outbreak of the rebellion of 
 1641, he declined to co-operate with the Catholic nobility and 
 gentry of the Pale. Being compelled to leave his house at Clonyn 
 about February 1642, he was being escorted to Dublin, when he 
 was attacked by the rebels near Athboy. He was in an infirm 
 state of health, being, it is said, blind and palsy-stricken, and did 
 not long survive the injuries he then received. 
 
 Richard, the second Earl, was chiefly noted for his adherence to 
 the Royalist cause. He succeeded on the death of his grandfather 
 in 1642. He raised a troop of horse, and a regiment of horse for 
 the King's service, and was taken prisoner at the Battle of Dangan 
 Hill, but subsequently exchanged for the Earl of Montgomery. 
 He was created a Field-Marshal by the Supreme Council, co- 
 operated with the Earl of Clanricarde after Ormonde's withdrawal 
 to France, and in 1650 was appointed General of all the Forces in 
 Leinster. On submission to the Commissioners of the Parliament, 
 on conditions known as the Articles of Kilkenny, he was granted 
 permission under them to raise soldiers for service in Spain, although 
 he was excluded from pardon for life and estate. With the 
 Restoration he recovered his liberty and estates, but withdrew from 
 politics, and died in 1684. It is curious to note that his daughter 
 Anne married Lucas, sixth Viscount Dillon, a kinsman of one 
 of the Dillons who had succeeded in hanging Nicholas Nugent, 
 and generally persecuted the family. 
 
 The eldest son of the second Earl, Christopher, Lord Delvin, 
 died in the lifetime of his father, and the title devolved on three 
 of his sons in succession. 
 
 Another son of the second Earl, Thomas Nugent, the lineal 
 ancestor of the present Earls of Westmeath, became Chief-Justice 
 of Ireland and titular Baron of Riverston. He seems, although 
 by no means a great lawyer, to have made himself very useful to 
 James II. Henry Hyde, the second Earl Clarendon, who had 
 treated him as a representative of the Irish Roman Catholics, 
 speaks of him as " a man of birth indeed, but no lawyer, and so 
 will do no harm upon the account of his learning." Clarendon 
 also relates of him, that on taking his seat he had a wrangle 
 with another judge about precedence, " as brisk as if it had been 
 between two women." Promotion came rapidly to him. From 
 being a judge of the King's Bench in 1685-6, he was sworn
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 5 
 
 of the Privy Council in May 1687, and in October of the same 
 year became Lord Chief-Justice. His court was occupied in 
 reversing the outlawries which pressed on his own co-religionists, 
 and generally in depressing the Protestants. His methods of doing 
 this were many and various. One of his first acts was to present 
 the Lord-Lieutenant with a packed list of sheriffs. He revived an 
 act of Henry VIL, forbidding the keeping of guns without licence, 
 and interpreted it so as to deprive the Protestants of their arms, 
 and thus leave them at the mercy of the rapparees, for Catholics 
 were not disarmed. Among other precious utterances of Nugent's 
 was one, that robbery of the Protestants was unfortunately neces- 
 sary for the furtherance of King James's policy. His demeanour 
 on the Bench was far from dignified, and we are told that in a 
 charge to a Dublin Grand Jury, he expressed a hope that William's 
 followers would soon be " hung up all over England " in " bunches 
 like a rope of onions." He took part, with Chief Baron Rice, in 
 the measures for the repeal of the Act of Settlement, and intro- 
 duced a Bill in the House of Peers for the purpose. He was finally 
 outlawed as a rebel, but his family retained the lands. He died in 
 1 7 15, and the title of Riverston, though void in law, was borne by 
 his descendants until it merged in the Earldom of Westmeath. 
 
 Richard, who became third Earl, entered a religious house in 
 France, and died there in 1 7 14. Thomas, the fourth Earl, had been 
 called by James II. to the House of Peers in Dublin while under 
 age and during the lifetime of his brother. He lived to the great 
 age of ninety-six. His name is chiefly connected with the Battle of 
 the Boyne and the sieges of Limerick, where he served with King 
 James's army. Story mentions him as one of those officers who left 
 the horse camp outside Limerick on September 25, 1691, during the 
 cessation of hostilities, and dined with Ginkel while on their way 
 into the city. On the following day he was sent into the English 
 camp as one of the hostages for the observance of the articles of the 
 capitulation. On December 2, 1697, Viscount Massareene re- 
 ported from the committee appointed to inspect the journals that 
 "Thomas, Earl of Westmeath, was indicted and outlawed May 
 11, 3 William and Mary (1691), but hath since reversed his out- 
 lawry." He died in 1752, and the title, failing male surviving 
 issue, passed to his younger brother John, who thus became fifth 
 Earl. He also was present at the Battle of the Boyne and at 
 Limerick as cadet in the Horse Guards of James II., but in 1691 
 withdrew, with the bulk of his Irish swordsmen, to France, and, 
 beginning by serving as lieutenant to the mestre-de-camp of the 
 King's regiment of Irish horse, embarked on a brilliant and varied 
 militant career, in the course of which he fought under the trench
 
 6 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 standard at Ramillies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet. He quitted 
 the French service in 1748, being then a margchal-de-camp^ or 
 Major-General, and succeeded his brother Thomas in 1752. He 
 died in retirement at Nivelles in Brabant in 1754, and was suc- 
 ceeded by his son Thomas, the sixth Earl of Westmeath, who 
 conformed to the established religion, being the first Protestant 
 peer of his house. 
 
 There were other Nugents of the same stock whom I have not 
 mentioned, although they were men of notable ability, courage, 
 and distinction. Especially the contributions of this family to the 
 French and other continental armies have been rich and generous. 
 My object, it will readily be understood, in giving this brief 
 historical sketch of the house of Nugent, is to draw attention to 
 the fact, that although it cannot be denied that the subject of this 
 memoir has been justly described as an adventurer, his birth was 
 such as to entitle him to the highest social rank. 
 
 Robert Nugent's descent was, as I have said, from Sir Thomas 
 Nugent, Knight, the second son of the twelfth Baron Delvin. 
 Nugent's father was Colonel Michael Nugent of Carlanstown, 
 County Westmeath, where Robert was born, his mother being 
 Mary, youngest daughter of Robert Barnewall, ninth Baron 
 Trimleston. There were four children of the marriage, Robert, 
 the eldest; Edmund, who died unmarried in 1760 ; Mary, who 
 was married in 1748 to Henry Brown; and Margaret, or Peggy, 
 as she was familiarly called, who died unmarried. 
 
 Some uncertainty exists as to the date of Robert's birth. Two 
 dates are given — 1702 and 1709. I am strongly inclined to favour 
 the former date, for two reasons. One is, that had he not been 
 born until 1 709, he would have been but twenty-one years of age 
 at the time of his first marriage, and even younger when he 
 entered the family of the Earl of Fingall as tutor to his son, not 
 an impossible, but an unlikely age. My second reason is, that 
 very late in life he was referred to as the Nestor of the House of 
 Commons, a title which could only rightly be bestowed upon him 
 on the supposition that he was born at the earlier date, since there 
 were several members living born prior to 1709. 
 
 Nugent was educated at Fagan's Academy in Ware Tavern 
 Street, Dublin, and his holidays were spent at Carlanstown, his 
 father's estate, standing four and a half miles north by west of 
 Castlepollard, among the hills of Mullachmeen and Mullachmore, 
 which stretch toward Lough Sheelin and form a strong relief to a 
 bleak and boggy expanse of flat ground. During this period of 
 his life he saw much of and became very intimate with the family 
 of his uncle, Christopher Nugent of Donore, and was a constant
 
 MARGARET, SISTER OF EARL NUGENT 
 From a Pastel Drawing in the possession of Sir Francis Boiieau
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 7 
 
 visitor at his house, which was a handsome Grecian edifice 
 beautifully situated on the south side of Lough Dereveragh. His 
 cousin Clare, at the time when he first became acquainted with 
 her, was "esteemed scarcely inferior to any in the kingdom for 
 personal beauty, and liberally endowed by nature with every 
 qualification capable of adding lustre to the fair sex ;" and being 
 not twenty years of age, could not fail to attract the notice of all 
 the youth of the neighbourhood, in consequence of which several 
 advantageous offers were made, but none were accepted. Among 
 the crowd of lovers enlisted under the fair one's standard was 
 young Robert, who, to put so painful and discreditable a matter as 
 briefly as possible, succeeded, in spite of the dictates of honour 
 and the ties of blood and friendship, in overcoming his cousin's 
 virtue. The intrigue could not long be hid from the parents of 
 the unfortunate girl, and her state becoming evident, Robert was 
 forced to shelter himself from the just anger of his relations by 
 absconding for some time to Dublin. Here one of his cousins 
 tracked him out, and a duel ensued, which might have proved 
 fatal to one of the parties had it not been for the interposition of 
 
 Lord , a near relation, and an equal friend to both, by whose 
 
 means Robert agreed to repair the breach he had made, and re- 
 unite the two families by an honourable alliance with the fair 
 penitent, whose fortune was to be five thousand pounds. He appears 
 to have had no intention, however, of carrying out his promises, and 
 in a few days he left the kingdom hastily and retired to London. 
 
 So great was the grief and consternation of the disconsolate 
 Clare at this unwelcome news, that it was very near proving a 
 fatal stroke to her, and probably would have proved so, had it not 
 been for the tenderness and care which she met with at the hands 
 of her cousins Mary and Peggy, who endeavoured to lighten her 
 heavy burden of disappointment and dishonour. Clare remained 
 with them for some months, until distress and anxiety so preyed 
 upon her mind, that she came to the determination of privately 
 making her way to London in pursuit of the yet too much 
 beloved author of her misfortunes. Accordingly, attended by her 
 Confessor, Father Lynch, and a female servant, she made her 
 escape from her cousins, and reached London in safety. It was 
 not long before she found out Robert's hiding-place, and soon 
 made him acquainted with her being in town ; but to her sur- 
 prise and mortification she found herself disregarded in the most 
 contemptuous manner, and her letters taken no notice of, although 
 she was too well assured of their being delivered into his own 
 hands. Despair and distress now surrounded her, till she was 
 reduced so low as to be under the necessity of pledging her watch
 
 8 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 and the few jewels she had with her to defray the expenses con- 
 sequent on her accouchement. In this dismal situation, without 
 parent, husband, or friend to comfort her, a boy was born in the 
 parish of St. George's, Hanover Square, in the beginning of the 
 year 1730. 
 
 When she had far enough recovered her strength to do so, she 
 sought out a relative residing in London, who supported her both 
 by money and the most friendly advice, and not only persuaded 
 her to return to Ireland, but paved the way for her proper 
 reception by her family, by whom she was welcomed with great 
 affection. 
 
 Although Clare was fully pardoned, her sin was visited upon 
 her unfortunate child, whom it was esteemed improper to keep in 
 his family. He was put to nurse, therefore, at a small village 
 called Castle Pollard some miles from Donore, where no other 
 notice was taken of him beyond recompensing from time to time 
 the poor woman who had charge of him for her trouble. When 
 he reached the age of three, he was entrusted to the care of Lynch, 
 the Roman Catholic priest who had attended Clare in her journey 
 to London, and with him remained for a few years in Galway, 
 Lynch being paid by Robert Nugent ten pounds a year for the 
 boy's board, lodging, and tuition. 
 
 Nugent had meanwhile married. Of the circumstances under 
 which he is supposed to have become tutor in the family of the 
 Earl of Fingall (Peter, the fourth Earl) we have no record. All 
 that is known is, that on July 14, 1730, he married Lady Emilia 
 Plunkett, the Earl's second daughter, whom he lost a year after, 
 August 16, I73i,in childbed. The son, who became Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Edmund Nugent, did not survive his father. His two 
 sons, Charles Edmund and George, whose achievements are 
 chronicled separately, won the highest distinctions which the 
 navy and army respectively could afford ; but, unfortunately, 
 under circumstances whose obscurity I have been unable to pene- 
 trate, they were not legitimately born, with the result that they 
 were unable to inherit the titles which otherwise would have 
 descended upon one of them from their grandfather. Lady Emilia 
 was by no means ignorant of her husband's previous conduct, and 
 upon her bed of sickness, touched with a deep sense of Clare's 
 misfortunes, laid her dying injunctions upon Robert to repair as 
 soon as decency would permit the injuries he had caused, and to 
 do that justice to himself and family that he had so long dis- 
 regarded. Nugent therefore wrote to Clare a letter expressing 
 his deep regret for the misery and sorrow of which he had been 
 the author, and stating that he was now quite prepared to offer
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 9 
 
 the utmost satisfaction he was capable of giving. He followed 
 the letter immediately from Dublin, and drove to Donore House, 
 with a fixed resolution of fulfilling his promise ; but on reaching 
 his destination he was received only by his uncle's footman, who 
 expressed the due regards of the house for the honour he intended 
 them, informing him, however, that the following evening had 
 for some time been fixed for Clare's wedding with Mr. O'Byrne, a 
 neighbouring gentleman of considerable fortune and high character. 
 
 On March 23, 1736, Nugent married Anne, the daughter of 
 James Craggs, the Postmaster-General, and sister of Secretary 
 Craggs, Pope's and Addison's intimate friend, who were both so 
 deeply involved in the South Sea scheme ; the Postmaster-General 
 having been proved by the Committee of Secrecy appointed to 
 inquire into the management of the Company, to have received 
 from the directors a bribe of ^40,000 stock. He died in a 
 lethargic fit on the night before the Secret Committee was to re- 
 port to the House of Commons on his case, and as it was discovered 
 that he had realized no less a sum than ^69,000 by his transac- 
 tions in the South Sea, the rumour was not unnaturally spread 
 abroad that he had taken poison to avert public disgrace. 
 
 Secretary Craggs was not convicted of actual fraud, and Pope, 
 one of his staunchest friends, ardently maintained his innocence. 
 " There never lived," he wrote, " a more worthy nature, a more 
 disinterested mind, a more open and friendly temper, than Mr. 
 Craggs. A little time, I doubt not, will clear up a character 
 which the world will learn to value and admire when it has none 
 such remaining in it." 1 
 
 Two years later, however, he died of smallpox, being then in 
 the thirty-sixth year of his age. 2 
 
 1 It may not be out of place to insert the following amusing dialogue 
 which is said to have taken place between Pope and Secretary Craggs — 
 
 Pope. " Since my old friend is grown so great 
 As to be minister of State, 
 I'm told, but 'tis not true, I hope, 
 That Craggs will be ashamed of Pope." 
 
 Craggs. " Alas ! if I am such a creature 
 
 To grow the worse for growing greater, 
 Why, faith, in spite of all my brags, 
 'Tis Pope must be ashamed of Craggs." 
 
 2 Pope's opinion of the firm integrity and undeviating rectitude of 
 the conduct of Secretary Craggs is well expressed in his epitaph 
 on his tomb in Westminster Abbey —
 
 io MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Anne Craggs had first married, in 1712, John Newsham of 
 Chadshunt in Warwickshire, by whom she had one son only. 
 Her second husband was John Knight, M.P. successively for 
 St. Germains and Sudbury, by whom also she had one son only, 
 who died in 1727. John Knight, her second husband, died in 
 1733, bequeathing to her all his estates, including the beautiful 
 seat of Gosfield Hall in Essex, and a very considerable sum of 
 money. She also shared with her two sisters, Mrs. Trefusis and 
 Mrs. Eliot, her father's fortune, which was in itself ample enough, 
 although the executors were compelled by Act of Parliament to 
 refund the ^69,000 which he had realized by his transactions 
 with the South Sea Company. She also shared with her sisters 
 the fortune of her brother, the Secretary. Nugent is said to have 
 received with her ^100,000 in money and estates, in addition to 
 the seat for St. Mawe's ; Nugent's own fortune, it is stated, 
 amounting to ^1500 a year. 
 
 To his marriage with this "fat and ugly dame" (whose name 
 he took in addition to his own, and who was five years his senior) 
 Nugent owed his first real advancement in life, for her great 
 wealth placed him in an influential position at as early an age as 
 thirty-four, and obtained for him a seat in Parliament for St. 
 Mawe's in Cornwall. He took the name of Craggs as a prefix to 
 that of Nugent. 
 
 The marriage seems to have excited some amusement in social 
 circles. The bride was something of an oddity, and was the 
 subject of a good deal of not entirely good-natured laughter. For 
 instance, we find Mrs. Anne Granville, afterwards Mrs. Delany, 
 writing on May 6, 1737, to Mrs. Catherine Collingwood at 
 Bath — "There have been weddings without number this spring, 
 but none so much talked of as Mrs. Knight's, who is most ridiculous. 
 She says that '■she and Mr. Nugent have heen in the country 
 attended only by the boy Cupid.'' I could tell you many more of 
 her bon mots, but fancy you have enough of them." 
 
 Gosfield Hall, though greatly altered, presents an interesting 
 specimen of the domestic architecture that prevailed in the con- 
 struction of the residences of the nobility during the reign of 
 Henry VII., who still enforced the ancient prerogative of the 
 
 " Statesman, yet friend, to truth, of soul sincere, 
 In action faithful and in honour clear, 
 Who broke no promise, serv'd no private end, 
 Who gain'd no title and who lost no friend. 
 A noble by himself by all approv'd, 
 Prais'd, wept, and honour'd by the Muse he lov'd."
 
 •A 
 
 <! 
 
 
 w 
 
 w 
 
 <, 
 
 U) 
 
 
 
 r. 
 
 > 
 
 *^ 
 
 UJ 
 
 « 
 
 ^J 
 
 
 H 
 
 >. 
 
 h-l 
 
 
 
 .5 
 
 < 
 
 u 
 
 <-> 
 
 X 
 
 •X 
 
 ^> 
 
 ►J 
 
 Z 
 
 w 
 
 <0 
 
 w 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 "^ 
 
 
 
 /, 
 
 
 
 
 
 r 
 
 
 "* 
 
 O 
 
 OS 
 
 *-J 
 
 _ 
 

 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT u 
 
 Crown in prohibiting his subjects from erecting castles ; yet here, 
 as in other cases where the restraints of the law proved an in- 
 sufficient security against the violence of the times, its provisions 
 were evaded, and the houses erected at that period, though not 
 coming into the description of fortresses, were as strong and well 
 secured as many of the baronial castles. This building was a 
 large pile of brick, enclosing a quadrangular court, into which all 
 the lower tier of windows opened, which were strongly barricaded, 
 so that no admittance could be forced but with great difficulty. 
 The house, as originally built, consisted of only one room in 
 thickness, and consequently there was no other communication 
 round the inside but by passing through every room. The first 
 floor was occupied by a gallery one hundred and six feet in 
 length and twelve in width. This gallery is called Queen 
 Elizabeth's, in commemoration of her having twice visited Gosfield. 
 Horace Walpole has given a good description of the house in 
 his letter of July 25, 1748, to George Montagu, Esq., shortly after 
 a visit there, in which he writes — " I suppose you have heard much 
 of Gosfield, Nugent's seat. It is extremely in fashion, but did not 
 answer to me, though there are fine things about it ; but being 
 situated in a country that is quite blocked up with hills upon 
 hills, and even too much wood, it has not an inch of prospect. 
 The park is to be 1600 acres, and is bounded by a wood of 
 five miles round, and the lake, which is very beautiful, is of 
 seventy acres, 1 directly in a line with the house at the bottom 
 of a fine lawn, and broke with very pretty groves that fall 
 down and slope into it. The house is vast, built round a very 
 old court that has never been fine ; the old windows and gate- 
 way left, and the old gallery, which is a bad narrow room, and 
 hung with all the late patriots, but so ill done that they look 
 like caricatures done to expose them, since they have so much 
 disgraced the virtues they pretended to. The rest of the house 
 is all modernized, but in patches, and in the bad taste that came 
 between the charming venerable Gothic and pure architecture. 
 There is a great deal of good furniture, but no one room 
 very fine : no tolerable pictures. Her dressing-room is very 
 pretty, and furnished with white damask, china, japan, loads of 
 easy chairs, bad pictures, and some pretty enamels. But what 
 charmed me more than all I had seen, is the library chimney, 
 which has existed from the foundation of the house ; over it is 
 an alto-relievo in wood, far from being ill done, of the battle of 
 
 1 This was subsequently enlarged by Lord Nugent to the extent of 
 one hundred and two acres.
 
 12 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Bosworth Field. It is all white except the helmets and trap- 
 pings, which are gilt, and the shields, which are properly 
 blazoned with the arms of all the chiefs l engaged. You would 
 adore it." 
 
 Most of the family portraits were hung in a suite of rooms 
 called the Green Velvet Apartments : among them were those 
 of Robert Nugent himself by Gainsborough (our Frontispiece), 
 and of James Craggs, Postmaster-General, of the Rt. Hon. 
 James Craggs, Secretary of State, of Mrs. Craggs, his mother, 
 sister of Major-General Richards, and of Major-General Richards. 
 
 At a short distance from the hall to the east is the village 
 church, in which is a small chapel or chantry, built by Thomas 
 Rolfe, Esq., and repaired in 1760 by Sir John Wentworth, as a 
 burial place for his family. Adjoining the chantry is a private 
 chapel, in which is a marble monument to the memory of John 
 Knight, Esq., who died in 1733, at the age of fifty. This 
 monument was executed by Scheemaker under the direction of 
 Pope, who also wrote the epitaph as follows : — 
 
 " O fairest pattern to a falling age, 
 Whose public virtue knew no party rage ; 
 "Whose private name all titles recommend, 
 The pious son, fond husband, faithful friend. 
 In manners plain, in sense alone refln'd ; 
 Good without show, and without weakness kind : 
 To reason's equal dictates ever true 5 
 Calm to resolve, and constant to pursue : 
 In life with ev'ry social grace adorn'd ; 
 In death by Friendship, Honour, Virtue, mourn'd ! " 
 
 1 This striking piece of work, which represents the memorable 
 battle of Bosworth Field, between Richard III. and the Earl of Rich- 
 mond, contains twenty-four figures on horseback, with the King lying 
 prostrate under his own charger. Most of the personages introduced 
 are known by the armorial bearings on the shields. Among others are : 
 the Duke of Norfolk, Earls of Surrey and Northumberland, Sir 
 Walter Blount, Sir William Herbert, Lord Stanley, Sir George 
 Hanley, Sir William Brandon, Lord Edward Stafford, Sir Gilbert 
 Talbot, Sir R. Ratcliffe, Sir I. Tyrrell, Edward Lord Lovel, and the 
 Earl of Oxford. At the extremities of the chimney-piece are small 
 statues of Henry VIII. and his queen, exactly resembling those on the 
 monument at Westminster Abbey. The date of this sculpture is un- 
 certain, but it is known to be of considerable antiquity, it having been 
 removed in the year 1687 from Bois Hall, a small house belonging to 
 the Earls of Oxford, one of whom was a partisan of the Earl of 
 Richmond.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 13 
 
 On the pedestal are short inscriptions in Latin in memory 
 of Robert, Earl Nugent, Lieut.- Col. Edmund Nugent, his son, 
 Margaret Nugent, his sister, and Anne Craggs. 
 
 Nugent's second marriage was certainly an unfortunate one. 
 His wife was five years older than himself, and, though she 
 brought him great wealth, she bore him no children, nor did 
 she contribute greatly to his personal happiness. They were 
 both possessed of hasty tempers, and were continually quarrelling 
 in private, though in public they appeared to be the best of 
 friends. Mrs. Nugent seems to have been quite a character, and 
 many amusing incidents relating to her lie scattered over the 
 pages of Walpole. She was worse than plain ; she is described as 
 " very ugly," and she was enormously fat. Horace Walpole nar- 
 rates how that the chairmen who were to drive two pigs to Park 
 Place (of such proportions that he likens them to Ziechi Miechi, 
 the Chinese God of good eating and drinking), got drunk on the 
 way, and in excuse for the delay declared that the creatures got 
 unruly, ran away, and would not be managed. " Do but think 
 of their running ! " says Walpole ; " it puts me in mind of Mrs. 
 Nugent's talking of just jumping out of a coach ! " 
 
 Mrs. Nugent was very fond of entertaining, both in the 
 country and in London ; and her husband's wit, together with 
 her own amiability, rendered her dinner-parties and assemblies 
 most popular. It is amusing to notice in the St. James's Evening 
 Post of January 9, 1752, the following extract : — "We are assured 
 that on Tuesday last the surprising strong woman was exhibited 
 at the Countess of Holderness's, before a polite assembly of persons 
 of the first quality ; and some time this week the two dwarfs will 
 play at brag at Madame Holman's. N.B. The strong man who 
 was to have performed at Mrs. Nugent's is indisposed." 
 
 Walpole gives an amusing account of a visit he paid to Gosfield 
 shortly before this date. "We passed our time," he says, "very 
 agreeably ; both Nugent and his wife are very good-humoured, 
 and easy in their house to a degree. There was nobody else but 
 the Marquis of Tweeddale, his new Marchioness, 1 who is infinitely 
 good-humoured and good company, and sang a thousand French 
 songs mighty prettily ; a sister of Nugent's, 2 who does not figure, 
 and a Mrs. Eliot, 3 a sister to Mrs. Nugent, who crossed over and 
 
 1 Daughter of Earl Granville. 
 
 2 Peg Nugent. 
 
 3 Harriet, wife of Richard Eliot, Esq., father of the first Lord St. 
 Germains, and daughter of Mr. Craggs, the Postmaster-General, by 
 Miss Santlow the actress, afterwards Mrs. Barton Booth. For a
 
 14 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 figured in with Nugent : I mean she has turned Catholic as he 
 has Protestant. She has built herself a very pretty small house in 
 the Park, and is only a daily visitor. Nugent was extremely 
 communicative of his own labours, repeated us an ode of ten 
 thousand stanzas to abuse Messieurs de la Gallerie, and read me a 
 whole tragedy which has really a great many pretty things in it, 
 not indeed equal to his glorious ode 1 on religion and liberty, but 
 with many of those absurdities which are so blended with his parts." 
 
 Mrs. Nugent died in 1756, aged 59, and was buried at Gosfield. 
 It is difficult to believe that she was much regretted by her 
 husband, when we find that he married another wife in the 
 following year; but she was lamented by a large circle of friends 
 by whom she had been greatly liked. Alexander Pope, who died 
 some years previously, had been very intimate with her, partly, no 
 doubt, in consequence of his great affection for her brother, 
 Secretary Craggs. " I cannot help," he writes to her, " breaking 
 through the ceremony of the world, and writing as if I had the 
 title of a relation to you." Again, " I shall use no ceremonial 
 with you on no occasion, but take you for what you are pleased to 
 profess yourself toward me, and only assure you I shall think (if 
 ever I found myself tempted to be too complaisant, or in the least 
 degree insincere to you) that I am offending the remains of the 
 sincerest man I ever knew in the world, and growing ungrateful 
 to him after his death. Believe me, therefore, madam, sensible of 
 the obligation of being thought well of, and yet more sensible of 
 that which occasioned your good opinion, your tenderness for 
 him, and your acquiescence in his judgment, which was so favourable 
 (indeed so partial) to me. In a word, I esteem you more for 
 loving him than for liking me ; nay, I not only esteem, but love 
 you the more for that very reason ; and I will be always, dear 
 madam, yours." 
 
 This friendship was continued after Anne's third marriage ; 
 and when Nugent was busily employed in repairing Gosfield, 
 Pope writes to her, " I pray that you may be delivered from all 
 evil, and particularly, in the first place, from all evil workers, or 
 workmen, who are as dirty and as noisy as devils, in your house. 
 But you may wish me joy of workmen in my garden, which I 
 think as delightful as the others are dreadful. You may as much 
 expect to see a new garden when you come to Twitnam, as I to 
 see a new house when I go to Gosfield." 
 
 copy of verses addressed by Mr. Pitt to this lady, see the Chatham 
 Correspondence, vol. iv. p. 373. 
 1 The Ode to William Pulteney.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 15 
 
 Pope was a constant visitor at Gosfield, and became very 
 intimate with Nugent, to whom he addressed several letters about 
 the year 1740. He usually added a little postscript for the benefit 
 of his old friend, such as " My old-fashioned services attend Mrs. 
 Nugent " ; or, "Mrs. Nugent, I know, remembers me, and so do I 
 her, always, and acknowledge her Good Temper towards me, who 
 does not quarrel with me as other ladies have done " ; or, " I may 
 remember Mrs. Nugent as one of ye companions of my younger 
 and gayer days, and sigh to be able to live on with y m . But we 
 are no longer Creatures of ye same Element : they are all Air and 
 Fire, and I am Earth : however I admire their Flights, and am 
 their Servant." 
 
 Great as was the influence of this marriage upon Nugent's 
 social fortunes, it was of even greater importance upon his political 
 career. At the time (1741) when he, so to speak, took possession 
 of the parliamentary representation of St. Mawe's, Frederick, the 
 Prince of Wales, was holding a Court of Stannary as Duke of 
 Cornwall. "George II.," says Lord Campbell, 1 "who had been 
 disliked by his father, actually hated his own son," and the latter 
 repaid him by scheming against him and the Government, and 
 thwarting them in every conceivable way. He was forming all 
 sorts of imaginary administrations, and his efforts were especially 
 directed against Sir Robert Walpole, whose downfall was nearly 
 approaching. He was not long in need of help in his designs, for 
 the " Country Party," or " The Patriots," as they were called, 
 were not slow to perceive the advantages to be obtained from an 
 alliance with a recalcitrant Prince of Wales, and they eagerly 
 flocked to his side. A substantial part of his grievance against 
 his father consisted of a denial of what Frederick considered an 
 adequate maintenance, and Nugent, with his jovial manners and 
 free command of money, was welcomed as an associate both genial 
 and useful. Hence, at the very outset of his career, he was 
 thrown into the society and shared in the councils of such men 
 as Bolingbroke, Carteret, Chesterfield, Wyndham, and Cobham. 
 The results of this association belong properly to the political side 
 of Nugent's life, and they will be more fully dealt with under 
 that head ; but they must also have had considerable bearing 
 upon his social standing. 
 
 Amateur performances had become fashionable under the first 
 two Georges, who, notwithstanding their imperfect acquaintance 
 with the language, and their protracted absences from the country, 
 were yet patrons of the national drama. George II. was at 
 
 1 Lives of the Lord Chancellors, v. 66.
 
 16 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Drury Lane Theatre when the despatches from his darling son, 
 the Duke of Cumberland, brought news of the victory of Culloden. 
 The King stood up with streaming eyes, and loudly thanked God, 
 and announced the victory of his people. The band, by Garrick's 
 orders, at once played " God save the King," the whole audience 
 joining enthusiastically in the chorus. Frederick, Prince of 
 Wales, had steadily encouraged the private performance of plays 
 at Cliftden and Leicester Houses. On January 4, 1 749, the children 
 of his Royal Highness, with the aid of some of the younger members 
 of the nobility, represented the tragedy of Cato, before a very 
 distinguished audience. This was at Leicester House, and the 
 performance was under the direction of Mr. Quin, the great 
 tragedian. Prince George was Fortius ; Prince Edward, Jul a ; 
 Master Nugent, Cato; Master Montague, Lucius; Lord Northson, 
 Syphax ; Master Evelyn, Sempronius ; Lord Milsington, Decius ; 
 and Master Madden, Marcus ; while the Princess Augusta was 
 Marcia ; and the Princess Elizabeth, Lucia. Before the rising 
 of the curtain, Prince George, then eleven years old, delivered an 
 appropriate prologue. After the tragedy an epilogue was spoken 
 by Prince Edward. That Mr. Quin was proud of his pupil, 
 Prince George, we may gather from the well-known story of the 
 actor exclaiming triumphantly, " Ah ! I taught the boy to speak," 
 when, as George III., the young man was delivering his first 
 speech from the throne. 
 
 An amusing incident is related by Walpole as having taken 
 place at an assembly in Mrs. Nugent's house. The French 
 Ambassadress, who was present, was terrified out of her wits at 
 hearing Mrs. Nugent call out " Un voleurV The Ambassadress 
 had heard so much about robbing, that she did not doubt but, dans 
 ce pais cy^ they robbed in the middle of an assembly. It turned 
 out to be only a thief in the candle. 
 
 In 1757 Nugent married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Drax 
 of Charborough in Dorset, and relict of Augustus, fourth Earl of 
 Berkeley, who had only died two years previously. He thus became 
 possessed of yet another fortune, though he failed to obtain from 
 his third wife any greater degree of happiness than he had done 
 from his second. She survived him, but they were separated 
 many years before his death. She bore him two daughters, Mary 
 and Louisa, only the former of whom, who was destined to become his 
 heiress, he deigned to recognize. The latter left her father's roof 
 with her mother, and was eventually married to a Captain Hervey. 
 Mary was brought up by her Aunt Peggy, together with Nugent's 
 granddaughter Elizabeth, who was only a year or two older. 
 
 Of Nugent's tendency to practical joking, Wraxall gives a none
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 17 
 
 too edifying instance. " While I am on this subject," he writes, 1 
 " I cannot resist relating a frolick, which rendered Lord Nugent, 
 or rather Mr. Nugent, he being then a Commoner, not a little 
 distinguished, towards the end of George the Second's reign. 
 George, Earl of Bristol, eldest of the three sons of the famous 
 Lord Hervey, whom Pope has, very unjustly, transmitted to 
 Prosterity as c Lord Fanny,' and as Sporus, — like his father, 
 inclined to a degree of effeminacy in his person, manners, and 
 dress. Probably these characteristics of deportment, while they 
 exposed him to some animadversion or ridicule, led to a supposition 
 that they were connected with want of spirit, and that he would 
 not promptly resent insult. Certain it is, that Mr. Nugent, 
 then a man of consideration, fortune, and fashion, living in the 
 highest company of the Metropolis, being one evening at Lord 
 Temple's house in Pall Mall, where a splendid assembly of both 
 sexes was collected, laid a singular bet with Lord Temple that he 
 would spit in the Earl of Bristol's hat. The Wager was accepted, 
 and Mr. Nugent instantly set about its accomplishment. For 
 this purpose, as he passed Lord Bristol, who stood in the doorway 
 of one of the apartments, very richly dressed, holding his hat 
 under his arm, with the inside uppermost, Mr. Nugent, turning 
 round as if to spit, and affecting not to perceive Lord Bristol, 
 performed that act in his hat. 
 
 "Pretending the utmost concern and distress at the unintentional 
 rudeness that he had committed, Mr. Nugent made a thousand 
 Apologies to the Earl for his Indecorum, and entreated to be 
 allowed to wipe off the affront with his pocket-handkerchief ; but 
 Lord Bristol, calmly taking out his own, used it for that purpose, 
 besought Mr. Nugent not to be discomposed, assured him that he 
 was not discomposed himself, wiped the inside of his hat, and then 
 replacing it as before, under his arm, asked Mr. Nugent whether 
 he had any further occasion for it in the same way. Having so 
 done, the Earl, without changing a muscle of his countenance, or 
 manifesting any irritation, quitted the place where he stood, sat 
 down to play with the party he usually made at Cards, finished his 
 two or three Rubbers, and returned home. Mr. Nugent, after 
 triumphantly winning his Bet, considered the matter as terminated ; 
 but in this supposition he counted without his host. Early on the 
 following morning, before he was risen, he received a note, similar 
 in its nature and contents to that which Gil Bias tells us he 
 delivered to his master, Don Mathias de Sylva ; but with the 
 summons contained in which Mr. Nugent did not manifest the 
 
 1 Hist. Mem., 131 et secj.
 
 18 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 same careless promptitude to comply as the Spanish Grandee 
 exhibited in the novel of Le Sage. The Note acquainted him 
 that Lord Bristol expected and demanded Satisfaction for the insult 
 of the preceding night, without delay ; naming time, as well as 
 place. An instant answer was required. 
 
 " Mr. Nugent now perceived that he had involved himself in a 
 very serious affair of Honour, where he had only meant to gratify a 
 wanton moment of frolick. However personally brave, he felt 
 that the Exertion of his Courage, in order to cover or justify a 
 premeditated insult, which no Sophistry could warrant or excuse, 
 would only aggravate his offence. Under this impression, having 
 determined therefore to make reparation, he wrote to Lord Bristol, 
 offering every possible Apology for the act committed, which, he 
 admitted, would be inexcusable if it had been meant as any Affront. 
 But, as the best extenuation of so gross a seeming violation of all 
 decorum, he added that it did not arise from the most remote 
 intention of insulting the Earl, the whole Matter having originated in 
 a bet. He concluded by professing his readiness to ask pardon in 
 the most ample manner, requesting that the business might not 
 produce any further consequences. To this Application Lord 
 Bristol replied that though he was disposed readily to admit, and 
 to accept, the proffered Reparation, yet, as the Affront had been 
 committed in public company, so must the exacted Apology be 
 made ; and he named the Club-room at White's as the place where he 
 would receive it from Mr. Nugent. Not, however, by any means, 
 Lord Bristol added, from him only ; for, as he now understood 
 that the Act itself owed its rise to a wager, it became clear that 
 there must be another person implicated in the Transaction. He 
 insisted, therefore, on knowing the name of that individual, from 
 whom, as a participator in the Frolick, he should equally exact an 
 Apology, and declaring that on no other conditions would he 
 relinquish his right to demand personal satisfaction. In con- 
 sequence of so peremptory a Requisition, Mr. Nugent owned that 
 Lord Temple was the person to whom he had alluded ; and 
 both the Gentlemen were finally reduced to comply with the 
 terms, by asking pardon in the Club-room at White's. 1 Lord 
 Bristol then declared himself satisfied, and the Business was at 
 an end." 
 
 1 JValpole Letters, vol. ii. p. 5. Horace Walpole to the Hon. H. 
 S. Conway, March 4, 1756. It is worthy of notice that, although 
 Earl Nugent was not himself a member of White's, his one son, Col. 
 Nugent, was, and a record of this singular bet is now in the possession 
 of the Hon. Algernon Bourke.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 19 
 
 Wraxall and Horace Walpole differ slightly in their narration of 
 this incident : Walpole having it that it was Lord Temple, then 
 Lord Cobham, who spat into Lord Bristol's hat, and that he was 
 consequently nicknamed Lord Gob'em for some time afterwards. 
 The incident must have caused some considerable sensation at the 
 time, as Walpole talks of a fashionable saying, " We spit in his hat 
 on Thursday, and wiped it off on Friday." 
 
 We do not read that Nugent was ever involved in any really 
 serious affair ; and apart from the duel he fought in early life 
 (which is described), we find no trace of his taking part in 
 any passage of arms, although, according to Walpole, he was 
 frequently on the verge of doing so. " Old Nugent," he writes 
 on one occasion in 1756, " came fuddled to the Opera last week, 
 and jostled an ancient Lord Irwin, and then called him fool for 
 being in his way. They were going to fight ; but my Lord 
 Talbot, professing that he did not care if they were both hanged, 
 advised them to go back and not expose themselves. You will 
 stare, perhaps, at my calling Nugent old : it is not merely to 
 distinguish him from his son, but he is such a champion and such 
 a lover, that it is impossible not to laugh at him as if he was a 
 Methuselah ! He is en affaire reglee with the young Lady Essex. 1 
 At a supper there a few nights ago of two-and-twenty people, they 
 were talking of his going to Cashiobury to direct some alterations : 
 Mrs. Nugent in the softest infantine voice called out, c My Lady 
 Essex, don't let him do anything out of doors ; but you will find 
 him delightful within ! ' " 
 
 Nugent's rich fund of humour too and spontaneity of repartee 
 added greatly to his reputation, though his jests were not always 
 in the best possible taste. On one occasion, when he was standing 
 by Lady Catherine Pelham at a masquerade, without his mask, 
 listening to her recital of the history of a mad dog, " which," 
 Walpole suggests, " she had bit herself," young Leveson, 2 the 
 Duchess of Bedford's brother, came up to where they were 
 standing, also unmasked, and said, looking at Nugent, " I have 
 seen a mad dog to-dav, and a silly dog too." " I suppose, Mr. 
 Leveson," replied Nugent, " you have been looking in the glass." 
 Whereupon they walked off together, and were with difHcultv 
 prevented from fighting ; but the quarrel was soon adjusted, and 
 they were reconciled at the sideboard. 
 
 Of the date and nature of Nugent's introduction to Goldsmith, 
 
 1 Frances, daughter of Sir Charles Hanbury Williams-Cunningham. 
 
 2 The Hon. Richard Leveson-Gower, second son of John, second 
 Lord Gower.
 
 20 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 all we know is that it took place in consequence of the publication 
 of The Traveller in 1764, and was probably very shortly after. 
 On that head I cannot do better than quote Mr. Austin 
 Dobson. 
 
 " One of the friends he had made by The Traveller was, like 
 himself, an Irishman. This was Robert Nugent of Carlanstown, 
 in Goldsmith's own county of Westmeath (not to be confounded 
 with Dr. Nugent, Burke's father-in-law), who, two years later, 
 was to be created Viscount Clare. 1 Nugent was a poet in his 
 way, — there are a number of his early verses in vol. ii. of 
 Dodsley's Collection ; and his Ode to William Pulteney was good 
 enough to be quoted by Gibbon. His Essex seat became a fre- 
 quent asylum to Goldsmith, who wrote for his friend a charming 
 occasional poem, to which reference will be made hereafter. But 
 for the present the most notable thing connected with Nugent is, 
 that he introduced Goldsmith to the notice of the Earl of North- 
 umberland, then Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, who, says Percy, 
 being newly returned from that country in 1764, 'invited our 
 poet to an interview.' It is supposed, though the ' Percy Memoir ' 
 is here a little confusing, that this interview was the same as one 
 of which Sir John Hawkins gives the following account in his Life 
 of Johnson. 'Having one day,' he says, 'a call to wait on the 
 late Duke, then Earl, of Northumberland, I found Goldsmith 
 waiting for an audience in an outer room. I asked him what had 
 brought him there : he told me an invitation from his lordship. I 
 made my business as short as I could, and as a reason, mentioned that 
 Doctor Goldsmith was waiting without. The Earl asked me if I 
 was acquainted with him. I told him I was, adding what I 
 thought likely to recommend him. I retired, and staid in the 
 outer room to take him home. Upon his coming out, I asked 
 him the result of his conversation. " His lordship," says he, " told 
 me he had read my poem," meaning The Traveller^ " and was 
 much delighted with it; that he was going Lord-Lieutenant of 
 Ireland, and that, hearing that I was a native of that country, he 
 should be glad to do me any kindness." " And what did you 
 answer," asked I, " to this gracious offer ? " " Why," said he, " I 
 could say nothing but that I had a brother there, a clergyman, 
 that stood in need of help; as for myself, I have no dependence 
 on the promises of great men; I look to the booksellers for 
 support; they are my best friends, and I am not inclined to for- 
 sake them for others." ' One can imagine what kind of effect this 
 entirely unsophisticated proceeding would have upon the time- 
 
 This fixes the date at 1764.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 21 
 
 serving narrator of the anecdote; and, indeed, his indignation 
 blazes out in the comment with which he concludes his story. 
 'Thus,' he exclaims, 'did this idiot in the affairs of the 
 world trifle with his fortunes, and put back the hand that was 
 held out to assist him ! Other offers of a like kind he either 
 rejected, or failed to improve, contenting himself with the 
 patronage of one nobleman, 1 whose mansion afforded him the 
 delight of a splendid table, and a retreat for a few days from the 
 metropolis.' " 
 
 As already stated, the book was issued in December, and from 
 Davies' words it is clear that Goldsmith had already gone to visit 
 Lord Clare before this date. He stayed with him some time, and 
 during the opening months of 1771 was still in his company. 
 " Goldsmith is at Bath, with Lord Clare," writes Johnson to 
 Langton, in March. At Bath occurred that characteristic second 
 visit to the Duke of Northumberland, 2 which, since it is related by 
 Percy on the authority of the Duchess herself, can scarcely be 
 rejected by the courteous biographer, even if it were not, as it is, an 
 incident thoroughly in keeping with what we know of Goldsmith 
 from other sources. " On one of the parades at Bath," says 
 Percy, " the Duke and Lord Nugent had hired two adjacent 
 houses. Dr. Goldsmith, who was then resident on a visit to the 
 latter, one morning walked up into the Duke's dining-room, as 
 he and the Duchess were preparing to sit down to breakfast. In 
 a manner the most free-and-easv, he threw himself on a sofa, and 
 as he was then perfectly known to them both, they inquired of 
 him the Bath news of the day, and, imagining there was some 
 mistake, endeavoured by easy and cheerful conversation to prevent 
 his being too much embarrassed, till, breakfast being served up, 
 they invited him to stay and partake of it. Then he awoke from 
 his reverie, declared he thought he had been in the house of his 
 friend Lord Nugent, and, with a confusion which may be 
 imagined, hastily withdrew; but not till they had kindly made 
 him promise to dine with them. 
 
 That Goldsmith referred to his friend as Lord Nugent is 
 scarcely possible, for Lord Clare did not obtain this title until after 
 Goldsmith had been dead two years. This, however, is a trifle 
 which detracts little from the veracity of the story. How much 
 longer he continued to be Lord Clare's guest is unrecorded ; but 
 
 1 Nugent, as yet, was only " Mr." But Hawkins wrote his Life of 
 Johnson many years after this date. 
 
 2 See Chapter VII. The Earl of Northumberland had been created 
 a Duke in 1766.
 
 22 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 shortly after his return to London he is supposed to have addressed 
 to him, in return for a present of venison, the delightful " poetical 
 epistle " which is to be found in his works. That it was written 
 subsequent to the middle of 1770 may be inferred from its quota- 
 tion of a famous lapse * in one of the love-letters of his illiterate 
 Royal Highness, Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland, to the 
 Countess Grosvenor — a correspondence which, in the summer of 
 the above year, afforded huge delight to the scandal-mongers — and 
 it is most probable that the poem was written in the spring of 
 1 77 1. But whatever its exact date, Mr. Forster is right (not- 
 withstanding a slight obscurity in the closing lines) in claiming 
 the highest praise for this piece of " private pleasantry." So 
 happy is it, that, were it not for its obvious recollections of 
 Boileau's third satire, one might be disposed to regard it as auto- 
 biographical. To select a passage from a piece so uniformly 
 wrought is difficult, but the excellence of the description of the 
 dinner, as a sample of what his most superfine contemporaries called 
 the poet's " low " humour, must serve as an excuse for quoting it 
 at length. The reader will only need to remember, that while 
 Goldsmith, having distributed part of his just-received present, is 
 debating what to do with the rest, it is unblushingly carried off 
 by a chance visitor, who invites its owner to join in eating it in 
 the form of a pasty. 
 
 Nugent's daughter Mary was a great favourite of Goldsmith's, 
 and an amusing story is told of how on one occasion, when he was 
 asleep after dinner, she tied his wig on to the back of his chair, so 
 that on waking and rising to his feet, his wig was dragged from his 
 head, exposing his baldness. He treated the joke, however, with 
 the utmost good-nature, and put the incident in his delightful 
 comedy, She Stoops to Conquer. It is possible that his unfortu- 
 nate mistake at Bath, already described, may have given him the 
 main idea of the play. 
 
 " I remember one story now which she used to tell of a 
 manifest victory that Goldsmith once had over her father, who 
 chose, at one time, to speak in high terms of M., a very bad 
 actor, whom Garrick advised to leave the stage. Lord Nugent 
 was, one evening, very eloquent to Goldsmith in praise of M. 
 'But, my lord,' said Goldsmith, 'you must allow he treads the 
 stage very ill — he waddles.' ' Waddles ? ' said Lord Nugent, ' yes, 
 he waddles like a goose — why, you know we call him Goose M.' 
 
 1 " Left alone to reflect, having emptied my shelf, 
 
 ' And nobody with me at sea but myself.' ' 
 The second line is almost a textual reproduction of a phrase in one 
 of the Duke's letters.
 
 lath/ dDucIcirigham,, 
 &ldesl Ql au'jhlrr of* Sari c ^ragerd.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 23 
 
 ' Well, and then you know, when he endeavours to express strong 
 passion, he bellows.' ' Bellows ? ' said Lord Nugent, c to be sure 
 he does — bellows like a bull. Why, we call him Bull M.' 
 i Well, then,' continued Goldsmith, pursuing his triumph, ' his 
 voice breaks and he croaks.' ' Croaks ? ' said Lord Nugent, 
 'why, the fellow croaks like a frog — we call him Frog M. But 
 M. is a good actor.' ' Why, yes,' said Goldsmith, ' barring the 
 goose, and the bull, and the frog, and a few other things I could 
 mention, and not wishing to speak ill of my neighbours, I will 
 allow M. is a good actor.' " 
 
 Once, says Boswell, writing of Goldsmith, he complained to a 
 mixed company that, at Lord Clare's, Lord Camden had taken no 
 more notice of him than if he " had been an ordinary man " — an 
 utterance which required all Johnson's championship to defend. 
 
 Sir Nathaniel Wraxall, who has presented us with so many 
 graphic and diverting pictures of the men and manners of his 
 time, devotes considerable space to a visit he made to Nugent 
 when the latter was at the summit of his power and prosperity. 
 
 "Returning to England in the summer of 1776," says the 
 genial gossip, 1 " I went down soon afterwards on a visit to Lord 
 Nugent, at Gosfield in Essex, a seat _whi ch has since, in_the_/ 
 revolutionary Times, afforded a temporary Asylum to the represent- 
 ative of the Capetian Line, when expelled from a Country over 
 which his Ancestors had reigned, in uninterrupted male succession, 
 for above eight hundred years ! When I visited Gosfield, among 
 the guests who attracted most attention might justly be reckoned 
 the late Lord Temple, then far advanced in life, and very infirm. 
 In person he was tall and large, though not inclined to corpulency. 
 A disorder, the seat of which lay in his ribs, bending him almost 
 double, compelled him, in walking, to make use of a sort of 
 crutch ; but his mind seemed exempt from any decay. His con- 
 versation was animated, brilliant, and full of entertainment. 
 Notwithstanding the name of ' Squire Gawkey,' which he had 
 obtained in the satirical or party productions of those Times, and 
 which, we may presume, was not given him without good 
 reason, he had nevertheless the air and appearance of a man 
 of high condition when he appeared with the Insignia and 
 Decorations of the Garter, seated at table. It is well known 
 that George the Second, who, though he generally yielded to 
 ministerial violence or importunity, yet manifested often great 
 reluctance and even ill humour in his manner of compliance on 
 these occasions, strongly disliked Lord Temple. Being, however, 
 compelled, in consequence of political arrangements very repugnant 
 
 1 Wraxall, Hist. Mem. (1815), 123.
 
 24 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 to his feelings, to invest that nobleman with the Order of the 
 Garter, the King took so little pains to conceal his aversion, both 
 to the individual and to the act, that instead of placing the Riband 
 decorously over the shoulder of the new Knight, His Majesty, 
 averting his head, and muttering indistinctly some expressions of 
 dissatisfaction, threw it across him, and turned his back at the 
 same instant in the rudest manner. 1 (It may be mentioned that 
 Temple had been refused the Garter once, and had thereupon 
 resigned the Privy Seal, November 14, 1759, but at the request 
 of the King resumed office two days after, and was elected a 
 Knight of the Garter on February 4, 1760.) 
 
 ******* 
 " Lord Nugent 2 was created an Irish Earl during the time I was 
 at Gosfield, having antecedently been raised to the title of Viscount 
 Clare. Having sat in many parliaments, he spoke fluently as well 
 as with energy and force ; was accounted a good debater, and 
 possessed a species of eloquence, altogether unembarrassed by any 
 , false modesty or timidity. In the progress of a long life, he had 
 f raised himself from a private gentleman of an ancient family in 
 Ireland, and a considerable patrimonial fortune, to an Irish Earl- 
 dom, which dignity, together with his name, he procured to 
 4 devolve on the late Marquis of Buckingham, then Mr. Grenville, 
 who had married his only daughter. 3 They were both likewise at 
 Gosfield during the time of which I speak, and Lord Nugent 
 having gone up to town for the purpose of kissing the King's hand 
 - upon his new Creation, returned from thence on the following day, 
 as we were seated at table after dinner. The object of his visit to 
 St. James's was well known by everyone present, but he immediately 
 announced it as soon as he had taken his place by filling out a 
 glass of wine and toasting his daughter's health as Lady Mary 
 Grenville. 
 
 "Lord Nugent when young had occupied a distinguished place in 
 the favour of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and was more than once 
 destined to have filled an office in some of those imaginary 
 administrations commemorated by Dodington y which were per- 
 petually prohibited at Leicester House, during the long interval of 
 nearly fourteen years that elapsed between the accession of George 
 II. and his Royal Highness's decease in 1 75 1. The Prince died 
 
 1 Wraxall here goes on to relate a similar incident on the investiture 
 of the Marquis Camden with the same order by George III. 
 
 2 Wraxall, Hist. Mem. I. 126. 
 
 3 Wraxall, it will be seen, altogether ignores the existence of the 
 second daughter.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 25 
 
 considerably in his debt : nor was the sum so due ever liquidated, 
 unless we consider the offices and dignities conferred on Lord 
 Nugent by George III. at different periods of his reign, as having 
 been in the nature of a retribution for loans made to his father. 
 In return for these marks of royal favour he presented verses to 
 the Queen accompanying a piece of Irish stuff which her Majesty 
 graciously accepted. Both the poetry and the manufacture were 
 satirically said to be Irish Stuff. They began, if I recollect right — 
 
 ' Could poor Ierne gifts afford, 
 Worthy the mistress of her lord, 
 Of sculptur'd gold, a costly frame, 
 Just emblem of her worth should flame.' 
 
 " But Lord Nugent's muse will never rank him with Prior, nor 
 even with Lyttleton and Chesterfield. He was a better courtier 
 than a poet, and he had always been distinguished by the other sex. 
 ******* 
 
 " His devotion to the sex, which remained proof to all trials, 
 animated him even to the close of his life. Lord Temple and he 
 both composed verses after this time addressed to the same object. 
 I believe it was in the month of August 1776 that these aged 
 Peers presented some couplets of their respective compositions to 
 the late Duchess of Gordon, then in the meridian of her charms, 
 when Lord Temple, having entertained her and the Duke, her 
 husband, at Stow, lighted up the grotto for her reception. Lord 
 Nugent, to a perfect knowledge of the world, joined a coarse and 
 often licentious, but natural, strong and ready wit, which no place 
 nor company prevented him from indulging, and the effect of 
 which was augmented by an Irish accent that never forsook him. 
 It is well known that when a Bill was introduced into the House 
 of Commons for better watching the Metropolis, in order to con- 
 tribute towards effecting which object one of the clauses went to 
 propose that watchmen should be compelled to sleep during the 
 daytime, Lord Nugent with admirable humour got up and desired 
 that c he might be personally included in the provisions of the 
 Bill, being frequently so tormented with the gout as to be unable 
 to sleep either by day or by night.' " 
 
 But it is to be feared that Nugent was not always satisfied with 
 mere harmless pieces of gallantry like the above little incident 
 described by Wraxall. " You have heard," writes Walpole, " that 
 Nugent must answer a little more seriously for Lady Lyming- 
 ton's child. Why, she was as ugly as Mrs. Nugent, had had 
 more children, and was not so young. The pleasure of wrong-
 
 26 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 ing a woman who had bought him so dear could be the only- 
 temptation." 
 
 Nugent's very advanced age renders it probable that he passed 
 the remainder of his life after seceding from Parliament in 1784 in 
 retirement. He appears to have retained vigorous health up to 
 within a few days of his death. On October 8, 1788, we find 
 his son-in-law, the Marquis of Buckingham, then Lord-Lieutenant 
 of Ireland, writing from Blackrock to W. W. Grenville in 
 London — 
 
 " I have been prevented, from continual agitation, writing to 
 apprize you of the very unexpected state of health in which Lord 
 Nugent has been for the last nine days. ... In this situation I 
 must, for many reasons, request you not to leave London ; and if 
 Camplin be in the country, you will apprize him of this, and 
 direct him to come to town immediately, that he may assist 
 G. Nugent (whom I shall send over in case of Lord Nugent's 
 death), and his executors, McNamara and Drummond, in separat- 
 ing the papers and the property." 
 
 Nugent died at the house of Major O'Donnel in Dublin, at 
 the advanced age of eighty-six. His son Edmund died April 26, 
 1 771. Little is known of his life except that he served in the 
 army, and succeeded his father as Member of Parliament for St. 
 Mawe's. Owing to an unfortunate flaw which I have dilated on 
 at greater -length in a subsequent chapter, his marriage was set 
 aside, and his two sons illegitimatized. Consequently Mary, Lord 
 Nugent's daughter by his third wife, inherited not only the title 
 but also his estates, which, by her marriage with the Marquis of 
 Buckingham, merged into that family. The achievements of 
 Nugent's grandsons, who were destined to make so much mark 
 in their respective professions, will be found in the Appendix. 
 
 Nugent is variously stated to have died on the 13th and 14th 
 of October. The Marquis of Buckingham, in his letter of the 
 15th, dated from Dublin Castle, says — 
 
 " Lord Nugent died last night. I have examined (with Colonel 
 Nugent) his papers, and we found a counterpart of his will open, 
 and as it appears to be more perfect than the parts which are 
 lodged in London, I have desired G. Nugent to carry it to 
 McNamara and Drummond, the executors. Lord Nugent leaves 
 me all arrears on his Essex and Irish estates." 
 
 The Marquis writes further in a few days — 
 
 "October 18: Blackrock. As to my own affairs, on which 
 head you complain so much of my neglect, I really do not recollect 
 any point which I have left unanswered, either through my letters 
 or through Bernard, except that of my bond to you for the ^1000
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 27 
 
 advanced to Tom. I think Lord Nugent's estates here are 
 probably underlet ; but I probably shall inherit about ^6000 per 
 annum in toto, subject to Mrs. Nugent's annuity of £500, and 
 to ^20,000 to be raised upon it." 
 
 This estimate seems to have been of too sanguine a nature, for 
 it was followed on the 29th by another letter — 
 
 " The Irish estates turn out worse than I imagined : they will 
 not remit ^4000 ; and the Gosfield is not worth more than 
 ^1500, subject to ^20,000, and to about ^700 annuities." 
 
 And on November 10 he complains — 
 
 " Lord Nugent's appointment is whimsical indeed ; but it is 
 cruel to me that he should, by entails ad infinitum^ not worth a 
 straw, give his property to J. and R. Grenville rather than to me." 
 
 A few anecdotes and contemporary opinions of Earl Nugent 
 calculated to throw light upon his character and reputation in his 
 capacities of politician, poet, wit, and ton vivant, may not be out 
 of place here. Horace Walpole wrote of him — " He was one of 
 those men of parts, whose dawn was the brightest moment of a 
 long life, and who, though possessed of different talents, employed 
 them in depreciating his own fame, and destroying all opinion of 
 his judgment, except in the point of raising himself to honours." 
 Walpole's estimate of Nugent was at all times expressed with a 
 more than ordinary share of the causticity which characterized 
 and often marred his utterances, but Nugent's early connection 
 with the u Patriots," or " Country Party," between whom and Sir 
 Robert a bitter hatred had subsisted, probably had something 
 to do with this. Such a theory, however, is hardly necessary, since 
 Horace Walpole notoriously and habitually spoke slightingly of his 
 friends. It was he who invented the word to " Nugentize " in a 
 none too flattering sense, although he appears to have thought 
 very highly of the Ode to Pulteney and to have refrained from 
 adopting the theory that Nugent had procured Mallet to write it 
 for him. Also, alluding no doubt to the garrulity of Nugent's 
 declining years, to which Wraxall also bore testimony, he declared 
 that "he talked a prodigious deal of nonsense," a statement which 
 suggests the remark made of Sir Robert Walpole, the first Lord 
 Orford, that he " loved neither writing nor reading," his real love 
 being for " the table, the bottle, and the chase," which, eliminating 
 the last-mentioned article, brings him into even closer comparison 
 with Nugent. Lord George Sackville, however, went even further, 
 and dubbed Nugent " the most uninformed man of his rank in 
 England." Wraxall, writing in a far more impartial, but 
 sufficiently critical, spirit, describes him in a passage quoted more 
 fully elsewhere, as " a man of very considerable natural abilities,
 
 28 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 though not of a very cultured mind. His talents seemed more 
 adapted to active than to speculative life, to the drawing-room or 
 the House of Commons than to the closet." 
 
 It is in connection with his famous friendship with Goldsmith 
 that Prior writes of him in his life of the author of The Vicar of 
 Wakefield^ as " a poet, a man of wit and gallantry, and a facetious 
 companion," a character in which he was clearly recognized by 
 Chesterfield and others. Elsewhere he is referred to as "a man of 
 gallantry," a reputation which he achieved by his singular convers- 
 ational powers, and that natural, strong, and ready humour, 
 augmented by a rich Irish brogue, which made him so immensely 
 popular with ladies. Elsewhere in Wraxall we learn that he was 
 regarded as " a better courtier than a poet, and he had always been 
 distinguished by the other sex." Glover refers to him as a "jovial 
 and voluptuous Irishman, who had left Popery for the Protestant 
 religion, money and widows." 
 
 Some notion of Nugent's personal appearance may be gained 
 from the portraits here given. For the rest, Robert junior, in 
 describing their first meeting at the Castle Inn, in Aldersgate 
 Street, speaks thus of him — " A lusty, tall gentleman, wrapp'd up 
 in a horseman's cloak, immediately stepped out, and, coming into 
 the house, in a voice the tone of which not being modulated in 
 the mildest strain, conveyed no very favourable opinion of the 
 speaker to the ideas of the standers by." Chesterfield, in one 
 of the letters produced in a later chapter, writes of " those Athletic 
 calves " and " those Herculean shoulders, now able to ease Atlas of 
 his burden," and generally to testify to his opinion that Nugent 
 was what we might call "a fine figure of a man." The editors of 
 The Life and Times of Sir Joshua Reynolds^ C. R. Leslie, R. A., 
 and Tom Taylor, refer to him as "the jolly, loud-voiced, red-faced 
 Mr. Nugent." Wraxall, in recording that Nugent was created an 
 Irish earl during the time that Sir Nathaniel was staying at 
 Gosfield, adds that " he formed a striking contrast to Lord 
 Temple in his manner and address. Of an athletic frame and a 
 vigorous constitution, though very far advanced in years, he was 
 exempt from infirmity, possessing a stentorian voice, with great 
 animal spirits and vast powers of conversation." Albemarle, in his 
 Rockingham, touches him with no light hand, and after scarifying 
 his religious and political character, says that he " was indebted to 
 nature for an athletic frame, a vigorous form, and a stentorian 
 voice, an inexhaustible flow of spirits, a rich fund of humour, and a 
 ready eloquence, in which bashfulness had no share." 
 
 Judging Nugent's life from a moral standpoint, we cannot but 
 confess that it manifests no high degree of principle or integrity.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 29 
 
 According to contemporary opinion, he purchased self-advancement 
 at the sacrifice of esteem, and rose to honours and dignities at the 
 price of contempt. He changed his politics with every succeeding 
 Ministry, his religion at his own convenience ; and thus it is that, 
 though brought up as a Catholic, we shortly find him writing an 
 ode on his own conversion from Popery. Yet strong as is its 
 reasoning, his arguments can have operated but temporary convic- 
 tion on himself, for he died a member of the Church he had 
 attacked so severely. But the moral tone of his day was not a lofty 
 one, and he is not to be judged from the standpoint of politics and 
 society of to-day.
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 By his second marriage, 1736-7, Nugent attained control of 
 the parliamentary borough of St. Mawe's in Cornwall, for which 
 he was first returned in 1741. 
 
 Political affairs in Great Britain were at that time approaching 
 a crisis. The Jacobite leanings and intrigues of Bolingbroke and 
 Harley had effectually kept the Tories in the background. The 
 Whig- supremacy had been complete for nearly half-a-century. 
 It was not that the opinion of the country was essentially with 
 the Whigs. Fear of a Papist Government, and mistrust of the 
 party whose leaders favoured a revival of the Stuart dynasty, were 
 powerful factors whose influence was intensified by the access of 
 material prosperity which accompanied the policy of Walpole. 
 Politics were practically dead ; but the country felt secure under 
 the fiscal administration of a great financier. The fall of Walpole, 
 however, was approaching. He was essentially a peace minister. 
 His efforts alone had kept England from participation in the war 
 arising from the contest as to the succession to the throne of 
 Poland ; and his influence brought about the intervention of 
 England and Holland for the restoration of peace. The country 
 noted with growing suspicion that this end was attained at the 
 price of a triumph of both branches of the House of Bourbon, 
 which entered into a union, the result of which was the " Family 
 Compact " between France and Spain, the main object of which 
 was the ruin of the commercial supremacy of Great Britain. The 
 trading classes, who had previously supported Walpole because of 
 the success of his commercial prosperity, were goaded to madness 
 by the conditions of the Treaty of Utrecht, their vexatious use 
 by the Spaniards, and the non-compliance with them of the 
 French. A strident clamour for war arose, and Walpole resisted 
 it to the utmost. His position had been weakened by the death 
 of the Queen ; and it was now enfeebled yet more by the open 
 hostility of the Prince of Wales, who, in his hatred of his father, 
 
 30
 
 MRS. KNIGHT, SECOND WIFE OF LORD NUGENT 
 From an Engraving after a Painting by Sh G. Kneller
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 31 
 
 had come to hate his father's ministers as heartily as George II. 
 had come to hate those of George I. The Tories were slowly 
 returning to Parliament, and their numbers had now mounted to 
 one hundred and ten. The numbers and violence of the "Patriots" 
 had grown with the open patronage of Prince Frederick. The 
 counties would not send a member to his support, and the 
 country was now slowly turning against him. As his majority 
 was drawn from the boroughs, it rested therefore on management, 
 on corruption, and on the support of the trading classes. But 
 with the cry for a commercial war the support of the trading 
 class failed him. Even in his own Cabinet, although he had 
 driven from it every man of independence, he was pressed at this 
 juncture to yield by the Duke of Newcastle and his brother 
 Henry Pelham, who were fast acquiring political importance from 
 their wealth, and from their prodigal devotion of it to the purchase 
 of parliamentary support. But it was not till he stood utterly 
 alone that Walpole gave way, and that he consented in 1739 
 to a war against Spain. 
 
 His subsequent plans for a European coalition to oppose the 
 designs of France and the Bourbons against Austria broke down ; 
 and when, in 1741, he advised Maria Theresa to purchase the aid 
 of Frederick II. of Prussia against France and her allies by the 
 session of part of Silesia, the "Patriots" spurred the Queen to 
 refusal by promising her England's aid in the recovery of her full 
 inheritance. Admiral Vernon was beaten before Carthagena ; 
 Walpole was charged, most unjustly, with thwarting and starving 
 his operations ; and the position of the minister was made still 
 more difficult by George II. hurrying to Hanover, and in his 
 dread of harm to his hereditary state, averting the entry of a 
 French army by binding himself as Elector to neutrality in the 
 war — a step which, notwithstanding that it was done without 
 Walpole's knowledge, was laid to his charge. 
 
 Nugent was elected for St. Mawe's on May 12, and the new 
 Parliament met at Westminster on December 1, 1741. Cornwall 
 was pretty fully represented in the House by adherents of the 
 Prince. To take only a few, we find at Truro, Charles Hamilton, 
 Clerk of the Household to the Prince, James Hammond, Equerry 
 to the Prince ; at Bodmin, Thomas Laroche, Groom of the Bed- 
 chamber to the Prince ; at Camelford, Charles Montague, Auditor- 
 General to the Prince for the County of Cornwall ; and at St. 
 Mawe's (with Nugent), James Douglass or Dowglas, Comptroller 
 of the Household of the Prince. In this Parliament, Walpole 
 found his majority reduced to sixteen ; and in the opening of 1742 
 it dwindled to three, and he resigned.
 
 32 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Nugent was living on terms of great intimacy with the Prince 
 of Wales ; and as the Prince lacked money, while the rollicking 
 Irishman was wealthy, they soon came to a mutual understanding. 
 Nugent was made Comptroller of the Prince's household in 1747, 
 and was always nominated to high office in his royal master's 
 imaginary administrations, while the Prince borrowed large sums 
 of money, which, though never repaid during his lifetime, were 
 liquidated by George III. in "places, pensions, and peerages." 
 
 It was early in the following year (January 5, 1742) that the 
 Bishop of Oxford, Dr. Seeker, waited on the Prince of Wales at 
 Carlton House, with a message delivered to himself (as he said) 
 by the Earl of Cholmondeley, from his Majesty, to the effect, that 
 if his Royal Highness would write a letter of condescension to 
 the King, his Majesty would give a gracious reception to him, 
 his friends, those of his councils, and servants, who should all be 
 provided for in due time ; that the ^50,000 per annum, and that 
 all his debts should be paid with all convenient speed. To this 
 message the Prince, no doubt feeling himself strong enough, 
 having regard to Walpole's waning power, replied that he would 
 embrace the first proper opportunity to throw himself at his 
 Majesty's feet, and at that time should be far from prescribing 
 terms for himself to his Majesty ; but that he could not come to 
 Court while Sir Robert Walpole presided in his Majesty's councils; 
 that he looked upon him as the sole author of our grievances at 
 home, and of our ill-success in the West Indies ; and that the 
 disadvantageous figure we then made in the Courts of Europe 
 was to be attributed alone to him. 
 
 On February 3, after the debate on the Chippenham election, 
 the Lord Chancellor signified his Majesty's pleasure that both 
 Houses should severally adjourn. On the 8th, Sir Robert was 
 presented at Court as Earl of Orford. He was persuaded to 
 refuse a grant of ^4000 a year during the King's life and his own, 
 but could not be dissuaded from accepting a letter of honour from 
 the King to. grant his natural daughter, Maria, precedence as an 
 earl's daughter. On the nth he resigned. The result was 
 rather the re-organization of the old Cabinet than the formation 
 of a new one. Pulteney, the head of the " Patriots," was sent for 
 by the King, but would accept no office, contenting himself with 
 a peerage and a seat in the Cabinet, Carteret undertaking the 
 Foreign Secretaryship. This arrangement, although made by 
 Pulteney without communicating it to the Prince, received the 
 sanction and respect of the latter, although numberless jealousies 
 were excited among the Tories under the Duke of Argyll, the 
 Jacobites and Chesterfield, Cobham, the Grenvilles, Lyttleton,
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 33 
 
 Pitt, and Dodington, the last-named of whom had not yet thrown 
 in his lot with the Prince. 
 
 Nugent's first speech in the House appears to have been made 
 in the famous debate on taking the Hanoverian troops into British 
 pay. Sir William Yonge had moved the grant in Committee, 
 and the debate had been continued by Sir John St. Aubyn, Waller, 
 Horatio Walpole, Lord Ouarendon, Henry Fox, Pitt, Egmont, 
 then Lord Percival, and George Grenville, Nugent following 
 Horatio Walpole, whom he attacked severely in his own sentences. 
 I have thought it necessary, however, to give no more than the 
 subjoined extract. The date is December 10, 1742, and the 
 report is by Dr. Johnson in the Gentleman' s Magazine. 
 
 " Treason," Nugent replied, " is happily defined by our laws, and 
 therefore every man may know when he is about to commit it, and 
 avoid the danger of punishment, by avoiding the act which will 
 expose him to it ; but with regard to the ' borders' of treason, I 
 believe no man will yet pretend to say how far they extend, or 
 how soon, or with how little intention he may tread upon them. 
 Unhappy would be the man who should be punished for bordering 
 upon guilt, of which those fatal borders are to be dilated at pleasure 
 by his judges. The law has hitherto supposed every man who is 
 not guilty to be innocent ; but now we find that there is a land 
 of medium, in which a man may be in danger without guilt, and 
 that in order to security, a new degree of caution is become 
 necessary ; for not only crimes, but the borders of crimes, are to 
 be avoided. 
 
 " What improvements may be made upon this new system, how 
 far the borders of treason may reach, or what pains and penalties 
 are designed for the borderers, no degree of human sagacity can 
 enable us to foresee. Perhaps the borders of royalty may become 
 sacred, as well as the borders of treason criminal ; and as every 
 placeman, pensioner, and minister may be said to border on the 
 Court, a kind of sanctity may be communicated to his character, 
 and he that lampoons or opposes him may border upon treason." 
 
 The person so eloquently defended by Nugent was afterwards 
 discovered to be no less a person than Earl Chesterfield, who 
 shared the authorship of the pamphlet with Mr. Waller. The 
 pamphlet he wrote was called The Case of the Hanoverian Forces 
 in the Pay of Great Britain^ and Horatio Walpole took so great 
 an exception to it as to declare that " a price should be put upon 
 the author's head, and the same reward offered for discovering him 
 as is given for the conviction of wretches less criminal ; that the 
 lenity of the Government could not easily be distinguished from 
 supineness and negligence, while libels like this were sold in shops 
 
 D
 
 34 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 without fear or danger, while sedition was professedly prompted, 
 and treason, or sentiments very nearly bordering upon treason, 
 propagated without disguise ! " The great impression which it 
 made upon the public mind led him to answer it in another 
 pamphlet, The Interests of Great Britain steadily pursued^ which 
 passed through three editions in as many weeks, and "was of 
 considerable service in removing the prejudices excited by the 
 declamation of opposition." 
 
 In 1745 came the Ministry of Henry Pelham. The general 
 anger at the increased scope of the war proved fatal to Carteret, 
 who had now become Lord Granville, and whose imperious temper 
 had made him hateful to his colleagues. Carteret was driven from 
 office by the Duke of Newcastle and Henry Pelham, the latter of 
 whom headed the re-constituted Ministry. His temper disposed 
 him to a policy of conciliation which re-united the Whigs. 
 Chesterfield and the Whigs in opposition, with Pitt and the 
 " Boys," all found room in the new administration ; and even a 
 few Tories were admitted. 
 
 On April 9 occurred a debate in the Commons on the Address 
 for Courts-martial on Admirals Matthews, Lestock, and others. 
 This arose out of the result of the blockade of the combined 
 French and Spanish fleets in Toulon by the British fleet under 
 Admiral Matthews. On February 9 the allied fleets had en- 
 deavoured to escape, and a general engagement followed. Owing 
 to a bitter disagreement between Matthews and Lestock, the 
 battle appears to have been grossly mismanaged by the English 
 officers. No decisive result followed the first day's fight, and 
 early the next morning the enemy was in full flight. Consider- 
 able ground had been gained in pursuit, when the English vessels 
 were ordered to discontinue, and the combined fleets made good 
 their escape. The Admiral, Matthews, and the Vice-Admiral, 
 Lestock, mutually accused each other, and an Address in the 
 Commons for Courts-martial was the result. Nugent spoke dis- 
 cursively, and expatiated at great length on one of his favourite 
 subjects, the beneficial effects of great naval power on trade ; he 
 censured the conduct of the engagement with great acerbity, and 
 offered himself, in the absence of any person better qualified for 
 so important an undertaking, to " propose to the House such 
 terms as shall appear to me most clear, emphatical, and compre- 
 hensive," and expressed a " hope to have the assistance of all those 
 who desire the reparation of our honour and the revival of our 
 virtue." 
 
 He was followed by Mr. George Grenville, then known as one 
 of the most distinguished of the " Boy Patriots," and at that time
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 35 
 
 a lord of the Admiralty, who spoke in high praise of Nugent's 
 arguments. In the end a court-martial was held, and although 
 grave faults appear to have been committed on both sides, Admiral 
 Matthews was removed from the service, and several other officers 
 were punished. 
 
 In 1747 occurred a fresh General Election. On July 2 we find 
 Nugent again returned, this time second to " William Clayton, 
 Esq., commonly called Lord Sundon." That Parliament lasted 
 till 1754. 
 
 No further speech of Nugent's is reported until December 
 1747, when a Bill was presented to the House to prohibit insurance 
 on ships belonging to France for French merchandise during the 
 war. Nugent warmly supported the Bill, and dwelt with great 
 eloquence on the treasonable nature of the transactions which 
 the Bill sought to prohibit. Murray, then Solicitor-General, 
 opposed him at great length, and it need scarcely be said with 
 high ability; but the Bill was committed, and afterwards passed 
 without division, and subsequently became law. The debates, 
 however, had been long and warm too, many of the merchants 
 in the House of Commons undertaking to prove that the nation 
 received (notwithstanding all the sums the insurers paid) vast 
 benefit from insuring French property. 
 
 It fell to Murray also to answer the next speech of Nugent's. 
 This was in the debate on the Address, in November 1 748. Lord 
 Barrington had moved the Address, which had been seconded by 
 the Hon. Charles Yorke, the second son of Lord Chancellor Hard- 
 wicke. After him Nugent was the first speaker, and declared 
 himself dissatisfied with the Address as being " a great deal too 
 long and too particular." He did not wish to oppose the Address 
 itself, but could not approve of the insertion of any words "which 
 may imply the most distant approbation of the treaty of peace 
 that had been concluded, because neither I, nor any gentleman in 
 the House, can as yet have any parliamentary knowledge of that 
 treaty, and because, from all the knowledge I have of it, I think 
 it the worst of all the bad treaties England ever made." This 
 was the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which had been signed in the 
 preceding October. This speech was doubtless part of the 
 policy of annoyance dictated by the Prince of Wales. It failed 
 of practical effect, since the Address as originally moved was 
 passed without a division. 
 
 The subject of Nugent's next speech in the House is not one of 
 general interest, though in the course of the debate, which engaged 
 the eloquence of Pitt, and Richard and George Grenville, the 
 names and reputation of some of the judges were severely handled.
 
 36 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 This was the Bill for holding summer assizes at Buckingham, and 
 we only reproduce now the peroration, or at least the end of 
 Nugent's speech, in the shape of a somewhat humorous allegory. 
 
 " Sir, I cannot avoid recollecting an accident that happened 
 last summer at my house in the country. Among my other 
 visitors I had an old sea-captain, who stayed some days with me. 
 This old gentleman had been in many tempests, and many engage- 
 ments at sea, but was never shipwrecked or wounded, nor had 
 ever met with any other misfortune. One day as we were walk- 
 ing upon the side of a canal I have there, in which there was a 
 little cock-boat, the old captain took it into his head to get into 
 this cock-boat and put off upon the canal. I apprized him of his 
 danger, by telling him the boat was too small, and besides, almost 
 as old as himself ; but the old gentleman was obstinate. Into the 
 boat he goes, and puts off; but he had scarcely got into the 
 middle of the canal, when down he goes, boat and all together, 
 and my old captain was not only ducked over head and ears, 
 but really in some danger of being drowned. Let our ministers 
 apply this, Sir : they are got into a cock-boat ; I would advise 
 them to get out as soon as they can, lest they should meet with 
 some disaster, more fatal than that my old captain met with." 
 
 We may now fairly turn to the estimate of the state of affairs 
 between the Prince of Wales and the Ministry given by Mr. 
 Smollett in his History, with his opinion of Nugent. 1 
 
 " The Prince of Wales held a Court of Stannary, in quality of 
 Duke of Cornwall, and revived some claims attached to that 
 dignity which, had they been admitted, would have greatly 
 augmented his influence among the Cornish boroughs. These 
 efforts aroused the jealousy of the Administration, which had 
 always considered them as an interest wholly dependent upon the 
 Crown ; and therefore the pretentions of his Royal Highness 
 were opposed by the whole weight of the Ministry. His ad- 
 herents, resenting these hostilities as an injury to their royal 
 master, immediately joined the remnant of the former opposition 
 in Parliament, and resolved to counteract all the ministerial mea- 
 sures that should fall under their cognizance ; at least, they 
 determined to seize every opportunity of thwarting the servants 
 of the Crown, in every scheme or proposal that had not an 
 evident tendency to the advantage of the nation. This band of 
 auxiliaries was headed by the Earl of E 1, 2 Dr. Lee, and Mr. 
 
 1 Smollett's continuation of Hume's History of England, iv. 4 
 (1805 ed.). 
 
 2 Lord Egmont.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 37 
 
 N 1. . . - 1 Mr. N 1 was an orator of middling abilities, 
 
 who harangued upon all subjects indiscriminately, and supplied 
 with confidence what he wanted in capacity : he had been at 
 some pains to study the business of the House, as well as to under- 
 stand the machine of Government ; and was tolerably well heard, 
 as he generally spoke with an appearance of good humour, and 
 hazarded every whimsical idea as it arose in his imagination. But 
 Lord Bolingbroke is said to have been the chief spring which, in 
 secret, actuated the deliberations of the Prince's Court. That 
 nobleman, seemingly sequestered from the tumults of a public life, 
 resided at Battersea, where he was visited like a sainted shrine by 
 all the distinguished votaries of wit, eloquence, and political am- 
 bition. There he was cultivated and admired for the elegance of 
 his manners and the charms of his conversation. The Prince's 
 curiosity was first captivated by his character, and his esteem was 
 afterwards secured by the irresistible address of that extraordinary 
 personage, who continued in a regular progression to insinuate 
 himself still further and further into the good graces of his royal 
 patron. How far the conduct of his Royal Highness was guided 
 by this nobleman we shall not pretend to determine, but certain 
 it is, the friends of the Ministry propagated a report that he was 
 the dictator of those measures which the Prince adopted ; and 
 that, under the specious pretext of attachment to the heir-apparent 
 of the Crown, he concealed his real aim, which was to perpetuate 
 the breach in the Royal Family." 
 
 It was in 1749 that that extraordinary creature, George Bubb 
 Dodington, afterwards Lord Melcombe Regis, finding the state 
 of his health incompatible with further service under the Crown, 
 entered into that of the Prince of Wales. He must have seen a 
 good deal of Nugent, although the references to the latter are not 
 of great frequency. An entry in his diary under date November 
 15, 1749, runs — "Dined at Carleton House. The Prince, Earls 
 of Carlisle and Egmont, Lord Chief-Justice Wilks, Lord Balti- 
 more, Sir John Rushout, Messrs. Gibbon, Lee, Henley, Nugent, 
 Sir Thomas Bootle and I. Agreed not to oppose the Address, 
 unless there should be something very strong in it." 
 
 Apparently there was something " very strong in it," for Lord 
 Egmont the next day made a violent and very injudicious speech 
 against the Address, throwing out everything he could think of 
 or had heard against the Ministry. Lord Baltimore said but little 
 on the same side, and so the matter dropped, and the Address was 
 voted. 
 
 1 Mr. Nugent.
 
 38 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 It was not to be supposed that Dodington's sudden accession to 
 princely favour would pass unnoticed among so astute and 
 experienced a body of intriguers as the coterie which then 
 surrounded Frederick. Efforts were speedily made to render him 
 ridiculous or uncomfortable or both, and Nugent seems to have 
 been implicated in the plot. Dodington's diary supplies the 
 details. 
 
 " 1750, Feb. 4. Lord Middlesex, by the Prince's order, showed 
 me a motion to be made the next day, for an account of the state 
 of the port of Dunkirk, and the papers that had passed on that 
 Subject. It was agreed that I should wait on the Prince the 
 next day. 
 
 " Feb. 5. I waited on his Royal Highness, and told him that I 
 was come to thank him for communicating the motion to me, 
 which was more than any of my fellow-servants had condescended 
 to do, since I came into his service. He made me a very 
 embarrassed and perplexed answer. I then proceeded to say, that 
 I had not been idle, but had been looking into several things, in 
 order to form something proper to be laid before Parliament. 
 That I had long had this particular point of Dunkirk under 
 consideration ; was determined to be at the expense to know, and 
 to procure evidence of the state of it, but my acquaintance lay so 
 much out of the mercantile way that I was at a loss to know how 
 to go about it; that I had pitched upon Mr. Sheriff Jansen, being a 
 trader himself, and much conversant in trade, as a proper person 
 to inform and assist me; that the great sickness he fell into had 
 till now disabled him from going out, and that yesterday was the 
 first time I could get him to dinner. That I supposed, that 
 though I was so unfortunate as not to be ready, his Royal 
 Highness was well informed of all things necessary to make out 
 the charge, etc. He said, No ; but the throwing it out would 
 make the Ministry feel that they had the corde mi col^ and it was 
 an opportunity to abuse them, etc. I said that my idea had been 
 to bring something of national weight, which I could fix by 
 undeniable evidence upon them and leave it there. That if I 
 could have brought this affair up to that point, then I had 
 designed to lay it before his Royal Highness, with this only remark, 
 how far he thought proper to venture the consequences with 
 France, in the present condition of the country. He said, the 
 Tories wanted something to be done, and if he did not do some- 
 thing, they immediately thought he was negociating. I told him 
 also, that I had been for some time getting such lights as I could 
 into the affair of Nova Scotia ; that I designed to lay it before 
 him, when I had thought it worthy of his consideration, but it
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 39 
 
 was my misfortune to think that it was necessary to be armed 
 with full proof and conviction of every sort of the charge, before 
 we brought it into the House. Upon that foot I submitted, that 
 in case upon this question of Dunkirk, it should come out that 
 the port was left just in the same condition it remained under the 
 treaty of Utrecht, without any innovation since the war (the 
 Ministry not having already enforced a stricter execution of that 
 treaty, than ever had been enforced), it would not, I feared, make 
 a very strong point against them. He was pleased to say, No, to 
 be sure, so long an acquaintance would greatly diminish the 
 objection. Upon these words I left him, and went directly to 
 the House. In the debate I argued against the inexpediency and 
 dangers (which were the objections set up by the Court to 
 granting these papers) that there could be none, because if it 
 appeared that there had been no innovation since the war, and that 
 the post was in the state it had remained under the Treaty of 
 Utrecht — though I did not give it up, but still did insist we had a 
 right to a fuller execution of that treaty confirmed by this, and 
 therefore I did not give it up. Yet, if that appeared to be the 
 case, no danger or inconveniency could arise from the motion, 
 because I was sure that I, for one, would not, and I believed that 
 no gentleman, upon that account, would move anything, that 
 might occasion a rupture with France. 
 
 " At the end of the debate, Lord Egmont, who made the motion, 
 recapitulated what had been said against it. He began by going 
 out of his way to say that he must first declare that he was sorry 
 to differ with me, but did not agree that it would be sufficient to 
 excuse the Ministry, if it should appear, as I had stated it, that 
 things had remained at Dunkirk as they were before the war, etc. 
 I was much surprised at this, considering the expressions of his 
 Royal Highness a few hours before. We were beat by a very 
 great majority. This night was published the vilest and most 
 rancorous pamphlet against me that, I believe, any age or country 
 can show ; the author of it taking, by implication, the character 
 of being in the Prince's service. 
 
 " Feb. 6. Went to Lord Middlesex with the words (as near as I 
 could recollect) written down which I used in the debate, and 
 which he had heard. He agreed to them. I then desired him to 
 lay them before the Prince (who was at Kew, and was come to 
 see Lady Middlesex on her miscarriage), and in my name to 
 complain, both of the pamphlet, and of the behaviour I met with 
 — which he undertook. Mr. Ralph and Dr. Sharpe came after 
 dinner ; much conversation about the pamphlet, which Lord 
 Middlesex told me in the morning the Prince had told Lady
 
 40 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Middlesex (before he went to Kew) was sent him in a letter on 
 Friday night ; that he was much incensed at it ; that he had im- 
 mediately sent to Mr. Nugent, examined him upon it, and he had 
 absolutely denied it with detestation and abhorrence ; that he had 
 questioned the Earl of Egmont upon it, who had done the same. 
 Mr. Furnese came, who had had a conversation with Lord Balti- 
 more of his (Lord Baltimore's) own seeking when in wine, and 
 renewed when sober, in which that Lord declared that there was a 
 combination of the whole family against me, that they were, as 
 he said, in a round Robin ; that I endeavoured to govern and 
 supplant them; that they talked of me with the utmost inveteracy; 
 that he was my friend, but, however, he would keep his connec- 
 tions, etc." 
 
 And so the affair went on, the Prince evidently wishing to 
 retain the services of a valuable ally, and " the family " equally 
 obviously desirous to be rid of him, but shrinking from giving 
 open expression to their dislike. On the ninth, Dodington, still 
 bursting to make a communication to the Prince, is allowed to do 
 so in the presence of Dr. Lee. He goes on — 
 
 " That I must, in the first place, return my most humble thanks 
 for the indignation he had expressed against the vile and rancorous 
 pamphlet which had been published against me, etc. He said 
 that, as soon as it was sent to him he saw that it was designed to 
 personate Mr. Nugent ; that he immediately sent for him, who 
 denied every part of it with the utmost abhorrence ; that Lord 
 Egmont did the same, etc., just as Lord Middlesex related. I 
 replied that I had never thought so basely of either of them as to 
 suspect them ; that if I had been so injurious to either, yet after 
 so solemn a denial before the highest tribunal their master, their 
 prince, near being their king, every trace or thought of such a 
 suspicion must be for ever laid out of the question ; but that it 
 was evident that the character assumed was of one of the family." 
 
 Dodington then affects to believe that none of "the family" is 
 implicated in the libel, but shrewdly recognizes that he is not 
 liked by its members, and that there is, in fact, a combination 
 against him, and lightly blames the Prince for having led him into 
 a false position. Here, so far as we know, ends the episode of the 
 scurrilous pamphlet. 
 
 Prior to this, however, Nugent had spoken thrice. Once on 
 a grant to be made to the city of Glasgow for losses sustained 
 during the Rebellion, which he opposed with some very shrewd 
 reasoning, although the Resolution appears to have passed without 
 a division. This was in April 1749. The opposition was one of 
 the Prince's party who thought that the city of Glasgow had no
 
 1,1.1/ \l;l III. Col.'XTKSS OF IiliRKLEY 
 From an Engraving after a Painting by Sir Joshua Reynoldi

 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 41 
 
 particular claim of favour prior to that of other places in the United 
 Kingdom ; some of the members from the northern counties of 
 England, through which the rebels had marched, observing that if 
 every place that had suffered from them were to bring in a bill of 
 their damages the expense would be endless. 
 
 The other occasions were debatings on the number of seamen, 
 Lord Barrington having moved that 10,000 men be emploved for 
 the Sea Service for the year 1750, and on the Mutiny Act. 
 Nugent admitted the imperative necessity of frugality, but pleaded 
 with great cogency and keen common-sense, for the preservation 
 of our strength at sea. Nearly 30,000 men he stated had already 
 been disbanded from the navy ; " and if we now add 5000 more to 
 that number, God knows how many of them may put it out of 
 our power ever again to press them into our service ; for whatever 
 opinion we may have of their merit, every one knows that it has 
 justice done to it by those who are our most dangerous rivals in 
 naval power, and who now at last seemed to have learned that it 
 is impossible to have either commerce or colonies, without a suf- 
 ficient naval force to protect them in time of war " — an utterance 
 which has lost nothing of point or significance even at the present 
 day. The speech on the Mutiny Bill, which exhibits consider- 
 able argumentative ability, is chiefly remarkable as having been in 
 opposition to Sir Henry Fox's plea for an oath of secrecy at courts- 
 martial. This was on January 23, 1750. 
 
 Then follows the famous debate on the port and harbour of 
 Dunkirk, of which Dodington complains. Nugent's contribu- 
 tion to it was very able, but it was also very long, and no purpose 
 can be served by quoting it here. In the debate on the number 
 of seamen for the year 1 75 1, Nugent followed the same course he 
 had adopted in the estimates for the preceding year. Lord Bar- 
 rington proposed to employ only 8000 seamen, and Nugent 
 declared that 20,000 seamen was the least the Government should 
 always have in its service. In that respect, and his general sup- 
 port of the commercial interests of the country, Nugent's consist- 
 ency seems to have been unimpeachable. 
 
 In January 1751 (16th) we find Nugent still on terms with 
 the Prince, and dining at " Carleton " House with the Prince, 
 Lords Granby, Middlesex, Carlisle, Egmont, 1 Limerick, Sir John 
 Rushout, Sir Thomas Bootle, Dr. Lee, Messrs. Bathurst, Henley, 
 Gibbon, and Dodington. 
 
 The Prince of Wales died on March 20, 1 751, and Nugent 
 made his peace with the Pelham Ministry. 
 
 1 John, second Earl.
 
 42 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 " The year 1753," says Lord Campbell, " is memorable in the life 
 of Lord Hardwicke, by his Jew Bill and his Marriage Bill, for 
 both of which I think he deserves credit. From the fatuous fears 
 and furious cries which the former occasioned, it has generally 
 been represented as c a bill by its own vigour at once to confer all 
 the rights of natural born British subjects on all foreign Jews who 
 might set foot on English ground ; ' whereas it merely allowed 
 bills to be brought in for naturalizing Jews without their having 
 the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper according to the rites of the 
 Church of England, or, in other words, to allow that a Jew might 
 be naturalized by Act of Parliament. After some sharp debates 
 the Bill passed both Houses, and received the royal assent, but, 
 from there being no reports of parliamentary proceedings printed, 
 its nature was so grossly misrepresented, that great odium was cast 
 upon the Chancellor as its author; and the Bishop of Norwich, 
 who voted for it, soon after, holding a confirmation, was called 
 upon by the mob ' to administer the rite of circumcision,' and a 
 paper was affixed to the church doors, stating that 'next day 
 being Saturday, his Lordship would confirm the Jews, and on the 
 following day, the Christians.' Such was the ferment in the 
 nation that ministers became alarmed — particularly as a general 
 election was approaching— and in a very dastardly manner they 
 agreed to abandon this measure, which, if persisted in, might have 
 introduced, upon reflection, a more liberal feeling into the public 
 mind, and accelerated by a century the religious freedom which 
 we now enjoy." 
 
 The following- is Nugent's contribution to the debate on the 
 Jews' Naturalization Bill, 1 delivered April 17, 1753 — 
 
 "Sir, although it is not very usual or proper to take notice in 
 this House of what passed in the other, yet the hon. gentleman 
 who spoke last obliges me to notice it so far as to observe, to the 
 honour of the reverend bench, that the Bill now before us was 
 opposed by very few of them. On the contrary, it was strenuously 
 supported by some of them, which shews, that our present set of 
 bishops have thrown off those old prejudices, and that persecuting 
 spirit, which has for so many ages been the bane of Christianity; 
 and that they have embraced those truly Christian principles, 
 which so strongly inculcate humility, meekness and charity, and 
 teach us to love even our enemies. But, Sir, it was not only from 
 the fundamental principles of Christianity that they supported this 
 Bill, for in duty to their religion they were bound to support, and 
 
 1 Debate in the Commons on the Jews' Naturalization Bill, April 
 l h 1753-
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 43 
 
 to contribute as much as in them lay towards its being passed into 
 a law, because it will tend towards the propagation of the religion 
 they profess, and because it will prevent the profanation of one of 
 the most sacred and solemn mysteries of our holy religion. 
 
 "As to the propagation of the Christian religion, Sir, I do not think 
 there is anything that will contribute more towards the conversion 
 of the Jews than that of freeing them from all manner of persecution, 
 and empowering, and even inviting, them to become purchasers of 
 land estates. From all histories we may learn, that persecution on 
 one side begets obstinacy on the other ; and from late experience 
 we may be convinced, that a general indulgence promotes a free 
 enquiry, and prepares the way for reason and sound argument, 
 which will always at last prevail, when the stumbling-blocks of 
 passion and prejudice are removed. Besides this, Sir, there is a 
 fashion in religion as well as in everything else: it is unfashionable 
 to be of a religion different from that established in the country in 
 which we live; and even in this country there are many advantages 
 attending a man's being of the established religion ; for unless he 
 is, he can neither be a magistrate of any city or borough, nor can 
 he hold any office of honour or profit under our Government. 
 And as I am fully convinced, that reason and solid argument are 
 on the side of our established religion, I am therefore of opinion, 
 that as soon as we have removed passion and prejudice by indulg- 
 ence, reason and solid argument, with the assistance of fashion, 
 and the advantages to be acquired by yielding to them, will at last 
 prevail ; and that the son or grandson of every Jew who becomes 
 a landholder, if not the purchaser himself, will embrace Christianity, 
 and declare himself of the religion established by law. In this 
 opinion, Sir, I am confirmed by the example of what has passed 
 in Ireland ; for most of the landholders in that kingdom are 
 now become Protestants. The farmers indeed and cottagers, 
 at least such as are originally Irish, and too many of the tradesmen 
 in their cities and villages, continue still to be Papists, but most 
 of the landholders have now, thank God ! abandoned that super- 
 stitious religion ; and I do not at all wonder at it ; for it is so 
 much in the nature of mankind, whether Christian, Jew, or Gentile, 
 after they become possessed of opulent land estates, to aim at 
 honours and preferments, and to hate being out of the fashion, 
 that nothing can prevent their complying with this human passion, 
 but a superstitious bigotry, founded upon ignorance, and raised to 
 the summit of enthusiastic madness by persecution. 
 
 "Now, Sir, with regard to the profanation of one of the most 
 sacred mysteries of our religion : by the law, as it now stands, no 
 Jew can be naturalized, without first receiving the Sacrament of
 
 44 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 the Lord's Supper according to the rites and ceremonies of the 
 Church of England, or in some Protestant church or chapel : 
 would it not be a most abominable profanation of this holy mystery 
 to admit any Jew, still continuing in his heart a Jew, to be a 
 partaker in this mystery ? In the Jew himself, indeed, it would 
 be no profanation, because he did not believe there was anything 
 religious or sacred in the ceremony ; but in Christians, who lay 
 him under the necessity to do so, it is a profanation, and in my 
 opinion a very heinous ofFence against the religion we profess. 
 To avoid this for the future was, I am persuaded, a prevailing 
 argument with the reverend bench in the other House, and I 
 think it ought to be a prevailing argument in favour of the Bill 
 with every true Christian in this. 
 
 " Thus, Sir, I hope I have shown, that what is proposed by this 
 Bill is so far from being inconsistent with our religion, that it is 
 absolutely necessary for preventing a very great abuse, and an 
 abuse that has actually been practised, if I am rightly informed ; 
 for I have been told that in King William's time, there were 
 some Jews who actually complied with the law, by receiving the 
 Sacrament, in order to their being naturalized ; and, indeed, I do 
 not see how any clergyman of our Established Church can safely 
 refuse administering the Sacrament to any man who requires it, 
 if he professes himself of the Church of England, and cannot be 
 accused of having been guilty of any heinous ofFence ; for even a 
 reputed Jew may have privately received baptism and confirmation, 
 without its being known to the clergyman from whom he requires 
 the Sacrament ; and it is now, I think, admitted, that a clergyman 
 is liable to an action if he refuses administering the Sacrament 
 without just cause, and the person requiring it suffers damage by 
 such refusal. 
 
 "I have likewise shewn, I hope, Sir, that the passing of this Bill 
 into a law may contribute towards the propagation of our religion, 
 by converting many of the richest Jew families, which would of 
 course produce the conversion of many of the poor ; and it can be 
 of no dangerous consequence to our religion ; for I never heard 
 that the Jews busied themselves in making converts either in this 
 country or any other, and, I believe, we have no reason to 
 apprehend that any Englishman will submit to be circumcised, or 
 swear never to taste a Yorkshire ham, or a bit of good pork or 
 bacon. Therefore, this Bill is so far from being inconsistent with 
 the prophecies relating to the Jews, that in my opinion it has a 
 tendency towards the completion of them : I hope the time is 
 now come, or near coming, when the times of the Gentiles are to 
 be fulfilled, and not only the Jews but all the Gentiles converted
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 45 
 
 to the Christian faith ; for though no one can with any certainty 
 point out the ways of Providence, yet from experience we may 
 see, that universal charity and indulgence, which are so pathetic- 
 ally recommended by the Christian religion, is the most effectual 
 method for inducing all men to submit to reason and the true 
 principles of the Christian religion, as now professed in this kingdom. 
 " But it is not only to our religion, Sir, that this Bill, if passed 
 into a law, may be of advantage ; it will, likewise, be of great 
 advantage to the State, and to the nation and people in general. 
 The Jews, Sir, by their knowledge in trade, and their correspond- 
 ence over the whole known world, have been of great service in 
 all countries where they have been encouraged to settle. They 
 contributed greatly towards the establishment of the Dutch trade 
 and commerce in the infancy of that wise republic ; and it was 
 they chiefly that raised the city of Amsterdam to that height of 
 splendour and riches at which it is now arrived. On the other 
 hand, we know that Spain and Portugal have been in some 
 measure ruined by banishing them their country ; for neither of 
 these kingdoms have now any trade but to their own colonies, and 
 even a great part of that is carried on by foreigners under the 
 borrowed names of Spaniards or Portuguese. But, Sir, we need 
 not go beyond sea to look for the advantage a nation may read 
 from having the Jews settled in it ; for ever since they were 
 readmitted into this country, they have been in many respects 
 useful to us. In the reign of Charles II., when they began again 
 to settle in this country, they contributed greatly to increase our 
 exports ; though but a few of them were admitted by letters of 
 denization from the King, with a non obstante clause in each for 
 freeing them from the payment of the aliens' duty ; yet before the 
 Revolution they began to have a large concern in our foreign 
 trade. Of this we have an incontestable proof upon record ; for 
 these non obstante clauses being at the Revolution deemed and 
 declared to be illegal, a question arose, whether these Jew denizens 
 were liable to aliens' duty, and an action was brought against some 
 of them for no less a sum than ^58,000 for goods they had 
 imported and exported during the year 1689, which shews how 
 much the few Jews we had then among us contributed to the 
 increase of our trade and commerce ; for we cannot reckon the 
 value of the goods imported and exported by them within that 
 time at less than double the sum laid in the information brought 
 against them. And since the Revolution we all know how useful 
 they have been, both by exporting our manufactures, and by 
 supplying our Government with large sums of money for carrying 
 on the expensive wars we have been necessarily engaged in.
 
 46 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 "From what is past, therefore, Sir, we may judge with some 
 certainty of what is to come, and, consequently, of what will be 
 the effect of the Bill now before us, if passed into a law. In my 
 opinion, it will bring rich Jews from all parts of the world to 
 settle amongst us, which, besides increasing our trade, will be of 
 great use to the State, whether we continue in peace, or be again 
 involved in war. If we continue in peace, such an accession of 
 wealth will reduce the interest payable upon our public funds below 
 what it is to be by the laws now in being, at the same time that 
 the consumption of these new families will increase the produce of 
 the taxes appropriated to the payment of these funds ; and if we 
 should be unhappily engaged in a new war, this Bill will then 
 appear to be not only useful but necessary; for as we can carry on 
 no war without borrowing money yearly, we must find lenders as 
 well as funds, and this Bill will furnish us with a number of persons 
 who have money to lend, and at the same time encourage and 
 enable them to come and spend the yearly interest of their money 
 amongst us. That this Bill will be of advantage to the State is, 
 therefore, evident ; and it is as evident, I think, that it will be of 
 advantage to our landholders, by raising the price of lands over the 
 whole kingdom, which will of course occasion their improvement ; 
 for if a landholder, by laying out ^iooo upon improving his 
 estate, can add ^50 a year to his income, and cannot add above 
 ^30 a year by laying out the same sum of money upon a new 
 purchase, he will certainly improve rather than purchase ; and the 
 improvement is not only an advantage to the nation in general, 
 but furnishes employment for numbers of our laborious poor, 
 neither of which is the consequence of a man's making a new 
 purchase. Then, with regard to our farmers, the accession of a 
 number of rich families will of course procure them a better 
 market for the produce of their farms ; and our manufacturers of 
 all kinds will reap an advantage not only by the increase of the 
 consumption of their manufactures at home, but also by the 
 increase of their exportation abroad. In short, Sir, I know no set 
 of men in the kingdom that will not be benefited by this Bill, 
 except those merchants and shopkeepers who love to deal at an 
 extravagant profit ; but such men, surely, deserve no encourage- 
 ment, much less any privilege from the public. Thus, Sir, if we 
 regard our interest, we must, I think, be for passing this Bill into 
 a law." 
 
 Sir John Barnard — 
 
 " Sir, I am sorry I should find myself under a necessity to speak 
 against those I have long lived and conversed with, and for many 
 of whom I have a particular esteem ; but whilst I have the honour
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 47 
 
 of a seat in this House, no personal friendships or connections shall 
 induce me to keep silence, when I see anything brought into this 
 House, which, I think, will be not only injurious but dishonourable to 
 my country. If this Bill had been general : if it had been a Bill 
 to open a way for the naturalization of all Mahometans, and Pagans, 
 as well as Jews, I should more readily have agreed to it, because it 
 would not have brought such a reflection upon us as Christians : 
 such a general Bill, like the late Bill for a general naturalization 
 of all foreign Protestants, might have been deemed to proceed, as 
 that Bill did, from some mistaken maxim in politics ; but to give 
 a particular invitation to the Jews, really seems as if we contemned, 
 and were resolved to abandon, the religion we now profess. The 
 Jews, Sir, are, and always have been, the most professed enemies to 
 Christianity, and the greatest revilers of Christ himself: they are 
 the offspring of those that crucified our Saviour, and to this day 
 labour under the curse pronounced against them upon that account. 
 I know, Sir, that, as a Christian, I am obliged to love my 
 enemy ; but whilst he continues to be so, no precept of Christi- 
 anity enjoins me to take him under my roof, much less to put him 
 in a way of making himself master both of me and my roof; and 
 how the hon. gentleman who spoke last, could imagine, that the 
 possession of a land estate should have an influence upon a man's 
 religious principles, I cannot comprehend. If any Jew should be 
 so loose as to all principles of religion, as to abjure the religion of 
 his ancestors for the sake of being in the fashion, or for the sake of 
 acquiring any honour or preferment, surely his desire of possessing 
 a land estate will be an additional motive for his declaring himself 
 Christian, when he finds he cannot otherwise acquire such a 
 possession." 
 
 Campbell's Lives, v. 123. — Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act, 
 with considerable modifications and improvements, remains in 
 force, and regulates in England the most important of all con- 
 tracts — upon which civil society itself depends. Hitherto the old 
 canon law had prevailed, according to which a valid marriage was 
 constituted either by the mere consent of the parties, or by the 
 presence of a priest in orders, at any time or place, without the 
 sanction of parents or guardians, although one or both of the 
 parties might be under age — and without any registration or public 
 act affording the means of knowing whether such a marriage had 
 been contracted. This does seem to me a very defective state of 
 the law, although it exists in the northern part of the island, and 
 is there defended by sensible men. It is of importance for the 
 protection of minors that they should not be permitted to enter 
 into this contract by their own mere fantasy, when they are
 
 48 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 wholly incapacitated to enter into others of the most trifling 
 nature ; and it is important to society in general, that a form — 
 simple and notorious — should be specified, which shall be essential, 
 and which shall be sufficient, for constituting the contract, and 
 the evidence of which shall be open to all mankind. 
 
 Various striking instances of the inconveniences and hard- 
 ships resulting from the then existing law had recently occurred. 
 Young heirs and heiresses, scarcely grown out of infancy, had been 
 inveigled into mercenary and disgraceful -matches ; and persons 
 living together as husband and wife for many years, and become 
 the parents of a numerous offspring, were pronounced to be in a 
 state of concubinage, their children being bastardized because the 
 father had formerly entangled himself in some promise which 
 amounted to a pre-contract, and rendered his subsequent marriage 
 a nullity. 
 
 A multitude of clergymen, usually prisoners for debt, and almost 
 always men of notoriously evil lives, made it their business to 
 celebrate clandestine marriages in or near the Fleet. They per- 
 formed the ceremony without licence or question, sometimes with- 
 out knowing the names of the persons they united, in public-houses, 
 hovels, or garrets. They acknowledged no ecclesiastical superior. 
 Almost every tavern or handy shop in the neighbourhood had a 
 Fleet parson in its pay. Notices were placed in the windows, and 
 agents went out in every direction to solicit the passers-by. A 
 more pretentious and perhaps more popular establishment was in 
 Curzon Street, where the Rev. Alexander Keith officiated. He 
 was said to have made a ' very bishopric of revenue ' by clandes- 
 tine marriages, and the expression can hardly be exaggerated if it 
 be true, as was asserted in Parliament, that he had married on an 
 average 6000 couples every year. He himself stated that he had 
 married many thousands, the great majority of whom had not 
 known each other more than a week, and many only a day or 
 half a day. Young and inexperienced heirs fresh from college, 
 and even from school, were thus continually entrapped. A passing 
 frolic, the excitement of drink, an almost momentary passion, the 
 deception or intimidation of a few unprincipled confederates, were 
 often sufficient to drive or inveigle them into sudden marriages, 
 which blasted all the prospects of their lives. In some cases, when 
 men slept off" a drunken fit, they heard to their astonishment that, 
 during its continuance, they had gone through the ceremony. 
 When the fleet came in and the sailors flocked on shore to spend 
 their pay in drink and among prostitutes, they were speedily 
 beleaguered, and 200 or 300 marriages constantly took place within 
 a week. Among the more noted instances of clandestine mar-
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 49 
 
 riages we find that of the Duke of Hamilton with Miss Gunning, 
 that of the Duke of Kingston with Miss Chudleigh, that of Henry- 
 Fox with the daughter of the Duke of Richmond, that of the Poet 
 Churchill, who at the age of seventeen entered into a marriage 
 which contributed largely to the unhappinessof his life. The state 
 of the law seemed, indeed, ingeniously calculated to promote both 
 the misery and the immorality of the people, for which there was 
 every facility for contracting the most inconsiderate marriages : 
 divorce, except by a special Act of Parliament, was absolutely 
 unattainable. It is not surprising that contracts so lightly entered 
 into should have been as lightly violated. Desertion, conjugal 
 infidelity, bigamy, fictitious marriages celebrated by sham priests, 
 were the natural and frequent consequence of the system. In 
 many cases in the Fleet registers names were suppressed or 
 falsified, and marriages fraudulently ante-dated, and many house- 
 holds, after years of peace, were convulsed by some alleged 
 pre-contract or clandestine tie. It was proved before Parliament 
 that on one occasion there had been 2954 Fleet marriages in four 
 months, and it appeared from the memorandum-books of Fleet 
 parsons that one of them made ^57 in marriage fees in a 
 single month, that another had married 173 couples in a single 
 day. 1 • . • 
 
 In the public prisons — particularly in the Fleet — there were 
 degraded and profligate parsons ready, for a small fee, to marry all 
 persons at all hours there, or to go when sent for to perform the 
 ceremony in taverns or in brothels. The public attention had 
 been particularly drawn to the subject by a case of very flagrant 
 oppression, which had appeared on the hearing of an appeal before 
 the House of Lords, 2 and the judges were ordered to prepare a Bill 
 to remedy the evils complained of. Their Bill did not please the 
 Chancellor, who himself undertook the task with great earnestness. 
 His own performance was not in great taste. He declared null 
 all marriages which were not celebrated by a priest in orders, either 
 under banns or licence, declaring in the case of minors the licence 
 void without the consent of parents or guardians — the banns to be 
 for three successive Sundays in the parish church — and the 
 
 1 Lecky's History of England in the Eighteenth Century, i. 490. 
 
 2 According to Mr. Lecky, in his History of England in the Eighteenth 
 Century, i. 492, " the first step in this direction was taken by Lord 
 Bath, who, when attending a Scotch trial, was struck by the hardship 
 of a case, in which a man, after a marriage of thirty years, was claimed by 
 another woman on the ground of a precontract." This very probably 
 has a strong bearing upon the illegality of Colonel Nugent's marriage 
 with Elizabeth Vernon.
 
 50 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 granting of ordinary and special licences to be subject to certain 
 regulations — the ceremony to be performed by a priest according 
 to the liturgy of the Church of England. The first great blot 
 upon the measure was, that it required Roman Catholics, Dis- 
 senters, and others who might have serious scruples of conscience 
 against being married according to the prescribed service (the least 
 felicitous in the English Liturgy) to submit to it, — or debarred them 
 from matrimony altogether. Another serious defect was, that no 
 provision was made by it respecting the marriage out of England 
 of persons domiciled in England, so as to prevent the easy invasion 
 of it by trip to Gretna Green. The measure was likewise highly 
 objectionable in making no provision for the marriage of 
 illegitimate children — who had no parents recognized by law, and 
 could only have guardians by an application to the Court of 
 Chancery, — and in declaring marriages which were irregular by 
 reason of unintentional mistakes in banns or licences absolutely 
 void, although the parties might live long together as man and wife, 
 having a numerous issue considered legitimate until the discovery 
 of the irregularity. 
 
 Lord Hardwicke laid the Bill on the table and explained its pro- 
 visions at the commencement of the Session. On the second 
 reading, the Duke of Bedford made a speech against it, but it 
 passed easily through the Lords. In the Commons, however, it 
 experienced the most furious opposition, particularly from Henry 
 Fox, who was supposed to feel very deeply upon the subject, 
 because he himself had run off with Lady Caroline Lennox, eldest 
 daughter of the Duke of Richmond, and married her without the 
 consent of her family. 
 
 " I cannot compliment him or the other opposers of the Bill," 
 continues Lord Campbell, " on the topics they employed." Instead 
 of pointing out its real defects, which in practice were found 
 oppressive and mischievous, they absurdly denied the right of 
 Parliament to legislate upon the subject ; they dwelt upon the 
 aristocratic tendency of the Bill ; they denounced it as leading to 
 vice and immorality ; they prophesied that it would thin our 
 population, and endanger our existence as a nation. Fox, who 
 kept the Bill in Committee many nights, became so heated by his 
 own opposition to it against Murray, the Solicitor-General, and 
 other lawyers who defended it, that he inveighed bitterly against 
 all lawyers and their jargon. He even indulged in a personal 
 attack upon its author, whom he designated " the Great Mufti," 
 whom he accused of pride and arrogance, and whose motives in 
 bringing it forward he described as selfish and sordid. On a 
 subsequent evening he made an apology for those expressions, and
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 51 
 
 declared his high respect for the learning and integrity of the 
 noble lord he was supposed to have alluded to. 
 
 The Bill at last passed the Commons by a majority of 125 to 
 56, and was sent back to the Lords. 
 
 Mr. Lecky, in the History already quoted, 1 says, "With large 
 classes of the community the easy process of Fleet marriages was 
 very popular. On the day before the new law came into force no 
 less than 300 were celebrated, and a bold attempt was made by a 
 clergyman named Wilkinson to perpetuate the system at the 
 Savoy. He claimed, by virtue of some old privileges attaching to 
 that quarter, to be extra-parochial, and to have the right of issuing 
 licences himself, and he is said to have actually celebrated as many 
 as 1400 clandestine marriages after the Marriage Act had passed. 
 By the instrumentality of Garrick, one of whose company had 
 been married in this manner in 1756, a Savoy licence passed into 
 the hands of the Government, and the trial and transportation of 
 Wilkinson and his curate put an end to clandestine marriages in 
 England. Those who desired them, however, found a refuge in 
 Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Guernsey, and in 1760 there were 
 always vessels ready at Southampton to carry fugitive lovers to the 
 latter island." 
 
 Nugent's speech, May 7, 1753, was as follows — 
 
 " Sir, I know the disadvantage I labour under when I stand 
 up to oppose the Bill now under our consideration. All the most 
 tender passions that can agitate the human breast militate in its 
 favour : love for children, compassion for betrayed innocence, the 
 honour of our families, all plead strongly for our passing it into a 
 law. Likewise the high character of those who brought in the 
 Bill must give every gentleman a bias in its favour ; more 
 especially the great opinion which the world so deservedly have, 
 of the solid judgment of that noble lord who was at so much 
 pains in the other House to render it perfect, and who has given 
 so many and so great testimonies of his warm concern for the 
 good of his country. All these, I say, Sir, conspire together in 
 favour of this Bill ; and yet my way of thinking is such, that for 
 the good of the public, nay, for the good of mankind, and for 
 the sake of that reverence which I shall always have for that 
 sacred engagement called marriage, I think myself bound in duty 
 to oppose the passing of this Bill into a law. I hope the hon. and 
 learned gentleman will excuse me when I call the marriage 
 contract sacred, after he has been at so much pains to shew that 
 it is in no way more sacred than any other contract. But I must 
 
 1 Lecky, Eighteenth Century, i. 498.
 
 52 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 beg leave to say, that in my opinion, if there can be a religious 
 and sacred engagement amongst mortals, the marriage contract is 
 such ; and it is for the interest of mankind that it should be 
 thought to be so. I am as much an enemy to superstition as any 
 gentleman in this House ; but I am afraid, that if we go about to 
 abolish all manner of superstition, we shall abolish religion itself: 
 like Jack in the tale, we shall tear our coat to pieces by going 
 too roughly to work in tearing off the lace and embroideries ; and 
 both men and women are so apt in this age to forget and 
 transgress the marriage vow, that I am far from thinking it a 
 proper time for endeavouring to remove, even that superstitious 
 character of sanctity, which our ancestors wisely took care to 
 stamp upon it in the minds of the people. Whether the legislative 
 authority can declare void and null a marriage vow, or indeed any 
 vow that has nothing irreligious or immoral in the performance, is 
 a question that I must suppose the Reverend Bench maturely 
 considered, before they consented to this Bill ; but I never yet 
 heard that the legislative authority of this kingdom took upon 
 them to dispense with any oath or vow that was not, from its own 
 nature originally, or had not from some future accident become in 
 itself void and null, if it was made by such persons as could any 
 way be supposed capable of knowing the nature of the oath or vow 
 they had made. 
 
 " As to the practice of the primitive Christians, or rather the 
 practice of the first Christian emperors, though I am no civilian, 
 yet I have heard civilians talk upon the subject of divorces by 
 mutual consent ; and according to their opinion, it was a practice 
 rather permitted than authorized. Amongst the heathen Romans 
 a most extensive liberty of divorce or repudiation had for a long 
 time been allowed, though contrary even to their old law, and to 
 the very definition they gave of marriage ; and when Christianity 
 was established among them, their emperors were obliged to 
 indulge them with some sort of liberty in this respect, not because 
 it was agreeable to religion, or even to the good of society, but for 
 the same reason that the great lawgiver of the Jews indulged them 
 in several things, because of the hardness of their hearts. As if 
 we were to introduce this custom again into this country, I am 
 persuaded many a husband would treat his wife with rigour and 
 severity, and even with cruelty, on purpose to force her to consent 
 to a divorce, in order that he might marry another woman who 
 was richer, or whom he thought handsomer ; and many a wife 
 would treat her husband and his affairs with contempt and neglect, 
 on purpose to force him to consent to a divorce, that she might 
 marry another man she liked better, or perhaps merely for the
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 53 
 
 sake of novelty. Therefore I have said, that this liberty of 
 divorce by mutual consent is as little agreeable to the good of 
 society, as it is to the principles of the purest Christianity. But 
 by this Bill we are to go a great deal further : we are to introduce 
 divorces without the consent of either of the married parties ; for 
 to declare a marriage void, if not celebrated with all the punctilios 
 prescribed by this Bill, is really to divorce the husband and wife 
 from each other, and to oblige them, if they live together, not to 
 live as husband and wife, but as w e and rogue; so that, accord- 
 ing to the late merry catch, ' w e and rogue will no more be 
 
 called husband and wife,' but on the contrary, husband and wife 
 
 will be called w e and rogue, and be actually treated as such 
 
 by law. 
 
 "But now, Sir, supposing that the legislature has power, or rather 
 a right, to prescribe what forms and ceremonies it pleases to the 
 marriage contract, and to declare every marriage void and null, 
 where all the punctilios prescribed are not exactly observed, which, 
 notwithstanding the authority of the reverend bench, I am far 
 from being satisfied about, yet the Bill now before us I must be 
 against, because I think it absolutely inconsistent with the public 
 good of this kingdom. The other House had some reason, and 
 some sort of right, to agree to it, because they represent themselves 
 and those of their own body only, and because, should the Bill be 
 passed into a law, they will thereby gain a very considerable and a 
 very particular advantage ; for they will in a great measure secure 
 all the rich heiresses in the kingdom to those of their own body. 
 An old miser, even of the lowest birth, is generally ambitious of 
 having his only daughter married to a lord, and a guardian has 
 generally some selfish view, or some interest to serve, by getting 
 his rich ward married to the eldest son of some duke, marquiss, or 
 earl ; so that when a young commoner makes his addresses to a rich 
 heiress, he has no friend but his superior merit, and that little deity 
 called love, whose influence over a young lady always decreases as 
 she increases in years; for by the time she comes of age, pride and 
 ambition seizes possession of her breast likewise, and banishes from 
 thence the little deity called love, or if he preserves a corner for his 
 friend, it is only to introduce him as a gallant, not a husband. 
 Therefore I may prophesy, that if this Bill passes into a law, no 
 commoner will ever marry a rich heiress, unless her father be a 
 minister of state, nor will a peer's eldest son marry the daughter 
 of a commoner, unless she be a rich heiress. 
 
 "From hence will appear, Sir, the particular advantage which the 
 other House had in passing the Bill; and they are not chosen by 
 the people: we have often found that they shew no great regard in
 
 54 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 the interest of the people, when it happens to come in competition 
 with the particular interest of their own bodv. But we in this 
 House, Sir, represent the people, and as the interest of the people 
 and that of the nation must always be the same, whatever 
 advantage may accrue to our noble and rich families from this 
 Bill, if it be against the national interest and that of the people, 
 we ought not to consent to its being passed into a law. As to the 
 national interest, I think it is allowed, that to prevent the 
 accumulation of wealth, and to disperse it as much as possible 
 through the whole body of the people, is a maxim religiously 
 observed in every well-regulated society. Riches is the blood of 
 the body politic : it must be made to circulate : if you allow it to 
 stagnate, or if too much of it be thrown into any one part, it will 
 destroy the body politic as the same cause often does the body 
 natural : if this Bill passes, our quality and rich families will 
 daily accumulate riches by marrying only one another ; and what 
 sort of breed their offspring will be, we may easily judge : if the 
 gout, the gravel, and madness are always to wed together, what 
 a hopeful generation of quality and rich commoners shall we 
 have amongst us ! What a fine appearance they will make at 
 the head of our army, should we ever happen to be invaded by a 
 foreign enemy ! 
 
 " Besides this, Sir, the Bill plainly tends towards introducing into 
 this country a distinction, which is inconsistent with our constitu- 
 tion. In other countries they have distinctions established and 
 still kept up, between what they call their noblesse and their 
 burghers, boors, or roturiers. In some countries a nobleman loses 
 his estate if he marries below his rank ; and in France one of 
 their noblesse must not marry a roturihre. What is the conse- 
 quence, especially in France ? The marriages of their quality are 
 something like the marriages of sovereign princes : the bride and 
 bridegroom sometimes have never seen one another till they meet 
 to be married. Can any love or affection be expected between 
 such a married couple ? Accordingly, it for the most part 
 happens : the bride goes to bed, perhaps, the first night with the 
 bridegroom, but the next, if not before, with her gallant ; and 
 conjugal love or fidelity is now become so rare in that country, 
 that it is deemed scandalous for a lady of quality not to have a 
 gallant, or for a man of quality to be seen in any public diversion 
 with his wife, unless his mistress be known to be in company. 
 Can any man be desirous of introducing such customs into this 
 country ? Yet such customs will certainly be the consequence, as 
 our quality and rich people will by this Bill acquire the absolute 
 disposal of their children in marriage; for whilst the father is alive,
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 55 
 
 even the Court of Chancery is to have no power to authorize a 
 proper marriage without his consent, let his refusal be never so 
 whimsical or selfish. 
 
 " In this country, Sir, we as yet know of no distinctions with 
 regard to marriage : a gentleman's, a farmer's daughter is a match 
 for the eldest son of the best lord in the land, and perhaps a better 
 match than his father would chuse for him, because she will 
 bring good and wholesome blood into the family. It is this 
 equality that gives such spirit to our middling sort of gentlemen, 
 and to our common people in general : it is this that makes the 
 infantry of our army superior to any in the world. And I 
 believe it would no way derogate from the health, strength or 
 spirit of our nobility, if, out of pure love, they marry the daughters 
 of our middling sort of gentlemen oftener than they do ; for the 
 offspring of conjugal love have generally more spirit, and more 
 sense too, than the offspring of conjugal duty. But such marriages 
 will be rendered almost impossible by this Bill. At present, 
 indeed, our nobility are not quite so squeamish as those of France 
 or Germany : they do not shrink, nor do our laws render it 
 beneath them to marry the daughter of a tradesman or merchant, 
 if she be one whose father has heaped up, by whatever means, a 
 large sum of money, and has no child but her ; and if the father 
 was become rich before, or soon after she was born, she is generally 
 bred up to be good for as little, and to be as proud, expensive, and 
 whimsical as any lady of quality whatsoever. 
 
 " But, Sir, the most pernicious consequence of this Bill will be, 
 its preventing marriage among the most useful, I will not scruple 
 to say, the best sort of our people. The healthy, the strong, the 
 laborious, and the brave, I may justly call so. It is from their 
 labour our quality derive their riches and their splendour ; it is to 
 their courage all of us owe our security. Shall we, for the sake of 
 preventing a few misfortunes to the rich and great amongst us, 
 make any law which will be a bar to the lawful procreation of 
 such sort of men in this country ? Gentlemen may talk what 
 they will about the proclamation of banns, and about marriage 
 being an affair of such importance that it ought to be gone about 
 with caution and deliberation ; but among the poor marriage 
 never was, nor ever can be, the effect of wisdom and foresight; 
 even among the rich it seldom is so : and for this reason the 
 ancient heathens feigned, that Minerva, who was the goddess of 
 wisdom, seldom if ever chose to be present at any nuptial cere- 
 mony. Would a poor labouring man, who can by hard labour 
 earn but a little more than is necessary for supporting himself in 
 what he may think an elegant manner : would such a man, I say,
 
 56 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 encumber himself with a wife and children, if he were directed by 
 nothing but the dictates of wisdom and foresight ? it is certain he 
 would not. But God Almighty has endued all animals, and man- 
 kind among the rest, with an ungovernable and irresistible passion, 
 which leads them to the procreation of their species; and rather 
 than not satisfy this passion, they will submit to any hardships, 
 they will expose themselves to any dangers. 
 
 " In this passion or instinct, Sir, as well as every other, we may 
 see, and we ought to admire the wisdom of the creation ; and as 
 God Almighty certainly designed that mankind should live in a 
 married state, he has endued us with another more tender and 
 elegant passion which we call love, and which often, if indulged, 
 becomes as ungovernable and as irresistible as the other. It is to 
 these two passions, and not to the dictates of wisdom, that most of 
 the marriages among the poor are owing, and it is to these two 
 passions that all the marriages both of rich and poor ought to be 
 owing, though they are sometimes, especially among the rich, 
 directed by the passions of avarice or ambition ; but by this Bill, 
 I am afraid, you will oblige the poor to take so long time to con- 
 sider of what they are about, that many of them will get the 
 better of their passions, pursue the dictates of wisdom, and prevent 
 their repenting after, by repenting before marriage. 
 
 " Among the poor, Sir, there are many marriages made, and 
 even such as prove very happy, that never would have been made, 
 if so much as one proclamation of banns had been necessary. I 
 myself have made many such : gentlemen need not be surprised ; 
 for in the county where I sometimes reside, I have the honour to 
 be a justice of the peace, and for the sake of my neighbours often 
 act as such. Of course I have had several country wenches 
 brought before me by the parish officers for being with child : she 
 names the father, generally some young country fellow in the 
 neighbourhood : he is immediately sent for, and confesses his being 
 the father : the consequence is, he must either agree to marry her, 
 or go to Bridewell : if he agrees to the first, I send them directly 
 to church, and they are presently married. But if this could not 
 be done in less than a month, or even a week, do you think any 
 such marriage could happen ? No, Sir, the young fellow would 
 in that time march off, and leave both the girl and the parish in 
 the lurch. Another case often happens: a young man by accident 
 obtains a favour of a girl of character ; a girl for whom he has a 
 great and real regard; she proves with child; to save her char- 
 acter, and to atone for the injury he has done her, he resolves to 
 marry her privately, so that none of the neighbours shall know but 
 that they were married before the child was begot. But if this
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 57 
 
 Bill passes he cannot do so, because he does not know how to get 
 a special licence from the archbishop, or cannot well spare to pay 
 for it : they must then be married at the parish church where one 
 of them resides : the time of the marriage could not then be con- 
 cealed; and if she should be brought to bed in four or five 
 months, it would very much derogate from her character, and not 
 a little hurt his own ; the thoughts of which might make him 
 resolve not to marry her at all, and we have no law for compelling 
 him. 
 
 " A multitude of cases might be put, Sir, for shewing the incon- 
 venience of absolutely prohibiting, or annulling all private or 
 sudden marriages. In short, it seems to be flying in the face of 
 Providence, by enacting, that this passion which God Almighty 
 has made the cause, and which ought to be the cause of every 
 marriage, shall not be the cause of any marriage in this country. 
 And it is certain, that proclamation of banns and a public marriage 
 is against the genius and nature of our people : it shocks the 
 modesty of a young girl to have it proclaimed through the parish, 
 that she is going to be married ; and a young fellow does not like 
 to be exposed so long beforehand to the jeers of all his com- 
 panions ; and to be married by licence costs more money than 
 poor people can well spare. How fond our people are of private 
 marriages, and of saving a little money, we may be convinced of 
 by the multitude of marriages at Keith's chapel, compared with 
 the number at any parish church. I have made an enquiry, and I 
 have been told, that at Keith's chapel there have been six thousand 
 married in a year, whereas at St. Anne's church, which is a very 
 populous parish, and a very convenient church for private marriages 
 by licence, there are seldom above fifty marriages in a year ; yet 
 the difference in the expense is not above eight or ten shillings, 
 but this is sometimes near equal to the whole stock of the married 
 couple, and consequently no wonder they should be for saving it. 
 
 "It is therefore evident, Sir, that this Bill, if passed into a law, 
 will in a great measure prevent marriage among our laborious and 
 industrious sort of people ; and as to all our itinerant sort of men, 
 it will render marriage almost impossible ; for by this Bill a man 
 must reside at least a month in one parish before he can possibly 
 be married without a licence, which he is not, perhaps, able to pay 
 for. How, then, can our seamen, our soldiers, our bargemen who 
 live in their barges, as many of them do, and our waggoners, who 
 live at the inns where their waggons put up — I say, how can any 
 of these men marry without a licence ? Nay, even with a 
 common licence they cannot marry, unless they are to be married 
 to a woman who has resided a month in the parish where she then
 
 58 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 is. Must not every gentleman thus see what difficulties and 
 discouragements this Bill will throw in the way of marriage among 
 the poor ; and indeed, I must observe, that the humour of prevent- 
 ing the poor from marrying prevails too much of late in all parts 
 of this country ; our numerous Bills for inclosing commons have 
 a great tendency this way ; and those wise politicians, called 
 parish-officers, are everywhere destroying cottages, because they 
 encourage the poor to marry and beget children which may 
 become burthensome to the parish. Do these wiseheads think 
 that labourers, servants, common seamen and soldiers are not 
 necessary for the support and security of this kingdom ? Or do 
 they think, that the passion I have mentioned, which has been 
 implanted by the Author of nature in all creatures for the procrea- 
 tion of each respective species, is not as strong and as violent 
 among the poor as the rich ? Sir, I will be bold to say, it is 
 equally strong, and perhaps more effectual for the end intended ; 
 and if you render marriage among that sort of people so difficult 
 and expensive, you must by public authority set up a common stew 
 in every parish ; if you do not, you will be the cause of the 
 murder of many infants, either after they are born, or by abortion, 
 before they come to the time of their birth ; nay, I tremble to 
 think of, I disdain to name the nasty, the abominable crime which 
 this Bill may be the cause of rendering as frequent in this country 
 as it is in too many others. 
 
 And for what, Sir, are we to bring all these mischiefs upon our 
 native country ? That my young lord, or the young rich squire, 
 forsooth, may not be induced to marry his mother's maid, or a 
 neighbouring farmer's daughter, who may probably make him a 
 better wife and render him more happy, than if he had married 
 the richest heiress in the kingdom ; or that young miss may not 
 run away with her father's footman, who may make her a better 
 husband than any lord or rich squire she, or ever her father, could 
 have chosen. Such marriages, I shall grant, Sir, are a great 
 disappointment to the avarice or ambition of the parents ; but 
 they are rather of advantage than of prejudice to the community ; 
 and if the married couple are unhappy, it generally proceeds from 
 the cruel, unnatural, unforgiving temper of the parents, which our 
 laws should rather endeavour to rectify than encourage. But if 
 this Bill be passed into a law, the parents may relent, the parents 
 may forgive ; but ' lex est res surdae et inexorabilis,' the law 
 will neither relent nor forgive ; the married couple must be looked 
 
 upon as w e and rogue, and their children born before they are 
 
 again married must all be bastards ; for, contrary to the custom of 
 all other countries, a future marriage does not by our law legiti-
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 59 
 
 mate the children born before it ; therefore if this Bill passes I 
 hope our law will in this respect be altered, and made more 
 agreeable to common sense. 
 
 " But supposing, Sir, that a young gentleman or lady's marry- 
 ing below their rank were as great a misfortune to their families 
 as it is generally deemed to be, it may in a great measure be 
 prevented by a proper education. If due care be taken to 
 implant right notions in their early youth, and to learn them 
 betimes to curb their passions, they will not consort with people 
 below their rank so familiarly as to fall in love with any of them, 
 or they will stifle the passion in its birth ; and unless that passion, 
 by indulgence, becomes violent, no such marriage can ever 
 happen. And supposing that even by this means the misfortune 
 could not be prevented, yet it does not follow that we must 
 prevent it by a public law. How many great and ancient families 
 are daily ruined, and the family estate squandered, by the extrava- 
 gance of one man who happens to be last in the entail ! Should 
 we for this reason pass a Bill for rendering entails perpetual ? Our 
 lawyers would all cry out, the law cannot endure perpetuities. I 
 could mention many other misfortunes that cannot be prevented 
 by public laws, but must be left to education, the morals, and the 
 customs of the people ; and this of clandestine mar-riages I take to 
 be a misfortune of this kind. They are sometimes pernicious, 
 but this law would be more pernicious than they can ever be, and 
 it is most flagrantly unjust. 
 
 " The hon. and learned gentleman talked, Sir, of one of our 
 old laws having laid the penalty upon the most innocent : I am 
 sure, you do so by this Bill in the most glaring manner ; for you 
 lay it upon the children before they are born ; you declare them 
 bastards, and for ever incapable of succeeding to the estate either 
 of their father or mother. And as to the fair sex, instead of being 
 favourable for them, I am certain it would prove a snare for 
 entrapping many of them to their ruin. Such a law as this has 
 proved so in Ireland : it has already produced some of the most 
 shocking barbarities. A young woman is but too apt by nature 
 to trust to the honour of the man she loves, and to admit him to 
 her bed upon a solemn promise to marry her. Surely the moral 
 obligation is as binding as if they had been actually married : but 
 you are by this Bill to declare it null and void, even though in 
 writing. Nay, if he has actually married her, but not in the form 
 by you prescribed, you are to declare both the obligation and the 
 marriage null and void. Is not this taking upon you to annul 
 the laws of God ? There is a great difference, Sir, between declar- 
 ing that no action shall lie upon an obligation not duly attested,
 
 60 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 and declaring that obligation null and void. The former a legis- 
 lature may do, for preventing vexatious law-suits ; but the latter 
 no human legislature can, or ought to pretend to do. 
 
 " We were asked, Sir, by the hon. and learned gentleman, 
 why a man, when he comes of age, may not be entitled to avoid a 
 marriage contract, as well as every other contract he made while 
 he was under age, without the consent of his parents or guardians? 
 The reason is very plain. When a man avoids a contract so made 
 whilst under age, he is obliged to restore what he got by virtue of 
 that contract ; but if a young fellow of nineteen or twenty marries 
 a woman and consummates that marriage, he cannot restore, and 
 therefore the law of God, and hitherto the law of man, obliges 
 him to abide by that contract. And the reason why the canons 
 allow a boy of fourteen to avoid a marriage made by him before 
 that age, is, because till then he is supposed not capable to con- 
 summate the marriage. But I will ask the learned gentleman, in 
 my turn, whether a young fellow of eighteen or nineteen may not 
 be guilty of, and punished for a rape ? And I will say, that there 
 is the same difference between a man who deflowers a girl under 
 the pretence of marriage, which he knows to be void in law, and a 
 man who ravishes a girl, that there is between a man who cheats 
 me out of my purse bv false dice, and a man who robs me of it 
 upon the highway. The former in both cases is the greatest 
 criminal of the two, though not so severely punished by law; but 
 surely the least punishment that ought to be inflicted by law 
 upon the first sort of ravisher, is to oblige him to abide by the 
 marriage he has entered into. And whilst I am upon this subject, 
 I must observe, that you are to do by this Bill what never yet was 
 done by the laws of God, the laws of nature, or the laws of man : 
 you are with respect to marriage to make the age of consent the 
 same in women as it is in men ; therefore I must say, that there 
 never was, I believe, a Bill brought into parliament, that made so 
 free with the laws of nature and of God, as the Bill does which is 
 now, I hope for the last time, under our consideration. 
 
 " Now, Sir, with regard to the preventing of the law-suits about 
 the validity of a marriage, or the legitimacy of children, is there 
 anything more plain than that they will be multiplied exceedingly, 
 and the proof rendered much more difficult by this Bill, should it 
 be passed into law. At present the marriage is easily proved 
 whilst either of the parties is alive, and after the parents are both 
 dead, I am told that the children are not obliged to prove the 
 marriage, if their father and mother lived together as man and 
 wife, and were commonly reputed to be so. But if this Bill 
 passes, not only the marriage must be proved, but it must be
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 61 
 
 proved to be such a marriage as was not void by this law: that is 
 to say, that all the punctilios prescribed by this Bill were duly 
 observed. Thus a man may get rid of his wife, or a wife of her 
 husband, because after a few years it cannot be proved, that they 
 have resided a month in the parish before the banns were pro- 
 claimed or the licence granted. Thus a lady may be disappointed 
 of her dower, because her husband neglected, at the time of their 
 marriage, some of the requisite punctilios. And in the next age, 
 several gentlemen may perhaps be ousted of their estates, because 
 their grandfather and grandmother were not married according to 
 all the forms prescribed. For there is no time limited for com- 
 mencing such suits; so that one would think the Bill was 
 designed for multiplying law-suits; and for this reason, I make 
 no doubt but that it will be a favourite Bill among all the lawyers 
 without doors, though as to those within, I am sure, that this will 
 be no argument in its favour. 
 
 " Lastly, Sir, as to polygamy, it is equally clear, that this Bill will 
 render that crime much more frequent; for cunning fellows will 
 always omit some one of the forms prescribed, on purpose, that if 
 they are prosecuted, they may shew that one of the marriages was 
 void in law : and you cannot convict a man of having two wives, 
 when the law expressly says that one of them is not his wife. 
 Then as to our rakish young lords and squires, I am persuaded, 
 that many of them will marry a dozen or a score oft-times before 
 they come of age; and they will meet with girls even of character, 
 that will agree to such a marriage, because the marriage, and their 
 real or pretended ignorance of the law, will be an excuse for their 
 breach of chastity, and every one will hope, by her conduct and 
 the charms of her person, to secure him as her husband for ever. 
 That this will be the use made of the Bill by many, I am fully 
 convinced; and therefore, as a facetious gentleman said of a Bill to 
 the same purpose, and with the same title, which was brought 
 into this House a good many years ago, I think if you do pass this 
 Bill, you should alter the title of it, and instead of a Bill to 
 prevent, you should call it a Bill to encourage clandestine 
 marriages. 
 
 "In short, Sir, not only the general scope of the Bill, but 
 almost every clause in it, is in my opinion big with mischievous 
 consequences; therefore, I hope, it will be dropt in the most 
 respectful manner, by committing it for this day two months; for 
 if this is not previously agreed to, I must give my negative to the 
 motion, which I should be sorry to do; and if I am obliged to do 
 so, I hope it will not be looked on as any want of respect to the 
 judges who brought it in, or to any lord who promoted its being
 
 62 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 passed by the other House, for all of whom I have the greatest 
 regard; but whilst I have the honour to sit here, I will never 
 allow my regard for any one to bias me in giving my vote upon 
 any question that comes before us." 
 
 It was not very long after this — November 27 in the same year 
 — that the Jews' Naturalization Bill came up for repeal. Nugent 
 then spoke, saying — " I am not at all ashamed to own that I was 
 last Session for the Act which is now proposed to be repealed, and 
 gave my vote for the Bill in every step it made through this 
 House. I could not then think it a bad Bill, though I thought it 
 of no great importance; and as I have still the same opinion of it, 
 I shall with the same indifference agree to its being repealed ; for to 
 both I think we may very justly apply what Montaigne says of the 
 New Stile when it was first introduced, ' Pope Gregory,' says he, 
 ' has found out an evil which hurt nobody, and he has applied a 
 remedy which does nobody any good.' ' The repealing Bill was 
 duly passed, and received the Royal Assent on the following 20th 
 December. Nugent appears to have spoken once before the 
 death of Pelham, in a debate on the Inquiry into the Manage- 
 ment of the Lottery for purchasing Sir Hans Sloane's curiosities. 
 He opposed the inquiry, partly on the ground that the subject was 
 too low to be undertaken by the House without loss of dignity, 
 but the resolution was agreed to. 
 
 Henry Pelham died on March 6, 1754. The Duke of 
 Newcastle succeeded his brother as First Lord of the Treasury. 
 Parliament was dissolved on April 8 ; Nugent was created a 
 Lord of the Treasury on the 6th. A General Election took 
 place, and Nugent was returned for Bristol on May 1, having 
 for his colleague Mr. Richard Beckford. Nugent, it may be 
 mentioned, was also elected for St. Mawe's, on April 19, but 
 elected to sit for Bristol, being succeeded in the Cornish borough 
 in the following December by James Newsham. At the same 
 election, Edmund Nugent was elected for Liskard, also called 
 " Leskard " or " Liskerrett." He resigned, however, in 1759, on 
 being made a Captain in Colonel John Crawford's Regiment of 
 Foot; but he sat for St. Mawe's in the first Parliament of George 
 III. in 1761, and again in 1768, his father sitting in 1774. 
 
 For particulars of the Election of 1754 I quote The Annals of 
 Bristol — 
 
 " A General Election took place in April. The Bristol Whigs, 
 who had been unrepresented for twelve years, brought forward Mr. 
 Robert Nugent, one of the Lords of the Treasury, and a prominent 
 member of the dissolved House of Commons. Mr. Southwell and 
 Mr. Hoblyn having both retired, their friends introduced Sir John
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 63 
 
 Philipps, a Welsh baronet with Jacobite sympathies, and Richard 
 Beckford, an alderman of London, largely interested in the sugar 
 plantations. Beckford being then at Jamaica, his interests were 
 championed by his more celebrated brother, William, and it is 
 recorded that in the heat of the contest the peppery slave-owner, 
 irritated by the jeers of a Whig mob, compared Bristolians in 
 unequivocal language to 'a parcel of hogs.' No fewer than 986 
 persons were admitted to their freedom during the month of April, 
 the fees being paid by one or other of the candidates. The con- 
 test was prolific in squibs, in one of which Mr. Nugent, who was a 
 convert from Romanism, was styled ' a whitewashed Protestant,' 
 while Mr. Beckford was stigmatized in others as a 'West India 
 hog,' and £ negro tyrant.' Nugent's friends recommended him 
 to the electors for having prevented the introduction of French 
 bottles, and by that means saved hundreds of families in the city 
 from starving ; while they jeeringly commended the candidature 
 of Sir J. Philipps, who had paraded the streets of Bristol soon after 
 the Jacobite rebellion in a plaid waistcoat, as 'acceptable to our 
 friends in the Highlands by wearing their livery.' The polling, 
 which continued for a fortnight, closed on the First of May with 
 the following result — Nugent 2590, Beckford 2248, Sir J. Philipps 
 2163. There was a display of fireworks in the evening in honour 
 of Nugent's return. The Election is said to have cost the Whigs 
 ^20,000." 
 
 The election was by no means devoid of humorous incident. 
 All I am able to reproduce here at present are the two following 
 manifestoes — 
 
 "Bristol, March 23, 1754. 
 
 "Whereas an Advertisement was given about on Thursday the 
 2 1 st inst., desiring the Good Citizens of Bristol not to engage 
 their votes till further notice, the author of the said advertisement 
 explains himself as follows : 
 
 " Reasons against chusing Mr. Nugent : — 
 
 " 1. Mr. Nugent is a sincere Convert from Popery to the 
 Church of England, is bitterly reviled by the Popish Priests, and 
 hated by all bigoted Papists : — Therefore every true Party-man 
 ought to revile him likewise, in order to deter others from being 
 converted. 
 
 " 2. Mr. Nugent was a great favourite of his late Royal High- 
 ness the Prince of Wales : — Therefore all those who acknowledge 
 in their hearts a Prince of Wales of another Name and Family, 
 ought to express their dislike to him. 
 
 "3. Mr. Nugent proposed a Bill for wealthy Foreign Pro-
 
 64 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 testants to enrich this Kingdom by buying lands and merchandiz- 
 ing : — Therefore our Party, who make no Objections against 
 receiving Foreign Singers and Fidlers, and now admit the Poor 
 and Idle of all Nations, but object to the coming in of the 
 Religious, the Rich and the Industrious ought to cry out con- 
 tinually, No General Naturalization. 
 
 "4. Mr. Nugent joined in a Bill to prevent the Jews from 
 profaning the Christian Sacraments, and buying Church Livings : 
 — Therefore we who have no concern about Religion, and regard 
 only the cry of the Church to serve our cause ought to blacken 
 him as an Enemy to Christianity. 
 
 " 5. Mr. Nugent resented the introduction of French Bottles, 
 and by that means saved Hundreds of Families in this City from 
 Starving : — Therefore the proper way for the Glassmen, Colliers, 
 Coal-drivers, &c, &c. to repay his kindness, is to refuse him their 
 votes, and to give them to another, who never did, and never can 
 serve them. 
 
 " 6. Mr. Nugent was the Chief Actor in Opening the Trade 
 to Turkey; He strongly opposes the East India Company; and 
 intends, at a proper Time, for opening a Trade to Hudson's Bay : 
 — Therefore, We of this City, who suffer most by these Monopo- 
 lies, ought not to have such a Member to represent us. 
 
 " 7. Mr. Nugent warmly opposed the Marriage-Act, and is 
 determined next Sessions to do the same: — Therefore all who 
 would have Partners for Life of their own ckusing^ ought to reject 
 him with disdain. (Added by another hand after the first 
 publication.) 
 
 " 8. Mr. Nugent can serve this City by his Weight and Influ- 
 ence, both in Parliament and out of it. He can obtain a Lottery 
 for Building Bridges, and making the streets more commodious 
 for passing : — Therefore he is an improper man to be a Candidate 
 for Bristol. 
 
 " 9. Mr. Nugent has defended the Honour of this City in Par- 
 liament already, when our Members were mute. He is able and 
 willing to defend it again. — Therefore we ought not to elect such 
 a gentleman who has or can defend us. 
 
 " P.S. — As soon as Sir J — n P — s is declared you shall hear the 
 reasons for giving him the Preference." 
 
 The second runs — 
 
 "Bristol, March 29, 1754. 
 
 " The Advertiser of the 21st Instant, who desired the Citizens 
 not to engage their Votes for Mr. Nugent, proceeds to give his 
 reasons for preferring Sir
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 65 
 
 " 1. Sir is the chief of the Sea-Serjeant Society, the mean- 
 ing of whose Meeting is no secret. He also appeared in a Plaid 
 Waistcoat in this City soon after the Rebellion : — Therefore he 
 ought to chuse for his distinguished Loyalty to His Majesty King 
 George ; and we cannot do a more acceptable thing to our Friends 
 in the Highlands of Scotland, than to shew our regard for the 
 Man who wears their Livery. 
 
 " 2. Sir endeavoured to prosecute all Persons who entered 
 
 into Associations in defence of the Present Constitution, both in 
 Church and State, during the last Rebellion : — Therefore he is 
 entitled to the votes and Interest of all those, who wished well to 
 the Rebellion, and would have been glad that the Constitution 
 both in Church and State had been then overturned. 
 
 " 3. Sir appeared at the Bar in defence of Mr. M — y, a 
 
 notorious stickler for a Popish Pretender, being then under the 
 displeasure of the British House of Commons for attempting to 
 
 destroy the Freedom of Elections ; and Sir undertook this 
 
 cause when every other Lawyer in the Kingdom was ashamed to 
 appear in it : — Therefore, to be sure, we cannot manifest our 
 Attachment to the King and Parliament, our Zeal for the Pro- 
 testant Religion, and our Regard to the Freedom of Elections 
 unless we chuse him. 
 
 " 4. Sir cannot serve us any case, but may greatly hurt 
 
 us, both in P — t and out of it : — Therefore by chusing him, we 
 shall shew, that we have no motive of self-interest, and that we 
 purely act from a spirit of Party. 
 
 " 5. Sir Regard for Trade has not yet appeared : and he 
 
 never gave any Proofs that he understands the Nature of it : He 
 always opposed the Court Right or Wrong, but was never known 
 
 to oppose the Encroachments of the City of L n, or to 
 
 appear in defence of the Outports : — Therefore by preferring him 
 to Mr. Nugent we shall shew our own judgment, our good sense, 
 and Gratitude. 
 
 " 6. Sir our own Country Men who have tried him, and 
 
 know him best, will not chuse him for any Place : — Therefore, if 
 we chuse him, we shall have the Pleasure to say, That we took 
 the man who everybody else refuses. 
 
 " Highland Livery for ever ! True Blue for Ever ! Huzza, 
 Boys ! Huzza ! " 
 
 As to Nugent's connection with Bristol during the twenty 
 years from 1754 to 1774, I cannot do better than quote from 
 Dean Tucker's Review of Lord Clare's Conduct. True, it is 
 the work of a partisan who owed much in the way of preferment 
 
 F
 
 66 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 to his patron, and to that extent must be received with reserve, at 
 least, as to the panegyrics with which he adorns and emphasizes 
 his discourse. There is no reason, at all events, to throw discredit 
 upon his statements of fact, and although I have omitted much 
 matter relating to the prosperity of Bristol, that port appears to 
 have derived substantial benefit from Nugent's representation of it. 
 Dean Tucker's address runs — 
 
 "Before Mr. Nugent, now Lord Viscount Clare, was 
 chosen to represent the City of Bristol, it was a general Complaint 
 among the Citizens, that they had not a Friend to whom they 
 could apply for obtaining any Favour from the great Officers of 
 State : — That a Commercial City, such as theirs, stood in continual 
 Need of the Interposition and Assistance sometimes of the 
 Treasury, sometimes of the Board of Trade, and sometimes of the 
 Commissioners of the Customs, and the Excise, etc., etc., to 
 moderate and mitigate the Letter of the Law in contingent 
 Cases : — That, more especially during the Time of War, they 
 were subject to great Distress for Want of regular Convoys, and 
 of other beneficial Protections : — And lastly, that in the Disposal 
 of Government-Places belonging to their Port and City, it was 
 hard and grating to them to see such Numbers of Strangers 
 preferred, whilst several of their own Tradesmen, reduced by 
 Misfortunes, wanted Bread. Add to all this, that the City of 
 Bristol was at that juncture, and had been for some time Past, 
 miserably distracted by the opposite Factions of Whig and Tory. 
 
 " After the Whigs had long deliberated what Course to take 
 for extricating the City from such numerous Difficulties, and for 
 setting themselves free from such a mortifying Subjection to their 
 fellow Citizens, they at last resolved to apply to a Gentleman, 
 whom they all knew by Character to be the very Person they 
 wanted ; tho' few, very few, had personal Acquaintance with him. 
 He had distinguished himself, among many other Instances, by 
 moving for, and supporting a Bill for naturalizing foreign Pro- 
 testants, and by opposing a famous Act, 1 which he judged to be 
 unfavourable to Population. In the Course of the first he had 
 been applied to by the Whigs of Bristol to present their Petition 
 in its Favour. He had been equally forward and distinguished in 
 the Bills for opening the Levant, and African Trade, and in his 
 attempts to free Hudson's Bay from a pitiful monopolizing 
 Company. In all these Measures he had been also applied to from 
 Bristol, with Directions to their Agents in London to be guided 
 and governed by his Advice. He had, singly and unapplied to, 
 
 1 The Marriage Act.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 67 
 
 opposed a Bill for importing French Wines in foreign Bottles, 
 moved for by the Earl of Hilsborough, seconded by Mr. Fox, 
 countenanced by the Ministers, and vehemently pressed by all the 
 jine Gentlemen of the House of Commons ; which upon his 
 single Speech was refused the usual Indulgence of being brought 
 in and read a first Time. In short, his established Character was, 
 4 That he was a Man of Knowledge, and great oratorical Powers, 
 which he chose chiefly to exert in Behalf of those great national 
 Points, Population, Freedom of Trade, and Extension of Com- 
 merce ; that he was a continual and a successful Advocate for the 
 Out-Ports, when their own Members remained silent, never failing 
 to oppose the monopolizing Schemes of the City of London ; 
 and that he was heard with peculiar Pleasure and Attention, when 
 speaking on his favourite Topics of Trade and Navigation. It 
 was also further observed concerning him, that he was fixt and 
 steady in his Principles, intrepid in his Undertakings, sincere in 
 his Attachments, and most indefatigable to serve his Friends ; and, 
 to crown all, that he was a Favourite both with the King and 
 with his Ministers, by whom he was appointed a Lord of the 
 Treasury.' 
 
 " This Gentleman was therefore invited by a numerous Party 
 of the Citizens to come to Bristol, to stand a Candidate at the 
 approaching Election, as he was before the Town of Liverpool. 
 But tho' they (the Bristolians) wanted his Support and Assistance 
 so very much, though they also knew that he stood in no Need 
 of theirs, having a Borough of his own, and a most ample 
 Fortune ; yet when they came to Explanations and to settle 
 Preliminaries, they proposed to stipulate with him for a very large 
 Sum of Money towards defraying the Expenses of a Contest. 
 This Treatment, by degrading him into the Rank of a common 
 Adventurer, or mere Borough Hunter, was not likely to inspire 
 him with any favourable Ideas of the Proposers. And it is easy 
 to conceive, that a Man of his Spirit, Fortune and Independence 
 did not hesitate to reject the Proposition with some Degree of 
 Indignation. The Whigs had then no other Alternative, but 
 either to submit to his own Terms, or to seek for another Candi- 
 date and Protector, or to continue in Subjection to the same 
 Party, who had so long oppressed them. Another Candidate 
 equal to him in Abilities, Influence, and Power was not easily to 
 be found. In consequence of which a Deputation of some of their 
 principal Merchants was sent to him in London, to apologize 
 for what was past, and to offer him a Carte blanche for the 
 future. 
 
 " Among other Arguments then successfully urged both by him-
 
 68 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 self, and by his Friends, one, which had the greatest Effect, was 
 this, that the Whig-Party did not seek for Victory, but Independ- 
 ence ; therefore would be content with one Member only ; Con- 
 sequently that all the Disturbances given to the Peace of this 
 City, and all the Animosities, Rancour, and Distractions occasioned 
 thereby, were entirely to be laid to the opposite Party, for not 
 consenting to so reasonable a Proposal. We have since seen, 
 how well some Whigs remembered this Doctrine, when it came 
 to their own Turn to practise it. 
 
 " But whatever others might do, Mr. Nugent always chose to 
 act an uniform, consistent Part. Immediately on his Election, 
 he declared that from hence-forward he would consider himself to 
 be, as in Duty bound, the common Representative of all, tho' he 
 was elected by one Party only. And when the Whigs, on the 
 Death of Mr. Richard Beckford, set up another Candidate, 
 viz : Mr., now Earl Spencer, contrary to the Declaration they 
 had so lately made ; it is well known that Mr. Nugent dis- 
 approved and discountenanced that Measure. Nor could it 
 surprise those who knew, as many did, that at his own Election, 
 he had refused the Solicitations of his then over-jealous Friends 
 to admit his Son, the late Colonel Nugent, to be his Colleague. 
 He stood single, and was then Nugent only. He went further, 
 and expressed his Wishes, towards the Close of that Election, 
 when the Balance could be cast by his Party in Favour of either 
 of the two opposing Candidates, that it should be made favourable 
 to him who was most agreeable to the adverse Side. 
 
 " The second Contest ending, as it ought, in the Defeat of 
 the Whigs, they, taught and humbled by the Event, and the 
 Tories observing numberless Instances of Mr. Nugent's Fairness, 
 Integrity, and Impartiality, Animosities on both sides subsided, 
 and a Reconciliation ensued amongst the Citizens, which led to a 
 solemn Agreement between the Agents of both Parties, that the 
 Candidate to be named by one, should be supported by the other, 
 during three successive Parliaments ; which Compact was univers- 
 ally acquiesced in, and acknowledged by five unanimous Elections 
 and Re-elections of Mr. Nugent, named by the Whigs, and by 
 two Elections, one of Sir Jarrett Smith, the other of Mr. 
 Brickdale, named by the Tories. One Parliament still remained 
 to compleat the Term of that Agreement, when a great Majority 
 of the Whigs departed from their Engagement, and, naming at 
 first two Candidates, named a Third upon Lord Clare's with- 
 drawing from a Contest in which he was sure of success. What 
 his Motives were require no Explanation. 
 
 " I shall now return to our late noble Representative, in that
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 69 
 
 Character which he invariably maintained from the Day of his 
 first Election, ' The unwearied Advocate for the Freedom of 
 Trade, the faithful Representative and Protector of the City of 
 Bristol, the zealous Promoter of its internal Prosperity, and a 
 generous and impartial Benefactor to its distressed and decayed 
 Citizens.' 
 
 " During a Twenty Years Representation, he had many 
 Opportunities of displaying himself under each of these Descrip- 
 tions. Let us therefore see what he did, and how he acted, on 
 such a Variety of Occasions. 
 
 " It would be endless to recount all the Laws in which he bore 
 a principal Part during this long Period : But some there are, 
 which so strongly bear his Mark and Signature, that it would 
 be flagrant Injustice not to mention them at the present Juncture. 
 His grand System ever was, to provide Plenty of Food for the 
 Poor, and Plenty of Work for the Industrious. With this View 
 he was ever watchful over the price of Corn, that Staff of Life. 
 Therefore whenever the rate began to rise above a moderate 
 Pitch, he used to propose first to stop the Stills at Home, and 
 then the Exportation Abroad, and last of all to admit of an 
 Importation Duty Free. The like difficulties he had frequently 
 to struggle with, and at last overcame in respect to the Admission 
 of live Stock from Ireland, also of Salt Provisions, Butter, Lard, 
 and Tallow from the same Country, Rice and other Eatables 
 from America, and at last Corn and Flour from every Country 
 with which we had any Intercourse. 
 
 " Next to a Plenty of Food, his constant Aim was to provide 
 Plenty of Materials for Labour and Industry, wherever it was in 
 his Power so to do. Here therefore the famous Bill for importing 
 Bar-Iron from North America must occur to the Mind of every 
 Person intelligent in these Matters. However, through the 
 indefatigable zeal of Mr. Nugent, the Bill succeeded in Spite of 
 all Opposition both of the City of London , x of the Iron Masters, 
 and of the Proprietors of Wood Lands. 
 
 " Another Instance of Mr. Nugent's Care both to provide raw 
 Materials, and also of his Vigilance in preventing the Monopolizing 
 of them by the City of London, was visible in the Case of the 
 Bounty upon Indigo. He strongly concurred in granting a large 
 Bounty on the Importation of this useful Ingredient for Dying, 
 in order to encourage its Growth and Cultivation in the Colonies. 
 The London Merchants, Members of the House of Commons, did 
 
 1 Before the passing of this Law, the Importation of Bar-Iron from 
 America was confined to London only.
 
 70 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 the like : But mark the difference of their Views ! The Londoners 
 did it with a view of confining the Bounty to such Indigo, as 
 should be imported only into the Port of London : By which 
 Measure they would inevitably have monopolized the whole 
 Commodity to themselves, together with every Article dependent 
 on it : And the growth and Cultivation of it must necessarily 
 have been crampt in the Colonies. But altho' their Plot was so 
 artfully disguised under the plausible Pretence of Zeal to prevent 
 Frauds and Impositions, that their Scheme was on the Point of 
 succeeding, Mr. Nugent detected their Artifices, exposed their 
 real Views to the House, and set forth the Injury which would 
 be done thereby, not only to Bristol and the other Out-Ports, 
 but also to the Nation in General, and to the Colonies in 
 particular. 
 
 "Something similar to this Affair happened more than once in 
 the Case of Trading to the Coast of Africa : Several attempts 
 were made by the late Mr. (William) Beckford and others to 
 confine this Trade to a joint-stock Company : And as often 
 as they were made, so often were these Attempts defeated 
 thro' the Vigilance of Mr. Nugent. In short, it would be 
 tedious to recount every Instance of this Kind. Suffice it to say, 
 once for all, That whenever any Schemes were carrying on to 
 engross Sugars, or Tobacco, or any other Commodity under Colour 
 of Law ; or whenever any undue Preference was attempted to 
 be given to the Port of London ; Mr. Nugent was ever on the 
 Watch, acting the Part of a faithful Sentinel to the Out-Ports in 
 general, and to the City of Bristol in particular, by giving the 
 Alarm, and putting them on their Guard. Mr. Nugent (who soon 
 afterwards was, I think, created Lord Clare) was one of the 
 Original Planners and Conductors of the Bill for establishing the 
 Ports in the West Indian Islands. 
 
 " The iniquitous and destructive contraband Trade carried on in 
 the Isle of Man, particularly prejudicial to the African Trade of 
 Bristol, from the exclusive A dvantages which it gave to Liverpool, 
 had long been the Object of Mr. Nugent's Attention and En- 
 quiries. With a View to remedy the various Mischiefs produced 
 by a Nest of Outlaws and Smugglers, who from the Center of 
 the Channel infested Great-Britain and Ireland, he employed 
 Captain Luke Mercer, of the City of Dublin, who was perfectly 
 Master of the Subject, to prepare Materials for this Purpose, which 
 he communicated to the late Mr. Grenville, then first Lord of 
 the Treasury, who at his Desire sent for that Gentleman, and 
 consulted with him upon forming the Plan soon after carried into 
 Execution by that able and honest Minister.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 71 
 
 "One instance more, and then I shall have finished. He, I 
 may safely venture to appeal to all the Bankers of Bristol, was 
 the sole Instrument of rejecting in the last Session a Bill framed 
 by the Bankers of London, and supported by all their Interest, 
 for the laudable Purpose of bringing to their Shops all the deposited 
 Money of Great-Britain, to the total Destruction of the Banking 
 Business in Bristol, and all other Towns except the Metropolis, 
 and the Stagnation of Manufacture and Commerce unenlivened 
 and unfed by Money or £redit, all to be swallowed up in that 
 devouring Vortex. 
 
 " During the War he more eminently distinguished himself as our 
 Guardian and Protector. Not one Port in the three Kingdoms 
 was so well, or so constantly provided with Convoys and Protec- 
 tions, as the Port of Bristol. Indeed this Predilection became a 
 Proverb among seafaring and merchantile People ; and almost all 
 other Ports and Places beheld it with Envy and Repining. Some 
 there are who remember these Favours with Gratitude. One 
 Gentleman in particular lately assured me, that during the War, 
 he had saved above ^1000 a year by Convoys only. 
 
 " In respect to the Poor in general ; at one Time he gave a large 
 Sum for the Importation of a Cargo of Wheat, to be distributed 
 among them. The Ship indeed was taken by the Enemy, but 
 his intended Charity was not the less. At another Time he pro- 
 posed a Bounty on the Importation of Grain into the Port of 
 Bristol : The Magistrates approved of and joined cordially in the 
 Measure : So that the City of Bristol (instead of being itself 
 supplied from the inland Counties) became the Granary for supply- 
 ing both the Western Parts of England and also the Southern 
 Parts of Wales, which otherwise might have felt a severe Famine. 
 He had likewise planned a similar Scheme for the Importation of 
 Salt Provisions, and for making the City of Bristol a Kind of 
 Magazine for the adjacent Counties. 
 
 "And now, if I might presume to suggest any Thing farther, to 
 render this affecting Transaction still more memorable, — It would 
 be this, — Humbly to request his Lordship to make his own private 
 Conduct in this Affair, the Model of a Bill for a public Law, 
 mutatis mutandis, to prevent the horrid, and worse than piratical 
 Practice of plundering Ships, when wrecked on the English Coast ; 
 a Practice, to our Shame and Confusion be it spoken, more 
 prevalent and bare-faced in this Country, than in any other Part 
 of Europe." 
 
 Lord Nugent's address to his Constituents on his rejection ran 
 as follows —
 
 72 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 " To the Gentlemen, Clergy, Freeholders, and Freemen 
 of the City of Bristol. 
 
 " Altho' the supine Inactivity of some, and the infatuated 
 Conduct of others, left me unassisted and deserted by many who 
 called themselves my Friends, I owe to Justice, Honour, and 
 Gratitude this public Declaration, that many respectable Bodies 
 of Men, and very many Individuals remained faithful to their Pro- 
 fessions, constant in their Friendships, and grateful for the 
 Endeavours of an old Servant, who, tho' no longer the chosen 
 Representative, shall ever remain the warm and zealous Friend of 
 Bristol. 
 
 " Craggs Clare. 
 
 "Bath, Oct. 10, 1774." 
 
 ADDRESS I. 
 
 " At a numerous meeting of the Society of Merchants of this City, 
 at their Common Hall, on Thursday, the 10th of November. 
 
 " It was unanimously voted and ordered, ' That the Thanks of 
 this Society should, in the most respectful Manner, be returned to 
 the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Clare, for the many important 
 Benefits that the Commercial Interests of this City had, for a 
 Series of Twenty Years, received by means of his Lordship's 
 constant Attention, and that the Society hope it shall hereafter be 
 favoured with his Lordship's friendly Aid and Assistance.'" 
 
 Here commences Nugent's long official career. He was again 
 appointed a Commissioner of the Treasury under the Duke of 
 Newcastle, November 22, 1755, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, 
 and again under the same leadership, December 20 the same year ; 
 again under William Pitt, the Duke of Devonshire being Chancellor 
 of the Exchequer, November 16, 1756; again in July 1757 
 under Pitt, and yet again in June 1759. His appointment to the 
 Vice-Treasurership in Ireland took place in the latter end of the 
 same year, as we find him re-elected at Bristol on his appointment 
 on December 26. x His continuance under Pitt was due to the 
 influence of Grenville, who was closely connected with Pitt by 
 marriage, as he was afterwards to be with Nugent. This brings 
 us practically to the end of the reign of George II., and to the 
 
 1 The post, which had been held by the elder Pitt, and was subse- 
 quently offered to the younger, was " an office of light work and high 
 pay, the latter being computed at no less than £5000 a year."
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 73 
 
 beginning of the troubles which led to the American War and the 
 Declaration of Independence. 
 
 As to his inclusion in the Ministry of 1757, I cannot do better 
 than again quote Dr. Smollett. 
 
 " It would not, perhaps, be possible to exclude from a share in 
 the administration, all who were not perfectly agreeable to the 
 people : however unpopular the late ministry might appear, still 
 they possessed sufficient influence in the privy-council, and credit 
 in the house of commons, to thwart every measure in which they 
 did not themselves partake. This consideration, and very recent 
 experience, probably dictated the necessity of a coalition, salutory 
 in itself, and prudent, because it was the only means of assuaging 
 the rage of faction, and healing those divisions, more pernicious 
 to the public than the most mistaken and blundering annals. Sir 
 Robert Henley was made Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal, and 
 sworn of his majesty's privy-council, on the thirteenth day of June 
 — the custody of the privy-seal was committed to earl Temple ; 
 his grace the duke of Newcastle, Mr. Legge, Mr. Nugent, Lord 
 viscount Duncannon, and Mr. Grenville, were appointed com- 
 missioners for executing the office of treasurer of his majesty's 
 exchequer ; Lord Anson, Admirals Boscawen and Forbes, Dr. 
 Hay, Mr. West, Mr. Hunter and Mr. Elliott, to preside at the 
 board of Admiralty ; Mr. Fox was gratified with the office of 
 receiver and paymaster-general of all his majesty's Guards, garrisons, 
 and land forces, and the earl of Thomond was made treasurer of 
 the King's household, and sworn of his majesty's privy council." 
 
 During this period, which comprises the most glorious epoch in 
 the life of the elder Pitt, Nugent appears to have spoken but little. 
 The House was filled with great orators and statesmen. In 
 addition to Pitt, Pulteney, with his irresistible passion, Henry Fox, 
 Grenville, Murray, Philip and Charles Yorke, the Townshends, 
 and a host of others were there, and Nugent, moreover, probably 
 found his official duties as much as he could comfortably attend to. 
 On the other hand, Parliamentary reporting was then in a very 
 backward state, and though we find against Nugent's name only 
 three speeches from the time of his appointment to the Treasury 
 in 1754 to the end of 1765, we also find none at all to the credit 
 of such men as Henley, Pratt, and others who we may be quite 
 certain were not silent in the House over any considerable period. 
 The three speeches were, first, on the debate relating to the 
 Oxfordshire Election in which he pooh-poohed the idea that the 
 double return of members for that county constituted a danger to 
 popular liberty ; second, a debate on the Bristol Nightly Watch 
 Bill, of purely local interest ; and the third on the Bill for the
 
 74 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Encouragement of Seamen and speedily Manning the Navy. The 
 last-mentioned is the only one calling for notice. Lord Pulteney 
 had moved for leave to introduce a Bill, one of the enactments of 
 which proposed to give to the captors vessels taken from the French, 
 who had then attacked us in America, prior to declaration of war. 
 Nugent, with great spirit and ability, opposed the Bill on the ground 
 that such a measure would provoke other powers with treaty 
 obligations to France to join her in hostilities against this country. 
 Pitt, who, with Legge, had a few weeks before been dismissed 
 from office for his speech against the Hessian subsidies, supported 
 the Bill as an inducement to men to join the navy. The motion 
 was then rejected by a very large majority, but on May 18 
 following (this was in December 1755), the day after war had been 
 declared, the same motion was renewed and carried without dissent. 
 The Bill was immediately presented to the House, read a first time 
 then and there, read a second time the next morning, and passed 
 without opposition. 
 
 In 1765 1 came the Ministry of Lord Rockingham. On 
 December 4, 1766, Nugent was appointed a First Commissioner for 
 Trade and Plantations, a position of peculiar importance in interest 
 at that time having regard to our relations with the American 
 colonies, and on the 20th created Viscount Clare and Baron Nugent 
 in the Peerage of Ireland. His return on re-election for Bristol, in 
 which he is described as " now Robert, Lord Viscount Clare of the 
 Kingdom of Ireland," is dated December 16, 1766. Prior to this 
 he had come in contact with Burke in the House of Commons. 
 Burke, who had been appointed Rockingham's private secretary, 
 had been returned for Wendover, and took his seat in January 1 766. 
 A petition was presented on January 27, by Mr. Cooke, member 
 for Middlesex, from some of the American provinces assembled in 
 Congress, against the Stamp Act. The i Parliamentary History' 
 makes no mention of the proceedings of this evening, yet, according 
 to Rockingham, the debate was lively and the war of words fierce. 
 It was moreover on this evening that Edmund Burke made his 
 first speech in Parliament. Messrs. Jenkinson and Dyson, both 
 holding offices under Lord Rockingham, as did Nugent and 
 Ellis, belonged to the Court party, who called the Congress a 
 
 1 In May 1765 Pitt was dissuaded from forming an Administration 
 by Temple, who was on the point of becoming reconciled with his 
 brother George, and had conceived the idea of forming a Ministry, the 
 principal members of which were to be of his own family. — Diet. Nat. 
 Biog. : ' Grenville, Richard Temple.' This would have included Pitt 
 and probably Nugent, though his daughter did not marry into the 
 family till ten years later.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 75 
 
 " dangerous feudal union." Burke and Nugent, as we shall 
 presently see, were to be more intimately associated. 
 
 His office of Commissioner of Trade, Nugent held till 1768, 
 and during the period of his office no speeches of his are reported 
 in the House. He was in the very thick of the controversies with 
 America, and in the course of them met Benjamin Franklin, with 
 whom he had negotiations of the most important character on the 
 relation between Great Britain and the revolting Colonies. 
 
 In a letter to William Franklin, Benjamin writes from London 
 under date of August 28, 1767 — 
 
 " Last week I dined at Lord Shelburne's and had a long con- 
 versation with him and Mr. Conway (there being no other 
 company) on the subject of reducing American expense. . . . 
 The Secretaries appeared finally to be fully convinced, and there 
 remained no obstacle but the Board of Trade, which was to be 
 brought over privately, before the matter should be referred to 
 him officially. In case of laying aside the Superintendent, a 
 provision was thought of for Sir William Johnson. 1 
 
 " We had a good deal of further discourse on American affairs, 
 particularly on paper money. Lord Shelburne declared himself 
 fully convinced of the utility of taking ofF the restraint by my 
 answer to the Report of the Board of Trade. General Conway 
 had not seen it, and desired me to send it to him, which I did next 
 morning. They gave me expectation of a Report next session, 
 Lord Clare having come over ; but they saw there was some 
 difficulty with others at the Board, who had signed that Report ; 
 for there was a good deal in what Soames Jenyns had laughingly 
 said, when asked to concur in some measure, * I have no kind of 
 objection to it, provided we have heretofore signed nothing to the 
 contrary.' " 2 
 
 In November 1767 Franklin's negotiations are still in pro- 
 gress. In a letter to Mr. Franklin on the 25th he says — " As soon 
 as I received Mr. Galloway's, Mr. Samuel Wharton's, and Mr. 
 Croghan's letters, on the subject of the boundary, I communicated 
 them to Lord Shelburne. He invited me the next day to dine 
 with him. Lord Clare was to have been there, but did not 
 
 1 The subject here introduced, which is frequently mentioned by 
 Franklin in letters to his son, relates to an application by a Company 
 to the Crown for the grant of a tract of land west of the Alleghanies, 
 with the design of establishing a colony there. It was called 
 " Walpole's Grant," from the circumstance of Mr. Thomas Walpole 
 having been the principal person concerned in procuring it. 
 
 2 Bigelow's Life of Benjamin Franklin, i. 537-38.
 
 76 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 come. . . . He finally desired me to go to Lord Clare, as from 
 him, and urge the business there, which I undertook to 
 do. . . . 
 
 " I waited next morning upon Lord Clare, opened the matter 
 of the boundary closely upon him. He said they could not find 
 they had ever received any letters from Sir William concerning 
 this boundary, but were searching further ; agreed to the necessity 
 of settling it ; but thought there would be some difficulty about 
 who should pay the purchase money ; for if this country was 
 already so loaded, it could bear no more. We then talked of the 
 new colonies. I found he was inclined to think one near the 
 mouth of the Ohio might be of use in securing the use of the 
 country, but did not much approve that at Detroit. And as to 
 trade, he imagined it would be of little consequence if we had all 
 the peltry to be purchased there, but supposed our traders would sell 
 it chiefly to the French and Spaniards at New Orleans, as he 
 heard they had hitherto done." 1 
 
 On July 2, 1768, Benjamin Franklin writes again to William — 
 
 "We have lost Lord Clare from the Board of Trade. He 
 took me home from Court the Sunday before his removal, 
 that I might dine with him, as he said, alone, and talk over 
 American affairs. He seemed as attentive to them as if he was 
 to continue for ever so long. He gave me a great deal of 
 flummery, — saying that though at my examination I had answered 
 some of his questions a little pertly, yet he liked me from that 
 day, for the spirit I shewed in defence of my country ; and at 
 parting, after we had drunk a bottle and a half of claret each, he 
 hugged and kissed me, vowing he had never in his life met with 
 a man he was so much in love with. This I write for your 
 amusement. You see by the nature of this letter, that it is for 
 yourself only. It may serve to prepare your mind for any event 
 which may happen. 
 
 " If Mr. Grenville comes into power again, in any department 
 respecting America, I must refuse to accept of anything that may 
 seem to put me in his power, because I apprehend a breach 
 between the two countries ; and that refusal might give offence. 
 So that you see a turn of a die may make a great difference in 
 our affairs. We may be either promoted or discarded ; one or 
 the other seems likely soon to be the case, but it is hard to divine 
 which. I am myself grown so old as to feel much less than 
 formerly the spur of ambition ; and, if it were not for the flattering 
 expectation that by being fixed here I might more effectually 
 
 1 Bigelow's Life of Benjamin Frank/in, i. 549.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 77 
 
 serve my country, I should certainly determine for retirement, 
 without a moment's hesitation." 
 
 As a fact, Nugent had taken an active and none too friendly 
 part in Franklin's examination, and had received some answers 
 which betrayed pretty clearly the annoyance they had caused the 
 illustrious American. 
 
 No more speeches of Nugent's are reported until 1770, and 
 then they were not of a very remarkable character. The first of 
 them was the Debate on the Address. Bitter complaints had 
 been made as to the prevalence of distress in the country, but Lord 
 Clare, as he then was, had seen none of it, and he proceeded to 
 show how the petitions had been got up — 
 
 " Among other places, Sir," he said, " I was at a Inn in E , 
 
 where a meeting had been advertised, and upon inquiry of the 
 landlord, he told me that some country-looking men came first ; 
 that they were soon after joined by some strangers who told them 
 that this country was at the mercy of a set of tyrannical, treacher- 
 ous and bloodthirsty men who had abused the King's confidence, 
 robbed freeholders of their right of election, from which well- 
 known advantages were derived, ordered Scots soldiers to massacre 
 poor innocent people who were selling oranges and gingerbread 
 in St. George's Fields, and confined a man in prison for attempting 
 to reduce the price of porter to three-pence a quarter ; that not one 
 of the neighbouring gentlemen were present; that the countrymen, 
 thinking there could be no harm in taking a chance at least for 
 putting an end to these practises, if such there were, signed the 
 paper, and went home to their families with no more knowledge 
 of the Petition, its origin or consequence, than the horse they 
 rode on." The remainder of the speech was none too coherent, 
 and contained a good deal of fustian. The next speech merely 
 declared the speaker's belief in Mr. Wilkes' legal incapacity to 
 sit for Middlesex, an opinion which cannot be said to have had 
 any particular weight. He also spoke on the Debate on Mr. 
 Grenville's Bill for regulating the Trials of Controverted Electors, 
 but the speech is hardly worth recording. On the famous Debate 
 on Mr. Burke's Resolutions relating to the Disorders in North 
 America, Clare's speech was ironical in its tone and trivial in its 
 matter. For his constant adherence to the powers in office for 
 the time being, Wedderburn assailed him with withering scorn. 
 " Mr. Wedderburn," the report runs, " after settling a point with 
 Lord Clare, as to the ease with which Great statesmen might 
 reconcile inconsistencies between opinion and conduct, from his 
 lordship's own example of the ease with which he, who was for 
 the Stamp Act upon principle, could take a part at the head of the
 
 78 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 American Department, under a Ministry that had repealed that 
 Act, upon the principle of being against an American taxation, 
 from the short time it took him to settle those contrarieties " — and 
 so on. 
 
 Clare received rather rough treatment in the report of his next 
 speech, taken from the London Museum — 
 
 " Lord Clare raised his loud voice, and frequent loud laughs from 
 the House. He talked of taking example from futurity, and was 
 very vehement for good humour, and above all for unanimity ; 
 asserting that they ought to be all of his mind, for that he and his 
 friends would not change a jot from his former conduct. This 
 was on November 22nd, 1770, on a Motion for Papers relating 
 to the Seizure of Fackland's Island." 
 
 His next speech was in defence of Lord Mansfield against the 
 attack of Serjeant Glynn in respect of the Press persecutions and 
 the dominance assumed by judges over juries. In Glynn's speech, 
 he referred to the hanging of forty judges in King Alfred's time, 
 though without putting it forward as an example for present 
 imitation. In the course of his address, Clare used the following 
 remarkable expression — " But will this House, while it sees this, 
 be swayed by their unworthy motives ? Shall we adopt the lie of the 
 day, and strengthen the tide of popular clamour, on which they 
 expect to be wafted to the land of places, pensions and lucrative 
 jobs ? " This language is remarkable mainly for its similarity to 
 that used against Nugent himself. The speech, however, was of 
 a high level of reasoning and eloquence, and in it the speaker 
 made use of a curious classical parallel in which Lord Mansfield is 
 represented as Polyphemus putting out the eye of the Cyclops' 
 Law. 
 
 On the Royal Marriage Bill in 1772, Lord Clare had no more to 
 say than that the House was competent to judge for itself without 
 the opinion of the Judges. On the Bill for the Relief of Protestant 
 Dissenters, preceding Burke, he opposed Sir Roger Newdegate's 
 opposition to the Bill. He said — " If you interrogate a French- 
 man concerning the cruelty of their laws against heretics — i.e. 
 dissenters — he will desire you to consider whether your own laws 
 are not equally cruel. If you reply that they are never enforced ; 
 nor ours enforced, he will rejoin : while a man is a good subject, 
 what has Government to do with faith ? " At this period, at least, 
 Clare cannot be accused of undue loquacity. 
 
 Next, on the Bill to regulate the Importation and Exportation or 
 Corn, Clare called down upon him the derision of Burke. This 
 was on May 4, 1772. Clare said that the distresses of the poor 
 were becoming so urgent as to render the attempt at a remedy
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 79 
 
 absolutely necessary ; that he and some others had made private 
 inquiry into this affair in Essex, and that they found a labourer, 
 who had six or seven in family, could not after paying for lodging 
 and other indispensable articles afford each more than three 
 farthings a day for corn or bread. In such a state of things was 
 it not, then, absolutely necessary to discontinue the bounty for 
 exportation, and to prohibit exportation altogether, when the price 
 of corn equalled and exceeded 44s. instead of 485. a quarter ? 
 
 Many important debates now passed without any reported par- 
 ticipation by Nugent. He does not appear to have spoken at all 
 in 1773. Many constitutional questions, the affairs of the East 
 India Company, Alderman Stanhope's attempts to shorten the 
 duration of Parliaments, many naval matters, the state of the 
 Linen Trade which afterwards engaged his attention, the various 
 political libel cases, all found Clare silent, so far as any recorded 
 utterance goes. On the debate, March 7, 1774, on the King's 
 Message as to " the outrageous proceedings at Boston," Lord Clare 
 said "he agreed with the hon. gentleman (Mr. Rice), and hoped 
 he should find the measure carried through with unanimity ; he 
 should therefore second the motion." This is the extent of his 
 contribution to a great historical debate. His part in the debate 
 on the motion for the repeal of the American Tea Duty Bill, in 
 which he opposes the motion, is slightly less insignificant. The 
 motion as we all know was heavily defeated. 
 
 The dissolution of Parliament in the autumn of 1774 brought 
 about the most interesting election that ever took place in Bristol. 
 Lord Clare and Mr. Brickdale offered themselves for re-election, 
 but the Whig party were much discontented with the conduct of 
 the former, who was charged with having become an obsequious 
 supporter of the King's American policy ; and Mr. Henry Cruger, 
 by birth an American, and an advocate of conciliatory measures 
 towards the Colonies, came forward in opposition to the once 
 popular Peer. The name of Edmund Burke was brought for- 
 ward and disapproved of by Cruger's friends. Burke was then at 
 Bath awaiting decision. When he heard, he proceeded to 
 Malton, and was returned there without opposition. Lord Clare, 
 mortified to find his popularity at an end, and deserted by some 
 of his former staunch supporters, left the city that evening, after 
 intimating that he should not continue the contest. Burke, how- 
 ever, was returned, but was rejected for his share in supporting 
 Nugent's Irish trade proposals. The figures were : Cruger, 3565 ; 
 Burke, 2707 ; Brickdale, 2456 ; Clare, 283. 
 
 The American question, as we have seen, had been in violent 
 agitation for some years. The previous Session had been mainly,
 
 80 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 or at least very largely, occupied with debate on the East India 
 Company, which, having in, or shortly after, 1760, established its 
 Supremacy over Southern India, had fallen into the hands of the 
 predatory and unscrupulous Company's merchant-clerks, and the 
 organization of the country had therefore occupied a large 
 share of the attention of the Legislature, resulting in the Regu- 
 lating Act of 1773, and a searching inquiry in the House of 
 Commons. 
 
 In 1774 and 1775, the American business engrossed a very 
 large share of the deliberations of the Legislature. In spite of the 
 sarcasms which had already been directed at his stability, we find 
 Clare, in the debate on the proposed reconciliation with America, 
 said that he " was for not submitting to the Americans in the 
 least." He " ridiculed the opinion of those who said we had a 
 right to tax America, yet ought not to exercise it." This appears 
 to the ordinary observer to be a censure on his own attitude so 
 mercilessly treated by Dunning. 
 
 On February 24, 1775, a further debate took place on the 
 Bill for restoring the Trade and Commerce to New England 
 Colonies. Burke opposed the Bill, who complained that if the 
 Bill was not sanguinary in the sense that it would bring about the 
 actual shedding of blood, " it only meant to starve some five hun- 
 dred thousand people, men, women, and children, at the least." 
 The very imperfect report ends by saying that " On the subject 
 of famine, he was fine and pathetic." Clare followed him 
 and said, " he would not enter the lists with the right honourable 
 gentleman who spoke last, it would be waging an unequal war ; 
 but he had in his hand a friend who was a match for him ; my 
 old friend, Sir, Joshua Gee, a great friend to America, though 
 no friend to America, though no patriot ; a man who has 
 written better on trade than any man living, and who knew 
 more of America. Now, Sir, my friend, Joshua Gee, with a 
 kind of prophetic spirit says, if ever the people of New Eng- 
 land should aim to set up for themselves, what must we do ? 
 Do, Sir? why the very things we are now doing. Joshua Gee 
 says, ' You must restrain them from trade, and prohibit them 
 from fishing, and you will soon bring them to their senses.' 
 I hope Joshua Gee will be a prophet to them too. But here are 
 
 his words ." It is not necessary to quote more, nor did it 
 
 need the burning indignant eloquence of Fox to emphasize the 
 cold-blooded iniquity of the proposition. 
 
 We hear no more of Lord Clare in the House until the 
 following year. An ironical speech of some ability delivered on 
 the occasion of a debate on a Message sent to the Irish Parlia-
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 81 
 
 ment does not call for repetition, although the deliverance was 
 of some ability. This was on February 15, 1776. It was shortly 
 followed by a brief and unimportant speech in a momentous debate 
 — that on the ill success of the British arms in America, and Clare 
 also spoke shortly on German treaties for hire of troops to act 
 against the Americans. All these speeches were obviously the 
 utterances of a tool of the Administration, and of the kind which 
 had set the people of Bristol against him. This was on February 
 29, 1776. 
 
 On April 16, 1775, his daughter had been married to George 
 Grenville, and, as we have seen elsewhere, in 1776 he had been 
 made Earl Nugent in the Irish peerage. 
 
 Nugent's next recorded speech to the House was on the Address. 
 The date was November 21, 1777. It had at least the merit of 
 brevity, and he gave his opinion on the American question in a 
 nutshell. He said that " the contest now was not whether 
 America should be dependent on the British Parliament, but 
 whether Great Britain or America should be independent ? Both 
 could not be so, for such would be the power of that vast con- 
 tinent across the Atlantic, that, was her independence established, 
 this island must expect to be made a dependent province." This 
 is at least an intelligent and intelligible view of the situation, 
 though it would probably not be approved by the opinion of 
 to-day. He spoke several times in support of the Government 
 in American matters, and in one of his speeches introduced the 
 following amusing story — 
 
 His Majesty, on some complaints against his ministers, told Sir 
 R. Walpole that he would himself see all the papers of con- 
 sequence before any measures were taken upon them. Sir Robert 
 was alarmed, and went to consult his brother Horace, what was 
 best to be done. Horace seeing him so uneasy, laughed, and 
 advised him to give the King more than he asked: "Give him 
 all the papers, and, I dare say, he will soon have enough of them." 
 Sir Robert took his advice, and carried him a cart-full, telling his 
 Majesty, that he had paid several extra clerks to assist in 
 getting more ready ; and informed him further, that he believed, 
 when the whole were copied, they would fill five carts more. 
 The King told him he need not get any more ready till he had 
 his further directions on the subject ; the consequence of which 
 was, that Sir Robert never heard a syllable more of papers from 
 his Majesty as long as he remained in office. 
 
 In the early part of 1778, Nugent opposed Fox's motion for 
 an inquiry into the expedition from Canada, and also the Bill 
 to exclude contractors from sitting in the House. His next
 
 82 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 important speeches were in connection with what was probably 
 the most useful and beneficent work he ever attempted in Parlia- 
 ment. The distresses of Ireland had long been an object of 
 regret, even with many of those who had no particular interest 
 in the country. Without entering into the causes from which 
 these originated, it will be sufficient to observe that they had 
 grown to their present alarming and deplorable state under the 
 unhappy consequences of the American war ; so that the country 
 became unequal to the support of that great establishment with 
 which it had (perhaps too inconsiderately) encumbered itself when 
 the flourishing state of all other parts of the British Empire had 
 diffused a considerable degree of prosperity even thither. This 
 state of things became now so notorious, and the consequences 
 were said to be so urgent, that the ministers were at length 
 convinced of the necessity of paying attention to them ; and of 
 affording some immediate satisfaction to the feelings, if not an 
 entire redress to the grievances, of the people. 1 
 
 Mr. Leclcy also gives a terrible picture of the state of the 
 country, as does Sir Erskine May in his Constitutional History. 
 Encouragement had already been given to the Irish Fisheries in 
 1775, and in April 1778 Nugent brought the question of the 
 relaxation of the Irish Commercial Code before the English Parlia- 
 ment. In the debate that ensued he was supported with great 
 knowledge and genius by Edmund Burke, and the movement 
 forwarded by Buckingham was favoured by Lord North. It 
 was agreed that nothing could be done to remove the restrictions 
 on wool and the woollen manufactures, which were the most 
 important articles of the Commercial Code ; but it was proposed, 
 with this exception, Ireland might send all her products to the 
 English settlements and plantations, and might receive those of the 
 colonies, with the exception of tobacco, in return, without their 
 being first unladen in England. A small attempt to create a 
 manufacture in Ireland had been speedily crushed ; but it was 
 now proposed to allow them to send their glass to any country 
 except Great Britain, and it was also proposed to repeal a pro- 
 hibitory duty which excluded from England cotton yarn made 
 in Ireland, to admit Irish sail-cloth and cordage free of duty. 
 
 These resolutions were thrown into the form of Bills ; but at 
 once, from every manufacturing town in England a fierce storm 
 of opposition arose. Almost the whole commercial class in 
 England protested against any measure allowing the Irish to 
 participate in the most limited degree in British trade, or even to 
 
 1 Annual Register.
 
 ROBERT, EARL NUGENT 
 From n Pastel Drawing in the possession of Sir Francis Boilean
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 83 
 
 dispose of their own commodities in foreign markets. Lancashire 
 feared that checked and printed linen from Ireland would supersede 
 her products in the colonies, and every trade which was in the re- 
 motest degree connected with the proposed Bill flung itself ardently 
 into opposition. It was not a party question, but a spontaneous 
 ebullition of intense commercial selfishness. London alone pre- 
 served neutrality. Burke lost the seat at Bristol in which he had 
 succeeded Nugent at the general election in 1780, chiefly on 
 account of the courageous and very brilliant part he had taken on 
 this question, and Lord North was so intimidated that he consented 
 to reduce the measure to its smallest proportions. In Bristol 
 Nugent's action was ascribed to a diabolical spite against the 
 city on account of his rejection in 1774, while Burke was charged 
 with a design to promote the interests of his native country by 
 injuring those of England. The Irish were forbidden absolutely 
 to export to the colonies wool, woollen and cotton manufactures, 
 hats, glass, hops, gunpowder, and coals, and were not allowed to 
 export iron or ironwares till the Irish Parliament had imposed a 
 prescribed duty on them ; besides many other disabilities. I do 
 not, however, propose to reproduce Nugent's speeches and writings 
 on the subject, which were many and able, but which would take 
 up too much space. 
 
 In the same session, May 26, 1778, Nugent spoke against Mr. 
 Vyner's motion for an inquiry into the Saratoga Convention, and 
 the conduct of General Burgoyne, his speech being very short 
 and plain, and he was followed by Mr. Wilkes. He also seconded 
 Townshend's motion for an Address to the King, asking for some 
 mark of royal favour to be bestowed on the family of the late 
 Earl of Chatham. " His lordship," says the report, " was not 
 more sparing of his encomiums on the late earl than Mr. 
 Townshend had been ; and to give a striking proof that, like 
 St. John in Pope's Essen/ on Man^ his last wish was for his country's 
 good, he instanced his last words to his son, Lord Pitt, when that 
 young nobleman, previous to his departure for Gibraltar, was 
 taking leave of his dying father, ' Go, my son,' said the venerable 
 patriot, c go whither your country calls you ; let her engross all 
 your attention ; spare not a moment, which is due to her service,, 
 weeping over an old man who will soon be no more.' " 
 
 The disputes between Keppel and Palliser came to the fore in 
 the autumn of 1778. Nugent censured the latter for taking notice 
 of anonymous publications, doubting if either of them had suffered 
 in reputation, and gibed at the French claim to victory in the 
 Ushant engagement. Early in the next year he was again 
 introducing measures for the relief of Ireland. On April 19 his
 
 84 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 feeling against the Marriage Act had so far deepened that, " in 
 his idea, the great and real cause of the progress of adultery was 
 that abominable statute, the Marriage Act, a Bill which struck at 
 the root of personal freedom, and which was first brought into 
 Parliament to tickle the vanity of some noble Lords in the other 
 House." His next contribution was on a much larger subject, 
 and with great tact and ability he opposed the inquiry into the 
 conduct of the American war, and moved that the Chairman do 
 leave the chair, but withdrew the motion. Lord North and Fox 
 both took an active part in the debate which occurred on April 
 29, 1779. Nugent also, spoke several times afterwards on the 
 same subject, repeatedly assuring General Burgoyne and Lord 
 Howe that he made no charge against them. On the Bill for 
 doubling the Militia, Nugent made an alarmist speech, declared 
 that the country stood alone, and urged that it should rouse 
 itself ; and he further advised war against Spain and France, the 
 former of whom might be deeply wounded in South America. 
 His impassioned, and it would seem almost lachrymose peroration 
 runs — " He had never asked nor received a favour from the noble 
 lord in the blue ribbon" (Lord North). " He was a man when 
 the noble lord was a boy. The noble lord was now a man, and he 
 was sinking into his second childhood. Sinking as he was into 
 the vale of years, he hoped to see his country conquer her foes, 
 and regain her glory." His lordship was proceeding to state some 
 plan of operations for the navy, when the Attorney-General 
 (Wedderburn) rose and begged to prevent the noble lord's zeal 
 from carrying him too far, by moving that the question might be 
 read. 
 
 The same Bill came on for argument a few weeks later. 
 Jenkinson and Townshend had both participated in the debate, 
 when Nugent rose to speak on the subject, but beginning almost 
 immediately to enter upon the nature of the Lords' amendments, he 
 was reminded by the Speaker that he was out of order ; for the 
 amendments, whatever they might be, were not yet known to the 
 House, the present question being, "whether the amendments 
 made by the Lords should be then read." 
 
 Nugent, in the following session, opposed the Earl of Upper- 
 Ossery's motion of Censure against Ministers for their conduct 
 towards Ireland on December 6 — 
 
 " His lordship entered into a short history of his own conduct 
 respecting Ireland the two preceding sessions. He said all his 
 endeavours had failed, but that was not the fault of ministers, but 
 of the majority of that House, operated upon by the prejudices of 
 the people without doors, who, instigated by personal and local
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 85 
 
 interests, added to the difficulty. Such being the temper of the 
 House after a great deal of time and unavailing labours, he was 
 obliged to give way to the current, and determined never again to 
 trouble the House by talcing any active part. . . . 
 
 " For his part, he thought that his propositions were founded in 
 liberality and framed equally to advance the interests of both 
 countries. They had not changed by any events that had since 
 intervened. His idea was this : give Ireland everything she can 
 ask, which may promise to produce substantial benefit to that 
 country ; but which will not touch or materially affect the interest 
 of this. There were various branches of commerce and manufacture 
 that England had monopolized to herself, to the great detriment 
 and impoverishment of Ireland, which afforded no advantage to 
 herself, or but in a very slight degree. Here the injury was 
 doubled ; for Ireland not only lost what was thus withheld from 
 her, but England forced the trade into other channels, and to 
 other nations, who rivalled her : thus the benefit she would derive 
 from the riches and from the consequent strength and assist- 
 ance of Ireland were transferred to our foreign enemies and 
 rivals. . . . 
 
 " He loved his native country ; he loved and revered England ; 
 and God forbid that he should even wish to promote any local 
 interest whatever contrary to those of the British empire ! It 
 was, indeed, impossible to take up any local prejudices on either 
 side of the water, without doing infinite mischief to the very 
 party who acted under their influence. The two main pillars on 
 which the motion rested were, that ministers had neglected to 
 follow up the Address with effective measures, and that they had 
 no plan. Both, in his opinion, were equally unfounded : ministers 
 could have done nothing till after the Irish Parliament met ; and 
 as to the imputed delay of the plan, it was a nugatory objection, 
 because, how was it possible to give a plan till the sentiments of 
 the people of Ireland were known, through the medium of their 
 Parliament ? A few days had only elapsed : it was necessary that 
 the papers should be considered, and other necessary steps taken. 
 When these were once complied with, he would be bold to say 
 that it was impossible for three sensible men, well inclined to 
 forward the purport of their meeting, to spend three hours in 
 devising a plan which would give perfect satisfaction to both 
 kingdoms." On this last statement, Townshend replied with 
 great effect. Lord Nugent did not adhere to his threat to concern 
 himself no more in the matter. 
 
 In the debate (February 2, 1780) on the complaint against the 
 Duke of Chandos for concerning himself in the Southampton
 
 86 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 election, Lord Nugent told a little story, and expressed some 
 opinions. 
 
 He observed that, although he did not rise to defend the conduct 
 of the noble duke, or controvert the facts stated in the report, he 
 thought it was totally unnecessary to proceed further in this 
 business. He endeavoured to divert the attention of the House by 
 a story, in order to show that custom had in some measure 
 sanctioned such a conduct. He said, that in the year 1746, when 
 Mr. Pitt was appointed Paymaster of the Forces, in the room of 
 Mr. Winnington, Mr. Pitt, on his vacating his seat, was re-elected 
 for a Sussex borough, through the interest of the late Duke of 
 Newcastle. What was the consequence ? A complaint was 
 preferred to that House by the unsuccessful member against 
 the noble duke, as a Peer of Parliament, and Lord-Lieutenant, and 
 against the great Lord Chatham, as being returned by an undue 
 influence, one of them the best, the other the greatest man that 
 ever lived ; for he believed God never made a better man than the 
 late Duke of Newcastle, nor an abler statesman and sounder 
 patriot than Mr. Pitt. But the complaint was dismissed by a 
 majority of fully three to one. The noble duke was naturally 
 hospitable and generous, and he might have possibly given a few 
 dinners on the occasion ; nor would it be easy at any time, he 
 believed, to prevent noble peers from concerning themselves in 
 elections either in a more direct or covert way. The matter was 
 then very properly let to sleep, and he hoped the example would 
 be followed on the present occasion, and this would likewise be let 
 to sleep. That being his wish, he would move, " That the said 
 report be taken into consideration on that day four months." 
 Wilkes, who followed, did not agree as to the triviality of the 
 offence, which he declared " was of a most atrocious nature, and was 
 infinitely criminal in its nature and import." Nevertheless Nugent's 
 motion was carried by eighty-seven votes to thirty. 
 
 Burke, in spite of his veneration for the constitution, saw 
 clearly that some reforms were necessary, and therefore in February 
 1780 brought forward his Establishment Bill for securing the 
 independence of Parliament, and the economical reformation of the 
 civil and other establishments. As this was for the sweeping away 
 of useless places, lavish pensions, and the ridiculous extravagance 
 which enabled the Court to keep a considerable number of 
 members of Parliament either in its immediate pay or bound to it 
 by the expectation of future profit, it is not to be wondered at that 
 Nugent should oppose it, apart from the fact that he was attached 
 to the Government of North, which succeeded in defeating Burke's 
 measure in detail. Nugent naturally also opposed Dunning's
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 87 
 
 motion respecting the influence of the Crown and the abuses in 
 the public expenditure, speaking with great ability, but drawing 
 down upon himself a reply from Dunning, that he could name fifty 
 members of the House who totally reprobated out of the House the 
 measures they supported within it. He also opposed Sir George 
 Savile's motion for an account of pensions, the Bill for disallow- 
 ing revenue officers for voting at elections, and Sawbridge's 
 motion for shortening the duration of parliaments. He supported 
 (May 24, 1780) the Bill to empower the King to make peace 
 with America, but leave to introduce it was refused. 
 
 On the debate on the Navy Estimates, the defence of Sir Hugh 
 Palliser again arose. Fox complained that the House had not 
 entered into an inquiry as to the appointment of "a person con- 
 victed of having preferred a malicious and ill-founded accusation 
 against his superior officer." Nugent rose to order, and spoke with 
 a certain amount of dignity, real or assumed. 
 
 Earl Nugent spoke to order. His lordship, with great earnest- 
 ness, begged for the honour and dignity of the House, that every 
 matter which led to angry discussion and personal abuse might 
 be avoided. He said, it was gentlemen suffering their good sense 
 and sober judgment to be lost in the rage of party altercation, 
 during the last Parliament, which had disgraced that House in the 
 eyes of all the world. Did gentlemen consider, that everything 
 said within those walls was sent abroad, was translated, and was 
 read by every man, foreigner as well as native, who could get at a 
 common newspaper ? From the personal abuse thrown out in the 
 last Parliament, the inhabitants of other countries were led no 
 longer to regard the members of that House as the grave represent- 
 atives of a great and a free people ; they thought the British 
 Parliament had lost its honour and dignity, and that its resolves 
 were no longer the result of that deliberation, which were the 
 essential characteristics of national wisdom and true greatness. He 
 hoped to God, therefore, that gentlemen would, from a sense of the 
 honour and dignity of Parliament, not convert that House into a 
 Polish Diet, and make the necessary qualifications of an orator with- 
 in those walls, not the best and most intimate acquaintances with 
 the works of Cicero and Demosthenes, but the greatest proficiency 
 and the most perfect skill acquired in the school of Mr. Angeloand 
 other masters of defence. If matters went on thus, the whole 
 scheme of political education would be turned topsy-turvy, and 
 that member only would in future be qualified to be First Lord of 
 the Treasury, who was the best fencing-master in the kingdom. In 
 return, Sir Robert Smith called Nugent to order. Nugent spoke 
 again, after which Fox resumed his speech.
 
 88 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Early in 1781 we find Nugent again opposing Burke's Civil 
 Establishment Bill. He opposed it on February 9, and on the 26th he 
 spoke again, but this time he met with a notable antagonist, William 
 Pitt the younger, who made his maiden speech on this occasion. 
 For that reason I reproduce the speech, which is as follows — 
 
 Earl Nugent declared himself a zealous friend to public economy. 
 Without it, he was persuaded this nation could not be saved ; 
 economy, in our public expenditure, was as necessary as firmness 
 and wisdom in our councils, as valour and conduct in our expedi- 
 tions and enterprises. But it did not follow either that he ought 
 to, much less that the House should, embrace every economical 
 project that was offered, however plausibly introduced, however 
 respectable the quarter from which it came. No man in that 
 House entertained a greater degree of esteem for the hon. 
 gentleman who introduced the Bill than he did ; he knew his 
 integrity, and he had seen many proofs of his zeal to serve his 
 country; great, therefore, as his abilities were, they were not, he 
 was convinced, superior to his virtue. The hon. gentleman, 
 however, must pardon him, if he did not agree with him entirely 
 as to his Bill. In sincerity he would say, he disapproved of it 
 totally, and he would tell the hon. gentleman why he did so. 
 The title of the Bill was a good one: the preamble also had 
 something catching in it; but what was the object of the Bill 
 itself? To introduce an unconstitutional innovation; and to 
 resume from the crown what had been solemnly granted to his 
 Majesty for life. To such a proposition he never would consent, 
 notwithstanding what had been said of the resolution of the 6th 
 of April, which declared the competency of the House to correct 
 and examine abuses in the expenditure of the Civil List revenues. 
 That resolution passed, as gentlemen well knew, at an hour when 
 such was the temper of the House, that it would have been mad- 
 ness to have opposed it. It did not follow, therefore, that every 
 gentleman approved of it. He never had, nor could he think 
 that (allowing that resolution all the respect due to an entry on 
 the journals) it followed of course, that the present Bill ought to 
 be adopted. What ! would that House consent to degrade the 
 sovereign, diminish the lustre of the crown, and reduce his 
 Majesty to a worse situation than that of any private gentleman 
 in his kingdom ? Would they deprive him of the management 
 of his income, and put him into the situation of a minor, by 
 obliging him to submit to the tutelage of Parliament ? The Bill 
 interfered with the privy purse, and took away the independency 
 of the Crown: to admit it to pass, would be to reduce his Majesty 
 to the condition of a mere titular monarch; a king without power,
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 89 
 
 a king but in name, like the King of Poland, or a sovereign like 
 the Doge of Venice, altogether dependent on others, and subject 
 to their capricious control. Let gentlemen consider, that such 
 a measure would essentially wound the constitution ; for each 
 branch of the legislature, each of the three states ought to have 
 its share of independency, and surely the first state, that which 
 was clothed with the supreme executive power, should never be 
 rendered less glorious, less independent, than the other two. The 
 real beauty and excellence of our constitution was its nice equipoise, 
 that equal balance, which gave it stability, and at once secured the 
 Crown in its legal rights, and the people in their freedom and 
 immunities. The present Bill went directly to move the balance 
 and destroy the equipoise ; let the House, therefore, however much 
 they might be convinced that some of the branches were rotten, 
 take care in their attempt to remove the dead wood, that they did 
 not destroy the trunk of the tree itself. The hon. gentleman 
 who had introduced the Bill, he did not doubt, really believed it 
 would have the salutary effect he had dwelt on, when he intro- 
 duced it with such a warmth and earnestness of commendation. 
 Other men, and men of great wisdom, had been equally deceived. 
 Plato, for instance, and he flattered himself he should not offend 
 by comparing the hon. gentleman to Plato. The hon. gentle- 
 man's project was as impracticable as Plato's Commonwealth, or 
 Mr. T. Moore's Utopia. In describing its good effects, the hon. 
 gentleman had been describing the purity of his own mind, and, 
 without knowing it, it was that which the hon. gentleman wished 
 to reduce into practice ; but the times were too bad, and dis- 
 sipation too general, to render his honest endeavours successful. 
 There were thirteen pages in the Bill, and twenty-seven clauses 
 which related to the civil establishment ; he appealed therefore to 
 every gentleman present, whether it was likely, that so hetero- 
 geneous a mass of matter, however plausible in theory and specu- 
 lation, could easily be carried into execution? But this was not 
 his only objection to the Bill; the title of it was not its true 
 description ; for the title said, that the monies saved were to be 
 applied to the public service, whereas there was not one word in 
 the Bill which enacted such an appropriation; on the contrary, 
 it was expressly enacted, that the balance of the Civil List revenue 
 should, after all savings, be laid out for an establishment for the 
 use of the Royal Family. Therefore, he repeated it, the Bill did 
 not apply the savings to the use of the public as it pretended. If 
 the Bill had appropriated all the savings to the public service, 
 something indeed might have been said for it, his objections 
 would have been fewer ; but as it was, it surely had not the
 
 90 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 pretensions to encouragement. Economy was most essentially 
 necessary j nothing but the most rigid economy could possibly 
 save us. The Treasury could not bear a greater load than it now- 
 had. But instead of harassing the minister with these chimerical 
 notions, all our ideas should be consolidated in general exertion 
 and simple economy. The minister must be a Jack of all trades, 
 he must understand everything, to be able to go through his 
 business. He wished for economy, but he would not procure it, 
 by setting the King down to an ordinary, and making him more 
 dependent than any man in his dominions. All the advantages 
 which were likely to flow from the present Bill, and many more, 
 much more important benefits, would arise from that commission 
 of accounts which the last gentleman had so affected to despise. 
 Surely the hon. gentleman had not read the two reports delivered 
 in by the commissioners : if he had, he would have seen therein 
 substantial benefit already derived from that commission, as a 
 pleasing earnest of what was to come; he would have seen five or 
 six public-spirited gentlemen, indefatigable in the pursuit of their 
 object, detained by no recess of business, and biassed by no parti- 
 ality, doing for the public what had long been requisite, by 
 securing, in the first place, an immediate transition of public 
 subsidies from the nation at large to the coffers of the State ; and 
 in the second, that money should no sooner be issued from the 
 Exchequer than it was wanted for the public service. In one tax 
 alone they had ascertained ^650,000 to be in the hands of the 
 collectors, which he would venture to say was a national benefit, 
 far more important than any the present Bill could produce. But 
 after all, if the Bill passed, did gentlemen who had dwelt with so 
 much energy on the petitions presented last year, think that this 
 Bill would satisfy the petitioners ? Undoubtedly it would not. 
 Their object went much farther. What said the associations ? 
 Give us annual or triennial parliaments. Every man in the king- 
 dom now set up for a reformer, at least every man wished to be a 
 legislator, and vote at elections. How expedient, how practicable, 
 how salutary such a matter would prove, the House might judge 
 from what had happened lately at Coventry ! He apologized to 
 Mr. Burke, and said he meant no reflection on him, when he 
 talked of State tinkers, but such were now to be found almost in 
 every country town ; there were those among the crowd of modern 
 reformers, who, not content with tinkering the British Constitu- 
 tion, attempted to tinker that of Ireland, and would fain have new 
 hammered it ; for his part, he did not admire such workmen, they 
 might do much mischief, and injure that which he verily believed 
 would not receive any benefit from their labours.
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 91 
 
 The Honourable William Pitt entered Parliament in his twenty- 
 second year, and had taken his seat for Appleby on January 23, 
 1 78 1. He "now rose," we read, " for the first time, and in a 
 speech directly in answer to matter that had fallen out in the 
 course of debate, displayed great and astonishing powers of elo- 
 quence. His voice was rich and striking, full of melody and force ; 
 his manner easy and elegant ; his language beautiful and luxuriant. 
 He gave in his first essay, a specimen of eloquence not unworthy 
 the son of his immortal parent." 
 
 He made his first speech, says Stanhope, in his Life of Pitt, 
 i. 54, on February 26, in support of Burke's Bill for Economical 
 Reform. Under the circumstances, this first speech took him a 
 little by surprise. Lord Nugent was speaking against the Bill, 
 and Mr. Byng, member for Middlesex, asked Mr. Pitt to follow 
 in reply. Mr. Pitt gave a doubtful answer, but in the course of Lord 
 Nugent's speech resolved that he would not. Mr. Byng, however, 
 had understood him to assent, and had said so to some friends 
 around him ; so that the moment Lord Nugent sat down all these 
 gentlemen, with one voice, called out, " Mr. Pitt ! Mr. Pitt ! " 
 and by their cry probably kept down every other member. Mr. 
 Pitt, finding himself thus called upon, and observing that the 
 House waited to hear him, thought himself bound to rise. The 
 sudden call did not for a moment discompose him j he was from 
 the beginning collected and unembarrassed, and far from reciting 
 a set speech, addressed himself at once to the business of reply. 
 Never, says Bishop Tomline, were higher expectations formed of 
 any person upon his first coming into Parliament, and never were 
 expectations more completely fulfilled. The silvery clearness of 
 his voice, his lofty yet unpresuming demeanour, set off to the best 
 advantage his close and well-arrayed though unpremeditated argu- 
 ments, while the ready selection of his words and the perfect 
 structure of his sentences were such as the most practised speakers 
 often fail to show. Not only did he please, it may be said that 
 he astonished the House. Scarce one mind in which a reverent 
 thought of Chatham did not rise. 
 
 About this time Lord Nugent's speeches become rarer, and 
 it was in this year that he ceased to hold office. He spoke 
 pleasantly, but very briefly, in favour of the recall of Lord Rodney, 
 and his speech on the recognition of American Independence 
 could not have well been shorter. " For some years back," he 
 said, " he had seen the necessity of recognizing the independence 
 of America ; but those who were now so forward to move for, 
 or at least recommend it, were formerly very backward on that 
 head. He opposed the motion (Fox's) because it was unprece-
 
 92 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 dented to call for articles of a treaty pending a negociation." 
 This was on December 18, 1782. Prior to this, however, he had 
 spoken in the debate on the inconveniences of the Marriage Act, 
 He suggested a curious case, not hitherto adverted to, against 
 which the present Bill could not provide a remedy. "Supposing," 
 said he, " a man who had been married illegally in these new- 
 built churches, and whose wife is still living, should, pending this 
 Act, marry another with due formalities, I should be glad to know 
 how Parliament could then interfere to rescue the former wife 
 from infamy, or retrieve in her case the consequences of that 
 improvident Act. We should have no other possible resource but 
 to adopt the scheme of Dr. Madan ; and then when one man 
 met the indulgence of having two wives, perhaps others would 
 think themselves entitled to the same." 
 
 In the following year he opposed the famous resolution on the 
 report as to the King's opinion on Fox's India Bill, in a speech 
 which, so far as the report goes, offers no indication of advanced 
 years, and was followed by young Pitt, who went out of his way 
 to speak courteously of him. He spoke very strongly, though 
 disclaiming any personal objection to Mr. Fox, against the pro- 
 posed dictatorship of the author of the India Bill. He spoke very 
 solemnly and impressively against Mr. Coke's motion against the 
 continuance of the Ministry, and a few days later (February 20, 
 1784) he advocated a reconciliation between Fox and Pitt. His 
 mediation did not succeed, as we know, but the speech was a 
 memorable one, and deserved a better fate, by which the course 
 of history might have been materially modified. 
 
 The occasion was the debate on Mr. Powys' motion, " That 
 the House relies on the King's Readiness to form a United and 
 Efficient Administration." 
 
 Earl Nugent recommended conciliation, by which alone an end 
 could be put to the present distractions. Gentlemen were coy of 
 one another at present, and therefore stood upon their punctilios ; 
 but if they would at once agree to meet one another, he would 
 lay his life that they would trust each other, and that they would 
 act with confidence. It was not the first time that he had been 
 instrumental in effecting a conciliation between two great men, 
 who had much greater cause to be at variance than the two right 
 hon. members. The two great men were Mr. Pelham and Lord 
 Granville. His lordship had appointed them to meet at his house, 
 and their meeting was to be kept a profound secret. One repaired 
 to his house quite muffled up, so that it was impossible for any one 
 who saw him to know him. He just introduced them to one 
 another, and left them to themselves. He took care in the mean
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 93 
 
 time to have a good supper ready for them, of which they partook ; 
 they drank heartily after it ; the wine put an end to the reserve 
 on which they had acted ; they spoke freely ; confidence was 
 established between them ; they became sincere friends, and 
 remained so, and cared not the next day who knew the story of 
 their interview. Thus was this coalition (and, by the bye, this 
 showed he was a friend to coalitions) effected in a single night 
 over a glass of good wine. He was not much acquainted with 
 the two right hon. gentlemen now sitting opposite to each other ; 
 but if they would give him leave he would bring them together at 
 his house ; they should have an excellent supper, the best of 
 wines ; they might, if they pleased, get gloriously drunk ; and he 
 would be bound that over their bottle they would lose that stiff" 
 reserve that wedded them now to their punctilios, and confidence 
 would spring up where diffidence reigned before. The case of the 
 Earl of Chatham and the late King was a striking proof, that how 
 much soever men might have differed, they might at last come 
 together, and place as much confidence in each other as if they had 
 never disagreed. The case was this : the King had in a great 
 measure proscribed all those who paid their respects at Leicester 
 House to the late Prince of Wales ; Lord Chatham happened to 
 have been employed in the service of the Prince ; this was of itself 
 enough to ruin him at St. James's, and render him personally 
 disagreeable to the King. But this was not all : the King was 
 known to have a great partiality to the Hanoverian dominions ; on 
 the other hand, Lord Chatham was known to have the strongest 
 prejudices against those German territories ; and he frequently 
 expressed himself in the House of Commons in terms that gave 
 great offence to his Majesty ; for he often said, that Hanover was 
 a millstone about the neck of England that would weigh her down 
 and sink her. However, the King found it necessary to send for 
 him ; he went into the closet, and the meeting was very awkward 
 at first ; at length Lord Chatham said to his Majesty, with the 
 greatest frankness, "Sire, give me your confidence, and I'll deserve 
 it." The King replied, without hesitation, " Deserve my con- 
 fidence, and you shall have it." Lord Chatham set about the 
 great work, which he afterwards so gloriously achieved, by raising 
 this country to the highest pinnacle of glory ; and he at last so 
 won upon the King, that he was able to turn his very partialities 
 in favour of Germany to the benefit of this country ; and never 
 was man honoured with a greater share of royal confidence than 
 he was. The right hon. gentleman over against him might obtain 
 the confidence of the present sovereign, if, by his great abilities, he 
 should be able to serve his country. To gain the royal confidence
 
 94 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 was not so difficult a matter in the present reign as in the former ; 
 there was no dispute in the Royal Family, which might split the 
 courts ; no partiality to German dominions ; he was confident, 
 therefore, that a successful exertion of abilities would secure the 
 right hon. gentleman the unshaken enjoyment of the royal 
 confidence. The attempt to turn out the present Ministry by 
 force was not the way to conciliate ; and to do it without alleging 
 any crime to have been committed by him was contrary to 
 justice. He remembered very well that an attempt was once 
 made to remove Sir Robert Walpole by an address : the opposition 
 was strong; it was headed by Mr. Pulteney, a man of the greatest 
 eloquence ; and so sure was he of carrying his motion, that a list 
 was handed about of an arrangement for a new Administration ; 
 which I remember very well, said his lordship, because I myself 
 was to come in at the end of it. But mark the consequence ; 
 a plain country gentleman rose, who, he believed, had never 
 opened his lips in the House before ; it was Mr. Harley; and with 
 a single, short, and simple speech, he undid all that Mr. Pulteney 
 had been doing, in one of the longest and most flowery speeches 
 that had ever been delivered in Parliament. " You persecuted my 
 uncle Lord Oxford," said he ; " you persecuted my father, the 
 auditor, through whose hands millions had passed ; and a persecu- 
 tion was conjured up against him, because it was found that his 
 servant had once taken six shillings: for these acts you must 
 naturally suppose me to be your enemy; but I hate you too much 
 to descend to imitate your example ; and therefore as no crime 
 has been proved against you, I will give my negative to the 
 motion for turning you out, because I will never consent that any 
 man should be punished till he has been tried and found guilty." 
 This speech had the most astonishing effect ; for, greatly as Sir 
 Robert was hated, the country gentlemen to a man voted with 
 Mr. Harley against the motion, and thus blasted the certain 
 prospect of success that Mr. Pulteney and his friends fancied they 
 saw before them. Such was the force of the appeal of a plain 
 man to the justice of the House! If the House of Commons 
 could negative a motion for the removal of a man so generally 
 detested as Sir Robert Walpole was, merely because no crime was 
 proved against him, what ought to be the fate of a motion for 
 removing the right hon. gentleman on the floor, whose character 
 was as irreproachable as man could wish ; a man who was as 
 generally beloved and respected, as Sir Robert Walpole was 
 execrated and despised ? If the motion for removing the odious 
 minister was negatived, merely because no crime had been proved 
 against him, surely with more justice and propriety ought a motion
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 95 
 
 to be negatived, which was made for the removal of a minister 
 against whom a crime not only had not been proved, but against 
 whom a crime had not been so much as alleged. 
 
 Lord Nugent spoke two or three times afterwards: once against 
 delays in the same debate, once against a Mutiny Bill, and once 
 asserting the right of the Lords to alter the money Bills, but they 
 were very short, and this seems to have been his not unworthy 
 Swan Song. 
 
 Nugent was again elected for St. Mawe's in April 1784, but 
 on June 19 accepted the Stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds, 
 and retired from the House whose Nestor he had become, standing 
 in that respect even before Wellbore Ellis. In April of the same 
 year he had been interested in the famous Westminster election, as 
 we find in the following — 
 
 Stanhope's Pitt, i. 209. 
 
 Letter from Pitt to his cousin, James Grenville, who in 1797 
 became Lord Glastonbury. 
 
 Downing Street, 
 Friday, April 23, 1784. 
 My Dear Sir, 
 
 Admiral Hood tells me he left Lord Nugent at Bath, 
 disposed to come to town if a vote at Westminster should be 
 material. I think from the state of the poll it may be very much 
 so. The numbers on the close to-day are — 
 
 H. 6326.1 Wr. 5699.2 F. 5615. 3 
 
 And Sir Cecil has gained four on Fox to-day. There is no 
 doubt, I believe, of final success on a scrutiny, if we are driven 
 to it, but it is a great object to carry the return for both in the 
 first instance, and on every account as great an object to Fox to 
 prevent it. It is uncertain how long the poll will continue, but 
 pretty clear it cannot be over till after Monday. If you will have 
 the goodness to state these circumstances to Lord Nugent, and 
 encourage his good designs, we shall be very much obliged to you; 
 and still more should neither health nor particular engagements 
 detain you, if, besides prevailing upon him you could give your 
 own personal assistance. At all events, I hope you will forgive 
 my troubling you, and allow for the importunity of the hardened 
 electioneer. 
 
 W. Pitt. 
 Nugent died in 1788. 
 
 1 Admiral Lord Hood. 2 Sir Cecil Wray. 3 C. J. Fox.
 
 POEMS 
 
 H
 
 POEMS 
 
 In an age as rich and fertile in the productions of art as the 
 Eighteenth Century, it is scarcely to be wondered at that his 
 contemporaries spoke slightingly of Nugent's talent as a poet : 
 and yet it cannot be denied that, whether deservedly or un- 
 deservedly, he certainly gained a not inconsiderable amount of 
 reputation, and was spoken of by many whose opinions were 
 valuable and reliable in terms of the highest commendation. His 
 ode to Pulteney, which described the poet's passage from the creed 
 of Roman Catholicism to a purer faith, obtained great fame, and 
 was considered good enough to be quoted by Gibbon. Horace 
 Walpole called this "a glorious ode," though Gray declared that 
 " Mr. Nugent sure did not write his own ode." Indeed Nugent 
 was suspected, by some, of paying Mallet, his step-son's tutor, to 
 write it, or at all events of getting his advice along with that of 
 Pulteney himself and Lord Chesterfield with regard to its con- 
 struction ; but there is little reason for giving credence to this 
 theory, so many of his poems afford evidence of power and 
 originality, though frequently marred by that coarse and licentious 
 wit from which his talents were never wholly exempt. One of 
 his odes, that "to Clarissa," was criticized as "unworthy of 
 Dodsley's collection," and many others it has been thought 
 advisable to eliminate from this volume. Some excuse, however, 
 may be made when we consider that the majority of his poems 
 were written at as early an age as thirty-three or thirty-four ; 
 and, indeed, this fact should have increased the general opinion 
 as to his ability, that a man at so comparatively early an age 
 should have succeeded in building up a reputation, which caused 
 Almon to write of him "that his poems breathed the true 
 Horatian fire." Whatever his talent mav have been, he was 
 clearly esteemed at the time worthy to be placed side by side with 
 men whose reputations still live with us, and whose works are as 
 popular and as widely read as at the time at which they were 
 written : and so it is that Arthur Murphy, the Editor of the 
 Gray's Inn Journal^ picked out Nugent as a "Patron of the man 
 of Genius, wit and humour" to address his dedicatory letter to in 
 
 the following words— 
 
 99
 
 ioo MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Sir, 
 
 v i 
 
 I have not taken up the Pen to trouble you with an 
 address in the usual stile of Dedicators ; to a warm and lively 
 Imagination, such as Mr. Nugent's, Novelty will appear an 
 essential Grace in Composition ; and what Kind or Novelty can, 
 at this Time of Day, be introduced in a Form of Writing which 
 has been indiscriminately hackneyed by the Witty, the Venal, 
 and the Dull for several Centuries ? I shall therefore have no 
 recource to exhausted Topics, nor shall I endeavour to cull from 
 the Stores of common Place a Second-hand Garland, which would 
 not fail to be offensive to your Delicacy, however your Politeness 
 might induce you to excuse the Aukwardness of the Attempt. I 
 shall leave it, Sir, to the City of Bristol, to speak aloud of your 
 eminent Abilities, and to the Annals of Parliament, to display the 
 brilliant Share you have had in all the public Debates, without 
 adding the Efforts of my feeble Voice to echo back your Fame 
 in Dedicatory Panegyric ; though I persuade myself, were I to 
 trouble you with it, one Degree of Novelty might be allowed 
 me, I mean Sincerity ; which I take to be a Ouality totally 
 unknown to the Offerers of Incense. 
 
 But it is not the able Statesman I am at present to address ; it 
 is the Patronage of the Man of Genius, Wit and Humour my 
 Ambition has prompted me to solicit, and, I believe, every one 
 will agree with me that I could not any where chuse a Name 
 more justly distinguished for those splendid Embellishments, than 
 that of Mr. Nugent. 
 
 I am not insensible, that, in doing this, I may fall under the 
 Censure of the witty Doctor Young when he says, 
 
 As Pedlars with some Hero's Head make hold, 
 Illustrious Mark ! where Pins were to he sold. 
 
 The Truth is, I am afraid, the fugitive Pieces contained in 
 these little Volumes will hardly be found worthy of your 
 Attention ; but if they are admitted to lie in any Corner of your 
 Study, I shall congratulate with myself that they have found so 
 honourable a shelter, and I shall be ever proud of having seized 
 this opportunity of subscribing myself, 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Your most, Obedient, 
 And most Devoted, 
 Humble Servant 
 
 Arthur Murphy. 
 Tavistock- Row, 
 Aprils I7.5 6 -
 
 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 101 
 
 Many of Nugent's poems, the one to Pulteney amongst them, 
 appear in the second volume of Dodsley's Collection : others in 
 " the New Foundling Hospital for Wit," a catalogue of which is 
 given in Walpole's "Royal and Noble authors." In 1739 two 
 editions appeared containing reprints of his " odes and Epistles," 
 most of which lauded the talents and aims of the c patriots ' in 
 opposition to Sir Robert Walpole. In 1774 he wrote an 
 anonymous poem entitled " Faith," being an attempt to depose 
 the Epicurean doctrine for that of the Trinity. In 1775 he 
 presented the Oueen with a new year's gift of some " Irish 
 Stuff" manufactured in his native land, along with a set of loyal 
 verses, which were followed by two anonymous parodies, and drew 
 from the wits the jest that the " Oueen had thanked him for both 
 his pieces of stuff." An Epistle to Robert Nugent, with a 
 picture of Doctor Swift by William Dunkin, D.D., is reproduced 
 in Swift's works, but his name is more intimately associated with 
 the poet Goldsmith, who addressed to him in return for a present 
 of Venison from Gosfield Park, the charming poetical Epistle 
 entitled "The Haunch of Venison."
 
 ODE. 
 
 TO FREDERICK, PRINCE OF WALES'S BIRTH-DAY 
 
 WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1739. 
 
 By EARL NUGENT. 
 
 I. 
 
 Fitly to hail this happy day, 
 Freedom demands a festal lay, 
 
 And wakes the silent string; 
 The gen'rous Muse, untaught to fear, 
 Inspires what Britain's Prince should hear, 
 
 And Britain's bards should sing. 
 
 *t>" 
 
 11. 
 
 Accurs'd the wretches ever be, 
 And foes to sacred Liberty, 
 
 Who impious dare presume 
 To sooth his ear with such a strain, 
 As better fits the cringing train, 
 
 The slaves of France or Rome. 
 
 in. 
 
 Far other speaks the voice of truth, 
 O ! may it warn thee, Royal Youth ! 
 
 To fly base flattery's lore. 
 The syren sings; who listen, die; 
 Behold yon wreck with cautious eye ! 
 
 Nor trust the faithless shore ! 
 
 IV. 
 
 And when beneath thy counsel'd reign, 
 Britain shall plow the subject main, 
 Compleat Heaven's great design ! 
 
 102
 
 POEMS 103 
 
 Restrain thy powers with binding laws ! 
 And grateful own the glorious cause, 
 That rais'd thy scepter'd line ! 
 
 So shalt thou earn unequal fame, 
 From blessings deathless as thy name, 
 
 By latest time enjoy'd ; 
 Whilst gifts from arbitrary sway, 
 Shine the vain pageants of a day, 
 
 Neglected and destroy'd. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Thy throne shall thus unshaken stand ; 
 Its ample base, a prosperous land; 
 
 Thy strength, a 'nation's might; 
 And thus thy future race shall be 
 Safe in a bless'd necessity, 
 
 Guided and rul'd by right. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Let priests an hallow'd bondage preach ! 
 Let school men earth-born godhead teach ! 
 
 Let loyal madmen rave ! 
 Wise nature feels, she mocks their rules; 
 And laws oppress'd, from different schools, 
 
 Unite the free and brave. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 So form'd, now shines the patriot band, 
 The guardians of a threaten'd land, 
 
 Of Britain and her crown. 
 May such adorn each future age, 
 Equal to stem wild faction's rage, 
 
 Or pull a tyrant down ! 
 
 IX. 
 
 Genius of Freedom, and of Peace ! 
 Bid rapine and contention cease ! 
 
 Protect what you bestow'd ! 
 Well may a burden'd realm complain, 
 If, rescued from the galling chain, 
 
 She sinks beneath her load.
 
 104 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 AN ODE TO MANKIND. 
 
 Address'd to the PRINCE 
 By the Same. 
 
 INTRODUCTION to the PRINCE. 
 
 Nor me the glories of thy birth engage, 
 With royal names to swell my pompous page: 
 Nor meaner views allure, in soothing lays 
 To court thy favour with officious praise. 
 Yet praise it is, thus to address thine ear 
 In strains no slave dare sing, no tyrant hear; 
 While warm for Britain's rights and nature's laws, 
 I call forth Britain's hope in freedom's cause: 
 Assert an empire which to all belongs, 
 And vindicate a world's long; sufFer'd wrongs. 
 
 These saving truths import thee most to know, 
 The links that tie the mighty to the low; 
 What now, our fellow-subject, is your due, 
 And, when our lord, shall be a debt on you. 
 O ! may'st thou to the throne such maxims bring ; 
 And feel the free-man while thou reign'st the king. 
 Far hence the tribe, whose servile arts delude, 
 And teach the great to spurn the multitude. 
 Are those unworthy of the royal heir, 
 Who claim the future monarch's duteous care ? 
 Still may thy thoughts the godlike task pursue, 
 And to the many ne'er prefer the few ! 
 Still mayst thou fly thy fortune's specious friends, 
 Who deal forth sov'reign grace to private ends; 
 In narrow streams divert the copious tide, 
 Exalt one sect and damn the world beside : 
 While with false lights directing partial rule, 
 The lord of nations falls a party's tool. 
 Such there have been — and such, in truth's despite, 
 Disgrace'd the cause of liberty and right. 
 But thou shalt rise superior to their arts, 
 And fix thy empire in a people's hearts.
 
 POEMS 105 
 
 Nor hence may faction boast her favour'd claim, 
 Where selfish passions borrow virtue's name : 
 Free government alone preserves the free, 
 And righteous rule is gen'ral liberty; 
 Their guiding law is freedom's native voice, 
 The public good defin'd by public choice; 
 And justly should the bold offenders fall, 
 Who dare invade the sov 'reign rights of all; 
 A king who proudly makes these claims his own, 
 Or they whose rage would shake a lawful throne. 
 From truths like these proceeds a right divine, 
 And may the pow'r that rais'd, preserve thy scepter'd line. 
 
 TO MANKIND: AN ODE. 
 
 1. 
 
 Is there, or do the schoolmen dream ? 
 Is there on earth a pow'r supreme, 
 
 The delegate of heav'n, 
 To whom an uncontroul'd command, 
 In every realm o'er sea and land, 
 
 By special grace is giv'n ? 
 
 11. 
 
 Then say, what signs this god proclaim ? 
 Dwells he amidst the diamond's flame, 
 
 A throne his hallow'd shrine ? 
 The borrow'd pomp, the arm'd array, 
 Want, fear, and impotence betray : 
 
 Strange proofs of pow'r divine ! 
 
 in. 
 
 If service due from human kind, 
 To men in slothful ease reclin'd, 
 
 Can form a sov'reign's claim : 
 Hail monarchs ! ye, whom heav'n ordains, 
 Our toils unshar'd, to share our gains, 
 
 Ye ideots, blind and lame !
 
 io6 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 IV. 
 
 Superior virtue, wisdom, might, 
 Create and mark the ruler's right, 
 
 So reason must conclude : 
 Then thine it is, to whom belong 
 The wise, the virtuous, and the strong, 
 
 Thrice sacred multitude ! 
 
 v. 
 
 In thee, vast ALL ! are these contain'd, 
 For thee are those, thy parts ordain'd, 
 
 So nature's systems roll : 
 The scepter's thine if such there be ; 
 If none there is, then thou art free, 
 
 Great monarch ! mighty whole ! 
 
 VI. 
 
 Let the proud tyrant rest his cause 
 On faith, prescription, force or laws, 
 
 An host's or senate's voice ! 
 His voice affirms thy stronger due, 
 Who for the many made the few, 
 
 And gave the species choice. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Unsanctify'd by thy command, 
 Unown'd by thee, the scepter'd hand 
 
 The trembling slave may bind. 
 But loose from nature's moral ties, 
 The oath by force impos'd belies 
 
 The unassenting mind. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Thy will's thy rule, thy good its end ; 
 You punish only to defend 
 
 What parent nature gave : 
 And he who dares her gifts invade, 
 By nature's oldest law is made 
 
 Thy victim or thy slave.
 
 POEMS io; 
 
 IX. 
 
 Thus reason founds the just decree 
 On universal liberty, 
 
 Not private rights resign'd : 
 Through various nature's wide extent, 
 No private beings e'er were meant 
 
 To hurt the gen'ral kind. 
 
 x. 
 
 Thee justice guides, thee right maintains, 
 Th' oppressor's wrongs, the pilr'rer's gains, 
 
 Thy injur'd weal impair. 
 Thy warmest passions soon subside, 
 Nor partial envy, hate, nor pride, 
 
 Thy temper'd counsels share. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Each instance of thy vengeful rage, 
 Collected from each clime and age, 
 
 Though malice swell the sum, 
 Would seem a spotless scanty scroll, 
 Compar'd with Marius' bloody roll, 
 
 Or Sylla's hippodrome. 
 
 XII. 
 
 But thine has been imputed blame, 
 Th' unworthy few assume thy name, 
 
 The rabble weak and loud ; 
 Or those who on thy ruins feast, 
 The lord, the lawyer and the priest ; 
 
 A more ignoble crowd. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Avails it thee, if one devours, 
 Or lesser spoilers share his pow'rs, 
 
 While both thy claim oppose ? 
 Monsters who wore thy sully'd crown, 
 Tyrants who pull'd those monsters down, 
 
 Alike to thee were foes.
 
 108 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Far other shone fair Freedom's hand, 
 Far other was th' immortal stand, 
 
 When Hampden fought for thee : 
 They snatch'd from rapine's gripe thy spoils, 
 The fruits and prize of glorious toils, 
 
 Of arts and industry. 
 
 xv. 
 
 On thee yet foams the preacher's rage, 
 On thee fierce frowns th' historian's page 
 
 A false apostate train : 
 Tears stream adown the martyr's tomb ; 
 Unpity'd in their harder doom, 
 
 Thy thousands strow the plain. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 These had no charms to please the sense, 
 No graceful port, no eloquence, 
 
 To win the Muse's throng : 
 Unknown, unsung, unmark'd they lie ; 
 But Caesar's fate o'ercasts the sky, 
 
 And Nature mourns his wrong. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Thy foes, a frontless band, invade ; 
 Thy friends afford a timid aid, 
 
 And yield up half thy right. 
 Ev'n Locke beams forth a mingled ray, 
 Afraid to pour the flood of day 
 
 On man's too feeble sight. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Hence are the motley systems fram'd, 
 Of right transfer'd, of pow'r reclaimed ; 
 
 Distinctions weak and vain. 
 Wise nature mocks th' wrangling herd ; 
 For unreclaim'd, and untransfer'd, 
 
 Her pow'rs and rights remain.
 
 POEMS 109 
 
 XIX. 
 
 While law the royal agent moves, 
 The instrument thy choice approves, 
 
 We bow through him to you. 
 But change, or cease th' inspiring choice, 
 The sov'reign sinks a private voice, 
 
 Alike in one, or few ! 
 
 xx. 
 
 Shall then the wretch, whose dastard heart 
 Shrinks at a tyrant's nobler part, 
 
 And only dares betray ; 
 With reptile wiles, alas ! prevail, 
 Where force, and rage, and priest-craft fail, 
 
 To pilfer pow'r away ? 
 
 XXI. 
 
 O ! shall the bought, and buying tribe, 
 The slaves who take, and deal the bribe, 
 
 A people's claims enjoy ! 
 So Indian murd'rers hope to gain 
 The pow'rs and virtues of the slain, 
 
 Of wretches they destroy. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 " Avert it, heav'n ! you love the brave, 
 " You hate the treach'rous, willing slave, 
 
 " The self-devoted head. 
 " Nor shall an hireling's voice convey 
 " That sacred prize to lawless sway, 
 
 " For which a nation bled." 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Vain pray'r, the coward's weak resource ! 
 Directing reason, active force, 
 
 Propitious heaven bestows. 
 But ne'er shall flame the thund'ring sky, 
 To aid the trembling herd that fly 
 
 Before their weaker foes.
 
 no MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 In names there dwell no magic charms, 
 The British virtues, British arms 
 
 Unloos'd our fathers' band : 
 Say, Greece and Rome ! if these should fail, 
 What names, what ancestors avail, 
 
 To save a sinking land ? 
 
 xxv. 
 
 Far, far from us such ills shall be, 
 Mankind shall boast one nation free, 
 
 One monarch truly great : 
 Whose title speaks a people's choice, 
 Whose sovereign will a people's voice, 
 
 Whose strength a prosp'rous state. 
 
 AN ODE TO WILLIAM PULTENEY, Esq. 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 Remote from liberty and truth, 
 By fortune's crime, my early youth 
 
 Drank error's poison'd springs. 
 Taught by dark creeds and mystic law, 
 Wrapt up in reverential awe, 
 
 I bow'd to priests and kings. 
 
 n. 
 
 Soon reason dawn'd, with troubled fight 
 I caught the glimpse of painful light, 
 
 Afflicted and afraid, 
 Too weak it shone to mark my way, 
 Enough to tempt my steps to stray 
 
 Along the dubious shade.
 
 POEMS in 
 
 in. 
 
 Restless I roam'd, when from afar 
 Lo, Hooker shines ! the friendly star 
 
 Sends forth a steady ray. 
 Thus cheer'd, and eager to pursue, 
 I mount, 'Till glorious to my view, 
 
 Locke spreads the realms of day. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Now warm'd with noble Sidney's page, 
 I pant with all the patriot's rage ; 
 
 Now wrapt in Plato's dream, 
 With More and Harrington around 
 I tread fair Freedom's magic ground, 
 
 And trace the flatt'ring scheme. 
 
 But soon the beauteous vision flies ; 
 And hideous spectres now arise, 
 
 Corruption's direful train : 
 The partial judge perverting laws, 
 The priest forsaking virtue's cause, 
 
 And senates slaves to gain. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Vainly the pious artist's toil 
 
 Would rear to heaven a mortal pile, 
 
 On some immortal plan ; 
 Within a sure, though varying date, 
 Confin'd, alas ! is every state 
 
 Of empire and of man. 
 
 VII. 
 
 What though the good, the brave, the wise, 
 With adverse force undaunted rise, 
 
 To break th' eternal doom ! 
 Though Cato liv'd, though Tully spoke, 
 Though Brutus dealt the godlike stroke, 
 
 Yet perish'd fated Rome.
 
 ii2 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 VIII. 
 
 To swell some future tyrant's pride, 
 Good Fleury pours the golden tide 
 
 On Gallia's smiling shores ; 
 Once more her fields shall thirst in vain 
 For wholsome streams of honest gain, 
 
 While rapine wastes her stores. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Yet glorious is the great design, 
 
 And such, O Pultney ! such is thine 
 
 To prop a nation's frame. 
 If crush'd beneath the sacred weight 
 The ruins of a falling state 
 
 Shall tell the patriot's name.
 
 FAITH 
 
 A POEM.
 
 TO THE PUBLISHER. 
 
 The following Poem at first consisted of a very few Lines, and was 
 only part of another in which Verses of Seven Syllables were chosen 
 as best adapted to its general subject. What is now sent to you, 
 growing almost imperceptibly into its present length, by Ideas crowding 
 upon the Author's mind, from an inexhaustible Fund of Matter, 
 became a disproportionate part of the original Design, and has therefore 
 been separated from it. The Metre, although deficient in that 
 solemnity which the subject demands, remains unalter'd ; merely from 
 the difficulty of improving the whole by adding more words to each 
 Line. Had it been so enlarged in its first formation, it would have 
 cost the Composer less labour than hath been bestowed upon it in its 
 present shape, while the Composition might have been rendered less 
 inelegant, and the Sense and Argument less cramped and obscure than 
 they must appear in many places. 
 
 You have it with all its Imperfections ; and if it be sufficiently clear 
 to manifest to Christians the Author's Faith, sufficiently conclusive not 
 to weaken in the opinions of others the Cause which he would support, 
 and just sufficiently poetical not to tire the Readers of either Denomina- 
 tion, he will not repent of having given to the Public his Thoughts in 
 the Decline of Life, closing the scene with an Endeavour to draw their 
 attention to an Object which ought to be the principal Study of Man, 
 as it is his infinitely most important Concern, through every stage of 
 Existence. 
 
 Happy indeed would the Author be, if this Attempt should con- 
 tribute to excite the Exertion of superior Talents in the Defence of 
 Him from whom they are derived, and in vindicating Truths which 
 can never suffer by Discussion, and which have been injured only when 
 the Field hath been abandoned to unopposed Assailants. The Attack 
 is become too general in many parts of the Christian World ; the 
 Defence should be unanimous by all who are ranged under the Banner 
 of a Man-God, however they may differ in other points, whether of 
 Doctrine or of Discipline : This will be no more than a just Compensa- 
 tion for the Prejudices drawn upon their Common Faith by that 
 intolerant Rancour with which different Sects have persecuted each 
 other. Of those Prejudices Infidelity hath not failed to take every 
 unfair Advantage, and would conclude against the Law of Dis- 
 interestedness, P'orgiveness and universal Benevolence, because cruel 
 and interested Men have acted in direct Opposition to its Spirit and 
 Commands. 
 
 "5
 
 n6 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 God from the simple Law of Nature produces infinite Variety. 
 The Exertion of Power equal in the Production of the smallest and 
 greatest Beings in the various Classes of Creation. The most minute 
 Alteration in the System of the Universe would subvert the whole; 
 from Line i to 18. All Effects foreseen by God from Eternity, to 
 Line 32. Phenomena, seemingly irregular, all directed by certain Rules, 
 to Line 43. There are Evils necessarily arising from the Nature of Things, 
 in the physical and moral Worlds. These are compensated by superior 
 Benefits with which they are connected, to Line 62. The virtuous 
 happy here or in a future State. Prayer grateful to God, to Line 82. 
 The Law of Mercy consistent with the Law of Nature. Both 
 co-operate in attaining the Ends proposed by God from all Eternity, 
 to Line 106. The Will of God, although immutable, is free, his 
 Decrees being always present, to 120. Man's Choice foreseen but not 
 compell'd, to 124. Certain differing Opinions equally false, to 132. 
 Infidelity and Credulity equally erroneous. Miracles afford no Argu- 
 ment in favour of legendary Tales, to 152. The Will of God is the 
 efficient Cause of all Things, to 170. Worlds of Spirit, to 176. 
 Influence of Soul upon Body acting by an Impulse different from the 
 Laws of Motion, to 192. The known Effects of such Impulse render 
 credible certain Miracles and Mysteries delivered to us by divine 
 Authority, to 216. Absurdities of Materialism, to 230. Desire of 
 Fame after Death a Proof of future Existence, to 256. The Argument 
 used by Epicureans against Providence strengthened by the Doctrine 
 of Materialism, to 288. Their Argument best answered by the 
 Doctrine of a Trinity, to 318. Other Circumstances which inforce 
 the Truth of that Doctrine, to 346. Mahomet and Mahometism 
 compared with Christ and Christianity, to 366. Before Revelation, 
 natural Sense led Men into fewer gross Errors respecting a Divinity, 
 than Learning did many Philosophers, to 374. The Worship of God 
 in his Works, or in Idols, common to the most civilized and savage 
 Nations, proves the Idea of a Supreme Power impressed on the Mind 
 of Man, while the religious Tenets of both were equally absurd, to 408. 
 Description of Fame, to 426. Her Influence upon Cato, Brutus and 
 Socrates, to 468. All Virtues enjoined by the revealed Will of God, to 
 478. The Influence of revealed Religion upon the Distresses of Man, 
 to 502. The Religion of Nature, moral Instinct, and human Laws 
 not sufficient without reveal'd Religion, to ^62. Reason not suffi- 
 cient without Faith, to 614. Deism inconsistent with itself, to 632. 
 Address to the Deity, to 650. Apostrophe to the King, to 690.
 
 FAITH: A POEM. 
 
 Ruling Pow'r ! eternal Mind ! 
 
 Uncreated, unconfin'd, 
 Who, from Nature's simple Law, 
 Dost her various Myriads draw ; 
 Thou ! omnipotent in all, 
 Equal in the Great and Small, 
 Where thy rising Works extend, 
 Wide as Space which knows no End, 
 From the Mote which unseen plays, 
 To where Suns unnumber'd blaze ; 
 With the all-prevading Soul 
 Poises, moves, connects the whole : 
 In the Chain one Link derang'd, 
 In the Work one Movement chang'd, 
 In the Scale one Atom lost, 
 World would sink in Chaos tost. 
 But secure, Thy potent Hand 
 
 Executes what Prescience plan'd, 18 
 
 What was, is, or e'er shall be 
 Viewing thro' Eternity. 
 
 Could an unforeseen Event 
 Scenes, unknown before, present, 
 Thou, like Man, become more wise, 
 Would'st thro' Time in Knowledge rise, 
 Rais'd, at ev'ry future Date, 
 From thy still imperfect State. 
 Yet, in each advanc'd Degree, 
 111 th' improving Deitv 
 Would support th' Omniscient's Claim, 
 From Eternity the same : 
 111 Effects, unthought of, tend 
 To insure Creation's End. 32 
 
 "7
 
 n8 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Urg'd by one unvarying Force, 
 Seasons tread their wonted Course ; 
 While in Nature's stated Turn, 
 Winters chill, and Summers burn. 
 Vagrant Winds, the Compass round 
 Shift, and seem by Rules unbound ; 
 Yet Thou guidest their Career, 
 Sure as rolls the circling Year : 
 Nor in wide Creation's Range, 
 Blindfold Chance or fickle Change 
 Ever enter'd : fertile Lands 43 
 
 Thirst for Show'rs that glut the Sands ; 
 Nor may starving Virtue taste 
 What the lavish Vices waste, 
 All foreknown, no partial 111 
 Frustrates the Creator's Will. 
 
 Ills there are, in vain deny'd 
 By the subtle Stoick's Pride ; 
 Such as Nature must produce, 
 Purchasing superior Use : 
 Here would Suns benignant shine. 
 They must scorch beneath the Line : 
 Clouds that drop the kindly Show'r, 
 Must the wasting Torrent pour. 
 Nor to Earth alone confin'd, 
 Ills disgrace the nobler Mind, 
 Rank Desires, foul Passions stain : 
 Should resistless Force restrain, 
 Soon would Brute-degraded Man 
 Humble mourn thy alter'd Plan. 62 
 
 In omniscient Justice sure, 
 Virtue rests of Bliss secure ; 
 Large the Portion here assign'd 
 To the conscious, spotless Mind, 
 While unmerited Distress 
 Points to future Happiness : 
 One, thus blameless doom'd to fall, 
 Proves Futurity to all. 
 Other Proofs, alas ! arise : 
 Prosp'rous Guilt those Proofs supplies. 
 
 Tho' awhile in Nature's Scale 
 Virtues sink and Crimes prevail,
 
 POEMS 119 
 
 Yet not lost in empty Air 
 
 Vainly floats the suppliant Pray'r : 
 
 Grateful shall the Incense rise, 
 
 Wafting Fragrance to the Skies ; 
 
 And eternal Bliss repay 
 
 The short sufPrings of a Day. 
 
 Let not Villains boast their Gains, 
 
 While unclos'd th' Account remains ! 82 
 
 But would'st Thou, in Mercy shown, 
 Deign the righteous Cause to own ; 
 Or from Guilt's repentant Eye 
 Wipe all other Sorrows dry, 
 Nature's Laws can never force 
 Mercy from her destin'd Course ; 
 Both are thine — to stir the Wave, 
 Still, or turn its Rage, and save 
 Wretches, who thy Hand adore 
 Slighted or unknown before. 
 
 Thus the Kindred-Systems rang'd 
 Mutual act, their Laws unchang'd ; 
 Tho' deep-veil'd thy form'd Design 
 Dwells in Mystery divine ; 
 Nor can bounded Reason find 
 How their various Pow'rs combin'd, 
 All directed to one End, 
 Can alternate Succour lend, 
 While according Parts agree 
 In Caelestial Harmony. 
 Howe'er vary'd each Event, 
 All conform to thy Intent, 
 To whate'er thy ruling Pow'r 
 Will'd before th' appointed Hour. 106 
 
 Man thro' Life's inconstant Range, 
 Proves his Liberty by Change ; 
 But that cogent Proof betrays 
 Error's inconsistent Maze. 
 While th' Almighty Hand fulfills 
 All that Sovereign Wisdom wills ; 
 While no Power's controuling Voice, 
 Thwarts his self-directing Choice ; 
 Tho' unalter'd still remains 
 What th' unerring Mind ordains,
 
 120 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Wise Omnipotence is free 
 
 In th' immutable Decree, 
 
 Ever present, never past, 
 
 Never future, first, or last. 120 
 
 In whate'er thou hast ordain'd, 
 Man ne'er sins by Force constraint ! 
 Free his Choice, tho' Heav'n foresee 
 What that fatal Choice will be ; 1 24 
 
 His, who wrapt in Horror's Gloom, 
 Reads th' inevitable Doom ; 
 Or who views a Seraph's Throne, 
 By predestin'd Lot his own ; 
 Or who mocks a saving God, 
 Spurns his Clemency and Rod : 
 Impious they, whose Creeds profane 
 Hold the Works of Virtue vain. 132 
 
 Error's wild Extremes are such, 
 When too little or too much 
 Men believe, alike they stray: — 
 Scepticks in the Noon of Day, 
 While Credulitv's weak Eyes 
 See the Midnight Sceptre rise. 
 Nor doth Miracle avail 
 The low Bigot's idle Tale, 
 How by Supplication prest 
 Thou hast chang'd thy high Behest ; 
 Turn'd the Bolt thy Wrath prepares, 
 From the Head thy Pity spares ; 
 Passions varying each Design, 
 As strong Love or Hate incline : 
 Vengeance, Mercy but fulfil 
 Thy unalter'd ceaceless Will, 
 Both united in one Plan, 
 Form'd ere Worlds or Time began ; 
 While Presumption baffled strays 
 In th' inexplicable Maze. 152. 
 
 Could sublimer Reason scan 
 Matter thro' its endless Plan, 
 From this humble Planet rise 
 Far as stretch the spangled Skies, 
 Piercing thro' all Nature's Laws, 
 Towards the efficient Cause ;
 
 POEMS 121 
 
 Past thy Will should Knowledge strain, 
 
 Newton's Lights would Blaze in vain : 
 
 Whence on Matter, doom'd to rest 
 
 'Till by moving Matter prest, 
 
 Does th' imparted Impulse act ? 
 
 Whence does central Force attract ? 
 
 Whence in a projectile Line 
 
 Bodies would that Force decline ? 
 
 While th' opposing Pow'r compounds 
 
 Orbs and all their destin'd Rounds ; 
 
 These deep-search'd by human Skill, 
 
 Own no Cause beside thy Will. 170 
 
 All obedient to thy Reign 
 Works more wond'rous still remain, 
 Where, unknown to human Sight, 
 Spreads th' expanded Infinite ; 
 While thy ruling Law contrails 
 The vast Universe of Souls. 176 
 
 Hence that Spark (whose glimm'ring Ray 
 Animates our senseless Clay, 
 Knowing all to Mankind known, 
 Stranger to itself alone ;) 
 Bids the Face of Pleasure glow, 
 Sickens the pale Cheek of Woe, 
 Fires the Weak with Valour's Flame, 
 Numbs with Fear the Giant's Frame, 
 Gives our Limbs to move or rest, 
 By no outward Force imprest ; 
 Bids young Vigour, bounding high, 
 All Attraction's Pow'r defy, 
 And, in Frolick's varying Round, 
 Motion's stated Laws confound ; 
 Rules the Man — unconscious whence 
 Flows its pow'rful Influence. 192 
 
 Since thus destin'd to obey, 
 Body owns superior Sway ; 
 To the ruling Spirit chain'd, 
 Union felt but ne'er explain'd ; 
 Well might thy o'er-ruling Force 
 Stop the Sun's declining Course, 
 Bid a chosen People pass 
 Thro' the Sea's divided Mass :
 
 122 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Starting forth at thy Command 
 
 Well might Wonders prove thy Hand, 
 
 When the Crowd thy Truths receiv'd, 
 
 Saw, and what they saw believ'd. 
 
 Yet Impiety denies 
 
 Miracle and Mysteries ; 
 
 Mocks the Pow'r which from his Bed 
 
 Rais'd to Life the wond'ring Dead, 
 
 Scoffs at those who dare proclaim 
 
 A Man-God in human Frame, 
 
 Join'd in Union undefin'd 
 
 To our now ennobled Kind ! 
 
 In thy Word those Truths we trace, 
 
 Treasur'd for the Human Race ; 
 
 Unimpair'd the Proofs shall last, 
 
 Thro' the future, as the past. 216 
 
 If, as impious Teachers say, 
 Souls are animated Clay ; 
 If, by chemick Pow'r refin'd, 
 Matter, high-sublim'd to Mind, 
 Rich with Wisdom, Foresight, Skill, 
 Chuses, thinks, and moves at will j 
 A new Essence thus supply'd, 
 To the native Mass deny'd, 
 Total Change — such alter'd State 
 Who produces, must create : 
 In the wond'rous Work imprest 
 The Creator shines confest ; 
 Still the Soul retains her Claim, 
 Pure and animated Flame. 230 
 
 Lo ! the Wretch who abject thinks 
 Man to Brute degraded sinks, 
 And in mould'ring Earth's decay 
 Ouenches the immortal Ray, 
 Courting visionary Fame 
 Pants to eternize his Name ; 
 When no more th' unconscious Ear 
 Can th' applauding Paean hear, 
 When no more th' extinguish'd Eye 
 Sees the Column brave the Sky, 
 Sacred to a Name alone, 
 All that liv'd of Man unknown.
 
 POEMS 123 
 
 Heaven's exhaustless Bounty grants 
 
 Fit Supplies for all our Wants, 
 
 Whether feeding grosser Fires, 
 
 Or the Soul's sublime Desires ; 
 
 Ev'ry Longing of the Mind, 
 
 Marks an Object thus assign'd, 
 
 In the wide-extended Scope 
 
 Of Enjoyment, Wish, or Hope, 
 
 'Tho' mistaken Man's Embrace 
 
 Catch at Shadows in his Chace : 
 
 He who thirsts to live in Praise, 
 
 Thro' a Line of endless Days, 
 
 Proves a deathless Prize prepar'd 
 
 By our mortal Sense unshar'd. 256 
 
 If the great Creator's Plan 
 Close with Life's contracted Span, 
 While in quick successive Birth 
 Myriads swarm to mix the Earth ; 
 If to no sublimer End 
 Heav'nly Strength and Thought extend, 
 Why was favour'd Man begot, 
 Rising but to breathe and rot ? 
 Why employ'd almighty Pow'r 
 On the Creature of an Hour ? 
 Epicurus in his Sty 
 Hence would Providence deny, 
 Deeming Earth unmeet to share 
 A Creator's Guardian Care. 
 
 Yet Almightv Pow'r he own'd 
 On the highest Heav'n enthron'd, 
 Of Infinitude possest, 
 In himself supremely blest. 
 Thus he reason'd. — " God employ'd 
 In Perfections self-enjoy'd, 
 Feels no Motive to create, 
 Rising from a future State : 
 What can finite Works present 
 Worthy the Omnipotent ? 
 Can Creation to his Store 
 Add one Gift, not his before ? 
 Or th' Imperfect yield Delight 
 To the Perfect Infinite ?
 
 i2 4 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Atoms, blindfold in their Dance, 
 
 Jumble into Worlds by Chance, 
 
 While remote the God-head reigns, 
 
 Heedless of our Joys and Pains." 288 
 
 Wilder'd in phantastick Schemes, 
 So th' unaided Searcher dreams : 
 Reason with advent'rous Flight, 
 Trying Heav'n's unequal Height, 
 Tir'd and dizzy, from the Sky 
 Drops into Absurdity. 
 
 Faith arise ! assert your Claim ! 
 Open Heav'n from whence you came ! 
 Vouch th' eternal Three who shine 
 One, in Attributes divine ! 
 Say ! how the Great Father's Mind 
 Ere Creation was, design'd 
 His lov'd Son's unspotted Birth, 
 Cloth'd in Flesh, exalting Earth ; 
 While with interchang'd Delights, 
 One creates, and One unites, 
 Of one Object each possest, 
 In their mutual Blessings blest. 
 Say ! how all was sanctify'd, 
 By that Spirit breathing wide, 
 Who erst in the Prophet's Flame, 
 Did those mystick Truths proclaim ; 
 And, athwart thick pagan Night, 
 Pour'd on Souls resistless Light. 
 In this System pre-ordain'd, 
 God's high Motives stand explain'd ; 
 When his all-creating Hand 
 Gave to Man Air, Sea and Land, 
 Made for him, whose kindred-Claim 
 Boasts his Heav'n-united Frame. 318 
 
 Tenets with such Wonders fraught, 
 Far beyond the Reach of Thought, 
 Link'd with Laws, whose rig'rous Plan 
 Checks th' aspiring Pride of Man, 
 Stints the darling Joys of Sense, 
 Lost in rigid Abstinence, 
 Points to Paths with Thorns bespread, 
 Far remov'd from Pleasure's Bed,
 
 POEMS 125 
 
 Leading to a distant Prize, 
 
 Past the Ken of human Eyes, 
 
 Reason's Sovereign-Rule deny'd, 
 
 Senses, Passions, mortify'd, 
 
 In a plain and simple Tale, 
 
 111 constructed to prevail, 
 
 With no Eloquence to draw, 
 
 Nor Authority to awe, 
 
 Yet by Earth's first Pow'rs receiv'd, 
 
 And by Learning's Lights believ'd, 
 
 Reconciling what before 
 
 Mock'd the Sophist's baffled Lore, 
 
 Yet that Purpose undesign'd 
 
 'Scap'd the rustick Teachers' Mind, 
 
 Who, the subtle Schools unknown, 
 
 Knew no Doctrines but their own ; 
 
 Nor in Rolls of Grecian Fame, 
 
 Reads an Epicurus' Name : 
 
 These are Stamps by Heav'n imprest, 
 
 Truth's inimitable Test. 34-6 
 
 Such were they, while Guilt and Shame 
 Brand th' impostor-Arab's Claim : 
 Vengeance, Rapine, Murder, Lust, 
 111 denote a heav'nly Trust, 
 Tho' his Followers' Ruffian-Band 
 Speak the Wonders of his Hand, 
 Boasting in their martyr'd Train 
 Robbers by the plunder'd slain. 
 Well might he by Force impose 
 Creeds absurd on vanquish'd Foes ; 
 Well seduce a sensual Crowd, 
 Vague Concubinage allow'd j 
 While his Paradise invites 
 To •eternal lewd Delights. 
 But rank Incest, all his own, 1 
 Flames a Jewel in his Throne. 
 
 How unlike the Man divine ! 
 In whose Life's fair Mirror shine 
 All the Precepts which he taught, 
 Spotless pure in Deed and Thought. 366 
 
 Mahomet forbad Incest, but practised it himself.
 
 126 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Ere the Beam of saving Light, 
 Trac'd the certain Path to Right, 
 Man, who unseduc'd by Art 
 Stifling Nature in his Heart, 
 Safer trusted native Sense 
 Than weak Learning's Insolence ; 
 Nor, to eternize a Clod, 
 Labour'd to dethrone his God. 374- 
 
 Where the poor untutor'd Hind 1 
 Awe-struck hears him in the Wind, 
 Sees him in the Light'ning blaze, 
 Feels him in the Solar Rays, 
 And thro' splendid Nature's Stores 
 In Effects their Cause adores, 
 Spreading wide as Nations spread, 
 Admiration, Love and Dread ; 
 Or where Superstition owns 
 Virtues giv'n to Wood and Stones, 
 Whether Jove, high-sculptur'd, rise 
 Awful Sov'reign of the Skies ; 
 Or from monster-teeming Nile 
 Spring the worship'd Crocodile ; 
 Or rough hewn with barb'rous Glare 
 Some tremendous Idol stare ; 
 All evince a Pow'r imprest 
 Deep in Man's instinctive Breast, 
 Wrapt in Error. — So the eye 
 Traces in an Ev'ning-sky 
 Well-known Forms ; yet what we see 
 Is but cloud-born Imag'ry. 
 
 Not more senseless Tales disgrace 
 The wild Faith of India's Race, 
 Than, obscur'd in heathen Gloom, 
 Sham'd the Lights of Greece and Rome, 
 When appall'd, the Brave and Wise 
 View'd Portents and Prodigies : 
 Did a Fowl in moping Mood, 
 Sick'ning shun its slighted Food ; 
 Did a Bull ill-omen'd die, 
 Did a Bird sinister fly, 
 
 1 " Lo ! the poor Indian, whose untutor'd Mind 
 
 Sees God in Clouds, or hears him in the Wind." — Pope.
 
 POEMS 127 
 
 Earth's proud Masters trembling yield, 
 
 111 resign'd, the unfought Field. 408 
 
 Self-borne thro' th' aetherial plain 
 Virtue led her radiant Train, 
 Scorning Titles, Wealth, and Pow'r, 
 Native Charms her only Dow'r : 
 Yet, inspir'd by Glory's Flame, 
 Pleas'd she heard the Trump of Fame, 
 Bade her Votaries pursue 
 Where the airy Phantom flew, 
 Wasting in the chace of Praise 
 Sleepless Nights and restless Days, 
 'Till a baseless Pile appear'd, 
 By recording Muses rear'd : 
 There the Brave, the Good, the Sage, 
 Liv'd in Clio's deathless Page ; 
 There Calliope display'd 
 Flow'ry Wreaths which never fade ; 
 While Melpomene sublime 
 Rais'd to Heav'n the Gods of Rhime. 426- 
 
 By such splendid Visions led 
 God-like Cato liv'd and bled ; 
 Liv'd the first of human Race, 
 Dv'd in Pagan-Pride's disgrace, 
 Sullen shrinking in despair 
 From those Ills which Man should bear. 
 
 Brutus, high in Patriot-Blood, 
 Honest, gen'rous, brave and good, 
 Hapless, with one erring Stroke, 
 Rivetted his Country's Yoke, 
 Friendship stabb'd in Caesar slain, 
 O'er Philippe's fatal Plain 
 Soon he saw a Shadow fly, 
 Hov'ring in the angry Sky, 
 Late his Guide : — But ere He fell 
 Vanish'd the enchanting Spell, 
 Virtue's unsubstantial Frame 
 Sunk into an empty Name : 
 Still He err'd, and in his Fall 
 Saw blind Fortune govern all. 
 Such their Doom who unrestrain'd 
 Own no Laws for Man ordain'd,
 
 128 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Lost to Blessings that await 
 
 Merit in a happier State ; 
 
 Nor behold in sweet Accord 
 
 Virtue's Charms and Heaven's Reward. 
 
 Socrates, when subtle Art 
 Silenc'd Instinct in his Heart, 
 Nor wou'd Nature's Law obey 
 IU-resign'd to tyrant-Sway, 
 With fixt Eye and thirsty Soul 
 Eager view'd the deadly Bowl, 
 With firm Hand the Blessing caught, 
 Fame gay-smiling o'er the Draught. 
 Yet high rais'd by mental Pow'r, 
 Did that mighty Genius tow'r, 
 With all Nature's Treasures fraught, 
 By all Wisdom's Learning taught. 
 
 Such is Reason's strongest Ray, 
 Fading in the Flood of Day 
 Now Heav'n's saving Page hath shewn 
 Truths to Socrates unknown. 468 
 
 All that in fair Virtue charms, 
 All in social Love that warms, 
 All in Sympathy that glows, 
 Melting at another's Woes, 
 All that righteous Zeal should dare, 
 All that bids sweet Mercy spare, 
 All that in confided Trust 
 Steels the never-yielding Just, 
 These, confirm'd by Heav'n's Command, 
 On a Base eternal stand. 478 
 
 Tho' on some bleak Heath alone, 
 In his Storm-rent Cot unknown, 
 The starv'd Peasant, born to toil, 
 Tills, unpaid, a barren Soil ; 
 Or fall'n Greatness in the Shade 
 Pain and Penury invade, 
 Now no more the Voice of Praise 
 Chaunting loud the Poet's Lays ; 
 Tho' dark Slander's venom'd Tooth 
 Wound the blameless Breast of Truth ;
 
 POEMS 
 
 129 
 
 Or a keener Foe intrude, 
 
 Foul and false Ingratitude ; 
 
 Yet Religion's beaming Ray, 
 
 Portion of th' eternal Dav, 
 
 With Heav'n's potent Influence fraught, 
 
 Spotless Sanctity of Thought, 
 
 Patience firm with stifl'd Sigh, 
 
 Fortitude with dauntless Eye, 
 
 Innocence in Virtue strong, 
 
 Meek Forgiveness pard'ning Wrong, 
 
 Charity's parental Tears, 
 
 Faith that warms, and Hope that cheers, 
 
 Can sweet Harmony inspire, 
 
 Sweeter than the Poet's Lyre. 502 
 
 If from the Accord of Things 
 Natural Religion springs, 
 With sufficient Force to bind 
 The strict Duties of our Kind, 
 While in Reason's moral Light 
 Wrong stands mark'd distinct from Right, 
 Whence, the Pride of Stoick Schools, 
 Epictetus drew his Rules ; 
 Be this boastful Claim allow'd ! 
 What avails it to the Crowd ? 
 What to them, the unknown Use 
 Of Philosophy abstruse ? 
 Hard their Doom, if millions stray 
 Whilst a Sophist finds his Way. 
 
 Or, if in the humble Shade 
 Instinct prompting lends its Aid, 
 Influencing the various Will, 
 Some to Good, and some to 111, 
 DifPring as the human Frame 
 Differs, in no Two the same ; 
 If all Virtue's understood, 
 The mere Child of balmy Blood ; 
 If black Humours unsupprest 
 Taint with Vice the gloomy Breast ; 
 If th' impelling Flood commands 
 Unrestrain'd fell Rapine's Hands ; 
 Wrong'd they fall, by Laws unjust, 
 Who transgress because they must. 
 
 K
 
 1 3 o MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 If the milder Stream supplies 
 Mercy's Beam in melting Eyes ; 
 If their purer Influence warms, 
 Lighting all the inward Charms ; 
 Sure, in partial Pow'r's Regard, 
 Virtue finds undue Reward. 
 
 Laws, unequal to prevent, 
 Know no Means but Chastisement, 
 And howe'er with Wisdom fraught, 
 Claim no Empire over Thought; 
 While the unreach'd Heart remains 
 Foul with ulcerated Stains, 
 Where the meditated Sin 
 Mocks all Pow'r, and lurks within, 
 'Till from that polluted Source 
 Crimes wide spread their wasteful Course. 
 
 Instinct, Reason, Law, for Man 
 Trac'd but an imperfect Plan, 
 'Till th' inspiring Word supply'd 
 What to Nature was deny'd ; 
 Truths alike to all explain'd, 
 In that Code for all ordain'd, 
 Form'd alike to teach and bind 
 King, Philosopher, and Hind. 
 
 Thus the Sov'reign's Will exprest 
 Frames his Law to rule the Breast ; 
 While his all-pervading Eyes 
 See the Crime that brooding lies, 
 See the Murd'rer's dark Intent, 
 Doom'd to threatened Punishment, 
 Deeply stain'd with moral Guilt, 
 Tho' Man's Blood escap'd unspilt — 562 
 
 While the Spirit all divine 
 Breathes in ev'ry sacred Line, 
 Shall vain Man with subtle Wit 
 Parts reject, and Parts admit ? 
 Stating Proofs compar'd Degrees 
 With Improbabilities ; 
 While in his suspended Scale 
 Reason dictates which prevail.
 
 POEMS 
 
 Yet the Sage in hungry Mood, 
 Trusts not Reason for his Food ; 
 Nor the Sense unsatisfy'd, 
 Waits till chemick Art hath try'd 
 What with most salubrious Juice 
 Suits the wasting Body's Use ; 
 Else, in gnawing Hunger's Pain, 
 Long the Sage would toil in vain. 
 Thus our grosser Wants supply'd, 
 Taste an ever ready Guide, 
 Shall what feeds the nobler Part, 
 Cheers and purifies the Heart, 
 Wait for tardy Reason's Aid, 
 Straying thro' a dubious shade ? 
 While Enquiry hangs perplext 
 O'er the Comment-blotted Text. 
 In one clear and perfect Plan, 
 All Heav'n's Rules to govern Man, 
 On plain Nature's Level lie, 
 Obvious to weak Reason's Eye. 
 Yet to these, Conceits acute 
 Meanings never meant impute. 
 
 Mystery, before conceal'd, 
 Is Heav'n's Knowledge now reveal'd ; 
 While Religion, soaring high, 
 Spreads the Secrets of the Sky. 
 Vainly would Conception strain 
 Ev'ry Link of Reason's Chain, 
 Far unequal to the Height 
 Of that Knowledge Infinite ; 
 But strong Faith compels Assent, 
 As to Truths self-evident. 
 
 Reason's Weakness thus supply'd, 
 Fearless she pursues her Guide, 
 Certain that the Wise and Good, 
 (Prov'd in all Things understood) 
 Ne'er with impious Tales deceiv'd 
 Those who trusted and believ'd. 
 
 What tho' Sophistry exert 
 All her Talents to subvert ? 
 Tho th' Enthusiast, Frenzy-fir'd, 
 
 l 3 l
 
 i 3 2 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Boast a Flame by God inspir'd ? 
 
 Faith and Reason's Claim and Use, 
 
 Rise unreach'd by their Abuse. 614 
 
 Say, learned Deist ! whose Assent 
 Grants a Pow'r omnipotent, 
 One uncomprehended Cause 
 Acting by his self-formed Laws, 
 Why thy varying Creed rejects 
 Incomprehensible Effects ? 
 And would Reason's Line apply 
 To unfathom'd Mystery ? 
 Does Creation stand explain'd 
 To thy finite Mind wide-strain'd ? 
 While the Earth and Sea and Skies 
 From Non-entity arise, 
 Know'st thou thro' all Nature's List 
 How one Atom doth exist ? 
 Less absurd thy Faith would end 
 Where Men cease to comprehend, 
 Tho' the Universe unite 
 To proclaim the Infinite. 632 
 
 Gracious Pow'r ! to Thee we owe 
 All that Bounty can bestow ; 
 We, the Objects of thy Care, 
 Live in Thee, and move and are ; 
 Yet superior Thanks are due, 
 While the promis'd Bliss we view 
 In thy holy Word reveal'd, 
 When thy Blood the Compact seal'd. 
 Shall the Atheist, self-debar'd 
 From th' ineffable Reward ? 
 Shall the Deist's Tribe profane ? 
 Shall the Scorner's ribbald Train? 
 Infidelity far spread, 
 Raise the supercilious Head ? 
 And no Bard, unaw'd, rehearse 
 Heav'n-taught Truths, in grateful Verse, 
 Rescuing from the impious Jest 
 Those who dare these Truths attest. 650 
 
 First of those, bless'd Monarch, hail ! 
 Faith triumphant shall prevail,
 
 POEMS 133 
 
 While Religion on thy Throne 
 Sits, and markes thee for her own. 
 Her's thou art by ev'ry Claim : 
 In chaste Virtue's sacred Name, 
 In those Charities that blend 
 Sov'reign, Father, Husband, Friend. 
 Gratitude that thanks and prays, 
 Zeal that worships and obeys, 
 Stamp thee her's, her Hope and Aid 
 When deserted and betray'd 
 
 From the Atheist blindly bold, 
 From Believers numb and cold, 
 Those who saving Truths reject, 
 Those who own them but neglect, 
 From the Reas'ner's Pride absurd 
 Spurning Heav'n's attested Word, 
 From the wild Enthusiast's Rant, 
 From the Hypocrite's false Cant, 
 From dark Superstition's Gloom, 
 From fell Persecution's Doom, 
 Piety compell'd to fly, 
 Finds thy Breast her Sanctuary. 
 Justice, Clemency, combin'd, 
 Spirit, resolute and kind, 
 Pleas'd to lead with gentle Hand, 
 Firm wild Faction to withstand, 
 Looks benignant, would impart, 
 Feelings of a spotless Heart, 
 All the Blessings these dispense, 
 Speak the Heav'n-sent Influence ; 
 While staid Freedom's sober Train 
 Own a Monarch's legal Reign, 
 Viewing with indignant Eye 
 Licence leading Anarchy : 
 Nor shall delegated Sway 
 Stint thy intercepted Ray, 
 Drawing to a narrow Line 
 Bounty meant on all to shine. 690
 
 VERSES 
 
 ADDRESSED TO 
 
 THE QUEEN, 
 
 WITH 
 
 A NEW YEAR'S GIFT 
 
 OF 
 
 IRISH MANUFACTURE 
 
 By LORD CLARE. 
 
 LONDON. 
 PRINTED FOR J. DODSLEY, IN PALL-MALL. 
 
 MDCCLXXV.
 
 TO 
 THE QUEEN. 
 
 Could poor Ierne Gifts afford, 
 
 Worthy the Consort of her Lord, 
 Of purest Gold a sculptur'd Frame, 
 Just Emblem of her Zeal, should flame : 
 Within, the Produce of her Soil, 
 Wrought by her Hand with curious Toil, 
 Should from her splendid Looms supply 
 The richest Web of Tyrian Dye ; 
 Where blended Tints in plastic Lore, 
 Might, breathing, shame the sculptur'd Ore. 
 
 There should the Royal Charlotte trace 
 Her Brunswick, in majestic grace, 
 With Looks beneficently kind, 
 The Face illumin'd by the Mind ; 
 While He, with Joy-transported Eyes, 
 Should see his much-lov'd Charlotte rise ; 
 And Both behold their Infant-train, 
 Cull Flowrets on the pictur'd Plain, 
 Weaving for Them a fragrant band, 
 More sweet from the presenting Hand : 
 Such was the Wreath, when Hymen led 
 Our Monarch to his nuptial bed ; 
 And such the tender Chain which binds, 
 In mutual Love, their wedded Minds. 
 
 Nor here the Artist's skill should cease : 
 Glorious in War, and great in Peace 
 Our King should stand, alike renown'd 
 With Laurel or with Olive crown'd : 
 Should, o'er the blood-besprinkled Field, 
 Bid Vengeance to Compassion yield ; 
 
 137
 
 138 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Or Justice, rous'd by Faction's Band, 
 
 Snatch her sheath'd Sword from Mercy's Hand. 
 
 Far distant o'er the foaming Main, 
 And distant may it e'er remain ! 
 A gathr'ing Cloud should blot the Skies, 
 And Mists in noxious Vapour rise ; 
 Such as, in Summer's Solstice spread, 
 Steam from the pregnant Meadow's Bed ; 
 While the bewilder'd Travellers roam 
 Wide from the Path which leads to Home ; 
 No faithful Mark, no Guide secure 
 To trace the palpable Obscure : 
 And such the Veil hot Frenzy draws 
 O'er Reason, Liberty, and Laws. 
 
 But, close behind, returning Day 
 Should chace the Gloom obscene away ; 
 And, mildly beaming, Heaven-sent Peace 
 Bid Discord and Confusion cease ; 
 Lead filial Piety sincere, 
 Bath'd in a penitential Tear, 
 To the fond Parent's melting Breast, 
 Long lost, a dearly welcome Guest. 
 Kind Industry, with ready Hand, 
 Should strew her Treasures o'er the Land ; 
 Chearful her wonted Toil resume, 
 Rich Commerce spread, fair Plenty bloom ; 
 And Love, the universal Soul, 
 Inspire, combine, and bless the whole. 
 
 And O ! might poor Ierne hope, 
 In sober Freedom's liberal scope, 
 To ply the Loom, to plough the Main, 
 Nor see Heaven's Bounties pour'd in vain, 
 
 (1) Where starving Hinds, from Fens and Rocks, 
 View Pastures rich with Herds and Flocks ; 
 
 And only view, forbid to taste ; 
 Sad Tenants of a dreary Waste. 
 For other Hinds our Oxen bleed ; 
 
 (2) Our Flocks for happier Regions feed, 
 Their Fleece to Gallia's Looms resign, 
 More rich than the Peruvian Mine ; 
 Her Fields with barren Lilies strown, 
 Now white with Treasures not her own.
 
 POEMS 139 
 
 In vain Ierne's piercing Cries 
 Plaintive pursue the golden Prize ; 
 While all aghast the Weaver stands, 
 And drops the Shuttle from His Hands. 
 Barter accurst ! but mad Distress 
 To Ruin flies from Wretchedness. 
 Theirs be the Blame, who bar the Course 
 Of Commerce from her genuine Source, 
 And drive the Wretch his Thirst to slake 
 With Poison, in a stagnant Lake. 
 
 Hence Ports secure from ev'ry Wind, 
 For Trade, for Wealth, for Power design'd, 
 Where faithful Coasts and friendly Gales 
 Invite the Helm and court the Sails, 
 A wide deserted Space expand, 
 Surrounded with uncultur'd Land. 
 
 (3) Thence Poverty, with haggard Eye, 
 Beholds the British Streamers fly ; 
 Beholds the Merchant doom'd to brave 
 The treacherous Shoal, and adverse Wave, 
 Constraint to risk his precious Store, 
 And shun our interdicted Shore. 
 
 (4) Thus Britain works a Sister's Woe ; 
 Thus starves a Friend, and gluts a Foe. 
 
 Yet shall this humble Gift impart 
 The Tribute of a loyal Heart ; 
 And Thou with Smiles benign receive : 
 ('Tis all that loyal Heart can give.) 
 When on thy Robe with mingled Rays, 
 The Ruby and the Diamond blaze ; 
 Unmindful of Golconda's Prize, 
 Thou mark'st our Rapture-sparkling Eyes ; 
 Faintly her Gems their Lustre prove, 
 Lost in the Flame of Britain's Love. 
 And when the rustic Chorus sing 
 In artless Notes, God save the King ; 
 Altho', with unmelodious Prayer, 
 In strains like mine They rend the Air ; 
 Thy ravish'd Ears forget the Lyre, 
 E'en while Thy Hands the string inspire : 
 Such Notes, when grateful Crowds rejoice, 
 Hymn sweeter than a Seraph's Voice ;
 
 140 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 And such, along the swarming Shore, 
 Loud-echo'd to the Cannon's Roar ; 
 While Britain's Glory shone display'd, 
 In all the Pride of Pomp array'd ; 
 Where sovereign of the briny Flood, 
 Her Guardian Genius smiling stood. 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 (i) The Peasants of Ireland are driven to inhabit Mountains and 
 Bogs, in miserable Huts, where they never taste animal Food, while 
 large Tracts of as rich Land as any in Europe are covered with Oxen 
 and Sheep. 
 
 (2) Ireland is prohibited from exporting any Woollen Manufacture, 
 although she might furnish many Foreign Markets, now supplied by 
 France, particularly Turkey and Portugal, with certain Species of 
 Woollen Goods, at lower Prices than the French can afford to sell 
 them. This Prohibition obliges the Irish to carry on a contraband 
 Trade, with the French, in raw Wool so necessary to their Manufactures, 
 that their demand for it raises the Price in Ireland beyond the Reach 
 of the Irish Manufacturer for Home Consumption. 
 
 (3) Vessels, freighted with Goods from America, a few Species only 
 excepted, although destined for the Irish Market and passing close to 
 the Irish Coast, are obliged by Law to proceed to, and unload in some 
 Port of Great Britain. Their Cargoes, after much Risk, Expense, and 
 Loss of Time, are there re-shipped to return to the Place of their 
 Destination, through a Passage more dangerous than that from America 
 to Ireland. 
 
 (4) The Prohibition to export Irish Woollen Goods is far from 
 being the only Restraint laid upon Ireland, beneficial to the Manufacture 
 and Trade of France. Among many other Instances, the Prohibition 
 of all Irish Goods from being sent to the American Markets, except 
 Linen and Provisions, tempts our Colonists to admit, in a Contraband 
 Trade, many Foreign Articles which might be had cheaper from 
 Ireland.
 
 VERSES 
 
 ADDRESSED TO THE 
 
 WITH A NEW YEAR'S GIFT OF IRISH POTATOES. 
 By LORD KNOWS WHO. 1 
 " Clara micante auro 
 
 " Materiem superabat opus, nam Mulciber illicP — OviD. 
 
 Could a poor Hibernian dare 
 
 To emulate the generous Clare, 
 Of shining pewter pure and clean, 
 He'd make a present to the Queen. 
 On it a new invented work, 5 
 
 A charming etching, with a fork, 
 In curious stile, and matchless gout, 
 All Herculaneum should out do ; 
 And as for touches, strokes, and air, 
 Put Cipriani in despair. 10 
 
 There should the royal Charlotte trace 
 His majesty king George's face, 
 In such nice strokes as shew it is 
 The mind illuminates the phyz. 
 
 While He should shake his sides to see 15 
 
 The likeness of her Majesty ; 
 And both beheld their tiny moppets, 
 (Like the Fantoccini puppets,) 
 Culling heaps of pretty posies, 
 
 To salute their Royal noses ; 20 
 
 Just such posies as they carried, 
 To refresh them when they married ; 
 And such whose fresh and rosy hue, 
 
 1 An imitation of "Verses addressed to The Queen.'' 
 
 141
 
 142 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Recall the Georgian bride to view. 
 
 But something more our skill to try on, 25 
 
 As mild as dove, as bold as lion, 
 
 Our King should stand — as thus — a sprig 
 
 Of bays should dignify his wig ; 
 
 While olive branches stuck behind, 
 
 To enemies should prove him kind ; 30 
 
 Tho', if one chest of tea is tost on 
 
 The waves, he's sure to ruin Britain. 
 
 To prove the point, in the back ground, 
 (That so the distance might be found,) 
 A cloud of stinking smoke should rise, 35 
 
 (A tar and feather sacrifice,) 
 Such as in summer time is seen, 
 From burning weeds upon the green, 
 Which some old woman's purblind eyes, 
 Impute to dread incendiaries, 40 
 
 For spectacles she will not take, 
 To see her palpable mistake, 
 And, just as wisely we lay stress 
 On the American Congress. 
 
 'to* 
 
 But, close behind, the sun should rise, 45 
 
 By way of clearing up the skies ; 
 And heavenly Dartmouth should present 
 A recipe for sure content ; 
 Like naughty boys, with streaming eyes, 
 Should introduce the Colonies, 50 
 
 To promise, all their squabble ends, 
 If dear mama will kiss and friends ; 
 Then how should industry abound ; 
 With not a beggar to be found ; 
 
 E'en sharpers should grow honest then, 55 
 
 And none be rogues but Fielding's men ; 
 And Love, that little smiling boy, 
 Give us a belly full of joy. 
 
 And oh ! while miracles take place, 
 May not poor Ireland hope for grace ? 60 
 
 No more, to view Heaven's gifts in vain, 
 Let her have leave " to plough the main " ; 
 Because her land's so very poor, 
 To plough on that she can't endure ; 
 Exports of beef, good Oueen, condemn ; 65
 
 POEMS 143 
 
 Leave Irish bulls for Irish men 
 That so we may not still complain, 
 We are the only beasts remain ; 
 But chief forbid to cross the seas, 
 
 Our sheep those worst of absentees. 70 
 
 For them we make a double struggle, 
 
 Mutton to eat, and wool to smuggle ; 
 
 Tho', (by the way) my mind it racks, 
 
 That Irish wool cloaths Frenchmen's backs ; 
 
 But Frenchmen, like ill-natur'd fellows, 75 
 
 Will never cease to undersell us ; 
 
 Thence, to avenge such treatment foul, 
 
 We all set up " the Irish howl. ' 
 
 The godlike weavers catch the sound, 
 
 And raging white boys spread around : 80 
 
 Hanging ensues ! that unkind way 
 
 To terminate an Irish fray. 
 
 Theirs be the blame, who are the cause, 
 
 By making those strange things call'd laws, 
 
 That give the weaver's fancy scope, 85 
 
 In manufacturing a rope. 
 
 Laws are the cruel obstacles, my dear, 
 Good Lady, to our Irish chear, 
 For what, though all along our shore, 
 The winds are too polite to roar, 90 
 
 Though they blow an invitation 
 To the ships of ev'ry nation, 
 The merchants first must pay their court, 
 By touching at a British port : 
 
 A form of law that's very troubling 95 
 
 To the vessels bound for Dublin ! 
 Thus Britain has the upper hand, 
 Though why I cannot understand, 
 Unless to shew us, 'gainst our will, 
 That she's our elder sister still. 100 
 
 And, yet shall these Potatoes prove 
 Emblems of Hibernian love : 
 Emblems though poor, yet, as I live, 
 They're all I can afford to give. 
 
 Then scruple not to eat your fill, 105 
 
 As they are tokens of good will : 
 So, though your Majesty display 
 Your glittering jewels at the play,
 
 i 4 4 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 You'd rather see one English grin, 
 
 Than view your finest diamond pin, no 
 
 Because, the ogles of John Trot 
 
 Can make your diamonds quite forgot : 
 
 And, if St. Margaret's steeple ring, 
 
 In broken notes, " God save the King ; " 
 
 Although the bells as badly chime, 115 
 
 As even I myself can rhyme, 
 
 You'd rather list to them, than play 
 
 At your own harpsichord all day ; 
 
 Because whatever makes a noise, 
 
 May seem at least like public joys; 120 
 
 So when the King to Portsmouth flew, 
 
 To give the navy a review, 
 
 Soon as the guns began to fire, 
 
 (A compliment great folks admire,) 
 
 The Genius smil'd, and vow'd before, 125 
 
 He ne'er had felt such joys on shore. 
 
 Finis.
 
 THE 
 
 GENIUS OF IRELAND, 
 
 A 
 NEW YEAR'S GIFT TO LORD CLARE. 
 
 IN RETURN TO HIS LORDSHIP'S TO THE QUEEN. 
 
 " Jubcs Renovare Do/orem." — ViRG. 
 
 Whilst you, my Lord, were proud to raise 
 A Trophy to your Sovereign's Praise ; 
 And dar'd for This, the Muses Doom, 
 To bear the Labours of the Loom ; 
 Who, Maids of Honour like, ne'er knew 
 To weave, or spin, or knot, or sew ; 
 Those happy Maids, whom Court denies 
 To toil, but with their Tongues and Eyes ! 
 Yet harder still, you dar'd to summon, 
 These Muses to an Irish Common ; 
 
 Where, — like the Witches in Macbeth, 
 So wide, so bleak, so rough, so drear, 
 
 Appeared the Scene, They thought that Death 
 Had summon'd Them to meet with Fear ; 
 
 And form some solemn Dirge below, 
 To human Crimes and human Woe. 
 
 Affrighted at thy thund'ring Voice, 
 
 Without a Moment's Thought for Choice, 
 
 They came ; and hop'd another GRAY 
 
 His Muses summon'd thus away, 
 
 To lay the Warp, the Woof to ply, 
 
 For Verse of Immortality ; 
 
 But when commanded thus abroad, 
 
 14.) l
 
 146 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 A meer Ephemera to borrow, 
 The Gewgaw of a New- Year's Ode, 
 
 That's Verse to Day, and Dung to Morrow, 
 
 Was all your Honour ask'd ; They rose. 
 
 In Clamour never known in Prose ; 
 Such Strokes no Mortal can Rehearse, 
 'Twas JUNIUS Sharpen'd into Verse ; 
 At length the Ladies Crash declin'd, 
 Whilst thus their last Sobs to the Wind 
 
 Euterpe gave, at such a Time, 
 
 c Not strive to build the lofty Rhime ! 
 ' Whether J Religion or the Oueen 
 ' Are drag'd upon the public Scene ; 
 'Ne'er judge what sounds to Each belong! 
 
 £ Give what is easy for what's fit ! 
 ' A Haberdasher in Sing-Song f 
 
 4 A meer Retailer of Small-Wit ! 
 
 ' And yet this lazy-Rhiming Wight 
 
 ' We follow'd Morning, Noon and Night : 
 
 c At Morn for Thoughts, at Eve for Dreams, 
 
 ' To Us He was so deep a Debtor, 
 ' That Horace, Antient as he seems, 
 
 ' Was scarcely known to treat with better ; 
 
 'And when He chose his Head to Pop 
 ' Into Friend 2 Dodley's Rhiming Shop, 
 ' I speak the Truth, nor more nor less, 
 1 Princes were honour'd by the Press ; 
 ' But thus in glowing Stile He wrote, 
 ' E'er Heralds blazon'd up his Coat ; 
 
 ' E'er lazy Title, splendid Ease, 
 
 ' Discharg'd Us from his Witty Board, 
 * Forbad a Coronet to seize, 
 
 ' Or know a Poet in a Lord. 
 
 'Above all scribbling Hopes and Fears, 
 ' He laughs away declining Years ; 
 ' Nor courts again with aching Head 
 
 1 See a late Poem, Y'cleped Faith, by L C . 
 
 2 See in Dodsley's Collection the Ode to Mankind with an Intro- 
 duction to Frederick Prince of Wales, and other line Odes by L d 
 
 C .
 
 POEMS i 47 
 
 ' Th' Inspiring Days of good Prince FRED ! 
 
 ' Except when, what's as warm as Beauty, 
 
 ' The Politicians term it Duty, 
 
 ' Bids the Vice-Treasurer to impart, 
 ' The Tribute of a grateful Heart, 
 
 ' And for 3000 1. per Ann. 
 
 ' To compliment the best He can ; 
 'To help Him at this painful Lift, 
 'And fritter out a New- Year's Gift, 
 'To manufacture Irish Stuff, 1 
 ' Truth's Emblem, as its plain and rough ; 
 
 ' Here far from Gosfield Grove and Hall, 
 ' In spite of Climate, Wind and Weather, 
 
 'Obedient to his Lordship's Call, 
 
 c A pretty Group We make together ! 
 
 ' Say Sisters ! what shall We afford 
 
 ' Our Quondam Friend, this Irish Lord ? 
 
 ' To suit his cultivated Taste ! ' 
 
 She stop'd ; For, Tenant of the Waste, 
 
 With crouching Gait and Footstep slow, 
 
 Tottering beneath the weight of Woe, 
 
 With furrow'd Forehead, haggard Eye, 
 
 Lank Cheek, pale Lip, and livid Hue, 
 The Genius stern of Poverty 
 
 Slow from his Cavern crawl'd to view ; 
 
 And thus began, "Whoever mov'd, 
 
 "This Kingdom views, by Nature lov'd, 
 "Where all that decks the Land or Main, 
 
 "Commercial TrafHck, Fruitful Soil, 
 " By Her are giv'n, but giv'n in vain, 
 
 " White fetter'd is the Hand of Toil ; 
 
 " He, He alone, will truly see, 
 " The Curse of Modern Policy ; 
 " He, He alone will truly feel 
 " The Sorrows that I now reveal ; 
 " How Industry can scarcely give 
 " The little privilege to Live ; 
 " Britain just gleans enough for Tools, 
 
 1 Irish Stuff presented with the Verses to the Queen as a New 
 Year's Gift.
 
 148 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 "To silence Knaves and fatten Fools; 
 
 " Whatever else our Heaven bestows, 
 
 " To starve our Friends must glut our Foes ; 
 
 "The Stream tho' Ours, tho' Ours its Source, 
 
 " Forbidden to direct its Course, 
 
 " We never taste, while We survey, 
 
 " The Bread We might to All convey ; 
 
 " But with a Toil-confounding Moan, 
 
 " Feed every Nation but our own ; 
 
 " Each Patriot, thus, in Truth or Jest, 
 
 " Of Tyranny the Picture draws, 
 " But still in Shades he sinks the Rest, 
 " Nor ever dares to Hint the Cause : 
 "What Curse is Theirs then who deny 
 " That Blessed Bond of Amity, 
 "Which Sea to Sea and Shore to Shore 
 " Uniting, would each Isle Restore, 
 "What, by Position Nature meant, 
 " A Power to guide the Continent ; 
 "To make the Noise of Nations cease, 
 " And lull the Dogs of War to Peace ; 
 " Whilst o'er these mighty Isles They saw 
 "One King, one Parliament, one Law, 
 " Allowing all, that Freedom cou'd, 
 " Commerce for universal Good, 
 "Which had for Us each Sail unfurld, 
 " And in our Power would Guard the World ? 
 "What Curse is Theirs, each recreant Slave, 
 " Who Nature's Laws thus dares to brave, 
 " And while two Islands stretch their Hands, 
 " Steps forth and will forbid the Bands ; 
 " Each pension'd Slave of Strings and Stars, 
 " The Ruler of our petty Jars, 
 " Each Patriot Slave, whose petty Cause, 
 " The Bubble of a Mob's Applause, 
 " Can scorn the Gift Dominion brings, 
 " And fetter Liberty with Kings ? 
 
 " Be it, ay be it in one Word, 
 
 " A King, Mob, Commoner or Lord, 
 " For narrow Views by narrow Arts, 
 " Who separates united Hearts ; 
 " Where one the Interest, one the Voice, 
 " Wou'd rule Them by divided Choice ;
 
 POEMS 149 
 
 "Would keep the Bridegroom from the Bride, 
 
 " The Body sever from the Soul, 
 " Britain from Ireland, who Divide, 
 
 "Give Them Mass! an IRISH HOWL!" 
 
 He said, and with a more than mortal Groan 
 
 Shook either Land ; the Muses fled through Fear ; 
 
 GEORGE wail'd the Base-born arts that rule a Throne, 
 
 And CHARLOTTE bless'd each Kingdom with a Tear.
 
 AN EPISTLE TO MR. POPE 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 Heaven in the human breast implants 
 
 Fit appetites for all our wants ; 
 With hunger prompts to strength'ning food, 
 With love of praise to public good ; 
 These to their object strait convey, 
 While reason winds her tardy way. 
 
 Yet in one center should unite, 
 Faith, instinct, reason, appetite : 
 One perfect plan ordain'd to trace, 
 And nature dignify with grace ; 
 In one great system meant to roll, 
 To move, support, and guide the whole. 
 
 But some there are who rigid blame 
 The mind that thirsts for righteous fame ; 
 And with weak lights presumptuous scan 
 The springs which move predestin'd man. 
 And some there are, accurs'd their art, 
 Though all the nine their charms impart, 
 Who in false forms of great and just, 
 Cloath av'rice, treachery, rage and lust : 
 As if superior beings suit 
 Those attributes which sink the brute. 
 But vainly chime the partial lays, 
 Chaste Fame rejects all spurious praise. 
 She, fairest offspring of the skies, 
 The goddess of the brave and wise, 
 Whose sacred impulse prompts the best 
 To succour and preserve the rest, 
 Is deaf to every private call, 
 And wakes but at the voice of all. 
 
 15°
 
 ALEXANDER POPE
 
 POEMS 151 
 
 From heaps of ill-collected gain, 
 From hecatombs by heroes slain, 
 From courts, where guilty greatness dwells, 
 She flies to penury and cells ; 
 With Erskine, pious exile, goes, 
 To sooth a drooping father's woes ; 
 Or mingling with the orphan-train, 
 She flings the bounties of Germain. 
 
 Nor pow'r, nor policy, of state, 
 Can ever give intrinsic weight : 
 And should fallacious art display 
 O'er titled dross a golden ray, 
 Still baser through detecting years, 
 The speckled counterfeit appears. 
 
 But when from proof, fair issuing forth, 
 The ore asserts its native worth ; 
 Then, sov'reign bard, 'tis justly thine 
 And consecrated with thy name, 
 To treasure in the stores of Fame. 
 
 EPISTLE TO POLLIO, FROM THE HILLS 
 OF HOWTH IN IRELAND. 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 Pollio ! would'st thou condescend 
 Here to see thy humble friend, 
 Far from doctors, potions, pills, 
 Drinking health on native hills ; 
 Thou the precious draught may'st share, 
 Lucy shall the bowl prepare. 
 From the brousing goat it flows, 
 From each balmy shrub that grows ; 
 Hence the kidling's wanton fire, 
 Hence the nerves that brace his sire. 
 Vigorous, buxom, young and gay, 
 Thou like them shalt love and play.
 
 i 5 2 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 What, though far from silver Thames, 
 Stately piles, and courtly dames ; 
 Here we boast a purer flood, 
 Joys that stream from sprightly blood ; 
 Here is simple beauty seen, 
 Fair, and cloth'd like beauty's queen : 
 Nature's hands the garbs compose, 
 From the lilly and the rose. 
 Or, if charmed with richer dies, 
 Fancy every robe supplies. 
 Should perchance some high-born fair, 
 Absent, claim thy tender care ; 
 Here, enraptur'd shalt thou trace, 
 
 S 's shape, and R 's face ; 
 
 While the waking dream shall pay 
 Many a wishing, hopeless day. 
 Domes with gold and toil unbought, 
 Rise by magic pow'r of thought, 
 Where by artist's hand undrawn, 
 Slopes the vale, and spreads the lawn ; 
 As if sportive nature meant, 
 Here to mock the works of Kent. 
 
 Come, and with thee bring along 
 Jocund tale and witty song, 
 Sense to teach, and words to move, 
 Arts that please, adorn, improve ; 
 And, to gild the glorious scene, 
 Conscience spotless and serene. 
 
 Poor with all a H t's store, 
 
 Lives the man who pines for more. 
 Wretched he who, doom'd to roam, 
 Never can be blest at home ; 
 Nor retire within his mind, 
 From th' ungrateful and unkind. 
 Happy they whom crowds befriend, 
 Curs'd who on the crowd depend ; 
 On the great one's peevish fit, 
 On the coxcomb's spurious wit ; 
 Ever sentenc'd to bemoan 
 Other failings in their own. 
 
 If, like them, rejecting ease, 
 Hills and heath no longer please ; 
 Quick descend ! — Thou may'st resort 
 To the viceroy's splendid court.
 
 POEMS r 53 
 
 There, indignant, shalt thou see 
 Cringing slaves who might be free, 
 Brib'd with titles, hope or gain, 
 Tye their country's shameful chain ; 
 Or, inspired by heaven's good cause, 
 Waste the land with holy laws : 
 While the gleanings of their power, 
 Lawyers, lordlings, priests devour. 
 Now methinks, I hear thee say, 
 " Drink alone thy mountain-whey ! 
 Wherefore tempt the Irish shoals ? 
 Sights like these are nearer Paul's." 
 
 AN EPISTLE. 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 Through the wild maze of life's still varying plan, 
 
 Bliss is alone th' important talk of man. 
 All else is trifling, whether grave or gay, 
 A Newton's labours, or an infant's play ; 
 Whether this vainly wafts th' unheeded fun, 
 Or those more vainly mark the course it run ; 
 For of the two, sure smaller is the fault, 
 To err unthinking, than to err with thought ; 
 But if, like them, we still must trifles use, 
 Harmless at least, like theirs, be those we chuse. 
 Enough it is that reason blames the choice, 
 Join not to her's the wretch's plaintive voice ; 
 Be folly free from guilt : let foplings play, 
 Or write, or talk, or dress, or die away. 
 Let those, if such there be, whose giant-mind 
 Superior tower's above their pigmy kind, 
 Unaided and alone, the realms explore, 
 Where hail and snow renew their treasur'd store. 1 
 Lo ! heav'n spreads all its stars ; let those explain, 
 What balanc'd pow'rs the rolling orbs sustain ; 
 
 1 Job, chap, xxxv iii.
 
 i 5 4 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Nor in more humble scales, pernicious weigh 
 Sense, justice, truth, against seducing pay. 
 So distant regions shall employ their thought, 
 And spotless senates here remain unbought. 
 
 Well had great 1 Charles, by early want inspir'd, 
 With warring puppets, guiltless praise acquir'd, 
 So would that flame have mimic fights engag'd, 
 Which fann'd by pow'r, o'er wasted nations rag'd. 
 
 Curs'd be the wretch, should all the mouths of fame, 
 Wide o'er the world his deathless deeds proclaim, 
 Who like a baneful comet spreads his blaze, 
 While trembling crowds in stupid wonder gaze ; 
 Whose potent talents serve his lawless will, 
 Which turns each Virtue to a public ill, 
 With direful rage perverted might employs, 
 And heaven's great ends with heaven's best means destroys. 
 The praise of power is his, whose hand supplies 
 Fire to the bold, and prudence to the wise ; 
 While man this only real merit knows, 
 Fitly to use the gift which heaven bestows : 
 If savage valour be his vaunted fame, 
 The mountain-lion shall dispute his claim : 
 Or, if perfidious wiles deserve applause, 
 Through slighted vows, and violated laws ; 
 The subtle plotter's title stands confess'd, 
 Whose dagger gores the trusting tyrant's breast, 
 And sure the villain less deserves his fate, 
 Who stabs one wretch, than he who stabs a state. 
 Now, mighty hero ! boast thy dear delights, 
 The price of toilsome days and sleepless nights ; 
 Say, canst thou aught in purple grandeur find, 
 Sweet as the slumbers of the lowly hind ? 
 
 Better are ye, the youthful and the gay, 
 Who jocund rove through pleasure's flow'ry way ! 
 Ye seek not there for bliss ! your toil were vain, 
 (And disappointed toil is double pain) 
 Though from the living fount your nectar-bowls 
 Pour the soft balm upon your thirsty souls ; 
 Though pure the spring, though every draught sincere, 
 By pain unbitter'd, and unpall'd by fear ; 
 Though all were full as high as thought can soar, 
 
 1 Charles V., Emperor of Germany, who in his retirement amused 
 himself with puppets. See Strada de hello Befgico.
 
 POEMS 155 
 
 'Till fancy fires, and wishes crave no more : 
 Let lovely woman artless charms display, 
 Where truth and goodness bask in beauty's ray ; 
 Let heavenly melody luxuriant float 
 In swelling sounds, and breathe the melting note ; 
 Let gen'rous wines enliv'ning thought inspire, 
 While social converse sooths the genial fire : 
 If aught can yet more potent charms dispense, 
 Some stronger rapture, some sublimer sense ; 
 Be these enjoy'd. — Then from the crowd arise 
 Some chief, in life's full pride maturely wise. 
 Ev'n you, my Lord, with titles, honours grac'd, 
 And higher still by native merit plac'd ; 
 By stinted talents to no sphere confin'd, 
 Free ranging every province of the mind : 
 Equally fit, a nation's weight to bear, 
 Or shine in circles of the young and fair ; 
 In grave debates instructed senates move, 
 Or melt the glowing dame to mutual love. 
 To heighten these, let conscious worth infuse 
 Sweet ease, and smiling mirth th' inspiring Muse. 
 Then answer, thou of every gift possess'd, 
 Say, from thy soul, art thou sincerely blest ; 
 To various objects wherefore dost thou range ! 
 Pleasure must cease, ere man can wish to change. 
 Hast thou not quitted Flaccus' sacred lay, 
 To talk with Bavius, or with Flavia play ; 
 When wasted nature shuns the large expence 
 Of deep attention to exalted sense ! 
 Precarious bliss ! which soon, which oft must cloy, 
 And which how few, how very few enjoy ! 
 
 Say, is there aught, on which, completely blest, 
 Fearless and full the raptur'd mind may rest ? 
 Is there aught constant ? Or, if such there be, 
 Can varying man be pleas'd with constancy ? 
 Mark then what sense the blessing must employ ! 
 The senses change, and loath accustom'd joy, 
 Eden in vain immortal sweets displays, 
 If the taste sickens, or our frame decays. 
 The range of life contracted limits bound ; 
 Yet more confin'd is pleasure's faithless round : 
 Fair op'ning to the sight, when first we run, 
 But, ah ! how alter'd, when again begun ! 
 When tir'd we view the same known prospect o'er,
 
 156 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 And lagging, tread the steps we trod before. 
 Now clogg'd with spleen, the lazy current flows, 
 Through doubts, and fears, and self-augmenting woes ; 
 'Till fated, loathing, hopeless here of bliss, 
 Some plunge to seek it into death's abyss. 
 
 Of all superfluous wealth's unnumber'd stings, 
 The sharpest is that knowledge which it brings ; 
 Enjoyment purchas'd makes its object known, 
 And then, alas ! each soft illusion's flown : 
 Love's promis'd sweet, ambition's lofty scheme, 
 The painter's image, and the poet's theme. 
 
 These, in perspective fair exalted high, 
 Attract with seeming charms the distant eye : 
 But when by envious Fortune plac'd too near, 
 Mis-shapen forms, and grosser tints appear : 
 Where lovely Venus led her beauteous train, 
 Some friend gigantic holds her monstrous reign ; 
 Crowns, sceptres, laurels are confus'dly strow'd, 
 A wild, deform'd, unmeaning, heavy load. 
 
 Some pleasures here with sparing hand are giv'n, 
 That sons of earth should taste their promis'd heav'n ; 
 But what was meant to urge us to the chace, 
 Now stops, or sideway turns our devious race : 
 Though still to make the destin'd course more plain, 
 Thick are our erring paths beset with pain ; 
 Nor has one object equal charms to prove 
 The fitting center of our restless love. 
 And when the great Creator's will had join'd, 
 Unequal pair ! the body and the mind, 
 Lest the proud spirit should neglect her clay, 
 He bad corporeal objects thought convey : 
 Each strong sensation to the foul impart, 
 Ecstatic transport or afflicting smart : 
 By that entic'd, the useful she enjoys ; 
 By this deterr'd, she flies whate'er destroys : 
 Hence from the dagger's point sharp anguish flows, 
 And the soft couch is spread with sweet repose. 
 
 In something frail, though gen'ral this design, 
 For some exceptions every rule confine : 
 Yet few were they, while nature's genuine store 
 Supply'd our wants, nor man yet fought for more ; 
 Ere difFrent mixtures left no form the same, 
 And vicious habits chang'd our sickly frame. 
 Now subtle art may gild the venom'd pill,
 
 POEMS 
 
 And bait with soothing sweets destructive ill. 
 
 To narrow self heav'n's impulse unconfln'd 
 Diffusive reigns, and takes in all our kind. 
 The smile of joy reflected joy imparts ; 
 The wretch's groans pierce sympathizing hearts. 
 Yet not alike are all conjoin'd with all, 
 Nor throng with rival heat to nature's call : 
 By varying instinct different ties are known, 
 With love superior points to each his own ; 
 Those next the reach of our assisting hands, 
 And those to whom we're link'd by kindred bands ; 
 Those who most want, and best deserve our care, 
 In warmer streams the sacred influence share : 
 Ambrosial sweets her infant's lips distils, 
 While through the mother's heart quick rapture thrills. 
 The social fire's friend, servant, neighbour claim, 
 Which blaze collected in the patriot's flame : 
 Hence Britain throbs superior in thy soul, 
 Nor idly wak'st thou for the distant pole. 
 
 Yet farther still the saving instinct moves, 
 And to the future wide extends our loves ; 
 Glows in our bosom for an unborn race, 
 And warms us mutual to the kind embrace. 
 For this, to man was giv'n the graceful air ; 
 For this, was woman form'd divinely fair. 
 
 But now to pleasure sensual views confin'd, 
 Reach not the use, for which it was design'd : 
 To this one point our hopes, our wishes tend, 
 And thus mistake the motive for the end. 
 Whate'er sensations from enjoyment flow, 
 Our erring thought to matter's force would owe ; 
 To that ascribe our pleasures and our pains, 
 And blindly for the cause mistake the means ; 
 In od'rous meads the vernal gale we praise, 
 Or dread the storm, that blows the wintry seas ; 
 While he's unheeded, who alone can move, 
 Claims all our fears, and merits all our love ; 
 Alone to souls can sense and thought convey, 
 Through the dark mansions of surrounding clay. 
 
 Man, part from heav'n, and part from humble earth, 
 A motley substance, takes his various birth ; 
 Close link'd to both, he hangs in difFrent chains, 
 The pliant fetter length'ning as he strains. 
 If, bravely conscious of her native fires, 
 
 J 57
 
 i 5 8 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 To the bold height his nobler frame aspires ; 
 Near as she soars to join th' approaching skies, 
 Our earth still lessens to her distant eyes. 
 But if o'erpois'd she sinks, her downward course 
 Each moment weighs, with still augmenting force ; 
 Low and more low, the burden'd spirit bends, 
 While weaker still each heav'nly link extends ; 
 'Till prostrate, grov'ling, fetter'd to the ground, 
 She lies in matter's heap o'erwhelm'd and bound. 
 Wrapt in the toils of sin, just heav'n employs 
 What caus'd her guilt, to blast her lawless joys : 
 Love, potent guardian of our lengthening race, 
 Unnerves the feeble lecher's cold embrace ; 
 And appetite, by nature giv'n to save, 
 Sinks the gorg'd glutton in his early grave. 
 
 What sends yon fleet o'er boist'rous seas to roll, 
 Beneath the burning line, and frozen pole ? 
 Why ravage men the hills, the plains, the woods ? 
 Why spoil all nature, earth, and air, and floods ? 
 Seek they some prize to help a sinking state, 
 No ! — this must all be done ere Bernard x eat. 
 Tell it some untaught savage ! with surprise 
 He asks, " How vast must be that giant's size ! 
 " How great his pow'r, who thousands can employ ! 
 " How great his force, who millions can destroy ! ' : 
 But if the savage would, more curious, know 
 What potent virtues from such viands flow, 
 What blest effects thev cause — consult with Sloane, 
 Let him explain the colic, gout, and stone ! 
 
 Pleasure's for use ; it differs in degree, 
 Proportion'd to the thing's necessity. 
 Hence various objects variously excite, 
 And difF'rent is the date of each delight ; 
 But when th' allotted end we once attain, 
 Each step beyond it, is a step to pain. 
 Nor let us murmur. — Hath not earth a store 
 For every want ? it was not meant for more. 
 
 Blest is the man, as far as earth can bless, 
 Whose measur'd passions reach no wild excess ; 
 Who, urg'd by nature's voice, her gifts enjoys, 
 Nor other means, than nature's force, employs. 
 
 1 A Frenchman render'd famous for a most extravagant expence in 
 eating.
 
 POEMS 1 59 
 
 While warm with youth the sprightly current flows, 
 Each vivid sense with vig'rous rapture glows ; 
 And when he droops beneath the hand of age, 
 No vicious habit stings with fruitless rage ; 
 Gradual, his strength, and gay sensations cease, 
 While joys tumultous sink in silent peace. 
 
 Far other is his lot, who, not content 
 With what the bounteous care of nature meant, 
 With labour'd skill would all her joys dilate, 
 Sublime their sense, and lengthen out their date ; 
 Add, blend, compose, each various mixture try, 
 And wind up appetite to luxury. 
 Thus guilty art unknown desires implants, 
 And viler arts must satisfy their wants ; 
 When to corruption by himself betray 'd, 
 Gold blinds the slave, whom luxury has made. 
 
 The hand, that form'd us, must some use intend, 
 It gives us pow'rs proportioned to that end ; 
 And happiness may justly be defin'd 
 A full attainment of the end design'd. 
 Virtue and wisdom this alike implies, 
 And blest must be the virtuous and the wise. 
 
 Bliss is ordain'd for all, since heav'n intends 
 All beings should attain their destin'd ends : 
 For this the fair idea shines confess'd 
 To every mind, and glows in every breast. 
 Compar'd with this, all mortal joys are vain : 
 Inspir'd by this, we restless onward strain. 
 High though we mount, the object mounts more- high, 
 Eludes our grasp, and mingles with the sky. 
 With nothing less th' aspiring soul's content, 
 For nothing less her gen'rous flame was meant ; 
 Th' unerring rule, which all our steps should guide, 
 The certain test, by which true good is try'd. 
 Blest when we reach it, wretched while we miss, 
 Our joys, our sorrows prove, there must be bliss. 
 Nor can this be some visionary dream, 
 Where heated fancy forms the flatt'ring scheme. 
 There sure is bliss — else, why by all desir'd ? 
 What guileful pow'r has the mad search inspir'd ? 
 Could accident produce in all the same, 
 Or a vain shadow raise a real flame ? 
 When nature in the world's distended space, 
 Or fill'd, or almost fill'd each smaller place ;
 
 160 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Careful in meanest matter to produce 
 Each single motion for some certain use ; 
 Hard was the lot of her first fav'rite, man, 
 Faulty the scheme of his contracted span, 
 If that alone must know an useless void, 
 And he feel longings ne'er to be enjoy 'd. 
 
 That can only produce consummate joy, 
 Which equals all the pow'rs it would employ; 
 Such fitting object to each talent giv'n, 
 Earth cannot fit what was design'd for heav'n. 
 Why then is man with gifts sublimest fraught, 
 And active will, and comprehensive thought ? 
 For what is all this waste of mental force ? 
 What ! for a house, a coach, a dog, a horse ? 
 Has nature's Lord invented nature's plan ? 
 Is man now made for what was made for man ? 
 
 There must be pleasures past the reach of sense, 
 Some nobler source must happiness dispense : 
 Reason, arise ! and vindicate thy claim, 
 Flash on our minds the joy-infusing flame ; 
 Pour forth the fount of light, whose endless store 
 Thought drinks insatiate, while it thirsts for more, 
 And thou, seraphic flame ! who could'st inspire 
 The prophet's voice, and wrap his soul in fire ; 
 Ray of th' eternal beam ! who canst pervade 
 The distant past, and future's gloomy shade : 
 While trembling reason tempts heav'n's dazzling height, 
 Sublime her force, and guide her dubious flight ; 
 Strengthen'd by thee, she bears the streaming blaze, 
 And drinks new light from truth's immortal rays. 
 Great, only evidence of things divine ! 
 By thee reveal'd, the mystic wonders shine ! 
 What puzzled sophists vainly would explore, 
 What humbled pride in silence must adore, 
 What plainly mark'd in heav'n's deliver'd page, 
 Makes the taught hind more wise than Greece's sage. 
 Yet reason proves thee in her low degree, 
 And owns thy truths, from their necessity. 
 
 Conspicuous now is happiness display'd, 
 Possessing him for whom alone we're made. 
 For he alone all human bliss compleats, 
 To him alone th' expanding bosom beats ; 
 Who fills each faculty, each pow'r can move, 
 Exerts all thought, and deep absorbs all love ;
 
 POEMS 161 
 
 Whose ceaseless being years would tell in vain, 
 
 Whose attributes immense all bounds disdain. 
 
 No sickly taste the heav'nly rapture cloys, 
 
 Nor wearied sense sink in whelming joys ; 
 
 While, rais'd above low matter's grosser frame, 
 
 Pure spirit blazes in his purer flame. 
 
 Such are th' immortal blessings that attend 
 
 The just and good, the patriot and the friend. 
 
 Nor such alone in distant prospect cheer, 
 
 They taste heav'n's joys anticipated here. 
 
 These in the smiling cups of pleasure flow, 
 
 Or, mingling, sooth the bitter stream of woe ; 
 
 These pay the loss of honours, and of place, 
 
 And teach that guilt alone is true disgrace ; 
 
 These with the glorious exile cheerful rove, 
 
 And, far from courts, fresh bloom in Curio's grove. 
 
 Long may such bliss, by such enjoy'd, attest, 
 The greatly virtuous are the greatly blest ! 
 Enough there are amidst yon gorgeous train, 
 Who, wretched, prove all other joys are vain. 
 
 So shines the truth these humble lines unfold, 
 " Fair virtue ever is unwisely sold." 
 Too mean a price sublimest fortune brings, 
 Too mean the wealth, the smiles, the crowns of kings : 
 For rais'd o'er these, she makes our bliss secure, 
 The present pleasing, and the future sure. 
 While prosp'rous guilt a sad reverse appears, 
 And in the tasteless now, the future fears. 
 
 AN EPISTLE TO THE RIGHT HONOUR- 
 ABLE THE LORD VISCOUNT CORNBURY. 
 
 By , Esq. 
 
 While you, my Lord, alas ! amidst a few, 
 
 With generous warmth your country's good pursue ; 
 
 While to that centre all your wishes tend, 
 
 Accept the zeal that prompts a willing friend. 
 Others like you heav'n's hallow'd spark inspir'd 
 
 Whom soon the blaze of selfish passion fir'd 
 
 M
 
 1 62 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Soon ruder flames extinguish'd reason's light, 
 
 While prejudice foul'd their jaundic'd sight. 
 Such through false optics every object prove, 
 
 And try the good and bad, by hate and love. 
 
 All-powerful means each virtue to supply, 
 
 All-powerful means each virtue to deny ; 
 
 To Wyndham strength, and grace, and fire, and weight;. 
 
 To Granville parts, to save a sinking state. 
 
 Hence various judgments form the madden'd throng, 
 
 Only in this alike, they all are wrong. 
 
 Hence to false praise shall blame unjust succeed, 
 
 And cherubs fall, and gods unpity'd bleed. 
 
 Would you, my friend, not mix the purer flame, 
 
 Nor loose the patriot in a baser name ; 
 
 Nor factious rage mistake for public zeal, 
 
 Nor private int'rest for the gen'ral weal ? 
 
 By truth's sure test let every deed be try'd, 
 
 And justice ever be th' unerring guide. 
 
 Her rules are plain, and easy is her way, 
 
 And yet how hard to find if once we stray ! 
 
 All lost alike the maze perplex'd we tread, 
 
 However prompted, whether drove or led ; 
 
 Whether false honour or ambition goad, 
 
 Or sneaking av'rice wind the miry road, 
 
 Or whether sway'd by passions not our own, 
 
 And the weak fear of being right alone. 
 
 Alone in such a cause 'tis base to fear, 
 
 Though fools suspect, and knaves designing sneer. 
 
 Sneer," villains, sneer ! th' avenging time is nigh, 
 
 When Balbo scourg'd shall weep the taunting lie ; 
 
 When Stopus foul with each imputed crime, 
 Shall dread false prose repaid with honest rhyme. 
 
 'Tis not enough you scorn a private claim, 
 
 And to your country's good direct your aim. 
 Wrong is still wrong, however great the end, 
 Though all the realm were brother, father, friend ; 
 
 Justice regards not these — where right prevails, 
 
 A nation is an atom in her scales. 
 
 Heaven means not all the good which man can gain, 
 
 But that which truth can earn, and right maintain. 
 
 However fair the tempting prize may be, 
 
 If guilt the price, it is not meant for thee. 
 
 Succeeding times may claim the just design, 
 
 Or other means, or other powers than thine.
 
 POEMS 163 
 
 Each part's connected with the gen'ral plan, 
 The weal of Britain, with the weal of man. 
 Justice the scale of interest for the whole, 
 The same in Indies as beneath the pole ; 
 Sure rule by which heav'n's blessings to dispense, 
 Unerring light of guiding providence. 
 Others may fail — If wrongly understood, 
 How fatal is the thirst of public good ! 
 No heavier curse almighty vengeance brings, 
 Nor plagues, nor famine, nor the lust of kings. 
 Fir'd by this rage, the frantic sons of Rome, 
 The suffering world of death and bondage doom ; 
 Nations must sink to raise her cumb'rous frame, 
 And millions bleed to eternize her name. 
 But lo ! her glories fade, her empire's past, 
 She madly conquer'd but to fall the last. 
 
 Nor would I here the patriot's views reprove, 
 Or damp the sacred flame of social love. 
 Still may that portion of th' eternal ray 
 Sublime our sense, and animate our clay ; 
 Above low self exalt th' immortal frame, 
 And emulate that heav'n from whence it came. 
 Oh ! would it never be confin'd to place, 
 But beam extensive as the human race : 
 Be, as it was design'd, the world's great soul, 
 Connect its parts, and actuate the whole. 
 So each should think himself a part alone, 
 And for a nation's welfare stake his own ! 
 Yet farther still, though dearest to the breast, 
 That nation think but part of all the rest. 
 
 For this let equal justice poise the ball, 
 Her swaying force unites us all to all ; 
 Of manners, worship, form, no difPrence knows, 
 Condemns our friends, and saves our better foes. 
 Confess the heavenly power ! nor need you fear 
 Lest Britain suffer, while you follow her. 
 
 Though prosp'rous crimes some daring villains raise, 
 Nor life's short date my halting vengeance seize ; 
 A nation cannot 'scape — the destin'd rage 
 Pursues her ceaseless to some future age ; 
 Speeds the sure ruin from the Conqueror's hand, 
 Or spreads corruption o'er a pining land. 
 
 Ask hoary Time, what nation is most blest ? 
 For sage experience shall this truth attest :
 
 164 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 " Where freedom sleeps secure from lawless wrath, 
 
 " Where commerce shelter'd flows through public faith, 
 
 "Where fell ambition lights no foreign wars, 
 
 " Nor discord rages with intestine jars ; 
 
 "Where justice reigns." — Immortal were that state, 
 
 If aught immortal here were giv'n by Fate. 
 
 Such, lost Iberia ! were those happy reigns, 
 When liberty sat brooding o'er thy plains. 
 The rich in plenteous peace their stores enjoy'd, 
 By cares unvex'd, by luxury uncloy'd, 
 Hope sooth'd the poor with promises of gain 
 And paid with future joys their present pain ; 
 Shew'd the full bowl amidst their sultry toil, 
 While those who prun'd the olive drank the oil ; 
 By night of all the fruits of day possest, 
 Labour soft-clos'd the eye, and sweeten'd rest. 
 Such was thy state, all gay in nature's smiles ! 
 And such is now the state of Britain's isles. 
 Hence o'er the ocean's waste her sail unfurl'd, 
 Wide wafts the tribute of a willing world. 
 Hence trusting nations treasure here their wealth 
 Safe from tyrannic force or legal stealth : 
 And hence the injur'd exile doom'd to roam, 
 Shall find his country here and dearer home. 
 
 Still be this truth, this saving truth confest ; 
 Britain is great, because with freedom blest ; 
 Her prince is great, because her people free, 
 And power here springs from public liberty. 
 
 Hail, mighty monarch of the free and great ! 
 Firm on the basis of a prosp'rous state. 
 The wealth, the strength of happy millions thine, 
 United rife, united shall decline. 
 For time will come, sad period of the brave, 
 When Britain's humble prince shall rule the slave ; 
 When traffic vile shall buy our ruin and their own. 
 
 But long, O long th' inglorious doom suspend ! 
 What virtue gain'd may virtue still defend ! 
 Thrice sacred spirit, never may you cease, 
 But as you blaz'd in war, shine forth in peace ! 
 Dauntless with all the force of truth engage 
 The headlong tide of each corrupted age. 
 O ever wake around one favour'd throne, 
 Nor let our guardian monarch wake alone ! 
 Though oft defeated, and though oft betray'd,
 
 POEMS 165 
 
 Numbers shall rise in sacred freedom's aid. 
 
 Far as her all-enlivening influence reigns, 
 
 Heroic ardour beats in gen'rous veins. 
 
 Now bids learn'd Greece barbarian might defy, 
 
 Now the soft arts of polish'd tyranny ; 
 
 Now to no stock, or sect, or place confin'd, 
 
 She takes adopted sons from human kind; 
 
 While denizen'd by her eternal laws, 
 
 They are all Britons who shall serve her cause. 
 
 Lo ! to the banner crowds a youthful band ; 
 Form'd for the glorious task by nature's hand; 
 Wisdom unclogg'd by years, with toil unbought, 
 A zeal by vigour kindled, rul'd by thought. 
 Such gifts she to the happy few imparts, 
 To judging heads and to determin'd hearts; 
 To heads unfir'd by youth's tumultuous rage, 
 To hearts unnumb'd by the chill ice of age; 
 And while they both preserve a sep'rate claim, 
 Their passions reason, and their reasons flame. 
 
 Proceed, brave youths ! Let others court renown 
 In hostile fields, be yours the olive crown: 
 And trust to fame, those heroes brighter shone 
 Who sav'd a nation, than who nations won. 
 Now let assuming age restrain your flight, 
 Fearful to tempt the yet unpractis'd height ; 
 Deceitful counsel lurks in hoary hairs, 
 And the last dregs of life are sordid cares. 
 
 Objects are clear proportion'd in degree, 
 To gen'ral use, or strong necessity. 
 Nor are two things so plainly understood, 
 As the worst evil, and the greatest good ; 
 If rescu'd from the misty breath of schools, 
 Men will but feel without the help of rules. 
 So unbewilder'd in the crooked maze, 
 Where guilt low skulks, and reptile cunning strays, 
 A nation's interest, and a people's rights, 
 Distinctly shine in nature's simple lights, 
 And claim in him who fairly acts his part, 
 Before a Lonsdale's head, a Lonsdale's heart. 
 But chief when snatch'd by heaven's preserving hand, 
 From the fell contests of each hostile land, 
 A happy island to th' incircling main 
 Trusts for a sure support and honest gain. 
 
 The just are heaven's, earth is for heaven ordain'd,
 
 1 66 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Form'd by its laws, and by its laws maintain'd. 
 
 These one true int'rest, one great system frame, 
 
 Political and moral are the same. 
 
 Guilt toils for gain at honour's vast expence, 
 
 Heaven throws the trifle in to innocence; 
 
 And fixes happiness in hell's despite, 
 
 The necessary consequence of right.' 
 
 Proceed, ye Deists ! blindfold rage employ, 
 And prove the sacred truths you would destroy. 
 Prove Christian faith the wisest scheme to bind, 
 In chains of cordial love, our jarring kind; 
 And thence conclude it human, if you can, 
 The perfect produce of imperfect man ! 
 While prostrate we adore that power divine, 
 Whose simple rule connects each great design ; 
 Bids social earth a type of heaven appear, 
 Where justice tastes those joys which wait her there. 
 
 But though self-int'rest follow virtue's train ! 
 Yet selfish think not virtue's end is gain ! 
 Older than time, ere int'rest had a name, 
 Justice existed, and is still the same; 
 Alike the creature's and creator's guide, 
 His rule to form, the law by which we're ty'd: 
 In reason's light, eternal word, exprest, 
 Stamp'd with his image in the creature's breast. 
 
 Thus speaks the sage, who skill'd in nature's laws, 
 Deep from effects high-trac'd th' all-ruling cause. 
 " Before creation was, th' Almightv Mind 
 "In time's abyss the future world design'd; 
 " Did the great system in its parts survey, 
 " And fit the springs, and regulate their play ; 
 " In meet gradations plann'd th' harmonious round, 
 " These links by which depending parts are bound. 
 " All these he knew, ere yet the things he made, 
 " In types which well the mimic world display'd. 
 " The types are real, since from them he drew 
 " The real forms of whatsoe'er we view. 
 " Made to their 'semblance, heav'n and earth exist, 
 " But they unmade eternally subsist. 
 " For if created, we must sure suppose 
 " Some other types whence their resemblance flows ; 
 " While these on others equally depend, 
 " Nor ever shall the long progression end. 
 " God ere it was, the future being saw,
 
 POEMS 167 
 
 ■" Or blindfold made his world, and gave his law. 
 " But chance could never frame the vast design, 
 " Where countless parts in justest order join. 
 
 " The types eternal just proportions teach, 
 " Greater or less, more or less perfect each. 
 " These ever present power omniscient sees, 
 "On them he forms his ever-made decrees; 
 " Nor can he better love what merits least, 
 " Man than an angel, or than man a beast. 
 " Hence Reason, hence immortal Order springs, 
 " Knowledge and Love adapted to the things. 
 " And thence th' unerring rule of justice flows, 
 " To act what Order prompts, and Reason shows, 
 
 " When man in nature's purity remain'd 
 '" By pain untroubled, and by sin unstain'd ; 
 " Fair image of the God, and close conjoin'd, 
 "By innate union with the heav'nly mind; 
 " In the pure splendor of substantial light, 
 "The beam divine of Reason bless'd his sight; 
 " Seraphic order in its fount he view'd, 
 "Seeing he lov'd, and loving he pursu'd; 
 " Nor dar'd the body, passive slave, controul 
 " The sov'reign mandates of the ruling soul. 
 " But soon by sin the sacred union broke, 
 " Man bows to earth beneath the heavy yoke. 
 " The darkling soul scarce feels a glimm'ring ray, 
 " Shrouded in sense from her immortal day. 
 " Vengeance divine offended Order arms, 
 " And clothes in terrors her celestial charms. 
 " Now grosser objects heav'n-born souls possess, 
 " Passions enslave, and servile cares oppress. 
 " Fraud, rapine, murder, guilt's long horrid train, 
 " Distracted nature's anarchy maintain. 
 " No more pure Reason earthly minds can move, 
 " No more can Order's charms persuasive prove. 
 " But as the moon reflecting borrow'd day, 
 "Sheds on our shadow'd world a feeble ray; 
 " Some scatter'd beams of Reason law contains, 
 "While Order's rule must be enforc'd by pains. 
 " Hence death's black scroll, dire tortures hence are giv'n ; 
 " Hence kings, the necessary curse of heav'n. 
 "And just the doom of an avenging God, 
 "Who spurn'd his sceptre, feel the tyrant's rod. 
 " Blind by our fears we meet the ills we fly,
 
 i68 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 " In rule oppression, want in property." 
 
 So spoke the sage, and if not learn'd in vain, 
 If spotless truth in sacred books remain; 
 Dearly the child hath paid the parent's pride, 
 And ill hath Law the heavenly rule supply 'd. 
 Thus boasts some leech with unavailing art, 
 To mend the tainted lungs and wasting heart; 
 Bids the loose springs with wonted vigour play, 
 And sprightly juices warm in cold decay. 
 
 Or would imperious reason deign to own, 
 The world not made for sovereign man alone; 
 Some things there are for human use design'd, 
 And these in common dealt to human kind. 
 To mortal wants is given a power to use, 
 What to th' immortal part just heav'n might well refuse. 
 This faithful instinct in each breast implants, 
 All know their rights, for all must feel their wants. 
 
 But soon began the rage of wild desire, 
 To thirst for more than use could e'er require, 
 Ere stung by luxury's un fated call, 
 And ere ambition madly grasp'd the ball ; 
 Vain restless man in busy search employ'd, 
 Saw somewhat still beyond the bliss enjoy'd, 
 Press'd eager on ; the lowly and the great, 
 Alike their wish beyond their destin'd state ; 
 Alike condemn'd, whatever Fortune grant, 
 To real poorness in phantastic want. 
 
 And now some sages high by others deem'd, 
 For virtue honour'd and for parts esteem'd ; 
 CalPd forth to judge where dubious claims are try'd T 
 Convince with reason and with counsel guide ; 
 Fix'd rules devise to sway th' assenting throng, 
 And marks distinct impress on right and wrong. 
 
 The simple precept subtle wiles evade, 
 And statutes as our crimes increased were made. 
 These were at first unwritten, plain and few, 
 'Till swell'd by time the law's vast volume grew ; 
 And grown with these, to sway th' unwieldy trust,. 
 Thousands we chose to keep the millions just, 
 Some plac'd o'er others, others plac'd o'er these, 
 Thus government grew up by slow degrees ; 
 Higher the pile arose, and still more high, 
 When lo ! the summit ends in monarchy. 
 There plac'd, a man in gorgeous pomp appears,
 
 POEMS 169. 
 
 And far o'er earth his tow'ring aspect rears ; 
 While prostrate crowds his sacred smiles implore, 
 And what their crimes had form'd, their fears adore. 
 Low from beneath they lift their servile eyes, 
 And see the proud colossus touch the skies. 
 
 So at some mountain's foot have children gaz'd, 
 While close' to heaven they view the summit rais'd, 
 Eager they mount, new regions to explore, 
 But heav'n is now as distant as before. 
 Thus views the crowd a throne, while those who rise 
 Claim not a nearer kindred to the skies ; 
 Earth is their parent, thither kings should bend, 
 From thence they rise, and not from heaven descend. 
 Happy, had all the royal sons of earth 
 Thus sprung, nor guilt had claim'd the monstrous birth. 
 Where from the fire descending through the line, 
 Rapine and fraud confer a right divine. 
 
 Ye mortal gods, how vainly are ye proud ? 
 If just your title, servants to the crowd ; 
 If wide your sway, if large your treasur'd store, 
 These but increase your servitude the more ; 
 A part is only yours, the rest is theirs, 
 And nothing all your own, except your cares. 
 Shall man, bv nature free, by nature made 
 To share the feast her bounteous hand display'd, 
 Transfer these rights ? as well he may dispense 
 The beam of reason, or the nerve of sense ; 
 With all his strength the monarch's limbs invest, 
 Or pour his valour in the royal breast. 
 
 Take the starv'd peasant's taste, devouring lord ! 
 Ere you deprive him of the genial board. 
 And it vou would his liberty controul, 
 Assume the various actings of his soul ! 
 So shall one man a people's powers enjoy, 
 Thus Indians deem of wretches they destroy. 
 Thus in old tales the fabled monster stands, 
 Proud of a thousand eyes, a thousand hands. 
 Thus dreams the sophist, who with subtle art, 
 Would prove the whole included in a part, 
 A people in their king ; and from the throng, 
 Transfer to him their rights in nature's wrong ; 
 Those sacred rights in nature's charter plain, 
 By wants that claim them, and by powers that gain. 
 
 Though sophists err, yet stand confess'd thy claim,
 
 j 7 o MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 And be the king and multitude the dame, 
 Whose deeds benevolent his title prove, 
 And royal selfishness, in public love ; 
 Nor, draining wasted realms for sordid pelf, 
 O scepter'd suicided ! destroy thy self. 
 
 Where fails this proof, in vain would we unite 
 The ruler's int'rest with the people's right. 
 Frantic ambition has her sep'rate claim, 
 The dropsy'd thirst of empire, wealth, or fame ; 
 Pride's boundless hope, valour's enthusiast rant, 
 With the long nameless train of fancy'd want. 
 Urg'd on by these, all view the magic prize, 
 The prospect widening as they higher rise ; 
 From him who seeks a limited command, 
 To him whose wish devours air, sea, and land. 
 Alike all foes to freedom's holy cause, 
 For freedom ties unbounded will with laws, 
 Alike all foes to every public gain, 
 For public blessings loose the bond-man's chain. 
 
 Ill-fated slaves of arbitrary sway ! 
 Where trusted power seduces to betray ; 
 Makes private failings rage a gen'ral pest, 
 And taints even virtue in the social breast ; 
 Bids friendship plunder, charity undo 
 The blameless many, for the favour'd few. 
 'Till guilt high rear'd on crimes protecting crime, 
 Fills the heap'd measure of predestin'd time. 
 
 Far others, ye, O wealthy, wise, and brave ! 
 Though subject, free ; more freedom would enslave. 
 Bless'd with a rule by long experience try'd, 
 Unwarp'd by faction's rage, or kingly pride ; 
 Bless'd with the means, when'er this rule shall bend, 
 Again to trace it to its glorious end ; 
 And bless'd with proofs, the proofs are seal'd with blood, 
 What'er the form the end is public good. 
 
 But yet admit the sire his right fore-goes ! 
 Can he his children's sep'rate claim dispose ? 
 What'er the parent gave, what'er he give, 
 They who have right to life, have right to live. 
 And spite of man's consent, or man's decree, 
 A right to life, is right to liberty. 
 
 Though for convenience fram'd the laws should shine, 
 Pure emanation from the source divine ; 
 Such as can pierce the gloom of pagan night,
 
 POEMS 
 
 171 
 
 And untaught savages in woods enlight ; 
 
 Such as on scaffolds can the guiltless save, 
 
 And torture on his throne the scepter'd slave ; 
 
 Such as th' offending wretch reluctant owns, 
 
 And hails its beauty with his dying groans : 
 
 In such fair laws the will of heav'n impress'd, 
 
 Shines to all eyes, and rules the conscious breast. 
 
 Though tortures cease, though night's thick-mantling vail 
 
 From mortal ken the secret deed conceal ; 
 
 Reason and conscience shall awake within, 
 
 And light the shade, and loud proclaim the sin. 
 
 " But should the universal voice combine, 
 "To cloath injustice in a robe divine?" 
 Let the same breath divest the day of light, 
 To blazon forth the dusky face of night. 
 Then shall the laws of sainted evil bind, 
 And human will subvert th' all-ruling mind : 
 That sacred fount whence lawful rule must spring, 
 And diff'rent from the robber marks the king. 
 
 Yet vainly would despotic will conclude, 
 That force may sway the erring multitude, 
 Justice, 'tis own'd, should ever guide the free, 
 But pow'r of wrong, in all, is liberty ; 
 And for whatever purposes restrain'd, 
 A nation is enslaved that may be chain'd, 
 Heaven gives to all a liberty of choice, 
 A people's good requires a people's voice ; 
 Man's surest guide, where diff'rent views agree, 
 From private hate, and private int'rest free. 
 Fatal their change from such who rashly fly, 
 To the hard grasp of guiding tyranny ; 
 Soon shall they find, when will is arm'd with might, 
 Injustice wield the sword, though drawn for right. 
 
 Blind to these truths who fond of boundless sway, 
 Bids trembling slaves implicitly obey ; 
 Though by a long descent from Adam down 
 Through scepter'd heirs, he boasts his ancient crown, 
 Great nature's rebel forfeits every claim, 
 And loads the tyrant with th' usurper's name ; 
 While with each lawless act of proud command, 
 He stands proscrib'd by his own guilty hand. 
 
 Bow, Filmer, bow ! to hell's tremendous throne, 
 And bid thy fellow-damn'd suppress each groan ! 
 There sits a king whom pow'r divine hath giv'n,
 
 172 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Nor earth boasts one so surely sent from heav'n. 
 
 And thou, blest martyr in fair freedom's cause, 
 
 Thou great asserter of thy country's laws ; 
 
 Vainly oppression stopp'd thy potent breath ; 
 
 Truth shone more powerful through the vail of death ■„ 
 
 Example mov'd whom precept could not save, 
 
 And lifted axes wak'd each drowsy slave. 
 
 Yet magistrates must rule, they're useful things, 
 Our guilt the vengeance, and avenger brings. 
 Whate'er more perfect heav'n might first create, 
 A state well govern'd, now, is nature's state ; 
 For law from reason springs, spontaneous fruit, 
 And reason sure is man's first attribute. 
 Let visionary schoolmen toil in vain, 
 Who seek in anarchy for nature's reign ; 
 Wretched alike the slaves of lawless will, 
 Whether the savage, or the tyrant kill ; 
 Unjust alike all rule, where public choice 
 Speaks not through laws a willing people's voice. 
 Nor freedom suffers when the guilty fall, 
 'Tis nature's doom, 'tis self-defence in all. 
 
 Such now is man deprav'd that fear must sway, 
 To tread the paths where duty points the way ; 
 The wretch must suffer to forewarn the rest, 
 And some must fall to stop the spreading pest. 
 Alone the gen'ral welfare can demand 
 The bleeding victim from th' unwilling hand. 
 
 Hence public pains — what to the crime is due, 
 O Judge supreme ! must be reserv'd for you. 
 To you alone, whose all-pervading eye 
 Deep in the breast can latent thought espy ; 
 Try every action by the known intent, 
 And to each crime adapt its punishment ; 
 While men, misled by erring lights, dispense 
 The doom of guilt to injur'd innocence ; 
 Or though repentance cleanse the moral stain, 
 Inflict on crimes aton'd avenging pain. 
 Yet blameless they who act sincere their part, 
 Faultless he errs who cannot read the heart. 
 
 Not such fierce flames the mad enthusiast's zeal, 
 On errors harmless to the gen'ral weal, 
 Whether false notions wander far from truth, 
 Or age retain the trace impress'd in youth. 
 While int'rest prompts the holy murd'rer's hand,
 
 POEMS 
 
 In sacred fires to light th' unhallow'd brand ; 
 To draw destruction from heaven's saving page, 
 And bid sweet mercy breathe relentless rage. 
 
 Accurs'd all such ! and he with joy elate, 
 Whose baleful breath embitters certain fate ; 
 Who on th' imploring face malignant smiles, 
 And sentenc'd wretches wantonly reviles. 
 Better, far better in the savage den, 
 Let the robb'd lion judge o'er prostrate men : 
 Better let pow'r the lawless faulchion draw, 
 Than coward cruelty disgrace the law. 
 
 This well you know, O ! whose righteous feat 
 
 Gives to the innocent a sure retreat ; 
 
 Severely just, and piously humane, 
 
 The wretch you punish, while you share his pain. 
 
 Tears with the dreadful words of sentence flow, 
 
 Nor does the rigid judge the man forego. 
 
 So feels the breast humane, ye truly brave ! 
 And such is thine, my friend, intent to save ! 
 Whether thy bounty pining want relieve, 
 Or lenient pity sooth the hearts that grieve ; 
 Whether thy pious hand due bounds prescribe 
 To little tyrants, o'er the lesser tribe ; 
 Or whether nobler warmth expand thy soul, 
 And huge leviathan unaw'd controul. 
 
 Nor Britain only claims thy gen'rous plan, 
 Thy rule is justice, and thy care is man. 
 And may this truth thy fair example prove, 
 Justice shall fan the flame of social love. 
 
 173 
 
 AN EPISTLE TO A LADY. 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 Clarinda, dearly lov'd, attend 
 
 The counsels of a faithful friend; 
 Who with the warmest wishes fraught, 
 Feels all, at least, that friendship ought. 
 But since by ruling heav'n's design, 
 Another's fate shall influence thine ;
 
 i/4 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 O ! may these lines for him prepare 
 A bliss, which I would die to share ! 
 
 Man may for wealth or glory roam, 
 But woman must be blest at home ; 
 To this should all her studies tend, 
 This her great object and her end. 
 Distaste unmingled pleasures bring, 
 And use can blunt affliction's sting ; 
 Hence perfect bliss no mortals know, 
 And few are plung'd in utter woe ; 
 While nature arm'd against despair, 
 Gives pow'r to mend, or strength to bear ; 
 And half the thought content may gain, 
 Which spleen employs to purchase pain. 
 
 Trace not the fair domestic plan, 
 From what you would, but what you can ! 
 Nor, peevish, spurn the scanty store, 
 Because you think you merit more ! 
 Bliss ever differs in degree, 
 Thy share alone is meant for thee ; 
 And thou should'st think, however small, 
 That share enough, for 'tis thy all : 
 Vain scorn will aggravate distress, 
 And only make that little less. 
 
 Admit whatever trifles come, 
 Units compose the largest sum : 
 O ! tell them o'er, and say how vain 
 Are those which form ambition's train : 
 Which dwell the monarch's gorgeous state, 
 And bribe to ill the ffuilty Great ! 
 But thou more blest, more wise than these, 
 Shalt build up happiness on ease. 
 
 Hail sweet Content ! where joy serene 
 Gilds the mild soul's unruffled scene ; 
 And with blith fancy's pencil wrought, 
 Spreads the white web of flowing thought ; 
 Shines lovely in the cheerful face, 
 And cloaths each charm with native 2;race ; 
 Effusion pure of bliss sincere, 
 A vestment for a god to wear. 
 
 Far other ornaments compose 
 The garb that shrouds dissembled woes, 
 Piec'd out with motlev dies and sorts, 
 Freaks, whimsies, festivals and sports ;
 
 POEMS 175, 
 
 The troubled mind's fantastic dress. 
 
 j » 
 
 Which madness titles happiness. 
 While the gay wretch to revels bears 
 The pale remains of sighs and tears : 
 And seeks in crowds, like her undone, 
 What only can be found in one. 
 
 But, chief, my gentle friend ! remove 
 Far from thy couch seducing love ! 
 O ! shun the false magician's art, 
 Nor trust thy yet unguarded heart ! 
 Charm'd by his spells fair honour flies, 
 And thousand treach'rous phantoms rise, 
 Where guilt in beauty's ray beguiles, 
 And ruin lurks in friendship's smiles. 
 Lo ! where th' enchanted captive dreams 
 Of warbling groves, and purling streams ; 
 Of painted meads, of flowers that shed 
 Their odours round her fragrant bed. 
 Ouick shifts the scene, the charm is lost, 
 She wakes upon a desert coast ! 
 No friendly hand to lend its aid, 
 No guardian bow'r to spread its shade; 
 Expos'd to every chilling blast, 
 She treads th' inhospitable waste; 
 And down the drear decline of life, 
 Sinks a forlorn, dishonour'd wife. 
 
 Neglect not thou the voice of Fame, 
 But clear from crime, be free from blame ! 
 Though all were innocence within, 
 'Tis 2:uilt to wear the s;arb of sin. 
 Virtue rejects the foul disguise: 
 None merit praise who praise despise. 
 
 Slight not, in supercilious strain, 
 Long practis'd modes, as low or vain ! 
 The world will vindicate their cause, 
 And claim blind faith in custom's laws. 
 Safer with multitudes to stray, 
 Than tread alone a fairer way; 
 To mingle with the erring throng, 
 Than boldly speak ten millions wrong. 
 
 Beware of the relentless train, 
 Who forms adore, whom forms maintain \ 
 Lest prudes demure, or coxcombs loud, 
 Accuse thee to the partial crowd ;
 
 176 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Foes who the laws of honour slight, 
 A judge who measures guilt by spite. 
 
 Behold the sage Aurelia stand, 
 Disgrace and fame at her command ! 
 As if heaven's delegate design'd, 
 Sole arbiter of all her kind. 
 Whether she try some favour'd piece, 
 By rules devis'd in ancient Greece ; 
 Or whether modern in her flight, 
 She tells what Paris thinks polite. 
 For much her talents to advance, 
 She study'd Greece, and travelPd France. 
 There learn'd the happy art to please, 
 With all the charms of labour'd ease; 
 Through looks and nods with meaning fraught, 
 To teach what she was never taught. 
 
 By her each latent spring is seen, 
 The workings soul of secret spleen; 
 The guilt that sculks in fair pretence, 
 Or folly veil'd in specious sense. 
 And much her righteous spirit grieves, 
 When worthlessness the world deceives; 
 Whether the erring crowd commends 
 Some patriot sway'd by private ends; 
 Or husband trust a faithless wife, 
 Secure in ignorance from strife. 
 Averse she brings their deeds to view, 
 But justice claims the rig'rous due; ' 
 Humanely anxious to produce 
 At least some possible excuse. 
 O ne'er may virtue's dire disgrace 
 Prepare a triumph for the base ! 
 
 Mere forms the fool implicit sway, 
 Which witlings with contempt survey, 
 Blind folly no defect can see, 
 Half wisdom views but one degree; 
 The wife remoter uses reach, 
 Which judgment and experience teach. 
 
 Whoever would be pleas'd and please, 
 Must do what others do with ease. 
 Great precept undefin'd by rule, 
 And only learn'd in custom's school; 
 To no peculiar form confin'd, 
 It spreads through all the human kind;
 
 POEMS 177 
 
 Beauty and wit and worth supplies, 
 Yet graceful in the good and wise. 
 Rich with this gift and none beside, 
 In fashion's stream how many glide ? 
 Secure from every mental woe, 
 From treach'rous friend or open foe; 
 From social sympathy that shares 
 The public loss or private cares; 
 Whether the barb'rous foe invade, 
 Or merit pine in fortune's shade. 
 
 Hence gentle Anna ever gay, 
 The same to-morrow as to-day. 
 Save where perchance, when others weep, 
 Her cheek the decent sorrow steep; 
 Save when perhaps a melting tale, 
 O'er every tender breast prevail. 
 The good, the bad, the great, the small, 
 She likes, she loves, she honours all. 
 And yet if sland'rous malice blame, 
 Patient she yields a sister's fame. 
 Alike if satire or if praise, 
 She says whate'er the circle says; 
 Implicit does whate'er we do, 
 Without one point or wish in view, 
 Sure test of others, faithful glass 
 Through which the various phantoms pass, 
 Wide blank, unfeeling when alone, 
 No care, no joy, no thought her own. 
 
 Not thus succeeds the peerless dame, 
 Who looks, and talks, and acts for fame; 
 Intent, so wide her cares extend, 
 To make the universe her friend. 
 Now with the gay in frolic shines, 
 Now reasons deep with deep divines. 
 With courtiers now extols the great, 
 With patriots sighs o'er Britain's fate. 
 Now breathes with zealots holy fires, 
 Now melts in less refin'd desires. 
 Doom'd to exceed in each degree, 
 Too wise, too weak, too proud, too free, 
 Too various for one single word, 
 The high sublime of deep absurd. 
 While every talent nature grants, 
 Just serves to shew how much she wants. 
 
 N
 
 i 7 8 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Although in combine 
 
 The virtues of our sex and thine: 
 
 Her hand restrains the widow's tears, 
 
 Her sense informs, and sooths and cheers; 
 
 Yet like an angel in disguise, 
 
 She shines but to some favour'd eyes; 
 
 Nor is the distant herd allow'd 
 
 To view the radiance through the cloud. 
 
 But thine is every winning art, 
 Thine is the friendly honest heart : 
 And should the gen'rous spirit flow, 
 Beyond where prudence fears to go; 
 Such sallies are of nobler kind, 
 Than virtues of a narrow mind. 
 
 AN ODE 
 TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD LONSDALE. 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 i. 
 
 Lonsdale ! thou ever-honour'd name, 
 For such is sacred virtue's claim, 
 
 Say, why ! my noble friend ! 
 While nature sheds her balmy powers 
 O'er hill and dale, in leaves and flowers, 
 
 Say, why my joys suspend ! 
 
 ii. 
 
 Here spreads the lawn high-crown'd with wood, 
 Here slopes the vale, there winds the flood 
 
 In many a crystal maze. 
 The fishes sport, in silver pride 
 Slow moves the swan, on either side 
 
 The herds promiscuous graze.
 
 POEMS i 79 
 
 in. 
 
 Or if the stiller shade you love, 
 
 Here solemn nods th' imbow'ring grove 
 
 O'er innocence and ease ; 
 Whether with deep reflection fraught, 
 Or in the sprightly stream of thought, 
 
 The lighter trifles please. 
 
 IV. 
 
 And should the shaft of treacherous spleen 1 
 Glance venom'd through this peaceful scene, 
 
 Unheeded may it fly. 
 Provok'd, nor tempted to repay, 
 Though truth severer prompt the lay, 
 
 A mean prosaic lie. 
 
 Here with the pheasant and the hare, 
 Unfearful of the human snare, 
 
 Have statesmen pass'd a day. 
 While far from yon forbidden gate, 
 Pale care and lank remorse await 
 
 Their slow-returning prey. 
 
 VI. 
 
 O ! blind to all the joys of life, 
 Who seek them in the storm of strife, 
 
 Destroying, or destroy'd. 
 Less wretched thev, and yet unbless'd, 
 Who batten in lethargic rest, 
 
 On blessings unenjoy'd. 
 
 VII. 
 
 But come, my friend, the fun invites, 
 For thee the town hath no delights, 
 
 Distasted and aggriev'd ; 
 While fools believe, while villains cheat, 
 Too honest to approve deceit, 
 
 Too wise to be deceiv'd. 
 
 1 Alluding to a certain scandalous libel.
 
 i8o MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Or dost thou fear lest dire disease 
 Again thy tortur'd frame may seize ; 
 
 And hast thou therefore stay'd ? 
 O ! rather haste, where thou shalt find 
 A ready hand, a gentle mind, 
 
 To comfort and to aid. 
 
 IX. 
 
 And while by sore afflictions try'd, 
 You bear without the Stoic's pride, 
 
 What Stoic never bore ; 
 O ! may I learn like thee to bear, 
 And what shall be my destin'd share, 
 
 To suffer, not explore. 
 
 AN ODE. 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 Too anxious for the public weal, 
 
 A while suspend the toilsome strife ! 
 
 O think if Britain claims thy zeal, 
 
 Thy friends and Britain claim thy life ! 
 
 ii. 
 
 Thy gen'rous, free, and active soul, 
 Inspir'd by glory's sacred flame, 
 
 Springs ardent to the distant goal, 
 
 And strains the weaker mortal frame. 
 
 in. 
 
 Happy whom reason deigns to guide, 
 Secure within the golden mean, 
 
 Who shuns the Stoic's senseless pride, 
 Nor wallows with the herd obscene.
 
 POEMS 181 
 
 IV. 
 
 He nor with brow severely bent, 
 
 Chides pleasure's smiling train away ; 
 
 Nor careless of life's great intent, 
 With folly wastes each heedless day. 
 
 But from the mountain's lofty height, 
 Now nature's mighty frame surveys: 
 
 And now descending with delight, 
 Along the humble valley strays. 
 
 VI. 
 
 So have I seen thee gain applause, 
 
 Though faction rag'd, from Britain's peers; 
 
 Then glorious in thy country's cause, 
 Go whisper love in Chloe's ears. 
 
 AN ODE. 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 i. 
 
 On Stow, the Muse's happy theme, 
 Let fancy's eye enamour'd gaze; 
 
 Where through one nobly simple scheme, 
 Ten thousand varying beauties please. 
 
 There patriot-virtue rears her shrine, 
 
 Nor love ! art thou depriv'd of thine. 
 
 II. 
 
 Mark where from Pope's exhaustless vein, 
 Pure flows the stream of copious thought, 
 
 While nature pours the genial strain, 
 With fairest springs of learning fraught ; 
 
 The treasures of each clime and age, 
 
 Grace and enrich his sacred page.
 
 1 82 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 in. 
 
 So while through Britain's fields her Thames 
 
 Prolific rolls his silver tide; 
 The tribute of a thousand streams 
 
 Swells the majestic river's pride; 
 And where his gen'rous current strays, 
 The wealth of either world conveys. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Far other is that wretch's song, 
 Whose scanty rill devoid of force, 
 
 With idle tinklings creeps along, 
 A narrow, crooked, dubious course: 
 
 Or foul with congregated floods, 
 
 Spreads a wide waste o'er plains and woods. 
 
 In action thus the mind express'd 
 
 High soars in Pope the true sublime: 
 
 A Stow unfolds a Cobham's breast, 
 A Bavius crawls in doggrel rhyme. 
 
 Through all their various works we trace 
 
 The greatly virtuous, and the base. 
 
 AN ODE. 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 Gentle, idle, trifling boy, 
 Sing of pleasures, sing of joy ! 
 Well you paint the crystal spring, 
 Well the flow'ry meadow sing, 
 But beware with bolder flight, 
 Tempt not heaven's unequal height, 
 But beware ! with impious strain, 
 Mock not freedom's hallow'd train ! 
 Sacred, here, O ! ever be 
 Heaven, and heaven-born liberty !
 
 POEMS 183 
 
 Let the slaves of lawless sway, 
 Let the stupid flock obey ! 
 Pent within a narrow fold, 
 Ty'd, and stript, and slain, and sold. 
 Happier stars the brave befriend, 
 Britons know a nobler end. 
 Theirs it is to temper laws, 
 Theirs to watch in freedom's cause, 
 Theirs one common good to share, 
 Theirs to feel one common care ; 
 In the glorious task combin'd, 
 From the monarch to the hind. 
 
 Yet O ! cease not, gentle boy ! 
 Sing of pleasures, sing of joy ! 
 Like thy brothers of the wing, 
 Idly hop, and chirp, and sing. 
 Heaven can nothing vain produce, 
 Ev'ry creature has its use. 
 Thine it is to sooth our toil, 
 Thine to make e'en wisdom smile. 
 Much they err who such despise, 
 Trifles please the truly wise. 
 
 VERSES TO CAMILLA. 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 Weary'd with indolent repose, 
 
 A life unmix'd with joys or woes; 
 Where all the lazy moments crept, 
 And every passion sluggish slept ; 
 I wish'd for love's inspiring pains, 
 To rouze the loiterer in my veins. 
 Th' officious power my call attends, 
 He who uncall'd his succour lends; 
 And with a smile of wanton spite, 
 He gave Camilla to my sight. 
 Her eyes their willing captive seize, 
 Her look, her air, her manner please; 
 New beauties please, unseen before, 
 Or seen, in her they please me more;
 
 1 84 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 And soon, too soon, alas! I find 
 The virtues of a nobler kind. 
 
 Now cheerful springs the morning ray,. 
 Now cheerful sinks the closing day; 
 For every morn with her I walk'd, 
 And every eve with her I talk'd ; 
 With her I lik'd the vernal bloom, 
 With her I lik'd the crowded room; 
 From her at night I went with pain, 
 And long'd for morn to meet again. 
 
 How quick the smiling moments pass, 
 Through varying fancy's mimic glass ! 
 While the gay scene is painted o'er, 
 Where all was one wide blank before; 
 And sweetly sooth'd th' inchanting dream, 
 'Till love inspir'd a bolder scheme. 
 
 Camilla, stung with grief and shame, 
 Now marks, and shuns the guilty flame; 
 Fierce anger lighten'd in her face, 
 Then cold reserve assum'd its place: 
 And soon, the wretch's hardest fate, 
 Contempt succeeds declining hate. 
 No more my presence now she flies, 
 She sees me with unheeding eyes; 
 Sees me with various passions burn, 
 Enrag'd depart, submiss return; 
 Return with flattering hopes to find 
 Soft pity move her gentle mind. 
 But ah ! her looks were still the same, 
 Unmark'd I went, unmark'd I came ; 
 Unmark'd were all my hopes and fears, 
 While Strephon whispers in her ears. 
 
 O Jealousy ! distracting guest ! 
 Fly to some happy lover's breast ; 
 Fitly with joy thou minglest care, 
 But why inhabit with despair ?
 
 POEMS 185 
 
 TO CORINNA. 
 
 By EARL NUGENT. 
 
 While I those hard commands obey, 
 Which tear me from thee far away ; 
 Never did yet love-tortur'd youth, 
 So dearly prove his doubted truth ; 
 For never woman charm'd like thee, 
 And never man yet lov'd like me. 
 
 All creatures whom fond flames inspire, 
 Pursue the object they desire ; 
 But I, prepost'rous doom ! must prove 
 By distant flight the strongest love ; 
 And ev'ry way distress'd by fate, 
 Must lose thy sight, or meet thy hate. 
 
 EPIGRAMS. 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 EPIGRAM I. 
 
 I lov'd thee beautiful and kind, 
 And plighted an eternal vow; 
 So alter'd are thy face and mind, 
 'Twere perjury to love thee now. 
 
 EPIGRAM 11. 
 
 Since first you knew my am'rous smart, 
 Each day augments your proud disdain ; 
 'Twas then enough to break my heart, 
 And now, thank heav'n ! to break my chain. 
 Cease, thou scorner, cease to shun me ! 
 Now let love and hatred cease ! 
 Half that rigour had undone me, 
 All that rigour gives me peace. 
 
 EPIGRAM III. 
 
 My heart still hovering round about you, 
 I thought I could not live without you ; 
 Now we have liv'd three months asunder, 
 How I liv'd with you is the wonder.
 
 1 86 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 EPIGRAM IV. 
 Upon the Bust of English Worthies, at Stow. 
 
 Among these chiefs of British race, 
 
 Who live in breathing stone, 
 Why has not Cobham's bust a place ? 
 
 The structure was his own. 
 
 EPIGRAM V. 
 
 Tho' cheerful, discreet, and with freedom well bred, 
 She never repented an idle word said : 
 Securely she smiles on the forward and bold, 
 They feel what they owe her, and feel it untold. 
 
 EPIGRAM VI. 
 
 Lye on ! while my revenge shall be, 
 To speak the very truth of thee. 
 
 EPIGRAM VII. 
 
 I swore I lov'd, and you believ'd, 
 Yet, trust me, we were both deceiv'd; 
 
 Though all I swore was true. 
 I lov'd one gen'rous, good, and kind, 
 A form created in my mind ; 
 
 And thought that form was you. 
 
 EPIGRAM VIII. 
 
 On Mrs. Penelope. 
 
 The gentle Pen, with look demure, 
 Awhile was thought a virgin pure : 
 But Pen, as ancient poets say, 
 Undid by night the work of day. 
 
 EPIGRAM IX. 
 
 On one who first abused, and then made love to a lady. 
 
 Foul — with graceless verse, 
 The noble — dar'd asperse. 
 But when he saw her well bespatter'd, 
 Her reputation stain'd and tatter'd;
 
 POEMS 187 
 
 He gaz'd and lov'd the hideous elf, 
 She look'd so very like himself. 
 True sung the bard well known to fame, 
 Self-love and social are the same. 
 
 EPIGRAM X. 
 
 While Lucy, chaste as mountain snows, 
 
 Gives every idle fop a hearing; 
 In Mary's breast a passion glows, 
 
 Which stronger is from not appearing. 
 Say, who has chose the better part ! 
 
 Mary, to whom no joy is missing; 
 Or she, who dupe to her own heart, 
 
 Pays the full price of Mary's kissing. 
 
 EPIGRAM XI. 
 
 She who in secret yields her heart, 
 Again may claim it from her lover; 
 
 But she who plays the trifler's part, 
 
 Can ne'er her squander'd fame recover. 
 
 Then grant the boon for which I pray ! 
 
 'Tis better lend than throw away. 
 
 epigram xii. 
 
 We thought you without titles great, 
 
 And wealthy with a small estate ; 
 While by your humble self alone, 
 You seem'd unrated and unknown. 
 But now on fortune's swelling tide 
 High-borne, in all the pomp of pride ; 
 Of grandeur vain, and fond of pelt, 
 'Tis plain, my lord, you knew yourself. 
 
 EPIGRAM XIII. 
 
 Lovely shines thy wedded fair, 
 
 Gentle as the yielding air ; 
 Cheering as the solar beam, 
 Soothing as the fountain-stream. 
 Why then, jealous husband, rail ? 
 All may breathe the ambient gale,
 
 1 88 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Bask in heaven's diffusive ray, 
 Drink the streams that pass away. 
 All may share unless'ning joy, 
 Why then jealous, peevish boy? 
 Water, air, and light confine, 
 Ere thou think'st her only thine. 
 
 EPIGRAM XIV. 
 
 Tom thought a wild profusion great : 
 
 And therefore spent his whole estate : 
 Will thinks the wealthy are ador'd, 
 And gleans what misers blush to hoard. 
 Their passion, merit, fate the same, 
 They thirst and starve alike for fame. 
 
 EPIGRAM xv. 
 To Clarissa. 
 
 Why like a tyrant wilt thou reign, 
 
 When thou may'st rule the willing mind ? 
 Can the poor pride of giving pain 
 Repay the joys that wait the kind? 
 I curse my fond enduring heart, 
 Which scorn'd presumes not to be free, 
 Condemn'd to feel a double smart, 
 To hate myself, and burn for thee. 
 
 EPIGRAM XVI. 
 
 Ever busy'd, ne'er employ 'd, 
 Ever loving, ne'er enjoy'd, 
 Ever doom'd to seek and miss, 
 And pay unbless'd the price of bliss. 
 
 EPIGRAM XVII. 
 
 Vainly hath heaven denounc'd the woman's woes, 
 
 Thou know'st no tender care, no bitter throes, 
 Unfelt your offspring comes, unfelt it goes.
 
 POEMS 189 
 
 AN ELEGY. 
 
 Wrapt in a sable Cloud the Morn appears, 
 And ev'ry Object Sorrow's Livery wears ; 
 Slow move the leaden Hours, my lab'ring Breast 
 Struggles beneath a weight of Grief opprest; 
 The swelling Sighs burst forth, Tears gushing flow, 
 While all within is Anarchy of Woe. 
 
 The sprightly Lay, and social Converse wound 
 My tortur'd Ear, with an ungrateful Sound ; 
 Nor chears the Dance my unregarding Eye, 
 Flown is its Grace, and wonted Harmony ; 
 Music essays inchanting Notes in vain, 
 While Sorrows mingle with the soothing Strain, 
 Sink deeper to the Heart, and melting move 
 The kindred Powers of Pity and of Love. 
 For she is now no more to whom belong, 
 The Dance, the Lay, the Converse and the Song; 
 Where ev'ry Love with every Grace was join'd, 
 And sovereign Reason with free Mirth combin'd. 
 
 But lo ! Death folds her in his icy Arms, 
 And clothes in awful Horrors all her Charms; 
 O'er the dim Eye eternal Slumbers sheds, 
 The clay-cold Cheek with ghastly Pale o'erspreads, 
 Steals from the livid Lip its fragrant Bloom, 
 Too early sunk within a dreary Tomb ! 
 
 Ah ! fruitless Love ! and will you then pursue 
 An Object lost for ever to my View ? 
 Lost thou shalt never be, Immortal Fair ! 
 My Mind shall still the Dear Idea bear, 
 There shalt thou present be, there ever live, 
 And there the Fullness of my Heart receive. 
 In melancholy Raptures will I trace 
 Thy ev'ry Charm, and each transporting Grace ; 
 My faithful Memory shall past Days renew, 
 Those happy Moments that I pass'd with you ; 
 So shall each little Circumstance be there, 
 And each Reflection shall draw forth a Tear. 
 
 Ah ! now I mav, without offence, proclaim, 
 A faithful, generous, and most secret Flame, 
 Which burn'd like those Sepulchral Lamps, that light 
 The silent Mansions of eternal Nijjht.
 
 i 9 o MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 AN INSCRIPTION ON THE TOMB 
 
 RAISED TO THE MEMORY OF THE AUTHOR'S FATHER, AND OF 
 
 OTHERS HIS ANCESTORS. 
 
 By THE SAME. 
 
 Unmark'd by trophies of the great and vain, 
 
 Here sleeps in silent tombs a gentle train. 
 
 No folly wasted their paternal store, 
 
 No guilt, no sordid av'rice made it more ; 
 
 With honest fame, and sober plenty crown'd, 
 
 They liv'd, and spread their cheering influence round. 
 
 May he whose hand this pious tribute pays, 
 
 Receive a like return of filial praise ! 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF THE 
 
 RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLOTTE 
 VISCOUNTESS TOWNSHEND, 
 
 BARONESS FERRARS IN HER OWN RIGHT, WHO DIED AT LEIXLIP^ 
 IN IRELAND, ON THE 5TH OF SEPTEMBER, 1770. 
 
 By EARL NUGENT. 
 
 With down-cast look, and pitying eye, 
 
 Unarm'd the King of Terrors stood ; 
 He laid his sting and horrors by, 
 
 Averse to strike the fair and good : 
 When thus an angel urg'd the blow — 
 
 " No more thy lifted hand suspend ! 
 " To conscious guilt a dreaded foe, 
 
 " To innocence a welcome friend. 
 " Bright hosts of cherubs round her stand, 
 
 " To her and me confess'd alone ; 
 "Each waving his celestial hand, 
 
 "And pointing to th' eternal throne."
 
 POEMS 191 
 
 The angel spoke — nor husband dear, 
 
 Nor children lov'd (a mournful train) 
 Could from her eye attract one tear, 
 
 Nor bend one thought to earth aa;ain. 
 The soul, impatient of delay, 
 
 No more could mortal fetters bind, 
 But springing to the realms of day, 
 
 Leaves ev'ry human care behind. 
 Yet, oh ! an infant daughter's 1 claim 
 
 Demands from Heaven thy guardian care ; 
 Protect that lovely, helpless frame ! 
 
 And guard that breast you form'd so fair. 
 A parent's loss, unknown, unwept, 
 
 Thoughtless the fatal hour she past ; 
 Or only thought her mother slept, 
 
 Nor knew how long that sleep must last. 
 When time th' unfolding mind displays, 
 
 May she, by thy example led, 
 Fly from that motley giddy maze, 
 
 Which youth, and guilt, and folly tread ! 
 These never knew the guiding hand 
 
 Which leads to virtue's arduous way : 
 Mothers now join the vagrant band, 
 
 And teach their children how to stray. 
 Her shall the pious task engage, 
 
 (Such one was thine, with lenient aid) 
 A father's sorrows to assuage, 
 
 His love with equal love repaid. 
 So shall she read with ardent eye, 
 
 This lesson thy last moments give — 
 " They who, like thee, would fearless die, 
 
 " Spotless, like thee, must learn to live." 
 
 1 Elizabeth, born in August 1766.
 
 192 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 AN EPISTLE TO ROBERT NUGENT, ESQ., 1 
 
 WITH A PICTURE OF DR. SWIFT. 
 
 By WILLIAM DUNKIN, M.D. 
 
 To gratify thy long desire, 
 (So love and piety require,) 
 From Brindon's colours you may trace 
 The patriot's venerable face. 
 The last, O Nugent ! which his art 
 Shall ever to the world impart ; 
 For know, the prime of mortal men, 
 That matchless monarch of the pen, 
 (Whose labours, like the genial sun, 
 Shall through revolving ages run, 
 Yet never, like the sun, decline, 
 But in their full meridian shine,) 
 That ever honour'd, envied sage, 
 So long the wonder of the age, 
 Who charm'd us with his golden strain, 
 Is not the shadow of the Dean : 
 He only breathes Boeotian air — 
 " O ! what a falling off was there ! " 
 
 Hibernia's Helicon is dry, 
 Invention, Wit, and Humour die ; 
 And what remains against the storm 
 Of Malice but an empty form ? 
 The nodding ruins of a pile, 
 That stood the bulwark of this isle ? 
 In which the sisterhood was fix'd 
 Of candid Honour, Truth, unmix'd, 
 Imperial Reason, Thought profound, 
 And Charity, diffusing round 
 In cheerful rivulets to flow 
 Of Fortune to the sons of Woe ? 
 
 Such one, my Nugent, was thy Swift, 
 Endued with each exalted gift, 
 But lo ! the pure ethereal flame 
 Is darken'd by a misty steam : 
 
 1 Created Baron Nugent and Viscount Clare, Dec. 20, 1776.
 
 ROBERT, KARL NUGENT 
 From an Engraving publislied in 1784
 
 POEMS I93 
 
 The balm exhausted breathes no smell, 
 The rose is wither'd ere it fell. 
 That godlike supplement of law, 
 Which held the wicked world in awe, 
 And could the tide of faction stem, 
 Is but a shell without the gem. 
 
 Ye sons of genius, who would aim 
 To build an everlasting fame, 
 And in the field of letter'd arts, 
 Display the trophies of your parts, 
 To yonder mansion turn aside, 
 And mortify your growing pride. 
 Behold the brightest of the race, 
 And Nature's honour, in disgrace : 
 With humble resignation own, 
 That all your talents are a loan ; 
 By Providence advanced for use, 
 Which you should study to produce. 
 Reflect, the mental stock, alas ! 
 However current now it pass, 
 May haply be recall'd from you 
 Before the grave demands his due, 
 Then, while your morning star proceeds, 
 Direct your course to worthy deeds, 
 In fuller day discharge your debts ; 
 For, when your sun of reason sets, 
 The night succeeds ; and all your schemes 
 Of glory vanish with your dreams. 
 
 Ah ! where is now the supple train, 
 That danced attendance on the Dean ? 
 Say, where are those facetious folks, 
 Who shook with laughter at his jokes, 
 And with attentive rapture hung, 
 On wisdom, dropping from his tongue ; 
 Who look'd with high disdainful pride 
 On all the busy world beside, 
 And rated his productions more 
 Than treasures of Peruvian ore ? 
 
 Good Christians ! they with bended knees 
 Ingulph'd the wine, but loathe the lees, 
 Averting, (so the text commands), 
 With ardent eyes and upcast hands, 
 The cup of sorrow from their lips, 
 And fly, like rats, from sinking ships.
 
 i 9 4 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 While some, who by his friendship rose 
 
 To wealth, in concert with his foes 
 
 Run counter to their former track, 
 
 Like old Actaeon's horrid pack 
 
 Of yelling mongrels, in requitals 
 
 To riot on their master's vitals ; 
 
 And, where they cannot blast his laurels, 
 
 Attempt to stigmatize his morals ; 
 
 Through Scandal's magnifying glass 
 
 His foibles view, but virtues pass, 
 
 And on the ruins of his fame 
 
 Erect an ignominious name. 
 
 So vermin foul, of vile extraction, 
 
 The spawn of dirt and putrefaction, 
 
 The sounder members traverse o'er, 
 
 But fix and fatten on a sore. 
 
 Hence ! peace, ye wretches, who revile 
 
 His wit, his humour, and his style ; 
 
 Since all the monsters which he drew 
 
 Were only meant to copy you ; 
 
 And if the colours be not fainter, 
 
 Arraign yourselves, and not the painter. 
 
 But, O ! that He, who gave him breath. 
 Dread arbiter of life and death ; 
 That He, the moving soul of all, 
 The sleeping spirit would recall, 
 And crown him with triumphant meeds, 
 For all his past heroic deeds, 
 In mansions of unbroken rest, 
 The bright republic of the bless'd ! 
 Irradiate his benighted mind 
 With living light of light refined ; 
 And there the blank of thought employ 
 With objects of immortal joy ! 
 
 Yet, while he drags the sad remains 
 Of life, slow-creeping through his veins, 
 Above the views of private ends, 
 The tributary Muse attends, 
 To prop his feeble steps, or shed 
 The pious tear around his bed. 
 
 So pilgrims, with devout complaints, 
 Frequent the graves of martyr'd saints, 
 Inscribe their worth in artless lines, 
 And, in their stead, embrace their shrines.
 
 LETTERS
 
 LETTERS 
 
 The following correspondence is gathered partly from Horace 
 Walpole's letters to Sir Horace Mann and others, partly from the 
 Newcastle Papers now in the possession of the British Museum, and 
 partly from original manuscripts, the property of Sir Edmund 
 Nugent, Bart., of West Harling Hall, Thetford. 
 
 The arrangement of these letters in any consecutive order has 
 been a matter of absolute impossibility: I have, therefore, con- 
 sidered it wisest to let them speak for themselves, making any 
 explanations necessary concerning them, where I have been able 
 to do so, by means of footnotes. The majority of them are now 
 published for the first time, although all of Horace Walpole's, some 
 of Pope's, and a fragment of one of Lord Chesterfield's have 
 already appeared in print. 
 
 Walpole's Letters. 
 
 To Sir Horace Mann. 
 
 Christmas Eve, 1741- 
 
 You know, or have heard of, Mrs. Nugent (Newsham's 
 mother) ; she went the other morning to Lord Chesterfield to beg 
 " he would encourage Mr. Nugent to speak in the house ; for that 
 really he was so bashful, she was afraid his abilities would be lost to 
 the world." I don't know who has encouraged him ; but so it is, 
 that this modest Irish converted Catholic does talk a prodigious 
 deal of nonsense in behalf of English liberty. 
 
 Walpole's Letters. 
 
 To Sir Horace Mann. 
 
 May 20, 1742. 
 
 • >*••••• 
 
 The great Mr. Nugent has been unfortunate, too, in Parliament ; 
 besides being very ill heard, from being a very indifferent speaker ; 
 the other day on the Place Bill, (which, by the way, we have new 
 
 197
 
 198 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 modelled and softened, and to which the Lords have submitted to 
 agree to humour Pulteney,) he rose, and said, " He would not vote, 
 as he was not determined in his opinion ; but he would offer his 
 sentiments; which were particularly, that the bishops had been the 
 cause of this bill being thrown out before." Winnington called 
 him to order, desiring he would be tender of the Church of 
 England. You know he was a papist. In answer to the begin- 
 ning of his speech, Velters Cornwall, who is of the same side, said, 
 " He wondered that when that gentleman could not convince 
 himself, by his eloquence, he should expect to convince the 
 majority." 
 
 Walpole's Letters. 
 
 To Sir Horace Mann. 
 
 Arlington St., July 22, 1744. 
 
 Lord Middlesex is going to be married to 
 Miss Boyle, Lady Shannon's daughter ; she has thirty thousand 
 pounds, and may have as much more, if her mother, who is a 
 plump widow, don't happen to Nitgentize. The girl is low and 
 ugly, but a vast scholar. 
 
 Walpole's Letters. 
 
 To Sir Horace Mann. 
 
 Strawberry Hill, Feb. 25, 1750. 
 
 Nugent had flamed and abused Lord Sandwich violently, as 
 author of this outrageous measure. When the Bailiff appeared, 
 the pacific spirit of the other part of the administration had operated 
 so much, that he was dismissed with honour ; and only instructed 
 
 to abridge all delays by authority of the House in short, " we 
 
 spit in his hat on Thursday, and wiped it off on Friday." This 
 is a new fashionable proverb which I must construe to you. 
 About ten days ago, at the new Lady Cobham's 2 assembly, Lord 
 Hervey 2 was leaning over a chair talking to some women, and 
 holding his hat in his hand. Lord Cobham came up and spit in 
 
 it yes, spit in it ! — and then, with a loud laugh, turned to 
 
 Nugent, and said, " Pay me my wager." , In short, he had laid a 
 
 1 Anna Chamber, wife of Richard Temple, Lord Cobham, afterwards 
 Earl Temple. 
 
 2 George, eldest son of John, late Lord Hervey, son of the Earl of 
 Bristol, whom this George succeeded in the title.
 
 ^ 
 
 4 
 
 / 
 
 
 /' , 
 
 
 
 
 7 / 
 
 f 
 
 s 
 
 / 
 
 .•• ' .' • 
 
 IK >K.\(. E W\l I'. U.l
 
 LETTERS 199 
 
 guinea that he committed this absurd brutality, and that it was not 
 resented. Lord Hervey, with great temper and sensibility, asked 
 if he had any farther occasion for his hat ? — " Oh ! I see you are 
 angry ! " — " Not very well pleased." Lord Cobham took the fatal 
 hat, and wiped it, made a thousand foolish apologies, and wanted to 
 pass it for a joke. Next morning he rose with the sun, and went 
 to visit Lord Hervey ; so did Nugent : he would not see them, 
 but wrote to the Spitter, (or, as he is now called, Lord Gob'em,) 
 to say, that he had affronted him very grossly before company, but 
 having involved Nugent in it, he desired to know to which he was 
 to address himself for satisfaction. Lord Cobham wrote him a 
 most submissive answer, and begged pardon both in his own and 
 Nugent's name. Here it rested for a few days ; till getting wind, 
 Lord Hervey wrote again to insist on an explicit apology under 
 Lord Cobham's own hand, with a rehearsal of the excuses that had 
 been made to him. This too was complied with, and the fair 
 conqueror 1 shows all the letters. 
 
 Walpole's Letters. 
 
 To the Countess of Ossory. 
 
 Berkeley Square, Nov. 14, 1779. 
 
 I will not answer so positively for what I am going to tell you, 
 as I had it only from the person himself. The Duke of Gloucester 
 was at Bath with the Margrave of Anspach. Lord Nugent came 
 up and would talk to the Duke, and then asked if he might take 
 the liberty of inviting his Royal Highness to dinner ? I think you 
 will admire the quickness and propriety of the answer : — the Duke 
 replied, " My Lord, I make no acquaintance but in London," 
 where you know, Madam, he only has levees. The Irishman 
 continued to talk to him even after that rebuff*. He certainly 
 hoped to have been very artful — to have made court there, and yet 
 not have offended anywhere else by not going to town, which 
 would have been a gross affront to the Duke had he accepted the 
 invitation. 
 
 1 George, Lord Hervey was a very effeminate-looking man, which 
 probably encouraged Lord Temple to risk this disgusting act of 
 incivility.
 
 200 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,699. 
 Vol. xiv. f. 270. 
 
 London, June 2d. 
 Dear Parson, 
 
 I am sorry you have not receivd my Letter because I 
 shall not now be able to see you in London, for I go into Essex 
 upon Saturday next. I have settled with Mr. Stone, secretary to 
 the Duke of Newcastle, that upon your resigning St. Ive it shall 
 be given to the Person whom you mentiond in your Letter to 
 me. You must therefore come to Town without Loss of Time, 
 and make personal Application, in my Name, to Mr. Stone, who 
 will give you all necessary Directions. 
 
 I am, 
 
 Your Friend and Servt., 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 To the reverd Mr. Richards at St. Ive near Callington, Cornwall. 
 Endorsed, June 2. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,708. 
 Vol. xxiii. f. 352. 
 
 Gosfield near Brain tree in Essex, 
 
 Sep. 2 1st, 1746. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 The very strong Proofs which you have given me of 
 good Nature and Friendship in a late Instance, which ever shall 
 be fresh in my memory, induce me now to apply to you, and to 
 you only, in Favour of a very near Kinsman, a french officer 
 Prisoner upon his Parole in the Marshalsea of Southwark. I send 
 you his Letter to me, together with a memorial addressed to the 
 Duke of Newcastle. His Letter is unsealed at my Desire, and 
 the Request containd in his memorial must be of infinite Import- 
 ance to him, who to my Knowledge has been an officer upwards 
 of twenty years in the french service, and is now no more than a 
 Captain. I find by his Letter that he is sensible of the Duke of 
 Newcastle's humane Dispositions towards all Those who are in 
 like Circumstances with himself, and I hope his Grace's generous 
 Example will be followd by our Enemies, if it should happen that 
 any of our officers shoud by the Chance of war stand in need of 
 its Influence, of this Truth I will beg Leave to assure you, and 
 if I coud hope it woud have any weight with his Grace, I woud 
 beg of you to assure him, that his Complyance with the Request 
 which I now make in Favour of my Kinsman, whose whole
 
 LETTERS 201 
 
 Fortune seems to depend upon it, will lay me under an obligation 
 which I shall ever acknowledge with the utmost Gratitude. I am 
 Sir with Truth and Esteem 
 
 your most obliged and 
 
 most obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 I need not say from the Nature of the Case that Dispatch will 
 render the obligation greater and more effectual. If the memorial 
 succeeds be pleased to let the Prisoner be acquainted with its. 
 success. 
 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Sep. 23. Mr. Nugent. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,708. 
 Vol. xxiii. f. 393. 
 
 Ether up in Bucks, Sepr. 30, 1746. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Indeed I want words to express my Sense of the friendly 
 and humane Part you are pleasd to take in Favour of my Kinsman. 
 A Breast like yours will easily feel the motives which render me 
 solicitous that your Endeavours may have their full Effect, one 
 Effect they certainly shall have. They will ever confirm me 
 
 Dear Sir with the highest Esteem 
 your faithful and 
 
 most obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Be pleasd to direct to my House in Dover street. 
 Endorsed, Mr. Nugent. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,726. 
 Vol. xli. f. 76. 
 
 Janry 23 d, 1752. 
 My Lord Duke, 
 
 Your Grace docs me Justice in being convinced that no 
 Body coud receive greater Joy than I did from the Event of 
 yesterday, and to the most hearty Congratulations, give me 
 Leave to ad my warmest wishes that the same success may ever 
 attend your Grace's Endeavours for the Good of your Country, 
 my Lord Granville objects to Thursday as he must that Day
 
 202 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 attend a Cause, but he leaves every other Day to your Grace's 
 Choice, and my Servant waits to convey your Grace's Commands 
 to my Lord 
 
 Your Grace's most faithful 
 
 and most obedient servant 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Endorsed, Jan. 23rd., 1752. Mr. Nugent. 
 
 Newcastle House, 
 
 Jan. 23rd, 1752. 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 I am sure you had great satisfaction in the Majority of 
 yesterday, So I heartily wish you joy of it. I have received your 
 commands for Monday next, but as our great Debate comes on 
 the day after in ye House of Lords, and as It may be necessary 
 possibly to have some Meeting of Lords the night before, or at 
 least to be settling our Business amongst ourselves, I should wish 
 to attend you, when I should be more at liberty to think of 
 nothing else but the pleasure of the Day. If therefore the 
 Thursday after be as convenient to you, I should be much obliged 
 to you If you would put off ye dinner to that day. 
 
 I am, Dear Sr, yrs 
 most affectly, 
 
 Holles Newcastle. 
 Mr. Nugent. 
 
 Newcastle House, 
 
 May 2, 1754. 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 I cannot sufficiently express the Joy which your great 
 success has given The King, and The Loyalty Zeal & Affection, 
 which His Majesty's faithful Subjects of The Second City in His 
 Kingdoms have shewn upon this occasion. May I presume after 
 this to say, no man can take a greater share in This Success than 
 myself, My Duty and Zeal for the King, my real friendship and 
 Regard for you, must make me more joy'd of this great event 
 Than of any which has happen'd in any part of The Kingdom ; 
 tho' thro'out every part of it, Elections have gone well beyond 
 our most Sanguine Hopes. The Principle upon which our Friends 
 preferr'd Mr. Beckford to Sr John Philips is highly commendable, 
 and even makes that preference meritorious, as I wish you would 
 tel our Friends from me, whatever may have been my private 
 sentiments upon the first accounts which I received from you.
 
 LETTERS 203 
 
 We hear that Alderman Beckford intends to chuse Sr John 
 Philips at Petersfield, Meare (as I am afraid is too certain) that 
 he is chose for the City of London. It will soon be for the honor 
 of Bristol. Then they have virtue & Resolution to distinguish 
 those who are real Friends to the King, and the Government, 
 & to the Liberties, & Trade of this Countrey. You have 
 now an opportunity of doing a very agreeable thing to the King, 
 a very Honorable one for yourself, and a very proper one for one 
 chose by the Zealous friends of the Government in Bristol, by 
 chusing at St Mawes as worthy, as honorable and as useful a 
 Friend to the Government as can come into parliament, I mean 
 Sr William Calvert, who I am afraid for those very qualifications 
 will be rejected by the City of London. I am perswaded Mrs. 
 Nugent would not disapprove this measure, If you would explain 
 it to Her, in the light in which it certainly is. I beg you would 
 not shew this letter, but assure all our Friends that they may 
 command the best wishes of 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 Your Most Affect Humble Servant, 
 
 Holles Newcastle. 
 
 Mr. Nugent. 
 
 From the Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,736. 
 Vol. li. f. 133. 
 
 Gosfield, August \st, 1754- 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 Having read in this Day's Newspaper that by the Death 
 of Mr. Dawnay a Prebend of Canterbury is become vacant, I 
 can not refrain from putting your Grace in mind of poor Tucker. 
 Thus much I must say in Excuse for the Liberty I take, that were 
 I quite out of the Ouestion, and the man not my particular Friend, 
 I should stil most earnestly wish that He who has so eminently 
 distinguished Himself, upon various occasions, in the Whigg- 
 Cause, and recommended Himself beyond any other Person 
 
 -1 
 
 whatever, by his merits and his sufferings, to his majesty's best 
 Friends at Bristol, should receive a distinguished Reward from 
 your Grace, and I wish this the more, as I sincerely desire to see 
 your Grace rivitted in the Hearts of my Constituents, as you are 
 in the steady Affections of, my Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 your Grace's most faithful and most 
 
 obedient Servant, 
 R. Nugent.
 
 20 4 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 I have acquainted my Lord Berkley with your Grace's kind 
 Answer to his Request. 
 
 The inclosed Letter comes from the chief Ouakers at Bristol, 
 who sent your Grace the Turtle that dyd on the Road. 
 
 Endorsed, Mr. Nugent's Letter, August x, 1754. Rd. Augt. 2. 
 
 From the Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,736. 
 Vol. li. f. 358. 
 
 Gosfield, August 26th, 1754. 
 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 I am order'd by a Committee of the Union Clubb to 
 enclose an Invitation to your Grace to dine with Them at Bristol 
 on the 4th of September. But, as They are aware that your Grace 
 may probably be elsewhere engaged on that Day, They only 
 Desire (N : B : The Union-Clubb never desire any Thing 
 unreasonable) that your Grace should be present in a Bumper, 
 immediately after the King and Royal Family, may I take the 
 Freedom to make use of this opportunity to remind your Grace, 
 that Gosfield lys upon the best and shortest Road between Euston 
 and London, and that it is inhabited by, 
 
 my Lord Duke, 
 
 Your Grace's most faithful and 
 most obedient Servant, 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Aug. 26th, 1754. Mr. Nugent. Rd. 28th. 
 
 (Invitation to dine with the Committee of the Union Club at 
 Bristol.) 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,854. 
 Vol. clxix. f. 224. 
 
 Dover-street 
 half a?i Hour after 
 4, April 22, 1755. 
 My Lord Duke, 
 
 Sir Cordel Firebran has at the rising of the House declared 
 his Intention of making the same motion, that was apprehended 
 from Lord Powlet ; and altho presst to say for certain whether 
 it should be Tomorrow or the Day after, He declined giving a 
 positive Answer, will it not be necessary to have a meeting upon 
 this Occasion ? and shoud not all be summond who generally are 
 sent to ? If this is to be done, no Time shoud be lost, your
 
 LETTERS 205 
 
 Grace will, I dare hope, impute the Liberty I take to the sincere 
 zeal for your Service which ever shall animate, my Lord Duke, 
 
 Your Grace's most faithful 
 
 and obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Endorsed, April 22nd, 1755. Mr. Nugent. 
 
 Charlton, 2 July, 1755. 
 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 I enclose a Letter from Stambury the Exciseman whose 
 Case I communicated to you at Ranelagh, and whose name 
 you took down in order to remind the duke of Newcastle of a 
 wretch made miserable by him (now for 15 months together) only 
 for having given his Vote to yr humble Servant, at the last general 
 Election. 
 
 You cannot wonder after what pass'd last winter and the 
 particular mention (more than once as you well know) of this 
 Affair, that I should make no direct Application in behalf of this 
 Person, nor can you think it wd become me, or any Gentleman 
 under the like Circumstances, to ask the Relaxation of a most 
 unreasonable severity exerted upon one of his Friends, & upon 
 such a motive, as a favour at any man's hands, — much less in so 
 pityfull an Instance as this, and after the slights that have been 
 manifested on the Occasion. 
 
 I therefore do not trouble you to solicite any Thing; but as my 
 very good Friend, and one already acquainted with his Story, to 
 make the same Request to you, which you will observe the poor 
 Fellow makes in his Letter to me — viz. that you will he so kind as 
 to find out whether he is intended to he released from the desolate 
 Scituation where he is, or not, that he may determine how to act, 
 as to the settlement of his Affairs. 
 
 I know your Friendship for the Duke, and therefore should be 
 sorry to induce you to believe by ye manner of this Letter, that I 
 take anything ill of him, in this or any other Instance — you may 
 be possibly convinced of the Contrary when you recollect a Story 
 in Sr Wm Temple, wch I dare say you will remember more 
 accurately than I do upon ye first mention of it, and wch will 
 shew you how reasonable men (upon whose Sentiments I endeavour 
 to form my own as nearly as I can) consider those Incidents in 
 the Light of Obligations, wch more vulgar understandings absurdly 
 think they have Cause to resent. 
 
 At a Time when Spain had great Occasion for Friends and 
 allies to maintain her Possessions in the Low Countries upon the
 
 206 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Point of being irrecoverably lost to France, she treated with our 
 late King William, then Prince of Orange, to avail herself of his 
 Interest with the States. The Prince stood upon no good Terms 
 with Spain upon various accounts, among the rest upon having 
 been trifled with about a reasonable Claim to a debt due to his 
 Family for a long Time by that Court. Yet in this Conjuncture 
 he inclined more to Spain than France (as he honestly thought it 
 best for ye Interests of ye the States to do) and in Consequence 
 reed solemn assurances (tho unrequired by him) that the money 
 shd be paid, nay he was even told that it was actually lodged in 
 the Hands of a certain Banker abroad to be remitted without 
 delay. The Day of Payment wch had been named elapsed — 
 many more afterwards passed, and no debt discharged. The Prince 
 said nothing. But the Spanish Minister at ye Hague who did not 
 imagine for that Reason that he was insensible to ye usage he had 
 received, thought it for the Interest of his Master not to leave the 
 Matter upon the Prince's mind, without attempting some apology 
 for his satisfaction. He therefore took occasion him self to mention 
 the affair to ye Prince, excused the delay by pretending the money 
 had really been paid, but that the Banker had fail'd, and assured 
 him that Care would be taken of another Remittance in a Short 
 Time, conjuring the Prince earnestly not to conceive any Preju- 
 dice against his Court on account of so untoward an accident, wch 
 it had been out of his Power to prevent. 
 
 The Prince of Orange heard him patiently, and undoubtedly 
 without any Resentment, because he made him the following 
 answer with a smile, That he was surprised the Court of Spain 
 shd imagine he had Conceived any discontent at their Proceedings 
 in Regard to him. On the Contrary he consider'd himself as 
 under the highest Obligations on that Account, for if they had not 
 thought him the honestest man living, they never would have 
 treated him as they had done. 
 
 I am, Dear Sr, 
 Your very faithfull Friend & humble Servt, 
 
 Egmont. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,857. 
 f- 137- 
 
 Dover Street, Wednesday Evening. 
 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 If there be any Thing too strong in the Letter I send your 
 Grace, strike it out, or destroy the whole and I will lower my stile 
 in an other Letter. But I think I know the man to whom I
 
 LETTERS 207 
 
 write, and that it is of Importance to set you well together before 
 He has time to communicate his Displeasure to other Correspond- 
 ents, upon this Occasion and all others your Grace's Commands 
 shall be obeyed by 
 
 your Grace's most faithful 
 
 and obedient Servant 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Endorsed, July 16th, 1755. Mr. Nugent. 
 
 (Mr. Walpole.) 
 
 Pall Mall, Saturday Noon. 
 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 In the following method you prescribe in yr Letter after 
 having said enough of Antient History, I shall descend to that of 
 modern Times, and particularly to that part of it wch relates to 
 my Friend Stambury v. Exciseman. I am willing to receive all 
 that you recount Concerning him, so far as it regards the Duke of 
 Newcastle, as you would please that I shd take it, & with many 
 Thanks to yr self, for the Pains you have employ'd in his behalf. 
 But you will give me Leave to express some Concern that you shd 
 think it unreasonable for me after what has passed, to desire his 
 Icing replaced at Bridgeiuater. 
 
 I should be sorry to Commit the Duke with the Person whose 
 Name you have forgot ; I know the Importance, the Steadiness & 
 the Sincerity of his Friendship, and should therefore think it hard 
 upon the duke to press him to give him just Cause of Discontent. 
 But Mr. Webb must certainlv have mistaken the Duke's Promise 
 to him, or his demand of ye Duke, wch is of a nature strangely 
 vindictive, that none removed from Bridgwater on Account of 
 ? Election should be restored. — Upon due Consideration of all 
 Circumstances relative to his Interest & mine &c. to have 
 promised that none of his Friends should be removed on Account 
 of that Election would have been a strong Engagement. 
 
 But to speak plainly upon this Subject, I submit it to yourself, 
 whether in a Borough (where your own Hints import a Supposition 
 that a Re-election may possibly happen soon), it ought to be left 
 in doubt with the People there, whether I have Influence enough 
 to restore an injur'd man, turn'd out by an Antagonist, (Still out 
 of vanity and that only) affecting to maintain an Interest in direct 
 opposition to mine. Is this not evidently to create all the Vexa- 
 tion, Trouble & Expence that is possible to me ? — And is this 
 Consistent with any Profession of Sincerity or Regard for me ? I
 
 208 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 may most certainly defy, and set at Naught all the malignant efforts 
 that may be made against me, but it is a most unnatural thing, and 
 too absurd (if I can help myself) to endure, either in ye Present, 
 or in any future Instance. If therefore any Justice is to be done 
 this Man, you cannot wonder that I should expect his being not 
 only directly restored to what was before, but that he may receive 
 some Time hence farther Marks of favour as an amends for what 
 he has already suffer'd. 
 
 In Regard to what you are pleas'd to say concerning the 
 Continuance of ye duke of Newcastle in his present Scituation, I 
 have perhaps contributed my endeavours more than he ever be- 
 lieved, and more than I care whether he ever knows or not, to 
 keep him there, & at Conjunctures when he has thought me most 
 adverse. But whatever you or I may think most honest to wish, 
 or whatever we might be disposed to do for him, I may venture to 
 pronounce will not prevent his fall, or Confusion to the Kings 
 Affairs ; without an Early and great decision of his own, as well 
 as his Masters, in which whether I may have any Concern of not, 
 (so far as it may affect myself only) is matter of inconceivable 
 Indifference to me. 
 
 I am, Dr Sr, 
 Yr obliged & faithfull humble Servt, 
 
 Egmont. 
 
 P.S. I did not receive yr Letter of Thursday till this morning. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,857. 
 f. 526. 
 
 Bristol, August 1st, 1755. 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 The Letter with which your Grace honoured me this 
 Day had every Effect I hoped from it. I first shewd it to a 
 chosen Few ; and, by their Advice and Persuasion, had it read 
 aloud to upwards of two Hundred of your Grace's Brethren of 
 the Union. They answered with a Bumper and a loud Huzza. 
 They insisted upon having it inrolld with their Records, but when 
 I beggd to be excused from giving up the Letter, They would 
 have been contented with a Copy, I thought this second Request 
 equally improper to be complyd with, without your Grace's 
 express Leave. I shall have the Honour of waiting on your 
 Grace at the Board on Wednesday, when I hope to have an 
 opportunity of communicating some Things to you not unworthy 
 of your Attention, and of congratulating your Grace upon a
 
 LETTERS 209 
 
 further Progress in what has been so fortunately begun. That I 
 may have many opportunities and occasions of a like Nature, is 
 the hearty wish of, my Dear Lord Duke 
 
 your Grace's most faithful 
 
 and obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 Endorsed, Bristol, Aug. 1, 1755. Mr. Nugent. Rd. 4th. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,860. 
 f. 389. 
 
 Mr. Nugent sends his Compliments to the Duke of Newcastle, 
 and takes the Liberty to inform his Grace of a Circumstance 
 
 relating to Mr. C Townshend, necessary for Him to know. 
 
 Mr. Nugent has been told that a Reelection at Yarmouth will 
 be attended with great Difficulties and Hazard. 
 
 Thursday. 
 
 Endorsed, November 6th, 1755. ^ r - Nugent. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,866. 
 Vol. clxxxi. f. 326. (Copy.) 
 
 Claremont, July 31, 1756. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I must take the Liberty to trouble you, as usual, with My 
 best Compliments to My good Friends and Brethren of the Union 
 Club. Their distinguished Zeal for His Majesty, and His 
 Government, and for the Support of the Whig Cause ; Their 
 Friendship and Regard for you, and Their Goodness to Me, must 
 engage My warmest Wishes for their Prosperity and Success j 
 and I depend upon the Knowledge You have of my Sincere 
 Esteem for Theirs, and Gratitude for the Favors, They have 
 shew'd Me ; — That you will assure them, of all the Service that 
 I may be able to do them. 
 
 I heartily wish, That It had been in My Power to have added 
 to the Joy of your Meeting, in Commemoration of the Happy 
 Day when His Majesty's Royal Family came to reign over us, 
 by congratulating you, upon the Success of His Majesty's Arms 
 in Defence of the Rights and Possessions of His Majesty's Crown, 
 and the Trade and Commerce of His Subjects. As His Majesty 
 has done Every Thing on His Part, To promote the Interest of 
 His People, and to defend Them in all their just Rights and 
 Privileges ; We may have the firmest Dependence, That no 
 Misfortune, (to whatever Cause it may be to be assigned), will 
 
 p
 
 210 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 divert the King from the same great Pursuit, and It is to be 
 hoped by the Blessing of God on His Majesty's Arms, The 
 Success may answer His Majesty's great Views and Expectations, 
 and the Earnest Wishes of all His Faithful Subjects, & Good 
 Friends to their Countrey. I am, Dear Sr, with the greatest 
 Respect and Affection 
 
 Your Most Obedient 
 Humble Servant, 
 
 Holles Newcastle. 
 Honble. Robert Nugent, Esq. 
 
 Endorsed, Copy to Mr. Nugent, July 31st, 1756. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,866. 
 Vol. clxxxi. f. 324. (Copy.) 
 
 Claremont, July 31st, 1756. 
 
 Dear Nugent, 
 
 I hazard the Enclosed Letter to your Discretion. You 
 see I have touched upon a Ticklish Point, I must therefore insist, 
 That you neither let a Copy be taken of it, nor Extract from it. 
 I should even wish, That It might not be read in Publick, and 
 only shew'd by you to some particular Friends of the Club, — & 
 the Substance of it mentioned by you in Discourse to Others. — I 
 thought I could not avoid touching upon the Loss of Minorca ; 
 I thought it not fair, to lay the Loss Expressly upon Byng, Tho' 
 there it will, & must be laid, and there only. I would not 
 answer for the Regaining it, — and yet I have said enough, To 
 shew We intend to do our best everywhere. I beg you would 
 make My particular Compliments to My Friend Mr. Tucker, I 
 am truly sensible of His great Merit, and what is much more to 
 the Purpose, The King is so too. If I don't point out any 
 particular Preferment, It is, Because I would not disappoint Him. 
 The Deanry of Bristol, or Gloucester, was what He seemed to 
 wish for ; That of Bristol is absolutely engaged to Dr. Warburton, 
 at the Recommendation of Sir John Legonier, & the Attorney 
 Genl. — I don't love to make promises or Engagements, but you 
 may assure Mr. Tucker, That I will endeavour to serve Him as 
 soon as I can, consistently with My Prior Engagements. I will 
 talk This Matter fully over to you, — when we meet. I am, 
 
 Dear Nugent, 
 
 Ever most Sincerely Yours 
 
 Holles Newcastle. 
 
 Mr. Nugent. 
 
 Endorsed, Copy to Mr. Nugent, July 31st, 1756.
 
 LETTERS 211 
 
 Gosfield, August 3d, 1756. 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,867. 
 f. 193. 
 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 The enclosed Letters will explain to your Grace the 
 Cause of our Friends Silence ; Their mouths were full of Turtle, 
 and if you come in the second Place it is as much as I can hope 
 for you. Their Address will I dare flatter myself partake of their 
 Diet, for Turtle is wont to inspire warm, kind, and vigorous 
 sensations, when the Bristol Petitions are presented, will it not 
 be right to try what can be done at Liverpool ? I have many 
 Friends there, and among Them one who tho a Dissenter and a 
 good Whig, is a leading man among the Tories. He has been 
 much neglected, but He still professes much Friendship for me. I 
 shall talk this matter over with your Grace when I attend you in 
 Town next Wednesday, as I suppose that Day still remains fixd 
 for our meeting. Is not Tucker a fine Fellow ? He deserves a 
 Bishoprick. It will be best not to mention the story of the 
 Pretender, and I wish it were not mentioned at Bristol, as it will 
 be thought a Desire of ours to be revenged on Smith. If our 
 Friends do as They ought, and I dare say They will, indeed They 
 shoud be extricated out of the Difficulties in which They are 
 now plunged by their zeal for the Whig-Cause. This will 
 confirm Them ours for ever, and sure They are worth keeping, 
 you say nothing of Lord Egmont's man, nor of the merchants 
 Petition relating to the Gun-Powder. I hope your Grace has 
 not mislaid it, and that I shall have it when I come to town. I 
 have a Letter from Frederick upon that Subject, in no Degree 
 satisfactory. Your Grace's Letter is much more than I can 
 deserve. If I did not wish you personally well, as I really do, I 
 shoud still think myself in Honour obliged to act consistentlv 
 with my former Professions, and to demonstrate myself in the 
 Day of Tryal my Dear Lord Duke 
 
 Your Grace's faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servt. 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 you will see by a former Letter of Tucker's how the Address 
 from the Tories was obtaind. I think it upon the whole a lucky 
 event. 
 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Sep. 3d, 1856. Mr. Nugent. Rd. 5.
 
 212 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,866. 
 Vol. clxxxi. f. 347. 
 
 Bristol, August yl, 1756. 
 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 I found our Friends here in much better Dispositions 
 than I had Reason to hope for from what I had heard before I 
 came. They feel the Loss of minorca in common with all others, 
 but not with that Dejection of spirit which disgraces London, 
 nor do they ascribe it to the same absurd and improbable Causes. 
 You will easily believe my best Endeavours have not been unem- 
 ployed in confirming and extending this rational and manly 
 Temper in my Constituents, and for this Purpose, I shall stay 
 among Them some Days longer than I at first proposed, and not 
 return to London sooner than will be necessary to attend your 
 Grace at the Board on Wednesday the nth Inst, as I understand 
 it will be inconvenient for Sir George Lyttleton to be then 
 present. If the Humour of instructing members shoud revive, as 
 is threatened in other Places, I dare promise myself such Instruc- 
 tions from this City as I shall follow with very great Pleasure, 
 and after the Royal Family and Success to his majesty's Arms, 
 your Grace's Health was drunk in a bumper, by Two Hundred 
 particular Friends, at our yesterday's Entertainment, where your 
 Letter was not read in Public, altho' it might have been with 
 many good Effects and without any bad one, for without Flattery 
 nothing could be better writ upon the Occasion, and to demonstrate 
 to your Grace that I do not mean to flatter you, I will make you 
 no Compliments upon the Letter which accompanyd it, and which 
 fell so very short of my very reasonable Expectations for Doctor 
 Tucker, and of what He deserves of your Grace, that for both 
 your sakes I would not shew it to Him. Indeed, my Dear Lord 
 Duke, a faithful and an efficient Friend should at no Time have 
 been treated as this poor man has been, and the Circumstances of 
 this Time do not make it better Policy at present. I know no 
 man in England, without Exception, more capable of serving you 
 with his Pen than He is. If your Grace does, I wish He were 
 employed as well as rewarded, for such are certainly wanting. 
 Forgive this Freedom my Dear Lord Duke in one who if He did 
 not feel upon this occasion must have a greater Indifference for 
 your Service than ever shall be found in, my Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 Your Grace's faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servt. 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Endorsed, Bristol, August 3d, 17,56. Mr. Nugent. Rd. 5th.
 
 LETTERS 213 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,866. 
 Vol. clxxxi. f. 456. 
 
 Gosfield, August l$th, 1756. 
 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 If vour Grace approves the inclosed Letters, let them be 
 seald and sent to the Post. I choose that the meeting of our 
 Friends should be desired, in Hopes you may be able to contrive 
 Things so as to preserve Them in good Humour and bind Them 
 stil faster to you. of this your Grace is much a better Judge than I 
 am, but I mean it honestly for your Service, and if They were 
 once extricated out of those Difficulties in which a Few have 
 plunged the whole Body, I know no other Cause that can possibly 
 disunite them. I wish your Grace Joy of the Decision of the 
 Court martial, which has proved more conformable to my wishes 
 than I had Reason to hope from the Information given me. The 
 Proceedings of the City of London will I am assured be more 
 moderate than was at first apprehended, but a shew of moderation 
 may possibly be only meant to reconcile and unite unprejudiced 
 People to the measures of the more violent and Designing. If an 
 Address of another stamp from the Corporation of Bristol be 
 thought expedient, I shall be ready to obey your Commands in 
 this, as in all other Things that can demonstrate the truth and 
 zeal with which I am, my Dear Lord Duke, 
 Your Grace's faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servt. 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, August 15th, 1756. Mr. Nugent. Rd. 16th. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,866. 
 f.458. (Copy.) 
 
 Gosfield, Aug. \$th, 1756. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I write to the Committee by this Post, to inform Them 
 of what has passed, between My Lord Granville, and Me, upon 
 the Subject of Their Message to Him Relative to the Petition ; 
 and I give it as my opinion, They had better defer The Meeting 
 of our "Friends, untill Mr. Spencer's Arrival, which will be in a 
 few Days. 
 
 I have no news, to send you, at this Distance, which must 
 have reach'd you sooner Than This Letter can. But I cannot 
 Close it without requesting You to Assure your worthy, and 
 Respectable Brethren, of my unalterable Attachment to Them ;
 
 2i 4 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 and that I have not failed to represent, in its proper Light, The 
 Excellent Temper, and Disposition in which I found, and left, 
 The Mayor, and Aldermen of Bristol ; Deserving the Approba- 
 tion ; and Imitation, of Every Corporate Body in This Kingdom. 
 I must confess, Altho' I wish Every Individual of His Majesty's 
 Subject may do right, It is no small Pleasure to me, That my 
 Constituents should be more in the Right, than any other Body 
 of People, and That The City of Bristol, tho' only the Second 
 in Wealth and Numbers, should be the first in other Respects, 
 still more valuable than these, with a Magistracy at Her Head, in 
 which There does not exist One Man, who is not an Approved 
 Friend to His King, and Country. 
 
 This Our Gracious Monarch knows, and our Noble, and good, 
 Friend, The Duke of Newcastle, has Faithfully reported to Him, 
 Every Thing I have said upon This subject. I am 
 Dr. Sir, and ever shall remain 
 Your, and Your worthy Brethren's, 
 
 Most faithful & Affectionate Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Henry Dampier, Esq. 
 
 Endorsed, Copy of a Letter from Mr. Nugent to the Mayor of 
 Bristol, Gosfield, Aug. 15th, 1756. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,166. 
 f. 460. (Copy.) 
 
 Go s field, Aug. i^th, 1756. 
 
 Sirs, 
 
 I had not an Opportunity of Discharging Your Com- 
 mission, to My Lord Granville, until the very Moment I was 
 setting my Foot in my Chaise, to come to This Place ; And, as by 
 His Answer, Referring you to Mr. Spencer, who will be in London 
 in a Few Days, I found it would not be proper to come to any 
 Determination, without a previous Application to Him ; I defer'd 
 writing until my Arrival here. At the same Time, That you 
 Apply to Mr. Spencer, for The Three Thousand Pounds, I 
 suppose you will think it right, To lay open to Him the Expences 
 already incurred ; The Debt now due by you, and The Impossi- 
 bility of raising, by Subscription, a Sufficient Sum to carry on a 
 Petition in the House of Commons. When you have His Answer, 
 it will then, and, in My Opinion, not till then, be the proper 
 Time, for A Meeting, to take the whole Matter under your 
 Consideration. I do not write News to you, which you must have 
 ^rom London, sooner than this Letter can reach you.
 
 LETTERS 215 
 
 Mr. Byng's Tryal will be brought on, as soon as the officers 
 can be recalled, from the Mediterranean ; whom He has com- 
 manded as Witnesses. When That happens, The Cause of That 
 Misfortune, which we all lament, must appear in its True Light. 
 Those, who feel Themselves Blameless, must no Doubt, be as 
 impatient for This Explanation, as the most clamorous Petitioners 
 for an Enquiry, can possibly be. But God forbid, That any Man, 
 however criminal, should be refused any Legal Means, which, He 
 may think necessary, for His Defence. It has been a sensible 
 Pleasure to me, and I have boasted of it with Pride, for my 
 Constituents, That the whigs of Bristol, at the same Time, That 
 They are sensible of the Loss of Minorca, bear it with the 
 Firmness, That becomes Brave Men ; and are not Transported 
 into Absurd Notions ; which, in general, are propagated by The 
 Bad, and believed by The Weak. That They may, upon every 
 Occasion, Distinguish Themselves as much to Their Honour, as 
 They do upon This, in the opinion of Every Unprejudiced well- 
 wisher to His King, and Country ; will, I make no Doubt, be 
 your Endeavour, and is the hearty Prayer of, Sirs, 
 
 Your most faithful, & 
 
 Affectionate Servant 
 
 Union Committee. R. Nugent. 
 
 Endorsed, Copy of a Letter from Mr. Nugent to the Union 
 Committee. 
 
 Gosfit'ld, Aug. 1 5 th, 1756. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,866. 
 fol. 470. 
 
 Gosfield, August 17, 1756. 
 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 I send your Grace the enclosed Letter from Lord Egmont, 
 which if it strikes you as it does me will not displease you. It 
 opens I think a way to the Negociation, which surely ought not 
 to be neglected or delayed. Terms rather unreasonable when you 
 treated with Him before, shoud in my poor opinion not be refused 
 now. If your Grace thinks my Letter may be of any Service, 
 order it to be forwarded ; if not, burnt. Be pleased to return me 
 his Letter, and believe me as I really am, my Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 Your Grace's most faithful 
 
 and most obedient sent, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Endorsed, Aug. 17th, i~]fi. Mr. Nugent.
 
 216 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,867. 
 f. 30. 
 
 Gos field, August %\th, ij$6. 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 I received the enclosed Letters since I last writ to your 
 Grace. And I have informed Lord Egmont that I woud transmit 
 to you the Letter from Bridgewater, and that I made no Doubt 
 when your Grace returned from Sussex, of having such an 
 Answer as will be agreable to his Friends, if the Place be not 
 already promised at Dodington's Recommendation. Knowing 
 that some Place belonging to that Borough has been so promised. 
 I mentioned this Circumstance to obviate all suspicion of Unkind- 
 ness if the Fact shoud be that your Grace is previously engaged. 
 
 When ever your Grace shall be prepared with sure and 
 practicable Ground for Negociation, I shall be willing and readv 
 to execute your Commands. Altho I really think the Baron as 
 proper a Person as can be employd. 
 
 When you formerly treated with Ld Egmont, a Peerage for his 
 Son was, as I have been told, his object, but whether his marriage 
 may not induce him now to substitute some other Consideration 
 in the Room of that, deserves to be attended to in forming those 
 Proposals which you mean shoud be offerd to Him. For I am 
 very doubtful whether He will have Confidence sufficient in any 
 Friend of your Grace, to trust Him with an Overture upon what 
 He may be willing to accept, until He can be sure of having it. 
 and indeed my Lord, if He can not be made absolutely sure 
 without dallying and Delay, it will be much better let Things 
 remain as they are. The Time is short, and He thinks, tho r 
 without just Grounds, that He has already been trifled with. 
 Tucker is your Grace's Servant for Life. I have a Letter from 
 Him full of Gratitude and Thanks. If any Thing can be done 
 for Bristol, it shoud be done very soon, before our" Friends meet 
 and quarrel. They will meet as soon as They hear from Mr. 
 Spencer, and They will as surely fall out among Themselves when 
 They do meet, and if They shoud become Lukewarm and out 
 of Humour, They may not be so easily manageable in other 
 Things as They now are. I write to your Grace with an Arm 
 that has been just now let Blood for a feverish Disorder. But as I 
 find myself much better since the Operation, I hope in a very 
 few Days to be able to obey any Commands your Grace shall 
 have for, my Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 Your Grace's most faithful 
 
 and obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Aug. 24th, 1756. Mr. Nugent.
 
 LETTERS 217 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,867. 
 f. 52. 
 
 Gosfield, August i^th, 1756. 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 Your Grace will I fear grow tired of seeing my Hand, if 
 my Letters shoud be as long as they have been. This therefore 
 shall be a short one, and is only meant, while it encloses the two 
 Letters I received from Knox, to inform your Grace that Tucker 
 thinks the Tories will be for an Address in the same stile with 
 that of London, and that He and some other of our Friends are of 
 opinion it will be better not to oppose the Proposition for an 
 Address in absolute and peremptory Terms, but to urge it will be 
 proper to stay until Byng's Tryal is over, and then to make the 
 Discoveries which may appear the Foundation. I entirely agree 
 with Knox that our Friends will not intermiddle without a Hint 
 from me, and do not perceive the utility of making the Concession 
 Tucker mentions. I shall therefore upon second Thoughts add 
 to the Bulk of this Pacquet, and a Letter to Tucker for your 
 Grace to dispose of as you shall think proper. Sr Thomas 
 Robinson is here, and presents his best Respects. He will be in 
 Town earlv on Friday. I have not exactly observed the Promise 
 with which I begun this Letter, but however I may err by Excess, 
 I never will by stopping short in any Act by which I can 
 demonstrate my Self, my Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 Your Grace's faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Knox is one of the chief merchants at Bristol. 
 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Aug. 25, 1756. Mr. Nugent. Rd. 27th. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,867. 
 f. 125. 
 
 Gosfield, August 28th, 1756. 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 I have orderd the messenger to proceed on to your Grace 
 with the enclosed Pacquet, it will inform you of what has been 
 done by our Enemies, and you will see what I do to ward the 
 Blow, if you approve, send the whole or any Part by Express to 
 Bristol, under Cover to the Post-master in my Name, you may 
 place an entire Confidence in Tucker and add to, or take from 
 my Instructions to Him as your Grace shall think proper. I wish 
 you coud have enabled me to arm our Trusty Friends with some-
 
 218 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 thing more powerful than words upon a Body of men already 
 exhausted, and subject to great and pressing Demands. I have 
 not been wanting on my Part to warn your Grace of the Necessity 
 of this measure. All that your best Friends can do is to serve you 
 with the means in their Power to use, and as far as these go, your 
 Grace may depend upon the Service of my Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 your Grace's most faithful 
 and obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 Be please to turn. 
 
 I had like to have forgot sending you the Address from the 
 merchants which I beg may be carefully returnd, with your 
 Grace's Directions to me upon it. 
 
 Endorsed, Mr. Nugent, Gosfield Hall, Aug. 28, 17,56. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,867. 
 
 f- 153. 
 
 Gosfield, August 30, 1756. 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 I have just now received the inclosed Copy of an Address 
 from my Collegue Mr. Smith, with a kind Invitation to accompany 
 him to Kensington to present it. I send you a Copy of my 
 Answer, together with Letters to the Union-Committee and the 
 mayor of Bristol, which I beg you will forward by an Express if 
 you approve of Them. Our Friends are fond of Expresses, and 
 They will think me the more in Earnest. I am, my Dear Lord 
 Duke, 
 
 Your Grace's most faithful 
 and obedient Servt, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 What am I to say to Egmont about his Boatman ? Tucker 
 informs me that the Tories were obliged to so from Door to Door 
 for Names to their Address, and that all the moderate ones 
 declared against it, even Smith who is not to present it. 
 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Aug. 30th, 1756. Mr. Nugent. ltd. 31st. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,867. 
 f. 154. 
 
 [Copy of my Answer to Mr. Jarrit Smith.] 
 
 August 30th, 1756. 
 Sir, 
 
 As you have not favourd me with any of their Names who 
 
 have signed the Address of which you have been pleasd to send me
 
 LETTERS 219 
 
 a Copy, and as I have not received the Sentiments of any one or 
 my very numerous Friends and Correspondents at Bristol upon it, 
 you doubtless do not expect, by the Return of your messenger, a 
 positive Answer from me. when I shall be properly informd, with 
 any Degree of Certainty, of the real Sentiments of the Gentlemen, 
 Clergy, merchants and other principal Inhabitants of the City of 
 Bristol, I shall act a Part becoming of their Representative, and of 
 one indebted merely to their good will for being so. I am, Sir, with 
 much Regard, etc. 
 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Aug. 30th, 1756. Mr. Nugent to Mr. Smith. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,867. 
 f. 328. 
 
 Gosfield, Sept. $th, 1756. 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 I thought it woud not be displeasing to you to read the 
 plain, honest and warm Sentiments of our Friends at Bristol. 
 That you may find many such all over England is the hearty 
 wish of my Dear Lord Duke 
 
 your Grace's faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servt, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 I hope the King will say something when I present the 
 Addresses that will tell well at Bristol, prepare Him for them. I 
 shall present them on Thursday. 
 
 To His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. 
 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Sept. 5, 1756. Mr. Nugent. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,867. 
 f. 270. 
 
 Gosfield, Sept. lolh, 1756. 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 I send your Grace a Copy of the Address from Bristol, 
 signed by many Hundreds. I hope you will think it free from 
 the objections to which the Paper I last sent you was certainly 
 lyable. with your Grace's Leave I will present it on monday next, 
 and if you think it proper to have it inserted in the Gazette, you 
 will be pleasd to give your orders accordingly I am, with an 
 unalterable Attachment, my Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 your Grace's faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servt, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Sept. 10th, 1756. Mr. Nugent.
 
 220 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,867. 
 f. 365. 
 
 Gas field, Sept. 21, 1756. 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 Mr. Knox, the warmest and most efficient Friend we have 
 at Bristol, will present a memorial for Relief in a Case of extreme 
 Hardship to Him, and many others of your Grace's well-wishers, 
 your Grace will be more inclined to grant his Request, as it may 
 be of Advantage to the Public, at the same Time that it gives a 
 Chance to innocent Sufferers, for the Recovery of some Part of 
 their Loss. I am, my Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 your Grace's most 
 
 faithful and obedient Servt, 
 R. Nugent. 
 This matter requires immediate Dispatch. 
 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Sept. 21st, 1756. Mr. Nugent. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,871. 
 f. 159. 
 
 Cheltenham, May 28th, 1757. 
 My Dear Lord Duke, 
 
 I have just now received a Letter from my Servant in 
 London to inform me that your Grace wanted to know how to 
 direct to me. I came to this Place two Days ago to visit Sr 
 William Stanhope, and shall be in Town on Tuesday, ready to 
 obey any Commands you shall have for my Dear Lord Duke 
 
 your Grace's faithful 
 
 and m6st obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Endorsed, Cheltenham, May 28th, 1757. Mr. Nugent. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,878. 
 f. 116. 
 
 My Dear Lord, 
 
 I coud not let your Grace go out of Town, without 
 discharging my Debt of Thanks for the share of Concern you 
 have been pleasd to take in the Health of a faithful humble 
 Servant. I am now much better tho not free from Fever, and 
 an other very uneasy Disorder attending it. 
 
 The Dean of Gloucester is dead, and as your Grace told me 
 there had been some solicitors for his Preferment upon a vacancy, 
 I thought it best to give your Grace early Notice of it, that a
 
 LETTERS 
 
 221 
 
 speedy Nomination of Doctor Tucker may save you from further 
 Importunity. I am with unalterable Attachment, my Dear Lord, 
 
 Your Grace's ever obedient 
 
 and devoted Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Spring Gardens, March ^.th, 1758. 
 
 Endorsed, March 4th, 1758. Mr. Nugent. (Dr. Tucker to be Dean 
 of Gloucester.) 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,879. 
 f. 406. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 In obedience to vour Grace's Commands I have hastily 
 thrown together a few Thoughts upon the Importation of Cattle 
 from Ireland. They will I hope be sufficient, and I propose no 
 more, to set your Grace a thinking upon the Subject. If it appears 
 to you as it does to me, I shall be in no Pain for the Bill, as I am 
 convinced from my Knowledge of your Grace, that no personal 
 Connections can have Influence with you where the Intrest of 
 our Country is concernd. I am, with an inviolable Attachment, 
 my Lord, 
 
 your Grace's faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servt, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Richmond, May \th, 1758. 
 
 Endorsed, Richmond, May 4th, 1758. Mr. Nugent. (Irish Cattle.) 
 
 The Price of lean Cattle had been rising for many years before 
 the Distemper : Runts that used to be sold at thirty shillings 
 a Head, five and twenty years ago, rose to fifty, and are now 
 much dearer. They were dearer in England last year than ever 
 was known, altho the Distemper had ceasd and Fodder was 
 scarce. 
 
 The Price of Beef has not kept Pace with the advanced Price 
 of lean Cattle ; and many Farmers, especially last year, have been 
 deterd by this Circumstance from venturing upon a full stock for 
 their grounds. This has, more than probably, been one Cause of 
 the Scarcety and high Price of Beef in the present year. 
 
 while these Causes subsist, the same Effects must follow, and 
 beside the Evils of an advanced Price upon universal Consumption, 
 every Acre of grazing ground understockd, creates a national Loss 
 of a proportionable Quantity of such Ground, and of fat Cattle,
 
 222 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 in Favour of a small Gain to a few Individuals upon barren 
 Heaths and lean Runts. 
 
 The disproportionate Price which lean Cattle bear to fat, 
 plainly arises from this Cause and from no other : The Improve- 
 ments made by Inclosures, foreign and home Grass-Seeds and 
 Turnips have, in numberless Instances converted poor breeding 
 Grounds into Pasture, and by Consequence while the Demand 
 for lean Cattle is increasd by these means, the stock to supply 
 that Demand is lessend. This Evil can only be remedyd by 
 opening an other Supply. 
 
 The Grazier in Ireland has a monopoly upon the Breeder, from 
 whence it follows that the Price of lean Cattle is low there, and 
 the breeding stock can never increase beyond the Demand of the 
 irish market, while this monopoly remains, the vast Tracts of 
 totally unprofitable Bogg and mountain in Ireland must remain 
 unreclamed which in the first stage of Improvement, by draining 
 and inclosing, woud otherwise be made good breeding Ground. 
 
 In Scotland and Wales the Breeder hath a monopoly upon the 
 Grazier of Great Britain and the Price of lean Cattle is by Con- 
 sequence higher than in Ireland. But as all other Species, whether 
 of Produce or manufacture, are dearer in Ireland than in Scotland 
 or wales, being a richer Country, it necessarily follows that the 
 Price of lean Cattle in those Parts of the united Kingdom is dis- 
 proportionate to all other Things ; and while it remains so, the 
 Produce which lends least to the Advantage of the Community, as 
 it employs and maintains fewest Hands, will be most cherishd, 
 and will exclude every other Production of Labour or Art, which 
 alone ever has or ever can enrich a Country. The poor, lazy and 
 ignorant owner of lean Cattle will conclude, as many now do, 
 that barren mountains never can be fertilized, nor breedine 
 Grounds be converted into Pasture or Tillage. 
 
 From Hence it is evident, that as the great Difference of 
 Expence and Hazard in Conveying Cattle by sea from Ireland, 
 and driving them by Land from Scotland and wales, must ever 
 operate in Favour of the latter against the former, we never shall 
 get any Cattle from Ireland, except when a real or artificial Scarcety 
 raises their Price in those Parts of the united Kingdom to a Pitch 
 prejudicial to their real Intrests. and that one of the good Effects 
 arising from an Importation of lean Cattle from Ireland, will be 
 the setling a juster Proportion, in Scotland and wales, between 
 the value of such Cattle and that of other Species of Produce and 
 manufacture. 
 
 The Apprehensions of great Numbers of fat Cattle being 
 imported, if an Evil, are vain and groundless ; as fat Cattle woud
 
 LETTERS 223 
 
 be exposed to more Accidents in Transporation ; as the Loss of one 
 fat Beast by such Accidents woud be equal to two lean Beasts ; 
 and as the Profits upon importing lean Cattle woud be greater 
 from the higher proportionate Price They bear at our markets. 
 Endorsed, Mr. Nugent's Letter of May 4th, 1758. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,890. 
 f. 27. 
 
 My Dear Lord, 
 
 I have had no Letter, except that with which vour Grace 
 has honourd me, concerning Sir William maynard's Determin- 
 ation ; and as it is necessary for me to know whether it be agreed 
 that his Friends shoud appear at the meeting which is to be 
 appointed at Chelmsford, I send this Letter by a special messenger, 
 and shall hope for an Answer by tomorrow's Post, that I may 
 form my Applications here accordingly. I had upon a former 
 Occasion engaged many voters for Sir William maynard, in 
 opposition to Sir John Abdv, who were not at all satisfyd with 
 his having then declined the Contest. They still remember the 
 Disappointment, and I much apprehend that some will now take 
 the opportunity of resenting it. I shall do what I can with 
 Them, and hope that Mr. Honevwood and I shall be able to give 
 a good Account of this End of the County, in Conjunction with 
 some other Gentlemen, zealous Friends to Government, who 
 have not the Honour of being known to your Grace. I am 
 extremely happy in your Grace's Approbation of the small Part 
 that fell to my share in the House of Commons. I always have 
 endeavoured, and always shall endeavour to deserve it, by every 
 Thing that can demonstrate the sincere Attachment with which 
 I profess myself to be, my Dear Lord, 
 
 your Grace's faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servant, 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Gosfield, April nth, 1759. 
 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, April nth, 1759. Mr. Nugent. Rd. 12th. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,891. 
 f. 283. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I am just now stepping into my Chaise, to accompany 
 Lady Berkeley to Eton, where Lord Berkeley is somewhat out 
 of Order, enough to alarm her Fears for Him. If the Letters
 
 224 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 that accompany this be thought proper by your Grace, you will 
 be pleasd to order them to be sent by this Night's Post, or by an 
 Express, to Bristol. I am with the utmost Respect my Lord, 
 
 Your Grace's faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 Spring Garden, May 24-th, 1759. 
 
 Endorsed, May 24th, 1759. Mr. Nugent. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,900. 
 f- 33 1 - 
 
 My Dear Lord, 
 
 I came to this Place last Night, set out from hence this 
 morning for Bristol, was elected unanimously, and am now 
 returnd to Dinner which waits for, mv Dear Lord, 
 
 Your Grace's ever 
 
 faithful and most 
 
 obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 my Election has not cost me a single Dot of Ale. 
 
 Bath, December 26th, 1759. 
 
 Endorsed, Bath, December 26th, 1759. ^ r - Nugent. Rd. 29th. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,900. 
 f- 534- 
 
 My Dear Lord, 
 
 your Grace's Answer to me yesterday has affected me 
 greatly, as you now seem determin'd that Mr. Erskine shall not 
 have the Living of Fobbing. I have already explaind to your 
 Grace the peculiar Circumstances of Hardship that attend His 
 Case, and let me earnestly intreat you, before the Decision is 
 absolutely made, to consider the much more cruel situation in 
 which I shall be placed, in the near Neighbourhood of a worthy 
 man ruind by the Confidence He reposed in what I told Him. 
 Ask your own good Heart what it woud feel in such Circum- 
 stances, and then determine upon what must be felt by my Dear 
 Lord 
 
 Your Grace's ever faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 Spring Garden, Jan. 30th, 1760. 
 
 Endorsed, January 30th, 1760. Mr. Nugent. (Living of Fobbing.)
 
 LETTERS 225 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,881. 
 f- 133- 
 
 From Mr. Nugent. 
 
 The Reverend John Erskine to succeed Dr. Hibbins in the 
 Living of Fobbing in the County of Essex. 
 
 Endorsed, Mr. Nugent. (For the Living of Fobbing in Essex.) 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,904. 
 f. 414. 
 
 Mr. Nugent sends his most respectful Compliments to the Duke 
 of Newcastle. He received the Honor of His Grace's Card here, 
 where He has been detaind by Gout and Rheumatism ever since 
 last Wednesday was se'ennight. As soon as He can get rid of 
 these troublesome Companions He will in Person acknowledge 
 The Honor His Grace was pleasd to attend Him. 
 
 Gosfield, April l'jth, 1760. 
 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, April 17th, 1760. Mr. Nugent. Rd. 28th. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,905. 
 f. 327. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I do not wait upon your Grace as I know you do not 
 choose to be troubled with visits on a Treasury-morning. Has 
 your Grace been pleasd to move The King for Leave that I may 
 go to Spa, so as to enable me to kiss his majesty's Hand this morn- 
 ing, or if you have not, woud it be improper to hope for a Line 
 from your Grace to the Lord of the Bed-Chamber in waiting for 
 this Purpose. I am Thus urgent, because if I do not tomorrow 
 kiss his Hands at Saville and Leicester House, I must wait a fort- 
 night longer, and I have Business which will necessarily call me 
 back into England in the month of July. I am with the most 
 sincere and respectful Attachment my Dear Lord 
 
 your Grace's faithful 
 
 and most obedt Servt, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Spring Garden, May Jth, 1760. 
 
 Endorsed, May 7th, 1760. Mr. Nugent. 
 
 Q
 
 226 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,907. 
 f. 278. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I had yesterday a Letter from my son to inform me that 
 He intended to apply to your Grace for his majesty's Leave to 
 serve this Campaign in our Navy In Germany, as there is no 
 Probability of the Royal volunteers being ordered abroad. If His 
 majesty shoud be graciously pleasd to grant his Request, may I 
 beg Leave earnestly to intreat your Grace that you will honor 
 Him with a Recommendation to Prince Ferdinand, that He may 
 be admitted as one of his Aid-de-Camps. He speaks the German 
 Language fluently, and I hope possesses the other Qualifications 
 necessary to that station. 
 
 As I coud have no french Pass at the Hague in monsr D'AfFry's 
 Absence, I obtaind a Pass from Prince Charles at Brussels, which 
 monsr Cobentrel assured me woud be sufficient. He desired me 
 to assure your Grace of his Respects, and behaved Himself with 
 very great Civility towards me. There are here a Lieut. General, 
 Le Comte D'audelau, who commands in the Country of Liege; 
 and a marechal des Camps, le Chevalier de Grollier, who com- 
 manded last in the Duchy of Cleves. Both infirm. They are very 
 polite, and we converse with as much Ease as if the Nations were 
 in profound Peace. These with their Aids de Camps, and the 
 Bishop of Augsburg with his attendants, are the only Company 
 worth naming at this Place. I am, with unalterable Attachment, 
 my Dear Lord, 
 
 Your Grace's ever faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servant 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Spa, June i^th, 1760. 
 
 Endorsed, Spa, June 17th, 1760. Mr. Nugent. Rd. July 8th. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,918. 
 f. 485. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I confessd to your Grace that I had no Pretensions to the 
 Favor you was pleasd to promise me for my cornish Friend, but 
 the weaker my Title is the stronger will my obligation be to your 
 Grace if you be pleasd to take me out of a Scrape into which I 
 was inconsiderately drawn by a hasty Promise, when I thought 
 my self at Liberty to serve some Friend of yours. Indeed my 
 Lord, if I coud help myself in any other way I woud not trouble 
 you upon this occasion, but I have a proud man to deal with to
 
 LETTERS 
 
 227 
 
 whom I am bound by a positive Ingagement, upon which He 
 insists in a Letter which I received from Him as I was stepping 
 into my post-Chaise to come hither. I am, and ever shall be, as 
 much as any man living, my Lord, 
 
 your Grace's faithful 
 
 and devoted Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 Gosfield, Feb. 12th, 1761. 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Feb. 12th, 1761. Mr. Nugent. Rd. 14th. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,930. 
 f. 188. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I had the Honor of your Grace's Letter here by the last 
 Post, and shall certainly obey your Commands. I propose being 
 in Town to-morrow, notwithstanding a bad strain in my Foot, to 
 attend the usual meeting held before that at the Cockpit, if I find 
 that I am summond to it. your Grace, I dare hope, does me the 
 justice to believe that no member of the present Parliament wishes 
 more sincerely than I do a happy Issue to its Deliberations, as a 
 Lover of my Country and my Lord, 
 
 your Grace's faithful and 
 
 most obedt Sert, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 Gosfield, Oct. 30th, 1 761. 
 Endorsed, Gosfield, Oct. 30th, 1761. Mr. Nugent. Rd. 31st. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,935. 
 f. 129. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I shall certainly obey your Grace's Commands, and think 
 with you the Clause which passd the Committee inadmissable 
 upon many Considerations. But your Grace will forgive me for 
 expressing my apprehensions, that if some less exceptionable 
 Expedient be not found to bring the Counties concernd in the 
 Clause nearer to an Equality with others, much bad Humor will 
 mix itself in the Debate, and produce other Consequences which 
 ought to be avoided. I am, with the most respectful Attachment, 
 my Lord, your Grace's 
 
 most faithful and obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 Parliament Street, Feb. 28th, 1762. 
 Endorsed, February 28th, 1762. Mr. Nugent.
 
 228 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,939. 
 f- 339- 
 
 My Dear Lord, 
 
 You are, as I supposed you woud be, one of the very Few 
 who have kept their words with me ; and no one coud do it so 
 much to my Satisfaction, as you have efFectually relieved me from 
 the Anxiety I was under from Reports spread here, with all the 
 Air of Authenticity, of Circumstances attending our noble Friends 
 Resignation very different from those which He communicated 
 to you. what really passd does Honor to majesty ; and perfects 
 the Character of as able, faithful and disinterested a minister as 
 ever served the Crown ; and the affecting manner in which you 
 relate it does Honor to your Friendship and your zeal. That 
 the King may never want such a servant, and that our Friend may 
 find in Retirement and self-approbation an ample Recompense for 
 the Loss of Power is all that is now left for you and me to wish 
 for with Regard to Both, when you receive any News of Lord 
 Albemarle, for God's sake communicate them to me. you know 
 how deeply and particularly I am concernd in the Events that 
 may happen where He is ; and I can trust to your Friendship, 
 which I never knew stop short in promising without ever thinking 
 of a Performance, adieu, my Dear Lord. I wish you Joy of 
 your new Situation, because I am sure it is more pleasing to you 
 than that in which you was before engaged, and no man living 
 is with more sincere Regard 
 
 your Lordship's faithful 
 
 and obedt Servt, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Dublin, June, $th, 1762. 
 
 Enclosed in Ld. Barrington's, June 14th, 1762. 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,968. 
 f. 230. 
 
 My Dear Lord, 
 
 I have now resigned the Place which I owed to your 
 Grace's Friendship, I may therefore without Aukwardness assure 
 you there is not a man living who is and who has been with 
 more sincerity, 
 
 your Grace's faithful 
 
 and most obedient Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 Parliament-Street, July i\th, 1765. 
 Endorsed, July 24th, 1765. Mr. Nugent. Rd. 25. Ad. 27th.
 
 LETTERS 
 
 229 
 
 Newcastle Papers, Add. MS. 32,872. 
 
 f. 283. Treasury Chambers, 
 
 July 20th, 1757. 
 Dear Erskine, 
 
 I have now a positive Promise. If Hibbins shoud dye 
 while I am in Gloucestershire, write a Letter to the Duke of 
 Newcastle to inform Him of the vacancy, and say you have done 
 it by my Directions. Let me hear from you at the same time, 
 my Compliments to Mrs. Erskine. I am this moment setting 
 out for Gloucestershire. 
 
 your most affectionate Friend 
 and Servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 To the Reverend John Erskine at Gosfield near Braintree, Essex. 
 
 Endorsed, Treasury, July 20th, 1757. Mr. Nugent to Rev. Mr. 
 Erskine. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I return you your manuscript, 1 which I intended to have 
 finished this day, but I am in hopes you will favour me with it 
 again, when you have made such alterations to it as you intend, 
 & in the mean time I should be obliged to you for the second 
 volume. 
 
 I am, Sr, 
 
 Wth great truth, 
 
 Your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Wm. Pulteney. 
 
 Arlington street, May Jt/i, 1738. 
 
 Grosvenor Square, 
 Monday night, 12 0' th Clock. 
 Sir, 
 
 The Sheets I have wrote to evince ye necessity of settling 
 the Province of Nova Scotia with protestant Subjects ; & those 
 added to it, which contain an imperfect, tho' heitherto uncorrected 
 Plan for doing it, you will soon find by the Purport of them are 
 improper to be made publick. — I send them in Confidence to you, 
 as a Person heartily attatched to every national Concern, equally 
 an able and zealous Friend to the Publick, Sc give me Leave to 
 add, one, whose Character I have the highest Regard for. 
 
 1 Probably Nugent's paper entitled "The origin and consequences 
 of the Influence of the Crown over Parliament."
 
 230 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 I am glad I have it now in my Power to send you my Papers, 
 as in all Probability the affair will come before the House of 
 Commons on Wednesday ; & if you have Time to read them 
 to-morrow morning, I shall be glad of any opportunity you will 
 give me of explaining any Points that may be imperfectly stated. 
 I am with great Regard, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient Humble Servant, 
 
 Dunk Halifax. 
 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 If you can keep Company with a parcell of young fellows 
 (of wch Mr. Potter will be ye Eldest) & can dine upon Chickens 
 & mutton, I should take it as a Favour to see you on Tuesday 
 next between three & four, or I will dine at any hour that shall 
 be more convenient for you. I am with Sincere Respect, 
 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 Yr most affectionate faithful 
 Humble Servt, 
 
 J. WlLLES. 1 
 
 Bloomsbury Square, May iind, 1748. 
 
 Sr, 
 
 By order of Councill I am directed to appoint Four Persons 
 to walk with white Staffs at the Funeral Procession of our late 
 Dear Master, as Chamberlain, Comptroler, Steward, and Treasurer ; 
 and as I imagine that you will choose to walk in your proper 
 Place, I give you this Noting, and desire your answer as soon as 
 convenient. There is as yet no Day fix't for the Ceremony, but 
 imagine it may be about Saturday Sennight. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your very Humble Servant, 
 
 Chandos. 2 
 Upper Brook Street, April $th, 1751. 
 
 I believe Sr you will not think it an easy task to draw from the 
 letters you sent me any fact which may make the merry Gentle- 
 mans Case the proper Subject of a serious petition : common 
 humanity moves one to assist such a person but common sense 
 scarce can find the method, his letter says, as it were by the by, 
 that the fact was Committed some years agoe, and tho the prose- 
 cutor names april last, yet I have Laid hold of that Plea to add to 
 
 1 Chief Justice of Common Pleas, appointed 1737. 
 
 2 Henry, the second Duke, succeeded 1744.
 
 LETTERS 231 
 
 the accusers character and upon this have wrote to the Duke of 
 Devonshire, which at this distance is all I can doe. I have sent 
 him the Copy of the Certificat, but not that of the petition to 
 which it was anex't. this account of what I have done will suffise 
 if you think proper to Second my request when you return to 
 London, the mirth of a person in Mr. Delanors circumstances 
 seems to Surprise you, I therefore judg you will not wonder that 
 I was surprised at the addition of his familiarity to one who once 
 mett him in a visit, and once admitted him with the rest of the 
 officers of the Rigment by way of Compliment in passing thro a 
 town where they were in garrison ; notwithstanding which I hope 
 he will not be hanged but that you will join your endeavours for 
 obtaining his pardon with those of 
 
 Sr, your most humble Servant, 
 
 M. Norfolk. 1 
 May 16, 1 741. 
 
 if you are return'd to London I desire my Compliments to Mrs. 
 Nugent. 
 
 To Robert Nugent, Esqr. 
 
 at His House in Dover Street, London. 
 
 Clonin, the 29th of October, 1745* 
 
 Deare Cossen, 
 
 I had the favor of yours and am very much obliged to you 
 for your very kind regarde and wishes for me the experience of 
 which I had very often found. I thanke you for your kind 
 intention to serve me if I have any occasion but I hope as I always 
 behaued myself and shal constantly doe that thoe this ferment is 
 very greate that I shal be quiet, my Lord Deloin who went to 
 Dublin to waite on my Lord Chesterfield communicated your 
 letter as you desired to my Lord Mongarret and Trimlestonn. 
 my Lord Deloin receiued a letter lately from Cossen John Nugent 
 which giues me greate trouble he hauing writ that you were il at 
 Gosfield of a Reumatisme but as you are young I hope it wil be 
 removed with moderat Phisik. I shal be uneasy til I haue the 
 pleasure of a letter from you which I hope wil give me the satis- 
 faction of your being pritty wel recovered which I assure you noe 
 relation you haue more sincerely wishes than I doe. my Lord 
 Deloin makes his compliment to you. his and mine I pray to my 
 Cossen your lady sister and son. I am very glad he enjoys good 
 
 1 nee Blount, wife of Edward, ninth Duke.
 
 232 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 healthe and as he has a very good capacity I doe not doubt he wil 
 advance in his learning. I am with very great regarde and 
 affection, deare Cossen, 
 
 Yr most obedient humble servant and affectionat Cossen, 
 
 Westmeath. 1 
 
 Deare Cossen, 
 
 I had the favor of your kind letter about ten days agoe for 
 which I give you much thankes for til I receiued yrs I was very 
 uneasy hauing heard that you lent a large sume of money to the 
 late Prince of Wales you lost so much by his death not to haue 
 lost your money. I wou'd haue acknowledged the favour of yours 
 before now but that I was very much indisposed with a very greate 
 cold which considering my very greate age affected me much. 
 
 I am very proude of the good character you giue of my Cossen 
 your son who I hope wil continue a greate pleasure to you. 
 
 I am glad my Cossen yr lady and sister are wel my most 
 sincere and humble respects to them. I find that the naturalation 
 bil you were sollicitous about is like to miscarry as you was 
 solicitous about it I am much concerned that it is like to miscarry 
 that I doe not know of a benefit it wou'd be to us it wil be a 
 greate pleasure to me to be favored by yr writing some for it giues 
 me much pleasure to be assured by yr letters that you are wel I 
 wish you a long continuance of good health. 
 I am, deare Cossen, 
 
 with very greate respect and sincerely your most 
 
 faithful and obedient humble servant and kinsman, 
 
 Westmeath. 
 Clonin, the 2jth of April, 1751. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have had so continual a succession of Company and 
 business that it has not been possible for me to read over th' packet 
 I return you. I have read but three acts and as you desired to 
 have it to carry into the country I must lose the pleasure of 
 finishing it till some other opportunity. I wish you much health 
 and diversion and am 
 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 Yrs very faithfully, 
 
 W. Pitt. 2 
 Saturday morning. 
 
 To Mr. Nugent. 
 
 1 Fourth Earl. 2 Afterwards Earl of Chatham.
 
 LETTERS 233 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 i i 
 
 I have the satisfaction to acquaint you that Mr. Pownall 
 will remain Secretary till the Distinction for him can take place. 
 I rejoice extremely with you upon this circumstance, persuaded 
 that you will receive great facilities, in the Beginning of your 
 operations, from the experience and knowledge of a very able 
 Officer, who has the thread of business, allow me only to add at 
 present, that I wish you wou'd mention to my Lord Lieutenant, 
 as soon as conveniently may be, the Creation of Viscounts, request- 
 ing His Lordship to lay it before the King. I am ever with 
 affectionate regard and consideration 
 ^My Dear Sir, 
 
 Your most faithfull & most obedient 
 
 humble servant, 
 
 Chatham. 
 Friday, Deer. $th. 
 
 My Dear Sir, 
 
 I return you the enclosed which I read with great pleasure 
 and congratulate you behon hand on an easy re-election, you will, 
 to be sure, kiss the King's hand to Day: of which His Majesty is 
 apprised and which his majesty has approved. I am in the middle 
 of engagements and able to add no more than the warm assurances 
 of esteem and consideration which I am always 
 Dear Sir, 
 Your most faithfull & most obedient humble servant 
 
 Chatham. 
 Wednesday Morning. 
 
 The Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D., vol. xix. p. 243. 
 
 Mrs. Whiteway to Lord Orrery. 1 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I shall not hesitate one moment to send your lordship Mr. 
 Pope's letters, as likewise that from Bath ; but how am I to 
 convey them to you ? not by post surely, for then I might be 
 justly accused with folly or breach of trust, to venture them by so 
 uncertain and dangerous a way. If your lordship will order a 
 faithful servant, or a gentleman with a line under your hand, to 
 call for them, I shall deliver them with pleasure ; and this I should 
 
 1 * * * ^j ie publication which had given Pope so much offence had 
 now taken place, and Mrs. Whiteway was no longer reluctant to return 
 the letters. The blanks are occasioned by defects in the original manu- 
 script, which is very inaccurate besides.
 
 234 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 not do to any other person whatsoever, without an immediate 
 direction to myself from Mr. Pope, who knows I refused them to 
 Mr. Robert Nugent, from whom I had two letters in the last, 
 telling me Mr. Pope desired me to send them by his mother, then 
 going to England ; and by the same packet, and the same date, I 
 had a letter from Mr. Pope, who told me he would expect them 
 by Mr. M'Aulay, who intended long ago to have been in London, 
 if business had not prevented him. I am so far from suspecting 
 any person of this side the water, (and, therefore, it would be 
 unjust to guess,) that I do not believe they were taken here. I 
 will tell you my reasons for it. First, I do assure your lordship, 
 the Dean kept no copies of Mr. Pope's letters for these twelve 
 years past, to my knowledge, or [of his own letters,] to anybody 
 else, excepting to a lord-lieutenant or a bishop, whom he feared 
 might make an ill use of them; and of those to Mr. Pope, I saw 
 him write and send off immediately. This, therefore, makes me 
 think it reasonable to suppose, it is not from this quarter that Mr. 
 Pope hath been ill used, but must have been betrayed by his 
 English servants, who have more cunning, and a nearer way of 
 making money of them than ours have ; and I cannot imagine 
 any person above the degree of a servant capable of so base an 
 action. My lord, I beg leave to talk freely with you, and I can 
 have no other view in it than to defend the Dean in a particular 
 which concerns his honour, and all those he thinks proper to place 
 confidence in. You must, I believe, have seen a book of letters 
 stitched together by the Dean, wherein there are numbers of them 
 from the greatest men in England, both for genius, learning, and 
 power, such as Lords Bolingbroke, Oxford, Ormond, Bathurst, 
 Peterborough, and Queensborough ; Parnell, Addison, Gay, Prior, 
 Congreve, and Mr. Lewis, to say nothing of your lordship, (because 
 I am writing to you,) which are in my possession, and may be 
 commanded whenever [you] please, for I have lately got the 
 Dean's leave to give them even when he is alive, which he at first 
 refused me ; and were there a person vile enough in this kingdom 
 to be bought, why were not these sold to Curl as well as others ; 
 for surely, not to mention Sr., some of the rest might be thought 
 as entertaining to the world as the Dean's, and as easily to be stole. 
 Permit me, my lord, to ask a question or two. Do you think 
 the letters to and from Dr. Swift are genuine ? if so, will you look 
 over them again, and explain to me this sentence ? Mr. Pope 
 taking occasion to mention Mr. Wycherly, immediately after 
 says, — " Some letters of yours and mine have been lately published, 
 not without the concurrence of a noble lord, who is a friend of 
 yours and mine." I hope what I have said will convince your 
 lordship, how much I detest the base practices of those who could
 
 LETTERS 235 
 
 be capable of betraying friendship. I once more repeat my con- 
 cern, that I had not power enough with the Dean to prevent 
 their being given to Mr. Faulkner, and returned to Mr. Pope. If 
 you think it proper, when you send him the papers, to present 
 him my most obedient respects, and this letter, for I am sure any- 
 thing of this kind from me is not worth his paying for. However, 
 I shall submit this and everything else to your lordship's judgment. 
 There is one particular I had like to forget, that one of the letters 
 of Mr. Pope's I took out of the Dean's stitched book with his 
 permission, and, I must say, I think equal to any he writ, and yet 
 this letter is safe, and not printed, although the book hath been 
 lent to many of the Dean's friends. 
 
 The "Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D., vol. xix. p. 251. 
 
 Mr. Nugent, to Mrs. Whiteway. 
 
 Bath, April 2, 1740. 
 Madam, 
 
 I had not until very lately an opportunity of letting Mr. 
 Pope know his obligations to you ; of which he is very sensible, 
 and has desired me to beg that you will remit to me, by a safe 
 hand, whatever letters of his are now in your possession. I shall 
 be in town next week ; so that you may be pleased to direct to 
 me, by the first convenient opportunity, at my house in Dover- 
 street, London. I am, Madam, with great esteem, your most 
 humble and obedient servant, 
 
 R. N. 
 
 My compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Swift. I shall say nothing 
 of the picture, because I am sure you remember it. I must beg 
 that you will let Mr. Bindon 1 know I would have the picture no 
 more than a head upon three quarter cloth, to match one which I 
 now have of Mr. Pope. 
 
 Twitenham, March 26. 
 Sir, 
 
 When you did me the favour to acquaint me of Mrs. 
 Whiteway's offer, I thought it not necessary to give you a trouble, 
 which I imagined wd be less so to my Lord Orrery. But upon 
 
 1 The greatest painter and architect of his time in these kingdoms. 
 On account of his age, and some little failure in his sight, he threw 
 aside his pencil soon after the year 1750 ; and afterwards lived to a good 
 old age, greatly beloved and respected by all who had the happiness 
 either of his friendship or acquaintance. He died June 2, 1 7^5*
 
 236 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 reflection, I believe He is not upon the best terms with the Lady ; 
 at least as She chose to propose this to yourself, it may be better to 
 apply by ye same Person to whom she mention'd it : And for my 
 own part, I assure you Sir, you are not the last man I wd owe a 
 Favour to. I shall be therfore truly obliged to you, if you write 
 as you proposed, & thank her in my name for securing those 
 papers agst all disagreable accidents : If she sends them, by some 
 honest hand, to you, I shall know they are as safe as in my own 
 custody. 
 
 Tho I have many Poetical Thanks to pay you, I must par- 
 ticularise your ode to Lord Marchmont, both the Design & Execu- 
 tion of which manifest yr Spirit, wch once animated the Heads & 
 Hearts of Poets, & for which your odes, like those of Alcaeus, will 
 challenge Esteem, as well as Praise. 
 I am Sir, 
 
 Your most obliged & obedt humble Servant, 
 
 A. Pope. 
 
 I may remember Mrs. Nugent as one of ye Companions of my 
 younger & gayer Days, & sigh to be able to live on with ym. 
 But we are no longer Creatures of ye same Element : They are 
 all Air and Fire, & I am Earth ; however I admire their Flights, 
 & am their Servant. 
 
 Twit' nam, May 21. 
 Sir, 
 
 I hope you are return'd wth as much Health, as Success 
 from yr Elections, & I rejoice that your negotiations for yr self & 
 yr Friends in Cornwall have prov'd more effectual than those for 
 me wch you kindly undertook in Ireland. You have brought a 
 great Book upon yr head; and to show that you can bear any 
 Burden with patience, pray send for it to Mr. Murrays in Lincolns 
 inn fields where one has been left some time to be deliver'd to any 
 one you order. I hope soon to see you either here or in Town, 
 who am wth all regard Sir 
 
 Yr most obliged & obedient Servant, 
 
 A. Pope. 
 Mv old fashion'd Services attend Mrs Nugent. 
 
 To 
 
 R. Nugent, Esq. in 
 Dover Street 
 Piccadilly 
 London.
 
 LETTERS 237 
 
 ^4?/.^ \\th, 1 740. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I cannot enough acknowledge yr obliging endeavors as to 
 what has given me so much apprehension, the affair of the Letters: 
 all which, I am now convinced, has been a mere Feint to amuse 
 us both. For last week I receiv'd an acct from Faukener the 
 Dublin Bookseller, "That the Dean himself has given him a 
 " Collection of Letters, of his own & mine & others, to be 
 " printed ; & he civilly asks my Consent : assuring me the D. 
 " declares ym genuine, & that Mr. Swift, Mrs. Whiteway's Son in 
 " law, will correct ye press, out of his great respect to the Dean 
 " & myself." He says, they were collected by some unknown 
 persons, & ye Copy sent with a Letter, importing yt " it was 
 " criminal to suppress such an amiable Picture of the Dean, & 
 " his private Character appearing in those letters, & that if he 
 " wd not publish ym in his life time, others wd after his 
 " death." 
 
 I think I can make no Reflections upon this strange Incident, 
 but what are truly melancholy, & humble ye Pride of human 
 Nature. That the greatest of Genius's tho Prudence may have 
 been the Companion of wit (wch is very rare) for their whole 
 Lives past, may have nothing left them at last but their Vanity. 
 No Decay of Body is half so miserable ! I shall write, & do, all 
 I can upon this vexatious Incident, but I despair of stopping 
 what is already no doubt in many hands. Can it be possible the 
 Dean has forgot, how many years, & by how many instances 
 I have press'd him to secure me from this very thing ? or can it 
 be imagined Mrs. W. has remonstrated agst it ? The moment I 
 had yr Intimation that she wd return them, I wrote to her, & 
 embraced her offer with thanks : She answer'd me lately, yt she 
 wd not send ym to Mr. Nugent, but to a certain Mr. Mac Aulay : 
 I presume now, that she wd have sent but a few of no conse- 
 quence ; for the Bookseller tells me there are several of Ld 
 Bolingbroke's Sec. (which must have been in the Dean's own 
 custody ; and one of which was printed twelve years ago). I 
 would therfore trouble you no more in this unlucky affair. I 
 believe they had entertained a Jealousy of you, as the same persons 
 did before of my Lord Orrery : they then prevented the Dean 
 from complying to any purpose with my request : they then sent 
 a few, just to save appearances ; and possibly to serve as a sort of 
 plea to excuse them from being taxed of this Proceeding, wch is 
 now thrown upon the Dean himself. 
 
 The Mundicks will arrive very seasonably : If any thing will 
 amuse me at present, it must be playing ye fool any way but by
 
 238 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 writing ; and yet you see how long this Letter is. I heartily 
 wish you Success in bringing a little more English Spirit into 
 Cornwall, and in routing the Gog-magog's of ye present age. I 
 am not without hopes of meeting you at Bath, and joyning with 
 the waters to heat yr Head to Poetry. 
 
 — Satyrarum ego, ni pudet illas, 
 
 Adjutor, gelidos veniam caligatus ad agros. 
 
 I am, Sr, 
 
 Your most obliged & faithfull Servant, 
 
 A. Pope. 
 
 Aug. 16, 1740. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I did not think, when I troubled you so lately with an 
 Account, in how surprizing a manner your kind negotiations in 
 my behalf were terminated; that I shd so soon again have 
 interrupted your present, better, business. But upon reflection, 
 that my answer to Faukener concerning this, ought to be 
 hasten'd, & in an Apprehension that some pretence might be 
 taken, as if it was not received, I thought it proper to have it 
 transmitted otherwise than by the common Post. I beg therfore 
 that you will send it by or thro' some hand you know, who may 
 deliver it personally to Faukener, after you have read it, or (if 
 you think fit) copy'd. Excuse this in one, who sees, and is 
 oblig'd by, the Part you have taken, and wishes himself capable 
 of proving how much he is 
 
 Sir, 
 Yr most faithfull humble Servt, 
 
 A. Pope. 
 
 To R. Nugent Esqr, at 
 
 The Hon. Mrs. Nugent's, at 
 London. 
 
 Sept. 3, 1740. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 The more I read yr Ode, the less I find any necessity of 
 making it clearer ; you have sufficiently distinguished your Idaea 
 of the Multitude. The very few things I cd imagine alterable,
 
 LETTERS 
 
 239 
 
 I have put in ; but in so modest a character, as easily to be erased 
 if you disapprove them. I could be willing to be of greater 
 Service to you, but you must thank your. Superior Circumstances, 
 as a Poet no less than as a man, that I cannot. I am however 
 intentionally, tho not virtually, 
 
 Sir, 
 Your most faithfull and obedient humble Servt. 
 
 A. Pope. 
 
 I hope yu have had my letter, wch I beg yu to forward by 
 some particular hand to Faukener. 
 
 Mrs. Nugent I know remembers me, and so do I her, always, 
 Sc acknowledge her Good Temper towards me, who does not 
 quarrel with me as other Ladies have done. 
 
 To R. Nugent, Esq. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I hope you think better of me than to impute my silence 
 hitherto on the subject of the Roller either to disrespect or 
 neglect in obeying your commands ; it is true indeed I might, 
 & am afraid ought to have told you I had receiv'd Sc would obey 
 them ; but that would have still been only words, Sc tho' you are 
 pleased to express some partiallity for mine, 1 was ashamed to 
 trouble you with any more of them on that subject till they 
 could come accompany'd by Deed. I have at last procured the 
 inclosed sketch, which tho I ordered to be made immediately 
 after receiving your letter, is but just now deliver'd to me. 
 I hope it will be intelligible to the workman you employ. You 
 may observe that the shafts may be apply'd to either end of the 
 frame, which is to avoid the turning about the Roller where there 
 may not be a sufficient space to do it without tearing up the 
 ground by turning too short. 
 
 I found fault that the inside work of the Roller is not described, 
 but I was answer'd that any Carpenter or Millwright who under- 
 stand their Business would know how to put it together. 
 
 We wish'd extreamly for the pleasure of seeing you here on 
 your return from Cornwall Sc regreted the shortness of your 
 stay with us on your journey thither; we now flatter ourselves 
 with the hopes of meeting soon at London, where wheels within 
 wheels compose a more complicated Sc curious machine than the 
 inclosed Sc begins now to be more in season. I beg you will
 
 240 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 present my sincere compliments to Mrs. Nugent. My Wife and 
 sons join theirs with mine to you both. 
 
 I am with great truth 
 Dear Sir 
 Your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 QlJEENSBERRY. 1 
 Ajnlresbury, Deer, gth, 1752. 
 
 Sunday morning. 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 I am extreamly concern'd at not being able to waite on 
 you to day, but I am oblig'd to go out of town, not in pursuit 
 of pleasure, for if that was my scheem I should certainly dine 
 with you, but to gett quit of an ugly cold that prevents my being 
 fitt company for anybody ; I hope you will pardon this & give me 
 leave to take some other opportunity of waiting on vou. 
 
 I am, Dear Sr, 
 Your most obedient & most humble servant, 
 
 Marlborough. 2 
 
 Friday Morning. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 You can do me a favour, & I think you will take the 
 trouble not very unwillingly, otherwise I would not ask you to 
 do it. 
 
 The London Ev'ning Post from Tuesday to yesterday tells the 
 World that I have kissed the Prince's hand for being Ld of his 
 Bedchamber. 
 
 The Newswriters may when they please, marry or kill me, but 
 all other Actions of mine I will have at my own disposal. If 
 they say I take a purse, I shall break their bones; if they say 
 I take a place I cannot so conveniently do it, for fear of striking 
 others to whom I would not be uncivil. But I cannot like that 
 any Body's Footboy at the Land's End should think me possess'd 
 of honours which I have not aspir'd to, and therefore I beg of 
 you by Malloy or whoever else you can properly employ to get 
 a paragraph put into Ev'ng Paper which has thought fit to tell 
 this Lye to contradict it, & say that We are assured that the 
 Report that Lord Cornbury was made Ld of the Bedchamber 
 to the Pr: of Wales is without the least foundation. 
 
 1 Charles, third Duke. 
 
 2 Charles, second Duke, succeeded 1733.
 
 LETTERS 
 
 241 
 
 This I beg to have done immediately & that I may not be 
 known to have had any share in this paragraph as I am sure I had 
 none in whatever could give grounds for the Other. 
 
 Yrs with a better heart than Pen, 
 
 Cornbury. 1 
 
 Mr. Yorke 2 presents his compliments to Mr. Nugent, & is 
 much obliged to him for his kind Note & compliments of 
 condolence. He has been so much out of order, and lived so 
 much out of the world for some days, that he did not know the 
 new Marriage Bill was prepared ; much less the substance & 
 the provisions of it. He only begs the favour & friendship of 
 Mr. Nugent that the Second Reading may not be brought on till 
 the week after next, which will give Mr. Y. an opportunity of 
 attending, consistently with his other engagements; which will 
 fill his time during the course of next week, at the Cockpit, & in 
 the House of Lords. 
 
 As the Session will certainly last several weeks longer, Mr. Y. 
 thinks the matter cannot press so, as to make this request 
 unreasonable ; and relies on Mr. Nugent's friendship in what he 
 takes the liberty to suggest. 
 
 Mar. 15, 1764. 
 
 To The Rt. Honble Mr. Nugent, 
 &o, &c, &c. 
 
 Powis House, May 2d, 1753. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I am extremely obliged to you that, in the midst of your 
 Triumphs, you have spar'd a moment to send me the very 
 agreeable News of your Success. I most heartily congratulate 
 you and our selves upon it, & desire that you will have the 
 goodness to make my best compliments, & return my best Thanks, 
 to my good Friends at Bristol, for their generous & zealous 
 Labours in the public Service upon this occasion. I know their 
 worth, & their good Principles, & attachment to the King and 
 his Government ; and no body can set a higher Value upon them 
 than I do. Such is the make of the humane mind, that great 
 success gives one a hankering after more ; & some of us cannot 
 help wishing that a good Partner had been found for you to have 
 added to your Victory. 
 
 1 Only son of the last Earl of Clarendon and Rochester. 
 
 2 Charles, second son of the Chancellor. 
 
 r
 
 242 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Give me leave once more to repeat my sincere Congratulations 
 & to assure you that I am, with great Respect, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 Your most obedient & faithful humble Servant, 
 
 Hardwicke. 1 
 
 The Lord Chancellor salutes Friend Hanbury and assures him 
 of his sincere Respects. 
 
 London, Sept. ye 20th, 1739. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I wish I had enough of the kind of madness you mention 
 to be able to return you my thanks for your invitation in the same 
 language it was writt in, but I am naturally so very sober in that 
 Article, that I must have been really mad in every other to have 
 attempted it. I own however, I did all I could towards it ; I 
 walk'd upon the Banks of the Silver Thames you mention, and 
 endeavour'd to fancy it the Hippocrene ; Richmond Hill I call'd 
 Helicon, and encourag'd all Poeticall delusion to such a degree 
 that I imagin'd all the women I mett to be muses, and conse- 
 quently Chaste and sensible. Was it possible to carry delusion 
 higher ? but 'twas all to no purpose. Take me then in humble 
 prose, and lett the language of a very sincere and friendly heart 
 make amends for an uninventive, unpoeticall head. This is the 
 more reasonable too, because I believe we have a much greater 
 share in molding our own hearts than in forming our own heads. 
 
 You are the first Man surely that ever made a Parnassus of an 
 Irish Mountain, and that prevail'd with the Muses to follow him 
 to Howth. Numerous and Chaste as they may be, yett by the 
 account you give of the Effects of Goat's milk, added to your 
 naturall abilitys, which I always mention with honour and 
 reverence, elles trouveront a qui parler. It is plain by your pro- 
 ductions that you have enjoy 'd 'em, and so well too, that I dare 
 say they'll be constant, unless Pope sometimes tempt 'em to an 
 infidelity, for I see no other Rival! you have. 
 
 Though I can't accept at present your invitation to Ireland, yett 
 I confess there are two circumstances in it very Tempting, the first 
 without a compliment, is being with you, with whom I would as 
 willingly be upon the top of an Irish mountain as with any Man 
 in Europe. The next is the promise you make of transfusing 
 into me with the milk, the propertys of the Goat. I am per- 
 suaded of your good intentions to me, but they would prove 
 
 1 Philip, first Earl, Lord Chancellor.
 
 LETTERS 243 
 
 ineffectuall, for unfortunately, I am not Goatabile, as the Italians 
 say non papal' He. And farr from thinking now of giving existence 
 to others, I have much ado to preserve my own ; in order to do 
 it, I go to the Bath next week, which I wish you would think 
 your best way from Ireland to London. Tunbridge did me a 
 great deal of good for about two months, but of late I have had 
 returns of my old complaint. The Tenement in short is so 
 decay'd, that it wants frequent repairs, which is very troublesome 
 and disagreable, especially when one knows the foundation to be 
 so bad, as not to deserve 'em. 
 
 I hear you are often with the Dean of St. Patricks, which I am 
 glad of for both your sakes, and wish for my own only that I could 
 make a third. When you see him next pray make my compli- 
 ments to him. 
 
 As I knew of certainty that men and measures was not Pope's, 
 I really thought it must be, and took it for yours, but I am glad it 
 is not, because I am glad we have any body who can write well 
 enough to be mistaken for you. 
 
 I rather chuse to end this letter abruptly, than to putt the truths 
 I would tell you in the place that form and Custom have appro- 
 priated to peroration compliments. I would have my friendship 
 and esteem for you as free even from any suspicious circumstances, 
 as I am from form or flattery, when I assure you that I am 
 
 Most faithfully and truly 
 Yours 
 
 Chesterfield. 
 
 London, May ije gth, 1741. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have paid Mr. Snow the eight hundred pounds, and 
 receiu'd my Note; but I cannot think that the bare payment of 
 the money would be a sufficient acknowledgement of the obliga- 
 tions Hammond and I have to you for advancing it. Few would 
 have done what you did, and from as few would I have receiv'd 
 it ; few friendships now-a-days can stand the Test of money, and 
 few enmitys resist the reconciling force of it. To value it neither 
 too much nor too little is the difficult point, and I know few but 
 yourself who have hit it. 
 
 I set out next Tuesday for Aix la Chappelle, in pursuit of rcall 
 Happyness, that is, in my mind, health ; for without it I am sure 
 there can be no happyness ; and with it, I hardly see how a 
 rationall creature can, or at least need, be unhappy. Montaigne 
 says he has no notion of any pleasures, but les plaisirs maniahles,
 
 244 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 and I think this will hold as to pains, those of sensation are the 
 worst. We chiefly make the others ourselves, and if we either 
 reason'd less or more, we should have very few of 'em. And a 
 true notion of the futility of every thing would make any thing 
 pretty indifferent, sensation excepted. In consequence of this 
 System, I intend to make the Channell the Lethe to me ; and in 
 crossing it, will forget every thing that could ruffle the serenity I 
 propose to enjoy abroad. I will forget all the knaves and fools I 
 leave behind me (an extensive oblivion you'll allow) and wonder 
 at the new ones I meet with, as if I had never seen any before. 
 I'le see Slavery with pity and surprize, without once remembering 
 that my own Country either is, or soon will be, in the same con- 
 dition ; in short I'le forget every thing here but my friends, a 
 reminiscence too pleasing for one in the pursuit of pleasure to part 
 with. As I reckon you in that Number, I need not tell you I 
 shall think of you, but I desire you will give me more reasons than 
 my own to think of you, that is that you will lett me hear from 
 you. Write me word how you do, and what you do ; in prose 
 or in verse ; and what others do ; the quinquid Agunt homines. 
 Homo comprehends woman too. In return you shall hear of the 
 most materiall occurrences at Aix and Spaa. How the waters 
 pass with Lady Cardigan and Miss Pitt, The Rhenish with the 
 Germans, and the days with myself. These are inducements to 
 write, which I am sure you can't resist, so direct your letters to me 
 at Aix till the seventh of June O. S. and after that at Spaa, till the 
 7th of August. 
 
 Adieu. May you continue to enjoy the Beggars blessing in 
 the same perfection you do at present ; the first part of which you 
 communicate so liberally to your female friends, and the latter 
 part to your male ones. 
 
 Yours sincerely, 
 
 Chesterfield. 
 
 Spaa, June ye 20th, I74 1 - 
 Sr, 
 
 The Laudet diversa sequentes has always been a very 
 common case, and I find it is both yours and mine ; In full 
 possession of all les plaisirs rnanialles, you despise 'em ; while 
 robb'd of 'em all, I regret the loss, and lament being reduc'd to 
 those of the mind. I think I am in the right, for who in Youth, 
 health, and vigour, ever thought of any pleasures but the maniable 
 ones ? and who will prove to me that a man is not wisest when 
 he is strongest ? Must wisdom wait for relax'd Nerves, and
 
 LETTERS 245 
 
 enfeebl'd limbs ? And is our Understanding at the worst, when 
 our organs are at the best ? Surely not ; from whence I conclude 
 that the pleasures of the mind, in meditation, contemplation, and 
 abstracted reflections, are only Imaginary comforts which we 
 catch at, when sinking from the solid Joys of Life. But since 
 you like 'em so well, be easy, a time will come when you as well 
 as others, will be reduc'd to 'em. Those Athletick calves will one 
 day shrink and dwindle into the tremulous supports of a nodding 
 superstructure. Those Herculean shoulders, now able to ease 
 Atlas of his burthen, will one day bend and crouch under the load 
 of increasing years; Then you may retreat to the comforts of 
 the mind, indulge your Metaphysician Genius in most usefull 
 researches, and preferr Spirit to matter, and morall entitys to 
 naturall ones. This consideration, I confess, is an ill natur'd sort 
 of a comfort to me in my unhappy situation, and I say to my self, 
 since this must inevitably happen to Nugent, who am I, that 
 murmur that it has already happen'd to me ? 
 
 Apprener Ames Vulgaires 
 A Mourir sans murmurer, 
 
 is the conclusion of St Evremond's Epitaph upon Madame 
 Mazarin which mutatis mutandis, I apply to an expiring part of 
 myself. 
 
 .... I heartily congratulate you as member of Parliament, 
 and would congratulate my country upon it, if you could propa- 
 gate your principles in that house as effectually as you have your 
 likeness in many others, but there, I doubt, les plaisirs rnaniables 
 in the litterall sense, will stand in your way, with the Majority j 
 Though by the by, I don't very well know of which side the 
 Majority is, considering our Victorys in Cornwall, and Scotland, 
 and no losses, that I observe any where else. But be that as it 
 will, I fear I shall never see any Majority, mean what they should 
 mean, and act upon such principles as can alone save our Constitu- 
 tion, a few righteous will never save us, Gods Vicegerents differ- 
 ing from him a little in that particular. Having mention'd Gods 
 Vicegerents, whom I always mention with Veneration, I saw with 
 great Satisfaction the Skull of one of 'em three days ago at Aix la 
 Chapelle ; it was that of Charlemagne ; I examined it with great 
 attention and found it as hard as thick, and in as good repair as I 
 dare say it was when crown'd and annointed there nine hundred 
 and odd years ago. Which I can only ascribe to the peculiar care 
 of heaven, that watches over those sacred and annointed Skulls. 
 For the ignoble Skull of a Subject would no doubt in much less 
 time have moulder'd away to its primitive dust. The best argu-
 
 246 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 ment in my mind that I have mett with of the Divine right 
 of Kings. 
 
 I have been here but three days, full long enough to find it a 
 damn'd disagreable place, but not long enough to know what 
 compensation the waters will make me for being here. Those 
 of Aix la Chapelle did me no good, not having the purgative 
 effect upon me which they usually have upon others. If these 
 will do me any, I am in a disposition to receive it, being much 
 better for my Journey and the change of air. But this is enough 
 of myself, and I would not have said so much, if I had not been 
 convinc'd of the part you take in the existence and wellfare of 
 one whom you know to be with so much truth and attachment 
 Your most faithfull humble servant 
 
 Chesterfield. 
 
 Pray my compliments to Mrs. Nugent. 
 
 Spaa, Augst ye 1st, 1J41. 
 Sr, 
 
 Since our controversy about pleasure is suspended at least, 
 or rather (as I think) decided in my favour by your yielding; 
 your last letter brings me to another subject very opposite (in my 
 mind) to pleasure, that is Politicks, and indeed I should begg 
 pardon for having ever mention'd any other Subject than Politicks 
 to a new Parliament man. Come on then Politicks, and be the 
 Publick good our Pleasing theme. I congratulate both you and 
 my Country upon the Strength of the minority in this present 
 Parliament. Near two hundred and seventy persons (which I 
 take the Minority to consist of) thus closely united by the same 
 pure and disinterested Motives, compacted together by all the 
 tyes of honour and mutuall engagements, and cemented by the 
 publick good, compose a band, not only invincible, but irresistible, 
 especially led as it will be by Generals whom no dangers can 
 intimidate, no allurements sooth, no temptations seduce. From 
 this impenetrable Macedonian Phalanx or Thundering Legion, 
 (which you please) what may the Nation expect? or rather, what 
 may it not expect ? For my own part, I anticipate the glorious 
 Scene, and already look upon our Constitution as restor'd, our 
 honour retriev'd, and our rights and Libertys settl'd upon a Solid 
 and immoveable basis. I am sensible that Sr Robert, who is at 
 once both a Wagg and a boaster, would be apt to ridicule these 
 hopes of mine as fond and sanguine ; He would tell me possibly 
 that though indeed the Minority stood at present strong upon 
 paper, paper too might happen to reduce it, That he knew the 
 price of many and guess'd the Price of all ; That the numbers
 
 LETTERS 247 
 
 indeed might raise it, but, that still greater Numbers, and neither 
 his Master nor he must pay it. With many other weak argu- 
 ments of this kind which he would not fail to urge in his usuall 
 way. But you and I who know the individuals, know better 
 things. Fair Virtue is the Banner under which they fight, Amor 
 Patriae their word, and Liberty their object. Go on therefore and 
 indulge your Joy at the pleasing prospect ; The corruption of the 
 deceas'd Parliament has putt on incorruption in this ; The Slaves 
 of the Court shall be vanquish'd, and you shall lead Captivity 
 Captive. These are the Triumphs that wait, animate and invite 
 you in your house ; But what are we to do or hope for in ours ? 
 I am sure I know not ; but I am not without general hopes that 
 Providence by its unsearchable ways is working out something for 
 our Good, since it has now brought the Lords House back to what 
 it was in our Saviour's time, at once a House of Prayer, and a Den 
 of Thieves. Lett us now cast our eyes abroad. There the 
 waters seem troubl'd, especially those that bathe Hannover's proud 
 city ; even Hungary water I believe is but turbid. . . . France seems 
 inclin'd to fish in all these troubl'd Streams. But here again I 
 have hopes, from the confidence I have in his Majesty, who 
 though he is now acting as Mars upon the Continent, will doubt- 
 less at his return to the Empire of the Sea, Like Neptune, 
 pronounce the 
 
 Quos ego . . . sed motos prestat componere fluctus. 
 
 And long experience authorizes me to expect that he will keep 
 peace within our walls, and plenteousness within his Valaces. 
 Having thus fully consider'd both Foreign and Domestik Affairs, 
 one word with your leave, upon a much less interesting Subject, 
 meaning your very humble servant. I sett out from hence, thank 
 God, next sunday for Paris, where you will direct your letters for 
 me, Chez Monsieur Chabert Banquier, who will give 'em me if I 
 am there, or send 'em after me if I am gone Southward, which I 
 shall be after a very short stay at Paris. The Sun, they say, 
 ripens minerals, and as I have from these waters a pretty vein of 
 Iron in me already, I'le try what his rays in Provence and Langue- 
 doc will do with it. If I could direct their influence, I could 
 easily point out the part where I would have it exerted. But this 
 is too trifling and sensuall to entertain a Philosopher and a Senator 
 with, so I return to the nobler operations of the mind, which I 
 assure you direct or impell me to be both in actu primo and actu 
 secundo 
 
 Your most faithfull humble servant, 
 
 Chesterfield.
 
 248 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Upon the Rhone, between Dauphin e 
 and the Vivarer, in a boat that 
 lets in Water, Sept. ye \\tli 
 N.S. 1 74 1. 
 
 Sr, 
 
 You graciously tell me I may laugh till my sides ach at 
 Politicks ; I tell you I do laugh, and have laugh'd for this month 
 at least, till my sides have ach'd, without the help of Politicks. 
 We are not reduc'd to that in this country, nor oblig'd to supply 
 the want of fancy and Imagination with the repetition of dull, 
 trite, publick facts, and reasonings upon 'em. We don't say 
 from morning till night as you do in England — Well the 
 Obstinacy of the Oueen of Hungary is unaccountable — She ought 
 to have made up matters at first with the King of Prussia and 
 have got him on her side — Sr Robert must be very uneasy to be 
 sure, both with regard to foreign affairs and to the strength of the 
 minority in this parliament — If matters are well conducted he is 
 demolish'd — These, and such like extraordinary discoverys, we 
 leave to extraordinary heads, Modestly supposing qui/ n en 
 sera ni plus ni mains for all we could say upon those arduous 
 subjects. But instead of these dissertations, nous faisons bonne 
 Chere, laugh and grow fat. All the time I was at Paris was 
 employ'd in enjoying the present good and not in recollecting past 
 or anticipating future ills. This I hold to be the Judgment, and 
 will stick to it as long as I can, that is, till decency obliges me to 
 return to England, and gravely chew the cud of Politicks with you 
 wise men. I use the word Decency, because I think nothing else 
 could prevail with one to return at all into England, in the 
 present situation of things, where no one Man, and much less 
 myself, can imagine he can do good, or that any good is to be 
 done. I seriously think I shall sacrifice a great deal when I leave 
 this Climate, and this people, to return to the Climate and the 
 people you invite me to ; however as soon as I have finished my 
 Southern course, I shall return to Paris where I shall be as much 
 within the call of my friends as in almost any county in England 
 except Middlesex. It is really surprising how much I find myself 
 the better since I have been in France which makes me willing 
 to stay in it as long as I can, especially in this delightfull part of 
 it. I shall be at Avignon to-night, in two or three days more 
 at Aix, from thence to Marseilles, Nismes, Montpelier, and 
 back at Paris about the middle of next month O.S. while you 
 meditate Speeches in Parliament, or write ; quod Qaisi Parmensis 
 Opusenla vineat. I might with truth apply all the rest of that Epistle 
 to you, but it is too long to transcribe. When you see me again at
 
 LETTERS 249 
 
 the rate I go on you may very probably see Epicuri de grege 
 Porcum, in the plump'd up person of 
 
 Your most faithfull and attach'd servant, 
 
 Chesterfield. 
 
 My compliments to Mrs. Nugent, who I hope is well. 
 
 Downing Street, 
 April 1, 1764. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 How does the Law of American Naturalization now stand 
 by the Several Provincial Regulations & Encouragements ? This 
 shou'd be known exactly & whether it wou'd be agreeable there 
 as well as whether it wou'd meet with no opposition here, before 
 any positive Opinion can be given upon a Question of this kind. 
 I shou'd with the greatest Pleasure dine at Bt. Wilbraham Booties 
 if I was not engag'd as you know. I am however oblig'd to him 
 for his intention of inviting me which I desire you will tell him 
 with my best Compliments to him. 
 
 I am ever, my Dear Sir, 
 Your most Faithful & most obedient humble servant, 
 
 George Grenville. 1 
 Rt Honble Robert Nugent. 
 
 Bath, April 28, 1764. 
 My Dear Sir, 
 
 Tho' I hope very soon to have the Pleasure of seeing you 
 in Town, & propose to set out upon my Return thither on 
 Tuesday next, yet I cannot defer till then expressing my sincere 
 Thanks to you for vour very Friendly attention in writing to your 
 Friends at Bristol who have invited me to dine with them & 
 have received me in the most obliging manner in every Particular 
 that was possible. We had a very magnificent entertainment, & 
 as cheerfull a Meeting as cou'd be. In short your Influence pre- 
 vailed in that Respect as well as in your kind wishes towards me 
 & nothing cou'd have been more agreeable to us unless you had 
 been present which I am confident wou'd have greatly added to 
 the satisfaction & joy of the Whole Company as I am sure it 
 wou'd to that of, 
 
 My Dear Sir, 
 Your most Obedient & most affectionate Humble servant, 
 
 George Grenville. 
 Rt Honble Robt Nugent 
 &c, &c, &c. 
 
 1 Brother to the first Marquis of Buckingham.
 
 250 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Putney, Septr. 16, i75 2 * 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 You are desired to read ye inclosed tract with coolness & 
 attention, & your sentiments upon it will much oblige him who 
 has ye greatest regard for them, & is ever with ye greatest 
 affection, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 Your most obedt & most humble Servant, 
 
 H. Walpole. 1 
 
 Mrs. Walpole joyns in compliments to yr selfe & Mrs. 
 Nugent. 
 
 Putney, Novlr. 1, 1752. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I think my selfe extreamly importunate that I should be 
 amusing my selfe in ye neighbourhood at a game of 12th whist, 
 when you have taken ye trouble twice to call upon me, but that 
 you may be sure of finding me if you will doe me ye favour to 
 take a family dinner with me this day you will much oblige, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 Yr most affectionate friend & humble servant 
 
 H. Walpole. 
 
 Cockpit t, Novlr. 28, 1752. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 You may communicate to Lord Grenville the Medley of 
 Politicall Reflexions I lent you if you think it will stand ye test 
 of so intelligent & criticall a Judge in things of that Nature, but 
 it must be understood on this condition that His Lrdp will not 
 take any notice to any body whatsoever of his having seen it, and 
 that he will read it with this indulgence, as not being a Regular 
 Treatise, but a Rapsody of thoughts occasioned first by ye 
 difficulty ye ministers were under how to justifye ye omission of 
 ye treaty of 1 715 in ye specification of treatys to be renewed both 
 in ye preliminarys and in ye subsequent treaty of 1748 ; in wch 
 their opinions were much divided, that consideration lead me into 
 an examination of all ye articles & my making as went along some 
 observations as occurred from my having been conversant in foreign 
 affairs as memorandums only for my own satisfaction ; ye latter 
 page relating to ye treaty concluded by Mr. Keen, was wrote at 
 ye desire of a friend ; for my sentiments upon it. 
 
 I am ever most affectly yrs, &c. 
 
 H. Walpole. 
 
 1 Horatio, first Lord Walpole of Wolterton.
 
 LETTERS 251 
 
 Cockpitt, March ye 29, 1754. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 It is with great pleasure that I have learnt that your 
 wishes, and consequently mine with respect to your selfe, are in a 
 manner compleated, upon wch I heartily congratulate you. I 
 early saw great hopes of its being done, and had a mind, but upon 
 reflection, thought it was not proper for me to take notice of it to 
 you. 
 
 I am ever most afFectly yrs, &c, 
 
 H. Walpole. 
 To R. Nugent, esq., &c. 
 
 Kensington, Aug. 14, 1739. 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 I recieved yesterday the Favor of your Letter, & think 
 my-self much obliged to you for remembring me at so great a 
 distance upon any occasion, but more particularly upon this, as 
 you know how much I have at heart both the reputation & 
 profit of Doctor Middleton in this undertaking ; but as he wants 
 no assistance to advance the first, all my aplication is to the Last. 
 I send you inclosed the two dozen of Receipts & return you no 
 thanks in his name, because I like to flatter my-self with thinking 
 his share in this Favor is nothing more than the accidental 
 Consequence of your desiring to oblige 
 
 Dear Sr, 
 Your most faithfull h obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Harvey. 1 
 To Robert Nugent, Esq. at the 
 Globe-CofFee-House in Essex Street 
 in Dublin. 
 
 Wohurn Alley, 
 Oct. 30th, '1743. 
 Sr, 
 
 As you mentioned to me the last winter your desire of 
 having some young Beech plants, I have set aside 10,000 of them 
 for you, and only wait your directions for taking them out of the 
 ground and sending them up to you. Thev will be easilv carried 
 from hence by the Woburn Carrier to London, and I will give 
 particular directions to have them safely delivered to your house 
 in Dover Street. This season is the most proper for planting of 
 them, so shall send them up immediately upon the receipt of your 
 
 1 John, Lord Hervey, father of the second Earl of Bristol.
 
 252 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 answer to this. I must desire of you that they may be sent the 
 very first opportunity after their arrival to Gosfield, as the Success 
 of them depends very much upon their being put as soon as may 
 be into the Ground. All here join in compliments to Mrs. 
 Nugent and yourself. 
 
 I am, Sr, 
 Your obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Bedford. 1 
 Robert Nugent, Esq. 
 
 Octlr. 27, 1748. 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 I have just receiv'd the honour of your letter of yesterday, 
 and immediately communicated the contents to Lord President, 
 who is of opinion with your faithfull servant, that your letter 
 should be taken into consideration in a General Councill, and as 
 next satturday morning is appointed for a meeting to attend the 
 new Lord Mayor, it is intended to be taken into consideration att 
 that time, you will therefore, by that post, hear what is the 
 resolution of the Lords of the councill. We are now taken up 
 with the agreeable office of considering, and directing the proper 
 instruments for satisfving, the Treaty of Peace lately signed att 
 Aix. You will give me leave, tho' you say nothing to me of it, 
 to congratulate you upon this good news. You are too good an 
 Englishman not to have seen with concern the scituation we were 
 in the beginning of this year, and I am sure you are too much an 
 Austrian not to rejoyce, when we have extricated ourselves by a 
 Peace out of those difficultys. We have att the same time so far 
 taken care of Her Imperial Majestys interest, as not to disoblige 
 her, but seem to have so far satisfied her, that she is an acceder 
 the very day or day after the signature of our Treaty. So much 
 for Politicks, I think we shan't differ in this point. I am sure 
 we never shall in what personally concerns yourself, or, Dear 
 Sr, 
 
 Your faithfull and obedient servt, 
 
 H. Pelham. 
 
 August ye $d, 1 75 1 . 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 Since I had the pleasure of seeing you, I have had a full 
 conversation with your freind my neighbour ; We talk'd as 
 frankly and as cordialy as you could wish, and I flatter myself the 
 
 1 John, fourth Duke.
 
 LETTERS 
 
 2 53 
 
 conference ended to our mutual satisfaction both as to publick and 
 private business ; you were not forgot in it, and I doubt not but he 
 has given you a fair and ample account of what pass'd. Believe 
 me, I am your sincere freind, and humble servant, and to shew you 
 that I am so, tho' I could animadvert upon some things you said to 
 him relative to your humble servant, I am determined neither to 
 speak nor think of 'em. I had a letter, by the last post, from the 
 gentleman to whom the offer was made of Lord Galways place, 
 before I heard any thing of your thoughts or intentions, and I find 
 he is come to a resolution to accept. I understand you know it is 
 Mr. Herbert that is meant ; He has been of the board of Trade 
 upwards of twenty years, tho' in it I beleive not as many times. 
 You know the connections I have had, and now have with that 
 family, how many years they have serv'd the King, and what 
 access almost every branch of them have att Court. In this 
 scituation could I refuse my good offices for such a change of 
 employment, and can you think I have not stood much stronger 
 demands from the same quarter. I hope therefore you will not 
 think it neglect of you, that in such circumstances I find myself 
 pre-engaged to Mr. Herbert, and that you will the more readily 
 beleive me, when I assure you, upon my honour, I had no Idea of 
 your acceptance of it ; I am confident, if you had it, you would 
 not like it. I presume the King will scarce dispose of it actualy 
 till the meeting of the Parliament, something may become vacant 
 in the mean time, which may answer your purpose ; tho' undoubt- 
 edly it is very uncertain : I will take care to have no engagements, 
 but what I have already mention'd to you, that I may at least not 
 fall into an unwilfull error any more. I have said more on this 
 subject than perhaps is necessary, from what I feel within mv self, 
 I shall trouble you no more upon it, but let time and truth speak 
 for me. The town is so emptv, that it furnishes little news, the 
 death of the Duke of St. Albans and Lady Thanet must have 
 reach'd you long agoe, the disposition of the former's employments 
 is not yet declared, nor of the latter's estate yet publickly known, 
 both considerable to those persons who have the good fortune to 
 draw the benefit tickets. Wall is declared Ambassador Extra- 
 ordinary from Spain, and has taken the character upon him 
 accordingly. Our letters from that part of the world are very 
 promising; and in my opinion this great mark of distinction to Mr. 
 Wall is a good symptom of the disposition of His Court to us. 
 Great preparations are talk'd of for celebrating the expected birth 
 of a Duke of Burgundy, if that should happen, our young folks 
 may be very merry, but the more thinking people will know it is 
 the worst event that can happen to this country. Dear Nugent
 
 254 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 think kindly of me, and look kindly upon me, when I see you ; 
 let me know you have not a worse opinion of me than you used to 
 have and you shall ever find me, as far as I am able, your 
 
 most faithfull freind and servant, 
 
 H. Pelham. 
 
 My compliments to Mrs. Nugent. 
 
 Septr. 24, 1 75 1. 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 Tho' I had much rather talk than write upon these sub- 
 jects, yet after what has confidentialy pass'd between you and me I 
 cannot see any vacancy of an honorable employment likely to 
 happen soon, without learning your thoughts upon it, before it 
 does happen. My old and worthy friend Mr. Plumptree I 
 fear cannot last many days, he is, as I suppose you know, Treasurer 
 of the Ordinance, the value of the place I am indeed a stranger to, 
 but I know it was always look'd upon as an employment of the 
 first rank. The person that had it immediately before Mr. Plump- 
 tree was Lieut. General Mordaunt brother to the late Lord 
 Peterborow, and one so famous in his time, that I conclude you 
 must have heard of him. Ever since his death, which is now full 
 thirty years, Mr Plumptree has had it, who might have changed it 
 during that time for almost any other, except the three or four first 
 employments, but he chose rather to stay where he knew he was 
 pleas'd, than to run the risk of meeting with what he, upon tryal, 
 might not like so well. I say so much to you on this subject, rather 
 as an excuse for my offering to you my good offices on this 
 occasion than from any other motive. If you like it, I will 
 certainly engage to no other person, but most zealously support 
 your interest with His Majesty. If you do not, there is no hurt 
 done ; it will be time enough to talk to others after I know your 
 opinion. Believe me, Dear Nugent, it will be a great pleasure to me 
 to have you chearfully as well as zealously with us, and if att any 
 time you have thought me cold towards you, you have mistook me, 
 and so far done me wrong. Your last letter gave me great pleasure, 
 for in that I am sure you did me justice ; I will trouble you no 
 longer on this head, but wait your answer, and then act according 
 to your commands. As your friend, and my neighbour is not 
 in town, I have spoke of this to no one, but I hear my Brothers 
 thoughts and disposition are the same as mine. There is such a 
 dearth of Politicks att this season of the year, that I have little or 
 nothing to send you. Sr Charles Williams has sent over a Treaty 
 from Dresden, signed by him att the Dutch Minister sub sperati ;
 
 LETTERS 255 
 
 we have sent back satisfactions, with some few explanations ; as 
 you know I am not a favorer of Subsidiary Treaties in General, 
 I shall not trouble you with my particular animadversions on this. 
 The great Genius's prognosticate great good from it, and the lesser 
 ones, in which number I rank myself, heartily wish they may be in 
 the right. The Parliament will undoubtedly meet early in Novem- 
 ber, which I hope will bring you to town early ; if you deign 
 paying your Court att St. James's on the Birth day ; I hope, in 
 case my petition is second, that you will do me the honour of 
 making one of the Chancellor of the Exchequers company. I 
 must desire the favor of you to make my services acceptable to 
 Mrs. Nugent, and flatter myself you believe me with the greatest 
 truth and Respect, Dear Sr, 
 
 Your most faithfull and obedient servant, 
 
 H. Pelham. 
 
 Greenwich House, 
 Septr. 27, 1 75 1. 
 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 Since I wrote to you last, I have learnt that the Treasurer 
 of the Ordinance's salary is but five hundred pounds per ann : 
 which I protest I did not know, when I wrote to you. The 
 rest was made up by the interest of money in their hands, and 
 such perquisites, which I presume you would, as Mr. Plumptree 
 I understand does, give to the Clerk : I do imagine therefore you 
 will not think it, in this respect, of rank proper for you to accept. 
 What led me into thinking otherwise was the people that have 
 formerly had it, and the certain knowledge I had of the present 
 Possessor being unwilling to change it for much better employ- 
 ments. But that I find proceeded more from his Philosophy and 
 love of being master of his own time than from any other cause. 
 As I would by no means deceive you, I thought it incumbent 
 upon me to give you notice of what I have now learnt, before 
 any single person has heard that I wrote to you, or that your 
 name was ever mention'd upon this occasion, except my Brother, 
 who I dare say, was in as great an error as myself. Dear Nugent, 
 you arc now master of all I do or can know ; that the office is of 
 rank for any body is certain, but that it is very far short of what 
 I thought it, when I wrote to you, is most true ; you will there- 
 fore in this instance except the will for the deed, judge entirely 
 for yourself, and let not any thing that has pass'd rrom me be a
 
 
 256 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 byass on that judgment in the least degree. If you think I act 
 friendlily I have my end ; and you shall believe me, Dear Sr, 
 
 Your most faithfull humble servt, 
 
 H. Pelham. 
 
 P.S. Since writing what is above, your kind letter is come to 
 my hands, and I imagine what I have already wrote is an answer 
 to your several questions. I am exceedingly mortified that things 
 turn out as I now find it. I was in hopes we should have open'd 
 this sessions not only friends but fellow servants, and that upon 
 such a foot as you and your best friends would have thought 
 honorable for us both. I shall not mention your name to any 
 one, except my neighbour, till I see you in London. I am glad 
 to find it will not be long before we shall have that pleasure ; your 
 kind expressions give me infinite pleasure, as they are a proof of 
 what I most desire, the being understood by you as a faithfull 
 friend and servant, 
 
 H. P. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I beg you would excuse my waiting on you this evening. 
 My old friend Lord Orford lyes att the point of death, and I have 
 such a violent cold in my head that I am realy not fit for com- 
 pany. My best compliments to Mrs. Nugent, and believe me, 
 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 Your most faithfull humble servt, 
 
 H. Pelham. 
 Tuesday morning. 
 
 Dear Nugent, 
 
 I obey your commands in sending back your Bristol letters. 
 I heartily wish things may go well there. I shall take up no more 
 of your time than just to tell you I am come to town as well as 
 ever I was in my life, and if I wanted any thing to make me 
 
 better, the K s kind reception of me this morning would 
 
 undoubtedly contribute greatly to it. My compliments to 
 Madam, and believe me ever most faithfully yrs, 
 
 H. Pelham. 
 
 Arlington Street, Jan. 12th. 
 
 Saville Row, Sept. i^th, 1 755» 
 Sir, 
 
 I don't know what Apology to make for the Liberty I am 
 going to take, but must depend on your Goodness for pardoning
 
 LETTERS 
 
 257 
 
 it. It is in behalf of a Person I am very desirous to Serve, & 
 whose Application for my Interest & Assistance I have this 
 moment receiv'd by Express from Chester for a Place in the Gift 
 of the Lds of the Treasury just now vacant, by the Death of 
 Jonathan Lyttler, it is Tide Surveyor at Park Gate, the Persons 
 Name that I interest myself about is George Boswell, an In- 
 habitant of Chester, & one I'm assured very Capable of the 
 Business, he has a Wife & a very numerous Family, so that 
 besides the great pleasure you would do me in granting this 
 Request, you would really do a great Act of Charity. If I have 
 ask'd any thing improper, or been too troublesome, I must again 
 repeat that I hope you will pardon it, in Consideration of the 
 Motives I have mention'd, for nothing but a very earnest desire 
 of Serving the Family I have recommended to your Favour, could 
 have induced me to be so troublesome to you. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 Your most Obedient & most Humble Servant, 
 
 Charlotte Finch. 1 
 
 My Dear Nugent, 
 
 You will be informed from much better hands that the 
 Treaty is happily concluded & likely to be observed ; but I 
 ought to send you an Account of it, especially as I am personally 
 concern'd in its consequences. I should be still more unworthy 
 than I am of what is allotted to me, if I had ever directly or in- 
 directly aspired to be Secretary at War : But the offer came in 
 such a manner that I could not but accept it with great satisfac- 
 tion and gratitude. I should have been a shabby dog to have 
 hesitated one moment about the acceptance of an Emplovment 
 which I should have been a Fool to have desired, & a Puppy to 
 have ask'd. I did not know what was to be my fate when I saw 
 you last, & I had hopes that I might have profited by yr kind 
 Invitation ; but the communication I had at Newcastle House on 
 thursday morning stop'd me ; tho' I find the changes are not to 
 take effect till the meeting of Parliament. I shall see you on or 
 before Wednesday & I am at all times & in all fortunes, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 most faithfully yrs, 
 
 Barrington.' 2 
 
 Sepr. the 27, 1755 
 
 I beg leave to add my best Respects to Mrs. Nugent & to 
 Lord &: Lady Rochford if they are with you. 
 
 1 Lady Charlotte Finch of the Winchilsea family. 
 
 2 Second Viscount. s
 
 258 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Goodwood, July 2d, 1738. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The Dutchess of Richmond Sc I have a great while had a 
 mind to aske the favour of you & Mrs. Nugent to come Sc pass 
 some time with us this sumer at Goodwood, butt that wee under- 
 stood you were a going into Essex, now as Wee hear you are 
 still in town, I am in hopes you will both accept of the proposi- 
 tion Sc then the next thing wee should aske is that you would 
 lett us have that pleasure as soon as you conveniently can. I 
 shall be in town on Tuesday, Sc if you will give me leave I will call 
 upon you after court is over to know your resolution which I 
 hope will be favorable to us. On Wednesday wee are to make 
 a Campagne on Hounslow heath, Sc on Thursday I beleive I shall 
 return with lews excellences de Camhis's to Goodwood. The 
 Dutchess of Richmond presents her humble services to you Sc 
 Mrs. Newgent, Sc hopes you will not refuse us your company. 
 
 I am, Dear Sir, 
 
 Your most faithfull Sc obedient servant, 
 
 Richmond, Sec. 1 
 
 Tuesday. 
 
 I am very sory, Dear Sir, that I can not waite on you Sc 
 Mrs. Nugent to dinner to day, being engaged to dine at the 
 French Ambassadors, butt if you will give me leave will call upon 
 you in my way from Kensington. Your accepting our proposal 
 makes me very happy as I am sure it will the Dutchess of 
 Richmond. 
 
 I am, Dear Sir 
 
 Your faithfull humble servant, 
 
 Richmond, Sec. 
 
 Hoi land House, 
 
 May 15, 1/53- 
 SlR, 
 
 I have inoculated my Son, 2 & do not intend to be at the 
 House till Monday. But To morrow I must be at the War 
 Office in the morning. If I knew any time after to morrow 
 morning that it would be convenient to you to take the air this 
 way, I should be glad to talk with you on Monday's Business and 
 would desire you to call upon, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient Sc most humble servt, 
 
 H. Fox. 3 
 To R. Nugent, Esqr, Dover Street. 
 
 1 Second Duke. 2 Probably Charles James Fox. 
 
 3 First Lord Holland.
 
 LETTERS 
 
 259 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Upon receipt of yours I sent & have obtain'd a Discharge 
 which you'll find in the inclos'd Letter. Coll Whitmore expects 
 ten Guineas the usual Sum to the recruiting fund. Desertion is a 
 Malady very subject to Relapses, I hope however John Palmer 
 will not desert you. I am heartily glad you have a Prospect so 
 promising. 
 
 My Boy from extreme & continued extreme Danger for 4 or 5 
 Days together has now nothing to complain of but Weakness 
 which Children easily recover. 
 
 I am much oblig'd to you, & with sincere Regard, Sir, 
 Your Most Obedient & Most Humble Servt, 
 
 H. Fox. 
 April 27, 1754. 
 
 R. Nugent, Esqr. 
 
 I hear Mr. Brigdale do's not answer your expectation & that 
 it is not Crede quod haber & habes. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Lt. Nugent late of Shirley's, recommended formerly by 
 you, & I fear not yet provided for, is now appointed a Lieutt, Sc 
 will be the eldest Lieutt but one in the Regiment now to be rais'd 
 under Coll Shirley. Will you be so good as to acquaint Him with 
 it, & me how to direct to Him by next Teusdays Post. I am, 
 with the greatest Regard, Sir, 
 
 Your Most Obedt & Most Humble Servt, 
 
 H. Fox. 
 War Office, Octr. 5, 1754. 
 
 R. Nugent, Esqr. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The Ltcys are all given to such as are already in the 
 Army ; so I have not forwarded the inclos'd. But if you will 
 send it with the single alteration of putting Ensigns instead of 
 Lieutts Commission, I will certainly make good your offer. 
 
 If your Cozen John Nugent thinks as you do, He may easily 
 change an Irish Commission for one in America, for there are too 
 many who think quite differently. 
 I am, Dear Sir, 
 
 Your Most Obedt Humble Servt, 
 
 H. Fox. 
 Holland House, Octr. 9, 1754.
 
 260 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 If Le Geyt don't accept, & you like an Ensigncy in one of 
 these Regiments for your Cozen J. Nugent, let me know it & 
 write to Him in Ireland which I will accompany with a Com- 
 mission & an order to Him to go to Cork directly. 
 
 Bath, Octr ye \\th, 1754. 
 Sir, 
 
 I know nothing of Bortman's preferment, but what I have 
 seen in the news-papers, but be that as it will, I may venture to 
 Prophesy that it will not be long before your Cousin John Nugent 
 is a Military man, your two Advocates are very zealous in the 
 Cause, and desire their best Compliments to you. 
 I am with the truest esteem, 
 
 your faithfull and most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Dorset. 1 
 
 May I trouble you with my best respects to Mrs. Nugent. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The Duke says Lt Padget is a gallant officer & He is 
 
 very glad to grant the Request of Bristol. To its Mayor therefore 
 
 I am sending a Letter by express of which the inclos'd is a Copy. 
 
 If you send any Letter back by the Bearer & immediately it 
 
 may go by the same Express. 
 
 May all your Commands be obey'd with as much Expedition & 
 Inclination as these have been by, Dr Sir, 
 
 Yours most sincerely, 
 
 H. Fox. 
 Sunday, Novr. 17, 1754- 
 Mr. Nugent. 
 To The Honble R. Nugent, Esqr, in Dover Street. 
 
 Sunday, 17 Nov., 1754. 
 Sir, 
 
 H.R.Hs. The Duke is very glad to receive from You and 
 Your Brethren, an application in favour of so gallant a Man as 
 Lt Padgett, & has immediately comply'd with it. 
 
 Mr. Padgett must immediately embark for Cork where He 
 shall find himself a Captain in Sir Wm Pepperels Regiment, and 
 I will send His Commission to be there deliver'd to Him by the 
 Major of the Regiment. 
 
 1 First Duke.
 
 LETTERS 261 
 
 Lt Padgett must go instantly & without delay wherefore I 
 send this letter by Express hoping you will use the utmost 
 Expedition in imparting to him the Contents of it. 
 
 I am &c, 
 
 H. Fox. 
 17 Novr., 1754- 
 Copy of The Secretary at War's letter to The Mayor of Bristol. 
 
 Saturday Morn. 
 
 Dear Sr, 
 
 I have gone thro'yr book and I assure you wthout Compliment 
 it appeares to me a very ingenious as well as honest intentioned 
 performance, but you will forgive me if I think the first parts of 
 it particularly extreamely speculative, & as such liable to a great 
 deal of dispute, & I imagine you to be a truer freind to liberty 
 than to be willing to trust its Cause upon the uncertain foundation 
 of Metaphisicall deductions. Give me leave to steal a quotation 
 out of yr 14th chap: A prescription wch explains what I mean 
 better than I can do it in other words. " The most usefull truths 
 " are simple & easy in proportion to their necessity : there are 
 " few minds too narrow to take in the more necessary truths : 
 " they are formed to a certain standard, & if in general! they do 
 "not rise beyond it, it may be so ordained that we may be 
 " Confined from rambling; into useless researches." 
 
 Forgive the liberty wth wch I give you my thoughts, & believe 
 me to be wth great truth 
 
 Yr faithfull humble servant, 
 
 W. Wyndham. 
 
 Wensday nig/it, eleven a clock. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I am Sure yr Good Heart Can Conceive what anothers 
 must feel for an obligation such as you have Laid upon my Lord 
 Southwell & my self. I must acquaint you that my Lord was 
 Soe Senceable of yr Goodness, that he would not eat his Dinner 
 till he Sent to yr House to enquire if thecr was a posebiltye of 
 seeing you that he might in person thank you. he heard that 
 cood" not Be Done BeCause you Dined abroad, & was not 
 expected Home till ekven a Clock to night, to Morrow Morning 
 he waits on you, to thank you with the Most Gratefull Heart, as 
 to me, noe words Can express what I feel for the freindShip you 
 have Shew'd to us. ye Moment my Lord Came from the 
 Treasurye, I Sent an express to the Dutches of Newcastle with a
 
 262 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Letter of Thanks, which I had Great Reason to Doe, & am verry 
 much obliged to you for putting me in mind of it. I finnish now 
 Dr Sir, with Returning you my Best thanks 
 
 & am yr most obliged & ever faithfull obedient 
 
 Humble Servant, 
 
 M. Southwell. 1 
 
 My Dear Nugent, 
 
 Ministers & those who stand so near ministers as you 
 do must expect to be pestered with suitors. This is a Tax from 
 wch you have no right to be exempt, especially from those who 
 for so many years have lived upon the Terms you & I have done. 
 I lay a claim therefore to your Assistance. 
 
 It is thought the Receiver genl of the Land tax for Bed- 
 forshire cannot live many months. No Commoner in that County 
 is more interested in the Appointmt of a proper Officer to that 
 Post because there is none who contributes to the Land Tax 
 there so much as I do. I shd therefore wish to recommend one. 
 I do not pretend to interfere wth the Recommendations of great 
 Dukes if any such shd come to the Treasury. When Stars of 
 such Magnitude appear, we little meteors (who are supposed to 
 rise, you know, from a Bog) hide our diminished Heads. But 
 if no superior claim intervenes, I desire thro' your means to 
 obtain the Nomination, I will answer to you, & you will trust 
 me that I will recommend none whose Principles Sc consider- 
 ation will not justify such a mark of Favour being conferred by 
 the Government. 
 
 You will tell me perhaps that you are not the Person to dispose 
 of these Posts & that I ought to apply to the Head of the 
 Treasury : I would not on any Account be wanting in any mark 
 of respect due to that great Officer. But I apply to you on the 
 Footing of old friendship, because that in my opinion is the only 
 Title wch one can have to ASK Favours. I might add too, that 
 from my first entrance into Life to this Hour I have never had 
 a single Reason to think that one of my Name would be permitted 
 to receive Favours. But when your merit and my Demerit are 
 blended together I shall be absorbed in the composition. Stand 
 forth therefore with your broad shoulders & support the very 
 humble Pretensions of 
 
 Yr faithfull friend & Servt, 
 
 Tho : Potter. 
 
 June 2%th, 1755. 
 
 1 Margaret, wife of Thomas, first Viscount Southwell.
 
 LETTERS 263 
 
 My Dear Nugent, 
 
 If the inclosed is to your satisfaction, use it as you please, 
 if it is not, burn it & think no more of its Contents. Do not 
 
 mistake my Situation. It is not as it was in Mr. P ms 
 
 Time. If I am upon no footing of friendship with my Neighbours 
 yet I am upon no Footing of hostility as I then was. Nor do I 
 apply on any such Purposes. I feel the Weight my Property 
 gives me. I have a Right to ask what I now apply for, but there 
 are those whose superior Property gives a superior Title. I slid 
 think however, & I beleive my opinion well founded, that no 
 Application whatever will be made directly from a certain 
 Ouarter. Some friend will probably come recommended by some 
 Side Wind, but not directly. 
 
 I write this from the Jacobite, old Interest Ld Wenmans. I 
 leave it to Day & proceed Westward. Letters will find me at 
 Dr Milles' at Exeter. 
 
 I am, my Dear Nugents' 
 
 very faithfully, 
 Tho : Potter. 
 
 June 29th, 1755. 
 
 Liverpool, April 15, 1755. 
 Sir, 
 
 Mr. Chas Pole having wrote us our whole affair about 
 Africa had been lost but for your Self I am order'd by our 
 Merchants to return you our hearty thanks for it & be assur'd 
 shall always retain a gratefull sense of your kind assistance on 
 this acct. 
 
 I am got much better since my return but I was very poorly at 
 London & my bad Health depriv'd me of all Spirits. 
 
 I am with true Regard, Sir, 
 
 Your very hum. Servt, 
 
 John Hardman. 1 
 
 P.S. If Mr. Clegg writes you about his Son a Sailor I know 
 you'll serve him if you can. 
 
 To Robert Nugent, Eso., 
 Member Parliament, 
 London. 
 
 1 A Bristol man.
 
 264 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Liverpool, April 15, 1755. 
 Sr, 
 
 The Letter with which you were pleas'd to favour me 
 and Mr. Pole informg Mr. Hardman how bravely you stood for 
 us and the Public, even against the Solicitations of the Bristol 
 Agents, has warm'd the Breasts of every individual here that wish 
 well to themselves and their Country, which many of them 
 dispair of ever having the Pleasure to express, except by a general 
 Letter. 
 
 Excuse my impatience not waiting such Forms to own the 
 particular marks of your respect to me and my gratitude for the 
 honor done. 
 
 Y. Obet Servt, 
 
 John Welch. 1 
 
 To Robert Nugent, Esqr, 
 Member Parliament, 
 London. 
 
 Mr. Nugent to Mr. Grenville. 
 
 Bath, October 20, 1764. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 By a letter lately received here, General Durouse, Governor 
 of the Castle of St. Mawes, is dying or dead in France. My 
 son, who is just returned from Cornwall, is very urgent with me 
 to extend my request to you upon that subject, and to beg you 
 may be pleased to recommend him to succeed to the Vacancy, as 
 he finds that the part which he and I took in the Cyder Bill has 
 given the Boscawen family some advantages over us among his. 
 Constituents. 2 
 
 The Lords of the Manor of St. Mawes have formerly, in many 
 instances, been appointed to that Government, although not 
 military men ; and I am not only Lord of the Manor, but pro- 
 prietor of at least four-fifths of the town. There are other 
 circumstances which, if I should die before Mr. Newsham, 3 may 
 render it very useful to my son's interest to have this weight 
 thrown into his scale ; as in that event, the property which I 
 possess in the borough would be divided with Newsham during 
 
 1 A. Bristol man. 
 
 2 Colonel Nugent was subsequently appointed Governor of St. 
 Mawe's. He was one of the Members for the Borough. 
 
 3 Mr. Nugent married Mrs. Knight, formerly the widow of a Mr. 
 Newsham, consequently the person here mentioned was his son-in-law.
 
 LETTERS 265 
 
 his life. After having said all this, I must say, what I sincerely 
 feel, that if a grant of my extended request should expose you to 
 any difficulties worthy of your attention, I had much rather 
 depart from it than have mine, or my son's interest, served at your 
 expense. Upon this principle I never have, and I think I never 
 shall again trouble you with a request for anything in Cornwall, 
 which, by the bye, may serve as one answer to Lord Falmouth, 
 who under every Administration has had an ample share in favour 
 of his friends. 
 
 The Duke of Bedford is in excellent spirits and good humour, 
 and the Duchess is in love with you. I am not quite clear, from 
 the things she has said to me, whether she does not mean I should 
 be a convenient person between you. It is true she talks much of 
 the inviolable union subsisting between the Duke and you, as if 
 that were a bias upon her inclinations ; but this is an old device, 
 not to be imposed upon a man of my gallantry. 
 
 I paid her in her own coin, and told her that if she answered 
 for the Duke, I could answer for you, from the things I had heard 
 you say of him. 
 
 Prouse 1 is here, not at all well, and lives very much retired. I 
 have heard some things of him, which I do not entirely like, 
 although they are only symptomatic. Hunt 2 who voted con- 
 stantly against us last year is I think in better temper, and declares 
 himself personally very much your friend, but with a But, which 
 will not serve our purpose. Suppose you was to write me a letter 
 containing a paragraph relating to both, or either of them, fit ror 
 them to see, in answer to this letter ? 
 
 The eldest Buller is I think in a dying way, swelled as if he 
 had drunk a hogshead of cyder ; or rather, as if he had swallowed 
 the apples whole, for his belly is as hard as a board. 
 
 Lord Strange is much better, but not quite so well as you and I 
 wish him : we drink vour health sometimes together, and I wish 
 he drank it only with me, but he will dine at the Tons, and he 
 loves jollity. Sturt a has been here, and continues firmly yours, as 
 does my good uncle Colleton. 4 
 
 At Bristol I do not believe now there is one single discontented 
 man ; but from the circumstance of the present Mayor being 
 brother-in-law to Lord Westmoreland, which adds to his influence 
 in the Corporation, I do not care to press the choice of a steward 
 to succeed Lord Hardwicke. Lord Botetcourt and I have talked 
 this over, and he is of my opinion. I have seen a friend of 
 
 1 M.P. for Somersetshire. 2 George Hunt, M.P. for Bodmin. 
 
 :! M.P. for Dorsetshire. 4 M.P. for Lostwithiel.
 
 266 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 Conolly's here, lately come from Ireland, who tells me that he 
 has heard him express hopes that his presence may not be necessary 
 the next session ; a letter from you will, I daresay, bring him, and 
 I should think the sooner it is writ the better. If Drax 1 does 
 not come to me, I have thoughts of making him a visit. My son 
 begs leave to join his respectful compliments and good wishes with 
 those of, dear sir, 
 
 Your, etc., etc., 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 Mr. Nugent to Mr. Grenville. 
 
 Great George Street, 
 
 Dec. 4, 1766. 
 My Dear Sir, 
 
 I have this day accepted His Majesty's gracious offer of being 
 made First Lord of Trade, and have communicated my acceptance 
 only to two persons, with whom I am obliged to take some 
 necessary arrangements. It is of some importance to me that it 
 may not be authentically known to many for some days. I flatter 
 myself with hopes that a change of situation will produce no 
 abatement of that friendship with which you have honoured me, 
 and which I shall ever endeavour to deserve by every testimony 
 of affection and respect, with which I ever shall remain, dear Sir, 
 Your most faithful and obedient servant, 
 
 R. Nugent. 
 
 May 1st, 1770. Viscount Clare, M.P. for Bristol and Ex-President of 
 the Board of Trade to the Marquess Townshend. Dated in 
 London. 
 
 My Dear Lord, 
 
 I feel in common with my late brothers, Messrs. Ellis and 
 Grenville, your Excellency's very kind attention to our interests 
 although I do not mean to avail myself of it, as I hope to qualifye 
 in Ireland. But my Obligation to your Excellency is the very 
 same. I know how well you understand and have at heart the 
 Importance of the Linen Manufacture of Ireland. I wish that 
 other Natives of that Country, who are indebted to it, not only 
 for their Existence but for the means of preserving it, members of 
 both Houses here, were half so zealous in their Endeavours for its 
 Service : but many of them forsooth, are too great to bend their 
 attention to such low Concerns, and we were left, as usual, in the 
 
 1 Thomas Erie Drax, M.P. for Wareham.
 
 LETTERS 267 
 
 House of Commons with very few indeed belonging to Ireland 
 either by Birth or Fortune, to determine upon the Continuance 
 of the Bounty now given in Common to certain Species of British 
 and Irish Linens exported from Great Britain. The Friends of 
 Manchester took advantage of this thin Attendance to come to a 
 Compromise with the Scotch, by which a Part of the Bounty was 
 to be taken off from those Linens and apply'd to chequed and 
 striped British Linens. I soon perceived and exposed the Injustice 
 of this Proposition. The Scotch adhered to the Compact with us, 
 and the Friends to this Expedient did not venture to propose it in 
 a formal Ouestion to the House. The Bounties upon Linen will 
 be continued. But as it proposed to give also a small Bounty upon 
 British chequed and striped Linens, I shall try whether we cannot 
 obtain the same for those of the Manufacture of Ireland, which 
 are now prohibited to be imported here by an excessive Duty. I 
 shall also endeavour to have the Bounty upon white and brown 
 Linens of Great Britain and Ireland, which is now absurdly 
 confined, extended to printed Linens of the same Species. But 
 in neither of these Propositions have I much hopes of succeeding. 
 
 I wish when there is a Vacancy at the Linen-Board to be 
 appointed a Trustee ; and, without much Vanity, my Country- 
 men ought to wish it at least as much as I do ; for I mean, when 
 I return into Ireland to make myself as much as I can master of 
 that important subject. 
 
 I hope I said nothing in my last Letter to convey an Idea to 
 you as if you had been reflected upon by your Country-man, or 
 any other person, in the Debate upon the Irish Pensions. Not a 
 Glance of that Tendency was thrown out : and when Justice was 
 done to your Love for Ireland manifested upon that and every 
 other subject, it was Praise, not Vindication. I do not believe 
 we shall rise quite so soon as was believed. I think we shall sit 
 three weeks longer, even if no extraordinary Event should happen. 
 Wilkes is my near Neighbour, and passes every Day before my 
 Door as unnoticed and unattended as any other passenger. 
 
 Craggs-Clare. 
 
 my Dear osborne, 1 
 
 Instead of setting out for Ireland so early as Trenton men- 
 tioned to his wife, I have not as yet positively fix'd the day : when 
 I do, you shall know it ; but under a positive Injunction not to make 
 me a visit, which, however welcome it would certainly be when I 
 
 1 It will be observed that this letter was written in the same year as 
 his death.
 
 268 MEMOIR OF EARL NUGENT 
 
 first came here, if you were not detained by a Cause which has 
 my warmest wishes, would now be an idle errant, as you would not 
 stay above a Day or two at most, as it seems you have Servants, 
 now idling their Time in the Country, I will order my Coach- 
 man and Laundry maid to set out in a stage-Coach for Park-Gate, 
 as soon as yours can come to Town ; and I will part with the 
 Housemaid, who has been but a short Time in my Service, take 
 your measures, therefore, accordingly, the sooner the better, you 
 needed not to assure me that you had not divulg'd my design of 
 letting Gosfield, as I never would suspect you of divulging a 
 secret, with my best Compliments to mrs. osborne, I am, Dear 
 osborne, 
 
 most sincerely and affectly yrs, 
 
 Craggs Nugent. 
 Bath, April 4th, 1788. 
 
 To John Osborne, Esq., 
 
 Great George Street, 
 
 Westminster.
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
 
 APPENDIX I 
 
 Nugent's only son, Edmund, by his first wife, Lady Emilia 
 Plunkett, was educated at Fagan's Academy in Wine Tavern 
 Street, Dublin, where his father had been educated before him, 
 and also his illegitimate half-brother Robert. Nugent subse- 
 quently bought him a commission in the First Foot Guards. In 
 1 755 he is alleged to have married Elizabeth Vernon, but for 
 some reason, of which no record can be traced, this marriage was 
 afterwards set aside, owing, perhaps, to Robert Nugent's instru- 
 mentality, or to some flaw in the legitimacy of the marriage, which 
 was not discovered till too late for rectification. Sure it is, 
 however, that they were married without the consent of their 
 parents, and that they remained in hiding some considerable time, 
 for in 1756 a daughter was christened in Chelsea Parish Church 
 under the name of Elizabeth O'Donnell ; and two sons were 
 christened in St. Andrew's, Holborn, on June 30, 1757, and July 
 19, 1758, under the names of George and Edmund Jones, and 
 educated at the Charterhouse under the name of Fennings. The 
 Clandestine Marriage Bill was passed about this time, which 
 renders the solution not altogether untenable, that the young 
 couple, in their anxiety to escape the detection of their parents, 
 omitted some essential point in the marriage service which Robert 
 Nugent was only too eager to seize upon in order to effect its 
 dissolution. This seems the more probable, moreover, when we 
 find that Elizabeth Vernon, on discovering the illegitimacy of 
 the marriage, left her supposed husband, returned to her family, 
 and was eventually married to a Count Dupont. 
 
 It was not long before Robert Nugent forgave his son, acknow- 
 ledged his grand-children, and allowed them to assume the name 
 of Nugent ; Elizabeth was placed under the care of Margaret, 
 Nugent's sister, but died at an early age, and the two boys were 
 sent respectively to Woolwich and into the navy. Elizabeth 
 died young, but the subsequent achievements of George and 
 
 271
 
 272 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 Edmund went very far towards obliterating the unfortunate stain 
 which through no fault of their own sullied their names. 
 
 Their father meanwhile became engaged to Miss Katherine 
 Edgar, and presented her with a portrait of himself in pastilles, 
 which still hangs at the Red House, Ipswich, the family seat of 
 the Edgars. He died, however, in 1774, before he was able to 
 marry her, and Miss Edgar, who was afterwards called in the 
 family " Good Aunt Vi," died unmarried. 
 
 SERVICES OF F.-M. SIR GEORGE NUGENT, Bart., 
 
 G.C.B., M.P. 
 
 This officer was educated at the Royal Military Academy at 
 Woolwich ; he was appointed to an Ensigncy in the 39th Foot 
 on July 5, 1773, which regiment he joined at Gibraltar in 
 February 1774, where he remained until March 1776. On 
 November 23, 1775, he obtained a Lieutenancy in the 7th 
 Foot; in September 1777 he joined his regiment at New York, 
 and was employed in the expedition up Hudson's River, under 
 Sir Henry Clinton, for the relief of General Burgoyne's army. 
 He was present at the capture of Forts Montgomery and 
 Clinton, by assault ; he then proceeded with his regiment to 
 Philadelphia, and there remained till the evacuation of that place 
 by the British, in June 1778. On April 28 in the latter year he 
 obtained a Company in the 57th, and served with that corps in 
 North America, where he was engaged in various desultory 
 services ; on May 3, 1782, he was promoted to a Majority in the 
 57th, which he commanded during the latter part of the war 
 in that country; and in November 1783 returned to England. 
 On September 8, 1783, he received the Lieutenant-Colonelcy 
 of the 97th, and was placed on half-pay ; on December 26, 
 1787, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel in the 13th Foot; 
 and about the same time first Aide-de-Camp to the Lord- 
 Lieutenant of Ireland. On June 16, 1789, he was removed to 
 the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 4th Dragoon Guards ; and on 
 October 6, 1790, exchanged into the Coldstream Guards. He 
 accompanied the brigade of Guards to the continent in March 
 1793, and served the campaign of that year in Flanders. He 
 was at the siege of Valenciennes, battle of St. Amand, and action 
 at Lincelles, &c, &c, &c; and on the army going into winter 
 quarters, he returned home for the purpose of raising a regiment, 
 the 85th, which he completed in three months from the date of
 
 Colonel.ike Uwonff' (ocbmuid ■•< \u<j<ul. 
 
 From <i 'tdiiitui'j In/' ^(ii/is/'crcno/i .
 
 F.-M. SIR GEORGE NUGENT 
 
 273 
 
 the letter of service ; and then on February 28, 1 794, obtained 
 the rank of Colonel. In September following he accompanied his 
 regiment to Walcheren, where he held the local rank of Brigadier- 
 General ; and in October joined the army of the Duke of 
 York, and obtained the command of a brigade of the line, 
 cantoned in and near to the town of Tiel on the Waal. In 
 April 1795 he was appointed Brigadier-General on the Staff in 
 Ireland; Major-General in the army on May 3, 1796, having 
 held the command of the Northern district in Ireland during the 
 whole of the rebellion ; and Adjutant-General in Ireland, July 
 1799, in which situation he continued till April 1, 1801, when 
 he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief 
 of Jamaica, with the local rank of Lieutenant-General, and 
 where he continued until February 20, 1806, when he returned 
 home. September 25, 1803, he received the rank of Lieutenant- 
 General in the army; and on August 21, 1806, was placed on the 
 Staff in Great Britain, where he continued till October 1809. 
 On December 27, 1805, he received the Colonelcy of the 62nd 
 Foot; on May 26, 1806, that of his present regiment, the 6th 
 Foot; and the rank of General on June 4, 18 13. He was 
 appointed Commander-in-Chief of all the King's and Company's 
 forces in the East Indies early in the year 181 1, and second in 
 council at Calcutta ; and returned to England after a four years' 
 absence, having been succeeded in his military capacity by General 
 the Earl of Moira. 
 
 The following is a copy of a letter from this officer to 
 Lieutenant-General Lake, relative to some of the operations 
 against the rebels in Ireland, which, from not being published at 
 the time, should be here recorded — 
 
 Belfast, June 13, 1798. 
 Sir, 
 
 Having received intelligence on the 9th instant, that the 
 rebels were assembling in and about Saintfield and Ballynahinch, 
 in great force, I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart of the 33rd 
 regiment, Assistant-Ouarter-Master-General, to proceed from 
 hence to Blaris, to take the command of the Argyle Fencibles, 
 with one battalion gun, together with what dragoons Major- 
 General Goldie could spare from Lisburn and Hillisborough, and 
 to proceed to Ballynahinch to dislodge any force of the rebels he 
 should find there, take post near that place, and wait for any 
 further orders. Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart reports that on his 
 arrival within two miles of Ballynahinch, about four o'clock in 
 the morning of the 10th instant, he received information, that 
 
 T
 
 274 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 the rebels, about 700 strong, were in possession of the town, and 
 had taken some yeomanry prisoners, who had been stationed there. 
 Finding that he could not get on soon enough with the infantry 
 and guns, he proceeded with small parties of cavalry in different 
 directions, and entered the town ; but the rebels had been informed 
 of his approach, and were flying in large parties towards Saintfield ; 
 about 700 of them took to the close woods in front of Lord 
 Moira's house, and near the river. Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart 
 ordered the dragoons to surround the wood, which they effected 
 completely : and on the arrival of the infantry, he sent two 
 companies of the Argyle Fencibles and some yeomanry into the 
 wood, who killed between 40 and 50 of them, and the others 
 were cut down by the dragoons in attempting to escape. The 
 rebels left the yeomanry prisoners taken by them in the town. 
 After Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart had reconnoitred the country, 
 and sent strong patroles towards the enemy's camp at Saintfield, 
 he took a strong position near Ballynahinch. At two o'clock 
 p.m. he received my orders to proceed to Downpatrick, and 
 secure that post, and he arrived there with his detachment at 
 seven o'clock in the evening. The Lieutenant-Colonel having 
 made the necessary arrangements for the security of Downpatrick, 
 waited my further orders, which he received at half-past ten 
 o'clock a.m. of the 12th instant, to co-operate with me in an 
 attack on Saintfield, &c, at twelve o'clock on that day. For this 
 purpose I moved from Belfast at nine o'clock a.m. with the 
 Monaghan militia and Fife fencibles, with 60 of the 22nd light 
 dragoons, and a detachment of the Royal Artillery with 6 
 six-pounders, and 2 howitzers. On our approach to Saintfield, 
 I found the rebels had destroyed several of the bridges, which 
 occasioned a considerable delay ; on our arrival at Saintfield, I 
 found that the rebels had fled to a strong post on the Windmill 
 Hill, near Ballynahinch. On my leaving Belfast, I had ordered 
 Colonel Stapylton, with the York fencibles, 100 of the Monaghan 
 militia, 40 of the 22nd light dragoons, and one field-piece, to take 
 post at Cumber to cut off the retreat of the rebels to the Ardes if 
 they had stood at their camp at Saintfield : and he reports that he 
 cut off and destroyed a great number of them when endeavouring 
 to make their escape that way. I halted a short time at Saint- 
 field to obtain information, and finding that all the inhabitants in 
 and about this place had quitted their houses, and had joined the 
 rebels, I ordered the town of Saintfield to be burnt. I then pro- 
 ceeded towards Ballynahinch, and finding the intelligence I had 
 received to be true, I formed the Monaghan regiment in line 
 fronting the Windmill Hill, to wait for Lieutenant-Colonel
 
 F.-M. SIR GEORGE NUGENT 275 
 
 Stewart's detachment. The rebels were in such numbers that I 
 was apprehensive of their turning my right flank, which they 
 indeed attempted, and which induced me to form the Fife fencibles 
 en potence with the Monaghan militia. Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Stewart, with his detachment, strengthened by 100 of the 
 York fencibles, and some yeomanry infantry, from the garrison 
 of Downpatrick, now joined me, and received orders to form 
 on the left of the Monaghan militia, and to drive the rebels from 
 their post on Windmill Hill, which they accomplished with 
 great gallantry, and the rebels fled through the town of Bally- 
 nahinch, to the strong post in Lord Moira's domain. The 
 artillery, under the command of Major-General Barber, now 
 commenced a cannonade on the rebels in the town and on the 
 hill beyond it, which continued till it became dark. Two 
 positions were taken on the right and on the left of our post 
 to cover Downpatrick and Hillisborough, as well as to prevent 
 the rebels from making their retreat by any other route, than to 
 the mountains in their rear. At day break of the 13th, I detached 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart with the Argyle fencibles, three 
 companies of yeomanry, part of the 22nd light dragoons, and 
 yeomanry cavalry, with 1 six-pounder, and r howitzer, to take 
 post on the rebels' right flank ; which having effected, he began a 
 cannonade on them, and drove in their out-posts, who retreated 
 to the table of the hill. Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart now 
 advanced within 200 yards of the main body of the rebels, when 
 they made three different attempts with their musketry, supported 
 by a very great number of the pikemen, to dislodge him, but 
 were completely beat back by the steadiness and firmness of the 
 Argyle fencibles, and the yeomanry, covered by the gun and 
 howitzer, served with grape, which killed a great number of rebels, 
 many of whom they carried off" notwithstanding our heavy fire. 
 To favour Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart's attack, I detached the 
 Monaghan militia, with two field pieces, some yeomanry infantry, 
 and a few of the 22nd dragoons through the town, to enter Lord 
 Moira's demesne, to attack the rebels in front, at the same time I 
 ordered a strong party of cavalry to watch their motions on the 
 right : by these movements, together with a cannonade in front 
 and on their right flank, the rebels began to retreat, and it soon 
 became general, for they fled in all directions ; parties of dragoons 
 were sent out, and killed great numbers in the retreat, whilst 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart took possession of their strong post 
 on the hill, where he found eight guns with a great quantity of 
 ammunition, their colours, cars, provisions, &c. A very consider- 
 able number of the rebels were found concealed in the plantations
 
 276 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 near Lord Moira's house, who were killed there. The troops 
 having been fired upon from the houses in the town of Ballyna- 
 hinch, it was set fire to, and a considerable part of it consumed. 
 Having halted two hours to collect the troops, I gave the necessary- 
 directions for marching to Belfast, &c. through Saintfield. I 
 return my best thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart for his able 
 advice and assistance throughout the operations contained in this 
 letter, as well as to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and 
 privates of his corps. I also return my best thanks to Major- 
 General Barber, Captains Lindsey and Coulson, Lieutenants 
 Teesdale and Shearman, of the Royal Artillery, Colonel Leslie 
 and Lieutenant-Colonel Kerr of the Monaghan Militia, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Durham of the Fife Fencibles, Major Smith of the 22nd 
 Light Dragoons, and to all the officers, non-commissioned officers, 
 and privates of the corps who marched with me from Belfast. I 
 also return my best thanks to Lieutenant Colonel-Peacocke, my 
 Aid-de-camp, Major of Brigade, McKinnon, and Captian Owen, 
 Assistant-Adjutant-General, for their great attention and ready 
 assistance on every occasion. 
 
 {Signed) George Nugent, Major-General. 
 
 Lieutenant-General Lake, 
 Commanding-in-Chief, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 Sir George represented the Borough of Buckingham in Parlia- 
 ment since 1790, and in 1796 was returned for Buckingham 
 again and for St. Mawes, having been appointed Captain and 
 Keeper of St. Mawes' Castle. He sat for Buckingham until the 
 dissolution of the first Parliament of the United Kingdom in 
 Decernber 1800. On June 4, 1813, he became a full General, and 
 in 1 815 was made G.C.B. In 1816 he was made an honorary 
 D.C.L. of the University of Oxford, and in the same year was 
 once more returned for Buckingham, which he continued to 
 represent until the passing of the Reform Bill in 1882. In 1846 
 he was made a Field-Marshal, and on March 11, three years 
 afterwards, died at his seat, Waddesdon House, Little Marlow, 
 Berkshire, aged 92. He had married at Belfast on November 16, 
 1797, Maria, ninth daughter of Courtland Skinner, Attorney- 
 General of New Jersey, North America, and by her had three 
 sons and two daughters. She died in 1834.
 
 F.-M. SIR GEORGE NUGENT 277 
 
 Naples, December the 6th, 18 15. 
 
 My Dear George, 
 
 By a letter I just receiv'd from Lady W. Bentinck, I have 
 the certainty of Your being in England and that both You and 
 Lady Nugent are well. I shall be happy to hear the confirma- 
 tion of the latter from Yourself, and request You will remember 
 me most affectionately to Lady Nugent. I am longing to see 
 You, but my present Employment will prevent that for some 
 time. I have the command of the Austrian forces in this King- 
 dom which is in itself a post of cause quern, and may become 
 more so. 
 
 I have at length followed your example my Dear Sir George 
 and am married since the 26th of last month. I have written to 
 Lord Buckingham the circumstances and have every reason to 
 think I have made an excellent choice. She is niece to the King 
 of Naples, and what is better of a most amiable character. I wish 
 she could make Lady Nugent's acquaintance, and as soon as my 
 present employment is at an end I shall bring her to England. 
 
 I don't write to Lord Nugent, pray give him my Compliments 
 and inform him of the change of my state. 
 
 Believe me, my Dear Sir George, most faithfully Yours 
 
 Nugent. 
 
 I have written to Sir Hugh by the post, but as that is less secure 
 than this opportunity, I beg You will remember me to him. 
 Allow me to request You will forward the inclos'd to Bath to my 
 mother. 
 
 My Dear Nugent, 
 
 I return you my most sincere thanks for your kind atten- 
 tion and congratulations and to assure you that I am most happy 
 to learn that you and Lady Nugent are so well. 
 
 I have no thoughts at present of visiting Plymouth, but if I 
 should be obliged to do so Be assur'd that I will with the greatest 
 pleasure and satisfaction take up mv abode with you for a few 
 days. 
 
 With best regards to Lady Nugent, believe me ever, 
 
 My dear Nugent, 
 
 Most truly yours, 
 
 Lake. 
 Bond Street, October 1st, 181 7.
 
 278 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 Dunsany Castle, 11 Nov. 18 15. 
 My Dear Sir George, 
 
 I have had the pleasure to receive this day, yr letter of the 
 3rd Inst, relative to Mrs. Byrne's wish to send her Daughters to 
 be under yr care and Lady Nugent's. In this she acts a wise part, 
 as they could not possibly be in better hands. As to myself, I 
 have seen Mrs. Byrne but once since her return from Portugal, 
 when she had the goodness to bring her Daughters to see Lady 
 Dunsany and me, and that is I think near two years ago, during 
 wch time I have not been in Dublin but once or twice. Her 
 health I fear is very bad, as Mr. Alen, whom you mention, writes 
 to me. He had been detained a Prisoner in France for twelve 
 years, untill Bonaparte's Exile to Elba, when he got his liberty, 
 and returned to Dublin, where he now lives, in Mount Joy 
 Square. He has a Coppy of the Will, and I will immediately 
 write to him to send you a Coppy of the one he has. I saw the 
 Will after poor Robert Byrnes' death but am as Ignorant of it 
 as yourselfe. I know the Eldest Daughter will, when she is of 
 Age, possess the whole Estate, and the second will have at least 
 Twenty thousand Pounds. At the period that the Marquis of 
 Buckinghamshire was Lord Lieutt here, he wished to give up 
 the Guardianship of the Children and Propperty to the Lord 
 Chancellor in wch you joined, Alen and I did the same ; and 
 since that period I never medled in their Affairs. The Miss 
 Byrnes seem to be very amiable girls, rather low of stature, particu- 
 larly the Eldest, who is I should think twenty yrs. She is the 
 picture of her Father, with his large Eyes. The younger Girl 
 has a Superior fine voice, Equal to Catalani. They are of course 
 allow'd handsomely for their Support ; and I have no doubt Lord 
 Manners will not have the smallest objection to their going to 
 you. He must no doubt be consulted on the Subject, wch I shall 
 do to-morrow, as I have the honor of being known to him. I 
 think the Affairs of the Miss Byrnes' must be so aranged, as not 
 to require yr presence here, and if Cabantuly should be to let, it 
 wd be by the Chancellor untill she is of age ; so that I think it 
 wd not interfere in the smallest degree with any plan you may 
 have formed, of going to the Continent, &c. anything I can do 
 for you here, You may freely command. Lord Fingall has just 
 called on me, he is much Obliged by yr kind remembrance of 
 him. He desires his best regards. He has just returned from 
 Dublin and saw Mr. Devereux, Mrs. Byrnes' Brother, who told 
 him she was rather mending, wch gives me much pleasure. I 
 forgot to mention that when Mrs. Byrne was here, she talked of 
 going abroad for 3 years to shew her Daughters the World ; well
 
 F.-M. SIR GEORGE NUGENT 279 
 
 said I, if yo do, both yourselfe and yr Daughters, will maray 
 Frenchmen I think you wd do better to marry yr Eldest to Lord 
 Kilham, who is a very good Young Man — this I know not why, 
 she did not approve of — but mentioned Lord Kenmare, who 
 certainly is by farr the first Catholic match in Ireland — he has no 
 thoughts of Marriage. Lady D. and my Daughter unite with me 
 in best Compts &c. to you and Lady Nugent and believe me 
 to be 
 
 My dear Sir George, 
 
 Most truly and sincerely 
 Yours 
 
 Dunsany. 
 Sir G. Nugent, Bart., etc. etc. 
 
 Dai/k'sford house, lid March, 1808. 
 
 My much loved friend, 
 
 Your letter has relieved me from a long and anxious state 
 of suspense ; but substituted much worse feeling in its stead. I 
 grieve exceedingly for your vexation ; and while I relinquish 
 without a moment's consideration, and almost without regret, that 
 which I should otherwise feel being totally absorbed by my superior 
 regard to your interest and peace, I hope you will not suffer any 
 other duty, or temptation, to draw you from the care of this suit, 
 till it has closed, as I hope and trust it will, in your favor. 
 
 My letter to you was written on the instant of the receipt of 
 one from L. J. Impey to Mrs. Hastings apprising her that you 
 were going or gone to London. I have been in a peck of troubles 
 since, not knowing in what corner of the globe to seek you. At 
 length I wrote to Sir Elijah, on last Sunday ; and on the supposi- 
 tion of your having returned to Brighton, or of not having quitted 
 it, proposed to recur to our first engagement, in the hopes, and 
 almost assurance, of meeting you and dear Mrs. Osborne at 
 Newick. I suspect that my letter will have puzzled him, as 
 much as I have been puzzled ; and will write to him again to 
 morrow, to unpuzzle him, and apprise him of the day on which 
 we may fulfill our long engagement to him and Lady Impey. 
 We shall necessarily bait, not probably beyond a week, in London. 
 Mrs. Hastings' health will require it, even for repose, though I 
 verily believe that if she could pass the ensuing six months in 
 friendly residences, & intermediate movements upon the road, 
 she would gain more health from it, than even from the prescrip- 
 tions of Dr. Vaughan, and the equal efficacy of her confidence 
 in his medical skill. I will let you know, as soon as we have
 
 2 8o BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 decidedly formed our plan : and I pray you, let me hear from you 
 sometimes, that I may not again have to make hue Sc cry after 
 you. When your mind is at ease, and you have no longer any 
 litigation to disturb it, We shall be most happy to see you and 
 dear Mrs. Osborne at Daylesford in Summer, Autumn or Winter. 
 I am afFraid I must of necessity restrict our hopes of visiting 
 Melchet to the mild seasons of the year, as Mrs. Hastings is most 
 liable to the recurrences of sickness in the winter, and feels every 
 impending shower of snow with the certainty of a barometer. 
 We both desire you to accept and to present to your dear Lady 
 the assurance of our best wishes and unalterable regard. 
 
 Y. ever affectionate 
 
 Warren Hastings. 
 
 London, June 19, 1830. 
 My Dear General, 
 
 I have received Your Letter and I assure you that I know 
 nothing more painful than it is to receive Applications daily and 
 not to have it in my Power to comply with any of them. 
 
 I have nothing to say to the Selection of officers to be appointed 
 to any of the great Governments excepting a Negative. 
 
 In this Case of the Vacancy occasioned by the Death of Lord 
 Harcourt I know that the King has desired that a Promise should 
 be made to a particular officer. 
 
 Believe me ever yours most sincerely, 
 
 Wellington. 
 
 Isle of Man, 
 
 Janry ^th, 181 2. 
 Sir, 
 
 Give me leave to Express the Obligation I feel by your 
 very kind Attention to the Interests of my Son in Law Lieut. 
 Col. M. Murray, of which be assured I shall ever retain a gratefull 
 remembrance. 
 
 I have the honour to remain 
 Your most Obt 
 
 Sc Obliged Humble Servt., 
 
 Bt. Atholl. 
 Sir G. Nugent, 
 
 &c. Sec. Sec.
 
 F.-M. SIR GEORGE NUGENT 281 
 
 Gosford, 
 
 April 2jth, 1800. 
 
 My Dear General, 
 
 Accept my warmest Thanks for this additional instance of 
 your Friendship, the morning I received yours my son went 
 with a young Party to Tandragee. he is not yet returned, so 
 have not had an opportunity of communicating the contents of 
 your Letter to him. I can therefore only answer such parts as 
 concern myself. 
 
 You know I have in this important question left my son to act 
 as his Judgment dictated — motives such as I think no Father 
 could oppose, directed him to take an opposite part to mine, and 
 tho' I should have been well pleased had we on this as on every 
 occasion gone hand in hand together, yet must I feel highly grati- 
 fied by the honorable principles that induced him to forego the 
 advantages that would probably have resulted from our having 
 acted in conjunction rather than deviate from that sense of recti- 
 tude that was always my ambition to inculcate in him. I must 
 still leave him to himself, I find it impossible to urge him on this 
 subject, as soon as I know his sentiments I will impart them 
 to you. 
 
 Give me leave my Good Friend to state that tho' I have not in 
 this instance exerted an influence that might have been useful to 
 Government in Parliament, yet it has in no other instance been 
 neglected, and I conceive that the strenuous support I have given 
 to the measure in question has enabled me to have been essentially 
 serviceable in this County, which otherways would have been 
 nearly unanimous in opposition to Governt., & would have beyond 
 a doubt have returned a representative that would have added 
 another County Member to the opposition Lists — in this I do not 
 assert more than every impartial man in this County must 
 acknowledge. 
 
 I never mentioned the subject you allude to, to His Excellency 
 'till a few days before I left town, when I requested to know 
 whither He intended to honor me with His recommendation as 
 one of the Twenty Eight. His Ex : replied that there would be 
 difficulty in answering the many claimants, but that I had His 
 2:ood wishes. 
 
 My Ideas upon this matter are, that should His Excellency 
 honor me with this mark of his favor, I should esteem it as it 
 deserves, & feel highly flattered — but if I could only expect it in 
 consequence of urging my son to take a part that might in future 
 create an unpleasant reflection in his mind, I would rather relin- 
 quish the flattering Idea that the repeated proofs I have given of
 
 282 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 Fidelity & attachment to my King and His Government might 
 have made me an object worthy of Their consideration. 
 
 I must rest satisfied with a retirement very congenial to my 
 nature, which nothing but the wish of being serviceable to my 
 Family could induce me to forego. 
 
 I write this sitting up in my Bed where I have been confined 
 with a billious attack but would not longer delay acknowledging 
 the receipt of your Letter. 
 
 I should apologize, my Good General, for taking up so much 
 of your time. 
 
 Believe me with great regard and esteem 
 
 Most Truly Yours, 
 
 Gosford. 
 Sir Geo. Nugent. 
 
 Horseguards, 
 
 July 12th, 1825. 
 My dear Sir George, 
 
 I have to offer many Apologies to you for not having 
 earlier replied to Your Letter of the 20th June enclosing one 
 from Lord Charles Somerset which I return. Why he should 
 have written to you on the Subject of the 6th Regt. I really 
 cannot understand as neither Your Name or Colonel Napier's 
 were mentioned in any Communication from me. I wrote to 
 him on the 18th Feby. & again on 30th August 1824, and in both 
 Instances referred to the Return of the Regt. as the Source of 
 the Information received by H. R. H. of the Dispersion of the 
 Corps and its Field Officers, as indeed the Return was the Record 
 consulted. 
 
 I now enclose for your private Information a Copy of my last 
 Letter to Lord Charles (that of 30th August I mean), as it will 
 serve to explain to you the real ground of His Soreness and when 
 I add that it has since been removed by the re-appointment of 
 Lt. Col. Somerset to the Cape Corps, I may observe that a very 
 short answer from you will answer my purpose, nor is it at all 
 necessary that you should saddle Yourself or Colonel Napier with 
 the question. 
 
 Believe me to be ever 
 
 My dear Sir George, 
 
 Most sincerely Yours 
 
 C. H. Taylor. 
 
 General Sir George Nugent, Bart., G.C.B.
 
 F.-M. SIR GEORGE NUGENT 283 
 
 Camp beyond the Ford of the 
 Ganges at Asophghur, 
 
 Deer. 22d. 1 8 14. 
 
 My dear Sir George, 
 
 It has been already explained to you that a prior engage- 
 ment prevented my gratifying myself in confirming your nomina- 
 tion of Lieut. Davidson to the command of the Sylhet Battalion. 
 I had promised Mr. Seton that the first Corps of that nature which 
 became dispensable should be bestowed on Sir Robert Colquhoun. 
 The latter eagerly accepted the offer of the Sylhet Corps, tho' I 
 was doubtful as to its being on a footing that would be agreeable. 
 Of course I was obliged to let him have it : and I request that 
 you will have the kindness to cause the appointment to be rectified 
 accordingly. Lt. Davidson has been assured that your wishes for 
 his advantage shall not be unfruitful. 
 
 Herewith I send to you the copy of a Letter from Lord Buck- 
 inghamshire, & an extract from a ietter of Governor Farquhar's to 
 me. They both relate to public points, & are in their way satis- 
 factory. As a kind of supplement to them, I will transcribe two 
 or three Passages from a confidential letter of Mr. Elphinstone, the 
 Chairman's, to me. " Peace is now made, & the terms ratified 
 "two days ago. A King's Ship will be sent to give you the 
 " details as they respect India. These with Holland are not yet 
 " settled but will be very soon ; so that as soon as they have been 
 " submitted to Parliament we may expect the Ship to be de- 
 " spatched." " The expense of the Judicial System is enormous 
 " and by no means answers. It requires much amendment." " I 
 " wish you had not sent home the treasure. We once thought of 
 "sending it back; which indeed we may yet do, for we are richer 
 " at home than you are, the Investments have sold so well." 
 
 Now, as to this treasure ; the remitting it was the thing of all 
 others upon me. Had not the Peace taken place, the Directors 
 would have made ^150,000 by the sale of that gold. 
 
 The evacuation of Nahun speaks intelligibly the formidable 
 impressions made by the sufferings of the Garrison of Kalinga by 
 our Shells. The abandonment of so strong a Position, after it had 
 been fortified with such labor, will produce great effect on the 
 minds of the People throughout that Country. It is a confession 
 of alarm which will dispel the extravagant notion entertained of 
 the prowess of the Gorkhas. All now looks well in that quarter. 
 The whole of Kamaoon would have been ours at this moment 
 had I had only one Battalion to send thither. I am making 
 Colonel Gardner raise Alligoles for the purpose, but it is wretched
 
 284 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 to be driven to such substitutes for the disposable force which we 
 ought to possess. 
 
 Adieu, my Dear George. I have the Honor to remain with 
 high regard 
 
 Your Excellency's 
 
 Very faithful Servt, 
 
 Moira. 
 H. E. Sir G. Nugent, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 Richmond Park, 
 
 April ye i$th, 1811. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I am persuaded you will excuse the Liberty I take in 
 introducing to your notice Captn. Pester, who will, I hope, have 
 the Honor of delivering to you this Letter. He is in the Service 
 of the East India Company, & on the Bengal Establishment. 
 Lord Lake, under whom He serv'd in two Campaigns, had, I 
 know, a very high opinion of Him; & He possess'd the Friendship 
 of Col. Lake, who fell at Vimeira. His Talents are considerable, 
 & I am convinced that He would prove worthy of any Confidence 
 that might be reposed in him. Unfortunately his State of Health 
 obliged Him to leave India, & He is now on the Point of return- 
 ing, before it is reestablish'd. There is accordingly too much 
 Reason to fear that He will be unequal to those active Exertions, 
 to which He would be impell'd by the Zeal and Ardour of his 
 mind. The Interest I take in his Wellfare has overcome my 
 Unwillingness to trouble you, & I therefore venture to recommend 
 Captn. Pester very earnestly to your Favor, & Protection. 
 
 Accept my best Wishes for your Health, & Success in the 
 honourable Situation in which you are deservedly placed, & believe 
 me to be, with sincere esteem, Dear Sir, 
 
 Your faithful & obedient humble Servt., 
 
 Sidmouth. 
 
 Fife House, 
 
 21st July, 1819. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have had the honour of receiving your Letter together 
 with the Inclosures contained in it. The latter I return, being 
 fully satisfied of the honorable Testimony they bear to your 
 former Services. 
 
 With respect to the appointment of Commander in Chief in
 
 F.-M. SIR GEORGE NUGENT 285 
 
 Ireland, which you solicit, it has always been filled up in conse- 
 quence of Communications between the first Lord of the Treasury, 
 the Secretary of State for the Home Department, & the Lord 
 Lieutenant of Ireland, with the Commander in Chief; — being 
 considered an appointment not purely of a military nature, but 
 connected necessarily with Political Duties, which rendered the 
 concurrence of the Civil Government both in England and Ireland 
 of considerable importance. 
 
 I cannot under any circumstances, say more than that if the 
 vacancy to which you allude should occur, your application shall 
 be considered together with those of others. 
 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, 
 
 Your very obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Liverpool. 
 
 General Sir George Nugent, Bt., G.C.B. 
 
 Stable Yard, 
 
 March 4, 181 1. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have to acknowledge the receipt of your obliging Letter 
 and I trust it is unnecessary for me to assure you of the sincere 
 satisfaction with which I learnt the Prince Regent's approval of 
 your Nomination to the Chief Command in India, when I feared 
 that General Brownrigg could not succeed to it. 
 
 Aware as I am of its importance at all times and particularly at 
 a period when the interests of the Army in that Ouarter seemed 
 suffered to meet from various unfortunate causes and occurrences, 
 I could not but feel anxious upon every ground civil and military 
 that the Direction of it should be placed in the hands of an officer 
 whose able and zealous exertions had been manifested upon former 
 occasions and whose honourable character and habit of Business 
 should inspire confidence to the Government, while they promised 
 to afford satisfaction to and to conciliate those placed under their 
 direction. I am confident that you will not disappoint their 
 expectations although I fear that you will have to surmount many 
 difficulties and embarrassments. 
 
 I am very sensible of the friendly manner in which you express 
 your feelings in regard to myself, and upon this subject I can only 
 say that the Impression which had been left on my mind by the 
 Persecution directed against me has not been a little softened by 
 the gratifying assurances of regard and continued good opinion
 
 286 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 which I have received from many of my Brother Soldiers to 
 whose favourable sentiments I must ever attach the greatest value. 
 
 Believe me ever, 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Yours most sincerely, 
 
 Frederick. 
 Lieut.-General Sir George Nugent, Bart. 
 
 Stowe, 
 May 18th, 1812. 
 My dear Lady Nugent, 
 
 The ring enclosed in this note belonged to one whom I 
 am sure you will never cease to regret. Pray wear it for her sake 
 & think with kindness sometimes on your very faithful & affec- 
 tionate 
 
 Nugent Buckingham. 
 
 P.S. I rejoice that your children are all well & promising all 
 you could wish & while Providence spares me in this world I will 
 not lose sight of them. 
 
 L'an 1775, le 18 Septembre est morte a Spa la Noble Demoiselle 
 de Neugent, irlandaise, agee de 19 ans. 
 
 Elle est enterree dans le Choeur de l'eglise paroissielle de Spa, a 
 Cote droit en entrant Sous le pilier pres du Maitre autel, par per- 
 mission de l'archidiacre du Diocese de Liege. 
 
 L'interrement Se fit le 19 Septembre, a 8 heures du Soir, avec 
 toutes les Ceremonies possibles, dix pretres, en chapes et Surplis 
 ont accompagne de la Defuncte de meme que 18 flambeaux, la 
 bierre etoit portee par 12 hommes en Manteaux noirs, 3 Cerceuils 
 renfermoient la defuncte : deux de bois & un autre de plomb, une 
 Couronne de fleurs, entre Ses armes, etoit posee Sur la bierre, le de 
 profundis & le libera me Suivi du Miserere furent chantes a l'en- 
 terrement, toute la Noblesse presente, les orgues accompagnoient 
 le chant lugubre. 
 
 Le lendemain, a 10 heures du matin, on fit les obseques, tres 
 Solonelles, toute la Noblesse y assista, le Maitre-autel etoit Couvert 
 en Noir garni d'un grand luminaire de Cierges blancs Sc de Blaisons 
 funebres. 
 
 extrait du Registre des Morts. 
 
 Une Messe Solenelle fondee a perpetuite Se chante tous les ans 
 avec Diacre, Sous-diacre, chape & orgues.
 
 F.-M. SIR GEORGE NUGENT 287 
 
 Requiem eternam Dona Ancillae tuae, Domine et lux perpetua 
 luceat ci. 
 
 Antonius Jehia, aedituus ecclesiae Spadae. 
 
 9 Aout, 1822. 
 
 London, J una 20th, 1827. 
 
 My dear Sir George, 
 
 I am very much flattered by and obliged to you for your 
 kindness in sending me the Bakerville Bible which evidently 
 belonged to my family. I conclude that it was sold with Lord 
 Wellesley's Library. I accept it with great pleasure and shall 
 preserve it as a token of your kindness towards me. 
 
 Ever, my dear Sir George, 
 
 Yours most sincerely, 
 
 Wellington. 
 
 Daylesford house, 
 ijth July, 181 1. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 My excellent friend, Mr. Osborne, has informed me of 
 the promise which you have given him of your patronage of Mr. 
 Chapmett, the nephew of Mrs. Hastings. For this intended kind- 
 ness, though such as we had no right to solicit, we share largely in 
 the obligation, and I beg leave to assure you of it. 
 
 I think myself better entitled to join my testimony to that 
 of my friend, to the merits of General Palmer ; whom, if I stood 
 in that relation of acquaintance with you which would justify me 
 in introducing him to your notice, I should not do it on the foot- 
 ing of a recommendation, unless for that of reciprocal benefit, 
 believing that you will find few men equal to him in official 
 talents, political experience, general information, or integrity of 
 character. 
 
 Mrs. Hastings unites with me in compliments to Lady Nugent 
 and yourself, and in fervent wishes for your health and prosperity. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient 
 humble servant 
 
 Warren Hastings.
 
 288 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 Horse Guards, 
 
 September 6, 1806. 
 Sir, 
 
 I have to acknowledge your letter, requesting that I would 
 recommend you to His Majesty's Government for the dignity of a 
 Baronet, and I have to assure you that I have had great pleasure 
 in meeting your wishes on this occasion, and have not failed to 
 express to Lord Granville the high sense I entertain of your 
 merit and services, and my wish that his Lordship would take 
 an early opportunity of recommending you to His Majesty for 
 the mark of favor you have solicited. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 Yours, 
 
 Frederick. 
 Lieutt. General Nugent, 
 Stowe, Bucks. 
 
 Horse Guards, 
 
 22d October, 1819. 
 Sir, 
 
 I take the earliest opportunity in my power to acknowledge 
 the receipt of your Letter of the 1 7th instant, and to acquaint you 
 that The Prince Regent has been pleased to confer the Government 
 of Plymouth upon The Duke of Wellington : — But I shall be 
 well disposed to bring your claims, with those of other General 
 officers, under His Royal Highness's consideration as future 
 opportunities offer. 
 
 I am, 
 Sir, 
 Yours, 
 
 Frederick, 
 Commander in Chief. 
 
 General Sir George Nugent, G.C.B. 
 
 Mivarfs Hotel, 
 
 Lower Braak St, 
 Saturday. 
 My dear George, 
 
 I received your letter yesterday, which gave me very 
 great pleasure ; and I heartily congratulate you on the approaching 
 Marriage of your Daughter Louisa. With two Thousand pounds 
 yearly income and prudent Management, a young couple may live
 
 F.-M. SIR GEORGE NUGENT 289 
 
 very comfortably. I do not think that those are the happiest who 
 have the largest Fortunes ; they are too often tempted to enter 
 into scenes of dissipation which so frequently lead ultimately to 
 much misfortune, and as far as my experience goes,*! am led to 
 think that more true happiness is found amongst the middle ranks 
 of life whose Incomes are moderate. Your Tour must have been 
 delightful, the Weather having been something like Summer, 
 which we can scarcely say has been the case for two or three 
 years past. Remember me kindly. 
 
 Ever, my dear George, your affectionate Brother, 
 
 C. E. Nugent. 
 
 u
 
 APPENDIX II 
 
 'THE NAVAL CHRONICLE,' 1803. 
 (Vol. x., pp. 442 — 468.) 
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT, ESQ. 
 
 Our officer (Vice-Admiral Nugent) has been a sailor from 
 his earliest youth. He was born about the year 1760 ; and in 
 1 77 1, at the very tender age of eleven years, he entered the 
 service in the Scorpion Sloop of War, under the protection of 
 the Hon. George Keith Elphinstone, now Lord Keith. The 
 Scorpion shortly afterwards joined Sir Peter Dennis's flag-ship, the 
 Trident, in the Mediterranean, on board of which Mr. Nugent 
 went, and remained in her till the year 1774. 
 
 At the commencement of the year 1775, the perturbed state 
 of North America became a subject of very serious attention on 
 the part of the British Government ; and in the month of April, 
 the rebellious provinces were guilty of some open acts of hostility. 
 Preparations, offensive as well as defensive, were made by both 
 parties ; several actions ensued ; and, in the course of the summer, 
 the ravages of war extended over the greater part of the western 
 continent. Towards the end of the year, Commodore Sir Peter 
 Parker sailed from Cork, in the Bristol, a fifty-gun ship, with a 
 squadron of ships of war, and a fleet of transports, on board of 
 which were a large body of troops, under the command of Earl 
 Cornwallis, destined to act against the rebels in North America. 
 Mr. Nugent sailed in the Bristol, as Third Lieutenant, and, in 
 the whole, remained under the command of Sir Peter Parker the 
 period of seven years. 
 
 Early in May 1776, Sir Peter Parker's squadron arrived off 
 Cape Fear ; and being joined bv General Clinton, with a rein- 
 forcement of troops, immediately proceeded to the attack of 
 Charlestown in South Carolina. 
 
 2QO
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 291 
 
 At this period Mr. Nugent was only sixteen years old, an 
 age at which very few young men destined for public stations 
 have quitted their academical studies. It was his fortune, however, 
 to enter very early on his professional pursuits, and in his youthful 
 years, to participate in much service under the command of 
 experienced Officers. 
 
 The high opinion which Sir Peter Parker entertained of 
 Mr. Nugent's exertions during the attack upon Sullivan's Island, 
 is handsomely expressed in his official dispatches to the Admiralty 
 on that occasion. From these dispatches we take the liberty of 
 making the following extract — 
 
 "The fleet 1 sailed from Cape Fear on the 1st of June, and 
 on the 4th anchored off Charles-Town bar. The 5th, sounded 
 the bar, and laid down buoys preparatory to the intended entrance 
 of the harbour. The 7th, all the frigates, and most of the 
 transports, got over the bar into five fathom hole. The 9th, 
 General Clinton landed on Long Island, with about 400 or 500 
 men. The 10th, the Bristol got over the bar with some difficulty. 
 The 15th, gave the Captains of the squadron my arrangement, 
 for the attack of the batteries on Sullivan's Island, and the next 
 day acquainted General Clinton that the ships were ready. The 
 General fixed on the 23rd for our joint attack, but the wind 
 proving unfavourable, prevented its taking effect. The 25th, 
 the Experiment arrived, and next day came over the bar, when a 
 new arrangement was made for the new attack. The 28th, 
 at half an hour after nine in the morning, informed General 
 Clinton by signal, that I should go on the attack. At half an 
 
 1 The following ships composed the squadron under the command 
 of Commodore Sir Peter Parker, at the attack of Sullivan's Island, 
 on the 28th July, 1776. 
 
 Commanders. 
 
 Commodore Sir Peter Parker. 
 Captain J. Morris. 
 „ Scott. 
 ,, John Symonds. 
 „ Christopher Atkins. 
 „ William Williams. 
 ,, Furneaux. 
 ,, Anthony Hunt. 
 „ Roger Willis. 
 „ ' Charles Hope. 
 ,, James Read. 
 
 T. Drin--. 
 
 {Vide Schomberg.) 
 
 Ships. 
 
 Gun. 
 
 Bristol 
 
 5° 
 
 Experiment 
 Solebay ... 
 Actaeon ... 
 
 5° 
 28 
 
 28 
 
 Active 
 
 28 
 
 Syren 
 
 Sphynx ... 
 Ranger (A. S.) ... 
 Friendship (A. S.) 
 Thunder, bomb ... 
 
 28 
 20 
 22 
 12 
 8 
 
 Carcass, bomb ... 
 
 8
 
 292 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 hour after ten, I made the signal to weigh ; and about a quarter 
 after eleven, the Bristol, Experiment, Active, and Solebay, brought 
 up against the Fort. The Thunder bomb, covered by the Friend- 
 ship armed vessel, brought the salient angle of the east bastion to 
 bear N.W. by N., and Colonel James (who has, ever since our 
 arrival, been very anxious to give the best assistance) threw several 
 shells, a little before, and during the engagement, in a very good 
 direction. The Sphynx, Actaeon, and Syren were to have been 
 to the westward, to prevent fire-ships or other vessels from 
 annoying the ships engaged, to enfilade the works, and, if the 
 rebels should be driven from them, to cut off their retreat, if 
 possible. This last service was not performed, owing to the 
 ignorance of the pilot, who run the three frigates aground. The 
 Sphynx and Syren got off in a few hours, but the Actaeon remained 
 fast till the next morning, when the Captain and Officers thought 
 proper to scuttle and set her on fire. I ordered a Court Martial 
 on the Captain, Officers and Company, and they have been 
 honourably acquitted. Captain Hope made his armed ship as 
 useful as he could on the occasion, and he merits every thing that 
 can be said in his favour. During the time of our being abreast 
 of the fort, which was near ten hours, a brisk fire was kept up by 
 the ships, with intervals ; and we had the satisfaction, after being 
 engaged two hours, to oblige the rebels to slacken their fire very 
 much. We drove large parties several times out of the fort, 
 which were replaced by others from the main. About half an 
 hour after three, a considerable reinforcement from Mount 
 Pleasant hung a man on a tree at the back of the fort, and we 
 imagine that the same party ran away about an hour after, for 
 the fort was totally silenced, and evacuated for near an hour and 
 a half; but the rebels finding that our army could not take 
 possession, about six o'clock a considerable body of people re- 
 entered the fort, and renewed the firing from two or three guns ;. 
 the rest being, I suppose, dismounted. About nine o'clock, it 
 being very dark, great part of our ammunition expended, the 
 people fatigued, the tide of ebb almost done, no prospect from 
 the eastward, and no possibility of our being of any further 
 service, I ordered the ships to withdraw to their former moorings. 
 Their Lordships will see plainly by this account, that if the 
 troops could have co-operated on this attack, his Majesty would 
 have been in possession of Sullivan's Island. But I must beg 
 here to be fully understood, lest it should be imagined that I 
 mean to throw the most distant reflection on our army : I should 
 not discharge my conscience, were I not to acknowledge, that 
 such was my opinion of his Majesty's troops, from the General
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 293 
 
 down to the private Soldier, that after I had been engaged some 
 hours, and perceived that the troops had not got a footing on the 
 north end of Sullivan's Island, I was perfectly satisfied that the 
 landing was impracticable, and that the attempt would have been 
 the destruction of many brave men, without the least probabilitv 
 of success ; and this, I am certain, will appear to be the case, 
 when General Clinton represents his situation. The Bristol had 
 40 men killed, and 71 wounded; the Experiment, 23 killed, 
 and 56 wounded, and both of them suffered much in their hulls, 
 masts, and rigging ; the Active had Lieutenant Pike killed, and 
 six men wounded ; and the Solebay eight men wounded. Not 
 one man who was quartered at the beginning of the action on the 
 Bristol's quarter-deck, escaped being killed or wounded. Captain 
 Morris lost his right arm, and received other wounds, and is since 
 dead ; the Master is wounded in his right arm, but will recover 
 the use of it. I received several contusions at different times, 
 but as none of them are on any part where the least danger can 
 be apprehended, they are not worth mentioning. Lieutenants 
 Caulfield, Mollov, and Nugent, were the Lieutenants of the 
 Bristol in the action ; they behaved so remarkably well, that it is 
 impossible to say to whom the preference is due ; and so indeed 
 I may say of all the petty officers, ship's company, and volunteers. 
 At the head of the latter I must place Lord William Campbell, 
 who was so condescending as to accept of the direction of some 
 guns on the lower gun-deck. His Lordship received a contusion 
 on the left side, but I have the happiness to inform their Lord- 
 ships that it has not proved of much consequence. Captain 
 Scott, of the Experiment, lost his left arm, and is otherwise so 
 much wounded, that I fear he will not recover. I cannot con- 
 clude this letter without remarking, that when it was known that 
 we had many men too weak to come to quarters, almost all the 
 seamen belonging to the transports offered their services with a 
 truly British spirit, and a just sense of the cause we are engaged 
 in. I accepted of upwards of 50 to supply the place of our sick. 
 The Masters of many of the transports attended with their boats ; 
 but particular thanks are certainly due to Mr. Chambers, the 
 Master of the Mercury." 
 
 After this action, a promotion of the officers taking place, 
 Mr. Nugent was made Second Lieutenant of the Bristol. Sub- 
 sequently to the affair at Sullivan's Island, Sir Peter Parker 
 repassed the bar, and sailed to New York, for the purpose of 
 joining Lord Howe. 
 
 To facilitate the reduction of New York, a number of flat- 
 boats, galleys, and batteaux were employed, from which the
 
 294 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 troops under the command of General Howe, Clinton, and Lord 
 Cornwallis, effected a landing ; the ultimate result of which was, 
 that the Americans were expelled from the town. In this service, 
 Mr. Nugent was very actively engaged. 
 
 In December, Commodore Sir Peter Parker having shifted his 
 flag to the Chatham, of fifty guns, proceeded with his squadron, 
 accompanied by General Clinton and a body of land forces, to 
 reduce Rhode Island, which was taken possession of without the 
 loss of a man. 
 
 In April 1777, Letters of Marque and Reprisal were granted 
 against the Thirteen United Provinces of America ; and, in the 
 May following, Sir Peter Parker was promoted to the rank of 
 Rear-Admiral. — Mr. Nugent, as we have before stated, continued 
 with Sir Peter Parker, who remained at Rhode Island with his 
 squadron, until his appointment to Jamaica, where he arrived on 
 the 3rd of March, 1778. Mr. Nugent was here made Master 
 and Commander ; and soon after was appointed Post Captain to 
 the Pomona, of twenty-eight guns. 
 
 In the autumn of 1779, Sir Peter Parker, who had attained 
 the rank of Vice- Admiral, and now commanded his Majesty's 
 ships on the Jamaica station, was informed that the Spaniards had 
 landed at St. George's Quay, which place they had plundered, 
 treating the inhabitants with great cruelty ; and that the bay men, 
 on the Musquito and the bay of Honduras shores, were in great 
 danger of an attack from them. To protect the settlement, Sir 
 Peter dispatched the Porcupine sloop of war, commanded by 
 Captain Pakenham, to co-operate with a detachment of troops 
 sent by the Governor of Jamaica, under the command of Captain 
 Dalrymple. About the same time, the Admiral also dispatched 
 Commodore, the Hon. John Luttrell, with a small squadron, 1 of 
 which the Pomona, Captain Nugent's ship, formed a part, for the 
 purpose of intercepting some register ships, in the Gulf of Dulce, 
 and which were afterwards taken in the capture of Omoa. 
 
 In this expedition, Captain Nugent was sent by Commodore 
 Luttrell to procure pilots in the bay of Honduras, at St. George's 
 Ouay, with orders to leave the Pomona at anchor, at Quay 
 Boquel, and to proceed in the Racehorse schooner. On anchoring 
 as directed, Captain Nugent perceived a brig of fourteen guns at 
 anchor, with English colours flying. He immediately put off" in 
 his barge, to proceed to the Ouay, when, it being now dark, the 
 
 1 The Charon, of 44 guns, Commodore Luttrell; Lowestoffe, 28, 
 Captain Parker; Pomona, 28, Captain Nugent; and Racehorse, 10, 
 Lieutenant Trott.
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 295 
 
 barge was surrounded by a number of Spanish launches, and a 
 schooner of eight guns, that had been concealed under the lee of 
 the brig, which it now appeared had been taken and was aground. 
 Having secured the barge, in which was Captain Nugent, the 
 launches proceeded to board the Racehorse ; which however, having 
 been alarmed by the firing at the barge, gave them so warm a 
 reception, that four of them were sunk, and the remainder, witli the 
 eight-gun schooner, obliged to sheer off with great slaughter. Lieu- 
 tenant Trott then returned to Ouay Boquel, to alarm the Pomona. 
 In the mean time, Captain Nugent, with his barge's crew, was 
 put into confinement, with a guard placed over him. After having 
 been stripped to his shirt, and subjected to every indignity, he was 
 taken on shore, where there was a platform, with a guard before 
 it ; and it subsequently appeared, that the Governor of Bacular, 
 a town of the province of Yucatan, who headed the expedition 
 against the logwood cutters at the town of Quay Casine, had given 
 orders to execute all who made resistance. From this fate, 
 Captain Nugent with difficulty escaped, by explaining, that 
 he was a Captain of a British frigate. Of this they were convinced, 
 by taking from his coat, of which he had been stripped, some 
 orders from Commodore Luttrel. Captain Nugent was then hand- 
 cuffed and blindfolded, and conveyed in a canoe alongside the eight- 
 gun schooner, on board of which was the Commander of the 
 expedition. He was then examined by some person who spoke 
 English ; and, the Commander being satisfied, he was re-conducted 
 on shore, and confined with the rest of the crew, and the Purser 
 of the Pomona, who had accompanied him. There was a great 
 number of wounded men, both in the schooner and in the boats, as 
 Captain Nugent distinctly heard their cries when alongside of 
 the former. Of this, too, he was afterwards assured by the 
 inhabitants of the town. In the morning, soon after sun-rise, he 
 was told by one of the townspeople, that the Spaniards were 
 retiring in great consternation ; on which Captain Nugent, with 
 his barge's crew, then broke out of prison. They found a number 
 of the inhabitants collected together, many of them armed, and the 
 Spanish launches making the best of their way from the island. 
 In such haste were they to get off, that they suffered several of 
 their men to be taken prisoners, although one or two of their boats 
 were just putting off from the shore, and the Pomona, which was 
 coming from Ouay Boquel, was at least three leagues oft. 
 
 Captain Nugent then launched the barge, which had been left 
 half full of water, and retook the brig, which \v;is on shore witli 
 two or three men on board at the entrance ot the harbour. 
 Captain Nugent got on board of the Pomona just as she was
 
 296 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 coming to an anchor. He was obliged to return as soon as possible 
 to Glover's Reef, the rendezvous appointed by Commodore 
 Luttrell, with the pilots which he had been directed to obtain ; 
 but, before he went, he fitted out the fourteen-gun brig found at 
 the Quay, and left a Mate and ten men in her, with arms and 
 ammunition for several more, that she might be completed in her 
 crew by the inhabitants of the town, for whose protection she was 
 left, in case of the return of the Spaniards. By this means, most 
 of the negroes, from the settlements up the rivers Belez, Sherboon, 
 and the New River, and as much of the property of the inhabitants 
 as could be collected together, were embarked in the different 
 craft in the Settlement, and transported to the Island of Rattan, 
 where they settled during the continuance of the war. Three 
 hundred of these Bay men were assembled at that island, and served 
 at the capture of Omoa, where they rendered essential service, 
 both during the siege and at the storm. 
 
 In order that the whole of this interesting business may be more 
 completely understood, we present the following official dispatches 
 respecting it : — 
 
 Whitehall, Dec. 18, 1779. 
 
 "Extract of a Letter from Captain Dalrymple, Commander of 
 the Loyal Irish Volunteers, to the Right Honourable Lord 
 George Germaine, One of his Majesty' s Principal Secretaries 
 of State, received Yesterday hy Lieut. Garden, of the 60th 
 Regiment. 
 
 "St. Fernando de Omoa, Oct. 21, 1779. 
 
 " Your Lordship would be informed, that General Dalling had 
 dispatched me to the Musquitto shore to collect a force, and that 
 he had also sent arms, artillery, and ammunition, for St. George's 
 Quay, being the principal settlement of the Bay men. 
 
 " On the 27th of September, the day of our arrival at Black 
 River, on the Musquitto shore, an advice-boat came up from the 
 Bay, with certain intelligence, that the Spaniards had, on the 15th 
 of September, taken possession of St. George's Quay, having a 
 number of armed petitaguas, and about 600 men. On this notice, 
 having collected sixty Indians, and enlisted some volunteers on the 
 shore, we sailed in the Porcupine sloop of war with three transports, 
 or the relief and re-establishment of the Bay men. On the even- 
 fing of our departure from Black River, we fell in with Com- 
 modore Luttrell, in the Charon, accompanied by the Lowestoffe 
 and Pomona frigates, when we were informed that St. George's
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 297 
 
 Quay had been retaken by his Majesty's armed schooner Racehorse, 
 and that the remaining inhabitants, with their slaves, had retired to 
 Truxillo and Rattan. I intended to have consulted the Bay men 
 on resettling Honduras, when I was informed that his Majesty's 
 ships had been at the Gulph of Dulce, and not finding the register- 
 ships there, had proceeded to St. Fernando de Omoa, where thev 
 discovered them : that they had entered the Bay, where some 
 shot were exchanged between them and the fort ; but not having 
 a sufficient land-force to attack on shore, they were obliged to 
 leave it. Judging this a happy opportunity of adding lustre to his 
 Majesty's arms, I waited upon Commodore Luttrell, and offered 
 to attack on the land side with the Indians and the detachment 
 of the Loyal Irish, if he would reinforce me with the marines and 
 musketry-men from the ships. The Commodore agreeing in 
 opinion that the fort might be taken by attacking by sea and land 
 at the same time, it was accordingly determined on, and Truxillo 
 was appointed as the rendezvous to collect the Bay men, with 
 their slaves ; where we met some people from the Musquitto shore, 
 who had been on an expedition against the register-ships. The 
 Commodore immediately had the Bay men collected, as I suggested 
 it, who were dispersed about the islands of Rattan and Bonaccoa ; 
 they were formed by me into four companies, being invested with 
 powers by General Dalling for that purpose : the slaves I officered 
 by their proprietors. With this reinforcement of 250 men, added 
 to the Loyal Irish, marine musketry-men from the ships, and 
 Indians, our force amounted to upwards of 500 men. The 
 Commodore having got in readiness, at my request, scaling-ladders, 
 issued out 200 stand of arms, exclusive of seventy stand issued by 
 me of the regimental arms, and 150 sent down by General Dalling, 
 which were intended for the Bay. We sailed from the Bay of 
 Truxillo on the 10th instant, and landed on the 16th about eight 
 o'clock at night, at Porto Cavallo. We were informed by our 
 guides, that Port Omoa was only three leagues distant, and 
 our intention was to have marched directly on, in the night, to 
 surprise and escalade the fort ; but the distance proving greater than 
 was imagined, and the roads verv bad which thev passed, such as I 
 may venture to affirm no European troops ever marched before in 
 this climate, being at times obliged to walk (on account of impene- 
 trable mangroves), out into the sea, which damaged their 
 cartouches ; and at other times through lagoons, morasses, and 
 narrow footpaths, over mountains rendered almost impassable from 
 the late rains, having precipices on each side, and forced to grope 
 our way by lights made from cabbage-trees. We were not arrived 
 within two leagues of the fort at day break, having lost our rear,
 
 298 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 some lying down through fatigue, and others losing the line of 
 march, from the darkness of the night, and the difficulty of keep- 
 ing up in paths onlv passable bv Indians. In the morning the rear 
 line was brought up by Captain Cardan, of the 6oth regiment of foot ; 
 and having refreshed the troops for two hours, we proceeded again 
 through passes and defiles, the same as in the night before, the 
 Indians skirmishing along the paths. We had taken two look- 
 outs, from which some of the soldiers escaped, and carried 
 intelligence that an enemy was advancing ; and as they had seen 
 our squadron the night before, and the Musquitto crafts, imagined 
 that Indians (only), landed from them, were the enemy on shore, 
 not thinking that Europeans would undertake such a march ; and 
 in order to favour this deception, the Indians were advanced in 
 front, and dislodged them from their look-outs, which prevented 
 them from occupying the defiles and passes, until we arrived near 
 the town, where they had placed an ambuscade. The Indians, 
 who are extremely sharp as scouts, perceived them : they represented 
 that the Spaniards were drawn up in force. A disposition of 
 attack was immediately framed for the Loyal Irish and marines to 
 force the pass in front in column, and to advance rapidly with the 
 grenadiers march, supported by the second line drawn up : and 
 the Pomona's musketry-men, of the first line, were detached to 
 gain a hill on the left, covered with woods, which commanded the 
 pass. These orders being instantly executed, the defile was forced. 
 We received a scattering ill-directed fire from fifty or sixty 
 Spaniards, which killed one soldier only of the Loyal Irish, and 
 wounded a marine ; and so great was their panic, that they fled 
 on all quarters to the fort, woods, and town, evacuating the 
 Governor's house, built with battlements, and terassed on the top ; 
 a post which, if defended by twenty British regulars, would have 
 stopped our whole force. The gaining this hill, and that which 
 the Pomona's men had ascended, gave the entire view of the fort, 
 commanding it and the town in the bottom, the fort distant half a 
 mile, and the town close under the hill. The skirmishing con- 
 tinued from the town, and galled us a little. Being unwilling to 
 set fire to it, I desisted upwards of an hour ; but finding that I 
 could not permit an enemy on my flank, the town forming a 
 crescent under the hill, orders were given for its being consumed, 
 which were carried into execution, the inhabitants flying to the 
 fort and the woods. The property consumed in the town was 
 estimated at 100,000 piastres. The squadron came into the Bay 
 while the town was in flames, and supposing it a proper time to 
 batter the fort, went in abreast of it. A diversion was made by 
 the land forces in their favour from the hill. The scaling-ladders
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 299 
 
 were carried by the Honduras fusileers ; but their eagerness to engage 
 in skirmishing made them drop the ladders, and hasten to get up 
 to the head of the column, which prevented the land-forces from 
 co-operating with the squadron (by storming), so heartily that day 
 as could have been wished. The Lowestoffe having got aground, 
 and the other ships, as I imagined, observing the signal was dis- 
 played that the land forces could not co-operate, desisted firing. 
 The LowestofFe was much wounded, but got off. 
 
 " The day following we passed in skirmishing, in securing the 
 roads round the fort, and driving in cattle for the land forces. On 
 the 1 8th, the squadron landed some guns to the westward : two 
 four-pounders were got up that night, and a battery was imme- 
 diately opened on them. 
 
 " The battery incommoded them much, but never could have 
 made any impression on the walls of the parapet, as they were 
 eighteen feet thick. 
 
 " The Spaniards pointed that evening three guns more towards 
 the land side, and in the morning dismounted one of our's. Observ- 
 ing there were some houses near the fort which the Spaniards had 
 neglected to burn, parties of marines, Bay men, and Indians, 
 occupied them, and kept up so incessant a fire on the embrazures 
 of the fort, that the Spaniards' fire from the guns was often 
 silenced for hours, and we observed them throwing over the dead. 
 This day six guns more were got up by the seamen and Bay men, 
 one of which General Dalling had sent for the Bay men, three 
 others being swamped coming on shore. Captain Cardan opened 
 a battery of four six-pounders, from the hill which the Pomona's 
 men had gained in the first skirmish at the defile which also com- 
 manded the fort. 
 
 " Foreseeing that by a seige of this nature, before approaches 
 could be made in a regular way, and a breach effected, a vast 
 train of artillery would be required, and a length of time, after 
 which we would be obliged to storm, having also the enemy in 
 our rear all round, and having maturely weighed all these circum- 
 stances, and the disadvantage inevitably attending a siege, it was 
 therefore determined to escalade the fort, as the ditch was found to 
 be drv ; and having consulted with the Commodore on the mode 
 of attack, it was resolved that the Pomona should be towed close 
 in, the heavier ships co-operating. The attack being determined 
 on, the Europeans were formed in four columns in line ; tour men 
 advanced with guides at the head of each column ; in each column 
 followed eight men, carrying the ladders, who were followed by a 
 few hand-grenade men. Two columns consisted of seamen, and 
 two of marines, with a few Loyal Irish. At three in the morning
 
 3 oo BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 the disposition being made, and our force consisting of 150, we 
 moved down the hill, and lay there waiting for the signal of the 
 Charon, which was to denote she had got under weigh, and 
 would attack in twenty minutes. The signal being made a little 
 after four o'clock in the morning of the 20th, we advanced under 
 fire of our own batteries, and were encouraged by observing that 
 the Spaniards did not perceive our march, by the direction of their 
 shot over us, pointed at our batteries on the hills. 
 
 "The Pomona, and fleet also, attracted their notice by the 
 fire from the sea-side. By this fortunate co-operation in profound 
 silence, arms trailed, and in order to animate the troops, the 
 parole was changed to Bayonette, and the countersign Britons, strike 
 home. We advanced undiscovered under the Spanish sentries, 
 who were every two or three minutes passing the word alerto. 
 At the entrance into the ditch were two guns, pointed from the 
 flank of the bastion to scour it. We were perceived by their 
 sentries, and their drum beat to the alarm-posts. Our columns 
 were staggered, and stept back ; but instantly recovering them- 
 selves, they advanced to the wall, in height twenty-eight feet, on 
 which was a battery of five guns. They reared one ladder, a 
 second, and a third. The first ladder was broke by the flank guns 
 of another bastion, killing a midshipman, and badly wounding five 
 men ; the other two ladders were also wounded, but not broken. 
 Two seamen got up first bv one ladder, and obeyed their orders 
 in not firing ; they presented at sixty Spaniards drawn up, but 
 retained their fire until others ascended ; and so great was the 
 consternation of the enemy, that it seemed as if they had lost the 
 power of their arms, although their officers were at their head 
 encouraging them. 
 
 "The seamen scrambling up the ladders, down off" the parapets 
 they went, and being reinforced by marines and seamen, the 
 Spaniards fled to the casements, but they could not recover their 
 panic, notwithstanding every exertion of their officers. About 
 100 Spaniards escaped over the walls on the opposite side, and out 
 of a sally-port. The Governor and principal Officers then came 
 and delivered up to me their swords, the garrison, and register-ships, 
 with the keys of the fort, and saved their lives. Inclosed is a list 
 of the Spanish Officers, with the troop of the garrison, also a list 
 of our killed and wounded, which is very inconsiderable. We 
 found eleven Spaniards wounded, some of which are since dead. 
 They will not acknowledge the number they have lost, but it is 
 thought it exceeds thirty. 
 
 " As to the behaviour of the officers and men under my com- 
 mand, the British displayed that bravery which is their known
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 301 
 
 characteristic. The Bay men and Indians were also of the 
 utmost service in all duties of fatigue, in skirmishing and idraeffine 
 up the cannon. 
 
 " Your Lordship will pardon my mentioning an instance of an 
 elevated mind in a British tar, which amazed the Spaniards, and 
 gave them a very high idea of English valour. Not contented 
 with one cutlass, he had scrambled up the walls with two, and 
 meeting a Spanish Officer without arms, who had been roused out 
 of his sleep, had the generosity not to take any advantage, but 
 presented him one of his cutlasses, and told him, ' You are now on 
 a footing with me.' x The orders were not to spare while they 
 resisted, but to grant quarter to all who requested it. Only two 
 Spaniards were wounded by the bayonet by resisting, nor was any 
 person pillaged or plundered. 
 
 " I have the pleasure to inform your Lordship, that the greatest 
 harmony subsisted between the sea and land forces during the 
 whole of this expedition ; and that Commodore Luttrell, and the 
 Captains of the Navy, have on every occasion made the greatest 
 exertions to forward the service on shore ; and all underwent the 
 most severe fatigue, in this hot climate, with uncommon alacrity. 
 
 "Of this fortification vour Lordship will judge of the import- 
 ance, from the incredible expense the Crown of Spain has been 
 at in erecting it, as the stone of which it is built is raised out of 
 the sea, and brought twenty leagues. 
 
 " The outworks are not finished notwithstanding they have 
 employed constantly 1000 men at work for twentv years. It is 
 the key to the Bay of Honduras, and where the register-ships and 
 treasure arc sent from Guatimala in time of war. The morn- 
 ing of our arrival the treasure was conveyed into the country, so 
 that what we have found in the military chest, and what belonged 
 to the public, does not exceed 8000 piastres ; but the register- 
 ships must be very valuable, if they arrive in safety in England. 
 
 " I send these dispatches, with the colours of Omoa, and also 
 
 1 The astonishment of the officer at such an act of generosity, and 
 the facility with which a friendly parley took place, when he expected 
 nothing else but (from the hostile appearance of his foe) to be cut to 
 pieces, could only be rivalled by the admiration which his relating the 
 story excited in his countrymen. From this circumstance being men- 
 tioned to Sir Peter Parker, at the return of the squadron, he appointed 
 this intrepid fellow to be Boatswain of a sloop of war. A few years 
 after, either in a fit of madness or intoxication, he forgot his situation, 
 and struck the Lieutenant of the Ferret sloop of war, for which he 
 was tried by a Court Martial, condemned to surfer death, and executed. 
 Fide Schomberg's Chronology, vol. i. p. 476.
 
 302 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 plans of the fortification, by Lieutenant Cardan, of the 6oth 
 regiment, whom I appointed to act as Captain of Artillery, and 
 Engineer to this expedition, and humbly beg he may be per- 
 mitted to lay them at his Majesty's feet. 
 
 " Return of killed and wounded acting on Shore at the Siege 
 and Attack of Fort St. Fernando de Omoa, October 20, 1779. 
 
 "One Midshipman, three seamen, killed ; seven seamen wounded. 
 " One Subaltern, and four marines, wounded. 
 " Loyal Irish. — One private killed. 
 "Bay Fusileers. — One private wounded. 
 " Musquitto Indians. — One killed, one wounded. 
 " Total. — One midshipman, five men, killed ; one Subaltern > 
 thirteen men, wounded. 
 
 " Names of Officers killed and wounded. 
 
 " Mr. Lloyd, Midshipman of the LowestofFe, killed. Second 
 Lieutenant Wightman, of the Chatham division of marines,, 
 wounded. 
 
 "(signed) W. Dalrymple, 
 " Commander in Chief of the Land Forces." 
 
 The following extract, which particularly relates to Captain 
 Nugent, will be perused with much interest : — 
 
 "Admiralty Office, December 18, 1779. 
 
 " Captain Pakenham arrived at this office yesterday Afternoon, with 
 a Letter from the Honourable John Luttrell, Captain of his Majesty's 
 Ship the Charon, to Mr. Stevens, dated at Omoa, the 2jth of October, 
 1 779> of which the following is an Extract : — 
 
 " Charon, in the Harbour of Chnga, 
 October 2jth, iyjg. 
 "Sir, 
 
 " I am to request you will be pleased to acquaint their 
 Lordships, that, in obedience to orders I received from Sir Peter 
 Parker, I sailed from Port Royal early in the morning of the 8th 
 of September last, and being joined in a few hours after by the 
 Pomona, LowestofFe, and Racehorse schooner, bore away for the 
 Spanish main ; which, however, I was not able to reach, owing to 
 calms and baffling winds, until the 15th. The next day we got
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 303 
 
 to Rattan ; and being apprehensive that the enemy's register-ships 
 might pass to windward, and along their own shore, in case I 
 carried all the squadron towards George's Quay, I ordered Captain 
 Nugent, who was well acquainted at that place, to take the 
 Racehorse up to George's Quay, to procure as expeditiously as 
 possible the most skilful pilots for Omoa and Gulph of Dulce. 
 Having so done, he was directed to join his ship at Quav Boquel, 
 then to repair to Glovers Reef, where I waited his arrival, having 
 anchored the Charon and Lowestoffe there on the 19th instant. 
 The Monday morning following, I had the mortification to learn, 
 by a boat that had escaped from George's Quay, that it had been 
 taken by the Spaniards five days, which made me very doubtful 
 respecting the safety of Captain Nugent ; but I was relieved from 
 that anxiety a few hours afterwards by the Pomona and Racehorse 
 schooner appearing in sight. Upon their joining me with the 
 pilots, I bore away for the Gulph of Dulce, where we arrived in 
 the evening of the 22nd. There was no vessel of anv nation to be 
 seen in the Gulph. I therefore, attended by Captains Parker and 
 Nugent, with the marines of the squadron, and a partv of seamen 
 in the boats, pushed up the river, and landed at the Spanish ware- 
 houses before twelve that night, but found them totallv abandoned 
 and empty, except the remains of a few provisions, which seemed 
 to indicate that the people had not been long gone. On the 23rd, 
 in the morning, I lent a number or men from the ships to the 
 Racehorse, and directed Lieutenant Trott to make the best of his 
 way to Omoa, to reconnoitre the strength of the place, and to 
 look for the ships that had sailed from Dulce, concluding that they 
 would be found at that port. The next morning the Racehorse 
 joined me at sea ; from her I learned that the three ships were at 
 anchor under the fort ; two of them were all on end, and the third 
 with her yards and top-masts struck ; and the fortification did not 
 appear to be a verv strong one. Elated at the information, I made 
 sail for Omoa, and getting close off the port by twelve o'clock at 
 night, would have persuaded the pilot to have carried us in, but he 
 luckily refused ; for the next day, when we came to approach the 
 fortification, I found it was much too formidable an aspect to 
 promise success by an attempt to force it ; nor, indeed, would it 
 have answered any good end, for the ships had all their yards and 
 top-masts struck, and were lying up a creek, where we could not 
 get at them, had we even silenced near forty pieces of cannon, 
 which presented themselves to our view from the different batteries. 
 The only hope, therefore, which remained of our being masters of 
 those ships, arose from a chance that we might catch them off Cape 
 Antonio before our cruise terminated, which, in the possibility of
 
 304 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 events, I thought might happen ; and I was making the best of 
 my way with the ships to that station, stopping only three 
 or four days to complete my water in the Bay of Truxillo, and to 
 learn a further state of the English inhabitants in the Bay of 
 Honduras. 
 
 " I have now the pleasure to inform vou of the fortunate escape 
 of Captain Nugent out of the hands of the Spaniards, and of the 
 subsequent services performed by him at George's Quay, where he 
 arrived in the Racehorse on the evening of the 19th, having left 
 the Pomona, as I directed, at Quay Boquel. Captain Nugent 
 approached the shore in his boat, without the least suspicion that 
 the Quay was in the hands of the enemy ; but before he could 
 land, the boat was attacked by a number of latteaux y and when 
 taken possession of by the Spaniards, was nearly sinking, having 
 received three shots through her, luckily without hurting any 
 body ; but Captain Nugent and his people were made prisoners ; 
 and when he got on shore, there was a parade for execution, such 
 as a scaffold and a guard of soldiers ; for it was understood to be 
 the orders with which the Spaniards came to attack the settlement, 
 that every body that was conquered, and had made resistance, 
 should be put to death ; but when they inquired, and found 
 Captain Nugent, who had no arms in his boat, and did not resist, 
 thev contented themselves with blindfolding, stripping, and hand- 
 cuffing him. He was confined, with his boat's crew, in a close 
 prison. During their operations, a great number of batteaux, 
 assisted by an armed schooner, attacked the Racehorse, and 
 attempted to board her ; but she was so gallantly and obstin- 
 ately defended by Lieutenant Trott, his Officers, and people, 
 that the Spaniards were repulsed with great slaughter. On board the 
 Racehorse, two men only were killed, and three wounded. When 
 the Racehorse had beaten off the Spaniards, she repaired imme- 
 diately to bring up the Pomona from Quay Boquel ; and as soon 
 as the frigate appeared in sight, the Spaniards, to the amount of 500, 
 took to their craft, and quitted the Quay with great precipitation, 
 leaving Captain Nugent, his people, and the inhabitants, in close 
 confinement, from which they released themselves; and Captain 
 Nugent, in his boat, retook possession of a brig, which was aground, 
 and the Spaniards had captured when they came into the harbour. 
 This brig, at the solicitation of the inhabitants, who had furnished 
 her with seamen, Captain Nugent armed, and sent to the river Belez, 
 to cover the embarkation of the property there belonging to the 
 English settlers, with directions that she should, after performing 
 that service, repair in quest of the ships under my command, and 
 in case of not meeting with us, make the best of their way to
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 305 
 
 Jamaica. Thinking this information too incomplete to dispatch 
 the Racehorse with to Jamaica, I directed Lieutenant Trott, as 
 soon as he quitted Omoa, to go in quest of the brig to the river 
 Belez, and afterwards to repair to George's Quay, and land the 
 people who had served as pilots, and were desirous of being put on 
 shore there ; and after making such other enquiries as I thought 
 necessary to direct him to do, I ordered her to join the squadron 
 in the bay of Truxillo, where she arrived the 4th of October, and 
 informed me that the brig armed by Captain Nugent had nearly 
 collected the different settlers in the bay ; that 70 of them 
 were on board, and more than 200 under escort in small craft ; 
 and that he had directed them to Truxillo, on their way to Black 
 River. They, however, did not appear while I was there ; and 
 the King's ships being wooded and watered, I put to sea with 
 them, having directed Lieutenant Trott to give every assistance in 
 his power towards forwarding the brig with the Bay men to Black 
 River, in the Musquitto shore, if they arrived at Truxillo while he 
 was taking in his water. The pilots the Racehorse carried to 
 George's Quay, finding no King's vessel there, or security for their 
 persons, left it ; and the inhabitants of every settlement we claimed 
 in the Bay relinquished their property, not thinking it tenable 
 against the superior numbers of the Spaniards, and were removing 
 as fast as possible, some to Jamaica, but the major part of them to 
 Black River, on the Musquitto shore. In this disagreeable situa- 
 tion were things in the Bay of Honduras, when I left it upon the 
 4th of October ; but on the 7th fortune changed her face upon 
 us, and presented to our view the Porcupine sloop of war, having 
 under her convoy a detachment of troops belonging to the Loyal 
 Irish, and some Musquitto Indians, under the command of Capt. 
 Commandant Dalrymple, who was as desirous as myself of making 
 a land and sea attack upon the garrison of Omoa and the Spanish 
 iialleons : I therefore took immediate measures to secure the 
 services of these people who had been driven from St. George's 
 Quay, by making sail myself for Truxillo, and dispatching the 
 frigates to Bonaccoa and Utilla, in quest of our vessels with the 
 Bay men ; Lieutenant Trott, of the Racehorse, I sent to Rattan 
 on the same service. They all returned to me with expedition 
 and success, bringing a reinforcement of 250 men. We forthwith 
 set to work, made escalading ladders, fascines, sand-bags, and every 
 other requisite in our power, for carrying on a siege : having 
 settled the plan of attack, gave full instructions to the Captains and 
 Officers who were to carry it into execution ; and on the morning 
 of the 1 Oth of October, I sailed with the Lowestoffe, Pomona, 
 Porcupine, Racehorse, three schooners, and a number of small 
 
 x
 
 306 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 craft, for Porto Cavallo Bay, and anchored the fleet there close in 
 shore. 
 
 "On the evening of the 16th, Captain Pakenham, to whom 
 I entrusted the command of landing the troops, executed my 
 orders in so officer-like and expeditious a manner, that the whole 
 was formed and marched from the beach before eleven o'clock 
 that night. From the intricacy of the roads, and other circum- 
 stances, our troops were prevented from making any great 
 progress before the next morning, when they pushed forward with 
 alacrity to gain the commanding ground on the Governor's 
 house ; and having driven away the Spaniards who contended for 
 the possession of it, we occupied that very important post, but 
 were so annoyed by the enemy's musketry from the town, as to 
 compel our troops to set fire to it. In the midst of the flame I 
 arrived off" the harbour of Omoa ; and the wind, I flattered my- 
 self, would have carried us close to the enemy's batteries. I 
 therefore made the signal for the Lowestoffe to lead us to action; 
 it was obeyed by Captain Parker with alacrity and spirit. When 
 we opened the eastern point, the enemy began to fire at the 
 Lowestoffe, Charon, Pomona, and Porcupine ; but no shots were 
 returned till their guns had so lulled the wind as to leave us little 
 prospect of getting nearer to them ; so that rather to cover 
 ourselves from the aim by smoke, than to look for success from a 
 distant cannonade, the Charon and Lowestoffe began to fire ; the 
 Pomona was not able to get within reach of her guns ; and as 
 soon as I had the power, I laid the ship's head to the offing ; a 
 breeze springing up soon after to the northward, I made the 
 signal to tack, thinking we should certainly fetch where we wished 
 to do ; in this, however, we were disappointed, the wind baffling 
 and forsaking us. The Lowestoffe ran ashore, and received a 
 heavy fire from the enemy, but she paid off" again ; before our 
 boats could get to their assistance, their hulls, masts, and yards 
 were so much disabled as to oblige me to send her to anchor to 
 leeward, and there to refit. The Charon's rudder was choaked 
 by a shot, which filled the space between it and the stern-post 
 with splinters ; part of her wheel was shot away, and the mizzen- 
 mast badly wounded. 
 
 "On the 1 8th, Captain Dalrymple being anxious for artillery 
 being sent up to a battery he was constructing on Governor's 
 Hill, I ordered the guns from the Porcupine to be landed ; they 
 were drawn up by the sailors through a heavy road, and up a deep 
 ascent, to a spot where they did remarkable execution ; but our 
 time being precious, from various considerations, and the heat of 
 the climate making this duty more fatiguing to our people, it was
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 307 
 
 concluded on between Captain Dalrymple and myself, to attempt 
 an escalade the following morning ; and the King's ships to co- 
 operate, by cannonading the wall against the sea. 
 
 " I made the signal settled for the attack ; I weighed anchor 
 at three o'clock, the Pomona and LowestofFe standing for the 
 eastern, and the Charon for the western angle of the fort, which I 
 began to cannonade, when Captain Dalrymple, in a most gallant 
 and exemplary manner, stormed on the land side with the seamen 
 and marines, and subdued the enemy with the loss of little blood. 
 We took immediate possession of two register ships richly laden, 
 which, with the cargoes of other vessels of less note, will amount 
 to the sum of three millions of piastres or dollars. 
 
 " The fort is an amazing pile of buildings ; the greatest part 
 of it is an admirable sort of stone ; the remainder is brick. It has 
 cost the Spaniards twenty-four years labour, and the lives of 
 thousands of their subjects. Since it has been taken, we are 
 astonished, from the strength of it, that it was so easily van- 
 quished. The Spanish Governor is very solicitous to ransom the 
 fort, and has offered 300,000 dollars for it. The 250 quintals of 
 quicksilver which came from Old Spain, and we have now taken, 
 the Spaniards would have bought at any price, saying, they would 
 give double its value, because they should have no other means to 
 work any of the valuable mines in the province. Their reasons 
 for wishing it determined me not to part with a single ounce of 
 the quicksilver, nor would I consent to ransom the fort. The 
 number of prisoners in the enemy's fort far exceeded the troops 
 that stormed it, and whose undaunted behaviour has added so 
 much lustre to the British arms. Their humanity has not been 
 less conspicuous than their bravery ; nor can there be a greater 
 contrast than between the treatment received by the King's 
 subjects at George's Ouay, which surrendered at discretion, and 
 the Spanish garrison of Omoa, though taken by storm ; Captain 
 Dalrymple's orders and my wishes have been punctually obeyed, 
 even by the Musquitto men, and those of Honduras that received 
 such ill-treatment. Proper respect has been shewn to the 
 Governor, Spanish officers, soldiers, and inhabitants ; neither 
 clothes, watches, pocket-money, nor other effects have been taken 
 from these prisoners. The ornaments of the church the captors 
 have agreed to give back, if the Spanish Court does punctually 
 comply with the agreement respecting the exchange of prisoners. 
 The uniform bravery and good conduct of all the officers and 
 seamen under my command, may make it appear ungracious to 
 mark particular people ; but the services rendered by Captain 
 Pakenham and Lieutenant Trott, call for my most earnest
 
 3 o8 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 recommendation of them to their Lordships' favour. The former 
 gentleman, who is the bearer of these dispatches, can give more 
 perfect information respecting the reduction of this fort and 
 settlement. Captain Nugent has exerted himself upon every 
 point of duty in a distinguished manner. I am not particularly 
 acquainted with the merits of individuals who served on 
 shore, except that Commandant Dalrymple is entitled to infinite 
 honour and praise for the gallant manner in which he led the 
 troops to the escalade. Captain Cardan exhibited many proofs of 
 his abilities as an engineer and a soldier. I must leave it with 
 Captain Commandant Dalrymple to give due praise to all those 
 whose services on shore call for it ; he will, I am sure, take notice 
 of Lieutenant Wightman, of the marines, who was wounded 
 under the enemy's walls, and of those who have deserved it at his 
 hands. I have the pleasure to assure your Lordships, that the 
 most perfect harmony and co-operation have subsisted between the 
 King's troops employed at sea and on shore. Such services as 
 have been in my power to render my country, I trust will prove 
 agreeable to his Majesty. 
 
 " I am, Sir 
 " Your very humble servant, 
 
 "John Luttrell." 
 
 A Return of the killed and wounded on board his Majesty's Ships, 
 Charon, Lowestoffe, and Porcupine, in an Action against the Catholic 
 King's Fort of St. Fernando de Omoa, on the ijth of October, 1779. 
 
 Killed. Wounded. 
 Charon 1 6 
 
 LowestofFe ... 3 5 
 
 Porcupine 1 o 
 
 A Return of the killed and wounded on board the Racehorse armed 
 vessel, at George' 's ^uay, in the Bay of Honduras, the iyh of 
 Sept. 1779. 
 
 Killed. JVounded. 
 Racehorse ... 2 3 
 
 Captain Nugent remained cruising on the Jamaica station until 
 the year 1781. In the summer of 1782 he accompanied Sir 
 Peter Parker to England, in his Majesty's ship the Pomona, who, 
 at the end of July, arrived at Spithead in the Sandwich, with the
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 309 
 
 Comte de Grasse, and several other French officers of rank, who 
 had been taken prisoners on April 12. 
 
 It will be recollected that, at the close of 1782, negotiations 
 were commenced by the belligerent powers for the restoration of 
 a general peace, which was ratified in the course of the succeeding 
 year ; consequently the naval services of our officer were no 
 longer requisite, and he was allowed a breathing time from the 
 toils of war and the severe duties of his profession. Captain 
 Nugent, however, did not remain wholly inactive ; for, shortly 
 after his return to England, he had the honour of obtaining a seat 
 in Parliament. He was to have been returned for the borough of 
 St. Mawes, in Cornwall ; but in consequence of a family arrange- 
 ment between the Marquis of Buckingham, then Lord Temple, 
 and the late Earl of Nugent, he became the representative for the 
 town of Buckingham, and a friend of the Marquis was returned 
 by Lord Nugent for St. Mawes. This event took place, we 
 believe, in the year 1783, and Captain Nugent remained in the 
 House during the whole Parliament. 
 
 It is related of Addison, that, though the most eloquent writer 
 of his age, he never but once attempted to deliver his sentiments 
 in the Senate, and that, so great was his confusion at that 
 moment, so wholly did his confidence desert him, that he was 
 compelled to resume his seat without completing a sentence. We 
 know not whether a similar diffidence operated on the feelings of 
 Captain Nugent ; but it is worthy of remark, that during the 
 seven years in which he held a seat in the House of Commons, he 
 never once publicly addressed the Speaker of that Assembly. It is 
 worthy of remark also, that, with one exception, Captain Nugent 
 uniformly voted with the Ministry of that dav. The exception to 
 which we allude, was at the time when the Duke of Richmond's 
 system of fortifications was rejected by the House. Captain 
 Nugent, however, was still in the majority ; for, the votes of the 
 members being equal, the Speaker was necessitated to decide the 
 question, which he did, by declaring against the system. Our 
 officer's motive for this dereliction, we presume to have originated 
 in his thinking, as we believe every honest tar does think, that the 
 grand defence of our country is in its marine, and that an exten- 
 sive system of fortifications would tend to a neglect of that 
 important object. It is possible, too, that he might consider the 
 measure to be contrary to the spirit of the constitution, as requir- 
 ing a large standing army, and employing too great a portion of 
 the force of the country in its defence. 
 
 We believe Captain Nugent remained unemployed till 1793, 
 when the late war was commenced against the French Republic.
 
 3 io BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 On December 26, in that year, Vice-Admiral Sir John Jervis 
 sailed from Spithead, in the Boyne, of 98 guns, with a squadron of 
 ships of war, having under his convoy a fleet of transports, with 
 troops on board, commanded by General Sir Charles Grey, and 
 destined for the West Indies. Captain Nugent sailed with this 
 squadron, in the Veteran, a sixty-four gun ship. After a passage of 
 nearly six weeks, the squadron arrived at Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, 
 whence they obtained a considerable reinforcement, and on February 
 3, 1794, proceeded to the attack of Martinico. Before March 16, 
 the whole island, excepting Forts Bourbon and Royal, was in pos- 
 session of the English ; and, it being determined to attempt the town 
 and Fort Royal by assault, scaling-ladders were prepared, and the 
 Asia l and Zebra 2 were appointed to hold themselves in readiness 
 " to enter the careenage, in order to batter the fort and to cover the 
 flat boats, barges, and pinnaces under the command of Commodore 
 Thompson, supported by Captains Nugent and Riou, while the 
 grenadiers and light infantry from the camp at Sourierre, advanced 
 with field-pieces along the side of the hill under Fort Bourbon, 
 towards the bridge, over the canal, at the back of Fort Royal." 3 
 The result of this plan, which was successful in every part, 
 excepting that of the Asia getting into her station, will be seen by 
 the following official letter from Commodore Thompson to Vice- 
 Admiral Sir J. Jervis: — 
 
 " Fort Royal, March 20, 1794. 
 " Sir, 
 
 " I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that the only loss 
 we have sustained in the capture of Fort Royal, is the pilot of the 
 Zebra killed, and four seamen belonging to the same wounded. 
 So soon as I perceived she could fetch in, I gave orders to Captains 
 Nugent and Riou, who commanded the flat-boats, which, with 
 the men embarked in them, were laying upon their oars, to push 
 in and mount the walls ; when every exertion was made, and the 
 boats seemed to fly towards the forts. Captain Faulkner, in the 
 mean time, in a most spirited and gallant manner entered the 
 harbour through the fire of all their batteries, and laid his sloop 
 alongside the walls, there being deep water close to them ; when 
 the enemy, terrified at his audacity, the flat-boats full of seamen 
 pulling towards them, and the appearance of the troops from all 
 quarters, struck their colours to the Zebra. A well-directed and 
 
 1 Of 64 guns, commanded by Captain Brown. 
 
 2 Of 16 guns, commanded by Captain Faulkner. 
 
 3 Vide Sir J. Jervis's dispatches on the occasion.
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 311 
 
 steady fire from the gun-boats under Lieutenant Bowen, as also 
 from our batteries, was of great service. The alacrity and 
 steadiness of the officers and seamen in general, under my 
 command, was such, that I had not the least doubt of success 
 against the whole force of the enemy, had they disputed our 
 entrance. 
 
 " The fort is full of ammunition and stores of all sorts ; but 
 the buildings are in a miserable condition, from the effects of our 
 bombs, the gun-boats, and batteries. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, Sec. 
 
 " C. Thompson." 
 
 M. Rochambeau, who commanded in Fort Bourbon, having 
 witnessed the success of the British arms at Fort Royal, sent out 
 his aide-de-camp with a flag, offering to surrender on capitulation. 
 Had this not been the case, however, the place must immediately 
 have fallen by storm. Captain Faulkner, we believe, was the 
 first person on the walls, and Captain Nugent the second. The 
 Lieutenant of the latter hauled down the hostile colours ; and 
 during the negotiation, Captain Nugent held the command of the 
 fort. The terms of surrender were adjusted on the 22nd, and on 
 the following day Captain Nugent, in conjunction with General 
 Whyte, had the honour of hoisting the English colours, when the 
 name of Fort Bourbon was changed to that of Fort George. 
 
 The whole of the loss sustained by the British Navy at 
 Martinico amounted only to fifteen killed and thirty-two wounded. 
 
 To the reduction of Martinico immediately succeeded the 
 capture of St. Lucia, without the loss of a single man. 
 
 The naval and military commanders having left a sufficient 
 number of troops for the protection of St. Lucia, returned thence 
 to Fort Royal Bay, where they arrived on the evening of 
 April 5. On the morning of the 8th of the month, Sir John 
 Jcrvis, with the squadron, troops, etc., sailed to the reduction of 
 Guadaloupe. For a clear and spirited detail of the particulars of 
 this expedition, we must refer our readers to the following extract 
 from Sir Charles Grey's dispatch to the Secretary of State, dated 
 Point a Petre, April 12, 1794 ; briefly observing, that in the very 
 desperate and hazardous service of carrying Fort Fleur d'Epee by 
 storm, Captain Nugent, who, with Captain Faulkner, commanded 
 a battalion of seamen, very eminently distinguished himself. 
 
 "In my dispatch of the 4th instant, I had the honour to 
 acquaint you with the success of his Majesty's arms in the conquest 
 of the island of St. Lucia. Having left Sir C. Gordon to command 
 in that island, I re-embarked the same day, and returned to
 
 312 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 Martinique the 5th instant, where we shifted the troops from the 
 King's ships to the transports, took on board during the 6th Sc 7th, 
 heavy ordnance & stores, provisions, Sec. I sailed again in the 
 morning of the 8th following. The Admiral detaching Captain 
 Rogers with the Quebec ; Captain Faulkner, with the Blanche ; 
 Captain Incledon, with the Ceres ; and Captain Scott, with the 
 Rose, to attack the small island called the Saints, which they 
 executed with infinite gallantry and good conduct. Having 
 landed part of the seamen and marines, and carried them in the 
 morning without loss, the Boyne, in which I sailed with the 
 Admiral, and the Veteran, Captain Nugent, anchored off" this 
 place about noon, the 10th instant, Sc some more of the fleet, in 
 the course of the afternoon ; but a fresh wind & lee-current 
 prevented most of the transports from getting in till yesterday, Sc 
 some of them till this day. Without waiting, however, the 
 arrival of all the troops, I made a landing at Grosier Bay at one 
 o'clock in the morning of the nth instant, under the fire of Fort 
 Grosier Sc Fort Fleur d'Epee, with part of the first Sc second 
 battalions of grenadiers, one company of the 43rd regiment, Sc 500 
 seamen Sc marines detached by the Admiral, under the command 
 of Captain George Grey, of the Boyne ; the whole under the 
 command of that able Sc vigilant Officer Colonel Symms, who 
 had infinite merit in the execution of it ; and the landing was 
 covered by Lord Garlies, in the Winchelsea, his Lordship having, 
 with infinite judgment Sc intrepidity, placed his ship so well, Sc 
 laid it so close to the batteries, that they could not stand to their 
 guns, which were soon silenced. In effecting this essential service 
 Lord Garlies was slightly wounded, and we did not suffer materially 
 in any other respect. Some more of the troops arrived, & 
 perceiving the enemy in considerable force Sc number at the strong 
 situation of Fort Fleur d'Epee, I determined that no time should 
 be lost in attacking them, and carried those posts by them at five 
 o'clock this morning, under a heavy fire of cannon & musketry, 
 although they were found infinitely strong, and changed the name 
 of Fort d'Epee to Fort Prince of Wales ; our troops being 
 ordered, which was strictly obeyed, not to fire, but to execute 
 every thing with the bayonet, having previously made the follow- 
 ing disposition : — The first division under the command of his 
 Royal Highness Prince Edward, consisting of the first Sc second 
 battalions of grenadiers, & 100 of the naval battalion, to attack 
 the Port in Morne Marigot. The second division, commanded 
 by Major-General Dundas, consisting of the first Sc second 
 battalion of light infantry, Sc 100 of the naval battalion, to attack 
 the fort of Fleur d'Epee in the rear, Sc to cut off its com-
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 313 
 
 munication with Fort Louis and Point a Petre. The third, 
 commanded by Colonel Symms, consisting of the third battalion 
 of grenadiers, and the third battalion of light infantry, & 
 the remainder of the naval battalion, to proceed by the road 
 on the sea-side, & to co-operate with Major-General Dundas. 
 The detachments of the naval battalion, who were of the most 
 essential service in those brilliant actions, were very ably com- 
 manded by Captains Nugent & Faulkner. The signal for the 
 whole to commence the attack, was a gun from the Boyne, by the 
 Admiral, at five o'clock this morning. The several divisions 
 having marched earlier, according to the distance they had to go, 
 to be ready to combine & commence the attack at the same 
 instant ; & this service was perfected with much exactitude, 
 superior ability, spirit & good conduct, by the officers who severally 
 commanded these divisions, & every officer & soldier under 
 them, as to do them more honour than I can find words to convey 
 an adequate idea of, or to express the high sense I entertain of 
 their extraordinary merit on this occasion. The success we have 
 already had, put us in possession of Grand Terre, and we shall use 
 our utmost exertions to get in possession of Basse Ferre ; also, with 
 all possible expedition to complete the conquest of this island. 
 The return of the killed & wounded, & also a return of the killed & 
 wounded and prisoners taken of the enemy, are transmitted 
 herewith. The Commanding Officer of the Artillery has not 
 brought the return of ordnance & ordnance stores taken, but they 
 shall be transmitted by the next opportunity." 
 
 In this affair, the loss sustained by the English Army amounted 
 to fifteen killed and forty-five wounded ; by the Navy, two mid- 
 shipmen and eleven seamen wounded. The loss of the enemy 
 was sixty-seven killed, fifty-five wounded, and a hundred and ten 
 prisoners. 
 
 The surrender of Basse Terre, by capitulation, comprehending 
 the whole island of Guadaloupe, with its dependencies, immedi- 
 ately followed this successful achievement. 
 
 Captain Nugent was sent home with dispatches, announcing 
 the above event. He arrived in London on the 20th of May. In 
 the letter from Sir John Jervis, of which he was the bearer, he is 
 thus mentioned — 
 
 "Captain Nugent, who carries this dispatch, will recite many 
 parts of the detail, which, in the various operations I had to con- 
 cert, have escaped my memory. He served with the naval 
 battalions at Martinique, St. Lucia, and in this island, ami was 
 present at many of the most important strokes." 
 
 Some time after Captain Nugent's return home, Captain
 
 3H BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 Pakenham being extremely ill, and supposed to be dying, at Bath, 
 he was appointed to his ship, the Gibraltar, of 80 guns ; but about 
 a fortnight after, to Captain Nugent's great surprise, Capt. Paken- 
 ham came on board, perfectly well, and resumed the command. 
 
 During the suspension, and previously to the trial of Captain 
 Molly, in the spring of 1795, Captain Nugent commanded his 
 ship, the Caesar, of 80 guns; after which, he was appointed to 
 the Pompee, another eighty-gun ship, which had been taken from 
 the French at Toulon. 
 
 He proceeded with the Pompee to Spithead ; but after he had 
 seen her completely fitted, and after the Court Martial on Captain 
 Molloy had terminated, the First Lieutenant of the Caesar, in 
 compliance with the wishes of her crew, waited upon Captain 
 Nugent, and solicited him to apply for the command of that ship. 
 A stronger proof than this, of high respect and esteem for an 
 officer, can scarcely be given — a respect and esteem which Captain 
 Nugent's conciliating conduct has ever entitled him to, and which 
 he still holds in the service in an unabated degree. The flattering 
 request was acceded to; Captain Nugent resigned the Pompee^ 
 and obtained the Caesar, in which ship he continued to be con- 
 stantly employed in the Channel Fleet, until he received his flag, 
 as Rear- Admiral of the Blue. 
 
 During this time Captain Nugent sailed in a detachment 
 under Admiral Cornwallis, to block up the French squadron under 
 the command of Richery, in the Harbour of Calais. 
 
 On the 8th of October, 1796, Spain declared war against 
 Great Britain; and in the December following, Captain Nugent 
 accompanied Rear-Admiral Sir Roger Curtis, with a cruising 
 squadron, to the westward, in quest of the French Admiral 
 Richery, who was then supposed to be returning from Newfound- 
 land. In this cruise, Captain Nugent bore a distinguishing 
 pendant in the Caesar. 
 
 We now draw to the close of our officer's professional 
 services, as far as they have yet extended. 
 
 On the 20th of February, 1797, Captain Nugent was promoted 
 to the rank of Rear-Admiral of the Blue Squadron; on the 14th 
 of February, 1 799, he was made Rear-Admiral of the Red ; and 
 on the 1st of January, 1801, he was still farther promoted to the 
 rank which he now holds, that of Vice-Admiral of the Blue 
 Squadron. 
 
 In 1805 he was Captain of the Fleet off Brest under Corn- 
 wallis; after which he had no further service, but was promoted to be 
 Admiral on 28 April, 1808, and Admiral of the Fleet on 24 April, 
 1833. On 12 March, 1834, he received the Grand Cross of the
 
 CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT 315 
 
 Hanoverian Order, and died on 7 January, 1844, aged 85. He 
 was married and left issue one daughter. 
 
 Not many years before his death Sir Charles was an inmate of 
 Charing Cross Hospital, from having accidentally broken his leg 
 by slipping off the kerb-stone near the Nelson Monument, from 
 which accident however he perfectly recovered. 
 
 *,!^ J^ %£* ^^ %^ +Af 
 
 *?<% *j% ^^ ^* *t^ ^* 
 
 It is a remarkable coincidence, and the fact is of itself singular 
 in the annals of the United Services, that while Sir Charles Nugent 
 was the Senior Admiral of the Navy, his brother, Sir George, was 
 at the time the oldest General Officer in the Army.
 
 APPENDIX III 
 
 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES 
 
 OF 
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, Junior. 
 
 Robert, Junior, whom we left with Father Lynch, remained 
 with him for a few years, and was then removed from Galway to 
 Dublin, and placed under Fagan's care in Wine Tavern Street, 
 at the same Academy where his father and most of his family 
 had been educated. 
 
 Nugent still continued the meagre allowance of ten pounds a 
 year, which was a very inadequate sum to provide the requisite 
 board, clothes, schooling and books : the boy was therefore sub- 
 jected to very bad usage, being incessantly taunted with the 
 insufficiency of such mean pay, his life moreover being rendered 
 less happy on account of a misfortune which affected not only 
 himself but his school-fellows in general, and which is described 
 with a certain degree of unconscious humour by the boy himself 
 as follows : — 
 
 " A certain person whose authority in the house was not little, 
 being terribly addicted to drinking, hesitated not to make use of 
 the basest means to attain the intoxicating juice; day after day 
 our books, hats, buckles, and what not, went to wrack ; for which, 
 as no account could be given, we were sure to smart severely ; at 
 length the thief was detected, but in lieu of being relieved, our 
 distress was only increased by the discovery ; how dared the subtle 
 young villains impose so gross a falsehood upon him ? was he to 
 be deceived by so shallow an artifice ? in short, the blows were 
 not only heavier, but more frequent, occasioned by numberless 
 lies invented through a motive of revenge. But length of time 
 produced so flagrant a proof that the most partial eyes could no 
 longer be kept closed; a pair of new buckskin breeches, he had 
 scarcely worn a week, were artfully conveyed away from under 
 
 316
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 317 
 
 his pillow, a theft of this nature would not long bear secrecy; an 
 advertisement was published in the daily papers, which soon pro- 
 duced the breeches from a wardrobe in Plunket Street (a street 
 where all sorts of old, and second-hand cloathes are bought and 
 sold, being little inferior in business of that kind to Monmouth 
 Street in London), and brought the thing so home to the Party 
 we had so often accused in vain, as would admit of no excuse. 
 The consequence was very severe reprimands from most of the 
 boys' parents, and the decrease of his school by others taking theirs 
 away; in short, so great was his vexation at his business declining 
 together with the various intemperancies and irregularities he 
 daily more and more experienced, as sometime afterwards to cut 
 short the thread of his life, and force him to seek that peace 
 in the grave, which he could not find on earth." 
 
 Nugent entirely neglected his son during the last two or three 
 years of his being at the Academy, and the means of his support 
 entirely proceeded from his mother's relations, though he was 
 never allowed to see any of them : his father's sisters, however, 
 took considerable notice of him, and sent for him on holidays to 
 their house in Smithfield, and took him to plays and other 
 amusements. 
 
 About this time Col. Michael Nugent fell seriously ill. He 
 had always deeply regretted his son's unpardonable conduct which 
 had led to a breach so irremediable between his family and the 
 Nugents of Donore, and being an upright and humane man he 
 strongly felt the importance of his son's fulfilling his duty towards 
 the unhappy boy whom he had been the means of bringing into 
 the world. Col. Nugent had moreover a great affection for the 
 boy, and had often visited him whilst under the tuition of Father 
 Lynch. " I still remember," writes the boy some years after- 
 wards, " the frequent admonitions, the strict orders given by the 
 good old gentleman to the priest, concerning me ; and have seen 
 the big tear overflow its banks, whilst he delivered the salutary 
 charge." On his deathbed therefore Michael Nugent implored 
 his son to do his duty, declaring that unless he would give his 
 most solemn assurance to make the boy a suitable provision, he 
 would do so himself. Robert gave the promise, and his father died 
 without altering his will. Shortly after this his mother died, and 
 upon her death-bed at Bath she extracted the same assurances 
 which he promised most faithfully to fulfil. 
 
 Robert Nugent, junior, had up to this period been supported by 
 his mother's relations ; but when he had reached the age of ten, 
 which was then considered old enough to be introduced to business 
 -of some kind, they determined to send him to his father in
 
 318 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 England that he might reap the benefit of the solemn engagements 
 he had entered into at the request of his dying parents. With 
 that end in view they obtained from Mrs. O'Byrne a written 
 statement declaring that the boy was the real son of Robert 
 Nugent, Esq., of Gosfield. 
 
 Upon arriving in London the boy wrote to his father as he had 
 been recommended, and awaited his reply at an inn called the 
 ' Castle ' in Aldersgate Street. 
 
 It will be seen that much of the foregoing narrative is taken 
 almost textually from contemporary accounts. So far there is 
 little reason to doubt, at all events, the general truth of the story. 
 
 Some years afterwards he himself describes the scene of his first 
 meeting with his father, and of his subsequent experiences in a 
 work which he dignifies with the title of an Historical Novel 
 deduced from the distresses of real life called The Oppressed 
 Captive, in which he professes to give an impartial and candid 
 account of the unparalleled sufferings of Caius Silius Nugenius, 
 by which he signifies himself, at the suit of an implacable and 
 relentless parent, whom he names Tiberius Nugenius. How far 
 his account is a true one it is impossible to conjecture, but it is 
 probable that at least it is partly accurate, and as it is highly 
 characteristic of the times I propose to allow him to tell his story 
 in his own words. 
 
 " I was kept in suspense," he writes, " two or three days before 
 I heard anything in return ; when late one evening, a post chaise 
 drove violently into the inn-yard, a lusty tall gentleman, wrapp'd 
 up in a horseman's coat, immediately stepped out, and coming 
 into the house, in a voice the tone of which, not being modulated 
 in the mildest strain, conveyed no very favourable opinion of the 
 speaker to the ideas of the standers by, thus addressed himself to 
 the lord of the Castle, ' Have you got, friend, in your custody 
 a white-headed boy from Ireland?'' 'Yes.' 'Why then do 
 you not bring him ? ' ' You never implied so much before,' 
 was returned : ' If you was not stupid, friend, there could have 
 been no necessity to explain myself any farther ' : ' You might 
 speak a little civiler howsomever,' replied the landlord, * but a 
 
 horse as never eat oats, one cannot expect to ' he was 
 
 proceeding, when the gentleman's wide coat turning aside acci- 
 dentally discovered the blaze of a broad gold lace, which had 
 hitherto been concealed, the sight of which had such an effect 
 upon the Publican as to make him forget the remaining part of 
 his coarse proverb, and elevating his voice a degree higher, ' Why, 
 Tim, do you not light his honour upstairs, as you see he is in such 
 a haste ; what would your honour please to have brought up ? '
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 319 
 
 ' Brino; a bottle of wine.' ' A bottle of wine to the rose this 
 moment : Please your honour permit me to light you up.' 
 
 " Such was the dialogue, which with an aching heart I listened 
 attentively to on the stair-head. 
 
 "Upon entering the room. 'Set down the wine, friend, and 
 retire.' Which being complied with, he drew a chair, and 
 calling me from the corner of the room where I was retired, and 
 biting the ends of my fingers through fear — ' well, my boy,' says 
 he, ' you come from Ireland, I suppose ? ' ' Yes sir,' I replied, 
 ' some days ago.' ' Ah, ah, your tongue betrays that sufficiently. 
 Who is your father ? ' ' Tiberius Nugenius of Gosfield, Sir ' : 
 ' who told you that, boy ? you must be mistaken, that gentleman 
 informs me otherwise ' : 'I was always esteemed as such in 
 Ireland, both by his relations and my mother's ' ; 'all lies, all 
 lies,' said he with a smile, and pouring out a glass of wine, ' come 
 drink, I suppose you can drink ; if Tiberius is your father you 
 can drink.' — after I had drank, 'if you are the person you say, 
 and that I came to enquire after, you have the mark of a deep 
 scar, occasion'd by a burn, on the left side your belly ' ; which 
 was no sooner said, than pulling me to him, he took out my shirt, 
 and having seen the distinguishing characteristic, ' it is all right,' 
 said he ; and after a considerable pause, ordered me to ring the 
 bell. 
 
 " The landlord coming up, ' do you know me,' was asked ? 
 ' No, Sir,' ' what,' says he, ' dont you know esquire Forbes of 
 Dover-street ? ' ' Though I know the street very well, I cannot 
 say I have knowledge of any such gentleman ' ; ' well,' says he, 
 calling him aside, in a whisper loud enough for me to hear, ' my 
 name is Nugenius, but for some private reasons do not chose the 
 youth should be made acquainted with it as just yet,' then raising 
 his voice, and at the same time drawing out his purse, ' here, 
 landlord,' said he, ' is some money, do you procure the youth some 
 cloths, more suitable to appear in, than what are on his back ; I 
 shall call again in a few days, and satisfy you for your trouble, in 
 the meantime as I have no further occasion for you, you are at 
 liberty to go down stairs.' 
 
 " When left to ourselves, addressing himself to me, ' have you 
 brought along with you no letters from your mother and friends 
 in Ireland f 'none, Sir,' I replied, 'excepting a certificate of my 
 birth, wrote by my mother ' ; which I no sooner produced, than 
 he snatched it from me, and with an air of seeming indifference, 
 not without symptoms of anger, tore it to pieces, saying, 'as this 
 idle paper will be of no use but to exasperate Nugenius against 
 you, think me your friend in destroying it ; be cautious what you
 
 3 2o BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 say, and expect to hear more in a little time ' ; which was no 
 sooner said, than he went away, and left me to reflect upon my 
 melancholy situation. 
 
 " Some days after this, one Mr. Bristow, a perriwig maker in 
 St. Albany-Street, came to the inn, with orders from my father 
 to discharge the small arrears due to the landlord, and take me 
 along with him to his own house : I soon found that it had been 
 determined that this Bristow should take me as an apprentice ; 
 and was to receive as a premium at my being bound, fifty pounds, 
 for initiating me in the profound art, and mysteries, of which he 
 was a professor. 
 
 " Conscious my own abilities would never let me attain to the 
 degree of an adept, in this noble science, and after some days spent 
 at the powder tub, I with great difficulty prevail'd upon my 
 father, to extricate me out of the suds, and rather than compel 
 me to depend upon so mean a business for my future subsistence, 
 a business so much inferior to the rank and character of both my 
 parents, as well as my education ; to give me the liberty of serving 
 his majesty on board one of his ships of war, tho' it were in the 
 meanest capacity, I was the more emboldened to ask this favour, 
 as such a proposal had been made me some time before. 
 
 " This request of mine with seeming reluctance, at length was 
 ^ranted : the station procur'd me, though no greater than that of 
 captain's servant, as it was the gift of my generous father, I 
 cheerfully accepted of. In which capacity, I sometime afterwards 
 embarked on board his majesty's ship the Windsor of sixty guns, 
 capt. Thomas Hannaway commander, not in the least doubting 
 from my father's affluent fortune I should in every respect be 
 suitably equip'd for the service I was now engaged in. 
 
 " With this persuasion I took leave of my father, who as a fresh 
 proof of his affection, sent me by the hands of his valet, one 
 Christopher Cannon, a present of five shillings, no doubt to 
 bear my expences down to Plymouth in the same proportion, he 
 extended his liberality to my sea-chest, which not being stored 
 with one half the compliment usual on such occasions, would 
 have proved quite insufficient, had it not been for the generosity 
 and kindness of the captain, who, out of compassion, ordered his 
 own taylor to furnish me with what was wanting. 
 
 " During the short time I was on the watery element, I had 
 twice the pleasure of seeing my country triumph in her native 
 ocean, being present at the destruction of two French fleets in the 
 same year, the first by those experienced commanders, Lord Anson 
 and Sir Peter Warren, and the second, by the never too much 
 esteemed and gallant admiral Hawke.
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 321 
 
 " As the defeat of those fleets, and the capture of so many fine 
 ships, the distress of the Gallich, and the glory of the British 
 flag, in that remarkable year, cannot be unknown to any of my 
 readers, I shall set aside giving any account of those glorious 
 actions, and proceed to myself. 
 
 " On my return to England, at the conclusion of the late 
 general peace, being discharged from my ship, and desirous of 
 giving the most early testimonies of my duty and obedience, I 
 waited upon my father, and presented him with my letter of 
 attorney, to receive my prize money, which amounted to a con- 
 siderable sum, and frequently on my future visits, humbly entreated 
 him to make some other provision for me. 
 
 " Some time after, my father informed me, he had procured me 
 a berth, in the honourable East-India company, which he called 
 a lieutenant of an India craft, and upon which station I was 
 immediately to enter, but several circumstances which had lately 
 occurred, giving me no small room to suspect the integrity of my 
 father's intentions, and strongly pointing out to me, the necessity 
 of the greatest circumspection : I had recourse to the advice of 
 friends, who recommended it to me, to enquire into the nature of 
 such a station, and the reality of my father's having procured it 
 for me. 
 
 " According I made application to some gentleman in the India 
 House, and quickly found the prudence of such precaution ; being 
 informed, I was to be enrolled bv the fictitious name of Thomas 
 Plunkett, and in no other station, than that of Captain's servant 
 as before, the astonishment of so dark a design in my own father, 
 I may justly say, needs no description ; for what had I not to 
 apprehend, from so suspicious a circumstance : but, alas ! this was 
 only the prologue to such scenes of inhumanity, as no christian 
 ear can hear without amazement, or story parallel. The strange 
 name of Plunkett occasional the greatest confusion in my breast, 
 a name I had never assumed, but on the contrary was an utter 
 stranger to, except so far as knowing it to be the maiden name of 
 my father's first lady. However, I resolved to conceal my appre- 
 hensions as much as possible, and only express my aversion to the 
 voyage, and in the most humble manner entreated, he would be 
 pleased to make some other provision for me, but finding my 
 father inflexible in his resolution, and that I could promise myself 
 but small success from my intreaties, I plainly acquainted him 
 with the discovery I had made at the India-House, and the 
 information I had from thence received. Stung at the discovery, 
 and looking upon his designs, at least for that time frustrated, he 
 burst out into the extremist rage, denounced vengeance against me, 
 
 y
 
 322 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 for my disobedience as he termed it, banished me his presence, and 
 charged me to approach him, or his house no more at my peril ! 
 
 " As soon as I was recover'd from the confusion this hard sen- 
 tence plunged me in, I besought him to let me have part of my 
 prize money, for my subsistance, but that, this inexorable parent 
 also denied, alledging it was insuficient to repay the expences, he 
 had been at, in bringing me up : thus in a moment surrounded 
 with penury and distress, without parent, without friend, exposed 
 to the wide world, beset with ills, covered with misfortunes, and 
 drove by a torrent of despair ; what could I do ? I had heard that 
 his late royal highness the Prince of Wales, tho' placed in too 
 exalted a sphere to be acquainted with the common calamities and 
 distresses of human nature, was possessed of a heart susceptible of 
 every tender impression, and a ready hand always stretch'd out to 
 raise up affliction from the dust, or succour with liberal bounty the 
 pangs of unmerited distress j to him, my father being then steward 
 of his household, I determined most humbly to address myself, 
 and lay the detail of my sorrows at his feet, which I accordingly 
 did, when his most royal highness, upon enquiry into the truth of 
 my case, was most graciously pleased to order me an immediate 
 supply, and also condescended to lay his commands on my father, 
 to provide for me as in duty he ought. But my father was so 
 greatly incensed at this application, that regardless of his royal 
 injunctions, he was now resolved to set no bounds to his persecution. 
 
 " I lodged at the George Inn in the Hay-Market, when 
 early one morning, who should pay me a visit but my quondam 
 friend the perriwig-maker ; a man dedicated to my father's pur- 
 poses, and made use of by him, as an instrument to execute his 
 unnatural designs upon his own child. This humane gentleman, 
 covering his fraudulent intent under the cloak of friendship, after 
 passing the common salutation, told me the purpose of his coming 
 was to acquaint me, that Tiberius in person intended to call upon 
 me at eleven, and that he certainly had something in view, very 
 advantageous to my interest, which would then be communicated, 
 so desired me not to be absent at the time appointed : highly 
 animated with so uncommon a mark of my father's kindness, my 
 bosom glowed with gratitude, and I ardently wished for the hour 
 that would permit me at his feet to implore his pity, and ask his 
 benediction ; the long expected hour at length arrived, and every 
 moment increased my anxiety ; the rapturous tumult which 
 agitated my mind, at the hopes of meeting, so unexpectedly meet- 
 ing, a kind relenting parent, far exceeds the description of the 
 most fervent pen, and nothing but the indelible characters which 
 nature hath stamped upon the human soul, can possibly give a
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 323 
 
 true idea of. As I sat in my window, with a soul full of expect- 
 ation, my heart rebounded at the sound of every coach, and my 
 eyes were attentively fix'd upon the remotest chair in view ; the 
 sound of a person enquiring for Nugenius at length struck my 
 ears: I hurried down stairs, and the sight of a great bluff fellow, 
 with an iron countenance, struck an immediate damp all over me ; 
 ' where is the gentleman ? ' * that is NugeninsJ was answered 
 from the barr, ' then, Sir, I have some business with you, a letter, 
 Sir ; ' and calling me into the entry ; * a gentleman whom you 
 claim a near relation to,' says he, with a gastly smile, l sends you 
 this letter,' which drawing forth from a greasy pocket book, he 
 added ; ' is without farther ceremony neither more nor less than a 
 warrant ; you must go along with me this instant before justice 
 Fielding'' ; incapable of answering, I was dragged through the 
 publick streets in an inhuman manner, to the magistrates house in 
 Bow-street, Covent Garden; the justice was no sooner informed 
 of my being there, than a messenger was sent to acquaint my 
 father, who immediately attended ; on his arrival, I was directly 
 ordered in, which order was countermanded till a conference was 
 ended, which my father had desired ; at length being ordered 
 admittance, I was thus addressed by his worship : — 
 
 " ' How come you, Sir, to be troublesome to this gentleman ? ' 
 in the midst of my confusion I replied, ( he was my father, and 
 hope he will be kind enough to do something for me, so far as to 
 relieve me from my present distress ' ; whereupon my father turn- 
 ing short to the justice, he said, ' Sir, 'twill be better to send the 
 fellow to Bridewell, than be troubled with his impertinence ; ' 
 terrified with the dread of a prison, I fell on my knees and offered 
 to comply with anything that should be proposed ; my father then 
 applying himself to Mr. Fielding, said, ' I am eternally teased 
 both in public and in private about him ; and never shall be at 
 case, till he is locked up ; ' adding in the most unbecoming lan- 
 guage, ' those B — ch's of Quality, either feel for him, or pretend to 
 do so, to such a degree that the perpetual laram now sounds in 
 my ear'; the justice casting his eyes upon me, seeming to be 
 mov'd, expressed some signs of lenity and compassion ; and the 
 whole tenour of my father's actions towards me, which encouraged 
 by him, I gave a full account of, appearing perfectly cruel and 
 inhuman, not only he, but several other gentlemen then present, 
 generously became intercessors with my father in my behalf, 
 whereupon he proposed giving me ten pounds, upon condition I 
 should go instantly to Ireland, where he agreed to remit me the 
 same sum annually, for four years to come, but that I should in 
 their presence execute a bond for the whole fifty pounds ; to this
 
 324 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 I agreed, received the ten pounds, and executed the bond in the 
 penalty of one hundred pounds, with a special covenant for my 
 immediate departure, which when I signed Nugenius, he struck out, 
 and obliged me to sign by the feigned name of Thomas Plunkett, 
 though the justice was kind enough to remonstrate with him upon 
 that head, by reason that the warrant had been filled up with 
 Nugenius, but in vain. 
 
 " Being by this means delivered from the warrant ; pursuant to 
 the engagement in a few days I embarked for Ireland, com- 
 forting myself with the hopes of a better fortune, and that by 
 my industry and application in some business or other, I might 
 be able to secure a decent support, the aforesaid allowance had 
 it been paid me, being barely sufficient to keep me from starving. 
 
 " On my arrival in Ireland, I immediately addressed myself 
 to all those, from whose generosity or compassion I could hope 
 the least favour or assistance, informed them of mv earnest desire 
 of entering into some business, and it was no small consolation 
 to me, to find my intentions approved, and amongst others, the 
 honourable colonel MacGuire, a relation of my mother's, assisted 
 me in a particular manner, to get the better of my misfortunes, 
 by procuring me a handsome largess from my mother ; which out 
 of his own bounty he increased to a sum of thirty pounds. 
 
 " I had likewise about this time, the happiness of meeting with 
 my old friend, Mr. Bond, at the Globe Coffee-House in Essex- 
 street, Dublin, whose humane regards to me I can never sufficiently 
 acknowledge, to whom I related the barbarous treatment I had 
 meti with in London, which he heard not without amazement. 
 By his advice, I made it my business to look for a shop, properly 
 situated for the sale of groceries in Dame-street. 
 
 "I soon found one fit for the purpose. I acquainted Mr. Bond 
 therewith, who was so kind as to recommend me to the notice 
 of Mr. Brennan, a merchant in Aungier-street : the money I 
 now was possessed of amounting through the bounty of Mr. Bond, 
 to almost forty pounds, was laid out in repairing the shop, and 
 the remaining part was expended in purchasing my stock, Mr. 
 Brennan generously giving me credit for as much more. 
 
 " Being thus placed behind my compter, my thoughts began 
 to stream in a different current: I flattered myself, by an assiduous 
 application to my business, I might acquire a comfortable support, 
 not doubting but absence, and the insignificant charge I should 
 now be to my father, was he to perform his engagements in the 
 annual allowance, might rid me of all apprehensions for the future, 
 of farther cruelties from his hands; and who would not have 
 entertained the same opinion ? but how insatiable is a persecuting
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 325 
 
 spirit : no testimonies of an industrious disposition, nor the laudable 
 desire of endeavouring, by assiduously prosecuting the business of 
 my little shop, to be capable of supporting myself, could protect 
 me from my father's restless malice, which now began its rapid 
 progress. 
 
 "About three weeks after I was settled in business, two ill 
 looking men came into my shop, and asking for some brandy, 
 were no sooner served, than one of them said, ' I suppose, Sir, 
 your name is Nugenius.' I answered in the affirmative. * I shall 
 make bold to change it then by virtue of a writ,' which being 
 immediately produced, struck me with such amazement that I 
 lost the use of speech for some time : ' You don't know one 
 Tiberius Magnus^ continued he, at the same time pointing to 
 where the name was wrote, ' nor you don't remember the fifty 
 pounds you borrowed and then ran away with. No, no, you 
 don't remember all this, to be sure;' I answered, 'I hope, 
 gentlemen, my father did not order you to abuse me in the 
 execution of your office;' ' arrah by my shoul, but you are not 
 your father's son,' wisely returned the other, ' for your name is 
 Plunkett, but what matters all this jaw, come along, come along 
 to your new lodging.' I entreated earnestly for a few minutes 
 to secure my books and shut up my shop, but was in most abusive 
 language denied, one of the inhumane catchpoles seizing me by the 
 collar, would not permit me even to take what little money I had 
 in my till, but dragged me without ceremonie, to that mansion of 
 wretchedness, the Black Dog Prison ; the bond which I executed 
 before the justice in London, being the instrument made use of to 
 lodge me in this dismal place, it having been in Dublin as long as 
 myself. 
 
 " Resolved to act with the utmost honour I directly sent an 
 account to Mr. Brennan the merchant, of the sad reverse in my 
 affairs, desiring he would sell all my effects, pay himself the sum 
 he had so kindly gave me credit for, and return the balance to 
 me; all which he performed, and justly accounted with me, nor 
 did his favours stop here, for I daily experienced them during my 
 confinement. 
 
 "Eight months did I pass away in this goal, liberty appearing in 
 the same point of view as at first, abandoned by my relations, 
 I had almost said by hope itself the last resource of wretchedness, 
 and in the most destitute and abject condition ; when it pleased 
 Almighty Goodness to look down upon my distress, and to take 
 away from the weight of my oppression, by inspiring the hearts 
 of a noble earl, and an honourable lady, to compassionate my 
 sufferings, and extricate me from this abyss of misery; in short,
 
 326 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 they most generously enabled me to give bail for the action, of 
 which intention, I no sooner gave notice of, according to the due 
 course of the law, to Mr. Brady the attorney, culled out by my 
 father as most proper to conduct these proceedings, O might the 
 gain of such honour be the only reward of such pains : but he 
 the more effectually to recommend himself to his employer, by 
 further oppressing the oppressed, charged me with a second action, 
 of one hundred pounds, being the penalty of the said bond, 
 wickedly imagining though I might find bail for fifty, I could not 
 for a hundred and fifty ; but this was too flagrant an instance of 
 cruelty to deter my generous friends from their charitable design, 
 who persisting in their compassionate resolutions, I was at length 
 by their means, once more restored to liberty. 
 
 " About two davs after my release from confinement, I 
 accidentally met my father's agent at the Globe Coffee-House 
 in Dublin, with whom I remonstrated on my father's pro- 
 ceedings against me, the unparalell'd cruelty of barbarously and 
 unjustly throwing me into a goal, when I was in a capacity 
 genteely to have supported myself, without any further appli- 
 cation to him ; and by being then, though out of prison, still 
 destitute of every means, of support. 
 
 " This gentleman, seeing me at liberty, and sensible should I 
 contest that bond, on which I had been detained, I should 
 certainly succeed, and imagining he could not more easily gain 
 my father's esteem (being no stranger to his cruel disposition) 
 than by displaying his art in contriving some further means of 
 oppressing me, hit upon the following method; he affected a great 
 concern at my sufferings, and made a voluntary offer of his utmost 
 services, confessed the treatment I* had met with was realy very 
 hard, and expressed an inclination to assist me with a sum or 
 money, could he but form to himself a probability of being repaid, 
 and at length said he would venture to advance me ten pounds, 
 and run the risque. But I replied, that sum would be of no service 
 to me ; that I owed some small matters which I was desirous 
 of paying, and intended to embark for Bristol, in order to entreat 
 the advice and assistance of my brother Tiberinus Nugenius, 1 
 who I heard was then there ; I was likewise in great want of 
 aparrel ; therefore less than twenty pounds would not answer my 
 ends; with little persuasion, this generous and humane gentleman 
 complied, instigated by the father of hypocrisy and lies, artfully 
 to conceal under the cloak of humanity, designs of the blackest 
 
 1 Col. Edmund Nugent, Robert" Nugent's son by Emilia, daughter 
 of the Earl of Fingal.
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 327 
 
 nature; not suspecting his diabolical intentions, and labouring 
 under the greatest anxiety of mind, as well as the most pinching 
 necessity, I was induced to accept this pernicious offer, and 
 executed a bond for the same, in which was inserted a penalty 
 of one thousand pounds ; this bond he immediately transmitted 
 to my father in England, to be ready for the intended purpose of 
 immuring me again in prison at his pleasure. 
 
 " Having received this money, paid my few debts, and provided 
 myself with some necessaries, I embarked for the citv of Bristol, 
 and on my arrival there, I waited on my brother, to whom I 
 related my sufferings, and intreated his good offices with my 
 father, for obtaining me a restoration to his favour, not being 
 conscious of having forfeited it any otherwise, than by declining 
 his proposal to go to the East Indies, and by petitioning his royal 
 highness, the Prince of J Vales, in my great distress, and if these 
 were crimes, they were such only as real distress had occasioned, 
 though I had been persecuted for them with relentless fury ; 
 therefore earnestly hoped a brother's sufferings would meet pity, 
 — but alas ! how greatly was I disappointed ; pity and compassion 
 were banished his breast, and his behaviour proved him an intire 
 stranger to the common principles of humanity. 
 
 " Our first meeting was attended with pretty high words ; how- 
 ever, he at length condescended so far as to bid me call on him 
 the next day ; accordingly in the morning I waited upon him. 
 
 " He sent for me up stairs, being yet in bed, though the sun had 
 already gained his highest ascent ; he threw open the curtains, 
 and I was immediately complimented with 'how come you, Sir, 
 to be troublesome so early ? ' 'I thought, Sir, you ordered me to 
 wait upon you this morning ; ' ' what if I did,' says he, ' is that 
 a reason why you should hunt me before I am out of bed, what 
 do you want, what do vou plague me for?' 'Sir,' I replied, 
 'setting aside the ties of affinity, which you are pleased to deny, 
 though all the rhetorick you are master of will never be able 
 to overpower truth, or persuade the world one man is not our 
 father ; let the force of humanity plead for me, stand betwixt 
 me and my father's anger, mitigate his wrath, and let me not be 
 tost about the world destitute of support, and have no place to lay 
 my head ; if not to me, be just at least to your father and your- 
 self ; prevent the world from censuring.' I was proceeding in this 
 manner, but was interrupted with, 'no methodist sermon, no 
 preaching : Oon's, what would the man have ? ' ' What is not, Sir, 
 in your power to give, humane usage ; ' 'I think I am over- 
 stocked both with humanity and patience, to hear a detail of such 
 stuff; but I suppose the truth is vou come upon the old errand
 
 328 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 you have so often seized my father with ; money, friend, money : 
 now for a modest request, how much want you ? ' ' Sir, it is too 
 true, I have no monev to carry me up to London, what you think 
 proper for that purpose, will do me at present the greatest service.' 
 1 Tom, give him pen and ink ; write a receipt, friend ; ' 'for what 
 sum, Sir ? ' ' stay now, I think better of it, I will do it myself, 
 give me the paper ; ' he wrote upon the pillow, and delivered it 
 to me to sign ; I read as follows, ' I promise to pay to Tiberinns 
 Nugenius, or order, on demand, the sum of one guinea for value 
 received : ' I took no notice of this amazing sum, but cooly taking 
 up the pen, set my name to the paper, then taking up the piece 
 betwixt my finger and thumb, I said, ' this, sir, I shall take care 
 to preserve as a perpetual memorandum of paternal affection, and 
 to what an excess of liberality the force of humanity is capable 
 of urging such a tender hearted man as mv brother Tiberinns ; ' 
 I said no more, but turning short, left the room without any 
 further ceremonv. 
 
 " He wrote an account to my father in London, by the next post, 
 of my being in Bristol, and the usage he had met with from me, 
 the bond he had received from Ireland was immediatelv trans- 
 mitted to Tiberinus, with a writ thereupon against me in the 
 penalty of one thousand pounds, on non payment ; and the cup 
 of my afflictions not being by him thought full enough, another 
 goal was now to be my portion ; but as if by being conducted to 
 prison in the ordinary manner was not enough to satisfv the most 
 implacable malice, my good brother, willing to recommend himself 
 to my father bv some distinguishing act of inhumanity, con- 
 descended to perform the office of a bailiff's setter, in the following 
 manner : a few mornings after our aforesaid conference ; as I 
 was walking solitarily towards the Hot-Wells, musing upon my 
 melancholy situation, I unexpectedly met in the road my evil 
 genius ; he checked his reins upon sight of me, and called me to 
 him. ' Hark you, Sir,' says he, ' meet me at the breakfasting room, 
 about ten o'clock to-morrow, and you shall hear something to 
 your advantage ; be sure you fail not being there at the time, 
 because I am obliged to attend business in another place before 
 eleven ; ' I promised to be punctual, and he spurred on. 
 
 " The next morning I failed not my appointment, where I met 
 him according to promise ; he retired along with me into a private 
 room, and called for two dishes of coffee ; the discourse at length 
 setling upon the old affair, his base innuendoes, and indecent 
 reflections on my mother, compelled some warm words from me ; 
 seeming stung with the smartness of one of my answers, he took 
 the opportunity of rising up, and striking the table with great
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 329 
 
 violence, in an elevated voice, said, 'then, you rascal, if nothing 
 can tame you, but confinement, you shall have sufficient of it,' at 
 which instant the door opening, Mr. Rhodes the bailiff attended 
 by one of his followers came in, and laid hold of me ; several 
 gentlemen who were in the adjacent rooms, upon hearing the 
 bustle we now made, entered our apartment, and enquiring into 
 the cause of the disturbance, my brother replied, 'an insolent 
 rascal I have laid by the heels for a small action of a thousand 
 pounds, is become obstreperous ; take the fellow away, officer, take 
 him away.' ' Fye fye,' said a gentleman, which if I rightly re- 
 member, was Mr. Crosby addressing himself to my brother, ' if 
 you won't relieve the poor young fellow, don't use him in this 
 barbarous manner ; ' ' tell me not, Sir, of barbarity, the villain ought 
 to be gibbited alive, for imposing himself upon the public as my 
 brother ; ' ' brother or not brother, he is your very picture by 
 G — d,' returned Mr. Crosby, 'and I would at least have so much 
 regard for a glass that represented me in such perfection, as not to 
 destroy it ;' 'you are at will to jest, Mr. Crosby, as much as you 
 please, but I have my father's express commands for what I do,, 
 and sink me, but to goal he shall go, should all the world 
 interceed for him ; ' ' but in what light must the public look upon 
 you, Nugenius, if you descend so low as to personate the vile 
 character of a bailiff's follower ? ' said one Mr. Lynch, who was 
 now one of the crowd, ' retrieve this false step, and let the young 
 man go about his business ; let him go, officer ; ' ' that, Sir, I cannot 
 do,' said Mr. Rhodes, who had hold of me still, ' but if Nugenius 
 says the word, in presence of all these worthy gentlemen, I will 
 with the greatest pleasure release him, and ask nothing for my 
 trouble, for by G — d the writ would have laid dormant in my 
 pocket these seven years had not he compelled me to do mv office, 
 by setting the man himself: ' ' you are an insolent rascal,' replied my 
 brother, ' and deserve to be well caned,' — ' the rascal you may take 
 to yourself, and as to the caning part, I wish you had courage to 
 attempt it;' during this altercation, I sat drowned in tears, con- 
 fused, and even stupefied at the sudden stroke ; when one of the 
 gentlemen coming to me, kindly asked me if I had any money, 
 which I answering in the negative, he applied himself to my 
 compassionate kinsman, in this manner ; ' Nugenius, the unhappy 
 voung fellow is destitute of cash, I hope you intend not to add to 
 your inhumanity, by sending him pennyless to so dismal a place ; 
 Mr. Rhodes, be so good as to inform the voung gentleman, what 
 money will be wanted to keep the poor man from starving ; ' ' let 
 him starve and be damn'd,' was returned, — ' and without money,' 
 replies the officer, 'starve he must, and worse damn'd he cannot be,
 
 330 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 than when he finds himself at his entrance into prison, surrounded 
 by a group of meagre wretches, demanding the tribute of five 
 shillings for what they call garnish, it being customary to make a 
 deposite of that directly, part of which is applied to the purchase 
 of coals, and the remainder to allay the drought of throats seldom 
 gratified with any thing superior to simple element ; if the 
 money is not paid, he certainly undergoes the ceremony of 
 stripping, and is left to starve without pity, and without redress ; 
 neither is there in this place any allowance of bread, so usual in 
 other prisons.' 
 
 " The standers by were all affected with a sense of the miseries 
 I was doomed to suffer : no entreaties were wanting, but all in 
 vain ; for the boisterous sea in the rage of hurricanes might 
 sooner be supplicated to listen to the prayers of sinking navigators 
 than this inhuman composition of pride, cruelty and malice be 
 persuaded to turn an ear, to the dictates of pity and compassion ; 
 the gentlemen, to crown all their favours, generously made a 
 collection for me, to which this humane officer, who had me in 
 his charge, contributed half a guinea ; I mention this with more 
 pleasure, as there are but few instances of such humanity to be 
 found in people of his station : we set out soon after for 
 Gloucester, where I was resigned up the following evening to the 
 care of Mr. Benjamin Hemmings, keeper of the castle. 
 
 "Thus the reader finds me once more plunged in the horrors of 
 a goal, and surrounded with circumstances of the deepest distress ; 
 for after the consumption of the small sum I had received from 
 the benevolence of the gentleman at the Hot-JVells, I must 
 inevitably have perished for want, had not the report of such 
 unprecedented cruelties spread itself 'abroad, and excited the 
 compassion of the benevolent and humane, for whose benign 
 regards, I here must humbly beg leave to return my most grateful 
 acknowledgments ; impelled by a sense of the greatest duty, in 
 silent respect, I forbear to mention here, whose elevated rank and 
 dignity strikes with awe, and whose innumerable virtues attract at 
 once the love and respect of all mankind ; not under the same 
 embarassment to the rest of my generous benefactors Rowland 
 Pitt, Esq ; of the city of Gloucester, for his frequent favours, and 
 likewise to Mrs. Owen, a lady of fortune in the same city, who 
 not only cloathed me, when I was almost naked, and preserved 
 me from the fangs of pinching necessity, but became a generous 
 intercessor with my father, in my behalf, though to little purpose. 
 
 "The eight months of melancholy wretchedness I spent in this 
 place, would have been equal in distress, to what I experienced 
 during my confinement in the Black-Dog prison in Dublin,
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 331 
 
 had not an accident happened, which ingratiated me to Mr. 
 Hemmings the keeper ; the felons in this prison, by some remisness 
 in the legislature, too frequent in most of the country goals in this 
 kingdom, are permitted the same liberty with the unhappy people 
 confined for debt, and the benefit of the same yard is promiscuously 
 enjoyed by both in the day-time, and not till nine in the evening 
 are they locked up in their distinct ward ; at which time a great 
 brindled mastiff, a constant attendant of the turnkey, marches in a 
 stately manner before him, with the massy keys, that command 
 the entrance of those infernal mansions held in his fatal jaws, which 
 his master, armed with a great oak sapling, when arrived at the 
 ponderous door, demands the suppliant minister to deliver up ; the 
 necessary duty being performed, Cerberus immediately retires to his 
 den, and his master to rest. 
 
 " It happened one evening, the felons under sentence of trans- 
 portation, having concerted a scheme to make their escape, were 
 then about to put it in execution, to which purpose several had 
 freed themselves from their fetters : their intent was when Bedal 
 the turnkey came at the lock-up hour to secure them, to knock 
 him down with the billets, (made use of for firing) and seize upon 
 the keys; a dispute arising amongst them, just at the critical 
 moment, and increasing to high words, was luckily overheard by 
 some of the debtors, who on the instant came and acquainted Mr. 
 Bedal of the same ; he called immediately three or four of us to 
 his assistance, and armed with cutlasses and bludgeons, Cerberus 
 alias Lion leading the van, we soon quelled the desperate villains, 
 though not till several wounds were distributed amongst them, 
 and the dog seizing one, had very nigh tore out his throat. 
 
 " My behaviour in this action recommended me to the favour of 
 Mr. Hemmings, who industriously applied himself to do me all the 
 service in his power, would frequently indulge me with a walk in 
 his bowling-green, gained me the notice of several people of quality, 
 and whenever greatly distressed, would freely advance me small 
 sums of money. 
 
 "The general election of the city of Bristol now approaching, 
 my father, who intended to appear a candidate, apprehending such 
 a scene of continued tyranny to his own son, would by no means 
 be favourable to him, in so critical a juncture ; and not caring to 
 have his unnatural proceedings laid open to the world, thought it 
 necessary to change his plan, and instead of starving me in a prison, 
 designed now to transport me. 
 
 " This black design, through the merciful interposition of 
 providence, was rendered abortive by my timely escape at the very 
 juncture, when all things were in readiness to put it into execution.
 
 332 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 "A bond with a warrant of attorney, to confess a judgment in 
 the penalty of six hundred and twenty pounds payable to my 
 father, with a special covenant to indent myself to go abroad for 
 several years, was transmitted by Mr. Cox my father's London 
 solicitor to Gloucester, and forwarded to me in that castle of 
 famine, with a generous offer of my liberty once more, provided 
 I would execute the same, by the favourite fictitious name of 
 Thomas Plunkett. 
 
 " This was but cold comfort, being still uncertain as to my 
 destined fate, but conscious of my inabilities to cope with so 
 powerful an adversary, and wearied of being thus immured in 
 goals, I determined to get my liberty at any rate, and as soon as 
 possible embrace the first opportunity of making my escape to 
 France, where I was in hopes of getting introduced to a near 
 relation of my mother's, Ignatius Nugenius, who at that time 
 commanded in the French king's service, as a general of horse, to 
 whom I proposed relating my sufferings, and doubted not finding 
 a kind reception, or at least an asylum from the persecuting hand 
 of a barbarous parent. 
 
 " Accordingly, I acquiesced with the proposal, and was promised 
 to be fitted out with apparel to the amount of ^25, though the 
 only articles I received was a coat and a pair of breeches, but as 
 it was judged proper to have an attorney present on my part, in 
 order to render their proceedings the more effectual in law, one 
 Mr. Driver, a gentleman of fair character in that profession, 
 was pitched upon, to act for me in this affair, which he at first 
 strenuously opposed, declaring, from his knowledge, it was a 
 transaction of the basest kind. 
 
 " But the agent on behalf of my father, urging my consent, and 
 putting the best face on this bad cause, at length found means to 
 prevail upon him to do it, though Mr. Benjamin Hemmings 
 the goaler could by no means be prevailed upon to witness what 
 he called so iniquitous a proceeding. 
 
 " By this means, I once more turned mv back on a prison, 
 though with a mind totally confused, from the information I had 
 received, of the plot laid for me, from which I earnestlv besought 
 the merciful disposer of all events to deliver me. 
 
 " My design of going to Ignatius Nugenius, I had inadver- 
 tently communicated to my brother, who from the malignity of 
 his heart, had carefully sent word of it to my father, and he, sensible 
 how greatly all my mother's family resented the dishonour he had 
 brought upon her and them, which had expelled him Ireland, 
 could by no means relish that thought, and therefore Irenius Amis, 
 of Bristol, being then a superior magistrate of the county, was
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 333 
 
 commissioned to prevent my intentions, by conducting the new 
 scheme as follows. 
 
 "After I had signed the indenture, in which I bound myself 
 for several years to serve one capt. MacKenzie, who was only 
 master of a little Maryland trader, and being possessed of no 
 property in America, could not have any other view of making 
 me turn out to his profit, than by exposing me to public sale ; 
 conscious of this, I made it my study to elude the wicked design. 
 
 " As soon as I was discharged, three men were employed to 
 escort me to Bristol, where the moment I arrived, I was to be 
 put on board, and without farther delay conveyed abroad ; these 
 ruffians were, a servant belonging to Irenius Arms, one of Mr. 
 Wade's, my father's attorney in Bristol, and to compleat the trium- 
 virate, a bailiff's follower : attended by these my honourable 
 guardians, I set out from Gloucester. 
 
 " I took particular care that my behaviour on the road might 
 be such as to give no suspicion, that the villains might not entertain 
 any apprehensions whatever. When arrived near our journey's end, 
 I thought it proper to execute my design: strict orders, as I had 
 been informed by some friends in Gloucester, had been given to 
 this diabolical crew, to encourage me in drinking as much as 
 possible ; aware of this design, I made it my endeavours to turn 
 the scales upon them, which with a little art I affected. 
 
 " At our entrance into Bristol, feigning myself very sick, 
 this served me as an excuse for calling at the Edinburgh Castle, 
 a house I had formerly been acquainted with; as soon as I alighted, 
 I made it my care to compleat their dose ; my sickness encreasing, 
 I desired the favour of laying down for an hour or two, which 
 they, having no suspicion of my design, readily granted: when 
 retired to my chamber, I called up the landlord, and related to him 
 my unfortunate situation; he was so honest, though employ'd at 
 this time in keeping open house for my father, on account of the 
 ensuing election, as to say, ' Sir, I have no charge over you, so 
 consequently it would be illegal in me to offer to detain you, my 
 doors are open.' — I took the hint, and slipping down stairs, left my 
 guard in the lurch, and with the utmost expedition, made the best 
 of my way to Mr. Charles Gordon, at the Golden Ball in JVine- 
 Street, where I had been directed. 
 
 " Here I was inform'd, that at a certain attorney's house in 
 JFine-Street, where it had been concerted my trusty overseers 
 should conduct me, a party of sea lambs, belonging to one Green, 
 a purveyor of transports, whose vessel was prepared to give me due 
 reception, that very evening were lying in wait. 
 
 " Overjoy'd at this eminent escape, I looked upon my present
 
 334 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 situation as an asylum, to secure me from surrounding dangers, 
 and retired with great satisfaction to repose : Irenius Arms, to 
 reward his servant for his over abundant care and circumspection, 
 discharged him the following day, and the fellow lives now at Bath. 
 
 " How far this magistrate, or any of his friends, can reconcile 
 these proceedings to the character of a good man, I leave the 
 world to judge. But it is certain, by these means he thought the 
 more effectually to gain the affection of my oppressor, for whose 
 interest he was a great stickler : here I would advise this gentle- 
 man, if he has any regard for his future welfare, in the most 
 conspicuous part of his house, to have wrote in large Capitals, the 
 saying of a truly wise man, viz. Innocence, though connected with 
 misery, is infinitely preferable to guilt and grandeur. — This being 
 perpetually in his eye, might one time or other strike his attention,, 
 when the parallel, so obvious betwixt him and me in that golden 
 sentence, would perhaps be a means to point out his errors, and 
 reclaim a lost sheep to its native fold. 
 
 " But to proceed, the better to secure myself from any future 
 attempts, and induced with the hopes of raising some friend, who 
 might be able to protect me against their iniquitous schemes, I 
 determined immediately publishing the hardships of my case; being 
 urged the more to this last resource, upon account of writs having 
 been absolutely issued out, and dispatched to all the sea port towns 
 to prevent my getting away. 
 
 " Here, methinks, I see the reader in amazement lift up his hands:, 
 was ever implacable anger carried before to such industrious 
 lengths ! is this the anger of a father to his child ? — no, it seems 
 rather relentless justice persecuting with iron hands, in the 
 severest manner, rapes, murders, felony, and treason ; it is not, it 
 cannot be that ever parental ire, should be carried to such extreams 
 against the issue of his own bowels — compelled by famine to com- 
 mit the few errors he is charged with ; but say, generous reader, 
 how great the error ? how weighty the crime ? to look up to the 
 authors of our being for subsistance, how aggravating the guilt, to 
 ask support, from a parent whose innumerable servants sit round 
 tables of plenty, the crumbs of which are denied to his own child ? 
 and yet, that this is the sole fault for which I have hitherto 
 suffered, bewitness persecution, and malice in spite of thyself give 
 evidence to. 
 
 " My mother's family at this time were so highly incensed at 
 my father's most ungenerous treatment of her, they would by no 
 means permit her to countenance, what they looked upon as a 
 living monument of their disgrace ; and indeed, she being now 
 connected to the interest of another family by marriage, it was
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 335 
 
 not to be expected she should much more concern herself about 
 me ; knowing at the same time, how far my father's abilities were 
 capable of advancing me, without either prejudice to himself, or 
 any one else of his family ; thus I fell a sacrifice to the careless- 
 ness of the one, and the tyranny of the other. 
 
 " In short, I make no doubt, it will appear to the public, as well 
 as myself, my father's sole intention was, and is nothing less than 
 my destruction ; otherwise, as he knew my design to go over to 
 France, what reason can be assigned for his taking so much pains 
 to obstruct me ; but hitherto by the signal interposition of 
 providence, I have escaped the fatal snare, preserved as yet from 
 the secret perils of salt-water, the ravenous hunger of destroying 
 sharks, and worse than these the shackles of endless slavery. 
 
 "I was obliged during my stay at Bristol, to confine myself to 
 my room, officers of all denominations being employ'd to watch 
 the door day and night, and all the avenues round, were kept 
 secretly, though strictly guarded, as I found any attempt towards 
 an escape was impracticable, I never endeavoured it ; but made 
 myself as easy as my present melancholy circumstances would 
 permit. 
 
 " As I had no other choice now, I set about writing an abstract 
 of my case, with a fixed resolution to publish it without delay : 
 my father being informed of my intentions, and not choosing the 
 world should at this critical time, when every art is made use of, 
 and the complicated force of bribes and flattery are thought in- 
 sufficient to gain the unsteady multitude, be acquainted with his 
 unnatural proceedings, and conscious it would give the opposite 
 party the greatest satisfaction to expose his barbarity, and open the 
 eyes of the public, in regard to a man they had fixed upon, as the 
 most proper to execute an office of the highest trust, which like- 
 wise at the same time is one of the greatest honours capable of 
 being conferred upon a subject ; being conscious, I say, ot the 
 difficulties he must lie under, should this dreaded case be published, 
 he contrived every artifice, that subtility and invention could put 
 in practice to prevent it ; menaces and flattery were alternately 
 made use of: to-day his emissaries breathed out the language ot 
 persecution, and nothing less than Newgate was to be my per- 
 petual doom ; to-morrow the scene was changed, and mount 
 were promised, which the successive day saw dwindle into mole- 
 hills. 
 
 "One day a certain gentleman of the broad-brim fraternity, 
 vulgarly called quakers, was ushered into my chamber, and being 
 seated ; ' friend,' says he, ' humanity and a desire to bring into the 
 path of life a stray sheep, induceth me to call upon thee, that it
 
 336 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 possible I might open the ears of thy understanding, to the end 
 that the light of the spirit might be admitted to operate upon thee, 
 and thou shouldest become a new man :' — admiring so uncommon 
 an introduction, with great civility I desired him to proceed, — 
 * rebellion and disobedience to our superiors, will be punished in the 
 regions of darkness ; in the reg-ions of darkness will thev be chastised, 
 where is weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and though 
 thou deckest thy face in smiles, such as the prophane smileth, yet it 
 behoveth me, to say unto thee, as Nathan said unto David, thou 
 art the man ' — after a sigh was continued, ' friend, thou hast abused 
 the ears of this city, moved thereunto by the father of lies, the 
 ears of this city hast thou abused ; thou hast sounded the trumpet 
 of sedition, and division is scattered abroad, be no more as one of 
 the wicked, take not thee part with the sons of Belial, but let 
 the spirit hatch the seeds of truth, and thou shalt flourish, as 
 flourisheth the godly.' — 'I am afraid, Sir,' said I, 'it is the spirit of 
 gold, not the spirit of godliness, to which I am indebted for this 
 charitable visit.' — ' Friend, friend, be not thou as the prophane one 
 is, who stoppeth his ears to council, and sitteth in the chair of 
 folly ; for verily it is said, thou hast rebelled against thy father, 
 who begot thee, yea, thou hast set thyself up against thy own 
 flesh and blood, and' evil, I say unto thee, evil must proceed there- 
 from.' Here a considerable pause ensuing, ' Sir,' said I, ' if compelled 
 by hunger, my asking for bread may be termed rebellion, then 
 have I rebelled, if endeavouring to fly from an implacable parent, 
 to avoid the efforts of relentless tyranny, by seeking an asylum in 
 a foreign country is disobedience, then I have disobeyed, but 
 without farther prolixity, pray what hare I to expect from a visit in- 
 troduced in so uncommon a manner ? ' to which was answered, 
 ' I visit thee as Noah's dove visited the ark, verily I bring an olive 
 branch as an overture of peace,' — here drawing a green purse from 
 his pocket, he seemed to eye it attentively, though his looks 
 denoted at the same time no great propensity to part with it. ' I 
 will not say, friend, but I have orders,' continued he, ' to offer thee 
 some pieces, wouldest thou hearken to proposals intended solely 
 for thy benefit ; four guineas will carry thee to the great city, and 
 thou wilt have sufficient thereof remaining to answer all thy 
 purposes until time shall come, when thou shalt be amply provided 
 for ; yea, and I say unto thee, that time is nearer at hand than 
 thou devisest.' ' Sir,' said I, ' I am not willing to be an instrument 
 employed to prejudice my father in any scheme he is bent to 
 execute, but what security have I to depend upon, should I accept 
 of your offer, which you may be certain I will not, or for your 
 performance of what you promise, nay, what is it you promise,
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 337 
 
 or how shall I be provided for?' to which, after some time 
 spent in rectifying his starch band, Aminadab answered, ' friend, 
 thou art as one of the unthinking ones are, thou shuttest thine 
 ears to reason ; O ! may the thick darkness thou art involved in 
 be dispersed, and the light internal shine upon thy understanding, 
 and direct thee to walk in the right way ; haddest thou been 
 attentive to what I said, thy intellects must have told thee, the 
 rod of chastisement is withdrawn, and rebuke shall no more 
 frown upon thee ; here is three times more than sufficient to 
 defray thy road expences, a great deal of money, friend, verily 
 a great deal, if thou makest proper use of it ; ' telling out at 
 the same time five guineas very deliberately upon the table, 
 — 'what remaineth in thy pocket, will keep thee handsomely till 
 thy father cometh up, who will without delay, he promises by me, 
 procure thee some profitable employment under the government ; 
 yea verily, and something within whispereth me thou shalt in a 
 little time become a great man.' 
 
 " In short, not to fatigue the reader any more with a dull recital 
 of what passed betwixt the sanctified surgeon and myself, the 
 following day he agreed to make me a present of six guineas, to 
 discharge whatever I owed to the landlord of the house, to give 
 me security I should not be molested in any shape whatever, pro- 
 vided I would depart the city of Bristol the next day, and leave 
 an instrument along with him, testifying my resolution to prosecute 
 the author or authors of any pamphlet, bold enough to prefix my 
 name thereto. 
 
 ."I blush to record my weakness, flattering myself with the hopes 
 that my father would be pleased, at my entering so readily into his 
 proposals, and fulfill the promise made by his agent, I accepted the 
 terms, and once more fell into the snare prepared for me some 
 time before : the next morning early, I set out for London on 
 foot, being determined to spin out my money to the greatest 
 length, where in four days I arrived, nothing remarkable in- 
 tervening during my journey. 
 
 " In this manner having regained my liberty, and reflecting upon 
 the danger I had escaped, my father's restless cruelty, and my 
 brother's base behaviour ; I found there was still no little reason to 
 suspect the promises latelv made, of procuring me a place in some 
 of the public offices, so I resolved to keep myself as secure as possible, 
 from any plot which now might be hatching against me : till I 
 had determined how to proceed, I procured lodgings in the most 
 secret manner, at an Irish house in Princess-street, Leicester-Fields, 
 the master of which I had formerly known, and knew I could 
 confide in.
 
 338 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 " What little money I had to spare, was expended in purchasing 
 upon some decent aparrel, which I now greatly wanted, intending 
 my father's arrival in town, to address him in the most dutiful and 
 submissive manner, my design being to remind him of his promise 
 made by the quaker ; and by testifying with the utmost humility 
 my filial duty and respect, endeavour, if not to gain his esteem, at 
 least to soften his resentment ; if I should fail in that, my resolu- 
 tion was to retire without loss of time to France, being assisted in 
 that design by a gentleman, whose sincere regard, and tender 
 affection, will always be imprinted within my breast ; gratitude 
 for the kind reception, and generous assistance, I met with from 
 his hands, compels me to cast a veil over that dear name, the 
 beloved owner of which might tyrannically be persecuted upon 
 my account. 
 
 " I was not only furnished by him with ten guineas, and cloths 
 to appear before the great man I now intended to seek relief 
 from, but also provided with letters of recommendation, necessary 
 for my introduction ; to be brief, I looked upon the eve of my 
 happiness to be as now arrived, a seat in the Dover coach was 
 already took, and I scarcely imagined myself upon English ground; 
 but alas ! how soon were all my golden hopes blasted. 
 
 " The morning before my intended departure, I was dodged from 
 a friends house in Leicester Fields to the George-Inn in the Hay- 
 market, by a couple of hell-hounds, attended by the clerk of an 
 honest lawyer in Pater-noster-row, together with a servant of my 
 humane father's, and was now apprehended by virtue of the last 
 bond of six hundred and twenty pounds, with an execution tacked 
 to the back of it ; and being thrusted immediately into a hackney 
 coach, away jumble I and the fiends to the catch-pole's den in the 
 Strand. 
 
 " O reader, if ever thou was't unhappy enough to be involved in 
 misfortunes, no doubt thou must have heard of this insatiable 
 harpy, who had me now in his clutches, but to give thee at once 
 a just idea of him, his name will be sufficient, and that is Randal. 
 
 "The vicissitudes of human life, and the sudden transitions from 
 wealth to poverty, from plenty to penury, make it not unreason- 
 able in this place to entertain the public with a brief description 
 of that infernal mansion, called a spunging house. 
 
 " Whoever thou art that runs over these pages, may peace, plenty 
 and happiness still wait upon thy steps, may'st thou enjoy a per- 
 petual elysium in the arms of a faithful consort, and thy blooming 
 off-spring live upon thy smiles, O may never a reverse of fortune 
 snatch thee from every domestick joy, to this den of woe, whose 
 fatal threshold pass'd, O ! for a draught of Lethe to sink past
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 339 
 
 scenes in oblivion, and deprive thee of all sensation ; here, here, is 
 the touchstone of friendship ; ye time-serving crew, who feasted 
 at my table, whose wine it was that nightly deprived you of your 
 cares, when the festal bowl went gayly round, how lavish were 
 ye, your fortunes and yourselves were freely offered, why suddenlv 
 so parsimonious ; thou possessed of twice ten thousand, who hast 
 experienced my liberal purse, more than once in time of almost 
 need ; my substance is abroad, till that returns, be my bail for 
 this three hundred ? grant me patience ! am I refused, monstrous 
 villain ! — be not amazed, try others, — deceived again ! — The circle 
 which but just now appeared crowded with friends, by applying 
 the magnet of adversity is suddenly vanished. 
 
 " The coach in which the unhappy wretch is carried to this house 
 of slaughter, being ordered to draw up, he is pushed headlong out 
 into a room, the doors and windows of which are trebly guarded 
 with iron bars, here in all probability he is received by three or 
 four brothers of misfortune, and after having for a while stupidly 
 gazed at each other, he is perhaps invited to sit down, silence and 
 sorrow swell up the short interval betwixt this and dinner, which 
 though none of the most delicate, is introduced by the great 
 bashaw himself, who, big with his own superior worth, in great 
 dignity seats himself at the head ; the wife, as next in authority, 
 places herself at his right hand, and a couple of hawk-ey'd setters 
 take their decrees at his left. 
 
 "And now if the unhappy sufferer hath any appetite, let him sit 
 down and partake of the unsanctihed meal, if not, expect the she 
 tyrant to growl ; ' marry come up, some folks are hard to please, 
 though may be such a table of their own never called them 
 master ; and though I say it, as should not say it, the best lord in 
 the land does not provide better, for I carries the ready to market, 
 and no one can say as I owe them a single farthing, no no, I'm 
 not the body that runs in debt, and gives honest folk the trouble 
 to come at their own ; ' — ' but my dear,' answers old dignity from 
 his elbow chair, 'what signifies being so hard on the gentleman, 
 when his gall is broke he will be more chearful ; come, Mary, fill 
 him up a glass of wine ; ' which if refused, as most likely it may, is 
 immediately swallowed up, by some of this unfeeling crew, who 
 seldom leave the table till four or five bottles are added to the 
 reckoning, which when night arrives must be discharged ; at 
 which time all credit expires ; and if the bill comes within the 
 limits of eight, nine, or ten shillings, think it compleatly 
 moderate. 
 
 "The goaler now waits to see each to his separate apartment, 
 where scarcely time is permitted to undress, before the light is
 
 340 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 rudely took away, and the harmonious clangor of massy bolts and 
 bars conclude the scene. 
 
 " Left thus to meditate on the dismal change, grief and anxiety 
 banish sleep, which otherwise might seal the drowsy eyelids in 
 spight of Bugs, and a flock bed : the painful hours at length bring 
 on the opening day, that with much difficulty penetrates through 
 the numberless barrs, which endeavour to obstruct it's grateful 
 entrance ; starting from the couch of misery, tattered curtains, 
 dusty hangings, half a table, and a broken chair, greet the eye ; 
 the damp walls here and there adorned with an old ballad, the 
 babes in the wood, or perhaps a quaker sermon ; the ten foot room 
 with unwearied step is now from side to side alternately measured; 
 day advances, and the attentive ears listen to every noise, whilst 
 the eye reckons up the iron studs, which chequer in geometrical 
 squares the impenetrable door. 
 
 " An hour short of noon, liberty is permitted to descend, when 
 the morose tyrant, the muscles of his face contracted in the sternest 
 manner, thus at the stair foot salutes you ; ' well, Sir, the twenty 
 four hours allowed by act of parliament is expired, I am told there 
 is no prospect of making your affair up, the debt is large, and for 
 my own security, I must call a coach and conduct you to Newgate.' 
 Be not astonished at the terrifying sound, but cross the monster's 
 venal palm with half a piece, instantly the features relax, and the 
 tone of his voice is soften'd : ' why, sir,' says he, ' I am a gentle- 
 man as scorns to use a man ill ; so be as you think to make 
 matters up, stay here in god's name, and let me tell you, many a 
 great man whose name's shall be hush, has spent a merry hour in 
 my house ; for though I say it a bottle of better wine is not to be 
 found in London' 
 
 " With this item he leaves you assiduously to follow his daily 
 destructive occupation, and now if neither bail or money can't be 
 procured, nor the relentless creditors give an ear to composition, 
 take without delay the benefit of the habeas Corpus act, which 
 at the expence of about four pounds, will remove you from this 
 den of perdition, to whatever commodious prison you think proper 
 to choose, the fleet, and the king's bench, being in such cases the 
 sad alternative. 
 
 " Give no ear to the catch-pole, or any of his emissaries, who 
 as long as you spend profusely will use all their art to detain you, 
 will daily flatter you with hopes of compromising your affairs, and 
 invent a thousand lies to deceive you ; but when your money is 
 gone, the cloven hoof discovers itself, most base and injurious 
 language is made use of, and the very first bill of extortion you 
 .are incapable to pay, sends you indeed to Newgate.
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 341 
 
 "This was my unhappy case, the artful villain soon found I 
 had money, which he resolved should in a little time revert to 
 him ; in consequence of which, I was kept in perpetual suspense ; 
 hopes were given me to-day, which alass ! the following day proved 
 false ; three or four shillings were added every night to my bill, 
 for porters that were never employ'd, and as much for liquor I 
 never drank ; in the space of ten or twelve days my pocket began 
 to ebb, and I found myself reduced to a single guinea, with which 
 when the subtle demon was acquainted, ' ay,' says he, ' to- 
 morrow I will carry you to Mr. Cox, your father's attorney in 
 Paternoster-row, and make no doubt but we shall compleat your 
 business.' 
 
 " The next morning a coach was called, which big with the 
 sanguine thoughts of liberty, I immediately entered ; when the 
 coach stopped, this inhumane monster, who had by various 
 artifices received near ten guineas from me, stepped out, and 
 giving me his hand; 'now, Sir,' says he, 'let me congratulate 
 you upon your arrival to this famous and celebrated castle, where 
 you will receive more strict attendance than my poor hut was 
 capable of giving you.' — Newgate with all it's horrors presented 
 itself to my eyes, and I was now for a third time plunged into the 
 inhospitable mansions of a goal, and surrounded with anguish and 
 despair. 
 
 " A subscription was open'd for me, by means of which, I not 
 only bade a-dieu to the horrors of Newgate, and was preserved 
 from perishing, but for my future support, was enabled to lay 
 before the publick a full account of all my sufferings, the publica- 
 tion of which, my father, and his subtle agents strenuously 
 endeavoured to prevent : threats, menaces, and all the vengeance of 
 future law, was employed to deter the printers, publishers, &c, 
 from daring to print or publish a single sheet in my favour, yet all 
 in vain, the unfinished pamphlet found its way to the press, and 
 though composed in the utmost hurry, and favourably received by 
 the nobility and gentry, to whom for their generous reception of 
 such a trifle, I return my sincerest acknowledgments, and my 
 bosom glowing with gratitude, daily supplicates almighty goodness 
 ten thousand fold, to reward those my generous benefactors, with- 
 out whose humane assistance, the grave before now, must have 
 put a period to my miseries. 
 
 "By the advice of several friends I was now brought up to 
 Guildhall to take the benefit of the late act of insolvency, but 
 my father's inhumanity was now arrived at so great a pitch, 
 nothing could deter him from appearing against me in the face of 
 the whole court. As the day was uncertain, he had the
 
 342 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 displeasure of attending three or four different times, being deter- 
 mined not to miss his opportunity, yet in case the court should 
 grant me liberty, which was unhappily for me, not in their power, 
 and to put a finishing stroke to his barbarities, a gang of sailors 
 were planted at the doors of the Hall to seize me as I should 
 come out, and with the utmost expedition carry me on board a 
 tender. 
 
 " My schedule when called for being produced contained 
 nothing but a list of two hundred books and pamphlets, intitled 
 the unnatural father, and which indeed was the sum total of all 
 my effects, the court now fixed their eyes upon this persecuting 
 parent, whose blood mounted in his cheek, and for once his 
 assurance failed him. Several knotty points were now discussed, 
 but the bond which I had been so artfully induced to execute in 
 Gloucester-Castle, exceeding the sum mentioned by act of parlia- 
 ment, 1 it was with the greatest reluctance, that the court 
 remanded me back to prison, giving me the full allowance per- 
 mitted by the act, which is seven shillings and six pence per 
 week. 
 
 " To the recorder and lord mayor, I am under the greatest 
 obligations for the pity and compassion they were pleased to shew 
 my hard case, and think it no less than my duty to return my 
 sincerest thanks in this place for such their benign regards. 
 
 " How I found myself for life fixed in a prison, and shut out 
 from the most distant hopes of ever attaining future liberty, as my 
 
 1 " This clause in the act of Insolvency, which detains me now in 
 prison, may not be disagreeable to the reader. — Provided always that 
 this act shall not extend to discharge any persons out of prison, taking 
 his or her discharge under this act, with respect to any debt which he 
 or she shall stand charged at the suit of the crown, or shall be indebted 
 to any body politick or corporate, or to any one person, in any sum 
 exceeding the sum of ^"500. besides interest and cost, unless such body 
 politick or corporate, or creditor, shall consent thereto, and if any such 
 body politick or corporate, or creditor, to whom a sum exceeding 
 ^500. shall be owing, shall oppose the discharge of such prisoner, and 
 shall insist that such prisoner be continued in goal; that then in kuch 
 case, such body politick, or corporate, or creditor, opposing the said 
 prisoner's discharge as aforesaid, shall at his, her or their proper cost 
 and charges, allow, and pay such a weekly maintenance, to the said 
 prisoner, not exceeding three shillings and six-pence per week, in such 
 manner, as the justices in their general or quarter sessions shall order, 
 and upon non payment of the same, for the space of six weeks, the 
 said prisoner, upon application to the said justices in their general or 
 quarter sessions as aforesaid, shall be discharged pursuant to the meaning 
 and intent of this act."
 
 ROBERT NUGENT, JUNIOR 343 
 
 injust action will for life detain me in durance and my misery- 
 only be encreased, should my fellow sufferers, by the intervening 
 mercy of any future act be admitted to partake of those blessings, 
 which through the means of parental tyranny, are alas ! for ever 
 denied to me. 
 
 " My father having thus compleated my misery, things remained 
 for a while in a state of inaction untill some months a<jo, 
 proposals were again made for sending me abroad. The first 
 mover of which, like a snake in the grass artfully kept himself 
 concealed, to the end, he might the more effectually seize his 
 prey. 
 
 " A certain gentleman a namesake, and as he says a relation 
 of my mother's, who has had the honour of bearing a militia 
 colonel's commission in some part of the West Indies, where I am 
 informed he is possessed of a considerable estate, came in person 
 to the Fleet, and applying himself to a gentleman conversant in 
 the law, who had some small acquaintance with me ; under the 
 sanction of humanity and goodwill, introduced himself in the 
 following manner, ' Sir, I am informed an unhappy young fellow, 
 the son of a near relation of mine, whose name is Nugenius, has 
 been for sometime confined in this place ; as I have the greatest 
 regard for his mother, my endeavours shall not be wanting to 
 get him out, my proposals I shall leave with you, to whom I have 
 been particularly recommended, which you at leisure may 
 communicate to him ; tell him if he agrees thereto, I will out of 
 my own pocket discharge his debt of six hundred and twenty 
 pounds, together with costs, and according to his behaviour he 
 may expect future favours.' 
 
 " After he was gone the counsellor sent for me into the Coffee- 
 room, the uncommon news gave me no small transports, but how 
 was that chilled, when I was acquainted with the heads of the 
 proposals, and the unartful mask fell at my feet. I was in the first 
 plan to indent myself for four years, to serve him upon a planta- 
 tion of his, in the island of Santa Cruz; which by the by is a 
 Danish settlement, my salary to be twentv pounds per annum, I 
 was to enter into a bond with a thousands penalty, never to use 
 the name, which by the laws of my country I am entitled to, nor 
 to return during the space of four years to England, nor ever be 
 any more troublesome to Tiberius or his family ; I was not to 
 have either money or cloaths till they had got me on board. 
 
 "In consideration of agreeing to these articles, I was to receive 
 fifty pounds when arrived in the West Indies, he, the colonel, was 
 to pay my debts in the prison which might amount to about 
 fifteen or twentv pounds ; and likewise to provide me with all
 
 344 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 the suitable apparel, but observe the money which he laid out to 
 pay my debts contracted in prison, and to furnish me with 
 cloaths was to be deducted from the fifty pounds ; and I was only 
 to receive the ballance, if any, in Santa Cruz : my passage etc. 
 he would also pay, but I was still to be his debtor, and pay that 
 when I should be rich ; I make use of the express words as they 
 stood in the proposals. 
 
 " Such were the conditions proposed by this gentleman, to 
 which the world will suppose I made several objections, a respect- 
 ful and humble remonstrance he received from me a day or two 
 after was productive of the following concise answer wrote upon 
 a small scrap of paper : ' I find you begin to rebel before your 
 enlargement, if you do not think proper to accept the terms, I 
 wash my hands of you.' 
 
 " In short this negotiation held off and on near three months, 
 but hard as the conditions were I accepted of all even to the taking 
 upon me the name of Plunkett or Farrell, an other name which the 
 colonel advised me to assume, rather than that of Plunkett y for 
 what reason he only knows, yet as I would not be bound publicly 
 to deny my real name, it dropt, and no more have since been 
 heard from that quarter." 
 
 Thus ends the story of Robert Nugent, Junior. The Pamphlet 
 to which he has referred was called ' The Unnatural Father, and 
 the Persecuted Son.' That and ' The Oppressed Captive ' was 
 no doubt circulated in the hope that Public opinion would be too 
 strong to allow his Father to disregard it, and that he would once 
 more obtain his freedom. In the denouement of the Novel he 
 makes a spirited appeal to the Public, and expresses himself trans- 
 ported beyond the bounds of reason at the most distant prospect of 
 liberty. " Methinks," he says, " I stand on the banks of the 
 Ohio ! George' 's royal commission in my panting bosom, and 
 
 Britannia' s streamer in my hand. Behold the pointed raveling 
 
 owns the superior force of destructive cannon. The breach is 
 storm'd, and Gallic veterans sink beneath the sword of liberty : In 
 the Glorious hour when honour bears the soul aloft, and the 
 purple stream pours from unfelt wounds ; then ye Generous 
 benefactors, then shall ye be remembered ; and the honourable 
 trust reposed in me, nothing shall discharge but death or 
 Conquest."
 
 INDEX 
 
 Abdy, Sir John, 223 
 Addison, Joseph, 309 
 Aix-la-Chapelle, 243, 246 
 
 Treaty of, 35, 252 
 
 Albemarle's Rockingham^ 28 
 Albemarle, George, third Earl of, 
 
 228 
 Almon, 99 
 America, 74, 75, 76 
 War of Independence, 79, 80, 
 
 81, 82, 84, 91 ; attack on Sullivan's 
 
 Island, 291-3 ; reduction of New 
 
 York, 293-4 
 Angelo, the fencer, 87 
 Anspach, Margrave of, 199 
 Ashburton, Lord. See Dunning 
 Atholl, Bt., [letter] 280 
 
 Ballynahinch, action at, 274-6 
 
 Baltimore, Lord, 37, 40 
 
 Baltinglas, Lord, 2, 3 
 
 Barnard, Sir John, 46 
 
 Barnewall, Mary, 6 
 
 Robert, ninth Lord Trimles- 
 
 ton, 6 
 Barrington, second Viscount, letter 
 
 of, 257 
 Bath, Lord, 49 
 Beckford, Alderman Richard, 62, 63, 
 
 68, 202 
 
 William, 63, 70 
 
 Bedford, John, fourth Duke of, 265 ; 
 
 letter to Nugent, 251-2 
 Bentinck, Lady W., 277 
 Berkeley, Augustus, fourth Earl of, 
 
 16 
 — — Lady, 223 
 Bigelow's Life of Benjamin Frank- 
 
 liti, 75 
 Bindon, the artist, 192, 235 
 
 Board of Trade, 64, 74, 75, 76, 253, 
 266 
 
 Bolingbroke, Henry St. John, Vis- 
 count, 30, 37, 237 
 
 Bond, Mr., 324 
 
 Botetcourt, Lord, 265 
 
 Bottles, foreign, 63, 67 
 
 Boyle, Miss, 198 
 
 " Boys," the, 34 
 
 Brickdale, Mr., 68, 79 
 
 Bristol, v, 83, 203, 212, 213, 214 
 215, 216, 241, 249, 265 ; Union 
 Club, 204, 208, 209 ; Election of 
 1754,62-5, 202-3, 331, 333 ; Nu- 
 gent's work for, 66-72, 100 
 
 George, Earl of, 17, 18, 19S, 199 
 
 Britain's greatness, 164 
 
 Britons, 183 
 
 Buckingham, 276, 309 
 
 Marquis of, 24, 26, 278. See 
 
 also Grenville, George 
 
 Burgoyne, General, 83, 84 
 
 Burgundy, Duke of, 253 
 
 Burke, Edmund, 74, 77, 78, 79, 80 
 83, 86, 88 
 
 Byng, Admiral, 210, 213, 215, 217 
 
 Byrne, Mrs., 278 
 
 Robert, 278 
 
 Calvert, Sir W., 203 
 Camden, Lord, 23, 24 
 Camilla, verses to, 183-4 
 Canada, 81 
 Cardigan, Lady, 244 
 Carlton House, 32, 41 
 Carteret. See Granville, Lord 
 Castle Inn, Aldersgate Street, 31S 
 Catalani, 278 
 
 Cato, Royal representation of Addi- 
 son's, 16
 
 34-6 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Chamber, Anna, Lady Cobham, 
 
 198 
 Chandos, third Duke of, 85 
 Henry, second Duke, [letter] 
 
 230 
 Chapmett, Mr., 287 
 Charing Cross Hospital, 315 
 Charlemagne's skull, 245 
 Chatham, Earl of. See Pitt 
 Chesterfield, Philip Dormer, Earl 
 
 of, 28, 33, 231, [five letters] 242-9 
 Cipriani, 141 
 
 Clare, Viscount. See Nugent, Earl 
 Clarissa, Ode to, 99 
 Clayton, Wm., Lord Sundon, 35 
 Cobham, Lady, 198 
 
 Lord. See Temple 
 
 Cockpit, the, 27, 241, 250, 251 
 Colleton,— M. P., 265 
 Collingwood, Mrs. C, 10 
 Colquhoun, Sir R., 283 
 Conway, Marshall, 75 
 Corinna, Verses to, 185- 
 Cornbury, Viscount, An Epistle to, 
 
 161, [letter] 240-1 
 Cornish M.P.s in 1741, 31 
 "Country Party," or "The Patriots," 
 
 15, 31, 32, 101 
 Craggs, James, 9, 10, 12 
 
 Mr. Secretary, 9, 10, 12, 14 
 
 Anne, 9, 10, 13, afterwards 
 
 Nugent 
 Craggs-Nugent. See Nugent, Earl 
 Crosby, Mr., 329 
 Crown over Parliament. Origin 
 
 and consequences of the influence 
 
 of the, 229 
 Cruger, Henry, 79 
 Cumberland, H.R.H. Henry Fred- 
 erick, Duke of, 22 
 Curl, John, 234 
 
 Curzon Street Marriages, 48, 57 
 Cyder Bill, 264 
 
 Dartmouth, Wm., Earl of, 142 
 
 Davidson, Lieutenant, 283 
 
 Dawnay, Rev. Prebendary, 203 
 
 Delanors, Mr., 231 
 
 Delany, Mrs., 10 
 
 Deloin, Lord, 231 
 
 Desire, on, 168 
 
 Devonshire, Wm., fourth Duke of, 
 
 72 
 Dillon, Chief Justice, 2 
 Sir Robert, 3 
 
 Dobson, Mr. Austin, 20 
 Dodington, G. Bubb, 37, 38-40, 41 
 Dodsley's Collection, 99 
 Dorset, Lionel, first Duke, [letter] 
 
 260 
 Dover Street, 201 
 Drax, Henry, 16 
 
 T. E., M.P., 266 
 
 Elizabeth, afterwards Berkeley 
 
 and Nugent, 16 
 Drummond, Mr., 26 
 Dunkin, Dr. William, 101 ; Epistle 
 
 to Nugent, 192-4 
 Dunning, J., 80, 87 
 Dunsany, Lord, [letter] 278-9 
 Dupont, Count, 271 
 Durouse, General, 264 
 
 East India Company, 80, 283, 321 
 Edgar, Miss Katherine, 272 
 Edward, H.R.H. Duke of Kent, 
 
 312 
 Egmont, Earl of, 36, 37, 39, 40, 211, 
 
 215, 216, 218 [letters of], 205-6, 
 
 207-8 
 Eliot, Richard, 13 
 
 Mrs. Harriet, 10, 13 
 
 Ellis, Wellbore, 95 
 Epigrams, 185-188 
 Erskine, Rev. John, 224, 229 
 Essex, Lady Frances, 19 
 Exhibition of strong men and 
 
 women, 13 
 
 Fagan's Academy, 6, 271, 316 
 
 Faith, Nugent's, 101 
 
 Faulkener, Dublin bookseller, 237, 
 
 238, 239 
 Captain, R.N., 310, 311, 312 
 
 313 
 
 Fennings, i.e. Nugent, 271 
 
 Ferdinand, Prince, 226 
 
 Fielding's (Sir John) men, 142 ; Jus- 
 tice, 323 
 
 Finch, Lady Charlotte, [letter] 
 256-7 
 
 Fingall, Peter, fourth Earl of, 8 
 
 Lord, 278 
 
 Firebran, Sir Cordel, 204 
 Fleet, the, 343 
 
 Marriages, 48, 49, 5 1 
 
 Fobbing, living of, 224, 225 
 Forster, Mr., 22 
 
 Fox, Henry, first Lord Holland, 49, 
 50, 80, [six letters] 258-61
 
 INDEX 
 
 347 
 
 Fox, Charles James, 87, 92, 95 
 Franklin, Benjamin, 75, 76 
 
 William, 75, 76 
 
 Frederick, H.R.H. Prince of Wales, 
 
 15, 16, 24, 30, 32, 35, 36, 2,7, 41, 
 
 93, 232 ; funeral, 230 
 H.R.H. Duke of York, [three 
 
 letters] 285-6, 288 
 
 Garrick, David, 51 
 Gee, Joshua, 80 
 George I., King, 247 
 
 II., King, 15-16, 23, 24, 31, 32, 
 
 93 
 
 III., King (when n years old), 
 16, 24, 32 
 
 Inn, Haymarket, 322 
 
 Gibbon, Edward, 99 
 
 Glastonbury, Lord, 95 
 
 Gloucester, H.R.H. Duke of, 199 
 
 Glover, 28 
 
 Glynn, Sergeant, 78 
 
 Goldsmith, Oliver, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 
 
 101 
 Goodwood, 258 
 Gordon, Duchess of, 25 
 Gorkhas, the, 283 
 Gosfield Hall, Essex, 10, 10- 11, 14, 
 
 15, 20, 23, 147, 252, 268 
 
 Church, 12 
 
 Gosford, Arthur, first Earl ; letter 
 
 to Sir G. Nugent, 28 1-2 
 Granville, John Earl, 92, 162, 201, 
 
 213, 214 
 
 Earl, 288 
 
 Mrs. Anne, afterwards Delany, 
 
 10 
 Gray, Thomas, v, 99, 145 
 Gray's Inn Journal, 99 
 Grenville, Rt. Hon. George, 34, 35, 
 
 70, 72, 74, [two letters] 249 
 George {afterwards first Mar- 
 quis of Buckingham), 24, 81 
 
 Rt. Hon. James, 72 
 
 James (Lord Glastonbury), 
 
 95 
 
 - J-, 27 
 
 R., 27 
 
 Richard, 35 
 
 W. W., 26, afterwards Lord 
 
 Grenville, 250 
 Grey, Sir Charles, 311 
 Grosvenor, Countess, 22 
 Guadaloupe, taking of, 311-13 
 Gunning, Miss, 49 
 
 Halifax, G. Dunk. Earl of, [letter] 
 229-30 
 
 Hamilton, Duke of, 49 
 
 Hammond, Mr., 243 
 
 Hanoverian Forces, pamphlet, 33 
 
 Hardman, John, [letter] 263 
 
 Hardwicke, Philip, Lord Chancel- 
 lor, 42, 47, 49, 50, [letters, 241-2, 
 265] 
 
 Harlev, Earl of Oxford, 30 
 
 Mr., 94 
 
 Hastings, Warren, [two letters] 
 279-80, 287 
 
 Mrs., 279 
 
 Hat, insult to Lord Cobham's, 17- 
 19, 198 
 
 Haunch of Venison, Goldsmith's, 
 101 
 
 Hawkins, Sir John, 20 
 
 Hayter, Dr. See Norwich, Bp. 
 
 Henley, Sir Robert, 72 
 
 Herbert, Mr., 253 
 
 Hervey, John Lord, 17, 198, [letter] 
 251 
 
 Captain, 16 
 
 History of England in the Eigh- 
 teenth Century, Mr. Lecky's, 49, 
 82 
 
 Honduras, naval action at capture 
 of Omoa, 294-308 
 
 Honeywood, Mr., 223 
 
 Hood, Admiral Lord, 95 
 
 House of Commons, Nestor of, 6 
 
 its honour and dignity, 87 
 
 House of Lords, 1741, 247 
 
 Howth, Christopher St. Lawrence, 
 Lord, 3 
 
 Hudson's Bay Company, 66 
 
 Hunt, George, M.P., 265 
 
 India Bill, Fox's, 92 
 
 [1814], 283, 285 
 
 Inoculation, 258 
 
 Interests of Great Britain, H. Wal- 
 
 pole's, 34 
 Ipswich, Red House, 272 
 Ireland [18 19], Commander-in-chief, 
 
 285 
 and Commerce. See Verses 
 
 to the Queen, 138-140, 143 
 Council of, [1522] 1 
 
 Nugent, Vice-Treasurer of, 
 Rebellion of 1798, [letter of Sir 
 
 G. Nugent] 273-6
 
 34 8 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Irish bogs, possible improvement, 
 
 lean cattle, 221-3 
 Commercial Code, 82-3, 84-5 
 distress in 1778, 82 
 fisheries in 1775, 82 
 Lajiguagc, Nugent's Primer 
 
 of the, 2 
 - linen bounties, 266-7 
 Stuff, Nugent's, 101 
 
 Iron, bar, from America, 69 
 
 Jenkinson, afterwards Earl of Liver- 
 pool, 84 
 
 Jenkyns, Soames, 75 
 
 Jews' Naturalization Bill, 1753, 42 
 
 Johnson, Sir William, 75 
 
 Jones, i.e. Nugent, George and 
 Edmund, 271 
 
 Keith, Rev. Alex., 48, 57 
 Kent, H.R.H. Edward, Duke of, 
 312 
 
 the architect, 152 
 
 Kilkenny, articles of, 4 
 Kingston, Duke of, 49 
 Knight, John, M.P., 10, 12 
 
 Mrs., 10. See Craggs, Anne 
 
 Knox, of Bristol, 217, 220 
 
 Lake, General Lord, 173, [letter] 
 
 277, 284 
 Lecky's, Mr., Hislory,^g, 82 
 Lee, Dr., 36, 40,41 
 Le Geyt, 260 
 Legge, Mr., 73, 74 
 Legonier, Sir John, 210 
 Leicester House, 16, 24, 93, 225 
 Lennox, Lady Caroline, 50 
 Levant, the, 66 
 
 Leveson-Gower, Hon. Richard, 19 
 Liskard, 62 
 
 Liverpool, Earl, [letter] 284-5 
 Lonsdale, Ode to Lord, 178-9 
 Lymington, Lady, 25 
 Lynch, Father, 8, 316, 317 
 Lyttleton, Sir George, 212 
 
 M'Aulay, Mr., 234, 237 
 MacGuire, Colonel, 324 
 McNamara, Mr., 26 
 Madan, Dr., 92 
 Magistrates, 172 
 Mallet, David, 27, 99 
 Malloy, Mr., 240 
 
 Manners, Lord, 278 
 Mansfield, Lord, 78 
 Marchmont, Lord, Ode to, 236 
 Marlborough, Charles, second Duke 
 
 of, [letter] 240 
 Marriage Bill, 241 
 Marriage Act, passing of, 49-62, 
 
 64, 84, 92, 271 
 Marriages, clandestine, 48-9 
 Marshalsea, Southwark, 200 
 Martinico, taking of, 310-11 
 Matthews, Admiral, 34-5 
 May, Sir Erskine, Constitutional 
 
 History, 82 
 Maynard, Sir William, 223 
 Mercer, Captain Luke, 70 
 Middlesex, Lord, 38, 39, 198 
 
 Lady, 39, 40 
 
 Middleton, Dr., 251 
 Minorca, 210, 212, 215 
 
 Moira, General the Earl of, 273, 
 275, 276 ; House of, 274; [letter] 
 
 283-4 
 Monarchy, 168-9 
 Mongarret and Trimlestoun, Lord, 
 
 231 
 Montaigne, 243 
 Mordaunt, Lieut.-Genl., 254 
 Murphy, Arthur, 99 
 Murray's in Lincolns Inn Fields, 236 
 Murray, solicitor-general, 35 
 
 Nation — what most blest, 163-5 
 Naturalization Bill, 232 
 Newcastle,:Tlaomas Duke of, 31, 34, 
 
 62, 72, 73, 86, 207 ; [letters] 202, 
 
 202-3, 209-10 
 
 Duchess of, 261 
 
 New Foundling Hospital for Wit, 
 
 101 
 Newsham, James, 62 
 
 John, 10 
 
 junior, 197, 264 
 
 Norfolk, Duchess of ninth Duke, 
 
 [letter] 231 
 North, Lord, 83, 84, 86, 
 Northumberland, Earl (laterDuke), 
 
 20, 21 
 Norwich, Bishop of, 42 
 Nova Scotia, 229 
 Nugent, Mrs. Anne, ne'e Craggs, 13 
 
 14, 15, 16, 25, 197, 203, 236, 239, 
 Adml. of the Fleet, Sir Charles 
 
 Edmund, 8, [letter] 288-9 5 
 
 memoir, 290-315
 
 INDEX 
 
 349 
 
 Nugent, Sir Christopher, fourteenth 
 
 Lord Delvin, 2, 3 
 
 Christopher of Donore, 6 
 
 Miss Clare, 7, 8,9; afterwards 
 
 Mrs. O'Byrne, 318 
 Lieut.-Col. Edmund, 8, 13, 16, 
 
 18, 26, 49, 62, 68, 271-2, 326-7 
 - Sir Edmund, Bt., of West 
 
 Harling, 197 
 
 — Mrs. Elizabeth, nie Drax, 16, 
 
 — Miss Elizabeth, 16, 271, 286 
 
 — Field-Marshal Sir George, Bt., 
 8, 26 ; memoir, 272-289, [letter 
 re Irish Rebellion] 273-6 
 
 — John, 231, 259, 260 
 
 — John, fifth Earl of Westmeath, 5 
 
 — Miss Louisa, daughter of 
 
 Earl Nugent, 16 
 
 Miss Louisa, daughter of Sir 
 
 G. Nugent, 288 
 
 — Miss Margaret, Earl Nugent' s 
 sister, 13, 16 
 
 Mary, afterwards Grenville, 1 6, 
 
 22, 24, 26, 81 
 
 — Colonel Michael, 6, 317 
 
 — Sir Nicolas, 2, 4 
 
 — Richard the twelvth Lord 
 Delvin, 1-2 
 
 — Richard, Earl of Westmeath, 4 
 Richard, second Earl of West- 
 
 meath, 4 
 
 — Richard, third Earl of West- 
 meath, 5 
 
 — Richard, 2 
 Robert, Earl, 
 
 lineage, 1 ; 
 noble descent, 6 ; Clare Nugent 
 intrigue, 7 ; their natural son, 8 ; 
 marries Lady Emilia Plunkett, 8 ; 
 her early death, ib. ; offers Clare 
 reparation, 9 ; his second mar- 
 riage, 9 ; wife's health and person, 
 10 ; takes prefix of Craggs, ib.; ill 
 match, 13 ; wife's death, 14 ; social 
 position, 15; early joins exalted 
 society, 15 ; third marriage, 16 ; 
 his daughters, z£. ; frolic with Lord 
 Bristol's hat, 17-19, 198 ; public 
 apology, 18 ; his jests, 19, 25 ; 
 friend of Oliver Goldsmith, 20- 
 23 ; created an Irish earl, 24 ; 
 offices and dignities, 25 ; gout, 
 25 ; death, 26, 95 ; will and 
 estates, 26-7 ; character, 27 ; 
 person, 28, 318 ; morality, 28-9 ; 
 elected for St. Mawe's, 31 ; 
 
 Nugent, Robert, Earl {continued) 
 intimacy with Frederick Prince 
 of Wales, 32, 35, 37, 40, 41 ; 
 Parliamentary speeches, 33, 34, 
 35, 37, 4°, 4i ; on Jews, Naturaliz- 
 ation, 42-6, 62 ; on Marriage Bill, 
 51-62 ; a Lord of the Treasury, 
 62, 72 ; elected for Bristol, 62-5 ; 
 Duke of Newcastle's congratula- 
 tions, 202-3 ; authority on trade 
 and navigation, 67 ; rejected at 
 Bristol, 7 1 ; re-elected, 72 ; Vice- 
 Treasurer Ireland, 72 ; First Com- 
 missioner for Trr.de and Planta- 
 tions, 74 ; created an Irish peer 
 (Viscount Clare and Baron Nu- 
 gent),'74,8i ; dines with Franklin, 
 76 ; parliamentary speeches 1770 
 to 1774,77-79 ; rejected at Bristol, 
 79; place-serving speeches, 81 ; 
 on Irish trade restraints, 83, 84- 
 5 ; Militia speech, 84 ; on Ireland 
 84-5 ; on dignity of House of Com- 
 mons, 87 ; for amity between Fox 
 and Pitt, 92-5 ; Nestor of the 
 House, 95 ; poetical talents, 99- 
 101 ; Poems, 98-191 ; An Epistle 
 to, 192-4; bashfulness, 197 ; 
 indifferent speaker, 197 ; rebuff 
 from H.R.H Duke of Gloucester, 
 199 ; indisposed, 216, 220 ; gout, 
 225 ; invitation to funeral of Fred- 
 erick Prince of Wales, 230 ; loans, 
 232 ; criticized by A. Pope, 236 ; 
 Pope correspondence, 235-9 ; in- 
 vited to Goodwood, 258; asks 
 governorship of St. Mawe's Castle 
 for son, 264; President of Board 
 of Trade, 266 ; interview with 
 natural son Robert, 318-320. 
 
 Letters :— 
 To Duke of Newcastle. For 
 release of French prisoner, 200- 
 I ; congratulations, 201 ; seeks 
 promotion for Rev. Tucker, 
 203 ; invitation to Bristol 
 Union Club, 204 ; party whip, 
 204-5 '■> note w i tn draft letter, 
 206 ; how Union Club received 
 letter, 208-9 > Bristol — Tucker 
 — Egmont, 211 ; Bristol politics 
 — Tucker, 212 ; Byng court- 
 martial, 213 ; Lord Egmont, 
 215 ; Egmont— Tucker, 216; 
 Bristol address — Byng, 217 ;
 
 35° 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Nugent : Letters {continued) 
 
 Bristol politics, 217-19 ; inter- 
 est of Knox, 220 ; asks Deanery 
 for Dr. Tucker, 220-1 ; Irish 
 cattle, 221-3 ; Essex election- 
 eering, 223 ; Lord Berkeley, 
 224 ; elected for Bristol, 224 ; 
 Fobbing living, 224 ; gout, 225 ; 
 to visit Spa and kiss hands. 
 Interest for son — Spa folk, 226 ; 
 favours for Cornish friend, 
 226-7 ; w iH attend at Cockpit, 
 227 ; opinion on a clause, 227 ; 
 on retirement, 228 ; Nugent's 
 retirement, 228. 
 
 To H. Dampier, Mayor of Bristol, 
 attachment to city, 214 
 
 To Union Committee, Bristol, 
 Minorca, 24-5 
 
 To Mr. (Sir Jarrett) Smith, 
 Bristol politics, 218 
 
 To Mrs. Whiteway, Pope's letters 
 — Bindon's Swift, 235 
 
 To Rev. J. Erskine, 229 
 
 To Mr. Grenville, 265-6 ; seeks 
 place for son — politicians, 265 
 
 To Mr. Grenville. Accepted Pre- 
 sidency of Board of Trade, 266 
 
 To Marquis of Tovvnshend. Irish 
 Linen, 266-7 
 
 To John Osborne. Projected 
 Irish trip, 267-8 
 Poems : — 
 
 Faith — Address to the Publisher, 
 115; Argument, 116; the poem, 
 
 "7-133 
 
 Verses to the Queen with Gift of 
 Irish Manufacture, 137 
 
 Verses with a gift of Irish Pota- 
 toes, 141-44 
 
 The Genius of Ireland, 145-9 
 
 Epistle to Mr. Pope, 1 50-1 
 
 Epistle to Pollio from the Hills 
 of Howthin Ireland, 151— 3 
 
 An Epistle, 153-61 
 
 to Lord Viscount Cornbury, 
 
 161-173 
 
 to a Lady, 173-8 
 
 Inscription on the Tomb of his 
 
 Ancestors, 190 
 Odes : — 
 Birthday. To Frederick, Prince 
 
 of Wales, 1739, 102-3 
 To Mankind, with Introduction, 
 
 104-10 
 
 Nugent : Odes {continued) 
 
 To William Pulteney, 1 1 o- 1 2 
 
 To Lord Lonsdale, 178-9 
 
 An Ode, 180-1 
 
 Ode, 182-3 
 
 Verses to Camilla, 183-4 
 
 to Corinna, 1S5 
 
 Epigrams, 185-S 
 
 Elegy, An, 189 
 
 To the Memory of Viscountess 
 Townsend, 190-1 
 Nugent, Robert, son of Clare, 8. 
 
 Memoir, 316-44 
 
 Sir Thomas, Kt., 2 
 
 Thomas, Lord Chief Justice 
 
 (Lord Riverston), 4-5 
 
 Thomas, fourth Earl of West- 
 
 meath, 5 
 
 — Sir William, 1 
 
 — William, 3 
 
 — Lieutenant, 259 
 letter of, 277 
 
 "Nugentize," v, 178 
 
 O'Byrne, Mr., 9 
 
 Mrs., 318 
 
 Ode to William Pulteney, Nugent's, 
 
 vii, 14, 20, 27, 99 
 O'Donnel, Major, 26 
 O'Donnell, Elizabeth, 271 
 Official papers, the King and, 81 
 Ordinance, treasurer of the, 255 
 Orford, Lord, 256 
 Orrery, Lord, 233, 235, 237 
 Osborne, John, 267-8 
 Mr., 287 
 
 Padget, Lieutenant, 260 
 Palliser, Sir Hugh, 83, 87 
 Palmer, General, 287 
 Parker, Admiral Sir Peter, 290, 291 
 Parliamentary elections, peers and, 
 
 85-6 
 " Patriots." See " Country Party " 
 Peers and elections, 86 
 Pelham, Rt. Hon. Henry, 31, 34, 41, 
 
 62, 92, [letters] 252-6 
 
 Lady Catherine, 19 
 
 Pepperels, Sir Wm., 260 
 
 Percy, Bishop, 20, 21 
 
 Pester, Captain, 284 
 
 Philipps, Sir John, 63, 65, 202, 203 
 
 Pitt, Earl of Chatham, 72, 73, 74, 83, 
 
 86, 93, [three letters] 232-3 
 the younger, Wm., maiden 
 
 speech, 88-91
 
 INDEX 
 
 35i 
 
 Pitt, Rowland, 330 
 
 Place Bill, 197 
 
 Pleasure, Lord Chesterfield on, 
 
 244-5 
 Plumptree, Treasurer of the Ord- 
 nance, 254 
 Plunkett, Lady Emilia, 8, 271 ; 
 
 afterwards Nugent, 326 
 Poems. See Nugent, 350 
 Pole, Mr. Charles, 263 
 Politics in 1741, 30-1 
 Pope, Alexander, 9, 12, 14, 181, 182, 
 
 233, 234, 235, [five letters] 235-9 
 Potter, Mr., 230 
 
 Thomas, [two letters] 262, 263 
 
 Pownall, Mr., Secretary to the Board 
 
 of Trade, 233 
 Prouse, Mr. T., 265 
 Public good, the, 246 
 Pulteney, Wm., Earl of Bath, 32, 73, 
 
 74, 94, 99, 198 ; Ode to, 1 10-12, 
 
 [letters] 229 
 Putney, 250 
 
 Queensberry, Charles, third Duke, 
 
 [letter] 239-40 
 Quin, Mr., 16 
 
 Ranelagh, 205 
 
 Richards, Major-General, 12 
 
 Rev. Mr., 200 
 
 Richmond, second Duke, [two let- 
 ters] 258 
 
 third Duke, 309 
 
 Robinson, Sir Thomas, 217 
 Rockingham, Lord, 74 
 
 Sackville, Lord George, 27 
 St. Albans, Duke of, 253 
 St. Ive, 200 
 
 St. Mawe's, 15, 26, 30, 31,62, 95, 
 203, 276, 309 
 
 Castle, 264 
 
 Sandwich, Lord, 198 
 
 Santlow,Miss(Mrs.BartonBooth),i3 
 
 Saratoga Convention, 83 
 
 Savile, Sir George, 87 
 
 Saville House, 225 
 
 Savoy privileges, 51 
 
 Seeker, Dr., Bishop of Oxford, 32 
 
 Shannon, Lady, 198 
 
 She stoops to conquer, Goldsmith's, 22 
 
 Shelburne, Lord, 75 
 
 Shirley, Colonel, 259 
 
 Sidmouth, Lord, [letter] 284 
 
 Sidney, Sir Henry, 2 
 
 Skinner, Maria, 276 
 
 Sloane, Sir Hans, 62 
 
 Smith, Sir Jarrett, 68, 218 
 
 Smollett's History, 36-7, 73 
 
 Snow, Mr., 243 
 
 Somerset, Lord Charles, 282 
 
 Southampton election, 85-6 
 
 South Sea Company, 9-10 
 
 Southwell, Margaret, first Viscount- 
 ess, [letters] 261-2 
 
 Spa, 226, 244, 246 
 
 Spencer, Mr., afterwards John first 
 Viscount, 68, 213, 214, 216 
 
 Stainsbury's case, 205, 207 
 
 Stanhope, Sir William, 220 
 
 Stannary Court, 36 
 
 " State tinkers," 90 
 
 Stewart, Lieut.-Col. of 33rd Regt., 
 
 273-5 
 Stone, Mr., 200 
 
 Stowe, 181, 182, 186 
 
 Strange, Lord, 265 
 
 Sturt, — M.P. for Dorset, 265 
 
 Swift, Dean, 192-4, 234, 237, 243 
 
 Mr., 235, 237 
 
 Taylor, C. H., [letter] 282 
 
 Temple, Sir William, 205 
 
 Richard, first Earl, 17, 23-4, 
 
 25, 28, 73, 74, 198-9 
 
 Thames, the, 182, 242 
 
 Thanet, Lady, 253 
 
 Tomline, Bishop, 91 
 
 Townshend, Thomas, 83, 84, 85 
 
 Charlotte, Viscountess, 190-1 
 
 T7-aveller, Goldsmith's, 20 
 
 Trenton, 267 
 
 Tucker, Dean, v, vi, 65, 203, 210, 
 211, 212, 216, 217, 218, 220-1 
 
 Review of Lord Clare's Con- 
 duct, 65, 66 
 
 Tunbridge, 243 
 
 Tweeddale, Marquis of, 13 
 
 Unnatural Father and tlie Perse- 
 cuted Son, the, 344 
 
 Vaughan, Dr. (M.D.), 229 
 Vernon, Elizabeth, 49, 271, after- 
 wards Countess Dupont. 
 Volunteers, Royal, 226 
 Vyner, Mr., 83 
 
 Wall, Ambassador-Extradrdinarj . 
 
 253
 
 352 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Waller, Mr., 33 
 
 Walpole, Horace, first Baron Wal- 
 pole, 81, [four letters] 250-1 
 
 Horace, 11, 13, 19, 25, 27, 
 
 33, 99, 197 
 
 Sir Robert, 15, 30-1, 32, 
 
 81, 94, 101, 246-7, 248 
 
 Mr. Thomas, 75 
 
 Warburton, Dr., 210 
 Webb, Mr., 207 
 Wedderburn, Mr., 77 
 Welch, John, [letter] 264 
 Wellington, Field-Marshal, the 
 
 Duke of, 288, [letters] 280, 287 
 Wentworth, Sir John, 12 
 Westmeath, fourth Earl of, [two 
 
 letters] 231-2 
 Westminster election, 95 
 
 White's Club Room, 18 
 Whiteway, Mrs., [letters] 233, 235, 
 
 237 
 Whitmore, Colonel, 259 
 Wilkes, 83, 86, 267 
 Wilkinson, Rev., 51 
 Willes, Chief Justice J., [letter] 
 
 230 
 Wingfield, Sir Richard, 3 
 Wilmington, 198 
 Woman, domestic advice to, 174 
 Wraxall, Sir Nathaniel, 16, 19, 23, 
 
 24, 25, 27, 28 
 Wray, Sir Cecil, 95 
 Wreckers, 71 
 Wyndham, Wm., 162, [letter] 261 
 
 Yorke, Hon. Charles, 241 note 
 
 THE END. 
 
 Richard Clay &* Sons, Limited, London &> Bungay.
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 Santa Barbara 
 
 DA 
 
 501 
 
 STACK COLLECTION 
 
 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
 STAMPED BELOW. 
 
 
 10m-6,'62(C9724s4)476D 
 

 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 A A 000 234 742 5